Blackmoore by Julianne Donaldson

Blackmoore

by Julianne Donaldson 

 

Kate Worthington knows her heart and she knows she will never marry. Her plan is to travel to India instead—if only to find peace for her restless spirit and to escape the family she abhors. But Kate’s meddlesome mother has other plans. She makes a bargain with Kate: India, yes, but only after Kate has secured—and rejected—three marriage proposals.

Kate journeys to the stately manor of Blackmoore determined to fulfill her end of the bargain and enlists the help of her dearest childhood friend, Henry Delafield. But when it comes to matters of love, bargains are meaningless and plans are changeable. There on the wild lands of Blackmoore, Kate must face the truth that has kept her heart captive. Will the proposal she is determined to reject actually be the one thing that will set her heart free?

Set in Northern England in 1820, Blackmoore is a Regency romance that tells the story of a young woman struggling to learn how to follow her heart. It is Wuthering Heights meets Little Women with a delicious must-read twist.

(summary from goodreads.com)

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I loved it! Sigh. I love regency romances. This was another delightfully fabulous book by Julianne Donaldson - swoony and pure brain candy and the perfect book to curl up with. I loved her quirky heroine and the romance and the setting. Let's all go visit the moors of England! If you liked the first one you'll love this one. It was all I had hoped for and more. I love romance stories between best friends and I was swept away with the story. A lovely way to spend an afternoon.

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 an adult book, though everything is still within YA strictures. Violence: mild; Profanity: none; Sex: no, regency vague innuendos

 

Crown of Midnight by Sarah Maas

Crown of Midnight

by Sarah J. Maas 

 

An assassin’s loyalties are always in doubt.
But her heart never wavers.

After a year of hard labor in the Salt Mines of Endovier, eighteen-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien has won the king's contest to become the new royal assassin. Yet Celaena is far from loyal to the crown – a secret she hides from even her most intimate confidantes.

Keeping up the deadly charade—while pretending to do the king's bidding—will test her in frightening new ways, especially when she's given a task that could jeopardize everything she's come to care for. And there are far more dangerous forces gathering on the horizon -- forces that threaten to destroy her entire world, and will surely force Celaena to make a choice.

Where do the assassin’s loyalties lie, and who is she most willing to fight for?

 

(summary from goodreads.com)

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I loved it! What an excellent book. Great characters, fabulous story, a plot with twists and turns that progressed a TON despite it being a second book. I loved the different versions of Celaena that I saw - much less frivolity, but still a complex character. I loved the poignancy and the drama and a few parts even bruised my heart. A fabulous continuation of a series I wasn't sure if I would like all that much.

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, tons and tons; Profanity: none; Sex: YES

 

For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund

For Darkness Shows the Stars

by Diana Peterfreund 

 

It's been several generations since a genetic experiment gone wrong caused the Reduction, decimating humanity and giving rise to a Luddite nobility who outlawed most technology.

Elliot North has always known her place in this world. Four years ago Elliot refused to run away with her childhood sweetheart, the servant Kai, choosing duty to her family's estate over love. Since then the world has changed: a new class of Post-Reductionists is jumpstarting the wheel of progress, and Elliot's estate is foundering, forcing her to rent land to the mysterious Cloud Fleet, a group of shipbuilders that includes renowned explorer Captain Malakai Wentforth--an almost unrecognizable Kai. And while Elliot wonders if this could be their second chance, Kai seems determined to show Elliot exactly what she gave up when she let him go.

But Elliot soon discovers her old friend carries a secret--one that could change their society . . . or bring it to its knees. And again, she's faced with a choice: cling to what she's been raised to believe, or cast her lot with the only boy she's ever loved, even if she's lost him forever.

Inspired by Jane Austen's Persuasion, For Darkness Shows the Stars is a breathtaking romance about opening your mind to the future and your heart to the one person you know can break it.

 

(summary from goodreads.com)

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I LOVE Jane Austen's Persuasion - it ties for my favorite Austen, so I was excited to read this book. At the same time, though, I'm fairly leery about most Austen "remakes" - her voice is very difficult to replicate and I think most authors fail miserably. But this wasn't a makeover or a redo - this was a beautiful tribute to a beloved book. Peterfreund took the premise of Persuasion and definitely made it her own. It's billed as a sci-fi book - not my favorite genre, but depends on the author. Happy to say this isn't really a sci-fi book - more dystopian post-apolcalyptic - and an interesting look at what would happen if the Amish ran the world. Kind of. I thought a few pivotal plot points toward the end of the book were rushed and wrapped up too quickly, but that's my only complaint. Elliot ("Anne") deals with a lot more than the original Anne did, has a father who is much worse, and an ex who puts her through a lot more but the poignancy of the story is still there and it was a great read. I love that there is a second book coming out - can't wait to read 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: moderate; Profanity: ??; Sex: reference to masters "taking advantage" of servants, sometimes resulting in pregnancy

The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon

The Bone Season

by Samantha Shannon 

 

It is the year 2059. Several major world cities are under the control of a security force called Scion. Paige Mahoney works in the criminal underworld of Scion London, part of a secret cell known as the Seven Seals. The work she does is unusual: scouting for information by breaking into others’ minds. Paige is a dreamwalker, a rare kind of clairvoyant, and in this world, the voyants commit treason simply by breathing.

But when Paige is captured and arrested, she encounters a power more sinister even than Scion. The voyant prison is a separate city—Oxford, erased from the map two centuries ago and now controlled by a powerful, otherworldly race. These creatures, the Rephaim, value the voyants highly—as soldiers in their army.

Paige is assigned to a Rephaite keeper, Warden, who will be in charge of her care and training. He is her master. Her natural enemy. But if she wants to regain her freedom, Paige will have to learn something of his mind and his own mysterious motives.

The Bone Season introduces a compelling heroine—a young woman learning to harness her powers in a world where everything has been taken from her. It also introduces an extraordinary young writer, with huge ambition and a teeming imagination. Samantha Shannon has created a bold new reality in this riveting debut.

 

(summary from goodreads.com)

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This book felt like a mash up of A Discovery of Witches, The Immortal Rules and The Forest of Hands and Teeth. Even though there were no vampires and no zombies. So I guess not really like them at all! HA! Seriously though, Warden reminded me a lot of Matthew (Discovery), as did the dense world building and details and the structure of the plot. The harsh reality of the world and dystopian feel reminded me of the other two books.

There was a lot of hype surrounding this book and I was pretty excited to read it - it got rave review not only from media in general (ALWAYS taken with a grain of salt) but also one of my favorite book blogs. That said, I enjoyed the book but didn't love it as much as I thought I would. For one thing it was MUCH more complex than I expected, which isn't a bad thing at all but made my reading of it different than I expected. Some reviewers have compared it to Harry Potter, but I couldn't see it. Harry Potter is rich in world building and details and is highly organized, but it is still billed as a children's book about magic. This book's world building was intricate and creative but much more gritty and adult like and so much to take in. Plan to be lost for at least the first 1/4 of the book, but don't worry, it will soon start to make sense. And it is lovely to read a book that makes you think for a change, even if it sometimes give you a headache.

I also wasn't sold on the main romantic entanglement of the book. It didn't build naturally for me and seemed to kind of come out of the blue, even though I expected it because plot-wise of COURSE it would happen. I will definitely read the next in this series, which I heard is going to be seven books long. Yikes! Which is really when I realized I didn't love this book as much as others - the thought of 6 more books like it didn't thrill me to pieces, rather it exhausted me. I wonder if she will change main characters for the next book (always fun) or just stick with Paige. I liked Paige, but the other characters in her "gang" seem to have a lot of potential and we just didn't see as much of them as I would have liked. We'll see …

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: brief but yes

 

The Twice Lost by Sarah Porter

The Twice Lost

by Sarah Porter  

 

Mermaids have been sinking ships and drowning humans for centuries, and now the government is determined to put an end to the mermaid problem—by slaughtering all of them. Luce, a mermaid with exceptionally threatening abilities, becomes their number-one target, hunted as she flees down the coast toward San Francisco.

There she finds hundreds of mermaids living in exile under the docks of the bay. These are the Twice Lost: once-human girls lost first when a trauma turned them into mermaids, and lost a second time when they broke mermaid law and were rejected by their tribes. Luce is stunned when they elect her as their leader. But she won’t be their queen. She’ll be their general. And they will become the Twice Lost Army—because this is war.

 

(summary from goodreads.com)

 

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I didn't like the first book very much, really liked the 2nd, and found this one kind of in-between. I liked the ending and the resolution between friends and mermaids and relationships, but I also thought the book dragged for a LONG time, especially in the middle. The plot seemed to be nearing the end and it still had 200 pages left. Oh me oh my, it was way too long. I was also distracted several times by the writing - either too cheesy, or forced silliness, or out of the blue formality - it just seemed awkward. There were life and death issues and then random teenage silliness and relationship angst, which usually is great and lightens things up but kind of bugged me this time around. So … interesting premise, nice closure, never really loved the romance but that's okay, not a series I'll reread.

 

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: heavy; Profanity: can't remember, possible; Sex: moderate

 

The Diviners by Libba Bray

The Diviners

by Libba Bray 

 

Evie O’Neill has been exiled from her boring old hometown and shipped off to the bustling streets of New York City—and she is pos-i-tute-ly ecstatic. It’s 1926, and New York is filled with speakeasies, Ziegfeld girls, and rakish pickpockets. The only catch is that she has to live with her uncle Will and his unhealthy obsession with the occult.

Evie worries he’ll discover her darkest secret: a supernatural power that has only brought her trouble so far. But when the police find a murdered girl branded with a cryptic symbol and Will is called to the scene, Evie realizes her gift could help catch a serial killer.

As Evie jumps headlong into a dance with a murderer, other stories unfold in the city that never sleeps. A young man named Memphis is caught between two worlds. A chorus girl named Theta is running from her past. A student named Jericho hides a shocking secret. And unknown to all, something dark and evil has awakened.

 

(summary from goodreads.com)

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Someday there will be breaking news - Author Libba Bray actually two authors! And I will think - ah, NOW it makes sense. There are a few Libba Bray books (okay, maybe only one) that are silly and hilarious and a wild ride (Beauty Queens, SO FUNNY), and others that are dark and mystical and deep, with not much the same between the two. This book falls into the latter category, which isn't my favorite of the two styles Bray writes in. It reminded me a lot of her series "A Great and Terrible Beauty" which honestly lost my interest mid-2nd book and never recovered. I loved the setting (more books need to be set in the 20s! Fun!) but thought it was a little long winded and awfully dark through most of that long windedness. I liked the characters but also thought it was a little too adult/serious/violent for a teen book, despite most of the main characters being 17. I'll probably give the 2nd book a try, we'll see if I make it through the whole thing.

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, ick; Profanity: ??; Sex: yes, mostly married but abusive

 

The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

The 5th Wave

by Rick Yancey

 

The Passage meets The Hunger Games in a gripping new series from Carnegie-shortlisted Rick Yancey. After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one. Now, it's the dawn of the 5th wave. On a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth's last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, until Cassie meets Evan Walker. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan may be her only hope for rescuing her brother and even saving herself. Now she must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up. Cassie Sullivan gets up.

 

(summary from goodreads.com)

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Hmmm … I know! There I go again. First - I liked this book. There was a ton of hype, which I always take with a huge grain of salt, so it wasn't AS fabulous as the world seems to think it is, but I did like it. It was like Revolution meets the Host. Crazy world, poor lost soul of a heroine, aliens abounding. I loved how the book was written in so many different perspectives. This is a pro/con way to write - sometimes it drives me crazy, sometimes it opens up the book in fabulous ways. This time it wasn't confusing at all, and I think it's because the author didn't use first person. There were never "I"'s, only hims/hers throughout. I liked it that way. My main turn off with this book was her little brother. He was five. I HAVE a five year old, and every time something horrible happened to/around him I just kept thinking of my own kindergartener. Which was horrible! I don't mind reading about horrible things happening to fictional people I love as long as I can separate it from people I ACTUALLY love, but I realize this problem may be unique to me. Or at least unique to mothers/loved ones of precocious five year olds. But it was a great read, I loved the twisty twists throughout the book and am curious to see where this series goes. PLEASE don't start anything with Ben. That would be pure ridiculousness.

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: don't think so??; Sex: just build up, infrequent discussion

 

Infinityglass by Myra McEntire

Infinityglass

by Myra McEntire  

 

The stakes have risen even higher in this third book in the Hourglass series.

The Hourglass is a secret organization focused on the study of manipulating time, and its members — many of them teenagers -­have uncanny abilities to make time work for them in mysterious ways. Inherent in these powers is a responsibility to take great care, because altering one small moment can have devastating consequences for the past, present, and future. But some time trav­elers are not exactly honorable, and sometimes unsavory deals must be struck to maintain order.

With the Infinityglass (central to understanding and harnessing the time gene) at large, the hunt is on to find it before someone else does.

But the Hourglass has an advantage. Lily, who has the ability to locate anything lost, has determined that the Infinityglass isn't an object. It's a person. And the Hourglass must find him or her first. But where do you start searching for the very key to time when every second could be the last?

 

(summary from goodreads.com)

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Hmm… (I wonder how many reviews start that way? I should start keeping track!) I have so far loved this series, and not ONLY because of the many Doctor Who references. This was more of the same - I really like how each book has a different main character. It allows the previously "finally got together after a whole book of angst" characters to rest for a minute and be happy and have a more relaxed, supportive role. I like happy used-to-be-main-characters. This book is the same - another side character from past books takes a central focus and off we go. But at the same time this book wasn't as fabulous to me as the other ones. The world building is starting to get confusing - SO many parts and people and chaos. What the crap is happening again? The different perspectives in this book came too quickly and was sometimes disorienting. WHO is talking right now? Let me skim back a few pages … again … okay, now I've got it. Proceed. And this time there was a bit more instalove than I prefer in my books, and WOW was it steamy. Just simmer down, folks, ya barely know each other! So in other words, my inner old lady reared her head a bit more than usual. I'll still read this series, I like this author's writing. I anticipate the next book to focus on Nate or Ava or Poe. Which one shall it be? But next time I'll reread all the previous books beforehand so I don't feel so lost.

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: moderate; Sex: yes, unspecific but lots of build up

 

The Bitter Kingdom by Rae Carson

The Bitter Kingdom

by Rae Carson  

 

The epic conclusion to Rae Carson's Fire and Thorns trilogy. The seventeen-year-old sorcerer-queen will travel into the unknown realm of the enemy to win back her true love, save her country, and uncover the final secrets of her destiny.

Elisa is a fugitive in her own country. Her enemies have stolen the man she loves in order to lure her to the gate of darkness. As she and her daring companions take one last quest into unknown enemy territory to save Hector, Elisa will face hardships she's never imagined. And she will discover secrets about herself and her world that could change the course of history. She must rise up as champion-a champion to those who have hated her most.

 

(summary from goodreads.com)

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I just love this series! Great characters, tense and dramatic and romantic and yet still funny at the perfect times. I love how Elisa is strong and independent and not an idiot - SO many, WAY too many heroines in books are kind of helpless idiots. I hate that. I love the Mula and the further development of both Storm and Mara. I love the ending and … darn, no spoilers. Hmm. Well, I love what her "act of service" ended up being and how much she did all on her own. I love her acceptance of who she was both mentally and physically. This is a fun series with a strong and empowering heroine. I hope there are more books in this world so we can see cameos of the characters I've grown to love. Give Red her own series! It would be awesome.

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: no; Sex: yes, some discussion with a couple "fade to blacks"

 

The Gate Thief by Orson Scott Card

The Gate Thief 

by Orson Scott Card

 

In this sequel to The Lost Gate, bestselling author Orson Scott Card continues his fantastic tale of the Mages of Westil who live in exile on Earth in The Gate Thief.

Here on Earth, Danny North is still in high school, yet he holds in his heart and mind all the stolen outselves of thirteen centuries of gatemages. The Families still want to kill him if they can't control him…and they can't control him. He is far too powerful.

And on Westil, Wad is now nearly powerless—he lost everything to Danny in their struggle. Even if he can survive the revenge of his enemies, he still must somehow make peace with the Gatemage Daniel North.

For when Danny took that power from Loki, he also took the responsibility for the Great Gates. And when he comes face-to-face with the mages who call themselves Bel and Ishtoreth, he will come to understand just why Loki closed the gates all those centuries ago.

(summary from goodreads.com)

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Pros: I liked it. I like the world and the story. I like the characters (for the most part). Will I continue the series? Yes.

Cons: I had another epiphany about Card - he totally sucks at romance. I'm not sure why I didn't notice - well, I did, I just didn't notice the consistency. He is either non existent or heavy handed. Nothing … nothing … and then "oh yes! I totally love her even though I never gave the reader any indication of it before!!" This book was especially bad, since the heavy handedness went hand in hand (ha, lots of hands) with the effort to make this an "adult" book. Yes, I said effort. Some books are naturally more adult, this seemed to make an effort to be such.

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: moderate; Sex: yes

 

Raven Flight by Juliet Marillier

Raven Flight

by Juliet Marillier  

 

Neryn has finally found the rebel group at Shadowfell, and now her task is to seek out the elusive Guardians, vital to her training as a Caller. These four powerful beings have been increasingly at odds with human kind, and Neryn must prove her worth to them. She desperately needs their help to use her gift without compromising herself or the cause of overthrowing the evil King Keldec.

Neryn must journey with the tough and steadfast Tali, who looks on Neryn's love for the double agent Flint as a needless vulnerability. And perhaps it is. What Flint learns from the king will change the battlefield entirely—but in whose favor, no one knows. 

 

(summary from goodreads.com)

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This was an excellent 2nd book! Hooray! I seriously loved it. There wasn't a single time I hated/wanted to shake/was annoyed with a main character, which is HUGE for a 2nd book. The plot progressed, the creatures were charming, the characters were real and flawed and fabulous - I can't wait to read the third. This has so far been an excellent series.

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: none; Sex: no but close

 

Unwholly by Neal Shusterman

UnWholly

by Neal Shusterman 

 
It’s finally here. The long-awaited sequel to the bestselling Unwind, which Publishers Weekly called a “gripping, brilliantly imagined futuristic thriller.”

Thanks to Connor, Lev, and Risa—and their high-profile revolt at Happy Jack Harvest Camp—people can no longer turn a blind eye to unwinding. Ridding society of troublesome teens while simltaneously providing much-needed tissues for transplant might be convenient, but its morality has finally been brought into question. However, unwinding has become big business, and there are powerful political and corporate interests that want to see it not only continue, but also expand to the unwinding of prisoners and the impoverished.

Cam is a product of unwinding; made entirely out of the parts of other unwinds, he is a teen who does not technically exist. A futuristic Frankenstein, Cam struggles with a search for identity and meaning and wonders if a rewound being can have a soul. And when the actions of a sadistic bounty hunter cause Cam’s fate to become inextricably bound with the fates of Connor, Risa, and Lev, he’ll have to question humanity itself.

Rife with action and suspense, this riveting companion to the perennially popular Unwind challenges assumptions about where life begins and ends—and what it means to live.

(summary from goodreads.com)

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Gripping sequel in the same terrible world of Unwind. Succumbs a bit to Second Book Syndrome, with everyone's life falling apart around them, but there is huge plot progression. The ending was horrible and fabulous and a much less resolved than Unwind's. My three favorites appeared (Lev, Connor, Risa) as well as a few new faces. I loved Cam and all the problems that came with him, he will be an excellent addition in subsequent books. I think this is a fascinating series - definitely brings to light questions about ethics and human rights. Definitely a "world gone wrong" - it will be interesting to see if it can possibly be saved.

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: none; Sex: briefly mentioned

 

52 Reasons to Hate My Father by Jessica Brody

52 Reasons to Hate My Father

by Jessica Brody 

Being America’s favorite heiress is a dirty job, but someone’s gotta do it.

Lexington Larrabee has never to work a day in her life. After all, she’s the heiress to the multi-billion-dollar Larrabee Media empire. And heiresses are not supposed to work. But then again, they’re not supposed to crash brand new Mercedes convertibles into convenience stores on Sunset Blvd either.

Which is why, on Lexi’s eighteen birthday, her ever-absent, tycoon father decides to take a more proactive approach to her wayward life. Every week for the next year, she will have to take on a different low-wage job if she ever wants to receive her beloved trust fund. But if there’s anything worse than working as a maid, a dishwasher, and a fast-food restaurant employee, it’s dealing with Luke, the arrogant, albeit moderately attractive, college intern her father has assigned to keep tabs on her.

In a hilarious “comedy of heiress” about family, forgiveness, good intentions, and best of all, second chances, Lexi learns that love can be unconditional, money can be immaterial, and, regardless of age, everyone needs a little saving. And although she might have 52 reasons to hate her father, she only needs one reason to love him.

(summary from goodreads.com)

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Cute book, cute characters, nice ending. It wasn't as teeny boppery as I was expecting, which was nice. A quick entertaining read. I really love "epistle" books and this one works great. Definitely an experience all heiresses should live through ...

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: none; Sex: just kissing

Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson

The Rithmatist 

by Brandon Sanderson  

More than anything, Joel wants to be a Rithmatist. Chosen by the Master in a mysterious inception ceremony, Rithmatists have the power to infuse life into two-dimensional figures known as Chalklings. Rithmatists are humanity’s only defense against the Wild Chalklings — merciless creatures that leave mangled corpses in their wake. Having nearly overrun the territory of Nebrask, the Wild Chalklings now threaten all of the American Isles.

As the son of a lowly chalkmaker at Armedius Academy, Joel can only watch as Rithmatist students study the magical art that he would do anything to practice. Then students start disappearing — kidnapped from their rooms at night, leaving trails of blood. Assigned to help the professor who is investigating the crimes, Joel and his friend Melody find themselves on the trail of an unexpected discovery — one that will change Rithmatics — and their world — forever.

Bestselling author Brandon Sanderson brings his unique brand of epic storytelling to the teen audience with an engrossing tale of danger and suspense—the first of a series. With his trademark skills in world-building, Sanderson has created a magic system that is so inventive and detailed that that readers who appreciate games of strategy and tactics just may want to bring Rithmatics to life in our world.

(summary from goodreads.com)

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Fascinating book - I loved the math angle and the alternate reality. Reminded me a lot of The Far West. Great twists, great characters. The characters seem younger than they actually are (16ish), which was really refreshing and made the book more "teen" then "young adult". I enjoyed it, meanwhile my two teenage boys LOVED it. One said it was AMAZING and the best book he's read in a while.  Definitely a series to keep reading …

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: some; Profanity: no; Sex: NO!! Amazing.

 

Love and Other Perishable Items by Laura Buzo

Love and Other Perishable Items

by Laura Buzo

"Smart, honest and full of achingly real characters. And it made me laugh. What else would you want in a book?" —Melina Marchetta, Printz Award-winning author

From the moment Amelia sets eyes on Chris, she is a goner. Lost. Sunk. Head over heels infatuated with him. It's problematic, since Chris, 21, is a sophisticated university student, while Amelia, 15, is 15.

Amelia isn't stupid. She knows it's not gonna happen. So she plays it cool around Chris—at least, as cool as she can. Working checkout together at the local supermarket, they strike up a friendship: swapping life stories, bantering about everything from classic books to B movies, and cataloging the many injustices of growing up. As time goes on, Amelia's crush doesn't seem so one-sided anymore. But if Chris likes her back, what then? Can two people in such different places in life really be together?

Through a year of befuddling firsts—first love, first job, first party, and first hangover—debut author Laura Buzo shows how the things that break your heart can still crack you up.

(summary from goodreads.com) 

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Hmm. A cute coming of age story. Pros - great characters. Very real, flawed, multi dimensional. Relatable problems and such. Having both sides of the story was enjoyable and helped the book immensely. Great "villains" and such. I liked the end much better than I expected, during the course of the book I really didn't see any happy ending coming.

Cons - too much drugs and sex for a YA book. You can't follow the exploits of a 21 year old college boy and still sell it as a YA book, even IF there is also a 15 year old girl.

I'd be interested to see if Buzo has written anything else, and ever answers the question of what happens to Chris/Amelia several years down the road …

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: no; Profanity: yes; Sex: YES

Ascendant by Diana Peterfreund

Ascendant

by Diana Peterfreund

Astrid Llewelyn is now a fully trained unicorn hunter, but she can't solve all her problems with just a bow and arrow. Her boyfriend, Giovanni, has decided to leave Rome, the Cloisters is in dire financial straits, her best friend's powers seem to be mysteriously disintegrating, and Astrid can't help but feel that school, home, and her hopes of becoming a scientist are nothing but impossible dreams.

So when she's given the opportunity to leave the Cloisters and put her skills to use as part of a scientific quest to discover the Remedy, Astrid leaps at the chance. Finally, she can have exactly what she want--or can she? At Gordian headquarters, deep in the French countryside, Astrid begins to question everything she thought she believed: her love for Giovanni, her loyalty to the Cloisters, and most of all her duty as a hunter. Should Astrid be saving the world from killer unicorns, or saving the unicorns from the world?

(summary from goodreads.com)

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Second Book Syndrome, meet Ascendant. Ascendant, meet Second Book Syndrome. What? You say you've already met? Well OBVIOUSLY.

So, this book. Do I still like our heroine? Yes. Is her life completely and thoroughly messed up due to the plot progression in this book? YES. Did the plot at least actually progress? Admittedly yes, hugely. Will I read the third book? Absolutely. Was I disgusted at several (most) of the things that happened in this book? Yes. Is our "happy at the end of the last book couple" still happy? NO. Were they EVER happy in this book? Of course not, this is a 2nd book. Did I still cry (and laugh) at the "sacrifice" scene that finally happened between our heroine and her "hero", even though the whole scene was horrible and I hated it? YES.

So, my advice is the same for all books that succumb to Second Book Syndrome, just wait until the 3rd book is out before you read this one. Seriously.

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: heavy; Profanity: no; Sex: discussion (unicorn hunters are all virgins) but no action

 

Wild Awake by Hilary T. Smith

Wild Awake

by Hilary T. Smith

Things you earnestly believe will happen while your parents are away:

1. You will remember to water the azaleas.
2. You will take detailed, accurate messages.
3. You will call your older brother, Denny, if even the slightest thing goes wrong.
4. You and your best friend/bandmate Lukas will win Battle of the Bands.
5. Amid the thrill of victory, Lukas will finally realize you are the girl of his dreams.

Things that actually happen:

1. A stranger calls who says he knew your sister.
2. He says he has her stuff.
3. What stuff? Her stuff.
4. You tell him your parents won’t be able to—
5. Sukey died five years ago; can’t he—
6. You pick up a pen.
7. You scribble down the address.
8. You get on your bike and go.
9. Things . . . get a little crazy after that.*
*also, you fall in love, but not with Lukas.

Both exhilarating and wrenching, Hilary T. Smith’s debut novel captures the messy glory of being alive, as seventeen-year-old Kiri Byrd discovers love, loss, chaos, and murder woven into a summer of music, madness, piercing heartbreak, and intoxicating joy.

(summary from goodreads.com)

 

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I have mixed feelings about this book. I sympathize with the turmoil of the main characters, I love the character of Skunk, and I appreciate that the trauma of losing a loved one could create a psychological mess. But I also found the casual drug use and mania of Kiri to be a turn off. It ended fairly well if somewhat ambiguous, definitely not one I'll need to reread.

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: yes; Sex: yes

Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson

Second Chance Summer

by Morgan Matson 

 

From the Flying Start author of Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour, a powerful novel about hope in the face of heartbreak.

Taylor Edwards’ family might not be the closest-knit—everyone is a little too busy and overscheduled—but for the most part, they get along just fine. Then Taylor’s dad gets devastating news, and her parents decide that the family will spend one last summer all together at their old lake house in the Pocono Mountains.

Crammed into a place much smaller and more rustic than they are used to, they begin to get to know each other again. And Taylor discovers that the people she thought she had left behind haven’t actually gone anywhere. Her former best friend is still around, as is her first boyfriend…and he’s much cuter at seventeen than he was at twelve.

As the summer progresses and the Edwards become more of a family, they’re more aware than ever that they’re battling a ticking clock. Sometimes, though, there is just enough time to get a second chance—with family, with friends, and with love.

(summary from goodreads.com) 

 

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One of the best parts of this book? A tiny, seemingly inconsequential cameo at the beginning. Hello Roger and Amy! So so lovely to see you.

Sigh. Another cancer book. This one didn't effect me as much as the last one, but it was still sad and bittersweet and made me want to hold my loved ones a little bit tighter. I loved Taylor's family and Henry. Taylor kind of annoyed me sometimes, especially her annoyingly frustrating choice near the end of the book. Really? Seriously? Lame. But it ended well. I didn't love this book as much as Roger and Amy, but it was still a sweet story about family and togetherness and love of all kinds.

When I'm reading a book that I love, the story becomes more important than the words. I don't even notice them - the whole "can't see the forest for the trees" saying, except reversed and I don't notice the trees because of the forest. But in books that don't grip me as much as others, I start noticing the words, and sometimes they are distracting. I noticed a few phrases repeated a lot, something I didn't notice with Roger and Amy. Either they weren't there or I didn't notice because I was so involved in the story. But it was still a sweet book, an author I will definitely continue to read, and it made me want to buy a lake house and spend every summer there with my family.

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: no; Profanity:??; Sex: ambiguous, so probably not

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

The Fault in Our Stars

by John Green 

Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten.

 

(summary from goodreads.com) 

 

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I read a few John Green's several years ago and liked them but wasn't in love with them, so when this book popped up several times as a "must read" on several blogs I trusted, I dragged my feet. I wasn't even sure I hadn't read it - it may have been one of the John Green's from years ago. But when I found out they were making a movie of it I finally put it on hold and added it to my "to read" stack. Where it sat, waiting for me to wade through all the others I was more interested in. But finally (finally!) I picked it up, read it, and absolutely loved it. Oh this book. It is a tear-your-heart-strings kind of book. I loved both main characters, which is a must for truly loving a book. I'm not a fan of super sad books, which this certainly was at points, but this was still deliciously bittersweet and a good sob over fictional people is always a little cathartic. If you haven't read it, but are a fan of YA, stop dragging your feet and just read it already. It is a book I will probably reread at some point, which is one of the highest praises I can give a book. Heck, I might even buy it, and I can't praise it higher than that.

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: no; Profanity: yes; Sex: yes