Review of "The Thief Lord"

"You're really very young for a bunch of thieves."

     In Cornelia Funke's The Thief Lord, no one is too young for adventure. When twelve-year-old Prosper loses his parents to tragedy, his aunt and uncle threaten to take away the only good thing he has left: his five-year-old brother, Boniface. Clinging to his sibling in his grief, Prosper takes Bo to Venice, land of his mother's fairy tales. There, they disappear with the help of Hornet, a young girl who leads them to a host of other orphans and runaways living together in an ancient movie theater. There, they are provided for by Scipio, an intrepid burglar who calls himself the Thief Lord. When the Thief Lord takes a job from a mysterious client, honest Prosper does everything he can to stay out of it, but it soon becomes apparent that bigger things are afoot. His aunt and uncle have arrived in Venice, and they are determined to claim Bo as their own...no matter the cost.

     Funke's uses a gorgeous writing style in this novel. Venice is portrayed as a land of magic, in the descriptions as well as the story. Everything from exquisitely carved lions to a private detective's disguises is recorded with both impeccable detail and love. The characters all possess a larger-than-life quality that is unmistakable, as do the secrets that are slowly revealed as the plot progresses. Secrets are unveiled. Magic is released. Truths tear people apart. Prosper and Bo's journey toward a better life is riddled with trouble, yet somehow they manage to pull through. That is, until something horrible rocks their world, leaving them little time to pick up the pieces before it falls apart for good.

     Everyone who makes an appearance in this little narrative is a fully developed, fleshed-out person with their own lives, hopes, and dreams. Even the grown-ups keep a tiny morsel of their childhood self locked away within their souls, and these emerge on occasion to spice things up or deepen their core characters, depending on the situation. Meanwhile, the children are just as diverse and realistic as their more adult counterparts--without making this all about kids versus grown-ups. This balance is maintained nicely throughout the entire story, even as Prosper, Bo, and their new friends haggle with a greedy pawn shop owner over the Thief Lord's payments and run from a nosy investigator. In the end, each one is simply a person, and that is done so beautifully it is almost breathtaking.

     The red-flag-count in The Thief Lord is approximately zero. While the Thief Lord may be a burglar, he tends to leave his young friends out of it, which means they are generally safe. There are, however, several scenes in which this is not the case--times when the police are on their trail, vicious dogs are chasing them, or they have to make a decision about a prisoner. Whatever violence does take place is very clean, as is the vocabulary used. As the vast majority of the protagonists are children, there is no romance aside from a flirtationship between a couple of the adults, which is actually quite cute.

     I would recommend this book to children and children-at-heart who long for an adventure in a magical world they can find on a real map. The Thief Lord features bright kids, a daring leader, shocking discoveries, grown-ups both kind and cruel, and people who seem just as tangible as the readers themselves. The writing style is great, the worldbuilding is absorbing, and the plot is addictive. Cornelia Funke did a truly grand job with this story, which deserves five golden stars.

Review of "City of Golden Shadow"

"And these days, what did 'real' mean anyway?"

     In Tad Williams' City of Golden Shadow, reality is what you make it. As a virtual engineering instructor at a South African university, Irene "Renie" Sulaweyo knows almost everything there is to know about the VR world of the Net. She knows how it's made, how it's controlled...but when her ten-year-old brother falls victim to a Net-inflicted coma, she must explore parts of the Net she could never have guessed existed. Meanwhile, terminally ill teenager Orlando becomes obsessed with an image of a golden city he found in a fantasy game. Together with his best friend, Sam Fredricks, he discovers Otherland--a secret server of the most realistic virtual worlds in existence. However, there's more to Otherland than meets the eye. And as Renie, Orlando, Sam, and their friends struggle to unravel this place's dark secrets, they discover a threat greater than anything they could have possibly imagined.

     The mysterious server and its creators pose a threat few protagonists would stand a chance against. Thankfully, this cast of characters seems to be up to the task. While Renie and her bushman student, !Xabbu, work the case from one end, Orlando and Sam are laboring hard on the other. A World War I soldier named Paul Jonas also makes an appearance, hopping from world to world in pursuit of information about his past and the mysterious creatures hunting him. Together, these complex, realistic heroes form an alliance to save Renie's brother and every other child with the same problem. The threat is enormous, the enemy untouchable. Yet, with these normal, true-to-life characters, nothing seems impossible.

     What is equally impressive is the worldbuilding. From towering metropolises to glittering cities and medieval taverns, Williams paints a vast landscape of countless worlds, real and virtual alike. Often, one could be mistaken for the other if not for small reminders such as incoming messages or a reference to someone's "sim", or virtual appearance. Some of these sims are outlandish, others nondescript, but alongside the settings they infuse the scenes with that finishing touch of authenticity.

     There are several things to look out for in City of Golden Shadow. First on the list is Dread, an assassin with the power to "twist" technology to his every whim. Rather than use this ability to help others, Dread hunts, assaults, and kills innocent women. There is a good deal of violence throughout the entire tale, most of which is fairly clean. However, certain people make somewhat disturbing threats on occasion, and Paul Jonas' experiences in the trenches may be more gruesome than the rest. Language is less of a problem, although the occasional curse or crass joke might slip through. This is, in the end, an adult story. I highly recommend pre-reading it before allowing younger readers to get into it.

     I would recommend this book to adults interested in a thick plot, believable characters, and a threat that could bring the world to its knees. Renie, !Xabbu, Sam, and Orlando are wonderful protagonists living in a terrifyingly possible future where the Net is all that matters. The Otherland project is scary in its scope, as is its effect on our population. Although there are a few flag-raisers to keep an eye out for, City of Golden Shadow is definitely a story worth exploring. Tad Williams has gotten his Otherland series off to a great start with a novel fully deserving of five stars.

Review of "Red Queen"

"No one has escaped conscription and lived."

     In Victoria Aveyard's Red Queen, there is more to who rules a kingdom than whose blood runs in one's veins. What's important is the color of the blood. Those who bleed Red are servants and laborers, while Silvers are the elite, enjoying endless luxury while using their superhuman powers to keep the "inferior" Reds in line. Mare Barrow is one of those Reds. As a pickpocket with no "real" job, she is slated to join the military on her eighteenth birthday, but she takes comfort in the knowledge that her best friend, Kilorn, and younger sister, Gisa, won't be joining her. That is, until Kilorn's master dies, and Mare must find a way to avoid conscription for them both. When a shocking twist of fate lands her before the king, she may finally have a way out for all of them. But pretending to be Silver will take strength, courage, and acting skills she never knew she possessed. And if she is to save herself and her people, she will have to risk everything.

     Red Queen is definitely much more than it appears to be. What starts out as a simple tale of self-preservation quickly evolves into a war of power, love, and seemingly magical abilities. There are so many twists and turns in the narrative that nothing, and no one, can be trusted. As Mare is fond of saying, anyone can betray anyone--and they do. From deceptive tactics in superpower duels to shocking betrayals and twists of fate, there are enough obstacles and challenges to keep any reader on the edge of their seat the whole way through. Not only must Mare pass herself off as a long-lost Silver noble, she soon becomes involved in a Red uprising that will test every ounce of her courage and power.

     Mare and the characters around her are startlingly complex, yet somehow also straightforward. First there is Gisa, Mare's seamstress sister who will singlehandedly save their family from ruin...until suddenly she can't. Next comes Kilorn, the boy who has already lost everything to the war, and the one Mare will do anything to protect. Then there's Cal, who is caring and war-loving all at once; and kind, compassionate Maven, his brother. While the primary enemy appears to be the snakelike Queen Elara, there are countless others who work for or against Mare and the cause she is learning to fight for, and it is only at the end that their true colors are revealed. This makes things deliciously believable and unpredictable, two must-haves in any good read.

     Strangely enough, although Mare spends the vast majority of this story engaged to a prince, there is very little romance in Red Queen. Sure, the crown prince has shown her kindness and is physically attractive. And yes, the prince she is actually engaged to shows signs of slowly falling for her even as she wins his heart. But while all the makings of a tragic love triangle lurk in the shadows, they are very subtle. Even Kilorn, who seems to have been who Mare was originally destined to be with, doesn't so much as flirt with her. There are, after all, more important things afoot--such as assassinations, interrogations, and terrorist attacks. This works surprisingly well with the storyline, and doesn't impede the plot one bit. If anything, it gives it just the push it needs to succeed.

     Also absent is cursing. Violence, however, is still present. This mostly consists of arena fights between powerful Silvers, with wounds quickly healed afterward. Fire, lightning, and brute strength are all used to great effect, as are mind-reading, light-bending, and the ability to control metal with one's mind. There seems to be no end to the Silvers' incredible abilities and what they can do with them. A few short scenes involving frozen blood and the discussion of treason's price are the only ones that can truly be called gory. There is a great deal of wondering whether dealing out death is the best way to win freedom, with plenty of chances for Mare and her friends to figure it out.

     I would recommend this book to teenagers with an interest in superpowers, subtle romance, and terrifying plot twists. Nothing is as it seems in Mare's blood-divided world, and no one can be trusted. The Silvers' abilities are incredibly believable, as is the kingdom's social structure and predicament. There is a legitimate reason for Mare to be in the position she is in, one that doesn't prevent her from fighting for the Reds she loves. Victoria Aveyard did a marvelous job with Red Queen, which deserves a full five stars.

Review of "Raising Dragons"

"Wars are not won without loss of blood."

     When it comes to dragons, Bryan Davis' Raising Dragons is full of surprises. First, there's William Bannister--Billy for short. Billy is an artsy nerd prone to doodling school monsters, wrestling with his dad, and getting picked on by bullies. He also has a secret: scorching breath that grows hotter every day, and terrible dreams about a dragon hunter after his blood. When Billy befriends Bonnie Silver, a new girl with an oversized backpack, he is thrown into an ancient war that sounds like a fairy tale. Suddenly, the two are head-to-head with a dragon slayer whose ultimate goal is the total destruction of wyrms and their offspring. But when dragons wear human skin, finding them is tougher than it sounds. And their children are about to fight back.

     Davis' take on dragons is enthralling. Thanks to a wizard and a prayer, these enormous beasts appear human. Their children, however, bear dragon-like traits they must conceal to survive. These come in handy when sword-wielding fiends kidnap friends, shoot loved ones, and otherwise threaten to wreck the lives of everyone they care about, but there is more to this conflict than tooth and talon versus blade and shield. Billy and Bonnie must use their wits, talents, and faith to defeat the evil dragon slayer who hunts them. And as the situation grows darker, the last of these becomes more and more important.

     The characters Davis presents are very relatable. Billy is constantly bullied in school, framed for pranks as a result of his breath. Yet, unlike many heroes in children's and young adult books, his family is intact. His mother is compassionate, his father wise, his cat absolutely adorable. This makes him sympathetic to those readers who don't come from broken homes, as well as setting up the stakes. Bonnie, on the other hand, is an orphan struggling to find her way in the world. As she fights alongside her new friend, she quickly works her way into the Bannister clan. In the end, it is the Bannisters who stand the most to lose, even as they support each other during the trials around them, and that loving foundation is one of the main things that carries this story through.

     Language isn't a problem in Raising Dragons, but there are a few other things to look out for. While the violence is usually fairly straightforward, Billy and his friends take quite the beating, some of which are described rather graphically. This isn't gore so much as it is attention to detail, and is scattered thinly throughout the novel. Christianity is also a big deal, more so than in some of the author's other works. There is no slamming of other faiths or atheism; however, much of what happens could not be accomplished without prayer and trust in God, and Billy struggles with his own faith throughout the tale. Although the writing style is very flowery at times, almost too elegant for its own good, it rarely gets in the way of the story.

     I would recommend this book to tweens interested in a story of dragons, dangerous enemies, and forgiveness. Raising Dragons is the first in a four-part series chronicling two kids' quests to save the dragon race. There are strong characters, fiery dragons, and evil slayers around every turn, set against stakes that feel very real and a world that could easily be next door. Bryan Davis has crafted a great story with Billy's tale, which is definitely worth picking up from the library. It deserves four stars.

Review of "Partials"

"Do you know how many babies I've watched die?"

     In his YA novel Partials, author Dan Wells presents readers with a war-torn world where mankind's greatest enemies have already won. Eleven years after genetically engineered soldiers known as Partials took over the world, the last remnants of humanity have gathered on Long Island to rebuild. The only problem? Every child they bear immediately dies of a terrible disease known as RM. Sixteen-year-old medical intern Kira Walker is on track to become a nurse, and she wants nothing more than to find a cure. Not only will it save a children, it will force the survivors to repeal the Hope Act that requires women eighteen and older to become impregnated. But when a captured Partial reveals the key to the cure, Kira is launched into a quest for answers about the Break she never thought to ask. Because in a world where nothing is as it seems, the only hope for humanity isn't human.

     Wells utilizes an incredible writing style with Kira's story. Everything, be it worldbuilding or voice, feels authentic on every level. Kira is wonderfully developed, as are the people surrounding her. They speak and act like real humans, breathing life with every word, every quirk. Even the Partials seem real, not least because they look and speak like people. Samm, the Partial who sparks Kira's journey, is as deep and complex as Kira herself, full of churning emotions and ulterior motivations. In fact, it seems everyone our hero meets has something to hide, a plot twist to contribute. Each character, chapter, and page is engaging and exciting, making this story nearly impossible to put down.

     As far as plot goes, Partials is a thick jungle lush with terrifying possibilities and startling new turns. From the very first page, the predicament humanity is trapped in is chillingly apparent, and things only escalate from there. Before she knows it, Kira is fighting Partials, running for her life, and facing truths that threaten to turn the world she thought she knew on its head. With every revelation, her character grows and changes, so that she is a markedly different person by the time the end approaches. And this is only the first in a trilogy, which means she has barely scratched the surface of the schemes, obstacles, and conspiracies. Still, there is enough action and revelation to make this first installment highly addictive.

     There isn't a whole lot of content to watch out for in Kira's tale. The violence is relatively clean, with little gore even during the more brutal parts. Although there is romance, it is fairly subtle. Despite the Hope Act's demands, the relationships Wells focuses on are built on love and mutual respect, and never go beyond kissing. However, these conditions may lead to the occasional suggestive remark from secondary characters. Otherwise, Kira and her friends stick to a rather mild vocabulary, the worst of which usually slips out during highly stressful events.

     I would recommend this book to anyone interested in a fascinating cast of characters trapped in terrifying circumstances. Kira Walker is a brilliant, authentic protagonist in a very real world. The plot Dan Wells has conjured is fast-paced and unpredictable; his setting breathtaking in its scope and history; and his characters, human and Partial alike, deep, rounded, and incredibly sympathetic. It is books like these that make a reviewer wish she worked with a more expansive scoring system, because Partials more than deserves five golden stars.

Review of "The Ward"

"If my heart's gotta beat itself to death, I'd like for it to go out with a bang."

     In Jordana Frankel's The Ward, Manhattan is an ocean. A terrible flood has wiped out the entire city, making freshwater one of the most precious commodities and leaving countless people dead or dying from an illness known as the Blight. In the Upper Islets, the Blight is little more than a scary story, but in the Ward--once downtown Manhattan--it is all there is. Sixteen-year-old Ren knows the Blight is killing her sister, but there's nothing she can do about it. Not when there's no cure, when her entire existence revolves around roofracing--and secretly scouting for freshwater for the Blues--to keep them both alive. Then the government ups the ante: if she can find a specific source of "fresh" for them, they may be able to cure the Blight once and for all. But in a world where survival is all that matters, nothing is as it seems. And everything comes with a price.

     Ren is a great character. She's smart, she's cunning, and she's incredibly loyal to her sister, Aven--who is not, by the way, related by blood. Every chance she gets, she trains to become a mobile racer, a dragster who speeds along the rooftops in often deadly competitions. Although she's built up a tough exterior, Ren is a very deep, complex person on the inside. She reveals herself slowly, eventually proving that while she is often hard to get along with, she really does care about the people around her. And while she is a strong protagonist, she is far from overpowered, lending her a more realistic presence on the page.

      Plot-wise, this tale is straightforward and sound: find the fresh, save Aven. But the way it's told is rather different than most titles in the genre. Every chapter begins by marking the time, allowing the reader to keep track of when everything is going on, down to the minute. This is often a little distracting; however, it comes in handy when the narrator skips to a later scene or is pressed for time. It also fits relatively well with the premise and the characters, since racers like Ren must always be aware of the time despite the distractions around them. Plot twists lurk in the corners, hiding in the darkness, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. When they do, they're certain to leave readers on the edge of their seats.

     There isn't a whole lot to watch out for in The Ward. There is action, to be sure, mostly revolving around mobile races and the occasional accident. Ren's competitors are not to be messed with, and will do anything to win the contests of speed. Also to be looked out for are Blues, as folk in the Ward call cops. Blues are generally sneered at in the Ward, as they do little more than arrest people and enforce Blight quarantines. There is some violence, though, and while it isn't terribly gruesome it does result in injuries, some of them serious. Although characters don't usually cuss, there are a few swear words scattered throughout the narrative, as well as use of the middle finger. The romance is mild, yet sweet, playing its own role in the story without overwhelming it. Nobody goes further than kissing.

     I would recommend this book to teenagers interested in an exciting story about a daredevil racer on a quest to save the world. Ren's mind is wonderful to occupy, and has tangible emotions that lead the story where they will. The action is fast-paced, the plot twists are compelling, and the romance is relatively subtle. The only real downside is the timestamp that begins each chapter, as it sometimes messes with the pacing. However, Jordana Frankel did a great job with The Ward, which deserves a solid four stars.

Review of "Origin"

"You are far too important to throw yourself away for anyone."

     Jessica Khoury's Origin is a young adult novel that deals with mankind's greatest desire: immortality. Pia is immortal. Her skin is impenetrable, her immune system so advanced she'll never even catch a cold. The scientists who raised her have taken to calling her "perfect Pia." Deep in the jungle, hidden from prying eyes, Pia trains relentlessly to become a scientist herself. Once she has passed her tests, she'll help engineer another immortal--a boy who will stand by her side as they establish their race as the leaders of Earth. That is, until she crawls through a hole in the fence and finds herself exploring the world outside Little Cambridge for the first time in her life. There she meets Eio, a half-native who is like no one she's ever encountered. As the scientists are forced to increase the frequency of their tests and the native tribe grows wary of their presence, Pia must decide which future to save: her Mr. Perfect or the human race.

     One of the most overused tropes in science fiction is the evil scientist. This is a man or woman who values power, fame, or the advancement of science above all else, and will commit terrible atrocities to obtain it. While Origin toys with this trope, it's fairly well-done and is balanced out by the beautiful worldbuilding, intriguing premise, and strong plot. The villains in Khoury's novel are truly evil, yet occasionally show hidden depths of compassion that make them a little sympathetic. However, there is no doubt as to who they are and what they are doing, as the tests they put Pia through are nothing short of monstrous.

     Although there isn't a whole lot of action in Pia's tale, the tension is deliciously high. The stakes rise with every chapter, sending our protagonist on a soul-shattering journey to discover what is most important in this world. As she slowly falls for a local boy, she struggles to reconcile her inner yearning for freedom, which she dubs Wild Pia, with the rational, controlled Pia she used to be. Even though the right decision may seem obvious to readers, her internal struggle is grounded in her history and is surprisingly realistic.

     This story deals with a great deal of emotional drama, and it follows that there are some things to watch out for when reading it--or prereading it, as the case may be. Readers who empathize strongly with animals may have a difficult time with Origin, as the tests Pia goes through to join the science team often include some form of animal abuse. However, there are relatively few tests throughout the book, and most of the wonderful creatures in her life remain untouched by violence or cruelty. The romance is almost insta-love in its quick start, but the love interest is very sweet and suits Pia nicely.

     I would recommend this book to teens interested in a world of unethical science that tests the boundaries of the protagonist's morality. Pia is a complex, soft-edged heroine who struggles to maintain her inner innocence while still pursuing the goal of immortal companionship. Readers especially sensitive to mild animal cruelty will not like some of Pia's tests, but those who can stomach it will find themselves facing a beautiful world full of diverse characters and a great plot. Jessica Khoury did a good job with Origin, which deserves four stars out of five.