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Showing posts with label U.S. Settings: Connecticut. Show all posts
Showing posts with label U.S. Settings: Connecticut. Show all posts
Monday, July 19, 2021
Second Good Girl Novel Another Engaging Mystery/Thriller
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Note: While this review will not contain spoilers for Good Girl, Bad Blood, it may inadvertently reveal plot surprises from its predecessor, A Good Girl's Guide to Murder. As always, I recommend reading books in a series in order.
After all the chaos created by her last foray into amateur detecting, 18-year-old Pippa Fitz-Amobi is done with both sleuthing and podcasting. She doesn't need the drama or the danger. Instead, she's concentrating on hanging out with her sweet boyfriend, Ravi Singh, and getting ready to move on to college at Columbia. Then, a man goes missing after a community memorial honoring the sixth anniversary of the deaths of Sal Singh and Andie Bell. Although Jamie Reynolds is 24 and known for taking off unexpectedly, his little brother, Pip's good friend, is worried about him. When Connor asks Pip for help finding him, she really can't say no. Especially since the police aren't taking the disappearance seriously. Once more, Pip is on the hunt and on the air.
Pip's investigation soon takes a dark turn, putting her in harm's way once again. What happened to Jamie Reynolds? Can Pip solve the mystery?
I enjoyed A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson, so I was all in for a second book. Like its predecessor, Good Girl, Bad Blood uses transcripts of Pip's podcasts and interviews as well as her case notes to flesh out the story of her search for Jamie Reynolds. What emerges is a tense, engrossing thriller that kept me glued to the page. In addition to a compelling mystery, the novel offers a cast of warm, likable characters; an engaging, upbeat vibe (despite its grim subject matter); and a heroine who's fun and root-worthy in her earnest adorkable-ness. Sure, the idea of everyone being willing to spill their deepest, darkest secrets to a teenage sleuth is a bit far-fetched, but still...I enjoyed this absorbing yarn that kept me reading and guessing throughout. Not surprisingly, I'm very much looking forward to As Good As Dead (available August 5, 2021). I definitely want to know what's going to happen next to the always-appealing, ever-intrepid Pippa Fitz-Amobi!
(Readalikes: A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson as well as other YA mysteries, including those by Karen M. McManus and Ashley Elston)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language, violence, blood/gore, disturbing subject matter, and depictions of underage drinking and illegal drug use (marijuana)
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Thursday, December 24, 2020
Dress Code Problems Amongst Other Discussion-Worthy Topics in Contemporary MG Novel
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Tired of the administration's prejudiced and uneven enforcement of the school dress code, 14-year-old Molly Frost decides to take matters into her own hands. She starts a podcast featuring the stories of students who have been unfairly targeted. The episodes highlight a host of issues surrounding the dress code that Molly feels like no one is paying attention to, including sexism, body-shaming, racism, and sexual harassment. The podcast starts a revolution, which leads to a peaceful but passionate protest. The students at Molly's middle school want change and they won't stop until they get it.
In the middle of the dress code bruhaha, the Frost family is having a crisis of their own. Molly's trouble-making older brother, Danny, has been caught vaping and selling vape pods to younger students. His bad behavior is causing rifts between him and the rest of the family. With all that's going on, Molly has a lot on her plate. How will she cope with it all? And will her efforts get the results she wants?
No matter how you feel about dress codes and their enforcement (or lack thereof), Dress Coded by Carrie Firestone is a good vehicle for discussing the issue. The book hits on a number of timely, important topics that middle-schoolers are dealing with every day. It features likable characters, a compelling plot, and a writing style that is warm and approachable. Besides the main conflict, it addresses other issues within friendships, families, and communities. Overall, it's an empowering novel that encourages kids to use their voices to stand up for causes that matter to them. While I didn't love Dress Coded, I found it to be a quick, thought-provoking read that raises a lot of good questions.
(Readalikes: Hm, I can't think of anything. You?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for subject matter most suited for readers 8 years and older
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Wednesday, October 21, 2020
Buzzy YA Murder Mystery An Entertaining Romp
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
When you want to be an investigative reporter and a murder happens practically in your own backyard, looking into the crime is pretty much a no-brainer. That's what 17-year-old Pippa Fitz-Amobi thinks anyway. She needs a kick-butt subject for her senior school project, so she decides to dig into the mystery that has haunted her town for the last five years. It's not that she expects to solve the case, it's just that she doesn't quite believe the police's conclusions. If she can cast enough doubt on them, maybe the authorities will reopen the case and search harder for the truth that Pippa knows is out there.
Pretty and popular, Andie Bell was the same age as Pippa when she disappeared five years ago. Although her body has never been found, Andie's boyfriend, 18-year-old Sal Singh, became the number one suspect in her supposed murder. His suicide soon after proved his guilt. Case closed. The thing is, Pippa knew Sal and she would swear on her life that he was a good guy, incapable of harming anyone. His younger brother, Ravi, agrees. The duo is determined to prove Sal's innocence.
It soon becomes apparent that someone is not happy with two kids sticking their noses where they don't belong. And that someone will do anything to keep Pippa and Ravi from looking too closely at Andie's disappearance. Who is that desperate? And why? What really happened to Andie Bell? Can two high schoolers solve the baffling case or will they be the next to vanish under suspicious circumstances?
A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, a debut YA novel by Holly Jackson, received all kinds of excited buzz when it came out earlier this year. Well deserved? I think so, although not every reviewer agrees with me (naturally). For me, it was a well-written, engaging, and thoroughly enjoyable read. While the novel isn't edge-of-your-seat exciting, it moved along at a steady enough pace for me, even surprising me with a few twists I didn't see coming. Pippa's a fun heroine who's nerdy-cool as well as loyal and determined. I dug her and Ravi, individually and as a team. Characters I like + an intriguing plot + skilled writing = a winning combination in my book. A Good Girl's Guide to Murder was an enjoyable romp for me and I'm excited for its sequel—Good Girl, Bad Blood—which comes out in March 2021.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of other YA murder mysteries, including One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus and This is Our Story by Ashley Elston)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language, violence, depictions of underage drinking, and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Monday, May 25, 2020
Secret Sister Novel Pleasant, Enjoyable
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Although they're as different as three women can be, Liza, Maggie, and Tricia have always formed a tight trio. The Sweeney Sisters—daughters of the universally-beloved literary lion, Bill Sweeney—were a familiar sight around the small, seaside town of Southport, Connecticut, where they grew up. Now that they're adults, the women have spread their wings, with Tricia working as a hotshot lawyer in Manhattan, Maggie attempting to make ends meet as an artist-in-residence in western Connecticut, and Liza trying to balance marriage, motherhood, and ownership of a successful Southport art gallery. Tension and distance have strained relationships between the sisters. When their father dies unexpectedly, the threesome is reunited in their hometown for a raucous goodbye party and the reading of Bill's will.
The presence of a mystery woman at Bill's wake causes some confusion, then utter shock. Unbeknownst to Liza, Maggie, and Tricia, their father had an affair with a neighbor that resulted in another Sweeney Sister. Serena Tucker, a 38-year-old investigative journalist, grew up next door to her half-sisters without any of the girls knowing they were related. Until a DNA test Serena took six months ago revealed the truth. Suspicious of Serena's timing, the original Sweeney Sisters aren't sure what to think of the new addition. What does the woman want from them? Is she after an inheritance? Or does she want the memoir Bill was reportedly writing, the juicy tell-all that could expose all the family secrets and make its finder a very wealthy woman? As the four women hunt for the manuscript together, they will make some surprising discoveries about each other, their father, and what family and sisterhood really mean.
I love books involving family secrets, family history, and DNA discoveries, so I was excited to give The Sweeney Sisters by Lian Dolan a go. While I didn't end up absolutely loving the novel, I did enjoy it. This is a character-driven story, with four interesting women at its heart. Each is well-crafted, empathetic, and admirable in her own way. I enjoyed reading about all of them. There's not a lot of action in The Sweeney Sisters, but there was enough to keep me turning pages. In the end, I found this tale to be a pleasant, funny, and entertaining read, even if I didn't fall head-over-heels in love with it.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of The Last Chance Matinee by Mariah Stewart and The Sisters Heminway by Annie England Noblin)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (a handful of F-bombs, plus milder expletives) and mild sexual content
To the FTC, with love: I received an ARC of The Sweeney Sisters from the generous folks at William Morrow (an imprint of HarperCollins). Thank you!
Friday, December 20, 2019
YA Cult Novel Poignant and Moving
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Although they've grown up together and are the same age, Agnes Little and Honey Harper have very different attitudes about life at Mount Blessing. Agnes follows the rules at their religious commune with exactness, wanting to impress not just God but also Emmanuel, their leader. Honey Harper, the only orphan at Mount Blessing, has no such desire. She despises rules, Emmanuel's strict leadership, and the cloistered life they lead. Honey longs for the things she sees on her forbidden t.v.—chic clothes, fast food, and public school.
When Agnes' grandmother makes a surprise visit to Mount Blessing, she witnesses an alarming practice that no one outside the community is supposed to know about. Already shocked, Nana Pete is even more disturbed when Agnes' little brother sustains a serious injury that Emmanuel refuses to have checked by a medical professional. Not able to take anymore, Nana Pete hustles her two grandkids and Honey into her car and makes a run for it. As the three kids leave behind everything they've ever known, they are forced to forge a new future. Honey may crave the experience, but Agnes is scared to death. Can she make a new life away from her family and community?
Having grown up in a religious commune, Cecilia Galante brings an insider's view to The Patron Saint of Butterflies, her first YA novel. Although the book doesn't bring anything really new or different to the cult escapee genre, it still tells a poignant and compelling story. The main characters are sympathetic; I definitely cared about them and wanted good things to happen for them. Although Galante's portrayal of a community of faith is sensitive in many ways, it makes it clear that violent extremism is absolutely not okay. The touching story teaches some valuable lessons about faith, friendship, and finding your way in a new world. I liked it.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of I Am Not Esther by Fleur Beale, The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams, Gated by Amy Christine Parker, and The Sacred Lies of Minnow Bly by Stephanie Oakes)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for brief, mild language (no F-bombs), violence, and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: I bought an e-copy of The Patron Saint of Butterflies from Amazon with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.
Saturday, January 13, 2018
Raw, Emotional Sandy Hook Memoir Deeply Touching, Inspiring
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
On December 14, 2012, in a small town in southwestern Connecticut, the unthinkable happened. Adam Lanza, a 20-year-old man who had just mudered his mother, forced his way into Sandy Hook Elementary School. He proceeded to shoot and kill twenty first graders and six staff members before committing suicide. His violent actions left a peaceful town and a stunned nation in horrified shock.
Among the dead was 6-year-old Emilie Parker, a sweet little girl who loved art and the color pink. In the wake of the shooting, her grief-stricken parents—Alissa and Robbie—struggled to understand such a senseless act. Faithful members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, they couldn't fathom how God had let such an atrocity happen. Mostly, they missed and mourned their young daughter, who had been taken from them way too early in a terrifying, tragic way.
Although Alissa Parker doesn't consider herself a writer, she wanted to share her story. An Unseen Angel, a raw and heart-wrenching memoir, is the result. In the book, she talks about the shooting, but she spends most of the pages discussing her long, rocky path to healing and forgiveness. She doesn't sugarcoat things as she discusses her warring emotions, her bitterness in the wake of her loss, and her constant yearning for the one thing she can't have—more time with Emilie. I especially love the parts where Parker talks about how learning to forgive Adam Lanza allowed her to not only find true peace but also to more fully feel Emilie's spirit as she moved forward with her life. This passage has really stuck with me:
I finally came to the conclusion that I would never know [why Adam Lanza did what he did]. I would never fathom what was in his heart. But God could. God knew how to hold him accountable. God knew how to judge him. That burden was not for me to carry; rather, it was for me to lay down at God's feet. It was not something I needed to grapple with for the rest of my life. I didn't have to judge. I didn't have to figure it out.
As I made this decision, a burden so deep and heavy it had nearly crushed me was physically lifted from me. My heart burned with a joy so powerful it brought me to tears. I had learned it was possible to forgive Adam Lanza, and that the first step for me was to choose to simply let go (137).
Told in straightforward, unadorned prose, An Unseen Angel is an emotional and powerful memoir. It touched me deeply, more so than I imagined it would. Parker's story made me cry; it made me think; and it made me look at my own struggles with a new perspective. As sad as the subject matter is, An Unseen Angel focuses not on the shooting at Sandy Hook itself, but on the hope, healing, and grace that have come about because of it.
(Readalikes: Hm, I can't think of anything. Can you?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of An Unseen Angel from the generous folks at Shadow Mountain. Thank you!
Thursday, February 09, 2017
Intriguing Premise Falls Flat in Debut Sci Fi-Ish Teen Drama
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
With her best—and only—friend off on an exciting foreign exchange student adventure, Tara Krishman is starting her junior year alone. As the only person of color (Tara's dad is Indian, her mom Caucasian) in her posh Connecticut high school, she already feels out-of-place. Without her BFF by her side, Tara knows it's going to be a long, lonely year.
Then, something incredible happens: a new planet is discovered. Terra Nova seems to mirror Earth, even down to individual people. Tara can't help but imagine another Tara in an alternate world. Is Other Tara friendless or popular? Shy or bold? Scared or courageous?
Weirdly, a small shift has occurred in Tara's real world. When she receives an unexpected invitation to a party at the home of a super popular girl, Tara's thrown into the "it" crowd. Suddenly, relationships she's only dreamed of are becoming real. At the same time, things at home are changing. Obsessed with Terra Nova, Tara's mom runs off to join a doomsday cult. Her dad can't cope; neither can Tara, not really. How can her life be going so wrong at the same time it's finally going so right? How will these events, both cosmic and domestic, alter the course of Tara's life? What will they teach her about family, friendship, and who she is as a person?
I grabbed Mirror in the Sky, a debut novel by Aditi Khorana, off the shelf because it had been voted a teen favorite by patrons of my local library. The premise sounded interesting, so I decided to give the book a shot. And? Well, it was interesting, just not quite as interesting as I wanted it to be or interesting in the way I wanted it to be, if that makes sense. Although the story sounds very sci-fi, it's not. At its heart, Mirror in the Sky is a story about an ordinary teen girl trying to navigate her way through what is fast becoming an extraordinary year. It's a blend of family conflict, friend drama, and awkward teen romance. Terra Nova exists in the story only as a tool for reflection. Bummer, that, because I found the mirror planet to be the most intriguing aspect of the novel's plot. Tara and her friends just aren't that engaging—almost to a one, they are selfish, whiny, negative, petty, melodramatic, etc. Also, unrealistic. What teens have this much freedom (where are their parents?) and vocabularies that allow them to toss around words like heteronormative and matrilineal in casual conversation? Anyway, for me, the most compelling aspects of the novel remained the least developed. In the end, then, Mirror in the Sky left me feeling unsatisfied. It may be a teen favorite, but it didn't do a whole lot for me ...
(Readalikes: Hm, I can't really think of anything. Can you?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (a dozen or so F-bombs, plus milder expletives), sexual content, and depictions of underage drinking and illegal drug use
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Wednesday, December 28, 2016
New Book Does What All Picoult Novels Do—Makes Me Think
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Ruth Jefferson, a labor and delivery nurse with more than two decades of experience, is on duty when 26-year-old Brittany Bauer gives birth to a baby boy. Ruth is doing a routine check on the infant when his parents insist on having her removed from the room. Baffled, she can't imagine what she's done wrong. The problem? Her race. The Bauers belong to an aggressive white supremacist group known as the Movement. Despite Ruth's proficiency as a nurse, they ousted her because she's black. Ordered to stay away from tiny Davis Bauer, she hesitates before performing CPR when the newborn goes into cardiac arrest a day later. When the newborn dies, the Bauers are quick to lay the blame at Ruth's feet.
An outraged Ruth finds herself embroiled in a lawsuit that quickly becomes a media sensation. Trying to shield her teenage son from the negative attention, she struggles to keep their lives from unraveling completely. When Kennedy McQuarrie, a white public defender, takes Ruth's case, things get even more complicated for the troubled nurse. With her world crumbling around her, Ruth must put her trust in a stranger whose law degree is still warm from the printer. Can Kennedy get justice for Ruth? When the lawyer insists that race not be brought up in the courtroom, Ruth can't contain her fury. How can Kennedy, with her all-present white privilege, ever understand what this case is really about? The two women have to work together in order to exonerate Ruth, but is that even possible? As the case progresses, each will be forced to question long-held beliefs and prejudices, which will lead both to some startling revelations about each other and themselves.
I've been a Jodi Picoult fan for some time. Although I've enjoyed some of her books more than others, there's one thing all of them have in common: they made me think. Picoult excels at taking a hot-button issue (she's addressed school shootings, gay marriage/adoption, organ donation, child abuse, euthanasia, etc.) and examining it from every angle in an honest, forthright way that forces the reader to look at the issue in new ways. The author's newest novel, Small Great Things, examines racial prejudice, white privilege, and the seemingly insignificant ways in which people judge each other based on appearance. Picoult seems a little more heavy-handed with this theme than others she has explored, but the Author's Note she includes at the end of the book is very raw and intriguing. Maybe more so than the story itself. Which isn't to say the story isn't engrossing. It is. Despite its too-tidy end and some characters I found difficult to connect with. overall Small Great Things is definitely compelling. It's not my favorite Picoult by a long shot, but the novel did what I expected it to—it made me think. It also propelled me to look at my own attitudes afresh. If you're looking for a book club read, this one (like all Picoult books) should prompt some lively discussion.
(Readalike: Reminds me a little of A Time to Kill by John Grisham)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language, violence, sexual content, racial slurs, and disturbing content
To the FTC, with love: I received an e-ARC of Small Great Things from the generous folks at Penguin Random House via those at NetGalley. Thank you!
Wednesday, February 17, 2016
Quick, Quirky Reading Revolution Novel An Enjoyable Romp
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Not surprisingly, Lucy, Elena, and Michael discover they've bitten off way more than they can chew. Between their relocation hijinks and the social media campaign they've launched, they've created a literary rebellion. Worried about being found out, Lucy also has to deal with her mother's cancer and her budding romance with Michael. As everything comes to a head, she'll have to come to terms with all the worries that plague her, including the biggie that looms just around the corner—high school. And then there's the reading revolution she's inadvertently caused ...
I Kill the Mockingbird by Paul Acampora is a quick, quirky ode to the power of the written word. It's funny, uplifting, and hopefully, encouraging. Although they act a little too mature for their age (what modern teenager throws around references to Driving Miss Daisy and Johannes Gutenberg?), the kids at the center of the novel are sympathetic and interesting. Their plight makes for a compelling story that's refreshingly upbeat. I loved its focus on books and reading. Book nerds everywhere will agree: this fun, easy read should be on everyone's TBR list. You don't need to be a Mockingbird fan (but you should be) to enjoy this entertaining novel.
(Readalikes: Hm, I can't think of anything. You?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for brief, mild language (no F-bombs) and vague references to rape
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Haunting, Hopeful Classic Endures for Good Reason
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Kit Tyler's unconventional upbringing makes her an oddity in colonial Connecticut. Having been raised on the island of Barbados with little supervision from the grandfather who reared her, she's a fun-loving, free spirit who bucks against the strict Puritan society in which she finds herself after her grandpa's death. The aunt and uncle who have taken Kit in, despite her surprise appearance on their doorstep, hardly know what to do with a 16-year-old who refuses to behave like the other girls in Wethersfield.
Developing a secret friendship with Hannah Tupper—an elderly Quaker woman who has not only been shunned by "polite" society, but also labeled a witch—brings even more trouble for Kit. Kit's being courted by Wethersfield's most eligible bachelor; if she can just conform and learn to follow the rules (which includes stopping her visits to Hannah's house), she can become one of the most enviable women in town. Can she resist her natural willfulness? Or her outrage at the mistreatment of people like harmless old Hannah? Should she let go of everything that makes her unique, just to fit into a society that fears anything different?
When a vicious illness strikes the settlement, Kit and Hannah stand accused. Desperate to clear her good name, Kit must make the most difficult decision of her life—bow to the rigid community leaders or risk death by standing up for what (and in whom) she believes.
It's been a long, long time since I first read The Witch of Blackbird Pond, Elizabeth George Speare's Newbery Award-winning masterpiece. No matter. I enjoyed it just as much as an adult as I did when I was a kid. Originally published in 1958, the book tells a haunting story, which plays out against a vivid historical backdrop. Speare brings Colonial America to life with fascinating detail, giving readers a rich, realistic sense of the setting, in terms of both place and time. With a blend of adventure, romance and suspense, the plot keeps the story moving right along, making for an engaging, exciting read. Sympathetic and brave, Kit is a heroine who dives right into the reader's heart, ensuring that they will care deeply about her plight. Although The Witch of Blackbird Pond is set in the late 1600s, it will appeal to anyone—in any decade—who's ever felt out-of-place, misunderstood, or suffocated by a society that doesn't appreciate their particular brand of different. Compelling and hopeful, it's a classic that should be read again and again.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of books about the Salem witch trials, including I Walk in Dread by Lisa Rowe Fraustino; Wicked Girls by Stephanie Hemphill; and Father of Lies by Ann Turner)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for brief, mild language (no F-bombs), violence, and intense situations
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Monday, September 16, 2013
Can a Newbie Author Pull Off Such an Ambitious Plot? Well, No, Not Really.
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
School and 17-year-old Tyler MacCandless don't get along very well. It's not that he doesn't try. He does. And it's not that he isn't smart enough. He is. It's just that his ADHD makes it difficult to sit still, impossible to concentrate. It's a whole lot easier to pretend he doesn't care. Blowing off class to spend quality time with his game console is more to Tyler's liking anyway. And, if he does it well, it might even lead to a real job. That's what Rick Anderson, an Air Force vet who's become Tyler's mentor and father figure, says. He's given Tyler an amazing new game to test—if Tyler can reach a high enough score, he can earn his way into flight school. At the very least, the game keeps his mind off his other problems: failing grades, his workaholic mother, and an older brother who's in rehab trying to get clean.
Ani Bagdorian is a brilliant, 16-year-old computer programmer from L.A. A freshman at Yale, she's feeling just a little out of place. At least her secret job designing software for a mysterious company called Haranco pays for most of her tuition. Even if the whole situation makes her feel a little uneasy. Still, she doesn't dare quit, not if she wants to keep herself out of jail.
When Tyler and Ani meet, the two are instantly attracted to each other. Not that they're allowed to have any kind of relationship. Haranco won't allow it. But the more the two learn about the dangerous game they're both playing, the more sure they are of one thing: something screwy's going on. And they're going to get to the bottom of it, whether Haranco likes it or not. With a powerful corporation tracking their every move, the pair will have to use every ounce of smarts, sense and courage they've got to solve the mystery before people get hurt—people who include not just themselves, but everyone they love.
While the premise behind Playing Tyler, a debut YA thriller by T.L. Costa, sounded intriguing, it also seemed ambitious. Maybe too ambitious for a newbie author. Turning a plot that already sounds far-fetched into something believable—well, I just wasn't sure Costa could pull it off. And she didn't, not really. Still, there were things the author did right, things that surprised me, things that made the novel more entertaining than I thought it would be. Tyler, for one—the thoughts constantly pin-balling around in his head, echoed in the stacatto rhythm of his narration, as well as his hot-tempered, half-baked ideas and actions just seemed right-on for a teenage boy with ADHD. After reading a few chapters of the book, I actually said aloud to my husband, "Wow, no wonder [a kid we know]'s the way he is, if this is what goes on in his head all day." So, that at least seemed authentic to me. The rest? Not so much. Costa's prose definitely impressed me more than I thought it would, but Playing Tyler's still full of contrived plot twists, under-developed characters and a storyline that should have been trimmed in order to create a stronger, tighter narrative. I ended up enjoying this one, more or less, but it's still a pretty average thriller, in my (oh, so humble) opinion. And yet, Costa is an author on which I'll definitely be keeping me eye.
(Readalikes: Reminded me of The Kill Room by Jeffery Deaver)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for strong language, sexual innuendo/content, depictions of underage drinking/illegal drug use, and violence
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of Playing Tyler from the generous folks at Strange Chemistry via those at BookSparks PR. Thank you!
Monday, December 03, 2012
The One Where I Learn My Lesson About Romantic Suspense
(Image from author's official website)
When a Navy SEAL battling PTSD kidnaps his former squad mate, Detective Claire Michaels insists on handling the hostage negotiations. Her brother died while fighting in Afghanistan—she won't let more soldiers die. Not on her turf. What Claire doesn't realize is how much more complex the situation is than it seems. One of Osama bin Laden's top dogs is behind the kidnapping and he's as deranged as his late boss. It's not just the soldiers that need saving, but the entire country. If Claire and her team can't catch the maniacal terrorist before it's too late, there's no telling what could happen.
Rafe Kelly never expected to run into his old enemy, Bez Ruhallah, in his hometown of Hartford, Connecticut. But it's happened and, now, the madman has Rafe's brother hidden away in some unknown corner of Afghanistan. If Rafe doesn't bring a secret encryption key to Bez Ruhallah in three days, his brother will die. And the country he's worked so hard to protect will, once again, be vulnerable to attack by a power-hungry al-Qaeda operative. Rafe doesn't want to involve Claire—who's obviously dealing with her own issues—in such a dangerous mission, but he's not sure who else he can trust. Can he and the pretty detective really match wits with a man like Bez Ruhallah? Or will they, along with Rafe's brother and every other American, become victims of the terrorist's wrath?
I should make it clear right up front that romantic suspense really isn't my thing. Outside of Whitney Award judging, I don't read it. At all. But, when Lexi over at The Book Bug offered a copy of Julie Coulter Bellon's new novel, All Fall Down, for review, I wavered. The novel's plot sounded engrossing enough to keep me interested. And it was, more or less. Enough bombs exploded throughout the novel that I never really got bored. Still, the characters never developed into anything more than empty cliches, the plot seemed very far-fetched, the insta-love romance bugged, and the poor copyediting kept pulling me out of the story. The writing itself was better than I expected it to be, but considering all my other issues with the book, I just couldn't give All Fall Down anything higher than a C. It's entertaining, sure, I just wanted more substance, more polish, more development. Since I say this exact thing every time I read a book of this kind, I should probably face the facts—romantic suspense is not my genre. Never has been, never will be. Lesson learned.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of other romantic suspense novels by LDS authors, although no specific titles are coming to mind.)
Grade: C
If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG for violence and mild sexual innuendo
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of All Fall Down from Julie Coulter Bellon via Latter Day Books Blog Tours.
Monday, August 24, 2009
When the Black Girl Sings Leaves Me Wanting More
(Image from Barnes & Noble)In my quest to find new book blogs, I stumbled across Reading in Color, a spunky new blog written by the lovely Ari (aka Miss Attitude). She's young, black and committed to promoting books written by, for and about People of Color (POC). After scrolling through her posts, I knew she was the perfect person to help me with another of my quests - ever since I adopted my daughter (who is part African-American, part caucasian/Cajun), I've been trying to find books featuring bi-racial, adopted and/or black characters. My baby's not even walking yet, but I want her to have a library of books featuring interesting people whose experiences might be similar to hers. Who knows what will happen as she discovers her own, individual identity - I just want to make sure she's exposed to every side of her unique heritage. Ari came through in a big way, recommending sites like The Brown Bookshelf and Color Online as well as a whole list of books. Among her suggestions was When the Black Girl Sings by Bil Wright. While I didn't love the book, I think it offers a lot of insights into adoption, race, family, identity and life itself.
The novel stars Lahni Schuler, a black teenager who lives in Connecticut with her adoptive parents, who are white. Although her mom and dad adore her, they're having trouble getting along with each other. With their impending divorce, Lahni feels her world crumble even more. She's already dealing with a new school - a private one full of snooty white girls who make her feel very, very black. Plus, she's being stalked by a wannabe gangsta. Not only is he white, but he's also a complete whack job. Angry at her dad, worried about her mom, and feeling sorry for herself, Lahnie's not exactly a happy camper.
One day, Lahni's mother finds just what they need to put their lives back together: religion. Resigned, Lahni trudges along to the Church of the Good Shepherd, hoping it will cheer up her mom. She's amazed to find herself moved to tears by the congregation's resident choir, led by a flamboyant black pianist and an equally black diva named Carietta Chisolm. Lahni enlists their help in training for an upcoming school talent competition. In the bosom of the choir, she finally feels a sense of belonging. Still, she's got issues: How does she deal with her parents' dissolving relationship? Will she survive in a school that seems bent on ostracizing her? How is she going to shake her creepy stalker? And, should she even be entering a singing competition when the other girls seem so much more talented? As Lahni tackles her problems, she'll learn a thing or two about who she really is - and how, in the end, that knowledge is all that really matters.
As much as I wanted to love this book, I found the writing a little lackluster, the characters a little too flat and the plot a little too predictable. What I do appreciate is Wright's straightforwardness in tackling issues of race, specifically how a black child might feel growing up in a white family and community. Despite the conflicts Lahni faces, her adoption is portrayed in a positive light - her parents couldn't care less about her ethnicity, they love her for her. But it also shows how different a parent's view can be from that of a child who feels like an outsider every day of her life. I also enjoyed the characters of Marcus Delacroix III (the choir director/pianist) and Carietta Chisolm - although both are larger than life, they come off as both interesting and believable.
So, yeah, there's lots to love about this book, I just wanted a little more depth. When the Black Girl Sings starts off so strongly; I mean, the first two lines read: "I never once let any of them see me naked. Until that Friday, when I had no choice" (2). Who can resist reading on? Unfortunately, the writing fizzles along the way, making it a weaker story than it could have been. I'm still glad I read it as it gave me a lot to think about - I just wanted more from the author.
(Note: I'm still looking for books with bi-racial, adopted and/or black characters to add to my list. Bring on the recommendations! And thanks again, Ari, for all your help!)
Grade: C
If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG for sexual content (in conversations, not action)
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