YA Friday: Enshadowed by Kelly Creagh

Title: Enshadowed
Author: Kelly Creagh
Series: Nevermore #2
Genre: YA, paranormal
Publisher: Atheneum, 2012
Source: Library
Read for: R.I.P. VII

(Spoilers for Nevermore are fair game. No spoilers for Enshadowed)

Nevermore left us with Varen stranded in his dream world, with Isobel having severed his link. However, despite this supposed separation, the inhabitants of the dream world keep showing up in Isobel's day-to-day life and especially in her dreams. Desperate to rescue Varen, she determines that the only way to reach him is to intersect the mysterious "Poe Toaster" and find out how he travels between the two worlds. However, Isobel must face several obstacles, from her parents' anxiety about Isobel's recent odd behavior, to the demon Lilith, who literally has her claws into Varen. And as Isobel gets more entwined with the world, she is forced to wonder: does Varen even want to be rescued?

So before we get into Enshadowed, let me just tell you that Nevermore rocked my world. Even though intellectually I knew the romance was ridiculous, even though at times I thought Isobel was really annoying, even though I was left hanging in the meanest possible way, I was absolutely, head-to-toe, swept away by Nevermore. Ever since finishing it, I have been eagerly anticipating Enshadowed, hoping for some whisper of closure. I knew it was the second book in a trilogy and that not everything would be resolved... but I must admit, I thought something would be. Instead, Enshadowed simply spirals the reader deeper into the confusion and cliff-hangers. It is basically one long extension of the doozy of a cliff-hanger we were left with in Nevermore.

So, plot-wise, I was frustrated with Enshadowed. It took two years to come out after the publication of Nevermore, and I am a bit depressed at the prospect of waiting another two years to find out how things play out. Also, bear in mind that I am not so much frustrated with Enshadowed ending on a cliff-hanger -- I am frustrated that the entire book resolved nothing, leaving me immensely unsatisfied. It seemed as if the characters were simply dancing around accomplishing anything.

With that said, Enshadowed was not a complete bust for me. I think the biggest reason I still enjoyed it is that Kelly Creagh really is phenomenal at evoking atmosphere. Her writing is beautiful and detailed, and the woman can create a mood. Even though I felt like I wasn't learning anything and was impatient for more information, I still loved the imagery of the dreamworld creeping into Isobel's life. I don't know how to accurately describe it -- it's the same reason I was so transfixed by Nevermore. I just felt enveloped in this mood. It isn't as strong or as magical as it was in Nevermore, but it was definitely there, and I loved getting lost in it.

I also really love the characters. Even though there were a few that did not get enough page time (*ahem*VAREN), I still absolutely delight in Gwen's weirdness. I also really love Isobel's little brother, who does his best to act like a brat but who genuinely loves his sister and is amazing. Isobel is even growing on me -- she has her moments, but I love her determination to help Varen, even though at times I just want to shake her for ignoring the obvious signs. One character that was MIA that I had expected to see more of in Enshadowed is the character Lacey. I suppose I might have been missing something, but she seemed to be mysteriously significant in Nevermore, and she just dropped off the face of the earth in Enshadowed.

Also, of course, the tie-ins to Poe and his writings and the legend surrounding him were fantastic.

For me, Enshadowed did not live up to the fantastic experience that was Nevermore for me. However, I haven't given up on the trilogy yet. As I said, I love Kelly Creagh's writing, and she really has to resolve something in the next book, right? I just hope that it is resolved in the way that I hope it will be.

3 stars

Warnings: Very very mild swear words, some minor violence, scary imagery

YA Friday: Vodnik by Bryce Moore

Title: Vodnik
Author: Bryce Moore
Genre: YA, paranormal, fantasy, mythology
Publisher: Tu Books, 2012
Source: NetGalley (at the recommendation of the author)
Read for: Review

After a traumatizing house fire where they lost everything they owned, Tomas and his parents decide to move back to Slovakia -- a country they left when Tomas almost drowned and simultaneously got a devastating burn at the age of five. Sound weird? That's because it is -- and weird things start happening to Tomas again almost as soon as he is back in the country. He begins seeing people no one else can see, and soon he finds himself trapped in a deal with Death while two warring creatures from mythology are simultaneously trying to get his help. As if being a teenager wasn't hard enough.

I had mixed feelings before I started Vodnik. The author wrote me an email pitching the book, and while the general plot seemed to not be my cup of tea, Bryce Moore highlighted several aspects of the plot that did appeal to me -- mythology, Eastern Europe, and teenagers dealing with cancer. I decided I might as well give it a try, but to be honest I was still not especially looking forward to the book -- it felt more like an obligation. In that, my friends, I was wrong -- Vodnik was a very enjoyable book that kept my interest through every page.

The plot is pretty difficult to describe accurately, so let me just tell you that there is a lot going on, and it is pretty exciting. Tomas is being bombarded by contradictory messages from different mythological creatures, and because the whole situation is freaking him out, he first of all doesn't even want to acknowledge that it is happening, and second of all doesn't know who to believe. One of my few complaints with the book is that I think the confusion going on is a little too pervasive -- I understand that there were different forces pushing and pulling Tomas, but when everything was a muddle the book was less enjoyable. The only other plot element that I didn't enjoy as much was the fact that most of the mythological creatures, while dangerous, were also kind of silly and comical. At times this seemed to conflict with the otherwise dark atmosphere of the book.

However, the book was written very well and excellently paced. While Tomas is dealing with the different challenges of the mythological creatures, he is also dealing with being a teenager -- awkwardness around girls, being stared at due to his huge burn scar, being bullied, worrying about his best friend. The book was told in the first person, and his voice felt very authentic and was enjoyable to read. The writing also conveyed interesting details, such as the castle where Tomas and his uncle worked and the way post-Communist Slovakia was still severely wanting in creature comforts. I'm not sure what Bryce Moore's backstory is, but it is clear that he has spent time in Slovakia and is well-acquainted with life there, because every detail was legitimate and interesting.

Vodnik ended up being a great gem among my virtual stack of NetGalley TBRs, and I am grateful that the author took the time to pitch his book to me. Readers looking for a unique twist on paranormal, or who have interest in Eastern Europe or mythology, will definitely be satisfied with Vodnik. While the protagonist is a bit older, I think it will also appeal to readers of middle grade fiction, especially boys looking for a male protagonist. I think this is definitely one I will be recommending to my nephews.

3.75 stars

Warnings: Brief, mild language, some violence

YA WEEK: The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

Title: The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer
Author: Michelle Hodkin
Series: Mara Dyer #1
Genre: YA, thriller, contemporary, paranormal
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2011
Source: Library
Read for: Fun

When Mara Dyer wakes up in the hospital, she has no memory of the accident that killed her best friend, boyfriend, and his sister. However, that doesn't prevent her from being haunted by their faces, despite her family's move to a different state. Life becomes further complicated as strange things begin to happen around Mara -- things that can't be explained or ignored. The more she seeks to unlock the secret, the more dangerous things occur -- what is happening to her?

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer was a book with a lot of hype last year. It was also a book that held no interest for me. In fact, I could hardly remember why I put it on hold at the library, and simply picked it up and read it because it had come in. I probably gave into the hype when I decided to put it on hold. However, I am extremely happy that I did. Despite my skepticism, The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer was a thrilling, well-written adventure, one that I could not put down despite my 14 hour days.

I think the first thing that lured me in was the spookiness of Mara's situation. The atmosphere is well-crafted, with the ghosts from Mara's past appearing everywhere, creeping into her consciousness. The fact that she knows they aren't real does nothing to put her mind at ease -- she is tortured by the constant reminders as well as by the fact that she has no memory of what happened the night her friends died. The last book I remember drawing me in so well with its creepiness factor was Nevermore by Kelly Creagh, a book that I adored, so the creepy hints and chilling events were absolutely fantastic. I couldn't wait to find out what happened to Mara next, and what the secret of her experience was.

I also loved Michelle Hodkin's writing. I heard a rumor at an author event (not one attended by Hodkin) that one day she decided she felt like writing a book and sat down and penned The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer with little to no other writing experience. I have no idea if this is true, but if it is, I am even more astounded. Her writing was evocative and vivid for me. I felt as if I was in the moment. In addition, despite the overall gloomy and creepy tone of the book, I loved the dry humor in the crackling dialogue between the characters (in particular, Mara and Noah. More on them in a second). The writing was inviting and suspenseful and pulled me forward.

As for the characters -- more love all around. I'm going to have to dedicate a paragraph to Noah, the British bad boy that won't leave Mara alone. In general, I'm not a fan of bad boys, in books or in real life (although there were a few that made an appearance in my romantic history). Marcus Flutie does nothing for me. (Dodges hurled rotten tomatoes). However, Noah got me from the first page on which he appeared. Even though it seems obvious that he can't be good for Mara, I was rooting for him almost instantly. As I became better acquainted with him, it became clear that I should have been rooting for him all along. The chemistry between the two characters is not only physical, but deeply emotional as well, further solidifying my total fangirl-dom of the couple.

I also loved Mara's family, especially her brothers. They are all well-developed despite being secondary characters, a true sign of a good and thorough author, in my opinion.

My one quibble with the book has to do with the paranormal element. I think in part it is simply because I was not expecting it -- I kept waiting for a more logical explanation. The book seemed to push toward something less mystical and more concrete, so when I realized there was a paranormal element I felt somewhat let down. However, I am intrigued to learn more about this aspect of the story in the sequel. I'll be honest -- I have not been more disappointed with a cliffhanger ending since I read Nevermore (Lauren Oliver also hands out those unabashed "You're just going to have to buy the next book" endings).

I am on the edge of my seat waiting for The Evolution of Mara Dyer. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer combined romance, suspense, and just enough creepiness to have completely drawn me in.

4 stars

Warnings: Language, violence, allusions to sexuality

YA Friday: Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

Title: Clockwork Prince
Author: Cassandra Clare
Series: The Infernal Devices #2
Genre: YA, fantasy, paranormal, steampunk
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2011
Source: Library
Read for: fun

***SPOILERS FOR CLOCKWORK ANGEL ARE FAIR GAME***

Tessa and the London Institute survived Mortmain's attack, but now, they must deal with the aftermath. Tessa deals with the pain of Will's rejection, while Jem seems to grow more and more affectionate. She also attempts to uncover the secret of her past, and what exactly she is. Meanwhile, Will is finding that old wounds haven't healed nearly as well as he likes to pretend, so he goes about finding a way to heal them once and for all. At the Institute, Charlotte's role as leader is threatened, and the Enclave gives the Shadowhunters an ultimatum that seems almost impossible. And, of course, Mortmain is lurking around the edges, disrupting life in myriad ways. 

I have very mixed experiences with second books. The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien? Not favorite. Crossed by Ally Condie? All right, but way less enjoyable to me than Matched. In fact, the only second book I can think of off the top of my head is New Moon by Stephenie Meyer, and that is because I am Team Jacob all the way. Even before he got abs. But let's not talk about Twilight here. 

Clockwork Prince, while unable to escape completely from second book syndrome, was stellar, in my opinion. Not a literary masterpiece, not going to change the world, perhaps, but for what it was -- a chunky, thrilling, entertainer of an adventure -- it was great. While many questions from the first book are left unresolved, we do get closure on some questions, giving some satisfaction. And while it does leave with a cliffhanger, I've come to expect that. It doesn't even bother me anymore (thank you, YA literature, for always coming in threes and teaching me a lesson that I never heed -- don't read the trilogy until all books are available). I think I can comfortably say Clockwork Prince was certainly one of the more satisfying second novels I've read in a long time. 

Shall we delve? Let's talk about the plot first, because I have an anecdote. And we all know that is what professional reviewers include in their reviews (if you are here looking for a professional review, you should already know that you've come to the wrong place). The plot was exciting, feeding me just enough information to keep me from throwing the book down in frustration, but not much more. The day after I began this book, my nursing class was practicing IVs on each other (you thought I was kidding when I said nursing school is sadistic?) and for whatever reason, I was not having it. I'm usually okay about needle sticks, but I was literally about to throw up from nervousness. I think I must not have gotten enough sleep. I asked if I could read my book while they poked me, and I hardly felt a thing. Thus, the power of entertainment. But I digress. I have heard many say that this book is too wordy, and at 528 pages, they certainly have evidence to support that. I didn't find all the verbage too heavy, however -- I still moved through at a fast pace and didn't find myself too bogged down. There are certainly some passages that could have been clipped down, but I think Cassandra Clare was trying to have her characters speak in a more old-fashioned, ornate style. And I think it worked just fine. 

Next, the romance. Love triangle haters, steer clear -- but I think if we all are honest, there is a reason they seem to be present in every novel these days. While the device may be overused these days, I still enjoy the drama it presents. In Clockwork Angel, we see the beginnings of a love triangle with Tessa, Will, and Jem, but Will pretty obviously takes center stage in Tessa's affections. However, in Clockwork Prince, Jem starts to edge more firmly into the picture, and I loved it. Jem is the perfect man, (other than the frustrating fact that he is dying and stays alive by taking an addictive drug) with his silver hair, musical ability, sensitivity, and mad-fighting ability, and I felt that I became much better acquainted with him in Clockwork Prince. Although, we also get much better acquainted with Will, and he continues to be frustratingly attractive in this book. And the drama builds... and builds... and builds. While in Clockwork Angel, the situation was basically angst, angst, angst, kissing, and then infinite angst, in Clockwork Prince, the situation is angst, angst, angst, plot, revelation, kissing, pondering, kissing, plot, angst. There is a bit more depth smattered amongst all of the angst. 

I had a slightly difficult time believing in their absolute passion for Tessa, considering that she may or may not be a warlock, and doesn't actually do that much other than almost die a few times. However, Cassandra Clare does try to fit her into another stereotype by having her learn some bad-a heroine fighting skills, along with Sophie. I like Tessa, don't get me wrong, but I do think her suitors are slightly  above her caliber. But maybe I'm just jealous. 

We also get to know Magnus Bane much, much better. I have heard that he is a prominent figure in the series following this one. I have not read that one yet, because the idea reading both at once while both are unfinished is too much for me to fathom. 

I also adore the juxtaposition of Sidney Carton with Will. Little known fact: when I read Clockwork Angel, I had started A Tale of Two Cities and didn't know how it ended. I was reading them simultaneously, but finished Clockwork Angel first. Going into Clockwork Prince with a better understanding of the character of Sidney made Will a much more intriguing and powerful character to me. I thought it was well done and fascinating.

One final gushing comment. The steampunk atmosphere of Clockwork Angel continues to deliver in Clockwork Prince, and, if you can believe it, may be my favorite part of the whole novel. If you enjoy steampunk, I think you will find something to love in Clockwork Prince. The series was the introduction to the genre for me, and I am very happy to have found it. If you are looking for an emotional, entertaining adventure, you should love Clockwork Prince.

4.25 stars

Warnings: Violence, some heavy making out

YA Friday: Chime by Franny Billingsley

Title: Chime
Author: Franny Billingsley
Genre: YA, paranormal
Publisher: Dial, 2007
Source: Library
Read for: Fun

Briony knows that she is a witch. She knows that she caused Stepmother to die, that she caused her twin sister Rose to be dependent on her, that if anyone finds out her secret, she will hang. However, when a handsome stranger enters her life and a dangerous disease enters Rose's, she knows she can't hide from what she must do -- and the beings in the swamp that can help her.

This book grabbed me from the first sentence -- "I've confessed everything and I'd like to be hanged." Wow. I'd heard mixed reviews of this book before starting -- some said it was stunning, others that the writing was roundabout and frustrating, that the self-hatred Briony bears was difficult to stomach. I am definitely in the first camp. This book swept me up and dragged me along at a breakneck pace until finished, all I could do was hug it to my chest because it was over and I didn't want any other characters taking its place for the next few hours.

The writing was breathtakingly good. Briony tells her tale in stream of consciousness, without the bad punctuation (or lack thereof). Her sentences are formed, but her thoughts fly around and around, touching on random fears and witty retorts. I loved every second. I clicked the "Surprise Me" button on the book preview on Amazon, because I had to take this book back to the library, and sure enough, I got an excellent example on the second try:

"I don't like my shoes," said Rose.
"I'm wearing shoes and you don't see me complain."
"You only hear a person complain," said Rose. "Not see."
How has Rose lived for seventeen years and no one has ever killed her, not once?

After typing it out, I don't know if it really is adequate to express the amazement that is the writing in this book, so just go read it.

But, if you need further convincing, the characters are even better. Briony, despite her marked self-loathing, is sharp-witted and amusing. Eldric, her companion in the Bad-Boys Club, is charming and almost perfect, but falls into enough male foibles to make him believable instead of too-good-to-be. Rose is just perfect, and I can't explain beyond that, even if it does make me a poor reviewer. She adds a twist to the story that makes it richer and more mysterious. And the Old Ones are creatively rendered and bizarre.

The whole mood of the story is so strange and unique that it is difficult to explain -- a mix of the modern with the ancient, of simple village life with dark magic. I've tried over and over to describe the premise of the story to friends, and the words fall short. But there is an air of darkness and magic that is absolutely enchanting.

My one complaint with the story is that I figured out a major plot point very early on. However, there were enough other added elements to the mystery that I was still satisfied and stunned at the end.

Billingsley's writing style may not appeal to everyone, although I wouldn't believe it except that I have seen it reported in other reviews. However, I think this unique and compelling novel will win it more admirers than naysayers.

4.99 stars

Warnings: some innuendo, violence

YA Friday: Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

Title: Daughter of Smoke and Bone
Author: Laini Taylor
Genre: YA, paranormal, fantasy
Series: Daughter of Smoke and Bone #1
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2011
Source: Gift
Read for: FYA Book Club

Karou is a seventeen-year-old art student in Prague, but that is only half of her life. The other half involves some interesting creatures that the more ignorant might call monsters and mysterious errands throughout the more glamorous cities of the world -- San Francisco, Paris, London, Morocco. However, when a mysterious force threatens the only family Karou has ever known, she must search for a way to save them, and the key to why she lives her life the way she does.

I had heard rave reviews of this book before I ever picked it up, so I was very excited to find out that it was the November choice for the FYA book club. However, for the first few pages, I was completely weirded out. I was completely disappointed in the strange characters that I felt no connection to. However, as the story unfolded, I found myself investing more and more, and those strange characters became important to me -- which ends up being an important theme in the book.

I think the first thing that slowly started to win over my affections was the snappy dialogue between Zusana and Karou. Despite the fact that this weird story was taking place in a weird country I knew next to nothing about, these girls were realistic in their friendship. They made up creative insults, bugged each other, had inside jokes ("orifice," anyone?). As I read more and more about them, I wanted to be their friend; I wanted to go to Poison with them and people-watch through the creepy statues. I began to care about them, even though I found it difficult to invest in the story at first.

The second thing that drew me in was the writing. It seems that everything in the book is "aglitter," "sparkling," luminescent. Both worlds that Ms. Taylor illuminated were beautiful, but in a hard, fierce way, and I found myself completely enchanted. Even the contemporary, modern side of the story took place in a location that was so utterly foreign to me that I felt as if I was looking into a fairy tale. If you've ever read His Dark Materials by Phillip Pullman, I was slightly reminded of those books -- not so much in the themes and the actual worlds themselves, but in the feeling of something unique, beautiful, and absolutely complete -- I felt as if nothing was left unfinished.

What sealed the deal was the hunting cabin in Idaho. Okay, I'm kind of kidding, but my family has a cabin in Idaho, about an hour outside of Boise (and it is frequently used for hunting, although I'm never the one to put it to that use). When Karou was going back down the mountain to Boise, I knew exactly what that drive looked like, because I went on it every weekend in the summer (and quite a few in the winter as well). When she described the Boise airport, it was like I was there, because I have been, so many times. I know that part of the story probably isn't significant to anyone else, but it is so rare that Boise shows up anywhere unless you are talking about college football, and I love my hometown, so Laini Taylor won my heart when she included it in this story.

But really, all joking aside, by the time I was in the middle of the story, there was no turning back. I was invested. I loved Karou. I loved Akiva -- he was such an alien and yet such a human, warming character. I loved his capacity to feel pain and love. And as the story unravels to reveal the truth about Karou's past, it seemed both inevitable and also a complete surprise.

I also loved that there was more to the story than just telling a thrilling story. The story is about using peace to save the world -- about not judging people based on what they look like or their traditions. I was guilty of this at the beginning of the book -- I thought the chimaera were weird. I didn't like reading about them -- they were different and alien. The luminous, fierce and beautiful angels were only slightly better. I wasn't even sure about reading about Prague -- I knew nothing about the city, and it was completely different from everything that I knew. But as I got to know these characters, I found myself in love with all of them. I'm pretty distressed that I started yet another trilogy that is going to leave me hanging with my heart ripped out until I get my sticky fingers on book two, but I guess that's the price I pay when I choose to read young adult books. At any rate, I loved this one, even though at first I had my doubts. I think that like His Dark Materials, this is a book that can appeal to those who don't necessarily love fantasy or young adult books. If you ask me, I will tell you to read it, no matter what your genre preference.

4.5 stars

Warnings: Allusions to sensuality

YA ZOMBIE Friday: The Dead-Tossed Waves and The Dark and Hollow Places by Carrie Ryan

Title: The Dead-Tossed Waves; The Dark and Hollow Places
Author: Carrie Ryan
Series: The Forest of Hands and Teeth #2 and #3
Genre: YA, paranormal, horror
Publisher: Delacorte Books For Young Readers, 2010; 2011
Source: Library

The Dead-Tossed Waves picks up several years after The Forest of Hands and Teeth leaves off (so spoilers are a fair warning for the first book). Mary is living in a lighthouse by the sea with her daughter, Gabry. Gabry enjoys her safety -- she doesn't want to go outside the Barrier, and she really doesn't want to ever go into the Forest of Hands and Teeth. However, after reluctantly going outside the Barrier one fateful night (for a boy, naturally), Gabry's life changes forever. Her decisions affect everyone around her, and she must learn to come to terms with what she has done and what she wants to do.

If I could describe The Dead-Tossed Waves in one word, it would be angst. Gabry is a very confused girl. She doesn't know what she wants, she doesn't know how to deal with what she's done, she doesn't know who she's interested in. She is very angry and she makes quite a few mistakes. The selfishness of the main characters seems to be a theme in this series; the characters are trying to strike a balance between their will to survive and the (angsty) love they feel for their friends (but mostly their moody, equally angsty love interests). In the case of Mary from the first book, I wasn't ever really bothered by it. Occasionally her drive to find the sea became a bit all-consuming -- I can't imagine wanting to find a location more than wanting to stay with the people I love. However, her drive and her decisions made sense to me. Gabry was all over the place, constantly changing her mind and discussing her uncertainty. At times it was grating for me.

The story itself was much more exciting than The Forest of Hands and Teeth, rife with chilling moments. The opening scene was absolutely explosive and set the scene for the rest of the book. I was spellbound by this book -- it definitely causes "one-more-chapter"syndrome. I also enjoyed seeing the way the Unconsecrated -- or the Mudo, as they are called in this book -- are seen and dealt with in the seaside community of Vista. The village in The Forest of Hands and Teeth was isolated, ruled by a nun-like community of Sisters. The city of Vista is run by the Protectorate, a government agency with stringent rules to try and preserve the survival of the human race. It is also filled with Recruiters, a sort-of army that finds supplies, clears out areas for settlement, and kills as many Mudo as possible. The ending was rending of course, as per Ms. Ryan's style, but was slightly more hopeful than the complete decimation of The Forest of Hands and Teeth. 


I do think the lovely writing style that I enjoyed in The Forest of Hands and Teeth was less present in The Dead-Tossed Waves. It was drowned out with angsty-angst-angst and frightening moments. However, it does make a reappearance in The Dark and Hollow Places.

I am going to be intentionally vague in this summary because while The Dead-Tossed Waves is separate enough from The Forest of Hands and Teeth that not too many spoilers surface, The Dark and Hollow Places begins only a few weeks after and is more directly connected. The Dark and Hollow Places is about Annah, a girl who left her twin sister in The Forest of Hands and Teeth years ago and has been struggling to eke out a life every since in the Dark City, first with her "brother," Elias, and later on her own when Elias joins the Recruiters. Scarred and tough, Annah knows how to survive, and is driven to survive at all costs. However, she realizes that sometimes living is more important than surviving, and has to choose the kind of life that she really wants.

Where The Dead-Tossed Waves left me occasionally disappointed, The Dark and Hollow Places left me completely fulfilled. First of all, the writing was stunning. Only rarely do books deliver a complete, cohesive picture straight to my mind when I read a scene. This one did -- I could see the snow, the treacherous tunnels, Annah's scars, everything (although why does the girl on the cover have no scars at all, hmm?).  The images were beautiful despite the bleakness of the story and the setting.

And the story was very bleak. While the characters in the other book have encounters with the Mudo, some of them absolutely terrifying (re: the final scene in The Dead-Tossed Waves -- I can't even imagine), in this book they are all around. The characters are right in the trenches with the zombies, and Annah is grabbed more than once, feeling fingers wrap around her ankles or her wrists or her hair. And the zombies aren't the only dangers in this world -- there are horrible, twisted people who pose just as much, if not more, of a threat. I had the most moments of being completely freaked out in this book. As being freaked out is kind of the point of why I read them, I was pleased with this. And despite the bleak, bleak setting, the book also had the highest concentration of hope. The way Annah transforms from someone who is living for another breath to someone who is passionately clinging to the pain and beauty of life was moving. She is one of the toughest characters I've ever read.

Overall, I recommend both of these books (and the first, of course). They are frightening and disturbing. Carrie Ryan is pretty ruthless in disposing of characters. However, the overall message is one of hope amidst the bleakest of circumstances.

The Dead-Tossed Waves: 3.5 stars
The Dark and Hollow Places: 4 stars

Warnings: a few swears, zombie violence (lots) and some human violence as well

Why I Read... Paranormal

No, wait! Don't stop reading yet! I have a confession to make. In my baby-book-blogging days (aka about a year ago), I was a little bit of a book snob. In general, in high school and college I read classics, with perhaps a smattering of literary fiction and the occasional fluff read. I read YA in middle school. When I first realized that I had not in fact invented the concept of a book blog and that there were hundreds, maybe thousands, out in the blogosphere, I was excited - but also a little disappointed that so many were dedicated to YA lit and especially paranormal YA lit. It took a bit of searching to find books that were "my" kind of book.

I quickly expanded my horizons to include YA lit - many of the literary books I was already reading could be classified as YA, although I didn't know it at the time - but I still avoided paranormal. I think it was the Twilight phenomenon - which is silly, to be honest, because I heartily enjoyed Twilight. I was never obsessed, but I genuinely enjoyed it. I was a little turned off by the covers, and the concepts. It all just sounded a little... weird.

However, this summer I picked up Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare and that all changed. While at first I was a little turned off by all the paranormal "weirdness," I found myself genuinely enjoying the story once I got past my initial uncertainty. And while I will never consider paranormal lit to be my favorite genre, I'm glad I chose to give it a chance.

Because it is that Halloween time of year, I thought this would be an appropriate genre to cover. While paranormal romance and I are more on acquaintance/coworker terms (as opposed to soul mates with modern classics or BFFs with contemporary YA), I'm enjoying the development of our relationship. Here are a few reasons why.

Why I Read Paranormal

* Because sometimes, I like to read about scary things. I don't like reading things that feel evil or gross from how scary they are, but it is fun to get the little thrill of scaredness with creepy creatures.

* Because they are exciting. While escapism is by no means the main reason that I read, sometimes it is nice to forget about the fact that there is a thick layer of grime on my bathroom sink, that I have a test next week, that it is hard to lose weight. It is nice to go into a little fantasy world for a few hundred pages and forget about real life. 

Recommendations

* Twilight by Stephenie Meyer. Oh, you know it. I'm sure there were great paranormal reads before this series came out, but this was the beginning for me. I know that Bella is annoying, and that Edward is kind of a stalker, and that Stephenie Meyer makes things way too easy for her characters. But the atmosphere of the story rocks, in my opinion. I loved discovering that Edward was a vampire, and I loved when Bella and Edward went to the meadow and discovered they were falling in love. And I want to go visit Forks, because it sounds beautiful to me. Anyway, I'm not ashamed to admit that I enjoyed it. I also liked New Moon. After that, things went downhill for me. But we won't talk about that.

* A Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare. Steampunk. 

* The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan. I loved this story, despite the fact that it took itself excessively seriously. I think zombies are my favorite paranormal creepy thing to read about. 

For more recommendations, visit...

A Makeshift Bookmark. An exuberant YA blog with a love for paranormal romance. 

Short Story Spotlight: "Hare Moon" by Carrie Ryan

For this month's Short Story Spotlight, I am deviating a bit from my normal fare of classic short stories available for free online. When I heard there was a short story prequel to The Forest of Hands and Teeth, I knew that I had to get my hands on it. While it isn't free online, you can either read it in the book of short stories Kiss Me Deadly by Trisha Telep, or you can buy the story separately as a Kindle Original for $1.99.

"Hare Moon" is the story of Tabitha, the head of the Sisterhood in The Forest of Hands and Teeth. As a young girl, she is not chosen for a wife at Brethlaw and becomes a part of the Sisterhood. However, she aches to know what is beyond the fences of the village, and sneaks away as often as possible. One day she meets a boy from another village, Patrick, and they fall in love, agreeing to meet each month two days after the full moon. However, in the times between their meetings, Tabitha learns more about the history of her village and the role the Sisterhood has played, and feels the burdens of duty press upon her. The balance between caring for her village and the love she feels for Patrick weigh on her, and in the end she must make a painful choice.

I liked that "Hare Moon" showed a different approach to take to the village. While Mary in The Forest of Hands and Teeth resisted passionately any hold the village had on her, longing only to escape and seeing her experiences there as restrictive, Tabitha feels a sense of obligation. She understands that to keep the village safe, many sacrifices have been made, and she feels a pressing sense of duty to care for her village and respect the lives of those that have died to sustain it. However, in fulfilling that duty, something that could be seen as altruistic, Tabitha loses much of her humanity. In the story, she describes it as choosing survival over life.

I also thought Tabitha's view of the Unconsecrated was very different and interesting. She doesn't hate them or resent them for forcing her to keep her life walled and protected. She envies them - she has so much unrestrained passion for life that she wants to need and desire as much as they do. She unequivocally believes she will join them some day, and doesn't necessarily see that as a negative thing, although she isn't rushing out into the forest on a suicide mission.

Overall, I found this to be an interesting addition to The Forest of Hands and Teeth. I haven't read the other books in the series yet (although I took them out from the library this week - hooray!). The story was intense and haunting, certainly not a comfortable read, but a thought-inspiring one.

YA Friday: Hold Me Closer, Necromancer by Lish McBride

Title: Hold Me Closer, Necromancer
Author: Lish McBride
Series: I've heard there will be a sequel. I know nothing else.
Genre: YA, Paranormal
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co., 2010
Source: Library
Read For: FYA Book Club, R.I.P. VI

Sam is a college dropout who flips burgers and skateboards. His life is pretty simple, and fairly enjoyable (minus the fact that he hates his job and feels like he has no idea what he actually wants from life. And the fact that his landlady won't stop hassling him about finding a girlfriend). However, after an unfortunate smashed taillight and a violent confrontation, Sam learns that there is a whole world of supernatural powers surrounding him, and that he has irritated one of the most powerful. And now that powerful man wants him dead. Crap.

This book was significantly more enjoyable than I expected it to be. While there are a few paranormal books that I enjoy, in general they aren't my first pick. I also wasn't so sure about the scary factor - I love a good creep-out, but it's always hard to tell if a book will be scary in a thrilling way or a disgusting way. However, right away Hold Me Closer, Necromancer racked up several points in its favor.

Point 1: Clever song titles at the beginning of each chapter. "Hold Me Closer, Tiny Dancer" was stuck in my head for the week that this book was sitting on my night stand, not aided by the fact that my husband burst into spontaneous song every time he saw the book. But still, clever.

Point 2: Sam was college-age. I've seen the want for more college-age protagonists in YA fiction all over the blogosphere, and I completely agree. While Sam was not actually in college, it was great to read about someone close to my age (although I guess technically, at 23, I am a little older than college-age, even though I am still in college. Dang it).

Point 3: Sam himself. I loved this character. He was a believable guy, not too-perfect-to-be-true like most male leads, but he was still sweet. He was protective of his sisters and his female friends. He was a little bit of a softie (evidenced by the fact that he was a vegetarian). He wasn't quite sure what he wanted from life, but he was a good person and a good friend.

Point 4: Humor. This wasn't a book that took itself too seriously. I'm not afraid of books that take themselves seriously - right now Carrie Ryan's The Forest of Hands and Teeth comes to mind, as a book in the same genre with a completely different tone - but I like a little lightness now and then, and this book supplied it.

Point 5: Still a little creep factor. I didn't want something too gory, and for the most part this book delivered. (And when there was violence, it was usually tempered by some humor and self-deprecation, aka Sam keeps getting his butt kicked because he has annoyed the All Powerful Necromancer). However, there were a couple of creepy scenes. Which I appreciated.

So, the book was better than I was expecting. Still not perfect. There wasn't a lot of depth or character development, which I think can happen with humor, but doesn't have to happen. While I enjoyed reading about the characters, I didn't necessarily connect with them. However, still an enjoyable, light read for Halloween.

3 stars

Warnings: Brief sensuality, creepy violence (think severed, cauterized heads)