tiny pink books

Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld
Simon Pulse, 2009

In Leviathan, a steampunk alternate history of World War I, Scott Westerfeld has created a wonderfully imaginative world with characters as likable as they come.  Telling the stories of Deryn Sharp, a spunky and tough girl posing as a boy soldier in the British army and Aleksander Ferdinand, son of the Archduke and on the run from his own country of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.  In Westerfeld’s world, the British, known as The Dawinists, have followed Charles Darwin’s evolutionary theories with a twist of genetic engineering to create animals for battle and transport.  The Germans, known as the Clankers, use engine powered iron machines (think steampunk meets mecha) to do their bidding.  The result is a spectacular adventure–fun, imaginative, and meticulously detailed (yet never dry).

If you can tell already, I loved this book.  I’m a fan of Westerfeld’s previous work with the Uglies series and Leviathan has surpassed my expectations.  I should also mention that the illustrations, by Keith Thompson, are excellent and really contributed to the feel of the story.  I guess the thing that I was most impressed with in Leviathan, was Westerfeld’s ability to create a world with so many details, both historical and fantastic, yet still have lifelike characters and an exciting plot with much drama.  Go Scott!

I’d recommend this book to, uhh, everyone.  But seriously, this book is timely in that it is decidedly steampunk, which is currently exploding on the hipster front (has anyone picked up Make magazine lately?).  I can see this book working for a lot of different audiences (the fantasy readers, the scifi readers, the nostalgic adventure readers).  I think this is be a great book for adults, teens, and tweens who want adventure, a little imagination, and a lot of fun.

Going Bovine by Libba Bray
Delacorte Books for Young Readers, 2009

Cameron Smith is your underachiever teen.  He floats through life passively, putting in the bare minimum at school, in his family, work, and even in his friendships.  When he is diagnosed with mad cow disease, it’s like he’s going to die without ever having lived.  The disease eats away at his brain, causing visions and general madness…or is it madness?  Through a series of cryptic clues and possibly insane visions, Cameron is sent on a quest to find a mysterious Dr. X to save not only himself, but the entire world.  Bringing a new friend, Gonzo, along for the ride, Cameron is forced to really engage on an adventure that is part madness, part love story, and part spring break road trip.  But will he find a cure for his disease?  Can he save the universe?  Is this really happening or is it all just the breakdown of his mad cow infused brain?

I don’t really know what to make of Going Bovine.  It is appropriate that the main character has a deteriorating brain…because the story is messy and mad in its own way.  There are gems within it, for sure, but I can’t say, with any confidence, that they have been pulled together into a great work.  The humor, for example, is spot on.  Libba Bray is one funny lady and the world is a better place for it!  The friendship between Gonzo and Cameron and their road trip antics is hilarious in that buddies who rag on each other a la John Green’s characters kind of way.

Despite some downright delightful moments in Going Bovine, however, it was hard to get through.  The good part is, this is a teenage, stoner version of magical realism.  The unexplained happens and the entire story is unique and interesting for what it is.  Maybe it was just covering too much or maybe the mad cow journey lasted just a bit too long, but the whole story felt like it was falling apart by the end.  In a way, it was appropriate because Cameron’s brain is also falling apart by the end…but it just wasn’t that fun to read anymore.  I wanted to like this book, I really did.  I love that Bray has departed from the historical fiction setting of the Gemma Doyle books and there are some wonderful moments in Going Bovine, but I just grew tired of this book in its 496 pages.  Maybe, after writing under the more rigid constrains of the historical and fantasy worlds of Ms Doyle, Bray just had to break free and go hog wild, but Going Bovine was just a little too messy to be coherent at times.  It didn’t help that the epic journey had a bit of a letdown conclusion as well.

I would recommend this to John Green fans who want more of that buddy picture humor and don’t mind a meandering plot.  Likewise, fans of magical realism and epic road trips might be inclined to enjoy.  I would not recommend this to reluctant readers or readers who need a neatly packed plot with a clean resolution.  I’m also not sure if fans of Bray’s previous work will cross over, though those who were savvy enough to pick up on the subtle, but delicious humor, of the Gemma Doyle books may find something within Going Bovine as well.

The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray
Delacorte Books for Young Readers, 2007.

The final book of the Gemma Doyle Trilogy, The Sweet Far Thing delivers a thoughtful and satisfying conclusion.  Nearing the end of their time at the Spence Academy for Young Ladies, Gemma Doyle and her friends, Felicity and Anne, are faced with the harsh realities of their futures.  Meanwhile, the Realms are awash with conflict as Gemma holds all of the magic and must decide how to share it within the tribes there.  In this final book, Gemma’s two roles, as a strong sorceress of the Realms and as a powerless English school girl, collide and reach an exciting conclusion.
I enjoyed this whole series much more than I expected to.  I love that way Bray uses the historical setting to create a unique and feminist theme.  As Gemma and her friends struggle against the corseted boundaries that society holds them in, the only power they seem to have is that of magic.  I could go on, but basically, this trilogy was a very good blend of genres (both historical fiction and fantasy) with really well written characters.  As someone who is not particularly inclined to either genre, I am amazed at how enjoyable I found this series.  Recommended to readers, especially teen girls, who want action, realistic characters, and a bit of magic.  Also, though long, the audio versions of all of the Gemma Doyle books were excellent!

Evermore: The Immortals by Alyson Noel
St. Martin’s Griffin, 2009

After surviving a horrible accident that leaves her entire family dead, Ever finds herself orphaned, living with an Aunt in sunny Orange County.  She also finds herself able to hear the thoughts of others, see auras, and hanging out with the ghost of her dead little sister.  Unfortunately, the psychic powers alienate and overwhelm her, leaving her unable to lead any kind of normal social life.  Predictably enough, a mysterious boy with no aura, Damen, arrives one day and Ever is powerfully drawn to him.  It’s love at first sight, but there are…complications.  Who (or what) is Damen?  Who is the mysterious girl who has turned up at his side?  Why does he disappear at every critical moment?

Though it echoes too strongly of the Twilight series, Evermore is still a fun read.  The supernatural drama may not be unique, but it manages to stay interesting.  My one complaint is that the character of Ever, and her subsequent relationship with Damen, is beyond frustrating.  I understand that Ever, having lost her entire family, is not the happiest soul, however, Noel has created the most passive character imaginable.  Ever seems to have few opinions, no interests of her own, and very little backbone.  I was very frustrated with Ever and Damen’s relationship for most of this book…yet I kept on reading.  I guess that would be the more telling factor.

Recommended for teens who like Twilight.  Adult Twilight fans may enjoy this, but it definitely reads more for a younger audience than some of the other crossover successes.  Despite its many flaws, I couldn’t stop reading…

Rebel Angels by Libba Bray
Random House, 2006
Continuing the Gemma Doyle saga, Rebel Angels delves further into the fantasy elements that were established in the enjoyable A Great and Terrible Beauty.  16-year-old Gemma Doyle is still at Spence Academy, learning how to be a fine young lady in her world of manners and corsets.  Taking place mostly over the Christmas holiday in London, Gemma and her two friends Felicity and Ann, find themselves destined to bind the magic in the mysterious and magical Realms.  Of course, there are hoards of magical creatures and secret societies looking for a piece of the magic, not to mention the evil and powerful Circe, who will stop at nothing to gain power.  Of course, there is also the drama of being a young lady in a rigid society of rules, traditions, of family problems, and of potential courtship with a handsome young gentleman.    Part fantasy and part historical fiction, Rebel Angels is an excellent chapter to this fun and addictive trilogy.

I’m normally highly resistant to historical fiction, but this series has really entertained me thus far.  While I liked A Great and Terrible Beauty overall, I found Rebel Angels to be more interesting and exciting, probably due to the fact that the story has darkened considerably.  Yes, it’s predictable and you can see the plot twists coming a mile ahead, but it’s fun and the combination of fantasy, historical fiction, and snarky girl drama is entertaining.  I think Rebel Angels will be well enjoyed by fans of the first book.  It’s a compelling page turner with a good dose of fantasy that mixes well with the historical setting and characters.

I listened to the audio version and higly recommend it!

Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan
Delacorte Books For Young Readers, 2009

Mary lives in an isolated village surrounded by fences that have been there for as long as anyone can remember.  On the other side of the fences, zombies, “The Unconsecrated,” as they are known in this book, walk freely.  Trapped by the hordes of zombies outside the fence, life in Mary’s village revolves around survival.  People marry, the have children, they maintain the fences, and they kill off anyone who becomes infected with the zombie plague.  The Sisterhood, a secretive sect of nuns, controls most things in the village and tells the people nothing of their history or what lies beyond the forest.  Fueled by stories of the ocean and a world before the Unconsecrated, Mary is determined to find more to the world than what lies within the fences of her small village.

There’s nothing brilliantly original about The Forest of Hands and Teeth.  It is very reminiscent, almost overly so, of the M. Night Shyamalan movie The Village in many ways.  There’s also, of course, the element of the zombies, which, aside from being called “Unconsecrated” behave very much in the way that zombies do in most zombie movies and books.  Additionally, there’s a love story in The Forest of Hands and Teeth that feels forced and a little tired.  Despite these faults, the story is gripping enough to keep a reader up late into the night and has a powerful emotional impact.  The Forest of Hands and Teeth is one of those rare blends of exciting, page turning adventure and quality, heartfelt writing.

Recommended for teens and adults who like their horror mixed with melodrama.  Yes, there are some pretty exciting zombie scenes here, but there are also quite a lot of meandering passages where Mary questions heavy topics such as faith, the world beyond the fence, and love.  Likewise, sensitive readers should beware that there are some intense scenes of gore, violence, and hair raising action.

A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray
Delacourte Books for Young Readers, 2003.

Set in 1895, 16 year old Gemma Doyle’s life changes forever with the sudden and mysterious loss of her mother.  She is sent from India, where she grew up with her parents, to the prestigious and imposing Spence Academy in English.  While she struggles to find her place among the other girls and deals with the grief surrounding her mother’s death, Gemma also faces a more unusual problem.  Finding herself in possession of new, powerful abilities and a connection to a dark secret society, Gemma must struggle to understand her new power and place in the world.

I’m not much of a fan of historical fiction, so I opened A Great and Terrible Beauty with a lot of reservations.  What I found though was a novel that was compelling to read, with just enough historical detail to add to the story without being overwhelming.  The story itself, though a little predictable, is a fun read.  The contrast of the powers that Gemma has in the supernatural world with the lack of power she has as a woman in 1800’s England works well.  Even though I wouldn’t say that I was in love with this book, the pages kept turning and I found myself unable to put it down.

I’d recommend this one to readers seeking a girl + supernatural world/power story.  Fans of Twilight, The Summoning, and such will be pleased as this is a solid contribution to the genre.

The Hero of Ages (Mistborn Book 3) by Brandon Sanderson
Tor Book, 2008

Finally, I got a copy of The Hero of Ages from the library!  Continuing the unstoppably good Mistborn series, The Hero of Ages begins at desperate times for Vin, Elend, and the other surviving members of Kelsier’s old crew.  A destructive, God-like force has been unleashed and is doing just about everything that it can to end the world.  Vin, Elend, Spook and the rest of the crew are doing anything that they can to stop it.  But how do you stop a God?  Sanderson delivers a satisfying conclusion in this final chapter.

I’m not going to say much other than that I have enjoyed the Mistborn series thoroughly.  As someone who is not easily a fantasy fan, I have great respect for Sanderson in making this work approachable and enjoyable, even for readers like me who are not necessarily driven to read fantasy (I thank my sister for getting me into these books!).  As a young adult librarian, I think that I will recommend this series, though it is not specifically marketed for YA, to teens who can handle the (thick) page length because I do think that the material will be just as appealing to teens and adults alike.

Coraline by Neil Gaiman
Harper Collins, 2002

Is it just me or is Neil Gaiman everywhere these days?  He’s gone from comic book and scifi/fantasy author, celebrated by gothgirls and teenage alterna-types everywhere in the 90’s, to multi-award winning children’s, adult, and young adult author, celebrated and praised by just about everyone.  And the funny thing is, he totally deserves it.  Coraline is Neil Gaiman’s masterpiece for children, combining just the right touches of creepy darkness and quirky, light-heartedness that makes a book memorable and beloved by children and adults.

In Coraline, Coraline Jones becomes bored one day when her parents are busy working and no one seems to be around to play with her.  She discovers a secret door in her flat that leads to an alternate world where the toys are alive and, more creepily, another, more doting, set of her parents live.  The other parents, most specifically, the “other mother,” want Coraline to stay in their world forever and when Coraline does eventually go back to her own world, she discovers that her real parents have gone missing.  Back in the other world, Coraline senses the darkness that lurks under the surface and must demonstrate all the intelligence, bravery, and cunning that she can to escape this weird other world and save her real parents.

I personally didn’t love this book in the same way that other do (especially given its long list of notable awards); however, I did think that it was a very well-written and exciting book that will hold up well to a vast range of audiences.  Children, who will read this more as an adventure, will be delighted with the character of Coraline and the fantastic elements throughout the book.  Teens and adults, on the other hand, will be sucked in by the subtle darkness that adds a real sense of urgency to Coraline’s dilemma.  I’ve seen many a review that compares Coraline to Alice in Wonderland. I can see the parallels in that both books are creepy to the core and surreal in their execution, however, I think that Coraline is a much more accessible book for most readers, young and old.  I adore Alice in Wonderland, of course, but I admit that it can be a challenging read, even for some adults.  Coraline, however, has that special place in that it is readable at many levels, allowing it to be interesting and enjoyable for all ages.  I would recommend this book to just about anyone who is in the mood for it.  I think it would work especially well as a family read.

I listened to the audiobook, read by Neil Gaiman himself.  Unlike many authors in their “read by the author” produced audiobooks, Gaimen does a good job of reading the book.  Music by the Gothic Archies is interspersed between disks, which I found a little irritating and out of place, though the musical interludes are short enough so as to be tolerable.

Dead to the World by Charlaine Harris
Ace Books, 2004

Sookie Stackhouse is in for another foray with the supernatural in Dead to the World, the fourth installment of Charlaine Harris’s popular Sookie Stackhouse/Southern Vampire Chronicle books.  In this novel, Sookie, a sweet and spunky telepathic waitress, deals with vampires, warewolves, shapeshifters, witches, and even a fairy!  Eric, the head vampire in her area, is left in Sookie’s care while the entire supernatural community of Bon Temps, Louisisana gathers together to discover and fight a mysterious coven of evil witches.  Sookie’s brother is missing and Eric has lost his memories and is a little bit helpless, and therefore all the more irresistible, to our darling Sookie.

Although I have to say that this book was just as quick and addictive a read as any of the other Stackhouse novels, I was just a little bit disappointed with this installment.  The supernatural in Sookie’s world have gone from quirky to downright silly in some cases as Harris pushes more and more magical creatures and powers into the already crammed picture.  Although the book still combines the genres of mystery, romance, and fantasy/horror, it is becoming more and more rooted in the latter.  I’m not saying that it’s a bad thing, however, I think that the books are starting to lose the more widespread appeal that the earlier installments carried.  When I read the first of the Southern Vampire Chronicles, I deemed it appealing to readers looking for any kind of offbeat trashy fun book.  As I get further into the series, I think that the books are becoming more appealing to fantasy/horror readers, but possibly less appealing for people who aren’t into those genres.  I don’t know.  I still think these books are a lot of fun to read and I have trouble putting them down.  I’ll read onto the next one soon and see where it goes from here.