The Girl with the Windup Heart

The Girl with the Windup Heart (Steampunk Chronicles #4)

by Kady Cross

4 stars

 

400 pages

Published May 27, 2014 by Harlequin TEEN

 

I love these books. This book follows the continuing stories of Finley, Griffin, Mila and Jack. Much like a soap opera jumps from one storyline to the next, this book follows that pattern. In one, Finley is trying to free Griffin from the evil clutches of Garibaldi; and in the other story, Mila is discovering the world.

Mild swearing and implied sex. Nothing to make you blush.

I hope there are more of these books in Kady Cross's head.

Time to downsize

As I am coming up on my 1-year anniversary of this blog, I have realized a few things.

First, there's a lot of spam that comes with creating and writing a blog. It sucks. I try and ignore it.

Second, not many people read my blog. And that's OK. I do it not for the fame (obviously), but for an outlet for my semi-creative side. I'm not a good writer - I like things short and sweet. But I do love to read and recommend/condemn books. And this is a great forum to do that.

Third, because of the above two things, and because I am going to be VERY busy the next 7-8 months with a move and a new baby, I am going to be downsizing the number of posts I publish. I am thinking one per week will be sufficient to balance my desire to write and my need to take care of family.

I will keep publishing. My blog will stay active and simple. It will still provide my opinions on books. It just won't be as often.

Just think - now you'll have more time to read books!

And after you've read all those extra books, if you would like to submit a review for me to publish on this blog, I'd be happy to oblige. Just send me the text and title and I'll do the rest.

The House of Power

The House of Power (Atherton #1)

by Patrick Carman

4 stars

339 pages 
Published April 3, 2007 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

I've had this book on my to-read list for like 2 years, and I finally got around to it. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised. It had just about everything I was looking for: adventure, a touch of sci-fi, some creepy creatures, secrets and revelations, no swearing or sex. Just a great book for older kids and even teens. And there was no love story - which was a huge plus. Those sure get old after you read them a zillion times.
I can recommend to anyone who is in the mood for suspense and adventure. I may read this one to my kids for a bedtime story.

Don't Expect Magic

Don't Expect Magic (Magic #1)

by Kathy McCullough

4 stars

256 pages
Published Nov. 8, 2011 by Delacorte Press
 
After reading waaaay too many dystopian novels, this was a welcome change.

Uplifting, free from swearing, sex and "dark," I enjoyed it thoroughly. And the best thing??? It's a stand-alone novel! Those are hard to come by nowadays.

Mistborn

Mistborn: The Final Empire (Mistborn #1)

by Brandon Sanderson

4 stars

541 pages
Published July 25, 2006 by Tor Books

Wow. This book was actually pretty awesome. I enjoyed it immensely. Brandon Sanderson knows how to write an epic fantasy novel. He has created a world with well-thought-out rules and ways of life. And of course, his characters are fully fleshed out and real. I would have been disappointed if they weren't - Sanderson's novel has p.l.e.n.t.y. of pages to develop his characters. Yet if I had one gripe about the novel - it would be that ... the length. I know most fantasy books are long, long, long, but this one seemed like it could be condensed quite a bit. Some of his explanations on how the metals worked seemed redundant and overly verbose.

I am happy that the book had a good ending - enough questions remain to facilitate a sequel, but enough tied ends to make it a stand-alone book if you wanted to end it there. Which I may do, I haven't decided yet.

Jinx

Jinx (Jinx #1)

by Sage Blackwood

3.5 stars

368 pages 
Published Jan. 8, 2013 by HarperCollins
 
This a fabulous little fantasy adventure for those kids in the middle grades. It has magic, apprentices, lessons on love and loyalty, and myriad other life lessons. The writing is spot-on for the intended audience - no cumbersome words that force kids to the dictionary - although sometimes that isn't a bad thing. When I was a kid, my parents gave me a dictionary for my birthday so I'd quite bugging them with the question "What does this word mean?"

If you have a kiddo looking for a new adventure fantasy book, this one will fit the bill nicely. No swearing or bad stuff.

I'll be reading the next in the series.

Pawn

Pawn (The Blackcoat Rebellion #1)

by Aimee Carter

4 stars

 
346 pages 
Published Nov. 26, 2013 by Harlequin TEEN 

Argh! I can't believe it's been 10 days since I've last posted! But happily, it was for a good reason. Some girlfriends and I flew up to Berlin and spent the whole week sightseeing and shopping. It was delightful.

BUT NOW, back to the reviews.

While on the plane I read this whole book - so you know Pawn will be a fast read. It's not thick on character development or fantastic writing, but it does move along quickly and has a decent premise - think Meg Cabot's Airhead trilogy, with a touch of Keira Cass's The Selection and with some rebellion thrown in.

One happy aspect - there is no love triangle. For a while, I thought there might be, but I was thankfully wrong. And there was an evil grandmother - who doesn't like an evil grandmother?? Quite awesome.

I will be reading the next in the series.

Etiquette & Espionage

Etiquette & Espionage (Finishing School #1)

by Gail Carriger

3 stars

307 pages
Published Feb. 5, 2013 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

 
After reading Gail Carriger's adult Parasol Protectorate books, I thought I'd give her YA ones a try. This one didn't disappoint, although there was a bit less adventure contained within its pages. I thoroughly enjoyed the writing, characters, and the plot. Mostly the writing. Exquisite vocabulary usage.

Completely YA appropriate - no swearing, sex or other ickiness. I may be checking out the next in the series.

Dust Girl

Dust Girl (The American Fairy #1)

by Sarah Zettel

2 stars

 

304 pages

Published June 26, 2012 by Random House Books for Young Readers (first published Jan. 1, 2012)

 

Meh. Not a great book. I think its first mistake was pairing the Great Depression/Dust Bowl with Fairies. Not a good match. It's like that awful movie a while ago - "Cowboys and Aliens." No amount of Daniel Craig-ness could pull that one out of the gutter. 

This book wasn't quite that bad, but it was sure weird. Weird. Weird. Some things just shouldn't be paired.
Will not be reading anymore in the series.

The Secret Life of Sparrow Delaney

The Secret Life of Sparrow Delaney

by Suzanne Harper

3.5 stars

364 pages

Published July 1, 2007 by Harper Teen

 

This was a solid 3+ star book. I enjoyed it!

It's about a girl, who is the seventh daughter of a seventh daughter, who refuses to embrace her "destiny" as a medium who talks to dead people. But one ghost refuses to be denied.
I liked Sparrow. It's not often that a character is fully fleshed out in a teen fiction book. They are usually flat, flat, flat. Oh! I love Edward! or Oh! I'm so angst-y! or Oh! I have to fight to survive!

Sparrow actually had a range of emotions!

The Lost Code

The Lost Code (The Atlanteans #1)

by Kevin Emerson 

2.5/3 stars

435 pages

Published May 22, 2012 by Katherine Tegen Books

I'm wavering between a 2.5 and a 3 star rating.

The first couple of chapters were fantastic. I couldn't believe how gripping they were - kid at a summer camp drowns, but doesn't drown. Cool stuff happens to his body that allow him to breathe underwater.

But after he figures that whole body thing out and he finds some friends, the story kind of stalls. It picks back up toward the very end of the book with some major discoveries, but the previous lackluster story dulled the heightened tension. I really had to push through the "blah" to get to the "yah!"

I must say, though, that Kevin Emerson knows how to write a good bad guy.


There is some gore and swearing and allusions to teen sex.

I may read the next in the series. We'll see.

Shadow and Bone

Shadow and Bone (The Grisha #1)

by Leigh Bardugo

4 stars

358 pages
Published June 5, 2012 by Henry Holt and Co.

Happy, happy day! This fantasy is right up my alley. Part coming-of-age story, part love story and part magical power story.

This is a story about a girl who discovers her inborn powers and her struggle to learn to use them - and not be used by others. She also loses her innocence and naivete by trusting the wrong people.

I was intrigued by the premise and held captive by the plot. I read this book quickly - much to the dismay and neglect of my family.

Pick this up. It's fantastic. No swearing and no sex. Yay!

A World Without Heroes

A World Without Heroes (Beyonders #1)

by Brandon Mull

4 stars

 

457 pages

Published Mar. 15, 2011 by Aladdin (first published Mar. 1, 2011)

 

For a juvenile fiction book, this one is fantastic. My 10-year-old was recommended this book by her friend, and she LOVED it! It's got action, adventure, a quest, puzzles, some gross stuff - all things that my kid loves. I also enjoyed it.

She's now well into the second one.

Let me just tell you, it warms my heart to see my kid reading a nice, fat book.

Champion

I've been out of town for a week - hence the lag in posting. But I'm back!

Champion (Legend #3)

by Marie Lu

4.5 stars

369 pages

Published Nov. 5, 2013 by Putnam Juvenile

I was sad when this series ended, because overall it was a well-written, exciting dive into a post-apocalyptic, dystopian society. I was happy though, that most, if not all the loose ends were tied up nicely - if a bit too abruptly. But I can't complain too loudly when an author doesn't neglect her duty to satisfy readers' needs for closure.

The ending was happy, with a touch of sadness - lots of room for hope and healing. I enjoyed that very much.

No swearing, but one slightly glossed over sex scene.

I'd love to see a spin-off of this series set in the world of Antarctica. That place was intriguing.

Good job, Marie Lu, I like your style!

The Bitter Kingdom

The Bitter Kingdom (Fire and Thorns #3)

by Rae Carson

4 stars

448 pages 

Published Aug. 27, 2013 by Greenwillow Books

This is the way a trilogy is supposed to end. Happy, with all loose ends tied up and the main character ending up with the guy she's supposed to end up with. Throughout the trilogy you see the queen grow from a wimpy, but intellectual, girl - into a strong, fierce woman. And likewise, the author Rae Carson has matured and developed into a competent and exciting storyteller. She figured out pacing and plot. She developed deep characters with myriad facets to their personalities. It was a delight to read her literary journey.

I hope Carson keeps writing, because I'll keep reading her stuff.

No swearing and just one glossed over sex scene.

Can recommend!

Eon: Dragoneye Reborn

Eon: Dragoneye Reborn (Eon #1)

by Alison Goodman

2.5 stars

531 pages

Published Dec. 26, 2008 by Viking Juvenile (first published Jan. 1, 2008)  

 

I have a number of adjectives describing this Eastern-culture inspired novel:

slow
boring
repetitive
whiny
confusing
verbose
way too long
predictable

So why did I finish it? I'm not sure. Maybe there was something compelling about the theme - not the characters, though, they were one-dimensional and weak; or the plot - which was over-simple and over-written.

The theme - accepting strength in womanhood - is contrived, yes. And the book does it no justice with the weak characterization of Eon/Eona. But the universal truth of the theme made me interested to see how Eon/a came to realize it. Unfortunately, by the time Eon/a got her head on straight, the book was pretty much over, so I stuck it out til the end.

This book actually drained me so much that instead of reading the next book on my To Read list, I watched TV! Ach! The tragedy!

The bright spot was that there was no swearing and no sex. But there are some transvestite and eunuch characters, if that bugs you. Actually the best character in the book was the transvestite. S/he was pretty awesome.
 
I will not be reading the sequel.

Legend

Legend (Legend #1)

by Marie Lu

4 stars

320 pages

Published Nov. 29, 2011 by Putnam Juvenile

This was just the book that I needed to get over a super crappy book I had just previously read. (See post below.)

Marie Lu really knows how to write an exciting, intriguing story - complete with decent character development, evil bad guys and a bit of computer hacking! I loved it.

I did think the torture scenes were a little too gleefully gratuitous, hence the one star docking. And I didn't like some of the characters doing a complete 180 - first they hate, now they don't. Or conversely, nice guy turns uber-evil. It was a bit jarring.

But overall, I deem it a fantastic book. No swearing, yay!

I've added #2 and #3 to my to-read list. Thankfully the last in the trilogy was just published, so no having to wait for the next one to come out!!

I can recommend to all!

Glimpse (Zellie Wells #1) by Stacey Wallace Benefiel

Glimpse (Zellie Wells #1)

by Stacey Wallace Benefiel

3 stars

262 pages

Published May 9, 2010 by Write Free (first published Apr. 20, 2010)

I got this ebook for free on Barnes and Noble for my Nook more than 2 years ago. I didn't have high hopes for it, but it surprised me. I actually enjoyed it! If you can overlook some flat characterization and uneven plotting, you will enjoy it, too.

Didn't like the adultery aspect, though. Or the mild swearing.

The Swiss Family Robinson

The Swiss Family Robinson

by Johann David Wyss, Scott McKowen (Illustrations), Arthur Pober (Afterword)

4 stars

 

352 pages

First published in 1812

 

I tried reading this book with my kids, but the vocabulary was beyond my 3rd and 5th graders - this edition one of the first translations, so many, many words were archaic and out of use. I'm going to find an Illustrated Classic version to read to them, which I think they'll enjoy.

I loved this book, though. A lot of the flora and fauna which the Robinson family found on their island was improbable - elephants on an island? Bison? Plus so many types of birds. That many birds would mean being close to a major landmass, and hence in shipping lanes, and hence being found much sooner. But I loved the book anyway. I wish I could be as knowledgeable as Mr. Robinson - he had an encyclopedic knowledge of, well, everything. He knew how to make drawbridges, looms, treehouses, husbandry, farming, slaughtering and wide variety of animals, etc.

I can see why this book is a classic. It's a fun read.

The Friday Society

The Friday Society

by Adrienne Kress

4 stars

440 pages

Published Dec. 6, 2012 by Dial 

 

 

I wavered between giving this 3 or 4 stars. I really liked how these girls - assistants to "great" men - branch out, join up and kick butt. They each used their unique abilities to fight the bad guys and save the world (well, London anyway). I also love steampunk, and there was a bit of that included inside.

I did wish the characters were a little better developed and that not so much emphasis was placed on their looks.

I did enjoy the twist at the end. The bad guy wasn't who I thought it was at all.

I appreciated the fast pace and adventures presented. But the writing was a bit weak. I almost gave up on the book in the first chapter because the voice was annoying. It got better, thankfully.

Mild swearing, no sex. So I can recommend.