Between The Lines

Sunday, December 20, 2009

WorDissection: In Ecstasy by Kate McCaffrey

Did I like it? Yeah.
You'll love it if you liked: Ellen Hopkins novels.
Aura: Haunting, Chilling, Gripping.
Read If: You're looking for a quick but intense read.
Narration: First person alternating
Main Characters: Sophie and Mia, teen females
Themes: Drug Addiction, Friendship, Peer Pressure, Adolescence
Plot: 8/10
Narration: 9/10
Characterization: 8.5/10. Very charming.
Overall: 8.75/10
Did I get bored anywhere? Nah.
Did any part confuse me? Not at all. Simple.
Line/ Page Skippability: 1/5. Not much.
Writing Style: Short sentences, Informal, Becomes choppier as the addiction develops
Uniqueness: 8/10
Predictability: 3/10.
Cover: 8.75/10. I like how it’s simple but beautiful.
Ending: Realistic, hopeful, good closure.
Reading priority: Should read.
Reading duration: Fast readers-Approx. 4 hours, Slow readers- Approx. a week.
Synopsis:
“I pictured the roughly made tablets with their tiny butterflies. An amazing experience inside a tiny pill. That morning I figured life couldn’t get any better. How could something that made you feel like that be bad for you?”
Mia and Sophie have been best friends forever- but that’s all about to change. Experimenting with alcohol, flirting with boys and dabbling in drugs, things quickly spiral out of control. And they finally realise how bad things really can get.
WordVore Prod’s Review:
Ahoy fellow readers, today I bring to thee…
Australian YA fiction.
It’s good. It’s fun. It’s underappreciated.
I was quite excited to start In Ecstasy, since that was my first dip into Australian YA lit. And I wasn’t disappointed. To my delight it read differently than American YA, and to my delight the change was also a pleasant one.
In Ecstasy tells the story of two teenagers named Mia and Sophie and their downward spiraling into the sinister world of drug addiction. This is such a topic where you can weave a thousand different sorts of stories on the same subject, and it won’t sound repetitive. The best part of the book was that the character and plot development was very rational--from the initial temptation to the final shots at recovery-- and I didn’t have trouble believing in the two characters or their actions and reactions. The unexpected turn of events leaves readers with a satisfying sense of unpredictability. Mia’s narrative is so effective that it made my feet run cold in seconds. The horror and helplessness that she feels is almost tactile. Sophie was no stupid supportive character either—she was the friend that tries her best to drag Mia out of the dark and wails in frustration at each failure. One thing this book can do is definitely let you into the dark abyss of an addict’s mind, and let me tell you—it’s captivating.
A tad bit of issue with the book was that at times it comes off sounding a little preachy…more so like a drug addict manual. But the upside is also that the issue is not severe, thankfully. However, this also acts as an advantage since I feel that this is a novel parents can read to gain better insight into drug addiction and teens and how these two get tangled up in a mess together.
I liked all the other supporting characters in the book, and wouldn’t mind more insight into their personalities. Themes like clique discrepancy and peer pressure are also covered in the book. The book was a short, quick read and a rewarding one at that. So curl up on your couch with this book and enjoy. After all, Australian YA ain’t bad at all!

For this book, please do check out the official page: http://www.fremantlepress.com.au/books/youngadult/861
It's cool:)

Labels: Drug Addiction, Friendship, In Ecstasy, Kate McCaffrey, Peer Pressure, WorDissection

WordVore Prod
0 comments

Thursday, December 10, 2009

WorDissection: Immortal by Gillian Shields

Did I like it? Yeah.
You'll love it if you liked: Stories with a gothic feel and a traditional romance.
Aura: Intense and gothic
Read If: You're looking for an engrossing read that is at the same time not too complex.
Narration: First Person
Main Character: Evie Johnson
Themes: Social outcast, Friendship, First love, Connection between past and present, Superhuman abilities
Plot: 8/10
Narration: 8.5/10
Characterization: 8.5/10
Overall: 8.5/10
Did I get bored anywhere? Nope.
Did any part confuse me? Nope. ‘Tis simple=)
Line/ Page Skippability: 1/5. Not much.
Writing Style: Average sentences, Informal, Self-discovering.
Uniqueness: 7.5/10
Predictability: 3/10
Cover: 9.5/10. Delicious cover.
Ending: Hopeful, satisfying, albeit clichéd.
Reading priority: Should Read
Reading duration: Fast readers-Approx. 5 hours, Slow readers- Approx 7 days.
Synopsis:
Wyldcliffe Abbey School for Young Ladies, housed in a Gothic mansion on the bleak northern moors, is elite, expensive, and unwelcoming. When Evie Johnson is torn away from her home by the sea to become the newest scholarship student, she is more isolated than she could have dreamed. Strict teachers, snobbish students, and the oppressive atmosphere of Wyldcliffe leave Evie drowning in loneliness.
Evie's only lifeline is Sebastian, a rebellious, mocking, dangerously attractive young man she meets by chance. As Evie's feelings for Sebastian grow with each secret meeting, she starts to fear that he is hiding something about his past. And she is haunted by glimpses of a strange, ghostly girl—a girl who is so eerily like Evie, she could be a sister. Evie is slowly drawn into a tangled web of past and present that she cannot control. And as the extraordinary, elemental forces of Wyldcliffe rise up like the mighty sea, Evie is faced with an astounding truth about Sebastian, and her own incredible fate.
Gillian Shields's electrifying tale will dazzle readers with suspense, mysticism, and romance.

Okay, so there were so many bad reviews on Immortal that I was, in fact, a tad bit apprehensive about reading the book. But, here’s the deal: I liked it. Yup. That’s solely my opinion and I’m going to be completely unbiased and state it.
Maybe we can go over the negatives first. The writing falls a slight bit lackluster at times, and more prosaic than each segment flowing smoothly into another. The plot line could have used a little more substance, maybe? However, I do think that even though originality was lacking, the build-up on the plotline was quite commendable.
I liked Evie’s character, and definitely related to her on quite a common ground. She is someone consumed by loneliness, and I like how the pain caused by the isolation seeps through the paper rather than come off as a monologue of whining complaints. Although not a big fan of Sebastian, he was definitely not hateable. I liked how he is a little more human towards the end--being vulnerable to manipulation. The format was the best part of the book, and the interchanging between present day and Lady Agnes’ diary was a captivating arrangement. The gothic feel of the story is pulled off with much skillfulness, and the implementation of the setting is equally marvelous.
All in all, Gillian Shields is definitely an author whose work I would like to read in the future. I would recommend that you judge the book yourself rather than completely go with reviews—you just never know.
Oh, and, pretty cover!

Labels: Friendship, Gillian Shields, Immortal, Romance, Supernatural powers, WorDissection

WordVore Prod
0 comments

Friday, September 11, 2009

WorDissection: Boy Minus Girl by Richard Uhlig

Did I like it? Yeah.
You'll love it if you liked: Castraction Celebration by Jake Wizner, maybe?
Aura: Snarky-humorous, light
Read If: A story full of sass and lightness but with some meaning
Narration: First Person
Main Characters: Les Eckhardt, 14-year old male
Themes: Transitions, Friendship, Sexuality
Plot: 8.5/10
Narration: 9/10. Funny.
Characterization: 7.5/10
Overall: 8/10
Did I get bored anywhere? Nope.
Did any part confuse me? Nuh.
Line/ Page Skippability: 1/5
Writing Style: Average Sentences, Informal, Snarky, Straightforward.
Uniqueness: 9/10
Predictability: 1/10
Imagery: 8/10
Song(s) to go with book: American Idiot by Green Day, Over My Head by Sum 41, Here In Your Arms by Hellogoodbye
Favourite Quote: "Wait, is it possible this pelvic inflammatory disease is another name for AIDS?"
Cover: 5/10. Me no likey.
Ending: Hopeful, Realistic, Light.
Reading Priority: Read
Reading duration: Fast readers-Approx. 4 hours, Slow readers- Approx 7 days.
Synopsis:
LES WANTS the girl. He thinks she’s amazing, exotic, perfect. But he doesn’t know how to talk to her, kiss her, or make her realize that he’s the best and only guy for her in the whole wide world.

Once he masters these things, she’ll be his! Easy-peasy, right? The gulf between dreamgirl and realgirl is explored and made somewhat less vast in this bawdy yet romantic not-quite-coming-of-age. Teens will relate to 14-year-old Les’s hilarious and squirmy longings, and the fulsomely awkward efforts he puts forth to make his real life match his fantasies. The story also
portrays the perils of unexamined hero-worship, and the strength and humanity of people that may seem plain and boring, but who stand up for what is right when called upon to do so. It is a tale both hilarious and thoughtful, in which, to paraphrase the old Rolling Stones adage, one boy figures out that even if you indeed can’t always get what you want, if you try sometime, you just might find you get what you need.

WordVore Prod's Review:

Boy Minus Girl is very unlike a usual YA novel. The narrative is absolutely fearless and real, and the story does not shy away from topics that may be considered taboo. Les is a character struggling with the restrictions of his conservative religion and the changes he is going through as a teenaged boy. He is just another confused teen coming to terms with the changes occurring within him. Les’ voice is very relatable—definitely not of another fantastically sugarcoated hero. Uhlig is successful in achieving a very important end—that of bringing out the real behind every face. Even through the crass and snarky humour of the novel, he touches sensitive topics such as homosexuality and the discrimination that comes with it, religion, being one’s true self and the awkward encounter of a teenager with his physical changes. The novel very deftly projects everything from an open perspective, where the lines between what is “right” and what is “wrong” are questioned. By the end a depth has been given to each and every character. I was extremely proud of Les when he finally grew a backbone and dared to be himself without any qualms rather than swallowing everything fed to him.
My complaint is with the plot. I thought there could be more substance to it, but then again, the novel is meant to be lighthearted. However, since some deep issues were approached, just a little more substance to the plot would have done the book better justice. The novel’s pace is pretty impressive—you can easily breeze through it.
Boy Minus Girl relates to the concept of growing up and coming of age in ways that no other novel has. Definitely not for the conservative-minded who would be scandalized by sensitive so-called taboo issues related to teenagers, the book definitely receives my appreciation because of its uniqueness and nonconformity.

Labels: Boy Minus Girl, Friendship, Richard Uhlig, Sexuality, Transitions, WorDissection

WordVore Prod
0 comments

Thursday, September 10, 2009

WorDissection: Sing Me to Sleep by Angela Morrison

Did I like it? Yes!
You'll love it if you liked: A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks, Before I Die by Jenny Downham, Love Story by Erich Segal
Aura: Emotional, Heartwrenching
Read If: A heartbreaking sad story with a beautifully crafted emotional journey and a tragic ending
Narration: First Person
Main Character: Beth, High Schooler female
Themes: First love, Death, Friendship
Plot: 8/10
Narration: 9/10.
Characterization: 9/10
Overall: 9/10
Did I get bored anywhere? Nope.
Did any part confuse me? Not at all.
Line/ Page Skippability: 1/5
Writing Style: Short Sentences, Expressive, Emotional
Uniqueness: 7.5/10
Predictability: 2.5/10
Imagery: 9.25/10
Song(s) to go with book: You by Switchfoot, You and Me by Lifehouse, The Mixed Tape by Jack's Mannequin, Take Me Home by After Midnight Project, Your Guardian Angel by Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, In Loving Memory by Alter Bridge
Favourite Quote(s): "Gosh, Beth. You've got a one-track mind."
Cover: 8.75/10
Ending: Heartbreaking yet Hopeful (but heartbreaking! I cried.)
Reading Priority: Definitely Read
Reading duration: Fast readers-4 hours; Slow readers-6 days. I breezed through it.
Synopsis:
Beth has always been "The Beast"--that’s what everyone at school calls her because of her awkward height, facial scars, and thick glases. Who could love a beast? Beth’s only friend is geeky, golden-haired Scott. That is until she’s selected to be her choir’s soprano soloist and receives the makeover of a lifetime. Suddenly, everyone wants a piece of Beth.

Things only get better when her choir travels to Switzerland and Beth meets the mysterious Derek. They have an incredible whirlwind romance that makes Beth realize, for the first time, she too can find love. She’s no longer The Beast. In Derek’s eyes, she’s a beauty. But then Scott makes a heartbreaking confession to Beth that leaves her completely torn. Should she stand by sweet, steady Scott or follow the dangerous passionate feelings she has for Derek?

And there’s an even bigger problem: Derek’s got a secret . . . one that could shatter everything.

WordVore Prod's Review:

Sing Me to Sleep was a heartbreaking novel that really pulled at my strings, and not many books have done that in a while. It was a romance to the truest sense of the word. The plot was nothing too magnificent or out of this world—just another story about star-crossed lovers that you may have heard many times before. However, it is the journey and Beth and Derek’s everyday struggle to make it work that sets their story apart. Most importantly, it is the feelings they evoke in each other that really makes you want to sit down and listen to their story than get up calling it “typical”. One thing I thought Angela Morrison did a great job with was keeping the romance real. I’ll admit I was annoyed out of my mind at times by the desperation that both Beth and Scott brought in the mix of their romantic feelings, but slowly they seemed to make some sense to me. Morrison didn’t make Beth and Derek’s love one of those perfect, pure relationships which later end in tragedy, but a real one with its share of imperfections that ends in tragedy and causes just as much of pain and sorrow. Beth’s transition was quite believable other than the sudden makeover part. But otherwise, her awkwardness with the newfound admiration is just right. I was quite in tune with Scott’s character in the book. The musical setting of the book sat more than well with me—the parts where Beth sang or wrote songs conveyed her emotions right to my heart. The strongest factor in this book, I would say, was the intensity with which it can make a reader feel—unbelievable (Tears leaked out of my eyes at the end. Why, why, WHY did it end like that?!? Um, sorry. Sidetracked). The emotions communicated are raw, unpretentious and vivacious, and throughout the book my heart ached, leaped in happiness, went empty in sorrow—felt with the two main characters.
Now, coming to the complains I have. I really, really wanted more conversations between Beth and Derek—actual verbal interactions. Sure, I could feel the passion between them radiating out of the pages, but some more conversation would have provided more grounding for the relationship for me. I think I would have howled near the end if they did. Another thing that slightly irked me was Scott’s desperation. Beth’s suited her somehow; but Scott’s seemed out of the blue. But I think if you think about his situation (not ruining it) you can probably understand why the poor guy is justified.
Sing Me to Sleep is a perfect example that love doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful, and that the journey means more than the ending. If you’re looking for a strong, passionate and intense romance read and are absolutely okay with sad endings, then this book is for you. Oh heck, just read it—it’s truly an amazing experience!

Labels: Angela Morrison, Death, Friendship, Heartbreaking, Romance, Sing me to sleep, Tragic, WorDissection

WordVore Prod
0 comments

Friday, September 4, 2009

WorDissection: The Lost Summer by Kathryn WIlliams

Did I like it? Yes!
You'll love it if you liked: That Summer by Sarah Dessen, Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants by Ann Brashares
Aura: Emotional, Heartwrenching
Read If: A summer story with a balanced amount of intensity and lightness
Narration: First Person
Main Characters: Helena Waite, 17-year old female
Themes: Transitions, Friendship, Summer Camp, First Romance
Plot: 9/10
Narration: 9.5/10. I was a big fan of the narration.
Characterization: 9.6/10
Overall: 9.5/10
Did I get bored anywhere? Nope.
Did any part confuse me? Not at all.
Line/ Page Skippability: 0.5/5
Writing Style: Average Sentences, Expressive, Emotional
Uniqueness: 8/10
Predictability: 2.5/10
Imagery: 9.5/10
Song(s) to go with book: All Summer Long by Kid Rock, Lonely Road by Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Boulevard of Broken Dreams by Green Day, Perfect Day by Avril Lavigne, Dani California by Red Hot Chilli Peppers
Favourite Quotes: "I found myself suddenly jealous of the time when things were simple, when days centered on creek walks and tetherball, and your biggest worry was whether byou'd have riding or sailing. There were no boys, there were no secrets or rumors, and there were no regrets. Not even fear of regret. There was just a best friend and endless hours to fill with Pixy Stix and laughing so hard you couldn't breathe."
"The result of my pushing ahead? Wading behind twelve eight and nine-year-old girls who still got immeasurable pleasure out of splashing in a muddy creek, while all I could think about was whether the cow pee would turn my tennis shoes yellow."
"It's in the remembering that I've begun to understand. That summer the ground beneath me shifted--slowly and silently, like the continental drifts that created the hills and valleys that surround Southpoint. The movement was almost imperceptiblebut for the changing of the landscape."
Cover: 8.5/10
Ending: Hopeful, Realistic, Heartwrenching Closure.
Reading Priority: Definitely Read
Reading duration: Fast readers-Approx. 4 hours, Slow readers- Approx 7 days.
Synopsis:
For the past nine years, seventeen year-old Helena Waite has come to summer camp at Southpoint. Each July, the camp and its familiar routines, landmarks, and people have welcomed her back as a Southpoint sister. This year, however, she is returning not as a camper, but as a counselor. The only downside? Her best friend, Katie Bell, is still a camper.

All too quickly, Helena discovers that the innocent world of campfires, sing-alongs, and field days have been pushed aside for late night pranks on the boys' camp and stolen kisses in the hay loft. As she struggles to define herself, Helena begins to lose sight of what made camp special and the friendships that have sustained her for so many years. When Ransome, her longtime crush, becomes a romantic reality, things get even more confusing. It will take a life-threatening accident to show her what she's lost... and found.

Told with honesty and heart, Kathryn Williams' second novel tackles the timeless theme of growing up against the backdrop of summer camp--a place where innocence is safely guarded and sometimes lost .

WordVore Prod's Review:

The Lost Summer was a wonderful read. It was written in a simple style—nothing too serious or complex, but nothing too light; rather, it focuses on the intensity of each simple moment in our lives. A very true to life novel, The Lost Summer emphasizes on the changes in a person and the impact it has on her relationships and the world around her. Coping with changes can be tough for anyone—but the author draws a poignant picture of how sometimes you just have to move on, keeping all the memories but not hanging on to them. I could connect very well on a personal level with the story—it has something for everything. Helena’s nostalgia for the simplicities of childhood lost is something each and everyone out there can relate to. Also, her shattering of the image she had created of the people she idolized is a very realistic example of how nothing in this world is as perfect as it may seem. Katie is an astoundingly real character with just enough dynamics to her personality—not too many, not too few. The strain and gradual drift in Helena and Katie’s friendship is something you can see happening to you or around you. There were many first times for Helena in the timeframe of the novel—and the awkwardness but subtle bravery with which she deals with them is not over-the-top like comic book heroism but what a real girl of the world can admire and respect. To suit the story perfectly, the plot development was mid-paced.
The sudden course that the ending takes threw me off a little, but it does not stray from the overall realistic feel of the novel. There were parts near the end where my eyes watered up slightly (I am not kidding, and no, I rarely tear up at works of fiction). Williams’ writing style is very emotional and expressive, and it targets right for the heart. An intricately woven tale of summer and leaving behind simplicity of childhood to move on to the complexities of a grown-up world, The Lost Summer beautifully tells the story of the transitions of one girl occurring over the period of one summer camp, and the lessons that come with them.

Labels: Friendship, Kathryn Williams, Summer Camp, The Lost Summer, Transitions, WorDissection

WordVore Prod
0 comments

Sunday, August 23, 2009

WorDissection: Epitaph Road by David Patneaude

Did I like it? Heck YEAH!
You'll love it if you liked: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, Gone by Michael Grant
Aura: Intense, Chilling, Edgy, Heartwrenching
Read If: You're looking for something that pulls you into a fantasy world and makes you believe in it
Narration: First Person
Main Character: Kellen Dent, 14 year old male
Themes: Post-Apocalypse, Conspiracy, Death, Friendship, Parents, Love
Plot: 9.8/10
Narration: 9.8/10
Characterization: 9.7/10
Overall: 9.75/10
Did I get bored anywhere? No way!
Did any part confuse me? No. It was intense and a lot to take at once, but no.
Line/ Page Skippability: 0.1/5. None. Nada. Zilch.
Writing Style: Average Sentences, Descriptive, Graphic, Vivid.
Uniqueness: 9.85/10
Predictability: 0.1/10
Favourite Quotes: "In the end, the throwbacks and loners of Afterlight and the rest of the Peninsula had only one freedom--the freedom to die."
"Ain't no late night heart-to-hearts, ain't no summer since you've gone."
Cover: 9/10
Ending: Hopeful, Realistic, Satisfying Closure. No fairytale-ishness.
Reading Priority: Must Read
Reading duration: Fast readers-Approx. 6 hours, Slow readers- Approx 10 days.
Synopsis:

In 2067, an airborne virus wiped out 97 percent of the male population. Thirty years later, women rule the world and have ushered in a new golden age on Earth. Poverty, crime, war and hunger have all disappeared. Growing up in this utopia, 14-year-old Kellen Dent feels isolated as one of the few males alive.
When a rumored outbreak of the virus threatens Kellen's outcast father, he knows that he must warn him of the coming danger. During his desperate race to find his dad, Kellen uncovers a secret so frightening that his life and the future of the world will never be the same.
A fast-paced, post-apocalyptic thriller, Epitaph Road is an exciting and fresh new entry in this best-selling genre.

WordVore Prod's Review:
I loved Epitaph Road is an understatement.
Seriously, this novel had everything a reader could want. The writing style was absolutely fantastic. I felt drawn in to the post-apocalyptic world so easily that even I was surprised, considering how I almost always have a difficult time being drawn into anything other than contemporary. Patneaude’s word choice was extremely clever—balanced out and artistic. The plot was extraordinary! Reading the summary you may think that it will turn out clichéd, but believe me—far from it. The plot was packed with originality and creativity, and the story moved at a smooth but fast pace. I did not come across any bumps at all, neither did I ever feel detached from the story; not once. The characters had just the right amount of depth—not too in-the-reader’s-face, not too vague. Kellen is so believable that it’s scary. His feelings and loneliness are conveyed in the most subtle yet heart-wrenching of ways. He keeps struggling with the pain of losing his loved ones and at the same time frantically searching for a valid source of love and caring. Tia and Sunday were anything but secondary characters—their roles were individually crafted and attributes were evenly distributed. The plot had so much unpredictability and twists and turns that it will keep the reader even farther from the edge of their seat. The way I laughed and cried with the characters moved me to the core—I rarely do that.
David Patneaude has designed a world that is believable, chilling and scary at the same time that will blur the lines between right and wrong. What surprised me was that since I had to read this one with a lot of breaks due to horrible circumstances, but the next time I picked it up, I didn’t feel like I’ve forgotten anything at all—not even the smallest details. Overall, I would say March 2010 is in for a big bang and each and every reader should go grab a copy of Epitaph Road! Start saving money, now!

Labels: Conspiracy, David Patneaude, Epitaph Road, Family, Friendship, Post-Acocalypse, Relationships, Thriller, WorDissection

WordVore Prod
2 comments

Monday, July 27, 2009

WorDissection: Give Up the Ghost by Megan Crewe

Did I like it? Yeah.
You'll love it if you liked: Stories with ghost characters, or stories about the backstabbing of friends.
Aura: Slightly Intense
Read If: You're looking for a fresh read with literary and entertainment value.
Narration: First Person
Main Character: Cass McKenna, high school junior.
Themes: Social outcast, revenge, breaking of trust, trust issues, healing, redemption, friendship, support.
Plot: 9/10
Narration: 8.5/10
Characterization: 8/10
Overall: 8.5/10
Did I get bored anywhere? Slightly when character development seemed a tad bit stagnant.
Did any part confuse me? Nope. it's a neat story with no scope for confusion.
Line/ Page Skippability: 1/5. Not much.
Writing Style: Average sentences, Informal, Self-discovering.
Uniqueness: 8.5/10
Predictability: 1.75/10
Favourite Quote: "I have friends, I wanted to tell her. You just wouldn't believe they exist."
Cover: 9.5/10. You gotta love the cover.
Song(s) to go with book (from author website, click here for source):
1. Trouble By Lisa Germano Ringtone | Buy Song 2. How Soon Is Now- Love Spit Love Ringtone | Buy Song 3. Geek The Girl By Lisa Germano Ringtone | Buy Song 4. Texarkana By R.E.M. Ringtone | Buy Song 5. Smoke By Natalie Imbruglia Ringtone | Buy Song 6. Understand The Dream Is Over By The Juliana Theory Ringtone | Buy Song 7. Country Feedback By R.E.M. Ringtone | Buy Song 8. Displaced By Azure Ray Ringtone | Buy Song 9. Elsewhere By Sarah McLachlan Ringtone | Buy Song 10. Wise Up By Aimee Mann Ringtone | Buy Song 11. How To Save A Life By The Fray Ringtone | Buy Song 12. Into The Dark By The Juliana Theory
Ending: Hopeful, satisfying, very realistic.
Reading priority: Should Read
Reading duration: Fast readers-Approx. 5 hours, Slow readers- Approx 7 days.
Synopsis:
Cass McKenna much prefers ghosts over “breathers.” Ghosts are uncomplicated and dependable, and they know the dirt on everybody…and Cass loves dirt. She’s on a mission to expose the dirty secrets of the poseurs in her school.

But when the vice president of the student council discovers her secret, Cass’s whole scheme hangs in the balance. Tim wants her to help him contact his recently deceased mother, and Cass reluctantly agrees.

As Cass becomes increasingly entwined in Tim’s life, she’s surprised to realize he’s not so bad—and he needs help more desperately than anyone else suspects. Maybe it’s time to give the living another chance….

WordVore Prod's Review:
I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t anticipated this book much—I was dying for it! So when it first landed on my lap, I literally squealed. So naturally, I had a lot to expect from this book. And believe me, I wasn’t disappointed.
Cass McKenna is a social pariah, made so by the overreaction and revenge taken by her ex-best friend just because Cass got a place in the debate team that she wanted by chance, and got to be around the guy that she liked. Now, this idea may seem inflated at first look, but it wasn’t. It was made to be a story that could happen to anyone and everyone. Neither is this book a typical “ghost story”. Even the ghosts have well-crafted characters, which serves as a fresh breath of air. Cass’ desire for revenge is human and not something that turns her into an abominable character. But we can’t help but notice how she also realizes that it wasn’t worth it after all. The trust issues that hold Cass back are very neatly justified, not like an essay in itself but gradually as the story progresses. That is exactly why when she hesitates from being a friend to Tim, her defiance does not annoy us—rather it makes us empathize with her. Tim is one heck of an adorable character. The death of his mother along with his realization that his “friends” aren’t exactly his true friends makes him miserable at best. He feels utterly lonely at this point, and the emotions that he feels are amazingly communicates with the reader. You can’t help but feel like going over and giving him a tight bear hug. I was really glad that Cass came around and offered her friendship and support—and the way their relationship wasn’t all mushy and all-over-the-place. The way Cass takes baby steps towards giving people a chance and not be so stereotyping and opinionated made me admire her. None of the characters are too clichéd or exaggerated. She also gradually but awkwardly comes to terms with the fact that she genuinely cares about Tim. Danielle, Cass’ ex-best friend, showed hopes of redemption near the ending and the fact that she was worried about Tim shows us that she’s not completely disloyal or uncompassionate. Imagery is very well done, as it succeeds in pulling the reader into the book’s own world.
The best parts of the book were the fresh outlook, the hope of redemption and healing that each and every character showed and the well-drawn reasoning behind the characters’ actions. The book certainly had a neat quality about it. What I felt could have been better were: 1.) the character development felt a little stagnant at times—however, all the characters did end up in their proper positions by the end of the book; 2.) The characters could have used a little more depth—especially Cass. I would’ve loved to know more about her. Same goes with Tim.
Everything put together and weighed out against each other, I would recommend this book as a good reader to any reader looking for a spanking new plotline and outlook. The book also has high entertainment value and should keep you occupied throughout the entire read.

Labels: Acceptance, Breaking of Trust, Friendship, Ghosts, Give Up the Ghost, Healing, Megan Crewe, Redemption, Revenge, WorDissection

WordVore Prod
0 comments

Thursday, July 23, 2009

WorDissection: Psych Major Syndrome by Alicia Thompson

Did I like it? Loved it to the power of infinity. Now how much does that make?
You'll love it if you liked: It's for anyone looking for a good read, really.
Aura: Light, yet bears depth. Not something you'll forget in a while.
Read If: You're looking for something that is a light read yet has depth and meaning, and you're looking for a perfectly balanced YA read.
Narration: First Person
Main Character: Leigh Nolan, 18 year old female
Themes: Indecisiveness, Overanalysis, Friendship, Respect, Relationship, College
Plot: 9.5/10
Narration: 9.75/10
Characterization: 9.95/10. It's THAT good.
Overall: 9.75/10
Did I get bored anywhere? HECK NO.
Did any part confuse me? Nope, not really,
Line/ Page Skippability: 1/5. Only when Leigh is talking at length about something, but only a line or two.
Writing Style: Midlength Sentences, Fun, Descriptive, Graphic, Vivid, Informal.
Uniqueness: 9.8/10
Predictability: 0.5/10. Just the ending.
Favourite Quotes: ""Hey there's one Coke left in the fridge. What would jerkface do?"
'Take it?' "No. He'd pee in it, and then he'd take it."
"I do it, too. Make up stories to pass time as I lie in bed?" 'Oh yeah? What are yours about--cats?' "No...are yours?"
"I'd always been a wader. It was time I did a cannonball."
Cover: 9.5/10
Song(s) to go with book: Anything upbeat!
Imagery: Doled out in perfect amounts. Thou canst visualize.
Ending: Cute and sigh-worthy. Slightly fairytale-ish, but you'll love it! It's nothing impossible and you could believe it can happen in real life.
Reading Priority: Must, Must, Must Read
Reading duration: Fast readers-Approx. 7 hours, Slow readers- Approx 11 days.
Synopsis:
Using the skills you've learned so far in Introduction to Psychology, please write a brief self-assessment describing how things are going in your freshman year. Presenting Concerns: The Patient, Leigh Nolan (that would be me), has just started her first year at Stiles College. She has decided to major in psychology (even though her parents would rather she study Tarot cards, not Rorschach blots).
Patient has always been very good at helping her friends with their problems, but when it comes to solving her own...not so much.

Patient has a tendency to overanalyze things, particularly when the opposite sex is involved. Like why doesn't Andrew, her boyfriend of over a year, ever invite her to spend the night? Or why can't she commit to taking the next step in their relationship? And why does his roommate Nathan dislike her so much? More importantly, why did Nathan have a starring role in a much-more-than-friendly dream?

Aggravating factors include hyper-competitive fellow psych majors, a professor who's badly in need of her own psychoanalysis, and mentoring a middle-school-aged girl who thinks Patient is, in a word, naive. Diagnosis: Psych Major Syndrome.

WordVore Prod's Review:
I’m in love.
I stayed up until 4 in the morning finishing Psych Major Syndrome.
It was one of the best books I’ve ever read. Not because of endless depth of the story, not because of Shakespearean lingo—but because of the perfectly balanced constitution of all the elements that is behind the making of a great book. I laughed out so many times that i've lost count. Leigh was charming, funny, loyal, intelligent in her own way, afraid of change, over-analytic to a fault and absolutely adorable. Reading the summary you would think that you’ll be blasted away with over-the-top over-analyses from the main character, but lo and behold. It’s completely believable how she fusses over small details a little too much—in fact, she’s someone you know could exist right at this moment but yet be unique. Like Cassie from Wintergirls, I found myself rooting for her and cheering her on as she realized the hollowness of her relationship with Andrew. The path to her self-discovery as well as realizations and decision-making involves the reader. Basically, there is sizzling chemistry between the reader and the story. And by sizzling, I mean acid-to-water sizzling. Downright explosive. There are things that are explained without any confusion, and then there are things that the readers realize themselves so as to create a certain level of intimacy with the plot and characters. I mean seriously, do you have your best friend give you play-by-play of his/her emotions and motives? I bet you figure a lot out yourself and that's what cements the relationship further.
The relationships in the book are tied together in an adroit manner. The friendship between Leigh and Ami is something you’d keep craving for all your life (and Ami rocked! So witty, funny and unique!), and the relationship between Leigh and Andrew reminds us how much respect matters in a partnership. I was absolutely impressed by how Ms Thompson brings up issues like sex and teen pregnancy and advices readers without even letting them know she’s doing so. Therefore you need not be afraid of even a hint of preachy tone. Imagery was a perfect quantity—I could visualize everything yet not be bored by droning of details, since they weren’t long-drawn. Another mind-blowing aspect of the book was the depth and individuality each and every character bore. Even Leigh’s parents were characters by themselves and not stupid shadows that have to be in the story just for the sake of it. Leigh's decisions give us a prime example of how change is not always for the worse but sometimes for the better. The story teaches us how sometimes you should root for your own happiness, and also seize the day without worrying about tomorrow. Carpe diem, bay-bee, carpe diem.
The part I’m getting to definitely deserves a separate paragraph of its own—the chemistry between Leigh and Nathan. Oh my. Nathan is absolutely remarkable, with his smarts but charming reclusiveness, his depth of emotions, maturity and also, hotness. Leigh is consumed by the supportiveness, respect, attention and friendship Nathan offers, while Nathan is mesmerized by the uniqueness and good heart that Leigh is beholder of. However, he is irritated by how Leigh sticks out her relationship with Andrew just for commitment’s sake and doesn’t stand up to him for all the less-than-deserving treatment she has received from him.
I was just a little irked by the absence of much insight into Nathan’s character because sometimes he may fool the reader as a Gary Stu, but then you realize that it’s just because we don’t know all that much about him. I would also have liked a little bit more time taken on the development of Nathan and Leigh’s relationship—not because what’s there is vacantly inadequate, but because it’s so intricately woven and so beautifully portrayed that you can’t help but ask for more. The book is pretty clean of cliché and has surprises jumping at you every page or the other. Even Leigh’s name has a surprise behind it. I kid you not.
Overall, it’s an amazing read and you must, must, MUST, read it. It’s one of those books that goes far beyond the summary at the book and one that you’ll read a gazillion times yourself and then pass it on to your great-great-great descendants until one of them finally decides to eat up the pages (being a toddler, of course. I wasn’t suggesting your descendants were herbivores/pagevores or insulting them, I swear). Reading this book feels like watching the waterfalls or a sunset by the beach for the first time while sipping Starbucks. Now that’s gotta be good.
Now, back to business. I want my Nathan. NOW. Is he available for pre-order on Amazon?

Labels: Alicia Thompson, Friendship, Going to College, Overanalysation, Psych Major Syndrome, Realistic, Relationships, Respect, WorDissection

WordVore Prod
0 comments

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

WorDissection: An Off Year by Claire Zulkey

Did I like it? Yup, I did.
You'll love it if you liked: Any book about a college-bound teen, or transitions.
Read If: You're looking for a life-size story you can relate to. If you like action-packed thrill rides, then this is not the book for you.
Narration: 8.5/10
Aura: Simple and Realistic
Main Character: Cecily Powell, 18 year old female
Themes: Simplicity, Indecisiveness, Stepping Out of Comfort Zone, Relationships
Plot: 8.5/10
Characterization: 8.5/10
Overall: 8.5/10
Did I get bored anywhere? Not really. Sometimes the story got too mundane to captivate attention, but it manages to jump back up afterwards.
Did any part confuse me? Nope. It was simple--that was the beauty of it.
Line/ Page Skippability: 1.5/5. Only when the pace dropped a little too much.
Writing Style: Average sentences, Casual, Flashbacks, Smooth flow.
Uniqueness: 9/10. It's not everyday a girl turns back from college.
Predictability: 2.5/10
Reading Duration: Fast Readers-3.5 hours; Slow Readers-6 days.
Favourite Quotes: 'Hey can we hang out in your room? It just feels like it would be more normal.' "I'm not having sex with you, Cecily, if that's what you're hoping."
'You'd think an entire class could afford to donate more than just a bench, but maybe they were moe expensive than they looked.'
Cover: 8/10. It's cute.
Imagery: 6.5/10. Could do better.
Songs to go with book: The theme song of Matilda the movie (that music at the end...I can't remember!), The Smiths- Let Me Get What I Want, Asher Roth - I Love College.
Ending: Hanging, Realistic Closure. The ending was awesome--very deftly done.
Synopsis:
Cecily has always done everything as she was supposed to: taken the right classes, gotten the right grades, applied to the right colleges. But after a lifetime of following the rules, she surprises everyone by arriving for her freshman year of college . . . and turning around. There are infinite possibilities for Cecily’s unexpected gap year. She could volunteer, or travel around the world—but, for now, Cecily is content to do absolutely nothing. What follows is a year of snarkily observed self-doubt and selfdiscovery during which Cecily must ask herself, for the first time, what does she really want to do with her life?
WordVore Prod's Review:
An Off Year focuses on a girl’s indecisiveness about going off to college and facing the unpredictability offered with it. Cecily is someone who doesn’t like blending in and knowing that she has no friends around her, and she’d rather avoid stepping out of her comfort zone. On her first day of college, she just turned back and went home. Throughout the book, it’s subtly shown that she was not ready to take on the challenges of finding new friends and keep from dissolving into the background. The eroding friendship between Cecily and Kate disarms us of the notion that staying put in the same place in life is not going to change relationships. Very realistically, Cecily and Kate drift apart due to the growing differences between their personalities. I liked the overall portrayal of the people in this book—they were shown as pragmatic individuals that we can imagine walking by the streets in our everyday life. The book slaps brutal honesty into the reader’s face at times, which doesn’t come off as harsh but worldly. Youth issues are lightly touched but not in a preachy way, so everyone has something to relate to. I really appreciated the nature of Cecily and Mike’s friendship—it was fresh and not clichéd. Cecily’s relationship with her siblings was drawn excellently. None of them were unbelievably mean or unbelievably stereotyped—rather they both had the capability of feeling for their sister but had the relationship strained because of Cecily’s dad babying her and pampering her only. Here again, we see that it’s not like Cecily’s father doesn’t love all his kids, but he just sometimes lets Cecily get away with things because she’s the youngest. I loved the simplicity of the book; it’s like regular life put on paper. It comforts and advice anyone who has suffered from indecisiveness during a major decision of their lives.
The problem I had was that: I would’ve liked a bit more of imagery. Vivid descriptions were avoided, so it was hard to be completely pulled into the story. The story-to-reader connection could have been a little better, in my opinion.
But anyways, I would still recommend the book because the flow of the story and splashes of sarcastic humour along with everything else I have listed rolls in very well, and any young reader can relate to at least one element in the entire book. There’s something for everyone—that’s the core motto of the book.

Labels: Advice, An Off Year, Choices, Claire Zulkey, Friendship, Going to College, Indecisiveness, Realistic, Relationships, WorDissection

WordVore Prod
0 comments

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

WorDissection: Ordinary Me by June Sproat

Did I like it? Yeah.
You'll love it if you liked: The Princess Diaries By Meg Cabot, Avalon High by Meg Cabot, All American Girl by Meg Cabot. The book is less girly than Cabot's books, so don't let the Cabot relevance shoo you away.
Aura: Relaxed and Casual
Read If: You're looking for a fun, light read with a twist of crime and mystery in it.
Narration: First Person
Main Character: Kate Sterns, 15 year old female
Themes: Ordinary turned popular, Spotlight, Crush, Friendship, Breaking of stereotypes, Criminal breakout.
Plot: 8.5/10
Narration: 8/10
Characterization: 8/10
Overall: 8.5/10
Did I get bored anywhere? Nope.
Did any part confuse me? Nuh. It was a simple plot.
Line/ Page Skippability: 1.5/5. Just bits where Kate is rambling a lot, but the important parts grasp your attention.
Writing Style: Long sentences, Informal, Fun and relaxed.
Uniqueness: 8/10
Predictability: 3/10
Favourite Quotes: “If you have an endless night, doesn’t that mean it doesn’t end? So why would you need one hundred of them? Hello!”
'“He really is quite cute. I’m surprised you were
able to learn anything,” my mom said. It felt like my face was going up in flames. How could she say that? And what did she know about‘cute boys’, and why was she looking at him? I mean,she’s old!'
Cover: 8.5/10
Song(s) to go with book: Supergirl by Superchick, Extraordinary Girl by Green Day, Story of a Girl by Blink-182, Borders by The Sunshine Underground.
Ending: Satisfying, Everything falls back to place. A tad bit fairytale-ish.
Reading Priority: Read
Reading duration: Fast readers-Approx. 4 hours, Slow readers- Approx 6 days.
Synopsis:
While behind the wheel during driver's ed, high school sophomore Kate Sterns inadvertently foils an escaped convict's getaway. When her heroic actions land her face on the front page of the Wainscott Gazette, she thinks her life is over, and it is, at least her life as an ordinary anyway. Overnight she is plucked from the ordinaries and plopped into the "in crowd." At first Kate is in denial of her status change, but then she likes it, that is until she's labeled a snob, her locker gets trashed and one other minor thing-- she's being stalked.

WordVore Prod's Review:
The one word that pops up the most in my head when thinking of Ordinary Me is:
Fun.
Sheer, pure, puts-a-smile-on-your-face fun.
The book’s plot is centralized on Kate Sterns, a stubborn 15 year old girl who has her self-image issues but nothing too serious, and who avoids spotlight like a plague (this point may not be highlighted all that much but it’s pretty obvious if you read between the lines). She is also someone who would rather comply than go into any sort of confrontation, but inside her head she has an opinion on pretty much everything.
Read the above lines and you’ll guess the word Kate lives up to: Ordinary.
At first I thought it was one of those books with the plot “ordinary teen turns popular then gets ditched by real friends for hanging out with the populars”. Lo and behold was I shocked. The book had quite a creative plot with just slight splashes of cliché here and there on the canvas. I loved the way Kate’s inner struggle of finding her true self and coming to terms and recognizing the change she was going through was portrayed deftly amidst the criminal trouble. The way all the relationships were drawn was amazing too—absolutely realistic. Every character has his/her flaws but not so much that you hate them for it. I also liked how stereotypes were thwarted through a “popular” character, Becky, but the same action taken through the character of Steve was a tad bit clichéd. Jodi, Kate’s best friend, is believable but her flaws include being a little less supportive than necessary and stereotyping too much.
Kate’s awkward yelling at Steve, her crush, was very well-explained. I can relate to her individualistic streak and her confusion over Steve’s feelings towards her. Throughout the book, the fact that Kate is a very impulsive character is highlighted strongly, but I admired her for trying to rectify that near the end of the book. Kate hesitates from apologizing but isn’t ignorant of her mistakes and does feel guilty over them. The mystery and crime portion of the book was pretty well done. It was well tended to and not overlooked, but not over the top either. The revelation of motives and the events taking place on its basis were well-sequenced. The ending was superb—you think you have it all figured out but things take an interesting turn. I say no more or else the book shall be spoilt for prospective readers.
The things that irked me at times was Kate’s occasional whining and, and Jodi trying to press down her opinion on Kate—I’d have liked to see a little more backbone in the latter, and the lack of depth of emotions. But honestly, they are covered up for at other times, so sin forgiven.
All in all, I would say you should pick this book up with a sweet frappe in hand and just relax. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and couldn’t stop myself from laughing out loud at parts.

Labels: Crime Plan, Crush, Friendship, Fun, June Sproat, Ordinary Me, WorDissection

WordVore Prod
0 comments