[Note – this review contains spoilers] I had a few free minutes in the library, so I picked up this graphic novel version of Snow White. This takes us out of the normal fairy tale and sticks us in New York City in 1928. A young Samantha White, called “Snow”, loses her mother at a young age. Her father, a wealthy businessman, is dazzled by a famous actress and marries her 10 years after becoming a widower. She sends the now teenaged Snow off to […]
Not that bad until the end
Cinderella meets zombies. There’s your synopsis in three words. But for the most part, it’s a lot more than that. Exley doesn’t just stick zombies in your stereotypical Cinderella story. She explains what the characters know about how the zombies (or vermin, or turned) came to be. The story takes place in England during the aftermath of World War I. While the shell shocked men are coming home from war, a devastating bout of ‘influenza’ sweeps the country, killing millions. Only they don’t stay dead. […]
Better late than never? Maybe not…
7th Grade Revolution is ‘based on true events.’ The book drops us in the story after the 7th grade has revolted, and the students learn of their success. But I’m left with questions. How did they revolt? Why? And why was it successful? Was it some sort of plan by the staff as a learning exercise? And why did it make national news? (This is about the extent of the ‘true events.’) As I read, there were some questions that did get get answered. I […]
As If Acne and Puberty Weren’t Enough – Confessions of a Teenage Dragon
The Guardian of Gildain, Book 1: The Snow Dragon by M. L. Miller (2016) – Too often, adult writers who deal with YA (Young Adult) for teenagers forget what being a teenager was really like. During that time, everything is life or death drama from the length of your pants to the botched homework assignment. Match that with raging hormones and an undeveloped frontal lobe, it’s no wonder we adults filter the trauma of being a teenager. Ms. Miller somehow has kept that teen angst […]
King Gansey
I always find it hard to review the last book of a series, mostly because I so hate knowing that I’ve spent over 1,000 pages with a cast of characters that I have to leave behind. And I will absolutely miss the Raven Boys and their psychic battery, Blue. Stiefvater’s greatest feat was creating such lovable and relatable characters out of personalities that could have easily wandered into cliche or become incredibly annoying. But they never do, even as the plot goes literally crazy […]
Too Dangerous For Adults
The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart (2007) – I never really understood the YA (Young Adult) and MG (Middle Grade) labels on books until I read this. With Harry Potter and the young heroes in Andre Norton’s books, the protagonist is a kid (and kids love to read them); however, they are not strictly YA or MG. The reason is the writing style. Trenton Lee Stewart shares an exciting adventure of four unique heroes, but the writing is simple and straightforward. No complex […]
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