Salvation

Salvation by Anne Osterlund
4/5 stars
Speak, 2013
276 pages
YA Contemporary

Source: Library

I've read and reviewed all of Osterlund's previous work so of course I knew I'd be checking out her latest, especially since it is her first foray into my favorite genre, YA contemporary. Early reviews were very positive so I knew I was in for a good time.

Our main character is Salvador Resendez, known as Salva. A ery popular, very good student living under the high expectations of his immigrant father and now deceased mother. His world collides with walking disaster Beth who has her own troubles but whose years long crush on Salva encourages her to hope for more when he seeks her academic assistance.

The plot arc of this book felt like a lot of other contemporaries to me, where there doesn't seem to be too much happening (unlike the fighting and sneaking around that can occur in fantasies and dystopias) but each little event is building up to something. The Shakespeare project they undertake is amazing as is their big scene together and its repercussions. Then we have several confrontations, leading up to something big.

My dissatisfaction comes from that big event near the end, which felt shamelessly manipulative. I don't want spoilers and I'll freely admit that I cried over what happened and the consequences I imagined. Happily the epilogue helped restore this book to my good graces with a powerful message about speaking up and raising your voice for those who are unable.

I also appreciated the low socioeconomic class of the protagonists as well as Salva's Mexican heritage (many other characters are either from Mexico or of Mexican dissent)-yay for some more diversity in YA! Salva and Beth were both great characters who I found it easy to like although I'm not sure I felt that Beth received enough development. Her purpose seemed to be more to help Salva instead of being her own person.

Bottom Line: Definitely enjoyed reading this; it's just not my favorite Osterlund.

Bonus tip: I highly recommend friending Anne on goodreads as she gives fantastic book recommendations and bookish insights!

Other Opinions:
Candace's Book Blog
Katie's Book Blog
The Authoress

The Fine Art of Truth or Dare

The Fine Art of Truth or Dare by Melissa Jensen
4/5 stars
Speak, 2012
380 pages
YA Contemporary

Source: Received as gift from parents (I love you Mom :)

This book looked exactly like my kind of read: fun, flirty contemporary albeit with a twist. See, main character Ella talks to painter Edward Willing, who has been dead for about one hundred years. Like serious in-depth conversations with him about his life and her own life. It's kind of a shock but it really appealed to me. I don't think this gimmick will work for everyone but I thought it was a fun twist.

Other great elements were the sense of humor shared by Ella and her friends. I laughed at many points in the book.  As a Pennsylvania girl, I really appreciated the Philadelphia setting although I'm not very familiar with the city myself so I cannot comment on any accuracy issues.  I wasn't the biggest fan of the love story, which has South Philly Ella crushing on popular boy Alex. It was cute enough but I didn't get a lot of sparks between the two.

My big problem with this book was a specific conflict with Ella, who is so insecure and constantly pushes away Alex and any attempts at happiness. She can't see how anyone would be interested in her. Now I completely understand that (if high school me was a YA character, she would have been just as annoying...or probably more so in this regard) but I'm afraid I was not super sympathetic in this case.

I also thought the book was a little choppy in places with some things taking forever to happen and others happening in the blink of an eye. This pacing was a distraction from my overall general enjoyment of this book.

One last thing to note is that it looks like this book is connected to Jensen's previous book Falling in Love with English Boys but it can be read as a standalone. Saying that, I definitely want to check out that earlier book because I really enjoy Jensen's writing.

Illuminated

Illuminated by Erica Orloff
4/5 stars
Speak, 2011
244 pages
YA Romance

Source: Library

I remember seeing this book come out at the end of last year but since it was December, I feel like it got a bit overshadowed by end of the year wrap-ups and holiday times. So I never heard much about it but remained interested in the story based on the lovely cover.

When I read the summary, I was skeptical because it's supposed to be an epic love story against the tragic love story of Heloise and Abelard (wikipedia page if you're not familiar with it although by reading this book, you would get a pretty good basic understanding) and in my experience, I tend to find those kind of YA stories unpalatable and unable to live up to the mythical passionate society-defying love stories of the past. And well I would say I was right in this case but this book is not without its charms.

First it was a delight to read about history loving Callie who is spending the summer with her uncle while her father is off on business (her mother being deceased). While examining a manuscript for auction, they find a palimpsest and begin investigating its legitimacy eventually leading to the story of Abelard and Heloise as well as a trip to France.

Second, the inclusion of the story of Abelard and Heloise was great. Although I think it's a pretty famous story, it's not the most famous and I've never read a YA story incorporating it (unlike say Romeo and Juliet, which is also referenced on the back cover). The couple were separated in life until resuming a passionate letter correspondence, cementing their intellectual connection as their physical connection had already culminated in a son. There's an optimism around the story that made me smile.

What I ultimately found most interesting was Callie and August's fears stemming from their parents' many mistakes but choosing to still believe in themselves and their love. Neither set of parents is still together and toxic is a word that could describe both of those relationships. Callie only learns about the bitterness of her parents' relationship during the course of the book, adding a double whammy with its new revelations in addition to navigating her own romance. Both of the kids worry that they could repeat the mistakes, could hurt the other the way their parents hurt each other. But they take a leap of faith and pledge to each other, aiming for that kind of epic love.

As I said though, the love story isn't quite up to par. Callie and August fall almost immediately and seem to just know. I like seeing a couple fall for each other, the ways they complement each other like no else has; it's those details that really make a romance for me and in this case, the book doesn't meet my demands although I was not expecting it to be able to given the brevity of the novel.

Overall: A slight sweet love story-very fast-moving for a lazy afternoon but without a knockout emotional punch to really resonate.

Cover: I love the warm colors that feel very inviting and the stars along the outline of their skin (this made be a little hard to see in the picture but it can be seen on the cover in person.)

The Summer My Life Began

The Summer My Life Began by Shannon Greenland
3/5 stars
Speak, 2012
249 pages
YA Contemporary

Source: Received an e-ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Given the title and cover, this seemed like a cute summer read so even though it is not officially summer yet, I wanted to give this a shot. I was able to read through it in only a few sittings one day due to the brevity.

However I wasn't really able to connect with the characters, which ultimately hindered my enjoyment. Main character Elizabeth Margaret has always done what is expected of her and is prepared for an internship before going to Harvard and then becoming a lawyer like her father. She would rather be a chef and try new things instead of accepting the life mapped out for her by her grandmother and parents. But she wasn't going to try that until she receives an offer from an aunt she never knew she had to visit for the summer. 

Elizabeth Margaret or Em as she prefers to be called was pretty bland. She complained about how controlling her parents were but she didn't seem willing to give up her cushy life to pursue something else; the idea never even occurred to her until she visits her aunt. I did like her sister but since sis stays home, there wasn't very much of her. The other characters are cartoonish caricatures in the case of the grandmother and parents, so much so that they didn't seem like real people or just on the quirky side in the case of Em's aunt Tilly. There is also a romantic interest who was not to my taste. None of them received sufficient development in my opinion; I can't care about a character who is just flat.

As for plot, for the most part, the book just goes along until Em uncovers the big family secret that I had kind of already guessed at and reacts very predictably. This happens pretty close to the end and could have caused an emotional impact except that I didn't feel anything for the characters and it was all pretty abrupt.

Overall: I feel largely indifferent to the writing and characterizations. Instead of a cute sweet book, I feel like I ended up with something aspiring to be deeper but failing.

Exile

Exile by Anne Osterlund
Speak, 2011
295 pages
YA; Fantasy
4.5/5 stars

Source: Library

Summary: In this companion to Aurelia, Aurelia has managed to escape the palace walls with her life and has embarked on a tour of her country accompanied by the ever loyal Robert and a guard. As she begins exploring though, she discovers deep miscarriages of justice, extreme poverty and violence, and fears about her future and the future of her country.

This is the sequel to Aurelia, a book I mostly enjoyed but thought it was lacking something to really make it sing. And at first I thought this book would be the same way. Happily it soon picked up, bringing me deep in to the story and then leaving me hanging. When is the third book coming?!

Anyway back to the story. In Aurelia, I loved Robert and his growing feelings for Aurelia as he fought to protect her from the many threats on her life that she suffered due to her position as the Crown Princess, presumed heir to the throne. But Aurelia herself didn't interest me. She did though in this book. Her compassion for her people as she travels in exile without pomp and circumstance drew my admiration. And the descriptions of her beauty, strength, and how she seems to glow with an inner light gave me additional reasons to like her. As Aurelia's character became more defined and vibrant, I was drawn into the story more!

Then there is the romance, of which I am a BIG fan! I loved Aerin and Dane in this author's Academy 7 and was similarly enthralled with Aurelia and Robert in this book.  It's not instant; it's deeper based on getting to know each other. And while each thinks the other is attractive, they are also drawn to the inner qualities such as his knowledge and how he can follow through on difficult decisions and her desire for justice for all of her people. They have many obstacles to overcome (different classes and the continued threats on her life) but I'm rooting so hard for them!

The plot itself is something that had the potential to go very astray for me. It's about Aurelia and Robert journeying through her lands. That can be so boring: arrive at place, have adventure, leave, repeat. But that did not happen here as the adventures varied so greatly and added to the suspense over Aurelia's precise situation. Of course I do enjoy court intrigue, which isn't much in play here because they are away but does reemerge later in the book.

Overall: A slow beginning almost lost me but it soon picked up and the ending has me begging for the third book to arrive...like yesterday! WANT NOW!

Cover: That girl is really pretty although she's supposed to be darker-skinned.

Academy 7

Academy 7 by Anne Osterlund
Speak, 2009
259 pages
YA; Science-Fiction; Romance
5/5 stars

Source: Library

Summary: Aerin is a fugitive from slavery; Dane is a privileged son. While these two seem to have little in common, they quickly become competitors and friends bonded by intellect and the mysteries of their past at the exclusive Academy 7.

I enjoyed Osterlund's Aurelia so I wanted to check out her other book. I liked the blurb that talked about what seemed like a boarding school plus romance is always good and a splash of mystery.  However I did not realize it was sci-fi, which was a very pleasant surprise although for those who aren't big fans, it's not the biggest element.

I really liked both of the main characters.  Dane is dark, broody, and hot! While a skilled pilot and debater, he also has a tortured family history that causes him to rebel and at times to waste his natural gifts. Aerin also has a dark backstory after spending years as a slave before managing to escape.  She is so determined and worked harder than all of the other students in order to prove her worth.  Additionally I loved their interactions together as neither holds back, whether zinging barbs or fighting in class.

One tiny quibble is that there is supposed to be "a secret as big as the entire universe" as teased on the back cover.  I think that's hyperbolic but what they discover has very big consequences for Aerin and Dane's understanding of their respective families and themselves.

Overall: Highly Recommended! Hoping for a sequel!

XVI

XVI by Julia Karr
Speak, 2011
325 pages
YA; Dystopian
3.5/5 stars

Source: Library

I was first attracted to this book because it started with the letter "X" and I had never reviewed a book starting with that letter.  It was icing on the cake that it counted toward the YA Debut Author Challenge.

Summary: Nina is 15 and very unhappy about her pending 16th birthday when she will be marked with a "XVI" tattoo indicating her availability for sex to all.  Shortly before her birthday her mother is killed, although not before revealing a shocking secret and entrusting Nina with a dangerous assignment.  Now Nina must protect her sister and grandparents, assimilate into a new school, deal with boys, and stay a step ahead of her mother's dangerous government boyfriend, Ed.

Thoughts:  I found this a pretty quick easy read. I mostly liked Nina as someone who resists societal pressures and who was fairly protective of her family and friends.  After her mother's death, she feels adrift and tries to follow through on her mother's dying words that radically shifted her knowledge of life.  She has a younger sister who she worries about (as an older sister, that also tugs at my heart) and she tries to be a good student.  She is mostly cautious and is well aware of the dangers out there, which pleased me although I would have wanted her to be even more cautious.

Her love interest (of course there's a love interest) is Sal and he is part of the resistance to the government.  He was a perfectly nice guy but not swoonworthy to me.  He doesn't pressure her in any way but he does help her connect to the people she needs to know to complete her mother's dying wish.

I also liked the fact that the book was mostly standalone.  There is room for a sequel and I think Karr is working on one but there was no cliff-hanger ending and I feel pretty satisfied with the conclusion. 

I did have a few issues with it.  First is an extremely personal one.  The villain (well besides the government as this is a dystopian) is named Ed, which just happens to be my dad's name.  To be brief, my dad is awesome so seeing that the bad guy's name was Ed was hard for me.  Obviously that would only affect the tiniest portion of readers but it was a difficulty for me.

Second I thought that Nina let down people in two crucial instances.  She moves away due to her mom's death and her friendship with Sandy suffers; I thought that Nina could have tried harder to maintain contact but she seemed more interested in her new friends.  I also felt like she let down her sister in order to be with her boyfriend; Dee would have been a pawn used by Ed in any way and I didn't like that Nina took that chance.  I know she's a fictional character but those occurrences lowered my opinion of her.

Third I'm not entirely sure about the "sex-teen" concept.  I understand the proliferation of ads and media to control our thought; that's nothing new although it feels more extreme than some other dystopians I've read.  But I didn't quite understand why 16 was the age girls were made available for sex and exactly how that contributed to control.  The rationale for the government's decision was not made clear enough for me.  Small parts of the puzzle emerge but an overarching reason eluded my understanding.  Also what about queerness?  The novel really only discusses heterosexual relations. I was also surprised at how much dissent the government allowed as seen by the fact that Nina's father was a big opponent of Media for years until his death.  I feel like other societies would have had him killed much earlier in his life; perhaps it wasn't as established?

And lastly there were a great deal of "'d" contractions such as "I'd" and "Ginnie'd" throughout the book.  This grew very annoying to me although I recognize it as another personal preference; in general I would prefer the contraction written out or a rewording of the sentence to avoid so many on a page.  As I think about it, I wonder if those contractions are meant to be part of the language structures of the future.

Overall: A must-read for dystopian fans but not necessarily recommended to anyone else.

Cover: It's very different but I'm not entirely sold on the "XVI" in big black letters as it's a bit confusing at first to see.

Read for YA Debut Challenge

Aurelia

Aurelia by Anne Osterlund

Speak, 2008

246 pages

YA; Fantasy

Source: The library

Summary: Aurelia is crown princess and someone wants her dead! Robert returns to the palace in the place of his father, former royal spy, in order to investigate those attempts. But his investigation stirs complicated emotions in the two young people and uncovers many secrets.

Thoughts: I feel like the title is misleading as I ended up feeling much more connected to Robert while Aurelia was more of a cipher. I think it would have been more accurate to include both of their names or just to focus more on him because he emerged as more interesting and sympathetic. I liked Aurelia but I didn't feel like there was enough focus on her, considering the title implies that it's all about her. I was also disappointed in the supporting characters-horseman Drew sparkled but the rest of them were pretty flat and didn't add to the book. I love fun supporting characters so I was sad about that.

I've read some reviews where people felt the middle was a bit slow-I thought the beginning was slow while the middle meandered in a lovely way. The ending was very fast-paced but without an adequate conclusion. The motive and plotter are uncovered but there's no suitable punishment and while Aurelia should be safe, maybe she won't be. Speaking of the plot, I figured out part of it! But not the main person, unfortunately for me.

Overall: 4/5. Cute story-definitely suitable for younger YA readers.

Cover: I think it's really pretty, the mask is relevant, and the title font is beautiful.