Book Review: Vesper (Deviants, Book 1) by Jeff Sampson

VESPER BY JEFF SAMPSON 
Reading level: Young Adult 
Hardcover: 304 pages 
Publisher: Balzer + Bray (January 25, 2011)
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Indiebound

Emily Webb is a geek. And she’s happy that way. Content hiding under hoodies and curling up to watch old horror flicks, she’s never been the kind of girl who sneaks out for midnight parties. And she’s definitely not the kind of girl who starts fights or flirts with other girls’ boyfriends. Until one night Emily finds herself doing exactly that . . . the same night one of her classmates—also named Emily—is found mysteriously murdered.

The thing is, Emily doesn’t know why she’s doing any of this. By day, she’s the same old boring Emily, but by night, she turns into a thrill seeker. With every nightfall, Emily gets wilder until it’s no longer just her personality that changes. Her body can do things it never could before: Emily is now strong, fast, and utterly fearless. And soon Emily realizes that she’s not just coming out of her shell . . . there’s something much bigger going on. Is she bewitched by the soul of the other, murdered Emily? Or is Emily Webb becoming something else entirely— something not human?

As Emily hunts for answers, she finds out that she’s not the only one this is happening to—some of her classmates are changing as well. Who is turning these teens into monsters—and how many people will they kill to get what they want?

Book Opening:

"I was halfway out my bedroom window when my cell rang.

The ringtone was some ancient pop song fro when I was twelve, the sound distorted and screechy. I was precariously balanced with one bare leg out the window and the other wedged against my desk chair. Now was definitely not the best time for a call. "- Page 1

 

Notable Scene:

"I laughed wildly, totally exhilarated. Someone messed with me, I got even—a concept that before today had been totally foreign to me. Totally foreign to simpering daytime me, that is, who reacted to any sort of aggression by ducking her head, apologizing, then hiding in her room until it all blew over.

This was so much more fun. "-Page 44

Part Jekyl and Hyde with a dollop of Heroes mixed in for good measure, VESPER was butt-kicking fun! The chapters in VESPER are preceded with snippets from a tense interview with Emily and some unknown government type after the fact. I loved these transcripts and thought they really set a foreboding, suspenseful undertone to the book.  I pictured Emily in a locked room with a spotlight glaring in her face. I couldn't help but wonder—who was recording her? What was going to happen to draw this much attention to her?  Was she safe where she was now? I just had to know!

Who is Emily Webb? Emily is the narrator of Vesper. She's also a girl full of crazy contradictions. During the day she's the quiet girl who hides her curves under baggy sweatshirts and tries her best not to get noticed. Daytime Emily never stays out late partying or wears much makeup. Her idea of a rockin' Saturday evening is a sci-fi movie fest. But then one night, everything changes. Another side of Emily wants to come out to play. And let me tell you, this Emily is no wallflower. Nighttime Emily talks different, acts different and certainly dresses different. This new girl is bold and brash, with one heck of a wicked streak.  And you know what? I loved her for it.

The only downside to a book like this is that when you don't know what you are dealing with, there is inevitably a let-down when that mystery is finally revealed. After all, part of the fun about a book like VESPER is the build-up of "What is Emily Webb?" When I inevitably did find out what was going on with Emily, it took a little wind out of my sails. I think because I was having so much fun trying to figure out what she could possibly be, that I almost didn't want to know. But there wouldn't be a story if we didn't know eventually right?! I also appreciated the underlying theme of VESPER. To me, there was a really great message about being true to yourself and not letting anyone make you feel like you're not strong enough or good enough to go after what you truly want.  That's something that adults and teens alike can relate to. I look forward to seeing what Jeff Sampson has in store for us next.

1/2 Stars

SIDE NOTE:  My  favorite scene in VESPER was when Nighttime Emily almost got run over by a car and the driver threw a Taco Bell soda in her face. How often in life do people get away with the rotten things they do, and  we think back on it later wishing we had done something about it, but know we'll always be too chicken to ever do so? Well Emily never let anyone walk all over her –EVER. I loved that whole exchange with the driver- it still makes me laugh thinking about it.

COVER COMMENT: I love this cover and it adds to the suspense without giving anything away. What do you think?

Jeff Sampson is a pop-culture fanatic with an abiding love of TV and movies, much like his main character, Emily. Vesper is his first novel for young adults. Jeff lives in Tukwila, Washington. You can visit him online at www.jeffsampsonbooks.com.

Book Review: The Lost Saint by Bree Despain

THE LOST SAINT (A DARK DIVINE NOVEL)

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 416 pages
Publisher: EgmontUSA (December 28, 2010)
Language: English
Purchase: Amazon | Indiebound | Barnes & Noble
Prologue here
Chapter One here 

A family destroyed. A love threatened. An enemy returns.

Grace Divine made the ultimate sacrifice to cure Daniel Kalbi. She was infected with the werewolf curse while trying to save him, and lost her beloved brother in the process. When Grace receives a haunting phone call from Jude, she knows what she must do. She must become a Hound of Heaven.

Desperate to find Jude, Grace befriends Talbot—a newcomer to town who promises her that he can help her be a hero. But as the two grow closer, the wolf grows in Grace, and her relationship with Daniel is put in danger—in more ways than one.

Unaware of the dark path she is walking, Grace begins to give into the wolf inside of her—not realizing that an enemy has returned and a deadly trap is about to be sprung.

Book Beginning
"Do what he wants, and you might survive," a harsh voice said into the boy's ear before he felt a sharp blow to the kidneys.

He fell forward onto the concrete, his arms splayed out in front of him.

"So this is the one who tried to get away?" another voice asked from the shadows.

Notable Scene
"I tilted my head back, taking in the glow of the glistening silver of a moon rising in the night sky as I ran, and let that feeling of power wash through me.

Tingling warmth spread up my arms and legs and into my chest.

You're in control now, that foreign voice reassured me as I ran.

I'd finally broken through the barrier."- Page 128

The wolf deep inside Grace threatens to break free. Some say let it out, some urge her to control her dangerous dark side before it consumes her body and soul. Unsure of what is right and what is wrong, Grace does know one thing for sure- she won't sit around idle while her brother Jude is lost out in the world by himself.  Swallowed up by an unforgiving city, she knows she must find Jude before it's too late. With her mother grief-stricken and her father constantly on the road, Grace decides to take matters into her own hands. She wants to train. She wants to fight. But when Daniel starts becoming secretive and pulling away from her, she begins turning to newcomer Talbot, a boy who urges her to surrender to the beast within.  As darkness lurks around every corner and danger closes in, Grace must decide who she can trust  - and most importantly, whether or not she can  trust herself.
 

THE DARK DIVINE was one of my favorite novels last year and I knew if the sequel didn't live up to my high expectations, I'd be so disappointed. So with an anxious heart and somewhat shaky hand, I opened THE LOST SAINT and took a deep breath. In hindsight, I shouldn't have worried. Once again, Bree Despain's writing rocked my world. The sequel was just as good (if not better) than the first book in my opinion.

THE LOST SAINT was a darker read. More urban fantasy to me than paranormal romance, I reveled in the tension as Grace began training to take on all manner of devilry. I have to say she earned a whole new level of respect from me in this installment. I admired the way she refused to give up when everyone around her was falling apart. She proved she was a fighter, that she could take care of herself. I knew she was a strong character from the first book, but in THE LOST SAINT, Grace really kicked some serious butt!  I also loved that there was so much turmoil with her and Daniel; it kept me constantly guessing. As the pages flew by, I had to know what was going to happen with two of them. Why was he turning away from her? Could she really trust the dangerous and oh-so-handsome Talbot?  Ultimately I wanted Daniel and Grace together, but with the uncertainty of what Daniel was keeping from her, and the arrival of Talbot (picture a hunky young Alcide from True Blood), well, it all made for a delicious distraction.

I can't say too much about the storyline for fear of giving the plot away. But I will tell you I loved this book so much that I had to go ahead and pre-order a finished copy even though I had the ARC.  I also want to mention the creatures of the night Bree Despain expanded on in this installment. It gave the book a gritty edge and added to the urgency of Grace's need to find Jude and bring him safely home.  I also loved The Depot—the bar where Grace went to look for her brother—I could feel the vibration of the pounding base as Grace descended into the dangerous lair of the seedy nightclub. I could see her in her uncomfortable vinyl pants trying to blend in long enough to scope out the scene for Jude. I could feel my own heart racing when she met Talbot, befriended him and then subsequently went on raids with him, learning how to handle evil on her own terms.

The ending of THE LOST SAINT was heartbreaking. Many questions were answered, but so many more rose to take their place. The title of the book came into play, giving the book a parting, bittersweet touch.  I can't wait to see what Bree Despain comes up next with with one of my favorite YA series of all time.

Side Note: Be sure to check back on December 27th when I feature my interview with Bree Despain and your chance to win a signed paperback copy of The Dark Divine, along with an ARC of The Lost Saint and some pretty blue signature nail polish! 

Books by Bree Despain:



Anthology

Bree rediscovered her childhood love for creating stories when she took a semester off college to write and direct plays for at-risk, inner-city teens from Philadelphia and New York. She currently lives in Salt Lake City, Utah with her husband, two young sons, and her beloved TiVo.
Official Website & Blog of Bree Despain

Book Review: Claire de Lune by Christine Johnson

CLAIRE DE LUNE BY CHRISTINE JOHNSON 
Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 352 pages
Publisher: Simon Pulse; 1 edition (May 18, 2010)
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Indiebound
Language: English

Torn between two destinies?

Claire is having the perfect sixteenth birthday. Her pool party is a big success, and gorgeous Matthew keeps chatting and flirting with her as if she's the only girl there. But that night, she discovers something that takes away all sense of normalcy: she's a werewolf.

As Claire is initiated into the pack of female werewolves, she must deal not only with her changing identity, but also with a rogue werewolf who is putting everyone she knows in danger. Claire's new life threatens her blossoming romance with Matthew, whose father is leading the werewolf hunt. Now burdened with a dark secret and pushing the boundaries of forbidden love, Claire is struggling to feel comfortable in either skin. With her lupine loyalty at odds with her human heart, she will make a choice that will change her forever?

Book Opening: 

"SHE KILLED HIM in the darkest part of the night, before the dew had settled on the grass.

It was easy. He came to the window when she'd tapped her claws against it. It was exactly what she'd hoped he would do. Sliding up the square of glass. Sticking his head out to investigate. Like an idiot. Like prey.

One less moron in the world. She licked the blood off her mouth, the coarse whiskers sliding against her tongue." –Prologue   

Notable Scene: 

 "Claire opened her mouth, reading to disagree, when something moved at the far end of the building. She blinked and wondered if the tree shadows were playing tricks on her eyes. The security light showed nothing but a bare expanse of concrete and a chain link fence.

But then, whatever was out there twitched again and a pair of yellow eyes flashed in the darkness."- Page 278

Some girls get a car on their sweet sixteen. Claire finds out that she's a werewolf. Not exactly a birthday wish come true, right?

CLAIRE DE LUNE by Christine Johnson introduces us to a different world. One where werewolves exist, but with a twist; it's a females-only club. Male werewolves have never existed. Women pass on the gene from one generation to the next, waiting until their daughter's sixteenth birthday (when the wolf begins manifesting) to induct them into the pack.  While most werewolf novels have a strong alpha-male as the leader, in Claire's world they assume control based on intellect, not physical prowess.

This fresh take on werewolf lit set the stage for a story with a lot of potential for originality and character development. This time around it was girl saves boy; I couldn't wait to see what happened. While I will say CLAIRE DE LUNE turned out to be an enjoyable read, particularly with the themes of female empowerment, self-acceptance, family loyalty and courage, I found several aspects fall short of the mark.      

For me, the book seemed more of a lighter coming-of-age story with a furry twist than the spine-tingling werewolf saga I had anticipated prior to reading it.  While there were some great plot twists with the rogue killer on the loose, and red herrings thrown in to keep the reader guessing, the main focus of the book was first and foremost always about Claire's transformation.  I had actually wanted to learn more about how the wolves evolved, how the "Goddess" became a focal point of their existence, etcetera. Granted, none of this was absolutely essential to the actual storyline, but it would've been fascinating and given more validity to the world building. The reader is actually never told how the wolves evolved or when they were first discovered by humans. I felt like I had missed something; I had been looking forward to delving deeper into their mythology and evolution.  Unfortunately I never got to read about it.

Christine Johnson definitely excelled in constructing Claire's character. I felt sympathetic to her situation. Her mother dropped this huge bomb on her when she turned sixteen and I thought she did a poor job of helping her daughter assimilate. But the biggest problem was Matt, Claire's love interest and son to the villainous scientist hell-bent on destroying all werewolves. This made for some good tension and plot conflict. But I found Matthew and Claire's relationship to be a little too perfect. I often wondered if some sort of relationship drama might've spiced up their chemistry a bit more.

The plotting was pretty steady but did seem slow in some parts. Towards the end, it definitely picked up, and once the action unfolded, I became more interested in how things would play out. The book definitely ties up with a satisfying ending; one that has real potential for a sequel. While CLAIRE DE LUNE wasn't a massive standout for me within the werewolf lit genre, I think it will appeal to ardent werewolf lovers and paranormal romance fans. 

1/2

I grew up in, moved away from, and finally came home to Indianapolis, Indiana. While I was in the “away” part of that adventure, I was living in Chicago, Illinois, where I went to DePaul University and met my husband. I majored in Political Science. For the record, Political Science is a totally useless degree. But it’s also totally fascinating and I loved studying it. I fall into that trap a lot. I graduated with about nine million extra credit hours because I was forever taking classes that seemed “interesting” instead of classes that I needed to fill requirements.

After college, I lived in Chicago for several more years with my husband. I had a string of jobs – some I liked, some I hated, but none of them ever stuck with me as a career. Writing is different. For this job, I could be a workaholic! Anyway, after several more years in Chicago, my husband and I moved back to Indianapolis. (We got tired of constantly looking for street parking in Lakeview.)

Now, I live in an old house in an old neighborhood with my husband and kids. I have too many books and a weakness for anything sweet. I love yoga and cooking, but I’m not much of a movie person. I like watching soccer, and always look forward to the first sweater-worthy days in the fall. But mostly, I like making things up and writing them down and having people read them. So, that’s what I do, and I’m very, very lucky to be doing it!

Book Review: Knight Angels: Book 1: Book of Love by Abra Ebner

KNIGHT ANGELS: BOOK ONE: BOOK OF LOVE 
Paperback: 368 pages 
Publisher: Crimson Oak Publishing LLC (April 7, 2010) 
Language: English
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Indiebound

When seventeen-year-old Jane Taylor witnessed her father's death, something happened to her. Ever since, her thoughts have been consumed by death, going so far as to foresee the ever-changing deaths of those around her. Sixteen-year-old Emily Taylor resented her sister's closeness with their father, who died when she was six. With the strange ability to read minds, she drowns the voices out with drugs, sending Jane over the edge. When seventeen-year-old Wes Green was adopted, he moved in next door to Jane, finding in her a childhood friend turned high-school crush. All summer, the pain in his bones seemed unwarranted. He was done growing long ago. When senior year starts, however, the pain only gets worse. The foreseen changes are not expected, and far too animal for his taste. When Max Gordon found himself standing above the dying body of an innocent seven-year-old girl, he saw in her eyes something he hadn't seen in the century he'd spent roaming Earth. Her father was already dead, but there was hope to save her. Jane was her name, and already she was all he ever wanted. It was his job to bring her back, and it was his job to protect her - the biggest mistake of his life. When these four teens enter Glenwood High their senior year, no one but Max could understand the future ahead of them. Drawn together by blood and friendship, they each hide a dark secret that will soon bind them together. Max has to protect Jane, Jane wants to be normal, Wes wants Jane to love him, and Emily just wants the voices to stop... But their fate just wants them dead.

Book Opening:

Diary of Jane Taylor:

"When I think of death, I don't see what everyone else does. There's a soft whisper when you find it, and a voice telling us that it'll be okay.

We never die alone, because they are always there watching over us, protecting us, and guiding us. They are silent, like a simple gust of wind; but it is in this wind that our world can change.
Mine did."

Notable Scene:

"I froze and looked up at him. His hand was warm, his fingers resting over my own. I swallowed, the immediate connection to his thoughts too personal. I pulled my hand out from under his. Wes was frightened and I could also see it in his eyes. I searched his face, my body screaming to be near him but I know it wasn't right. He loved Jane, but inside his thoughts, it wasn't Jane he had been thinking of; it was me." –Page 108

Love. Angels. Betrayal. KNIGHT ANGELS: BOOK OF LOVE had everything I wanted and oh-so-much- more. Abra Ebner skillfully entwines romance, action and mystery into a delicious reading experience. With strong writing and skillfully orchestrated multiple character point-of-views, this standout novel completely blindsided me. To be honest, I was initially leery about diving in because I knew it was self-published. But after reading it, I have to wonder—Why  wasn't this snatched up by a major publishing house?  Despite a few typos here and there, this is a skilled, professionally written novel deserving attention —and yes, I would include it in the same category as the wildly popular HUSH-HUSH by Becca Fitzpatrick. While completely different stories, I enjoyed this novel just as much!

It takes a skilled writer to alternate between multiple viewpoints. A lot of writers struggle with just two. Abra Ebner balances four character mindsets and completely pull it off.  I will say that initially I was worried I'd get confused, but I did catch on almost immediately. However, I think Ebner would've been better off not getting inside the head of Sarah & Eric as they were minor characters. But I'm glad she did alternate between the character viewpoints though. I was able to connect with each of them so much more, and to understand their true motivations, fears and deepest secrets so much better.

The writing was vivid and flowed easily. It was emotional yet also entertaining. Honestly,  I could not put it down. Emily, the misunderstood sister with the drug problem wasn't as selfish and destructive as her sister Jane perceived her to be.  Jane wasn't as self-important and gloomy when she interacted with Max, a boy with a strong otherworldly connection to Jane. Max came into Jane's life at the perfect time though his presence definitely attracted danger in the form of brother Greg, someone who definitely enjoyed leaving a trail of destruction in his wake. But Max's presence in Jane's life really saved her; she was so lost and morose before he came along. He breathed new life and a renewed sense of hope into Jane's personality. Through Max, I found myself becoming more vested in Jane's character and grew to care for her so much more.  Wes, the next door neighbor coming into a major supernatural awakening fascinated me as well. But I have to say, it was Greg—the most dangerous of the lot that truly captured my attention. Isn't that always the way? I never quite knew what he would do next, and the tension he brought to the book whipped things up to a fevered pitch until I literally couldn't put it down until I found out how it would play out.  

KNIGHT ANGEL: BOOK OF LOVE is the first installment in a thrilling new series where supernatural forces beyond our comprehension battle for human souls. Some will fall, others will prevail.  With a fresh take on issues of death, love and destiny, the book was a paranormal roller coaster ride of intense emotion and an addictive premise. Trust me you won't be able to put it down.

I can't wait to read the second installment, KNIGHT ANGELS: BOOK OF REVENGE, which recently released in September.

Abra Ebner lives in Washington State with her husband and two cats. She writes everyday, unable to find anything else that brings her as much joy, other than love. Her travels to England, Scotland, Switzerland and Germany, as well as her studies abroad in Australia have granted her a life full of wonder and excitement. She graduated from Washington State University with a degree in Fine Art.
Official Website & Blog

Book Review: Raised by Wolves by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

RAISED BY WOLVES BY JENNIFER LYNN BARNES 

Reading level: Young Adult 
Hardcover: 432 pages 
Publisher: EgmontUSA (June 8, 2010) 
Language: English
Purchase: Amazon | Indiebound |Barnes & Noble 

Adopted by the Alpha of a werewolf pack after a rogue wolf brutally killed her parents right before her eyes, fifteen-year-old Bryn knows only pack life, and the rigid social hierarchy that controls it. That doesn't mean that she's averse to breaking a rule or two.


But when her curiosity gets the better of her and she discovers Chase, a new teen locked in a cage in her guardian's basement, and witnesses him turn into a wolf before her eyes, the horrific memories of her parents' murders return. Bryn becomes obsessed with getting her questions answered, and Chase is the only one who can provide the information she needs.


But in her drive to find the truth, will Bryn push too far beyond the constraints of the pack, forcing her to leave behind her friends, her family, and the identity that she's shaped?

Book Opening:  

"BRONWYN ALESSIA ST. VINCENT CLARE!"   

Four names, five words, one pissed-off werewolf. The math in this particular equation never came out in my favor.

"Callum," I said, feigning surprise at his sudden appearance in my workshop. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Notable Scene: 

"He'd said it himself. I smelled like Pack, but I also smelled like meat. Now that he'd Shifted, it was anyone's guess as to which would matter more.

He's in a cage, I reminded myself, but the words meant nothing to me, because I just couldn't stop staring into his wild eyes and playing the last words he'd said before he Shifted, over and over again.

I got bit.

I got bit.

I got bit. "
-Page 60-61 "

"Come out, come out, wherever you are, little one. No sense hiding from the Big Bad Wolf. I’ll always find you in the end…" 

Fifteen-year-old Bryn remembers little about her life before the Pack.  But the rogue werewolf who slaughtered her parents still haunts her nightmares. Though Bryn has spent the last 11 years living in the Pack, she distances herself from the wolves—from their politics, their restrictive rules and their shared emotional Pack bond. When she meets Chase, a newly turned werewolf, Bryn's safe world tumbles down all around her. As new memories begin to bubble to the surface, Bryn realizes that until she uncovers the truth, she won't ever be able to move on. What really happened the night she was found? And why does it seem as if everyone is afraid of her uncovering the truth once and for all?

 Jennifer Lynn Barnes infuses new life into the werewolf genre with this fast-paced, engrossing novel.  With compelling characters and a well-written, unique take on wolves, this book is now officially my new favorite paranormal wolf saga. Headstrong and impulsive, Bryn was a fierce protagonist. I loved the way she let nothing stop her as she crusaded for the truth.  The rules of the Pack fascinated me—the bonds, the laws, the instinctual reactions of the wolves — I devoured every last morsel and was still hungry for more. 

RAISED BY WOLVES has a primal, almost feral feel to it. In order to survive among wolves, Bryn had to harden herself. She had to be strong. If she didn't rebel, if she didn't maintain her independence, she would've lost a part of who she really was to the conformity of the Pack. I admired Bryn; I knew right from the start she was a special girl and I couldn't wait to discover where her story would take me next. She underwent a lot of growth throughout the course of this book and I literally could not tear myself away from it. When I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about it. When I was reading it, I didn't want it to end. Though largely underdeveloped, I adored Chase as well. My only complaint was that the two were separated for most of the book. I was dying for more interaction from the two of them. Then again, the focus of the book was not romance. It was about Bryn's journey for answers.

Another character important to note was Ali, Bryn's surrogate mother. Ali was AMAZING. Even now, this character still lingers on in my memory. Ali was one tough-as-nails lady. Even after everything she had been through, she possessed tremendous strength. Though Bryn wasn't her real daughter, Ali loved her with a ferocious protectiveness that  brought tears to my eyes.When the twins came along, I thought some of the most vivid, descriptive moments were in the depictions of Katie, thebaby wolf-girl who loved shifting into her puppy wolf form. I could just imagine her Baby Gap outfits ripping when she transformed into her wolf shape and  I could practically feel her puppy breath upon my face. Katie was a character to instantly fall in love with and added so much extra to the narrative.

RAISED BY WOLVES was a thrilling, suspenseful saga of a young girl's struggle to live among werewolves without losing her true human identity. As you can surmise from my review, I thought this was a kick-butt, fiery novel that truly separated itself "from the Pack." I am most anxiously awaiting TRIAL BY FIRE, due out the summer of 2011. 

I'd highly recommend RAISED BY WOLVES to paranormal fantasy fans, particular those of Patricia Briggs or Kelley Armstrong.

Books by Jennifer Lynn Barnes 

                       

Jennifer Lynn Barnes (who mostly goes by Jen) was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She has been, in turn, a competitive cheerleader, a volleyball player, a dancer, a debutante, a primate cognition researcher, a teen model, a comic book geek, and a lemur aficionado. She's been writing for as long as she can remember, finished her first full book (which she now refers to as a "practice book" and which none of you will ever see) when she was still in high school, and then wrote Golden the summer after her freshman year in college, when she was nineteen. 

Jen graduated high school in 2002, and from Yale University with a degree in cognitive science (the study of the brain and thought) in May of 2006. She'll be spending the 2006-2007 school year abroad, doing autism research at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom.
Official Website and Blog

Book Review: Low Red Moon by Ivy Devlin

LOW RED MOON BY IVY DEVLIN

Reading level:Young Adult
Hardcover: 256 pages
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children's Books (September 14, 2010)
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Indiebound
Language: English

Avery Hood is reeling from the loss of her parents--and the fact that she can't remember what happened to them even though she was there.
 

She's struggling to adjust to life without them, and to living with her grandmother, when she meets Ben, who isn't like any guy she's ever met before.

It turns out there's a reason why, and Ben's secret may hold the key to Avery finding out what happened to her parents...

But what if that secret changes everything she knows about--and feels for--Ben?

Book Opening:

"I was covered in blood when the police found me.
Head to toe: in my hair, on my eyelashes, in the skin between my toes. Dried so deep into my clothes they were taken away and I never saw them again."

Notable Scene:

"He looked away first, but not before I glimpsed his yes flashing, the color seeming to shift to silver.

"Avery,--I –"

And then he stopped. Closed his eyes, breathing like he was in pain, and I swear he rippled for a moment, his whole body shuddering like something was underneath it. Inside it.

"You should go," he whispered, and somehow I managed to stand up, never turning away from him. I'd thought I'd needed him and now—

"I won't hurt you", he said. "I'd never hurt you."

I ran then.

I ran because I was scared.

I ran because I knew that he was scared.

I ran because I didn't know if he was telling the truth, and I because he didn't either." -Page 68

I was intrigued by the premise of Low Red Moon as soon as I watched the trailer and read the synopsis.  The setting seemed eerily perfect—small town community, a family living practically "off the grid", superstitious murmurings about creatures in the forest and a dangerous new guy at school. A teenage girl survives a brutal attack on her family but is left with no recollection of what happened.  I had to know why she couldn't remember what happened to her parents. But more than that, I wanted to know why she was spared.  Enter the new guy. Good looking and more than a little dangerous. All of this combined made me extremely anxious to dive in and solve the mystery.

Unfortunately none of the puzzle pieces ever lined up for me.

In my opinion Low Red Moon would've been a better book without the romance. Yes, that's what I said—without the romance.  I'm normally a sucker for a good paranormal romance but this one was way too rushed for my taste.  I don't understand this trend in YA—characters lock eyes one time and immediately pledge their eternal devotion to one another. Where's the build up? Where's the "getting-to-know-you" stage?  Quite a few times, I even flipped back to make sure I hadn't accidentally missed a couple of chapters. 

I also feel very strongly that Low Red Moon would've been a much more impactful, tighter book if we had gotten more time devoted to Avery's life before the murders. I wish the book had a prequel. Or even an extensive flashback sequence would've worked. Something that would've showed the type of person Avery was prior to the attacks. Something that painted a vivid picture of the family dynamics. Something that made me deeply care for them all on a personal level.  While Avery does often reflect on what a kind and loving family she had, it didn't really touch my heart.

The best aspect of Low Red Moon was when Avery and her grandmother were rebuilding their relationship. I found their interactions to be compelling. Here was a woman who hadn't been in Avery's life for many, many years and now was thrust in the position of surrogate mother and father. There were so many levels there to sort through and I enjoyed watching their relationship evolve. Her grandmother was a strong character; one with a few secrets of her own. I loved how protective she was of Avery and the distance she went to try and bridge the gap between the two of them. As for Avery herself, I thought she was a bit of an enigma. If my parents had been brutally dismembered and the killer was still at large, I think I'd be a little hesitant to go trampling about the woods late at night by myself.  I didn't understand how that thought never even crossed her mind. Many of her choices didn't seem believable to me.

Overall, Low Red Moon was a somewhat shaky start to a series that I believe still has potential. Amazon.com lists Low Red Moon as having 256 pages. My ARC had 196. So I'm hoping the final version will expand on the romance and show the reader how Ben and Avery came to fall in love.  I also feel that the ending was strong. With a little tightening up and more time put into character relationships and motivations, this series could be really great.  There is nothing lacking in the folklore behind the supernatural presence in the woods. The superstitions regarding the wolves intrigued me immensely. I wanted to learn more about them—tales of wolves taking human brides in exchange for peace treaties.

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Book Review: Other by Karen Kincy

OTHER BY KAREN KINCY

Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Flux (July 1, 2010)
Language: English
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Indiebound
1/2

Feathers unfurl from my skin. My plummet curves into a swoop, and I tuck my talons beneath my body. From girl to great horned owl in about a second. Pretty good, huh?

Gwen Williams is like any other modern teenager with one exception: she's a shapeshifter. Never having known her Pooka-spirit father, Gwen must struggle with the wild, wonderful magic inside of her alone—and in secret. While society may tolerate vampires, centaurs, and "Others" like Gwen, there are plenty of folks in Klikamuks, Washington, who don't care for her kind.

Now there's a new werewolf pack in town, and Others are getting killed, including Gwen's dryad friend. The police are doing zilch. In the midst of terrible loss and danger, Gwen meets a cute Japanese fox spirit who's refreshingly comfortable with his Otherness. Can Gwen find the courage to embrace her true self and find the killer—before she becomes the next victim?

OPENING LINE:

“I can't last much longer. It's been one week, three days and I can't remember how many hours. ”

NOTABLE SCENE:

“Whatever. I've earned this. I'll be careful. I've been a good little girl for long enough. It's easy to transform again, I'm so giddy with the lingering magic. Back to girl I go. I climb through the window and onto the roof. Naked, I curl my bare toes around shingles and grin nervously in the moonlight. I hope nobody's awake.

Wind tosses my curls. I clench my hands and stir the magic inside me. Power boils through my veins, dizzying me. Concentrate. The night snaps into sharper focus. I jump. My arms, my wings, strain upward. Feathers unfurl from my skin. My plummet curves into a swoop, and I tuck my talons beneath my body.

From girl to great horned owl in about a second. Pretty good, huh?” -Page 3

What is a pooka you ask? According to Gwen's old textbooks, pookas were described as mythical creatures that "show up as a dark horse with glowing golden eyes, stalking travelers on murky nights, inviting them on wild rides, throwing them into bogs, over cliffs"…you get the picture right?

The world building of OTHER ended up being the strongest component for me. It was intriguing to immerse myself into a novel with leprechauns, dryads, water sprites and pookas. Most seemed to be trying to live out quiet lives in normal towns when they were not-so-normal people themselves. I also appreciated the issues of tolerance and prejudice that the "Others" had to deal with, particularly the werewolves of Winema's pack who were literally forced out of Canada before settling outside of Gwen's town. The scene when Gwen met Winema was well written and the wolf pups nearly broke my heart. Just like in any society, some Others were regarded as a higher class and certain Others, like vampires and werewolves were viewed with fear and hatred. I found that interesting and was intrigued by the class distinctions, as well as the unique magical abilities of the Others themselves.

Unfortunately, I had a hard time really connecting to Gwen. I also thought the pacing was rather slow, especially in the beginning. I knew straightaway who the killer would target next, and that predictability took away a lot of the emotional punch when that event occurred down the line. However, when Gwen began interacting with Tavian, a Japanese fox kitsune spirit (how cool is that?), I thought the pacing accelerated and I began to appreciate Gwen a lot more. She proved herself to be a loyal friend and showed tremendous courage when it came to solving the the murders.

An unusual mix of magic and mystery, OTHER was chocked full of interesting characters and an intriguing plot line. Though slow to start, it is a series with a lot of potential. The next book entitled BLOODBORN releases in 2011.

*SIDE NOTE: I was in Ireland a few months back and went to a dinner hosted by a professional folklorist called "Food, Folklore & Fairies". I remember him referencing pookas as they related to 18th century peasant life. He joked that men would blame the pooka as the reason why they were coming home late from the local pubs. The man would tell his wife, "I left the pub with every intention of coming home to you but that "darn pooka" got me—it's not my fault." (Apparently pookas seemed to enjoy waiting for intoxicated men to exit pubs, only to sidle under their legs while they stumbled drunkenly about. The man would insist the last thing he remembered was being taken on a wild ride through the night and then thrown off the back of the pooka into a ditch! I wonder if that excuse really worked?)

A shameless nerd and lover of snark, Karen lives in western Washington, where she recently graduated from The Evergreen State College. She ripped off her hometown of Snohomish, WA for the fictional locale of Klikamuks, where Other takes place. When she’s not at her computer, writing, she’s probably out in the forest with her notebook, writing, or on a photography expedition with her trusty digital camera. She likes to imagine werewolves lurking among the trees.

Karen is represented by Sara Crowe at Harvey Klinger, Inc. She is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.

Visit Karen Kincy's Official Website.