Rebels Rising by Shanna Swendson

5 stars

(Can I give it more than 5?  Like 10? 'Cause really.)

Oh how I love these books.

In fact, I bought them with the money my inlaws gave me for my birthday.... and I reread one and two and read this one twice.

Because seriously they're that fun.

I'm obsessed.

These are great for teens, too.  Boo is also obsessed.

If you haven't read them yet, well for one, what's wrong with you, and for two go do it now.  Stat.

Start with Rebel Mechanics.


Can we get the 4th book like now please??

Firebolt by Adrienne Woods

(The Dragonian #1)
3 stars
R- 2 (but it looks like that will maybe go up in later books)
language

Definitely YA-- parents should know that there is discussion of sex, especially virginity, which at first is played for comic effect and later actually has bearing on the plot. Also language-- both crudity and profanity.

Good premise.  Is the execution great? No.  But... even being sensitive to various things from reading the negative reviews... it wasn't THAT bad.

Elena's obnoxious but she's a pretty normal teen.  I'm more annoyed by the adults who put her in that position so soon after everything she'd been through.  (And she needed to be older.... they all did.)

Also really wish more would have developed in this first book.... some of what's coming (please tell me it's going to happen with how glaringly obvious it seems) really could have happened in this one.  I wish the pacing had been better and the book a little longer so that it all fit in one volume rather than dragging it into a series.

So after writing that bit ^^ I went looking.... And ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME?!

There are FOUR more novels plus THREE novellas AND a spinoff series.

Oh heck no.

Sorry, ain't nobody got time for that.

As far as I can tell (after reading all the most spoiler-y reviews I could find) books 2 and 4 are filler.  Books 3 and 5.... stuff happens, but I seriously DO NOT see why there needed to be that many books.

It really could have just been 1.... maybe 2.

(Also, parents should know that there's a major rape scene in a later book.... sorry for any spoilers there.  It doesn't seem to actually have a point other than, I suppose, how else does one draw a storyline out for 4 books more than it needed to be)

In the end it appears that everything works out how you expect it to from how much hinting there is in book 1.... and I'm perfectly fine knowing that without reading all the insanity in between.

Rebel Magisters by Shanna Swendson

5 stars

Oh these books!

I need the third one.  Which as far as I can tell doesn't even have a title yet.

Sigh.

This series is officially on my "need to buy" list.  And they've earned a spot on my comfort reads shelf.

You know, those books you keep going back to-- the ones you read like once a year?

Because I already want to reread these.

This is a fabulous second installment.

If you haven't read the first one yet (Rebel Mechanics)... well what are you waiting for??

Boo hasn't read them yet, so I can't give you a younger perspective, but I'm in love.

Ronit & Jamil by Pamela L Laskin

3 stars
YA verse novel
R- 2 ish (subtle and non-explicit, but a fair amount of sensual imagery)

An interesting retelling of Romeo and Juliet, involving an Israeli girl and a Palestinian boy.

Definitely YA-- not something I would give to Boo for a while (she's 12).

Biggest complaint-- not always being able the tell who's speaking.  It's not a simple "one poem from him, then one from her" set up and they aren't all labeled as to who it is.

Overall.... well, let's say I liked it as well as I'm ever going to like a Romeo and Juliet retelling.

(I HATE Romeo and Juliet, so maybe that's not saying a lot, but hey.)

If you're in the mood for star-crossed lovers, this is a quick and satisfying read.

Received for review.

(And since I was finished with it within an hour of it arriving on my doorstep, I'd say this counts as my "something new".  Now I just need to find something old and something borrowed.)

Rebel Mechanics by Shanna Swendson

5 stars
R- 1
young adult, steam punk, alternate history

New on my list of "things I need to own"!

I really enjoyed this one.  Like REALLY enjoyed it.  Like want to live in it longer enjoyed it.

A totally fun what-if-- what if the British upper class had magic and used that to stop the American Revolution?  And what if all technology was powered by magic?

Well, you'd end up with rebel mechanics-- radicals who develop steam engines and other such machines in an attempt to overthrow the dependence on magic.

I enjoyed the characters and the story.

So looking forward to the second book!

Beehives Part the Final

Last but not least, we have the Young Adult Fiction category

(Young Adult is trickier to navigate content-wise, so you may want to double-check or further investigate these to see if they're appropriate for your reader.)

A Night Divided by Jennifer Nielsen (Both Boo and Mister have read and enjoyed this historical novel.  I haven't gotten to it yet sadly, but I'm really looking forward to it.)

The Hired Girl by Laura Amy Schlitz (This seems to be another historical set in 1911 Baltimore.)

I Am Princess X by Cherie Priest (Boo LOVED this one.)

Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine (Alternate history?)

Jackaby by William Ritter (Oh how we love Jackaby!  Boo and I have recommended this to many people.)

Kissing in America by Margo Rabb (This is noted as being for more mature readers.)

The Leveller by Julie Durango (Virtual reality gone haywire-- Boo really enjoyed this one.)

Nimona by Noelle Stevenson  (Graphic novel, Boo and Mister both enjoyed this one.)

The Six by Mark Alpert (This one looks dystopian.)

Under a Painted Sky by Stacey Lee (Oregon trail historical.  This looks really interesting.)

The Sparks by Kyle Prue with GIVEAWAY

Book 1 of the Feud Trilogy

3.5 stars
YA?
R-1

Copy received for review

An interesting story, and fairly compelling read.  For the most part it kept me intrigued and I'd be interested in reading the other two.

Really, a solid 5 stars for concept, 4 for character development, 3 for execution and 3 for editing.

Also, probably only a 2 or 3 for tying in the "sparks" concept/title.  That didn't really come through.  I saw where he meant it to go, but it just wasn't fully developed.

Three families, feuding for forever, may actually have a common enemy for the first time since their ancestors were given the supernatural powers that makes each family what it is.

Yes, to some extent you see where it's going, but that's not always a terrible thing.

(The fact that one of the families has a raven as a symbol and the colors were black and purple amused me.  Go Baltimore!)

It definitely needed to be more concise.  There was an entire chapter with potential, but as far as I can tell it didn't actually have any point.  The story wouldn't have been any different without it.

That's where you need a good editor to say "Look, I know you'd rather cut out an organ than a chapter/scene/character/whatever, but the story will be the better for it.  I promise."

The writing isn't bad, but you can tell the author is young.  Is it better than what I wrote at 17, yes.  Does it suffer from some of the same issues my writing did at 17, also yes. ;)

All in all, it's a pretty solid debut.  And dang, to have a solid, published debut at 17? Whew!

If you'd like to win your very own copy, leave a comment below (PLEASE include an email address!) and I'll very scientifically have LuLu pick a winner March 7th. (US and Canada only)

If you'd rather skip the gamble and purchase the book yourself:

• DISCOUNT CODE: We have a special discount code for readers who want to purchase The Sparks. You can purchase the book from Kyle Prue’s store on his official website (linked). The code ‘BLOG25’ will get you 25% off an autographed copy! NOTE: This code will not work on purchases made on Amazon. 

Glitches and The Queen's Army by Marissa Meyer

4 stars each
Prequels to Cinder and Scarlet, respectively

http://www.tor.com/stories/2011/12/glitches
http://www.tor.com/stories/2012/11/the-queens-army

These short stories give us a glimpse of Cinder's and Wolf's life before the books.

Even though Glitches happens before Cinder, I actually recommend reading both in between Cinder and Scarlet so that you already have a feel for the world.

They probably deserve 5 stars, but I struggle with short stories in general.  Generally there's just not enough to them for me.

I did really enjoy them both.

Overall, they're both definitely worth the read.

Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

5 stars
YA
Sequel to Cinder

Oh. My. Gosh.

First of all, way more of a direct continuation than I thought it was going to be.

Second, I need Cress.... like yesterday.

Seriously, this picks up right where Cinder left off and you are in for one heck of a ride.  Craziness.

In a good way.

Very very much recommended.  But read Cinder first.

Preferably right now.

A Traitor in the Tunnel by YS Lee

5 stars
R- 1.5
Book 3 of The Agency

It's kind of ridiculous how much I love these books.

The research doesn't feel terribly strong-- especially, in some ways, in this one...

But the story is so fun I just don't care.

Mary is such an engaging heroine that I just don't care.

Even when I briefly thought "Okay this side story is a little old" I didn't really care enough to be bothered.

This is always listed, everywhere I've seen it described, as a trilogy.  Which would make this the end.

But there are rumors about a 4th book....

And that would be seriously cool.

Until then, I'll reread the trilogy.

:)

The Body at the Tower by YS Lee

The Agency, book 2
5 stars
YA

You know you are loving a series when to finish a book and are seriously tempted to start it again immediately because you don't have the next one yet but you want more.

I love these books.  Are they perfect? No, I'm sure they're probably not, but I absolutely love them.

Read the first one first-- A Spy in the House-- and then this one.

Looking forward to reading the third as soon as I can get my hands on it.  In the meantime... maybe it's time to reread the Robin Paige Victorian mysteries?

Unwind by Neal Shusterman

4 stars
ya
book club

Not sure I can say I enjoyed this book, but it certainly was compelling.

AND HOLY FREAKING CREEPY, BATMAN.

On oh so many levels.

Which got totally stuck in my head.

Let's just say reading it at night is possibly not recommended.

Interesting and disturbing, not sure I want to read the sequel, though the book did end on an ultimately hopeful note.

Num8ers by Rachel Ward

4 stars
R- 2
Language

Grittier than I expected for a YF.  I'd call it YA.

Overall, not really what I expected, but I found myself totally sucked it.  I'm intrigued by the whole idea.

And apparently there's a sequel, so now I have to read that. :)


The whole concept is kinda creepy-- seeing a person's death date when you look into their eyes... *shudder*

Talk about TMI.

Anyway, recommended.  Jem is a fascinating character... even if she does drive you nutty sometimes.

(This was my book club pick for June.)

Blue by Lou Aronica

4 stars
R- 0
Copy provided for review through Virtual Book Tours.

This book was and yet was not what I thought it would be.

It was a little slow to start, for me at least.  It's a story told from different points of view, which is fine, except that one of the points of view never quite made sense to me.  I think that was at least partially intentional, but I wish it had been a little more developed.

This book is sad.  Just to warn you.  And yet, it's not.

Weaving together a father, a daughter, and a queen, the three main storylines become a beautiful tapestry of love and loss and, ultimately, hope.

I'd call this YA, for older teens, but also great for adults.  Especially anyone who's ever created an imaginary world.  :)

After all, what would you do if you found that world was real?  And would anyone believe you if you told them?

Definitely recommended!!

Stop by tomorrow for a guest post from the author!

The Compound by S A Bodeen

5 stars
R- 0
YA/Dystopian

Holy creepy dystopian goodness.

If you are a fan of dystopia, you MUST read this one.

I picked it up thinking I'd read it to see if my brother might like it.... and I'm SOOO glad I was looking for stuff he'd like, because I'm not sure I'd have picked it up otherwise!!

Okay, actually, it may or may not be dystopian, depending on your point of view, but seriously, go read it!

I'm very very curious to see if there will be a sequel-- the ending is pretty open, so there could be.  I'll be on the lookout.

I'm not going to tell you what happens... can't figure out how to describe it without giving things away.  Just read it.

:D

Counts for the Support Your Local Library Challenge.

Starclimber by Kenneth Oppel

5 stars
R-0
Sequel to Airborn and Skybreaker

So I was pretty sure this was the end of the series... but I'm not positive.  SOOOOO hope it's not the end!!  I really love these characters!

Captain Walken is back, which rocks, and we see Chef Vlad again!  Woohoo!

The bit in Egypt at the end-- awesome!

I think I read the whole book in about 5-6 hours.  All in one sitting.  Actually, now that I'm thinking about it, it might not have even been that long.  But it was one sitting. 

Anyway.....

Matt and Kate are back and this time the stars are the limit.  It's a great adventure in outer space and, of course, they manage to get themselves into plenty of trouble.

Really, I may have liked this one the best.

Totally recommended!!

Counts for the Support Your Local Library Challenge.

No Going Back by Jonathan Langford

5 stars
R- really hard one to rate, plenty of sexuality, but more in a health class way than a risque way
Copy provided by the publisher at the request of the author

First things first-- I have spent a fair amount of time debating on how to review this without going into my feelings on homosexuality and without it turning into a huge mess.  I can't find a way to review this book without going into what I know is a deeply complicated and often painful topic.  I have received painful and even hateful emails in the past for my opinions and beliefs and would prefer not to repeat the experience, though, so IF THE COMMENTS GET OUT OF HAND, I WILL DELETE THEM AND/OR TURN THEM OFF ALTOGETHER!

Whew, glad that's out of the way.

*From the back cover-- A gay teenage Mormon growing up in western Oregon in 2003.  His straight best friend.  Their parents.  A typical LDS ward, a high school club about tolerance for gays, and a proposed anti-gay-marriage amendment to the state constitution.  In No Going Back, these elements combine in a coming-of-age story about faithfulness and friendship, temptation and redemption, tough choices and conflicting loyalties.*

This is normally NOT a subject I would read a book on.  Generally, it's a subject I'd prefer not to touch with a ten-foot pole.  Especially online for all the world to see.

But when the author contacted me, I decided (after a fair amount of internal debate), you know what?  It's a story that needs to be told.

Then I got the book and seriously dragged my feet reading it.  Why?  I was so afraid I would hate it.  I was so afraid that it would go against everything I believe and then I'd have to review it and it would just all be awful.  I wasn't positive that the author was LDS and I just wasn't sure the portrayal of Mormonism was going to be good.

And you know what happened?  I loved it.

Yes, parts were heart-wrenching and yes, there were things I didn't like, but overall I think the character of Paul is an absolutely brilliant portrayal of a teen struggling with his feelings for other men and his faith in the gospel.

Okay, quickly, what I didn't love-- the swearing.  I know it's realistic, but still.  I don't love reading it.  The storyline with Chad's mom-- it was fascinating, but really didn't belong in this book.  It wasn't fleshed out enough to stand alone and it didn't support the main storyline with how much of it there was.  I would LOVE to see Langford revisit the ideas there in a separate book, though.  Also, the narration lagged in places.  It really could have used a little more tightening up.

Other than that, I really thought it was very well done.  I'm not saying it's for everyone, but there were a lot of places where I thought "Exactly!  That's what I believe.  That's how I feel.  That's what I have such a terrible time putting into words."

Now, as far as recommendations go (and this is where I struggle a little)-- would I recommend it for teens..... yes and no.  Um, for LDS teens struggling with how they feel about homosexuality in general or their own personal feelings of homosexuality-- yes.  However, I do think it's the kind of book where it would be better if teens and parents both read it and talked about it.   Would I recommend it for parents of teens, yes.  I'm not sure I'd recommend it for the under... oh 15 crowd.  It is a mature subject.  It's a difficult subject.

I would also recommend it to LDS bishops.  I thought the character of Richard Mortenson, the bishop, was really insightful.

Really, if nothing else, you've got to give Langford kudos for even considering tackling such a hard subject.  I can think of exactly one other book that goes anywhere near it.  (The Way He Lived, for those that are wondering.  It's a lot more subtle, and really totally different, but also an excellent book.)

Now, technically Jonathan Langford lives in Wisconsin, but because of his strong ties to Utah and the fact that it's LDS fiction, I'm tagging this as a "local" author.

Skybreaker by Kenneth Oppel

5 stars
R-0
Sequel to Airborn
YA

If Airborn was Treasure Island, Skybreaker is Twenty-Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.  (Which I should probably reread, seeing as how it's been close to two decades.)

Anyway, this delightful followup to Airborn was lots of fun to read.

Granted there was the requisite "well I know she likes me, but does she really like me?" rubbish, but it's a YA sequel.  I'm becoming resigned to those plot aspects.

And honestly, the "but I want to be a man, not a boy" stuff bugged me more.  I suppose it's realistic, so you have to let it slide.  I guess it's a macho thing that girls just don't get.

I loved the premise and everything, though.  The new characters were interesting, and I was thrilled to see Chef Vlad show up, even if it was only briefly.

Matt Cruse is still a delightful hero (even if he's got a load of self-doubt) and Kate is still just plain funny.

If you liked the first one, you'll like this one.  If you haven't read the first one, what on earth are you waiting for??

Now I can't wait to get my hands on the third!!

Counts for the Support Your Local Library challenge

The Mark by M R Bunderson

5 stars
R-1 maybe, probably not even that
YA

So a few months ago, my friend says "Hey, my cousin's book is coming out, you should read it."  And so I put it on hold thinking, hey, why not.

Then I started seeing it pop up around the blogosphere... and it looked like people were liking it, so I got excited about it.

Then suddenly, it was due back at the library.... so I read it in a day.

AND LOVED IT!

Okay, there were a couple of editing issues in the first couple of chapters, but only a couple, luckily.  And there was some melodramatic "I can't live without you" teen romance, but since it actually worked with the story and there were actual reasons for it, I only rolled my eyes once or twice. lol

When Tori meets Eric, she's not sure what to think.  They have strange things in common... which they then realize are also shared with Amanda, a girl Tori goes to school with.  Soon the three of them are deep into a mystery that could change everything.

Totally recommended.  And after you read it, head over to Bunderson's website to check out the deleted scenes!

Counts for my Bookclub, the Support Your Local Library Challenge, AND the Support Your Local Author challenge!!!

Inside Out by Maria V. Snyder

5 Stars
R-1

First off, I LOVE the cover.  Isn't it cool?

Second, I LOVED this book, but it gave me the WEIRDEST dreams ever.  Probably because I finished it after midnight and went straight to bed.  Go figure.  :)

Anyway, it's no secret that I love Maria V. Snyder's books.  She's amazing.

And this new YA distopian is no different.  Fabulous.

Trella is a "scrub"-- spending all her days cleaning the pipes and ducts of Inside.  (Okay, so "days" maybe isn't the best way to put it.  They don't really have days.  Just hours and 100 hour weeks.)

Trella really just wants to be left alone, but when she accidentally starts a revolution she realizes solitude maybe isn't all it's cracked up to be.  And maybe the Uppers and the scrubs aren't all that different after all.

While this book could stand alone, happily there is a sequel in the works.  Outside In will be available sometime next year.  Yea!  :D

I haven't actually read a whole lot of dystopian books, but they do seem to be everywhere of late.  I know there are a ton on my TBR list.  What's your favorite?