Review of "Reboot"

"I hated the screaming."

     Reboot, Amy Tintera's YA thriller, takes readers into the world of a teenaged super soldier. Wren Connolly was twelve years old when she took three bullets to the chest and died. One hundred seventy-eight minutes later, she woke up in the Dead Room, surrounded by corpses and screaming at the top of her lungs. Now, after five years, Wren One-seventy-eight is the deadliest Reboot in the Human Advancement and Repopulation Corporation. She's fast, strong, quick-healing, and, thanks to almost three hours of death, all but emotionless. But Callum Twenty-two, her newest trainee, is different; he's slower, weaker, and more emotional than most Reboots. Most importantly, he refuses to eliminate any of their assignments--a fact Command is unwilling to overlook. They deliver Wren an ultimatum: get Callum to do as he's told, eliminate him herself, or die. But this soldier is done following orders.

     From the first sentence, Tintera immerses her readers in an action-packed thrill ride that promises a great plot, strong characters, and a very real world. Wren One-seventy-eight thinks she's emotionless, a robot derived of her humanity. She goes on assignments, captures the humans in question, and boards the returning shuttle without hesitating or asking a single question. Yet, somehow, the author manages to prove that Wren is wrong about herself. At first she experiences irritation and anger, but as the story goes on she begins to rediscover other feelings she thought she'd lost. This development really shapes Wren into who she is destined to be. By slowly unveiling the various corners of her personality, we see Wren as she sees herself, which allows us to truly connect with her and even accept and forgive her for her faults.

     "Action" is the only way to describe the pacing in Reboot. Wren and Callum don't start out as rebels, but that doesn't mean they sit around drinking tea. They train together every day and go out into the city of Rosa to apprehend "assignments" on a regular basis. This usually consists of finding and beating humans until they are too injured to resist arrest. By documenting solo assignments as well as training missions, Callum's influence on Wren is quickly made startlingly clear, to readers and to Wren herself. And since Tintera takes her time bringing her characters around to rebellion, we not only learn to love her protagonist and love interest, but also appreciate the full extent of their actions and development. Few things happen overnight, which makes everything that much more realistic.

     The worldbuilding in this novel is fantastic. Although Wren doesn't spend a whole lot of time actually exploring it, we learn a lot about this alternate future through everything she does. A killer virus has wiped out a great deal of the human population; those who survive are Rebooted and enslaved by HARC. Humans live in small, isolated cities divided into a rico sector and slums, terrified of spreading KDH, the virus that creates the Reboots they fear. All this and more is revealed through dropped hints and brief descriptions, constructing a potential Republic of Texas that is very, very real.

     Although the Reboots hunt and sometimes kill humans, the villain in this piece is definitely HARC. They are the ones who isolate the Reboots, train them to fight, and use them to control criminals and rebels alike. Since these undead soldiers heal quickly, they're thrown into the field with nothing more than a helmet to protect them from the bullets that fly their way. Wren, Callum, and her roommate Ever are all injured on a regular basis, and inflict great injury on others as well. And when a Reboot rebels, HARC puts an end to it--violently. Aside from the mild gore and a bit of swearing, the only potential flag-raiser is the Reboots' unconcerned approach to romance. Wren is the only one who doesn't form physical attachments, though she's very candor about what does on around her. No one, however, is crude in any way.

     I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a heart-pounding YA novel about a strong female protagonist who puts the good of others before her own. Wren is a kick-butt fighter who is easy to connect to, and the other characters are just as sympathetic. The world they live in is beautifully fleshed-out before they even set foot in it on their own, and everything that happens fits perfectly with the story around it. Amy Tintera has written a wonderful story with Reboot, a five-star book if ever there was one.

Review of "The Red Pyramid"

"I guess it started in London, the night our dad blew up the British Museum."

     The first title in Rick Riordan's The Kane Chronicles series, entitled The Red Pyramid, takes ancient Egyptian mythology and throws it right in the laps of two unsuspecting teenagers. Thanks to a custody battle after the death of their mother, Carter and Sadie Kane only get to see each other two days a year. While Sadie lives with their grandparents, Carter spends most of his time on the road with his dad, the world-famous Egyptologist Julius Kane. Then, one summer, Dad uses their Visiting Day to take a peek at the Rosetta Stone...and tries to use it to summon an Egyptian god. The only problem is that, rather than freeing only Osiris, he also ends up releasing Set, the god of evil. Left fatherless in the ruins of the British museum, Sadie and Carter must rush to master the art of magic before Set can descend the world into permanent chaos.

     Fans of Riordan may anticipate this to be another Percy Jackson--that Carter and Sadie are going to discover they're children of the Egyptian gods and rush off to save the world. While there's nothing wrong with that storyline, allow me to put any fear to rest by saying that The Red Pyramid is its own story, with its own unique characters and a distinctly individual plot. In fact, I would go so far as to say it's actually better. Ancient Egypt is brought to life through strong characters, reincarnated gods, and magic pulled straight from pyramid walls and long-buried books.

     The Kane children are complete opposites, and not just in appearance. Sadie is a rule-breaker; Carter is a rule-follower. Carter knows all about ancient Egypt, while his sister sees no need to memorize facts when she has her "encyclopedia brother" around to explain things she doesn't understand. However, despite their differences--or, perhaps, because of them--it's easy to see the love these siblings have for each other. Even when they argue, their actions and words convey just how much they truly care. This can be a great asset, assuming they can learn to work as a team. When their differences collide, fireballs and exploding buildings are the least of their problems.

     Plot-wise, The Red Pyramid is intense. The Kanes must work with each other and a host of Egyptian deities, monsters, and magicians in order to track down Set and put an end to his evil schemes before it's too late. This means a lot of training, battle, magic, and plenty of fiendish creatures straight from mythology. Readers sensitive to biblical references should note that not only is Moses brought up--the only "foreign magician" to ever best the House of Life in a duel--but a goddess quotes Genesis and various magicians use spells to recreate significant symbols from the Old Testament. The romance, when it comes, is cute in its own way, although the characters can be a little ridiculous when they start to go on about their crushes. This would be a great one for audiobook listeners, as it's written as though it were an audio recording made by the Kanes themselves, warning magicians about Set.

     I would recommend this book to anyone interested in Egyptian mythology, teenagers with magical powers, and ancient terrors about to be set loose on the world. Though Riordan has stayed in the same vein as his previous works, The Kane Chronicles: The Red Pyramid is definitely a unique book that stands out among the crowd. Readers should know beforehand that the book contains several references to the Bible, as does the rest of the series, calling prophets magicians and claiming Judaic religions and faiths are merely other versions of the truth. However, the characters are pretty realistic and definitely fun to read, the premise is great, and the plot is addicting. Rick Riordan has set his new series off to a great start with The Red Pyramid, which deserves a stunning five stars.

Review of "Door in the Dragon's Throat"

"What evil do you suppose could be unleashed if the Door itself should be opened at last?"

     Frank E. Peretti's The Door in the Dragon's Throat takes a family of archaeologists and pits them against a threat older than time itself. Dr. Jake Cooper and his children, Jay and Lila, have been summoned to the Middle Eastern country of Nepur to research and open an ancient, towering door that sits at the bottom of a deep, terrifying cavern. The President of Nepur is convinced the Door houses an ancient treasure that will make him rich beyond his wildest dreams, and Dr. Cooper suspects he isn't far off the mark. After all, if the markings on the Door are accurate, the ancient king Nimrod may very well have buried his wealth in the Dragon's Throat. But when a desert shaman makes several attempts to sabotage their mission, the Coopers must face the possibility that the Door doesn't house wealth, but an ancient terror pulled straight from the Bible.

     This is, at heart, a very Christian book. The Coopers and their three-man team are all very strong Christians who have no qualms about discussing their faith with those they meet. They pray to God before every expedition and often call on Him for help, whether they need rescue from an unshakable dread or a very real cave-in. Though it can get a bit preachy at times, Peretti's writing is strong and caries a firm sense of authenticity throughout the whole story.

     Since this book isn't  very long, there isn't a whole lot of time to develop the characters. Somehow, though, the Coopers and their companions are crafted into unique individuals with their own quirks and habits that separate them from everyone else. Even if Jeff, Tom, and Bill, their three workers, are relatively flat, the characters who star in this book each get their chance to shine. They use seismographic equipment, blow up rubble, and call on Jesus with equal enthusiasm, each character approaching their task in their own way.

     The Door in the Dragon's Throat may be a mere 125 pages long in paperback, but it's packed full of action. The Door is surrounded by a myriad of superstitions, curses, and horror stories that set the locals on edge, and though their guide relays these tales with an amusing amount of hysteria, readers get the sense that there really is a threat here. People have died, fled in terror, and befallen other horrible situations after approaching the Door. So when trouble strikes, as it often does, it's not unexpected. But as the Coopers are assaulted with problem after terrifying problem, a suspicion may begin to form that things aren't as they seem--a suspicion the protagonists share, and which foreshadows the frighteningly wonderful ending.

     Aside from the excessive preaching, there are few things in Peretti's story that might turn people away. The other one is the tension level. The Coopers face everything from cave-ins, vipers, and curses to kidnapping, a greedy dictator, and supernatural forces of evil. However, despite the sheer amount of conflict going on, nothing is overly intense and nobody is seriously injured. The message here is that God can overpower any evil, and Peretti's characters experience this on every possible level. While the theme is a little in-your-face, it does leave behind a tale that is clean and relatively addicting.

     I would recommend this book to any tween looking for an entertaining adventure with a strong Christian message. With quick, deft strokes, Frank E. Peretti paints a picture of a desert nation on the verge of great wealth that isn't what it seems. Though it can be preachy and, at times, a tad intense, The Door in the Dragon's Throat is a great read for those interested in strong characters with a firm Christian foundation. It deserves four stars out of five.

Review of "Anna Karenina"

"All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way."

     Leo Tolstoy's Anna Karenina is a true Russian classic. It's got a large host of characters caught up in their own struggles as they try to make their way through life, though plenty of them don't make very wise choices. When Prince Stephán "Stiva" Arkádyich's wife, Dolly, discovers an incriminating letter that links him to their children's French governess, the Oblónsky house is thrown into chaos. Stiva is banished to his study; Dolly threatens to take the children and leave; servants quit without notice. Their only hope lies in Stiva's sister, Mrs. Anna Karenina, a tenderhearted woman with a track record for peacemaking. But when Dolly's sister Kitty invites Anna to a ball, trouble ensues. Kitty has two suitors, Konstantín Levin and Count Aléxi Vrónsky, but only Levin is in for the long haul. Convinced Vrónsky is about to propose, Kitty has refused Levin's offer of marriage--but an encounter at the ball leaves Vrónsky enamored with Anna and Kitty in a pit of depression. Now all these characters must deal with the consequences of their choices, with earth-shattering results.

     Of course, unless a reader understands the Russian language and culture it's impossible to comprehend Tolstoy's writing. Thankfully, many translators have undertaken the task of translating such works into English. In this case, Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky have done a marvelous job. They work together with the original prose to make something that is simultaneously true to the story and era, yet easy for non-Russian readers to understand. The dramatis personae includes the names of the principle characters, their relationships with each other, and a brief guide to the Russian name-game, since people in the book tend to use different names in different contexts. This makes everything so much simpler, leaving the reader all their energy to focus on the story itself.

     Everything is complicated in Anna Karenina. Anna and Vrónsky can't be together because she's married; she can't divorce her husband because he'll keep her son. Levin can't bring himself to visit St. Petersburg because Kitty has already rejected him once; she can't stay in the city because of an illness. Wherever they go, whatever they do, the characters always find themselves in situations that test their souls and the very depths of their morality. This exploration sheds light on the various facets of their personalities, rounding them out and making each of them perfectly believable.

     Unfortunately, not everything is drama and scandal. A great deal of Tolstoy's novel consists of Levin's attempts to rethink his farming methods, maneuver political circles he despises, and figure out his stance on religion. While very good story needs a few low points to balance out the plot, these are particularly long and drawn-out, and are often unessential to the plot. They do, however, aid in character development, which is one of the most impressive achievements of Anna Karenina. And whenever politics modern readers won't understand are brought up, Pevear and Volokhonsky step in with helpful footnotes and handy explanations.

     If this were a modern novel, we might expect steamy make-out scenes and constant angst over getting caught. But this is Tolstoy we're talking about. Anna and Vrónsky do their thing behind closed doors--that is, off the page--and deal only with the consequences when readers are present. The author uses the other characters as a means of contrasting the lovers with traditional people with traditional morals. Sometimes the themes he suggests are subtle, but there are scenes where it's very obvious what he's trying to say. While there's no action, per say, the climax is breathtaking and there are a couple of deaths.

     I would recommend this book to anyone with a high reading level and an interest in classic Russian literature. It is not for those with busy schedules, as there are points when it feels a thousand pages long rather than 817. However, the characters are incredibly detailed and realistic, and the plot and premise are intriguing. Despite the countless pages devoted to Levin's farm and the occasional long-winded discussion of "the Slavic question", Leo Tolstoy has done a great job with Anna Karenina, and Pevear and Volokhonsky have captured his story well. It sits smack-dab in the middle of four stars.

Review of "Altered"

"What were four boys doing in our basement?"

     In Altered, author Jennifer Rush explores the life of four superhuman fugitives and their unexceptional human sidekick. Anna Moray has always known about the Branch, the mysterious corporation her father works for. She's come to terms with the way they've altered the genetics of Sam, Cas, Nick, and Trev, the four boys they keep in her father's basement lab. Over the years, she's even started helping Dad test them. But when the Branch sends agents to retrieve their little projects, everything is thrown into chaos. Sam and the boys escape, taking Anna with them. They're determined to uncover their forgotten pasts and start new lives for themselves, but they may just discover that their most important task is figuring out how Anna plays into it all. Because while they're running for their lives, she may very well be the key to everything--including their undoing.

     The characters in Rush's novel are incredibly diverse. Sam is the serious, focused leader with a great eye for strategy; Trev is book-smart and kind, always ready to act as peacemaker or quote a historical figure; Nick is grouchy and irritating, though with surprising depth; and Cas really only cares about food and mental stimulation. Together, they've formed a bond so strong it's obvious in everything they do. These boys are more than friends or fellow subjects; they're brothers. Anna, despite her original position in their lives, is strong-willed and somehow manages to hold her own amongst them, earning their respect even as she figures out her place in the pack.

     Altered may appear to get off to a slow start, but it quickly becomes apparent that this is merely the calm before the storm. Within a few chapters, Anna and the boys are stealing cars, evenly distributing guns, and inspecting every shadow for a sign that Branch agents have caught up to them. Thankfully, these aren't just kick-butt characters who are brilliant at everything they touch; though they're good at what they do, they all have flaws and make mistakes just like real people. The Branch is also a very real presence throughout the entire story, more than a scary shadow on the horizon. Whenever they show up, it's a sign that something important is going to happen, whether it's a crucial discovery or a shocking plot twist. Rush is very good at revealing secrets piecemeal, giving readers just enough to satisfy without spoiling the rest of the plot, which makes for a very addicting read.

     Sadly, the romance in this novel is a little underdeveloped. Anna has a huge crush on Sam, mainly because he's very deliberate, only revealing as much about himself as he deems necessary, which intrigues her. But Sam doesn't appear to reciprocate her feelings, so even though we know he keeps his emotions secret it comes as a bit of a shock to find he thinks of her that way, too. Maybe it's a bit of a spoiler, but it's important to note that a good bit of this story is made up of romance, which doesn't get in the way of the plot but really could be fleshed out better.

     Readers should note that while these characters have been sheltered their whole lives, they are far from innocent. They shoot people, steal, and fight their way out of bad situations, which often ends with a floor littered with bodies. It isn't a terribly gory book, with just enough blood and guts for those who enjoy such things. The romance doesn't go beyond kissing, though it's implied that one of the characters would be just fine with more. What may raise some flags is the language content, as the boys--especially Nick--cuss a great deal. Most of the more "mature" words are reserved for Nick, ranging from "hell" to the F-bomb. While there are moments when the language seems a little overused, it usually fits with the characters and context.

     I would recommend this book to teens looking for an action-packed novel with great characters and mysteries that are actually mysterious. Jennifer Rush is definitely an author who asks more questions than she answers,  at least at first, but by the time the story comes to a close most of those questions have been addressed. This makes for some huge plot twists that are almost guaranteed to keep readers on their toes, and though the romance is a little flat it's impossible to dislike the characters. Even surly, foul-mouthed Nick has a good side, whether or not he cares to admit it. Rush has done a great deed with Altered, an exciting book with lots of spirit and a plot that will leave readers thirsting for more. It definitely deserves a solid four stars.

Review of "100 Cupboards"

"The whole point of magic doors is to try and go through them to somewhere else."

     N.D. Wilson's 100 Cupboards takes unexpected adventures to a whole new level. When Henry York's parents are abducted during an international bicycling trip, he doesn't know what to think. Sure, they're his parents, but they're also the people who made him wear a helmet to P.E. and kept him in a car seat until he was nine. If they don't come back until summer's over, that's okay with him. After all, he's spending the interim with his aunt, uncle, and three cousins in Henry, Kansas, and the first thing Uncle Frank did when he arrived was buy him a baseball glove and a pocket knife. How cool is that? But when plaster falls off his bedroom wall to reveal ninety-nine cupboards that lead to different worlds, Henry realizes that he might get more than he bargained for in Kansas. And when his cousin, Henrietta, disappears into one of the cupboards and a witch comes out, it becomes painfully obvious that his life will never be the same again.

     This is a great example of a story that asks more questions than it answers. As Henry and Henrietta explore the cupboards, they encounter mystery after mystery, and only a few of them are explained. Some answers were only known by men long dead, while others just don't pop up in the first installment of the trilogy. At first, the two cousins spend a lot of time picking away at the plaster that originally covered the cupboards, and then they poke around to see which ones they can open. In the center of the wall is a cupboard with two knobs shaped like compasses, which they eventually use to get through to the worlds beyond the cupboards. Though Henrietta spends a good chunk of time missing, the action doesn't really start until the final few chapters; the rest is just getting to know the characters and figuring out how things work. This means that, while things take longer to happen, readers make discoveries and connect dots right along with the protagonists.

     A downside to this novel is the writing style. Wilson's prose may feature ingenious similes and wonderfully detailed alternate realities, but it is, at heart, rather dry. From the beginning, when he describes the quiet little town of Henry, Kansas, everything is presented in a dull, uninterested fashion. This would be acceptable if it weren't for the fact that the characters are the same way: they take everything in stride, whether it's a hundred magical cupboards or a startling truth about their parents, and just push forward like nothing's happened.

     It doesn't help that Henry only seems to search for Henrietta because he has to, not because he's concerned about his friend's well-being. Though the characters are funny and a little realistic, they don't seem to feel much emotion at all. They just do what they do and continue to do it. This can be infuriating sometimes--but it works with a couple of the characters, like Uncle Frank, who is a constant in this wild ride, even as Henry morphs and changes as a result of his adventures.

     I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun, interesting fantasy about semi-realistic characters who don't do much. Though it takes them a long time to accomplish things, they visit beautifully described places while they try, which almost makes up for the blandness of the prose. The characters are pretty good, even if they don't appear to feel much emotion. The witch, however, feels somewhat out of place. One great thing about the story is N.D. Wilson's talent for revealing things as they come, giving readers a sense of working things out alongside the characters, which is a huge plus. All in all, 100 Cupboards is a three-star fantasy that's worth the read.

Review of "The Fault in Our Stars"

"Depression is a side effect of dying."

     John Green's The Fault in Our Stars takes a different perspective on cancer than many other novels. Hazel Grace Lancaster was diagnosed with thyroid cancer years ago, but the disease has refused to stay in one place. Now, thanks to the colony that has settled into her lungs, Hazel must drag a large, wheeled tank of oxygen wherever she goes. This happens to include the extremely depressing support group her mother forces her to attend, held in the "literal heart of Jesus" beneath a nearby church. There she meets Augustus Waters, a seventeen-year-old amputee with a penchant for metaphors and an insistence that she is more than her cancer. She doesn't want to jump into anything, but when Gus offers her the chance of a lifetime Hazel must decide: remain isolated, or risk letting him get close? In the end, she may not have a choice.

     Green has an unmistakably distinct writing style. Hazel's voice is full of sarcasm, fatigue, and very real emotion that makes her truly feel human. And she isn't just an ordinary girl--she thinks constantly of abstract concepts and has deep, philosophical debates with Gus. Even if readers don't agree with Hazel or her author, the way she presents her thoughts is simultaneously immersive and intriguing. She and Gus often joke about depressing things, which makes Hazel feel better and crafts her into a better, stronger person.

     When it comes to plot, Green takes his time. First we get to know Hazel, then her family and friends, and finally Augustus. Gus' personality is revealed one piece at a time, like the layers of an onion gradually peeling back, which is really nice. The plot doesn't take off, though, until a little ways in--or, at least, so it seems. In reality, the plot weaves its way through the story with a great deal of subtlety, bringing the characters gradually closer until the end. While this means that a lot of the book goes slowly, it really is well-done.

     One downside I encountered was Augustus. He's funny, charismatic, and a good friend, but I found it difficult to connect with him on an emotional level. He's too arrogant, too distant, to really understand in a way that's sympathetic. Maybe it has nothing to do with Gus himself; maybe it's just me. But when trouble strikes close to home, it isn't as effective if only one of the two lovers is relatable. Considering this is a novel that focuses entirely on these two learning to walk the cancer road together, that is not a good thing. Hazel's best friend doesn't show up too often, either, so it follows that she's a pretty flat, unsympathetic character. Though she's necessary to develop Hazel's personality, she isn't as important as a best friend should be. Otherwise, the secondary characters are all interesting and relatively dynamic.

     As this is a YA romance, it follows that certain qualifications pop up here and there throughout the story. Flirting is rampant, of course, but there's also a bit of crude humor and a physically romantic scene that goes into just enough detail to leave no doubt in mind as to what the characters are up to. As a cancer patient, Hazel is often told to stay positive, but she decides it is stupid to avoid thinking about the inevitable, so she tries to discuss death and other morbid topics with friends and family. With the exception of Gus, few people are willing to go along with it. Some of the side characters have cancer, as well, which means that body parts are occasionally removed, leaving them to deal with the consequences.

     I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a YA novel about a teenager going through the angst and fear of cancer. Hazel Grace is a good, strong character whose relationship with Gus makes her better, like a knife against a whetstone. They occasionally think about dark things, like death, and discuss them with each other, but this is done in such a way as to build character. However, Augustus isn't a very sympathetic love interest, which takes away the impact of some of the conflicts. Therefore, I give John Green's The Fault in Our Stars four stars.

Review of "A School for Unusual Girls"

"I started a fire and now I'm being punished."

     Kathleen Baldwin's A School for Unusual Girls may feature a finishing school for spies, but its focus gives the story a surprising twist. Miss Georgiana Fitzwilliam is, much to her parents' horror, a scientist. Not only does she launch herself from the window on homemade gliders, but Georgie also may or may not have started work on a new, undetectable invisible ink. So what if the barn burned down in the process? In her eyes, that is no excuse to banish her to the Stranje House School for Unusual Girls. For goodness' sake, the headmistress has a rack in her "discipline room"! When her parents leave without even saying goodbye, Georgie decides to take matters into her own hands and run away. But escape is not as simple as she thought, and when it becomes apparent that her chemistry will be encouraged--and that the rack is only morbid decoration--she realizes life at the Stranje House may not be as horrible as she imagined.

     This book has a very promising premise. A scientifically-minded girl is sent to a "reform school" that claims to practice horrible, barbaric correction techniques, which turns out to be little more than a front to a school for spies. What more could we ask for? Apparently, a lot. Not only does Georgie spend absolutely no time training to pick locks, detect poison, or free herself when tied to a chair, but she insists on falling head-over-heels for the only young man in the area: Lord Wyatt, an undercover agent for the crown and, currently, her lab assistant. At least he has the decency to warn her off, not because he's "no good for her" but because entanglements with a spy are messy at best. And Georgie has the decency to understand and appreciate that--not that it stops her.

     There is, however, a saving grace in all this mess. Georgie spends her time in the lab working on an invisible ink that is impervious to heat, a formula that could have saved her brother's life had it been developed sooner. Partway through the book, she figures it out--only to have everything come crashing down because of a silly mistake. This is where the plot kicks in, sending Georgie and her classmates on a high-stakes rescue mission with all of Europe on the line. For Napoleon's followers are stirring, and if the ink falls into the wrong hands, the king of France could die and Bonaparte could very easily rise again.

     Character-wise, A School for Unusual Girls is both well-done and lacking. Georgie is fleshed out completely, her personality solidified within the first few chapters. Her roommates, on the other hand, are pretty flat. Each of the other girls has some sort of gift, whether it's a persuasive tongue, visions of the future, or an eye for detail that burglars would kill for. This is not explained, and while there are times when it's easy to mix up who does what, these traits are often key indicators of who's talking. Lord Wyatt, on the other hand, is rounded enough to satisfy but provides no reason at all for Georgie to fall in love with him, other than simple attraction. This would be all right if Baldwin hadn't tried to pull off the hate-at-first-sight trope, which fails simply because it's one-sided.

     If this was a movie, it'd probably be rated PG-13. There's romance in the form of kissing, great action, and a good deal of interrogation. Thankfully, most of this takes place out of sight, with the results paraded before our character's eyes. Violence is smart and planned out, even on the part of the villain, which makes things more realistic but also causes things to run a little more smoothly than we might like. It does, however, fit the characters and add to the story. A warning to grammar Nazis: the punctuation in this novel leaves much to be desired.

     I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a story about a female chemist on a quest to stop the return of Napoleon Bonaparte and save the man she loves. Though it partially takes place in a spy school that doesn't teach her spy-like skills, Georgie is a realistic protagonist who actually thinks with her head. And the plot, once it takes off, it's absolutely exciting. The ending suggests that this is the first in a series, which leaves me hopeful about the direction the Stranje House and its inhabitants are going to go. Kathleen Baldwin has done a good job with A School for Unusual Girls, earning it three stars.

Review of "Dragon Slippers"

"It was my aunt who decided to give me to the dragon."

     Anyone who thinks dragons eat the girls they kidnap are about to get a big surprise from Jessica Day George's Dragon Slippers. When Creelisel Carlbrun's aunt decides to drop her in the clutches of the local dragon and hope a prince will rescue her, Creel almost laughs. Even if the dragon, who hasn't been seen in generations, does decide to snatch her up, why would the prince marry her, penniless and plain-looking as she is? But when the dragon decides to show his scaled face, everything changes--because Creel walks away from the encounter with a pair of hand-stitched slippers made of ancient dragon hide that tingles with magic. And everybody knows that a gift from a dragon means adventures are right around the corner.

     From the start, George's story is intriguing. Not only does Creel's aunt abandon her in an attempt to save the family farm from ruin, but everything else is flipped on its head. The dragon, Theoradus, is tired of silly humans doing silly things and only takes her into his cave in order to make sure she isn't going to cause trouble. And once she's inside, it becomes obvious that everything she's ever believed about dragonkind was fiction. For one thing, the place is neat and clean, with no bones littering the floor and making the place smell. For another, his hoard isn't gold; it's shoes. As Creel continues her journey, she meets several dragons who are definitely not what she anticipated. From hoards of stained-glass windows to magical collars, readers quickly learn to expect the unexpected, which makes everything that much more fascinating.

     As far as characters go, Dragon Slippers has plenty of interest. Though not every character is fleshed out enough to leap off the page, they all have their own unique traits that round them out and give them a great sense of reality. And Creel is such a likeable, relatable character that she holds the tale together. The side characters are unique as well, each with their own motives and backstories that drive them to do terrible or wonderful things. Whether they're dragon or human, each has a life of their own that influences the plot and character development.

     Though there's a hint of romance--little more than a crush--it's more of an adventure story than anything else. Creel must befriend dragons, fight to make a name for herself in the world of seamstresses, and battle a woman intent on controlling the magical creatures she has come to love. Everything is at stake, from friendships to kingdoms, which makes it imperative that she succeed in keeping the slippers, and the dragons, safe. There's a little action, little to no blood, and no swearing, so it's a textbook "clean read", with humor that is original and not simply slapstick or crude.

     I would recommend this book to anyone interested in a fun, amusing read featuring dragons, pushy aunts, and damsels who are definitely not in distress. It sits somewhere between the children's and YA genres, which makes it fitting for tweens and teens alike, with some strong potential for adults as well. With its compelling characters, wacky dragon hoards, and a refreshing plot, Jessica Day George's Dragon Slippers is definitely a five-star must-read.

Review of "Shatter Me"

"I'm surprised I remember how to speak."

     Tahereh Mafi's Shatter Me is quite unlike every other book I've read. It follows seventeen-year-old Juliette, who has been locked up for 264 days--barred from human contact since her touch sent a young boy spiraling to his death, his life force snatched away by her fingertips. All she wants is a friend, someone who'll talk to her and listen when she talks like she isn't a tool, isn't a weapon. Instead, she has the Reestablishment, the government that has taken over in the ruins of a shattered world. Shortly after we meet Juliette, a Reestablishment leader approaches her with an offer: freedom and a comfortable life in exchange for the torture of prisoners. But though Juliette is on the brink of insanity, she has no intention of becoming a monster. Now, with the help of a soldier with a power of his own, Juliette finally has a chance to escape...if only she can overcome her fear of herself.

     It's part dystopia, part superhero story, part romance, all tangled up in ways that, though they're confusing at times, can be pretty interesting. In the beginning, Mafi's writing is littered with struck-out sentences that show what Juliette really thinks, whether or not she wants people to know it. As the story progresses, these instances become fewer and fewer, but even still they lend the author's hand a distinctive style that contributes greatly to character development. Juliette also includes what she wants to say in her description of dialogue, with an afterthought stating that she doesn't actually say it. This, in particular, can cause a bit of frustration for readers despite the flavor it adds to the narrative.

     Most of the characters are extremely likeable. From Juliette, who is a little too kick-butt but impossible to dislike, to Kenji, her boyfriend's hilarious friend, every person who populates Mafi's book feels like a natural part of the story. Adam, the boy she is quickly falling for, is well-written, though his motives for "loving" Juliette are somewhat questionable. Even the villain, Aaron Warner, is sympathetic and, if not relatable, at least understandable. Each interacts with the others in a smooth, believable fashion that goes a long way toward making this a good story.

     If there's one thing to watch out for in this story, it's the romance. While the violence is pretty intense, it isn't terribly gory, but Juliette's relationship with her childhood-friend-slash-current-bodyguard occasionally gets...steamy. Adam's special abilities allow him to touch her with impunity, and he does--constantly. Thrilled by her sudden ability to come in contact with another human, Juliette gets a little overzealous in her relationship with Adam. Sadly, this is not balanced out by relationship development, as they spend more time making out than having heart-to-heart conversations. There's also a love triangle that begins to develop near the end, which is sudden and seems almost forced.

     One of the upsides to Mafi's writing style is the way everything seems like a live streaming of Juliette's experiences, but readers should be sure to check the genre label before they set expectations. While this seems like a dystopian or post-apocalyptic romance at first, the plot twist at the end reveals that it's anything but. And since Juliette doesn't see it coming, chances are good that unsuspecting readers will be blindsided. You've been warned.

     I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a steamy YA novel that feels like it should be NA. It's got fighting, blood, immersive emotions, and fascinating characters, but the romance is more physical than emotional and the setting seems almost pointless. However, despite this and the sudden genre-change near the end, Tahereh Mafi's Shatter Me is a great book that sits at at the upper end of three stars.

Review of "Sisters Red"

"When I spin around, there's no man behind me, only a monster."

     Jackson Pearce's Sisters Red takes the story of Red Riding Hood to a whole new level. For one thing, this isn't just a rerun where the hooded girl has to watch her grandmother die at the hands of a werewolf. This time there are two girls--and they're fighting back. Meet Scarlett and Rosie March, orphans whose grandmother died at the claws of a Fenris, one of the many charming men who turn into wolves and devour humans. Scarlett is hard, sharp, and determined that no one else will share the same fate as herself and her sister. Rosie is her bait, luring the Fenris in so she can bury her hatchet into their canine forms. But things take a grim turn when it becomes clear that the werewolves are seeking out a new member to their ranks, and even the March sisters might not be able to stop them.

     Scarlett and Rosie are complete opposites. Scarlett is tough, focused, and completely invested in the chase. Her sister, on the other hand, is a teenaged girl stuck in a war she isn't sure she wants to fight anymore. Rosie keeps on because she feels like she owes Scarlett for saving her life when they were kids, the day the Fenris killed Oma March, but she craves a life outside of the hunt. So when they move to the city to track down the soon-to-be-Fenris, known as the Potential, she's thrilled. And when Scarlett's close friend, twenty-one-year-old Silas, begins to show interest in her, it's like life couldn't get any better. The only problem is that Scarlett doesn't want her lowering her guard--and Silas may be more than he seems.

     Pearce paints her characters with vivid colors that allow readers insight into every aspect of their souls, each angle admirable or unlikeable enough to flesh them out and lend them a firm sense of roundness and realism. No character is perfect: Rosie is naïve, fun-loving, and curious, with a splash of rebellion and not enough survival instincts. Scarlett is unpleasant but relatable, her love for her younger sister visible in everything she does. Even Silas, whose mind we don't get to see firsthand, is concrete and believable. Together, the three make a perfect team, though they have plenty of conflict to spice up the lulls in the plot.

     As for action, this book has plenty. Scarlett does most of the fighting, though the others do join in. Her preferred weapon is a hatchet--as you can imagine, there is a good amount of gore. However, this isn't overdone and is balanced out by the slow, higher points in the story. The romance, on the other hand, is kind of awkward, due in part to the large age difference between Rosie and Silas. The two feel a strong urge to hide their relationship from Scarlett, which adds to the tension and the ever-growing rift between the sisters. Although it does play its part in the end, the romance feels somewhat forced and its contribution to the plot could have been approached from a different angle, making it feel rather pointless at times.

     I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a strong, kick-butt revamping of Red Riding Hood. With her complex characters and great action, Jackson Pearce has done a great job with Sisters Red. However, there is a bit of gore during the fight scenes and the romance doesn't always feel necessary to the plot. This book is pretty realistic, gritty, and thrilling, features that earn it four stars.

Review of "The Tale of Despereaux"

"The room full of mice fell silent, expectant, waiting."

     Kate DiCamillo's The Tale of Despereaux tells the charming story of a mouse, a servant girl, a vengeful rat, and soup. Despereaux Tilling is a disappointment all around: fascinated by stories, uninterested in scurrying, and completely useless at collecting crumbs to eat in the walls. All he wants to do is read the book left open in the library, about a knight who saves the princess he loves. And when the Princess Pea tells her father to play a song for the little mouse, he quickly finds himself falling in love as well. This, of course, does not sit well with the Mouse Council. They banish Despereaux to the castle dungeon, where he will be eaten by the rats...but when he uncovers a terrible plot to kidnap the princess, this mouse must muster the courage to do what no one else is capable of.

     At first glance, Despereaux is a ridiculous story. How can a mouse love a princess? How can a hard-of-hearing serving girl change the fate of a kingdom? Indeed, how can soup, or a rat, or a mouse? It's crazy. Silly. Unbelievable. And yet, somehow, DiCamillo makes it work. With an almost whimsical writing style that grounds everything in reality, the author weaves the lives of three unlikely protagonists into a cohesive tapestry that makes sense. She addresses the reader directly in nearly every chapter, asking thought-provoking questions and defining big words. This is done in a manner that flows naturally with the story and actually provides a bit of humor.

     Despereaux is one of the most lovable characters ever written. Though he's small, big-eared, and very un-mouse-like, our hero has a heart the size of a mountain range and unimaginable courage that will take him far, if only he can learn to use it. Also populating this account is Miggery, a plump, simpleminded servant girl who wants nothing more than to be a princess; and Chiaroscuro, a rat with a black heart and a desire for revenge. Together they form a complex trio with hopes and fears that interact realistically. Each character has a mind of its own, a complicated soul, and an overarching longing for a happy ending that makes them sympathetic, even if they aren't all likable.

     DiCamillo's tale is chock-full of excitement, love, beauty, and darkness. Everything is judged by its amount of light and shadow, from the stained glass windows to the princess' heart to the dark, filthy dungeon where the climax takes place. Characters develop quite a bit over the course of the book, though it's usually very subtle. They don't curse; Mig cries "Gor!" and others resort to insults and ear-boxing, both of which occur quite frequently but are not described in detail. Otherwise, violence is kept to chopped-off tails and threatening tools. Readers will also discover the tragic story behind the human king's law banning soup from the kingdom, which has ripple effects throughout the story. The author has a way of making the reader feel her protagonists' emotions and inspiring empathy for even the vilest of creatures. This, among other things, marks her narrative as unique among its shelf-mates.

     I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a story about unlikely heroes, mice against rats, and soup. Each protagonist is described with ease; each fantastical situation plausible; every scene a delicate balance of brilliant description, dialogue, and action. DiCamillo has written a great book with The Tale of Despereaux, full of empathy, strength, and the resonating power of hope for a happy ending. Together, these factors add up to a truly five-star novel.

Review of "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy"

"Fifteen seconds later he was out of the house and lying in front of a big yellow bulldozer that was advancing up the garden path."

     Douglas Adams' comedic novel The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is a glimpse into a science fiction world where nothing is normal. Arthur Dent's Thursday begins with a hangover and a vague recollection of a late-night argument at the bar. Then a bulldozing team attempts to demolish his house, his friend Ford tells him the world is about to end, and the two of them are beamed onto the spaceship sent to tear down the Earth. No big deal, except they're now stuck aboard a ship captained by disagreeable Vogons who write bad poetry and like to dump hitchhikers out the airlock. Even if they can escape, Ford and Arthur have nowhere to go...except for a ship where the least probable things in the Galaxy are guaranteed to happen.

     If any of that made sense, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is the book for you. Witty, zany, and completely original, the plot follows Arthur as he travels across the Galaxy in a stolen spaceship that boasts the only Improbability Drive in existence, which takes the least probable outcomes of a situation and makes them happen--even if it means turning missiles into flowerpots or reintroducing Arthur to a girl he met at a party and the guy who stole her away. One of the nice things about this story is that it is so far out there that suspension of disbelief is startlingly easy.

     That said, the plot of The Hitchhiker's Guide can be rather hard to follow at times. If readers aren't careful (or only pick up the book when they're too tired to pay attention), they'll be startled by the characters' sudden relocation to another planet or the seemingly random appearance of a large sperm whale. Arthur, despite being the main character of the novel, is little more than a bystander who has been caught up in something bigger and crazier than he understands. This point of view lends the writing a resigned point of view that suits the story nicely and makes for some truly funny scenes.

     Adams' book is fabulous. It does, however, pose some problems for its readers that need to be addressed. First of all is the profanity and the unclean references. Although characters are usually clean-mouthed, they do drop a few "cuss words" and make the occasional sexual reference, though they aren't explicit. Also, readers who believe in God may find the author's flippant approach to religion and faith a little offensive. On the other hand, Adams has a great sense of humor that is translated well into his book. Whether they're eating peanuts or searching for the meaning of Life, the Universe, and Everything, Arthur and his friends always manage to turn their problems into unforgettable comedy.

     I would recommend this book to older readers interested in a funny science fiction story about a man whose Thursday is ruined by bureaucratic aliens with poor taste in poetry. With his wit, gung-ho approach to plot, and interesting cast, Douglas Adams' The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is great for audiences who just want to have fun. It does, however, contain a couple of dialogue scenes that may not be appropriate for children and a less-than-respectful view of God. Put it all together, and you get a novel that sits at the lower end of four stars.

Review of "Eragon"

"He quenched the fires in his path but left the rest to burn."

     Christopher Paolini's Eragon is a dragon story like no other. When fifteen-year-old Eragon Garrowson discovers a large gemstone in the woods, he thinks luck has finally struck his family--but when that stone hatches a dragon whose skin brands his palm, this farm boy is thrown into an ancient feud that may cost him everything he holds dear. With the help of a wizened storyteller and his new winged companion, Eragon crosses Alagaësia on a mission that starts out as vengeance but morphs into something more: a desire for justice, and a confrontation with destiny that will leave his world forever altered.

     Paolini's writing is enthralling. From the first sentence, which describes a haunting wind, we are swept up in a world of magic and mystery, beautifully detailed with loving care that soaks every page, though the style is rather old-fashioned and formal. By the end of the prologue, every aspect of this world seems real, and the plot is already underway. Eragon's journey flows naturally and is full of high stakes, battling conflicts, and relatable characters. Everyone, from the mysterious Brom to the childish Eragon to the ever-wise Saphira, is painted from a wide variety of angles that portray every facet of their personality, lending them a firm sense of realism and roundness.

     Though it starts out as a traditional "seeking revenge" plot, Eragon quickly proves to be more than meets the eye. The Dragon Riders have long been extinct, a belief the king is determined to enforce. Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, pose a threat to the old king that has never been faced before. Together, they must decide where to cast their loyalties: to themselves, the Empire, or the rebellion stewing to the south. First, however, they must learn to work as a team, else they will never get anything done.

     Wherever he goes, Eragon learns more about the world than he thought possible, and every new piece of knowledge shapes his personality and his character in miniscule ways that eventually add up. On top of that, he learns new skills--swordfighting, for instance, and the use of magic. As a Dragon Rider, he has access to forces regular mortals can only dream of, but as a beginner it takes plenty of frustrated practice to succeed at even the simplest task. This, more than anything, influences Eragon's future and crafts who he is destined to become.

     For those worried that a fantasy tale of epic proportions may be unsuitable for children, fear not! Readers from the sixth grade onward will be perfectly safe in the hands of clean-mouthed characters, crush-only romance, and incredible battles. The book does contain some mild gore and a couple of chilling scenes that involve savage creatures who pillage quite violently (though always off-screen), however, so parents would do well to keep that in mind when considering Eragon for their children.

     I would recommend this book to anyone looking for an action-packed adventure with strong characters, cult-free magic, and dragons that leap right off the page. The plot is thick and dynamic, the protagonist flawed but relatable, and the worldbuilding beautiful. Any reader comfortable with a fantasy-formal writing style will be right at home with Eragon, the first title in a series of four. It fully deserves a full five stars.