Seraphina by Rachel Hartman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I am so glad my friend, Matt, highly recommended Seraphina. He spurred me on to put this at the top of my list and wow I am so excited I did. I loved the dragons, humans, and dragon/humans in Hartman's wondrous fantasy plunging the depths of love, emotions, honesty, and lies. Seraphina has a secret (well, many secrets-she is both human and dragon) and she has made sure she does not stand out in any way. As a result, she has no friends, only her uncle Orma (tutor), and a father who has created a web of lies about his dead wife and Seraphina's mother, Linn. But Seraphina has inherited her mother's love of music; she earns second in command to Virdius, the palace musician. There is a tenuous peace treaty between the humans and dragons in the kingdom of Goredd; when Prince Rufus is murdered, it looks like dragons have committed this heinous act. I loved Hartman's characters, her storytelling, and the interactions between the humans and the dragons. Seraphina was such a wonderful, strong character, but she was wracked with doubt as a result of her deceit that she needed to keep hidden from everyone. This was at a very large cost of Seraphina, yet she continues to try to be good, bold, and help others d hopefully herself. I enjoyed the palace histrionics with Glisselda, Lucian, Orma, and Seraphina. This book is an adventure, but it is also so much more. From court intrigue, to murder, to music, to tensions between the dragons and human, this is a superior story and I can't wait for Book 2.
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The Hypo: The Melancholic Young Lincoln by Noah Van Sciver
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I really had no idea Lincoln suffered from depression and this graphic novel did an excellent job with the character of Lincoln, the people he lived with and his relationship with Mary Todd. She was also depressed but it was manifested in the form of migraines. I wanted this for the high school library but thought better when one of the first chapters deals with Lincoln being set up with a prostitute. The author was impressive in his rendering of Lincoln, his southern personality and respect for others, and delving into the depths of despair Lincoln sunk to; alarming many who came to his aid.
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Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I loved Matthew Quick's book
. It was difficult, funny but always hopeful; definitely a 5 star book. I couldn't really warm up to Leonard Peacock. Quick shows us a boy who is determined to end his self loathing and a tormentor, but Leonard also likes his neighbor who smokes too much but has shared his love of Bogart movies and now Leonard sees Bogart and Bacall as a way to express himself. He tries but doesn't maintain a relationship with a Christian girl, Lauren. Leonard absolutely looks forward to his Holocaust English class because of his teacher, Herr Silverman. While he has made some decisions about what he is going to do if no one remembers his birthday; we see that Leonard was normal with a best friend as a child. It is only when he is in 6th grade that his world ends and his horrible life begins and doesn't really ever change. Furthermore, his mother is awful (leaves him and moves to NY to follow a fashion merchandising dream) and his father is never around. I didn't really like the resolution of Leonard's problem. He reaches out to his teacher but he doesn't stay around the next day for Herr Silverman to help him and him on a path to healing.
I am not sure if young adults will like this book; it is difficult material and not really hopeful.
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Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The final installment of The Infernal Devices by C. Clare was an awesome read! The addition of new characters to further the plot was a welcome addition and the love triangle of Jem, Tessa and Will was oh so good:) The author put depth into these characters and I think the teen readers of The Mortal Instruments will love this series as well. Magnus Bane is one of my favorite characters and the automotons were just downright creepy and scary, but you will have to read the book to find out why:) For a sweeping love story, supernatural elements and lots of suspense, this book does not disappoint.
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When It Happens by Susane Colasanti
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I always enjoy Susane Colasanti books. Sara is a smart girl and doesn't mind being nerdy but does have a few acceptance hang-ups. When new student Dave acts interested, Sara waits all summer for him to ask her out, which he never does. Now it is senior year and Dave does ask her out but Tobey, band geek slacker really thinks Sara is someone special and without telling Sara what a jerk Dave is; Tobey mkes his own plan to get Sara's attention and show her he is something special. I really liked characters Sara and Tobey; they have a nice group of friends and get each other. When Sara was seeing Dave; she had to choose between her friends at lunch but Sara liked being at the popular table. It was over time she realizes she is not connecting with Dave. When Tobey tells her best friend, Laila his feelings for Sara; Sara begins to see Tobey in a new and different light. A good romance and I enjoyed the band and songs aspect of their friendship/relationship.
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My Friend Dahmer by Derf Backderf
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Backderf's graphic novel aboout his high school years and "friendship" with serial killer, Jeffrey Dahmer is truly creepy. Dahmer was an outcast and made fun of his whole life. He was bullied in school (but never retaliated)had no friends, drank to cover his to cover his torment. Dahmer was gay in a time when it was kept a secret. His parents fought consantly and bitterly. It was this horrid life that propelled Dahmer to satisfy his urges and begin to kill. The black and white comics, the climate of his high school life and Dahmer's isms are perfect Def Backderf. The Sources contain even more information and notes on a sick, twisted Dahmer.
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The Runaway King by Jennifer A. Nielsen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The second book in the Trilogy was awesome!!! Sage/Jaron has been accepted as the long lost prince and has become the King of Carthya. Jaron is not out of the woods yet because there are still those (the pirates, Devlin and even some of the regents in his court) who want him out and replaced with a steward until he reaches the proper age. As we all know what Jaron is capable of; he listens to no one and sets out to kill the pirates so that there will be no war in his kingdom. Jaron will not listen to Mott, Imogen, or Tobias. He is convinced he must do it alone. Once again Nielsen's plot is filled with suspense, deceit, and Jaron's wit, mind, and heart realize too late he will not be able to accomplish this on his own. He fools the pirates into making him a pirate and he is branded with a hot iron. Jaron's anger and hatred continually push him forward with his agenda but with catastrophic effects when the pirates find out who he really is. Hold onto your heart; it is going to be palpatating overtime with the Runaway King. New chracters are introduced and where the pirates live, no one ever leaves!I can't wait for Book 3!!!
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Requiem by Lauren Oliver
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The third and final book in the Delirium trilogy does not disappoint. Lena is shocked to find Alex is still alive and in alternating chapters Lena and her childhood friend, Hana. With each viewpoint, Lena takes us deeper into the world of the uncureds, betrayal and rebellion. Lena has a face to face with Alex and he tells her he never loved her making her turn to Julian fo solace and continuing their blossoming relationship. Hana is three weeks away from marrying Fred who is truly frightful. He takes great pleasure in hurting Hana but this does not deter her from trying to find answers to her questions. Oliver's worlds of Lena and Hana collide ad oh what a ride, loved this book!
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I've started a Quixotic project for this school year. I'm going to review one YA book a day for every school day. We start school early, so we've already been back a week. I got ahead of my reading this summer, so I should be able to keep up.
I'm doing the reviews on Instagram. I take a selfie with a book covering my face. Then I give a super short review. I'm hoping it turns into a way students at my school can get suggestions for books.
Join me at roscoeteller on Instagram.
