Thursday, December 27, 2012
Doctor Who
Are you prepared for the British Invasion?
Doctor Who is a Time Lord, who travels through space and time in his Tardis- which is cleverly disguised as a Police Telephone Box- keeping the universe on track, defeating evil dudes, and keeping the universe a safe place for all of humanity.
This series, produced by the BBC, is Science Fiction/Fantasy at it's best. With historical fiction tossed in for some fun, you will be charmed by the Doctor and his companions in their adventures around the universe.
Fans of the original BBC series will enjoy this regeneration of the Doctor. With up to date special effects and modern story lines, today's Doctor is just as charming as the Doctor we remember!
Note From the Reviewer:
I do understand that Doctor Who is not a book! I am a fan of the Doctor, I joined in the fandom when I was in college 20+ years ago. This series is different from the old series that we remember. The special effects are awesome, and the Tardis is a solid, sturdy time machine that benefits from modern special effects.
Doctor Who is a hot commodity among the teenagers again. With the clever mix of Sci-Fi and Fantasy, and a solid story line that is true to the original vision of Doctor Who, this series is smart, funny, and intellectually challenging television series that will appeal to those who love smart television.
The entire collection of Doctor Who is available in many libraries, on some PBS channels, on BBC America, and some episodes are available on the BBC website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0132324
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Changeling
Gregory, Philippa. Changeling. 2012. Simon Pulse, New York.
Hardcover, $18.99. ISBN: 978-1-4424-5344-9.
Book Talk:
Luca Vero has been imprisoned by the church for daring to question the authenticity of some of the relics that the church is claiming to be authentic. Facing a certain death at the hands of the Inquisition, Luca is offered a reprieve.
Intrigued by his inquisitve nature, a mysterious stranger offers him a chance at freedom. After being trained, he will be allowed to go out into the world and record the strange and unusual things that are happening in the world that appear to be the work of the devil or the end of times.
Lucas' first mission into the world is an inquiry at a nunnery north of Rome where terrible things have been happening. The Lady Abess in charge of the nunnery was forced into the position in order to keep her from claiming the inheritance from her father. The nuns are experiencing horrible dreams and visions, walking in their sleep, and are experiencing unexplained bleeding wounds.
The guilt seems to fall on a plot laid out by the Lady Abess to drive the nuns mad.
As Luca digs deeper, he finds a deeper plot, driven by greed, that puts the life of every nun in danger.
Will Luca discover the culprit before all is lost? Will the Lady Abess ever regain what is rightfully hers?
Author's Web Site:
http://www.philippagregory.com/
Reveiwer's Note:
I completely enjoyed this book. I found myself swept back in time and found it hard to re-enter the world of the 21st century when I had finished the book.
This book is Book One of the Order of Darkness series. While the main characters in the story are not based upon any particular historical figure, they are accurate to the time that is depicted.
I think sometimes we forget that the world was a very different place than it is now, and the things that we now understand to be science, that follows rules and patterns were misunderstood and used by people with bad intentions to influence and even terrorize the common people of the time who had little or no education.
Hardcover, $18.99. ISBN: 978-1-4424-5344-9.
Book Talk:
Luca Vero has been imprisoned by the church for daring to question the authenticity of some of the relics that the church is claiming to be authentic. Facing a certain death at the hands of the Inquisition, Luca is offered a reprieve.Intrigued by his inquisitve nature, a mysterious stranger offers him a chance at freedom. After being trained, he will be allowed to go out into the world and record the strange and unusual things that are happening in the world that appear to be the work of the devil or the end of times.
Lucas' first mission into the world is an inquiry at a nunnery north of Rome where terrible things have been happening. The Lady Abess in charge of the nunnery was forced into the position in order to keep her from claiming the inheritance from her father. The nuns are experiencing horrible dreams and visions, walking in their sleep, and are experiencing unexplained bleeding wounds.
The guilt seems to fall on a plot laid out by the Lady Abess to drive the nuns mad.
As Luca digs deeper, he finds a deeper plot, driven by greed, that puts the life of every nun in danger.
Will Luca discover the culprit before all is lost? Will the Lady Abess ever regain what is rightfully hers?
Author's Web Site:
http://www.philippagregory.com/
Reveiwer's Note:
I completely enjoyed this book. I found myself swept back in time and found it hard to re-enter the world of the 21st century when I had finished the book.
This book is Book One of the Order of Darkness series. While the main characters in the story are not based upon any particular historical figure, they are accurate to the time that is depicted.
I think sometimes we forget that the world was a very different place than it is now, and the things that we now understand to be science, that follows rules and patterns were misunderstood and used by people with bad intentions to influence and even terrorize the common people of the time who had little or no education.
Monday, December 10, 2012
Blogscaping
If you've been checking in on the blog after being gone for a while, you'll notice I've made some changes. I'm engaging in some "Blogscaping" this week.
I've reviewed a lot of books since I began keeping this blog for class several years back. While I've always kept posts tagged, I was noticing that it's hard to find books. Even though I keep a list of tags on the side of the blog, if you're trying to look back for something, or find a related title, you are going to have a hard time finding anything with this arrangement.
So, I'm switching things up a little. I will continue to review books in the regular blog stream. No change there.
I'm adding tabs across the top of the page by genre. Each page will include a list of the books I've reveiwed in that genre, with a perma-link to the original post.
I'm trying to make the list alphabetical for easy access, but as I'm tacking this in possibly the most inefficient way in history, you'll see the lists appear first in the order that I find them as I search back through the posts. Then, when I get time, I'll come back and alphebetize the lists in order to make it easier to find books.
I do read a lot of books over the course of a month. Some of them are adult fiction. Since this is a young adult page, I don't review them here unless if I feel they are a worthy crossover book that older teens might enjoy reading. Some are children's books. While I enjoy those immensely, I'm not going to review those on a young adult blog, either.
Any book that I've posted in here, I've read from cover to cover, and I enjoyed reading it. I feel it's worthy of drawing someone's attention to this book. I'm hoping that someone else will find the same value and enjoyment of the book that I did.
I'm currently debating whether or not to keep the list of tags down the side of the page. That list is getting long, and unwieldly, and I'm not sure it's worth keeping the list... Only time will tell whether I keep that little fixture!
-Bettina
I've reviewed a lot of books since I began keeping this blog for class several years back. While I've always kept posts tagged, I was noticing that it's hard to find books. Even though I keep a list of tags on the side of the blog, if you're trying to look back for something, or find a related title, you are going to have a hard time finding anything with this arrangement.
So, I'm switching things up a little. I will continue to review books in the regular blog stream. No change there.
I'm adding tabs across the top of the page by genre. Each page will include a list of the books I've reveiwed in that genre, with a perma-link to the original post.
I'm trying to make the list alphabetical for easy access, but as I'm tacking this in possibly the most inefficient way in history, you'll see the lists appear first in the order that I find them as I search back through the posts. Then, when I get time, I'll come back and alphebetize the lists in order to make it easier to find books.
I do read a lot of books over the course of a month. Some of them are adult fiction. Since this is a young adult page, I don't review them here unless if I feel they are a worthy crossover book that older teens might enjoy reading. Some are children's books. While I enjoy those immensely, I'm not going to review those on a young adult blog, either.
Any book that I've posted in here, I've read from cover to cover, and I enjoyed reading it. I feel it's worthy of drawing someone's attention to this book. I'm hoping that someone else will find the same value and enjoyment of the book that I did.
I'm currently debating whether or not to keep the list of tags down the side of the page. That list is getting long, and unwieldly, and I'm not sure it's worth keeping the list... Only time will tell whether I keep that little fixture!
-Bettina
Friday, December 7, 2012
The Last Guardian
Colfer, Eoin. Artemis Fowl: The Last Guardian. 2012. Disney Hyperion Books, New York.
Hardcover, $18.99. ISBN: 978-142316161-5.
Book Talk:
The evil fairy Opal Koboi has figured out a way to escape from the highest security prison in the world - Atlantis. Opal has had her younger self kidnapped, and is threatening to have her killed unless if her older self is released from prison. Seems like a no brainer, doesn't it? Go ahead and let the evil young fairy be killed, and then all of your problems disappear, right?
Actually, it turns out that since the young Opal was removed from the time stream to be brought forward, there are dire consequences to killing young Opal. Everything that Opal has ever made or touched will immediately be destroyed. The old Opal will die in a fiery ball of flame that will consume the fairy underworld. Considering that Opal has manufactured much of the technology in Haven, the power, computer, and satellite networks for the fairy world, this will have dire consequences on them all. Even more damaging, much of Opal's outmoded and outdated technology has been sold into the human world by Opal herself, and the technology of our modern world is dependent upon Koboi Products. This explosion would forever alter the human world as well.
Choosing the lesser of two evils, the LEP move Opal into a magma tube, where the hope is that the magma will absorb much of the force of the explosion and lessen the damage to Atlantis.
Only when the explosion occurs does the full extent of Opal's evil plan become evident....
All Koboi products in the human and fairy world explode simultaneously.
Satellites and planes fall from the sky.
The telecommunications networks are down forever.
Opal Koboi herself becomes imbued with the deepest of dark magic, and harnesses this power to enable her to open the Berserker Gate... the gate that will lead to the unleashing of Armageddon and the destruction of human life on Earth forever.
Artemis Fowl, Holly Short, Foaly, Butler, and Mulch Diggums work together one last time in a desperate race against time to save the planet from annihilation.
But, can they do this without someone making the ultimate sacrifice?
Author's Web Site: http://www.eoincolfer.com/
Reviewers Note:
I have loved Artemis since I picked up his first book. Sitting all by itself on the new arrivals cart in the sorting room, it had been processed but not yet put out on the shelves of the library. I turned the book over and read the magic words "12 year old criminal genius" and was hooked. I read it through my lunch break, managed to put it down while I was working on the information desk, and finished it later that night after I got home from the library. I introduced it to my son, who at that time was the most reluctant reader on the planet. 12 hours later, he handed me the finished book and asked when was the next one coming out. Over the years, I have bought each Artemis book, placing pre-orders for the books so that they arrive at my door the day they are released. Unfortunately, this one has been sitting on the shelf longer than I would have liked because of an intrusion of my real life into my reading life...
My kids loved the book, and read it within moments of it's arrival. Nothing like seeing my 19 year old and 17 year old, laying side by side on the floor, each reading different passages in the book at the same time!
I am sad to see the end of the Artemis Fowl books, as they will always hold a special place in my heart. They took a very reluctant reader, and gave him books to love. He found a genre he loves, and began to read for pleasure! That kid is now 17 years old, and is applying for college. He's taking AP classes, and loves to read. I give Artemis a lot of credit for that! (Thanks, Eoin Colfer. You really did make a difference!)
Anyway, excellent book! Read it through the night... I finally finished it after midnight, got to sleep around 1, and got 5 hours of sleep. It's going to be a fun day of work today! I'm wondering if I can sneak in a nap time in the break room?
In order to fully appreciate this book, you do need to have read the other books in the series. These old friends jump right into their adventure, and you need to fully understand their personalities in order to fully understand the subtle jokes and plot twists.
Hardcover, $18.99. ISBN: 978-142316161-5.
Book Talk:
The evil fairy Opal Koboi has figured out a way to escape from the highest security prison in the world - Atlantis. Opal has had her younger self kidnapped, and is threatening to have her killed unless if her older self is released from prison. Seems like a no brainer, doesn't it? Go ahead and let the evil young fairy be killed, and then all of your problems disappear, right?Actually, it turns out that since the young Opal was removed from the time stream to be brought forward, there are dire consequences to killing young Opal. Everything that Opal has ever made or touched will immediately be destroyed. The old Opal will die in a fiery ball of flame that will consume the fairy underworld. Considering that Opal has manufactured much of the technology in Haven, the power, computer, and satellite networks for the fairy world, this will have dire consequences on them all. Even more damaging, much of Opal's outmoded and outdated technology has been sold into the human world by Opal herself, and the technology of our modern world is dependent upon Koboi Products. This explosion would forever alter the human world as well.
Choosing the lesser of two evils, the LEP move Opal into a magma tube, where the hope is that the magma will absorb much of the force of the explosion and lessen the damage to Atlantis.
Only when the explosion occurs does the full extent of Opal's evil plan become evident....
All Koboi products in the human and fairy world explode simultaneously.
Satellites and planes fall from the sky.
The telecommunications networks are down forever.
Opal Koboi herself becomes imbued with the deepest of dark magic, and harnesses this power to enable her to open the Berserker Gate... the gate that will lead to the unleashing of Armageddon and the destruction of human life on Earth forever.
Artemis Fowl, Holly Short, Foaly, Butler, and Mulch Diggums work together one last time in a desperate race against time to save the planet from annihilation.
But, can they do this without someone making the ultimate sacrifice?
Author's Web Site: http://www.eoincolfer.com/
Reviewers Note:
I have loved Artemis since I picked up his first book. Sitting all by itself on the new arrivals cart in the sorting room, it had been processed but not yet put out on the shelves of the library. I turned the book over and read the magic words "12 year old criminal genius" and was hooked. I read it through my lunch break, managed to put it down while I was working on the information desk, and finished it later that night after I got home from the library. I introduced it to my son, who at that time was the most reluctant reader on the planet. 12 hours later, he handed me the finished book and asked when was the next one coming out. Over the years, I have bought each Artemis book, placing pre-orders for the books so that they arrive at my door the day they are released. Unfortunately, this one has been sitting on the shelf longer than I would have liked because of an intrusion of my real life into my reading life...
My kids loved the book, and read it within moments of it's arrival. Nothing like seeing my 19 year old and 17 year old, laying side by side on the floor, each reading different passages in the book at the same time!
I am sad to see the end of the Artemis Fowl books, as they will always hold a special place in my heart. They took a very reluctant reader, and gave him books to love. He found a genre he loves, and began to read for pleasure! That kid is now 17 years old, and is applying for college. He's taking AP classes, and loves to read. I give Artemis a lot of credit for that! (Thanks, Eoin Colfer. You really did make a difference!)
Anyway, excellent book! Read it through the night... I finally finished it after midnight, got to sleep around 1, and got 5 hours of sleep. It's going to be a fun day of work today! I'm wondering if I can sneak in a nap time in the break room?
In order to fully appreciate this book, you do need to have read the other books in the series. These old friends jump right into their adventure, and you need to fully understand their personalities in order to fully understand the subtle jokes and plot twists.
Saturday, December 1, 2012
The Mark of Athena
Riordan, Rick. The Mark of Athena. 2012. Disney Hyperion Books, New York.
Hardcover, $19.99. ISBN: 978-142314060-3.
The Heroes of Camp Half Blood and Camp Jupiter are back in this third installment in the Heroes of Olympus Series!
For the first time in centuries, the students from the Greek Camp Half Blood have met the students from the Roman Camp Jupiter. The students are hoping to align their forces in order to defeat Gaea in her attempt to awaken the Giants and overthrow Olympus. Unfortunately, just as the two camps are meeting for the first time, someone launches a barrage at Camp Jupiter, and the Greek demigods are blamed, With old tensions reignited, seven students- a mix from both camps - leave on a quest to keep Gaea from awakening, follow the Mark of Athena, close deaths doors, find the missing Nico, and, oh yeah, save the world.
While the seven are attempting to fly across the ocean in Leo's ship, The Argo, the Romans have sworn vengeance upon the Greeks for the destruction of their camp. The Roman demigods race across the country to destroy camp Half-Blood.
Join Percy, Annabeth, Jason, Leo, Hazel, Frank, and Piper as they race against time in the Argo 2...
Author's Web Site: www.HeroesofOlympus.com
Hardcover, $19.99. ISBN: 978-142314060-3.
The Heroes of Camp Half Blood and Camp Jupiter are back in this third installment in the Heroes of Olympus Series!
For the first time in centuries, the students from the Greek Camp Half Blood have met the students from the Roman Camp Jupiter. The students are hoping to align their forces in order to defeat Gaea in her attempt to awaken the Giants and overthrow Olympus. Unfortunately, just as the two camps are meeting for the first time, someone launches a barrage at Camp Jupiter, and the Greek demigods are blamed, With old tensions reignited, seven students- a mix from both camps - leave on a quest to keep Gaea from awakening, follow the Mark of Athena, close deaths doors, find the missing Nico, and, oh yeah, save the world.
While the seven are attempting to fly across the ocean in Leo's ship, The Argo, the Romans have sworn vengeance upon the Greeks for the destruction of their camp. The Roman demigods race across the country to destroy camp Half-Blood.
Join Percy, Annabeth, Jason, Leo, Hazel, Frank, and Piper as they race against time in the Argo 2...
Author's Web Site: www.HeroesofOlympus.com
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Princess Ben
Murdoch, Catherine Gilbert. Princess Ben. 2008. Houghton Mifflin, Boston.
Hardcover, ISBN:978-0-618-95971-6. $16.00.
Book Talk:
Princess Benevolence is devastated when her parents are killed while visiting the shrine of her grandfather in the mountains. Convinced that the neighboring kingdom of Drachensbett is to blame, Princess Ben vows revenge.
Unfortunately, Queen Sophia has different expectations of Princess Ben. She moves her into the castle and demands that Princess Ben begin to learn the fine arts of Queenship and Royalty: dancing, making small talk about nothing, eating small portions, and having a willowy figure.
As the battle between Queen and Princess escalates into an all out war, Princess Ben finds herself locked into the tallest tower in the castle. It is here that she discovers the magic heritage that is her birthright, and here that Princess Ben begins to learn to work her magic.
But, will Princess Ben learn the magic fast enough in order to save her kingdom from the evil intentions of Drachensbett?
Author's Web Site:
http://www.catherinemurdock.com/cm/home.html
Reviewer's Note:
A well told tale, with unexpected twists and turns of plot and whimsy. The author ends up making this into a twisted fairy tale, related to the story of Cinderella or Snow White, you know, with the heroine awakening with "True Love's First Kiss". However, the unexpected plot twist to this tale at the end make this story a true gem!
Hardcover, ISBN:978-0-618-95971-6. $16.00.
Book Talk:
Princess Benevolence is devastated when her parents are killed while visiting the shrine of her grandfather in the mountains. Convinced that the neighboring kingdom of Drachensbett is to blame, Princess Ben vows revenge.Unfortunately, Queen Sophia has different expectations of Princess Ben. She moves her into the castle and demands that Princess Ben begin to learn the fine arts of Queenship and Royalty: dancing, making small talk about nothing, eating small portions, and having a willowy figure.
As the battle between Queen and Princess escalates into an all out war, Princess Ben finds herself locked into the tallest tower in the castle. It is here that she discovers the magic heritage that is her birthright, and here that Princess Ben begins to learn to work her magic.
But, will Princess Ben learn the magic fast enough in order to save her kingdom from the evil intentions of Drachensbett?
Author's Web Site:
http://www.catherinemurdock.com/cm/home.html
Reviewer's Note:
A well told tale, with unexpected twists and turns of plot and whimsy. The author ends up making this into a twisted fairy tale, related to the story of Cinderella or Snow White, you know, with the heroine awakening with "True Love's First Kiss". However, the unexpected plot twist to this tale at the end make this story a true gem!
Thursday, August 2, 2012
The Son of Neptune
Riordan, Rick. The Son of Neptune. 2011. Disney Hyperion Books. New York, NY.
Hardcover: ISBN: 978-142314059-7. $19.99
Book Talk:
Percy Jackson awakens to a nightmare. Unaware of who he is, or how he came to be where he is, he is being haunted by monsters across Southern California.
While helping a homeless bag lady escape the Gorgons that have been chasing him, Percy discovers that he is carrying to Goddess Juno and is going towards a safer place. Juno warns Percy that he is about to make a choice which will affect all of humanity forever.
Percy then finds himself in the middle of an encampment of a Roman Legion group of Demi-Gods descended from the Roman Gods. Still uncertain of who he is or where he comes from, Percy finds that the other campers are suspicious of him and claim that he smells "Greek".
While the campers attempt to make sense of Percy's sudden appearance in their midst, the Roman god Mars appears before the campers, claims the clueless Frank as his son, and then sends Frank, Percy, and one camper of their choice off an a quest to stop Gaea from awakening and destroying the Earth. They have days to find their way to Alaska and stop the horrible giant from awakening and destroying all humanity.
Can Hazel, Percy, and Frank make it to Alaska in time to stop the giant from awakening?
Will they be able to make it back to camp in time to save the campers from destruction at the hands of Gaea's forces?
Will Percy recover his memory before unspeakable mistakes are made?
Author's Web Site:
http://www.rickriordan.com/my-books/percy-jackson/heroes-of-olympus/The-Mark-of-Athena.aspx
Reviewer's Note:
This book is another in the Percy Jackson Olympians franchise of books. This book stands alone. Since Percy has lost his memory and is in the dark as to who he is and what has happened in his past, the reader who has not read the books before will also be just as in the dark about how Percy fits into the story, and will revel in how the characters and plot from the previous books are revealed.
Returning readers will enjoy catching up with old friends and finding out how their story has continued on outside of the novels.
I enjoyed the view of Roman civilization and Roman life. The author paints an enchanting picture of how the Roman Legion would look today, and has a very different view of the Roman Camps than he had of the Greek Camps.
A fun and exciting read, if you are a Percy Jackson fan, you will enjoy this book!
Hardcover: ISBN: 978-142314059-7. $19.99
Book Talk:
Percy Jackson awakens to a nightmare. Unaware of who he is, or how he came to be where he is, he is being haunted by monsters across Southern California.
While helping a homeless bag lady escape the Gorgons that have been chasing him, Percy discovers that he is carrying to Goddess Juno and is going towards a safer place. Juno warns Percy that he is about to make a choice which will affect all of humanity forever.Percy then finds himself in the middle of an encampment of a Roman Legion group of Demi-Gods descended from the Roman Gods. Still uncertain of who he is or where he comes from, Percy finds that the other campers are suspicious of him and claim that he smells "Greek".
While the campers attempt to make sense of Percy's sudden appearance in their midst, the Roman god Mars appears before the campers, claims the clueless Frank as his son, and then sends Frank, Percy, and one camper of their choice off an a quest to stop Gaea from awakening and destroying the Earth. They have days to find their way to Alaska and stop the horrible giant from awakening and destroying all humanity.
Can Hazel, Percy, and Frank make it to Alaska in time to stop the giant from awakening?
Will they be able to make it back to camp in time to save the campers from destruction at the hands of Gaea's forces?
Will Percy recover his memory before unspeakable mistakes are made?
Author's Web Site:
http://www.rickriordan.com/my-books/percy-jackson/heroes-of-olympus/The-Mark-of-Athena.aspx
Reviewer's Note:
This book is another in the Percy Jackson Olympians franchise of books. This book stands alone. Since Percy has lost his memory and is in the dark as to who he is and what has happened in his past, the reader who has not read the books before will also be just as in the dark about how Percy fits into the story, and will revel in how the characters and plot from the previous books are revealed.
Returning readers will enjoy catching up with old friends and finding out how their story has continued on outside of the novels.
I enjoyed the view of Roman civilization and Roman life. The author paints an enchanting picture of how the Roman Legion would look today, and has a very different view of the Roman Camps than he had of the Greek Camps.
A fun and exciting read, if you are a Percy Jackson fan, you will enjoy this book!
Monday, July 23, 2012
Bitterblue
Cashore, Kristin. Bitterblue. 2012. Dial Books, New York, NY.
Hardcover, $19.99. ISBN: 978-0-8037-3473-9.
Book Talk:
Bitterblue has been the Queen of her kingdom since she was 9 years old. Now, at the age of 18, she has begun to realize that her kingdom might not be all that she thinks it is. Her father, King Lcek, was an insane madman with the ability to control minds and wills of the people around him. He has been dead for 9 years, but did his legacy die with him?
Slipping out of the castle one night, Bitterblue discovers life outside of her castle. She walks the streets of her city, discovers the Story Rooms, and finds that her kingdom is not all that she imagined it was. Things are not as beautiful, and not as perfect as her advisors have led her to believe.
Determined to find out what is going on within her kingdom, and what her advisors are hiding from her, Bitterblue begins asking very uncomfortable questions.
When a duke attempts to kidnap her during a marriage proposal, Bitterblue begins to understand just how serious things are.
When someone attempts to kill her one night while walking the streets alone, she realizes that she has struck a nerve and is getting closer to the truth.
When she discovers a handsome young man, with laughing purple eyes who steals her heart, Bitterblue begins to realize that finding the answers is not as easy as asking them.
Will Bitterblue ever root out the cause of the evil that is gnawing at the heart of her kingdom? Will she be able to recover the love and affection of the laughing, purple-eyed man?
Even more important, will Bitterblue ever be able to break the spell that King Leck left on his subjects and her most trusted advisors?
Author's Web Site:
http://kristincashore.blogspot.com/
Reviewer's Note:
This book is the sequel to Graceling, the companion book to Fire.
This is a stand-alone novel. You do not need to have read Graceling or Fire to understand the story. The characters of Po, Katsa, and Fire do appear in this novel. However, their earlier stories are tangential stories to the main story line in this book.
I will say this: I was drawn into this book and unable to put it down! I hit the midpoint of the book about midnight last night, and could not stop reading. I am very, very thankful that I am on break for the summer right now, or I would be dragging through school today! I did eventually finish... early, early this morning. As with all of Cashore's novels, this is a danger. She writes spellbinding novels that draw you into her world so completely that you are compelled to finish them.
A word here. It has been a while since I have read Fire and Graceling. I remember some of the plot, but not all. Cashore does a fantastic job of seamlessly reminding her readers of the importance and place of the recurring characters in her overall tale. She very neatly ties up the loose ends and questions from Fire and Graceling during this novel. Too bad for me, because I have a stack of books I wanted to finish this summer, and I thought I was making some serious progress through that stack until early this morning. I've already been on the library website, requesting Grace and Fire. There are questions that I have that I can only answer by going back and re-reading the first two novels.
I believe Kristin Cashore's Grace is storytelling.
Here are my reviews from her earlier novels:
(Here's a bit of trivia - when I began this blog, I began it as a project for class. The Graceling review was written as an assignment. It's interesting to see how this blog has evolved over time!)
Fire:
http://librarynut-booksforteens.blogspot.com/2010/08/fire.html
Graceling:
http://librarynut-booksforteens.blogspot.com/2009/06/graceling-by-kristin-cashore.html
Hardcover, $19.99. ISBN: 978-0-8037-3473-9.
Book Talk:Bitterblue has been the Queen of her kingdom since she was 9 years old. Now, at the age of 18, she has begun to realize that her kingdom might not be all that she thinks it is. Her father, King Lcek, was an insane madman with the ability to control minds and wills of the people around him. He has been dead for 9 years, but did his legacy die with him?
Slipping out of the castle one night, Bitterblue discovers life outside of her castle. She walks the streets of her city, discovers the Story Rooms, and finds that her kingdom is not all that she imagined it was. Things are not as beautiful, and not as perfect as her advisors have led her to believe.
Determined to find out what is going on within her kingdom, and what her advisors are hiding from her, Bitterblue begins asking very uncomfortable questions.
When a duke attempts to kidnap her during a marriage proposal, Bitterblue begins to understand just how serious things are.
When someone attempts to kill her one night while walking the streets alone, she realizes that she has struck a nerve and is getting closer to the truth.
When she discovers a handsome young man, with laughing purple eyes who steals her heart, Bitterblue begins to realize that finding the answers is not as easy as asking them.
Will Bitterblue ever root out the cause of the evil that is gnawing at the heart of her kingdom? Will she be able to recover the love and affection of the laughing, purple-eyed man?
Even more important, will Bitterblue ever be able to break the spell that King Leck left on his subjects and her most trusted advisors?
Author's Web Site:
http://kristincashore.blogspot.com/
Reviewer's Note:
This book is the sequel to Graceling, the companion book to Fire.
This is a stand-alone novel. You do not need to have read Graceling or Fire to understand the story. The characters of Po, Katsa, and Fire do appear in this novel. However, their earlier stories are tangential stories to the main story line in this book.
I will say this: I was drawn into this book and unable to put it down! I hit the midpoint of the book about midnight last night, and could not stop reading. I am very, very thankful that I am on break for the summer right now, or I would be dragging through school today! I did eventually finish... early, early this morning. As with all of Cashore's novels, this is a danger. She writes spellbinding novels that draw you into her world so completely that you are compelled to finish them.
A word here. It has been a while since I have read Fire and Graceling. I remember some of the plot, but not all. Cashore does a fantastic job of seamlessly reminding her readers of the importance and place of the recurring characters in her overall tale. She very neatly ties up the loose ends and questions from Fire and Graceling during this novel. Too bad for me, because I have a stack of books I wanted to finish this summer, and I thought I was making some serious progress through that stack until early this morning. I've already been on the library website, requesting Grace and Fire. There are questions that I have that I can only answer by going back and re-reading the first two novels.
I believe Kristin Cashore's Grace is storytelling.
Here are my reviews from her earlier novels:
(Here's a bit of trivia - when I began this blog, I began it as a project for class. The Graceling review was written as an assignment. It's interesting to see how this blog has evolved over time!)
Fire:
http://librarynut-booksforteens.blogspot.com/2010/08/fire.html
Graceling:
http://librarynut-booksforteens.blogspot.com/2009/06/graceling-by-kristin-cashore.html
Friday, July 20, 2012
Sold
McCormick, Patricia. Sold. 2006. Hyperion. New York, New York.
Hardcover, $15.99. ISBN: 078685171-6.
Book Talk:
13 year old Lakshimi lives on a hillside in a mountain village in Nepal.
When her family runs out of money, her step-father sells her to a trader in the market place.
Lakshimi finds herself trapped in a situation from which there is no escape. Smuggled across the border of Nepal into India, she is sold to a brothel where she is forced to follow the wishes of the woman in charge, or she will be killed.
This tale of true courage and strength of will of one young person will move you.
The true tale of human trafficking and the sex trade will leave you shocked and apalled.
Author's Web Site:
http://patriciamccormick.com/
Reviewer's Note:
Human Trafficking and the sex trade are growing at an alarming rate internationally. Lured by the promise of easy money to support their families, young girls from poverty stricken villages across Eastern Asia find themselves lured into situations from which there is no escape. Forced into prostitution at a young age, these girls are forced to serve hundreds of men a night until they either escape or die from a sexually transmitted disease.
I wish I could say that this horrible business only happens in other countries, but H.T. is a growing problem in the U.S., with young girls smuggled into the U.S. from other countries, or our own youth kidnapped or tricked into serving in this industry.
The subject matter is matter is mature. However, Patricia McCormick deals with a difficult situation in a loving manner. No graphic details are shared, leaving your imagination free to fill in the details of the horrors these young women live through every day.
Hardcover, $15.99. ISBN: 078685171-6.
Book Talk:
13 year old Lakshimi lives on a hillside in a mountain village in Nepal. When her family runs out of money, her step-father sells her to a trader in the market place.
Lakshimi finds herself trapped in a situation from which there is no escape. Smuggled across the border of Nepal into India, she is sold to a brothel where she is forced to follow the wishes of the woman in charge, or she will be killed.
This tale of true courage and strength of will of one young person will move you.
The true tale of human trafficking and the sex trade will leave you shocked and apalled.
Author's Web Site:
http://patriciamccormick.com/
Reviewer's Note:
Human Trafficking and the sex trade are growing at an alarming rate internationally. Lured by the promise of easy money to support their families, young girls from poverty stricken villages across Eastern Asia find themselves lured into situations from which there is no escape. Forced into prostitution at a young age, these girls are forced to serve hundreds of men a night until they either escape or die from a sexually transmitted disease.
I wish I could say that this horrible business only happens in other countries, but H.T. is a growing problem in the U.S., with young girls smuggled into the U.S. from other countries, or our own youth kidnapped or tricked into serving in this industry.
The subject matter is matter is mature. However, Patricia McCormick deals with a difficult situation in a loving manner. No graphic details are shared, leaving your imagination free to fill in the details of the horrors these young women live through every day.
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
The Bridge to Never Land
Barry, Dave and Ridley Pearson. The Bridge to Neverland. 2011. Disney, Hyperion Books. New York.
ISBN: 978-142313865-5. Hardcover, $18.99.
Book Talk:
Sarah and Aidan Cooper live in modern day Pittsburgh. They both loved the Star Catchers series of books when they were young children. While playing under an antique desk their father has just bought, they discover a hidden clue to a secret located somewhere within London.
As the children seek for the answers to the mysterious clues they find, they discover that they are in the middle of an ancient struggle with an ancient power for posession of a golden box with magical powers.
Unwittingly trapped within the perils they don't understand, and with no one to help them out, Sarah and Aidan use their wits to evade the frightening Ravens that follow them everywhere and escape to the United States.
But, have they truly escaped?
Sarah and Aidan realize the horrible truth - that the mysterious trunk they discovered in London contains Star Stuff. The books about the Star Catchers were real, and they are engaged in a struggle with Lord Ombra for control of the Star Stuff. Laden with only the knowledge in the original books to guide them, they set out on a quest to get rid of the Star Stuff before Lord Umbra can get hold of it and use it for his own nefarious purposes.
Can Sarah and Aidan get rid of the Star Stuff before Lord Ombra gets ahold of them?
Author's Web Site:
Dave Barry:
http://www.davebarry.com/books.html
Ridley Pearson:
http://www.ridleypearson.com/
Reviewer's Note:
This is an enchanting tale, full of plot twists and turns. With the story set in modern day Pittsburgh, the authors have taken the opportunity to bring in new technologies (iPads). I enjoyed the fact that the kids were smart, quick witted and intelligent. I appreciated the fact that the adults are not moronic imbeciles incapable of functioning or understanding what is going on around them. Thank you Mr. Barry and Mr. Pearson for writing a smart story that does not insult the audience!
It's been a while since I read the original series, and I was afraid I wouldn't remember any of the plot and would end up horribly confused by the new story. I needn't have worried. The authors seamlessly wove in plot from the original series into this book, reminding readers of critical plot lines in the old stories in a gentle fashion that was told as part of the new tale. Nice job, gentlemen!
ISBN: 978-142313865-5. Hardcover, $18.99.
Book Talk:
Sarah and Aidan Cooper live in modern day Pittsburgh. They both loved the Star Catchers series of books when they were young children. While playing under an antique desk their father has just bought, they discover a hidden clue to a secret located somewhere within London.
As the children seek for the answers to the mysterious clues they find, they discover that they are in the middle of an ancient struggle with an ancient power for posession of a golden box with magical powers.
Unwittingly trapped within the perils they don't understand, and with no one to help them out, Sarah and Aidan use their wits to evade the frightening Ravens that follow them everywhere and escape to the United States.
But, have they truly escaped?
Sarah and Aidan realize the horrible truth - that the mysterious trunk they discovered in London contains Star Stuff. The books about the Star Catchers were real, and they are engaged in a struggle with Lord Ombra for control of the Star Stuff. Laden with only the knowledge in the original books to guide them, they set out on a quest to get rid of the Star Stuff before Lord Umbra can get hold of it and use it for his own nefarious purposes.
Can Sarah and Aidan get rid of the Star Stuff before Lord Ombra gets ahold of them?
Author's Web Site:
Dave Barry:
http://www.davebarry.com/books.html
Ridley Pearson:
http://www.ridleypearson.com/
Reviewer's Note:
This is an enchanting tale, full of plot twists and turns. With the story set in modern day Pittsburgh, the authors have taken the opportunity to bring in new technologies (iPads). I enjoyed the fact that the kids were smart, quick witted and intelligent. I appreciated the fact that the adults are not moronic imbeciles incapable of functioning or understanding what is going on around them. Thank you Mr. Barry and Mr. Pearson for writing a smart story that does not insult the audience!
It's been a while since I read the original series, and I was afraid I wouldn't remember any of the plot and would end up horribly confused by the new story. I needn't have worried. The authors seamlessly wove in plot from the original series into this book, reminding readers of critical plot lines in the old stories in a gentle fashion that was told as part of the new tale. Nice job, gentlemen!
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Curveball
Sonnenblick, Jordan. Curveball: The Year I Lost My Grip. 2012. Scholastic Press, New York, NY.
Hardcover: $17.99.
ISBN: 978-0545-32069-6
Annotation:
Peter Friedman begins his Freshman year in a kind of nightmare. Having torn out his elbow in a baseball game, he has been told he will never pitch again. On top of that, his grandfather has been acting more and more strange. As Peter struggles to figure out what is going on with his Grandfather, and adjust to high school, he finds his own way into the world with photography.
Book Talk:
Peter Friedman is the star of the baseball team. He lives, eats, and breathes baseball. His world unexpectedly falls apart when he tears up his elbow pitching during a game.
When he is told that he will never be able to pitch again, Peter begins to despair. How is he going to function in high school when he can no longer play baseball and will never be the star of the baseball team?
His OTHER lifelong hobby - photography - comes to save the day. Peter and his Grandfather have been taking pictures together his entire life. Where Peter loved baseball, his Grandfather loved photography.
When he enters his photography class on the first day of school, he finds that not only is he in class with possibly the cutest freshman in the world, he is thrown for a bit of a spin when they are assigned to work together. And then, when he finds out that they are assigned to work together on assignments for the yearbook, Peter is... stunned.
There is one other fly in the ointment. Peter's Grandfather has been acting different. Forgetting things. Losing himself in time and place. When he mentions this to his mother, she refuses to believe him. But, every time he sees his grandfather, Peter realizes that they've lost a little more of him.
WILL Peter's life ever come back together? Will he get the girl? (and keep her) Will he ever tell his best friend that he can't ever play baseball again? Is something seriously wrong with Peter's grandfather?
Find out in Curveball: The Year I Lost My Grip.
Reviewers Note:
Jordan Sonnenblick is one of my favorite YA authors. Once again, he hits a home run, tackling a difficult subject with love and compassion. Watching someone you love, who is your hero, go through the beginning stages of Alzheimer's Disease is frightening. When you read of Peter's struggles to figure out what is going on with his grandfather, and feel the underlying love of Peter and his Grandpa... he takes a subject that can be difficult to deal with and puts it into words and phrases that we can all understand and relate to. I highly recommend this book to everyone. Mr. Sonnenblick did an awesome job of capturing the uncertainty that accompanies the beginning stages of Alzheimer's Disease.
Author's Web Page:
http://www.jordansonnenblick.com/
Hardcover: $17.99.
ISBN: 978-0545-32069-6
Annotation:
Peter Friedman begins his Freshman year in a kind of nightmare. Having torn out his elbow in a baseball game, he has been told he will never pitch again. On top of that, his grandfather has been acting more and more strange. As Peter struggles to figure out what is going on with his Grandfather, and adjust to high school, he finds his own way into the world with photography.Book Talk:
Peter Friedman is the star of the baseball team. He lives, eats, and breathes baseball. His world unexpectedly falls apart when he tears up his elbow pitching during a game.
When he is told that he will never be able to pitch again, Peter begins to despair. How is he going to function in high school when he can no longer play baseball and will never be the star of the baseball team?
His OTHER lifelong hobby - photography - comes to save the day. Peter and his Grandfather have been taking pictures together his entire life. Where Peter loved baseball, his Grandfather loved photography.
When he enters his photography class on the first day of school, he finds that not only is he in class with possibly the cutest freshman in the world, he is thrown for a bit of a spin when they are assigned to work together. And then, when he finds out that they are assigned to work together on assignments for the yearbook, Peter is... stunned.
There is one other fly in the ointment. Peter's Grandfather has been acting different. Forgetting things. Losing himself in time and place. When he mentions this to his mother, she refuses to believe him. But, every time he sees his grandfather, Peter realizes that they've lost a little more of him.
WILL Peter's life ever come back together? Will he get the girl? (and keep her) Will he ever tell his best friend that he can't ever play baseball again? Is something seriously wrong with Peter's grandfather?
Find out in Curveball: The Year I Lost My Grip.
Reviewers Note:
Jordan Sonnenblick is one of my favorite YA authors. Once again, he hits a home run, tackling a difficult subject with love and compassion. Watching someone you love, who is your hero, go through the beginning stages of Alzheimer's Disease is frightening. When you read of Peter's struggles to figure out what is going on with his grandfather, and feel the underlying love of Peter and his Grandpa... he takes a subject that can be difficult to deal with and puts it into words and phrases that we can all understand and relate to. I highly recommend this book to everyone. Mr. Sonnenblick did an awesome job of capturing the uncertainty that accompanies the beginning stages of Alzheimer's Disease.
Author's Web Page:
http://www.jordansonnenblick.com/
Friday, June 8, 2012
Trafficked
Purcell, Kim. Trafficked, a novel. 2012, Viking Press, London, England.
Hardcover, $16.99.
ISBN: 978-0-670-01280-0.
Annotation:
Hannah finds herself sold into domestic slavery on the black market. Struggling to stay safe in a land where she doesn't speak the language, and has no rights, she searches for a way out.
Book Talk:
Hannah comes to the United States with the promise of becoming a nanny to two young children. She is looking forward to learning English, studying to become a doctor, and earning enough money to send home to her grandmother so she can have eye surgery. Little does she know that she has been sold on the black market and is about to find herself locked into a house, forced to work as a domestic slave, with the constant threat of being sold as a prostitute if she doesn't cooperate.
Cut off from her family, in a land where she doesn't speak the language, and denied access to the outside world, will Hannah ever be able to escape?
Reviewer's Note:
This book is completely appropriate for teens in high school. The girl in the story has been sold into domestic service. While some of the scenes imply more that could have happened, the author is careful to keep the book out of territory that would make it questionable for teens.
Human Trafficking is rampant in the United States. Illegal immigrants from countries around the globe are finding themselves sold into domestic service, the sex trade, farm labor, and so much more. The author does an excellent job of raising awarness of Human Trafficking.
Author's Web Site:
http://www.kimpurcell.com/
Hardcover, $16.99.
ISBN: 978-0-670-01280-0.
Annotation:
Hannah finds herself sold into domestic slavery on the black market. Struggling to stay safe in a land where she doesn't speak the language, and has no rights, she searches for a way out.Book Talk:
Hannah comes to the United States with the promise of becoming a nanny to two young children. She is looking forward to learning English, studying to become a doctor, and earning enough money to send home to her grandmother so she can have eye surgery. Little does she know that she has been sold on the black market and is about to find herself locked into a house, forced to work as a domestic slave, with the constant threat of being sold as a prostitute if she doesn't cooperate.
Cut off from her family, in a land where she doesn't speak the language, and denied access to the outside world, will Hannah ever be able to escape?
Reviewer's Note:
This book is completely appropriate for teens in high school. The girl in the story has been sold into domestic service. While some of the scenes imply more that could have happened, the author is careful to keep the book out of territory that would make it questionable for teens.
Human Trafficking is rampant in the United States. Illegal immigrants from countries around the globe are finding themselves sold into domestic service, the sex trade, farm labor, and so much more. The author does an excellent job of raising awarness of Human Trafficking.
Author's Web Site:
http://www.kimpurcell.com/
Monday, January 2, 2012
Steampunk!
Link, Kelly and Gavin L. Grant. Steampunk! An Anthology of Fantastically Rich and Strange Stories. 2011. Candlewick Press, Somerville, Mass.
Hardcover, $22.99
ISBN: 978-0-7636-4843-5.
Annotation:A collection of short stories that are all written in the STEAMPUNK literary style.
Book Talk:
Steampunk literature is a sub-genre of science fiction, fantasy, alternate history, and speculative fiction. Steampunk involves a setting where steam power is still widely used. Steampunk literature is usually set in Victorian England or the Wild West United States.
The book STEAMPUNK is a collection of short stories, all written in the Steampunk style, by some of the best known authors of today: M.T. Anderson, Holly Black, Libba Bray, Shawn Cheng, Cassandra Clare, Cory Doctorow, Dylan Harrucks, Kathlees Jennings, Elizabeth Knox, Kelly Link, Garth Nix, Christopher Rowe, Delia Sherman, and Ysabeau S. Wilce have each contributed a new story to this collection.
Come along and rob trains with the time stopping Glory Girls. Check out the Clockwork Fagin who runs a London orphanage. Find out more about the Colonial Era Finishing School.
Each story is a unique contribution by each author. This fascinating mix of Graphic Novels and traditional written stories will appeal to anyone who enjoys Steampunk Literature, or is looking for something new and different to read!
Book Web Site: http://strangeandfascinating.com/
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