Flock by Wendy Delsol

Flock 

by Wendy Delsol  

The climactic conclusion of a supernatural romantic trilogy starring a savvy, sharp-tongued heroine who taps into ancient Norse secrets.

After surviving her (shall we say) intense adventure in Iceland, Katla is psyched to be back for a blissfully uneventful senior year of homecoming and fashion explorations. But her hopes of dodging unfinished business are dashed by the arrival of two Icelandic exchange students: Marik, an oddly alluring merman-in-disguise, and Jinky, a tough gypsy girl. It seems Katla not only enraged the Snow Queen by rescuing her boyfriend, Jack, she also was tricked into promising her frail baby sister to the water queen — and Marik has come to collect. What’s worse, Katla doesn’t dare confide in anyone lest she endanger them, so even her soul mate, Jack, is growing suspicious. And now Katla’s stork dreams, her guide for matching babies with mothers, have become strange and menacing as well. Hold on for a thrilling finale as the heroine of Stork and Frost calls on her wits (and her wit) to protect those she loves and face a final mythic disaster.

(summary from goodreads.com) 

 

__________________________________________________ 

An interesting ending to an interesting trilogy. I would say this is one of my "B series" - I like them enough to read, I find them generally creative and interesting, but I don't love them enough to own or reread and I don't haunt amazon until the next one comes out. The very unique premise and the wild mix of other mythological beings made for a fun read, but at some point I wondered if the protagonists were a little TOO blasé about the whole thing? With everything they've dealt with and worried about throughout the series, would little things like school projects and school dances REALLY take center stage? But what I find a little droll probably makes it even more relatable for teens, so these books are perfect for them. The ending bugged me a bit, I was sad for the "sacrifice" that was made and wonder if they will regret it, which I will never know because this is supposedly the last book. Hmm.

Mom note: As a mother of readers, I also want to make a note to myself (and others if they care) why I would or would not have my children read this book, because honestly, sometimes I forget. This is a YA book, so everything is within YA strictures. Violence: mild; Profanity: no; Sex: no

 

Towering by Alex Flinn

Towering

by Alex Flinn 

 

At first, I merely saw his face, his hands on the window ledge. Then, his whole body as he swung himself through the window. Only I could not see what he swung on.
Until, one day, I told my dream self to look down. And it was then that I saw. He had climbed on a rope. I knew without asking that the rope had been one of my own tying.

Rachel is trapped in a tower, held hostage by a woman she’s always called Mama. Her golden hair is growing rapidly, and to pass the time, she watches the snow fall and sings songs from her childhood, hoping someone, anyone, will hear her.

Wyatt needs time to reflect or, better yet, forget about what happened to his best friend, Tyler. That’s why he’s been shipped off to the Adirondacks in the dead of winter to live with the oldest lady in town. Either that, or no one he knows ever wants to see him again.

Dani disappeared seventeen years ago without a trace, but she left behind a journal that’s never been read, not even by her overbearing mother…until now.

A #1 New York Times bestselling author, Alex Flinn knows her fairy tales, and Towering is her most mind-bending interpretation yet. Dark and mysterious, this reimagining of Rapunzel will have readers on the edge of their seats wondering where Alex will take them next!

 

(summary from goodreads.com) 

 

__________________________________________________ 

Something about Beastly engrossed and enamored me and I have read almost every other Flinn book to recapture that feeling. Alas, it has been a mostly disappointing quest. This was a cute book, Flinn always has a creative mix of fairytale and contemporary teen, but it was no Beastly. So far I haven't loved any Flinn books that don't feature Kendra …

Mom note: As a mother of readers, I also want to make a note to myself (and others if they care) why I would or would not have my children read this book, because honestly, sometimes I forget. This is a YA book, so everything is within YA strictures. Violence: mild; Profanity: no; Sex: no, but occasional innuendo

 

 

The Lost Prince by Julie Kagawa

The Lost Prince 

by Julie Kagawa 

 

Don’t look at Them. Never let Them know you can see Them.

That is Ethan Chase’s unbreakable rule. Until the fey he avoids at all costs—including his reputation—begin to disappear, and Ethan is attacked. Now he must change the rules to protect his family. To save a girl he never thought he’d dare to fall for.

Ethan thought he had protected himself from his older sister’s world—the land of Faery. His previous time in the Iron Realm left him with nothing but fear and disgust for the world Meghan Chase has made her home, a land of myth and talking cats, of magic and seductive enemies. But when destiny comes for Ethan, there is no escape from a danger long, long forgotten.

 

(summary from goodreads.com) 

 

__________________________________________________ 

A fun continuation of the Iron Fey books, but at the same time it's own series. A new main character, a few other fabulous new characters, nice glimpses of our favorites Ash and Puck (and fine, I guess Meghan too. Ha!) Anyway, I like that the two main leads are both human. Kind of nice change of pace for a paranormal.

Mom note: As a mother of readers, I also want to make a note to myself (and others if they care) why I would or would not have my children read this book, because honestly, sometimes I forget. This is a YA book, so everything is within YA strictures. Violence: moderate Profanity: no; Sex: no

 

 

Crash by Lisa McMann

Crash

by Lisa McMann  

If what you see is what you get, Jules is in serious trouble. The suspenseful first of four books from the New York Times bestselling author of the Wake trilogy.

Jules lives with her family above their restaurant, which means she smells like pizza most of the time and drives their double-meatball-shaped food truck to school. It’s not a recipe for popularity, but she can handle that.

What she can’t handle is the recurring vision that haunts her. Over and over, Jules sees a careening truck hit a building and explode...and nine body bags in the snow.

The vision is everywhere—on billboards, television screens, windows—and she’s the only one who sees it. And the more she sees it, the more she sees. The vision is giving her clues, and soon Jules knows what she has to do. Because now she can see the face in one of the body bags, and it’s someone she knows. Someone she has been in love with for as long as she can remember.

In this riveting start to a gripping series from New York Times bestselling author Lisa McMann, Jules has to act—and act fast—to keep her vision from becoming reality.

(summary from goodreads.com) 

 

__________________________________________________ 

Absolutely loved it, awesome book. It was lighter than McMann's normal fare, but still fast paced with a lot of serious undertones. If Romeo and Juliet took place in a pizza parlor, and had a better ending, Shakespeare would have written this book. And if Juliet saw visions … I loved how Jules didn't mope through the whole book, took charge of what was happening to her, and didn't let boy troubles turn her into a wuss. Honestly, I also loved the length. So many books are tomes when they don't need to be. This was a nice and quick 200 page read - I can't wait for the next one! I already love the twist that will hopefully make the 2nd book not fall into the Rut of the Second Book.

Mom note: As a mother of readers, I also want to make a note to myself (and others if they care) why I would or would not have my children read this book, because honestly, sometimes I forget. This is a YA book, so everything is within YA strictures. Violence: mild; Profanity: moderate; Sex: mild

 

Ten Things We did (and Probably Shouldn't Have) by Sarah Mlynowski

Ten Things We Did (and Probably Shouldn't Have)

by Sarah Mlynowski 

 

2 girls + 3 guys + 1 house - parents = 10 things April and her friends did that they (definitely, maybe, probably) shouldn't have.
If given the opportunity, what sixteen-year-old wouldn't jump at the chance to move in with a friend and live parent-free? Although maybe "opportunity" isn't the right word, since April had to tell her dad a tiny little untruth to make it happen (see #1: "Lied to Our Parents"). But she and her housemate Vi are totally responsible and able to take care of themselves. How they ended up "Skipping School" (#3), "Throwing a Crazy Party" (#8), "Buying a Hot Tub" (#4), and, um, "Harboring a Fugitive" (#7) at all is kind of a mystery to them.
In this hilarious and bittersweet tale, Sarah Mlynowski mines the heart and mind of a girl on her own for the first time. To get through the year, April will have to juggle a love triangle, learn to do her own laundry, and accept that her carefully constructed world just might be falling apart . . . one thing-she-shouldn't-have-done at a time.

(summary from goodreads.com) 

 

__________________________________________________ 

And then there are the books that make me wonder how they got on my fairly extensive "to read" list in the first place. This book felt like a PSA for teen sex. The main character grows a lot, learns a lot, realizes that the responsibilities of an adult are more then she expected, but it's also about completely clueless adults and (hopefully) unrealistic situations. This was on my list several times, and I have no idea HOW … I certainly expected something different.

Mom note: As a mother of readers, I also want to make a note to myself (and others if they care) why I would or would not have my children read this book, because honestly, sometimes I forget. This is a YA book, so everything is within YA strictures. Violence: mild; Profanity: yes; Sex: yes

 

The Book of Broken Hearts by Sarah Ockler

The Book of Broken Hearts

by Sarah Ockler  

 

When all signs point to heartbreak, can love still be a rule of the road? A poignant and romantic novel from the author of Bittersweet and Twenty Boy Summer.

Jude has learned a lot from her older sisters, but the most important thing is this: The Vargas brothers are notorious heartbreakers. She’s seen the tears and disasters that dating a Vargas boy can cause, and she swore an oath—with candles and a contract and everything—to never have anything to do with one.

Now Jude is the only sister still living at home, and she’s spending the summer helping her ailing father restore his vintage motorcycle—which means hiring a mechanic to help out. Is it Jude’s fault he happens to be cute? And surprisingly sweet? And a Vargas?

Jude tells herself it’s strictly bike business with Emilio. Her sisters will never find out, and Jude can spot those flirty little Vargas tricks a mile away—no way would she fall for them. But Jude’s defenses are crumbling, and if history is destined to repeat itself, she’s speeding toward some serious heartbreak…unless her sisters were wrong?

Jude may have taken an oath, but she’s beginning to think that when it comes to love, some promises might be worth breaking.

 

(summary from goodreads.com) 

 

__________________________________________________ 

When I try out a new author I've been encouraged to read, I'll usually try at least two books. Sometimes it's hard to judge an author on just one book - some are fabulous, others written by the same hand just kind of miss the mark. This was my first Ockler, and of the two I've now read I will summarize her as a teen author who writes sweet stories about girls going through trials that end happily. Her writing doesn't grip me, I'm never really immersed in her stories, but they were still entertaining books. I liked the realism of the challenges Jude dealt with and loved the sister relationships in this book.

Mom note: As a mother of readers, I also want to make a note to myself (and others if they care) why I would or would not have my children read this book, because honestly, sometimes I forget. This is a YA book, so everything is within YA strictures. Violence: mild; Profanity: moderate; Sex: moderate

 

 

Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler

Bittersweet

by Sarah Ockler 

Once upon a time, Hudson knew exactly what her future looked like. Then a betrayal changed her life, and knocked her dreams to the ground. Now she’s a girl who doesn’t believe in second chances... a girl who stays under the radar by baking cupcakes at her mom’s diner and obsessing over what might have been.

So when things start looking up and she has another shot at her dreams, Hudson is equal parts hopeful and terrified. Of course, this is also the moment a cute, sweet guy walks into her life... and starts serving up some seriously mixed signals. She’s got a lot on her plate, and for a girl who’s been burned before, risking it all is easier said than done.

It’s time for Hudson to ask herself what she really wants, and how much she’s willing to sacrifice to get it. Because in a place where opportunities are fleeting, she knows this chance may very well be her last...

(summary from goodreads.com) 

 

__________________________________________________ 

Cute story, I felt like I was plunged into the set of Cutting Edge, which isn't a bad thing since I was obsessed with the movie eons ago. I liked the characters, I liked the story, I liked the setting, but it was a little too … lackluster, I guess … to completely adore it. A quick easy read geared more for teens than an old married lady. Shocking. Though it did make me crave cupcakes through the whole entire book ...

Mom note: As a mother of readers, I also want to make a note to myself (and others if they care) why I would or would not have my children read this book, because honestly, sometimes I forget. This is a YA book, so everything is within YA strictures. Violence: mild; Profanity: maybe no?; Sex: second base

 

 

Going Vintage by Lindsey Leavitt

Going Vintage

by Lindsey Leavitt  

 

When Mallory’s boyfriend, Jeremy, cheats on her with an online girlfriend, Mallory decides the best way to de-Jeremy her life is to de-modernize things too. Inspired by a list of goals her grandmother made in1962, Mallory swears off technology and returns to a simpler time (when boyfriends couldn’t cheat with computer avatars). The List:
1. Run for pep club secretary
2. Host a fancy dinner party/soiree
3. Sew a dress for Homecoming
4. Find a steady
5. Do something dangerous
But simple proves to be crazy-complicated, and the details of the past begin to change Mallory’s present. Add in a too-busy grandmother, a sassy sister, and the cute pep-club president–who just happens to be her ex’s cousin–and soon Mallory begins to wonder if going vintage is going too far.

 

(summary from goodreads.com) 

 

__________________________________________________ 

Super cute, though right on the edge of what I feel is too adolescent to enjoy. I really liked the sister relationship in this book, enjoyed the "social experiment" (and think maybe more teens and adults need to occasionally go a week without technology), and loved how the main plot was about a girl finding herself and weaning herself from depending on boys to give her self worth. I liked how it was revealed that her Grandma didn't have the idyllic high school experience she assumed she had. And funny, the last book I read with "vintage" in the title also talked about cupcake dresses. How fun if a high school had an early 60's themed prom.

Mom note: As a mother of readers, I also want to make a note to myself (and others if they care) why I would or would not have my children read this book, because honestly, sometimes I forget. This is a YA book, so everything is within YA strictures. Violence: none; Profanity: no; Sex: lots of "making out", mention of grandmother's "love child"

 

 

Ruins by Orson Scott Card

Ruins

by Orson Scott Card

 

When Rigg and his friends crossed the Wall between the only world they knew and a world they could not imagine, he hoped he was leading them to safety. But the dangers in this new wallfold are more difficult to see. Rigg, Umbo, and Param know that they cannot trust the expendable, Vadesh ? a machine shaped like a human, created to deceive ? but they are no longer certain that they can even trust one another. But they will have little choice. Because although Rigg can decipher the paths of the past, he can't yet see the horror that lies ahead: A destructive force with deadly intentions is hurtling toward Garden. If Rigg, Umbo, and Param can't work together to alter the past, there will be no future.

 

(summary from goodreads.com) 

 

__________________________________________________ 

It took me a long time to gear up the interest/stamina to read this book. I knew I would like it, I knew it would be interesting, but I also knew it would be more intellectually challenging than my normal fare. I am happy with cotton candy-esque books - sugar fluff for the brain. I read for entertainment and escape. Rather than a quickly-devoured-because-it's-mostly-air-book, Card writes books that are closer to Paninis. Hmm. No, not paninis, those are pretty scrumptious. Maybe more like steak. Yes! Card's books remind me of a good steak. Takes a while to tackle it, tougher to get through, meatier, which is a nice change of pace. Hmm, wonder why I'm hungry now …

Anyway, moving on. Ruins was a great continuation of his Pathfinder series, which he will hopefully bring to a nice happy close eventually, unlike many of his other series. (Card is an exceptionally poor closer.) The deeper I got into this book the more I thought it was designed to be a sci-fi writer's playground - Card gave himself 19 completely separate, 11,000 year old cultures to play with. The first two books only cover four of them, and each are wildly different. I have a feeling he will have way too much fun with the remaining 14 societies. There was a way too long episode of "Ron Weasley from the Goblet of Fire", but thankfully by at least the end of the book it was resolved. I still like Rigg, (hooray he's finally 16! I can only stay interested in a 13 year old boy for so long …) hopefully the surprise at the end of this book doesn't ruin him for me. There were some discrepancies between the epilogue of Pathfinder and this book, discrepancies that were never really resolved or even discussed, which was irritating, I'm not a huge fan of the "facemasks," I'm getting a little sick of all the miscommunication and falsehoods and manipulations, and just want to know WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON. But I liked the book and I'm hoping for a nice, neat, happy ending in the next book. HOPING. But not really expecting.

Mom note: As a mother of readers, I also want to make a note to myself (and others if they care) why I would or would not have my children read this book, because honestly, sometimes I forget. This is a YA book, so everything is within YA strictures. Violence: moderate; Profanity: no; Sex: innuendos

 

 

A Corner of White by Jaclyn Moriarty

A Corner of White

by Jaclyn Moriarty

 

Madeleine Tully lives in Cambridge, England, the World – a city of spires, Isaac Newton and Auntie’s Tea Shop.

Elliot Baranski lives in Bonfire, the Farms, the Kingdom of Cello – where seasons roam, the Butterfly Child sleeps in a glass jar, and bells warn of attacks from dangerous Colours.

They are worlds apart – until a crack opens up between them; a corner of white – the slim seam of a letter.

A mesmerising story of two worlds; the cracks between them, the science that binds them and the colours that infuse them.

 

 

(summary from goodreads.com) 

 

__________________________________________________ 

A sometimes strange mix of whimsy and harsh reality, fantasy and contemporary. It worked sometimes but other times was just a little weird. It was like I was reading two books at the same time from completely different genres, but the main characters occasionally communicated. This is a hard book for me to review - I still don't know what I thought of it. I liked it, I will read the next one in what will inevitably be a series, and I liked the characters, but I wasn't completely caught up and enamored with the story.

Mom note: As a mother of readers, I also want to make a note to myself (and others if they care) why I would or would not have my children read this book, because honestly, sometimes I forget. This is a YA book, so everything is within YA strictures. Violence: mild; Profanity: no; Sex: no

 

Gone by Lisa McMann

Gone

by Lisa McMann  

 

Janie thought she knew what her future held. And she thought she’d made her peace with it. But she can’t handle dragging Cabel down with her. She knows he will stay with her, despite what she sees in his dreams. He’s amazing. And she’s a train wreck. Janie sees only one way to give him the life he deserves—she has to disappear. And it’s going to kill them both.

Then a stranger enters her life--and everything unravels. The future Janie once faced now has an ominous twist, and her choices are more dire than she’d ever thought possible. She alone must decide between the lesser of two evils. And time is running out....

 

 

 

 

(summary from goodreads.com) 

 

__________________________________________________ 

I read this book because I needed closure. Poor miserable Janie, poor loyal Cabel. This book gave me a little closure, at least they both ended in a good place, but the main problem was never solved. Irritating. I liked seeing more of Janie's background, I liked Cabel realistically trying to deal with the serious problems facing them, but the language was absolutely terrible and a huge turn off.

Mom note: As a mother of readers, I also want to make a note to myself (and others if they care) why I would or would not have my children read this book, because honestly, sometimes I forget. This is a YA book, so everything is within YA strictures. Violence: mild, Profanity: YES YES YES, Sex: yes

 

 

Dead Silence by Kimberly Derting

Dead Silence

by Kimberly Derting 

 

Violet thought she’d made peace with her unique ability to sense the echoes of the dead and the imprints that cling to their killers…that is until she acquired an imprint of her own. Forced to carry a reminder of the horrible events of her kidnapping, Violet is more determined than ever to lead a normal life. However, the people who run the special investigative team Violet works for have no intention of letting her go.

When someone close to Violet becomes a suspect in a horrific murder, she finds herself pulled into a deadly hunt for a madman with an army of devoted followers. Violet has survived dangerous situations before, but she quickly discovers that protecting those closest to her is far more difficult than protecting herself.

 

(summary from goodreads.com) 

 

__________________________________________________ 

Hmm. I'm not actually sure what to think about this one - I've loved the previous three, a good mix of macabre and normal life, and I've always loved how she has excerpts from the killer before each chapter, and both held true for this book. I like how her parents knew (mostly) what is going on - too many YAs (especially paranormal) have the adults completely in the dark. But I think I wanted … more. I just felt like this book was more of the same. Yes, there was a little plot progression, but too little. And I also wanted less - less relationship drama (this is the FOURTH book, for goodness sake), less angst about what's going on (this is the FOURTH book, for goodness sake). Anyway, an entertaining series, but I'm starting to feel like it. will. never. end. I'm losing interest …

Mom note: As a mother of readers, I also want to make a note to myself (and others if they care) why I would or would not have my children read this book, because honestly, sometimes I forget. This is a YA book, so everything is within YA strictures. Violence: yes Profanity: yes Sex hard to say - some ambiguous "fade to blacks" 

 

Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor

Days of Blood & Starlight

by Laini Taylor  

 

Once upon a time, an angel and a devil fell in love and dared to imagine a world free of bloodshed and war.

This is not that world.

Art student and monster's apprentice Karou finally has the answers she has always sought. She knows who she is—and what she is. But with this knowledge comes another truth she would give anything to undo: She loved the enemy and he betrayed her, and a world suffered for it.

In this stunning sequel to the highly acclaimed Daughter of Smoke & Bone, Karou must decide how far she'll go to avenge her people. Filled with heartbreak and beauty, secrets and impossible choices, Days of Blood & Starlight finds Karou and Akiva on opposing sides as an age-old war stirs back to life.

While Karou and her allies build a monstrous army in a land of dust and starlight, Akiva wages a different sort of battle: a battle for redemption. For hope.

But can any hope be salvaged from the ashes of their broken dream?

 

(summary from goodreads.com)

__________________________________________________ 

If you liked the first book, just save yourself some anguish and wait until the 3rd book is out before you read this one. Seriously, I think I just might stop reading 2nd books all together. This was a heart wrenching book, even grittier than the first one, with characters you care about mostly miserable for all 500 pages. Unlike some 2nd books, this one at least goes somewhere and accomplishes something, but I yearned (pleaded, demanded) for a little more happiness. Zuzana and Mik were the lone bright plots of this book - they were fabulous and I loved every bit of them - without them it would have been 500 pages of darkness. I have a feeling this author could go either way with the romantic plot, I hope it's an ending I'm happy with. I'll let you know … when it's finally out … way far away in 2014.

Mom note: As a mother of readers, I also want to make a note to myself (and others if they care) why I would or would not have my children read this book, because honestly, sometimes I forget. This is a YA book, so everything is within YA strictures. Violence: yes Profanity: yes Sex: yes

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

Daughter of Smoke and Bone

by Laini Taylor 

 

Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.

In a dark and dusty shop, a devil’s supply of human teeth grown dangerously low.

And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherwordly war.

Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she’s prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she’s about to find out.

When one of the strangers—beautiful, haunted Akiva—fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?

 

(summary from goodreads.com) 

 

__________________________________________________ 

This author tells a completely different story each time I pick up one of her books! This tale is grittier and harder than the rest, but still intrigued me with it's amazing and fantastic world building. One of the most enjoyable "angel" books I've read. Much more intense and detailed than your standard YA book, I really liked it.

Mom note: As a mother of readers, I also want to make a note to myself (and others if they care) why I would or would not have my children read this book, because honestly, sometimes I forget. This is a YA book, so everything is within YA strictures. Violence: yes Profanity: yes Sex: yes