Showing posts with label Recommended. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Recommended. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Review: Geek Girl by Holly Smale

Geek Girl by Holly Smale


Age Range: 12 and up

Genre: Contemporary

Series or Stand Alone: Stand Alone

Paperback: 378 pages

Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books (February 28th 2013)

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (thank you!)

Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars!







 

 

About the Book:

“My name is Harriet Manners, and I am a geek.”

Harriet Manners knows that a cat has 32 muscles in each ear, a “jiffy”
lasts 1/100th of a second, and the average person laughs 15 times per
day. She knows that bats always turn left when exiting a cave and that
peanuts are one of the ingredients of dynamite.



But she doesn’t know why nobody at school seems to like her.



So when Harriet is spotted by a top model agent, she grabs the chance to
reinvent herself. Even if it means stealing her best friend's dream,
incurring the wrath of her arch enemy Alexa, and repeatedly humiliating
herself in front of impossibly handsome model Nick. Even if it means
lying to the people she loves.


Veering from one couture disaster to the next with the help of her overly
enthusiastic father and her uber-geeky stalker, Toby, Harriet begins to realize that the world of fashion doesn't seem to like her any more than
the real world did.


As her old life starts to fall apart, will Harriet be able to transform herself before she ruins everything? 


Amazon | Goodreads | Facebook



About the Author:

Holly fell in love with writing at five years old, when she realized that books didn't grow on trees like apples. A passion for travel, adventure and wearing no shoes
has since led her all over the world: she has visited 20 countries, spent two years working as an English teacher in Japan, volunteered in Nepal, been bartered for in Jamaica and had a number of ear-plugs stolen in Australia, Indonesia and India.

As a teenager, she also did a little modelling in the hope that eventually she would be sent somewhere exciting.


She wasn't.


Holly has a BA in English Literature, an MA in Shakespeare, and currently lives either in London or @holsmale.


Website | Twitter


My Thoughts:

This is what a young adult novel should be. It's laugh out loud funny
with a quirky, totally adorable and geeky heroine that sees the world
differently.  Oh my goodness, I just love this book!


Harriet is a wonderful character to read about and she has some
fantastic light-bulb moments throughout the course of the story. She
learns to accept and love herself the way she is, no excuses and no
apologies.  The other characters are fun and quirky in their own way and
add to the humor and insight of the book.


There are a couple of mild expletives, but everything else is very
clean. If you like clean young adult humor, then this is a good choice.





Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 
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Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Book Review: Unearthly, by Cynthia Hand

Unearthly, by Cynthia Hand
In the beginning, there's a boy standing in the trees . . . .

Clara Gardner has recently learned that she's part angel. Having angel blood run through her veins not only makes her smarter, stronger, and faster than humans (a word, she realizes, that no longer applies to her), but it means she has a purpose, something she was put on this earth to do. Figuring out what that is, though, isn't easy.

Her visions of a raging forest fire and an alluring stranger lead her to a new school in a new town. When she meets Christian, who turns out to be the boy of her dreams (literally), everything seems to fall into place and out of place at the same time. Because there's another guy, Tucker, who appeals to Clara's less angelic side.

As Clara tries to find her way in a world she no longer understands, she encounters unseen dangers and choices she never thought she'd have to make between honesty and deceit, love and duty, good and evil. When the fire from her vision finally ignites, will Clara be ready to face her destiny?

Unearthly is a moving tale of love and fate, and the struggle between following the rules and following your heart.


Print Length: 464 pages
Publisher: HarperTeen; Reprint edition (April 19, 2011)

My Review:
This is the first time I've truly enjoyed a book in the angel genre.  I have read quite a few angel books, but most of the time I find them tacky and cliche.  Unearthly had it's fair share of cliche's, but I enjoyed the characters so much that I almost didn't even notice the things that would normally bother me.

I loved Cynthia Hand's writing.  Especially in the first few chapters, I thought her writing was beautiful.  As the story moves further along it loses a bit of the eloquence, but by that point I was so wrapped up in everything that I didn't care.

I found the concept of a Purpose very interesting, especially since Clara has such diluted angel blood.  She is only a quarter part angel.  The way her Purpose is communicated to her was fascinating, coming in a dreamlike vision while she is wide awake.  The love triangle was different than in most YA novels, and I liked the way Clara navigated her love life.  I felt like she fell in love with the right guy. ;)

Christian is a typical, overly gorgeous hero that most people seem to love and I never do.  Not that there is really anything to dislike, but I just like Tucker more.  Tucker is awesome.  He is 100% adorable.  His reaction to Clara was perfectly normal and I was happy to finally see that in a paranormal romance.

I was left with a lot of questions about the story, which was probably intentional so that I will read the next books in the series.  I couldn't help but wonder what Clara's brother was involved in, and why she didn't really seem too concerned about it.  I also wondered what was the deal with the dark angel and why did he pop up in the story?  Why was he even there?

There were a few things that irritated me about the book, but I really enjoyed reading it.  It was an intriguing book and I have to admit that I am hooked and will definitely be reading the rest of the series.

The Cover:  It's a nice representation of the actual story.  It is similar to other books in the genre while still having a unique aspect about it.  I LOVE the title design.  I want to find that font...




About the Author:
Cynthia Hand grew up in southeast Idaho (very near the Wyoming border). Currently she lives in southern California with her husband and two small children. She teaches courses in creative writing at Pepperdine University. She is the New York Times bestselling author of the Unearthly series with HarperTeen: UNEARTHLY, published in 2011, HALLOWED published January 17, 2012, and BOUNDLESS, due out in January 2013.










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Monday, January 7, 2013

Book Review: Short Straw Bride, by Karen Witemeyer

Short Straw Bride, by Karen Witemeyer
No one steps on Archer land. Not if they value their life. But when Meredith Hayes overhears a lethal plot to burn the Archer brothers off their ranch, a twelve-year-old debt compels her to take the risk.

Fourteen years of constant vigilance hardens a man. Yet when Travis Archer confronts a female trespasser with the same vivid blue eyes as the courageous young girl he once aided, he can't bring himself to send her away. And when an act of sacrifice leaves her injured and her reputation in shreds, gratitude and guilt send him riding to her rescue once again.

Four brothers. Four straws. One bride. Despite the fact that Travis is no longer the gallant youth Meredith once dreamed about, she determines to stand by his side against the enemy that threatens them both. But will love ever be hers? Or will Travis always see her merely as a short-straw bride?


Print Length: 371 pages
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers; 1 edition (June 1, 2012)

My Review:
This is another sweet, christian romance novel that is free of sex scenes and/or violence.  There is some suspense and romance, but nothing to make you squirm.  Meredith is a strong christian heroin with a vibrant love for the Lord and a desire to do His will.  She gets caught in a predicament that forces her to marry Travis Archer, the recluse cowboy that refuses to let anyone come onto his land. 

The Archer brothers are all so humorous and adorable.  I especially loved Crockett.  He was quite the character.  Jim was funny because he was so stoic, and you never quite knew what he was thinking, except when it came to Meredith's cousin.  

I love characters that have flaws, whether they are physical or internal.  Both Meredith and Travis have strengths and weaknesses that make them more realistic and believable.  

I felt like the second half of the book dragged on a little bit too long.  One thing after another kept popping up to keep the newlyweds from ever being alone together.  But it was a fun twist to see a couple that is forced to marry still try to go through a proper courtship and get to know each other before anything physical happens between them. 


The Cover: I love this cover.  It is super cute, and I love the way Meredith is trying to sneak a peek at the straws in Travis' hands.  The title design is really cute and goes well with the rest of the cover.




About the Author:
CBA bestselling author, Karen Witemeyer, writes historical romance fiction for Bethany House, believing that the world needs more happily-ever-afters. In 2011, her debut novel, A Tailor-Made Bride, was a finalist in the Best First Book categories for both the prestigious RITA® award and the National Reader's Choice Award. Karen holds a master's degree in Psychology from Abilene Christian University and is a member of ACFW, RWA, and her local writers' guild. She is an avid cross-stitcher, shower singer, and bakes a mean apple cobbler. Karen makes her home in Abilene, TX with her husband and three children.


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Monday, July 30, 2012

Review: Of Poseidon, by Anna Banks

From Goodreads:
Galen is the prince of the Syrena, sent to land to find a girl he's heard can communicate with fish. Emma is on vacation at the beach. When she runs into Galen — literally, ouch! — both teens sense a connection. But it will take several encounters, including a deadly one with a shark, for Galen to be convinced of Emma's gifts. Now, if he can only convince Emma that she holds the key to his kingdom . . .

Told from both Emma and Galen's points of view, here is a fish-out-of-water story that sparkles with intrigue, humor, and waves of romance.


***

I love books that make me laugh, and this one held some fantastic scenes that had my family members sending questioning looks in my direction.  I have never read a mermaid book before, and this was a great introduction to this sub-genre of the paranormal.  It was a unique twist on a common theme. 

The characters were awesome.  Emma is feisty, funny, and independent.  Galen is a fantastic hero, but a little bossy and obstinate while still being adorable.  I enjoyed that even though their attraction was immediate, their relationship took time and testing to develop.  I loved Galen's sister Rayna, and her mate, Toraf.  They added a fun dynamic to the story and kept me laughing.


The plot moved along at a nice pace.  There weren't any slow parts that I had to struggle through.  I enjoyed seeing both Emma's and Galen's side of the story.  Emma's parts were written in first person, and Galen's in the third person.  The entire book was written in the present tense, which usually throws me off, but it worked well for this story.


The book contained a little bit of cursing, but it was kept on the mild side.  There was romance and attraction, but nothing got out of hand or made me squirm in discomfort.  There were a few places where I felt a little bit lost, like things hadn't been explained well enough, but they were all minor incidences and not crucial to the storyline.  All in all, I really enjoyed this book and I will be looking forward to any sequels that might come out.

Don't you just love the cover?  It's gorgeous! 


Reading level: Ages 13 and up
Hardcover: 336 pages
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends (May 22, 2012)
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Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Review: Belles by Jen Calonita

From Goodreads:
Fifteen-year-old Isabelle Scott loves her life by the boardwalk on the supposed wrong side of the tracks in North Carolina. But when tragedy strikes, a social worker sends her to live with a long-lost uncle and his preppy privileged family. Isabelle is taken away from everything she’s ever known, and, unfortunately, inserting her into the glamorous lifestyle of Emerald Cove doesn’t go so well. Her cousin Mirabelle Monroe isn’t thrilled to share her life with an outsider, and, in addition to dealing with all the rumors and backstabbing that lurk beneath their classmates’ Southern charm, a secret is unfolding that will change both girls’ lives forever.

***

Oooo la la!  I loved this book!  I'm not usually into books that explore the world of high fashion and privileged living, but this one was fabulous.  The story focuses in on two girls from very opposite worlds.  Izzie grew up impoverished and taking care of her grandmother.  Mira comes from the elite 1% that we all hear about but never meet.  Izzie is suddenly plucked from her beloved beach town and tossed to the stuck up sharks Mira swims with.  Both girls have to learn to navigate the uncharted waters they find themselves swimming in.


It was full of deceit, secrets, and self-discovery.  While I'm not entirely certain that teenage squabbles could have drastic effects on politics and land development, I felt like Jen Calonita captured the experience of growing up a teen girl in the modern world.  She portrayed the uncertainty, peer pressure and social food chain with accuracy.  The methods the girls used to humiliate and back-stab each other are both entertaining and horrifying at the same time.  Some parts may be a little over the top compared to the real world, but I've never spent much time with the ultra-privileged, so I wouldn't really know.


Other than a couple of very minor curse words, the book was completely clean.  The romance was minimal and took a backseat to the main focus of the relationship between the two girls.  Each girl follows their own fire ringed path to self-discovery and come out as a better person in the end.


If you are looking for a refreshing and entertaining read, you will enjoy this book.  This is the first book in a series of stories about the two "belles".  I will definitely be reading the next ones. 


Hardcover: 368 pages
Publisher: Poppy; 1 edition (April 10, 2012)
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Friday, June 8, 2012

Review: Fame, Glory, and Other Things on My To Do List by Janette Rallison

From Goodreads:
A PC school principal turns West Side Story into a comedy of errors.
Sixteen year-old Jessica dreams of Hollywood fame, and when Jordan moves into her small town, she dreams of him too. He’s a movie star’s son, and hey, he’s gorgeous to boot. Jordan has always wanted to get out from the shadow cast by his superstar father, but now that he and his mother have moved so far away from LA, how can he get his divorced parents back together? Jessica convinces Jordan the way to get his father to come for a long visit is to be a part of the school play. And if she’s “discovered” in the process, all the better. Things go wrong when she lets Jordan’s secret identity slip, and grow even more disastrous when the principal tries to change West Side Story into a gangfree, violence-free, politically correct production.
In the same romantic and sharply witty spirit of Life, Love, and the Pursuit of Free Throws, Janette Rallison delivers another comic gem that teen readers are sure to love.


***

After reading so many sci-fi and paranormal books, I really wanted a break from so much end-of-life-as-we-know-it plots and go for something lighthearted and fun.  This was absolutely perfect.  It was a breath of fresh air, and I found myself laughing out loud several times.  

The last few chapters were absolutely hilarious and I was laughing so hard I had tears coming out of my eyes.  My husband kept sending odd looks in my direction and my kids tried peeking over my shoulder to see what I was laughing at.  

The main character, Jessica is lovable and funny.  She is a pretty girl that wants to be an actress, but has to learn a few lessons along the way.  Of course, she must learn these lessons in the funniest way possible.  The level of romance was perfect for the story and the age group it's intended for.


Hardcover: 192 pages
Publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers (August 11, 2005)
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Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Review: Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series by Rick Riordan

From Goodreads:
Percy Jackson is about to be kicked out of boarding school... again. And that's the least of his troubles. Lately, mythological monsters and the gods of Mount Olympus seem to be walking straight out of the pages of Percy's Greek mythology textbook and into his life. And worse, he's angered a few of them. Zeus' master lightning bolt has been stolen, and Percy is the prime suspect.

Now Percy and his friends have just ten days to find and return Zeus' stolen property and bring peace to a warring Mount Olympus. But to succeed on his quest, Percy will have to do more than catch the true thief: he must come to terms with the father who abandoned him; solve the riddle of the Oracle, which warns him of betrayal by a friend; and unravel a treachery more powerful than the gods themselves.


***

Some books just have it, and the Percy Jackson series is one of them.  I had a tremendous amount of fun reading this series.  Rick Riordan created a humorous and exciting set of stories.  I couldn't put the books down.  As soon as I finished one book, I grabbed the next one.  


I've seen a lot of reviews comparing it to Harry Potter, and for a good reason.  It takes an ancient theme (Greek mythology) and brings it into modern times, with modern characters and modern problems.  The entire series engrosses you into the modern world of the ancient Greek Gods.  Percy Jackson was the perfect hero for the series.  He was a little stubborn and spontaneous, which only added to his likability.  No hero can be absolutely perfect, and Percy was just the right mix of passion, adolescence, and wit.  


I loved many characters in the books, and hated the ones that I was supposed to.  It was surprising how much back-story there is in Greek mythology and how many different Gods and monsters they have.  It was fascinating to learn about the ancient civilization and their beliefs while enjoying a good adventure. 


Reading level: Ages 10 and up
Paperback: 1824 pages
Publisher: Hyperion Book CH
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Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Review: Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson
































From Goodreads:

Once a century, one person is chosen for greatness.

Elisa is the chosen one.

But she is also the younger of two princesses, the one who has never done anything remarkable. She can't see how she ever will.

Now, on her sixteenth birthday, she has become the secret wife of a handsome and worldly king—a king whose country is in turmoil. A king who needs the chosen one, not a failure of a princess.

And he's not the only one who seeks her. Savage enemies seething with dark magic are hunting her. A daring, determined revolutionary thinks she could be his people's savior. And he looks at her in a way that no man has ever looked at her before. Soon it is not just her life, but her very heart that is at stake.

Elisa could be everything to those who need her most. If the prophecy is fulfilled. If she finds the power deep within herself. If she doesn’t die young.

Most of the chosen do.


*****

I don't even know where to start with this book. It was fabulous, and at the same time it kind of made me pull away a bit and ask, "What?"


Elisa is the chosen one. She literally has a Godstone in her navel. This stone is almost like a link to God, and it directs her in some of her more challenging moments. The Godstone means that she has been chosen to do something amazing! But she has no idea what, and she doesn't know if her task will ever be completed. Many of the Chosen don't live long enough to complete their tasks. 


On her 16th birthday, Elisa marries a kind and handsome man who is the king of a neighboring country. When they reach his kingdom a few weeks later (with much trial and hardship), Elisa soon learns he means to introduce her merely as a "guest" and wishes to keep their marriage a secret. A marriage that was nothing but a contract for more troops in a war that is fast approaching. 


And thus begins an epic tale of a girl who must overcome her self-doubts and find the courage to save a nation. And yes, I mean epic.

I read this book a month ago, and I can still see the story in my head. It was that good. The author does an amazing job of giving the reader enough detail so that we can see what's going on, but not so much that I'm flipping the pages looking for dialogue. 

Elisa is the kind of character that grows naturally, and yet she still has her self-doubts and lack of confidence, even though she's slaying the dragon. Hypothetically speaking. I thought she was so real, she could have been the girl next door instead of the girl of fire and thorns....:)

Battles and war are always a little difficult for me to follow because there is always so much history shoved into a tiny little space. However, with The Girl of Fire and Thorns, the war history was only a tiny bit tiresome, so that's pretty good. 

I sometimes had a hard time figuring out who was the bad guy and who really was good. There were a few times I thought a good guy was about to betray Elisa, and he never did. That's a little confusing as a reader. I like a surprise, but I don't want to be constantly on guard for something that never happens.

This is a very, very sweet love story as well. And that was one of my most favorite and least favorite parts of the book. I won't say more because it will give away too much.

This was a clean book with battle violence. If you're like me, you'll be heavily invested emotionally. This is apparently a trilogy, and you can bet your bottle rocket I'll be reading the other books in the series.


  • Reading level: Ages 13 and up
  • Hardcover: 432 pages
  • Publisher: Greenwillow Books (September 20, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • Amazon.com
  • Goodreads.com
  • Souce: Publisher via Netgalley
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Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Book Review: The Dig (Zoe and Zeus Trilogy #1) by Audrey Hart

Zoe’s life is not exactly normal. Her parents died when she was young, leaving her in the care of her archeologist aunt and uncle. She’s accompanied them on digs for years, but this time feels…different.

When Zoe accidentally gets trapped in an ancient Greek temple, she finds that myth and reality are more closely intertwined than she thought. Now she must face a pack of teenaged Greek gods who seem bent on sending her to the underworld…or at least back where she came from.

Except for Zeus, the handsome boy who risks it all to be with her. What is she willing to risk in return?

**

I read this book in a flurry, finishing in less than two days. The author described her novel as an Indiana Jones-style adventure, but I would say Zoe is more like a female Percy Jackson. She’s witty and entertaining, smart and sarcastic. She’s strong willed and shows and aptitude for thinking on her feet and taking care of herself. While Zoe doesn’t look for anyone to rescue her, she often finds herself in situations where she needs help but won’t ask for it. Good thing someone is usually there to save her.

Zeus is a heart-throb hero who has no lack in chivalry or honor. I like that in a character. He isn’t perfect, even losing his temper once or twice, but that’s what makes him believable.

While I overall really enjoyed this book, there were a few things that were confusing for me. Zoe claims to be out of the loop on teenage pop-culture, but I had a hard time believing that. She frequently used popular songs or TV shows as references. I was also a little confused by the description of the temple door. It gave me a good mental picture of what the door was supposed to look like, but it took me a long time to realize it was actually a portal and not really a giant _____. (I won’t spoil the surprise.)

I felt like the Greek mythology in this book was a little loose, but that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. If you have a hard time with authors taking a few liberties in fairytale and mythology retellings, this may bother you. As for me, I enjoyed it. It was a fun, clever and creative twist on the stories we all think we know.

This was a fun and fresh romance that had me turning the pages as fast as possible. I look forward to the next installment of Zoe and Zeus. Write on, Audrey. Write on.

  • Format: Kindle Edition
  • Publisher: Backlit Fiction; 1 edition (November 7, 2011)
  • Reading Level: Young Adult
  • Source: Author for Review
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Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Book Review: Wreath by Judy Christie


Wreath is a sixteen year old girl who must grow up and live on her own when her mother dies. The problem is she’s living in a junk yard. It’s her life’s mission to complete high school and go to college, but she doesn’t want to go into foster care for the last year of high school. So she finds a small town where she can slip through the cracks until it’s time to graduate.

Unfortunately, Wreath’s too wonderful to forget, and soon she has a support group of community members who care deeply for her. They all know something is wrong, but no one quite knows what.

Living in a junk yard is only the beginning. What would they say if they knew the secret that didn’t die with her mother? Now her mother’s abusive boyfriend is hunting Wreath down, and getting closer than she knows.

**

This book is completely fascinating. Wreath’s stubborn determination keeps her going, and sometimes I wish she would just people help her! It’s just her personality though. I thought the details of this book worked together nicely, and the author did a good job of tying up loose ends (like what Wreath did for showering and not being able to get a library card). There were a few things that I questioned how Wreath got around (like not having a social security card to apply for colleges).

There were also a few times where the chapter just ended, and I had no idea what happened to the situation the chapter was working up to. For example, Wreath goes to prom, and then the chapter ends. Minor details come up in the next chapter, but not much. It just seemed like sometimes the passage of time was a little uneven.

Other than that, I really, really enjoyed this book. It was very clean, there was some good suspense, and I don’t think there was really any swearing. 

  • Reading level: Young Adult
  • Paperback: 288 pages
  • Publisher: Barbour Books (October 1, 2011)
  • Source: Publisher via Netgalley
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Review: Eve by Anna Carey


From Goodreads: The year is 2032, sixteen years after a deadly virus—and the vaccine intended to protect against it—wiped out most of the earth’s population. The night before eighteen-year-old Eve’s graduation from her all-girls school she discovers what really happens to new graduates, and the horrifying fate that awaits her.

Fleeing the only home she’s ever known, Eve sets off on a long, treacherous journey, searching for a place she can survive. Along the way she encounters Caleb, a rough, rebellious boy living in the wild. Separated from men her whole life, Eve has been taught to fear them, but Caleb slowly wins her trust...and her heart. He promises to protect her, but when soldiers begin hunting them, Eve must choose between true love and her life.

**

As far as the-world-has-been-wiped-out-by-a-deadly-virus dystopians go, this was very well done. I was constantly intrigued and usually very stressed out by the action. I love it when a book forces me to take a breath and say, “This isn’t real…”

Eve is smart, so it completely frustrates her when she realizes she doesn’t understand something or what she thought she knew is wrong. I really like that about her.

Caleb was a perfect love interest. He is strong, funny, protective and smart, but he also has a stubborn streak.

There were a few things about Eve that I disliked or that confused me, but they were very minor.

In all, I really enjoyed Eve, but I am anxiously awaiting a sequel to tell me why on earth Eve did what she did at the end of the novel. There had better be a good reason, or I am going to be furious with her.

  • Reading level: Young Adult
  • Hardcover: 336 pages
  • Publisher: HarperCollins (October 4, 2011)
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Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Review: Trickster's Girl by Hilari Bell


Nearly a century after 9/11, the world has become security obsessed. A chemical weapon was released in South America and destroyed the Amazon. Now it’s creeping north. The earth is dying, and Kelsa can feel it.

But earth is not the only thing slipping away. Kelsa watches cancer slowly and painfully kill her father, and she’s helpless to do anything to stop it. The night she secretly buries her father’s ashes, a boy appears and starts talking about magic.

Sure that he’s crazy, Kelsa eludes him for days, but soon his reason speaks to her heart more than her mind.

She follows Raven, the handsome shape shifting boy, across North America, trying to heal the damage humans have caused. But is it enough? And not all shape shifters are on their side. With the threat of security breaches and evil shape shifters coming from every side, Kelsa must use all her wits and all of Raven’s magic to survive long enough to heal the world.

**

You know, I haven’t read too many positive reviews about this book, so I was a little determined not to like it. Fortunately for me, Trickster’s Girl proved to be worth my time. I finished it in one day because I was so wrapped up in the story. There were a few times where I literally had to tell myself to calm down because the book was pretty intense.

Kelsa has an amazing determination to right what all of humankind has ruined. Raven has a frustrating resistance to accept humanity. He’s just using them to heal the world. But hey, at least he’s doing the right thing. Right?

I also liked the hint of romance between Kelsa and Raven, even though it never blossoms. I think they both recognize the attraction, but both are sensible enough to realize how ridiculous the idea of a relationship would be.

I’m happy to know that this is only the first in a series, but I’m sad to think this is the end of Kelsa’s part in the Raven journey.

With all the “healing the world” talk, you would think this is a pro-green, tree-hugger type book. But it’s not. I didn’t feel overwhelmed with political views or carbon footprint warnings. 

  • Reading level: Young Adult
  • Hardcover: 288 pages
  • Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children; 1 edition (January 3, 2011)
  • Source: Publisher via Netgalley
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