ARC Review: If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch

Publisher:  St. Martin's Griffin

Publication Date: March 26th, 2013

There are some things you can’t leave behind…A broken-down camper hidden deep in a national forest is the only home fifteen-year-old Carey can remember. The trees keep guard over her threadbare existence, with the one bright spot being Carey’s younger sister, Jenessa, who depends on Carey for her very survival. All they have is each other, as their mentally ill mother comes and goes with greater frequency. Until that one fateful day their mother disappears for good, and two strangers arrive. Suddenly, the girls are taken from the woods and thrust into a bright and perplexing new world of high school, clothes and boys.

Now, Carey must face the truth of why her mother abducted her ten years ago, while haunted by a past that won’t let her go… a dark past that hides many a secret, including the reason Jenessa hasn’t spoken a word in over a year. Carey knows she must keep her sister close, and her secrets even closer, or risk watching her new life come crashing down.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

Lately I've been in a weird pattern when it comes to books; It seems that almost every book I've picked up recently has been really slow to start.  I can't tell you how many books I have on my nightstand that are set aside 1/3 of the way in because I wasn't feeling the pull that I like to feel. (Actually, I can... That number is eight.)  Although the slow starters that I have been able to finish have ended up being very good, I think I will always prefer the early hook.  I am attentionally challenged, and if there isn't something to grab me early on, I lose patience.  I'm sure I miss out on a great number of amazing books because of this, but I also think that gives me an advantage when reviewing books that target the teen audience, because teens are very instant-gratification oriented.  But we can save all that for another post.  My point here is that I think If You Find Me has gotten me out of that slow-to-start funk.  I was drawn into this book from the very first chapter, and it did not let me go until the final page.  In fact, If You Find Me still hasn't let me go.  It is a story that is as happy as it is heartbreaking, and I found myself experiencing a broader range of emotions in 256 pages than I ever thought possible.  Fear, joy, anger, excitement, heartbreak, love, loss, happiness, grief, inspiration, disgust, optimism, melancholy.  And that list doesn't even come close to covering them all...

The story begins with Carey and Nessa fending for themselves, living in a camper, deep in the Obed Wild & Scenic River National Park, waiting for their meth-addicted mother to return from a trip to the  nearest town to get supplies.  Carey is full of worry because it has been over a month since she left, and they are running low on food.  It's not their mother who comes to their rescue, though.  It's a social worker and Carey's father, the man their mother kidnapped Carey from, ten years prior.  Carey has only vague memories of life before the woods, and Nessa knows nothing else.  The girls are taken from the only life they know, harsh as it had was, to a modern world, overnight.  They go to live with their father, his wife, and her daughter, and although these changes are all for the better, Carey is as fragile as she's ever been.  She has deep, painful secrets, physical and emotional scars, and a great deal of internal conflict.  She knows the changes she and her sister are going through are best, especially for six year-old Nessa, but she doesn't know how to trust that it isn't all a dream- a rug ready to be pulled out from under them.  Her story is an intense emotional rollercoaster, as debut author Emily Murdoch deftly alternates her present situation with her memories of life in the woods- the good ones and the horrifying- in a voice that made Carey seem so real and vulnerable;  This book read more like a memoir than it did fiction.  If You Find Me touched me deeply, as I felt every one of Carey's emotions to my core.

This was very much Carey's story, but she wasn't the only phenomenally drawn character.  Nessa was amazing as well.  She was a picture of the resiliency of small children, and it brought me a tremendous amount of joy to see her grow as a result of the love that surrounded her, after having such a harrowing start to her life.  It was wonderful to see that growth through Carey's eyes, because in reality, Carey was the the mother that Joelle, their biological mother, never was.  I adored Melissa, their stepmother, who went well above and beyond, and as a side note, I thought it was great to see a stepmother portrayed in a positive light.  Carey's father was a character that took me some time to warm to.  I had a great amount of admiration for him because of the fact that he never treated Nessa any differently than he did Carey, despite the fact that she wasn't his, but otherwise, I was unsure of him because I was viewing him through Carey's eyes, and she only had the lies her mother had told her of him to go on.  Initially he was rather closed off, but as he opened himself up, it became clear that he was the way he was was because of the uncertainty he endured for so many years.  As a parent, I can't even imagine being in his shoes.  What I liked best about his portrayal was that much of what we learned about him came from the snipes and jabs that seemingly self-absorbed stepdaughter Delaney threw out from time to time.  And speaking of Delaney...  She was such an important character, and although she was so unlikeable much of the time, I thought Emily Murdoch did a flawless job making sure that the reader understood why she was the way she was. In the end, I was almost as sympathetic toward her as I was toward Carey and Nessa, because although her life was a cake-walk compared to theirs, she had to endure her own feelings of inadequacy in the shadow of the kidnapped (and then found) daughter, and that could not have been easy.  Finally, there was Ryan.  I don't want to spoil, so I won't say much about him, but his character was great, and a perfect addition to Carey's story.

If You Find Me is hands-down, one of the best books of this nature that I have ever read.  It is a heartbreaking story that ends with a message of hope.  Although I would love to know more about what Carey's future holds, I feel like I got proper closure to this chapter of her life.  One thing I know for sure is that I will be on the lookout for more of Emily Murdoch's writing, because she has talent I have a good feeling will endure.

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★  

Grade Level Recommendation:  This is a tough one.  First I want to say that I think there is great crossover appeal to the adult market, as I know many adults (non-YA readers) who would like this book.  There are somewhat graphic descriptions of the sexual abuse, prostitution, and sexual assault of children.  Carey endured horrible things, much of the time with the knowledge that if she didn't do them, Nessa would have to.  That said, I think that this book has a very positive message of hope and the possibility of overcoming any obstacle.  If I had to make a blanket statement, based on content, I would say this book is for ages 15 and older (grades 10 and up), but I would also encourage the evaluation of each reader as an individual, because I feel like many younger students would have the maturity to handle the graphic parts of the story.  I am able to say this; This book is not appropriate for anyone younger than 8th or 9th grade.

ARC Review: Notes From Ghost Town by Kate Ellison

Publisher:  EgmontUSA

Publication Date:  February 12th, 2013

They say first love never dies...

From critically acclaimed author Kate Ellison comes a heartbreaking mystery of mental illness, unspoken love, and murder. When sixteen-year-old artist Olivia Tithe is visited by the ghost of her first love, Lucas Stern, it’s only through scattered images and notes left behind that she can unravel the mystery of his death. 

There’s a catch: Olivia has gone colorblind, and there’s a good chance she’s losing her mind completely—just like her mother did. How else to explain seeing (and falling in love all over again with) someone who isn’t really there?

With the murder trial looming just nine days away, Olivia must follow her heart to the truth, no matter how painful. It’s the only way she can save herself.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

Okay, I'm not going to lie and say that I loved Kate Ellison's debut, The Butterfly Clues, because I didn't.  Honestly, I'm not sure I even finished it; Goodreads says that I didn't...  I'm certain I started it, and found myself underwhelmed, but that was over a year ago, AND I know it got starred reviews from Booklist and School Library Journal, plus it has an almost 4-star average rating on Goodreads, so I know other people liked it, so I may go back and give it another go.  Why?  Because Kate's second novel, Notes From Ghost Town, was UH-MAY-ZING!  I really, really loved it. A lot.  I just did a giveaway of both books, and the winner of that giveaway is one lucky girl!

So...  Why did I love this book so much?  Well, for starters, it was a ghost story.  I really like ghost stories, and I like romantic ghost stories in particular.  This one was better than most, though.  You see, this one felt more real to me because even though the ghost boy and the living girl loved each other, there was no continuing the romance from the other side because, are you ready for this?  HE.  IS.  DEAD.  And you can't carry on a relationship with someone who is dead.  As much as I loved book series' like Anna Dressed In Blood by Kendare Blake and Hereafter by Tara Hudson, this one felt more real than fantasy...  I also liked that there was the whole schizo, psychotic break thing to add to the drama.  Is Olivia really seeing Stern, or is she just as batshit crazy as Mom?  I mean, she did also go colorblind when she kissed him right before he was murdered...  Because I had to work all of this out, I felt compelled to keep reading this book, and it did not disappoint...

Another reason this book was so awesome had to do with the characters, of which there were many.  That said, I'm only going to mention a few.  I already mentioned Olivia, the protagonist, a very real picture of a teen girl who is dealing with WAY too much for a girl her age- batshit crazy mom, trying to hide the fact that she might be right there with her, the fact that her mom is going on trial for the murder of her BFF/love-of-her-life, the upcoming nuptials of her dad to someone he met in "My Significant Other is Crazy Support Group", and more.  The poor girl.  No wonder she's such a mess...   There is also Raina, the third in her and Stern's BFF trio, and her only real remaining friend.  Raina is a mixed bag of good friend and self absorbed, but much of that has to do with how well Olivia is hiding her possible-crazy.  Stern is complicated, mostly because he is a ghost who can't remember details, but who knows he loves Olivia, and also that her mom didn't kill him, but not how to clear her.  There's Wynn, the stepmom's little girl, who Olivia adores, and who, more than once, helps Olivia hold it together just by existing.  Finally, there's Austin Morse.  He is the son of Olivia's dad's boss, way over-privileged, super-hot, and suddenly, inexplicably into Olivia.  I loved how well drawn the characters were, but also, how their details were fed to us over the course of the book; Woven into the plot seamlessly.

Finally, I loved the story and the manner in which it was told.  Kate Ellison knows how to write a Murder-Mystery!  This book would make an excellent movie, because it was thrilling, and the pacing was phenomenal.  I loved that the romantic element was there, but not the entire plot.  There were familial issues, mental health issues, social issues, and legal issues as well.  Everything was rolled up into this story that could have gone so wrong, had just one little thing been off.  Fortunately, that was not the case at all.  I don't often cry during books, but I must say that the final pages of this book slayed me (and before you rush to back of the book to read them, understand that it was because of the content of the ENTIRE book leading up to them).  I actually cried when I read them.  I loved the way this book ended, and I am always happy when an author writes a stand-alone that is THIS good.

Overall, I have to say that Notes From Ghost Town has been one of my favorites this year, which is something I never expected considering my experience (or maybe, non-experience) with The Butterfly Clues.  Because of this, I think I will go back and give that book another go!

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Grade Level Recommendation:  There's some teen drinking, and Olivia makes some poor choices that are more implied in this book, than outright stated, but I would still say this is a book for upper middle school aged students and over.  Grades 7 and up (ages 12+).

ARC Review: The Trouble With Flirting by Claire LaZebnik

Publisher:  HarperTeen

Publication Date:  February 26th, 2013

Franny's supposed to be working this summer, not flirting. But you can't blame her when guys like Alex and Harry are around. . . .

Franny Pearson never dreamed she'd be attending the prestigious Mansfield Summer Theater Program. And she's not, exactly. She's working for her aunt, the resident costume designer. But sewing her fingers to the bone does give her an opportunity to spend time with her crush, Alex Braverman. If only he were as taken with the girl hemming his trousers as he is with his new leading lady.

When Harry Cartwright, a notorious flirt, shows more than a friendly interest in Franny, she figures it can't hurt to have a little fun. But as their breezy romance grows more complicated, can Franny keep pretending that Harry is just a carefree fling? And why is Alex suddenly giving her those deep, meaningful looks? In this charming tale of mixed messages and romantic near-misses, one thing is clear: Flirting might be more trouble than Franny ever expected.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

Oh, Claire LaZebnik, I so love the way you write!  Each time I read one of your books, I come away with a overall feeling that all is right with the universe, and that true love really does exist.  Trust me, THAT is a huge accomplishment, because I am possibly one of the most jaded people ever when it comes to love.  I absolutely DETEST Valentine's Day, get totally grossed out when my friends express their gushy feelings toward their significant others on Facebook, and believe that the true and everlasting love of a single person is a total myth.  Now, a true and everlasting love of cupcakes, well, that is another story...  Moving on.

About a year and a half ago, I reviewed Claire's YA debut, Epic Fail, and LOVED it (read my full review HERE). Claire has several other Chick Lit titles under her belt, as well as some non-fiction titles dealing with Autism (check out her Goodreads profile HERE), but I believe that YA is her forte; She has a real knack for understanding the minds of the characters she writes, as well as those of her target audience.  Plus, I love that her YA novels have been loose retellings of Jane Austen novels, because I believe that they will open the minds of a new generation to reading those dusty, old, WONDERFUL books!

So, The Trouble With Flirting?  All I can say is that I adored it.  (Actually, that isn't ALL I can say, but it sounded good.)  I just happened to be sick the day after I received it in the mail *coughs*, and read it straight through in one sitting!  It is a loosely based, modern retelling of Mansfield Park, and I thought it was near perfect.  Mansfield Park isn't my favorite of Jane Austen's books, nor is it my least favorite; Actually it falls right in the middle for me.  That meant one very important thing for me while reading The Trouble With Flirting... I had an open mind to the story, because I didn't feel a tremendous urge to compare and nitpick, as it pertained to the original, because this story is very loosely based on the original, and if it had been, say, Emma, I may not have been so okay with liberties.  That said, I am not going to do a play-by-play comparison. I'm just going to tell you the reasons I loved it.

Obviously, I was drawn to it because it's a modern retelling, so the story was big for me.  I loved it.  I loved that the protagonist, Franny, was at this summer theater camp, not as an actress as she would have liked to have been, but as an assistant to the costume designer, her spinster aunt.  You see, Franny's family can't afford to send her to college, let alone an expensive summer camp, so she is spending her summer earning money to help fund her education.  When Franny arrives at the Mansfield Summer Theater Program, she runs into her old friend from middle school, Julia Braverman.  This is when she finds out that Julia's brother, Alex, is also there; Alex, Franny's forever-crush, and the first boy she ever had it bad for... As Franny catches up with Julia and Alex, she meets other students and begins to build an awkward social life (after all, she is "the help", and these teens are all rich, beautiful, and sophisticated).  Enter Harry Cartwright, a roguish ladies man, who has the eye of every girl at Mansfield, except Franny, who is firmly pining for the attached Alex.  Well, of course, that means Harry sets his sights on the one he can't have, Franny... The story continues in ways that I wouldn't have expected it to, and it left me feeling very satisfied in the end.  Honestly, if you had asked me at the beginning, I would have said that, without a doubt, I knew how it would end, and it makes me happy to know that I would have been dead wrong.

Something else I really loved about this book were the characters and character development   Claire went out of her way to show us that people aren't always who they appear to be on the surface, and that everyone should be given the benefit of the doubt.  I became so caught up in the details of each character, that I found myself thinking of them as friends.  The interpersonal relationships between the characters would not have been so key had the characters themselves not been developed so well.  Of course, I loved Franny.  She was just a great girl.  Sure she was insecure and made a few poor choices, but she always owned up to them, and tried to fix any damage she may have caused.  Aunt Amelia really surprised me a lot, as did Isabella, and the boys.  I only had one character pegged from the beginning, and that was Marie; She was pretty much the very necessary, if cliche, romantic antagonist.

Like I said before, I found this book to be near perfection.  It was light, sweet, and so upbeat, I couldn't help but close it with a ginormous smile on my face.  It was like the feeling you have when you've just finished an airy, delectable pastry; Satisfied, yet craving more.  That is exactly how I feel about Claire's writing, and I can't wait to read what she has coming next!

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★  

Grade Level Recommendation:  This is perfectly fine for middle school and up.  There are a couple of hot and heavy make-outs, and some mention of a few morally questionable girls, and there are a few characters who smoke and drink, but overall, it it pretty benign stuff.  I would say it is fine for grades 6 and up (ages 12+).

ARC Review: Splintered by A.G. Howard

Publisher:  Abrams/Amulet Books

Publication Date:  January 1st, 2013

This stunning debut captures the grotesque madness of a mystical under-land, as well as a girl’s pangs of first love and independence. Alyssa Gardner hears the whispers of bugs and flowers—precisely the affliction that landed her mother in a mental hospital years before. This family curse stretches back to her ancestor Alice Liddell, the real-life inspiration for Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Alyssa might be crazy, but she manages to keep it together. For now.

When her mother’s mental health takes a turn for the worse, Alyssa learns that what she thought was fiction is based in terrifying reality. The real Wonderland is a place far darker and more twisted than Lewis Carroll ever let on. There, Alyssa must pass a series of tests, including draining an ocean of Alice’s tears, waking the slumbering tea party, and subduing a vicious bandersnatch, to fix Alice’s mistakes and save her family. She must also decide whom to trust: Jeb, her gorgeous best friend and secret crush, or the sexy but suspicious Morpheus, her guide through Wonderland, who may have dark motives of his own.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

This book was just... WOW!  I am going to try to find words to express how much love and adoration I have for this book, but honestly, there just aren't really any to do it justice.  I was blown away for so many reasons...

The initial reason I was drawn to this book was the cover.  I don't think they come any more stunning!  The art is absolutely eye-popping, and I would have wanted to read this book no matter what it was about; It just happened to be a bonus that it is a retelling of one of the greatest books ever written, Alice's Adventures In Wonderland.  I'm always in the market for a great retelling of a much-loved classic book, because I think so many authors have been influenced by these stories, and oftentimes, their perspective is creative genius.  The Fairy-tale Retelling has actually become a genre of its own, and it seems that the Classic Retelling is moving in that way.  I've recently read some great Jane Austen retellings (The Trouble with Flirting and Epic Fail, both by Claire LaZebnik, and For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund), and several authors have retold the amazing L. Frank Baum's fabulous stories of OZ (most notably, Gregory Maguire's brilliant Wicked, Son of a Witch, etc.), but Alice has been rather untouched (although I have to say that I adore Frank Beddor's The Looking Glass Wars trilogy).  I was so excited when I read the synopsis of Splintered because the potential for a great, imaginative story stemming from Alice and her adventures, is limitless...

Well, I'm sure you've gathered from my introduction to this review, A.G. Howard TOTALLY pulled it off.  I was completely sucked into this story; It was almost as if I went down the rabbit hole myself...  So why was is so brilliant?  Since there are so many reasons I loved this book so much, I am going to bullet point them...

• Characters- The characters in this story were fantastic!  The main character, Alyssa, was very real; A damaged, insecure teen who isn't really sure who she is, or where her life is headed.  She grows a lot throughout the story, and it was great to be along for the ride.  Two other characters who I was really drawn to were Morpheus and Jeb.  Jeb is Alyssa's neighbor, BFF since childhood, protective older brother figure, and secret love interest.  He is a major player in this story, and I loved the way his character developed, and the way his relationship with Alyssa grew.  Morpheus is an extremely complex character.  He has so many facets, that as the reader, you will find it impossible to form a concrete opinion of him until the very end, and maybe not even then, and I love that.  Alyssa's mother was also interesting, although I never formed any kind of attachment to her like I did the aforementioned.  Some of the best characters were some of the crazy creatures and oddballs of Wonderland.  I even loved the baddies...
• Story- AMAZING!  I was completely enthralled.  Like, seriously, for real...  I could not put this book down.  It pulled me in from page one, and got better and better (I actually tweeted the author about 150 pages in to ask if there would be a book two, because I knew I wouldn't be happy when it ended!).  I knew very early on that this would be one of those books that I wanted to slow-read to have it last longer (even though there was no way I could possibly do that), because I was going to be so sad to have to leave the world and the characters behind.  The pacing was perfect, and the plot was riveting.  I loved how everything unfolded; How each character's closely guarded secrets were revealed, and how those secrets tied so well into the tasks that Alyssa and Jeb had to complete to save her mother and herself.  I even enjoyed the love triangle, which is usually something I detest in YA.  The romantic element was expertly done.  I have to admit that some of my favorite parts of this story were the betrayals (and perceived betrayals), and the profound sacrifices that some of the characters were willing to make for one another.  There were also some really epic twists- ones that I never saw coming- that made this story even more fantastic.
• World Building- I just can't even.  Splintered has some of the best world building I have ever read.  The images my mind produced while reading this book were so vividly detailed, so remarkably original, and oftentimes, so disturbingly grotesque, that I still haven't let go of them, and likely won't for a very long time.  The landscape of Wonderland that A.G. Howard paints is phenomenal.  I dare say that her depiction was even more vibrant than that of the original author, Lewis Carroll, which is saying A LOT.

I am going to go out on a limb and say that even though it is only January, this book will make my top five for 2013 (as of now, it is tied for the number one spot with Victoria Schwab's The Archived).  I loved it so much.  If you are a fan of the original, you MUST get a hold of Splintered right now.  You won't be sorry that you did.

My Rating:  ★ ★ ★ ★ ★  

Grade Level Recommendation:  There are a few scenes in this book where the romance gets a little hot and heavy (no sex though), but otherwise this book is pretty clean.  I say it's fine for 5th grade and up (ages 10+).

ARC Review: Middle Ground by Katie Kacvinsky

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Publication Date: November 20th, 2012

In this provocative cautionary tale for teens, the sequel to Awaken, seventeen-year-old Maddie’s rebellion against the digital-only life grows dangerous. Maddie is in Los Angeles, trying to stay out of trouble. But one night, a seemingly small act of defiance lands her in the place she fears the most: a detention center. Here, patients are reprogrammed to accept a digital existence. Maddie is now fighting for her mind, her soul, and her very life. Once again, Katie Kacvinsky paints a disturbing picture of our increasingly technology-based society.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

When I first began reading this book, I wasn't really sure how I was going to feel about it.  I absolutely LOVED its predecessor, Katie Kacvinsky's debut, Awaken (read my full review HERE), and I had high hopes for this one.  I couldn't wait to see what direction Maddie's life would take, and whether her relationship with and feelings for Justin were real.  Well, Middle Ground started out a bit shaky for me.  Not to get spoilery, but during the first few chapters I felt like Maddie was being needlessly reckless, given the situation she was in, and I didn't see anything working out at all like I was hoping it was going to.  I started to feel a sense of dread and pending disappointment, and I was not liking it one bit.  THEN... The story made this crazy turn in a direction that I never imagined it would go in, and I was beyond impressed.  I don't want to give anything away, because I want you to feel those same feelings I felt when I was reading this.  I stopped trying to predict what was going to happen next, and just went with it, and it was brilliant.

I loved the characters and dialogue in Awaken, and I thought those elements were even better in Middle Ground.  I also loved how inside Maddie's head we were in Middle Ground.  I felt like she was really detached in Awaken, and in Middle Ground her soul is laid bare through the horrors she endured for her cause.  It was captivating.  I found the story original, well-paced, action-packed, and intellectually stimulating; Not an easy combo to come by.  As with its predecessor, the social commentary was amazingly subtle, yet absolutely compelling.  Finally, I really enjoyed how the romantic element worked out.  I had some misgivings about the relationship between Maddie and Justin after book one, and while things didn't play out the way that I expected them to in this book, I was happy nonetheless.  My only disappointment with this book was that I had hoped to see more of Maddie's mother, as I had grown to really like her in Awaken.  Perhaps there will be a book #3...

If you haven't read Awaken yet, do yourself a favor and pick it up.  It is a plausible, well-drawn dystopia, that really keeps you thinking long after it is over.  That, and you need to read it before you can begin reading its even more brilliant sequel...

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 

Grade Level Recommendation:  I stand by my recommendation for Awaken; 5th grade and up (ages 10+).  There is some romance, but nothing graphic.

ARC Review: Scent of Magic by Maria V. Snyder

Publisher: Harlequin MIRA

Publication Date:  December 18th, 2012

Hunted, Killed—Survived?

As the last Healer in the Fifteen Realms, Avry of Kazan is in a unique position: in the minds of her friends and foes alike, she no longer exists. Despite her need to prevent the megalomanical King Tohon from winning control of the Realms, Avry is also determined to find her sister and repair their estrangement. And she must do it alone, as Kerrick, her partner and sole confident, returns to Alga to summon his country into battle.

Though she should be in hiding, Avry will do whatever she can to support Tohon’s opponents. Including infiltrating a holy army, evading magic sniffers, teaching forest skills to soldiers and figuring out how to stop Tohon’s most horrible creations yet; an army of the walking dead—human and animal alike and nearly impossible to defeat.

War is coming and Avry is alone. Unless she figures out how to do the impossible ... again.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

I gave the first book in this series, Touch of Power, a rave review (read it HERE), and I have been eagerly awaiting the release of this book, Scent of Magic, ever since.  I thought Touch of Power was brilliant; it had fantastic world building, a flawless storyline, and awesome characters.  I truly didn't think Maria V. Snyder could outdo herself, but she has.  Scent of Magic was even better than its predecessor.

As with my review of the first book, I can't delve deeply into the story and why I loved it so much without giving up major spoilers (especially if you haven't read Touch of Power yet)...  I will say that Scent of Magic picks up right where Touch of Power left off, and the story unfolds in beautifully unexpected ways.  Avry, Kerrick, and his men are set on taking down the evil (and VERY sexy) King Tohon and his army of dead (Hi. Zombies in a High Fantasy? Yes, please!).  They align themselves with some rather unexpected people and action, adventure, magic, romance, and intrigue ensue.  

Where the world building and lush descriptions played such a major role in the first book, characterization and emotion play the central roles here.  The settings are still described in Maria's brilliant way, but I got so much more from the characters this time, particularly Avry.  The relationships are tangled and messy, and things are never what they seem.  Lots of questions are answered, and many more arise.  The plot and pacing were spot-on, and I had a very difficult time putting this book down to satisfy even my basic needs.

There is nothing remotely predictable in this book, and I flew through it, never even realizing it was 400 pages until the end.  This book has it all, and I cannot wait until the third book in the Healer series, Taste of Death, comes out in 2014.  I will be begging the publicists at Harlequin MIRA for a copy, for sure!

If you have not picked up Touch of Power yet, I have to ask you... What the hell are you waiting for?  If you have read it, know that Scent of Magic is even better, so you should run right out to get it.  Today.  That is all.

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 

Grade Level Recommendation:  There are a few hot and heavy scenes in this book, and there is some mention of sex.  There is also a good bit of violence.  I would say this is most appropriate for MS readers and up.  Grades 6 and up (ages 11+).

ARC Review: Dear Teen Me edited by E. Kristin Anderson and Miranda Kenneally

Publisher:  Zest Books

Publication Date:  October 30th, 2012

Dear Teen Me includes advice from over 70 YA authors (including Lauren Oliver, Ellen Hopkins, and Nancy Holder, to name a few) to their teenage selves. The letters cover a wide range of topics, including physical abuse, body issues, bullying, friendship, love, and enough insecurities to fill an auditorium. So pick a page, and find out which of your favorite authors had a really bad first kiss? Who found true love at 18? Who wishes he’d had more fun in high school instead of studying so hard? Some authors write diary entries, some write letters, and a few graphic novelists turn their stories into visual art. And whether you hang out with the theater kids, the band geeks, the bad boys, the loners, the class presidents, the delinquents, the jocks, or the nerds, you’ll find friends--and a lot of familiar faces--in the course of Dear Teen Me.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

First things first...  I am participating in a blog tour for this book, and my scheduled stop date is October 31st, so stop back then, and read MY letter to my teen self, and enter my GIVEAWAY for a copy of this book!

This is a book that ALL teenagers should read!  What a fantastic idea for a book!  Dear Teen Me is a compilation of letters, written by popular YA and MG authors, to their teenage selves, and it is great!  Really, all you have to do is look at the roster to know this.  I am not familiar with every author on this list, but I will say that I could name at least one book from almost everybody...

E. Kristin Anderson (editor), Jessica Lee Anderson (Border Crossing), Tom Angleberger (The Strange Case of Origami Yoda), Sean Beaudoin (The Infects, which I recently reviewed HERE), Charles Benoit (Fall From Grace), Robin Benway (The Extraordinary Secrets of April, May, and June), Ilsa A. Bick (Ashes), Marke Bieschke, Joseph Bruchac (Code Talker: A Novel About the Navajo Marines of WWII), Jessica Burkhart (Canterwood Crest), Josh A. Cagan, Riley Carney, Tera Lynn Childs (Forgive My Fins), Jessica Corra, Heather David (Wherever You Go), Daniel Ehrenhaft (Friend Is Not a Verb),  Laura Ellen (Blind Spot), Beth Fantaskey (Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side), Caridad Ferrer, Michael Griffo, Janet Gurtler (If I Tell), Kersten Hamilton (Goblin Wars), Bethany Hegedus, Geoff Herbach (Stupid Fast), Faith Erin Hicks, Nancy Holder (Unleashed), K.A. Holt, P.J. Hoover, Ellen Hopkins (Crank), Stacey Jay (Juliet Immortal), Carrie Jones (Need), Mike Jung (Geeks, Girls, and Secret Identities), Stasia Ward Kehoe (Audition), Tara Kelly (Amplified), Miranda Kenneally (Catching Jordan), Stephanie Kuehnert, Mary Lindsey (Shattered Souls), Nikk Loftin (The Sinister Sweetness of Splendid Academy), Katherine Longshore (Gilt), Ken Lowery, Kekla Magoon (37 Things I Love...), Mari Mancusi (Sk8ter Boy), Gretchen McNeil (Ten), Jodi Meadows (Incarnate), Saundra Mitchell (The Vespertine), Hannah Moskowitz (Gone, Gone, Gone), Jenny Moss, Sarah Ockler (Twenty Boy Summer), Lauren Oliver (Delirium), Elizabeth Miles (Fury), Stephanie Pellegrin, Mitali Perkins, Cheryl Rainfield (Scars), Dave Roman, Jess Rothenberg (The Catastrophic History of You and Me), Jennifer Rush (Altered), Amy Kathleen Ryan (Glow), Tom Ryan, Leila Sales (Past Perfect), Cynthia Leitich-Smith (Tantalize), Jessica Spotswood (Born Wicked), Erika Stalder, Rhonda Stapleton, Mariko Tamaki, Don Tate, Melissa Walker (Unbreak My Heart), Tracy White, Jo Whittemore, Sara Zarr (How to Save a Life), Jennifer Ziegler (How Not to Be Popular)

If that list doesn't convince you to read this book, and then pass it to every tween and teen you know, maybe my gushing review will!

Dear Teen Me was a great read.  As an adult, it really brought me back, and made me consider how my life may have turned out if I had done things differently as a teenager.  Some of the letters were really funny, others full of great advice about being who you are, and others, quite heartbreaking (Ilsa J. Bick's letter kind of haunts me).  The common thread that they all share?  They are all real.  The authors dig up long forgotten (or, in some cases, long held) moments and memories, some of which are painful and/or embarrassing,  in order to help the reader be a stronger, smarter, more confident teen.  I found myself relating to a lot of the letters written by female authors, in particular, because I remember doing a lot of the same things (Nikki Loftin's letter really hit home, because I was a bit of a loudmouth too!).  I imagine the same would hold true for boys, with male authors.  One of my favorites was the letters that Lauren Oliver and Elizabeth Miles wrote to each other's teen selves (they were BFFs in high school).  I don't think I would want to publish a letter written to my teen self by my (still) BFF, and I bet she feels the same...  Anyway, there is not much else I can say, other than what I said at the beginning; Every teen MUST read this book, and then take the wisdom of these great, brave authors to heart!  They aren't kidding when they say that hindsight is 20/20!  My daughter will be getting a (signed by as many of the authors as possible) copy of this book for her 13th birthday, and I hope she is smart enough to really pay attention!

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★  

Grade Level Recommendation:  This is a GREAT book for middle school and up!  Ages 11 and up (6th grade+).

** Don't miss my GIVEAWAY of THE DIVINERS by Libba Bray as part of the Spooktacular Giveaway Hop!  Click HERE for details!  International.  Ends 11/01/2012 **

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: I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Publication Date:  April 3rd, 2012

What if the world's worst serial killer...was your dad?

Jasper (Jazz) Dent is a likable teenager. A charmer, one might say.

But he's also the son of the world's most infamous serial killer, and for Dear Old Dad, Take Your Son to Work Day was year-round. Jazz has witnessed crime scenes the way cops wish they could--from the criminal's point of view.

And now bodies are piling up in Lobo's Nod.

In an effort to clear his name, Jazz joins the police in a hunt for a new serial killer. But Jazz has a secret--could he be more like his father than anyone knows?

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

This book has been on my radar for awhile.  I remember seeing it in the Hachette catalog last year and thinking, "That looks intense! I need to read that!", and then kind of forgetting about it.  When my *fabulous* book club decided to read it, I was excited because I now had no excuse not to.  Ya'll?  Can someone please explain to me why I waited?  This book is made of morbid awesomeness!  This is something I knew before I even cracked the spine...  How did I know this?  It was blurbed on the back jacket by not one of my favorite authors, but THREE!  Here...

"Something just ain't right about Barry Lyga, and that's good news for all of us.  I Hunt Killers is a dark carnival ride through twisty questions of good and evil, nature and nurture, with a DELICIOUSLY DEMENTED teen as your guide.  Buckle up and keep your hands inside the ride at all times." -Libba Bray, Printz Award-winning author of Going Bovine and the Gemma Doyle trilogy

"I adored this book.  The mystery pulls you in from the first pages, and Jazz is a more CHILLINGLY CHARMING protagonist than Dexter Morgan." -Cassandra Clare, author of the Mortal Instruments series

"Being inside the mind of Jazz is so COMPELLING AND DISTURBING that I no longer want to be left alone with Barry Lyga- but I do want to spend lots more time with Jazz." -Holly Black, author of Tithe and the Curse Workers series

Libba freaking Bray?  Cassie Clare?  Holly Black?  Yeah.  Needless to say, I was sold!  Then I opened the freaking book, and I was blown away! There is no introduction or buildup; we get our first body on page two, and they keep piling up from there.  That in and of itself makes for a great mystery, but what really draws you in is the snippets of Jazz's grotesque childhood that are triggered throughout the book.  You see, Jasper Dent, aka Jazz, was raised by his Dear Old Dad, the notorious serial killer, Billy Dent, and Billy taught him everything he knows.  Billy had grand ideas that Jazz would carry on his legacy, being an even better killer than him.  Billy didn't hold anything back, and he started Jazz's training at a VERY young age.  This book is disturbing, riveting, twisted, and downright horrifying, and I loved it.  I have to say it... Thomas Harris (The Silence of the Lambs, Hannibal, Red Dragon), move over.  There's a new kid in town, and his name is Barry Lyga!

Now, I really want to go into detail about why I loved this book so much, but there is so much potential for spoilers, so I'm not going to.  I will say that the character development was absolutely brilliant.  Being inside of Jazz's head, trying to work out the whole nature vs. nurture thing along with him, was really compelling, and I honestly still don't quite know where I stand, because HE doesn't.  Then there were the supporting characters; his best friend Howie and his Granny, who both add a bit of levity to what would otherwise be an entirely dark and morbid tale; Connie, Jazz's girlfriend, who doesn't take his crap, and tells it like it is; local Sheriff G. William Tanner, the man who brought Billy Dent down, and is now on the new serial killer's case, and the list goes on...  Barry Lyga added an element of human connection to every single character mentioned, no matter how small a role they played, and it really added to the mystery and intrigue of the story.  

I don't think I need to to tell you any more about the plot to make you understand how engaging it is.  You are in the mind of a serial killer, via the the memories and thoughts of his teenage son, who is not sure if he will become like his dad because of his experiences and training from such a young age, while a copycat is committing murders of people he knows, in his back yard.  Um yeah.  So. Moving on.  Pacing... Everyone in my book club said the same thing...  They could NOT put this book down.  It is not at all predictable, and you will be blown away in the end.  I promise.  This book is so well written, so twisty and surprising, with little barbs thrown in here and there that make you say, "What?!?!", so often, that you happily forgo sleep just to find out what happens in the end.  It is one of the most engaging and astonishing books I've read. Finally, I have to comment on the cover.  The jacket is okay for me, but the actual cover is brilliant.  Don't buy the eBook of this one.  Pay the extra couple of bucks for the hardcover.  It is worth it!

Overall, I have to say that this is the best YA Psychological Thriller I have EVER read.  In fact, I'm going to venture and say that it is the best one I've read, YA or Adult.   If you like books like this, RUN out and buy it.  You won't regret it!  I can't wait for the second book in this series, Game (releases April 23, 2013),because while I Hunt Killers does wrap up nicely, there are still some seriously nagging questions in my mind.   I can promise you this... I will not be waiting for book club to read book two!  It will be read on release day, or sooner, if I can get my grubby paws on an advance copy. 

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★  

Grade Level Recommendation:  This is not, I repeat, NOT a YA book that should be read by upper-level reading elementary or middle school age students.  This book is loaded with graphic violence, disturbing images, and horrifying acts of torture inflicted on people and animals.  If you wouldn't let your child read or watch The Silence of the Lambs, don't let him read this book.  I almost question this book's YA classification.  I would have classed it a an Adult novel, with crossover appeal for OLDER teens, like The Lovely Bones.  I think this is most appropriate for TEENS, ages 15 and older (grades 10 and up).

ARC Review: Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Publisher:  BloomsburyUSA

Publication Date: August 7th, 2012

After serving out a year of hard labor in the salt mines of Endovier for her crimes, 18-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien is dragged before the Crown Prince. Prince Dorian offers her her freedom on one condition: she must act as his champion in a competition to find a new royal assassin.Her opponents are men-thieves and assassins and warriors from across the empire, each sponsored by a member of the king's council. If she beats her opponents in a series of eliminations, she'll serve the kingdom for three years and then be granted her freedom. Celaena finds her training sessions with the captain of the guard, Westfall, challenging and exhilirating. But she's bored stiff by court life. Things get a little more interesting when the prince starts to show interest in her... but it's the gruff Captain Westfall who seems to understand her best. Then one of the other contestants turns up dead... quickly followed by another. Can Celaena figure out who the killer is before she becomes a victim? As the young assassin investigates, her search leads her to discover a greater destiny than she could possibly have imagined.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

With each debut I've read this year, I believe more firmly, that 2012 is THE year of the debut, and this book has been one of my favorites.  Throne of Glass is absolutely PHENOMENAL!!  I really enjoy a good High Fantasy from time to time, with GOOD being the operative word.  Over the past few years, most of the HF novels I've read have fallen really short for me.  Of course, that is partly Kristin Cashore's fault for writing her brilliant Seven Kingdoms Trilogy (Graceling, Fire, Bitterblue), setting the bar so high, but honestly, the stuff that has come out in the genre just hasn't done much for me.  That changed this year.  First there was Shadow & Bone by Leigh Bardugo (read my review HERE), and now this gem, Throne of Glass.  Where to start when reviewing near perfection?

The central character is Celaena Sardothien, otherwise known as Adarlan's Assassin.  Celaena had been toiling away in the prison mines of Endovier, a horrible place where most don't survive a week, for over a year, when she was plucked out by the Crown Prince of Erilea, Dorian, and his loyal Captain of the Guard, Westfall.  Prince Dorian proposes an agreement- Celaena competes in a challenge to become the king's Champion.  If she wins, she will serve as the king's assassin for three years and then be free, if she loses, she will be returned to the mines until she inevitably dies there.  She accepts the challenge, with every expectation of winning.  She is, after all, the most skilled and notorious assassin that anyone has ever seen.  What she doesn't expect is what comes to pass over the course of her training and the challenge period...

Celaena is totally kick-ass.  I have always said that Katsa from Graceling is hands-down, my favorite kick-ass female heroine, and I have to say, Celaena gives Katsa a serious run for her money.  Celaena wasn't born with her abilities like Katsa was, she trained hard and learned everything she knew.  She is smart, witty, cunning, and forward-thinking.  She is beautiful, fit, amazingly strong for her small stature, and tough as nails. She is also very human and extremely emotionally damaged.  Each and every part of her person plays a part in shaping her experience at the king's palace, and I found myself repeatedly surprised at her combination of tenacity, ferocity, and vulnerability; it was a constant subtle reminder that in the end, she was just a young girl with extraordinary abilities.  

Celaena did not carry this story by herself, though.   Captain Westfall really intrigued me with his mysterious, stoic nature.  From time to time, he would slip, and let some of his humanity show, but for much of the book, I was as unsure of what to make of him as Celaena was.  Although, I have some inclinations now that this book is over, I still have a great many questions pertaining to WHO he really is, and those questions are really what have me most looking forward to the next installment in this series.  Another character I really liked, and from the other reviews I've read, I know I'm in the minority here, was Prince Dorian.  At first, I felt the same as Celaena did about him- I thought he was the pompous, over-privileged,  philandering, pawn of his viciously cruel father.  What both I and Celaena learned over the course of the story was that his only true fault was that he didn't have enough of a spine to stand up to his father, but that he had a very kind heart, one not cut out for what was expected of him.  I also really loved Princess Nehemia, and I truly hope we see much, much more of her in subsequent books.  As for the other champions, a few played important roles in the story, but none really had the lasting impact on me like the aforementioned characters; not did the other sponsors.  Even the antagonists, Cain, as revolting as he turned out to be, or Perrington and his girl Kaltain and their evil plots, didn't stay with with me, which is fine.  I prefer to dwell on the others in my mind, as I anticipate future stories taking place in this vividly breathtaking and horrible world.

As far as the story is concerned, I can't go into it much without spoilers, but I will say this... I went into this expecting a standard High Fantasy, and it very much started out that way.  What I didn't expect was the paranormal elements, the tumultuous romance, or the heart-pounding mystery that it evolved into.  Those elements are what set it apart from some of the other High Fantasies I've read, and made it absolutely riveting.  I loved the way the ended too.  Everything about it was unexpected, but at the same time, it didn't feel like a cliffhanger.  I think there is SO much more to this story, and I eagerly await more, but at the same time, I feel content, much like I do after a delectable dessert.  I will definitely jump at the chance to have that dessert again, but I don't feel the need to dive into a vat of it right now, but rather, just settle in and enjoy digesting it.

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 

Grade Level Recommendation:  There are a handful of hot make-out sessions, but no sex.  There is definitely violence.  That said, it is relatively tame compared to much that is out there.  I would say this is appropriate for 5th grade+ (ages 10 and up).

P.S.  Sarah Maas will be at the Decatur Book Festival, and I am super-excited!  Given my great LOVE for this book, I'm thinking of doing a giveaway of a signed finished copy.  What do ya'll think?