The Girl Who Owned a City

The Girl Who Owned a City
By O.T. Nelson; adapted by Dan Jolley; illustrated by Joelle Jones
Graphic Universe, 2012. 125 pgs. Graphic novel.

When a deadly virus kills everyone over the age of twelve, the kids of the world have to scrounge and fight to survive. Lisa Nelson decides to take matters into her own hands and organize a group which evolves into a city of children banded together, working for the same goals of peace, order, and safety.

Adapted from what was originally a children's chapter book, this graphic novel is an excellent take on the story. I usually don't enjoy graphic novels, but this particular one captivated me. The artwork is a much higher caliber than is standard for many graphic novels and the story was pared down in a way that made a good length for a graphic novel and yet still did justice to the original book. Fascinating read.

CW

Justice

Justice
by Jim Krueger and Alex Ross
D.C Comics, 2011, 375 pages. Graphic Novel

In this new one volume compilation, the Justice League of America is threatened by a nefarious cabal of super villains plotting to take over the world in order to save it from itself. Sound familiar? Just like every other graphic novel ever written? Well, yes. However! The devilish plot is in the details. As a result of a recurrent dream wherein the world is annihilated in an all out exchange of nuclear missiles, Lex Luthor and Brainiac hatch a plot to neutralize the JLA and present themselves as the Earth's true saviors. Will the Justice League rise to this new and ever more deadly occasion? Only you can tell, for I cannot reveal the stunning conclusion.

I enjoyed this graphic novel quite a bit and I am a confirmed Marvel fan. I particularly like the trend in graphic novel writing that incorporates a bit of angst in the lives of the superheroes, something that was rare or non-existent back the The Day when I was reading comics regularly. Saving the world? Great. Saving the world while having some sort of existential crisis as well? Yes, please!

Entwined

Entwined
By Heather Dixon
Greenwillow Books, 2011.

In a retelling of the old fairy tale of The Twelve Dancing Princesses, twelve royal sisters are heartbroken when their loving mother passes away. Their father, the King, is emotionally distant, and so they cling even closer together and use dancing as an escape. When their dancing is forbidden, the girls discover a magical passageway and attend enchanted balls every night. However, there is something strange about the Keeper of the magical courts, and the girls find themselves caught tightly in the pull of his spelled kingdom.

As there are many versions of the story The Twelve Dancing Princesses, I picked up Heather Dixon's without many expectations, despite the attractive cover. I was amazed to discover the most beautiful and captivating rendition of the fairy tale I have yet read. Dixon remains very true to the original tale but elaborates in the most unexpected and interesting ways. Excellent, elegant writing aside, the best aspect of the book is the strength of the character development--the characters are interesting, complex, and seem to live and breathe. Coming from a family with many sisters of my own, Dixon captured the closeness of family, and this is their story. 

CW

The Ghost and the Goth

The Ghost and the Goth
By Stacey Kade
Hyperion, 2010. 281 pp. Young adult fiction.

Alona Dare, former Queen of Popular, is now a wandering spirit after her unfortunate collision with the school bus. Expecting her classmates and friends to wildly mourn her death, she is shocked by the lack of respect she receives after her funeral. To top it off, someone can hear and see her--but that someone is Will Killian, weirdo extraordinaire in Alona's book. Nonetheless, Alona coerces Will to help her reach the "white light" she's expecting, because even weird help is better than none at all. In the process, both discover unanticipated depths in each other and actually even form a sort of friendship.

This was a light, funny, and surprisingly enjoyable novel. I've read other young adult books with similar topics, but this was actually successful. Although peppered with some more mature portions, I found this book to be even heartwarming. This will appeal especially to the crowd who enjoys supernatural romances, particularly to those looking for a lighter touch than standard fare.

CW

The Grimm Legacy

The Grimm Legacy
By Polly Shulman
G. P. Putnam's Sons, 2010. 325 pp. Young adult fiction.

In this wonderful fantasy story, Elizabeth Rew, high school student, gets an after-school job working as a page in the New-York Circulating Material Repository, compared to a library that loans out special items. Little does she suspect the route her life will take because of the job, particularly when she is granted access to the mysterious Grimm Collection, full of powerful, magical items. However, when someone is suspected of stealing the Grimm items, Elizabeth's quiet life erupts into a dangerous, mad dash to catch the thief.

Filled with mystery, magic, and gentle romance, this is an excellent read that is wonderfully written. I enjoyed it so much that I was sad when I finished the book because I wanted the story to continue! The characters are well developed and the storyline is beautifully original with elements of familiarity. A fantastic read for anyone looking for an adventurous, magical story.

CW

Pastworld

Pastworld: a mystery of the near future: a novel
By Ian Beck
Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2009. 355 pp. Young adult fiction.

In the year 2050, old Victorian London is recreated, formed into a sort of theme park that those living in the current contemporary world can visit in all its authenticity, complete with authentic inhabitants. Caleb Brown and his high-ranking father, Lucius, visit Pastworld, but what was intended as a diversion ends up a calamity as Lucius is kidnapped by the frightening Fantom and Caleb escapes, pinned as a murderer. The Fantom is both the terror and the legend of Pastworld, a figure similar to the ancient Jack the Ripper. When Caleb escapes after his father's kidnapping, he encounters a friendly thief, Bible J, who takes him under his wing. Another mysterious occupant of Pastworld is Eve, who doesn't even realize she is living in a recreated world, but has strange and fascinating abilities and seems to be oddly linked to others in the story. How all the characters' lives cross and mesh leads for an intricate, mesmerizing tale.

A mix of science fiction, steampunk, and historical fiction, this is a story that will span a variety of interests. Despite being riddled with a terrible lack of, or sometimes purely incorrect, punctuation, this book was still a fascinating read. I wished at times for more complete explanations and for further character development, but I still found it a interesting and satisfying read.

CW

A Small Free Kiss in the Dark

A Small Free Kiss in the Dark
By Glenda Millard
Holiday House, 2010. 180 pp. Young adult fiction.

Skip, nicknamed for his habit of running away or "skipping" from foster families, has decided to live on the streets rather than endure the abuse experienced from those who were supposed to care for him. Unfortunately, a war hits Australia and Skip is caught in the midst of it. He joins forces with Billy, a homeless man, and Max, a lost six-year-old. As they flee the city and claim the House of Horrors as their home in an abandoned amusement park, they are joined by Tia and her infant. Skip feels a familial connection with this rag-tag group and desperately strives to bond them all permanently together. They struggle to find food and to remain hidden from the patrolling enemy soldiers. Despite the horrific circumstances, Skip's artistic soul sees the beauty in the world around him, especially in his makeshift family. This is a haunting, tender story that is delicately and poignantly told.

Beautifully written, this book is one that addresses war but is also about family, love, and hope. Narrated by eleven year old Skip, the reader gets a glimpse into his world of failed families and loneliness and sees it transformed into a better one, ironically, because of the war. There is such a sense of hope and light in Skip's perspective, written in an almost poetic language. This was an excellent read and is definitely one to be recommended.

CW

Dirty Little Secrets

Dirty Little Secrets
By C. J. Omololu
Walker & Co, 2010. 212 pp. Young adult fiction.

Lucy's life is in the constant shadow of her mother's overwhelming compulsion, being hoarding. It has taken over her mother's life and has negatively affected all in the family, even causing her parents' divorce. Lucy can't let anyone get too close for fear of having her terrible secret spilled. As the situation gets worse and worse, it finally reaches a point Lucy never expected, and she must decide how far she will go to keep her mother's obsession hidden.

This was a fascinating glimpse inside the life of someone affected by hoarding. Lately, this particular compulsion has been much featured in the media, and this book seems to be appropriately timed in such consideration. I thought it was an interesting decision by the author to take the viewpoint of a child living in the home of a hoarder but one who does not share the parent's obsession. The characters were well done and realistic, although I struggled a bit with the mother's character--she was portrayed in a mostly negative light, and it would have really added to the depth of the novel to give cause for the reader to care more about her. The ending truly surprised me but was also satisfying in a strange way. All in all, I really found this book interesting and appreciated the unique topic it covered.

CW

Ice

Ice
By Sarah Beth Durst
Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2009. 308 pp. Young adult fiction.

In this story where modern and ancient collide, Cassandra Dasent is raised in a remote Arctic research station with her father. Although her grandmother has told and retold the fairy tale that Cassie's mother, daughter of the North Wind, was whisked away by trolls, Cassie's pragmatism and scientific upbringing keep her from regarding it as anything more than a euphemism for her mother's death. When Cassie's path brings a strange, magical polar bear into her life, he describes her mother's imprisonment, agreeing to rescue her if Cassie will become his wife. Thus begins what first seems like an endless imprisonment but evolves into a loving, loyal partnership. However, when Cassandra unwittingly destroys their life together, she must make an impossible journey east of the sun and west of the moon to save her beloved Bear.

Beautifully woven, this fairy tale retold has been done splendidly. Although this is the third chapter book retelling of this particular tale that I've read, I was impressed that it was not only a great read but also very different from the other two, being Pattou's East and George's Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow, both also being well-told. Durst's gorgeous descriptions in this story weave a beautiful, magical fantasy world that is so neatly juxtaposed with the stark reality of Cassie's scientific modern life. Excellently done!

Fallen

Fallen
By Lauren Kate
Delacorte Press, 2009. 452 p. Young Adult

Suspected in the death of a peer after an unexplained fire, Lucinda Price is sent to a reform school to deal with her issues. Haunted by strange, frightening shadows since she was young, Luce finds them to be even more persistently near at the Sword and Cross. After meeting the peculiar and varied students that populate the school, two in particular stand out to her--dark, charming Cam, who shows a definite interest, and the elusive Daniel, who at turns is both hot and cold. As Luce is caught up in the mystery of who Daniel is and why she feels so drawn to him, her life becomes more confusing and complex than ever before.

I felt torn about Fallen. I liked the book and read it quickly, but it definitely did feel like a rehash of other books I've read before, such as Twilight and Evermore. Although better written than the aforementioned books, it nonetheless had a slow, frustrating pace in regard to Luce discovering the mystery involved. It was hard to believe that she was supposed to be intelligent but yet was so painfully slow to understand--when the mystery is blatantly obvious to the reader, it seems that the book character could be a little quicker on the uptake. However, there are redeeming elements, such as the haunting shadows and certain characters, that intrigue me enough to read a sequel. The character development is better in some than others--I am awfully tired of female protagonists who can't believe they're good enough to attract a special guy. Despite its flaws, fans of supernatural romance are still sure to love this novel.

The Last Thing I Remember

The Last Thing I Remember
By Andrew Klavan
Thomas Nelson, 2009. 346 pp. Young Adult

Charlie West wakes up strapped to a chair, unable to remember why or how he arrived there. All he can remember is being a regular high school kid leading a normal life--dreaming about what to be when he grows up, crushing on a pretty girl, and living for his karate. Now, covered in bruises, burns, and blood, he overhears a stranger order his death. What happened that got him into such a situation, and will he ever escape?

This is a fast-paced, gripping story. I really appreciated that it is written with such an authentic, believable voice with Charlie as the narrator. The reader immediately feels sympathy for Charlie and is drawn into his story. I was also impressed with what an upstanding character Charlie was--Klavan created a person who is is great example and role model without being sickly sweet or too priggish, even granting a certain coolness to Charlie. I'll be looking forward to the second in the Homelanders series, coming February 2010.

CW

The Otherwordlies

The Otherwordlies
By Jennifer Anne Kogler
Eos, 2008. 385 pp. Young Adult

Fern is odd, to say the least. She claims to communicate with the family dog, has extreme sensitivity to the sun, and is amazingly accurate at weather prediction. When she suddenly finds herself inexplicably transported from her classroom to a beach one day, she realizes her differences can be dismissed no longer. As Fern slowly discovers more about her true identity, she begins to understand the danger she and her loved ones must face.

An interesting take on supernatural powers, this story mixes fantasy and mythology. Written simply, The Otherworldlies was a quick, enjoyable read with some suspense and mystery tossed in. This book would be an especially good choice for tweens and young teenagers as it highlights a 12 year old and is a much more innocent take on vampires than most of the other fare available. Although the writing is rather forced in places, the story is nonetheless entertaining and will give the vampire-loving crowd yet another book to enjoy.

CW

Evermore

Evermore
By Alyson Noël
St. Martin's Griffin, 2009. 306 pgs. Young Adult

After being in a car crash that was fatal for all her family members, Ever has gained psychic abilities that make daily life overwhelming. Her attempt to close herself off from the majority of the world suddenly fails when an impossibly perfect boy, Damen, starts attending her school, claiming everyone's attention, including her own. As their relationship develops, Ever's life becomes increasingly complex as she tries to discover the reason for Damen's mysterious manner, even risking her own life.

Evermore was a predictable read with poor writing. That being said, it will nonetheless be a popular book for those who enjoyed Twilight and other similar stories, as well as readers looking for a teen romance. Although I didn't mind reading it and will probably read the rest in the series to find out what happens, there are other books written in this genre of much higher caliber.

CW

Distant Waves: a novel of the Titanic

Distant Waves: a novel of the Titanic
By Suzanne Weyn
Scholastic Press, 2009. 330 pgs. Young Adult

Raised by a strong, spirited mother who works as a ghost medium, Jane Taylor's life is far from ordinary. Along with her sisters--Mimi, Blythe, Emma, and Amelie--she finds herself transplanted at a young age to Spirit Vale, a gathering place for all people who claim to be mediums for the spirit world. Despite such an environment, Jane manages to maintain strong common sense and even develops skepticism towards spiritualism. When she travels with her sister Mimi to New York in order to interview the fascinating scientist, Tesla, the lives of all the Taylor women are affected by the chain of following events, most particularly by Mimi's invitation to sail on the Titanic.

It is rather misleading that this book is titled "a novel of the Titanic." Although the infamous ship does make its appearance in the story, it doesn't surface until the later portion. It makes for a dramatic ending but may be a bit disappointing for readers who expect the book to be all about the Titanic. That being said, I actually preferred Weyn's decision to leave the Titanic scene for the end. The reader gets the chance to know the characters as they grow up and develop a stronger feeling for them rather than being thrown into their lives only while they are on the ship. I thought the constant stream of two dimensional famous characters was too forced and really detracted from the story, although some readers may be delighted with such references. The thread of romance was a nice touch and the tie between history and the supernatural was quite intriguing. Being simply written, this book might be more appropriate for 5th and 6th grade readers or perhaps teenagers looking for an easy read. It could definitely be an option for readers needing historical fiction but wanting more of a story. Although not Weyn's best work, it was still worth reading.

CW

The Demon's Lexicon

The Demon's Lexicon
By Sarah Rees Brennan
Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2009. 322 pgs. Young adult fiction.

Nick's world consists of battling and running from magicians and their captive demons, along with his brother, Alan. When two siblings become tangled in their world, all sorts of complications arise, the most important being that Alan is death marked by a demon. In Nick's relentless quest to heal Alan, he uncovers devastating truths that could break him completely.

Great characters and an unusual plot make this an interesting novel. Nick's particularly dark, brutally honest personality really contrasts with Alan's sweet but deceiving nature. I definitely struggled with wanting Nick to show more compassion and yet admiring him for his nerves of steel. With the addition of other unique and complex people in the mix, this story is captivating. I'm certainly looking forward to the next book in the series, especially with the cliffhanger ending.

CW

The Forest of Hands and Teeth

The Forest of Hands and Teeth
By Carrie Ryan
Delacorte Press, 2009. 310 pgs. Young adult fiction.

Raised in a small, isolated village amidst a veritable forest of flesh-eating people who died and Returned after infection, Mary is driven by her curiosity and desire to go beyond the fenced boundaries. After her mother is infected and joins the Forest, Mary's whole world is turned upside down as she is forced to join the Sisterhood, the zealously devout organization that runs the village. Through her constant struggle to discover truth and find happiness, Mary finds herself and those she loves in the greatest danger imaginable.

This story was dark, consuming, and elegantly written. I was reeled in from the first page and kept in a constant sense of tension. Although I wished some of the story's aspects had been further developed, I truly enjoyed the book. I was very impressed with Ryan's captivating prose--I loved that she abstained from ever using the term "zombie;" I felt it was an excellent move and made the book far more intriguing. I am looking forward to further literature from this talented author.

CW

The Awakening

The Awakening
By Kelley Armstrong
HarperCollinsPublishers, 2009. 360 pgs. Young adult fiction.

In the vivid sequel in the Darkest Powers series, Chloe, along with fellow supernaturals Simon, Derek, and Rae manage to escape from Lyle House to find Simon and Derek's father. Chloe and Rae, however, are captured by what they discover to be the Edison Group--people who ran Lyle House as a pretense to find supernatural children. Chloe and Tori both escape from the Group's clutches, once again, and make an uneasy alliance as they join Simon and Derek. As the Edison Group tries to track them down, the escapists are forced to live on the streets, constantly running. The relationships between the teens become even more complicated as their various feelings for each other ebb and flow. Throughout this experience, Chloe's powers are further manifested in dangerous and horrifying ways, upping the urgency for her to master them.

An excellent, fast-paced sequel to The Summoning, this book was just as great as the first. Highly suspenseful, it will keep you flipping pages and dying to read the next book, The Reckoning, to be published in April of 2010.

CW

The Summoning

The Summoning
By Kelley Armstrong
HarperCollinsPublishers, 2008. 390 pgs. Young adult fiction.

When teenaged Chloe starts seeing ghosts, she is sent to Lyle House, a group home for mentally disturbed youth. Diagnosed as schizophrenic, she does her best to accept her condition and cooperate with the doctors to be "cured." Making both friends and enemies there, she discovers there is something strange about the home and its inhabitants. As Chloe investigates the secrets of Lyle House, her world becomes increasingly complicated and her return to normal society seems less and less of a reality.

This book was fascinating. I was completely absorbed in it from the first page and I sped through the whole 390 pages in a day. Luckily, I had the sequel already and zipped through that right after as well. Robust characters, twisty plot, and a plucky main character all contribute to a wonderful read. This series would certainly appeal to fans of Twilight looking for paranormal literature. An excellent beginning to what seems to be a promising series.

CW

The Awakening

The Awakening
By Marley Gibson
Graphia, 2009. 338 pgs. Young adult fiction.

After a move to the quaint town of Radisson, Georgia, odd things begin happening to Kendall. First of all, her room is haunted--she keeps hearing a ghostly voice that seems to be communicating with her. After a run-in with the town psychic, Kendall gathers the tools she needs, including a teen ghost hunting team, to understand and properly use her gift for good--most importantly, to protect her father from a vengeful spirit.

The first book in the Ghost Huntress series, this book was an interesting, entertaining read. There were moments when the 16 year old narrator's voice switched a bit too abruptly from typical colloquial teen to lofty English graduate, which I found a bit forced, but otherwise I enjoyed the story. I especially liked the scientific aspect of "ghost hunting" in this book; it was a different twist from other ghost stories I've read and gave it a more grounded, realistic feel. Although this book has scary moments, overall it wasn't a frightening book.

CW

Obernewtyn

Obernewtyn
By Isobelle Carmody
Tor, 2000. 246 pgs. Young adult fiction.

In a post-holocaust world where people who are deemed abnormal are either burned or carted off to work as labor, Elspeth Gordie is forced to keep her unusual mental powers hidden. When she is denounced as a Misfit, one who has such powers, her punishment is banishment to the compound called Obernewtyn, buried deep in the mountains. She finds people both wonderful and terrible there and realizes she must stop the evil designs of those attempting to resurrect destructive forces.

This was an excellent, fast-paced read with complex characters and intriguing twists and turns. The first in a series, I look forward to reading the continuing books.

CW