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July 5th, 2009
 Rating: 
Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Release Date: July 2009
Buy from: Amazon, Powell’s, Indie Bound
The only home that Bertie Shakespeare Smith has ever truly known is the Théâtre Illuminata. No, she’s not an actress, she actually lives there. This may seem odd, but the Théâtre Illuminata is not your normal theatre. It’s a place that characters from every play ever written call home, where a scene change magically happens by speaking into a headset, and where four tiny fairies can be your sidekicks. It’s also a place where your main love interest can either be a dashing pirate or a seductive airy element. The Théâtre Illuminata is the only place that Bertie has ever wanted to be, but now she may just lose it all. After a stunt gone wrong, Bertie must prove that she is invaluable to the theatre. Will Bertie be able to do it or will she’ll be forced to take her final bow and brave the world outside alone?
I really don’t know what I can say about this book other than I simply ADORED it. It did take a couple of pages for me to understand what was going on, but once I did I couldn’t put it down. It was fun to see my favorite Shakespeare characters come alive in a way I had never seen them before. I couldn’t help but giggle at the traits that the characters carried on and off the stage. Of course, there are plenty of smaller characters I’d never noticed before, but will never forget after reading Eyes Like Stars. (Team Nate!) And Bertie…I loved her with her blue hair and mischievous spirit. She’s the type of heroine you secretly wished you had as a best friend. She may get you into a lot of trouble, but you’d be sure to have fun along the way!
Eyes Like Stars will have you laughing, cheering, and possibly screaming at your favorite characters with every page turn. There was never a dull moment and I thoroughly enjoyed the journey with the Bertie. The only bad point? I want more NOW. As in yesterday. I seriously hate waiting and have no idea how I’ll be able to handle to a year-long wait to find out what happens next. Oh well, I guess I’ll just have to read some Shakespeare to hold me over until book two hits the shelves!
July 5th, 2009
So I’ve decided to do the YA Book Challenge 2009 (read 12 YA books before Dec 31st). I’m a bit behind on reviews so I thought I’d do a post of YA books I’ve done so far. This way people can see what I’m reading and it’ll also serve as a reminder to get moving! I’ll strike out the book name once review is up. I’ll also update this post as I add and review more books.
1. Jellicoe Road
2. Absolutely Maybe
3. Eyes Like Stars
4. Does This Book Make Me Look Fat? & Goose Girl
5. Once Dead Twice Shy
6. David Inside Out
7. Twenty Boy Summer
8. Four Thing My Geeky-Jock-of-a-Best Friend Must Do in Europe
9. Vibes
10. Wintergirls
11. Along for the Ride
12. City of Glass
13. Fade to Blue
14. Rapunzel’s Revenge
15. You Are So Undead to Me
Woot! This challenge is accomplished (Apr 4)! Now I just need to write the reviews. Hopefully over the next week I can knock most of them out. I’m going to have to see what other challenges I want to partake of this year as well!
EDIT: I’m so far behind on reviewing, so while I’m way past completion in reading the reviews aren’t getting done. Some I’ll be doing mini-reviews for while I’ll be adding new ones in other places! (July 6)
July 5th, 2009
 Rating:  
David Inside Out by Lee Bantle
Publisher: Henry Holt & Co.
Release Date: May 2009
Buy from: Amazon, Powell’s, Indie Bound
In this coming-of-age novel, David Dahlgren struggles with coming to terms with being gay. Even escaping into track becomes difficult when he develops a crush on his teammate Sean. David desperately tries to do anything to stop the gay tag being added onto this name. He distances himself from his openly gay best friend, dates a girl, and buys “manly” magazines, but can’t shake his feelings for Sean. But then everything changes when Sean lets David know he has the same kind of desires. They begin meeting secretly and David finds himself falling dangerously hard for Sean. He dreams of coming out with Sean at his side for all the world to see, but will he be able to turn it into reality? Or will he have to learn to accept himself without Sean?
I have to admit that when I got this book I was expecting a nice GLBT love story, but that is definitely not what David Inside Out is. In fact, by the end of the book I completely hated his main love interest. I understand that Sean is probably dealing with many of the same emotions as David, but he came off as a jerk who was only using David for sex. I never felt like there was a real connection between them beyond physical acts. Even the camaraderie we see at track meets and study groups feels like it was just a way to get into David’s pants. I know this situation is very realistic, but it still really rubbed me the wrong way.
On the other hand, this is an excellent coming-out story. David’s emotions are raw and truthful as he tries to come to terms with being gay and accepting himself as he is. I believe that any GLBT person would be able to relate with the road he has to travel. No matter what age you are, coming out is never an easy thing. Thumbs up to Bantle for capturing those emotions nicely.
The only other thing I wanted to mention was the pacing. At times it feels a little disjointed as Bentle alternates between skipping ahead and spending time in the moment. It was almost like a bunch of smaller stories sewn together to form the big picture. While there were a couple of spots where I wished there had been more/less detail, overall, it works well for the novel.
While David Inside Out may not be my favorite GBLT book, it was an enjoyable read and one I will certainly add to my collection.
July 1st, 2009
 Rating:
Once Dead, Twice Shy by Kim Harrison
Publisher: HarperCollins
Release Date: May 2009
Buy From: Amazon, Powell’s, Indie Bound
Madison Avery isn’t your everyday normal teenager. She’s got a spunky attitude, purple hair, oh, and she’s dead. That’s right, she’s dead. The only thing giving her any illusion to life is a strange amulet she stole from the dark reaper who tried to kill her. Stuck in a purgatory of dead but not gone, Madison longs for her old life (and body) back. If she could only figure out who the dark reaper was and why he was after her!
Things get a little sticky as secrets are revealed and truths become a million shades of grey. Light vs. dark, free will vs. fate…who are the good guys and how does Madison fit among them? With the help of a couple of reapers, her crush, a guardian angel, and a little creativity, Madison may just be able to take control of her future before it comes crashing down around her.
I think the number one complaint I’ve heard about this book is how confusing it is. I will admit that Harrison doesn’t set up her universe very well, but I’m not sure the reader is meant to know what exactly is going on. Yes, I had no idea what a light reaper, dark reaper, or time keeper was, but I just rolled with the punches and allowed the story to unfold. I still have a few questions about the logistics of the world, but by the end of the book I had a pretty good handle on it. (On a side note: I have heard there is a short story in Prom Dates from Hell that tells about the prom night and sets the story up better. I have not had the chance to read it yet so can’t verify this, but I would recommend giving a try before starting Once Dead, Twice Shy.)
Beyond the set-up issues, Harrison creates a fun, fast paced story that paranormal lovers are sure to adore. The ending leaves much to be desired as there are a lot of questions left unanswered. However, since this is a series, I’m being lenient in hopes that answers and action will pick up as the story continues. I will say, however, that I loved the issue of fate vs. free will as it is a debate that I’ve struggled with most my life. I like to believe that life has a little of each in it, which seems to be the direction that Harrison may be taking it. (I believe this may be the reason I liked the book so much.) All in all, I am definitely looking forward to the next book to see where Madison’s journey will take her.
June 8th, 2009
 Rating:
Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler
Release Date: June 2009
Buy from: Amazon, Powell’s, Indie Bound
It’s my mission in life is to make you care about these words, Anna. About these people and everything they say and everything they were. He traced the lines of my face with his fingers as he spoke. Every story is a part of a whole, entire life, you know? Happy and sad and tragic and whatever, but an entire life. And books let you know them. (p. 167)
It’s been a year since Matt first kissed Anna on her 15th birthday. A year since her dreams came true and she fell in love. A year since a tragic accident took Matt away from them. No one seems to be able move on, but perhaps a trip to Zanzibar Bay could be the perfect thing. And Frankie swears that it’s the perfect place to meet twenty boys in less than a month. Anna agrees to the scheme, unable to tell her best friend that she’s already experienced her first great romance with Frankie’s brother, Matt.
Life at Zanzibar Bay is anything but easy sailing. Anna finds herself buried in memories of conversations with Matt as she steps in the very places he used to write and tell her about. Afraid of erasing her memories of him, Anna ignores each new boy they meet. Well, that is until Jake enters the picture. With his help, she may just be able to find the strength to move on and allow herself to feel again.
When I first picked up this book, I was not expecting what I got. I was anticipating a light-hearted beach story full of romance. One thing that has bothered me about some reviews I’ve read is that they say it’s the perfect beach read. While I agree Twenty Boy Summer has beach setting and romance, it is not your typical beach read.
In fact, I would say not to read this book on the beach unless you have a pair of sunglass to hid red eyes and plenty of tissues. I can’t even count how many time this book had me sobbing, which is not something easily accomplished. Even as I think about it writing this review, my eyes grow a little misty. Ockler writes a beautiful story about a girl who has lost her first love/best friend and is struggling with the hole he left behind. Anna’s character jumped off the pages to me right away. Her emotion tugged at my heartstrings and her pain felt as if it was my own. I highly recommend everyone read Ockler’s amazing debut novel, but maybe not on the beach!
Check out all of the cool Twenty Boy Summer Contests @ Sarah Ockler’s Contest Page
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