Book Review: Crash Test Love by Ted Michaels

SUMMARY: The last thing Henry Arlington wants is a girlfriend. He's just very, very good with girls—reading their body language, knowing what they want to hear, and more importantly: getting them into the backseat of his car. But all that changes when he meets Garrett Lennox at one of the many Sweet Sixteen parties he crashes.

Garrett thinks she's done with guys. She was dumped by her ex when she moved from Chicago to Long Island, and now she realizes that she needs to find out who she is by herself, instead of with a boyfriend. What she really needs is some good friends.

Fortunately for Garrett, the J Squad—the "it" girls of East Shore High School—want her in their clique. All she has to do is pass one little test: get East Shore god Henry Arlington to take her to one of the biggest Sweet Sixteens of the year, then dump him in front of everyone.

Garrett has promised herself not to fall for another guy, so playing with Henry's heart shouldn't be hard. Right?

And Henry doesn't fall for girls, so when he and Garrett start to click, it doesn't matter. Does it?
As William Shakespeare once said, "Love is blind," or in this case, the lovers may be, as Henry and Garrett fall in love—and into the trap that awaits them. Because neither of them can even begin to see what the girls of Henry Arlington's past have in store.


OPINION: 4 STARS

From the premise alone, this book seems like it's lighthearted but Michaels does a fantastic job mixing in emotion and drama without taking away from the fun overall nature. The split narrative gives perfect insight to both Henry and Garrett and builds a connection to both for the reader. Also notable is the way the reader will side with and root for both characters even when they are on opposing sides because of the great voice Michaels gives them.

Henry comes off as a cocky jerk and a heartbreaker, only caring about sex and one night stands but it is clear even early on there is much more to this boy. From problems in his home life to simply how he's become, there are much deepeer lays to Henry that Michaels reveals steadily throughout. Henry uses very corny lines that are laughable but still effective but the drastic way he changes in the way he acts and feels after one meeting with Garrett is a strong driving point for this book. There is also a strong contrast between the way Henry acts around his two best friends- boys I couldn't help but think of Rosencrants and Guildenstern every time they sauntered onto the pages with their love of girls, stupid comments, and fantastic banter- and who he starts to be with Garrett.

Garrett shares a chemistry with Henry that is clear from the start and complicates the entire situation. Her motivations are clear cut and provided throughout but the volatile nature of relationships and emotions interfere with any initial intentions. Garrett is, at her core, a sweet, kind hearted person and this overdrives many others things she does. Though she could be considered a jerk for agreeing to set Henry up, Michaels pitches the scenario in a way to keep her sympathetic.

The plot plays out at a steady pace with a rubber band type motion that gives and takes between Henry and Garrett. Their quips and flirting are fantastic to read but more notable is the way they act when all pretenses are dropped and it is really just the two of them. The reader sees much more insight into both characters in these moments and feels the same despair as Garrett over what she ultimately intends to do to Henry.

As things progress, Michaels keeps the focus unbiased, giving equal time and spotlight to both characters. Even the final climax gives both perspectives as does the tapering off and fall out. The ending is hard to predict and absolutely memorable and fitting for the story. I completely applaud Michaels for the way he played everything out. Great characters with strong development, fantastic side characters that add plenty of amusement and driving points for the plot, and a great narrative and voice make Crash Test Love a cute but still thought provoking read.

Details:
Source: ARC received from publisher for review
Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers; 1 edition (June 8, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0385735804
ISBN-13: 978-0385735803

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine.

This week's pick is Dark Song by Gail Giles coming September 7, 2010 from Little, Brown.

Summary: Mark said he heard the dark song when he creeped houses. The song the predator's heart sings when it hears the heart of the prey. I heard it now. Mark said it had always been in me. Lurking. Waiting for me to hear.

Ames is not the person she was a few months ago. Her father lost his job, and her family is crumbling apart. Now, all she has is Marc. Marc, who loves her more than anything. Marc, who owns a gun collection. And he'll stop at nothing--even using his guns--to get what he wants. Ames feels her parents have betrayed her with their lies and self-absorption, but is she prepared to make the ultimate betrayal against them?

My Thoughts: First off, I find this cover fascinating; it is beautiful with only hints of the dark, deadly nature of the premise. I have read one of Giles' books before, Right Behind You, and thoroughly enjoyed it. It was raw and thought provoking and I think Dark Song will hold the same air. Giles pushes the envelope and I certainly cannot wait to read this one. The idea seems simple but the ramifications and paths it could take are endless and if it follows like the style of Right Behind You, it will be a huge delve into Ames' character as well as unpredictable.

Book Review: Ni'il- The Awakening by James Boyle

SUMMARY:

When several people are brutally killed in the town of Placerton, on the isolated Oregon coast, most locals think a rogue bear or cougar is roaming the forested hills near town. Police Chief Dan Connor is not so sure. He has witnessed some very strange things lately, such as disembodied voices, muttering a strange foreign language and an old Indian man who seems to be near every crime scene, but disappears before he can be questioned.Dan's investigation takes him to the local Sihketunnai Indians and their legend of the Ni'il, magical shamans charged with maintaining the balance between humans and the natural world. According to the elders, one of the Ni'il is responsible for the murders and intends to kill everyone in the community. It is Dan's job to stop it.It sounded unbelievable, but was the only explanation that fit the facts.As a violent Pacific storm crashes ashore, cutting off power and washing out roads-cutting the town off from the outside world--Dan finds himself entering a strange world of myth and magic that was not covered in his police training. He must use all his wits and new-found powers to save himself and his community from the Ni'il.

OPINION: 4 STARS

Uniquely presented and a great blend of reality with supernatural, Ni'il is a new take on the murder mystery. Though the actual culprits are told in the book summary, the way it plays out, their actual motives, and the way others are involved are unraveled in a very interesting way. Incorporating Indian legends with his own take, Boyle presents both a thought provoking and entertaining tale.

Though Ni'il is written in third person, the central focus is on Dan, the Police Chief. A widower but still a great man, Dan is a very enjoyable character. He has a strong set of personal values and respect and though he still misses his wife, he continues to protect the small town he lives in. Adding to the overall appeal of his character is the way his mind works, particularly at a crime scene. He can go past the evidence and see things others don't and Boyle presents Dan in a way that makes it engaging and interesting to watch the entire story play out. Despite his age, his character still shows great strides in development and the reader can see the shift in the way he thinks and sees the world.

Stephanie works in Dan's office as a receptionist and though she is ten years younger, she does draw his attention. The clear spark between them is present early on, despite the age and employment status. This romantic element does add something to the book and breaks up the tension and growing danger. The two have many cute exchanges, both reverting to awkwardness and shyness. It is a very great element to add because despite their ages and experiences, it's two people just figuring out the feelings are mutual but still unsure how to proceed. Adding to the strength of her character is the story of her past, revealed in bits and helping to build her in the reader's eyes. The way Dan reacts to everything also is a testament to his character and Boyle does a remarkable job developing and portraying both.

Several of the crime scenes are graphic and grotesque though Boyle doesn't hark in excess on them. His descriptions are to the point and get the full setting across without it being a turn off. His writing style is a mix of descriptive and aloof in that some parts waste no time in getting through the scene and letting the reader know what's happened while others go more in depth and paint a greater picture. There are several scenes that are beautifully written despite the wrenching or graphic nature, intermixing beauty and small detail with the overall air.

The plot itself is a really inventive one and the effort Boyle put into the entire thing comes through quite clearly. He has mixed several elements and used an array of characters to play everything out. There are numerous twists and puzzles throughout the book, some of which could be predicted but the majority come from left field and reignite interest. Boyle also incorporates many dream sequences in the book and though that could be considered cliche, it plays into the Indian legend aspect of the book and the analysis on the characters' parts of the dreams adds another level.

Ni'il has several arcs and elements to it, all of which are tied together with an overall air of smoothness. The writing holds it up and the characters are in depth and highly relateable. With a fantastic idea and strong execution, Ni'il is a certainly a book to pick up for the romance, murder mystery, and great characters.

Details:
Source: Copy received from author for review as part of a Pump Up Your Book promotional tour Paperback: 216 pages
Publisher: IUniverse (December 2, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1440108676
ISBN-13: 978-1440108679

Author Interview + Contest: Maggie Stiefvater

Maggie Stiefvater- yes, the amazing author of Shiver and Linger- has been gracious enough to answer a few questions in honor of Linger. What's not to love about this book? More Sam and Grace... not to mention sexy Cole who is new. If you haven't gotten to read this yet, shame on you! Okay, kidding. You're actually in luck- stay tuned for a way to win a copy of this great book! If you missed it, you can also check out my review of this book here.

If you could pair Grace and Sam with any character from any books (romantically or otherwise, your pick), what would be your pick and why?

I think Sam would make an excellent replacement for Robin in the Batman movies. He and Batman are both so angsty they would be great drinking buddies.

Of all the wolves we've met in Shiver and meet in Linger, which is your favorite to write and develop?

As a writer, the most rewarding thing for me is to write a character who changes a lot from the beginning of a book to the end, so I have to say, I’ve been loving writing Cole’s character. He has a pretty dramatic character arc through the series. Plus, he’s snarky, which is always entertaining.

What is the most fearless thing you've done to date?

Built a clone army. Hid a tiger cub in the closet of my master bedroom. Bought a ’73 Camaro with only a limited knowledge of how to change spark plugs. Well, one of those is true.

If you could step into someone else's shoes for a day, who's life would you like to experience?

Alfred the Great. Don’t ask, okay? It’s just better not to know.

What kind of cookie would you describe yourself as?

One of those NYC black and white cookies. Because I am just a mess of walking contradictions. In fact, my middle name is Dichotomy.

Want a little more about Linger and Maggie? Check out the video trailer she made, her website and her blog.

To win a copy of Linger, courtesy of the great people at Scholastic, fill out this form. US only. Contest ends August 3 at 6 pm CST.

Author Interview: James Boyle

Dropping by today is James Boyle, author of Ni'il: The Awakening, a blending of legend and fiction focused around Indian shamans charged with keeping the balance between humans and the natural world- and committing murder in a small town to ensure it is maintained.

In the book, it is a recent string of strange things that makes the Police Chief question whether the killings are the result of an animal. What is one of the strangest things that you've experienced?

When I was in college at the U of Oregon, I had to walk past the student union to get from my dorm to the classroom buildings. One bright spring day, a lovely young lady approached me. She had long blond hair and was wearing a simple dress. "Excuse me," she asked me. "Have you seen a white rabbit around here." The look on my face must have betrayed my thoughts because she pointed to the student day care center. "The children's pet rabbit got out of its cage. We're trying to find it." I told her that I had seen no rabbit. She thanked me and went about her search. I continued on to my class. In the classroom, I settled into a desk, and took a moment to survey the generations of graffitit previous students had carved into the desk's wooden surface. There, written in pen, was the following inscription: "Alice in Wonderland is alive and well and living in Eugene, Oregon."

I never saw the girl again.

If you were told local killings are the result of the Ni'il, how would you react?

Like most people. "Yeah. Right. Whatever." But then, because I do have a bit of an open mind, I would ask them for proof.

There are several arcs to this book- which line was the most fun for you to write?

Definitely the chess game between ni'ilaquo and Dan and Stephanie. It was fun because I wanted each move to surprise the reader as much as it did the characters, yet I wanted to keep each move in keeping with some sort of logic. For example, why didn't the monster just kill them early on when it clearly could? There had to be an explanation that made sense. (At least to me.)

What is the most private thing you're willing to share here?

I suffer, at least a little bit, from social anxiety disorder. Though I enjoy the company of others, I am much more comfortable in solitude.

What kind of cake or confection would you describe yourself as?

Chocolate-covered ants. At first, I can be something of a nasty surprise; but then, once you give me a chance, you find out it's really pretty good.

Thanks again, James! Be sure to stop by tomorrow for my review of this book!

Book Review: Crossing The Tracks by Barbara Stuber

SUMMARY:

At fifteen, Iris is a hobo of sorts -- no home, no family, no direction. After her mother’s early death, Iris’s father focuses on big plans for his new shoe stores and his latest girlfriend, and has no time for his daughter. Unbeknownst to her, he hires Iris out as housekeeper and companion for a country doctor’s elderly mother. Suddenly Iris is alone, stuck in gritty rural Missouri, too far from her only friend Leroy and too close to a tenant farmer, Cecil Deets, who menaces the neighbors and, Iris suspects, his own daughter.

Iris is buoyed by the warmth and understanding the doctor and his mother show her, but just as she starts to break out of her shell, tragedy strikes. Iris must find the guts and cunning to take aim at the devil incarnate and discover if she is really as helpless—or as hopeless—as she once believed.

Lyrical, yet humorous, Barbara Stuber’s debut novel is the unforgettable story of a girl who struggles to cast aside her long-standing grief and doubt and, in the span of one dusty summer, learn to trust, hope, and—ultimately—love.


OPINION: 5 STARS

Crossing the Tracks is a beautiful coming of story set in the 1920s but written in a way that will resonate with readers today. Iris is a strong character undergoing many changes and Stuber plays them out both age and time appropriately. Incorporating letters to further tell the story adds a welcomed element as well and shows more insight into the characters.

Iris has had an unusual upbringing, particularly for the time, as she lost her mother at an early age. Now at fifteen, she's aware that her relationship with her father is less than ideal. Stuber handles her emotions and reactions with an expert hand, using care but still pushing Iris through the needed events. She is a character who is easy to understand and empathize with, and she is also intelligent and sharp witted. With a soft sense of humor and a few unexpected reactions to situations, Iris keeps the reader interested simply by what she's enduring.

Though there are other teenage characters, the majority of Iris' time is spent with Dr. Nesbit's mother. The bond they form is built in an incredible way and reads smoothly. This teen-adult relationship also adds a new element and voice and is one of the most defining features of the book for me. Iris learns things only the elderly can teach us and comes to welcome the small lessons willingly once she understands the kernels of wisdom being offered. Even Dr. Nesbit comes to form a relationship of sorts with Iris and the pair offers far more guidance to Iris than she ever received from her father. The striking contrast between this country doctor who wanted company for his aging mother and Iris' own father helps build much of Iris' character throughout the book

There is a romantic element to this book but is a subplot, remaining low key in both a character and time appropriate manner. Having known Leroy for years from her home town, Iris maintains contact through letters once she is shipped off to the country to live without electricity and on a small farm with the Nesbitts. Though resistant at first, even the letters begin to show Iris' change of heart towards the situation. Her gentle affection towards Leroy is clear from the start and the few times they do see each other after she's moved are tender and endearing. Leroy is a great match for Iris and the strong bond they already share is clear.

The plot itself has a few separate arcs that mingle in a great way to propel the story without pushing the pace too quickly. Much of this story is character growth not only for Iris but those around her. Decisions her father makes are one driving force and possibly the most prominent for Iris as she struggles with her feelings towards him as a result of the way he's always acted around her. An impending marriage furthers this source of tension. The father and daughter pair that live on the Nesbitt's farm and help out also are a strong driving force throughout the book, adding a new source of development and drama. Stuber does a fantastic job combining the elements and arcs and tying everything up in the end to leave the reader with a sense of overall completion.

With an overall air fitting of the time period, a small but strongly defined cast of characters, and a strong writing style that lures the reader into the 1920s, Crossing the Tracks is a great book even for those who are unsure about historical settings. Stuber puts the reader into the setting smoothly; from daily life with no electricity to the more prominent use of body powder, she builds not only her characters but a very strong setting. A blend of drama and humor also tie this book together and make it enjoyable for a range of readers.

Details:
Source: ARC received for review free of charge from the author/publisher
Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 272 pages
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry (July 6, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1416997032
ISBN-13: 978-1416997030

Author's Website