Matched by Ally Condie

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3Q 4P M S

Condie, Ally. Matched. Dutton Juvenile, 2010. 369 p. $17.99. 978-0-525423645.

Cassia Reyes, like most teenagers in the Society, is excited to be Matched to her perfect mate. When her Match turns out to be her best friend, Xander, she is very pleased.  But when she inspects her microcard at home with her Match's information, she sees another face on the screen: her childhood friend, Ky.  How can Cassia have two Matches?  The Society does not make mistakes, and the Officials are quick to try to clear up the incident.  But when Cassia starts falling for Ky, everything becomes unclear.  Could this be the most perfect mistake of them all?

In the midst of many dystopian novels, Ally Condie spins a romance in a world eerily similar to that of Lois Lowry's The Giver (1993).  Cassia's Society gives its people very little choice, under the guise of efficiency and structure.  While Condie may draw in readers with the promise of a love triangle, it is decidedly one-sided from the beginning.  Readers will have to continue on in the series if they are devoted to seeing all sides of Cassia's potential relationships. 

The Riverman by Aaron Starmer

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Starmer, Aaron. The Riverman. Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 2014. 320 p. $15.99. 978-0374363093

"To sell a book, you need a description on the back. So here's mine: My name is Fiona Loomis. I was born on August 11, 1977. I am recording this message on the morning of October 13, 1989. Today I am thirteen years old. Not a day older. Not a day younger."

My coworkers have been raving about this book for the last several weeks.  In the spirit of Halloween, and in the hopes of going a little bit beyond my reading comfort zone, I decided to give it a try.  Normally, I'm not into creepy stuff.

When Fiona approaches Alistair to "pen" her autobiography, he is a little confused.  What would a 12-year-old girl want with an autobiography?  And why him?  As it turns out, Fiona's life story is more than a little unusual.  She claims to have been visiting the world of Aquavania, a world of creativity and imagination, since she was four years old and discovered the portal in her basement boiler room.  In Aquavania, she is like a God, with her imagination coming to life--she is the creator of her own perfect world.  She finds other kids in Aquavania, kids that have created fantastic lives of their own.  The possibilities seem unlimited, and it is all almost too good to be true, until the other kids start disappearing...  Because, you see, they don't just disappear in Aquavania--they disappear from the real world as well, and Fiona fears that she may be next.  Her fear of the Riverman is a strong one--but Alistair doesn't know what to believe.  Is Fiona delusional, or is she really visiting this other world?  He must decide what he believes, before it's too late to help her.

Starmer's newest YA series, The Riverman Trilogy, takes place in a relatively sleepy upstate New York town in the late 1980s.  Having access only to Alistair's mind, save for little vignettes of Fiona's adventures in Aquavania (as dictated for him to record for later), one must decide whether or not to believe Fiona, or Alistair.  Is there such a thing as Aquavania?  Or the Riverman, stealing children's souls?  Or is Fiona just making it all up, to cover up something even more sinister happening in her life?  While she claims to be spending more and more time in Aquavania, Alistair is growing more and more concerned for her.  As a reader, you can't help but share that concern... but whether it is for her safety in Aquavania or the real world--that is for you to decide.

With an easy and enticing, fluid writing style, Starmer hooks you to the page until the very end.  As my coworker kept saying, the whole thing is just so real.  If you're anything like me, you'll be on the edge of your seat while Alistair dares to play a dangerous game in the middle of the road with his strange best friend and his unhinged (and very drunk) older brother.  Your heart might beat just a little bit faster while reading Fiona's descriptions of her time in Aquavania when things stop being fun, and start getting scary.  This book has it all: fantasy, mystery, explosions, and adventure.  Even after you finish The Riverman, you'll be thinking about it for days and days after--I know that I haven't stopped.  This is a book that stays with you.  If you want to decide for yourself if Fiona is telling the truth or not about her days in Aquavania, or learn more about who the Riverman really is, then be sure to pick up a copy at your local library.  You won't be able to put it down.

Cirque du Freak: A Living Nightmare by Darren Shan

4Q 3P J M

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Shan, Darren. Cirque du Freak: A Living Nightmare. Little, Brown Young Readers, 2000. 266p. $15.95. 978-0-316603409.

An illegal freak show has come to town, and school friends Steve, Darren, Alan, and Tommy must get tickets.  Too bad they're only allowed to get two with their flyer.  When Steve and Darren are chosen to go, they concoct a plan to sneak out to see the show--and, oh, is it worth it.  Giants, contortionists, monsters, and more leave the entire audience in awe--and fear.  Things take a turn for the worse when Steve demands to be turned into a vampire and threatens to blackmail one of the show's performers.  And when Darren steals a venomous performing spider, and his friend is bitten, he'll have to do the unthinkable to save him...

Shan weaves a simultaneously creepy and humorous story with his autobiographical tone and frank descriptions of fear and death.  Readers will be on the edge of their seat with excitement as Darren trains the vicious spider, attempts to cure his friend's deadly condition, and interacts with various dark creatures.  This dark and creepy series will be a favorite for readers that want to get a little scared.

Summer of Secrets by Paul Langan

3Q 3P J M S

Langan, Paul. Summer of Secrets. Townsend Press, 2004. 160p. $3.99. 978-0-439-90491-9.

Secrets are consuming Darcy Wills.  Her parents are fighting a lot, but will not tell her why.  Her sister, Jamee, has been lying about where she's been lately.  Darcy herself has dark secrets of her own.  She can't sleep or focus, and can't bring herself to tell her friends and family why.  Her anxiety multiplies when her old friend Brisana gets romantically involved with an older boy who does not seem to care about her at all, but when Brisana finally comes to her for help, will there be an easy solution?  This summer off from Bluford High just might be their most difficult one yet.

Readers will be totally immersed in this fast-paced summertime drama, written in an engaging, yet no-frills style by series editor Paul Langan.  Summer of Secrets does not skimp on the excitement, letting the tension build up until the very end.  Occasional typos and spelling mistakes may temporarily distract the reader, but they will continue eagerly to find out what becomes of Darcy and Brisana.

A must-read for fans of the TV series Degrassi: the Next Generation.

Graceling by Kristin Cashore (audiobook)

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Cashore, Kristin. Graceling. Harcourt, 2008. 471 p. $17.00. 978-0152063962.

     Katsa has been able to kill a man with her bare hands since she was eight—she’s a Graceling, one of the rare people in her land born with an extreme skill. As niece of the king, she should be able to live a life of privilege, but Graced as she is with killing, she is forced to work as the king’s thug.

     When she first meets Prince Po, Graced with combat skills, Katsa has no hint of how her life is about to change. She never expects to become Po’s friend. She never expects to learn a new truth about her own Grace—or about a terrible secret that lies hidden far away . . . a secret that could destroy all seven kingdoms with words alone.          [summary from Amazon]

Let me start by saying that audiobooks have really grown on me in the last year or so.  I do a lot more driving now than I used to, and it is hard to find time to read for pleasure.  Audiobooks have proven to be a fantastic way for me to keep up on my reading (both for fun and for class), and are quite refreshing--it's nice to be read to every once in a while, as an adult!

THE STORY:
I have a little bit of a fascination with eyes in the fictional world, so Graceling was a pleasant surprise.  I went into it blind (pun not intended), and enjoyed the world-building Cashore presented through the description of the Graced.  This type of physical attribute made me label the book as another dystopian, but despite the book market being completely saturated with dystopian young adult novels, but not in the way I've become used to.  This novel does not scream "SCI-FI FUTURISTIC REBELLION" like most of its contemporaries do (I'm looking at you, Hunger Games).  Cashore's depiction of the Graced is well-rounded and, frankly, quite interesting.  The idea of bearing a special skill (some more "useful" than others) due to having two different eye colors is an innovative and unique idea.  There is no crazy government experiment or particular technology that makes this happen.  I appreciated that in its simplicity.

What endeared me most to Graceling was the development of the relationship between Katsa and Prince Po.  What starts out as a reluctant friendship turns into one of great trust and respect, which is ultimately tested by the revelation of an enormous secret regarding Po's Grace.  Katsa has gone through so much inner turmoil regarding her own Grace--making their mutual understanding more difficult to attain, and making it infinitely more valuable.

Finally, I greatly appreciated Cashore's depiction of romantic relationships, which she does without patronizing young readers.  There is a certain responsibility we must take in deciding what steps to take in a romantic partnership, and we have to choose what feels right for ourselves.  Cashore's non-didactic approach to sex, marriage, and romance is liberating and supportive of individual right.

THE AUDIO:
The audio version of Graceling was produced by Full Cast Audio, in a total of eleven 70-75 minute CDs.  Before this title, I had never listened to an audiobook narrated by a full cast.  Although it took some getting used to, I loved it.

This audiobook had my attention from the very beginning, and I found myself shouting out loud in excitement and anguish in response to the events of the story.  I have never been so participatory with an audiobook before Graceling.  I'm no expert, but that has to say something!

Katsa's voice grew on me over the course of the novel.  In the beginning she is harsh and serious, but her affectionate moments and instances of strong emotion make for a spectacular performance.  Po's thoughtful and joking personality shines through in Zachary Exton's portrayal of the Lenid prince.  His warm, passionate voice made for an easy favorite!  Overall, the casting was very well done--what an entertaining and talented cast.

FINAL NOTES:
For some bizarre reason, I could not help but think of The Princess Bride while listening to this.  I'm not saying this because Katsa, Po, or any other character particularly reminded me of anyone from William Goldman's fabulous fantasy, but the "medieval" setting and kingdoms galore helped me make that connection.  That being said, The Princess Bride is one of my favorite books (and movies), and this little thought made me appreciate Cashore's story a little bit more.

Highly recommended, both for the story and for the audiobook's production.  I will absolutely be listening to the sequel, Fire, as soon as I am able!  I am hooked.

Recommended for:
Those who sit in the car for several hours a week, those interested in a more medieval setting (including those wanting a break from all the high-tech dystopian futures), and those with an openness exploring the origins of unusual talent.

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

4Q 4P J S

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Westerfeld, Scott. Uglies. Simon Pulse, 2005. 406p. $17.99. 978-1-4169--3638-1

In a highly unusual society where everyone is segregated into groups based on appearance, and sixteen year olds have a surgery that turns them beautiful, we meet those who accept and eagerly anticipate these changes, and those who reject them and try to escape.  Tally Youngblood, a not-quite-sixteen "ugly," can't wait to have her surgery and join her best friend Peris as a "pretty."  How exciting it will be to finally be beautiful and normal!  However, when she meets Shay, a fellow ugly awaiting her sixteenth birthday, she is introduced to the idea of natural beauty--the idea of people choosing not to go through with the surgery and running away.  When Shay decides to escape, Tally is recruited to find her and bring her back--or be an ugly for the rest of her life.

Scott Westerfeld's Uglies (Simon Pulse, 2005) stands out among the first of its kind in young adult literature--dystopian fiction.  Westerfeld brings the reader into this strange world with no pause for explicit explanation, instead letting the reader gradually become absorbed by the story and picking up meanings along the way.  Tally's interactions with the runaways gives a good message to teens about the way we think about our own body image and appearances: do we have to conform to what society wants if we already think we are fine?  Following Tally through self-discovery mirrors the growing up process we all must go through, and readers will appreciate being able to relate to her story.
 
A must-read for those who enjoyed series like Divergent, The Hunger Games, The Maze Runner, and those who like a little rebellion in their lives.

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

Title: Shiver
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
ISBN#: 9780545123266 (hardcover), 9780545123273 (paperback)

the cold.
Grace has spent years watching the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf—her wolf—watches back. He feels deeply familiar to her, but she doesn't know why.

the heat.
Sam has lived two lives. As a wolf, he keeps the silent company of the girl he loves. And then, for a short time each year, he is human, never daring to talk to Grace...until now.

the shiver.
For Grace and Sam, love has always been kept at a distance. But once it's spoken, it cannot be denied. Sam must fight to stay human—and Grace must fight to keep him—even if it means taking on the scars of the past, the fragility of the present, and the impossibility of the future. [summary from goodreads]

If there's anything I've learned about reading, it's that I should trust my friends' judgments more often than I do.  Since the whole vampire/werewolf takeover in the YA universe, I've tried to avoid books that fall into that category.  I honestly got tired of it and thought that what I had already read was sufficient enough for the time being.  The thing is, that's not really fair of me--so I decided to give this one a try, and picked it up on a whim when I was at the library.  Good.  Decision.

 I'd seen Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater on the shelves many times before, but never really thought to pick it up (despite the cool cover) because it had to do with werewolves.  As much as I like fantasy, sci-fi, and the like, I lean more towards the types of stories that deal with alternate universes and strange inventions with matching societies, rather than supernatural romance.  The thing about Shiver, though, is that it's conveyed in a way that is very different--I love when an author takes an idea that everyone has a certain expectation of and changes it so that it's something uniquely their own, and that is precisely what Maggie Stiefvater does in her novel.

I was surprised with how much I liked Shiver, with my bias and all.  Maggie's writing style was very engaging, but what I was really impressed with was the way that she could write something abstractly, but you can still understand it for exactly what it is.   I can always appreciate that kind of writing.

In Shiver, you read from the point of view of two narrators--Grace and Sam.  It was nice to be able to see into the minds of two characters, rather than one, which always seems to leave me wondering what's going on with everyone else.  I thought that Grace and Sam were nice to experience the novel with, as well (although, I have to admit, I loved reading from Sam's POV and always looked forward to his parts in the story).  Grace, as the female voice of the novel, was sort of a nice change for me--I like smart narrators.  I do.  What I liked more about Grace in that sense, though, was that she admittedly didn't know everything.  Sam would share poetry with her, and she may not have understood it, but it's not something that she kept from him in embarrassment.  That, I liked.  Far too often do I feel like I'm reading from the perspective of a super genius, and, honestly, it just gets boring after a while.

So, alright.  There are werewolves and there is romance.  The whole thing worked for me, even though I wasn't sure that it would.  Shiver kept me on the edge of my seat (just ask Sandy...  I was texting her like a mad woman as I got closer and closer to the ending--I needed to get my feelings out as I raced to the end of the book) and made me sigh, both at appropriate times.  Shiver was sweet (hello, candy store scene!), but I didn't feel like I was eating a bowl of sugar with my eyes.  Very sweet, but not overdone.  The fantasy element was pretty subtle, for the most part--I wasn't overwhelmed and found the world that I had immersed myself in was very believable.  The only thing that bothered me, really, was the lack of parental anything.  Grace's parents are just terrible!  Sam is in her house literally on a 24-hour basis and they never figure it out.  I'm just glad they're not mine...  You can't blame Grace's distaste for them.

This is probably one of the best books that I've read in a while.  Sometimes I just need a nice, romantic story, and this delivered.  I'm glad that this is a series--I can't wait to pick up the sequel!  :D

And, because I feel like this must be shared, here is a Shiver trailer made by the author herself, Maggie Stiefvater:

(Seriously... how talented is she?!  I'm in awe.)

Knightley Academy - Violet Haberdasher

Title: Knightley Academy
Author: Violet Haberdasher
ISBN #: 1416991433

Today, for my first review (ever!) ... Knightley Academy! I hope I do it justice; please remember that I am new at this!

I will start off by saying that Knightley Academy (KA) was a nice change of pace. While I do love magic and I can tolerate vampires, it was good to read something that focused on a different subject. Although we do come across some familiar elements, it is still quite refreshing and entertaining.

KA tells the story of Henry Grim, an orphan working as a servant at the Midsummer School for Boys, and he's not too thrilled about it. He's treated poorly by those he works with, and is the recipient of a lot of negativity from the students with wealthier upbringings. What keeps him going are his secret lessons with Professor Stratford--which are actually preparation for an exam for the school for knights, Knightley Academy. The thing is, no one has passed the entrance exam for years--but wait; Henry isn't even a student! Through a little loophole in the exam rules (anyone that resides at the Midsummer school may participate), Henry is allowed to sit the exam. He is accepted after getting spectacular marks, but he's the only one at the school to pass--and a commoner, nonetheless! His acceptance causes quite a stir not just at the Midsummer School, but across the country as well.

Things get a little crazier once Henry is actually at the academy. He meets Frankie (the tomboy daughter of the headmaster) and his roommates, Adam and Rohan, who are also not your typical students. Their presence causes some controversey, and they are the targets of many a prank--some from Henry's rival, Valmont, and others much more mysterious and even sinister. Who is behind it all? The answer may surprise you... but I'm not telling!

The narration of the story is what really got me. It's witty without being overdone, and just gripping enough to make you want to sit there and read. I laughed at the little things and really sympathized with Henry and his friends, who were only trying to get used to their new surroundings. Adam, a Jewish boy, has only ever known a life of inevitable boredom--his family is full of accountants. Going to Knightley was, without a doubt, a much more preferable option for him, and was surprised to get in. Rohan (who is Indian), on the other hand, had a more privileged upbringing, but shares his struggles with the other boys. I also found a lot of amusement in Valmont, Henry's rival from the Midsummer School. After forcing his way into the school via his uncle, the disgruntled history professor, he and Henry face each other on a number of occasions and sometimes you don't know whether to love him or hate him.

There is, of course, that little familiarity I was talking about earlier... At times I felt like I would soon be walking the halls of Hogwarts, but the interesting thing about that is that Haberdasher acknowledges it (hence my favorite quote: "What do you think this is, magic school?"). There isn't a dull moment that I can recall. The plot is extremely imaginative, and I give the author a lot of credit for coming up with something as unique as Knightley Academy, because, really--sword fights? Mysterious goings-on in a Victorian setting? Competitions and something unusual brewing just underneath the surface? It's so exciting and fun!

I would recommend Knightley Academy to anyone looking for adventure, mystery, or even just something to try after reading all of the Harry Potter books. I am very much looking forward to the sequel!

For some added fun, here is a YouTube video of the author herself reading the first part of chapter 1:



(I hope that wasn't too much summary...! As I said, I'm a newbie!)