Book Review: Broken by A. E. Rought

2013 Debut Author

Broken

A.E. Rought

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publication: January 2013 from Strange Chemistry
Pages: 346
Format: ARC
Acquisition: received from the publisher for review

Synopsis:

Imagine a modern spin on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein where a young couple’s undying love and the grief of a father pushed beyond sanity could spell the destruction of them all.

A string of suspicious deaths near a small Michigan town ends with a fall that claims the life of Emma Gentry's boyfriend, Daniel. Emma is broken, a hollow shell mechanically moving through her days. She and Daniel had been made for each other, complete only when they were together. Now she restlessly wanders the town in the late Fall gloom, haunting the cemetery and its white-marbled tombs, feeling Daniel everywhere, his spectre in the moonlight and the fog.

When she encounters newcomer Alex Franks, only son of a renowned widowed surgeon, she's intrigued despite herself. He's an enigma, melting into shadows, preferring to keep to himself. But he is as drawn to her as she is to him. He is strangely... familiar. From the way he knows how to open her locker when it sticks, to the nickname she shared only with Daniel, even his hazel eyes with brown flecks are just like Daniel's.

The closer they become, though, the more something inside her screams there's something very wrong with Alex Franks. And when Emma stumbles across a grotesque and terrifying menagerie of mangled but living animals within the walls of the Franks' estate, creatures she surely knows must have died from their injuries, she knows.

(from Goodreads)

My Thoughts
The relationship between Emma and Alex is so much more then insta love. Unfortunately more didn't really work for me as even before I fully understood their connection I was totally turned off by their interactions. Since the entire book is a play by play of everything Emma does or thinks and she does almost nothing but obsess over Alex there was very little left for me enjoy.

The strange paranormal / sci-fi elements to the story would have been better suited to a thriller. In my opinion these elements just did not work in this quasi romantic teen angst filled story. Once I fully understood what was going on I wasn't shocked or surprised. I honestly thought it was all pretty gross when set against the backdrop of Emma's heartache and Alex's ridiculous perfect hotness.

I was really waiting for some type of twist to the story. Alex is possessive and controlling and not a boy any girl should ever be attracted to. Emma's mother was ridiculous, so very many practical things just didn't add up and the ending wasn't a surprise at all.

While Broken is a book I do think others would enjoy it isn't one I would easily recommend. For me, The unhealthily relationship between Emma and Alex combined with the implausible details of the story overshadowed the potential cool factor of the paranormal elements.

I know Broken is a retelling of sorts of Dr. Frankenstein  but for me at least, the mad scientists / monster in the basement pared with modern day teen love didn't sit well. I was looking for more of a thrill and the 'romance' was too over the top for my liking, however, you might feel differently!

Rating

2.5 / 5 Stars

Book Review: Scarlet (Lunar Chronicles #2) by Marissa Meyer

"The combination of sci-fi, fantasy and fairy tale retelling that made Cinder such a great read is no less fantastic in Scarlet. "

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publication Date: February 2013
Pages: 464
Series: #2
Format: ARC
Acquisition: received for review from the publisher

Synopsis:

Cinder returns in the second thrilling installment of the New York Times-bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She’s trying to break out of prison—even though if she succeeds, she’ll be the Commonwealth’s most wanted fugitive.

Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit’s grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn’t know about her grandmother and the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother’s whereabouts, she has no choice but to trust him, though he clearly has a few dark secrets of his own.

As Scarlet and Wolf work to unravel one mystery, they find another when they cross paths with Cinder. Together, they must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen who will do anything to make Prince Kai her husband, her king, her prisoner.

(from Goodreads)

Overall Feelings:
Intense and overwhelming LOVE!

My Thoughts:
OMG this was a good book!

The combination of sci-fi, fantasy and fairy tale retelling that made Cinder such a great read is no less fantastic in Scarlet.

After leaving Cinder in a less then desirable situation at the end of book 1, I was really curious as to where she would find herself next. And I really wanted to know what was up with those Lunars!

I love the relationships in this book - and not just the romantic kind. All the characters in this world are so varied and different and the connections are just as different and complex.

With the introduction of a new set a characters and the fabulous way Meyer meshed them together with my old favorites, Scarlet was a fantastic read for me.

I could go on and on with reasons why I loved this book but I don't want to give too much away.

If you read Cinder, Scarlet is a must read. And if you haven't started this series I highly recommend you do! Don't let the premise crazy you off. Marissa has weaved a magical world full of cyborgs, androids and fairy tales that does not disappoint!

Will I continue the series?: YES!

Rating:

5 / 5 Stars

The Lunar Chronicles:
#0.5 Glitches
#1 Cinder
#1.5 The Queen's Army
#2 Scarlet
#3 Cress (2014)
#4 Winter (2015)

Book Review: The Humming Room by Ellen Potter

Reading Level: Middle Grade
Publication Date: February 2012
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
Pages: 192
Series: no
Acquisition: NetGalley

Summary:

Hiding is Roo Fanshaw's special skill. Living in a frighteningly unstable family, she often needs to disappear at a moment's notice. When her parents are murdered, it's her special hiding place under the trailer that saves her life.

As it turns out, Roo, much to her surprise, has a wealthy if eccentric uncle, who has agreed to take her into his home on Cough Rock Island. Once a tuberculosis sanitarium for children of the rich, the strange house is teeming with ghost stories and secrets. Roo doesn't believe in ghosts or fairy stories, but what are those eerie noises she keeps hearing? And who is that strange wild boy who lives on the river? People are lying to her, and Roo becomes determined to find the truth.

Despite the best efforts of her uncle's assistants, Roo discovers the house's hidden room--a garden with a tragic secret.

Inspired by The Secret Garden, this tale full of unusual characters and mysterious secrets is a story that only Ellen Potter could write. (from Goodreads)

My thoughts:
The Humming Room is a retelling of The Secret Garden by Francis Hodgson Burnett. Now, I have to admit, I read the story ages ago but I've seen the Hallmark movie a couple of dozen times at least. Not the same, I know, but I still feel like I know the story well. Saying that, I also have to say that The Humming Room is a fantastic retelling. Set in a different time, a different place with very different people, it still has the same feel, the same essence as the original story.

The characters are wonderful. Tiny Roo who's never had a good reason to open herself up to anyone. Jack with his wild ways and gentle nature. Roo's uncle full of secrets and guilt. Plus a cast of other characters that are sure to leave an impression long after the last page of their tale is read.

Final verdict:
A quick read for me, but a very very good read.

I almost want to say I liked The Humming Room more then The Secret Garden. It's more readable in my opinion and even though the classic is well, classic in it's storytelling, The Humming Room had more heart to me. I felt more invested in it's characters and in it's world.

If you're looking for a great middle grade read for yourself or a young reader in your life I highly recommend The Humming Room.

Overall Rating:

4.5 / 5 Stars

Linkage Love:
Author's website
Goodreads
IndieBound

Book Review: Cinder by Marissa Meyer

***2012 Debut Author***
Reading Level: Young Adult
Publication Date: January 2012
Publisher: Macmillan / Feiwel and Friends
Pages: 387
Series: 1st in a 4 book series
Acquisition: NetGalley

Summary:

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth's fate hinges on one girl... Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She's a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister's illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai's, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world's future. (from Goodreads)

My thoughts:
Take the story of Cinderella, add in some androids and cyborgs, a plague and oh, evil moon people trying to take over the world. Doesn't sound like it would work? Wrong! Cinder is all of these things and more and it's fantastic!

Somewhat dystopian, somewhat hard science fiction, Cinder tells the story of Cinder, a cyborg (part human part machine) living in New Beijing. Her life is not entirely her own as she is under the control and ownership of her stepmother who in true Cinderella fashion, pretty much hates her.

I really loved this retelling. It's unlike anything I've read in a long time and reminds me of the science fiction stories my father use to feed me as a kid. Cinder's world is amazing. The cyborgs and androids (fully robotic machines) were enough to keep me engaged but this story has so much more to it. There is tension and well done, not over the top romance. There's a scary as hell plague and a mysterious legacy that may hold the key to everything. And a lot more I'm not going to talk about because you should really just read it for yourself :)

Final verdict:
I pretty much loved this story from beginning to end. The first of 4 books that I'm pretty sure I will be devouring as soon as they hit the shelves! Marissa Meyer's debut is a fantastic science fiction / fairy tale retelling / dystopian explosion of awesomeness! I highly recommend this book to fans of these YA genres.

Overall Rating:

5 / 5 Stars

Books in the Lunar Chronicles:
#.5 Glitches - online prequel you can read HERE
#1 Cinder
#2 Scarlet (2013)
#3 Cress (2014)
#4 Winter (2015)

Linkage Love:
Author's blog
Goodreads
IndieBound

Audio Book Review: Beastly by Alex Flinn

Age: 14+
Pub Dates: Book-Oct 2007 / Audio-June 2010
Length: 6h 42m
Narrator: Chris Patton
Series: no
Acquisition: free download from Audio Community

Summary:

I am a beast. A beast. Not quite wolf or bear, gorilla or dog, but a horrible new creature who walks upright – a creature with fangs and claws and hair springing from every pore. I am a monster.

You think I’m talking fairy tales? No way. The place is New York City. The time is now. It’s no deformity, no disease. And I’ll stay this way forever – ruined – unless I can break the spell.

Yes, the spell, the one the witch in my English class cast on me. Why did she turn me into a beast who hides by day and prowls by night? I’ll tell you. I’ll tell you how I used to be Kyle Kingsbury, the guy you wished you were, with money, perfect looks, and a perfect life. And then, I’ll tell you how I became perfectly beastly. (from Goodreads)

Audio critique:
The first chapter of Beastly is a online chat room transcript. Have to say, this format doesn't really translate well to audio! After the first chapter though the book flows into a more normal pace.

I really liked how Chris Patron read the part of Kyle Kingsbury, our MC. Especially once he turned into a beast. I could really feel the emotion behind his words. From arrogant and self centered, to introspective and accepting.

Likes:
I love the whole premise. If you think you're better then everyone else, better watch out, there may be someone lurking in the shadows ready to cut you down to size. Kyle doesn't care how he treats people and he pays for it.

I also really liked the romance. It seemed  very natural. You know, as natural as falling in love with a beast can be :) It was also very sweet.

Now Kyle - I was pretty sure he was going to be a major 'dislike' for me. I really couldn't stand him at first and I didn't think that would change. I was surprised as anyone to discover I was actually rooting for him in the end. The reality of his life actually humbles him. It was kinda moving.

Dislikes:
Kyle :) Ok, ok, so even if I liked him by the end - Kyle in the beginning? Not so much.

Also, Kyle's father. I guess Kyle had to learn his self entitled, no one but me matters ways from someone but the way Kyle's father treats him? It's just downright mean. He's a very well written character, but he was also a distraction of sorts. A character that had to be there but didn't really add anything to the story for me.

Reminded me of:
Other fairy tale type retellings - Gregory Maguire's books come to mind.

Final thoughts:
A good story and a good audio book. Alex Flinn did a great job taking a classic fairy tale and incorporating it into the modern world. The lesson of the story was really driven home. Chris Patton did a wonderful job bringing the characters to life.

Overall Story Rating:

4 / 5

Overall Audio Book Rating:

4 / 5

Linkage Love:
Harper Teen
Brilliance Audio
Author's Website
Goodreads

Tidbits:
*Beastly has been made into a movie with a March 2011 release date. Not sure if I'll see it or not. They made a few major changes....like the fact that Kyle isn't a beast...he's a weirdly disfigured guy with a tree? tattoo on his face. Also, Mary-Kate Olsen is in it so...no. BUT Neil Patrick Harris is also it in so...yes? Have to wait and see!

Book Review: Jekel Loves Hyde by Beth Fantaskey

Age: 14+
Publication Date: May 2010

Tags: literary fantasy, urban fantasy, romance, suspense
Pages: 288
Series: no
Book Acquisition: received an ARC from the publisher

My Rating: 3.5 / 5 Stars

(from Goodreads)

Jill Jekel has always obeyed her parents’ rules – especially the one about never opening the mysterious, old box in her father’s office. But when her dad is murdered, and her college savings disappear, she's tempted to peek inside, as the contents might be key to a lucrative chemistry scholarship. 

To better her odds, Jill enlists the help of gorgeous, brooding Tristen Hyde, who has his own dark secrets locked away. As the team of Jekel and Hyde, they recreate experiments based on the classic novel, hoping not only to win a prize, but to save Tristen’s sanity. Maybe his life. But Jill’s accidental taste of a formula unleashes her darkest nature and compels her to risk everything – even Tristen’s love – just for the thrill of being… bad.

My Review:
Although Jekel Loves Hyde turned out to be an easy, well liked read for me, it took me a while to really get into the story. I'm not sure why but the beginning seemed to drag a little. Might sound strange but all in all, it didn't take away from my overall experience. Once the action started, it kept going, right up until the very end.

Told from alternating points of view, we get to see what both Jill and Tristan are thinking - sometimes at the same time about the same situations. I really liked this. It made me feel like I was getting the whole story.

One thing that got to me was Jill's personality. Specifically when it came to her feelings toward Tristan. Jill is such a strong person, she has to deal with so much after her father dies but her uncertainty concerning Tristan was a little frustrating at times. However, what really made the book for me was their relationship. What they had together, while based on something far fetched, was non-the-less routed in the very real reality of what was happening to them.

I liked the overall outcome of the book but the ending seemed rushed to me. There was a lot of action, a few surprise moments and then....it was over. I thought there should have been more.

All in all, I did like Jekel Loves Hyde. It was my first Beth Fantaskey book and I'm looking forward to reading more by her. I would recommend this book to YA fiction lovers who enjoy paranormal adventures and romance.

Linkage Love:
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children's Book Group
Author's Website
Goodreads