Review of The Fox Inheritance by Mary E. Pearson (Jenna Fox Chronicles)

Henry Holt & Co.

The Fox Inheritance (Book 2: Jenna Fox Chronicles)
by Mary E. Pearson
4 Scribbles

Kara and Locke are alive and living on a billionaire’s estate in the middle of nowhere, owned by a Dr. Gastbro, who is counseling and preparing them for life in the world 260 years after they died in a terrible car accident. But as more and more time passes, Locke begins to wonder when and if they will ever be ready to go out into the world on their own.  Kara, on the other hand, knows that something is horribly wrong, that some gifts aren’t really free.  The doctor has an agenda—an agenda that doesn’t include the two teenagers ever leaving the estate, and worse, an agenda that may include profiting on the mysterious technology that brought them both back. How will they get free, and if they do, who do they know that still survives and can lend them aid?

Book two in the Jenna Fox Chronicles picks up where the phenomenal first novel left off back in 2008. Instead of being alone in the world, Jenna Fox is soon to find out that her long-lost best friends are still alive—this despite the fact that she mercifully destroyed their cubes hundreds of years before. But did she? In fact, new technology has allowed scientists to reconstruct the two teens, unbeknownst to their long-dead parents or Jenna, but at what cost? Pearson continues the examination of soul in this second installment, but extends the exploration to constructed organisms. What makes a soul, and how much of the physical body can be absent before the soul is incomplete? Does an incomplete soul make for an incomplete conscious? And, can a soul evolve from a constructed entity? While these questions seem very complex, the novel presents them in a fairly straightforward manner; however, the reader is left to make her own determination.  Despite the heavy themes, Kara and Locke’s escape and life on the run make for plenty of nail-biting action to keep the reader engaged, and the addition of the new character Dot the Robot, who rivals Iko in Cinder (by Marissa Meyer) for lovability factor is fantastic! Perhaps the most satisfying element in the novel is the discovery of how Jenna has weathered the last 260 years, and how wise she has become. Readers who lost track of the series will be pleased to know that this second book was published in 2011, and the third book, Fox Forever, which I will read and review in the next few weeks, is already on the shelves.

Review of Poison Princess by Kresley Cole

Simon and Schuster Books
for Young Readers

The Poison Princess (The Arcana Chronicles Book 1)
by Kresley Cole
5+ Scribbles

After a summer in a psych ward to overcome her powerful and distressing hallucinations, Evie Green returns to high school and recovers her coveted reign as one of the popular and pretty rich girls on campus.  In the midst of patching it up with her boyfriend, Brandon, and covering up her summer hospitalization with her best friends, a new group of Cajuns waltz into school, led by Jackson Deveaux, bad-boy-about-the-bayou, and despite her disgust, Evie can’t take her eyes off of him. And then “The Flash” happens, and there is virtually no one left to look at—

Call this a story, within a story, within a story—all brilliantly interwoven—past, present, and possible future, serving to titillate and captivate the reader.  Take the first chapter, which seems as far from Evie’s high school as it could possibly be; and it is, because this riveting, spine-chilling first chapter takes place in the present. The reader experiences Evie’s past, both before and after The Flash through the eyes of the two characters chatting over hot chocolate, and discovers Evie’s highly unusual and extremely useful supernatural skills.  The hook in chapter one is enough to leave readers breathless and wanting more, but moving forward into the novel (and into Evie’s past) the tension and anticipation intensifies. It doesn’t take long to see that handsome bad boy Jack is really into Evie, even though she doesn’t admit her attraction to him, at least not at first. The cat-and-mouse of their relationship is a delicious tease, and once the real feelings between these two begin to emerge, the action between them is so hot it burns the pages. (I’m talking spontaneous combustion here!) Toss in a wonderful new twist on the paranormal, characters with special skills based on the Tarot, and you have the foundation for an exciting new series.  This is one of the most original and engaging works of the paranormal I’ve read in ages—my only regret is that I have to wait until October 1^st, 2013, to get the second book, Endless Knight. And since this novel has become the standard by which I’m judging all the other paranormal YA I read, I’m not quite sure I’m going to make it that long!

One last thing--this book rocks on audio! The accents are amazing and Jackson's French-Cajun is to die for!

Review of Parallel by Lauren Miller

HarperTeen

Parallel
by Lauren Miller
3 Scribbles

Some seniors have a dream of where they want to attend school and what they want to do in life from a very young age--so much so that any other school doesn't seem to be a viable option. This is this case with Abby Barnes. Yet, Abby ends up being scouted and and cast in a movie opposite Bret Woodward (after a scheduling fluke forces her to take Drama Methods instead of music history) so she puts her dreams of attending Northwestern as a journalism student on hold. Who wouldn't right?  But when a strange earthquake rocks the world and Abby wakes in a dorm room at Yale, she has no memory of how she got there. Suddenly, Abby wonders if she has any control over her destiny whatsoever.

This book will blow the mind of all but the most curious and science-savvy. You see, according to a theory of quantum physics, there are parallel universes.  And since there are parallel universes that sort of mirror our own, then there are parellel people that mirror us? Right? Now, stay with me here...it stands to reason then that there are individuals living parallel lives, and in Abby’s case, she is aware of it while those around her are not.  In Abby's world, everyone else wakes up the morning after the earthquake with a headache—a sign that the memories they had of the year they just lived have been erased and replaced by their parallel self’s memories—but Abby keeps her memories of Hollywood, of before, and her parallel’s memories begin to emerge as they are formed (since apparently the parallel lives are actually lived in different times since time is not linear in the parallel universe). If you are still with me, and still interested in blowing your mind with this book...then here's the skinny on the rest of the content. While the content is quite sophisticated, Miller deals with tried and true themes. Do we have free will, or are we destined to reach the same outcome no matter what path we choose? Are our actions determined by our biological makeup or our circumstances? Abby's character is down-to-earth, relatable and well-drawn, and quirky secondary characters prove that a real best friend sticks by you no matter how out of your mind you may sound! Lastly, a few hotties add just a touch of romantic angst to keep those of us who aren't hard core sci-fi fans in our comfort zone. Fans of time travel or scientific theory will enjoy this novel, and fans of romance may like it too, even if they don't get the science.

Review of the Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

Scholastic Press

The Raven Boys
by Maggie Stiefvater
5 Scribbles
Spoiler Alert!

Blue’s eccentric fortune-telling-family has warned her for as long as she can remember that the first boy she kisses, her first love, will die. So when she sees the spirit of a boy destined to die in the upcoming year on St Mark’s Eve, she has to wonder if he’s the one from the prophecy. Regardless of the boy Gansey’s fate, she knows without a doubt that she will be sure to have no part in his impending doom. What she doesn’t know is that destiny has other plans—and she may not have the control over her fortune that she thinks she does.

Stiefvater is one of the most talented artists in YA. She's a painter, a musician, and a writer. But more importantly, she is a phenomenal novelist. What makes her work superior, in addition to her amazing characters, is her gift for taking a work that is paranormal or sci-fi and keeping it grounded in reality.  When Blue and Gansby inevitably meet, the obvious conflict in the story, the kiss, is offset by the highly engaging quest that these two, along with the other Aglinby boys undertake. Gansby believes that an ancient king is asleep along a powerful ley line, and that the one who finds him will be granted a boon.  Stiefvater takes this quest archetype and breathes new life into it by weaving previously exclusive sci-fi elements with a murder mystery and coming-of-age plotline.  Teenagers weary of the typical sci-fi/quest fare will take this brew and gulp it down! Additionally, the characters in this novel are highly engaging, believable and relatable.  For instance, Blue is an incredibly relatable character, even though she lives with an unusually eccentric family. Blue’s mother and aunts are psychic, and yet I never wonder at the skills of this brilliant hodge-podge of eccentric ladies who all live together in estrogen-soaked harmony. When Blue inevitably meets Gansby and his friends, these characters are equally riveting, if not relatable. I love Adam, the poor, tortured academic driven by ambition, and Ronan, the miserable teenager who loves a good fight, and even soft-spoken Noah—who I found to be as solid a character as his more flesh-bound friends...they each became real to me.  In fact, the more central characters, Blue and Gansby, receive less focus than secondary characters, and yet this works quite well for this story and builds the readers investment in the outcome.  Most readers can relate to the struggles of one character or another, in spite of the otherworldly events that take place throughout. Who hasn't longed for more money or struggled financially? Who hasn’t longed to be like someone else, or just to "fit-in"? Who hasn’t tried to try stand apart in order to feel special? Who hasn’t known of an abused friend or been abused themselves? And perhaps most importantly, who hasn’t found camaraderie in a group of diverse friends?  It is these elements that unify the story, lend it power and magnetism, and make it work. And it is these elements that will draw readers (and me) back to the next installment, The Dream Thieves, coming out in September of this year.

Review of The Genius of Little Things by Larry Buhl

CreateSpace Indepedent
Publishing Platform

The Genius of Little Things
by Larry Buhl
3 ½ Scribbles

Tyler Superanaskaia (it’s Russian) has spent the years since his mother’s death in foster care, or the “foster-go-round” as he calls it. Now Tyler is approaching graduation and that means starting his life post-foster-system exactly the way he’s always dreamed it: living on his own, attending Caltech and becoming a successful immunologist. Yet, in order to achieve these dreams, he must first earn money for his future living expenses, write an award-winning admissions essay and present an academic record that will earn him a scholarship. Will Tyler’s quirky personality and peculiar sense of “normal” get in the way of his dreams?

Told in a series of Tyler’s amusing lists, botched admissions essays and narration, the novel is carried largely through the strong sense of voice permeating each page. Tyler’s character is eccentric to say the least; his is so analytical that it is difficult for him to come down to the level of those who are less intelligent but more streetwise. He uses extremely advanced vocabulary when it is unwarranted, and he is so literal that he often misses the meanings of euphemisms—and yet, he has very clever and ironic nicknames for key people in his life. For instance, he calls his current foster parents, Carl and Janet “FoPas.” At times this dichotomy is confusing to the reader, at other times it is indicative of a touch of Asperger’s Syndrome or at the very least a symptom of living in homes that serve to isolate him from healthy, positive socialization. As it stands, this distinction is not made but left to the reader to determine. Nonetheless, this strange character dynamic does not limit the humor in the story. More sophisticated readers will enjoy Tyler’s ironic musings, his clumsy relationship with Rachel, and his disastrous and hysterical attempts at creating stronger extra-curricular experiences for his resume. In short, they will stand firmly in Tyler’s corner. Minor characters in the story provide interesting compliments to Tyler’s struggle, showing that all individuals have battles of their own, from Carl and Janet, whose marriage is struggling in the wake of their son’s death, to Levi, whose uber-religious parents hold him in chains.  The only problematic element in the story is Tyler’s flippant reaction to Milagro’s death; his lack of concern is clearly caused in part by his short-lived, yet disastrous use of drugs. And perhaps in reality this is what happens—drug abusers sometimes don’t suffer consequences to their actions or recognize how their actions affect others—but such imperviousness on Tyler’s part does not ring true with the Tyler who is developed throughout his time working at the nursing home, the Tyler who falls in love with Rachel and the Tyler who reaches out to Levi. But for this one odd puzzle piece, I’d have given this novel a full four scribbles. Readers who enjoyed such novels as The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky and Looking for Alaska by John Green should definitely check out this novel, by screenwriter and playwright Larry Buhl.

Review of The Elite by Kiera Cass

HarperCollins Children's
Books

The Elite
by Kiera Cass
3 Scribbles
To be released 4/23/2013
Spoiler alert!

Six girls remain in the competition for Prince Maxon, and America is one of the favorites. Yet, America is still struggling with her feelings for her first love, Apsen, and she isn’t sure she has what it takes to be princess, and eventually queen. Meanwhile, rebel attacks increase and it becomes apparent that the palace is full of secrets. The clock ticks as the The Selection draws closer to an end. Will America resolve her feelings before it’s too late…and will she be Maxon’s choice?
The best part about the second book is the inclusion of tidbits from Illéa’s past. Details about the kingdom start to leak via America’s relationship with Maxon, and the entire caste system is explained. It seems the current King prefers to keep his people in the dark; America discovers that the history put down on paper is far different from the oral history that has been passed down through Illéa’s people over generations. Suddenly, the dystopian elements that seemed to be “tossed in” in book one, make a bit more sense.  America’s character is more fully developed. The reader may be disgusted by the hypocrisy of America’s continued relationship with Apsen while she experiences extreme jealousy over Maxon, yet this imperfection is what pulls the reader headlong into the story. . Aspen is America’s “one constant.” He represents America’s link to the past, and her inability to move forward. Prince Maxon, however, clearly has a hold on her heart, but that hold brings with it America’s encroaching adulthood—adulthood she is not ready to embrace. Maxon too is more fully developed. The reader finds a reason for his behind-the-radar changes to the kingdom, and begins to understand a new and unexpected dynamic in the royal family. Still, the dystopian elements take a backseat to the romantic elements of the story, and because of this, readers who love reality TV and romantic novels will more likely enjoy this series than those who love dystopian works like Divergent and The Hunger Games. And…if you were hoping to discover the winner of the competition, hope some more. It seems the winner will not be revealed until book three. Sigh. I guess I’m still in!

Review of The Selection by Kiera Cass

HarperTeen

The Selection (Book One)
by Kiera Cass
3 Scribbles

Take American reality T.V. show The Bachelor, combine with a Hindu-styled caste system, sprinkle with just a touch of Power Ball Lottery—and violá—a modern young-adult romance is born.

America Singer is in love with Aspen, and even though his caste is below hers, she knows he is THE ONE. If only she could get Aspen to believe that he is good enough for her despite his lowly caste. So when Aspen asks her to enter her name into Illéa’s “Selection,” a contest created for the Prince of Illéa to select his bride and future queen from amongst the people, she doesn’t hesitate. America knows she won’t be chosen to compete when every girl from every caste in the nation is applying, and only thirty five girls will be selected. Then Aspen will know they were meant to be together. Not only is America not future queen material, but the chances of her falling in love with someone else even if she were chosen is non-existent. Until the unthinkable happens.

Although I am not a fan of reality TV per se, and I am particularly appalled by shows like The Bachelor, I do feel that there is a wide audience for this book. I loathe The Bachelor in particular, because I feel that it simplifies love and marriage, and it also degrades the value of women and people in general. That being said, it is a widely popular show among the American public and American teenagers.  That same audience will likely be attracted to this work. Put aside the fact that thirty five girls are all vying for the hand of one privileged boy and another theme comes through. The book is about first—and second— love. Who doesn’t remember their first love and the powerful feelings that come with him? America’s feelings for Aspen are pure, untainted by hurt and regret, and her idealistic and naïve view of love is highly relatable. It is true that one never forgets their first love, and America is no exception to that rule. Hardly ever is a book written about the guy that comes after THE FIRST, and this novel does just that. In simple prose, and dialogue that borders on elementary at times, the reader sees how second love develops, perhaps more slowly and tentatively than the first, but with far more reason and consideration. In this regard Cass’s novel is unique. Add to this the dreamy nature of the castle, the elaborate dresses, the pampering and admiration America receives, and it’s not hard to see why it’s hard to put this book down despite its flaws. I’d wager not one girl amongst us doesn’t secretly want to feel extra special and princes-like. Hopefully, the second installment in the series will feature more about the reason for Illéa’s caste system and rebel attacks on the castle; it would have added to the appeal of the book to elaborate on the “dystopian” setting, which at this point seems to have been tossed in for good measure and contributes little to the Selection as a whole. Despite the fact that this book isn’t a first pick for me, I will be reading the second installment—after all—I have to find out who wins.

Review of Ashen Winter by Mike Mullen

Tanglewood Press
GREAT COVER!

Ashen Winter (Ashen Book 2)
by Mike Mullen
4 Scribbles

In this second installment of the Ashen series, Alex and Darla have found a home on Alex’s Uncle’s farm.  The first chapter starts with action and the excitement doesn’t pause until the end. The farm is attacked by bandits, and while Darla and Alex fight the bandits off, they discover that one of the bandits is in possession of Alex’s Dad’s gun. With renewed hope that his parents might still be alive, Alex and Darla decide to embark on a new quest to find them.

About a year after the volcanic eruption that sent the world into chaos, the environment beyond the boundaries of the farm have further deteriorated. Food is nearly non-existent. Cannibals, aka, “Flensers” have become the norm, and girls are being captured by gangs to be raped and used as slaves—all circumstances proving that humanity will descend into depravity given the direst of conditions. Yet, Alex and Darla continue to believe that a future is possible, a future with family and morality, despite the gruesome happenings they see as they follow the clues to Alex’s parent’s whereabouts. And it isn’t just the ex-convicts that have gone rogue. At one point, a former bookkeeper admits to his sins, and without spoiling too much, Alex even discovers that members of his own family have become ruthless to the point of brutality in order to protect their own. This bedlam rings true; no doubt the world would descend into such base actions if starvation and want ruled. However, what does not ring true in the novel is Alex. Alex continues to make choices that endanger Darla out of his idealistic need to do what’s right; this works. Alex feels guilty for putting Darla in danger; this works. Alex becomes a foil to the world around him and a model for what we’d all like to be in such conditions; this works. What does not work is Alex’s superhuman body. Indiana Jones step aside. At one point Alex, despite having a recovering bullet wound in his shoulder, hangs by his hands from beneath a moving vehicle from one town to the next. And the fun doesn’t stop there; time and time again Alex performs feats that are physically impossible for a guy in his poor condition. After a few of these stunts in a row, I caught myself sighing and rolling my eyes, wishing I could suspend my disbelief just a bit longer. Additionally, Darla’s survival without molestation after being taken by the gangs does weaken the believability of the plot. Perhaps the author chose to avoid this outcome given the violence in the rest of the novel.  Despite these weaknesses however, I still stuck with the story. Alex is loyal land kind, Darla is street-smart and strong, and I am totally invested in the lives of both. Let’s face it—I wanted to know how things turned out! I wasn’t disappointed in the exciting cliffhanger conclusion, and I look forward to the next installment, which, by the looks of things, will be just as exciting as book one.

Review of Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi

HarperCollins

Through the Ever Night
by Veronica Rossi
4 Stars

After reading book one back in February 2012, I remember saying that the first book, Under the Never Sky, laid the foundation for a “hopefully even stronger books two.”  Alas, Rossi has met my expectations, and I have rated this second installment a full star higher!

As new Blood Lord for The Tides, Perry is expected to provide for his people and keep them safe from the ever-increasing danger of the Aether storms; but, how can he do this when it is clear that not everyone trusts his judgment? Meanwhile, under threats from her old enemy, Hess, Aria must find the Clear Blue or Perry’s beloved nephew, Talon, may die at the Governor Hess’s hand.

Installment two has only slightly less action but far more sophisticated character development than book one. The results are that readers quickly become highly invested in the lives of the characters. Rossi has effectively exposed the heart of leader as he is made, and it is an enlightening picture. The reader sees what it must be like for Perry, whose control over his people is tenuous at best. He faces betrayal from some of his tribesmen, especially when he wants to bring Aria to his people as his chosen bride. Perry’s idealistic nature drives him to test the patience of his people again and again, and he learns that hard choices often have to be made to preserve the tribe.  Should he bow to the will of his people or rule from his heart? In addition to suffering the pain of betrayal, Perry must face the uncertainty of choices. Should he prepare the people to leave or prepare crops for a coming year? How will he face his own self-doubt and at the same time inspire the confidence of his people? Should the love of his people trump his love for Aria? No less significant is Aria’s growth. Her relationship with Roar is refreshing—a male-female friendship based on mutual trust and respect without any romantic overtones—the type of relationship not often seen in YA fiction but a healthy relationship nonetheless. Aria is no longer the meek, helpless dweller she was when she first came from the dome, and her willingness to embark on a dangerous mission without Perry to save the life of a stranger proves her resourcefulness. She also faces former enemies, like Soren, with a new perspective that allows her to see him for what he is and not what she imagined him to be.  Aria has evolved into a young woman finally capable of surviving reality—something necessary in this changing world. It will be interesting to see if Aria becomes Perry’s counterpart in book three, the leader of the now-abandoned Dwellers, or if the two will reunite and pursue their romance once more. Either way, my faith in Rossi has been redeemed. I look forward to reading book three, and hope that it earns yet another coveted Scribble!

Review of Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

Feiwel & Friends

Scarlet (Lunar Chronicles #2)
by Marissa Meyer
5 Scribbles +

Book two of the Lunar Chronicles kicks off by introducing a few new characters to Cinder’s world. Feisty, outspoken and self-sufficient, red-head Scarlet is determined to find her missing grandmother, a skilled ex-military pilot who disappeared from their small farm in France only weeks before. And when a gruff street fighter named Wolf shows up in their little town, Scarlet suspects he might have the answer to her grandmother’s whereabouts. Meanwhile, Cinder is faced with escaping the prison where she awaits her execution; and she may find an unlikely ally in the rogue “Captain” Thorne—a fellow prisoner. Yet, despite being a wanted criminal, Cinder still mistrusts Queen Levana, and hopes against all odds that she can save Prince Kai and the Earth from Levana’s evil intentions. How will the fates of these four intertwine?

What I admire and enjoy most about this phenomenal series is the author’s ability to take a fairy tale and not just retell, or “fracture” it, but take the shell of the classical tale and weave a whole new story for modern readers. The chapters in both installments have cliffhanger endings, near misses, tantalizing hints about the future (and past), and mystery upon mystery. Quite simply, the story is brilliant and promises to be a staple in YA literature for years to come. The writing is riveting, family-friendly and wholesome, and will no doubt be made into a motion picture. There is talk that the series has already been optioned for a movie. I was equally impressed that book two is as wonderful as book one—sometimes that isn’t the case in a series—but no worries, I could not put this novel down! I adored the sassiness of Scarlet, and even grooved on her unlikely relationship with Wolf—sort of Little Red Riding Hood turned on its head thing. Captain Thorne is a welcome comic element and Cinder’s precious robo-companion Iko comes back! Yahoo! Let’s face it—who doesn’t love to hate Queen Levana, so of course she has to bring her bad self back to Earth for a nasty little tête-à-tête with Prince Kai. The only weakness I can see in this installment (and not much of one to tell the truth) is that I missed Prince Kai; while he makes a cameo or two, he doesn’t factor much in the action of the story. Here’s hoping he appears a bit more in book three.  I wouldn’t be doing the series justice without mentioning the varied settings either. I like that we’ve been to China (I think) and now France, and with the appearance of Captian Thorne, who knows, readers may find themselves visiting the United States?  But anxious fans will have to wait awhile, because book three, Cress, is said to be set in the Sahara Desert, and won’t be out until 2014. Readers of the world, let’s unite, and see if we can’t get Meyer to write faster!

Review of Little Brother by Cory Doctorow

Tor Books

Little Brother
by Cory Doctorow
5+ Stars

The United States Government is in place to serve and protect its citizens, right? After all, we are the land of the free and the home of the brave, yes? After reading this novel, readers may not be so sure.

Teenage computer guru Marcus and his crew find themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time and end up being arrested by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). No big deal, right? They’re kids and they’ve done nothing wrong, or at least that’s what they think. But when they ask DHS for their parents, an attorney, their rights as U.S. citizens, anything, they are met with open accusations and hostility. Worse, it’s clear they aren’t going home anytime soon. Marcus doesn’t plan on living his whole life as a hostage to DHS—instead, he plans to sabotage the DHS system that targets American citizens and expose them for the terrorists they really are.

I’ll admit, I hardly came up for air while reading this novel, or maybe I felt breathless out of fear. It’s hard to believe that our government might intentionally violate the rights and privacy of innocent citizens, but I Googled “homeland security violated rights of citizens” and got 5,700,000 results in less than a second.  Scary. Of course not everything on the net is true, but if even 1% of those articles have some truth to them…ouch.  What DHS’s unconstitutional behavior (and make no mistake, they are the villains here) does for this novel is ratchet up the tension and paranoia and intensify the setting. I swear I felt like I was Marcus. I began to understand what it might feel like to be held hostage, to be innocent, and yet feel dirty.  I started looking over my shoulder. I totally understood his fear, his desire to cave, his rage, and in the next moment, his steadfastness in taking down DHS.  Marcus is a flawed character, and in those flaws he is totally real. Who wouldn’t get depressed or have doubts under such pressure? Perhaps what is best about Marcus is his commitment to the cause.  I’d like to think I would risk it all to end persecution, to stand up for what is right, but would I?  Another excellent component of the story is the author’s ability to explain highly technical aspects of the computer and online world in a way that non-techies like me can totally grasp. Yeah, the encrypting and encoding and whatnot are completely without question over my head, but I got it! Maybe that’s because all the characters have spot-on dialogue, or because Marcus just explains well. Through the eyes of Marcus, the author makes me feel smart, like I could hang with Marcus, and I feel involved in the action. In fact, I could hardly put the novel down!  Perhaps best of all is what I learned from the novel. I used to think that if someone had nothing to hide they should be an open book, but Marcus made me understand why this is not so. Check this rockin’ analogy.

Everyone uses the toilet right? There is nothing unnatural about it, nothing evil, nothing wrong with it, but I don’t particularly want to sit on a toilet in Times Square and display my business for the masses.  ‘Nuff said. BTW…the sequel to this novel, Homeland, came in my mail last night. Guess what I’m reading next?

Review of The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd

Balzer & Bray

The Madman’s Daughter
by Megan Shepherd

3 Scribbles

She should have been a Victorian lady, making her debut in society and finding a charming, educated man to spend her life with. Instead, Juliet is a chamber maid at the local hospital, scrubbing blood out of grout after autopsies. Her father, Dr. Moreau, was a renowned surgeon making strides in medical science, until it was discovered he was performing vivisection—dissecting living organisms to see their insides work.  When Dr. Moreau was banned from England and Juliet’s mother died shortly thereafter, her fortune forever changed—that is until the day her old childhood friend and family servant, Montgomery, shows up in London, and Juliet wonders if her father is still alive. If so, is Dr. Moreau really the evil monster the medical community has made him out to be?

I pre-ordered this book because (1) I loved the cover and (2) the synopsis hooked me.  Obviously, the story is a reimagined version of the classic by H.G. Wells, The Isle of Doctor Moreau, a novel I really enjoyed, so perhaps holding the original as the gold standard by which to judge this retelling skewed my judgment. I did enjoy the intrigue in the story. Of course I knew where the strange creatures on the island came from, but I was still riveted and appalled when Juliet stumbles into her father’s laboratory and witnesses the source of the tortured cries in the compound. The laboratory and its horrors are so well-described and so chilling I read through that section twice!  I also appreciated the characterization of Dr. Moreau; he is exactly what I imagine a crazed killer with wild ambitions to be—at one moment charming and bedazzling with excellent taste and rare moments of affection—and in the next moment, cold, distant, rude and dismissive.  His doesn’t exist on the plane that others do, he lives only for his pursuits of the forbidden—like most madmen.  I found the drawing of his character insightful. I began to understand not only his insanity, but the way others were drawn to him. Juliet, however, felt more like a sketch to me. Granted, she exists as a lens to reveal the story, but I wanted more for her character. Indeed, the author tries to engage her in a love triangle, but I simply didn’t buy into the romance or heat. The fact that she loves Edward and Montgomery could totally work and add tension to the story, but it doesn’t here, for some reason her attachments seem false. Maybe it’s because there is plenty of tension in the setting itself, with the jungle darkness, strange creatures, and an unknown killer on the loose.  And oh the setting! It is the setting that is the greatest frustration for me. Characters do a lot of running back and forth on the island, Juliet after Edward then Edward after Juliet, Montgomery after Juliet and Montgomery after Moreau…etc. etc.; it feels as if someone is saddling up at every turn, and I found such running about and accomplishing nothing exhausting. However, I suppose that’s unavoidable given the limits of an island setting. The ending was also a frustrating cliffhanger, but I suppose that is so readers will be motivated to buy and read book two. I do want to know what happens to Juliet, but whether or not I read book two really depends on what other reading option might be sitting next to the second installment on the bookstore shelf.

 

Review of Hysteria by Megan Miranda

Walker Children's

Hysteria
by Megan Miranda
4 Scribbles

When Mallory kills her boyfriend Brian in self-defense, her childhood ends. Although she is found innocent, Mallory quickly becomes a social pariah. She is suspected of dishonesty by most in her community and deemed a brutal killer by others, but no one judges Mallory more harshly than she judges herself.  Hoping to escape the haunting memories of that night, Mallory transfers to her father’s alma mater, the elite prep school Monroe, where she can start afresh.  Yet, her past continues to haunt her. And when Mallory is blamed for another untimely death—she begins to wonder what is real and what is “hysteria.”

Although a main thread in the novel is Mallory’s tentative grasp on reality, a constant feeling that she is either being haunted or may be experiencing a sort of psychological hysteria, the tone of this story could not be more real. This sense of the real is the main strength of the novel. So many times when characters die in literature, their death is treated as a novelty, an aside, a fact from the past to be greeted with mild interest at best and with apathy in most cases. Through Mallory’s eyes, the reader begins to grasp the impact of the death. The reader feels what it would be like to take the life of someone else, even in self-defense. They smell the blood, hear the gasps of the dying, sense the spirit leaving the body, stand beside the cold corpse. The reader understands the doubt, the guilt, the second-guessing that victims must go through in the aftermath of such an event. They see the tendency of bystanders to blame the victim. Ironically, Brian becomes a living, breathing person through the haunting that Mallory experiences. Equally realistic is the development of Mallory’s character from a typical, ornery teenager who isn’t above a little manipulation, interested in boys and fun, to the brooding, guilt-written young woman that she becomes. And this transition is not limited to Mallory.  In the space of one evening, she and her best friend Colleen, who shares a bond with Mallory beyond sisterhood, must suddenly “[say] good-bye….To the future…Even if…the future was just tomorrow.” Unlike many of us who experience this transition into adulthood slowly, these characters are not so fortunate. The novel is a sophisticated read to be sure, with a tone and tension (and alas even a line) borrowed from Poe himself, and it is this tone that lends suspense to the work. While less ambitious readers may find the beginning of the novel slow, more advanced readers will appreciate Miranda’s skill. The subtle use of foreshadowing, well-placed flashbacks, superior character development, and the intricately woven mystery will be a treat for these readers who will undoubtedly find themselves engrossed (as I was) from beginning to end.

Review of The Crown of Embers by Rae Carson

Greenwillow Books

The Crown of Embers (Fire and Thorns #2)
By Rae Carson
4 Scribbles

Someone within her royal court is sabotaging Queen Elisa, which is not surprising since she only recently took power after the death of her husband. She is young after all, even if she did save the country from destruction.  The pressure is mounting by the day, and Elisa feels the weight of it.  Her royal advisors want her to remarry a neighboring nobleman to increase the security of the nation, and worse, Invierne sorcerers have appeared within the city walls. Clearly, it is the power of Elisa’s godstone that the enemy seeks, but from where does this power come?  In a quest to find the source of the godstone’s power and thus prevent it from falling into enemy hands, Elisa grows into a commanding woman and queen to be reckoned with. Perhaps most importantly, she learns whom she can trust.

What is so refreshing about Elisa is the sheer believability of her character. She starts to grow and change in this installment; she matures. She’s still not perfect, she’s not experienced, and she’s not physically strong.  Even her godstone, which sets her apart from the masses, isn’t something she controls; in fact, some would say the godstone is simply another outside force that controls her. What Elisa has, however, is street-smarts, wisdom, humility, and faith that her life has a special purpose.  What more could a reader want in a protagonist? The action in the story is as entrancing as in book one, even though the country isn’t technically at war. Carson engages us immediately with the intrigue of a possible in-house assassin. And, in a plot device similar to book one, there is the quest; Elisa and a selection of her companions (including Hector) must embark on a journey to find the source of the godstone. Actually, I was glad to see the quest. I was sort of worried at first that we’d be stuck on the castle grounds with Elisa during the whole novel, busily searching through ancient scriptures, looking over our shoulder for a killer and dodging arrows, but alas, no!  In fact, the quest introduces a whole new environment and rich scenery that adds to the world building that began in book one. And, for those readers who want to see action of a different kind, fear not. Elisa may have lost Humberto in book one, but her friendship with Hector is growing stronger—she could be falling in love with him—except for the fact that she is queen and he is a commoner, not exactly an ideal choice for king since he has no power or holdings. But she could at least love him and have a companion, no? Does he feel the same for her? A twist at the end is a bit easy to predict, but no worries, it only serves to tease the reader into anticipating what awesome new developments will take place with Queen Elisa in book three, The Bitter Kingdom, releasing in the Fall of this year, and already on my to-order list!

Review of Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

Razorbill

Bloodlines  (Book 1)
By Richelle Mead
5 Scribbles

Okay, so if you’ve followed my blog at all, you know I am a total Richelle Mead fan. I was religious about Vampire Academy, and I can see now that I will be religious about Bloodlines.

Remember Sydney Sage? Sydney was the Alchemist in Russia who did some “clean up” for Rose in an effort to protect humanity from the knowledge of vampires back in the Vampire Academy series. That’s what Alchemists do—they help to hide the supernatural world from the human one.  The Bloodlines series begins with Sydney, who is put in the awkward position (for an Alchemist) of being Jill Dragomir’s new guardian.  Although Sydney is no stranger to vampires, she doesn’t particularly like them—no Alchemist does (it’s part of the code apparently) so when she’s assigned to a boarding school to pose as Jill’s roommate, she isn’t thrilled. But, Jill’s life is of the utmost importance; in order to prevent humans from discovering vampire existence, the vampire political realm must remain calm. Since Jill is the only remaining relative to the new queen (Lissa Dragomir) she has to survive to keep the monarchy intact. Seems like a simple enough assignment for Sydney, playing babysitter, until she realizes that games are afoot at Amberwood Prep and someone knows that Jill isn’t who she seems to be.

Besides the well-crafted mystery of the secretive skill-bringing tattoos, I enjoyed the fact that characters from Vampire Academy appear in the new series.  Particularly, Adrian, whose bad-boy persona fades a bit into the background as the reader gets to know Adrian through Sydney’s eyes. Eddie and Jill are also welcome additions to the “cast” even though they get less stage time than one might think in the first book. I really enjoyed getting to know Sydney, who is lovingly OCD, has a genius IQ, and a true moral north. In short, she is the polar opposite of feisty Rose Hathaway from Vampire Academy. Yet, I adored Rose Hathaway, and I adore Sydney. They are like the two older sisters you wish you had—one for solid advice, and one to kick the posterior of your ex who cheated on you. Mead truly has a gift for character development.  Make no mistake however, it’s not all introspection here, there is plenty of action in book one. Jill’s life truly is in danger, and there is intrigue around every corner. Sweeter still is a light sprinkling of Sydney’s own sweet revenge, although unlike Rose, Sydney doesn’t savor that revenge so much as measure whether or not she obtained it in a righteous fashion.  In short, this is another thrilling blastoff to what promises to be another action-packed and entertaining series!

Review of The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead

Razorbill

The Golden Lily (Bloodlines: Book 2)
by Richelle Mead
4 Scribbles

As Syndey’s work draws her closer to Jill, Eddie, and even Adrain, she begins to wonder if her beliefs about Moroi and dhampirs are all wrong. Are Moroi really evil as she was raised to believe?  Worse, as praise rains down upon Sydney from the Alchemist leadership, she wonders if she deserves it. If the leadership really knew how close Sydney was getting to the Moroi, would her supervisors continue to applaud her, or would they send her away to Reeducation Camp and “adjust” her changing values?

Book two has a new expertly-woven mystery to be solved at the Amberwood Prep (in typical Mead fashion), but with additional character development deftly inserted between the action. Romantically speaking, things begin to heat up between Sydney and a forbidden Moroi (who shall not be named here) causing Sydney to examine her previously held beliefs. Could she be falling for a Moroi? And, if she is, would falling for a Moroi be ethical? This book also reveals Sydney’s physical disadvantages. Unlike Eddie, Jill’s guardian, or Rose Hathaway, being human makes Sydney powerless to fight against the vicious Strigoi who are after Jill. Yet, it seems Sydney has another skill that may serve to protect her from the Strigoi, but is it ethical to use those skills? While the novel clearly serves as a bridge in the series, it does not feel like one. Needed backstory is natural, as are the moral dilemmas the characters face, and none of those elements detract from the action. I’ve already ordered book 3, The Indigo Spell, and am hoping to find it in my mailbox tonight (since it was released yesterday). Happy reading fellow Mead-followers!

Review of The Diviners by Libba Bray

Little Brown Books
For Young Readers

The Diviners
by Libba Bray
4 Scribbles

When Evie uses her skills as a diviner to reveal the deliciously scandalous secret of Zenith, Ohio’s “It” couple, she finds herself banished from town. Her parents, disgraced by Evie’s indiscretions and flapper lifestyle, expel her from Zenith to New York City, where she is to live with her Uncle Will, a professor and curator of New York’s Occult museum—the museum of “Creepy Crawlies.” Far from upset, however, Evie relishes her new-and-improved New York life and all of the rich culture it has to offer, until a twisted serial killer begins to prey on the youth of New York, and Evie finds herself in the middle of a gruesome and perplexing case.

The 1920s in the United States was an exciting period of change and development. The old America braced itself against the crashing waves of new trends. Bray incorporates these trends in her narrative, bringing to life New York’s magnificent architecture, the jazz music of speakeasies, evolving fashion, Prohibition, the arrival of the automobile, the public’s obsession with the Occult, and even a nod to the Harlem Renaissance.  Each of these developments would be fascinating to study individually, but incorporated into the story of a religion-crazed serial killer committing ritualistic murders throughout the city, they bring the past to life. The reader will find themselves riveted to an epic story—and in this case a potentially epic series. Horror films like The Haunting in Connecticut and Poltergeist should step aside—Hollywood’s got nothing on the gruesome, otherworldly carnage that takes place in these chapters. Evie’s character is wonderfully drawn, her reckless, sassy character is far from perfect, and that is what makes her beloved; she may be aware that her choices aren‘t always wise, but something about her that lacks restraint, indeed, craves destructive behavior, and in this way Evie resonates with a hidden part of me. While I may not rush into a haunted building, I can identify with her courageous and curious nature. Evie’s best friend Mabel, while sort of a limp noodle, acts as a needed foil to Evie and grounds Evie’s character in an important way. Other characters have their own stories to tell, like Theta, the sexy dancer, and Henry, her musician roommate, distant and formal Jericho, or Memphis whose mother died and father left him and his brother Isaiah live with an aunt, or sinister, Blind Bill, who “just wants a taste” of the power Isaiah wields.  While these individuals may seem disconnected with Evie’s fate, developments in the story indicate that more supernatural disasters are coming, and these events are likely to bring the entire lot together on account of the mysterious (government?) “Project Buffalo.”  The only failing in the novel was in one aspect of the resolution of the conflict, specifically when an accused character is released with a not-so-subtle statement explaining the convenient release, that “people will believe anything if it means they can go on with their lives and not have to think too hard about it.” While true, I’d have preferred not to see it used here as a way to save a character. Part of the fun of a novel is seeing how characters escape impossible situations, and I felt a bit cheated by that scene. Yet, with action that plows vengefully forward through exciting pages, creeptastic murders, characters that engage and intrigue, and more clues to another Diviners mystery to come, how could I not recommend this novel?  Bray scores again with another historical mystery and adds a generous helping of the macabre to drive it home.

Review of Casey Barnes Eponymous by E.A. Rigg

Amazon Digital Services

Casey Barnes Eponymous
by E.A. Rigg
3 Scribbles

Casey is a connoisseur of all things musical; she takes her knowledge of music and creates short playlists for individuals at her school.  Her goal?—To Help her classmates develop much-needed coolness or character; give them a “musical fish” so to speak and help those uncool peers of hers “feed…for a lifetime.” Her ability to diagnose the shortcomings of her classmates with obscure, yet typically spot-on, musical medication is eerie and ironic, especially since Casey has a thing for the highly toxic Alex Deal, and he’s rife with shortcomings. Alex isn’t exactly a prescription for the straight-and-narrow, but he’s hot, and he’s a rocker, just like Casey. How can she possibly resist him?

I must say that I didn’t find myself completely invested in this novel until the end of chapter four, when the reader learns about Casey’s previous hook up with Alex Deal and how it all went horribly wrong. That being said, the beginning chapters do give the reader a glimpse of Casey’s saucy and irreverent attitude, and introduce Casey’s best friend, Leigh, who is clearly a foil to Casey and Casey’s better half.  Once the Alex/Casey conflict heats up, however, I was hooked. I love how the novel examines the age-old question of why we gals seem to fall for jerks who only care about themselves. Given her sass you’d think Casey could see that Alex has the depth of a mud puddle, but alas, like most of us gals, she’s enamored by his pure hotness and gives him a shot (perhaps one time too many). The dialogue is exceptional, especially the dialogue between Casey and her brother Yull, and Casey and Leigh, so good that at times I found myself snickering out loud. Casey’s sarcasm is textbook teen, and I enjoyed her one-liners. Yull is perhaps my favorite character, protective big brother with a sophisticated, Yoda-like wisdom; and that’s a good thing, since Casey’s connection with and respect for authority is shaky at best.  She doesn’t realize it, but she needs Yull. Some of the scenes throughout the novel seem rushed and could be fleshed out more with dialogue and action rather than a summary of conversations or events, but chapter transitions work well and renew the readers’ interest with appropriate “teasers” that make the reader want to know what happens next. Some references to musicians and actors (i.e. Charo) may be foreign to readers, but it seems getting a musical education is a byproduct of reading this novel. In fact, I dare the reader to make it to the end without having to look up at least one band reference. While not a first pick for me, I think hard-rockers, wanna be band-members and those who love to enjoy less mainstream music will enjoy this novel and should give it a try—and certainly every girl can relate to the story, because there is an Alex Deals littering every high school landscape.

Review of Angelfall by Susan Ee

Amazon Children's Publishing

Angelfall (Penryn & the End of Days, Book 1)
By Susan Ee
4 + Scribbles

Penryn and Raffie become unlikely companions when they are both attacked in the street by the same group of deadly angels.  There has been a war on Earth, and the angels, presumably sent by God on the word of his messenger, have brought violence, destruction, and hunger to humans.  Paige, Penryn’s beloved baby sister has been taken by the angel gang. Now, Penryn must find out where the angels have taken her. For leverage, Penryn has captured the injured angel Raffie in the hopes that he will lead the way—but the clock is ticking, and it’s doubtful the two can move quickly enough to reach Paige in time.

While angels are not unique to the YA genre, this fast-moving apocalyptic tale is fresh and exciting. Penryn is a protagonist readers will love. She has an idealistic, old soul.  Since her father left the family a few years back, Penryn has been the caretaker; her mother has paranoid schizophrenia, and her sister Paige is wheelchair bound. It’s obvious her family relies on her, and while Penryn is a highly responsible person, the loss of her sister brings out a recklessness in her born of desperation. Paige is fragile, helpless and sweet. Their mother is odd, has hallucinations, and behaves erratically—and Penryn will stop at nothing to protect them both.  On the flipside, Raffie is aloof, sarcastic and hostile (he is, after all, the enemy). He loathes humans and sees them as creatures but not equals. Yet, he seems to be alone in life. However, as the story progresses, there are cracks in Raffie’s iron exterior.  There is a reason other angels have attacked Raffie, and later those reasons begin to peek through the surface.  An improbable affection begins between this hostile pair, and the age-old theme of love between the forbidden seems imminent, although it may take another installment in the series for this relationship to develop.  Perhaps the most riveting part of the story is the setting and the strange mystery that appears in each new chapter. The world is a mess. Sleeper cells of humans are arming and awaiting the right time to attack the angel hoards; children like Paige are being abducted on a daily basis, never to return; strange, razor-toothed, flesh-eating mini-zombies are prowling the woods; and no one, it seems, knows where God is in the mix.  It is perhaps that absence of God that lends this otherwise, typical YA sci-fi a bit more depth, and what makes me really look forward to Susan Ee’s next novel, book two, due to be released in the Fall of this year, 2013.

Review of Reached by Ally Condie

Dutton Juvenile

Reached (Matched Trilogy: Book 3)
By Ally Condie
1 Scribble

Cassia, Xander and Ky are all members of “The Rising,” the rebellion that threatens to topple “The Society,” who rule the people of this world and decide their futures from birth to death. Now, a deadly plague threatens to kill the people, and The Rising, assisted by this trio of protagonists, may have the only cure.

I wanted to love book three in the trilogy, I really, truly did. I remember being riveted to the first novel, Matched, which was an even and well-balanced blend of action and eloquent prose. I stuck through the second book in the series, Crossed, which was slightly less thrilling than book one, but which still offered a bit of movement to keep me reading, despite the fact that I was disappointed in the book overall. However, since book one was such a hit, I decided I simply must finish the series. Alas, Reached did nothing to redeem the feelings of disappointment I endured during the second installment. Reading this novel was like reading an epic poem that lacked the heroism. The entire action of the 384 pages could have been compacted into a quarter of the length. Most of the story consisted of a characters’ stream-of-consciousness following this pattern:

1.       Have a thought
2.       Create a metaphor illustrating the thought
3.       Create a hyperbole or, as an alternative, a simile illustrating the thought
4.       Reflect on how other characters might feel about this thought
5.       Explain how either The Rising or The Society may perceive the thought
6.       Recall a past event that relates to the thought and explain the connection

Using this template, each chapter (which rotates perspective between the characters) manages to expand and grow from an outline to a novel.  It as if Condie’s success in Matched gave her license to wax poetic and she ran with it.  This running stream-of-poetic-consciousness in the minds of Cassia, Xander and Ky is exhausting and brutal for the reader hoping for more of the magic in book one.  Thus, unless you are a hard-core Condie fan, skip book three and use your imagination to form the conclusion—you’ll likely be more entertained.

Review of The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken

Hyperion Books

The Darkest Minds
Alexandra Bracken
5 Scribbles

A virus has decimated the childhood population of the United States, and those children who remain alive have been infected with strange, paranormal abilities.  Just like in Nazi-era Germany, children are taken from their families once the aftereffects of the virus become evident, and the family is told the surviving children are getting treatment, medical attention, proper exercise and mental stimulation.  And while not all parents agree with the action, parents are in no position to argue—the government has changed, the economy is in shambles, and even Canada and Mexico have built walls to lock out U.S. citizens.  Ruby, taken from her home on her tenth birthday and imprisoned inhumanely for six years, is desperate to escape her concentration camp and find her way back to her grandmother.  Little does Ruby know that it isn’t just the government who wants to hold her hostage; there is war going on, and opposing factions are all on the prowl—collecting children as their weapons.

A major strength of this futuristic work of sci-fi is its unique setting—a United States in the midst of an economic apocalypse where citizens are so focused on the economic situation, they stand by and allow their children to be taken. Even though this may sound unlikely, one must only look to history to know such events are possible (Nazi Germany). What is slightly less unique to this novel is the virus that results in random paranormal abilities—a condition which feels suspiciously, very X-Men. However, strong writing brings a less comic book and more real-world feel to this work. The work is largely plot-driven. Blood soaked chapters in the first half of the novel move quickly and create a sense of desperation for the main characters, Ruby, Liam, Chubs and Suzume, all teenagers who have escaped camps and must hide out (since children are no longer seen in the public at large). Yet while the plot and conflict are center stage for the work, it is impossible not to bond with the main characters. Ruby, Liam, Chubs and Suzume ,a sort of rag-tag family despite their mistrust of others, a family that is seen largely through the eyes of the protagonist, Ruby. Readers will fall in love with Suzume, the pink-clad, silent little girl who desperately needs a female role-model, enjoy Chubs, whose quirky sense of humor and snappy one-liners will make the reader chuckle at the same time they are horrified, and idolize Liam, the rock of the group. And while suspicion and mistrust lace the novel, especially in the second half, when political intrigue multiplies, these characters remain true. The layers of political intrigue that form a sort of underground war that are created in this novel are admirable. In fact, they lay the groundwork for a series of possibly epic proportions. Factions have formed in the U.S. who all have a particular agenda, like the Skiptracers who earn bounty from captured teens, the Children’s League, who “rescue” children, and the Red Army, or the President’s secret, specially-trained forces. No individual or faction in this novel is as they first appear, and perhaps that is what makes this new release such an engaging and enjoyable read.  And since I don’t want to give away any big spoilers in the novel, I certainly cannot elaborate much on the juiciness in part two, which had me a bit skeptical in parts (particularly about Ruby’s behavior), but which absolutely sucked me in! Undoubtedly everyone who reads book one will be waiting to see what the next installment holds.

Review of Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys

Philomel

Out of the Easy
By Ruta Sepetys
4 Scribbles
To Be Released, February 12, 2013

Josie Moraine longs to live a life free of her mother’s reputation—to start fresh, get an education, and be counted among the “uptown” folk.  Yet, that’s not likely to happen as long as Josie lives in New Orleans, where her mother works as a prostitute in scrappy Willie Woodley’s brothel. And even though Josie has lived alone since she was ten years old in a small room above the bookstore where she works, everyone knows what a scoundrel Josie’s mother, Louise, is. Now Louise’s criminal ways may not only cast a shadow over Josie’s dreams, they might also get Josie killed.

The Quarter is a neighborhood filled with predators and prey; and Josie, with the help of Willie, who owns and operates her mother’s brothel, is determined not to become prey.  Rarely do characters like Josie, who embodies idealism and innocence combined with a “salty” edge, exist and thrive in conjunction with cantankerous individuals like Willie. Yet, not only does the relationship between these two individuals work, the relationship is fundamental to Josie’s personality. Who would Josie be without hard-nosed Willie, who is more of a mother to Josie than Josie’s own narcissistic, parasite of a mother, Louise?  Other characters in the novel function as Josie’s surrogate family, like gentle limo-driver Cokie who supports her dream of an elite college, Josie’s beloved best friend Patrick and Patrick’s critically-ill father who provides Josie with a home.  Contrast those individuals with the novel’s despicable predators in the story, like felon Cincinnati, who has threatened Josie’s life, and the revolting Mr. Lockwell, and it seems that everywhere Josie turns she meets a roadblock to her goal of education and success. Short chapters in the novel move the conflict expertly forward, and a level of mystery over an unexplained death permeates the entire text without distracting from the complicated relationships that are constantly developing throughout. Readers who have never been to “The Quarter” in New Orleans will get a realistic, first-hand view of this community and its culture through Josie’s eyes. Instead of the splashes of cool color, delicious cuisine and endless parties most readers might imagine, Josie describes hot neighborhoods riddled with poverty, secrecy, shady characters, and staunch tradition. Sepetys has created a rich, layered story of a girl who desires more than she has been given, and one that will please readers of historical fiction, and fans of her first novel, Between Shades of Gray.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC!