Zombies Vs. Unicorns by Holly Black and Justine Larbalestier

Zombies Vs. Unicorns

by Holly Black (Editor), Justine Larbalestier (Editor), Alaya Dawn Johnson, Maureen Johnson, Carrie Ryan, Scott Westerfeld, Meg Cabot, Garth Nix, Kathleen Duey, Margo Lanagan, Naomi Novik, Diana Peterfreund, Libba Bray, Cassandra Clare

It's a question as old as time itself: which is better, the zombie or the unicorn? In this anthology, edited by Holly Black and Justine Larbalestier (unicorn and zombie, respectively), strong arguments are made for both sides in the form of short stories. Half of the stories portray the strengths--for good and evil--of unicorns and half show the good (and really, really bad-ass) side of zombies. Contributors include many bestselling teen authors, including Cassandra Clare, Libba Bray, Maureen Johnson, Meg Cabot, Scott Westerfeld, and Margo Lanagan. This anthology will have everyone asking: Team Zombie or Team Unicorn?

(summary from goodreads.com)

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As with most anthologies, I picked this up from the library because I loved the list of authors. What an AWESOME list! I have read and loved books from several of the authors and looked forward to reading their short stories. I was also curious to know which side I would be on - it was honestly a question I have never considered, since I'm more of a dragon lover. I find Zombies fairly disgusting and have only read one book about them I enjoyed, mostly because it was based on one of my favorite books and not because it contained brain eating creatures from the dead. Unicorns - sure, they are beautiful, I can't say I'm girlie enough to love them. I would probably prefer meeting a unicorn to meeting a zombie, but wouldn't most sane people? But seriously, give me a dragon any day. 

At the end, were my preconceived notions and opinions changed, or did they stand firm in the face of awesome zombies and gorgeous yet sometimes vicious unicorns? Well ... I still think zombies are disgusting. And I still don't love unicorns. And I still prefer dragons. BUT ... several of the stories were a ton of fun to read, though it was certainly a mixed bag. What I loved most about the book was 1) the banter between Holly Black and Justine Larbalestier throughout the book and 2) the fabulous differences in each story. No author treated either unicorns or zombies in the same way, which made each story refreshing and new. What I liked least about the book was the huge disparity in appropriateness. Some stories were fine and others were a distasteful and went way beyond what I feel is appropriate for YA literature, which means my children will never ever read this book until they are no longer under my roof and I am no longer responsible for their moral decisions. Some stories were simply fabulous - Meg Cabot? Well played. SUCH a fun story. The authors I knew I would like I liked, and only one new author made me interested in reading more of her works. Some of the new authors - well, I won't touch their books with a ten foot pole. (Harsh? Perhaps. But I won't name names, so no harm done, right?)

 

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, moderate, lots of brain eating. Profanity: YES, ick. Sex: YES, ick.

Endlessly by Kiersten White

Endlessly

by Kiersten White 

  Evie's paranormal past keeps coming back to haunt her. A new director at the International Paranormal Containment Agency wants to drag her back to headquarters. The Dark Faerie Queen is torturing humans in her poisonous realm. And supernatural creatures keep insisting that Evie is the only one who can save them from a mysterious, perilous fate.

The clock is ticking on the entire paranormal world. And its fate rests solely in Evie's hands.

So much for normal.

(summary from goodreads.com)

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Endlessly is the third in a series of three books about Evie, an adorable girlie girl who I liked a lot. Seriously, she has a pink taser she calls Tasey. And it's not even annoying. These books aren't fantastically written but they are cute and since I like the heroine I can forgive a lot of things. This was my favorite book of the series - I love how Evie is happy with who she is and yes, still figuring out WHAT she is, but in general she is just a girl trying to deal with an abnormal life. I love her relationships with Lend (her boyfriend), Vivian (her sister), Raquel (her mother figure) and so many others. I found myself laughing out loud at times, which is not something I do all that often. The "curse" put on Lend and Evie for a few chapters? Totally hilarious. Her prom? So cute. I even liked annoying Jack and ruthless Reth. I love how the vampires are all manky and disgusting and the unicorns are ugly. These books are great brain candy but still have a good moral to them.Very fun reads.

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: none that I can remember ... Sex: just kissing

Lost Voices/Waking Storms by Sarah Porter

Lost Voices 

by Sarah Porter  

Fourteen-year-old Luce has had a tough life, but she reaches the depths of despair when she is assaulted and left on the cliffs outside of a grim, gray Alaskan fishing village. She expects to die when she tumbles into the icy waves below, but instead undergoes an astonishing transformation and becomes a mermaid. A tribe of mermaids finds Luce and welcomes her in—all of them, like her, lost girls who surrendered their humanity in the darkest moments of their lives. Luce is thrilled with her new life until she discovers the catch: the mermaids feel an uncontrollable desire to drown seafarers, using their enchanted voices to lure ships into the rocks. Luce possesses an extraordinary singing talent, which makes her important to the tribe—she may even have a shot at becoming their queen. However her struggle to retain her humanity puts her at odds with her new friends. Will Luce be pressured into committing mass murder? The first book in a trilogy, Lost Voices is a captivating and wildly original tale about finding a voice, the healing power of friendship, and the strength it takes to forgive.

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Waking Storms

by Sarah Porter  

After parting ways with her troubled mermaid tribe, Luce just wants to live peacefully on her own. But her tranquility doesn’t last long: she receives news that the tribe is on the verge of collapse and desperately needs her leadership. The tribe’s cruel queen wants Luce dead. Dorian, the boy Luce broke mermaid law to save, is determined to make her pay for her part in the murder of his family. And while the mermaids cling to the idea that humans never suspect their existence, there are suddenly ominous signs to the contrary. But when Luce and Dorian meet, they start to wonder if love can overpower the hatred they know they should feel for each other. Can Luce fulfill her rightful role as queen of the mermaids without sacrificing her forbidden romance with Dorian?

(summaries from goodreads.com)

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I picked up Waking Storms from the library shelf because I thought it looked interesting - I had previously read a mermaid story and wasn't impressed with it, and I wanted to see if it was mermaids in general that weren't terribly exciting or just that book specifically. When I started reading it I realized it was the 2nd book in a series, and I can NOT read a series out of order. Just can't do it. Thankfully my library had a digital copy of Lost Voices, so I was able to read them both in a row, which is why I decided to review them together.

Honestly, Lost Voices was disappointing. It was dark and grisly and dealt with horrible things humans do to each other, but then didn't really get lighter. No happy conclusion. I like happy conclusions! I thought Luce was finally finding acceptance and family and then it all fell apart again. It was a story about a bunch of abused girls revenging themselves on mankind in general and it was kind of depressing. The larva (both how they are formed and what generally happens to them) were frankly disturbing. I liked Luce, I liked her moral strugglings, but she was too young for me to identify with and the book didn't do much for me. If I didn't have the 2nd book waiting on my bookshelf I never would have read it.

So then I read Waking Storms, with the plan to just skim through it so I could put the series to rest and not look back. But then I loved it - what a fascinating book! Lost Voices was a really long, dark prequel to what turned out to be a great book. I loved how the mermaids were written into the real world and their culture and lifestyle explained almost every myth we hear about mermaids or sirens or similar mythological beings. I liked finally seeing the interactions between humans and mermaids, something that was very minor in the first book. Knowing an FBI agent, I had to smirk a little at the stereotypical FBI agents in the book, but then I turned out to really like one of them. (The scene where several uppity ups listen to a recording of mermaid song was frankly hilarious.) Dorian was fabulous and even his ultimate frailty turned it into a better story. The ending was heartrending and horrible but perfect and I honestly can't wait to read the third one.

So, if you want to read this series, don't give up after the first book. Or better yet, skim the first and move straight on to the second. Of even better YET, email me and I'll give you a synopsis so you can skip the first book all together.  

Lost Voices: 

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, moderate, some episodes of abuse and several drownings. Profanity: none. Sex: an attempted rape, mild references to worse abuse, some kissing.

Waking Storms: 

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, more drownings, fights Profanity: YES! NOT good words. Why, Sarah Porter, why? Sex: mild discussions, fairly heavy making out

 

 

Throne of Glass by Sarah Maas

Throne of Glass 

by Sarah J. Maas 

After serving out a year of hard labor in the salt mines of Endovier for her crimes, 18-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien is dragged before the Crown Prince. Prince Dorian offers her her freedom on one condition: she must act as his champion in a competition to find a new royal assassin. Her opponents are men-thieves and assassins and warriors from across the empire, each sponsored by a member of the king's council. If she beats her opponents in a series of eliminations, she'll serve the kingdom for three years and then be granted her freedom. Celaena finds her training sessions with the captain of the guard, Westfall, challenging and exhilirating. But she's bored stiff by court life. Things get a little more interesting when the prince starts to show interest in her... but it's the gruff Captain Westfall who seems to understand her best. Then one of the other contestants turns up dead... quickly followed by another. Can Celaena figure out who the killer is before she becomes a victim? As the young assassin investigates, her search leads her to discover a greater destiny than she could possibly have imagined.

(summary from goodreads.com)

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I had heard a lot of good things about this book - one of my favorite book blogs even claimed it was their favorite book of 2012 and I had loved a lot of the same books she had. So I started this with some pretty healthy expectations - I expected a strong no-nonsense heroine, able to win her own battles, dealing with a fairly large amount of baggage, but able to struggle through it to not only survive but thrive. I was disappointed. Celeana was NOT the Katniss/Katsa/Yelena mix that I was hoping for. She was kind of shallow, annoyingly cocky (rather than charmingly cocky, I can deal with that), worried about boys/clothes much more than I thought her character in that situation should, and frankly I didn't like her all that much. She was so girlie! There is a time and place for girlie girls (Evie, for instance, is adorable in Kiersten White's series) but I didn't feel that this was it. She is an expert assassin, watched her family brutally murdered, and spent a year in a death mining camp. I expected her to be a little more focused on the serious things of life, not worried about who she would dance with. Has anyone read this book and had a different opinion? Please tell me why! I really wanted to like this book more than I did. I also thought it was a bit heavy handed at times hinting at things, but then never got around to saying it. Do you REALLY think we don't know Celeana's family was royalty? It's obvious, please just come out and SAY IT. If it's a huge reveal in the next book I might throw the book across the room for a bit. Which means, yes, I will probably read the next book. Sometimes new authors need to warm up a little bit, and I am prepared to give Sarah Maas a chance. I really liked a few of her characters (Nehemia and Chaol) and there was a lot of promise in the book. We'll see if the promise is delivered ...

(September 2013 addendum - I reread this book in preparation for the 2nd and liked it a LOT more. Rather than be disappointed by what I found lacking in Celeana, since I already KNEW what Celeana was like I could appreciate the contrasts in her character and enjoy the story more. A much better read the second time around ... )
 

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, moderate, several grisly deaths and brutal fights. Profanity: none. Sex: mild discussions, some making out.

Rapture by Lauren Kate

Rapture 

by Lauren Kate  

The sky is dark with wings . . . .

Like sand in an hourglass, time is running out for Luce and Daniel. To stop Lucifer from erasing the past they must find the place where the angels fell to earth. Dark forces are after them, and Daniel doesn’t know if he can do this—live only to lose Luce again and again.

Yet together they will face an epic battle that will end with lifeless bodies . . . and angel dust. Great sacrifices are made. Hearts are destroyed. And suddenly Luce knows what must happen.

For she was meant to be with someone other than Daniel. The curse they’ve borne has always and only been about her—and the love she cast aside. The choice she makes now will be the only one that truly matters.

In the fight for Luce, who will win?

The astonishing conclusion to the FALLEN series. Heaven can’t wait any longer.

(summary from goodreads.com)

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This is great YA literature - paranormal brooding males, trusting clueless females, the end of the world as we know it unless our couple can save it ... but as much as I make fun of it, I still read all four books of the series. It was a fun read with great minor characters and a wonderfully creative world they lived in. I thought Luce was fairly annoying for the first two books in the series, but she was finally given a chance to take control of her own life and redeemed herself in the third book. She continues as a strong character in this book and is finally more of a partner than a satellite of Daniel. I thought this book tied everything together excellently - seemingly insurmountable problems (not least of which is how can a couple have a normal life when one of them is an angel?) were dealt with perfectly. Honestly, this was the best book in the series. So much happened! Finally! We learned so much about Daniel and Luce's past and their beginnings. I think the first three books were too drawn out and predictable and could have been condensed into two smaller books, but Lauren Kate finished on a strong note. 

These books are also refreshing because they lack the focus on sex that so many young adult books have. There is plenty of passion and heavy kisses and so on and so forth, this is paranormal literature for teenagers! But I was surprised that it didn't go further than that. There wasn't even any discussion about it (at least not in the fourth book, there may have been mention of it in the earlier books but if it existed it was only a quick side note) or incessant dwelling on it (um, Twilight anyone?). I respect an author that can create passion without resorting to throwing her teenage leads into the first bed they find.

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, moderate. Profanity: mild. Sex: no, see above.

Timepiece by Myra McEntire

Timepiece

by Myra McEntire 

A threat from the past could destroy the future. And the clock is ticking...

Kaleb Ballard's relentless flirting is interrupted when Jack Landers, the man who tried to murder his father, timeslips in and attacks before disappearing just as quickly. But Kaleb has never before been able to see time travelers, unlike many of his friends associated with the mysterious Hourglass organization. Are Kaleb's powers expanding, or is something very wrong?

Then the Hourglass is issued an ultimatum. Either they find Jack and the research he's stolen on the time gene, or time will be altered with devastating results.

Now Kaleb, Emerson, Michael, and the other Hourglass recruits have no choice but to use their unusual powers to find Jack. But where do they even start? And when? And even if they succeed, it may not be enough...

The follow-up to Hourglass, Timepiece blends the paranormal, science fiction, mystery, and suspense genres into a nonstop thrill ride where every second counts.

(summary from goodreads.com)

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Hooray! This is the perfect PERFECT way to write a 2nd book in the series. By switching narrators to a sidekick from the first book, we avoided the annoying and cliched "couple who finally got together in the first book has a misunderstanding and are angsty for most of the second book" thing that so many authors make readers go through. Michael and Emerson? From the first book? Who went through so much together? They are still together! Without any angst! And are loving and supportive of one another! Authors, please take note. This works.

I loved getting inside Kaleb's head and finding out more about him. He was a fun character in the first book (Hourglass) and made a great main character for the second. The plot was able to move forward but was also opened up to so much more - a new romance, different problems, and a different world view of everything. Very often male narrators annoy the crap out of me, but Kaleb was delightful. He was funny when being a jerk and player and touching when being caring and honest. He was a fully developed, multi dimensional character. I can't wait for the next book - who will be the narrator? Ava? Dune? 

And HOW did I not know that Myra McEntire is a huge Doctor Who fan? This makes me love her books even more.

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, moderate. Profanity: mild. Sex: almost; pretty heavy for YA.

Chime by Franny Billingsley

Chime

by Franny Billingsley

Before Briony's stepmother died, she made sure Briony blamed herself for all the family's hardships. Now Briony has worn her guilt for so long it's become a second skin. She often escapes to the swamp, where she tells stories to the Old Ones, the spirits who haunt the marshes. But only witches can see the Old Ones, and in her village, witches are sentenced to death. Briony lives in fear her secret will be found out, even as she believes she deserves the worst kind of punishment.

Then Eldric comes along with his golden lion eyes and mane of tawny hair. He's as natural as the sun, and treats her as if she's extraordinary. And everything starts to change. As many secrets as Briony has been holding, there are secrets even she doesn't know.

(summary from goodreads.com)

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 I enjoyed reading this book but didn't adore it. A different kind of witch story, I enjoyed the lighter moments, the relationship between Briony and Eldric, and Briony coming to terms with who she is. But it was also a frustrating book to read - Briony is deceived for most of the book and it was exhausting; I wanted her to triumph sooner. The build up was too long and the conclusion wasn't long enough. 

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: none that I can recall. Sex: mild - some discussion of "things married people do"