The House in Poplar Wood by K.E. Ormsbee Chronicle Books - August 28, 2018 I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. As soon as I read the teaser for this book, I was excited! It was hailed as a “Stranger Things meets The Haunted Mansion middle grade fantasy,” and ended up being the perfect mix of mystery and intrigue with a few unusual characters. This book centers around twin brothers Felix and Lee. They live with their parents, Vince and Judith, in a quiet house nestled in the Poplar Wood. Here’s the catch, their family has an Agreement in which Lee and his mother are apprentices to Memory and Felix and his father are apprentices to Death. Yes, both Memory and Death are capitalized because they are very much alive and “human” throughout the book. Memory and Death, along with Passion, are Shades, that through their apprentices are able to influence and interact with the people in their town. The Agreement between the family does have a dark side. Death and Memory are enemies and, because of this, have separated the house into two parts. I won’t give away all the nuances of the Agreement, but it is definitely not ideal for this family. Lee is allowed to go to school and have a normal life, while Felix is only allowed into town once a year on Halloween when Death takes a break. On Halloween, another important character, Gretchen, enters the fray. Gretchen’s family are Summoners, making them the enemy of the Shades’ apprentices. Gretchen desperately wants the help of Lee and Felix to solve the recent murder of Essie Hastings, the apprentice of Passion. Lee and Felix reluctantly get caught up in the investigation, only to discover that they might find something that will change their lives forever. What I loved most about this book was the characters. Each and every one of them was so believable and engaging. I have a special place in my heart for the cheeky, industrious, and very mischievous Gretchen, who isn’t willing to give up. The brothers, Felix and Lee, are super relatable and their sibling issues will resonate with readers of all ages. The story moves quickly and is told from the perspectives of these three main characters, which gives the story more depth and complexity, and in my opinion, makes it more fun to read. I highly recommend this book for middle grade readers and up. It would be great for fans of Neil Gaiman and those who like stories that have a little dark humor to them. I am so impressed with this book and cannot wait to share it with my middle school readers!
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The Cruel Prince by Holly Black Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2018 “You have only seen the least of what I can do.” The Cruel Prince is a beautiful introduction to Holly Black’s new series, “The Folk of the Air.” The story centers around Jude, who at seven years old, is brought to live in Faerie when her parents are murdered. That’s already a heavy load to start a story with, right?! Jude and her sisters grow up among the faeries, pixies, goblins, and magic, but this is not your normal fairy tale. This epic book is dark, enthralling, and sometimes, down-right dirty. Jude desperately wants to belong in faerie and dreams of becoming a knight in the High King’s court. As the time approaches to declare herself, the High King decides to abdicate the throne and pass the crown on. This is only the beginning of an incredible, brutal saga that tests each character’s loyalty and just how far they will go to gain power over the faerie kingdom. The world-building that takes place in this story is incredible! Faerie is both beautiful and magical, while dark and cunning. Black provides such detailed accounts of everything in faerie, including the different castles, characters, and even the flora and fauna. The reader really is transported to their world, and you can even sense the lines where the mortal and immortal world blur together. The characters are probably my favorite aspect of this book. Each one is so well-developed and enigmatic. My friend (who also read the book) and I decided that each character is neither black or white, they are all shades of gray. Each one has some good and some bad mixed in. Of course, some are worse than others, but there are a few characters you want so desperately to believe are good and loyal. But, no matter how you dice it, they all carry around dark and light. I loved this, especially when one minute you loathed a character, and the next couldn’t believe the kindness that came from them. Jude, the main character, is a strong young woman who, when faced with incredible adversity, develops into a cunning warrior. She is brutal yet honest, and dark yet hopeful. Her perspective and narration makes the story so engaging, and as a reader, you are constantly pulling for her to “win.” The Cruel Prince, with its view of the dark side of faerie, has some very brutal moments. When the action begins, it does not stop! There is lots of deception, betrayal, and blood, and it all hits at moments when you least expect it. There were several times I had to close the book to process what had just happened, in a good way, of course. This is a fantastic book that I would highly recommend to students 8th grade and up (due to violence, some language, and some sexual innuendo/references). It’s a dark look into the world of faerie, packed with action, intrigue, and mystery. I cannot wait for the next addition to this series, The Wicked King, which is set to be published in January 2019. I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Ace of Shades by Amanda Foody Harlequin Teen - April 10, 2018 “…She’d made a dangerous mistake in thinking she could brave the City of Sin. If the stories were true, she was a schoolgirl who had just wandered into the city of the wolves.” Ace of Shades is a wonderful young adult fantasy novel from Amanda Foody full of casinos, card games, magic, danger, and action. Special thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Teen for a chance to read an advanced copy of this book. I really loved this book! Foody does an incredible job of world-building the city of New Reynes. The grimy, crime-ridden, gang-controlled North Side where the story takes place is incredibly vivid. From the people walking the streets to the opulent casinos to the smells, tastes, and sounds of the city, everything is detailed, well-described, and provides an engaging backdrop for the story. The characters are equally as detailed. The Lords of the gangs are seedy, traitorous, and down right bad; the Dons and Donnas of the casino families are corrupt and vile; and our main characters, Enne and Levi, are just fantastic. In the world of Ace of Shades, every person has a talent inherited from their parents. Even though the variety of talents is incredibly diverse, they are all unique and fully believable within the story. Ace of Shades follows the journey of Enne, who is studying to be a lady at a finishing school in the much more civilized city of Bellamy across the sea, and Levi, the Iron Lord, card dealer, and leader of a street gang. Enne’s mother disappears while working in the city and she travels to New Reynes to find her. Her mother had told her to seek out Levi if she ever disappeared, so that is exactly what she does, landing her in the middle of an incredibly dangerous, high stakes world. As they search for Enne’s missing mother, the story switches perspectives between Enne and Levi. I really enjoyed being able to see the story through both their eyes, providing more depth to their motives, feelings, and actions. The relationship between Enne and Levi is also well played, with moments of anger and mistrust, mixed with moments full of hope, redemption, and, of course, a little slow-burning romance. One of my favorite things about this book was the depth of the characters. Enne, for example, changes so much over the course of the book. She goes from a damsel in distress to a brave, confident, and self-assured young woman. I love a great tough-girl character, who can keep up with the boys (even outdo them sometimes) and take care of herself! I also loved the glimpses into Levi’s past and how he became who he was. He also changes dramatically over the course of the story, realizing what is really important and forming an incredibly strong bond with Enne. Another thing I loved was the Shadow Game, a dark and ominous card game that no one escapes. Receiving an invitation to the game is a death sentence; no one makes it out alive. This book was just fantastic! It was action packed, full of twists and turns, and kept me on the edge of my seat. The ending left me hopeful and yearning for another book, which is sure to follow. If you liked Caraval and Six of Crows, you will love this book. I highly recommend this fantastic young adult fantasy novel! Legendary by Stephanie Garber Flatiron Books - May 29, 2018 I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. I was so beyond excited when I received my approval for an advanced copy of this gem! I loved, loved, loved Caraval, and have been anxiously awaiting its sequel, Legendary, since I found out about it last year. Huge shout out to NetGalley and Flatiron Books for the opportunity to read this book before its release. First, I have to be honest. I loved Caraval, but was not a huge fan of Donatella "Tella" Dragna at the end of that book. I was worried that I wasn’t going to enjoy this story as much since she is the main character of Legendary. Boy, am I glad that I was wrong! I actually think I may like Tella more than Scarlett now (gasp!). The characters in this story are just so well written and engaging. Every single character is vividly characterized and, as a reader, I was genuinely invested in the outcome of each of their storylines. The plot of this book is so stunning, as well. It is full of magic, adventure, good, evil, and romance. I love how Garber is able to create such an astonishingly magical, yet realistic world. Everything from the setting, to the costumes, to the characters is so well thought out and described, that it makes the world within the story come alive. It is an emotional roller coaster that deftly looks into Tella and Scarlett’s past and fills in some of the gaps left from the first book. This book had it all for me, and is one that I can’t wait to share and recommend. It felt like being on the adventure myself, searching for clues to ultimately win Caraval. It kept me on the edge of my seat, and judging from the ending, there has to be another book to follow. This is a wonderful addition to the Caraval series and, once again, highlights what a fantastic writer Stephanie Garber is. I highly recommend this book!
Bibliography
Hand, Cynthia, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows. 2016. My Lady Jane. New York: Harper Teen. ISBN 9780062391742 Plot Summary All sixteen-year-old Lady Jane Grey wants to do is read her books, not marry a complete stranger and become the queen of England! With elements of historical fiction, fantasy, and comedy, Jane and her new husband (call him G) must work together to save the kingdom of England from a conspiracy plot against her dear cousin, Edward. The only problem is G is an Edian, meaning he spends his days as a horse and his nights as a man. Can Jane, G, and Edward find a way to save England before it’s too late? Critical Analysis This blended genre novel is one of my favorites this year! The authors’ dedication and “historical” notes throughout the story set a humorous and light-hearted tone. Of course, the real story of Lady Jane Grey is not so humorous or light-hearted, but the authors do a tremendous job of re-writing the story with a happy ending for all. This novel is rather long, but reads quickly as the perspective of each chapter changes between the viewpoints of the three main characters. There is a battle for good and evil, reference to pop culture (e.g. Game of Thrones), and a love story that is funny, sweet, and charming. This book hits all the right marks to entice and engage lovers of YA, fantasy, historical fiction, and comedy! The characters in this book, based upon their real-life counterparts, are well-rounded and hilarious! The strong female character of Jane is also empowering. She is incredibly smart and funny, and sets a good example for young girls based on elements of the real Jane’s life. G and Edward are equally interesting, and together, the characters weave a story that is entertaining. The dialogue between the characters shines, as the three friends explore the Edian world, plot their escapes, and banter back and forth. One of the best elements of this book is the play on actual history. The authors are able to take real events and change details to create an entirely new and fantastic story! As I was reading, I would stop to research more about each character and what really happened to them. Although they did not have quite the happy ending as in the story, it was interesting to find out more about the true history and lives of the characters. Overall, this is a great work of blended young adult fiction. It's definitely at the top of my favorites list for 2016! Response This story has so many elements from various genres that blend together seamlessly. The story will make you laugh out loud, hold your breath, and fight alongside the characters as they struggle to save England from the evil clutches of conspirators. This book truly has it all! The one negative that could turn YA readers away is its length. At over 400 pages it can seem like a daunting read. However, if publicized and promoted correctly, even some reluctant readers will see the interest in this multi-dimensional story. Book Trailer: Epic Reads Bibliography Gaiman, Neil. 2008. The Graveyard Book. Ill. by Dave McKean. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN 9780060530945 Plot Summary Nobody Owens, better known as Bod by the inhabitants of the small graveyard, is a normal boy whose life is anything but normal. As a toddler, Bod escapes his family’s home as a ruthless killer murders his family. He unknowingly finds safe harbor in the old cemetery under the care of the graveyard’s inhabitants, particularly Mr. and Mrs. Owens. As Bod grows older, it becomes more and more difficult for him to stay confined within the walls of the cemetery, even though the world outside still isn’t safe for him. Will Bod be able to face the real world and find out the truth about his family before the killer finds him? Critical Analysis In his award winning novel, Gaiman, with help from illustrator David McKean, tells the fantastic tale of Nobody Owens, better known as Bod. From the first sentences of the book, the reader feels a deep connection with the toddler as he escapes death and finds a safe haven in the the graveyard on the hill. Just like the graveyard inhabitants who care for Bod, as the story progresses, the reader also feels the dangers that surround Bod and hope deeply for his safety. As he navigates the world of the undead, werewolves, ghouls, and other fantastical beings, there is a kinship created that pulls the reader into the story. The other characters in the story, like Silas and Mr. and Mrs. Owens, truly care about Bod and take teaching him skills to survive very seriously. All of the characters are unique, interesting, engaging, and of course, fantastical! They are described with a clarity that creates a strong mental picture. Gaiman even uses language and word patterns from long ago to strengthen the characters and make them even more realistic. The graveyard where Bod lives, the town nearby, and even the other worlds that Bod visits are all vividly described by Gaiman. These worlds add to the story and create depth to the plot as Bod learns more about his past and future. One of Gaiman’s greatest talents is the use of details. From the gravestones, to the weather, to the abilities of the graveyards inhabitants, the details create a setting that is vibrant and engrossing for the reader. Even though The Graveyard Book is a fantasy story all of the elements come together to create a story that is consistent and believable. The journey that Bod takes to find out what happened to his family and finally gain his freedom into the real world is interesting, full of obstacles, and has one very menacing villain. It is so full of creativity and action it is difficult to put down. This story has so many themes, one of the main ones being the classic tale of good versus evil. Death is another major theme of the story, as the living and dead interact and Bod decides to seek the end of his confinement by finding out the truth in his family’s death. The great sense of community that Bod grows up in through the graveyard is also another theme. The community that surrounds Bod teaches him, mentors him, strengthens him, and guides him. The last pages of the book reflect on another major theme: family. As Bod says goodbye to his ghostly parents, it becomes clear that family is a major element of the story that grows under the surface throughout the novel. Gaiman’s writing style is clear, crisp, and distinct. He effortlessly creates the fantastical world of the graveyard and the inhabitants who keep Bod safe. He also uses language in the characters’ dialogue that is accurate to the historical time in which they lived. This use of language, vivid imagery, and fantasy elements creates a story that is not easily forgotten. Response I am not usually a reader of fantasy, but this book had me from the first pages. I could barely put it down! Gaiman has a way of vividly creating a world that is totally believable, yet total fantasy. The characters were engaging and creative, the story was complex, yet easy to follow, and the setting was so clear and striking; it is not difficult to see why this book won so many awards. This is a book that continues to live on through new adaptations into a graphic novel, and will continue to be a recommended title for young adult and adult readers alike. Honors 2009 Newbery Medal 2010 Carnegie Medal 2009 Hugo Award for Best Novel 2008 Cybils Award for Fantasy & Science Fiction 2009 Locus Award for Best Young-Adult Book 2010 SFX Award for Best Novel Reviews “While a highly motivated killer murders his family, a baby, ignorant of the horrific goings-on but bent on independence, pulls himself out of his crib and toddles out of the house and into the night. This is most unfortunate for the killer, since the baby was his prime target. Finding his way through the barred fence of an ancient graveyard, the baby is discovered by Mr. and Mrs. Owens, a stable and caring couple with no children of their own—and who just happen to be dead. After much debate with the graveyard’s rather opinionated denizens, it is decided that the Owenses will take in the child. Under their care and the sponsorship of the mysterious Silas, the baby is named “Nobody” and raised among the dead to protect him from the killer, who relentlessly pursues him. This is an utterly captivating tale that is cleverly told through an entertaining cast of ghostly characters. There is plenty of darkness, but the novel’s ultimate message is strong and life affirming. Although marketed to the younger YA set, this is a rich story with broad appeal and is highly recommended for teens of all ages.” – Booklist, starred review “Wistful, witty, wise—and creepy. Gaiman’s riff on Kipling’s Mowgli stories never falters, from the truly spine-tingling opening, in which a toddler accidentally escapes his family’s murderer, to the melancholy, life-affirming ending. Bod (short for Nobody) finds solace and safety with the inhabitants of the local graveyard, who grant him some of the privileges and powers of the dead—he can Fade and Dreamwalk, for instance, but still needs to eat and breathe. Episodic chapters tell miniature gems of stories (one has been nominated for a Locus Award) tracing Bod’s growth from a spoiled boy who runs away with the ghouls to a young man for whom the metaphor of setting out into the world becomes achingly real. Childhood fears take solid shape in the nursery-rhyme–inspired villains, while heroism is its own, often bitter, reward. Closer in tone to American Godsthan to Coraline, but permeated with Bod’s innocence, this needs to be read by anyone who is or has ever been a child.” – Kirkus, starred review Connections
Other Titles by Neil Gaiman:
Bibliography
Ruby, Laura. 2015. Bone Gap. New York: Balzer + Bray. ISBN 9780062317629 Plot Summary When Roza disappears just as mysteriously as she arrived, the people of Bone Gap are not surprised. Finn, however, knows the truth. He knows that Roza was taken by a dangerous man with a face he can’t remember. It is up to Finn to find and save Roza, before it’s too late. Laura Ruby seamlessly blends elements of contemporary realistic fiction and fantasy in this mesmerizing and beautiful novel. Critical Analysis Finn, better known as Spaceman, Sidetrack, Moonface, Pretty Boy, Loner, and Dude, is the kind of character readers of all ages can relate to. As Finn navigates through the loss of Roza and his attempts to find her, he must also deal with an aloof older brother, writing college essays, and finding love for the first time. As the story progresses, Finn’s characterization grows and you find yourself rooting for him, even as fantastical things happen that cannot be explained. Finn speaks like a teenager, acts like a teenager, loves like a teenager, and has a tenacity that draws the reader to him. Another characteristic of Finn that stands out is his inability to recognize faces. This plays a major role in the disappearance and hunt for Roza. Finn is not the only engaging character in the story. Roza, whose story unfolds in the chapters she narrates, is so full of emotion and strength. Her character plays an important part in Finn’s discovery of his own strength and in the repair of his relationship with his brother. Petey, the bee charmer, is Finn’s first love, who helps him discover what makes him different than the others. Even the crazy townsfolk, Charlie Valentine, Finn’s friend Miguel, the Rude brothers, and Petey’s mother, create a memorable cast of characters that elevate the story and make it that much more memorable. Bone Gap is a small town full of “talking” corn (at least Finn and Miguel think so), mysterious gaps in reality, and gossipy residents. It is much like any small town initially, as Finn deals with normal teenage angst, including the Rude brothers, five of them, who like to beat him up. Anyone who grew up in a small town will quickly make connections to people they knew, but all readers will recognize the setting and its importance as the story delves into the realm of fantasy. Where Bone Gap differs from other current fiction is in its blending of realistic fiction and fantasy. While most of the story is contemporary and realistic, as Finn dives into the journey of finding the missing Roza, fantasy elements are seamlessly blended into the story line. What is most amazing about this blending is that, as the reader, the transition between reality and fantasy is so smooth, you do not even question what is happening. From the appearance of the horse and goat in the barn, to Roza’s experiences in captivity, to Finn’s encounter with the dangerous man as he attempts to rescue Roza, reality and fantasy blend so well, it only adds to the plot of the story. The theme of Bone Gap is two fold. Finn begins to understand who he truly is and accept himself. He, and several of the other characters, also finally find where they belong, another strong motif in young adult fiction. A thematic characteristic of this novel that stood out to me was that all of the characters experience these two themes in their own unique ways. For example, Petey, Finn’s love interest, finally begins to see that she is beautiful and that with Finn she will always have a place to belong. Likewise, Roza discovers that she is strong in ways she didn’t know and that she has a home and safe haven with Finn and Sean. The themes are strong, and well written into the storyline. Ruby’s use of varying story perspectives gives the reader a multi-dimensional look at the story. Although most of the story is told through Finn’s perspective, Roza and Petey, also get in on the action of sharing their perspective and experience in the plot line. Even with the changing point of view, the story does not get overloaded, it only accentuates the development of the story. There is also a nice balance between Finn’s male perspective and the female perspectives of Roza and Petey. One of the most important factors in this story is that, after Finn completes his journey, there is a happy ending for all of the characters. Bone Gap definitely stands out as a blended genre novel that will engage readers of all ages and satisfy them with a wonderful story. Response Bone Gap is by far my favorite work of young adult fiction this year. I became so engrossed in the characters’ lives and challenges, I had difficulty putting it down. I still think about this book everyday and use it as a marker for judging other young adult books! One of my favorite elements of the story was the development of the relationship between Finn and Petey. Writing haikus, discovering other-worldly places, and each other, their relationship draws on the feelings any reader had the first time they fell in love. Another element of Bone Gap that I found incredibly interesting was Finn’s condition, prosopagnosia, or face blindness. This is something I had never heard of, but, of course, is very real. Its effect on Finn throughout his life, and throughout the story, is incredible, interesting, and eye-opening. Overall, this is one book that will remain on my booktalk and recommended shelf for a long time to come! Honors 2016 Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature National Book Award Finalist Reviews "One part magical realism and two parts fantasy, Bone Gap is a story of whispering corn, buzzing bees, and glimpses of magic in parallel universes...Like in so many classic small-town stories, the town of Bone Gap becomes an integral character. Its collective judgment influences each main character; its magic is both the question and the answer to this very complex, emotional puzzle...The real magic in Bone Gap is the discovery of love, an idea many stories misrepresent but Bone Gap explores with the utmost honesty and truth." —Voya, starred review "It is a rare book that sits comfortably on the shelf with the works of Twain, McCullers, Conroy, Stephen King, and D'Aulaires' Greek Myths—rarer still that a novel combines elements of these authors together. Bone Gap does just this, to superb effect. We start with a boy named Finn and his brother, Sean. Sean is the classic hero: strong, silent, great at everything he does. Finn is a pretty boy whose otherworldly goofiness has earned him the nicknames Spaceman, Sidetrack, and Moonface. Along comes Roza, a beautiful and damaged young woman, fleeing from some unknown evil. When she disappears, only Finn witnesses her abduction and he is unable to describe her captor. He is also unsure whether she left by force or choice. The author defies readers' expectations at every turn. In this world, the evidence of one's senses counts for little; appearances, even less. Heroism isn't born of muscle, competence, and desire, but of the ability to look beyond the surface and embrace otherworldliness and kindred spirits. Sex happens, but almost incidentally. Evil happens, embodied in a timeless, nameless horror that survives on the mere idea of beauty. Ruby's novel deserves to be read and reread. It is powerful, beautiful, extraordinary." —Nina Sachs, School Library Journal "Bone Gap marks Laura Ruby as one of fiction's most original voices. She is capable of moving you to tears, terrifying you on deep and dream-like levels, and making your heart shout with happiness. This book is magic realism at its most magical." --E. Lockhart, author of The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks and We Were Liars "Ruby's enigmatic novel weaves together the brutal realism of small-town cruelties and sexual violence with the best kind of dreamlike folk magic, inflecting the hard parts with fairy tale softness...and shimmering, hopeful mysticism. With rich characters, captivating world building, and a stunning secret at its heart, Bone Gap is utterly bewitching." —Booklist, starred review Connections Other Blended Genre Young Adult Titles:
Other Young Adult Titles by Laura Ruby:
Bone Gap Book Trailer |
AuthorMy name is Mrs. Scott and I'm a secondary Media Resource Specialist (librarian) in Texas. This blog was created as part of my graduate coursework at Texas Woman's University. All reviews and opinions are my own.
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