"House of Ivy & Sorrow" by Natalie Whipple

A big THANK YOU for this book goes out to my brother and newest sister-in-law. They have great taste, as this was one of my birthday books from the couple.

House of Ivy & Sorrow (Apr. 15, 2014) by Natalie Whipple.

“They say a witch lives in the old house under the interstate bridge.” Because she really does. Just ask seventeen-year-old Josephine “Jo” Hemlock. The witch is her grandmother, after all: Dorothea Hemlock (a.k.a. Nana). They reside in [fictional] Willow’s End, Iowa. Jo has kept her magical life secret from her non-magical one, mostly because telling others about it would be breaking major witching tradition. She’s about to let others in on the secret, though, and not by choice. Of all people, Nana makes that decision when the Curse that’s killed many witches, including Jo’s own mother, finds them in Willow’s End. Magical barriers are in place, but the shadows are strong, and Jo doesn’t know their source. In theory, if she can discover that, she can figure out who killed her mom, prevent herself from being Cursed and save her friends, a couple of whom don’t go unscathed.

            Outsiders who know nothing of magic may assume that it’s simply a battle of good witch versus bad witch. Light magic versus dark magic. But all magic is dark. It comes down to that some witches are more responsible with their magic than others. In their world, you control magic or go crazy when it consumes you. Which sort of witch would you be? And why?

            I’ll be honest. With all of that ivy, the cover is very busy, and I initially figured I wouldn’t read it for that reason. But after reading two of Whipple’s books and enjoying them, I put this book on my birthday list as one of my “must-haves.” And I’m so glad I did, because it read swiftly. The book is something of a supernatural YA thriller. Despite its title, it’s not the darkest book I’ve read, though there is sorrow and pain. There’s also suspense, but it’s not so scary you want to sleep with the lights on. I enjoyed Whipple’s version of witching tradition, but what I really appreciated was the strong bond, not just between Jo and Nana, but of sisterhood. I’m not only referring to blood relations (Jo doesn’t actually have any sisters), but of the bonds between women, whether they’re related or not. Love is a bond that binds and woe to anyone who tries to break it!

"Blindsided" by Natalie Whipple

Note: This story should not be confused with a previous book I summarized and reviewed with the same title. While both stories are works of fiction, this is a YA fantasy novel in a dystopian setting, and the other Blindsided falls in the category of realistic fiction.

Blindsided (Jan. 2, 2014) by Natalie Whipple.

She knew that fleeing her dad’s syndicate and going to another syndicate’s territory wouldn’t really save her, but Fiona McClean still hoped for some semblance of normalcy. Not that her life can ever be truly normal, what with being the only invisible person and all. Maybe it would rock to be invisible, and it does have its perks, but all Fiona wants is to be seen. She wants to see something besides a floating pair of glasses and air rocking a cute dress in photos. When she’s kissing her boyfriend, she wants to see that he’s not just kissing air. If she looks in the mirror, she wants to see a face, her face. But those things should be the least of her worries, because she’s been noticed by Juan’s syndicate, and they aren’t being quiet about things. The Army has also come to their small town of Madison (Arizona), and they’re not quiet, either. Both groups desire the ability to produce more Radiasure and, even more importantly, have control over it. The Army has even gone so far as to obtain the “recipe,” but a key ingredient is missing and the Army doesn’t know where to find it. Fiona and company may know where that special ingredient is located, but can they trust anyone outside their group with its whereabouts?

            This YA novel is the sequel to Whipple’s “Transparent.” I found it to be as fast-moving and entertaining as the novel’s predecessor. The main plot, of course, is how to overthrow the baddies, but who’s the bad guy? Is it just that sickly, skinny, scary dude from Juan’s syndicate? What about the Army, because surely they aren’t guilt-free? This story also asks a question common in people of all ages today: How do we accept how we look as is? Fiona’s case is different, of course, as she can’t see herself at all, but she wants to so badly. She feels like she can’t be happy or accept herself without knowledge of her physical appearance. As a reader, does that seem vain? Understandable? Both? Do you think she’d be wholly satisfied if she could see herself?

            (For those concerned, the language isn’t completely clean. It’s not worst-of-the-worst when it comes to expletives, but they are scattered throughout.)

Rutabaga's Reads 2013: Part 14

The books for this compilation have been spread out over many months. I first saved this document, nicknamed “YA Reads 2,” back in April. It’s now already November! Yes, the following books all fall into the category of young adult. As before, I hope that you’ll read this post whether you frequently read YA titles, occasionally read them or refuse to read them but know people who do.

Fury (Aug. 30, 2011) by Elizabeth Miles.

Revenge is sweet in the fictional town of Ascension, Maine, but who’s on the receiving end? Emily Winters should be enjoying winter break. There’s no school, there are parties to attend, and handsome Zach McCord is finally noticing her. Perhaps he’ll invite her over to his house. But wait. Em shouldn’t want that, because Zach is the boyfriend of Gabby Dove. And Gabby Dove is Em’s best friend. Then there’s Chase Singer. He lives on the other side of town, but he doesn’t like it to show. He wears the right clothes, is star quarterback on the football team and can get pretty much any girl he wants. After all, he belongs. But Chase has a secret of cruelty. Luke 6:31 states, “Do to others as you would have them do to you” (NRSV). That may ring truer than Chase could ever believe. Who decides their fate? Enacts the revenge? In this case, three beautiful, mystifying girls. They’ve come to Ascension for a reason. They want to make people feel sorry for their wrongdoings … But sometimes sorry isn’t enough.

            Although I mentioned the verse from Luke, “Fury” isn’t at all biblical. Think more mythological. The concept is a good one, and the writing is solid; strong language is used more than infrequently. The three girls really are as cold as deep winter and are deadly to boot. “Fury” didn’t seduce me, but it held my attention most of the time. While there are paranormal elements, it isn’t only young adult paranormal fiction. It can also bring about discussion of bullying and vengeance. The girls are all about the latter and sometimes even the former to reach the latter. Perhaps it will be addressed in later books, but the big question for me was: Why them? What makes them any worse than anyone else performing the same cruel or devious acts? Why choose someone who covets another over one who, say, takes lives? And why do these girls get to decide? Can they be bested?

Of Triton (May 28, 2013) by Anna Banks.

WARNING: UNAVOIDABLE* SPOILERS INCLUDED

Big secrets are fun, right? Emma McIntosh already knows about the Syrena and what it is to be a Half-Breed, but of course the news doesn’t end there. Now she’s trying to digest the fact that her mother is a long-lost Poseidon princess. Nalia has momentarily returned to the sea, but Emma has to stay on land. Where does she belong? She’s a freak amongst humans and an abomination amongst Syrena. But it turns out her mom isn’t having an easy time of things, either. She’s been gone for so long, and seeds of doubt have been planted by someone in the Poseidon camp. Seeds that say that Nalia isn’t Nalia the long-lost, long-thought-dead Poseidon princess, even though King Antonis is convinced she’s his daughter. He would know his own progeny, right? The troublemaker, unfortunately, is doing a better job of turning his Loyals against the Royals than the Royals are convincing them of the truth. A Tribunal, unheard of for Royals, has been called upon them. Things don’t appear to be in their favor, which could mean a trip to the Ice Caverns for them -- for their eternity. Emma may be the only one who can show them that the Royals are telling the truth and the troublemaker is the liar. But will she reveal her Gift to both Syrena kingdoms and let all the pieces fall where they may?

            Like its predecessor, “Of Triton” is told from the alternating viewpoints of Emma and Galen. Also like its predecessor, it is infused with humor, teenage sarcasm and overall literary entertainment value. The romance between Emma and Galen continues to blossom, though it’s not steamy. There aren’t any new, major, supporting characters introduced in this installment, but we do get to know some of the other supporting characters a little more (e.g. King Antonis). I highly recommend this book to anyone with watery intrigue interests.

            Book One in the trilogy: Of Poseidon

* Might the spoilers actually be avoidable? Perhaps. But considering the spoilers I listed are included on the inside of the dust jacket, I deemed them ‘unavoidable.’

Sapphire Blue (Oct. 30, 2012) by Kerstin Gier. Anthea Bell, translator.

Oh, to be a time-traveling member of the Circle of Twelve! But really, Gwen Shepherd would rather be a normal teenager. Instead she’s having lessons of historical period correctness with the dramatically unpleasant grouch called Giordano (“just Giordano”) and her horrid cousin Charlotte Montrose. The striking, green-eyed, time-traveling counterpart of Gwen’s, Gideon de Villiers, is also around, but Gwen doesn’t really know what to think of him half the time. Sometimes Gideon’s as hot as a blazing fire, and her mind is more blancmange than actual mind. Other times he’s as cold as ice, giving her such frigid glares that her heart could shatter like glass. No one knows what the Circle’s completion really means, and any other truths out there are being kept from Gwen, which she thinks is hardly fair. Most of the members don’t trust Gwen. Where does Gideon stand? Does he see her as a trustworthy person or as a traitor? At least she has her best friend, Lesley Hay, on her side. And don’t forget her new friend Xemerius, a stone gargoyle that’s the ghost of a demon that no other living person around her can see.

            Questions remain unanswered in this second book, though some are coming to light. This YA novel of light science fiction is one I find captivating. There’s also light romance, secrecy, adventure and more than a few tense and embarrassing moments. There are reunions in the past, if that makes sense; there’s even a Japanese kitchen knife (for protection, of course). “Sapphire Blue” contains plenty of humor, though I feel I chuckled aloud more reading the first book. Either way, I found this novel to be entertaining. And Gwen is a [mostly] typical teenager who’s filled with gumption and worries, not to mention schoolgirl crushes. She seems more real than not, which is not a small thing in a world of science fiction.

            Book One in the trilogy: Ruby Red

Transparent (May 21, 2013) by Natalie Whipple.

It’s one thing to feel invisible and another to actually be invisible. Just ask Fiona McClean. Invisible from birth, Fiona is a criminal syndicate baby, daughter of Jonas O’Connell. He controls Las Vegas and the northern west: Sacramento up to Seattle and over to Boise. Due to a drug called Radiasure, an antiradiation pill, much of the population has at least some mutation in their genes. Fiona’s the only invisible person, though, while her dad is a charmer. Her mom’s ability lies with telekinesis. After her dad makes a demand unlike one he’s yet given her, Fiona and her mom flee to Arizona and the territory of Juan Torres. She enrolls at a place as normal as Madison High School, where most people are wary/afraid/jealous of her. She makes a couple good friends in the process – Bea and Brady – and befriends many others. She’s gone through life with no friends and suddenly she has The Pack. All it took was a change of scenery and the strength to get away. But can she stay away forever? Jonas doesn’t want Fiona and her mom back because he misses them; they are valuable tools, and he wants his possessions.

            Debut author Natalie Whipple takes the awkwardness and pain of being a teenager and turns it on its head by adding in a drug and genetic mutations that run the gamut of fantastical abilities (e.g. Strong Arms) and strange phenomena (e.g. a green person or a baby born smelling like roses). It’s whip-smart, fast-reading and totally entertaining. There’s a cuss word here and there, but it shouldn’t make anyone cringe too much. Fiona frets more often than I would like, but it’s easy to ignore with Whipple’s fun writing. She’s definitely gained a fan in me!

Venom (Oct. 30, 2012) by Fiona Paul.

Venice, Italy, is La Serenissima: the most serene. But underneath its veneer of serenity lies a Venice that is dark and dangerous, sensual and sinful. Cassandra Caravello is a young noblewoman of society, though she lives with her aunt outside of Venice on nearby San Domenico Island. She is grieving the death of a young countess friend, but when she goes into the cemetery to say goodbye, she discovers the body of a viciously murdered woman who’s definitely not Liviana. That same night she crosses paths with a handsome artist. His name is Falco da Padova. Falco stirs feelings in Cass that she has not felt before. That’s very troublesome on two levels: First of all, he’s a commoner. Second, she’s already betrothed. Her fiancé’s name is Luca da Peraga. Luca is away studying in France, so together Falco and Cass turn into amateur sleuths. Because it’s apparent that the murderer knows who Cass is, and he wants her dead. But why? Will the killer be captured before more bodies turn up? For all of Renaissance Venice’s beauty, Cass is going to find that the most serene city can be quite dirty and ugly. And no, I’m not just referring to the emptying of chamber pots into the street … though there is that, too.

            “Venom” is Paul’s debut historical mystery and romance novel. I like how each chapter was preceded by an “excerpt” from The Book of the Eternal Rose. Nothing is mentioned of that fictional book within the novel, but my guess is that it will come into play before the trilogy’s end. I think Paul’s world-building is believable; I could picture Venice vividly through reading the author’s writing. However, I felt like this book was 100 pages too long, but it is full of detail. There are some potentially steamy and/or more mature moments (for any concerned). “Venom” is fairly predictable, but this is not a bad story, as the reader can tell that Cass is emerging from her affluently naïve cocoon and learning about the world outside her, even when that world is next door.