teen reviews

2009-01-16T14:58:00.003-05:00

Need
by Carrie Jones

Summary from amazon.com:
Zara collects phobias the way other high school girls collect lipsticks. Little wonder, since life’s been pretty rough so far. Her father left, her stepfather just died, and her mother’s pretty much checked out. Now Zara’s living with her grandmother in sleepy, cold Maine so that she stays “safe.” Zara doesn’t think she’s in danger; she thinks her mother can’t deal. Wrong. Turns out that guy she sees everywhere, the one leaving trails of gold glitter, isn’t a figment of her imagination. He’s a pixie—and not the cute, lovable kind with wings. He’s the kind who has dreadful, uncontrollable needs. And he’s trailing Zara.

I've read alot of the fantasy-faerie genre, and this book was a solid addition. But as this genre goes, Need could have introduced its supernatural aspects a little more smoothly. I found myself rereading pages, wondering how a straight-edge pacificist came up with pixies. But nonetheless, it was an interesting story with several interesting characters. I also wish the climax had been a bit more grande, but hey, pixies don't care.
I recommend for teen girls 12+. 3 1/2 out of 5 stars.

2009-01-12T17:10:00.005-05:00

Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side
Beth Fantaskey

Summary from amazon.com:
The undead can really screw up your senior year . . . Marrying a vampire definitely doesn't fit into Jessica Packwood's senior year "get-a-life" plan. But then a bizarre (and incredibly hot) new exchange student named Lucius Vladescu shows up, claiming that Jessica is a Romanian vampire princess by birth—and he's her long-lost fiancé. Armed with newfound confidence and a copy of Growing Up Undead: A Teen Vampire's Guide to Dating, Health, and Emotions, Jessica makes a dramatic transition from average American teenager to glam European vampire princess. But when a devious cheerleader sets her sights on Lucius, Jess finds herself fighting to win back her wayward prince, stop a global vampire war—and save Lucius's soul from eternal destruction.

This book was a little bit rough in the beginning, but it got better. I mean, who's parents are willing to hand their adopted daughter over to a vampire? But though the characters were a bit weak at times, it was an overall good novel. The story was interesting, and was not too predictable. I can't stand the title though, it completely belies the plot.
I recommend it to teen girls 13+. 3 1/2 out of 5 stars.

2009-01-06T18:04:00.005-05:00

Sweep #1: Book of Shadows
by Cate Tiernan

Morgan is a normal high school girl, and she has grown used to living in the shadow of her gorgeous, talented best friend Bree. But then Cal Blaire comes to Widow's Vale High. Cal finds instant popularity, and Morgan begins to fall for him, as does her best friend Bree.
Then Cal invites a bunch of kids to a party, which turns out to be a celebration of the Wiccan holiday Sabbat. Morgan is completely taken in by this new religion, and finds that strange things are happening to her, magykal things.
This was a great book. Very short, but with good characters and a more realistic view of adolescence than you often find. It also offers a realistic and non-discriminatory view of Wicca. I finished it wanting to know what happens next.
Four out of five stars. Recommended for teenage girls 12+.

2009-01-04T19:35:00.003-05:00

The Telling Pool
by David Clement-Davies

Rhodri Falcon is the son of a falconer and dreams to some day follow in his father's footsteps and become master falconer. But then destiny intervenes when a fortune teller tells him of strange things to come, and his father goes off to war. And when Owen, Rhodri's father, returns from the war broken and bitter, it is up to Rhodri to set things right. Can he find the answers he seeks in the mysterious Telling Pool?
This was a very good book. I'm a big fan of the author, who also wrote Firebringer and The Sight(highly recommend those!). The only downside of this book was its slight predictability, and it was a little juvenile for my taste. But it was a very good story with good, well developed characters. It kept me interested and I had to know what happened.
Recommended for guys and girls 12+. 4 out of 5 stars.

2008-11-16T16:30:00.004-05:00

Skinned

by Robin Wasserman

Lia Kahn has the perfect life. But the day of the car crash, everything changes. Due to the extent of her injuries, Lia undergoes a controversial new "treatment." Her mind is downloaded into a robotic body, known to the public as "skinners." Lia must face this new reality of being a machine in a world where her kind is hated. And how can she resume her old life in a body that is not her own?

This book is about birth, death and rebirth. A thought-provoking science fiction novel. I recommend it to all teens 12+.

4/5 stars.

2008-11-09T20:21:00.003-05:00

Heir to Sevenwaters
Juliet Marillier

I wasn't expecting another book about Sevenwaters from my favorite author, but I was definitely thrilled when I heard about it. Coming after Marillier's Sevenwater's Trilogy, Heir to Sevenwaters is a worthy addition. It follows the story of Clodagh, a daughter of the House of Sevenwaters, whose mother is expected to give birth soon. But she is far past the safe age for childbearing, and the household is on edge. And then her newborn son disappears from his chamber, leaving something else in his stead. It is up to Clodagh to right the wrong done to her family.
Romance, adventure, magic, even if you have not read the preceding books, you can enjoy this book.
5/5 stars, recommended for teens 13+

2008-11-01T15:21:00.004-05:00

Body of Work: Meditations on Mortality from the Human Anatomy Lab
Christine Montross

In her book, Body of Work, Montross tells of a first-year med student's struggle with human dissection. She describes the process, the philosophy and the history of the practice. If you are interested in the medical field, I highly recommend this book. Montross offers a glimpse into the process of becoming a doctor as well as the philosophical questions it entails. Definitely not for the squeamish!
I found this book very interesting and it really made me think. Recommended for teens 14+, 4 out of 5 stars.

2008-11-01T15:17:00.004-05:00

Hawksong

by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes

All Danica has known is war. She has lost countless loved ones to the war that has raged between her people and the serpiente. Able to take the form of a majestic hawk, Danica is heir to the throne. But she will do anything for peace. So when Zane Cobriana, the unpredictable cobra and heir to the serpiente throne, makes an offer, how much will she sacrifice?

I absolutely adore this book. The story is simple but beautifully orchestrated. The characters are vivid and their world entirely believable. Highly recommended for all teens. 4 1/2 out of 5 stars.

Like Hawksong? Read Snakecharm, the sequel.

2008-11-01T15:12:00.004-05:00

Old Magic

Marianne Curley

Jarrod is the new kid at school, and Kate is sure there is something different about him. Especially when he causes a huge thunderstorm, indoors. But Kate has never been "cool," so how can she get Jarrod to realize his powers before he hurts someone?

I really enjoyed this book. The story was interesting and wasn't too predictable. Recommended for teen girls, 4 out of 5 stars.

2008-09-06T17:51:00.004-05:00

Ink Exchange
by Melissa Marr

Ink Exchange is somewhat of a sequel to Marr's Wicked Lovely, except that it's from Leslie's perspective. Leslie knows nothing of the world of Faerie, she knows only her abusive homelife and terror and pain. She desperately wants to have something of her own, and decides to get a tattoo.
But Leslie doesn't know the true nature of the world she lives in, nor does she understand the true nature of the tattoo she decides upon. And little does she know, a single tattoo will give her exactly what she wants, and change her life forever.

Ink Exchange was definitely a good read, though it didn't seem to come to a final resolution. The story faded out when it seemed it was leading to a larger conflict. Nonetheless, a good read for teen girls.
3 1/2 out of 5 stars.

2008-09-01T10:46:00.005-05:00

Raising the Griffin
by Melissa Wyatt

I picked this book up because of the title. It had the word griffin in it, and there was no summary on the back of the book. When I found out it was about a prince, I expected it to be some stereotypical fairytale, but it wasn't. Not at all.
Alex comes from a long line of royalty, but they haven't assumed the Rovenian throne in years, not since it was taken over by communism. But now he is called up to become a Prince, and his father to become King. Alex struggles to maintain his identity and freedom under the grip of his new duties. His is faced with many challenges, some that seem insumountable. But with steadfast courage and the help of those close to him, he realizes what it truly means to be Prince Alexei Varenoff.
This book was awesome, and I could hardly put it down at the end. The story is very grounded and real with a well-developed set of characters.
Recommended for all teens, 4 1/2 out of 5 stars.

2008-08-31T10:30:00.003-05:00

Without You: A memoir of love, loss and the musical RENT
by Anthony Rapp

Summary from amazon.com
As Rent hits the big screen, Rapp, who appeared in the film and the original cast of the Broadway hit, has written a sensitive, heartfelt memoir chronicling his life on and off stage. The actor who played video artist Mark Cohen pulls back the curtains to show the musical's genesis, which involved endless rehearsals and false starts. He lauds the genius of Jonathan Larson, its creator, and the supportive New York Theatre Workshop, which lent its facilities to the exuberant troupe and director. Rapp writes most movingly of his friends who lost their battle with AIDS [...] as well as the long, painful demise of his mother from cancer. While the book sometimes plunges too deeply into its twin themes of love and loss, Rapp recognizes the healing power of drama and theater, writing that acting is "an escape of sorts." Absorbing, warm and hopeful, the book celebrates a man, his work and a generation struggling with AIDS but determined to survive.

A very sad but awesome read. A must-read for Rent fans.
Recommended to teens 16+. 4 out of 5 stars.

2008-08-31T10:23:00.005-05:00

Jemma7729
by Phoebe Wray

Jemma7729 lives in the 22nd century in a world once ravaged by civil war. But now, AGNA rules all, and women are protected from everything, even themselves. But unlike the rest of her classmates, Jemma shows a rebellious, aggressive side, completely unacceptable in a young lady. And when it comes time for her to choose her future career, she doesn't. Jemma soon becomes determined to do something about the world she lives in.
This book seemed very promising when I started out, but the author seemed to loose track of her character and the plot weakened near the end. The story felt a bit rushed and unbelievable. But overall it was a good read. It leads you to think a bit about the world. Recommended for teens 13+. 3 1/2 out of 5 stars.

2008-07-29T09:57:00.002-05:00

WALL-E
Movie Review
Rated G

WALL-E : Waste Allocation Load Lifter Earth Class. (In case you were wondering)

Man has abandoned Earth, which is now a lifeless planet coated in trash. They left behind robots to clean up their mess, Wall-e being one of them. But unlike his predecessors, Wall-e has developed a personality. But his world is turned upside-down when another robot arrives, Eve.
I loved this movie. It may seem like a little kids' movie, but I still enjoyed it. It has a very good message and is also very entertaining.
4 1/2 out of 5 stars.

2008-07-29T09:53:00.004-05:00

Lock and Key
Sarah Dessen

Summary from sarahdessen.com
"Ruby, where is your mother?" Ruby knows that the game is up. For the past few months, she's been on her own in the yellow house, managing somehow, knowing that her mother will probably never return.That's how she comes to live with Cora, the sister she hasn't seen in ten years, and Cora's husband Jamie, whose down-to-earth demeanor makes it hard for Ruby to believe he founded the most popular networking Web site around. A luxurious house, fancy private school, a new wardrobe, the promise of college and a future—it's a dream come true. So why is Ruby such a reluctant Cinderella, wary and defensive? And why is Nate, the genial boy next door with some secrets of his own, unable to accept the help that Ruby is just learning to give?

This book is a great summer read. Very deep, but easy to get through. Not my favorite of her books, but still awesome. 4/5 stars.

2008-06-20T13:52:00.007-05:00

Tan Lines by Katherine Applegate

I pick up the recent sequel to the book, Beach Blondies, and quickly buy it and sit down for another fun adventure for romance, anger, compassion, love, and drama. In this book, Tan Lines, is nothing like the title, but is about a girl named Summer, ironically in the season, summer.

The main character is a high school graduate that is with her boyfriend, Seth, in a tangle of a mess, and it's even worse when her ex-boyfriend's coming to where she's going to be staying for the summer; in Florida!

Thrown in between her loves, Summer struggles to keep her boyfriend while he's in California and keep her ex at bay in Florida, while also trying to help her brother clear a murder of which he was falsely blamed, and helping her anorexic friend.

This book is totally worth it, and I would recommend it to the people that like drama, because this book definitely made me want to throw it across the room (I hate drama) but for people, like me, who hate drama too, this would be a great book for you also to read because I learned a lot of lessons through this book.

2008-06-07T14:08:00.001-05:00

The Last Invisible Boy by Evan Kuhlman

Evan Kuhlman will be releasing his second book in the fall of this year. It will be called The Last Invisible Boy. When I first picked up the advance reader’s copy I assumed that the narrator has some degree of identity crisis. But I was wrong.

Twelve-year-old Finn Garrett was just like any other kid, he had friends, family, and a father. All of a sudden, he lost his father and when he woke up the next day his entire body began turning pale white, right down to the roots of his hair!

Fearing that his invisibility will cause him to vanish anytime he begins working on these memoirs. The reader listens to the thoughts of Finn as he constructs ‘if then’ scenarios preventing his father’s passing. Searching through his mind, he tries to bring himself to understand what gone is and remembering the friendship and love of his father.

I give this book a five out of five and suggest it for anyone seeking healing through the loss of a loved one.

2008-06-02T18:37:00.002-05:00

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
Movie Review

It's been a year since Peter, Edmund, Susan and Lucy have been to Narnia. But when they return, things are not as they seem. Centuries have passed in their absence, and Narnia is in a turmoil. The heir to the throne, Prince Caspian, is now fleeing for his life. Caspian and the queens and kings of Narnia of old will have to fight away a new evil, or lose Narnia as they know it.
I loved this movie!! It was engaging, interesting and the characters were awesome. I highly recommend it to everyone!!
5/5 stars
Rated PG

2008-05-24T09:36:00.003-05:00

The Wild Trees
by Richard Preston

If you like trees, you'll love The Wild Trees, I did. Non-fiction isn't everyone's cup of tea, but Preston does it right. His books read more like fiction, with scientific information here and there.
This book follows the story of Steve Sillett and Marie Antoine, two daring tree climbers. But these aren't just any trees, these are the biggest living things in the world. Some redwood trees exceed 350ft in height. This book is fast-pace and interesting, perfect if you're into science or plants. Recommended to everyone 13+, 4/5 stars.

If trees aren't your thing, but you still want to try some nonfiction, I highly recommend Preston's book The Hot Zone, reviewed below.

2008-05-16T17:35:00.003-05:00

The Host
by Stephenie Meyer

Stephenie Meyer took the nation with her bestselling Twilight Saga. She's done it again with her new novel.
The Earth has been taken over by aliens, but they aren't your typical sci-fi killers. Actually, they take over the humans' bodies and make the world a better place. But Melanie, Wanderer's host body, refuses to fade away. Trapped by Melanie's vivid emotions and memories, Wanderer finds herself falling in love, with the man of Melanie's memories.
Though a little slow at first, this book is very addictive and fast-pace. I recommend it to everyone 12+. 5/5 stars!

2008-05-04T12:55:00.002-05:00

The Hot Zone
by Richard Preston

Despite that it's nonfiction, The Hot Zone is something of a horror story. It is very science-based and is about an outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus in the DC area. I absolutely loved this book, and found it fascinating. It is very interesting and detailed. Only for the strong-stomached.
4 1/2 out of 5 stars
Recommended to everyone 14+

2008-04-28T19:06:00.002-05:00

21
Movie Review

If you like black jack, las vegas, Jim Sturgess or MIT, you'll like 21.
Ben is about to graduate MIT and has been accepted into Harvard Medical School. But there's one thing missing, the money for tuition. In desperation to acquire the $300,000 he needs, Ben joins a covert card-counting team run by his math Professor. But the lure of the money can overcome even the most level-headed people and lead them down a path to destruction.
4 out of 5 stars
Rated PG13
Recommended to everyone 13+

2008-04-13T18:11:00.003-05:00

Speak
by Laurie Halse Anderson

Melinda Sordino used to be happy. She had great friends, and school was good. But after she called the cops at a party, she's the most hated girl in school. What they don't know is the real reason she called the cops, and it's something Melinda's never told anyone.
This is a wonderful, moving book. The writing style is different, but very interesting. Melinda is a wonderful narrator, the characters are very vivid. I highly recommend it to teenage girls. 5 out of 5 stars!

2008-04-02T15:45:00.004-05:00

A Countess Below Stairs, by Eva Ibbotson

This book is your typical romance, with a lot of history thrown in. The book starts off a little slow, leading the reader to wonder when something is actually going to happen. Nonetheless, it is a sweet romance, with vivid imagery. My only complaint is the writing style. Ibbotson seemed to be trying so hard to sound sophisticated, that I got lost in the verbose writing style.
Anna is young countess whose family fled Russia after the start of WWI. With no money, she has no choice but to work at the Westerholme Estate. It is there that she meets the young Earl of Westerholme, Rupert, who is engaged to woman who appears kind on the surface, put is in reality something far more evil.
Despite its weaknesses, A Countess Below Stairs is a nice read for teen girls. I give it 3 out of 5 stars.

2008-03-22T08:36:00.003-05:00

Maximum Ride: The Final Warning
by James Patterson

I aboslutely love this series, but I was slightly disappointed by this fourth installment. It was much shorter than its predecessors and essentially, nothing happened. Nonetheless, it still had our favorite characters, and was rich in Max's wit and sarcasm.
After years on the run, Max and her flock have finally risen to meet their final purpose, saving the world. But even in Antartica, one of the farthest reaches of the world, are they really safe?

This series, starting with Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment is great for both guys and girls of all ages. I give the 4th book in the series 3 1/2 out 5 stars. The series overall, 4 out of 5 stars. I definitely recommend these books!