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?

Everneath Book Review

Author: Brodi Ashton. Release date: 2012. Publisher:  Balzer + Bray. ISBN: 9780062071132.

Annotation: Nikki Beckett has spent the last hundred years in the Everneath: the dimension between Earth and Hell where the Everliving feed off the energy of those from the surface. As a Forfeit, Nikki’s energy went to her Everliving host, Cole, who convinced her that allowing him to feed off of her would ease the pain from her mother’s death. What Cole didn’t know, however, is that Nikki’s memory of her loving boyfriend, Jack, would make her a Forfeit unlike any other.  

Personal thoughts: The concept of the protagonist in a young adult novel travelling, literally, to Hell and back is nothing new. I was very impressed, however, with how Brodi Ashton made the concept fresh and interesting in Everneath. The Persephone myth has always intrigued me, and I really liked the modern adaptation in this novel. I also thought that Nikki was a really interesting character with a surprising amount of depth. I found myself actually caring what happened to her and wondering how she was going to decide what to do with the little time she had left on the surface. I’m really looking forward to the sequel, as well as whatever Brodi Ashton comes up with next!

Plot summary: Nikki Beckett has spent the last hundred years in the Everneath: the dimension between Earth and Hell where the Everliving feed off the energy of those from the surface. Having agreed to allow Cole, a handsome and charismatic musician and one of the Everliving, to take her to the Everneath, Nikki became a Forfeit: someone not expected to survive the mental trauma of a Feed who eventually will serve as a source of energy for the entire Everneath. After the Feed is complete, Nikki is allowed to return to the surface, but only for six months until the Everneath returns to claim her for a life of torture and entrapment. On the surface, only six months have passed, but Nikki has lived for much longer than her sixteen years trapped in the Everneath where time moves at a different pace. Nikki has trouble remembering things about her life before the Feed, but the one thing she does remember is Jack: the loving boyfriend who helped her get through her mother’s tragic death in a car accident. While she was in the Everneath, everyone, including Jack, her father, brother and her best friend, Jules, assumed that Nikki had run away, unable to face the pain of losing her mother. Now that she has returned, Nikki wants to use the short time she has left to say her final goodbyes to her family and friends. One problem stands in the way of Nikki’s plan, however: Cole. It appears that Cole has his own plan for his Forfeit, something that would make Nikki a queen in the Everneath but would cost her soul. Will Nikki choose to join Cole, losing all hope of redemption for a chance to live forever? Or is there another way for Nikki to escape her fate in the Everneath, one that involves the love for Jack that kept her going for a century?

Review: A modern day re-telling of the classic Persephone myth, this novel from debut author Brodi Ashton makes for a riveting and romantic start to a new series for teens. The subject of Greek mythology and myths in general permeates the story, but in a way far less ostentatiously than other mythical adaptations for young adults. Upon her return from the Everneath, Nikki examines myths and the heroes they contain, something that is likely to spark a least a mild interest in teen readers to research the subject further. The author has done a good job of weaving modern elements in with the mythological aspects, turning the “Hades” character into a handsome, iPhone carrying bad boy and making Nikki, the Persephone of the book, grapple with typical high school situations like bullying and feeling like she doesn’t fit in. The plot also takes a few twists and turns that make for some unexpected surprises and maintain the reader’s interest. The novel ends with a very effective cliffhanger as well, and teens are likely to clamber for the sequel, Everbound, which is set to be released December 1, 2012.

Genre:  Science-Fiction

Reading level: Grade 8+

Similar titles: Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor, Falling Under by Gwen Hayes, Soul Screamers series by Rachel Vincent, Misfit by Jon Skovron, The Space Between by Brenna Yovanoff, Sweet Venom by Tera Lynn Childs, Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini.   

Themes:  Redemption, mythology, Persephone, Hell, afterlife, sacrifice, death, high school relationships, love.    

Awards/Reviews:  Starred review from VOYA, positive reviews from Publishers Weekly and School Library Journal.  

Series Information: First installment in Everneath series. Second novel, Everbound, set to be released December 1, 2012.

Discussion questions:

-         Why do you think time passes differently in the Everneath?

-       Why do you think that Nikki was able to survive the Feed?

-        Do you think Cole had true feelings for Nikki? Why or why not?

-       Do you think that Nikki’s father was too strict with her after her Return? Why or why not?

-        Why do you think Nikki agreed to go to the Everneath with Cole in the first place? Was it the right choice? Why or why not?

-      Would you have done what Jack did for Nikki?

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

The Apocalypse Gene Book Review

Author: Suki Michelle & Carlyle Clark. Release date: 2011. Publisher:  Moxie. ISBN: 9781600430954.

Annotation: Olivya and Mikah are two very different teens living in a world gripped with a horrendous cancer pandemic. After meeting in cyber school, the pair begin a chain of events that could mean the end of the world, or the arrival of a new beginning.

Personal thoughts: I feel like I need to apologize in advance, but, simply put, this was probably the strangest book I’ve ever read, and not in a fun, quirky way. I just did not get it. I tried really hard as I was reading it to get it, but I never did. There were just too many ideas that the authors tried to stuff into this one story. I also never got the slang the characters used, and was especially confused by the little cyber beings that stepped out of the computers. I don’t think that if I tried to explain the entire plot of this novel to someone that I could do it, even though I read it from start to finish. I’m sorry, but this novel just did not resonate with me in any way whatsoever.  

Plot summary: In the not-too-distant future, the world is in the grips of a deadly cancer pandemic that has left society in shambles. What were once residential streets have now become row upon row of hospices set up to care for the sick and dying. Olivya and her mother run their own hospice, trying to make ends meet after Olivya’s father’s death years earlier. Olivya has struggled since she was a little girl to cope with a strange gift, the ability to see people’s auras. This power is difficult in a world filled with the sick and impoverished, and Olivya tries to keep her Sight suppressed so she can focus on caring for her patients. Everything changes when Olivya meets Mikah. The pair became acquainted in Cyber School where digital projections of themselves go to interact and learn. Olivya and Mikah formed a strong friendship, and, curious to meet one another in the flesh, decide to rendezvous at a nearby abandoned zoo. Neither of them expect the chain of events their meeting sets off, however, as the two learn the truth about the pandemic and their roles in attempting to prevent the impending apocalypse.

Review:  A collaboration between real-life couple Suki Michelle and Carlyle Clark, The Apocalypse Gene contains some interesting concepts but ultimately becomes far too muddled and confusing to be enjoyable. Taken out of the context of the novel, several of the plot ideas have potential. The pandemic that is more than just a disease, the Kindred and their mythical back-story, the ability to see auras, all intriguing concepts that could have been expanded on their own to make a successful story. All these ideas and more, however, are essentially crammed into this 230 page novel, and the result is a story so far-fetched it’s borderline ridiculous. Unfortunately, not much more can be said than that. Although it received some positive critical reviews, The Apocalypse Gene would be difficult to recommend to any young adult reader, especially when so many other excellent books are available.

Genre: Science-Fiction

Reading level: Grade 7+

Similar titles: The Chemical Garden trilogy by Lauren DeStefano, Awaken by Katie Kacvinsky, Dark Inside by Jeyn Roberts.

Themes:  Disease, cancer, dystopian, mythology, auras, apocalypse.  

Awards/Reviews:  Positive reviews from Kirkus.    

Series Information: N/A   

Discussion questions: 

-       Which character did you identify with more: Olivya or Mikah? Why?

-    Why do you think Olivya was against her mother euthanizing the hospice patients? What are your feelings on this subject?

-      Were you surprised to learn the true nature of the cancer pandemic? Why or why not?

Daughter of Smoke and Bone Book Review

Author: Laini Taylor. Release date: 2011. Publisher:  Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. ISBN: 97800316134023.

Annotation: Karou lives in Prague and is perfectly content with her dual-existence: to the outside world she is a seventeen-year-old art student, but in reality her family are chimaera, part-human, part-beast, who inhabit a land simply called Elsewhere. Raised in a shop who’s owner, Brimstone, trades wishes for teeth, Karou has spent her life travelling the globe, running errands for Brimstone, never quite understanding the nature of the “family business.” After the Prague door that leads to Elsewhere is mysteriously set ablaze, however, Karou must work to uncover the truth that can reunite her with her family.

Personal thoughts: I had heard a great deal about this novel before finally picking it up, and after reading it, understand what the hype was about! Although it took me more than a few chapters to really get into it, once I began to understand and care about the characters, I was hooked! I am really impressed with what Laini Taylor managed to create in a novel for young adults. The settings were so rich and interesting and her characters so well-developed. I am really looking forward to seeing where this series goes, and imagine that it has a lot of popularity and success on the horizon.  

Plot summary: Karou leads an unconventional double life.  To the outside world, she is a quirky but otherwise normal seventeen-year-old art student living in Prague. Her best friend, Zuzana, doesn’t question the strange stories she tells her about a group of half-human, half-beasts called chimaera that fill Karou’s sketchbooks, chalking them up to her over-active imagination. In fact, the chimaera that Karou sketches are real. Raised in their mysterious shop in a place they refer to simply as “Elsewhere,” Brimstone, part-man, part-ram, Issa, half-snake, half-woman, giraffe-necked Twiga, and parrot-beaked Yasri are her strange but loving family. Karou has never fully understood the nature of the shop, only that Brimstone trades teeth for wishes brought to him by people, and creatures, from around the world. Brimstone often sends Karou on errands to retrieve teeth as well, the door of his shop opening to cities across the globe, allowing her to travel to Hong Kong at lunch and return to her Prague flat for dinner. Karou’s happy existence changes, however, when, to her horror, she discovers the Prague door to Brimstone’s shop is engulfed in a blazing inferno. Unable to reach her family to determine if they are still alive, Karou sets out to learn the truth about Brimstone’s shop, and how she can return to Elsewhere to make sure her family is safe. Her dangerous new mission eventually leads her to Akiva, a seraphim, who’s race are eternal enemies with the chimaera. Karou realizes that Akiva had something to do with the attack on Brimstone’s shop, but is still inexplicably drawn to the beautiful angel. As more and more of the purpose of Brimstone’s activities is revealed, Karou begins to wonder who she truly is, and how she has come to be at the middle of a centuries long war between chimaera and seraphim.

Review:  Part fantasy, part action-adventure, part romance, this highly acclaimed first installment in the Daughter of Smoke and Bone series is as varied, and whimsical, as the beasts that form the crux of the story. Set primarily in Prague, a city not often featured in young adult literature, the novel focuses on Karou, a funky, confident art student with a very strange family. In the first chapters of the book, readers might be somewhat confused by exactly what is going on with Karou’s double-life. The strange characters who inhabit the shop in Elsewhere are a bit muddled at first, causing re-reading of the paragraphs that describe exactly who they are and what they look like. Once this gets sorted out, which it eventually does after about the first third of the novel, the reader is plunged into the unique and intricate world that author Laini Taylor has created in Daughter of Smoke and Bone. Full of lore, history, and legend entirely unique to this story, the author does not rely on the work of others at all in imagining an original world that will undoubtedly remain effective throughout the following installments in the series. What the author manages to accomplish in a mere 400 pages is very impressive, and is clearly the reason that Daughter of Smoke and Bone has been such a success. The relationships between Karou and the various characters in the novel, from spunky best friend Zuzana, to arrogant ex-boyfriend Kaz, to trouble seraphim Akiva, are all well developed and interesting. The conclusion of the story also lends itself very well to readers clambering to pick up the sequel, Days of Blood and Starlight, set to be released in September of 2012. Overall, an intriguing and original start to an enjoyable new series for young adults.

Genre: Science-Fiction/Fantasy

Reading level: Grade 8+

Similar titles: The Space Between by Brenna Yovanoff, Sweet Venom by Tera Lynn Childs, Misfit by Jon Skovron.

Themes:  Mythology, angels, mythological creatures, family, betrayal, romance.   

Awards/Reviews:  Starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, Kirkus and The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books. Positive reviews from Booklist, The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times and Entertainment Weekly. Amazon Best Books of the Month, September 2011.

Series Information: First installment in Daughter of Smoke and Bone series. Second installment, Days of Blood and Starlight, set to be released in September 2012.

Discussion questions: 

-     Did your impressions of Brimstone’s shop change throughout the novel? How?

-    If you had Karou’s necklace of wishes, how would you use it?

-     Why do you think Karou was able to talk openly about Elsewhere and her family without anyone believing she was telling the truth?

-     What do you think is the significance of the wishbone?

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

If I Die Book Review

Author: Rachel Vincent. Release date: 2011. Publisher:  Harlequin. ISBN: 9780373210329.

Annotation:  In this fifth book of the Soul Screamers series,  Tod tells Kaylee that she is on the Reaper list and only has six more days to live. Struggling with the knowledge that her borrowed time is almost up, Kaylee wants to spend her final days making sure the people she loves are safe.

Personal thoughts:  I was a huge fan of the first two novels in this series, but have to admit that with the third and fourth installments, I began to lose interest. I was curious to see how Rachel Vincent decided to continue the series, and found the result to be pleasing. Overall, I can safely say that I am a fan of the Soul Screamers series and enjoyed the supernatural personalities and happenings in all five novels.  I look forward to seeing what Rachel Vincent comes up with next.

Plot summary: Sixteen-year-old Kaylee Cavanaugh’s life has been anything but normal since she found out six months before that she’s a bean sidhe (or banshee): a mythical death herald with the ability to guide souls as they depart from their earthly bodies. Kaylee and her boyfriend Nash, a male bean sidhe, have battled countless demons, hellions and other supernatural creatures with the help of Tod, Nash’s Grim Reaper brother, Harmony, Tod and Nash’s bean sidhe mother, and Sabine, Nash’s ex-girlfriend who is (literally) a living nightmare, or mara. Nothing has prepared Kaylee for what she is about to learn: Tod saw her name of the Reaper List, and she has only six days before her borrowed lifeline expires. To make matters worse (if that’s possible), one of Kaylee’s classmates winds up in the hospital after a terrible and tragic miscarriage. Kaylee and Sabine suspect that the school’s hot new math teacher is the father of the child, and that Mr. Beck might actually be a succubus: a love demon fixated on fathering a son. Fearing that Mr. Beck has set his sights on her best friend, Emma, Kaylee must work with what little time she has to ensure that those she loves are safe even after her inevitable death.

Review:  The hugely popular Soul Screamers series continues in author Rachel Vincent’s fifth installment, If I Die. Those who have not read the previous four books beware: it is necessary to move through this series sequentially in order to keep up with the various characters and plot references. Those who have made it through the other titles, however, will find the fifth novel to be a bit of a mixed bag. It is clear from the start that the author is intent upon changing things up in this novel, particularly where Kaylee’s romantic attachments are concerned. In the first few novels, Kaylee’s relationship with boyfriend and fellow bean sidhe Nash seemed to be infallible.  The fourth novel, My Soul to Steal, however, put a large crinkle in things with the addition of Nash’s devoted ex-girlfriend, Sabine, and his newfound addiction to demon’s breath. In If I Die, Nash seems to be even more of a loose cannon, setting the relationship into a tailspin, a tailspin that leads Kaylee to the comforting arms of Nash’s Reaper brother Tod. Whether Kaylee winds up with Nash or Tod is the primary focus of If I Die, and the final decision is sure to delight some and upset others. Overall, this fifth installment manages to shake up the series quite a bit. The ending seems a bit rushed, but, when all is said and done, the Soul Screamers has proven to be a delightful paranormal series for tween, teen and adult readers alike. Hopefully it will continue to be enjoyable in the sixth novel, Before I Wake, due to be released in July 2012.

Genre: Fiction/Horror/Fantasy

Reading level: Grade 7+

Similar titles: Rest of the Soul Screamers series by Rachel Vincent, Misfit by Jon Skovron.

Themes:  Bean sidhes (banshees), demons, netherworld, mythology/lore, romance, sibling relationships, death.

Awards/Reviews:  Fifth installment in well-reviewed series.  

Series Information: Fifth installment in Soul Screamers series. Other installments: My Soul to Take (Book 1), My Soul to Save (Book 2), My Soul to Keep (Book 3), My Soul to Steal (Book 4). Sixth installment, Before I Wake, to be released in July 2012.

Discussion questions:

- Why do you think Kaylee wasn’t that upset when she learned she was going to die? How would you feel if you were her?

- Would you want to stop Mr. Beck? Why or why not?

- Were you happy with who Kaylee chose to be with at the end of the novel? Why or why not?

- Which novel in the Soul Screamers series is your favorite? Why?

- Who is your favorite character in the Soul Screamers series? Why?

Darker Still: A Novel of Magic Most Foul Book Review

 Author: Leanna Renee Hieber. Release date: 2011. Publisher:  Sourcebooks Fire. ISBN: 9781402260520.

Annotation:  Seventeen-year-old Natalie Stewart’s father works at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1880s New York City. When a strange new painting is brought to the museum, one that is rumored to be haunted, Natalie is captivated by the handsome, young Lord Denbury depicted on the canvas. Soon Natalie discovers that the rumors of the piece being alive are true, and that the painting is actually a prison, one that is holding Lord Denbury hostage.

Personal thoughts:  This novel was so full of things I loved that it almost seemed that Leanna Renee Hieber wrote it just for me! History, mythology, curses, romance, and the intriguing idea of someone being trapped in a painting…how could I not enjoy Darker Still? I was especially impressed with Hieber creating a leading lady with a very real disability. Natalie’s being mute played a role in the plot, but I also liked how Hieber took care to point out throughout the novel that she was a normal teenage girl despite the fact that she had to communicate via sign language. Overall, I really loved this novel and would highly recommend it to both teen and adult readers. I’m looking forward to the next installment in the series!  

Plot summary: At a young age, Natalie Stewart witnessed the death of her mother in a tragic accident and found herself unable to speak from then on. Now seventeen-years-old, Natalie’s existence is one of longing; yearning to live a normal life, have friends, and fall in love. The year is 1880, and Natalie’s father works for the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. One day, Natalie and her father meet Mrs. Evelyn Northe, a wealthy and kind woman with an interest in spiritualism. Mrs. Northe, like Natalie, is fluent in sign language and the two become fast friends. Mrs. Northe informs Natalie and her father that a painting with a curious history has come into her possession. It seems that late Lord Denbury, the attractive, young man depicted on the canvas, is rumored to haunt the piece. Upon seeing the painting, Natalie is immediately captivated by Lord Denbury’s magnetic blue eyes and handsome features. Soon, however, Natalie realizes that there is more to her infatuation than just a love for brushstroke on canvas. Small changes in the painting catch her eye, and it seems that Lord Denbury is calling to her, begging her to reach out and touch the canvas. When she does, Natalie falls into a strange world, one inside the painting that has become a prison for the handsome Lord. It seems that an evil spell has trapped Lord Denbury’s soul, while his body acts as a vessel for a sinister spirit in the outside world. Will Natalie find a way to reverse the curse and save the man she finds herself falling for?

Review:  Author Leanna Renee Hieber describes herself as a “gateway drug” for young readers into the literature of the 19^th century, and her latest novel, Darker Still, proves to be an intoxicating plunge into Victorian New York City. Almost from the first page, the reader is immediately as enraptured in the story as the heroine, the mute Natalie Stewart, is with the mysterious depiction of Lord Denbury. The novel is full of many things: romance, mysticism, mythology, religion, mystery, and horror. The intricate world of the painting and exactly how Natalie and Lord Denbury fit into it keep the reader guessing as the plot unfolds. The result is a thoroughly enjoyable story that pays homage to such classics as Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes. The author’s passion for the Victorian era is evident in her detailed and loving portrayal of gas lamp light streets, gowns, carriages, and corsets. The first in a new series, Darker Still makes for an excellent start to something original and entertaining for teen and adult readers who are fans of gothic novels, mystery and romance.

Genre: Historical Fiction/Mystery

Reading level: Grade 8+

Similar titles: Entwined by Heather Dixon, Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel, The Poisoned House by Michael Ford, Wrapped by Jennifer Bradbury.

Themes:  Curses, art, Victorian era, New York City, mythology, spiritualism, grief, demons.

Awards/Reviews:  Positive review from Kirkus and Booklist.

Series Information: First installment in Magic Most Foul series.

Discussion questions: 

- Why do you think Natalie was unable to speak after her mother’s death?

- Do you think it is common for people to assume that those who cannot hear or speak are “dumb” as Maggie’s friends assumed about Natalie?

- Can you name all of the cultures/mythologies that were described as being involved in Lord Denbury’s curse?

- What do you think “the Whisper” was?

- What would you like to see happen next in Natalie and Lord Denbury’s story?

Carrier of the Mark Book Review

 Author: Leigh Fallon. Release date: 2011. Publisher:  Harperteen. ISBN: 9780062027870.

Annotation:  Seventeen-year-old Megan Rosenberg has just moved with her dad to the small town of Kinsale, Ireland. Megan knows that life in Kinsale is going to be different from what she’s used to in the United States, but she has no idea how much it will change when she meets the handsome and mysterious Adam DeRís and learns of an ancient secret he is keeping, a secret that involves her.

Personal thoughts:  I hadn’t heard a great deal about this novel, but was intrigued when I read the description. I am thrilled that I picked it up, because I found it a very enjoyable, breezy read. Megan is a very likable character, as is her father and her new friends. At first I found Adam to be a bit moody, but eventually ended up liking him and his family as well. I really enjoyed the Irish setting and language that the author included. I’m looking forward to the second installment in this new series.  

Plot summary: Life hasn’t been easy for seventeen-year-old Megan Rosenberg: her mother was fatally injured in a car accident when Megan was six, and now Megan and her father are constantly moving from place-to-place, trying to find a life where they fit in. Their newest destination has taken them across the ocean to the small town of Kinsale, Ireland. Megan is hopeful when she begins school at Saint Basil, especially after she quickly befriends Caitlin and Jennifer. Almost immediately, however, Megan also meets Adam DeRís, a handsome and mysterious student from a family rumored to be involved in witchcraft. Adam seems to be drawn to Megan despite his general aloofness, leaving her intrigued but confused. Before long, Adam finally confesses what has him so smitten: Megan is a Carrier of the Mark, a descendent of the ancient goddess Danu, and one of four elements that take human form each generation. Adam himself is another of the elements, his twin sister Aíne and their older brother Rían represent the other two. Not since the ancient times have the four elements been so close in age and proximity, and the DeRíses guardian, Fionn, informs Megan that they must take part in an alignment ceremony to bring peace and harmony to the globe. Megan is overwhelmed but excited at the prospect of her power, especially as her relationship with Adam continues to blossom. But after a visit with the Order of Dublin, part of the governing group responsible for ensuring the safety of the elements, reveals a troubling piece of the puzzle, will Megan and Adam be forced to give up their love for their duties at Carriers of the Mark?

Review:  This well-crafted and enjoyable debut novel from Irish author, Leigh Fallon, begins an interesting and promising series for young adults. The story behind the publishing of this novel could be a book in its own right: Fallon initially posted her manuscript on Inkpop, a website for aspiring writers, and was positively received enough by readers to warrant attention from HarperTeen. The manuscript was quickly picked up the publisher, and Fallon is now on her way to becoming a successful young adult author. This success story adds to the charm of Carrier of the Mark: it is clear that Fallon, a former resident of Kinsale, Ireland herself, put definite heart and soul into her story. The characters are likable, well-thought out and complex. The “Carrier of the Mark” lore is interesting and unique, and the plot creative. Overall, this is a very easily enjoyed novel in an original setting. The second installment in this series is set to be released in early 2013.

Genre: Fantasy

Reading level: Grade 7+

Similar titles: The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin, Soul Screamer series by Rachel Vincent.    

Themes:  Ireland, druidism, mythology, ancient prophecies, elements, relationships, death, loss.

Awards/Reviews:  Positive reviews from Booklist, VOYA, and Publishers Weekly.    

Series Information: First installment in Carriers series.

Discussion questions: 

-  What do you know about druids? Research this group and compare the history to the plot of the novel. 

-  Do you think that Megan was being selfish for not wanting to evoke her element? Why or why not?

-  Do you think Adam will eventually be able to uncover the mystery of the Druid Scrolls?

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

-    If you could be any of the four elements, which would you choose? Why?

My Soul To Take Book Review

Release date: 2009. Author: Rachel Vincent. Publisher: Harlequin Teen. ISBN: 9780373210039.

Annotation: Kaylee Cavanaugh has an unusual ability: she can sense when someone is going to die. Kaylee discovers that this ability means more than she realized, however, when the gorgeous and popular Nash takes a sudden interest in her, and seems to understand the truth about her visions.

Personal thoughts: I absolutely loved this novel. There are so many stories, especially for teens, that include monsters, whether it's vampires, zombies, werewolves, fairies, etc. I was so excited to see one that included one of the most interesting characters from Celtic lore: the bean sidhe. Kaylee is a very likable heroine as well, and takes on her newly discovered abilities with a sense of humor, not a pout or temper tantrum. I also highly recommend the rest of this fun series!

Plot summary: Sixteen-year-old Kaylee Cavanaugh has a strange ability: she knows when someone is going to die. She senses it, sees the person covered in shadow, and is unable to do anything but scream. Kaylee is not sure if this ability is a gift or a curse. She lives with her uncle Brendon, aunt Val and cousin Sophie; her father lives in Ireland and sent her to America after her mother's death. Her aunt and uncle seem to think her ability is psychological, like a panic attack. When gorgeous and popular Nash takes a sudden interest in Kaylee, and seems to know a lot about these visions she has, however, Kaylee begins to wonder if maybe she's not crazy. It turns out, Kaylee is a bean sidhe (or "banshee"): a mythical death herald. Screaming and wailing for the nearly deceased is part of who, or what she is. Nash knows this because he is a bean sidhe too, only he has the ability to guide souls that have recently departed their bodies. Together, Kaylee and Nash have to figure out why beautiful and healthy girls keep dropping dead at their high school. Can two bean sidhes in love save their classmates before it's too late?

Review: Creative, original and entertaining, My Soul To Take, the first book in the Soul Screamers series by Rachel Vincent, is a delight for any fan of monsters, vampires, ghosts, faeries, and other paranormal creatures. The novel begins with Kaylee experiencing a vision of death right away. Instead of opening with back-story and an introduction of the characters, Vincent gets the action started immediately, capturing the reader's interest from the start. The rest of the novel is devoted to expanding on the characters of Kaylee and Nash, and the history of the bean sidhe, all while moving forward with the plot. The result is a page-turner that is difficult to put down until the conclusion. In an almost Harry Potter fashion, it is revealed that Kaylee comes from a long long of bean sidhe, her father, mother, even her uncle Brendon are all bean sidhes. The reader discovers along with Kaylee the extent of her powers, the truth behind her life, and how she can use her abilities. Instead of observing Kaylee from the outside, Vincent places the reader right in the plot with her, creating an exciting experience that teens, and adults, will love. The novel also sets the stage for the other books in the series, keeping the reader interested in learning more about Kaylee and Nash, and seeing what kind of situations they will undoubtedly encounter in the future. Vincent's writing style is also very relevant for teens. Kaylee acts and speaks like a typical sixteen-year-old girl, despite the fact that she is a bean sidhe, and teen readers will identify with her feelings and attitudes. Overall, My Soul To Take is a must-read for teens who enjoy the genre.

Genre: Fiction/Horror

Reading level: Grade 7+

Similar titles: Rest of the Soul Screamers series, Hereafter by Tara Hudson.

Themes: Bean sidhes (banshees), demons, netherworld, mythology/lore, high school.

Awards/reviews: New York Times bestselling author. Positive review Publishers Weekly, Booklist, Kirkus Reviews.

Series information: First novel in the Soul Screamers series by Rachel Vincent. Other titles: My Soul to Save (2010), My Soul to Keep (2010), My Soul to Steal (2011), If I Die (September 2011).

Novellas in the series: Reaper (2010) and My Soul to Lose (2009). My Soul to Lose is available online free at http://rachelvincent.com/MSTL.html !

Discussion Questions:

- What did you know about bean sidhes (banshees) before reading this novel? Did you learn anything about them?

- How would you feel if you were Kaylee and learned that you were actually a bean sidhe?

- What did you think of who the actual villain was in this novel? Were you surprised?

- Do you think religion played a role in Rachel Vincent's writing of this story? Why or why not?