Midwinterblood: Lovers Back Through Time

Midwinterblood by Marcus Sedgwick

Why did I read it?

One of my coworkers read it as it won The Printz Award, and even though she wasn't sure what she thought about it, she said it was definitely worth reading.

What happened?

While the island was called Blessed, and the kindness and hospitality of the island dwellers seems to support that name, Eric Seven's natural journalistic curiosity was definitely aroused with this assignment.

First there are the rumors that no one on the island has aged in years. Secondly there is the fact that the island produces many medical remedies that no one can quite explain. Then there is the reality that Eric doesn't seem to notice his curiosity anymore. He is more enthralled with a young woman on the island that he has never met before, and yet, has...Merle...who is she?

So begins a novel sweeping backwards through history. Tragedy in the present seems to relate to similar events in the past. Events in one time relate to and effect another. Two lovers, Eric and Merle, call, long, and reach for each other through time.  

What did I like or not like?

This novel is divided into seven parts; each one set in a different time period. It begins in the future, and then each part travels further back into the past. Each time a new period is introduced, we are offered another look at the characters, and given more revelations of their story throughout time. This unique writing structure kept me turning the pages wondering what pieces of the first story would be revealed and explained in the past. 

Even though the book was well-written, had an interesting writing structure, and felt like a fairy tale mixed with poetry, it wasn't one of my favorites. I don't think it was a particular element in the book that turned me off; it apparently just wasn't my particular cup of tea. That notwithstanding, my coworker was right; it was definitely worth reading =D

The Phantom Toolbooth: An Oldie-But-A-Goodie

The Phantom Toolbooth by Norton Juster
with illustrations by Jules Feiffer

Why did I read it?

Because a friend told me to lol.

What happened?

Milo is a kid who doesn't know what to do with himself...ever. He comments, "there's nothing for me to do, nowhere I'd care to go, and hardly anything worth seeing." That is, until a magical toolbooth appears in his room, and takes him to the Lands Beyond and the Kingdom of Knowledge.

As it turns out, these lands have become troubled of late. In the golden age of the Kingdom of Knowledge, a wise king fought back the demons of ignorance and set up a glorious kingdom...but it wasn't to last. His two sons, King Azaz of Dictionopolis and the Mathemagician of Digitopolis, constantly bickered over the superiority of words or numbers. They eventually banished their step-sisters, Rhyme and Reason, and the kingdom quickly fell into disrepair, disorder, and chaos.

For instance, some of the inhabitants never took the time to look around, so their town slowly vanished without them even noticing..another group had fallen into absolute silence because they could no longer appreciate beautiful sounds...and some miners only ate when they're full and didn't stop until they were hungry...

But, there might be hope for the Kingdom of Knowledge. A newly curious boy from another world, a faithful and literal watchdog (a dog with a watch for a body), and an adult-sized Humbug are struggling and bungling their way through this broken world...and they don't seem to know any better than to save the world by turning it right-side up again.

What did I like or not like?

This book is the definition of an oldie-but-a-goodie. The book was first published in 1961, but its metaphorical lessons on not taking things for granted, learning as a noble pursuit, and putting importance on what is actually important will resonate with readers of all ages.

As the synopsis hints at, this book is full of pithy sayings, anthropomorphic concepts, and fantastic puns, and it's way too much fun to read. If you haven't read this book before, stop what you are doing and start reading it right now. If you have read it before, stop what you are doing and read it again =D
 

Death Cloud: A Thuthful and Exciting Young Sherlock

Death Cloud: Young Sherlock Holmes by Andrew Lane

Why did I read it?

Because Sherlock Holmes is awesome!! Whether its Robert Downey Jr., Benedict Cumberbatch, Arthur Conan Doyle's classics or Andrew Lane's clever prequels, the character is too awesome to pass up :)

What happened?

Fourteen year old Sherlock wasn't looking for trouble. He wasn't looking to put himself in danger's way. In fact, he was expecting a loathsome summer vacation living with his estranged relatives. But, that wasn't what he found. Near the Holmes Manor, two men die of mysterious symptoms reminiscent of the plague.

Assisted by a local street urchin named Matty, Sherlock begins investigating their strange deaths and realizes that they were not natural demises. But each time he gets closer to finding the truth, a strange man, referred to as the Baron, tries to stop him at any cost.

In order to survive, Sherlock will have to depend on the advice of his older brother, Mycroft, his resourceful American tutor Amyus Crowe, and his growing powers of deduction and logic.

What did I like or not like?

Because it felt like a feasible beginning to the Sherlock Holmes mythos. As Lane mentions in some interviews, Doyle didn't flesh out the childhood of his protagonist, but he did leave some clues. Lane uses these to write a compelling story of a Sherlock Holmes that is still discovering who he is and what he can do.

Apart from the clever and truthful adaptation, the story itself is solid, interesting, well-written, and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys Sherlock Holmes, or just a good action-filled mystery.

The Water Nymph: A Local Author's Original Fantasy

The Water Nymph by Alysun Sanders

Why did I read it?

When Alysun finished her first book, Talli's Tale, she was able to swing by the library to talk about it. So when she finished her second book, I was really excited when she contacted me again. We're looking forward to chatting with her this Saturday, January 19th, from 2-4pm.

What happened?

Cort Edson would rather not deal with the deaths of his father and brother. He's been keeping to himself and doing just fine for the past couple of years, and he simply wishes everyone would leave well-enough alone. But, most people can't, including his mother, who plans a spontaneous trip to Greece for a family vacation.

Little does Cort know that this harmless trip to Greece will change the entire course of his life, and force him to confront the deaths of his loved ones again. While swimming in one of the lakes his Mom wants to check out, Cort is nearly drowned by a mysterious woman. Not able to figure out if the beautiful stranger was dream or reality, Cort is even more confused when she shows up at his high school.

Things take a turn for the very strange when another beautiful girl named Seffie shows up around the same time with secrets of her own. After being pursued for a full day, Seffie confides in Cort that she isn't your typical high school student. In fact, she let's Cort know that the very fate of Heaven depends on Cort protecting her from her husband.

What did I like or not like?

While I started the book to know more about it before Alysun joins us this Saturday, I finished it because it totally sucked me in. The numbness that pervades Cort's life is turned upside down by the extraordinary women that burst into it, and the resulting story is really interesting.

Alysun has also skillfully combined elements from Christian beliefs, Greek mythology, and several other influences into an original, unique fantasy story. In addition to skillfully blending these ideas, Alysun has also continued to improve her skills as  an author and storyteller.

After reading the book, I'm even more excited about Alysun's talk this Saturday, and the sequel to The Water Nymph.

The Iron Duke: Back When Stereotypes Were Created

The Iron Duke by L. Ron Hubbard

Why did I read it?

Stories from the Golden Age is a new series that is assembling stories from L. Ron Hubbard's time as a pulp fiction writer. My library was given some free copies, so I figured I'd read one of them. First of all because our Acquisitions Librarian nor myself selected them, and secondly because I thought L. Ron Hubbard was better known for his Scientology religious beliefs than his writing ability.

What happened?

While the phrase, Pulp Fiction might conjure images of the Quentin Tarantino movie, pulp fiction was also a craze of short stories, published in the 1930s and 1940s, on cheap paper called pulp. Although I didn't know this, L. Ron Hubbard was actually one of the most prolific and popular writers of pulp fiction during their golden age.

But enough about the background. The Iron Duke deals with Blacky Lee, a notorious arms dealer who is wanted by most of the European nations in the 1930s. Escaping from a deal gone bad, Blacky crosses into Aldoria, and is mistaken for the Aldorian Prince Philip.

Much to the chagrin of his partner, Blacky actually did this on purpose. Years before he had noticed his resemblance with the prince, and even though he couldn't use it to his advantage then, he is definitely planning something now. But, Blacky isn't the only one who has schemes for the Aldorian prince, and this time, he might be in over his head...

What did I like or not like?

I've become familiar with pulp fiction while researching the history of comic books, and I totally get the appeal of them now. The stories are short, simple, and to the point, but they keep you interested throughout the pages.

On the other hand, I couldn't help but think, "I've heard this story before." But then I remembered that pulp fiction did all of these stories first, and then stereotypes were made from them. These fly-off-the-shelves stories built the stereotypes we have today, and while he might have created Scientology, L. Ron Hubbard can definitely write a pulp!

Daybreak and Broxo: Some Zombie Stories

Daybreak by Brian Ralph and Broxo by Zack Giallongo

Why did I read it?

Daybreak: I referenced this book in my Teen Literature class for my Master's in Information and Library Science.
Broxo: It was an advanced reader copy that looked interesting.

What happened?

Daybreak: Your eyes snap open and you see a one-armed man walking toward you. He mentions that you don't want to be out in the open when night falls, so you follow him. After grabbing some food and meeting his dog, you settle in for the night. But sleep won't be easy with a horde of the undead outside...nor will surviving...

Broxo: Princess Zora has traveled way too long for her quest to be this pointless! Hoping to open negotiations with one of her fellow tribes, Zora had traveled for many months only to find the supposed home of the clan abandoned. All she finds instead is a lone warrior named Broxo, who has become accustomed to the harsh landscape and random undead that make life interesting. Even though Broxo doesn't seem to mind, Zora can't rest until she finds out what happened to the missing clan, and the real secret behind these monsters.

What did I like or not like?

You might be wondering why I put 2 reviews into 1 post this week. First of all, I'm taking a break for the holidays, so I figured I'd give you 2 books to try and hold you over lol.

The other reason was even though I heartily enjoyed both books, there wasn't a whole lot to make a review out of. The stories aren't too long, so I didn't want to give too much of the plot away.

But here are some things I can tell you. Both are graphic novels, and both include the undead, but that is really the only similarity between them. Daybreak is first person perspective (in a graphic novel which is cool), and Broxo is third person. Daybreak is more realistic fiction/sci-fi, and Broxo is more fantasy. Daybreak has a very limited color palette, and Broxo has a very lively color palette.

You know how sometimes you read a book and it wasn't necessarily heart-wrenching, hilarious, thought-provoking, or amazing, but was still enjoyable to read and worth your time? That is how I would categorize these 2 titles.

Let me know what you think when you read them, and have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

The Death Cure: No More Lies!

The Death Cure by James Dashner

Why did I read it?

My boss is an avid reader; she can go through several books in a week. But, sometimes she enjoys a series so much that she desperately needs someone else to discuss it with, and that is what happened with this series. I had read The Maze Runner for TeenBookWorms, but then she pushed me through The Scorch Trials and the prequel, The Kill Order, in addition to this title. I'm really glad she did.

What happened?

SPOILER ALERT

WICKED (World In Catastrophe Killzone Experiment Department) has done terrible things to Thomas and his friends, and the more he remembers about his life before the Maze, the more he realizes that he was one of THEM! With solar flares and The Scorch threatening to destroy humanity, Thomas and others like him believed that the needs of the many outweighed the needs of the few.

But Thomas isn't so sure anymore. After surviving The Maze and The Scorch, friends dying around him, and his best friend betraying him, Thomas has had enough. WICKED might be saying the time for lies is over. They might be saying they will give him back his memory. They might be saying they are so close to developing a cure.

But Thomas no longer believes that "WICKED is good." He has seen the evil that has been perpetrated in the name of science, and he is not going to be a pawn in their game any longer.

What did I like or not like?

One of the awesome things about this series is the fast-paced action coupled with the slow revelation of what is going on, and this third installment is no exception. We have so many more pieces of the puzzle by the beginning of this book, but their are still many questions to be answered.

Have you ever gotten to the end of a series and thought, "I read through all of those pages and THAT is how you are going to end it? You have got to be kidding me!" I don't think that will happen with this one.

Its possible that you won't like it, but similar to my thoughts on Mockingjay (the third book in The Hunger Games series), I don't think the author could have ended it any other way. The ending is definitely bittersweet, but I think it was realistic for the world Dashner set up, and it was still way more hopeful than Mockingjay was =D

The Scorch Trials: Out of the Maze, Into the Fire

The Scorch Trials by James Dashner

Why did I read it?

Because I couldn't stop reading the series after The Maze Runner =D

What happened?

SPOILER ALERT

While Thomas and others from The Glade thought they were finally safe...nothing could be further from the truth. It turns out that the very people who "saved" them were the very people who had put them in the maze in the beginning, and their next challenge starts now!

In the maze, the Gladers had a sense of control. They had figured out their surroundings and their was a certain amount of safety behind the walls of The Glade. But now, there is nothing protecting the Gladers from the terrifying reality of planet Earth. Apparently, huge solar flares have ravaged the surface of the planet, and if Thomas and his friends want to survive, they have to reach a haven that rests on the other side of the worst desert on the planet.

But, getting across The Scorch is going to be everything but easy. If the lightning storms don't kill them, it will be the Cranks (people who have been affected by a terrible disease called The Flare). Or will it be each other?

What did I like or not like?

Dashner does a great job of keeping this story fast-paced, exciting, and mysterious. Around each turn and new character there is danger, and slowly, ever slowly, we start getting glimpses of what might be going on here.

Thomas helps us with this as he slowly starts to remember things that happened before the Glade. But, the more he remembers, the more he wonders if he ever wants to remember at all...

While many second books suffer from a lack of story line as the author waits for the third installment, this book has plenty of action, character development, and plot. Once I got done with it, I had a hard time not reading the third and final book, The Death Cure. 

The Maze Runner: Mystery Within, Death Without

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

Why did I read it?

This was the title for our TeenBookWorms group in July, but it took me a while to get a blog post up about it.

What happened?

After waking in an elevator, Thomas finds himself in The Glade, with no memory of what brought him to that point.

The Glade is a society, made up of entirely teenage boys, that depend on their own strength, wit, and ordered existence to survive in the center of an ever-changing maze, inhabited by the mysterious and deadly Grievers.

Their only chance of escape is to explore the maze, hoping that an exit presents itself. But,
their society is turned on its head when a girl arrives only days after Thomas, and claims that everything is going to change.

As if that wasn't strange enough, she is the only person that Thomas can seem to remember...from whatever happened before...

What did I like or not like?

While the book takes a little while to get going, it is totally worth it once it does. The plot is something that you aren't expecting, and the mystery surrounding what is going on keeps you guessing the whole time.

Like many Dystopian books, the characters inhabit a dangerous world, full of high-stake choices and situations,  where one false move could get you dead. This excitement is coupled with the mystery, right up until the book ends, leaving you begging for the second one, The Scorch Trials. That is what happened with me anyway hehe.

Stravaganza: Danger in another World

Stravaganza: City of Masks by Mary Hoffman

Why did I read it?

Stravaganza has been one of Miss Karen's favorite series for a long time now. So, when we were decided on a book at TeenBookWorms, I suggested this one, and everyone else agreed.

What happened?

Lucien is battling cancer in modern day London. Struggling with chemotherapy, Lucien welcomes the gift of an old notebook to write his thoughts when his throat hurts. But, little does he known that the notebook is a talisman from Talia, an alternate world that was stumbled upon by an alchemist from our world.

Each night that Lucien goes to bed clutching the notebook, he wakes up in Bellezza, as city that resembles Venice almost 400 years in the past. While the political intrigue, beauty, and wonder of the city are similar to events in our own history, Bellezza is a city wrought with its own dangers, traditions, and scandals.

What did I like or not like?

For many of the folks that read it for TeenBookWorms, this book missed just slightly. They said the writing style was confusing at times, and the actions of the Duchessa (the female ruler of Bellezza) were a little bit brutal.

But, I can see why Miss Karen really likes this book. Assassination attempts, powerful families vying for control, and selfish rulers are very much historically accurate, and it makes sense that an alternate world would have these same problems. Having Lucien bounce back and forth between the two world also made for an interesting plot element.

Even though I agree that the writing style, which was third person keeping track of multiple story lines at the same time, could be a little confusing, I thought it helped the story along once I got into it.

A Little Bit Sitcomish, But Enjoyable

Lost and Found by Anne Schraff

Why did I read it?

My YA Lit class professor used the Bluford High Series (this is the first book) with a group of at-risk teens. She said the group really enjoyed the books, and wanted us to check them out.

What happened?

Great one more thing for Darcy to worry about! Not only does she have an exhausted mother struggling to make ends meet, a Grandma whose mind is slowly slipping away, and a sister who is having a hard time in school, she now has to deal with a partner like Tarah. Tarah is overweight, obnoxious, has a loser of a boyfriend, and would probably pull Darcy’s grade down. Why couldn’t her teacher have paired her with Hakeem (who she secretly liked) or Brisana (her best friend)?

But, as the plot thickens, we find out that this will become the least of Darcy’s problems. She will ultimately have to face something she has tried to walk away from, and find out who her true friends really are.

What did I like or not like?

Many of the books I’ve read have been award-winning and have a pretty high reading level. So, the writing style in this book seemed kind of simplistic. But, now I think it was a nice change. Not everybody enjoys , needs, or wants a high reading level, and it was interesting to read something else.

The simple writing style just tells you how things are, and even though the conflict is real, it isn’t traumatizing to read. Ultimately, I think it reads like a sitcom. The story takes us through problems that need to be dealt with, lessons that need to be learned, but everyone winds up happy at the end.

Every Swan, Every Song, Every Sound

The Dreamer by Pam Munoz Ryan and Illustrated by Peter Sis.

Why did I read it?

This is another title from my Master's class that I probably wouldn't have read otherwise, but that I really enjoyed. Interestingly, the illustrator is the same guy who authored and illustrated The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain.

What happened?

Neftali is a young boy growing up in Temuco, Chile. Fascinated by the world around him, there was always something interesting to investigate on the way to school, or a fantastic word in a book he was reading. He couldn't help but daydream and imagine new places and adventures. While his mother appreciated his curiosity and fascination, his father did not. In his opinion, the reading, writing, and curiosity kept Neftali small, timid, and would never guarantee the kind of job that would support his family someday.

What did I like or not like?

Unbeknownst to me, this book is based on the childhood experiences of world renowned poet Pablo Neruda (the pen name for Neftali Ricardo Reyes Basoalto). Once I figured that out, the slightly different style of the book began to make sense. There is a blending of the text with poetry, images, and questions, and I think the book did a great job portraying the creative mindset, and seeing how a poet might have gotten to where he was.

Picture Book, Movie, or Novel?

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

Why did I read it?

This is a book that has caught my eye for a couple years now. I heard it was a combination of text and pictures to tell the story, but I never found the time to read it. So, when one of my Master's classes required me to read all the Caldecott Medal winners from 1990-2009, I got to read it (it won the medal in 2008).

What happened?

Hugo works on the clocks at a Paris train station, without anyone realizing it is him. Technically, it is his drunken uncle who is supposed to be keeping the clocks ticking, but his uncle disappeared a while back. So, now its just Hugo, and the automaton that belonged to his father. Several years before, Hugo's father died in an accidental museum fire, and Hugo believes his father has left him a message in the automaton. Striving to get the automaton working again, Hugo steals from an old toy maker, who eventually catches him and takes the notebook that he was using to rebuild the automaton. Why did the old man want the notebook? Is there more to this old toy maker than Hugo knows?

What did I like or not like?

This was a fascinating book to read. In addition to mixing text and pictures, it also had elements of a graphic novel, picture book, novel, and a black and white movie. Apart from the interesting way it is written, the story itself is an interesting examination of dreams, purpose, film, magic, and family. I really enjoyed it!

Hacking, Running, Treasure Seeking

Hacking Timbuktu by Stephen Davies

Why did I read it?

I quickly read the synopsis, and found out that the lead character does parkour. I was pretty excited about reading it after that point.

What happened?

Akonio Dolo is a student in Timbuktu in the 14^th century. Turns out that studying isn’t near as exciting as robbing the gold below the temple, which is exactly what Akonio does until he is caught in the act. Before committing suicide, Akonio leaves a clue to where he hid his gold stockpile. Fast forward to the modern day where Danny and Omar are also going to school (not in Timbuktu). Danny and Omar deeply enjoy a freedom of movement called parkour, and Danny equates this kind of thinking to his computer hacking skills as well. Unbeknownst to Danny, a map that explains Akonio’s clue has been discovered, and it will take a hacker to get at it. Enter some interested guys who are forcibly enlisting the help of known hackers, and Danny and Omar get swept up into finding the gold. But, what exactly have they gotten themselves into?

What did I like or not like?


The book is really easy to read, and imaging Danny and Omar racing through the streets is really cool. But, the storyline is pretty predictable, and there isn’t very much character development. But, if you are looking for an enjoyable and fast read, this one is for you.

Is Escape Possible?

Incarceron by Catherine Fisher
Why did I read it?
Its funny how I pick books sometimes. Basically, the sequel to Incarceron came out recently, showed up on my shelf and it sounded really interesting. But, I don't like to jump into the middle of the series, so I decided to read the first installment.
What happened?
Finn lives in Incarceron, a living prison that constantly watches, controls, and intimidates its inmates. As there is safety in numbers, Finn is part of a Scum band that raids other prisoners. But, Finn doesn't think of himself as a prisoner or as a member of the band. He has a special tattoo on his wrist and visions of "Outside." He assumes that he was born outside and cast into Incarceron, even though everyone thinks he's crazy. Armed with his visions and a Key, Finn seeks Escape.
Claudia is the daughter of the Warden of Incarceron. There are two things she knows; her father is the only man alive who knows the location of Incarceron, and she will be married to the heir to the throne, a long-held tradition. But, Claudia doesn't want to marry the current heir to the throne. He's an arrogant, self-righteous jerk and she can't stand him. Marrying the heir wasn't going to be too bad when it was Giles, but he mysteriously died several years earlier. Even though she is told it was an accident, she can't help but wonder if their is something darker going on at court.
What did I like or not like?
This is just a well-written book. The two complimenting storylines keeps things moving quickly, and the idea of a living prison is a scary and fascinating idea. I haven't quite finished the book yet, but I can't wait to see how it ends.

Warrior or Tattoo?

Dragon and Thief by Timothy Zahn, the first book in the Dragonback series.

Why did I read it?

I’ve signed up for a listserv from YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association), where librarians and educators discuss books and ask questions. Recently, the Dragonback series showed up on the radar, and I remembered seeing the books as I shelved as a page, and as I keep the YA section looking spiffy.

What happened?

Just before the book opens, Jack Morgan, nephew of a thief, did a smuggling gig that went south; one of the containers had something in it when he took off, but was completely empty when he landed. Obviously, the people he was delivering to weren’t too happy about that. Hiding on a deserted planet, Jack witnesses a huge space battle ending in a damaged cruiser smashing into the planet below. When he goes to check out the wreckage, he is amazed to find a symbiotic alien, Draycos, who needs him as a host to survive. Draycos exists in a three-dimensional form, but can become two-dimensional when needed; basically becoming a living tattoo, that can then spring into a powerful warrior lizard. The damaged ship was the first in a refugee fleet. Draycos and Jack have to team up to clear Jack’s name and figure out how to warn Draycos’s people of the terrible enemy that was somehow aware that they were coming.

What did I like or not like?

I really enjoyed the idea of an alien that is very powerful and can become two-dimensional, but needs a fourteen year old kid to survive. The difference in ethics between a warrior and a kid raised as a thief also raises some interesting questions.

Time-Crossed Lovers

A Book Blurt on Timeless by Alexandra Monir.

Why did I read it?

I get the chance to sneak a peak at many of the new YA books added to our collection before they hit the shelves, and this one caught my eye. The tagline read, “What if the person you’re meant to be with lives in another time?” It sounded interesting.

What happened?

Michele Windsor is the daughter of an exiled heiress. When her mother was young, she fell in love with a man who was wonderfully old-fashioned and traditionally romantic, and ran away with him, cutting herself off from her wealthy parents. But, after a short time together, he disappeared, and the only thing that made it bearable was her baby daughter. As the book opens, Michele’s mother is taken in a tragic car accident, and Michele is sent to live with her grandparents who probably ruined her parent’s relationship. Her cold grandparents and high-class classmates don’t make the loss of her mother any easier. But then, Michele is accidently sent back in time through a key her father owned, and she sees him, Philip Walker, the man of her dreams. Even though he is the only one that can see her, she has to find a way to be near him, because he is the only thing worth living for.

What did I like or not like?

I loved the historical detail and twists and turns through time. In an effort to get back to Philip, Michele visits the Gilded age, the Roaring Twenties, and the World War II years. Each time the story gets more interesting, more layered, and reveals more about Michele’s mysterious father and past. The love story itself is sweet, and hoping that the time-crossed lovers will eventually end up together keeps you reading.

Electric Revolution

How dost thou?

Sorry, there were characters in the book this week that spoke older English. For the past couple of weeks I’ve looked for another graphic novel to read, and The Sons of Liberty caught my eye. Apparently it caught the eye of some of you as well, because it was checked out for a while before I could get my hands on it. Of course, that probably means I’m actually reading books that you enjoy, which can’t be a bad thing.

Anyways, the book is a graphic novel created and written by Alexander and Joseph Lagos, drawn by Steve Walker, and colored by Oren Kramek. The novel opens just before the Revolutionary War. Slavery was still very prominent, and runaway slaves were hunted down and mistreated. Two such runaways are Graham and Brody who find shelter with a kind-hearted man named Ben Franklin. But, Franklin’s son, William, isn’t so kind-hearted. William uses Graham and Brody for an experiment. Using quick jolts of electricity, Graham and Brody are able to leap rivers and split trees with their fists. How this “gift” will affect their lives is uncertain, as this is the first installment in a series of graphic novels.

As historical fiction, this graphic novel is very interesting. You definitely get a feel for slavery during those times and how it affects Graham and Brody. The novel also gives an interesting take on William Franklin, who is painted as far from an upright character (he will probably become a serious bad guy in future installments). The idea of super heroes in revolutionary times is a very interesting idea, and I wouldn’t mind reading future installments. But, the drawing style itself and the subject matter of the book is dark, and has some violence.

Ultimately, the feeling I got was similar to my feelings for Wild Wild West starring Will Smith. The movie was good, but the mix of technology with an older time period leaves you feeling a little gross. But, the novel does make revolutionary times fresh and interesting, and you get interested in Graham and Brody’s future.

P.S. My high school aged brother picked up the book and devoured it. He thought super heroes in the revolutionay war was pretty sweet.

Whose Got Your Back?

How goes the week everyone?

For my own part, this week has been incredibly busy. Between helping at some after school programs and filling in for my coworkers, I haven’t had a time to sit down at work. But, more about that on Friday. As far as my book blurt goes, I just got done reading Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi about five minutes ago.

While I was working on Teens and Technology, I realized that I hadn’t read many award winning young adult novels. I wanted to read a few of them at least, so I decided to start with Ship Breaker, which won the Michael L. Printz award this year.

Ship Breaker is set in a futuristic time where terrible hurricanes have forever changed topography, weather, and oil lanes. We are introduced to Nailer, a guy in his mid-teens who climbs through tight spaces on abandoned ships for a few pieces of precious metal. He’s part of a crew of other young people who on salvaging crews to stay alive. For Nailer, everything is survival, loyalty to his crew, and making a couple dollars. That is, until he finds a “swank” on a downed clipper. Clippers are a rare find, especially one with this much salvage. But, Nailer can’t just grab the gold and go his way, because the owner of the vessel is still alive and needs help. She promises that her father will pay if Nailer keeps her safe, which obviously puts Nailer in a tight spot.

Should he protect this “swank” who looks down on him like a dog? Should he go against his father? Is she just a dollar sign or is she something more? Through the book, Nailer has to question what he wants to fight for, who he wants to be loyal to, and how he is possibly going to stay alive. He also has to question what it means to have a family.

There is some violence and some cussing in this book, but that is to be expected. The futuristic setting is very hard and it makes for some very hard and ruthless people. Nailer gets into several life and death situations, and he has to depend on the fates and his smarts to get him through. The intense and interesting writing style keeps the pages turning, and I really enjoyed it!

A long, long time ago...

Haven’t blogged you guys in a while. How’s it been going?

I’ll get into what I’ve been doing for the past couple of weeks in my weekly update on Friday, but for now, how bout we do some Book Blurting? This week’s book is from a local author named Alysun Sanders, and the title is Talli’s Tale. Alysun will actually be joining us at the Hayden Library on Friday, October 15 from 6:30-7:30pm, so I figured I would read her book before she came down.

The prelude of the book describes six siblings who peacefully ruled the world thousands of years ago. They were called the Rules of Unity, and each of the six children ruled one of the six continents (Antarctica, was a place of banishment). These children had a loving father, and their father had three advisors. Greedy for power, one of his advisors planned to take his place on the throne, and would have succeeded if another advisor hadn’t warned the king. Banishing the evil advisor proved disastrous as the advisor’s sister, who served the king herself, turned on the king when she found her brother dead. She cast a spell of hatred on the six siblings and forced them to separate. The only hope for a united world again was the spell that the loyal advisor cast to counter the sorceress’s incantation. She prophesied that a hero would be born who would unite the siblings once again.

The story then jumps forward several thousand years to Talli Curran. For the rest of the book, we watch Talli grow from a newborn baby through her college years. After her parents are murdered, Talli is left in the care of her adopted Uncle Arnaud. He tells her the story of the Rulers of Unity, and Talli believes that the tale is real. Although she believes the legend, she can never imagine her own part in it. When tragedy strikes, Talli has to decide if she actually believes the story, and what she is going to do with that knowledge.

As it turns out, this book is only the beginning of the story. It largely deals with Talli’s years growing up, and doesn’t concern itself a whole lot with the Rulers of Unity. But, there is still plenty of story left to tell. Alysun started writing this tale when she was fourteen, finished the novel in her sophomore year, and immediately started writing the sequel. Alysun is turning twenty only two days before she comes over to the library, and I’m excited to hear what she has to say about Talli’s Tale and her next book.