Book Review ~ Cold Light by Jenn Ashworth

Cold Light was a struggle to get through and I almost gave up on it a few times. I kept waiting for it to get better, but was repeatedly disappointed. All told, it was a rather depressing book that fell flat in its delivery. While I'm usually intrigued by the back and forth between the past and the present, much of what was occurring in the present was boring and dragged out the story rather than contributing to it. The relationships between the characters lacked depth and some should have been developed more or eliminated completely. I'd like to say that the fact that it was set in the UK may have had some impact, but the teenage experience is universal and should be easily translatable, regardless of location. I was hoping to have found a book I could recommend to my students, but I don't think they'd make it through this one. It was difficult for me to finish, so I can only imagine that most students would give up after a few chapters. Thanks to William Morrow Paperbacks and Edelweiss for access to an advanced copy of this title.

Book Review ~ Every Day by David Levithan

Wow! Just saw the word brutal in some reviews, very appropriate, such raw feeling, it totally blew me away. Just brilliant! The premise intrigued me and once I started reading, I just could not stop. I wanted, no I needed, to know what was going to happen next. You must read this! Get ready for little glimpses into people's lives, rooting for them to have the means and capability to be hijacked for the day, but wanting to know about their lives too. Really questions the idea of loving someone for what's on the inside.

Thanks to Random House Children's Books, Alfred A. Knopf BFYR and NetGalley for access to this title.

Book Review~The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen

Four orphan boys find themselves bought by a nobleman named Conner, and they are unsure of what he has planned. While traveling to Conner's home, they discover their lives are on the line when suddenly there are only three of them left. The nobleman soon lets the boys in on his plan--he wants to try to pass the boys off as the long, lost Prince Jaron in two weeks time.

The story is told by Sage, a strong-willed, defiant, boy who does not want to be prince, but does not wish to be killed either. He befriends one of Conner's men and a kitchen maid named Imogen who pretends she is mute to avoid Conner's advances and only speaks to Sage.

It's a cute story and I enjoyed it. It was a refreshing change from all the dystopian and paranormal books that are being published right now. Seems that it would appeal most to middle-aged readers, maybe in the 8-12 year old range.

Much thanks to Shelf Awareness and Scholastic for providing an advanced copy.

Book Review~Caring is Creepy by David Zimmerman

So not what I expected...the author took the story and ran away with it-in the opposite direction than I would've guessed.

When Lynn and her friend Dani started chatting with people online, they decided to make a game out of it. One of the main rules of the game was that they wouldn't identify their true identities. Lynn wasn't really sure why but she did give her real name to a soldier named Logan who was in hid mid-twenties while she was just about to enter high school. After Lynn and Logan met, things got a bit out of control. Logan went AWOL and ended up sneaking into Lynn's house to stay until morning when he would figure out what he was going to do. Within a few days, Lynn had him trapped in a tiny, secret  room in the back of her closet naked.

While this was all going on, Lynn's mother's boyfriend Hayes, had gotten into some trouble when he bungled up a drug deal and the guys he screwed were looking at Lynn's house for him. Lynn soon becomes tangled in her mother and Hayes mess while still trying to keep her own secret.

Thanks to NetGalley and Soho Press for access to this title. 

Book Review~Tomorrow Land by Mari Mancusi

As a flu epidemic seems to be killing or infecting everyone that hasn't had the AIDS vaccine, Peyton realizes the boy who has been crushing on her forever is actually a decent guy. Decent enough, in fact, to fall in love with. When Peyton's dad tells her that she carries the secret to stopping the plague, she decides to go into the shelter instead of leaving town with Chris, breaking both their hearts.

When she surfaces four years later, her sole mission is to head to Disney World to meet up with her father. Peyton soon finds herself bringing along a rag tag group of children and the boy whose heart she broke on her journey. 

Though a decent zombie story, it shares a lot of similarities with Maberry's Rot & Ruin. I know plenty of kids that will thoroughly enjoy it, even though some of it felt a bit forced. For Chase/Chris to be the very first human for Peyton to see after four years in the shelter was a little too convenient. I actually considered stopping reading right there. The only reason I'm glad I did finish was so I have something to go on when I suggest the book to my students.

Thanks to NetGalley and NLA Digital Liaison Platform LLC for access to this title.

Book Review~Erebos by Ursula Poznanski

This was definitely not a book to be judged by the cover. To be honest, I almost didn't read it, there was something about the cover that didn't appeal to me and I can see my students doubting me if I were to recommend this book for them. That being said, I am pleased that I started it because I did get hooked pretty quickly.

It was easy to get sucked in when it started because just like Nick, you didn't know what was on the mysterious discs that seemed to make everyone start acting so strangely. Once Nick becomes a player in the world of Erebos, there really is no looking back. It requires complete commitment and may just turn out to be a matter of life and death.

Thanks to Annick Press and NetGalley for access to this title.

Book Review~13 Hangmen by Art Corriveau

This was a cute one. A nice break from some more serious books I've been reading. When Tony is about to turn 13, he is left a house on 13 Hangman Court by a mysterious uncle he only met once. Once his family moves into the house, Tony finds himself right in the middle of one big mystery. Being such a mystery fan, this is an absolute thrill for him, an escape from the monotony of being harassed by his mother to try and eat better to lose some weight and being teased by his brothers who can just about do it all.

A must read for middle grade boys. A might read for girls. A definite escape from all the other fantasy fiction out there.

Thank you to Abrams, Amulet Books and NetGalley for access to this title.

Book Review~Everneath by Brodi Ashton

Loved Greek myths when I was a kid and have enjoyed all the books written lately that have incorporated mythology into their stories. I liked the whole idea of Nikki's connections having been strong enough for her to come back from the Everneath to say her goodbyes. The story does start of a bit confusing, but if you hang in there it does prove worth it. And, it definitely leaves you wanting more!

Thanks to HarperCollins, Balzer + Bray, and NetGalley for access to this title.

Book Review~Never Eighteen by Megan Bostic

Loved this book!

Austin's way of dealing with the fact that he'll never actually reach the age of eighteen is to travel, with his best friend (and secret crush) Kaylee, to those in his life he thinks he may be able to help before he dies. He visits people whom he has wronged to apologize and also those who he thinks may need some guidance to recover from painful experiences so that they can enjoy the precious gift of life. His appearance has changed drastically due to the chemotherapy he has been going through and by making face-to-face contact, the people he visits are forced to confront the fragility of life. Though far-fetched to some degree, the story was well written and definitely worth reading!

Thank you to HMH Children's Books and NetGalley for access to this title.

Book Review~Blood Red Road by Moira Young

I was reluctant to read this one. Not sure exactly why. I saw it being promoted around its release date and read some reviews, but something made me hesitant. I eventually acquiesced and bought a copy.

Now that I have finished it, I am willing to admit that it was a decent story with some truly likeable characters. However, the writing style/language was a huge distraction for me. It's written in what some are calling a poetic or prose style. But, as far as I'm concerned, it's written in a backwoods, backwards English that made my grammar driven mind cringe. I can honestly say that it took till the very end of the book for the bad English not to interfere with my reading of this book. I just don't see how the writing style added to the book. Though I thought the story was gripping and exciting, I wish I would have just gotten it from the library rather than spending money on it.

Saba and Luce are twins who live out in the desert with their half crazy Pa and little sister Emmi. When Luce is kidnapped, Saba swears that she will find him. Saba tries to dump Emmi with an old friend of her mother's, but Emmi ends up following Saba and the two must find a way to put up with each other. They set out on their search and end up on quite the adventure, meeting both friends and enemies along the way.

Book Review~Divergent by Veronica Roth

When I saw all the promos for this book, I knew I'd have to read it eventually, just took me a little longer than I would've liked. Already cataloged and put the copy I bought in our school library. Now I just need to find a way to get a few more copies!

Beatrice and her brother Caleb have turned sixteen, which means it is now time to decide which faction they will choose to be a part of: Candor, Abnegation, Dauntless, Amity, or Erudite. Having both grown up as Abnegation, it is assumed that at least one of them will choose to remain. Once they have chosen, there is no going back.

Beatrice "Tris" discovers that there's something different about her and is warned not to discuss these differences with anyone. She soon finds herself part of a world where she must fight-physically and mentally, for a position among the top 10, or face the possibility of being factionless.

It is difficult to continue without giving away too much detail. Just trust me, as the story unfolds, it just keeps getting better and as the end of the book approaches you'll want to read slower to make it last as long as possible.