Beauty Queens by Libba Bray: Review

Beauty Queens
By: Libba Bray

Format: Hardcover, 390 pages
Published: May 24, 2011; Scholastic Press
Source: Received at BEA

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Synopsis (from Goodreads): From bestselling, Printz Award-winning author Libba Bray, the story of a plane of beauty pageant contestants that crashes on a desert island.
Teen beauty queens. A "Lost"-like island. Mysteries and dangers. No access to email. And the spirit of fierce, feral competition that lives underground in girls, a savage brutality that can only be revealed by a journey into the heart of non-exfoliated darkness. Oh, the horror, the horror! Only funnier. With evening gowns. And a body count.

My Review: Like a master juggler, Libba Bray manages to keep track of a large cast of characters, tackle some serious issues, and inject some seriously funny satire in Beauty Queens.

I read this book after a rather serious read, and it took a few chapters for my brain to shift into the mode that would allow me to see this book for what it was. It starts out with a pretty serious satire against commercialism and corporate control. Much of the dialogue (both inner and outer) between the characters is extremely entertaining and surprising.

I am absolutely fascinated by the dynamics of women when they are in a group. It takes just a matter of moments for a pecking order to be established. Libba absolutely nails this dynamic in a way that is both funny and very real. Once I got into this book, I breezed through the next three-quarters of the book.

And then it's like the story kind of started to fall apart. I felt like many of the social issues that Libba was trying to tackle became overdone. The sexuality became much more overt. And the story just started to lose its luster. There were a few funny passages here and there, but overall, the last 100 pages just weren't impressive. I ended up skimming most of it.

I was specifically bugged by the not-so-subtle comparison of Ladybird Hope to Sarah Palin. Without getting really political in this review, I'm just really tired of Sarah Palin. I'm tired of the bashing, making fun, and media attention. I'm tired of seeing her on the news and will she run for president, what will she do, OMG what's in her email?! So, instead of just taking Ladybird Hope for what she was, I was just annoyed.

I know that many readers have adored this book, and while I think that it had some redeeming qualities, I think it's best if we just remain friends.

My rating:

Profanity: Frequent
Sexuality: Lots
Violence: Death is pretty frequent
Drugs and Alcohol: One of the fruits eaten on the island gets the beauty queens high, and there is underage drinking

Enclave by Ann Aguirre: Review

Enclave
By: Ann Aguirre

Format: Hardcover, 259 Pages
Published: April 12, 2011; Feiwel & Friends
Source: ARC from Publisher
Challenges: 2011 Dystopia Challenge

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Synopsis (from Goodreads): WELCOME TO THE APOCALYPSE

In Deuce’s world, people earn the right to a name only if they survive their first fifteen years. By that point, each unnamed ‘brat’ has trained into one of three groups–Breeders, Builders, or Hunters, identifiable by the number of scars they bear on their arms. Deuce has wanted to be a Huntress for as long as she can remember.

As a Huntress, her purpose is clear—to brave the dangerous tunnels outside the enclave and bring back meat to feed the group while evading ferocious monsters known as Freaks. She’s worked toward this goal her whole life, and nothing’s going to stop her, not even a beautiful, brooding Hunter named Fade. When the mysterious boy becomes her partner, Deuce’s troubles are just beginning.

Down below, deviation from the rules is punished swiftly and harshly, and Fade doesn’t like following orders. At first she thinks he’s crazy, but as death stalks their sanctuary, and it becomes clear the elders don’t always know best, Deuce wonders if Fade might be telling the truth. Her partner confuses her; she’s never known a boy like him before, as prone to touching her gently as using his knives with feral grace.

As Deuce’s perception shifts, so does the balance in the constant battle for survival. The mindless Freaks, once considered a threat only due to their sheer numbers, show signs of cunning and strategy… but the elders refuse to heed any warnings. Despite imminent disaster, the enclave puts their faith in strictures and sacrifice instead. No matter how she tries, Deuce cannot stem the dark tide that carries her far from the only world she’s ever known.

My Review: I had been anticipating this book since it had a different cover and title back almost a year ago, and was beyond excited when this one showed up on my door. I'm still riding the dystopian wave and loving it.

Deuce was a great main character that will join the ranks of Katniss, Saba (from the recently reviewed Blood Red Road), and other kick-butt heroins of dystopian fiction. She has a fierceness and intensity about her chosen role as huntress, but at the same time it's very evident that she relies on that identity to survive. When that role is challenged, Deuce really struggles with who she is and where she fits in her community.

Deuce's world is all underground. Thanks to the generations before her, it's no longer safe to live above ground, so there are civilizations that live in the darkness of the tunnels and subsist solely on hunting for food and fighting off the zombie-like freaks. So, with a description like that, you can imagine that the story is very violent and gritty. Descriptions of impaling and killing freaks made me cringe and feel rather icky at times, but it did add to the story.

So, I was really loving the book until I hit about mid-way, when the direction started to change. Once Fade and Deuce become banished and begin their own journey, I thought a lot of the elements of the story that I liked started to fall apart. The bizarre love triangle between Deuce, Fade, and would-be attacker/forced husband didn't work for me. And their journey seemed more like a set-up for future books rather than a complete story just for this book.

But, overall, it was an exciting book that I'll highly recommend to those that like zombies and the apocalypse. There was a lot to like about this book, and I'll eagerly pick up the next one in the series.

My Rating:

Drought by Pam Bachorz: Review

Drought
By: Pam Bachorz

Format: Hardcover, 400 pages
Published: January 25, 2011; EgmontUSA
Source: ARC received from publisher
Challenges: 2011 Debut Author Challenge

author website | author twitter | author blog

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Summary (from Goodreads): Ruby Prosser dreams of escaping the Congregation and the early-nineteenth century lifestyle that’s been practiced since the community was first enslaved.

She plots to escape the vicious Darwin West, his cruel Overseers, and the daily struggle to gather the life-prolonging Water that keeps the Congregants alive and gives Darwin his wealth and power. But if Ruby leaves, the Congregation will die without the secret ingredient that makes the Water special: her blood.

So she stays.

But when Ruby meets Ford, the new Overseer who seems barely older than herself, her desire for freedom is too strong. He’s sympathetic, irresistible, forbidden—and her only access to the modern world. Escape with Ford would be so simple, but can Ruby risk the terrible price, dooming the only world she’s ever known?

My Review: I think I've written this review about five times. I can not get my finger on how I felt about this book. I think what it comes down to is that I saw the potential in this book, and I felt like the longer it went on, the more my interest in the book slipped through my fingers. Let me explain why.

When you are reading a book, the first half of the book is about creating questions in your reader's mind. However, by reading a book, I trust that my questions will be answered, whether or not I like the answers.  When they aren't answered, I feel quite let down. I am not very good at creating my own endings or conclusions.

I wanted to know why Ruby and her congregation live so long. Also, has Darwin lived that long? How long have they been in captivity? Why didn't Otto return? Did he actually ever live? What do the Elders and others gain from remaining in captivity? And why is Ruby's blood special?

Oh dear, the suspense in this novel was great. The whole time I thought how great the ending was going to be, and that I was going to be taken in a new and exciting direction. And then the book ended. It was like waking up in the middle of a great dream. All I want to know is HOW IT'S GOING TO END.

So, here's the deal. All of the things that I didn't like aside, the book had it's good moments. I especially loved the descriptions of Ruby being with Ford and discovering the great things in the world.  Which is why I'm posting it here on the blog, and giving it 3 stars. If you can suspend your belief and just go with the story, you'll probably like it.

My Rating:

Profanity: None
Sexuality: Mild
Violence: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol: None

Secondhand Charm by Julie Berry: Review

Secondhand Charm
By: Julie Berry
Review Copy received from Bloomsbury USA


Summary (from Goodreads): In a secluded village, magic sparkles on the edges of the forest. There, a young girl named Evie possesses unusually strong powers as a healer. A gypsy's charms—no more than trinkets when worn by others—are remarkably potent when Evie ties them around her neck. Her talents, and charms, have not escaped the notice of the shy stonemason's apprentice. But Evie wants more than a quiet village and the boy next-door. When the young king's carriage arrives one day, and his footman has fallen ill, Evie might just get her chance after all . . .

Berry's debut novel garnered glowing reviews and strong sales—and now she's done it again with a beautifully woven tale to keep all readers, young and old, absolutely charmed.

My Review: Younger readers will enjoy this fun, lighthearted story about a girl with big dreams and ambitions who suddenly finds out that everything she thought she knew about herself and her past isn't true.


I had previously read and reviewed Julie Berry's debut novel The Amaranth Enchantment (link). While I found the story delightful, I think I needed just a little more to push me over the edge to loving it.  I feel very much the same about this book.


Evie is a great heroine with strong ambitions and talents. I love a girl that is smart and knows what she wants. However, once we get into the story and add in a secondary character that is her familiar of sorts, I became a little disenchanted.  Frankly, her relationship with her familiar fellow was a little weird. I understood that they are bound to each other and require each other for survival, but her introduction to him and the way he latched on was just a tad over the top.  However, once they are introduced and the story continues, a lot of those feelings mellowed out and the little guy grew on me.


At about Chapter 24, or halfway through the book I started to really get engaged in the story. Plot was flowing, intrigue was beginning to take place, and I loved the addition of Rudolpho and Alfonso, the actors, to the story.  Evie's friendship with Annalise reminded me a lot of the relationship between Ani and Selia in The Goose Girl (which I loved). Annalise definitely has the gift of people-speaking, and she was a very nicely developed character.


As I said before, while I really enjoyed this book, I wanted a lot more back-story and information about Evie's leviathan. If you've been reading my reviews for awhile, you probably know how much I love a well-built story world.


However, this book is a perfect pick for those that love middle-grade fantasy. Another bonus? It's a stand-alone novel, which means no waiting for sequels!


My Rating:

Profanity: None
Sexuality: None
Drugs and Alcohol: None
Violence: None

Book-a-likes: Goose Girl by Shannon Hale, Dragon Slippers by Jessica Day George  

The Unidentified by Rae Mariz: Review

The Unidentified
By: Rae Mariz
Review copy provided by publisher

Synopsis (from Goodreads): Kid knows her school’s corporate sponsors not-so-secretly monitor her friendships and activities for market research. It’s all a part of the Game; the alternative education system designed to use the addictive kick from video games to encourage academic learning. Everyday, a captive audience of students ages 13-17 enter the nationwide chain store-like Game locations to play.

When a group calling themselves The Unidentified simulates a suicide to protest the power structure of their school, Kid’s investigation into their pranks attracts unwanted attention from the sponsors. As Kid finds out she doesn't have rights to her ideas, her privacy, or identity, she and her friends look for a way to revolt in a place where all acts of rebellion are just spun into the next new ad campaign.

My Review: I was so excited about this book. Dystopia, a nice message about the dangers of consumerism, and a dialogue on privacy.  I read reviews from Lenore and Steph Su, and I thought I would love this book. I imagine you can see where this is going. I was pretty underwhelmed. I wasn't able to connect with Kid, and if I can't connect with the main character, it just doesn't work for me.


But, I think this book will have a lot of fans, so I want to highlight some of the things that I think other will like about this book.


While Kid's character didn't work for me, I think a lot of people will like her.  She's just an ordinary girl who likes to hang out with her friends and play music. She likes to stay under the radar, doesn't have a lot of ambitions to get "sponsored" and doesn't challenge things in her life.  So, while a lot of people could relate to her, I just wanted more from her.


I also wasn't fully convinced of the purpose of The Game. I was told that it was supposed to be a solution to the budget crises of the public school system. But, the story didn't show me that that was the case. They had a few text message questions and some other projects, but I really didn't think a lot of learning was happening.  No one in their right mind would think that this was an adequate substitute for school.


But, if you can buy into the concept of The Game and see it as a commentary on consumerism and privacy, then you will probably really enjoy the book. One of the things I really liked about the book was how few of Kid's relationships were genuine. Social networking and branding were so important in this society that you never knew the real motivation behind friendships.


So, while this book only left lukewarm feelings in my heart, if you give it a try, I hope it lights your fire.


My Rating:

 

Profanity: Mild

Sexuality: Mild

Drugs and Alcohol: Mild

Violence: Mild

Rose Sees Red by Cecil Castellucci: Review

Rose Sees Red
By: Cecil Castellucci
Copy received from publisher for review

Synopsis (From Goodreads): Rose has given up. She's given up on friendship, on happiness, on life being anything other than black, black, black. Yrena wants out. She's a dancer ...more  Rose has given up. She's given up on friendship, on happiness, on life being anything other than black, black, black. Yrena wants out. She's a dancer who doesn't want to dance, a prisoner in her own home, a resident of New York who never gets to see the city. To Rose, Yrena has always been the Russian girl who lives next door, seen through the window but never spoken to. At least not until Yrena crashes into Rose's room-and Rose's life-and sets in motion a night in New York City that none of them will ever forget. 

From YA superstar Cecil Castellucci, this is the story of cold hearts and cold wars warmed by simple human connection and the liberty of being young and free in the early hours of a new day.

My Review: Here are some facts about my reading experience with Rose Sees Red:

• It took me almost two weeks to finish
• When asked by Angie what the book was about, I was unsure. (I was 3/4 of the way finished)
• I am still not entirely sure how I feel about it.

I think the reason I was not immediately taken with this book is because I didn't understand what the purpose was. Is it coming of age? Is it about bridging the gap between those we disagree with? Was it about a girl's adventures in NYC with a girl she'd never met before? Is it about learning to trust again after being hurt by someone you love?  I was confused.

I think the book was about all those things. And I liked it. I really loved Rose's journey to come to know herself. By making spur-of-the-moment decisions and putting herself out there, she had some wonderful experiences.  Castellucci is a master at her craft. I cannot complain at all about the quality of writing, it was impeccable.


I think my hang-up over this book was my own personal preference. And since this blog reflects my opinions, I feel comfortable sharing it. The ending was entirely too political and naive for my taste. I have come to the realization that because my career is in politics/government, I am not interested in reading about political/government things. Particularly when they preach such a strong platform.


Not that this is a bad thing in and of itself. I think many will like the development of Rose's political feelings, and will really be able to identify with them. I was not able to.  The conclusions that she came to were really foreign to me. Again, it's not that I don't appreciate opposing views or don't ever listen to them. I do. Every single day. I just find it exhausting when it worms its way into my fiction.

I'm not really sure I know who to recommend this book to. I think it's more appropriate for an older, more mature YA reader. Not because of possibly inappropriate content, but more because the themes are a little older, and I probably would not have appreciated it until I was at least 18.

Getting beyond my own personal tastes, I do believe this book serves a purpose. This book read more to me like a book that a teacher would use as assigned reading in a classroom than something I would pick up off the shelf and say, "Huh, that looks good. I guess I'll read it."

My Rating:

 

Profanity: Moderate

Sexuality: Mild

Drugs and Alcohol: Quite a bit of drug use

Violence: None

Other by Karen Kincy: Review

Other
By: Karen Kincey
Received from publisher for review

Summary (from Goodreads):  Seventeen-year-old Gwen hides a dangerous secret: she’s Other. Half-pooka, to be exact, thanks to the father she never met. Most Americans don’t exactly roll out the welcome mat for Others, especially not the small-town folks of Klikamuks, Washington. As if this isn’t bad enough, Gwen’s on the brink of revealing her true identity to her long-time boyfriend, Zack, but she’s scared he’ll lump her with the likes of bloodthirsty vampires and feral werewolves.

When a pack of werewolves chooses the national forest behind Gwen’s home as their new territory, the tensions in Klikamuks escalate-into murder. It soon becomes clear a serial killer is methodically slaying Others. The police turn a blind eye, leaving Gwen to find the killer before the killer finds her. As she hunts for clues, she uncovers more Others living nearby than she ever expected. Like Tavian, a sexy Japanese fox-spirit who rivals Zack and challenges her to embrace her Otherness. Gwen must struggle with her own conflicted identity, learn who she can trust, and-most importantly-stay alive.

My Review: This book had a great concept, but I was not completely sold on the execution.


Shapeshifters are inherently cool. I loved what Kincy did with Gwen's outwardness, if that makes any sense. I liked the interpretation of pookas. But, I didn't love Gwen.  I was bothered that she didn't stand up for herself a little more. 

I was really unhappy with Gwen's relationship with Zack. A good portion of their time in the book was spent by pressuring her to have sex with him. This is something that turns me off of a story really quickly.  Teenagers having sex is one thing, but teenagers pressuring each other to have sex just gets under my skin. Although, without getting too spoiler-y, the series of events that follow this pressure explain exactly why sleeping with someone before marriage is not a good idea. (I know I'll probably get heat for that last sentence, but it's what I believe, and that's all there is to it.)


Gwen's parents need a slap in the face. How ridiculous is it that you have a good girl that really doesn't get into trouble, and you aren't supportive of her? I have a daughter, and I'll be darned if I ever treat her the way Gwen's mother treats her.  Instead of being supportive and helping her daughter deal with the prejudice associated with being an Other, they pretend she is normal. Shame on them.  However, I have to say that at least their lack of involvement was crucial to the story.  They aren't conveniently missing so that Gwen can get herself into a lot of trouble. It showed what lengths people will go to be accepted. Even to semi-shun their own daughter.


I thought the dialogue was spot on. Dialogue is one of the most difficult things to get right in a Young Adult novel.  Teenagers speak differently than adults, but if you force it too much, you get cliche and unrealistic. Not a problem in this novel. Even though this is a debut novel for Kincy, the dialogue flows like it's a second or third novel.

I think a lot of people will like this novel.  It's fun, deals with a lot of issues teenagers can relate to, and it has two good-looking boys. If you've read it, what do you think? Also, where do you draw the line with things you won't read? Or do you not draw a line?

My Rating:

Profanity: Moderate
Violence: Mild
Sexuality: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol: Mild

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Extras:
Author Website


Second Opinions:
The Book Scout
Sarah's Random Musings
Bibliophilic Book Blog

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