Book Review: Need by Carrie Jones

Need by Carrie Jones


My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Need by Carrie Jones is in simplest terms Twilight meets Melissa Marr’s books Wicked Lovely and Ink Exchange. It is another vamp…oops…I mean fairy novel about malicious fey following a helpless girl who runs into a hunky werewolf who is the sworn enemy of the fey. Personally, I am beginning to feel the vampire, fairy, werewolf thing is becoming a bit over done in today’s teen literature, but hey—vamps, werewolves, and fairies are still selling so what do I know.

Once again we are stuck with a lack luster heroine sent away from her mother to the far north (Maine this time—at least it is on the other coast). Zara is attempting to recover from her depression over the recent death of her stepfather. At a new school she meets the resident hunk who drives a nifty mini cooper and helps her out on an ice slick parking lot.... Hmmm…. this is starting to sound familiar—icy parking lot, flashy car with a fast driver….where have I heard this story before? Add in a few malevolent stalking fairies who drink blood and voila—you have another Twilight wannabe.

I would recommend this to fans who just can’t get enough Twilight type books. It does have a somewhat interesting, though predictable story, but will definitely appeal to those who like books similar to Twilight. The character development isn’t very good, and the repetition of information gets a bit redundant at times.

Cautions for sensitive readers: The book can be a bit gory at times—especially in the descriptions of the fairy behaviors. Although there is no sex in the book, there is a mention of some characters engaging in sexual activities.

View all my reviews >>

Book Review: Fire by Kristin Cashore

Fire by Kristin Cashore


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This prequel to Cashore’s first novel Graceling was a worthy addition to the world she created in Graceling. This story takes us back in time to events that occur before those of the first book. It is a standalone novel, so don’t worry if you haven’t read Graceling first, you don’t need to. Although, you will recognize a character from Graceling in Fire it doesn’t give anything away to read this book first.

Fire is a monster. She was born to a monster father and a human palace servant. As a monster, Fire must contend with attacks from other monsters and the startling effect she has on unprepared and unshielded human minds. In the Dells, monsters are common and distinct from the normal counterparts, because of their terrible and often mind altering beauty. Fire is the last human monster and with her beauty also comes the ability to control unshielded minds.

In her home in the Dells, Fire discovers strangers in the wood seemingly interested in her. To find out more about these strangers, she and her friend Archer consult with the royal family that is currently battling for control of the kingdom since the death and misrule of the last king who suffered under the control of Fire’s father. Fire becomes embroiled in a battle for the kingdom, and is a tool for the royal family to weed out the traitors in their midst.

This book is just as interesting and entertaining as Graceling. As a rule, I normally don’t like prequels, but Cashore manages to present an interesting and relevant new story for her fantasy world. I would recommend this book to teens who like fantasy and are willing to put in the time to learn the rules and politics for this interesting world. Fire is thoroughly enjoyable, and the characters are well developed and well rounded. Even the most perfect characters have flaws, and it is nice see that she is so thorough in her character development. I hope there are more books to come!

Cautions for sensitive readers: There is violence in this book due to the battles and frequent monster attacks. Some sexuality is present, although you won’t find any explicit descriptions in this book.

View all my reviews >>

Book Review: The Host by Stephenie Meyer

The Host by Stephenie Meyer


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I know this isn't a teen book, but since the author is so popular with teens, I thought it would be good to include a review of this title. If you are interested in checking out a copy of this book, you will find it in our adult collection.

In The Host Stephenie Meyer tells the story of life on Earth after the planet has been taken over by an alien species that steals the bodies of humans. Wanderer has been placed in the body once belonging to Melanie Stryder. In most cases the host’s mind is supposed to fade away, but Melanie refuses to leave. She fights Wanderer and shows Wanderer images of the people she loves causing Wanderer to love them too. When circumstances force Wanderer to run away, she and Melanie seek refuge with an unwilling host of humans who would just as soon see them dead than shelter them. However, Melanie and Wanderer do find the man they love and seek acceptance in this unusual community of humans.

This was an extremely long book. I think Meyer’s editor could be a little more forceful, this story did not need to be over 600 pages. That said I did really enjoy this book, more so than the Twilight Series in many ways. This book made you think from time to time and ponder moralities in these unusual circumstances. Wanda is a noble character and she is admirable in many ways, but sometimes you just found yourself wishing she would act.

This book may appeal to fans of the Twilight series, but that is not a guarantee, because it is so different. Both Wanda and Melanie are likable characters, and Uncle Jeb is an interesting treat. You will find some romance in this book, but not to the same extent as the Twilight novels.

Good read for someone looking for something different and doesn’t mind the exceptional length.

Cautions for sensitive readers: There is a lot of violence and violent deaths in this book. Although there is no sex in the book it is mildly alluded to. I don’t remember any foul language, but I can’t say for certain that there isn’t any.

View all my reviews >>

Book Byte: The Unknowns: A Mystery by Benedict Carey

When people start vanishing from a trailer park next to the Folsom Energy Plant, two eleven-year-olds investigate using mathematical clues that were hastily planted by their friend Mrs. Clarke before she disappeared.

Vote Now for Your Favorite!

Have you voted in the Teens' Top Ten yet? Polls close 11:59 p.m. Pacific on Friday. Click on the button on the right hand side of the page or go to http://www.ala.org/teenstopten

Book Review: Genesis Alpha by Rune Michaels

Genesis Alpha by Rune Michaels


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Josh and his brother Max have always been close. He was born to save Max’s life when cancer was killing him. Josh admires his brother and is similar to him in many ways. They look similar, they both share an interest in the same online video game, Genesis Alpha, they even meet online to play while Max is in college. Until one day when Max doesn’t show up in Genesis Alpha, and Josh finds out it is because his brother has been arrested for the brutal murder of a college girl. Josh can’t believe that his older brother could commit such a heinous crime, but as fact come forward Josh learns that everything isn’t always how it appears.

This book was a page turner. It hooks you from the beginning and draws you though the novel at breakneck pace. It raises some interesting ethical questions, and might make for an interesting book discussion. Josh is a likable character and you can see how he struggles with the idea that the brother he loves could be a vicious killer.

This book is well written and highly enterataining. I would recommend it to readers who like mysteries and thrillers. I especially found Rachel’s character interesting, and perhaps one of the scariest characters in the book.

Cautions for sensitive readers: There is some violence in the book, but no sex. I don’t remember any foul language in the book.

View all my reviews >>

Book Review: Stealing Heaven by Elizabeth Scott

Stealing Heaven by Elizabeth Scott


My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Danielle has been stealing since she was a child, and she is good at it. She and her mother have wandered from town to town, never making any permanent attachments, stealing from the wealthiest homes and moving on. It worked well for them, until Dani discovers that she wants more.

Dani, despite being a thief, is a very likable character. Her mother is a master manipulator, who you are sometimes left wondering, who she really cares for and does she really care for Dani. The characters are well developed and likable and the dialogue and banter between characters is often humorous—sometimes even laugh out loud funny.

Recommended.

Cautions for sensitive readers: There is some language, and some sex, although there are no graphic descriptions.


View all my reviews >>