Book Light Graveyard

Review: The Name of the Star

2012-05-28T00:01:00.000-06:00

The Name of the Star, by Maureen Johnson. The GoodReads summary:

The day Louisiana teenager Rory Deveaux arrives in London marks a memorable occasion. For Rory, it's the start of a new life at a London boarding school. But for many, this will be remembered as the day a series of brutal murders broke out across the city, gruesome crimes mimicking the horrific Jack the Ripper events of more than a century ago.

Soon “Rippermania” takes hold of modern-day London, and the police are left with few leads and no witnesses. Except one. Rory spotted the man police believe to be the prime suspect. But she is the only one who saw him. Even her roommate, who was walking with her at the time, didn't notice the mysterious man. So why can only Rory see him? And more urgently, why has Rory become his next target? In this edge-of-your-seat thriller, full of suspense, humor, and romance, Rory will learn the truth about the secret ghost police of London and discover her own shocking abilities.

Let me start off by saying that one of the things I liked the most about this book is that it takes place at an English boarding school. It has seriously always been my dream to go to boarding school—especially one in England. I don’t know why, because it’s not like it would probably be all that different from my experience in the freshman dorms at college, but still. I think it’s something to do with the uniforms (I’d look awesome in a blazer and tie), and it just seems like all the drama that unfolds would be entertaining to watch. Sorry. I’m getting carried away here. But the boarding school in this book seems especially awesome, so I can’t help it.

I also loved that this book was a mystery. I’ve been a sucker for mysteries ever since I picked up my first Nancy Drew book, and since mysteries don’t crop up all that often in YA fiction, I’m always excited when I find one. And technically, I guess this book was less a straight-up mystery and more of a suspenseful book with mystery elements, but I’ll take any form of mystery I can get. And I liked that Rory doesn’t act like an idiot about said mystery elements. I feel like a lot of times in mysteries the main character does a lot of stupid things that put them in the path of the killer, but I think Rory is pretty levelheaded, which I approve of.

One thing that I liked that I wasn’t expecting to was *minor spoiler* the ghost aspect. Ghosts can freak me out more than almost anything, but since this ghost acted more like a human than like a ghost, it didn’t end up scaring me at all. I mean, I got creeped out, but it was less because it was a ghost and more because he was, you know, a Jack-the-Ripper-wannabe serial killer. *end spoiler*

The romance was pretty low key in this book, and I’m not actually sure who the love interest is supposed to be. Rory makes out with Jerome, but it’s Stephen that she actually talks to and spends time with. So who knows? I guess we’ll find out in the next book.

And as a quick side note, I LOVE Rory’s roommate Jazza. She’s just so . . . nice. I would definitely want to be her friend in real life.

Overall, this book was a lot of fun. It wasn’t super fluffy—because the whole Jack-the-Ripper thing and all the murders are pretty serious—but it still managed to be pretty entertaining and was definitely thoroughly engrossing. I haven’t read a ton of Maureen Johnson’s stuff, just her Little Blue Envelope books and this one, but now I’m curious about her other ones, because this book definitely left me diggin’ her storytelling ability.

Rating: 3.5 / 5

Friday Favorites: The Poisonwood Bible

2012-05-25T00:01:00.000-06:00

On Fridays I post a little shout out to one of my favorite books and explain why I love it so much. It gives me the chance to fangirl over books I never reviewed on this blog and lets me post about some not necessarily YA books I love.

Which book?
The Poisonwood Bible, by Barbara Kingsolver

Genre?
Fiction

Summary? (From GoodReads)
Told by the wife and four daughters of Nathan Price, a fierce evangelical Baptist who takes his family and mission to the Belgian Congo in 1959,The Poisonwood Bible is the story of one family's tragic undoing and remarkable reconstruction over the course of three decades in postcolonial Africa. They carry with them all they believe they will need from home, but soon find that all of it - from garden seeds to Scripture - is calamitously transformed on African soil.

When did I first read it?
High school

Why did I first read it?
I don’t really remember. I think someone lent it to me? Or maybe I read it for a book club?

What did I think about it then?
I fell completely and totally in love with the writing. Obviously I’d read stuff by female authors before, but Kingsolver was the one who really brought it home to me that women could write just as well as the men we were studying in my English class. And could write better than them, actually. Plus, the setting was just so breathtakingly vivid—1960s Belgian Congo. I didn’t know the country even existed, let alone what went on there, so this book opened my eyes to a whole new world and made me realize that there's more to history than what I read in my history textbook.

What do I think about it now?
Even after reading most of Kingsolver’s other books, The Poisonwood Bible is still my favorite. I don’t know—it just grabs me by the heart every single time I read it. It’s one of those books that I can’t reread too often, because of the emotional wringer it puts me through, but every time I finish it, I’m reminded of just how worth it it is.

Have you read this book? What did you think?

Review: Carpe Diem

2012-05-24T00:01:00.000-06:00

Carpe Diem, by Autumn Cornwell. The GoodReads summary:

“I’ve got my entire life planned out for the next ten years — including my PhD and Pulitzer Prize,” claims 16-year-old overachiever Vassar Spore, daughter of overachiever parents, who in true overachiever fashion named her after an elite women’s college. Vassar expects her sophomore summer to include AP and AAP (Advanced Advanced Placement) classes. Surprise! Enter a world-traveling relative who sends her plans into a tailspin when she blackmails Vassar’s parents into forcing their only child to backpack with her through Southeast Asia.

On a journey from Malaysia to Cambodia to the remote jungles of Laos, Vassar sweats, falls in love, hones her outdoor survival skills — and uncovers a family secret that turns her whole world upside-down.

Vassar Spore can plan on one thing: she’ll never be the same again.

I secretly have a thing for books about travel—probably because I’ve never been outside the country and thus have to live vicariously. And this book brings it. Seriously. Vassar and her grandma are backpacking through Southeast Asia—a journey not for the faint of heart. And the author doesn’t sugarcoat anything (at least, I don’t think she does—after all, I have no experience in the matter). Through Vassar you get to see the awesome and beautiful things about the countries she visits, as well as the grimy and not-so-ideal aspects. You see the good, the bad, and the ugly, for sure.

Vassar herself is generally likeable. She’s a little too Type A for my taste, but her learning to loosen up is a big part of the story, so I can’t fault her for it. And I respected that she had a fairly good attitude about the whole situation. I have to admit my attitude would probably be much worse than hers if I was the one dragged out of my life by a grandma I didn’t know on a trip I didn’t want to go on. I think the only thing I can’t forgive Vassar for is her superior attitude. She was so holier-than-thou about everything. So let’s just say I was really happy when she got knocked down a peg.

The romance in the book was really refreshing. Hanks is definitely NOT your typical YA boy. I mean, he’s a short Malaysian cowboy-wannabe. But man, did I love him. He gets Vassar out of her bubble and is just generally an awesome person.

The only real hang up I have with the book is the big secret about Vassar’s life that finally gets revealed. It weirded me out, and I couldn’t get past that. I won’t spoil it for you, but I’ll just say that I definitely wasn’t expecting it, and I admire Vassar for handling the information WAY better than I ever would’ve.

Overall, this was a fun and enjoyable travel book. If you like 13 Little Blue Envelopes, you’ll probably like this one, as it’s along similar lines. And now, I really can’t decide if this book makes me want to go to Southeast Asia or stay as far away from it as possible…

Rating: 3.5 / 5

Review: The Near Witch

2012-05-22T00:01:00.000-06:00

The Near Witch, by Victoria Schwab. The GoodReads summary:

The Near Witch is only an old story told to frighten children.

If the wind calls at night, you must not listen. The wind is lonely, and always looking for company.

And there are no strangers in the town of Near.

These are the truths that Lexi has heard all her life.

But when an actual stranger—a boy who seems to fade like smoke—appears outside her home on the moor at night, she knows that at least one of these sayings is no longer true.

The next night, the children of Near start disappearing from their beds, and the mysterious boy falls under suspicion. Still, he insists on helping Lexi search for them. Something tells her she can trust him.

As the hunt for the children intensifies, so does Lexi's need to know—about the witch that just might be more than a bedtime story, about the wind that seems to speak through the walls at night, and about the history of this nameless boy.

I’m having trouble finding stuff to say about this book, and I have absolutely no idea why. After all, I thought it was quite good. So, as is the case with books I’m having trouble writing about, this review is going to take the form of the trusty ol’ “things I liked and didn’t like” list:

Liked:
-The witches. I’ve always loved stories about witches, but I haven’t read one in a while, so The Near Witch really hit the spot for me. I especially love the two old witches who live at the edge of the town. They’re just so ridiculously cool.
-The setting/atmosphere. The story takes places in possibly the most insular small village ever—there are no strangers. Ever. At all. So you can imagine that this sets the scene for some crazy paranoia and fear in the town when kids start disappearing. And I just thought the whole setting of the scene—this tiny village against the backdrop of the endlessly wild and mysterious moor—made for a good story. Everything just felt so claustrophobic and eerie . . . and it was awesome.
-Wren. Awesome little sister. And I liked Lexi’s love for Wren—it revealed Lexi’s softer side.
-The writing. The writing in this book is beautiful—I don’t know what it is about the style, but is somehow fits the story so dang perfectly.

Didn’t like:
-Lexi. Okay, it’s not that I didn’t like her as much as I felt like I never got close to her. She’s fiercely independent and confident—which I don’t have a problem with, except that it makes her harder to get to know and relate to. I wouldn’t have minded a few weaknesses and a little humor tossed in.
-The ending. I felt the ending was a bit of a letdown, honestly. The book has an awesome suspense and mystery throughout, but then the second half of the climax and the resolution just felt weak after how strong the rest of the book had been. They’re not bad, per se—they’re just not as good as the rest. They felt too easy, I guess.

Overall, I’m not kidding about liking this book. I’m just having trouble expressing that like. The book reminded me a little of Chime, by Franny Billingsley, which is a very good thing, so if you liked that book, or just witch stories in general, give this book a shot.

Rating: 3.5 / 5

Review: Virtuosity

2012-05-21T00:01:00.000-06:00

Virtuosity, by Jessica Martinez. The GoodReads summary:

Now is not the time for Carmen to fall in love. And Jeremy is hands-down the wrong guy for her to fall for. He is infuriating, arrogant, and the only person who can stand in the way of Carmen getting the one thing she wants most: to win the prestigious Guarneri competition. Carmen's whole life is violin, and until she met Jeremy, her whole focus was winning. But what if Jeremy isn't just hot...what if Jeremy is better?

Carmen knows that kissing Jeremy can't end well, but she just can't stay away. Nobody else understands her--and riles her up--like he does. Still, she can't trust him with her biggest secret: She is so desperate to win she takes anti-anxiety drugs to perform, and what started as an easy fix has become a hungry addiction. Carmen is sick of not feeling anything on stage and even more sick of always doing what she’s told, doing what's expected.

Sometimes, being on top just means you have a long way to fall....

This book was EXACTLY what I needed at the moment—a really solid YA contemporary. I was so worried going in because I really wanted it to be good, and you know how that goes—the expectation monster usually comes out and ruins everything. But that didn’t happen here, and I am SO glad. I can’t even begin to tell you.

This book was just so easy to fall into, you know? It was effortless. And not in a mind-numbing fluffy kind of way (not that I don’t love those kinds of books as well). Carmen is dealing with some real problems: her performances, her anxiety, her mother, her first relationship—not easy things to deal with at any time, let alone right before the most important music competition of her life. But the author somehow manages to write about all that stuff and have it feel natural and real and not like she’s making her way down a checklist of teen issues.

I really liked the music aspect of this book. I’m not musically inclined AT ALL, but that didn’t matter. I could feel both Carmen’s passion for her music and the anxiety it caused so clearly. I knew exactly what she was talking about even though I’ve never experienced anything even remotely similar—I don’t know how the author managed to pull that off. And I love the tension the music competition brings to the story, as well as the tension it brings to Carmen and Jeremy’s relationship. It binds the story together so well and made it near impossible for me to put the book down.

I also really liked that Carmen and Jeremy’s relationship doesn’t dominate the story. It’s there—and it’s a very important part—but it’s not ALL the book is about. The book is about Carmen and about her relationship with her music, and I’m glad the author didn’t get distracted from that with the allure of amping up the romance.

In case you couldn’t tell, overall, I thoroughly and completely enjoyed this book. The only problem I had with it was that Jeremy never really won me over, but since the book wasn’t really about him, I could overlook it. So, yes, this is definitely one I recommend.

Rating: 4.5 / 5

Friday Favorites: With This Ring

2012-05-18T00:01:00.000-06:00

Which book?
With This Ring, by Carla Kelly

Genre?
Regency Romance

Summary? (From GoodReads)
It was clear to Lydia Perkins from the first that she was courting scandal when she became involved with Major Samuel Reed. This outrageously impudent officer kept deplorable company in dismal surroundings beyond the boundaries of polite society. Even worse, he was shamelessly, sinfully penniless. — To keep him company would ruin Lydia's already slim chances in the marriage mart. To listen to the shocking proposal he made to her would spell ruin to her good name. To run away with him in a mockery of marriage on a honeymoon journey through the wilds of England was the ultimate folly for a young lady whose family demanded she wed both wisely and well. Could Lydia say "I do" and accept the Major for better or for worse, or would she risk losing the only man who had ever captured her heart?

When did I first read it?
Um…eight years ago probably? Sometime in high school.

Why did I first read it?
There was a box of regency romances out in our garage, and so I read my way through them.

What did I think about it then?
I think regency romances are a lot of fun—clean and light—but they tend to lack any major depth. The characters tend to flirt and go to balls and go for rides in Hyde Park and that’s it. But “With This Ring” is more grounded—its characters deal with real issues, and there is definite character growth going on. Plus, it is really, really funny. So reading “With This Ring” after a bunch of fluffier books was just so refreshing.

What do I think about it now?
I love this book A LOT. It is hands down one of my top two favorite romances. I’ve reread it a ton of times, and I never get tired of it. I just admire the characters so much and kinda look up to them in a way because they’re such strong people. And I like how the author makes the two characters’ relationship feel so real without having to be explicit about what goes on in the bedroom. I feel like this book completely disproves all those people who think romance novels can’t have substance and are only about sex.

Have you read this book? What did you think?

Review: Tighter

2012-05-17T00:01:00.000-06:00

Tighter, by Adele Griffin. The GoodReads summary:

When 17-year-old Jamie arrives on the idyllic New England island of Little Bly to work as a summer au pair, she is stunned to learn of the horror that precedes her. Seeking the truth surrounding a young couple's tragic deaths, Jamie discovers that she herself looks shockingly like the dead girl—and that she has a disturbing ability to sense the two ghosts. Why is Jamie's connection to the couple so intense? What really happened last summer at Little Bly? As the secrets of the house wrap tighter and tighter around her, Jamie must navigate the increasingly blurred divide between the worlds of the living and the dead.

In case you missed the memo, Tighter is a modernization of The Turn of the Screw, by Henry James. And as such, it kinda threw me a little—because I’m split on whether I liked the book or not. On the one hand, I think it’s an awesome adaptation, but if I try to look at it just as a YA ghost story, there a bunch of things I have issues with.

Like I said, I really do think it’s a fairly brilliant take on Henry James’s novella. Since it had been a while since I’d read the original, I read a summary before starting Tighter, and as I was reading Tighter, I was impressed over and over again how Adele Griffin manages to keep the same basic plot but make it her own. But even more than that, I was impressed at how she managed to capture the tone of the original—that creepy gothic feel that has you wondering whether the ghosts are real or if the narrator is just crazy.

But on its own . . . I don’t know, I think the book would feel weird and a little confusing to anyone who wasn’t familiar with The Turn of the Screw. I feel like some things don’t add up or are left as loose ends, and while they don’t matter in terms of it being an adaption, they do matter if I’m just looking at this as a YA read. Plus, Jamie isn’t a particularly likeable main character—and having read the original, I know liking her isn’t the important part. But if I had just gone into this book without being familiar with the story, Jamie would’ve driven me crazy so fast.

I will say, though, that I thought the climax was well done. A certain fact is revealed that I was totally NOT expecting but that fit into the story perfectly, and after I had picked my jaw up off the floor, I was just like, “Bravo, Ms. Griffin!” I also thought she did great job at building the tension higher and higher until finally something had to give. I love it when an author gets the climax of a story right.

Overall, I think I’d definitely recommend either reading The Turn of the Screw or at least a summary of it before reading Tighter. Because while it shines as a modernization of James’s story, I think it would have too many WTF moments if you weren’t familiar with the original.

Rating: 3 / 5

A reading quote for ya

2012-05-16T00:01:00.000-06:00

Like a lot of readers, I love quotes about books and reading. But it isn't very often that I come across one that describes how I feel perfectly. But I came across the following quote in "Dreamhunter," by Elizabeth Knox, and was amazed at how ridiculously well it fits me:

I have no particular plan in life--and that's something I rather like. Most things people do seem to me to be rather dull and silly. In my ideal life I'd be left alone to read.

Fantastic, eh?

Friday Favorites: The Winter Sea

2012-05-11T00:01:00.000-06:00

Which book?
The Winter Sea, by Susanna Kearsley

Genre?
Historical Fiction

Summary? (From GoodReads)
It is 2008 and Carrie McClelland can't hit the right note for her next novel, but an unplanned detour in Scotland, and a stop at the castle that inspired Count Dracula, sets her on a different path; a path that took her back in time exactly 300 years, to that same castle, and to a rebellion doomed to failure. Alternating between the contemporary setting and the past, The Winter Sea takes us at every turn into little known worlds; historical footnotes writ large, a history of Scotland and the Jacobite rebellion of 1708 and the possibility of genetic memory. Historical fiction at its best and Susanna Kearsley at hers, The Winter Sea evokes the writing of Thomas Raddall, Daphne Du Maurier, and Mary Stewart.

When did I first read it?
About a year ago.

Why did I first read it?
I think I saw it recommended on someone’s blog. I must have, actually, because it’s not really the type of book I’d usually pick up without a recommendation.

What did I think about it then?
I didn’t know what to expect going in, seeing as how I’m not habitually a fan of historical fiction. But I got sucked in almost from the start—mostly because there are two stories (one that takes place modernly and one that takes place in 18th century Scotland) and BOTH of them have totally hot Scottish guys in them. Seriously, what else would I have needed to love this book? But I think what really pushed this book into the favorites category for me was the ending of the historical storyline. I literally squealed when I read it because it was unexpected but so totally perfect.

What do I think about it now?
Admittedly, I haven’t had time to reread this one yet, but I swear I have every intention of doing so. It’s a fairly long book, so it takes a little more of a time commitment than I’m used to. But even though I haven’t reread it all the way through yet, I HAVE reread my favorite bits—because there are some parts of this book that are so perfectly wonderful I couldn't stay away.

Have you read this book? What did you think?

Review: Silver Phoenix

2012-05-10T00:01:00.000-06:00

Silver Phoenix, by Cindy Pon. The GoodReads summary:

No one wanted Ai Ling. And deep down she is relieved—despite the dishonor she has brought upon her family—to be unbetrothed and free, not some stranger's subservient bride banished to the inner quarters.

But now, something is after her. Something terrifying—a force she cannot comprehend. And as pieces of the puzzle start to fit together, Ai Ling begins to understand that her journey to the Palace of Fragrant Dreams isn't only a quest to find her beloved father but a venture with stakes larger than she could have imagined.

Bravery, intelligence, the will to fight and fight hard . . . she will need all of these things. Just as she will need the new and mysterious power growing within her. She will also need help.

It is Chen Yong who finds her partly submerged and barely breathing at the edge of a deep lake. There is something of unspeakable evil trying to drag her under. On a quest of his own, Chen Yong offers that help . . . and perhaps more.

So this is one of those books that I feel didn’t quite live up to its potential. It really had some awesome things going for it, number one being that it takes place in ancient China. On top of that, it has some Chinese mythology and fantasy elements going on, which were pretty fascinating. And I really liked the storyline with Zhong Ye, the bad guy, and thought that whole thing was cool in a creepy way.

But . . . the writing never quite won me over—it never seemed to gain any real depth or insight. And honestly, the conversations usually came off as pretty trite to me. Plus, Ai Ling had a tendency to annoy me, which never bodes well for my opinion of a book. Although, I am willing to admit that it might just be a personality clash for me rather than any true flaw in her character. But really, the thing that annoyed me the most about the book *spoiler alert* is that Ai Ling gets all hot and heavy with the bad guy but doesn’t even hold hands with Chen Yong, the dreamboat. I mean, what’s up with that? It’s probably really superficial of me to care, but I need at least a tiny hint of romantic resolution in my stories, and I definitely didn’t get it here. *end spoiler*

Overall, I thought the book was alright, but I’m not sure if it would’ve held my attention if it hadn’t had all the cool Chinese stuff going for it. I’m fairly tempted to check out the next book in the series to see if it improves—because I do think it has potential. Also because I need me some romantic resolution.

Rating: 3 / 5

Review: Dreamquake

2012-05-07T00:01:00.000-06:00

Dreamquake (Dreamhunter #2), by Elizabeth Knox. The GoodReads summary:

The dreamhunting began as a beautiful thing, when Tziga Hame discovered that he could enter the Place and share the dreams he found there with other people. But Tziga Hame has disappeared and Laura, his daughter, knows that the art of projecting dreams has turned sour. On St. Lazarus's Eve, when elite citizens gather at the Rainbow Opera to experience the sweet dream of Homecoming, Laura, determined to show them the truth, plunges them into the nightmare used to control the convict workers. The event marks the first blow in the battle for control of the Place, the source of dreams. Then, when Laura's cousin, Rose, uncovers evidence that the government has been building a secret rail line deep into the Place, Laura follows it to find out what lies at its end. As she struggles to counter the government's sinister plans, a deeper mystery surfaces, a puzzle only Laura can unravel, a puzzle having to do with the very nature of the Place. What is the Place, after all? And what does it want from her?

First, read my review of the first book, Dreamhunter. *waits for you to read it*

Okay, I know, like, 99 percent of you didn’t actually go and read my other post. But basically, the same things I thought about the first book hold true for the second. There were a lot of really cool concepts, a pitch-perfect writing style, and some awesome characters (Rose! Chorley!), but there were also some characters I never grew to like. And it’s a bit difficult to really like a book when the main character grates on your nerves in every. single. scene she’s in (I’m looking at you, LAURA). And I wasn’t ever convinced by Laura and Sandy’s romance. She had about a million times more chemistry with her sandman, Nown, than she does with poor Sandy.

But that’s not to say that I didn’t enjoy the book. Because I did. I also ended up liking it better than the first one—mostly because it was much more exciting and faster paced. The first book is all about setting the scene, and this one is where everything comes together. I would almost say to skip the first book and start with this one, but alas, I feel like you’d miss some important backstory if you did that.

One of the things I loved about this book was the brilliant insight Knox gives you into her characters. You feel like you really know them—what’s in their souls—not just what they do and what they say. I was in awe, quite frankly. I was also amazed by the way all the pieces of the story come together. I wasn’t expecting it to work out like it did, but I was seriously impressed, and by the end I was like, “Oh. Oh. Oooooohhh. Now I get it.” It kinda makes me want to reread both books so I can go back and find all the clues Knox gave us along the way.

Overall, while having the same likes and dislikes with this one as with the first book, I ended up liking this one more because, well, I didn’t get bored like I did with the first. And probably, I would’ve ended up liking this book a lot if only Rose had been the main character instead of Laura. Dang Laura.

Rating: 3.5 / 5

Heads up

2012-04-29T21:33:00.001-06:00

So I'm currently super addicted to the show Rizzoli and Isles and am watching the first two seasons during all my free time. Hence I haven't been reading. Hence I don't have any reviews to post. Hence I probably won't be posting till next week. That's all. The end.

Friday Favorites: The Ordinary Princess

2012-04-27T00:01:00.000-06:00

Which book?
The Ordinary Princess, by M.M. Kay

Genre?
Middle-grade fantasy

Summary? (From GoodReads)
Along with Wit, Charm, Health, and Courage, Princess Amy of Phantasmorania receives a special fairy christening gift: Ordinariness. Unlike her six beautiful sisters, she has brown hair and freckles, and would rather have adventures than play the harp, embroider tapestries- or become a Queen. When her royal parents try to marry her off, Amy runs away, and because she's so ordinary, easily becomes the fourteenth assistant kitchen maid at a neighboring palace. And there, much to everyone's surprise, she meets a prince just as ordinary (and special) as she is!

When did I first read it?
Elementary school

Why did I first read it?
I think it was just one of the countless books that were always floating around my house growing up. I probably read it as part of reading homework (you know, where you have to read 20 minutes a day or whatever), most likely out loud with my mom.

What did I think about it then?
The Ordinary Princess is the first book I remember being my favorite book. I loved Amy and her ordinariness—and I loved the grumpy old fairy who blesses her with it. I also loved Amy’s animal friends. For someone who even as a kid wasn’t that into animals, I really loved books where girls had animals that were their best friends. Plus, the book has a few illustrations per chapter, which won my heart when I was a kid (and, let’s face it, still does now).

What do I think about it now?
Basically, I still think it’s a perfect fairytale and that all the characters are wonderful. Amy’s just so gosh darn likeable. And every time I read it, I’m reminded how funny it is too. I’ve seriously read this book so many times (and yes, my original copy has the classy cover pictured above)—I mean, I don’t think I could even begin to count the numbers of times I’ve read it. My original copy has had the cover taped back on so many times and is still falling apart because it’s been read so much. I have a newer copy now, but I still like to keep my old one on my shelf for old time’s sake. And really, this is my favorite book to read out loud.

Have you read this book? What did you think? What was your favorite book as a kid?

Review: Cinder

2012-04-26T00:01:00.000-06:00

Cinder, by Marissa Meyer. The GoodReads summary:

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . .

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

After finishing this book, I was struck with an almost overwhelming desire to burst into applause. It was just that good! I don’t know why, but I was not expecting anything great from this book. I think it was the fact that Cinder was a cyborg that turned me off--sci-fi stuff like that just isn’t my thing. But luckily for me, my awesome sister sent me a copy, so I decided to read it despite the fact that I wasn’t planning on reading it before. Good choice on my part.

The thing I loved most about this book, and the thing that drew me in from the first page, was how, I don’t know . . . friendly? . . . this book felt. It felt so natural and easy, and basically reading it was like listening to a friend. The writing style was just so accessible and fresh. And funny--don’t forget funny. This book made me smile so many times.

Cinder is endlessly likeable. She’s funny and self-deprecating and down-to earth. And my heart just went out to her for the prejudice against her for being cyborg and for the crappy life she has--but Cinder never lets that get her down. She’s so awesome. My favorite secondary character goes, hands down, to Cinder’s android friend Iko--she’s just so spunky and hilarious. But oh my gosh, the villains in this book are so well written! There’s the step-mother and the Lunar queen, and both are just so devious and passive aggressive and horrible that they made me want to pull my hair in frustration--which is probably actually a sign of an effective villain.

In case you didn’t pick up on it before, this book is a retelling of Cinderella, and it’s such a good one too. It keeps important elements of the original story (the step-family, the prince, the ball, etc.) while introducing new and completely awesome things, like Cinder being a mechanic, all the futuristic stuff, and the political tensions between the people of earth and the moon.

Overall, I really liked Cinder. It’s the first in a series, so I have a while to wait before I get to find out what happens next. But apparently the next book, Scarlet, is going to be another fairytale retelling, featuring Little Red Riding Hood. I can’t wait!

Rating: 4 / 5 (honestly, if this book had managed to be a standalone, I probably would’ve given it a 5--I’m too prejudiced against series)

Review: Dreamhunter

2012-04-23T00:01:00.000-06:00

Dreamhunter, by Elizabeth Knox. The GoodReads summary:

Laura comes from a world similar to our own except for one difference: it is next to the Place, an unfathomable land that fosters dreams of every kind and is inaccessible to all but a
select few, the Dreamhunters. These are individuals with special gifts: the ability to catch larger-than-life dreams and relay them to audiences in the magnificent dream palace, the Rainbow Opera. People travel from all around to experience the benefits of the hunters’ unique visions.

Now fifteen-year-old Laura and her cousin Rose, daughters of Dreamhunters, are eligible to test themselves at the Place and find out whether they qualify for the passage. But nothing can prepare them for what they are about to discover. For within the Place lies a horrific secret kept hidden by corrupt members of the government. And when Laura’s father, the man who discovered the Place, disappears, she realizes that this secret has the power to destroy everyone she loves . . .

In the midst of a fascinating landscape, Laura’s dreamy childhood is ending and a nightmare beginning. This rich novel, filled with beauty, danger, politics, and intrigue, comes to a powerful crescendo, leaving readers clamoring for Book Two.

I’m not really sure what to say about this one. Mostly because even though I finished it yesterday, I still don’t know how I feel about it. So I’m just going to make a list of the things I liked and didn’t like, because I give up on trying to form coherent thoughts about it.

Liked:
-The idea of dreamhunters--seriously, I think it’s a really awesome idea: people who can catch dreams with differing effects and share them with others.
-The Place--again, a really awesome idea. It’s where dreamhunters go to catch dreams, only not everyone can physically go there--only dreamhunters and rangers can. It’s kinda like an alternative reality that only some people can enter, only it’s a physical location not a state of mind or anything. It’s dry and vast and no one has ever completely explored it.
-The Rainbow Opera--yet again, a cool idea. It’s where famous dreamhunters go to perform their dreams for an audience. And I really want to attend.
-Rose--even though the summary makes it seem like the book is all about Laura, I think Rose is much more of a memorable character. She’s funny and strong and brave and so much more likeable than Laura.
-Chorley--he’s Rose’s dad and Laura’s uncle, and like Rose, he really jumped off the page for me. He totally gets the awesome-dad award (also the hot-dad award, but that’s beside the point).
-The time period--the book’s set in 1906. How awesome is that? That time period practically never crops up in YA fiction.
-The storytelling style--the whole story was told in such a dreamy way, which I thought was perfect considering that the book’s about, you know, dreams.

Disliked
-Laura--that girl is such a doormat. I know the author did that intentionally for the sake of the story, but it annoys me nonetheless. Plus, pretty much everything she did grated on my nerves. I think it’s because I never really felt like I understood her or got in her head, so I had a hard time understanding her motivations.
-Sandy--okay, I didn’t necessarily dislike him, but he was a really flat character for me. Maybe he just comes off that way because he’s not in very many scenes, but for someone who I assume is supposed to be Laura’s love interest, he was a little lackluster.
-The setup--this book is book one of two and hence felt like it was mostly setup for the sequel. Things are pretty slow through most of the book and only really pick up at the end. Hopefully, this means that the second book will be a little faster paced.

Overall, there are just too many things that I liked to say that I disliked the book, but just enough things that I didn’t like to prevent me from really liking it. I’m still planning on reading the sequel, because this one intrigued me enough and the next one (Dreamquake) is a Printz Honor book, but my feelings are still pretty mixed about this one.

Rating: 3 / 5

Friday Favorites: Best Laid Schemes

2012-04-20T00:01:00.000-06:00

Which book?
Best Laid Schemes, by Emma Jensen

Genre?
Regency romance

Summary? (From GoodReads)
"Girls grow into ladies, dearest. It happens all the time."
"That is not a lady, madam. That is Sibyl Cameron."

So says Tarquin Rome, a rather stiff, superbly handsome earl who has been harassed by this irrepressible mishap-prone chit since boyhood. Why then would his mother invite Sibyl to his artfully planned house party?

Why, indeed. The lofty earl is hardly likely to notice that the beautiful Sibyl is no longer in pinafores and pigtails--especially since he has invited three Incomparables from which he will choose his bride. But when embarrassing and awkward moments transpire at his gathering, Tarquin can only blame Sibyl. Which hardly explains his increasing desire for her company--and her affection. . . .

When did I first read it?
Probably around age 14 or so

Why did I first read it?
I used to bug one of my older sisters all the time for books to read, and this was one of the ones she handed me.

What did I think about it then?
I’m pretty sure this was the first romance novel I’d ever read. It’s very PG and there’s nothing racy in it, but still, since I’d never read a book where the entire point was the characters’ romance, it was a new experience for me. Obviously, it was an experience I enjoyed because I borrowed the book from my sister all the time until I finally bought my own copy. Plus, the book is just so hilarious. It made me bust up laughing all the way through. And I really adored the characters—even the ones that aren’t supposed to be likeable still manage to be lovable.

What do I think about it now?
This book holds a place in my heart for introducing me to the genre, and I still enjoy a good romance novel every once in a while. I’m a sucker for a good love story, and this remains one of the books I turn to when I need a little vicarious romance.

Have you read any Regency romances? What did you think? What are your go-to romances?

Waiting on Wednesday: Unspoken

2012-04-18T00:01:00.000-06:00

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine where we spotlight books we can't wait for.

Unspoken, by Sarah Rees Brennan

11 Sept. 2012

GoodReads summary:
Kami Glass loves someone she’s never met . . . a boy she’s talked to in her head ever since she was born. She wasn’t silent about her imaginary friend during her childhood, and is thus a bit of an outsider in her sleepy English town of Sorry-in-the-Vale. Still, Kami hasn’t suffered too much from not fitting in. She has a best friend, runs the school newspaper, and is only occasionally caught talking to herself. Her life is in order, just the way she likes it, despite the voice in her head.

But all that changes when the Lynburns return.

The Lynburn family has owned the spectacular and sinister manor that overlooks Sorry-in-the-Vale for centuries. The mysterious twin sisters who abandoned their ancestral home a generation ago are back, along with their teenage sons, Jared and Ash, one of whom is eerily familiar to Kami. Kami is not one to shy away from the unknown—in fact, she’s determined to find answers for all the questions Sorry-in-the-Vale is suddenly posing. Who is responsible for the bloody deeds in the depths of the woods? What is her own mother hiding? And now that her imaginary friend has become a real boy, does she still love him? Does she hate him? Can she trust him?

While I think the summary sounds interesting and I know a lot of people love this author, I must admit that I want to read this book based solely on its cover. It's so ridiculously amazing.

Review: Angelfall

2012-04-17T00:01:00.000-06:00

Angelfall, by Susan Ee. The GoodReads summary:

It’s been six weeks since angels of the apocalypse descended to demolish the modern world. Street gangs rule the day while fear and superstition rule the night. When warrior angels fly away with a helpless little girl, her seventeen-year-old sister Penryn will do anything to get her back.

Anything, including making a deal with an enemy angel.

Raffe is a warrior who lies broken and wingless on the street. After eons of fighting his own battles, he finds himself being rescued from a desperate situation by a half-starved teenage girl.

Traveling through a dark and twisted Northern California, they have only each other to rely on for survival. Together, they journey toward the angels’ stronghold in San Francisco where she’ll risk everything to rescue her sister and he’ll put himself at the mercy of his greatest enemies for the chance to be made whole again.

Although this book hasn’t seemed to have gained really widespread readership, the reviews I have seen for it have been really positive, so I was pretty excited for the chance to read it (thanks, Lan!). I knew going in that it probably wasn’t going to be my usual kind of book, so I was ready for that and I think it helped me like the book more than I might have otherwise, knowing my preferences.

First off, this is still only my second angel book that I’ve read, so I don’t have much to compare it to, but I thought the whole mythos and angel world was fascinating and really well done. I also loved that it combined dystopian with an angel story. Those two things wouldn’t necessarily seem to go together, but in this book they totally do and I loved it.

Penryn kicks butt. That’s all there is to it, really. She’s Tough, with a capital T, but she’s also insanely loyal. Sometimes it was a little hard for me to relate to her, because she was always fighting and refusing to back down in situations in which I totally would’ve been running away as fast as possible. But her actions definitely made the book more exciting, so I guess I can’t fault her that. Raffe was drop-dead gorgeous, and I’m probably in love. He’s also witty, so the hot + hilarious combo had me swooning pretty much from the beginning.

There were only two things that kinda bothered me about the book. The first is the lack of information we get about the angels and what’s going on with them. I know, as the reader, I’m only supposed to get as much information as Penryn knows (which is not much), but being the kind of reader I am, it drove me crazy. I like to know the whole backstory before going in, and I definitely didn’t get that here. I realize that’s totally a personal-preference problem, but still—it bugged me. The second thing that I didn’t like as much was the last few chapters of the book (the part when Penryn is in the lab). That lab was just so freaky and weird, and since we don’t get any explanation about what is going on and why, it just felt even freakier and weirder, and I was pretty much left thinking, What the eff?!?

Overall, if you’re a fan of dystopian/post-apocalyptic or angel books, I think this one is for you. I’m not big on either of those categories, so I didn’t fall quite as in love with it as I might have otherwise. But I can totally see why it got so many good reviews, so if it seems like it’s your thing, give this book a shot!

Rating: 3.5 / 5

Review: The Fault in Our Stars

2012-04-16T00:01:00.000-06:00

The Fault in Our Stars, by John Green. The GoodReads summary:

Diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer at 12, Hazel was prepared to die until, at 14, a medical miracle shrunk the tumours in her lungs... for now.

Two years post-miracle, sixteen-year-old Hazel is post-everything else, too; post-high school, post-friends and post-normalcy. And even though she could live for a long time (whatever that means), Hazel lives tethered to an oxygen tank, the tumours tenuously kept at bay with a constant chemical assault.

Enter Augustus Waters. A match made at cancer kid support group, Augustus is gorgeous, in remission, and shockingly to her, interested in Hazel. Being with Augustus is both an unexpected destination and a long-needed journey, pushing Hazel to re-examine how sickness and health, life and death, will define her and the legacy that everyone leaves behind.

Okay, so don’t hate me for this review. Because while I found the book amusing and touching and whatever, I’m not joining the ranks of its raving fan club, nor did it make me get over my John Green prejudice like I hoped it would.

I think the number one thing I appreciated about this book was its humor. Hazel is a funny girl--realistic and self-deprecating, and just generally hilarious. And I think the humor was really important in this book to keep it from becoming a totally sappy cancer story. And it was well-written too. I’ll admit there were quite a few quotes that I underlined, and there were some really great observations about life in there.

I liked all the characters too. As I said, Hazel is great, and she takes what’s a really crappy situation and handles it with maturity and grace. Augustus is a lot of fun to read. He’s funny but pretty dang pretentious--but it’s an intentional pretentiousness that I can forgive him for. Hazel’s parents deserve a best-parents medal or something. They seriously were champs. It’s gotta suck majorly to have a daughter with cancer, but they deal with it and deal with it well.

So yes, there are plenty of things I admire about this book. But it never quite won me over. I guess I thought it was way too predictable and pretty cliché. Especially since it kept saying that Hazel and Augustus’s story was different than the cliché, but . . . it wasn’t really. I was hoping it would be so much more than it was, so I was let down by what it turned out to be. Which is kinda my own fault, but whatever. Plus, everyone kept talking about how it made them cry, but I really don’t know why--I didn’t find it that depressing or touching or whatever it was that made everyone tear up. Maybe I’m just heartless, I don’t know.

Overall, while I think there are some things that the book does really well, I thought it turned out to be too much of a cancer-story cliché. Plus, I’m not John Green’s biggest fan, so it had that working against it as well. I would still recommend it to people, though, because I think I’m just disappointed that I didn’t find it as awesome and moving as everyone else seemed to.

Rating: 3.5/5

Friday Favorites: The Sun Also Rises

2012-04-13T00:01:00.000-06:00

Which book?
The Sun Also Rises, by Ernest Hemingway

Genre?
Classic

Summary? (From GoodReads)
The Sun Also Rises was Ernest Hemingway's first big novel, and immediately established Hemingway as one of the great prose stylists, and one of the preeminent writers of his time. It is also the book that encapsulates the angst of the post-World War I generation, known as the Lost Generation. This poignantly beautiful story of a group of American and English expatriates in Paris on an excursion to Pamplona represents a dramatic step forward for Hemingway's evolving style. Featuring Left Bank Paris in the 1920s and brutally realistic descriptions of bullfighting in Spain, the story is about the flamboyant Lady Brett Ashley and the hapless Jake Barnes. In an age of moral bankrupcy, spiritual dissolution, unrealized love, and vanishing illustions, this is the Lost Generation.

When did I first read it?
The summer after my freshman year of college

Why did I first read it?
I was working my way through the classics section of my local library and eventually made my way to this one.

What did I think about it then?
Hemingway’s writing style blew me away. He seriously ruined me for all other writers for, like, two years afterward. It’s so stark and beautiful and effective. Gah! I love it! I’d never read author with a style like that, so it was a revelation. Plus, I loved Jake, and I envied Lady Brett’s effortless awesomeness so much. I wasn’t necessarily a huge fan of the bull fighting, but I could overlook it. Basically, this book got me reading all of Hemingway’s other books, and then branching out to every other 1920s writer I could find.

What do I think about it now?
I’m still so in awe of Hemingway’s style. Even after all the books I’ve read, I’ve found very few whose style speaks to me like Hemingway’s. Which I don’t know why, because Hemingway’s so much of a man’s man, and I’m not typically big on that. Also, his books are all a little bit of a downer, which I also don’t usually go for, but in Hemingway’s case, I totally do. Anyway, I’m still a little in love with Jake, although that was ruined a bit when I helped my brother write an essay on the book and I realized that Jake’s kind of pathetic and really passive. But I still hold some lingering love in my heart for him. And due to Hemingway, the 1920s is still my favorite era of classic literature.

Have you read The Sun Also Rises or any other Hemingway book? What did you think?

Review: Silksinger

2012-04-12T06:44:00.000-06:00

Silksinger (Dreamdark #2), by Laini Taylor. The GoodReads summary:

Whisper Silksinger is the last of the secret guardians of the Azazel, one of the powerful Djinn who dreamed the world into being. Relentlessly pursued by bloodthirsty devils, she flees to the city of Nazneen to restore the Azazel to his temple. At the same time, Hirik Mothmage is also on a secret quest, to find the Azazel and restore his disgraced clan’s ancient honor.

And behind them all flies Magpie Windwitch, first champion of the new age of faeries, desperate to rescue Whisper and the Azazel alike before they fall in the clutches of a sinister hidden enemy.

I was looking forward to this sequel, honestly. The first book, Blackbringer, was so surprisingly intriguing and good that I really wanted to read this one. And that’s saying something because I’m not usually into middle-grade fairy novels. I think it’s just Laini Taylor’s writing skills that pull me through--she writes so deftly and her plots are pretty dang good for a kids book.

This book has Magpie and Talon and the crows, like in the first one, but it also introduces Whisper and Kirik as new characters. While Kirik fits right in with the rest of Laini Taylors butt-kicking fairies, Whisper is different. She doesn’t quite jump off the page at you like the others do. I think it’s because she’s a shier, more naïve character and an artist not a warrior. But she does have courage--it’s just a quieter more subtle kind.

The villain in this one I thought was way creepier than the one in Blackbringer. In Blackbringer, the villain is so obviously and blatantly evil, but the bad guy in Silksinger is more devious and two-faced, which makes him worse, in my opinion. And guess what? Batch Hangnail, the lying, cheating scavenger imp is back in this book! I think he may be becoming my favorite character--he just has so much personality. Also he’s hilarious.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed Silksinger. It’s a solid book with enough adventure and humor to go around. And the fantasy world that Laini Taylor has built never fails to intrigue me. I really hope she finishes the series so I can find out what happens. There’s absolutely nothing objectionable in this one, so I feel pretty confident in recommending it to anyone who can handle a fairy book.

Rating: 3.5

Waiting on Wednesday: Rebel Heart

2012-04-11T00:01:00.000-06:00

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine where we spotlight books we can't wait for.

Rebel Heart (Dustlands #2), by Moira Young

30 October 2012

The GoodReads summary:
The Tonton have been defeated. Lugh has been rescued.
The heartstone has brought Saba and Jack together.
Now, Saba and her family head west to meet him and start a new life. All should be well.
But shadows of the dead are stalking Saba.
And another kind of shadow is creeping over the dustlands.
Then a messenger shows up.
With news of Jack.

I was really surprised by how good the first book (Blood Red Road) was, so I'm looking forward to this next one. I kinda wish it were going to follow a different set of characters than Saba and Jack, not because I don't love them, but just because that's me and my personal preferences speaking. Also, P.S., the title sounds like a romance novel (doesn't it though? Rebel Heart? I think it sounds like there should be heaving bosoms on the cover).

Review: Red Glove

2012-04-09T00:01:00.000-06:00

Red Glove (Curseworkers #2), by Holly Black. The GoodReads summary:

Curses and cons. Magic and the mob. In Cassel Sharpe's world, they go together. Cassel always thought he was an ordinary guy, until he realized his memories were being manipulated by his brothers. Now he knows the truth—he’s the most powerful curse worker around. A touch of his hand can transform anything—or anyone—into something else.

That was how Lila, the girl he loved, became a white cat. Cassel was tricked into thinking he killed her, when actually he tried to save her. Now that she's human again, he should be overjoyed. Trouble is, Lila's been cursed to love him, a little gift from his emotion worker mom. And if Lila's love is as phony as Cassel's made-up memories, then he can't believe anything she says or does.

When Cassel's oldest brother is murdered, the Feds recruit Cassel to help make sense of the only clue—crime-scene images of a woman in red gloves. But the mob is after Cassel too—they know how valuable he could be to them. Cassel is going to have to stay one step ahead of both sides just to survive. But where can he turn when he can't trust anyone—least of all, himself?

Love is a curse and the con is the only answer in a game too dangerous to lose.

I think it’s safe to say that most people who read this blog regularly know that I’m not usually into sequels or series. Even if I love the first book, I won’t always pick up the second. But I saw this one at the library and thought, What the hey--I might as well give it a shot since I liked the first book (White Cat) well enough. And you know what? I liked this book well enough, too.

I don’t know what sets this series apart for me, but always ends up hitting the spot for me. The whole mob/con men aspect is fascinating and gives the book a really awesome tone. The back of the book calls it a “noir thriller” and a “dark fantasy,” and I think those descriptions capture the book perfectly. And the magic aspect is deftly worked into the story and such a unique take on the supernatural. This is no fluffy fairy magic--this is serious magic with serious consequences.

I think the major thing that allows me to keep reading the series is that the romance isn’t at all a sure thing. This is no insta-love, and romance isn’t even the main point of the story. It takes a backseat to the mystery/mob storyline, and I appreciate that. I hate it when the romance is resolved by the end of the first book--it means there’ll be zero tension in the next books, and I can’t stand that. But by the end of this second book, I don’t even know if--let alone how--the romance will work out.

Overall, I think this was a great second book. A LOT of second books fall flat for me, but this one could hold its own against the first. And it was good enough that I’ll be picking up third book, Black Heart.

Rating: 3.5 / 5

Friday Favorites: Graceling

2012-04-06T00:01:00.000-06:00

Which book?
Graceling, by Kristin Cashore

Genre?
YA fantasy

Summary? (From GoodReads)
Katsa has been able to kill a man with her bare hands since she was eight—she’s a Graceling, one of the rare people in her land born with an extreme skill. As niece of the king, she should be able to live a life of privilege, but Graced as she is with killing, she is forced to work as the king’s thug.

When she first meets Prince Po, Graced with combat skills, Katsa has no hint of how her life is about to change. She never expects to become Po’s friend. She never expects to learn a new truth about her own Grace—or about a terrible secret that lies hidden far away... a secret that could destroy all seven kingdoms with words alone.

When did I first read it?
Two years ago

Why did I first read it?
Umm…I don’t remember for sure. But I’m pretty sure I read a favorable review on someone’s blog that totally sold me.

What did I think about it then?
I really loved how independent the main character, Katsa, is (I'm a total sucker for independent female leads). She can handle everything that life hands her and doesn't really need anyone's help. I especially loved how even though she falls in love, Katsa retains her sense of self and her independence. I really liked Po, as well--I think he's a good match for Katsa. He complements her without taking away from the strength of her character.

What do I think about it now?
I feel like recently a lot of people have been telling me how much they DON’T like Graceling, but I just don’t understand it. It has adventure and romance and fantasy and a kick-A heroine, with great writing to boot. I’m not sure what’s not to like about it. I’ll admit I’ve never been a super big fan of Katsa and Po’s relationship status at the end, but I do think it fits with Katsa’s character, so I like that she doesn’t become totally mushy and lame just because she’s in love.

Have you read Graceling? What did you think?

Review: How Green Was My Valley

2012-04-05T00:01:00.000-06:00

"How Green Was My Valley," by Richard Llewellyn. The summary:

"How Green Was My Valley" is Richard Llewellyn's bestselling--and timeless--classic and the basis of a beloved film. As Huw Morgan is about to leave home forever, he reminisces about the golden days of his youth when South Wales still prospered, when coal dust had not yet blackened the valley. Drawn simply and lovingly, with a crisp Welsh humor, Llewellyn's characters fight, love, laugh and cry, creating an indelible portrait of a people.

This is one of those books I've heard of all my life but never read. Mostly because I had no idea what it was about and because I was afraid that since it was a classic, it would be horribly depressing. But I decided to pick it up last time I was at the library. And I'm glad I did.

When I read the summary before I started the book, I was like, "Well, that's vague. It doesn't tell me anything about the book." But since finishing it, I can attest that's actually a fairly accurate summary. The book's a collection of Huw's memories from his youth, tied together by the backdrop of the rise of a coal miners' union in his town.

There's so much I want to talk about with this book, but I'll limit myself to two things. First, I LOVE the strength of Llewellyn's female characters, especially Huw's mother, Beth, and his sister-in-law Bronwen. As Huw tells story after story about growing up, the underlying current to almost all of them is the quiet power women have to hold the family together and to take the lot that's given them and make it something good. The scene where Huw's mother crashes a union meeting to take all those men to task for threatening her husband behind his back gave me shivers. And Bronwen--I love Bronwen. She provides Huw with constant love and support but takes him to task when he unintentionally, or intentionally, does or says things that he shouldn't. Like Huw says, "So Bronwen showed me more of the strength of woman, which is stronger than fists and muscles and male shoutings."

The second thing is the sheer beauty of the language of the book. It's full of Welsh rhythms and speech patterns, and wit as well as serious observations. I can't do it justice by describing it, so I'll give you my favorite part of the book, when Huw's sister gets her head stuck in the window:

Angharad put her head in the window and Davy pretended to punch, and she shouted because her head was fast in the small space and her hair falling about her, making it worse.

"Mr. Gruffydd is in the house," she shouted, and the boys trying to pull her head out. "Will you crack my skull, David Morgan?"

"Too hard," Davy said. "Only a girl would put her old head in such a little place. Is there a door or are you blind?"

"I was looking through the window, fool," Angharad said. "Would I see anything through a door?"

"Your nose will have you in the toils, young woman," my father said. "Break the window and take it from her pin money."

"O, Dada," Angharad said, trying to look through her hair, and trying hard to cry, but laughing instead, "there is nasty you are to me. These old boys can do what they like but we shall have nothing only hard words and take it from her pin money. Huw has had more punches than I have had for six weeks. I wish I had been born an old boy. I would have punches all day, indeed."

"Leave her there," my father said, "and let her think over what she has said."

So poor Angharad was left with her head in the window, trying to cry, but laughing instead, and Davy pinched her bottom as he passed, but he got such a kick that he was limping all night with him.

See? The language is just so amazing.

And one last thing I'll mention to recommend the book: it wasn't nearly as depressing as I thought it was going to be . . .

Rating: 4 / 5