Rutabaga's Reads 2014: Part 8

Though I’ve nicknamed this post Part Scholastic Books 2, they aren’t only representative of +Scholastic. All four stories are also young adult fiction titles.

            This should be old news, but please note that I am not associated with anyone at Scholastic and receive no compensation for plugging them. I am simply an avid reader who supports the Scholastic brand, as so many others do.

Bewitching (Feb. 14, 2012) by Alex Flinn.

Do you remember the Beast? That was one of Kendra Hilferty’s success stories. Kendra is an immortal witch, and she’s lived for centuries. She likes to help people, but sometimes it backfires. She wants to help Emma Bailey, who has a conniving (evil) stepsister, but she didn’t move in with the evil stepsister. It’s the stepsister – gorgeous, flaxen-haired, leggy Lisette – who lives with Emma and her mother. Emma is your typical nerd/bookworm: she loves to read and write for the high school newspaper. She also participates in music and would rather read the day away in her childhood tree house than go to a rowdy party or a pep rally. She doesn’t like being in the limelight and likes the idea of a guy liking her. She wants to be “some girl boys wanted to kiss.” And Emma would really like that boy to be Warner Glassman.

            Emma is very kind-hearted and wants to hope for only the good in people. Naïve? Yes. But also commendable on some level. Her mother, Andrea, is suspicious of Lisette from the get-go and doesn’t disguise it. Also suspicious? Kendra. Kendra wants to help, but as her ”help” has gone historically awry at times, she hesitates to step in. Well, maybe she’ll help a little.

            The premise isn’t original, but the way Flinn presents it is. As I’m sure you’ve gleaned, “Bewitching” is like Cinderella with the roles reversed. Instead of Emma doing all the chores in tattered clothing, she’s well-dressed and living with a beastly stepsister who takes, takes, takes through lies and manipulation.  It is a contemporary fairytale with a witch who is eccentric but likable and is wise because of her years (centuries, even). There’s a sweet little twist at the end and Kendra’s reminiscences bring us historical fiction asides that feature a real-life prince, a plague that did happen and a familiar fictional mermaid who encountered the sinking of a very famous “unsinkable” ship.

            The story is pretty clever, and it isn’t without humor. The narrative moves right along and despite all of Lisette’s conniving machinations, Emma’s goodness counters it nicely. It’s easy to root for Emma, though I wish she knew how to stand up for herself. “Bewitching” is a tale also meant to make the reader think about accepting yourself for how you look on the outside and knowing that, just because you’re beautiful on the outside doesn’t mean you’re beautiful on the inside.

            See also: Beastly

The Elite (Apr. 23, 2013) by Kiera Cass.

The Selection began with 35 girls and is now down to the Elite six. This is a bit of a spoiler, but they are: Kriss Ambers, Natalie Luca, Celeste Newsome, Marlee Tames, Elise Whisks and, of course, America Singer. America is continually torn between her old flame, Aspen Leger, and the connection she has with Prince Maxon Schreave. With the Selection down to the Elite, the competition for Prince Maxon’s heart is, unsurprisingly, fierce. And with the advancement of the competition, princess training with Silvia brings more expectation to these girls, the most stressful of which are the inclusion of special assignments. These assignments, such as the coordinating of a reception to host visiting royals, have to be completed come rain or shine or rebel attacks. Yes, the rebel attacks have escalated in this book. Both groups are feisty enough to make it their aim to gain entrance to the palace, but while the Northern rebels seem to do nothing more than make a mess of things, the Southern rebels use force and violence.

            Despite the increase in rebel attacks, the focus remains on the Selection. As readers, we know that that is the major plotline of the story: Who will Prince Maxon choose? And: Who does America love more? At the same time, we know the rebel attacks are increasing, so why do we not have more background on the Northern and Southern rebels? Or at least speculation about them? Hopefully that will be addressed in the concluding novel (which was released this spring).

            As with the first book, “The Elite” reminded me of a literary version of “The Bachelor,” except on a grander scale. Grander, like living in a palace, having your own maids at your service, and, last but not least, vying for a prince. If you’re expecting brawn to be a mainstay in your dystopian fiction repertoire, I would avoid this one. However, if you’re okay reading about resplendent gowns and etiquette, this is a story for you. It’s not all fluff and fancy, though. The rebel attacks do add some harshness to the story, as does a public event in which America shows that she has a moral compass that points north, which I was glad to read. Of course, then she dissolved into a fit of teenage hysterics, but as she is a teenager, I guess I can’t deny her that. Even though it is not princess-like at all. But who’s to say she’ll end up a princess anyway?

            Book One: The Selection

Poison (Mar. 12, 2013) by Bridget Zinn.

A Master Potioner in the Kingdom of Mohr is desperate. Sixteen-year-old Kyra is a fugitive, on the run after her assassination attempt on the princess fails. That princess is Princess Ariana, who, by-the-way, is Kyra’s best friend since childhood. Now Kyra’s known as the Princess Killer. But she knows in her gut that something is amiss in the kingdom, and she is determined to save it, even if it means slaying her best friend. She’s armed with her impressive potions intellect (yay brain power!), the vital potions (poisons included), a cute Katzenheim pig (is apparently great at tracking) and a handsome wanderer named Fred (how is that helpful?). Unfortunately, she’s on the run from her Master Potioner ex-fiancé, Hal, and the King’s Army. Trying to kill a princess will incite them to hunt you down, apparently.

            From sparks to obeekas, this YA title is cheeky and fun with a setting reminiscent of a fairytale, complete with a royal family. Zinn has created a clever young woman in Kyra, whose rebelliousness and adventure-with-a-purpose may appeal to those who appreciate Disney characters such as Merida from “Brave” or Anna from “Frozen.” It is not a complex story, but it isn’t without twists. And despite the title and the poisons she knows how to use, it is not a story fraught with violence and death. (Kyra’s preference is actually a sleeping dart.) Any darker moment in the book is never scary, for those potential moments are overshadowed by the feisty heroine and the engaging humor. Read on for my favorite lines, which compose part of a conversation:

“… there’s a small rodent on your face. Thought you should know.”

“It’s a mustache. Kyra has assured me that it’s extremely convincing.”

            I’d like you all to know that I’ve tried this mustache-using-your-hair look. Suffice it to say that it did have the desired effect, which was NOT for it to look convincing, but to incite a chuckle from my brother. And it did, so yay fake mustaches! Who needs a pack of fake bristly face hair when you can use your own? Ha!

A WORD REGARDING THE AUTHOR: Sadly, Bridget Zinn passed away in May of 2011 after a brave battle with cancer. If this book sounds at all interesting, I encourage you to celebrate her dream accomplishment – to publish a book – by reading it!

Scarlet (Feb. 5, 2013) by Marissa Meyer.

New Beijing Prison is the new – and very temporary residence – of Linh Cinder. Cinder’s in lockdown and is not okay with Lunar Queen Levana wanting to take her back to Luna. She’s about to escape with Carswell Thorne, an ex-cadet for the American Republic air force, mostly because she unintentionally lets herself into his cell (it was supposed to be unoccupied) and he has a ship (stolen). Newly minted Emperor Kai is secretly glad that Cinder’s escaped, but he mentally decides to hate Carswell immediately on account of he’s “young and inarguably good-looking.”

            In Rieux, a small farming community in southern France, Scarlet Benoit is frantically searching for her grandmother. Her grand-mère, Michelle Benoit, has been missing for over two weeks. She’s been kidnapped for information, but what of import could her grandmother possibly know? She has no secrets as far as Scarlet is concerned, at least none that she’s ever heard, and why would Grand-mère keep secrets from her? Clues to her grandmother’s whereabouts may lie with the mysterious street fighter, Wolf. While she doesn’t want to trust him, she has no better choice.

            Cinder, Scarlet and Wolf will find themselves to be unexpectedly connected. And the more allies the better, as they’re going to have a time of it avoiding the cruel Lunar queen, who wants the handsome Emperor Kai as her husband for reasons of power. Cinder definitely doesn’t like that!

            I like how Meyer introduces new characters by highlighting them in a new story as opposed to throwing all of the characters into the first book – no matter how brief the mention – and having readers try to sort through them later. This approach works well. Like the first novel, this YA story is part science-fiction and part fantasy. It’s a dystopian adventure with fairytale ties, but don’t go expecting Scarlet to run around with a billowing red cloak.

            The Lunars’ ability to perform mind control and manipulation creates an ethics issue that would be good discussion material. And just a heads up, but the body count rises by the end of the story. There is some comic relief, though. Example: “Sadistic Kidnappers Parading as Righteous Lupine Wannabes.” I found the story to be intriguing, but that phrase alone sounds intriguing, doesn’t it?

            Book One: Cinder

"Dreams of Gods & Monsters" by Laini Taylor

“My wife likes to say that the mind is a palace with room for many guests. Perhaps the butler takes care to install the delegates of Science in a different wing from the emissaries of Faith, lest they take up arguing in the passages.” –Dr. Anuj Chaudhary

This is my favorite paragraph in the entire novel. It’s such an intelligent way for the author to convey that a fictional character – both a renowned scientist and a man of faith – can believe openly the construct of evolutionary history and Creationism. I just love it. So great.

Dreams of Gods & Monsters (Apr. 8, 2014) by Laini Taylor.

POSSIBLE SPOILER (that one would likely guess at, anyway): Karou and Akiva have allied their once-enemy armies with each other, however tenuously. The revenant chimaera and seraphim, the “beasts” and the “angels,” struggle against their instinct to slaughter the other and band together. But band together they must in order to have any chance of defeating Jael, captain of the seraphic Dominion army, the Empire’s high-bred, elite army. The ranks of illegitimate Misbegotten, of which Akiva and Liraz are a part of, have severely dwindled. The Second Legion, or common army, is the largest army, on middle ground, but their allegiance is unclear. And defeating Jael’s army is crucial to the populations of two worlds: Eretz, where the seraphim and chimaera all hail from, and Earth, where, well, humans do.

            If the comingling of their armies works, then perhaps Akiva and Karou can be together in love. But with all that goes on around them and the directions they feel pulled in, fate may keep them apart. Something else is also at play. Akiva has felt the awareness of something other, something hostile. But what is it?

            Eliza Jones is a newcomer to the story. She is a research fellow in evolutionary biology at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History. She studies butterflies, has a past she doesn’t like to dwell on and may be prophetic. What might any of that have to do with Akiva, Karou and company? (Keep an eye on Ziri, too.)

            There has been no escaping violence in Taylor’s YA trilogy, but there is less violence in this novel than the previous two. Probably because Karou and Akiva spend more time longing for love, peace between races and a home. Possibly a shared one. Taylor’s fantasy novel is spellbinding, not just because of the source material, but of her creative skill in writing. So often her words are poetic -- not “lunatic poetry,” as Zuzana mentions (love her humor), but poetic prose. For example, “Skin as black as a raven’s wing at the umbra of eclipse, and her hair was featherine, the soft rose of sunrise, and falling in pale shoals about her dark shoulders.” Practically lyric, no?

            Still, the book isn’t all intensely poetic, but light and darkness, victory and defeat, secrecy, enmity, togetherness, love. Resurrections begot and lives lost, thuribles filled and evanescence. From bodies whole to ashes in the wind. The plot is multilayered and strong, the writing meticulous and lengthy (over 600 pages long). Taylor’s story is a vale of terrific storytelling, gorgeously edgy and intense. Highly recommend!

"Child of Mine" by David & Beverly Lewis

Child of Mine (June 3, 2014) by David & Beverly Lewis.*

It’s logical to say that a parent’s worst nightmare is to lose a child. For Kelly Maines, her four-month-old daughter was kidnapped by her own estranged husband. Sold on the black market just so he could get drug money. And subsequently overdosed. That was over eight years ago, and Kelly has spent all the years since looking tirelessly for her lost daughter. She’s got her own PI in Ernie Meyers, a former policeman, and financial backing in Chet & Eloise Stilson, who are like second parents. Ernie’s investigating leads him to Natalie “Nattie” Livingston.

            Nattie is a spunky, witty, vivacious eight-year-old. She’s been raised the past four years by her Uncle Jack after the death of his brother and sister-in-law in a car crash. Nattie has always known that she’s adopted and has recently become fixated on wanting a mother in her life again. She even goes so far as to play matchmaker to her unfashionable uncle-turned-dad. Jack is a flight instructor considering the dating game. For years, the main girl in his life has been Nattie, though their dear Amish nanny/housekeeper, Laura Mast, has been a staple presence in their lives (and harbors her own hurts and secrets). Can Jack find someone that both he and Nattie love and that even his fashionable but outspoken sister, San, approves of as well?

            Lewis & Lewis have created another novel of hope, loss, redemption, struggle and tentative love. Sure, there’s a happy ending, but the characters, young and older, aren’t without their strife. The characters are all connected, yet have their own issues to sort through.

            With regard to the cover: a potential reader might think the story focuses on a young girl and her Amish nanny. Certainly there’s plenty of interaction between the two and an obvious rapport, but I found I wasn’t surprised that it didn’t take place in Lancaster County. Why? Because this novel isn’t just by Beverly Lewis; it’s a collaboration with her husband.

            I appreciated reading of Nattie’s desire to, not just have a mommy, but to know her birthmother. Even when you’ve known all your life that you’re adopted and have grown up in a loving, caring family, it’s still normal to go through a phase where you wonder about birthparents. I know I went through that phase in my youth, so Nattie struck a chord with me. Not one of longing or regret. Simply, ‘I understand.’ And while we don’t always get those answers to the specific questions we ask, we can always trust that He hears us and will answer in His own time through His own mysterious ways.

* 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.”