Lisa's 1-7
Okay, so I didn't report books last year... mainly because I read an embarrassingly small number of them (thirteen? I think...). But hey, I was getting married. I'm trying to get back into the flow this year, but I've started editing and between that and freelance writing and looking for a day job... I haven't had as much time as I'd like. But I've already read more than half of last year's number, so...
1) Zerah’s Chosen by Isabelle Santiago
Every generation, six Guardians are born to hold dominion over the natural forces-Earth, Air, Water, Fire, Life and Death. In order to serve to their best capacity, these Guardians are raised in the Temple of Zerah, taught to have no personal connections, so that they can be selfless in their service. This generation, however, two guardians have not yet been brought forward. Kieran was born with the dark mark, the Guardian of Death, but he was hidden by his mother, for as long as she could hide him. When he is finally taken to the temple, his mother is imprisoned for defying the Beings for so long, but the damage has been done, more or less. Kieran, often overwhelmed by his power, wants nothing to do with the Guardianship, just wants his own life. The rest of the Guardians are afraid of him, except for Amaya, the Water Guardian, who is empathic. When Kieran wants Amaya for himself the balance of their whole world is set off course.
Some of you know Isabelle. This is my favorite thing of hers that she's written. Well really, I like the sequel better, and I'm hopping up and down waiting for her to finish the third book, because those characters are my absolute favorites. The world-building is beautiful, the characters are gripping and easy to fall in love with. Thorougly enjoyed.
2) Halo: The Fall of Reach by Eric Nylund
This is actually the first book in the series based off of the video games... it was a trade with Vince... I read one of his books, he reads one of mine. It wasn't bad at all... just not my thing, overly technical, with pure plot, very little character-development. A couple of the characters were really fun, though.
3) Matched by Ally Condie
I listened to this on audio, with a free trial at Audible.com. It was a really well put-together audiobook, though the girl's voice bugged me a little. Very bubblegum. I've seen a lot of people compare this to The Giver, which I've never read, so I can't address that, but I do think that it's a worthwhile read despite that. I agree with Kath that the main character is a bit weak, but that it's understandable because of the world. I feel like this is all just setting up for the real book in the sequel... which I think is due out later this year.
On another note, I have to admit a part of me was impressed. Condie is an LDS author, and I've been to LDS bookstores and passed on her books more than once because they struck me as being so mind-numbingly like the rest of LDS YA (which is sloooowly getting better, but still fairly dry and poorly written overall). It was interesting seeing her go from run-of-the-mill LDS YA author (though those are a bit rare, even so) to one of biggest book deal in years, with immediate rights in some fifty countries... Book didn't live up to the hype, but like I said, I do think the sequel is promising.
4) All My Friends Are Dead by Avery Monsen and Jory John
This really shouldn't count, because it's basically a black humor picture book. Fun (five-minute) read, though.
5) Behemoth by Scott Westerfeld
The sequel to Levianthan, which was one of my favorite reads of last year. (Again, that's not saying much, but.) It's a steampunk alternate history of WWI told by the fictional son of Franz Ferdinand (a Clanker, which means he's all about machines, "walkers" and whatnot) and Deryn (a Darwinist, guess what that means...), a girl who's disguised herself as (a boy) Dylan in order join the British Air Service. The two become close allies, though they're technically enemies in the war...
6) The Dark Hills Divide by Patrick Carmon
Kids' fantasy.... I probably would have enjoyed it at a younger age, and parts of it I really did enjoy, but it was a little too convenient how she "solved" the mystery of who the bad guy was, and in the end the story shoots itself in the foot, as all the magic that the girl has earned dissolves over time and disappears... which sucks. I have more of the series... not sure if I'll bother, though.
7) Älvor by Laura Bingham - April 1
This was a doorprize from last year's LDS Storymakers' conference, so I felt like I should read it and review it... it took me forever to get through it, though. Some of it was interesting-a pair of twins find a cabin in a wood and it turns out to have rooms that are different training realms, basically, and they are somehow chosen to become elves. The biggest problem is that this is YA when it really should be MG-the main characters are supposed to be 16, but they read more like 12. It felt like the book took all the easy ways out, the characters don't really solve or change anything themselves, it's all other people coming to the rescue, and there was so much telling. The book is from a really small (LDS) publisher... and it shows, sadly.
1) Zerah’s Chosen by Isabelle Santiago
Every generation, six Guardians are born to hold dominion over the natural forces-Earth, Air, Water, Fire, Life and Death. In order to serve to their best capacity, these Guardians are raised in the Temple of Zerah, taught to have no personal connections, so that they can be selfless in their service. This generation, however, two guardians have not yet been brought forward. Kieran was born with the dark mark, the Guardian of Death, but he was hidden by his mother, for as long as she could hide him. When he is finally taken to the temple, his mother is imprisoned for defying the Beings for so long, but the damage has been done, more or less. Kieran, often overwhelmed by his power, wants nothing to do with the Guardianship, just wants his own life. The rest of the Guardians are afraid of him, except for Amaya, the Water Guardian, who is empathic. When Kieran wants Amaya for himself the balance of their whole world is set off course.
Some of you know Isabelle. This is my favorite thing of hers that she's written. Well really, I like the sequel better, and I'm hopping up and down waiting for her to finish the third book, because those characters are my absolute favorites. The world-building is beautiful, the characters are gripping and easy to fall in love with. Thorougly enjoyed.
2) Halo: The Fall of Reach by Eric Nylund
This is actually the first book in the series based off of the video games... it was a trade with Vince... I read one of his books, he reads one of mine. It wasn't bad at all... just not my thing, overly technical, with pure plot, very little character-development. A couple of the characters were really fun, though.
3) Matched by Ally Condie
I listened to this on audio, with a free trial at Audible.com. It was a really well put-together audiobook, though the girl's voice bugged me a little. Very bubblegum. I've seen a lot of people compare this to The Giver, which I've never read, so I can't address that, but I do think that it's a worthwhile read despite that. I agree with Kath that the main character is a bit weak, but that it's understandable because of the world. I feel like this is all just setting up for the real book in the sequel... which I think is due out later this year.
On another note, I have to admit a part of me was impressed. Condie is an LDS author, and I've been to LDS bookstores and passed on her books more than once because they struck me as being so mind-numbingly like the rest of LDS YA (which is sloooowly getting better, but still fairly dry and poorly written overall). It was interesting seeing her go from run-of-the-mill LDS YA author (though those are a bit rare, even so) to one of biggest book deal in years, with immediate rights in some fifty countries... Book didn't live up to the hype, but like I said, I do think the sequel is promising.
4) All My Friends Are Dead by Avery Monsen and Jory John
This really shouldn't count, because it's basically a black humor picture book. Fun (five-minute) read, though.
5) Behemoth by Scott Westerfeld
The sequel to Levianthan, which was one of my favorite reads of last year. (Again, that's not saying much, but.) It's a steampunk alternate history of WWI told by the fictional son of Franz Ferdinand (a Clanker, which means he's all about machines, "walkers" and whatnot) and Deryn (a Darwinist, guess what that means...), a girl who's disguised herself as (a boy) Dylan in order join the British Air Service. The two become close allies, though they're technically enemies in the war...
6) The Dark Hills Divide by Patrick Carmon
Kids' fantasy.... I probably would have enjoyed it at a younger age, and parts of it I really did enjoy, but it was a little too convenient how she "solved" the mystery of who the bad guy was, and in the end the story shoots itself in the foot, as all the magic that the girl has earned dissolves over time and disappears... which sucks. I have more of the series... not sure if I'll bother, though.
7) Älvor by Laura Bingham - April 1
This was a doorprize from last year's LDS Storymakers' conference, so I felt like I should read it and review it... it took me forever to get through it, though. Some of it was interesting-a pair of twins find a cabin in a wood and it turns out to have rooms that are different training realms, basically, and they are somehow chosen to become elves. The biggest problem is that this is YA when it really should be MG-the main characters are supposed to be 16, but they read more like 12. It felt like the book took all the easy ways out, the characters don't really solve or change anything themselves, it's all other people coming to the rescue, and there was so much telling. The book is from a really small (LDS) publisher... and it shows, sadly.