Rogue

Rogue by Gina Damico
3.5/5 stars
Graphia, 2013
324 pages
YA Paranormal
3rd in trilogy

Source: Received an ARC through Amazon Vine in exchange for an honest review.

Though the previous books in this trilogy Croak and Scorch didn't really impress me, I was still caught up enough in this trilogy to want to complete it when I had the chance. My thoughts aren't super detailed and I wouldn't want to give spoilers anyway so below are some things I did and didn't like about this book.

To be perfectly honest, I don't really like Lexie or the other characters very much. I was disappointed with her damning choices in Scorch and while she is challenged on that in this book, I never really clicked with the characters as presented. On the flip side, I love this quote from the author's acknowledgements: "'I admire your willingness to kill off your characters,' which is really just a polite way of saying, 'I think you might actually be a serial killer, and I'm fine with it" (V-VI). These were hilarious acknowledgements and I do admire Damico's willingness to kill off killers-basically no one is safe especially since the book is told in third-person. Whenever a book is told in first-person, I'm fairly certain the narrator isn't going to die; less certain if it's alternating first-person.

That humor also rings throughout the book. There are many snappy quips that help to lighten what is in many ways a pretty dark book. As in Scorch, I apparently like visiting new places. In that book, I loved checking out DeMyse and here we have Necropolis. Though the characters spend perhaps more time there than the plot could handle, they were also my favorite scenes as they attempted to find a portal. In general, I thought the plot was very unpredictable and able to spring into any direction.

Something I didn't like was my difficult recalling characters. If you wanted to read these books back to back, that would be a very good decision because when old characters are brought back, they do not receive much introduction. It is assumed that you will be able to recall who they are. I think I have a handle on everyone but I'm not entirely sure (and since I don't love the characters, I don't mind that uncertainty.)

Lastly we have the ending, which I can see people being very split over though it's nowhere near as controversial as Andrea Cremer's Bloodrose (wow-there are some angry reviews on that one!) Personally I found it satisfactory. I'm not really sure how I wanted the series to end and this was an acceptable solution that is mostly optimistic though leavened by the sadness and losses of battle.

Overall: Read this if you want to finish the series-you really should read them in order as I do not think you would be able to follow them otherwise.

Cover: Definitely fits in with the others-this time though I find the bright green of the title and blue of the scythe a bit jarring against the more muted color palette of the background.

Other Opinions:
A Reader of Fictions
Chapter by Chapter
Singing and Reading in the Rain

ARC Review: Confederates Don't Wear Couture

Confederates Don't Wear Couture by Stephanie Kate Strohm
4.5/5 stars
Graphia, 2013
228 pages
YA Contemporary Comedy
Scheduled to release June 4

Source: Received an ARC for review through Amazon Vine in exchange for an honest review.

Last year, I had the great delight of reading Pilgrims Don't Wear Pink, about the summer adventures of a young girl named Libby who reminded me a lot of myself. She loves history, fashion, reading, Jane Austen, among other interests and I immediately clicked with her. Although that story was standalone, I was pleased and intrigued to find out there would be a sequel.

This one follows the summer after graduation with Libby and her best friend Dev embarking on a tour within a Confederate reenactment army to sell gorgeous and authentic gowns. Meanwhile her boyfriend is at his internship in New England and a new guy starts demonstrating interest in Libby. To add to the chaos, there is another ghost haunting them!

For the most part, I would say this book has the same kind of lighthearted tone and style as the first book. If you ate up that story, this will go down similarly. It is set over the course of a summer and follows a similar structure while also representing some growth on the part of Libby. A big change this time around is that Libby and Dev set off on their adventure together, which was a fantastic decision because Dev was such a highlight during his too brief appearances in the first go-around.

As a lover of history, I found the elements here even more enthralling. Is there a time period more beloved by American history buffs than the Civil War? I don't think so and this book did a great job of portraying the deep passion people still have. Personally I wish the Union had gotten a bit more attention as they fought for what was right and won but Dev made a good point that the contemporary Confederate side will pay more and you've got to follow the money.

Overall: A fun and flirty delight all the way through-highly recommended for fans of book one and this is a great (clean) beach read!

Breath

Breath by Jackie Morse Kessler
4/5 stars
Graphia, 2013
321 pages
YA Paranormal Issues
4th in YA Quartet Riders of the Apocalypse

Source: Received an ARC from Amazon Vine in exchange for an honest review.

After devouring the previous books in this series (Hunger, Rage, and Loss), of course I had to read Breath and find out how everything wraps up. We've previously visited the Horsemen of Famine, War, and Pestilence which leads us to the most-feared one: Death who has proved to be an intriguing figure common to all the books. Although I think you could read Hunger or Rage to start, you definitely need to have read all three books before starting this conclusion. If not, you will likely have trouble following the action.

Unfortunately for me, this book was a bit of a letdown. While I loved the intensely personal stories of Hunger and Rage, which drew me into a teenager's pain as she confronted something dark and real, Loss was less satisfying and more out-there. Breath continues that trend, alternating the story of Death with the life of a seemingly ordinary young boy, unraveling in a somewhat mystifying fashion. I'm not going to go in-depth at all to avoid spoilers but I was pretty unhappy with some of the specific choices of this narrative.

I think another problem was the character of Death, who looks like Kurt Cobain. I've seen many other reviewers who gushed over him but I always preferred Terry Pratchett's DEATH so this variant never ranked for me. Some other things we learn about Death in this book also kept me from falling for him.

Still I ranked this pretty high. I do admire Kessler's vision as I have found this series very different from other books out there and I think the writing is pretty good. Although the conclusion is not quite too my taste (I would probably have pulled some punches), a lot of others have found it satisfying and if you have read and enjoyed the other books, you'll have to complete the series.

Cover: Once I read the books, I find that I really love the covers and this one is no exception. The infinity sign was not a favorite initially but it is explained and that won me over.

Other Opinions:
Tiffany's Bookshelf

Croak

Croak by Gina Damico
Graphia, 2012
311 pages
YA; Contemporary; Paranormal
4/5 stars

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

I was drawn to this book due to the giant scythe on the cover. Was the plot about a teenage grim reaper? What would be the rules governing the world? My attention was definitely captured so I requested, received, downloaded, and read.

Happiness began when main character Lexington explained how she and her twin sister Concord were named after the beginning battles of the American Revolution due to their mother's obsession with history (more about this history thing later). But it was mingled with confusion as Lexie's violent tendencies have physically harmed almost everyone at her school-how was she not expelled earlier? Still she is informed that she will be visiting her Uncle Mort for the summer in order to hopefully release some of her anger. Leaving her town and especially her sister sounds awful but Lexie has no choice.

Almost upon arrival, Lexie discovers that she is a Killer; no, not like that but someone who releases the soul of a dead person, sending them on the way to the Afterlife, neither hell nor heaven but neutral. A Killer works with a Culler to handle the souls. Lexie is paired with Driggs, a very young Culler who lives with Mort as well. They pretty quickly develop a rapport with strong underlying sexual tension. But not all is well in their little town of death as someone among them is using their powers to go against their code of conduct, causing many mysterious deaths and setting everyone on edge. Lexie is one of the first people to realize this and thus begins searching for the culprit.

This was actually a pretty humorous book. Lexie is snarky and not at all pleased to be shipped off to nowheresville and her humor continues throughout the book. My personal favorite touch was seeing dead Theodore Roosevelt hassle others and haze newcomers-this is absolutely hilarious to imagine. But while the plot has plenty of suspense and the world is fun and imaginative, I felt a lack in the characters.

Mort is somewhat of an enigma, which actually for the story because he is not supposed to be well-known. He is just Lex's weird uncle. We get to see a little bit about him but I would like to know more.  I also would have liked more of the parents as mom's characterization was very vivid based on her love of American history and especially its weaponry but we don't get very much about them since they are at home. More Concord would have been good too given that she is Lex's closest friend.

And the romance was disappointing to me. Not because it was obviously forecast with Lex lusting after Driggs and their proximity solidifying their connection but because the banter between them did not speak of flirting to me. I read a lot of romantic comedies where the banter between the romantic leads seems to be leading to romance and love but most of Lex and Driggs' conversation seemed kind of the way I'd talk to my brother, if I had one. In theory, I understand the romance but after reading, I don't really buy it.

Overall: A funny book introducing a great world of Grim Reapers with lots of potential-excited for the sequel, Scorch!

Never Eighteen

Never Eighteen by Megan Bostic
Graphia, 2012
202 pages
YA; Contemporary
4/5 stars

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

I believe this first came to my attention last year for part of the Contemps Challenge, but I think its release date ended up being pushed back and it was not a part of that. Luckily I still got a copy from Netgalley and dived in eagerly looking for a great contemporary read.

The story revolves around Austin and his last days as he reaches out to people to encourage them to really live their lives. He visits his grandmother, old school friends (and enemies), his estranged father.  He also wants to experience some things like super spicy food and a beautiful vista.  All of this is courtesy of the car owned and driven by his best friend and long-time crush Kaylee.  Can he tell her how he feels? Does he dare to express his love for her even as he knows that he will never reach the age of eighteen?

At first I thought it was a little weird that Austin didn't specifically reference his disease especially since the title so obviously forecast that. It almost seemed like Austin just randomly decided to embark on this journey because of an epiphany rather than being motivated by his pending demise. Still the writing was lovely and I enjoyed reading most of his meetings.

However I didn't really feel like I got to know Austin or Kaylee. I mean, I still cried at the end because I cry easily and it did ruffle my emotions somewhat. But it didn't hit as hard as it could have. Austin just went from place to place, checking off meetings instead of putting me through the wringer. Still a decent contemporary and fine for an afternoon read.

Once a Witch

Once a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough
Graphia, 2009
292 pages
YA; Paranormal; Sisters
4/5 stars

Source: Bought

Tamsin comes from a long line of witches and yet she has manifested no Talent and consequently feels apart from her family.  She has escaped to boarding school in New York City and worked hard to stay away from the painful feelings they engender. One night while working in her grandmother's bookstore, a customer mistakes her for her "perfect" older sister Rowena; she does not correct his misapprehension and soon finds herself, her sister, and her entire family swept up in a century-long feud with a rival family and dormant power.

Tamsin is not the greatest heroine in my opinion as she is really whiny and moody about her lack of Talent. She greatly resents the rest of her family especially her bossy older sister who is poised to be the new head of the family when their grandmother passes. Tamsin wants to prove herself and is the reason for bringing a malignant stranger into her family's midst.  But when it counts, she will fight for her family despite the risks to herself.  She is resourceful and perhaps a bit foolhardy; I know I would have been a lot more afraid at some of the situations in this book but she plows ahead.

My greatest interest was in the sister-sister relationship, which is especially fraught. Rowena possesses the Talent of being able to persuade anyone else to do what she commands and frequently acts in selfish ways to control situations to her liking.  However she is the one most in danger from the mysterious stranger, which spurs Tamsin's desperate attempts to save her. Tamsin bristles and rebels but she does love her sister, no matter how different they are and how difficult their relationship is. I know some people won't care about this part but as someone with a sister, this aspect always attracts me.

Then there is the magic element. Everyone has different powers although we do not get to spend a lot of time with them. Among those powers are Gabriel, an old family friend who got hot, who can find any object (and incidentally time travel); Aunt Beatrice, who can freeze people with a touch of her hand; Tamsin's mother who can move extraordinarily fast; and Tamsin's father, who can control the weather.  See, it's a really cool variety but those powers aren't the focus so much as the mysterious conflict with the shadowy stranger.

Another thing I liked was the relative shortness of the book. Yes, this meant that some elements were shortchanged but at least there weren't pages upon pages of boring description. Everything was pared down and moved quickly, enabling me to fly through the book.

Overall: Some really cool situations; check back tomorrow for my review of the sequel Always a Witch.