Review of "Daughter of Smoke and Bone"

"But I've seen them, piles of dead creatures with bloody mouths."

     Laini Taylor's novel Daughter of Smoke and Bone is not a story about an artistically talented orphan who falls in love with an angel. It is about a girl raised by monsters, and the angel who seeks to destroy them. Meet Karou, seventeen-year-old art student in Prague and student body mystery. She has blue hair, disappearing tattoos, and a sketchbook overflowing with lifelike depictions of chimera--invented creatures that boast limbs and personalities pulled from various animals, who collect teeth in exchange for magic. Only, the chimera aren't imaginary, and the African trade beads around her neck are more than decoration. When a seraph attacks her on an errand, Karou realizes that the life she leads is about more than teeth and magic. It's about love, family, and a war that might just tear it all apart.

     Daughter of Smoke and Bone may technically be a young adult novel, but there are moments when it reads like a new adult story. The characters are complex and mature, wrapped up in concerns about college, romance, and independence. One of the major themes in this book is Karou's family, the trio of chimera who raised her: she loves them to death, but longs to be her own person. This is presented in the way Karou treats the little things--reluctance to run errands, arguing with the chimera over whether she should be allowed to use higher-denomination wishes. She also must face an ex-boyfriend who cheated on her and now stalks her every move.

     The cast of Daughter is, in a word, brilliant. From fearless, quirky Karou to her wacky best friend, Zuzana, to the haunted seraph Akiva, each character is an intricate knot of conflicting hopes, desires, fears, and influential histories. I love it when a character's backstory is actually relevant to the main plot, and Taylor has accomplished just that. Akiva and Karou each have a history that is not only important to them, but vital to each other, interconnected in ways that subtly hint at the revelation to come.

     Which brings us to the ultimate downside of this book: the infodump. Near the end of the story, Akiva makes a startling realization that results in a chapters-long flashback. This new tale is fascinating, but there is no indication as to how long it will last--so readers may find themselves flipping ahead to see when the primary plot is next mentioned. Although it explains everything, it would have been nice to see this backstory sprinkled in short chapters throughout the novel, thus increasing interest and reducing confusion in the final chapters. 

     Another reason this book strays close to the new adult genre is the interactions between the characters. Karou's aforementioned ex is a source of early conflict, and is frequently described by herself and Zuzana as a "cranny" and various other, less polite versions of the term. She is mentioned to have slept with him, and the flashback at the end also references a liaison that takes place in a temple devoted to an Aprhodite-like goddess. While nothing is graphic, it is not necessarily appropriate for younger readers. The romance also smelled strongly of insta-love.

     I would heartily recommend this book to anyone looking for a story about a strong, independent heroine struggling to define the line between herself and her family, and the power of hope. Although there was a great deal of information-dumping near the end quite a bit of insta-love, Karou is a great character and her family is beautiful, despite their physical monstrosity and obsession with teeth. It does stray a bit into the New Adult genre, so it wouldn't necessarily be a good fit for readers in their early teens. However, Laini Taylor has done a great job with Daughter of Smoke and Bone, and I see no reason not to give it four stars.

Review of "The Impossible Knife of Memory"

"Tell me this is a nightmare."

     When it comes to main characters in bad situations, Laurie Halse Anderson's The Impossible Knife of Memory takes the cake. Hayley Kincain is the teenaged daughter of a veteran with a Purple Heart, a fried brain, and PTSD. She spent the past few years on the road, being schooled by her dad as they trucked supplies across the country, and it was great. But now, after an incident of public drunkenness put things in perspective, Andy Kincain has brought his daughter to his hometown and enrolled her in school. The only problem lies in the fact that they can't escape their history--partly because nowhere is safe, and partly because that history is about to materialize right on their doorstep.

     Two things should be noted about this book. One: the plot is rather vague. Two: this is a story that throws the reader head-first into the life of a teenager from a messed-up family. Hayley is an independent soul whose only goal in life is to escape the past. She's strong-willed and wants nothing more than to continue her nomadic life with her father, but Andy is subjecting her to life as a "zombie" at the local high school, where she is determined to prove to the world that she couldn't care less.

     So how does she react? Instead of doing as she's told, Hayley doodles on her tests, skips class, and insults her teachers. She is the stereotypical tough-girl, which could make for a great transformation once the story gets going--but it doesn't. Hayley develops very little over the course of the book, and is not much of a sympathetic character at any point. Her apathetic point of view toward everything and everyone in life makes her difficult to connect with, despite the troubled home life that should have made it easier.

     The plot, and the characters, are relatively flat. Hayley lives day to day, doing everything she can to stick it to authority while she bottles up painful memories. Most of the time she is either chasing down and cleaning up after her dad, making eyes at love interest Finn, and helping Gracie, her best friend, deal with her own family issues. When a figure from the past shows up in Hayley's living room, she overreacts and spirals into a half-crazed depression. It's the flashbacks that really drive this book, and the raw feeling that soaks every page. Although Hayley doesn't care about the world, there was a time when she did, and the moments when she gives us a glimpse into that time are the best moments in the manuscript.

     The YA genre is a very broad spectrum. At the one end of the spectrum is the high-spirited thriller with lots of action. This book sits a the other end, featuring drinking, drugs, and domestic violence. Characters curse a bit, but they don't usually go further than "hell". Most of the violence is a threat rather than an action. Some characters battle with thoughts of suicide, and one or two try to go through with it. There is romance, and though the characters don't actually sleep together, they come close. All romantic relationships are extremely flawed, full of arguments and other issues. Although Hayley may feel like swooning over Finn, there are no truly swoon-worthy moments in this book.

     I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a story about a sullen teenager in a hostile world. The plot has interesting moments, upsides in the midst of the gloom, but the best parts are the ones that take place before the story begins--the battles, the stepmom who was there but not there. Most of the characters aren't, however, very relateable, and the main character is far from sympathetic. For good writing and a passable plot, I give Laurie  Halse Anderson's The Impossible Knife of Memory three stars.

Review of "Alanna: The First Adventure"

"Part of her wanted to stop this before it got out of hand, but not a very big part."

     Meet Alanna, the star of Tamora Pierce's novel Alanna: The First Adventure. Alanna of Trebond and her brother, Thom, are about to be sent in separate directions--Alanna to the convent to become a lady, and Thom to the palace, destined for knighthood, as custom dictates. Neither spirited Alanna nor magically inclined Thom are happy with their lot, so they hatch a plan: Thom will go to the convent to become a sorcerer and Alanna, posing as his "brother" Alan, will become a knight. Think of the glory, the prestige, the adventures! The future looks bright, but what Alanna doesn't realize is that there is more to knighthood--and hiding her gender--than she realized, and it will take more than sheer willpower to achieve her dream. And the consequences of discovery are far worse than she could ever have imagined.

     This is a book that is definitely geared toward kids. The prose is very basic and doesn't fill in a whole lot of worldbuilding details. There's very little in the way of sensory information, building the culture and kingdom through action and descriptions of city layouts rather than how Alanna interprets her surroundings. Despite all this, her world is fascinating. The kingdom has a larger-than-life quality about it, and the rules of magic are very strict and easy to understand. It's easy to sympathize with Thom and Alanna, right from the start, which is something plenty of books have a hard time setting up. However, it would have been nice if the writing style had been a little less juvenile.

     Alanna is a great character. She's tough, tomboyish, and willing to do whatever it takes to achieve her goals. She is accompanied by several friends, including the crown prince, Jonathan, and the less-than-reputable King of Thieves, George Cooper. Each is a great, unique character with a distinctive personality. One of Pierce's greatest achievements in this book is that the characters interact just as teenaged boys do in real life, a feat much more difficult than one might think. There is very little development of these characters, but Alanna changes a great deal over the course of the book, learning to stand up for herself and to not fear her magical powers.

      One thing this book has going for it is the plot. Although Alanna is a page, she goes through several adventures over the course of one story. From a vicious bully to the Sweating Sickness to a fight with near-immortal beings, Alanna faces conflict after conflict in the first few years of her journey. Even in the moments when she isn't fighting for her life, or for someone else's, our heroine faces countless challenges. How can she avoid swimming with her friends? What happens if she's caught visiting George? And why are her bedsheets suddenly soaked in blood? Each is unique, pulling readers in with ease and keeping the pages turning with very real stakes.

     I would recommend this book to tween-aged girls looking for a relatively short read about a proud, strong heroine with plenty of spunk. Although the characters don't develop overmuch and the prose leaves something to be desired, Alanna: The First Adventure works magic through its character interaction and powerful plot. Tamora Pierce has created a great heroine in Alanna, and this series is not to be missed. It deserves four stars out of five.

Review of "Hood"

"Men and horses do not simply dissolve into the air."

     Welcome to Wales, the setting for Stephen R. Lawhead's rendition of the Robin Hood legend, entitled Hood. When Normans invade his home, Prince Bran ap Brychan must flee Elfael and seek out his mother's people in the north. But when an injury lands him in the healing hands of an old forest woman, Bran's flight is put on hold indefinitely. By the time he recovers, all plans for the future have become uncertain, and he is introduced to a new possibility. This comes in the form of a band of refugees-turned-brigands who want nothing more than to reclaim their homeland, and Bran can help them do it--if he can come to terms with his royal inheritance and the responsibilities it entails.

     Although Hood is not set in Sherwood Forest, Lawhead does not spoil the authenticity of Robin Hood with his changes. His writing is sound, stitched through with traditions, superstition, intrigue, and insightful knowledge of the human mind. The world in which Bran lives is expansive, his story not confined to a single wood and the area surrounding it. Through Lawhead's writing, all Britain comes to life, steeped in legend and an aura of firsthand experience. Whether it's weather, culture, or dealings with the church, every detail is meticulously placed and lends Bran's story a ring of truth.

     Of course, Robin Hood is not the only character in this story. Every character of note from the original tale is present, in one form or another, in this story. Mérian is no longer a shepherdess, but the daughter of Lord Cadwgan of Eiwas, and she is a strong, well-rounded character in her own right. Friar Tuck is also present, full of good cheer and a kindly heart. There is also Little John, Iwan, and a host of others, each with distinct personalities and a penchant for well-intentioned thievery. Bran himself is an extremely prideful character who is both frustrating and relatable, shunning his post in an attempt to escape the memory of his cruel father, the late king. Bran makes for a great Robin Hood, and the development of his personality is interesting to watch.

     This is not a plot solely revolving around thievery, however. Although Bran does eventually become Robin Hood, he must first learn the ways of the wood and mature past his initial flightiness. Meanwhile, a count is hatching a plan to expand his rule and the king is building his army, and his treasury, through trickery and deceit. Power plays are made, a bishop is insulted, and the people of Elfael are slowly starving to death. There are some slow parts in this tale, but even these make for interesting subplots.

     Although this is the story of Robin Hood, which many of us grew up with, it may not be entirely appropriate for children. Characters often swear by Christ or the saints, and the count does threaten to draw and quarter two of Bran's band should they be caught. However, violence, though common, is usually rather mild. Mérian is also looked upon with with a hint of lust by the local baron.

     I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a rounded, compelling rewrite of the classic Robin Hood stories. Although it does pass slowly at times, the prose is well-crafted and the characters are cemented in a sense of reality. Despite its relocation to Wales, Hood is set in an expansive world rich with history. For a great setting and a plot that is more than it seems, I give Stephen R. Lawhead's Hood five stars.

Review of "Divergent"

"The tests don't have to change our choices."

     In Veronica Roth's YA novel Divergent, society has been divided into five factions: Candor, Abnegation, Dauntless, Amity, and Erudite. Each faction is a miniature society of its own, complete with its own culture, wardrobe, sector of the city, and prized virtue. Sixteen-year-old Beatrice Prior and her brother, Caleb, have come of age and must now take a test that will tell them which faction they belong in--whether they are honest, selfless, brave, kind, or smart. The next day, after a night of reflection, the two will join their peers in deciding which faction to live in for the rest of their lives. At least, that is the plan. But when Tori, Beatrice's test administrator, reports that her results are inconclusive, Beatrice's stable, organized world is about to come crashing down. Beatrice must now decide between faction and family, the consequences of which will teach her the true meaning of sacrifice.

     Divergent is enthralling. From the very first page, we are introduced to Beatrice's strictly organized world, and thrown into this dystopian Chicago where everything is reliable. The Prior family belongs to Abnegation, whose members wear gray and own next to nothing in an attempt to be as selfless as possible. Beatrice is in awe of her brother, Caleb, who is selfless without thinking. His life is the perfect example of what she is meant to be, and what she can never achieve. When Caleb chooses a rival faction at the choosing ceremony, it becomes clear to Beatrice that she can't stay either. She chooses Dauntless, and is instantly swept up in a world of self-defense, vicious competition, heart-pounding train rides, and sheer terror as she struggles to conquer her fears and master her emotions.

     The characters in Divergent are great, and they fit the story perfectly. Each transfer perfectly models the values of their original faction while showing hints of their affinity for Dauntless. Beatrice, who renames herself Tris upon entering the compound, makes plenty of friends who are supportive but distinctly flawed. They're easy to connect with, and each adds a unique dynamic to Tris' story. The romance is not insta-love, does not overwhelm the storyline, and the love interest is a well-rounded character with scars of his own. The characters also go through some major development as the story progresses, especially once initiation ends and the main conflict takes over.

     Roth's writing style really lends a sense of realism to the story. The plot is balanced and well-paced, with a feasible plot in a frighteningly realistic future. Tris is an unreliable narrator with a distinctive voice and complex emotions. While she sometimes wonders at the logic in devoting her entire life to one particular virtue, she doesn't start off with a problem following the rules. Dauntless changes her, both physically and emotionally. She goes through a great deal of maturation, and by the end of the book you can really tell how much she's changed. Tris' character is shaped by initiation, a cold-hearted villain, and unspeakable tragedies.

     Although this book does not focus on violence, it does include some fight scenes and a few "iffy" moments. One of these includes a near-death experience, while the other features a butterknife and a rather vulnerable piece of facial anatomy. Nothing is graphic, however, and the violence is balanced out neatly by fun, character-building exercises and games that lend the story strength.

     I would recommend this book to anyone looking for an exciting YA novel featuring a strong female protagonist, well-written supporting characters, and a dystopia actually worth saving. The villain is ruthless, the romance is beautiful, the friendships are sweet, and the plot leaves you breathless. Veronica Roth has truly created a must-read with Divergent, a trait which earns it five stars.

Review of "The Secret of the Mansion"

"I tell you, I won't go back and nobody's going to make me."

     For anyone who wishes Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys had melted together to form a tough, hardcore thirteen-year-old sleuth, Julie Campbell's Trixie Belden: The Secret of the Mansion is the book to read. Beatrix "Trixie" Belden is stuck in Sleepyside for the summer, bored to death while her two older brothers go off to camp, and she would give anything for that to change. After all, it's no fun to read comics to her brother and help Moms weed the garden all day, every day! So when Honey Wheeler, a rich girl with horses of her own, moves in next door, Trixie jumps at the chance to make a real friend. Together, the two explore the run-down mansion up at Ten Acres, which is rumored to house a hidden fortune and which Honey thinks is haunted. With the help of runaway Jim Fraye, the girls are in for the treasure hunt of their lives--unless Jim's abusive uncle finds them first.

     Trixie Belden is perhaps the coolest girl sleuth with books on the market. She's stubborn, she's adventurous, and she's not afraid to get her hands dirty. She not only longs for a horse, but is determined to earn the money herself. And when she gets a look at Jupiter, Honey's strong-willed stallion, she wants nothing more than to ride him--even though she's far too inexperienced to go near him. Trixie is a determined character who's full of spunk, and she's a hardcore tomboy, two traits that make her a great detective and a brilliant protagonist.

     The other characters are great, too. Jim is a resourceful lad with plenty of depth, and Honey is a little ridiculous but lovable all the same. Trixie's parents are rather static, as is her kid brother, but they're also good characters who lend a lot to the story. Although most of the characters don't change a whole lot over the course of the book, Honey is full of dimension and constantly surprises with the extent of her development.

     The writing style in Campbell's novel is only to be expected. Written in the same era as the aforementioned classics, Trixie's adventures are documented in a simple manner that is obviously geared toward younger readers. Characters don't curse, but merely say, "Golly!" and "Gee". This, combined with their apparent naivete in the realm of romantic relationships--thinking of dashing runaway Jim only as potential brother-material, despite their hinted attraction--lends the book a childlike air that isn't entirely unbecoming.

     If there's one thing about this story that's great, it's how the plot is presented. Other mystery stories have discoveries and clues at regular intervals, with character development and fun outings in between. Trixie and Honey, however, are not focused primarily on the money that is supposedly stashed inside the manor on the hill, but on having fun with each other and Jim, and enjoying their summer exploring the house and the estate surrounding it. Many subplots take place over the course of the story, each building up the main plot in small ways that make it even better.

     I would recommend The Secret of the Mansion, and indeed the entire Trixie Belden series, to anyone looking for a fun mystery story featuring a fun-loving, strong protagonist with great friends and some real grit beneath her bubbly shell. Although the writing is definitely not worthy of an adult book, this is not an adult novel, and the prose fits the story beautifully. The characters, however, are a little static. For adventure, resourcefulness, and a great mystery, I grant The Secret of the Mansion four stars.

Review of "Tailchaser's Song"

"There's something to this one."

     Today's title is a cat lover's dream. Written by Tad Williams, Tailchaser's Song documents Fritti Tailchaser's quest to rescue his heart-friend Hushpad, who has disappeared without a trace from the Meeting Wall Clan. Fritti, who had hoped to Join with her at that night's Meeting, is incredibly worried. A search of the M'an nest where she stays brings about a horrifying discovery: Hushpad, and the Big Ones who lived in the nest, are gone. Now Fritti must embark on a journey to rescue his heart-friend, crossing plains and valleys and venturing into territories no cat has dared go near for centuries. This undertaking will gain him unexpected allies, lifelong friendships, and terrifying new enemies, but, most importantly, he also discovers more about himself than he could ever have imagined.

     Tailchaser's Song does not read like an over-the-top fantasy story. It isn't full of politics and fantasy races, and there are no glorious battles between Race A and Race B, but that doesn't mean it lacks excitement or energy. It is the simple story, or "song", of a young cat on a mission to rescue the fela he loves, and readers can feel Fritti's passion through the writing. The Folk, as cats are called, are a distinct race of creatures with their own language, the Higher Singing, along with a fleshed-out history and distinct rituals and habits. Everything, from cleaning to Meetings, is described in such a way as to make it seem natural. If a word is not explained, it can usually be worked out by context.

     The characters in this novel fit their roles well. Each cat in the Meeting Wall Clan is distinct and fun to read, and, although there are far too many for each to be very rounded, they have just enough depth to seem realistic. Fritti is joined in his journey by Pouncequick, a lively kitten with a thirst for adventure, and the half-crazed tomcat Eatbugs. Both companions are well-rounded and full of depth, and the three balance each other out well. They are also full of life and add a great deal to the story. Readers may find themselves attached to Pounce, and Eatbugs' ramblings are simply fun to read.

     There is more to Tailchaser's Song than one might think. From felas to Rikchikchik to a monster straight out of the songs of the elders, Tailchaser and his friends encounter more than their fair share of trouble. Each encounter is met differently as Fritti and Pouncequick gradually mature. The bond these two share is also quite lovely, and, from their playful banter to the concern Fritti shows over his young charge's safety, it is easy to tell just how much these two care about each other. By the middle of the story, the two cats have made incredible changes, and by song's end it is impossible to reconcile the characters with their earlier selves.

     As this is a tale about cats, it follows that characters do not curse, but that is not to say it is appropriate for kids. Although much of the violence is simple and clean, there are times when even strong-stomached readers may pale. The animal kingdom is a violent thing, and there are instances of gore that, while not over the top, are rather unsettling.

     I would recommend Tailchaser's Song to anyone looking for a story about self-discovery and epic journeys, or who just loves cats. While there are a few mildly gruesome scenes, the world is effortlessly built and very well structured, and the characters are beautifully dynamic. Each cat is realistic and distinctly feline, and the non-Folk who dot the landscape of the story are cleverly designed. Tad Williams has created a great story with Tailchaser's Song, which easily earns five stars.