Reader: Solvi W.
Age: 15
Title: Vivian Apple at the End of the World
Author: Katie Coyle
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
Pub Date: 01/06/15
Galley: No
Top 25: Yes
Convince us to read the book: The book seemed very "real." Almost all of the prominent characters in the book are down-to-earth and focused on real-world problems. Each one also had a unique identity and voice - some were cliché, some very new, but they all made the story seem deep and relatable. They talked like real people and acted like real people. I felt like I could know them and their situations.
Memorable or Forgettable: The book focused a lot on modern religious issues, which I think many kids, Christian or not, may find as interesting as I did. It made for a very different but also much more realistic and believable apocalypse story.
Cover: The cover looked simple enough - a girl in a dress, rising up from the ground into the light from above - but it wasn't until later that I realized how thought-provoking it was. It seemed a bit contradictory at first since the main character gets "left behind," but the idea of "ascension" doesn't have to be in the religious sense.
Age Range: 14 through 18 and up
Quality: 5Q - Hard to imagine a better book
Popularity: 4P - Broad general teen appeal
Annotation:
When thousands of Americans, all caught up in a shady church cult, are suddenly "Raptured" one night, Vivian Apple and her friends hit the road. Not the one to salvation, but the one to the truth.
tags: coming of age / mystery / road trip / apocalypse / ya lit
Reader: Solvi W.
Age: 15
Title: Bloodwitch (The Maeve'ra)
Author: Amelia Atwater-Rhodes
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Pub Date: 05/13/14
Galley: Yes
Top 25: No
Convince us to read the book: I liked how unique the plot and world of the
story were; this is definitely not your typical vampire story. Unfortunately
the book seemed a bit complicated and fast-paced, and I feel like the author
could have taken her time to add some scenes and deepen certain characters,
like Malachi and Jeshickan. I suspect this will be a series, but I'm not sure,
so as a single book my recommendations would be to slow down, but keep the
action.
Memorable or Forgettable: The setting was in a kind of Victorian European
country, but Aztec culture was also a very strong theme, which made the world
interesting and memorable. Some of the characters were also pretty cool. I
loved the main character, Vance, because he was so relatable despite his
naivete. I was a little disappointed that some of the other intriguing
characters didn't seem to get their share of attention.
Cover: The cover art is colorful but mysterious. The
subjects of the cover also referenced elements of the story: winter woods, and
a bird feather.
Age Range: 14 through 17
Quality: 3Q Readable
Popularity: 2P Only for special interest
Additional Comments: Amelia Atwater-Rhodes' books seem to have gotten
similar comments. I haven't read any of these beyond this one, but I agree with
their reviews.
tags: fantasy / paranormal / vampires / shape-shifters / ya lit
Reader: Solvi W.
Age: 15
Title: The Falconer
Author: Elizabeth May
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Pub Date: 05/06/14
Galley: Yes
Top 25: Yes
Convince us to read the book: If you like steampunk/fantasy, mystery, lots of gory action, romance, or the Mortal Instruments/Infernal Devices, this is your type of book. The protagonist and all her allies are very deep, dark, and likable, and have many clever lines throughout the book.
Memorable or Forgettable: I really liked the characters, the action, and the romance. The book was a very lush page-turner, and ended on an amazing cliffhanger. I want to read more!
Cover: The cover consists of a red-headed woman in a blue dress, holding a knife. I figured I was going to be reading something very dark and mysterious, and I was right.
Age Range: 14 through 18 and up
Quality: 4Q Better than most
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal
Additional Comments:
You can sort of tell that this is unedited, but I will recommend it to others when it comes out in bookstores!
Annotation: A young woman living in a steampunk version of Scotland finds that she has the power to kill fairies. She plans to use her gifts to avenge her mother's death and save the world.
tags: fantasy / romance / action / steampunk / Scottish lore / ya lit
