ARC Review: Loud Awake and Lost

by Adele Griffin
3/5 stars
Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2013
289 pages
YA Contemporary
Scheduled to release November 12

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

I've read quite a few of Griffin's books and have pretty consistently enjoyed them. I just checked and I gave 4/5 stars to the five books I've read and reviewed. From skimming those reviews, I see stories with twists coming partway through, with well-written lines, but not necessarily clicking with the characters. All of these hold true in the case of this book, earning it a lowly 3 out of 5 stars.

One of the best things I would say about this book is that it pretty much answers all the questions posed from the beginning. Ember is emerging from a hospital, eight months after a deadly car accident, ready to return to "normal" but plagued by the loss of six weeks of her memory. She returns to school, to her friendships, to her old stomping grounds but nothing seems to feel right. Until, that is, she meets mysterious artist Kai and she pushes herself to reclaim those six weeks of memory in a devastating episode. I promised that by the conclusion, an explanation is offered. I found myself a bit shocked though I saw a review who considered it patently obvious and bemoaned the length to reach that ending.

I started off with some sympathy for Ember because she's in an awful situation, with her body still physically healing and her mind most probably on its way to full health but not necessarily. But as the book progressed, I rapidly stopped caring about her. I feel so heartless admitting that even though it's only a fictional character but I just didn't. Especially puzzling to me was her preference for Kai over sweet ex-boyfriend Holden. I guess when you don't feel the chemistry, you don't feel it but I never got that relationship in the way I could understand hers with Holden. Reflecting on that, I felt like Holden got more page time (certainly helps in winning a sympathy battle) and actually makes plans and texts Ember. Kai is more free-spirited (that's my nice description) and I hate that-it drives me crazy in real life people and I don't really like reading about it in fictional characters.

The people who ended up really getting my sympathy are her parents. Ember is their only child and they were devastated to almost lose her. Now I don't fault Ember for wanting more independence than her parents want to give her but I could see them trying so hard to be there for her, to love on her, to do whatever they could, only to be rejected and ignored time and again. I agree that they were overprotective but I could see so clearly why they would be.

In Short: This book did not spark for me as previous Griffin offerings have as I found it so dark and gloomy when i guess I was actually craving something lighter. The writing is more on the literary side for those who like that sort of thing.

The Midnight Dress

The Midnight Dress by Karen Foxlee
3/5 stars
Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2013
277 pages
YA Historical

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

This book was not on my radar until I saw a couple of positive reviews from bloggers I adore (see below). Then I was desperate for a copy and am pleased to share my thoughts with you today though the book was not as strong for me as it was for those reviewers.

I think my big difficulty was the writing style. It is very literary with many evocative passages bringing to life all the life in this Australian town, human, animal, and plants alike. And I could not get into it. I am a reader who tends to prefer a more commercial straightforward style but can appreciate more elevated writing on occasion; this was not one of those occasions. Additionally the first part of each chapter is in italics to indicate that it takes place in the present while the longer non-italicized part is sort of a flashback leading up to the events in italics. I had so much trouble with this formatting. It made perfect sense but it was hard to read.

There are actually kind of three stories: the italicized part featuring cops looking for a missing/dead girl, the bulk of the book following the ups and downs of a friendship between Rose and Pearl as the former makes the titular dress for the annual Harvest Festival, and the life story of Edie Baker, the seamstress teaching Rose how to sew and create. By far my favorite parts were the flashbacks and insights into Edie's life though I still can't quite see the point. Sure I found it interesting but juxtaposing it against the lives of Rose and Pearl really didn't add much clarity for me.

Something I found surprising, though it shouldn't have been as I had read other reviews mentioning this, is that this story is set in 1986. It didn't feel like it was set today being that there were no mentions of cell phones or computers but other than a reference to a worldwide event in 1986 and brief mentions of Edie's family's history, the book doesn't seem very set in a particular time. The setting though is quite distinct as mentioned above especially describing the lush natural world around them, not that I was much interested.

Something I didn't find surprising was the ultimate resolution. I figured out pretty quickly what would be revealed about that girl and I didn't want my suspicions confirmed. I also found the very end frustrating and heartbreaking-all one character wants is X to happen but for reasons, it never will.

Overall: Alas this book and I just did not click as the writing style did not fit my mood. I also think I might have been better off reading a happier tale at this point but what can you do?

Other Opinions:
Jen Ryland/YA Romantics
The Flyleaf Review

ARC Review: Will in Scarlet

Will in Scarlet by Matthew Cody
3/5 stars
Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2013
253 pages
Middle-Grade Adventure Historical
Scheduled to release October 8

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

I thought this looked cool as I love Robin Hood stories so I requested it. In the end, I found it a bit on the young side and lacking my favorite element of the Robin Hood story (to wit, the Robin/Maid Marian romance).

The beginning was so slow with thirteen-year-old Will out on the hunt for wolves with his father's men. It took me two or three tries to get through the first chapter though I knew not to expect the typical Robin Hood story. This group returns to Will's father's castle, ruled in his father's absence by his uncle as regent. Will's prowess against the wolves proves him capable of might but the arrival of Guy of Gisborne and the Sheriff of Nottingham with orders from the usurping Prince John tests his diplomatic abilities. He ends up on the run, falling in with a band of outlaws in Sherwood Forest: cruel leader Gilbert, giant John Little, puny Much (an orphaned girl disguised as a boy), and drunkard Rob, who doesn't seem like much. On his quest for vengeance, Will accidentally inspires the group to become bandits who steal from the rich and distribute to the poor, spawning the famous Robin Hood legend.

My biggest problem was probably just wanting a more traditional Robin Hood story. I like the heroic cocky Robin who taunts Guy and the Sheriff while playing around with Little John and wooing Marin. It's not fair to expect this book to be like that but it was what was on my mind when I started. I was won over by its charms. The characters have their moments and I was especially moved by Much (I feel like a lot of Robin Hood retellings have girls disguising themselves as boys) and her struggle to prove herself tough enough to keep around.

Ultimately I deem this book slight as it did not make much of an impression on me. I dislike that Robin Hood lost prominence and I prefer a more romantic story (of course there's a bit of something between Will and Much but very little as this seems very intended for a tween audience.) It may be more enjoyable for a younger reader or a more rabid fan of the Robin Hood legend.

ARC Review: Chasing Shadows

Chasing Shadows by Swati Avasthi
Graphics by Craig Phillips
4/5 stars
Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2013
305 pages
YA Contemporary
Scheduled to release September 24

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

I was drawn to this book by its novel approach which incorporates graphic novel drawings into the text because one character starts to visualize life as such. These pictures really brought the text to life and made me more sympathetic to her situation so I applaud the creators for that decision. I also found the pictures helped me to get through the darker moments of the narration because this story has some very difficult emotional moments.

The book opens with Corey, Holly, and Savitri freerunning around Chicago. Their joy is shattered when a lone gunman opens fire on twins Holly and Corey in their car as Savitri watches in horror from ahead. Corey heroically drapes himself over Holly, sacrificing his own life but leaving the two friends behind to cope as best they can. Savitri decides she will be the best friend she can be even if that means following along behind Holly's crazy path. Holly, for her part, believes she can bring Corey back by serving up his murderer. The lengths she takes to do so seriously fray their friendship and both of their families.

My description here doesn't really do the book justice with its many themes and layers as well as the sheer emotional punch it packed. Though I didn't mention it above, my favorite aspect was Savitri's Hindu heritage, which plays a huge role in Holly's imaginings and the drawings. She is named for an important legend and I loved getting to hear the story of that. It fueled my love for Hindu legends, developed after taking a course in school.

The book alternated between the narration of the two girls. Holly begins and I really struggled as she likes to Capitalize Random Words and I didn't understand that about her. When the narration switches, Savitri observes this about her and immediately it helped bring Holly into perspective. In general, I preferred Savitri's more calm narration because Holly's impulsiveness is quite different from my own personality. Additionally Savitri continues to be more balanced as Holly grows increasingly erratic and determined to track down the killer. This was thrilling to observe but it was difficult to be in Holly's head. The pace of the book is pretty fast and once I glommed onto Savitri, I was hooked.

I don't want to get too in-depth about the plot because I want to leave some surprises for you but overall I really enjoyed this book. Its complex female characters, its decision to add graphic novel touches, and its incorporation of Hindu mythology among other well-done writing and characterization made this one a winner!

Other Opinions:
Haven't seen too many yet-hopefully more to come as the release date approaches!