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From The Publisher:
In this mischievous and utterly original debut, Hansel and Gretel walk out of their own story and into eight other classic Grimm-inspired tales. As readers follow the siblings through a forest brimming with menacing foes, they learn the true story behind (and beyond) the bread crumbs, edible houses, and outwitted witches.
Fairy tales have never been more irreverent or subversive as Hansel and Gretel learn to take charge of their destinies and become the clever architects of their own happily ever after.
My Review:
Move out of the way Goosebumps and Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark! Here’s a new book of carnage! This book is definitely dark. You won’t find sea animals bursting out into song in the middle of a scene. There is no holding back. That being said, this would be an entertaining read aloud. I would certainly use this for story time if the children that attended were older.
The stories were authentic! Naturally, some parts were changed to be appropriate for children, but Gidwitz still kept most of the blood. He also definitely warned the reader before each gross part. Another minor change he made to the originals was intertwining all the stories to follow two protagonists to make the stories a cohesive novel. This allows the reader to sympathize even more with Hansel and Gretel.
Some may find the warnings from the narrator annoying (and I usually do), but it worked well with this story. They were funny and kept the pace of the book moving.
Even though the interjections of the narrator are humorous and at times the stories seen grim, Gidwitz reinforces important, positive themes. The most dominate one is the idea of family. There is an emphasis on the need for proper parenting. Other motifs include: finding yourself, giving forgiveness, and under-standing. It’s great to see these concepts emphasized in middle grade novels!
There is no word out if he’s writing another book (I hope he is), but you can read two more stories on his website. He’s also a “ghost” writer for Pseudonymous Bosch (very cool).
The Bottom Line:
This tween book is wonderful for the adventure seeker in all of us. Filled with action, blood, and humor, any reader will not want to put this book down. 5/5
From The Publisher:
And the raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting
On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;
And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming,
And the lamp-light o'er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor;
And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor
Shall be lifted - nevermore!
— from "The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe
Cheerleader Isobel Lanley is horrified when she is paired with Varen Nethers for an English project, which is due—so unfair—on the day of the rival game. Cold and aloof, sardonic and sharp-tongued, Varen makes it clear he’d rather not have anything to do with her either. But when Isobel discovers strange writing in his journal, she can’t help but give this enigmatic boy with the piercing eyes another look.
Soon, Isobel finds herself making excuses to be with Varen. Steadily pulled away from her friends and her possessive boyfriend, Isobel ventures deeper and deeper into the dream world Varen has created through the pages of his notebook, a realm where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life.
As her world begins to unravel around her, Isobel discovers that dreams, like words, hold more power than she ever imagined, and that the most frightening realities are those of the mind. Now she must find a way to reach Varen before he is consumed by the shadows of his own nightmares.
His life depends on it.
My Review:
nota bene: I’ve been putting off this review for quite some time because words cannot express how much I loved this book! I’ve been gushing about for weeks.
Edgar Allan Poe’s works are transformed into a dark nightmare that is vividly described in the second half of the novel. This paranormal romance is darker than most and is a needed break from vampires and werewolves (finally!).
The pacing was surprisingly very quick despite the colossal length of the novel (543 pages). The first half of the novel was character development and set up which included typical high school drama while the second half unfolds the beautiful world of Poe. The first half of the book transitions seamlessly into the second.
The development between Isobel and Varen (which I think is supposed to be an anagram of Raven) does not happen overnight which is actually quite refreshing. In most YA fiction, the female protagonist falls “in love” after meeting a guy for five minutes. Creagh actually took the time to allow a more realistic approach to love. Reading the relationship unfold over time was absolutely enjoyable.
Where is the second book? There is no release date, but according to Creagh’s webstie, she is working on the second book right now! It’s due out sometime in 2012. The worst part about this novel is waiting for the next installment just to find out what happens next!
The Bottom Line:
If you are fan of paranormal books or Poe, read it! With great characters and well written story, you won’t be disappointed! 5/5
Kristi at The Story Siren is hosting the 2011 Debut Author Challenge!
Readers are encouraged to to read and review 12 debut Middle Grade and/or Young Adult novels.
Here are some titles that I am looking forward to in the first quarter of the upcoming year (in order of tentative release):
Across the Universe by Beth Revis, January 11
Here Lies Bridget by Paige Harbison, February 1
So Shell by Ty Roth, February 9
Exposed by Kimberly Marcus, February 22
Clarity by Kim Harrington, March 1
Wither by Lauren DeStefano, March 22
Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys, March 22
Enclave by Ann Aguirre, April 12
Future Imperfect by K. Ryer Breese, April 26
Divergent by Veronica Roth, May 3
This is going to be fun.
Happy reading!
From The Publisher:
“I’ve left some clues for you.
If you want them, turn the page.
If you don’t, put the book back on the shelf, please.”
So begins the latest whirlwind romance from the New York Times bestselling authors of Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist. Lily has left a red notebook full of challenges on a favorite bookstore shelf, waiting for just the right guy to come along and accept its dares. But is Dash that right guy? Or are Dash and Lily only destined to trade dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations across New York? Could their in-person selves possibly connect as well as their notebook versions? Or will they be a comic mismatch of disastrous proportions?
Rachel Cohn and David Levithan have written a love story that will have readers perusing bookstore shelves, looking and longing for a love (and a red notebook) of their own.
My Review:
New York, especially The Strand (an enormous book store that makes me miss Acres of Books), truly shined in this novel. It was an adventure in itself reading about the different places the two protagonists visited, even though the places were mostly around Manhattan.
It’s hard to imagine a condescending,16 year old hipster falling in love with a bubbly girl lacking in self confidence. Although the two protagonists were sixteen, they have ideals of someone in their thirties while still being naive. At times, the characters didn’t seem realistic enough to believe. Unfortunately, there is no real development of other more enjoyable characters such as Lily’s great aunt Ida or Dash’s best friend Boomer.
Fans of the other books will enjoy finding a few Easter eggs within the book. Although they are not hard to find (one is quite blatant), it’s nice to see the hidden surprises. It brings back fond memories of the other two novels.
Thank goodness this isn’t a series -- at least not one that I know of. It has been picked up by Scott Rudin Productions (the same company that produced Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist). It should be a fun movie!
The Bottom Line:
It’s certainly a pleasant, romantic holiday novel for teens. New York is wonderful, most of the characters are lovable, and the dares are amusing. 3/5
From The Publisher:
Zombie Attack!
When brain-gobbling zombies invade, a sleepover at Zack Clarke's house quickly turns into a Level-3 creep-over. The undead have infested the streets, filling the air with deathly moans and the stench of rotting flesh.
Meet the Zombie Chasers:
Zack: His house is a wreck, his sister's a zombie, and he's stolen his mom's Volvo. He's totally going to be grounded if he survives the night. . . .
Rice: He's studied The Zombie Survival Guide, but is he prepared to fight the living dead?
Madison: She seriously cannot believe her best friend has become a zombie and left her alone with these dweebs!
They're on a mission to save the world, but first they have to survive their flesh-eating, half-dead neighbors—and one another. Can the Zombie Chasers make it out alive?
My Review:
A truly good zombie book is hard to find; unfortunately, this isn’t one of them. The zombies were just an excuse to make a gut-filled novel for boys. That being said, this IS an age appropriate zombie novel. The violence is mild and the blood is gross rather than disgusting.
Although it was “action-packed” as most reviewers have noted, the action just wasn’t exciting. Some parts were definitely engaging while other parts fell flat. Repeated brand placement (Albertsons, Whole Foods, Oreo, Iphone, etc.) was unnecessary and annoying. This also took away from the excitement of the book.
Many Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Big Nate type drawings by Steve Wolfhard are scattered throughout, making the book somewhat enjoyable. There is either an illustration or a doodle on every two to three pages. The illustrations perfectly match Kloepfer’s descriptions and make you laugh.
Recently, every book seems like it’s the beginning of a series. The cliffhanger at the end of this one leaves readers who are even remotely interested in the plot asking for book two, Undead Ahead, which comes out March 29, 2011.
The Bottom Line:
This is the perfect book for a tween boy looking for gore and humor. Reluctant readers will be entertained by the equally gory drawings. Sadly, I do not fit the target audience. 2/5
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