Throwback Thursday! Blood and Choloate by Annette Curtis Klause

I believe that I was thirteen when I first read this book and I carried vivid memories of it with me for years.  It’s one of those books that I have loved to thrust at people and say, “This was so good!  I read it over 20 years ago and I still remember it!”  That’s kind of true and kind of not.  There was a lot that I forgot.

Let’s get this straight right away:  Vivian is not human.  She is a werewolf.  She wasn’t bitten and changed, she was born a werewolf and she was born into a pack.  A lot of people seem to be really bothered by the pack politics but, you know, these are not PEOPLE.

Anyway, it seems pretty obvious to me that Vivian is not human just in how she carries herself.  At the beginning of the book, she says that she sticks mostly to herself.  She doesn’t understand how to make friends because she has never had to, she just hung out with her age mates.  When one of her art pieces is featured in the school magazine, she is surprised to find a poem next to it that perfectly matches.  Werewolves are the subject of both works and she even suspects that there might be another werewolf at her school.  What she find is a boy with long hair and a relaxed, easy way about him that she finds irresistible.  They start to date.

This is taboo in her pack, though.  Humans and werewolves have to remain separate.  They can’t mate and telling a human what you are is against the Law.  The pack is already in a tumultuous time, having been chased out of their last home by a few angry men who burned their inn down with Vivian’s father inside.  Now the pack is without a leader and in shambles.  They decide to have an Ordeal where wolves fight to see who will lead.  In the meantime, Vivian is fighting with her mother who is going after the much younger Gabriel and she is avoiding her age mates who played a part in the loss of their last home.

I loved this book.  I read it faster than I have read a book in a long time.  There’s a lot going on here: friendships, romance, family dynamics, pack politics.  Vivian is learning to be a human but really she is also learning what it means to be a wolf and she has to learn which part of that is the most important to her.  

Excellent read!  Great for people who liked Twilight but with a little more edge.

-RYQ

Alive by Chandler Baker

I really, really enjoyed this book.  Really.  Enough that it almost got five stars.

Stella has a shot at a newish beginning.  She has just received a heart transplant and after months of recovery, she is ready to go back to school and live like she hasn't lived before.  She is happy to be back with her best friends, Brynn and Henry, even though she has left Henry hanging for far too long.  Henry asked her out when she was sick but she didn't want him to be "the sick girl's boyfriend" and then have to be "the dead girl's boyfriend" if something went wrong.  Stella isn't sure what she wants out of her new life, but she thinks it might not be safe old Henry.  Plus, she's still dealing with the side effects of her transplant: hallucinations and a searing pain every day at 5:08 PM.  It's hard enough just trying to pretend that everything is normal.

Then she sees the new boy, Levi.  Levi is gorgeous.  Levi is intense.  And Stella doesn't feel the pain when Levi is around her.  It isn't long before they become inseparable and Levi begins to educate Stella on music, taking her to concerts and in search of records.  Stella longs for the relief she feels when she is around Levi, even when she begins to suspect that there is something very wrong with their relationship and something very wrong with him.

Then a girl is found dead and her heart has been cut out.

Okay, reasons I loved this:  Even though I had an idea of what was going on, the twists and turns in the plot felt twisty and turny.  They made me gasp.  They made me need to shove the whole book in my face right this instant.  It was entertaining even with the flaws.  It tickled my horror bone, which needs tickling once in a while, and there was even some gore.  Also, I really admired Stella's voice.  I liked how determined she was to change and I related to her for that.

RYQ

Lumberjanes #3: A Terrible Plan

Telling campfire stories, going on a quiet picnic, spending the day earning the most boring scouting badges possible... Sounds pretty ordinary, right? Not if you're a Lumberjane!

In the third awesome installment of Lumberjanes: A Terrible Plan, Mal and Molly's date goes terribly awry when they follow Bear Woman through the Out Of Order outhouse (which is really a portal to another dimension). Here, they get chased by a pack of hungry raptors and must help Bear Woman complete a quest of utmost importance (for which they will earn their "Oldie But Goodie" badges for assisting the elderly). Meanwhile Jo, April, and Ripley spend their free day fumbling through seemingly-boring stuff like cake decorating, ballroom dancing, and scrapbooking in the hopes they will be that much closer to earning their bronze axes. You'd think such mundane tasks would be no problem for the girls of Cabin Roanoke. After all, they have outsmarted angry gods, bested zombie scouts, and successfully navigated deadly booby traps. As it turns out, ordinary stuff is easier said than done. Adventure and shenanigans abound for everyone, making for an extremely entertaining read.

The Lumberjanes series just keeps getting better and better. There are different artists this time around, so the book has a slightly different look to it. But the storyline and characters are still true to what made me love this series in the first place. I am anxiously awaiting Lumberjanes #4, which comes out in August. 

Lumberjanes: A Terrible Plan comes very, very recommended! But do yourself a huge solid and read the first two volumes first (you'll enjoy #3 a lot more with the background #1 & #2 provide)! --AJB

Teen Reviewer

Teen Reviewer Sierra, 13, read and loved The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin. In this first book (it's a trilogy), the main character, Mara, must sort out what really happened the night her three best friends died and why she survived when they did not. 

Sierra Neely: "I love the mystery of how Mara's friends died and why she can't remember anything"

Sierra recommends The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer for teens 13 and older.

This book has it all: Mystery, romance, a good dose of the paranormal, and a cliffhanger that will leave readers racing to the shelves for the sequel (like we said, it's a trilogy), The Evolution of Mara Dyer.

Oh...and don't miss the final installment: The Retribution of Mara Dyer!

Down A Dark Hall, by Lois Duncan

When Kit is accepted into the ultra-exclusive Blackwood Academy, she is thrilled! But upon arriving, things start to feel "off". Kit is only one of four students, the place itself is creepy (that constant feeling of being watched), and there are rumors that the school is haunted. Plus there are no cell phones or any of the usual connections to the outside world...so Kit feels completely cut off and isolated.

Then, one by one, the students begin displaying sudden and extraordinary talents that weren't present before their arrival at Blackwood. Lynda can create beautiful paintings, Ruth can solve complex math equations, Sandy can compose poetry, and Kit experiences an unusual boost in her previously awkward musical abilities. The teachers won't explain it, and school's creepy headmistress vaguely credits Blackwood's unique environment. This is partly correct. Kit learns that those who run Blackwood are using the students (hand-picked for hidden psychic abilities) to channel the restless ghosts of artists, writers, and musicians who died before their time. Problem is, all the previous hosts have gone insane. Or worse. Can Kit and her friends escape Blackwood before it's too late? Or are they doomed to the same fate as those who came before?

Lois Duncan's Down A Dark Hall is one of the author's creepiest titles! Originally published in 1974, the new edition has been updated for 2014 and includes, among other changes, mentions of advancements in technology (cell phones, computers, flat-screen TVs, etc.). Unfortunately, these new inclusions make the story feel awkward and inconsistent (there is an instance where two characters are discussing a song on a CD being played...but a few paragraphs later, the media source is referred to as a 'tape'). 

Down A Dark Hall has been picked up by Lionsgate to be adapted into a movie (no release date set as of this blog's publication). My advice is to grab the book NOW before it becomes so popular there is a mile long wait list to get it. --AJB

FEATURED BOOK: Whispers from the Dead, by Joan Lowery Nixon

Today's featured book, Whispers From The Dead, by Joan Lowery Nixon, can be found on the Island of Misfit Books display.

Sarah isn't the same after her near-death experience. There seems to be a shadowy presence trailing her every step. And when her family moves into a new home, the truly creepy stuff starts: Screams and pleas for help only Sarah can hear, nightmares, grisly ghostly sightings of a young woman being dragged across the floor by a man carrying a knife... This sort of thing would send the average teen straight to a padded cell in the local asylum, but not Sarah. Instead, she investigates...and helps crack an the disappearance and unsolved murder of Rosa, a young immigrant girl who had been working at the house before she and her family moved in. Whodunit? You'll have to read the book to find out.

Originally published in the early 1990s, Whispers From The Dead is, if anything, a bit dated. For example, Sarah doesn't just open her laptop and jump on the internet to look for clues to Rosa's murder. There are no smart phones or MP3 players. And any pop culture references would likely be unrecognizable to teens of today. That said, today's teens might find it difficult to relate to Sarah. 

Aside from that, Whispers From The Dead is a solid murder mystery with a strong female lead. There's a bit of light romance, but for the most part situations remain pretty innocent and appropriate for younger teen readers. 

And the big reveal will give you chills. --AJB

Unreliable Narrators

For many, trust (or the ability to trust) is a very important factor when it comes to interacting with both strangers and the people they know. So why should it be any different with characters in books? Particularly when it comes to first-person narrators.

Because the alternative makes for a more interesting story. Thus, the popularity of the Unreliable Narrator.

Sometimes these narrators are being intentionally dishonest and the truth is revealed as the story unfolds. Other times, the narrator themself is in the dark about what's going on around them and must uncover the mystery along with the reader. Either way, such narrators make for real page-turners that often come paired with jaw-droppingly shocking endings!

Because these sort of books are so awesome, we've set up a whole display to spotlight them. This can be found along the top of the "New" book shelf.

Some of MY personal favorite books with Unreliable Narrators are:

Going Bovine, by Libba Bray: Cameron is diagnosed with Mad Cow Disease, a fatal sickness that will eat away at his mind and body until he eventually bites it. While languishing in the hospital, he is approached by a pink-haired angel who assigns him the task of saving the universe. Accompanied by a neurotic dwarf and cursed Norse god, Cameron embarks on this grand quest.

We Were Liars, by E. Lockhart: Two years ago, Cady was in some sort of accident that caused amnesia and terrible migraines.  All she knows is her friends, the Liars, were somehow involved. No one will tell Cady what happened. Not her family, not the Liars, not her own mother. They all say the same thing, that she must remember on her own. When she finally does remember, nothing is the same.

Chime, by Franny Billingsley: Briony is a witch. Her step mother told her as much just before she died. This is why her sister is the way she is, why her father's home was almost swept away in a flood--and then half destroyed by a fire. Briony must hide the truth about herself or else be hanged. It is only when a handsome stranger comes to stay with her family does Briony start to question her step mother's claim. Because witches can't cry. Or love. 

The Adoration of Jenna Fox, by Mary Pierson: Jenna can't remember anything about her life before the accident that claimed the lives of her two best friends. All she has is a box of old home movie videos. As Jenna watches, she learns about her life. But it isn't until she views the last movie, the one that her mother hid from her, that she learns who--or what--she really is.

--AJB

More Teen Reviews

Even more reviews from Oxford Teens:

Kaitlyn, 12, read Cloaked, a fairy-tale retelling by Alex Flinn that is a mash-up of The Elves & the Shoemaker and The Frog Prince: "I would recommend this book to anyone who likes books with adventure, fantasy, and romance. It ties many classic fairy tales into a modern world and depicts the struggle between supporting your family and following your dreams." Kaitlyn recommends this story for teens 12 and up.

High School Senior Kati read and loved Underworld, by Meg Cabot: "Underworld only proves that Meg Cabot's abilities go above and beyond the well-known Princess Diaries. This sequel (to Abandon) captures the audience from the beginning and leaves not a moment dull. The cutoff point of each chapter is so strategically chosen that the author knows it will be impossible to put the book down. This novel was full of suspense and unending action. Meg Cabot does it again!"

Not all teen reviews are positive, as proven by 10th grader Margaret's review of Cami Garcia's Beautiful Creatures, which was recently adapted for the Big Screen. Margaret read the book on a friend's glowing recommendation. However, she didn't agree: "I didn't really enjoy this book much. It's just another teen romance thing with the same old black and white/good and evil scenario. The emotional depth of this book fits, maybe, a 13-year-old mindset. Honestly, I don't see how anyone could genuinely like this book. Something like (this story) is absolutely meaningless. Don't waste your time." Needless to say, Margaret won't be recommending the Beautiful Creatures series to anyone anytime soon.

Kayla, 11, recently finished Jeanne Birdsall's The Pinderwicks on Gardam Street. She too read the book because a friend suggested it and, although she didn't absolutely love it, she felt it passed the time: "I thought that this book was very interesting and I can kind of relate to it because (the characters) had a lot of kids and I also have a lot of siblings." Kayla would probably recommend the book to a friend.

Do you like reading and writing? Submit a review at the Teen Desk for possible publication on this blog! --AJB

Teen Reviewer: Tori Coker

Teen Reviewer Tori, 12, read Monster High, by Lisi Harrison (of Clique fame) and thought it was awesome! Here is her review:

"I really enjoyed this book and the rest in the (Monster High) series. I wouldn't say it was a realistic story, considering it's about a bunch of high schoolers who are monsters. One of the reasons I enjoyed it was because of the love story. I love books with that quality :) I would recommend it to any girl my age!"

Tori also loved Mockingjay, the final book in Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games trilogy: 

"This book is the last addition to the series, and I think it ends well. It's got its ups and downs, but the main character heals herself. It kills off two of my favorite characters, which I wasn't very happy about. But it has an epilogue that shows 20 years later, which is always a good thing. I can't wait to read more books like this one!"

Tori recommends both books.

Want to be a Teen Reviewer for this blog? Stop by the Teen Desk and talk with Alissa Bach.

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Guest Reviewer: Grave Mercy

Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers:

After escaping a terrible arranged marriage, Ismae, 17, flees to the convent of St. Mortain. Here, she learns she possesses dangerous powers, bestowed upon her by the God of Death himself. Ismae chooses to stay at the convent and be trained as an assassin. But trouble comes when she receives her first assignment. What happens when Ismae falls in love with the one person she's been sent to kill?

After reading Grave Mercy, guest reviewer Jenna had this to say: "All around a great book! I had a hard time putting it down. The author does a great job describing details and plot."

Chilling Reads

The nights are still chilly enough to curl up with your favorite warm blanket. So why not add a chilling book to the equation? OPL's Teen Department has plenty to choose from!

Suspense writer Dan Poblocki offers readers The Nightmarys (plus two other spine-tingling books): People who anger Abigail are suddenly finding that their worst, most private fears are coming true. But if there's a connection, why is Abigail being haunted too? It's up to Timothy to find out...IF he's brave enough, that is!

The Monstrumologist, by Richard Yancy, details the life of 12-year-old orphan Will Henry and his apprenticeship to a man who hunts monsters for a living...often with terrifying results. This first installment kicks off this excitingly scary series that's perfect for fans of Darren Shan's Cirque Du Freak.

The Moth Diaries, by Rachel Klein, is one of theose books where the reader must draw their own conclusions based on first-hand information that may not be entirely accurate. Is Ernessa really a vampire? Or just an innocent (albeit odd) girl with whom the anonymous narrator develops a dangerous obsession? You judge! Uncommonly suspenseful!

Katie Alendar's Bad Girls Don't Die is more of a stereotypical haunting story, but it will still keep you awake long into the night: Something is very wrong with Alexis' little sister Kasey, who is exhibiting increasingly bizarre and dangerous behavior. Can Alexis get to the bottom of this before it turns deadly?

Want more? Look for the "Horror" and "Suspense" spine stickers. Or ask the on-desk librarian for recommendations. --AJB

The Graveyard Book

One dark, foggy night, a mysterious man carrying a knife sneaks into a house while the family sleeps. The only survivor is the baby--who gets away only by chance. The child, then a nameless boy, crawls up a nearby hill and through the gate of an old graveyard. The ghosts residing here rescue the child from certain death, name him Nobody ("Bod" for short), and raise him as their own. Bod has many adventures growing up among the ghosts and tombstones. The only condition is Bod must not leave the graveyard, for surely the man who disposed of his family is still hunting him down, hoping to finish the job. And this is true. But, sooner or later, Bod must face this terrifying past if he is to have a future.

Neil Gaiman proves once again he is a master storyteller with The Graveyard Book. Recently chosen as one of our 6th Grade Battle of the Books books, this combines fantasy, mystery, suspense, and humor. Quirky black and white illustrations enhance an already excellent story. This one's definitely worth checking out. You'll be glad you did! --AJB

A Ghostly Killer. A Haunting Mystery

Evie has a secret special talent: She can tell you all your deepest, darkest secrets just by holding a personal object of yours. After she uses this ability to shame her small town's golden boy, Evie is shipped off to stay with her Uncle Will in New York City for a few months until things blow over. Evie thinks this sentence will be nothing but parties, shopping, and fun. Sure Uncle Will is a boring old bachelor who runs a creepy museum housing supernatural artifacts, but Evie can overlook this. Then a rash of ritual murders break out, and, because of his knowledge of the paranormal, Uncle Will is asked to assist in the investigation. Evie is thrown into the middle of the danger when she accidentally touches something belonging to one of the victims and learns the killings were committed by Naughty John Hobbes, a fanatically religious madman who was hanged for murder 50 years earlier. Naughty John is back from the grave to complete a deadly ritual said to bring on the apocalypse. Evie thinks she can use her powers to stop Naughty John from completing his agenda. But is she strong enough to end the evil that has been unleashed?

Weighing in at nearly 600 pages and dealing with some decidedly creepy topics, The Diviners is not something to pick up for light reading (literally or figuratively). But expert character development, detailed settings, and exciting plot twists make this one a quintessential page turner. You won't be able to put down! In a word, it's awesome! True, the ending leaves several loose ends, but The Diviners is the first in a planned trilogy. So if you like it, there's more to come. --AJB

What if...?

Camden Pike has been devastated since his girlfriend, Viv, died in a car accident two months ago.  She was the only good thing about his life.  When Camden makes a visit to the site of the accident he sees something like an apparition, but it's not Viv.  The apparition is Nina and she's not a ghost.  She is actually from an alternate universe.  One he can access by slipping through a window.  One where things seem the same as this world, but everyone is actually very different.  Cam just wants to see Viv again.  But Viv in the alternate universe is not like the Viv Cam remembers from his world.  Nina is hiding some secrets as well.  Not only that but the window allowing him to go back and forth from one world to another is quickly closing.  Cam has to decide to stay with the different Viv in the alternate universe or live without her in his own. 

Emily Hainsworth's debut novel, Through to You, is very enjoyable.  It has just the right amount of romance, mystery and intrigue to keep you hooked until the end. - KR