Green Books Campaign: H.I.V.E.: Dreadnought by Mark Walden

This review is part of the Green Books campaign. Today 100 bloggers are reviewing 100 great books printed in an environmentally friendly way. Our goal is to encourage publishers to get greener and readers to take the environment into consideration when purchasing books. This campaign is organized by Eco-Libris, a green company working to green up the book industry by promoting the adoption of green practices, balancing out books by planting trees, and supporting green books. A full list of participating blogs and links to their reviews is available on Eco-Libris website.

This book has been printed on FSC-certified paper.

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Things are looking shaky for the prime villains of the world now that one of the leaders of G.L.O.V.E. (Global League of Villainous Enterprises) has gone rogue with the intent of destroying G.L.O.V.E. and showing the world the face of true evil. Meanwhile, Otto and his friends from H.I.V.E. (Higher Institute of Villainous Education) make a pit stop en route to an Arctic survival course from which only 93% of students survive—a stop that ensure a complete change of course. Instead of shivering in subzero temperatures, Otto and his friends find themselves on the run, all the while being unknowingly tracked by the villain they need to defeat. These young villains-in-training will have to utilize all their skills and find out who they can truly trust if they’re going to prevent the end of the world as they—and everyone else—knows it.

I don’t believe I can say there is a single moment in this fourth installment in the H.I.V.E. series that is without action or danger. Though I have not read the earlier three books in the series, from what I gather, Otto and the other H.I.V.E. students’ previous adventures were similarly packed to the brim with nonstop action. I usually criticize books this action-filled for their lack of depth, but I actually found the plot in this novel so engaging that I didn’t feel the need for more complex characters. Also, the plot is well written and creative in addition to being just plain exciting. I can honestly say I had difficulty guessing the outcome of many situations, and all the high-tech gadgets pushed the boundaries of my brain; in a sense, I was learning as I satisfied my appetite for danger. I know I’ve been pretty much nonstop praising the plot, but Walden does deserve credit for his characters as well. They are for the most part believable, and I like how there are strong women as well as strong men. What I found most interesting about this novel was how trust and loyalty played such large roles among the villains, I’d thought no honor among thieves was the rule, but I guess that just goes to show that even the most evil people still have humanity. Either that or I just haven’t been clued in on correct villain protocol.

Having now read Dreadnought, I certainly am eager to catch the first three books in the H.I.V.E. series and any more installments to come. Fans of spy/secret agent/just plain action flicks will enjoy this series as well as readers who enjoyed the Alex Rider series by Anthony Horowitz.

Rating: 4.0

Review copy from publisher Bloomsbury through Eco-Libris

Everlost by Neal Shusterman

Nick and Allie don’t survive the car crash. Of course, they don’t know this at first. Despite the obvious change in season and strange dullness of the world around them, they figure the only thing that’s wrong was the car crash in the first place. But soon it becomes apparent they’re no longer among the living since no other people can see or hear them and they have a tendency to go straight through things. The only exceptions to this rule pertain to other residents and objects in Nick and Allie’s current realm of existence, Everlost. But Nick and Allie aren’t satisfied with the few dead spots they can safely stay on without risk of falling to the center of the earth and the strangeness of their situation. They want to get on with their lives, unencumbered by the unfamiliar rules of Everlost. But how can they escape?

Everlost is an exciting and fascinating version of what happens after death. Shusterman takes into account many myths and theories about the afterlife, such as haunting and possession of a body by a spirit, as well as incorporating several unique ones of his own, like how Afterlights, what Nick and Allie have become, are in danger of sinking to the center of the earth. I have to say I quite enjoyed the entire setting of Everlost and thought it made for a fantastic backdrop to the story, which was just filled with all sorts of adventures as well as challenges specific to Everlost. But even more important than the engaging plot were the characters. In general, the characters were easy to understand and to relate to; they might’ve been a little boring at times, but they were always realistic. Overall, Everlost was an entertaining read that explores the possibilities of existence after death and the different trends of human nature.

Everlost will be enjoyed by fans of Ruined by Paula Morris, Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin, and Jo-Jo and the Fiendish Lot by Andrew Auseon. Those who enjoyed Unwind, also by Shusterman, may like this more lighthearted tale. I look forward to this sequel to this story in Everwild.

Rating: 4.0

Review copy from publisher Simon & Schuster UK

Riot by Walter Dean Myers

It’s the summer of 1863 in New York City. The Civil War is well underway, dividing not only the nation but its people. A federally instituted draft only incites the brewing conflict faster. Angry Irish immigrants flood the streets, looting stories and attacking blacks whom they blame for many of their problems. The army has been brought in to put the riots down, but violence still abounds. Caught in the midst of this, fifteen-year-old Claire is confronted with the difficulty of having both Irish and African American heritage. In a situation with very little middle ground, which side will Claire choose?

Riot is a novel with an interesting topic but a less than thrilling execution. This novel is written in the style of a screenplay, which is unique but a little odd considering I don’t believe it’s supposed to be one. Because of this strict format which only allows for scene descriptions, character actions, different “camera” angles, and dialogue, I found it very difficult to get into the story. Another negative side effect of this structure is that there is little if any direct characterization, and readers must glean what they can about characters based on mainly events, actions, and dialogue. I personally found it hard to fully understand many of the characters because I didn’t know that they were thinking, which the rare soliloquy did little to remedy. If it weren’t for this story, I think I might’ve been more into the story since the Civil War and race relations are fascinating and important parts of American history. For what it’s worth, the historical events discussed, particularly the New York City draft riots, were portrayed relatively accurately, but unfortunately, the story was just boring as a whole. Perhaps it’s only the screenplay style, but Riot was just not a book for me.

Fans of historical novels just as Ten Cents a Dance by Christine Fletcher and A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly may still enjoy this stylistically untraditional novel.

Rating: 2.75

Review copy from publisher Egmont USA

How to Say Goodbye in Robot by Natalie Standiford

Bea is not a stranger to moving, and consequently, she’s given up on lasting friendships. Since her latest move to Baltimore, Bea has figured she’ll probably end up buddies with some random but overly friendly girl at her new school. Instead, Bea finds herself sitting next to Jonah, a withdrawn and sullen boy who hasn’t made a friend since the third grade, and somehow their less than cordial introduction morphs into something in the realm of friendship. And they certainly make an interesting duo, connected by a love of late-night radio and secrets in their pasts and possibly appropriately nicknamed Ghost Boy and Robot Girl. But as with all friendships this deep, there comes the hard times, the pushing away and the pulling back. Will each ever know how much this bond means to the other? And could one ever recover from a separation, because as much as they’d like to think they’re ghosts and robots, they’re really just people.

How to Say Goodbye in Robot is a novel all about the depth and complexities of the truest form of friendship, as well as the quirks of other relationships people share. It is a story heavily reliant on its characters, which are thankfully realistic, and its writing, which was thoughtful and descriptive. I truly enjoyed the characters in this story, particularly Bea and Jonah. Even with all their peculiarities, their personalities are believable and easy to relate to. Standiford so wonderfully develops their selves that they become people the reader genuinely cares about and wants to understand. Another thing I loved about this story is how it shows that the seemingly random connections people make among each other sometimes end up being the most perfect combinations ever. It’s more than just “it’s a small world;” it’s about all the wonder the world creates, how fate worlds in mysterious ways, the magic in bringing people together, and all the possibilities in life. How to Say Goodbye in Robot is a sweet, touching, and even a little heartbreaking story that shows that no matter how much we want to think we’re okay on our own, we really do need other people.

This novel will be enjoyed by fans of The Miles Between by Mary E. Pearson and Paper Towns by John Green.

Rating: 4.25

Review copy from publisher Scholastic

The Dark Divine by Bree Despain is Munch-Worthy

Grace Divine, daughter of the local pastor, always knew something terrible happened the night Daniel Kalbi disappeared—the night she found her brother Jude collapsed on the porch, covered in blood. But she has no idea what a truly monstrous secret that night really held. And when Daniel returns three years later, Grace can no longer deny her attraction to him, despite promising Jude she’ll stay away.

As Grace gets closer to Daniel, her actions stir the ancient evil Daniel unleashed that horrific night. Grace must discover the truth behind Jude and Daniel's dark secret . . . and the cure that can save the ones she loves. But she may have to lay down the ultimate sacrifice to do it—her soul.

What is it with me and these types of books? We seem to attract each other (or at least the books attract me) with their mysteries, some kind of dark and/or evil magic, and some kind of dark, twisted romance.

I seem to like the dark. At least in books.

In all honestly, I don't have a very good reason for why I want to read this book. The summary is okay. The cover art has too much purple for my taste (that gauzy material and the toenails) and the paleness of the girl's skin is quite creepy. I might've heard someone that this novel was getting good early reviews, but come to think of it, I think that someone worked for EgmontUSA. And he/she just might be a bit biased.

Releases December 22, 2009 from EgmontUSA.

Dark Visions: The Strange Power, The Possessed, The Passion by L.J. Smith

Kaitlyn Fairchild has never felt like she belongs. In her hometown, people keep away from her unusually eyes and drawings of horrible scenes that always come true. So when she’s offered the opportunity to leave home and study at the Zetes Institute in California for psychics, she accepts. At least there, she’ll have the chance to meet other people like her and not always be the outcast. And she isn’t disappointed. Studying and living with four fellow teen psychics opens Kait’s world to all new possibilities like friendship and even love. But just as she discovers these joys, she also learns of the true nature of the Institute and what’s been planned for her and her new friends. Kait must figure out who she can trust if she’s to save herself and her friends from ultimate destruction.

Dark Visions contains three juicy paranormal reads bound in one book, and I have to say, I quite enjoyed them. Strange as it is, I have never read anything by Smith prior to this, but Dark Visions has won me over. Smith proves herself a master storyteller, adept at manipulating plot and inter-character connections to create a satisfying and thrilling story. In all three books, there is no shortage of action, deceit, and romantic tension. The numerous twists and turns kept me interested in the story, but the friendship and romance really brought it to life for me because it showed the main characters’ capacities to love. For the most part, the characters were realistic although Gabriel’s deeply conflicted nature was difficult to believe at times. As a whole, the entire supernatural angle of this story was thoroughly exciting and very original, and I loved reading about Kait and her friends’ lives and backgrounds just as much as I did about their psychic adventures. Dark Visions holds a thrilling trio of paranormal action and romance stories sure to enthrall readers.

This novel will be enjoyed by fans of The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong, the Midnighters trilogy by Scott Westerfeld, and Dead Is the New Black by Marlene Perez.

Rating: 4.25

Review copy from publisher Simon & Schuster UK

How much do I love The Hunger Games? Let me count the ways...

Finally! Another video of me.

Please forgive me when I accidentally say "The Hunger Games" instead of "Catching Fire." I do a lot of talking in here.

Fire by Kristin Cashore

In the Dells, there are animals, and then there are monsters. The only way to distinguish between them is that monsters have unique coloring, impossibly alluring beauty, and sometimes even the ability of mind control. That’s what makes monsters so dangerous, to humans and to each other. That’s why Fire lives such a careful and guarded life; this flame-haired young woman is actually a human monster. The Dells, the land she calls home, is experiencing supreme instability now that rebel lords are attempting to overthrow King Nash. Spies and other suspicious people are everywhere, only increasing the danger. And somehow, Fire fits in the midst of all this, because this beautiful girl can influence the minds of those around her. Wanted as an asset by each opposing side in the brewing war, Fire must determine the path she will follow, to save—or forsake—her land.

Talk about a page turner! Fire, though lengthy, is a fantasy filled with excitement, danger, spy work, brewing plots, and even romance. Cashore’s writing draws the reader easily into her fictional world of monsters and royal court intrigue. Generally, I find the settings in most fantasy stories difficult to adjust to since they generally include new lands and terrain, wording and languages, species, laws of nature, and occasionally magic; however, with Fire, part of the reason why it was so easy for me to get into the story was because the setting and atmosphere were really quite simple. The most unusual aspect of the Dells is the monsters, and those were quite easily explained and able to be understood. It’s amazing to me how Cashore so successfully creates a vivid new world with a realistic cast of characters. Character development is so well done, especially for strong protagonist Fire, that the characters hardly feel like they’re just part of a fictional story. I suppose there are segments of this story that are a little boring, but I feel that fades away next to the excitement that action, drama, and romance bring to the plot.

Fire is by far one of my favorite fantasies yet, and I cannot wait to read Graceling, for which Fire is a prequel. This novel will most definitely be enjoyed by fans of The Abhorsen Chronicles by Garth Nix, Trickster’s Choice and Trickster’s Queen by Tamora Pierce, Foundling by D.M. Cornish, and The Lord of the Rings trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien.

Rating: 4.75

Review copy from publisher Penguin Group

Darkside by Tom Becker

Jonathan Starling likes being invisible. It allows him to sneak off whenever he wants, usually without getting caught. But when his home is attacked and a strange trio start pursuing hum, Jonathan finds he’s not as invisible as he’d like to be. There are some people—or things—extremely sinister hinting through London for Jonathan, connecting far back into his family’s past with secrets he never knew existed. It all leads back to Darkside, a dangerous place for otherworldy creatures like vampires and werewolves, a place of Jonathan’s heritage and where he must find refuge with his sick father’s old friend. But is coming to Darkside really any safer than the London Jonathan already knows?

Fast-paced and full of danger and excitement, Darkside is an enthralling read. The story is mostly plot-driven, but that isn’t a bad thing since Becker creates action exceedingly well. There is something so thrilling about Darkside, partially because of its sinister atmosphere and inhabitants and partially because it’s hidden nearly in plain sight in the middle of London. I love how Becker expertly sets the coexistence of Darkside and Lightside, or the world as Jonathan used to know it; it open up realms of possibilities for trouble. As with many action novels, the characters could’ve been better developed; in fact, with the descriptiveness of Becker’s writing, I’m surprised Jonathan and the other characters didn’t feel more real because despite Jonathan’s central role, the most that can be understood about him is his sheer determination. Also, I would’ve appreciated learning more of Jonathan’s and Darkside’s histories since disappointingly little was revealed. Still, I found Darkside a highly entertaining read and one with lots of potential for a sequel.

This action-filled story will be enjoyed by fans of Eighth Grade Bites by Heather Brewer and Foundling by D.M. Cornish. I look forward to reading Darkside’s sequel, Lifeblood.

Rating: 4.0

Review copy from publisher Scholastic

Captivate by Carrie Jones is Munch-Worthy

Zara and her friends knew they hadn’t solved the pixie problem for good. Far from it. The king’s needs grow deeper every day he’s stuck in captivity, while his control over his people gets weaker. It’s made him vulnerable. And now there’s a new king in town.

A turf war is imminent. The new pixie king is moving in quickly. He swears that he and Zara are destined to be together, that he’s one of the good guys. Zara isn’t so sure – despite herself, she wants to trust the new king. But there’s a lot more than her relationship with boyfriend Nick at stake. It’s her life – and his.

You wouldn't believe how long it took me to find a summary for this book. There wasn't one on Amazon, or on B&N, or the author's website, or the book's website, or the publisher's website, or even on any other site when I searched the title and author on Google.

I finally found above pasted glory on the regular (a.k.a. UK) Bloomsbury publishing website.

Sometimes Americans can be so disappointing. Thank goodness for the Europeans in this instance!

Anyhow, I nearly forgot how much I enjoyed the prequel to this, Need, until I saw the cover for Captivate on somebody else's blog (whose? I've sadly forgotten). I can't say the cover art is quite as captivating as that for Need. The model just does not have the right emotion for me. She doesn't look...captivated. And either she is miraculously crying a golden tear, or her gold eyeshadow is running. It's a toss up.

I'd assume there'll be more books to come from this series. I wonder what kind of gold makeup they'll do next. They've already done the gold lips (Need) and now the eyes (Captivate). That pretty much covers the basics unless Bloomsbury wants to douse their next cover model in gold powder (unless they're using a Photoshop type program, and then change her skin to gold). I think that would be a strange effect to say the least. It would almost be like Twilight movie Edward in the sun with jaundice.

But, I digress. A lot.

Releases January 5, 2010 from Bloomsbury USA Children's Books.

The Miles Between by Mary E. Pearson

Destiny Faraday has perfected her presence at boarding school. She doesn’t have friends, but she spends a little time in the company of a few people. She doesn’t refuse to speak but keeps her talking to a minimum. Des has the boarding school life of predictability and routine down pat from her endless observations of those around her and from her number-one rule: Don’t get attached. But things rarely go as one plans. When Des unexpectedly finds an abandoned running car, she realizes that although this day, October 19, is supposed to be bad, she can’t pass up this opportunity. Somehow her party grows to four with the addition of three of Des’ classmates, and they take off on an unauthorized road trip in search of one fair day where everything turns out just so. Along the way, Des finds out that someone has already broken her number-one rule for her—and that it might not be such a bad thing.

I’ll admit the first novel by Pearson I read, Scribbler of Dreams, was not one of my favorites. However, The Adoration of Jenna Fox convinced me to give this author another try, which I’m glad I did because The Miles Between was absolutely fabulous. It’s difficult to say what exactly about Pearson’s writing that makes this novel come together so magically, but perhaps it is its thoughtfulness. There’s something about the words on each page that makes each of the main characters so real and makes the reader wish he/she was on this random road trip. Both the characters and the plot are spectacularly formed, revealing the right amount of information at the right time to keep things well-paced but still interesting. I don’t really know what else to say about the presentation of this story besides that the effect is wonderful and stunning. I was so connected to this book, the story and the characters, also because of how coincidence and fate were so central to the novel. These are just some of the things about life that have always amazed and fascinated me, and their inclusion in this novel made it all the more unique and interesting. The Miles Between is not an action book; it is mostly character- and thought-driven but still with plenty of surprises hidden within its pages. It is a wonderfully endearing novel that will cheer anyone up and make them feel not alone.

Fans of Pearson’s writing, particularly in The Adoration of Jenna Fox, will enjoy The Miles Between. This sweet story will also attract fans of You Are Here by Jennifer E. Smith, Crash Into Me by Albert Borris, Get Well Soon by Julie Halpern, and Sprout by Dale Peck.

Rating: 4.75

Review copy from Amazon Vine

Kiss of Life by Daniel Waters

When Phoebe’s best friend Adam takes a bullet for her, she finally understands that he loves her. And when Adam comes back as a differently biotic, Phoebe vows she’ll do all she can to bring him to a higher level of functionality. The theory goes that love is what helps zombies function more normally, but in order to devote himself to Adam, Phoebe must break up with her differently biotic boyfriend and zombie leader, Tommy Williams. Matters are made even more complicated by Tommy’s crusade for zombie rights and recognition. While there are some people who are open to the differently biotic and want to help them, still others are convinced the teens risen from the dead are evil and need to be exterminated. Will the zombies’ uphill battle for the right to exist be successful—or will their efforts only bring them in harm’s way?

Kiss of Life is a fantastic sequel to Waters’ awesome debut Generation Dead. The writing and characterization were great and the plot satisfactory, but what stood out most to me was the unmistakable, if possible unintended, social commentary. Although America prides itself on being an advanced and modern nation, it is still capable of quite heinous crimes against minority groups and the unfamiliar in the spirit of fear and intolerance; the evidence is stacked through history, which Waters may or may now have been discreetly referring to throughout the novel. I saw so many parallels between the zombies’ struggle in this story to the civil rights era, to name a historical example. What it all boils down to is acceptance and tolerance; it’s frightening how some people can lose sight of those qualities so quickly. I also really liked how this novel didn’t automatically assign the religious to the intolerant list, because while there are the zealots, the religious can also be some of the most generous and kind people. Aside from the fact that this novel is mostly about zombies, the situations it presents are scarily realistic. Kiss of Life is just a great read both for the story and the simple truths about life and love it presents.

This novel will be eagerly enjoyed by fans of its prequel Generation Dead as well as by those who liked Night Road by A.M. Jenkins and Peeps by Scott Westerfeld.

Rating: 4.5

Review copy from publisher Simon & Schuster UK

It's been a long time coming...

...and I feel terrible that I haven't posted this sooner. So for those of you upset with me for not announcing winners earlier for like 5 or so of my past contest, my apologies. Here they are:

Jessica won Summer Girls &
Diana Dang won The A-List: Hollywood Royalty
in the Summer Guilty Pleasure Giveaway

Paradox
won Fade to Blue by Sean Beaudoin

Okie & Blair Lewis
each won a James Patterson prize pack

Sarah Woodard
won a signed copy of Cleopatra's Daughter by Michelle Moran

and, most recently of all
Froggy, Kelsey, & Dottie
each won awesome Catching Fire prizes

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

Isabel, better known as Belly, always looks forward to summers. That’s when it’s time to relax, to swim in the pool or the ocean, to lay on the beach doing nothing. That’s when she, her brother Steven, and her mother drive to the beach house, when they spend three glorious months with loving Susannah and her sons Conrad and Jeremiah.

Brothers Conrad and Jeremiah have been there since the first summer. Just older than Belly, they always treated her like the baby, but despite the teasing, the three were pretty close. To Belly, they’ve been everything from best friends to unattainable crushes, and most definitely, people she could count on to be at the summer house when she arrived.

But this summer is different. Almost sixteen, Belly feels like she’s old enough to be included in the boys’ antics. She’s ready to make this summer perfect. But between Conrad’s moods, Jeremiah’s lifeguarding job, and Steven’s college road trip, there seems to be hardly any room left for Belly. But Belly can’t just give up; she’ll find a way to make this summer the way it should be.

Read the rest of my review at Young Adult Enchanting Reviews.

Rating: 3.5

Review copy from publisher Simon Pulse through YA Enchanting Reviews

Little Black Lies by Tish Cohen

Sara Black is so not thrilled about moving. In fact, she’s not too thrilled about her life either. Her mother recently ran away to France with her new boyfriend, and her father’s OCD has been getting worse since her mother left. Now she has to leave behind her best friend and shot at valedictorian in Lundon, Massachusetts when her father takes a job as a janitor at the elite Anton High in Boston. Anton is no ordinary school. Sara’s new classmates make her intelligence look average and live for competition. Right away, Sara knows she’ll never be accepted for being the janitor’s daughter. The Ants seem to think Sara is from London, and with that, Sara’s first lie is born. But it doesn’t stop there, because the lies are so much easier than the truth. Sara’s lies start to build up like a house of cards as her homework piles up, her new friends get nosy, and her father’s OCD worsens still. How much will Sara lie before the truth can no longer be salvaged?

The idea behind Little Black Lies is not very original, particularly the “girl moves to new school and lies to fit in” storyline, but this novel is nonetheless enjoyable. Sara is a realistic protagonist; she loves her dad but worries his OCD is destroying him, she’s hurt by her mother’s absence, and though she deeply misses her hometown and best friend, she’s enticed by the power and glitz of most popular girl Carling. Despite her many lies, Sara is very likable and easy to sympathize with. The reader grows to really care about her and the consequences of all her lies. Though the minor characters are somewhat poorly developed and at times unbelievable, and even though the story’s ending is very predictable, this novel was made more intriguing by a scandal in Sara’s past and her father’s OCD. I’ve never read a book that included this disorder before, and it’s interesting to see how both Sara and her father deal with the problems it creates. I also loved learning about earlier events in Sara’s life that led up to her present situations even if the flashbacks were sometimes distracting. My only other issue with this novel is that Cohen seemed to be trying too hard to include symbols and metaphors in her writing, and this also distracted me from the story. Overall, Little Black Lies is a moderately well written and ultimately hopeful story that will entertain readers.

Little Black Lies will be enjoyed by teen girls who also liked the Private series by Kate Brian; the Upper Class series by Hobson Brown, Taylor Materne, and Caroline Says; and How Not to Be Popular by Jennifer Ziegler.

Rating: 3.75

Review copy from publisher Egmont USA