Starters by Lissa Price

#1 in the Starters series
Published March 13, 2012 by Delacorte Books
egalley for review from netgalley
2 Stars
DAC 2012

Goodreads Review
HER WORLD IS CHANGED FOREVER

Callie lost her parents when the Spore Wars wiped out everyone between the ages of twenty and sixty. She and her little brother, Tyler, go on the run, living as squatters with their friend Michael and fighting off renegades who would kill them for a cookie. Callie's only hope is Prime Destinations, a disturbing place in Beverly Hills run by a mysterious figure known as the Old Man.

He hires teens to rent their bodies to Enders—seniors who want to be young again. Callie, desperate for the money that will keep her, Tyler, and Michael alive, agrees to be a donor. But the neurochip they place in Callie's head malfunctions and she wakes up in the life of her renter, living in her mansion, driving her cars, and going out with a senator's grandson. It feels almost like a fairy tale, until Callie discovers that her renter intends to do more than party—and that Prime Destinations' plans are more evil than Callie could ever have imagined...

Review:  I began Starters with high hopes.  It has a striking cover and a very interesting premise.  However as I read more I became increasingly disappointed.  See, I love dystopian, when it makes scientific sense.  That's the key phrase, but sadly Starters's world building was under developed which really detracted from my reading experience. 

The world building gave me the same problems that I had with Lauren DeStefano's Wither.  I don't understand the age principle used as the crux of the story.  It doesn't make sense that the youngest and oldest would get vaccinated first.  The richest and most important would.  It's not age so much as status and power.  I find it extremely hard to believe that important military, political, economic, and medical personal wouldn't get vaccinated before some 100 year old grandma.  I also found it very difficult to believe that since EVERY child in America (or maybe the whole world, that wasn't clear) became an orphan at the same time that any kid who didn't happen to have living grandparents would be forced to live on the street or sent to what is basically a prison.  I mean, it's every single child, the future of the country.  I don't believe the enders who are now running the country wouldn't set up some sort of care system that would raise the orphans to be productive members of society. 


The other problem I had was the first 75% of the book.  It has a promising start, but then quickly fell into the oh so common YA dystopian trap of thinly veiled girls in pretty dresses meeting cute boys.  And the middle chunk of this book dragged.  I just couldn't care about the night clubs, costumes, or parties.  The book did pick up in the final 25% and I think that if I had cared more about the characters I could have really enjoyed the ending.  However even parts of that felt rushed and just too convenient.


I think my biggest frustration is I loved half the premise and was really annoyed by the other half.  I loved reading about Callie's body being taken over and how she tries to figure out what is going on with Prime Destinations.  I liked the conspiracy theory and there were some great plot twists that I didn't see coming.  I just really disliked the world building that puts the characters in their situations.  Now, I did read an egalley, so there is a great chance this book has gone through another round of editing that could smooth out some of the rushed and unsupported parts, but for me Starters was a book with great potential that focused too much on trivial details.

How To Book Review!

I've gotten some requests to do a few posts on reviewing, negative reviews, online etiquette, ect.  I thought I would start off with some general reviewing tips.  This is what I try and put in my review and what I like to see when reading others.

1. Include Cover Art - Seeing the cover art in the review helps create a visual clue for readers.  I may not remember the title or author, but in the book shop I'll see a cover and go "oh yeah!  I read about that on a blog, it sounded awesome!" 
   
   
2. Publishing Information - I like to include the publisher, the publishing date, if the book is part of a series, and if I got a copy for review.  This becomes important information as your blog starts to get more of a following.  It helps readers keep track of what different publishers have coming out and also let's them know the release date if you're reading it in advance. 
   
   
3. To Rate or Not to Rate - There is some debate over whether a rating system (five stars, A+, ect) is necessary.  I personally appreciate a rating system when I can sort the reviews by the various levels to see the trends.  I like to see what a blogger would rate 1 star vs 5 stars, an F vs an A.  Ultimately using a rating scale is up to you, and it never hurts to have a legend explaining your particular system.
   
   
4. Don't Just Summarize - Please don't just post a synopsis of the plot.  You should include one for sure (I just copy mine from goodreads or the back of the book, but you can put yours in your own words if you want), but also say what it is that you liked or didn't like about the book.  Take some time to express your own opinions about the story, not just what it is. 
   
   
5. Analyze - This goes along with #4, but I like to think about what the objective of the book was, and how effectively the author achieved that goal.  For example, say I'm reading a contemporary romance.  Do I find myself swooning over the main love interest and yelling at the protagonist when she's too shy to say how she feels?  I'd say that a successful romance.  Or am I rolling my eyes at their stupid decisions and feeling the need to throw the book across the room?  Then I'd say maybe not so much. 
   
   
6. Be a Fangirl, Unless You're Not - If you just LOVED THIS BOOK OMG YOU GUYS!!!! don't be afraid to post a review like that!  If a book made you squeal with delight and do happy dances and fist pump in victory, let your readers know!  I know I've totally fangirled over a couple of different books and I think those kinds of posts are super fun....if it's not EVERY book you've ever read.  If every review is just gushing about how awesome a book is, people may write you off as being a fluffy kiss-ass or someone who can't read critically.  If you didn't like a book so much, even if that books has a huge following, don't be afraid to say so.  It's totally ok to go against the flow, and if you're lukewarm about something, go ahead and say why.
   
   
7. You Don't Have to Review Everything - It's true you know.  If you read a book and just don't have much to say about it, feel free to not review it.  If you're given a book for review, especially unsolicited, you don't have to read and review it if you don't think you'll like it or just won't have time.  I would encourage you all to pass the review copy along to someone who would review it (just don't sell it, that's BAD).  Ultimately this is your blog and your reviews, so you get to decide what you want to post.
   
   
8. Don't be a Dick - You can write a negative review without being a jerk.  I love reading snarky reviews, especially on books that I didn't enjoy, but I don't like reviews that just bash the book needlessly.  Explain why you don't like a book, don't just say it's a POS and the author is an idiot for writing it.  Never attack the author!  You don't know them, and they may be a wonderful and lovely person, even if they wrote a book you hated.  Keep the review on the book, and feel free to tear the book apart if you want, just don't make it personal.
   
   
9. For the Love of God, Don't Plagiarize! - I wish this could go without saying, but plagiarism is a serious problem in the blogging world.  I recommend writing your review before reading other people's, that way your thoughts will be your own.  I cannot stress this enough, if you copy someone else's review or article (and just changing the formatting, some sentence structure, or a few adjectives is still plagiarism by the way) you WILL be found out.  Someone will recognize the copied content and the original blogger will be told.  I've been plagiarized myself, and trust me it is a pain in the ass for all parties involved, so save yourself some trouble and just don't do it. 
   
   Oh and you can plagiarize images too, so if you're looking for icons or whatever search for copyright free or stock images.  Don't just copy from a blog if you don't have permission because they may have purchased those images.
   
   
10. Be Honest, Be Yourself - Above all else, be yourself.  Don't try and emulate someone else, don't try and be what you think publishers/authors/fellow bloggers want you to be. Review because it's what you love doing and be the person you love being. 

Ultimately I think the best reviews are ones where honest opinions are shared.  Say what you liked, what you didn't like, and how the book made you feel.  Fangirl if you want, be a hater if you want, but above all else be real.

The Miseducation of Cameron Post by Emily M. Danforth

Published February 7, 2012 by Balzer + Bray
5 Stars
DAC 2012

Goodreads Review
When Cameron Post’s parents die suddenly in a car crash, her shocking first thought is relief. Relief she’ll never have to tell them that, hours earlier, she had been kissing a girl. 

But that relief soon turns to heartbreak, as Cam is forced to move in with her conservative aunt Ruth. She knows that from this point on, her life will forever be different. Survival in Miles City, Montana, means blending in and not making waves, and Cam becomes an expert at this—especially at avoiding any questions about her sexuality.

Then Coley Taylor moves to town. Beautiful pickup-driving Coley is a perfect cowgirl with the perfect boyfriend to match. To Cam’s surprise, she and Coley become best friends—while Cam secretly dreams of something more. Just as that starts to seem like a real possibility, her secret is exposed. Ultrareligious Aunt Ruth takes drastic action to “fix” her niece, bringing Cam face-to-face with the cost of denying her true self—even if she’s not quite sure who that is.

The Miseducation of Cameron Post is a stunning and unforgettable literary debut about discovering who you are and finding the courage to live life according to your own rules.


Review:  This is by far the best book I have ever read on Christianity and homosexuality. I was thoroughly impressed with how the author handled this very touchy subject.  There is no moral of the story crammed down your throat, no secret agenda. It's a story of a girl dealing with the loss of her parents while on the brink of womanhood, and it is told beautifully, honestly, and lovingly.  


One of the aspects of The Miseducation of Cameron Post that I have to comment on is the writing style.  It is a lot more like adult literary fiction than YA, but for this type of story it works well.  The writing could have easily overpowered the story, making it feel heavy handed and slow to read, but Danforth does an excellent job painting a complete picture.  It's easy to get completely submerged in her writing.


I really appreciated how honestly Danforth handled Cameron's sexuality.  Nothing about it was overdone, it was understated and shy and exactly what so many kids go through when they get their first crush.  Straight or gay, I could completely related to the confusion and excitement of young love.  


I also really liked how the Christian characters weren't one dimensional villains.  I think it could have been very easy to make these characters judgmental and cruel, but instead I could understand where they were coming from.  I wanted to hate Ruth, Rick, and Lydia, but I understood those characters and realized that in their mind they were trying to help Cameron and her classmates.  It's fairly obvious that they weren't very successful with their methods, but Danforth doesn't outright condemn them either.  It is possible for good people to do very bad things without realizing it.


Overall The Miseducation of Cameron Post is a fantastic addition to the growing LGBT themed books in the YA community.  It shows how sexuality isn't a black or white issue and I hope it will raise awareness that people are people first, and their sexuality and religion second.  This is a fantastic book for parents and teachers to start a dialogue about tolerance for different sexualities.  

Dark Days Young Adult Tour!

Yesterday I was lucky enough to celebrate my 1 year blog anniversary by going to the Dark Days Young Adult tour with Kimberly Derting, The author of The Body Finder series and The Pledge series, Dan Wells, author of his YA debut Partials and his adult series I am not a Serial Killer, and Jill Hathaway, debut author of Slide.  It was such a fun event and I got some fantastic writing tips.  These people really know their stuff! 

Left: Kimberly Derting Center: Dan Wells Right: Jill Hathaway

The authors started the evening off with a brief summary of their writing careers and an introduction of their newest books. 

Dan

• Partials is his first official YA book.
• It is described as a medical mystery that is heavy on the science (YAY!).
• He said that he loves writing post apocalyptic fiction because he gets to take famous landmarks and blow them up.
• The main character is a girl, and Dan discussed how difficult it initially was to write as a girl.  He then had a bit of an epiphany and realized that with his other series he didn't think about writing as a boy, he just wrote a person.  Once he saw his female character as a person and stopped trying to define her by her gender his writing process really took off.

Kim

• The Last Echo is the third book in The Body Finder series.
• The Body Finder series is a murder mystery and some of Kim's favorite scenes to write were from the perspective of the killer.  She was worried her editor would think it wasn't appropriate for a YA book and was really excited when they said they wanted more.  She's glad that the industry is starting to realize that teens  want to read and can handle more dark stories.
• The Silence of the Lambs was one of Kim's favorite books growing up.  She really likes getting into the head of a serial killer and spent a lot of time researching serial killers for the series.

Jill

• Jill is a high school English teacher and she came up with the idea for Slide while doing NaNoWriMo with her students.
• Initially Jill began with the image of the main character standing over a dead body and having no idea how she got there.  The book then grew around trying to discover the coolest way to put the main chracter in that situation.
• Jill described Vee's ability as super empathy or literally walking in someone else's shoes (and I love that!).

Signing my books!

Following their introductions the author answered some questions from the audience.

Do you outline? 

• Jill is more of a pantser, meaning she likes to figure stuff out as she writes.  She'll have a vague idea of the ending, but lots of her creative process happens during the writing.
• Dan creates an outline, then promptly disregards it when he actually writes the book.  He also gave some great advice, saying there should be 2 or 3 "stand up and cheer" moments in the book.  Moments that would be so cool to read about.  The rest of the book should build up to that moment to make it as impactful as possible.
• Kim writes what she calls "plot points".  She'll have a basic understanding of each of the major events in the book, but she allows herself to deviate from that if inspiration strikes.  She also discussed linear vs. patchwork writing, where you write the book from start to finish or write a bunch of scenes then connect them together (Kim is a linear writer).

Do you characters talk to you or take on a mind of their own during the writing process?

• All three authors agreed that sometimes characters (usually side characters) will develop into something way more awesome then they initially thought and will start taking over scenes because they are so much fun to write.
• Kim talked about how when she is deep in the writing process the book will be constantly on her mind and she'll get great inspiration during the most inconvenient times, like while showering or driving.

Some of my signed books!



I asked, since their books are all medical or crime fiction, what do you do to research your books so the paranormal and fictional elements are realistic, supported, and believable? 

• Kim has a whole group of advisers from firemen to police officers to a medical response team that she emails with questions about different procedures.  She's also toured the county morgue because she believes that you need some hands on experience to write effectively.
• Jill also knows a police officer that answers questions and she also did a lot of research on narcolepsy when developing how her character's ability works.
• Dan suggested that for general world building to start with the totally awesome aspect of your idea and then branch out from that to try and figure out what would actually make that totally awesome thing happen.

What do you like to read when you're writing?  What do you look for in other books of the same genre?

• Dan has "eclectic" reading tastes, but he always looks for books that are completely unique and give the feeling of "I have never read this book before".
• Jill likes reading biographies, but when reading fiction she finds that she has become a much more critical reader since starting her writing career.
• Kim avoids all books of a similar genre because she doesn't want anything to creep into her own writing.

The final question was what are you working on now?

• Jill just finished the second book in the Slide series, Impostor, set to come out Spring 2013.  She is also brainstorming a Blair Witch type book (which sound awesome!)
• Dan is working on the second book in the Partials series, Fragments, expected to be released in 2013.  He is also writing an ebook novella for the Partials series called Isolation that will be released in the fall.  Dan has another book, The Hollow City, releasing July 3, 2012.  The Hollow City is about a man with schizophrenia whose imagined monsters might actually be real. 
• Kim recently finished the second book in the Pledge series, The Essence, coming January 1, 2013.  The fourth book in The Body Finder series is currently in revisions and has a tentative 2013 release date.

The Dark Days Young Adult Tour was so much fun!  I'd like to thank Kim, Dan, and Jill for coming to Ohio and for taking the time to talk about writing and publishing.  It was a fantastic event and now I'm so excited to read their books!



Kimberly Derting's The Body finder series, The Body Finder, Desires of the Dead, and The Last Echo (aren't those covers gorgeous!?).  Kim was kind enough to sign all of my books and also haded out bookmarks, stickers, a bracelet, and some Last Echo nail polish...

...which of course I used as soon as I got home :)

 

Kimberly Derting's The Pledge, Dan Well's Partials, and Jill Hathaway's Slide, all signed.  I also got some bookmarks and advertisements for their upcoming books!

Top Ten Tuesday 4/17/2012: Top Ten Tips for New Bloggers

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish.  This meme was created because we are particularly fond of lists here at The Broke and the Bookish.  We'd love to share our lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

Each week we will post a new top ten list complete with one of our bloggers' answers.  Everyone is welcome to join.  All we ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND post a comment on our post with a link to your Top Ten Tuesday post to share with us and all those who are participating.  If you don't have a blog, just post your answers in the comments.

TOP TEN TIPS FOR NEW BLOGGERS

So, I have officially been book blogging for 1 year tomorrow (YAY ME!), but I'm no stranger to the blogging world.  I've had a blog in some form for over 7 years, so I think I've picked up a thing or two along the way.  I've also had a vlog channel for over 2 years, so some of these tips will also apply to youtube channels as well. 

1.  Have a clean layout!  I seriously cannot stress this enough.  If people cannot easily read and navigate your blog, they will give up and never come back.  Nothing deters me from following a blog more than a messy layout.  Make sure the font is easy to read and the font color and background color are easy on the eyes (no neon green on bright blue!).  Also keep all of your buttons and widgets up to date.  If the contest or countdown is over remove it from your sidebar! 

2.  For the love of God, NO MUSIC.  This applies to blogs and youtube.  Music will severely slow down your blogs load time, which is annoying as hell.  One of my greatest youtube pet peeves is people who are trying to do a book review but have music playing in the background so I can't hear what they're saying.  It is infuriating and often I'm really interested in hearing what they have to say, but because they just OMG LUV My Chemical Romance so much and HAVE to play it, I can't hear their opinions.  Nothing makes me click out of a video or blog faster than music in the background.

3.  Don't COPY!  I wish I could say this goes without saying, but sadly there is SO much copying in the blog world.  Even I've found places where my words have been copied.  If you feel the need to copy someone else's post, take a step back and really think about why you're blogging in the first place.  Let me just say now that blogging solely for ARCs will not work.  You will burn out long before your blog has enough of a following to catch the attention of any publishers.  If ARCs are the only reason you've started a blog, just stop now and save yourself some stress.

4.  Communicate with your readers/viewers.  When it comes to books, people love to talk about their opinions.  If someone comments on your blog, take the time to comment back.  You could get a great discussion going and you will also help form a relationship with a reader that will keep them coming back.  On the flip side, if you read a fantastic post or watch a great video, let the author know!  Comment telling them what you think or you could even make a response post.  Of course, if you are inspired by someone else's work link back to the original post.  By giving credit where credit is due, you not only help your readers find more good bloggers but you also show yourself to be an honest blogger.

5.  Don't get caught up with numbers, but try and be consistent.  I have spent way too much time stressing about how many followers/comments/visits my blog and youtube gets, and it can really wear you down.  Focus on your content and being an active participant in the community and people will come to you.  Just keep swimming. 

6.  Don't wait to write reviews.  This is advice I need to take myself.  I would write the review as soon as I finish the book, while it is fresh in my head.  You don't have to post it right away and building up a cushion of reviews will help you if you run into a busy time.  It is such a relief to have some reviews stored up ready to post during exam week or if you are sick. 

7.  Don't be an a-hole.  I don't really understand why, but the internet seems to have some magical powers that leads everyone to think they can be huge jerks.  Well, I'm here to tell you that being a jerk is one of the fastest ways to ruin your reputation.  Try and stay out of drama, resist the urge to post a nasty comment or tweet, and if you're planning on writing very negative reviews, expect some backlash.  I always try and approach everything I post as if I were doing this to a stranger on the street.  Would you tell a stranger they're an ugly fat bitch to their face?  No, so don't say it on the internet. 

8.  Have original content.  Be yourself and write with your own voice.  Don't try and force yourself to be snarky if you're not that way naturally.  Don't force yourself to write sophisticated and analytical reviews if you don't think that way.  You will burn yourself out and people will be able to tell you're faking it.  Try and figure out what the goal of your blog is and who your target audience is and write to that.  Also, memes are super fun, but if that's all your blog is people will get bored fast (and yes, I get the irony of say this in a meme post).  Try and balance your memes with reviews and other content.

9.  Have an easy to remember and unique name.  This is HUGE.  Spend some time thinking about your blog title because it is the first thing people see when they come to your blog and can create expectations of what content they will find on your blog.  If you call youself The YA Book Reviewer but then all you talk about is adult romance novels, people will be confused.  You also want your blog title to be catchy, something readers will easily remember.  My blog was originally called Amanda Pearl's Books which, while expressing the fact this is a book blog, isn't that memorable.  I love my title Pearl the Book Girl because it ties in my rather unique middle name with the intention of the blog in a catchy way. 

10.  Blog what you want, because you want.  This really should be number 1.  This blog is yours, and it's going to be you who spends time and energy creating it.  Why bother writing a blog if it's on a topic you're not extremely passionate about?  Don't read a book if you don't like it just because you want to review it, don't force yourself to write about topics you don't care about, and, to put it plainly, don't try and be someone your not.  Have fun with your blog, write what you want, and eff the rest. 

Pottermore Love!

Hello everyone!  I have officially joined Pottermore!  HOORAY!  I've been waiting forever for this, and yesterday was the day.  My username is SandSilver11229, feel free to friend me (but if you do, send me a message letting me know who you are so I know who is friend requesting me). 

I am reading my way through the books in conjunction with the site, and I have to say my initial impressions are extremely pleased.  I love the artwork and I LOVE how it walks through every chapter.  I highly recommend that you read your way through the website, it really adds to the reading experience.  Reading the inspirations for different places and characters and extra bits of information from J.K. Rowling are simply delightful.

Now, let's get on to what everyone really cares about, wands and houses.  The quizzes for both of these are super fun and not totally obvious.  I could argue where 2 or more houses could apply to most of the answers. 

Here are the questions for the wand.  Some of them don't have any kind of option (my eyes are green, can't change that) but others definitely took some more thought.

1.  Your height for you age
-Shorter
-Average
-Taller

2.  Eye Color
-Green

3.  Birthday Falls on an
-Odd day
-Even day

4.  Traveling alone down a deserted road, you reach a crossroads.
-left, toward the sea
-ahead, toward the Forest
-right, toward the castle

I chose the forest because I really dislike getting too much sun or being in too much water so the sea was out and I thought there would probably be a lot of annoying tourists at the castle.  The woods are beautiful and I'd probably be alone.

5.  You pride yourself most on your
-Resilience
-Intelligence
-Determination
-Kindness
-Originality
-Optimism
-Imagination

I was stuck between Intelligence and Imagination, but I decided that a good imagination is a sign of intelligence, so I went with that.

6.  Do you most fear
-Heights
-Fire
-Darkness
-Confined Spaces
-Isolation

This one wasn't really a challenge to pick.  I really don't like being somewhere and not being able to leave or get out.  Being trapped is very scary.

7.  In a chest of magical artifacts which would you choose
-Rolled up parchment
-Ornate mirror
-Silver dagger
-Old glove
-Glittering diamond
-Golden Key

I chose the key because I've always been a fan of secrets and hunting for treasures.  I wonder what this key will unlock?

So the wand I got is pretty cool, though I do admit I had no idea what Larch wood was (turns out it's a big tree with needles but still loses it's leaves in fall and is found in the cold northern regions of Canada and Russia).  I love that it has hidden abilities that will help the user bring out their full talents and give them more confidence.  I'm very pleased with the Phoenix Feather, because it is the most rare core type.  I am worried a bit about the hardness because that means we aren't very willing to change which can be a hindrance. 

Phoenix

This is the rarest core type. Phoenix feathers are capable of the greatest range of magic, though they may take longer than either unicorn or dragon cores to reveal this. They show the most initiative, sometimes acting of their own accord, a quality that many witches and wizards dislike.

Phoenix feather wands are always the pickiest when it comes to potential owners, for the creature from which they are taken is one of the most independent and detached in the world. These wands are the hardest to tame and to personalise, and their allegiance is usually hard won.

Larch

Strong, durable and warm in colour, larch has long been valued as an attractive and powerful wand wood. Its reputation for instilling courage and confidence in the user has ensured that demand has always outstripped supply. This much sought-after wand is, however, hard to please in the matter of ideal owners, and trickier to handle than many imagine. I find that it always creates wands of hidden talents and unexpected effects, which likewise describes the master who deserves it. It is often the case that the witch or wizard who belongs to the larch wand may never realise the full extent of their considerable talents until paired with it, but that they will then make an exceptional match.

Ok now let's get to the most important quiz, the sorting.  I was extremely nervous to take this test!  My heart was just hammering.  I took it very seriously and tried to answer the questions as honestly as I could and to really think about my answers.  I didn't really have any house loyalties before the test, but I didn't want to be Hufflepuff.  They aren't independent enough for my taste. 

1.  Would you rather invent a potion that would bring you...
-Power
-Love
-Glory
-Wisdom

I didn't want power because without wisdom or love I wouldn't be able to wield that power well.  I didn't want glory because I didn't want to be surrounded by a bunch of kiss-asses.  I was stuck between love and wisdom, but ultimately went with wisdom because I would rather know the truth then live in ignorant bliss.

2.  What are you most looking forward to studying at hogwarts?
-Apparition
-Transfiguration
-Flying on a broomstick
-Hexes and jinxes
-All about magical creatures
-Secrets about the castle
-Every area of magic that I can

I was torn between every area and secrets about the castle because I love exploring and hidden passages.  I chose everything because as I explored the castle I would need to know what to do if I ran into something unpleasant.  Also magic is just cool so I'd want to learn everything anyway.

3.  Which do you find difficult to deal with?
-Boredom
-Cold
-Hunger
-Loneliness
-Being Ignored

These are all tough, but I chose being ignored because that isn't something you can easily fix.  You can take steps to get rid of boredom, coldness, and hunger and being lonely means you have someone to miss.  Being ignored is someone doing something to you and no matter what you do it doesn't mean they will notice you.

4.  A muggle confronts you and says they are sure you are a witch.  Do you...
-Ask them what makes them thing so?-Agree and ask whether they'd like a free sample of a jinx?
-Agree and walk away, leaving them to wonder whether you're bluffing.
-Tell them you are worried about their mental health and offer to call a doctor.

I would ask them why they think that because then I could talk them out of their idea or prove them wrong.  I am not very confrontational so I don't think I would threaten them with a jinx but I also don't think I could play it cool enough to just walk away.  Telling them they're crazy sounds like I would be trying to cover something up.

5.   You enter an enchanted garden. What would you be most curious to examine first?
-The silver leafed tree bearing golden apples
-The fat red toadstools that appear to be talking to each other
-The bubbling pool, in the depths of which something luminous is swirling-The statue of an old wizard with a strangely twinkling eye



I was torn between the tree and the pool, but in the end I thought about what I would do in real life.  If I was in a garden I would go to the water fixture first, so I went with the pool.

6.  Moon or Stars?
-Moon
-Stars

Another tough one, but I chose the stars because I took an astronomy course in college and I loved learning all of the constellations.

7.  Left or Right?
-Left
-Right

I chose right because I am right handed.  Didn't go any deeper into it than that.

And the sorting hat placed me in.....

Ravenclaw!  I was hoping for Ravenclaw or Slytherin, so I was very happy with this sorting.  After you're sorted you get a welcome letter from one of your house prefects, and I knew I was in the perfect house when I read:

"Another cool thing about Ravenclaw is that our people are the most individual – some might even call them eccentrics. But geniuses are often out of step with ordinary folk, and unlike some other houses we could mention, we think you’ve got the right to wear what you like, believe what you want, and say what you feel. We aren’t put off by people who march to a different tune; on the contrary, we value them!"

Yeah, ok, I was never a Slytherin lol.  My whole life people have been saying I would be in Ravenclaw, and now I am convinced.  I will wear my blue and bronze with pride, let's go earn some house points!

The House of Dead Maids by Clare B. Dunkle

Published September 14, 2010 by Henry Holt and Co.
4 Stars

Goodreads Review
Young Tabby Aykroyd has been brought to the dusty mansion of Seldom House to be nursemaid to a foundling boy. He is a savage little creature, but the Yorkshire moors harbor far worse, as Tabby soon discovers. The ghost of the last maid will not leave Tabby in peace, yet this spirit is only one of many. Why do scores of dead maids and masters haunt Seldom House with a jealous devotion that extends beyond the grave? 

As Tabby struggles to escape the evil forces rising out of the land, she watches her young charge choose a different path. He is determined to keep Seldom House as his own. Though Tabby tries to befriend the uncouth urchin, her kindness cannot alter his fate. Long before he reaches the old farmhouse of Wuthering Heights, the boy who will become Heathcliff has doomed himself and any who try to befriend him. 

Review:  Confession time.  I have never read Wuthering Heights.  I don't really know what it's about.  I know there's a boy named Heathcliff and he's a bit of a douche to a girl named Cathy, but beyond that I got nothing.  The House of Dead Maids reads like a middle grade prequel/inspiration story for Wuthering Heights.  I think it would be great for a middle school student to help introduce them to the more Bronte/Austen style of writing.  I could see The House of Dead Maids being used in a middle school classroom and then Wuthering Heights being taught later in High School. 

The House of Dead Maids is very creepy.  I could totally see it being an episode of Are You Afraid of the Dark.  The story telling and pacing are very well done and while it isn't extremely scary, it maintains a level of suspense throughout the entire novel.  I also thought the ending of The House of Dead Maids was very clever.  I liked how it ties in the Bronte sisters and hints at the inspiration for Wuthering Heights.  It an interesting addition to the Wuthering Heights tale, and it has definitely made me want to read Wuthering Heights. 

Overall The House of Dead Maids is a great middle grade Gothic tale that maintains a a suspenseful tone without becoming too scary.  I think will help spur an interest in classics in young readers and I would recommend it to any reader who is looking for a quick and ghostly story.