Graceling by Kristin Cashore

No spoilers.

Title: Graceling
Author: Kristin Cashore
Year of Publication: 2008
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 471
First Line: "In these dungeons the darkness was complete, but Katsa had a map in her mind."
Summary: In a world where people born with an extreme skill -- called a Grace -- are feared and exploited, Katsa carries the burden of a skill even she despises: the Grace of killing. She lives under the command of her uncle Randa, King of the Middluns, and is expected to execute his dirty work, punishing and torturing anyone who displeases him.

When she first meets Prince Po, who is Graced with combat skills, Katsa has no hint of how her life is about to change.

She never expects to become Po's friend.

She never expects to learn a new truth about her own Grace -- or about a terrible secret that lies hidden far away...a secret that could destroy all seven kingdoms with words alone.

Source: Back/Inside of book

Review: I had a hard time with this book, probably mostly because it dealt so much with politics. In addition to that, I did not find the characters especially compelling or unique. The book did pick up about half-way through, but until then I struggled with even wanting to finish it. I was disappointed in the ending and the fates of some characters, though I suppose I should have seen it coming. I know some people who love this book, but I would not recommend it myself.

Worst part: The book dragged, especially in the first half.

Best part: I guess the whole idea was kind of cool but it wasn't executed well.

Grade: D

Other Books by This Author: None.

13 / 100 books. 13% done!

Please Ignore Vera Dietz by A.S. King

No spoilers.

Title: Please Ignore Vera Dietz
Author: A.S. King
Year of Publication: 2010
Genre: Fiction
Pages: 323
First Line: "Before I died, I hid my secrets in the Master Oak."
Summary: Is it okay to hate a dead kid? Even if I loved him once? Even if he was my best friend? Is it okay to hate him for being dead?

Vera's spent her whole life secretly in love with her best friend, Charlie Kahn. And over the years she's kept a lot of his secrets. Even after he betrayed her. Even after he ruined everything.

So when Charlie dies in dark circumstances, Vera knows a lot more than anyone -- the kids at school, his family, even the police. But will she emerge to clear his name? does she even want to?

Source: Back/Inside of book

Review: I really enjoyed this book. Each character was well-rounded and three-dimensional, the dialogue was realistic. There was not a lot of dialogue, but the non-dialogue parts were written in a way that made it easier for me to read. I found this book was a lot like John Green's books, especially Looking for Alaska and Paper Towns. This book is totally different from King's other novel, The Dust of 100 Dogs which was also excellent. It's difficult to say a lot about it without giving much away, but it is definitely worth the time it took to read it and I highly recommend it.

Worst part: The ending did not explode quite as much as it should have but it was still enjoyable.

Best part: Vera's character was very well done, as was her dad's.

Grade: A

Other Books by This Author: Dust of 100 Dogs

12 / 100 books. 12% done!

Matched by Ally Condie

No spoilers.

Title: Matched
Author: Ally Condie
Year of Publication: 2010
Genre: Fiction/Futuristic Fiction/Science Fiction/Dystopian Fiction
Pages: 366
First Line: "Now that I've found the way to fly, which direction should I go into the night?"
Summary: In the society, Officials decide. Who you love. Where you work. When you die.

Cassia has always trusted their choices. It's hardly any price to pay for a long life, the perfect job, the ideal mate. So when her best friend appears on the Matching screen, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is the one. . .until she sees another face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black. Now Cassia is faced with impossible choices: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path no one else has ever dared to follow -- between perfection and passion.

Source: Back/Inside of book

Review: Like I've heard suggested before, I will confirm that this novel is a lot like Lois Lowry's The Giver. I found the organization to be kind of strange. I did not feel particularly drawn to any of the characters, but they weren't unlikable, either. To have not read this would not have been a great loss. It is nothing spectacular, it is not horrific, it's just there. Probably worth the read if you like dystopian societies.

Worst part: How random things sometimes seemed.

Best part: The situation concerning death in the Society was interesting.

Grade: B-

Other Books by This Author: Freshman for President, Being Sixteen, Yearbook, First Day, Reunion, and (the sequel to Matched) Crossed

11 / 100 books. 11% done!

Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly

No spoilers.

Title: Revolution
Author: Jennifer Donnelly
Year of Publication: 2010
Genre: Fiction/Historical Fiction/Fantasy
Pages: 472
First Line: "Those who can, do."
Summary: Brooklyn: Andi Alpers is on the edge. She's angry at her father for leaving, angry at her mother for not being able to cope, and heartbroken at the loss of her younger brother, Truman. Rage and grief are destroying her. And she's about to be expelled from Brooklyn Heights' most prestigious private school when her father intervenes. Now Andi must accompany him to Paris for winter break.

Paris: Alexandrine Paradis lived over two centuries ago. She dreamed of making her mark on the Paris stage, but a fateful encounter with a doomed prince of France cast her in a tragic role she didn't want -- and couldn't escape.

Two girls, two centuries apart. One never knowing the other. But when Andi finds Alexandrine's diary, she recognizes something in her words and is moved to the point of obsession. There's comfort and distraction for Andi in the journal's antique pages -- until, on a midnight journey through the catacombs of Paris, Alexandrine's words transcend paper and time, and the past becomes suddenly, terrifyingly present.

Source: Back/Inside of book

Review: While I had tried to read A Northern Light in the past, I found it uninteresting. However, this novel by the same author is much more enjoyable. Funnily enough, (although it may have been intentional because of the subject matter) it is in some ways like A Tale of Two Cities, in the intricate web of plots and how they are connected. Each character is strong and individual, but still realistic. Some things seemed a little melodramatic but it was in a way that was realistic.

Worst part: The fantasy bit. It didn't seem to fit well with the rest of the novel.

Best part: The way the romantic interest was introduced.

Grade: A-

Other Books by This Author: None, but there is another coming out in 2012 called Live Through This.

10 / 100 books. 10% done!

Halo by Alexandra Adornetto

Minor spoilers.

Title: Halo
Author: Alexandra Adornetto
Year of Publication: 2010
Genre: Fiction
Pages: 484
First Line: "Our arrival didn't exactly go as planned."
Summary: Three angels -- Gabriel, the warrior; Ivy, the healer; and Bethany, the youngest and most human -- are sent by Heaven to bring good to a world falling under the influence of darkness. They work hard to conceal their luminous glow, superhuman powers, and, most dangerous of all, their wings, all the while avoiding all human attachments.

Then Bethany meets Xavier Woods, and neither of them is able to resist the attraction between them. Gabriel and Ivy do everything in their power to intervene, but the bond between Xavier and Bethany seems too strong.

The angels' mission is urgent, and dark forces are threatening. Will love ruin Bethany or save her?

Source: Back/Inside of book

Review: There wasn't anything terribly special about this novel. I found the main character's voice to be strong and somewhat unique. I was impressed to know that the author, Alexandra Adornetto, is only 18 and was first published when she was 14, according to the author biography at the back of the book. The general plot was fairly predictable. I found it was difficult to connect with any of the characters, Bethany included. Unfortunately, the book ended without tying everything up and even started a new conflict on the last page. This book could have done without a sequel, and I'm not sure I'm interested in reading the sequel.

Worst part: Molly, Bethany's friend, wasn't likable at all.

Best part: The concept was interesting, though I could have been executed better.

Grade: C

Other Books by This Author: None available in the US as of right now.


9 / 100 books. 9% done!

Freefall by Mindi Scott

Title: Freefall
Author: Mindi Scott
Year of Publication: 2010
Genre: Fiction
Pages: 315
First Line: "This was Daniel's deal."
Summary: Seth McCoy was the last person to see his best friend, Isaac, alive, and the first to find him dead. It was just another night, just another party, just another time when Isaac drank too much and passed out on the lawn. Only this time, Isaac didn't wake up.

Convinced that his own actions led to his friend's death, Seth is torn between turning his life around. . .or losing himself completely.

Then he meets Rosetta: so beautiful and different from everything and everyone he's ever known. But Rosetta has secrets of her own and Seth will soon realize he isn't the only one who needs saving. . . .

Source: Back/Inside of book

Review: This book was kind of like a light-hearted version of Looking for Alaska by John Green. And it was also like Jerry Spinelli's Stargirl. Scott's style is fairly conversational, and I think, like all books like this one, it was best in first-person and could not have been done well in any other point of view. I found most of the characters to be interesting and well-rounded, although Daniel's character could have been done better. The ending was very much like a movie, which I wasn't a fan of, but at the same time, I understood that there weren't a whole lot of ways to end this book. All in all, not bad, but I don't think it's something I'd rush to read again.

Worst part: Daniel.

Best part: Everything that happened was super realistic and things came naturally.

Grade:

Other Books by This Author: None, but there is another coming out in 2012 called Live Through This.

8 / 100 books. 8% done!

Beatle Meets Destiny by Gabrielle Williams

No spoilers.

Title: Beatle Meets Destiny
Author: Gabrielle Williams
Year of Publication: 2009
Genre: Fiction
Pages: 336
First Line: "John Lennon was named John Lennon after John Lennon."
Summary: Imagine your name is John Lennon but everyone calls you Beatle.

And then you meet your dream girl, and her name is Destiny McCartney.

But you meet her on Friday the 13th -- and you're very superstitious. Not to mention that you're already dating the perfect girl, who happens to be your twin sister's best friend. . . .

Beatle can't imagine ever leaving his girlfriend, Cilla, who supported him after the stroke that changed his life and left him with a limp. Still, he knows that the only thing worse than staying with the wrong person is missing the chance to be with the right one.

Source: Back/Inside of book

Review: I was kind of surprised at the lack of actual Beatles-related stuff in this book, but at the same time, I guess I'm kind of glad it wasn't really included because it would have been so obvious. (Although if you're looking for a book that has more Beatles stuff, read Pepperland.) Williams' style wasn't anything special. In fact, I found the style itself a little bland and sometimes difficult to pay attention to. That said, it was a quick read that was fun, "brainless," and easy. Not sure I'd recommend it to younger teens because of some references, but it's nothing horrendously graphic or anything. As far as characters go, I felt Destiny was very contradicting. She came across as one way through Beatle's perception, but then when we "saw" her acting, it was totally different. To fix that, I might've done this (or preferred it, rather) in first-person rather than third. In any case, it was pretty good and worth the time I spent reading it.

Worst part: The style.

Best part: The concept. But like I said, I would've liked a little more Beatles stuff.

Grade: B

Other Books by This Author: There is another, though I can't find the title. It was not a YA-novel.

7 / 100 books. 7% done!