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?

Every Other Day Book Review

Author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes. Release date: 2011. Publisher:  EgmontUSA. ISBN: 9781606841693.

Annotation: Kali isn’t like other girls: every twenty-four hours she changes into a hunter with strength and speed who can kill supernatural creatures that pose a threat to humans. Kali doesn’t have any friends at school, but when she notices that popular girl Bethany has been marked for death by one of the creatures she hunts, Kali must try to save her life while keeping what she truly is a secret.

Personal thoughts: I was intrigued when I heard about this book, and after reading it, found that my interest was warranted. Jennifer Lynn Barnes has done a good job of creating something interesting and unique that also challenges the reader to think below the surface of the plot. Of course the story contains more fantastical things like chupacabras, hellhounds, dragons and basilisks, but they play second-fiddle to Kali trying to cope with her distant father, abandonment by her mother and her general loneliness. Many teens are certain to pick up on these bigger issues, while the supernatural elements of the book will appeal to a wide audience. I hope that the author decides to write a sequel because I think there is something really interesting in this story that could easily be expanded upon further.  

Plot summary: In Kali D’Angelo’s world, Darwin discovered preternatural creatures on his journey to the Galapagos Islands, and things like hellhounds, zombies, and basilisks are a normal, if unpleasant, part of everyday life. Kali’s mother left her and her father when she was three-years-old and since she was twelve, Kali has kept a secret from the rest of the world: every twenty-four hours, Kali transforms. One day, she is a normal teenage girl. The next, she is a hunter with superhuman speed and strength and a desire to track and kill the preternatural creatures that feed on humans. Kali has no idea why she is the way she is, but her dark side has left her angry, bitter and without any friends. Everything changes, however, when Kali accidentally spots a strange marking on popular girl Bethany at their high school. It appears that Bethany has been bitten by a chupacabra, a preternatural creature that infects and drains the life of its host. Although they’re not friends, Kali knows that she must save Bethany and find a way to kill the chupacabra. One major problem exists with Kali’s plan, however: she spots the mark when she is a normal human girl. How can Kali fight a deadly preternatural creature without her mysterious powers?

Review: From Jennifer Lynn Barnes, author of the Raised by Wolves series, comes the briskly paced and dark story of Kali D’Angelo, a girl who spends half her life as a vicious demon-hunter and the rest as a loner who wonders why she and her father were abandoned by her mother years earlier. Many heroines in young adult novels spend a lot of their time pondering their identities. In Kali’s case, however, trying to find out who she is has a more literal meaning: Kali, and the reader, don’t know why she morphs every other day into a demon-hunter, and much of the story is spent in uncovering exactly what is behind her transformations. The novel is also full of other mysteries that need solving, including the chupacabra that Kali must rid from her new “friend” Bethany, the truth about Kali’s mother, and the psychic connection that Kali discovers with someone Zev. Although the plot is, at times, a bit confusing, many readers are sure to enjoy this story. It is not overly romantic, but instead focuses on Kali, who is a likable if not warm and cuddly heroine. The side characters are also interesting, as is the relationship between Kali and Zev. Jennifer Lynn Barnes has stated that she intended Every Other Day to be a stand-alone novel, but is open to the possibility of writing a sequel at some point in the future. Whether the story becomes part of a series or not, it is still something that can be easily recommended to teens who enjoy supernatural novels with a lot of action and mystery.

Genre:  Science-Fiction

Reading level: Grade 7+

Similar titles: Damage by Anya Parrish, Misfit by Jon Skovron, Sweet Venom by Tera Lynn Childs.   

Themes:  Demon hunters, supernatural creatures, chupacabras, vampires, conspiracy, father/daughter relationships, abandonment.  

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

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

Discussion questions:

-      Would you like to be able to transform like Kali does? Why or why not?

-      Kali is often described as having a “hero complex” in the novel. What does that mean? Do you think it’s a good way to describe her?

-     Why do you think Kali and her father have such a strained relationship?

-    Do you think that Skylar truly cared what people at school said about her?

-    Do you think Zev truly betrayed Kali? Why or why not?

-     If a sequel is written for this novel, what would you like to see happen in it?

Mercy: The Last New England Vampire Book Review

 Author: Sarah L. Thomson. Release date: 2011. Publisher:  Islandport Press. ISBN: 9781934031364.

Annotation: As part of a school assignment, fourteen-year-old Haley Brown decides to study her ancestor, Mercy Brown, who died of consumption at age nineteen and was thought to have been a vampire who sucked the life from her remaining siblings after her death. The more she learns about Mercy, the more Haley fears that she is being haunted by the restless spirit who seeks to prove the truth about her death.

Personal thoughts: As a big fan of history, I was really looking forward to this novel because it is based on a true story, something I had never really experienced in paranormal young adult literature. I was not disappointed! Although the novel is short, the author does an excellent job of creating the appropriate atmosphere for Haley’s encountering the ghost of Mercy Brown. I also felt that the liberties the author took in fictionalizing Mercy’s story into a ghostly mystery were really well done. I would highly recommend this novel to history buffs, both teen and adult.

Plot summary: Fourteen-year-old Haley Brown is struggling with a lot of uncertainty in her life. Her cousin and close friend, Jake, is dying from an unknown chronic illness. Her dad and stepmother seem to be perpetually focused on her two-year-old half brother, Eddie. And her mom, who left their home in Rhode Island to live in New York City, promises Haley a Thanksgiving dinner of takeout when she comes to visit. To make matters worse, Haley has been assigned to research one of her ancestors, and decides to do her project on Mercy Brown. Mercy, who lived in the late 1800s, died of consumption at age 19. Her mother and older sister Grace died of the disease before her, and after her death, her younger brother Edwin fell ill. Determined to protect his only son, Mercy’s father, at the request of the townspeople, exhumed Mercy’s body. When it was found that her heart contained fresh blood, she was branded a vampire who was returning from beyond the grave to suck the life out of her brother. Her heart was burned, and Mercy’s name was forever slandered. As Haley learns more about Mercy’s life, strange things begin happening. Haley is plagued by the disembodied sound of a beating heart, icy cold sensations, and mysterious messages left for her to see. Could the ghost of Mercy have returned to help Haley clear her name as a vampire?



Mercy Brown's headstone
Exeter, Rhode Island

Review:  Although it is short in duration, this quiet mystery from esteemed author Sarah L. Thomson provides a different approach to the vampire craze that has swept young adult literature, one for readers who want a book with something below the surface. Based on the true story of Mercy Brown who died in 1892, teens who are fans of history, particularly that pertaining to New England, will enjoy the author’s inclusion of historical accounts in the plot of the novel. Mercy was truly exhumed, her heart was cut-out post-mortem and burned, the ashes given to her brother Edwin who was dying of consumption. Although the author does fictionalize the true “vampire” in the novel, learning about the real Mercy Brown and how people, especially women, were often vilified as the source of disease and other natural occurrences adds a great deal of depth to the story. Readers can be entertaining by Haley and her efforts to uncover the truth about Mercy and her connection to the rest of the Brown family, while being asked to think about the implications of the story beyond the scope of the mystery. Being based in part in history, Mercy would have a strong place in a middle school collection, particularly in drawing in more reluctant readers who are unsure about the historical fiction genre. Overall, a brief but strong novel that can be enjoyed by teen and adult readers alike.

Genre: Fiction/Ghost Story

Reading level: Grade 6+

Similar titles: Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake, The Poisoned House by Michael Ford, Tighter by Adele Griffin, Haunting Violet by Alyxandra Harvey, Lark by Tracey Porter.

Themes:  Ghosts, vampires, New England, family history, haunting, mystery.  

Awards/Reviews:  Positive reviews from Amanda Marrone, author of Devoured, Michael Bell, author of Food for the Dead, and Christopher Rondina, author of Vampires of New England.

Series Information: N/A  

Discussion questions:

-      Why do you think Haley preferred to talk to Jake more than her father or stepmother?

-    Do you think Haley was being a good friend to Mel? Why or why not?

-      Why do you think Aunt Brown didn’t want Haley to bring Sunny to her house?

-      Do you think Haley’s feelings towards Eddie changed as the story progressed? How?

-     Research the real Mercy Brown. Is there anything about her life that is not included in the novel?

-       What role did superstition play in Mercy’s time? How have things changed?

Attack of the Vampire Weenies Book Review

Author: David Lubar. Release date: 2011. Publisher:  Tor Books. ISBN: 9780765323453.

Annotation:  Prepare to be creeped out with this collection of spooky (and funny) tales.

Personal thoughts:  This is my first experience with the "Weenies" books, but I am now officially a fan! The stories were all very clever, and could easily be read aloud in a classroom, or enjoyed individually by tweens, teens and adults alike. I look forward to picking up more of Lubar's creations!

Plot summary: This installment of Lubar’s popular “Weenies” collection features 33 short stories. Many of the stories have to do with vampires, but most of them feature simple plots that are clever, creepy and, at times, hilarious. Some of the stories include “Not Another Word,” featuring a mime who has a particular reason for donning that white face paint, “The Ride of a Lifetime,” about a rollercoaster that seems to have a life of its own, and “Cooties,” which explains what really happens when someone says “no returns.” Most of the stories are only 2-3 pages long, with only a few over 5-10 pages.

Review: Lubar’s “Weenies” collection has sold, according to his website, over 1.7 million copies worldwide, and it is obvious why after reading Attack of the Vampire Weenies, the latest installment. Although the stories are quite short, they are full of clever, creepy and funny characters, plots and situations that will keep tweens, and adults, reading. Some of the real stand out stories include “Not Another Word,” “It’s Only a Game,” “Rapt Punzel,” “Cooties” and “The Cure for the Uncommon Vampire.” All of the stories are very entertaining, however, and readers of all ages are sure to enjoy experiencing their favorites again and again.

Genre: Short Stories/Scary Stories

Reading level: Grade 5+

Similar titles: Other titles in David Lubar’s “Weenies” collection, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz.

Themes:  Short stories, scary stories, irony, humor, vampires.  

Awards/Reviews:  Positive review from Booklist, School Library Journal, San Francisco Chronicle and Detroit Free Press.

Series Information: Part of “Weenies” collection by David Lubar. Other titles include In the Land of the Lawn Weenies, Invasion of the Road Weenies, The Curse of the Campfire Weenies and The Battle of the Red Hot Pepper Weenies.

Discussion questions:

- Write your own weenie tale.

- Which of the stories in Attack of the Vampire Weenies was your favorite? Why?

- What do you think is important to include in a collection of short stories? What elements make the stories enjoyable?

- Have you read any other of the Weenies books? Which ones? How do they compare to Attack of the Vampire Weenies?

Switched - My Sister the Vampire #1 Book Review

Author: Sienna Mercer. Release date: 2007. Publisher:  HarperCollins. ISBN: 9780060871130.

Annotation:  Olivia Abbott is determined to make the most of being the new girl at Franklin Grove middle school. Little does she know that new friend, goth-girl, Ivy Vega, is actually her identical twin sister…and a vampire!

Personal thoughts: I have to admit that I felt pretty silly wanting to run and get the next installment in this fun and interesting series. I think that these books are a wonderful substitute for younger readers who may not be ready to venture into vampire novels like Twilight or The House of Night series. I would highly recommend these to tweens who want something sugary with a dash of gothic.

Plot summary: Bubbly middle-school cheerleader, Olivia Abbott, is determined to make the best of her family’s move to a new town. She starts school and immediately seeks out the cheerleaders to befriend. It seems that the popular girls at this school, however, are not the nicest people in the world. One day, Olivia meets goth girl, Ivy Vega. Ivy is the opposite of Olivia: she wears black clothes and thick eyeliner, and is far from the cheerleading type. As Olivia gets to know Ivy better she makes a startling discovery: Ivy looks a lot like her, in fact, she and Ivy are identical twins! Things get even weirder when Olivia learns that their fashion choices aren’t the only thing different between them: Ivy is actually one of many vampires who call Olivia’s new town home. Despite their differences, Olivia and Ivy become close, and decide to help each other out, even if they have to switch places from time to time to do it! But can a vampire and a cheerleader really pose as one another without getting noticed?

Review: Switched is the first novel in Mercer’s My Sister the Vampire series which has since been followed up by five additional installments, with two more being published in 2011. It is a very interesting and original story, with likeable characters and a believable setting. Ivy and Olivia have a pretty fantastical story, but they deal with issues that are common in middle school: crushes, bullies, peer pressure, and self-confidence. The vampire aspect of the story only adds to the fun. Although this installment of the series does not go into too much detail about exactly how Ivy and Olivia were separated at birth and why Ivy is a vampire but Olivia isn’t, Mercer manages to make the reader care enough about her characters to want to find out how they came to be in their situation. A very good start to a popular series for tweens.

Genre: Fiction/Vampire-Fiction

Reading level: Grade 4+

Similar titles: Other titles in the My Sister the Vampire series by Sienna Mercer. This Totally Bites (2010) by Ruth Ames. Monster High (2010) by Lisi Harrison.

Themes: Twins, vampires, middle-school, sisters.

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

Series Information: Part of My Sister the Vampire series by Sienna Mercer. Titles: Switched (2007), Fangtastic! (2007), Re-Vamped! (2007), Vampalicious (2008), Take Two! (2011), Love Bites! (2011), Lucky Break! (coming in 2011), Star Style (coming in 2011)

Discussion Questions:

- Who do you identify with more: Olivia or Ivy? Why?

- Do you think the vampires in this series are different or similar to the traditional idea of the vampire?

- What are some other stories, TV shows, or movies with twins? Why do you think twins are commonly featured in fictional stories?

- Do you think it's right for Ivy to pose as Olivia and vice versa? Why or why not?

- What are some situations you would like to see Ivy and Olivia pose as eachother in?