Enchanting Review: The Less-Dead

THE LESS-DEAD
APRIL LURIE
YA Contemporary
Delacorte Press
ISBN# 978-0-385-73675-6
229 pages
$16.99
Hardback Available Now

Rating: 3.5 Enchantments

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

April Lurie lives near Austin, Texas, with her husband and their four children. You can read more about her work at www.aprillurie.com

Kim Baccellia
ENCHANTING REVIEWS
July 2010

Enchanting Review: Saving Maddie

SAVING MADDIE
VARIAN JOHNSON
YA Contemporary
Delacorte Press
ISBN# 978-0-385-73804-0
231 pages
$16.99
Hardback Available now

Rating: 4 Enchantments

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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

Kim Baccellia
ENCHANTING REVIEWS
May 2010

Enchanting Review: I Kissed A Zombie and I Liked It

I KISSED A ZOMBIE AND I LIKED IT
ADAM SELZER
Paranormal YA
Delacorte Press
ISBN# 978-0385735032
192 pages
$7.99
Trade—Available Now

Rating: 4 Enchantments

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.

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.

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.

To learn more about Mr. Selzer and his books, visit him online at http://www.adamselzer.com/

Lisa
Enchanting Reviews
February 2010

Enchanting Review: The Treasure Map of Boys

THE TREASURE MAP OF BOYS: Noel, Jackson, Finn, Hutch, Gideon—and me, Ruby Oliver
E. LOCKHART
Contemporary YA
Delacorte Press
ISBN# 978-0-385-73426-4
256 Pages
$15.99
Hardcover—Available July 28, 2009

Rating: 4.5 Enchantments

Ms. Lockhart doesn’t disappoint with THE TREASURE MAP OF BOYS,
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.

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.

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.

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

Lisa
Enchanting Reviews
July 2009

Enchanting Review: Matisse On The Loose

MATISSE ON THE LOOSE
GEORGIA BRAGG
Contemporary Middle Grade
Delacorte Press
ISBN# 978-0385735704
$16.99
160 Pages
Hardcover--Available July 14, 2009

Rating: 3 Enchantments

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.

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.

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.

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.

Lisa
Enchanting Reviews
June 2009

Enchanting Review: Love, Lies and Texas Dips

LOVE, LIES AND TEXAS DIPS

SUSAN McBRIDE

Contemporary YA

Delacorte Press

ISBN# 978-0-385-73520-9

304 Pages

$9.99

Trade--Available June 9, 2009

Rating: 5 Enchantments

LOVE, LIES AND TEXAS DIPS is the perfect sequel to ‘The Debs’.

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.

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.

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.

‘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.

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

Lisa

Enchanting Reviews

February 2009

Enchanting Review: Tempo Change

TEMPO CHANGE

BARBARA HALL

Contemporary YA

Delacorte Books

ISBN# 978-0385736077

256 Pages

$16.99

Hardcover--Available June 9, 2009

Rating: 4.5 Enchantments

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.

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.

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.

If you’re a fan of music-centered YA Fiction, you should definitely pick up TEMPO CHANGE.

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

Lisa

Enchanting Reviews

June 2009

Enchanting Review: Kisses And Lies

KISSES AND LIES

LAUREN HENDERSON

Contemporary YA

Delacorte Press

ISBN# 9780-385-73489-9

320 Pages

$16.99

Hardcover--Available Now

Rating: 4.5 Enchantments

KISSES AND LIES is the sequel to the highly entertaining KISS ME, KILL ME. In this second novel, Scarlett Wakefield returns and is determined to find the real murderer of Dan McAndrew. But things get complicated quickly when she realizes she might have the wrong person in mind as the killer. Just who had the epi pen in their limited edition designer purse? And what could make someone kill a teenage boy? The last one is what Scarlet can't understand.

KISSES AND LIES was a very enjoyable and entertaining mystery read. I really liked Scarlett, she was an interesting character, not your typical teenage girl. Struggling to clear her name after the death of Dan, Scarlett finds herself in situations she never thought she'd be in. I also really liked the other characters as well, especially her best friend Taylor and Lizzie, the poor girl who they kind of use to get what they need to solve the mystery of who really killed Dan. The story unfolded at a fairly quick pace, with most of the action taking place outside of Wakefield, in Scotland at Dan's parents castle. While there were a few improbable turns to the story, such as the letter she sent to his parents, which I thought the version shown in the book if sent might not have gotten such a favorable response. However, I found the book entertaining enough to get past that little point. With a heart pounding climax that puts Scarlett's life in danger, I thought KISSES AND LIES was not only a great mystery read, but a nice follow up to the first book, 'Kiss Me, Kill Me'.

Ms. Henderson is the author of several acclaimed "tart noir" mystery novels for adults, as well as the witty romance handbook Jane Austen's Guide to Dating, which has been optioned for film development by producer Kiwi Smith. She was born and raised in London, where she lives with her husband. Her myspace address is http://www.myspace.com/mslaurenhenderson

Lisa

Enchanting Reviews

April 2009

Enchanting Review: The ABC's of Kissing Boys

THE ABC’S OF KISSING BOYS

TINA FERRARO

Contemporary Young Adult

Delacorte

ISBN# 978-0-385-73582-7

215 Pages

$8.99

Trade—Available Now

Rating: 4.5 Enchantments

Parker Stanhope has a plan. Since she was unceremoniously left on JV soccer, she knows the absolute perfect way to get herself bumped up to the varsity team, where she rightfully belongs. But there’s one big problem with the plan. Parker’s a little less than experienced where boys are concerned and if she’s going to pull this off, then the kiss she lays on her brother’s best friend has to be beyond believable. Enter freshman Tristan Murphy, neighbor and after an impressive display of removing the starburst wrapper with his tongue—her new kissing tutor.

THE ABC’S OF KISSING BOYS has it all—a fab girl in Parker, the mean evil girl and surrounding clique in Chrissandra and co, and the unlikely potential boyfriend in Tristan.

I really liked how Parker was willing to try something crazy to get herself back to where she believes she rightfully belongs, up on the varsity team with the rest of her friends, where she would have been had the numbers not been against her. The side story of the feud between her father and Tristan’s added a good extra layer of tension and humor to the story, with Parker having to sneak out to see her new ‘boyfriend’, a label their both inadvertently stuck with after a chance meeting with Chrissandra, which was one of my favorite scenes in the book. Another of the best scenes is when Parker finds her locker decorated with a baby theme courtesy of her ex-best friend. I loved the conversation between the two that followed. Anyone looking for a really fun read can’t go wrong picking up THE ABC’S OF KISSING BOYS.

Visit Tina’s newly redesigned website at http://tinaferraro.com and check out her myspace at http://www.myspace.com/ferrarotina

Lisa

Enchanting Reviews

January 2009

Enchanting Review: The Boy Book

THE BOY BOOK

E. LOCKHART

Contemporary YA

Delacorte Press

ISBN 978-0-385-73209-3

193 Pages

$8.99

Trade--Available Now

Rating: 5 Enchantments

Life hasn't gotten any easier for Ruby Oliver. In fact, its getting even more confusing. Sure, she really has no friends after what happened between them at the end of the school year; she and Jackson are definitely over (aren't they?) and the only person she kept in contact with over the summer is Noel, but who knows if their friendship is real or he's just being nice to her for the sake of being nice. The only thing Ruby knows is life is getting complicated and all she's got left of her friendships is THE BOY BOOK, the book she and her friends have written in for years. Its just too bad it doesn't tell her how to get them all back.

THE BOY BOOK is hands down one of my favorite reads of the year. I really enjoyed Ruby. She's a really fun character and I loved the scenes with her and her therapist Dr Z. So much of this book had me laughing out loud and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. From her footnotes which were hilarious at times, to her trying to figure out how to deal with the fact her ex is sending her notes again, all the while his girlfriend and her former BFF is in Japan…well things couldn't get worse could they? But unfortunately for Ruby they do. Between juggling guys, trying to renew friendships with at least one of her former friends and dealing with her wacky parents and her appointments with Dr. Z, Ruby struggles with a lot and the result is quite amusing and a total keeper of a book.

I can't wait to read more about Ruby and co. She's definitely become one of my favorite YA characters. Hope the next two books come out soon!

E. Lockhart is the author of two books about Ruby Oliver — The Boyfriend List and The Boy Book — plus two more coming soon. Other books: Fly on the Wall, Dramarama, The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks and How to Be Bad. You can visit her online at her brand new website: http://e-lockhart.com

Lisa

Enchanting Reviews

October 2008

Enchanting Review: Hell Week

HELL WEEK

ROSEMARY CLEMENT-MOORE

Paranormal Young Adult

Delacorte Press

ISBN#978-0-385-73414-1

327 Pages

$16.99

Hardcover—Available Now

Rating: 4 Enchantments

In HELL WEEK, the second book in Ms. Clement-Moore’s Maggie Quinn: Girl vs. Evil series, Maggie’s now a freshman at Bedivere University and doing her best to get a job on the school paper, The Ranger Report, even though they don't usually allow freshman on the paper. Hence, The Phantom Pledge is born. The sorority rush isn’t her biggest problem, yet, it seems her sight is gaining in strength as she’s getting visions while wide awake. Now she's being recruited by the SAXis’, a bit of a mysterious sorority on campus, if she pledges, she could get her biggest story so far, that is, if her cover as the Phantom Pledge isn’t blown…

HELL WEEK is a great follow up to Prom Dates From Hell. Maggie is still the same enjoyable character, still dealing with accepting her newfound abilities and struggling to deal with the latest addition as well, the visions that aren’t just sticking to dreams anymore. Things at school are going well, except for the fact she’s pledged herself into a sorority that if she wasn’t the Phantom Pledge, wouldn’t have been her first choice. But there’s something odd, almost – about the SAXis’ and Maggie’s determined to get to the bottom of it, even if it means bringing a whole new definition to ‘Hell Week’. Maggie’s a really great character, with a Buffy-like wit that makes her fun to follow as she tries to unravel the mystery that is the SAXis and keep up with her schoolwork as her social life goes on an unexpected upturn, Justin might even have a little competition in the potential boyfriend department.

What I really loved about this book was how it drew me in right from the start and kept me turning the pages well into the early morning hours. Ms. Moore takes the story down unexpected paths that will leave the reader’s jaw dropping in shock once they reach the second half of the book. HELL WEEK is the perfect companion to the first book in the series. ‘Highway To Hell’ the third book, releases March 2009.

Rosemary Clement-Moore loves history, Jane Austen, vintage embroidery, Dance Dance Revolution, BBC America and the Sci-Fi channel. HELL WEEK is Rosemary’s second book for young readers. Her first book, Prom Dates From Hell is also available from Delacorte Press. Rosemary lives in Texas with her husband and her dogs. She loves to hear from readers. You can visit her website at www.readrosemary.com

Lisa

Enchanting Reviews

September 2008

Enchanting Review: Dream Girl

DREAM GIRL
LAUREN MECHLING
Paranormal YA
Delacorte Press
ISBN# 978-0-385-73521-6
320 Pages
$15.99
Hardcover-Available Now

Rating: 4 Enchantments

Claire Voyante has always had strange dreams since she was little, but when her fifteenth birthday arrives and her grandmother Kiki gives her a beautiful onyx and ivory cameo, suddenly her dreams seem amplified-and black and white. Is it a coincidence, or something more?

It’s bad enough that high test scores have pulled her away from the only school she’s ever really loved and sent her to Hudson High, a place for the gifted. While her parents may be thrilled, Claire is anything but. Now she has to make new friends and deal with her former friend, Sheila, who’s part of the BDLs-best dressed list. And Sheila will do anything it seems to make sure Claire’s life is miserable, including spread an old picture of Claire in costume to the entire high school. But then Claire meets fellow outcast Becca, and the two of them strike up a friendship,

It took me awhile to get into DREAM GIRL. While Claire was likable from the start, the pace was pretty slow for a good portion of the start of the book as things got established, her kooky parents, her brother (who seemed older than his age). Once Claire met Becca and the two girls started hanging out, that’s when I think the story really began. What I liked most about this book were the characters. Claire, her grandmother Kiki, Becca and her family, all were really well done. I loved how Claire escaped the chaos that sometimes was her home life and went to visit Kiki at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. I loved how Claire, once she realized what her gift was, wanted to help protect her new friend, Becca. It was interesting to see how Claire’s dreams evolved and how she was able to piece things together to out who was after her new best friend.

Lauren Mechling is the coauthor of all three 10th-Grade Social Climber books. She has written for the New York Times, Jane and Seventeen. She lives and writes in New York City. Visit her newly revamped website at

Lisa
Enchanting Reviews
August 2008

Enchanting Review: The Celebutantes: In The Club

THE CELEBUTANTES: IN THE CLUB
ANTONIO PAGLIARULO
Contemporary YA
Delacorte Press
ISBN 978-0-385-73473-8
326 Pages
$9.99
Trade Paperback - Available Now

Rating: 4.5 Enchantments

Celebutante triplets Park, Lex and Madison Hamilton aren't only launching their fashion line, they're tracking a killer. Whoever killed their friend Damien Kittle at the opening of their father's hot new club, Cleopatra, has to be someone they know from school. And the police's number one suspect seems too obvious a choice. As they begin to dig deeply into Damien's world, some startling information comes to light and the triplets soon find themselves forced undercover to find out what really happened on opening night.

Park, Lex and Madison have quickly become some of my favorite YA characters. Smart, sassy and at times sarcastic, this trio of amateur detectives are willing to do whatever it takes—including a late night trip to the morgue!—to solve the mystery surrounding their friend Damien's death.

I really enjoyed THE CELEBUTANTES: IN THE CLUB. The mix of mystery and YA is a seamless fit. The Hamilton sisters are an enterprising threesome who find themselves racing against the clock at the end, trying to unmask the killer before he strikes again, this time taking out more than just Damien.

The story ends in a breathless pace as the sisters finally connect the clues and race to stop the killer from striking again, this time on a much bigger scale. Ending with a jaw dropping twist I totally didn't see coming, THE CELEBUTANTES: IN THE CLUB is a great mix of intrigue and fun that make this a book well worth picking up.

This is the first book of Mr. Pagliarulo's series I've read, but I definitely want to go out and grab the first one. I look forward to reading the next installment of the Hamilton sisters' adventures which is due to be released this fall.

If you're looking for a great YA mystery read, definitely pick up THE CELEBUTANTES series.

Lisa
YA Director
Enchanting Reviews
March 2008