{MINI-REVIEWS} THE NAME OF THE STAR and FRACTURE

I've started making the time to read more "me" books. The books that I've purchased or received and am reading without any pressure to review. But, I'm a bit of a spazz when it comes to not writing up a review, so I'm going to post several mini-reviews from time to time. They're not actually "reviews", but more a summary of my thoughts/feelings.


Series: Shades of London #1
Genre: Paranormal YA
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Publication Date: 9/29/11
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 372
Source: Bought

The day Louisiana teenager Rory Deveaux arrives in London marks a memorable occasion. For Rory, it's the start of a new life at a London boarding school. But for many, this will be remembered as the day a series of brutal murders broke out across the city, gruesome crimes mimicking the horrific Jack the Ripper events of more than a century ago.

Soon “Rippermania” takes hold of modern-day London, and the police are left with few leads and no witnesses. Except one. Rory spotted the man police believe to be the prime suspect. But she is the only one who saw him. Even her roommate, who was walking with her at the time, didn't notice the mysterious man. So why can only Rory see him? And more urgently, why has Rory become his next target? In this edge-of-your-seat thriller, full of suspense, humor, and romance, Rory will learn the truth about the secret ghost police of London and discover her own shocking abilities.

I'll admit that I bought The Name of the Star because I am a big fan of Maureen Johnson's online presence. Her sometimes odd, but always funny, tweets always make me giggle. Because of that, I was sure that I would love this book.
I did not. I didn't even like it that much, to be honest. I have a lot of reasons why I didn't click with The Name of the Star. For starters, the writing. It was very abrupt. Rorie (the mc) would have a conversation with her new schoolmates, say something that cued an awkward silence, then would say "And that was the end of that conversation." or something similar. Over and over again. Rorie also spent an inordinate amount of time noting how much she liked Cheez Whiz and sausages. Sigh... I don't like sausages and I don't want to hear you observe, every morning, how much you like sausages.Unless they're the fun kind! (Yes, I had to go there.) And another thing (oh boy, am I on a roll), Rorie is from Louisiana, and guess what... she's quirky! Bet you didn't see that coming, did ya? She repeatedly reminds the reader where she's from, and that her Uncle Bick and Cousin Diane are oddballs. Here's the deal: I lived in Louisiana, and being from Louisiana does not automatically mean you are slightly touched in the head. Am I overly prickly about that? Maybe, but it freaking annoyed me, so there's that.

All of these random, trivial observations and conversations pretty much made up the first two hundred pages of The Name of the Star. I'm not even sure why I kept reading, other than the fact that I had to know, out of morbid curiosity and the fact I paid a lot of money for this book, what was going on with the Ripper-style killings. When the story turns to the mystery, instead of the sausages (thank god), it became much more interesting. I really liked the ghost police aspect. I found it to be clever and surprising. I never became all that interested in the identity of the killer, though the tension in the big showdown was good. The ending was just okay. When I finished, I simply closed my book and thought "Well, that happened." I'm fairly positive I won't continue with the series.



Favorite Quote:

  "I decided to deflect her attitude by giving a long, Southern answer. I come from people who know how to draw things out. Annoy a Southerner, and we will drain away the moments of your life with out slow, detailed replies until you are nothing but a husk of your former self and that much closer to death."   (pg.24)

You can purchase The Name of the Star at:
Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble  |  Book Depository



Series: Fracture #1
Genre: Paranormal YA
Publisher: Walker Children's
Publication Date: 1/17/12
Format: ARC
Pages: 272
Source: Received in a trade.

Eleven minutes passed before Delaney Maxwell was pulled from the icy waters of a Maine lake by her best friend Decker Phillips. By then her heart had stopped beating. Her brain had stopped working. She was dead. And yet she somehow defied medical precedent to come back seemingly fine. Everyone wants Delaney to be all right, but she knows she's far from normal. Pulled by strange sensations she can't control or explain, Delaney finds herself drawn to the dying. Is her altered brain now predicting death, or causing it?

Then Delaney meets Troy Varga, who recently emerged from a coma with similar abilities. At first she's reassured to find someone who understands the strangeness of her new existence, but Delaney soon discovers that Troy's motives aren't quite what she thought. Is their gift a miracle, a freak of nature-or something much more frightening?

For fans of best-sellers like Before I Fall and If I Stay, this is a fascinating and heart-rending story about love and friendship and the fine line between life and death.

 

Somebody please explain to me why I had Fractured for almost a year before I read. Please. Tell me. I had heard nothing but good things about this story, and yet I put it off.

The plot was fascinating. Delaney Maxwell was dead for eleven minutes. When she wakes from a coma, she should be left in a vegetative state, but she doesn't seem to be brain damaged in the least. But soon she realizes she is drawn to death. But is she drawn to death or is death after her because she lived. I really didn't know what to expect with Fractured. I thought it would be a simple story of a girl who struggles to find normal after a brush with death. And it is, but there is also a mystery that ends with one of the most tense scenes I've ever read.

What really blew me away about Fractured, though, was Megan Miranda's simple, beautiful portrayal of the emotions Delaney and those around her go through. Delaney's sadness, desperation, and confusion made me hurt. To add to my emotions, I have a daughter named Delaney. To read about someone's child who "died" and she shares the name with my daughter, made me a wreck.  Decker, who I have to say was a badass hottie that I loved, almost stole the show. His actions, feelings, and courage to always help Delaney made me fall in love with him. I'm so happy that he's getting a book!

Fractured was brilliant. I stayed up until 2:00 am finishing it and have zero regrets. Megan Miranda is an author to watch.


Favorite Quote:

  He was holding his breath beside me, and I remembered the Decker who sobbed over my bed, fingernails missing, face hollow. "I thought you were dead."
  I was.
  "And I lost it. I slept at the hospital. Actually, I didn't sleep at all. I couldn't eat. I just waited. And I made all kinds of bargains with God. Anyone but you. Anyone at all." His voice dropped to a whisper. "Everyone but you."  (ARC, 212)

You can purchase Fracture at:
Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble  |  Book Depository

Review - Legend, by Marie Lu

What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

Full of nonstop action, suspense, and romance, this novel is sure to move readers as much as it thrills.

(From GoodReads)

My Review

Legend is a fast paced, tense look at dystopian society and the people who barely survive through it. I have to say, I did like Legend. But by no means was I blown away by the story.

Legend offers a bleak look at the future. Civil war and natural disaster has torn the United States in two, but I felt more background was needed to make me care. Death and despair run rampant in the streets. People are often struck down by the plague. I think you probably get what I'm saying.

Legend was told from alternating view points of June and Day. Day is a rebel, determined to take from the Republic and give to those in need. I would call him a futuristic Robin Hood. June is a member of the elite, those who thrive in the Republic. She takes orders without question and believes what she is told by those above her. June and Day were both sympathetic characters that I eventually come to care about. Tragic circumstances bring them together and they both struggle to remember that the other is the enemy.

Legend was full of deception, mystery, and surprisingly, loyalty. I have to say that I really didn't become invested in the outcome until over halfway through the story. I feel the reason I was slow to come around is due to my growing tiredness with dystopian books in general. These days, I can predict exactly what will happen in each dystopian I read. They've become formulaic and predictable. I'm not trying to blame Legend in particular for my apathy. It just happens to be the book that broke the camel's back, as it were.

But, like I said before, I did gain interest in Legend. I grew to care for the characters and their future. And I will give Marie Lu props for holding no bars. She has no qualms with striking any character down. Her characters, good and bad, were engaging. And while I felt the book didn't bring anything new to the table, it was a nice, but not great, read.

Favorite Quote:

"When I look to my side, I see a boy holding out his hand to me. He has bright blue eyes, dirt on his
  face and a beat-up old cap on, and at this moment, I think he might be the most beautiful boy I've ever
  seen."

Hardcover, 336 pages

Expected publication: November 29th 2011 by Putnam Juvenile

Find Legend at:

GoodReads  |  Amazon  |  Book Depository  |  Barnes & Noble

* I received Legend for a blog tour, hosted by A Tale of Many Reviews. *