5 Stars or Less in 5 Sentences or Less

5 star

A brilliant and linguistically daring novel that prods at the notion of free will until it growls back in full frightening force. Alex is a fifteen-year-old who spends his nights attacking, stealing, and doing whatever other form of violence seems possible until he is caught—and after two years in jail with no end in sight, he is offered a chance at “rehabilitation” and takes it. His strange nadsat-slang punctuates the story and adds a level of wrong-footedness that perfectly highlights Alex’s horrifying rehabilitation and the aftermath as he is reacquainted with the world he used to be a (cruel) part of. A jarring novel and a fascinating look at whether goodness counts if it is not a choice.

(Source: ihopetheyhavebooksinhell)

2 star

Short Biographies, Comics, Historical Women, Judgment, Morality

In this book for younger teens a number of famously naughty women from history are given brief bios that are then summed up by the authors (mother and daughter) in a one-page comic-style-blocked illustrated sheet. It’s as weird as it sounds, and I found Stemple’s judgments to be quite mean and none of their comments were particularly intelligent or thought-provoking. The biographies were too short to be truly intriguing, but the bibliography at the end is decently comprehensive. It could have been a great book about the bad rap that tough women have gotten in history but instead devolved into cattiness and short-changed the real people.

(Source: ihopetheyhavebooksinhell)

2 star

War, Honor, Trust, Heritage, Friendship

Karou has taken over Brimstone’s role and is creating bodies for the Chimaera army while Akiva is torn between earning back the trust of his siblings and saving Chimaera. This book would have been better at half the length: there are long scenes with characters that never come into play again as well as too many scenes with Mik and Zuzana that don’t move the story along. The bulk of the story is political drama as Karou tries to prove her worth and trustworthiness while being blocked by Thiago and Akiva plots the demise of the cruel leaders of the seraphim. There was a lot of discussion about rape and the fear of men and it almost dominated the topic of the actual war which I found very unnecessary and not in keeping with the themes of friendship and humanity in the first book. This volume definitely had some interesting parts and more is revealed about the world of Eretz, but overall it felt more like a transition into what should be a very dramatic third book.

First book: Daughter of Smoke and Bone

5 star

History, Whaling, Nantucket, Survival at Sea, Cannibalism

This is a shortened-for-youth version of Philbrick’s In the Heart of the Sea (I am a child; sorry): it briefly and agonizingly relates the incredible tale of the twenty-one men who survived a sperm whale destroying their ship to spend three months sailing in tiny whaleboats across the Pacific. The men could have found safety in about a week but were afraid of cannibals so they chose to sail back to South America, finding starvation, death, despair, and, yes, cannibalism on a journey that only eight of the men survived. Revenge of the Whale draws from two books written by survivors as well as medical information on the effects of dehydration and navigation information and illustrations to draw a more complete picture of what these men endured in 1820. An incredible tale of survival and the human spirit.

(Source: ihopetheyhavebooksinhell)

4 star

Dystopian Future, Uprising, Pandemic, Love, Choice

The final book in the trilogy succeeds where the first two did not: it spaces the story between Ky, Cassia, and Xander giving them enough room to develop without letting the repetitive flatness of Condie’s style slow down the story too much. Cassia finally finds the inner strength she needs as she works to save everyone. Much more history is revealed about the Rising and the Society as well as the characters’ pasts; many of the scenes are moving and each of the main characters grows up within the confines of their role. Condie’s treatment of the plague that sweeps the Society and the honesty with which she addresses the possibility of moving from one Society to another is refreshing and her resolutions and answers were truly earned.

Previous books: Matched, Crossed

2 star

Rebellion, 1400s, Magic, Warriors, Romance

Ember loses much of her sass as she attempts to rebel against Bosque Mar’s evil magics, but spends most of her time ignoring her duty and trying to decide if she likes Alistair or just loves Barrow because I guess they’re both hot and she’s indecisive. Despite her lack of effort, the other characters do a decent job of making it harder for Mar to take over the human world and this book does an excellent job of setting the stage for the events in the later Nightshade books. There is a lot of waiting around and worrying and traveling which kind of kills the pace; it could be argued that the bad guys are really the main characters here. Would recommend if you love the Nightshade world.

Previous book: Rift
Later Nightshade books:  Nightshade, Wolfsbane, Bloodrose

5 star

Mermaids, Relationships, Friendship, Growing Up, Honor

Luce is on her own now, but as her relationship with Dorian grows more intense so does the cruelty of her former tribe—and the interest of the FBI in the possibility of mermaids does nothing to ease her fears. Luce does a lot of growing up as she learns more about herself and the history of mermaids, and her relationships and reactions seem honest for a shy girl thrust into the life of a creature with ever increasing power and responsibility. This book is even more intense than the first as new characters and new horrors are introduced. Would recommend to anyone looking for a good fantasy, a solid mermaid novel, or a new look at frigid waters.

First book: Lost Voices
Last book: Twice Lost 

3 star

Coming of Age, Friendship, Family, Boarding School

Hailey became the perfect kid after her mother died when she was twelve, and still her father shipped her off to boarding school and did his best to keep her at arm’s length. Now she is a senior and he promised her the whole summer together while she interned with him—but when he cancels their plans she destroys a school monument and kisses her boyfriend’s best friend, ruining her reputation and her relationship in one fell swoop. Hailey’s struggles are standard fare (get her dad to pay attention, open up to her friends, be honest with herself, find a good relationship) and the story is a fast one with a mediocre plot. The humor is what makes the story worthwhile; Hailey’s inner monologue is pretty snappy and her new friend Drew is hilarious. A nice lazy afternoon read.

(Source: ihopetheyhavebooksinhell)

1 star

Dystopian Future, Family, Friendship, Trust, Life

Honestly, this book could have been great if it was written from Cecily’s perspective: she is the character who grew up, found her inner strength, learned to grieve and love and grow up, and solved the final problem of the character’s lives. Instead Rhine narrates (I lost count of the number of times she had a brave thought followed up with the tag “or I would have said it if I wasn’t afraid”) and spends the book moping from scene to scene as things happen to her and she neglects time and again to fight for herself, her beliefs, or her family. The story dragged on in neat little rows as Rhine dithered about what she should do with the little time left to her and every evil character from the previous two books was revamped into a human and relatable one. A lackluster conclusion to an unremarkable trilogy.

Previous books: Wither, Fever

5 star

Demons, Magic, London, Modern Day Alternate Universe, Adventure, Friendship

War is at hand as the magicians squabble amongst each other while the commoners and the very demons they force to serve them begin their revolution in this incredible end to the Bartimaeus trilogy. Nathaniel must face his inner demons even as he faces outer ones (sorry, couldn’t resist) and Kitty comes face to face with what a solution to the magicians will mean for her own future. Bartimaeus’ fascinating relationship with young Ptolemy is finally explained and serves to bring the story together in the most remarkable way. The best of the Bartimaeus books, Ptolemy’s Gate exemplifies the spirit of humanity in whatever form it happens to take.

(Prequel: The Ring of Solomon
Previous books in the trilogy:  The Amulet of Samarkand, Golem’s Eye)

4 star

Demons, Magic, London, Modern Day Alternate Universe, Adventure, Ambition, Honor

In the two years since Bartimaeus was last in London, Nathaniel has started becoming a dark and ambitious youth while Kitty has earned her place as a more prominent member of the Resistance. All three lives collide in a dangerous mess of ancient magics as they struggle with the meaning of honor—some emerging more triumphant than others. Stroud does an incredible job of making all of his characters real without forcing them to be likable, and never shies away from a spot of violence or a death when the story necessitates it. Just as compelling and delightful as the first.

Prequel: The Ring of Solomon
First book: The Amulet of Samarkand
Third book: Ptolemy’s Gate

4 star

Knowledge, Love, Friendship, Family, Chimaera, War

Karou is a blue-haired 17-year-old girl raised by chimaera and living in Prague. She has no idea who she is or why these half-animal beings raised her from infancy, but they are her only family—until the angels burn every portal, locking her in the human world with the company of Akiva, an angel who is as drawn to her as she is to him. Karou is a bright and funny character even while struggling to find out who she is and why her angel enemy is suddenly becoming her romantic interest, and the supporting characters (especially Zuzana, her best friend, and Brimstone, her chimaera protector) are arguably more well-crafted. There is a huge section of the end of the book devoted to backstory which is a little off-putting but offers a great many revelations and a fair bit of heartbreak. A unique and exciting read.

Later book: Days of Blood and Starlight

5 star

Mythology, Egypt, Short Stories

A brief but excellent collection of Ancient Egyptian mythology. Murray’s selections begin with a simple tale of a pharaoh and travel through the greedy hands of a magician to the ultimate battles of Horus against Set to the path that the sun takes after it passes through the gates of night. The notes at the end explain where each story was found and really add to the collection.

(Source: ihopetheyhavebooksinhell)

4 star

Demons, Magic, London, Modern Day Alternate Universe, Adventure, Ambition

Bartimaeus the smart aleck djinni has been summoned — this time by an upstart twelve-year-old magician named Nathaniel who is trying to get revenge on an older, more powerful magician. Nathaniel’s whims spin wildly out of control when he realizes the extent of his crimes. A perfect introduction to Bartimaeus and his sass, The Amulet of Samarkand is full of wit, humor, adventure, and violence. The perspective switching allows you to see all of the characters in two ways: the eyes of an ancient demon who has seen civilizations fall time and again and through the eyes of a young boy drowning in pride and guilt. A fun read.

Prequel: The Ring of Solomon
Later books in the trilogy: The Golem’s Eye, Ptolemy’s Gate 

4 star

Demons, Magic, Adventure, Jerusalem, Biblical Alternate Universe

Bartimaeus is back (or arriving??) in this stand-alone prequel as he works for King Solomon who rules the lands with the magic Ring that can summon any level of creature at a moment’s notice. Unbeknownst to Solomon, his magicians have been working behind his back to steal from the people, causing a young guard named Asmira to steal Bartimaeus from his magician so that the two can work together to steal the ring from Solomon. Packed full of dry wit and action and zero romance! Asmira is a little on the dull side, but overall this is a great addition to the Bartimaeus series and for anyone who wants a solid ancient adventure.

Bartimaeus Prequel (Trilogy includes The Amulet of Samarkand, The Golem’s Eye, Ptolemy’s Gate)