Review: This World We Live In by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Title: This World We Live In
Author: Susan Beth Pfeffer
Genre: YA, Post-apocalyptic
Perfect for: At this point, I'd recommend this series to everyone
Release Date: April 2010

Life hasn't been the same since a meteor hit the moon and moved it closer to the earth. We've seen it from the eyes of Miranda, the suburban girl, and from the eyes of the city dweller, Alex. Now we come to the stunning conclusion of the story that has made us all wonder 'what if'. In "This World We Live In", we are back in the suburbs with Miranda and her family. It's April and although they survived the harsh winter, life is not getting any better. Food shortages are a threat and you never know what the weather will be doing. When her father arrives with his wife, child, a middle aged man named Charlie, and two kids, Alex and Julie Morales, life is turned even more upside down. How can they feed so many mouths, including a nursing mother and infant? And then there's Alex, the city boy just Miranda's age... Is there a place for love in this crazy world they live in? You'll find out in the conclusion of The Moon Trilogy.

Goodness me... Goodness me... Is this really the conclusion? Can I have another book or two? I'm jumping ahead of myself...

Let me start off with the characters in "This World We Live In". It's hard not talking about the characters as if they're real living breathing people. I loved seeing Miranda, Alex, and Julie together. It made for an interesting dynamic. Characters from two different worlds meeting in this completely new world where their background doesn't matter-- just survival, and in the case of Alex and Miranda--love. Is it a healthy love? I don't know. Alex is definitely not in the most healthy mindset, in my opinion and Miranda, well, it would be hard not to be a little boy starved if you've been crammed in with only your brothers for the past year of your life.

The story read like its companions and could easily be described as a page turner. I read "This World We Live In" in one sitting, that's how into it I was. The tone follows suit with its companions, as well. While there are some pretty depressing bits, there are glimmers of light, albeit small glimmers, but glimmers nonetheless. The events that happened throughout the novel didn't feel forced or out of place. They felt like they belonged in the story, however much you wish they hadn't happened. I won't spoil you with specifics, but I think you'll understand what I mean when you read this book (and you will want to read this book!).

This is definitely one of those books you'll want to talk about.. I know I turned to my mom the moment I finished and started asking her about her opinions on the book. The ending is abrupt. You'll want more. Actually, the ending irritated me, because I'm a sucker for happy endings, but really, it wouldn't be fair to the story or the readers to give us a sugar-coated ending for the sake of the ending the trilogy. (I guess)

Overall, read this book (after the first two, of course). Excellent writing combined with realistic characters and a fantastic story make this a must read.

J.D Salinger: 1919-2010

The author of 'Catcher in the Rye' died January 28th, 2010 at the age of 91. While I am not a fan of his works, he has made a huge mark in the writing world. Rest in Peace, Mr. Salinger.

Review: Give Up the Ghost by Megan Crewe

Title: Give Up the Ghost
Author: Megan Crewe
Genre: YA, Supernatural
Perfect for: A rainy afternoon read

Cass has seen ghosts since her sister died four years ago and she uses it to her advantage. The local ghosts that haunt her school are her friends, feeding her information to use against any living classmates who dare to antagonize her. When the VP of the Student Council learns what she can do, Cass has no options but to help him with his request—contacting his dead mother. The dead mother part is easy, but Tim has problems that Cass can’t solve in her normal ghostly ways. Out of touch with the living for so long, she needs to learn how to help Tim when he needs her the most.

*Spoilers in review—you’ve been warned*

“Give Up the Ghost” is a strange blend between a ghost story and an after school TV special. It’s a simple, quick story perfect for a rainy afternoon. Cass is your typical ghost seeing rebel, but is fleshed out enough to be fun to read about.

The story is compelling, though I found it to read almost like two separate stories. This is where the ghost story/after school special bit comes in. The first part was definitely your typical ghost story. We see Cass dealing with Tim’s mothers’ ghost and even helping her cross over. As for the latter half of the book, it was pretty much ghost free and was more centered on Cass helping Tim with his depression/alcohol problem. I understand that the premise of the story is for Cass to get in touch more with the living and less so the dead, but I don’t think a happy medium was ever found between the two stories being told.

I hope there is a sequel in the mix, because I think Crewe left a lot of questions unanswered. Who is Keith? Why was he staring so intently at her? What does her sister need to cross over? Is Tim really over the drinking? What will become of Tim and Cass? (Personally, I don’t like Tim very much and am hoping if there is a sequel that another love interest comes into play.)

Even with the slight story problems with “Give Up the Ghost”, I do recommend this title for readers who need a quick read. It’s not something I would run out to the bookstore and buy, but is definitely something I’d pick up at the library.

For the visual... Here's the book trailer!

ARCS-- I love them!

My mom came home with a pile of ARC's waiting to be read and reviewed. Among the titles are: The World We Live In by Susan Beth Pfeffer, Guardian of the Gate by Michelle Zink, Jekel Loves Hyde by Beth Fantaskey, Linger by Maggie Stiefvater, Guardian of the Dead by Karen Healey, and The Prince of Mist by Carlos Ruiz Zafon.

I'm looking forward to reading all of them, but am super excited about The World We Live In and Guardian of the Gate. Check back for reviews of these titles and more!

Book Meme-- Young At Heart

For your entertainment, here is a book meme found on the 'Book Memes and Quizzes' LJ... I'll be posting these every so often. How do your answers compare to mine?

Below the cut lies the Telegraph’s list of 100 books every child should read. BOLD the books you've read. I got 24. What about you?

Review: The Dead and the Gone by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Title: The Dead and the Gone
Author: Susan Beth Pfeffer
Genre: YA, Post-apocalyptic
Perfect for: readers of its companion novel, Life As We Knew It

We've seen what happened to the suburbs when a meteor moved the moon closer towards the earth. In "The Dead and the Gone", companion novel to "Life As We Knew It", we see how the disaster changes life for those in the fast paced cities, namely New York City. The story centers around the Morales family. When both Alex's parents disappear the night of the disaster, it becomes his duty to keep him and his two sister, Bri, 14 and Julie, 12, alive in a city that is slowly falling apart. The repercussions of the movement of the moon differ from the story we heard in "Life As We Knew It", but are just as chilling. Alex must deal with a lot-- food shortages, failing electricity, an ill sister... They need a lot, but most of all, seventeen year old Alex knows he needs to get him and his family out of the city before it exists no more.

Oh my goodness. I don't know what I expected while reading "The Dead and the Gone". I enjoyed the book immensely even though it never ceased to depress me. The characters seemed real and I really felt for them. Towards the end, the book almost brought tears to my eyes, which is unusual for me!

By no means should "The Dead and the Gone" be taken as 'the same old thing'. It reads similar, yet completely different to its companion novel. One of the most intriguing things was, at times, something would affect Alex and his sisters, and I would stop and be brought back to what happened to Miranda in "Life As We Knew It".

I really enjoyed this companion novel and can't wait until the third book in this series, "This World We Live In" is released. I recommend "The Dead and the Gone" for teens and adults who find themselves the least bit attracted to the story. It's definitely a page turner!

Review: Mistwood by Leah Cypress

Title: Mistwood
Author: Leah Cypress
Genre: YA (though suitable for younger teens), Adventure
Perfect For: 'Graceling' fans, young and old

As a Shape-shifter, Isabels' duty is to protect the king from any and all danger. But confusion has hung over her head since Rokan, the (then) prince, came into her woods, the enchanted Mistwoods, in order to bind her to him as his bodyguard. While she knows her sole purpose is to protect and defend the king, why can't she remember how to shift and, more importantly, why does she think and question less like the Shape-shifters of legend and more like the humans she has to protect?

I liked Mistwood. It wasn't completely what I expected it to be, but was full of likable, defined characters and had a good mix of action and plot development. While the basic story about a superhuman girl who defends the king is similar to Kristin Cashore's Graceling, the rest of the story was very different. Isabel's journey to find out her past caught my attention right away and held on to it till the last page turn.

The secondary characters were nicely fleshed out. I admit, I would have liked to see a little more of Rokan, the prince/king, and Ven, the sorcerer's apprentice, but what can you do? All the characters acted and spoke naturally, which is always a delight. The story became slightly predictable toward the end, but by the time it happens, you'll be so involved in the novel, you won't really care.

Mistwood has a good mix of fantastical elements, action, and even a bit of romance intricately woven together, making a story that I happily recommend to YA readers. Mistwood hits bookstore shelves May 2010, but is available for pre-order now.

News: Book Award Winners Announced at ALA Midwinter

Announced at ALA Midwinter, here are some of the winners of various book awards! Congrats to all the winner! (Hopefully my name will be among yours one day!)

The John Newbery Medal: When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead
The John Newbery Honor Books: Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice by Phillip Hoose, The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin, The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg by Rodman Philbrick

Randolph Caldecott Medal 2010: The Lion & the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney
Caldecott Honor Books: All the World: illustrated by Marla Frazee/written by Elizabeth Garton Scanlon, Red Sings from Treetops: A Year in Colors: illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski/written by Joyce Sidman

Michael L. Printz Award 2010: Going Bovine by Libba Bray

Coretta Scott King Author Award 2010: Bad News for Outlaws by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson

Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award 2010: My People, illustrated by Charles R. Smith Jr./written by Langston Hughes

William C. Morris Award: Flash Burnout by L.K. Madigan

Margaret A. Edwards Award: Jim Murphy (An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793, Blizzard! The Storm That Changed America)

More award winners can be found on the ALA website here.