Remember When.... meme

Remember When….

This is a new occasionally occurring meme I am starting because of my love of nostalgia. Feel free to play along if you like, just leave a link to your "Remember When..." in the comments section.

"Remember When..." will showcase a book that I read as a child or young teenager and remember fondly. I'm doing this to highlight some of the great older books out there that perhaps don't get the spotlight in the blogosphere because they were written before it's advent. When most book blogs are reviewing and hyping the newest books on the market, which is great, I would like to take a moment every once in a while to look back on what shaped my reading interests.

So, without further ado, here is my book selection:

The Door in the Wall by Marguerite de Angeli

What a great little book! I can't say that I remember the story line well, but I do remember it very fondly, and that's the point! For some reason I am drawn to books set in monasteries in Medieval times. I don't know why. The book I am currently reading, The Sorcerer of Sainte Felice, made me think of The Door in the Wall because of its similar setting. This is a gem of a book - check it out!

Book Blogger Hop: Sept 10-13, 2010

Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Crazy-for-Books. 

Click the link for rules on how to participate in this fun Book Party!

This week's question is:

Post a link to a favorite post or book review that you have written in the past three months.

I am linking to my book review on Breath by Donna Jo Napoli. It's the only book I've given an A+ to so far, and I think all this author's books are amazing! She mainly writes novels based on classic fairy tales like Beauty and the Beast, Rapunzel, The Little Mermaid, and more. Hope you like my review!

Review: Hush, Hush

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
Published: October 13th 2009 by Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Word Count: 85,363
Series: n/a
Source: library book, hardcover

My Grade: A-

Synopsis from GoodReads: For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her...until Patch comes along. With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment, but after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure whom to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is far more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel. For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life.

I love the prologue in this book. Very mysterious and intriguing. It hooks you immediately by virtue of it's historical time period, the enigmatic figure involved, and the oath sworn that leaves the reader wondering how it will play into the main thread of the novel.

The opening chapter, however, is another matter. The excitement I received from the short prologue fizzled as I started on chapter one. First off, the setting is a high school biology lesson on the reproductive system. Yawn. Can't authors come up with something a bit different from the worn out 'sex lesson' gag? I mean, come on, it's been done a million times. But, maybe if you're a budding teenager and haven't read a ton of books, this will be a new subject for you. So fine, but it seems worn out to me.

I'm not sure how I feel about this title. It's sort of like Twilight (again) in the sense that it doesn't have anything to do with the book, and just sounds enticing to draw readers in. And I don't normally comment of cover art but man, what a photo! I've seen a lot of bloggers write they picked up this book for the cover alone, and with this one, I really can't blame them.

I really like the relationship between Nora and Vee. It felt like a realistic teenager friendship between two girls. They got pissed at each other, they had each other's backs, they fought about things and they joked about things. However, I would just like to know what sort of name Vee Sky is. Frankly, it sounds kind of like a hooker name. Just sayin'. But another reason why I liked this relationship is because Nora's best friend is a GIRL! Too many YA books I've read lately feature a female protagonist with a male best friend. And honestly how common is that? Not very. So thank you, Ms. Fitzpatrick, for writing this relationship into your book.

I liked the twist at the end. I could see it coming, but not in the exact form it took, so that was nice. But I also feel like it was over too soon and I didn't get enough back-story to feel satisfied with this ending. I hope there will be more back-story in the sequel, Crescendo, as it's one of my favorite parts of a story and I would like to see more of Patch's history.

The main thread of the mythology tying this book together - concerning the Book of Enoch, what happened to other Fallen Angels, etc. - was a bit confusing to me and it made me uncertain of Patch's motives. I think this is because he is debating between two paths he can take and it is unclear at points if he has chosen one path over the other or if he is still considering what to do. I can't explain it much more than that without totally giving everything away. But lets just say the hotel room scene was a little confusing. I had to go back and read the flashback scene with Dabria's 'real' introduction to really understand what was going on, and even then I wasn't sure until later.

Patch was channeling Edward Cullen here. The way he guides Nora through murky waters of concealment, giving her just enough to keep her chomping at the bit. Also the way he almost commands her to do or not do certain things, and she blindly obeys because of her infatuation with him. Oh, and also the fact that she is scared of him yet drawn to him at the same time. Totally Twilight. And of course girls love the bad boy. This is not a judgment, merely an observation.

My favorite quote:

"You're impinging on my private space," I said, inching backward.

Patch gave a barely-there smile. "Impinging? This isn't the SAT, Nora." (p. 339)

Love it! Mainly because I have gotten similar reactions when using uncommon words in regular speech, and also because I am currently studying for the GREs and trying to memorize loads of vocab words!

Overall, it wasn't what I thought it was going to be, but I wasn't disappointed.

Find it on Amazon: Hush, Hush

Visit the author's website: http://beccafitzpatrick.com/

Review: Keturah and Lord Death

Keturah and Lord Death by Martine Leavitt

Published: November 28th 2006 by Front Street BooksWord Count: 51,513
Series: n/a
Source: library audio book

My Grade: A-

Synopsis from GoodReads: Martine Leavitt offers a spellbinding story, interweaving elements of classic fantasy and high romance. Keturah follows a legendary hart into the king's forest, where she becomes hopelessly lost. Her strength diminishes until, finally, she realizes that death is near. Little does she know that he is a young, handsome lord, melancholy and stern. Renowned for her storytelling, Keturah is able to charm Lord Death with a story and thereby gain a reprieve -- but only for twenty-four hours. She must find her one true love within that time, or all is lost. Keturah searches desperately while the village prepares for an unexpected visit from the king, and Keturah is thrust into a prominent role as mysterious happenings alarm her friends and neighbors. Lord Death's presence hovers over all until Keturah confronts him one last time in the harrowing climax.

I read this book on the recommendation of my cousin's friend, and I'm glad I did. I never would have heard of it otherwise!

This book reads like an old English fairy tale. It is beautiful in its innocence and quaintness. You really believe the protagonist, Keturah, is a sweet and naive sixteen-year-old girl from a small sheltered village in maybe the twelfth century. At first the setting may seem like the Middle Ages, but from the way the characters talk about their land as Angle Land, the easy belief in fairies and the superstitions of the townsfolk, it makes me think the time period is earlier. I love how the author creates a setting in which belief in fairy lore and superstitions is not only plausible, but downright palpable. The story is also redolent of The Arabian Nights, with Keturah forestalling death (literally) just as Scheherazade did, by telling him a story that breaks down his cold fearful exterior and makes him fall in love with her.

The summaries at the beginning of each chapter make me grin, because they are reminiscent of old novels written in the eighteenth century and probably before. For those of you unfamiliar with this style, they are a few short statements summarizing the events in the story that the chapter contains. Here is an example from the start of chapter four:
   

"What happens when I test the charm's power -- I ask Cook for a lemon -- an unexpected visitor --  John Temslin says: "We are doomed."

The summaries also hit their mark in their attempt to make us feel like we are reading an old story, as least they did for me. But maybe that's only because I was familiar with this practice from other old books I've read? I wonder what someone who had never come across this technique would think of it.

I've read some other reviews that say they don't like the ending. But honestly, what other ending could there be? I think the whole book would have seemed pointless if it had gone the other way, even though she accomplished what Lord Death asked of her. And speaking of Lord Death - what a unique take on this classic archetype! Making Death a young Lord, fearsome and apathetic, yet vulnerable and ultimately lonely puts new spin on the grim reaper figure. And thoughts of Hades taking Persephone as his bride inevitably come to mind.

The lemon theme ran quite prominently through the story, and I'm not aware of any lemon folklore or medicinal properties, but perhaps the lemon theme has a deeper meaning than I am able to see. Or perhaps it is just a story-telling tool. But in any case, I like how it highlighted how different this world is from ours. When lemons are a rare and privileged treat and even the manor's cook doesn't know what one looks like, you can clearly see the time period. In fact, the historical setting seemed almost to be a character itself, as a lot of the story only seems credible when the time period is taken into account.

This book, despite what it at first may appear considering the apparently morose subject matter, actually has many pieces of good, sound advice and also portrays a strong moral message. For example, Keturah's grandmother gives her a lesson it would be wise for most people to heed: "Now I will tell you a true thing, child, and if you are wise, you will remember it. The soul, it longs for its mate as much as the body. Sad it is, that the body be greedier than the soul. But if you would be happy all your days, as I was with your grandfather, subdue the body and marry the soul. Look for a soul and heart love." (disc 2 track 2)

What I didn't like:

I didn't like that Keturah had such a hard time finding her true love. Chalk it up to her innocent nature and sheltered life, I suppose, but the fact that it was John Temslin seemed to be staring her right in the face, and I just kept getting frustrated at her for not realizing it and not even considering that it could be him! I suppose it was necessary for her to have this revelation later in the story for pacing reasons, but I feel that this element could have been a bit less obvious.

I don't like this title, and I think the author could have come up with something more enticing. First of all, Keturah. I don't like it when made-up character or place names are in a title. (Example: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban) It's immediately foreign to the eye and therefore right from the get-go it's hard for the reader to connect with it. Secondly, Lord Death. The 'Lord' title could be construed as a figure to be worshiped (instead of the title for English gentry), especially when paired with 'Death.' Then you get the whole Satan worship connotation and it's just messy. So no, I don't like the title, sorry.

Overall, a sweet enchanting tale that has a lot of interesting things to say about the nature of love, death, and life.

Find it on Amazon: Keturah And Lord Death

Visit the author's website: www.martineleavitt.com/

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My Teasers:

            

           We stood in silence, cowls thrown over our faces and hands tucked into our sleeves, as we began the ritual. I trembled with excitement at the commencement of my first real magical operation. This was precisely what I had taken my vows to God for, and God was honoring His side of the bargain.

   ~  p. 143 The Sorcerer of Sainte Felice by Ann Finnin

I just started this, but what a passage to happen across! I look forward to reading this and I hope this sparks your interest as well.

Blue Bloods by Melissa De La Cruz
Published: May 1, 2006 by Hyperion Word Count: 60,918
Series: Blue Bloods, book one
Source: audio book

My Grade: B

Synopsis from GoodReads: When the Mayflower set sail in 1620, it carried on board the men and women who would shape America: Miles Standish; John Alden; Constance Hopkins. But some among the Pilgrims were not pure of heart...Indeed, they were not even human...Rising to levels of enormous power, wealth, and influence, they were the celebrated blue bloods of American society.

Schuyler Van Alen is a sophomore at a prestigious private school [in New York City]. She prefers baggy, vintage clothes instead of the Prada and pearls worn by her classmates, and she lives with her reclusive grandmother in a dilapated mansion. Schuyler is a loner...and happy that way. Suddenly, when she turns fifteen, there is a visible mosaic of blue veins on her arm. She starts to crave raw food and she is having flashbacks to ancient times. Then a popular girl from her school is found dead... drained of all her blood. Schuyler doesn't know what to think, but she wants to find out the secrets the Blue Bloods are keeping. But is she herself in danger?
Welcome to my first ever vampire book review!

The author does a lovely job at the subtly with which she approaches the revelation of who these people really are. (Unfortunately the cover art practically gives it away. But then again this book was plastered all over the book stores in the wake of the Twilight phenomena, so it was hard NOT to know what it's about. And I'm sorry that's the case, because spoilers stink, and the book would have been much more enjoyable if I didn't know what was really going on as I was reading.)

I really liked how the book combined historical fiction and fantasy fiction together, incorporating real historical figures from the Mayflower, Plimoth and Roanoke, and giving a fantastical explanation of what happened to these people. This book has its own very specific vampire mythology which is quite different from the other vampire mythos out there in the YA fiction universe right now. It combines vampire myth and another myth growing in YA fantasy popularity right now: fallen angels, with a very different take on that mythology as well. In this book, Blue Blood isn't just a term for a social class. It signifies a very specific type of person. One can also be a Red Blood or a Silver Blood. I wonder if the author had the 'Blue Blood' term first and came up with her book idea from that, or if the term came in later after she had already started writing. That would be interesting to discover at least for me, as I'm interested in the writing process in general.

What I didn't like:

It puts me off a bit that all the synopsizes I read told me this book was about a girl, as in one girl, named Schuyler (pronounced Sky-ler) Van Alen. However, the narrative gives as much time to Mimi Force and Bliss Llewlyn as well - two other girls who go to Schuyler's school, Duchesne. While these characters are richly developed and the author is able to shed a sympathetic light on the 'mean girls,' I think it ultimately displaces the reader from the book's emotion. I, as the reader, wanted to follow Schuyler's story, and instead kept hearing about Mimi and Bliss. Knowing these character's thoughts and vulnerabilities detracts from their impact on the storyline. For example, I was much more intrigued with the character of Mimi's twin brother, Jack, not because he is a boy, but because I didn't know everything about him.

I wasn't thrilled with the storyline because, well, there didn't appear to be one. Stuff happens, sure, and Schuyler, her friend Oliver, and the other characters all go on a self-discovery journey or the equivalent to find out who they really are and all that. But there wasn't really a climax. It was almost as though the whole first book was the build-up, and the climax will happen early in the second book (I can't say for sure, not having read the second book). I know I recently made this same criticism on The Ruins of Gorlan, but at least in that book there was a climax, however disappointing. This book didn't have one. It just ended. It's all well and good to set up stuff for the next book(s), but each book needs to have a beginning, middle and end!

In summary:

This book wasn't bad, it just wasn't for me. I can only take so much of descriptions of Penthouses and Prada and handsome Italian boyfriends wrapped in expensive sports cars. Ick. If this book didn't have the fantasy elements in it I would have stopped listening/reading a while ago and cast it off as superficial frivolity. Also, it just doesn't have the universal appeal of teenage innocence and romance that Twilight has, and perhaps that is why it is only next to the Twilight books on the vampire bookstore display, and not center stage.

Find it on Amazon: Blue Bloods (Blue Bloods, Book 1)

visit the author's website: http://melissa-delacruz.com/index.php/site/

Book Blogger Hop

As I am new to this blog thing and have never participated in any of these inter-blogging activities, I am not sure exactly how this works, but I am going to give it a try! (Mostly because I liked the question in the Book Blogger Hop that I saw on another blog)

Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Crazy-for-Books. 

 

This week's question is: Do you judge a book by its cover?

My answer:  

It’s hard not to, as it’s the first thing we see. The book cover is the publishing house’s greatest marketing tool, as it is the most visual, and therefore often the most memorable part of a book. It’s interesting to compare book covers for the same book in different countries. Sometimes I like the US cover better, sometimes not, and the variance in covers can make the character of the book seem so different. If I was in another country and saw a different cover on a book that I had been attracted to with the US cover, I may have the opposite reaction and never read it. In fact, this happened to me when I was living in Scotland. My reaction to the US and UK covers of a certain book was very different.  So yes, the cover matters immensely, which is a shame, because the author seldom has any say in what his or her book ultimately looks like.