dhmeltzer/goodreads_test · Datasets at Hugging Face

review_text stringlengths 1 19.6k	input_ids sequence	attention_mask sequence
Ho-hum. This book starts out well enough for five or ten pages, but then shambles around various issues and never settles into a groove. It is a classic collage of so-so parts (i.e.: a rescue, a fight, a flood, a bully, an at-bat) that add up to less-than interesting. I stuck with it out of sheer will, but there's nothing here that others - Mike Mullin, Eric Walters - haven't done better. I'd give Hirsch another chance, as this was his first, but I'm not in a hurry.	[ 101, 7570, 1011, 14910, 1012, 2023, 2338, 4627, 2041, 2092, 2438, 2005, 2274, 2030, 2702, 5530, 1010, 2021, 2059, 25850, 13510, 2105, 2536, 3314, 1998, 2196, 27221, 2046, 1037, 14100, 1012, 2009, 2003, 1037, 4438, 8902, 20679, 1997, 2061, 1011, 2061, 3033, 1006, 1045, 1012, 1041, 1012, 1024, 1037, 5343, 1010, 1037, 2954, 1010, 1037, 7186, 1010, 1037, 20716, 1010, 2019, 2012, 1011, 7151, 1007, 2008, 5587, 2039, 2000, 2625, 1011, 2084, 5875, 1012, 1045, 5881, 2007, 2009, 2041, 1997, 11591, 2097, 1010, 2021, 2045, 1005, 1055, 2498, 2182, 2008, 2500, 1011, 3505, 14163, 21202, 1010, 4388, 19097, 1011, 4033, 1005, 1056, 2589, 2488, 1012, 1045, 1005, 1040, 2507, 28127, 2178, 3382, 1010, 2004, 2023, 2001, 2010, 2034, 1010, 2021, 1045, 1005, 1049, 2025, 1999, 1037, 9241, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
Justly popular. Hazel is a fine protagonist, a believable teen who happens to have cancer. She is smart and funny and thoughtful and sicker than many teenagers can imagine. Augustus it a perfect foil; witty and wise. I'm sure the film version will kill the need to read this for some, but others may enter into the world of John Green. I'd like that, as I think his books are well worth reading, especially for teens who might prefer something more thoughtful.	[ 101, 2074, 2135, 2759, 1012, 14015, 2003, 1037, 2986, 10191, 1010, 1037, 19337, 2666, 12423, 9458, 2040, 6433, 2000, 2031, 4456, 1012, 2016, 2003, 6047, 1998, 6057, 1998, 16465, 1998, 5305, 2121, 2084, 2116, 12908, 2064, 5674, 1012, 11668, 2009, 1037, 3819, 17910, 1025, 25591, 1998, 7968, 1012, 1045, 1005, 1049, 2469, 1996, 2143, 2544, 2097, 3102, 1996, 2342, 2000, 3191, 2023, 2005, 2070, 1010, 2021, 2500, 2089, 4607, 2046, 1996, 2088, 1997, 2198, 2665, 1012, 1045, 1005, 1040, 2066, 2008, 1010, 2004, 1045, 2228, 2010, 2808, 2024, 2092, 4276, 3752, 1010, 2926, 2005, 13496, 2040, 2453, 9544, 2242, 2062, 16465, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
Started out strong. An original survival story about an original type of girl: Alex is comfortable camping, using a gun, being independent. There's plenty of action AND plenty of character. Thought it might be something new, perhaps a zombie book girls will love, or a female protagonist readable by guys. Lord knows the cover is interesting. Everything is rolling along, and then Bick takes a couple of turns that sapped my affection for the story and drove it into the cliche-YA ditch. The zombies or "changed" don't appear any where near enough, a love triangle is introduced that just feels stupid, and every plot line is left hanging at the end. Perhaps the sequel will improve upon that last point, but I'm not sure I'm all that excited for it. Hand this to girls who like strong protagonists and aren't looking for girly (or are looking for zombies). Perhaps waiting for the sequel will forestall some frustration with the completely unsatisfactory end.	[ 101, 2318, 2041, 2844, 1012, 2019, 2434, 7691, 2466, 2055, 2019, 2434, 2828, 1997, 2611, 1024, 4074, 2003, 6625, 13215, 1010, 2478, 1037, 3282, 1010, 2108, 2981, 1012, 2045, 1005, 1055, 7564, 1997, 2895, 1998, 7564, 1997, 2839, 1012, 2245, 2009, 2453, 2022, 2242, 2047, 1010, 3383, 1037, 11798, 2338, 3057, 2097, 2293, 1010, 2030, 1037, 2931, 10191, 3191, 3085, 2011, 4364, 1012, 2935, 4282, 1996, 3104, 2003, 5875, 1012, 2673, 2003, 5291, 2247, 1010, 1998, 2059, 12170, 3600, 3138, 1037, 3232, 1997, 4332, 2008, 20066, 5669, 2026, 12242, 2005, 1996, 2466, 1998, 5225, 2009, 2046, 1996, 18856, 17322, 1011, 8038, 14033, 1012, 1996, 14106, 2030, 1000, 2904, 1000, 2123, 1005, 1056, 3711, 2151, 2073, 2379, 2438, 1010, 1037, 2293, 9546, 2003, 3107, 2008, 2074, 5683, 5236, 1010, 1998, 2296, 5436, 2240, 2003, 2187, 5689, 2012, 1996, 2203, 1012, 3383, 1996, 8297, 2097, 5335, 2588, 2008, 2197, 2391, 1010, 2021, 1045, 1005, 1049, 2025, 2469, 1045, 1005, 1049, 2035, 2008, 7568, 2005, 2009, 1012, 2192, 2023, 2000, 3057, 2040, 2066, 2844, 21989, 1998, 4995, 1005, 1056, 2559, 2005, 2611, 2100, 1006, 2030, 2024, 2559, 2005, 14106, 1007, 1012, 3383, 3403, 2005, 1996, 8297, 2097, 3224, 8095, 2070, 9135, 2007, 1996, 3294, 4895, 16846, 2483, 21450, 2203, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
Good, escapist, dumb fun. So what if there are titanic plot holes? Who cares if the entire thing is a rehash of any number of movies and TV shows? YA readers looking for a propulsive plot with laughs and gunplay - and knifeplay and bombplay - will eat this one up. Schreiber could have made his protagoinist, Perry, a little less of a wuss. I suspect some potential readers will be put off by Perry's nebbish whining. But high school students will appreciate a story that is a bit more "Superbad" than Anthony Horowitz. Guys who like All the Way and Spanking Shakespeare will appreciate this.	[ 101, 2204, 1010, 9686, 17695, 2923, 1010, 12873, 4569, 1012, 2061, 2054, 2065, 2045, 2024, 20753, 5436, 8198, 1029, 2040, 14977, 2065, 1996, 2972, 2518, 2003, 1037, 2128, 14949, 2232, 1997, 2151, 2193, 1997, 5691, 1998, 2694, 3065, 1029, 8038, 8141, 2559, 2005, 1037, 17678, 23004, 5436, 2007, 11680, 1998, 3282, 13068, 1011, 1998, 5442, 13068, 1998, 5968, 13068, 1011, 2097, 4521, 2023, 2028, 2039, 1012, 8040, 28362, 20755, 2099, 2071, 2031, 2081, 2010, 4013, 15900, 28765, 2923, 1010, 6890, 1010, 1037, 2210, 2625, 1997, 1037, 8814, 4757, 1012, 1045, 8343, 2070, 4022, 8141, 2097, 2022, 2404, 2125, 2011, 6890, 1005, 1055, 11265, 10322, 4509, 1059, 20535, 3070, 1012, 2021, 2152, 2082, 2493, 2097, 9120, 1037, 2466, 2008, 2003, 1037, 2978, 2062, 1000, 21688, 4215, 1000, 2084, 4938, 7570, 10524, 8838, 1012, 4364, 2040, 2066, 2035, 1996, 2126, 1998, 8487, 6834, 8101, 2097, 9120, 2023, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
Benson Fisher gets a scholarship that takes him away from a cycle of unpleasant foster homes, promising an excellent education in a secluded boarding school. This was a solid escape/suspense novel that reminded me of many other YA titles. Upon arrival at Maxfield Academy, Benson must choose which 'gang' to join - Society, Havoc, Variant - so perhaps that's why it reminded be a little of Divergent. It is clear early on that the school isn't what it appears to be, and Benson tries to figure it out, which reminded me of The Maze Runner. There are some unexpected twists and a cliff-hanger ending. There are several good things about this book, chief of which is that although several teens are killed during the story, all the serious violence happens off-screen; what appears on the page is several steps milder than The Hunger Games. The complete lack of sex, drugs, and strong language makes this a good choice for readers looking for peril without an R rating. Wells could have done a better job developing characters. The plot rolled along - although slowly at times - but the characters always remained a little flat. And since Benson's primary motivation is to escape, the other issues raised by the story don't seem especially important. All-in-all, "Variant" was a good book, but not especially memorable. I'll recommend this to my students, but I won't be rushing out for the sequel.	[ 101, 11999, 8731, 4152, 1037, 6566, 2008, 3138, 2032, 2185, 2013, 1037, 5402, 1997, 16010, 6469, 5014, 1010, 10015, 2019, 6581, 2495, 1999, 1037, 27044, 9405, 2082, 1012, 2023, 2001, 1037, 5024, 4019, 1013, 23873, 3117, 2008, 6966, 2033, 1997, 2116, 2060, 8038, 4486, 1012, 2588, 5508, 2012, 4098, 3790, 2914, 1010, 11999, 2442, 5454, 2029, 1005, 6080, 1005, 2000, 3693, 1011, 2554, 1010, 22156, 1010, 8349, 1011, 2061, 3383, 2008, 1005, 1055, 2339, 2009, 6966, 2022, 1037, 2210, 1997, 17856, 11461, 1012, 2009, 2003, 3154, 2220, 2006, 2008, 1996, 2082, 3475, 1005, 1056, 2054, 2009, 3544, 2000, 2022, 1010, 1998, 11999, 5363, 2000, 3275, 2009, 2041, 1010, 2029, 6966, 2033, 1997, 1996, 15079, 5479, 1012, 2045, 2024, 2070, 9223, 21438, 1998, 1037, 7656, 1011, 6865, 2121, 4566, 1012, 2045, 2024, 2195, 2204, 2477, 2055, 2023, 2338, 1010, 2708, 1997, 2029, 2003, 2008, 2348, 2195, 13496, 2024, 2730, 2076, 1996, 2466, 1010, 2035, 1996, 3809, 4808, 6433, 2125, 1011, 3898, 1025, 2054, 3544, 2006, 1996, 3931, 2003, 2195, 4084, 10256, 2121, 2084, 1996, 9012, 2399, 1012, 1996, 3143, 3768, 1997, 3348, 1010, 5850, 1010, 1998, 2844, 2653, 3084, 2023, 1037, 2204, 3601, 2005, 8141, 2559, 2005, 2566, 4014, 2302, 2019, 1054, 5790, 1012, 7051, 2071, 2031, 2589, 1037, 2488, 3105, 4975, 3494, 1012, 1996, 5436, 4565, 2247, 1011, 2348, 3254, 2012, 2335, 1011, 2021, 1996, 3494, 2467, 2815, 1037, 2210, 4257, 1012, 1998, 2144, 11999, 1005, 1055, 3078, 14354, 2003, 2000, 4019, 1010, 1996, 2060, 3314, 2992, 2011, 1996, 2466, 2123, 1005, 1056, 4025, 2926, 2590, 1012, 2035, 1011, 1999, 1011, 2035, 1010, 1000, 8349, 1000, 2001, 1037, 2204, 2338, 1010, 2021, 2025, 2926, 13432, 1012, 1045, 1005, 2222, 16755, 2023, 2000, 2026, 2493, 1010, 2021, 1045, 2180, 1005, 1056, 2022, 8375, 2041, 2005, 1996, 8297, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
While reading "Ashfall," I was transported back to my teenaged enthusiasm for Larry Niven's Lucifer's Hammer. What's not to love about a hero who defies the END of the WORLD? There are so many things to like about "Ashfall" that it is hard to know where to start. The premise is simple and believable: a super volcano eruption suddenly and completely transforms the Iowa life Alex has known into an ashen wasteland. The natural upheaval is devastating, but it is the way people change suddenly and completely that is most disturbing. It isn't quite The Road. Yet. As the events of Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy show (and tsunamis and earthquakes and on and on), mother nature is unforgiving, but it is people who make tragedy into obscenity. "Ashfall" raises the stakes beyond simple disaster survival stories, such that the devastation is believable and the lack of coordinated response is equally understandable. Mullin has done a fine job of weaving speculation in with elements of historical fact, of how food shortages and refugee camps work, of how people are both good and evil. Alex is completely engaging as our sixteen year old protagonist and narrator. He is confused, determined, naive, altruistic, and adaptable. Alex eventually stumbles upon a companion, Darla, who is perhaps more engaging, a no-nonsense raised-on-a-farm practical gal. It is hard for me to think of a romantic relationship between teen characters that displays such respect for the real strengths and weaknesses people bring to relationships. The realistic depiction of violence, sexual and otherwise, might give pause for some younger readers. Fans of "Survivorman" will feel right at home. And I hear that darker things are to come in the sequel. I'm glad I have Ashen Winter sitting on my shelf, as it would be a rough wait to see how this turns out.	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An average read. There were some really fun possibilities, espcially in the moments it touched on The Handmaid's Tale territory and some serious tensions over religion. Morality is on stage here, and pleasantly there aren't any easy answers. It is a fairly simple idea: a boy and girl seem to be heading towards matrimony on their long deep-space voyage when something dramatic separates them. Loads of possibilities. But none of it worked to build an effective whole. The first act comes of implausibly. I didn't feel Waverly's story intensely - and it should be affecting - as Ryan has a preference for telling and not showing. When Kerian's narrative returns after a long hiatus, it feels incomplete and too short compared to the many pages devoted to Waverly's saga. The main characters are thin, their motivations too simple, while there minor characters sprout up without much explanation. Many sci-fi authors have worked over similar subjects. Ryan may be a good place for readers ready to make the leap from twee-YA to something speculative, and those curious about faith may like the comfortable, non-specific-Christian story element. But there isn't enough here to recommend it to a wide audience. The ending is unsatisfying on its own, but I'm not curious about the sequel.	[ 101, 2019, 2779, 3191, 1012, 2045, 2020, 2070, 2428, 4569, 12020, 1010, 9686, 15042, 4818, 2135, 1999, 1996, 5312, 2009, 5028, 2006, 1996, 2192, 28478, 1005, 1055, 6925, 3700, 1998, 2070, 3809, 13136, 2058, 4676, 1012, 16561, 2003, 2006, 2754, 2182, 1010, 1998, 27726, 2045, 4995, 1005, 1056, 2151, 3733, 6998, 1012, 2009, 2003, 1037, 7199, 3722, 2801, 1024, 1037, 2879, 1998, 2611, 4025, 2000, 2022, 5825, 2875, 13523, 20026, 16585, 2006, 2037, 2146, 2784, 1011, 2686, 8774, 2043, 2242, 6918, 18600, 2068, 1012, 15665, 1997, 12020, 1012, 2021, 3904, 1997, 2009, 2499, 2000, 3857, 2019, 4621, 2878, 1012, 1996, 2034, 2552, 3310, 1997, 17727, 28128, 17296, 1012, 1045, 2134, 1005, 1056, 2514, 4400, 21194, 1005, 1055, 2466, 20531, 1011, 1998, 2009, 2323, 2022, 12473, 1011, 2004, 4575, 2038, 1037, 12157, 2005, 4129, 1998, 2025, 4760, 1012, 2043, 17710, 6862, 1005, 1055, 7984, 5651, 2044, 1037, 2146, 14221, 1010, 2009, 5683, 12958, 1998, 2205, 2460, 4102, 2000, 1996, 2116, 5530, 7422, 2000, 4400, 21194, 1005, 1055, 12312, 1012, 1996, 2364, 3494, 2024, 4857, 1010, 2037, 14354, 2015, 2205, 3722, 1010, 2096, 2045, 3576, 3494, 11867, 22494, 2102, 2039, 2302, 2172, 7526, 1012, 2116, 16596, 1011, 10882, 6048, 2031, 2499, 2058, 2714, 5739, 1012, 4575, 2089, 2022, 1037, 2204, 2173, 2005, 8141, 3201, 2000, 2191, 1996, 11679, 2013, 1056, 28394, 1011, 8038, 2000, 2242, 23250, 1010, 1998, 2216, 8025, 2055, 4752, 2089, 2066, 1996, 6625, 1010, 2512, 1011, 3563, 1011, 3017, 2466, 5783, 1012, 2021, 2045, 3475, 1005, 1056, 2438, 2182, 2000, 16755, 2009, 2000, 1037, 2898, 4378, 1012, 1996, 4566, 2003, 4895, 16846, 2483, 14116, 2006, 2049, 2219, 1010, 2021, 1045, 1005, 1049, 2025, 8025, 2055, 1996, 8297, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
I'm not much of a paranormal fan. Don't have anything against them, per se, but I've only sampled a few in my days as a reader of YA. Which means I can't speak to how "Misfit" compares to its peers, but I can say that it is a good story with a strong protagonist. Skovron spends a good bit of time developing his world, or worlds: in this book we get to see Gia (our world) and Hell. Jael Thompson is an interesting protagonist, young and un-tested, but not naive or annoying. The story cover's a few days in Jael's (pronounced 'Jail') life as she comes to understand what it means to be half-human and half-demon. There are twists and turns aplenty as she learns what of demons and people are capable. There's some gore and salty language, although never more than just enough to do what needs doing. I didn't get lost in the story, and at times I felt like the pacing wasn't quite right. But for a fantasy romp, it was worth-while.	[ 101, 1045, 1005, 1049, 2025, 2172, 1997, 1037, 20725, 5470, 1012, 2123, 1005, 1056, 2031, 2505, 2114, 2068, 1010, 2566, 7367, 1010, 2021, 1045, 1005, 2310, 2069, 18925, 1037, 2261, 1999, 2026, 2420, 2004, 1037, 8068, 1997, 8038, 1012, 2029, 2965, 1045, 2064, 1005, 1056, 3713, 2000, 2129, 1000, 28616, 8873, 2102, 1000, 22963, 2000, 2049, 12746, 1010, 2021, 1045, 2064, 2360, 2008, 2009, 2003, 1037, 2204, 2466, 2007, 1037, 2844, 10191, 1012, 15315, 4492, 4948, 15970, 1037, 2204, 2978, 1997, 2051, 4975, 2010, 2088, 1010, 2030, 8484, 1024, 1999, 2023, 2338, 2057, 2131, 2000, 2156, 27699, 1006, 2256, 2088, 1007, 1998, 3109, 1012, 22770, 2140, 5953, 2003, 2019, 5875, 10191, 1010, 2402, 1998, 4895, 1011, 7718, 1010, 2021, 2025, 15743, 2030, 15703, 1012, 1996, 2466, 3104, 1005, 1055, 1037, 2261, 2420, 1999, 22770, 2140, 1005, 1055, 1006, 8793, 1005, 7173, 1005, 1007, 2166, 2004, 2016, 3310, 2000, 3305, 2054, 2009, 2965, 2000, 2022, 2431, 1011, 2529, 1998, 2431, 1011, 5698, 1012, 2045, 2024, 21438, 1998, 4332, 9706, 16136, 2100, 2004, 2016, 10229, 2054, 1997, 7942, 1998, 2111, 2024, 5214, 1012, 2045, 1005, 1055, 2070, 13638, 1998, 23592, 2653, 1010, 2348, 2196, 2062, 2084, 2074, 2438, 2000, 2079, 2054, 3791, 2725, 1012, 1045, 2134, 1005, 1056, 2131, 2439, 1999, 1996, 2466, 1010, 1998, 2012, 2335, 1045, 2371, 2066, 1996, 15732, 2347, 1005, 1056, 3243, 2157, 1012, 2021, 2005, 1037, 5913, 17083, 2361, 1010, 2009, 2001, 4276, 1011, 2096, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
Several folks have reviewed this favorably. I'll give Mr. Wynne-Jones credit for a multiple-perspective work that incorporates 3rd person and 2nd person narratives. The 2nd person section - Blink's - was hard for me to sink into, and perhaps alternating it with Caution's made both characters more remote. Both teens have stories and secrets, and by the end of the story everything turns out alright. But what teen will really enjoy this? I can't see her or him in my minds eye. The gritty-living-on-the-streets part ends and then isn't revisited, the love-story takes too long to get going, only to not really sizzle, the what-is-going-on-in-the-woods-mystery is never made clear. The whole thing just seemed like a mess.	[ 101, 2195, 12455, 2031, 8182, 2023, 27597, 1012, 1045, 1005, 2222, 2507, 2720, 1012, 25328, 2063, 1011, 3557, 4923, 2005, 1037, 3674, 1011, 7339, 2147, 2008, 12374, 3822, 2711, 1998, 3416, 2711, 22143, 1012, 1996, 3416, 2711, 2930, 1011, 12373, 1005, 1055, 1011, 2001, 2524, 2005, 2033, 2000, 7752, 2046, 1010, 1998, 3383, 15122, 2009, 2007, 14046, 1005, 1055, 2081, 2119, 3494, 2062, 6556, 1012, 2119, 13496, 2031, 3441, 1998, 7800, 1010, 1998, 2011, 1996, 2203, 1997, 1996, 2466, 2673, 4332, 2041, 10303, 1012, 2021, 2054, 9458, 2097, 2428, 5959, 2023, 1029, 1045, 2064, 1005, 1056, 2156, 2014, 2030, 2032, 1999, 2026, 9273, 3239, 1012, 1996, 24842, 3723, 1011, 2542, 1011, 2006, 1011, 1996, 1011, 4534, 2112, 4515, 1998, 2059, 3475, 1005, 1056, 24354, 1010, 1996, 2293, 1011, 2466, 3138, 2205, 2146, 2000, 2131, 2183, 1010, 2069, 2000, 2025, 2428, 9033, 17644, 1010, 1996, 2054, 1011, 2003, 1011, 2183, 1011, 2006, 1011, 1999, 1011, 1996, 1011, 5249, 1011, 6547, 2003, 2196, 2081, 3154, 1012, 1996, 2878, 2518, 2074, 2790, 2066, 1037, 6752, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
Although the cover didn't appeal to me at all, I saw some strong reviews of "Blood Red Road" comparing it to The Hunger Games and The Road that made me want to chance it. Sorry to say that it didn't come close to either of these books for me. Without a doubt, the voice is strong; Saba is a narrator I can hear, and the prose is a notch or two above par. The plot moves very quickly, with characters fighting and changing locations, if only to provide motion. However, I didn't find enough meat here. All of the characters are thin to the point of transparency. The aforementioned plot rushed past crucial moments that deserved more attention. Life-and-death situations arrive abruptly and then pass just as quickly. Storms, car(sail boat?) crashes, gladiatorial games all come and go far too quickly, leaving me wondering why Young bothered with them to begin with. This isn't a bad book, just so-so. I may read on as other books come out, but I'd still recommend The Knife of Never Letting Go in a heart beat over this one.	[ 101, 2348, 1996, 3104, 2134, 1005, 1056, 5574, 2000, 2033, 2012, 2035, 1010, 1045, 2387, 2070, 2844, 4391, 1997, 1000, 2668, 2417, 2346, 1000, 13599, 2009, 2000, 1996, 9012, 2399, 1998, 1996, 2346, 2008, 2081, 2033, 2215, 2000, 3382, 2009, 1012, 3374, 2000, 2360, 2008, 2009, 2134, 1005, 1056, 2272, 2485, 2000, 2593, 1997, 2122, 2808, 2005, 2033, 1012, 2302, 1037, 4797, 1010, 1996, 2376, 2003, 2844, 1025, 7842, 3676, 2003, 1037, 11185, 1045, 2064, 2963, 1010, 1998, 1996, 12388, 2003, 1037, 18624, 2030, 2048, 2682, 11968, 1012, 1996, 5436, 5829, 2200, 2855, 1010, 2007, 3494, 3554, 1998, 5278, 5269, 1010, 2065, 2069, 2000, 3073, 4367, 1012, 2174, 1010, 1045, 2134, 1005, 1056, 2424, 2438, 6240, 2182, 1012, 2035, 1997, 1996, 3494, 2024, 4857, 2000, 1996, 2391, 1997, 16987, 1012, 1996, 17289, 5436, 6760, 2627, 10232, 5312, 2008, 10849, 2062, 3086, 1012, 2166, 1011, 1998, 1011, 2331, 8146, 7180, 9225, 1998, 2059, 3413, 2074, 2004, 2855, 1012, 12642, 1010, 2482, 1006, 9498, 4049, 1029, 1007, 19119, 1010, 5580, 2401, 29469, 2389, 2399, 2035, 2272, 1998, 2175, 2521, 2205, 2855, 1010, 2975, 2033, 6603, 2339, 2402, 11250, 2007, 2068, 2000, 4088, 2007, 1012, 2023, 3475, 1005, 1056, 1037, 2919, 2338, 1010, 2074, 2061, 1011, 2061, 1012, 1045, 2089, 3191, 2006, 2004, 2060, 2808, 2272, 2041, 1010, 2021, 1045, 1005, 1040, 2145, 16755, 1996, 5442, 1997, 2196, 5599, 2175, 1999, 1037, 2540, 3786, 2058, 2023, 2028, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
Read this one as a member of an award committee. There is absolutely an audience for this book, and I'm not that audience. There are some good points: Correia writes with enthusiasm, has some clever ideas, and clearly loves guns as only a gun-nut could. The opening scene is excellent, hands down one of the best action sequences of I've read in a while. If you want lots of video game-like action, these 700+ pages might be for you. That said, there isn't much else here. Characters are flat, the writing is laugh-out-loud bad (How about this gem: "Normal men had pornography. I had gun magazines.") and the whole things needs an editor willing to trim the considerable bloat here.	[ 101, 3191, 2023, 2028, 2004, 1037, 2266, 1997, 2019, 2400, 2837, 1012, 2045, 2003, 7078, 2019, 4378, 2005, 2023, 2338, 1010, 1998, 1045, 1005, 1049, 2025, 2008, 4378, 1012, 2045, 2024, 2070, 2204, 2685, 1024, 2522, 14343, 2401, 7009, 2007, 12024, 1010, 2038, 2070, 12266, 4784, 1010, 1998, 4415, 7459, 4409, 2004, 2069, 1037, 3282, 1011, 17490, 2071, 1012, 1996, 3098, 3496, 2003, 6581, 1010, 2398, 2091, 2028, 1997, 1996, 2190, 2895, 10071, 1997, 1045, 1005, 2310, 3191, 1999, 1037, 2096, 1012, 2065, 2017, 2215, 7167, 1997, 2678, 2208, 1011, 2066, 2895, 1010, 2122, 6352, 1009, 5530, 2453, 2022, 2005, 2017, 1012, 2008, 2056, 1010, 2045, 3475, 1005, 1056, 2172, 2842, 2182, 1012, 3494, 2024, 4257, 1010, 1996, 3015, 2003, 4756, 1011, 2041, 1011, 5189, 2919, 1006, 2129, 2055, 2023, 17070, 1024, 1000, 3671, 2273, 2018, 19378, 1012, 1045, 2018, 3282, 7298, 1012, 1000, 1007, 1998, 1996, 2878, 2477, 3791, 2019, 3559, 5627, 2000, 12241, 1996, 6196, 1038, 4135, 4017, 2182, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
My eight year old loves this book, although he's not so thrilled with the second in the series. I actually thought is moved a bit slowly and was entirely too smug about the fairies populating its pages, but it is hard to argue with kid appeal.	[ 101, 2026, 2809, 2095, 2214, 7459, 2023, 2338, 1010, 2348, 2002, 1005, 1055, 2025, 2061, 16082, 2007, 1996, 2117, 1999, 1996, 2186, 1012, 1045, 2941, 2245, 2003, 2333, 1037, 2978, 3254, 1998, 2001, 4498, 2205, 20673, 2055, 1996, 20182, 3769, 10924, 2049, 5530, 1010, 2021, 2009, 2003, 2524, 2000, 7475, 2007, 4845, 5574, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
Deuce has been living underground her whole life. In this story, she partners with the mysterious Fade to hunt for her enclave. Of course, with zombie-like freaks wandering about and a totalitarian social organization, things can't stay stabile for long. A lot is left open to imagination as they explore a post-apocalyptic Gotham. The egalitarian camera derive of the duo is refreshing, even as some minor characters aren't fully developed. Appropriate for younger readers, it moves along well and might work for those who aren't ready for The Road or even Ashfall. It actually reads a bit like the Will Smith version of "I Am Legend." Hopefully the next two volumes are worthy.	[ 101, 2139, 18796, 2038, 2042, 2542, 5230, 2014, 2878, 2166, 1012, 1999, 2023, 2466, 1010, 2016, 5826, 2007, 1996, 8075, 12985, 2000, 5690, 2005, 2014, 25867, 1012, 1997, 2607, 1010, 2007, 11798, 1011, 2066, 29526, 13071, 2055, 1998, 1037, 2561, 25691, 2591, 3029, 1010, 2477, 2064, 1005, 1056, 2994, 17079, 9463, 2005, 2146, 1012, 1037, 2843, 2003, 2187, 2330, 2000, 9647, 2004, 2027, 8849, 1037, 2695, 1011, 27660, 22814, 1012, 1996, 1041, 9692, 25691, 4950, 18547, 1997, 1996, 6829, 2003, 27150, 1010, 2130, 2004, 2070, 3576, 3494, 4995, 1005, 1056, 3929, 2764, 1012, 6413, 2005, 3920, 8141, 1010, 2009, 5829, 2247, 2092, 1998, 2453, 2147, 2005, 2216, 2040, 4995, 1005, 1056, 3201, 2005, 1996, 2346, 2030, 2130, 6683, 13976, 1012, 2009, 2941, 9631, 1037, 2978, 2066, 1996, 2097, 3044, 2544, 1997, 1000, 1045, 2572, 5722, 1012, 1000, 11504, 1996, 2279, 2048, 6702, 2024, 11007, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
Good dystopias construct a future that is at once distant and dangerously close, balancing the far-fetched with all-to-real. The best - this list includes The Hunger Games,1984, Feed - also establish characters who matter. They may not be lovable, but you want them to succeed. "Empty" falters on both counts. Weyn's vision of a world without petroleum isn't adequately developed; it is told through the particular experience of some teens in Spring Valley and via news items from around the world. For such a profound crisis, the particulars feel false and under developed. And there's a global-warming caused storm. And there's some problem with genetically modified food. And even with all of this, things never seem to be more than inconvenient. I guess I was expecting something post-apocalyptic. But the bigger problem, as other reviewers have noted, is that the characters are completely blah. They spout convenient bits of information about bio-diesel and growing your own food, but no one seems to be a real person. Their love lives and friendships just don't hold up. This is an interesting premise in wait of a better telling.	[ 101, 2204, 1040, 27268, 7361, 7951, 9570, 1037, 2925, 2008, 2003, 2012, 2320, 6802, 1998, 20754, 2485, 1010, 20120, 1996, 2521, 1011, 18584, 2098, 2007, 2035, 1011, 2000, 1011, 2613, 1012, 1996, 2190, 1011, 2023, 2862, 2950, 1996, 9012, 2399, 1010, 3118, 1010, 5438, 1011, 2036, 5323, 3494, 2040, 3043, 1012, 2027, 2089, 2025, 2022, 8840, 12423, 1010, 2021, 2017, 2215, 2068, 2000, 9510, 1012, 1000, 4064, 1000, 6904, 21928, 2015, 2006, 2119, 9294, 1012, 2057, 6038, 1005, 1055, 4432, 1997, 1037, 2088, 2302, 11540, 3475, 1005, 1056, 23613, 2764, 1025, 2009, 2003, 2409, 2083, 1996, 3327, 3325, 1997, 2070, 13496, 1999, 3500, 3028, 1998, 3081, 2739, 5167, 2013, 2105, 1996, 2088, 1012, 2005, 2107, 1037, 13769, 5325, 1010, 1996, 3327, 2015, 2514, 6270, 1998, 2104, 2764, 1012, 1998, 2045, 1005, 1055, 1037, 3795, 1011, 12959, 3303, 4040, 1012, 1998, 2045, 1005, 1055, 2070, 3291, 2007, 19345, 6310, 2833, 1012, 1998, 2130, 2007, 2035, 1997, 2023, 1010, 2477, 2196, 4025, 2000, 2022, 2062, 2084, 4297, 2239, 8159, 11638, 1012, 1045, 3984, 1045, 2001, 8074, 2242, 2695, 1011, 27660, 1012, 2021, 1996, 7046, 3291, 1010, 2004, 2060, 15814, 2031, 3264, 1010, 2003, 2008, 1996, 3494, 2024, 3294, 27984, 1012, 2027, 11867, 5833, 14057, 9017, 1997, 2592, 2055, 16012, 1011, 7937, 1998, 3652, 2115, 2219, 2833, 1010, 2021, 2053, 2028, 3849, 2000, 2022, 1037, 2613, 2711, 1012, 2037, 2293, 3268, 1998, 28956, 2074, 2123, 1005, 1056, 2907, 2039, 1012, 2023, 2003, 2019, 5875, 18458, 1999, 3524, 1997, 1037, 2488, 4129, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
Before reading this, I'd never heard of a "rat king". This is but one of the gloriously gross tidbits that salt Kraus's "Rotters". Don't know what it is? Go Google; I'll wait. Vile, yes? It is also the perfect image for this book, which is a twisted, interconnected, evil knot of repellent characters living in dark, dark corners, portending doom. Which I mean as a compliment. I completely enjoyed this horror story, which is as soul-shaking as anything from Stephen King. There are no vampires or spectral monsters, just some of the most sinister human beings put to page. The language is exceptional, the pace inevitable. Secondary characters - teachers, classmates, bartenders - are given breath even if they appear once. And the themes are the stuff of great literature. All and all, a great read for someone looking for smart, apologetically dark story. I read the book and listened to the audio book, which was superlative. It really deserves the accolades it has won.	[ 101, 2077, 3752, 2023, 1010, 1045, 1005, 1040, 2196, 2657, 1997, 1037, 1000, 9350, 2332, 1000, 1012, 2023, 2003, 2021, 2028, 1997, 1996, 14013, 2135, 7977, 14841, 18939, 12762, 2008, 5474, 1047, 25965, 1005, 1055, 1000, 18672, 7747, 1000, 1012, 2123, 1005, 1056, 2113, 2054, 2009, 2003, 1029, 2175, 8224, 1025, 1045, 1005, 2222, 3524, 1012, 25047, 1010, 2748, 1029, 2009, 2003, 2036, 1996, 3819, 3746, 2005, 2023, 2338, 1010, 2029, 2003, 1037, 6389, 1010, 6970, 24230, 1010, 4763, 12226, 1997, 16360, 14774, 3372, 3494, 2542, 1999, 2601, 1010, 2601, 8413, 1010, 25927, 15683, 12677, 1012, 2029, 1045, 2812, 2004, 1037, 19394, 1012, 1045, 3294, 5632, 2023, 5469, 2466, 1010, 2029, 2003, 2004, 3969, 1011, 5513, 2004, 2505, 2013, 4459, 2332, 1012, 2045, 2024, 2053, 6144, 2030, 17435, 9219, 1010, 2074, 2070, 1997, 1996, 2087, 16491, 2529, 9552, 2404, 2000, 3931, 1012, 1996, 2653, 2003, 11813, 1010, 1996, 6393, 13418, 1012, 3905, 3494, 1011, 5089, 1010, 19846, 1010, 15812, 2015, 1011, 2024, 2445, 3052, 2130, 2065, 2027, 3711, 2320, 1012, 1998, 1996, 6991, 2024, 1996, 4933, 1997, 2307, 3906, 1012, 2035, 1998, 2035, 1010, 1037, 2307, 3191, 2005, 2619, 2559, 2005, 6047, 1010, 29352, 3973, 2601, 2466, 1012, 1045, 3191, 1996, 2338, 1998, 7791, 2000, 1996, 5746, 2338, 1010, 2029, 2001, 3565, 26255, 1012, 2009, 2428, 17210, 1996, 27447, 2009, 2038, 2180, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
Just finished "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader," and it doesn't hold a candle to "The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe." So many folks have such fond things to say about this chapter in the Narnia cycle that I feel like a cad offering less-than-glowing comments. But it just wasn't very good. The characters don't grow or change; the plot wanders aimlessly and at great length. More importantly, it doesn't really have much to say about the issues it strives to raise: faith, fellowship, doing what's right, redemption. Hours after finishing it, I struggle to recall much of anything, beyond Lucy's nauseating infatuation with Aslan. She really sounds like an obsessive fan-girl whenever he deus-ex-machinas into the story. Lest you think my opinion isn't valid because I'm a jaded old fart and this is [trying to be] a story for children, my young kids weren't too thrilled with it, either. They much prefer Charlie Bone, Half Magic, Dragon Rider and a dozen other books. I don't doubt that adults have fond memories of this story from childhood. Some of the books in this series are still favorites of mine. Looked at honestly, "Voyage of the Dawn Treader" is a lesser work that suffers in comparison to these others, but is none-to-good even on its own terms.	[ 101, 2074, 2736, 1000, 1996, 8774, 1997, 1996, 6440, 29449, 2121, 1010, 1000, 1998, 2009, 2987, 1005, 1056, 2907, 1037, 13541, 2000, 1000, 1996, 7006, 1996, 6965, 1998, 1996, 17828, 1012, 1000, 2061, 2116, 12455, 2031, 2107, 13545, 2477, 2000, 2360, 2055, 2023, 3127, 1999, 1996, 6583, 6826, 2401, 5402, 2008, 1045, 2514, 2066, 1037, 28353, 5378, 2625, 1011, 2084, 1011, 10156, 7928, 1012, 2021, 2009, 2074, 2347, 1005, 1056, 2200, 2204, 1012, 1996, 3494, 2123, 1005, 1056, 4982, 2030, 2689, 1025, 1996, 5436, 17677, 2015, 6614, 10895, 1998, 2012, 2307, 3091, 1012, 2062, 14780, 1010, 2009, 2987, 1005, 1056, 2428, 2031, 2172, 2000, 2360, 2055, 1996, 3314, 2009, 29453, 2015, 2000, 5333, 1024, 4752, 1010, 7881, 1010, 2725, 2054, 1005, 1055, 2157, 1010, 18434, 1012, 2847, 2044, 5131, 2009, 1010, 1045, 5998, 2000, 9131, 2172, 1997, 2505, 1010, 3458, 7004, 1005, 1055, 19029, 3436, 1999, 27753, 14505, 2007, 2004, 5802, 1012, 2016, 2428, 4165, 2066, 2019, 27885, 8583, 12742, 5470, 1011, 2611, 7188, 2002, 2139, 2271, 1011, 4654, 1011, 24532, 15227, 2046, 1996, 2466, 1012, 26693, 2017, 2228, 2026, 5448, 3475, 1005, 1056, 9398, 2138, 1045, 1005, 1049, 1037, 12323, 2094, 2214, 2521, 2102, 1998, 2023, 2003, 1031, 2667, 2000, 2022, 1033, 1037, 2466, 2005, 2336, 1010, 2026, 2402, 4268, 4694, 1005, 1056, 2205, 16082, 2007, 2009, 1010, 2593, 1012, 2027, 2172, 9544, 4918, 5923, 1010, 2431, 3894, 1010, 5202, 7945, 1998, 1037, 6474, 2060, 2808, 1012, 1045, 2123, 1005, 1056, 4797, 2008, 6001, 2031, 13545, 5758, 1997, 2023, 2466, 2013, 5593, 1012, 2070, 1997, 1996, 2808, 1999, 2023, 2186, 2024, 2145, 20672, 1997, 3067, 1012, 2246, 2012, 9826, 1010, 1000, 8774, 1997, 1996, 6440, 29449, 2121, 1000, 2003, 1037, 8276, 2147, 2008, 17567, 1999, 7831, 2000, 2122, 2500, 1010, 2021, 2003, 3904, 1011, 2000, 1011, 2204, 2130, 2006, 2049, 2219, 3408, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
A solid thriller for HS or MS readers. Northrop does a good job of describing a disaster situation that slowly unravels in a voice that credibly mimics real high school sophomores. I could imagine real teens acting with the same numb confusion, unaware of just how bad things are as the snow piles high. My complaint is that so much more was possible. With many characters locked in a room - think "Breakfast Club," or King's The Mist - there's real potential for human drama and excruciating tension. Trapped doesn't quite get there, leaving lots of dramatic pieces on the board. I'd suggest this to a reader with patience for a slower pace, willing to enjoy the wait. For those who are concerned with such things, the book is largely clean, save for a few mild instances of adolescent humor and some logical descriptions of bathroom accommodations. I'd judge it appropriate for MS.	[ 101, 1037, 5024, 10874, 2005, 26236, 2030, 5796, 8141, 1012, 2167, 18981, 2515, 1037, 2204, 3105, 1997, 7851, 1037, 7071, 3663, 2008, 3254, 4895, 22401, 4877, 1999, 1037, 2376, 2008, 13675, 2098, 17296, 23150, 2015, 2613, 2152, 2082, 13758, 2015, 1012, 1045, 2071, 5674, 2613, 13496, 3772, 2007, 1996, 2168, 15903, 6724, 1010, 11499, 1997, 2074, 2129, 2919, 2477, 2024, 2004, 1996, 4586, 18526, 2152, 1012, 2026, 12087, 2003, 2008, 2061, 2172, 2062, 2001, 2825, 1012, 2007, 2116, 3494, 5299, 1999, 1037, 2282, 1011, 2228, 1000, 6350, 2252, 1010, 1000, 2030, 2332, 1005, 1055, 1996, 11094, 1011, 2045, 1005, 1055, 2613, 4022, 2005, 2529, 3689, 1998, 4654, 26775, 14194, 15370, 6980, 1012, 7567, 2987, 1005, 1056, 3243, 2131, 2045, 1010, 2975, 7167, 1997, 6918, 4109, 2006, 1996, 2604, 1012, 1045, 1005, 1040, 6592, 2023, 2000, 1037, 8068, 2007, 11752, 2005, 1037, 12430, 6393, 1010, 5627, 2000, 5959, 1996, 3524, 1012, 2005, 2216, 2040, 2024, 4986, 2007, 2107, 2477, 1010, 1996, 2338, 2003, 4321, 4550, 1010, 3828, 2005, 1037, 2261, 10256, 12107, 1997, 20274, 8562, 1998, 2070, 11177, 13271, 1997, 5723, 26167, 1012, 1045, 1005, 1040, 3648, 2009, 6413, 2005, 5796, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
The book could have been entitled, "Simplistic": if complexity is your game, or you hunger for something original, keep looking. Perhaps because "Divergent" came billed as the next The Hunger Games I am especially disappointed. "Divergent" isn't bad, just average. It is an easy read, with 487 pages taking surprisingly little effort to get through. The characters never vary from stock types, and our protagonist's journey to figure out what box she fits has been done before. I found the world-building thin and insubstantial. All of this might suffice for a developing reader who disdains detailed description or use of words like 'suffice' and 'disdain.' Readers who are done with Margaret Peterson Haddix's "Shadow Children" series or The Roar would probably enjoy this, as would fans of paranormal romance who are willing to branch out. In fact, I found that the love story overwhelmed other interesting dystopian elements. Which might not be a problem if what I had been expecting was a love story. So while there's a niche for this, I don't think it will have broad appeal, especially among older readers.	[ 101, 1996, 2338, 2071, 2031, 2042, 4709, 1010, 1000, 21934, 24759, 6553, 1000, 1024, 2065, 11619, 2003, 2115, 2208, 1010, 2030, 2017, 9012, 2005, 2242, 2434, 1010, 2562, 2559, 1012, 3383, 2138, 1000, 17856, 11461, 1000, 2234, 14843, 2004, 1996, 2279, 1996, 9012, 2399, 1045, 2572, 2926, 9364, 1012, 1000, 17856, 11461, 1000, 3475, 1005, 1056, 2919, 1010, 2074, 2779, 1012, 2009, 2003, 2019, 3733, 3191, 1010, 2007, 4466, 2581, 5530, 2635, 10889, 2210, 3947, 2000, 2131, 2083, 1012, 1996, 3494, 2196, 8137, 2013, 4518, 4127, 1010, 1998, 2256, 10191, 1005, 1055, 4990, 2000, 3275, 2041, 2054, 3482, 2016, 16142, 2038, 2042, 2589, 2077, 1012, 1045, 2179, 1996, 2088, 1011, 2311, 4857, 1998, 16021, 12083, 12693, 20925, 1012, 2035, 1997, 2023, 2453, 10514, 26989, 3401, 2005, 1037, 4975, 8068, 2040, 25134, 2015, 6851, 6412, 2030, 2224, 1997, 2616, 2066, 1005, 10514, 26989, 3401, 1005, 1998, 1005, 25134, 1012, 1005, 8141, 2040, 2024, 2589, 2007, 5545, 12001, 2018, 4305, 2595, 1005, 1055, 1000, 5192, 2336, 1000, 2186, 2030, 1996, 11950, 2052, 2763, 5959, 2023, 1010, 2004, 2052, 4599, 1997, 20725, 7472, 2040, 2024, 5627, 2000, 3589, 2041, 1012, 1999, 2755, 1010, 1045, 2179, 2008, 1996, 2293, 2466, 13394, 2060, 5875, 1040, 27268, 7361, 2937, 3787, 1012, 2029, 2453, 2025, 2022, 1037, 3291, 2065, 2054, 1045, 2018, 2042, 8074, 2001, 1037, 2293, 2466, 1012, 2061, 2096, 2045, 1005, 1055, 1037, 18111, 2005, 2023, 1010, 1045, 2123, 1005, 1056, 2228, 2009, 2097, 2031, 5041, 5574, 1010, 2926, 2426, 3080, 8141, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
This in a tremendously important story. Atrocity and barbarism must be remembered, and this account of Lithuanian deportations by the Soviet Union are compelling in the same way Holocaust stories are compelling. Important doesn't always mean great story telling, though. In this case, the compelling story isn't as powerful as I'd hoped; the horrors of the narrative aren't quite as gripping as I thought they should be. Sepetys weaves in flash-backs of normal, pre-war life that had mixed results juxtaposed with the grief of forced labor. Deaths - and there are many - don't have the punch-to-the-gut power evoked in other books. This read on the younger side of YA. Fans of The Diary of a Young Girl may enjoy this additional taste of plucky teen girl enduring the worst history has to offer.	[ 101, 2023, 1999, 1037, 14388, 2135, 2590, 2466, 1012, 2012, 21735, 1998, 3347, 25990, 6491, 2442, 2022, 4622, 1010, 1998, 2023, 4070, 1997, 10333, 23702, 2015, 2011, 1996, 3354, 2586, 2024, 17075, 1999, 1996, 2168, 2126, 11513, 3441, 2024, 17075, 1012, 2590, 2987, 1005, 1056, 2467, 2812, 2307, 2466, 4129, 1010, 2295, 1012, 1999, 2023, 2553, 1010, 1996, 17075, 2466, 3475, 1005, 1056, 2004, 3928, 2004, 1045, 1005, 1040, 5113, 1025, 1996, 22812, 1997, 1996, 7984, 4995, 1005, 1056, 3243, 2004, 13940, 2004, 1045, 2245, 2027, 2323, 2022, 1012, 19802, 27405, 2015, 25308, 2015, 1999, 5956, 1011, 10457, 1997, 3671, 1010, 3653, 1011, 2162, 2166, 2008, 2018, 3816, 3463, 18414, 18413, 9331, 24768, 2007, 1996, 9940, 1997, 3140, 4450, 1012, 6677, 1011, 1998, 2045, 2024, 2116, 1011, 2123, 1005, 1056, 2031, 1996, 8595, 1011, 2000, 1011, 1996, 1011, 9535, 2373, 23408, 23461, 1999, 2060, 2808, 1012, 2023, 3191, 2006, 1996, 3920, 2217, 1997, 8038, 1012, 4599, 1997, 1996, 9708, 1997, 1037, 2402, 2611, 2089, 5959, 2023, 3176, 5510, 1997, 20228, 12722, 2100, 9458, 2611, 16762, 1996, 5409, 2381, 2038, 2000, 3749, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
After reading a string of so-so books, Whitney's book reminds me of why I read YA. Here's a book that introduces a strong character, Alex. She plays piano, loves Beethoven, has room mates and friends and a sister who isn't always easy to relate with. Alex also has a problem: on page one, she wakes up in the bed of a boy, unable to remember how she got there. While the 'problem' of rape has a lengthy pedigree in YA (Speak, Putting Heather Together Again, Target, anything by Ellen Hopkins) "Mockingbirds" is realistic without being relentlessly grim. There are several strengths to the story: gobs of references to Harper Lee's book, geeks and jocks receive fair and friendly treatment, scholarship generally gets an enthusiastic green light. The students at Whitney's fictional Themis Academy are reasonable and mature, although not quite perfect. And while the story never strays far from the central conflict, there are several other side-lines that lighten the tone of the story and add interesting nuggets to Alex's world. The weaknesses of the book are small-to-middling: the students are a little too reasonable, the adults a little too clueless, the system of justice is a little too smooth, everything works out a little too-well in the end. As a parent, I'm concerned that kids in this book so universally understand that talking to adults is futile. As a human being, I wonder if the "justice" meted out by the Mockingbirds is actually just, but teens may not see either of these as issues. While "Mockingbirds" isn't especially complex, the many characters will make it a challenging book for reluctant readers. Still, girls will respond well to Alex, her predicament, and the hopeful tone of the work. Don't think it will have much guy appeal, which is unfortunate because there are several characters who present guys as effective allies working against the 'problem' vised upon Alex.	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As a story about an anorexic teen, this is fine. The paranormal, "thou hast become Death" parts are less convincing, less believable, less resonant. I would offer this to younger high school students who might prefer realistic fiction, as an entry point to a new genre. It is short and easy to get through, and there are three sequels. There really aren't any significant secondary characters, so following Liz's story should be straightforward.	[ 101, 2004, 1037, 2466, 2055, 2019, 2019, 5686, 9048, 2278, 9458, 1010, 2023, 2003, 2986, 1012, 1996, 20725, 1010, 1000, 15223, 2038, 2102, 2468, 2331, 1000, 3033, 2024, 2625, 13359, 1010, 2625, 19337, 2666, 12423, 1010, 2625, 24501, 7856, 3372, 1012, 1045, 2052, 3749, 2023, 2000, 3920, 2152, 2082, 2493, 2040, 2453, 9544, 12689, 4349, 1010, 2004, 2019, 4443, 2391, 2000, 1037, 2047, 6907, 1012, 2009, 2003, 2460, 1998, 3733, 2000, 2131, 2083, 1010, 1998, 2045, 2024, 2093, 25815, 1012, 2045, 2428, 4995, 1005, 1056, 2151, 3278, 3905, 3494, 1010, 2061, 2206, 9056, 1005, 1055, 2466, 2323, 2022, 19647, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
High hopes going into this one. Raises themes of duty vs. love, God, exploration. Great idea: take 'yer standard post-apocalyptic story format but write it more like a paranormal and then ad infinite zombies. Sadly, the book didn't work for me. The story takes a very long time to unfold, and the main character is annoyingly self involved. Mary's tone is completely flat - a bit like Katniss from The Hunger Games without any of the good bits - but the action isn't any where near as compelling. Makes it hard to have an emotional connection to Mary, and the secondary characters are even less lively. And what with all the impending death and flesh-eating Unconsecrated (the zombies), you'd think that Mary would spend an eensy bit more energy on surviving, instead of yearning for...Travis...no, Harry...no, the ocean...no, Gabrielle...no, mother...well, maybe Harry...and so on. I don't doubt that some kids will like this, but it won't be everyone.	[ 101, 2152, 8069, 2183, 2046, 2023, 2028, 1012, 13275, 6991, 1997, 4611, 5443, 1012, 2293, 1010, 2643, 1010, 8993, 1012, 2307, 2801, 1024, 2202, 1005, 20416, 3115, 2695, 1011, 27660, 2466, 4289, 2021, 4339, 2009, 2062, 2066, 1037, 20725, 1998, 2059, 4748, 10709, 14106, 1012, 13718, 1010, 1996, 2338, 2134, 1005, 1056, 2147, 2005, 2033, 1012, 1996, 2466, 3138, 1037, 2200, 2146, 2051, 2000, 4895, 10371, 1010, 1998, 1996, 2364, 2839, 2003, 15703, 2135, 2969, 2920, 1012, 2984, 1005, 1055, 4309, 2003, 3294, 4257, 1011, 1037, 2978, 2066, 10645, 8977, 2015, 2013, 1996, 9012, 2399, 2302, 2151, 1997, 1996, 2204, 9017, 1011, 2021, 1996, 2895, 3475, 1005, 1056, 2151, 2073, 2379, 2004, 17075, 1012, 3084, 2009, 2524, 2000, 2031, 2019, 6832, 4434, 2000, 2984, 1010, 1998, 1996, 3905, 3494, 2024, 2130, 2625, 17133, 1012, 1998, 2054, 2007, 2035, 1996, 17945, 2331, 1998, 5771, 1011, 5983, 4895, 8663, 3366, 23185, 2098, 1006, 1996, 14106, 1007, 1010, 2017, 1005, 1040, 2228, 2008, 2984, 2052, 5247, 2019, 25212, 3619, 2100, 2978, 2062, 2943, 2006, 6405, 1010, 2612, 1997, 29479, 2005, 1012, 1012, 1012, 10001, 1012, 1012, 1012, 2053, 1010, 4302, 1012, 1012, 1012, 2053, 1010, 1996, 4153, 1012, 1012, 1012, 2053, 1010, 16988, 1012, 1012, 1012, 2053, 1010, 2388, 1012, 1012, 1012, 2092, 1010, 2672, 4302, 1012, 1012, 1012, 1998, 2061, 2006, 1012, 1045, 2123, 1005, 1056, 4797, 2008, 2070, 4268, 2097, 2066, 2023, 1010, 2021, 2009, 2180, 1005, 1056, 2022, 3071, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
Dang. What an effective marriage of text and art in the service of a hard story. I can imagine middle school students reading this, and Neri is powerful without using vulgarity that might make it a risky acquisition for Junior High collections. But the questions raised by the story are deep enough for much older readers. Simple enough to be read in under an hour by even struggling readers, this is a book that will stick in the heart and mind for much longer.	[ 101, 4907, 2290, 1012, 2054, 2019, 4621, 3510, 1997, 3793, 1998, 2396, 1999, 1996, 2326, 1997, 1037, 2524, 2466, 1012, 1045, 2064, 5674, 2690, 2082, 2493, 3752, 2023, 1010, 1998, 11265, 3089, 2003, 3928, 2302, 2478, 29364, 3012, 2008, 2453, 2191, 2009, 1037, 19188, 7654, 2005, 3502, 2152, 6407, 1012, 2021, 1996, 3980, 2992, 2011, 1996, 2466, 2024, 2784, 2438, 2005, 2172, 3080, 8141, 1012, 3722, 2438, 2000, 2022, 3191, 1999, 2104, 2019, 3178, 2011, 2130, 8084, 8141, 1010, 2023, 2003, 1037, 2338, 2008, 2097, 6293, 1999, 1996, 2540, 1998, 2568, 2005, 2172, 2936, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
I came to this after reading McMann's earlier book, "Wake". This isn't quite as good, which is odd because Kendall is a likable girl, even if her OCD gets in her way now and again. But Wake moved along smoothly and sensibly, while "Cross" relies too heavily on spooky music and sinister suggestions. In the end, it wasn't quite scary, and it wasn't quite believable. Bonus points for soccer angle, as well as a Latino secondary character. Possibly a good read for those who are too young to have heard of Christopher Pike but want the same effect.	[ 101, 1045, 2234, 2000, 2023, 2044, 3752, 11338, 5804, 1005, 1055, 3041, 2338, 1010, 1000, 5256, 1000, 1012, 2023, 3475, 1005, 1056, 3243, 2004, 2204, 1010, 2029, 2003, 5976, 2138, 14509, 2003, 1037, 5622, 2912, 3468, 2611, 1010, 2130, 2065, 2014, 1051, 19797, 4152, 1999, 2014, 2126, 2085, 1998, 2153, 1012, 2021, 5256, 2333, 2247, 15299, 1998, 12411, 5332, 6321, 1010, 2096, 1000, 2892, 1000, 16803, 2205, 4600, 2006, 11867, 14659, 2100, 2189, 1998, 16491, 15690, 1012, 1999, 1996, 2203, 1010, 2009, 2347, 1005, 1056, 3243, 12459, 1010, 1998, 2009, 2347, 1005, 1056, 3243, 19337, 2666, 12423, 1012, 6781, 2685, 2005, 4715, 6466, 1010, 2004, 2092, 2004, 1037, 7402, 3905, 2839, 1012, 4298, 1037, 2204, 3191, 2005, 2216, 2040, 2024, 2205, 2402, 2000, 2031, 2657, 1997, 5696, 12694, 2021, 2215, 1996, 2168, 3466, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
As much as this is a zombie book, it is also a story of family and friendship. There is action and danger, but these aren't what make "Rot and Ruin" an engrossing read. Benny, our protagonist, grows out of his adolescent angst into maturity as he realizes who is worth idealizing and who isn't worthy of his acquaintance. While the story has a bit of profanity and apocalyptic violence, this is well within the continum of adventure bildungsroman. Readers of I Am Number Four, or the Percy Jackson books will probably feel right at home wit Maberry's use of wit and action.	[ 101, 2004, 2172, 2004, 2023, 2003, 1037, 11798, 2338, 1010, 2009, 2003, 2036, 1037, 2466, 1997, 2155, 1998, 6860, 1012, 2045, 2003, 2895, 1998, 5473, 1010, 2021, 2122, 4995, 1005, 1056, 2054, 2191, 1000, 18672, 1998, 10083, 1000, 2019, 25540, 25725, 2075, 3191, 1012, 11945, 1010, 2256, 10191, 1010, 7502, 2041, 1997, 2010, 20274, 17076, 3367, 2046, 16736, 2004, 2002, 10919, 2040, 2003, 4276, 7812, 6026, 1998, 2040, 3475, 1005, 1056, 11007, 1997, 2010, 18363, 1012, 2096, 1996, 2466, 2038, 1037, 2978, 1997, 11268, 7088, 3723, 1998, 27660, 4808, 1010, 2023, 2003, 2092, 2306, 1996, 9530, 7629, 2819, 1997, 6172, 12170, 6392, 5575, 21338, 20778, 1012, 8141, 1997, 1045, 2572, 2193, 2176, 1010, 2030, 1996, 11312, 4027, 2808, 2097, 2763, 2514, 2157, 2012, 2188, 15966, 26661, 19826, 1005, 1055, 2224, 1997, 15966, 1998, 2895, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
Matt's story in Swim the Fly was brilliant. Next, I read the third book, Call the Shots, out of order, and completely enjoyed Sean's shenanigans as the least confident, most introverted musketeer. And then there is Coop, the crass, glib leg of this threesome. "Beat the Band" is as fun as the other two and can be read on its own, or as the middle volume in the trilogy. The goods are all here: fart jokes, your-mother jokes, absurd plans, fart jokes, awkward moments buying birth control, and fart jokes. There is even some unvarnished sex-ed information passed along through Coop's project for health class. If you're a fan of PG-13 hi-jinx, Calame delivers again.	[ 101, 4717, 1005, 1055, 2466, 1999, 9880, 1996, 4875, 2001, 8235, 1012, 2279, 1010, 1045, 3191, 1996, 2353, 2338, 1010, 2655, 1996, 7171, 1010, 2041, 1997, 2344, 1010, 1998, 3294, 5632, 5977, 1005, 1055, 21882, 7088, 5289, 2015, 2004, 1996, 2560, 9657, 1010, 2087, 17174, 26686, 14163, 17140, 17389, 2099, 1012, 1998, 2059, 2045, 2003, 21859, 1010, 1996, 13675, 12054, 1010, 1043, 29521, 4190, 1997, 2023, 2093, 14045, 1012, 1000, 3786, 1996, 2316, 1000, 2003, 2004, 4569, 2004, 1996, 2060, 2048, 1998, 2064, 2022, 3191, 2006, 2049, 2219, 1010, 2030, 2004, 1996, 2690, 3872, 1999, 1996, 11544, 1012, 1996, 5350, 2024, 2035, 2182, 1024, 2521, 2102, 13198, 1010, 2115, 1011, 2388, 13198, 1010, 18691, 3488, 1010, 2521, 2102, 13198, 1010, 9596, 5312, 9343, 4182, 2491, 1010, 1998, 2521, 2102, 13198, 1012, 2045, 2003, 2130, 2070, 4895, 10755, 28357, 3348, 1011, 3968, 2592, 2979, 2247, 2083, 21859, 1005, 1055, 2622, 2005, 2740, 2465, 1012, 2065, 2017, 1005, 2128, 1037, 5470, 1997, 18720, 1011, 2410, 7632, 1011, 9743, 2595, 1010, 10250, 14074, 18058, 2153, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
Actually, this was more of a 2 and a half stars for me. Living Dead Girl and the Jaycee Dugard case have made kidnapping books a sub-genre in demand among my HS students. Fans of Elizabeth Scott's book probably won't care for Christopher's work; while both are accounts told by a girl who has been 'stolen,' this book places much greater demands on the reader. It is really a nature book, about the beauty and danger of the Australian outback and what such places can do to people. Oh, and there's is that 'deep question' always at work about our relationships to nature, urbanity, family, friends, and our sense of reality. Readers who want a thoughtful book might get something out of this one, especially if they are motivated by a sincere interest in understanding Stockholm Syndrome. I've heard that the audio book is quite good, but I found "Stolen" to be too long by half.	[ 101, 2941, 1010, 2023, 2001, 2062, 1997, 1037, 1016, 1998, 1037, 2431, 3340, 2005, 2033, 1012, 2542, 2757, 2611, 1998, 1996, 6108, 3401, 2063, 8655, 4232, 2553, 2031, 2081, 15071, 2808, 1037, 4942, 1011, 6907, 1999, 5157, 2426, 2026, 26236, 2493, 1012, 4599, 1997, 3870, 3660, 1005, 1055, 2338, 2763, 2180, 1005, 1056, 2729, 2005, 5696, 1005, 1055, 2147, 1025, 2096, 2119, 2024, 6115, 2409, 2011, 1037, 2611, 2040, 2038, 2042, 1005, 7376, 1010, 1005, 2023, 2338, 3182, 2172, 3618, 7670, 2006, 1996, 8068, 1012, 2009, 2003, 2428, 1037, 3267, 2338, 1010, 2055, 1996, 5053, 1998, 5473, 1997, 1996, 2827, 2041, 5963, 1998, 2054, 2107, 3182, 2064, 2079, 2000, 2111, 1012, 2821, 1010, 1998, 2045, 1005, 1055, 2003, 2008, 1005, 2784, 3160, 1005, 2467, 2012, 2147, 2055, 2256, 6550, 2000, 3267, 1010, 3923, 3012, 1010, 2155, 1010, 2814, 1010, 1998, 2256, 3168, 1997, 4507, 1012, 8141, 2040, 2215, 1037, 16465, 2338, 2453, 2131, 2242, 2041, 1997, 2023, 2028, 1010, 2926, 2065, 2027, 2024, 12774, 2011, 1037, 18006, 3037, 1999, 4824, 8947, 8715, 1012, 1045, 1005, 2310, 2657, 2008, 1996, 5746, 2338, 2003, 3243, 2204, 1010, 2021, 1045, 2179, 1000, 7376, 1000, 2000, 2022, 2205, 2146, 2011, 2431, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
Read this in one marathon sitting. As YA problem novels go, this is a solid one, though not at the level of the best. Rainfield isn't a poetic writer. Or especially original. But, dang it, she keeps her plot moving along and her character's voice strong, and that's more than many of her contemporaries can manage. Fans of Ellen Hopkins will probably enjoy this. As molestation stories go, I prefer Such a Pretty Girl, but for cutting, this is way more engaging than Cut. The language is easy to read, even if the subject matter is difficult. As other reviewers have mentioned, Kendra's Lesbianism is comfortably integrated without feeling preachy or sensational. And the focus really is on her abuse survival, revealing how cutting, while alarming and problematic, is a strategy that can soothe and make the intolerable tolerable. On a side note: I've read that the image on the cover is of the author's arms and the author is thrilled with the image. I think this detail, not mentioned in the book, is another selling point. The author is a survivor.	[ 101, 3191, 2023, 1999, 2028, 8589, 3564, 1012, 2004, 8038, 3291, 6002, 2175, 1010, 2023, 2003, 1037, 5024, 2028, 1010, 2295, 2025, 2012, 1996, 2504, 1997, 1996, 2190, 1012, 4542, 3790, 3475, 1005, 1056, 1037, 13805, 3213, 1012, 2030, 2926, 2434, 1012, 2021, 1010, 4907, 2290, 2009, 1010, 2016, 7906, 2014, 5436, 3048, 2247, 1998, 2014, 2839, 1005, 1055, 2376, 2844, 1010, 1998, 2008, 1005, 1055, 2062, 2084, 2116, 1997, 2014, 16682, 2064, 6133, 1012, 4599, 1997, 9155, 10239, 2097, 2763, 5959, 2023, 1012, 2004, 16709, 20100, 3441, 2175, 1010, 1045, 9544, 2107, 1037, 3492, 2611, 1010, 2021, 2005, 6276, 1010, 2023, 2003, 2126, 2062, 11973, 2084, 3013, 1012, 1996, 2653, 2003, 3733, 2000, 3191, 1010, 2130, 2065, 1996, 3395, 3043, 2003, 3697, 1012, 2004, 2060, 15814, 2031, 3855, 1010, 13812, 1005, 1055, 11690, 2964, 2003, 18579, 6377, 2302, 3110, 25250, 2100, 2030, 8742, 2389, 1012, 1998, 1996, 3579, 2428, 2003, 2006, 2014, 6905, 7691, 1010, 8669, 2129, 6276, 1010, 2096, 8598, 2075, 1998, 18636, 1010, 2003, 1037, 5656, 2008, 2064, 28384, 1998, 2191, 1996, 2046, 3917, 3085, 2000, 3917, 3085, 1012, 2006, 1037, 2217, 3602, 1024, 1045, 1005, 2310, 3191, 2008, 1996, 3746, 2006, 1996, 3104, 2003, 1997, 1996, 3166, 1005, 1055, 2608, 1998, 1996, 3166, 2003, 16082, 2007, 1996, 3746, 1012, 1045, 2228, 2023, 6987, 1010, 2025, 3855, 1999, 1996, 2338, 1010, 2003, 2178, 4855, 2391, 1012, 1996, 3166, 2003, 1037, 12084, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
Having just finished "Ship Breaker," I can see why it has received so many accolades. Bacigalupi constructed a fully-realized world, at once fresh and understandable. And who doesn't like genetically-engineered crosses between dogs and men, environmental catastrophe, murderous thugs, intrigue, and a kid with a tattoo on his face? The action starts quickly and rarely lets up, the characters are memorable. Comparisons to The Hunger Games, The Maze Runner, and Uglies all fit, although I think Bacigalupi's action is as well-paced as Patrick Ness's, and the whole book reminded me most of the Mortal Engines series. I'll be reading the sequel.	[ 101, 2383, 2074, 2736, 1000, 2911, 24733, 1010, 1000, 1045, 2064, 2156, 2339, 2009, 2038, 2363, 2061, 2116, 27447, 1012, 8670, 6895, 9692, 6279, 2072, 3833, 1037, 3929, 1011, 3651, 2088, 1010, 2012, 2320, 4840, 1998, 3305, 3085, 1012, 1998, 2040, 2987, 1005, 1056, 2066, 19345, 1011, 13685, 7821, 2090, 6077, 1998, 2273, 1010, 4483, 25539, 1010, 25303, 24106, 1010, 20014, 27611, 1010, 1998, 1037, 4845, 2007, 1037, 11660, 2006, 2010, 2227, 1029, 1996, 2895, 4627, 2855, 1998, 6524, 11082, 2039, 1010, 1996, 3494, 2024, 13432, 1012, 18539, 2000, 1996, 9012, 2399, 1010, 1996, 15079, 5479, 1010, 1998, 1057, 25394, 2229, 2035, 4906, 1010, 2348, 1045, 2228, 8670, 6895, 9692, 6279, 2072, 1005, 1055, 2895, 2003, 2004, 2092, 1011, 13823, 2004, 4754, 23384, 1005, 1055, 1010, 1998, 1996, 2878, 2338, 6966, 2033, 2087, 1997, 1996, 9801, 5209, 2186, 1012, 1045, 1005, 2222, 2022, 3752, 1996, 8297, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
Several other reviewers appraise this book by comparing it to others by the authors - especially the lauded works of John Green. Having not read anything by either Green or David Levithan, I can only say that I'm looking forward to correcting the oversight. I do know a guy who's a ringer for Tiny, and that made this one a hoot to read, as I kept hearing and seeing him every time Tiny flounced across the page. This is a solid story built on several characters many teens will recognize. It is full of kids who are funny and sharp and wise and foolish and ultimately human. Readers who are put off by gay characters probably won't pick this up, but these are also the readers who really should check this title out. It is about friendship and love, and not necessarily the kind that involves heavy breathing but the kind that endures and means something. And if you're a friend who lives in the shadow - literally or figuratively - of someone larger than life, this will be cathartic. All and all, an enjoyable read with some laughs and insights about big ideas. Books with a similar vibe include Struts & Frets,Evil, and Castration Celebration	[ 101, 2195, 2060, 15814, 10439, 14995, 3366, 2023, 2338, 2011, 13599, 2009, 2000, 2500, 2011, 1996, 6048, 1011, 2926, 1996, 26507, 2573, 1997, 2198, 2665, 1012, 2383, 2025, 3191, 2505, 2011, 2593, 2665, 2030, 2585, 11902, 21604, 1010, 1045, 2064, 2069, 2360, 2008, 1045, 1005, 1049, 2559, 2830, 2000, 6149, 2075, 1996, 15709, 1012, 1045, 2079, 2113, 1037, 3124, 2040, 1005, 1055, 1037, 3614, 2121, 2005, 4714, 1010, 1998, 2008, 2081, 2023, 2028, 1037, 7570, 4140, 2000, 3191, 1010, 2004, 1045, 2921, 4994, 1998, 3773, 2032, 2296, 2051, 4714, 13109, 23709, 11788, 2408, 1996, 3931, 1012, 2023, 2003, 1037, 5024, 2466, 2328, 2006, 2195, 3494, 2116, 13496, 2097, 6807, 1012, 2009, 2003, 2440, 1997, 4268, 2040, 2024, 6057, 1998, 4629, 1998, 7968, 1998, 13219, 1998, 4821, 2529, 1012, 8141, 2040, 2024, 2404, 2125, 2011, 5637, 3494, 2763, 2180, 1005, 1056, 4060, 2023, 2039, 1010, 2021, 2122, 2024, 2036, 1996, 8141, 2040, 2428, 2323, 4638, 2023, 2516, 2041, 1012, 2009, 2003, 2055, 6860, 1998, 2293, 1010, 1998, 2025, 9352, 1996, 2785, 2008, 7336, 3082, 5505, 2021, 1996, 2785, 2008, 18094, 2015, 1998, 2965, 2242, 1012, 1998, 2065, 2017, 1005, 2128, 1037, 2767, 2040, 3268, 1999, 1996, 5192, 1011, 6719, 2030, 29407, 2135, 1011, 1997, 2619, 3469, 2084, 2166, 1010, 2023, 2097, 2022, 4937, 10686, 2594, 1012, 2035, 1998, 2035, 1010, 2019, 22249, 3191, 2007, 2070, 11680, 1998, 20062, 2055, 2502, 4784, 1012, 2808, 2007, 1037, 2714, 21209, 2421, 2358, 22134, 2015, 1004, 10424, 8454, 1010, 4763, 1010, 1998, 3459, 8156, 7401, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
Fun and fast. Great contemporary adaptation of Greek mythology.	[ 101, 4569, 1998, 3435, 1012, 2307, 3824, 6789, 1997, 3306, 11327, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
What an odd story. A class of Danish seventh graders are told by a classmate that "nothing matters," and does progressively more evil things to prove him wrong. I wanted to delight in a cautionary tale, or perhaps tremble before an existential crisis, but instead I kept thinking about how foreign the translation sounded. And how long it took to get going. The detached narration didn't help, either. I might offer this book to someone who's ready for a didactic novella, as it is the kind of book not interested in telling a story as much as it needs to make a point. If a reader is really casting about for what-it-all-means, I prefer Genesis. The first act of this one takes a little too long.	[ 101, 2054, 2019, 5976, 2466, 1012, 1037, 2465, 1997, 5695, 5066, 23256, 2024, 2409, 2011, 1037, 23175, 2008, 1000, 2498, 5609, 1010, 1000, 1998, 2515, 20519, 2062, 4763, 2477, 2000, 6011, 2032, 3308, 1012, 1045, 2359, 2000, 12208, 1999, 1037, 14046, 5649, 6925, 1010, 2030, 3383, 20627, 2077, 2019, 25953, 4818, 5325, 1010, 2021, 2612, 1045, 2921, 3241, 2055, 2129, 3097, 1996, 5449, 5015, 1012, 1998, 2129, 2146, 2009, 2165, 2000, 2131, 2183, 1012, 1996, 12230, 21283, 2134, 1005, 1056, 2393, 1010, 2593, 1012, 1045, 2453, 3749, 2023, 2338, 2000, 2619, 2040, 1005, 1055, 3201, 2005, 1037, 2106, 28804, 20674, 1010, 2004, 2009, 2003, 1996, 2785, 1997, 2338, 2025, 4699, 1999, 4129, 1037, 2466, 2004, 2172, 2004, 2009, 3791, 2000, 2191, 1037, 2391, 1012, 2065, 1037, 8068, 2003, 2428, 9179, 2055, 2005, 2054, 1011, 2009, 1011, 2035, 1011, 2965, 1010, 1045, 9544, 11046, 1012, 1996, 2034, 2552, 1997, 2023, 2028, 3138, 1037, 2210, 2205, 2146, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
This is a powerful story of a suicidal narrator who's days away from another attempt, one she expects to be more successful than her prior attempts. I read it in a couple of evenings. The opening takes a while to find its way, but Daelyn's voice was irresistible. Yes, there are some large plot holes involving computers and those old parents who can't-figure-how-to-make-em-work. Still, the tension built well and by the end, I felt a kinship to a sort of character I don't know well outside of fiction. A big complaint about the cover: the girl in the tub gracing my copy is eye catching. The narrator plainly states that she isn't thin and is treated badly because she is unattractive (p. 111). She's uncomfortable taking off her shoes, let alone posing nude in a tub. The cover isn't really true to the character, and seems to feed the very beast Daelyn abhors. Back to the story. Peters doesn't offer simple answers to the hard issues at work in this book. The destructiveness of bullying is made painfully clear, but the antidote is only hinted at, to name my biggest frustration. Still, I think many teens will read this for its emotional grip and realistic grit.	[ 101, 2023, 2003, 1037, 3928, 2466, 1997, 1037, 26094, 11185, 2040, 1005, 1055, 2420, 2185, 2013, 2178, 3535, 1010, 2028, 2016, 24273, 2000, 2022, 2062, 3144, 2084, 2014, 3188, 4740, 1012, 1045, 3191, 2009, 1999, 1037, 3232, 1997, 16241, 1012, 1996, 3098, 3138, 1037, 2096, 2000, 2424, 2049, 2126, 1010, 2021, 4830, 26006, 2078, 1005, 1055, 2376, 2001, 27149, 1012, 2748, 1010, 2045, 2024, 2070, 2312, 5436, 8198, 5994, 7588, 1998, 2216, 2214, 3008, 2040, 2064, 1005, 1056, 1011, 3275, 1011, 2129, 1011, 2000, 1011, 2191, 1011, 7861, 1011, 2147, 1012, 2145, 1010, 1996, 6980, 2328, 2092, 1998, 2011, 1996, 2203, 1010, 1045, 2371, 1037, 27866, 2000, 1037, 4066, 1997, 2839, 1045, 2123, 1005, 1056, 2113, 2092, 2648, 1997, 4349, 1012, 1037, 2502, 12087, 2055, 1996, 3104, 1024, 1996, 2611, 1999, 1996, 14366, 24665, 26217, 2026, 6100, 2003, 3239, 9105, 1012, 1996, 11185, 24250, 2163, 2008, 2016, 3475, 1005, 1056, 4857, 1998, 2003, 5845, 6649, 2138, 2016, 2003, 14477, 4779, 26884, 1006, 1052, 1012, 11118, 1007, 1012, 2016, 1005, 1055, 8796, 2635, 2125, 2014, 6007, 1010, 2292, 2894, 20540, 15287, 1999, 1037, 14366, 1012, 1996, 3104, 3475, 1005, 1056, 2428, 2995, 2000, 1996, 2839, 1010, 1998, 3849, 2000, 5438, 1996, 2200, 6841, 4830, 26006, 2078, 11113, 16368, 2015, 1012, 2067, 2000, 1996, 2466, 1012, 12420, 2987, 1005, 1056, 3749, 3722, 6998, 2000, 1996, 2524, 3314, 2012, 2147, 1999, 2023, 2338, 1012, 1996, 15615, 2791, 1997, 18917, 2003, 2081, 16267, 3154, 1010, 2021, 1996, 3424, 23681, 2003, 2069, 21795, 2012, 1010, 2000, 2171, 2026, 5221, 9135, 1012, 2145, 1010, 1045, 2228, 2116, 13496, 2097, 3191, 2023, 2005, 2049, 6832, 6218, 1998, 12689, 24842, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
A good zombie book in the first half, which becomes a little slower in the second half. Too bad the pace didn't keep up, as the first pages were just what a zombie reader wants: death, puss, mindless and relentless killers. But as human villains appear, they just aren't as compelling as the mindless hoards. By the end, there isn't much momentum, and the climax isn't ghoulish, its political. At 440 pages, Higson could have picked up the pace and ended a hundred pages sooner and still offered up a satisfying read. I wish I could offer this to reluctant readers, but I think the length, combined with the third-person narration that shifts between multiple characters will make this one a tough sell for weaker readers. Probably not the place to start if you're intimidated by Alexander Gordon Smith or Darren Shan. In spite of the topic - and the carnage that comes with such things - "The Enemy" would probably be fine for young teens, as well as older kids seeking out a "Zombie Land" fix. There's barely a hint of romance and zero profanity or drug use: just good, ol'fashioned undead mayhem. There's room for a sequel, although I'm not certain I'll need it.	[ 101, 1037, 2204, 11798, 2338, 1999, 1996, 2034, 2431, 1010, 2029, 4150, 1037, 2210, 12430, 1999, 1996, 2117, 2431, 1012, 2205, 2919, 1996, 6393, 2134, 1005, 1056, 2562, 2039, 1010, 2004, 1996, 2034, 5530, 2020, 2074, 2054, 1037, 11798, 8068, 4122, 1024, 2331, 1010, 16405, 4757, 1010, 2568, 3238, 1998, 21660, 15978, 1012, 2021, 2004, 2529, 16219, 3711, 1010, 2027, 2074, 4995, 1005, 1056, 2004, 17075, 2004, 1996, 2568, 3238, 7570, 18117, 1012, 2011, 1996, 2203, 1010, 2045, 3475, 1005, 1056, 2172, 11071, 1010, 1998, 1996, 14463, 3475, 1005, 1056, 1043, 6806, 15859, 4095, 1010, 2049, 2576, 1012, 2012, 17422, 5530, 1010, 7632, 5620, 2239, 2071, 2031, 3856, 2039, 1996, 6393, 1998, 3092, 1037, 3634, 5530, 10076, 1998, 2145, 3253, 2039, 1037, 17087, 3191, 1012, 1045, 4299, 1045, 2071, 3749, 2023, 2000, 11542, 8141, 1010, 2021, 1045, 2228, 1996, 3091, 1010, 4117, 2007, 1996, 2353, 1011, 2711, 21283, 2008, 12363, 2090, 3674, 3494, 2097, 2191, 2023, 2028, 1037, 7823, 5271, 2005, 15863, 8141, 1012, 2763, 2025, 1996, 2173, 2000, 2707, 2065, 2017, 1005, 2128, 28028, 2011, 3656, 5146, 3044, 2030, 12270, 17137, 1012, 1999, 8741, 1997, 1996, 8476, 1011, 1998, 1996, 27450, 2008, 3310, 2007, 2107, 2477, 1011, 1000, 1996, 4099, 1000, 2052, 2763, 2022, 2986, 2005, 2402, 13496, 1010, 2004, 2092, 2004, 3080, 4268, 6224, 2041, 1037, 1000, 11798, 2455, 1000, 8081, 1012, 2045, 1005, 1055, 4510, 1037, 9374, 1997, 7472, 1998, 5717, 11268, 7088, 3723, 2030, 4319, 2224, 1024, 2074, 2204, 1010, 19330, 1005, 13405, 17315, 26865, 1012, 2045, 1005, 1055, 2282, 2005, 1037, 8297, 1010, 2348, 1045, 1005, 1049, 2025, 3056, 1045, 1005, 2222, 2342, 2009, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
This is my second foray into Elizabeth Scott's writing. I was profoundly affected by Living Dead Girl, but haven't been attracted to her other titles. In a strange way, this book is the realistic anxiety 'yin' to the macabre intensity 'yang' of LDG, and I really enjoyed comparing the books as I read. Both are spare and simple, both are narrated by the voice of a completely real girl, both are hard to put down. Although nothing much happens here for a hundred and thirty pages, Scott builds the tension up quite effectively. One nice thing I appreciated was the good relationship the parents have with their daughter, in contrast to the best friend whose parents are awful. I especially respect the last few chapters, which don't gloss over tough issues of friendship, betrayal, dishonesty, and communicating for yourself and not others. I suspect many teen girls will recognize the relationship Brianna and Sara have, as well appreciate the tension of, 'does-he-like-me? I-must-not-like-him.'	[ 101, 2023, 2003, 2026, 2117, 2005, 4710, 2046, 3870, 3660, 1005, 1055, 3015, 1012, 1045, 2001, 28089, 5360, 2011, 2542, 2757, 2611, 1010, 2021, 4033, 1005, 1056, 2042, 6296, 2000, 2014, 2060, 4486, 1012, 1999, 1037, 4326, 2126, 1010, 2023, 2338, 2003, 1996, 12689, 10089, 1005, 18208, 1005, 2000, 1996, 6097, 7875, 2890, 8015, 1005, 8675, 1005, 1997, 25510, 2290, 1010, 1998, 1045, 2428, 5632, 13599, 1996, 2808, 2004, 1045, 3191, 1012, 2119, 2024, 8622, 1998, 3722, 1010, 2119, 2024, 17356, 2011, 1996, 2376, 1997, 1037, 3294, 2613, 2611, 1010, 2119, 2024, 2524, 2000, 2404, 2091, 1012, 2348, 2498, 2172, 6433, 2182, 2005, 1037, 3634, 1998, 4228, 5530, 1010, 3660, 16473, 1996, 6980, 2039, 3243, 6464, 1012, 2028, 3835, 2518, 1045, 12315, 2001, 1996, 2204, 3276, 1996, 3008, 2031, 2007, 2037, 2684, 1010, 1999, 5688, 2000, 1996, 2190, 2767, 3005, 3008, 2024, 9643, 1012, 1045, 2926, 4847, 1996, 2197, 2261, 9159, 1010, 2029, 2123, 1005, 1056, 27068, 2058, 7823, 3314, 1997, 6860, 1010, 14583, 1010, 9841, 21821, 3723, 1010, 1998, 20888, 2005, 4426, 1998, 2025, 2500, 1012, 1045, 8343, 2116, 9458, 3057, 2097, 6807, 1996, 3276, 25558, 1998, 7354, 2031, 1010, 2004, 2092, 9120, 1996, 6980, 1997, 1010, 1005, 2515, 1011, 2002, 1011, 2066, 1011, 2033, 1029, 1045, 1011, 2442, 1011, 2025, 1011, 2066, 1011, 2032, 1012, 1005, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
Thanks to The Hunger Games, dystopias are hot among the teens I teach. "The Line" offers a curious branch on that tree, not as action packed or dramatic, but driven by the relationships between three women. This is clearly the set up for future books, and "The Line" just stops, rather than ends, with a climax isn't all that tense. So for such a lengthy lead up, the payoff wasn't there for me. What I did like is that "The Line" concerns a girl, her mother, and the woman for whom they both work. Cultivating orchids takes up a significant portion of the book. In a word, it is a bit 'girly.' Say what you want about other YA speculative fiction with strong female characters - Leviathan, Ship Breaker, Mortal Engines, Airborn - they aren't 'girly.' The pace is leisurely. If you have a capable reader who wants something squeaky clean and isn't put off by character-driven writing or an all-female cast (yes, there are a few guys, but they aren't central to the plot), this might be a good read.	[ 101, 4283, 2000, 1996, 9012, 2399, 1010, 1040, 27268, 7361, 7951, 2024, 2980, 2426, 1996, 13496, 1045, 6570, 1012, 1000, 1996, 2240, 1000, 4107, 1037, 8025, 3589, 2006, 2008, 3392, 1010, 2025, 2004, 2895, 8966, 2030, 6918, 1010, 2021, 5533, 2011, 1996, 6550, 2090, 2093, 2308, 1012, 2023, 2003, 4415, 1996, 2275, 2039, 2005, 2925, 2808, 1010, 1998, 1000, 1996, 2240, 1000, 2074, 6762, 1010, 2738, 2084, 4515, 1010, 2007, 1037, 14463, 3475, 1005, 1056, 2035, 2008, 9049, 1012, 2061, 2005, 2107, 1037, 12401, 2599, 2039, 1010, 1996, 3477, 7245, 2347, 1005, 1056, 2045, 2005, 2033, 1012, 2054, 1045, 2106, 2066, 2003, 2008, 1000, 1996, 2240, 1000, 5936, 1037, 2611, 1010, 2014, 2388, 1010, 1998, 1996, 2450, 2005, 3183, 2027, 2119, 2147, 1012, 8754, 17441, 15573, 2015, 3138, 2039, 1037, 3278, 4664, 1997, 1996, 2338, 1012, 1999, 1037, 2773, 1010, 2009, 2003, 1037, 2978, 1005, 2611, 2100, 1012, 1005, 2360, 2054, 2017, 2215, 2055, 2060, 8038, 23250, 4349, 2007, 2844, 2931, 3494, 1011, 11902, 29246, 1010, 2911, 24733, 1010, 9801, 5209, 1010, 2250, 10280, 1011, 2027, 4995, 1005, 1056, 1005, 2611, 2100, 1012, 1005, 1996, 6393, 2003, 12257, 2135, 1012, 2065, 2017, 2031, 1037, 5214, 8068, 2040, 4122, 2242, 29552, 2100, 4550, 1998, 3475, 1005, 1056, 2404, 2125, 2011, 2839, 1011, 5533, 3015, 2030, 2019, 2035, 1011, 2931, 3459, 1006, 2748, 1010, 2045, 2024, 1037, 2261, 4364, 1010, 2021, 2027, 4995, 1005, 1056, 2430, 2000, 1996, 5436, 1007, 1010, 2023, 2453, 2022, 1037, 2204, 3191, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
A good, action-packed read. Westerfeld moves his plot along, alternating between a British girl, posing as a boy soldier, and an Austrian noble, on the run from assassins. The illustrations helped me visualize the invented creatures and machines, of which there are many. I think older teens may find it a bit too earnest, but I wouldn't hesitate to give it to any kid who likes elements of fantasy and reality in his or her swashbuckling yarns. I don't often read sequels, and I'm looking forward to the next one. I still prefer Airborn.	[ 101, 1037, 2204, 1010, 2895, 1011, 8966, 3191, 1012, 2225, 2121, 8151, 5829, 2010, 5436, 2247, 1010, 15122, 2090, 1037, 2329, 2611, 1010, 20540, 2004, 1037, 2879, 5268, 1010, 1998, 2019, 6161, 7015, 1010, 2006, 1996, 2448, 2013, 18364, 1012, 1996, 11249, 3271, 2033, 5107, 4697, 1996, 8826, 7329, 1998, 6681, 1010, 1997, 2029, 2045, 2024, 2116, 1012, 1045, 2228, 3080, 13496, 2089, 2424, 2009, 1037, 2978, 2205, 17300, 1010, 2021, 1045, 2876, 1005, 1056, 16390, 2000, 2507, 2009, 2000, 2151, 4845, 2040, 7777, 3787, 1997, 5913, 1998, 4507, 1999, 2010, 2030, 2014, 25430, 11823, 24204, 2989, 27158, 2015, 1012, 1045, 2123, 1005, 1056, 2411, 3191, 25815, 1010, 1998, 1045, 1005, 1049, 2559, 2830, 2000, 1996, 2279, 2028, 1012, 1045, 2145, 9544, 2250, 10280, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
The close to this trilogy is every bit as good as the two that preceded it. If you're not familiar with The Knife of Never Letting Go and The Ask and the Answer, don't even bother with this final volume of the trilogy. Go back and start at the beginning; it will be worth it. Although there are many impressive things about this series, I'm humbled that Ness has taken each book in different directions, constantly expanding and shading the story. Rather than simply continuing adventures of a couple of characters, the books of Chaos Walking seem to expand over grander and wider themes. I now want to sit down with all three and re-read them in one sitting.	[ 101, 1996, 2485, 2000, 2023, 11544, 2003, 2296, 2978, 2004, 2204, 2004, 1996, 2048, 2008, 11677, 2009, 1012, 2065, 2017, 1005, 2128, 2025, 5220, 2007, 1996, 5442, 1997, 2196, 5599, 2175, 1998, 1996, 3198, 1998, 1996, 3437, 1010, 2123, 1005, 1056, 2130, 8572, 2007, 2023, 2345, 3872, 1997, 1996, 11544, 1012, 2175, 2067, 1998, 2707, 2012, 1996, 2927, 1025, 2009, 2097, 2022, 4276, 2009, 1012, 2348, 2045, 2024, 2116, 8052, 2477, 2055, 2023, 2186, 1010, 1045, 1005, 1049, 15716, 2094, 2008, 23384, 2038, 2579, 2169, 2338, 1999, 2367, 7826, 1010, 7887, 9186, 1998, 21146, 4667, 1996, 2466, 1012, 2738, 2084, 3432, 5719, 7357, 1997, 1037, 3232, 1997, 3494, 1010, 1996, 2808, 1997, 8488, 3788, 4025, 2000, 7818, 2058, 9026, 2099, 1998, 7289, 6991, 1012, 1045, 2085, 2215, 2000, 4133, 2091, 2007, 2035, 2093, 1998, 2128, 1011, 3191, 2068, 1999, 2028, 3564, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
Picked this up based on the cover art, the James Patterson blurb, and a hope that I can discover something for teen guys to read once they've exhausted Darren Shan and Anthony Horowitz. On the plus side, the cover is appealing for this serviceable prison-break story. Alex is an acceptable hero, who is both a petty criminal and noble when it counts. There are a few Frankenstein-esque monsters, some classic gross-out scenes, and once the action gets going - about 150 pages in - the plot is propulsive. The writing was easy to follow, but took a long time to gear up after the strong opening. Of course, I felt the same way about Lord Loss, and readers gobble that up, so perhaps Smith is onto something and I'm just not in sync with the audience. I certainly didn't get much sense of character development, and Smith's last-minute interjection of 'what-does-freedom-really-mean' sounded flimsy. Although there's violence and horror on a par with the books I've already cited, the absence of sex, drug use, and profanity makes this a good choice for a wide range of ages. While I didn't love it, I'll probably pick up the sequels, just to see how they turn out.	[ 101, 3856, 2023, 2039, 2241, 2006, 1996, 3104, 2396, 1010, 1996, 2508, 12424, 14819, 2497, 1010, 1998, 1037, 3246, 2008, 1045, 2064, 7523, 2242, 2005, 9458, 4364, 2000, 3191, 2320, 2027, 1005, 2310, 9069, 12270, 17137, 1998, 4938, 7570, 10524, 8838, 1012, 2006, 1996, 4606, 2217, 1010, 1996, 3104, 2003, 16004, 2005, 2023, 2326, 3085, 3827, 1011, 3338, 2466, 1012, 4074, 2003, 2019, 11701, 5394, 1010, 2040, 2003, 2119, 1037, 11612, 4735, 1998, 7015, 2043, 2009, 9294, 1012, 2045, 2024, 1037, 2261, 22478, 1011, 25325, 5657, 9219, 1010, 2070, 4438, 7977, 1011, 2041, 5019, 1010, 1998, 2320, 1996, 2895, 4152, 2183, 1011, 2055, 5018, 5530, 1999, 1011, 1996, 5436, 2003, 17678, 23004, 1012, 1996, 3015, 2001, 3733, 2000, 3582, 1010, 2021, 2165, 1037, 2146, 2051, 2000, 6718, 2039, 2044, 1996, 2844, 3098, 1012, 1997, 2607, 1010, 1045, 2371, 1996, 2168, 2126, 2055, 2935, 3279, 1010, 1998, 8141, 2175, 11362, 2008, 2039, 1010, 2061, 3383, 3044, 2003, 3031, 2242, 1998, 1045, 1005, 1049, 2074, 2025, 1999, 26351, 2007, 1996, 4378, 1012, 1045, 5121, 2134, 1005, 1056, 2131, 2172, 3168, 1997, 2839, 2458, 1010, 1998, 3044, 1005, 1055, 2197, 1011, 3371, 6970, 20614, 3258, 1997, 1005, 2054, 1011, 2515, 1011, 4071, 1011, 2428, 1011, 2812, 1005, 5015, 13109, 5714, 6508, 1012, 2348, 2045, 1005, 1055, 4808, 1998, 5469, 2006, 1037, 11968, 2007, 1996, 2808, 1045, 1005, 2310, 2525, 6563, 1010, 1996, 6438, 1997, 3348, 1010, 4319, 2224, 1010, 1998, 11268, 7088, 3723, 3084, 2023, 1037, 2204, 3601, 2005, 1037, 2898, 2846, 1997, 5535, 1012, 2096, 1045, 2134, 1005, 1056, 2293, 2009, 1010, 1045, 1005, 2222, 2763, 4060, 2039, 1996, 25815, 1010, 2074, 2000, 2156, 2129, 2027, 2735, 2041, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
A sequel that's better than the original? Given that the most interesting character - Jeffery - from the first book is offstage, Birdsall has managed quite a feat. My second grader was enchanted by the Penderwicks in this incarnation, and that's probably an even better indication of its quality than my own calmer reception.	[ 101, 1037, 8297, 2008, 1005, 1055, 2488, 2084, 1996, 2434, 1029, 2445, 2008, 1996, 2087, 5875, 2839, 1011, 5076, 7301, 1011, 2013, 1996, 2034, 2338, 2003, 12446, 26702, 1010, 5055, 8095, 2038, 3266, 3243, 1037, 8658, 1012, 2026, 2117, 3694, 2099, 2001, 22454, 2011, 1996, 7279, 4063, 7184, 2015, 1999, 2023, 15715, 1010, 1998, 2008, 1005, 1055, 2763, 2019, 2130, 2488, 12407, 1997, 2049, 3737, 2084, 2026, 2219, 5475, 2121, 7684, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
This sat on my 'to read' pile for six months as I passed it over for lesser fare. In all that time I never noticed that the cover was anything other than two keys. The Title, 'Split,' a couple of keys, lots of red, author's name. Looked at it repeatedly and completely missed anything else. Fast forward half a year: I'm taking a break from "Split" with 60 pages left, I'm struck by the other image on the cover, the irony hits me hard. Duh. Kind of like domestic violence: hidden, but just barely. This is a book about a character we see all the time - the young, athletic, handsome, charming dude - and the secrets that are hidden in plain sight. Avasthi has written a story with a strong plot about an important topic, but at the heart is a fascinating guy, made all the more fascinating because we get to inhabit his thoughts and struggles as he steps away from the rage and violence of his father. The cover suits the story well. At times, it does slip into preachy didacticism, but Avasthi doesn't let those patches last long and she has a brave and honest conclusion. A good adition to the likes of Breathing Underwater, Dreamland, Inexcusable, Counterfeit Son, and The Rules of Survival. This is an important book, better than some - most? - I just mentioned.	[ 101, 2023, 2938, 2006, 2026, 1005, 2000, 3191, 1005, 8632, 2005, 2416, 2706, 2004, 1045, 2979, 2009, 2058, 2005, 8276, 13258, 1012, 1999, 2035, 2008, 2051, 1045, 2196, 4384, 2008, 1996, 3104, 2001, 2505, 2060, 2084, 2048, 6309, 1012, 1996, 2516, 1010, 1005, 3975, 1010, 1005, 1037, 3232, 1997, 6309, 1010, 7167, 1997, 2417, 1010, 3166, 1005, 1055, 2171, 1012, 2246, 2012, 2009, 8385, 1998, 3294, 4771, 2505, 2842, 1012, 3435, 2830, 2431, 1037, 2095, 1024, 1045, 1005, 1049, 2635, 1037, 3338, 2013, 1000, 3975, 1000, 2007, 3438, 5530, 2187, 1010, 1045, 1005, 1049, 4930, 2011, 1996, 2060, 3746, 2006, 1996, 3104, 1010, 1996, 19728, 4978, 2033, 2524, 1012, 4241, 2232, 1012, 2785, 1997, 2066, 4968, 4808, 1024, 5023, 1010, 2021, 2074, 4510, 1012, 2023, 2003, 1037, 2338, 2055, 1037, 2839, 2057, 2156, 2035, 1996, 2051, 1011, 1996, 2402, 1010, 5188, 1010, 8502, 1010, 11951, 12043, 1011, 1998, 1996, 7800, 2008, 2024, 5023, 1999, 5810, 4356, 1012, 10927, 3367, 4048, 2038, 2517, 1037, 2466, 2007, 1037, 2844, 5436, 2055, 2019, 2590, 8476, 1010, 2021, 2012, 1996, 2540, 2003, 1037, 17160, 3124, 1010, 2081, 2035, 1996, 2062, 17160, 2138, 2057, 2131, 2000, 21490, 2010, 4301, 1998, 11785, 2004, 2002, 4084, 2185, 2013, 1996, 7385, 1998, 4808, 1997, 2010, 2269, 1012, 1996, 3104, 11072, 1996, 2466, 2092, 1012, 2012, 2335, 1010, 2009, 2515, 7540, 2046, 25250, 2100, 2106, 28804, 2964, 1010, 2021, 10927, 3367, 4048, 2987, 1005, 1056, 2292, 2216, 13864, 2197, 2146, 1998, 2016, 2038, 1037, 9191, 1998, 7481, 7091, 1012, 1037, 2204, 27133, 3508, 2000, 1996, 7777, 1997, 5505, 11564, 1010, 3959, 3122, 1010, 1999, 10288, 7874, 3085, 1010, 4675, 21156, 2365, 1010, 1998, 1996, 3513, 1997, 7691, 1012, 2023, 2003, 2019, 2590, 2338, 1010, 2488, 2084, 2070, 1011, 2087, 1029, 1011, 1045, 2074, 3855, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
What an outstanding follow-up to The Knife of Never Letting Go. The plot is just as suspenseful, building to a maddening ending that made me want the planned third volume right now. Without revealing too much, Todd and the other characters change and grow as they face the horrors of dictatorship, oppression, and war. The deposed mayor of Heaven is a welcome new character, as is a young soldier, Lee. Of course, Mayor Prentiss remains Satan spawn, and hating him is one of the book's joys. This series is perfect for teens who might think they know who they are. One of the central issues of the book is the struggle to be true to your self, and on this front "The Ask and the Answer" offers no easy solutions. Will you commit horrors for love? Will you betray yourself for another? Can you avoid being controlled when you love someone? In the middle of a war, Todd has disturbingly little clarity. Most of all, I appreciated Ness' clear and fast style that never slacked. He deftly alternates the narrative between two characters, a move that could have been distracting but works well with his skilled use of dialect. I'll be recommending his books to many, many readers.	[ 101, 2054, 2019, 5151, 3582, 1011, 2039, 2000, 1996, 5442, 1997, 2196, 5599, 2175, 1012, 1996, 5436, 2003, 2074, 2004, 23873, 3993, 1010, 2311, 2000, 1037, 24890, 2075, 4566, 2008, 2081, 2033, 2215, 1996, 3740, 2353, 3872, 2157, 2085, 1012, 2302, 8669, 2205, 2172, 1010, 6927, 1998, 1996, 2060, 3494, 2689, 1998, 4982, 2004, 2027, 2227, 1996, 22812, 1997, 18944, 1010, 20489, 1010, 1998, 2162, 1012, 1996, 18298, 3664, 1997, 6014, 2003, 1037, 6160, 2047, 2839, 1010, 2004, 2003, 1037, 2402, 5268, 1010, 3389, 1012, 1997, 2607, 1010, 3664, 3653, 16778, 4757, 3464, 16795, 25645, 1010, 1998, 22650, 2032, 2003, 2028, 1997, 1996, 2338, 1005, 1055, 6569, 2015, 1012, 2023, 2186, 2003, 3819, 2005, 13496, 2040, 2453, 2228, 2027, 2113, 2040, 2027, 2024, 1012, 2028, 1997, 1996, 2430, 3314, 1997, 1996, 2338, 2003, 1996, 5998, 2000, 2022, 2995, 2000, 2115, 2969, 1010, 1998, 2006, 2023, 2392, 1000, 1996, 3198, 1998, 1996, 3437, 1000, 4107, 2053, 3733, 7300, 1012, 2097, 2017, 10797, 22812, 2005, 2293, 1029, 2097, 2017, 20895, 4426, 2005, 2178, 1029, 2064, 2017, 4468, 2108, 4758, 2043, 2017, 2293, 2619, 1029, 1999, 1996, 2690, 1997, 1037, 2162, 1010, 6927, 2038, 14888, 2135, 2210, 15563, 1012, 2087, 1997, 2035, 1010, 1045, 12315, 23384, 1005, 3154, 1998, 3435, 2806, 2008, 2196, 19840, 2098, 1012, 2002, 13366, 14626, 6585, 2015, 1996, 7984, 2090, 2048, 3494, 1010, 1037, 2693, 2008, 2071, 2031, 2042, 25012, 2021, 2573, 2092, 2007, 2010, 10571, 2224, 1997, 9329, 1012, 1045, 1005, 2222, 2022, 16755, 2075, 2010, 2808, 2000, 2116, 1010, 2116, 8141, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
Took me all of an hour and a half to read this surprising verse novel. The story is told by Anke, a freshman girl who helplessly witnesses the the abuse of her siblings, and her words ooze with dread and violation. And along with the magnitude of her father's rage, Anke also endures typical teen problems: boys, frienemies, making the volleyball team. Chaltas has done a great job of balancing the normal and the abominable, keeping Anke from being only a victim. I found the language to be especially well crafted, at once revealing and spare. The finale comes a bit too quickly and too completely for my liking. Fans of Sonya Sones will feel at home with "Because I am Furniture," but readers of Ellen Hopkins may not be satisfied with Chaltas' lighter touch.	[ 101, 2165, 2033, 2035, 1997, 2019, 3178, 1998, 1037, 2431, 2000, 3191, 2023, 11341, 7893, 3117, 1012, 1996, 2466, 2003, 2409, 2011, 2019, 3489, 1010, 1037, 10452, 2611, 2040, 24942, 9390, 1996, 1996, 6905, 1997, 2014, 9504, 1010, 1998, 2014, 2616, 1051, 18153, 2063, 2007, 14436, 1998, 11371, 1012, 1998, 2247, 2007, 1996, 10194, 1997, 2014, 2269, 1005, 1055, 7385, 1010, 2019, 3489, 2036, 18094, 2015, 5171, 9458, 3471, 1024, 3337, 1010, 10424, 9013, 23238, 2229, 1010, 2437, 1996, 7454, 2136, 1012, 15775, 24458, 2015, 2038, 2589, 1037, 2307, 3105, 1997, 20120, 1996, 3671, 1998, 1996, 11113, 20936, 22966, 1010, 4363, 2019, 3489, 2013, 2108, 2069, 1037, 6778, 1012, 1045, 2179, 1996, 2653, 2000, 2022, 2926, 2092, 19275, 1010, 2012, 2320, 8669, 1998, 8622, 1012, 1996, 9599, 3310, 1037, 2978, 2205, 2855, 1998, 2205, 3294, 2005, 2026, 16663, 1012, 4599, 1997, 27926, 2365, 2229, 2097, 2514, 2012, 2188, 2007, 1000, 2138, 1045, 2572, 7390, 1010, 1000, 2021, 8141, 1997, 9155, 10239, 2089, 2025, 2022, 8510, 2007, 15775, 24458, 2015, 1005, 9442, 3543, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
This could have been a great YA title. The premise is right. It has monsters, an obvious mystery, boys isolated away from civilization, and none of the sex/drug/profanity issues that can complicate recommending a title to younger teens. But by the end, I was only so-so on "The Maze Runner," which suffers from not one, but two fatal flaws. The first is that the writing takes two speeds: melodramatic and clunky. There are some good action sequences early on. Yet I found myself groaning repeatedly as Dashner's prose lurched along. The second flaw is that none of the characters, not one, feels real, or even distinct. Three hundred sixty pages is a long slog without someone to root for. With great YA dystopias out there - The Hunger Games and The Knife of Never Letting Go are good examples - I'll find it hard to muster enthusiasm for this average story.	[ 101, 2023, 2071, 2031, 2042, 1037, 2307, 8038, 2516, 1012, 1996, 18458, 2003, 2157, 1012, 2009, 2038, 9219, 1010, 2019, 5793, 6547, 1010, 3337, 7275, 2185, 2013, 10585, 1010, 1998, 3904, 1997, 1996, 3348, 1013, 4319, 1013, 11268, 7088, 3723, 3314, 2008, 2064, 4012, 24759, 24695, 16755, 2075, 1037, 2516, 2000, 3920, 13496, 1012, 2021, 2011, 1996, 2203, 1010, 1045, 2001, 2069, 2061, 1011, 2061, 2006, 1000, 1996, 15079, 5479, 1010, 1000, 2029, 17567, 2013, 2025, 2028, 1010, 2021, 2048, 10611, 21407, 1012, 1996, 2034, 2003, 2008, 1996, 3015, 3138, 2048, 10898, 1024, 11463, 7716, 14672, 4588, 1998, 18856, 16814, 2100, 1012, 2045, 2024, 2070, 2204, 2895, 10071, 2220, 2006, 1012, 2664, 1045, 2179, 2870, 24781, 8385, 2004, 11454, 3678, 1005, 1055, 12388, 21977, 2247, 1012, 1996, 2117, 28450, 2003, 2008, 3904, 1997, 1996, 3494, 1010, 2025, 2028, 1010, 5683, 2613, 1010, 2030, 2130, 5664, 1012, 2093, 3634, 8442, 5530, 2003, 1037, 2146, 22889, 8649, 2302, 2619, 2000, 7117, 2005, 1012, 2007, 2307, 8038, 1040, 27268, 7361, 7951, 2041, 2045, 1011, 1996, 9012, 2399, 1998, 1996, 5442, 1997, 2196, 5599, 2175, 2024, 2204, 4973, 1011, 1045, 1005, 2222, 2424, 2009, 2524, 2000, 20327, 12024, 2005, 2023, 2779, 2466, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
Yes, I know some folks just LOVE this book, but I wasn't enchanted. Yes, there is forbidden romance, family honor, daddy issues up the yin-yang, so comparisons to Twilight make sense. Seems to me that it is a bit more difficult to read than that book, although shorter. Still, many consider this the leader of the YA Fantasy/Horror pack.	[ 101, 2748, 1010, 1045, 2113, 2070, 12455, 2074, 2293, 2023, 2338, 1010, 2021, 1045, 2347, 1005, 1056, 22454, 1012, 2748, 1010, 2045, 2003, 10386, 7472, 1010, 2155, 3932, 1010, 8600, 3314, 2039, 1996, 18208, 1011, 8675, 1010, 2061, 18539, 2000, 13132, 2191, 3168, 1012, 3849, 2000, 2033, 2008, 2009, 2003, 1037, 2978, 2062, 3697, 2000, 3191, 2084, 2008, 2338, 1010, 2348, 7820, 1012, 2145, 1010, 2116, 5136, 2023, 1996, 3003, 1997, 1996, 8038, 5913, 1013, 5469, 5308, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
Wow. What an exciting read, full of gore, moral dilemma, thematic tension, and enough serious vocabulary to choke a horse. Strong readers with a hankering for Victorian horror won't be disappointed. The first fifty pages unfold at a leisurely pace, but the final 100 fly by like the climax of a slasher flick. If sex or expletives bother you, this won't offend, as there is zero romance and only brief scientific mentions of the life cycle of animals. There is obscenity a plenty as Will Henry explores horrors both bestial and human. If you like The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes or Frankenstein, this is just your thing. If you're not ready for the lexical heavy lifting, perhaps Rot & Ruin would be a better choice at first. But don't skip this entirely.	[ 101, 10166, 1012, 2054, 2019, 10990, 3191, 1010, 2440, 1997, 13638, 1010, 7191, 21883, 1010, 23539, 6980, 1010, 1998, 2438, 3809, 16188, 2000, 16769, 1037, 3586, 1012, 2844, 8141, 2007, 1037, 9180, 7999, 2005, 6652, 5469, 2180, 1005, 1056, 2022, 9364, 1012, 1996, 2034, 5595, 5530, 4895, 10371, 2012, 1037, 12257, 2135, 6393, 1010, 2021, 1996, 2345, 2531, 4875, 2011, 2066, 1996, 14463, 1997, 1037, 18296, 2121, 17312, 1012, 2065, 3348, 2030, 4654, 10814, 6024, 2015, 8572, 2017, 1010, 2023, 2180, 1005, 1056, 2125, 10497, 1010, 2004, 2045, 2003, 5717, 7472, 1998, 2069, 4766, 4045, 9704, 1997, 1996, 2166, 5402, 1997, 4176, 1012, 2045, 2003, 27885, 11020, 20693, 1037, 7564, 2004, 2097, 2888, 15102, 22812, 2119, 2190, 4818, 1998, 2529, 1012, 2065, 2017, 2066, 1996, 7357, 1997, 20052, 9106, 2030, 22478, 1010, 2023, 2003, 2074, 2115, 2518, 1012, 2065, 2017, 1005, 2128, 2025, 3201, 2005, 1996, 16105, 9289, 3082, 8783, 1010, 3383, 18672, 1004, 10083, 2052, 2022, 1037, 2488, 3601, 2012, 2034, 1012, 2021, 2123, 1005, 1056, 13558, 2023, 4498, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
While everyone else and her dog loves this book, I can take it or leave it. Perhaps my seven year old wasn't quite mature enough to stick with what felt like long chapters. As a read aloud, the ten regular voices (eleven if you count Hound) stretched me to my Mel Blanc limit. And it seemed overly mannered. But then again, I can't stand The Five Little Peppers and How They Grew, so perhaps I'm just a curmudgeon when it comes to charm.	[ 101, 2096, 3071, 2842, 1998, 2014, 3899, 7459, 2023, 2338, 1010, 1045, 2064, 2202, 2009, 2030, 2681, 2009, 1012, 3383, 2026, 2698, 2095, 2214, 2347, 1005, 1056, 3243, 9677, 2438, 2000, 6293, 2007, 2054, 2371, 2066, 2146, 9159, 1012, 2004, 1037, 3191, 12575, 1010, 1996, 2702, 3180, 5755, 1006, 5408, 2065, 2017, 4175, 19598, 1007, 7121, 2033, 2000, 2026, 11463, 18698, 5787, 1012, 1998, 2009, 2790, 15241, 5450, 2098, 1012, 2021, 2059, 2153, 1010, 1045, 2064, 1005, 1056, 3233, 1996, 2274, 2210, 23582, 1998, 2129, 2027, 3473, 1010, 2061, 3383, 1045, 1005, 1049, 2074, 1037, 12731, 10867, 15979, 2239, 2043, 2009, 3310, 2000, 11084, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
While reading a serial killer book, one can't be too sensitive to dismemberment, torture, and depravity. Still, I wasn't quite prepared for chapter 27 of this story. Had to look away. Actually, I had to put it down, walk away, shake in revulsion. So on that level, this is a fine book. Archie is a compelling, damaged detective hot on the trail of the Northwest's latest maniac, popping pills and flashing back to his tortured days with Gretchen 'Beauty-Killer' Lowell. Seems her predations have left Archie with a case of whatever we call PTSD's bigger, badder brother. Susan - a newspaper reporter - is also quite interesting as a foil to Archie and a woman with her own demons. And there are a bevy of partners, sidekicks, colleagues, and long-forgotten friends to populate Portland. That's the source of some of the tarnish on the title. Cain's third-person narration drags a bit in the first act, with many named bit players and red herrings galore. Some call this set up, some call it measured, I might call it sludgey. The Lowell flashbacks could trip up my students, who often struggle to get past that sort of narrative chiaroscuro. Adult readers will have no issues, but some teens will balk. Yet I think the teen victims and Lecter-like villain may be enough to hook some.	[ 101, 2096, 3752, 1037, 7642, 6359, 2338, 1010, 2028, 2064, 1005, 1056, 2022, 2205, 7591, 2000, 4487, 6491, 6633, 5677, 3672, 1010, 8639, 1010, 1998, 2139, 18098, 18891, 3723, 1012, 2145, 1010, 1045, 2347, 1005, 1056, 3243, 4810, 2005, 3127, 2676, 1997, 2023, 2466, 1012, 2018, 2000, 2298, 2185, 1012, 2941, 1010, 1045, 2018, 2000, 2404, 2009, 2091, 1010, 3328, 2185, 1010, 6073, 1999, 7065, 23316, 1012, 2061, 2006, 2008, 2504, 1010, 2023, 2003, 1037, 2986, 2338, 1012, 13255, 2003, 1037, 17075, 1010, 5591, 6317, 2980, 2006, 1996, 4446, 1997, 1996, 4514, 1005, 1055, 6745, 29310, 2278, 1010, 20095, 15345, 1998, 12659, 2067, 2000, 2010, 12364, 2420, 2007, 21625, 1005, 5053, 1011, 6359, 1005, 15521, 1012, 3849, 2014, 3653, 20207, 2015, 2031, 2187, 13255, 2007, 1037, 2553, 1997, 3649, 2057, 2655, 19637, 2094, 1005, 1055, 7046, 1010, 2919, 4063, 2567, 1012, 6294, 1011, 1037, 3780, 6398, 1011, 2003, 2036, 3243, 5875, 2004, 1037, 17910, 2000, 13255, 1998, 1037, 2450, 2007, 2014, 2219, 7942, 1012, 1998, 2045, 2024, 1037, 2022, 10736, 1997, 5826, 1010, 29240, 2015, 1010, 8628, 1010, 1998, 2146, 1011, 6404, 2814, 2000, 3769, 9869, 6734, 1012, 2008, 1005, 1055, 1996, 3120, 1997, 2070, 1997, 1996, 16985, 24014, 2006, 1996, 2516, 1012, 11557, 1005, 1055, 2353, 1011, 2711, 21283, 8011, 2015, 1037, 2978, 1999, 1996, 2034, 2552, 1010, 2007, 2116, 2315, 2978, 2867, 1998, 2417, 22103, 2015, 14891, 5686, 1012, 2070, 2655, 2023, 2275, 2039, 1010, 2070, 2655, 2009, 7594, 1010, 1045, 2453, 2655, 2009, 22889, 15979, 2100, 1012, 1996, 15521, 28945, 2071, 4440, 2039, 2026, 2493, 1010, 2040, 2411, 5998, 2000, 2131, 2627, 2008, 4066, 1997, 7984, 9610, 10464, 28817, 3217, 1012, 4639, 8141, 2097, 2031, 2053, 3314, 1010, 2021, 2070, 13496, 2097, 28352, 2243, 1012, 2664, 1045, 2228, 1996, 9458, 5694, 1998, 3393, 21162, 1011, 2066, 12700, 2089, 2022, 2438, 2000, 8103, 2070, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
This was a really fun read. Was this the best book ever, full of nuanced language and original, rich characters? Is it a refreshing take on teen romance? Not at all - it is a fairly conventional love story, told from alternating points of view, which has been done before(When It Happens comes to mind). Our protagonists are the up-tight rich girl with a secret and the dangerous bad boy from the wrong side of town. What makes "Perfect Chemistry" memorable is the flawless plot that doesn't let up, keeping the reader on the hook from the first chapter. Elkeles has written a page-turner, in its pure form. Girls will swoon, and I think that even some guys will appreciate Alex's bad-ass exterior, covering up his noble soul.	[ 101, 2023, 2001, 1037, 2428, 4569, 3191, 1012, 2001, 2023, 1996, 2190, 2338, 2412, 1010, 2440, 1997, 16371, 6651, 2094, 2653, 1998, 2434, 1010, 4138, 3494, 1029, 2003, 2009, 1037, 27150, 2202, 2006, 9458, 7472, 1029, 2025, 2012, 2035, 1011, 2009, 2003, 1037, 7199, 7511, 2293, 2466, 1010, 2409, 2013, 15122, 2685, 1997, 3193, 1010, 2029, 2038, 2042, 2589, 2077, 1006, 2043, 2009, 6433, 3310, 2000, 2568, 1007, 1012, 2256, 21989, 2024, 1996, 2039, 1011, 4389, 4138, 2611, 2007, 1037, 3595, 1998, 1996, 4795, 2919, 2879, 2013, 1996, 3308, 2217, 1997, 2237, 1012, 2054, 3084, 1000, 3819, 6370, 1000, 13432, 2003, 1996, 27503, 5436, 2008, 2987, 1005, 1056, 2292, 2039, 1010, 4363, 1996, 8068, 2006, 1996, 8103, 2013, 1996, 2034, 3127, 1012, 18995, 26741, 2038, 2517, 1037, 3931, 1011, 6769, 1010, 1999, 2049, 5760, 2433, 1012, 3057, 2097, 25430, 7828, 1010, 1998, 1045, 2228, 2008, 2130, 2070, 4364, 2097, 9120, 4074, 1005, 1055, 2919, 1011, 4632, 8829, 1010, 5266, 2039, 2010, 7015, 3969, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
At once straightforward and nuanced, this book is easy to read, even as it twists and turns. With central characters named 'Plato' and 'Soc' and 'Pericles,' it isn't hard to make connections with classical texts. The obvious allegory - 'Adam' vs. 'Art' - is softened by the dystopian back-story. If you fancy yourself a deep thinker, this is a book about challenging assumptions, a debate about the essence of life and soul and humanity. I didn't find it as stunning as the five-star reviewers, but it will give readers lots to talk about.	[ 101, 2012, 2320, 19647, 1998, 16371, 6651, 2094, 1010, 2023, 2338, 2003, 3733, 2000, 3191, 1010, 2130, 2004, 2009, 21438, 1998, 4332, 1012, 2007, 2430, 3494, 2315, 1005, 18858, 1005, 1998, 1005, 27084, 1005, 1998, 1005, 2566, 20921, 1010, 1005, 2009, 3475, 1005, 1056, 2524, 2000, 2191, 7264, 2007, 4556, 6981, 1012, 1996, 5793, 2035, 20265, 2854, 1011, 1005, 4205, 1005, 5443, 1012, 1005, 2396, 1005, 1011, 2003, 16573, 2011, 1996, 1040, 27268, 7361, 2937, 2067, 1011, 2466, 1012, 2065, 2017, 11281, 4426, 1037, 2784, 2228, 2121, 1010, 2023, 2003, 1037, 2338, 2055, 10368, 17568, 1010, 1037, 5981, 2055, 1996, 11305, 1997, 2166, 1998, 3969, 1998, 8438, 1012, 1045, 2134, 1005, 1056, 2424, 2009, 2004, 14726, 2004, 1996, 2274, 1011, 2732, 15814, 1010, 2021, 2009, 2097, 2507, 8141, 7167, 2000, 2831, 2055, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
"Need" is another book that brings a teenage girl from our mundane, routine existence into contact with the dangerous, exciting, and romantic world of the supernatural. Think Twilight, think Chosen, think Vampire Academy, think City of Bones. Jones is in step with the trend. First, the good news: throughout the story, Jones gives props to authors Edward Abbey and Stephen King. She also quotes Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche and Booker T. Washington. Ms. Jones knows solid writing and respects serious thinkers. Perhaps some readers will seek these folks out, thanks to finding the name checks in "Need". The bad news: the protagonist, Zara, is more than a little annoying, and there are some editing issues. Example, from page 126, "Her shoulders are broad, like a swimmer's, but skinny." Huh? And let's all just stop using "Pow-wow" (pg. 140) as a synonym for "important meeting": it is culturally insensitive. And since Zara is a politically aware kid - she starts an Amnesty International chapter, she wears flowered jeans, etc. - she is the last character who would use it. Fans of the genre probably won't care about such trifles, but I found myself put off by these and other bumps more often than engaged.	[ 101, 1000, 2342, 1000, 2003, 2178, 2338, 2008, 7545, 1037, 9454, 2611, 2013, 2256, 24684, 1010, 9410, 4598, 2046, 3967, 2007, 1996, 4795, 1010, 10990, 1010, 1998, 6298, 2088, 1997, 1996, 11189, 1012, 2228, 13132, 1010, 2228, 4217, 1010, 2228, 4393, 2914, 1010, 2228, 2103, 1997, 5944, 1012, 3557, 2003, 1999, 3357, 2007, 1996, 9874, 1012, 2034, 1010, 1996, 2204, 2739, 1024, 2802, 1996, 2466, 1010, 3557, 3957, 24387, 2000, 6048, 3487, 6103, 1998, 4459, 2332, 1012, 2016, 2036, 16614, 8896, 9070, 28898, 1998, 16674, 1056, 1012, 2899, 1012, 5796, 1012, 3557, 4282, 5024, 3015, 1998, 17475, 3809, 24762, 1012, 3383, 2070, 8141, 2097, 6148, 2122, 12455, 2041, 1010, 4283, 2000, 4531, 1996, 2171, 14148, 1999, 1000, 2342, 1000, 1012, 1996, 2919, 2739, 1024, 1996, 10191, 1010, 23564, 2527, 1010, 2003, 2062, 2084, 1037, 2210, 15703, 1010, 1998, 2045, 2024, 2070, 9260, 3314, 1012, 2742, 1010, 2013, 3931, 14010, 1010, 1000, 2014, 4065, 2024, 5041, 1010, 2066, 1037, 13361, 1005, 1055, 1010, 2021, 15629, 1012, 1000, 9616, 1029, 1998, 2292, 1005, 1055, 2035, 2074, 2644, 2478, 1000, 23776, 1011, 10166, 1000, 1006, 18720, 1012, 8574, 1007, 2004, 1037, 10675, 2005, 1000, 2590, 3116, 1000, 1024, 2009, 2003, 20547, 16021, 6132, 13043, 1012, 1998, 2144, 23564, 2527, 2003, 1037, 10317, 5204, 4845, 1011, 2016, 4627, 2019, 16154, 2248, 3127, 1010, 2016, 11651, 6546, 2098, 6312, 1010, 4385, 1012, 1011, 2016, 2003, 1996, 2197, 2839, 2040, 2052, 2224, 2009, 1012, 4599, 1997, 1996, 6907, 2763, 2180, 1005, 1056, 2729, 2055, 2107, 13012, 28331, 1010, 2021, 1045, 2179, 2870, 2404, 2125, 2011, 2122, 1998, 2060, 18548, 2062, 2411, 2084, 5117, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
Collins has done a good job with the second in what is planned as a trilogy, and fans of the first book will enjoy this one, but it doesn't quite rise to the level of the first volume. Of course, The Hunger Games was such a remarkable book that it would be hard to avoid feeling a measure of sophomore slump, as expectations have been stratospheric. I don't think it stands on its own as a story, so be sure to have read Hunger Games first. It was a survival story; "Catching Fire" adds elements of political thriller while replaying some of the best notes of the first volume. However, I thought the pacing wasn't as pitch-perfect as its predecessor. On page 150, I noticed I was drifting a little, marking time, waiting for the action to kick in. And while some secondary characters are fleshed out, Katniss hasn't really changed much. Which I was disappointed by, but some readers will love. Fans of The Hunger Games will want to read this and its sequel, but perhaps slightly lowered expectations are in order.	[ 101, 6868, 2038, 2589, 1037, 2204, 3105, 2007, 1996, 2117, 1999, 2054, 2003, 3740, 2004, 1037, 11544, 1010, 1998, 4599, 1997, 1996, 2034, 2338, 2097, 5959, 2023, 2028, 1010, 2021, 2009, 2987, 1005, 1056, 3243, 4125, 2000, 1996, 2504, 1997, 1996, 2034, 3872, 1012, 1997, 2607, 1010, 1996, 9012, 2399, 2001, 2107, 1037, 9487, 2338, 2008, 2009, 2052, 2022, 2524, 2000, 4468, 3110, 1037, 5468, 1997, 13758, 28702, 1010, 2004, 10908, 2031, 2042, 2358, 8609, 2891, 27921, 2594, 1012, 1045, 2123, 1005, 1056, 2228, 2009, 4832, 2006, 2049, 2219, 2004, 1037, 2466, 1010, 2061, 2022, 2469, 2000, 2031, 3191, 9012, 2399, 2034, 1012, 2009, 2001, 1037, 7691, 2466, 1025, 1000, 9105, 2543, 1000, 9909, 3787, 1997, 2576, 10874, 2096, 15712, 2075, 2070, 1997, 1996, 2190, 3964, 1997, 1996, 2034, 3872, 1012, 2174, 1010, 1045, 2245, 1996, 15732, 2347, 1005, 1056, 2004, 6510, 1011, 3819, 2004, 2049, 8646, 1012, 2006, 3931, 5018, 1010, 1045, 4384, 1045, 2001, 15013, 1037, 2210, 1010, 10060, 2051, 1010, 3403, 2005, 1996, 2895, 2000, 5926, 1999, 1012, 1998, 2096, 2070, 3905, 3494, 2024, 5771, 2098, 2041, 1010, 10645, 8977, 2015, 8440, 1005, 1056, 2428, 2904, 2172, 1012, 2029, 1045, 2001, 9364, 2011, 1010, 2021, 2070, 8141, 2097, 2293, 1012, 4599, 1997, 1996, 9012, 2399, 2097, 2215, 2000, 3191, 2023, 1998, 2049, 8297, 1010, 2021, 3383, 3621, 6668, 10908, 2024, 1999, 2344, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
This is more of a 3.7, especially for readers like me. The voice was well done, if snarky-smart-outsider is your type. I'm about Portman's age, and there are many references to music, movies, and culture that hit the sweet spots for our tribe. Tom Henderson is the snarky, adolescent, sardonic-but-hopeful narrator of this slice-of-life/mystery/bildungsroman. He has a clever (devil-head)lexicon, believable passion for music, and confusion about the opposite sex. The book is less about what happens than it is about the individual take Tom has on his addled mother, hippie step-father, school, books, movies, music, et cetera. This was a pleasant read, with a few moments of truly absurd humor. Yes, there's a layer of distain for real female characters, but I saw this as true to the narrator, rather than as a reason to reject the entire project. After all, sixteen year old boys are sometimes homophobic even as they reject homophobes, sexist, even as they worship mothers and sisters and girlfriends, violent even as they reject alpha-masculinity in all incarnations, smug even as they rail against self-satisfied jerks. Portman captured these contradictions well. Tom can be uncouth, contradictory, but he's essentially decent. My complaint about this as YA is that there aren't a lot of teens today who harbor hostility to hippies or "The Big Chill." Punk rockers and smart rebels may enjoy this story, but I think that they many won't connect to the dated Smiths / Foghat references.	[ 101, 2023, 2003, 2062, 1997, 1037, 1017, 1012, 1021, 1010, 2926, 2005, 8141, 2066, 2033, 1012, 1996, 2376, 2001, 2092, 2589, 1010, 2065, 1055, 11802, 4801, 1011, 6047, 1011, 21002, 2003, 2115, 2828, 1012, 1045, 1005, 1049, 2055, 3417, 2386, 1005, 1055, 2287, 1010, 1998, 2045, 2024, 2116, 7604, 2000, 2189, 1010, 5691, 1010, 1998, 3226, 2008, 2718, 1996, 4086, 7516, 2005, 2256, 5917, 1012, 3419, 9481, 2003, 1996, 1055, 11802, 4801, 1010, 20274, 1010, 18906, 5280, 2594, 1011, 2021, 1011, 17772, 11185, 1997, 2023, 14704, 1011, 1997, 1011, 2166, 1013, 6547, 1013, 12170, 6392, 5575, 21338, 20778, 1012, 2002, 2038, 1037, 12266, 1006, 6548, 1011, 2132, 1007, 16105, 8663, 1010, 19337, 2666, 12423, 6896, 2005, 2189, 1010, 1998, 6724, 2055, 1996, 4500, 3348, 1012, 1996, 2338, 2003, 2625, 2055, 2054, 6433, 2084, 2009, 2003, 2055, 1996, 3265, 2202, 3419, 2038, 2006, 2010, 5587, 3709, 2388, 1010, 5099, 14756, 3357, 1011, 2269, 1010, 2082, 1010, 2808, 1010, 5691, 1010, 2189, 1010, 3802, 8292, 14621, 1012, 2023, 2001, 1037, 8242, 3191, 1010, 2007, 1037, 2261, 5312, 1997, 5621, 18691, 8562, 1012, 2748, 1010, 2045, 1005, 1055, 1037, 6741, 1997, 4487, 9153, 2378, 2005, 2613, 2931, 3494, 1010, 2021, 1045, 2387, 2023, 2004, 2995, 2000, 1996, 11185, 1010, 2738, 2084, 2004, 1037, 3114, 2000, 15454, 1996, 2972, 2622, 1012, 2044, 2035, 1010, 7032, 2095, 2214, 3337, 2024, 2823, 24004, 20200, 2130, 2004, 2027, 15454, 24004, 8458, 20891, 2015, 1010, 3348, 2923, 1010, 2130, 2004, 2027, 7425, 10756, 1998, 5208, 1998, 27408, 1010, 6355, 2130, 2004, 2027, 15454, 6541, 1011, 16137, 10841, 22153, 3723, 1999, 2035, 15715, 2015, 1010, 20673, 2130, 2004, 2027, 4334, 2114, 2969, 1011, 8510, 12181, 2015, 1012, 3417, 2386, 4110, 2122, 26917, 2015, 2092, 1012, 3419, 2064, 2022, 4895, 3597, 14317, 1010, 27894, 1010, 2021, 2002, 1005, 1055, 7687, 11519, 1012, 2026, 12087, 2055, 2023, 2004, 8038, 2003, 2008, 2045, 4995, 1005, 1056, 1037, 2843, 1997, 13496, 2651, 2040, 6496, 18258, 2000, 5099, 13046, 2030, 1000, 1996, 2502, 10720, 1012, 1000, 7196, 24779, 2015, 1998, 6047, 8431, 2089, 5959, 2023, 2466, 1010, 2021, 1045, 2228, 2008, 2027, 2116, 2180, 1005, 1056, 7532, 2000, 1996, 6052, 3044, 2015, 1013, 9666, 12707, 7604, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
How to review this book? On the one hand, if you're a fan of Hopkins' work, this is at once familiar and fresh: story told in poems, sex, drugs, moral ambiguity, depression, incest, death, love gone horribly wrong, and so on. As with her previous book, Identical, and her earlier title,Impulse, the story is told through the thoughts of different characters. I didn't love this device in "Impulse," but it really works in "Tricks," giving five teens equal humanity and pathos. While all of the characters find themselves in roughly the same dark, dark place, Hopkins does a great job of tracing the individual paths that bring them there. On the other hand, it is hard to know what to make of YA pornography, and I do mean this in the 'writing-about-harlots' sense of the word. Hopkins continues to push whatever envelope remains in YA by turning her attention to kids who trade sex for money and drugs and love. These are kids exploiting their bodies while being exploited by johns and pimps and parents. This is explicit stuff not for the faint of heart. And ultimately, "Tricks" really is about the human heart, about how it can beguile and deceive, can debase and ennoble, can stumble and fail and recover. And not.	[ 101, 2129, 2000, 3319, 2023, 2338, 1029, 2006, 1996, 2028, 2192, 1010, 2065, 2017, 1005, 2128, 1037, 5470, 1997, 10239, 1005, 2147, 1010, 2023, 2003, 2012, 2320, 5220, 1998, 4840, 1024, 2466, 2409, 1999, 5878, 1010, 3348, 1010, 5850, 1010, 7191, 27637, 1010, 6245, 1010, 4297, 4355, 1010, 2331, 1010, 2293, 2908, 27762, 3308, 1010, 1998, 2061, 2006, 1012, 2004, 2007, 2014, 3025, 2338, 1010, 7235, 1010, 1998, 2014, 3041, 2516, 1010, 14982, 1010, 1996, 2466, 2003, 2409, 2083, 1996, 4301, 1997, 2367, 3494, 1012, 1045, 2134, 1005, 1056, 2293, 2023, 5080, 1999, 1000, 14982, 1010, 1000, 2021, 2009, 2428, 2573, 1999, 1000, 12225, 1010, 1000, 3228, 2274, 13496, 5020, 8438, 1998, 4130, 2891, 1012, 2096, 2035, 1997, 1996, 3494, 2424, 3209, 1999, 5560, 1996, 2168, 2601, 1010, 2601, 2173, 1010, 10239, 2515, 1037, 2307, 3105, 1997, 16907, 1996, 3265, 10425, 2008, 3288, 2068, 2045, 1012, 2006, 1996, 2060, 2192, 1010, 2009, 2003, 2524, 2000, 2113, 2054, 2000, 2191, 1997, 8038, 19378, 1010, 1998, 1045, 2079, 2812, 2023, 1999, 1996, 1005, 3015, 1011, 2055, 1011, 5292, 12190, 12868, 1005, 3168, 1997, 1996, 2773, 1012, 10239, 4247, 2000, 5245, 3649, 11255, 3464, 1999, 8038, 2011, 3810, 2014, 3086, 2000, 4268, 2040, 3119, 3348, 2005, 2769, 1998, 5850, 1998, 2293, 1012, 2122, 2024, 4268, 18077, 2075, 2037, 4230, 2096, 2108, 18516, 2011, 11545, 1998, 14255, 25370, 1998, 3008, 1012, 2023, 2003, 13216, 4933, 2025, 2005, 1996, 8143, 1997, 2540, 1012, 1998, 4821, 1010, 1000, 12225, 1000, 2428, 2003, 2055, 1996, 2529, 2540, 1010, 2055, 2129, 2009, 2064, 11693, 19231, 2063, 1998, 11703, 7416, 3726, 1010, 2064, 2139, 15058, 1998, 4372, 25083, 2571, 1010, 2064, 21811, 1998, 8246, 1998, 8980, 1012, 1998, 2025, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
It is hard to know where to start when discussing "The Watchmen." That it is a much loved and influential text is indisputable: Superheroes haven't been the same since, and flame-woe unto you who dare offer faint praise. Still, it didn't quite do enough for me to rate it higher than three. Sure its good, but also unsatisfyingly cool and detached. The plot, characters, and dialog take a back seat to the technical execution of the story, so it is impressively layered but ultimately dull. There isn't much heart or soul here. It hints at plenty of thematic suggestions, delivering on few of them. I wanted to love reading this book, but I just felt weary by the end. And that isn't always a bad thing. But in this case, I couldn't stay interested in anything about the book. If you're a comic enthusiast, this is a must read. For the rest of us, I think there are many, many ways to better spend a weekend.	[ 101, 2009, 2003, 2524, 2000, 2113, 2073, 2000, 2707, 2043, 10537, 1000, 1996, 3422, 3549, 1012, 1000, 2008, 2009, 2003, 1037, 2172, 3866, 1998, 6383, 3793, 2003, 27427, 2483, 18780, 3085, 1024, 16251, 2229, 4033, 1005, 1056, 2042, 1996, 2168, 2144, 1010, 1998, 8457, 1011, 24185, 2063, 19662, 2017, 2040, 8108, 3749, 8143, 8489, 1012, 2145, 1010, 2009, 2134, 1005, 1056, 3243, 2079, 2438, 2005, 2033, 2000, 3446, 2009, 3020, 2084, 2093, 1012, 2469, 2049, 2204, 1010, 2021, 2036, 4895, 16846, 2483, 14116, 2135, 4658, 1998, 12230, 1012, 1996, 5436, 1010, 3494, 1010, 1998, 13764, 8649, 2202, 1037, 2067, 2835, 2000, 1996, 4087, 7781, 1997, 1996, 2466, 1010, 2061, 2009, 2003, 8052, 2135, 21323, 2021, 4821, 10634, 1012, 2045, 3475, 1005, 1056, 2172, 2540, 2030, 3969, 2182, 1012, 2009, 20385, 2012, 7564, 1997, 23539, 15690, 1010, 12771, 2006, 2261, 1997, 2068, 1012, 1045, 2359, 2000, 2293, 3752, 2023, 2338, 1010, 2021, 1045, 2074, 2371, 16040, 2011, 1996, 2203, 1012, 1998, 2008, 3475, 1005, 1056, 2467, 1037, 2919, 2518, 1012, 2021, 1999, 2023, 2553, 1010, 1045, 2481, 1005, 1056, 2994, 4699, 1999, 2505, 2055, 1996, 2338, 1012, 2065, 2017, 1005, 2128, 1037, 5021, 29550, 1010, 2023, 2003, 1037, 2442, 3191, 1012, 2005, 1996, 2717, 1997, 2149, 1010, 1045, 2228, 2045, 2024, 2116, 1010, 2116, 3971, 2000, 2488, 5247, 1037, 5353, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
Perhaps my favorite of the series so far, this one moves along at fast clip. So what if a character appears and isn't explained? So what if the dwarfs aren't much explained? Because each volume is short and there are plenty of side characters, some don't make it into each book - aunt Lucinda, Hogsqueal, Thimbletack. While my child doesn't mind, I missed seeing them and am feeling like the continuity of the books suffers for their absence.	[ 101, 3383, 2026, 5440, 1997, 1996, 2186, 2061, 2521, 1010, 2023, 2028, 5829, 2247, 2012, 3435, 12528, 1012, 2061, 2054, 2065, 1037, 2839, 3544, 1998, 3475, 1005, 1056, 4541, 1029, 2061, 2054, 2065, 1996, 28984, 4995, 1005, 1056, 2172, 4541, 1029, 2138, 2169, 3872, 2003, 2460, 1998, 2045, 2024, 7564, 1997, 2217, 3494, 1010, 2070, 2123, 1005, 1056, 2191, 2009, 2046, 2169, 2338, 1011, 5916, 28261, 1010, 27589, 17729, 2389, 1010, 16215, 5714, 3468, 2696, 3600, 1012, 2096, 2026, 2775, 2987, 1005, 1056, 2568, 1010, 1045, 4771, 3773, 2068, 1998, 2572, 3110, 2066, 1996, 13717, 1997, 1996, 2808, 17567, 2005, 2037, 6438, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
A solid conclusion to a good series. Fairly intense, with parents and other relatives in deadly predicaments. The fight scenes were well written and kept my six year old on the edge of his seat. There are some loose ends, so we'll probably go looking for the next series. All and all, this was a great read aloud for my kids and completely enchanted them.	[ 101, 1037, 5024, 7091, 2000, 1037, 2204, 2186, 1012, 7199, 6387, 1010, 2007, 3008, 1998, 2060, 9064, 1999, 9252, 3653, 14808, 24996, 2015, 1012, 1996, 2954, 5019, 2020, 2092, 2517, 1998, 2921, 2026, 2416, 2095, 2214, 2006, 1996, 3341, 1997, 2010, 2835, 1012, 2045, 2024, 2070, 6065, 4515, 1010, 2061, 2057, 1005, 2222, 2763, 2175, 2559, 2005, 1996, 2279, 2186, 1012, 2035, 1998, 2035, 1010, 2023, 2001, 1037, 2307, 3191, 12575, 2005, 2026, 4268, 1998, 3294, 22454, 2068, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
Equivalent to the first one, with a little more danger and scary monsters. If I hadn't bought these at a used book store, I'd be feeling ripped-off at the $50 retail price. One character from the last book - Thimbletack - appears in two chapters, and then isn't seen for the rest of the book. Later, when Hogsqueal is introduced, I felt disoriented. One hundred pages really isn't much space to get a story told in, and this book really wouldn't stand without the previous title. On the up side, I've got a child begging for the third, so it is good to him.	[ 101, 5662, 2000, 1996, 2034, 2028, 1010, 2007, 1037, 2210, 2062, 5473, 1998, 12459, 9219, 1012, 2065, 1045, 2910, 1005, 1056, 4149, 2122, 2012, 1037, 2109, 2338, 3573, 1010, 1045, 1005, 1040, 2022, 3110, 9157, 1011, 2125, 2012, 1996, 1002, 2753, 7027, 3976, 1012, 2028, 2839, 2013, 1996, 2197, 2338, 1011, 16215, 5714, 3468, 2696, 3600, 1011, 3544, 1999, 2048, 9159, 1010, 1998, 2059, 3475, 1005, 1056, 2464, 2005, 1996, 2717, 1997, 1996, 2338, 1012, 2101, 1010, 2043, 27589, 17729, 2389, 2003, 3107, 1010, 1045, 2371, 4487, 21748, 25099, 2094, 1012, 2028, 3634, 5530, 2428, 3475, 1005, 1056, 2172, 2686, 2000, 2131, 1037, 2466, 2409, 1999, 1010, 1998, 2023, 2338, 2428, 2876, 1005, 1056, 3233, 2302, 1996, 3025, 2516, 1012, 2006, 1996, 2039, 2217, 1010, 1045, 1005, 2310, 2288, 1037, 2775, 12858, 2005, 1996, 2353, 1010, 2061, 2009, 2003, 2204, 2000, 2032, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
How I feel about this book depends on how I look at it. As historical fiction, it does a great job of capturing the ache of the Dust Bowl and the life of a poor farming family. As a verse novel, it is so-so, although an early title in what has become a common format, so Hesse gets credit for being on the leading edge. As a Newberry, it holds up well but isn't at the top (The Giver and Holes are both more delightful and moving). My biggest complaint is that the second half moves a bit slowly for my taste. But worth reading.	[ 101, 2129, 1045, 2514, 2055, 2023, 2338, 9041, 2006, 2129, 1045, 2298, 2012, 2009, 1012, 2004, 3439, 4349, 1010, 2009, 2515, 1037, 2307, 3105, 1997, 11847, 1996, 12336, 1997, 1996, 6497, 4605, 1998, 1996, 2166, 1997, 1037, 3532, 7876, 2155, 1012, 2004, 1037, 7893, 3117, 1010, 2009, 2003, 2061, 1011, 2061, 1010, 2348, 2019, 2220, 2516, 1999, 2054, 2038, 2468, 1037, 2691, 4289, 1010, 2061, 16399, 4152, 4923, 2005, 2108, 2006, 1996, 2877, 3341, 1012, 2004, 1037, 2047, 9766, 1010, 2009, 4324, 2039, 2092, 2021, 3475, 1005, 1056, 2012, 1996, 2327, 1006, 1996, 2507, 2099, 1998, 8198, 2024, 2119, 2062, 26380, 1998, 3048, 1007, 1012, 2026, 5221, 12087, 2003, 2008, 1996, 2117, 2431, 5829, 1037, 2978, 3254, 2005, 2026, 5510, 1012, 2021, 4276, 3752, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
Perhaps the problem with this is that I listened to the audio book, which was read well by Gerard Doyle. If I'd read the pages, my complaints might seem less acute. When it comes to fantasy, I either need a briskly paced plot, or characters I can really root for. This book didn't offer either of these for me. Instead, the story plodded along with far too much history of Wonderland. That could have worked in a more adult novel, but not as YA. And there wasn't one interesting person in the story. Say what you will about J.K. Rowling, Hagrid and the Dursleys make the first chapters interesting. Don't know who I'd offer this book to. It isn't bad or objectionable, just not charming or exciting.	[ 101, 3383, 1996, 3291, 2007, 2023, 2003, 2008, 1045, 7791, 2000, 1996, 5746, 2338, 1010, 2029, 2001, 3191, 2092, 2011, 11063, 11294, 1012, 2065, 1045, 1005, 1040, 3191, 1996, 5530, 1010, 2026, 10821, 2453, 4025, 2625, 11325, 1012, 2043, 2009, 3310, 2000, 5913, 1010, 1045, 2593, 2342, 1037, 28022, 2135, 13823, 5436, 1010, 2030, 3494, 1045, 2064, 2428, 7117, 2005, 1012, 2023, 2338, 2134, 1005, 1056, 3749, 2593, 1997, 2122, 2005, 2033, 1012, 2612, 1010, 1996, 2466, 20228, 7716, 5732, 2247, 2007, 2521, 2205, 2172, 2381, 1997, 20365, 1012, 2008, 2071, 2031, 2499, 1999, 1037, 2062, 4639, 3117, 1010, 2021, 2025, 2004, 8038, 1012, 1998, 2045, 2347, 1005, 1056, 2028, 5875, 2711, 1999, 1996, 2466, 1012, 2360, 2054, 2017, 2097, 2055, 1046, 1012, 1047, 1012, 5216, 2989, 1010, 5292, 16523, 3593, 1998, 1996, 4241, 2869, 3051, 2015, 2191, 1996, 2034, 9159, 5875, 1012, 2123, 1005, 1056, 2113, 2040, 1045, 1005, 1040, 3749, 2023, 2338, 2000, 1012, 2009, 3475, 1005, 1056, 2919, 2030, 22224, 3085, 1010, 2074, 2025, 11951, 2030, 10990, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
Much of the Regan era not held up well over time: shoulder pads remain silly, DVDs of "Dynasty" don't move, and IBM Selectrics are only used to block up derelict cars. The Handmaid's Tale is an exception. Today, there is perhaps less fear of a totalitarian religious domination of the USA, but this is a classic story of what isn't really unimaginable. This is a chilling book written expertly.	[ 101, 2172, 1997, 1996, 16964, 3690, 2025, 2218, 2039, 2092, 2058, 2051, 1024, 3244, 19586, 3961, 10021, 1010, 22477, 1997, 1000, 5321, 1000, 2123, 1005, 1056, 2693, 1010, 1998, 9980, 7276, 7277, 2015, 2024, 2069, 2109, 2000, 3796, 2039, 28839, 3765, 1012, 1996, 2192, 28478, 1005, 1055, 6925, 2003, 2019, 6453, 1012, 2651, 1010, 2045, 2003, 3383, 2625, 3571, 1997, 1037, 2561, 25691, 3412, 17882, 1997, 1996, 3915, 1010, 2021, 2023, 2003, 1037, 4438, 2466, 1997, 2054, 3475, 1005, 1056, 2428, 4895, 9581, 20876, 3468, 1012, 2023, 2003, 1037, 27017, 2338, 2517, 6739, 2135, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
This book has been making the rounds of my high school students for a couple of years. Even the most reluctant reader seems to be able to get lost in Eva's story of grief and letting go. I thought it was going to go down the "get-over-dead-boy-by-finding-new-live-boy" path, which would have troubled me deeply. Instead, Schroeder goes in a more real direction, for an ending that is both believable and satisfying. Musical references pepper the text, and Ava's friends seem real. All in all, a deservedly poplar tittle for those seeking an easy read.	[ 101, 2023, 2338, 2038, 2042, 2437, 1996, 6241, 1997, 2026, 2152, 2082, 2493, 2005, 1037, 3232, 1997, 2086, 1012, 2130, 1996, 2087, 11542, 8068, 3849, 2000, 2022, 2583, 2000, 2131, 2439, 1999, 9345, 1005, 1055, 2466, 1997, 9940, 1998, 5599, 2175, 1012, 1045, 2245, 2009, 2001, 2183, 2000, 2175, 2091, 1996, 1000, 2131, 1011, 2058, 1011, 2757, 1011, 2879, 1011, 2011, 1011, 4531, 1011, 2047, 1011, 2444, 1011, 2879, 1000, 4130, 1010, 2029, 2052, 2031, 11587, 2033, 6171, 1012, 2612, 1010, 8040, 8093, 29099, 2121, 3632, 1999, 1037, 2062, 2613, 3257, 1010, 2005, 2019, 4566, 2008, 2003, 2119, 19337, 2666, 12423, 1998, 17087, 1012, 3315, 7604, 11565, 1996, 3793, 1010, 1998, 10927, 1005, 1055, 2814, 4025, 2613, 1012, 2035, 1999, 2035, 1010, 1037, 10849, 2135, 3769, 8017, 14841, 26328, 2005, 2216, 6224, 2019, 3733, 3191, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
Although I'm ashamed to admit it, I've never really read Stargirl. Parts of it, but not the whole thing. Perhaps if I had, I might like this book more? Spinelli is a tremendous author, with so many fine titles to his credit, but I don't think this one works. One hundred pages in, I didn't care about the title character, her various friends, or her broken heart. Although I did finish this one, it was an act of concentrated effort, not of delighted reading. The diary format would be easy for even young kids to read, and fans of the first book will want to know what happens next.	[ 101, 2348, 1045, 1005, 1049, 14984, 2000, 6449, 2009, 1010, 1045, 1005, 2310, 2196, 2428, 3191, 2732, 15239, 1012, 3033, 1997, 2009, 1010, 2021, 2025, 1996, 2878, 2518, 1012, 3383, 2065, 1045, 2018, 1010, 1045, 2453, 2066, 2023, 2338, 2062, 1029, 8560, 6894, 2003, 1037, 14388, 3166, 1010, 2007, 2061, 2116, 2986, 4486, 2000, 2010, 4923, 1010, 2021, 1045, 2123, 1005, 1056, 2228, 2023, 2028, 2573, 1012, 2028, 3634, 5530, 1999, 1010, 1045, 2134, 1005, 1056, 2729, 2055, 1996, 2516, 2839, 1010, 2014, 2536, 2814, 1010, 2030, 2014, 3714, 2540, 1012, 2348, 1045, 2106, 3926, 2023, 2028, 1010, 2009, 2001, 2019, 2552, 1997, 8279, 3947, 1010, 2025, 1997, 15936, 3752, 1012, 1996, 9708, 4289, 2052, 2022, 3733, 2005, 2130, 2402, 4268, 2000, 3191, 1010, 1998, 4599, 1997, 1996, 2034, 2338, 2097, 2215, 2000, 2113, 2054, 6433, 2279, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
Didn't read the first volume, and couldn't get into this one. A little too high fantasy, without compelling characters for me. By no means avoid this book, but perhaps the first volume would be a better place to start.	[ 101, 2134, 1005, 1056, 3191, 1996, 2034, 3872, 1010, 1998, 2481, 1005, 1056, 2131, 2046, 2023, 2028, 1012, 1037, 2210, 2205, 2152, 5913, 1010, 2302, 17075, 3494, 2005, 2033, 1012, 2011, 2053, 2965, 4468, 2023, 2338, 1010, 2021, 3383, 1996, 2034, 3872, 2052, 2022, 1037, 2488, 2173, 2000, 2707, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
There are good YA survival stories out there - Ashfall, for example. Go read that. Or read Blood Red Road, which is underrated speculative fiction. For me, "The Compound" is a prefect example of a good idea poorly executed. The first ten chapters drag, the characterizations never work, and by the time I got to the rushed climax, I didn't care. I'm certainly in no hurry for The Fallout. Too bad, as the cover is good and the premise suckered me in.	[ 101, 2045, 2024, 2204, 8038, 7691, 3441, 2041, 2045, 1011, 6683, 13976, 1010, 2005, 2742, 1012, 2175, 3191, 2008, 1012, 2030, 3191, 2668, 2417, 2346, 1010, 2029, 2003, 2104, 9250, 23250, 4349, 1012, 2005, 2033, 1010, 1000, 1996, 7328, 1000, 2003, 1037, 19402, 2742, 1997, 1037, 2204, 2801, 9996, 6472, 1012, 1996, 2034, 2702, 9159, 8011, 1010, 1996, 23191, 2015, 2196, 2147, 1010, 1998, 2011, 1996, 2051, 1045, 2288, 2000, 1996, 6760, 14463, 1010, 1045, 2134, 1005, 1056, 2729, 1012, 1045, 1005, 1049, 5121, 1999, 2053, 9241, 2005, 1996, 23902, 1012, 2205, 2919, 1010, 2004, 1996, 3104, 2003, 2204, 1998, 1996, 18458, 26476, 2098, 2033, 1999, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
If you're looking for a plot-driven, action-packed comedy of drunken deterioration, this isn't the book for you. If you're looking for a brilliant character study from a likable Lothario who can't help but destroy himself while telling a good story, "Spectacular Now" fits the bill. Sutter is - to use is own words - a hilarious narrator, only vaguely aware of his tragic tendencies. He drinks at school, home, work. He drives. And like these sorts of real-life characters, he has girlfriends and co-workers and brings considerable joy along with his even-more-considerable chaos. Although Sutter drinks and drives and has sex, after-school-special moralizing is refreshingly absent. There's no melodrama here, just old-fashioned clueless kid drinking his way to nowhere. The chapters are short and move quickly, and if the plot wanders around a little, it is always to curious and insightful places. In a few years, Sutter's story might become A Million Little Pieces or even Leaving Las Vegas, but this is the story of a drunk in an earlier stage of his buzz. Blake Nelson's Recovery Road would make for an interesting counter-point, as the protagonists in both books could come from the same social circle.	[ 101, 2065, 2017, 1005, 2128, 2559, 2005, 1037, 5436, 1011, 5533, 1010, 2895, 1011, 8966, 4038, 1997, 15967, 26118, 1010, 2023, 3475, 1005, 1056, 1996, 2338, 2005, 2017, 1012, 2065, 2017, 1005, 2128, 2559, 2005, 1037, 8235, 2839, 2817, 2013, 1037, 5622, 2912, 3468, 2843, 18428, 2080, 2040, 2064, 1005, 1056, 2393, 2021, 6033, 2370, 2096, 4129, 1037, 2204, 2466, 1010, 1000, 12656, 2085, 1000, 16142, 1996, 3021, 1012, 10514, 12079, 2003, 1011, 2000, 2224, 2003, 2219, 2616, 1011, 1037, 26316, 11185, 1010, 2069, 15221, 5204, 1997, 2010, 13800, 20074, 1012, 2002, 8974, 2012, 2082, 1010, 2188, 1010, 2147, 1012, 2002, 9297, 1012, 1998, 2066, 2122, 11901, 1997, 2613, 1011, 2166, 3494, 1010, 2002, 2038, 27408, 1998, 2522, 1011, 3667, 1998, 7545, 6196, 6569, 2247, 2007, 2010, 2130, 1011, 2062, 1011, 6196, 8488, 1012, 2348, 10514, 12079, 8974, 1998, 9297, 1998, 2038, 3348, 1010, 2044, 1011, 2082, 1011, 2569, 7191, 6026, 2003, 27150, 2135, 9962, 1012, 2045, 1005, 1055, 2053, 11463, 7716, 14672, 2182, 1010, 2074, 2214, 1011, 13405, 9789, 3238, 4845, 5948, 2010, 2126, 2000, 7880, 1012, 1996, 9159, 2024, 2460, 1998, 2693, 2855, 1010, 1998, 2065, 1996, 5436, 17677, 2015, 2105, 1037, 2210, 1010, 2009, 2003, 2467, 2000, 8025, 1998, 12369, 3993, 3182, 1012, 1999, 1037, 2261, 2086, 1010, 10514, 12079, 1005, 1055, 2466, 2453, 2468, 1037, 2454, 2210, 4109, 2030, 2130, 2975, 5869, 7136, 1010, 2021, 2023, 2003, 1996, 2466, 1997, 1037, 7144, 1999, 2019, 3041, 2754, 1997, 2010, 12610, 1012, 6511, 5912, 1005, 1055, 7233, 2346, 2052, 2191, 2005, 2019, 5875, 4675, 1011, 2391, 1010, 2004, 1996, 21989, 1999, 2119, 2808, 2071, 2272, 2013, 1996, 2168, 2591, 4418, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
My reading of this undeniably-important book suffered for coming a bit later than is typical. Most people seem to read this in middle or high school; I read it in college. It didn't quite work for me as a book - drags in the middle - even as its impact has been breathtaking. I'd suggest I Have Lived A Thousand Years or The Number of the Stars as better YA introductions to the Holocaust.	[ 101, 2026, 3752, 1997, 2023, 6151, 19825, 6321, 1011, 2590, 2338, 4265, 2005, 2746, 1037, 2978, 2101, 2084, 2003, 5171, 1012, 2087, 2111, 4025, 2000, 3191, 2023, 1999, 2690, 2030, 2152, 2082, 1025, 1045, 3191, 2009, 1999, 2267, 1012, 2009, 2134, 1005, 1056, 3243, 2147, 2005, 2033, 2004, 1037, 2338, 1011, 8011, 2015, 1999, 1996, 2690, 1011, 2130, 2004, 2049, 4254, 2038, 2042, 3052, 17904, 1012, 1045, 1005, 1040, 6592, 1045, 2031, 2973, 1037, 4595, 2086, 2030, 1996, 2193, 1997, 1996, 3340, 2004, 2488, 8038, 25795, 2000, 1996, 11513, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
Loved this as a child. I'll need to seek out a copy for my own kids.	[ 101, 3866, 2023, 2004, 1037, 2775, 1012, 1045, 1005, 2222, 2342, 2000, 6148, 2041, 1037, 6100, 2005, 2026, 2219, 4268, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
I wish I'd enjoyed this book, but I couldn't finish it. I don't want to criticize Paolini or his legions of fans, as he has created something that has a tremendous audience. And his youth while finishing such an opus is inspiring. However, I'm not a fantasy fan, so clumsy, derivative writing isn't something I have patience for, just because it is wrapped around heroism and magic. Perhaps the later books are better? I would suggest reading Terry Brooks, Piers Anthony, Anne McCaffreyor Mercedes Lackey to fans who believe Paolini to be the ultimate. Read a bit more; there are greater riches to be found.	[ 101, 1045, 4299, 1045, 1005, 1040, 5632, 2023, 2338, 1010, 2021, 1045, 2481, 1005, 1056, 3926, 2009, 1012, 1045, 2123, 1005, 1056, 2215, 2000, 6232, 4697, 6643, 18861, 2072, 2030, 2010, 23269, 1997, 4599, 1010, 2004, 2002, 2038, 2580, 2242, 2008, 2038, 1037, 14388, 4378, 1012, 1998, 2010, 3360, 2096, 5131, 2107, 2019, 16895, 2003, 18988, 1012, 2174, 1010, 1045, 1005, 1049, 2025, 1037, 5913, 5470, 1010, 2061, 22902, 1010, 13819, 3015, 3475, 1005, 1056, 2242, 1045, 2031, 11752, 2005, 1010, 2074, 2138, 2009, 2003, 5058, 2105, 27117, 1998, 3894, 1012, 3383, 1996, 2101, 2808, 2024, 2488, 1029, 1045, 2052, 6592, 3752, 6609, 8379, 1010, 16067, 4938, 1010, 4776, 23680, 10354, 22586, 2953, 10793, 3768, 3240, 2000, 4599, 2040, 2903, 6643, 18861, 2072, 2000, 2022, 1996, 7209, 1012, 3191, 1037, 2978, 2062, 1025, 2045, 2024, 3618, 26768, 2000, 2022, 2179, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
I've read them all, but this is my favorite. The popularity of the series seemed to take-off with the publication of this one, and that's when I became aware of them. The action is good, the evil is menacing, and the characters still seemed fresh. I think the latter books became bloated and the first two, while charming enough, didn't get the mixture of character development and action quite right. Obviously, millions disagree with me. Still, I wish that Rowling had keep the series as taught as this volume.	[ 101, 1045, 1005, 2310, 3191, 2068, 2035, 1010, 2021, 2023, 2003, 2026, 5440, 1012, 1996, 6217, 1997, 1996, 2186, 2790, 2000, 2202, 1011, 2125, 2007, 1996, 4772, 1997, 2023, 2028, 1010, 1998, 2008, 1005, 1055, 2043, 1045, 2150, 5204, 1997, 2068, 1012, 1996, 2895, 2003, 2204, 1010, 1996, 4763, 2003, 24060, 1010, 1998, 1996, 3494, 2145, 2790, 4840, 1012, 1045, 2228, 1996, 3732, 2808, 2150, 1038, 4135, 4383, 1998, 1996, 2034, 2048, 1010, 2096, 11951, 2438, 1010, 2134, 1005, 1056, 2131, 1996, 8150, 1997, 2839, 2458, 1998, 2895, 3243, 2157, 1012, 5525, 1010, 8817, 21090, 2007, 2033, 1012, 2145, 1010, 1045, 4299, 2008, 5216, 2989, 2018, 2562, 1996, 2186, 2004, 4036, 2004, 2023, 3872, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
This didn't have quite the charm of the first book nor the pacing of the third. On the other hand, the climactic scene is great. I introduced myself to this series during the excitement generated at the publication of the third book, so I came to them as an adult, which may explain my unusually cool reception: clearly, Rowling's fans are legion.	[ 101, 2023, 2134, 1005, 1056, 2031, 3243, 1996, 11084, 1997, 1996, 2034, 2338, 4496, 1996, 15732, 1997, 1996, 2353, 1012, 2006, 1996, 2060, 2192, 1010, 1996, 18856, 9581, 13306, 3496, 2003, 2307, 1012, 1045, 3107, 2870, 2000, 2023, 2186, 2076, 1996, 8277, 7013, 2012, 1996, 4772, 1997, 1996, 2353, 2338, 1010, 2061, 1045, 2234, 2000, 2068, 2004, 2019, 4639, 1010, 2029, 2089, 4863, 2026, 12890, 4658, 7684, 1024, 4415, 1010, 5216, 2989, 1005, 1055, 4599, 2024, 8009, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
What's not to like? Cannibalism, gangs, post-apocalyptic mayhem. The first act, pre-apocalypse is slow, but the pay off is the world that exists after everything disintegrates. This book and my inept reading of it started a fascination with survival ism that eventually passed, but I clearly remember the thrill of reading about what would happen if it all fell apart.	[ 101, 2054, 1005, 1055, 2025, 2000, 2066, 1029, 2064, 3490, 10264, 2964, 1010, 18542, 1010, 2695, 1011, 27660, 26865, 1012, 1996, 2034, 2552, 1010, 3653, 1011, 16976, 2003, 4030, 1010, 2021, 1996, 3477, 2125, 2003, 1996, 2088, 2008, 6526, 2044, 2673, 4487, 11493, 2618, 22780, 2015, 1012, 2023, 2338, 1998, 2026, 1999, 23606, 3752, 1997, 2009, 2318, 1037, 18987, 2007, 7691, 2003, 2213, 2008, 2776, 2979, 1010, 2021, 1045, 4415, 3342, 1996, 16959, 1997, 3752, 2055, 2054, 2052, 4148, 2065, 2009, 2035, 3062, 4237, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
Ah, the things we humans take for granted, including evolution and reproduction. A good read, if a bit choppy in places. Worth reading for the science, not much in the way of characters.	[ 101, 6289, 1010, 1996, 2477, 2057, 4286, 2202, 2005, 4379, 1010, 2164, 6622, 1998, 14627, 1012, 1037, 2204, 3191, 1010, 2065, 1037, 2978, 24494, 7685, 1999, 3182, 1012, 4276, 3752, 2005, 1996, 2671, 1010, 2025, 2172, 1999, 1996, 2126, 1997, 3494, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
Before it was a multi-volume franchise, a forgettable film, or a Happy Meal toy, I picked up and read "A Series of Unfortunate Events." I was enthralled by the voice, the distinct evil of Count Olaf, the innocence of the orphans, and the detachment of the narrator. I didn't keep up with most of the subsequent volumes, but really enjoyed the first couple. Clever and quick, it is a great read for precocious younger readers and snarky older ones.	[ 101, 2077, 2009, 2001, 1037, 4800, 1011, 3872, 6329, 1010, 1037, 5293, 10880, 2143, 1010, 2030, 1037, 3407, 7954, 9121, 1010, 1045, 3856, 2039, 1998, 3191, 1000, 1037, 2186, 1997, 15140, 2824, 1012, 1000, 1045, 2001, 4372, 2705, 7941, 3709, 2011, 1996, 2376, 1010, 1996, 5664, 4763, 1997, 4175, 20514, 1010, 1996, 12660, 1997, 1996, 21478, 1010, 1998, 1996, 11009, 1997, 1996, 11185, 1012, 1045, 2134, 1005, 1056, 2562, 2039, 2007, 2087, 1997, 1996, 4745, 6702, 1010, 2021, 2428, 5632, 1996, 2034, 3232, 1012, 12266, 1998, 4248, 1010, 2009, 2003, 1037, 2307, 3191, 2005, 3653, 3597, 18436, 3920, 8141, 1998, 1055, 11802, 4801, 3080, 3924, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
Not quite as compulsively readable as The Hunger Games, this is at least as original a world as that of Scott Westerfield's Uglies trilogy. The world is more alien than that of Margaret Peterson Haddix's Shadow Children series, and even more sinister than that of The Giver. The first two chapters took some getting used to, but if a YA reader can muscle through them, the book is highly engaging. Todd is compelling every-teen, aware of the adult world and not quite able to make sense of it. Although the plot moves along, really the thematic issues are equally compelling: coming of age, the dishonesty of adults, the struggle to be a man and on whose terms. Some high lights include a solid friendship between Todd and his dog, as well as between Todd and another teen. I suspect that mid-to-strong readers will enjoy this, especially as the layers of the story unfold. I look forward to the sequel.	[ 101, 2025, 3243, 2004, 4012, 14289, 4877, 14547, 3191, 3085, 2004, 1996, 9012, 2399, 1010, 2023, 2003, 2012, 2560, 2004, 2434, 1037, 2088, 2004, 2008, 1997, 3660, 2225, 2121, 3790, 1005, 1055, 1057, 25394, 2229, 11544, 1012, 1996, 2088, 2003, 2062, 7344, 2084, 2008, 1997, 5545, 12001, 2018, 4305, 2595, 1005, 1055, 5192, 2336, 2186, 1010, 1998, 2130, 2062, 16491, 2084, 2008, 1997, 1996, 2507, 2099, 1012, 1996, 2034, 2048, 9159, 2165, 2070, 2893, 2109, 2000, 1010, 2021, 2065, 1037, 8038, 8068, 2064, 6740, 2083, 2068, 1010, 1996, 2338, 2003, 3811, 11973, 1012, 6927, 2003, 17075, 2296, 1011, 9458, 1010, 5204, 1997, 1996, 4639, 2088, 1998, 2025, 3243, 2583, 2000, 2191, 3168, 1997, 2009, 1012, 2348, 1996, 5436, 5829, 2247, 1010, 2428, 1996, 23539, 3314, 2024, 8053, 17075, 1024, 2746, 1997, 2287, 1010, 1996, 9841, 21821, 3723, 1997, 6001, 1010, 1996, 5998, 2000, 2022, 1037, 2158, 1998, 2006, 3005, 3408, 1012, 2070, 2152, 4597, 2421, 1037, 5024, 6860, 2090, 6927, 1998, 2010, 3899, 1010, 2004, 2092, 2004, 2090, 6927, 1998, 2178, 9458, 1012, 1045, 8343, 2008, 3054, 1011, 2000, 1011, 2844, 8141, 2097, 5959, 2023, 1010, 2926, 2004, 1996, 9014, 1997, 1996, 2466, 4895, 10371, 1012, 1045, 2298, 2830, 2000, 1996, 8297, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
Read this again when I first became a teacher. It is as good as its reputation, and still as sharp a criticism of class in America as has ever been composed. I do notice that many fans of this book don't dive into Hinton's other works with the sort of enthusiasm that might be expected, so perhaps as a whole her writing has not aged well. But this is just about as good as young-adult writing gets.	[ 101, 3191, 2023, 2153, 2043, 1045, 2034, 2150, 1037, 3836, 1012, 2009, 2003, 2004, 2204, 2004, 2049, 5891, 1010, 1998, 2145, 2004, 4629, 1037, 6256, 1997, 2465, 1999, 2637, 2004, 2038, 2412, 2042, 3605, 1012, 1045, 2079, 5060, 2008, 2116, 4599, 1997, 2023, 2338, 2123, 1005, 1056, 11529, 2046, 9374, 2239, 1005, 1055, 2060, 2573, 2007, 1996, 4066, 1997, 12024, 2008, 2453, 2022, 3517, 1010, 2061, 3383, 2004, 1037, 2878, 2014, 3015, 2038, 2025, 4793, 2092, 1012, 2021, 2023, 2003, 2074, 2055, 2004, 2204, 2004, 2402, 1011, 4639, 3015, 4152, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
Lots of folks love this dystopian tale of a future totalitarian state. I love it for the ideas it presents, of the 'shadow children' who stand in for all those in society who are relegated to the margins, unable to fully participate in society. I do think it takes too long to get going, and in the first third not enough happens. So while it isn't a complicated book, I've noticed some reluctant readers struggling to stay with it. I also notice that I'm not particularly excited to read the rest, even though some readers adore the series.	[ 101, 7167, 1997, 12455, 2293, 2023, 1040, 27268, 7361, 2937, 6925, 1997, 1037, 2925, 2561, 25691, 2110, 1012, 1045, 2293, 2009, 2005, 1996, 4784, 2009, 7534, 1010, 1997, 1996, 1005, 5192, 2336, 1005, 2040, 3233, 1999, 2005, 2035, 2216, 1999, 2554, 2040, 2024, 7049, 2000, 1996, 17034, 1010, 4039, 2000, 3929, 5589, 1999, 2554, 1012, 1045, 2079, 2228, 2009, 3138, 2205, 2146, 2000, 2131, 2183, 1010, 1998, 1999, 1996, 2034, 2353, 2025, 2438, 6433, 1012, 2061, 2096, 2009, 3475, 1005, 1056, 1037, 8552, 2338, 1010, 1045, 1005, 2310, 4384, 2070, 11542, 8141, 8084, 2000, 2994, 2007, 2009, 1012, 1045, 2036, 5060, 2008, 1045, 1005, 1049, 2025, 3391, 7568, 2000, 3191, 1996, 2717, 1010, 2130, 2295, 2070, 8141, 4748, 5686, 1996, 2186, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
I agree with so many of the other reviewer: this is a great action / SciFi story with an excellent female character that should have cross-gender appeal. And, it is derivative of other "dystopian-future-where-children-are-placed-in-danger-and/or-survival-situation-books." Some say King's The Long Walk, others say Jackson's The Lottery, but I see obvious connections to Robert Heinlein's Tunnel in the Sky with a hint of Uglies by Westerfeld. Even knowing that it is not so original, I really enjoyed this book and now await the sequel.	[ 101, 1045, 5993, 2007, 2061, 2116, 1997, 1996, 2060, 12027, 1024, 2023, 2003, 1037, 2307, 2895, 1013, 16596, 8873, 2466, 2007, 2019, 6581, 2931, 2839, 2008, 2323, 2031, 2892, 1011, 5907, 5574, 1012, 1998, 1010, 2009, 2003, 13819, 1997, 2060, 1000, 1040, 27268, 7361, 2937, 1011, 2925, 1011, 2073, 1011, 2336, 1011, 2024, 1011, 2872, 1011, 1999, 1011, 5473, 1011, 1998, 1013, 2030, 1011, 7691, 1011, 3663, 1011, 2808, 1012, 1000, 2070, 2360, 2332, 1005, 1055, 1996, 2146, 3328, 1010, 2500, 2360, 4027, 1005, 1055, 1996, 15213, 1010, 2021, 1045, 2156, 5793, 7264, 2000, 2728, 2002, 2378, 19856, 1005, 1055, 5234, 1999, 1996, 3712, 2007, 1037, 9374, 1997, 1057, 25394, 2229, 2011, 2225, 2121, 8151, 1012, 2130, 4209, 2008, 2009, 2003, 2025, 2061, 2434, 1010, 1045, 2428, 5632, 2023, 2338, 1998, 2085, 26751, 1996, 8297, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
This is a darn good story, especially for those who like sub-plots. There's plenty of action as well as detail in this now-quintessential saga of mafia drama. This may also be one of the few cases where the book, though good, doesn't match the movie. But rather than rhapsodize about the Coppola film, I'd like to laud the book for what it is: popular fiction done very well. If you like gangsters, these are the genuine OG's.	[ 101, 2023, 2003, 1037, 18243, 2078, 2204, 2466, 1010, 2926, 2005, 2216, 2040, 2066, 4942, 1011, 14811, 1012, 2045, 1005, 1055, 7564, 1997, 2895, 2004, 2092, 2004, 6987, 1999, 2023, 2085, 1011, 21864, 17340, 5054, 20925, 12312, 1997, 13897, 3689, 1012, 2023, 2089, 2036, 2022, 2028, 1997, 1996, 2261, 3572, 2073, 1996, 2338, 1010, 2295, 2204, 1010, 2987, 1005, 1056, 2674, 1996, 3185, 1012, 2021, 2738, 2084, 1054, 3270, 4523, 7716, 4697, 2055, 1996, 8872, 18155, 2050, 2143, 1010, 1045, 1005, 1040, 2066, 2000, 21360, 2094, 1996, 2338, 2005, 2054, 2009, 2003, 1024, 2759, 4349, 2589, 2200, 2092, 1012, 2065, 2017, 2066, 20067, 2015, 1010, 2122, 2024, 1996, 10218, 13958, 1005, 1055, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
Don't remember much about it, other than I went right out and read the next three books, so it must have been good. As I recall, I liked the mysterious quality of Rama and our response to it. The social reaction to extra-terrestrial intelligence was also thought provoking. While not essential, this was an enjoyable read, if not a memorable one.	[ 101, 2123, 1005, 1056, 3342, 2172, 2055, 2009, 1010, 2060, 2084, 1045, 2253, 2157, 2041, 1998, 3191, 1996, 2279, 2093, 2808, 1010, 2061, 2009, 2442, 2031, 2042, 2204, 1012, 2004, 1045, 9131, 1010, 1045, 4669, 1996, 8075, 3737, 1997, 14115, 1998, 2256, 3433, 2000, 2009, 1012, 1996, 2591, 4668, 2000, 4469, 1011, 12350, 4454, 2001, 2036, 2245, 4013, 22776, 1012, 2096, 2025, 6827, 1010, 2023, 2001, 2019, 22249, 3191, 1010, 2065, 2025, 1037, 13432, 2028, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
This book is disturbing, in so many ways. Scott has written a fascinating story, but it leaves the reader feeling raw and filthy. Given the subject, it should come as no surprise that this is a book for older teens and adults. It is also quick and simply told, so struggling readers will be able to enjoy it. If you want a thriller or are curious about what horrors humans can survive, this might be your book. But only if you have a cast iron stomach. If you can't find it, perhaps The Killer's Tears would be a good alternate choice: less graphic, equally thought provoking. When Jeff Comes Home tackles the same topic, with a male victim/protagonist. I've also heard that Meg Tilly's Gemma offers similar content, though in a longer and perhaps more demanding package. Update 12/10 - There are other books about this sort of captivity and control. Emma Donoghue's Room has been getting all sorts of accolades, if you're up for a redux on this subject. Don't know what 'redux' means? Perhaps The Girl in the Box would be a better read-alike.	[ 101, 2023, 2338, 2003, 14888, 1010, 1999, 2061, 2116, 3971, 1012, 3660, 2038, 2517, 1037, 17160, 2466, 1010, 2021, 2009, 3727, 1996, 8068, 3110, 6315, 1998, 18294, 1012, 2445, 1996, 3395, 1010, 2009, 2323, 2272, 2004, 2053, 4474, 2008, 2023, 2003, 1037, 2338, 2005, 3080, 13496, 1998, 6001, 1012, 2009, 2003, 2036, 4248, 1998, 3432, 2409, 1010, 2061, 8084, 8141, 2097, 2022, 2583, 2000, 5959, 2009, 1012, 2065, 2017, 2215, 1037, 10874, 2030, 2024, 8025, 2055, 2054, 22812, 4286, 2064, 5788, 1010, 2023, 2453, 2022, 2115, 2338, 1012, 2021, 2069, 2065, 2017, 2031, 1037, 3459, 3707, 4308, 1012, 2065, 2017, 2064, 1005, 1056, 2424, 2009, 1010, 3383, 1996, 6359, 1005, 1055, 4000, 2052, 2022, 1037, 2204, 6585, 3601, 1024, 2625, 8425, 1010, 8053, 2245, 4013, 22776, 1012, 2043, 5076, 3310, 2188, 10455, 1996, 2168, 8476, 1010, 2007, 1037, 3287, 6778, 1013, 10191, 1012, 1045, 1005, 2310, 2036, 2657, 2008, 12669, 6229, 2100, 1005, 1055, 19073, 4107, 2714, 4180, 1010, 2295, 1999, 1037, 2936, 1998, 3383, 2062, 9694, 7427, 1012, 10651, 2260, 1013, 2184, 1011, 2045, 2024, 2060, 2808, 2055, 2023, 4066, 1997, 16187, 1998, 2491, 1012, 5616, 2123, 8649, 20169, 1005, 1055, 2282, 2038, 2042, 2893, 2035, 11901, 1997, 27447, 1010, 2065, 2017, 1005, 2128, 2039, 2005, 1037, 2417, 5602, 2006, 2023, 3395, 1012, 2123, 1005, 1056, 2113, 2054, 1005, 2417, 5602, 1005, 2965, 1029, 3383, 1996, 2611, 1999, 1996, 3482, 2052, 2022, 1037, 2488, 3191, 1011, 11455, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
Let's just start by saying this is a really solid book. Moore writes great action and has fun playing around with the familiar superhero tropes. He does telegraph his punches, so none of the surprise twists caught me off guard, and the larger the twist, the less the surprise. If I have a complaint, its that there are so many side issues - daddy issues, mommy issues, angry-teammate issues - that the hero world takes a back seat. I wanted more of a straight action-adventure. Then again, Moore is working against straight assumptions, so perhaps that's part of his game. Still, this is really a great coming of age book.	[ 101, 2292, 1005, 1055, 2074, 2707, 2011, 3038, 2023, 2003, 1037, 2428, 5024, 2338, 1012, 5405, 7009, 2307, 2895, 1998, 2038, 4569, 2652, 2105, 2007, 1996, 5220, 16251, 19817, 17635, 2015, 1012, 2002, 2515, 10013, 2010, 17957, 1010, 2061, 3904, 1997, 1996, 4474, 21438, 3236, 2033, 2125, 3457, 1010, 1998, 1996, 3469, 1996, 9792, 1010, 1996, 2625, 1996, 4474, 1012, 2065, 1045, 2031, 1037, 12087, 1010, 2049, 2008, 2045, 2024, 2061, 2116, 2217, 3314, 1011, 8600, 3314, 1010, 20565, 3314, 1010, 4854, 1011, 10809, 3314, 1011, 2008, 1996, 5394, 2088, 3138, 1037, 2067, 2835, 1012, 1045, 2359, 2062, 1997, 1037, 3442, 2895, 1011, 6172, 1012, 2059, 2153, 1010, 5405, 2003, 2551, 2114, 3442, 17568, 1010, 2061, 3383, 2008, 1005, 1055, 2112, 1997, 2010, 2208, 1012, 2145, 1010, 2023, 2003, 2428, 1037, 2307, 2746, 1997, 2287, 2338, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
Great read. A dystopian book that doesn't get bogged down in detailing the future; Shusterman offers up enough background to make it believable, and then he's writing like a man possessed. The story never lets up, the characters are both original and familiar, and each chapter raises genuinely provocative questions about a host of issues. Having found his previous title,Everlost to be disappointing, this has restored my faith in NS. If the harvesting organs for transplant intrigues the reader, I'd suggest Larry Niven's The Long Arm of Gil Hamilton and A Gift From Earth.	[ 101, 2307, 3191, 1012, 1037, 1040, 27268, 7361, 2937, 2338, 2008, 2987, 1005, 1056, 2131, 22132, 5999, 2091, 1999, 17555, 1996, 2925, 1025, 18454, 6238, 2386, 4107, 2039, 2438, 4281, 2000, 2191, 2009, 19337, 2666, 12423, 1010, 1998, 2059, 2002, 1005, 1055, 3015, 2066, 1037, 2158, 8679, 1012, 1996, 2466, 2196, 11082, 2039, 1010, 1996, 3494, 2024, 2119, 2434, 1998, 5220, 1010, 1998, 2169, 3127, 13275, 15958, 26422, 3980, 2055, 1037, 3677, 1997, 3314, 1012, 2383, 2179, 2010, 3025, 2516, 1010, 2412, 10483, 2102, 2000, 2022, 15640, 1010, 2023, 2038, 5854, 2026, 4752, 1999, 24978, 1012, 2065, 1996, 21534, 11595, 2005, 22291, 20014, 22934, 1996, 8068, 1010, 1045, 1005, 1040, 6592, 6554, 9152, 8159, 1005, 1055, 1996, 2146, 2849, 1997, 13097, 5226, 1998, 1037, 5592, 2013, 3011, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
Several of my high school students have told me that this is their favorite Dessen title, and they've read them all. Annabel is a protagonist every teen can project herself into - minor family problems, conflicts with sisters, mother who doesn't get her, a job she doesn't like, has a secret, at times socially connected but at the moment feeling isolated. I enjoyed Dessen's practical approach to these issues, not seeking to solve them completely, but to make their management a reasonable goal. Annabel's new friend, Owen, is particularly enjoyable. He's a little angry, a little obsessive, and a music geek, but likable and completely noble. Instead of saving a damsel in distress, in true 21-century fashion, Owen mentors the princess so that she may save herself. My problem with the book comes from not being the audience Dessen writes to. While the high school girls will eat this up, I (middle-aged man) found it tediously obsessed with explaining every nuance of every character's relationship with every other, and Annabel was so tentative that I struggled to care about her. For thoughtful coming-of-age/teen-problem novel without the melodrama of Ellen Hopkins this is good stuff.	[ 101, 2195, 1997, 2026, 2152, 2082, 2493, 2031, 2409, 2033, 2008, 2023, 2003, 2037, 5440, 4078, 5054, 2516, 1010, 1998, 2027, 1005, 2310, 3191, 2068, 2035, 1012, 4698, 8671, 2003, 1037, 10191, 2296, 9458, 2064, 2622, 2841, 2046, 1011, 3576, 2155, 3471, 1010, 9755, 2007, 5208, 1010, 2388, 2040, 2987, 1005, 1056, 2131, 2014, 1010, 1037, 3105, 2016, 2987, 1005, 1056, 2066, 1010, 2038, 1037, 3595, 1010, 2012, 2335, 14286, 4198, 2021, 2012, 1996, 2617, 3110, 7275, 1012, 1045, 5632, 4078, 5054, 1005, 1055, 6742, 3921, 2000, 2122, 3314, 1010, 2025, 6224, 2000, 9611, 2068, 3294, 1010, 2021, 2000, 2191, 2037, 2968, 1037, 9608, 3125, 1012, 4698, 8671, 1005, 1055, 2047, 2767, 1010, 7291, 1010, 2003, 3391, 22249, 1012, 2002, 1005, 1055, 1037, 2210, 4854, 1010, 1037, 2210, 27885, 8583, 12742, 1010, 1998, 1037, 2189, 29294, 1010, 2021, 5622, 2912, 3468, 1998, 3294, 7015, 1012, 2612, 1997, 7494, 1037, 17278, 2884, 1999, 12893, 1010, 1999, 2995, 2538, 1011, 2301, 4827, 1010, 7291, 10779, 2015, 1996, 4615, 2061, 2008, 2016, 2089, 3828, 2841, 1012, 2026, 3291, 2007, 1996, 2338, 3310, 2013, 2025, 2108, 1996, 4378, 4078, 5054, 7009, 2000, 1012, 2096, 1996, 2152, 2082, 3057, 2097, 4521, 2023, 2039, 1010, 1045, 1006, 2690, 1011, 4793, 2158, 1007, 2179, 2009, 6945, 19426, 15896, 2007, 9990, 2296, 16371, 6651, 1997, 2296, 2839, 1005, 1055, 3276, 2007, 2296, 2060, 1010, 1998, 4698, 8671, 2001, 2061, 19943, 2008, 1045, 6915, 2000, 2729, 2055, 2014, 1012, 2005, 16465, 2746, 1011, 1997, 1011, 2287, 1013, 9458, 1011, 3291, 3117, 2302, 1996, 11463, 7716, 14672, 1997, 9155, 10239, 2023, 2003, 2204, 4933, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
On page sixteen, twelve-year-old Lakshmi asks her mother, "Why...must women suffer so?" Speaking from wisdom and resignation, Ama replies, "This has always been our fate...simply to endure...is to triumph." For the next 240 pages, Lakshmi endures more than western readers will want to imagine, and her triumphs are bitterly small. Her story is tragic and sad and distressingly common. For readers, McCormick's book is a challenge: just because things are so, must they remain that way? What can we do to make change? Can we do more than endure? What is triumph? The story takes a while to ramp-up, and the first 40 pages will seem slow to readers who don't appreciate a slice of Nepalese mountain life. But the verse-style moves quickly once Lakshmi leaves her village, and it is hard to stop reading her story, as her voice becomes clearer. For a story about child sex-trafficking, "Sold" is honest without being explicit, making it a reasonable choice even for mature middle school audiences.	[ 101, 2006, 3931, 7032, 1010, 4376, 1011, 2095, 1011, 2214, 21352, 5176, 2014, 2388, 1010, 1000, 2339, 1012, 1012, 1012, 2442, 2308, 9015, 2061, 1029, 1000, 4092, 2013, 9866, 1998, 8172, 1010, 25933, 14054, 1010, 1000, 2023, 2038, 2467, 2042, 2256, 6580, 1012, 1012, 1012, 3432, 2000, 18094, 1012, 1012, 1012, 2003, 2000, 10911, 1012, 1000, 2005, 1996, 2279, 11212, 5530, 1010, 21352, 18094, 2015, 2062, 2084, 2530, 8141, 2097, 2215, 2000, 5674, 1010, 1998, 2014, 10911, 2015, 2024, 19248, 2235, 1012, 2014, 2466, 2003, 13800, 1998, 6517, 1998, 12893, 15787, 2691, 1012, 2005, 8141, 1010, 23213, 1005, 1055, 2338, 2003, 1037, 4119, 1024, 2074, 2138, 2477, 2024, 2061, 1010, 2442, 2027, 3961, 2008, 2126, 1029, 2054, 2064, 2057, 2079, 2000, 2191, 2689, 1029, 2064, 2057, 2079, 2062, 2084, 18094, 1029, 2054, 2003, 10911, 1029, 1996, 2466, 3138, 1037, 2096, 2000, 13276, 1011, 2039, 1010, 1998, 1996, 2034, 2871, 5530, 2097, 4025, 4030, 2000, 8141, 2040, 2123, 1005, 1056, 9120, 1037, 14704, 1997, 8222, 6810, 3137, 2166, 1012, 2021, 1996, 7893, 1011, 2806, 5829, 2855, 2320, 21352, 3727, 2014, 2352, 1010, 1998, 2009, 2003, 2524, 2000, 2644, 3752, 2014, 2466, 1010, 2004, 2014, 2376, 4150, 24509, 1012, 2005, 1037, 2466, 2055, 2775, 3348, 1011, 11626, 1010, 1000, 2853, 1000, 2003, 7481, 2302, 2108, 13216, 1010, 2437, 2009, 1037, 9608, 3601, 2130, 2005, 9677, 2690, 2082, 9501, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
For years, this book has been one of the common denominators of students at the high school where I work: guys and girls read it, jocks and geeks read it, and I'm just as likely to see it in the hands of a senior as in the bag of a freshman. While Ellen Hopkins has written other books - and they, too, capture a large readership - this is the book that speaks to an astonishingly broad audience. What sets "Crank" apart from all the other books of this sort - Tweak: Growing Up On Methamphetamines, Smashed: Story of a Drunken Girlhood, Go Ask Alice, The Spectacular Now - and what keeps kids reading it? I don't quite get it myself, but it may have as much to do with the unmistakable voice that comes through the poesm as with the propulsive plot. I'll think about this some more and come back, I'm sure, at some point, but for now let me say that this is a fast look into the insanity of drug addiction. It isn't pretty, it isn't pleasant, but then books about such things generally aren't.	[ 101, 2005, 2086, 1010, 2023, 2338, 2038, 2042, 2028, 1997, 1996, 2691, 7939, 20936, 27413, 2015, 1997, 2493, 2012, 1996, 2152, 2082, 2073, 1045, 2147, 1024, 4364, 1998, 3057, 3191, 2009, 1010, 23407, 2015, 1998, 29294, 2015, 3191, 2009, 1010, 1998, 1045, 1005, 1049, 2074, 2004, 3497, 2000, 2156, 2009, 1999, 1996, 2398, 1997, 1037, 3026, 2004, 1999, 1996, 4524, 1997, 1037, 10452, 1012, 2096, 9155, 10239, 2038, 2517, 2060, 2808, 1011, 1998, 2027, 1010, 2205, 1010, 5425, 1037, 2312, 8141, 5605, 1011, 2023, 2003, 1996, 2338, 2008, 8847, 2000, 2019, 26137, 2135, 5041, 4378, 1012, 2054, 4520, 1000, 27987, 1000, 4237, 2013, 2035, 1996, 2060, 2808, 1997, 2023, 4066, 1011, 1056, 8545, 4817, 1024, 3652, 2039, 2006, 2777, 3511, 8458, 12928, 11233, 2015, 1010, 14368, 1024, 2466, 1997, 1037, 15967, 2611, 9021, 1010, 2175, 3198, 5650, 1010, 1996, 12656, 2085, 1011, 1998, 2054, 7906, 4268, 3752, 2009, 1029, 1045, 2123, 1005, 1056, 3243, 2131, 2009, 2870, 1010, 2021, 2009, 2089, 2031, 2004, 2172, 2000, 2079, 2007, 1996, 24219, 2376, 2008, 3310, 2083, 1996, 18922, 6491, 2004, 2007, 1996, 17678, 23004, 5436, 1012, 1045, 1005, 2222, 2228, 2055, 2023, 2070, 2062, 1998, 2272, 2067, 1010, 1045, 1005, 1049, 2469, 1010, 2012, 2070, 2391, 1010, 2021, 2005, 2085, 2292, 2033, 2360, 2008, 2023, 2003, 1037, 3435, 2298, 2046, 1996, 19272, 1997, 4319, 13449, 1012, 2009, 3475, 1005, 1056, 3492, 1010, 2009, 3475, 1005, 1056, 8242, 1010, 2021, 2059, 2808, 2055, 2107, 2477, 3227, 4995, 1005, 1056, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
There are very few books that I wish I hadn't read, and this is one. After loving Invisible Monsters I dove into this, well aware that Mr. Palahniuk is not for the faint of heart. It isn't the repellent anecdotes and nugatory characters that disappointed me, but the ultimate dullness of the whole book. It wasn't scary, it wasn't especially disturbing, it just was flat. I spent several unrecoverable hours of my ever-shortening life reading for no pay off. Yes, there's some impressively gory scenes, but they never added up to an ah-ha. Given the consistently downward trend in reviews of his last few titles, I'm wondering if Palahniuk has jumped the shark. I'm fully in agreement with Palahniuk's claim that, "It's easy to attack and destroy an act of creation. It's a lot more difficult to perform one." He has created some peak reading experiences for me, and I treasure them. "Haunted" wasn't creative for me, and so I'm doubly disappointed.	[ 101, 2045, 2024, 2200, 2261, 2808, 2008, 1045, 4299, 1045, 2910, 1005, 1056, 3191, 1010, 1998, 2023, 2003, 2028, 1012, 2044, 8295, 8841, 9219, 1045, 10855, 2046, 2023, 1010, 2092, 5204, 2008, 2720, 1012, 14412, 4430, 3490, 6968, 2003, 2025, 2005, 1996, 8143, 1997, 2540, 1012, 2009, 3475, 1005, 1056, 1996, 16360, 14774, 3372, 2019, 8586, 23681, 2015, 1998, 16371, 20697, 10253, 3494, 2008, 9364, 2033, 1010, 2021, 1996, 7209, 10634, 2791, 1997, 1996, 2878, 2338, 1012, 2009, 2347, 1005, 1056, 12459, 1010, 2009, 2347, 1005, 1056, 2926, 14888, 1010, 2009, 2074, 2001, 4257, 1012, 1045, 2985, 2195, 4895, 2890, 3597, 26061, 3468, 2847, 1997, 2026, 2412, 1011, 2460, 7406, 2166, 3752, 2005, 2053, 3477, 2125, 1012, 2748, 1010, 2045, 1005, 1055, 2070, 8052, 2135, 2175, 2854, 5019, 1010, 2021, 2027, 2196, 2794, 2039, 2000, 2019, 6289, 1011, 5292, 1012, 2445, 1996, 10862, 14047, 9874, 1999, 4391, 1997, 2010, 2197, 2261, 4486, 1010, 1045, 1005, 1049, 6603, 2065, 14412, 4430, 3490, 6968, 2038, 5598, 1996, 11420, 1012, 1045, 1005, 1049, 3929, 1999, 3820, 2007, 14412, 4430, 3490, 6968, 1005, 1055, 4366, 2008, 1010, 1000, 2009, 1005, 1055, 3733, 2000, 2886, 1998, 6033, 2019, 2552, 1997, 4325, 1012, 2009, 1005, 1055, 1037, 2843, 2062, 3697, 2000, 4685, 2028, 1012, 1000, 2002, 2038, 2580, 2070, 4672, 3752, 6322, 2005, 2033, 1010, 1998, 1045, 8813, 2068, 1012, 1000, 11171, 1000, 2347, 1005, 1056, 5541, 2005, 2033, 1010, 1998, 2061, 1045, 1005, 1049, 2079, 12083, 2135, 9364, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
Bradbury explains in Zen and the Art of Writing that he was under a good deal of pressure when he cranked out his opus. He used pay typewriters, feeding in dimes that allowed him to compose. I'm sorry; I have a confession. I like that anecdote better than the novel. Surely his anticipation of iPods and wide-screen TV and the decline of reading should be appreciated, but the story just drags. Montag isn't a compelling character. Perhaps the passage of time has stolen some of the flavor from this oft-assigned chestnut.	[ 101, 8226, 4917, 7607, 1999, 16729, 1998, 1996, 2396, 1997, 3015, 2008, 2002, 2001, 2104, 1037, 2204, 3066, 1997, 3778, 2043, 2002, 27987, 2098, 2041, 2010, 16895, 1012, 2002, 2109, 3477, 2828, 15994, 2015, 1010, 8521, 1999, 27211, 2015, 2008, 3039, 2032, 2000, 17202, 1012, 1045, 1005, 1049, 3374, 1025, 1045, 2031, 1037, 12633, 1012, 1045, 2066, 2008, 2019, 8586, 23681, 2488, 2084, 1996, 3117, 1012, 7543, 2010, 11162, 1997, 26322, 2015, 1998, 2898, 1011, 3898, 2694, 1998, 1996, 6689, 1997, 3752, 2323, 2022, 12315, 1010, 2021, 1996, 2466, 2074, 8011, 2015, 1012, 18318, 8490, 3475, 1005, 1056, 1037, 17075, 2839, 1012, 3383, 1996, 6019, 1997, 2051, 2038, 7376, 2070, 1997, 1996, 14894, 2013, 2023, 1997, 2102, 1011, 4137, 15655, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
This is one heck of a book. The first act really hooked me, sustaining me through some plot twists that many will like, but I found a little too pat. What starts out as a routine teen mystery becomes a nuanced study of love. Werlin's writing is at once accessible and compelling. After reading several dark teen novels, Impossible is a refreshingly uplifting read, even as it drove me to gnaw my nails to the quick.	[ 101, 2023, 2003, 2028, 17752, 1997, 1037, 2338, 1012, 1996, 2034, 2552, 2428, 13322, 2033, 1010, 22663, 2033, 2083, 2070, 5436, 21438, 2008, 2116, 2097, 2066, 1010, 2021, 1045, 2179, 1037, 2210, 2205, 6986, 1012, 2054, 4627, 2041, 2004, 1037, 9410, 9458, 6547, 4150, 1037, 16371, 6651, 2094, 2817, 1997, 2293, 1012, 2057, 19403, 1005, 1055, 3015, 2003, 2012, 2320, 7801, 1998, 17075, 1012, 2044, 3752, 2195, 2601, 9458, 6002, 1010, 5263, 2003, 1037, 27150, 2135, 2039, 26644, 3191, 1010, 2130, 2004, 2009, 5225, 2033, 2000, 1043, 2532, 2860, 2026, 10063, 2000, 1996, 4248, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
Perhaps I was tired and feeling a little raw when I read this in one four-hour sitting, but that isn't the only reason I got a catch in my throat and a drop in my eye. It follows the fairy tale closely, and I still was taken in by this story. This might be a love story that male readers can stomach, even enjoy. Could the female character have been more richly developed? Sure. Could either of the fathers in the book have been more fully-formed? You bet. But I think this is a good story, well told and enjoyable all the way through. I do have a major complaint about how Flinn handles the disability of one character. I know it is YA, but her treatment of blindness just came off as condescending. I don't want a spoiler, so let me just wish for more disabled characters who are also whole people, not damaged goods awaiting repair. And let's hope for more books that flesh such characters out beyond the obvious fact of their difference. This was such a sharp thorn in an otherwise beautiful story. Update 1/8/2011 - Yep, the movie of the same name staring Vanessa Hudgens, Peter Kraus, and Mary-Kate Olsen is an interpretation of Flinn's book.	[ 101, 3383, 1045, 2001, 5458, 1998, 3110, 1037, 2210, 6315, 2043, 1045, 3191, 2023, 1999, 2028, 2176, 1011, 3178, 3564, 1010, 2021, 2008, 3475, 1005, 1056, 1996, 2069, 3114, 1045, 2288, 1037, 4608, 1999, 2026, 3759, 1998, 1037, 4530, 1999, 2026, 3239, 1012, 2009, 4076, 1996, 8867, 6925, 4876, 1010, 1998, 1045, 2145, 2001, 2579, 1999, 2011, 2023, 2466, 1012, 2023, 2453, 2022, 1037, 2293, 2466, 2008, 3287, 8141, 2064, 4308, 1010, 2130, 5959, 1012, 2071, 1996, 2931, 2839, 2031, 2042, 2062, 26502, 2764, 1029, 2469, 1012, 2071, 2593, 1997, 1996, 11397, 1999, 1996, 2338, 2031, 2042, 2062, 3929, 1011, 2719, 1029, 2017, 6655, 1012, 2021, 1045, 2228, 2023, 2003, 1037, 2204, 2466, 1010, 2092, 2409, 1998, 22249, 2035, 1996, 2126, 2083, 1012, 1045, 2079, 2031, 1037, 2350, 12087, 2055, 2129, 13109, 23111, 16024, 1996, 11980, 1997, 2028, 2839, 1012, 1045, 2113, 2009, 2003, 8038, 1010, 2021, 2014, 3949, 1997, 26290, 2074, 2234, 2125, 2004, 24707, 11020, 18537, 1012, 1045, 2123, 1005, 1056, 2215, 1037, 27594, 2121, 1010, 2061, 2292, 2033, 2074, 4299, 2005, 2062, 9776, 3494, 2040, 2024, 2036, 2878, 2111, 1010, 2025, 5591, 5350, 15497, 7192, 1012, 1998, 2292, 1005, 1055, 3246, 2005, 2062, 2808, 2008, 5771, 2107, 3494, 2041, 3458, 1996, 5793, 2755, 1997, 2037, 4489, 1012, 2023, 2001, 2107, 1037, 4629, 16337, 1999, 2019, 4728, 3376, 2466, 1012, 10651, 1015, 1013, 1022, 1013, 2249, 1011, 15624, 1010, 1996, 3185, 1997, 1996, 2168, 2171, 4582, 13226, 15876, 11818, 3619, 1010, 2848, 1047, 25965, 1010, 1998, 2984, 1011, 5736, 18997, 2003, 2019, 7613, 1997, 13109, 23111, 1005, 1055, 2338, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
Manga isn't my genre, but a student insisted I read this. A quick read that was entertaining. I didn't see what grips fans, but enjoyed it as a diversion.	[ 101, 8952, 3475, 1005, 1056, 2026, 6907, 1010, 2021, 1037, 3076, 7278, 1045, 3191, 2023, 1012, 1037, 4248, 3191, 2008, 2001, 14036, 1012, 1045, 2134, 1005, 1056, 2156, 2054, 24758, 4599, 1010, 2021, 5632, 2009, 2004, 1037, 20150, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
First time I read this, I thought it was the weakest of the books. I still think that. It is transitional, taking decidedly darker turns and twists than the three earlier volumes. At 730+ pages, it does feel long, and there are pages of soliloquies in place of story, so it COULD have been much longer. Still, even off her A-game, Rowling is better than most. My seven-year-old loved every word read aloud.	[ 101, 2034, 2051, 1045, 3191, 2023, 1010, 1045, 2245, 2009, 2001, 1996, 5410, 4355, 1997, 1996, 2808, 1012, 1045, 2145, 2228, 2008, 1012, 2009, 2003, 17459, 1010, 2635, 27873, 9904, 4332, 1998, 21438, 2084, 1996, 2093, 3041, 6702, 1012, 2012, 28004, 1009, 5530, 1010, 2009, 2515, 2514, 2146, 1010, 1998, 2045, 2024, 5530, 1997, 14017, 22360, 15549, 2229, 1999, 2173, 1997, 2466, 1010, 2061, 2009, 2071, 2031, 2042, 2172, 2936, 1012, 2145, 1010, 2130, 2125, 2014, 1037, 1011, 2208, 1010, 5216, 2989, 2003, 2488, 2084, 2087, 1012, 2026, 2698, 1011, 2095, 1011, 2214, 3866, 2296, 2773, 3191, 12575, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
Just finished my ARC. Devotees of Hopkins' earlier books will not be disappointed; if you don't care for her previous volumes, this won't change your mind. Maternal abandonment, drugs, casual sex, a tragic past, cutting, bulimia, and incest are just the obvious troubles Kaeleigh and Raeanne juggle. Like Identical, the story alternates view points between characters, keeping the plot humming along. There is an interesting sub-plot with a Holocaust rescuer, as well as a teacher-student relationship that believably edges towards inappropriateness. As with her earlier books, the end isn't completely resolved, even with a deus ex machina or two. "Identical" takes chances by rendering a detailed portrait of incest, which makes it a grim, grimmy read, like watching a human train wreck. The actions of the perpetrator aren't glossed over, nor are behaviors of his victims. Fans of Crank and Glass will find some new things to shock and appall, which is what they are looking for. Folks who are bothered by Flowers in the Attic will need to give this one a wide birth.	[ 101, 2074, 2736, 2026, 8115, 1012, 22707, 1997, 10239, 1005, 3041, 2808, 2097, 2025, 2022, 9364, 1025, 2065, 2017, 2123, 1005, 1056, 2729, 2005, 2014, 3025, 6702, 1010, 2023, 2180, 1005, 1056, 2689, 2115, 2568, 1012, 11062, 22290, 1010, 5850, 1010, 10017, 3348, 1010, 1037, 13800, 2627, 1010, 6276, 1010, 20934, 17960, 2401, 1010, 1998, 4297, 4355, 2024, 2074, 1996, 5793, 13460, 10556, 12260, 18377, 1998, 14786, 20147, 26536, 9354, 1012, 2066, 7235, 1010, 1996, 2466, 6585, 2015, 3193, 2685, 2090, 3494, 1010, 4363, 1996, 5436, 20364, 2247, 1012, 2045, 2003, 2019, 5875, 4942, 1011, 5436, 2007, 1037, 11513, 5343, 2099, 1010, 2004, 2092, 2004, 1037, 3836, 1011, 3076, 3276, 2008, 19337, 2666, 3567, 6321, 7926, 2875, 15884, 2791, 1012, 2004, 2007, 2014, 3041, 2808, 1010, 1996, 2203, 3475, 1005, 1056, 3294, 10395, 1010, 2130, 2007, 1037, 2139, 2271, 4654, 24532, 3981, 2030, 2048, 1012, 1000, 7235, 1000, 3138, 9592, 2011, 14259, 1037, 6851, 6533, 1997, 4297, 4355, 1010, 2029, 3084, 2009, 1037, 11844, 1010, 24287, 2100, 3191, 1010, 2066, 3666, 1037, 2529, 3345, 12006, 1012, 1996, 4506, 1997, 1996, 2566, 22327, 16259, 4995, 1005, 1056, 27068, 2098, 2058, 1010, 4496, 2024, 15592, 1997, 2010, 5694, 1012, 4599, 1997, 27987, 1998, 3221, 2097, 2424, 2070, 2047, 2477, 2000, 5213, 1998, 10439, 8095, 1010, 2029, 2003, 2054, 2027, 2024, 2559, 2005, 1012, 12455, 2040, 2024, 11250, 2011, 4870, 1999, 1996, 14832, 2097, 2342, 2000, 2507, 2023, 2028, 1037, 2898, 4182, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
An exciting period piece that captures NYC at the turn of the last century, as well as a thrilling investigation. Quite creepy at times, very detailed. Not a casual read for most people, but crime fans might enjoy this change of scenery.	[ 101, 2019, 10990, 2558, 3538, 2008, 19566, 16392, 2012, 1996, 2735, 1997, 1996, 2197, 2301, 1010, 2004, 2092, 2004, 1037, 26162, 4812, 1012, 3243, 17109, 2012, 2335, 1010, 2200, 6851, 1012, 2025, 1037, 10017, 3191, 2005, 2087, 2111, 1010, 2021, 4126, 4599, 2453, 5959, 2023, 2689, 1997, 17363, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
This isn't Moore's best, but it is a fine, funny, rollicking mystery. The ensemble cast of Pine Cove and the Demon Catch are a quirky and curious lot. There are some good lines and a bit of interesting theology. A Dirty Job is more cohesive, but for a fun beach read, this measures up well.	[ 101, 2023, 3475, 1005, 1056, 5405, 1005, 1055, 2190, 1010, 2021, 2009, 2003, 1037, 2986, 1010, 6057, 1010, 4897, 6799, 2075, 6547, 1012, 1996, 7241, 3459, 1997, 7222, 11821, 1998, 1996, 5698, 4608, 2024, 1037, 21864, 15952, 1998, 8025, 2843, 1012, 2045, 2024, 2070, 2204, 3210, 1998, 1037, 2978, 1997, 5875, 8006, 1012, 1037, 6530, 3105, 2003, 2062, 2522, 21579, 1010, 2021, 2005, 1037, 4569, 3509, 3191, 1010, 2023, 5761, 2039, 2092, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
This definitely has an appeal. Good pacing and decent characters keep things humming. Fans of the genre will be pleased, and I hope those wandering in a daze over Bella and Edward will find solace, if not sustenance, here. I'm not fully enthusiastic for some minor reasons. Must Clare so frequently describe things as feline? Do her teen protagonists have to be so completely adolescent? Perhaps I'm being a sour puss, as this is fine 'Demon-vampire-werewolf-magic' fare.	[ 101, 2023, 5791, 2038, 2019, 5574, 1012, 2204, 15732, 1998, 11519, 3494, 2562, 2477, 20364, 1012, 4599, 1997, 1996, 6907, 2097, 2022, 7537, 1010, 1998, 1045, 3246, 2216, 13071, 1999, 1037, 28918, 2058, 12101, 1998, 3487, 2097, 2424, 14017, 10732, 1010, 2065, 2025, 10514, 16173, 6651, 1010, 2182, 1012, 1045, 1005, 1049, 2025, 3929, 14727, 2005, 2070, 3576, 4436, 1012, 2442, 11152, 2061, 4703, 6235, 2477, 2004, 10768, 4179, 1029, 2079, 2014, 9458, 21989, 2031, 2000, 2022, 2061, 3294, 20274, 1029, 3383, 1045, 1005, 1049, 2108, 1037, 14768, 16405, 4757, 1010, 2004, 2023, 2003, 2986, 1005, 5698, 1011, 4393, 1011, 12797, 1011, 3894, 1005, 13258, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
This one started out brilliantly, with action-a-plenty and a snarky-but-appealing protagonist. I confess: I'm one of the clueless adults described in the book who don't appreciate the power of contemporary technology. And there is a wealth of tech information clearly explained throughout, so much that it often reads more like non-fiction. Or perhaps that's because the characters are a little thin and don't develop much. Still, these are minor flaws that don't sink the book as a whole. A good sci-fi / social commentary book.	[ 101, 2023, 2028, 2318, 2041, 8235, 2135, 1010, 2007, 2895, 1011, 1037, 1011, 7564, 1998, 1037, 1055, 11802, 4801, 1011, 2021, 1011, 16004, 10191, 1012, 1045, 18766, 1024, 1045, 1005, 1049, 2028, 1997, 1996, 9789, 3238, 6001, 2649, 1999, 1996, 2338, 2040, 2123, 1005, 1056, 9120, 1996, 2373, 1997, 3824, 2974, 1012, 1998, 2045, 2003, 1037, 7177, 1997, 6627, 2592, 4415, 4541, 2802, 1010, 2061, 2172, 2008, 2009, 2411, 9631, 2062, 2066, 2512, 1011, 4349, 1012, 2030, 3383, 2008, 1005, 1055, 2138, 1996, 3494, 2024, 1037, 2210, 4857, 1998, 2123, 1005, 1056, 4503, 2172, 1012, 2145, 1010, 2122, 2024, 3576, 21407, 2008, 2123, 1005, 1056, 7752, 1996, 2338, 2004, 1037, 2878, 1012, 1037, 2204, 16596, 1011, 10882, 1013, 2591, 8570, 2338, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
This was such an enjoyable read that I wish it had been more than a slim 210 pages. That complaint aside, this is well worth the time of those who like a little supernatural in their real-world. It seems like the kind of book both reluctant and accomplished readers will enjoy, with compelling plot and solid characters unencumbered by too much fancy language. If I wanted to nit-pick, I might say that the 'Hill' kids are a little too stereotypically snotty, the poor protagonists a little too noble. But readers who want a page turner will not notice these trifles, and won't be disappointed by McMann.	[ 101, 2023, 2001, 2107, 2019, 22249, 3191, 2008, 1045, 4299, 2009, 2018, 2042, 2062, 2084, 1037, 11754, 12875, 5530, 1012, 2008, 12087, 4998, 1010, 2023, 2003, 2092, 4276, 1996, 2051, 1997, 2216, 2040, 2066, 1037, 2210, 11189, 1999, 2037, 2613, 1011, 2088, 1012, 2009, 3849, 2066, 1996, 2785, 1997, 2338, 2119, 11542, 1998, 8885, 8141, 2097, 5959, 1010, 2007, 17075, 5436, 1998, 5024, 3494, 16655, 12273, 29440, 2098, 2011, 2205, 2172, 11281, 2653, 1012, 2065, 1045, 2359, 2000, 9152, 2102, 1011, 4060, 1010, 1045, 2453, 2360, 2008, 1996, 1005, 2940, 1005, 4268, 2024, 1037, 2210, 2205, 12991, 27086, 2135, 1055, 17048, 3723, 1010, 1996, 3532, 21989, 1037, 2210, 2205, 7015, 1012, 2021, 8141, 2040, 2215, 1037, 3931, 6769, 2097, 2025, 5060, 2122, 13012, 28331, 1010, 1998, 2180, 1005, 1056, 2022, 9364, 2011, 11338, 5804, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
Because of many favorable reviews, I read this with high expectations. In many ways, Reeve lived up to them by delivering a story of solid pacing and easy to follow dramatic action. He quickly constructs a world of mobile cities coursing a post-appocalyptic earth, feeding on each other, the weak falling prey to the strong. His action is brisk, combigining elements of Airborn and "The Terminator" and pirate yarns. If you read for plot, then this may be a book for you. I hesitate to give it more stars because the characters didn't matter to me. The teen protagonists are flat, not even feeling like stereotypes but like place holders. Perhaps it is a result of the third-person narration that I don't know enough about Tom and Hester and Katherine. Or, perhaps I'm expecting more than the target audience of the book demands. Male readers may well love this more than heavily character-driven dystopian tales like Uglies and Unwind. There is some violence, but of the PG sort, making this appropriate for middle school as well as older readers.	[ 101, 2138, 1997, 2116, 11119, 4391, 1010, 1045, 3191, 2023, 2007, 2152, 10908, 1012, 1999, 2116, 3971, 1010, 20726, 2973, 2039, 2000, 2068, 2011, 12771, 1037, 2466, 1997, 5024, 15732, 1998, 3733, 2000, 3582, 6918, 2895, 1012, 2002, 2855, 9570, 2015, 1037, 2088, 1997, 4684, 3655, 2522, 9236, 2075, 1037, 2695, 1011, 10439, 24755, 2135, 20746, 3011, 1010, 8521, 2006, 2169, 2060, 1010, 1996, 5410, 4634, 8336, 2000, 1996, 2844, 1012, 2010, 2895, 2003, 28022, 1010, 22863, 8004, 24002, 3787, 1997, 2250, 10280, 1998, 1000, 1996, 2744, 23207, 1000, 1998, 11304, 27158, 2015, 1012, 2065, 2017, 3191, 2005, 5436, 1010, 2059, 2023, 2089, 2022, 1037, 2338, 2005, 2017, 1012, 1045, 16390, 2000, 2507, 2009, 2062, 3340, 2138, 1996, 3494, 2134, 1005, 1056, 3043, 2000, 2033, 1012, 1996, 9458, 21989, 2024, 4257, 1010, 2025, 2130, 3110, 2066, 22807, 2021, 2066, 2173, 13304, 1012, 3383, 2009, 2003, 1037, 2765, 1997, 1996, 2353, 1011, 2711, 21283, 2008, 1045, 2123, 1005, 1056, 2113, 2438, 2055, 3419, 1998, 2002, 6238, 1998, 9477, 1012, 2030, 1010, 3383, 1045, 1005, 1049, 8074, 2062, 2084, 1996, 4539, 4378, 1997, 1996, 2338, 7670, 1012, 3287, 8141, 2089, 2092, 2293, 2023, 2062, 2084, 4600, 2839, 1011, 5533, 1040, 27268, 7361, 2937, 7122, 2066, 1057, 25394, 2229, 1998, 4895, 11101, 1012, 2045, 2003, 2070, 4808, 1010, 2021, 1997, 1996, 18720, 4066, 1010, 2437, 2023, 6413, 2005, 2690, 2082, 2004, 2092, 2004, 3080, 8141, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]
A solid, scary tale, told in first person. Tom begins the story on his family farm but quickly takes on his apprenticeship to the county spook. Many spooky things happen; Tom is tested and tested again. While this isn't as rich in character development as other fantasy series, it is a chilling read. There's nothing here that would be objectionable for older elementary students, but I think younger high school readers will appreciate the Grimm tone of the story as well.	[ 101, 1037, 5024, 1010, 12459, 6925, 1010, 2409, 1999, 2034, 2711, 1012, 3419, 4269, 1996, 2466, 2006, 2010, 2155, 3888, 2021, 2855, 3138, 2006, 2010, 20448, 2000, 1996, 2221, 11867, 14659, 1012, 2116, 11867, 14659, 2100, 2477, 4148, 1025, 3419, 2003, 7718, 1998, 7718, 2153, 1012, 2096, 2023, 3475, 1005, 1056, 2004, 4138, 1999, 2839, 2458, 2004, 2060, 5913, 2186, 1010, 2009, 2003, 1037, 27017, 3191, 1012, 2045, 1005, 1055, 2498, 2182, 2008, 2052, 2022, 22224, 3085, 2005, 3080, 4732, 2493, 1010, 2021, 1045, 2228, 3920, 2152, 2082, 8141, 2097, 9120, 1996, 24287, 4309, 1997, 1996, 2466, 2004, 2092, 1012, 102 ]	[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 ]

Ho-hum. This book starts out well enough for five or ten pages, but then shambles around various issues and never settles into a groove. It is a classic collage of so-so parts (i.e.: a rescue, a fight, a flood, a bully, an at-bat) that add up to less-than interesting. I stuck with it out of sheer will, but there's nothing here that others - Mike Mullin, Eric Walters - haven't done better. I'd give Hirsch another chance, as this was his first, but I'm not in a hurry.

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Justly popular. Hazel is a fine protagonist, a believable teen who happens to have cancer. She is smart and funny and thoughtful and sicker than many teenagers can imagine. Augustus it a perfect foil; witty and wise. I'm sure the film version will kill the need to read this for some, but others may enter into the world of John Green. I'd like that, as I think his books are well worth reading, especially for teens who might prefer something more thoughtful.

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Started out strong. An original survival story about an original type of girl: Alex is comfortable camping, using a gun, being independent. There's plenty of action AND plenty of character. Thought it might be something new, perhaps a zombie book girls will love, or a female protagonist readable by guys. Lord knows the cover is interesting. Everything is rolling along, and then Bick takes a couple of turns that sapped my affection for the story and drove it into the cliche-YA ditch. The zombies or "changed" don't appear any where near enough, a love triangle is introduced that just feels stupid, and every plot line is left hanging at the end. Perhaps the sequel will improve upon that last point, but I'm not sure I'm all that excited for it. Hand this to girls who like strong protagonists and aren't looking for girly (or are looking for zombies). Perhaps waiting for the sequel will forestall some frustration with the completely unsatisfactory end.

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Good, escapist, dumb fun. So what if there are titanic plot holes? Who cares if the entire thing is a rehash of any number of movies and TV shows? YA readers looking for a propulsive plot with laughs and gunplay - and knifeplay and bombplay - will eat this one up. Schreiber could have made his protagoinist, Perry, a little less of a wuss. I suspect some potential readers will be put off by Perry's nebbish whining. But high school students will appreciate a story that is a bit more "Superbad" than Anthony Horowitz. Guys who like All the Way and Spanking Shakespeare will appreciate this.

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Benson Fisher gets a scholarship that takes him away from a cycle of unpleasant foster homes, promising an excellent education in a secluded boarding school. This was a solid escape/suspense novel that reminded me of many other YA titles. Upon arrival at Maxfield Academy, Benson must choose which 'gang' to join - Society, Havoc, Variant - so perhaps that's why it reminded be a little of Divergent. It is clear early on that the school isn't what it appears to be, and Benson tries to figure it out, which reminded me of The Maze Runner. There are some unexpected twists and a cliff-hanger ending. There are several good things about this book, chief of which is that although several teens are killed during the story, all the serious violence happens off-screen; what appears on the page is several steps milder than The Hunger Games. The complete lack of sex, drugs, and strong language makes this a good choice for readers looking for peril without an R rating. Wells could have done a better job developing characters. The plot rolled along - although slowly at times - but the characters always remained a little flat. And since Benson's primary motivation is to escape, the other issues raised by the story don't seem especially important. All-in-all, "Variant" was a good book, but not especially memorable. I'll recommend this to my students, but I won't be rushing out for the sequel.

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While reading "Ashfall," I was transported back to my teenaged enthusiasm for Larry Niven's Lucifer's Hammer. What's not to love about a hero who defies the END of the WORLD? There are so many things to like about "Ashfall" that it is hard to know where to start. The premise is simple and believable: a super volcano eruption suddenly and completely transforms the Iowa life Alex has known into an ashen wasteland. The natural upheaval is devastating, but it is the way people change suddenly and completely that is most disturbing. It isn't quite The Road. Yet. As the events of Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy show (and tsunamis and earthquakes and on and on), mother nature is unforgiving, but it is people who make tragedy into obscenity. "Ashfall" raises the stakes beyond simple disaster survival stories, such that the devastation is believable and the lack of coordinated response is equally understandable. Mullin has done a fine job of weaving speculation in with elements of historical fact, of how food shortages and refugee camps work, of how people are both good and evil. Alex is completely engaging as our sixteen year old protagonist and narrator. He is confused, determined, naive, altruistic, and adaptable. Alex eventually stumbles upon a companion, Darla, who is perhaps more engaging, a no-nonsense raised-on-a-farm practical gal. It is hard for me to think of a romantic relationship between teen characters that displays such respect for the real strengths and weaknesses people bring to relationships. The realistic depiction of violence, sexual and otherwise, might give pause for some younger readers. Fans of "Survivorman" will feel right at home. And I hear that darker things are to come in the sequel. I'm glad I have Ashen Winter sitting on my shelf, as it would be a rough wait to see how this turns out.

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An average read. There were some really fun possibilities, espcially in the moments it touched on The Handmaid's Tale territory and some serious tensions over religion. Morality is on stage here, and pleasantly there aren't any easy answers. It is a fairly simple idea: a boy and girl seem to be heading towards matrimony on their long deep-space voyage when something dramatic separates them. Loads of possibilities. But none of it worked to build an effective whole. The first act comes of implausibly. I didn't feel Waverly's story intensely - and it should be affecting - as Ryan has a preference for telling and not showing. When Kerian's narrative returns after a long hiatus, it feels incomplete and too short compared to the many pages devoted to Waverly's saga. The main characters are thin, their motivations too simple, while there minor characters sprout up without much explanation. Many sci-fi authors have worked over similar subjects. Ryan may be a good place for readers ready to make the leap from twee-YA to something speculative, and those curious about faith may like the comfortable, non-specific-Christian story element. But there isn't enough here to recommend it to a wide audience. The ending is unsatisfying on its own, but I'm not curious about the sequel.

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I'm not much of a paranormal fan. Don't have anything against them, per se, but I've only sampled a few in my days as a reader of YA. Which means I can't speak to how "Misfit" compares to its peers, but I can say that it is a good story with a strong protagonist. Skovron spends a good bit of time developing his world, or worlds: in this book we get to see Gia (our world) and Hell. Jael Thompson is an interesting protagonist, young and un-tested, but not naive or annoying. The story cover's a few days in Jael's (pronounced 'Jail') life as she comes to understand what it means to be half-human and half-demon. There are twists and turns aplenty as she learns what of demons and people are capable. There's some gore and salty language, although never more than just enough to do what needs doing. I didn't get lost in the story, and at times I felt like the pacing wasn't quite right. But for a fantasy romp, it was worth-while.

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Several folks have reviewed this favorably. I'll give Mr. Wynne-Jones credit for a multiple-perspective work that incorporates 3rd person and 2nd person narratives. The 2nd person section - Blink's - was hard for me to sink into, and perhaps alternating it with Caution's made both characters more remote. Both teens have stories and secrets, and by the end of the story everything turns out alright. But what teen will really enjoy this? I can't see her or him in my minds eye. The gritty-living-on-the-streets part ends and then isn't revisited, the love-story takes too long to get going, only to not really sizzle, the what-is-going-on-in-the-woods-mystery is never made clear. The whole thing just seemed like a mess.

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Although the cover didn't appeal to me at all, I saw some strong reviews of "Blood Red Road" comparing it to The Hunger Games and The Road that made me want to chance it. Sorry to say that it didn't come close to either of these books for me. Without a doubt, the voice is strong; Saba is a narrator I can hear, and the prose is a notch or two above par. The plot moves very quickly, with characters fighting and changing locations, if only to provide motion. However, I didn't find enough meat here. All of the characters are thin to the point of transparency. The aforementioned plot rushed past crucial moments that deserved more attention. Life-and-death situations arrive abruptly and then pass just as quickly. Storms, car(sail boat?) crashes, gladiatorial games all come and go far too quickly, leaving me wondering why Young bothered with them to begin with. This isn't a bad book, just so-so. I may read on as other books come out, but I'd still recommend The Knife of Never Letting Go in a heart beat over this one.

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Read this one as a member of an award committee. There is absolutely an audience for this book, and I'm not that audience. There are some good points: Correia writes with enthusiasm, has some clever ideas, and clearly loves guns as only a gun-nut could. The opening scene is excellent, hands down one of the best action sequences of I've read in a while. If you want lots of video game-like action, these 700+ pages might be for you. That said, there isn't much else here. Characters are flat, the writing is laugh-out-loud bad (How about this gem: "Normal men had pornography. I had gun magazines.") and the whole things needs an editor willing to trim the considerable bloat here.

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My eight year old loves this book, although he's not so thrilled with the second in the series. I actually thought is moved a bit slowly and was entirely too smug about the fairies populating its pages, but it is hard to argue with kid appeal.

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Deuce has been living underground her whole life. In this story, she partners with the mysterious Fade to hunt for her enclave. Of course, with zombie-like freaks wandering about and a totalitarian social organization, things can't stay stabile for long. A lot is left open to imagination as they explore a post-apocalyptic Gotham. The egalitarian camera derive of the duo is refreshing, even as some minor characters aren't fully developed. Appropriate for younger readers, it moves along well and might work for those who aren't ready for The Road or even Ashfall. It actually reads a bit like the Will Smith version of "I Am Legend." Hopefully the next two volumes are worthy.

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Good dystopias construct a future that is at once distant and dangerously close, balancing the far-fetched with all-to-real. The best - this list includes The Hunger Games,1984, Feed - also establish characters who matter. They may not be lovable, but you want them to succeed. "Empty" falters on both counts. Weyn's vision of a world without petroleum isn't adequately developed; it is told through the particular experience of some teens in Spring Valley and via news items from around the world. For such a profound crisis, the particulars feel false and under developed. And there's a global-warming caused storm. And there's some problem with genetically modified food. And even with all of this, things never seem to be more than inconvenient. I guess I was expecting something post-apocalyptic. But the bigger problem, as other reviewers have noted, is that the characters are completely blah. They spout convenient bits of information about bio-diesel and growing your own food, but no one seems to be a real person. Their love lives and friendships just don't hold up. This is an interesting premise in wait of a better telling.

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Before reading this, I'd never heard of a "rat king". This is but one of the gloriously gross tidbits that salt Kraus's "Rotters". Don't know what it is? Go Google; I'll wait. Vile, yes? It is also the perfect image for this book, which is a twisted, interconnected, evil knot of repellent characters living in dark, dark corners, portending doom. Which I mean as a compliment. I completely enjoyed this horror story, which is as soul-shaking as anything from Stephen King. There are no vampires or spectral monsters, just some of the most sinister human beings put to page. The language is exceptional, the pace inevitable. Secondary characters - teachers, classmates, bartenders - are given breath even if they appear once. And the themes are the stuff of great literature. All and all, a great read for someone looking for smart, apologetically dark story. I read the book and listened to the audio book, which was superlative. It really deserves the accolades it has won.

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Just finished "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader," and it doesn't hold a candle to "The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe." So many folks have such fond things to say about this chapter in the Narnia cycle that I feel like a cad offering less-than-glowing comments. But it just wasn't very good. The characters don't grow or change; the plot wanders aimlessly and at great length. More importantly, it doesn't really have much to say about the issues it strives to raise: faith, fellowship, doing what's right, redemption. Hours after finishing it, I struggle to recall much of anything, beyond Lucy's nauseating infatuation with Aslan. She really sounds like an obsessive fan-girl whenever he deus-ex-machinas into the story. Lest you think my opinion isn't valid because I'm a jaded old fart and this is [trying to be] a story for children, my young kids weren't too thrilled with it, either. They much prefer Charlie Bone, Half Magic, Dragon Rider and a dozen other books. I don't doubt that adults have fond memories of this story from childhood. Some of the books in this series are still favorites of mine. Looked at honestly, "Voyage of the Dawn Treader" is a lesser work that suffers in comparison to these others, but is none-to-good even on its own terms.

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A solid thriller for HS or MS readers. Northrop does a good job of describing a disaster situation that slowly unravels in a voice that credibly mimics real high school sophomores. I could imagine real teens acting with the same numb confusion, unaware of just how bad things are as the snow piles high. My complaint is that so much more was possible. With many characters locked in a room - think "Breakfast Club," or King's The Mist - there's real potential for human drama and excruciating tension. Trapped doesn't quite get there, leaving lots of dramatic pieces on the board. I'd suggest this to a reader with patience for a slower pace, willing to enjoy the wait. For those who are concerned with such things, the book is largely clean, save for a few mild instances of adolescent humor and some logical descriptions of bathroom accommodations. I'd judge it appropriate for MS.

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The book could have been entitled, "Simplistic": if complexity is your game, or you hunger for something original, keep looking. Perhaps because "Divergent" came billed as the next The Hunger Games I am especially disappointed. "Divergent" isn't bad, just average. It is an easy read, with 487 pages taking surprisingly little effort to get through. The characters never vary from stock types, and our protagonist's journey to figure out what box she fits has been done before. I found the world-building thin and insubstantial. All of this might suffice for a developing reader who disdains detailed description or use of words like 'suffice' and 'disdain.' Readers who are done with Margaret Peterson Haddix's "Shadow Children" series or The Roar would probably enjoy this, as would fans of paranormal romance who are willing to branch out. In fact, I found that the love story overwhelmed other interesting dystopian elements. Which might not be a problem if what I had been expecting was a love story. So while there's a niche for this, I don't think it will have broad appeal, especially among older readers.

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This in a tremendously important story. Atrocity and barbarism must be remembered, and this account of Lithuanian deportations by the Soviet Union are compelling in the same way Holocaust stories are compelling. Important doesn't always mean great story telling, though. In this case, the compelling story isn't as powerful as I'd hoped; the horrors of the narrative aren't quite as gripping as I thought they should be. Sepetys weaves in flash-backs of normal, pre-war life that had mixed results juxtaposed with the grief of forced labor. Deaths - and there are many - don't have the punch-to-the-gut power evoked in other books. This read on the younger side of YA. Fans of The Diary of a Young Girl may enjoy this additional taste of plucky teen girl enduring the worst history has to offer.

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After reading a string of so-so books, Whitney's book reminds me of why I read YA. Here's a book that introduces a strong character, Alex. She plays piano, loves Beethoven, has room mates and friends and a sister who isn't always easy to relate with. Alex also has a problem: on page one, she wakes up in the bed of a boy, unable to remember how she got there. While the 'problem' of rape has a lengthy pedigree in YA (Speak, Putting Heather Together Again, Target, anything by Ellen Hopkins) "Mockingbirds" is realistic without being relentlessly grim. There are several strengths to the story: gobs of references to Harper Lee's book, geeks and jocks receive fair and friendly treatment, scholarship generally gets an enthusiastic green light. The students at Whitney's fictional Themis Academy are reasonable and mature, although not quite perfect. And while the story never strays far from the central conflict, there are several other side-lines that lighten the tone of the story and add interesting nuggets to Alex's world. The weaknesses of the book are small-to-middling: the students are a little too reasonable, the adults a little too clueless, the system of justice is a little too smooth, everything works out a little too-well in the end. As a parent, I'm concerned that kids in this book so universally understand that talking to adults is futile. As a human being, I wonder if the "justice" meted out by the Mockingbirds is actually just, but teens may not see either of these as issues. While "Mockingbirds" isn't especially complex, the many characters will make it a challenging book for reluctant readers. Still, girls will respond well to Alex, her predicament, and the hopeful tone of the work. Don't think it will have much guy appeal, which is unfortunate because there are several characters who present guys as effective allies working against the 'problem' vised upon Alex.

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As a story about an anorexic teen, this is fine. The paranormal, "thou hast become Death" parts are less convincing, less believable, less resonant. I would offer this to younger high school students who might prefer realistic fiction, as an entry point to a new genre. It is short and easy to get through, and there are three sequels. There really aren't any significant secondary characters, so following Liz's story should be straightforward.

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High hopes going into this one. Raises themes of duty vs. love, God, exploration. Great idea: take 'yer standard post-apocalyptic story format but write it more like a paranormal and then ad infinite zombies. Sadly, the book didn't work for me. The story takes a very long time to unfold, and the main character is annoyingly self involved. Mary's tone is completely flat - a bit like Katniss from The Hunger Games without any of the good bits - but the action isn't any where near as compelling. Makes it hard to have an emotional connection to Mary, and the secondary characters are even less lively. And what with all the impending death and flesh-eating Unconsecrated (the zombies), you'd think that Mary would spend an eensy bit more energy on surviving, instead of yearning for...Travis...no, Harry...no, the ocean...no, Gabrielle...no, mother...well, maybe Harry...and so on. I don't doubt that some kids will like this, but it won't be everyone.

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Dang. What an effective marriage of text and art in the service of a hard story. I can imagine middle school students reading this, and Neri is powerful without using vulgarity that might make it a risky acquisition for Junior High collections. But the questions raised by the story are deep enough for much older readers. Simple enough to be read in under an hour by even struggling readers, this is a book that will stick in the heart and mind for much longer.

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I came to this after reading McMann's earlier book, "Wake". This isn't quite as good, which is odd because Kendall is a likable girl, even if her OCD gets in her way now and again. But Wake moved along smoothly and sensibly, while "Cross" relies too heavily on spooky music and sinister suggestions. In the end, it wasn't quite scary, and it wasn't quite believable. Bonus points for soccer angle, as well as a Latino secondary character. Possibly a good read for those who are too young to have heard of Christopher Pike but want the same effect.

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As much as this is a zombie book, it is also a story of family and friendship. There is action and danger, but these aren't what make "Rot and Ruin" an engrossing read. Benny, our protagonist, grows out of his adolescent angst into maturity as he realizes who is worth idealizing and who isn't worthy of his acquaintance. While the story has a bit of profanity and apocalyptic violence, this is well within the continum of adventure bildungsroman. Readers of I Am Number Four, or the Percy Jackson books will probably feel right at home wit Maberry's use of wit and action.

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Matt's story in Swim the Fly was brilliant. Next, I read the third book, Call the Shots, out of order, and completely enjoyed Sean's shenanigans as the least confident, most introverted musketeer. And then there is Coop, the crass, glib leg of this threesome. "Beat the Band" is as fun as the other two and can be read on its own, or as the middle volume in the trilogy. The goods are all here: fart jokes, your-mother jokes, absurd plans, fart jokes, awkward moments buying birth control, and fart jokes. There is even some unvarnished sex-ed information passed along through Coop's project for health class. If you're a fan of PG-13 hi-jinx, Calame delivers again.

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Actually, this was more of a 2 and a half stars for me. Living Dead Girl and the Jaycee Dugard case have made kidnapping books a sub-genre in demand among my HS students. Fans of Elizabeth Scott's book probably won't care for Christopher's work; while both are accounts told by a girl who has been 'stolen,' this book places much greater demands on the reader. It is really a nature book, about the beauty and danger of the Australian outback and what such places can do to people. Oh, and there's is that 'deep question' always at work about our relationships to nature, urbanity, family, friends, and our sense of reality. Readers who want a thoughtful book might get something out of this one, especially if they are motivated by a sincere interest in understanding Stockholm Syndrome. I've heard that the audio book is quite good, but I found "Stolen" to be too long by half.

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Read this in one marathon sitting. As YA problem novels go, this is a solid one, though not at the level of the best. Rainfield isn't a poetic writer. Or especially original. But, dang it, she keeps her plot moving along and her character's voice strong, and that's more than many of her contemporaries can manage. Fans of Ellen Hopkins will probably enjoy this. As molestation stories go, I prefer Such a Pretty Girl, but for cutting, this is way more engaging than Cut. The language is easy to read, even if the subject matter is difficult. As other reviewers have mentioned, Kendra's Lesbianism is comfortably integrated without feeling preachy or sensational. And the focus really is on her abuse survival, revealing how cutting, while alarming and problematic, is a strategy that can soothe and make the intolerable tolerable. On a side note: I've read that the image on the cover is of the author's arms and the author is thrilled with the image. I think this detail, not mentioned in the book, is another selling point. The author is a survivor.

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Having just finished "Ship Breaker," I can see why it has received so many accolades. Bacigalupi constructed a fully-realized world, at once fresh and understandable. And who doesn't like genetically-engineered crosses between dogs and men, environmental catastrophe, murderous thugs, intrigue, and a kid with a tattoo on his face? The action starts quickly and rarely lets up, the characters are memorable. Comparisons to The Hunger Games, The Maze Runner, and Uglies all fit, although I think Bacigalupi's action is as well-paced as Patrick Ness's, and the whole book reminded me most of the Mortal Engines series. I'll be reading the sequel.

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Several other reviewers appraise this book by comparing it to others by the authors - especially the lauded works of John Green. Having not read anything by either Green or David Levithan, I can only say that I'm looking forward to correcting the oversight. I do know a guy who's a ringer for Tiny, and that made this one a hoot to read, as I kept hearing and seeing him every time Tiny flounced across the page. This is a solid story built on several characters many teens will recognize. It is full of kids who are funny and sharp and wise and foolish and ultimately human. Readers who are put off by gay characters probably won't pick this up, but these are also the readers who really should check this title out. It is about friendship and love, and not necessarily the kind that involves heavy breathing but the kind that endures and means something. And if you're a friend who lives in the shadow - literally or figuratively - of someone larger than life, this will be cathartic. All and all, an enjoyable read with some laughs and insights about big ideas. Books with a similar vibe include Struts & Frets,Evil, and Castration Celebration

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Fun and fast. Great contemporary adaptation of Greek mythology.

[ 101, 4569, 1998, 3435, 1012, 2307, 3824, 6789, 1997, 3306, 11327, 1012, 102 ]

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What an odd story. A class of Danish seventh graders are told by a classmate that "nothing matters," and does progressively more evil things to prove him wrong. I wanted to delight in a cautionary tale, or perhaps tremble before an existential crisis, but instead I kept thinking about how foreign the translation sounded. And how long it took to get going. The detached narration didn't help, either. I might offer this book to someone who's ready for a didactic novella, as it is the kind of book not interested in telling a story as much as it needs to make a point. If a reader is really casting about for what-it-all-means, I prefer Genesis. The first act of this one takes a little too long.

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This is a powerful story of a suicidal narrator who's days away from another attempt, one she expects to be more successful than her prior attempts. I read it in a couple of evenings. The opening takes a while to find its way, but Daelyn's voice was irresistible. Yes, there are some large plot holes involving computers and those old parents who can't-figure-how-to-make-em-work. Still, the tension built well and by the end, I felt a kinship to a sort of character I don't know well outside of fiction. A big complaint about the cover: the girl in the tub gracing my copy is eye catching. The narrator plainly states that she isn't thin and is treated badly because she is unattractive (p. 111). She's uncomfortable taking off her shoes, let alone posing nude in a tub. The cover isn't really true to the character, and seems to feed the very beast Daelyn abhors. Back to the story. Peters doesn't offer simple answers to the hard issues at work in this book. The destructiveness of bullying is made painfully clear, but the antidote is only hinted at, to name my biggest frustration. Still, I think many teens will read this for its emotional grip and realistic grit.

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A good zombie book in the first half, which becomes a little slower in the second half. Too bad the pace didn't keep up, as the first pages were just what a zombie reader wants: death, puss, mindless and relentless killers. But as human villains appear, they just aren't as compelling as the mindless hoards. By the end, there isn't much momentum, and the climax isn't ghoulish, its political. At 440 pages, Higson could have picked up the pace and ended a hundred pages sooner and still offered up a satisfying read. I wish I could offer this to reluctant readers, but I think the length, combined with the third-person narration that shifts between multiple characters will make this one a tough sell for weaker readers. Probably not the place to start if you're intimidated by Alexander Gordon Smith or Darren Shan. In spite of the topic - and the carnage that comes with such things - "The Enemy" would probably be fine for young teens, as well as older kids seeking out a "Zombie Land" fix. There's barely a hint of romance and zero profanity or drug use: just good, ol'fashioned undead mayhem. There's room for a sequel, although I'm not certain I'll need it.

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This is my second foray into Elizabeth Scott's writing. I was profoundly affected by Living Dead Girl, but haven't been attracted to her other titles. In a strange way, this book is the realistic anxiety 'yin' to the macabre intensity 'yang' of LDG, and I really enjoyed comparing the books as I read. Both are spare and simple, both are narrated by the voice of a completely real girl, both are hard to put down. Although nothing much happens here for a hundred and thirty pages, Scott builds the tension up quite effectively. One nice thing I appreciated was the good relationship the parents have with their daughter, in contrast to the best friend whose parents are awful. I especially respect the last few chapters, which don't gloss over tough issues of friendship, betrayal, dishonesty, and communicating for yourself and not others. I suspect many teen girls will recognize the relationship Brianna and Sara have, as well appreciate the tension of, 'does-he-like-me? I-must-not-like-him.'

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Thanks to The Hunger Games, dystopias are hot among the teens I teach. "The Line" offers a curious branch on that tree, not as action packed or dramatic, but driven by the relationships between three women. This is clearly the set up for future books, and "The Line" just stops, rather than ends, with a climax isn't all that tense. So for such a lengthy lead up, the payoff wasn't there for me. What I did like is that "The Line" concerns a girl, her mother, and the woman for whom they both work. Cultivating orchids takes up a significant portion of the book. In a word, it is a bit 'girly.' Say what you want about other YA speculative fiction with strong female characters - Leviathan, Ship Breaker, Mortal Engines, Airborn - they aren't 'girly.' The pace is leisurely. If you have a capable reader who wants something squeaky clean and isn't put off by character-driven writing or an all-female cast (yes, there are a few guys, but they aren't central to the plot), this might be a good read.

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A good, action-packed read. Westerfeld moves his plot along, alternating between a British girl, posing as a boy soldier, and an Austrian noble, on the run from assassins. The illustrations helped me visualize the invented creatures and machines, of which there are many. I think older teens may find it a bit too earnest, but I wouldn't hesitate to give it to any kid who likes elements of fantasy and reality in his or her swashbuckling yarns. I don't often read sequels, and I'm looking forward to the next one. I still prefer Airborn.

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The close to this trilogy is every bit as good as the two that preceded it. If you're not familiar with The Knife of Never Letting Go and The Ask and the Answer, don't even bother with this final volume of the trilogy. Go back and start at the beginning; it will be worth it. Although there are many impressive things about this series, I'm humbled that Ness has taken each book in different directions, constantly expanding and shading the story. Rather than simply continuing adventures of a couple of characters, the books of Chaos Walking seem to expand over grander and wider themes. I now want to sit down with all three and re-read them in one sitting.

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Picked this up based on the cover art, the James Patterson blurb, and a hope that I can discover something for teen guys to read once they've exhausted Darren Shan and Anthony Horowitz. On the plus side, the cover is appealing for this serviceable prison-break story. Alex is an acceptable hero, who is both a petty criminal and noble when it counts. There are a few Frankenstein-esque monsters, some classic gross-out scenes, and once the action gets going - about 150 pages in - the plot is propulsive. The writing was easy to follow, but took a long time to gear up after the strong opening. Of course, I felt the same way about Lord Loss, and readers gobble that up, so perhaps Smith is onto something and I'm just not in sync with the audience. I certainly didn't get much sense of character development, and Smith's last-minute interjection of 'what-does-freedom-really-mean' sounded flimsy. Although there's violence and horror on a par with the books I've already cited, the absence of sex, drug use, and profanity makes this a good choice for a wide range of ages. While I didn't love it, I'll probably pick up the sequels, just to see how they turn out.

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A sequel that's better than the original? Given that the most interesting character - Jeffery - from the first book is offstage, Birdsall has managed quite a feat. My second grader was enchanted by the Penderwicks in this incarnation, and that's probably an even better indication of its quality than my own calmer reception.

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This sat on my 'to read' pile for six months as I passed it over for lesser fare. In all that time I never noticed that the cover was anything other than two keys. The Title, 'Split,' a couple of keys, lots of red, author's name. Looked at it repeatedly and completely missed anything else. Fast forward half a year: I'm taking a break from "Split" with 60 pages left, I'm struck by the other image on the cover, the irony hits me hard. Duh. Kind of like domestic violence: hidden, but just barely. This is a book about a character we see all the time - the young, athletic, handsome, charming dude - and the secrets that are hidden in plain sight. Avasthi has written a story with a strong plot about an important topic, but at the heart is a fascinating guy, made all the more fascinating because we get to inhabit his thoughts and struggles as he steps away from the rage and violence of his father. The cover suits the story well. At times, it does slip into preachy didacticism, but Avasthi doesn't let those patches last long and she has a brave and honest conclusion. A good adition to the likes of Breathing Underwater, Dreamland, Inexcusable, Counterfeit Son, and The Rules of Survival. This is an important book, better than some - most? - I just mentioned.

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What an outstanding follow-up to The Knife of Never Letting Go. The plot is just as suspenseful, building to a maddening ending that made me want the planned third volume right now. Without revealing too much, Todd and the other characters change and grow as they face the horrors of dictatorship, oppression, and war. The deposed mayor of Heaven is a welcome new character, as is a young soldier, Lee. Of course, Mayor Prentiss remains Satan spawn, and hating him is one of the book's joys. This series is perfect for teens who might think they know who they are. One of the central issues of the book is the struggle to be true to your self, and on this front "The Ask and the Answer" offers no easy solutions. Will you commit horrors for love? Will you betray yourself for another? Can you avoid being controlled when you love someone? In the middle of a war, Todd has disturbingly little clarity. Most of all, I appreciated Ness' clear and fast style that never slacked. He deftly alternates the narrative between two characters, a move that could have been distracting but works well with his skilled use of dialect. I'll be recommending his books to many, many readers.

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Took me all of an hour and a half to read this surprising verse novel. The story is told by Anke, a freshman girl who helplessly witnesses the the abuse of her siblings, and her words ooze with dread and violation. And along with the magnitude of her father's rage, Anke also endures typical teen problems: boys, frienemies, making the volleyball team. Chaltas has done a great job of balancing the normal and the abominable, keeping Anke from being only a victim. I found the language to be especially well crafted, at once revealing and spare. The finale comes a bit too quickly and too completely for my liking. Fans of Sonya Sones will feel at home with "Because I am Furniture," but readers of Ellen Hopkins may not be satisfied with Chaltas' lighter touch.

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This could have been a great YA title. The premise is right. It has monsters, an obvious mystery, boys isolated away from civilization, and none of the sex/drug/profanity issues that can complicate recommending a title to younger teens. But by the end, I was only so-so on "The Maze Runner," which suffers from not one, but two fatal flaws. The first is that the writing takes two speeds: melodramatic and clunky. There are some good action sequences early on. Yet I found myself groaning repeatedly as Dashner's prose lurched along. The second flaw is that none of the characters, not one, feels real, or even distinct. Three hundred sixty pages is a long slog without someone to root for. With great YA dystopias out there - The Hunger Games and The Knife of Never Letting Go are good examples - I'll find it hard to muster enthusiasm for this average story.

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Yes, I know some folks just LOVE this book, but I wasn't enchanted. Yes, there is forbidden romance, family honor, daddy issues up the yin-yang, so comparisons to Twilight make sense. Seems to me that it is a bit more difficult to read than that book, although shorter. Still, many consider this the leader of the YA Fantasy/Horror pack.

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Wow. What an exciting read, full of gore, moral dilemma, thematic tension, and enough serious vocabulary to choke a horse. Strong readers with a hankering for Victorian horror won't be disappointed. The first fifty pages unfold at a leisurely pace, but the final 100 fly by like the climax of a slasher flick. If sex or expletives bother you, this won't offend, as there is zero romance and only brief scientific mentions of the life cycle of animals. There is obscenity a plenty as Will Henry explores horrors both bestial and human. If you like The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes or Frankenstein, this is just your thing. If you're not ready for the lexical heavy lifting, perhaps Rot & Ruin would be a better choice at first. But don't skip this entirely.

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While everyone else and her dog loves this book, I can take it or leave it. Perhaps my seven year old wasn't quite mature enough to stick with what felt like long chapters. As a read aloud, the ten regular voices (eleven if you count Hound) stretched me to my Mel Blanc limit. And it seemed overly mannered. But then again, I can't stand The Five Little Peppers and How They Grew, so perhaps I'm just a curmudgeon when it comes to charm.

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While reading a serial killer book, one can't be too sensitive to dismemberment, torture, and depravity. Still, I wasn't quite prepared for chapter 27 of this story. Had to look away. Actually, I had to put it down, walk away, shake in revulsion. So on that level, this is a fine book. Archie is a compelling, damaged detective hot on the trail of the Northwest's latest maniac, popping pills and flashing back to his tortured days with Gretchen 'Beauty-Killer' Lowell. Seems her predations have left Archie with a case of whatever we call PTSD's bigger, badder brother. Susan - a newspaper reporter - is also quite interesting as a foil to Archie and a woman with her own demons. And there are a bevy of partners, sidekicks, colleagues, and long-forgotten friends to populate Portland. That's the source of some of the tarnish on the title. Cain's third-person narration drags a bit in the first act, with many named bit players and red herrings galore. Some call this set up, some call it measured, I might call it sludgey. The Lowell flashbacks could trip up my students, who often struggle to get past that sort of narrative chiaroscuro. Adult readers will have no issues, but some teens will balk. Yet I think the teen victims and Lecter-like villain may be enough to hook some.

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This was a really fun read. Was this the best book ever, full of nuanced language and original, rich characters? Is it a refreshing take on teen romance? Not at all - it is a fairly conventional love story, told from alternating points of view, which has been done before(When It Happens comes to mind). Our protagonists are the up-tight rich girl with a secret and the dangerous bad boy from the wrong side of town. What makes "Perfect Chemistry" memorable is the flawless plot that doesn't let up, keeping the reader on the hook from the first chapter. Elkeles has written a page-turner, in its pure form. Girls will swoon, and I think that even some guys will appreciate Alex's bad-ass exterior, covering up his noble soul.

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At once straightforward and nuanced, this book is easy to read, even as it twists and turns. With central characters named 'Plato' and 'Soc' and 'Pericles,' it isn't hard to make connections with classical texts. The obvious allegory - 'Adam' vs. 'Art' - is softened by the dystopian back-story. If you fancy yourself a deep thinker, this is a book about challenging assumptions, a debate about the essence of life and soul and humanity. I didn't find it as stunning as the five-star reviewers, but it will give readers lots to talk about.

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"Need" is another book that brings a teenage girl from our mundane, routine existence into contact with the dangerous, exciting, and romantic world of the supernatural. Think Twilight, think Chosen, think Vampire Academy, think City of Bones. Jones is in step with the trend. First, the good news: throughout the story, Jones gives props to authors Edward Abbey and Stephen King. She also quotes Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche and Booker T. Washington. Ms. Jones knows solid writing and respects serious thinkers. Perhaps some readers will seek these folks out, thanks to finding the name checks in "Need". The bad news: the protagonist, Zara, is more than a little annoying, and there are some editing issues. Example, from page 126, "Her shoulders are broad, like a swimmer's, but skinny." Huh? And let's all just stop using "Pow-wow" (pg. 140) as a synonym for "important meeting": it is culturally insensitive. And since Zara is a politically aware kid - she starts an Amnesty International chapter, she wears flowered jeans, etc. - she is the last character who would use it. Fans of the genre probably won't care about such trifles, but I found myself put off by these and other bumps more often than engaged.

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Collins has done a good job with the second in what is planned as a trilogy, and fans of the first book will enjoy this one, but it doesn't quite rise to the level of the first volume. Of course, The Hunger Games was such a remarkable book that it would be hard to avoid feeling a measure of sophomore slump, as expectations have been stratospheric. I don't think it stands on its own as a story, so be sure to have read Hunger Games first. It was a survival story; "Catching Fire" adds elements of political thriller while replaying some of the best notes of the first volume. However, I thought the pacing wasn't as pitch-perfect as its predecessor. On page 150, I noticed I was drifting a little, marking time, waiting for the action to kick in. And while some secondary characters are fleshed out, Katniss hasn't really changed much. Which I was disappointed by, but some readers will love. Fans of The Hunger Games will want to read this and its sequel, but perhaps slightly lowered expectations are in order.

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This is more of a 3.7, especially for readers like me. The voice was well done, if snarky-smart-outsider is your type. I'm about Portman's age, and there are many references to music, movies, and culture that hit the sweet spots for our tribe. Tom Henderson is the snarky, adolescent, sardonic-but-hopeful narrator of this slice-of-life/mystery/bildungsroman. He has a clever (devil-head)lexicon, believable passion for music, and confusion about the opposite sex. The book is less about what happens than it is about the individual take Tom has on his addled mother, hippie step-father, school, books, movies, music, et cetera. This was a pleasant read, with a few moments of truly absurd humor. Yes, there's a layer of distain for real female characters, but I saw this as true to the narrator, rather than as a reason to reject the entire project. After all, sixteen year old boys are sometimes homophobic even as they reject homophobes, sexist, even as they worship mothers and sisters and girlfriends, violent even as they reject alpha-masculinity in all incarnations, smug even as they rail against self-satisfied jerks. Portman captured these contradictions well. Tom can be uncouth, contradictory, but he's essentially decent. My complaint about this as YA is that there aren't a lot of teens today who harbor hostility to hippies or "The Big Chill." Punk rockers and smart rebels may enjoy this story, but I think that they many won't connect to the dated Smiths / Foghat references.

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How to review this book? On the one hand, if you're a fan of Hopkins' work, this is at once familiar and fresh: story told in poems, sex, drugs, moral ambiguity, depression, incest, death, love gone horribly wrong, and so on. As with her previous book, Identical, and her earlier title,Impulse, the story is told through the thoughts of different characters. I didn't love this device in "Impulse," but it really works in "Tricks," giving five teens equal humanity and pathos. While all of the characters find themselves in roughly the same dark, dark place, Hopkins does a great job of tracing the individual paths that bring them there. On the other hand, it is hard to know what to make of YA pornography, and I do mean this in the 'writing-about-harlots' sense of the word. Hopkins continues to push whatever envelope remains in YA by turning her attention to kids who trade sex for money and drugs and love. These are kids exploiting their bodies while being exploited by johns and pimps and parents. This is explicit stuff not for the faint of heart. And ultimately, "Tricks" really is about the human heart, about how it can beguile and deceive, can debase and ennoble, can stumble and fail and recover. And not.

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It is hard to know where to start when discussing "The Watchmen." That it is a much loved and influential text is indisputable: Superheroes haven't been the same since, and flame-woe unto you who dare offer faint praise. Still, it didn't quite do enough for me to rate it higher than three. Sure its good, but also unsatisfyingly cool and detached. The plot, characters, and dialog take a back seat to the technical execution of the story, so it is impressively layered but ultimately dull. There isn't much heart or soul here. It hints at plenty of thematic suggestions, delivering on few of them. I wanted to love reading this book, but I just felt weary by the end. And that isn't always a bad thing. But in this case, I couldn't stay interested in anything about the book. If you're a comic enthusiast, this is a must read. For the rest of us, I think there are many, many ways to better spend a weekend.

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Perhaps my favorite of the series so far, this one moves along at fast clip. So what if a character appears and isn't explained? So what if the dwarfs aren't much explained? Because each volume is short and there are plenty of side characters, some don't make it into each book - aunt Lucinda, Hogsqueal, Thimbletack. While my child doesn't mind, I missed seeing them and am feeling like the continuity of the books suffers for their absence.

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A solid conclusion to a good series. Fairly intense, with parents and other relatives in deadly predicaments. The fight scenes were well written and kept my six year old on the edge of his seat. There are some loose ends, so we'll probably go looking for the next series. All and all, this was a great read aloud for my kids and completely enchanted them.

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Equivalent to the first one, with a little more danger and scary monsters. If I hadn't bought these at a used book store, I'd be feeling ripped-off at the $50 retail price. One character from the last book - Thimbletack - appears in two chapters, and then isn't seen for the rest of the book. Later, when Hogsqueal is introduced, I felt disoriented. One hundred pages really isn't much space to get a story told in, and this book really wouldn't stand without the previous title. On the up side, I've got a child begging for the third, so it is good to him.

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How I feel about this book depends on how I look at it. As historical fiction, it does a great job of capturing the ache of the Dust Bowl and the life of a poor farming family. As a verse novel, it is so-so, although an early title in what has become a common format, so Hesse gets credit for being on the leading edge. As a Newberry, it holds up well but isn't at the top (The Giver and Holes are both more delightful and moving). My biggest complaint is that the second half moves a bit slowly for my taste. But worth reading.

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Perhaps the problem with this is that I listened to the audio book, which was read well by Gerard Doyle. If I'd read the pages, my complaints might seem less acute. When it comes to fantasy, I either need a briskly paced plot, or characters I can really root for. This book didn't offer either of these for me. Instead, the story plodded along with far too much history of Wonderland. That could have worked in a more adult novel, but not as YA. And there wasn't one interesting person in the story. Say what you will about J.K. Rowling, Hagrid and the Dursleys make the first chapters interesting. Don't know who I'd offer this book to. It isn't bad or objectionable, just not charming or exciting.

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Much of the Regan era not held up well over time: shoulder pads remain silly, DVDs of "Dynasty" don't move, and IBM Selectrics are only used to block up derelict cars. The Handmaid's Tale is an exception. Today, there is perhaps less fear of a totalitarian religious domination of the USA, but this is a classic story of what isn't really unimaginable. This is a chilling book written expertly.

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This book has been making the rounds of my high school students for a couple of years. Even the most reluctant reader seems to be able to get lost in Eva's story of grief and letting go. I thought it was going to go down the "get-over-dead-boy-by-finding-new-live-boy" path, which would have troubled me deeply. Instead, Schroeder goes in a more real direction, for an ending that is both believable and satisfying. Musical references pepper the text, and Ava's friends seem real. All in all, a deservedly poplar tittle for those seeking an easy read.

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Although I'm ashamed to admit it, I've never really read Stargirl. Parts of it, but not the whole thing. Perhaps if I had, I might like this book more? Spinelli is a tremendous author, with so many fine titles to his credit, but I don't think this one works. One hundred pages in, I didn't care about the title character, her various friends, or her broken heart. Although I did finish this one, it was an act of concentrated effort, not of delighted reading. The diary format would be easy for even young kids to read, and fans of the first book will want to know what happens next.

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Didn't read the first volume, and couldn't get into this one. A little too high fantasy, without compelling characters for me. By no means avoid this book, but perhaps the first volume would be a better place to start.

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There are good YA survival stories out there - Ashfall, for example. Go read that. Or read Blood Red Road, which is underrated speculative fiction. For me, "The Compound" is a prefect example of a good idea poorly executed. The first ten chapters drag, the characterizations never work, and by the time I got to the rushed climax, I didn't care. I'm certainly in no hurry for The Fallout. Too bad, as the cover is good and the premise suckered me in.

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If you're looking for a plot-driven, action-packed comedy of drunken deterioration, this isn't the book for you. If you're looking for a brilliant character study from a likable Lothario who can't help but destroy himself while telling a good story, "Spectacular Now" fits the bill. Sutter is - to use is own words - a hilarious narrator, only vaguely aware of his tragic tendencies. He drinks at school, home, work. He drives. And like these sorts of real-life characters, he has girlfriends and co-workers and brings considerable joy along with his even-more-considerable chaos. Although Sutter drinks and drives and has sex, after-school-special moralizing is refreshingly absent. There's no melodrama here, just old-fashioned clueless kid drinking his way to nowhere. The chapters are short and move quickly, and if the plot wanders around a little, it is always to curious and insightful places. In a few years, Sutter's story might become A Million Little Pieces or even Leaving Las Vegas, but this is the story of a drunk in an earlier stage of his buzz. Blake Nelson's Recovery Road would make for an interesting counter-point, as the protagonists in both books could come from the same social circle.

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My reading of this undeniably-important book suffered for coming a bit later than is typical. Most people seem to read this in middle or high school; I read it in college. It didn't quite work for me as a book - drags in the middle - even as its impact has been breathtaking. I'd suggest I Have Lived A Thousand Years or The Number of the Stars as better YA introductions to the Holocaust.

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Loved this as a child. I'll need to seek out a copy for my own kids.

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I wish I'd enjoyed this book, but I couldn't finish it. I don't want to criticize Paolini or his legions of fans, as he has created something that has a tremendous audience. And his youth while finishing such an opus is inspiring. However, I'm not a fantasy fan, so clumsy, derivative writing isn't something I have patience for, just because it is wrapped around heroism and magic. Perhaps the later books are better? I would suggest reading Terry Brooks, Piers Anthony, Anne McCaffreyor Mercedes Lackey to fans who believe Paolini to be the ultimate. Read a bit more; there are greater riches to be found.

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I've read them all, but this is my favorite. The popularity of the series seemed to take-off with the publication of this one, and that's when I became aware of them. The action is good, the evil is menacing, and the characters still seemed fresh. I think the latter books became bloated and the first two, while charming enough, didn't get the mixture of character development and action quite right. Obviously, millions disagree with me. Still, I wish that Rowling had keep the series as taught as this volume.

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This didn't have quite the charm of the first book nor the pacing of the third. On the other hand, the climactic scene is great. I introduced myself to this series during the excitement generated at the publication of the third book, so I came to them as an adult, which may explain my unusually cool reception: clearly, Rowling's fans are legion.

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What's not to like? Cannibalism, gangs, post-apocalyptic mayhem. The first act, pre-apocalypse is slow, but the pay off is the world that exists after everything disintegrates. This book and my inept reading of it started a fascination with survival ism that eventually passed, but I clearly remember the thrill of reading about what would happen if it all fell apart.

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Ah, the things we humans take for granted, including evolution and reproduction. A good read, if a bit choppy in places. Worth reading for the science, not much in the way of characters.

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Before it was a multi-volume franchise, a forgettable film, or a Happy Meal toy, I picked up and read "A Series of Unfortunate Events." I was enthralled by the voice, the distinct evil of Count Olaf, the innocence of the orphans, and the detachment of the narrator. I didn't keep up with most of the subsequent volumes, but really enjoyed the first couple. Clever and quick, it is a great read for precocious younger readers and snarky older ones.

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Not quite as compulsively readable as The Hunger Games, this is at least as original a world as that of Scott Westerfield's Uglies trilogy. The world is more alien than that of Margaret Peterson Haddix's Shadow Children series, and even more sinister than that of The Giver. The first two chapters took some getting used to, but if a YA reader can muscle through them, the book is highly engaging. Todd is compelling every-teen, aware of the adult world and not quite able to make sense of it. Although the plot moves along, really the thematic issues are equally compelling: coming of age, the dishonesty of adults, the struggle to be a man and on whose terms. Some high lights include a solid friendship between Todd and his dog, as well as between Todd and another teen. I suspect that mid-to-strong readers will enjoy this, especially as the layers of the story unfold. I look forward to the sequel.

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Read this again when I first became a teacher. It is as good as its reputation, and still as sharp a criticism of class in America as has ever been composed. I do notice that many fans of this book don't dive into Hinton's other works with the sort of enthusiasm that might be expected, so perhaps as a whole her writing has not aged well. But this is just about as good as young-adult writing gets.

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Lots of folks love this dystopian tale of a future totalitarian state. I love it for the ideas it presents, of the 'shadow children' who stand in for all those in society who are relegated to the margins, unable to fully participate in society. I do think it takes too long to get going, and in the first third not enough happens. So while it isn't a complicated book, I've noticed some reluctant readers struggling to stay with it. I also notice that I'm not particularly excited to read the rest, even though some readers adore the series.

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I agree with so many of the other reviewer: this is a great action / SciFi story with an excellent female character that should have cross-gender appeal. And, it is derivative of other "dystopian-future-where-children-are-placed-in-danger-and/or-survival-situation-books." Some say King's The Long Walk, others say Jackson's The Lottery, but I see obvious connections to Robert Heinlein's Tunnel in the Sky with a hint of Uglies by Westerfeld. Even knowing that it is not so original, I really enjoyed this book and now await the sequel.

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This is a darn good story, especially for those who like sub-plots. There's plenty of action as well as detail in this now-quintessential saga of mafia drama. This may also be one of the few cases where the book, though good, doesn't match the movie. But rather than rhapsodize about the Coppola film, I'd like to laud the book for what it is: popular fiction done very well. If you like gangsters, these are the genuine OG's.

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Don't remember much about it, other than I went right out and read the next three books, so it must have been good. As I recall, I liked the mysterious quality of Rama and our response to it. The social reaction to extra-terrestrial intelligence was also thought provoking. While not essential, this was an enjoyable read, if not a memorable one.

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This book is disturbing, in so many ways. Scott has written a fascinating story, but it leaves the reader feeling raw and filthy. Given the subject, it should come as no surprise that this is a book for older teens and adults. It is also quick and simply told, so struggling readers will be able to enjoy it. If you want a thriller or are curious about what horrors humans can survive, this might be your book. But only if you have a cast iron stomach. If you can't find it, perhaps The Killer's Tears would be a good alternate choice: less graphic, equally thought provoking. When Jeff Comes Home tackles the same topic, with a male victim/protagonist. I've also heard that Meg Tilly's Gemma offers similar content, though in a longer and perhaps more demanding package. Update 12/10 - There are other books about this sort of captivity and control. Emma Donoghue's Room has been getting all sorts of accolades, if you're up for a redux on this subject. Don't know what 'redux' means? Perhaps The Girl in the Box would be a better read-alike.

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Let's just start by saying this is a really solid book. Moore writes great action and has fun playing around with the familiar superhero tropes. He does telegraph his punches, so none of the surprise twists caught me off guard, and the larger the twist, the less the surprise. If I have a complaint, its that there are so many side issues - daddy issues, mommy issues, angry-teammate issues - that the hero world takes a back seat. I wanted more of a straight action-adventure. Then again, Moore is working against straight assumptions, so perhaps that's part of his game. Still, this is really a great coming of age book.

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Great read. A dystopian book that doesn't get bogged down in detailing the future; Shusterman offers up enough background to make it believable, and then he's writing like a man possessed. The story never lets up, the characters are both original and familiar, and each chapter raises genuinely provocative questions about a host of issues. Having found his previous title,Everlost to be disappointing, this has restored my faith in NS. If the harvesting organs for transplant intrigues the reader, I'd suggest Larry Niven's The Long Arm of Gil Hamilton and A Gift From Earth.

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Several of my high school students have told me that this is their favorite Dessen title, and they've read them all. Annabel is a protagonist every teen can project herself into - minor family problems, conflicts with sisters, mother who doesn't get her, a job she doesn't like, has a secret, at times socially connected but at the moment feeling isolated. I enjoyed Dessen's practical approach to these issues, not seeking to solve them completely, but to make their management a reasonable goal. Annabel's new friend, Owen, is particularly enjoyable. He's a little angry, a little obsessive, and a music geek, but likable and completely noble. Instead of saving a damsel in distress, in true 21-century fashion, Owen mentors the princess so that she may save herself. My problem with the book comes from not being the audience Dessen writes to. While the high school girls will eat this up, I (middle-aged man) found it tediously obsessed with explaining every nuance of every character's relationship with every other, and Annabel was so tentative that I struggled to care about her. For thoughtful coming-of-age/teen-problem novel without the melodrama of Ellen Hopkins this is good stuff.

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On page sixteen, twelve-year-old Lakshmi asks her mother, "Why...must women suffer so?" Speaking from wisdom and resignation, Ama replies, "This has always been our fate...simply to endure...is to triumph." For the next 240 pages, Lakshmi endures more than western readers will want to imagine, and her triumphs are bitterly small. Her story is tragic and sad and distressingly common. For readers, McCormick's book is a challenge: just because things are so, must they remain that way? What can we do to make change? Can we do more than endure? What is triumph? The story takes a while to ramp-up, and the first 40 pages will seem slow to readers who don't appreciate a slice of Nepalese mountain life. But the verse-style moves quickly once Lakshmi leaves her village, and it is hard to stop reading her story, as her voice becomes clearer. For a story about child sex-trafficking, "Sold" is honest without being explicit, making it a reasonable choice even for mature middle school audiences.

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For years, this book has been one of the common denominators of students at the high school where I work: guys and girls read it, jocks and geeks read it, and I'm just as likely to see it in the hands of a senior as in the bag of a freshman. While Ellen Hopkins has written other books - and they, too, capture a large readership - this is the book that speaks to an astonishingly broad audience. What sets "Crank" apart from all the other books of this sort - Tweak: Growing Up On Methamphetamines, Smashed: Story of a Drunken Girlhood, Go Ask Alice, The Spectacular Now - and what keeps kids reading it? I don't quite get it myself, but it may have as much to do with the unmistakable voice that comes through the poesm as with the propulsive plot. I'll think about this some more and come back, I'm sure, at some point, but for now let me say that this is a fast look into the insanity of drug addiction. It isn't pretty, it isn't pleasant, but then books about such things generally aren't.

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There are very few books that I wish I hadn't read, and this is one. After loving Invisible Monsters I dove into this, well aware that Mr. Palahniuk is not for the faint of heart. It isn't the repellent anecdotes and nugatory characters that disappointed me, but the ultimate dullness of the whole book. It wasn't scary, it wasn't especially disturbing, it just was flat. I spent several unrecoverable hours of my ever-shortening life reading for no pay off. Yes, there's some impressively gory scenes, but they never added up to an ah-ha. Given the consistently downward trend in reviews of his last few titles, I'm wondering if Palahniuk has jumped the shark. I'm fully in agreement with Palahniuk's claim that, "It's easy to attack and destroy an act of creation. It's a lot more difficult to perform one." He has created some peak reading experiences for me, and I treasure them. "Haunted" wasn't creative for me, and so I'm doubly disappointed.

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Bradbury explains in Zen and the Art of Writing that he was under a good deal of pressure when he cranked out his opus. He used pay typewriters, feeding in dimes that allowed him to compose. I'm sorry; I have a confession. I like that anecdote better than the novel. Surely his anticipation of iPods and wide-screen TV and the decline of reading should be appreciated, but the story just drags. Montag isn't a compelling character. Perhaps the passage of time has stolen some of the flavor from this oft-assigned chestnut.

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This is one heck of a book. The first act really hooked me, sustaining me through some plot twists that many will like, but I found a little too pat. What starts out as a routine teen mystery becomes a nuanced study of love. Werlin's writing is at once accessible and compelling. After reading several dark teen novels, Impossible is a refreshingly uplifting read, even as it drove me to gnaw my nails to the quick.

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Perhaps I was tired and feeling a little raw when I read this in one four-hour sitting, but that isn't the only reason I got a catch in my throat and a drop in my eye. It follows the fairy tale closely, and I still was taken in by this story. This might be a love story that male readers can stomach, even enjoy. Could the female character have been more richly developed? Sure. Could either of the fathers in the book have been more fully-formed? You bet. But I think this is a good story, well told and enjoyable all the way through. I do have a major complaint about how Flinn handles the disability of one character. I know it is YA, but her treatment of blindness just came off as condescending. I don't want a spoiler, so let me just wish for more disabled characters who are also whole people, not damaged goods awaiting repair. And let's hope for more books that flesh such characters out beyond the obvious fact of their difference. This was such a sharp thorn in an otherwise beautiful story. Update 1/8/2011 - Yep, the movie of the same name staring Vanessa Hudgens, Peter Kraus, and Mary-Kate Olsen is an interpretation of Flinn's book.

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Manga isn't my genre, but a student insisted I read this. A quick read that was entertaining. I didn't see what grips fans, but enjoyed it as a diversion.

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First time I read this, I thought it was the weakest of the books. I still think that. It is transitional, taking decidedly darker turns and twists than the three earlier volumes. At 730+ pages, it does feel long, and there are pages of soliloquies in place of story, so it COULD have been much longer. Still, even off her A-game, Rowling is better than most. My seven-year-old loved every word read aloud.

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Just finished my ARC. Devotees of Hopkins' earlier books will not be disappointed; if you don't care for her previous volumes, this won't change your mind. Maternal abandonment, drugs, casual sex, a tragic past, cutting, bulimia, and incest are just the obvious troubles Kaeleigh and Raeanne juggle. Like Identical, the story alternates view points between characters, keeping the plot humming along. There is an interesting sub-plot with a Holocaust rescuer, as well as a teacher-student relationship that believably edges towards inappropriateness. As with her earlier books, the end isn't completely resolved, even with a deus ex machina or two. "Identical" takes chances by rendering a detailed portrait of incest, which makes it a grim, grimmy read, like watching a human train wreck. The actions of the perpetrator aren't glossed over, nor are behaviors of his victims. Fans of Crank and Glass will find some new things to shock and appall, which is what they are looking for. Folks who are bothered by Flowers in the Attic will need to give this one a wide birth.

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An exciting period piece that captures NYC at the turn of the last century, as well as a thrilling investigation. Quite creepy at times, very detailed. Not a casual read for most people, but crime fans might enjoy this change of scenery.

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This isn't Moore's best, but it is a fine, funny, rollicking mystery. The ensemble cast of Pine Cove and the Demon Catch are a quirky and curious lot. There are some good lines and a bit of interesting theology. A Dirty Job is more cohesive, but for a fun beach read, this measures up well.

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This definitely has an appeal. Good pacing and decent characters keep things humming. Fans of the genre will be pleased, and I hope those wandering in a daze over Bella and Edward will find solace, if not sustenance, here. I'm not fully enthusiastic for some minor reasons. Must Clare so frequently describe things as feline? Do her teen protagonists have to be so completely adolescent? Perhaps I'm being a sour puss, as this is fine 'Demon-vampire-werewolf-magic' fare.

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This one started out brilliantly, with action-a-plenty and a snarky-but-appealing protagonist. I confess: I'm one of the clueless adults described in the book who don't appreciate the power of contemporary technology. And there is a wealth of tech information clearly explained throughout, so much that it often reads more like non-fiction. Or perhaps that's because the characters are a little thin and don't develop much. Still, these are minor flaws that don't sink the book as a whole. A good sci-fi / social commentary book.

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This was such an enjoyable read that I wish it had been more than a slim 210 pages. That complaint aside, this is well worth the time of those who like a little supernatural in their real-world. It seems like the kind of book both reluctant and accomplished readers will enjoy, with compelling plot and solid characters unencumbered by too much fancy language. If I wanted to nit-pick, I might say that the 'Hill' kids are a little too stereotypically snotty, the poor protagonists a little too noble. But readers who want a page turner will not notice these trifles, and won't be disappointed by McMann.

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Because of many favorable reviews, I read this with high expectations. In many ways, Reeve lived up to them by delivering a story of solid pacing and easy to follow dramatic action. He quickly constructs a world of mobile cities coursing a post-appocalyptic earth, feeding on each other, the weak falling prey to the strong. His action is brisk, combigining elements of Airborn and "The Terminator" and pirate yarns. If you read for plot, then this may be a book for you. I hesitate to give it more stars because the characters didn't matter to me. The teen protagonists are flat, not even feeling like stereotypes but like place holders. Perhaps it is a result of the third-person narration that I don't know enough about Tom and Hester and Katherine. Or, perhaps I'm expecting more than the target audience of the book demands. Male readers may well love this more than heavily character-driven dystopian tales like Uglies and Unwind. There is some violence, but of the PG sort, making this appropriate for middle school as well as older readers.

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A solid, scary tale, told in first person. Tom begins the story on his family farm but quickly takes on his apprenticeship to the county spook. Many spooky things happen; Tom is tested and tested again. While this isn't as rich in character development as other fantasy series, it is a chilling read. There's nothing here that would be objectionable for older elementary students, but I think younger high school readers will appreciate the Grimm tone of the story as well.

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