Arise Book Review

 Author: Tara Hudson. Release date: 2012. Publisher:  HarperTeen. ISBN: 9780062026798.

Annotation: Although Amelia and Joshua are trying to make the most of their lives together, Amelia wonders if she, being a ghost, can really give Josh the life he deserves. After the pair travel to New Orleans with Joshua’s family for Christmas, Amelia inadvertently takes part in a powerful voodoo ritual that will change her afterlife forever.

Personal thoughts: I was a huge, huge fan of Hereafter, and so I was eagerly anticipating this sequel for quite some time. After reading it, however, I’m not quite sure what to think. Everything I really liked about Hereafter was gone: Amelia learning who or what she is, her saving Joshua from drowning, their falling in love, her battling Eli. I understand that the author had to change up the story, but I don’t think I’ve read another sequel that is so starkly different from the first novel. Overall, I would say that Arise is a good book, but I wish that somehow the tone or feel of the novel would have felt at least slightly familiar. Either way, I plan to read the third novel when it’s released next year and would still highly recommend this series for tween and teen readers.

Plot summary: Now that Eli has been banished to the dark netherworld, Amelia has eternity, or however long her afterlife lasts, to spend with her boyfriend, Joshua Mayhew. But what kind of life can she offer Joshua; she is invisible to everyone but Joshua’s sister, Jillian, she can’t touch Joshua for more than a few minutes without materializing somewhere else, and she will be eighteen forever, forced to watch Joshua grow older. To make matters worse, Amelia has also become plagued by terrible nightmares of a strange place with a mysterious woman who warns her that she is in danger. When Amelia travels with Joshua and his family to spend Christmas in New Orleans, she hopes that the change of scenery will keep her, and the people she loves, safe from whatever is hunting her. But when she and Joshua meet a beautiful girl in a voodoo shop who promises that she can help solve their problems, Amelia inadvertently agrees to take part in a powerful ceremony that will change her afterlife forever.

Review: This highly-anticipated follow-up to Tara Hudson’s bestselling novel, Hereafter, proves to be a bit of departure from the original book, but one that manages to take the story in an unlikely direction. The events in the first novel are very, very different from the sequel. Gone is Amelia’s quest to learn who she is, how she died, etc., replaced instead by her desire to ensure that her boyfriend, Joshua, is able to live a safe and normal life. This is somewhat odd considering that, in Hereafter, they met when Joshua nearly drowned and proceeded to battle a rogue spirit, but Arise explores this concept quite a bit regardless. The setting also changes drastically, from Oklahoma to the French Quarter. The voodoo element also makes for a new addition to the overall feel of the book, as does the result of the ritual that Amelia takes part in. The events of the story make for an effective platform from which the third and final novel in the trilogy can continue on, but, overall, the tone of Arise is different enough from the book that it makes the reader wonder what exactly to expect in the last installment. To say that the sequel is unsuccessful or not as good as the first book in the series wouldn’t be accurate, but fans of Hereafter should be warned that they are in for something very different in almost every way possible. The third novel, Elegy, is set to be released in 2013.

Genre:  Fiction/Supernatural

Reading level: Grade 7+

Similar titles: Hereafter by Tara Hudson, Soul Screamers series by Rachel Vincent, Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake, Everneath by Brodi Ashton.

Themes:  Ghosts, the afterlife, demons, romance, voodoo, death.     

Awards/Reviews:  Positive reviews from VOYA and Kirkus. Sequel to best-selling novel.  

Series Information: Second novel in Hereafter trilogy. First novel, Hereafter, released in 2011. Third novel, Elegy, set to be released in 2013.  

Discussion questions:

-        Why do you think Amelia was considering ending her relationship with Joshua? Do you think it was the right thing to do?

-     Why do you think Jillian didn’t like Amelia?

-    Do you think it was really Amelia’s father in her vision of the field? Why or why not?

-      Who do you think the red-haired girl is from Amelia’s visions? Do you think she is a protagonist or antagonist?

-      What do you think happened in Gaby’s voodoo ceremony? Do you think the result was good or bad for Amelia? Why?

-      Which novel did you like better: Hereafter or Arise? Why?

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?

Lightbringer Book Review

 Author: K.D. McEntire. Release date: 2011. Publisher:  Pyr. ISBN: 9781616145392.

Annotation: Sixteen-year-old Wendy and her mother are both Lightbringers: humans with the ability to see Earthbound souls and send them into the Light. After Wendy’s mother mysteriously falls into a coma, however, she will do anything to find her soul and help restore her to life. When Wendy meets Piotr, a teenage ghost who dedicates his afterlife to protecting the souls of children, the two work together to search for Wendy’s mother and to try and find out why the children Piotr watches over have begun to disappear.

Personal thoughts: This was one of those novels that, after I finished reading it, I wasn’t really sure what to think. Since I live in Silicon Valley, I naturally enjoyed the setting and references to things like Great America, the Great Mall, etc. I also thought that the minor characters in the novel were interesting, especially Piotr’s fellow Riders. I just couldn’t wrap my head around what exactly was going on with Wendy, the White Lady, and Piotr’s missing children. I was struggling to understand what was happening, and it seemed to get more and more confusing with each chapter. I also found the relationship between Wendy and Piotr to be unsettling, even though I’ve read novels with human/ghost romances before. I’m interested to see what happens in the sequel, but I don’t know if I would recommend this title readily.  

Plot summary: After she witnessed the death of her best friend Eddie’s father in a tragic car accident when she was twelve, Wendy, now sixteen, has been able to see Earthbound spirits: those who have died but continue to exist in the Never, a world similar to that of the living, but visible only to a select few. Wendy, like her mother, is a Lightbringer and has the ability to call forth the Light that sends souls into the world beyond the Never, setting them free and bringing them peace. Wendy can’t discuss her abilities with anyone but Eddie, and spends of her spare time training with her mom, trying to perfect her skills and learning about the intricacies of the afterlife. Everything changes, however, when Wendy’s mom inexplicably falls into a coma, her soul nowhere to be found. Wendy gives up reaping lost souls in order to search for her mother in the Never, hoping to find her and reunite her with her body, bringing her back to life. One day, Wendy encounters Piotr, the ghost of a Russian teenager who has spent his afterlife as a Rider: someone who protects the souls of children caught in the Never. Piotr is on a hunt of his own, trying to find out why some of the children he and the other riders in San Francisco watch over have begun to disappear. Piotr and Wendy decide to work together, and begin to form a relationship that seems to be more than just business. Can Wendy find her mother and help Piotr save the children he has sworn to protect?

Review: From debut author K.D. McEntire comes this interesting if somewhat strange new series that creates an afterlife that is much more than ghosts simply haunting graveyards and rattling chains. Set in San Francisco and Silicon Valley, Lightbringer is the story of Wendy, a goth-girl who actually has something to be morose about. Unlike other stories with similar concepts, Wendy begins the story knowing about her powers and being familiar with how to send ghosts into the Light. Many novels that have had a protagonist discovering that they have some kind of supernatural ability tend to spend a lot of chapters focusing on said person learning how to do whatever it is they can do. That is not the case in Lightbringer. Instead, Wendy is more comfortable with her powers, and uses them to help solve the mystery of her mother’s condition and Piotr’s missing children. Although the storyline does have some interesting portions, however, much of the novel is, simply put, odd. The relationship between Eddie and Wendy is confusing, as are the details of her inevitable romance with the very-much-dead Piotr. There is also quite a bit of cussing, but it doesn’t always seem to fit in the moment. The end of the novel does pick up quite a bit and become exciting, but, overall, the story is a mixed-bag. The next installment in the series, Reaper, is set to be released on August 24, 2012.

Genre: Science-fiction

Reading level: Grade 8+

Similar titles: Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel, Hereafter by Tara Hudson, Juliet Immortal by Stacey Jay, Shattered Souls by Mary Lindsey, Soul Screamers series by Rachel Vincent, Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake.  

Themes:  Ghosts, lost souls, reapers, death, the afterlife, mother/daughter relationships, sibling relationships, romance, San Francisco.

Awards/Reviews:  Positive reviews from authors Kristoper Reisz and Robin Wasserman.

Series Information: First installment in Lightbringer series. Second installment, Reaper, set to be released August 24, 2012.

Discussion questions:

-       Why do you think Wendy didn’t want a relationship with Eddie? Do you think it’s common for long time friends to develop romantic feelings for each other?

-      Why do you think Wendy didn’t tell Piotr about being the Lightbringer? Do you think it was the right thing to do?

-     Which of the Riders did you like the best? Why?

-     How did you feel about Wendy and Piotr forming a romantic relationship? How would you feel about a friendship with a ghost?

-      Were you surprised to learn the truth about the White Lady? Why or why not?

Hereafter Book Review

Author: Tara Hudson. Release date: 2011. Publisher:  HarperTeen. ISBN: 9780062026774.

Annotation:  Amelia knows one thing – she drowned in the river beneath High Bridge. She doesn’t remember when or why, and her afterlife seems to be an eternity of wandering, lost and alone. That all changes when she saves another life that is almost ended in the murky river water. The boy, eighteen-year-old Josh, can see Amelia, and their destinies appear to be forever connected.     

Personal thoughts:  Wow, I really enjoyed this novel. So much so that I read it in two days (something I don’t often do!) I am very impressed that this is Hudson’s first publication, and am certain that she, and this trilogy, have a very bright future. I think her greatest accomplishment was making the love between Amelia and Josh enjoyable, not overly dramatic, cliché, or mushy like other teen authors. I also really enjoyed the Oklahoma setting and bits of folk lore Hudson tossed into the story. I am very excited for the next installment!

Plot summary: Amelia can only remember a few things: her age, eighteen, her name, and that she drowned in the rushing waters of the river beneath High Bridge. She knows she’s a ghost, but can’t seem to control anything about her afterlife, instead, wandering, lost and alone in an unfamiliar town, unable to be seen or heard by anyone. That all changes when she is suddenly pulled into the river moments after eighteen-year-old Josh crashes his car through the metal girders of High Bridge and plummets into the murky depths. Amelia can sense that Josh is about to die, and just as his heart stops he opens his eyes and can truly see her. Somehow, miraculously, Amelia is able to save Josh and he escapes the treacherous waters. Amelia finds herself awoken after meeting Josh, especially when Josh returns to High Bridge to find the mysterious and beautiful girl he saw in the river. She no longer feels lost, and begins to sense things around her had long forgotten: scents, feelings, warmth. Josh doesn’t seem to mind that Amelia is a ghost, and as their relationship grows, they discover that true love extends into the afterlife. Their happiness is threatened, however, when Amelia encounters Eli, a dangerous ghost who reigns over High Bridge, collecting all the souls that perish in the river. Eli is determined to make Amelia his, and she soon finds herself in the midst of a supernatural love triangle.  Can Amelia discover the truth about her death and save herself from the clutches of the darkness lurking beneath High Bridge?

Review: This first installment in the Hereafter trilogy delivers a sweet and intriguing love story full of supernatural adventure, danger, and mystery. What Hudson has accomplished in this page-turning novel is astounding considering it is her first publication. The characters are given a depth often lacking in novels for young adults, and Hudson does an excellent job of creating an engrossing setting for the story to play out. Much of Hereafter reads like a mystery novel, with little being revealed about Amelia’s life, death or supernatural powers. The result is a story that keeps readers on the edge of their seats until the final pages. The love between Amelia and Josh contrasts well with the darker hues of the plot, adding a sweet and not overly-gushy romance that is pleasing to both teen and adult readers. The mysterious ghost, Eli, also makes for an intriguing nemesis for Amelia, one with depth and his own secrets to be uncovered. Overall, Hereafter is an outstanding ghost story that proves equally enjoyable for teen and adult readers. A very promising start for both Hudson and the trilogy.

Genre: Romance/Supernatural/Mystery

Reading level: Grade 7+

Similar titles: Rachel Vincent’s Soul Screamers series.

Themes:  Ghosts, supernatural, afterlife, love, fate.    

Awards/Reviews:  Positive reviews from Publisher’s Weekly, Kirkus and Booklist.

Series Information: First novel in Hereafter trilogy.

Discussion questions:

- Describe how Amelia’s afterlife differs from your own personal beliefs.

- Do you think religion played a role in how Hudson portrayed life after death?

- Do you know of any “cursed” locations, like High Bridge? Why do you think people label certain places as cursed or haunted? Can these feelings impact people’s actions in that location?

- Who or what do you think Eli’s “masters” are?

- Do you believe in ghosts? Have you ever seen one? What would you do if you saw one?

- What do you think lies ahead in Amelia and Josh’s story? What would you like to see happen in the second and third installments of the trilogy?


  

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?