Death by Denim by Linda Gerber

I don’t think that I will ever get tired of this series. So forgive me for sounding a little bit repetitive as I review the third title in the Death By books.

SPOILERALERTSPOILERALERTSPOILERALERT FOR THE FIRST AND SECOND BOOKS!!!

Aphra is back. Erm… Again. And hiding out in France with fake papers. Seth Mulo, her secret lurrrver, is off and away at a separate, mysterious location. All is well aside from their being apart. Until Aphra and Natalie (Aphra’s mother) find out that they are being followed once again. They must flee to Paris to meet with one of Natalie’s contacts. But when the contact is found dead in the river, a riddle-like message in his mouth, Aphra must decide whether to finally go after “The Mole” herself or to sit around waiting for her world to fall apart all over again.

Like the previous books, I loved the characters. And while development has pretty much been set by this point, there were still some curious revelations and changes in how they related to each other. The romance between Seth and Aphra gets even more heated and more adorable (ack!), even sappy in a few moments. Even though I sensed a little bit of scandal with Agent Ryan McAwesome (anyone else, or am I just crazy?). The action also accelerated, with some scenes that were way more heart pumping than in the previous books. Definitely an improvement, for alternate reality adrenaline junkies like myself.

Ultimately, a short review, but a positive one. Definitely look for this title- out on May 14th of 2009 (Oh! Hey! That's this year!). It is worth the wait.

Linda Gerber’s humor is progressively more awesome and her writing as well. 6 out of 7 Skull-Patched Jean Skirts!!! And has anyone heard news about a 4th novel? *crosses fingers*

Hoping and Thankful to Ms. Gerber,
Aella

Devilish by Maureen Johnson

Have you ever read one of those books that just seems so incredibly bizarre from the front flap description and then manages to make complete sense as soon as you've actually started reading?

That completely describes Devilish.

Jane Jarvis is a genius out of place in St. Theresa's School For Girls. Not that you'd know her brilliance just to look at her. Ever since the horrific end to her relationship with Elton (the perfect boy), Jane has allowed herself to spiral out of control. Now she's accumulating a record as a troublemaker that might harm her chances of getting into a college worthy of her incredible brain. But college is the last thing on her mind when her best friend's sanity is in danger. Ally is a misfit of the highest degree and only serves to aid her descent when she throws up at an annual school event. After that, everything changes.

Ally comes into school with a new haircut, a new attitude, and apparently, new friends. Jane can't be sure of her sudden drop on the importance list until she goes on one fateful train ride. Where Ally and Elton are (insert my reaction here __NOOOOOOOO__) making out. Enter Jane's freshman stalker, who won't stop trying to convince her that Ally's new friend is really a soul stealer of the corporations of Hell. And it isn't long until Jane believes him. She must quite literally deal with the Devil and find a way to save her best friend, and possibly the world, before it is too late.

I really enjoyed this book. And ever since the suggestion of a few people, *cough* Plenty of Paper girls and Reese *cough* I have been completely hooked on everything Maureen Johnson. Even her blog. It seems that Nerdfighter authors hold a certain intrigue for their fellow warriors/minions. Anyway, back to reviewing. Devilish went by too quickly and was full of Miss Johnson's incredible wit and trademark creativity. I loved all of the characters. Even Ally, when she was being a backstabber. Plus, the demon girl was amazingly written. One of those villains you adore hating. The struggles were convincing on both a physical and mental level, sometimes even spiritual.

All the same, I did not enjoy this particular work as much as some of the other Maureen Johnson books I've read. That is the only thing keeping it from the revered 7 rating. But still...

CRASHBANGSLAMWACHING! 6 Lightnings out of 7! And I highly recommend everything else by her as well!

Reading the Bermudez Triangle,

The Taker by JM Steele

If Aella Siofra were to read the back of a novel entitled The Taker at the library and find it interesting, then take it home for the process of reading, would she find said novel:

(a) interesting and funny
(b) overblown and depressing
(c) clever and fast-paced, while including the attributes of (a)
(d) dull and unconvincing

Answer: (c)

Carly Biels is a legacy. At least she will be if she makes it into Princeton, the college of her dreams. And why wouldn't she? Her grades are excellent, her father has influence, and her social life is blooming. But all that comes crashing down when her mental block towards test-taking catches up with her in the most important exam of her high-school career. The SAT. After having tanked the most highly regarded college entrance assessment in the United States, Carly is desperate and will do almost anything to restore her position on the fast-track to Princeton. So when she receives a mysterious message signed by a shady figure known only as "The Taker", she agrees to his terms. He'll get her within 150 points of perfect on the exam... if she does exactly what he tells her.

One part of the agreement is that Carly continue to study. That way, it will look less suspicious when her score climbs 500 points in a few short weeks. It seems the only way to carry on is to hire a tutor. EVEN if it's the school geek, Ronald Gross (rhymes with "floss"). EVEN if said school geek is completely in love with her. EVEN if that might call forth complications with her boyfriend, the captain of the school lacrosse team. But through the weeks of interactive learning, Carly discovers there is more to Ron/Ronnie/Ronald than meets the eye. With his help, she is rapidly and visibly improving. But when there is no need for The Taker any longer, getting out of the pact is harder than she had expected. Even impossible. And as the search for The Taker is stepped up, Carly begins to wonder- will the desperation of her past keep her from having any future at all?

I really enjoyed this novel. The plot moved along quickly and in a perfectly plausible fashion. And if you've been through high school (or are still in it), you can completely relate to the emotions and stresses of Carly's every day life. JM Steele encompassed every element of life, including (but not limited to): friends, boy/girlfriends, stress, tests, road blocks, expectations, failure, and secrets. Carly dealt with her problems through humor and quick thinking, although she sometimes found herself saying or doing things she didn't mean to. This was a surprisingly human and excellent part of her character. I really cared about how she would end up, and was crossing my fingers that the repercussions of The Taker (the character) wouldn't be too horrible.

Not to mention the continuous plot twists. The ending was one big firework of ????WHAT???? And that's really all I can say to keep from ruining the story. My one complaint is that Carly stayed with her imbecilic, Neanderthal boyfriend for as long as she did. It made me lose a little bit of respect for her, if it was ever so small an amount. All the same, I would recommend this book as a great beach read, anytime read, or fast paced in-the-car/on-the-bus on the way to school/work read (might take a few of those to finish it - and please don't read and drive at the same time).

6.5 out of 7 for an intriguing and clever YA novel that should be more popular than it is.

Looking for Other JM Steele books and Still in Ending-Shock,

Unwind by Neal Shusterman

Third person present. Third person present. I had great difficulty getting used to this perspective, but the novel in question proved well worth the effort. Creepy, suspenseful, and thought provoking, Unwind by Neal Shusterman was a surprise from an author I have never taken the time to be particularly familiar with.

In an age not very far along from now, the teens that no one wants are harvested for their organs. Rebellious, deformed, or simply not good enough, they are sent to the infamous Harvest Camps, to be dismembered for the "good of mankind". Connor is a financial liability and his parents sign the forms of release. Risa is a foster home kid with a future in classical piano, but maybe not as much of a future as the next virtuoso. Lev believes firmly in his unwinding, honored by his religion as a Tithe. But their fates collide when Connor shoots his transport (with a tranquilizer) and helps save Lev in the process, Risa pursuing in her interest. Together and apart they find their way through the hazardous days in between them and their 18th birthdays, the age of neutrality.

I really enjoyed this novel. Reminiscent of a futuristic perversion, there were secret hide outs, crazed revolutionaries, and demented medical staff. Connor is a hero in his own right, but his mistakes are glaring reminders at his humanness, while Risa is piecing out what she means to her world. Probably the most fascinating character in the book was Lev. He betrays, kills, searches, and saves at different points, his growth increasingly more involved as the pages turn. Some parts of the story were particularly disturbing, common in a dystopia novel of this subject matter. But a fantastic plot and writing handled inquiries about the value of life and the meaning of death in a sensitive and clever way.

6 out of 7 lightnings. BOOM ZAM SCHWA!

Futuristic Culture Defiant,
*Aella Siofra*

Shiny covers...

I admit it. And not without some level of guilt on my part. I originally picked up this book because the cover was shiny. There. It’s out in the open and I feel positively wretched about the entire thing.

The Hunter’s Moon was a surprise to say the least. I opened it under the impression that I would be finding one of two things. Either the underlying angst of an urban fantasy or the archaic wording of a modern novel trying too hard to bring back a feeling of the past. But O.R. Melling’s book did neither. Instead, it carefully took the oldest legends of the “Good People” and attached a razor.

Cowardly Gwen is more than eager to see her cousin Finndahbair (pronounced Finn-a-veer) in Ireland and begin their planned road trip. But for both girls there is an underlying mission and that is to experience the lore of the Emerald Isle for themselves. Little do they know that the strange occurrences following their travels will lead up to Finn’s kidnapping by the Fairy King. Gwen must pass several devious tests placed before her by the conniving court of Sídhe and form allies both immortal and human to bring her to the ultimate understanding of her task as the sacrifice of the Hunter’s Moon.

The description and writing in this book was beautiful, and in turns, humorous. The glimpse behind the veil is told in simple speech that envelops all time and romanticizes even the most modern of minds. But details such as a crazy driver of a leprechaun and clever allusions to familiar myth balance the story. Another thing greatly enjoyable is the character development, primarily in Gwen. There is certain strength in her character that relates to the capabilities in everyone.

Sadly, there were some instances of cliché young lurve that marred the last 50 pages or so of the story, even in the face of epic battle with the Hunter himself. There is also the chance that some will not attempt to soldier their way through a mire of product placement and irritating “girl talk” found in the very beginning.

So, shiny cover and all, I set upon this novel 4.5 out of 7 Lightnings. Despite its shortcomings I will risk the other books in the series and see if the pitfalls in The Hunter’s Moon can be repaired. Wish me luck.

Somewhat nervous,

*Aella Siofra*