Origin Book Review

Author: Jessica Khoury. Release date: 2012. Publisher: Razorbill. ISBN: 9781595145956.

Annotation: Pia is perfect: the sole member of a race of immortals created deep in the jungles of the Amazon. She has spent her entire life behind the walls of the secret compound of scientists who made her and doesn’t know anything about what lies beyond the cage she calls home. Everything changes, however, when she discovers a hole in the fence and ventures into the jungle where she meets Eio, a boy her age from the outside world.      

Personal thoughts: I really liked the concept of this book and, although I had some trouble reading through some of the parts pertaining to animal testing, overall, I enjoyed it. Pia is a very likable character and it was interesting watching her grow and become more “human” as the story progressed. While I don’t think this novel is for everyone, I would definitely recommend it to science-fiction fans who want something a little different from the norm.   

Plot summary: Pia is perfect. The only member of a race of immortals created deep in the jungles of the Amazon, she has spent her life in the walls of the compound of scientists who have dedicated their lives to engineering more people like her. Pia knows that her destiny lies in one day joining the scientists in discovering how to quickly create more immortals; currently the process takes five generations and Pia is the result of work that began in 1912. Everything changes, however, when Pia discovers a hole in the fence that surrounds her home and ventures out into the jungle. There she meets Eio, a handsome boy who lives in a neighboring village of natives. Pia has never seen someone her age and is fascinated by Eio and the rest of the villagers. Although she knows it’s wrong, she continues to visit Eio and the village, learning more about the outside world than she ever thought possible. The more she discovers, however, the more she begins to realize that not everything inside her compound of scientists is what it seems and that the truth behind her creation might be deadlier than she ever imagined.

Review: From debut author Jessica Khoury comes this Michael Crichton-esque novel for young adults about science, danger and, of course, romance. One of the best things about Origin is that the author does her best not to dumb down the scientific aspects of the plot for the reader. Pia’s creation isn’t paranormal: she was engineered by the very group of scientists that are the only family she has ever known. Some aspects of the operations of Little Cam, the compound Pia calls home, might be difficult for readers to make it through, particularly the elements pertaining to animal testing. Part of the story, however, is showing how Pia’s humanity despite her immortality impacts the events of the novel, and her growing separation from the scientists of Little Cam becomes more evident as she grows and changes. The romance that develops between Pia and Eio, the handsome eighteen-year-old from the neighboring village of natives, is enjoyable and not over-the-top, making the book relatable for teen boys and girls alike. Overall, a well-written and thought-provoking novel from an author with a lot of promise.

Genre:  Science-Fiction

Reading level: Grade 8+

Similar titles: Michael Crichton novels (Jurassic Park, Next, etc.)    

Themes:  Science, genetic engineering, the Amazon, duty, immortality, danger, secrets, romance, betrayal.   

Awards/Reviews:  Positive review from Kirkus and Booklist.

Series Information: N/A  

Discussion questions:

-          Why do you think the scientists of Little Cam kept the outside world a secret from Pia? Do you think it was the right choice?

-          How do you explain the “tests” that was Pia was put through? What was Uncle Paolo hoping to accomplish with the tests?

-         Why do you think Pia was so intrigued by Eio?

-         Why did it take Pia such a long time to warm up to Aunt Harriet?

-         Would you have been able to do what Uncle Paolo asked Pia to do to Sneeze? Why or why not?

-          Do you think Pia made the right choice in the end? Why or why not?

Through the Ever Night Book Review

Author: Veronica Rossi. Release date: 2013. Publisher: HarperCollins. ISBN: 9780062072061.

Annotation: After her mother’s death and the discovery of Vale’s treachery, Aria and Perry, now the blood lord of the Tides, are living an uneasy existence amongst the people Perry must protect. With the Aether storms worsening and land becoming more scarce for Outsiders, however, Aria and Perry’s situation is further complicated when they decide to seek out the Still Blue: the one area on Earth said to be free of the electrical storms that destroyed civilization.

Personal thoughts: I was a huge fan of Under the Never Sky and have recommended it quite frequently to Hunger Games fans who want something similar, so I was really looking forward to picking up Through the Ever Night. Unfortunately, I didn’t enjoy it nearly as much as I did the first novel. I found the whole tribe/survival element of Perry’s role as blood lord and little tedious and I kept waiting for something exciting to happen throughout the first two-thirds of the story. The book does pick up towards the end, which leads me to believe that there is still hope it will be an overall excellent trilogy, but I think the author has a bit of work to do in the final installment. Either way, I will still recommend this series to fans of the dystopian genre. Interesting storyline and likable characters that hold a lot of promise for a strong finish.   

Plot summary: Following their discovery of her mother’s death and of the defeat of his brother Vale, Aria and Perry, now the blood lord of the Tides, are living an uneasy existence amongst the Outsiders. Distrustful of Dwellers, Aria’s new home is far from welcoming, especially since Perry’s new position as ruler of the Tides is shaky at best. Determined to protect his people and make up for his brother’s mistakes, Perry and Aria decide to seek out the Still Blue: the last place on Earth that is said to be free of the Aether storms that increasingly scorch the landscape and everything in its path. The only person who knows where the location of the Still Blue, however, is Sable: the blood lord of the Horns, the tribe that Perry and Aria believe is still holding Perry’s sister Liv captive. To make matters worse, Consul Hess, the leader of the domed-city of Reverie that Aria used to call home, is forcing Aria to provide him the location of the Still Blue, using Perry’s brother Talon as a bargaining chip. As the Tides’ trust of their new blood lord and his dweller girlfriend decreases and the Aether storms get worse and worse, can Aria and Perry discover the location of the one place on Earth where they might be able to survive?

Review: Picking up where the best-selling novel, Under the Never Sky, left off, this second installment in Veronica Rossi’s trilogy doesn’t quite live up to its predecessor but still manages to continue the author’s intriguing tale of danger, love and duty. Unlike the first book, Aria and Perry’s relationship is firmly cemented in Through the Ever Night. What is not cemented, however, is their position in Perry’s tribe, the Tides, of which he finds himself the new blood lord. Readers who have forgotten some of the events of Under the Never Sky will need a little refresher to understand exactly what is going on, because the novel does little to recap what happened previously, potentially leading to some confusion. For those who remember all of the details, and plot twists of the first book, however, the story flows well, expanding on the characters created in Under the Never Sky and adding new elements to the landscape in which they exist. One of the most intriguing parts of Veronica Rossi’s creation, the mysterious and deadly Aether storms, becomes the largest driving force in the plot as Aria and Perry struggle to find a way to free themselves and the Tides from its constant destruction. This focus on the Aether and survival, unfortunately means that some of what was so enjoyable about the first novel, such as Perry and Aria’s developing relationship, the nature of the domed cities and the various inhabitants of the outside world, etc. take the backseat. Some interesting plot twists occur surrounding Perry’s sister Liv and her new home with Sable, the leader of a rival tribe, add entertainment value, but many readers might find themselves longing for the spark of the first book that simply isn’t as apparent in Through the Ever Night. Despite its shortcomings, however, the first two novels in this trilogy will definitely appeal to teens and fans of the dystopian genre. The third and final installment, Into the Still Blue, is set to be released in 2014.

Genre:  Science-Fiction/Dystopian

Reading level: Grade 8+

Similar titles: Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi, Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins, Earth’s Children series by Jane Auel, Across the Universe series by Beth Revis, Divergent series by Veronica Roth.   

Themes:  Dystopian, post-apocalyptic, love, loyalty, duty, survival, betrayal.

Awards/Reviews:  Positive reviews from Kirkus, Horn Book, Booklist and VOYA.  

Series Information: Second installment in Under the Never Sky trilogy. First installment, Under the Never Sky, released in 2012. Third installment, Into the Still Blue, set to be released 2014.

Discussion questions:

-          How have Perry and Aria changed since the first novel? Do you like them more or less?

-         Why do you think the Tides were so distrustful of Aria?

-         Do you think Perry is a successful blood lord? Why or why not?

-        Why did Wylan leave?

-         Do you think the Still Blue exists? Do you think Aria and Perry will find it?

-        What would you like to see happen in the third novel?

Lies Beneath Book Review

Author: Anne Greenwood Brown. Release date: 2012. Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers. ISBN: 9780385742016.

Annotation: Calder White and his three sisters are a family of mermaids that hunt in the waters of Lake Superior: feeding off the lives and emotions of humans. In order to avenge their mother’s death, Calder and his sisters vow to kill the person they believe to be responsible, a man named Jason Hancock. Calder’s sisters order him to seduce Lily, Hancock’s daughter, to get close to her father, but Calder doesn’t expect to find himself falling in love with his prey.

Personal thoughts: I’m always intrigued by mermaid tales, especially ones where the mermaids are kind of mean, so this story was up my alley. While I did enjoy it, there were some aspects that I wish had been downplayed and some that I wish had been highlighted more. I really liked reading about Calder and his sisters and their ability to lure victims to their watery graves. I wanted to know more about the mermaid family, but instead the bulk of the novel focused on Lily and her relationship with Calder. The romance was sweet, but seemed to blossom incredibly quickly from trepidation to full-blown love within a few chapters. I also felt like the ending got a little muddled, but I will still likely pick up the sequel when it’s released later this year. I think the series has potential and would recommend it to readers who like paranormal romance, especially of the mermaid variety.  

Plot summary: For decades, Calder White and his sisters, Maris, Pavati and Tallulah, have hunted in the waters of Lake Superior. Feeding off the lives and emotions of humans, Calder and his sisters are not like the Disney version of mermaids: their supernatural powers and ability to survive both above and beneath the surface of the icy waves makes them lethal to their prey. Years earlier, their mother died as a result of a broken promise made between her and a human man who’s life she saved in exchange for that of his infant child. The man, Tom Hancock, took his family away from the lake, but his now adult son, Jason, has returned with his wife and children. Determined to avenge their mother’s death, Maris, the eldest of Calder’s sisters and the leader of their family, orders Calder to seduce Lily, Jason’s seventeen-year-old daughter. In order to please his sisters, Calder gets close to Lily, spending more time with her than he ever has with another human. What Calder doesn’t expect, however, is to find himself falling in love with his prey. As Lily and Calder get closer, will he be able to deliver her father to his sisters?

Review: Author Anne Greenwood Brown’s enthusiasm for Lake Superior is evident in her debut novel, Lies Beneath, the first installment in a new series for young adults. It’s not very often that mermaid tales take place in a lake, but the author’s obvious love for the beauty surrounding the nearly ocean-sized body of water makes the presence of sea creatures perfectly acceptable. The geography and climate of the lake is almost as much of a character as Calder, the leading merman, and Lily, his unknowing prey. Readers who are unfamiliar with Lake Superior will feel like they know the area quite well by the end of the story, largely due to the factual information the author includes about the history and lore that surround it. The plot of the novel itself is also interesting, with Calder and his mermaid sisters being more like sharks circling the shore watching for prey. The revenge aspect of the tale gets slightly confusing at times: it’s clear that there is more to the story but it isn’t until the end of the book that the author really decides what direction she wants to take the characters. The conclusion feels somewhat abrupt, but overall, the novel is entertaining and will likely leave readers excited for the sequel, Deep Betrayal, which is set to be released on March 12, 2013.

Genre:  Fantasy

Reading level: Grade 7+

Similar titles: Lost Voices by Sarah Porter, Of Poseidon by Anna Banks.  

Themes:  Mermaids, revenge, murder, sibling relationships, romance, secrets, betrayal.  

Awards/Reviews:  Positive review from School Library Journal.

Series Information: First installment in Lost Voices series. Sequel, Deep Betrayal, set to be released March 12, 2013.

Discussion questions:

-         Why do you think Calder had a hard time feeding off of humans but his sisters seemed to enjoy it?

-        Which of Calder’s sisters was your favorite? Which was your least favorite? Why?

-         Have you ever been to Lake Superior? If not, did you learn anything about it while reading the novel?

-         Why do you think Lily was scared of Calder at first? What do you think changed her mind?

-          Do you think Lily always suspected Calder was a merman? Why or why not?

-        What would you like to see happen in the sequel?

Days of Blood and Starlight Book Review

Author: Laini Taylor. Release date: 2012. Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. ISBN: 9780316133975.

Annotation: After her chimaera family, and most of the race, are wiped out by the seraphim, Karou uses the skills she learned from Brimstone to be the new Resurrectionist in the White Wolf’s efforts to recreate his army. Meanwhile, Akiva, determined to atone for all he has done, scours the countryside of Eretz trying to protect what little chimaera are left.

Personal thoughts: I was a huge fan of Daughter of Smoke and Bone so I was very excited to read Days of Blood and Starlight. Unfortunately, like many series, the sequel just did not cut it for me. I found it to be about 100-200 pages too long, the pacing was odd, and it was incredibly dark. I wanted a little bit of levity, but happy moments were few and far between, as were romantic moments between Karou and Akiva. I did enjoy getting to know the characters a bit better, but I felt like the story dove headfirst into the Tolkien-esque fantasy realm and left those of us who aren’t into loads of battles and swordplay in the lurch. That being said, however, I will still likely pick up the third novel in the series when it is released, because I do think there is still some potential for the author to turn things around.

Plot summary: After the deaths of her chimaera family, and most of the race, Karou finds herself at the service of the White Wolf, the chimaera leader who, decades earlier, had her beheaded when she was living her previous life as Madrigal. Karou and what is left of the chimaera army have taken refuge in the human world, inhabiting a Kasbah in the deserts of Morocco, close to one of the last remaining portals to Eretz. Using the skills she learned from Brimstone, Karou is now the chimaera’s Resurrectionist, helping the White Wolf recreate his army to return to Eretz and seek revenge against the seraphim. Meanwhile, a heartbroken Akiva, believing Karou is dead, has reunited with his brother Hazael and sister Liraz, and the trio are now in service of their father, the emperor. Determined to completely wipe out what’s left of the chimaera, the seraphim armies patrol Eretz, killing every last chimaera they come across. Akiva, seeking to atone for what he has done, takes it upon himself to save as many chimaera as he can, still believing that the dream he and Madrigal shared of peace between the two races might be possible.

Review: Well-written but extremely complex, this sequel to Laini Taylor’s best-selling novel Daughter of Smoke and Bone continues to weave the multi-faceted tale of Karou, Akiva and the parallel worlds they inhabit. Although the plot from the previous book is continued, Days of Blood and Starlight is a very different story from its predecessor. There is little to no light-heartedness in the novel, page after page filled with death, war and suffering. The romance between Karou and Akiva is also noticeably decreased in this book, with most of the focus falling on the tension building as the renegade chimaera army plots its revenge against the seraphim. While Daughter of Smoke and Bone might have appealed to the typical young adult audience who like a mix of fantasy and romance, the appeal of the sequel to a variety of different readers is unlikely. Since the novel focuses almost entirely on battle, many teens who enjoyed Daughter of Smoke and Bone for its blend of fantasy, action-adventure and romance are going to get lost in the sea of swords and gore. The pacing of the book is also peculiar at times, skipping back and forth at random between Karou and Akiva’s perspectives. Overall, Days of Blood and Starlight is an interesting but not entirely successful sequel in Laini Taylor’s series. Hopefully the third novel, set to be released in 2014, can improve upon what is still a story and set of characters that hold a lot of potential.

Genre:  Science-Fiction/Fantasy

Reading level: Grade 9+

Similar titles: Between the Sea and Sky by Jaclyn Dolamore, Daughter of the Centaurs by Kate Klimo, Falling Under and Dreaming Awake by Gwen Hayes, The Mephisto Covenant: The Redemption of Ajax by Trinity Faegan, The Space Between by Brenna Yovanoff, Sweet Venom by Tera Lynn Childs.

Themes:  Mythology, mythological creatures, angels, war, betrayal, love.   

    

Awards/Reviews:  Positive review from School Library Journal, sequel to best-selling novel.  

Series Information: Second novel in Daughter of Smoke and Bone series. Third novel set to be released in 2014.  

Discussion questions:

-         Do you think Karou is doing the right thing in working for Thiago? Why or why not?

-        Why do you think Hazael and Liraz agree to help Akiva save the chimaera?

-          How do you think Karou is coping with remembering her life as Madrigal and the life she’s lived as a human? How does it influence her actions in the story?

-         Who was your favorite character in the novel? Why?

-        Do you think peace is possible between the chimaera and the seraphim? Why or why not?

-        What would you like to see happen in the third novel?

The Book of Blood and Shadow Book Review

Author: Robin Wasserman. Release date: 2012. Publisher:  Knopf Books for Young Readers. ISBN: 9780375868764.

Annotation: As part of a senior project, Nora Kane and her best friend Chris are working with the eccentric Professor Hoffpauer to decipher a centuries old manuscript written in code. After Chris is murdered, however, Nora realizes that the book has begun a dangerous series of events and finds herself in Prague, on the run from an ancient society and looking for the truth about a mysterious device known as the Lumen Dei.

Personal thoughts: I am a big fan of stories like The DaVinci Code that offer a mix of mystery, adventure and history, so I found a lot to enjoy in The Book of Blood and Shadow. The twists and turns in Nora’s quest to discover the truth about the Lumen Dei always kept me on my toes, and I found myself genuinely surprised by some of the events in the story. I did find the novel to be a bit complicated at times and it had a slow start, so I would recommend it to readers who aren’t discouraged if the action doesn’t happen on the first page. For teens who want something that is going to make them think and keep them on the edge of their seat, however, this is easy to recommend!

Plot summary: After the death of her older brother years earlier, seventeen-year-old Nora Kane didn’t think she’d ever be able to be close with anyone again. After a scholarship lands her at the exclusive Chapman Prep, however, she meets Chris Moore and his girlfriend Adriane Ames, and the trio soon becomes inseparable. At the beginning of Nora’s senior year, and Chris’ first year at a local university, Nora is invited to do a special project and, along with Chris and his roommate Max, assist the eccentric Professor Hoffpauer in deciphering a centuries old book written in a mysterious code. Nora’s job is to translate the letters of Elizabeth Weston, a woman who lived in Prague at the end of the 16^th century whose father was thought to have cracked the book’s code. As they spend more and more time together, Nora finds herself falling for the soft spoken Max and, for the first time since her brother’s death, she is happy. Everything changes, however, when Chris is brutally murdered. Adriane, who witnesses the murder, is catatonic and Max, who the police suspect killed Chris, is nowhere to be found. Nora soon realizes that it is the book, and the information it contains, that have caused her and her friends to be drawn into a dangerous conflict that has been raging for centuries. Determined to discover the truth about the book and save Max, Nora finds herself in Prague, on the hunt for answers about a mysterious machine known as the Lumen Dei and the ancient society that will stop at nothing to protect it.

Review: Fans of Dan Brown’s The DaVinci Code or films like National Treasure or Indiana Jones will find much to enjoy in veteran author Robin Wasserman’s latest novel, The Book of Blood and Shadow. Although it is complicated and the plot takes a bit of time to really get moving, readers who are willing to stick with the book will discover a story full of twists and turns that combines adventure, danger, religion and history. What makes The Book of Blood and Shadow more complex that most novels for young adults, but ultimately rewarding, is that the author devotes some serious time into developing the characters. Nora in particular is very fleshed out with a great deal of attention given to the backstory of her brother’s death. Her friends are also written with a lot of detail, making it all the more intriguing when the story shifts and Nora begins to discover that what she thought she knew about them might not be true. The historical and geographical aspects of the novel are also well-written, and readers can expect to learn quite a bit about the city of Prague. It is difficult to describe the events of the plot without giving too much away, but suffice it to say that the story keeps the reader guessing at every turn. A good choice for teen readers who want something full of adventure.

Genre:  Fiction/Mystery

Reading level: Grade 8+

Similar titles: The DaVinci Code novels by Dan Brown.

Themes:  Mystery, secret societies, Prague, danger, friendship, loss, betrayal.   

Awards/Reviews:  Starred review from Publishers Weekly, positive reviews from Kirkus and The Horn Book Magazine.   

Series Information: N/A  

Discussion questions:

-         How did the death of Nora’s older brother impact the events of the story?

-        Do you think Nora felt a connection with Elizabeth Weston? Is it possible to have a friendship or understanding with someone from the past? Why or why not?

-       Should Nora have taken Elizabeth’s letter?

-       Was going to Prague the right thing to do?

-        What was the biggest surprise or plot twist for you while reading the novel?

-        Did you learn anything about Prague and its history by reading the novel?

 

 

 

Icefall Book Review

Author: Matthew J. Kirby. Release date: 2011. Publisher: Scholastic Press. ISBN: 9780545274241.

Annotation: After their father, the king, goes to war, the royal children, Solveig, her older sister, Asa, and her younger brother, Harald, are sent to spend the winter in safety in an isolated fortress tucked into a frozen fjord. Joined by an army of warriors and a few of their most trusted servants, Solveig and the rest of the fortress inhabitants begin to worry that their might be a traitor in their midst after several mysterious acts of sabotage occur in the frozen walls.   

Personal thoughts: When I first started this book I honestly wasn’t sure I was going to like it. As it continued, however, I grew to absolutely love the story. Solveig is easily one of my all-time favorite female protagonists in any novel I’ve read in both the adult and young adult genres. The fact that she is so endearing really made me care about what happened in the story, and I found myself cheering her on as she grew more confident in herself and in her abilities as a storyteller. I would easily be able to recommend this book to tween and teen readers who want something that completely immerses them in a different world. I would also highly recommend it to adult readers as well! I’m looking forward to seeing what Matthew J. Kirby comes up with next!

Plot summary: The second daughter and middle child of her father, the king, Solveig has never been considered by herself, or anyone else, to be special. Her older sister, Asa, is beautiful and graceful and her younger brother, the crown prince, Harald, is spunky and determined to be a powerful warrior. Solveig is plain and shy, and doesn’t really know where she fits in with the rest of her family. After her father declares war on a neighboring kingdom, Solveig, along with Asa and Harald, are sent away to spend the winter in an isolated fortress, safe from the perils of war. Along with the royal children come Per, one of the king’s most trusted warriors, and several of his men, servants Bera and her son Raudi, a good friend of Solveig’s, and Ole, a slave who was captured in battle years earlier but is now loyal to the king. The small group waits for the winter to come and the fjord to freeze over, blocking off any entrance by land or sea to their hidden fortress. Before the last ice forms, however, a ship full of berserkers, the king’s most ferocious warriors, lead by the gruff Captain Hake arrives to ensure the royal children are protected. The berserkers bring with them a skald named Alric, a man serves as the king’s chief storyteller. Solveig immediately bonds with Alric, who teaches her about the importance of stories and how they can shape the mind. As the winter trudges on, however, life in the frozen hall becomes increasingly claustrophobic. Used to the battlefield, the berserkers become restless, Solveig suspects that something is going on between Asa and Per, and several acts of sabotage threaten the lives of everyone in the fjord. Can Solveig uncover who the traitor is in their midst before it’s too late?

Review: Full of interesting characters, a rich and detailed setting, and a tense but creative plot, Icefall is a fascinating psychological fantasy novel that readers of all ages who want something that makes them think will enjoy. One of the most impressive parts of the book is how impactful Kirby’s ability to create a feeling of claustrophobia is. As the winter gets darker and colder, the reader feels just as much apprehension as Solveig does about the possibility of a traitor living in the hall. All of the novel’s characters are exceptionally well developed, particularly the very likable Solveig, and the reader finds themselves truly wondering who can be trusted and if everyone will make it through the winter alive. Although these feelings of tension abound in the novel, Kirby does an excellent job of limiting the amount of violence in the plot. The story takes place in ancient Norse times, so there is, of course, reference to battles, swordplay, etc. But parents should not be concerned about the appropriateness of the novel for tweens: everything is PG and there is very little gore. Although the novel is appropriate for younger readers, adults should not shy away from picking the book up as well. There are many layers to the plot that adults can appreciate, and the novel is, in plain terms, simply a good book. Highly recommended to fans of fantasy, mystery and stories set in ancient times.

Genre: Historical Fiction/Fantasy

Reading level: Grade 6+

Similar titles: Dark of the Moon by Tracy Barrett, Cleopatra’s Moon by Vicky Alvear Shecter, D’Aulaires’ Book of Norse Myths by Ingri D’Aulaire, Edgar Parin D’Aulaire, and Michael Chabon.

Themes: Norse myths, war, winter, tension, loyalty, betrayal, self-confidence.

Awards/Reviews: 2012 Edgar Award winner. Positive reviews from Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal, Booklis, and Bulletin for the Center for Children’s Books.

Series Information: N/A

Discussion questions:

- Who was your favorite character in the novel? Why?

-     Why do you think Solveig was so attached to Hilda?

-   Do you think the berserkers were trustworthy? Why or why not?

-    If you were Solveig, would you have shared your food with Ole? Why? Do you think Solveig regretted that decision?

-   Who did you suspect was the traitor in the hall as you were reading the novel? Did your opinion change as the story progressed? Why?

The Mephisto Covenant: The Redemption of Ajax Book Review

 Author: Trinity Faegen. Release date: 2011. Publisher:  EgmontUSA. ISBN: 9781606841709.

Annotation: Seventeen-year-old Sasha Annenkova is shocked to learn that she is Anabo: a daughter of Eve, and a pure spirit who cannot be tempted by sin. After she meets Ajax DeKyanos, a son of Hell, she discovers that her role as an Anabo plays an important part in the fight against Eryx, who seeks to overthrow Lucifer and create Hell on Earth.  

Personal thoughts: Wow. It’s not very often that I really dislike a book, but I’m sorry to say that I really disliked this book. It was just so odd, and I kept waiting for it to improve but it never did. The quasi-dual-narration between Sasha and Jax was odd, the backstory was incredibly convoluted, and the storyline was strangely violent/sexually charged. It was like a novel that was meant for an adult audience, but was watered down (unsuccessfully) to pass as young adult. I would have a whole lot of trouble recommending this book to a teen, especially since there is nothing about the plot that is enjoyable enough to make navigating through all the terrible things that happen to Sasha worthwhile. Sorry!

Plot summary: Seventeen-year-old Sasha Annenkova wants nothing more than to learn the truth behind her father’s murder in Russia years earlier. When a group of students at her Oakland high school tell her of a club called the Ravens, a group that pledges to give up God and serve Eryx in exchange for being granted whatever they want, she jumps at the chance to discover what really happened to her father. At the Ravens meeting she is shocked, however, when they inform her that she is Anabo, a daughter of Eve, pure and un-tempted by sin, with the power to destroy Eryx. The Ravens have lured her to their secret location to kill her, ending the threat she poses to the one they serve, and they almost succeed until she is rescued by Ajax DeKyanos. Ajax, or Jax, informs her that he is Mephisto, a son of the dark angel Mephistopholes, as are his brothers, including the oldest, Eryx. Thousands of years earlier, Jax and his brothers were promised by God that if they found an Anabo and were able to make her love them, they would be redeemed and able to worthy of heaven, fulfilling the Mephisto Covenant. Eryx, however, chose to seek power, and is attempting to recruit souls to help him overthrow Lucifer, creating Hell on Earth. Jax immediately falls in love with Sasha, but, although she is attracted to him, Sasha isn’t sure that she can love a son of Hell. As the threat from Eryx grows, will Jax be able to achieve the redemption he has sought for thousands of years?  

Review: Convoluted, schizophrenic and, at times, just plain silly, this first installment in a new paranormal series of young adults is difficult to recommend to any reader for several reasons. Although there is some interesting concepts in the book (the idea of the Mephisto Covenant, the importance of the daughters of Eve, etc.), so much of the novel is downright strange, making it hard to get through all 434 pages. To begin with, the novel opens with the main character getting stoned. Not stoned in the sense of recreational drugs, but with actual stones being thrown at her in an attempt to quell her Anabo spirit. Readers should be warned from this initial curious incident that they are in for something unsettling, but the novel continues to plow forward into the uncomfortable. Events in the book include but are not limited to attempted rape, physical assault, murder, molestation, torture by hot poker, and an incredibly graphic sex scene for a young adult book. There are also so many references to breasts in the novel, it’s almost laughable. Every chapter seems to mention breasts, something that would be okay if done in the right context, but is so strange in this novel that it becomes funny. Overall, it’s nearly impossible to recommend this book to any teen reader, even those who are die-hard paranormal romance fans. The sequel, The Mephisto Kiss, is set to be released in September 2012. Hopefully it will improve upon the absurdity of the first novel.

Genre: Fiction/Romance

Reading level: Grade 9+

Similar titles: A Beautiful Dark by Jocelyn Davies, Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor, Misfit by Jon Skovron, The Space Between by Brenna Yovanoff.  

Themes:  Heaven, Hell, the Bible, sin, betrayal, redemption.

Awards/Reviews:  Positive reviews from authors P.C. Cast and Sherrilyn Kenyon.  

Series Information: First book in Mephisto series. Second novel, The Mephisto Kiss, set to be released in September 2012.   

Discussion questions:

-       If you had a chance to join the Ravens and get whatever you wanted, would you? Why or why not?

-      Why do you think Sasha had trouble completely falling for Jax?

-      Why do you think Melanie hated Sasha’s father so much?

-     Would you say that this novel is "Christian fiction"? Why or why not?

-      Did you enjoy this novel? Do you plan to read the sequel? Why or why not?

The Blackhope Enigma Book Review

Author: Teresa Flavin. Release date: 2011. Publisher:  Templar. ISBN: 9780763656941.

Annotation: After her stepbrother mysteriously vanishes while walking through a labyrinth in Blackhope Tower, fourteen-year-old Sunni and her classmate Blaise follow him into an enchanted Renaissance-era painting that has been shrouded in mystery for centuries.

Personal thoughts: The idea of people entering enchanted paintings is something I relish, and I found this story to be, in a word, delightful. Although the characters left just a tiny bit to be desired in terms of development, I really enjoyed venturing into the world that Teresa Flavin created. The concept of the layered worlds in the painting was really intriguing, and I loved seeing how the story played out as the characters got further into the painting. I’m looking forward to reading The Crimson Shard and hope that it can live up to what The Blackhope Enigma accomplishes.

Plot summary: Fourteen-year-old Sunni Forrest and her classmate Blaise Doran are both studying famous Renaissance artist Fausto Corvo for a project at their English school. Sunni enjoyed getting top marks in her class for her artistic skills, that is until Blaise blew in from America and wowed everyone with his intricate drawings. One afternoon while studying a painting called The Mariner’s Return to Arcadia housed in the chambers of the neighboring Blackhope Tower, Sunni’s tag-along twelve-year-old stepbrother, Dean, suddenly vanishes while walking through a labyrinth set up in front of the painting. Sunni and Blaise are shocked when they realize that Dean has been transported into the painting, spotting his out-of-place figure amongst the Renaissance inhabitants of Corvo’s work. Determined to rescue Dean, Sunni follows him into the painting. When neither Sunni nor Dean reappear from The Mariner’s Return to Arcadia, Blaise decides to enter the work himself the following day, feeling partially responsible for their vanishing into the painting. What Sunni, Dean and Blaise discover is an intricate series of worlds layered upon top of one another in the painting. Each realm is beautiful, but dangerous, allowing visitors to move forward from land to land, but not in reverse. The trio soon realizes that the only way out of the painting is to continue on into the unknown, but will they survive what lies ahead long enough to return home?

Review:  Harkening to the traditions of C.S. Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia, The Blackhope Enigma, first in a series of novels for young adults by illustrator turned author, Teresa Flavin, brings a fresh, original, and enthralling tale that easily appeals to fantasy fans of all ages. The novel cuts right to the chase, immediately beginning Sunni, Dean and Blaise’s adventure from almost the first pages. The concept of the layered painting and various worlds that the trio experience is not only unique, but very entertaining. Readers will delight in finding out “what comes next” in The Mariner’s Return to Arcadia, with each layer adding more and more to the story. The inclusion of art history in the novel, from discussions of various painting techniques to a look at the society of the Renaissance, adds an element to The Blackhope Enigma that will appeal to educators who might want to spark an interest in this era. The characters of the novel, though somewhat underdeveloped, are enjoyable as well and will undoubtedly appeal to younger readers who can identify with some of Sunni and Dean’s brother/sister antics. Overall, The Blackhope Enigma is a wonderful start to a fun and exciting series. The second novel, The Crimson Shard, tells of another adventure involving Sunni and Blaise and was published in October 2011.

Genre: Fantasy

Reading level: Grade 5+

Similar titles: The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis, Darker Still by Leanna Renee Hieber, Tom’s Midnight Garden by Philippa Pearce.

Themes:  Art, time travel, betrayal, Renaissance.

Awards/Reviews:  Positive reviews from Scholastic Parent & Child and Library Media Connection.    

Series Information: Sequel, The Crimson Shard, released in October 2011.   

Discussion questions: 

-       Have you ever had someone who wanted to do a project on the same topic as you? Did this bother you like it did Sunni? Why or why not?

-     Do you think Blaise did the right thing in following Sunni and Dean into the painting?

-    Why do you think Marin thought Sunni and Dean were spies?

-     Do you think Angus got what he deserved? Why or why not?