ARC Review: A Wounded Name

**Sorry this is late-I forgot to prep it before the Taylor concert; I definitely have thoughts and will try to get them up this weekend!**

A Wounded Name by Dot Hutchison
4/5 stars
Carolrhoda Lab, 2013
310 pages
YA Retelling
Scheduled to release September 1

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

*Spoilers if you are not familiar with the play "Hamlet"*

Though I'm not the biggest Shakespeare fan, I do find myself inevitably drawn to the works that pay direct homage to his writing such as this take on "Hamlet," which focuses in on the tragic figure of Ophelia. I tend to prefer comedies so I was a little worried about how the drama and tragedy would play out.

Almost immediately though I was swept away by the beautiful writing and the intriguing updates to the characters. This variation follows (from what I remember) the Hamlet play very closely but because it is a novel from Ophelia's perspective, it emphasizes her feelings and actions a lot more. Here the twisted relationship between Ophelia and Dane (as Hamlet is known) takes center stage; though love is spoken of, it is dark and painful, abusive even at times. We also see a lot more of Ophelia's mother who is a ghost, seen only by Ophelia. Her mother's legacy hangs heavily over Ophelia until that inevitable conclusion.

I do have some problems with the world. I appreciated that it was all set at Elsinore Academy, its tight confines restricting the characters. But while references to computers and phones indicated it was set in the present day, it also felt very out of time. It seemed very old-fashioned especially emphasized with the school's odd curriculum that cultivates women to be ideal hostesses and companions to their successful husbands. Do places like that really still exist in this day and age? Do families really send their daughters off to expensive boarding schools content that they're getting an inferior education to their brothers? Coming from a family of just daughters that strongly values education, that is very difficult for me to wrap my head around.

This atmosphere is the kind that raised Gertrude who has always seen herself as the hostess, wife to the headmaster and that attitude really helped me to see how she so quickly married her husband's brother. She had grown up with both boys and had never really evinced a preference. When brother Claudius is posed to become headmaster, she remembers that childhood and her position as headmaster's wife and desires to retain it.

As for the end, my disappointment is that the book is narrated by Ophelia. If you remember what happens, she dies before the end of the play and the book follows that meaning we don't get to see the final duel between Dane and Laertes though we know how that shakes out. Still I wish there had been a way to actually show it all (note: I'm not complaining about the tragic nature as I was prepared by the source material and also because it seemed so fitting. No one was making very smart decisions so of course there's going to be a lot of death.)

One last note so I don't forget is that a lot of lines from the play are incorporated into the story. It has been probably about five years since I read it and even I managed to recognize some lines. A more recent reading would probably add greater depth to your connection with this story.

Overall: A beautifully written ethereal experience-a perfect companion to reading the play itself (I mean, the play's the thing :)

Cover: One might think I was drawn to the purple flowers that match so perfectly with the title. But it is front foot that grabs my eye-I do not think mine can arch quite like that and it makes me think she's a dancer.

Other Opinions:
Bibliopunkk
Flying Kick-a-pow!
Katie's Book Blog

ARC Review: Believe

Believe by Sarah Aronson
3/5 stars
Carolrhoda, 2013
287 pages
YA Contemporary
Scheduled to release September 1

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

The sound of this book was so unique that I just had to give it a read-I loved how it seemed to be looking at BIG things like religion, war, and politics in the YA setting. While I enjoyed those explorations, I really had trouble clicking with the main character and often found myself frustrated with her, making this a less than awesome read.

When she was just six years old, Janine was the sole survivor of a suicide bombing in Israel, earning herself the title Soul Survivor and becoming famous. Ten years later, she struggles with the physical effects of this on her hands, with the notoriety of such a title and those who would push her to use her fame for a cause, and with the loss of her parents who died in the bombing that tragic day. She just wants to be left alone. However when her friend Abe survives an accident and a boy miraculously walks after she lays hands on them both, she starts to question what it means to believe.

As I said, I found the concept for this book very thought provoking and I think the author did a great job setting up these questions. I feel like I hear a lot about the potential for suicide bombings and I remember watching about them on TV. To read a book about someone who survived one is remarkably unique. Unfortunately I didn't really like Janine. I know she's only a teenager in a really crappy situation but I hated her protestations about not wanting fame and yet her ability to always drop her reason for fame if someone wasn't acting in accord with how she wanted them to.

The part that really worked for me was Janine's interaction with the man who pulled her out of the rubble, which was his own launchpad for fame in the religious community. He seems to earnestly believe and circumstances bring them together as she explores her own faith. Another part was Janine's more adult assessment of her parents. She remembers their life together as an idyll but after reading her mother's journal from the time, it is far more complicated than that.

Otherwise, I just didn't find Janine that compelling and though I dutifully finished this book, I can't rave and recommend it to you. I mean, it's an interesting read, could be good for a book club, but it's not a favorite of mine.

Quicksilver

Quicksilver by RJ Anderson
4/5 stars
Carolrhoda LAB, 2013
314 pages
YA Science-Fiction

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

*Light spoilers for Ultraviolet*

In the stunning first book Ultraviolet, we meet Alison, tortured by synesthesia and suffering under the assumption that she has murdered her classmate only to discover a shocking twist that upends her previous knowledge of life. Now we see the perspective of the missing girl Tori and just how extraordinary she is.

The book opens with Tori and her parents preparing to disappear as police and scientists try to probe more deeply into Tori's leaving and returning. They are sure there is more to the story but how can Tori explain that? So they retain new identities but their woes are not over as Tori remains tied to Alison and their shared misadventure looms large in both of their memories.

Going in to this book, I knew we'd be getting a different narrator and I am mixed on that. I liked Tori a lot, especially because she is so brilliant and cunning. She seems to have a natural knack for reading a situation and responding in the best way in addition to her mathematics and engineering talents. But it was also sad to mostly say good bye to Alison because I liked her a lot too. This is the case where both narrations are strong and effective. Although there is also the introduction of a new cute guy, romance is really in the background of these books and I appreciate that the focus is more on strong characterizations of female characters with all their attendant strengths and weaknesses.

This story also fills in gaps from the first book. Remember how things changed at near the end of Utrlaviolet? Tori gives us a fresh glimpse into those events since she and Alison didn't entirely overlap and our knowledge was lacking. These past events were confusingly interwoven into the main narrative. I would like to pull them out and just read them again with the other scenes of Ultraviolet for best understanding-guess I will need to get print copies of both!

Overall: If you enjoyed the excellent writing and twists and turns of Ultraviolet, then you'll definitely want to check out this companion to complete the story. I wasn't sure a sequel was necessary but now having read it, I feel like it really made everything more whole.

ARC Review: The Sin-Eater's Confession

The Sin-Eater's Confession by Ilsa J. Bick
4/5 stars
Carolrhoda LAB, 2013
287 pages
YA Contemporary LGBTQ
Scheduled to release March 1

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

I've read a previous book by Ilsa J. Bick and enjoyed its mix of historical and paranormal elements so I knew her name, which is why I picked up this book. Additionally I was wondering about the title as I've never heard the phrase "sin-eater" before. What does it mean? This reason is explicitly described in the book but you can also read about it on wikipedia.

This book is very different, being roughly contemporary with the main character opening his narration in Afghanistan and leading us through the events that led to his enlisting.  Growing up in small-town Merit, Wisconsin has been mostly good for Ben who seems on track for Ivy League acceptance. However events go awry when Ben is the subject of a sexually charged photo by a younger boy, eliciting a tremendous amount of gossip. Soon after, that young boy is found brutally beaten to death (reminding me of Lauren Myracle's excellent Shine) and Ben struggles with the aftermath. I don't want to go to much in detail in case I spoil anything for you.

The two big elements here, I feel, are the character of Ben and the small-town atmosphere. I have mixed feelings about Ben. He has a lot of anger and he makes some very bad decisions that were hard for me to support. He also really likes talking, not always with a purpose and I got bored some times. As for the setting...honestly it was hard for me to picture the whispers and bigotry on display (compounded by the conservative religion of the photographer's family). I've been lucky to live in pretty open places for my adult life and I can't imagine the claustrophobia and limited decisions imposed on the young people here.

Overall: Not entirely my cup of tea but full of ambiguity and lots to think about.

Other Opinions:
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In Bed With Books

Ultraviolet

Ultraviolet by RJ Anderson
Carolrhoda LAB, 2011
304 pages
YA; Contemporary; Paranormal
4.5/5 stars

Source: Library

I had seen this around a little but didn't have much of an idea about its plot or characters. I love the gorgeous purpley cover and the fact that I'm not entirely sure what is going on.

I don't want to share too much as this is a book that has some surprises. If I shared any of them with you, your enjoyment might be lessened. But we can discuss the plot a little bit. Main character Alison is checked into a mental hospital after what appears to be a mental breakdown as well as confessing to murder of popular girl Tori Beaugrand. This story follows Alison as she tries to make sense of her circumstances, her discovery that she has synesthesia (a neurological phenomenon that causes a variety of perceptions such as some people seeing A as purple or to see a color when hearing a sound), and unraveling the disappearance of Tori.

I was struck most by the incredible writing. Although I do not have synesthesia, I felt that I had a strong understanding of what a person who does have it experiences. This is definitely the standout element especially as Alison is the narrator and you are in her head. If you could not connect with her, if you could not feel at least a little of what she experiences, then you would find yourself estranged from the MC.

As for those surprises mentioned, they actually did detract from my reading. They took me completely into left-field in a way I did not appreciate. I'm not sure how else the author could have handled this and there was some foreshadowing for the twist (please also see my note above about "paranormal"). I honestly cannot imagine anyone predicting what happens in about the last third of the book.

Overall: Amazingly descriptive writing pulls you into Alison's world and takes you on an exhilarating ride through her mind.

In Trouble

In Trouble by Ellen Levine
Carolrhoda Lab, 2011
198 pages
YA; Historical
4/5 stars

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

Some spoilers although I don't think knowing them will ruin your enjoyment.

This book is kind of tricky to review because it looks at abortion during the 1950s, when abortion was very much illegal in the United States but is been read by a 21st century audience where abortion is still very controversial if technically legal (according to the author's note, 87% of US counties are effectively denied the choice because there is no doctor willing to perform the procedure).  I was hoping for a fairly impartial (meaning not strongly for or against abortion) book. Other reviews I've read thought it was very pro-abortion; I thought it leaned in that direction but was not as blatant as others thought.

What it is in support of though is choice. There are two girls (and I say girl because they're only sixteen) who get "in trouble" during the course of the book and their actions after their pregnancies are revealed. One girl is Elaine, who slept with her boyfriend without a condom because he said that it would show she loved him. After she realizes her pregnancy, he ignores her and her parents take control, telling her what she is going to do, keeping her hidden from the outside world, and denying Elaine any choice in the matter. Elaine is sent to a home, where her baby is given up for adoption, leaving Elaine feeling bereft.

The main character Jamie has a different story. She was raped before the book starts and hopes that nothing will result of it. Even before she knows she's pregnant, she's thinking about the options open to a young girl because she sees Elaine's situation; she knows about the whispers that follow a "fallen" "slut" and she dreams about college and a career. Luckily for Jamie, she has a supportive family who listen to what she wants and help her implement her choice.

But the book is not all about pregnancy and abortion. Jamie is a writer who loves movies and several scenes are presented in a movie script typeface, showing how she has to separate herself from the events (for example, her rape is presented in this format). Although Jamie is not the easiest character to get to know, I fell for her straightforwardness and her worries about growing-up.

While I enjoyed reading all of the above, especially because the chapters were short and the prose was to the point, I was disappointed with the historical setting. Jamie's father is a political prisoner, having been denounced as a Communist; this is explored a little but not enough for my taste. And the book is set in the 1950s but not enough is made of that setting. Except for the teenage characters' innocence and the lack of computers/cell phones, it felt very contemporary.

Overall: Recommended with a caveat about the rape scene for those who may be sensitive to such.

Draw the Dark

Draw the Dark by Ilsa J. Bick
Carolrhoda Lab, 2010
337 pages
YA; Fantasy
4.5/5 stars

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

At first I found this book really hard to get into. Christian lives with his uncle in Winter, Wisconsin as both of his parents have disappeared into a sideways world and he feels that it is his responsibility to figure out how to join them. This is derailed when he wakes up, having defaced a prominent wealthy businessman's barn while sleepwalking.  He is sentenced to community service and therapy, having always been considered a weird kid.  See, he can draw the worst fears of a person such as his teacher who killed herself after one of his drawings.  Additionally he is having out-of-body flashbacks to post-World War II Winter where he is learning history the town would prefer forgotten.

Although it took me a while to get engaged, once I did, I sped through. Christian is baffled by these mysterious happenings but being of a curious nature, does not shy away from exploring more.  Even as the situations in which he finds himself become more and more bizarre, he attempts to confront them and act.  He tries to be brave and figure out why he seems so different and in the process solves a decades-old case, finally bringing justice to so many people hurt in long-ago Winter.

I don't want to spoil anything about the plot because I want you to enjoy how it unfolds but there are a few things I feel comfortable revealing. One of those is the plot point that German POWs came over to America, providing cheap labor and eventually becoming enmeshed into those communities. I did not know anything about these but according to Bick's author's note, they really happened.  Another is that there are some very intense scenes so I would recommend this for older YA although I leave it up to your discretion, of course. A third is that I feel like this is not your stereotypical YA book, with little focus on romance, its focus on flashbacks to the past as well as Christian's mysterious abilities, and it's pretty dark.

For me, this all made for an unforgettable, exciting read that I highly recommend!

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Savannah Grey

Savannah Grey by Cliff McNish
Carolrhoda LAB, 2011
266 pages
YA; Horror
4/5 stars

Source: Received a free e-copy via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I wasn't sure what to expect from this novel, which I requested because the cover looked different and it was YA. And this was certainly different from anything else I've read.

I was actually most intrigued by the Orcassa, an incredibly adaptative creature who has flown through the universe and through the billions of years of earth in order to become the "perfect" creature.  Its chapters were black with white ink and covered the Orcassa's attempts to always triumph.  But nature has created its own weapons, culminating in Savannah Grey, an otherwise ordinary girl.

Savannah is the main character, obviously, and she realizes that she is prepared for something due to the mysterious creature (I'm still not sure what it is) in her throat.  Any attempts to come close result in Savannah's unconscious attack on that person.  Reece seems to understand her because he also has throat issues.  Together they seek to uncover the mystery with several twists and turns in their quest.

I did think the book was a bit long but the final climax brings Savannah and two friends against the Orcassa and his two main creations in a fight where Savannah must control utilize her unique powers in order to achieve victory and save the world.

Overall: While not entirely to my taste, this was a unique and mostly well-written horror story.

Cover: The throat is exactly what should be highlighted.

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Everything I Was

Everything I Was by Corinne Demas
Carolrhoda LAB, 2011
209 pages
MG; Contemporary
3.5/5 stars

Source: Received a free egalley via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Based on the cover, I thought this was a horror novel about some teenage sexpot terrorizing a town. That is NOT correct at all.  First the main character is 13, making this an appropriate middle-grade novel. Second the novel is more about family, friendship, and first love in a pretty sweet way.

Irene leads a very privileged life with a beautiful apartment and attendance at a private girls' school in New York City.  Until her dad loses his job and her parents decide to spend the summer with her grandfather in the country because they have little to no money.  Her mom is not at all pleased, having been accustomed to a certain way of life that is no longer available to her.  Irene is confused by the changes and feels hurt that her parents are making decisions without talking to her about them.  However once there, Irene's worldview shifts.  She meets new people like the boisterous loving family including a girl her age Meg and a cute boy Jim.  And she begins to enjoy gardening and a more simple life than she had lived previously.

Content: There was one page where Irene swears twice, which is my only hesitation in recommending this to a younger audience.

Overall: A sweet novel that is mostly appropriate for a MG audience. I didn't hate this book but I didn't love it either.  There were some cute parts but nothing grabbed me. I appreciated the diversion of a few hours and it was pleasant but nothing to shout about.

Cover: I've already shared what the cover made me think of the story; does anyone else get that impression?

What Can't Wait

What Can't Wait by Ashley Hope Pérez
Carolrhoda Lab, 2011
232 pages
YA; Contemporary
4/5 stars

Source: Received a free galley via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Summary: Marisa is a senior in high school with conflicting pressures on her.  Her parents (especially her father) expect her to contribute financially and emotionally to the family, to get married young, and give them grandchildren.  However her own inclination and her favorite teacher encourage her dreams of leaving their town to attend an engineering program.

Marisa really has a lot on her plate.  Her sister's loser husband hurts himself, sending her sister to work and putting Marisa in charge of watching her niece which conflicts with her own job at the supermarket, her friendships, a budding romance, and her own schoolwork.  Additionally her father expects Marisa to put her salary toward the family budget (including his drinking).  And that's not even touching on everything that occurs in this book!  However it wasn't some nonstop fast-moving novel because there was space for the quieter, sweeter moments of life additionally.

I mostly liked the romance of Marisa and Alan.  She's very unsure of herself at first but they were already friendly and it moves apace.  He's probably the person who has the most faith in her (besides perhaps her teacher) and he always encourages her to shoot high, even if it means that she'll end up leaving him (I do doubt the feasibility of their long-distance relationship but that's not really part of the book).

I mostly liked Marisa except for one incident where she's dumb with Alan that leads to a bad situation for her (I liked how she handled that bad situation but I so wanted to stop her from her fight with Alan) and her indecisiveness.  She spends a lot of time complaining to the reader about the different pressures she feels instead of trying to do something about them.  When she did pull herself together to go after her dreams, I was rooting for her one hundred percent!

Overall: A good contemporary read, touching on many of the difficulties of the teenage years...and then some.

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