Wither by Lauren DeStefano (review #145)

Title: Wither

Author: Laurne DeStefano

Genre: Dystopian Young Adult

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Format: Review Copy (Thank you to Simon and Schuster!)

Why the sudden rash of Young Adult reviews, you may ask? Well, it's been a long time since I've been in the mood to read Young Adult and I've been very lucky in my choices. I just had to share with you all another amazing read geared towards the young adult reader. I do have to say, though, this one is quite adult in my eyes. It was fast paced, intriguing and if I may add the much too used term and somewhat gag worthy, unputdownable.

Imagine this scenario...

"Males only live to age 25.

Females only live to age 20.

To keep the population from dying out,girls are kidnapped and sold into polygamous marriages."

From this description alone, I could sense this was going to be more of an adult read rather than a teen. Though the characters were young, the world in which they were living in was shockingly adult and insane. I guess this in itself is the world of dystopian lit.

There is a girl. Rhine. She is fearless, pissed off but a darn good actress. All she wants is to escape the world in which she has been forced into. And she will do anything and play any role to get that.

There is a boy. Gabriel. He is a servant raised in a world in which he doesn't know anything different. Until he meets Rhine, he never cared much for the outside. But together they want one thing, freedom.

This was a very fast read for me. Once I got going, it was difficult for me to do much else. For a debut novel, I found the writing to be impressive and smart. It didn't roll out a pile of drama, nor did it smack you with cliche characters. It had a good vs. evil feel but it wasn't the main force of the book. Rhine and Gabriel were only small pieces to the puzzle it seemed. All the characters involved were imprisoned in their own way, missing something that they once had or yearning for something they didn't know existed.

The "bad guy", Rhine's father-in-law and overall, mean science man, does crazy experiments on people in the name of "finding an ancedote" for the whole death by age 20 and 25 thing. He is a cool cucumber who is always hovering within the pages and I was kind of hoping he would fall off a cliff somewhere around page 140. Creepy and a control freak, I pictured him like Montgomery Burns from the Simpsons. Cold as ice.

The ending was as expected but still exciting. It made me crave the next book right away, which is unusual for me. You really got to wow me to make me want to continue right away with a series.

Rating: 5/6

Overall, a very strong debut in young adult dystopian lit. It had some doom and gloom, and some serious adult matters that these girls had to deal with, but it was written with maturity and a depth that made it easy to stomach and understand. The "love story" wasn't over the top. It was simple and sweet and made me want to see what comes of Rhine and Gabriel. I wanted to root for their happiness. Book 2 (Fever) will decide it all.

Author Website:

Lauren DeStefano

Buy Brick and Mortar: (actual bookstores, people!)

Magers and Quinn Booksellers

Happy Reading and as always, thanks for stopping by!

red headed book child

Delirium and Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver (review #143 and #144)

Title: Delirium, Pandemonium

Author: Lauren Oliver

Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian

Format: Hardcover , ARC

Publisher: Harper Teen

I've been out of the Young Adult reading loop for most of this year due to a few different reasons. One, I wanted to focus my blog a bit more to give myself a niche. Two, there are a ton of YA bloggers out there that do the genre a hell out of lot more justice than I ever could. Three, I was a bit burned out on the genre. It seemed all the same to me. Dystopian, Paranormal, Girl falls for Bad Boy who saves her, etc. I was a bit tired of it all.

I'm glad I took a step back for all of these reasons because I came to read Delirium and Pandemonium with very fresh eyes. I was in the mood for something different. These were both on my pile, wonderful gifts given to me by the Harper rep from the book trade show I worked at in September. Delirium is a book club pick for next May so why not get an early start?

I LOVED these books. I could not put them down. In fact, I read both of them in a week. For some of you speedy readers, you may be thinking, so? For me, little ol' miss reading slump, it's the BOMB!

These books had the perfect blend of love, politics, adventure and the whole dystopian slant on the world. What if you were taught that love is a disease? What if you were forced to be "cured"?

Here is a description from Goodreads:

Delirium

Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn’t understand that once love -- the deliria -- blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the government demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holoway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy.

But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love.

Pandemonium

I’m pushing aside the memory of my nightmare,
pushing aside thoughts of Alex,
pushing aside thoughts of Hana and my old school,
push,
push,
push,
like Raven taught me to do.
The old life is dead.
But the old Lena is dead too.
I buried her.
I left her beyond a fence,
behind a wall of smoke and flame.

Lauren Oliver delivers an electrifying follow-up to her acclaimed New York Times bestseller, Delirium. This riveting, brilliant novel crackles with the fire of fierce defiance, forbidden romance, and the sparks of a revolution about to ignite.

Delirium had more a love story than Pandemonium. Pandemonium zeroed in on more the politics and Lena's growth as a activist and overall hardass. I was with Lena all the way, every move she made. She wasn't a wussy girl character even in her vulnerable moments. She was real and honest and going through a ton of changes through both of these books. Her love interests were neither overly heroic or godly. They were flawed and fierce and just wanted to survive.

I do seem to enjoy more of the dystopian young adult novels rather than the paranormal. I would rather read about humans dealing with a dystopian environment versus vampires, faeries, werewolves, etc. I like when books take one common theme and jack it up. Take away love. It's bad. It will kill you. Get the cure and you will be saved. Whaaat??? That's crazy. How is THAT going to turn out?

I like that sort of story twist. I, of course, was on Team Love, all the way.

Rating: 6/6 My Top Rating!

I'm sure readers of young adult books are already all over this series and dying for the next one. Pandemonium does not come out until March 2012 and a third book is in the works. No news on this yet. For other readers out there willing to try a new genre, Oliver delivers two very fun, fast paced well written books. You got a little bit of everything; love, war, politics, revolution, adventure and one tough chick in the center of it all. You can't go wrong.

Author Website:

Lauren Oliver

Happy Reading and as always, thanks for stopping by!

red headed book child

Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick (review#139)

Title: Wonderstruck

Author: Brian Selznick

Genre: Middle Grade

Publisher: Scholastic

Format: Copy obtained at Midwest Booksellers Association Trade Show from the wonderful folks at Scholastic!

I am making another exception to my review rule by reviewing this wonderful Young Adult novel. No, it doesn't fall under my Top 3 Genres I love to read and have dedicated to reviewing on this blog but it is one of my favorite young adult authors. I was very fortunate to obtain an ARC of this at BEA this year. I was also fortunate again to receive a finished copy at MIBA just last month. I am sharing one of my copies with my good friend, Dawn and we are heading to seem Mr. Selznick speak at a local Barnes and Noble on Monday, October 17. I can not wait!

If you have not heard of him or his wonderful novels, check out his website. His novel The Invetion of Hugo Cabret has been made into a movie and looks amazing! The trailer is below if you are curious. I am sure someone will snap up Wonderstruck. If done well, I am sure it would make a marvelous movie. It is certainly a marvelous book!

Here is a description from the publisher's website:

Ben's story takes place in 1977. Rose's story takes place in 1927. Ever since his mother died, Ben feels lost. At home with her father, Rose feels alone. When Ben finds a mysterious clue hidden in his mother's room, and when a tempting opportunity presents itself to Rose, both children risk everything to find what's missing.

You really feel you are holding a literary gem when you hold one of his books. His illustrations are exquisite and so detailed. The illustrations alone tell such a powerful story. Ben's story is told in words. Rose's story is told in pictures. They eventually come together in the end. I am amazed at each page. The story is a simple one, with sweet characters, New York City, museums and a mystery to solve. I read the book in three days because I was racing to the end to discover the fate of young Ben. I smiled as I turned the last page and wandered back in my mind to being a child, curious and hopeful.

Rating: 6/6

I give this my top rating. Putting "genre labeling" aside, it is simply an exquisite piece of literary work. Selznick's gift of just pure, simple storytelling comes through, laced through with his extraordinary illustrations. You almost feel as if you are seated in a movie theater seeing a silent movie. Your attention is so focused to the little things, no noises to distract you, yet you are bounced back and forth between reading the words and capturing the power of a picture. Trust me. Read it. You'll understand. I'm just a bumbling idiot when it comes to his work. i just love it so! Hopefully I will be able to hold it in when I meet him tomorrow. :)

Publisher Website:

Wonderstruck, Scholastic

Movie Trailer:

Hugo

Happy Reading and as always, thanks for stopping by!

red headed book child

Bloodspell by Amalie Howard (review #132)

Title: Bloodspell

Author: Amalie Howard

Publisher: Langdon Street Press

Genre: Young Adult

Format: Review Copy

Back when I first started my blog, I used to read and review any and all genres. I have since changed my policy to review only literary fiction, mysteries and memoirs. I still read other genres, I just don't review them. I wanted to have a bit more focus to my blog.

Young Adult has always been a genre that I enjoy, especially in the last few years when there has been so many wonderful novels written. I knew the blog universe had enough Young Adult reviewers so I didn't feel bad not sharing my opinion.

Well, I'm making an exception for Bloodspell!

I am choosing to review Bloodspell not only because I think it is a wonderful debut, but also because I met Amalie Howard at a party in NYC during BEA this year. It was at a little function for JKS Communications, the literary publicity firm that handles Sandra Brannan's books. They also have Amalie as a client. We were placed at the same table, along with a few others and really hit it off! She is an absolute delight and I clicked with her much like I clicked with Sandra the year before. (JKS, they make good authors!!!)

I wasn't able to get a copy while I was in NYC because all of her copies went right away at the morning of the Book Blogger Convention, before my lazy butt got there! Marissa from JKS was kind enough to send me my copy in June.

I finally finished it a few weeks and I really, really enjoyed it!!! I want you all to take a peak at what it's all about and show some support to Amalie. She certainly deserves it!

Here is a description from the book's website:

The spell was simple …

Cruentus Protectum. Defend the Blood.

But what do you do if your blood is your enemy?

Victoria Warrick has always known she was different. An outcast at school, she is no stranger to adversity. But when she receives an old journal for her seventeenth birthday, nothing prepares her for the dark secrets it holds—much less one that reveals she’s a witch with unimaginable power.

What’s more, when she meets the dazzling but enigmatic Christian Devereux, she has no idea how much her life is about to change. Enemies will hunt her. Friends will turn on her. The terrible curse that makes her blood run black will stop at nothing to control her. And Christian has a sinister secret of his own …

Without knowing whom to trust, can Victoria survive her blood’s deadly desires?

Or will she lose everything, including herself?

ISBN: 978-1-936782-11-6 | Langdon Street Press

One could say there are plenty of Young Adult titles that match an "outcast" type of girl with a dark and brooding type of boy. And Bloodspell has that element at the very base of its storyline. But it expands quite quickly as you read on, into almost a historical thriller. Tori's past is sprinkled in, in letter form as we learn of where her powers come from. It is unique. I liked that her power came from her blood. That, to me, was a different twist.

Christian's character was interesting to read as well, in how he develops and how he, as a vampire, reacts to Tori's abilities. I liked the love and rage battle he felt at times. It didn't just feel like the same ol' "I can't love you because I might want to eat you" beat.

Overall, it was filled with the right amount of love, angst, drama, thriller, adventure and fantasy/horror. I think Amalie has created a intriguing beginning to a possible series? trilogy? Though written as a stand alone, the ending does leave you with a question mark. :)

We'll see where it takes us!

Rating: 5/6

I think readers of all ages would enjoy this, meaning teen on up. It has a blend of paranormal, romance and literary thriller that it really could appeal to many different audiences. Knowing the author is a true gem, makes me want more readers to discover it. It is a strong, well written debut.

Author Profile:

Amalie Howard

BloodSpell

Happy Reading and as always, thanks for stopping by!

red headed book child