Category Archives: News and Fun

Review: The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

Blogger's Favorites, Book Review and Content, Contemporary, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , , , , ,

The Hate U Give by Angie ThomasThe Hate U Give
Angie Thomas
Balzer + Bray
Published on February 28, 2017

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

About The Hate U Give

Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter moves between two worlds: the poor neighborhood where she lives and the fancy suburban prep school she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is shattered when Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend Khalil at the hands of a police officer. Khalil was unarmed.

Soon afterward, his death is a national headline. Some are calling him a thug, maybe even a drug dealer and a gangbanger. Protesters are taking to the streets in Khalil’s name. Some cops and the local drug lord try to intimidate Starr and her family. What everyone wants to know is: what really went down that night? And the only person alive who can answer that is Starr.

But what Starr does or does not say could upend her community. It could also endanger her life.

My Review
If you’re part of the YA community at all, chances are you’ve heard about or already read this book. It’s been on my list to read since before it came out, and I’ve finally managed to get a copy. Once I had THE HATE U GIVE in hand, it didn’t take me long to read it.

One powerful part of the story is the way it puts faces and names on an issue too often in the headlines. We see not only Starr, a young high school student with her whole life ahead of her, but also her loving family, and the community around her. And we see these elements not only for her but for Khalil, the boy killed by police, as well. We learn about his mistakes, but we also learn that those things aren’t the whole of who he is. We learn about why he made some of those choices, and it doesn’t make them less wrong, but it does make the truth more complicated.

One of the issues that comes up with regard to this book is how much profanity is included in the story. In a Twitter post, Angie Thomas talked about this issue, and said she hoped people would see the story and be moved by the importance of it rather than getting hung up on the language.

And while I absolutely appreciate what she’s saying—because the book does talk about a critical issue in an incredibly powerful way—I also understand that including so much strong language will prevent some people from reading the book and will give ground for some schools to opt not to carry it in their libraries. It may keep the story out of some of the hands of people who most need to read it. And I find that frustrating and sad.

I loved this story. It moved me. It made me connect with characters deeply. It made me realize that while I’ve been outraged and upset about police brutality, it’s been on an issue level—I’ve objected to ideas like racism and profiling and injustice. THE HATE U GIVE made me think about aspects I hadn’t faced or had only vaguely considered, made me think about the communities affected by police brutality and the friends and family members left behind. It made me see the victims as not simply blurbs in headlines, but as complex people. It showed the ripple effects of police brutality through a whole community.

Reading THE HATE U GIVE made me think about another story I’ve read called PIECING ME TOGETHER by Renee Watson. It also made me wonder what the novel would have looked like if it had been from Starr’s friend Kenya’s perspective. Her father is a local gang leader who abuses her mother. I don’t mean this as a criticism of the story at all. Telling it from Starr’s point-of-view really showed the tug-of-war in her life between the black community where she lived and the white community where she went to school, which was a powerful element. But I hope that someone tells Kenya’s story, too.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 14 up.

Cultural Elements
Starr and her family are black. Starr dates a white boy, but hasn’t told her dad yet. Her best friends at school are white and Asian.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Extreme profanity used frequently.

Romance/Sexual Content
References to making out, kissing between a boy and girl. Starr’s boyfriend asked her to have sex with him, but she refused, and was angry at him for even bringing it up. Later, she initiates some sexual contact (hand under clothes) but stops.

Spiritual Content
Starr’s family prays together on multiple occasions.

Violent Content
Starr hears gunshots at a party she’s attending and later learns someone was killed there. She witnesses police shoot her unarmed friend after pulling him over. Gang members threaten and attack a local business man and a young gang member. Starr doesn’t see the attacks, but does see the resulting injuries. Starr’s half-brother, Seven, worries about his mom, who continually lets a man live with her even though he beats her.

Protests turn violent. Protesters damage police cars, businesses, etc. Starr and her friends are upset and believe that only makes the conflict worse.

Drug Content
Teen drinking at the party Starr attends at the beginning of the book. She smells pot smoke there, too.

Review: More than We Can Tell by Brigid Kemmerer

Blogger's Favorites, Book Review and Content, Contemporary, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , , , , ,

More Than We Can Tell
Brigid Kemmerer
Bloomsbury Children’s
Published on March 6, 2018

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

About More Than We Can Tell
Rev Fletcher is battling the demons of his past. But with loving adoptive parents by his side, he’s managed to keep them at bay…until he gets a letter from his abusive father and the trauma of his childhood comes hurtling back.

Emma Blue spends her time perfecting the computer game she built from scratch, rather than facing her parents’ crumbling marriage. She can solve any problem with the right code, but when an online troll’s harassment escalates, she’s truly afraid.

When Rev and Emma meet, they both long to lift the burden of their secrets and bond instantly over their shared turmoil. But when their situations turn dangerous, their trust in each other will be tested in ways they never expected.

My Review
I loved Letters to the Lost, which was Kemmerer’s debut novel, and as soon as I heard that one of the characters from that story—Rev—would be starring in his own companion novel, I knew I had to get ahold of a copy. Then once I got the copy in my hands, I worried about how it would stack up to Letters. I know—I always do this. So finally, I broke down and started to read.

And even though I’m still not getting a lot of sleep with my new littlest one underfoot, I could not put this book down. If I didn’t read it in one sitting, I read it in two. I flew through the pages.

Getting to know more about Rev and his history and getting to see him confront his inner demons sucked me straight into the heart of this tale. I also love that it features not only a hardcore gamer girl, but one who coded her very own online video game! Go, girl! The experiences she describes as a player—the way some other players say ugly things or harass her—is terrible but too true. I can’t help but hope that a story like this will continue to bring light to these situations and start some conversations or change some hearts.

Brigid Kemmerer is quickly becoming one of those authors whose books I want to pre-order as soon as the option becomes available. I loved both Letters to the Lost and More than We Can Tell and I absolutely can’t wait to see what story she tells next.

Recommended for Ages 12 up.

Cultural Elements
Rev is part of a multi-racial family. He’s white and his (adoptive) parents are black. Other characters are white.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Moderate profanity used fairly infrequently. Rev himself feels negatively about cursing.

Romance/Sexual Content
Emma receives threatening emails which contain sexual innuendo. Kissing between boy and girl. A man attempts to assault a girl.

Spiritual Content
Rev was raised by an abusive father who misused scripture as an excuse to torture him. Nevertheless, he still feels a close bond with the Bible, though we more often see him use it to govern his behavior rather than as a source of comfort. Rev meets a girl outside a church several times, which also carries this unspoken feeling that he feels safe near religious things.

Violent Content
Rev shares brief memories of physical abuse at the hands of his father: a forced tattoo, a burn, broken arm, etc. One scene shows a man slamming a girl’s head against a car window and attempting to assault her.

Drug Content
None.

Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

 

Monthly Wrap-Up: February 2018

Lists, Middle Grade 8-12, News and Fun, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , , ,

February 2018 Reviews

Romance and dystopian stories, favorites and books I just didn’t get… here’s what you missed this month in reviews.

The Returning (Seer #3) by Rachelle Dekker

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

I liked the fast-paced storytelling and the way you could read this book without remembering what happened in (or without reading) the earlier books. I had some issues with the theology, which you can read about in my review.

Everless by Sara Holland

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

A friend suggested that I read this book, and I’m so glad she did. Really fascinating concept and characters I enjoyed.

The Unicorn Quest by Kamilla Benko

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

I think you pretty much can’t go wrong with a book about unicorns! This was a fun read, perfect for readers aged 8 to 12.

For Love and Honor (An Uncertain Choice #3) by Jody Hedlund

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

Another book from one of my daughter’s favorite authors. It’s a sweet, light romance, great for readers just starting out in the genre.

The Ruby Moon by Trisha White Priebe and Jerry B. Jenkins

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

I had a hard time following the story in this book. It’s got a wide cast of characters and a lot happening. If the story interests you, I’d recommend starting with the first book in the series instead of this one.

Hawk’s Flight by Carol Chase

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

One of my favorite books of all time– though it’s out of print. I love the characters, and the story still feels fresh to me even after reading it easily a dozen times.

Duels and Deception by Cindy Anstey

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

Gabrielle says: Overall, I give this book 4 stars. While not terribly life-altering (it leans more to the ‘fluff’ side than the profound), it was a delicious read, and as such, merits my approval. Fellow Janeites looking for a quick, easy read will enjoy this one.

When Light Left Us by Leah Thomas

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

I read this book because I so enjoyed Thomas’s other books about Moritz and Ollie. This one is very different, but I found the same compelling characters and great descriptions of emotion in here that made me fall in love with the other books.

The Messengers: Discovered by Lisa M. Clark

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

This might be the best Christian dystopian book I’ve ever read. I really enjoyed reading it and liked that the story so seamlessly supported its Christian message.

Tess of the Road by Rachel Hartman

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

I struggled with this book. While I found the story interesting, I feel like it was really issue-driven, to the point that everything else seemed to take a back seat to the issue of women’s sexual equality. It’s an important issue, for sure, but I felt like it dominated the story too much for my taste. If you like issue-based books, though, it might be a good one to check out. See the notes after the review for content information.

What did you read in February 2018?

What about you? Did you find any books you have to talk about or books you want to recommend? Leave a comment below sharing them with us.

Also, if you’ve read any of the books we reviewed, leave a comment telling us how you liked the book or what you thought about it!

Review: Hawk’s Flight by Carol Chase

Blogger's Favorites, Book Review and Content, Fantasy, , , , , , ,

Hawk’s Flight
Carol Chase
Baen Books
Published May 1, 1991

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

About Hawk’s Flight
When Taverik Zandro impulsively befriended a struggling young fellow merchant, he had no idea of Marko’s desperate secret. Something of a black sheep himself, he had no desire to become involved in affairs outside the ordinary. But after that first helping hand, Marko’s turbulent past entangles Taverik in a world of high politics and dark magic, and turns his own comfortably materialistic way of life upside down in more ways than one. When it is proven to him that he has been chosen along with Marko to defend the land against an encroaching evil that seems inexorable, Zandro wants nothing to do with his god-given role. Of course he has no choice…

My Review
Hawk’s Flight has been one of my favorite books since I was in seventh grade. I’ve probably read it more times than any other novel, and I hate that it’s out of print.

I hadn’t read Hawk’s Flight in years before picking it up now, and while the story still drew me in from the first page to the last, I did wince a few times at small contradictions or awkward writing in a few places. Honestly, though, I love the characters and the story far too much to care very deeply about that stuff.

The spiritual content is pretty pronounced, and follows a pretty strong parallel to Christian faith. Both Taverik and Marko realize they can’t sit back and be simple merchants anymore—they are caught up in a spiritual battle and have to choose a side. I loved Taverik’s quick wit and the way he hid what was important behind his cavalier humor, and the way Marko saw straight through all that. I loved the dynamic between them. I felt like they had great balance in strengths vs. weaknesses.

The cast of characters with point-of-view scenes gets pretty large as the story unfolds, but I didn’t have too much trouble keeping track of anyone. There is a character glossary in the back of the book to help in any case. The story also contains some interesting Pakajan language terms. My favorite is a strong insult—ikiji—second best. I thought it was cleverly used.

So… this book is out of print. I’ve never had trouble finding used copies for sale online, though. I’ve probably bought at least four or five copies over the years, mostly because I end up lending my copy out and buying another when it isn’t returned.

Six of Crows fans should check out this title. If you like fantasy with strong spiritual content, high adventure, and great romance, you definitely need to get a copy of this book. It’s been a long time since I read it for the first time, and it’s still one of my favorites.

Recommended for Ages 13 up.

Cultural Elements
Racial tension runs high between the native Pakajan (feels like a Nordic-type people) and the Massadarans, who’ve colonized the land and imposed restrictive laws against the Pakajans. Massadarans have dark hair and gray eyes—maybe more like Southern Europeans? A third race of Bcacmat people is a war-like race with harsh rules concerning women’s conduct.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Mild profanity used moderately frequently.

Romance/Sexual Content
A man tries to check a companion’s chest wound only to discover that his friend is a woman. A few kisses between a man and woman. A couple teasing comments about masculinity or whether someone is gay. At one point a man makes asks his friend if he’s slept with a woman.

Marita worries about her menstrual cycle. One man refuses to touch her when he learns she’s on her cycle, claiming she’s unclean.

Spiritual Content
Very strong Christian parallels in the spiritual content. Pakajans (and Massadarans) traditionally worship a creator God called Zojikam. Taverik begins seeing signs of a cult who worships a black eagle and interacts with other lesser spiritual beings. The story follows a spiritual battle as well as a physical one, and Tav and others find they must choose a side as the spiritual battle spills over into their lives. The villain, who serves the Black Eagle, has several out-of-body experiences as he travels as a giant eagle, serving his master. They hear rumors of human sacrifice in the name of the Black Eagle. At one point, Tav and his friend encounter an angel-like being who helps them escape an evil spiritual being sent after them by followers of the Black Eagle. At another point, a giant Black Eagle attacks Taverik and he calls on Zojikam for help escaping. Tav and others attend prayer services honoring Zojikam and more than once a priest shares a prophecy.

Violent Content
Several battle scenes and fatalities. Bandits kill a boy during a caravan. Assassins kill several people for political reasons. Mostly these are sword wounds and knife fights. The descriptions aren’t grisly, but there are multiple scenes showing battles.

Drug Content
Taverik and others drink ale, wine, or brandy (they are of age). At one point Marko plans to get some rude students drunk so they can slip away without further trouble from them. She drinks too much brandy at one point and regrets it when her head becomes thick and she winds up with a headache.

Review: The Unicorn Quest by Kamilla Benko

Blogger's Favorites, Book Review and Content, Fantasy, Middle Grade 8-12, , , , ,

The Unicorn Quest
Kamilla Benko
Bloomsbury
Published on February 6, 2018

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

About The Unicorn Quest
Claire Martinson still worries about her older sister Sophie, who battled a mysterious illness last year. But things are back to normal as they move into Windermere Manor… until the sisters climb a strange ladder in a fireplace and enter the magical land of Arden.

There, they find a world in turmoil. The four guilds of magic no longer trust each other. The beloved unicorns have gone, and terrible wraiths roam freely. Scared, the girls return home. But when Sophie vanishes, it will take all of Claire’s courage to climb back up the ladder, find her sister, and uncover the unicorns’ greatest secret.

My Review

This was such a fun book! At first I expected the story would involve both sisters and possibly be told in alternating viewpoints. I’m not sure why I thought that, but it’s told in only the younger sister, Claire’s point-of-view, and though her sister is a major part of the story, she’s not actually on scene much.

I loved the story world, especially the land of Arden and its system of magic and cultures. Several groups have isolated from each other in the aftermath of a war. Each group has a specialized type of magic. There are the Gemmers, who can manipulate stone, the Spinners, who can control thread and weave stories, the Forgers, who have power over metals, and the Tillers, whose magic relates to plants. I thought those were a kind of unique spin on magic. The story uses them cleverly, too.

Claire and her friends from Arden form an unlikely team, and at first, they set out to find Sophie together. As the story progresses, Claire, who at first seems like a timid girl, the kind who follows in her sister’s shadow, begins to assert her own ideas and act on them. She becomes a lot more confident, even as she faces challenges far beyond her expectations. All in all, I think this is a great book for middle or late elementary readers.

Recommended for Ages 8 up.

Cultural Elements
Claire’s family is white.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
In the land of Arden, characters use various types of magic. (Briefly described in my review.)

Violent Content
Claire learns about a terrible war that took place in Arden years before her visit in which all the unicorns were massacred because people thought they’d gain immortality with a unicorn heart. She hears sounds of battle around her in a haunted field. No gory descriptions.

Drug Content
None.

Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

 

Monthly Wrap-Up: December 2017 and January 2018

News and Fun, , , , ,

It’s hard to believe another year has come and nearly gone. We had some big changes around here– most notably, the amazing addition of Gabrielle as reviewer and contributor. She’s been amazing. If you haven’t stopped by her own blog, you should check it out.

We read and reviewed some great books this year. Gabrielle posted a list of some of our top favorites here, which you won’t want to miss, if you haven’t already browsed through it. If you’re still looking for books to spend a Christmas Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card on and need some suggestions on what books to fill the rest of your holiday break with, I recommend taking a look through our list!

You probably also noticed yesterday’s Top Ten list featuring some of our most anticipated reads coming out this year. Check them out if you haven’t already, and see if any of your favorite authors are on the list!

What We Read in December 2017 and January 2018

 

Dark Breaks the Dawn by Sara B. Larson

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

Gabrielle calls retelling of Swan Lake perfect for fans of high fantasy in the vein of Tolkein and gives it 4 out of 5 stars.

The Illusionist’s Apprentice by Kristy Cambron

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

Gabrielle says: ” This book is chock-full of great characters, and will especially entice those who enjoyed The Lost Girl of Astor Street by Stephanie Morrill.”

Recipe for Hate by Warren Kinsella

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

Boys at the center of the local punk scene are murdered, and evidence suggests a hate crime. The victim’s band members investigate to stop the killers before they strike again. The attitude and descriptions in this book totally reminded me of the movie SLC Punk.

The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

Gabrielle highly recommends this blend of magical realism, alternate reality, and steampunk.

Not Now, Not Ever by Lily Anderson

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

A whole summer camp of the smartest kids compete for a college scholarship in this story inspired by The Importance of Being Earnest. Fans of Anderson’s debut will love the appearances of characters from The Only Thing Worse Than Me Is You.

The Thing with Feathers by McCall Hoyle

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

A girl obsessed with Emily Dickinson and diagnosed with epilepsy goes to public school for the first time. Of course, the hottest boy notices her and seems genuine. Loved this gentle romance and representation of a character with epilepsy.

The Forgetting by Sharon Cameron

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

Gabrielle says: “The plot was engrossing. I was continually mystified as it progressed, and was only able to say ‘Aha! So that’s explains it,’ at the very end.”

Little & Lion by Brandy Colbert

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

At its heart, Little & Lion is about a brother and sister looking to reconnect after his diagnosis with bipolar disorder. It’s also about her journey to accept him and herself as they are. Lots of heart, and a very diverse cast of characters.

History’s Mysteries by Kitson Jazynka

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

Ever wondered why the Easter Island heads were erected? Explore this and lots of other unsolved mysteries with pictures and notes on new research. A pretty quick, fun read.

Life Just Got Real by Sadie Robertson with Cindy Coloma

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

Readers looking for a clean reality show novel will want to put this one on their lists. If you liked Life in a Fishbowl by Len Vlahos or liked the concept but wanted a clean alternative, Life Just Got Real should be on your reading list.

 

A Bird, a Girl, and a Rescue by J. A. Myhre

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

A young girl leaves her family and her African valley home to go to a boarding school. When rebels attack the school and take some of the girls hostage, Kiisa and her companions track the rebels to rescue them.

Beauty by Robin McKinley

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

One of my childhood favorites, and pretty much the standard by which I judge all re-imagined fairytales. The writing style is a little distant, but the rich characters make it work. If you’re a fan of fairytales retold, check out this book, along with Spindle’s End, McKinley’s re-imagining of Sleeping Beauty.

You’ll Miss Me When I’m Gone by Rachel Lynn Solomon

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

Twin sisters face the results of a genetic test to determine if they’ll have Huntington’s disease. One relies on her faith to get her through, the other seeks comfort in a forbidden relationship. Great characters, lots of emotion.

Ember Falls (Green Ember #2) by S. D. Smith

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

I think my problem with this book is that I wanted it to be Watership Down, and it isn’t at all the same kind of book. I struggled with the descriptions (or lack of them) but it might be a good pick for fans of The Ruby Moon by Trish Priebe and Jerry Jenkins.

In the Hall of the Dragon King by Stephen Lawhead

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

An old favorite. This might be the first high fantasy novel I ever read as a teenager. It’s a bit dated– mostly in the way it’s written– but I still found myself enjoying the way the characters form an unexpected team to stop an evil necromancer.

The Phantom of the Fortress by Aaron M. Zook, Jr.

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

Kids assist police to solve a murder mystery in Austria. This one wasn’t my cup of tea, but younger readers (maybe 4th or 5th grade?) might enjoy it.

Before I Let Go by Marieke Nijkamp

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

A girl returns to her small Alaskan hometown after her best friend’s death, and finds the town mired in secrets and its people treating her like an outsider. Fast-paced, highly emotional.

Storm (Stone Braide Chronicles #3) by Bonnie Calhoun

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

The third book in Bonnie Calhoun’s broad-scale series is about a girl racing the clock to solve the mystery of a gift she possesses before it kills her.

Blue Moon Rising by Simon R. Green

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

This is one of those stories I’ve read almost a dozen times. The writing is not perfect, but the dialogue makes me laugh and the characters make me want to cheer for every victory. If you like fantasy that doesn’t take itself too seriously, you need to check this one out.

What’s on your reading list for the new year?

Do you have a list of books you want to read this year? Are you setting a goal to read a certain number of books? Leave a comment and let us know what you most want to read next or what your reading goals are for this year.
We’ve already started our To Be Read list for next year! See what Gabrielle and I plan to review by visiting our 2018 Reading List. Have a recommendation for a book we don’t have on our list? Leave a comment! We are always looking for great books to add to our list.