Dystopian Books

      I Love Dystopian books!  I must admit that when they first started coming out, I truly had my doubts.  Then as more came out, I thought, How can you keep telling the same story and still make it different?  Well, duh, they do it all the time in other genres.  With Dystopian, I enjoy reading the man versus nature type of feeling it invokes.  When they can throw in a weird creature that is wreaking havoc on the humanity that is left is also great.  Then throw in a control-freak that thinks they are the answer for the remaining civilization and wowsa!!!!! 

     Now, they Dystopian books are carrying over to movies and television.  The fascination of The Hunger Games both in book and movie form has really brought the Sci-Fi sub-genre out into the forefront.  And then there is NBC's new television show Revolution that focuses on a teenage girl that lives in a time where electricity no longer works and is attempting to rescue her brother from a crazed military leader with the help of her estranged uncle, a rebel, and a nerd.  I watch that show and it makes me realize how much we all rely on technology and what would happen if it was taken away from us.

Here is my review of the latest Dystopian book I have read:  Defiance by C.J. Redwine.  There are a few spoilers, but the biggest ones have been left out.  If you like The Hunger Games, Shatter Me, or Under the Never Sky you will like this first book in The Courier's Daughter Trilogy. 


Defiance by C.J. Redwine
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Rachel’s father is a missing courier for the city-state of Baalboden. The Commander, who rules the city-state in an a dictator fashion has him declared dead. Rachel is heartbroken and certain that her father is still alive. The Commander tells her that her new protector is not Oliver, the grandfather-like figure that has always been in her life, but rather her father’s apprentice Logan McEntire. Rachel bristles at the thought of Logan, a boy she declared her love for just two years earlier and rejected her, being her protector. However, there is little that can be done. Rachel plots a way to escape the city-state and go in search of her father, but is caught by the Commander’s soldiers. The Commander kills an innocent soldier and threatens Logan’s life to bring Rachel under control.

Rachel and Logan are determined her father is still alive and holds a secret the Commander very much wants. There attempts to escape are thwarted again and Rachel comes under control of the Commander while Logan is beaten and thrown into the dungeon. Rachel and Melkin, her forced traveling companion, strike out and encounter unfathomable dangers, including the Cursed One – a dragon-like worm that destroys everything in its wake. Logan, with the help of people who want him and Rachel to lead a revolt, escapes the dungeon to track down Rachel. The two return to Baalboden for a confrontation with the Commander in hopes of overthrowing him, but instead he disappears. With everything left in chaos, half of the people leave Baalboden and the other half throw their support behind Rachel and Logan.

This story is told in the alternating voices of Rachel and Logan.

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Happy Reading!

Tammy Jo

Robin Hoodesque...

Do you like the idea and romanticism behind Robin Hood? Who doesn't? Rob from the rich and give to the poor (and really who among us doesn't thing we are poor and can always stand to have more?). I have just read the cutest little book about a Robin Hood wannabe. Girls will love it! I also have some other books in the library about Robin Hood and twists on the Robin Hood tale you might want to check out....

Outlaw - graphic novel; Robin Hood, His Life and Legend, Robin Hood, The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood, The Outlaws of Sherwood by Robin McKinley, Scarlet by A. C. Gaughen, Hood by Steve Lawhead, Bandits and Outlaws. Check some of these out! And see my review of Pretty Crooked below. (There is a spoiler!)....


0Pretty Crooked by Elisa Ludwig
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Willa is fifteen and lives with her free-spirit artist mom. She has been to a dozen schools in her young life and is about to make the move again from Colorado to Paradise Valley, Arizona. Paradise Valley is like no place they have ever been before. It is a town where wealth is a way of life -- for everyone. Willa's mom enrolls her in Paradise Valley Prep - an exclusive preparatory academy. For the first time, Willa is accepted into the "in crowd" known as the "Glitterati". Willa begins doing things she has never done before, like spending outrageous amounts of money on clothes to keep up with her new friends.

Life is good until Willa begins to read a school gossip blog trashing some new girls at school. They call them the "Busteds" because they are brought into the school from another district and are attending PV Prep on scholarship. Willa is even more upset when she overhears some of her new friends trashing these girls. Deciding to help them out, Willa takes on the persona of Robin Hood (after some training from a friend). All of the sudden the Busteds are a hit and the Glitterati are mad. When Willa finds out that one of her Glitterati buddies is the author of the gossip blog, she sees red and becomes reckless.

Willa's life spirals out of control when she is caught breaking into a friend's house and is forced to spend the night in Juvie. She is given community service which she serves with Aidan, a boy that annoys and intrigues her from PV Prep. She also finds out that half the school hates her and half the school considers her a hero and have even nicknamed her the "Sly Fox". Aidan drives her home from her first day of community service to find her house being ransacked by a mystery man. This is not the first mystery man in her life. Her mother has been meeting one and will tell Willa nothing about him. Willa and Aidan give chase to the man, but he gets away. When she comes back home, it is to see mom's mystery man driving off and a business card from an FBI agent under the doormat. Mom's mystery man?! And did I mention Aidan and the big kiss that makes her forget everything bad that has happened to her?

Cute read that girls grade 7+ will enjoy. There is some references to major parties and the drinking that goes on (for that reason might do a disclaimer to the younger girls). Otherwise cute and can't wait to see what happens in Pretty Sly with Willa and Aidan, her mom and the mystery FBI agent!

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Grave Mercy

Grave Mercy by R.L. LaFevers
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ismae is an outcast. She has been raised believing her mother went to the herb witch to have her aborted and that she lives with the resulting scar. Escaping a horrible marriage thanks to the very herb witch who tried to end her life, she is delivered to a convent that serves Saint Mortain (the Saint of Death) and is trained in all ways of killing. On every mission she is sent, she is to look for the marque (a dark smudge on the body of her victim) and then dispatch with that person. She is immune to poison, which makes it her most trusted weapon. While killing her second victim she meets Duval, a handsome man who makes her question the reasoning behind her kills (up to this point, the Abbess gives her directions as to who she is to kill). For her second victim had not the past that the Abbess was certain that he had. Sent by the Abbess to attend Duval at the Duchess’ court in Brittany, she is told to trust few yet always obey the commands of the Abbess and Chancellor Crunard (a liaison with the convent and chancellor to the Duchess). Through the course of the story, Ismae finds that she should not always go blindly off of the orders of others, and that she should trust herself. As intrigue closes in on the Duchess’ court, will Ismae be able to determine who she can trust and who will it be too late for?

Great book! The characters and story is so rich, I felt myself pulled in from the very first page. Cannot wait for the 2nd book (and I hope there will be a 3rd). Also, a great author website to go along with it that delves into the "His Fair Assassin" world even deeper. http://www.robinlafevers.com/


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Great books!

Hello everyone! I know it has been a while since I have blogged, but it was worth it because I have a lot of things to share with you! First of all, follow the GHS Library on Twitter by clicking here. I will occasionally tweet about new books, happenings in the library and other things. We have had a busy first of the school year. We have celebrated Banned Book Week and Teen Read Week here at the GHS Library. It was crazy fun! I also have some great books to share with you!

 Emma is on a wonderful vacation in Florida with her best friend Chloe before their senior year begins. Chloe is out-going, athletic, and loves the water--all of which are Emma's opposite. Emma, ever the klutz, trips into Galen (the most handsome boy she has ever seen in her life. Emma and Chloe continue on to the water where Chloe coaxes her out into the surf, not knowing that tragedy awaits. Chloe is attacked by a shark and Emma tries to rescue her but fails; however, she is able to do something amazing - she tells the shark to go away and it simply does. Fast forward back home and the first day of her senior year. Emma is miserable, missing Chloe, feeling guilty for not being able to save her, and feeling very much alone. Then the mysterious Galen shows up at school. Galen knows what Emma is even though she does not. Emma is a direct descendent of the general Poseidon and has inherited the specific gift of talking to the sea creatures. Through the chapters of the book told alternately from Emma and Galen's point-of-view, you get to see Emma come to embrace who she is as well as the growing relationship between Emma and Galen. The secondary characters add to the richness of this twist on mer-creatures. The cliffhanger ending will have readers begging for more (which thankfully there will be with Of Triton in 2013.
 
Natalie Stewart is a mute girl in Victorian New York City. Her father is the curator of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and would do anything for his daughter. Natalie wants to become involved in the acquisitions at the museum and becomes involved with a mysterious painting of a young Lord from England who had recently disappeared. When Natalie finds herself actually pulled into the paintings and talking with the very real and very trapped Lord, she becomes determined to find a way to save him from the very demon who has him trapped. As she falls deeper in love with him, she also falls deeper into danger and love with a man who man never be real again. I am pleased to announce there will be a sequel out in November! "The Twisted Tragedy of Miss Natalie Stewart."



Alethea Kontis magically weaves a single tale about some of our favorite fairy tales and folk tales. Sunday Woodcutter is a seventh daughter of a seventh daughter. She loves to put words to paper and spinning tales; however, they never tend to turn out how she meant them (and they always come true). Sunday turns to writing memoirs about her family. One day out in the wood she comes across an enchanted frog named Grumble. Grumble lives for Sunday's stories about her families. As they spend more time together, their feelings grow into love and Grumble (unknown to Sunday) turns back into his human form - a prince whom Sunday's family despises. Will they ever be able to be together? Will magic aid them or harm them? And what does a magic beanstalk, an ogre, a goose that lays golden egg, and twin sorceress' have to do with Sunday and Grumble living happily ever after? Read the book to find out.

Sophie knows loss. Two years ago, she became very ill and lost the ability to walk normally (she now has a very pronounced limp). During that time, she also lost her little sister, her mother, and her magical abilities. Now, two years later, she is finally entering society. Though she expects the stares, the whispers, and the pitying looks, never in her life did she truly think she would find both a best friend and someone who might actually care enough to marry her (without pity). Parthenope becomes her best friend and is always into mischief. Lord Woodbridge, Parthenope’s cousin, is the man of Sophie’s dreams. She has even found a mother-figure in dear Amélie who is mourning the loss of her husband, Papa’s best friend from school days, and staying with Sophie’s family for the time being. However, when someone begins to endanger the lives of the men who work for the War Department (including Papa) with magic, Sophie has to find her magic once more, else the whole fate of Europe might be changed and Bonaparte might truly be Emperor of all. Doyle does an excellent job of portraying Sophie as a girl facing all the issues any normal girl might have, yet allows her to find her inner-strength and know her self-worth. A wonderful tell of magic, love, and good being victorious over evil!

Team Human is a new and innovatively fun read about vampires and zombies. Mel is upset when her best friend, Cathy, falls for the new vampire at Craunston High School. Francis is a vampire who was turned in the 1800s in London, England and he remains ever the proper English gentleman. Mel fears he is out not only to turn Cathy to the vampire world, but also involved in the strange behavior of Anna’s (another friend) mother who also happens to be the school principal. Then Anna asks for her help in finding out what has really happened to her father (she was told he was turned by a vampire, but she doesn’t believe it). During her investigation of Francis, she meets Kit, a human raised by a “Shade” (a.k.a family) of vampires, who also happens to be Francis’ Shade. Mel finds that she likes spending time with Kit, until he tells her he wants to turn into a vampire. Mel’s life begins to unwind as she loses control over all the situations she was so certain she could handle (i.e. Cathy and Francis, Anna’s mother, the mystery surrounding Anna’s father, and Kit wanting to become a vampire). Will she be strong enough to let her friends be who they want to be? Can she make them see the world as she sees it should be? Will they be able to save Anna’s father in time?

Wow! Received this book in the mail for the library and was ready to see a mediocre book. Boy was I wrong! This is a great little book about the Texas economy. I can see having a copy in the library for the kids to look through and a copy for my economics teachers to use in class. The authors discuss how Texas has survived one of the harshest recessions to ever hit our country, and came out of it sooner than most states. Everything from big business to mom and pop operations are discussed. There are graphs and charts aplenty to show various concepts. Biographies of the movers and shakers of Texas and its economy are embedded within the book. I was ready to spend a few minutes skimming it and then set it aside without further thought. Instead, I found myself drawn into it, spending most of my day reading it and sharing interesting tidbits out of it with my assistant. Can't wait to share it with others!

Until next time & Happy Reading!

~Tammy Jo

Dystopian Societies

Hello again!

Dystopian Society seems to be all the rage right now with YA books -- and again, being made into movies (Hunger Games).  There is another book that is going to be a hit among Dystopian fans.  Shatter Me is wonderful story that, did I mention, the movie rights have been purchase????  Yes, so wait for it to knock your socks off!

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Juliette is a 17-year-old girl with a problem. Well, several problems:

1. She has been tested, prodded and observed for the last 3 years.

2. She has no idea where her parents are.

3. She has not spoken or seen another human being in almost a year - since they locked her in her cell in the asylum.

4. She has not touched another human being since she accidentally killed that little boy almost four years ago.

Juliette has a power, a power that she would love to get rid of, a power that is more a curse than anything. She can drain a person's life force just by touching them. Everything changes the day she gets a cell mate. Adam. Adam, the boy she has been in love with since they were in middle school. The boy that she thought did not know who she was. The boy who would give his life for her if necessary. The boy who could touch her when no one else can. The boy who is a soldier for the Reestablishment.

Warner, the second-in-command of the Reestablishment, wants Juliette for her ability. He sees her as a powerful weapon that he can use to advance the cause and get rid of those who stand in their way. Juliette knows that she retains some modicum of control because Warner cannot touch her, until the unthinkable happens and in a daring escape he touches her and remains unarmed. Now everything has changed. The stakes are higher and Juliette and Adam are unsure who they can trust and what is truth and what is fiction.

This is a compelling Dystopian book that leaves you on the edge of your seat and wishing the second book was already out so you can continue on with the story.

Price: $15.34
Grade: 9+
Genre: Sci-Fi (Dystopian Society)

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Books and Television

Hello all!

YA books are being made into television and movies left and right.  This alone is making the YA book industry explode (in my humble opinion) and is also affecting how much kids are reading (thank goodness).  From Harry Potter to the most recent Hunger Games series, kids who would curl their noses up and walk away are actually picking up books!  Woohoo!  Here is one of such books:

The Lying Game by Sara Shepard


My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Emma has been in foster care almost her entire life. Her mother, Becky left her, which to Emma was worse than knowing she was dead – to not be wanted. When her foster brother shows his mother a video of a girl who looks just like Emma, titled “SuttoninAZ”, being strangled in the desert, Emma’s life turns upside down. Then he accuses her of stealing money from his mother. Not believing in her innocence, the foster mom tells her that on her 18th birthday (in 2 weeks) she is going to have to move out of the house. Emma finds the video herself and watches it over and over, hardly believing what she sees. Her mom had always done spooky things, like buy her two of everything. Could she have a twin that her mother had given up for adoption? Emma, via the Internet, is able to find out where Sutton lives, contacts her, packs her bags and heads out on a bus to Arizona. When she arrives at the meeting spot, no one is there. One of Sutton’s friend’s finds her and escorts her to a party calling her “Sutton” and Emma loses her identification and bag she brought with her. Emma attempts to tell Sutton’s parents and the police both that her name is Emma. Sutton is her sister and she fears she has been murdered. No one believes her. There is more to Sutton than Emma knows. Sutton and her friends had created “The Lying Game” which involved trying to out prank each other, which is what the desert scene was. Emma tries to escape, but receives death threats and notes that she should keep pretending to be Sutton or she will die too. The only one that realizes she isn’t Sutton is Ethan, a loner who actually likes Sutton for herself (not even Sutton’s boyfriend can tell the difference). While Emma tries to find out what happened to her sister, Sutton’s spirit follows her with very little memories of her life and wanting to know just as badly who killed her. Leaves you with a lot of unanswered questions that will definitely be continued in further books.





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Another good read....

      Where do I even start?  This book was amazing!  Heather Dixon, has done an amazing story of retelling the fairytale of the twelve dancing princesses.  The story opens with Azalea, the oldest of the princesses and all of them named for flowers/plants, getting ready for her first ball.  Her mother has not been well, so she will serve as hostess.  Her mother calls her to her room so that she can visit with her, which leaves Azalea even more worried about her pregnant mother.  She tells the king, her father, about her concerns.  During the evening and the ball, her mother passes away, leaving Azalea in charge of all of her sisters, including newborn Lily. The castle is forced into mourning, which for the girls means no dancing.  Dancing is what they loved to do most with mother and they feel they have lost her more than ever.  The king goes off to war leaving the girls alone.

      Azalea continues to find ways to defy the mourning rules and her father, whom the girls feel does not even care that they are there.  Led to a secret and magical area of the palace, the girls meet Mr. Keeper, who earns the attraction of Azalea.  Is he as perfect as he seems?  Is the place as wonderful as what it seems?  And then there is Captain Bradford, who would make a perfect king for the country.  But will he make her a perfect husband?  Who will she choose, or rather who will choose her?  And will any of them survive the darkness that overtakes the palace?  

      This is a wonderful story that you can get lost in.  I giggled, I cried, I mourned with the princesses.  This is a wonderful, magical read that you should race right out and get!

Until next time & happy reading!

Tammy Jo