Rutabaga's Reads 2012: Part 3

This is Part 3 of Rutabaga’s Reads 2012. My aim in Part 3 is to include books which the male populace might find to be interesting also, as I realize many of the books I read lean toward female-interest. Please pass these book titles along to any upper middle-grade and young adult (YA) guys that you know (or guys in college or in general, for that matter)!

Daughter of Smoke & Bone (Sept. 27, 2011) by Laini Taylor.

What if the girl next door spoke multiple languages – not all of them human – and her hair was naturally blue in its current state? If you lived next to Karou, she’d be that girl. Karou is a seventeen-year-old living in Prague taking up art at The Art Lyceum of Bohemia, a private high school, and collecting teeth for Brimstone, the closest she has to a parent, and he’s also a chimaera. There are black handprints on doors and an unfriendly encounter with Akiva, an angel. Both of them have turbulent pasts, though Karou is initially unaware of this.

            Intriguing. Mystical. Strong. These adjectives describe the book for me. The book was buzzed about, and I can see why. This YA book is a supernatural romantic fantasy. There is forbidden romance and a war between races: the angels versus the chimaeras (demon-like to the angels). Yes, I mentioned romance, but it’s a story about more than just love and is much more interesting than just a sappy romance. This book is wonderfully imaginative, and I am looking forward to the next installment.

Divergent (May 3, 2011) by Veronica Roth.

On an annually appointed day, all sixteen-year-olds must choose the faction they wish to devote the rest of their lives to. For Beatrice “Tris” Prior, that day has come. The factions are based upon virtues: Abnegation (the selfless – she grew up in this faction), Amity (the peaceful), Candor (the honest), Dauntless (the brave) and Erudite (the intelligent). Tris’ decision will surprise not just herself and her family, but her entire faction. But very few know Tris’ secret. She is Divergent, for she displays equal aptitude for more than one faction. When she chooses, she finds herself thrust into a dangerously competitive initiation. At times downright ugly, it is hard for her to know who her friends really are and who means her harm or undoing. For example, is Four a frustrating friend or calculating foe? And when Tris figures out what is going on with a power-hungry faction, will she be able to stop it? Or will she be too late?

            There is more than one dystopian summary/review in this batch, and “Divergent” is one of them. Of all the dystopian novels I’ve read since “The Hunger Games,” this trilogy-to-be ranks right up there. Romance is not the key to this story. “Divergent” can be twisted and violent, so beware if you don’t like books on that order. In her debut, Roth creates a masterful and edgy dystopia, which is no small feat in a world currently digesting dystopian tales en masse.

Elsewhere (Sept. 9, 2005) by Gabrielle Zevin.

Fifteen-year-old Elizabeth “Liz” Marie Hall dies and finds herself in an afterlife unlike any other. Here, the deceased age backwards (like Brad Pitt’s character in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”), but when they reach infancy, they don’t die again, but are sent on the River to be reborn on Earth. That is the case with animals, too. Despite all the things Liz missed this time around on Earth, she finds love, new friends and gets to meet her grandmother for the first time in Elsewhere. And just because she’s dead doesn’t mean she’s lost her ability to throw a tantrum or find her way to the forbidden Well.

            This YA novel is fascinating, and I enjoyed the concept of aging backward and, eventually, starting anew again. Death is not something to be taken lightly, but in a book that isn’t only meant to be weighted down with the serious enormity of it all, Zevin includes some good humor. I recommend this book to anyone looking to read something that’s a little different, even for fiction.

Everlost: Skinjacker Trilogy #1 (Aug. 22, 2006) by Neal Shusterman.

After a car accident, previous strangers Nick and Allie are on their way to “the light” when they collide with each other and veer off course to Everlost. Call it what you will, be it purgatory or an in-between world, but Everlost is a “shadow of the living world, filled with all the things and places that no longer exist.” In this limbo realm, Allie and Nick still encounter dangers, including the McGill, who’s the monster of all monsters in this book. It is also in this limbo realm that Allie discovers she’s a Skinjacker and that she really can’t stand Mary “Queen of Snots” Hightower, self-professed know-it-all of Everlost and its inhabitants, the Afterlights. Allie and Nick are Afterlight Greensouls (new arrivals).

            This book is an imaginative and highly quirky-in-an-interesting-way read. The two books that round out the trilogy are: “Everwild” (Nov. 10, 2009) and “Everfound” (May 3, 2011). Death can be such tricky subject matter, but Shusterman adroitly handles it in a very vivid, unique way with splashes of humor. I recommend this to anyone, but especially to reluctant male readers.

I Am Number Four (Aug. 3, 2010) by Pittacus Lore.

John Smith is an alien on Earth, but he looks like us, and he talks like us. He is one of nine Garde who escaped from their home planet of Lorien, along with their Cêpan, and scattered here. But the first three have been found and killed by the enemy Mogadorians. John Smith is Number Four. Through his Legacies, he is learning more of the history of his home planet (including its destruction) and also coming into his supernatural powers. He and his Cêpan, Henri, must often be on the run, and John is tired of it. He is happy in his newest place in Ohio. He’s made a friend, Sam, and has a beautiful girlfriend, Sarah. But his desire to stay in Ohio leads the Mogadorians to him and puts them all in danger. Can they all make it out alive? Or is Four’s time up?

            This is a very good read if you like sci-fi/fantasy, action and some suspense. There is a small bit of teen love, but nothing to bog down the excitement of the story. There is minimal foul language, but it shouldn’t stop anyone from reading this book. It contains good action. The next two books in the series are also available: “The Power of Six” (Aug. 23, 2011) and “The Rise of Nine” (Aug. 21, 2012).

Incarceron (Jan. 26, 2010) by Catherine Fisher.

Sapphique (Dec. 28, 2010) by Catherine Fisher.

Incarceron is a prison, but it’s not just any prison housing inmates. This prison is alive. It constantly watches the activities of those who dwell within. Finn is one of those trapped in Incarceron. He cannot remember his childhood, but he believes the tales of Sapphique, about the only prisoner ever to escape Incarceron to the Outside, and he’s determined to be the second with the help of a crystal key and Claudia Arlexa. Claudia is the daughter of Incarceron’s Warden and resides on the Outside, but she wants Finn’s help, too, as she is desperate to escape an arranged marriage to Caspar, the Crown Prince of the Realm. She doesn’t like him at all.

            In Sapphique, Finn has escaped to the Outside and is with Claudia, but he worries of the friends that are still trapped in Incarceron. The Outside is not at all what he expected. Though harsh and violent, the prison was technologically advanced. Outside, where the people are adhering to Protocol, technology is not allowed to be used by the general populace, now including him. Most are poor. The Outside feels like another kind of prison to Finn. Inside, his friends are trying to find a way out on their own, but to do so they are in search of a magical glove, which legend says Sapphique used to get out. But they’ll have to fight Incarceron, because the prison wants it, too. Can those on the Outside overthrow Queen Sia? How will it end for the people? And for Incarceron?

            These YA novels are both well-written and move quickly. Though the Outside looks older than our time, it is a future world, a dystopian one. It is not intensely violent like “The Hunger Games,” but it is set in a negative, anti-utopian world. Despite both books running between points of view in Incarceron and on the Outside, I never felt lost, for Fisher lays out the story and the characters quite well. It is complex. Read this if you enjoy science fiction, fantasy and/or dystopias and begin with “Incarceron.”

Inheritance (Nov. 8, 2011) by Christopher Paolini.

At 849 pages, this concluding book in the “Inheritance Cycle” reaches epic length. This saga follows Eragon Shadeslayer, a Dragon Rider, and Saphira Bjartskular, his dragon. They aim to conquer Galbatorix’s fearsome reign and restore peace to their homeland of Alagaësia. Already the duo have felt the triumph of battles won and endured the agony of painful losses, but they are not done yet. There are more battles to fight, including the finale with Galbatorix. Eragon will also have to make a great decision at the end. How will he fare in battle? What will he choose in the end? The story is told from multiple viewpoints: Eragon, Roran (his cousin), Nasuada (leader of the Varden) and, on occasion, even Saphira.

            If you’ve kept up with this saga over the years, I would enjoy hearing your comments on what you thought of the conclusion. My feelings were mixed. On the one hand, there were things resolved that I would expect to be, but the ending wasn’t as satisfactory as I would have expected at so many pages. Still, I recommend this to anyone who is a fan of fantasy and/or a fan of authors like Tolkien, as the world of which Paolini writes is reminiscent of other worlds and strange languages, elves and dwarves. Should you be considering reading this saga, prepare for the long haul, as you will need to start with book one if you don’t want to be lost in the land of Alagaësia or within all the characters.

Legend (Nov. 29, 2011) by Marie Lu.

Both fifteen years old, June Iparis and “Day” are from opposite sides of the track. And the track is the western coast of what used to be the United States and is now called the Republic. It is at war with its neighbor, known as the Colonies. June is a prodigy of intellectual and military grade. She is being groomed for success as she and her brother, Metias, were born into an elite family. Day was born in the slums of the Republic’s Lake Sector, and he is already a wanted criminal. Mostly his acts look to be anti-war-effort. Then he’s accused of killing Metias. June wants her revenge and will track him down, but Day just wants to save his family. The two will discover shocking truths about their Republic and the twisted way it goes about keeping its secrets.

            Told from the viewpoints of June and Day, Lu gives them each a distinctive voice with layers to their characters. She creates visual imagery in the story that plants rich pictures in the minds of the readers. The purported first book in a trilogy, this is a YA dystopian novel to pick up if you read “The Hunger Games.” I am looking forward to the next installments.

The Scorpio Races (Oct. 18, 2011) by Maggie Stiefvater.

Capaill uisce. This term refers to the water horses that come out of the sea and which residents (and a few brave outsiders) on Thisby Island catch and train to race in the annual Scorpio Races. They also hope to not die. These horses aren’t sweet little water sprites or a pet. No. These horses are drawn to the salty sea. And flesh. And drowning that flesh so they can consume it. Nice picture, huh? But the book is also a story about Sean Kendrick and Kate “Puck” Connolly. Sean is the brooding returning champion, while Puck is the first female registrant and a very determined young woman. Sean has his reasons for being who he is, and Puck just wants to save her family’s farm and keep her siblings together.

            This YA book is captivating. Exhilarating. A little bit fearsome (no capall uisce for me - *shudder*). This is the first book I’ve read by Stiefvater, though I know she is renowned for her “Shiver” trilogy. Subtle romance only, so guys shouldn’t feel the need to stay away from this book. There’s one particularly tough scene involving a capall uisce. For sure, this read isn’t for the greatly tenderhearted. But for those who like any of the following – Celtic myths, a story well-imagined, strong visual descriptions – and can stomach reading some violence, you may become a fan of Stiefvater, too.

The Serpent’s Shadow (May 1, 2012) by Rick Riordan.

In the final book of The Kane Chronicles, Carter and Sadie Kane are back to [hopefully] send Apophis, the Chaos snake, deep into the Duat where he belongs and restore Ma’at – order – to the world. As with the other two books, this one is alternately told by Carter and Sadie. Khufu is around, and Walt’s fate will come to pass. A crazy-pathological-liar-ghost-magician named Setne has entered the picture to offer “help,” and many others are in this book helping or hindering the beat-Apophis effort, both human and Egyptian god alike, familiar and maybe not so much.

            Rick Riordan’s books have been my replacement reads for Harry Potter (not that it can ever truly be replaced). Like Harry Potter, they are geared toward the same age group, but read enormously well at any age. They are fun and witty, and each novel takes you on an exhilarating adventure that’s filled with tough choices, tricky business, danger and the sort of timid attraction that comes in the oh-you-don’t-actually-have-cooties-and-are-rather-cute stage. As with his other books I’ve read, this one is vivid and tremendously imaginative. This is a must-read if you haven’t already introduced yourself to Riordan yet, but start with the first book (called “The Red Pyramid”). Or, if you’re more familiar with Greek mythology, begin with his Percy Jackson & the Olympians series.