ARC Review: Poison by Bridget Zinn

Publisher: Disney/Hyperion

Publication Date:  March 12th, 2013

Sixteen-year-old Kyra, a highly-skilled potions master, is the only one who knows her kingdom is on the verge of destruction—which means she’s the only one who can save it. Faced with no other choice, Kyra decides to do what she does best: poison the kingdom’s future ruler, who also happens to be her former best friend.

But, for the first time ever, her poisoned dart . . . misses.

Now a fugitive instead of a hero, Kyra is caught in a game of hide-and-seek with the king’s army and her potioner ex-boyfriend, Hal. At least she’s not alone. She’s armed with her vital potions, a too-cute pig, and Fred, the charming adventurer she can’t stop thinking about. Kyra is determined to get herself a second chance (at murder), but will she be able to find and defeat the princess before Hal and the army find her?

Kyra is not your typical murderer, and she’s certainly no damsel-in-distress—she’s the lovable and quick-witted hero of this romantic novel that has all the right ingredients to make teen girls swoon.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

What a breath of fresh air this book was!  Seriously.  When it came in the mail, I looked at the cover, and immediately (mis)judged it as something that was going to be really silly and juvenile, and I am happy to admit (as long as no one tells my husband) that I was totally wrong.  Poison is a really well-written YA Fantasy that will likely have a very broad readership.  It's got great characters, a well paced plot, an innocent romance, lots of unexpected twists, and a whole lot more.  Also, it is squeaky clean, so it's perfect for those advanced elementary school age readers who want to venture into some more challenging books, without losing their innocence.  Poison is one of those all-ages reads that would be great as a read-aloud to kids, but also engaging and smart enough for the most jaded YA readers, myself included.  

So you get it... I have much love for this book, and although I briefly mentioned my reasons above, her is where I will elaborate.  I thought this book was a lot of fun.  The themes weren't heavy, and I didn't go to bed hashing the events I just read out in my head.  The story was fast-paced and full of action and adventure, with a lot of funny events along the way.  The story went back and forth between adventure and fun, with little twists here and there to keep the reader on her toes, but not so many that it became confusing.  It was fresh and original.  There was no real love triangles or insta-love, which is almost unheard of in YA.  I would like to give you an overview, but there is too much potential for spoilers, so I will leave it at this... You will want to keep turning the pages because you are intrigued by the story and at the same time, having fun.

The characters were also great, and there were many, but I'm only going to talk about a few.  Kyra is a pretty kick-ass heroine; Lethal with her poisons, a well trained fighter, and super smart, but she is also kind of awkward and insecure, and I loved that.  Over time on the run, she had become a very solitary person, so when Fred comes along, she doesn't quite know what to do with him.  And speaking of Fred... Such a cutie.  I could not, for the life of me, figure out why she was always trying to get rid of him, because I thought he was just great.  He made me laugh, and he got her out of more than one bind.  My favorite was Rosie the pig though.  I wish I could reach into the book and grab her to keep as my own pet.  She provided just what this book needed to keep it light, and fun.  I mean, come on, what is there not to like about a tiny, magical pig?

The last thing I must mention is the world in which this story took place.  I thought the author did a great job drawing the reader in by really bringing the setting to life with her words.  Her descriptions were great, and she really captured not only the physical environment, but the emotional climate.   The main characters covered a lot of ground in their travels and adventures in this book, and I always thought the world-building was solid.  In the Fantasy genre, worlds are often either way overdone, or not built up enough.  This book had a whole lot of "just right" going on.

The only thing that sucks about this book is that it will be the only one.  Sadly, the author, Bridget Zinn, passed away shortly after writing Poison.  It is such a tragedy that her life was cut short, before she got to share more of her amazing talent.

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ½ 

Grade Level Recommendation:  Like I mentioned before, this book is squeaky clean.  No cursing, sex, or other inappropriate content.  This book is 100% suitable for all ages.

ARC Review: Magisterium by Jeff Hirsch

Publisher:  Scholastic Press

Publication Date:  October 1st, 2012

On one side of the Rift is a technological paradise without famine or want. On the other side is a mystery.

Sixteen-year-old Glenn Morgan has lived next to the Rift her entire life and has no idea of what might be on the other side of it. Glenn's only friend, Kevin, insists the fence holds back a world of monsters and witchcraft, but magic isn't for Glenn. She has enough problems with reality: Glenn's mother disappeared when she was six, and soon after, she lost her scientist father to his all-consuming work on the mysterious Project. Glenn buries herself in her studies and dreams about the day she can escape. But when her father's work leads to his arrest, he gives Glenn a simple metal bracelet that will send Glenn and Kevin on the run---with only one place to go.
With MAGISTERIUM, Jeff Hirsch brings us the story of a complex, captivating world that will leave readers breathless until the very last page.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

I haven't read Jeff Hirsch's acclaimed debut, The Eleventh Plague, yet, but it is up there on my list of already-published books to read.  When I got an advance copy of this, his second book, I was really excited.  Because I had heard so many fabulous things about The Eleventh Plague, I went into Magisterium with pretty high expectations, and I was not disappointed!

My first impression of this book was great!  It has one of the most fabulous covers I've seen this year.  The art is beautiful in a kind of dark, foreboding way, and it has a gorgeous combination of colors.  I'm not usually overly impressed with Scholastic's covers, but they really delivered with this one.  Honestly, I was a tiny bit afraid that what was between the covers would have a difficult time measuring up to what was on the outside (kind of like people sometimes, you know?)...

Fortunately, the story was good too.  It's extremely original; very different from everything else out in the YA book world right now.  First off, I'm having hard time classifying it.  It kind of fits within several different genres, while not really fitting into any single one completely.  It has dystopian elements for sure, or rather, utopian-unless-you-step-out-of-line elements.  It also has elements of sci-fi, with the protagonist's life ambition being space travel and her father being a mad scientist type.  The genre I most closely identified it to was Fantasy, though.  On one side of the "Rift" you have your technological utopia/dystopia, while on the other side, the side most of the novel takes place on, it is pure fantasy.  It too lived under an oppressive leadership, but this one was fashioned from magic, rather than technology.  Those with the most "Affinty" ruled, and those with less were forbidden to use it, or risk death as traitors to the Magistra.  Each side of the Rift had its advantages, technology on one side, magic on the other, but what was cool was that each side's strength only existed its own side of the border, and became useless the moment one crossed it.  This made for a peaceful, if tense, arrangement between the two governing entities; the people just accepted the lies they were told about what existed on the other side of the border.  Everything changed when the protagonist's scientist father created a device to make the wearer able to cross the border, and still be able to retain his/her strengths from the other side.  Both sides get word of this device, and want it, and that is when the adventure really begins.  Unstable alliances are made, betrayal lurks around every corner, and all out war ensues...

The plot was really good.  I liked how the story played out, and there weren't any questions left unanswered in the end, but at the same time, it was written in an open-ended sort of way, leaving room for a possible sequel.   I also really liked the characters.  The protagonist, Glenn, was great.  She was strong, smart, and principled, but also very human.  She had a couple of really selfish moments, and in a way, those were what made me connect with her.  I also really liked Kevin, her BFF and sort-of love interest.  There were a few times I questioned his intelligence and mental stability, but in the end I got him.  The old witch, Opal, was another character I thought highly of.  She was tough and cunning, and I liked that she helped Kevin and Glenn, even though she knew who they were and what it could cost her.  My favorite character, however, was Aamon.  Not only was he a fantastic creature, a feast for the imagination, but he was a kick-ass warrior, and kept me guessing as to what his motivations were right up until the very end.

This book did have a few issues, but they ended up not being all that major.  The pacing of the story wasn't very even.  There were times when it felt very disjointed, making me feel like I was reading a different book.  The same fantastical descriptions that really brought this book to life at some times, dragged it down at others.  There were times when I felt like some of the elaborate constructs of the setting and plot and were unnecessary, slowing the story down, while at others, I was absolutely enthralled and couldn't stop reading.  Then there were times when I was confused because I felt there wasn't enough description.  I also sometimes felt like some things were rather predictable, especially Glenn's strange connection to the Magisterium.  That said, there were a few reveals that took me by surprise, even if the timing was a bit convenient.

Overall, despite my minor misgivings, I really liked Magisterium.  It was unique and packed with adventure.  I can't give it five stars because of the aforementioned problems with execution, but I still feel like it is well worth a read by anyone who is a fan of Dystopia and/or Fantasy.  If a second book is ever written, I will definitely read it.

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★  

Grade Level Recommendation:  Violent, but otherwise squeaky clean.  This is appropriate for readers grades 4 and up (ages 9+).

**Don't forget to enter my GIVEAWAY for a SIGNED copy of Lauren Oliver's fabulous new book, THE SPINDLERS! Click HERE to enter! US/CAN. Ends 10/20/2012.**

ARC Review: The Spindlers by Lauren Oliver

Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books

Publication Date: October 2nd, 2012

One night when Liza went to bed, Patrick was her chubby, stubby, candy-grubbing and pancake-loving younger brother, who irritated and amused her both, and the next morning, when she woke up, he was not. In fact, he was quite, quite different.

When Liza's brother, Patrick, changes overnight, Liza knows exactly what has happened: The spindlers have gotten to him and stolen his soul.

She knows, too, that she is the only one who can save him.

To rescue Patrick, Liza must go Below, armed with little more than her wits and a broom. There, she uncovers a vast world populated with talking rats, music-loving moles, greedy troglods, and overexcitable nids . . . as well as terrible dangers. But she will face her greatest challenge at the spindlers' nests, where she encounters the evil queen and must pass a series of deadly tests--or else her soul, too, will remain Below forever.

From "New York Times" best-selling author Lauren Oliver comes a bewitching story about the reaches of loyalty, the meaning of love, and the enduring power of hope.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

I'm not a huge reader of Middle Grade fiction, but there are a few exceptions to that, and anything by Lauren Oliver falls into that category.  I was really excited when she announced this upcoming book at a signing last year, and couldn't wait to get my hands on it (although I have to admit that my then seven year old son was even more excited than I was).  When the first reviews came out, however, I was dubious... One reviewer basically said it was Lewis Carroll meets Roald Dahl meets Neil Gaiman, and people, THAT is A LOT to live up to for anyone, but for me (and my son), it equals three classic MG Lit GODS.  I was afraid I would be disappointed.  Well, I'm here to tell you that I was not!  This book was magical and fabulous and just awesome.  I read it with my son and we both loved it (in fact, he wants to be a Spindler for Halloween)!  Let me tell you why...

• The World: Lauren has really outdone herself with the world-building in this book.  In her YA novels, I was a bit underwhelmed with the world-building.  The stories and characters well made up for this fact, but I never saw it as one of her strengths.  Liesl & Po was much better, but I was blown away by The Spindlers.  The descriptions were rich and imaginative, filled with beauty, horror, hope, and despair.  The world was definitely one of my favorite parts of this book.
• The Characters:  Liza was great.  Spunky, determined, and conscientious.  She was going to get her brother, Patrick's, soul back from the Spindlers at any cost, even that of her own soul.  I also loved Mirabella the rat!  She provided so much comic relief in what would have been a very dark story otherwise.  Often whiny and petulant, she was a perfect companion and guide on Liza's determined and principles-driven quest.  It was often that Mirabella's childish, spoiled attitude, tempered by her innocence, served as a reminder of Patrick (rather unlikeable at times) for Liza on her quest.  Even the most minor supporting characters were well drawn as well; the many creatures and inhabitants of Below were sometimes grotesque (the Moribats), sometimes beautiful (the Nocturni), and sometimes a little of both (the Lumer-Lumpen).  I loved them all, even the ones I just loved to hate like the Queen of the Spindlers.
• The Plot and Pacing:  This book is full of adventure and peril, set within the fantastical world, but it is so much more.  It is about love and relationships and determination in the face of adversity.  That said, it never EVER seems preachy to those points, which is SO important when writing for kids.  It never lulls and has surprises around each corner.  As an adult reader I did find some things a tad predictable, but when I look at it through the eyes of my eight year old son (the book's intended audience), I found it full of intrigue and magic.  I also loved the way it spoke of the strength of sibling love.  My son said he thought it was "nice that Liza wants to save Patrick even if she doesn't LIKE him much, because he is her brother and she LOVES him."  That is pretty much the story of his relationships with his two sisters, and I really loved that he picked up that subtle message.
• The Cover:  I got an eGalley of this book, so I didn't really get to look closely at the cover at first.  When I finally did, I was so impressed by the quality of the art and the many subtle plot-related details the artist included.  I think it is tied with Liesl & Po for my favorite Lauren Oliver cover.

In the end, I think The Spindlers is a must-read for Middle Grade readers, especially those who love Fantasy.  As for YA and adult readers, read it, but understand the intended audience, and try to keep that in mind.  I've read a few negative reviews that focused on predictability and that fact that there were some cliches and such.  Yes, there is some predictability at times, and it is a bit juvenile at others, but it is meant to be; it is no less wonderful in my mind because of those things.  The Spindlers is beautifully written and definitely a book I will be buying a finished copy of for my shelf.

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★  

Grade Level Recommendation:  This is a Middle Grade novel, so the content is clean as it pertains to sex, violence, and language.  That said, it is scary at several points throughout.  There were a few times when I wondered if it would give my eight year old nightmares (it didn't).  That said, if a child is particularly sensitive to scary stuff, hold off.  The same wonderful world building and character development that made me love this book could end up being the stuff of nightmares for a too-young or very sensitive child.  Ages 8 and up (2nd/3rd grade+), older for the aforementioned.

Review: Stolen Away by Alyxandra Harvey

Publisher: Walker & Co.

Publication Date:  January 17th, 2012

For seventeen years, Eloise Hart had no idea the world of Faery even existed. Now she has been abducted and trapped in the Rath of Lord Strahan, King of Faery. Strahan was only meant to rule for seven years, as Faery tradition dictates, and then give up his crown to another. But he won't comply, and now chaos threatens both worlds.

The only one who can break his stranglehold on the Faery court is his wife. . . Eloise's aunt Antonia. Using Eloise to lure Antonia, Strahan captures his wife, desperate to end the only threat to his reign. Now Eloise must become the rescuer. Together with her best friends Jo and Devin, she must forge alliances with other Fae, including a gorgeous protector named Lucas, and Strahan's mysterious son, Eldric-who may or may not betray them.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

There are three reasons I wanted to read this book... First, I had heard really good things about Alyxandra Harvey's other books, Haunting Violet and The Drake Chronicles.  Second, I really love the cover; I can't really pinpoint what it is about the cover that drew me in, but it did.  Third, and most importantly, I love books about fae as they are supposed to be (not the cute little things Disney portrays them as).  Holly Black is one of my favorite authors, and THE expert on all things faery, as far as I am concerned, and the synopsis of Stolen Away gave me the impression that Alyxandra Harvey was writing her fae like Holly does.  So, I read Stolen Away and here's what I thought...

I liked it.  I didn't love it, but it was good.  Here's the thing... Over the past few weeks I have read some truly phenomenal books- Cinder, Under the Never Sky, Fracture, The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight.  That said, I'm probably being a teensy bit harder on this book than I may have been had I been in a reading slump, but so it goes.  Anyway, I did like this book.  It was mostly well written and the story was good.  It was very interesting and it held my attention most of the time.  It did have a couple of dull spots, but overall, it was well paced.  My biggest complaint about the story was that it was told from the POVs of Eloise and Jo.  I don't really get why Jo's POV was important enough to deserve such spotlight; she never really played more than a supporting role, but a huge part of the book was dedicated to her.  The only thing I can figure is that there will be a second book where Jo will play a larger role, but so far, I've heard nothing about that.  The truth is that I liked Jo, and I liked her little side-story, I just didn't like how it was written because it was a huge distraction from Eloise's story, which was the really important one in this book.  I also thought the character development was lacking a little.  I like my characters to feel like friends, I didn't really connect with any of them in that way.  I liked most of the characters, but it was the way I would like an acquaintance.  I think my favorite part of this book had to be the world building.  Alyxandra did a great job with the setting; I loved the rich descriptions of the faery realms, the clothes, the creatures, the park, even the apartment Eloise lived in and the farm Jo's grandparents owned.  If this review was for world-building alone, it would be a 5-star review!

Overall, I think this book was worth reading and would recommend it, especially if you are a fan of the genre.  It was a good book, and if a sequel is written, I will definitely read it, but will probably get it from the library of hope for an advance copy. 

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ½  

Grade Level Recommendation:  This book is fine for Middle School and up.  There is some romance, including a couple of make-out scenes, but otherwise, it is pretty clean.  Grades 6 and up (ages 11+).

Review: Touch of Power by Maria V. Snyder

Publisher: Harlequin/Mira Books

Publication Date: December 27th, 2011

Laying hands upon the injured and dying, Avry of Kazan absorbs their wounds and diseases into herself. But rather than being honored for her skills, she is hunted. Healers like Avry are accused of spreading the plague that has decimated the Fifteen Realms, leaving the survivors in a state of chaos.

Stressed and tired from hiding, Avry is abducted by a band of rogues who, shockingly, value her gift above the golden bounty offered for her capture. Their leader, an enigmatic captor-protector with powers of his own, is unequivocal in his demands: Avry must heal a plague-stricken prince—leader of a campaign against her people. As they traverse the daunting Nine Mountains, beset by mercenaries and magical dangers, Avry must decide who is worth healing and what is worth dying for. Because the price of peace may well be her life...

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

I've only read a few of Maria V. Snyder's books, and although I very much enjoyed them, I wasn't a big enough fan to get giddy about an upcoming release; this book changed that.  In a word: AMAZING!  

Anyone who has read anything by Maria V. Snyder knows that one of her biggest strengths is in world building.  She has a gift for setting the stage for the story, and this book is no exception.  I dare say that this book would have been worth reading for the lush descriptions alone.  Fortunately, the characters and storyline are equally worthy, making a truly fantastic read.

As I mentioned before, I was not a big enough fan of Maria's to be "anxiously awaiting" this book, but I saw it on NetGalley and requested it based on the prior books I had read by her (also, it has a great cover).  I am so glad it did because it thrills me to be able to be spreading the blogger love for this book!  It is definitely my favorite fantasy novel of 2011.  I loved it!  It's full of action and magic.  Add to that a kick-ass heroine, subtle romance, sacrifice, intense bonds, betrayal, and a sexy bad guy, then put it smack-dab in the middle of a fantastical setting, and you have a winner.  The synopsis does not do this story justice, but at the same time, I feel like any more information could lead to spoilers.  That said, I'm not going to go into too much detail in this review.  The writing in this book is superb and the story lacks nothing.  If you are a fan of Fantasy and magic, you really MUST read this.  I am definitely "anxiously awaiting" book number two in the Healer series, Scent of Magic, which releases in late 2012.

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 


Grade Level Recommendation:  This book is fine for 6th grade and up (ages 11+).  There is one sex scene, but it isn't graphic at all and is between two consenting adults.  There is a good bit of violence, but none of it is gratuitous.

Review: The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Publication Date: February 1st, 2010

Meghan Chase has a secret destiny; one she could never have imagined.
Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan's life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school or at home.
When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she's known is about to change.
But she could never have guessed the truth - that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she'll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil no faery creature dare face; and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

I have been resisting  this series for awhile.  I had heard loads of great things and the reviews have been fantastic, but I just didn't have much desire to read these books.  Here's why... I really dislike most love triangles and all of the Team Ash/Team Puck stuff turned me off.  I thought, "Oh great. Just what we need. A Twilight with fairies.".  I liked Twilight.  In fact, I kind of loved it (even if  it was kind of poorly written), but I am sick of all the copycats out there who rewrite it with different paranormal creatures and add a different title.  It's made me bitter and jaded and hating the genre for all of my wasted time.  I want originality and excitement.  I know this may be too much to ask of some authors, but Julie Kagawa delivers it on a silver platter with The Iron King.  The entire time I was reading it, I was mentally kicking myself for not doing so sooner.  It is very different from Twilight and it's brilliantly and beautifully written.  I didn't think it was perfect, but I have a feeling this book was set-up for what promises to be as phenomenal a series as everyone says it is.

I'll get my gripe out of the way first... I don't much like Meghan.  She's kind of naive, idealistic, and a bit on the whiny "poor me" side.  I will admit that as the story progressed, I began to like her more, but she hasn't won me over just yet.  I'm confident that she will though.  I liked the other characters quite well, my favorite being Grim.  I cannot wait to see how he manages to shake things up later on.  The fey... Loved them.  All of them, even the "bad" ones.  They were just what fey are supposed to be in my mind; rather aloof, cruel by human standards, and gorgeous in unconventional ways.  I loved Julie Kagawa's descriptions of them.  She made them beautiful, even when they weren't really supposed to be... And speaking of descriptions, the world building was amazing.  As dangerous as it was, I wanted to be in that world.  Seelie, Unseelie, in between, I don't care!  It was all stunning in my imagination, thanks to the way it was written.

As for the story itself... Definitely plot driven and while some people say that about books with a sneer, I don't think that it's always a bad thing.  This plot was fantastic.  It was filled with kick-butt action and suspense.  It was well paced, and I never saw any of the twists coming at all.  It grabbed me from the beginning and still hasn't let go of me.  I have The Iron Daughter, The Iron Queen, and The Iron Knight on my Kindle at this very moment, and I am sure you will be seeing my reviews of them within the next couple of weeks.  It pains me that I can't just read them back-to-back-to-back like I would like to...  You may be thinking, "Okay. You liked the book, but are you Team Ash or Team Puck?"  Well, I can't answer that.  Maybe I need to continue reading, but I don't see a love triangle there.  Puck's a buddy.  He's Meghan's BFF; I don't see a romantic spark there at all.  Ash is pretty freaking hot in my imagination though, even if he does seem like a sullen, indecisive jerk.  :)

Julie Kagawa has gained a fan in me.  I love it when I am so very wrong about a popular book/series.  I makes me respect the author even more if they can overcome my preconceived prejudices.   I would have given this book five stars, but I can't get past my feelings for Meghan.  We'll see if she grows on me in the subsequent books.

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ½ 

Grade Level Recommendation:  Nothing really objectionable.  Perfectly fine for Middle School.  Grades 6 and up (ages 11+).

**Don't forget to enter my AWESOME giveaway of an audio copy of the AMAZING All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin HERE!**

Before the Blog (3): The Named by Marianne Curley

Some of you already know this, but I've started a weekly meme called "Before the Blog". In short, it's a place to review books you read and loved before you began blogging about them. Basically, you choose a book each week, then answer the following three questions,and post your review.   Then you can add your post to the little Mr. Linky widget below, and voila!


Why did you choose this book? 
When did you read this book?
Who would you recommend this book to?

For more info, see my 1st BtB post by clicking this LINK.  The book I chose this week is pretty awesome, and not at all well-known.  

The Named by Marianne Curley

Publisher:  Bloomsbury USA
Publication Date:  May 11th, 2010 (Re-Release)

Why did you choose this book?  I thought the cover was cool.  Hi.  My name is Karis, and I am a cover whore... I read the synopsis and was intrigued.  At the time, I was selecting books to highlight to the 4th-6th graders at the school book fair, and wanted to give them something that they hadn't heard of.

When did you read this book?  June, 2010.  It's actually an older series; first released in 2002, but they changed the covers and re-released them in paperback starting in May of 2010 (which was a great thing because it was in Barnes & Noble's "New Books" section).

Who would you recommend this book to?  I think this book definitely crosses genres. If you like Fantasy/Urban Fantasy, this is a fabulous book for you.  I also think people interested in Sci-fi would like it, as it involves time-travel, as would Action/Adventure lovers, because it has a lot of martial arts training, sword play, and good vs. evil conflict.  Boys and girls loved it.  Boys, obviously, for the action.  Girls for the human interactions, including a small element of romance.  Parents liked it because it was clean; the romance innocent, the violence mild, and the bad language non-existent, all while still being hugely entertaining.

Ethan is a member of the Named, sworn to fight the Order of Chaos, an evil group determined to permanently change the course of history. But he is also a normal high school student trying desperately to keep up with his homework and fit in. When he is assigned to mentor Isabel, a cute classmate and future member of the Named, the line between his two lives begins to blur. So begins an epic quest as Ethan, Isabel, and others travel through time to battle dark forces and protect the future. 

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

The Named is the first book in The Guardians of Time trilogy.  As I mentioned above, I initially was drawn to this book for the cover.  I was perusing books in the YA section at Barnes & Noble (I consider it a favorite hobby), and my eyes fell on this book.  I was looking for clean YA books to introduce to my 5th and 6th graders that were reading in content and ability beyond the Juvenile/Middle-Grade section.  The 10-12 age range varies widely in terms of maturity and what the kid has been exposed to, and I had to be extremely careful with what I presented to them (especially since I was dealing with a population of generally very involved, conservative private school parents).  As you all know, YA content varies widely as well; squeaky-clean to, quite frankly, books that sometimes make me blush (and I'm no prude!)  That said, I was reading every potential choice for them; fortunately I enjoy YA immensely, so it was not a problem... When I saw this cover I was immediately drawn to it.  It looked sinister, but at the same time beautiful.  Sinister is always a plus for boys, and beautiful for girls, so I had a hunch that this might be a winner...

Was it ever!  This book was amazing!  It really hooked me from the first few pages.  It grabs you at the beginning when you find out about Ethan's dreams about his younger sister's abduction by a monstrous creature years earlier.  He is plagued by this memory that he has always been led to believe is the exaggeration of a traumatized young boy.  Still, because of this event, Ethan has been training with Akarian, for The Guard since a very young age; his sole purpose to fight The Order of Chaos, an organization that travels back in time, attempting to alter history for their own purposes.  The Guard's purpose is to thwart their attempts, so as not to change history, and with it how the events after it unfold (think, The Butterfly Effect).  The Named, the ones who become part of The Guard, are chosen based upon a centuries old prophecy that includes well protected secrets that are only fully known by a council of elders.  If a person is one of The Named, they are obliged.

This book really begins when Ethan receives his first apprentice, who turns out to be the annoying kid sister of his ex-best friend Matt.  Isabel knows nothing of The Guardians of Time or The Order of Chaos, but eventually Ethan convinces her of her obligation.  Ex-best friend Matt is less than thrilled with the amount of time Isabel and Ethan are spending together, which adds a whole other very human element to the story.

Much of the book is centered around Isabel's training and the dangerous, action-packed assignments that they must go on to defeat The Order.  Many questions arise and there are heart-stopping moments galore.  There is loads of mystery and plenty of advanced ideas that are presented in a way that even kids can understand them without difficulty.  What I loved most about this book, besides the wonderfully layered storyline, was the rich, well-developed characters.  Curley describes them in such depth and detail that you feel as if you know them. Most authors spend a great deal of time on the main characters, while leaving the supporting ones less developed.  This was not the case here.  I really felt like she made sure that the reader understood who each character in the book was and how they played a role, no matter how small. I also enjoyed the structure of the book.  It was told in the alternating points of view of both Ethan and Isabel, and I found the depth of their individual feelings about the entire situation very interesting.  Curley did a fabulous job setting the stage for what promises to be an amazing series.

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★  

Grade Level Recommendation:  As I mentioned above.  This book is clean.  No language, no sex, no gratuitous violence.  I actually had two other (more conservative than I) parents read this, and they too loved it, and aligned with me on grade level recommendation.  Content-wise, I would say this is appropriate for 3rd grade and up (ages 8+).  As far a difficulty is concerned, I would say the average 5th grader would have no problem with it.  As the top reader in her grade, my daughter read it in 3rd grade with no difficulty. A few of her friends tried it and most found it too hard.  That said, I would say advanced reading 4th grade+ (ages 9+).  The AR level is a 5.3 (for those unfamiliar with AR, this number means 5th grade, 3 months in).

The next two books are called The Dark and The Key.  I have not read them yet, but I plan to read The Dark very soon (I just picked up a copy the other day), so keep a look out for my review in the upcoming months.  From what I understand, the action becomes much more intense and the romance goes up a notch, although from what I understand, still appropriate for middle grades.  Also, I've heard the character development is even better than than the first book.  Stay tuned!

Review: Hourglass by Myra McEntire

Publisher: Egmont USA
Publication Date: June 14th, 2011

One hour to rewrite the past . . . 

For seventeen-year-old Emerson Cole, life is about seeing what isn’t there: swooning Southern Belles; soldiers long forgotten; a haunting jazz trio that vanishes in an instant. Plagued by phantoms since her parents’ death, she just wants the apparitions to stop so she can be normal. She’s tried everything, but the visions keep coming back.

So when her well-meaning brother brings in a consultant from a secretive organization called the Hourglass, Emerson’s willing to try one last cure. But meeting Michael Weaver may not only change her future, it may change her past.

Who is this dark, mysterious, sympathetic guy, barely older than Emerson herself, who seems to believe every crazy word she says? Why does an electric charge seem to run through the room whenever he’s around? And why is he so insistent that he needs her help to prevent a death that never should have happened?

Full of atmosphere, mystery, and romance, Hourglass merges the very best of the paranormal and science-fiction genres in a seductive, remarkable young adult debut.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

Where do I even start? This book was so many things. Remarkable. Original. Addictive. Mind-Bending. AMAZING. I just don't have enough gushing, positive words to articulate how I feel about this book. As one of my most anticipated books of 2011, I am so relieved that it has not only lived up to my expectations, but far exceeded them. I loved it, and am already anxiously awaiting book #2. I have a feeling that this is a new favorite series for me.

I'll be honest and say that I initially wanted this book for one reason,and one reason only. The cover. Hi. Can you say fantastic? I was immediately drawn to this book because of it. Then I read the synopsis and there was just no way I wasn't going to read it. Now that I have, I need to make sure everyone else does too.

This book was so well written. I could not stop turning the pages. (I actually felt bad for my parents, who I only visit in NY once a year, because I kind of ignored them for two days of my visit to read this.) The story was phenomenal. I never saw the twists coming, and neither will you. They are just THAT original. Now, if you're used to my reviews, you know that I never reveal spoilers in them. The Goodreads synopsis is about all you'll get. That said, you should understand that the above synopsis does not even come close to revealing the depth of this book. I loved the characters, the plot, the tension, the energy. Ugh. Could sometime-in-2012-when-Untilted-book-2-is-released come already? Please? I NEED to know what happens next.

Oh, and did I mention that the cover is amazing?

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ + 

Grade Level Recommendation: Clean as a whistle. The only things I can think of that very conservative parents might object to is a murder mystery and some very innocent romantic undertones. Perfectly fine for an advanced reading 4th grader+ (ages 9+).

Before the Blog (1): Extraordinary by Nancy Werlin

I've been thinking about starting a weekly meme called "Before the Blog" for some time, and I think I'm finally going to do it....

I think it's safe to assume that if you are a book blogger, you didn't start reading when you started blogging. If you're like me, you read hundreds, if not thousands of books, before you started blogging. I often think about past books that I really loved, and would like to review on my blog, but it seems that I have a difficult enough time keeping up, reviewing the books I'm currently reading. I know there are loads of you out there that have past gems that you would like to spread the word about as well, so I thought we could motivate eachother to do it each week, We tend to review what is new, which is why many people read the blogs, but there are so many fabulous books that people don't even know about; books that they NEED to read. "Before the Blog" is a place where bloggers can post a review of a book they read and loved BEFORE they started blogging about books, along with the answers to a few questions about their choice:

• Why did you choose this book? 
• When did you read this book? 
• Who would you recommend this book to? 

So... Grab the BtB button (the code is on my sidebar), create your post, add the link to my page via Mr. Linky, and check out the past loves of other bloggers. It doesn't matter which day of the week you do it, but I will be posting mine on Thursdays, so the week will be Thursday-Wednesday. Check back frequently to see who else is posting.

Without further do, here is my very first BtB post...

Extraordinary by Nancy Werlin

Publisher: Dial

Publication Date: September 7th, 2010

Why did you choose this book? I haven't really seen it much on the blogs I follow, and I think it is such a great book that a lot of YA book lovers would adore.

When did you read this book? October, 2010

Who would you recommend this book to? Anyone who is a lover of books about faery. If you are a fan of Melissa Marr, Holly Black, Julie Kagawa, or Carrie Jones, you'll really enjoy Nancy Werlin, and this book in particular.

Phoebe finds herself drawn to Mallory, the strange and secretive new kid in school, and the two girls become as close as sisters . . . until Mallory's magnetic older brother, Ryland, shows up during their junior year. Ryland has an immediate, exciting hold on Phoebe, but a dangerous hold, for she begins to question her feelings about her best friend and, worse, about herself. Soon she'll discover the shocking truth about Ryland and Mallory: that these two are visitors from the faerie realm who have come to collect on an age-old debt. Generations ago, the faerie queen promised Pheobe's ancestor five extraordinary sons in exchange for the sacrifice of one ordinary female heir. But in hundreds of years there hasn't been a single ordinary girl in the family, and now the faeries are dying. Could Phoebe be the first ordinary one? Could she save the faeries, or is she special enough to save herself?

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

I have to admit that I picked this book up for one reason, and one reason only... The cover. Isn't it absolutely STUNNING? I was choosing potential books for the Teen/YA section of our school book fair last year and was totally unfamiliar with Nancy Werlin, but this cover grabbed my eye. I knew if the content was okay, that it would grab the eye of every 6th grade girl at our school, so I had to check it out. I had another mom read it for me and she LOVED it, so of course, I had to read it (even though I had ZERO time). I loved it and instantly became a Nancy Werlin fan!

Why did I love it so much, you ask? Well for starters, the writing was flawless. Werlin was able to not only establish a connection between myself and the characters in this book, but she was able to evoke real feelings. I got that feeling you get in your gut when a charcter you've connected with goes through something tough. I felt the elation in my chest that happens when a triumph occurs. Not many people can successfully pull that off with the written word; Nancy Werlin not only succeeds, but she is a master at it. The characters are well developed and the story moves at just the right pace that you would rather give up sleep than stop reading.

Another reason I liked this book is that the fae are portrayed the way I like them to be. If you've read some of my other reviews, you know that I don't like "nice" fairies. Disney's version of fae don't do it for me. I much prefer the sort that are cold, selfish, and slightly evil, with powerful magic and at least a mild disdain for humans. That's all covered in Extraordinary.

Finally, I loved the story itself. Wow. I'm not going to give any spoilers here though (I hate it when I look up a book review and the reviewer take you event by event through the story, making it pointless to read the book). Between the Goodreads synopsis above and the trailer, you can get enough of an idea to tell if you want to read this book. I liked how it developed. There were some twists that I didn't see coming, which is always a bonus, and I was happy with the ending. If that doesn't make for a great book, I don't know what does.

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Grade Level Recommendation: This book is pretty clean. The protagonist does consider losing her virginity, and comes very close (like naked close). For that reason, I would definitely say Middle School and up. I think it would be okay for a mature 6th grader, fine for 7th+ (ages 12+).

Well, I hope you enjoyed my very first "Before the Blog" post, and I hope you'll consider participating each week so I don't feel like a total loser! Make sure to put your link in the Mr. Linky so that I can read your BtB review!