"Blood and Bone" by Don Hoesel

Blood and Bone (July 1, 2013) by Don Hoesel.*

Years ago, Dr. Jack Hawthorne traded in his life of dangerous adventure for one as an unassuming university professor, husband to Dr. Esperanza “Espy” Habilla-Hawthorne and father to two boys. A past choice has returned to haunt him when someone demands that the bones of Elisha the prophet be brought to him. It is said that Elisha’s bones not only have the power to heal, but restore life. A rogue operative wants them and will use whatever means necessary to obtain them, even stooping to use Jack’s sons’ lives as leverage.

            Unfortunately for Jack and Espy, the bones are not where they buried them thirteen years ago. To complicate matters, they are being pursued by two factions that’d like to see them dead, and the one faction has its own discord which affects the Hawthorne parents. They are both the helped (at unexpected times) and the hunted. Will they also be the saved? One thing’s for sure: the Hawthornes would walk through fire and brimstone if they had to in order to reunite with their sons. They’ll span the globe to sort out the clues and get their boys back.

            It is apparent that Hoesel is a talented writer. In this Christian suspense fiction novel, well-researched history and fiction gray the lines between fact and the writer’s imagination. The suspense isn’t suspenseful in a scary way and the plot moves right along. The only thing I didn’t really care for were all the adversarial groups. One is understandable to make a story. Two can work to give the story layers and more depth. But a rogue operative and two adversarial groups, one of which has two faces? That can be overkill. But fortunately, Hoesel makes it work.

* Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions are expressly my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Rutabaga's Reads 2013: Part 11

Here is another round of +Scholastic books. These were my first books by each of these authors. Please note that I am in no way connected to Scholastic except through my love of books and personal support of their brand.

            I thank my brother’s fiancée, Katie, for recommending Cinder!

The Apothecary (Oct. 4, 2011) by Maile Meloy.

It’s 1952, and Janie Scott is a fourteen-year-old who suddenly moves from Los Angeles to London. Her parents are television screenwriters. They’ve been blacklisted¹ by the House Committee on Un-American Activities². Still, Janie isn’t distraught by her parents’ predicament so much that she’s distraught for herself. The flat in London is cold, and Janie’s terribly homesick. On top of that, she has to wear a school uniform and learn Latin. But she meets Benjamin Burrows, son of the apothecary, and she’s moved by his defiance. Benjamin’s dad entrusts them with the Pharmacopoeia right before he goes missing. As they work to keep the book out of enemy hands, they uncover seemingly impossible things and encounter many faces. Who can they trust?

            I was pleasantly surprised by this middle-grade novel. It’s witty and inventive with enough intensity to move the plot along without making it scary and enough humor to keep it from being too serious. The book is part magic and part science with an element of history – a good choice for anyone who enjoys historical fantasy. There is mystery, danger and adventure. It contains the smallest bit of young romance, but it’s not enough that it should scare away a male readership. Make room in your imaginations for “The Apothecary!”

¹The Hollywood blacklist.

²This committee was abolished in 1975. (Yes, it was real!)

Cinder (Jan. 3, 2012) by Marissa Meyer.

In this future Earth, there are six Earthen countries. Linh Cinder resides in New Beijing, capital of the Eastern Commonwealth, and she’s a second-class citizen who’s more a possession than a body with rights. That’s because she’s a cyborg. She knows nothing of her past before she was eleven. She’s sixteen now and is a gifted mechanic. She pays her horrid stepmother’s bills. All of them. She has two stepsisters: one nice (Peony) and one not-so-nice (Pearl). Cinder’s life interconnects with Crown Prince Kaito’s, and she soon gains insight into his major stressors. His father, the emperor, is in the fourth and final stage of letumosis. No cure has been found for the disease, which covers the body in a bruise-colored rash. Fourth stage is reached once the finger tips turn blue-black. Furthermore, the ruthless Lunar people (they live on the moon) watch with Queen Levana trying to bedazzle her way onto an Earthen throne through the manipulation of bioelectricity. Any Lunar has this ability, except for shells. Queen Levana uses it for glossy bully purposes as much as for just plain evil ones. Cinder will find that her role will become far more important than simply being a cyborg-mechanic.

            I was initially unsure of “Cinder,” wondering if I’d like a book centered on a gifted-mechanic cyborg. It turns out that I did! “Cinder” is a YA science fiction book with fairytale ties set in a dystopian future. “Cinder” is not a remake of the Disney version of Cinderella, so don’t set yourself up for a classic retelling of that beloved story. It is Meyer’s take on the tale, and there are similarities. You may see the “pumpkin” in the car, and of course there’s the terrible stepmother. The characters are distinctive, and the storyline is decent. The book is perhaps too predictable at times, but the author’s writing is skilled, her world-building is sound, and the racism (even of an atypical kind) is still racism enough to rankle the nerves. This is the first book in a series.

Mockingbird (Apr. 15, 2010)  by Kathryn Erskine.

What would it be like to view everything in black and white? I’m not referring to TVs before they were in color. I’m talking about Caitlin Smith’s world. For her, everything is black or white, good or bad, easy or hard. She is an eleven-year-old with Asperger syndrome, an autism spectrum disorder. Her brother, Devon, taught her and guided her, but he’s dead now. She wants to find closure after she learns the definition of it. Caitlin works with her school’s counselor, Mrs. Brook, who wants her to find friends, learn finesse (the tactful kind) and show empathy. She doesn’t want to, because it’s hard and sometimes she just Doesn’t Get It. But life is more than black or white, and Caitlin may find that it’s not all so bad or scary.

            A National Book Award Winner (2010), “Mockingbird” is a realistic, middle-grade fiction novel. While the sorrow of the story stems from a school shooting, it is not a book that focuses on violence. It is more a book that focuses on the healing (closure) of a main character who lives with Asperger’s and the grieving community. This is a fine selection, not just for middle school students learning about disorders and realistic tough stuff, but also for high school psychology classes as a discussion topic. While she doesn’t wear a snazzy suit or have superpowers, Caitlin is still a hero who works to learn more, understand more and be more, as we all should.

Pegasus: The Flame of Olympus (May 22, 2012) by Kate O’Hearn.

An unexpected thunderstorm is ravaging the East Coast with NYC in the heart of it. Its intensity seems unusual, but not as unusual as discovering that Pegasus – yes, the winged stallion – has crashed onto Emily Jacobs’ apartment building’s roof. Pegasus is injured and is displeased with Paelen’s actions. Paelen is an Olympian thief, and he’s in a tight bind elsewhere. Meanwhile, Olympus is in danger of being snuffed out by the Nirads, smelly stone giants of gray marble sporting four arms. The Roman gods struggle to defeat them. To complicate matters in NYC, Emily, her friend Joel, Olympian Diana and Pegasus are being pursued, not just by kill-thirsty Nirads, but also by the CRU (Central Research Unit). The CRU deals with “unexplained phenomena,” and all taken by them are never seen again. But it’s imperative they stay alive. They must retrieve Pegasus’ bridle and find Vesta’s Flame (Hestia, for those more familiar with the Greek) and save Olympus. Will anyone be lost? Will Olympus be restored?

            The story is energetic, and it is a decent tide-over for Rick Riordan fans. I still much prefer Riordan’s writing; however, a review quote of his was on the book, which is what prompted me to purchase this title. The pain and anger (yes, there is violence) make this story especially strong emotionally. There is also plenty of daring and adventure mixed with fantasy in this upper middle-grade tale. I appreciate this story of modern mythology combined with our world and how O’Hearn distinguishes her world from similar ones such as those from Riordan.

Rutabaga's Reads 2013: Part 10

It’s been on the back burner of my mind to re-read for awhile. I’m happy to note that I not only got around to re-reading the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series (trade paperback editions) by Rick Riordan, but I also put this compilation together!

            Prophecies are a big part of these books, so I have included the prophecy poems (with the exception of the very last one, the next Great Prophecy). Some might consider them spoiler-ish, so I’m giving you fair warning now. Ignore them if you want to; read them if you’re not worried.

            Look for the film version of “The Sea of Monsters” coming August 7!

The Lightning Thief (July 20, 2005).

Would you walk a mile in Perseus “Percy” Jackson’s shoes? He’s about to be kicked out of boarding school – his sixth one in six years – and monsters are after him. He makes his way, at great personal cost, to Camp Half-Blood, a safe haven where demigods go to train, learn, and, if they’re “lucky,” get sent on a quest. Percy’s on Greek mythology overload, because that’s exactly what he thought that all was: myth. But suddenly the reason he’s never known his father is because – surprise! – Daddy is a Greek god. There’s no time for Percy to really process this, for Zeus has accused him of stealing his master lightning bolt. He has until the summer solstice to return the bolt, otherwise the gods will be at war, and that’s not good for anybody. But who would pin such a crime on an inexperienced newbie who’s just learning who he is? Why? He’s about to find out with new friends Grover Underwood and Annabeth Chase, but before he goes, he needs to see the Oracle about a quest …

“You shall go west and face the god who has turned.

You shall find what was stolen, and see it safely returned.

You shall be betrayed by one who calls you a friend.

And you shall fail to save what matters most, in the end.” (p. 141)

            I love these books because they’re humorous and craftily-written and are full of action and adventure. I even enjoy the chapter titles. For example, Chapter 1’s title is: I Accidentally Vaporize My Pre-Algebra Teacher. While classified as upper middle-grade fantasy, they are a delight to any age group. Riordan is terrific at building Percy’s world: it’s an outrageous mix of the real and the mythical that works wonderfully. It’s a world that I want to be a part of. And it’s not all about slaying monsters or getting into trouble. It’s also about saving and protecting those we care about.

The Sea of Monsters (April 1, 2006).

It’s been a pretty good year, as Percy Jackson hasn’t been attacked by monsters. But on the final day of school, a dodgeball game turns deadly – at least, if you consider being attacked by ugly cannibal giants (Laistrygonians a.k.a. “Canadians”) deadly. Percy’s made a new friend, Tyson, and is worried about his best friend, Grover, who’s in danger. When Annabeth shows up unexpectedly, she only shares more bad news: Camp Half-Blood’s magical borders are poisoned and are therefore failing. There’s only one thing that can save them, but it’s been lost for centuries. Percy’s raring to save Grover, but the new activities director gives the quest to his arch-rival Clarisse. No matter, for Grover’s his best friend, and best friends will do crazy things to save each other. The usual things, you know, like sail through the Sea of Monsters (a.k.a. the Bermuda Triangle) and narrowly miss death a dozen times, get turned into a rodent, battle a huge Cyclops -- yep, usual things like that!

“You shall sail the iron ship with warriors of bone,

You shall find what you seek and make it your own,

But despair for your life entombed within stone,

And fail without friends, to fly home alone.” (p. 234)

            One of the best things about Riordan’s writing is that, no matter how bleak or dangerous a situation seems, he keeps it funny, easy-to-read and action-packed. There is never a dull moment in Percy’s life, which means there is never a dull moment when reading this book.

The Titan’s Curse (May 1, 2007).

The winter holidays are approaching, and Percy Jackson is going to aid Grover after Grover alerts him that he’s found two new sibling half-bloods. Their parentage is unknown, but they are potentially powerful. Early on, a fellow demigod goes missing, along with a major goddess. Percy’s nightmares suggest his old enemy has upped his level of no-goodness. He wants to go on the rescue mission, the quest, but he’s not chosen. Fortunately, he has help from a helpful winged horse (a pegasus) named Blackjack, the occasional god or goddess and the Hunters of Artemis, who, by the way, don’t like him because he’s a boy. But that’s the least of his worries, because the missing demigod will be killed on the winter solstice, and they have to find some unknown beast before the enemy does. In just five days.

“Five shall go west to the goddess in chains,

One shall be lost in the land without rain,

The bane of Olympus shows the trail,

Campers and Hunters combined prevail,

The Titan’s curse must one withstand,

And one shall perish by a parent’s hand.” (p. 89)

            I feel I should mention that these books would be good choices for reluctant readers, male or female. I think these books would fit especially well with the male set, as they’re full of humor, action and adventure, fantasy, swordplay and, of course, the slaying of monsters. The books are a thrill ride that don’t stop until the last page.

The Battle of the Labyrinth (May 6, 2008).

Ancient monsters long-forgotten are rising as the Titan lord gathers form. The enemy army is looking for a way into Camp Half-Blood without going up against its protected borders by wending their way through a very large, ever-shifting labyrinth that offers dangers around almost every corner. Percy and company want to find the maze’s creator, Daedalus, and retrieve the string before the enemy does. Percy’s a powerful demigod, but it will still take plenty of ingenuity on his part and that of his friends to survive and make their way back to Camp Half-Blood in time to defend their camp, their only safe haven.

“You shall delve in the darkness of the endless maze,

The dead, the traitor, and the lost one raise.

You shall rise or fall by the ghost king’s hand,

The child of Athena’s final stand.

Destroy with a hero’s final breath.

And lose a love to worse than death.” (pp. 348-349)

            This book especially focuses on alignment, as in, our allies and our enemies. Sometimes those lines are not as black and white as we’d think them to be. Sometimes those lines are gray and blurry. A nemesis may become a friend, while a friend may turn enemy. Even those we expect to be our allies because we do something as major as, say, save them from painful death, may become traitorous in the end. These books are highly entertaining to read, and they are thought-provoking as well, if you care for them to be.

The Last Olympian (May 5, 2009).

The demigods have spent the past year preparing for the culminating battle with the Titan lord and his large army of dangerous monsters, titan brothers and rogue demigods. Percy and his friends struggle to strategize with a limited number of demigods, as too many have disappeared, perished or turned foe. They can’t even expect help from their godly parents, not that they’re ever openly helpful anyway, for they are battling Typhon, the most horrible monster of all, and the daddy of all monsters. The gods are trying to overcome Typhon so he doesn’t reach New York, but even they, with all their immortal and godly powers, are struggling. It appears that no one’s guarding Olympus, so it’s up to Percy and his friends to keep it safe. Because if Olympus falls, the gods will fade, and the world as they know it will end. Percy makes a choice with the help of a friend to, er, strengthen himself. Surely they will be heroes at the end of it all, but what will it cost to get there?

“A half-blood of the eldest gods

Shall reach sixteen against all odds,

And see the world in endless sleep,

The hero’s soul, cursed blade shall reap.

A single choice shall end his days.

Olympus to preserve or raze.” (p. 55)

            This book is a strong and powerful conclusion to the series. It is riveting, exciting and compelling all at the same time. Just as there are moments of triumph, there are also moments of sadness, desolation and fear. The book is as witty as Riordan’s other books, so even amidst chaos and desperation, humor is never far behind. This concluding story ties up the series quite well, and I got through it all without any satyrs attempting to eat the furniture.

            To me, the Percy Jackson & the Olympians series is a must-read and a must-own. This magical series is a winner! Celebratory laurel wreaths for everyone!