Review: Etiquette & Espionage by Gail Carriger

Published February 5th 2013 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Synopsis: Fourteen-year-old Sophronia is the bane of her mother's existence. Sophronia is more interested in dismantling clocks and climbing trees than proper etiquette at tea--and god forbid anyone see her atrocious curtsy. Mrs. Temminnick is desperate for her daughter to become a proper lady. She enrolls Sophronia in Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality.

But little do Sophronia or her mother know that this is a school where ingenious young girls learn to finish, all right--but it's a different kind of finishing. Mademoiselle Geraldine's certainly trains young ladies in the finer arts of dance, dress, and etiquette, but also in the other kinds of finishing: the fine arts of death, diversion, deceit, espionage, and the modern weaponries. Sophronia and her friends are going to have a rousing first year at school.

Review: This book takes place in an alternative, steam-punky Victorian era. It was a bit much for me. We were just thrown into this world with little to no explanation or description of what was going on. Sopronia's family is done dealing with her exploring and curiosity and send her off to finishing school. But this finishing school isn't typical, they also teach espionage. Dun dun dun....

Something that really bothered me about this book is that once Sophronia was at school, she really changed and without much time or effort. Yes, she does break the rules, climbs around and goes into the engine room. But gone is her curiosity, her taking apart things to make them worse. It was almost like 2 different characters, and neither one really got deeply developed. 

I felt so lost throughout this story, like I had missed some background information or skipped portions of the book. But I hadn't. I didn't feel like there was a plot for most of this book.

All in all, a so-so 2.5-3 star read. I will read the sequel because on goodreads, the sequel has higher ratings than this story.

*I received this book from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Review: I Am the Weapon by Allen Zadoff

Publish Date: April 25, 2013
Publisher:  Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Synopsis: Boy Nobody is the perennial new kid in school, the one few notice and nobody thinks much about. He shows up in a new high school, in a new town, under a new name, makes few friends and doesn't stay long. Just long enough for someone in his new friend's family to die -- of "natural causes." Mission accomplished, Boy Nobody disappears, and moves on to the next target. 

When his own parents died of not-so-natural causes at the age of eleven, Boy Nobody found himself under the control of The Program, a shadowy government organization that uses brainwashed kids as counter-espionage operatives. But somewhere, deep inside Boy Nobody, is somebody: the boy he once was, the boy who wants normal things (like a real home, his parents back), a boy who wants out. And he just might want those things badly enough to sabotage The Program's next mission.

Review:  I know this may sound strange, but this was a light, easy flowing story about a boy assassin. How can it be light and flowing when it's about people being assassinated, you might ask. There isn't much, if any, detail to any of the "assignments." He simply goes, does what he needs to do, then moves on. It was good enough that it grabbed my interest and kept me wanting to know what came next, however none of this book kept me on the edge of my seat in suspense. In fact, it was quite predictable.  I wouldn't be on the hunt to find the sequel, but I would read it without complaint.

Recommended For: Mid-aged teenagers who like crime fiction or mysteries

Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Review: Sinner by Maggie Stiefvater

Publish Date: July 1, 2014
Publisher: Scholastic Press

Synopsis: Sinner follows Cole St. Clair, a pivotal character from the #1 New York Times bestselling Shiver Trilogy. Everybody thinks they know Cole's story. Stardom. Addiction. Downfall. Disappearance. But only a few people know Cole's darkest secret -- his ability to shift into a wolf. One of these people is Isabel. At one point, they may have even loved each other. But that feels like a lifetime ago. Now Cole is back. Back in the spotlight. Back in the danger zone. Back in Isabel's life. Can this sinner be saved? (from goodreads.com)

Review: I wasn't a huge fan of the Shiver trilogy so I had no expectations from this book. But I liked Cole and Isabel better than the Sam and Grace so it seemed fitting to give it a try. And like the original series, it was just 'eh.'

Cole is out of control but so sweet toward Isabel. Even though he's all against the grain, he has a soft spot for her and you can tell he genuinely cares about her and their relationship. Isabel, however, is a cold human being. She cuts everyone off before they can get close to her. I felt so bad every time she was rude and snippy to Cole! She was even worse to her poor cousin, Sofia, though I did find her extremely annoying and whiny. I couldn't get a grasp on how old she was because she acted about 5 years old. 

The plot felt weak to me, I kept asking myself "what's the point" and "where is this going?" It seemed to drag. And the end....totally saw that coming. 

I probably won't pick up any further books that come out in this series. But if you really loved Shiver, I recommend you pick this up.

Recommended For: Fans of the Shiver trilogy

*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Review: When the World Was Young by Elizabeth Gaffney

Publish Date: August 5, 2014
Publisher: Random House

Synopsis: Wally Baker is no ordinary girl. Living in her grandparents’ Brooklyn Heights brownstone, she doesn’t like dresses, needlepoint, or manners. Her love of Wonder Woman comics and ants makes her feel like a misfit—especially in the shadow of her dazzling but unstable mother, Stella.

Acclaimed author Elizabeth Gaffney’s irresistible novel captures postwar Brooklyn through Wally’s eyes, opening on V-J day, as she grows up with the rest of America. Reeling from her own unexpected wartime tragedy and navigating an increasingly fraught landscape, Wally is forced to confront painful truths about the world—its sorrows, its prejudices, its conflicts, its limitations. But Wally also finds hope and strength in the unlikeliest places.

With an unforgettable cast of characters, including the increasingly distant and distracted Stella; Loretta, the family’s black maid and Wally’s second mother; Ham, Loretta’s son, who shares Wally’s enthusiasm for ants and exploration; Rudy, Wally’s father, a naval officer, away serving in the Pacific; and Mr. Niederman, the family’s boarder, who never seems to answer Wally’s questions—and who she suspects may have something to hide—Elizabeth Gaffney crafts an immersive, beautifully realized novel about the truths that divide and the love that keeps us together. (from netgalley)

Review: I had no expectations going into this book- the cover was pretty and the synopsis sounded interesting. Upon completion of the book, I really wished that it had continued a little bit more.

For the first half of the book, I was apathetic. Where is this book going? What is the point? There are a lot of different characters in this book and it took a bit to figure out who everyone was and how they fit together. The protagonist, a young girl named Wally, did have my heart from the beginning. Her spirit and innocence just grabbed me and held on through the novel. During the last half of this story, I felt the plot formation was improved but was still weak. There was also a better connection to more of the characters. I did want to see what happened next, which is where my initial comment comes into play- the book ended too soon. It was wrapped up nicely, I like the events that occurred. I just want to know what happens after!

Wally was from a more privileged family but led a difficult life- so much loss, so much change, so much for a little girl to understand and handle. The only thing that stayed consistent were her ants, so is it any wonder that she turns ants into her life and studies? Her best friend as a child, Ham, was set up to have a difficult life from the get go. It looked like things were looking up however he turns to self-harm which just creates more problems. They are unlikely friends, but I found them to be such a great match!

A lot of big events happen during this book including V-J Day and the Manhattan Project/dropping the Atom bomb. The author does a nice job at weaving these events into the characters' lives. Didn't love, didn't hate this book, so...3 stars!

*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Review: The Girl from the Well by Rin Chupeco

Publish Date: August 5, 2014
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

Synopsis: Okiku wants vengeance...and she gets it. Whenever there's a monster hurting a child-the same way she was hurt 300 years ago in Japan-her spirit is there to deliver punishment. But one American boy draws her like no other. The two are pulled into a world of eerie doll rituals and dark Shinto exorcisms that will take them from the American Midwest to the remote valleys and shrines of Aomori, Japan. The boy is not a monster, but something evil writhes beneath his skin, trapped by a series of intricate tattoos. Can Okiku protect him? Or is her presence only bringing more harm?

Review: So I did watch The Ring many, many years ago and I remember it creeping me the F out. I stayed away from the TV for a while. And now, I request The Girl From the Well. I clearly didn't read the whole description before I hit request. And then when I got to it on my reading list, it was kind of like this: 

I couldn't NOT read the book, so I put my big girl panties on and began to read. And I have to say, I was slightly disappointed. But I did not have to sleep with the lights on. This book was unlike anything I had read before. It had a unique writing style and the characters didn't feel fully developed to me. I was left feeling like I didn't make connections to any of the characters and wanted to know more. Tark, the main character, isn't very warm and fuzzy and does take some warming up to. Callie, his cousin, is a pleasant girl who is focused on fixing family problems and is very supportive of Tark. Okiku is a spirit who goes after murderers in an attempt to avenge her own death 300 years before. There were man secondary characters, including a young girl named Sandra who can see the spirits when no one else can. Can we say creepy?

The story starts with a character described as a man who has "thin bony arms clasped about his neck", which you then find is a girl that he murdered. This is when you first meet Okiku, but you don't learn her name until halfway through the book. It is actually Okiku that is narrating this book, which took a lot of getting used to. You then learn that she is on the "better" end of the spirit spectrum, while a second spirit in the story is on the evil end. That is why Okiku is around in the first place- to stop the evil. Tark has lead a tough life, his mother has tried to kill him multiple times and also gave the boy tattoos all over his arms at a very young age. He doesn't fit in and needs to keep his arms covered at all times so as not to draw attention to this dark marks. Then he begins to get sick, and Callie and Okiku must help his rid himself of the black spirit to save his own life. 

I felt underwhelmed by the plot of this. While I was fearful going into it because I'm not a huge horror fan, I didn't find myself scared by this story. Creeped out, maybe. But I feel that the portions of this book that should have been Earth shattering and exciting just...weren't. The details, the mystery, the suspense, the horror- it all could have and should have been more. It also had a lot of Japanese phrases and folklore that I had trouble keeping straight. I definitely think that this will be a book people either love or hate. Definitely worth reading and finding out for yourself!

Recommended For: fans of horror novels/movies, especially movies like The Ring

*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Review: Hexed by Michelle Krys

Publish Date: June 10, 2014
Publisher: Delacorte Press

Synopsis: A stolen book. A deadly plan. A destiny discovered.

If high school is all about social status, Indigo Blackwood has it made. Sure, her quirky mom owns an occult shop, and a nerd just won't stop trying to be her friend, but Indie is a popular cheerleader with a football-star boyfriend and a social circle powerful enough to ruin everyone at school. Who wouldn't want to be her?

Then a guy dies right before her eyes. And the dusty old family Bible her mom is freakishly possessive of is stolen. But when a frustratingly sexy stranger named Bishop enters Indie's world, she learns that her destiny involves a lot more than pom-poms and parties. If she doesn't get the Bible back, every witch on the planet will die. And that's seriously bad news for Indie, because according to Bishop, she's a witch too.

Suddenly forced into a centuries-old war between witches and sorcerers, Indie is about to uncover the many dark truths about her life—and a future unlike any she ever imagined on top of the cheer pyramid. (from goodreads.com)

Review: This book was essentially just as described. I have been seeing a lot of mixed reviews since its' release and it seems that the reasons that some people love this book are the same reasons that other people dislike it. For me, it took some looking past the high school drama occurring throughout the story to like the book.

The main characters of this book are teenagers. The main character, Indigo, is a senior in high school. Like a typical teenage girl, she is self-absorbed and a little whiny. Her biggest concerns, before the whole witch/sorcerer thing starts, are cheerleading and her social status. Will bringing a nerd to a party be social suicide?! Yeah...no. Bishop, though also an 18 year old, was less annoying to me. He seemed wiser beyond his years. Maybe it is because of his family situation, maybe because he's been doing this warlock thing for a while and understands the implications of being chased around by sorcerers. But either way, he didn't get under my skin too much. The third main character, Paige, is a nerdy girl who just wants to be friends with Indigo. She doesn't care about social status or what anyone thinks of her. I found myself relating with her throughout the story.

Indigo's mother owns an occult shop and has always wanted to be a witch. Though it seems that Indigo thinks it a bit strange, she goes with it. And she knows about the secret book that is stashed in the shop. Then Bishop comes along and says "Hey, you might be a witch. You will find out in a few days at the stroke of midnight." And everyone is cool with that. Indigo's mom arranges a seance type thing, Paige brings candles, and the three of them sit around waiting until midnight to see if she comes into her powers. This part of the book seemed to move fast for me- it was a matter of days until she found out and after she did, nobody seemed to think it was a big deal. That is, until the sorcerers start showing up more and more frequently. Indigo's teenage girl attitude really bugged me throughout this course. Who cares what you are wearing?! You are being chased, girl! By people that can kill you literally with the blink of an eye. Just shut up and run! 

The end of this book seemed to be wrapping up nicely. Knowing it was the first book in a series, it was wrapping up too nicely. I was thinking to myself "How is this going to continue on? Where's the cliffhanger?" And then...boom. There is was. Everyone breathing a sigh of relief that the situation is over until omg what happened to so-and-so? I can't get a hold of them on the phone, that's strange. Oh crap...*End of book* 

I will be picking up the second book when it is released to see what happens!

Recommended For: Fans of paranormal books, witch books. 

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

*Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Review: Coin Heist by Elisa Ludwig

Publish Date: June 10, 2014
Publisher: Adaptive Books

Synopsis: The last place you’d expect to find a team of criminals is at a prestigious Philadelphia prep school. But on a class trip to the U.S. Mint – which prints a million new coins every 30 minutes – an overlooked security flaw becomes far too tempting for a small group of students to ignore.

United by dire circumstances, these unlikely allies – the slacker, the nerd, the athlete, and the "perfect" student – band together to attempt the impossible: rob the U.S. Mint. The diverse crew is forced to confront their true beliefs about each other and themselves as they do the wrong thing for the right reasons.

Elisa Ludwig's Coin Heist is a fun, suspenseful, and compelling thriller, told from the revolving perspectives of four teens, each with their own motive for committing a crime that could change all of their lives for the better—if they can pull it off.

Review: **Some spoilers may be present** When I first heard the synopsis of this book, I was instantly intrigued. 4 teenagers devising a plan to rob the U.S. Mint?! That sounds awesome! I couldn't wait to read it. But once I did, it fell a bit flat for me. Now, don't get me wrong. I read this book in 2 sittings. I really did want to know what happened next and if they pull off the heist. But that's where I had the problem.

First off, let me say that I really did enjoy the 4 separate points of view and how it rotated through each one in a row. However, I found that they all sounded very similar. I would be halfway through a chapter and have to flip back to the beginning to see which character was narrating. You would think that for such diverse characters, they would have different attitudes. The diversity of the characters is why I had heard this reminded some of "The Breakfast Club"- there was the princess, the nerd, the jock, and the class clown. Together they cause a ruckus. Flashback to the 80s!

Now, moving onto the main plot of this book- a heist at this federal building in order to get enough money to save their school. Now they are high schoolers, not to say that high schoolers are not intelligent. But it is a little far-fetched that they could flawlessly plan this down to the minute and it goes pretty much exactly the way they planned. Minimal to no bumps in the road, the plan just works. I would have enjoyed this story more if they were challenged more. If there was more suspense over the outcome of their plan. What I was most taken aback by is that they pull off this heist, get caught, get turned over to an administrator of the school and nothing happens!! They saved the school, their original goal. Yay!

All in all, this book was just okay for me. I imagine that if I had read this during my middle school years, I would have been a bigger fan. 

Recommended For: Fans of middle grade/early young adult

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.