A Long Long Sleep by Anna Sheehan: Review Posted by Tiffany at 8:46 AM

Title: A Long, Long Sleep

Author: Anna Sheehan

Published: August 9th, 2011 by Candlewick

Pages: 352

Buy: Amazon / Book Depository

Rating: 4/5

Source: NetGalley

Synopsis: Rosalinda Fitzroy has been asleep for sixty-two years when she is woken by a kiss.

Locked away in the chemically induced slumber of a stasis tube in a forgotten sub-basement, sixteen-year-old Rose slept straight through the Dark Times that killed millions and utterly changed the world she knew. Now her parents and her first love are long dead, and Rose -- hailed upon her awakening as the long-lost heir to an interplanetary empire -- is thrust alone into a future in which she is viewed as either a freak or a threat.

Desperate to put the past behind her and adapt to her new world, Rose finds herself drawn to the boy who kissed her awake, hoping that he can help her to start fresh. But when a deadly danger jeopardizes her fragile new existance, Rose must face the ghosts of her past with open eyes -- or be left without any future at all.(Goodreads)

Review: There were a few problems with A Long, Long Sleep, but when I turned the last (digital) page, I was left with a feeling of contentment. I really enjoyed this book, in spite of a slow start and a sometimes infuriating main character. Rose is discovered in a stass tube (cryogenically frozen) in the basement of the building her parents used to own. She has been lost for over 60 years and this is the story of how she adapts to a new world that has been rebuilt after much of the population was destroyed. More than that, it's the story of why she was lost for over 60 years. The character seems a bit dull, stupid, and weak at first. However, after we learn more about her and her life, she becomes much more interesting. Things start slow, but about halfway through the book kicks it into high gear with a determined assassin and a (not so) surprising Reveal. I loved this book! It's nice to see a little sci-fi in YA that isn't aimed specifically at boys or watered down to the point of being a Love Story with robots/space/time travel. I would recommend this to anyone with a bit of patience and/or a love of retellings of Sleeping Beauty that include homicidal robots.

Batman: Year One Posted by Michaela at 6:47 AM

Hey there, guys! Due to our latest obsession with reading comic books, Tiffany and I have decided to start a weekly segment on comics! We mostly review darker comics, or (in my case) modern superhero comics. Hopefully you can find something that sparks your interest. Comics are a lot of fun!

We have also adopted a slightly different reviewing method, using percentages and points, so there's a more accurate account of what we liked and didn't like. (May or may not be applied to books.)

So, here is the launch of our new segment, Comic Books For Bears! (Breathtakingly awesome image coming soon)

Batman: Year One by Frank Miller, David Mazzucchelli, and Richmond Lewis

Published: January 10, 2007 by DC Comics
Pages: 144
Buy: Amazon
Rating: 94%

Synopsis: A young Bruce Wayne has spent his adolescence and early adulthood, traveling the world so he could hone his body and mind into the perfect fighting and investigative machine. But now as he returns to Gotham City, he must find a way to focus his passion and bring justice to his city. Retracing Batman's first attempts to fight injustice as a costumed vigilante, we watch as he chooses a guise of a giant bat, creates an early bond with a young Lieutenant James Gordon, inadvertently plays a role in the birth of Catwoman, and helps to bring down a corrupt political system that infests Gotham.

Story Review:

Plot - 24/25 points This plot was very enthralling. It was particularly fun to get to know the amateur Batman that was still trying to figure out the whole "superhero" business. We also get to see the darkest part of Gotham City (which happens to be my favorite part). I am no conossieur of graphic novels, but I can certainly say this is one of my favorite plot lines for a comic book.

Voice - 22/25 points The voice was just dark enough to be chilling without being over the top. The entire time I was reading, I felt like I was there, in a situation that couldn't be solved without someone being hurt, or seeing Bruce Wayne's hopeful view of the future for Gotham City. Miller uses simple, stark dialogue and inner monologue to make sure you get the full blow of the emotions he was conveying.

Graphics Review:

Artwork by David Mazzucchelli - 25/25 points At risk of going on an obsessive rant, I'll keep my artwork review nice and short. Mazzucchelli captured Miller's words with his art in a way that I'm sure few could pull off. The drawings were stark, vicious, and exactly what Gotham City should be.

Coloring by Richmond Lewis - 23/25 points I really think he hit the nail on the head, here. The colors had a lot of the classic 50's feel with some shadowing that threw in some modern gothic flavor. This pulled everything together, like the cherry on a delicious chocolate cake.

Bonus Points:
One bonus point awarded for the first page of this comic - it was beautiful, sad, and all around perfect. See it and you'll know what I mean.

Total Score - 94 points out of 100 possible, or 94%

The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab: Review Posted by Tiffany at 7:23 AM

Title: The Near Witch

Author: Victoria Schwab (site)

Published: August 2nd, 2011 by Hyperion Book CH

Pages: 288

Buy: Amazon / Book Depository 

Rating: 4.5/5

Source: NetGalley
Synopsis: The Near Witch is only an old story told to frighten children. If the wind calls at night, you must not listen. The wind is lonely, and always looking for company.  And there are no strangers in the town of Near. These are the truths that Lexi has heard all her life. But when an actual stranger—a boy who seems to fade like smoke—appears outside her home on the moor at night, she knows that at least one of these sayings is no longer true. The next night, the children of Near start disappearing from their beds, and the mysterious boy falls under suspicion. Still, he insists on helping Lexi search for them. Something tells her she can trust him. As the hunt for the children intensifies, so does Lexi’s need to know—about the witch that just might be more than a bedtime story, about the wind that seems to speak through the walls at night, and about the history of this nameless boy. Part fairy tale, part love story, Victoria Schwab’s debut novel is entirely original yet achingly familiar: a song you heard long ago, a whisper carried by the wind, and a dream you won’t soon forget.


Review: This is one of those books that I kept putting off. It took me ages to get around to reading it. However, I was hooked as soon as I finished the first chapter. I loved Lexi. Her father raised her to be self-reliant and headstrong, but he's dead now and her uncle has taken it upon himself to try to tame her. Meanwhile, a stranger (handsome, of course) comes to town the day before children start disappearing. The Near Witch had a definite old-fashioned fairy tale vibe, which I'm a sucker for. They live in a small village in the middle of a forest. A witch was supposedly banished a hundred or so years ago, but the children still sing creepy rhymes about her and two secretive old ladies living on the outskirts of town seem to believe that there's more to the story. As the situation worsens, Lexi is trying to desperately to find the children and save the stranger, who has been blamed for the disappearances. I adored the main character and the world this was set in. There wasn't really room left for a sequel, but I'd like to see a companion novel. Go and pick this one up, The Near Witch is one of the best books I've read this summer.

The Misfit by Jon Skovron: Review Posted by Tiffany at 6:55 AM

Title: Misfit

Author: Jon Skovron (site)

Published: August 1st, 2011 by Amulet

Pages: 384

Buy: Amazon / Book Depository 

Rating: 3.75/5

Source: NetGalley
Synopsis: Jael has always felt like a freak. She’s never kissed a boy, she never knew her mom, and her dad’s always been superstrict—but that’s probably because her mom was a demon, which makes Jael half demon and most definitely not a normal sophomore girl. On her sixteenth birthday, a mysterious present unlocks her family’s dangerous history and Jael’s untapped potential. What was merely an embarrassing secret before becomes a terrifying reality. Jael must learn to master her demon side in order to take on a vindictive Duke of Hell while also dealing with a twisted priest, best-friend drama, and a spacey blond skater boy who may have hidden depths..(Goodreads)


Review: Jael was a very likeable character. She had me on her side from the get-go. Her father has been moving her from town to town all her life, trying to keep her away from demons. Being half-demon herself, she's very confused about what's going on. Her father refuses to talk about her mother at all, telling her only that she was a demon. Everything goes to hell in a handbasket on her sixteenth birthday when she finally learns what it means to be half-demon. I loved the mythology. Demons are really the gods and goddesses of times past, they are molded by the beliefs of humankind. When Christianity started taking over, they were morphed into something that would fit into the new belief system. This made for some very interesting, unpredictable demons. There were scenes woven in from the past, showing what her parents went through (how they met, how they went on the run, just exactly what happened to her mother.) There were just enough such scenes to fill out the story without overwhelming it. (Although I feel like their story could be a series on its own.) Some of the lingo the kids were using seemed a bit weird to me, but maybe I'm just out of touch. There are about a million little subcultures in america, so I'm sure that I wouldn't recognize half of the slang that's used. It just bugged me a bit, not enough to interrupt the story. I love that The Church is playing a role in all of this, as well. She goes to a religious school, her father is an EX-MONK, and her best friend is a devout (mostly) Catholic. Being surrounded by religion makes the fact that she is a demon much more interesting. I kept waiting for things to blow up. It's one thing for a neighbor to realize you're a demon, quite another for a priest to realize you're a demon. They can whip out some holy water and a bible and take you down (presumably. Can half-demons be exorcised?) The story is far from over. After one major obstacle is overcome, we come to learn that there are tons more. She's going to have to defeat all of Hell, basically, which sounds like a hell of a lot of fun to this reader. Looking forward to the sequel!

The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross: Review Posted by Tiffany at 8:35 AM

Title: The Girl in the Steel Corset

Author: Kady Cross (site)

Published: May 24th, 2011 by Harlequin Teen

Pages: 473

Buy: Amazon / Book Depository 

Rating: 3.75/5

Source: NetGalley
Synopsis: In 1897 England, sixteen-year-old Finley Jayne has no one except the "thing" inside her. When a young lord tries to take advantage of Finley, she fights back. And wins. But no normal Victorian girl has a darker side that makes her capable of knocking out a full-grown man with one punch... 
Only Griffin King sees the magical darkness inside her that says she's special, says she's one of them. The orphaned duke takes her in from the gaslit streets against the wishes of his band of misfits. Emily, who has her own special abilities and an unrequited love for Sam, who is part robot; and Jasper, an American cowboy with a shadowy secret. 
Griffin's investigating a criminal called The Machinist, the mastermind behind several recent crimes by automatons. Finley thinks she can help-and finally be a part of something, finally fit in.  But The Machinist wants to tear Griff's little company of strays apart, and it isn't long before trust is tested on all sides. At least Finley knows whose side she's on, even if it seems no one believes her. (Goodreads)


Review: This book started with a scene that is often found in regency romances. Maid is cornered by the lord of the house, who is on the prowl for some sexytimes. However, her reaction to his unwanted advances is definitely not something you'd find in a regency romance novel. Maybe a Bruce Lee movie, but not a RR. I loved it! One of the best opening scenes I've ever encountered. I love a book that starts with action, throwing you right into the thick of things. Things moved pretty quickly in The Girl in the Steel Corset. There were various romantic sub-plots going on, but none of them advanced much during the book (which is not a bad thing). Cross said in the afterward that she meant for it to be a "cross between The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and X-Men" which is a pretty bad-a pitch if you ask me. It definitely had that vibe, although it took a while for things to become clear. Finley seemed like an inconsistent character until explanations were given and the whole reason for their "abilities" was explained, but it was crammed in between adventures. I really liked this book and read it quickly, but there were some flaws. Things just seemed a bit jumbled and imprecise. Can I elaborate on that? No, I don't think I can. I'm just left with a vague feeling that things could have been a bit cleaner.

My main complaint is that we didn't see more of Jack Dandy. Really, let's just ditch this storyline and make it all about Jack Dandy, kind of like the Jack of Fables spin off of the Fables comics. He was my favorite character by far. The whole cast of characters was pretty awesome. I could've killed Sam a few times, but they were very interesting. Without giving anything away, I would like to say that it was a bit The Great Mouse Detective. I saw it coming a mile away and was a bit annoyed by how long it took them to figure it out. I suppose I should go easy on them, though. They had probable never seen the Disney classic. The Girl in the Steel Corset was a very good book, an excellent example of Steampunk YA, and a very fun read. It had its flaws, but it's definitely worth picking up.

Notes: Kady Cross has written a short story prequel to The Girl in the Steel Corset, which is about how Finley lost her second job. It is called "The Strange Case of Finley Jane" and right now it is free in ebook format on Amazon. This would be a great way to try out the author if you're on the fence (although I really feel like you should experience that amazing first scene!).

Two Moon Princess by Carmen Ferreiro-Esteban: Review Posted by Tiffany at 7:00 AM

Title: Two Moon Princess

Author: Carmen Ferreiro-Esteban (site)

Published: June 16th, 2010 by Tanglewood

Pages: 324

Buy: Amazon / Book Depository 

Rating: 4/5

Source: NetGalley
Synopsis: In this coming-of-age story set in a medieval kingdom, Andrea is a headstrong princess longing to be a knight who finds her way to modern-day California. But her accidental return to her family's kingdom and a disastrous romance brings war, along with her discovery of some dark family secrets. Readers will love this mix of traditional fantasy elements with unique twists and will identify with Andrea and her difficult choices between duty and desire.(Goodreads)


Review: I loved this book! Andrea is a princess who wants to be a warrior. Unfortunately, her parents decide that her days of playing with the boys are over. It is time that she become a lady. Andrea decides to skip town and what ensues is an amazing story with great characters and a plot that doesn't follow the usual girl meets boy, pines after boy, gets boy formula. The best part about this book was the ending. I began to hope for this particular ending towards the end of the book, but never would have seen it coming in the beginning. Andrea is a great character from the get-go. Her attitude and dreams were unusual for a girl in her situation, but not too modern to be believable. She had a wonderful Evil Sister that had me pretty angry a few times. She's one of those characters that manage to be completely evil while looking completely blameless in front of Authority Figures. Did she get her comeuppance? The jury is still out, but I can live with it. The romance was fantastic. Things don't happen as the characters want them to, affection is not easily won, and several huge mistakes are narrowly averted. I love romantic intrigue! Two Moon Princess was a great book, full of adventure and engaging characters. I'm going to be picking up a paper copy for my permanent collection.

One Hundred Candles by Mara Purnhagen: Review Posted by Tiffany at 7:43 AM

Title: One Hundred Candles

Author: Mara Purnhagen (site)

Published: Feb 15th, 2011 by Harlequin Teen

Pages: 240

Buy: Amazon / Book Depository 

Rating: 3.75/5

Source: NetGalley
Synopsis: 15 year old Savannah Grey has never felt she's belonged. She keeps her distance, so she's surprised by her attraction to the new boy Reece. Then strange things begin to happen: nature, it seems, is exerting an overpowering force on the world. Birds behave strangely; gusts of wind blow leaves so fiercely they seem to lure people away. And Savannah learns she has supernatural powers. Nature has a purpose for Savannah and her friends. For they are on course to meet the vile and evil Orcrassa, who wants to destroy the world by corrupting nature. And it wants Savannah Grey to help realise its savage intent.(Goodreads)


Review: I'm very glad that I stuck with this series. The sequel is much stronger than the first book, Past Midnight, (review here). Purnhagen takes the characters and situations from the first book and really develops them in One Hundred Candles. Charlotte begins to flesh out and feel more like a real person, even though the whole romance with Noah was pretty frustrating. I was not at all satisfied with the explanation for his behavior that we got at the end of the book. I almost wish he'd just go away. The haunting in this book was much darker and scarier than in the first book. Charlotte had no idea what she was getting herself involved in. There were actual attacks and consequences in this book, making the story feel more immediate and real. The pacing in OHC was also better, I read through this one in two sittings (a girl has to sleep sometime). If you had lukewarm feelings about the first book, stick with the series. It's only getting better.

Past Midnight by Mara Purnhagen: Review Posted by Tiffany at 9:22 AM

Title: Past Midnight

Author: Mara Purnhagen (site)

Published: September 1st, 2010 by Harlequin Teen

Pages: 216

Buy: Amazon / Book Depository 

Rating: 3/5

Source: NetGalley


Synopsis: Let me set the record straight. My name is Charlotte Silver and I'm not one of those paranormal-obsessed freaks you see on TV…no, those would be my parents, who have their own ghost-hunting reality show. And while I'm usually roped into the behind-the-scenes work, it turns out that I haven't gone unnoticed. Something happened on my parents' research trip in Charleston—and now I'm being stalked by some truly frightening other beings. Trying to fit into a new school and keeping my parents' creepy occupation a secret from my friends—and potential boyfriends—is hard enough without having angry spirits whispering in my ear. All I ever wanted was to be normal, but with ghosts of my past and present colliding, now I just want to make it out of high school alive… (Goodreads)


Review: I picked up this book when the sequel, One Hundred Candles, came up on NetGalley. It's a short little book, easily read in a day. It was fast, light, and Slumber Party creepy. What I mean is that it had a ghost that creeped me out a bit, but I was never actually scared. One of my favorite aspects of this series is the whole Daughter of Paranormal Investigators angle. There is a lot of potential there. A pair of skeptics have a daughter who can actually see ghosts? Love it. However, the characters never really grabbed me. I enjoyed reading Past Midnight and I'll keep reading the series, but it's not anything that I'll have vivid memories of in 10 years. Short, fun, and mildly spooky- this is a great book for the beach or a younger sibling.

Savannah Grey by Cliff McNish: Review Posted by Tiffany at 9:18 PM

Title: Savannah Grey

Author: Cliff McNish (site)

Published: Feb 4th, 2010 by Orion Children's Books

Pages: 234

Buy: Amazon / Book Depository 

Rating: 3.5/5

Source: NetGalley
Synopsis: 15 year old Savannah Grey has never felt she's belonged. She keeps her distance, so she's surprised by her attraction to the new boy Reece. Then strange things begin to happen: nature, it seems, is exerting an overpowering force on the world. Birds behave strangely; gusts of wind blow leaves so fiercely they seem to lure people away. And Savannah learns she has supernatural powers. Nature has a purpose for Savannah and her friends. For they are on course to meet the vile and evil Orcrassa, who wants to destroy the world by corrupting nature. And it wants Savannah Grey to help realise its savage intent.(Goodreads)


Review: This has been a very difficult book for me to review. I enjoyed it, and my overall feelings about the book are complimentary, but it's hard to put into words. This was such a dark, twisty, adventure of a book. The Orcrassa and its minions are both terrifying and sympathetic. I love a book that first scares you with a villain and then makes you (grudgingly) come to feel pity for it, to understand why  it is evil. The main character seems to get lost in the story, I'm not left with a very strong impression of just who she is. The story itself, however, more than makes up for this. Instead of focusing on relationships and emotional development, this book is all plot. I did manage to figure out the twist before it was revealed, but not too far before. The reader is let in on the secret just in time to make you want to scream, "No! Don't do it! Are you blind?!", and not so far in advance that you get bored with the story. McNish is a very interesting writer, I will definitely check out more of his works. (There are several on his site that look fantastic.) I would recommend this especially to guys, it has a no-nonsense sort of vibe towards gushy girliness that makes it very readable.

Mercy by Rebecca Lim: Review Posted by Tiffany at 12:39 PM

Title: Mercy

Author: Rebecca Lim 

Published: October 28, 2010 by HarperCollins 

Pages: 281

Buy: Amazon / Book Depository 

Series: Mercy #1

Rating: 5/5

Source: NetGalley

Synopsis:Mercy doesn't realise it yet, but as she journeys into the darkest places of the human soul, she discovers that she is one of the celestial host exiled with fallen angel, Lucifer. Now she must atone for taking his side. To find her own way back to heaven, Mercy must help a series of humans in crisis and keep the unwary from getting caught up in the games that angels play. Ultimately she must choose between her immortal companion, Lucifer, and a human boy who risks everything for her love. (Goodreads)


Review: I would never have picked this one up if I hadn't read a bunch of glowing reviews. The whole angel genre kind of turns me off and the cover for the NetGalley edition had a girl with wings on the front (the blue cover with the floating girl is so so SO much better). Also, if they hadn't mentioned angels I wouldn't have been sure until the end of the book. Mercy doesn't read like the story of a fallen angel looking for redemption (which is what I expected). It had much more of a body-snatcher vibe. I was reminded of Infinite Days by the main character's personality and reaction to her situation, reminded of Host by the situation itself. This is not a sugary-sweet angel we're talking about here. "Mercy" knows only that she keeps taking over people's bodies randomly, remembering nothing of who she was originally or how she became a body snatcher. She just wakes up in someone else's body and tries desperately to figure out who she is, where she is, and how she is supposed to react to those around her. It's very interesting watching her try not to tip off those around her. I loved this book! The whole thing was so mysterious, suspenseful, and creepy. She has no idea who she is, mysterious men are appearing to her with contradictory orders, and the body she is occupying is supposed to be an extraordinarily talented soprano. She has a lot on her plate here. The answers to who she is, how she got this way, and how she can become a real person again are not answered. They are hinted at, enough that I think I might know what's going on, but nothing is given away. I'm looking forward to finishing this amazing series. Please, publisher, tone down the angel marketing! This series is so much more than an Angel Story.

If I Stay by Gayle Forman: Review Posted by Michaela at 1:53 PM

Title: If I Stay
Author: Gayle Forman
Published: April 6, 2010 by Speak
Pages: 272
Buy: Amazon
Source: Bought from Amazon
Rating: 5/5
Synopsis: The last normal moment that Mia, a talented cellist, can remember is being in the car with her family. Then she is standing outside her body beside their mangled Buick and her parents' corpses, watching herself and her little brother being tended by paramedics. As she ponders her state (Am I dead? I actually have to ask myself this), Mia is whisked away to a hospital, where, her body in a coma, she reflects on the past and tries to decide whether to fight to live. Via Mia's thoughts and flashbacks, Forman (Sisters in Sanity) expertly explores the teenager's life, her passion for classical music and her strong relationships with her family, friends and boyfriend, Adam. Mia's singular perspective (which will recall Alice Sebold's adult novel, The Lovely Bones) also allows for powerful portraits of her friends and family as they cope: Please don't die. If you die, there's going to be one of those cheesy Princess Diana memorials at school, prays Mia's friend Kim. I know you'd hate that kind of thing. Intensely moving, the novel will force readers to take stock of their lives and the people and things that make them worth living.

Review: This book sounded like exactly the kind of book I hated. I thought it would be cheesy, in the style of those teenage romance novels. Even when I heard about the plot line - having to choose between living on with her friends or joining her family in death - I wasn't too impressed.

When I really started reading this book, I literally couldn't put it down. I read it in one sitting during my brother's baseball game. I have never cried when reading a book, and if I had, I would sooner murder my entire family than admit to it. As soon as the book started getting emotional, however, I was fighting tears. It was absolutely fantastic. It's written simply enough that you can breeze through it, but it was not written poorly. Every character was believable, which is extremely hard to achieve in books so short and fast. I only wish that I had read it sooner instead of putting it off.

Short Review: Looks like it might be cheesy, but it was definitely not. This book was a fast read and very gripping. I haven't been so absorbed in a book in ages.

Dreadfully Ever After by Steve Hockensmith: Review & GIVEAWAY Posted by Tiffany at 1:19 PM

Title: Dreadfully Ever After (Pride and Prejudice and Zombies)
Author: Steve Hockensmith (site)
Published: March 22, 2011 by Quirk Books
Pages: 320
Buy: Amazon
Source: Quirk Books
Rating: 4/5 
Synopsis: The story opens with our newly married protagonists, Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam Darcy, defending their village from an army of flesh-eating “unmentionables.” But the honeymoon has barely begun when poor Mr. Darcy is nipped by a rampaging dreadful. Elizabeth knows the proper course of action is to promptly behead her husband (and then burn the corpse, just to be safe). But when she learns of a miracle antidote under development in London, she realizes there may be one last chance to save her true love—and for everyone to live happily ever after. (Goodreads)


Review:  I enjoyed this one so much more than the original. The first book was fun, but I felt a bit bored with the concept by the end of it. The author didn't seem to have a real connection with Austen's world, just a funny idea that made him some money. This new installment felt more like a real book than a gimmick. The new author was much better acquainted with the language and customs of the time. He managed to stay true to the spirit of Austen's work while developing the characters into battle-hardened versions of their P&P selves. I had a much easier time believing that Lizzie would be at home with a sword and covered in blood.  The ending was so good that I'm praying for another sequel. Everything goes NUTS, basically. (I hear it's the conclusion, though. ) Definitely worth a read if you liked the idea of the original but not the execution.


Short Review: So much better than the original! If you like the idea of Jane Austen's characters living in a time of zombie apocalypse, give this series (another) chance! Hockensmith does not diappoint.


The publisher sent us an extra copy to give away, so fill in the form below to enter!  
GIVEAWAY ENDS JULY 30TH!

Blood Red Road by Moira Young: Review Posted by Tiffany at 2:11 PM

Title: Blood Red Road
Author: Moira Young
Published: June 7th, 2011 by Margaret K. McElderry (Simon & Schuster)
Pages: 464
Buy: Amazon / Book Depository
Series: Dustlands #1
Source: ARC from S & S
Rating: 4/5
Synopsis: Saba has spent her whole life in Silverlake, a dried-up wasteland ravaged by constant sandstorms. The Wrecker civilization has long been destroyed, leaving only landfills for Saba and her family to scavenge from. That's fine by her, as long as her beloved twin brother Lugh is around. But when a monster sandstorm arrives, along with four cloaked horsemen, Saba's world is shattered. Lugh is captured, and Saba embarks on an epic quest to get him back.

Suddenly thrown into the lawless, ugly reality of the world outside of desolate Silverlake, Saba is lost without Lugh to guide her. So perhaps the most surprising thing of all is what Saba learns about herself: she's a fierce fighter, an unbeatable survivor, and a cunning opponent. And she has the power to take down a corrupt society from the inside. Teamed up with a handsome daredevil named Jack and a gang of girl revolutionaries called the Free Hawks, Saba stages a showdown that will change the course of her own civilization. (Goodreads)

Initial Thoughts: I first noticed this book because of the (awesome) cover. I immediately thought: post-apocalyptic setting, woman on her own; this is going to be scary as hell. When I read the blurb, I was surprised (pleasantly) to discover that it was a YA title. I received this title from the publisher free of charge, in exchange for an honest review.


Review: This was a fantastic book. The main character was just flawed enough to be realistic. Her struggle to find her twin and her the devotion she felt toward him was balanced out by much more complex relationships with the other members of her family. I loved watching Saba force her way through this new world, becoming as nonchalantly Bad-A as a character from a Quentin Tarantino movie. I love that the author avoided making her main character too perfect. I like a character who sometimes makes you cringe. It's hard to relate to someone who always does the noble thing, never acts like a jerk. My only complaint with this book (and the reason it didn't get 5 stars) was the dialect. It was just too distracting. I stopped noticing it about a quarter of the way in, but I had to really push myself to stay engaged for that quarter. Reading and writing have been all but extinct for generations, so words have softened and distorted. The author's crazy spellings are a way to convey this (and I understand why she did it), but it still drove me crazy. For instance: exactly was spelled "ezzackly". It felt like one of these would pop up and destroy my rhythm just when I was really getting into the story.Because I kept snagging on words like that, I thought that I'd be safe reading a bit more before bed. I was very, very wrong. A little after a quarter of the way through the book, I was completely hooked. I couldn't stop reading. I stayed up all night reading it. It was an amazing book, but if you're the kind of person who trips over typos and misspellings when you're reading, I would suggest patience. It's definitely worth getting through the initial discomfort with the dialect. I can't wait to see if the romance goes anywhere! I love a good game of cat-and-mouse, but I was hoping for a bit more resolution there. If nothing else, she's guaranteed that I'll pick up the sequel!



Quick Review: Loved it! I would have given it five stars, but the dialect was too distracting. A little after a quarter of the way through the book, I was completely hooked. I couldn't stop reading. I stayed up all night reading it. It was an amazing book, but if you're the kind of person who trips over typos and misspellings when you're reading, I could suggest patience. It's definitely worth getting through the initial discomfort with the dialect.

The Cellar by A.J. Whitten: Review Posted by Tiffany at 5:09 AM

Title: The Cellar
Author: A.J. Whitten (site)
Will Be Published: May 2nd 2011 by Graphia
Pages: 276
Preorder: $6.74 Book Depository $8.99 Amazon 
Source: NetGalley
Rating: 4/5
Synopsis:Meredith Willis is suspicious of Adrien, the new guy next door. When she dares to sneak a look into the windows of his house, she sees something in the cellar that makes her believe that Adrien might be more than just a creep—he may be an actual monster.

But her sister, Heather, doesn’t share Meredith’s repulsion. Heather believes Adrien is the only guy who really understands her. In fact, she may be falling in love with him. When Adrien and Heather are cast as the leads in the school production of Romeo and Juliet, to Heather, it feels like fate. To Meredith, it feels like a bad omen. But if she tries to tear the couple apart, she could end up in the last place she’d ever want to be: the cellar. Can Meredith convince her sister that she’s dating the living dead before it’s too late for both of them? (Goodreads)

Initial Thoughts: I was, for some reason, reluctant to start this book. I think that I had a sneaking suspicion that it would be a bit too Middle Grade. I was pleasantly surprised.


Review: Going on the synopsis, you might think that this book is about a girl whose sister falls in love with a vampire. She tries to stop her, but then realizes that he does love her after he makes some huge sacrifice. I am very pleased to be able to tell you that The Cellar is nothing like that. The boy in question is undoubtedly a villain, although you do see a few glimpses of who he might have been before. (Nope, not going to give it, you'll have to read.) I love, love, love that he turned out to be evil. Perhaps evil with reservations, but still evil. I've missed horror stories that are actually horrifying. There are a few gory, deliciously creepy scenes in this book. The story is fairly simple, but the execution is riveting. I read The Cellar in one day, caught up entirely in Meredith's struggle to protect her sister. One of the best aspects of this book is that there are other things going on in their lives. The family has been through a tragedy that none of them have recovered from. The first chapter or so, if read to someone who hadn't heard a thing about the book, would feel like the intro to a book about a family struggling to come to terms with their new life. I was surprised to find that I wanted more of this. I wasn't waiting impatiently for the Good Stuff, I was caught up in their lives before Adrien. I feel that it really gave this book more dimension. The horror actually became the catharsis for change in their family, making it (almost) worth the trouble. In short, I loved this book! The characters felt realistic, the villains were perfectly evil, and there was a lot more substance to the story than you find in your typical horror novel.

Quick Review: The Cellar is the story of two sisters trying to recover from a tragedy whose lives are upended by an evil monster moving in next door and wooing one of them. Yes, it is just as amazing as it sounds. Be prepared for flesh-eating, evil birds, and a bad boy who can't be saved (for once).

Lost in the River of Grass by Ginny Rorby: Review Posted by Tiffany at 2:44 PM

Title: Lost in the River of Grass
Author: Ginny Rorby (site)
Published: Published March 28th 2011 by Carolrhoda Books
Pages: 264
Buy: Amazon / Book Depository
Source: NetGalley
Rating: 3.5/5
Synopsis: "I don't realize I'm crying until he glances at me. For a moment, I see the look of anguish in his eyes, then he blinks it away and slips off into the water. I immediately think of the gator. It's still down there somewhere..." 

A science-class field trip to the Everglades is supposed to be fun, but Sarah's new at Glades Academy, and her fellow freshmen aren't exactly making her feel welcome. When an opportunity for an unauthorized side trip on an airboat presents itself, it seems like a perfect escape—an afternoon without feeling like a sore thumb. But one simple oversight turns a joyride into a race for survival across the river of grass. Sarah will have to count on her instincts—and a guy she barely knows—if they have any hope of making it back alive. 

Lost in the River of Grass takes on the classic survival genre using one of the country's most unique wild places as a backdrop. In this tense, character-driven thriller, Sarah must overcome prejudice and the unforgiving wilderness in a struggle to survive. (Goodreads)

Review: I loved the idea of someone being lost in the Everglades. I've read about being lost in jungles, deserts,  and underground tunnels, but never the Everglades. This was a very absorbing, quick read. There was a tiny bit of romance and plenty of suspense and danger. While it was a bit MG, at no point did I feel like the author was talking down to me. This would be a great read for your little brother or nephew, not so great for your House of Night devotee of a cousin. The story is solid, the characters realistic, and the conclusion satisfying. The only thing that bothered me was the sudden introduction in the last chapter of the big R theme. She is snubbed by her classmates in the beginning and I assumed that this was because she was poor. It's not until the last chapter that I realized she was black and that her race was the cause of all of that. If racism is going to be a big theme in a book, I feel that the author should introduce it clearly at the beginning. The full implications of her love interest's father's confederate flag, for instance, went right over my head. I figured, "Ok, so he has to overcome his father's ignorance and she is disgusted by it" and not, "Oh crap, his father is going to hate her because of the color of her skin" which is clearly what I was supposed to get from that, judging by his father's actions at the end of the book. I just hate feeling like I've missed a big piece of the story. :(  


Quick Review: This was a good read, solid and gripping. I would recommend it for your little brother or a school classroom.