Possessions: Nancy Holder

SUMMARY (Courtesy of Borders.com): New-girl Lindsay discovers all is not right at the prestigious Marlwood Academy for Girls. Popular Mandy and her clique are plotting something dangerous. What Lindsay doesn't yet realize is that Mandy and her cohorts are becoming possessed by spirits.

OPIONION: 4 STARS

First off, this ending was maddening! A perfect cliff hanger that will almost guarantee the readers will return- I know I will be. Even with the vast number and kinds of possession and ghost stories, this one was well done and exhilarating. Clues were planted throughout the book of what was happening but never enough for the reader to easily put together the final thing if at all- I admit that I didn’t see some of that stuff coming.

The setting is somewhat typical, particularly with the history of Marlwood but at the same time, things play out in a unique way that makes everything about this story and setting something different. The asylums of the past and the common practice of lobotomies are a lovely addition to this story, even if I have read many haunting type stories related to it. It still gets to me every time because of the very nature of those activities and the ways in which they were done. Having an actual operating theatre where people could watch was an even more brilliant addition into this story.

Lindsay’s character is a perfectly developed on for this plot and for what is to come. She is haunted by things in her past and fighting to keep her breakdown hidden even after it seems like everyone else knows. Things that normal people would worry about sends her into overdrive, making her fear she is having another breakdown. She fights to remain strong, even when it would be alright for her to show weakness. Her desperation to have friends even when she doesn’t know who to trust carries through all age groups but with the way Holder wrote the story, I only found myself once or twice yelling at the book, telling Lindsay she was an idiot. The outcome of her decisions was not often transparent and I many times found myself feeling like I was creeping through the woods with Lindsay or gripped in fear as I made my way through a pitch dark, unknown area.

I look forward to the next installment coming Summer 2010- not only is the ending itself a huge and obvious cliff hanger but there are also a few other events that happened in the book that were never fully explained or answers- including more about Miles as well as the significance of the book in the headmistresses’ office. Even the reasons why the white head that haunts Lindsay from the start appeared- and why it was taken so easily into her room- race through my head and I am eager to find out more about the entire set up.

*Note: This book was an ARC recieved from Razor bill publishers.*

Willow: Julia Hoban

SUMMARY (Courtesy of goodreads.com):

Seven months ago, on a rainy March night, sixteen year- old Willow’s parents died in a horrible car accident. Willow was driving. Now her older brother barely speaks to her, her new classmates know her as the killer orphan girl, and Willow is blocking the pain by secretly cutting herself. But when one boy—one sensitive, soulful boy—discovers Willow’s secret, it sparks an intense relationship that turns the “safe” world Willow has created for herself upside down.
Told in an extraordinary fresh voice, Willow is an unforgettable novel about one girl’s struggle to cope with tragedy, and one boy’s refusal to give up on her.

OPINION: 3 STARS

Overall, not too bad. Sometimes I felt like things moved way too quickly and were disjointed between scenes but Willow's internal struggle and reasonings were well crafted. Its a hard topic and not easily broached but I thought it was done with taste here. It not only showed the effect cutting has on the person doing it and the psychological need for it- as well as the inability to properly explain it and the knowledge that until you are in that dissociated state of mind, it makes no sense- but also the way it effects others. The ending in my opinion was bitter sweet and I really liked the closing line although I felt there wasn't a full sense of closure.

This is one of those books that is mental more than anything which I did like. The writing pulled me in, making me feel what Willow did and I didn't find it repetitive or boring though I know a lot of mental stories tend to do that to readers.

There were a few scenes that were just outright powerful that will stick with me because of the way they were written, the content of them, and their role in the story. Watching Willow grow, both through herself and by interactions with others was moving and I really think this book should be read by any kind of teacher or educator- the cutting content is something many do not understand but it will show how to be helpful and compassionate towards the person rather than judgmental. It isn't just about recognizing the signs of a cutter- it is also about how to approach them and how to help them get past it. Understanding their need and reliance for cutting is the biggest part of the battle and I think this book, whether intentionally or not, will help people to do that.

Catching Fire: Suzanne Collins

SUMMARY (Courtesy of Borders.com)

Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with Peeta Mellark. But it had been a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion.

OPINION: 5 STARS

I actually liked this book better than the first. The idea of the Quarter Qwell was a great addition- another downright cruel activity of the government to keep things going their way and a perfect mimicry of abuse of power. I also like how the different Districts are reacting in response to the one act of rebellion Katniss unknowingly did- and the backlash it is creating not only for her but for those she loves.

But as for Katniss herself- her character bothered me in the first and it did here too. I felt like she just didn't grow and continued to act rashly and illogically. Even in her relationships with Peeta and Gale, I sometimes feel like she isn't really trying to go one way or the other. That particular love triangle, although something often seen in books, is a much needed one in this story I think. It creates tension as well as makes the reader feel for all three involved although because Peeta plays a bigger part in the story, I think most readers will side with him out of ease and access.

This book transforms the story from people trying to survive to the full extent of the tyrannical, oppressive government they live under- and how to fight back on it. The ending played into this perfectly and set the stage for what is likely to be an amazing and explosive final novel and while the first book didn't leave me breathless and eager for the next, this one certainly did.

Fan Art 1 Fan Art 2

The Hunger Games: Suzanne Collins

SUMMARY (Courtesy of Borders.com):

In a futuristic society, the United States is divided into 12 districts, each based on their area's natural product. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen lives in District 12, an area once known as Appalachia. District 12's product is coal. Almost everyone is a miner. It is not a wealthy area. Residents are forced to eat whatever they can find or pay with a chance on their child's life to obtain government surplus foods. Luckily Kat's father taught her how to hunt and gather before he was blown up in a mine explosion. After his death her family depends on her for survival, until the very worst thing happens to them: She is sent to the Hunger Games to represent District 12 in a fight to the death. If she wins, both her family and her district will be rewarded with all the food and wealth they need. Kat is ready to do battle with the wilderness and the other tributes, but she isn't ready to fall in love. What happens when she finds she has feelings for her partner and knows she must kill him...

OPINION: 4 STARS

My first thought on this book was that it was very much like Battle Royale in the basic idea but it has enough of its own spark and flare to make me forget that. The set up of the Games and everything leading up was well done- perfectly cruel and created with a hopeless sense of dread and loss. The way things were written managed to draw me in, making me feel that same sense of worry and fear and even hatred of the overly powerful government that is inflicting this on its constituents.

One thing I really did like was that the lead up to Katniss leaving for the Games did not take a long time, and even the time in the pregame related stuff was not drawn out- everything happened at a good, steady pace. There were some parts of the actual Games that I felt dragged but at the same time, I think it did help the story because it gave a break from the action but not a break from the fear and worry and exhaustion that would come with being forced into the Arena.

Katniss's character, however, did bother me. There were times where I didn't feel like her decisions made sense and she often seemed to have an irritating ability to miss obvious things. However, her decision with the berries was perfect and also set a great stage for the rest of the trilogy although I am not sure where it could go from here.

As far as cliff hanger endings go, this one was only decent in my mind- it didn't leave me completely dying for the next book but it did make me want to keep reading at some point.

Drawing courtesy of Deviantart

Update on My Novel Writing Adventure

Okay so, I figure that this is as good a place as any to post updates about my WIP novel.

My prologue is written but I have yet to go back and do any revising/editing/etc. Kelli and Joni have both read it- Kelli gave me great feedback on things to move around, stuff to expand on etc... I just need to actually do it. She is my critical review person. Joni gave me the more laid back reader opinion- also important, since reader's aren't going to know as much as Kelli and listen to my hours of rambling about it.

Chapter 1: Also written, totaling about 15 pages I think it was but I think it is a great first chapter that will draw in readers. Again, Kelli gave me points to look at- everything I send her is completely raw, fresh off the press with little to no editing/rereading from me. I just sit down and write it, see what comes out, and send it to her. With her suggestions however, I think it really will be a powerful beginning chapter and that pretty much makes me bounce around in excitement.

Chapter 2: I have already cut out about 6 pages of stuff I had written and decided I didn't like. I am on to try 2 and I think it is going well- but still needs a lot more work... but at work this evening, I was mulling over some of the suggestions Kelli gave me for what I have so far and think I have found a great way to make things work and even thought of things for later on in the book or for a later book.

Overall, I think the process is going well considering this has all been accomplished in a week- yep, I have officially been working on this one week and to be honest, I feel amazing about it. Despite having been saying since middle school I was going to be a doctor, I think this is what I was meant to do. I have a real passion for it and I love it. It comes completely naturally for me and for the most part, I am able to stop and start at will.

So, more to come about how this is going. =)

The Ask and the Answer: Patrick Ness

SUMMARY (Courtesy of goodreads.com)

We were in the square, in the square where I'd run, holding her, carrying her, telling her to stay alive, stay alive till we got safe, till we got to Haven so I could save her - But there weren't no safety, no safety at all, there was just him and his men...Fleeing before a relentless army, Todd has carried a desperately wounded Viola right into the hands of their worst enemy, Mayor Prentiss. Immediately separated from Viola and imprisoned, Todd is forced to learn the ways of the Mayor's new order. But what secrets are hiding just outside of town? And where is Viola? Is she even still alive? And who are the mysterious Answer? And then, one day, the bombs begin to explode..."The Ask and the Answer" is a tense, shocking and deeply moving novel of resistance under the most extreme pressure. This is the second title in the "Chaos Walking" trilogy.

OPINION: 5 STARS

This book picked up where the first one left off but also gave you Viola's perspective in multiple chapters. It was great to see things from her side- especially since in this universe, her thoughts are always masked from everyone. There were plenty of new elements added into this book with several twists and surprises thrown in too.

As with the first book, I could see the ties to plenty of events in the world's history- the tyranny, mistreatment of the Spackle, sexism, and plenty mor...more This book picked up where the first one left off but also gave you Viola's perspective in multiple chapters. It was great to see things from her side- especially since in this universe, her thoughts are always masked from everyone. There were plenty of new elements added into this book with several twists and surprises thrown in too.

As with the first book, I could see the ties to plenty of events in the world's history- the tyranny, mistreatment of the Spackle, sexism, and plenty more. The constant use of war for one group to gain what they want is so prevalent through history and in novels but it was done very well in this book.

As a reader, it was hard to decide which side was right and it was even harder to really know what characters to trust. Ness writes in such a way that I fell in love with and pitied a character that I didn't think could gain any kind of positive emotion.

Overall, I enjoyed this book as much as the first one and finished it in just a few days despite work, etc. It is hard to put down and the cliff hanger ending has again left my mind racing with possibilities of where things might go from here.