Book Review: Scythe by Neal Shusterman

I don't know what's the matter with me, but Scythe is yet another "did not finish" for me.

I really like the unique premise.  Since there is no more natural death by accident or disease, there are a group of people called Scythes that pick and choose which people must die to keep population growth to a minimum.  The story is about two teens that have been chosen to be trained to be Scythes.

I read half of Scythe and decided it was not for me.  I've been reading for over a week, and I'm only halfway through! I just keep finding things to do besides reading.  So, why?

I think one thing is the flippant, almost tongue-in-cheek tone of the story.  It almost seemed light and humorous at times.  I found this incongruous.  Secondly, I felt the pace really bogged down.  It was time for something to happen, and I was losing patience.

The premise is great, and I'm looking forward to the movie, but when I find myself hesitating to read, then I need to move on.

A couple of my book club kids really loved Scythe, so this is a "me, not the book" thing (and, after all, I'm not the intended audience.)

Published by Simon & Schuster BFYR, 2016
Copy obtained from the library
250/435 pages

Rating: DNF

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Book Review: Blight by Alexandra Duncan @DuncanAlexandra ‏

I was pleasantly surprised by how absorbed I became while reading Blight. 

We are introduced to a dystopian world controlled by big corporations. Yes, it is a somewhat familiar trope, but like I said, it was good.  Tempest is our main character.  She lives on a giant corn farm in Georgia.  It is run by AgraStar.  She was taken in and raised by the corporation after she was orphaned.  She now works as a security officer for them.  Basically, she's an indentured servant.  But she's happy.

Until...things go wrong on a security assignment, and they end up being attacked by scavengers - people who steal rather than work for the company.  And, as this attack is happening a bad explosion occurs at the research facility for AgraStar. Very quickly all of the vegetation around them is dead. And the blight continues to spread. Tempest finds herself on the run with an unlikely companion - one of the scavengers named Alder.  She and Alder keep on the run to avoid the Blight.  But they also must avoid AgriStar and most importantly, the gangs that will capture and kill both of them, no matter what their beliefs.

Of course, Tempest gets introduced to the beliefs of the scavengers and begins to question everything she has believed for her entire life. When she finally does reach safety -- she's not so sure she is safe.

As you can probably tell, there is a multitude of moral dilemmas touched upon in Blight. And it's also a suspenseful adventure story with characters that you might become attached to. I think my teens will enjoy this.

Published by Greenwillow, August 1, 2017
eARC obtained from Edelweiss
400 pages

Rating: 4/5

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Book Review: A Promise of Ruin by Cuyler Overholt @CuylerOverholt ‏

In my review for A Deadly Affection, I commented that I was thoroughly entertained by the main character.  I continue my affection for Dr. Genevieve Summerford in this second book, A Promise of Ruin.

Genevieve is a doctor of psychiatry in the early 1900s.  So, she's a woman doctor, which is almost unheard of.  And her specialty is psychiatry, which is not a very respected specialty, even among male doctors.  A Promise of Ruin doesn't focus too much on her role as a physician, but once again, she's involved in the investigation of a crime, or in this case many crimes.  It seems women are being kidnapped as they arrive in this country, expecting to marry their sweetheart.  Instead, they are kidnapped and forced into prostitution.

I do like that Genevieve keeps the police in the loop about what she finds out in her investigation.  And at least some of the police believe her and try to look into these disappearances.  Her relationship with Simon has not progressed, and Genevieve is disappointed that he doesn't seem interested.

She's determined to find out what is going on, and of course, ends up putting herself in harm's way. I did think that A Promise of Ruin took a bit longer to get going, but by the halfway point, I had to finish. I couldn't put it down. I appreciate her determination to find the truth and her manipulation of a society that isn't very conducive to women doing anything of any importance.

Being a fan of historical fiction and mysteries, these books just hit the right spot for me. I know at times Genevieve is a bit lucky, but that's part of the fun.  I hope Overholt continues this series because I'm in! If you have teens that enjoy these genres, the Dr. Genevieve Summerford Mysteries Series is totally appropriate for them.

Published by Sourcebooks Landmark, August 8, 2017
eARC obtained from Edelweiss
320 pages

Rating: 4/5

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Book Review: When I Am Through with You, by Stephanie Kuehn

While a bit far-fetched, When I Am Through with You is exciting and compelling.

A teenager, Ben, tells the story from his prison cell and it is apparent very early that he has killed his girlfriend, Rose. While this may seem like a confessional, it is really a survival story. Ben is excited for his first trip away from home, where he has been taking care of his alcoholic mother for years.  He's going to lead a group of teens on a hike up a mountain. Everything turns sideways very quickly, and soon the teens are fighting for their lives.

These teens could be considered misfits. Ben certainly has a sordid past and suffers from debilitating migraines, The reason for this is clearly some trauma in his past, but we don't find out the details until later in the story.  The other characters are distinct individuals with their own hang-ups that all adds to the drama. The plot hinges on some unlikely coincidences and a plethora of bad decisions made by these teens.  The lone adult along for supervision gives Ben too much independence, given his inexperience. But without this, there would be no story.

The pace is riveting, and although the reader can easily see the dire consequences coming, it still kept me turning pages. And the consequences are indeed drastic, as several characters meet with violent ends. The text is rife with f-bombs and many sexual situations, so I would keep it for mature teens only.

Even though we know from the beginning that Ben is incarcerated, the ending felt unfinished and unsatisfying. I just wanted more. I didn't feel like Ben should be in prison, and I want to know how this all turns out.

Teens who can handle some brutal violence and a less-than-happy resolution will enjoy this compelling struggle

Published by Dutton BFYR, August 1, 2017
ARC obtained from Libraries Unlimited
290 pages

Rating: 3/5

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Book Review: Anna and the Swallow Man by Gavriel Savit

Historical fiction is my favorite genre, and I've read many World War II books.  I am surprised to say that Anna and the Swallow Man isn't going to be on my list of favorites.

Seven-year-old Anna is abandoned in Krakow when the Germans take her father. She happens upon an unusual man, the Swallow Man, and they hook up and walk around for years.  It isn't clear why they keep walking.  Just to stay safe and keep fed, I guess.  And maybe the Swallow Man is avoiding something.

I think my main problem with Anna and the Swallow Man is the third person point-of-view.  I wanted to feel what Anna felt.  But I didn't.  I felt detached from everything that happened.

And I was very unhappy with the ending.  Really? That's what happened?  It wasn't dramatic. And it didn't provide much closure.

The characterizations are very interesting. And the individual struggles they overcame were compelling. The writing was easy to understand and Anna and the Swallow Man is a very quick read.

I didn't hate Anna and the Swallow Man.  I just didn't feel much for it.  Not my usual reaction to stories of survival during WWII. There are plenty of very positive reviews available so make sure you don't write this off just because of my feelings.  I feel kind of guilty that I didn't really like it much...

Published by Knopf BFYR, 2016
Copy obtained from the library
232 pages

Rating: 3/5

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Book Review: Take the Key and Lock Her Up by Ally Carter

Take the Key and Lock Her Up is the third book in the Embassy Row series. Now these books aren't really serious, but they are fun and I enjoyed this new installment.

Grace is in hiding and soon on the run again, as we catch up with her.  She knows she and her brother, Jamie, are being hunted down so they can be killed before they can rightfully claim the throne in Adria. 

Grace wants nothing to do with being a princess or a queen, but she can't seem to convince anyone who matters.  She has to figure out what her mother knew and why she was killed.  There has to be a way to save her life and not be in hiding for the rest of it.

The plot sounds heavy, but reads like a very lighthearted book.  The danger never really seems real.  The scenario is way too far out to be taken seriously. There is romance and lots of action to keep your interest. Even though it seems like Grace can't trust anyone, there are her tried-and-true friends from the previous books that come to her aid.

I did feel a bit bored for part of Take the Key and Lock Her Up, even though it reads pretty quickly.  It just seems like more of the same--somewhat of a repeat of the first two books--even though we finally learn the secrets.  And, I had to know what was going to happen. Fortunately, there is a nice, comfortable resolution for Grace and her friends.

Take the Key and Lock Her Up will make much more sense if you read the first two books--All Fall Down and See How They Run. Fans of those books surely won't want to miss this one.

Published by Scholastic, 2016
Copy obtained from the library
327 pages

Rating: 3.5

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Book Review: King's Cage by Victoria Aveyard

King's Cage does a great job continuing the story of the Red Queen and is very exciting and tense.

Mare is in big trouble.  She's a prisoner of King Maven and can't use her power. She sees no way out.  But during her awful imprisonment, things are progressing among the rebels and eventually they assist in Mare's escape.

Cal, of course, is working with the rebellion, and I liked how his relationship with Mare progressed once they were reunited.

There is a lot of fighting and a lot of planning to fight.  During her imprisonment, Mare is very introspective and kind of whiny.  I get she's miserable, but that went on perhaps a bit too long. The final battle is epic, but the turn things take at the very end is heartbreaking.

I really love the world that Aveyard has created.  I enjoyed looking at the map in the book -- normally, those don't do much for me, but the idea that this is a future United States is intriguing.  I like the hints we get about the distant past and how the world came to be this way.  I hope we get more of that in future books.

What will the future hold for Mare and Cal and the entire kingdom?  Once again, we will have to wait.  The Red Queen is a very popular series among my teens and they are loving this installment.

Published by HarperTeen, February 7, 2017
Copy obtained from the library
528 pages

Rating: 4/5

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Book Review: Two Nights by Kathy Reichs

I'm a huge Tempe Brennan fan, and when I saw a book by Reichs that wasn't a Tempe novel, well, I was skeptical.  I shouldn't have been.  Reichs is a great storyteller, and I thoroughly enjoyed Two Nights.

Sunnie is an ex cop with issues.  As the story progresses, we learn of her very disturbing childhood in a cult.  But she's also a tough cookie, and when called upon to find the perpetrators of a heinous bombing of a Jewish school that happened years ago, she can't resist.  One of the victims of the bombing was a young girl who disappeared.

Sunnie is being bankrolled by the missing girl's grandmother, and her investigation takes her to several cities, and she in involved in several altercations with some very bad people.  Her life is in danger several times.  She eventually calls on her twin brother for backup.

The main character is well-developed and interesting.  I liked how we got chapters that were back in time, during her vary harrowing experiences in the cult and her escape.  The other characters are not as well defined, serving to support Sunnie and the plot.

The story unfolds with some unexpected plot twists.  The pacing is excellent, keeping the reader hooked as the tension ebbs and flows. The conclusion is realistic and mostly happy.

If you are a fan of Reichs, and even if you aren't, Two Nights is a worthwhile investment. I think teens will enjoy this one too.

Published by Bantam, July 11, 2017
eARC obtained from NetGalley
336 pages

Rating: 4/5

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Book Thoughts: Caraval, by Stephanie Garber

I'm calling this "Book Thoughts" instead of a book review because I didn't read the entire book.  And, as cliche as it is, this is totally a "this is me, not you" thing.

Caraval is a magical book set in a made-up world.  And that's where my problem comes in.  I just need there to be something at least a bit realistic in my fantasy.  Yes, the characters were human, and that's a plus. Once the story got going and I figured out the premise, I realized Scarlett was going to have to make her way through Caraval and nothing is as it seems, and you can't believe anything, and she will totally rely on magical things happening, I was pretty much done.

The story is well written and the plot moves fairly quickly.  But I just wasn't interested in the journey she was taking.  However, I did want to know the outcome, so I read the last 100 pages.  Basically, I read the first 150 pages, and the last 100.

I've heard pretty much nothing but rave reviews of Caraval, and I don't disagree with them.  I just don't have patience for this type of story.

Published by Flatiron, January 31, 2017
Copy obtained from the library
250/416 pages

Rating: DNF

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Book Review: Behind Closed Doors by B. A. Paris

Oh my goodness.  Behind Closed Doors wound me so tight, I had to take breaks during my reading (and still read it in one day.)

Jack and Grace have the perfect marriage, the perfect life.  They live in a beautiful house, Grace doesn't have to work outside the house, and they are very happy.  But...all of that is only appearances.

In reality, Jack literally keeps Grace locked in a room as his hostage.  Grace has a sister with Down Syndrome who Jack holds above Grace's head anytime she won't behave.  Because Jack has custody of Grace's sister. How will Grace ever get out of this situation?  Jack is preparing for Grace's sister to come live with them so he can literally torture her, and Grace has to figure something out before it's too late.

The books is told flipping from past to present scenes, which works beautifully to explain how Grace got herself in the predicament.  And eventually, past and present come together for a spectacular ending.

I do have to make one comment that really bothered me.  I was reading an ARC, but it is of the paperback release.  The book is already out in hardback.  And Paris says the sister has "Down's syndrome."  The proper name of this genetic abnormality is "Down Syndrome."  I can't believe someone didn't catch that.

This book made me very tense.  Like I said, I had to take a couple of breaks.  And I did read it in a day (I was on vacation, so that helped.)  Some of the situations were a little contrived.  How Jack was so easily able to convince everyone Grace was emotionally unstable was a bit to easy.  But the end result was a great, suspenseful read. Jack is so diabolical. The way he sets up Grace to try to escape, just so he can punish her is fascinating and horrific.

And the ending was perfect.  No ambiguity here, everything ties up neatly. Highly recommended. I think my older teens will like Behind Closed Doors too.

Published by St. Martin's Griffin, paperback release July 3, 2017
eARC obtained from NetGalley
352 pages

Rating: 4/5

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