The False Princess by Ellis O'Neal

Book Blurb
Princess and heir to the throne of Thorvaldor, Nalia's led a privileged life at court.  But everything changes when it's revealed, just after her sixteenth birthday, that she is a false princess, a stand-in for the real Nalia, who has been hidden away for her protection.  Cast out with little more than the clothes on her back, the girl now called Sinda must leave behind the city of Vivaskari, her best friend, Keirnan, and the only life she's ever known.

Sinda is sent to live with her only surviving relative, an aunt who is a dyer in a distant village. She is a cold, scornful woman with little patience for her newfound niece, and Sinda proves inept at even the simplest tasks.  But when Sinda discovers that magic runs through her veins - long-suppressed, dangerous magic that she must learn to control - she realizes that she can never learn to be a simple village girl.

Returning to Vivaskari for answers, Sinda finds her purpose as a wizard scribe, rediscovers the boy who saw her all along, and uncovers a secret that could change the course of Thorvaldor's history, forever.

A dazzling first novel, The False Princess is an engrossing fantasy full of mystery, action, and romance.


My Review


Characters
Sinda was a pretty decent main character.  The story and the world reminded me a lot of Poison Study (which I absolutely loved).  I don't think that Sinda could compete with Yelena, who was so vibrant and authentic.  But, I liked that she handled her situation with grace.  I liked that she was on a journey to figure out who she is and where she fits in the world.  I was a bit confused by the ease with which she leaves behind her life- she doesn't really mourn her family and friends in the way I might expect.  But, her reaction to her situation ended up being a part of her development, so it did make sense for the story.  She was strong and solid as far as a character goes.


My one complaint with characters is that they seemed to play their part in the story and then disappear.  For example, Sinda's parents and aunt.  There wasn't any continuity to the minor characters- it was very Sinda-centric.


Plot
I liked the story- full of political intrigue, magic, and the start of a romance.  A lot happened in the book, the plot evolved at a fast pace.


Relationship
There is no hint of romance in the book blurb, so I don't want to give too much away.  I'll just say- there was some sparkage as the story progressed, but the relationship went from 0 to 60 in no time.  I was a bit disconcerted by that.  But, I liked Sinda's romantic partner as a character.


Overall
It was pretty good- I loved the premise of the story and there were no major flaws in the book. 3 stars!

Kindle Giveaway

I was checking out All Things YA on Facebook, and I saw a link for a Kindle Giveaway.  Four bloggers teamed up and chipped in to purchase a Kindle to giveaway in a contest- pretty amazing.  


I signed up at www.kidlitfrenzy.com, but you can sign up on any of their blogs:

• Kid Lit Frenzy (http://www.kidlitfrenzy.com/)
• A Life Bound By Books (http://alifeboundbybooks.blogspot.com/)
• The Bookologist (http://the-bookologist.com)
• The Undercover Book Lover (http://theundercoverbooklover.blogspot.com)
• 
  

I hope I win!! :)

Anna and the French Kiss

Book Blurb

Anna was looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. So she's less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris--until she meets Etienne St. Clair. Smart, charming, beautiful, Etienne has it all . . . including a serious girlfriend.
But in the City of Light, wishes have a way of coming true. Will a year of romantic near-misses end with their long-awaited French kiss? Stephanie Perkins keeps the romantic tension crackling and the attraction high in a debut guaranteed to make toes tingle and hearts melt.

My Review

I loved, loved, loved this book!  This is one of the best books I have read in awhile.  

Characters

I was worried at first about how much I would like Anna.  She was so insecure and whiny in the beginning.  Now, I'm glad that she started that way.  She grew so much throughout the novel.  Character development was at the heart of this.  

Plot

The story was good- the events that took place felt realistic to what a high school senior might experience.  Nothing felt overdone for dramatic effect.  The pace was slow, but I liked that because it allowed for so much of the characterization to take place.  I had moments where I could not put the book down- I was dying to see what happened between St. Clair and Anna.  There was just one thing that made me crazy in the story- an abrupt name change to reflect changing feelings.  That part made me cringe a bit, but besides that I thought the story was very good.  

Relationship

Oh my gosh!  I loved St. Clair and Anna.  This relationship was perfectly done.  They had a beautiful friendship- as much as I was dying for things to go to the next level with them, I was also enjoying their friendship as well.  I loved how good they were to each other.

Overall

Such a good book- 5 Stars :)

Beka Cooper by Tamora Pierce

Book Blurb
Tamora Pierce begins a new Tortall trilogy introducing Beka Cooper, an amazing young woman who lived 200 years before Pierce's popular Alanna character. For the first time, Pierce employs first-person narration in a novel, bringing readers even closer to a character that they will love for her unusual talents and tough personality.

Beka Cooper is a rookie with the law-enforcing Provost's Guard, and she's been assigned to the Lower City. It's a tough beat that's about to get tougher, as Beka's limited ability to communicate with the dead clues her in to an underworld conspiracy. Someone close to Beka is using dark magic to profit from the Lower City's criminal enterprises--and the result is a crime wave the likes of which the Provost's Guard has never seen before.

My Review

O.K. So I love Tamora Pierce's book- they are very near and dear to my heart because they remind me of my childhood.  When I saw this on a book shelf, I was so psyched (I also wondered what rock I'd been living under, since apparently this book has been out for a few years).  I also enjoyed this a lot because I had a physical copy of the book- not a Kindle edition.  This is the first non-Kindle book I've read in a year!  I did notice that I read it much slower than I would read a Kindle book, but nothing really beats a brand new book!

Characters

The characters are at the heart of what Tamora Pierce does.  I loved Beka.  She is so authentic.  Her voice is what really made the book special for me.  With many contemporary or paranormal novels, I often find the heroine to be whiny, or narcissistic, or just incredibly contrived.  The combination of fantasy + Beka just really made this perfect for me.

Plot

The story is told a bit differently than the other Tortall series.  It's told through journal entries (95% of them are Beka's).  Many of the developments are subtle, and it moves forward slowly- definitely a book for more sophisticated young readers.  There are many layers to the story that are woven together.  I thought it was thoroughly enjoyable.

Relationships

This is what makes these books so good.  There doesn't have to be an angsty relationship, or a love triangle to hook you!  That being said, the groundwork is laid for a future relationship that I am really excited about.  I can't wait to see how Beka grows up and into romance.

Overall

I really loved it.  Again- I'm very biased by my love of the whole world of Tortall.  The best thing about living under a rock is not having to wait to read Book #2!  Woo hoo. 5 Stars.

Enchanted Ivy

 
Product Description
What Lily Carter wants most in the world is to attend Princeton University just like her grandfather. When she finally visits the campus, Grandpa surprises her: She has been selected to take the top-secret Legacy Test. Passing means automatic acceptance to Princeton. Sweet!

Lily's test is to find the Ivy Key. But what is she looking for? Where does she start? As she searches, Lily is joined by Tye, a cute college boy with orange and black hair who says he's her guard. That's weird. But things get seriously strange when a gargoyle talks to her. He tells her that there are two Princetons—the ordinary one and a magical one—and the Key opens the gate between them. But there are more secrets that surround Lily. Worse secrets.
When Lily enters the magical Princeton, she uncovers old betrayals and new dangers, and a chance at her dream becomes a fight for her life. Soon Lily is caught in a power struggle between two worlds, with her family at its center. In a place where Knights slay monsters, boys are were-tigers, and dragons might be out for blood, Lily will need all of her ingenuity and courage—and a little magic—to unite the worlds and unlock the secrets of her past and her future.


My Review
This book actually surprised me.  About 50 pages I was wondering where it was going- the story I was expecting was playing out way too quickly.  And- I was pleasantly surprised.  I thought I had the book pegged in the beginning, but it wasn't what I expected.


Characters
There is not a lot of upfront characterization in this book.  I had no idea what Lily looked like (unless I read it and instantly forgot the physical description).  She is on Princeton's campus for a an alumni weekend with her grandfather, and almost no attention is paid to what her life is like before.  At times, it almost felt like she didn't exist before the story started.  There were a few hints about Lily's life before the story starting, but nothing that I could put together in a comprehensive picture of her.  As for characterization that happens as the story is unfolding- I don't know!  She seemed very perfect at parts.  I didn't always understand her feelings or reactions.  I'm still a little confused on Lily as a character.


Plot
I really enjoyed the story.  I was actually surprised at different points- this does not happen often!  Various elements of the story were woven together- it seemed very well-planned.  There was a lot of action.  There were many more conflicts than the Book Blurb lets on.  The themes were conveyed brilliantly.  Moral ambiguity abounded.  I was expecting a one-dimensional story- and it wasn't at all!


Relationship
Again, my feelings towards Lily might cloud this one.  I never really could figure out how she felt about Tye, or some of the other potential love interests.  The whole relationship was a bit anticlimatic.  I don't think this is a series, so it did feel unfinished to me, despite an epilogue-ish chapter at the end of the book that gives the reader an idea how things turned out for everyone.


Overall
I'm torn between 3 stars and 4 stars on this one.  I definitely enjoyed it, but did have a couple of qualms with Lily.  

The Boy Next Door by Meg Cabot

Book Blurb

To: You (you)
From: Human Resources (human.resources@thenyjournal.com)
Subject: This Book
Dear Reader,
This is an automated message from the Human Resources Division of the New York Journal, New York City’s leading photo-newspaper. Please be aware that according to our records you have not yet read this book. What exactly are you waiting for? This book has it all:
-Humor
-Romance
-Cooking tips
-Great Danes
-Heroine in peril
-Dolphin-shaped driftwood sculptures


If you wish to read about any of the above, please do not hesitate to head to the checkout counter, where you will be paired with a sales associate who will work to help you buy this book.
We here at the New York Journal are a team. We win as a team, and lose as one as well. Don’t you want to be on the winning team?
Sincerely,
Human Resources Division
New York Journal
Please note that failure to read this book may result in suspension or dismissal from this store.
*********This e-mail is confidential and should not be used by anyone who is not the original intended recipient. If you have received this e-mail in error please inform the sender and delete it from your mailbox or any other storage mechanism.*********


My Review
This book was recommended to me by my sister Clare.  It was so cute!  It was fun and light-hearted.   I was entertained from start to finish, and really enjoyed how Cabot told the story through e-mails from character to character.


Characters
The characters are all cute- that's the best word I can think of to describe them.  It doesn't deviate too far from what you'd expect from a romantic girl-meets-boy story in terms of characterization.  Mel is sweet, kind-hearted, and funny.  John is family-oriented, loyal, and charming. I rooted for both of them as I read. All of the minor characters are equally likeable.


Plot
Again, I thought the way the story was told through e-mails was clever and enjoyable.  It gave the book a different feel, even though the story falls into a typical romantic novel schema.  I enjoyed the fact that there was no over-written sex scenes- it was light and fun all the way through.  


Relationship
I loved Mel and John, and it was so fun to hear about their developing feelings through emails to family and friends.  They had the normal miscues of a new relationship, and one extremely not-normal identity issue that served as the conflict for the story.


Overall
It was a fun read, easily read in one sitting.  It wouldn't be a book I would ever pick up to re-read, but it was good the first time around.  As I look over the review, the words "light", "cute", and "fun" keep showing up.  So- overall it was light, cute, and fun, and I give it 4 stars! 


  

XVI by Julie Karr

Book Blurb

Nina Oberon's life is pretty normal: she hangs out with her best friend, Sandy, and their crew, goes to school, plays with her little sister, Dee. But Nina is 15. And like all girls she'll receive a Governing Council-ordered tattoo on her 16th birthday. XVI. Those three letters will be branded on her wrist, announcing to all the world - even the most predatory of men - that she is ready for sex. Considered easy prey by some, portrayed by the Media as sluts who ask for attacks, becoming a "sex-teen" is Nina's worst fear. That is, until right before her birthday, when Nina's mom is brutally attacked. With her dying breaths, she reveals to Nina a shocking truth about her past - one that destroys everything Nina thought she knew. Now, alone but for her sister, Nina must try to discover who she really is, all the while staying one step ahead of her mother's killer.

My Review

So this is Book #2 for me in the Debut Author Challenge- Yay!  I really enjoyed this one.  I was worried when I started that dystopia would forever be ruined for me by my love of The Hunger Games- what could possibly compare to that?!?!  While this book isn't as haunting as The Hunger Games, it was solidly written and very enjoyable.

Characters

The main character is Nina Oberon, a 15-year old girl coming to age in a society ruled with an iron fist by the government and the media.  Nina is brave, independent-minded, and artistic.  She is thrust into not only caring for her younger sister Dee, but also protecting her.  The story is narrated first-person in her voice.  Nina was likeable- a tad bit bland, but solid.  She made me crazy at a couple points, taking forever to connect the dots.  But, she definitely had the voice of a teenager- loyal to her friends, insecure, expressive, loving.  Our supporting characters were also very solid.  I loved some of Nina's friends, and I really liked her family as well.  

Plot

I really liked the premise of the story and how everything played out.  Sometimes it seemed a bit slow- with lots of attention paid to Nina's coming to terms with the events that occurred, and then at the same time, something major would happen and Nina's reaction would seem underwhelmed to me.  It's hard to put my finger on it, but in all it was a very minor issue.  My only other minor complaint was the ending- it felt a bit anticlimatic to me.  I am assuming this is a part of a series- there is a lot that still needs to be tied up. I can imagine this book being enjoyed by older, reluctant readers.  

I also loved the message and themes of the book.  There were quite a few- gender politics, media influence, government intrusion on freedom of expression, exploitation of youth, abuse, etc.  There was a lot going on, which made Nina's world seem multidimensional and real.  

Relationship

I liked this part a lot.  It doesn't really mention Nina's love interest on the cover, and since this is such a new release I suppose I shouldn't mention names.  But let's just say that He seems to be like a great guy with a lot going on under the surface.  I think the author did a great job exploring Nina's conflict over her sexuality with Him, and with the society in which she lives.  For a book that speaks out against the exploitation of young women, the author handled the romantic relationship perfectly.

Overall

I thought it was a great book, and I hope that there is more to come from Julie Karr in the future.  I'm so glad I decided to purchase this. 4 stars!