Book review: Struck by Jennifer Bosworth

Struck by Jennifer Bosworth (Published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux, May 8, 2012)

In Struck by Jennifer Bosworth, Mia Price, the main character, lives in a near-future Los Angeles devastated by a catastrophic earthquake. Mia has a rather unique, special power - she can survive lightning strikes, and has become addicted to the power of being struck by lightning. She has scars all over her body from being hit by lightning so many times. In the aftermath of the earthquake, she has to deal with a lot. Her mother is unable to cope, so it's up to Mia to keep her family alive. There are also two cults that have rose to power after the disaster, and both have taken an interest in Mia and her power.

Overall, Struck was a good debut novel, but I didn't love it. I liked that that the premise was different from most young adult dystopian novels. I've been put off lately by a lot of young adult novels due to how similar some are to others, so it was nice to read a story with a very unique premise. There are a lot of religious themes, which I didn't mind, but I know religion in books is a touchy subject for some people. While I did like the story and premise, I didn't think the romance, between Mia and her love interest Jeremy, was very believable. It just seemed to happen way too fast rather than developing over the course of the book. Instant-love is a plot device I've become really tired of lately in young adult books.

Despite these flaws, I would still try future books by Jennifer Bosworth. For a first-time author, I think she came up with a really good story/premise and I'd love to see what she does with a bit more writing experience under her belt. If you are looking to read a young adult dystopian novel with a unique premise I'd give this one a try, unless you really hate religious themes.

Disclosure: Review copy provided by publisher.

Book review: Tomorrow Girls: Set Me Free by Eva Gray

Tomorrow Girls: Set Me Free by Eva Gray (Published by Scholastic, November 1, 2011)

Set Me Free is the fourth and final book in the Tomorrow Girls series, and begins right where book three, With the Enemy, ended. This series is about four young girls, Louisa, Evelyn, Maddie, and Rosie, who were sent to a boarding school to keep them safe during a war between the United States and the Alliance, which happened after natural disasters destroyed part of the United States. However the girls soon learned that the school was secretly run by the Alliance and successfully escaped, joining up with three boys from the nearby boys' school. After traveling many miles and enduring many difficulties, including rescuing Maddie after she was kidnapped by Alliance agents and taken away to be brainwashed, the kids have finally made it back to their home city of Chicago.

Each book has been narrated by a different girl, and so for the last book, the narrator is Maddie. Maddie is probably the character who changed the most from the start of the series. At the beginning, she was rather timid and not as strong as the other girls. However, she has become stronger and braver, especially after learning that her absent mother, who she thought had a support job in the army, is actually the leader of the Resistance, which is the military organization that fights to defeat the Alliance. Now, Maddie and her friends must find her mother and the Resistance to give them an important encoded message, but finding them in war-torn Chicago won't be easy.

Set Me Free is, overall, a pretty good conclusion to the Tomorrow Girls series, it doesn't end with a cliffhanger and the storylines for all the main characters are resolved. I was disappointed by a couple of things, however - we never find out what happened to some of the minor characters, nor is the exact reason for the war ever explained, in fact it's never explained what exactly the Alliance is or where they came from. This series is a good choice for introducing younger readers to the dystopian genre, and for older readers looking for a quick read. I just wish there had been a bit more background information, because I'm still left wondering why there was even a war in the first place.

Book review: Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi (Published by HarperTeen, November 15, 2011)

Seventeen-year-old Juliette has been locked away because of a dangerous power she cannot control. When she touches people, she can hurt or even kill them. It seems like forever since she saw or spoke to another person. Meanwhile, the world outside falls apart even more from diseases, food shortages, and environmental changes. An organization called The Reestablishment has taken over with the promise to fix the world, but in reality they only want power.

After what feels like a lifetime alone, Juliette is finally given a companion, Adam. She and Adam were in school together and she always liked him, but hasn't seen him in a long time. Soon, their childhood friendship begins to turn into love. But The Reestablishment has decided it has plans for Juliette, plans that horrify and disgust her. Can Juliette find the strength to finally take control of her own life and fight back?

Shatter Me is a book that is very different from most young adult dystoptian novels, mainly due to the writing, which is really lovely and unique though it ocassionally goes a bit over the top with metaphors. The dystopian setting was a bit generic, but I don't think it took away from the story because it was there to be a background to Juliette's personal conflict. And I just *loved* the romance! I really liked how rather than there just being random love at first sight, Juliette and Adam had known each other as children and had just reunited as young adults. A lot of young adult paranormal romances annoy me because the guy acts like a jerk and the girl loves him anyway, so I really liked that Adam was so sweet, caring, and protective towards Juliette. This book is the first of a trilogy, but thankfully doesn't end with a cliffhanger. I highly recommend this book and I can't wait to read book two.

Disclosure: Review copy provided by publisher.

Book review: Tomorrow Girls: With the Enemy by Eva Gray

Tomorrow Girls: With the Enemy by Eva Gray (Published by Scholastic, September 1, 2011)

With the Enemy is book three in the Tomorrow Girls series, and begins right where book two, Run for Cover, ended. This series is about four young girls, Louisa, Evelyn, Maddie, and Rosie, who were sent to a boarding school to keep them safe during a war between the United States and the Alliance, which happened after natural disasters destroyed part of the United States. However the girls soon learned that the school was secretly run by the Alliance and successfully escaped, joining up with three boys from the nearby boys' school. However, just when they were almost home, Maddie was kidnapped, and the other kids think she was taken by agents of the Alliance.

Each book is narrated by a different girl, and this time the narrator is Evelyn, who has always loved conspiracy theories and was suspicious of their school from the start. So now that Maddie has been kidnapped, Evelyn must take the lead in searching for her. When she learns Maddie is being held in an Alliance facility, the kids must come up with a plan to free up.

The books in this series are fun, quick reads that are a good choice for younger readers not yet ready to read young adult dystopian novels. There is less background information than in books for older readers - I'm still a bit frustrated that there are no explanations for what caused the war and who the Alliance is. But I have enjoyed reading about the chararacters and am looking forward to reading the final book in the series, Set Me Free, which will be published in November 2011.

Book review: Tomorrow Girls: Run for Cover by Eva Gray

Tomorrow Girls: Run for Cover by Eva Gray (Published by Scholastic, July 1, 2011)

Rosie, Evelyn, Louisa, and Maddie are four young teenage girls who were sent to a remote boarding school to keep them safe from the war. But the girls discovered a terrible secret - their boarding school was run by the enemy, the Alliance, who tricked parents into sending their children there to be used as hostages - and decided to escape.

This book picks up right where book one, Behind the Gates, left off, as the girls decide to try and find their way to Chicago to reunite with their parents and expose the truth about the school. Shortly after, they run into three boys from the nearby boys' boarding school, who are away from the school on a camping trip and who decide to join them after learning the truth about their schools. This time the narrator is Rosie, who has a secret - she knows all about being on the run, because her wealthy parents arranged for their illegal immigration to the United States after their home in Mexico was destroyed. She takes on the job of leading the group, but can she bring them to safety, especially when they find themselves trapped in Alliance-occupied Canada?

While I enjoyed the continuing story of the four girls, and will definitely read the final two books to find out how the story concludes, I had the same problem with this book as I did with book one. There's no information at all about who the Alliance is and what caused the war, just that it happened after life had already changed in the United States due to climate change and natural disasters. I'm still hoping the other books in the series will have an explanation, despite this being a middle grade book I think there should be something more than just "There's a war with bad people on the other side." I think this series would still be a good choice for younger readers who are interested in the popular dystopian genre but not ready for young adult books, and even for older readers who want a quick read. I just wish the background of the story had been a bit more detailed.

In My Mailbox - 4/30/11

Credit goes to The Story Siren for creating and hosting the In My Mailbox feature.

Here are the new books I got this week. I was really excited to receive these books as all were books I really wanted to read.

For review:

Fateful by Claudia Gray

In Fateful, eighteen-year-old maid Tess Davies is determined to escape the wealthy, overbearing family she works for. Once the ship they’re sailing on reaches the United States, she’ll strike out on her own. Then she meets Alec, a handsome first-class passenger who captivates her instantly. But Alec has secrets....
Soon Tess will learn just how dark Alec’s past truly is. The danger they face is no ordinary enemy: werewolves are real and they’re stalking him—and now Tess, too. Her growing love for Alec will put Tess in mortal peril, and fate will do the same before their journey on the Titanic is over.
Featuring the opulent backdrop of the Titanic, Fateful’s publication is poised to coincide with the 100-year anniversary of the ship’s doomed maiden voyage. It is sure to be a hit among Titanic buffs and fans of paranormal romance alike. (I already finished reading this, and I loved it!)


The Princess Curse by Merrie Haskell

Twelve princesses suffer from a puzzling—and downright silly—curse. Ridiculous though the curse may be, whoever breaks it will win a handsome reward.
Sharp-witted Reveka, an herbalist’s apprentice, has little use for princesses, with their snooty attitudes and impractical clothing. She does, however, have use for the reward money that could buy her a position as a master herbalist.
But curses don’t like to be broken, and Reveka’s efforts lead her to deeper mysteries. As she struggles to understand the curse, she meets a shadowy stranger (as charming as he is unsettling) and discovers a blighted land in desperate need of healing. Soon the irreverent apprentice is faced with a daunting choice—will she break the curse at the peril of her own soul? (I'm reading this now, and really enjoying it so far)


The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson

Once a century, one person is chosen for greatness.
Elisa is the chosen one.
But she is also the younger of two princesses, the one who has never done anything remarkable. She can’t see how she ever will.
Now, on her sixteenth birthday, she has become the secret wife of a handsome and worldly king—a king whose country is in turmoil. A king who needs the chosen one, not a failure of a princess.
And he’s not the only one who seeks her. Savage enemies seething with dark magic are hunting her. A daring, determined revolutionary thinks she could be his people’s savior. And he looks at her in a way that no man has ever looked at her before. Soon it is not just her life, but her very heart that is at stake.
Elisa could be everything to those who need her most. If the prophecy is fulfilled. If she finds the power deep within herself. If she doesn’t die young.
Most of the chosen do.

Book review: Tomorrow Girls: Behind the Gates by Eva Gray

Tomorrow Girls: Behind the Gates by Eva Gray (Published by Scholastic, May 1, 2011)

In the near future, life in the United States has changed as a result of a series of natural disasters as well as a war that has gone on for as long as thirteen-year-old Louisa can remember. Many wealthy parents are sending their children to boarding schools in the wilderness in hopes of keeping them safe. Louisa's parents are wealthy doctors, and they have arranged for her to attend a boarding school named Country Manner School with her best friend, Maddie, by giving Maddie a new identity as Louisa's twin sister.

At CMS, Louisa and Maddie are roommates with two other girls, Rosie and Evelyn. Louisa and Rosie both love being at CMS, enjoying the fresh air and survival skills classes after growing up in a polluted city. But Maddie is unhappy. She misses her real family and hates the rules of the school. Evelyn doesn't like CMS, but for a different reason. She is suspicious about CMS and doesn't believe the adults there who tell them all the rules are for their own safety.

I think younger readers interested in the dystopian genre but not quite ready for older young adult books will enjoy this book. However, I think that the background of the story was underdeveloped. There's pretty much nothing in the book at all about what is going on out there besides the fact that there were some really bad natural disasters and now the United States is involved in a war against "the Alliance," but there's never any explanation of what exactly the Alliance is, or why there is a war. There are going to be three more books in the series so hopefully there will be some answers in the other books.

Book review: Across the Universe by Beth Revis

Across the Universe by Beth Revis (Published by Razorbill, January 11, 2011)

Seventeen-year-old Amy gives up her life on Earth to join her parents, who are being cryogenically frozen to travel on a spaceship called Godspeed as part of a mission to colonize a new planet. The journey will take 300 years. But then, fifty years before the ship was due to land, Amy is woken up early - and it does not appear to be a computer malfunction. Rather, it seems she is the victim of an attempted murder. And since Amy cannot be refrozen without risking her life, she must spend the next fifty years on the ship, without her parents, who cannot be woken up to join her because they are essential to the mission of colonizing the new planet. To make matters worse, it seems that she was not the only victim, and now other frozen people are dying, too. Amy is terrified that her parents will be next.

Life on board the Godspeed is very different from the life Amy left behind on Earth, and it is a struggle for her to adapt. Almost everyone on the ship behaves completely abnormally. The only people who act human at all are the “mental” patients at the hospital. The ship is ruled over by Eldest, a tyrant who hates anything that could disrupt the order and conformity on the ship. There is also Elder, the teenager he is training to be the future leader of the ship. Although he will be the next leader, Elder often feels Eldest is hiding many things from him. And from the start he is fascinated by Amy, and very attracted to her, and doesn’t believe she is bad like Eldest does. Together Amy and Elder, as they grow closer to each other, must solve the mystery of who wants to kill the frozen people and discover the terrible hidden secrets of Godspeed.

This book is told from the alternating points of view of Elder and Amy, which I think worked really well for the story. Amy is a pretty typical teenager from Earth. Elder, meanwhile, was born and raised on the ship and it isn’t until he meets Amy that he begins to question many things about his world and whether things there are really as “normal” as he always believed. There’s a little bit of romance but it doesn’t overwhelm the plot, which was a nice change, it’s mostly a science fiction/mystery story set aboard a very dystopian spaceship, with lots of twists and turns in the plot that I didn't see coming. The story is truly very different from anything I’ve read recently from the young adult fiction genre, so if you like dystopian fiction and are looking to read something different, I would highly recommend this book.

Book review: Academy 7 by Anne Osterlund

Academy 7 by Anne Osterlund (Published by Penguin Books, May 14, 2009)

Aerin Renning and Dane Madousin are both seventeen-year-old freshmen at the universe’s most exclusive school, Academy 7. But aside from that, they couldn’t be more different. Aerin has had a very hard life. She has never known her mother, and her father died when she was just eleven, after which Aerin was captured and forced into slavery for six long years, until she finally was able to escape. Dane Madousin was born to privilege, the son of an esteemed general. But the only thing he really wanted was his father’s love, which no matter how hard he tried, he never seemed to be able to earn.

When Dane, in an attempt to rebel against his father, plays a prank at school, he gets Aerin in trouble as well. Resenting him for his easy life and for causing her to be punished as well, at first she resolves that she will have nothing to do with him. But against her better judgment, they become close friends, and she shares the secrets of her past with him. And soon Aerin and Dane begin to suspect that an even bigger secret is being hidden at the school.

Academy 7 is one of my favorite teen fiction reads so far this year. Aerin and Dane, although they live in a futuristic world, are easy to relate to and have many of the same problems teens today face - Aerin struggles to blend in at school as she struggles emotionally with her past, while Dane longs for acceptance from his father and acts out rebelliously as a result of never gaining it. Throughout the novel they grow both as individuals and in their growing relationship with each other. I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy teen fiction. It honestly has something in it for everyone - science fiction, fantasy, adventure, and a story of friendship and romance.

Book review: The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan (published by Delacorte Press, March 2009)

Mary is a teenage girl growing up in a bleak future where the world has been overrun by flesh-eating zombies called the Unconsecrated. She lives in a fenced village that is controlled by the Sisterhood, an order of women charged with protecting the survival of the village and it’s people. The forest that surrounds the village is infested by zombies and never to be ventured into. But Mary longs to leave and see the ocean that her mother told her about. And she longs for a different life than that chosen for her by the Sisterhood, who have arranged for her to marry Harry, when it is Harry’s brother Travis that she loves.

When an outsider arrives in the village, the truths of Mary’s world begin to crumble. But the arrival of this outsider unexplainably leads to tragedy and the overrunning of the village. Mary and a few others are the only survivors and they must leave the village and find a way to survive outside, not knowing whether or not they are the last people alive on earth.

The Forest of Hands and Teeth is a wonderful debate novel by the talented new writer Carrie Ryan. Although the story is grim, there are bits of hope in it too, as we see the strength of humanity to survive no matter what. I highly recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys a good young adult novel - it’s definitely not just for science fiction fans. I look forward to reading more by this promising new author.