INSANE ASYLUM FOR GIRLS. That's enough to get anyone's attention, but unlike many slick, cheap-thrills books that quickly bore me, The Dead G4.5 stars
INSANE ASYLUM FOR GIRLS. That's enough to get anyone's attention, but unlike many slick, cheap-thrills books that quickly bore me, The Dead Girls of Hysteria Hall is one of the most well-crafted YA horror books I've read in ages. It's a short but surprisingly thoughtful book, with good creepiness and suspense and sadness, as well as the right balance of teenage snark and feeling. It's hard to juggle humor and darkness, but the author does a great job of that here.
Thoughtful scifi thriller + sparky boy/boy romance! One of those boys is nerdy, nervous, and makes fantastic little robots. The other one is daring, gThoughtful scifi thriller + sparky boy/boy romance! One of those boys is nerdy, nervous, and makes fantastic little robots. The other one is daring, good-humored, and quotes Shakespeare. (view spoiler)[ Seriously, do not click this if you don't want to know (view spoiler)[ AND HE'S A ROBOT HIMSELF. :D (hide spoiler)] You've been warned! (hide spoiler)]
Probably a bit more at some point when it's not 3 am, but don't leave this off your list this year. It's terrific. THERE HAD BETTER BE A SEQUEL. ...more
I don't understand why so few people I know have read this, because it's incredibly fun.
If you liked Rachel Bach's Paradox scifi sWHERE IS BOOK TWO.
I don't understand why so few people I know have read this, because it's incredibly fun.
If you liked Rachel Bach's Paradox scifi series or the Jason Bourne films (plus diverse MCs! Star Trek-y dilemmas! Spaaace.), this book is gonna rock your world. Also an easy transition for YA readers if you want to venture into adult SF.
This year, only two books have made me cry so hard I had to stop reading. This was one of them.
But it's not because it's sad--it's actually a sweet, hThis year, only two books have made me cry so hard I had to stop reading. This was one of them.
But it's not because it's sad--it's actually a sweet, hopeful book filled with the ordinary joys of childhood. It's more the understanding of how isolated the Georges of the world must feel, and the hope that every single one of us takes the time to listen, to understand, to be supportive, and to be kind.
After the action-packed first few chapters that nicely resolve the cliffhanger from the first book, it took me a beat to enjoy this one as much as I dAfter the action-packed first few chapters that nicely resolve the cliffhanger from the first book, it took me a beat to enjoy this one as much as I did its predecessor--mostly because the alternating first person POV is now Dylan's, and as well done as that is, I missed being in Annie's head. But I ended up really, really liking where the story went, particularly the arc involving the rift between father and son, and a brief, unexpected moment--that both reveals and intrigues a great deal--outside a diner.
A bit more of a review to come...but I hope that there are more books coming that are Max's or Joan's stories! I need to find out what happens to them!
This duology is truly among my favorite erotic contemporary romances in recent years, though. Great heat, great action, great characters, and great emotion. Definitely one to check out if you enjoy romantic thrillers....more
4.5 stars Wow, this was fantastic! Review to come. Big cliffie, so I'm grateful I already have book two.4.5 stars Wow, this was fantastic! Review to come. Big cliffie, so I'm grateful I already have book two....more
3.5 stars This is one unreliable narrator I don't think I've seen before--a crime writer who is slowly succumbing to Alzheimers, one who is accused of3.5 stars This is one unreliable narrator I don't think I've seen before--a crime writer who is slowly succumbing to Alzheimers, one who is accused of murder.
Well-plotted even if you guess the culprit (though one of the alternating POVs gets a little wearisome after awhile, as it's in second person), and definitely very entertaining. A great beach book if you're in the mood for a page-turner.
I really liked the ending as well, though not everyone will....more
This is a bizarre, violent story, one full of menace and dark magic. It's trippy the way that every Alice book should be, and full of nightmarish imagThis is a bizarre, violent story, one full of menace and dark magic. It's trippy the way that every Alice book should be, and full of nightmarish images and themes.
I loved it for the most part...but. BUT. I have one problem with it, and it's a pretty major one: the book is extremely rape-y. Huge trigger warning if you are bothered by sexual violence of any sort, because it's everywhere in this world, both blatant and implied, and both active and imagined.
While I've always thought most fairy tale retellings and re-imaginings could use a bit more meditation on the themes of seduction and coercion--it's in the very nature of many of the original stories, after all--I was extremely bothered by the degree of rape and abuse here.
If you are able to look past that--ugh, it pains me to even phrase this in such a way--the book is incredibly imaginative, and just what a grown-up Alice story should be. It's well-written, delightfully weird, and scatter-shot with wince-inducing horror. AND A GIANT RABBIT. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough, and I'm very interested in seeing where the story goes next!
But I also am very disturbed by the rape of past, present, and possible future. And I'm bothered by the implication that all men, no matter how good, are susceptible to bring overcome by lust, even under the most horrifyingly extreme circumstances. So...mixed reactions from me because I feel so very strongly about the way women are treated in this book, and the view of men. Please note, however, the relatively high rating despite that. Probably best to judge for yourself if you're interested.
A bit more of a polish on this review at some point. ...more
All I have to say is, this book is somehow even more awesome than the original series.
Don't be nervous about the multiple POVs--every character has hAll I have to say is, this book is somehow even more awesome than the original series.
Don't be nervous about the multiple POVs--every character has history and agency, and you'll care deeply about every single one of them. Plus diversity! Kickass heroines! Gifted thieves! Amaaaaazing action sequences! All perfectly paced and perfectly thrilling.
Here are a few of my favorite quotes from the book that I formatted, too! Get thee to a bookstore--the hardback is gorgeous, and so is the book. The author has outdone herself.
My name is Lia Johansen, and I was named for a prisoner of war. She lived in the Tiersten Internment Colony for two years, and when they negotiated thMy name is Lia Johansen, and I was named for a prisoner of war. She lived in the Tiersten Internment Colony for two years, and when they negotiated the return of the prisoners, I was given her memories and sent back in her place.
And I am a genetically engineered human bomb.
Wow. I really, really liked this. Great beginning and terrific narrative--not to mention some scenes that'll make you clench your teeth with tension. My only quibbles: the romance wasn't that interesting to me, and we cycle through a lot of scenarios with what Lia is and Lia isn't. But the ending is exactly what I wanted, and I'm really excited to see what happens next in this world.
The audiobook narrator is fantastic--she does great voices, and her narration style is particularly great in the parts when she's counting down like a perfectly calm, unhurried, merciless clock. 3.5 stars
A review copy was provided by the publisher....more
3.5 stars If you didn't like The Girl on the Train, you certainly won't like this. If you're interested in characters over plot, however, this is anot3.5 stars If you didn't like The Girl on the Train, you certainly won't like this. If you're interested in characters over plot, however, this is another solid entry into a excellent year for psychological thrillers.
Eileen is one of the most pitiable and despicable characters I've ever read; she is not only neurotically self-absorbed and insecure and suffering from severe sexual and emotional repression, but she's also prone to feverishly obsessive behavior. She lewdly fixates on a muscular guard who works at the prison where she's employed, she casually wonders how much time someone would serve to be with a young boy who's incarcerated, and she is all too eager to succumb to the charms of a beautiful new female counselor who is intent upon befriending her. It's uncomfortable and often disgusting being in Eileen's head, but it's absolutely riveting as well.
I think it's so interesting to read these portrayals of unlikeable and loathsome women; we come in all shapes and colors and personalities, and while there are a lot of anti-heroes or men behaving badly who are the main characters in books as television and film, it's much rarer to see the focus on a non-sympathetic woman, particularly ones like Eileen or Rachel who aren't glamorous, seductive creatures. The Amy Dunnes of the world are the secondary characters in these books, and while this seems unpalatable to some readers, these types of characters are much more nuanced and realistic to me.
Anyway--as a mystery, this one's pretty straightforward, and I wish the ending was stronger. But as a character study, this book is completely absorbing and fascinating. ...more
I would like to lock Lauren DeStefano in an attic so she does nothing other than turn out charming middle grade novels for the rest of her life. But II would like to lock Lauren DeStefano in an attic so she does nothing other than turn out charming middle grade novels for the rest of her life. But I suppose that would be unreasonable.
You'll love this book if the sad, tender pull between Liesl and Po tugged at your emotions, if you delighted in the dark humor and dire dangers of the Lemony Snicket series, or if you shivered ever so slightly at the delicious creepiness of The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls. This book is so comfortably appropriate for children (though perhaps best read reassuringly curled up against a loved one, for both comfort and discussion of serious topics--parents might also consider reading it first before giving it to younger children), even as it doesn't shy away from intelligent use of language or touching on scary topics. The real world can be a sad, scary place, after all. The author's preface was also very moving--the idea of this young cousin of hers clutching a beloved book for security after a death in the family brought a tear to my eye.
Review to come. I loved this, and am so looking forward to book two. I hope the author writes many more middle grade books in the future--particularly ones that so deftly show her rather infamous sense of humor, as well as a glimpse of her heart....more
Smart, sexy, and oh-so-fun. I've spent a lot of time at the Hay Adams and St.Regis and have been around my fair share of DC politicians, so I can voucSmart, sexy, and oh-so-fun. I've spent a lot of time at the Hay Adams and St.Regis and have been around my fair share of DC politicians, so I can vouch that this book's setting and political world feel convincing--but never boring. It's so great to find erotic romance with solid stories, especially ones in which the heroines are intelligent and career-focused and the guy is both commanding and thoughtful. Yes, an actual hot but nice guy!
I also love that this couple quickly resolved misunderstandings without resorting to melodramatic breaks and ridiculous posturing, as happens so often in romance books. Plus I like the way the secondary characters, most particularly the campaign manager and most of the women were written.
Reaaally enjoyed this, and look forward to reading this author's other books....more
Every time I read stories like these, I'm so in awe of the resiliency of the human spirit. These girls were treated like animals, and yet just two yeaEvery time I read stories like these, I'm so in awe of the resiliency of the human spirit. These girls were treated like animals, and yet just two years after their ordeal ended, they seem remarkably grounded and happy and sure of themselves. I hope the rest of their lives are filled with joy--they've more than earned it.
A note on the writing: I have to say that the actual book is very well put together, too. The girls' two voices are distinct and their diary entries/narration are compelling. The writers who helped them with this project did a great job with the structure of the overall book (unlike A Stolen Life, for example) to help us see the timeline and to provide important context. ...more
Wendy Darling
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