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Friday, September 20, 2013
A Compelling, Well-Written YA Amish Horror Novel? Yes, Please!
1:00 AM
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Katie's lived all her life in a secluded Amish village, interacting very little with the "English" world outside of it. She's content there. Really, she is. And while she'll probably do exactly what everyone expects her to do—be baptized into the Amish religion, marry her best friend, Elijah Miller, and stay in the community for the rest of her life—Katie just wants a little taste of the outside before making any big commitments. That's what Rumspringa is all about. She intends to enjoy the experience fully. Then, and only then, will she be able to decide what she really wants for her future. She should probably be terrified to leave the only life she's ever known—even temporarily—so why does the thought of it thrill her so?
Before Katie gets even a tiny taste of freedom, forces from the outside begin encroaching on her quiet, gentle world. At first, it's just whispers, rumors of some nameless evil terrorizing the English. Then, Katie gets her own glimpse, though of what she's not sure.
To protect their people, the Amish elders close off their community, allowing no one in and no one out. Katie wants safety as much as anyone else, but when an injured stranger is turned away without getting the help he so obviously needs, she hesitates. Then, she hides the handsome Canadian, knowing full well that it could lead to her own banishment. As Alex describes the horrifying things he's seen on his journey, Katie realizes that by hiding an outsider, she's putting herself and her people in more danger than even she can imagine. Can she turn Alex out, even if it's for the greater good? Can she risk telling the elders what she now knows, even if it leads to her own exile? Will God protect them all from this unthinkable evil? Or is it up to Katie to save herself and her loved ones? As danger creeps ever closer, with everyone she's ever loved in its direct path, she'll have to decide whether to trust the elders or follow her own instincts—even if they lead her straight to hell.
The market is so saturated right now with YA dystopian and horror novels that it takes a lot to make one stand out from the crowd. So, how does The Hallowed Ones, Laura Bickle's first YA novel, manage to do just that? Easy. Bickle took an old idea, changed up the setting, added an intriguing heroine, mixed in a community of interesting folk, sprinkled on some compelling philosophical questions and molded it all together using the right tools: heart-pounding action, a twisty plotline, a forbidden romance and, most of all, tight, solid prose. Voilá! She crafted herself a winner. But, The Hallowed Ones goes even further than that—its more serious, contemplative tone makes it even more unique, as does its ruminations on faith, religion, and the consequences of both obedience and rebellion. I've heard other reviewers say that because of these things, this book feels more New Adult than Young Adult. That may be true, but it really doesn't matter—I'd recommend this one to anyone (well, anyone over 16 or so) who loves a good horror story that's as substantial as it is satisfying. It really is that good.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of its sequel, The Outside, also a bit of The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (no F-bombs), violence/gore and mild sexual innuendo/content
To the FTC, with love: I bought an e-copy of The Hallowed Ones from Amazon with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Which Language Do You Speak?
1:00 AM
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Since I'm probably the last person on Earth to read this one, I'll try not to get too wordy with the "plot" description of Dr. Gary Chapman's popular book, The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts. Basically, Chapman—a long-time pastor and marriage counselor—believes that each person receives love most meaningfully through one of five approaches: Touch; Words of Affirmation; Acts of Service; Receiving Gifts; and Quality Time. This is his or her Primary Love Language. The next most appealing one is their Secondary Love Language. This means that while a wife may enjoy receiving jewelry or hearing how amazing she is, if the things that really melt her heart are her husband's offers to make dinner when she's too tired to do it herself or to fold the laundry so she doesn't have to, her Primary Love Language is probably Acts of Service. Other "languages" may speak to her, but this is the one that really lets her know she's loved and appreciated.
Why is knowing your own and other people's love languages so important? As Chapman explains, this information can literally transform your relationships. Speaking specifically to married couples, the author urges spouses to discover their own Primary Love Language as well as their partner's so that they can show love to each other more effectively. Want to really show your husband how much he means to you? Try doing it in his love language, not your own. For such a simple concept, it's actually quite revolutionary. Chapman offers numerous examples of how this knowledge helped couples he worked with create happier, more fulfilling marriages. He offers suggestions on how to apply the same principles in your own home. In subsequent books Chapman also discusses how this approach can be used in parenting young children and teenagers; dating; getting along with others in the workplace; and in dealing with a military marriage.
The 5 Languages is quick, readable and uplifting. It offers not just practical tips for improving relationships, but also hope that even the rockiest marriages can be saved with the unselfish application of the principles in the book. Since even the most solid unions need strengthening sometimes, the book's information applies to all of us. It truly is an easy, inspiring read and one I highly recommend.
For lots of free, online information about The 5 Love Languages, visit: http://www.5lovelanguages.com/
(Readalikes: Hm, I can't think of anything. Guess I should read more relationship-y books, eh?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for references to sex
To the FTC, with love: I purchased a copy of The Five Love Languages from Amazon with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
TTT: What I'm FALLing For This Autumn
1:00 AM
It's Tuesday again and, although I'm feeling a little under the weather, I'm excited for this week's TTT. Especially since we've got a nice, easy topic this time around. Sometimes, I can't think of one item that fits the weekly prompt, let alone ten, but when it comes to books I'm planning to read, that's easy as pie (although I don't even attempt to make pie because it's way too hard, so that's probably a crap analogy ... whatever). So, without further ado (Wait! One quick ado—Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely ladies over at The Broke and the Bookish), I give you Top Ten Books on My Fall TBR List:
1. Monsters by Ilsa J. Bick—This is the final book in Bick's dystopian Ashes trilogy. I adored the first installment in the series, was a little less impressed by the second, and can't wait for the third. If you like zombie novels, definitely give these a try.
2. More Than This by Patrick Ness—Ness' Chaos Walking series is one of my very favorites, so I was excited to learn that the author published TWO new books this year. While The Crane Wife, an adult magical realism novel, sounds interesting, it's the YA novel that really interests me. In it, a boy who's pretty sure he drowned wakes up in a strange, alternative world that vaguely resembles the place he lived as a child. It's up to him to figure out what in the world is going on. Sounds good, right?
3. Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein—Like lots of other readers, I found Code Name Verity a unique and compelling read. The author's much-anticipated new book is another WWII thriller that's supposed to be just as amazing as her debut novel.
4. A Spark Unseen by Sharon Cameron—I just finished The Dark Unwinding, the first novel in Cameron's YA steampunk series about a girl who discovers the strange, but intriguing world her eccentric grandfather inhabits. The next installment sounds just as entrancing. I can't wait to read it!
5. Blackmoore by Julianne Donaldson—I enjoyed Donaldson's debut novel, Edenbrooke, and am glad to see that her newest is getting rave reviews. Good, clean reads are difficult to find, so I'm excited about this one.
6. SYLO by D.J. MacHale—This one's been out for a little while now, but I haven't gotten a chance to dive into it just yet. It's about a boy living on an isolated island who witnesses several cold-blooded murders that lead him to try to escape. It's supposed to be a "high-octane," apocalyptic thriller—how could I not be drawn to this one?
7. The Clockwork Scarab by Colleen Gleason—Bram Stoker's sister and Sherlock Holmes' niece team up to solve the mystery of disappearing debutantes in this YA mystery/steampunk/romance. Sounds fun, no?
8. Frozen by Melissa de la Cruz and Michael Johnston—I just received an invitation to be on the blog tour for this one. This dystopian thriller is about a young blackjack dealer who risks it all to flee post-apocalyptic Las Vegas for the mythical "Blue," a place where beauty still exists—if only she can survive to see it. Sounds a little cliché, but still intriguing.
9. Dead Girls Don't Lie by Jennifer Shaw Wolf—I love novels about the terrible secrets that tear people apart (I'm just sadistic like that), so this one, about a girl who's trying to figure out how her friend really died, sounds like it will be right up my alley.
10. Where the Stars Still Shine by Trish Doller—Stories about kids raised in unique situations (cults, remote villages, etc.) trying to integrate into the "normal" world always intrigue me. This one, about a girl who's been raised off-the-grid by the mother who kidnapped her and is released to her father after her mom is arrested, sounds super compelling.
What do you think? Any of these sound good to you, too? What's on your Fall TBR list?
* Book images from Barnes & Noble
Monday, September 16, 2013
Can a Newbie Author Pull Off Such an Ambitious Plot? Well, No, Not Really.
7:43 AM
(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!
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