Review: Crewel by Gennifer Albin

TITLE: Crewel                                             SERIES: Crewel World #1 AUTHOR: Gennifer Albin                        PUB DATE: 10/16/12                 PUB: Farrar, Straus and Giroux FORMAT: eARC                                        SOURCE: Netgalley

Incapable. Awkward. Artless. That’s what the other girls whisper behind her back. But sixteen year-old Adelice Lewys has a secret: she wants to fail. Gifted with the ability to weave time with matter, she’s exactly what the Guild is looking for, and in the world of Arras, being chosen as a Spinster is everything a girl could want. It means privilege, eternal beauty, and being something other than a secretary. It also means the power to embroider the very fabric of life. But if controlling what people eat, where they live and how many children they have is the price of having it all, Adelice isn’t interested. Not that her feelings matter, because she slipped and wove a moment at testing, and they’re coming for her—tonight. Now she has one hour to eat her mom’s overcooked pot roast. One hour to listen to her sister’s academy gossip and laugh at her Dad’s stupid jokes. One hour to pretend everything’s okay. And one hour to escape. Because once you become a Spinster, there’s no turning back.

THREE WORDS: Innovative & Lovely World-Building (yes it is one word!)

MY REVIEW: Gennifer Albin's Crewel really surpassed any expectations I had when I started reading it and surprised me with its rich and lovely complexity and world-building.

In the world of Arras, time is weaved and manipulated by the Spinsters, and being a Spinster is a coveted role because it comes with beauty, privilege, and power. Young girls dream of being a Spinster, but Adelice Lewys is trained by her parents to fail the weaving test. Adelice isn't interested in the isolation or strict rules that come with Spinster life. But her Spinster abilities are strong and she accidentally weaves a moment during testing and when they come from her the results are deadly. Adelice quickly finds herself under the strict rule and watch of the Guild and living amongst other Spinsters, and her powerful abilities don't go unnoticed by those in charge. Secrets, revolutions, loyalties, and romances begin to unravel around Adelice and she must learn to harness and use her abilities or risk those she loves.

On the surface, Crewel is a familiar and basic dystopian story with fantasy elements (a young, but powerful heroine, must rise to the occasion to overthrow a corrupt government and save the world), but what sets Crewel apart is Albin's innovation and imagination. The world of Spinsters who literally weave time and manipulate matter, controlling the weather, reproduction, and even life itself, is captivating in its originality and quite lovely in its rich, complexity and layers. I fell into this world easily and I think a part of me is still in there. Albin weaves (see what I did there?!) a smart, riveting story full of the unexpected and intriguing.

For the most part, the world-building is fantastic, with lush vividness and complete, realistic layers. But, despite Albin's impressive writing and storytelling, this isn't always an easy world to comprehend or follow. I did find myself a bit overwhelmed and confused at times by the sheer amount of complexity and intricacy of this world. This isn't a story that can be merely skimmed, it demands keen attention and thought, but is well worth it.

The characters in Crewel were mostly either hits or misses with me, Adelice being the exception. I have a love/hate relationship with Adelice. She isn't what I would call a remarkable heroine, but she is relatable. I like her feisty snarkiness and adventurous curiosity, but at times her characterization seems awkward or inappropriate for the situation she is in. There are several characters that could be called the “villain”, and while these characters are certainly ruthless; cruel; creeptastic, and diabolical, I hope they up the vile villainy in the next book.

There is a bit of a love triangle *sigh*, which I could have done without, but Adelice clearly has stronger, more real feelings for one male love interest, and the romantic elements don't dominate the whole story. And I liked each love interest, but for different reasons. Erik is a charmer with plenty of secrets up his sleeve, and I like that I wasn't sure of his loyalties or motivations; a wild card can be fun. And Jost *fangirl squee*, I couldn't help but fall for this witty, sweet guy...GO TEAM JOST!

Albin threw some twists at me that had me all WHAT THA WHAT NOW?! And the ending certainly left me reeling and excited (and desperate) for book two. It also left me with so many thinks and feels! (I haz theories y'all)

MY FINAL THOUGHTS: Crewel has its flaws and weak spots, but overall it really won me over. The innovative, thought-provoking world-building and Albin's ability to weave a lovely and captivating story wowed me greatly and kept me enamored from beginning to beyond the end. This is a fantastic debut and I will be eagerly awaiting the sequel!

MY RATING

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Gennifer Albin holds a Masters degree in English Literature from the University of Missouri. During her student years she served as an editor for Pleaides and The Missouri Review, and since then she’s founded the tremendously popular blog theconnectedmom.com.  She lives in Kansas with her ridiculously supportive husband, two small children, and a Tuesday cat.

CREWEL TRAILER

Review: The Turning by Francine Prose

TITLE: The Turning                                 AUTHOR: Francine Prose PUB: Harper Teen                                    PUB DATE: 9/25/12 FORMAT: pb ARC                                   SOURCE: pub

Jack is babysitting for the summer on an isolated island with no Wi-Fi, no cell service, and no one else around but a housekeeper and two very peculiar children. He immediately senses something sinister-and it's not just the creepy black house he's living in. Soon he is feeling terribly isolated and alone, but then he discovers there are others. The problem is, he's the only who can see them. As secrets are revealed and darker truths surface, Jack desperately struggles to maintain a grip on reality. He knows what he sees, and he isn't crazy…Or is he?
Where does reality end and insanity begin? The Turn of the Screw reinvented for modern-day teens, by National Book Award finalist Francine Prose

THREE WORDS: Eerie Creeptastic Fun

MY REVIEW: Francine Prose's The Turning is a modern YA retelling of the classic The Turn of the Screw. I've never read the original, but I am familiar with the basic storyline and Prose's updated version is a great example of a retelling with a twist. The Turning may not have blown me away, but I did have a lot of fun creeping myself out while reading it.

Jake is spending his summer on an isolated island babysitting the two young chargers of a wealthy man. Jake, the two young kids (Miles and Flora) and the cook Mrs. Gross are the only inhabitants on the island and the house has no phone, tv or internet connection. Jake is hesitant about the job but it pays well and he needs the money for college. Even before Jake arrives at the big, black house, he experiences an uneasiness about the place; an uneasiness that is only increased once he meets the odd, overly polite children and learns about the tragic history surrounding the house. And when Jake starts to see people that no one else sees he struggles with his grip on reality. What's real? Who's lying? What can Jake really believe?

The Turning has a lot going for it: a genuinely eerie and captivating plot, a likable MC and a hauntingly palpable atmosphere and setting. One does not need to be familiar with The Turn of the Screw to enjoy or understand the modern YA retelling. Prose follows a very similar plot and keeps many of the same names as the original, but she definitely adds her own twists and turns to make the story fresh.

This is an epistolary novel, or narrated through the use of letters. In this case, the story plays out through Jake's letters to his girlfriend and dad and their letters to him. I've found that this narration style very rarely works well or usually reads awkwardly, and this book is no exception. When Jake's letters to Sophie are ten or more pages and recount days worth of activity and conversations they are bound to feel contrived and unbelievable. I would have rather the book was merely just told from Jake's POV and included a few letters here and there. But I do like that it is told from Jake's POV as this allows readers to really experience his emotions, thoughts and confusion. We only get to see people, places, things and reality through Jake's eyes and I think this is very important to the reader's overall experience and creates an immediate connection between Jake and readers.

Prose creates a really haunting, eerie and atmospheric setting with the isolated island, big black house and sprawling landscape. It really is that classic horror movie/story type of setting that gives you excited chills. The palpable fear and evil is made even that more chilling by the isolation of the island. The big, twisty, seemingly never ending house is fantastically scary and the kind of place I'd love to go ghost hunting in. Of course, with an isolated setting one must suspend a certain level of disbelief and merely accept it for what it is. For example, the childrens' uncle, who lives in the city and hired Jake, does not allow any phones, tv or internet on the island nor does he want Jake or Mrs. Gross to contact him for ANY reason. Now it's hard to believe that even the most isolated places wouldn't have at least a phone for emergencies, but this place doesn't. I found that the sooner I stopped questioning things like this and just went with it, that I enjoyed the story more, which I think we must often do when it comes to the horror genre.

Jake is a likable and relatble MC; he isn't overly remarkable or special, but his average-ness is comforting. I never had any problem believing in his authenticity or convictions. Mrs. Gross is an easy to like and laid back lady. She's funny and nurturing and genuinely cares for the children and Jake too. Now those kids, Miles and Flora, they are definitely an interesting pair. One of things that scares the beejeezus out of me in horror movies or stories is creepy kid ghosts, and while Miles and Flora are NOT ghosts, they are still some strange, creepy-ass kids! Miles, especially, gave me goosebumps and the shivers, but in a really fun way.

Once Jake encounters what he assumes are ghosts, Prose deviates from the original story and weaves her own shocking and twisty story. It was fascinating to witness Jake fall into a kind of frenzied madness and fear, and the author does a great job of creating very tangible emotions. While I enjoyed most of the story, I was pretty disappointed with the abrupt and loose ending. So many questions are left unanswered and so many things that seem like vital clues aren't discussed. It just feels like so much of what the author built throughout the story (world-building, character development, atmosphere) crumbles because of the unsatisfying ending.

MY FINAL THOUGHTS: The Turning is a loyal, yet fresh retelling of a classic, but more importantly it's an entertaining and captivating horror story. The story may not be mind-blowingly original or wildly unpredictable and the ending disappointed,  but I thought, overall, it was a lot of scary fun.

MY RATING

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Francine Prose (born in 1947 in Brooklyn, New York) is an American novelist. She graduated from Radcliffe College in 1968, and received a Guggenheim fellowship in 1991. She has sat on the board of judges for the PEN/Newman's Own Award, and her novel Blue Angel, a satire about sexual harassment on college campuses, was a finalist for the National Book Award. She is now teaching at Bard College.

Review: The Other Normals by Ned Vizzini

TITLE: The Other Normals      AUTHOR: Ned Vizzini PUB: Balzer+Bray                       PUB DATE: 9/25/12 FORMAT: pb ARC                      SOURCE: pub

Given the chance, fifteen-year-old Peregrine “Perry” Eckert would dedicate every waking moment to Creatures & Caverns, an epic role-playing game rich with magical creatures, spell casting, and deadly weapons. The world of C&C is where he feels most comfortable in his own skin, so when his parents ship him off to summer camp Perry is sure he’s in for the worst summer of his life. Everything changes, however, when Perry gets to camp and stumbles into the World of the Other Normals. Perry’s new otherworldly friends need his help to save their princess and prevent mass violence. As they embark on their quest together, Perry realizes that his nerdy childhood has uniquely prepared him to be a great warrior in this world, and maybe even a hero. Bestselling author Ned Vizzini delivers a compulsively readable and wildly original story about the winding and often hilarious path to manhood.

THREE WORDS: Awkward Characters & Writing

MY REVIEW: I'm a self-proclaimed geek, nerd, queen of awkwardness, so when I read the synopsis to Ned Vizzini's The Other Normals I felt an instant connection to the main character Perry and I hoped I'd find a kindred spirit in him...alas, I did not. I loved Vizzini's other novel It's Kind Of A Funny Story and I think he can craft a stellar contemporary voice. Unfortunately, this particular novel just didn't strike a chord with me.

Peregrine “Perry” Eckert is by all definitions a loner, geek, late bloomer. At 15 years old, he has no real friends, has never kissed a girl and spends all his time playing Creatures & Caverns, a role-playing game infused with magic and myth. He longs for the day when he can put his C&C skills to work and be a real life hero, and when his parents ship him off to summer camp he may just get his chance. While at camp he discovers the World of the Other Normals where C&C creatures are real. The Other Normals enlist Perry's help to save their princess and world and Perry finally has the chance to be a hero and maybe even make real friends.

The Other Normals has a great, fresh premise; Vizzini takes a well used plot (outsider loner is transported into a fantasy world and must become a hero) and taken it to some imaginative and unexpected places. Unfortunately, the story, with its unlikable hero; awkward writing and all over the place storyline just did not work for me.

At 400 pages, this is a longer read and I considered DNFing halfway through because of the slow, meandering pace and baffling storyline, but I pushed through, wanting to see how Perry's story ended. I genuinely liked the fantasy world and grand adventure aspects of this story. The world of the Other Normals is fantastical and intriguing, but the world-building is often fragmented, overwhelming or confusing. While fascinated by certain aspects of this fantasy world, I didn't feel like I ever got a complete grasp of this world and its history, people, cultures, etc.

I think my biggest issue with this book is the main character, Perry. I didn't find him very likable or relatable at all. Yes, he's smart, exhibits a certain level of courage and thoughtfulness and clearly has a difficult home life, but I found him incredibly immature for a 15 year old, tactless and his awkwardness is less endearing and more eye-rolling. I had a really hard time liking Perry or rooting for him. There's just something about his characterization that feels forced and clunky. And so much of his dialogue and humor is flat or stilted and many of his actions are perplexing...at one point he pulls his pants down at a dance to show a girl his first and only pubic hair to prove that he's a “man”...I may have never been a 15 year old boy, but I'm pretty sure this is not a normal reaction to rejection, right?!

Many of the other characters read like over the top cliches or caricatures. There's also a bit of unnecessary and kind of offensive racism going on in this book; both Perry and other campers often point out that he's the only white kid at camp and refer to the camp as “ghetto”.

Much of the storyline feels jumbled and confusing. And perhaps being a twenty-something female, I'm just not the right audience for this book, but I didn't really “get” the humor, voice or style. The only thing that kept me reading this book until the end, and the reason it gets two cupcakes, is the character Ada. Ada, one of the Other Normals, is the only character I actually liked and enjoyed. Her humor is actually funny, her actions actually make sense and her personality is actually likable.

MY FINAL THOUGHTS: I really wanted to like The Other Normals but just never connected with the less than greatly executed story or unlikable characters. I just don't think I was the right audience for this particular book, but I have no doubt the right audience will get Vizzini's story and connect with Perry. And I may not be a fan of this book, but I will certainly continue to read Vizzini's work in the future.

MY RATING

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Vizzini grew up primarily in the Park Slope neighborhood of Brooklyn in New York City. He attended Stuyvesant High School in Manhattan, graduating in 1999. While still a teenager, he began to write articles for the New York Press, an alternative newspaper.
After he wrote an essay that got published by the New York Times Magazine, several of his essays about his young adult life ended up being combined into his first book, Teen Angst? Naaah.... Vizzini attended Hunter College, also located in Manhattan. Ned Vizzini currently lives in New York City and continues to write and to speak about his books. Vizzini's characters and situations are said be based upon his time spent at Stuyvesant.

Review: Stormdancer (The Lotus War #1) by Jay Kristoff

TITLE: Stormdancer                        SERIES: The Lotus War #1 AUTHOR: Kay Kristoff                  PUB DATE: 9/18/12 PUB: Thomas Dunne Books         FORMAT: eARC SOURCE: from pub for review

A DYING LAND The Shima Imperium verges on the brink of environmental collapse; an island nation once rich in tradition and myth, now decimated by clockwork industrialization and the machine-worshipers of the Lotus Guild. The skies are red as blood, the land is choked with toxic pollution, and the great spirit animals that once roamed its wilds have departed forever. AN IMPOSSIBLE QUESTThe hunters of Shima’s imperial court are charged by their Shōgun to capture a thunder tiger—a legendary creature, half-eagle, half-tiger. But any fool knows the beasts have been extinct for more than a century, and the price of failing the Shōgun is death.A SIXTEEN YEAR OLD GIRLYukiko is a child of the Fox clan, possessed of a talent that if discovered, would see her executed by the Lotus Guild. Accompanying her father on the Shōgun’s hunt, she finds herself stranded: a young woman alone in Shima’s last wilderness, with only a furious, crippled thunder tiger for company. Even though she can hear his thoughts, even though she saved his life, all she knows for certain is he’d rather see her dead than help her. But together, the pair will form an indomitable friendship, and rise to challenge the might of an empire.

THREE WORDS: Fiercely Stunning & Badass

MY REVIEW: Jay Kristoff's Stormdancer was one of my MOST anticipated reads of this year, but I'll admit that I was a little nervous to read the ARC. I was scared that my high expectations wouldn't be met and I'd walk away from the book disappointed...silly me! Not only were my expectations met, they were taken to a whole new level of awesome baddassery. I'm going to do my best to not totally fangirl here and write an actually helpful, coherent review. Here goes...

Sixteen year old Yukiko lives in a world divided into four clans and ruled by a harsh Shogun and threatened by both the strict Lotus Guild and rebel forces. A world once inhabitated by mythical beings and rich in tradition, is now polluted by a toxic fuel and reliant on clockwork industralization. The Shogun sends Yukiko and her father, a hunter, on a quest to bring back a thunder tiger, even if they have been extinct for a century. After a fiery accident, Yukiko finds herself lost in the wildnerness with only a crippled thunder tiger for company. And even though the thunder tiger, Buruu, initially wants her dead, Yukiko uses her rare and dangerous ability to connect with the tiger's thoughts and forge a bond with him. Together the two concoct a plan to save themselves, the people they love and maybe even overthrow the empire.

Stormdancer is an extraordinary example of YA at its absolute best. An explosively spellbinding mix of fantasy and steampunk, with a rich, innovative world, exhilarating and riveting action and one of the most compelling YA heroines in existence, Stormdancer just effing rocks!

What initially drew me to this book was the fact that it's a steampunk set in Japan. Most YA steampunk novels I've read are usually set in Victorian England type settings, but Kristoff has pushed the idea of YA steampunk into a totally new direction and has done so successfully. Stormdancer radiates with originality, yet never feels uncomfortably out-of-the box. 

I think what makes this book work and work so superbly is first and foremost Kristoff's writing. Kristoff is a masterful and smart storyteller, who clearly isn't afraid to tackle an ambitious and complex story. There's a fierce and lyrical beauty to Kristoff's writing that never depends on flowery or over the top imagery. Stormdancer feels both epically grand and genuinely intimate because the world-building is that phenomenal and layered. Vividly rich and lush in detail, the steampunk/fantasy infused Japanese setting is cinematic and breathtaking even in its startling ugliness. The social/political/historical setting surrounding this world is also extremely well-developed and complete.

As enthralling as the world-building is, it would matter little if the characters placed in this world sucked...the characters in this world do NOT suck...not even a little bit. Even the douchey and asshattey characters are awesome. But the two shining throwing stars in this book are my girl Yukiko and everybody's favorite thunder tiger, Buruu. Yukiko is pretty much the epitome of a kickass heroine, but I love that her character isn't ALL about slaying demons, sticking people with pointy things and fighting (even is she does these things like a boss!). There is SO much more to this strong, witty, clever, resourceful and brave girl. I love that she can plan to overthrow a villianous empire and save thousands of people in one thought then fantasize about the hottie warrior Hiro in the next thought. This doesn't make her weak or shallow in any way; it makes her real. I kind of want to be Yukiko's BFF.

Then there's Buruu *le sigh*. If it's wrong to have a crush on a mythical thunder tiger/griffin then I don't wanna be right! There's something so irresistibly captivating and eloquently powerful about this creature. The friendship and bond forged between Burru and Yukiko is deeply moving and lovely.

The story Kristoff crafts for readers is always engrossing and engaging because every scene, every word of dialogue, every description, every thought is necessary. The action is thrilling, the dialogue is often surprisingly witty and always reads naturally, and the whole story is perfectly paced. I'm a huge nerd when it comes to weaponary and there are chainsaw katanas in this book...let that sink in for a moment...

EFFING. CHAINSAW. KATANAS...those are swords AND chainsaws COMBINED into one glorious weapon of baddassery, people! How did I NOT know that this was, like, a thang?! (Google "chainsaw katana" and discover all the awesomeness yourself...go ahead, I'll wait!)...I held off on the fangirling for as long as I could ;) 

As the first in a series, this book concludes with a thrilling and climatic ending, that sets up the nice book nicely.

MY FINAL THOUGHTS: If it were possible to have a crush on a book then I would I write Stormdancer cheesy love poems, make it mix tapes and cupcakes, and call it at home and hang up when it answered...I lurve it that much! Jay Kristoff has seriously and awesomely delivered with this book and has defintely made his permanent mark on the YA world. Buy this book, devour this book, make someone else read this book and definitely do some Stormdancer LARPing (I call dibs on the chainsaw katana!). An absolute effing MUST read!

MY RATING

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Jay Kristoff is a Perth-born, Melbourne-based author. His first trilogy, THE LOTUS WAR, was purchased in the three-way auction by US publishing houses in 2011. He is as surprised about it as you are. The first installment, STORMDANCER, is set to be published in September 2012 in the US, UK and Australia. Jay is 6’7, has approximately 13870 days to live and does not believe in happy endings.

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Review: Gravediggers (Mountains of Bone) by Christopher Krovatin

TITLE: Gravediggers: Mountain of Bone AUTHOR: Christopher Krovatin PUB: Katherine Tegen Books                     PUB DATE: 9/11/12 FORMAT: pb ARC SOURCE: from pub in exchange for honest review

The Goonies meets The Evil Dead in this series about three kids who become separated from their backpacking group in the Montana wilderness and discover they are stranded in the heart of zombie country.Ian was the one who chased the majestic buck into the forest. (His motto: Act first, think later.)Kendra didn't want to become separated from the other sixth graders, but she followed Ian anyway, despite what her analytical mind told her.PJ followed him, too. Even though he was scared, he figured he might catch some amazing footage with his video camera.They all hoped to return to the hiking trail before anyone noticed they were gone. However, the mountain had other plans for them: dark, sinister plans that only nightmares are made of.Now they don't know where they are. They don't know how to get home. They don't know what gruesome creatures lurk in the shadows-but when they find out, will they be able to defeat these monsters and escape the mountain together?This first book in the Gravediggers series is a scary, mysterious, wild ride that will thrill readers to the very last page.

THREE WORDS: Spine-tingling Creepy Fun

MY REVIEW: I love me some zombies and zombie books are always a hit or miss with me. Christopher Krovatin's Gravediggers: Mountain of Bones is a definite hit! 

Sixth graders Ian, P.J. and Kendra travel with their school for a weekend camping trip full of hiking and wilderness training. The three students couldn't be any more different and aren't thrilled when they get stuck in the same group. But when jock Ian, film maker P.J. and brainy Kendra get seperated from their group and lost in the woods they must rely on each other to survive because they aren't alone. The living dead are out there and They. Are. Hungry!

This may be a middle grade novel, but it doesn't lack any spine-tingling creepiness! Krovatin has crafted a super fun and entertaining story full of mystery, scary and exciting thrills and engaging characters.

Fast and fiercely paced, Gravediggers takes readers on a breathless and addicting journey. A journey that genuinely and awesomely scared me in the best, most fun way possible. The scene Krovatin sets is deliciously and palpably eerie and cinetamatic. I felt the characters' fear and easily saw their story play out vividly in my mind. Krovatin weaves a fun story that is a wonderful blend of horror, humor and heart. 

The elements surrounding the origins of the zombies and the magic in the woods are really refreshing and different. And even though this is a MG book, the zombies are exactly what young readers crave- stinky, gross, grotesque, hungry for flesh and hard to kill. Yet, at the same time, the book isn't too scary, violent or gory and really is appropriate for the MG audience. 

The three young main characters are all likable and relatable in their own ways. Each chapter is told from the point of view of one of the characters, allowing readers to really get to know each one. Ian is a bit reckless and arrogant, but he has a good heart and funny outlook. P.J. is timid and shy at first, but grows a great deal throughout the book and ends up being very brave. Wickedly smart and endearingly awkward Kendra is my fave character. These three kids make an awesome and quirky trio and I really love the genuine friendship that grows between them. 

I love that the story doesn't feel farfetched or contrived, but frighteningly real and believable. There are plenty of gasp-worthy surprises and horrifying dangers to keep even young reader engrossed for hours. And young readers will appreciate how resourceful, brave and smart the three MC's are. 

As the first book in a series, Gravediggers wraps up one storyline nicely, bet sets the stage for Ian, P.J. and Kendra's next big zombie adventure. And Krovatin drops quite the unexpected bombshell at the end *wink wink*

MY FINAL THOUGHTS:  The Goonies meets The Evil Dead indeed! I had a ton of scary fun reading Gravediggers: Mountain of Bones. Krovatin offers readers an exciting zombie tale with plenty of thrills and chills, with enough oomph to entertain older readers, while remaining appropriate for younger readers. A spooky and exhilarating read!

MY RATING

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Christopher Krovatin is the author of Heavy Metal And You and Venomous. He is also a contributing writer to Revolver magazine and a lifelong devotee of the zombie genre. He currently lives in Brooklyn.

ARC Review: Ten by Gretchen McNeil

TITLE: Ten                                         AUTHOR: Gretchen McNeil PUB: Balzer+Bray                            PUB DATE: 9/18/12 FORMAT: ARC, 294 pgs SOURCE: from pub inexchange for honest review

And their doom comes swiftly.It was supposed to be the weekend of their lives—an exclusive house party on Henry Island. Best friends Meg and Minnie each have their reasons for being there (which involve T.J., the school’s most eligible bachelor) and look forward to three glorious days of boys, booze and fun-filled luxury.But what they expect is definitely not what they get, and what starts out as fun turns dark and twisted after the discovery of a DVD with a sinister message: Vengeance is mine.Suddenly people are dying, and with a storm raging, the teens are cut off from the outside world. No electricity, no phones, no internet, and a ferry that isn’t scheduled to return for two days. As the deaths become more violent and the teens turn on each other, can Meg find the killer before more people die? Or is the killer closer to her than she could ever imagine?

THREE WORDS: Creeptastically Fun & Suspenseful

MY REVIEW: I've been told that Gretchen McNeil's Ten is a retelling of sorts of Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None, and while I've never read that book in full, I am familiar with the basic storyline and I think Ten is a great modern, hip revisioning of this classic tale. 

One isolated island. One huge house. One creepy DVD. One killer. And ten terrified teens. BFF's Meg and Minnie think they're in for the best weekend ever and they certainly end up at one killer party. Meg, Minnie and eight other seemingly unconnected teens gather for a weekend party on Henry Island and on the first night they watch a sinister DVD with a message: Vengeance is mine. Then one by one the teens start to die and with a raging storm outside and no phone or internet connection, the teens must wait for the ferry to come Monday morning. But the mysterious killer has no plans to let any of them leave the island alive.

I'm a big horror movie fan and I love my horror campy and over the top...is Ten campy and over the top? YES and YES, but in the best, most fun possible way ever! I started this book late at night and finished it even later at night because I couldn't put it down; I was so engrossed and had to know how it ended. 

Gretchen McNeil is a fabulous and engaging storyteller and weaves a creepy fun and suspenseful story that had me furiously turning pages, checking over my shoulder for crazy killers the whole time. McNeil sets a wonderfully eerie and cinematic scene. I love how palpable the feeling of isolation and being trapped feels and how well it permeates through the whole book. Every moment of reading this story was filled with spine-tingly and heart-racing excitement.

The story McNeil lays out is captivating with its twists and turns, but not entirely unexpected. I wouldn't say the story is predictable, just smartly crafted and planned, from the way each person is ironically killed to the way the whole story comes together. For me, part of the fun of a good horror mystery is collecting the clues, analyzing the red herrings and figuring things out. And the red herrings dropped throughout the story are never too blantant or in your face; they're cleverly subtle. By about page 150 I had figured out the connection between the seemingly unconnected ten teens and by 3/4 of the way in I had a strong inkling of the killer's identity...and I was totally spot on! But again, I don't consider this predictability and it no way ruined the suspense for me. I mean, don't we want that "Aha moment" when the killer is revealed, the story comes together and we scream "Yes! I knew it! I totally knew it!"?! 

The story is told in the third perspective, but I'd call Meg the MC. I really liked Meg and connected with her; she's smart, witty and adorkably awkward. The other nine characters each had a distinct personality, from the bossy bitch to the jocks to the douche canoe to the hot nice guy and more. Some were really likable, some not so much, but I think that was intentional. There were those characters that I dreaded getting killed and those that I couldn't wait to see get offed! 

Meg and T.J. (the hot, nice guy) have a flirty romance thang going on and I could have done with less of this. Not that I didn't like the idea of the two of them together, I just felt like some of their flirtiness was out of place amongst all the horror and death. Then there's Meg and Minnie's odd-couple BFFness which was equal parts complexly layered and annoyingly frustrating. 

The last quarter of the book is furiously paced and gripping! There's a thrilling climax between the finally revealed killer and the surviving characters and a fiery, explosive ending. I really like how the book ends with a wrapped up, but easily open-ended conclusion that leaves room for more.

MY FINAL THOUGHTS: Ten kept me thoroughly entertained and enthralled from beginning to end with its smartly crafted creeptastic and cinematic story. A scarily awesome MUST read!

MY RATING

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Singer. Writer. Clown.
Gretchen is repped by Ginger Clark of Curtis Brown. Her YA horror/paranormal POSSESS debuts with Balzer + Bray for HarperCollins, August 23, 2011. Her second novel, TEN – YA horror/suspense about ten teens trapped on a remote island with a serial killer – also with Balzer + Bray is tentatively scheduled for a Fall 2012 release.
Gretchen is a former coloratura soprano, the voice of Mary on G4's Code Monkeys and she currently sings with the LA-based circus troupe Cirque Berzerk. She is a founding member of vlog group theYARebels where she can be seen as "Monday," and she is an active member of both The Enchanted Inkpot, a group blog of YA and middle grade fantasy writers, and The Apocalypsies, a group blog of 2012 children's debut authors.

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Review: The You Know Who Girls: Freshman Year by Annameekee Hesik

TITLE: The You Know Who Girls: Freshman Year AUTHOR: Annameekee Hesik PUB: Bold Strokes Books                             PUB DATE: 10/16/12 FORMAT: eARC                                              SOURCE: Netgalley

Abbey Brooks, Gila High freshman-to-be, never thought a hellish day of shopping at the mall with her best friend, Kate, could change her life. But when she orders French fries from the flirtatious Hot Dog on a Stick Chick, she gets more than deep-fried potatoes. Abbey tries to ignore the weird, happy feeling in her gut, but that proves to be as impossible as avoiding the very insistent (and—rumor has it—very lesbian) players on Gila High’s girls’ basketball team. They want freakishly long-legged Abbey to try out, and Abbey doesn’t hate the idea. But Kate made Abbey pinky swear to avoid basketball and to keep away from the you-know-who girls on the team.Sometimes promises can’t be kept. And sometimes girls in uniform are impossible to resist.

THREE WORDS: Fresh, Fun, Flirty 

MY REVIEW: I'm always on the lookout for a great YA book with LGBT focused characters, so I was super excited to find Annameekee Hesik's The You Know Who Girls: Freshman Year and even more excited to discover just how great this book is.

Abbey Brooks is about to start her freshman year at Gila High with her BFF Kate and they've made a pact to not try-out for basketball and stay away from the rumored lesbian b-ball players, aka the you know who girls. But Abbey has a secret. She just might be one of those you know who girls and she's seriously crushing on the cute, older Hot Dog on a Stick Chick, Keeta. When Abbey joins the JV basketball team and starts to hang out with those you know who girls, rumors fly about Abbey. And when Keeta returns Abbey's flirtations, even though Keeta has a girlfriend, things get even more complicated for confused Abbey. 

The You Know Who Girls: Freshman Year offers readers a thought-provoking, entertaining and realistic story about heartache, first love, friendship and sexuality. This is a true bildungsroman and Hesik writes with an authentic, fresh voice that anybody who survived their teen years can relate to. This is a quick read and Abbey's often witty, heartbreaking and touching coming of age story had me easily engrossed from beginning to end. Hesik has crafted a smart, hip story without having to rely on trite characters or storylines. 

I really loved getting caught up in Abbey's complicated, drama filled and fun freshman year and thoroughly enjoyed her perspective. Abbey is such a complex, layered and well-developed character. There's a wonderful tangibility to Abbey; her emotions are so palpable and believable. From her first flustered encounter with the sexy Hot Dog on a Stick Chick, I knew I was going to like Abbey and her genuine, funny and oh so relatable awkward personality and I really, really did like her. 

Abbey's story, from her grief over her father's death to her issues with her BFF to her coming to terms with her confusing sexuality, is so incredibly well-developed and written. And although the focus on Abbey's sexuality is important, it doesn't define the whole book. At its essence, this isn't merely a story about a young girl defining her sexuality, it's simply a story about the intensity and fragility of first love and finding oneself during the complicated teen years. 

The are a myriad of other characters; some likable, some not so much. I do wish that some of the important supporting characters (Kate and Abbey's mom especially) were fleshed out and developed more. Abbey's first relationship is realistically messy, fun, steamy and heartaching, but I do wish a little less time was spent on this relationship and more time was spent on Abbey's fractured relationships with her mom and Kate. At times Abbey's mother comes across as slightly clueless or unaware and I wish the author would have included a scene where Abbey comes out to her mother.

Hesik wraps up Abbey's freshman year nicely but leaves plenty of room for more...and I would definitely love to read more!

MY FINAL THOUGHTS: The You Know Who Girls: Freshman Year is a fun, thought-provoking story, with a captivating and engrossing MC and romance, from an author with a fresh and authentic voice. 

MY RATING

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Annameekee Hesik came out when she was fifteen and has since been obsessed with rainbows.  After successfully surviving high school in Tucson, AZ, she went to college for six years and changed her major five times. She earned her BA in English Lit from UC Davis and her MA in Education from UC Santa Cruz. She is thrilled she finally decided to become a high school English teacher (with a background in Anthropology, American Sign Language, World History, and Environmental Biology).  When she isn’t helping students learn to enjoy literature or dressing up as the Super Recycler or Grammar Police, she spends her time in Santa Cruz, CA, walking her dogs, napping in her hammock, riding bikes with her wife, slurping down mocha shakes, and writing books that she hopes will help lesbian and questioning teens feel like they’re not the only you-know-who girls in the world.

Review: Every Day by David Levithan

TITLE: Every Day                               AUTHOR: David Levithan PUB DATE: 8/28/12                        PUB: Random House FORMAT: pb ARC                             SOURCE: from pub

Every day a different body. Every day a different life. Every day in love with the same girl. Every morning, A wakes in a different person’s body, a different person’s life. There’s never any warning about where it will be or who it will be. A has made peace with that, even established guidelines by which to live: Never get too attached. Avoid being noticed. Do not interfere.It’s all fine until the morning that A wakes up in the body of Justin and meets Justin’s girlfriend, Rhiannon. From that moment, the rules by which A has been living no longer apply. Because finally A has found someone he wants to be with—day in, day out, day after day.With his new novel, David Levithan has pushed himself to new creative heights. He has written a captivating story that will fascinate readers as they begin to comprehend the complexities of life and love in A’s world, as A and Rhiannon seek to discover if you can truly love someone who is destined to change every day.

THREE WORDS: Read. This. Book...NOW!!!

MY REVIEW: Sometimes you read a book that has you casually telling others "Oh, this is a great book. You should definitely check it out when you have a chance". Then every once in awhile you come across a book that has you telling others that they "Must read this awesometastic book!". And then there are those very rare books that have you flailing in excitement, stuttering over words as you try to express just how amazing it is while you hold the book in someone's face and yell "OMG! This book is so incredible, it's better than chocolate and bacon and chocolate covered bacon. You have to read it! Here, borrow my copy and read it now while I sit and watch you inhale the awesomeness!!!"....yeah, this is one of those books *flails*

Every day A wakes up in a new body, a new life. A has no control over whose body will be next, but they are always the same age as A (sixteen) and live in close proximity of the last body. This is the only way of life A has ever known and A has certain rules to live by: don't interfere, don't get attached, try not to get noticed. But then A wakes up as Justin and meets Justin's girlfriend Rhiannon and suddenly A is breaking all the rules to get closer to her. 

Every Day has a daring and ambitious premise that has been masterfully executed by author David Levithan. I devoured this stunning book in one sitting, simply  unable to let it go, and after several days A's story has yet to let go of me. This is one of those books that will leave you moved, thoughtful, dazzled, in desperate need to talk about it, but won't really leave you at all.

Perfectly paced and with a pitch-perfect and captivating voice, this story is beyond gripping and had me fully engrossed from beginning to end. Levithan is a fantastic and spectacular storyteller who has weaved an unique, enthralling story with an unforgettable MC and a romance that took my breath away. I love the intriguing nature of the whole premise; a premise that could have easily fell flat and fell a part in the hands of a less talented writer. But, Levithan's execution, world-building and character development is so superb and complete.

There's a simple, quiet beauty to A's story that I felt with evey piece of me. Every emotion is tangible, every action has a purpose, every thought and word feels authentic. With just a few words, Levithan is able to express such pain, love, joy, surprise, etc and in a way that will pierce readers' hearts and minds. Even with no specific gender, race or physical body of their own, A is still such a complex and layered character. I haven't felt so attached and invested in a character this much in a long time. Rhiannon is also a fantastic and wonderfully crafted character. She's so relatable and believable with her flaws and reactions; I found myself really feeling for this girl. 

The romance and relationship between A and Rhiannon is breathtaking in its fragility, intensity and lovliness. I ached and rooted for these two and was so very moved by them. 

Then there are the other significant characters, the one's whose bodies A inhabits for a day. A wakes up in the body of a wide range of teens and is placed in various lives and situations. Levithan tackles a variety of issues (depression, drug use, peer pressure, body image, abuse, suicide, poverty, etc) and does so with sensitivity, believability, and in thought-provoking ways. One of things I was captivated by most was the fact that A has no gender and has fallen in love and been in relationships with both males and females, which makes such a beautiful statement about love.

There are a few twists and turns in the story that I didn't see coming and the book ends in a way that I found unexpected, yet exactly how I imagined (or hoped) it would end. And, as soon as I read the last page, I wanted to flip back to the first page and read it all over again!

MY FINAL THOUGHTS: This book is soul-achingly bone-deep in the most exquisite way. Every Day has moved me beyond words with its brilliance and beauty and is easily among the top five books I've read this year. An absolute, definite MUST read...it really is better than chocolate covered bacon!

MY RATING

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David Levithan (born 1972) is an American children's book editor and award-winning author. He published his first YA book, Boy Meets Boy, in 2003. Levithan is also the founding editor of PUSH, a Young Adult imprint of Scholastic Press.