Illegal

Title: Illegal

Author: Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin; Illustrated by Giovanni Rigano; Lettering by Chris Dickey

Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky

ISBN: 9781492662143

Length: 122 + Creators' Note + "Journey: Helen's Story" Words by Helen as told to Women for Refugee Women + Sketchbook

Obtained: Library hardcover copy

Comments:

I placed a request for this the first time I saw it, but by the time it came in it was just one of many books waiting for me to get to it.  Then Sunday, I picked it up just to glance real quick.  Next thing I knew, I was running late.  I stopped reading long enough to go to bible class, started reading again briefly before heading into work (dragging myself away), and then continued/finished as soon as I was home.  In other words, I found myself quickly caught up in the story and eager to discover Ebo and his family's fate.

The story moves between Ebo's time traveling by sea and jumping backward to his travels prior to that, including through the desert.  Ebo is continuously looking for his siblings through the story, as they are trying to build a better life together.  This isn't the first refuge story I've read, and I'm sure it won't be the last.  However, there is something about the graphic novel format combined with the real risks and dangers so many people are taking to improve their lives and escape the dangers of their home country that made Ebo's story especially touching.

The Boneless Mercies

Title: The Boneless Mercies

Author: April Genevieve Tucholke

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (Macmillan)

ISBN: 9780374307066

Length: 352 pages

Obtained: Download from Edelweiss+

Comments:

I just signed up for Edelweiss and was whitelisted for all Macmillan titles.  I was picking my first book and wanted to make sure it would be one I would definitely read... the right one.  When I saw this one includes girls in "the death trade" and was a standalone, I just had to read it.  My interest in assassin-type books is apparently never ending.

The Boneless Mercies are girls and women trained in the art of the "mercy killing."  For those who are frail and dying, they can seek a quick death by inviting these girls, marked by their cloaks, to finish their lives - for a price.  Ever since the Mercy that trained them passed, Frey, Ovie, Juniper, and Runa have been growing weary of their work in the death trade.  But they've recently heard of a beast that remains undefeated despite many warriors fighting to stop it.  This is their chance to change their futures.  Meeting with cruel men, Sea Witches, and others along the way, they will fight for what might be.

I liked Frey and her fellow traveling companions.  Each of the girls and Trigve, the young man they had added to their group along the way, reveal their different characters and (mostly tragic) backgrounds as the story progresses. 

I also appreciated the bits about Norse culture and mythology that was interspersed throughout the story, including their attitudes toward death and strong oral history.  The Boneless Mercies are quiet and not mentioned in the tales, but Frey wants to make an impression that will be passed down like the other sagas and chronicles that the Norse share.

While not necessarily what I might have expected, I enjoyed the story and finished it quickly.

Winterkill

Title: Winterkill

Author: Kate A. Boorman [Website][Twitter]

Publisher: Amulet

Series: Winterkill, Bk 1

ISBN: 9781419712357

Length: 319 pages

Obtained: ARC from ALA (2014)

Why this book?:

It looked interesting when I grabbed it (autographed), and continued to intrigue me even when I decided the number of books I own is overwhelming and some need to be donated rather than collecting dust. I forgot the book I was reading downstairs and did not want to rile the puppy by going down, so I grabbed this one.

Comments:

Winterkill kept me reading late into the night.  It seemed similar to a dystopian but had more of a historical or alternate history feel. One group of people has become isolated in a their own little world with their own world for 8 generations during the expansion in the Canadian west from historical pilgrimage.  The people of this little settling fear the outside to an enormous extent, and Emmeline, who is drawn to the outside by her curiosity and otherness is continually risking trouble and punishment from the leaders.  Still Emmeline cannot resist her dreams and seeking spirit, venturing further and asking questions that lead her further into danger.

Note: I just found out that this is the first book in a trilogy.  The second and third books are titled Darkthaw and Heartfire.

City of Ashes

Title: City of Ashes

Author: Cassandra Clare [Author Website][Shadowhunters Website][Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Series: Mortal Instruments, Bk 2

ISBN: 9781416972242

Length: 453 pages

Obtained: Personal copy. I don't remember where or how.

Why this book?:

I had just finished the first book in the series, City of Bones, and I was curious, plus this was extra shelf space once I've read it.

Comments:

I don't know if it is because City of Bones was a debut book, or if I just wasn't clicking with the world-building, but I felt like this book was an improvement on the first.  I could relate more with the characters and actually ended up reading City of Ashes in one 3-4 hour sitting.

In book 1 Clary is scrambling to figure out what on earth is happening and recover her kidnapped mother.  In this book Clary is focused on stopping some ritual serial killings while figuring out her scrambled emotions.  I do have to be honest, the scrambled emotions part was so much better that bk 1.  There was a line by Jace that I found especially amusing and made all those scrambled emotions a little easier to swallow.

“I don't want to be a man," said Jace. "I want to be an angst-ridden teenager who can't confront his own inner demons and takes it out verbally on other people instead."

Anyway, I'm sure I'll be reading book 3, City of Glass, soon.  I made the mistake of reading the sneak peak for it and I own it.

City of Bones

Title: City of Bones

Author: Cassandra Clare [Author Website][Shadowhunters Website][Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Series: Mortal Instruments, Bk 1

ISBN: 9781416955078

Length: 485 pages

Obtained: Personal copy.  I don't remember how I got it, though I'm sure it was used.

Why this book?:

As usual lately, I was looking to clear shelf space by reading something that has been in my TBR forever.  As the first in a series for which I have 3 (rather hefty) books, this seemed like a reasonable option.

Comments:

I have heard positive feedback from those who love this series.  And I've heard negative feedback from those who disliked it.  So I didn't know what to expect going in.  It wasn't hard to get into, which was a concern prior to starting it.  But I did think quite often throughout, "This book is LONG.  When is it going to end?"

I liked Clary well enough, but didn't really care about pretty much any the other characters.  I suspect this is part of what made it difficult.  She was having all this confusion about these characters that I didn't like or trust and rather thought she'd be better off avoiding.  On the other hand I understood she had a quest that she couldn't really do on her own.

Anyway, it must have hooked me more than I thought, because I went into reading the second book that same evening.

Curse of the Boggin

Title: Curse of the Boggin

Author: D. J. MacHale [Website][Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: Random House

Series: Library, Bk 1

ISBN: 9781101932544

Length: 242 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

I placed a request on this because - duh - it's the first book in a library series.

Comments:

I realized only when I was about to start this book and read "#1 New York Times bestselling author of Pendragon" that this was the same author who wrote The Merchant of Death that I had just finished.  I enjoyed this.

It felt somewhat like a children's version of The Librarians TV show, but rather than protecting powerful artifacts, the "agents" protect people's stories... which really could be just as powerful when you think about it.  It also reminded me somewhat of the library in The Magicians TV show (based on a trilogy of books by Lev Grossman, but I've never read them and probably never will since I stopped watching the TV show as it became too dark for my tastes) which is full of books that tell peoples stories.

Like the Pendragon book I read, Marcus has two friends, one boy one girl.  Also like the Pendragon book I read, both friends play a role, but aren't actively experiencing the main adventure for the bulk of the story.  I believe they will have more of a role going on in the series, though.  They certainly did toward the end of this book.

Anyway, I look forward to more in this series.  And I know I'll be reading more by this author in the near future.

The Merchant of Death

Title: The Merchant of Death

Author: D. J. MacHale [Website][Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: Aladdin Fantasy

Series: Pendragon, Bk 1

ISBN: 0743437314

Length: 375 pages

Obtained:

Personal copy.  I got it used (along with a few others in the series), but I don't remember when or how.

Why this book?:

Reading TBR books I own to make more shelf space.

Comments:

So this book was actually slow going for me.  To the point that I considered not continuing it.  But I ended up settling into it, and I plan to read more of the series.  I'm still can't say it was a favorite.  However, it has an intriguing premise, and I'm curious what happens with some of the characters.  I, by chance, ended up reading another book from a new series by this author shortly after (Curse of the Boggin), and I really enjoyed it, so who knows?

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

Title: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

Author: Ransom Riggs [Website][Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: Quirk Books

Series: Miss Peregrine, Bk 1

ISBN: 9781594744761

Length: 3489 pages + index of pictures and collection

Obtained: Library book club book

Why this book:

My discussion group was reading it, the movie is coming out, and I've wanted to read it anyway.

Comments:

This was a peculiar and enjoyable book.  The pictures were great additions, the story and characters and setting were all intriguing, and the overall atmosphere was a wonderful creepy/magical.

Jacob has always had a close relationship with his grandfather, but it has become more distant since Jacob has grown older and become less tolerant of his grandfather's fantastical tales.  But then he witnesses/experiences something tragic, and while coping with the resulting emotions, discovers a world bigger than he ever imagined.

I want to continue with the series (I already have the second book, Hollow City, checked out), but I'm hesitating because I don't know if I'd rather read it and experience the pictures, or listen to it (the audio is supposed to be great).

And the movie comes out today.  I don't know when I'll get to see it, but I'm excited.

Book Trailer:

 

Lockdown

Title: Lockdown

Author: Alexander Gordon Smith [Website][Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux

Series: Escape from Furnace, Bk 1

ISBN: 9780374324919

Length: 273 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

A coworker brought it to my attention and it sounded interesting.

Comments:

I don't know what I was thinking when I picked this up, despite the comment from my coworker.  It dark and gritty and horrifying.  Highly intense and emotional.  I wanted nothing more than to rush through the end (as in, I read it all in one morning before going to work that afternoon) and see if there was a successful escape from this place - only to find that there isn't a proper ending!  I'm sorry for the spoiler but this is a major cliffhanger.  I came into work in a tizzy, this book and all the possible outcomes swirling in my mind, and scolded the coworker who had suggested it for not warning me! For suggesting a book without an end!  It appears she hadn't fully read it herself yet, and she says calmly, "Well it's part of a 5 book series."  That would have been good to know in advance, and even then I don't expect cliffhangers!

Overall this is an emotionally gripping / riveting book, but I recommend reading it only if you have the next book on hand and time to read it.  I have the second book checked out now, but I'm worried it will end in a similar manner, so I've been delaying reading it.

Trailer:

Paperboy and Speak and Speechless

Sometimes I find myself reading books that feel as if they are connected. This was one of those cases.  I read these three books in the opposite order I have them listed below: Speechless, Speak, and Paperboy.

 I felt the need to group them together, because they all relate to young people finding their voice in some way or another, as well as powers of words and what words and expression can mean for us as humans.

Title: Paperboy

Author: Vince Vawter [Website][Facebook][Twitter] aka Vilas Vincent Vawter III

Publisher: Delacorte Press

ISBN: 9780385742443

Length: 223 pages + "Author's Note"

Obtained: ARC ... Maybe from staff lounge?

Why this book?:

I've been clearing out some of my ARCs both for shelf space reasons and to pass on.

Comments:

Told from the writings of an 11yo boy in 1958 Memphis, this story offers the internal thoughts of someone who can't always express himself so well outwardly (due to a stutter), as he goes through some coming if age events while also learning to see and recognize prejudice and bias for what it is on a number of levels.

I heard good things about this book when it first came out and as far as I'm concerned it lived up to the praise.  I really enjoyed it.

According to the author while being a fiction book, much of it was more memoir.  That made what the boy (we do not learn his name until the very end) went through with his stuttering so much more of a learning experience.

One more note: at one point he recites a poem he wrote - it was lovely. I read it through a couple times.  Poetry can be rather hit and miss with me, this was a hit.

Title: Speak

Author: Laurie Halse Anderson [Website][Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: Speak (Penguin Putnam)

ISBN: 014131088X

Length: 198 pages + "Laurie Halse Anderson speaks about speak..."

Obtained: Used copy from my BIL's cousins

Why this book?:

I was sorting through my books and couldn't resist after just having read Speechless.

Comments:

After an event at a party - she really doesn't want to think about it - Melinda calls the cops and becomes an outcast.  She turns all her pain, hurt, rage internally; she is falling apart, and doesn't know how to handle it.  As she becomes more withdrawn she is mostly silent, causing attention but not understanding from the adults around her.

Title: Speechless

Author: Hannah Harrington [Website][Twitter][Facebook]

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

ISBN: 9780373210527

Length: 263 pages + "Questions for Discussion"

Obtained: ARC from staff lounge at work

Why this book?:

I requested the library purchase it when it first came out because it sounded interesting.  Then I got the ARC, but never got around to reading it.  I'm now cutting back to make room in my new home library.

Comments:

Chelsea is a gossip, but at a party she sees something - and shares without thinking.  One of the parties involved is seriously hurt, so reports to the police, then takes a vow of silence to sort things out.  She goes through the school year as an outcast, but making surprising new friends while dealing with the consequences of her own actions.

Uncaged

Title: Uncaged

Author: John Sandford [Website][Facebook][Twitter] and Michele Cook (John Sandford's wife.  I didn't find any dedicated websites) ; Read by Tara Sands [Website][IMDb][Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: Listening Library

Series: Singular Menace, Bk 1

ISBN: 9780553395518 ; 9780553395501

Length: 11 hours, 44 minutes ; 10 discs

Obtained: Library downloadable and CD versions

Why this book?:

It sounded interesting and I needed something to listen to on a road trip for work back in May.  (It turns out I also have the ARC print from the 2014 C2E2, but it wasn't the right timing apparently).

Comments:

I was quickly caught up in the story and thoroughly enjoyed it.  The 2nd book, Outrage, wasn't out yet when I finished this, and the delay meant I was caught up in others books/series by the time it did come out, but I will be listening to it as well as the 3rd book, Rampage, eventually.

Ink and Bone

Title: Ink and Bone

Author: Rachel Caine [Website][Twitter][Facebook]

Publisher: New American Library

Series: Great Library, Bk 1

ISBN: 9780451472397

Length: 351 pages + "Soundtrack"

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

As soon as I saw a brief description of the new series I knew I had to try it.

Comments:

I was so excited about this book.  It wasn't quite what I expected, but I definitely found myself caught up in the story nonetheless.  The beginning reminded me of Harry Potter, the boarding school thing, train ride there, etc..  It also had some of the Big Brother touches from 1984, and the book censorship issues from Fahrenheit 451.  But it was ultimately its own book, and I enjoyed it.  I look forward to book 2, Paper and Fire.

Trailer:

The Second Guard

Title: The Second Guard

Author: J. D. Vaughn aka Julia Durango [Website][Twitter][Facebook] and Tracie Vaughn Zimmer [Website][Facebook]
 
Publisher: Disney Hyperion

Series: Second Guard, Bk 1

ISBN: 9781423169093

Length: 421 pages

Obtained: ARC - I'm not positive where from.  Maybe the staff lounge?  Maybe C2E2?

Why this book?:

It sounded interesting, and I'm clearing out for my home library.

Comments:

Tali is to join the Second Guard, formed to prevent war and leave a last remaining land of peace in a world where everywhere else has turned to war.  But not all is as it seems, and Tali, along with friends Zarif, Chey, and others cannot seem to just let it go.  I really liked Tali, her friends, and their bond.  I don't have much else to say, other than I can't wait for book 2.

Dualed

Title: Dualed

Author: Elsie Chapman [Website][Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: Random House

Series: Dualed, Bk 1

ISBN: 9780307931542

Length: 291 Pages

Obtained: ARC from the staff lounge.

Why this book?:

Apparently the director and director's secretary have been going through ARCs they picked up and thought they would read but haven't gotten around to.  After offering them up to all the branch managers, they brought those left to the lounge.  So this had a 2013 release date (according to the spine), but I just picked it up a couple days ago.  And then I thought to myself, "Self, aren't you clearing through these?  Do you really need more?" And myself thought back, "But it looks good, and you need a print book to read right now so you don't drain your cell battery."  And I ended up not only snagging it, but also reading it.

Comments:

While this type of book (dystopian) is not my book of choice (usually), and while it had themes I did not like that reminded me greatly of Hunger Games (kids/teens killing each other for survival), this was actually a pretty interesting book.  It had a lot of the 'who am I?' and 'what makes me me?' and general detachment from society themes that YA books do so well.

There was an assassin spin that I would have appreciated more if only it hadn't been assassination of kids by a kid.  Which kinda sent me in a tailspin, cause it didn't fit my 'moral code of fictional assassin protagonists' mental grouping/ideas.  I'm not sure that makes sense in the writing the way it does in my head.

But there is a book 2, Divided.  And it's already published which means I already put it on hold...

Catch-up, Pt 4

Title: Horse of a Different Killer
Author: Laura Morrigan [Website][Facebook][Twitter]
Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime Mystery
ISBN: 9780425257210
Obtained: Library copy

I enjoy this series, though once again I found myself scraping my brain to remember what happened in the first two stories leading up to it.  This time around Grace's sister is suspected of murder, Grace's usual sources are unavailable to her for one reason or another, and she must scramble to find the truth... and a missing possibly mistreated horse along the way.

I look forward to reading more of this series in the future.

Title: Texts From Mittens: A Cat Who Has an Unlimited Data Plan and Isn't Afraid to Use It
Author: Angie Bailey [Website][Website/Book Facebook][Website/Book Twitter]
Publisher: Harlequin
ISBN: 9780373893225
Obtained: Library copy

Very cute.  Parts were funny and needed to be shared.  Parts were silently amusing.  And parts were okay, moving on...

Title: Through the Woods
Author: Emily Carroll [Website (scroll down for "About" section)][Publisher Page][Twitter]
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
ISBN: 9781442465954
Obtained: Library copy 

This is a series of stories all featuring a "through the woods" element.

The thing about this book is that you need to pay attention to the recommended ages.  Because my 7yo nephew came to look at it with me, and I was reading aloud (just because I enjoy it).  He didn't understand the first story (and I didn't explain), and the second story creeped him out so bad he had nightmares.  When he saw the cover nearly a month later he called it the "bad book".  So FYI, it is intended for "Ages 14 and up".

But back to reading aloud, it works wonderfully with a low slow tone.  I loved the atmosphere and flow of the stories.  The one story I didn't care for was "The Nesting Place".  Ugh.  But otherwise the stories shared a kind of cool and creepy feel, with corresponding images.

Title: Day Shift
Author: Charlaine Harris [Website][Facebook][IMDb]
Publisher: ACE Books
Series: Midnight, Texas, Bk 2
ISBN: 9780425263198
Length: 307 Pages
Obtained: Library copy

I enjoyed this book, and Midnight Texas.  This is a multi-perspective story, but it works.

Once again, though I am left knowing I really need to read and/or re-read some of Charlaine Harris's other series.  I especially need a refresher on the Sookie Stackhouse series, because a couple more came out in this story and some of the story line actually reflected things that had happened in the Sookie series.  But I also need to read the Aurora Teagarden books (which I never did) and finish the Lily Bard books.

Title: Garden of Lies

Author: Amanda Quick aka Jayne Ann Krentz [Website][Facebook] aka Jayne Castle

Publisher: G. P. Putnam's Sons

ISBN: 9780399165153

Length: 359 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?: I read everything new by AQ/JAK/JC

Comments:

The heroine's name is Ursula.  That is what first struck me about the book.  When I hear Ursula, I don't think historical English woman (though I suppose that suits).  I think Disney villain - one that creeps me out more than most other Disney villains.  Once I pushed past that I was able to continue with and enjoy the story.  It has many of the same characteristics that make AQ/JAK/JC books comfort reads, so it was a feel good story.  Nothing else especially stood out as being something I should mention though.

Catch-up, Pt 2

I continue to attempt catching up with the many books read but not posted in months.

Title: Loot: How To Steal a Fortune

Author: Jude Watson [Website] aka Judy Blundell [Website][Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: Scholastic Press

ISBN: 9780545468022

Length: 266 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book:

It features thieves, and I love books about thieves.

Comments:

It was okay, but not as good as I had hoped when I read the blurb and requested the library purchase it.

Christine Feehan [Website][Facebook][Twitter]'s GhostWalker Series

A friend asked me to be in her wedding.  While we were discussing old times, she asked if I still read Christine Feehan (an author I introduced her to)'s books.  I said I hadn't in a while.

But afterwards I suddenly felt like catching up on this particular series. So I read all that have been published to date.  I'll indicate if it was a re-read or new to me next to the title.

1. Shadow Game (re-read)
2. Mind Game (re-read)
3. Night Game (re-read)
4. Conspiracy Game (re-read)
5. Deadly Game (re-read)
6. Predatory Game (re-read)
7. Murder Game (re-read)
8. Street Game (re-read ... I think)
9. Ruthless Game (new-to-me)
10. Samurai Game (new-to-me)
11. Viper Game (new-to-me)

Comments:

These seem to be focusing more and more on sex.  I guess I should expect that, but it was annoying because I was skipping chunks of pages looking for the story toward the end of the series.  But I am still interested in reading more, so we'll see how it goes with future books.

Title: An Early Wake

Author: Sheila Connolly [Website][Facebook] aka Sarah Atwell [Berkley Prime Crime]

Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime Mystery

Series: County Cork Mystery, Bk 3

ISBN: 9780425252536

Length: 291 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

I've been enjoying this series and author.

Comments:

Offered an interesting look into Irish musical history.  I enjoyed the overall story, but there were some inconsistencies that frustrated me beyond belief.  I had to keep setting the book down and distracting myself from whatever inconsistency before I moved on.

Nora Roberts [Website][Website 2][Facebook] re-reading and catch-up and all new...

Title: Brazen Virtue (re-read)

Follows Sacred Sins.  I've re-read this before and know and like the story.  But this time I saw it with fresh eyes.  Oh, technology.  How it does date books so.  I was 4 yo when this book was published.

The Sign of Seven Trilogy (new-to me ; catch-up)

Blood Brothers
The Hollow
The Pagan Stone

I had some trouble with picking these up when they came out years ago (even though I do own all of them).  Once I actually started I found myself caught up.  The books were interesting, and I liked the characters.

The Circle Trilogy (new-to-me ; catch-up)

Morrigan's Cross
Dance of the Gods
Valley of Silence

If I was going to catch-up on some unread trilogies, I may as well go all the way.  I was apparently in the right frame of mind for vampires now (that is, initially, why I never read this series).  I breezed through the series; I especially looked forward to the vampire's story in the 3rd book of the trilogy.

Title: The Liar (new)

Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons

ISBN: 9780399170867

Length: 501 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

It's the newest Nora Roberts.

Comments:

It was pretty interesting: 1) the look at verbal abuse and its spiraling effect, 2) how one falls into the web of a master con-man, 3) how someone can pick themselves back up.

Shelby did seem to go from being shamed (courtesy of lies of an abuser) to proud (she had to do all the financial pick-up herself... no bankruptcy etc. for her).  But I still liked her.  And Griffin was pretty good too.  I did figure certain key aspects out way before any of the characters in the book.  Maybe because I've seen it in other books/movies before.  And I'll say no more lest I give something away.

The Grimm Legacy

Title: The Grimm Legacy

Author: Polly Shulman [Website][Twitter][Facebook]; Read by Julia Whelan [Website][IMDb][Facebook]

Publisher: Dreamscape Media (Penguin)

Series: Depository, Bk 1

ISBN: 9781624068454

Length: 8 discs ; 9 hours, 19 minutes

Obtained: Library audiobook copy

Why this book?:

I've had a thing for all things Grimm lately.

Comments:

I typed this up once and lost it, so I hope I remember everything I wanted to say...

I liked Elizabeth as well as Aaron and Jaya.  Marc and Anjali annoyed me in their disregard for the rules, but I guess they were okay outside of that.  I don't know if it's because I'm getting older, or if it's like this for anyone reading the book, but I was just about pulling out my hair wanting them to just TELL AN ADULT.  Really, I'm all for the kids solving things, and when the adults are oppressive or don't believe you of course the characters need to act anyway.  But this just didn't feel like one of those situations.

Anyway, beyond those bits of frustration, I really enjoyed this story.  I loved hearing the fairy tales and the idea of artifacts really holding the power told of in said fairy tales.  Several of the fairy tales were unfamiliar to me, and I think I need to read me some Grimm brothers (I never actually have).

The ending was my favorite part, to the point that I actually re-listened to the last disc a few days after finishing the book.  I've since started the second book, The Wells Bequest, and while I'm sorry it does not focus on Elizabeth and Aaron (Jaya is a featured character though), I still expect it to be a fun book.

Gates of Thread and Stone

Title: Gates of Thread and Stone

Author: Lori M. Lee [Website][Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: Skyscape

Series: Gates of Thread and Stone, Bk 1

ISBN: 9781477847206

Length: 333 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

I saw it in one of the professional magazines and it caught my interest.  So I put in a request at my local library.

Comments:

Kai's Situation: She's not from a good area (though she isn't from the worst either).  She's an orphan.  She and her "brother" Reev are just scraping by.  And she has a secret magic that isn't "supposed" to be around anymore - now that the Rebirth (a great war with devastating consequences, from what I can tell) has happened.

Secret magic power: The power to make everything and everyone around her move in slow-mo, while she remains at regular speed.

The Problem: Reev has been kidnapped and could be killed or mind-wiped or something else as horrible.

The Mission: Go in to the Outlands (with the help of friend, Avan), and wherever else necessary to get Reev back.  Face gargoyles and whatever mysterious bad dudes come her way.

And oh, I'm having to backtrack non-stop to avoid spoilers, so I'll leave it at that.  Suffice it to say Much Dramatic Stuff happens.  The mystery of "What happened to Reev?" is resolved, but it brings Many Dramatic Revelations (some of which you must have guessed by the end), and a not super-happy but maybe-not-all-is-doomed ending... one most definitely intended for a second as-yet untitled book.

The Cure for Dreaming + Giveaway

Title: The Cure for Dreaming

Author: Cat Winters [Website][Twitter][Facebook]

Publisher: Amulet

ISBN: 9781419712166

Length: officially 368 pages OR my copy 342 p. + "When and Where U.S. Women Gained Full Suffrage" + "Recommended Reading"

Obtained: ARC snagged at ALAAC14

Why this book?:

It looked interesting, and after briefly skimming the back cover, sounded intriguing.

Comments:

If I had really understood what this book was I probably wouldn't have read it.  That would have been a shame...

I am so profoundly relieved and grateful that women before me fought to make life better for the future generations.  As I read I tried to imagine what my life would be like when and where Olivia's story took place (1900 Portland, Oregon).  What I would be like.  It's unfathomable and terrifying.

So even while I'd get so emotionally involved as I read this that my hands would be shaking or I'd be nauseous, I remained enthralled.  I wanted to know how things came out for Olivia, a 17-year-old budding suffragette.

On her birthday (Halloween) she attends a show with her friends.  There is a new, young hypnotist in town (Henri).  In the course of his show he asks for volunteers.  Olivia is the first of them.  This is the first time Henri hypnotizes Olivia, but it won't be the last.  Olivia's father has word that she's been supporting a suffragette movement.  He has the idea that she can be hypnotized into changing her ways.  Thus begins a mesmerizing tale of a young girl's fight to discover her voice.

Interspersed throughout the book are pictures and quotes from the time, reminding the reader that the underlying history was all too real.  It seems Cat Winters has already written another historical YA book, In the Shadow of Blackbirds, that I'd definitely be interested in reading.

Giveaway!

If you'd like to try this book (due to published this October), please enter using the form below. ( I seem to be having technical details, so if you can't get the form to work or don't see it, leave your email address in the comments.)  Open internationally.  The winning entrant 2 days (48 hours) from contact to respond back with a mailing address. Non-response will result in a new winner.

Winner: Kimberly!

Dust AND Tribes

Title: Dust

Author: Arthur Slade [Website][Website Bio 2][Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books

ISBN: 0385730047

Length: 183 pages

Obtained: Libray copy

Why this book?:

I searched Amazon for Books by Canadian authors and Arthur Slade's books came up.  This is one that my library has.

Comments:

I didn't know what to expect of this book.  It is set in the Depression-era, when drought is overtaking the land and 5 cents is a big deal.  Robert's little brother Matthew goes missing.  At first his parents are devastated, but someone new comes to town and suddenly its seems most of the adults in town are not themselves.  Robert knows something isn't right, but what can one 11 year old boy do?

This story had a very mystical sort of twist that I did not expect.  And the title means so much more than I first realized.  I did enjoy the story - I certainly breezed through it - but it was very strange.

In some ways it was difficult to wrap my head around.

Title: Tribes

Author: Arthur Slade [Website][Website Bio 2][Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books

ISBN: 0385730039

Length: 134 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

For the same reason as Dust.  I found it for the 7th annual Canadian Book Challenge.

Comments:

I read this while away at the ALA annual conference.  I finished it on the plane home.  It was short and bizarre.  I did know going in that the main character (Percy) considered the various cliques to be "tribes."  But I did not realize Percy's character would be so... different.  And perhaps I should have guessed the end sooner, bu I didn't.