Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken: Review

Brightly Woven

By: Alexandra Bracken

Synopsis (From Goodreads): Sydelle Mirabil is living proof that, with a single drop of rain, a life can be changed forever. Tucked away in the farthest reaches of the kingdom, her dusty village has suffered under the weight of a strangely persistent drought. That is, of course, until a wizard wanders into town and brings the rain with him.

In return for this gift, Wayland North is offered any reward he desires—and no one is more surprised than Sydelle when, without any explanation, he chooses her. Taken from her home, Sydelle hardly needs encouragement to find reasons to dislike North. He drinks too much and bathes too little, and if that isn’t enough to drive her to madness, North rarely even uses the magic he takes such pride in possessing. Yet, it’s not long before she realizes there’s something strange about the wizard, who is as fiercely protective of her as he is secretive about a curse that turns his limbs a sinister shade of black and leaves him breathless with agony. Unfortunately, there is never a chance for her to seek answers.

Along with the strangely powerful quakes and storms that trace their path across the kingdom, other wizards begin to take an inexplicable interest in her as well, resulting in a series of deadly duels. Against a backdrop of war and uncertainty, Sydelle is faced with the growing awareness that these events aren’t as random as she had believed—that no curse, not even that of Wayland North, is quite as terrible as the one she herself may carry. 

My Review: I was really intrigued by the synopsis of this book and I was so excited when I got a copy of this book in the mail from Egmont.  First of all, the cover is gorgeous, don't you think?

But, beyond the beautiful cover, this was a fantastic book! My favorite books are the ones that have deep characters and complex relationships. This book had plenty of both.  Sydelle was a wonderful heroine. She was compassionate, but always stood her ground with North when necessary.  It was really refreshing to read the different ways that she was able to get herself and others out of trouble.

North was fascinating.  In many fantasy books I've read, wizards are almost invincible and infinitely wise. That was not the case in this book. North's character flaws were glaring, but not so much that he was a despicable person.  Despite his shortcomings, it's obvious that he's a caring person and really tries to do the right thing.

The one complaint I had about this book is that there wasn't enough of Henry or her family from back home.  I would have liked to have seen a little more interaction and a pull from home keeping Sydelle conflicted.

Overall, this was a wonderful fantasy book by a very promising debut author.  I am really excited to read more of her work in the future.  This book was released today, March 23, and it's definitely worth buying/checking out.

Book-A-Likes:  Howl's Moving Castle by Dianna Wynne Jones (Wizard with a temper); Dragon Slippers by Jessica Day George (Weaving and sewing talented heroine)

Rating:

I gave this book a hearty 5 stars!

Profanity: None

Drugs and Alcohol: Mild; North doesn't have a lot of control when it comes to alcohol

Sexuality: None

Violence: Moderate; Some of the fighting descriptions were a little graphic

Acknowledgement: I was sent a copy of Brightly Woven to review by Egmont USA. I was not compensated for this post, and all opinions are my own

Found by Margaret Peterson Haddix: Review

Found

By: Margaret Peterson Haddix

Description: Thirteen-year-old Jonah has always known that he was adopted, and he's never thought it was any big deal. Then he and a new friend, Chip, who's also adoped, begin receiving mysterious letters. The first one says, "You are one of the missing." The second one says, "Beware! They're coming back to get you."

Jonah, Chip, and Jonah's sister, Katherine, are plunged into a mystery that involves the FBI, a vast smuggling operation, an airplane that appeared out of nowhere -- and people who seem to appear and disappear at will. The kids discover they are caught in a battle between two opposing forces that want very different things for Jonah and Chip's lives.

Do Jonah and Chip have any choice in the matter? And what should they choose when both alternatives are horrifying?

Review: Man, can Margaret Peterson Haddix write a YA thriller or what? I have no idea where she comes up with these ideas for stories, but they are phenomenal.

Jonah is a great character. He's very much a teenage boy. His parents have worked very hard to make his adoption a normal thing for him. Chip on the other hand has never been told that he's adopted. Frankly, it seems like his parents are pretty disconnected in a lot of aspects of Chip's life.  I was really interested in the two totally different ways these families handled the adoption situation.

The book was incredibly suspenseful. Haddix does a wonderful job of giving just enough information to be clear, but not enough to guess what is going to happen next. This book, like many of her others, is pretty short. I read this book in about two hours.

I wish I could go more into the details of the story, but any further information would really ruin the story. Basically, I loved this book.

Book-A-Likes: This book is good for readers that enjoy modern-day fiction, and science fiction. Frankly, I can't think of another book similar to it.

Rating:
I gave this book 5 stars.

Profanity: None that I can remember
Drugs and Alcohol: None
Sexuality: None
Violence: Mild. At most, there is a fistfight.

Life as We Knew it by Susan Beth Pfeffer: Review

Life as We Knew It

By: Susan Beth Pfeffer

Miranda is a junior in high school. Her diary includes many of the typical worries of teenagers, friends, school, and getting a driver's license. The upcoming meteor hitting the moon seems hardly worth mentioning. However, when the event happens, causing the moon to be pushed off its axis, it becomes the forefront of her life. Earthquakes, tsunamis, and other natural disasters make everyone immediately go into survival mode.

This was the first audiobook I've ever listened to completely through. It was really harrowing. I'm not really into the diary style of writing, but for some reason this really worked for me. The characters were really great, and memorable. This book made me want to build the biggest 72-hour emergency kit ever. Even though I read this in the middle of July, I seriously felt like I needed a blanket. And, as I was making dinner, I kept thinking about rationing my food. The book definitely got me emotionally involved.

I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars.

The Stolen One by Suzanne Crowley: Review

The Stolen One

By: Suzanne Crowley

YA Fiction

After her adoptive mother passes away, Katherine Bab takes the chance to go to London to see the queen, taking her sister Anna with her. Kat leaves behind the country, and her chances of marriage to a young pear farmer. Once in London, Kat quickly becomes a part of Queen Elizabeth's inner circle.

This book came out a little less than a week ago. I was fortunate enough to get a review copy from the publisher. I have to say I really enjoyed this book.  I would compare parts of this book to "A Great and Terrible Beauty" by Libba Bray, but only the good parts. Most of the brattyness and cliquish nature of the women was left out.  The character development was really fantastic, and the book really brought to life the time period it was representing.

The only thing I can really say that I didn't like was sometimes the language was a little hard to follow. But, that ended about a quarter of the way through the book and I caught on pretty quick for the rest of it.

I gave it 4 out of 5 stars.

The People of Sparks by Jeanne DuPrau: Review

The People of Sparks

By: Jeanne DuPrau

YA Fiction

After leaving their dying home of Ember, Doon Harrow and Lina Mayfleet realize their troubles have just begun.  Nothing is familiar, and the former residents of Ember find themselves unprepared for the world above.

This book picks up right where City of Ember left off. The sequel had the same wonderful imagery as it's predecessor. The story made it very clear that Lina and Doon are still children and don't know about leading a group of people. However, the adults don't do so well either. Tensions rise, and people make bad decisions. In the end, there is a resolution; however, you get the distinct impression that it's not over yet.  You learn a little more about the reasons behind the city of Ember, and the state of the rest of the world. It's a great book about acceptance, survival, and friendships. I didn't love it as much as I loved City of Ember, but it was a great sequel, and I'm looking forward to reading The Prophet of Yonwood.

3/5 stars for this sequel

The Uglies by Scott Westerfield: Review

The Uglies

By: Scott Westerfield

Post Apocolyptic Fiction, Science Fiction, Young Adult

Tally Youngblood can't wait for her 16th birthday. She's not anticipating a driver's license, but the chance to become "pretty." Her best friend Peris has already had his surgery, and Tally can't wait to join him in New Pretty Town. A few weeks before her birthday, she meets up with another ugly, Shay, who happens to have the same birthday as Tally. When Shay disappears before her surgery, Tally's own chance to become pretty is in jeopardy.

Well, this book hits at the heart of a common teenage issue: being pretty and the consequences. I liked Tally and Shay and especially the character development that occurs within Tally. She really does grow up. I kind of wished that the reasons why Pretty Town and the surgeries had begun in the first place had been explored a little more. But, it's part of a series, so I imagine they will explain it later. Other things I liked about this book were the lack of sex and vulgarity and the smartness of the characters. I'd recommend it for anyone who likes post-apocolyptic or end of the world type books.

I gave it 3/5 stars. This book was part of It's the End of the World Challenge

A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray: Review

A Great and Terrible Beauty
By: Libba Bray
Fantasy, YA Fiction

After witnessing her mother's murder in a vision that turns out to be true, Gemma is enrolled in Spence, a girl's academy. She is snubbed by the popular Felicity and Pippa, and even her dumpy roommate Ann until she blackmails herself and Ann into the clique. Gemma soon discovers she has a power that she's not sure how to control or whether she wants it.

I have to admit that after I finished this book I couldn't quite figure out what it was about. Ultimately, I determined it was about choices. Every character in the book makes a series of choices that have both negative and positive consequences. Okay, so I know all books are about that, and I know I'm not doing a very good job of explaining the point behind this book. Basically, I really liked the conflict that Gemma had within herself on whether or not to use her powers. I think that kind of struggle is very real, and I really like the conclusion she came to in the end. Each character in the book had their own personal struggle that ultimately was resolved. I really liked the way this book ended.

Things I didn't like... I don't really like cliquey, bratty girls. So, sometimes reading about their stupid little fights was annoying at times. And, sometimes I just felt really lost when Gemma had her "visions."

I gave it 3/5 stars.

Little Brother by Cory Doctorow: Review

Little Brother

By: Cory Doctorow

YA Fiction

Marcus, or w1n5t0n as he's known on the internet, is only 17 years old, but a master hacker. He's infiltrated his school's surveillance system and knows how to manipulate it. When a terrorists attack the Bay Bridge, the Department of Homeland Security increases it's surveillance on the entire city, and takes Marcus captive. After he is released, he takes on destroying DHS as a personal mission.

I have to say that this book was one of the biggest disappointments I've had in a long time. I loved about half the story. The means Marcus uses to hack the system are absolutely genius and innovative. Also, the methods used by DHS and the police are eerily realistic. It's very apparent that this book was well-researched and thought out. Sometimes the technical descriptions were a little heavy, but I thought they were useful to explaining the story.

Here's what I didn't like. I felt like there was just too much sex and references to sex in this book. If that's something you're comfortable with, that's fine, but it seemed just to overwhelm the story at times. I felt like it was a little too mature for a YA audience. I don't mind romance in a book, but there were passages that were just too graphic.

I gave the book 3 out of 5 stars. Were the sex stuff left out, I would have given it 4 out of 5.

Zel by Donna Jo Napoli: Review

Zel

By: Dona Jo Napoli

Fantasy, YA Fiction

Zel lives with her mother high in the mountains, and all they need is each other. On Zel's birthday, her mother brings her into town where Zel meets a young prince. Zel's mother notices the attraction and decides to take drastic measures to keep her as her own.

The entire book was written in present tense. For some reason I really don't like that style of writing, and it seems like it can be a little hard to follow. Also, the story switched viewpoints, which is something I also don't prefer in a story. I liked the premise of the story, and thought that it was an interesting retelling. I really liked the development of the mother's character and reading about her thoughts and rationalizations for what she was doing. However, I didn't like Zel's character or the Prince's. A word of warning, there is a sex scene in this book, which kind of surprised me in a YA book. I really did feel like it was unnecessary.

Overall, I gave the book 2 out of 5 stars. If you can get past the writing style in the book, you may enjoy it.

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman: Review

 The Graveyard Book

By: Neil Gaiman

Young Adult Fiction

 Nobody Owens didn't grow up like most children. He's the only living person that has a permanent residence at the graveyard. Being raised by ghosts and his guardian, Silas Reynolds, "Bod" learns about the graveyard and the ancient practices of the ghosts while also uncovering his past.

Okay, so maybe I was a little slow on the uptake on this one. I didn't realize until after I'd finished the book that this is basically the "Jungle Book" retold with a graveyard instead of the jungle. After I knew that fact, the whole book really clicked for me and I really liked it. I enjoyed the characters and the storyline while I was reading it, but I didn't really get the point of it until after. However, the illustrations in the book were fantastic, and this book is perfect for the reader that likes their stories to be just a little bit dark and quirky.

I gave it 4 out of 5 stars.

Read More Reviews:

Becky's Book Blog
The Book Nut
Natasha @Maw Books Blog
Ready When You Are

The Book Thief: Review

The Book Thief
By: Markus Zusak
Young-Adult Fiction

Death is the narrator in this WWII novel about survival, human suffering, love, and hope. It follows the story of Leisel Meminger as she learns how to read, and with that comes a whole new world of understanding.

This book was, in my opinion, not Young Adult. It's just too heavy for your average teen. That aside, it was a great book that left you thinking. The writing style is different, and kind of neat. I really enjoyed the dialogue that was in German. At first, I wasn't really into the book. However, as time went on, I really got sucked into the characters. Not so much the story, that was only s0-so for me. But, I grew to really love the characters and their different personalities.

I would recommend this book for anyone who enjoys WWII historical fiction. Also, for those looking for a really deep read. I gave it 4 out of 5 stars.

Book of a Thousand Days: Review

Book of a Thousand Days
By: Shannon Hale
Young-Adult fiction

When Dashti, a maid, and her mistress, Saren, are locked in a tower because of Saren's refusal to marry a cruel Khan, Dashti begins her book. Gradually their food supply runs low, rats infest the tower, and weather conditions make it difficult to survive. Dashti begins to plan an escape.

I love Shannon Hale's books. However, I didn't enjoy this one nearly as much as others she has written. Part of it is personal preference. I don't really like the journal entry style of writing. The story was fun, but nothing really special. It's pretty evident from the beginning of the story who Dashti is going to end up with. But, it was cute, and really enjoyable.

I gave it 3 out of 5 stars

The Mennyms: Review

The Mennyms

By: Sylvia Waugh

Young Adult Fiction

The Mennyms are a creating of a wonderful seamstress. Some time after her death, the life-sized dolls come to life and inhabit a house in England. For the last 40 year, life has remained much the same. They do not eat, or age, but enjoy playing pretend. A letter from their landlord sets of a series of events that bring about some welcomed changes to the family.

This book was really charming. I really enjoyed reading about the dolls pretending to be human, and their quirks. However, the book had a surprising amount of depth and was really captivating. This book was similar in style to "The Borrowers," and I imagine anyone that liked that book will enjoy this one as well. I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars.

Dragon's Milk: Review

Dragon's Milk
By: Susan Fletcher
Children's Fiction

Dragon's Milk is the first in the Dragon Chronicles series. I was recommended this book by the children's desk at the library and didn't know much about it.

This book has a bit of an older feel to it. Kaeldra, the main character, is different from the rest of her village. She has green eyes, like those rumored to be able to speak to dragons. Kaeldra's sister, Lyf, is ill, and the only thing that can cure her fever is dragon's milk. With the help of her Granmyr, she finds a dragon that has recently hatched a clutch of draclings and agrees to watch the draclings while the mother hunts in exchange for milk. When the mother is killed by hunters, Kaeldra must find a way to save the draclings.

I really loved this story by the end. Sometimes the lore in the story was a little corny, and it was kind of predictable. However, it was much better than I had expected, and I really loved it. A well-deserved 4 out of 5 stars.

The City of Ember: Review

The City of Ember

By: Jeanne DuPrau
Young-Adult Fiction

A small metal box made by the Builders not to be opened for 200 years was passed down from mayor to mayor until the chain was broken. Now, almost 300 years later, the City of Ember is running low on supplies, and the lights flicker on and off frequently. Is there a way out of the city?

This book was a fantastic allegorical fiction like the "Giver" by Lois Lowry. Most of Ember is oblivious to the fact that their supplies are running low. Soon, that fact becomes more and more evident as the lights flicker on and off, and some precious commodities can no longer be bought. Many people in the city use different methods of coping. Some hoard supplies, without thinking, of course, that once the generator that makes the electricity goes out, their extra light bulbs will do no good. Some gather in study sessions to talk about what might be beyond the borders of their city and pray. But few venture out to try to find out what there is beyond.

If you liked "The Giver," you'll love this book. It's not a very long book, and it moves quickly. It is pretty predictable, but I don't think the point of the book was to leave you in suspense about what would happen at the end. I gave it 5 out of 5 stars.

Beauty: Review

Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast
By: Robin McKinley
Young-Adult Fiction

The plot of this book was pretty straightforward. Beauty is the youngest daughter of a wealthy merchant. Her given name was Honour, but as a young girl, asked to be called Beauty instead. She grew up to be plain and never felt like she lived up to her nickname. Her father's shipping business falls into disaster and they are forced to move to the country, where she meets the beast.

I had heard a lot about this book, and its author, Robin McKinley. I didn't enjoy the book quite as much as I had hoped I would. I felt sometimes like there was too much time spent on characters talking about what had happened, rather than what was happening at the time. Also, the ending was quite abrupt. A lot of time was spent building up the story and then the ending fell flat. But, those few flaws aside, it was a really fun book to read. I enjoyed reading about Beauty's thoughts and how they changed towards the Beast. The imagery and change that took place in the book came together really well.

Overall, I would give the book 4 out of 5 stars. I look forward to reading more from Robin McKinley.