The Explosionist

by Jenny Davidson

I’m having trouble writing a review for this book in my normal style, so I’m going to try something a little different today. It may work. It may not. Guess we will see!

I picked up The Explosionist by Jenny Davidson because of the strong recommendation by Leila over at Bookshelves of Doom (one of my favorite book review sites). I started it on Wednesday night and stayed up way past my bedtime to finish it. The entire book is complicated and detailed, a good thing when done right or a disaster when done wrong. In this case, I think Davidson got it right.

The setting is early to mid-Twentieth century Scotland, but a Scotland set in a world that saw Napoleon win at Waterloo and Aleksander Tolstoy Bell invent the telephone. The book reads like a historical fiction, but the little twists and turns that the alternative reality presented kept things interesting and fun (even if I didn’t catch all of them).

The Explosionist, however, is mostly a mystery. Well, mysteries. There is a lot underfoot, you could say. Sophie – our 15-year-old heroine – has just sat in on a seance where the Spiritualist predicts that she will be crossing an ocean soon. Only a few days later, that Spiritualist is murdered and one of Sophie’s friends is implicated in the plot. Even more frightening, Scotland is being attacked by suicide bombers and terrorist groups that threaten to put the country and its allies to war with Britain, France, Germany and other countries in the Federation of European States. And signs seem to be pointing to Sophie’s favorite teacher as the person setting the bombs. The strands of the mysteries criss-cross and Sophie is the only one who might be able to connect and solve the puzzles.

There is a lot happening and it’s not a book to read idly or without some measure of concentration. The beginning starts off a bit slow, which I feel is expected when the groundwork is being laid in an alt-reality, but it really does start to pick up as you begin to see what is going on and how it all may come together. Sophie is a fun character to follow, if a little slow herself, but she tends to confront things head on and take action, which always makes for a good main character.

The second book, Invisible Things, just recently came out and I’m super glad I didn’t have to wait that long for it to surface. I can’t wait to see how the unsolved mysteries resolve themselves (or don’t) and find out what trouble Sophie can find herself in.

Dreamhunter

(Book One in the Dreamhunter Duet)

by: Elizabeth Knox

Brief Summary: Cousins Laura and Rose live in a world made and decided by dreams. Their respective parents are famous Dreamhunters – part of a select group of people who can enter The Place, where dreams can be caught and returned to the public for profit. The girls have finally reached the age when they can Try and attempt to enter The Place like their parents. But Laura’s dad – the first known Dreamhunter – has gone missing, leaving Laura with only a crazed demand and disjointed clues to determine what mysteries he was trying to uncover in The Place and where he might have gone.

Kell’s Chatty Review: This book was not even close to what I expected, truth be told. Which doesn’t surprise me, because I think it’s really hard to put into words what this book is about without spoiling most of the story. Even the setting is hard to describe (it’s an alternative history in what, as far as I can tell, is a fictional country of Earth?).

What did stand out immediately: was the quality of writing. Description, description, description. The time period emerges (turn of the 20^th century) through Knox’s writing in an absolutely gorgeous way. I never felt that the descriptions were overdone or unnecessary, but rather that they created a lovely mood for the book.

It was also interesting reading: this book so soon after the Hunger Games trilogy. Dreamhunter almost read like a dystopian novel. In fact, the plot could just as easily be set in the future, complete with political intrigue,  suspicion and corruption (like all good dystopian novels). I wouldn’t necessarily call it a Read-Alike for The Hunger Games, but it certainly is the closest I have encountered on the Printz list thus far.

As I approached: the end of the book, I wasn’t sure if it was wrapping itself up (thus making the sequel a standalone) or creating a cliffhanger. And it’s really a bit of both. Having read the first one, I want to read the second one because there are so many questions that have gone unanswered. But, at the same time, I’m not racing over to the shelf because something crazy happened on the last page and I can’t breathe unless I know what happened.

Even so: I’m convinced that you need to read book one to understand book two. SO MUCH needs to be explained and there are so many little details that would need to be re-explained. I just don’t see the second one (without having read it yet, mind you) working as a stand alone. Which is why I’m even more intrigued about the second one being selected for the Printz honor and not the first.

The Secret Printz: So, if by chance you would ever decide one day that you would like to read all the Printz books, Dreamhunter will not be on your list. But, you’ll probably have to read it anyway as its counter-part (Dreamquake) was an honoree in 2008. So, even though it is not on a list for me to check off, it is nice not to have to think “wait, there’s one more I have to read because I would like to understand its sequel.” Granted, maybe book 2 can be read as a standalone. I will report back with that information, promise.

What I most wanted to do after reading this book: While the book didn’t end with a huge BANG, it did end with enough questions that I wrote down the call number for number 2 immediately after finishing the book.

Where this book came from: The library!

Only the Good Spy Young

(Gallagher Girls #4)

by Ally Carter

(Note: This is the fourth in the series. There will be Spoilers. Proceed with Caution!)

Brief Summary: Only the Good Spy Young picks up close to when Don’t Judge a Girl by Her Cover left off. Cammie is now under constant surveillance in order to protect her from the Circle of Cavan – even when she’s staying with her best friend and her parents (who happens to be quite excellent spies themselves). This new-found caution is making it hard for Cammie and her friends to understand why the Circle wants Cammie – and who the girls can trust inside their supposedly-safe school.

Kell’s Chatty Review: We all know that I adore Ally Carter’s books. They are smart, fun and have incredibly awesome heroines. OtGSY is no different – the tension continues to mount as Cammie and the Operatives (excellent band name) try to determine who to trust in their quest against the Circle (all while trying to survive the rest of Junior year, of course).

This book: really had Cammie in isolation. There were rarely any trips outside of the school. Cammie’s mom was MIA for most of the book and even interactions with teachers and fellow students were toned down. Literally, for most of the book, Cammie, Bex, Macey and Liz are on their own.

Well, sort of: there is Zach. But can we trust him? He’s been so freaking shady! And he’s helping someone who Cammie discovers has double-crossed her. But Zach knows things. Much more than the Gallagher Girls do.

All in all: an excellent caper. Fun new gadgets. New spies. New enemies. Lots of humorous asides (I laugh out loud a zillion times thanks to Cammie’s parenthetical notations). I cannot WAIT for the next one. (But I’ll be satisfied with Heist Society 2 to hold me off for awhile.)

What I most wanted to do after reading this book: Go to sleep – stayed up way too late to finish it!

Where this book came from: my personal library!

Fly on the Wall

How One Girl Saw Everything

by e. Lockhart

Brief Summary: Gretchen Yee goes to Manhattan School for Art and Music where being standing out means blending in – at least that’s how Gretchen sees it. Between the boys that are busy trying to be different at school, her best friend going MIA and her family falling apart, Gretchen just can’t understand how she fits into the world she inhabits. Until she’s turned into a fly. On the wall of the boys bathroom. Talk about a game changer.

Kell’s Chatty Review: I’ve been putting off reading this one for reasons unknown to me. Maybe because I just loved Frankie so much that I wanted to keep that Lockhart character foremost in my mind? Not sure, but finally I read it. And it really is a wonderfully quirky and insightful story.

Length: If you haven’t seen Fly on the Wall, it’s, like, 160-some pages long. I read it over a few lunch hours (although I tried to go to places there weren’t people because I had the tendency to laugh out loud.), so it’s not a huge time commitment.

Familiarity: Also, the format of my version (there have been a few and I can’t account for them all) is ridiculously similar to that of the Ruby Oliver series, which made me happy. Who knew fonts, type-space and layout could make you feel comfortable?

The Story Itself: Really is well done. It’s brilliantly edited to feel complete in its compact form (other author would probably have ballooned the page count to around 300 – which it obviously didn’t need) and the characters really feel like they are living and breathing. Gretchen also has a touch of Frankie’s social activism, which made me smile. (Or, since the books were published in reverse, Frankie possesses a lot of the social activism Gretchen exhibited?)

What I most wanted to do after reading this book: Draw. Sigh.

Where this book came from: ALA Annual 2009. Although, I did buy it. Not for full price, though.

The Mysterious Howling

The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place, Book 1

by Maryrose Wood

Ill. by Jon Klassen

Brief Summary: Penelope Lumely has just graduated from the Swanburne Academy for Poor Bright Females and is embarking on her first job interview to be a governess at Ashton Place. When she arrives for the interview, she is surprised to find out that the children she would be in charge of were actually discovered in the Ashton Place woods and had, quite literally, been raised by wolves. But a Swanburne girl does not turn away from a challenge, so Miss Lumely accepts the job and immediately begins instructing her charges…but a nefarious plot is afoot – and Penelope and the children seem to be at the center of it!

Kell’s Chatty Review: I loved, loved LOVED this book. It’s told from a third-party narrator’s perspective and throughout the entire book I could hear a fantastic British accent telling me the story (I can only imagine how awesome the audio book is). I was pleasantly reminded of The Princess Bride – how the story unfolds with someone telling a story with their own additions, asides and delightful notes.

Penelope: Is a star. Seriously. This was one of her first lines in the book:

Is it the bandits?” Miss Lumley cried, half asleep. “For, though unarmed, I will fight!”

How can you not adore a main character with gumption like that. She is a true heroine, reminiscent of historical novels – filled with class, boldness and a polite demeanor that makes her fantastically fun to follow.

But the unseen narrator: takes the cake. My 100% favorite line from the entire book came from him (in my head the narrator is male, however I assume that it could be female, so, make this apply as you like):

A perplexing development!”

Seriously: I adored it all the way through and I cannot wait for

Book Two: Which, to be honest, while reading the first half I didn’t see how it could have a Book Two. Things were moving along so smoothly. But, alas, you get to the end and there’s a mystery afoot! A few mysteries, actually, and I wait in eager anticipation to see how they unfold!

I would be a terrible person: If I didn’t also mention the amazing illustrations. Klassen did a fantastic job of making the illustrations awesome and slightly spooky. Perfect for this book.

What I most want to do after reading this book: How about what I did not want to do: Become a governess. Never saw the appeal there.

Where this book came from: the library! woo ILL!

What I Saw and How I Lied

by Judy Blundell

(Once again, I actually listened to this. So if I make some spelling mistakes, it’s not on purpose!)

Brief Summary:  Evie Spooner (fantastic name!) and her family have decided to take a break for awhile. Even though Evie has school and Joe (her stepdad) has work. They drive to Palm Beach and find it…mostly empty. They make due, however, finding a hotel to stay in for a few weeks.

But they aren’t the only ones escaping the northern cold by heading south. They’ve been followed. Joe, who Evie adores, has started acting funny. Evie’s mom refuses to let her grow up. And then there’s Peter Coleridge – the slightly older man that Evie is crushing on. But nothing seems to be adding up. Everything is just a little … off.

Pretty soon Evie is sorting through an assortment of lies to try and figure out where everything went wrong. And if she can ever make it alright again.

Kell’s Chatty Review: Once again, I listened to this book. I wasn’t thrilled by the narrator, but the plot of the story hooked me so that it didn’t matter who was reading it. What I Saw and How I Lied reads like a film noir movie in novel form. Every page brings both a truth and a lie and, like Evie, you are trying to figure out what the heck is going on.

The best part: was Blundell’s slow deconstruction of every character in the book. She gives you what seems like a pretty solid character base at the beginning and slowly, you and Evie start peeling layers away that you had NO idea where there. Brilliant.

Evie: I adored Evie, even though she was ridiculously naive.  This literally was her coming of age story and it was done beautifully.

Even though I listened to it: I absolutely ADORE the cover of this book. It completely embodies the many things that were going on in Evie’s life, but still is so simple and elegant.

What I most wanted to do after reading this book: Put on red lipstick and a retro dress.

What life lesson I learned from this book: Characters aren’t always what they seem.

Where this book came from: Borrowed from my local library!

Gentlemen

by Michael Northrop

Brief Summary: Gentlemen, in brief, is about four teen-aged boys and the where the barriers of friendship lie.

In length, it’s a tale, told from one of the boys’ (Mike) point of view, about what happens when one of the four goes missing under suspicious circumstances. How far should you go to figure out the truth? When do you stop protecting each other and think about yourself?

Kell’s Chatty Review: Gentlemen was an excellent – and disturbing – read. It reminded me a bit of The Outsiders in both its characters, way the story was told and the actual story itself. I thought Northrop did a great job of really turning up the suspense and bizarre cruelty that was in the book.

On Micheal (Mike), The Narrator: I’m 95% sure I would not have liked this book if Mike hadn’t been the narrator. His tone was conversational and completely honest – to a degree that emphasized the disturbing nature. Because this was story was told by Mike of the future, it also allowed for some great foreshadowing (that was positively foreboding ) throughout the entire book.

Friendships?: I loved that this book really drew some serious lines about what friendship is and is not. I realize the whole “peer pressure” thing is completely over-emphasized today, but Northrop managed to make the actions of the boys not necessarily peer pressure, but not necessarily their own. It came down to friendships. Which I think is a much more realistic way of how teenagers work.

Loved the Tommy storyline. Did not see that coming, BTW.

What life lesson I learned from this book: Sometimes, you really do just have to let go. No matter how much history is there.

What I most wanted to do after reading this book: Read something slightly happier (I hate going to bed after reading upsetting/disturbing books)

Where This Book Came From: The library!

Heist Society

by Ally Carter

Basic Summary: Katarina (Kat, for those in the know) made a choice. She wanted OUT of the family business. A normal life, high school, college – the whole bit. Emphasis on normal. So she made it happen (but she won’t tell you how, so don’t ask). Three months in, though, she’s quickly and irrevocably removed from normal. The family business has landed the family into trouble and Kat seems to be the only one crazy enough to fix it. You see, when the family business is cons, things get sticky when something goes wrong. And an uber-evil man is under the impression Kat’s dad has stolen his precious paintings. And he wants them back. (And, as mentioned, he’s evil, so you can assume the consequences). Kat has 14 days and a ragtag group of teenage thieves to return the paintings. Then, she can get back to normal. Whatever that is.

Kell’s Chatty Review: So, I’m not sure I’ve metioned this here yet, but I adore Ally Carter’s books. Her Gallagher Girls series is one of my favorite. But, to be honest, I was slightly concerned that Heist Society was going to be too similar to GG.

But it wasn’t. And I was thrilled by it.

Sure there are similarities. The fun, fast-paced action. The witty banter. The super-secret lifestyle. The kick-butt strong female leads (more on that later). Heist Society, however, brought a few different things to the table. First and foremost, the setting. HS, quite literally, takes place around the globe and Carter did a fantastic job keeping each setting unique, so they didn’t blend together and get confusing. Kat is also much less sure and out-of-practice that GG’s Cammie, which made Kat extremely personable. (not that Cammie isn’t. but Kat is just more so. I digress…) Also, the ending. Which, obviously, we can’t talk about until after you’ve read it. But, let’s just say I didn’t see it coming. Finally, the story of the paintings brings a touch of truth and seriousness to this otherwise lighthearted book.

But we can talk about Hale: Who I adored. Any boy shrouded in mystery is always a draw, but Hale is more shrouded than most. (Although, if I’m being honest, my personal faves of the story were the Bagshaw brothers. I would read this and many more books for them alone.)

To Put it in Movie Terms: It’s like Ocean’s 11 for the teenage set. Just as much intrigue as humor. Action and romance. Cons and honor. All around awesome.

Although I have to add: I think this book is the start of a new series? If so, it would be squee-worthy to see a glimpse of the GGs in a later book. A little cross-over would be amazing. I’m just saying.

Strong Heroines: One of the reasons I adore GG and now HS is that the females in it have flaws and issues, but they still manage to be strong and self-sufficient. Which, in a world where females still tend to fall in the “need a boy to help me” category, it is positively refreshing to read books that don’t cave to the stereotype. No matter how hot and helpful the boys in the book are. (And they are. Hot. and Helpful.)

I am concerned: With how much people will want to start a thieving family after reading this, because let’s be honest. Between the gadgets, the clothes and the lingo, Kat and Crew just make it cool

What this book taught me about life: How about what this book taught me about art?

What I most wanted to do after reading this book: Well, since starting a con was out of the question, visiting all of the museums mentioned in the book. Sigh.

Re-Readability Rating: 4.5. I can guarantee that I will reread it the minute it comes out in February. I can also assure you, I will read it many times after.

Where this book came from: From ALA annual. (for free.) I think I might have squealed when it was handed to me. Also, it is an ARC. So, you know, things may change.

HPRC: Part, The End

Like before, there are spoilers (a lot), and I’m just going to go with it…ergo, no form letter for this post!

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Full Disclosure: I had not read this book in its entirety since its release. This is mostly due to the fact I have been in a grad program and did not have time to read all 759 (paperback) pages last summer, but opted to read my favorite parts (probably 300pages, if i were to guess). So I was uber pumped to reread it and ended up reading it (once again) in one night.

The First (And, Incidentally, Last) Time I Read This Book: This book was released on the same night my friend was getting married. I was in the wedding. Luckily, she (the bride) and many of the bridesmaids were HP fans, and she (the bride) wanted the book for her honeymoon. So she kicked us out of the reception at 11 o’clock so that we could go pick it up at midnight for her. I got home at like one-ish in the morning, read the entire thing, went to the morning-after the wedding brunch then came home and slept. And it was totally worth it.

About J.K.R.: In brief, I do want to note that I think in all the books (but it stands out the most in Deathly Hallows), JKR rewards those who read and love her characters and the world she created. There are tons of people that were introduced throughout the seven books and many of them make some sort of reappearance in the seventh book. Also, there’s a lot of reference back to earlier books (one of my favorite: “Are you a wizard or what?”).  I honestly thing that is one of the reasons I keep rereading these books.

Because: this was the first time i’d really concentrated on the book (hello, the first time i read it i had a deadline for brunch!), I really was able to pick up on a lot I hadn’t before. My favorite part was an amazing exchange between Ginny, Fred and Mrs. Weasley in the Room of Requirement near the end. Ginny wants to fight against Voldemort and declares that she’s in Dumbledore’s Army. Mrs. Weasley exclaims that it’s just a “teenager’s gang.” Fred, however, gave me goosebumps when he said “A teenager’s gang that’s about to take him on, which no one else has dared to do!” (page 604) So amazingly true. I love the many things this statement reflects.

Speaking of Fred: I was heartbroken by his, Hedwig’s and Lupin’s deaths. According to JKR, it was either Lupin or Mr. Weasley, and I do think the right one was killed. (Mr. Weasley is, quite literally, the only stable father figure in the entire series. Plus, with Lupin’s death, she was able to show that an orphan can still be raised with love – which both Voldemort and Harry were not.) But Hedwig and Fred. Man. Not even okay a little bit.

In Conclusion: The HPRC, as always, was a blast. I can’t wait to do it again next summer (without homework!) and see the Deathly Hallows movies. I hope everyone (all 5 of you) goes out and rereads them because they are amazing and awesome

(Editor’s Note: Numbers post to come, but later after work. Also, I wasn’t originally going to do this, and I still might not, but I have a bunch of Harry-related books that I’ve been meaning to read that I may do some write ups on those!)

Prom Dates from Hell

by Rosemary Clement-Moore.

Basic Summary: Maggie is in the home stretch of high school. A few more weeks and she’s onto bigger and better things. Her plan to slide anonymously through the rest of school is sidelined when someone asks her to prom. She says no and all hell breaks loose. Literally. Maggie must use her sleuthing powers to figure out what’s going on or she might actually have to go to prom.

Kell’s Chatty Review: “Prom Dates from Hell” is the first book in the Maggie Quinn: Girl vs. Evil series. I read it based on a rec from another blog (Bookshelves of Doom, I think?) and it was very funny in an intelligent, witty way. (Which I adore) The only problem I had was that it was a little slow (and slightly obvious). However, I still checked out the sequel at the library. So obviously it was pretty decent. It is a really good sleuthing book, though. Loves the intrigue.

Is it worth the read: Would I say you have to read it immediately? No. Would I say give it a chance if you want some effortless fun and laughs and mystery? Yes.

What this book taught me about life: Some chemistry, oddly enough.

Cautionary Tale?: Just to reassure everyone, saying no to prom does not equate demons will start appearing. I said no to prom TWICE and I’m still standing aren’t I? (Unless I’m secretly a demon slayer. Which I’m not. If I were, I doubt I’d be here, chatting up books. Unless is was How To Slay Demons for Dummies.)

What I most want to do after reading this book: Carry salt around. Just in case.

Favorite Passage: Since this was a library book and I had to, you know, return it, I don’t have the specific quote. But let’s just say our heroine was narrating about her chem teacher and his punishment(s) for tardy students. Awesome. 

Re-Readability Rating: 3. Maybe a 4. We’ll see how the rest of the series goes.