tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13199590275677234762011-11-27T00:01:28.030-08:00Enchanting YA is the young adult reviews section of Enchanting Reviews. Please note almost all books reviewed by us have been sent to us for review by either the publisher, publicist or the author themselves.Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.comBlogger3201100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-18673673799841869322010-12-31T19:07:00.000-08:002010-12-31T19:09:30.438-08:00<div>HATE LIST</div><div>JENNIFER BROWN</div><div>YA contemporary</div><div>Little, Brown</div><div>ISBN# 9780316041454</div><div>408 pages</div><div>$8.99</div><div>Paperback available now</div><div><br /></div><div>Rating: 5 Enchantments</div><div><br /></div><div>Valerie Leftman didn’t mean for anyone to die. Her hate list was her way of venting back at those who bullied her. Her boyfriend Nick though had other plans. Five months ago, Nick opened fire at their high school killing and wounding people. Valerie never thought he’d actually use the hate list. In her attempt to stop him, she’s shot in the leg protecting one of those she hated.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now the town can’t make out if Valerie is a villain or hero. She decides to go back to school to confront those who did survive. Valerie must come to terms on what happened that tragic day in order to make amends and move on with her life.</div><div><br /></div><div>Wow. One image kept coming to me when I read Valerie’s tale. My sister’s funeral. Her ex boyfriend murdered her then turned the gun on himself. At the funeral the father of the guy who killed my sister showed up. I was furious. How dare he? But my mother taught me a lesson. She told me the father didn’t pull the trigger and that he was hurting too as he lost a son. That same feeling came back to me when reading HATE LIST. Valerie’s emotions and struggles are shown in such an intense and powerful way. Also she shows us the Nick she loved so he’s not such a monster. That’s one thing I love about this story. It would be so easy to just dwell on the graphic horror of the shooting and show Nick as a crazy monster. Instead the author gives us characters that are fleshed out and have us care.</div><div><br /></div><div> The writing is powerful and gripping. Life isn’t all roses when Val shows back up at school. Her own family has issues too with her part of the tragedy like her father who believes she’s at fault too. There are others like the girl Valerie saved who go out of her way to be friends though others around her ridicule and just hope Val disappears. The ending of this book had me in tears when Val and her friend go to all those who were affected by the shooting. Haunting and riveting, this is one tale that really stays with you. </div><div><br /></div><div>Jennifer Brown writes and lives in Kansas City, Missouri with her husband and three children. She’s also a columnist for the Kansas City Star. Read more about her at www.jenniferbrownya.com</div><div><br /></div><div>Kim Baccellia</div><div>ENCHANTING REVIEWS</div><div>December 2010</div><div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-1867367379984186932?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-61756594964112704732010-12-31T19:06:00.000-08:002010-12-31T19:07:28.506-08:00<div>MED HEAD</div><div>JAMES PATTERSON &amp; HAL FRIEDMAN</div><div>YA Non-fiction</div><div>Little, Brown</div><div>ISBN# 9780316076173</div><div>302 pages</div><div>$8.99</div><div>Paperback available now</div><div><br /></div><div>5 Enchantments</div><div><br /></div><div>Corey Friedman is an ordinary teenager with issues that take all his strength and courage to overcome. This is an account of his thirteen year journey dealing with OCD, anxiety, and Tourette’s symptom. </div><div><br /></div><div>Wow. Reading Corey’s story amazes me. What he went through as a child with the daily ridicule of his peers and then the pure hell of a life time of different drugs, totally is awe inspiring. My own son deals with sensory issues and I’ve dealt with a school system that wasn’t supportive. I can’t even imagine what Corey’s parents went through. What is really inspiring is Corey’s voice. His descriptions of the meds that caused serious issues are so real. I felt for him when this one so-called expert in the field of Tourette’s, ends up just viewing Corey as a test subject even when the one drug she prescribes to him causes him to want to end his life. </div><div><br /></div><div>Corey also shows the reader what it’s like to basically be a guinea pig to a wide assortment of meds. His OCD and Tourette’s were very extreme. One way Corey dealt with the pain was self-medicating with alcohol. But this book doesn’t just dwell on the negative. It shows Corey’s successes and triumphs. My favorite part is when Corey shows this one school founder that he will make it out in the real world. And he does with determination and persistence. </div><div><br /></div><div>The story is haunting and Corey’s personal journey through years of medical turmoil will stay with you. At the conclusion are notes from Corey’s parents, personal photos, and also info on OCD and Tourette’s.</div><div><br /></div><div>James Patterson is the author of Maximum Ride novels, Witch &amp; Wizard, and a number of other books. He lives in Florida.</div><div><br /></div><div>Hal Friedman has published five works of fiction. He lives with his wife, Sophia, at the edge of a forest in northern New Jersey.</div><div><br /></div><div>Kim Baccellia</div><div>ENCHANTING REVIEWS</div><div>November 2010</div><div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-6175659496411270473?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-39745153236852767072010-11-03T15:42:00.000-07:002010-11-03T15:42:00.904-07:00FORGE<br />LAURIE HALSE ANDERSON<br />Historical YA<br />Atheneum<br />ISBN# 978-1416961444<br />304 pages<br />$16.99<br />Hardback available now<br /><br />5 Enchantments<br /><br />Fifteen-year-old escaped slave Curzon lives in fear of being discovered. After a chance encounter, he finds himself a member of a battalion under the leadership of George Washington which ends up at Valley Forge. Not only does Curzon deal with hiding his true identity from the other soldiers but the harsh conditions of the war. Also he can’t forget Isabel. Will they meet again? And will he survive?<br /><br />This is the stunning conclusion to Chains. The rich writing, details, and setting make the reader feel as if they’d been dropped right into the middle of the Revolutionary War. I love Anderson’s eye to fine details to what the soldiers ate, wore, and how they interacted during this time. Curzon’s character is multidimensional. You can feel his conflict on how he feels towards a white friend he made on the battle field to the anger that his race still is considered not good enough to be free. There is one scene where he’s invited to go to this one officer’s home. He goes to the kitchen where he encounters some slaves. When the officer sees him there, he refuses to feed him. <br /><br />What I really love about these books is how well Anderson brings emotions to the surface. I felt anger, sadness, and even horror at what Curzon sees at Valley Forge. She’s able to paint a harsh, realistic picture of the numbness that must happen to someone who witnesses war.<br /><br />I highly recommend this book to fans of Anderson and also to any school library. Both Chains and Forge would be great books to use in discussions of the Revolutionary War and how freedom didn’t include all men at that time. <br /><br />Laurie Halse Anderson is an award-winning author of Speak and Chains, which were both National Book Award Finalists. Laurie lives in northern New York, where’s she’s working on Isabel and Curzon’s final adventure. Find out more on her blog at halseanderson.livejournal.com and twitter.com/halseanderson.<br /><br />Kim Baccellia<br />ENCHANTING REVIEWS<br />October 2010<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-3974515323685276707?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-30092519270268258932010-10-31T15:30:00.000-07:002010-10-31T15:31:34.667-07:00I WAS JANE AUSTEN'S BEST FRIEND<br />CORA HARRISON<br />Historical YA<br />Delacorte<br />ISBN# 978-0385739405<br />$17.99<br />Pages<br />Hardcover—Available Now<br /><br />Rating: 4.5 Enchantments<br /><br />I WAS JANE AUSTEN'S BEST FRIEND is a fun historical read for any Jane Austen fan. Actually based in part on fact: Jane's cousin did send a letter letting the family know of Jane's illness and both girls were brought back home with the Austen family, the tale veers off mainly into fiction from then on.<br /><br />I very much enjoyed I WAS JANE AUSTEN'S BEST FRIEND. Ms. Harrison does a terrific job transporting the reader back in time to 1791 and the Austen family home, making them feel like they are right there watching the story unfold. Cousin Jenny is a great character. Having lost her mother and spent the last few years at boarding school, she's delighted to find herself rescued alongside Jane, and at home with her Aunt Austen and family. The fact that she had to sneak out to get the letter sent however weighs heavily on her mind, as the scandal could ruin her reputation if found out, as it is especially important that the girls make good matches, since there aren't much funds for either of them. Only Jane knows the truth of how the letter was truly sent. When the young Captain that helped Jenny that night arrives in the area, Jenny is panicked, what if he tells the truth?<br /><br />Ms. Harrison creates a fun and enthusiastic young Jane Austen in her novel. Jane is full of life, loves hanging around her brothers, writing down her stories and sharing them with Jenny and her family. Her relationship with her mother is a strained one, the reason behind which comes to light later in the book when she takes Jenny to meet George, her other older brother who lives in town. I especially enjoyed the scenes with Jenny, Jane and George where the girls are trying to teach his alphabet in the hopes that he'll be able to one day put words together.<br /><br />Filled with memorable characters, I WAS JANE AUSTEN'S BEST FRIEND has definitely earned a spot on my keeper shelf. Visit Ms. Harrison online at http://www.coraharrison.com/<br /><br />Lisa<br />Enchanting Reviews<br />October 2010<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-3009251927026825893?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-85395592344978181652010-10-31T14:43:00.001-07:002010-10-31T14:43:42.418-07:00JUMP<br />GINGER RUE<br />Contemporary YA<br />Tricycle Press<br />ISBN# 978-0385739405<br />$15.99<br />224 Pages<br />Hardcover—Available Now<br /><br />Rating: 4.5 Enchantments<br /><br />Spoiled. Egotistical. Popular. All can describe Brinkley Harper, the undisputable Queen of Story High. She's currently being forced to see a shrink, the peculiar Irirangi, so she can stay at Story High after an 'incident' with one of the other students, not to mention she's personally responsible for four girls leaving the school. When Irirangi ends the first session by telling Brinkley she has some very special therapy planned for her, Brinkley could never imagine what's in store. Within days of their first meeting, strange things start happening. First, she finds herself inhabiting the body of that freak Miranda of all people. But a funny thing happens, Brinkley begins to see just what her and her friends behaviour looks like when she's on the receiving end of it. And twenty-four hours as Miranda, gives her a glimpse of a life she'd never imagined. Unfortunately, Miranda isn't the last jump she makes.<br /><br />So for the first few chapters, I really didn't like Brinkley much at all. Selfish, stuck-up, a bully, all are adjectives that barely scratch the surface of Brinkley. But as the story moves on, not only does Brinkley start to see a new side of herself that she isn't all that proud of, the reader sees what Brinkley isn't showing the world. Her boyfriend is more arm candy than anything else, her parents could be the definition of absentee and her housekeeper is the closest thing to family she has. Her growing friendship with Miranda was one of my favourite parts of the book, especially when she confided in her what was really going on and Miranda didn't quite believe her. As Brinkley matures, and starts to discover who she really wants to be, she becomes a far more likeable person. One of the best scenes is when Brinkley decides to get back at the guy Carly likes, after a jump into the other girl's body, where she was ignored and overheard the guy's remarks about 'her'. Definitely one of my favourites in the book.<br /><br />All in all, I found JUMP to be an enjoyable read.<br /><br />Ginger Rue was the advice columnist for Sweet 16magazine and has written for Girls’ Life, Teen Vogue, and Seventeen magazines, among others. Visit her online at www.gingerrue.com to learn more.<br /><br />Lisa<br />Enchanting Reviews<br />October 2010<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-8539559234497818165?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-38840702310140884962010-10-06T12:03:00.000-07:002010-10-06T12:04:19.813-07:00ENCHANTED IVY<br />SARAH BETH DURST<br />YA fantasy<br />McElderry Books<br />ISBN# 978-1416986454<br />310 pages<br />$16.99<br />Hardback Available Now<br /><br />4 Enchantments<br /><br />Lily Carter’s dream college is Princeton University. When she finally gets to visit the campus, her grandfather tells her that she’s been selected to take a secret Legacy Test. If she passes, she’ll get an automatic acceptance to Princeton.<br /><br />But Lily finds out the Legacy Test has some secrets which includes her family. Along the way she meets Tye, a cute college boy with orange and black hair who claims he’s a guard. Also talking gargoyles who tell her there is a gate between our world and a magical one. Lily needs to gather all her strength and courage to unite both worlds and unlock her own family secrets.<br /><br />I loved Sarah Beth Durst’s first fantasy INTO THE WILD. In that story she has creatures from children’s fairy tales exist right along our world. Durst is an expert on weaving such a world. ENCHANTED IVY is no exception. I loved Lily’s persistence and determination to get into the college of her dreams. Even when she finds out both her grandfather and mother hid some secrets from her, Lily refuses to give up. One of my favorite scenes has to be when she climbs up to one of the gargoyles, unfazed by how strange it all is, and listens to him. Or when she continues to watch out for Tye, even if he isn’t all he seems to be.<br /><br />Durst casts a spell on the reader with her fantasy world filled with talking gargoyles, cute shape shifter boys, and heroic knights. Let’s just say I’ll never think of Princeton in the same way again! I especially like Tye, the mysterious tiger boy with an impish sense of humor. His loyalty to Lily makes him very likeable too. This fun, colorful world is sure to become a favorite of fantasy lovers.<br /><br />Sarah Beth Durst is the author of INTO THE WILD and its sequel OUT OF THE WILD. She is a graduate of Princeton University. Sarah lives in Stony Brook, New York, with her husband and children. Visit her at sarahbethdurst.com<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Kim Baccellia<br />ENCHANTING REVIEWS<br />September 2010<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-3884070231014088496?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-46872193674104356282010-08-02T09:20:00.000-07:002010-08-02T09:20:00.340-07:00THE LESS-DEAD<br />APRIL LURIE<br />YA Contemporary<br />Delacorte Press<br />ISBN# 978-0-385-73675-6<br />229 pages<br />$16.99<br />Hardback Available Now<br /><br />Rating: 3.5 Enchantments<br /><br />Noah Nordstorm likes to rebel, especially against his father who just happens to be the host of a popular Christian radio show. Noah is embarrassed of his father’s messages which he feels are spreading hate. Then a couple local gay teens are murdered. Noah is convinced the killer called into his father’s show.<br /><br />Noah then meets Will Reed, who happens to be into poetry and is also gay. Noah at first feels strange around Will. When Noah finds out Will has been kicked out of his latest foster home, he tries to reach out. Then tragedy hits. Noah is filled with guilt and determined to find the killer. He’s also wants to show his father and others like him that spreading anti-gay propaganda is behind the recent killings.<br /><br />This book haunted me and brought the recent gay hate crimes to light. I totally believe in the message--that it’s dangerous to label others and justify this by using the Bible. I agree with the author that God is love, not hate. Also I thought the author’s interpretation of the scriptures used to flame anti-gay propaganda was interesting and insightful.<br /><br />But this story is more than that. It’s a murder mystery where a teen searches for the killer of a friend. Noah at first seems unlikeable but I could understand some of his reactions as I’ve been around mega conservative Christians too. His struggle to separate himself from his father’s intense views is something I know teens can relate with. The author does a great job of showing this during a family dinner scene where Noah’s father actually meets someone, in this case Will, who happens to be the very person he uses in his homophobic radio messages.<br /><br />The problem I had with this otherwise engaging tale, had to be that I felt at times the storyline was a tad bit too preachy and forced. Also I kind of guessed who the killer was.<br /><br />This story does address a subject that is sure to resonate with teens, especially those who live in ultra religious homes where anti-gay propaganda is preached.<br /><br />April Lurie lives near Austin, Texas, with her husband and their four children. You can read more about her work at www.aprillurie.com<br /><br />Kim Baccellia<br />ENCHANTING REVIEWS<br />July 2010<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-4687219367410435628?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-11225513702681167002010-07-31T19:12:00.001-07:002010-08-03T11:42:41.572-07:00THE POISON DIARIES<br />MARYROSE WOOD<br />YA Fantasy<br />Balzer + Bray<br />ISBN# 0061802360<br />288 pages<br />$16.99<br />Hardcover – Available Now<br /><br />Rating: 4 Enchantments<br /><br />Weed is an orphan taken to live with the Luxton family. He has a particular talent for herbal remedies and has a wealth of knowledge about plants and their uses. He forms a particular connection to Jessamine with whom he forms a friendship and eventual romance with.<br /><br />Jessamine spends her days in an isolated cottage tending her garden. She has learned from her father about the power of plants and how to cure illnesses with them.<br /><br />Jessamine Luxton lives with her father in an isolated cottage and spends her time learning about plants and tending her garden. Her father, a respected apothecary taught her about plants and the powers that they possess. She has always wanted to explore the locked garden of dangerous plants that her father would never let her enter. One day, an orphan is dropped off at her cottage to live with the Luxtons. Weed possesses a great amount of knowledge about plants and how they can be used to cure illnesses. He forms a quick friendship with Jessamine and eventually fall in love. The lure of the poison garden remains strong and threatens to tear down their newly formed relationship.<br /><br />THE POISON DIARIES was a beautiful combination of fantasy and romance. It reminded me of a darker The Secret Garden with a touch of romance. I loved the darkness of this book. Some readers may not appreciate the darkness of this book because it is a great departure from Woods’ other books which were more lighthearted. I thought that the detail and care taken with each and every description was just amazing. The description of the poison plants was just plain old creepy. I also loved that each plant had it’s own voice and personality that reflected the characteristics of the plant. I really loved the last two parts of the book because there was a darkness in those chapters that really encapsulated the feeling of the rest of the book.<br /><br />I thought Weed and Jessamine were wonderful characters. They were both so sympathetic and vibrant. Jessamine was such an amazing character. She had this innate curiosity about her that I really identify with. Weed was a mystery throughout the whole book. I loved his dependence on Jessamine. They really had a very sweet relationship that started with a dependence, turned into friendship and then eventually became love. People will compare them to Edward and Bella from Twilight but to me, they reminded me more of Mary Lennox and Dickon from The Secret Garden. Their relationship was very sweet and although they were very tentative with each other, they had great chemistry.<br /><br />I was, however, quite disappointed with the ending. I wanted there to be a more firm conclusion but, I guess, in YA you never really get that until the end of the series. I can’t wait until the next book.<br /><br />Maryrose Wood began writing fiction after a life in the theater. She has written several teen novels and her most recent series for young readers is The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place. She currently lives in New York City.<br /><br />Grace Loiacono<br />ENCHANTING REVIEWS<br />July 2010<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-1122551370268116700?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-72165714485059869792010-07-11T11:03:00.000-07:002010-07-11T11:04:20.116-07:00BAD BLOOD (A BLOOD COVEN VAMPIRE NOVEL #4)<br />MARI MANCUSI<br />Paranormal YA<br />Berkley Jam<br />ISBN# 9780425232644<br />230 Pages<br />$9.99<br />Trade—Available Now<br /><br />Rating: 4.5 Enchantments<br /><br />Seventeen year old Sunny McDonald is ready to take a big step forward with her thousand year old vampire boyfriend and coven leader Magnus, until she finds out the Blood Coven has decided upon a Blood Mate for him—Jane, who isn't what she seems. But Magnus won't listen to Sunny's claims, playing it off like she's just jealous...but when Sunny enlists the help of her twin sister, Rayne, to help discover the truth, the two set off for Vegas and find a lot more than they bargained for.<br /><br />BAD BLOOD is the fourth book in the 'A Blood Coven Vampire' series, but it's first book in the series I've read and I have to say it wasn't hard to get pulled into the story. Things were well laid out so I could slip easily into the story, and didn't feel like I'd missed a ton having not read the previous books. I have to say I really liked Sunny and Rayne and their relationship. Sunny's determination to prove to her boyfriend that she's right about Jane was great and her trek through Las Vegas in search of info that proves her right is both fun and entertaing. It's a path that leads her to a small theatre inside an old hotel and casino that's seen better days, but when she realizes the truth, Magnus isn't exactly easy to convince.<br /><br />This was one book that once I started I couldn't put down and finished it in an afternoon. Ms. Mancusi does an excellent job keeping the reader in the story, unable to wait to discover what's really going on with Jane, and how she got past the supposed background check of the Coven. Sunny's way of tracking her down is a little more tame than Rayne's ideas, but nonetheless, work. My favorite scenes are when Sunny is at the rehearsal's for the Sun Hotel's production of 'Bram Stoker's Dracula'. You're just waiting for Sunny to get more info, and nervous that she's about to be discovered by the bad guys. The sisters' get an added complication with their staying arrangements, instead of being in one of the hotels, they're staying with their step-mother and the half-sister they never knew about, which causes some animosity between Sunny and Rayne, with Sunny at least attempting to be nice.<br /><br />Filled with twists and turns, fun characters and a shocking ending that leaves readers demanding the next in the series, BAD BLOOD is a great paranormal read, perfect for summer.<br /><br />Visit Mari Mancusi online at www.marimancusi.com and on myspace at www.myspace.com/marimancusi<br /><br />Lisa<br />Enchanting Reviews<br />May 2010<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-7216571448505986979?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-63594320205703017982010-07-06T21:08:00.000-07:002010-07-06T21:09:22.787-07:00WHISPER<br />PHOEBE KITANIDIS<br />YA Paranormal<br />Harper Collins<br />ISBN # 978-0-06-179925-9<br />282 pages<br />$16.99<br />Hardcover Available now<br /><br />Rating: 4 Enchantments<br /><br />Joy can hear people’s thoughts or whispers. She’s learned to use this to her advantage. Her other sister Jessica, does the exact opposite thing. She uses whispers to hurt others. Then on Joy’s fifteenth birthday her ability changes. She finds out what her friends really think. And it’s not all good. To make matters worse, Jessica taunts her. This causes Joy to lash out and tell her sister to leave. Later, Joy finds out Jessica is missing. Her mother isn’t being truthful and her father is oblivious. It’s now up to Joy to find her one Aunt who has silenced other’s whispers. Maybe then Joy can find the truth and also her older sister before it’s too late.<br /><br />This intriguing tale shows what happens when a paranormal ability turns out not to be so great after all. The beginning of the story is a tad bit slow with a little too much back story. But once you read about the pivotal event that changes Joy’s life, you can’t put the book down. I liked the sister relationship, which was totally realistic. Jessica, alias Icka, is shown at first as a resentful presence. She’s a major pain in the butt and takes pleasure in putting Joy down. It would have been easy to keep it at that. Instead the author fleshed Jessica out to show her vulnerabilities which included her trying to warn Joy of what would happen to her gift when she turned fifteen and how she tried to connect with her telepathically.<br /><br />The relationship between Jaime and Joy is interesting. I liked how each of them complimented the other. I also liked how the author shows how Jaime deals with his paranormal ability in a different way.<br /><br />WHISPER takes an intriguing twist on a paranormal ability that makes you want to read more!<br /><br />Phoebe Kitanidis lives in Seattle, Washington, with her husband and big gray cat. A former Language Arts teacher, she now writes full time. To find out more check out www.authortracker.com<br /><br /><br />Kim Baccellia<br />ENCHANTING REVIEWS<br />June 2010<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-6359432020570301798?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-4291733067095165832010-07-06T21:05:00.000-07:002010-07-06T21:06:20.683-07:00SAVING MADDIE<br />VARIAN JOHNSON<br />YA Contemporary<br />Delacorte Press<br />ISBN# 978-0-385-73804-0<br />231 pages<br />$16.99<br />Hardback Available now<br /><br />Rating: 4 Enchantments<br /><br />Everyone, including Joshua Wynn’s pastor father, expects him to be the perfect teen. So far he doesn’t disappoint as he chooses abstinence and religious retreats over partying and getting into trouble. Then one day an old friend shows up and turns his world upside down.<br /><br />Maddie Smith comes to one sermon dressed in a very revealing dress which causes just about everyone to gossip. Everyone except Joshua. He still remembers the girl he’d meet at the blackberry brushes. But that girl has changed. No longer does Maddie want anything to do with organized religion. And rumor has it she has a bad reputation. Everyone, including Joshua’s father, discourages him from seeing Maddie. But Joshua can’t. He feels he can save Maddie. But in the process of doing this, will he lose his own way?<br /><br />I really liked this story. Joshua’s struggles to be the ‘perfect’ son are very true. So are his challenges to not let his father down. Maddie coming back to town causes turmoil. Joshua starts to question his own faith and beliefs. I liked how the author shows Joshua struggling to still be the obedient son while fighting his growing attraction to Maddie.<br /><br />The relationship between Joshua and Maddie is intense at times. Maddie’s shield does come down just enough for us to see that she’s not the stereotypical ‘slutty’ girl. Though I liked the interaction between Joshua and his parents, I would have liked the author to dig a little deeper. I felt that Joshua’s mother might have had more of a reason why she resented Maddie showing back up.<br /><br />SAVING MADDIE digs down deep to break apart the stereotypes of what it means to be worth saving. It also shows how one teen does just that while in the meantime finding himself.<br /><br />Varian Johnson is the author of MY LIFE AS A RHOMBUS. He lives in Austin, Texas, with his wife and their two cocker spaniels. He’s a graduate of the Vermont College of Fine Arts MFA Program for Writing for Children and Young Adults. Find out more at www.varianjohnson.com<br /><br />Kim Baccellia<br />ENCHANTING REVIEWS<br />May 2010<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-429173306709516583?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-40648391988043504042010-07-06T21:01:00.001-07:002010-07-06T21:01:56.798-07:00NIGHTTIME: TOO SCARED TO SLEEP<br />TODD STRASSER<br />Kid’s horror<br />Scholastic<br />ISBN #978-0-545-10463-0<br />80 pages<br />$4.99<br />Print Paperback- Available Now<br /><br />Rating: 5 Enchantments<br /><br />NIGHTTIME: TOO SCARED TO SLEEPwas a fun collection of scary short stories. My kids really enjoyed these around Halloween. We would snuggle up and I would read it to them. The stories of course are not scary for me but have just enough spook for my kids. Some of the stories are longer than others but all of them are fun. From what I can tell there are two more books in this set, and I will be getting those soon. My kids really enjoyed this book and can’t wait for more.<br /><br />One of our favorite stories was THE NICEST BABYSITTER IN THE WORLD. This was a story of a babysitter who convinced the kids she was babysitting to tell her all about the boy who is being mean to them. They told her what they would like to do to him in a perfect world. I believe it was throw rocks at him while he is on his bike. The next day… he had rocks thrown at him. My kids loved it, and it taught them a lesson to not wish mean things on other people. <br /><br />NIGHTTIME: TOO SCARED TO SLEEP was a fun collection of spooky stories perfect for children ages 5 to 10.<br /><br />Todd Strasser is the author of children books from grade 2 and up. To find out more about his wonderful books please visit his website at http://www.toddstrasser.com/ <br /><br />Jennifer<br />ENCHANTING REVIEWS<br />November 2009<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-4064839198804350404?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-32357459680381658262010-07-06T20:57:00.000-07:002010-07-06T20:58:31.672-07:00BORDERLINE<br />ALLAN STRATTON<br />YA Contemporary<br />Harper Collins<br />ISBN # 978-0-06-145111-9<br />298 pages<br />$16.99<br />Hardcover­—Available now<br /><br />Rating: 4 Enchantments<br /><br />Life isn’t easy for Sami Sabiri. After one incident with a girl, his father puts him in a private school where he’s the only Muslim teen. Then Sami catches his father in a lie and checks out what’s going on. Come to find out others, which include the FBI, are interested too. When the FBI comes and takes his father away, Sami’s family becomes the center of an international terrorist investigation. It’s up to Sami to find the truth before his world unravels.<br /><br />I really liked Sami’s POV in this story. Sami describes how hard it is being Muslim in a post 9/11 world in a very realistic and believable way. Some ways he shows this is how he finds a secret place to say his prayers at the school. He also compares how different his life is from his non-Muslim friends and how it sometimes makes him feel invisible and left out. The scene where Eddy, the star football player and bully, torments Sami because of his faith struck a chord with me. My own brother-in-law and nephews are Muslim so I’ve heard from them how easy it is for others to quickly judge someone who’s different. <br /><br />Sami’s friends at first seem indifferent to his plight but later show their true colors once Sami sets out to find the truth. I liked the interaction between the friends that didn’t feel forced at all. Also I liked how one teacher tries to stand up for what’s wrong with racism and to show Sami that he needs to not accept the bullies abuse but to stand true to who he is.<br /><br />I feel this is a perfect book for a book club selection as it shows a Muslim teen dealing with very real issues in a post 9/11 world. This book addresses such themes as prejudice, racism, and fear of the unknown. Also how easy it is to believe the worse of someone because of their differences.<br /><br />Allan Stratton is the author of the Printz Honor Book Chanda’s secrets. He’s the winner of other numerous citations. He lives in Toronto with his partner, two cats, and a pond full of fish. Visit him at www.allanstratton.com to find out more on his books and latest projects.<br /><br />Kim Baccellia<br />ENCHANTING REVIEWS<br />May 2010<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-3235745968038165826?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-74268683907754521542010-07-06T20:53:00.000-07:002010-07-06T20:54:18.996-07:00THE VAN ALEN LEGACY<br />MELISSA DE LA CRUZ<br />Young Adult paranormal<br />ATOM<br />ISBN# 978-1905654796<br />400 Pages<br />$14.99<br />Hardback- Available now<br /><br />Rating: 4 Enchantments<br /><br />THE VAN ALEN LEGACY is the fourth book in the Blue Bloods series. The series follows the lives and actions of three girls, Schuyler, Mimi, and Bliss with the primary story line following Schuyler. This book starts following the catastrophic events of Book Three REVELATIONS.<br /><br />Schuyler is a wanted girl and is on the run with her best friend Oliver for crimes she did not commit. She is on the trail of her family’s legacy and to find out the cold hard truth no matter what stands in her way. However there is a fork in her road. Her head tells her which way is safe but her heart leads her on a different path.<br /><br />Bliss is facing her own battle. She wakes up in a body she is unable to control. Her mind is her only safe haven however she seems to have no control of that either. What happened to her? How did she get in this position? And if it is not her living her life then who is?<br /><br />Mimi is reveling in her new found power. She is one of the Venators. She has changed her life and is no longer Miss Priss. She is something to be feared. With this new change comes new love. But will Mimi trade in her destiny for a chance at a new life?<br /><br />I would like to say that this book was perfect but it wasn’t. It took forever for any action to happen. I also did not like how this book takes place one year after the end of REVELATIONS. I would like to have had it immediately following the end of book three that way we could have gotten to see what happened when the disaster at the conclave was found out. The book did pick up after a bit and I was please to see some new characters start to be more active. One part of this book and series that I love is it really does show that nothing is set in stone. These characters are acting completely opposite of the way their destiny is telling them. They are having new roles in life and new loves. The ending of THE VAN ALEN LEGACY was quite shocking and a complete cliff hanger but this is the style of Miss De La Cruz. I for one cannot wait for the nest book in the series MISGUIDED ANGEL which comes out October 2010.<br /><br />Melissa De La Cruz is the author of the Ashleys series, the Au Pairs series and now the new Blue Bloods series. To find out more about her and her books please visit her website at http://melissa-delacruz.com/index.php<br /><br />Jennifer<br />ENCHANTING REVIEWS<br />February 2010<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-7426868390775452154?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-89399290446473857032010-05-19T10:30:00.000-07:002010-05-19T10:31:43.257-07:00<div>THE MISSING GIRL</div><div>NORMA FOX MAZER</div><div>YA Contemporary</div><div>Harper Collins</div><div>ISBN# 978-0064473651</div><div>304 pages</div><div>$8.99</div><div>Paperback—Available now</div><div><br /></div><div>Rating: 4 Enchantments</div><div><br /></div><div>This is the story of the five Herbert sisters and the man who watches them in the shadows. Beauty is the oldest that can’t wait to leave the small town. Mim is the sensitive one. Stevie is the rebellious one. Fancy is the one with special needs. Autumn is the youngest.</div><div><br /></div><div>The man is very ordinary. He watches his chickadees, planning on which one he’ll take. The girls are unaware of this and continue with their lives until their family security is shattered one fateful day when the man makes his decision with painful consequences.</div><div><br /></div><div>I admit at times this book was hard to read considering I’m the mother of a small child. This is a very chilling and at times disturbing story of a man who watches and waits to kidnap a girl. I was disturbed at how much the author revealed about the man’s plans and his thinking so much so that I found myself checking my surroundings more than once.</div><div><br /></div><div>This novel is told from alternating points of view that at times confused me. I almost think it would have been better if the author had stayed with only one point of view. By having all five sister’s voices throughout this novel I didn’t feel a real connection with any of them. Also the parents were in the background. I wanted to know what they were feeling and to show how a tragedy rips apart a family.</div><div><br /></div><div>At the end of the book is a study guide and other interesting information on how the author came up with the idea of THE MISSING GIRL. I think this book would be a great book club selection. Also it would be great for discussions afterwards. </div><div><br /></div><div>Norma Fox Mazer died in 2009 and THE MISSING GIRL is her last novel. Her career as an author of teenage books spanned forty years. Her books won many awards, including the ALAN Award from the National Council of Teachers of English, the Lewis Carroll Shelf Award, and the Christopher Award. </div><div><br /></div><div>Kim </div><div>ENCHANTING REVIEWS</div><div>April 2010</div><div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-8939929044647385703?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-73827361799593638962010-05-19T09:47:00.001-07:002010-05-19T09:50:41.073-07:00<div>THE SIX RULES OF MAYBE</div><div>DEB CALETTI</div><div>Contemporary YA</div><div>Simon Pulse</div><div>ISBN# 9781416979692</div><div>321 Pages</div><div>$16.99 US/$19.99 Can</div><div>Hardcover--Available Now</div><div><br /></div><div>Rating: 4.5 Enchantments</div><div><br /></div><div>Between her older sister, Juliet's, unexpected return home, not to mention unexpected husband and news in tow, it's hard for seventeen year old Scarlet to adjust to the new turn her summer has taken. Her sister's husband, Hayden, is nothing like the bad boys Juliet usually dates and Scarlet finds herself falling for the sweet, soft-hearted guy. Scarlet's the kind of girl who wants to look after everyone, including the elderly neighbor couple across the street who are falling prey to an internet scam despite Scarlet's best efforts. I have to say that was one of my favorite sub-plots in the book and it's ending made me crack up.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ms. Caletti creates a wonderful read with THE SIX RULES OF MAYBE. I loved Scarlet, how she was always wanting to look out for those around her, whether it was creating mail for Clive Weaver across the street; setting up the Goth Girl who draws on the sidewalk with a date for prom, or trying to fix her sister's marriage, all without really acknowledging that maybe the ones that need the help the most are her and her sister. It takes Scarlet awhile to dig deep enough to discover the real reason behind it all, why her sister keeps shoving Hayden away and why she herself is the way she is. I loved the scenes between Scarlet and Hayden, how she takes him on a tour of the small island they live on and the way she goes out to keep him company when he goes out to smoke in the middle of the night. I love how she's completely blind to the guy from school who seems interested in her, the same boy one of her BFF's is crushing on and how one of the oddest guys in school is trying to convince her to go out with him, even though that's the last thing she wants. THE SIX RULES OF MAYBE is full of everything I love about Ms. Caletti's books: great voice, characters and plot. Definitely one for my keeper shelf.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ms. Caletti is the author of The Queen of Everything; Honey, Baby, Sweetheart (a National Book Award finalist); Wild Roses; The Nature of Jade; The Fortunes of Indigo Skye; and The Secret Life of Prince Charming. She lives with her family in Seattle. You can visit her online at www.debcaletti.com and become a fan on Facebook.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Lisa</div><div>Enchanting Reviews</div><div>May 2010</div><div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-7382736179959363896?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-75942146845691118292010-05-13T12:56:00.000-07:002010-05-13T12:56:00.959-07:00MY DOUBLE LIFE<br />JANETTE RALLISON<br />Contemporary YA<br />Putnam<br />ISBN# 978-0-399-25262-4<br />272 Pages<br />$16.99<br />Hardcover—Available May 2010<br /><br />Rating: 4 Enchantments<br /><br />Alexia Garcia can't believe the offer that comes her way after a mean girl's prank on her backfires when the photo catches some surprise attention. With her uncanny resemblance to pop star Kari Kingsley, Kari and her publicist want her to play the role of Kari's double, filling in for Kari at a handful of events and small concerts so the real Kari can concentrate on working on her long delayed album. The offer seems too good to be true, and her mother is decidedly against the idea, especially when she confides the identity of Alexia's father, something that's been a secret all of Alexia's life. The girls' resemblance isn't so much a coincidence, as the two are half sisters, a piece of knowledge that spurs Alexia to quickly agree to the plan and move to California for a chance to get to know the half-sister she never knew existed and for a chance to meet her father.<br /><br />I really enjoyed MY DOUBLE LIFE. While Alexia struggles to fit into her role as Kari's double, including a complete make-over with hair extensions, dance classes, a designer wardrobe and more, she finds herself facing some unexpected issues of her own. With the physical distance between her and her mother and grandmother, things aren't exactly the way Alexia thought they'd be. Add in her developing feelings for fellow teen star Grant who thinks she's really Kari, and not only is Alexia confused, she's also torn between doing exactly what everyone expects her to and what she feels is right. I have to say I really liked the friendship of sorts that forms between Alexia and Kari and the way that Alexia wants to help her half-sister out of the trouble she's in, which I wish would have played into the story a little more. However it didn't make the book any less enjoyable. I have to say my favorite scene that still makes me smile is when Grant goes to drop 'Kari' off after their date and instead of taking Alexia to where she's living with the publicist, he takes her to Kari's home. Alexia panics but it looks like maybe no one is home, until she hears footsteps in the house. Between dealing with a very confused poolman who tells her that she just argued with him in the driveway (obviously the real Kari) and Kari's real boyfriend showing up after Grant leaves, it's one enjoyable mess.<br /><br />Janette Rallison lives in Chandler, Arizona with her husband, five children and enough cats to classify her as "an eccentric cat lady." You can visit her online at her website, http://www.janetterallison.com/<br /><br /><br />Lisa<br />ENCHANTING REVIEWS<br />March 2010<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-7594214684569111829?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-41464476170369066562010-04-27T00:02:00.000-07:002010-04-27T00:02:00.893-07:00MISTWOOD<br />LEAH CYPESS<br />YA Paranormal<br />Greenwillow Books<br />ISBN# 9780061956997<br />320 pages<br />$16.99<br />Hardcover – Available April 27, 2010<br /><br />Rating: 5 Enchantments<br /><br />Travelling deep into the dangerous Mistwood, a young prince and soon to be king call upon an ancient power. Summoning and then binding Isabel to them, it would seem that all of their problems are now solved. Or are they?<br /><br />Isabel is the Shifter, bound to protect the royalty of Samorna both with her strength and her mind. Immortal and able to take on any shape she chooses, the Shifter is a formidable weapon and great protection for a king in need. When Rokhan summons her and brings her back to the castle with him, however, Isabel soon learns that everything is not as it should be. Strong in character and wise beyond the appearance of her years, Isabel is a fantastic character with quite a bit of depth to her. This is easily a character one could follow throughout many stories as there always seems to be something new to discover about her.<br /><br />Prince Rokhan, next in line to the throne after the death of his father, finds himself relying heavily on Isabel. Her powers and physical abilities should help protect his life while her mental capacity and experience advising past kings should help Rokhan lead his people well. With a strong desire to better his kingdom and rule wisely, Rokhan appears to have great potential. With Isabel at his side, he truly believes nothing can go wrong. Unfortunately for him, however, secrets rarely stay hidden and when his come to the surface, losing his crown may be the least of his worries.<br /><br />MISTWOOD by Leah Cypess is a robust tale of royalty, deception, self-discovery, romance and a decent amount of the paranormal. As we follow Isabel throughout the story, we learn more about her and the memories that slowly come back to her. Snatches of memory and good reasoning skills allows Isabel to discover that Rokhan may not be who he truly seems although the compulsion of the Shifter magic forces her to protect him anyway. Uncovering more about Isabel and Rokhan, we find ourselves in the midst of deception. Full of sorcerers, princes, princesses, kings and the Shifter, MISTWOOD is a wonderful tale of magic and the strength of the human spirit.<br /><br />Originally drawn to MISTWOOD by the beautiful cover, I was amazed at just how good the story was. Isabel is unlike many of the shape-shifters that we see nowadays. Ms. Cypess has done an amazing job of creating her own world and her own set of rules. What really made this book fantastic was how well she stuck to those rules. I have experienced many paranormal books where suddenly the characters could do things that had been impossible for them to do previously in the story. Here, Ms. Cypess gives Isabel her quirks and limitations while actually sticking to them. That made the story much more believable and realistic, which is great for something so full of magic.<br /><br />Relationships played a major role in MISTWOOD. As Isabel learns more about herself and uncovers the truths about others, we see relationships grow and falter. This is more than a single week of time in the life of some girl. While not covering a huge expanse of time, this book does seem to cover quite a large expanse of events. Ms. Cypess does a fantastic job of allowing the story to ebb and flow throughout the book, giving us little mini adventures and allowing each event to come Isabel’s way to really shine. When I said that the story was robust, that really is the best way to describe it. MISTWOOD is a very full story with plenty of twists and turns. Every time it felt like the story was coming to a close, something else would happen that would keep our heroine constantly moving forward.<br /><br />For me, the true test of a story is how long it stays in one’s mind after the final page has turned. With the plot twists throughout the book and especially at the end of the story, I believe MISTWOOD will stay with me for a while. This story is dark and mysterious, the lies surrounding Rokhan and the loss of Isabel’s memory aiding the mystical feel of the book. The way in which this book has fully wrapped around my mind is evidence of Ms. Cypess’s clear writing style and beautiful story development.<br /><br />MISTWOOD was many years in the making and truly a work of art from Leah Cypess. Although this is her first published novel, she has written a number of other short stories. She can be found online at http://www.leahcypess.com/.<br /><br />Cinnamon Brown<br />ENCHANTING REVIEWS<br />March 2010<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-4146447617036906656?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-34723632002707636312010-04-13T09:15:00.000-07:002010-04-13T09:16:00.215-07:00RAVEN<br />ALLISON VAN DIEPEN<br />Young Adult Paranormal<br />Simon Pulse<br />ISBN# 9781416978992<br />304 pages<br />$8.99<br />Paperback - Available Now<br /><br />Rating: 4 Enchantments<br /><br />RAVEN by Allison van Diepen was an interesting story and definitely not what I was expecting. I thought there would be more of a paranormal aspect to the story and while there was, it didn’t seem to play too major of a role. The best way to describe the otherworldly elements in this book is as accessories to make the underlying relationship and character development stand out. It certainly worked because although I might not have read what I expected, I definitely came out of it with a story that has stuck with me.<br /><br />Nicole is our raven haired beauty full of mystery and secrets. That’s one thing she shares with the delicious Zin. Secrets consume the both of them, threatening to spill over and control their daily lives. Perhaps for Nicole, they already are. Living with a ghost is never easy, especially when this ghost haunts your dreams and occasionally your day-to-day life. Knowing that somewhere in the world your ghost is alive and hurting is ten times worse.<br /><br />Having fallen in love with Zin from the moment she laid eyes on him, Nicole has filled her heart with this Arabic break-dancing stud. She even went so far as to join the Toprocks, Zin’s dancing group, to get closer to him. This is where I started to get lost in the story.<br /><br />Unless you’re a fan of break-dancing and understand the sport, I would imagine that the common reader is going to need a break-dancing dictionary to help them visualize the story. Ms. Van Diepen uses quite a few break-dancing terms that made a majority of the action within the story difficult to understand. I could kind of see what the characters were doing and I certainly understood the adrenaline that the dancing was creating, but having no knowledge of the dance moves and no real explanation of them given, this aspect of the book was hard to follow.<br /><br />The majority of RAVEN focused on Nicole and Zin as their secrets explode and each is left to pick up the pieces for the other. As their romance blooms, however, life gets in the way and the author does an amazing job of holding that romantic tension in the story. Will Nicole end up with Zin or won’t she? My answer to this question changed about every ten pages and this is the true sign of what great writing Ms. Van Diepen put into this book. Her ability to keep us entranced and addicted to the story was such that even though I couldn’t understand parts of it, I still kept reading, needing to know more.<br /><br />The paranormal aspect of RAVEN – the aspect that I mentioned was kind of lacking – did play a role in our story; it just didn’t feel like the main focus of the story. Perhaps it is better that it wasn’t the main aspect; we were able to focus on the relationships in the story with the magic tossed in to keep us hooked. The paranormal aspect did allow for a common problem the characters could work around and provided a nice touch of otherness to the book that lent it a perfect edge. Overall I would have to say that the combination of paranormal to not ended up working well and was probably to the story’s advantage. The author gave us a fictional story that could easily translate to real life.<br /><br />Allison van Diepen is the author of multiple young adult books, a few focusing on the harsher topics that come up in a teen’s life. She can be found online at http://www.allisonvandiepen.com/index.htm.<br /><br /><br />Cinnamon<br />ENCHANTING REVIEWS<br />April 2010<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-3472363200270763631?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-35092918994773677212010-04-11T14:43:00.000-07:002010-04-11T14:43:00.616-07:00FRAGILE ETERNITY<br />MELISSA MARR<br />Young Adult Fantasy<br />HarperTeen<br />ISBN# 9780061214714<br />389 pages<br />$8.99<br />Paperback - Available Now<br /><br />Rating: 5 Enchantments<br /><br />A great continuation to the Wicked Lovely series and an interesting look into Melissa Marr’s world of the Fae, FRAGILE ETERNITY turned out to be quite an interesting read. Having heard some mixed reviews about this one, I was a little nervous to see if this third installment could live up to the first two books. Following the incredibly intense Ink Exchange, FRAGILE ETERNITY could have easily floundered. Luckily, it didn’t.<br /><br />While Ink Exchange took us over to watch the Dark Court, FRAGILE ETERNITY brings us back over to the lives of Aislinn, Seth, Donia, and of course our Summer King, Keenan. Struggling to find love where they can and fend off love where they shouldn’t allow it, life is anything but easy for these four. While Aislinn and Keenan fight against the lusty call of Summer, Donia becomes absorbed in finding a way not to wage war against the Summer court. After all, the man who is supposed to love her can’t help but find himself drawn to another woman. Amidst the chaos Seth finds the answer to his dreams, but will the required sacrifice be worth it?<br /><br />Seth and Keenan both soar to new heights in FRAGILE ETERNITY. We see a new, deeper side to Keenan that we hadn’t really witnessed before. With Seth we begin to see the beginning cracks of insecurity. Aislinn’s pull to Keenan isn’t something he wants to witness but with no way to stop it, he’s at a loss for what to do. I think readers will love Seth in this book as he really becomes the focal point of the story.<br /><br />The overall feel of FRAGILE ETERNITY was quite a bit different from Ink Exchange. Missing the deliciously dark, romantic element that the previous book held, this book stands out as more of a turning point in the series. We learn more about the world and get to meet a few more characters. It is still Ms. Marr’s world of the Fae, so there is plenty of darkness thrown throughout the pages of this story, but overall it felt that the tension here wasn’t as great as in previous books.<br /><br />Readers will enjoy getting a deeper look into Ms. Marr’s world. Many of our questions are answered which, of course, only leaves us with more. One of my favorite aspects of her books is the way she manages to give us a fulfilling story without necessarily giving us a happy ending. Readers of Ms. Marr’s work will understand what I mean. FRAGILE ETERNITY is certainly no exception to this, but there was something about it, something about the change in the characters that leaves me thrilled and excited for the next installment in the series.<br /><br />Melissa Marr is hard at working promoting the fourth book in the series, Radiant Shadows. She can be found online at http://www.melissa-marr.com/.<br /><br />Cinnamon<br />ENCHANTING REVIEWS<br />April 2010<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-3509291899477367721?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-62531883284617036632010-04-10T13:18:00.000-07:002010-04-10T13:19:35.696-07:00<div>SWEET LITTLE LIES: An L.A. Candy Novel</div><div>LAUREN CONRAD</div><div>Contemporary YA</div><div>HarperCollins</div><div>ISBN# 978-0061767609</div><div>320 Pages</div><div>$17.99</div><div>Hardcover—Available Now</div><div><br /></div><div>Rating: 4.5 Enchantments</div><div><br /></div><div>Picking up right where 'L.A. Candy' leaves off, Jane is trying to recover from the leaked photos of her and Braeden, her boyfriend's best friend. Unknown to Jane, the person out to get her is her new BFF and fellow L.A. Candy co-star Madison. Meanwhile, her true BFF, Scarlet is dealing with her own misery. With Jane gone, L.A. Candy has been forcing her into hanging out with her worst nightmare—Gaby. But when the cameras stop rolling, maybe Gaby isn't as bad as Scar originally thought. When one of the cute cameramen asks Scar out, she finds herself agreeing, which is totally against L.A Candy rules. </div><div><br /></div><div>Fast moving, SWEET LITTLE LIES keeps the reader turning the pages, waiting for Jane to discover the truth and waiting to see if Scar's really in love. And what is Madison's little secret? Someone out there knows and the way she's determined to hide it, it must be something good. I have to say I really enjoyed SWEET LITTLE LIES. A strong second book in the series, the reader gets pulled deeper into the lives of Jane, Scar, and Madison. Jane and Scar's friendship is a little more on the rocks in this one, thanks to Madison's lies and Jane's need to believe the best about people. I really liked how we got to know Scarlet better and the relationship brewing between her and the cute cameraman. And you can't help but feel bad for Jane when the whole truth is exposed and she finds herself possibly without a best friend and a place to stay. I'm really looking forward to seeing where Ms. Conrad takes this cast of characters next. </div><div><br /></div><div>Lauren Conrad is best known for starring in the MTV hit series The Hills. Her first novel, L.A. Candy, was a #1 New York Times bestseller. She began her career as a fashion designer in spring 2008 with the debut of the Lauren Conrad Collection and expanded in 2009 with a second line, LC Lauren Conrad, exclusively for Kohl's. She has been featured on the covers of Cosmopolitan, Teen Vogue, Us Weekly, Rolling Stone, and Entertainment Weekly, among others. Lauren also launched the m.powerment by mark charity campaign with mark cosmetics in 2008. She lives in Los Angeles and is currently working on her third novel in the L.A. Candy series.</div><div><br /></div><div>Lisa</div><div>ENCHANTING REVIEWS</div><div>February 2010</div><div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-6253188328461703663?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-81913820322993504232010-04-10T13:00:00.000-07:002010-04-10T13:11:48.368-07:00BLEEDING VIOLET<br />DIA REEVES<br />Young Adult Paranormal<br />Simon Pulse<br />ISBN# 9781416986188<br />454 pages<br />$16.99<br />Hardcover – Available Now<br /><br />Rating: 4 Enchantments<br /><br />Hanna is a strong-willed, intelligent character; perfect for a book where your oddest dreams come to life. She probably doesn’t have the healthiest mind on the block and this is made evident by the number of prescription pills she has to take and the way she shows up on her mother’s doorstep. BLEEDING VIOLET by Dia Reeves is definitely one of those books where once the story is over, you go back to the title and finally realize what it means. <br /><br />Wearing only purple dresses and nice heels, Hanna stands out in a town where everyone else wears black. It isn’t safe to stand out. Transies – transients – are people who have not grown up in the Portero, Texas area and are recent installations to this strange town. They are the only ones who wear bright colors; they don’t know any better. Why would you want to stand out when the attention you might receive could come in the form of something biting your head off…literally.<br /><br />Immediately catching the attention of our neurotic Hanna is the green-clad Wyatt. His clothes signify his role in a dangerous organization within the town, one that can help or hurt depending on its desires. Wyatt and Hanna find themselves drawn to each other in a relationship that is surely as strange as the town they live in. <br /><br />Ms. Reeves has created quite an interesting world in BLEEDING VIOLET. Portero is definitely on the top of my list of places I never wish to visit. Full of possessions, blood sucking creatures, monsters, and death, Portero is an interesting area where anything can happen. The possibilities the author created when she developed this town are many and I’m fairly certain that she utilized them all. <br /><br />As we race through the story, Ms. Reeves throws a few different subplots at us. Hanna’s mother Rosalee wants nothing to do with her and we need to figure out why, the town is intensely strange with many secrets, someone close to Hanna starts to act oddly, and finally Hanna’s diseased mind itself plays a role in our exploration. Each of these impact the storyline and give the reader something to latch on to. Although the story may be vastly different from many out there right now, many readers will still find a good deal of enjoyment out of it. It’s oddity is such that there is never a moment when the reader feels bored. Hanna’s hallucinations (or are they real?) allow for some moments which can be at times hilarious or fairly disturbing. Ms. Reeves detail and imagery while creating these scenes is such that the full extent of the emotion in the book becomes available to the reader. I believe that the reader is meant to be confused, angered, and scared at times. These emotions fly freely off the page. <br /><br />The style of writing and Ms. Reeves ability to give us a complex story in an interesting way was fantastic. At times, the story was a little difficult to follow as it stayed in fast-paced forward motion. Readers will need to make sure that they take the time to really read the book and not just flip through the pages as quickly as can be. This may be tempting as the story is quite addictive, but in order to get the full effect of the feelings surrounding Hanna, take your time with the story. It will pay off in the end.<br /><br />BLEEDING VIOLET is the debut novel for Dia Reeves. Currently working as a librarian in Texas, she can be found online at http://www.diareeves.com/.<br /><br />Cinnamon<br />ENCHANTING REVIEWS<br />April 2010<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-8191382032299350423?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-19994675103531106252010-04-10T12:59:00.001-07:002010-04-10T13:00:08.288-07:00<div>A BRIEF HISTORY OF MONTMARAY</div><div>MICHELLE COOPER</div><div>Historical Fantasy YA</div><div>Knopf</div><div>ISBN# 978-0375858642</div><div>304 Pages</div><div>$16.99</div><div>Hardcover—Available Now</div><div><br /></div><div>Rating: 4 Enchantments</div><div><br /></div><div>"Princess" Sophie Fitzosborne lives on the small island of Montmaray with the King, his daughter, her younger sister and a handful of residents who still remain. Her dear older brother is away at school in England and Sophie and family miss him terribly, keeping in contact only through sporadic letters. The house is terribly dilapidated, but despite that, Sophie is happy with her life. And even more so when a letter arrives from her aunt, inviting her to London for her debut. The only thing is, Sophie knows her cousin Veronica won't go and she's reluctant to go on her own. How could she navigate life in London without her? But then something happens that might just jeopardize everything.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have to admit from the cover blurb, I thought A BRIEF HISTORY OF MONTMARAY might be a bit of a dry read. I was wrong. What I enjoyed most about the book was Sophie herself; she had a great voice and was really likable right from the start. All the characters were very unique: Veronica, Sophie's cousin and daughter of the King, who'd rather hole up in the library and work on the history of Montmaray then head to England and make her debut, not to mention The King himself, who's just a wee bit unstable and prefers to stay locked up in his room, preferring to deal only with the housekeeper and not his daughter nor his nieces. One of my favorite scenes is when we actually get a glimpse of the crazy King as he appears briefly and we see the chaos that erupts around him as he finally emerges from his room and into the kitchen where most of the family is present. From Sophia's memories, we see how the King's wife took off suddenly and how he fell into the state he's in. A great combination of history, intrigue and a dash of suspense, I look forward to reading more from Ms. Cooper.</div><div><br /></div><div>Michelle Cooper lives in Sydney, Australia. Find an excerpt here: http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780375858642</div><div><br /></div><div>Lisa</div><div>Enchanting Reviews</div><div>October 2009</div><div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-1999467510353110625?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-76971237236876895642010-03-30T20:07:00.001-07:002010-03-31T12:35:13.493-07:00DIZZY IN YOUR EYES: POEMS ABOUT LOVE<br />PAT MORA<br />YA Poetry<br />Knopf<br />ISBN# 978-0375843754<br />176 Pages<br />$15.99<br />Hardcover—Available<br />Rating: 4.5 Enchantments<br /><br />DIZZY IN YOUR EYES: POEMS ABOUT LOVE is filled with a collection of fifty poems of different types, from a simple poem, to '3 a.m. Blues' which is the blues to the last in the book 'My Song' which is written as a song.<br /><br />I have to admit, I'm not usually big on poetry but I really enjoyed DIZZY IN YOUR EYES: POEMS ABOUT LOVE. Every poem is different, told from a different narrator's point of view. The one thing they all have in common though is the theme—love. With some of the poems Ms. Mora provides a description of the type of poem on the opposite page, so those interested can learn more about that particular style. Two of my favorite poems are 3 a.m. Blues because I like the lyrical styling and an earlier one in the book, To-Do List because it's very much true to life.<br /><br />DIZZY IN YOUR EYES: POEMS ABOUT LOVE is Pat's second collection for young adults. Pat also wrote My Own True Name: New and Selected Poems for Young Adults and six poetry collections for adults. To learn more about Pat and her books visit her online at www.patmora.com<br /><br />Lisa<br />Enchanting Reviews<br />January 2010<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-7697123723687689564?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-75389839046860828962010-03-30T20:03:00.000-07:002010-03-31T12:36:00.572-07:00DREAM LIFE (Dream Girl #2)<br />LAUREN MECHLING<br />Paranormal YA<br />Delacorte Books<br />ISBN# 978-0385735230<br />336 Pages<br />$16.99<br />Hardcover—Available Now<br /><br />Rating: 4.5 Enchantments<br /><br />When her best friend Becca starts acting funny after returning home from holidays, Claire feels abandoned, until she finds out Becca's been tapped for a secret society, and surprisingly she gets 'invited' to join herself. But if only things were that easy. It seems there's a rival society out to get the Blue Moons and take over New York for themselves. Soon Claire finds herself in the thick of things, trying to solve the mystery before their top secret plans are disclosed and the group is relegated to nothing more than a name forever.<br /><br />DREAM LIFE is my favorite book in the Dream Girl series so far. The characters seemed much more formed this time and I found myself liking Claire a lot more. DREAM LIFE stands well on its own, so if you haven't read the first novel 'Dream Girl' don't worry about it. The world created is at times a bit eccentric but nonetheless fun to visit.<br /><br />My favorite scenes happened when Claire was tapped to become a member of the Blue Moons. From the scene where they 'grabbed' her to where the hangout was actually located were really fun. Also, the friendship between Claire and her unusual society grandmother, Kiki, continues, climaxing at her grandmother's birthday party, a scene which turns out to be so horrific for Claire, I could only hope she'd get out of there as fast as she could.<br /><br />Overall DREAM LIFE is a really fun and unusual read. I can't wait to return to Claire's world and see what happens next.<br /><br />Lauren Mechling is the coauthor of all three 10th-Grade Social Climber books. She has written for the New York Times, Marie Claire, and Seventeen. She lives and writes in New York City. You can visit her at www.laurenmechling.com.<br /><br />Lisa<br />Enchanting Reviews<br />February 2010<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-7538983904686082896?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-70791573166707448652010-03-30T20:00:00.000-07:002010-03-31T12:36:38.817-07:00I KISSED A ZOMBIE AND I LIKED IT<br />ADAM SELZER<br />Paranormal YA<br />Delacorte Press<br />ISBN# 978-0385735032<br />192 pages<br />$7.99<br />Trade—Available Now<br /><br />Rating: 4 Enchantments<br /><br />What a fun read! Eighteen year old Algonquin "Alley" Rhodes is determined to get out of small town Cornersville Trace and head to Seattle, where there has be a bigger dating pool. Unlike some of the other girls at school, she isn't aspiring to date an 'undead': a/k/a a vampire, werewolf, or zombie. But one night, covering the local band scene she meets Doug, a guy who sings Cole Porter songs and makes her feel like swooning, something she's never felt before.<br /><br />Readers looking for a fun, laugh out loud paranormal read should definitely pick up I KISSED A ZOMBIE AND I LIKED IT. This book truly has it all. From plot to interesting characters, including the high school guidance counselor who doesn't believe in mixed relationships between the living and the undead, to amazing wit and a moment the reader can't wait for: Alley to realize the truth about Doug. But along the way Alley realizes the truth about herself, that she doesn't exactly like being the snarky sarcastic 'ice queen' she is at school and prefers who she is when she's with Doug. The humorous moments are plenty, thanks especially to Alley's voice and the situations Mr. Selzer puts the characters in.<br /><br />One of my favorite scenes is when Alley and Doug go on their first date. There's something a little odd about Doug, but Alley can't quite put her finger on what it is. But if there was a perfect guy in the world for her, Doug could seriously fit his description.<br /><br />To learn more about Mr. Selzer and his books, visit him online at http://www.adamselzer.com/<br /><br />Lisa<br />Enchanting Reviews<br />February 2010<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-7079157316670744865?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-41841139915639542392010-03-30T11:52:00.000-07:002010-03-30T11:53:35.774-07:00THE VAMPIRE DIARIES: THE RETURN: SHADOW SOULS VOL. 2<br />L.J. SMITH<br />YA paranormal<br />Harper Teen<br />ISBN# 978-0-06-172081-9<br />599 pages<br />$17.99<br />Hardback-Available now<br /><br />Rating: 3.5 stars<br /><br />Vampire Stefan Salvatore is imprisoned in another dimension while demons are causing serious problems in Fell’s Church. Elena and Damon Salvatore set out to find Stefan in the slums of the Dark Dimension where demons and vampires run free and humans are their slaves.<br /><br />Elena will stop at nothing to free Stefan, even if that means battling emotions she has been fighting for his brother Damon. At times she finds herself forgetting who she really loves. Is it Stefan? Or really Damon?<br /><br />I’m a huge fan of the CW series VAMPIRE DIARIES. The show is based loosely on the books by L.J. Smith. This book continues with what happens after Stefan is captured and imprisoned by the kitsune, an evil fox spirit from Japan. What works for this book is the description of the Dark Dimension. Smith paints a world that is creepy, intense, and dangerous. Elena struggles most with her growing attraction to Damon even though she knows she needs him in order to find Stefan. The sexual tension between her and Damon is heated. Also I liked how multilayered Damon is as a character. Smith gives him vulnerabilities that make it hard for the reader to hate him. If anything I like their relationship more. Plus, the ending is a huge surprise!<br /><br />I did have problems with the dialog between Stefan and Elena which felt forced and to me wasn’t very believable. Also Stefan was missing a lot in this book. I think this was done to show the growing attraction of Elena to Damon. Still, it would have been nice to see more of him.<br /><br />I’d recommend reading the first two books in this series. Especially to those who want to get into the books.<div><br />L. J. Smith has written more than two dozen books. She lives in the Bay Area of California. To find out more about her books visit www.ljanesmith.net To find out more about The Vampire Diaries insider info, new reads, and videos visit www.harperteen.com<br /><br />Kim Baccellia<br />ENCHANTING REVIEWS<br />MARCH 2010<br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-4184113991563954239?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-58691824290571803912010-03-19T14:46:00.000-07:002010-03-19T14:47:56.186-07:00VOICES OF DRAGONS<br />CARRIE VAUGHN<br />YA Fantasy<br />HarperTeen<br />ISBN# 9780061798948<br />309 pages<br />$16.99<br />Hardcover – Available Now<br /><br />Rating: 5 Enchantments<br /><br />Wow. Following in the footsteps of the great dragon writer, Anne McCaffrey, Carrie Vaughn created a fantastic new world and beautiful young adult story in VOICES OF DRAGONS. Combining a modern world with creatures we normally reserve for mythological places, Ms. Vaughn gave us what many readers search high and low for: real life with a touch of fantasy. <br /><br />Kay Wyatt is our heroine of the story and probably one of the best aspects of the book. She is a well rounded character and very relatable. Not overly gorgeous or full of angst, Kay allows us to delve into the story with her and join in her adventures. Seventeen and feeling the pressures of teenaged life, Kay escapes to nature when she needs to clear her head. Hiking and rock climbing are her passions, the exhilaration of feeling free enough to calm any frazzled nerves. More than that, her outdoors activities end up serving another purpose. Coupled with fate, they lead her over the border to Dragon and to Artegal, with whom communication is strictly forbidden.<br /><br />While Kay discovers that dragons may not be as evil as humans think, the rest of her normal life still has to go on. Her best friend, Tam, goes out of her way to encourage the budding romance between Kay and Jon. Caught in the middle of the peer pressure to take their relationship farther than either are really prepared for, the two navigate confusing and rocky waters while still managing to find comfort in the presence of one another. Unlike many new young adult stories hitting the market, Ms. Vaughn allows Kay and Jon to have a simple and fairly innocent romance. It was refreshing in a way because it kept the story light and sweet in terms of that aspect of the book.<br /><br />As Kay learns more and more about the dragon, Artegal, she soon learns that there is no reason why humans and dragons cannot once again be friends and allies. As fate would have it, however, right around the time she comes to this conclusion, the military decides to start testing its borders with Dragon. As Kay struggles to keep both sides at bay and encourage talk between the two nations, she must learn how far she is willing to go and how much of herself she is really willing to sacrifice.<br /><br />VOICES OF DRAGONS was a fantastic story. As mentioned previously, Ms. Vaughn’s work easily stands proudly next to some of the best dragon stories out there. With clear writing and beautiful imagery, the author manages to really pull the reader into the story and allow us to take part in the adventure. Although one would expect the main dragon in the story to be brilliantly hued and perfect in every way, Vaughn gives him more of a grey appearance and allows him to have his own quirks. She allows us to use our imaginations while still giving large depth and robustness to something as simple as the color grey.<br /><br />There are a number of traits that make VOICES OF DRAGONS a winner, but the two that had the most impact in my opinion were really the development of her characters and her writing style. Full, detailed characters gave us something to hold on to and follow throughout the story. Each had their own personality and shared uniqueness in that they weren’t your typical young adult novel characters. There wasn’t a lot of angst, although there was quite a bit of emotion. Jon didn’t act like the typically hormone driven teenage boy we usually see and Tam, although she definitely could get prissy, didn’t end up being the bratty friend that would eventually turn snobby toward our main character. Pairing these well-rounded characters with a very fluid and clear writing style made for a book that was not only a pleasure to read, but one that was easy to read as well. <br /><br />I would highly recommend VOICES OF DRAGONS to readers of any age but especially those looking for a little bit of magic in their lives. This was a fabulous book and one that will surely grab the hearts of those who read it.<br /><br />Carrie Vaughn is also the author of the Kitty Norville series, an adult series about a werewolf who hosts a radio advice talk show. VOICES OF DRAGONS is her first young adult novel and she is very excited about it. She can be found online at http://www.carrievaughn.com/.<br /><br />Cinnamon<br />ENCHANTING REVIEWS<br />March 2010<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-5869182429057180391?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-73649348590890796962010-03-09T01:03:00.000-08:002010-03-09T01:03:00.772-08:00FRONT PAGE FACE-OFF<br />JO WHITTEMORE<br />Contemporary Middle Grade<br />Aladdin<br />ISBN# 978-1416991694 <br />240 pages<br />$5.99<br />Paperback—Available March 9, 2010<br /><br />Rating: 4 Enchantments<br /><br />Thirteen-year-old Delilah James is one of the top reporters at Brighton Junior Academy. Her goal is to become a Junior Global Journalist. Everything seems to be working in her favor until Ava, a French exchange student and rival, comes and steals not only her spot as top reporter but her crush as well. Delilah finds an ally in the most unlikely place. Paige just happens to be part of the elusive Debutantes, alias “Little Debbies”. Paige promises to give Delilah the inside dirt in exchange for some info on the rival group. Will Delilah be able to do this and still win the boy?<br /><br />This is a fun, hilarious tale that is sure to keep you laughing. Delilah’s attempts to win back her spot as lead editor are humorous. Delilah is very likable and fun. Her relationship with her stepfather is funny too. I found myself smiling over Delilah’s attics which are downright hilarious. One especially funny scene happens when she’s at the country club trying to get an interview with the Swirlie Bandit. What happens when she tries to get the attention of her crush and still get her interview are downright hilarious.<br /><br />What I really liked about this story was that the so-called nasty girl really wasn’t that bad after all. Whittemore does a great job multi layering her characters with fun quirks and personalities without them being the usual cardboard stereotypes. Delilah’s friend Jenner is great too as a surfer with a mega sweet tooth. You can’t help but cheer for Delilah and what happens. A great heroine for all!<br /><br />Jo Whittemore has written THE SILVERSKIN LEGACY, a young-adult fantasy trilogy. This is her first middle-grade novel. She currently lives in Texas. For more on Whittemore’s books check out her website: http://www.jowhittemore.com/<br /><br /><br />Kim Baccellia<br />ENCHANTING REVIEWS<br />February 2010<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-7364934859089079696?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-71307492365598143242010-03-03T09:51:00.000-08:002010-03-03T09:52:54.189-08:00PROPHECY OF THE SISTERS<br />MICHELLE ZINK<br />YA Fantasy<br />Little, Brown Young Readers<br />ISBN# 0316027421<br />343 pages<br />$17.99<br />Hardcover – Available Now<br /><br />Rating: 5 Enchantments<br /><br />PROPHECY OF THE SISTERS really has two major players in the story. Alice and Lia are twin sisters living in the times of corset and petticoats. Lia, from whose point-of-view the story is told, is the more awkward of the sisters but has a kind heart and a gentle soul. Her sister, on the other hand, exudes confidence and ambition. If the clash in personalities wasn’t enough to separate these two sisters, the recent death of their father brings to light a truth that could put the girls on opposite sides of an age-old battle.<br /><br />Since childhood, James has owned Lia's heart. A charming young man who works with his father in the family bookstore, James makes frequent trips to Lia’s home to catalogue her father’s expansive book collection. A happy side effect of these trips is the time that James and Lia get to spend together. Whether it’s secret visits to cuddle under their favorite tree or a stroll along the water, these two lovebirds seem to have a fairly strong bond. When the darkness starts to encroach on the light, however, it will be a challenge to see if the strength of their love can keep the two together.<br /><br />The Prophecy of the Sisters is an ancient tale, often thought of as myth, of two sisters destined to serve as the line between good and evil. At first Lia doesn’t want to believe to the story; in the prophecy, one sister shall act as the guardian of peace while the other acts as the gateway to the Apocalypse. When Lia discovers a strange mark bloom on her skin shortly after her father’s death, she’ll be led on a journey of discovery. With this prophecy potentially at play, she may not like what she discovers.<br /><br />I absolutely loved PROPHECY OF THE SISTERS. In my opinion, Ms. Zink did an amazing job taking an old myth and giving it her own special twist to create this compelling story. If it makes any sense, part of what made this book so great was the simplicity of the story while keeping the complexity of the layers at the same time. With the multiple twists and turns throughout the story, I expected to get bogged down at some point, but Ms. Zink’s writing remained very fluid and easy to follow. Even though there was quite a bit of devious scheming and some side story, this maintained a natural progression. Meanwhile, Ms. Zink instilled quite a bit of elaboration within the story. Twists and turns combined with quite a few unexpected events made for a story that was unpredictable yet comfortable. <br /><br />The other part of this book that made it a winner to me is the romance within the story. As we proceed through the story we learn more about the love between James and Lia. There is definitely a tender feel to the characters; at the same time there is also something you can’t quite put your finger on. There is something different in the relationship that will be exciting to explore in Ms. Zink’s future books.<br /><br />Admittedly, I am an easily spooked person. When I first started reading PROPHECY OF THE SISTERS I did so in bed, in the middle of the night by myself. I would probably not recommend that. Once I really understood where the story was going, a little of the spook factor went away, but overall there is definitely a creepy aspect to the book. Between the voices whispering in the dark and the midnight rituals, this story really got the hairs on the back of my neck hopping up. The best way to describe this book is dark and deliciously addictive. I read this story in a day and now am excited to see what else Ms. Zink has up her sleeves.<br /><br />PROPHECY OF THE SISTERS is book one in a trilogy; the second book, Guardian of the Gate is due out August 2010. Ms. Zink can be found online at http://michellezinkbooks.wordpress.com/.<br /><br />Cinnamon<br />ENCHANTING REVIEWS<br />February 2010<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-7130749236559814324?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-19660931195568713532010-02-24T14:31:00.000-08:002010-02-24T14:32:05.542-08:00ASH<br />MALINDA LO<br />Young Adult<br />Little, Brown and Company<br />ISBN# 0316040096<br />264 pages<br />$16.99<br />eBook/Print – Available Now<br /><br />Rating: 5 Enchantments<br /><br />ASH was a beautifully told story and one that will live on in the memories of its readers for quite a while. Our heroine, Aisling, or Ash for short, is our Cinderella in this twist on the classic story of struggles overcome to find true love. Ash is an easily relatable character, which is part of what makes this story so attractive. She is a shy girl, but not overly so. She has her opinions and will let them out when needed. I think that many girls will be able to connect with ASH and her realistic personality.<br /><br />Of course, we can’t have a romance without another party to join Ash. In this retelling of Cinderella, Ash’s Prince Charming actually comes in the form of the King’s Huntress, Kaisa. Wealthy and regal in her position by the King’s Side, Kaisa is a beautiful woman and full of life. She befriends Ash, despite the difference in their stations and shows our timid heroine how to truly live.<br /><br />When Ash’s father dies and leaves her alone with her stepmother and stepsisters, life seems to be pretty much over for the young girl. Much like the classic Cinderella story, Ash’s stepfamily treats her poorly and it isn’t too long until she becomes a servant to her family. The similarities between the age-old princess story and MALINDA LO’S wonderful work of art pretty much end here though. To escape from the darkness of her days, Ash travels into the Wood near her house, despite the age old warnings that the Wood holds strange magic.<br /><br />It wouldn’t be a complete romance if there weren’t some form of suspense thrown into the mix. Sidhean, a beautiful man who is anything but human, is an integral part of the story that really helped to make ASH a true tale rather than just another bedtime story. When Ash catches his eye, everything changes. Sidhean hides a secret from Ash and as time goes on it becomes more and more unclear whether Ash is safe with Sidhean or not.<br /><br />In all, I would have to say that I absolutely loved ASH. There have been very few books that have made me say, “Wow,” and turn back to the first page to start the story all over again. I can honestly say that this was a book I could not put down and one that really had my mind turning. It’s as much of a romantic story as it is a suspenseful one. The imagery within the pages was spectacular and the book was filled with such color that I’m amazed a little sparkle didn’t fall from the pages as I was reading. MALINDA LO has created an immediate fan in me and I wait anxiously for her next work.<br /><br />MALINDA LO and ASH have received multiple nominations, including a nomination for the Andre Norton Award for excellence in Sci-Fi and Fantasy for young adults. She can be found online at http://www.malindalo.com/.<br /><br />Cinnamon Brown<br />ENCHANTING REVIEWS<br />February 2010<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-1966093119556871353?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-66411331140616380912010-02-22T12:06:00.000-08:002010-02-22T12:07:10.686-08:00CHASING BROOKLYN<br />LISA SCHROEDER<br />YA contemporary<br />Simon Pulse<br />ISBN# 9781416991687<br />412 pages<br />$15.99<br />Hardback—Available Now<br /><br />Rating: 4 Enchantments<br /><br />Brooklyn’s life comes crashing to a halt after her boyfriend Lucca’s death. It’s been a year now. Lucca’s friend Gabe has just died of an overdose. His ghost haunts her dreams. She doesn’t know what Gabe wants and why he’s bothering her. She can’t sleep.<br /><br />Nico is Lucca’s brother. His way of dealing with Lucca’s death is by running. Then one day he finds a note telling him to help Brooklyn. He feels that Lucca is haunting him. Even worse, he doesn’t know how to help Brooklyn considering he hasn’t seen her in the year since Lucca’s death.<br /><br />Brooklyn’s nightmares escalate. So do the notes to Nico. Nico decides to reach out, not knowing what to say to his brother’s girlfriend. Both are being haunted but struggle with telling each other. But until they can trust again, neither Gabe nor Lucca can rest in peace.<br /><br />I loved this novel! Yes, this story deals with spirits but it doesn’t read like any other paranormal novel out there. Schroeder nailed it right on the dot on what a loved one feels after the tragic death of a loved one. I loved how she was able to weave back and forth two points of view effortlessly. Both voices are unique in showing how Lucca’s death has affected them and how at first they avoid coming to grips with their feelings. Powerful and strong, this novel sweeps the reader into not only the tragic sense of loss but how two individuals are able to reach out to each other. <br /><br />The free verse in this novel has its own special beauty too. Each beat resonates with the reader on how painful it is to lose someone you love. Schroeder digs deep and shows a range of emotions that come from loss. But it doesn’t stop there. The book also shows how faith and trust can be a healing balm.<br /><br />A must read for Schroeder fans.<br /><br />Lisa Schroeder is the author of I HEART YOU, YOU HAUNT ME and FAR FROM YOU. Lisa lives in Oregon with her husband and two sons. Read more on her at her website LisaSchroederBooks.com<br /><br />Kim Baccellia<br />ENCHANTING REVIEWS<br />January 2010<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-6641133114061638091?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-7147137185088099272010-02-22T12:03:00.001-08:002010-02-22T12:04:00.555-08:00LOST IN THE SNOW <br />LINDA JENNINGS<br />Children’s ages 3-6<br />Scholastic <br />ISBB# 978-1-84895-015-3<br />24 Pages<br />$4.99<br />Paperback- Available now<br /><br />Rating: 4 Enchantments<br /><br />LOST IN THE SNOW is a book about a puppy that gets lost while playing on a snowy winters day. Ollie is out frolicking with his brother and sister when a strange dog scares them. He takes off running and loses track of where he is at. It is up to Ollie to find his way home or face staying in the cold snowy woods all by himself.<br /><br />This was a cute story about a dog that must brave the unknown and meet new creatures, nice and mean, for the first time. Ollie soon realizes that there really is nothing like being at home with those you love. This book can teach children that no matter what things are better at home and the world is a scary place to be when you are alone. This book has beautiful water color drawings by Miss Alison Edgson. I would recommend this book for children ages 3-6.<br /><br />Linda Jennings is a children author. She has many books released. To find out more about her books please visit http://www.amazon.com/Linda-M.-Jennings/e/B001IYZHIW/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1265330982&sr=1-2-ent <br /><br />Jennifer<br />ENCHANTING REVIEWS<br />January 2010<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-714713718508809927?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-62008396558274001002010-01-04T15:21:00.000-08:002010-01-04T15:23:12.549-08:00Chat with Richelle Mead author of the New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series: Thursday January 7th at 8PM Eastern at the Publisher's Office Watercooler http://bit.ly/5wv0wp<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-6200839655827400100?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-24371520281249225632009-12-19T16:31:00.000-08:002009-12-19T16:31:00.257-08:00FADE OUT (Morganville Vampires Book Seven)<br />RACHEL CAINE <br />Paranormal YA<br />NAL <br />ISBN# 978-0-451-22866-6<br />237 Pages<br />$6.99<br />Paperback—Available Now<br /><br />Rating: 4.5 Enchantments<br /><br />With Bishop gone and Eve in the local production of 'A Streetcar Named Desire', things around Glass House are about as normal as they've been in a long time. But normal is short lived in Morganville, especially for Claire. She thinks there's something a little odd about Eve's sudden new BFF Kim and it's not just the fact that she hooked up with Shane in the past either, no there's something there that Claire just can't put her finger on. When Kim suddenly goes missing before a rehearsal of the play, Claire and friends can't believe what they uncover about Eve's supposed new friend.<br /><br />Ms. Caine does a great job with FADE OUT, the seventh installment in this entertaining paranormal series. With Bishop gone in the last book, I wasn't quite sure what would happen next in Morganville with Amelie seemingly back in charge, but things just keep on escalating. When the truth about Kim is found out, suddenly Claire, Eve, Michael and Shane are forced to save her from the Vamps punishment, even if she may actually deserve what she could get. Even with that going on, Ada is still out for blood—namely Claire's—and she really will do anything to get rid of her, making things between the two reach a climatic and chilling head in FADE OUT, where Myrnin gets caught in the middle of deadly game Ada's playing. I never imagined a character who's usually nothing more than a computer generated image of her former self can be so evil and devious. I love how we see Myrnin evolving from his crazed character in the earlier books in the series, even if he still retains a bit of his dark side, which shows up here and there. What I like best about the Morganville series is what I love best about this book, things just keep getting more complicated and the unexpected keeps popping up around every corner. I can't wait to see what's in store for Claire in the next book!<br /><br />Rachel Caine is the internationally bestselling author of thirty novels, including the New York Times and USA Today bestselling Morganville Vampires young adult series: Glass Houses, The Dead Girls’ Dance, Midnight Alley, Feast of Fools, Lord of Misrule, Carpe Corpus, and Fade Out, with five more to follow in 2009-2011. Visit her online at www.rachelcaine.com<br /><br />Lisa<br />Enchanting Reviews<br />November 2009<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-2437152028124922563?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-681262913922530072009-12-18T15:24:00.000-08:002009-12-18T15:24:00.424-08:00FALLEN<br />LAUREN KATE<br />Paranormal YA<br />Delacorte Press<br />ISBN# 978-0-385-73893-4<br />452 Pages<br />$17.99<br />Hardcover—Available Now<br /><br />Rating: 4.5 Enchantments<br /><br />Luce Price has always seen shadows, these terrifying things that appear around her without warning. She's helpless to stop them and the destruction that usually follows their appearances. Thanks to them and the death of the guy she was crushing on, she's found herself at Sword &amp; Cross boarding school, a place for screw-ups and delinquents, something that Luce appears to be—at least to everyone else, including her own parents, who are slightly afraid of her after what happened. But how can Luce explain the shadows without everyone thinking she's crazy?<br /><br />Daniel Grigori has a secret. He's immortal and he and Luce have had several past lives together before, but every time she's died before things reached a certain point. So when she shows up at Sword &amp; Cross, he vows to stay away from her, that is until she finds herself in real danger and Daniel is forced to intervene.<br /><br />I really enjoyed FALLEN. I thought it was a really unique mixture of paranormal, setting and characters. What better place for fallen angels to hide than a school for delinquents? Ms. Kate does a great job at making the reader not sure of some of the characters intentions, especially the female characters of Gabbe and even Luce's friend, Arriane. The dilapidated conditions of Sword &amp; Cross come to life on the page, especially during the Parents Weekend scene where Luce is seeing things through the eyes of her parents, as she's already gotten used to things in her short stay. The cemetery in the middle of the campus is just plain creepy. As is the fact that detention involved being there before dawn to clean off the statues. I really liked Luce and the rest of the characters, especially Penn. Every character has something different about them, including a secrets that seem to be revealed in due time. Filled with twists and turns, and the deep sense of foreboding as the shadows that follow Luce become darker and more frequent as she gets deeper into the mystery of why Daniel feels so familiar and why it seems like she's able to interact with the shadows more. With an ending that literally had my jaw dropping with a couple dark surprises, FALLEN has quickly become one of my favorite reads of the year. I cannot wait to read the second in the series and see where Ms. Kate takes these characters next. Wherever it is, I doubt it'll be boring.<br /><br />Lauren Kate recently finished her M.A. in Creative Writing at UC Davis, where she also teaches. She lives and writes in an old farm house in Winters, California.<br /><br />Lisa<br />Enchanting Reviews<br />December 2009<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-68126291392253007?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-57873767122968926822009-12-17T14:39:00.000-08:002009-12-17T14:40:53.576-08:00THERE WAS A COYOTE WHO SWALLOWED A FLEA<br />JENNIFER WARD<br />Children’s ages 4-8<br />Rising Moon<br />ISBN# 978-0873588980<br />32 pages<br />$15.95<br />Hardcover- Available Now<br /><br />Rating: 4 Enchantments<br /><br />THERE WAS A COYOTE WHO SWALLOWED A FLEA is a Tex-Mex version of the classic rhyme there was an old lady who swallowed a fly. In this story there was a coyote who swallowed a flea that was tickling his knee. He then swallows numerous other items to remedy the previous item he swallowed.<br /><br />This was a fun tongue twisting story with colorful bright pictures. By the end of the book my kids could help me with each line, because they heard it so much. The way the story progressed you could see a little humor. This was such a fun story that will have you and your children laughing with the silliness of it. The ending was very cute and had all my little ones rolling of laughter. Yippe-o-ki-yee!<br /><br />Jennifer Ward is an award winning children’s author. She not only writes stories for younger children but for older children as well. To find out more about her and her stories please visit her website at http://www.jenniferwardbooks.com/<br /><br />Jennifer<br />Enchanting Reviews<br />October 2009<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-5787376712296892682?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-88899016371650422402009-12-17T13:54:00.001-08:002009-12-17T13:54:58.852-08:00SKIPPYJON JONES IN THE DOG HOUSE<br />JUDY SCHACHNER<br />Children’s Adventure ages 4-9<br />PUFFIN<br />ISBN# 978-0142410417<br />15 pages<br />$9.99<br />Paperback- Available Now<br /><br />Rating: 4.5 Enchantments<br /><br />SkippyJon Jones is back with a new adventure. Sent to his room because he drew on the walls, SkippyJon Jones decided to start jumping on his chair. On his way back down he misses and falls into a pile of stuffed animals. It is there that he gets a little bird stuck in his ear that tells him of the trouble in the dog house and of the big bobbleito. So once again SkippyJon Jones transforms into Skippito Friskito and he is off to help his friends Los Chimichangos. <br /><br />This is a fun sequel to the first SkippyJon book. This story is a little shorter than the first but it is just as fun. SkippyJon’s friends are in trouble. The big Bobbleito has moved into the attic of their house and SkippyJon must make him leave. This book has all the Spanish and fun rhymes as the first one and will leave you and your little ones giggling and singing.<br /><br />Judy Schachner is the author of the fantastic SkippyJon series as well as I Know An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Pie, and several other children’s books. To find out more about her and her books please visit her website at http://www.judithbyronschachner.com/ or you can go to SkippyJon’s own website at http://www.skippyjonjones.com/ where there is plenty of fun stuff for kids to do.<br /><br />Jennifer<br />Enchanting Reviews<br />October 2009<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-8889901637165042240?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-45472098143932181662009-12-17T13:50:00.000-08:002009-12-17T13:51:24.686-08:00SKIPPYJON JONES<br />JUDY SCHACHNER<br />Children’s Adventure ages 4-9<br />PUFFIN<br />ISBN# 978-0439836968<br />32 pages<br />$6.99<br />Paperback- Available Now<br /><br />Rating: 5 Enchantments<br /><br />SkippyJon Jones is a hilarious cat who has such fantastic adventures as a dog. Not just any breed of dog, but a Chihuahua. He goes from Mischievous Siamese cat that is in his room being punished, to a Spanish speaking Chihuahua who helps his fellow Chihuahuas, Los Chimichangos, with their current dilemma. In this story SkippyJon Jones, who becomes Skippito Friskito, must face the big Bumbleito and rescue all the beans that he has stolen from the Chihuahuas.<br /><br />This is such a fun cute story. It is an absolute favorite in my household and among my daycare children. It is full of Spanish words and accents and the kids just love it when I use my “Zorro” voice. SkippyJon teaches the kids the use of imagination and bravery. This is such a fun fantastic book. Even the pictures are so colorful and fun to look at. I can guarantee you will have his song in your head after reading his story. "I am Skippito Friskito, clap clap, I fear not a single bandito, clap clap."<br /><br />Judy Schachner is the author of the fantastic SkippyJon series as well as I Know An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Pie, and several other children’s books. To find out more about her and her books please visit her website at http://www.judithbyronschachner.com/ or you can go to SkippyJon’s own website at http://www.skippyjonjones.com/ where there is plenty of fun stuff for kids to do.<br /><br />Jennifer<br />Enchanting Reviews<br />October 2009<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-4547209814393218166?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-32591757375327767132009-11-24T16:33:00.001-08:002009-11-24T16:33:46.234-08:00THE SPLENDOR FALLS<br />ROSEMARY CLEMENT-MOORE<br />Paranormal YA<br />Delacorte Books<br />ISBN# 978-0-385-73690-9<br />513 Pages<br />$17.99<br />Hardcover--Available Now<br /><br />Rating: 4.5 Enchantments<br /><br />Sylvie Davis' promising career as a ballet dancer is over before it really even had a chance to begin. Thanks to a fluke, she fell and broke her leg and is unable to dance again. To top things off, her mother just remarried and while her and the step-shrink go off on a honeymoon, Sylvie's been shipped south to visit a cousin of her father's she barely remembers meeting once to stay at a house she's never seen. But once she arrives in Alabama, Sylvie finds herself in what seems like a different world. Cousin Paula's remodelling the family estate into a bed and breakfast, and the whole town seems to think she's something special just because she's a Davis, something she just doesn't understand at all. Add in the weird vibe she's getting from some of the locals, including Paula's business partner's daughter and the fact there's strange rumors about the house and things people have seen there, things maybe Sylvie's sorta seen for herself and things are way too complicated too quick for her liking.<br /><br />One of the best things about Ms. Clement-Moore's writing is her characters. No two are ever alike, but they're as real as real can be. Sylvie is no exception to the rule and neither are those around her in Alabama. I especially loved the relationships between Sylvie and both Rhys, the mysterious stranger staying at the unfinished bed and breakfast with his father and Shawn Maddox, the local good boy, who seems to like Sylvie a little too much, too quickly. The house itself quickly becomes a character of its own, unfamiliar and at times slightly menacing, Sylvie isn't sure what to make of it—or Alabama as a whole. Her father never talked about the place, and maybe she can see why. But when she finds away to seek solace and time on her own, recreating what used to be a magical garden, the secrets of the past begin to be unleashed, something that puts her directly in danger.<br /><br />THE SPLENDOR FALLS is one of my favorite reads of the year. Sylvie's a great character; I loved her voice, her weariness at where she was and what her future holds now that her dream of being a prima ballerina is shattered. Faced with that and what seems like an unpleasant stay in Alabama—Cousin Paula won't even let her take her beloved little dog up to her room, she soon finds herself involved in something more mysterious and supernatural than she'd ever expected. It all seems to start when she sneaks out with the dog to the back of the house and she sees a figure watching from one of the upstairs windows. But it's not Rhys or his father or even Cousin Paula. Who could it be? And what's their connection to the house? There were so many scenes I loved it's hard to pick one to highlight, but when Sylvie runs into Shawn in town and he takes her to the local coffee shop. All the locals are so excited to see the two of them together. Sylvie begins to wonder what exactly is going on.<br /><br />Rosemary Clement-Moore lives and writes in Arlington, Texas. THE SPLENDOR FALLS is her fourth book for young readers. Visit Rosemary online at www.readrosemary.com<br /><br />Lisa<br />Enchanting Reviews<br />September 2009<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-3259175737532776713?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-46841657040067654872009-11-23T14:17:00.001-08:002009-11-23T14:18:27.551-08:00THE BLUE SHOE: A TALE OF THIEVERY, VILLAINY, SORCERY, AND SHOES<br />RODERICK TOWNLEY<br />Illustrated by Mary GrandPré<br />Middle Grade Fantasy<br />Knopf<br />ISBN# 978-0-375-85600-6<br />255 Pages<br />$16.99<br />Hardcover--Available Now<br /><br />Rating: 4 Enchantments<br /><br />An engaging fantasy read, THE BLUE SHOE is a well told story featuring Hap, a young cobbler's apprentice who ends up sent away to the frightening Mount Xexnax, when he tries to save a mysterious beggar from the same fate. Actually Hap doesn't mind, as he hopes he'll be reunited with his father who was sent there a few years earlier because of his own begging, but what Hap stumbles upon is something he hadn't expected. And it's not going to be easy to break out and return to the small town of Apalanap.<br /><br />Imaginative characters, setting and storyline, readers looking for a fun and intriguing middle grade fantasy read shouldn't miss this one. I especially loved the crazy characters of the Mayor and his wife and the way the story flipped from what was happening with Hap and Sophia back to what was going on in town. I liked how the sand that covered the town from a storm turned to glass shortly after Hap's departure to Mount Xexnax, making things difficult for the more evil characters to move around the small town. That scene is almost comical and very laugh out loud worthy and is hands down one of my favorites in the whole book. Told mostly by a mysterious narrator, THE BLUE SHOE moves at a good pace. Hap's biggest mistake is trying to save the mysterious beggar in the blanket from ending up at Mount Xexnax, a decision that has him stealing a stone from the mysterious blue stone. A move that not only ruins the shoe, but gets him exiled to Mount Xexnax in place of the beggar. And when his crush Sophia tries to break him free from prison the night before, Hap refuses, instead wanting to be reunited with his father. Sophia isn't so easily swayed and ends up stowing away on the wagon and going with, which is one of my favorite scenes in the book. However, Mount Xexnax is worse than all the stories and rumors made it seem and Hap suddenly finds himself appointed the one to save everyone there, especially when the guards find Sophia and hold her hostage in the main building, which is where THE BLUE SHOE really becomes a page turning read as you hope Hap can find Sophia and escape without capture.<br /><br />Roderick Townley’s books have received many stars and accolades. You can read more about him at www.rodericktownley.com. He lives in Kansas.<br /><br />Mary GrandPré is perhaps best known for creating the jackets and illustrations for the Harry Potter books. She has also illustrated many fine picture books. You can read more about her work at marygrandpre.com.<br /><br />Lisa<br />Enchanting Reviews<br />October 2009<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-4684165704006765487?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-7595713790297457892009-11-23T13:59:00.000-08:002009-11-23T14:00:54.844-08:00STRANGE ANGELS<br />LILI ST. CROW<br />PARANORMAL YA<br />Razorbill<br />ISBN# 978-1-59514-251-1<br />304 Pages<br />$9.99<br />Trade--Available Now<br /><br />Rating: 4 Enchantments<br /><br />Dru Anderson’s used to dealing with the ‘Real World’, that is with the paranormal that most people don’t believe or don’t know exists. Zombies, werewolves, ghosts, apparitions, it’s all a part of her day to day life with her monster hunting father. But when her father turns Zombie and she’s forced to take him out to save herself, Dru finds herself all alone for the first time, with something or someone after her. Add in Graves, the mysterious Goth guy from school who’s more than willing to help her out and the appearance of another mysterious guy in Christophe, and things get complicated.<br /><br />There was a lot about STRANGE ANGELS I liked. The world Ms. St Crow created quickly becomes very real and plausible, especially when her father shows up as a zombie within the first few chapters. I loved the scenes between Dru and Graves at the mall when he first finds her there after her father’s death and takes her in to his hideout of sorts hidden away in the forgotten corner of the mall, an unusual location to be sure. But some parts of the story did seem a little thrown in which tended to pull me out of the story at times and the language did take awhile to get used to. Dru’s a bit of a rough character, which really does fit who she is and how she grew up, fighting ‘real world’ creatures alongside her father, and now finds herself alone in the world with only the mysterious Graves for reluctant company for a good portion of the book. I liked Graves as well, he’s definitely on the mysterious side and the banter between the two is really great. I have to say my favorite scene is when Dru reluctantly takes Graves back to her place in the midst of the snowstorm. After his bite, she’s afraid what he might turn into and ties him down to the bed while he’s asleep. The convo between them the next morning is truly hilarious.<br /><br />Look for the second book in the series, BETRAYALS: A STRANGE ANGELS novel to be released November 2009.<br /><br />Lili St. Crow is the author of the Dante Valentine series. She lives in Vancouver, Washington with her husband, three children and a houseful of cats. STRANGE ANGELS is her first YA novel. Visit www.strangeangels.com to find out more.<br /><br />Lisa<br />Enchanting Reviews<br />August 2009<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-759571379029745789?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-6353250919087263512009-11-23T13:40:00.001-08:002009-11-23T13:40:52.306-08:00YOU ARE THE FIRST KID ON MARS<br />PATRICK O'BRIEN<br />Children's Sci-Fi Futuristic<br />Putnam<br />ISBN# 978-0399246340<br />32 Pages<br />$16.99<br />Hardcover—Available Now<br /><br />Rating: 4.5 Enchantments<br /><br />YOU ARE THE FIRST KID ON MARS is a wonderfully detailed and imaginative look at what life would be like if you were literally the first kid on Mars. Filled with great digital illustrations that make the story come to life, this a perfect read for boys and anyone is interested in space and what life exploring another planet might be like. <br /><br />One of the most unusual children's books I've read, YOU ARE THE FIRST KID ON MARS is also one I really enjoyed reading. Filled with fun facts about Mars, like how long the actual journey to the red planet takes and what life might be like on the space station for the months long trek there. YOU ARE THE FIRST KID ON MARS will no doubt even grab the most reluctant reader's attention with its great imagery.<br /><br />Patrick O'Brien has written and illustrated non-fiction books for children as well as fun adventures such as Captain Raptor and the Moon Mystery. His previous factual books have been historic and prehistoric subjects—this is his first look into the future. O'Brien lives in Baltimore, Maryland with his wife and son.<br />Visit him online at www.patrickobrienbooks.com<br /> <br />Lisa<br />Enchanting Reviews<br />November 2009<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-635325091908726351?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-74121461860135130832009-11-23T13:19:00.000-08:002009-11-23T13:20:07.449-08:00SHADOWLAND (The Immortals Series)<br />ALYSON NOEL<br />Paranormal YA<br />St. Martin's Griffin<br />ISBN# 978-0312590444<br />368 Pages<br />$17.99<br />Hardcover—Available November 17, 2009<br /><br />Rating: 4.5 Enchantments<br /><br />After making an irreversible decision in Blue Moon, Ever and Damen must learn to live with the consequences of not being able to mix DNA until Ever can find whatever antidote exists. Unfortunately, only Roman knows and he's not interested in giving up his secrets, especially to Ever. With that spurring her on, Ever and Damen head to Summerland more often where she hopes to find something to help. But between that, her aunt's new relationship with Ever's teacher and the fact that Ever has to find a summer job within a week or go work as an intern at her aunt's law firm, things aren't exactly looking like she'll get the dream summer she planned. With the return of the twins, Romy and Rayne and their taking up residence at Damen's, things between Ever and Damen are changing. With the twins in tow, suddenly Damen's acting like Mr. Mom, ditching the cool car and staying home to help the girls adjust to life on this side of Summerland. Add in a new mysterious guy who has more history with Ever then she could have imagined and things in the series are really getting complicated.<br /><br />I really enjoyed SHADOWLAND, the third installment in The Immortals series. Ms. Noel does an excellent job deepening the mystery of the Immortals and what exactly Roman wants, other than to make Ever and Damen's lives miserable. With the addition of the mysterious Jude, surfer and owner of the crystal shop, we finally get a glimpse into Ever's surprising past lives, lives which Damen may not have truthfully portrayed before. Are Ever and Damen truly destined to be together or has he chased after her unmercifully for centuries? And what role does Jude have in her life—past and present? At times SHADOWLAND gives us more questions than answers as it moves forward. I really liked the addition of the twins and learning more of their history and their past connection to Damen. I think my favorite scenes take place in the crystal shop where Ever takes a part time job, working the store and giving psychic readings, taken on a whole new persona for the readings to disguise her identity—a good idea when someone from school shows up with interest in taking one of Jude's introduction classes. <br /><br />Ms. Noel never fails to leave things with an immense cliffhanger and SHADOWLAND is no different. With Ever's life changing decision, more things hang in the balance, much to Roman's sick delight. I can't wait to see what Ms. Noel has in store for us with the next book in the series out in 2010.<br /><br />Alyson Noel is the author of Evermore, Blue Moon and seven previous novels for St. Martin’s Press. She lives in Laguna Beach, California, where she is at work on the next book in the Immortals series. Visit her on the web at www.alysonnoel.com.<br /><br />Lisa<br />Enchanting Reviews<br />November 2009<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-7412146186013513083?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-44711530236574079282009-11-23T12:59:00.000-08:002009-11-23T13:00:37.458-08:00CROMWELL DIXON'S SKY-CYCLE<br />JOHN ABBOT NEZ<br />Children's Historical<br />Putnam<br />ISBN# 978-0399250415<br />32 pages<br />$16.99<br />Hardcover—Available Now<br /><br />Rating: 4.5 Enchantments<br /><br />Based on the true story of CROMWELL DIXON'S SKY-CYCLE, this fun and brightly illustrated children's book details young Cromwell's journey to making his dream of flying through the air a reality. With the help of his mother and unwavering drive to make his dream a reality, despite at least one horrendous set back when part of his sky-cycle catches fire before he has a chance to fly, Cromwell makes his goal a reality.<br /><br />I really enjoyed CROMWELL DIXON'S SKY-CYCLE. Filled with charming and colorful illustrations that richly accompany the story, kids will no doubt enjoy following along as Cromwell begins his journey from inventor to first boy to fly through the air on bicycle. Based in reality, it was a nice touch to see a photo of the real Cromwell and his mother at the end of the story. My favorite scene is when the first version of the sky-cycle meets with a mishap and Cromwell is forced to start all over again, vowing to make it better then the first was.<br /><br />CROMWELL DIXON'S SKY-CYCLE will appeal to kids and adults alike.<br /><br />John Abbot Nez has made more than fifty children's books of all sorts. He lives in Seattle with his wife and two children. Visit his website: It has more details about my bookmaking and illustrations at cromwelldixonsskycycle.com to learn more about his bookmaking and illustrations. And learn more about him and his artwork at www.johnnez.com<br /><br />Lisa<br />Enchanting Reviews<br />November 2009<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-4471153023657407928?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-11055148061091362672009-11-09T12:19:00.000-08:002010-04-10T13:58:24.926-07:00WHEN MIKE KISSED EMMA<br />CHRISTINE MARCINIAK<br />YA romance<br />Climbing Roses imprint of The Wild Rose Press<br />ISBN# 978-1601545459<br />$9.99<br />176 Pages<br />Paperback—Available Now<br /><br />Rating: 4 Enchantments<br /><br />Emma’s whole dream is for both her and her boyfriend to be cast as the leads in their high school’s production of The Song of Music. It’s basically a shoe in too. Or so she thought.<br /><br />Things don’t turn out the way she thought. Emma doesn’t get cast next to her popular boyfriend. Also Biker Mike, the resident bad boy, gets into the play. Things go topsy turvy when she finds out maybe the rumors of Mike might not be true. Emma’s not sure what to do as her friends don’t accept him. Plus she’s feeling things for Mike that she shouldn’t considering she has the so-called ‘perfect’ boyfriend. Or does she? Is it possible feelings can change? <br /><br />WHEN MIKE KISSED EMMA is one of those romantic tales you want to curl up with and read. Add the excitement of the school play and a cute guy with a past that is mysterious. Marciniak does a great job showing the emotions that go through Emma as she struggles with that age old problem of fitting in. Should she go with what she feels? Or stay with the safe more acceptable solution?<br /><br />The pacing is great. So is the dialogue set behind The Song of Music. Very appropriate for middle graders too. Those who enjoy clean romances will love WHEN MIKE KISSED EMMA. Romance, mystery, drama, friendships, and loyality--this book has it all.<br /><br />And the kiss? Let’s just say it’s one that all girls imagine and want. This is a sure hit for those who love clean romantic tales set behind the drama called high school.<br /><br />Christine Marciniak loves to write and even dreamed of acting when she was younger. A former editor, now she’s a stay at home mother of two children. Find out more at www.christinemarciniak.com<br /><br />KIM<br />ENCHANTING REVIEWS<br />NOVEMBER 2009<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-1105514806109136267?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-39352960786112650082009-11-04T21:33:00.000-08:002009-11-04T21:34:34.549-08:00Just a head's up that not all of our YA reviews are on our new blog yet since some are searching for them. There's still a few dozen that need to be added over here, including some that never made it to our webpage this summer. Look out for those soon.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-3935296078611265008?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-48757828290719824672009-11-04T21:02:00.001-08:002009-11-04T21:02:55.867-08:00HIGHWAY TO HELL<br />ROSEMARY CLEMENT-MOORE<br />Paranormal YA<br />Delacorte Books<br />ISBN# 978-0385734639<br />368 Pages<br />$16.99<br />Hardcover--Available Now<br /><br />Rating: 4.5 Enchantments<br /><br />It's time for more Maggie Quinn fun in the third book of the series, HIGHWAY TO HELL. This time, trouble finds Maggie and best friend Lisa on the way to Spring Break, the one time the two friends hope to just be normal and leave their paranormal abilities behind. But normal is soon quickly thrown out the window when Maggie's Jeep hits something in the middle of the dark Texas highway and they find themselves investigating something that definitely isn't human. Half the town believes its only coyotes or some other animal that's terrorizing and killing their livestock, but the other half of town, they believe something a little more sinister is behind the attacks, something that shouldn't exist outside nightmares. It's up to Maggie and Lisa to figure out the truth, but can Maggie figure it out before she gets in its way?<br /><br />Well paced and full of the same great mix of paranormal and humor as the first two in the series, HIGHWAY TO HELL is an addicting read that pulled me in from the first page and never let me go. The setting is a bit unusual, especially compared to previous books, and I liked how Maggie and Lisa were a bit of the outsiders in the small town, under the microscope at times by the locals as they threw their ideas out into the conversations about what was happening around them. The supporting characters were great, from Teresa who runs the restaurant/bar at the small motel to the slightly mysterious Hector, who seems to be looking out for the girls and the fun addition of Justin's best friend Henry to the mix. Ms. Clement-Moore does a fabulous job with the supporting characters in this one, with Dave being a personal favorite of mine. Absolutely loved the scene with him and Maggie out in the pick-up truck where they make their first frightening contact with the supposed mythological creature that's traumatizing the small Texas town. One of the best scenes is when the girls find out about a local museum a short drive away that's supposed to have an actual skeleton of the beast, and Maggie and Lisa head out to see this creature. The museum itself is odd and creepy enough, but the rattlesnake that seems to hiss every time Maggie is near is one of the creepiest parts of all. With a heart pounding last few chapters that will have you desperately flipping the pages, HIGHWAY TO HELL is one of my favorite reads of the year.<br /><br />Rosemary Clement-Moore lives and writes in Arlington, Texas. Visit Rosemary online at www.readrosemary.com<br /><br />Lisa<br />Enchanting Reviews<br />September 2009<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-4875782829071982467?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-46334691329683184972009-11-04T20:52:00.000-08:002010-04-10T13:58:41.205-07:00OH.MY.GODS<br />TERA LYNN CHILDS<br />Fantasy YA<br />Dutton<br />ISBN# 978-0-525-47942-0<br />Pages<br />$16.99<br />Hardcover--Available Now<br /><br />Rating: 4 Enchantments<br /><br />Phoebe Castro has one dream in life—to get a running scholarship to her dream school with her two lifelong best friends. Unfortunately, her mother is about to ruin everything. When her mother arrives home from a family reunion, with new fiancé in tow, she breaks the news that they're moving to a small island in Greece and Phoebe's about to miss out on her senior year with her BFFs. As if that wasn't bad enough, Phoebe finds herself at a school for descendants of the Gods and is about as much of a fish out of water as a girl can get, and not to mention, sworn to secrecy about that whole Gods thing. With her life suddenly turned upside down, a cold-hot relationship with the one of the hottest guys at school, who also happens to be dating one of the school's meanest girls, and an evil new soon-to-be stepsister to boot, Phoebe finds herself longing for her normal life back in Cali.<br /><br />OH.MY.GODS was a really fun fantasy read. A mix of contemporary and the possibility that the Gods did exist and their descendants are all housed on a small secret island in Greece going to school together all combine into a world that would be fun to step right into, as long as you didn't upset the popular clique and get on the wrong side of the mean girl, which you guessed it, Phoebe does. Phoebe's really likeable as the girl who has to seemingly give everything up and struggles to make it through the year away from her best friends and the life she left behind, with her mother psycho-analyzing her half the time. When her evil soon-to-be stepsister throws a wrench into things, Phoebe's desperately happy for the two friends she's made on the island. But that still doesn't explain why the male half of the hottest couple in school seems to have split personalities where she's concerned. Some of the best scenes in the book happen while Phoebe's out running and trying to make the team. The surprise in the book about Phoebe herself may not come as much as total surprise to all readers, but the way it comes out is pretty good.<br />Sometimes though, the story did seem a bit slow moving, which was the only flaw to this fun and engaging read. I look forward to reading the next in the series, 'Goddess Boot Camp', also available now.<br /><br />Tera Lynn Childs is a wannabe goddess and the author of OH. MY. GODS. and GODDESS BOOT CAMP. Tera lives in Houston, Texas, where she spends her time fleeing hurricanes, making character profiles on MySpace, blogging with the Buzz Girls at booksboysbuzz.com, and writing wherever she can find a comfy chair and a steady stream of caffeinated beverages.<br /><br />Lisa<br />Enchanting Reviews<br />September 2009<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-4633469132968318497?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-28622546980755957502009-11-04T20:48:00.000-08:002009-11-04T20:49:53.875-08:00FAT CAT<br />ROBIN BRANDE<br />Contemporary YA<br />Knopf<br />ISBN# 978-0-375-84449-2<br />327 Pages<br />$16.99<br />Hardcover--Available Now<br /><br />Rating: 4.5 Enchantments<br /><br />Cat has always been a bit of a brain. AP classes all the way, and so she's eagerly awaiting what should be one of the highlights of her high school career, the project in Mr. Fizer's research science class. But when she picks her picture out of the stack, instead of something she can be excited about and sure to beat former best friend Matt at, she ends up with a picture of the hominids, our earliest human ancestors. What is she supposed to with that? But the more she thinks, the more the idea begins to form. She'll use herself as the project, eating and living how the early humans lives, which means giving up nearly everything she loves—junk food, her car, TV and make a record of her transformation.<br /><br />Cat's likeable from the start and I loved her best friend, Amanda, who definitely stole a few scenes on her own, especially at the cafe. At the beginning of the book, Cat's a little on the heavy side, she doesn't seem to be focused that much on her body, though she would like to feel prettier. So when she ends up with the photo of the hominids for her class, and decides to do the project on herself, she couldn't imagine the results or how it'll change her life. As the story moves along, Cat finds herself evolving, not only physically by losing the weight but mentally as well when her social life changes as does her self esteem. She even finds herself bonding more with her little brother. The only thing still negative around her is her former best friend, Matt, who she'd do anything to beat in this competition. It takes almost the whole book before the reader gets to find out what happened to her and Matt's friendship as thirteen year olds. Some of my favorite scenes are when Cat notices him watching her at school and especially when she's talking to one of the guys in class. The first time they meet up at the Zoo is one of the most memorable ones in the book. The awkwardness between the two, Cat's desire to show him she doesn't need him in her life and yet so desperately wants him to apologize for those hurtful words. And the scene between her and Amanda in the car afterwards was great too.<br /><br />All in all, FAT CAT is a really great and entertaining read as Cat goes on a bit of a journey of self-discovery and finding out what it is in life that truly makes her happy. Highly recommended to anyone looking for a great mix of humor, little romance and friendship.<br /><br />Robin Brande is a former trial attorney who is also the author of the young adult novel Evolution, Me &amp; Other Freaks of Nature. Robin was herself an overweight teen, and knows that a smart girl can figure out a smart way to be fit. She lives in Tucson, Arizona.<br /><br />Lisa<br />Enchanting Reviews<br />October 2009<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-2862254698075595750?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-38771502098104973842009-10-29T00:10:00.000-07:002009-10-29T00:10:00.872-07:00<p>THE YOUNGEST TEMPLAR: TRAIL OF FATE (BOOK 2)<br />MICHAEL P. SPRADLIN<br />Historical Fantasy<br />Putnam<br />ISBN# 978-0-399-24764-4<br />240 Pages<br />$17.99<br />Hardcover--Available October 29, 2009<br /><br />Rating: 4 Enchantments<br /><br />THE YOUNGEST TEMPLAR Picks up shortly after book one ends, TRAIL OF FATE starts with Tristan washed ashore, alone and not sure where he is. Drifting in and out of consciousness, he is soon discovered by an armed group on horseback, four men and two women, including the beautiful Celia. He soon finds out that they are Cathars and in danger from the High Counsel led by Father Renard after Celia upset the archbishop during a meeting. Torn between helping them and his own mission, he reluctantly leaves them and heads to find the port town with Maryam and Robard. But when they run into Father Renard on the beach, Tristan quickly changes his mind and lies about knowing where Celia and the others were headed. Deciding to help them, Tristan loses one of his friends when Robard decides to go home, leaving him, Maryam and the dog, Angel, on their own.<br /><br />What I love most about Mr. Spradlin's writing is the way you feel like you're right there in the story with Tristan and company. Tristan is as stubborn and determined as ever, willing to risk his own life to fulfill his mission to Sir Thomas and deliver the Grail. Celia and his feelings for her throw things off balance. With a vow to one of her fallen protectors, Tristan puts himself directly into harm's way and his friends as well. I hope we'll see Celia again in the future, as she was an intriguing character who seemed a good match for Tristan. The relationship between Robard and Maryam continues to evolve and I loved the dialogue between them and Tristan realizing there's something brewing between them. </p><br /><p>The action in THE YOUNGEST TEMPLAR: TRAIL OF FATE moves fairly fast at some points, especially when they finally reach Montsegur and again in the final few chapters. The last few chapters were some of my favorite parts of the book, when Tristan, Robard and Maryam are trying to escape France and the dangerous and equally evil Sir Hugh to find their way to Scotland to finally deliver the Grail. With a jaw-dropping cliff-hanger as an ending, readers will be demanding the next in this adventurous series.<br /><br />Michael P. Spradlin is the author of more than a dozen books for children. When not writing, he enjoys reading, traveling, spending time with his family and worrying over the fact that he really should be writing instead of doing other stuff.<br /><br />Lisa<br />Enchanting Reviews<br />October 2009<br /></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-3877150209810497384?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-35887323897472697752009-10-17T14:43:00.001-07:002009-10-17T14:43:39.548-07:00I AM A GENIUS OF UNSPEAKABLE EVIL AND I WANT TO BE YOUR CLASS PRESIDENT<br />JOSH LIEB<br />YA Humor<br />RAZORBILL<br />ISBN# 978-1-59514-240-5<br />304 pages<br />$15.99 ($20.00 CAN)<br />eBook/Print - Available 10/15/09<br /> <br />Rating: 5 Enchantments<br /> <br />Oliver Watson lives in Omaha Nebraska and he is both an eight grader and a criminal mastermind who runs a vast organization dedicated to the humiliation and punishment of those he feels have wronged him.<br /><br />Tatiana Lopez is known by Oliver as the meanest girl in school. Oliver seems to have a bit of a crush on Tatiana.<br /> <br />The entire story is told by Oliver so sometimes events may be distorted by what Oliver would like to present. Oliver is nominated for class president by Tatiana and at first he declines, but later changes his mind when he claims he sees an opportunity to annoy or diminish his dad by running and doing easily what his dad worked hard for as a student. Oliver manipulates, threatens and bribes his way to an unopposed election. His dad expresses his pity that poor Oliver won’t know the success of truly running and winning an election. Oliver decides to manipulate a little more and sponsors a ‘rival’ through more bribery, manipulation and threats. He hires a campaign manager for his rival through his criminal organization. This is to ensure his final victory. Things don’t go quite the way Oliver plans due to the his mother and his campaign volunteers led by Tatiana.<br /> <br />This book is great. I really enjoyed the scenes where Oliver acts as though Randy, his fellow student and rival for class president, scares or hurts him. Each time Randy tries to console or help Oliver, Oliver acts as if Randy is threatening him or hitting him, or demanding his money. Oliver takes great pride in being an evil genius. In his efforts to be President, Oliver never truly plans what he will do if he actually wins the election. I like how the author shows the inconsistencies in Oliver’s story about himself. Oliver claims that he does everything completely legally and then goes on to describe incidents like having paid henchmen use blow darts to inject drugs into unsuspecting bullies. This is definitely illegal even if it allows Oliver to take revenge on the bully.<br /><br />This is Josh Lieb’s debut novel. Josh Lieb is the Emmy-winning producer of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. He worked on The Simpsons and Newsradio.<br /><br /> <br />Kathy Johnson<br />ENCHANTING REVIEWS<br />July 2009<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-3588732389747269775?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-42449354072871508862009-10-15T11:32:00.001-07:002009-10-15T11:32:54.272-07:00WITHOUT SIN<br />J.TOMAS<br />Contemporary YA<br />Prism Books<br />ISBN # 978-1-60370-683-4, 1-60370-683-6 EBook<br />ISBN: 978-1-60370-684-1, 1-60370-684-4Print<br />155 pages EBook<br />240 pages print<br /><br />$5.95 EBook $13.95 print<br /><br />Rating: 3.5 Enchantments<br /><br />Sixteen-year-old Jacob Smithson has a temper. He's picked on because he likes boys. As a last resort, his parents place him in St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Boarding School for Boys.<br /><br />When Jacob sees Avery Dendritch, a senior, the attraction is hard to deny. The two become fast friends, and as the school year progresses, their friendship deepens until Jacob feels he's found a place where he belongs. But the other students gossip about their growing relationship. Avery can ignore them; Jacob can't. Can Jacob curb his temper, or will his fighting get him expelled from St. Thomas, too?<br /><br />I have to admit that this was my first young adult read and I loved it. The storyline was as I expected, solid and detailed. The author did a good job at building the characters, Jacob and Avery. The character Jacob is our temperamental, possessive, and protective type young male that makes him just perfect for the strong male lead. Avery was more the quiet type but no less protective of Jacob which is also good solid qualities in a character. It would have been an easy to follow, solid storyline if it had not been for all the errors. Errors such as no quotation marks, made it hard to stay in the story as I had to focus more on figuring out when someone was speaking and when they weren’t. The author and publisher could have avoided these types of mistakes with proper editing as it makes the story flow more smoothly.<br /><br />The author’s website is http://j-tomas.net where you can find all the latest new or updates about the author.<br /><br />A.M.Brown<br />Enchanting Reviews<br />May 2009<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-4244935407287150886?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-49411653672021232672009-10-08T14:21:00.000-07:002009-10-08T14:22:13.307-07:00THE HUNCHBACK ASSIGNMENTS<br />ARTHUR SLADE<br />YA Steampunk<br />Wendy Lamb Books<br />ISBN# 978-0385737845<br />288 Pages<br />$15.99<br />Hardcover—Available Now<br /><br />Rating: 4 Enchantments<br /><br />Mr. Socrates saved infant, Modo, from the traveling road show he was the star of. Hidden in a cage in the back of a carriage, his small body hunched, his face 'blessed' with the ability to morph into whatever it seemed he wanted. But his regular face, his true self, is so hideous that he must hide it behind a mask he receives as a child. As Modo grows older, Mr. Socrates has him practice morphing his facial features, until he can replicate the look of someone else for hours on end, all the while schooling him in other subjects that a normal child wouldn't normally learn.<br /><br />Modo was a very likeable and sympathetic character. Forced to suddenly fend for himself on the streets of London, he has to use the lessons he's learned in the past at the hands of Mr. Socrates, as well as his caregiver and his fighting teacher, unsure of when he might see the mysterious Mr. Socrates again. What he does is pretty ingenious, turning himself into a detective, specializing in finding missing objects. This way he sticks to the night, makes what he considers good money and allows himself to hide from the world...until the beautiful Octavia appears at his door, asking him to find her brother, something that pulls him into an adventure he'd never imagine and put him back in contact with Socrates. I liked his relationship with Octavia, a character as mysterious as Mr. Socrates, and I found myself wondering how close her past resembles Modo's. Mr. Socrates himself was very mysterious. You have to wonder what's ahead for Modo and Octavia, and if Mr. Socrates is a totally good guy or is there something he's hiding from his young charges. I'm really looking forward to reading the next book to get some questions answered. I'm sure more interesting characters wait. Mixed with a good dose of adventure, a bit of humour and lots of memorable scenes, THE HUNCHBACK ASSIGNMENTS is a memorable read.<br /><br />Arthur Slade has published several novels for young readers, including Jolted: Newton Starker’s Rules for Survival, Megiddo’s Shadow, Tribes, and Dust, which won the Governor General’s Award for Children’s Literature. He lives in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, with his wife, Brenda Baker. Visit him on the Web at www.arthurslade.com.<br /><br />Lisa<br />Enchanting Reviews<br />September 2009<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-4941165367202123267?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-92134966327157887102009-10-08T14:18:00.000-07:002009-10-08T14:20:00.791-07:00THE MAGICAL MS. PLUM<br />BONNY BECKER<br />Magical Middle Grade<br />Knopf<br />ISBN# 978-0-375-85637-2<br />104 Pages<br />$12.99<br />Hardcover--Available September 22, 2009<br /><br />Rating: 4 Enchantments<br /><br />To end up in Ms. Plum's third grade class is a real privilege as there's something magical about what happens in her classroom. And funny enough, none of her students are able to talk about it, even if they want to. Ms. Plum's supply closet hosts a magical secret. Whatever lesson a child seems to need to learn is taught by whatever animal follows them out of the closet. No one knows what's going to come out of there next, but one thing is for sure, almost everyone in class wants their turn.<br /><br />I really enjoyed THE MAGICAL MS. PLUM. Every chapter is like a mini story all on its own, featuring a different student in her class. Everyone in Ms. Plum's class learns a lesson by the end of the school year, including Ms. Plum herself, which was one of my favourite chapters of the book. Though this can be a fairly fast read, it doesn't take away from the enjoyment of the book and the lessons that the characters learned. I really liked Ms. Plum and my favourite student had to be Darla. Out of the animals that emerged from the supply closet, it's hard to choose a favourite. The monkeys were great, the squirrels and I loved the peacock for Ms. Plum. I have to say that Ms. Plum and the peacock was definitely my favourite scene in the book, simply because you didn't expect anything to come out for the unusual Ms. Plum. The illustrations as well were really great and added a nice touch to the book.<br />A great read for boys or girls, even reluctant readers are sure to enjoy the magical glimpse into Ms. Plum's world.<br /><br />Bonny Becker lives with her husband in Seattle, Washington. She hopes kids who read THE MAGICAL MS. PLUM will feel less afraid of making mistakes and will that stumbles are a part of how everyone grows and figures things out. Visit her online at http://www.bonnybecker.com<br /><br />Lisa<br />Enchanting Reviews<br />September 2009<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-9213496632715788710?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-44195199932429984712009-10-08T14:17:00.000-07:002009-10-08T14:18:25.203-07:00AND THEN EVERYTHING UNRAVELED<br />JENNIFER STURMAN<br />Mystery YA<br />Point<br />ISBN# 978-0545087223<br />256 pages<br />$16.99<br />Trade—Available Now<br /><br />Rating: 4.5 Enchantments<br /><br />Delia Truesdale never imagined her idyllic life in California was about to change. When her internet tycoon mother suddenly goes missing off an expedition to the Antarctic, Delia is the only one who believes T.K. is still alive. Worse, since she's the only one, she has no chance to decide to stay home. Oh no, according to her mother's will, she's about to be shipped off to the other side of the country, to New York City and two aunts she's never even met, let alone barely heard anything about. And the two of them are about as opposite as you can get.<br /><br />With Delia the only one believing her mother is still out there somewhere, she's forced to deal with the fact that everyone around her wouldn't believe a word she says if she told them what she suspects. Between a weird phone call, mysterious satellite pictures online and the fact she just doesn't feel her mother's gone, Delia does what she can to prove to the world her mother is still alive. I liked Delia right away and her aunts, Charley and Patience are about as opposite as you can get. Charley was definitely my favorite of the two with her fun personality and unique way of doing things. especially how at first she had enrolled her in a totally different school without telling her prim and proper sister and was ready to send Delia there, until Patience came charging in. I loved how Charley set up a meeting for Delia to come to terms with what happened and it ends up being with a psychic, one who seems to agree with everything Delia's found so far. Her mother is still out there somewhere. But when she warns her she can't tell anyone, because the eight will turn into twelve, Delia decides to get her own detective to look into things since she doesn't know whether eight means days, weeks, months or even years. The pace of the book moves along very well and things are revealed all in good time, and the evolving relationship between Delia and Quinn, with his at times opposite personalities was enjoyable to watch unfold. Filled with unique and interesting characters, fun scenes and a mystery that gets more deep and dangerous the more Delia finds out, AND THEN EVERYTHING UNRAVELED is definitely an entertaining mystery read.<br /><br />Ms. Sturman is the acclaimed author of several adult mystery novels, including The Pact and The Jinx. After graduating from Harvard College, Jennifer earned her MBA from Harvard Business School. She now lives in New York City, a few blocks from Delia’s aunt. She has no free time, but if she did she would probably spend it watching teen movie classics and playing poker. Please visit her online at<br />www. jennifersturman.com<br /><br />Lisa<br />Enchanting Reviews<br />August 2009<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-4419519993242998471?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-63144619423719767542009-10-06T22:10:00.000-07:002009-10-06T22:14:39.687-07:00GHOST HUNTRESS: THE AWAKENING<br />MARLEY GIBSON<br />YA paranormal<br />Houghton Mufflin Harcourt<br />ISBN # 9780547150932<br />352 pages<br />$8.95<br />Paperback—Available now<br /><br />Rating: 4 Enchantments<br /><br />Sixteen-year-old Kendall Moorehead is having a hard time adjusting to her parent’s recent move from Chicago to the small town of Radisson, Georgia. For one thing she can’t sleep. Not at all. Her father brings home a white-noise machine which should help her fall asleep but instead she starts hearing a scary voice that shouldn’t be there.<br /><br />Kendall finds out that most of Radisson is haunted. Celia, a local resident and student at Kendall’s high school, lets her in on how she can go about finding out what’s behind the strange voices. In the meantime, Kendall’s father is being attacked by an invisible force at his new job. Should Kendall listen to Celia and form a local ghost hunters team to find out more? Can Kendall deal with her abilities to communicate with the dead in time to help?<br /><br />I enjoyed this teenage ghost hunter’s book. The author does a great job showing the whole world of those who search out for ghosts and other paranormal things. In fact, the author is a paranormal investigator. Kendall’s struggles with her nurse mother not accepting her paranormal ability felt real. Her relationships with kids at her new high school were interesting. I guess if you live in a town where most houses are rumored to be haunted by Civil War ghosts, someone showing up and claiming to actually see them wouldn’t be that hard to believe.<br /><br />What did feel forced was the whole pop references throughout the book. Also the crossing felt a tad bit abrupt. The sequel to GHOST HUNTRESS is coming out this fall. For those who love watching GHOST HUNTERS and GHOST ADVENTURES this book will appeal to them. I know I’m curious what Kendall will do later on with all those ghosts waiting to be helped.<br /><br />Marley Gibson is a member of the New England Romance Writers of America (RWA) and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and the creator and founder of Chick Lit Writers RWA. Marley works full-time as a meeting planner and lives in the Boston area with her husband Mike. Find out more at <a href="http://www.marleygibson.com/">http://www.marleygibson.com/</a> or her blog www.booksboysbuzz.com.<br /><br />Kim<br />ENCHANTING REVIEWS<br />August 2009<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-6314461942371976754?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-87357868159640995042009-10-06T22:08:00.000-07:002009-10-06T22:10:31.389-07:00THE BLONDE OF THE JOKE<br />BENNETT MADISON<br />YA contemporary<br />Harper Collins<br />ISBN# 978-0-06-125560-1<br />260 pages<br />$16.99<br />Hardback—Available now<br /><br />Rating: 4 Enchantments<br /><br />Val knew there was something different about Francie the first day she showed up in her Physics class. Blonde, brass, and gutsy, Francie was everything Val wanted to be. Then Francie decides to let her become her partner in shoplifting at the upscale mall. So both the mousy brunette and flashy blonde go on a wild ride of stealing. Francie sees something in Val, a wild streak. Val is unaware of this hidden part of herself. The risks for stealing get higher and both of them continue to shoplift. Along the way other secrets are revealed. Secrets that will either bring them closer or pull them apart.<br /><br />I enjoy this story of a teen, who felt invisible at her school until Francie appears in her life. The voice is unique and engaging. At times hilarious and sarcastic, you can’t help but be entertained. Francie is at times way over the top in her outrageous behavior. I could see why Val would be attracted to her. Val at first seems gullible but in fact is stronger than she thinks. The only thing I felt was missing was the secret of Val’s dying brother. And the ending tended to be a bit abrupt.<br /><br />The secrets of shoplifting were very revealing. Who knew what a simple rubber band could accomplish? What makes this book engaging is how Val opens up from her shell to the very end when she makes a final decision that turns her life upside down. <br /><br />Bennett Madison learned everything about shoplifting from working at the Gap. He lives in New York City. You can visit him at www.bennettmadison.net<br /><br />Kim<br />ENCHANTING REVIEWS<br />August 09<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-8735786815964099504?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-58242287770348118002009-08-30T20:47:00.000-07:002009-08-30T20:48:14.471-07:00<b>What do you like best about being a writer?</b><br /><br /><br /><br />Power. It may sound silly, but being a writer gives me ultimate control over people and situations of which I’m the sole creator. I decide what they do, what they say, what they eat and wear, and, ultimately, I decide their fate. The best thing is that I can change my mind any time.<br /><br /><br /><br />I also live the solitude of writing. When I’m working on something, I love spending hours of uninterrupted time. It’s a huge contrast to my “real” life.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><b>Why Young Adult?</b><br /><br /><br /><br />Because I write the kind of stories I wish were around when I was a teen. It wasn’t until the late seventies or so that the edgier topics began to appear in YA literature. I’m not saying I didn’t enjoy the books I read in the sixties and early seventies, but I love the raw emotion and absolute reality to find in the YA sections of today. YA for the most part is fast and in-your-face, and without all the (often) unnecessary narrative you often find in adult literature. I’ll read an adult book today and, with few exceptions, I’ll think: Do I seriously care about this? Get on with the story already!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><b>What's your writing process like?</b><br /><br /><br /><br />First of all, I don’t outline (though I sometimes regret it)—I first do a rough draft from beginning to end, and then revise and re-revise until I’m satisfied with the results. I don’t do character sketches because I think they’re a waste of time; anything I need to know about the characters, I’ll find it out as I’m writing the story. I think some writers spend so much time on perfect outlines and synopses and multiple, lengthy character sketches that “this” becomes their actual writing; they obsess over it. I prefer to get the story down first and then go back and refine the details. I also have crit partners who will read one of my later drafts (I never allow anyone to see a rough draft) and I’ll send my agent a few pages as well.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><b>I totally loved your book especially with all the recent news on gay marriages. What inspired you to write this story?</b><br /><br /><br /><br />It was a story I’d thought about for quite a while. Originally I’d planned to write about a girl with a gay best friend (female) and the problems this posed. Then in 2006, when a lot of attention was first drawn to the gay marriage issue, I was inspired to turned my idea for a new story into something quite different.<br /><br /><br /><br /><b>How did you come up with the title?</b><br /><br />In the second chapter of the book, a younger Shawna, comparing her elegant, beautiful mother to her mother’s less than feminine partner, says with extreme embarrassment, “You don’t look like Fran…so maybe you’re not really, you know, one of THEM.” And Shawna’s mother snaps back, “I’m a lesbian, Shawna. Les-bi-an. Why are you so afraid to say that word?” Shawna struggles with this throughout the story.<br /><br /><br /><b>Which character gave you the toughest time to write in the book?</b><br /><br />Shawna’s dad, one of the nastiest characters I’ve had to write. Nasty in the sense that he is refined and wealthy and highly educated, yet hasn’t a clue how his actions affect other people, especially those he loves. I tend to go overboard with unlikeable characters and it took quite a bit of effort to rein him in.<br /><br /><b><br />Hardest scene to write?</b><br /><br />There were a LOT in this one: First, there’s a rape scene in the book and I had to remind myself that this IS young-adult. The last scene with Shawna and Arye must’ve been revised a thousand times before I was happy with it. Shawna’s final confrontation with her father broke my heart to write.<br /><br /><br /><b>Who would your ideal cast be if a movie was made?</b><br /><br />I know people will think I’m making this up, but I never think about my books being made into movies. My first novel was optioned for film, so I did fantasize a bit, but the option has since expired. I have such a strong personal picture of what my characters look like, it’s hard to picture them as actors who already exist (though sometimes I surf photo sites looking for similarities!).<br /><br /><br />Interview by Kim<br />May 2009<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-5824228777034811800?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-45780784619160725372009-08-30T18:48:00.000-07:002009-08-30T18:49:22.507-07:00<div>TOUCH<br />FRANCINE PROSE<br />Contemporary YA<br />HarperTeen<br />ISBN# 978-0-06-137517-0<br />272 pages<br />$16.99<br />Hardcover—Available Now</div><div><br />Rating: 5 Enchantments</div><div><br />Maisie is a ninth grader living with her father, her stepmother, Joan, and Josh, her nine-year-old step-brother.</div><div> <br />Maisie has always been a bit of a tom-boy and grew up together with her best friends Kevin, Chris and Shakes. Maisie left for her 8th grade year to live with her mother and Geoff, her new step-father. When Maisie returned, she had developed physically and unlike some of her other classmates, she had developed a lot. She finds that her friends don’t quite know how to treat her anymore and the awkwardness leaves Maisie feeling unsure how to handle the relationships. Shakes and Maisie still get together and seem to be sorting out their relationship and feelings for each other, but then Chris and Kevin react with jealousy and an incident occurs on the school bus. When the boys are afraid they will be punished, they react by lying about what happened and who did what. Maisie feels betrayed by Chris, Kevin, and Shakes. Her step-mother wants to respond with lawyers and expulsions and Maisie is still sorting out what happened to her friendships, her body, and what really happened on the bus.</div><div> <br />The author handled some very touchy subject matter with both honesty and delicacy. This is a great book for teens who are going through changes, whether it be their family structure, their bodies, their friends or other areas of their life. Even though Maisie has some struggles, nightmares and pressure at home and at school, she begins to discover who she is and to choose how much she will let other people’s pressure affect her actions. For example when Maisie’s step-mother takes her shopping, instead of getting caught up in her stepmother’s drama and backhanded compliments, she chooses not to get into it with her stepmother at the store. She simply allows her stepmother to be happy buying two dresses Maisie never intends to wear. My favorite part is when Maisie has a very honest conversation with Shakes to let him know just how she feels about his part in the bus incident and afterwards.</div><div><br />Francine Prose has written eighteen novels including ..Bullyville’ and ..After’ two young adult novels. She may be contacted at <a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vd3d3LmZyYW5jaW5lcHJvc2UuY29t">www.francineprose.com</a>.</div> <br />Kathy Johnson<br />ENCHANTING REVIEWS<br />July 2008<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-4578078461916072537?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-51645994103731145282009-08-30T18:31:00.001-07:002009-08-30T18:31:42.117-07:00THE SUMMER I TURNED PRETTY<br />JENNY HAN<br />Contemporary YA<br />Simon Pulse<br />ISBN# 978-1-4169-6823-8<br />$16.99<br />276 pages<br />Hardcover – Available now<br /><br />Rating: 3.5 Enchantments<br /><br />Isabel, better known as Belly, always looks forward to summers. That’s when it’s time to relax, to swim in the pool or the ocean, to lay on the beach doing nothing. That’s when she, her brother Steven, and her mother drive to the beach house, when they spend three glorious months with loving Susannah and her sons Conrad and Jeremiah.<br /><br />Brothers Conrad and Jeremiah have been there since the first summer. Just older than Belly, they always treated her like the baby, but despite the teasing, the three were pretty close. To Belly, they’ve been everything from best friends to unattainable crushes, and most definitely, people she could count on to be at the summer house when she arrived.<br /><br />But this summer is different. Almost sixteen, Belly feels like she’s old enough to be included in the boys’ antics. She’s ready to make this summer perfect. But between Conrad’s moods, Jeremiah’s lifeguarding job, and Steven’s college road trip, there seems to be hardly any room left for Belly. But Belly can’t just give up; she’ll find a way to make this summer the way it should be.<br /><br />THE SUMMER I TURNED PRETTY is a fast, fun, and at times moving story about life, love, and friendship. The story starts out none too originally, focusing on the highlights in Belly’s life, summers at the beach house. It predictably covers every corner of summer vacation: beaches, swimming, crushes, and parties. Even after the story gets going, nothing significantly differentiates this novel from other beach reads. It’s true that each main character is dealing with pain in their lives, but so do most characters in most novels. This lack of uniqueness made me feel like id already read pieces of the story before, albeit in a different novel. Despite that, the characters were, for the most part, realistic and believable, and I grew to understand and care about them even if I saw them reflected in countless other characters from summer stories. Belly is particularly likable, with her determination and desire to prove herself; flashbacks aided in defining her personality and background although it was difficult for me to keep track of when each segment of the story was taking place. Even though I feel this novel could have been vastly improved and even if I found the book’s ending deeply unsatisfying, I can’t deny that THE SUMMER I TURNED PRETTY is a sweet story abtou the fragility and beauty of life and the sacredness of first love.<br /><br />Jenny Han lives in New York City, and THE SUMMER I TURNED PRETTY is her second novel. Her first is SHUG. She can be visited online at her website: http://www.dearjennyhan.com/<br /><br />Rachael Stein<br />Enchanting Reviews<br />August 2009<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-5164599410373114528?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-51443227342978187442009-08-26T18:33:00.000-07:002009-08-30T18:34:38.985-07:00KILLER (#6 in the Pretty Little Liars series)<br />SARA SHEPARD<br />YA Mystery<br />HarperTeen<br />ISBN# 978-0-06-156611-0<br />321 Pages<br />$16.99<br />Hardcover—Available Now<br /><br />Rating: 5 Enchantments<br /><br />KILLER, the latest installment of the Pretty Little Liars series, takes its readers on a rollercoaster of a read as the girls find Ian’s body, but the moment they bring Wilden back to the scene, Ian’s body is gone. Now the girls are being called liars by both the police and the press and no one believes a word they’re saying. Even as the new ‘A’ texts the girls, no one wants to believe that the girls are in any danger from anything but fear of being out of the spotlight. But are they crazy or is the newest ‘A’ actually trying to help them solve the mystery this time? With a jaw dropping ending that almost seems impossible, fans of the series will delight in the newest addition to the series.<br /><br />Pretty Little Liars is my favorite YA mystery series, hands down. KILLER is a fast paced, riveting read with characters that’ve grown over the course of the series and new secrets and scandals being revealed around every corner. As the girls discover and remember more about the night Ali died, the more things point towards Wilden as somehow being involved, but how and why? How can they possibly trust the man who seems to haunt all their memories?<br /><br />Aria’s struggling not only with moving into her father’s new house with his expecting girlfriend as a mean’s to get away from her mother’s boyfriend, but also with the fact she keeps bumping into Ali’s older brother, Jason. Is it her or is there something going on between them? Surely the rumors about Jason hurting Ali all those years ago were just that. Rumors. Spencer yet again feels the major outcast. Not only because of her possibly being adopted, but because she’s the one who first found Ian’s supposed body. When her family’s home is vandalized because of it and her parents ostracizing her for it, Spencer decides to find out where it is she might belong and answers the e-mail from her possible birth mother. Hanna’s forced friendship with her soon-to-be-evil-stepsister isn’t working out like her father would hope. And after Hanna blurted out what she did about Kate in the last book, it seems Kate’s out for revenge. But Hanna knows how to play that game too. Emily’s dealing with her own relationship troubles, especially when her boyfriend’s mother seems to hate her. When her boyfriend won’t believe her, what’s a girl to do, especially after finding a photo in their kitchen with her head cut out. That’s not typical friendly mother behavior. What I loved best about KILLER was how the tension never seemed to let up where the mystery was involved and how everything led up to the big party at the new hotel, a place that ends up harboring a very big secret. As all the clues start to fall together, the girls find themselves in deeper danger then they could ever imagine. One of the best scenes in the book is when aria is lured out to Jason’s apartment, only to almost be attacked by a dog. When she has no other choice, she’s forced to break into the apartment, only to discover what may be the biggest clue yet.<br /><br />Sara Shephard graduation from NYU and has an MFA from Brooklyn College. Her PRETTY LITTLE LIARS novels were inspired by her growing up in Philadelphia’s Main Line. Visit www.prettylittleliars.com for PLL gossip, giveaways and exclusive series secrets.<br /><br />Lisa<br />Enchanting Reviews<br />July 2009<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-5144322734297818744?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-50049444724859638422009-08-25T18:34:00.000-07:002009-08-30T18:35:43.315-07:00GORGEOUS<br />RACHEL VAIL<br />Contemporary YA<br />HarperTeen<br />ISBN# 978-0-06-089046-9<br />$16.99<br />278 pages<br />Hardcover – Available now<br /><br />Rating: 4 Enchantments<br /><br />Allison Avery has always felt invisible. The middle child sandwiched between older, smart, talented, and accomplished Quinn and younger, pretty, and popular Phoebe, Allison thinks herself the epitome of mediocrity. It doesn’t help that she feels like an ugly duckling in public. And with not-quite-supportive friends, distracted sisters, and parents with their own financial problems, no one has really told her different.<br /><br />But that all changes the first time Allison hands out with Roxie, a used-to-be big city girl also rumored to be a model. Suddenly Allison realizes she’s tired of being the girl in the shadows. So, she makes a deal with the devil. In exchange for gorgeousness, all Allison has to do is let the devil possess her cell phone. Sounds like a great deal, right? Not. Allison’s looks may have earned her more popularity, but do her new friends like her for her—or her face? And is her semi-finalist spot in a competition to find America’s next teen model all what it’s cracked up to be? And now that the devil’s control of her phone is wreaking havoc with her personal and social life, Allison has to ask herself—is beauty really worth this?<br /><br />GOEGEOUS is a witty, unusual, and ultimately charming tale of a girl trying to figure out who she is. Allison is a very likable character every teen girl will be able to relate to in some way; she’s very unsure of herself, both in intelligence and looks, she feels dwarfed by the accomplishments of those around her, and she doesn’t know who she can completely trust. That’s why she gives so little thought to the devil’s deal when she’s offered beauty. She’s just floundering for some confidence, something she can be proud of. This novel is very successful in conveying the importance of learning to love yourself. Despite that people should care about personality rather than image, beauty can be vital to that process of finding confidence, more for the reward of feeling beautiful than just being so. Vail, I felt, was also very effective in this message. For me, that’s what set GORGEOUS apart from other novels about body image and beauty even if it all comes down to inner beauty. It also helps that Allison’s business with the devil was continually mysterious. In all, GORGEOUS is a sweet story that will be enjoyed by women of all ages.<br /><br />A resident of New York City, Rachel Vail has written many novels for young adults. GORGEOUS is the second installment in the Avery sisters trilogy; the first book, LUCKY, follows Phoebe’s story. Rachel can be visited online at her website: www.rachelvail.com<br /><br />Rachael Stein<br />Enchanting Reviews<br />August 2009<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-5004944472485963842?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-85154798565266540702009-08-21T18:35:00.000-07:002009-08-30T18:36:39.878-07:00SISTERS IN SANITY<br />GAYLE FORMAN<br />YA contemporary<br />Harper Collins<br />ISBN #978-0-06-088749-0<br />290 pages<br />$8.99<br />Trade paperback Available now<br /><br />Rating: 4.5 Enchantments<br /><br /><br />Sixteen-year-old Brit Hemphill, just wants to play in her band. Life hasn’t been the same since the Step monster joined the family. Brit doesn’t realize how bad things will get until a so-called promised family trip to the Grand Canyon turns into a trip to a remote, all-girl, residential treatment center for troubled teens. Brit is devastated by her father’s betrayal. Once at the center, she finds other inmates’ who become her friends and help try to find a way out of the prison-like institution.<br /><br />This edgy tale shows the pain and anger of a girl who is tricked by her father into going to a boot camp for out of control teenagers. Brit’s reaction to being in the camp and her refusal to accept the counselor’s diagnosis of her so-called problem rang true. The language at times is raw but also very realistic of what might be the reaction to anyone suddenly locked up in a prison like building. Forman does a great job getting the reader inside and letting us see the horrors of so-called ‘tough’ love. The girls are exposed to harsh criticisms of their so-called problems in order for them to reform. Instead, it only makes them resent not only the camp but their parents as well.<br /><br />I really liked how Forman doesn’t show the typical stereotypical troubled teen. No,<br />Brit’s character is not the usual angry punk rocker, but a girl that is struggling with the pain of her father’s betrayal and the fear that she might become like her paranoid schizophrenic mother. Brit learns to open up to some of the other girls at the camp and together they put together a secret sisterhood club in order to survive from the indifferent counselors at the camp. The other girls in the institution are also multilayered. I especially liked how Brit slowly learns to trust and how she decides to take matters into her own hands. Those who loved IMPULSE will also enjoy SISTERS IN SANITY.<br /><br />Gayle Forman lives in New York City with her husband and daughter. Find out more at www.gayleforman.com<br /><br />Kim<br />ENCHANTING REVIEWS<br />August 2009<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-8515479856526654070?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-50508744392965303962009-08-17T18:36:00.000-07:002009-08-30T18:37:35.824-07:00<div class="blogSubject"> <label id="pBlogSubject_505979909">Enchanting Interview: Amy Efaw</label> </div> <!--- blog body ---> <br /><br />1. How long have you been writing? Was this something that you always knew you would do?<br /><br />I starting writing like most kids do, when my English teacher assigned a writing project. And I noticed how easy it was to get an “A” when I wrote something – poetry or short stories or essays or even reports; I was good at all kinds of writing styles. But I really made a decision to try to write for “real” once I had kids.<br /><br />I started trying to write picture books (three to be exact) and sent them off to publishers. I collected nothing but rejection letters. Then I decided to write a novel based on my experiences at West Point, and I sold that book – BATTLE DRESS – before I had even finished it! That book was published in 2000 with HarperCollins. The second novel I ever tried to write was AFTER. So, I’ve been pretty lucky. Some authors write several books before they ever get one published.<br /><br /><br />2. What drew you to write for Young Adults?<br /><br />I think a big part of me is still stuck in “Planet Teenager” (as my husband likes to call it).<br /><br />But, seriously, I might get into trouble for saying this, but I’m going to do it anyway – I think in many ways you have to be a better writer to hold a teen’s attention than an adult’s. We young adult authors have a lot of competition – video games and movies and MySpace and TV and iPods and text messaging, etc. If we don’t grab our audience right away, our book will be tossed, collecting dust under some bed and never to be cracked again. Adults tend to be more patient when they read; they’ll give books more time to draw them in.<br />Also, I believe that teens tend to be more open to new ideas than adults. Not that I write with an agenda in mind, but as an author, I think it’s an awesome thing to possibly affect the way people look at a particular issue or expose them to a new concept.<br /><br /><br />3. If your life and/or writing career were a book, what would the title be?<br /><br />I know I’m totally ripping from Sharon Creech’s novel, but it would be ABSOLUTELY NORMAL CHAOS. Definitely. At least during this particular time of my life!<br /><br /><br /><br />4. Our readers always like to know, what is your writing process like?<br /><br />I write very slowly and meticulously. I write chapter by chapter, chronologically, for the story. Every once in a while, I’ll be suddenly inspired and will write a scene ahead of time, but that’s very rare.<br /><br />On any given writing day, I’ll start by reading over what I wrote during the previous writing session. That gets me in the “mood” for what I’ll be working on next. I edit as I read through it, so I’m always revising. This method can be a bad thing because it takes a long time for me to write anything. But it’s a good thing, too. It makes for relatively polished first drafts.<br /><br />I DO NOT use outlines, at least not the written out kind. But I do a lot of thinking before I ever start writing, so when I finally do sit down and get to work, I’m ready to roll.<br /><br /><br />5. Do you have any specific writing rituals, both in general and with AFTER?<br /><br />I wouldn’t call this a “ritual” exactly, but my best time of day for writing is late at night – between 10 PM and, like, 2 AM generally. It’s the only time that I can just relax, not care about the stuff that I have to do during the day, and concentrate.<br /><br />BTW, I just looked at my watch; it says 1:32 AM right now! So there you have it!<br /><br /><br />6. Response to AFTER has been rolling in for a while. How are fans responding?<br /><br />The feedback I’ve received, particularly from book bloggers like you, has been great! It seems like almost everyone who’s read AFTER has “gotten it.” I haven’t heard from anybody who’s said that they think the story is bogus. This is important because the idea that a girl could deny the fact that she was pregnant would seem pretty far-fetched to most people. And that’s probably where most readers are when they step into this book. If I’ve gotten readers to understand, believe the phenomenon exists, and maybe even feel some compassion for the main character (even if they hate what she’s done) by the time they’ve finished the book, then I think I’ve done a good job.<br /><br />A few readers have expressed some disappointment in the ending. It’s very interesting because, at the same time, they also say that they don’t know how the story could have ended otherwise. They don’t know how to – or can’t – articulate where exactly their dissatisfaction lies.<br /><br />Some didn’t like the fact that all the relationships in the story didn’t come to full completion, that everything wasn’t tied up neatly at the end. All I can say to that is . . . that’s just not real life. And this is my own preference of course, but I personally roll my eyes when I read books where everything conveniently pulls together perfectly at the end. It kinda bugs me! I think it sort of cheats the reader because that’s just not how the world works. And especially books as tough as AFTER, in my opinion, need very realistic endings. AFTER doesn’t deal with a pretty subject; a pretty ending would not have worked. Pretty endings are for a different type of book. But that’s just my view! <br /><br /><br />7. I read that you did quite a bit of research before writing AFTER. How did this impact your story? Did it change the story from your original idea?<br /><br />Not really. Since my story is more character-driven, I started with the character, Devon. And I didn’t write anything until I was able to figure out who she would be. The very first thing I did was pull hundreds of “Dumpster baby” newspaper accounts off the Internet and read them. By doing this, I discovered that most “Dumpster baby” stories share some definite common characteristics. Out of those common characteristics, I was able to compile a profile of the type of teen girl who might conceal her pregnancy and then throw her baby into the trash. That profiled character became Devon.<br /><br />Then before I started writing about the scenes inside the juvenile detention center, I spent hours and hours observing girls inside one. And so on. Whenever I came to a place while writing AFTER where I needed to figure something out, I’d stop and do the research before moving on. That way, I wasn’t guessing, and I wasn’t wasting time writing scenes that were unrealistic and would eventually be cut or need extensive revision.<br /><br />This makes for slow writing, but I think it makes for a better, stronger, and tighter story.<br /><br /><br />8. What scene was the hardest for you to write in AFTER?<br /><br />Probably the courtroom scenes. I had a lot to accomplish in those scenes, but I didn’t want them to read like a transcript from a trial. I wanted them to be accurate of what it’s like to be in court, but they had to move the story along and not be so full of detail that they dragged down the narrative.<br /><br /><br />9. What was your favorite scene in AFTER?<br /><br />That’s a hard question to answer! But I think one of my favorite scenes was when Devon and Connor are walking along Point Defiance, when their romance is just starting. There’s so little “light” in this book, that this scene just sort of lifts the darkness for a needed, brief moment.<br /><br /><br />10. Did you ever experience any difficulties or roadblocks while writing AFTER?<br /><br />Yeah, a big one. I had originally signed a contract for AFTER with another publishing company, and I did this based on a synopsis and about twenty-five pages (similar to what I did with my first young adult novel, BATTLE DRESS). And then the editor who had acquired AFTER left publishing altogether, so my novel was handed over to another editor there. However, it took me so long to finish AFTER that my “new” editor (and publisher) lost patience and decided to terminate the contract. By that time, I had finished a solid draft of the novel, but, alas, too late.<br /><br />Four anxious months crawled by. I worried AFTER would never become a real book. But my very capable agent, Amy Berkower, put it in Viking’s hands, and they snapped it up!<br /><br />And, really, I’m so glad that this happened! I love Viking and especially my amazing editor, Joy Peskin. AFTER wouldn’t have been the same book without her.<br /><br /><br />11. What's next for you?<br /><br /><br />Another book! Finger’s crossed . . .<br /><br />Interview by Cinnamon<br />August 2009<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-5050874439296530396?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-38247309019898878522009-08-10T18:37:00.000-07:002009-08-30T18:38:34.730-07:00<div>AFTER</div><div>AMY EFAW</div><div>Young Adult </div><div>Viking Juvenile</div><div>ISBN# 9780670011834</div><div>352 pages</div><div>$17.99</div><div>Hardcover – August 11, 2009</div><div> </div><div>Rating: 5 Enchantments</div><div><br /></div><div>Devon is a straight A student who has never done anything wrong in her life. She has a strong character and a fantastic will that shows through even when the world around her is turning upside down. Polite, and unwilling to cause physical or emotional pain to anyone, Devon is the perfect daughter, athlete and student.</div><div><br /></div><div>AFTER is the story of what happens when everything goes wrong. Devon makes a life altering decision by abandoning her baby in a garbage can. The resulting story is painful to read and yet strangely addicting. AFTER follows Devon as the juvenile detention system takes hold of her and the courts attempt to decide her fate. Efaw challenges us to ask the question, do we believe that Devon knew what she was doing? Did she plan to hurt her baby? With excellent research backing her up, Efaw gives us a look at the women that make the choice to abandon their babies. </div><div><br /></div><div>I’m not sure if the word “amazing” is strong enough to describe AFTER. Efaw has managed to create a book that is so powerful that I, for perhaps one of the first times, am having a difficult time coming up with the words to describe it. My only hope is that I can convey at least a fraction of my thoughts and feelings on this book as the entirety of those thoughts and feelings would probably fill up their own thick stack of pages. AFTER is the most emotional and thought provoking book that I have read all year.</div><div><br /></div><div>Efaw’s writing is so smooth and fluid that it was difficult to remember that I was reading a book and not watching a television show or staring at people in front of me. The emotion and strength that she put into her writing pulled Devon off the page and created a real person. That might be one reason why the story affected me the way that it did. Despite my best intentions, I found myself wishing the worst for Devon at the beginning of the book. That lasted all of three paragraphs and then suddenly my own feelings and desires vanished. All that was left was a little piece of me stuck up in Devon’s head. Her story has been playing constantly through my head and multiple times throughout the days I have found images from the story popping up in my thoughts. The raw emotion that Efaw writes with is so tangible that I’m unsure how a person can refrain from being drawn in.</div><div><br /></div><div>The best and most unique part of the story, in my opinion, is how relatable Efaw made Devon. The subject matter of the story is fairly dark, but somehow, she made Devon a character that we couldn’t resist following. While the story didn’t by any means make me feel happy, it did make me feel. AFTER gave my brain new ideas to conquer and a different way of thinking to ponder. If ever there was a book that could get people talking and a cold heart to feel emotion, AFTER is it.</div><div><br /></div><div>Amy Efaw uses her experiences growing up in the military and her West Point Academy education as the background to her writing. She can be found online at http://www.amyefaw.com/.</div><div><br /></div><div>Cinnamon Brown</div><div>ENCHANTING REVIEWS</div><div>August 2009</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-3824730901989887852?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-6945325034137757602009-08-10T18:32:00.000-07:002009-08-30T18:32:59.498-07:00SHIVER<br />MAGGIE STIEFVATER<br />Paranormal YA<br />Scholastic<br />ISBN# 978-0-545-12326-6<br />400 Pages<br />$17.99<br />Hardcover—Available Now<br /><br />Rating: 4.5 Enchantments<br /><br />Grace’s fascination with the wolves in the forest behind her home stems from an attack that happened when she was young. Ever since, she’s had a connection, with one wolf in particular with the beautiful yellow eyes. But when a teenager at her school is apparently killed by the wolves, the community is in an uproar and goes after the wolves. Desperate to save ‘her’ wolf, Grace risks her own safety to go running into the forest, wanting to save both the wolf and her best friend who is out in the forest taking pictures. Ushered home, Grace finds an unbelievable sight on her back porch, a huddled up figure with the same eyes as her wolf.<br /><br />Sam’s been changing back and forth between a human and a wolf as the seasons change since a brutal attack on him as a child. His parents, unable to deal with what he had become, tried to kill him but he survived and was taken in by the local pack leader. But when a bullet hits him, he finds himself human again in the fall, a time when he shouldn’t be. Sam’s been in love with Grace for years, ever since he saved her from the wolf attack several years ago. Now in human form, he’s desperate to make the most of the time the two have together, never knowing when the next cold weather is going to hit and make him change—this time permanently.<br /><br />SHIVER is truly an enjoyable love story, with twists and turns that keep the reader hoping that Sam and Grace will find a way to keep him from turning back to the wolf, because as Sam fears, turning once more is something he may not be able to change back from. I really came to love these two characters over the course of the book, the way they cared about each other and the way Sam wanted to give Grace good memories to hold on to when he turned back. One of my favorite scenes is when he takes her to Duluth to the little candy store on a date. I loved the banter between the two and the way they truly cared about one another. Ms. Stiefvater has a very lyrical and enjoyable style, that keeps the reader turning the pages into well into the night.<br /><br />Readers looking for something different in the paranormal genre should definitely try SHIVER.<br /><br />Maggie Stiefvater is also the author of Lament: The Faerie Queen’s Deception and Ballad: The Gathering of Faerie. Maggie lives in rural Virginia with her husband and their two children. You can visit her online at www.maggiestiefvater.com<br /><br /><br />Lisa<br />Enchanting Reviews<br />August 2009<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-694532503413775760?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-79697019781410869392009-08-06T18:38:00.000-07:002009-08-30T18:40:06.635-07:00SIR JOHN HARGRAVE’S MISCHIEF MAKER’S MANUAL<br />SIR JOHN HARGRAVE<br />YA Nonfiction<br />Grosset &amp; Dunlap<br />ISBN# 978-0-448-44982-1<br />272 pages<br />$15.99 US ($17.50 CAN)<br />Hardbound - Available June 2009<br /><br />Rating: 5 Enchantments<br /><br />This nonfiction guide for mischief Makers is an excellent step by step quick guide to playing pranks in a safe and non-vandalizing way. Many of the pranks are classic pranks that have been played before, but this book de-mystifies the methods and the materials used. A few new twists are introduced on some old pranks and a history is given for some pranks like the whoopee cushion. Some of the pranks can be performed alone, but others will require the reader to find a partner or team who can be trusted to help with the prank and not leak information.<br /><br />The first section of the book introduces the basics of how to prank, how to stay out of trouble and some very basic pranks. The book progresses from simple pranks to more complex pranks that require more preparation and planning to pull off. One of the more important concepts introduced in the book is staying safe and making sure that nobody is likely to be injured.<br /><br />My favorite pranks in the book are the tuna cookies and the smoke bombs made from old ping-pong balls. These seem fairly simple to bring off and use items I can easily lay my hands on. I like the layout of the book, progressing from simple to more complicated pranks. The diagrams are very easy to understand and make it simple to prepare materials for pranks like the smoke bombs or the spewing soda trick. I will definitely follow the author’s advice and hide this book so that my ‘victims’ won’t suspect me as the prankster. The reversible cover is great for hiding the book when reading in a public place.<br /><br />The author, Sir John Hargrave is well known as the editor of ZUG, the first humor website, http://www.mischiefmakersmanual.com/ where you can find additional pranks, software and sound files listed in the book and other information about pranks and the author.<br /><br /><br />Kathy Johnson<br />ENCHANTING REVIEWS<br />July 2009<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-7969701978141086939?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-35150167446104415362009-08-05T18:45:00.000-07:002009-08-30T18:46:44.815-07:00POST GRAD<br />EMILY CASSEL<br />Women’s Fiction<br />St. Martin’s Griffin<br />ISBN# 978-0-312-59626-2<br />256 Pages<br />$13.99<br />Trade--Available Now<br /><br />Rating: 5 Enchantments<br /><br />Ryden Malby’s had her whole life planned out, do well in high school, get a great scholarship and graduate, thereby moving into the next phase of her life, a gorgeous place and her dream job at the city’s best publishing house. Graduating from college was one thing, but when her plans for her life are quickly disintegrating she’s forced to do the unthinkable—move back home with her parents, her crazy grandmother and strange little brother till she can find a job and figure out what to do with her life.<br /><br />POST GRAD is a hilarious, entertaining read. There wasn’t a single chapter where I didn’t either laugh or lament the thought of having to eventually put the book down. I loved Ryden instantly, it’s hard to not like a girl who’s dealing with a family as crazy as hers, and her nemesis in Jessica Barde, the ‘perfect’ girl who seems to always show up when Ryden would least like her to, especially during one truly horrific moment when working at Luggage World. Her best friend Adam who’s hopelessly crushing on her. Ryden’s family is truly one of the best, most outrageous families I’ve ever come across. Her father is beyond hilarious and her grandmother is a scene stealer. It’s so hard to pick a scene to mention in the review, but the first one that pops to mind is when her grandmother takes them shopping for her own casket and the chaos that ensues. Ryden’s already embarrassed enough at times by her family, but to have her grandmother actually trying out the caskets is enough to give the poor girl a meltdown.<br /><br />If you’re looking for a great read, POST GRAD is one book you should definitely pick up.<br /><br />Check out the first chapter online at http://us.macmillan.com/postgrad<br /><br />Lisa<br />Enchanting Reviews<br />July 2009<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-3515016744610441536?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-55043134574558046112009-08-05T18:44:00.000-07:002009-08-30T18:45:34.813-07:00THE TREASURE MAP OF BOYS: Noel, Jackson, Finn, Hutch, Gideon—and me, Ruby Oliver<br />E. LOCKHART<br />Contemporary YA<br />Delacorte Press<br />ISBN# 978-0-385-73426-4<br />256 Pages<br />$15.99<br />Hardcover—Available July 28, 2009<br /><br />Rating: 4.5 Enchantments<br /><br />Ms. Lockhart doesn’t disappoint with THE TREASURE MAP OF BOYS,<br />the third book in the Ruby Oliver series. Ruby’s dealing with more of the same: issues with her parents; potential problems with her two friends and the biggest problem of all—boy trouble, something that escalates as she finds herself in charge of a bake sale and finds herself suddenly thrown together with her recently dumped ex, Jackson and not to mention things with her and Noel are going a lot differently then she would want them to.<br /><br />The best thing about the Ruby Oliver series is Ruby herself. No other young adult character makes me laugh as hard or as often as Ruby. I love her interactions with her friends and the situations she finds herself in. When the last thing Ruby needs is another boy in her life to complicate things, in walks another, in the form of her good friend’s older brother. But hands down, my favorite scene of all is the science class experiment that goes so horribly, horribly wrong that leaves poor Ruby in a see-through shirt in front of a class full of jerky boys. Thankfully Noel saves the day, but the scene is something only Ruby could pull off.<br /><br />I can only hope there are more books ahead with this great cast of characters. Fans of the series will no doubt love THE TREASURE MAP OF BOYS.<br /><br />E. Lockhart is the author of two other books about Ruby Oliver: The Boyfriend List and The Boy Book. Like Rook, she dislikes marshmallows and loves vintage clothing. Unlike Roo, she loves Birkenstock's and is old enough to remember when retro metal was not retro. Visit her at www.e-lockhart.com, where you can read all about Ruby and the sophomore year bake sale. Or check out her blog at www.theboyfriendlist.com<br /><br />Lisa<br />Enchanting Reviews<br />July 2009<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-5504313457455804611?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-15956750356758906482009-08-05T18:43:00.000-07:002009-08-30T18:44:28.022-07:00BLUE MOON (THE IMMORTAL SERIES Book 2)<br />ALYSON NOEL<br />Paranormal YA<br />St. Martin’s Griffin<br />ISBN# 978-0-312-53276-5<br />284 Pages<br />$9.99<br />Trade—Available Now<br /><br />Rating: 4.5 Enchantments<br /><br />Ms. Noel picks BLUE MOON up a short time after Evermore leaves off. Ever and Damen are happy together, she’s starting to learn more about her mysterious powers and everything looks like its going great, until the new kid at school arrives. Everyone adores Roman, except for Ever. There’s something off about him and she can’t put her finger on it…until her whole world starts falling apart and Ever finds herself on the outside looking in.<br /><br />BLUE MOON is a great second book in the series. We learn more about Ever; her relationship with her friends; her previous incarnations with Damen and more about the mysterious Summerland, as Ever finds herself spending more time there in order to find a way to save Damen. At Summerland, she meets a pair of mysterious sisters who I’m sure will play an even bigger role in the series going forward. I’m anxious to learn more about these two. While I thought the pacing of the book was sometimes a little slow, the lead up to the ending picks up relatively quickly and puts Ever in a spot no one would expect. Filled with well developed characters, more mysterious clues about where everything is eventually headed and the fact that the ending leaves Ever and Damen’s relationship potentially changed forever, BLUE MOON is a book fans of paranormal YA won’t want to miss.<br /><br />Ms. Noel is the author of Evermore and seven previous novels for St. Martin’s Press. She lives in Laguna Beach, California where she is at work on the next book in the Immortals series. Visit her on the Web at www.alysonnoel.com<br /><br />Lisa<br />Enchanting Reviews<br />July 2009<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-1595675035675890648?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-508842082413408672009-08-05T18:42:00.000-07:002009-08-30T18:43:12.910-07:00THE REAL REAL<br />EMMA McLAUGHLIN &amp; NICOLA KRAUS<br />Contemporary YA<br />HarperTeen<br />ISBN# 978-0-06-172040-6<br />309 Pages<br />$16.99<br />Hardcover—Available Now<br /><br />Rating: 5 Enchantments<br /><br />Jesse O’Rouke is the typical average girl at her Hamptons high school. She’s not the most glamorous or the most beautiful and she definitely doesn’t hang out with the A-list crowd, but her and her best friend Caitlin really don’t care that much about any of that. Then suddenly XTV shows up at school, auditioning every single student to be one of the stars for their soon-to-be hot new reality hit, and Jesse gets cast as one of the leads, leaving her in the bright glare of the spotlight with her best friend on the outside looking in.<br /><br />I loved Jesse, finding herself thrown in with the kids who’ve always been more popular then her. While her and Drew are the outsiders in the group, they’re forced to play friends with the others in front of the cameras, following the directions of a crazed cinematographer which results in some truly hilarious scenes. All the while, Jesse’s ‘reality’ is anything but as they shoot a Saturday at the spa in the middle of the night and her friendship with Caitlin starts to fade as the two barely have any time together. Soon, Jesse finds herself trying to wrangle a deal to get her best friend on the show…something that doesn’t turn out how she expected.<br /><br />Hands down, my favorite scene is when the cast is whisked away to Mexico to film the spring break episode, a week before the actual spring break and are surprised to find themselves almost the lone inhabitants of the hotel. Everything is perfectly choreographed on film, while off camera, things get chaotic, leading to a scene where a drunk Trisha brings the party downstairs up to the penthouse where things get quickly out of control, leaving the entire cast huddled together in the bathroom trying to keep the partiers out.<br /><br />What didn’t I love about this book? If I could have given more then five enchantments, I would have. THE REAL REAL is the perfect summer read. From the moment I picked it up, I was immediately pulled into Jesse’s world and didn’t stop till I reached the final page, where I seriously hoped there was going to be a teaser of a sequel. Trust me, once you get to the end, you want to know there is more of Jesse and these characters in your future.<br /><br />Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus are the authors of the New York Times bestsellers The Nanny Diaries, Citizen Girl and Dedication. They live and work in New York city. Please visit their website at www.emmaandnicola.com<br /><br />Lisa<br />Enchanting Reviews<br />July 2009<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-50884208241340867?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-90123521368567378932009-08-05T18:41:00.000-07:002009-08-30T18:41:59.486-07:00MATISSE ON THE LOOSE<br />GEORGIA BRAGG<br />Contemporary Middle Grade<br />Delacorte Press<br />ISBN# 978-0385735704<br />$16.99<br />160 Pages<br />Hardcover--Available July 14, 2009<br /><br />Rating: 3 Enchantments<br /><br />Matisse is in trouble. It’s not bad enough that he has some of the strangest parents around or that his older sister had an almost unhealthy love for the color purple, but he’s gone and done something that could not only cost his mom her job as head of security for the museum, but also take away his freedom.<br /><br />Matisse is an interesting and somewhat unique middle grade character with a talent for art. Easily embarrassed by his family, although who wouldn’t be with the description of his father’s homemade barbecue on the opening pages of the book, Matisse is desperate to prove he’s not as weird as them. As a talented artist who makes copies of the museum’s masterpieces, the reader kind of gets the idea that Matisse is headed for trouble when he decides to see what his version of the picture would look like hanging on the wall.<br /><br />MATISSE ON THE LOOSE was an okay middle grade read. I didn’t love it, but I didn’t dislike it either. There were some aspects of the story that seemed rushed along, and every time Matisse tried to get the real painting back, there was always something holding him back. I did really like the scene where the cop was chasing him through the museum, with Matisse panicking he’d been found out, when the cop was merely the son one of the volunteers who wanted him to meet. The situation at the end with the real Pierre Matisse did seem a little farfetched to me and sort of pulled me from the storyline. All in all, I liked the characters in MATISSE ON THE LOOSE, but some of the scenes did pull me from the story.<br /><br />Georgia Bragg’s father, mother, and brother are all artists, and Georgia is too. She was a printmaker, a painter, and a storyboard artist before becoming a writer. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, two children, and two cats.<br /><br />Lisa<br />Enchanting Reviews<br />June 2009<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-9012352136856737893?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-72474968123111131042009-08-05T18:40:00.000-07:002009-08-30T18:41:10.931-07:00FLIRTING WITH BOYS<br />HAILEY ABBOT<br />Contemporary YA<br />HarperTeen<br />ISBN# 978-0061253843<br />256 Pages<br />$8.99<br />Trade--Available Now<br /><br />Rating: 4 Enchantments<br /><br />Celeste Tippen should be having her dream summer. Thanks to fate, her best friend Devon’s summer plans of spending two months at a prestigious acting school in Scotland have fallen through and Celeste’s boyfriend Travis going to be working at Pinyon Ranch too—thanks to a little incident involving a stolen golf cart from the resort. Instead her summer’s turning into a nightmare as she finds herself playing referee between Travis and Nick, her summer flirtation for the last few summers. If that wasn’t bad enough, Celeste finds herself having to spend more time with Nick than she ever planned.<br /><br />FLIRTING WITH BOYS is a fun summer read. Ms. Abbot does a great job painting the scenes and it feels like you’re there right along with Celeste at the resort. Celeste, for the most part is a very likable character, and I really liked watching her struggle with Nick, her summer boyfriend from years past.<br /><br />One of the things that sort of took away from the book was Celeste’s boyfriend, Travis. Sure, he’s the so-called ‘bad boy’ and is supposed to do things that good boyfriends don’t do, but there were a few times when I found him extremely annoying and wondered why Celeste wouldn’t just tell him off or get rid of him completely. Even at the big climax of the story, when everything is falling apart, you really want Celeste to wake up to the fact of the kind of guy Travis really is and the truth about Nick. I have to say most of my favorite scenes are between Celeste and Nick, especially when she’s forced into helping him plan his own party. I really enjoyed the part where the two go to check out a band in Los Angeles. All in all, FLIRTING WITH BOYS is a great summer read.<br /><br />Ms. Abbot grew up in Southern California, where she split her time between creative writing and creative beaching. She is the author of Getting Lost with Boys, The Secrets of Boys, The Perfect Boy, Waking Up to Boys, The Forbidden Boy, and The Other Boy well as the Summer Boys books and The Bridesmaid. Hailey now lives in New York City.<br /><br />Lisa<br />Enchanting Reviews<br />June 2009<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-7247496812311113104?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-24645726039549480472009-07-30T18:53:00.000-07:002009-08-30T18:54:24.062-07:00<div>JINX<br />MEG CABOT<br />HarperTeen<br />Paranormal YA<br />ISBN# 0060837640<br />262 Pages<br />$16.99<br />Hardcover—Available Now<br /><br />Rating: 4 Enchantments<br /><br /></div><div>Jean aka ‘JINX’ has been forced to move to NYC and stay with her well-off aunt and uncle to finish out the school year after something has gone horribly wrong at home. Jinx doesn’t like to talk about it, but her cousin Tory decides to out some of it during the first time they see each other again. Jinx is about to discover NYC is a whole new world, she has her own room, her own bathroom and apparently her built-in nemesis in her cousin Tory, or ‘Torrance’ as she prefers to be called. Torrance thinks she inherited the family’s witch powers and when Jinx saves Zach, Tory’s crush, she’s sure that Jinx is a witch too. But when Jinx tells her she wants nothing to do with magic or witchcraft, Tory takes it personally, and goes out full blast to destroy Jinx when she realizes that Jinx is truly the more powerful of the two.</div><div><br />I liked JINX. There were a few points that kind of bugged me, like how she didn’t realize that Zach liked her and kept playing off his nearness as his attempt to visit Petra, the au pair. I would have thought she’d have realized it sooner as it got a little grating as she kept doing it over and over again. But her cousin Tory is one truly devious character. I thought the one part where she ended up in the hospital was bad and an attention seeking move, but what she ended up doing to Jinx near the end of the book had my jaw dropping in awe. </div><div><br />Any fan of lighter paranormal and Meg Cabot will definitely enjoy JINX.</div><div><br />Ms. Cabot is the popular author of many books for young adults. Visit her online at her website <a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vd3d3Lm1lZ2NhYm90LmNvbQ==">www.megcabot.com</a></div><div><br />Lisa<br />Enchanting Reviews<br />June 2009</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-2464572603954948047?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-23542938348929763052009-07-30T18:52:00.000-07:002009-08-30T18:53:41.510-07:00<div>CRASH INTO ME<br />ALBERT BORRIS<br />Contemporary YA<br />Simon Pulse<br />ISBN# 978-4-4169-8208-1<br />272 pages<br />$16.99<br />Hardcover – Available now</div><div><br />Rating: 3.5 Enchantments</div><div><br />Owen, Frank, Audrey, and Jin-Ae are practically strangers. They only have one thing in common: a desire to die. It’s how they all met online in the first place, to start a suicide club. All their previous attempts have failed, but this time, they won’t.</div><div><br />These four teens have formed a pact and made a plan. Together they will escape from home and embark on a cross-country road trip. They will visit the graves or sites of famous celebrity suicides, and at the end of their journey in Death Valley, they will each end their lives. At least that’s that plan. But as the teens spend more hours together, becoming closer with each secret they reveal, things start to get sidetracked, and several of the new friends start to doubt they can follow through with the promise they made—loyalty to the pact. And each must figure out for themselves if suicide is really the only option.</div><div><br />CRASH INTO ME is an extremely fascinating read from a psychological perspective. Told from soft-spoken Owen’s point-of-view, this story dives into the many various causes for teen depression and suicide, not limited to but including homosexuality and the feeling of inadequacy. It delves into the deepest, darkest thoughts of people who feel they have nothing left to live for in such a realistic manner, which is both interesting and scary. However, while this aspect of the book was believable, I was somewhat disappointed in the rest of the story. Precious little is given about each teen’s background; although what the reader does learn is probably what counts, I still would’ve liked to know each main character better. I was not able to really connect with any of the characters because of this, and subsequently, I couldn’t get into the story as much as I wanted to. I also didn’t think the story was as deep as it could’ve been; in fact, the ending to the story was pretty predictable in a feel-good sort of way, which ruined an opportunity for a more in depth discussion of life and death. Overall, CRASH INTO ME was a solid debut novel, but one that could’ve been much better.</div><div><br />CRASH INTO ME is Albert Borris’s first novel. He lives in New Jersey and can be visited online at <a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vd3d3LmFsYmVydGJvcnJpcy5jb20=">www.albertborris.com</a> </div><div><br />Rachael Stein<br />Enchanting Reviews<br />July 2009</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-2354293834892976305?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-57941484467101732632009-07-30T18:51:00.000-07:002009-08-30T18:52:36.954-07:00<div>PRISM<br />FAYE &amp; ALIZA KELLERMAN<br />YA fantasy<br />Harper Collins<br />ISBN # 978-0-06-16872-1<br />264 pages<br />$16.99<br />Hardback—Available now</div><div><br />Rating: 4 Enchantments</div><div><br />Kaida Hutchenson isn’t excited about going on a class trip to Carlsbad Caverns. She’s especially not happy that she’s stuck with jock Zeke Anderson and loner Joy Tallon on one of the school buses. Then the trip takes a turn for the worse and they find themselves in a cave. Everything goes black and then Kaida finds herself in her bed back in California. Things seem normal. But are they?</div><div><br />Strange things happen around Kaida. For one thing the whole absence of medicines and dark looks she gets when she mentions 9-1-1. A mysterious boy appears, offering to help her. Should she trust him? All she knows is she must band together with both Zeke and Joy and try to get back to their own reality. And survive doing it.</div><div><br />At first all the dialogue of Kaida and her friend Maria right before the fateful trip to Carlsbad held me back. Then once Kaida gets on that bus, the suspense begins and grows until I couldn’t put the book down. Imagine a world where all medicines are illegal and Social Darwinism, the idea that the strongest survive, wasn’t just a theory but the norm. Kaida’s horror at seeing how the new reality deals with accidents and illnesses compels her to ask questions that are quickly frowned on. I liked the whole twist of the parallel world and know this book will have people questioning the idea that the solution to illnesses is worse than the diseases. Kaida struggles to make sense of this world and her conflicts of who to trust were real. I especially liked how these teens were able to put their differences aside and work at trying to get back home. A very compelling fantasy that is sure to be discussed long after it’s finished.</div><div><br />Faye Kellerman is the author of twenty-five novels. This is the first time writing with Aliza Kellerman, her daughter. Aliza has been writing for years, inspired by her family. A junior in high school, Aliza enjoys drawing, cartooning, singing, and playing her harp. This is her first book. Faye and Aliza live in Los Angeles, Ca. </div><div><br />Kim<br />ENCHANTING REVIEWS<br />July 2009</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-5794148446710173263?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-23977692905889822402009-07-30T18:47:00.000-07:002009-08-30T18:48:39.623-07:00<div>YOU ARE HERE<br />JENNIFER E. SMITH<br />Contemporary YA<br />Simon Pulse<br />ISBN# 978-1-4169-6799-6<br />256 pages<br />$15.99<br />Hardcover – Available now</div><div><br />Rating: 4 Enchantments</div><div><br />Emma Healy has resigned herself to the fact that she’s the only normal person among her family of extraordinary scholars. She’s had years of experience being the odd one out, of feeling like she doesn’t totally belong. And she doesn’t know why, but she’s always felt like a part of her is somehow missing.</div><div><br />Her shy but intelligent neighbor Peter Finnigan feels more at home with Emma’s family of academics than he ever has is his own house. As much as he’d like to, Peter can’t spend every minute of the day in the Healy’s house, but with little other friends, he spends most of his time alone with his books and maps, dreaming of escape.</div><div><br />Opportunity presents itself when Emma finds the birth certificate of her unknown twin brother—and a death certificate dated two days later. Now that she knows which part of her has been missing, Emma feels the need to visit her dead brother’s grave to greet the twin she never knew. Chance and impulse invites Peter, desperate to see the world, along for the ride. And so these two loners make their way from upstate New York to Emma’s birthplace in North Carolina in an old and technically stolen vehicle, picking up a stray three-legged dog and trying to figure out what exactly they’re looking for. Along the way, they’ll learn about themselves and each other, and maybe even figure out how to make themselves whole again.</div><div><br />YOU ARE HERE is a story that covers multitudes of topics from family to friendship to forgiveness. This is all possible due to Smith’s very descriptive, almost lyrical writing style, which covers nearly every aspect of the two teens’ lives and allows great insight into their most intimate thoughts and desires. Although the lengthy descriptions are almost overbearing at times, they do help create vivid and believable characters in Emma and Peter. The character growth during this cross-country trip is predictable and none too original, but it doesn’t make it any less sweet or moving. I felt a real connection to both characters as many readers will; their thoughts and fears and dreams make them easy to relate to. This connection, in turn, made me all the more open to this story’s multiple messages, among which is that family will always be there, even if they don’t always know how to express it. This story is not high action or particularly romantic; it is for readers who want to think and learn from Emma’s and Peter’s journey and anyone in search of their own niche.</div><div><br />YOU ARE HERE is Jennifer E. Smith’s second novel. Her first is THE COMEBACK SEASON. She can be visited online at myspace.com/thecomebackseason</div><div><br />Rachael Stein<br />Enchanting Reviews<br />July 2009</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-2397769290588982240?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-28853615469542476382009-07-30T18:46:00.000-07:002009-08-30T18:47:52.241-07:00GHOSTS OF WAR (THE TRUE STORY OF A 19-YEAR-OLD GI)<br />RYAN SMITHSON<br />YA Biography/non-fiction<br />HarperCollins<br />ISBN #978-0-06-166468-7<br />310 pages<br />$16.99<br />Hardcover--Available now<br /><br />Rating: 5 enchantments<br /><br />Ryan Smithson is a hero. Not the kind of hero that you read about in the news, but the kind of hero that matters. He was sixteen when the planes hit the Twin Towers. Although he didn’t realize it at the time, the events of September 11, 2001 would have a profound and life changing effect on him. He decided to serve in the Army Reserves after graduation. This book is the story of his year of service in Iraq. <br /><br />The reader follows Ryan as he starts his training as an eager teenager. During basic training he describes being broken down by his sergeants, and then built back up as a soldier. This transformation is juxtaposed with stories from his year of service. <br /><br />The author notes indicate that the book actually grew out of a writing assignment for a college class that Ryan took upon his return. The instructor asked the class to write about something that they have seen destroyed. The resulting vignette was one of the most moving passages I have ever read. Titled “The House that Achmed Built,” it starts with a dangerous mission. Ryan and his team must deliver supplies into a town that is plagued by insurgents. During the mission, the convoy is ambushed. Ryan talks about how his training takes over, and because of it, he and his team survive. Throughout the chapter, Ryan juxtaposes his version of a children’s nursery rhyme. I couldn’t help but think how appropriate a nursery rhyme was, since so many of the soldiers were still so young themselves, not to mention the ages of the insurgents.<br /><br />I had the privilege of reading this book over the 4th of July. I realized that even though I have always appreciated the sacrifices made by those who serve, I can never truly understand it the way Ryan Smithson does. This book should be read by any teen who is considering service, and by anyone who has a loved one in the armed forces. The stories he tells are funny, scary, thrilling, sad and exciting. The reader never knows which emotion Mr. Smithson is going to play on next. This was a deeply moving book, and I look forward to reading more from Mr. Smithson in the future.<br /><br />Mr. Smithson currently lives in upstate New York with his wife. <br /><br />Lisa Runion<br />Enchanting Reviews<br />July 2009<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-2885361546954247638?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-91292201985212650352009-07-23T18:55:00.000-07:002009-08-30T18:56:38.390-07:00<div>COFFEEHOUSE ANGEL</div><div>SUZANNE SELFORS</div><div>YA</div><div>Walker</div><div>ISBN# 978-0-80279-9812-11</div><div>288 Pages</div><div>$16.99</div><div>Hardcover--Available August 2009</div><div><br /></div><div>Rating: 5 Enchantments</div><div><br /></div><div>COFFEEHOUSE ANGEL is one of my favorite books of the year. When Katrina finds a guy asleep in the alley behind her grandmother’s coffee shop, she first thinks he’s homeless. So when she does a good deed, leaving him coffee and a pastry, she has to admit she’s relieved to see both the food and him gone the next time she looks out the window. But she could never imagine what’s about to follow, for the boy in the alley is not what he seems and he’s determined to reward Katrina for her good deed.</div><div><br /></div><div>There is so much I loved about this book. Katrina is a wonderful character, sarcastic, not to mention mortified at the sudden appearance of the kilt-wearing teenage boy who seems to be not only hounding her, but seems to be a wee bit of crazy, for he keeps swearing he needs to reward her good deed. So when he magically empowers a chocolate covered coffee bean with fame (what else does everyone want?) and it inadvertently ends up in the stomach of her best guy friend she couldn’t imagine the chaos its about to cause. And that’s when the fun really begins. There are so many great scenes in COFFEEHOUSE ANGEL but one of the best is when Malcolm crashes the school assembly the day Katrina leaves him the coffee and pastry and wants to reward her for her good deed, only to be kicked out by the principal. I loved the relationships Katrina has between her two best friends, including her long time best guy friend who suddenly thanks to the results of the fame magic bean seems to be falling for Katrina’s bitter rival, and not to mention the daughter of the man trying to run her grandmother’s coffee shop out of business which adds even more complications to her already chaotic life.</div><div><br /></div><div>Readers looking for a really enjoyable and entertaining YA read won’t go wrong picking up COFFEEHOUSE ANGEL.</div><div><br /></div><div>COFFEEHOUSE ANGEL is Ms. Selfors second young adult novel. You can learn more about her and her writing at her website: http://suzanneselfors.com/ </div><div><br /></div><div>Lisa</div><div>Enchanting Reviews</div><div>March 2009</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-9129220198521265035?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-64499241955078332962009-07-22T18:58:00.000-07:002009-08-30T18:59:20.955-07:00<div>ACCESS DENIED (and other eighth grade error messages)<br />DENISE VEGA<br />Contemporary YA<br />Little, Brown, and Company<br />ISBN# 978-0-316-03448-7<br />288 pages<br />$16.99<br />Hardcover—Available July 2009<br /><br />Rating: 5 Enchantments<br /><br />Erin P Swift is a 13 year old, who survived her seventh grade year of embarrassing events and is now starting eighth grade. She is into sports like basketball and hockey, IM, building websites in computer club, and blogging. She wants a little more freedom from the restrictions her mother has had in place since she was a ‘little’ kid.</div><div>Erin’s friend, Mark, whom Erin had a crush on last year, is also into basketball and they play together even though Kara, Mark’s new girlfriend is suspicious of their friendship.<br /><br />Erin is trying to get through school successfully, be a good friend to Mark, Jilly, and Rosie, and lead a team for the I-club website. She is also searching for a BF (boyfriend.) Saddled by her teacher Ms. Moreno, with a goal to be a ‘good influence’ on Serena and Reede, Erin tries in spite of her misgivings. She also relies on advice and a friendly ear in Mr. F, the school janitor.<br /><br />An enjoyable read, this book is filled with the anxieties of middle school along with the thrills of new experiences. I like that the book has some realistic choices and dilemmas in it and still manages to stay appropriate in content for teen readers. Erin combats her ‘good’ image by hanging out with Reede at the mall to pick up boys and going to a party while her parents think she is spending the night at Jilly’s house. While she doesn’t immediately get caught by her parents, she ends up making some regrettable choices and having to come to terms with herself, the choices she made and some grief-making results. Her ups and downs with friendships are very true to life.<br /><br /></div><div>Erin is a very likable teen and I enjoyed reading about her adventures and misadventures with both her friends, boys, and not-quite friends.<br /><br /></div>Denise Vega has written computer books for adults. She has ‘always’ wanted to be a writer and has written several other books for tweens and teens which you can find<br />more information about at her website at <a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vd3d3LmRlbmlzZXZlZ2EuY29tLg==">www.denisevega.com.<br /><br /></a>Kathy Johnson<br />ENCHANTING REVIEWS<br />July 2009<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-6449924195507833296?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-881928448501400692009-07-22T18:56:00.000-07:002009-08-30T18:57:33.111-07:00<div>THE SIREN SONG<br />ANNE URSU<br />MG fantasy<br />Aladdin<br />ISBN# 978-4169-0590-5<br />435 pages<br />$6.99<br />Paperback-Available now<br /><br /></div><div>Rating: 4 Enchantments</div><div><br />Life hasn’t gone back to normal for both Charlotte Mielswetzki and her cousin Zee. Both are heroes who’ve battled against the Greek Gods and won. But who could they tell? No one would believe them.</div><div><br />Now Zee’s acting strange and Charlotte’s parents want her to go with them on an educational cruise. Just when things couldn’t get any stranger, Philonecron, an angry demigod reappears. One thing you don’t do is get the Gods angry as they don’t forget. Philonecron wants revenge but this time he’ll strike not just the world but those closest to Charlotte. Can she find the strength to win this time around?</div><div><br />This is the sequel to The Shadow Thieves. I loved the first book and couldn’t wait to read the sequel. This Lemony Snicket meets The Lightning Thief tale takes place right after Charlotte and Zee help save the world. At times the back story weighed this story down. Also the parents come across at times as one dimensional. But once Charlotte is on the cruise, the story picks up. The egotistical Poseidon and his cruise ship with an assortment of Greek Gods and demigods bring life to this tale. I love the antics of these Gods and know I wouldn’t be brave enough to face up to them. I especially liked the spunk of thirteen-year-old Charlotte. She faces down a Greek God which is no small feat. Fans of other Greek fantasies will also enjoy this tale with one spunky heroine. </div><div><br />This is the second book in the Cronus Chronicles Trilogy. Anne Ursu has also written for Glamour magazine and ESPN.com. She lives with her husband, son, and their cats in Cleveland, Ohio. Check out more on the Cronus Chronicles at cronuschronicles.com </div><br />Kim Rapier<br />ENCHANTING REVIEWS<br />July 2009<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-88192844850140069?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-40080305523547179592009-07-22T14:58:00.000-07:002009-10-17T15:04:20.288-07:00ANGRY MANAGEMENT<br />CHRIS CRUTCHER<br />YA Contemporary<br />Greenwillow Books<br />ISBN# 978-0-06-050247<br />256 pages<br />$16.99<br />Hardcover--Available 6/30/2009<br /> <br />Rating: 5 Enchantments<br /> <br />Mr. Nak ties three novellas together. Mr. Nak is a counselor who has been hired by Global Community Health to help put a prevention program in place for three school districts. His students will include some who aren’t in the `direst of straits’ but have run into some tough luck or are emotionally fragile. He calls his group Angry Management in remembrance of Hudge, a former student, who called it that and gave in to suicide after his dad killed Hudge’s dog. <br /><br />When Mr. Nak holds his first meeting with students, he meets Trey Chase, Montana West, Angus Bethune, Matt Miller, and Marcus James. After explaining what the group is about, Mr. Nak lets the group out early. <br /><br />All of the stories deal with bigotry, prejudices, tolerance and freedom. In story one, 18 year old Sarah Byrnes, who was permanently disfigured by her abusive father, and Angus Bethune, another 18 year-old, with his unique family consisting of two homosexual couples try to find Sarah’s mother. In story two, Montana West, age 17, and Trey Chase, age 17, meet because of an article that Montana West has reluctantly agreed to do about the football team. They both learn that prejudices can be overcome and that some things are worth fighting for. In the third story Matt Miller, age 17, and Marcus James, age 17, cross paths because some bigoted students have hung a pink noose on Marcus’s locker. Marcus is both African American and homosexual. In standing up for Marcus right to be un-harassed at school in a bigoted town, the teens place themselves in danger.<br /><br />First let me say that this was a page turner and I couldn’t put it down till I found out what happened to each character. It is difficult to do this complex book justice in a short review. The author has created a well written set of novellas that are suspenseful and challenge the reader to look at prejudices both internally and in the community. My favorite story was about Montana West because I like happy endings. That said, I value the other stories in this collection because they are thought provoking and make important comments on social prejudices while drawing the reader in to care deeply about what these teens are going through. I especially appreciated the information on ‘sundown towns’ since it allowed me to take a frank look at the town I live in and find that sadly it fits this profile. I would be proud to place a copy of this book on our local library shelf and give our local teens a chance to look at their world through other teens eyes. This book does contain some explicit language which is appropriate to the characters described. <br /> <br />Chris Crutcher is well known as an author, educator and family therapist. For more information or to contact Chris Crutcher check out his website at http://www.chriscrutcher.com/<br /> <br />Kathy Johnson<br />ENCHANTING REVIEWS<br />July 2009<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-4008030552354717959?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-47278690434542308792009-07-13T18:59:00.000-07:002009-08-30T19:00:36.745-07:00Is it Good Enough Yet?<div><br /></div><div>As a beginning writer, when you show professionals (agents, editors, etc.) your manuscripts, for a long time all you hear is, “It’s not good enough yet.” They sometimes say it nicer than that, but that’s the gist. When you get your first yes, it’s stunning. I remember clearly when my now-agent called me and gushed about Me, Just Different, I turned to my husband with a wide open mouth. I didn’t even know how to respond. I’d gotten a lot of practice responding to, “It’s not good enough yet,” but had zero practice with someone loving it.</div><div><br /></div><div>Christine Marciniak blogged a couple weeks ago about revising the story, not the dream, and I couldn’t agree more. I fussed with Me, Just Different for nearly four years before it got the attention of my agent. I kept getting responses that Skylar, my main character, wasn’t likeable. Privately, I’d rant, “If you’d just give her a little time, she becomes likeable!” But when I received the same feedback from a contest and a couple agents, I knew I needed to dig in and do some more work.</div><div><br /></div><div>The only change I could think of was a brand new storyline that would open the book, and then weave throughout the entire thing. Not. Fun. But the hard work paid off. My agent, who hated Skylar during her first read, now loves her. We sold the manuscript within a couple of months. In some ways it happened really fast, but a lot of work went into receiving those yeses.</div><div><br /></div><div>Writing, for me, has been about trial and error. While Me, Just Different took four confusing, rejection-filled years, the next two books in the series were written within months, and my editor liked them even better than the first. So if you’re trying your hand at this writing thing, don’t worry if there’s been a few years of rejection. Learn how to graciously accept criticism (even really stupid criticism, and there will be plenty of that), and apply what you learn to your manuscript. Then practice saying, “Thank you, I’m so glad you enjoyed it,” because if you keep revising and growing as a writer, eventually someone will call and say they love it. </div><div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-4727869043454230879?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-31767617040457158752009-06-30T19:00:00.000-07:002009-08-30T19:01:34.566-07:00<span style=";font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:16px;" ><span style="margin: 6px; padding: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); min-height: 1100px; counter-reset: __goog_page__ 0; line-height: normal;font-family:Verdana;font-size:10pt;" ><span style="font-family:'times new roman';"><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b>1. What inspired LOVESTRUCK SUMMER?</b><br />A trip to Austin one summer made me want to write a book set there. A romance seemed like the perfect thing, and the city just breathes music, so I had to add that aspect too.<br /></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b>2. Can you describe LOVESTRUCK SUMMER in three words?</b><br />Hot Austin Romance.<br /></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b>3. Which character surprised you the most over the course of writing the book?</b><br />When it suddenly came to me that Penny's little dog, Miss Tiara, was a male dog who liked to wear girly accessories, I was surprised. But I had to go with it! I loved that dog.<br /></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b>4. What was your favorite scene to write?</b><br />All the scenes with Quinn and Russ were fun because they had chemistry. Writing two characters with chemistry is just pure bliss.<br /></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b>5. What do you like most about Quinn? What do you like least about her?</b><br />I like that she's willing to expand her mind... eventually. I don't like her quick-to-judge tendencies.<br /></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b>6. If Quinn was going to make you a mix tape, what songs would have to be on there?</b><br />Well, after this summer in Austin, I think she'd include "Portland, Oregon" by Jack White &amp; Loretta Lynn, "Can't Help Falling in Love" by Elvis, "Speeding Motorcycle" by Daniel Johnston and, of course, "Africa" by Toto.<br /></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b>7. Do you have a favorite line of dialogue in the book?</b><br />Ooh, hard question! I don't think I really do. Is that lame?<br /></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b>8. If you could cast yourself into the book for a scene, which one would you choose?</b><br />I'd love to be an extra on the river float scene where Russ and Quinn are getting to know each other as they ease down the Guadalupe River in inner tubes.<br /></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b>9. What's next for you?</b></span></div><span><span style="font-size:100%;">I'm working on a new book, but it's all secret for now. Stay tuned!</span></span></span></span></span><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style=";font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:16px;" ><span style="margin: 6px; padding: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); min-height: 1100px; counter-reset: __goog_page__ 0; line-height: normal;font-family:Verdana;font-size:10pt;" ><span style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span style=";font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:16px;" ><span style="margin: 6px; padding: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); min-height: 1100px; counter-reset: __goog_page__ 0; line-height: normal;font-family:Verdana;font-size:10pt;" ><span><span style="font-size:100%;">Interview by Lisa</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span style=";font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:16px;" ><span style="margin: 6px; padding: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); min-height: 1100px; counter-reset: __goog_page__ 0; line-height: normal;font-family:Verdana;font-size:10pt;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">June 2009</span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span style=";font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:16px;" ><span style="margin: 6px; padding: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); min-height: 1100px; counter-reset: __goog_page__ 0; line-height: normal;font-family:Verdana;font-size:10pt;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">Visit Melissa online @:</span></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span style=";font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:16px;" ><span style="margin: 6px; padding: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); min-height: 1100px; counter-reset: __goog_page__ 0; line-height: normal;font-family:Verdana;font-size:10pt;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><a style="color: rgb(128, 0, 255);" target="_blank" href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vbWVsaXNzYWN3YWxrZXIuY29tLw==" rel="nofollow">melissacwalker.com</a><br /><a style="color: rgb(64, 160, 255);" target="_blank" href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vdHdpdHRlci5jb20vbWVsaXNzYWN3YWxrZXI=" rel="nofollow">twitter.com/melissacwalker</a><br /><a style="color: rgb(0, 191, 96);" target="_blank" href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vaWhlYXJ0ZGFpbHkuY29tLw==" rel="nofollow">iheartdaily.com</a><br /><a style="color: rgb(255, 0, 255);" target="_blank" href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vcmVhZGVyZ2lybHouYmxvZ3Nwb3QuY29tLw==" rel="nofollow">readergirlz.com</a></span></span></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-3176761704045715875?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-16112698381723912382009-06-29T19:01:00.000-07:002009-08-30T19:31:40.218-07:00Revise the Story, not the Dream<br /><br />When I was twelve I planned on being the world’s youngest best-selling author. Or maybe just in the nation. (I knew how to be realistic in my goals.)<br /><br />Didn’t happen.<br /><br />It’s not that I didn’t write. I wrote all the time. I filled pages and pages with wonderful prose. I simply never got to the end. In most cases it seems a book has to have an ending before it will be published.<br /><br />There was one story in particular I was working on. It featured a very rich, very wonderful-in-every-way high-school girl named Casey. She had adventures, she had romance. She had it all.<br /><br />Well, except maybe a cohesive plot and theme. And, you know, an ending.<br /><br />Ah, but revisions are a wonderful thing. With them it’s possible to take a fragmented story written in high school and turn it into an actual book.<br /><br />I’ll share a secret with you: the very beginnings of the story that turned into When Mike Kissed Emma can be found in one of my old high school notebooks.<br /><br />Take for example this paragraph written in high school:<br /><br />But during this scene, this one scene when everyone was watching, Jim decided to not fake the kiss. He grabbed her around the waist and kissed her in a way that could be described as passionately. To Kate’s horror she found herself caught up in the moment, she was enjoying it, and kissed him back. Suddenly, with a start, she realized what she was doing and pushed him away from her.<br /><br />And this scene from When Mike Kissed Emma:<br /><br />And I kissed him back.<br /><br />I was in his arms. His lips were on mine. The world around us disappeared. There was no one here but me. And Mike. I held him tight. Mike’s mouth was warm and soft on mine. My legs were like rubber. I held him tighter to keep from falling down.<br /><br />The DJ started playing Michael Jackson’s Thriller, and the spell was broken. I backed up from Mike. What had I done? I’d been kissing Mike! He smiled at me. I just stood there. What had I done?<br /><br />And it’s more than just the kiss they have in common. There’s the school play they are putting on and the love triangle and the irritating older brother.<br /><br />It would be tempting to say that the story from high school finally got published. But that would be like saving a few fancy windows from an old house, knocking the house down, building a new house and putting those windows in it and saying it’s the same house. The windows may be the same but the house is very different.<br /><br />When Mike Kissed Emma is not the same story I wrote in high school, but it’s a descendant of it. Which leads me to my final thought: never underestimate the power of revision.<br /><br />Oh, and one more thought (this is the last one, I promise): Never give up. I may not be the world’s youngest best-selling author (that ship sailed long ago), but I am an author.<br /><br />Thanks so much for giving me the opportunity to be a guest blogger here.<br /><br />Christine Marciniak is the author of When Mike Kissed Emma coming August 19, 2009 from Climbing Roses imprint of The Wild Rose Press.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-1611269838172391238?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-46346994086534984902009-06-17T19:03:00.000-07:002009-08-30T19:03:53.787-07:00<div id="pBlogBody_495417268" class="blogContent"><div>SHINE COCONUT MOON<br />NEESHA MEMINGER<br />YA Contemporary<br />McElderry Books<br />ISBN # 978-1-4169-5495-8<br />253 pages<br />$16.99<br />Hardcover—Available Now<br /></div><div><br />Rating: 4 Enchantments</div><div><br />Seventeen-year-old Samar--Sammy doesn’t know much about her Indian heritage. Her mother refuses to have anything to do with her parents or anything that deals with her past, which includes Sammy’s father. But that all changes after 9/11. Some man with a turban shows up on Sammy’s porch, claiming to be her uncle. He wants the family to get back together and to teach Sammy about her Sikh heritage. Sammy doesn’t know what to do. Her mother is against this. Then a girl at school calls Sammy a coconut, brown on the outside and white inside. Sammy wants to know the truth of who she is and more about her Sikh background. Then some guys from school do something to her uncle’s car, while shouting for him to go home. Sammy realizes that things have changed and how scary it can be. It’s up to her to try to reconcile both of her worlds.<br /></div><div><br />This tale really hit a cord for me. My own brother-in-law is Muslim and came over to our country right before 9/11. The stories of being singled out because he shared the same faith of the terrorists are very similar to the experiences that Sammy witnesses happening with her uncle. In this case, her uncle is ridiculed for wearing a turban. Though he’s not Muslim, those in Sammy’s town assume he is based on his appearance. At first hateful words are thrown at her uncle that slowly turns into personal attacks. Meminger does an excellent job of showing the inner turmoil and conflict that goes through Sammy, especially when the same hateful things are directed at her. </div><div><br />The scenes where Sammy confronts her mother about the denial of their culture are very powerful. Through this all Sammy starts asking some serious questions. Who exactly is American? When do you need to stand up to injustices? These are some tough questions and ones that I know will resonate with other teens, especially those who find themselves in Sammy’s situation. Meminger does a great job of showing that ignorance is dangerous. This is an important tale for teens that are struggling with their identity amidst prejudice in troubling times. It’s also a tale about the importance of family and being true to yourself.</div><div><br />This is Neesha Meminger’s first novel. Find out more at her website: neeshameminger.com</div><div><br />Kim<br />ENCHANTING REVIEWS<br />May 2009</div><div><br /></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-4634699408653498490?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-22444504070605409892009-06-16T19:07:00.000-07:002009-08-30T19:08:11.462-07:00<!--- blog subject ---> <!--- blog body ---> <div>PRADA &amp; PREJUDICE</div><div>MANDY HUBBARD</div><div>YA fantasy</div><div>Razorbill</div><div>ISBN # 978-1-59514-260-3</div><div>215 pages</div><div>$8.99</div><div>Paperback trade—Available Now</div><div><br /></div><div>Rating: 4 Enchantments</div><div><br /></div><div>Fifteen-year-old Callie is on a school trip to London but instead of being excited, she’s stuck in her room while the other more popular girls plan on going clubbing. Callie then decides to buy an expensive pair of real Prada pumps, thinking this will impress the girls so they will invite her to come along. Instead she falls, bumps her head and finds herself in the year 1815. She stumbles along when she finds a huge house where Emily welcomes her in thinking she’s her American friend Rebecca. Callie, afraid of being left alone, plays along. Along the way she meets Emily’s cousin, the dashing Duke of Harksbury. Sparks erupt. Then Emily confides in an arranged marriage she doesn’t want. Callie wants to help. But time is ticking down until the ‘real’ Rebecca will show up. Will Callie be able to help her new found friend? And will she prove that she’s more than the clumsy geek-girl from the twenty-first century?</div><div><br /></div><div>This is a fun romantic tale sure to appeal to Jane Austen fans. Callie’s adventure into the world of 1815 London was fascinating with everything from huge estates, tight corsets, and hot English dukes. Hubbard creates a believable and likeable character in Callie. I could relate with her feeling out of place with her snobby London roommates. Callie’s antics are heartfelt and hilarious such as trying to eavesdrop behind a huge plant in a restaurant to getting enough nerve to see if the others will let her go clubbing with them. Readers will want to follow Callie and see what adventures she’ll stumble on in the past.</div><div>This story reminded me of a teen LOST IN AUSTEN.</div><div><br /></div><div>The tension between Duke of Harksbury and this modern day Jane Austen was fun to follow. I especially liked how Hubbard got Callie into the past with a pair of expensive Prada pumps. The only thing I did wonder was what the consequences would be for Callie when she went back in time. But since this is a light romantic fantasy, I forgot that and sat back to enjoy this romp through prim and proper London with a modern day heroine. Who wouldn’t love to have a magical pair of shoes take you back in time? </div><div><br /></div><div> Mandy Hubbard lives in Tacoma, Washington. Find out more at www.mandyhubbard.com</div><div><br /></div><div>Kim</div><div>ENCHANTING REVIEWS</div><div>May 09</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-2244450407060540989?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-35153545625947003992009-06-16T19:04:00.001-07:002009-08-30T19:06:05.562-07:00<div>LOVESTRUCK SUMMER</div><div>MELISSA WALKER</div><div>Contemporary Young Adult</div><div>HarperTeen</div><div>ISBN#978-0-06-171586-0</div><div>266 Pages</div><div>$5.99</div><div>Paperback--Available Now</div><div><br /></div><div>Rating: 4.5 Enchantments</div><div><br /></div><div>A perfect summer read! LOVESTRUCK SUMMER features Priscilla aka ‘Quinn’ but don’t call her Priscilla! Quinn has big plans for the summer, interning at the Amalgam records, and finding the supreme boyfriend, an indie loving guy with the perfect hair and some funky glasses and she‘s sure she‘s going to meet him in music loving Austin. But things aren’t quite what she expected in Austin, something she finds out right away when her study-conscious cousin Penny picks her up at the airport, resembling something more out of a sorority guidebook then the cousin she remembers. What quickly follows is one of the funniest romantic comedies I’ve read in a long time!</div><div><br /></div><div>Ms. Walker has a knack for creating memorable characters and LOVESTRUCK SUMMER continues that trend. I liked Quinn immediately, especially her attitude and the fact that her life seems to revolve around music. She practically lives in headphones, using the music to drown things out. Her cousin Penny, fellow intern Jade and neighbor Chrissy round out the cast of characters, as does Miss Tiara, Penny’s cross dressing dog, one of the most unique characters I’ve ever read! And don’t forget the two complete opposite guys she finds herself attracted to, skinny indie DJ Sebastian and country loving jock and frat boy, Russ. One minute Quinn wants to never lay eyes on the frat boy again and the next, she can’t wait to listen to the mix tape he makes her. The summer in Austin moves fast, and Quinn finds herself deeper into the Austin way of life, her preconceived notions about pretty well everything falling away--or so it seems, until she gets called on it by someone unexpected. Has Quinn changed at all or is she merely the same girl who stepped off the plane, the one who wanted to have the perfect summer romance?</div><div><br /></div><div>It’s hard to pick just one favorite scene to highlight in the review, because I enjoyed them all—especially the ones between Russ and Quinn. But I’d have to say one of my favorites is when Russ takes Quinn for a trip down the river. The chemistry between the two characters is great, the dialogue hilarious and the scene is so well done you feel like you’re tagging along with them.</div><div><br /></div><div>LOVESTRUCK SUMMER is a fun young adult romance that will have you lose track of time as you lose yourself in Quinn’s summer and hope she ends up with the right boy. </div><div><br /></div><div>Visit Melissa’s blog at http://www.melissacwalker.com/blog/ and follow her on twitter at http://twitter.com/melissacwalker </div><div><br /></div><div>Lisa</div><div>Enchanting Reviews</div><div>June 2009</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-3515354562594700399?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-27908146531717830332009-06-16T19:04:00.000-07:002009-08-30T19:04:45.869-07:00<div id="pBlogBody_495199345" class="blogContent"><div>L.A. CANDY</div><div>LAUREN CONRAD</div><div>Contemporary YA</div><div>Collins</div><div>ISBN#9780061767586 </div><div>336 Pages</div><div>$17.99</div><div>Hardcover--Onsale June 16, 2009</div><div><br /></div><div>Rating: 4.5 Enchantments</div><div><br /></div><div>Jane Roberts has just moved to Los Angeles with her best friend, Scarlett, in hopes of stepping out of her comfort zone. She just didn’t expect to step this far out of her comfort zone and become the star of what is the soon-to-be the popular reality T.V. show L.A. CANDY. Between her internship with event planner Fiona Chen, her friendship with Scarlett and her somewhat dubious relationship with new friend/crush Braeden, things in L.A. won’t stay sweet for long.</div><div><br /></div><div>Scarlett Harp moved to L.A. with her lifelong best friend to attend U.S.C. and enjoy life in the city. But there’s a lot of adjustments to make, like getting used to their small and dingy apartment that Jane simply calls ‘charming’. When the two girls go to Les Deux and end up meeting famed TV producer Trevor Lord, they couldn’t imagine the turn their lives are suddenly about to take. A turn that frankly Scarlett finds herself regretting.</div><div><br /></div><div>I really enjoyed L.A. CANDY. Jane’s a likeable character, fighting to navigate life in Los Angeles when suddenly her entire life is changed again before she can get a true handle on things as they were when she becomes the star of a reality show. It seems in an instant, everything changes again—their apartment for one. Gone is their small, cramped apartment and they find themselves in pure luxury. Her cold and slightly scary boss even undergoes a transformation when the cameras are around and Jane finds herself suddenly attracted to someone she never thought possible. Can she really like two guys at the same time?</div><div><br /></div><div>Hands down my favorite scene is Jane’s first date in Los Angeles with Paolo, the cute guy she met at work when he accidentally walked into her office. If that wasn’t nerve-wracking enough, not only is it her first date with him, but it’s also her first date with an entire camera crew around. </div><div><br /></div><div>Ms. Conrad pens a highly entertaining debut with L.A. CANDY, creating a world that takes the reader behind the scenes of reality T.V. and some of L.A.’s hottest nightspots to show that things aren’t quite what they seem on T.V., especially for two girls who aren’t fully prepared to deal with sudden fame. Equally memorable is the ‘villain’ of the show, Madison, who’s totally willing to do whatever it takes to take what she believes is rightfully hers—being the star of the show. She’s truly a devious character, without question and what she’s willing to do to get Jane out of the picture is definitely shocking. Jane and Scarlett are two memorable characters and with the major cliffhanger ending, I can’t wait to see what Ms. Conrad has in store for Jane in the next book. </div><div><br /></div><div>Ending with a major jaw dropper of a cliffhanger, readers will no doubt be demanding to know what happens next to this group of entertaining characters. Anyone who loves books about life in Hollywood will no doubt enjoy this debut read by Lauren Conrad</div><div><br /></div><div>Lauren Conrad is the star of MTV's number-one hit show, The Hills. She launched her career as a fashion designer in Spring 2008 with the debut of the Lauren Conrad Collection. Lauren has been featured on the covers of Cosmopolitan, Rolling Stone, Seventeen, and Entertainment Weekly, among others. She lives in Los Angeles. This is her first novel. Her website is http://www.laurenconrad.com/ </div><div><br /></div><div>Lisa</div><div>Enchanting Reviews</div><div>June 2009</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-2790814653171783033?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-82846696208549823152009-06-14T19:09:00.000-07:002009-08-30T19:10:18.391-07:00<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Cambria;font-size:100%;" >TWENTY BOY SUMMER</span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Cambria;font-size:100%;" >SARAH OCKLER</span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Cambria;font-size:100%;" >Young Adult Romance</span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Cambria;font-size:100%;" >Little, Brown and Company</span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Cambria;font-size:100%;" >ISBN# 978-0-316-05159-0</span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Cambria;font-size:100%;" >304 pages</span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Cambria;font-size:100%;" >$16.99</span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Cambria;font-size:100%;" >Hardcover - Available Now</span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Cambria;font-size:100%;" > </span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Cambria;font-size:100%;" >Rating: 5 Enchantments</span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><div><span style=";font-family:Cambria;font-size:100%;" > </span></div></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Cambria;font-size:100%;" >Matt Perino, best male friend turned boyfriend, or something like it. Sister to Frankie Perino, Anna’s best friend since time existed. The three of them grew up together, Matt acting as big brother to both girls until one evening when everything changes. A kiss transforms Matt’s relationship with Anna and starts a relationship that pulls their two souls together. He’s the perfect big brother and wants his sister to hear the news from him. He plans on telling her during their annual summer vacation getaway, but he never gets the opportunity. Instead, he dies.</span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><div><span style=";font-family:Cambria;font-size:100%;" > </span></div></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Cambria;font-size:100%;" >Anna, our heroine and the voice of the story is an intelligent and well-behaved daughter. Devastated by Matt’s death, she keeps her promise to him and hides their secret relationship from Frankie, even after he’s gone. Anna is Frankie’s protector, always looking out for her and ensuring that she goes on, even when Anna herself is dying inside.</span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><div><span style=";font-family:Cambria;font-size:100%;" > </span></div></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Cambria;font-size:100%;" >TWENTY BOY SUMMER is the story of life after Matt’s death. Two summers after the tragic loss, the Perino’s decide to continue their vacation tradition, hoping that it will bring some normalcy back to their lives. Frankie brings Anna along and together the girls attempt to plan the best summer ever. Completely boy crazy after Matt’s death, Frankie devises a scheme whereby the two girls will attempt to meet twenty boys by the end of the summer. Hopefully, by the time they go home, at least one of them will have found a true summer romance. Sunny beaches, thrilling adventures and boys aplenty color their vacation. But when emotions run high and memories are stirred, will it all prove to be too much for Matt’s survivors?</span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><div><span style=";font-family:Cambria;font-size:100%;" > </span></div></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Cambria;">I really loved this story. Sarah Ockler did an amazing job of illustrating what it means to live, to die and to survive. TWENTY BOY SUMMER had beautiful prose and an undercurrent of hope that we, as the readers, couldn’t help but feel. I felt that her descriptions were so lovely and so realistic that it was almost like she picked us up and tossed us on the sands of the beach at Zanzibar Bay. We can really feel the sun on our face, the sand beneath our toes, and most importantly, the raw emotion that fills the pages. </span></span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><div><span style=";font-family:Cambria;font-size:100%;" > </span></div></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Cambria;font-size:100%;" >There were points in the book where I couldn’t help but to wonder if this story was a little too deep and dark for young adults. I quickly realized that whether it was dark or not, the story was real. Anna and Frankie display real emotion as they grieve in their own separate ways. Ockler shows us that despite the darkness, despite the despair at losing a loved one, life really can go on. This, above all, made me an absolute fan of this story. I loved the romance, both remembered and new, and the realism that Ockler gives it. With writing as colorful as the various shades of sea glass, Ockler created a true winner.</span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><div><span style=";font-family:Cambria;font-size:100%;" > </span></div></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Cambria;font-size:100%;" >TWENTY BOY SUMMER is the debut novel for author Sarah Ockler. She can be found online at </span><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vc2FyYWhvY2tsZXIuY29tLw=="><u><span style=";font-family:Cambria;font-size:100%;" >http://sarahockler.com</span></u></a><span style=";font-family:Cambria;font-size:100%;" > where links to her Facebook, Myspace and Twitter pages can be located. </span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Cambria;font-size:100%;" > </span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Cambria;font-size:100%;" >Cinnamon</span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Cambria;font-size:100%;" >ENCHANTING REVIEWS</span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Cambria;font-size:100%;" >June 2009</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-8284669620854982315?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-79627722388284415612009-06-11T19:14:00.000-07:002009-08-30T19:14:49.045-07:00<div id="pBlogBody_494276403" class="blogContent"><div>THE OTHER HALF OF LIFE</div><div>KIM ABLON WHITNEY</div><div>Historical YA</div><div>Knopf</div><div>ISBN# 978-0-375-85219-0</div><div>234 Pages</div><div>$16.99</div><div>Hardcover--Available May 12, 2009</div><div><br /></div><div>Rating: 4.5 Enchantments</div><div><br /></div><div>THE OTHER HALF OF LIFE is based on the true story of a World War II voyage. Its May 1939 and the SS St. Francis is setting sail for Cuba and eventually the U.S. filled with Jewish refugees desperate for a new life in a new land. However, none of them could be prepared for the events that are about to take place that will change everyone’s lives forever.</div><div><br /></div><div>Fifteen year old Thomas is traveling alone. His Jewish father has been imprisoned and his Christian mother has scraped together enough money for his passage. Alone and frightened, he finds himself befriended by a family on an upper deck and slowly a relationship begins to form between Thomas and fourteen year old Priska. Its obvious as you read the story that the author did a great job of researching the events on the SS St. </div><div><br /></div><div>Francis as its very detailed oriented and the reader can fully picture what life must have been like for those on board. Thomas is a very sympathetic character, as is the family he becomes close to onboard. One of my favorite scenes takes place fairly early in the book when Thomas is invited to dine up in first class with Professor Affeldt and his family. All ready ill at ease, Thomas poses as a ‘cousin’ in order to join the family and is forced to deal with overhearing the waiter’s remarks about the passengers, witness the attention paid to the pretty Priska by the same waiter and share his story with the family that will soon become his friends. A very engrossing read, readers looking for a great historical read based on a real life event should definitely pick up THE OTHER HALF OF LIFE.</div><div><br /></div><div>Kim Ablon Whitney has published two previous novels with Knopf. She lives with her family in Cambridge, Massachusetts. To learn more about THE OTHER HALF OF LIFE, including an excerpt, visit the author’s website at http://www.kimablonwhitney.com/books/ohol.html </div><div><br /></div><div>Lisa</div><div>Enchanting Reviews</div><div>May 2009</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-7962772238828441561?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-66222092809229561252009-06-11T19:11:00.000-07:002009-08-30T19:12:04.531-07:00Interview with SUSAN McBRIDE, author of LOVE, LIES AND TEXAS DIPS<br /><br />1. What do you like best about writing a series?<br /><br />Probably being so familiar with the characters and getting to know them better with each book. It's like meeting friends and spending time with them, finding out more quirks and secrets. I also like building on the relationships and developing the drama and tension. Seems like you can never have enough drama these days!<br /><br />2. Can you describe 'Love, Lies and Texas Dips' in three words?<br /><br />Juicy, complicated, unexpected.<br /><br />3. Who is your favorite character to write?<br /><br />I love writing about all of them, because each girl is unique with her own quirks and issues. I love that Ginger is embracing her artistic side and is so passionate about the environment. She's from a long line of matriarchal Southern women, but she isn't about to tow anyone's party line. Mac has a soft spot in my heart because she lost her mother during high school, probably one of the times a girl needs her mom most. She tries to be so independent and strong, but she's going to have to learn to reach out and let others help her. Jo Lynn is another story entirely! There's something about developing a character who's outwardly so evil and trying to explore what makes her tick. She's more complex than she seems. Laura is a lot of fun, too. She's so uninhibited and willing to go for it (in terms of emotions and relationships). I think it takes a lot of guts to be so unguarded and risk making so many mistakes. I'm a lot more cautious in my life, so I actually admire that about her.<br /><br />4. How much fun is it to write a character like Jo-Lynn?<br /><br />It's a blast. Although it's kind of hard making her come off as three-dimensional when she's so intent on destroying Laura. Her perfectly ordered world definitely takes a hit in GLOVES OFF, the third in the series. In fact, a lot of secrets will unfold in that book.<br /><br />5. Did any of the characters surprise you while you were writing 'Love, Lies and Texas Dips'?<br /><br />Probably the boys more than the girls. I started out picturing Dillon, the quarterback and Jo Lynn's boyfriend, as this golden boy who has an easy life. Then I realized that's not who he is at all. He's got so many things inside him that don't fit the mold, and he's having a hard time pretending to be perfect when he's not. He's kind of a quietly ticking time bomb. Also, Avery has more to him than it appears. Believe it or not, he truly cares for Laura, but he's connected to Jo Lynn in a way that no one understands. It's a tricky issue for him, because he feels guilty and indebted to Jo and she uses that. I actually thought maybe someday I'd write a book from the guys' point of view, but I'm not sure that's ever going to happen!<br /><br />6. What was your favorite scene in the book?<br /><br />The scene with Mac and Alex in his childhood tree-house when she realizes that their friendship has changed, and it's never going to be the same again. I truly felt her pain!<br /><br />7. You start off each chapter with a quote, one from a celebrity and one from one of the characters. How do pick which quotes to use?<br /><br />I have loads of books with great quotes, like WOMEN'S WICKED WIT, WITTY WORDS FROM WISE WOMEN, and SECRET LIVES OF GREAT AUTHORS. I try to hunt down real quotes that relate somehow to what's in that particular chapter. Then I kind of loosely interpret that quote from the mind-set of whichever character's narrating the chapter. For the first chapter of LOVE, LIES, AND TEXAS DIPS, I have a Mae West quote: "Don't let a man put anything over you but an umbrella." Right after that is Jo Lynn's version: "No one jerks me around and gets away with it." It's very fun working those out! Sometimes I change them as I go along until I feel like they really fit.<br />8. What would readers be surprised to know about you?<br /><br />Hmm, that I love vegetables now but hated them for most of my life; that I married a computer software engineer who doesn't read much fiction except for my books; and that I'm a big-time animal lover and envision someday having a house with a barn that Ed and I can convert to a comfy spot for keeping lots of rescued fur-kids!<br />9. What can we look forward to in the next book?<br /><br />I'm just about to correct the page proofs of GLOVES OFF now, which will really refresh my brain about that one. It's kind of weird to be writing a completely different kind of novel (THE COUGAR CLUB) between LOVE, LIES, AND TEXAS DIPS coming out and going through all kinds of drafts of GLOVES OFF. Let's see, Mac tries to forget Alex and see other guys, Ginger falls harder for Kent only to find out a deeper and darker secret from his past, Laura might very well have found the key to toppling Jo Lynn, and, well, Jo Lynn realizes she can't control everyone forever. Fun, fun, fun! ;-)<br /><br />Interview By Lisa<br />June 2009<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-6622209280922956125?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-74394073327739905212009-06-11T19:10:00.000-07:002009-08-30T19:11:22.065-07:00<div id="pBlogBody_494276861" class="blogContent"><div>LOVE, LIES AND TEXAS DIPS</div><div>SUSAN McBRIDE</div><div>Contemporary YA</div><div>Delacorte Press</div><div>ISBN# 978-0-385-73520-9</div><div>304 Pages</div><div>$9.99</div><div>Trade--Available June 9, 2009</div><div><br /></div><div>Rating: 5 Enchantments</div><div><br /></div><div>LOVE, LIES AND TEXAS DIPS is the perfect sequel to ‘The Debs’. </div><div><br /></div><div>Jo-Lynn is both as plotting, manipulative and as calculating and bitchy as always. Laura is still her main target, and she can’t figure out how anyone would want to pick Laura over her, especially anyone male. The only thing that’ll make her life perfect is casting Laura out of The Debs and if her loser friends go right out the door with her. Fortunately for Laura, she isn’t the intimated easily type, and neither are Mac and Ginger, her two best friends. In fact, they all hate Jo-Lynn just about as much as she hates them and they aren’t about to let her get rid of them at all.</div><div><br /></div><div>I think Jo-Lynn is the ultimate--perhaps perfect, YA villain. Seriously. Calculating, manipulative and scheming to a T, she’ll stop at absolutely nothing to get what she wants most--to get rid of Laura. Including sending sweets Laura’s way to sabotage the Deb and spreading some particular heinous gossip about her.</div><div><br /></div><div>What I really enjoyed in LOVE, LIES AND TEXAS DIPS, is the storyline revolving around Ginger and the portrait her grandmother wants painted of her. Some of my favorite scenes in the book from here, including when Ginger meets Kent for the first time, the grandson of the artist who painted her grandmother’s portrait and the one who is going to paint hers. </div><div><br /></div><div>‘The Debs’ series has quickly become one of my favorite YA series and LOVE, LIES AND TEXAS DIPS just shows why. Great characters, great story and a great voice combine to make this a totally entertaining read. With an ending guaranteed to leave readers demanding the next in the series asap, LOVE, LIES AND TEXAS DIPS is a great second book in the series. </div><div><br /></div><div>Susan McBride is the author of The Debutante Drop-out adult mystery series. She grew up in the heart of Texan Deb country, but now lives with her husband in Missouri. Visit her online at www.susanmcbride.com </div><div><br /></div><div>Lisa</div><div>Enchanting Reviews</div><div>February 2009</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-7439407332773990521?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-85271913868133528582009-06-10T19:12:00.000-07:002009-08-30T19:13:06.457-07:00<div id="pBlogBody_494276681" class="blogContent"><div>TEMPO CHANGE</div><div>BARBARA HALL</div><div>Contemporary YA</div><div>Delacorte Books</div><div>ISBN# 978-0385736077 </div><div>256 Pages</div><div>$16.99</div><div>Hardcover--Available June 9, 2009</div><div><br /></div><div>Rating: 4.5 Enchantments</div><div><br /></div><div>When Blanche Kelly is forced to join the choir by her high school guidance counselor to fill in the gaps on her college resume, she could never imagine it would lead to a chance to reconnect to her father, a famous indie rock icon who she hasn’t seen in years. But the moment she hears Viv open her voice in class, the idea for ‘The Fringers’ is born. All she needs is a few more girls and the band will be complete--well, once she convinces them of the idea anyway.</div><div><br /></div><div>I really enjoyed TEMPO CHANGE. Blanche’s relationship with her father is pretty well non-existant, consisting mainly of sporatic e-mails that she neglects to tell her mom about. So when she gets the idea to form a band, it’s not only to make her college application look better or win the school talent show, never mind getting a chance to play at the famous Coachella--it might be one way to get her relationship back with her father. I have to say really liked Blanche, I thought she was a fun character and I liked how she actually grew up in her way of thinking over the course of the book, especially with how she thought her mother was ‘settling’ for her new boyfriend, like how could she be happy with a guy who sold guitars when she’d been married to Blanche’s father, a music star? I have to say I liked all the characters in the book, one of my favorites being Viv, the girl who could sing but unlike her parents, wasn’t a brainiac, instead was an athlete.</div><div><br /></div><div>The subplot later in the story involving Viv seems to come out of nowhere, which was one thing that I found to slightly detract from the story, but it does shake things up and lead the inevitable conclusion of the story. One of my favorite scenes is how Blanche convinces the girls to be in ‘The Fringers’. I don’t want to spoil it, but its pretty unique way that the other three girls can’t really say no to, once its been announced.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you’re a fan of music-centered YA Fiction, you should definitely pick up TEMPO CHANGE.</div><div><br /></div><div>Barbara Hall is the author of eight novels and has written and produced numerous television shows, including Joan of Arcadia. She lives in Santa Monica, California, with her daughter </div><div><br /></div><div>Lisa</div><div>Enchanting Reviews</div><div>June 2009</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-8527191386813352858?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-20776825510780508212009-06-09T19:14:00.000-07:002009-08-30T19:15:50.190-07:00<a href="mailto:ENTR@PMENT">ENTR@PMENT</a>: A HIGH SCHOOL COMEDY IN CHAT<br />M. SPOONER<br />YA Humor<br />Margaret K. McElderry Books<br />ISBN# 1-4169-5889-4<br />320 pages<br />$16.99<br />HARDCOVER—Available June 2, 2009<br /><br />Rating: 5 Enchantments<br /><br />Gothling, Annie in RL (real life), is suffering because she lost her boyfriend to her best friend. Or her newly former best friend. <div>Big J is a fickle guy who moves from relationship to relationship. He does have skills with computers, the internet and writes poetry.<br /><br />Gothling decides that all boys are alike and she wants to share her cruelly won knowledge with her two friends Ms. T and bliss4u. She tries to convince both Ms. T and bliss4u that their boyfriends would easily cheat on them too and makes a bet with them that if they were to pretend to go away for a while and then create new internet identities the boys would soon forget about their promises and fall for their new masks. Gothling asks for Big J’s help in setting up a chat room and drawing BoBoy and chessman into the trap.<br /><br /></div><div>I really enjoyed this book because it was funny and reminded me of the Shakespeare comedys. The unique format was what allowed me to believe that two girls could fool their boyfriends best friend about who they are. The dialogue was great and I enjoyed the malapropisms. It did take me a while to get used to the chat and IM format. The author very skillfully inserted description in the chat dialogue. The characters feel real but it is important to remember that the person behind the internet ID could be any age, any gender and from anywhere, and M. Spooner reminds the reader of that a few times. Gothling remains true to her character to the end with her pessimism and biting sense of humor. She does grow also but I won’t spoil the ending for you. The cover is very attractive and I had to fight off my daughter and several of the teens at our teen center because they wanted a look at the book. My favorite part is when Big J changes his id to Alfonso and starts falling for Gothling. She thinks he is kidding at first then starts to get interested and asks him why he never wrote a poem for her. At one point she asks him if he thinks she is a potted plant. It is funny because at the same time as she is trying to get him to write her a poem, she is still suspicious about why he is being ‘nice’ to bliss4u and Ms. T. She asks if she should come by and pound some sense into him. When she finds out that BoBoy and chessman blackmailed him into being nice by threatening to quit the chatroom she says that is totally out of line. This seems a little hypocritical since she essentially tricked the girls into their part of the chatroom but she doesn’t see the irony.<br /><br /></div><div>The author, M. Spooner IMs from Logan, Utah and can be reached at <a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vd3d3Lm1zcG9vbmVyLm5ldA==">www.mspooner.net</a><br /><br />Kathy Johnson<br />ENCHANTING REVIEWS<br />June 2009</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-2077682551078050821?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-32208862849510128962009-06-04T20:46:00.000-07:002009-08-30T20:47:32.368-07:00<div>TWILIGHT</div><div>STEPHENIE MEYER</div><div>Paranormal YA/Romantic Suspense</div><div>Megan Tingley Books/Little, Brown &amp; CO</div><div>ISBN# 978-0-316-05284-4</div><div>498 pgs</div><div>$10.99</div><div>Paperback--Available Now</div><div> </div><div>Rating: 5 Enchantments</div><div> </div><div>Edward Cullen has a secret to hide and his “family history” has him thinking of himself as the villain, the bad guy. He finds a new challenge to prove the stereotype correct, the day that Bella Swan arrives on her first day of school. Her scent is so overwhelmingly enticing he struggles to control his thirst for her blood. Yet, the harder he tries to stay away, the more he can’t. Now Edward has given himself the challenge to save her life from her clumsy self and then even from his own kind. </div><div> </div><div>Bella Swan knows right off something is different about Edward Cullen. When all her comic book hero theories are laughed at and thrown out the window, there’s only one solution left to his mystery; the scary story legends from the Quileute’s tribe. The local Indian reservation is home to Jacob Black who befriends Bella, and spins tales of THE COLD ONES and WOLF MEN; vampires and werewolves. As the pieces fall together, Bella finds life in little Forks Washington is not what she thought it would ever be … dangerous.</div><div> </div><div>After years of never wanting to see Forks Washington again, Bella Swan finds herself living with her father while her mother travels with her new-step father for employment in minor league baseball. During the last semester of her JR year, Bella soon finds out that Forks is not the dreary, boring small town she remembered it. The same cold, wet, cloudy weather hasn’t changed. Hardly a full day of warm sunlight. However, the scenery has definitely changed; the Cullen family. Edward shows mixed emotions about being around her. At first he acts as if she has not showered in a week, then he saves her life from her own clumsiness, others bad driving on slick ice in the school parking lot, and even when she gets sick at the scent of blood in Biology during a blood-typing experiment. As he comes and goes around the school, trying to stay away from her, and yet being there when something goes wrong, Bella finds an attraction to the mystery around him. The closer she gets, the more her life is in danger. What she never counted on was falling in love with someone who died almost a hundred years ago.</div><div><br /></div><div>TWILIGHT is a fabulous web intricated together to capture the reader from chapter one. Being in first person, you get to live through Bella’s emotions, her senses, and her decisions. Sometimes you find yourself trying to be her conscious and try to will the story to go a different way, but it all works out in the end with a great big sigh of relief. This is a great way to start a wonderful love story series. It defeats all odds between differences of worlds; including between life and death. Edward Cullen is a true gentleman who keeps in control of himself and brings forth the hero most young girls look for in their own lives. Bella is a self-conscious teen girl who has the adventure of the lifetime. Though her very existence is in danger every minute she stays in Edward’s world, she shows that no sacrifice is too great when it’s for love.</div><div> </div><div>Stephenie Meyer grabs hold of you and doesn’t let you go once you step into the world she creates. Find out more at her website http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/</div><div> </div><div>Barb Soden</div><div>ENCHANTING REVIEWS</div><div>May 2009</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-3220886284951012896?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-33071343331734216612009-06-04T20:45:00.000-07:002009-08-30T20:46:35.773-07:00<div id="pBlogBody_492997081" class="blogContent"><div><b>Best part of writing Y.A.</b></div><div><br /></div><div>The readers, no doubt! I didn’t intentionally start writing YA, I just had a burning story I wanted to tell that ultimately became my debut novel, FAKING 19. I didn’t even think about genre until my then agent was preparing it for sale! But I absolutely love writing for and about teens—the correspondence they send me never fails to make my day!</div><div><br /></div><div><b>What's your writing schedule like:</b></div><div><br /></div><div>I write every day, spending the first part of the day sipping green tea, answering e-mails, blog hoping and basically procrastinating until I finally get to it. Usually re-reading whatever I wrote the day before and doing a little light editing before delving into the new stuff and going from there. Then sometime around seven or eight, I answer more e-mails before joining my husband for dinner and TV. This is pretty much my schedule 7 days a week. I don’t get out much! </div><div><br /></div><div><b>What's your writing process like?</b></div><div><br /></div><div>I start with the premise, build the cast, determine the character arc, craft a generalized outline, make a playlist (this can take all day if you know how to procrastinate!), then I finally get to it, researching and editing as I go.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Do you have any writing rituals?</b></div><div><br /></div><div>When I’m writing at home, I always light a vanilla scented candle before I begin and then blow it out once I’m finished. It feels kind of ceremonial!</div><div><br /></div><div><b>I love your story! How did you come up with the premise? </b></div><div><br /></div><div>Well, the premise was actually born out of grief. A few years ago I’d lost three people I loved in five months, and shortly after that I nearly lost my husband to leukemia (he’s in full remission now!), and it felt like my entire world was crashing down. Experiencing that sort of intense grief and fear got me thinking a lot about life and death, mortality and immortality, what separates us, if anything, from those who are gone, and how our youth loving culture sort of seeks physical immortality by trying to remain youthful looking for as long as we can—and yet, what would happen if we really could live forever? What would it mean for us, our loved ones, society in general? And since I’ve been interested in all things paranormal since I was a kid, Ever and Damen’s story seemed like the perfect vehicle to explore all those themes.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Which character is most like you or most unlike you?</b></div><div><br /></div><div>I can really identify with Ever’s feeling of not belonging because that’s exactly how I felt as a teen—like I never quite fit. Though a lot of Riley’s jokiness also comes from me!</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Which character gave you the toughest time to write in the book?</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Sabine, because she’s a responsible adult!</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Do you have any sequels planned?</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Yes! There will be five books in the series, the second, BLUE MOON, will be in stores on July 7th, and I’m currently finishing up the third, SHADOWLAND, which will be out early 2010.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Who would your ideal cast be if a movie was made?</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Well, the dramatic rights were recently sold to Spring Creek Productions and Warner Horizon who want to make it into a TV series . . . but speaking purely hypothetical here—Ben Barnes would make one very dreamy Damen!!</div><div><br /></div><div><b>What's next for you? </b></div><div><br /></div><div>Books four and five in the IMMORTALS series! After that, we’ll see . . .</div><div><br /></div><div>Interview by Kim</div><div>March 2009</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-3307134333173421661?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-24113669096741477982009-06-04T19:19:00.000-07:002009-08-30T19:20:41.878-07:00<div>EVERMORE</div><div>ALYSON NOEL</div><div>YA paranormal</div><div>St. Martin Griffin</div><div>ISBN # 978-0-312-53275-8</div><div>306 pages</div><div>$9.95</div><div>Paperback available now</div><div><br /></div><div>Rating: 4 Enchantments</div><div><br /></div><div>Sixteen-year-old Ever Bloom hates her life. After a tragic accident, that claims the lives of her family, Ever lives with guilt, blaming herself for their deaths. Now she lives with her aunt in California. Though Ever didn’t die, something changed within her. She now has the ability to see people’s auras and hear their thoughts just by touching them. She hates this and tries to avoid any human contact. Just when things couldn’t get any worse, a new boy shows up. Damen Auguste is gorgeous and wealthy and Ever can’t read his aura. Not only that but Damen makes her feel emotions she wants to forget. Should she succumb to his charms or continue to live in denial? And can she accept what she truly is?</div><div><br /></div><div>I enjoyed this tale of Ever as she struggles with the conflicts of surviving an accident and the strange ‘gift’ she received. When I first started reading this story, I thought it would be yet one more paranormal tale. Boy was I wrong! Noel creates characters that are realistic and believable. I couldn’t help but wonder what Ever would do when Damen showed up. Just when I thought I knew what would happen next, another twist showed up. I couldn’t put this book down! For sure Ever’s story will appeal to those who love books on the paranormal. </div><div><br /></div><div>Alyson Noel lives in Laguna Beach, California and is working on her next book. The sequel BLUE MOON is scheduled for release August 2009. Find out more about Alyson on her website www.alysonnoel.com</div><div><br /></div><div>Kim</div><div>ENCHANTING REVIEWS</div><div>Feb. 2008</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-2411366909674147798?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319959027567723476.post-74908540075677362812009-06-04T19:18:00.000-07:002009-08-30T19:19:27.925-07:00<div id="pBlogBody_492999208" class="blogContent"><div>NATION</div><div>TERRY PRATCHETT</div><div>Young Adult Action/Adventure</div><div>HarperCollins</div><div>ISBN# 0061433012</div><div>367 pages</div><div>$16.99</div><div>Hardcover-Available Now<br /><br /></div><div> </div><div>Rating: 5 Enchantments<br /><br /></div><div> </div><div>Mau is a young man with an indestructible spirit. He’s full of questions, something that isn’t highly encouraged. When his world is turned upside down and then thoroughly erased, he must find the strength to go on. Neither a boy nor a man, Mau becomes a new sort of person. With the help of his memories, Mau forges a new path and rebuilds The Nation.</div><div><br /></div><div>No hero can do it alone! Wherever there is a strong young man ready to battle demons and life itself, there must be an equally strong young woman. Daphne is about as strong as they come. Marooned on Mau’s island after her ship crashes in a storm, Daphne is left with nobody for company save the strange boy who always seems to walk around the island as if in a dream. Daphne is an intelligent young lady and full of personality. The spark between the two as they attempt to communicate through language barriers and rebuild their worlds together is absolutely amazing.</div><div><br /></div><div>NATION is the story of a world in disaster. A plague has ripped through the “civilized” world while a giant tidal wave takes out many small islands. One of these is Mau’s. When he returns home from a coming of age visit to the Boy’s Island, he finds that everything he knows is gone – completely erased. His friends, his family, the entire Nation was swept out to sea. Not having had the special ceremony that turns a boy into a man, he is now no longer boy, nor man. When he meets Daphne, he must struggle to communicate with her and go on with life even though he questions everything he knows. As they rebuild the community they are met with survivors coming from other islands every day. With their help, Mau and Daphne might just be able to put the Nation and Mau’s soul at peace.</div><div><br /></div><div>Contrary to popular belief, NATION is not set in any part of what we know as Earth. Terry Pratchett wrote this book as an alternate reality world, so many bets are off when it comes down to rules and the laws of nature. I absolutely loved that about this book. His world has a high sense of realism to it. This story could happen anywhere and yet, at the same time, we are met with instances where the impossible happens. There are rarely moments when you’re thrown into what is definitely from the imagination. Instead, these magical moments are thrown throughout the book, creating a realistically impossible world.</div><div><br /></div><div>Outside of the wonderful world building that Pratchett did, I found that the relationship between Mau and Daphne was my second favorite aspect of the book. There are many obstacles to their friendship including the color of their skin, their customs, language, etc. Whatever could be different about these two is, save for their enduring personalities and strong wills. I loved this because it was a nice conflict that added that extra tension to the story. Don’t get me wrong, there’s already plenty of delicious tension sprinkled throughout these pages. No, this added tension between the characters. Something that kept us reading, pulled to the characters just as they were pulled to each other.</div><div><br /></div><div>I thought NATION was absolutely fantastic and surprisingly very funny! There were times when my eyes ran ahead of my brain and I got a little confused, so I suggest taking your time with the book. Pratchett has created a complicated world, but one that is completely filled with color and beauty. Feel free to reread passages or entire pages if you need to. Trust me, it’s completely worth it. This is definitely one of the books that I would pick up and reread over and over again.</div><div> </div><div>The award-winning author, Terry Pratchett, can be found at http://www.terrypratchettbooks.com/. I highly suggest you visit his website and take a peek around. He’s hilariously funny.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Cinnamon</div><div>ENCHANTING REVIEWS</div><div>May 2009</div><div><br /></div></div> <!--- blogger's current book/movie/music/games ---><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1319959027567723476-7490854007567736281?l=enchantingya.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Enchanting YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315029086562024404noreply@blogger.com0