The Dead of Winter – Chris Priestley

Posted on December 23, 2011 by EHL

This Victorian ghost story is chock full of metaphors and similes.  Michael’s father sacrificed his life for his commander, Sir Stephen.  Feeling guilt, Sir Stephen became a benefactor to Michael and his mother.  Upon his mother’s death, Michael is instructed to live with Sir Stephen at his estate, Hawton Mere.  This  creepy old estate is surrounded by a moat and marshland.  Very desolate.  Michael sees his first ghost as his carriage approaches his new home.  The story and suspense build slowly with the appropriate moaning and thumping that every haunted house should possess.  The bulk of the action occurs at the end of the book.  Michael writes the story as if a memoir and directly addresses the reader.  The inherent evil in the estate is a constant thread in the story but the root of the evil doesn’t extend past the current generation. The cover art will surely attract readers to this classic Victorian ghost story. 

Netgalley review  Publication date 01.31.12

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The Mighty Miss Malone – Christopher Paul Curtis

Posted on December 22, 2011 by EHL

Mr. Curtis’s newest has award winner written all over it.  Set during the Depression, we become one of the Malone family, facing their heartaches, struggles, and joys.  The story opens in Gary, Indiana, where the family is intact, but very poor.  Deza has wonderful parents and an older brother with a beautiful singing voice.  Deza excels in school and longs to be a writer.  As the Depression deepens, and her father’s unemployment and accident cause the family to become homeless, we see and feel their pain.  It is the family values, the importance of honesty and integrity, and taking joy from the smallest things that comes across so clearly in this story.  Deza’s voice is full of optimism even when times are at their worst.  This is an example of how literature can teach what a textbook cannot.  Any study of the Depression should include stories like this so today’s students can deepen their understanding.  Mr. Curtis’s writing excels again.

Netgalley review  Publication date 01.10.12

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Tempest – Julie Cross

Posted on December 22, 2011 by EHL

Tempest is a time traveling, conspiracy theory, whirlwind novel.  Jackson discovers his time traveling abilities somewhat by accident, but is only able to jump back a few hours or days at a time at first before having to “tag up” and return to his real time.  One day, two evil time travelers burst in, attempting to kidnap him.  During the struggle, his girlfriend, Holly, is fatally shot.  Jackson panics and ends up time jumping back two years, unable to return to his real time in 2009.  He has to carve a life for himself in the recent past of 2007 where he must win over Holly again.  Jackson must find a way forward to 2009, to save Holly.  He discovers the truth about his abilities, his secretive and controlling father, and the politics of the time traveling game.  Tempest is fast-paced, with plot twists, conspiracies, and parallel universe theories intertwined. The first in a planned trilogy, this novel does answer immediate questions, but plenty is left to be discovered and savored in future books.

Netgalley review  Publication date 01.17.12

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Legend – Marie Lu

Posted on December 18, 2011 by EHL

Legend is receiving a great deal of publisher publicity and deservedly so.  The formula is the same as in so many young adult dystopian novels:  oppressive government creating a bleak existence for the masses and teens are the catalyst for change.  Legend succeeds in delivering a pulse-pounding story with two complex and likeable teen heroes.  Set so far into the future that the country now known as The United States is the stuff of myth and legend.  The western half of the continent is the Republic with the story’s action taking place in a flooded Los Angeles.  They have been at war with the Colonies for many years.  The novel tells the story in the alternating voices of two teen catalysts.  Day is a Robin Hood of sorts desperate to save his plague-stricken younger brother.  June is the genius military protégé assigned to capture Day after he attempts to steal the plague cure for his brother.  I was emotionally invested in Legend after the first few chapters when the author cruelly murdered a character I decided I would really like.  Gritty and intense with a tightly written plot, this book will be a hit.  I hope the young author has a long and productive writing career.  Movie rights have already been sold.

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The Death of King Arthur – retelling by Peter Ackroyd

Posted on December 18, 2011 by EHL

The readable retelling of Sir Thomas Malory’s classic, Le Morte D’Arthur, introduces the cast of characters in Arthurian tales.  I particularly enjoyed reading the introduction about Sir Thomas Malory and the colorful life that he led.   Peter Ackroyd includes all of the essential Arthurian tales from Malory’s book and follows Malory’s format, but using straightforward prose.  When the knights feel like fighting they get right to it with plenty of quick deaths by beheading.   The narrative is succinct and crisply flows from one story to the next.  I initially intended to pick and choose a few of the tales but ended up reading the book straight through.  I was caught in a cascading waterfall of stories, blissfully floating and tumbling from tale to tale.  Malory’s classic and this retelling, provide the Arthurian framework for embellishment by countless authors over the years.  I highly recommend reading this retelling as an overview of the traditional Arthurian legends.  Teens interested in a more in-depth series of Arthurian legends, try Gerald Morris’s The Squire’s Tales series.  A viewing of Monty Python and the Holy Grail is an absolute must when reading anything to do with King Arthur. 

Netgalley review  Publication date 11.14.11

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Blank Confession – Pete Hautman

Posted on December 15, 2011 by EHL

This quick read packs a punch.  I can see needing an extra copy or two for the library to meet demand.   Shayne Blank has attended several different high schools.  He meets Mikey, a small-in-stature yet smart mouthed, quirky classmate.  Mikey is being bullied by his sister’s boyfriend who is also a drug pusher in school.  Shayne acts as vigilante, out to protect the weak against the cruel.  The story is told in the alternating voices of Mikey and Detective Rawls who is taking Shayne’s murder confession.  The story begins with Shayne showing up at a police station saying he murdered someone.  As the story unfolds, we see what really happened.   Hmmm – is the main character named Shayne after Shane, the 1953 movie starring Alan Ladd?

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Under the Never Sky – Veronica Rossi

Posted on December 11, 2011 by EHL

Ahhh, this is a good dystopian novel!   I finished it days ago and the story continues to linger with me. The premise is familiar: Earth as we know it has undergone change, the evolved humans (Dwellers) live in an oppressively controlled society, protected from the elements while sporadic tribes live a more savage existence fighting the elements for survival.  Dangerous Aether is ever present, swirling amidst the clouds, gathering energy to strike.  The description of Aether leaves me with images of the northern lights turning into tornadic lightning.  Aria lives a carefree existence in the protective pods, living in the virtual worlds created for the society.  An incident leads to her cruelly being dumped into the outside world, exiled, with no survival skills.  An outsider, Perry, comes to her aide somewhat reluctantly.  His nephew was abducted by the Dwellers and he intends to use Aria’s knowledge to get his nephew back.  The novel alternates between Aria’s and Perry’s point of view.  The story is well conceived and executed with an even pace punctuated with bursts of danger.  The dialogue is crisp, the descriptions are vivid, and the characters are vulnerable yet strong.  I approve of the ending and hope there will be a sequel.

Netgalley review  Publication date 1.03.12

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Don’t You Wish – Roxanne St. Claire

Posted on December 11, 2011 by EHL

This novel is another version of the plain, quiet, bullied girl becoming beautiful, popular and shallow then learning a lesson in the transformation.  The plot vehicle in this story involves a bit of quantum physics and an alternate universe to make for a nice twist.  Annie Nutter turns into Ayla Monroe when her mother starts to wonder what would have happened if she had married a rich plastic surgeon instead of a struggling inventor.  A flash from her father’s odd invention causes Annie to find out what her life would be like if she had a different father – one who is rich and successful.  It is a well written story and should be popular with teens looking for a light read.

Netgalley review  Publication date 7.10.12

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Hidden – Helen Frost

Posted on December 7, 2011 by EHL

Another beautifully written lyrical book by Helen Frost.  Told in two voices with different formats.  When Wren was 8, she stayed in the back seat of the car while her mom went into the store for a moment.  She heard a gunshot and immediately crouched down, seconds later a man got into her car and drove off unaware of Wren.  Her voice is in free verse.  Darra, age 8, is the daughter of the man who stole the car and parked it in their garage.  Her voice is in longer lines that piece together to tell even more of her story.  Six years after the incident, the girls are at summer camp and recognize each other by their names.  Do they bury their past or confront it?  Be sure to read the pages at the end of the book, Diving Deeper:  Notes on Form.  This is a quick read and captivating.

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Dark Eden – Patrick Carmen

Posted on December 7, 2011 by EHL

I have mixed feelings about this book, but on the whole it was a good read.  The premise is simple:   Will Besting and six other teens are sent to Fort Eden, a reclusive camp, for intensive psychotherapy.  Each of the teenagers has a severe phobia and traditional therapy, delivered by the same therapist, has done little to help.  At Fort Eden, Will hides out in the bomb shelter and views all the treatments from a bank of monitors.  The treatments require the patients to experience their greatest fears, and leave the teens with odd, lingering side effects.  Although the premise is unique, I felt the plot didn’t go as far and deep as it could have.  Once all secrets of Fort Eden were revealed to Will, he didn’t really do anything with them.  Nevertheless, the book is sure to find an audience.

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Stolen Away – Alyxandra Harvey

Posted on December 3, 2011 by EHL

I enjoyed reading Stolen Away and hope there will be more to come.  Eloise has no idea that her mysterious aunt Antonia is the bride of the current Faery king.  He was supposed to rule the Faery courts for seven years, but greed and power got the best of him and he wants a longer rule.  In order to extend his rule, he must wrestle power from Antonia who has hidden herself away from the Faerie.  What’s a king to do?  He kidnaps Eloise knowing Antonia will attempt a rescue.  To tell anything more about the plot will spoil it for the readers.  I love the characters in the book.  The three teens involved are the three musketeers, out to save the day.  They are no nonsense, tough and wise cracking.  No simpering whininess but a get-it-done approach to right the wrongs created by the messed up world of Faery.  Both girls have a romantic interest and I approve of their choices!  It is their male friend, Devin that I really like.  The girls drag Devin into the rescue attempt and he is almost drowned by a kelpie.  Typical Devin:

 “So, you get a Fae prince, El gets a hawk, and I get a psychotic water horse who tries to kill me?  How is that fair?” . . .  “You guys haven’t even read Lord of the Rings,” he said again, disgusted. 

The author includes great dialog, brilliant characters, a tinge of romance, and plenty of action (fighting) that leads to a heck of a climax and sets everything up for more.  Stolen Away is the perfect Faery book for tweens, teens and adults.  There is romance, but not over-the-top lusting.

NetGalley review.  Publication date:  01.17.12

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Delirium – Lauren Oliver

Posted on December 3, 2011 by EHL

Controlling emotions, specifically love, is the best way to solve the problems in society.  Around 18, everyone gets a bit of brain surgery to remove the emotion center ridding people of the highs and lows of love.  No more passion, no more heartache.  Lena is looking forward to the surgery because she does not want to succumb to deliria nervosa as her older sister and her mother did.  Then along comes a boy and she feels the power of love . . .

This was the hot YA dystopian forbidden love story published in January 2011 and reviewed and blogged about all spring.  I wanted to wait to read it until the sequel, Pandemonium, is closer to release (March 2012).  Oliver’s writing is exquisite.  Every word appears to have been so carefully pondered.  The nuances in her writing stand out.

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Feynman – Otaviani & Myrick

Posted on November 27, 2011 by EHL

The graphic novel format introduces teen readers to my favorite scientist, Dr. Richard Feynman.  I wrote a little about Feynman’s autobiographies under the biography tab.  He led a dynamic life and this graphic novel, written by Jim Ottaviani and illustrated by Leland Myrick, does an excellent job of retelling his rich and colorful life.  Feynman’s many scientific accomplishments as well as the highs and lows in his life are covered in 248 pages plus a not-to-be-missed bibliography.  After reading the graphic novel, I hope readers will want to listen to Feynman’s lectures and read his autobiographies.  It is obvious that the author is a huge fan of Feynman and of science.  Brilliantly done!  To view a brief video intro to the book and hear Feynman playing the bongos, click on either the publisher’s website or the author’s website .

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Icefall – Matthew J. Kirby

Posted on November 27, 2011 by EHL

I love Viking books and this is now one of my favorites.  Solveig is the oft-forgotten second daughter of a Viking king.  The king’s oldest daughter, Asa, is beautiful and his young son will be his heir, so he has no need of Solveig.  Rival king Gunnlaug declares war because he wants beautiful Asa for his wife and the king refuses.  The king whisks his children to the safety of a remote holding in a hidden fjord with a few servants and his berserker troops to defend them just before they are iced in for the long winter.  Alric, the king’s skald/bard/storyteller  arrives as well and he teaches Solveig to become a skald.  During the difficult months of dwindling supplies and dying men, the Vikings take comfort in stories of their gods and warriors.  Traitors and treachery come to play and yield an exciting climax.  Icefall is more than a glimpse at Viking culture; it is the story of Solveig discovering her own strength and worth.  This book has berserkers for all the berserker fans but this is the first that I’ve read that portrays the berserkers as complex men, not just fighting machines.  Hake is the leader of the berserkers.  Who wouldn’t want this bear of a man responsible for their safety?  He is the father figure that Solveig never had in the king.  I highly recommend this book for the richness of the landscape, the characters, the plot and action.  Readers who enjoy Farmer’s Sea of Trolls or Cadnum’s Raven of the Waves will also enjoy Icefall.

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Incarnate – Jodi Meadows

Posted on November 21, 2011 by EHL

I was eager to read this book because of the interesting premise.  One million souls populate the land and they have been reborn for five thousand years retaining their memories.  Death is not the end, until Ana is born.  Everyone expected Ciana to be reborn but it appears when Ciana died, she died forever.  Ana is a nosoul/newsoul.  Raised in isolation by a resentful and cruel mother, Ana finally leaves home for the big city of Heart to find answers.  How are souls reborn and what caused her existence?  Just one day into her journey, she runs into trouble and meets Sam after he saves her life.  They take turns saving each other for the rest of the book.  Sam becomes her love interest and protector.  They face dangers from the sylphs whose touch leaves horrific burns, to the dragons that slobber acid, to the humans who despise her.  So many citizens of Heart resent Ana for what she represents, perhaps an end to their immortality.  Sam and Ana are well drawn complex characters.  The pacing of the story is excellent.  Never a dull moment.  Love the butterfly analogy. Overall, it is a good story that should be a hit with teens.  The minutiae in this book nag at me though – Do all million souls have permanent residences within Heart where everything is within walking distance?  There are references to other lands; do some of the souls reside there?  Sam has been killed by dragons many times yet why is he always in the open when dragons attack?  It’d take just once being killed by a dragon and I’d duck and cover for the rest of my lives.  That’s just the tip of the iceberg.  So many questions are not answered.  Then again, it could be the answers will come with the next two books in the trilogy that I hope to read.  The book presents an interesting premise, a world filled with immortality and the ideas presented will linger with me for some time.  How would you live your life differently if you knew you’d be reborn and retain your skills and memories?  And how would that society evolve?  Reminds me somewhat of Philip Jose’ Farmer’s brilliant Riverworld series (adult ).

Galley review – Publication date 1.31.12

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