Dark Companion Book Review

Author: Marta Acosta. Release date: 2012. Publisher: Tor Teen. ISBN: 9780765329646.

Annotation: Having spent her life bouncing from foster home to foster home in the shadyneighborhood of Helmsdale, sixteen-year-old Jane Williams is ecstatic when she is offered a scholarship to an exclusive boarding school in the wealthy town of Birch Grove. At first, her new life at the Birch Grove Academy seems ideal, but as she learns more about some mysteries surrounding the school, she realizes there is something dark lurking beneath the academy’s plush exterior.  

Personal thoughts: I hadn’t heard much of anything about this book, but the plot sounded intriguing so I decided to give it a try. It’s one of those novels that I wish would get more attention, but I can see why hordes of teens aren’t rushing to pick it up. It’s quiet and very much about Jane. Although it has some paranormal elements that readers can latch onto, I found watching Jane grow as a character to be far more interesting. I would easily recommend this book to readers who like books that are well-written but not as dramatic as Twilight or other popular paranormal romances. I’m looking forward to seeing if Marta Acosta writes a sequel and what other novels she produces in the future.  

Plot summary: Orphaned when she was six, Jane Williams has spent the last ten years bouncing around from foster home to foster home in the shady neighborhood of Helmsdale (or Hellsdale as the residents call it.) Her closest friend, Hosea, died several years earlier, and Jane used his death as motivation to transform herself from a foul-mouthed brat to a smart, articulate, straight-A student despite her unfortunate surroundings. Now she has been offered a full scholarship to the exclusive Birch Grove Academy: a boarding school in a wealthy town. She is provided her own small cottage to live in, an allowance for living expenses, clothes, and everything else she could want by Mrs. Radcliffe, the headmistress. Jane can’t believe her good fortune at escaping Hellsdale, and soon finds herself with a new set of friends who don’t seem to mind that she was raised in poverty amongst drug dealers and prostitutes. Especially surprising is that Lucian “Lucky” Radcliffe, the headmistress’ handsome son, seems to be interested in her. As Jane begins to learn more about Birch Grove Academy, however, she discovers that everything isn’t as ideal as it seems. The previous scholarship recipient, a girl named BB who was also from Hellsdale, recently disappeared, supposedly moving away with a rich uncle. The wife of one of Birch Grove’s teachers, also a former Hellsdale resident, seems to have committed suicide under mysterious circumstances. Jane is reluctant to leave her new life of luxury and security, but can she survive the truth of the Birch Grove Academy?  

Review: Written by veteran author Marta Acosta, this multi-layered tale with undertones of Jane Eyre proves to be an interesting combination of realistic fiction and paranormal romance that many readers are likely to find enjoyable. The bulk of the story is centered on Jane. Jane is a likable but flawed character with a difficult past who grows as a person as the story progresses. She makes mistakes throughout the story, allowing herself to be used on her quest for love and acceptance, but she is well-written and believable, a character that many young adults will find something to identify with. The supporting characters are also interesting, from the wealthy and handsome Lucky Radcliffe to his offbeat older brother Jack to Jane’s new dramatic Birch Grove BFF Mary Violet, but none are as explored or flushed out as Jane. The paranormal and romantic aspects of the plot are present, but really the novel is about Jane surviving an abusive childhood and learning to open up and trust others. Readers who are seeking something with paranormal components that make up the bulk of the story will be disappointed, but those who like to delve into character driven novels will enjoy Dark Companion. Although a sequel has not been announced, the author could easily continue Jane’s story in another novel. For now, Dark Companion is a quiet but entertaining book that a thoughtful young adult audience can enjoy.

Genre:  Fiction/Romance

Reading level: Grade 7+

Similar titles: Croak by Gina Damico, Damage by Anya Parrish, Everneath by Brodi Ashton, Juliet Immortal by Stacey Jay, Lost Voices by Sarah Porter, Mercy: The Last New England Vampire by Sarah L. Thomson.

Themes:  Mystery, trust, abuse, loss, orphans, coming of age, romance, friendship, vampires.        

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

  

Series Information: N/A

Discussion questions:

-         How did Hosea’s death influence Jane’s life?

-         Why do you think Mrs. Radcliffe selected Jane to receive a scholarship to Birch Grove?

-         Do you think Jane’s new friends really like her? Why or why not?

-         Why does Jack call Jane “Halfling”? Do you think he means the nickname as a compliment? Why or why not?

-          Do you think Lucky likes Jane? Why or why not?

-         Which decisions of Jane’s do you agree with? Disagree with? Why?

-          If the author writes a sequel, what do you think are some possible ways the story could continue?

Ripper Book Review

Author: Amy Carol Reeves. Release date: 2012. Publisher:  Flux. ISBN: 9780738730721.

Annotation: After her mother’s death, seventeen-year-old Arabella “Abbie” Sharp leaves her home in Dublin to live with her wealthy grandmother, Lady Westfield, in the Kensington neighborhood of London. In an effort to get her granddaughter to appreciate her new life of privilege, Lady Westfield volunteers Abbie to work at the women’s hospital in Whitechapel. Abbie finds that she enjoys tending to the poverty stricken residents of the East End, but her new found love of medicine is cut short when Jack the Ripper begins terrorizing the dark streets surrounding the hospital.  

Personal thoughts: As I have said before, I am always ready to pounce on any novels that feature the brutal if intriguing Jack the Ripper case, so when I heard about Ripper I had to pick it up. I am also a fan of historical fiction, so I was able to enjoy Amy Carol Reeves’ story from both angles. Her knowledge and love of the time period is clear, and I definitely found some subtle and not-so-subtle references to classic novels that, hopefully, teen readers can pick up on as well. Although I found the supernatural components as well as the requisite love-triangle to somewhat detract from what I was really interested in, I think most teen readers will enjoy these aspects of the story, especially since so many young adult novels include them. I would easily recommend this book to a reader who wants historical fiction with a twist. I look forward to reading Renegade when it is released in 2013.

Plot summary: After her mother’s sudden death from dysentery, seventeen-year-old Arabella “Abbie” Sharp leaves the gritty streets of 1888 Dublin to live with her wealthy grandmother, Lady Westfield, in the well-to-do London neighborhood of Kensington. Before she was born, Lady Westfield disowned Abbie’s mother for eloping with a poor Frenchman, but now that Abbie has returned to her mother’s former privileged life, her grandmother is determined to ensure that Abbie doesn’t follow in her mother’s footsteps. In an effort to make her granddaughter appreciate her luxurious if dull new surroundings, Lady Westfield volunteers Abbie to work with family friend Dr. Bartlett at the women’s hospital in the impoverished Whitechapel neighborhood. Soon after beginning her work there, Abbie discovers a natural love of medicine and a genuine enjoyment of helping the poverty-stricken women of the East End. Her love of working in the hospital is brief, however, when Jack the Ripper begins his brutal killing spree, murdering women who were recently discharged from the hospital’s care. Like everyone, Abbie is terrified by the savage nature of the crimes, but she soon realizes that she and the Ripper have a connection: strange visions that show the Ripper’s victims just before their deaths. What is the link between Abbie, the Ripper and the Whitechapel Hospital, and can she discover it in time to save her own life?

Review: In her debut novel, author and 19^th century British literature expert Amy Carol Reeves brings one of history’s most terrifying figures to life in Ripper. Although not the first young adult novel in recent years to feature Jack the Ripper, Abbie Sharp’s story is one of many layers in which the infamous murderer is just another component of a larger mystery. Abbie herself is a very likable character, trying to reconcile her new life of corsets and tea parties with the knife throwing skills and street smarts she picked up in Dublin. Her devotion and compassion for the patients she finds herself caring for at the Whitechapel Hospital is very believable, and will hopefully prompt readers to research more into what life was like for women living in poverty in the 19^th century. Ripper fans will find some familiar faces, as Abbie meets and befriends several victims before they are brutally slain. The paranormal aspects of the story, from Abbie’s psychic visions to the increasingly obvious supernatural nature of the crimes, will also appeal to readers who want something more than just a simple historical fiction novel. As with all young adult novels, it seems, there is also a romance in the form of a love triangle between Abbie and two young physicians at the hospital. Since Ripper is the first book in a series, the love triangle will undoubtedly continue in the second installment, Renegade, which is set to be released in April 2013. Overall, Ripper proves to be an entertaining historical fiction novel that both Jack the Ripper fans and those not well acquainted with the killer can enjoy.

Genre:  Historical Fiction/Mystery

Reading level: Grade 8+

Similar titles: The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson, The Book of Blood and Shadow by Robin Wasserman, Darker Still by Leanna Renee Hieber, Haunting Violet by Alyxandra Harvey, Wrapped by Jennifer Bradbury.

Themes:  Jack the Ripper, murder, mystery, conspiracy, secret societies, orphans, London, Victorian era.     

Awards/Reviews:  Positive review from VOYA, Publishers Weekly, and School Library Journal.

Series Information: First novel in Ripper series, second novel, Renegade, set to be released April 2013.       

Discussion questions:

-        Were you familiar with Jack the Ripper before reading the novel? What did you learn about him?

-        Why do you think Abbie has such a hard time adjusting to life in Kensington?

-         Would you want to work at the Whitechapel Hospital? Why or why not?

-       How would you explain Abbie’s visions?

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

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

Kill Me Softly Book Review

Author: Sarah Cross. Release date: 2012. Publisher:  Egmont USA. ISBN: 9781606843239.

Annotation: After fifteen-year-old Mirabelle Lively runs away from the home she shares with her two godmothers, she finds herself in Beau Rivage, the town where she was born and where her parents died in a fire at her christening party years earlier. Mira doesn’t know what she will find in the strange town, only that she’s hoping to locate her parents’ graves. Instead, she learns that in Beau Rivage, fairy tales are a reality, and that her’s began the night her parents were killed.

Personal thoughts: I love twists on classic tales, so Kill Me Softly was the perfect book to delight me! I really liked the author’s writing style, I loved how the story had elements of sweetness but also serious creepy undertones as well, and I enjoyed the plot quite a bit. My only small (kind-of) complaint was that I found the sexual relationship between Mira, who is fifteen, and Felix, who is twenty-one, to be strangely accepted by the other characters in the story (save for one mention of her being underage by the guy described as a “beast” throughout the novel.) Are there no police in Beau Rivage who wonder why a fifteen-year-old is buying slinky nightgowns to attract her pedophile boyfriend? I wish this aspect of the story had been either avoided by making the characters different ages, or explained a little bit better. Other than that, however, I really did enjoy the novel and would easily recommend it to older teen readers (and adults!) who want something original and fun!   

Plot summary: All of her life, Mirabella “Mira” Lively was told by her two godmothers, Elsa and Bliss, that her parents died when she was a baby. Now Mira is fifteen, and the story of her mom and dad perishing in a terrible fire at her christening party isn’t adding up. Elsa and Bliss have forbidden Mira from ever returning to Beau Rivage, the town where she was born and where her parents were killed, but Mira is determined to learn the truth. Mira runs away from home and finds herself in Beau Rivage without any money or anywhere to stay. Chance brings her to The Dream, one of Beau Rivage’s many elegant casinos, where she meets the handsome Felix Valentine and his younger brother, Blue. Blue quickly warns Mira that Felix is dangerous and that she should stay away from him, but Mira is enchanted by Felix’s kindness and the mutual attraction between them, so when he offers her a room at the Dream while she searches for her parents’ graves, she jumps at the opportunity to spend more time with him. As Mira gets to know Beau Rivage, she quickly learns that there is something very strange about the town. It seems that in Beau Rivage, fairy tales are a reality, and most of the inhabitants have been cursed to live out the fates of their literary ancestors. Mira has always wondered what the strange wheel shaped birthmark on her back means, and begins to suspect that she, like the rest of Beau Rivage, has a curse of her own. But what does her fate have to do with her blossoming relationship with the seductive Felix, and why does Blue, and everyone else in town, keep insisting she is in danger?

Review: Set in the beautifully creepy town of Beau Rivage, where living a fairy tale isn’t necessarily a good thing, Kill Me Softly, the latest novel from author Sarah Cross, offers a new take on the classic “stories” we thought we all knew. As many readers who pick up Kill Me Softly might already know (or will soon find out), the original versions of most of the well-known fairy tales tend to be quite grim. From Cinderella’s stepsisters slicing off parts of their feet to fit into the glass slipper, to the little mermaid suffering agonizing torture from splitting her tail into legs to be with her prince, there is usually very little that can be identified as “Disney” in these tales. What is, in a morbid way, so enjoyable about Kill Me Softly, is that the town of Beau Rivage operates on the gruesome versions of the fairy tales. After Mira arrives in town, she soon spots a set of sisters walking around with bandaged feet, one of her new friends is constantly coughing up flower petals and jewels, and the guy she finds herself falling in love with seems to have a very dark and deadly secret of his own. Readers will find much to relish in this book, from identifying the incarnations of their favorite fairy tales, to Mira’s quest to find out the truth about her parents. Be advised, however, that while this book is based on tales for children, it is suitable for the older teen audience, as there is a fair amount of cursing and sexual situations (particularly the romance between twenty-one-year-old Felix Valentine and the very underage fifteen-year-old Mira.) For adventurous readers, however, Kill Me Softly is an entertaining read that is sure to satisfy in many ways. A companion novel set in Beau Rivage is set to be released in the near future.

Genre:  Science-Fiction/Fantasy

Reading level: Grade 9+

Similar titles: Sweetly and Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce, Between the Sea and Sky by Jaclyn Dolamore, Juliet Immortal by Stacey Jay, Snow in Summer: Fairest of Them All by Jane Yolen.   

Themes:  Fairy tales, romance, danger, orphans, death, murder, secrets.

Awards/Reviews:  Positive reviews from Booklist and Kirkus.

Series Information: First novel in Beau Rivage series. Companion novel set to be released in 2013.       

Discussion questions:

-        Do you think Mira running away to Beau Rivage was the right thing for her to do? Why or why not?

-       What do you think Blue meant when he told Mira that Felix “loves orphans?”

-       Do you think Felix truly loved Mira? Blue? Freddie?

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

-        If you could choose your Beau Rivage “curse,” what would you pick? Why?

-       Sarah Cross has said that she’s writing a companion novel to Kill Me Softly that will contain Viv’s story. What do you think this book will be about? Do you plan to read it? What other characters from Kill Me Softly would like to know more about?

 

 

 

Starters Book Review

 Author: Lissa Price. Release date: 2012. Publisher:  Delacorte Books for Young Readers. ISBN: 9780385742375.

Annotation: It’s been a year since sixteen-year-old Callie and her seven-year-old brother Tyler lost their parents in the Spore Wars. Now, living on the streets with their former neighbor Michael, Callie learns of Prime Destinations: a company that pays teens to let their bodies be rented by seniors who, through a chip implanted in their brains, can live inside the teen and be young again. Callie wants the money the company can offer, but is it worth it to let a stranger rent her body?

Personal thoughts: I am always a fan of a good dystopian novel, and this one was truly enjoyable! The book is very creative and well-written, combining some ideas I’ve read before with some new ones to make for a fresh story. I really liked Callie and am looking forward to seeing where the author takes her as the series plays out. I also found the support characters to have a lot of depth as well, something that adds to the strength of the novel. I can’t wait for Enders to find out what happens next! I would definitely recommend this series easily to a teen reader.

Plot summary: After the Spore Wars took the lives of her parents, sixteen-year-old Callie Woodland and her seven-year-old brother Tyler were forced to flee their home for a life on the streets of Los Angeles. Since the only members of the population who were able to receive vaccinations against the biological bombs were children and the elderly, North America has been reduced to Starters, teens twenty and under, and Enders, seniors eighty years and older. Unclaimed minors, those without grandparents or other living relatives to be their guardians, live in abandoned buildings and survive off scraps, anything to avoid capture and imprisonment in one of the state run institutions for orphans. Callie and Tyler, along with their friend Michael, have survived for a year on the streets, but just barely. Tyler has a medical condition, and Callie isn’t sure how much longer he can live off of food found in garbage cans and water stolen from drain pipes. Everything changes, however, when Callie hears about a company called Prime Destinations. Since modern medicine has allowed the Enders to live well into their 100s, many are seeking ways to recapture their youth. Prime offers wealthy Enders the chance to rent the body of a teen donor, who, for a hefty payment, allows the company to implant a microchip that allows the renter to live in them while the actual mind of teen enters a sleeplike state. Callie is concerned by the thought of some 150 year old Ender woman controlling her, but the money she would earn could get her, Tyler, and Michael a home, food, and medicine for years. Should Callie donate her body to Prime Destinations for the chance to give her brother a better life?

Review: The sea of young adult literature has recently been swarmed with dystopian novels, some better than others. Starters, the first installment in a new series by Lissa Price, is, fortunately, one of the better ones! Set in the not-so-distant future following a catastrophic war, Callie Woodland’s world is divided. At one end are the Starters, teens and children who were able to get vaccinated against the biological weapons. At the other are the Enders, seniors who were also vaccinated and survived the war. For those teens and children who survived and were lucky enough to have a wealthy, living grandparent or other Ender relative, life is good. For those who lost their parents and had no one else to claim them, however, life is very much survival of the fittest. Many elements of this story are reminiscent of The Hunger Games: Callie is a strong female figure who provides for her younger sibling, there is a harsh police force that Callie must outwit, and there are those who live a lavish lifestyle, oblivious to the plight of the unclaimed Starters. For these reasons, but also because it is simply a good story, fans of The Hunger Games might find just the series they are looking for to continue in the vein of Suzanne Collins’ trilogy. One thing about Starters that differs from The Hunger Games, however, is that there is considerably less romance in Lissa Price’s story. There is a bit of a love triangle, but Callie spends most of her time trying to provide for her brother rather than choosing which boy to end up with. Overall, this is a very enjoyable start to a series that readers, both teen and adult, are sure to love. The sequel, Enders, is set to be released December 11, 2012.

Genre:  Science-Fiction

Reading level: Grade 7+

Similar titles: The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins, A Long, Long Sleep by Anna Sheehan, Divergent series by Veronica Roth, Eve by Anna Carey, Legend by Marie Lu, The Pledge by Kimberly Derting.  

Themes:  Dystopian, war, plague, orphans, technology, conspiracy.

Awards/Reviews:  Positive reviews from Los Angeles Times, Booklist, Kirkus, and Publishers Weekly.  

Series Information: First installment in Starters and Enders series. Second novel, Enders, set to be released December 11, 2012.  

Discussion questions:

-     Do you think something like the Spore Wars is possible in the near future? Why or why not?

-     Why do you think only Starters and Enders were vaccinated? Do you think that was a mistake? Why?

-      If you were Callie, would you donate your body to Prime Destinations? Why or why not?

-       Did you agree with Helena’s plan?

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

A Beautiful Dark Book Review

Author: Jocelyn Davies. Release date: 2011. Publisher:  HarperTeen. ISBN: 9780061990656.

Annotation: On her seventeenth-birthday, Skye Parker meets Asher and Devin. Cousins with a strange, turbulent relationship, Skye isn’t sure what to make of the pair or their presence in her small Colorado town. When she learns the truth of who they are and their role in her past, Skye’s once simple life is changed forever.

Personal thoughts: One of the most telling things for me about this novel was how the author describes herself as a lover of all things angsty on the book jacket. That is exactly the word I would choose to describe the overall tone of the novel: angsty. That doesn’t mean I didn’t like it, however. I think the right level of angst can make for a good story, and Jocelyn Davies does a good job of keeping the angst, for the most part, at a manageable and enjoyable level. I think the whole concept of the dark, bad boy vs. the clean-cut, good guy is a classic, and I liked how it was used in this novel. I thought the mix of romance and paranormal was well done, and I especially enjoyed the support characters and the attention the author put into developing them sufficiently. I would definitely recommend this book to Twilight fans and could see many 13 to 16-year-olds relishing Skye’s “dilemma” in having to choose between two chiseled hotties. I plan to read the sequel.  

Plot summary: On the night of her seventeenth-birthday, Skye Parker meets cousins Asher and Devin. New to her small Colorado town of River Springs, the two are complete opposites. Dark and wild, Asher is the more flirtatious of the pair, instantly charming all the girls at Skye’s high school. Fair and quiet, Devin is far more reserved, showing more than a little contempt for Asher’s boisterous personality. What’s far more strange, however, is how the two seem to be inexplicably interested in Skye. Since her parents were killed in a car accident on her sixth-birthday, Skye has lived a quiet life with her Aunt Jo, spending her free time with best friends Cassie and Dan, and competing on the ski team. She has never been one to draw the attention of a lot of guys, especially two handsome, mysterious ones like Asher and Devin. As Skye gets to know the cousins, however, she learns that their presence in River Springs, and their interest in her, is no accident. Who they are and the role they play in Skye’s past, and future, will change her life forever.

Review: Book editor turned author, Jocelyn Davies, delivers a healthy dose of romance, angst and adventure in A Beautiful Dark, the first novel in a new paranormal romance series for teens. Fans of Twilight are sure to relish this book, and the story seems to be tailor made to appeal to that target audience. As an editor for teen books, it is clear that the author knows what “works” in this genre, and the novel seems to have all the necessary elements: a beautiful but naïve heroine, a love triangle involving two sexy guys, the paranormal twist, and a sizable cliffhanger to keep readers longing for the sequel. There is very little new material in the novel, but that doesn’t make it any less entertaining. Readers are sure to enjoy the dynamics between Asher and Devin, and how Skye finds herself falling for them both for different reasons. The Colorado setting is also interesting, giving the novel an icy, wintery tone. Skye’s friends, particularly Cassie, are also likable support characters, as is her loving adoptive mother, Jo. Overall, A Beautiful Dark doesn’t break through any walls, but does make for an entertaining read that many tweens and teens are certain to swoon over. The second installment in the series, A Fractured Light, is set to be released on September 25, 2012.

Genre: Fantasy/Romance

Reading level: Grade 7+

Similar titles: Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer, The Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon, Tiger’s Curse series by Colleen Houck, Forbidden by Syrie James & Ryan M. James.

Themes:  Angels, destiny, rebellion, orphans, love triangle, romance.

Awards/Reviews:  Positive reviews from Kirkus and VOYA.

Series Information: First novel in Beautiful Dark series. Second installment, A Fractured Light, set to be released September 25, 2012.   

Discussion questions:

-       Why do you think birthdays are so difficult for Skye?

-      Who do you like better: Asher or Devin? Why?

-      Why do you think Skye is so important to both the Order and the Rebellion?

-    Do you think Skye is a good friend to Cassie? Ian? Dan? Why or why not?

-       Explain what you think happened in the final chapters of the novel. How do you think those events will play out in the sequel?

Circus Galacticus Book Review

 Author: Deva Fagan. Release date: 2011. Publisher:  Harcourt Children’s Books. ISBN: 9780547581361.

Annotation: Fifteen-year-old orphan Beatrix “Trix” Ling hates her life as an outcast, charity case at the prestigious Bleeker Academy for Girls. Tormented by the other students, all Trix can think about are her dreams of following in her parents’ footsteps as an astronomer. What Trix doesn’t realize is that her chance at exploring the stars is closer than she thinks when the mysterious and exciting Circus Galacticus comes to town.

Personal thoughts: This is one of those novels that I had in my pile of “to be read” for a long time. I hadn’t heard much about it so I wasn’t in a rush to pick it up. I am often very surprised by how the novels that don’t get as much attention are some of my favorites. Circus Galacticus is well-written and truly very easy to enjoy. Deva Fagan does a great job with adding the right amount of humor to the story while still managing to portray the more serious aspects of what Trix is going through below surface level. I was intrigued from almost the first chapter, and wish that I had read this novel sooner, as I ended up really liking it. I hope that the author decides to write a sequel. I would definitely read it right away if she does!  

Plot summary: Being an orphan and a charity case at the prestigious Bleeker Academy for Girls isn’t an easy life for fifteen-year-old Beatrix “Trix” Ling. Although she is a talented gymnast, Trix doesn’t feel like she fits in, constantly tormented by the other girls and looked down upon by cruel Headmistress Primwell. To make it through the dreary days, Trix dreams about following in her parents’ footsteps as an astronomer. Although they were killed in an accident when she was six, Trix still remembers the stories her mom and dad told her about the stars, and can’t wait until she can leave Bleeker Academy forever and begin studying the mysteries of the universe. What Trix doesn’t realize is that she is about to leave Bleeker, and Earth, for good. As part of a school fieldtrip, Trix and the other stuck-up Bleeker girls go to see the Circus Galacticus: a mysterious and exciting show held under in a large and beautiful Big Top.  While exploring the tent, and attempting to avoid Primwell, Trix discovers the truth about the circus: the performers are actually from other worlds, all across the universe, and the Big Top is their spaceship. Trix meets the charismatic and charming Ringmaster who invites her to join the rest of the troupe, leaving her humdrum life on Earth forever. Trix is ecstatic, but doesn’t realize that there is more to her life on the Big Top than cotton candy and circus acts. A dangerous presence in the universe is after her, and she must determine why before it is too late.

Review: Set in a universe that is easily traversed via wormhole, where Earth is in a “boondock galaxy” and a strict government controls how all of the inhabitants look and act, Circus Galacticus, written by veteran author Deva Fagan, delivers a likable protagonist, interesting cast of characters, and original story that is entertaining and enjoyable for tween and teen sci-fi fans. The beginning of the novel introduces a premise that is somewhat common: Trix is an orphan who doesn’t fit in and longs for the life she had with her parents. After the first two chapters, however, the story goes in a very unique direction. The author does an excellent job of world building: describing in vivid detail the Big Top and its inhabitants and allowing the reader to experience the excitement of what they hold with Trix. There is also some interesting mythology that goes along with the universe that Trix discovers, including a centuries old conflict between two opposing powers, the key to which appears to lie in Trix’s past. Although a sequel has yet to be announced, Fagan definitely leaves the story open to at least one more novel. Hopefully Circus Galacticus is the first in a series, as it holds the potential of being something very unique and enjoyable for tween, teen and adult readers alike.

Genre: Science-fiction

Reading level: Grade 6+

Similar titles: The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams, Counter Clockwise by Jason Cockroft, Have Spacesuit – Will Travel by Robert A. Heinlein, Ultraviolet by R.J. Anderson.     

Themes:  Space, circus, spaceships, orphans, friendship, fitting in, war, gymnastics.

Awards/Reviews:  Positive reviews from Publishers Weekly, Booklist, School Library Journal and Kirkus.  

Series Information: Sequel not announced, but appears likely.

Discussion questions:

-        Why do you think Della was so mean to Trix? Have you ever been treated the way Trix was at Bleeker?

-        Why do you think Trix was able to pass through the mirror in the Big Top?

-      Do you think Trix belongs on the Big Top? Why do you think she is so unsure?

-       Compare Sirra to Della. How are they similar? How are they different?

-       Do you think Sirra was right in trying to protect her brother? Why or why not?

-    Would you like to read a sequel to Circus Galacticus? What would you like to see happen if a sequel is written?

Lost Voices Book Review

Author: Sarah Porter. Release date: 2011. Publisher:  Harcourt Children’s Books. ISBN: 9780547482507.

Annotation:  Abused and neglected, fourteen-year-old Lucette hopes the sea will swallow her up as she tumbles off a cliff near her Alaskan home. Instead, Luce is transformed into a mermaid and joins a tribe of other young mermaids who were once mistreated just like her.  

Personal thoughts:  I was looking forward to reading this novel and I was not disappointed. When I first read the jacket I was thinking the book would be much lighter fare than it was. There are some very serious and tense issues in the novel, and the whole concept of the “mermaid” is actually very thought provoking beyond the typical “girls with tails” mystique. The characters are well thought and intriguing as well. I look forward to the second installment in the series!  

Plot summary: Fourteen-year-old Lucette “Luce,” lives in a small Alaskan fishing village. Luce’s mother died when she was four and her father disappeared a year earlier when the boat he was working on presumably sank. Luce was left to live with her drunk and abusive uncle who is constantly beating her and making her feel worthless. One afternoon, Luce’s uncle attempts to rape her on the cliffs near their home. When Luce fights him off, he tells her not to come home and abandons her in a raging storm. Luce is bewildered and unsure of what to do, when she suddenly slips off the cliff and into the ocean below. She should be dead, but instead, Luce is transformed into a mermaid. She discovers a tribe of other teen girls who were also abused or neglected in their human lives, causing them to also turn into mermaids. The tribe is lead by Catarina, a beautiful and charismatic mermaid who transformed when she was sixteen. At first, Luce is enchanted by her life as a mermaid: the girls are strong, beautiful and have the ability to hypnotically enchant humans, and each other, with mesmerizing songs. Soon, however, Luce learns how the tribe uses their singing abilities: to sink passing ships in an effort to punish humans for how they were treated in their lives on land. Luce feels a primal urge to participate in the activities of the tribe, but isn’t sure if she can cope with a life dedicated to murdering the innocent. To make matters worse, a new mermaid enters the tribe, one who threatens to destroy the first family Luce has called her own.

Review:  Well-written and utterly unique, this first installment in the Lost Voices trilogy is made even more impressive by the fact that it is author Sarah Porter’s debut novel. Mermaids are an interesting topic for a young adult novel in their own right, but the back-story the author has created for the lives of the mermaid tribe, from how they are created to the rules that govern their lives to their eating habits, take the plot to a more sophisticated level. Certain aspects of the storyline are quite sad: Luce, and the rest of the mermaids, have all suffered inexplicable horrors in their lives on land that caused them to transform. The first several chapters of the novel chronicle Luce’s abuse at the hands of her uncle, and these are some of the most tense in the story. Roughly the first half of the novel focuses more on Luce and her transformation, and this is more poignant and, in many ways, enjoyable than the second half of the book. Porter introduces other characters into the novel, including an annoying and shallow mermaid who threatens the entire tribe, creating more melodrama that waters down the emotional response invoked by the first half of the story. This is the first installment in the trilogy, so Porter did have to create some plot points to keep things moving, and hopefully she can return to the more character driven aspects of the story in the next installment. Overall, Lost Voices is an emotionally charged by enjoyable beginning to a very unique series.

Genre: Fantasy

Reading level: Grade 8+

Similar titles: Fins series by Tera Lynn Childs, Tempest Rising by Tracy Deebs, Ripple by Mandy Hubbard.  

Themes:  Mermaids, sexual abuse, physical abuse, friendship, orphans, death, loss, grief, Alaska.

Awards/Reviews:  Positive reviews from teenreads.com and Bulletin.  

Series Information: First installment in Lost Voices trilogy.

Discussion questions: 

- Why do you think that Luce became a mermaid? Do you think she deserved to become a mermaid? Why or why not?

- What is the timahk similar to?

-   Do you think what Catarina did with the men she drowned broke the timahk?

- Would you have been able to participate in sinking ships if you were Luce? Why do you think the mermaids got pleasure from killing humans?

- What do you hope to see happen in the next book? Why?