Review: Incarnate by Jodi Meadows

Book Title/Author: Incarnate by Jodi Meadows
Publisher/Year Published: January 2012 by Katherine Tegen Books
Where I got it: The library
Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary:via Goodreads

Ana is new. For thousands of years in Range, a million souls have been reincarnated over and over, keeping their memories and experiences from previous lifetimes. When Ana was born, another soul vanished, and no one knows why.

Even Ana's own mother thinks she's a nosoul, an omen of worse things to come, and has kept her away from society. To escape her seclusion and learn whether she'll be reincarnated, Ana travels to the city of Heart, but its citizens are afraid of what her presence means. When dragons and sylph attack the city, is Ana to blame?

Sam believes Ana's new soul is good and worthwhile. When he stands up for her, their relationship blooms. But can he love someone who may live only once, and will Ana's enemies—human and creature alike—let them be together? Ana needs to uncover the mistake that gave her someone else's life, but will her quest threaten the peace of Heart and destroy the promise of reincarnation for all?

I read this book in about 4 hrs on a trans-continental(ish) flight. So it was engaging. I will say that about it. But something just makes me go, "Hmm".

After more pondering, I think I liked it mostly for the romance aspect, which was fine. Not great, but definitely not bad, better than some other YA books I've read recently. Actually, before I complain more, let me first laud this book with multiple praises for NOT having a love triangle. Praise the YA book Gods!

But if I took out the romance, it was meh. I needed less romance and more world-building. I feel like I still don't understand the rules of this world. Can you hold a philosophical conversation with a baby? How does the money work? Why is the temple so weird? How do you get your name? If Ana is reincarnated male will she always be Ana? (Unfortunate)

And to get really vague to avoid spoilers, I really dont understand the ending and all the science behind the twist.

Let's look at the characters. Ana didn't bother me too too much. I forgave a lot because she was emotionally abused her whole life. Obviously she is not going to be a beacon of sunshine and normality.

Sam was nice but at the same time not. I didn't like some of the things he hid from Ana. He is curious and a kind person especially for accepting Ana into his home, but outside of initial physical attraction between them, what draws him to her? Why her and not any other of the souls? Is it her ability to pick up music? I don't know, and I think I should.

However, if you wade through all the moaning I just did, I did enjoy it. The romance was done well enough, and the story was fine. There are things that could have been better, but by virtue of the fact that this is a YA without a love triangle, it in the pro column of my book.

I'm totally going to keep reading this series.

Review: Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen

Book Title/Author: Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen
Publisher/Year Published: February 2012 by Walker Childrens
Where I got it: The library
Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary:Via Goodreads

Many readers know the tale of Robin Hood, but they will be swept away by this new version full of action, secrets, and romance.

Posing as one of Robin Hood’s thieves to avoid the wrath of the evil Thief Taker Lord Gisbourne, Scarlet has kept her identity secret from all of Nottinghamshire. Only the Hood and his band know the truth: the agile thief posing as a whip of a boy is actually a fearless young woman with a secret past. Helping the people of Nottingham outwit the corrupt Sheriff of Nottingham could cost Scarlet her life as Gisbourne closes in.

It’s only her fierce loyalty to Robin—whose quick smiles and sharp temper have the rare power to unsettle her—that keeps Scarlet going and makes this fight worth dying for.

I have so many opinions on this book. If you are spoiler happy, check out my Goodreads review and you will see the full wrath of my complaints. Here is the spoiler free version.

Scarlet is a retelling and reimagining of the Robin Hood legends, and the one thing that you can tell right off the bat, the author knows her Robin Hood. The things that were included were a mix of different legends. I really got the feeling throughout the story that she knew the time period as well, from the crusades to the Catholic nation. The one thing this book does really well is the early middle ages of it all.

But let’s go back. The book is a look at Robin Hood as a younger guy then he is usually depicted. Is this to cater to the YA crowd? I’m not sure. I was warring with that inside of me. On one hand people died earlier in the middle ages so life started early (yay marriage at 14….). On the other hand, YA lit so I need a younger cast, but not only that, a moodier cast. More on that later.

So we have our Robin, 21 just back from the crusades. We have our Much the youngest of them at 16. We have our Little John, 18 (which I can’t get over that. I’ve always pictured him as older than Robin but loyal to him to a fault and thus I think his age changed rubbed me wrong the most). And then Will Scarlet, 18. Who of course, is not “Will Scarlet”, just Scarlet.

And let me just say that if she was as pretty as the cover, the whole world would have to be a dumbass to not know she was a girl.

Anyway, they are this ragtag band and there is stealing of riches, giving to the poor, getting threatened by the Sheriff and then of course Gisbourne. An aside about Gisbourne. I could not help picturing Richard Armatige who played him in the BBC Robin Hood show, and it me smile at random inappropriate moments.

So the plot. Overall the plot was pretty good. It moved well. There were things from the legends worked in to a main plot that surrounded Scarlet. Of course there was a love triangle. OF COURSE! I am actually really mad about that. It was completely unnecessary. There is no question who the hero is (Robin), so it just seemed shoved in their because a publisher said “You know what is hot now? Love triangles. Try to write that in.” I think the plot could have been served just as well if there was just tension between Scarlet and Rob. It was just, bleh and it served to make the characters whiny hormonal teenagers.

The other thing that is not so much plot but stylistic choice that annoyed me at first was the voice. Scarlet is our narrator but does not talk in proper English. So there is a lot of “I weren’t doing anything wrong. I ain’t his girl” If you can’t take that sentence you won’t be able to read the book. I got used to it and it ceased to bug me. I get that she is a commoner and that is how they talked. Whatever. I’ve got other fish to fry.

I don’t want to talk too much about the plot. It was fine, engaging actually and I can’t complain (much) about it. I more want to talk about the characters.

Scarlet:
What I liked:Well she was her own woman. In a time where women had absolutely nothing for themselves, she carved her own thieving way and knew what she wanted and what she didn’t. Well for the most part. She wasn’t cowed by a guy giving her eyes, and I don’t think was ever defined by any man in this book. Which is awesome.

What I didn't like: She was too awesome. She was more awesome then Robin Hood! Consistently more awesome than him. Arg! Robin Hood is the Hero. I get that Scarlet is supposed to be badass. That was the intent, but I really don’t think she should outshine Robin. And I felt she did. I mean, I have no problem with her being awesome too, but she was too awesome. Plus, I think Robin only got to shoot his bow once. Sad day!!

Robin:
What I liked: Hmm.. I liked that he was noble like normal in the legends and all for the people. That was good. And I liked his talks with Scarlet. Those were cute. I wish it was just them so much… Again though, more arrows! More Robin!

What I didn't like: There was not enough of him and his amazing, for one. For two, I felt like we were missing his amazing. And for three, he was kind of a moody meanie to Scarlet. Sometimes he was really sweet, others he was just an ass.

John:
What I liked: …??? He hit things?

What I didn’t like: He was a foil for Robin. Sometimes he was nice, I guess, though mostly protective to a fault of Scarlet. Possessive really. I don’t know. He was fine I guess, just that love triangle thing bothered me so much that it’s bleeding into the characters involved.

Much: He’s awesome. Nothing more to say, except MORE MUCH!

The one thing I think authors that are doing reimagining have to worry about it messing with what people already have in their heads. It’s almost like a fan-fic where you don’t want to make the characters too AU. She even addresses this in the end. How there have been a ton of Robin Hood media lately but she wanted to make a badass girl in the Merry Men and not a simpering ninny waiting for rescure. Well she overshot that and in the process made the rest of the merry men a teenage clique (besides Much).

The funny thing is despite all my complaining I liked it. It was a fun story that kept me turning the pages. I love Robin Hood and this story wasn’t bad, just frustrating because I could see how it would better serve my image of the story. And I really wasn’t as frustrated as I make it sound during the reading. It was after I closed the book that I really thought about all the things that bothered me.

There are things I didn’t like, there are things I did. I am not sure if it is a series or not. It was just open-ended enough that it could be, or it could be an unsatisfying conclusion to a standalone. If it is a series, I’d continue. If it’s not, I would recommend it to someone with the caution that if you have a strong opinion on Robin Hood legends (and love triangles) then it may not be your cup of tea. Also if you can take the “I were” and “I weren’t” writing.

Review: Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood

Book Title/Author: Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood
Publisher/Year Published: February 2012 by Putnam Juvenile
Where I got it: The library
Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary:via Goodreads

Everybody knows Cate Cahill and her sisters are eccentric. Too pretty, too reclusive, and far too educated for their own good. But the truth is even worse: they're witches. And if their secret is discovered by the priests of the Brotherhood, it would mean an asylum, a prison ship--or an early grave.

Before her mother died, Cate promised to protect her sisters. But with six months to choose between marriage and the Sisterhood, she might not be able to keep her word... especially after she finds her mother's diary, uncovering a secret that could spell her family's destruction. Desperate to find alternatives to their fate, Cate stars scouring banned books and questioning rebellious new friends, all while juggling tea parties, shocking marriage proposals, and a forbidden romance with the completely unsuitable Finn Belastra.

If what her mother wrote is true, the Cahill girls aren't safe. Not from the Brotherhood, the Sisterhood -- not even from each other.

Born Wicked is a alternate history dystopian. It's weird to say that, but it is true. Though it is a fresh spin, it does fall into some of the same YA patterns we have been seeing: the love triangle, which we all know I love, and a supernatural element, she and her sisters are witches.

Cate and her sisters are trying to hide from the world and the anti-witch ruling Brotherhood. But Cate soon has to chose her path, become a wife or enter the Sisterhood, by her 17th birthday. Her childhood friend comes back home to court her, but then there is also Finn, the gardener.

All the while she is trying to figure out what her mother, who died a few years prior, would have her do. Then there is the whole witches thing.

I read it really quickly. It kept my interest, but looking back the plot in the middle was a little repetitive. I can't even really think of solid plot points that mattered that happened in the middle. But the pages still turned. The ending however was so rushed and confusing that I am still not sure what happened and why decisions were made. And of course it ends on my second "favorite" thing. A cliffhanger.

That said, I was entertained. Cate, though frustrating with some of her choices, was a solid lead. Her first person POV did not annoy me all that much. I understood her motivation most of the time, but it seemed a little misplaced. I wish we knew a little more about Tess and Maura though, the other two sisters.

As for the love triangle, Paul, the old friend, was more a plot devise then a character, but Finn and Cate were seriously awesome together. They were my favorite part of the story. If this story were just about them I'd be ecstatic.

So I enjoyed it. A Fast read. If you like YA and the tropes but want a historical twist, this is your book.

For the entertainment value, I will be continuing the series when they come out :)

Review: Everneath by Brodi Ashton

Book Title/Author: Everneath by Brodi Ashton
Publisher/Year Published: January 2012
Where I got it: The library
Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary:via Goodreads

Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath, where immortals Feed on the emotions of despairing humans. Now she's returned- to her old life, her family, her friends- before being banished back to the underworld... this time forever.

She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can't find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.

Nikki longs to spend these months reconnecting with her boyfriend, Jack, the one person she loves more than anything. But there's a problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who first enticed her to the Everneath, has followed Nikki to the mortal world. And he'll do whatever it takes to bring her back- this time as his queen.

As Nikki's time grows short and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she's forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole's...

When I read the description for Everneath a few months back, I thought to my self "This sounds a lot like Hades/Persephone." Now that I have finished I can confidently say, that this is like mythology updated in a rather unique way with a dash of Persephone, a splash of Orpheus and Eurydice and a hint of old school Egypt.

The story actually starts off pretty confusingly as we are pushed right into the mythos of Ashton's world. No backstory. No "these are the rules". Nothing. We learn what was going on through a series of flashbacks and/or as Nikki learns it herself. Which I don't really have a problem with. I actually prefer it this way over the info-dump.

The story soon sucked me in. I really like how it is inspired by mythology, but not a direct copy. The plot was very well paced. As the time got close to her decision, I felt the sense of urgency with Nikki.

The characters were pretty okay. Rather well rounded, but there is some room for improvement. Nothing that ever actively made me want to kill them because they bored me, that's for damn sure. None of these characters are boring.. well strike that. Some of the secondary characters I would like to see fleshed out more (Jules, Dad, brother), but the main ones were far from flat.

Nikki was not too teen like, but not too mature, but not to well functioning for all the stuff that happened to her aka 100 years in the Everneath. It was a perfect mix.

Jack had a little less depth to him, at least that we could see, but I guess this it makes sense. The novel was told from Nikki's perspective so I can forgive this one.

Now. Cole.

I hope this is never mistaken for a "love triangle book" or never becomes one in the future because seriously, this guy is a dick. I see almost no good qualities in him, besides he somewhat keeps his word when he gives it. I think I could grow to love to hate him. I understand him, he his a well written character, but still. A big fat tool. Whom I want to read more about...

The ending, which of course is a set up for a series (I really, really need to read some standalone ya. Does it even exist anymore?), I thought was pretty satisfying and the pitch for the next book isn't a horrid cliffhanger or anything. The story of this book solidly wraps up. It just leaves that hook dangling and the reader wishing for a time machine.

So overall I was highly engaged and am looking forward to reading the next ones. I would LOVE to see more mythology inspired books like this one.

Review: Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Book Title/Author: Cinder by Marissa Meyer
Publisher/Year Published:January 2012 by Feiwel & Friends
Where I got it: The library
Why I read this book: Short answer: The cover
Rating: 4/5
Cross posted at The Broke and the Bookish

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . .

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

This summary sounds amazing right?! And the book totally lived up to the it. So let me just dive in.

Humans and Androids? Already seems intriguing, right? Yes. We'd be correct. The intermingling of humans, machines, and human machines is awesome and unique. The machines are incorporated into the culture, just like watching an updated Jetsons. The futuristic bit of this book is quite well done!

This is set in the East, specifically New Beijing. I LOVE Asian-esque books. Sadly this isn't maximized to it's full possibilities, but the mentions of the culture are there if you look. The people use chopsticks, the celebrations are decorated in red and gold, things like that. But outside of the Chinese honorifics and these side things, it could very well be set in America.

Let's look at the gifted mechanic cyborg, Cinder. I love that she is, for lack of a better term, useful. She takes control of her own destiny despite obstacles thrown in her path. She is a strong lead and the highlight of the story by far.

Mentioned in the summary is the step-sister's illness. This is clear distinction that while it is a Cinderella retelling, Meyer also makes it her own. And it really succeeds at this. Meyer takes a fairy tale that we know from either the original story (or the Disney movie) and seamlessly interweaves the plot points into an awesome retelling.

How could I not mention Intergalactic struggle? Space?! LUNAR PEOPLE! Well, yeah. There is an evil moon people and an interesting story-line surrounding that. The post-apocalyptic atmospheric and this story line make it a wonderful SciFi dystopian.

Let's not forget the forbidden attraction. Yay, a love story! Yay, not a love triangle! I love myself some forbidden attraction. And it is done decently well.

Outside of all of that, the story was very fulfilling. A little more world building would have been cool, but there are three other books in the series. Kai's character is starting off okay, but I look forward to reading more about him and watching him develop further. Cinder however is awesome now and probably one of my favorite heroines that I have read in a while. The twist, if that is what is was suppose to be, is really predictable as is the story if you are at all familiar with Cinderella, but I don't think that is a bad thing.

It is a wonderful start to a new series that I know I will be devouring as they come out! If you like fairy tales, dystopians, scifi or YA, check this out!

And I still really like that cover!

Review: A Million Suns by Beth Revis

Book Title/Author: A Million Suns by Beth Revis
Publisher/Year Published: January 2012 by Razorbill
Where I got it: The library
Series: Second in the Across the Universe Trilogy
Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: via Goodreads

Godspeed was fueled by lies. Now it is ruled by chaos.

It's been three months since Amy was unplugged. The life she always knew is over. And everywhere she looks, she sees the walls of the spaceship Godspeed. But there may just be hope: Elder has assumed leadership of the ship. He's finally free to enact his vision - no more Phydus, no more lies.

But when Elder discovers shocking news about the ship, he and Amy race to discover the truth behind life on Godspeed. They must work together to unlock a puzzle that was set in motion hundreds of years earlier, unable to fight the romance that's growing between them and the chaos that threatens to tear them apart.

About this time last year, I reviewed the first book in this series, Across the Universe. I remember wanting to read it from the buzz I had seen in the blogger reader world, and also because I couldn't take my eyes off that breathtakingly gorgeous cover.

In summary, I loved the first book. Devoured it in 24 hours almost. I've been looking forward to the sequel for a while. And now it is hear and read.

And just as awesome as the first one.

Not to give too much away about the first book, but we left the story with the 16-year-old Elder in charge. And things go south pretty quickly. Elder is trying to fix all the problems while warring with doing what he really wants, spending time with Amy the girl from Sol-Earth. Amy has her own fascinating story arc with a nice mystery twist.

Elder and Amy's characters were just as dynamic as the first book, showing ever growing well rounded personas. Nothing is cake and cookies in this book, and each teen is dealing with that in their own way. I really enjoyed these characters and could empathize with all of their feelings. The writing and style convey this really well.

One downside is that the non-main characters are not as well rounded as these two. Though they are close to being plot points that can talk, ultimately they are fine especially because the plot picks up for any lost character development. I guess this is also a limit from the first persons narratives. The villain to me was really predictable, not so much in his actions but the twists surrounding the character. The plot however sometimes did throw me for a loop.

The plot was another thing this book does exceptionally well. I was always eager to find out more of what was going on, turning the page to get my fix. What sort of clues are on this ship? What actually is going on? I read this book in two large stints because it was that page-turner good.

This is a great middle book. It sets the third book up well but doesn't just serve as a bridge between the first and last. It has a strong plot and the main characters are continually growing and changing, and it left me champing at the bit for the final book, Shades of Earth.

The cool thing about this series is it is science fiction fantasy but not in such a way that makes me want to claw my eyes out or feel like I am being talked down to. If you are interested even remotely in dramas set in space, give this series a go. The first person narrative that switches between each chapter can be jarring at first, but it really adds to the feel of the story.

So in short: Ingenious storytelling, excellently wow.

Review: Across the Universe - Beth Revis

Book Title/Author:Across the Universe by Beth Revis
Publisher/Year Published: January 2011 by Razorbill
Where I got it: The library
Rating: 4/5 stars
Challenges: A to Z Challenges: Male Name (E), Female Name (A), Book (A) and Author (B)

Summary:via Goodreads

Seventeen-year-old Amy joins her parents as frozen cargo aboard the vast spaceship Godspeed and expects to awaken on a new planet, three hundred years in the future. Never could she have known that her frozen slumber would come to an end fifty years too soon and that she would be thrust into the brave new world of a spaceship that lives by its own rules.

Amy quickly realizes that her awakening was no mere computer malfunction. Someone-one of the few thousand inhabitants of the spaceship-tried to kill her. And if Amy doesn't do something soon, her parents will be next.

Now Amy must race to unlock Godspeed's hidden secrets. But out of her list of murder suspects, there's only one who matters: Elder, the future leader of the ship and the love she could never have seen coming.

Thoughts:
I am shocked by how much I liked this book. I read an author Q&A around the release date and thought the premise sounded good, so onto the TBR library waiting list it went. It would probably be a quick read and if it was bad, I'd stop reading.

It was not bad.

You can read the summary above but basically there is a ship living in a fairly dystopian world, where a leader born to rule runs the people. The ship is on a trans-universal flight to inhabit a new earth and thus has frozen some smart people to help colonize it once they get there. Amy is one of those people. Well, she is the daughter who was aloud to be frozen, but she is accidentally woken up too early. Elder is next in line to be leader and is trained by Eldest, the current leader. With the unfrozen Amy now in his life he begins to question all that he knew.

Despite the summary being mostly about Amy, I really think this was Elders story, or at least I identified more with him. Everything he knew gets upended during his quest for discovering more about his destiny.

This book is gripping. The world that Revis builds is completely believable and interesting. She shows us the right amount of atmosphere without bogging us down in details. The narrative is told in first person alternating between Amy and Elder. It bothered me a bit occasionally but knowing how the course of the novel plays out, it was the best choice.

The novel is marketed YA, but I thoroughly enjoyed it and the questions it raises. I would recommend it to anyone who likes dystopian-science fiction. The way I would classify it would be a gripping science fiction book without getting bogged down in all the heavy details that science fiction books usually contain (I'm looking at you Dune).

Although, I am left with a general annoyance that was just kind of aggravated to the point of discussion. It seems that right now EVERY YA book is a damn series. This is too, (I found out by looking at the authors website) but that narrative doesn't suffer because of it. I fully believe that I could just read this book and be happy with how it wrapped up content that this is the end. That is the mark of a good first in a series book. I don't want to have to keep reading to finish a story that I started a book ago. So bravo on that account. You've passed this cynic's annoyance test with flying colors. So 1 point in her favor there.

I don't plan to stop reading here though. I like the voice and the concept of colonizing another planet, so I'll read on.

The First Step: Read the Book

Challenge the first: Read the book

I guess if you really think about it, I failed this challenge. This books was a big, fat DID NOT FINISH. I saw the book on one site or another a good while ago and thought the premise was really, really interesting. I gave it a shot, but why torture myself into reading something I didn't like?

Book Title/Author: Cycler by Lauren McLaughlin
Publisher/Year Published: 2008 by Random House Books for Young Readers
Where I got it: library
Rating: DNF

This book has such a great premise. A girl turns into a guy for 4 days every month. Awesome! Tell me more! What is that like? How does she use this special power? What would I do if I gender-swapped once a month? Well, in the disappointing turn of how this story was written, Jill uses meditation to block out her alter-ego, Jack, and instead focuses on being a complete parody of a woman trying to subversively trap herself a man.

No really.

Are you kidding me?! You have such a unique premise for a story! But instead it gets turned into "How do I get him to ask me to the prom?!" Not even just that really, but "How can I use the subtle art of manipulation and bitchery to snag myself a man."

Jack was... slightly better, but probably because we were with him less. But he too was a farce of masturbatory tendencies.

Maybe this was meant as a satire against gender stereotypes, fighting against the man through showing how silly one could be. If this was the intent, it did not come across that way to me. I don't know if it would to the target audience (since it is YA I assume this is teenage girls), but something tells me that at this age, most people would not be looking for the deep message and instead focusing on the surface.

In short, I didn't finish. And I don't want to. From what I can tell, this is nothing special. Just a great concept with no payoff.

Dropping Names

If you visit the following webpage Authors We Read This Spring you will find a list of authors that were mentioned in the completed task posts for the spring challenge (only linked authors are included in this list). Find an author on this list that you haven't read previously and read their most popular book. (The author's most popular work is the one listed first on their profile).

I read Mockinjay in 24 hours. It would have taken less, but that thing called “work” got in my way. I’ve decided that I want a place to let my spoiler filled views to be known, so…

Book Title/Author: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
Publisher/Year Published: 2010 by Scholastic
Where I got it: My local library (first one to get my greedy hands on it :) )
Rating: 4/5 stars

WARNING: THIS REVIEW IS GOING TO CONTAIN WICKED AMOUNTS OF SPOILERS FOR THE ENTIRE HUNGER GAMES TRILOGY AND THE ENTIRE MOCKINGJAY BOOK. PROCEED WITH CAUTION.

Retro Challenge: The Book Thief

Oktoberfest Is A Sixteen-Day Festival Held Each Year In Munich, Germany During Late September (And Running To Early October). - Read A Book Written By A German Author, Set In Germany, Or A Non-Fictional Book About Germany. (*To Enhance Your Reading You May Choose To Eat Some German Food Or Drink A German Beer But It's Not Required).

Book Title/Author: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Publisher/Year Published: 2006 by Knopf Books for Young Readers
Where I got it: My college library
Rating: 5/5 stars

Rarely do I give a book 5 stars. On my Goodreads shelf, I have a total of 5 out of 300 read books listed as 5 star reads. That's a whopping 1%. This book was one of those five.

I discovered The Book Thief when looking for books that fit this task. I found through various sources that it was set in WWII in Germany and follows around a little child. Nothing particularly interesting. I've read that story before, and most of them were done fairly well. What was going to set this book apart for me? What would make this just not another book about WWII?

Answer: The narrator: Death. This character grabbed me from the beginning. How often do you see Death personified? And in such a prominent role! He was entertaining, witty, well-written, and so many other adjectives that listing them all would be quite ridiculous. The point is the addition of Death as a character, the narrator, really gave this book a unique twist.

The Book Thief is a book that dragged me across the spectrum of emotion. I laughed out loud, I cried so hard I could barely see the pages. I couldn't put it down, I dare not pick it up (so I wouldn't lose the whole day reading). It was such a highly engaging book for me.

An interesting fact that you may or may not know is that it was marketed in Australia (where the author is from) as an adult book but in the US as a YA novel. It made me think of the blurred lines between YA and Adult literature. Who defines how it is marketed in which country? Does what a westerner read differ that greatly across the nations? An intriguing through for sure, but maybe for another post.

The Book Thief is an astounding read. It takes a time we know a lot about from school and various PBS specials and gives it a whole interesting twist.

Happy Birthday to Me! Book A

In honor of my (Nicole's) July 10th birthday:

A. Read a book by a writer who is a Cancer (June 21-July 22)
AND
B. Read a book that has a NOUN in the title. This noun MUST appear on page 31 of your Part A book (I am turning 31 this summer).

First off. It's not my birthday. Mine is a good 5 months away (also so is Christmas. fyi get your shopping done early!) It was the designer of this challenge's birthday. And thus our Cancer challenge.

(Side note about Cancers. My roommate in college is a Cancer and she was always so mad she couldn't get the panties that had your astrological sign on them. She thought it would just be asking for trouble.)

Anyway book A was The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. The Outsider's is a classic coming of age tale. I read this as a 7th grader and was enthralled. I loved everyone from Ponyboy to Dally. I wanted Sodapop to be my brother or maybe my boyfriend... I was a seventh grade girl.

I remember loving this book so much that a few months later I got the book out from the library and read the entire thing out loud to my younger sister, who also really enjoyed it.

Now, I reread it, hoping to feel that magic again. But it didn't happen for me. I found myself reading it more as a look back into a time where they used words like "tuff" and "heaters." In a side note though, when I read that in 7th grade I thought they were literally talking about heaters. You know, the small portable kind. Taking heaters to a rumble always seemed kind of strange to me.

Why was I not captivated again? Did I love it the first go round because I was in love with the '50s decade? Did I relate to it more as a preteen? Probably a little of both. I enjoyed it this time, but i enjoy the memory of it more. The next time I read this, if ever, it will be to someone who can show me it again through the eyes of a 12 year old.

I still give it four stars though, if only for the memory of what once was 5.

I also remember seeing the movie of this with all those young stars (like Tom Cruise) and being utterly disappointed. "Way to ruin a good book", I thought. I henceforth ignored its existence.

Has that ever happened to you? The movie ruin the book? Which ones? I am sure I have more that this applies to, but it's just when I think of this book that memory of my dislike for the movie is there as well.

For the Children: Book B

The Summer Challenge starts on 1 June, and 1 June 2010 is International Children's Day.
A.Read a children’s classic book (EXAMPLE: Peter Pan) AND either pass it on, or recommend it to a child (give details when you claim your points).
AND
B. Read any book where a child is the main character. (EXAMPLE: The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie)
Both books must be at least 100 pages.

Book Title/Author: The Lightening Thief by Rick Riordan
Publisher/Year Published: 2005 by Miramax
Where I got it: Library. A helpful librarian helped me find it actually.
Rating: 3/5 stars

Since I am on a books with Greek gods kick, lets review The Lightening Thief, the first book in the Percy Jackson series. I've heard a lot about this book from people of different ages. The first time I heard about this book was a few years ago from my then 7 or 8 year old cousin. He adored it! Loved the quests and the gods (having never known anything about Greek mythology before this). Putting myself in his place, at 8 years old I was in the mythology club (yes we had one at my grade school) and trying to read Edith Hamilton's Mythology, but being unable to get into it. This book would have been a godsend.

I understand its appeal to a younger audience. Fast paced, scary monsters, winning in the end. But for me reading it as a 23 year old, it's just alright. I enjoyed how the author modernizes the Greek myths and guessing who the gods and monsters were before we were told, but I just couldn't get into it.

Don't get me wrong; it was fun and I'll probably pick up the next book. It just seemed a little too easy. Before his quest, he was struggling, trying to find his way, screwing up. But any time he faced an adversary slash boom dead? I don't buy it. Especially the climax. No one can mature that much in a week.

For kids, thumbs up. I'd give it 4 as an adult rating it for kids. As a kid, I'd have give it s 5. But for me, a 3. It was just too easy. (And I can hear Percy in my head "You think that was EASY?!")

In related notes, I heard the movie was good. I'll have to pick that up soon.

Waiting On Wednesday: Sleepless

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Sleepless by Cyn Balog
Release Date: July 13th 2010

Eron De Marchelle isn't supposed to feel a connection. He is a Sandman, a supernatural being whose purpose is to seduce human charges to sleep. While he can communicate with his charges in their dreams, he isn't encouraged to--after all, getting too involved in one human's life would prevent him helping his other charges get their needed rest.

But he can't deny that he feels something for Julia. Julia, with her fiery red hair and her sad dreams. Just weeks ago, her boyfriend died in a car accident, and Eron can tell that she feels more alone than ever. Eron was human once too, many years ago, and he remembers how it felt to lose the one he loved. Eron has always felt protective of Julia . . . but now, when she seems to need him more than ever, he can't seem to reach her . . .

Sandmen are forbidden from communicating with humans outside their dreams. But will Eron be willing to risk everything for a chance to be with the person he loves?

How many stories have you read that feature a Sandman as a main character? Mister Sandman, bring me a dream. Make him the cutest that I've ever seen...

Waiting On Wednesday: Firelight

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Firelight by Sophie Jordan
Release Date: September 7th 2010

With her rare ability to breathe fire, Jacinda is special even among the draki—the descendants of dragons who can shift between human and dragon forms. But when Jacinda’s rebelliousness leads her family to flee into the human world, she struggles to adapt, even as her draki spirit fades. The one thing that revives it is Will, whose family hunts her kind. Jacinda can’t resist getting closer to him, even though she knows she’s risking not only her life but the draki’s most closely guarded secret.

Um. Yes please. Sign me up for this day one it's out, if not sooner.

Yes. I did say sooner! Today, Sophie Jordan is hosting a discussion over at her blog and if you comment you are entered for a chance to read a free signed ARC! So hurry on over there! But if you are like me and don't always look at things the instant they are posted, FEAR NOT! For I have the answer. Goodreads is giving away a copy over here. As of writing, your chances of winning are 1 in 2693 (one of whom is yours truly)!

Seriously, how can you not want to read this book.

As a fire-breather, Jacinda demonstrates attraction and desire a little more … expressively. Okay, when I say she gets all hot and bothered, I mean she really gets all HOT and bothered.

This is going to be so much win.

So check them out! This book looks rocking awesome! If I were to follow the "Book by its cover" cliché, I would highly love this book. The cover is one of the most appealing I've seen in awhile! I hope this is the exception that proves the rule, er cliché.

EDIT: Ahh!! Apparently the Goodread's one ends the first as well... drat. Well if you read this in the next 5 hours, enter!!

At Least Once In A Lifetime

For this task read a book found on page 3, 4, or 5 of the following list: Books That Everyone Should Read At Least Once. When posting this task explain why the book you read should or should not be on that list & what book you think should be at the top of the list.

Book Title/Author: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Publisher/Year Published: 2008 by Scholastic Press
Where I got it: It was one of the few books on the aforementioned list at my college library
Rating: 5/5 stars

Posted March 2010:

This book was a very pleasant surprise. I set out in search of book that was not completely negative on humanity and somehow ended up here. But despite my current lack of faith in humanity, this book took me away from my present troubles and completely engrossed me. It brings up a lot of interesting problems with the general human condition, including what problems could occur in this society not completely removed from our own. Honestly the way I am so in love with this book at the moment, this is the book I would move to the top of the list.

Since writing that blurb, literally seconds after finishing, I have had a little bit more of a chance to think about Katniss Everdeen and the Hunger Games.

I enjoyed this book because it took me back to being a teenager. There were times reading this as the 23 year old that I am, where Katniss's decisions made me think, "No, she would not have done that." or "Clearly, Katniss, you are stupid in that you can see *this thing*" But then, I think it was with one of her moments with Peeta, one of the male leads, that made me think about how me-centric I was at 16 and how even though she lives in a scary dystopian world where she has had to be an adult, she is still a kid and does not know everything. After that point, reading it I could remember how I felt at 16 and yeah, I would have done some of the exact same things that she does.

I can't imagine how I would be at 16, still not an adult but you think you are, in a world where you are forced to hunt for your family's survival and then get thrown into the hunger games where you have to kill to survive.

The plot just grips me. See how these characters interact and react to and with each other is what keeps me reading.

In a related note, over at The Broke and the Bookish today, Taheen reviewed a YA book targeted toward the male audience. And it made me think about Harry Potter and J.K Rowling having to be J.K and S.E. Hinton having to be S.E. And I wondered why Suzanne Collins gets to be Suzanne? I pondered this and then looked at the cover again. It is very masculine. Or I guess it's appropriate for the content but at the same time it does not show a girl on the cover or anything of the sort to detract male readers with girl cooties.

One more thing, before getting used to them, these names sometimes really bugged me. The one that continually makes me laugh, though, is Peeta. I mean seriously. His name is Peeta and he works at a bread store. Really? Peeta bread? lol

List Maker

Must-Read lists abound. Let's create our own! For this task, read a book that is at least 300 pages and tell us whether it is a must-read or not and why.

Book Title/Author: Beastly by Alex Flinn
Publisher/Year Published: 2007 by HarperTeen
Where I got it: library
Rating: 4/5 stars

I stumbled into the book because of the movie coming out (now not until March 2011) but I am glad I did. This is a modern retelling of Beauty and the Beast from the Beast's perspective. Now, I can hear you already. "How the hell can you pull that off?"

Well she does. I firmly believed in his cursing, his transformation, his castle ... every thing was believable. The reason I didn't give it five stars is :

1) 5 star books change my life or resonate with me for a while and this won't because
2) it's a story I have heard 1000 times.

She puts a fresh twist on it that makes it interesting but I could see where she got some of the ideas for her story. Does this fact make it a bad book? No. I mean even Shakespeare took inspiration from something the classics. Overall I enjoyed it. Hell, I enjoyed it enough to finish it in an evening so there is that. This fairy tale holds a special place in my heart and so it was nice to relive the magic for the first time through the Beast's eyes.