Mystify

Author: Artist Arthur

Pages: 245

Published: KimaniTru, 2011

Genre: Paranormal

Cover Score: C

Overall Grade: n/a

Growing up with parents who are more interested in the Lincoln, Connecticut social scene than their own daughter, Sasha Carrington has always felt like an outsider. That is, until she meets Jake and Krystal--her fellow Mystyx who, like her, possess supernatural capabilities that they use to battle a mysterious dark force that is headed towards Lincoln. Not only is Sasha trying to grapple with her new powers and where they come from, she's also dealing with social pressures from her parents, as well as unexplainable feelings for Antoine Watson, a boy who she shouldn't like, but can't help feeling drawn to. The dark side is getting stronger, and as Sasha's powers grow, she must come face-to-face with decisions that affect her friends, family, and, ultimately, her destiny.

My thoughts: I really, really don't like giving bad reviews, but I just couldn't finish Mystify. At about 100 pages in, I had to put it down. I was really disappointed by the second book of the otherwise promising Mystyx series. After really enjoying the first book in this new ghostly paranormal trilogy, Manifest, I was surprised that Mystify and I didn't click. It had all the ingredients for success: forbidden romance, a modern and realistic protagonist, and a unique paranormal twist that even included mythology, which I love.

I just felt like I couldn't relate to Sasha's character, like she wasn't a real person. Her generic narrative felt very forced and formulaic, and after a while, the storyline became too wordy and slow to keep me interested. I know there is a suspenseful, fast-paced plot hiding underneath all of Sasha's internal monologues and lengthy descriptions of everything and everyone, but I just could not locate it. As well, the powers of the Mystyx and exactly what they do and what dark force they are trying to stop was unclear to me, which muddied the storyline and gave it no clear destination.

Who knows? Maybe I'll give Mystify another try later on down the road, but for now, I can't say that I'll be able to complete this series.

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Mini Reviews!

Here's what I've been reading lately during my lapse from blogging (very very bad, I know, but life happens!). I've been super busy and took the small amounts of free time I've had to catch up on books that I should have started way earlier! :)

Title: The Hunger Games

Author: Suzanne Collins

Pages: 384

Published: 2008, Scholastic

Genre: Action/Fantasy/Dystopia

Overall Grade: A

In the not-so-distant-future, North America has collapsed into a single country (divided into thirteen districts) called Panem. Each year, two children from each district are selected to battle it out to the death in the televised, gladiator-sport-like Hunger Games, in the hopes of obtaining ultimate glory for their district. A talented hunter and survivalist, 16 year old Katniss Everdeen is used to fending for herself and her family in impoverished, filthy District 12. However, when her little sister is selected to be in the brutal Hunger Games, she volunteers to take her spot, and alongside fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark, she must fight for her life when she is plunged into the violent world of the Games. As time goes by, she must face the difficult decision of love vs. survival.

My thoughts: The Hunger Games was unlike anything I've ever read before. Impossibly brutal, candid, and fast-paced, I was sucked into this dystopian world and into the mind of the book's bold, brave heroine Katniss Everdeen, who was relatable, strong, and admirable. This is one of those books that, after reading, I ask myself: why didn't I read this sooner? I picked up the Hunger Games on a rainy day and was plunged into the violent, harsh environment of the Games. I could picture every event in my mind, and the characters were realistic and interesting.

Ms. Collins' story packs a punch: she has an imagination that, combined with a knack for word-weaving, resulted in a heart-pounding, adrenaline-rushing read that moves quickly and effortlessly. Both devastating and beautiful at the same time, The Hunger Games has the capacity to affect more than just young adults.

Title: Wicked (Pretty Little Liars #5)

Author: Sara Shepard

Pages: 336

Published: HarperTeen, 2009

Genre: Mystery/Contemporary fiction

Overall Grade: B

Aria, Emily, Hanna, and Spencer have had a stressful start to their junior year of high school. After their best friend Alison was murdered, they were taunted by threats from an anonymous stalker who dangled their darkest secrets over their heads--secrets only Alison knew. Now, the stalker has finally been caught, and Ali's killer has been put in jail. These four pretty little liars are ready for their lives to go back to normal. But in the privileged town of Rosewood, Pennsylvania, nothing is as it seems...And these little liars had better watch their backs, especially with the new secrets they've each been harboring: Aria's crushing on her mom's new boyfriend, Hanna's stepsister has questionable intentions, Emily's got a new boyfriend, and Spencer is diving into dark family history. What they don't know is that someone is always watching...

My thoughts: I'm completely addicted to this series. Once again, I don't know why I didn't start reading the Pretty Little Liars books sooner. The books are the perfect combination of fluffy chick lit (boys, clothes, drama) and heart-pounding thriller (mystery, murder, suspense). However, Wicked wasn't as good as the previous four books in this addictive, fast-paced series. Coming off of a huge, scandalous reveal in Unbelievable (book #4), Wicked didn't seem to have the same heart-stopping thrills and constantly-moving action that kept me riveted to my seat, madly flipping pages. In fact, Wicked was mildly ho-hum, except for the big surprise ending. While Wicked is a must-read for series fans, I felt like it was nothing more than a transition from the fourth book to the sixth book--but it sets up what I expect will be big action in Killer, the sixth book.

Chatting with Suzanne Selfors

Thanks to Suzanne, the author of newly-released Mad Love, as well as fellow YA reads Saving Juliet and Coffeehouse Angel! Welcome, Suzanne, and congratulations on the new book!

Bookworm: What inspired you to write Mad Love?

Suzanne: I have long loved Greek and Roman mythology. In Coffeehouse Angel I reimagined the Greek messenger god, Hermes. And in my first adult book, Daughters of Crete, I reimagined the story of Ariadne. I knew I wanted to do something with Cupid. So I thought about it for a while. The story took shape over many intense revisions.

Bookworm: Bipolar disorder plays a large role in the novel. How did you research this topic?

Suzanne: I read about it. But I also drew from my own childhood. My father struggled with manic episodes, and he also struggled with anxiety and depression, for which he self-medicated with alcohol. He was never diagnosed bi-polar but I'm guessing he would have been if he'd ever sought help.

Bookworm: Do you believe in Cupid?

Suzanne: Cupid is the God of passionate love, the kind of love that hits you real hard and fries your brain for a month or two. I've experienced it firsthand. Who hasn't?

Bookworm: If you were a cheesy romance-novel writer, like Alice's mom in the book, what would your first book be named?

Suzanne: Well, I have this thing about the Scottish highlands and men in kilts to it would be something like Hung in the Highlands. :)

Bookworm: What was your favorite part of the book to write?

Suzanne: The ending!

Bookworm: Which character is most like you, and why?

Suzanne: I guess I most relate to the mother character, Belinda Amorous, simply because she's a working writer with a teen daughter.

Bookworm: What is your next writing project?

Suzanne: I'm busy with my next teen novel, which will be released in 2012 if I can ever finish the thing. And my next middle grade novel, Smells Like Treasure, comes out in May 2011.

Bookworm: What are your writing essentials (environment, music, snacks, etc)?

Suzanne: I need something hot to drink, usually it's a nonfat latte, sometimes it's Earl Gray tea. I like white noise so I usually work in a coffeehouse.

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To learn more about Suzanne's other books and to view Mad Love's awesome book trailer, visit her website here!

Thanks, Suznne--we can't wait to see what's next for you!

Mad Love

Author: Suzanne Selfors

Pages: 325

Published: Walker & Company, 2011

Genre: Contemporary fiction/Fantasy/Romance

Cover Score: C-

Overall Grade: A

As the daughter of the bestselling Queen of Romance, life for sixteen-year-old Alice Amorous should be pretty sweet. But ever since her mother was secretly hospitalized for mental illness, Alice has been forced to maintain a brave front--living alone; lying to her new crush Tony; forging her mother's signature; answering fan letters; telling the publisher that all is well and the Queen's next book is on its way. Now time is running out, and so is their money. The next book is overdue and the Queen can't write it. Alice needs to deliver a new novel for her mother--and she needs to come up with one fast. That's when she meets Errol, a strange guy claiming to be Cupid, who insists that Alice must write about his tragic romance with Psyche--the greatest love story of all time. Alice needs the story, but can she trust Errol? After all, she doesn't believe in Cupid...

My thoughts: I'm a huge fan of Suzanne Selfors, so I was thrilled to read her latest book. Luckily, I loved it just as much as her previous books--if not more. The thing that made Mad Love such a winner to me was its amazing, hilarious, diverse cast of characters.

I loved all of the characters, from Alice herself to the crazy neighbors that share her Seattle apartment complex: Ms. Selfors clearly spent time crafting each unique personality to perfection. The characters created a fresh, 3 dimensional sort of family unit in the novel, and I felt like the characters were the type of people I'd encounter in real life: lovable, quirky, realistic, funny, and often frustrating.

As well, I appreciated all of the smaller subplots woven into the main storyline, creating depth: Alice's crush on Tony, Alice and Errol's story, Alice's family drama, Alice's neighborhood life. I also appreciated Ms. Selfor's research skills. The facts she included on Alice's mother's bipolar disorder helped build the plot and made me sympathize towards Alice--Ms. Selfors has an ability to evoke emotion in her readers. The plot moved quickly and fluidly, making for an easy read whose pages I couldn't stop turning. In Mad Love, I experienced the mark of a truly good book: while reading, I felt like I was submerged in the plot itself, like I was Alice, experiencing the events firsthand.

A funny, light, bittersweet novel that is fresh and unique, Mad Love gives you that warm and fuzzy feeling after you've finished reading--I'm totally in love with this book!

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Cover Love!

Lisa Mantchev's Theatre Illuminata books have always struck me as having the most exquisite covers. What do you think about the cover for the 3rd book, So Silver Bright (coming out September 13th!) I can't wait to see what's next for Bertie & co!

Jenna and Jonah's Fauxmance

Authors: Emily Franklin & Brendan Halpin

Pages: 229

Published: Walker & Company, 2011

Genre: Contemporary fiction

Cover Score: B+

Overall Grade: B+

Charlie Tracker and Fielding Withers have two jobs. One is to star on their megahit comedy TV show, Jenna and Jonah's How to Be a Rock Star. Their second job is to pretend to be a real-life couple, boosting ratings and attracting show publicity. The downside? Charlie and Fielding can't stand each other. So when a harmful rumor that could potentially ruin their futures and their fauxmance is started by a pesky paparazzo, Charlie and Fielding must go into hiding until the scandal dies down. Far from Hollywood, Charlie and Fielding finally get to know each other away from the chaos and stress of their job, and find that they actually might have a shot at getting along. Or has this fauxmance-gone-wrong ruined their chance for real love?

My thoughts: Jenna and Jonah's Fauxmance as a light, funny, and sincere novel that exceeded my expectations. While I expected the story to be predictable and cheesy, it was witty and had me rooting for the two main characters until the end.

The plot moved fast, and it was easy to follow. My favorite parts? When Fielding and Charlie went into hiding in an isolated beachhouse, and, of course, the Shakespeare festival! I enjoyed how Charlie and Fielding's feelings for each other developed over time in a realistic way, and their banter was sarcastic and amusing, keeping readers entertained throughout the story. I also appreciated all of the "behind the scenes" Hollywood information--the authors clearly either have experience in the industry or did their research.

I only wished that there had been more background information on the characters and their TV show. I felt like Fielding and Charlie lacked depth, and relatability to them was absent until the last few chapters of the book (although I did appreciate the alternating point of view, which helped me see the world through their eyes). As well, I felt like the first three quarters of the book were slow and boring. The story only began to progress when the two main characters headed to Oregon for their "last chance" at the Shakespeare festival--there was simply too much lead-up.

However, the plot evolved from being a romantic, bitingly funny romp into a story about finding the true you, proving yourself, and discovering what you truly want. While it sounds corny, the information and themes were brought up in a way that was interesting, fresh and hilarious.

To fans of Hollywood stories, Jenna and Jonah's Fauxmance was a cute, clever, and easy read that's perfect to bring along with you during spring break!

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Last Day to Enter for Ruby Oliver!

If you haven't already, enter the Ruby Oliver contest here! I'll be giving away 6 copies of the final book in E. Lockhart's charming, hilarious, and romantic series. Enter before tomorrow night at midnight for your chance to win!