Annette's Book Spot

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Book Review: Mystic City, by Theo Lawrence @tlawrencebooks

Whew! Mystic City is riveting. I really connected with the characters and especially the world.

The setting is a future/alternate New York City. Because of global warming and other things (wars, explosions) the city is under water. There are bridges that connect the sky scrapers so people can get around. There's a definite caste system. Aria is the daughter of one of the most prestigious and political families. She's the fiance of Thomas, the son of the other family with power.

The only problem is that she doesn't remember Thomas. She doesn't remember being in love with him. She overdosed on Stic, an illegal drug made of distilled mystic energy, and almost died. She also lost her memories of Thomas. But only Thomas. She remembers her friends, her family and everything else. Isn't that strange? Yes. It is strange. And Aria very soon realizes that something isn't right.

She decides to visit the Depths, where the mystics live. These magical people are required to be drained of power every year and must live in the Depths, so that their magic cannot harm humans. Aria is saved from a mugging by Hunter, a mystic, and feels a very strong connection to him. She begins a clandestine relationship with Hunter, and he, along with other characters, helps Aria realize that everything she believes to be true about her world is not at all accurate. Aria has some tough decisions to make, and if she could only get her memory back, it seems like it would be easier to decide.

The world is hot, dark, and wet. The references to popular landmarks in New York made it seem real, although this is a very different New York. Aria goes from naive rich girl to "rebel with a cause" very quickly, but it is believable. Hunter is perfect -- of course. Both the characters and the cause are easy to root for. The villains - you won't know who they are - are absolutely horrific.

I did find that I was able to figure out some (but not all) of the twists before they occurred, but I still thoroughly enjoyed reading Mystic City. I had trouble putting it down. I was reading this during the Cardinals' playoff game! That's how compelling Mystic City is.

Mystic City is a Romeo & Juliet story that reminded me of Legend (probably my favorite dystopian ever). It has tension somewhat like Divergent. Because of the New York City setting, I was reminded of Partials. I would highly recommend Mystic City to fans of dystopian fiction -- an excellent addition to the genre.

Published by Delacorte, October 9, 2012
eARC obtained from NetGalley
416 pages

Rating: 4.5/5

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Book Review: The Opposite of Hallelujah, by Anna Jarzab

I just don't know about The Opposite of Hallelujah. Good writing, decent characters, interesting premise. But, it was so looooooong, and really nothing happens until the last 1/4 of the book.

Caro's sister, who has been in a convent for over 10 years (and left when Caro was 8 years old) is leaving the convent and coming back home to live. Caro doesn't know her sister, Hannah, who is now 27, and doesn't feel any great attachment to her.

When Hannah comes home, there is obviously something wrong. She doesn't eat. She sleeps all the time and barely comes out of her room. (Can you say "depression?")

There are things from Hannah's past that Caro figures out -- at least parts of it -- from reading what Hannah wrote when she was young. Caro's parents won't tell her anything. Caro wants to solve the mystery and figure out what's up with Hannah.

There's a romance. A new boy at school who Hannah starts seeing. It's a rocky relationship, with ups and downs, and I guess it was OK. But it didn't really add much to the story. Caro has friends, but she keeps them so far from her family problems that they really don't mean anything in the novel -- except when it comes to the partying (more about that in a minute.)

The best part of the story is that Caro decides to confide in Father Dan, a priest at their church. Neither Caro or her parents are devout. I really liked the discussions that they had. It was the best part of The Opposite of Hallelujah for me -- a lot of philosophizing and talking about beliefs. I love all the references to M.C. Escher. It wasn't preachy, but there is some discussion of belief in God, so if that turns you off, stay away from The Opposite of Hallelujah.

I am happy that Caro's parents were very involved in their children's lives and tried to do what was right. I really didn't like that they were so stupid. They didn't understand why Caro wasn't all excited about Hannah's return. They were so stupid about the relationship between the sisters. They didn't really do anything (except talk) for Hannah, when she was obviously having serious problems.

It took 350 pages for the problem to get serious enough that something actually happened. The last 100 pages were the entire story. I almost gave up on The Opposite of Hallelujah, but I got through it, even though I KNEW what was likely to happen. Entirely predictable. I guess I was hoping for a surprise or twist. Nope.

I rarely give content warnings about books. I live with teens every day. I know they drink, swear, and have sex. And guess what? THEY know it too. So, there's a lot of casual, no big deal, "drinking on the weekends" kind of partying in The Opposite of Hallelujah. Cara is a "straight A" student. No one ever drives when they are drunk. But they pretty much get drunk on the weekends. *gets on soapbox* By the time a kid is in high school, most of them have decided whether they are going to drink or not. If they haven't decided, they will succumb to peer pressure, NOT what's in a book! If teens don't drink, they still know that a lot of teens DO drink. They have chosen not to. And reading about teen drinking in a book isn't going to change their minds. It's just a realistic story about teens. Not all teens, but some teens. And they all know that. Give them some credit. So, I wouldn't keep this book from teens because of the drinking. *steps off soapbox.*

However, I will have a hard time recommending this book to teens because of its length. The Opposite of Hallelujah just never grabbed me, or made me feel any kind of anticipation or emotion. This is an ARC, so my only hope is that there is some severe editing in the final copy, but I know that isn't likely.

Published by Delacorte, October 9, 2012
ARC obtained from NetGalley
464 pages

Rating: 2/5

Monday, October 15, 2012

Audio Book Review: Cleopatra's Moon, by Vicky Alvear Shecter @valvearshecter

The combination of the historical Egyptian/Roman setting and the voice of the narrator made every second of Cleopatra's Moon pure enjoyment.

You can search through my blog and you will probably not find these words in any review I've ever written: I want to read this again. That's right. I've said it. Cleopatra's Moon was so good that I could actually read it again. (Even with 100s of books in my TBR!)

Cleopatra Selene is the daughter of "the" Queen Cleopatra of Egypt and Mark Antony. We are told the story from Selene's perspective, as she watches her mother and father lose Egypt to Octavianus, the brother of Mark Antony's first wife and Caesar's heir.

Cleopatra's Moon is a tragedy. Selene literally loses everything and everyone and lives in fear throughout most of the story. But I found her character captivating. It is very interesting to watch Selene grow from a spoiled little princess who doesn't understand anything about the real world to a strong teenage woman fighting for survival, as well as her heritage. The Egyptian customs were fascinating, and I especially enjoyed Selene's impressions of Rome after having lived in Alexandria. She wasn't impressed, to say the least. She also starts out thinking "everything will work out, and I will be rescued," but eventually realizes, "I'm going to have to do something myself if I'm going to change my destiny."

Selene is very clever, and although not all her plotting works out, she definitely pursues what she wants with a vengeance.

Cleopatra's Moon is very historically accurate. The notes at the end of the book are excellent and really helped complete the story. The audio book is read by Kirsten Potter, and her voices are perfect for this story. Cleopatra's Moon is now on my "favorite audio book" list.

I can't really imagine anyone not liking this book -- but I'm a historical fiction NUT, so I will say: If you like historical fiction or are at all interested in ancient Egypt and Rome, then you must read Cleopatra's Moon.

Published by Arthur A. Levine, 2011
Audiobook obtained from SYNC YA Literature
368 pages

Rating: 5/5

Friday, October 12, 2012

Follow Friday - Halloween Books to Movies

Happy Friday again! Here's the Feature & Follow Friday question from Parajunkee & Alison:

Q: What book do you think would make a great Halloween movie? Please explain in graphic detail of goriness...

The first one that comes to minds is Anna Dressed in Blood. I think it has just the right creep factor -- the haunted house, the ghost killing, the DEATH! And remember that scene where they go in the basement? I think I would have to cover my eyes if that were on the big screen! Plus there's a real good story about teens and friendship and a little romance. There's a wide variety of magical and paranormal activities. Yep. Sounds just about perfect. But I hate scary movies -- I probably couldn't stand to watch. I love the books, but movies --- not so much...

Thanks to our hosts, Parajunkee & Alison. I hope you have a great weekend, and read something scary!

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Book Review: Through to You, by Emily Hainsworth @Emily_YA

I'll grant you that Through to You has a far-fetched premise, but it is romantic and has enough twists to keep you guessing.

Cam is trying to get over the death of his girlfriend, Viv, two months ago. He visits the spot where her car hit a pole almost every day. She was all Cam had, since he was injured a couple years ago and cannot play football. Now she's gone.

One time when he is visiting the site, he see's a ghost-like figure, and she knows him. She speaks to him like she is a real person, but she doesn't look real. She's Nina, and she's come through a "door" from a parallel universe. In this other universe, Nina and Cam are best friends.

I don't want to say too much about what happens, but you can probably guess that Cam is going to visit the "other" place. There are some surprises. Nina isn't entirely truthful, and Cam goes through a lot of soul-searching about his relationship with Viv.

Through to You isn't a really deep book. I think it's a typical YA book that will have great appeal to teen girls who like romance and perhaps a little paranormal twist. Through to You is well written, well paced, and satisfying.

Don't think too much, just go along for the ride, and Through to You will provide plenty to enjoy.

Published by Balzer + Bray, October 2, 2012
Copy obtained from Edelweiss
272 pages

Rating: 3/5

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Book Review: Cleanup, by Norah McClintock

Cleanup is part of a series called Rapid Reads, and since it took me a little over an hour to read, I'd say it qualifies. Cleanup, however, did hold my attention.

Connie and Maria are maids for Mr. Withers, an elderly man who lives alone. When Connie arrives at work one day to find Maria standing over Mr. Withers' dead body, her life is about to change.

Maria is accused of the murder. It turns out she has been having an affair with the deceased, and he's changed his will to cut out his son and give everything to Maria. Connie, who knew nothing of the affair, or that Maria has been lying to her about her past, still decides to help Maria, who Connie believes could not have committed the crime. Connie used to be a legal secretary, so she helps get Maria a lawyer.

Since the book is only 128 pages, it never stops. There isn't much description, and the language is simple. But it is a good story, even though predictable.

Cleanup has a somewhat unique audience. The books is about adults and targeted to an adult audience. I'm thinking it would be appropriate for ESL students or others who have trouble with English. Cleanup would have appeal to reluctant readers of any age who like a quick who-done-it. For it's intended audience, Cleanup delivers an action packed, easy to read, attention getting plot.

Published by Raven Books, October 1, 2012
ARC obtained from LibraryThing Early Reviewers
128 pages

Rating: 3/5

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Book Review: Amber House, by Kelly Moore, Tucker Reed, and Larkin Reed @tucker_reed @larkin_reed

I can't think of another book that I've read where a house is the main character. Amber House made me want to visit this lovely old home with the millions of dollars of antiques and furnishings!

But it isn't just the furniture and the decorating that makes Amber House special. It holds secrets, and is only willing to confess them to a few lucky women who have the vision.

Sarah is visiting Amber House for the first time for her grandmother's funeral. Her mother hates the house, and can't wait to sell it. Sarah and her little brother Sam, along with Jackson, begin exploring the house and it's grounds...and it seems like there is much to explore. Jackson is the grandson of Rose, her grandmother's nurse. But Rose and Jackson live on the grounds of Amber House and Jackson helps a lot around the house and grounds. He also seems to know a lot about Sarah, even though they've never met.

Strange things start happening. Sarah starts having dreams about people in the past -- people whose portraits are on the walls of the old house -- and then she begins having visions during the day. It seems she has an ability that many of the women of her past had -- the ability to see "echoes" -- things that happened in Amber House in the past.

Jackson has heard the legend that there are diamonds hidden somewhere in the house or on the grounds, and he wants Sarah to help him find them.

After seeing so much of the past in her visions, and exploring in the present, Sarah becomes attached to the house and wishes her mother wouldn't sell. It's been in their family for over ten generations, and Sarah thinks she and Sam should get to experience Amber House. Her mother, on the other hand, is doing everything to find a buyer.

Good thing she's friends with Senator Robert Hathaway. Good thing he has a handsome son named Richard. Good thing it's Sarah's birthday. Because together, they are going to throw a party at Amber House like no one's ever seen.

There's a love triangle -- both Richard and Jackson are worthy opponents for Sarah's attention. Sam is as cute as can be, and his autism makes him even more special. There are horses, a buried house, a huge maze of hedges, a sailboat, and a tree house. All of them are important elements to this adventure. There are old dusty attics and hidden stairways containing all sorts of meaningful things.

This is a great book for anyone who likes to explore. To find things and figure out what they mean. I was never really sure which direction Amber House was going, but I didn't care because the journey was so much fun. I could relate to Sarah's frustrations. One minute she loves the house, and the next she's ready to get back to her real life and her friends. She's beginning to fall for Richard, and her mother encourages her spending time with him, but cautions Sarah NOT to fall for him. And Jackson is an enigma.

I thought the end was kind of strange. It was certainly unexpected. I guess it fit OK with the path of the story, and after enjoying Amber House so much, I didn't really care how Moore, Reed & Reed decided to wrap it up. But, I guess I was a tad disappointed. It seems a little too convenient.

I won't hesitate to recommend this one to my mystery fans, fans of adventure stories, exploration, and even historical fiction. Amber House is a well told tale, and one that easily sucks you in and won't let you go. Please, can you send me an invitation to that birthday party -- because I REALLY want to attend.

Published by Arthur A. Levine, October 1, 2012
ARC obtained from the publisher
349 pages

Rating: 4/5

Monday, October 8, 2012

Book Review: Magisterium by Jeff Hirsch

Magisterium has a great fantasy plot, but the pacing and details spoiled it a bit.

Glenn’s father is somewhat of a mad scientist. Especially since her mother disappeared ten years ago. They live in the Colloquium, the area of “earth” that wasn’t devastated by the massive explosion in 2023. Since then there is the area beyond the border that is a wasteland. There are, of course stories about mutants living across the border, but no one is allowed to go there.

Glenn’s father finally comes up with an invention. It’s a metal bracelet that he wants Glenn to put on, so that she can cross the border and find her mother and bring her back. Her father finally tells her that’s what happened to her mother. She went into the desolation, and it’s a place that changes you. So her mom doesn’t know what she was, or that she even wants to come back. The bracelet will allow Glenn to enter that area and still stay the way she is here in the Colloquium.

Kevin, Glenn's friend, ends up with her in what they soon discover is called the Magisterium. He's also the romantic interest, and this was one of my favorite aspects. I really liked Kevin and I liked the banter between Kevin and Glenn.

While Magisterium has an interesting and somewhat unique premise, I got lost in the details. There were lots of characters in the Magisterium and I sometimes got them confused. The final showdown just went on way too long -- part of this may be because there was a lot of just telling instead of showing. My heart really never pounded when our main characters were in mortal peril. There is some really strange wording and descriptions. Some sentences I had to read again and still didn't understand. I can't give you a quote because this is an ARC.

I'll once again readily admit that fantasy isn't my favorite genre, although lately I've found myself really enjoying some of these novels. So, Magisterium had some fantastical characters that I didn't really enjoy or understand completely. Some of these characters were a bit too convenient, which is one of the problems I have with fantasy. If your main character is in trouble, just invent some strange creature with a strange power that can help her out. I did like the cat, though...and I'm not going to say anything else about that.

I was a bit disappointed in Magisterium, after really enjoying the beginning and the set up of the world and situation, I just got bogged down in too much fantasy and a drawn out ending.

Die hard fantasy lovers may feel quite differently than I do, and I won't hesitate to recommend Magisterium to those teens that I know like this type of story. I think this one is appropriate for younger teens, so I'll probably put a copy in the middle school library too.

Published by Scholastic, October 1, 2012
ARC won from Bewitched Bookworms
310 pages

Rating: 3/5

Friday, October 5, 2012

Follow Friday - Blogging Goals

Happy Friday everyone! I really like this week's question:

Q: What do you hope to accomplish with your blog? Is it to one day become an author yourself, just for fun, maybe get some online attention, or maybe something very different?

I could NEVER be a writer. I'm fascinated by the process. I don't understand how anyone can do that, and I really admire authors. Annette's Book Spot is mostly for fun. I really didn't intend for anyone to pay attention to my blog -- although I appreciate that people do. I really wanted a way to remember what I've read, and to write and discuss what I've read. I can never get enough of talking about books. I'm a librarian and I have so much fun discussing books with teens, but sometimes that isn't enough. So that's why this blog was created.

How about you? I'll be looking forward to you answers. Please leave a link so I can visit you! Thanks again to Parajunkee and Alison for providing this opportunity to discuss.

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Books You Can Read in a Day Challenge -- September Update

Happy October! It's time to see how we're doing on our Books You Can Read in a Day Challenge! You can see my entire year's progress here. My goal for the year was to read 25 books. I've surpassed that, but I'm going to keep going!

For September here's what I added:

30. Hidden, by Sophie Jordan
31 Burn for Burn, by Jenny Han & Siobhan Vivian

How about you? Have you read any books in ONE DAY? Give me some suggestions.

If you would like to join us, it's not too late! There's a link to the challenge page on the sidebar.

If you are participating, please leave a link to your post, or just list your books in the comments. Hope you are having fun with these "little gems."