Trapped Dragons Are Dangerous Creatures

Hidden
By Sophie Jordan

The third and final installment in the Firelight trilogy.
Firelight (I) - Review here.
Vanish (II) - Review here.

Possible spoilers. A brief review shall ensue.

What a wonderful series to stumble across. I first encountered book one on a random shelf excursion at the library. Thought, "Hey, terrible cover, but worth a shot. Dragons are always awesome!" What a journey. Perfect summer books. They'd be great to marathon.

By no means are these literature-shaping stories. They are fun, light-hearted distractions. In this last one, especially, you can tell that the author writes romance. The descriptions are hot and sexy. Perfect for a teenage romance.

The typical love triangle has a slightly different angle and none-the-less frustrating.

Likeable characters, a head-strong and conflicted female protagonist, and just enough tension between everyone to push the plot forward. 

In this final book, everything that can go wrong goes wrong. I applaud Jordan for taking me on twists and turns and NEVER stopping the action. It was constant. One thing would finish, another would pop up. An excellent conclusion to a fun series.

4/5 STARS

Burning End

Prairie Fire: The Story of Owen, Book 2
By E.K. Johnston

As this is book two in a duology, this review will be as spoiler free as possible.

See review for book 1 here. 

Return to the parallel universe where dragons exist and they are pests on a grand scale. Siobhan McQuaid is our narrator/bard and Owen Thorskard is our dragon slayer. Together they join the Oil Watch (the branch of military that focuses on dragon maintenance protecting oil rigs).

LOVE this universe. Wouldn't love to live in it. Love reading about it.

Again, I am floored by how tailored this book seems to be for me. Of course, that'd be highly narcissistic - I'd still like to think so.

Siobhan is dealing with injuries sustained from last book - living the nightmare any musician would live: the fear of being unable to play. Johnston does an excellent job of incorporating the hurt that a musician could suffer, but Siobhan's bard-heart refuses to let her stop hearing the music. Interwoven are her descriptions of how she'll interpret scenes or what instruments she'll use to represent people.

Owen remains our stoic hero, and thankfully, not the romantic interest of Siobhan. Too many times in YA there are male/female friendships that inevitably become romantic. I hate that. It's overplayed and it's too easy. The friendship between these two is strong and believable.

There is a dragon in this book that is the Kraken of this dragon world. Let me tell you. Shivers. Chills. Oh, it is glorious and terrifying.

For making a world that I could dive into again and again and not be disappointed:

5 STARS



The Gripe: 

Passing through reviews on this series is that it's titled "The Story of Owen" and this book focuses mainly on Siobhan. My question is: Was it ever really about Owen?

Isn't it about the creation of the story? Siobhan is the author, the chronicler who tells the story. It's as if we are witnessing an author write a best seller. In this case, a composer creating music around a tale that will be passed around.

The title is clever. I refuse to believe that Johnston didn't know exactly what she was doing. To simply expect it to be about Owen, when being told by Siobhan, is a shallow interpretation.

We Are Not Alone

Earth & Sky
By Megan Crewe

Skylar, 17, is bothered by passing feelings that parts of the world around her are wrong. When it happens, she has panic attacks. Then she meets Win. Suddenly her whole life is explained to her and the answer is both cool and terrifying at the same time.

ALIENS!

No seriously. Aliens. And time travel. This book was such a happy surprise!


Ok, clarification - generic without spoilers, I promise. Our planet is the subject of alien experimentation. Whenever Skylar feels something wrong, that's because they have been interfering. They mess with time.

Win is a part of the rebels who want to end this interference. So yes, he is alien. Having fun yet?

Crewe took this really cool idea and turned it into this crazy, time hopping chase between the rebels, the human Skylar, and the alien scientists. So neat!

How did she manage to create this story and keep it from being off-the wall cheesy? Her characters are believable and very flawed, details of the world are explained slowly (apart from one possible info-dumping section that I'm going to ignore because I loved this book so much), and her world is created with real science. In order to get the reader's mind around the complexities of time travel, Crewe was able to explain it in such a way that felt neither dumbed down nor overly unnecessary.

For the most part, the book focuses on the interactions between Win and Skylar. There's conflict - believeable conflict - between them, but also a mutual push to save the world.

My ooooone complaint. At the beginning of the book, I was pleased to be reading about a girl with anxiety issues. I was loving the way it was explained. Her coping mechanism was real and carried throughout the book. My complaint is that part of her anxiety is explained away by the alien interference. On one hand, wouldn't it be cool if all those with anxiety be given a logical (loosely logical... because aliens) reason as to their paralyzing panic attacks. On the other, it's a real issue that cannot be fixed that easily. The redeeming factor of this thread is that she continues to feel panic, even though now she knows what causes it and she retains her coping mechanism. In the grand scheme of things though, it's a minor complaint.

I'm a sucker for anything time travel related... so this book was right up my ally. AND, Megan Crewe is Canadian. Whoo Canadian writers!!!

Highly recommend for the young adult, sci-fi enthusiast.

4.5/5 STARS

Ugh, Summer

We'll Always Have Summer
By Jenny Han

Belly is now in college! We've grown with her through the high school to college years. She's in the middle of a really great relationship (no spoilers I promise) when he proposes. Then chaos ensues.

Teenagers wanting to marry. Exactly what I wanted to read *rolls eyes*. This is my least favourite of this series. The whole book I wanted to end sooner rather than later.

Good things:
- characters grow up, mature, evolve
- I really love Belly's mother. She and I would be great friends.
- Return to the beach house and heart-warming memories (present and past)
- Han is great at complex characters. She loves to reveal parts of them that change how you view them. Excellent!

Awful things:
- young people wanting to marry when Han clearly writes that they are not ready
- the drama of the love triangle... I still dislike love triangles. I've only ever read one that worked.
- SO MUCH DRAMA, yuk

Overall, read the first one "The Summer I Turned Pretty".

2/5 STARS

Filed Memories

The Archived
By Victoria Schwab

Mackenzie is a Keeper of the dead. When people die, their memories become Histories and are filed away in a library between worlds. Sometimes, the memories wake and it's Mackenzie's job to return them to rest in the library. When she moves to a new place, her family reeling from her little brother's sudden death, and the converted hotel in which they live in is full of mysteries and waking Histories.

A richly imaginative world. The concept is unique and every time there's an answer, five more questions pop up. Memorable characters and a deep world I'd love to visit.

Mackenzie seems super human - if this could be her only flaw. She is dealing with issue after issue and I wonder how she didn't break down a cry. I don't think she slept much. This girl is go go go and business like. I liked that about her.

Her family dynamics are lovely. The main character switches between present and memories from the past of her Da, her grandfather, who trained her to be a Keeper. For the first part of the book, I could not make the distinction between her Da (grandfather) and Dad (father) - quite a bit of confusion between those two.

Her fellow team mate Keeper, Wesley, is equally likeable if not more so. I liked their ambiguous chemistry. Business like, but possible hinted at romance. Not sure if this was a romance or a great friendship. Either way, the chemistry between these two is tentative and delightful.

The unravelling of the world was done in a delicate manner. The reader is confused for the first few pages, then slowly Schwab begins to explain the mechanics. This is one that takes a bit to get into, but once you do, be prepared to fly away to another dimension.

Would I want to visit the Library? Yes. But I would refuse to see any filed relatives. See people I don't know, for sure. And, hello, I'd love to meet Roland (who Schwab says is based on David Tennant's Doctor). Uh, yes please.

Overall, really cool. Really REALLY cool. Recommend for those wanting a sorta creepy, dimension expanding, library kinda story.

4/5 STARS

Summer Continues

It's Not Summer Without You
By Jenny Han

Belly's summers have always meant going to the cabin that's shared between her family and her mom's best friend's family. Last summer changed forever when a sudden change came to the families (no spoilers because it's book two of the series).

Conrad is now in college, but when he disappears, Belly and his brother, Jeremiah, go in search for him. His disappearance is more than him simply rebelling.

From the first book, this story takes a turn into a somber exploration of the relationships between people. Not necessarily romantic love. The best thing that Han does, is create complex characters with complex feelings. It's never black and never white, always a vast array of gray.

Belly, much like anyone ever, assumes how others feel, sees only how it affects her, and misunderstands cues from other people. It is not a great quality, however, it is a perfectly human quality. Sometimes we get in our own heads and we forget to see the situation from another's perspective. Han does this wonderfully.

Minus one star for the awkward love triangle. I loathe love triangles. However...


The complexness of characters and emotions that this book held encourages me to read the final book of this trilogy.

4/5 STARS

Always Pretty Summer Read

The Summer I Turned Pretty
By Jenny Han

Belly (yes, that's her name) spends every summer with her family and her mom's friend's family at a beach house. Every summer has always been magical, this summer things unexpectedly change.

There's boys in this book! Even better, two brothers, so the reader gets to try and figure out who Belly will eventually fall for.

I devoured this apple-pie book in an evening. Picked it up and next thing I knew, two hours later, I felt all warm and cozy and immediately wanted to pick up book two.

Loveable characters; a wonderful summer world; a plot to keep you turning pages until the end. It's a great summer read. Belly is relateable and makes silly mistakes, but believeable mistakes, ones we can pardon her for. The boys, on the other hand, I am actually torn. They're framed on the surface as "good boy" vs "bad boy" but they aren't really. I think I enjoyed that part of it. I will always choose the "good boy".

They talk about beach reads. This is a perfect one. Enjoy!

3/5 STARS

Where'd the Dragons Go?

Vanish
By Sophie Jordan

The second book in the Firelight series. It's impossible to write a review completely void of spoilers. So if you haven't read the first book, please read my review for Firelight and read the book.

Taking off from that cruel cliff hanger, we return to the dragon pride. Jacinda wanted to return, but now that she's back it all seems strange. She's been through things that others cannot understand. The town makes her family, except for her newly-special sister, the pariahs.

Even worse, the two 'princes' of the town have their eye on Jacinda and her sister, Tamra. It becomes apparent that they're meerly competing with each other to win the others choice ove the other. Young male dragons *ugh*.

Of those two dragons, Cassian, the Alpha-Leader's son and original guy that Jacinda was supposed to be bonded to, is the most interesting. He's in a bad spot. He truly cares for Jacinda. The unrequited lover. The reader sympathizes with him. That's the best part of this book. Sympathizing with these incredibly difficult situations that everyone is in.

I could've had more Tamra. She's off for most of the series, separated (intentionally) fom Jacinda and their mother.

Things get worse and worse, and when you think they can't get worse... they do. I kept checking the pages left, thinking the book would have to wrap up fairly quickly and then... of course... a cliff hanger! This one is a little less cruel than the first book's, however, I STILL WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED!!!!

Same fun storyline, action came at the right moment, and enough frustration to keep me reading. This book is FUN. It's like candy. Incredibly addicting.

But of course, there's a third book. This is a trilogy. *facepalm* I'll probably finish it next year.

4/5 STARS

In Your Dreams

Dream a Little Dream
By Kerstin Gier

Liv Silver moves around a lot. The latest place her mom has settled in is London. Because of this, her dreams have become weird. One night she dreams she's in a graveyard with four boys. Next day at school, those very same boys are there. Something is not right in the dreamworld.

This was on my to-read-list but not for this year. However, it came in the library and I had to take it out. I loved Kerstin Gier's Ruby Red Trilogy. It was fun and hilarious.

Can I say I liked this one better? The writing improved and the humour of the main character, Liv, had me giggling out loud. Gier has this magical ability to make funny heroines and really intriguing worlds. Long since I've been a fan of Alice in Wonderland, I've been fascinated by dreams and the riddles of our psychology that they play.

There could've been confusion when writing characters wandering around in each other's dreams, however, it is written with such ease that the transitions are non-confusing and delightful. The inserts of the high-school "Tittle Tattle" blog add a little extra, but might be superfluous. I do like the idea of including a different media into a novel.

Maaaaaybe a little bit of insta love. But I didn't care. Remember what it was like in high school? To have one crush one week and then next week another. Hormone's are wreaking havoc on the teenage system and they cannot fathom why they feel so attracted to someone immediately. At least, that's what I tell myself when I come across these "insta-love" type novels. Our main character was so head-strong that I don't believe her to be completely ruled by her heart over her head, or by her raging hormones.

Fun! Stupidly fun and a perfect summer read. Yet again, Kerstin Gier creates loveable characters and hilarious dialogue. Highly recommend for a quick, fun read.

4/5 STARS

Between the Spaces

Afterworlds
By Scott Westerfeld

Darcy Patel participated in a month long novel-writing challenge (not NaNoWriMo *wink*) and mailed in her manuscript. The Publisher sends her a contract and suddenly she's off to New York to begin a bright shiny life as a writer. We read her novel in alternating chapters as she polishes and gleans ideas from her peer writers.


Coolest idea for a book. It pulls back the curtain on the methods behind writing and how life experiences can effect the writing process. I love the tidbits of writing advice.

The voice of Darcy is believeable. She is confident and insecure at the same time. There were a few eyebrow-raising unrealistic parts, however, for the most part I was able to remind myself that it's fiction and Westerfeld was having fun.

Her novel: After an attack at the airport, Lizzie can now pass in the space between worlds. The Afterworld. There she meets Yamaraj, a sort of god of the underworld... but not quite. Now able to go between worlds, she begins a quest of revenge and soon realizes the consequences.

But of course there's love in this YA novel. Not the kind you're expecting though and it is utterly refreshing. In both stories!

I enjoyed both stories, neither being in my regular comfort zone genre. And, I didn't mind jumping back and forth.

The best part about the book was being aware that Darcy was the strings behind Lizzie. Darcy would say "I need to put that somewhere in my book" and then a few chapters later in Lizzies story there it would appear.  It brought us out of the Lizzie story, but further into Darcy's.

One downside: what genre is this?!??! One story is paranormal, the other is contemporary. Love the idea of bending the genre, two-in-one.

Overall, recommended to writers certainly. It's fun. And yes, a little long, but what do you expect when an average book is three-hundred and this is really two books in one.

4/5 STARS

The cover: The abstract tear with the ink makes more sense as you read the book. Something that doesn't come across in digital form is the pearl finish of the book. It shimmers. And the purple is a deeper indigo than your eyes can comprehend. Very striking.

Words Fly on Wings of Magic

The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender
By Leslye Walton

Ava Lavender was born extraordinary. Born with a pair of wings, no one knows why. We read the history of her family, 3 generations of foolish love and magical realism, to tell her poetic story.

About a week ago, I finished this book in three days. It kept me up at night until my eyes were drooping, unable to read any futher. I'm still thinking about it. No words that I can put down will capture what it made me feel. It is an esquisite debut novel.

It starts with the introduction to Ava, then abruptly jumps back in time to her great grandmother and grandmother's time. I thought I'd be bored with this sudden change, however, I quickly fell in love with the style of writing and peaceful kindness in the story telling. The story flows smoothly and gently. It allows you to contemplate and absorb the characters and their journeys.

Each character is unique and completely, even with slight magical elements, human. No one is without their flaws and no one is without their perfections. Leslye Walton captures humanity at its worst, at its most tragic, its most sorrowful, and its most beautiful.

It is haunting and it made me weep with relief and melancholy. And yet, it is uplifting.

Truly, this book is made of magic.

5/5 STARS

Fire Breather

Firelight

By Sophie Jordan

Jacinda is a born draki – a human that can shapeshift into a dragon. Being a fire breather, a rare anomaly in her pride, she is special and the leaders want to keep her close. She will not be made captive. When her rebelliousness nearly costs her pride, her mother decides to pack up and leave with Jacinda and her twin, Tamra. Unfortunately, they pick the town where a group of dragon hunters live. Even worse, their star hunters are in Jacinda's grade. Especially, Will ... the cute one.

Again with the mythological romance, this book was enjoyable to the last page. A page turner and a dragon book at that! I'm reading the second book, hands down. 

Jacinda, our protagonist, is selfish, does what she wants, when she wants. Unless it comes to her family. She struggles with hiding her true identity and with moving to a new town where her sister seems to be making all the friends. She is lonely and wants to go back. Sometimes characters like this can get annoying, I never once found her annoying. I loved the struggle. It felt believable.

Tamra, her twin sister, does not have shapeshifting ability. Immediately this gives us conflict between the two. I love it! Their mother is struggling to give them a better life. The reader felt for her. And the twins didn't always understand the sacrifices she was making.

For a fast, light read. By no means is this a masterful novel, but it does make reading fun. Yes please! Book two here I come. Wait, there's another after that. Ok!

4/5 STARS

Classroom: Again, not for classroom use. Dragon suggested reading for the teen.

Swim Little Fishes, Swim

Of Poseidon

By Anna Banks

Galen has been sent by the Kingdom of the Syrena to seek out the girl who speaks to fish, Emma. For Emma, her literal run in with Galen leaves her rattled. A regular day at the beach quickly turns out to be the event that brings these two together.

Gosh, this was a happy, feel-good book. So enjoyable that I read it in one day. Could not put it down. The characters are likeable and realistic, with pet peeves and irritations of their own. I thoroughly enjoyed the take on the mermaid mythology.

If you're looking for a light, fast read of a romancey-mythological story, then pick this. The main character, Emma, is not passive. She reacts like anyone would in her situation. This is why I will continue with this series. Yes, a series. There are two more: “Of Triton” and “Of Neptune”.

Fun!!

4/5 STARS

Classroom: Suggested for summer reading or any student interested in mermaids. Not for classroom use.

3 for 1: Eagle Glenn Trilogy

Eagle Glen Trilogy

By KC Dyer

Seeds of Time (1)

After an accident that claims Darrell's foot and her father, she's struggling to find herself again. Her mother enrols her in a summer school, Eagle Glen. The teachers encourage self-exploration, developing each students' talents and expanding their interests. Darrell is immediately taken by the history classes – then suddenly she finds herself taken back to Medieval Scotland at the time of the Black Plague.

Time travel, mystery, and history. Loved it! Darrell is a relateable character. She's going through a hard time, but she is surrounded by people that want the best for her. She is curious as well as quick thinking.

4/5 STARS

Secret of Light (2)

Darrell has found a group of friends who embrace all her flaws. Deciding to spend the year at Eagle Glen while her mother is participating in Doctors without Borders, she encounters time travel once again. This time she meets someone she idolizes, Leonardo DaVinci... as a teenager.

While I liked this story, I didn't like it as much as the first. DaVinci was grating, understandably for the time period, and his views that women can't be artists angered Darrell. It brings out good discussions.

3/5 STARS

Shades of Red (3)

By far, the best of the three. Darrell and her friends find another portal in time that takes them to the time of the Spanish Inquisition and the court of Henry VIII. Entwining many issues materfully, Dyer is able to bring up religion and beliefs in a non-alienating way. It's historical, however, she makes it human.

When revealed the reason for the title of the book, I cried. The story was compelling and real. Incredibly recommended.

5/5 STARS

Classroom: I would push this series. I might read it out loud during the year. All three. They would tie in nicely in grade 6-8 social studies and current events. And, supporting a West Coast Canadian author!

First Year Fan

Fangirl

By Rainbow Rowell

Genre: Contemporary

Currently in your first year of university? Perhaps university was years ago, but you don't mind reminiscing? Maybe you're in grade 12, getting ready to leave the home nest and experience university? Read this book.

Cath is in her first year. Her twin sister, Wren, has always been by her side, but now is pulling away and loving her independence. When real life is too much and Cath feels like she's alone, she escapes to the fantasy world of Simon Snow (a fictional book series, similar to Harry Potter). Not only is she a super fan and plasters her dorm with many posters of her favourite character, but she writes fan-fiction online and is somewhat famous.

I feel like this book is catered to those who: take a while to blossom; feel awkward in every social interaction; have a passion that's isolating and unrelateable to non-fans (muggles, psh); has/is experienced/experiencing their first year at university.

Normally, I do not read contemporary. This was not necessarily my cup of tea, but the book served to remind me that we are not alone is our self-perceived inept-ness. It took me back to my first year. I hid in my room. I refused to talk to people. I felt so uncomfortable in my own skin that it took until the end of the year to fully emerge.

The main character is moving from her teen years to young-adult and the transition is less than smooth. In fact, I'm pretty sure everyone has these bumps and we all believe that no one else is sharing our pain. That's exactly what Rowell captures perfectly in this novel. Not only is Cath struggling with her own identity, her family dynamics are changing much faster than she can adjust. Her social life too, is picking up especially when she meets Nick and Levi.

Delightful, quirky, relateable, laugh-out-loud, smile-inducing, and a sigh-worthy ending.

4.5 STARS

Classroom: As this is a book geared toward university-aged students, I would only recommend this to students in their 12^th year.

Am I Slowly Going Crazy...

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer

By Michelle Hodkin

Genre: Supernatural, Contemporary

Hmmmm. This is a confusing book. Though not as confusing as I thought it would be. The narrator suffers from amnesia, so we remember and “hallucinate” along with her.

Mara Dyer was in an accident. Three of her friends were killed. She remembers nothing. Moving to Florida to start anew, she begins to unravel as the events of that tragic night flash back to her.

How I feel is mixed. The plot premise intrigued me. As I was reading this I was constantly suspicious of everything. Was that real? No, that was? What is happening?!

I liked: The main character, Mara, is hilarious, cautious, and just wants to get on with her life. She makes for an unreliable narrator, and that's half the fun. Noah is a fun love interest. The dynamics between her brothers and her. Hodkin creates her characters well.

On the fence: The explanation of everything. No spoilers here. That's all I'm going to say.

Disliked: The pacing of this book was dreadfully slow. I powered through in two days, but the story dragged at the beginning and hit some slumps halfway through.

Overall, it's not quite my kind of book, but if you love being confused, suspicious, finding yourself exclaiming “What!?”, and chuckling at Mara's interactions with Noah, then read it.

3.5/5 STARS

Classroom: Nope.

I think therefore I am

Alice, I Think

by Susan Juby

Genre: Fiction

I was drawn to this book because it was set in Smithers, BC (Go Canada) and the author is from BC. It is difficult to find books that are set in Canada, at least, I find it to be so. I will admit that I picked this book up because I got it confused with "Go Ask Alice", but that's ok. I had high hopes for this book, DO NOT LET ME DOWN... and it did...

Alice is a home-schooled girl who's had many problems integrating with "normal" school students. Her new therapist tells her to make a list of goals and the book follows her as she tries to achieve them. It it written in diary form.

I quite enjoyed the voice of the character, however, I did feel that the voice and use of language was too old for her actual age. Some of the scenarios were crazy and fun, but somewhat unrealistic. While I did laugh at many of these, it seemed as though Alice and her family were so unusual it was hard to believe. Suspend my disbelief I can do, but it was to wacky for me.

Great and smart writing style, excellently wacky character, laugh out-loud commentary, highly unbelievable, hard to relate to (this coming from a small town girl), and overall, I did not like it.

 2/5 STARS

Use in the classroom:
This is a good book to discuss being yourself. Alice is unafraid of being herself, but like most of us, suffers an identity crisis only to overcome it all on her own. Some readers might struggle with the high level of vocabulary. Best suited for an individual book study.