Book Review: Nevermore by Kelly Creagh

Title: Nevermore
Series/Sequel? Nevermore #1
Author:Kelly Creagh
Genre(s):Horror, Paranormal, Hard Topics
Age Level:YA
Page Count:543 (Hardcover)
Perspective: Third Person (female)

Summary: Cheerleader Isobel Lanley is horrified when she is paired with Varen Nethers for an English project, which is due—so unfair—on the day of the rival game. Cold and aloof, sardonic and sharp-tongued, Varen makes it clear he’d rather not have anything to do with her either. But when Isobel discovers strange writing in his journal, she can’t help but give this enigmatic boy with the piercing eyes another look.

Soon, Isobel finds herself making excuses to be with Varen. Steadily pulled away from her friends and her possessive boyfriend, Isobel ventures deeper and deeper into the dream world Varen has created through the pages of his notebook, a realm where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life.

As her world begins to unravel around her, Isobel discovers that dreams, like words, hold more power than she ever imagined, and that the most frightening realities are those of the mind. Now she must find a way to reach Varen before he is consumed by the shadows of his own nightmares.

His life depends on it.

Review: You need three things to read this book: stamina, a decent fear threshold, and a deep love of/interest in Poe.

This book is unlike anything I've every read. And I feel that it is so unique, it has not been given the recognition it deserves.

Nevermore was, in one word: clever. Ms. Creagh incorporated many of Poe's works into this novel in a way that was clever, interesting and enjoyable. Masque of the Red Death, The Pit and the Pendulum, The Tell-Tale Heart, The Raven - they were all in there, incorporated in a way that made me nod my head and give a little laugh. It was extremely well put together, and I loved reading Poe's works remade to fit the story.

This book is long. 543 pages long. And when I picked it up, I was concerned it was going to be boring and slow at parts. That fear went unfounded. It was put together perfectly, the scary parts and the slower parts spaced out so the scenes flowed seamlessly from one to the next.

This book is considered a Horror book, and that also concerned me. I don't consider myself having a very high fear threshold (which is strange for a fan of Poe, I realize), and I didn't want to be having nightmares for months. But it turned out to not be that scary. Yes, I will probably never look at shadows and big black birds the same way. And never again will I underestimate the powers of dreams. But unless you faint at the word 'death' or 'blood', I think you'll be okay.

I didn't think I was going to like Isobel very much. Reading the description, she sounded like a stereotypical cheerleader - blonde, stupid, and narrow-minded. But she turned out not to be like that. She was brave and intelligent, and didn't run away screaming when things got tough. She had integrity and morality, and she dropped her 'friends' when they proved to have a loose moral code. And I really respect her.

With this book, I was hoping for a great ending. The type of ending that takes your breath away and leaves you thinking about it for days. Unfortunately, it didn't exactly work out that way. It ended in a way that was probably really cool and amazing... except I didn't get it. So I can't rave about the presumable awesome-ness, because I don't understand the presumable awesome-ness. So, I was disappointed... until I realized that this isn't a stand-alone - it's the first of a trilogy. Now all I've got to do is pester my librarian into buying the sequel...

Rating:

Book Review: This Dark Endeavor, by Kenneth Oppel

Title: This Dark Endeavor
Series/Sequel? The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein #1
Author: Kenneth Oppel
Genre(s): Historical Fiction, Romance
Age Level: YA
Page Count: 304
Perspective: First Person (Male)

Summary from Goodreads: Victor Frankenstein leads a charmed life. He and his twin brother, Konrad, and their beautiful cousin Elizabeth take lessons at home and spend their spare time fencing and horseback riding. Along with their friend Henry, they have explored all the hidden passageways and secret rooms of the palatial Frankenstein chateau. Except one.

The Dark Library contains ancient tomes written in strange languages and filled with forbidden knowledge. Their father makes them promise never to visit the library, but when Konrad becomes deathly ill, Victor knows he must find the book that contains the recipe for the legendary Elixir of Life.

The elixir needs only three ingredients. But impossible odds, dangerous alchemy and a bitter love triangle threaten their quest at every turn.

Victor knows he must not fail. Yet his success depends on how far he is willing to push the boundaries of nature, science and love—and how much he is willing to sacrifice.

Review: I've never read Frankenstein. I mean, I know the basic story; everyone does. But I just thought I'd tell you that I have never read Mary Shelley's classic, so I may not understand all the allusions to the original.

I didn't think I would enjoy this book very much. I only read it because the cover looked simply amazing and there were a couple of really cool quotes in the summary and on the back cover.

How wrong I was.

I loved the characters in this. Victor was a very interesting character, a personification of the animalistic characteristics of human nature: passion, violence, instinct, pride. On the other end of things, his twin Konrad seemed to be a personification of the qualities that make humans human: intelligence, charm. And then Elizabeth seemed to be caught in the middle, a mix between the human and animal natures, between Konrad and Victor. I also loved how independent and strong Elizabeth was, so unusual for a woman of that time period. (During the French Revolution.) All the other characters were well developed also, but those three, as the three main characters, really stood out to me.

I loved reading about the alchemy involved in this, and how the alchemy (and science) was influenced by the time period, and vice versa. I've never really been able to find any (good) books about alchemy, and it was really well explained and interesting to read about in this book.

This book was really well-written, there was no turn of phrase that needed editing. I greatly respect Mr. Oppel!

I greatly recommend this book to fans of alchemy, Frankenstein, male protagonists, and/or historical fiction!

Rating:

Book Review: Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly

Title: Revolution
Series/Sequel? No
Author: Jennifer Donnelly
Genres: Romance, Hard Topics, Historical Fiction
Age Level: YA (12-18)
Page Count: 471 (Hardcover) 
Summary from inside flap of book:
BROOKLYN: Andi Alpers is on the edge. She's angry at her father for leaving, angry at her mother for not being able to cope, and heartbroken by the loss of her younger brother, Truman. Rage and grief are destroying her. And she's about to by expelled from Brooklyn Heights' mot prestigious private school when her father intervenes. Now Andi must accompany him to Paris for winter break. 
 PARIS: Alexandrine Paradis lived over two centuries ago. She dreamed of making her mark on the Paris stage, but a fateful encounter with a doomed prince of France cast her in a tragic role she didn't want - and couldn't escape. 
Two girls, two centuries apart. One never knowing then other. But when Andi finds Alexandrine's diary, she recognizes something in her words and is moved to the point of obsession. There's comfort and distraction for Andi in the journal's antique pages - until, on a midnight journey through the catacombs of Paris, Alexandrine's words transcend paper and time, and the past becomes suddenly, terrifyingly present.

Review: I wasn't even really planning on picking up this book. I got it out, yes, but after it sat on my floor for a few days, I figured it would probably end up going back to the library, unread.

I am SO glad that didn't happen.

This book was... unlike anything else I have ever read. I have never really had an interest in the French Revolution, but this totally changed my perception on it. This story was beautiful, raw, and heartbreaking at times, taking an honest look and why people do the things they do, and if is possible to humans' nature to ever change. If it is possible to make this brutal world... un-brutal?

Maybe one of the reasons I loved it so much was that Andi and Alex were both musicians, greatly dedicated to their craft. Andi loves and lives in her music just like I do - and I felt as if I had this connection to both of them because of our love of music.

This book was also fairly... dark. If you want everything to be butterflies and rainbows, I would not suggest this for you. Andi is on anti-depressants, but is still constantly thinking about suicide and death. Yeah... not the happiest. But I still enjoyed it BECAUSE of the darkness.

There was a small romance between Andi and Virgil, which I liked, but still found kind of unnecessary.  I always love romance, but I didn't think it was a necessary, or even a good, subplot.

A few complaints: it seemed to lag a little bit, at times. I feel as if there were parts that could have/should have been cut out, because they just lagged and I would find myself checking how much I had left. Another complaint was Amade Malherbeau. He plays a major part in this story. So, after reading it, I go on YouTube to try and see if I can find his Fireworks Concerto, which is mentioned multiple times in the book. And guess what - HE'S NOT REAL! THE AUTHOR MADE HIM UP!! That annoyed the heck outta me. I think it's annoying that Jennifer Donnelly made up a musician/composer. I mean, yeah, it must have been easier than researching someone else, but I still think it was kind of annoying.

All in all, this was a wonderful, eye opening read. I would highly recommend it to historical fiction nerds/lovers of the French Revolution.

Rating: 

 

Book Review: The Faerie Ring by Kiki Hamilton

Title: The Faerie Ring
Series/Sequel? The first in The Faerie Ring Series, followed by Torn Wing
Author: Kiki Hamilton
Genre: Romance, Historical Fiction, Paranormal/Fantasy
Age Level: YA (12-18)
Page Count: 343
Summary: The year is 1871, and sixteen-year-old Tiki is a female orphan masquerading as a boy. She finds it easier that way to pickpocket those in Charing Cross, a busy train station in her native England. Though she knows her well-to-do parents - if they were still alive - would hate her stealing, but she's good at it, and she has no choice if she's to keep alive her "family", four other orphans who live in Charing Cross with her.
But when Tiki accidentally finds herself in Buckingham Palace, and the queen's ring drops at her feet... it would be enough to make sure Tiki's family never went hungry again.
But the ring isn't all it seems. It it the ring of truce, which prevents the fey from going to all-out war with humans and the people of England. But the faeries are stirring, restless to break the truce and go to war... something they can only do with the ring in their possession.

Review: This book got off to a slow start. Maybe because I've heard so much about it, and was expecting more, but for the first hundred pages or so, I wasn't to certain I would manage to finish it. But then it began picking up... things started happening... and I turned out to really enjoy it.

I loved Rieker. I might just have to add him to the list of imaginary characters I'm in love with (...ahem...). I loved how he knew what was going on, and did his best to try and protect everyone - specifically, Tiki. I loved how he had secrets, how he wasn't who you thought he was. I loved how his attitude and personality didn't really change, even after Tiki found out who he was, after he revealed himself to her. He was, hands down, my favorite character.

Tiki I liked as well, though her name bothered and distracted me. I mean, Tiki? Really? I understand it's a nickname and all, but... every time I had to read it, I was pulled out of the story just thinking about her name. I know I don't have much room to talk (the main character's name in the novel I'm writing is Astra) but... it just distracted me from the story.

That being said, I liked her as a character. I liked how protective she was of her family, especially of Clara. I liked how she was compassionate enough to take Toots (another weird name) and Clara under her wing, even though it would mean more pickpocketing and less food for everyone all around. I liked, as well, how she was a three-dimensional character, how she had insecurities and fears.

The plot, as I said before, was like a train: starting out slow, but growing faster and faster as the story progressed.

This story was written in third person. Though I'm not a particularly bug fan of third person, it fit this particular story well, as third person was needed to tell all sides of the story. First person wouldn't have worked.

All in all, I enjoyed reading this novel. If I see the sequel, Torn Wing, in my library, I will be sure to check it out!

Rating: