Flashback of the Month V: The Pursuit of Happiness

For a short explanation and the first Flashback of the Month post, go here. And, yes, I'm getting this in just in time - August is just about over.

After long battle with cancer, Betsy loses her mother and is left feeling lost in Tara Altebrando’s The Pursuit of Happiness. After the funeral, Betsy’s boyfriend dumps her and her best friend disappears from her life. As if things aren’t miserable enough, her summer plans include dressing like an early American to work at a colonial village (all her father’s fault, of course) along with the class freak, Liza. What begins as work soon turns into an escape for Betsy – from her judgmental classmates, from her breakup, from her mother’s death, and from her uncomfortably quiet home. With the help of her co-workers Liza and James, Betsy learns to work her way through the stages of grief and discover hope for normalcy in the future. While she is taught many colonial crafts and means of cooking, it seems that cutting silhouettes out of paper combined with a certain surfer’s woodcarvings are the perfect recipe for beginning to mend a broken heart.

Though sometimes it’s hard to look past the MTV logo, The Pursuit of Happiness is hardly a fluff novel. So, looking past the cover (and the corny “Declare your independence.”), Tara Altebrando’s novel will appeal to fans of Sarah Dessen, Elizabeth Scott, and Susane Colasanti. This is certainly one of the best young adult novels I’ve read that deals with overcoming grief. Betsy is easy to connect to as a reader (and respect, as she turns into a more proactive character), and Tara Altebrando truly succeeds in writing dialogue that sounds like it actually came out of a few teenagers’ mouths. I also love the setting, having always been fascinated by historical villages, and enjoyed this peak into what it could be like working at one. 9 out of 10.

After

First, I just HAVE to share the captivating book trailer that Penguin released:





After tells the story of Devon, a girl who was once a completely normal teenager. Scratch that – Devon was never just normal. She was a hardworking straight-A student with an undeniable talent for soccer who as a high school student acted as mature as a college grad. Then one day a newborn baby appears abandoned in a dumpster – the same day that Devon is home sick. It’s not long before the connection is made, identifying the baby as Devon’s and leaving her with multiple criminal charges, the most serious of which being attempted homicide.

I’ve always been horrified and almost disgusted by the concept of dumpster babies, so After really opened my mind. I was incredibly impressed by Amy Efaw’s ability to make Devon a sympathetic character, especially considering that After isn’t even narrated directly by Devon. Amy Efaw creates a likeable though desperate protagonist who is not yet sixteen to make the issue far more complex than today’s media generally makes it out to be. Especially due to the emphasis put on intent, the courtroom scenes were fascinating, and as a reader it felt like you were there in the courtroom with Devon and Dom.

After makes great use of flashbacks to slowly reveal the entire story behind Devon’s pregnancy and her baby’s birth. These flashbacks truly contribute to the novel’s intensity without confusing the reader. Amy Efaw’s characters, especially Devon and her mother, felt very realistic, even when, in the case of Devon’s mother, they weren’t always likeable. I was really moved by the ending and impressed by Devon’s maturity, something you can hardly say about many the protagonists in many young adult novels. Though I only finished reading After a few hours before writing this review, I can say honestly say that I haven’t been able to get my mind off of the book since finishing it. The questions posed by After are incredibly thought provoking, and I expect to continue thinking it over for some time to come. I should warn you, though. After is a gritty novel about a sensitive subject and some of the excerpts are graphic. I believe readers need to approach After knowing you’re in for a serious read in order to really appreciate it. I give it a 9 out of 10.

P.S. Check back tomorrow for an interview with Amy Efaw!!
P.P.S. Don’t you love the cover? The subtlety of the girl’s reflection is ingenious.

Storm Glass

After selecting Maria V. Snyder's Sea Glass as my pick for this week's Waiting on Wednesday post, I figured it was about time that I post my review for Storm Glass.

Despite being a uniquely talented glassmaker and apprentice to a Master Magician, Opal Cowen is always questioning her magical abilities. When the glass orbs of the Stormdancers begin to explode, killing several clan powerful members, Opal is forced to gain confidence in her own abilities in order to help save these weather-controlling orbs and discover who is behind such sabotage. Before long, Opal realizes that she carries more power than she ever believed. With the help and protection of many others, including Ulrick, a childhood family friend, and Kade, a Stormdancer who lost his sister to a faulty orb, Opal faces her fears in this novel of magic, adventure, and romance.

Maria V. Snyder’s Storm Glass returns to the world(s) of the Study series without the novel feeling repetitive. Though both somehow end up in life-threatening situations, as heroines, Yelena and Opal are nothing alike. I was really intrigued by the importance of weather and the way Maria V. Snyder developed the magic in glassblowing. As much of fantasy nowadays seems dedicated to vampires, this felt refreshing. I also like the way local legend plays into this novel. Though the very beginning is slow, Storm Glass as a whole is packed with action and mystery, so once the story begins the book is hard to put down. There is plenty of violence as well, but it is not written in a gory way that would disgust readers. While the romance is certainly there, I felt that Opal’s connections with Ulrick and Kade are a bit underdeveloped. Unlike Opal’s feelings about her powers, her emotions surrounding these men weren’t explored thoroughly enough. I’m hoping the sequel, Sea Glass, will address this. 9 out of 10.

P.S. If you haven't read Storm Glass yet, you can read chapter 1 right on Maria V. Snyder's site.

Wings

Aprilynne Pike’s Wings lifts readers up and sweeps them into a world with a faerie realm at their fingertips. When Laurel and her family move to a new town, she has a hard time fitting in her new high school, what with her unusual eating habits and attachment to the outdoors despite the cold. Once a zit on her back blossoms into lovely petals, Laurel becomes determined to figure out what makes her different. With the help of her only friend (and perhaps more…), David, and the dangerous Tamani she meets in the woods by her old home, Laurel begins to learn the truth about herself and figure out what’s worth fighting for.

In this first installment of a tetralogy, Aprilynne Pike creates a world of faeries and wonder that readers can escape to. This new take on faeries and their origins is absolutely refreshing. Aprilynne Pike’s writing is marvelously fluid and filled with remarkable imagery that will draw the reader in to Laurel’s story. While the romance between Laurel and David is not as developed as I would have liked it to be, the love triangle that develops once Tamani is introduced adds interest to this story. Readers are likely to pick one to root for throughout the course of the novel and those to come (I’ll admit that personally I’m going for Tam). I would say that Wings is geared towards a younger teen audience, so I probably would have appreciated it more a few years ago. Nonetheless, Wings is an impressively charming quick read. 9 out of 10.

P.S. I assume everyone’s already heard about the possibility of a movie by Disney, so instead check out deleted scenes from Wings at Aprilynne Pike’s website.

Evermore

In this opening volume of The Immortals series, Evermore, Alyson Noel brings the paranormal into the life of an otherwise normal teenager girl, Ever Bloom. After a terrible car accident leaves Ever practically alone (well, other than the ghost of her dead sister, Riley), she is taken in by her aunt, Sabine. If only adjusting to this new life was the only thing to worry about. When Ever wakes up after the traumatic accident, she finds that she can not only see people’s auras, but hear their inner thoughts. This certainly doesn’t make fitting in at her new school simple, especially since she now lives life with her headphones in order to block the sounds of her peers’ thoughts. Then a new boy transfers to her high school, and when she’s with him her powers don’t feel so overwhelming. She can’t help but feel drawn to this Damen and his secrets (and it’s not just because of his handsome looks).

With Evermore, Alyson Noels begins what’s sure to be an addicting series of mystery, powers, growing up, forgiveness, and love through the ages. As a long time fan of Alyson Noel’s books, I can honestly say that this is one of my favorites. I love the way colors are featured in this book with such importance. From auras to flowers, Alyson Noel puts a lot of emphasis on the meanings of different colors, using this to more subtly reveal emotions. Ever is a fascinating narrator, and as a reader I was able to connect with her easily. Though I have little in common with Ever, Alyson Noel did a great job writing from her perspective, so that when Ever was lost I felt just as confused, and the same when she was excited, heartbroken, and so on. On the other hand, Damen felt a bit flat to me, but I’m hoping to see him developed more and learn more about his long history in future installments.

Now, a lot of comparisons have been made between this book and Twilight, and all I can say to that is, yes, they’re sort of similar because they deal with similar topics (and how is that surprising considering how popular literature about vampires/witches/zombies/etc. has become?). But the similarities ended there for me. Alyson Noel’s writing is better, the characters more interesting (and realistic), and the powers different. As a whole, I give Evermore 9 out of 10.

P.S. You can win your own copy of Evermore over at Taste Life Twice. The contest runs through July 31st.

Secret Society

In the first installment of The Secret Society Chronicles, new girl Phoebe Dowling doesn’t care about fitting in at the Chadwick school. As an artist, she just wants to experience the city (New York City that is). Phoebe never expected that a single night at a party, one of Nick Bell’s notorious parties, of course, would make all the difference. First, socialite Lauren Mortimer takes Phoebe under her wings (who wouldn’t? Phoebe’s silver ballet flats were too cute). Then Phoebe receives a mysterious text message, along with Lauren and Nick, and wakes up the next morning as an initiate of the Society. Having been promised success thanks to the network of Society members, the three don’t bother questioning the unusual meetings and secrecy. Things seem to be going well, until a dead body is found in Central Park with only a tiny ankh-shaped tattoo as identification.

At its surface, Secret Society by Tom Dolby has a stunning cover. The cover’s sleek, seductive look only makes the book more intriguing. Secret Society complete sucks you in, drawing you into the lives of the elite networks of secret societies in NYC. Tom Dolby’s book is absolutely entrancing and the danger is exciting. The reader is drawn into the secrets and all the complications, in a way that’s almost disturbing, but is approached so thoughtfully that the reader can hardly look away. Secret Society is full of complexities, and this certainly does not exclude the characters. By rotating through Phoebe, Lauren, Nick, and Patch, this book expertly offers multiple perceptions of NYC, the Society, and more, each one uniquely contributing to the development of the novel.

Tom Dolby’s B.A. in the history of art definitely shows, particularly with the symbolism of the ankh, but really through all of the art and history that is brought into the story. As a whole, Secret Society is a captivating novel, full of mystery and romance. With today’s fascination surrounding boarding schools (think Gossip Girl, Private, etc.) and secret societies, this book is sure to draw attention. Plus, compared to these, Secret Society isn’t wholly predictable or superficial, but rather complex and thrilling. With its cliffhanger ending, I simply cannot wait for a sequel. 9 out of 10.

P.S. Check out Tom Dolby’s blog.

Fragile Eternity

Melissa Marr’s Fragile Eternity is the third (or second, depending on how you look at Ink Exchange) in a series about faeries that started with Wicked Lovely. If you haven’t read Wicked Lovely yet, all I can say is that you really should. I never wrote a review for it myself, Briana at The Book Pixie recently did, and (though I am a fantasy-lover at heart) I agree with most of her thoughts on the book. So, you should check out her review over here.

Fragile Eternity returns to Seth and Aislinn, centering on the challenge of their love. Aislinn is adjusting to her role as Summer Queen, learning how to rule a faerie court while protecting Seth and trying to understand exactly what she feels for her King. Seth in the meanwhile grows frustrated with his position as the Summer Queen’s mortal love and his own fragility. Searching for a way to give Aislinn eternal love and secure her love in return, Seth discovers that there are more worlds beyond Huntsdale than he ever imagined. All the while, a war is on the horizon for the faerie courts. Seth’s search and its consequences, as well as his protection under multiple faerie courts despite being a simple mortal, draws attention and brings the courts that much closer to fighting.

Fragile Eternity is just as good as, if not better than, Wicked Lovely. Like Melissa Marr’s other books, the cover is gorgeous and entrancing. I love how the butterfly and is sharp while the rest of the cover is out of focus, and the hues of blue and purple are beautiful. Then of course, the worlds Melissa Marr creates are so elaborate and well thought-out that the reader can’t help but be sucked in, wishing to believe in faeries.

I like how Seth came into himself in this novel. Melissa Marr showed that, like any human, he has his flaws, but is not without redemption. Seth became bolder and more independent than before, though I was sometimes bothered by how stubborn he could be. This is absolutely gripping to read, especially as Melissa Marr brilliantly blurs the distinction between good and evil and plays around with alliances while the potential for war looms ahead. If you've read Melissa Marr’s other works, you really must check out this sequel, Fragile Eternity, and if you haven't read Wicked Lovely, you should really get on that. 9 out of 10.

P.S. Check out deleted sequences on Melissa Marr’s blog. You can find her first post here and the second one here. Enjoy!

48 Hour Book Challenge: Update 5

I've passed the 24-hour mark and am doing well :)

Here's what I've been up to:

2:02AM-2:37AM: Reading Fragile Eternity

Then - sleep, breakfast, shower, cleaning, lunch, an e-mail check (and I'm so glad I did - I won Don't Judge A Girl By Her Cover and Geektastic from Elizabeth Scott!)

12:30PM-4:07PM: Reading Fragile Eternity - FINISHED

4:07-5:00PM: Updating my blog, then I'm off to see how everyone else is doing

New totals:

Time: 16 hours 3 minutes

Books: 5: Hunted by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast, Hatter M by Frank Beddor, Wild Orchid by Cameron Dokey, The Gatecrasher by Madeleine Wickham, Fragile Eternity by Melissa Marr

Pages: 1358

A few words on Fragile Eternity by Melissa Marr (another one I'll be writing a full review for later):

I think I liked Fragile Eternity even more than Wicked Lovely. To start with, the cover again is gorgeous and entrancing. Then Marr creates such elaborate worlds of faeries that you can't help but be sucked in, and does so through beautiful writing. I like how Seth became bolder and more independent, though I was sometimes bothered by how stubborn he could be. This is absolutely gripping to read, especially as Marr brilliantly blurs the distinction between good and evil and plays around with alliances while the potential for war looms ahead. Anyway, if you've read Wicked Lovely you really must check out this sequel, and if you haven't read Wicked Lovely you should really get on that. 9 out of 10.

Anywho... as I said, I'm off to see how other book challenge participants are doing, then back to reading. I think I'll pick up Lovehampton.

Flashback of the Month II: Sam's Letters to Jennifer

Sam’s Letters to Jennifer by James Patterson is a heartfelt book that connects Jennifer’s grandmother Sam’s love story to her own. Now as a grown woman, Jennifer returns to Lake Geneva where she spent her childhood summers. Her last living family member, her dear Sam, is in a coma. When she arrives at the lake house, she finds a collection of letters her grandmother wrote for her, telling her story. Jennifer knew little of Sam’s past, and became absorbed in her letters instantly. She is shocked when in the first letter she learns that Sam never did love her grandfather, but instead was passionately in love with another man. Over this summer, Jennifer continues to visit Sam in the hospital and reads her letters to learn the truth about her past. Early on, she meets Brendan whom she had spent her summer with when she was younger and who always seemed like a brother to her. It doesn’t take too long for her to notice similarities in Sam’s story and her own. Sam’s Letters to Jennifer is two stories of true love, discovery, and living life to the fullest.

At one point, Jennifer says to Brendan when crying, “I can’t help it. I’m not usually so sentimental.” I could say the same for my reaction to Sam’s Letters to Jennifer. It isn’t often that I cry while reading, but in this book I found myself choked up in two or three occasions. I love the duality between Sam and Jennifer’s stories. Both are very compelling and touching. I think you could really learn a lot from how Brendan was choosing to live his life. His opinion was to make the most of each day, “from the crack of dawn until you close your eyes,” and I think it’s a belief we all should make use of. With a glimpse into Brendan’s life, all of us see how life can be short, and you should cherish every moment. Patterson’s format, with quick chapters, made this book an easier read with plenty of places to take a break (not that I ever wanted to). I would recommend Sam’s Letters to Jennifer to everyone in search of a fascinating read that you’ll finish in no time. 9 out of 10.

P.S. See April's flashback of the month here.

Flashback of the Month I: The Key to the Golden Firebird

I've decided to introduce a new feature: the flashback of the month. I know that I tend to get caught up with anticipation for new releases, and I end up overlooking fantastic books that were written anytime from a few years ago to fifty. So, every month, I'll post a review of a book that isn't receiving a whole lot of attention anymore but still deserves to be read with excitement (and just think about how affordable these are - your library probably has it in stock, and if not, it's already been released in paperback). I'm also welcome to suggestions if there's a book you'd like for me to review for an upcoming month.


The Key to the Golden Firebird by Maureen Johnson was an incredible story of love, loss, friendship, and family. The three Gold sisters, Brooks, May, and Palm, have suffered through the loss of their father and have each responded in completely different ways. Johnson focuses on May’s side of the story, but with hers you learn a lot about Brooks, the older sister who has become wild, and Palm, the younger sister who has become a very intense pitcher.

Ever since her father’s death, everything in May’s life seems to be falling apart. And to add to it all, with Brooks’ lack of concern, May is stuck watching over Palmer and caring for her most of the time. So she is dragged into learning to drive, especially with the offer of her neighbor Pete. Meanwhile, their father’s old car, the Golden Firebird sits uselessly in the garage, not touched since he passed away. As to May’s driving, let’s just say she’s not exactly great and she’s overcautious while in the driver’s seat. With Pete’s help, she starts to slowly overcome some of this. At the same time, she’s beginning to realize Pete may not still be the immature, rotten little kid she remembers.

I was blown away with the power of this book. It was not just some story about girls after their father died and how they coped. There was just so much more to the story than that and I don’t really know how to put it. Each sister really came to life with their individual personalities and you couldn’t help but fall for Pete. I thought the ending was perfect and it really brought the entire book to a conclusion, tying all “loose ends” up well. As well, it was well written and simply realistic, with tiny details that people observe but normally don’t bother to write about. If Maureen Johnson were to write another story about the Gold sisters, I’d be sure to read it. I recommend The Key to the Golden Firebird to anyone looking for a truly touching and enjoyable read this summer. 9 out of 10.