The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong Book Review

The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong
(HarperCollins, Hardcover, April 2010)
Rating:

In this third volume of Kelley Armstrong's Darkest Powers trilogy, Chloe is finally beginning to control her ability to raise the dead.  The usual cast of characters—Simon, Derek, and Tori—are with her at a safe house and as they began to unravel the mystery of the Edison Group, Chloe also begins to sort out her feelings for Simon and Derek.

I was hooked on this series after reading the first book, The Summoning.  I loved the whole idea of a psychiatric ward for teens being a front for kids with supernatural powers.  Over the course of the series, Chloe has gradually become more comfortable with her necromancy skills, scary as they are.  While the second book in the series, The Awakening, fell a little flat for me as it served only to get Chloe and her friends from Point A to Point B with little character or plot development, this third volume has a lot to offer.  I enjoyed reading about Chloe's developing feelings for Derek and about her growing confidence in her supernatural abilities.

However...and this isn't a flaw at all, just an observation...I felt like there was more to Chloe's story.  The ending was satisfying, action packed, and closed a lot of plot lines, but throughout this third book, several clues were dropped that perhaps this won't be the last book in the series.  For example, Margaret, one of the adults who takes Chloe and her friends in, looks scared when Chloe mentions that the stone in her protective necklace changed colors, but we never find out what the changing colors means.  Also, there are several allusions that the Edison Group isn't the only group that Chloe needs to fear.  Finally, Chloe meets a demon at one point and his parting words made me think that it wasn't the last she would see of him.  I don't mean to imply that this trilogy doesn't feel finished, just that it would be great to extend it into a four or five book series.  One can only wish.  :)

The Unwritten Rule by Elizabeth Scott Book Review

The Unwritten Rule by Elizabeth Scott
(Simon Pulse, Hardcover, April 2010)
Rating:

Among girlfriends, there is one unwritten rule - do not steal your best friend's boyfriend.  When Brianna starts dating Ryan, Sarah is crushed because she's liked Ryan for years.  Sarah doesn't intend to steal Ryan from Brianna but as the three begin to hang out more, it's obvious Ryan and Brianna's relationship isn't great.  So when Sarah finds out that Ryan likes her back, she kisses him, twice.  Can Sarah and Brianna's friendship survive this and is Ryan worth it?

I've been a big fan of Elizabeth Scott's writing ever since her first book, Bloom.  Her characters are real and endearingly flawed.  In The Unwritten Rule, Sarah is insecure and she feels lucky that Brianna is her best friend.  Though Brianna constantly puts Sarah down, Sarah takes it because, without Brianna, she feels lost.  And as for Ryan, let's just say that I enjoyed reading a book where the boy wasn't portrayed as this evil person breaking up a friendship.  The Unwritten Rule is an absorbing novel about growing up, finding your own way, and the importance of breaking some rules.

Make a Wish: Books about wishes

In my last post, I reviewed three books that dealt with covert operations. It was fun to review three books at once, so I thought I'd continue with the themed reviews. Now, I turn my attention to two books that I kept getting confused before I read them. Blame it on the titles and the blue covers.

If you were given three wishes, what would you wish for?

***

As You Wish by Jackson Pearce
(Hardcover, HarperTeen, September 2009)

When Viola's boyfriend breaks up with her, Viola feels like her whole person is broken. She no longer fits in at school. When she makes a wish to belong, a jinn appears in her room, saying that he will grant her three wishes. But as Viola's wishes dwindle down, she realizes that her main wish is to always be with Jinn. As You Wish is a thoroughly enjoyable look at what really happens when wishes come true. Viola's revelations about friendship and about herself come across as genuine and heartfelt and the ending will leave you wishing that a jinn would come grant you three wishes.

Wish by Alexandra Bullen

(Hardcover, Scholastic Point, January 2010)

Life isn't worth living for Olivia when her twin sister, Violet, dies. Then she comes across a seamstress who makes her magical dresses—dresses that make wishes come true. Olivia wishes for Violet to come back and the next thing she knows, her ghost of a sister is following her around. With Violet back in her life, Olivia doesn't need any more wishes. Touching and heartbreaking, Olivia's story is a glimpse into a family trying to cope after the loss of a child and sister. Wish is filled with the normal teenage drama but it offers a tear-jerking twist and forces the reader to acknowledge that magic can only do so much to make us whole again.

***

Even though these books have similar titles and covers, they each deal with wishes in a different manner. Whereas the magical seamstress in Wish appears sparingly, the jinn in As You Wish is one of the main characters. As You Wish is a lighthearted look at fairy tales, as opposed to Wish which takes on the darker subject of death and how our lives change when we lose someone we love. If you're looking for similarities, interestingly, the main character of As You Wish is named Viola and the dead twin sister in Wish is named Violet. Neither book seemed as if it was the start of a series; although, Wish does have a beautiful epilogue that leaves open the possibility of a sequel.

Brand-New Emily by Ginger Rue Book Review

Brand-New Emily by Ginger Rue
(Tricycle Press, Hardcover, 2009)
Rating:

Emily Wood's year at a new middle school isn't starting off so hot.  Somehow she's already made enemies with the popular clique - The Daisies.  Sick of being bullied, Emily decides to make over her image by hiring a top notch public relations firm.  Now, she's wearing the hottest clothes, "dating" a movie star, and hanging out with high schoolers.  The ruse may be working, but Emily soon finds out that being popular is hard work.

Brand-New Emily is a cute, eye-opening look at teen popularity.  It was fascinating to read about the marketing tactics that are used on teens, from how certain clothes become fashionable to how powerful and tricky brand loyalty can be. Emily's transformation to "Em" was well-written and believable.  The plot may sound unbelieveable, but Ginger Rue writes it with humor and a down-to-earth tone that makes the book a page-turner from beginning to end.  I can easily see this being made into a movie.  Add a few years to Emily's age and you have the makings of a modern "Clueless" or "Mean Girls."

Evermore by Alyson Noel Book Review

Evermore by Alyson Noel
(Paperback, St. Martin's Griffin, 2009)
Rating:

Ever used to be a normal teenager - cheerleader, one of the most popular girls in school, always showing off her long blonde hair. When an accident killed her parents and almost killed her, Ever started to see people's auras and now she goes out of her way to avoid contact with anyone. High school, for Ever, is just a loud mesh of voices and feelings and it's too much for her to bear. Then she meets Damen, a mysterious, rich boy who makes the world go quiet when he touches her. But who is Damen and he is really good for Ever?

I've been on a supernatural kick this summer and Evermore kept jumping out at me from the bookshelves. The cover is so beautiful that I just couldn't resist. Written in present tense, this novel has a feeling of immediacy that made it hard to put down. Not only is Ever confronted with this new ability to see auras, but she is also surrounded by people with secrets and it's hard for her to know who to trust. Damen seems wonderful. He is the only one who can shut out the sounds around Ever, but he disappears for long periods of time and Ever knows that he's not telling her everything. My favorite character, though, is Riley, Ever's sister who is now a ghost. Riley is spooky and unnerving, yet compelling in an annoying younger sister sort of way. All in all, this was an exciting book and I'm looking forward to reading the sequel, Blue Moon.

Playing With the Boys by Liz Tigelaar Book Review

Playing With the Boys by Liz Tigelaar
(Paperback, Razorbill, $8.99)
Rating:

Lucy Malone is a soccer player. So when she moves to a new town and tries out for her school's team, she's devastated when she doesn't make the cut. Lucy is convinced that soccer was her only chance to make new friends. Then the soccer coach suggests that she try out for place kicker on the boy's football team. With nothing to lose, Lucy tries out...and puts the boys to shame! Now Lucy is battling against the football coach, her teammates, and her dad to keep her spot on the team.

I can't believe I waited so long to read this book! I loved Liz Tigelaar's Pretty Tough about two sisters who try out for the same soccer team. Before I read Pretty Tough, I didn't know much about soccer. Playing With the Boys was pretty much the same experience but insert football as the sport. Luckily, Liz writes about sports in a way that even the most clueless will be able to follow along. Lucy plays football but her story really centers around her new friendships, crushing on the wrong boy, and finding her place at a new school. It's all about girl bonding and girl power. As with her first book, Liz Tigelaar shows that you can be pretty and tough.

Read Little Willow's 2008 interview with Liz.

The Demon's Lexicon by Sarah Rees Brennan Book Review

The Demon's Lexicon by Sarah Rees Brennan
(McElderry Books, Hardcover, 2009)
Rating:

Nick and his brother Alan have always relied only on each other. Ever since their dad died at the hands of a magician, the two have taken care of each other and stayed one step ahead of the evil magicians. That changes when Mae and Jamie come to Nick for help. Jamie has been marked by a demon and Nick and Alan are his only hope. Nick is so used to walling himself off from people that he is caught off guard by his feelings for Mae. But more importantly, he needs to protect Alan from the magicians that are seeking them.

Nick's isolated nature comes through the page and, at first, I found it hard to connect with him as a character. He pushes everyone away from him and his attitude towards Jamie and Mae was so frustrating. It was easy to get wrapped up in the setting and the magic of the story and then Nick would say or do something to make me want to shake him. As the story unravels, Nick's dislike of people is explained and my earlier inability to connect with him seemed like pure genius on the part of Sarah Rees Brennan. Alan, Mae, and Jamie are easy to like characters and I want to know the rest of their story. And as for Nick, well, I have a feeling that I'll be able to connect better with him in the sequel. The demons and magic in this story are seductive and dark. It was no stretch of the imagination to believe that the world depended on Nick and Alan's actions. Given the exciting ending, it will definitely be interesting to see where Sarah Rees Brennan takes the story next.

Academy 7 by Anne Osterlund Book Review

Academy 7 by Anne Osterlund
(Penguin Speak, Paperback, 2009)
Rating:

Aerin and Dane are both captives, Aerin to her past and Dane to his position in society. When the two meet at Academy 7, the attraction is undeniable. At first the two are competitors, vying for the top spot at the prestigious school. But secrets from their parents' time at the school threaten their lives and the two turn to each other in friendship. Set in an indeterminate future, Academy 7 portrays a budding romance between two teens caught in the middle of a political mystery.

Aurelia, Anne Osterlund's first novel, is a fantasy, full of court intrique. Academy 7 has many of the same elements, a friendship between two unlikely people, romance, and an underlying philosophical take on world politics. Normally, I don't like science fiction. However, this book really captured my imagination. The chemistry between Aerin and Dane jumps off the page and I enjoyed the way that they both challenged and comforted each other. As with Aurelia, I want to know more about their world and about their past and I hope that Anne Osterlund writes a sequel. This is definitely a novel that I could see being spun into a series. Don't get me wrong though - the ending was very satisfying! I highly recommend this book even if, like me, science fiction isn't normally your thing.

Isabelle's Boyfriend by Caroline Hickey Book Review

Isabelle's Boyfriend by Caroline Hickey
(Roaring Brook Press, Hardcover, 2008)
Rating:

While walking her dog one snowy day, Taryn meets the perfect guy. Epp is cute, he flirts with her, and he even likes her dog. The only problem is that he has a girlfriend. When Taryn's best friend comes up with a plan for her to win over Epp's affections, Taryn uneasily goes along with it. Before she knows it, she's up to her neck in lies, double dates, and misunderstandings. Is Epp really worth all this trouble?

Although this book is set in the winter, it made a great summer afternoon read. It was well written, fast paced and full of drama. Taryn is a likable character, just dipping her feet into crushes and dating. Family and friendship issues make this book a thoughtful read, and Taryn's attitude towards relationships and drinking makes it a clean read as well. Isabelle (Epp's girlfriend) is a three-dimensional character with faults and strengths, and there isn't that annoying scene where, in an overdone and unrealistic way, everyone finds out Taryn has lied. Not to say that Taryn gets off scott free, but the "big reveal" is done in a classy, true to real life way. Kudos to Caroline Hickey for twisting the old love triangle into something new and interesting.

Being Nikki by Meg Cabot Book Review

Being Nikki by Meg Cabot
(Scholastic Point, Hardcover, May 2009)
Rating:

**Warning: If you haven't read the first book in this trilogy, Airhead, then you may want to read it first. This review contains spoilers for Airhead.**

Em Watts used to be a plain girl, one who preferred playing video games over flirting with boys. Then a horrible accident happened and, suddenly, Em found herself in the body of a supermodel, a girl who had boys falling all over her. The trouble is that Em really isn't supermodel material and her new life is not so wonderful. She can't tell the boy that she likes who she really is, she hardly ever sees her family and, worst of all, she's convinced that the company that transplanted her brain into supermodel Nikki's body will stop at nothing to keep the surgery a secret.

Normally, I stay away from science fiction. It's just not really my thing. I'm more of a real life or fantasy type of girl. But I'll read anything that Meg Cabot writes. Last year, I read (and reviewed!) Airhead, which is the first book in this trilogy, and I was completely hooked. Em Watts is a smart, sarcastic, totally believable heroine who is making the best of a bad situation. There's something so funny about watching her try to navigate the world of a shallow, selfish supermodel. Being Nikki continues Em's story, although now we discover that she has a brother on a mission to find their lost mother. Well, Nikki has a brother but since Em's brain is in Nikki's body, then we'll say that Steven is Em's brother. (I promise it's not at all confusing when you read the book!) Things also heat up between Em and Christopher, with a particular scene that will both frustrate you and make you cheer for Em all at once. Because this book is the second in a planned trilogy, many story lines are left unfinished. However, a major revelation at the end will leave the reader reeling and wishing for a copy of Runaway, the final novel in the series.

Storm Glass by Maria V. Snyder Book Review

Storm Glass by Maria V. Snyder
(MIRA, Paperback, April 2009)
Rating:

Opal is a glassmaker who blows magic into her creations. These creations have become famous all over Sitia and are used as messengers for the Council's magicians. Self-doubt plagues Opal though and when she can't produce magic in any other way, she worries that she is a One-Trick-Wonder. When she is sent on a mission to help the Stormdance Clan, Opal learns that her magic does have other manifestations, some of which have horrible consequences and cause her to become the target of an evil magician. With a little help from her friends, Opal must rely on her magic to help her overcome her fears and save Sitia.

Storm Glass contains all the elements that I loved in Maria V. Snyder's Study series—strong heroines, a dash of romance, questionable alliances, exciting magic, and adventure galore. Although she is very different from the Study series' heroine Yelena, Opal shares an insecurity about her magic and a penchant for getting into trouble that made it easy to draw parallels. It was fascinating to learn about glassmaking and Snyder easily breathes magic into that craft. Storm Glass has cameo appearances from some of my favorite Study characters, so fans of Snyder's previous books will enjoy this new series. I will indulge in one spoiler...in my mind, the men in this book don't hold a candle to Valek. (What can I say, he's my literary crush!) Opal's story is riveting though, and this book left me wishing desperately that I could read Sea Glass, the second book in the series. Alas, I'll just have to wait until September when it's published.

Read my reviews of Maria's other books...
Poison Study
Magic Study
Fire Study

Visit Maria's website. She's got some great companion short stories on her website.