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.