Enchanting Review: Shelter Me

SHELTER ME

ALEX McAULAY

Historical Fiction YA

MTV Books

ISBN# 978-1-4165-4583-5

274 pages

$9.95

Paperback – Available January 2009

Rating: 4 Enchantments

Maggie Leigh is trying to live a normal life in the midst of World War II. But nothing comes easy now, especially with meager war rations and German bombs frequently falling on her hometown of London. Life has become dreary and boring with no friends, no chocolate, and no fun.

By chance, Maggie and her aunt Joan are caught in a bombing, leaving Joan comatose and Margie largely uninjured, but at the mercy of her overtly religious mother. Maggie’s mom sees the German bombs as divine punishment for Britain’s collective sins, including Maggie’s, and tricks Maggie into attending a secluded boarding school in Wales. Maggie is plunged into a world of lies and deceit in a delusional institution that encourages dementia and class warfare. Then a horrific incident forces Maggie and three other girls to flee the school. Wartime Britain, as they are about to learn, is a harsh and unforgiving world, and absolutely everything is at stake.

SHELTER ME is without a doubt a nonstop thriller with the added excitement of danger of war on the home front. I felt McAulay accurately portrayed most of the terrifying effects of modern warfare in real people’s lives. This novel’s strength was by far the unpredictable plot. The many twists and turns kept the story suspenseful and reader eager to know more. There was a little lacking in the character department however. Maggie shows herself to be a quick and resourceful thinker, but much of the rest of her character was conflicted. She is compassionate and caring to one friend, but quick to forget the others that get left behind in her escape. Maggie’s relationship with her zealously religious mother is never resolved, especially after the betrayal, much to my disappointment. But despite only mediocre character development, SHELTER ME is most definitely a thrilling read that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.

Alex McAulay has written several other thrillers for young adults, including LOST SUMMER and OBLIVION ROAD. You can visit him online at his website: www.alexmcaulay.com

Rachael Stein

Enchanting Reviews

December 2008

Enchanting Review: Adios To My Old Life

ADIOS TO MY OLD LIFE
CARIDAD FERRER
MTV Books
Contemporary Young Adult
Trade
$9.95
ISBN-10: 1-4165-2473-8

Rating: 4.5 Enchantments

Alegria "Ali" Montero is a strong seventeen year old who knows exactly what she wants in life – to seriously pursue her music, just not in the same way her music professor father did. While he loves teaching, Ali wants to be on stage, performing her music, her way. She just needs him to see that. Auditioning for the hot new reality show, Oye Mi Canto, that's looking for the next Latin Superstar might just be the way to accomplish that. But when Ali unexpectedly makes the show, she's thrown into a world she couldn't have even imagined, let alone dreamt of being a part of.

Dealing with being the only underage contestant on the show and her father's reluctance for her to compete to having to put up with the resident wicked witch in pop star wannabe in Fabriana, make Ali's journey from audition to finale a must read.

I loved this book! Ali is a wonderful character, who does what she has to in order to make her dreams a reality. Several interesting plot twists had me gasping out loud. This book will have you staying up past curfew to keep the pages turning.

Ms. Ferrer's debut is a wonderfully written entertaining read.

Reviewed by Lisa
YA Director
Enchanting Review

Enchanting Review: It's Not About The Accent

IT’S NOT ABOUT THE ACCENT
CARIDAD FERRER
MTV Books
Contemporary Young Adult
Trade
$9.95
ISBN-10: 1416524916

Rating: 4 Enchantments

Caroline Darcy always wanted a life as exotic as her beloved great-grandmother's. Tired of being her boring old self, Caroline's got the perfect plan, when she goes off to college for the summer session, she's going to adopt a whole new persona. As vivacious Carolina, a half-cuban aspiring actress, Caroline is ready for adventure. But sometimes you should be careful what you wish for.

Things at school start off well. Carolina seems to be a hit with everyone, especially the guys. At her first party, she meets Erik, your typical frat boy. Their connection is almost instantaneous. Then there's Peter, the cute guy she meets at the same party who lives just down the hall. And the way he calls her Caro makes her smile.

It seems like Carolina is a success, but maybe too much of one. As her and Peter become good friends, her relationship with Erik heats up. Between studying with Peter and partying with Erik, her days are full. But when things suddenly go bad and Caroline finds herself in a dire situation, its Peter who bursts in and rescues her from the brutal attack.

This book is darker in tone then Ms. Ferrer's debut, but it's just as engrossing a read. Caroline's journey is filled with a number of twists and surprising turns, that take her from small town Ohio, to her summer on campus to Miami and back to Ohio as she discovers her own life might be just interesting as her beloved Nana’s.

Reviewed by Lisa
YA Director
Enchanting Reviews

Enchanting Review: It's Not About The Accent

IT'S NOT ABOUT THE ACCENT

CARIDAD FERRER

Contemporary Young Adult

MTV Books

Trade

ISBN-10: 1416524916

$9.95

Rating: 4 Enchantments

Caroline Darcy always wanted a life as exotic as her beloved great-grandmother's. Tired of being her boring old self, Caroline's got the perfect plan. When she goes off to college for the summer session, she's going to adopt a whole new persona. As vivacious Carolina, a half-cuban aspiring actress, Caroline is ready for adventure. But sometimes you should be careful what you wish for.

Things at school start off well. Carolina seems to be a hit with everyone, especially the guys. At her first party, she meets Erik, your typical frat boy. Their connection is almost instantaneous. Then there's Peter, the cute guy she meets at the same party who lives just down the hall. And the way he calls her Caro makes her smile.

It seems like Carolina is a success, but maybe too much of one. As she and Peter become good friends, her relationship with Erik heats up. Between studying with Peter and partying with Erik, her days are full. But when things suddenly go bad and Caroline finds herself in a dire situation, it's Peter who bursts in and rescues her from the brutal attack.

This book is darker in tone then Ms. Ferrer's debut, but it's just as engrossing a read. Caroline's journey is filled with a number of twists and surprising turns that take her from small town Ohio, to her summer on campus, to Miami, and back to Ohio as she discovers her own life might be just interesting as her beloved Nana's.

Lisa

Enchanting Reviews