Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Allison: Sexy Feminism | Jennifer Keishin Armstrong & Heather Wood Rudulph | Book Review

by Allison L

I was intrigued when I came across the title of Sexy Feminism on Netgalley a couple of months ago. It seemed to almost be a perfect fit for me as I had been looking for something new and different but also something that would reflect the things that I had received an education in. According to the brief synopsis, this was “not your mother’s feminism”, and instead was an offering of a brand new feminism. One that was more accessible, cool, and sexy. I wasn’t exactly sure what was to be meant by that but I was definitely interested in finding out.

I have to admit that I have had to read a lot of feminist literature throughout my schooling. I’ve read some of the “classics” as well as some of the more new works. I’ve also read articles in feminist based magazines such as Ms. Magazine, and I’ve had to do several different research papers so my opinion of what I was reading. I really did try to enjoy it especially since it came across in a very conversational tone and was relatively easy to read. Authors Jennifer Keishin Armstrong and Heather Wood Rudulph do a really good job of making what they are discussing relatable. They curse, they tell personal stories, and they don’t dumb things down too much for the reader. Oh, and the snark is abundant, believe me!

I guess in a way the fact that Sexy Feminism is very simplistic makes it very approachable and will make it a decent introductory feminist novel. It is useful in a sense that it gives you a lot of background information on many practices that are seen as normal for women now such as plastic surgery, waxing, and make up. Each chapter has a set of very clear points that the authors stick with in order to explain if what they are discussing can be seen as feminist or not. Yet, I still felt like I was always waiting for something more.

There is SO much more to feminism than love, success, and style. These are not the most important issues that an individual should be dealing with. I’m not saying that these issues may not be important to others but to me not so much. I’m more the equality part, and the dismantling of patriarchy personally. But I can see how a viewpoint like this would be refreshing to some, and that is why I said that this book might make a decent introductory feminist novel. Is it really helping in my opinion? Not so much. Also, as eye catching as the title might be, I can’t help but wonder if that is one of the biggest flaws of the entire book. I mean, if you have to fully describe something as “sexy” in order to make it interesting to an audience, is it worth it? Or are you just buying into the preconceived guidelines that you are trying to break down?

For me, feminism is something that is still very much necessary in our society. There are still so many things that need to be broken down, fixed, and changed in order for our society to become a better environment for all. And for me, feminism does not need the label of sexiness in order for these things to be accomplished. In fact, in many ways I feel that a label such as that will only hurt the cause, and will help further marginalize us in the eyes of a patriarchal society. For some, Sexy Feminism may be a good introductory feminist text but, it should NOT be the only one. There are many other texts which will help provide a full well rounded feminist learning experience. I encourage you to research them and check them out!

Disclosure: Received for review via Netgalley

Other reviews of Sexy Feminism by Jennifer Keishin Armstrong and Heather Wood Rudulph:

Wrapped Up In Books: “Ultimately, this guide for “girls” is not something I’d recommend to anyone. Readers can find the same information for free on blogs and there is nothing particularly insightful about the way they present it.”

Rachel Warzala: “For this reason, I hope Sexy Feminism isn’t just a throwaway book, and that some young women previously turned off by the word “feminist” give the term and its underlying beliefs a second shot.”

The YA Kitten: “Most chapters have very clear points they stick to while explaining the intricacies of what does/doesn’t make it feminist.
Still, my answer to a lot of their chapters is this: “Yeah, and…?”“

The Wrap-Up List | Steven Arntson | Book Review

by April (Books&Wine)

Perhaps I am morbid, but I really enjoy reading books that take on the subject matter of death. I especially like it when young adult books talk about that subject matter, as for many young people, death does seem outside the realm of possibility when you have your whole life ahead of you. Thus, The Wrap-Up List by Steven Arntson caught my attention with it’s gritty topics, yet Arntson handles death with a light touch and writes a story that is both touching and funny.

The Wrap-Up List by Steven Arntson | Good Books And Good Wine

Gabriela lives in a world where 1% of the population are tapped by grim reapers called Deaths to depart. A person receives a letter saying they’ve been chosen for departure and is assigned a specific death. The person tapped must then respond with a wrap-up list — or things they wish to accomplish before heading into the great beyond. Typically the person also asks for a pardon – meaning the Death must give them a clue about it’s noble weakness. It’s then up to the person to figure out their Death’s noble weakness and commit the deed in order to receive the pardon. Gabriela comes home from school one day to one of the red envelopes — she’s been tapped. And so, The Wrap-Up List is essentially about Gabriela trying to accomplish the items on her list and find out her Death – Hercule’s noble weakness so she can live the rest of her life.

Gabriela is a thinker and a very intelligent young lady. She’s the sort of girl who keeps her priest on his toes, as she argues theology with him. I found her to be an interesting protagonist – in that she’s well rounded and not all hung up on some guy even though her list centers on first kisses for all her friends — and her. Gabriela is close with her family, but there’s still some tension and dysfunction there. Her parents are not the Cleavers. She also is best friends with Iris, Raahi, and Sarena – a diverse set of teens. I also found that I liked how Arntson wove religion into The Wrap-Up List but made it so it wasn’t preachy, just a facet of Gabriela’s life.

For a slim book, The Wrap-Up List excels in creating a believable world. The way Arntson weaves in the Deaths and their 1% ‘tax’ comes across as effortless. I realize when it comes to fantasy, paranormal and speculative fiction there has to be a suspension of disbelief on the part of the reader – however, it’s up to the writer to make the reader want to suspend their disbelief. Arntson does a wonderful job of doing this. He makes the Deaths unique and interesting — with rules they must follow and no deus ex machinas in sight. I really thought the world of The Wrap-Up List was fascinating.

If you’re looking for a book that hooks you within the first few pages - The Wrap-Up List is that book. It is engaging because you want to find out more about Gabriela, her family, her friends. Will she get her first kiss? With the boy she likes? And question of all questions for this book — will she get her pardon? I flew through the pages of this book and found myself intrigued by each new reveal.The reveals did feel totally organic and natural to the story, instead of tacked on to fulfill a checklist.

I really enjoyed my time reading Arntson’s work. I loved the concept behind The Wrap-Up List and the execution as well. Gabriela is a wonderful choice for a protagonist and one I found myself rooting for. If you are down for a book with an interesting take on death, you should definitely pick up a copy of The Wrap-Up List.

Disclosure: Received for review via Amazon Vine

Other reviews of The Wrap-Up List by Steven Arntson:

Alexa Loves Books – “The premise of this story is really a very interesting one”
Bookworm1858 – “a fun fast read with a lot to think about”
Gabby Reads – “this tale was very unique”

The Center Of Everything | Linda Urban | Book Review

by April (Books&Wine)

Linda Urban’s The Center Of Everything is one of those delightful read-in-a-single-sitting sorts of children’s books that blends several interesting elements. I was initially interested in Urban’s latest book because A) I am not as well read in the middle grade contemporary genre as I would like to be and B) donuts play a fairly large role and I just love donuts. Thankfully, The Center Of Everything definitely delivers on it’s wonderful premise and is a pleasant read, on the whole.

The Center Of Everything by Linda Urban | Good Books And Good Wine

Ruby Pepperdine has a big task ahead of her. This year she has been selected as the Essay Girl for Bunning Day, an event in Bunning, New Hampshire that celebrates both donuts and sea Captain Bunning, who basically invented donuts — at least according to The Center Of Everything. Unfortunately, Ruby is on the outs with her best friend Lucy and new friend Nero. She is hoping that by using her twelfth birthday wish, things will go back to normal. Or, at least the way it was when she would stargaze from the rooftop of Pepperdine Motors with her now-deceased grandmother, Gigi.

Ruby Pepperdine is a likable young heroine. She is the sort of person who is reliable, those who know Ruby know that they can depend on her to be sensible and level headed. Ruby is the sort who believes in ‘supposed to’. However, Ruby is dealing with a lot of grief and pain. Rather than reach out to her friends and family for help, she turns her grief inward. Urban works this larger issue in seamlessly and rather than be depressed by Ruby, children will empathize with her, and feel ultimately rewarded by the changes and development Ruby undergoes.

At it’s heart, The Center Of Everything by Linda Urban seems to be a novel about friendship. Ruby spends much of the book worrying about her friendships with Lucy and Nero. Lucy has been Ruby’s best friend for a very long time. Unfortunately, she is quite cross with Ruby, which is hard on Ruby. What further exacerbates this is that Ruby has also messed things up with Nero — a character who has the potential of being a wonderful friend to her. Will the three resolve their issues? Will Ruby’s wish come true? You’ll have to read this or buy it for your child to find out.

Urban’s writing style has a way of drawing the reader in. The Center Of Everything was a very quickly paced read that I did not want to put down. Granted, I am older than the target range for this book. Yet, even I found that as an adult I could connect with Ruby’s love for her extended family and how deeply she cares for her friends. I found the inclusion of donut lore to be a fun addition to the book as well — I quite like reading about food.

I would recommend The Center Of Everything by Linda Urban to the 7-13 year old age range, however, it is also a generally good read. You don’t have to be in that age range to enjoy it, but I think it will find the most traction with that age group. This is recommended for readers who like real life situations with a twist of the extraordinary, and quirky characters who value community.

Disclosure: Received for review via Amazon Vine

Other reviews of The Center Of Everything by Linda Urban:

GreenBeanTeenQueen – “a gentle story of family and friendship”

The Late Bloomer’s Book Blog – “Linda Urban writes beautifully”

Dr. Bird’s Advice For Sad Poets | Evan Roskos | Book Review

by April (Books&Wine)

Evan Roskos’s young adult debut, Dr. Bird’s Advice For Sad Poets is a YAWP!-worthy book. Depicting the awkwardness of unrequited crushes, an unstable home life and mental illness, this a a book that deserves a place in school and classroom libraries. Roskos brings a unique voice to the contemporary young adult genre as he weaves the tried and true poetry of Walt Whitman, and especially Song Of Myself in with the poetry of his main character James Whitman.

Dr. Bird's Advice For Sad Poets by Evan Roskos | Good Books And Good Wine

James Whitman does not have the easiest life. His older sister Jorie was kicked out of the house by his parents. Unfortunately, his family refuses to delve into the issue further. This just serves to fuel James’s anxiety and depression. To alleviate his internal pain, James has made it his mission to get the school to allow Jorie to finish out her senior year and walk in graduation. He also wants to convince his parents to let Jorie come home. However, his parents are the abusive sort and refuse to let Jorie come back. Matters are complicated even further when James finds himself pulled into helping with the school literary journal in order to impress a girl. Thankfully, Roskos effortlessly weaves in complex themes and issues, but the plot never feels convoluted.

James Whitman is a perfect blend of gawky and earnest. He is a weird kid, but Roskos never presents him in a mocking light. You see, when James is stressed he hugs trees and he talks to an imaginary pigeon psychiatrist named Dr. Bird – hence the title. James also is quite obsessed with Walt Whitman because they share a last name. He uses poetry as a creative outlet and a way to express his internal strife. In all, I found James Whitman to be the sort of character that I simultaneously rooted for but was also glad to not be in his situation. However, if you were or currently are an angsty and lonely teenager, chances are you will be able to relate to the main character of Dr. Bird’s Advice For Sad Poets by Evan Roskos.

It’s also important for me to mention James’s sister Jorie. Although she’s largely absent from the book – - we hear more about her than we interact with her, she’s sort of the central force behind the story. She is James’s catalyst to seek therapy and answers. Rather than turning Jorie into a cliche, she’s fascinating in that she has secrets of her own. We discover that although Jorie is the black sheep of the family, she and James have more in common than originally thought. I especially loved reading the emails and texts between Jorie and James, as she would often encourage James’s creativity.

Dr. Bird’s Advice For Sad Poets does a bang up job depicting the theme of teenage depression without being a totally buzz kill. Instead, Roskos weaves a thread of hope and humor throughout the book. We get to see different types of depression — one type that manifests in talking to imaginary things and suicidal ideation, the other sort that manifests in cutting. It is sad and hard to read about, but Roskos shows the possibility of happiness for both of the characters. Further, there are secondary characters which do add a light touch to the book as well as a positive support system.

Evan Roskos’s debut novel comes across as quite literary in style. If you are a fan of Where Things Come Back chances are you will enjoy Dr. Bird’s Advice For Sad Poets. The writing is sophisticated, but accessible. What I mean by this is that Roskos has effortlessly placed Song Of Myself within a teenage context and it does not feel awkward. I’d recommend this book to anyone with a penchant for poetry, angst, and quirky but earnest characters.

Okay, and I had to put this at the end, for the part that isn’t going into the Amazon Vine review because I try to make those seem a bit more formal and professional. So, I used to be in poetry elective and poetry club when I was in high school. What this meant was that I helped with the yearly poetry journal AND I did things like poetry slams and won an award at a competition for public speaking. #humblebrag. Anyways, I just was thinking the entire time reading this that I would have LOVED Dr. Bird’s Advice For Sad Poets as a teenager because I could relate to James and his love of Song Of Myself and his YAWP-ing. And being awkward around people I liked. And a few of the more personal things that I won’t share. Anyways, suffice to say, this legit would have been the perfect book for teenage me, and thus I really do wholeheartedly recommend it. It seems to have a sort of quiet buzz around it, but trust if you can get your hands on Dr. Bird’s Advice For Sad Poets, you absolutely should read it.

Disclosure: Received for review via Amazon Vine

Other reviews of Dr. Bird’s Advice For Sad Poets by Evan Roskos:

Haven’t seen any in my google search of the book blogosphere, so if you review this PLEASE drop your link in the comments so I can add it up here.

Dark Triumph | Robin LaFevers | Book Review

by April (Books&Wine)

Super vague spoilers for Grave Mercy, so read at your own risk but note this review is not riddled with all the big reveals and such.

I realize I might take some heat from other bloggers for posting my review of Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers so early, but you guys, I have that condition where when I love a book SO hard, I cannot for the life of me shut up about it, regardless of how early I’ve read the book. Also, I do what I want. YOLO. Friends, right now I am experiencing all of the feels because I clicked to the last page of Dark Triumph and all is as it should be with an utterly perfect ending where all comes together. Legit there is nary a second book in a series slump to be seen — which IDK about you all but seems like 2013 is the year of book 2 and thank god I haven’t read very many that don’t live up to book 1. Anyways, if you’ve come to His Fair Assassin book two, Dark Triumph looking to recapture the emotions and swoon and OH EM GEE OH EM GEE REVEALS from Grave Mercy then yo, you have come to the right place as I can vouch straight up Dark Triumph is a worthy book two and I fell hard for Sybella, as hard as I did for Ismae.

Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers | Good Books And Good Wine

First things first, I need to put my inner bias out there so you can judge this review accordingly. I had originally read and reviewed Grave Mercy as an egalley. I loved it SO MUCH that I bought a hardcover, AT LIST PRICE, not at that Amazon Discount Pricing. Therefore, I was predisposed to like and desperately wait on Dark Triumph. YOU GUYS. I am in L-O-V-E with this book. Plus, I know for a fact that I will be buying it when it comes out AT LIST PRICE as well because it is worth it and you know this is one of those books that I need to have in hard cover form. Dark Triumph focuses on Death’s Handmaiden, Sybella. As you might remember from Grave Mercy, Sybella is the girl who came to the convent after going through some real shit. She’s kind of ‘damaged’ in book one. Well, in this book we get to see just why she’s so damaged. We open with her being sent to D’Albret’s house and Sybella is hell bent on killing D’Albret, only like a total douche he doesn’t have a marque, so it’s not exactly sanctioned by Mortain. Instead, Sybella finds that her mission is to rescue Beast (ILY ILY ILY) and get him to Rennes. You see, Beast is practically half dead from fighting some of D’Albret’s soldiers. ONLY he’s got the spirit of a total warrior and is one of St. Camulous’s own and so, together the two travel on to Rennes, to the duchess meeting plenty of interesting characters along the way. SHOUT OUT TO THE CHARBONNERIE, YOU KIDS ARE MY FAVORITE.

Sybella, Sybella, Sybella. Girl goes through so much pain and strife and ugh, you guys her life totally blows. And now I can see why she was Captain Emo in Grave Mercy. There is such a good reason for it, but I totally will not go into that because you do not deserve spoilers pre-Dark Triumph. Suffice to say, Sybella is a bit mopey, but in the book we actually understand why and it’s nothing that I can hold against her. I loved her character because she had what it takes to get the job done. Instead of agonizing over killing dudes with marques on them, she just does it. And it is legit and awesome. Sybella is very no nonsense and tough, and while yes she shows her vulnerable side to the readers, there’s a wall up to the other people in her life. It’s quite the interesting combination — tough as nails on the outside, soft on the inside.

What makes Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers so compelling is Sybella’s inner conflict. We get this exploration of Sybella’s inner landscape, you know like her feelings and emotions and such — I just wanted to sound smart with that line. Questions of whether evil is genetic or nurtured arise. I can’t tell you much about Sybella’s past without spoilers but I can say that her home environment sucks and she might as well live with the embodiment of evil. Further, she also consistently questions whether she is good enough or whether she really deserves love because of previous things that have happened to her. And what we really get is this awesome transformation from victim to survivor — it’s incredibly empowering, now that I think about it.

Of course, Dark Triumph is not all doom and gloom and depressing and well, dark. Beast from Grave Mercy features quite prominently in this companion book. You guys, Beast is awesome. He’s a bear of a man. Yet, despite his bulk, he has a lightness inside. He’s very charismatic and people are drawn to him. Where Sybella is brooding, Beast is laughing, ya know? Obviously based on the summary those of you with two brain cells to rub together can infer that Beast and Sybella hook up because come on, that is how these summaries and romances work. YOU GUYS maximum swoonage occurs within Dark Triumph and it’s a nice slow build over mutual antagonization and also definitely respect. What I love is that the two have issues to work through — their romance is not one that is easily won, thank goodness. Plus you guys, there is a kissing scene that you’ll totally want to highlight, and that’s the only bone I will throw you.

For such a long book, Robin Lafevers makes it so Dark Triumph is kind of impossible to set down. Y’all, I had intended Dark Triumph to be my work out book and we all see how great that one went. Instead of just reading it while on the bike, I carried it around with me reading my kindle like the wind. This noise is gripping in the best possible way. While it doesn’t quite focus on politics and machinations and intrigue like Grave Mercy, it does have that interesting focus on self-conflict. And I just loved that Sybella was such a dynamic character and seeing her have these epiphanies. It was definitely a treat to read about.

Obviously, I highly recommend this book. Robin LaFevers’ latest definitely adds more meat to the His Fair Assassin trilogy. Dark Triumph manages to not feel like a filler in any way shape or form. Instead, it was totally awesome, especially when everything just clicked for me and I had that AH-HA reader sort of moment. If you happen to have a copy, I recommend reading it now and totally talking it up because this is one series that deserves ALL OF THE SALES, seriously. All of them. I came, I saw, I swooned over Sybella, Beast, the Charbonnerie, Yanick and more. Definitely, definitely preorder LaFever’s Dark Triumph I promise you won’t regret one clicking it.

Disclosure: Received for review via Netgalley

Other reviews of Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers:

Dark Faerie Tales – “Time escaped me, as I read through the story”

Carina’s Books – “So many things that made me cry. And smile.”

Sassyreads – “Dark, this one… and I liked it”

Books by Robin LaFevers:
Grave Mercy

Writing as RL LaFevers:
The Unicorn’s Tale

Adios, Nirvana Conrad Wesselhoeft Book Review

by April (Books&Wine)

I am a huge fan of grief-driven books. I know that’s kind of a weird quirk, but I just feel sort of a special connection to those characters who are in so much pain because of loss, even though I have been incredibly lucky in life to not have experienced real loss like that. And so, Adios, Nirvana by Conrad Wesselhoeft really appealed to me on this basic level — it’s about a boy named Jonathan who is grieving the loss of his twin brother Telemachus, or Telly. I thought that Adios, Nirvana was a sophisticated sort of YA grief book that might appeal to people who are more into the literary end of the YA spectrum.

Adios, Nirvana opens with main character Jonathan, drunk off some vodka grapes (can I get in on this action) pissing off of an icy bridge. Jonathan is losing it because he can’t handle the death of his brother and that sucks because he had promise. You see, last year he won Best Young Poet. Also, he was pretty damn good at guitar. Now, he doesn’t really show up to school and might fail his junior year. HOWEVER, a few people in his life come together to help him pass — the principal, his English teacher and his group of BFFs called Thicks. The principal asks Jonathan, who has a way with words, to write the life story of David who is a World War II veteran and dying. OH AND TO ADD INSULT TO INJURY the principal is all like, hey Jonathan why don’t you play this stupid-ass song at graduation with this celebrity guitar. Y’all, there’s a lot going on in Adios, Nirvana and it’s kind of a slim book, but I never felt like the focus was too loose or confused at what was going on. Instead, I thought that Conrad Wesselhoeft masterfully balanced the various elements of Jonathan’s tale.

Chances are if you read a lot of male-fronted YA, you’ve met characters like Jonathan before. He’s your quintessential angry young man, where his surliness comes from a place of deep hurting. However, even though I’ve read characters like Jonathan, I still thought he came across as well-written. Jonathan is a poet and the poetry provided within the book shows us glimpses into his psyche. I have to say that it’s not that annoying sort of teen poetry, but the type that reminds me of the beats — like Allen Ginsberg. And I liked that sort of sophistication. I like that we see Jonathan as a character who really has no drive and no hope. I like that we see a sort of transformation come over Jonathan where he sees that yes, he may have lost a brother but he does not need to stop living life. He does not need to go through everything alone. I just, I thought he was very well characterized.

If you don’t like your reads literary and maybe a tiny bit pretentious, chances are you’ll dislike Adios, Nirvana. I, on the other hand, thought it was kind of a refreshing change. I liked how it was written. I liked that this book had multiple layers to it. I loved the various pieces of imagery, especially the imagery within Jonathan’s poems. His poems, FYI, aren’t the annoying rhyming teenager kind, but free verse with sort of a beat flavor. I loved reading those parts.

In all, I’d say Adios, Nirvana by Conrad Wesselhoeft is a GREAT book for a specific audience — I really think teenage male readers, the smart ones at least, will like this book. Obviously females can read and like this book too, hello I am female and enjoyed it. If you’re looking to read a moving story about getting past deep pain and picking the pieces up, read Adios, Nirvana. It’s definitely an underrated book that is deserving of more attention.

Disclosure: Received for review on Netgalley and at BEA 2010, so forever ago but hey at least I actually ended up reading and reviewing rather than tossing.

Other reviews of Adios, Nirvana by Conrad Wesselhoeft:

The Book Swarm – “raw, powerful and heartbreaking”

The Grammarian’s Reviews – “a whirlwind of good characters, descriptions, and writing”

Stacked – “Wesselhoeft’s debut is well-paced, but it begs to be read slowly”

Will Sparrow’s Road by Karen Cushman Book Review

by April (Books&Wine)

When I think of children’s historical fiction, one of the first names that comes to mind is Karen Cushman, whether it’s for Catherine Called Birdy or The Midwife’s Apprentice, her name makes me think of journeys to the past. However, I’m not entirely sure if I have read her books before, you know my childhood was kind of a haze. When I came across Will Sparrow’s Road on Vine, it had a few qualities that attracted me — Elizabethan England setting, intrepid young boy, and an assortment of misfits who come together so of course I picked it as a book to review. For the most part, I was satisfied with Will Sparrow’s Road with a few things that prevented me from loving it.

Will Sparrow has had a hard life. Sold at a young age by his father for a pint of ale, Will works at an inn but is not fed well so he must resort to stealing food. One day he steals a pie from the innkeeper which results in the innkeeper deciding to sell Will to the chimney-sweeps. He takes issue with this, and so goes on the run. Will Sparrow sees himself as a thief and a liar with no cares for anyone but himself. By happenstance, he ends up traveling with a troupe of oddities including an intelligent pig, a dwarf and a cat-girl. He does not realize the leader of the troupe is not exactly a kind and caring person. What drives Will Sparrow’s Road by Karen Cushman is the hope that Will overcomes his trust issues and lets others care about him.

The character of Will Sparrow was quite realistic for a 12 year old boy who has been kicked around. Cushman does a decent job showing how Will’s backstory affects his attitude towards others. He is not wise beyond his years like plenty of other middle grade main characters. Instead, Will Sparrow is given the freedom to make mistakes and bad decisions and then grow from them. I thought that for Cushman’s first main character that happened to be male, she did well.

Cushman’s writing style isn’t very hard to follow. She uses some vocabulary words that are fitting with the time period that Will Sparrow’s Road is set in which enhances the story and really provides a sense of place and time. I liked the setting of the Elizabethan market fairs, because it is one that I have not encountered very much in my reading. I did find the pace to be a bit slow and I was not all that compelled to pick up Will Sparrow’s Road in my free time, as I didn’t entirely connect with will. However, I think this book has an audience.

Perhaps the best thing about Will Sparrow’s Road by Karen Cushman is the lesson it ultimately teaches — not to judge others by their appearance. Cushman wonderfully shows how Will’s snap judgments about others are wrong. It’s a lovely lesson to learn and isn’t exactly rammed down the throat of the reader. I’d recommend this book to 8-12 year old children with an interest in historical fiction as well as children with an interest in animals.

Disclosure: Received for review via Amazon Vine

Other reviews of Will Sparrow’s Road by Karen Cushman:

Drop your link in the comments and I’ll add it.

Allison Reviews Graceling by Kristin Cashore

by Allison L

Graceling

To say that I was hooked on Graceling by Kristin Cashore from the beginning would honestly be an understatement. From my first introduction to the character of Katsa, I was totally captivated, and dying to know more about her. She’s totally kickass, and so is the world in which she is living in. You see in Graceling, there are seven kingdoms each of which are ruled by royalty, and within these kingdoms certain people are graced which means that they are notably talented at something. In Katsa’s case, she is graced as an assassin. Yes, an assassin … how bad ass is that?

It is exceptionally bad ass especially with all the feminist undertones within Graceling. Trust me; my inner feminist was going crazy because of this book. I LOVED how certain gender paradigms involving love, marriage, pregnancy, dominance and control, and human emotion were subverted, or shifted, and that Kristin Cashore never changed the way that she was writing them even if it seemed that the context of the story may call for it. I enjoyed how it seemed that she trusted the reader to be able to navigate the story without too much explanation. I was completely enthralled by the world of the seven kingdoms, the secrets, the messages, and the growth and the development of the characters.

I loved the development of Katsa as a character. At first, it is obvious that she has a conscience for who she is and what she is doing but, isn’t exactly sure how to use it. She has been taught that caring is not an option for her. She’s a little timid at times even when she is being a bad ass assassin but as the story progresses and the secrets and messages are revealed, Katsa’s strength and ability just seems to grow. Much of this growth has to do with her interactions with the character of Po, who I absolutely adored due to his wit and charm. Po catches Katsa off guard but, he never asks her to change who she is for him, instead he helps her find her strength and her true ability as a graceling. Their relationship really is not simply based on romance but instead is based on equality and understanding for each other, and I’ll admit … I fell hard for it.

FOREWARNING: Potential SPOILER Ahead!

“She shivered as he left her to go to the fire, and find water and cloths. He leaned into the light, and brightness and shadows moved across his body. He was beautiful. She admired him, and he flashed a grin at her. Almost as beautiful as you are conceited, she thought at him, and he laughed out loud.” (243)

*swoon*

How adorable are they?

After reading Graceling, I’m really excited to read more from Kristin Cashore. On the outside, her books may seem a little intimidating because they look to be so long but, it appears that you can just delve right into them with ease. I’m really interested to see what other kind of positive female messages are within her other books, and how she points out the flaws within the current perceived gender paradigms. I just love being excited about an author that is so willing to deconstruct life ideals and society within their work. Also, Kristin Cashore is super nice in person, and is just so simply fascinating that my admiration for her may be slipping into my desire to read her books. Either way, it definitely seems like a winning situation for me!

Disclosure: Purchased copy from Oblong Books

Other Reviews of Graceling by Kristin Cashore:

April’s Review: “Graceling by Kristin Cashore exudes awesome”

Carina’s Books: “Love. Sadness. Happiness. I am mostly happy. I LOVED this book.”

The Fiction Diaries: “This book is pure, beautiful fantasy right from the first page.”

Hooked On Books: “Where has this book been all my life?”

Icey Books: “Kristin Cashore is a master storyteller.“

The Boy In The Box Cary Fagan Book Review

by April (Books&Wine)

I was initially interested in The Boy In The Box by Cary Fagan because one of the larger plot points the summary revolves around a medicine show and I just loved The Boneshaker by Kate Milford where the medicine show is also a huge part of the plot. For the most part, The Boy In The Box really worked for me, but found myself unsatisfied after reading the end.

Sullivan is a perfectly average kid. He has average hair, average height, average build and is mostly known for being nice, if people notice him at all. His parents run a retirement home out of their house, and so Sullivan’s best friend is an elderly man named Manny. One day Sullivan discovers he has a passion and talent for juggling. This really comes to the forefront when Sullivan and his sister go to Master Melville’s Medicine Show. At the show, Sullivan finds himself trapped in a box, after volunteering for an act. Kidnapped by this new family, Sullivan is forced to incorporate his juggling act into the show, but at least they appreciate his act.

The Boy In The Box by Cary Fagan has rather interesting characterization. Sullivan, the main character, is a decent person. He actually has a good relationship with his parents. He doesn’t act out in class. However, he struggles when it comes to friendship with his peers. When it comes to his sister, Sullivan has a normal antagonistic relationship, where deep down he loves her. The villains, Melville and Mistress were delightfully evil, although Mistress was much more evil. It was also nice to read a children’s book where the parents are not largely absent, but play a big role.

This middle grade book is a very quick read. There is a lot of action which definitely moves the plot along. Plus, the plot does not just stick with Sullivan the whole time. Instead, The Boy In The Box, told in third person, goes from Sullivan at the medicine show to Manny and his sister looking for Sullivan, to a school friend of Sullivan’s who is very concerned about the disappearance and how it’s addressed. The change of story lines really helped to keep the pacing fresh and dynamic.

However, my number one gripe with The Boy And The Box by Cary Fagan is that the book does not feel complete. Instead, the ending feels as though the book has been chopped in half. There is no full resolution, none of the plot threads are resolved. Plus, the book does not feel as though it could standalone. As a reader, this is very annoying because I want at least one thing solved when I finish a book, even if there is a planned sequel.

Based strictly on plot and characterization, I would recommend The Boy In The Box by Cary Fagan to middle grade children looking to read about characters with unique interests. However, if the reader is fickle about endings and needs a full resolution rather than a cliffhanger, then I would say to pass on this book.

Disclosure: Received for review via Amazon Vine.

Other reviews of The Boy In The Box by Cary Fagan:

My Precious – “started off slowly, picked up, engaged me and then ended abruptly without warning”

The Hallowed Ones Laura Bickle Book Review

by April (Books&Wine)

You would think that a book featuring the Amish and vampires would be totally campy? You might even write it off, like I did at first. But then, you’d definitely be missing out on The Hallowed Ones by Laura Bickle an excellent story featuring the vampires of yore, the scary suck all your blood kind. The Hallowed Ones took me completely by surprise. I thought it might be entertaining and kind of silly, but instead I was utterly captivated by main character Katie’s story as she questions her faith in a world facing the vampire apocalypse.

The Hallowed Ones opens with Katie looking forward to Rumspringa. Rumspringa is the time in an Amish teenager’s life where they get to try life on the Outside before being baptized in the Amish faith. It allows them to get the Outside out of their system and so that they know full well what they are giving up after baptism. Unfortunately for Katie, she won’t get her rumspringa. Instead, she will find a world torn apart by vicious vampires. Yet, the Plain folk remain untouched. To stay safe, the Bishop commands that nobody come in and nobody leave. However, when a stranger finds his way onto the Plain folk land, Katie takes him in out of compassion. Will she unwittingly unleash an evil on her fellow people?

I cannot praise Katie as a character highly enough. As she is Amish, I thought she would be kind of a stick in the mud and preachy. While Katie starts the book rigid in her faith, we see that she’s actually not a stick in the mud. Instead, Katie has a killer sense of humor, often making me laugh. She is courageous, and does put a lot on the line to do what she believes to be the right thing. Even when that right thing is counter to what the Bishop orders. Further, Katie is intelligent and can think for herself. She does a lot of questioning in The Hallowed Ones both of the rigid orders and her faith.

What I loved about Laura Bickle’s The Hallowed Ones and what seemed to set it apart from other young adult books, for me, was the use of faith as a theme. The discussion and examination of religion and belief never gets preachy. I never felt like I was being asked to convert to Christianity or anything. Rather, Katie’s faith is tested. She finds herself constantly questioning her religious doctrine and what’s going on in the Outside. She questions the Bishop’s insistence that the Plain folk are chosen because they were spared. I thought that Katie’s faith was pretty strong because it stands up to testing. It just felt true and real. Faith also plays a huge part when it comes to the vampires. The glimpse of the different types of faith is very well done by Laura Bickle.

Another fantastic element incorporated within The Hallowed Ones is folklore. The vampires in this book are the sort where you have to stuff their mouths with garlic and chop their heads off, but you also need to stake them. I found the inclusion of the Hexenmeister, one of the characters, to be utterly fascinating. You see, the Hexenmeister goes around painting signs and hexes on the buildings of the Plain folk. Almost everyone in the community lets him be, assuming he’s a little bit crazy. He plays a pretty sizable role, though. Plus, Alex, another character, is obsessed with folklore. His stories about old religions are perfectly weaved in the plot and were one of my favorite parts.

You might be entirely skeptical of The Hallowed Ones based on it’s premise, but please don’t write it off. You would definitely be missing out on a fabulous read. It’s my hope that The Hallowed Ones does not end up flying under the radar, but that it truly gets the attention and buzz it deserves. Trust me, if you’ve think you’ve read it all when it comes to vampires, you haven’t.

Disclosure: Received for review

Other reviews of The Hallowed Ones by Laura Bickle:

The Allure Of Books – “Whoa mama, y’all. Laura Bickle ain’t messin’ around.”

Carina’s Books – “Because it was epic. And awful. And perfect.”

Stitch – Read – Cook – “kept me on the edge of my seat”