Blogs

Undivided by Neal Shusterman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow, what a great ending to the Unwind Dystology! Each chapter in Undivided was narrated by a character or broadcast. This final book was suspenseful, horror filled, and sad as Nelson captures Connor and Risa, Lev becomes a member of the Arapache tribe and Grace continues to surprise and amaze me. Despite Roberta using nanotechnology to wipe Risa from Cam's memory--he still remembers he loved someone and must help the cause of the unwinds. But the book ends on a positive note with many surprises! Highly recommended--and if you haven't read the other three books---Run to your local library or bookstore and grab them, Shusterman is a master!


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The Young Elites by Marie Lu
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am really looking forward to the next book in this series! While I abhorred Terren and Adelina's father, I have not made up my mind about Adelina yet. Adelina had a horrible childhood after her mother died from the fever. Adelina's father terrorized her (broke her finger)- always trying to bully her into showing anger and hatred--he wanted to see the malfetto manifested in her since she survived the illness (she lost an eye, has gray hair. She has a sister, Violetta who survived the illness too. But Adelina's father openly loves Violetta and despises Adelina due to the harsh circumstances malfetto families endure (no one will marry her and her father's business suffers). I found it painful to endure Adelina's self loathing and refusal to confide in anyone about her life and death problems (but I also understood she has a dark side she does not know how to handle yet). I loved all the Young Elites especially Enzo and Raphaelle and hoped Adelina would tell them the truth about Terren. I could not put this book down and can't wait to see what happens as more of The Young Elites appear in Book Two.


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Blood Of My Blood by Barry Lyga
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

You know how sometimes the final book is not always as great as the others in the series? Well, not this one!!! I could not put this book down. It was full of tension, anger, hatred, as well as love, friendship, and humor. Billy Dent has his hooks in Howie, Connie and Jasper and he delights in telling them they will all die horrible deaths. If you like serial killer books, this last book will make you sick, but I couldn't stop reading it---I was mesmerized by what these lunatics did without a care for others. Will Jazz rid himself of his father or will his father claim his son as the Crow King he thinks is his son's just title? Lyga's books will entice you, repel you, and give you lots of gore.


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I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Love, love, love this author and this second book by Jandy Nelson has so much to savor and enjoy. I have to agree with my friend, Tiff Emerick, I did not want it to end. I kept reading small bits, hoping that would make the love, drama, brother/sister dysfunction, family sagas, and the art that wove its way through the plot, the characters, and healing last forever. Twins Jude and Noah tell parts of the story at different ages. At a certain point, what they once had so much of- love, honesty, and sharing became jealousy, lies and separation. Nelson's characters affected me deeply- not just Noah and Jude, but their mom (and her ghost), their grandmother's ghost, Brian, the English model and the crazy artist who takes Jude on as a student. There is so much to love about this novel, but I will leave you with the beauty of Nelson's words as Noah describes Brian, "I swear I can see sound, the dark green howling wind, the crimson crush of rain- all these sound-colors swirling around my room while I lie on my bed thinking about Brian. His name when I say it aloud: Azul." This is a must read; you will laugh, cry, sing, and sigh. The words evoke such wonderful colors, images, and emotions.


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The City by Dean Koontz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Bantam Dell for the ARC, The City by Dean Koontz, a mesmerizing read about lies, murder, magic, and the power of family and friends. Told by Jonah Kirk (age 9), at the urging of his best friend, Malcolm, the reader is catapulted into Jonah’s city, during the tumultuous 1960s, his family’s love of music, and the effect of his relationship with Miss Pearl, a supernatural being who is described as the soul of the City, which is both beautiful and evil and part of the grand plan of life. Jonah is much older, looking back telling the story of his life at the urging of Malcolm. And oh what a life it was. Miss Pearl visits Jonah just a few times when he is young and imparts important events (in his dreams) that scare him and cause him much distress. He withholds this information from his mother and grandfather, but confides in a Japanese neighbor, Mr. Yoshioka. What begins as a friendship between Jonah and this tailor will also involve murder, bombs, and evil characters (one of whom is his father). But the outcome of Jonah’s friendship with Mr. Yoshioka will involve a network of heroes, friends, and family who save Jonah when he most needs it. I loved Koontz’s characters and his descriptions (from the nine year old Jonah point of view as well as the fifty seven year old Jonah) were so melodic, terrifying, sentimental, and laugh out loud funny. I recommend this book to many audiences- those who love Koontz (naturally), young adults, and adults. There will be much discussion after reading this real, heart pounding, sizzling book with well-drawn characters and a plot that does not disappoint!


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