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Category Archives: Teen Fiction
Tempestuous by Askew and Helmes
Popularity is conditional. We’ve all seen them fall. Miranda Prospero, is one of those fallen.
Tempestuous
A Twisted Lit Novel
By Kim Askew and Amy Helmes
Merit Press
January 2013
After her social life’s tragic demise, former “IT” girl Miranda is left working the “Hot Dog Cabob” with her new dweeby coworker: Ariel. During yet another awful shift at the food court of the local mall, a ginormuous snow storm sweeps in, trapping everyone in the mall overnight. To make matters even better, they’re trapped in with a thief who has broken in though the computer store! Miranda is left with a quiet and sarcastic loner named Caleb all night- literally. The two are handcuffed together. Again making things worse: the “IT” crowd, that used to practically worship Miranda, is locked in with them. This is going to be a loongg night…
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and had a great time romping around the mall with these unforgettable characters. One thing parents may be concerned about are the usage of curse words. For instance, the “s-word” frequently and an example “her hellish s___s” are used in the book. Other than that the book is wonderful.
Unlike in Exposure, another twisted lit novel (see my review of it here) I have not read the Shakespeare play that this novel is based off of. I plan on reading The Tempest soon though, so that I can find all the little allusions and similarities that are sure to be there, like they were in Exposure.
I would recommend this book to middle schoolers and up to read, based on individual maturity and parent’s discretion. This book was wonderful to read and I hope to be seeing many more twisted Lit novels published In the future.
Arieltopia, Young Adult Editor, is an 12 year old avid reader – usually going through a book a day – who gives readers a unique perspective on Young Adult, Teen Fiction, along with adult fiction: an actual teenager’s perspective.
This book was provided by the publisher as a review copy.
Exposure by Askew and Helmes
Skye Kingston, a shy girl who hides behind her camera more often than not, is a typical teen novel protagonist. She’s gorgeous, but doesn’t know it. She’s terrified by the high school “royalty”, and even has the common crush on the hot, jock, Craig. Everything seems like the happy, mundane usual high school life for Skye, until a boy named Duncan dies at a party.
Exposure
A Twisted Lit Novel
By Kim Askew and Amy Helmes
Merit Press
January 2013
During a game of flashlight tag in the woods, he goes missing, and the police find his body the next day- with signs of foul play. After Skye overhears a suspicious conversation between Beth, Craig’s crazy girlfriend, and Craig, her whole world is turned upside down.
This book is a modern retake on Shakespeare’s play, Macbeth. As one of the few youth who have read Macbeth, I found this book hilarious. Small hints and allusions to Macbeth made this heart-stopping mystery even more enjoyable. Such cleverly placed similarities include: Craig Mackenzie, called “Mac” by his team mates, to Macbeth himself. There are obviously many others, but part of the fun of reading this book is finding the allusions and comparisons. This book does include cussing. EX: the “S-word” appears very frequently (at least once per chapter, and that’s being conservative). Taking that into mind I’d recommend this book to teens, depending on maturity levels of the individual, maybe sophomores and up for most parents. However, considering g the fact that worse conduct in books has been discussed and read by my peers, 8th grade or 7th grade may be more feasible. Again, parent’s discretion.
I also would highly recommend reading Shakespeare’s Macbeth before reading this so you can find those hidden laughs throughout the story. If it seems too “old timey” or “lame” then read this first, and then the play. You’ll want to after you read Exposure.
Arieltopia, Young Adult Editor, is an 12 year old avid reader – usually going through a book a day – who gives readers a unique perspective on Young Adult, Teen Fiction, along with adult fiction: an actual teenager’s perspective.
This book was provided by the publisher as a review copy.
Sketchy Behavior by Mangum
This is a story about a young sixteen-year-old girl named Kate Carter whom spends most of her free time sketching those around her. When asked to sketch someone in her art class by having a description read to her, she unknowingly sketches a wanted murderer and is what causes authorities to be able to bring him in.
Sketchy Behavior
by Erynn Mangum
Zondervan
August 2011
Afterwards her once normal life is turned upside down. She is now followed around by two police men and the detective that came and read the descriptions. Now Kate is a celebrity, and hiding from any of the murderer John X’s friends. Who would have thought a simple project in art class could cause so much trouble, and assassination attempts?
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a mysterious fun-filled read. Kate’s spunk and sarcasm will leave readers smiling, and her friends’ and parents’ dramatic antics will make you appreciate your more than likely less dramatic parents a little bit more. (It did for me anyway) Teens and young adults alike will enjoy this book and all of its unexpected twists and turns. I enjoyed this book a lot and hope that any other readers do also.
Arieltopia, Young Adult Editor, is an 12 year old avid reader – usually going through a book a day – who gives readers a unique perspective on Young Adult, Teen Fiction, along with adult fiction: an actual teenager’s perspective.
This book was provided by the publisher as a review copy.
Poison by Zinn
Who would have thought trying to kill someone would end a friendship.
Poison
by Bridget Zinn
Hyperion
March 2013
Through many twists and turns, Kyra, a potions master, is on the run from her former fiancé and palace guards because she attempted to assassinate her former best friend, Princess Ariana. She has to do so in order to save her kingdom, on the verge of destruction, regardless of conflicted feelings over hurting her friend and saving her world. For the first time ever, during the assassination attempt, Kyra’s poison dart misses its target. Kyra, now on the run for 3 months, has been looking for an opportunity to try again. She may have found her chance, if only little Fred would get lost. After trying to ditch her hilarious sidekick numerous times, he always finds her again and “forgives” her hasty departures. So now Kyra is stuck with a traveling companion who has no idea the danger they are both in or who Kyra really is. How can Kyra save her kingdom by not only killing Ariana, but also dragging Fred down with her? If He is caught with her, he will also more than likely be hanged for being an accomplice.
Poison, by Bridget Zinn is an amazing book now that I’ve finished it. However, reading the first several chapters was difficult and confusing to follow. It is a clever and quick-witted tale about a courageous heroine that will win the hearts of many readers, after they figure out what in the world is happening. I would recommend this book to any adventurous reader up for a guard-ditching, wood-romping tale about loyalty to one’s home compared versus self-preservation. I agree with the teen/tween rating because there are some scenes where people are knocked out or killed. (Not in a way that would cause parents worry; more in a Harry Potter style “Stupify!” and they fall over, in this case poisoned darts instead of wands.) By the end of the story even the most unemotional readers will be laughing out loud at Fred, and cheering Kyra on as she dodges former friends and unwanted reunions with her fiancé.
Arieltopia, Young Adult Editor, is an 12 year old avid reader – usually going through a book a day – who gives readers a unique perspective on Young Adult, Teen Fiction, along with adult fiction: an actual teenager’s perspective.
This book was provided by the publisher as a review copy.
The Girl in the Wall by Benedis-Grab
At a high school birthday party, security guards for the live entertainment pull their weapons on the kids, start shooting, and the party turns in to a hostage situation. Ariel, the birthday girl hears the noises, quickly runs away and hides in a crawl space between the walls. Within moments a friend of Ariel’s who looks like her and her father are both executed in brain splattering gory detail. And then other kids are killed as well. Again and again all night long.
The Girl in the Wall
By Daphne Benedis-Grab
Merit Press
December 2012
Reading through this “Children’s book” for teenagers was more horrifying than even horror books I’ve read by Stephen King or the Walking Dead. Because this author crosses the line of torturing and killing children! In detail. With gore. A kid won’t answer where Ariel is (because they don’t know) so the bad guys shoot him in the head, brain matter splattering the other kids. Even a bad guy remarks, “I didn’t sign up to kill children” at one point.
Which brings me to the main question: what is the point of this? No one, movies, TV and most books go this far in violently treating characters that are children. (Remember the debate raised about the Walking Dead on AMC in season 1 when Rick shoots a child zombie? Imagine a story where bad guys killed children who were not zombies, a lot.) Here this author does and there isn’t a payoff. There isn’t a moral. There isn’t even progression of character. It’s like a horrible nightmare of what none of us parents would ever want to contemplate. A what if? from Hell. And the author seems to delight in it.
This is an uncompromisingly dark, poorly conceived and completely inappropriate book that I would never let a young person read (and I woudl go to great lengths to tell everyone to avoid.)
Scott Asher is the Editor-in-Chief of BookGateway.com. His personal blog is AshertopiA – a land flowing with milk and honey… and a lot of sticky people where he turns real life into stupid cartoons, writes on Christianity, Zombies, and whatever else he wants and posts Bible studies from his classes at church.
This book was provided by the publisher as a review copy.
The Voyage Of Lucy P. Simmons by Mariconda
Have you ever wondered if your house was magic? At times such as when you desperately need a place to hide and those shadowy corners and hiding spots seem to appear out of nowhere? For Lucy P. Simmons this is true, and she’s still learning how to use it.
The Voyage Of Lucy P. Simmons
By Barbara Mariconda
Katherine Tegen Books
October 2012
This book is about a young girl named Lucille Prudence Simmons and her sailor family. When the story first opens Lucy is treated with a surprise trip on the sea on their family’s little sloop. While out a fog surrounds the boat and Lucy’s father loses sight of the house. Despite his wife’s urges to go back towards the shore immediately, he continues because he’s heard someone crying out for help farther out. After this trip out, Lucy soon finds herself under the care of her greedy Uncle Victor and his wife. They are supposed to care for her until her Aunt Prudence can come be her permanent guardian. She suspects that he may be trying to take her family’s estate and money. When she does some snooping, she thinks her home may be magic. Lucy struggles with living with her uncle and finding out what exactly could have happened that day on the water. Sirens? Magic? She’s not sure. Lucy begins her journey to find her aunt and answers.
I enjoyed this story but have one complaint: The ending. I don’t feel as if the main problem or conflict of the story was resolved at the end of the book. This leads me to believe that there may be a sequel but I don’t know for sure. I would recommend the book for fans of the Magic Treehouse Series that have perhaps gotten just a bit older, so I would guess advanced fifth grade readers and older. I recommend it to Magic Treehouse fans because of the magic/adventure/tween protagonist elements. The only thing that parents may worry about is the fact that some of the characters grow up in a messed up home and run away to escape their drunk and abusive father.
Arieltopia, Young Adult Editor, is an 12 year old avid reader – usually going through a book a day – who gives readers a unique perspective on Young Adult, Teen Fiction, along with adult fiction: an actual teenager’s perspective.
This book was provided by the publisher as a review copy.
Viva Jacquelina! by Meyer
Mary Faber has been through a lot. First, when only 7 or 8 years old, her parents died of the plague in late 18th century London. Then as an orphan she joins a gang to survive but when the gang leader is killed she takes on the identity of a boy and goes to sea on a ship. There she distinguishes herself (himself, as her mates thought of her) and earns the moniker Bloody Jack. But then after battles with pirates and countless near death experiences and escapes she ends up back in a city, but this time in Boston, about to go to boarding school, in love with her sweetheart Jaime, and seemingly, finally about to live a normal life again. That was book one in the series, Bloody Jack, first published in 2002. Since then she has been through one adventure after another on both sea and land moving through some of history’s greatest events. After nine previous books, is there really any where else to take Jacky?
Viva Jacquilina!
Being an Account of the Further Adventures of Jacky Faber, Over the Hills and Far Away (Bloody Jack #10)
By L.A. Meyer
Harcourt Children’s Books
Septermber 2012
In book ten, Jacky Faber picks up right where Mark of the Golden Dragon left off. She sails her ship through history once again, this time through the Napoleonic Wars as a privateer and spy for the British, through mainland Spain and Portugal, gets caught up in the Inquisition, visits Gypsies and other historical characters. She gets herself in trouble then cleverly gets herself out of trouble. Again and again.
The series takes a time proven character type, Pippi Longstockings meets Tintin, using proven adventure series plot and adds humor and a little bit of flirting. And as much as I love certain characters it seems like after a decade of reading this series something more drastic has to change in order to move this character and the books forward. How many books will we have with very similar plots, adventures, and escapes (but with different names, settings) before we start to feel like we’ve been here before?
Long time fans of Jacky Faber will love this book – having grown up with her – but not in the cant-wait-to-visit-her-again sense. More like the reminiscing-about-my-past and I-remember-I-used-to-love-these-books ways. This is a children’s book series that has moved clearly in to the young adult realm (Jacky is now 17). But readers who started in their teens reading Jacky find themselves in the odd situation of being older than she is now that ten real world years have passed.
The book is well written, enjoyable escapism for teens. But nothing more. Meyer is – for me – the Clive Cussler of young adult – teen series’.
To sum up: fans will enjoy the book for nostalgia’s sake. New young readers will enjoy the book for the adventure and humor. But everyone else? We’ve been here before. Maybe too often.
Scott Asher is the Editor-in-Chief of BookGateway.com. His personal blog is AshertopiA – a land flowing with milk and honey… and a lot of sticky people where he turns real life into stupid cartoons, writes on Christianity, Zombies, and whatever else he wants and posts Bible studies from his classes at church.
This book was provided by the publisher as a review copy.
Friends with Boys by Hicks
Maggie McKay is going to High School – well, any school really since she’s been home schooled her whole life – and she’s spooked. It doesn’t help that a local ghost won’t leave her alone, either.
Friends with Boys
by Faith Erin Hicks
First Second
February 2012
Fortunately, Maggie has older brothers at the high school to look after her, in a way. As she starts to find herself and becomes friends with a couple of outcasts she starts to open up. When they decide to try to solve a local mystery involving the ghost things get interesting.
This is billed as a Young Adult graphic novel but really it should be a teen graphic novel. (No jokes about the similarity of reading level between those two.) Maggie’s plight is one that any teen would understand. The ostracism, the difficulty in trusting, the feeling of loneliness are all relatable and well done. The art is cartoony, but stylish and comes off well in this genre.
Overall, this is a fun graphic novel that Junior High and High School students, especially girls, will enjoy.
Scott Asher is the Editor-in-Chief of BookGateway.com. His personal blog is AshertopiA – a land flowing with milk and honey… and a lot of sticky people where he cartoons and writes on Christianity, Zombies, and anything else he wants to.
This book was provided by the publisher as a review copy.
The Humming Room by Ellen Potter
A haunting story about a young orphaned girl, secrets and a mysterious house with a secret garden.
The Humming Room
By Ellen Potter
Feiwel & Friends
February 2012
Roo Fanshaw has recently become an orphan – her parents were murdered. Her secret hiding place under the trailer is the only thing that saved her life. After living in several foster homes, she is sent to live with her Uncle. a man she has never met on Couch Rock Island. The island got its name because it was once the home of a children’s hospital where all the patients has TB. Couch Rock is not a place where you would expect to find a young girl clambering among the rocks along the shoreline. Roo, however, doesn’t mind the solitude. She is more at home with the mice and flowers than she is with people. Her uncle is a very reclusive person – he is gone most of the time for which Roo is grateful. She is petrified of the man.
At 12, Roo may be small for her age,, but her fiercely independent spirit makes up for her lack of inches. There is something unnatural about Couch Rock Island. The air is dead – as if all the living smells had been deliberately scoured away. She finds the air filled with strict rules and secrets. The east wind of the house is strictly forbidden to her. She hears humming and a girl crying which is coming from the old girl’s dormitory, but there is no one there. She really must find a way to get into that part of the house. Who is that unusual wild boy floating down the river? The locals call him “The Faigne” – ghost, sea person, fairy.
While her uncle is away, Roo goes exploring. What she finds will blow your mind. A small boy, locked away from the world, a secret garden and secrets that have long been sealed within the walls of the old children’s hospital – her new home.
Recommended for children ten years of age or older. Ms. Potter spins a tale of intrigue and mystery that will keep your turning pages – eager for what comes next. I liked the book – it is something children will thoroughly enjoy.
Mary Asher, the Golden Reviewer, describes herself as “An 80 year old avid reader reviews the newest in Christian fiction and non-fiction with a sprinkle of the secular on top.”.
This book was provided by the publisher as a review copy.
Skyfall by Michael Dahl
Pablo is a quiet fourteen year old boy who just wants to go to the lake and watch the Draconids, the biggest meteor storm of the century. He had planned to meet his friend Thora and her brother Bryce near the quarry so they could all watch it together. But when Pablo’s father refuses to let him go, Pablo decides to sneak out his window.
Skyfall
Troll Hunters
By Michael Dahl
Stone Arch Books
August 2012
Pablo’s adventure is cut short, however, when a car carrying his schoolmate Zak Fisher and his family is involved in an accident not too far from his house. Before anyone has time to recover, strange events suddenly start happening all over town as people start disappearing and mysterious creatures appear in the night.
Something old and powerful has been awoken under the light of the meteor shower.
Skyfall by Michael Dahl is a book intended more for young readers. The story, while not overly complex, can be a bit confusing as it tends to jump around quite a bit. Very little time is spent on any one scene and we’re introduced to a host of strange details and events that are never really explained.
The book itself is rather short, interspersed with illustrations and a dedication to H.P. Lovecraft. There are also several homages to Lovecraft’s style of horror and mystery, though most scenes are admittedly tame.
While the story is a nice exercise in horror for a younger generation (i.e. scary, but not too scary), I found it a bit rough trying to navigate through the ever shifting details and seemingly random scenes. The story focuses on several weird occurrences, but never really makes an attempt to tie them together or give any kind of meaning behind them.
The result is an overall air of spookiness that younger children are likely to enjoy, but that might be a bit off-putting for older readers trying to follow along.
However if you have a young reader in your family who is looking for something to tickle their spine, definitely consider Skyfall.
Matthew Scott is just another average reader who enjoys sharing his opinion on various books, authors, and whatever else may cross his path.
This book was provided by the publisher as a review copy.
Robbie Forester and the Outlaws of Sherwood St by Peter Abrahams
The book is a tale of action, adventure, danger and magic.
Robbie Forester and the Outlaws of Sherwood St
Peter Abrahams
Philomel
January 2012
Robbie is on her way to school – late as usual – when she sees that the homeless woman that usually sits outside the newsstand has tipped over and is laying on her side. Something is wrong.- she must help. Cops and paramedics arrive and take the woman away. Something falls off her wrist as she lay on the stretcher. It is a charm bracelet with a tiny silver heart. This a very powerful charm and leads Robbie, her three friends and her dog Pendleton on to the road to justice. Soon Robbie and her friends find themselves in a menacing world of thievery, arson, big yachts, and even bigger bank accounts.
Robbie has eye problems and wears glasses. However, when she touches the charm she has perfect vision and a strange power. The charm gives Pendleton special powers as well. Robbie befriends a young boy who stutters. When he comes in contact with the charm he can speak perfectly. Tut soon joins Robbie and her friends on the path to justice and they soon find themselves in serious trouble. The charm is very powerful – they aren’t sure why or how – but will let it lead them to right whatever is wrong.
Highly recommended. Abrahams weaves a tale what will keep you on the edge of your seat, guessing at every turn.
Mary Asher, the Golden Reviewer, describes herself as “An 80 year old avid reader reviews the newest in Christian fiction and non-fiction with a sprinkle of the secular on top.”.
This book was provided by the publisher as a review copy.
Crossed by Allie Condie
Cassia Reyes is a sweet girl. She does as she is told and has never questioned the Society before. That’s about to change.
Crossed
By Ally Condie
Dutton Juvenile
November 2011
In the Society the officials make the decisions for you. Who you will marry, what your career will be, and even when you will die. Cassia is matched with her childhood friend Xavier in the first book, Matched, but her plans change when she finds out that her real match is to Ky, someone she knows but has never thought of that way. After spending time with him, though, Cassia falls in love with Ky, to Xavier’s dismay.
Ky is not allowed to be with Cassia because his father committed a crime, which makes Ky an Aberration. To remove Ky from the picture, the Society takes him to be killed in a so-called humane way: in battle, along with other Aberrations and Anomalies (the people who committed crimes,) given guns that have no ammo in them and sent to defend the borderlands from the Enemy.
Ky and two of his new friends escape and they run for the mountains. Ky plans to go back for Cassia once he can figure a way back to the Society. But Cassia isn’t waiting around to be rescued; she has run away to find Ky by enlisting herself in a labor camp nearby were the rumored battlefields are. On the way, she hears rumors about an organization called the Rising that is said to be consisted of people who survive by without the Society and are trying to take down the Society. Will Ky and Cassia ever find each other again? And if they do, will they be able to survive or find the Rising?
In book one, Cassia begins to realize how much better life would be without the Society. Now, in book two, she begins to act and break free. This is displayed perfectly on the covers of the books. The society is the bubble. Cassia begins to break out of it in the second book, but in the first she is trapped. This book is packed with adventure and romance.
Like many popular love triangle books (read Twilight,) the Matched trilogy takes readers on a ride through self discovery and through decisions that will shape all involved. Unlike some books (Twilight, again,) the heroine is not a wimpy whiner who sits around for seasons at a time frozen, unable to act until her love comes back for her. Cassia becomes a well rounded character through the first two books as she starts to act on her own outside the commands of the Society.
The series borrows heavily from 1984, which is a good thing as every generation needs the message wrapped in generational language. Unlike 1984, love is the focus here and fans of science fiction may find it slow going at times. In fact, the biggest concern about the third book is how Ally Condie will finish the series in only one book. In Crossed, very little time passes from start to finish and most of the time is spent in one location. Some will be disappointed with the quick finish to the book, when the Rising finally comes into play only to have the story end on a cliffhanger.
Arieltopia, a twelve year old, probably at the low end of the intended age market said, “I absolutely loved this book and the descriptions were terrific. I can not wait to read the next one and find out what happens next. The complex story structure insures that the reader never becomes bored. There is always something happening and some sort of looming terror nearby. The entire time I was reading the book I was filled with apprehension and suspense. I recommend this book for Middle Schoolers and up.”
Scott Asher said, “I found a complex science fiction world reminiscent of 1984 and Fahrenheit 451 with a love story good enough to keep young readers interested. Overall, a very good series so far and I am looking forward to the conclusion.”
Arieltopia is an 12 year old avid reader – usually going through a book a day – who gives readers a unique perspective on Young Adult, Teen Fiction, along with adult fiction: an actual teenager’s perspective.
Scott Asher is the founder and administrator of BookGateway.com. His personal blog is AshertopiA – a land flowing with milk and honey… and a lot of sticky people where he cartoons and writes on Christianity, Zombies, and anything else he wants to.
This book was provided by the publisher as a review copy.
