One cannot review Melissa de la Cruz’s latest entry to the Blue Blood’s series without addressing the fact that it will probably draw a few heckling cOne cannot review Melissa de la Cruz’s latest entry to the Blue Blood’s series without addressing the fact that it will probably draw a few heckling comments from fan purists, both young and old.
Afterlife is essentially a loose retelling of the original series. The tale toys with the idea of parallel universes, allowing the setting to be fast-forwarded to an alternate version of our present day, with a more diverse cast of characters. While Jack is still Jack in this parallel world and Kingsley is still Kingsley; Schuyler is mixed race, Oliver is Asian, and Mimi is now Max. Only Kingsley and Schuyler really remember their former selves in that other world.
Readers familiar with the older series may balk at the changes; however de la Cruz has really streamlined this tale, focusing on action and mystery rather than the superfluous high school drama, shopping sprees, parties, and jet setting journeys abroad. With the action taking place in New York, there’s enough there to capture a reader’s interest. The writing is fast-paced, visual, and surprisingly fun. For what is essentially a Blue Bloods redox, it’s rather well done. Melissa de la Cruz’s style has matured to a more focused and driven method of storytelling. It works. Can’t wait for the next installment. ...more
Rachel Griffin provides readers with an interesting premise involving the climate, global warming, and witches with powers matching the seasons meant Rachel Griffin provides readers with an interesting premise involving the climate, global warming, and witches with powers matching the seasons meant to help balance and stabilize the earth and its climate. Readers are introduced to a moment in time where the witches are at an impasse—their powers no longer able to compete against the constant fluctuations in the climate, until the arrival of our protagonist—a rare Everwitch with powers spanning all four seasons, who is only beginning to learn about her abilities and how to hone them.
The idea is compelling. However, some readers may wish that Griffin spent more time describing the inner workings of this alternate world—the politics and relationships between witches and humans, or shaders as they’re described here; or even additional details about Clara the Everwitch, her parents, the school, the diary given to her by mentor from the other Everwitch born a century earlier. Readers instead are mostly presented with Clara’s internal conflicts about the potential destructive nature of her abilities. While the descriptions do reinforce her psychological struggles with her sense of self-worth and sense of place, for some readers, these internal musings may begin to feel repetitive when paired with the lack of development in the story’s setting. While readers will understand why Clara feels the way she does, many questions about the world in which she’s living may be left unanswered by the novel’s end.
That said, many readers will enjoy the supportive relationship Clara has with Sang Park. Here, we have a relationship that builds gradually. Their growing sense of trust and friendship becomes the catalyst that forces Clara to examine her inner struggles and strengths, allowing her to learn from her mistakes and begin to develop a sense of acceptance that will support her and her abilities. ...more
Readers who enjoy summer romance stories will enjoy Kasie West’s latest work. West introduces readers to Avery, a girl who learns how to build her selReaders who enjoy summer romance stories will enjoy Kasie West’s latest work. West introduces readers to Avery, a girl who learns how to build her self-confidence through the support of her friends and family. Certainly this is a common theme in young adult literature; however West’s portrayal of Avery, her anxieties and her friendships—both the good and bad—are true, which many readers should appreciate. It also helps to have a little romance, and Avery’s friendship with Brooks builds naturally, which can be fun to read. ...more
Morgan Matson’s latest work takes readers on a wild ride through Manhattan and elsewhere. Like Manhattan, the story is busy: it’s visual, constantly iMorgan Matson’s latest work takes readers on a wild ride through Manhattan and elsewhere. Like Manhattan, the story is busy: it’s visual, constantly in motion. The bustling scenes happen so quickly and move on to something new, something equally outrageous and entertaining. Matson has given readers a modern slapstick comedy à la Bringing Up Baby with hilarious characters and witty dialogue that’s so smart and lots of fun.
The incongruous on the road scenes with Teri and the kids are just as extreme, if not more so. Readers may wonder how on earth these wildly different storylines could possibly fit together. But Matson makes it work through her careful, meticulously executed plot.
Matson also manages to weave in characters from her previous stories. Readers are offered brief glimpses into the lives of Amy, Roger and Lucien from her debut novel, which will whet the appetites of readers who enjoy following her works.
Besides the romps, Matson provides readers with thoughtful insights into fallen idols, self-knowledge, family relationships and friendship. This is an excellent work, and for readers like me, we’ll be on the lookout for whatever this talented writer produces next. ...more
Readers who enjoy young adult romances should find Kristy Boyce’s debut entertaining. Boyce introduces a fun and eclectic cast of characters with a wiReaders who enjoy young adult romances should find Kristy Boyce’s debut entertaining. Boyce introduces a fun and eclectic cast of characters with a wide variety of tastes and interesting pursuits beyond the academic. While the story generally focuses on the protagonist, Ellie, Boyce explores themes of identity, truthfulness, and the ability to develop one’s sense of self through new experiences that support favorite pastimes and pursuits among all of her characters.
Some readers may take fault with Boyce’s portrayal of Ellie, however. There’s a constant reinforcement that she’s unable to academically measure up to the rest of her peers—as the story is told from Ellie’s point of view, this reinforcement is understandable, since it represents how Ellie views herself. However, even when she does begin to develop her self-confidence amongst her peers, some readers might be surprised by the narrative’s lack of change in tone by the novel’s end. Some readers might not readily notice this, but it’s apparent with a close read. ...more
Loading...
