Review: Give Up the Ghost by Megan Crewe

Title: Give Up the Ghost
Author: Megan Crewe
Publisher: Henry Holt
Pub. Date: September 2009
Genre: YA
Main Themes: Ghosts, Popularity, Bullying, Friendship, Family, Depression
Pages: 244
Plot (from back of arc):
"Cass McKenna much prefers ghosts to "breathers." Ghosts are uncomplicated and dependable. They know the dirt on everybody... and Cass loves dirt. She's on a mission to expose the dirty secrets of the poseurs in her school.
But when the vice president of the student council discovers her secret, Cass's whole scheme hangs in the balance. Tim wants her to help contacting his recently deceased mother, but Cass is less than enthusiastic.
Kicking and screaming, Cass becomes increasingly intwined in Tim's life. And she's more surprised than anyone when she realizes that some living people aren't so bad if she'd only give them a chance..."

I adored this book, to put it mildly. It pulled me in right from the beginning and refused to let me go!

The entire book was wonderfully written and imagined. Cass was a girl that I found extremely easy to relate to - especially her sarcasm. I loved that the author showed Cass' tough side as well as her softer, more vulnerable side that she usually keeps hidden from her peers.

I often find that authors add unneeded details to the plot - just to make it more interesting, but Megan Crewe not only had reason for every detail, everything was wrapped up at the end. I was left completely satisfied when I finished this book - which never happens! Cass' bullying, her family life, her new relationship with Tim - all wrapped up perfectly.

I really enjoyed the ghosts of the story. Paige was a wonderful older sister, even in death, even if she didn't know she was - or was in ways that she didn't even mean to be. Another favorite was Norris... I had fun trying to imagine him while he was living - he was such a colorful character. I have to mention that I love this book's dust jacket! On the cover you can see a ghost whispering in Cass' ear and Norris leaning against the lockers on the back cover. I think it fits the novel perfectly!

There is even a dash of romance, but it borders on being only a friendship. Even though I ususally like books with a romantic plot line, and this book's is minimal, I still was kept interested throughout the novel.

Ratings (Out of 10):
Plot: 10
Characters: 10
Writing: 10
Romance: 10/NA
Originality: 10
Total: 50/50 (A!)

Read this book! I was fortunate enough to win a copy, but if I hadn't I definitely would have bought this book! It is remarkable that this is Megan's Crewe's debut novel - it is AMAZING!

Check out my interview with Megan, here!

This book was reviewed as part of One ARC Tours.

Review: Molly Fyde and the Parsona Rescue

Title: Molly Fyde and the Parsona Rescue

Author: Hugh Howey

Publisher: NorLights Press

Pub. Date: September 2009

Genre: YA

Main Themes: Space travel, Romance, Family, Mystery, Action, Futuristic

Plot (from back of ARC):

"When Molly gets kicked out of the Naval Academy, she loses more than just another home, she loses the two things that truly matter: flying in space and her training partner, Cole. A dull future seems to await, until a marvelous discovery changes everything.

Her father's old starship, missing for a decade, turns up halfway across the galaxy. Its retrieval launches Molly and Cole on an adventure of a lifetime, one that will have lasting consequences for themselves and billion of others.

What starts off as a simple quest to reconnect with her past, ends up forging a new future.And the forgotten family she hoped to uncover becomes one she never foresaw: a band of alien misfits and runaways - the crew of the starship Parsona."

Unfortuntately, I don't think Molly Fyde is a book that I would have picked up on my own. When I was contacted about reviewing this book, I debated whether or not to say yes. After all, I hadn't heard of the title, the author, or the publisher. In the end, I decided to accept because I love YA and science fiction and this book did have a plot that sounded interesting. I am so ridiculously glad that I did: Molly Fyde and the Parsona Rescue is most definitely one of the best YA science fiction novels that I've read the entire year.

I am always wary when picking up a new science fiction novel. Some scifi books focus too much on the technical (science) side of the plot, which I sometimes find boring or too complex. I read the first chapter of the novel and was starting to see these tendencies, but that really only lasted throughout the first chapter and their was a good reason for it. Once I got through that beginning chapter, I was hooked!

I was thrilled to discover that there was a love story within Molly Fyde, which will appeal to many YA readers. Cole, Molly's romantic interest, was a great match for her and I loved their dialogue. This aspect of the plot was wonderful.

This novel takes place many years in the future, when space travel is common and there are many planets with life, both alien and human. It was so interesting to read about the different planets Howey has imagined and sent Molly and Cole to. Along the way, Cole and Molly are met not only with adventure and clues to unraveling the mystery of Molly's past, but with new ideas and cultures.

Ratings (Out of 10):

Plot: 10

Characters: 10

Writing: 10

Romance: 10

Originality: 10

Total: 50/50 (A!)

I absolutely loved this book and cannot wait until the next installment, Molly Fyde and the Land of Light, is released. The story leaves readers with a cliffhanger that left me anxious for more! Don't let this novel pass you by! Whether you are a scifi fan or simply a fan of adventure and love stories, this novel shouldn't be missed!

T2T Blog Tour: Interview: Patrick Jones (Author of The Tear Collector!)

Today I'm hosting Patrick Jones, author of the recently released YA supernatural read: The Tear Collector!


Brief Biography (from Patrick Jones' website):
A former librarian for teenagers, Patrick now concentrates on writing fiction for teens. His third novel -- Chasing Taillights was published in summer 2007, while his 4th novel Cheated is due out in spring 2008. His second novel Nailed was published by Walker / Bloomsbury in spring 2006 and was a runner-up in the Great Lakes Book Award. His first young adult novel Things Change (Walker & Company, 2004) was named by the Young Adult Library Services Association as a best book for reluctant readers. His most recent (and last) professional publication is Connecting with Reluctant Readers (Neal-Schuman, 2006). In 2006, he won lifetime achievement awards from both the Catholic Library Association, and the American Library Association. In March of 2006, he won the Scholastic Library Publishing Award. Jones is a frequent speaker at library conferences, having visited all fifty states, as well as in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Jones grew up in Flint, Michigan, but now lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

The Interview:

First off, tell us a little bit about your new novel, The Tear Collector.
The Tear Collector is about a vampire-like creature Cassandra who lives not off human blood, but human tears. She’s in high school, so it is the perfect setting for a book about crying. There’s a line in the book about how drama turns to trauma turns to tears in her school. So it has a supernatural element, but there’s also a romance between her and a human male. There are some bigger themes about science vs. religion / facts vs. faith, but mostly it a supernatural romance ala Twilight with everything twisted. I’d wanted to write a book for years about rumors / gossip in high school, and that theme fit nicely into this book.

Where did the inspiration for the supernatural aspect of The Tear Collector originate?
I knew I wanted to write a vampire novel, but thought the charismatic male vampire meets plain Jane girl searching for answers had already been done. To death. So, I needed a new gimmick. Tears made sense as all my other teen novels certainly contained their share of crying characters. Johanna in Things Change who is in violent dating relationship, Christy in Chasing Tail Lights who is growing up in poverty, and most recently Danielle in Stolen Car who hates her life, wants to make a change, and wants to know if love is real. So, tears and high school go well together.

Did you do any research while writing The Tear Collector? If yes, please explain.
Only a little, mainly about the specifics of some biology concepts, like adaptation, and trying to remember my Catholic School years for information on the Stations of the Cross. My main research is always visiting high schools, and then communicating with students after via facebook or myspace. The Samantha character is pulled from a couple of girls I met doing visits, and I don’t think I’ve ever been to a school and not met Cody or Brittney types. Lots of small details – from how Samantha wears mismatching Chuck Taylors to how Brittney uses her IPod as a mirror – are things I noticed the road. My research is also after the fact, in that after I have a good solid first draft done, I find teens that read it and comment / correct mistakes.

Why did you cast your lead character as female rather than male?
Most of my books are told first person point of view from a teenage girl. I find that easy to do since when I’m writing I have these high heels I wear. Wait. That’s a lie. They’re pumps. I write from the female POV for three reasons. The first is practical: more teen girls buy YA novels than guys. The second is Cassandra, like my other teen girl characters, is struggling with identity. Not that teen guys don’t, but I think it is different. I think all teen girls are two people: the person the parents think they are and then the person they really are. Sometimes those two sides are close, but often they are far apart. That’s been true from Johanna in Things Change to Cassandra in Tear Collector. These are young women in conflict between their heads and their hearts; between what they want and what they need, but mostly who they are and who they want to be. Finally, most of the vampire books may have teen girl telling the story, but often she’s not the most interesting person in the book. Like everything else, I wanted to twist that convention.

What was the most difficult aspect of writing The Tear Collector?
The hardest thing was the mythology: how Cassandra’s world works. Not just figuring it out, but then how much to reveal, and how to reveal it Since she’s telling the story, there’s no good way for her to get that information out since she can’t tell Samantha (until near the end) and anyone else who is a tear collector already knows how the world works. I also wanted to keep some stuff vague, both to set-up a sequel, but also in that X-Files / Carnivale way of letting the viewer piece together the clues. The other hard thing for me is that my previous teen novels deal head-on with sexuality, and I knew for lots of reasons I wanted to limit that here. It’s still not a middle school book, but it is tame compared to my other books. There’s also much less cursing. Damn.

Did you always want to be a writer?
When I was eight, my Dad took met to a professional wrestling match. I was a huge fan of grown men in their underwear pretending to hurt each other. The next day, however, there was no story in the Flint Journal (my hometown paper) about the match. So, I mentioned it to my mom and she said I should write an article. She had an old manual typewriter and taught me how to type. Somehow, I found a wrestling newsletter in NYC that accepted my article; I’m sure they don’t realize I was only eight. So, in elementary school, I had a byline. That’s addictive. While I wasn’t a big reader in school, I did enjoy writing including plays, songs, and poems, but I also was growing up in Flint, Michigan so being a writer was not a realistic dream. Although I guess a few of us have proved that a wrong assumption. I think I’d still rather be a pro wrestler though.

What jobs did you have on your way to being a writer? Did they help you in any way as a writer?
I still have one. Because I write for older teens, because I write honestly about sexuality, and because my teens don’t use words like “shoot” and “freakin’”, I don’t sell many books in schools, which is still a lot of book sales. I’m also with a smaller publisher, so they don’t have the same UMPH to push my books, and I maybe because write about working class kids, I’m not selling tons of books in suburban malls. I still have a day job, which did lead directly to my getting published. I started working in libraries in 1979 (yes, almost 30 years ago) and got a a Masters in Library Science from the University of Michigan. I’ve worked a librarian since then, focusing on youth services, including winning a couple of national lifetime achievement awards for that work. As part of this, in the early 1990s, I served on a national committee to select books for reluctant readers, which is where I first met Emily Easton, who is now my editor. There’s more about this, and other librarians turned authors (including Annette Curtis Klause who wrote THE teen vampire romance The Silver Kiss) in an article in VOYA magazine.

When and where do you usually write?
I write at home in Minneapolis normally in HUGE jags on the weekends for like seven or eight hours at a time. A book I just completed poured out of me: from 0 to 55,000 words in ten days to complete a good solid first draft. But I also write in short bursts on airplanes, in hotels, and in Northwest World Clubs since I travel a great deal doing speaking engagements and school visits. When I’m at home, which is where I do most of my writing, I write sitting in bed on a Dell laptop (which is missing the “d” key). But before I sit down at the computer, it seems – at least for the last four books – that I’ve got the book pretty outlined and imagined in my head. It’s just a matter of unrolling the “movie” from my mind and getting in on paper / on the computer.

Is there something that is a must have for you to be able to write?
Something to say, something I want to learn about myself/teens, and a soundtrack. Every book I write, I’ve developed a soundtrack / play-list that really helps. It is not a play-list that people would listen to reading the book since most teens wouldn’t listen to / like the artists I enjoy (for Tear Collector it was the Celtic soul of Van Morrison), but it gets me in the right mood.

What author or book most influenced you as a writer or in general?
My favorite YA books of all time are Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, Rats Saw God by Rob Thomas (Veronica Mars, not Matchbox 20), and Vision Quest by Terry Davis. These books are epitomes of YA novel voice, attitude, and honesty. I’m also, as mentioned, influenced by music.

What are currently reading?
I mainly read adult non-fiction, so my most recent book was Columbine by Dave Cullen. I was so blown away by this book that I wrote a review and interviewed the author for a magazine. In my novel Nailed, the main character Bret is a misfit teen bullied by jocks. One of his responses is writing an essay called “Dylan and Eric Were Victims, too.” Except I got it wrong; most of the media got it wrong. Dave Cullen – who followed the story since 1999 – sets the record straight in this book that Columbine wasn’t what most of us thought it was.

What book are you anxiously awaiting?
Nothing most of your blog readers are looking for I would guess. While I wrote a supernatural teen romance, I’m not reading them, nor do I read much speculative fiction. One book I’m waiting for is Hulk Hogan’s new book, which I can only hope will be as hilariously inaccurate as his first one. In teen stuff, I’m waiting for new books by Coe Booth, Jeannine Garsee, Annette Curtis Klause, and the sequel to Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles.

Can you tell us anything about your next YA novel?
I just (and I mean like yesterday) finished a 55,000 word first draft of a sequel to Tear Collector with the working title of Cassandra's Turn or maybe Cassandra Turns. The sequel explores what happens with Brittney, follows Cass's desire to become human to be with Scott, develops the friendship with Samantha, as well as finding her cousin Alexei returning. There will also be a competing love interest. But they’ll only be a sequel if Tear Collector sells. I also have another book (Clicked) done that is in my editor’s hands which is a realistic novel. The story starts with the main character Carson returning from his school's homecoming football game. He goes up to his room to write an article about the game for his school newspaper, but he's distracted by the word "homecoming." Three years ago, Carson's older sister Carrie ran away from home and hasn't been heard from since. He finishes writing the story, and then he's alone on the computer. He's a teen boy, so soon he's looking at porn. Click. Click. Click. And he comes across an image of his sister on a porn site. Well, the plot kind of takes off from there.

The Hiding Spot is dedicated to my personal hiding spot, books. Is there a place, activity, or person that is your hiding spot?
Listening to music in my car, or a rented car. I put in a Springsteen CD – or sometimes in a rental car, I’ll get the EStreet station on satellite radio – and everything wrong in the world washes away. Nothing matters except the cars in front me, and Bruce’s Badlands, Jungleland, and the Darkness on the Edge on the Town. For me, Thunder Road is one hell of a hiding place. While it probably isn’t Bruce, I think this is a hiding place many teens can understand.

Anything else you would like to share with us?
I think part of this work isn’t just writing books for teens, but being accessible, which is much easier to do in the Internet age. I’m on facebook and myspace, and even set up a myspace just for The Tear Collector, with links to songs, books, and movies that will make you cry. Writing is about communicating ideas, but I hope that the communication between my readers and me doesn’t have to end on the last page of my last book.

Thank you, Patrick, for taking the time to chat with The Hiding Spot!

T2T Blog Tour: Review: The Tear Collector by Patrick Jones

Title: The Tear Collector
Author: Patrick Jones
Publisher: Walker
Pub. Date: Sept. 2009
Genre: YA
Main Themes: Supernatural, Love, Family, Emotion
Pages: 263
Plot (from book jacket):
"Between hookups, makeups, and breakups, there isn't a day at Lapeer High School without drama turning to trauma turning to tears.
And tears are just as essential as air for Cassandra Gray. She and her family are vampires who thirst for human sorrow, and the energy that they soak in from a good crying jag can keep them fueled up for days.
Anytime a friend needs a shoulder to cry on, Cass is there. Anytime a boyfriend gets too secure, she breaks his heart.
Cass's work as a school peer counselor and hospital volunteer also provides the perfect cover and access o her family's energy source. But she is getting tired of all the lies and manipulation - especially now that she's actually fallen in love with a human. Can she bear to betray her family for a chance at happiness and a life lived with joy?"

I really liked the idea of The Tear Collector. When I read that the main character was a girl who basically lived off human tears, I was intrigued. While I felt that the idea of the book was well conceived, I didn't think the novel was very well executed.

One aspect that I felt was a major negative of The Tear Collector was the characters. I think this is the aspect that caused the most distraction for me. I didn't feel like the dialogue between characters was well written and I didn't feel like the characters were fully developed or believable.

The romantic aspect of the novel was very disappointing to me. I thought the love story would be greater, more epic, than it was. I felt like Cassandra didn't really do much to deserve any of the devotion that she received - her character was too flat for me to feel any attachment to her and I didn't see how any guy would be attached to her either. Her only quality that I could imagine her using to attract a guy would be her tendency to have sex with guys. I liked the idea of a guy finally seeing more to her than just what she could do for him physically, but I don't think that she ever really showed that other side.

I did think that the premise for The Tear Collector was a really unique and original idea. That was the one redeeming quality, it is unfortunate that I didn't enjoy the other main part of this book: the romance.

Ratings (Out of 10):
Plot: 8
Characters: 4
Writing style: 4
Romance: 4
Originality: 10
Total: 30/50 (D-)

The Tear Collector wasn't a book that I particularly enjoyed, but my sister read it as well and liked it. I recommend reading some other reviews before deciding whether to pick it up youself. More reviews will be circulating as the Traveling to Teens blog tour for The Tear Collector continues!

Review: Into the Wild Nerd Yonder by Julie Halpern

Title: Into the Wild Nerd Yonder
Author: Julie Halpern
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Pub. Date: Today! (9/29/09)
Genre: YA
Main Themes: Friendship, Popularity, Love, Peer Pressure
Pages: 224
Plot (from back of ARC):
Life on the Dork Side.
"It's Jessie's sophmore year of high school. A self-professed "mathelete," she isn't sure where she belongs. Her two best friends have transformed themselves into punks and one of them is going after her longtime crush. Her beloved older brother will soon leave for college (and in the meantime has shaved his mohawk and started dating... the Prom Princess!)...
Things are changing fast, Jessie needs new friends. And her quest is a hilarious tour through high school clique-dom, with a surprising stop along the way - the Dungeons and Dragons crowd, who out-nerd everyone. Will hanging out with them make her a nerd, too? And could she really be crushing on a guy with too-short pants and too-white gym shoes?
If you go into the wild nerd yonder, can you ever come back?"

Julie Halpern has written a perfect coming-of-age story told by a quirky heroine that I couldn't help but like!

The plot of Into the Wild Nerd Yonder was adorable, but it wasn't simply a cutesy novel. I was astounded by Julie Halpern's ability to mix heavy social situations and problems with such a seemingly cute coming-of-age story. It makes sense that a coming-of-age story would have messy aspects - after all, there is nothing about growing up that is neat and tidy - but Julie Halpern wove these unsavory aspects into the novel so seamlessy! The author for a way to comment on cliques, sex, STDs, partying, popularity, and more, all while maintaining a story with humorous and witty dialogue and a cute love story!

Jessie's personality and opinion of her surroundings were perfect. In many ways, she reminded me of the main character from the show Freaks and Geeks. Her inner dialogue was extremely easy to relate to, as everyone has experienced losing friends, the unattainable crush, and growing up!

The minor characters in Into the Wild Nerd Yonder were perfectly cast. Barrett was the quintessential older brother, Van was the perfectly villainous older guy and crush, and Henry was the good, adorable guy. Jessie's girl friends were could easily be picked out of the crowd at any high school.

Julie Halpern's writing was witty, humorous and realistic - making Into the Wild Nerd Yonder a novel that hooks you from the first page and doesn't let you go until the last! I think it would be perfect for reluctant readers. It is an predicitable story, but it isn't cliche - just a retelling of every girl's story!

Ratings (Out of 10):
Plot: 9
Characters: 10
Writing: 10
Romance: 10
Originality: 10
Total: 49/50 (A)

I highly recommend Into the Wild Nerd Yonder. It was a quick, cute read, but it made me smile AND think! :)

Review: Soulless by Gail Carriger

Title: Soulless (Book 1 of the Parasol Protectorate Series)
Author: Gail Carriger
Publisher: Orbit
Pub. Date: 9/29/09
Genre: Steampunk/Fantasy/Supernatural/YA-ish
Main Themes: Steampunk, Alternate worlds, Werewolves, Vampires, Spinsters, Love, Murders, Disappearances
Pages: 373
Plot (from back of ARC):
"A COMEDY OF MANNERS SET IN VICTORIAN LONDON. FULL OF WEREWOLVES, VAMPIRES, DIRGIBLES, AND TEA-DRINKING.
Alexia Tarabotti is laboring under a great many social tribulations. First, she has no soul. Second, she's a spinster whose father is both Italian and dead. Third, she was rudely attacked by a vampire, breaking all standards of social etiquette.

Where to go from there? From bad to worse apparently, for Alexia accidentally kills the vampire - and then the appalling Lord Maccon (loud, messy, gorgeous, and werewolf) is sent by Queen Victoria to investigate.

With unexpected vampires appearing and expected vampires disappearing, everyone seems to believe Alexia is responsible. Can she figure out what is actually happening in London's high society? Will her soulless ability to negate supernatural powers prove useful or just plain embarrassing? Finally, who is the real enemy, and do they have treacle tart?"

I'll admit that I have no clue where to start when it comes to writing a review for Soulless! I can easily say that it was one of the most fun and imaginative books I've read this year, but there is just so much more to this book in addition to those details.

I loved the plot of Soulless. There was a perfect mix of romance, supernatural creatures, and mystery. Gail Carriger wove the different elements of Soulless together seamlessly. When I started reading Soulless, I was astounded - each element of the book is so unique and seemingly separate, yet this debut author found a way to them all together into a masterpiece!

The world that Gail Carriger has set her debut novel in is amazing. Alexia brushes shoulders with not characters typical of the Victorian era, but werewolves and vampires as well. I really enjoyed Gail's unique take on the origins of werewolves and vampires. The supernatural aspect that really interested me though was Alexia's own affiction: her lack of soul. When I first read the description, my mind immediately jumped to demon, but Soulless offers a whole new take on what it means to lack a soul...

This is also my first foray into reading steampunk, and I must admit, I'm now intrigued. Soulless explores the ideas of traditional steampunk, which is basically a world that people of the Victorian era envisioned the future to be. Gail's steampunk is unique in that many of the advancements that occur are due to the presence of vampires and werewolves. Some popular steampunk books include: Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman, Airborn by Kenneth Oppel, The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman, and The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick.

Alexia Tarabotti is one of the most exciting and dangerous spinsters I have ever encountered between the covers of a book. She was simply so much fun to read! I was always waiting to see what trouble and inappropriate circumstances she would find herself in next. I especially enjoyed her verbal sparring matches with Lord Maccon. Two of my favorite characteristics of Alexia is her acceptance of her flaws and shortcomings and her confidence in her own abilities. Alexia is a smart, witty, and unique character that makes me proud to be unique as well! Alexia may be living in a time (and world) much different than that of those who will read her story, but she can still teach girls and women of a today a valuable lesson about being yourself, despite being told that who you are isn't fashionable or correct.

The romance in Soulless was wonderfully written. Gail perfectly balanced the social norms of the time with steamy, fun romantic scenes. Despite the fact that they were occuring in Victorian times, the scenes seemed natural. The romance in the book all came together perfectly due to the supernatural aspect of Alexia's world, which made the romance scenes more believable and intense!

Ratings (out of 10):
Plot: 10
Charaters: 10
Writing Style: 10
Romance: 10
Originality: 10

Total: 50/50 (A!)

I can't wait to see what trouble Alexia encounters in the next installment of The Parasol Protectorate, Changeless, which is due out next year from Orbit!

ENTER HERE TO WIN A COPY OF SOULLESS!

Trailer Tuesday (5): The Monstrumologist

Trailer Tuesday is hosted by Bri of WhatBriReads!

This week's trailer is for a new YA release from Rick Yancy. The Monstrumologist was released this month from Simon and Schuster!

Check out the trailer, then read the summary below!



These are the secrets I have kept. This is the trust I never betrayed.

But he is dead now and has been for more than forty years, the one who gave me his trust, the one for whom I kept these secrets.

The one who saved me...and the one who cursed me.

So begins the journal of Will Henry, orphaned assistant to Dr. Pellinore War throp, a man with a most unusual specialty: monstrumology, the study of monsters. In his time with the doctor, Will has met many a mysterious late-night visitor, and seen things he never imagined were real. But when a grave robber comes calling in the middle of the night with a grueso me find, he brings with him their most deadly case yet.

Critically acclaimed author Rick Yancey has written a gothic tour de force that explores the darkest heart of man and monster and asks the question: When does a man become the very thing he hunts?

Review: Candor by Pam Bachorz

Title: Candor
Author: Pam Bachorz
Publisher: Egmont
Pub. Date: Today!! (9/22/09)
Genre: YA
Main themes: Perfection, Love, Family, Subliminal Messages, Conformity
Pages: 249
Plot (from back of ARC):
"STEPFORD MAKES THE PERFECT WIFE, BUT CANDOR TEENS ARE CHANGED FOR LIFE.
Everything is perfect in the town of Candor, Florida. Teens respect their elders, do their chores, and enjoy homework... because they're controlled by subliminal messages. Only Oscar, the son of the town's founder, knows how to get kids out - for a price. But when Nia moves into town, Oscar is smitten. He can't stand to see her changed. Now he must decide to help Nia escape Candor and lose her forever, or keep her close and risk exposure..."

Candor was a wonderful debut from author Pam Bachorz! Filled with suspense, secrets, and forbidden romance, Candor grabbed my attention right from the first chapter!

From the first time I heard about Candor, I was intrigued by the plot. Candor is The Stepford Wives taken to a whole new level! I could definitely see Candor being offered a movie deal in the future. It has all the elements of an amazing big screen hit! I also loved the ideas and questions that Candor raises about conformity and family relations. This novel seems to have a healthy balance of popular appeal as well as deeper meaning.

I'm always a little uncertain when I see books that have a main character that is not the same gender as the author. Perhaps it is unfair of me, but I tend to believe that when it comes to characters, a woman writing a male's point of view simply isn't believeable. Perhaps, that goes more for men writing a female's POV or maybe Pam Bachorz has a gift for understanding the minds of men, but I definitely saw Oscar as realistic.

The romance between Oscar and Nia was well written and fit the plot perfectly. Nia and Oscar are both such perfectly flawed characters - their relationship had just the right amount of passion and insecurity.

Ratings (out of 10):
Plot: 10
Characters: 10
Writing Style: 10
Romance: 10
Originality: 10


Total: 50/50 (A!)

Candor is quick, but satisfying read - and Pam Bachorz is an author to watch! I can definitely see more great novels in her future...

Review: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Title: Catching Fire
Author: Suzanne Collins
Publisher: Scholastic
Pub. Date: 9/1/2009
Genre: YA
Main Themes: Survival, Love, Family, Futuristic worlds, Reality television
Pages: 391
Plot (from book jacket):
SPARKS ARE IGNITING.
FLAMES ARE SPREADING.
AND THE CAPITOL WANTS REVENGE.

Against all odds, Katniss has won the Hunger Games. She and fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark are miraculously still alive. Katniss should be relieved, happy even. After all, she has returned to her family and her longtime friend, Gale. Yet nothing is the way Katniss wishes it to be. Gale holds her at an icy distance. Peeta has turned his back on her completely. And there are whispers of a rebellion against the Capitol - a rebellion that Katniss and Peeta may have helped create.

Much to her shock, Katniss has fueled an unrest she's afraid she cannot stop. And what scares her even more is that she's not entirely convinced she should try. As time draws near for Katniss and Peeta to visit the districts on the Capitol's cruel Victory Tour, the stakes are higher than ever. If they can't prove, without a shadow of a doubt, that they are lost in their love for each other, the consequences will be horrifying.

I absolutely devoured this book. In one night. When I had class at 8 am. There is just no preventing it - so make sure that when you read this book, you have a chunk of time to do so. And you want to read this book, trust me!

Katniss absolutely shines in Catching Fire! She is still very much the survivor readers saw in The Hunger Games. I liked that we saw a little bit more of Katniss' softer side come through in this installment. I love Peeta just as much, if not more, than I did in the first book, but I'm still glad that we got to see a bit more of Gale than before. I can understand why he and Katniss are best friends now, whereas previously I couldn't see what was holding her back from Peeta.

I was dreading the twist in Catching Fire. I had a heads up from a review I'd previously read, but I wasn't sure how Suzanne Collins was going to pull it off. I shouldn't doubted though, Collins seems to be able to pull of anything! :) Sorry if that is extremely cryptic, but I don't want to have any spoilers!

There was some talk of District 13 in this novel and I'm hoping that the rumors will be explored in the next book(s). There are so many directions the next book could go - plus Catching Fire ended in a major cliffhanger! I've got to hand it to Collins, she keeps the readers coming back for more with her intense endings - but it hurts!! :)

Now, on to my favorite aspect of Catching Fire: the romance! I will admit to being a huge fan of Peeta (see my button in my sidebar???!). Gale, though a quality character and guy, just doesn't do it for me. In my eyes, Gale is the childhood crush: there is definitely comfort and familiarity there. Peeta is true and real - Katniss NEEDS him, even if she is denying it! I'm really curious to see where the Peeta-Katniss-Gale love triangle goes in the third book. Especially after that darn cliffhanger!

Ratings (Out of 10):
Plot: 10
Characters: 10
Writing style: 10
Romance: 10
Originality: 10

Total: 50/50 (A!)

I can't wait for Suzanne Collins' next installment in the Hunger Games books! I've high expectations, but I'm really not worried about being disappointed. I'm not sure Suzanne Collins could write a bad book if she tried!

Review: The Sweetheart of Prosper County by Jill S. Alexander

Title: The Sweetheart of Prosper County
Author: Jill S. Alexander
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
Pub. Date: September 1st 2009
Genre: YA
Main Themes: Friendship, Bullying, Self-Esteem, Love, Family, Identity
Pages: 224
Plot (from back of ARC):
"Almost-15-year-old Austin Gray is tired of standing at the curb and watching the parade pass her by. Literally. She decides this is the year she’ll ride on the hood of a shiny pickup truck in the annual parade, waving to the crowd and finally showing the town bully that she’s got what it takes to be the Sweetheart of Prosper County.

But far from simply being a beauty contest, becoming Sweetheart involves participation in the Future Farmers of America (FFA), raising an animal, and hunting or fishing. Austin will do almost anything to become Sweetheart, and has the support of her oldest friend, Maribel, her new FFA friends (including the reigning Sweetheart, and a quiet, cute cowboy), an evangelical Elvis impersonator, a mysterious Cajun outcast, and a rooster named Charles Dickens. If only her momma would stop overprotecting her, and start letting Austin live her own life. But Austin can’t move on until Momma moves on, too—and lets the grief of losing Austin’s daddy several years before out into the open."

This novel is absolutely adorable! That makes it sound a bit like a middle grade book so something, but it really isn't. Austin is young, only fourteen actually, but she really seems older. Everytime that attention was drawn to her age and I remembered she was only 14 I was a bit startled actually. While she isn't the most mature character, she definitely didn't seem that young.

I was never in FFA, but I'm from a small town where FFA is a bit of tradition, and in ways a lifestyle, for many families and kids. Reading about Austin's adventures in chicken-raising made me wonder if a missed out a little!

I was pleasantly surprised by the references to noodling and Matthew McConaughey! I know what you're thinking, "that is such a random comment to have in a review!" But it is true. One of the best parts about The Sweetheart of Prosper County was that it was so well rounded. There were all sorts of references: FFA, southern, current/pop culture references all blended together to make Austin's world believeable.

Austin was definitely the star of this novel, but the minor characters helped it shine! Charles Dickens the Rooster, Maribel, Lewis, Josh, and Sundi all were amazing characters, no matter how big or small their part in the novel.

I thought Austin's friendships and budding romance were believable and well written. There was even a subtle sexual reference that I thought was tastefully done and reflected Austin's age and personality well...

Ratings (Out of 10):
Plot: 10
Characters: 10
Writing style: 10
Romance: 10
Originality: 10
Total: 50/50 (A!)

I loved Austin and her quest to become a Sweetheart - even though I think she was a Sweetheart all along! Jill S. Alexander is an author to watch - I can't wait for her next novel!