Solitary: A Novel by Travis Thrasher

David C Cook

Scary, Thriller, Rebellious

When Chris Buckley’s parents split, he sides with his mother, and they move to Solitary to live in his uncle’s cabin. In the cabin, it appears that Chris’s uncle walked out of his life without taking any of his possessions. At school, as the new kid, Chris attracts attention of girls and the resident bully, while strange things go on all over town. When he meets Jocelyn he looses his heart, but she suggests that things are not what they seem. 

This book is written from the point of view of a teen-aged boy, making it seem as if the reader falls into his life and thoughts.  Chris is full of anger at his mother for her constant drinking and his father for his method of pushing his faith. Chris is definitely not someone who follows others easily. The gloom of the town hangs over the whole book, as Chris tries to find answers and save the girl. Interesting read, but definitely the first step in a series. There is no resolution of what Chris believes. This would be good choice for those who enjoyed Twilight, as the feeling is similar, but with a Christian bent.

Received Galley from NetGalley.com

Published by David C Cook on August 1, 2010.  

13 Hangmen by Art Corriveau

Corriveau, A. (2012). 13 Hangmen. New York, NY: Amulet Books.           

Great Fun, Interesting Premise

ABRAMS Books

In 13 Hangman, Tony is approaching his thirteenth birthday when his parents receive the news that Tony inherited his uncle's house in Boston. Though Zio Anthony visited the family at Thanksgiving, they have never been close, but the will stipulates that the family must to move to Boston and Tony has to live in the attic bedroom. Since Tonys twin brother drive him crazy, he is thrilled with the promise of his own room. However, when they arrive, immidiately problems pop up beginning with the next-door 

neighbor accusing Tony's dad, Michael, of murdering Zio Anthony. When long dead thirteen year olds begin showing up in Tony's bedroom, it only takes him a little while to to begin putting the mystery together, and save his family. 

This book is well thought out, amazingly linked to history, and just great fun to read.  The main character is a chunky nerd constantly on the receiving end of his brothers' ridicule. Like many kids today, he lives more in the virtual word, than the real world, but the move pushes him to make decisions and choices that he wouldn't have otherwise made, giving him power that all preteens yearn for and can relate to.  The connections to history add depth for the history buff and might hook some others. This is an excellent addition to the middle school crowd that doesn't include vampires or witches.  It could even be used as part of a lesson to research the fiction/non-fiction elements of the story. 

Received Galley from NetGalley.com

Supernatural Devices (A Steampunk Scarlett Novel: Bool 1)

Gow, K. (2011). Supernatural devices (A Steampunk Scarlett novel: Book1). The

     EDGEbooks.com.

Scarlett, the daughter of world traveling archeologists, sees more that most and is open to new ideas and oddities.  When family friend contacts Scarlett to return home from another boring trip, Scarlett is thrilled.  Her parents agree because they know and love Holmes’s, so she moves quickly to get home.  A thief steels Scarlett’s satchel from the steps of Holmes’s house kicking off a series of events that stretch even Scarlett’s mind and put her in danger.  Scarlett discovers that she has a lot to learn and discern from those around her, but then since she sees figures from the spirit world, perhaps she should not be too surprised.

This book is a fun read, and Gow's story line moves rapidly holding your interest hostage with the twists and turns.  Although the men in Scarlett's life imply that they would like to be intimate with her, Scarlett only kisses them. This is my first foray into the steampunk genre, and I was completely surprised at how much I enjoyed Gow’s book.  I would recommend this book to teens, or anyone, who enjoy vampires, mysteries, or love stories because Supernatural Devices is all that.

Received Galley from NetGalley.com

Halflings by Heather Burch

Burch, H. (2012). Halflings. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

Evil targets 17 year old Nikki beginning with an attach from the Hounds of Hell, but some strange great looking guys save her life out of the blue.  Nikki discovers that the young men who saved her are her guardians, but not guardian angels.  Suddenly, a new, old friend appears in her parent’s life, then insinuates himself in hers.  The story races from the beginning, as Nikki discovers secrets in her life and taking the reader on a wild ride that doesn’t stop at the end of the book…it only pauses. 

I cannot wait for the next book in Burch’s series to continue the wild ride.  A Christian answer for the Twilight phenomena, though Halflings is Young Adult, it will appeal to anyone who enjoys paranormal novels with a romantic element.  

Received Galley from NetGalley.com

Wanted to put up a couple more reviews before I move on to the peanut butter balls. :)

Arnold, J. A. (2011). Ox cart angel [Ebook]. Retrieved from http://www.smashwords.com/‌books/‌view/‌79164

Ox Cart Angel, by J. Arnold, is the story of Claire, a young Métis girl, in the Dakota Territory during the Civil War.  After the local Métis men leave on their yearly journey to sell their furs, Claire’s father decides to begin the risky journey with a ‘retired’ ox and Claire, despite his lack of knowledge and adequate supplies since the majority of space is full of his photography equipment.  The pair endures multiple hardships, dangers, and boredom, aggravated by relationship difficulties. 

This story leaves the reader with images of the difficulties that people endured living in the late 1800s including physical and mental hardship, racism, prejudice, and the constant struggle to survive.  Claire struggles to accept her father’s decision to leave the village of her mother, knowing that her father does not have the skills to make such a trip.  The book paints a vivid picture, leaving the reader exhausted as they meet the struggles along with Claire.  The book drags at the reader’s emotions as the reader follows Claire through her struggles, presenting life in a tremendously difficult time.

I would recommend this book for teens for the historical aspect and for the conflicts of parent/child, racism, and survival.  I received this book through the Library Thing Giveaway Program. 

Tags: YA, Métis, Dakota Territory, 1800's, racism, prejudice, historical

Marchini, T. (2011). Effie at the wedding; A short story [Ebook]. Retrieved from http://www.smashwords.com/‌books/‌view/‌57853

Effie at the Wedding, a short story, by Tracy Marchini, is a fun, joyful read, tailor made for teen 

girls at that awkward age or anyone who has ever been there.  Effie, sister of the bride, does 

not want to attend the wedding, making a list of her reasons, along with lots of other lists.  During 

an attempt to disappear for a while, Effie a bathroom stall holds Effie hostage to complete the merriment of the reader.

I received this book as a Library Thing Giveaway.

Tags; YA,Tracy, wedding, awkward, bride's maid

Hmmm.  It seems I have a lot to learn about this blogging thing.  I created this entry back before Christmas & never posted it.  I've got to get back to work.