The Iron Thorn by Caitlin Kittredge

#1 in the Iron Codex series
Published February 22, 2011 by Delacorte Books
4 Stars


Goodreads Review
In the city of Lovecraft, the Proctors rule and a great Engine turns below the streets, grinding any resistance to their order to dust. The necrovirus is blamed for Lovecraft's epidemic of madness, for the strange and eldritch creatures that roam the streets after dark, and for everything that the city leaders deem Heretical—born of the belief in magic and witchcraft. And for Aoife Grayson, her time is growing shorter by the day.
Aoife Grayson's family is unique, in the worst way—every one of them, including her mother and her elder brother Conrad, has gone mad on their 16th birthday. And now, a ward of the state, and one of the only female students at the School of Engines, she is trying to pretend that her fate can be different.

Review:  The Iron Thorn was my first jump into a real Steampunk novel, and I loved the world it created.  I honestly wish it was a movie because I wanted to see Lovecraft and how the city worked as well as the fashions of the people living in it.  This is definitely the strongest part of the book for me.  The fantastic world building which includes one of my favorite settings, mansions with hidden passages and rooms!  It's totally awesome.

I also really enjoyed the characters.  First off, Aoife (pronounced EE-fa) is a fantastic name for a fantastic character. Lets just hold up for a minute and recognize that this girl is an ENGINEER!  HOLLA!  Being an engineer myself, it was absolutely awesome to read a character like me!  We aren't just told that Aoife is smart, we see her intelligence when she creates solutions to problems like a lady Macgyver.  There's a lot of sexism in Lovecraft's society, and I like how Aoife starts to stand up for herself and is all "You know what?  Women can be smart AND hot and STILL save the day!"  I also loved the swoon worthy Dean.  Like for serious, he is a fantastic hottie bad boy.  Their romance developed at a good pace and, yes I'll say it, smoldered all over the place. 

Now onto what disappointed me a bit.  If you took out the fantastic steampunk elements, I would have to say this story is not very imaginative.  It's got a very generic adventure story plot.  Girl and friend and hot boy go off to save something, run into problems, discover a much greater problem, go on mission to solve it, almost get thwarted by bad guy, beat the bad guy at the last minute, but then something totally unexpected happens and cliffhanger ending.  I really enjoyed the story up until the fey were introduced.  I just don't see why they had to be in the story.  I would have been down for the "weird" magic, but I didn't want it to go that far into fairytale, I wanted it to stay more science fiction.  I also didn't really like what happened to Cal, it felt too convenient of a twist that was too forced.

Overall The Iron Thorn is a great introduction to the steampunk genre, but still has a bit of magical fun for people who like a little fantasy.  While the story can be paced a little slow and some of the magic lore a bit confusing, I would recommend this book to anyone who likes alternative histories with beautiful imagery. 

April 2012 New Reads

Here are some of the YA books and debuts set for April of 2012.  This isn't a complete list, just some of the ones I'm interested in.  I hope you enjoy!

April 1

  The List by Siobhan Vivian

Why I'm Excited:  This concept sounds sooo cool!  I love the idea of multiple perspectives and I can't wait to read everyone's story and see how they're connected.  The List is highly anticipated!

Above by Leah Bobet (DAC)


Why I'm Excited:  I have to admit, the first things that drew me to Above was the cover.  But the story also sounds like a really cool mystery.  It looks like Above will have equal parts action and romance which is awesome in my book.







April 3

 Black Heart by Holly Black
#3 in the Curse Workers Series

Why I'm Excited:  I've heard lots of great things about this series and the dark nature of Holly Black's writing in general.  I really love the new covers too, so I'll have to read this series soon.

Fear by Michael Grant
#5 in the Gone series

Why I'm Excited:  I've hear so much about this series, I need to start it soon!  I can't believe it's on the 5th book and I haven't even read the first one.

Pure by Jennifer L. Armentrout
#2 in the Covenant series

Why I'm Excited:  I've heard a lot of really good things about this series.  It sounds complex and action packed, with a little romance thrown in there two.  I own the first book on my kindle, so I know I'll be reading this one soon.

Grave Mercy by R.L. LaFevers (DAC)
#1 in the His Fair Assassin series


Why I'm Excited:  Destined to become an assassin by death himself?  sweet.








April 8

 Ripper by Amy Carol Reeves (DAC)

Why I'm Excited:  I love stories about Jack the Ripper, and this one sounds like a total winner.  I hope it's as gruesome as my imagination. :)







April 10

 The Book of Blood and Shadow by Robin Wasserman

Why I'm Excited:  This sounds like Dan Brown for teens.  Murder, secret societies, and communicating with God?  Awesome!  I'm really hoping it takes a religious twist, I love stories that question popular opinions.

The Calling by Kelly Armstrong
#2 in the Darkness Rising series

Why I'm Excited:  I've heard a lot of praise for Kelly Armstrong, and I've been in the market for a good werewolf story.  I think this series might fit the bill.

The Last Echo by Kimberly Derting
#3 in The Body Finder series

Why I'm Excited:  I've been wanting to read this series for a long time, largely due to the cover I will admit, but also to the intriguing story.  Now with the final book coming out, I think I'll have to start this one.

The Wicked and the Just by J. Anderson Coats (DAC)

Why I'm Excited:  This is a historical book that has an interesting prince and pauper feel to it.  I really enjoy class war stories, so I'm excited to see where this one goes!

The Springsweet by Saundra Mitchell
#2 in The Vespertine series

Why I'm Excited:  The Vespertine sounded like a very cool book, and the second book in the series is no exception.  These books seem like they'll be interesting takes on paranormal books, ones that don't get too caught up in the mystery of supernatural powers.

Gone, Gone, Gone by Hannah Moskowitz

Why I'm Excited:  I've never read anything by Hannah Moskowitz, but I really enjoy her youtube videos with the YARebels.  I am very interested in reading some of her work, and I like the post 9/11 premise of GGG.













April 24

Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin

Why I'm Excited:  Um, is there a reason not to be excited?  I love Edgar Allan Poe, and I'll basically read anything that has to do with him.  I have a particular fondness for Masque of the Read Death.  I blame The Phantom of the Opera.

Social Suicide by Gemma Halliday
#2 in the Deadly Cool series

Why I'm Excited:  I only want to read this book because of the cover.  I LOVE this series's covers, they are so pretty!  Ok well, maybe the murder mysteries centered around social media is a factor too.

The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa
#1 in the Blood of Eden series

Why I'm Excited:  I LOVED the Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa, so of course I'm excited for her vampire series!  It sounds so cool and creepy, and I know I can expect lots of action and some really fun characters.

Purity by Jackson Pearce

Why I'm Excited:  I read Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce and the entire time I thought, she would be an excellent contemporary writer.  Well now my wish has been granted.  I'm really excited for this book and I can't wait to see what direction Pearce takes this story.

Breaking Beautiful by Jennifer Shaw Wolf (DAC)

Why I'm Excited:  I really enjoy amnesia stories, and I think revealing an abusive relationship and how it affects someone who cannot remember it will be really interesting.  Plus I think the cover is pretty clever.

The Selection by Kiera Cass (DAC)
#1 in The Selection series

Why I'm Excited:  I have a morbid curosity with this one.  There was a lot of drama surrounding reviews for this book and some negative attention, but I like the cover and the bachelor meets survivor premise, so I think I'll give it a go and decide for myself.

Thumped by Megan McCafferty
#2 in the Bumped series

Why I'm Excited:  I won this from goodreads!!!!  This is the first time I've won a giveaway and I am so pumped!  I own Bumped on my kindle, so I'll have to read that first then check out Thumped.  Thanks goodreads!

The Hunger Games Movie Review

 

Released March 23, 2012

Rated PG-13

Directed by Gary Ross

Starring Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Woody Harrelson

So this weekend I, and the rest of America, when and saw The Hunger Games.  I went into it like OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG! but I came out with mixed feelings.  I thought the movie was an very good interpretation of the book, but there were some aspects that didn't quite live up to my expectations.

Ok let's go over what I LOVED first, namely the costuming.  Yes the capitol was everything I wanted it to be (like Marie Antoinette had a baby with Lady Gaga), but I specifically wanted to give a shout out to the reaping scene in District 12.  I freaking loved the 1930s depression era style.  It was all just so West Virginia coal mining town a la October Sky.  The muted color palette made Effie really stand out and showed just how different the lives of the people in District 12 were from those in the Capitol.  My only complaint about the costumes is I wish I could have seen more of the other district's chariot costumes!  They were all awesome and the fish ones were hilarious, I just wish I could have seen more.

Another aspect that I loved was the acting in general, but Jennifer Lawrence in particular.  She was just fantastic.  I think she hit all of the right notes and really brought a lot to her character.  In particular I just loved her "dumb bitch be lighting a fire!" face.  That made me lol for real.  Other actors that I thought did a great job were Willow Shields as Prim (when she screams no at the reaping it just broke my heart), Stanley Tucci as Caesar Flickerman, Woody Harrelson as Haymich, Lenny Kravitz as Cinna, and Elizabeth Banks as Effie Trinket.  I thought the entire cast was more or less well done, but those were the stand out performances for me. 

There were a couple characters I didn't connect to very well.  I was not a big fan of Peeta or Gale.  Even though he didn't have a big part I don't think Liam Hemsworth is right for the role nor is he that great of an actor.  I saw him in The Last Song (he was bad in that too) but I tried to give him another chance, and he still let me down.  Peeta also didn't do much for me, but I think this was more of how the movie editors decided to portray him and not anything on Josh Hutcherson's acting.  I also didn't get a good emotional connection to Rue, but like with Peeta, I blame the choices made in telling her story, not Amandla's acting abilities.  I would have liked more time with Rue so I could have connected to her more and really felt the devastation Katniss feels when she is killed.  (And as a side note I'd just like to say that people who complained about the black actors in the movie need to 1) Learn to effing read and 2) STFU you racist a-holes.  kthanks.)

Now there were some major things that really bothered me about the movie.  The biggest complaint I have was on the shaky camera work.  I HATED it during the non-violence scenes, such as introducing district 12 and during the reaping.  I've heard arguments that the camera work made the action more realistic, but I disagree.  I think the reason this camera work was used in the fighting scenes was to mask the violence to help get a PG-13 rating.  I wish the MPAA didn't exist, because this story is a violent story and I wanted more violence and I wanted to feel that visceral reaction to seeing it and realizing just how terrible the games were.  The MPAA stunts artistic expression by forcing movie makers to fit into their "age appropriate" box.  It should be up to the parents to be aware and know what they're taking their children to and if The Hunger Games is appropriate for their 2nd grader.  Let the movie makers tell the story, and let the parents parent.  *end soapbox*

Ok whew, rant over, on to other aspects I didn't like.  There were some story telling aspects I would have done differently.  One major one is how they showed Peeta giving Katniss the bread.  That flashback didn't work because they never showed how Katniss was literally starving to death, she was just sitting in the rain like some depressed emo kid.  I would have shown the story before, how Katniss is digging through the trash looking for food.  I also would have made it more clear that Peeta burned the bread on purpose so he could give it to Katniss.  I think it wouldn't have taken much extra work and would have reinforced the idea that Katniss feels a debt to Peeta for saving her life.  She's not in love with him in this book, she feels like she owes him. 

That would have also helped show how Katniss is playing the game in the cave scene, which also fell really flat to me.  They almost had it, but I didn't think there was enough manipulation being shown. I would have liked to have seen more manipulation from the control room to make good tv, not just make it more difficult for the tributes.  I think if they had show the capitol citizens reacting to watching the games it would have not only shown how Katniss is manipulating the crowd, but it would have also shown how desensitized the capitol people are to the games and made them more of an antagonist.

Now I just want to address one thing they changed from the book that I feel was a super smart choice.  At the end of the movie when Cato is about to kill Peeta he says that it doesn't matter what happens to him, that he has to bring honor to his district and it's what he's been trained to do and it's all he knows.  I thought this was brilliant.  In my youtube video comparing The Hunger Games and Battle Royale I mentioned how in The Hunger Games we never get to see any of the other tributes as anything other than mindless, evil, killing machines.  I loved how we got to know Cato a little bit more and got to see why he is the way he is.  It made him human and much more sympathetic of a character. 

Overall I think the movie was an good adaptation of the book, but missed some opportunities to create a more compelling story.  The acting, costumes, and sets were fantastic, but with shaky camera work and some poor editing choices the movie didn't impact me as much as I had hoped.  However it was still thoroughly entertaining and I'll probably go see it again this weekend.

Rachel Hawkins Book Signing!

The Hex Hall series by Rachel Hawkins

OMG you guys I went to a Rachel Hawkins signing last night!!!!  It was so much fun!  For those of you who aren't familiar, Rachel Hawkins is the author of the Hex Hall series.  The first book was published in 2010, the second Demonglass was published in 2011, and the final book in the trilogy Spell Bound just came out March 13.  This was only the second author signing I've ever been too, and while it was a much smaller crowd it was still wonderfully entertaining.

The wonderful Rachel Hawkins

Ok so let me just say that Rachel Hawkins is fantasticly charming and lovely.  She talked about her path to being an author and then went on to talk about Hex Hall and how she was inspired to write it. 

• She started off as a hardcore Barbie player with complex subplots and character arcs
• Then she wrote stories for he friends during chemistry class 
• In college she studied English because there's never a job guarentee at the end of college, so you might as well enjoy your four years doing something awesome and cross the job bridge when you get to it. 
• For Hex Hall she loved the idea of a magical boarding school but she didn't want to seem like she was coyping Harry Potter.  So she thought "What if I go the opposite way and make the boarding school a bad place, a place of punishment?"
• She wrote Hex Hall in 4 months, had an agent 1 week after finishing the book, and a book deal with Hyperion 6 weeks later (WOW that's fast!)

In the works for Rachel  is a Hex Hall spin off based on one of the chracters in Spell Bound (won't tell you who but Rachel says it will be obvious) due out spring of 2013.  Also in the fall of 2013 is the first of a new series, Rebel Belle.  Rachel described it as not a paranormal book, but more of a super heros meets greek mythology.  Sounds awesome!

I'd like to thank Rachel for coming to Ohio and for signing my books.  It was a wonderful experience and I can't wait to read the Hex Hall series.  Also if you're interested in seeing Rachel on her tour there are still a few stops left, so be sure to check it out! 

MARCH 26: JACKSON, MS, Lemuria.

MARCH 27: OXFORD, MS, Square Books Jr.

MARCH 28: NASHVILLE, TN, Parnassus Books.

MARCH 30: BOSTON, MA, Wellesley Books.



So awesome!



Friday Face Off Cover Reveal: A Fractured Light

Friday Face Off is a meme hosted by one of my favorite book bloggers Misty over at The Book Rat.  Usually this meme focuses on different cover designs for the same book and decides which is better for the story.  I wanted to take this meme and add a little twist to it today by discussing a cover reveal!  

Today we're going to talk about the covers for Jocelyn Davies's Beautiful Dark series.  I'll admit the cover for A Beautiful Dark is what drew me to the series in the first place, and the cover for A Fractured Light is no different.

These covers are stunning!  I know you can't tell in the pictures, but the covers also have an iridescent sheen to them that makes them extra beautiful.  I love the continuity of the covers and the text?  So pretty!  I also really love how the model on A Fractured Light is facing the camera straight on, we don't get to see that very often.  I'm not sure if the story will live up to the covers, but I have hope.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Published in 1999 by MTV Books and Pocket Books
4 stars


Goodreads Review


Standing on the fringes of life offers a unique perspective. But there comes a time to see what it looks like from the dance floor.This haunting novel about the dilemma of passivity vs. passion marks the stunning debut of a provocative voice in contemporary fiction: The Perks of Being a Wallflower. This is the story of what it’s like to grow up in high school. More intimate than a diary, Charlie's letters are singular and unique, hilarious and devastating. We may not know where he lives. We may not know to whom he is writing. All we know is the world he shares. Caught between trying to live his life and trying to run from it puts him on a strange course through uncharted territory. The world of first dates and mixed tapes, family dramas and new friends. The world of sex, drugs, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show, when all one requires is that perfect song on that perfect drive to feel infinite. Through Charlie, Stephen Chbosky has created a deeply affecting coming-of-age story, a powerful novel that will spirit you back to those wild and poignant roller coaster days known as growing up.

Review:  The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a teen classic.  It's paved the way for many novels with its take on drugs, sex, abuse, friendship, and growing up while told through the letters of a fifteen year old boy whose innocent view of the world charms the reader.  It's not so much that subject matter is unique, but the voice in which it is told is delightful.  It's Charlie's observations of the world, simple though it may be, that makes this story so intriguing and relateable.  


Yes there are certainly aspects of this book that may be difficult for some people to read, in particular the ending, but I think that these difficult elements all make Charlie the way he is, both the things that happened to him in the past and what he experiences over the course of the book.  


While I doubt I'll become one of the rabid fans that swear by this books genius, I still really enjoyed the story and would recommend it to kids in high school who might be feeling a little "uncool".  I know that I do wish I had read it when I was a freshman, I probably would have really loved it then.  The Perks of Being a Wallflower is already over 10 years old, but I still find it extremely relevant to today's young adults.  It is a timeless tale of finding yourself that all teens experience. 

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

Published in 2006 by Atria
4 Stars


Goodreads Review
Reclusive author Vida Winter, famous for her collection of twelve enchanting stories, has spent the past six decades penning a series of alternate lives for herself. Now old and ailing, she is ready to reveal the truth about her extraordinary existence and the violent and tragic past she has kept secret for so long. Calling on Margaret Lea, a young biographer troubled by her own painful history, Vida disinters the life she meant to bury for good. Margaret is mesmerized by the author’s tale of Gothic strangeness—featuring the beautiful and willful Isabelle, the feral twins Adeline and Emmeline, a ghost, a governess, a topiary garden and a devastating fire. Together, Margaret and Vida confront the ghosts that have haunted them while becoming, finally, transformed by the truth themselves.


Review:  The Thirteenth Tale is a book for bookish people.  I really enjoyed the literary feel that this book had and the reverence for books.  There's a great mystery that unravels at a comfortable pace.  I loved Vida, she is by far the most interesting character.  I enjoyed learning about her past and figuring out how much of her story was true and how much was fiction. 

My favorite scene in the book was probably when Margaret goes to explore the ruins of the house.  I love exploring ruins of old buildings and hoping to find hidden treasures long forgotten.  There is something magical about being in a place that has seen so much history and I think Setterfield does an excellent job of capturing that creepy wonder. 

There are some parts of The Thirteenth Tale that I didn't like.  Mostly it was the pacing of the non-mystery subplots.  The back story of Margaret was beautifully written, but extremely slow.  The characters in the present were very flat compared to the characters in Vida's flashbacks.  Then again, maybe that was intentional because Vida is supposed to be a fantastic writer and story teller.  I would have liked Margaret and charters surrounding her to be as compelling as the characters set in the past. 

The other part of the book I didn't like was that sometimes the writing would get a little pretentious (and I hate using that word to describe writing, but that's all I can came up with).  I mean, the author bio on the back of the book says "Diane Setterfield is a former academic, specializing in twentieth-century French literature".  *insert eye-roll here*  I understand it's supposed to be written in the Gothic style, and the flashbacks do this very well, but there are other times where the story just drags.

Overall I'd say The Thirteenth Tale is a great book for people who like elegant prose, lengthy descriptions, and a more abstract way of story telling.  The mystery in this book is fantastic and definitely had me guessing (and guessing wrong) the entire time.