Been meaning to post this for awhile...
All the books I can remember from June. :) (Thank you, Pinterest)
The Bloody Jack Adventures (books 1-10), by L.A. Meyer
Summary* (for the first book): Life as a ship's boy aboard HMS Dolphin is a dream come true for Jacky Faber. Gone are the days of scavenging for food and fighting for survival on the streets of eighteenth-century London. Instead, Jacky is becoming a skilled and respected sailor as the crew pursues pirates on the high seas.
There's only one problem: Jacky is a girl. And she will have to use every bit of her spirit, wit, and courage to keep the crew from discovering her secret. This could be the adventure of her life--if only she doesn't get caught. . .
Airborn and Skybreaker, by Kenneth Oppel
Summary*: Matt Cruse is a cabin boy on the Aurora, a huge airship that sails hundreds of feet above the ocean, ferrying wealthy passengers from city to city. It is the life Matt's always wanted; convinced he's lighter than air, he imagines himself as buoyant as the hydrium gas that powers his ship. One night he meets a dying balloonist who speaks of beautiful creatures drifting through the skies. It is only after Matt meets the balloonist's granddaughter that he realizes that the man's ravings may, in fact, have been true, and that the creatures are completely real and utterly mysterious.
In a swashbuckling adventure reminiscent of Jules Verne and Robert Louis Stevenson, Kenneth Oppel, author of the best-selling Silverwingtrilogy, creates an imagined world in which the air is populated by transcontinental voyagers, pirates, and beings never before dreamed of by the humans who sail the skies.
The Best Parts: Adventure and excitement are big in these. I liked them a lot. Matt's a cool character, and so is Kate. The author's really good at describing the characters and making them seem real.
The Not-So-Good Parts: Uh... I don't remember any red flags... or yellow flags... >_> Maybe some language and there's pirates, so a little violence, but nothing graphic or descriptive that I remember.
Belle Teal, by Ann M. Martin
Summary*: Newbery Honor author Ann M. Martin's gripping, widely acclaimed novel of a girl confronting the perils of friendship and the conflicts of community.
Belle Teal's life isn't easy, but she gets by. She lives with her mother and grandmother far out in the country. They don't have much money, but Belle Teal feels rich with their love. As school begins, Belle Teal faces unexpected challenges. Her best friends are up against some big problems. And there are two new students in Belle Teal's class: a shy boy caught in the town's furor over desegregation, and a snob who has problems of her own. As her world falls apart, Belle Teal discovers the importance of sticking together.
The Best Parts: This was the second time I've read this book, and I like it. There's young innocence and friendship, and how hard it can be to grow up. But it's sweet.
The Not-So-Good Parts: It's a kid's book. All good.
The Selection, by Kiera Cass
Summary*: For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.
But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.
Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself—and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.
The Best Parts: It's dystopian, and I love dystopian fiction. It's interesting and twisting, and it's like the Hunger Games except less not violent.
The Not-So-Good Parts: The curse of young adult fiction is romance. There's a lot of that in this, because, after all, the girls are competing for Maxon's love. It's a nice quick read, but I didn't LOVE it like I LOVED Unwind.
The Assassin's Curse, by Cassandra Rose Clarke
Summary*: Ananna of the Tanarau abandons ship when her parents try to marry her off to an allying pirate clan: she wants to captain her own boat, not serve as second-in-command to her handsome yet clueless fiance. But her escape has dire consequences when she learns the scorned clan has sent an assassin after her.
And when the assassin, Naji, finally catches up with her, things get even worse. Ananna inadvertently triggers a nasty curse — with a life-altering result. Now Ananna and Naji are forced to become uneasy allies as they work together to break the curse and return their lives back to normal. Or at least as normal as the lives of a pirate and an assassin can be.
Hush, Hush, by Becca Fitzpatrick
Summary*: Romance was not part of Nora Grey's plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how hard her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch comes along. With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Patch draws Nora to him against her better judgment.
But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure whom to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is and seems to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.
For she is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost Nora her life.
All the books I can remember from June. :) (Thank you, Pinterest)
Summary* (for the first book): Life as a ship's boy aboard HMS Dolphin is a dream come true for Jacky Faber. Gone are the days of scavenging for food and fighting for survival on the streets of eighteenth-century London. Instead, Jacky is becoming a skilled and respected sailor as the crew pursues pirates on the high seas.
There's only one problem: Jacky is a girl. And she will have to use every bit of her spirit, wit, and courage to keep the crew from discovering her secret. This could be the adventure of her life--if only she doesn't get caught. . .
The Best Parts: The books are clever and amusing, with an emphasis on loyalty and love. There's tons of danger involved. I learned that it's always good to pick up a new skill, be it playing an instrument, or learning how to be a barmaid, or science and embroidery. Also, it's never good to judge someone by how they look or what social standing they have. Some of the most kind and helpful characters in the books are pirates, prostitutes, street kids, and other people the social elite don't have much use for.
The Not-So-Good Parts: There's a lot of cussing. Isn't there a saying about that? "Swears like a sailor" or something? Well, it applies here. Honestly, cursing doesn't bother me, especially not in books, but if it bugs you, there's your heads-up. Also, there's some sex stuff. Not actual sex, but a lot of talk about it, usually crude, and usually referring to Jacky. And kissing. That girl loves kissing.
Summary*: Matt Cruse is a cabin boy on the Aurora, a huge airship that sails hundreds of feet above the ocean, ferrying wealthy passengers from city to city. It is the life Matt's always wanted; convinced he's lighter than air, he imagines himself as buoyant as the hydrium gas that powers his ship. One night he meets a dying balloonist who speaks of beautiful creatures drifting through the skies. It is only after Matt meets the balloonist's granddaughter that he realizes that the man's ravings may, in fact, have been true, and that the creatures are completely real and utterly mysterious.
In a swashbuckling adventure reminiscent of Jules Verne and Robert Louis Stevenson, Kenneth Oppel, author of the best-selling Silverwingtrilogy, creates an imagined world in which the air is populated by transcontinental voyagers, pirates, and beings never before dreamed of by the humans who sail the skies.
The Best Parts: Adventure and excitement are big in these. I liked them a lot. Matt's a cool character, and so is Kate. The author's really good at describing the characters and making them seem real.
The Not-So-Good Parts: Uh... I don't remember any red flags... or yellow flags... >_> Maybe some language and there's pirates, so a little violence, but nothing graphic or descriptive that I remember.
Summary*: Newbery Honor author Ann M. Martin's gripping, widely acclaimed novel of a girl confronting the perils of friendship and the conflicts of community.
Belle Teal's life isn't easy, but she gets by. She lives with her mother and grandmother far out in the country. They don't have much money, but Belle Teal feels rich with their love. As school begins, Belle Teal faces unexpected challenges. Her best friends are up against some big problems. And there are two new students in Belle Teal's class: a shy boy caught in the town's furor over desegregation, and a snob who has problems of her own. As her world falls apart, Belle Teal discovers the importance of sticking together.
The Best Parts: This was the second time I've read this book, and I like it. There's young innocence and friendship, and how hard it can be to grow up. But it's sweet.
The Not-So-Good Parts: It's a kid's book. All good.
The Selection, by Kiera CassSummary*: For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.
But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.
Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself—and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.
The Best Parts: It's dystopian, and I love dystopian fiction. It's interesting and twisting, and it's like the Hunger Games except less not violent.
The Not-So-Good Parts: The curse of young adult fiction is romance. There's a lot of that in this, because, after all, the girls are competing for Maxon's love. It's a nice quick read, but I didn't LOVE it like I LOVED Unwind.
Summary*: Ananna of the Tanarau abandons ship when her parents try to marry her off to an allying pirate clan: she wants to captain her own boat, not serve as second-in-command to her handsome yet clueless fiance. But her escape has dire consequences when she learns the scorned clan has sent an assassin after her.
And when the assassin, Naji, finally catches up with her, things get even worse. Ananna inadvertently triggers a nasty curse — with a life-altering result. Now Ananna and Naji are forced to become uneasy allies as they work together to break the curse and return their lives back to normal. Or at least as normal as the lives of a pirate and an assassin can be.
The Best Parts: Magic! Adventure! Pirates! It's fascinating and I enjoyed it.
The Not-So Good Parts: Again with the cussing. Also, I don't know where y'all stand on magic or witchcraft and such, and there's a lot of that in this.
Unwind, by Neal Shusterman
Summary*: Connor, Risa, and Lev are running for their lives.
The Second Civil War was fought over reproductive rights. The chilling resolution: Life is inviolable from the moment of conception until age thirteen. Between the ages of thirteen and eighteen, however, parents can have their child "unwound," whereby all of the child's organs are transplanted into different donors, so life doesn't technically end. Connor is too difficult for his parents to control. Risa, a ward of the state is not enough to be kept alive. And Lev is a tithe, a child conceived and raised to be unwound. Together, they may have a chance to escape and to survive.
Summary*: Connor, Risa, and Lev are running for their lives.
The Second Civil War was fought over reproductive rights. The chilling resolution: Life is inviolable from the moment of conception until age thirteen. Between the ages of thirteen and eighteen, however, parents can have their child "unwound," whereby all of the child's organs are transplanted into different donors, so life doesn't technically end. Connor is too difficult for his parents to control. Risa, a ward of the state is not enough to be kept alive. And Lev is a tithe, a child conceived and raised to be unwound. Together, they may have a chance to escape and to survive.
The Best Parts: I LOVED THIS BOOK. There's friendship and betrayal and moral questions and ethics and issues, and a very, very clear underlying message. It's so incredibly deep.
The Not-So-Good Parts: It's creepy. Like, seriously. Kids are literally cut apart while they're conscious, and it describes it pretty graphically. It's disturbing.
Summary*: Romance was not part of Nora Grey's plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how hard her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch comes along. With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Patch draws Nora to him against her better judgment.
But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure whom to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is and seems to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.
For she is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost Nora her life.
The Best Parts: I actually liked this a lot more than I thought I would. It was interesting and had a pretty good plot.
The Not-So-Good Parts: It's a romance novel, which I usually try to avoid, just because they're romance novels and I honestly don't care. So yeah, there's a lot of kissing and such, but nothing too graphic. It's kinda violent at parts. Also, it deals with Nephilim and fallen angels and it's an interesting twist on it. But it does deal with weirdish spiritual stuff... not much about God, just the angels and fallen angels.
*All summaries taken from http://www.goodreads.com/. I'm bad at that, because I'd either give too much information or not enough. So gracias to them. :)
*All summaries taken from http://www.goodreads.com/. I'm bad at that, because I'd either give too much information or not enough. So gracias to them. :)
