Book Review of "The Scorpio Races" by Maggie Stiefvater

Title: The Scorpio Races

Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Classification: YA Fiction, Paranormal, Fantasy
Source: ARC from Scholastic

To be published by Scholastic on October 18th, 2011!

Overall Grade:

A+

Recommended to...

Those in want of a lyrical, romantic, and suspenseful tale!


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Summary (from Goodreads):

It happens at the start of every November: the Scorpio Races. Riders attempt to keep hold of their water horses long enough to make it to the finish line. Some riders live. Others die.

At age nineteen, Sean Kendrick is the returning champion. He is a young man of few words, and if he has any fears, he keeps them buried deep, where no one else can see them.

Puck Connolly is different. She never meant to ride in the Scorpio Races. But fate hasn’t given her much of a chance. So she enters the competition — the first girl ever to do so. She is in no way prepared for what is going to happen.

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My Thoughts:

For fans of Maggie Stiefvater's paranormal trilogy, The Wolves of Mercy Falls, The Scorpio Races offers a new gorgeous setting, enigmatic and unforgettable characters, higher stakes, and a perilous paranormal element.

For those that are not fans of her previous work, or that are simply unfamiliar with her, be prepared for a suspenseful, fantastic, lyrical and romantic thrill ride in The Scorpio Races! 

I am a big fan of YA novels that go outside the realm of predictable, cliché, and "regular," especially when those authors tell their stories with lyricism. This is why I am a huge Maggie Stiefvater fan. 

The Scorpio Races drew me in immediately with it's dual-narrative, told intermittently by Puck (Kate) and Sean (I almost said Sam--HA). Although I don't think that comparing this stand-alone historical/fantasy venture with Stiefvater's bestselling paranormal series is the best way to review this novel, it seems that most readers who come across this book will be familiar with her other work and will therefore be wondering how this novel compares.

In all honesty, a direct comparison is unfair, because each work is very different in terms of scope, theme, and extraneous elements, such as paranormal shape-shifting vs. fantasy fairy-lore.

However, the modes of operation present in Stiefvater's Shiver trilogy that make the series so wonderful in my eyes are also present in The Scorpio Races. For instance, Stiefvater's lyrical writing is still the delivery system for her ideas and still resonates with readers that are bored with straight-forward prose. Stiefvater's characters are also very well constructed, in that they are not shells of people or caricatures of characters (nice, huh?)

Rather, I can still picture the main characters, and several well-sketched minor characters, clearly in my mind even after reading several novels in between The Scorpio Races and now. With a normal novel, this added fictional database would wipe away less carefully crafted characters, but this is thankfully not the case with Stiefvater's work! 

Another main difference between The Scorpio Races and Shiver, Linger, and Forever is that the romance element is not as overtly present. This is not to say that there is not romance, because there is. But, I feel that Stiefvater did a great job of using this plot line to complicate and progress the more important plot: that of the Scorpio Races themselves. 

This dissection of the novel may not be the best way to review it, so I will give a few thoughts about the general experience of reading The Scorpio Races as well. 

Firstly, this novel is a fantasy, first and foremost, that takes place on an island called Thisby that is plagued by a race of magical creatures called the capaille uisce (copple ishka - or ooshka). These creatures, in short, are incredibly powerful and dangerous flesh-eating water horses that live in the sea. When not surrounded by ocean, these horses are the most powerful and fast of their kind, far surpassing the abilities of regular "ponies" like Puck's mare Dove. 

Puck is the nickname of smart and hot-tempered redhead Kate Connelly, who enters the Scorpio Races against all odds in order to overcome a desperate situation. Sean Kendrick is the four-time winner of the Scorpio Races and the only person that is able to somehow speak with, control, and connect with the capaille uisce, like Corr, the blood-red stallion that has helped him win. 

At the center of The Scorpio Races is the danger of the races themselves, as the contestants ride these flesh-eating monsters at the base of Thisby's cliffs. The horses at once longing to pull their rider's down into the ocean with them and to rip into the flesh of the humans on their backs, spectators that get too close, other capaille uisce that ride alongside them... nearly everything and everyone in their path.

Other plot devices and elements in The Scorpio Races include Puck's struggle in the all-male society of the races, financial and economical hardship, the love and complicated relationship between siblings, differences in societal classes, connection to animals and animal cruelty, and the duties associated with protecting those you love. 

An absolutely wonderful read! 

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Overall Grade:

A+

Recommended to...

Those in want of a lyrical, romantic, and suspenseful tale!


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Book Review of "The Replacement" by Brenna Yovanoff

Title: The Replacement  
Author: Brenna Yovanoff

Classification: YA Fiction, Paranormal, Horror
Source: Bought

Overall Grade: 
A 
I thought...
What a creepy, wrenching, oh-so-lyrical ride!


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Summary (from Goodreads): 

Mackie Doyle is not one of us. Though he lives in the small town of Gentry, he comes from a world of tunnels and black murky water, a world of living dead girls ruled by a little tattooed princess. He is a Replacement, left in the crib of a human baby sixteen years ago. Now, because of fatal allergies to iron, blood, and consecrated ground, Mackie is fighting to survive in the human world.

Mackie would give anything to live among us, to practice on his bass or spend time with his crush, Tate. But when Tate's baby sister goes missing, Mackie is drawn irrevocably into the underworld of Gentry, known as Mayhem. He must face the dark creatures of the Slag Heaps and find his rightful place, in our world, or theirs.

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My Thoughts: 

The Replacement is a wonderfully refreshing and creepy paranormal novel! The main character, Mackie, is mostly a normal teenage boy: he gets nervous when trying to talk to girls, struggles with whether or not to tell his best friends his darkest secrets, and tries his best to fit in with everyone else. 

However, Mackie is anything but normal! He is deathly allergic to iron, blood, and cannot attend church services with his family. When Mackie starts being followed by some really really creepy people, people that seem to know that he is a replacement, he finds that he can no longer ignore the very thing that he and his family have been trying to cover up for his entire life. And as he continues to grow weaker and weaker, these strangers may be the only way for Mackie to avoid an early death. 

I loved the characters in The Replacement! Brenna Yovanoff is a very talented writer with an ability to weave lyricism into this paranormal tale, à la Maggie Stiefvater. I loved Mackie and his relationship with his friends, his family, and Tate, of course. I also enjoyed the fact that The Replacement is far from your run of the mill paranormal romance, complete with predictable endings and falsely sappy romances, because there are some points during this read that I was creeped out and scared and I still wanted to keep reading. 

I did find that Mackie's interactions with the House of Mayhem and its residents to be a bit stilted at times, where Mackie's behavior and questions were more to serve the plot than to continue on with his personal journey. But other than that, I will definitely be recommending this book to the morbid of heart, to those that don't mind a little bit of creepiness in their day, and those that want to read a lyrical young adult novel that's simply not like the rest!

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Overall Grade: 

A 

I thought...

What a creepy, wrenching, oh-so-lyrical ride!

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Book Review of "Paranormalcy" by Kiersten White

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Title: Paranormalcy (Paranormalcy #1)
Author: Kiersten White
Classification: YA Fiction, Paranormal
Source: Bought!

Overall Grade: 

B++

Would I read it again? 

Possibly!

Would I recommend it? 

Of course!

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Summary (from Goodreads):

Evie’s always thought of herself as a normal teenager, even though she works for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, her ex-boyfriend is a faerie, she’s falling for a shape-shifter, and she’s the only person who can see through paranormals’ glamours. 

But Evie’s about to realize that she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures. 

So much for normal.

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My Thoughts:

All the reviews I read of Paranormalcy were absolutely RAVING over this new series. And really, what's not to love? Vampires, fairies, mermaids, werewolves, shape-shifters, and a totally funny main character!  

Evie was hands-down the best part of this book. She was witty, sarcastic, strong, but with her own weaknesses. I loved her relationship with Lend and watching them get to know each other. It was sweet and endearing! However, I came to love her interactions with Reth just as much... and maybe a little more. There is something about that enigmatic, slightly-evil, bad-boy fairy that makes me want to know more about him!  

I loved the world that White created as well. This was a very interesting take on the paranormal world, with Evie acting as an agent for the International Paranormal Containment Agency. I enjoyed the mystery aspect of the novel and the way that Evie must confront her unknown heritage.  

Overall, a great debut for a promising new series! Can't wait for Supernaturally (Paranormalcy #2) coming out July 26th, 2011!
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Overall Grade: 

B++

Would I read it again? 

Possibly!

Would I recommend it? 

Of course!

 

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Book Review of "The Iron King" by Julie Kagawa

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Title: The Iron King (Iron Fae #1)
Author: Julie Kagawa
Classification: YA Fiction, Fantasy, Paranormal Romance
Source: Public Library

Overall Grade: 

B +

Would I read it again? 

Sure.

Would I recommend it to others? 

Yes! 

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Summary (from Goodreads):

Meghan Chase has a secret destiny—one she could never have imagined…

Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan's life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school…or at home.

When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she's known is about to change.

But she could never have guessed the truth—that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she'll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil no faery creature dare face…and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart.

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My Thoughts:

I'm not sure what to say about this book.  I heard such a hype about it from fellow bloggers and friends on Goodreads, but I'm not sure I really grasp the appeal of it.

Something that sets The Iron King apart from other young adult fantasy books I've read recently is that it is largely an adventure tale.  The romantic story-line in the book is far less prominent than the story of Meghan's quest.  I found this to be equal parts refreshing and frustrating, because at many points in the narrative, the plot of the story was not strong enough in itself to keep me hanging on. I often became bored during the long gaps between personal interactions.

However, despite the somewhat lagging pace, I enjoyed the book and felt that Kagawa created a well-organized lush world that is easy to fall in love with.  Having said that, there are several points in the narrative where Kagawa fails. For example, in the area of Meghan's character, I did like her, but I found her a bit cookie-cutter and bland at times.  However, she does seem to grow with the story, which is definitely a plus!

Then there was a series of action scenes where I almost lost it.  I think in the space of 5 pages Kagawa uses the verb "snarled" about 7 times.  Instead of characters screaming or exclaiming something, they "snarled" it.  This overuse of a memorable word was amateur and annoying.

At the end of The Iron King, the story is wrapped up nicely, but also ends on another note that makes you want to continue the story in the next novel.  I will definitely pick up the next book, The Iron Daughter, because Kagawa's world and characters were enough to carry me through the weak points in the novel.

Have you read The Iron King? If so, do you agree or disagree with my assessment? Let me know in the comments, I'd love to hear what you think!
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Overall Grade: 

B +

Would I read it again? 

Sure.

Would I recommend it to others? 

Yes!

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Book Review of "Wondrous Strange" by Lesley Livingston

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Title: Wondrous Strange (Wondrous Strange #1)
Author: Lesley Livingston
Classification: YA Fiction, Fantasy, Paranormal Romance
Source: Public Library

Overall Grade: 

B - / C +

Would I read it again? 

No.

Would I recommend it to others? 

Maybe. 

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Summary:

17 year-old Kelley Winslow doesn’t believe in Faeries. Not unless they’re the kind that you find in a theatre, spouting Shakespeare—the kind that Kelley so desperately wishes she could be: onstage, under lights, with a pair of sparkly wings strapped to her shoulders. But as the understudy in a two-bit, hopelessly off-off-Broadway production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, wishing is probably the closest she’s going to get to becoming a Faerie Queen. At least, that’s what she thinks... In this fun, urban fantasy, Kelley's off-stage life suddenly becomes as complicated as one of Shakespeare’s plot twists when a nighttime trip to Central Park holds more than meets the mortal eye.

(Summary from Goodreads page). 

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My Thoughts:

Wondrous Strange is the second book about faeries that I've read in the last month. (I read Wings by Aprilynn Pike too... here's the book review).  I have to admit that this book pulled me in right from the beginning.  I loved the fusion of Kelley's theatre-life and her independent nature combined with the story of Sonny as a Janus warrior, a guard of the gateway between the land of Faerie and the mortal realm, fittingly located in NYC's Central Park.

Another unique trait about Wondrous Strange that I enjoyed very much was the inclusion of lines, quotes and characters from Shakespeare's A Midsummer's Night Dream.  I felt that Livingston did very well to draw on the Bard's talents without relying too heavily on it: it was the perfect mix of borrowed and new.

I also really like Sonny's character.  He seemed more normal than other male love interests in recent YA lit that I've read.  For example, he caught himself thinking about Kelley during inappropriate times and he frets over what to wear one day, wanting to pick out something that she will like on him.  This was extremely cute and endearing and I greatly enjoyed seeing his character develop in the novel.

However, there are several problems I had with the book.  Firstly, the cast of characters, especially in reference to Sonny's other Janus teammates, grew too long, too fast.  I started to try and memorize all the characters' names and standout personality traits as Livingston described, thinking they would be important later on in the book.  But these minor characters were only mentioned once more and I had already forgotten all about them by that time.

Secondly, I'm a big fan of nicknames in love stories.  Like Dimitri's "Roza" in the Vampire Academy series, Puck's "princess" in The Iron King, and more. I think it's nice if done right and generally helps the reader figure out the character who does the name-calling.

Having said that, I had a big problem with Sonny's nickname for Kelley: "firecracker." Yes, the nickname fit in the beginning of the book when he mostly used it in his head and was referring to the odd aura surrounded the redhead heroine (nice tie-in, huh?).  But when things between these two got more intimate, I found myself cringing as Sonny cups Kelley's face in his hands (HOLY CRAP, can we please get another romantic gesture in the mix once in awhile?!) and whispers passionately, "My firecracker." It was trite and stupid and... strangely enough, embarrassing as a reader to find a perfectly good love scene smashed to smithereens by poor verbiage.

Going along with this same feeling, I also found myself wondering how, all-of-the-sudden, Sonny and Kelley were in love.  It's not that I didn't see it coming, and it's not that I'm against instant love situations when it's done well.  It just seemed a bit predictable and unexciting to be worth my suspended belief that these two could really and truly be in love after the time they've spent together.

All in all, the story and the characters had potential, the setting was exciting and innovative, and Livingston's writing was well-executed... for the most part.  If you can look past my list of grievances mentioned above to get to the real heart of the story, I'm sure you'll enjoy this book.  I'm just not sure it's really worth it with the landslide of faery novels that are out today.
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Overall Grade: 

B - / C +

Would I read it again? 

No.

Would I recommend it to others? 

Maybe.

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Book Review of "Wings" by Aprilynne Pike

WARNING: Spoiler Alert!   

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Title: Wings 

Author: Aprilynne Pike
Classification: YA Fiction, Fantasy
Source: Public Library

Overall Grade: 
C+
Would I read it again? 
Maybe if I'm desperate. 
Would I recommend it? 
Meh!

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Wings is a fairy-tale. A romance. A mystery. A tale of self-discovery.

Because I want to get the point about what I actually thought about this book, I'll try and make the summary short-and-sweet:

Laurel is a faerie, but she doesn't know it yet. She always knew she was adopted, but what really happened is that the faerie world decided to place Laurel, as a young child, in the hands of her parents because they own the land that guards the portal to their sacred city Avalon, thus ensuring that the land will eventually pass into faerie hands (Laurel's) and will remain safe. Laurel doesn't remember anything about her previous life because she agreed to have her memory wiped before embarking on her mission. In her previous life, she was best friends with Tamani, who now acts as sentry for the land where Laurel grew up. Tamani is Laurel's (sort-of) childhood sweetheart: he is a bit arrogant, out-going and funny.

When Laurel starts her new life in public school, she meets Daniel, who welcomes Laurel into his group of friends and is always incredibly sweet. Laurel and Daniel are sort-of boyfriend and girlfriend before Laurel meets Tamani. Tamani helps Laurel deal with her new-found faerie traits, such as no blood, a flower-like blossom on her back, gracefullness and more. Where Daniel was supportive to Laurel in scientific ways, such as taking samples of her DNA to examine under his microscope, Tamani is supportive by telling Laurel about the world she comes from, because it is his world as well.

The mystery of the story comes with an ogreish man, Mr. Barnes, who insists on buying Laurel's parents' land. This should be impossible, because sentry faeries like Tamani frequently wipe the memories clean of prospective buyers of the property, in order to ensure its purpose of coming into Laurel's possession. Then, Laurel's dad becomes gravely ill and the hospital cannot figure out what's wrong. This places further strains on the family's finances, and Laurel's mom is forced to sell to the creepy man. This just doesn't feel right to Laurel though, so she convinces David to help her follow Mr. Barnes to the address on his business card and check it out. That's when they encounter Barnes and his henchmen: all trolls with unbelievable strength, enemies to faeries and desperate to discover the portal to Avalon. The two teens are kidnapped and left for dead in the river, only escaping by Laurel's ability to hold her breath for an incredible amount of time.

After the fiasco, Laurel's dad is cured, the land is safe and Laurel gets to tell her parents the truth about her... anatomy. But, instead of staying with her people in Avalon, she chooses to live her human life with her parents and Daniel, a heart-breaking decision both for herself and Tamani.

Overall, I sorta liked this book. I liked the blend of fantasy, romance and mystery. I think the book is well-balanced and perfectly executed for a fun, light, YA fiction novel.

However, I have problems with the characters. For the life of me, I just can't seem to like David. He is just too nice, too sincere, too accepting. This is totally evident in the first few pages of the novel where Laurel and David have their first conversation: their words are rehearsed, out-of-place and clunky, not at all like a real conversation between teens on their first day of school.

Also, the love stories between Laurel and David and Laurel and Tamani are problematic. For Laurel and David, it's the same problem that I have with David's character: it's too picturesque and sweet. As for Laurel and Tamani, it's a little better: a little more mysterious, a little more history between them, a little more tension. However, at the end of the book when Laurel comes to Tamani to tell him her decision to live in her human world away from him, his reaction is unexpected. He is completely heart-broken, a reaction that doesn't seem logical from the casual meetings he and Laurel had, even given their history. To Laurel, she hardly knows him. Yes, I understand the mysterious pull between them that Laurel can't place and that seems to make their attraction grow, I just found their parting to be heavy-handed and... odd.

However, I may change my mind when I read the sequel, Spells, next. I'll let you know what I find out!

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Overall Grade: 
C+
Would I read it again? 
Maybe if I'm desperate. 
Would I recommend it? 
Meh!

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