Also Known As by Robin Benway

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Also Known As, by Robin Benway, is a fun, light-hearted story about a teen spy. I’m sort of obsessed with spies, so naturally I really enjoyed this novel.

Maggie and her parents are spies for the Collective, and Maggie is an expert safecracker. But safecracking seems to be all she’s allowed to do, while her parents get to have all the fun. Maggie is desperate for her own solo mission, and she’s finally granted her wish.

She and her parents move to New York City, where Maggie’s mission is to befriend the son of a potential security threat. Jesse’s father is on the verge of publishing an article exposing members of the Collective, including Maggie and her parents. So it’s up to Maggie to stop him. But Maggie didn’t quite expect the mission to be so difficult. She has never before experienced private school or parties. She’s never made lasting friendships. And she may be falling for her mark (totally not allowed).

Maggie is clever and witty, and I liked her narration. Her friend Roux is hilarious, and Jesse is sweet. I appreciated Maggie’s relationship with her parents, who are loving and protective of their only daughter. I think healthy family dynamics are not portrayed enough in YA, and so this novel was refreshing in that sense. I thought the book was more about Maggie and Jesse’s relationship than spying, but that’s minor. In my opinion, the ending was a bit anticlimactic.

Overall, though, this was a light, quick read, and it made me smile.

View all my reviews

Have you read this book? Share your thoughts!

Boy Nobody by Allen Zadoff

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Boy Nobody by Allen Zadoff really surprised me. I knew I’d enjoy it, because the premise was intriguing, but the book definitely exceeded expectations. And it earns major points for unpredictability.

“Boy Nobody is the perennial new kid in school.” He’s a teen assassin for The Program, and he is very good at what he does. That is, until he’s assigned to the mayor of New York City, who reminds him of his own father and who has a beautiful and enigmatic daughter. This assignment is different. He’s given a much shorter time frame, he’s facing opposition from outside forces, and his handlers expect him to complete his assignment as usual. Suddenly, it’s just not enough to know only that he must kill his target. He wants to know why, and it’s these questions and his distracting memories that are most dangerous of all.

This is the simplest version of the story. It all gets very complicated. Just when I thought I knew where things were headed, something would cause me to change my mind. Zadoff throws a few curveballs, but they’re thrilling and add depth to the story.

There were so many things I admired about this novel besides the original and unpredictable plotline. Boy Nobody, or Ben (his name for his newest assignment), has such a distinctive voice. I love the way he is always calculating, always analyzing.

Scenes alternate between present day and Ben’s flashbacks. His backstory unfolds slowly and the reader begins to piece together his past. This, of course, is all relevant to understanding what he does for The Program, why he does it, and also why he’s changing.

Boy Nobody is an action-packed yet thought-provoking novel. I’m still not quite sure how I feel about how it ended. All I know is, The Mission (book 2) has made my TBR list.

*Note: Apparently Boy Nobody is the UK title. The American titles are I Am the Weapon and I Am the Mission.

View all my reviews

Have you read this book? Share your thoughts!

Panic by Lauren Oliver

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Panic by Lauren Oliver was such a good book I read it practically from beginning to end without putting it down. And by this, I mean it was a fantastic read, even though I struggled with the subject matter.

This standalone novel is told from two points of view – that of Heather and Dodge, both recently graduated seniors who are competing in Panic. The game is open to any graduating seniors, who compete in challenges throughout the summer for the “pot,” a large sum of money that’s been collected throughout their four years of high school. The game is difficult, and often very, very dangerous.

Heather and Dodge are competing for very different reasons, but both are trying to escape their circumstances. Heather’s mother is an alcoholic, and so Heather herself is largely responsible for her little sister Lily. Dodge’s sister is handicapped, and he wants revenge. I sympathized with these realistic characters and even understood their original reasons for entering the game.

The game, however, disgusted me. Yes, I can understand why a large sum of money (in this case, $67,000) would entice teenagers to perform dangerous stunts. That doesn’t mean it isn’t stupid. The players know what they’re getting into, as they’ve been the audience for the previous games. Players have died, or been seriously injured, in the past. And yet Panic continues to be a tradition, and revered by all the students in Carp.

I thought Panic might be the way Heather and Dodge came to terms with their demons, but even after they conquered their inner conflicts, they competed until the end. In my opinion, it was frustrating when neither of them renounced the game. This was definitely my greatest problem with the novel. Otherwise, I quite enjoyed it. I liked the alternating perspectives. It was refreshing that Heather and Dodge were not each other’s love interest.

I know this book was supposed to be a study of fear and our reactions to it, but I didn’t really get that from it. Though I can respect a well-written novel and intriguing plot, I can’t really support the disregard for consequences shown in the book. This aspect of Oliver’s novel, I believe, undermined the characters’ strength rather than enhanced it.

View all my reviews

Have you read this book? Share your thoughts!

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Raven Boys, by Maggie Stiefvater, completely drew me in. It was a fascinating, interesting read, and I can honestly say I haven’t read anything quite like it before.

Blue is the daughter of a psychic, though she herself does not have psychic powers. The blurb reads, “Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue never sees them – until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks to her.” Either Blue is his true love, or she killed him.

First of all, this is an intriguing premise. Second of all, “Blue” is a pretty great name.
The spirit who speaks to Blue on the corpse road is named Gansey, and he is a Raven Boy, because he attends the private school Aglionby and is very, very wealthy. Gansey is on a quest to find a Welsh king, aided by his good friends Adam, Ronan, and Noah. With this legend Gansey is completely obsessed. His research into magic and powerful ley lines running through their town brings Gansey to Blue’s doorstep. Once their paths cross, there is no going back.

I loved the juxtaposition between Blue’s family of women with Gansey’s group of boys. I love the way Stiefvater purposefully keeps secrets from her readers, but which are all revealed in due time. Take Gansey’s reason for the quest, Adam’s insecurities, Ronan’s anger, and Noah’s quietness, for example. And then, of course, there are the many interrelationships between her characters. The four boys are as close as brothers. And then there’s their interaction with Blue, who is the first female they’ve allowed to join their quest. Though it’s possible Gansey is Blue’s true love, she can hardly stand him at times and the tension is often very thick.

Throughout the book the author alternates perspectives, which is interesting because the reader gets a glimpse into the minds of many of the leading characters and is able to keep up with the story even when not all of the characters are present in a scene. There are even a few scenes told from the perspective of the villain, which allows the reader to begin piecing together certain mysteries as the story moves forward.

Each character is beautifully developed. The plot is intricate and captivating. The ending was not so predictable, and the very last line has you clamoring for book 2. If you’re into magic and clairvoyance and mystery, this book is a must-read.

View all my reviews

Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

As a fan of Richelle Mead’s Vampire Academy series, I was looking forward to Bloodlines, a spinoff series featuring a few of the minor characters of VA.

Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, “one of a group of humans who serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires.” She’s been raised to distrust even the “good vampires,” the Moroi, and half-vampires, called dhampirs. But after she is befriended by Rose Hathaway, (protagonist of the VA books), Sydney realizes she may not wholeheartedly believe everything she’s been taught.

Bloodlines begins with Sydney’s newest assignment. Though the Alchemists are still wary of her due to her relationship with Rose, she’s been chosen to accompany Moroi princess Jill Dragomir into hiding. They’re sent to a boarding school in Palm Springs, California, where Sydney, Jill, guardian Eddie Castile, and bad-boy Adrian Ivashkov pose as siblings.

I love this book for many reasons. First, it maintains the feel of VA but is entirely different. The world of vampires is much the same. There are Moroi, Strigoi, dhampirs, and Alchemists, and they abide by the same social rules and taboos that were established in the Vampire Academy series. (Of course, the Bloodlines series can still stand alone, and so though it is helpful to have read the VA books first, it is not necessary.) Having said that, there is a new setting, and the book features entirely new conflicts and relationships.

Sydney Sage is not Rose Hathaway. She is responsible, intellectual, and cautious. She is remarkably real and relatable to the reader because she has both strengths and weaknesses. While she is adept in handling situations with a cool head, she also feels the pressure of the Alchemists and especially her father to conform to their beliefs and ideology. She lacks the social skills other teens her age have already developed (which makes for pretty hilarious dialogue and interactions), and on top of it all she is uncomfortable with her body image.

At the beginning of the book, she makes it clear the only reason she’s willing to take on this task is to protect her younger sister from the life she believes to be stifling. But the reader watches her grow over the course of the book, as her beliefs and ideas begin to change and she becomes more of her own person.

In this series, the Strigoi are much less of a threat, whereas in the VA books Rose often battled these undead creatures. The Bloodlines books give more insight into the world of the Alchemists, and introduce new groups that pose threats, like the vampire hunters.

There is action, drama, romance, moral dilemmas, and high stakes. I couldn’t put the book down because I got so caught up in the story. Richelle Mead is an incredible storyteller and I highly recommend both the Vampire Academy series and the Bloodlines books.

View all my reviews

Read my review of Vampire Academy and check out my review of the movie. 

Have you read this book? Let me know your thoughts!

Divergent by Veronica Roth

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’m writing this review after rereading Divergent by Veronica Roth for the second time. Nothing beats the high of reading a book for the first time, but there is a sort of respect when you know where it’s headed.

Divergent is one of those novels that you think about for weeks after you’ve read the last line. It makes for a fantastic discussion with friends and other readers.

Beatrice Prior lives in a society divided into five factions, each based upon a facet of one’s personality (selflessness, intelligence, bravery, honesty, and kindness).

Beatrice is a member of Abnegation, which values selflessness, but after she turns 16 she is required to take an aptitude test and to decide which faction she’d like to spend the rest of her life. She could choose to remain with her family, or leave them behind forever. The results of her aptitude test aren’t very helpful. Beatrice is Divergent, which means she shows aptitude for more than one faction. Divergence is dangerous, because Beatrice can’t be controlled.

Her decision to transfer into Dauntless, the faction that values bravery, is the catalyst for everything that follows. She assumes a new identity, but struggles reconciling her new life with her old one. Though the plot is riveting, and the world building is fantastic, it is not because of these things that I call Divergent a favorite.

Tris’ journey to discover the true meaning of selflessness and bravery is compelling. Her realization that it is wrong to define people by just one thing is inspiring. The books are very much about labeling and stereotyping.

The characters’ response to fear was also fascinating. In Dauntless, the initiates are required to face their fears in fear landscapes, a simulation to bring their fears to life. (If you get a chance, you should read about Veronica Roth’s inspiration for the novel, because it’s all very interesting.)

Tris is such a dynamic character. She is pretty hardcore. She’s so very real, because she makes decisions that aren’t always based upon doing “the right thing.” While she sometimes regrets her choices, she realizes there is no going back and instead learns from her mistakes and moves forward.

I truly believe Divergent is a must-read because there is so much to be taken from it’s underlying themes and symbolism.

View all my reviews

Have your read this book? Please share your thoughts!

*DIVERGENT MOVIE REVIEW – to be posted soon.

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

I was completely sucked into Vampire Academy, written by Richelle Mead. (That was my lame attempt at a vampire joke. Sorry.)

I’d pretty much sworn off vampire books, but decided to give this one a shot. Needless to say, I finished the book in about a day and immediately began reading Frostbite, book 2.

Vampire Academy is about a girl named Rose Hathaway, who is training to become the guardian of Lissa Dragomir, a vampire with royal heritage. Lissa is the heir to the Moroi throne, and she and Rose share a “bond,” which means Rose can sense what Lissa is thinking and feeling.

They’ve been on the run for two years, but they’re caught and taken back to the Academy. The dangers that prompted them to run away are still ever-present, but the girls also have petty high school drama to worry about.

Rose is impulsive, and has a quick temper. She was a great heroine, not only because of her smart mouth, but more so because of her intense desire to protect her best friend at all costs. Rose and Lissa’s friendship is real and inspiring. When it comes to Lissa, Rose is completely unselfish. And as they eventually discover, their bond means more than they could have ever imagined.

The book was exciting and captivating. Romance, tension, mystery, wit – this book had it all. I’m looking forward to the rest of the series.

View all my reviews

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Something drew me to this book. (The cover art, maybe??) I really, really, really wanted to like it, and it did not disappoint!

First of all, I love that it’s a modern retelling of Cinderella. Cinder, a renowned mechanic in New Beijing, lives with her stepmother and two stepsisters. Her stepmother hates her, because Cinder is a cyborg, considered to be a lesser member of society. After she was involved in an accident as a child, she was given mechanical limbs to replace the ones she lost.

But everything is about to change for Cinder, because Prince Kai needs her help, and her younger stepsister has been diagnosed with the plague letumosis. On top of it all, Cinder’s stepmother is determined to get rid of her by volunteering her for plague research.

This book has a bit of everything, including romance, intrigue, action, and super-cool futuristic technology. Earth may or may not be on the brink of war with Luna (the moon). The prince is secretly searching for a Lunar princess who may or may not be dead. An evil queen has mind-control powers.

The characters were unique and interesting. Cinder is brave, caring, and resourceful. I rooted for her from page 1.

I finished this book quickly, and now I’m disappointed because I wish I were still caught up in Cinder’s world. I think part of the reason I found this book so engaging was because author Marissa Meyer spared Cinder nothing. The tension and the stakes mounted throughout the book, which held my attention and kept me turning pages. The end left Cinder in a very dangerous place, and I can’t wait to get my hands on the remaining books of this series.

View all my reviews

Have you read this book? What are your thoughts?

Champion by Marie Lu

Champion, the conclusion to the Legend trilogy by Marie Lu, marks the end of Day and June’s story.

The conflict between the Republic and the Colonies comes to a head, and Day and June must decide if fighting for the country which has caused them so much pain is worth it. Though the Republic is beginning to adjust to a new Elector, it is still difficult for Day and June to forget the deaths of their loved ones and the political corruption.

Day is dying. June is chafing under her new responsibilities as a Princeps-Elect. And then, the tentative peace treaty between the Republic and the Colonies is destroyed with the breakout of plague. Unless the Republic is able to offer the Colonies a cure, war is imminent.

I enjoyed the book overall. Unfortunately, I didn’t find it to be as compelling as the first two books in the trilogy. The book wasn’t as fast paced or action packed. Day and June’s relationship wasn’t as developed as I’d hoped it would be.

I did enjoy reading from both Day and June’s perspectives. I could easily distinguish between their perspectives, as Marie Lu does a fantastic job giving both characters a unique voice.

The ending was both somewhat predictable and somewhat surprising.

I think readers will be satisfied with this concluding book, and I look forward to reading more from Marie Lu.

View all my reviews

Have you read this book? Let me know what you thought!

Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass

A practical, in-your-face guide to writing the “breakout novel.” According to Maass, a “breakout” refers to “any upward movement in sales and in attention paid to a novelist by publishers, bookstores, the press and the public.”

Every author hopes to be a breakout novelist. Breakout novels “leave a lasting impression.” A breakout novel makes all the difference between writing as a hobby and writing as a career.

What I love about Maass’ book is his complete honesty. He dispels myths regarding writing and the publishing industry. If my novel doesn’t “break out,” it is nobody’s fault but my own. And that is a scary thought.

But Maass goes on to offer his advice about what it takes to write a novel of breakout scale. It takes nothing less than plain old hard work. Which, in my opinion, is sort of relieving. It means we’ve all got a chance. Equal opportunity.

There is no cookie-cutter formula for writing the breakout novel. Novels of every genre break out. Breakout novels are written by authors of very different backgrounds, personalities, and varying ages.

This book is encouraging and motivational. The excerpts taken from breakout novels serve as helpful examples which illustrate Maass’ point.

The lasting impression Maass left me with is this: a breakout novel is richer, deeper. The author dives beneath the surface.

“Delight your readers with your own brand of story, then continue to delight them in a similar way (only better) on a regular basis. That is the way to build an audience. It is the only way to become a brand name author.”

View all my reviews