Tag Archives: Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Review: Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

Book Review and Content, Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , , , ,
Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

Everything, Everything
Nicola Yoon
Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers
Published September 1, 2015

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Everything, Everything

My disease is as rare as it is famous. It’s a form of Severe Combined Immunodeficiency, but basically, I’m allergic to the world. I don’t leave my house, have not left my house in fifteen years. The only people I ever see are my mom and my nurse, Carla.

But then one day, a moving truck arrives. New next door neighbors. I look out the window, and I see him. He’s tall, lean and wearing all black—black t-shirt, black jeans, black sneakers and a black knit cap that covers his hair completely. He catches me looking and stares at me. I stare right back. His name is Olly. I want to learn everything about him, and I do. I learn that he is funny and fierce. And I learn that his eyes are Atlantic Ocean-blue and that his vice is stealing silverware. I learn that when I talk to him, my whole world opens up, and I feel myself starting to change—starting to want things. To want out of my bubble. To want everything, everything the world has to offer.

Maybe we can’t predict the future, but we can predict some things. For example, I am certainly going to fall in love with Olly. It’s almost certainly going to be a disaster.

My Review

Maddy’s narrative is accompanied by random snippets: super short movie synopses, clever charts and definitions that speak to Maddy’s state of mind, and transcripts of instant messages exchanged between Maddy and Olly.

The story is witty and cute and definitely packed with romantic tension. I was as enamored with Olly as Maddy was upon his entrance to her life. He’s fun and smart, yet has that sort of dark, angsty mystery to him, as well.

Confession: I snooped and read a spoiler (which I immediately regretted) before reading the book for myself. I was worried that knowing a major twist (which the reviewer felt was too perfect or too simplistic) would affect my ability to enjoy the story and really stay in the moment while reading it.

I found the characters so engaging that I wasn’t bothered by knowing what would happen. The outcome felt organic to me, and much more plausible within the context of the story than the review had made it seem.

The one thing that rang a little false to me was Maddy’s confidence about the outside world. I would have expected her to have more anxiety, even if she felt like the risks would be worthwhile. She seemed a little too in control at some moments.

All in all, though, I felt like Yoon does an amazing job with the character development and with the reference to poetry, philosophy and math. Those parts along with the situation concerning Maddy’s health elevate the story from a common contemporary teen romance to something much more substantive. Readers who enjoy books by John Green and movies like The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind or The Truman Show should give this novel a read.

Content Notes

Profanity or Crude Language
A handful of instances of brief strong profanity, usually in reference to a drunk man berating his family.

Sexual Content
One sex scene – includes a short description of what happens. Their bodies “moving together” and that sort of thing. It is supposed to be Maddy’s first sexual experience.

Spiritual Content
Madeleine and Olly briefly discuss ideas about hope and faith – more general, less specific to any one religion really. He is pretty convinced there’s nothing more out there in the universe whereas Maddy finds the idea of faith appealing.

Violence
Maddy spies on neighbors and witnesses a confrontation that turns violent.

Drug Content
None.

Note: I received a free copy of EVERYTHING, EVERYTHING in exchange for my honest review. All opinions my own.

Review: Seeker by Arwen Elys Dayton

Book Review and Content, Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , , , ,

Seeker
Arwen Elys Dayton
Random House Children’s, Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Published February 10, 2015

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Quin is proud of her family’s legacy. She comes from a line of Seekers, warriors who protect the weak and bring justice to the world. Along with two other initiates – her best friend and the boy she loves – she prepares to take an Oath that will brand her a Seeker forever.

Upon her initiation, she discovers that nothing is what she thought. Now it’s too late to escape the fate she’s chosen.

The balance between the three central characters – Quin, Shinobu and John – worked well. All three characters share in the telling of the story. Each viewpoint adds something the others lack. Quin bears the greatest guilt and emotional turmoil. John’s perspective shows the dichotomy between his intentions and his actions and what that means to the others. Shinobu’s point-of-view adds a lighter element (with one exception) and even splashes of humor.

The story was a bit darker than I expected. Even apart from the drug use and the corruption of the Seekers, there were a lot of dark elements: John’s grandfather’s condition, the Young Dread’s treatment by her mentor, the relationship between Quin’s parents.

Despite its heaviness, the story has a great message. At one point, the Old Dread, the wisest of the three tells his young protégé, “Great minds are not what’s wanted. Only good hearts. Good hearts choose wisely.” This theme presents itself among the Seekers as well as the Dreads. When what was once a good, pure venture has been deeply corrupted, it’s difficult to see the way back to that purity. Only good hearts will be able to accomplish such a task.

Language Content
Very mild language used infrequently.

Sexual Content
Brief, sometimes intense kissing.

A woman works as an escort, and while all that entails isn’t specified, it’s definitely implied.

Spiritual Content
Quin, Shinobu and John aspire to become Seekers, warriors who use powerful artifacts to transport to other places where they are tasked with bringing justice and protecting the innocent.

Quin’s mother can hear the thoughts of others.

Three people called Dreads stand apart from the Seekers acting as judges. They can step out of time and stretch themselves, meaning they live for hundreds of years without aging.

A girl uses her Seeker abilities as a healer, focusing in on the body’s energy and coaxing bad energy patterns back into good ones.

Violence
Several battle sequences in which characters use swords, knives and a vicious weapon called a disruptor. (The disruptor essentially causes fatal madness.) In one scene, new Seeker initiates receive a brand on their arms.

Assassins kill John’s mother and other members of his ancestors. He views photographs taken of their murdered bodies.

A young man tries but fails to commit suicide. The attempt serves as a wake-up call, leaving him energized and determined to help his friends.

There are hints and brief descriptions of abuse by the Middle Dread on the Young Dread. In the worst instance, he tears her garment, exposing her body and cruelly pinches one of her breasts.

Drug Content
Quin’s mother is an alcoholic. She’s clearly using alcohol to numb out, it’s unclear at first what she’s trying to escape. A boy falls victim to several different forms of drug abuse. Some scenes depict his drug use or the effects of it. It’s never portrayed in a positive light, and consequences to his actions are pretty serious. He nearly causes a loved one to overdose.

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

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Review: The Mark of the Dragonfly by Jaleigh Johnson

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

The Mark of the Dragonfly
by Jaleigh Johnson
Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Published March 25, 2014

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Since her father’s death, Piper has lived by scavenging artifacts that fall from the sky in meteor showers. Nothing she’s found yet promises to be as valuable as Anna, the girl she stumbles upon who bears a tattoo of an intricate mechanical dragonfly. The tattoo indicates the girl is from the Dragonfly Territories and is protected by its king. If Piper can return the girl home, she will collect a reward that will buy her a new life away from the scrap towns forever.

With no memories to guide them, Anna depends on Piper to unearth clues about her past and her home. When a man threatens them, the girls’ only hope for escape is in hiding away on a train bound for the Dragonfly Territories. The train’s security chief isn’t easily fooled, and it’s up to Piper’s quick thinking and Anna’s charm to persuade him to let them stay. The three form an uneasy alliance, each with a secret that may destroy the others or save them.

The Mark of the Dragonfly is whimsical and fun. It is a story about bravery, sacrifice and the value of unexpected friendship. Quirky and inspiring characters populate a memorable story world. Readers who enjoy fantasy stories like Peggy Eddleman’s Sky Jumpers or Jennifer Nielsen’s The False Prince will likely fall in love with this story.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Sexual Content
Piper briefly glimpses a boy’s naked body but quickly turns away, embarrassed.

Spiritual Content
In Piper’s homeland, the people worship a goddess whom they believe sends artifacts from other lands to them via meteor showers. The girls visit a prophetess of sorts hoping to gather information about Anna’s past.

Violence
A dangerous man pursues Piper and Anna. He attacks and a band of slave traders attack them, though few graphic details appear in the text.

Drug Content
Slave traders attempt to capture the girls using a powdered substance that temporarily paralyzes those exposed to it. The train’s fire man uses his knowledge of chemistry to formulate a medicine to heal a poisoned passenger.

Disclaimer
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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Review: The Kill Order by James Dashner

Dystopian or Post-Apocalyptic, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, , , , ,

The Kill Order
James Dashner
Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Published August 14, 2012

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

With memories of the sun flares that destroyed major cities and much of the world’s technology still fresh in their minds, Mark, Trina and their friends find themselves face to face with another catastrophe, and this one may not leave any alive.

The plague’s first victims survive mere hours. But as the disease mutates and spreads, its victims survive longer, becoming mad long before the end takes them. Mark and Trina band together, determined to stay well, track down the source of the vicious illness, and do whatever it takes to stop it.

In this prequel to the Maze Runner series, James Dashner reveals the story of civilization’s fall and the mysterious disease that ravaged mankind in its wake. While providing answers to many of the questions Maze Runner fans have been asking, The Kill Order lacked the density of thrill and suspense that have rocketed readers through the bestselling series. I wish this had been a novella or short story instead of a full-length novel. I think I would have liked it better in that format.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Mild to moderate.

Sexual Content
Moderate to heavy. While much of the physical romance takes place off-scene, it is still known that the hero and his girlfriend are having sex.

Spiritual Content
Not much mentioned.

Violence
Lots of scenes depicting terrible illness and some insanity.

Drug Content
The characters are on a quest for a cure to the mysterious disease that is spreading like wildfire. No recreational drug use.

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

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