Title: Six of Crows Author: Leigh Bardugo Published by: Henry Holt and Co. Publication date: September 29, 2015 Pages: 480 Genres: Fantasy, Adventure Summary from Goodreads: Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price—and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can't pull it off alone... A convict with a thirst for revenge. A sharpshooter who can't walk away from a wager. A runaway with a privileged past. A spy known as the Wraith. A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums. A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes. Six dangerous outcasts. One impossible heist. Kaz's crew is the only thing that might stand between the world and destruction—if they don't kill each other first. Kaz leaned back. "What's the easiest way to steal a man's wallet?" Here is an author who knows how to write multiple narratives, creating great characterization, and an exciting plot! There are six narratives, which can be so confusing, but Leigh Bardugo beautifully weaves internal dialogue (that also offers outside observations of the other characters) with memories and present conversations for each narrator. On top of characters with unique backgrounds and personalities, Bardugo writes one exciting heist adventure. Think – Oceans 11 meets down and dirty, gritty fantasy. Kaz narrowed his eyes. “I’m not some character out of a children’s story who plays harmless pranks and steals from the rich to give to the poor." Kaz, the leader of the group, was equally difficult for me to like and totally intriguing. A hardened gang leader who’s out for the long journey of revenge, Kaz’s humanity and story is slowly revealed. It’s his humanity that makes him so intriguing. He’s lethal with a limp and a major handicap disguised by monstrous rumors. And just when you think Kaz will never have a trustworthy relationship with anyone, he discovers new desires during the course of their heist. “When everyone knows you’re a monster, you needn’t waste time doing every monstrous thing.”
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Title: Rook Author: Sharon Cameron Published by: Scholastic Press Publication date: April 28, 2015 Pages: 469 pages Genres: Science Fiction, Apocalyptic, Romance Summary from Goodreads: History has a way of repeating itself. In the Sunken City that was once Paris, all who oppose the new revolution are being put to the blade. Except for those who disappear from their prison cells, a red-tipped rook feather left in their place. Is the mysterious Red Rook a savior of the innocent or a criminal? Meanwhile, across the sea in the Commonwealth, Sophia Bellamy’s arranged marriage to the wealthy René Hasard is the last chance to save her family from ruin. But when the search for the Red Rook comes straight to her doorstep, Sophia discovers that her fiancé is not all he seems. Which is only fair, because neither is she. As the Red Rook grows bolder and the stakes grow higher, Sophia and René find themselves locked in a tantalizing game of cat and mouse. Sharon Cameron’s Rook is a post-apocalyptic Paris (now the Sunken City) where people speak Parisian and plastic is a rare commodity. Technology is banned because it’s believed to have been the fall of civilization—satellites still fall from the sky like meteorites and technological devices are mere myths. It’s a time that hearkens back to the Reign of Terror during the start of the French Revolution when thousands of people were executed by guillotine for “opposing the revolution.” Based on The Scarlet Pimpernel by Emma Orczy, Sophia finds these people unjustly imprisoned and uses the mysterious persona of the Rook to help many escape. Sophia Bellamy is obsessed with adventure. She is terrified of being bored, and fears the time when she’ll no longer need to be reckless. She’s brave and strategic, but her enthusiasm for excitement can make her vulnerable. That’s what René Hasard discovers about her, Sophia’s new fop fiancé. But Sophia soon realizes that René’s blasé fair attitude could be a ruse, and she finds herself drawn in by the mystery of him. I loved watching their relationship morph, as they each have to take risks to see the enemy destroyed. A friend of mine recently asked me if I’ve given any books on my blog 5 stars. I had to admit that it’s really hard for me to give a book 5 stars, but I had recently vowed to do it more often, especially if I love a book. Folks, welcome to a FickleLit milestone: Rook = 5 stars. I really loved this book! It’s clean, well written, adventurous, and the characters are really fun, and the bad guy is really easy to dislike. It’s the sort of book I didn’t want to end, because I wanted to stay with the characters a little longer. Even days later, I wasn’t done living in Sophia and René’s world. Would I let my teen read this book? I love when I can recommend a book to young teens and have zero reservations about doing so. There’s some violence, but like the kisses in the book it’s not very graphic (surprisingly, even with guillotine executions). Age recommendation: 13 Language – none Drugs & Alcohol— none Sex – several kissing scenes Violence – some knife and sword violence; a few characters are beaten in prison My Goodreads rating: 5 out of 5 stars!!! Buy Rook on Amazon.com Title: Everything Everything Author: Nicola Yoon Published by: Delacorte Press Publication date: September 1, 2015 Pages: 307 Genres: Romance, Contemporary *ARC provided by Random House Children through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review* Summary from Goodreads: My disease is as rare as it is famous. Basically, I’m allergic to the world. I don’t leave my house, have not left my house in seventeen years. The only people I ever see are my mom and my nurse, Carla. But then one day, a moving truck arrives next door. I look out my window, and I see him. He’s tall, lean and wearing all black—black T-shirt, black jeans, black sneakers, and a black knit cap that covers his hair completely. He catches me looking and stares at me. I stare right back. His name is Olly. Maybe we can’t predict the future, but we can predict some things. For example, I am certainly going to fall in love with Olly. It’s almost certainly going to be a disaster. Madeline, our heroine of Everything, Everything has SCID—in short, the bubble-boy disease. She’s allergic to everything and can’t leave her house. The only human interaction she has is with her mother (also her best friend and doctor), her nurse, and one or two of her school tutors. She lives in a whitewashed, plastic environment and wears jeans and a white t-shirt every day. The only way she experiences the world is through books and movies. This all changes when Olly moves in next door. Their relationship begins with a suicidal, indestructible Bundt cake and grows through instant messages, emails, and eventually face-to-face meetings. But Maddy’s budding relationship with Olly teaches her to want; nothing frightens Maddy more than becoming unsatisfied with her lot in life. She didn’t mind living in Kansas until she experienced life in Technicolor. “One thing I’m certain of: wanting just leads to more wanting. There’s no end to desire.” I loved this book. It’s full of questions about risk, love, sacrifice, and forgiveness. Can you give up on someone you love? Is living in quarantine really living? Maddy and Olly’s relationship is so sweet and fun, and full of heart-pulling angst because of Maddy’s illness. Without giving too much away, I’ll just say that the ending is equally tragic and joyful. Another thing I loved about Everything, Everything is how Yoon utilizes diagrams, illustrations, diary entries, and instant messaging formats to tell this story. It gives the reader a more intimate understanding of Maddy and gives the book an almost whimsical quality. Would I let my teen read this book? There are some great themes here, and Madeline and Olly are admirably both smart and witty. However, I do think this book is for mature teens. Olly is dealing with an abusive father. There’s some language, and a sex scene. See my details below. Age recommendation: 16 Language – Olly regularly uses “jesus” and “goddamn” as curses Drugs & Alcohol – Olly’s teenage sister is a smoker and his Dad is a drunk Sex – several kisses; one sex scene – not particularly graphic but mentions some details Violence – No graphic violence, mention of Olly’s Dad hitting his Mom. My Goodreads rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars Buy: Everything, Everything on Amazon.com Author: Marie Rutkoski Books: The Winner’s Curse The Winner’s Crime The Winner’s Kiss (Expected Pub: 2016) Published by: Farrar, Straus and Giroux Genres: Fantasy, Romance Kestrel is the daughter of the general of the Valorian army, who serves the Emperor. She has two choices when she comes of age: marry or enlist. Her father wants nothing more than for her to serve Emperor and country when she turns 20, following in his footsteps. However, Kestrel (unlike many Young Adult heroines) is not a fighter. She’s easily physically outmatched, but she’s a strategically fierce competitor. This battle of minds and her love for music and ability to see truth serves her well, and is what draws Arin to her. Arin is Herrani. The Herrani were defeated by the Valorians some years ago and now serve the Valorian society as slaves. For reasons she can’t decipher at the time, Kestrel purchases Arin at a slave auction. Arin isn’t a very “good” slave. He’s defiant and a risk-taker. He’s a slave with strategies and secrets of his own. The first book of the Winner’s Trilogy–The Winner’s Curse—is mostly romance. Kestrel and Arin’s relationship seems doomed from the beginning. How could it be anything other than secret? I appreciate the nature of their relationship. Though there’s an immediate attraction, the relationship is slowly won, as stereotypes and prejudices are broken down. As the story unfolds and Arin’s secrets are revealed, their relationship becomes even more complicated. Both must choose between freedom and family, patriotism and love. One thing I didn’t like about Winner’s Curse is there’s not a bigger picture of the war-torn world Kestrel and Arin live in. We know that the Valorians rule and the Herrani have never been a threat to that new rule. That’s why the cliffhanger at the end of the book is an important progression in the story—an introduction to the new setting and antagonist of the next book, The Winner’s Crime. The Winner’s Crime is not like its predecessor—it’s better. It’s much less romance and almost completely suspense and intrigue. The world and war broadens into new territories, and nothing is easy for Kestrel or Arin. It’s almost impossible to see a “happily-ever-after” for them. Between looming threats, secret identities, miscommunication, and their own pride, these two can’t catch a break. And although there is less romance, there is still a lot of angst and wondering if these two will ever get a moment, let alone a lifetime together. I don’t want to say any more as to not give anything away, but the ending to Winner’s Crime makes me so sad to wait another year for the conclusion!! Would I let my teen read this series? The Winner’s Trilogy is great Young Adult fantasy. It’s well written with a unique story, has a strong, smart protagonist, and it’s mostly clean. I definitely recommend this series for your teen. Age recommendation: 14 Sex – Several kisses Violence – Some sword and knife fighting and deaths; mention of beatings and a slave being punished by getting ears and nose cut off. My Goodreads rating: 4 out of 5 stars Buy: A Winner's Curse on Amazon.com |
Lindsey Learn
I read a lot. I'm a Mom. I'm officially in my 30s, but strangers often don't believe I'm old enough to drink. I love Young Adult fiction, and thought it was worthwhile to help teens and adults find age-appropriate options. Categories
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