Luxe was recommended in by several of the magazines I read for book reviews. Interestingly, as sometimes happens, each reviewer recommended it for different grades. This usually means the content is slightly risque, thus making it is difficult for the reviewers to agree.
I was intrigued, especially since one reviewer said it was a great read for those looking for more mature fair to Lisi Harrison's Clique series. I have only read two books in the Clique series and I don't even recall which ones they were. I really didn't care for them. I felt they were trite and simply written. However, a series I did like, which is also similar is Kate Brian's Private series. Plus, in the Clique the "bad" girls tend to get away with being bad. At least in the Private series, there are consequences for actions - good and bad. Private is not really appropriate for middle school, but I would still recommend it.
This new creation on the privileged girl theme, I really did like. As usual with historical fiction, I looked at this book trying to find historical inaccuracies in costume or events. However, these books seem fairly historically accurate, even though the language and actions are at times out of character for the time period.
These books are being written as a series. The first book Luxe follows Elizabeth Holland, one of two daughters born into one of New York's oldest families, through few days of her life culminating in her "death". Actually, the book begins with her funeral. Don't let this stop you from reading this book. The story quickly progresses in a decidedly wicked fashion of exposing her best friend to be actually trying to sabotage her recent engagement to the "hottest" and "best" catch of the season Henry Schoonmaker. It does have some racy moments and alludes to some risky sexual behavior, there is nothing graphic or detailed. These risky behaviors are similar to those in Twilight by Stephanie Meyer. If you are ready for something more mature and like the privileged bad girl theme, I would recommend these books.
Oh, BTW, I read this book on my Kindle. I do have a copy in the library, but would like one or more two readers before adding to the collection. Talk to me if you are interested in being one of the first at Los Cerros to read this book.
Ms. Davis, Sedona, & "Coper" Copernicus
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Series: Uglies, Pretties, & Specials by Scott Westerfeld
This series begins with Uglies and follows Tally in all three books. As stated previously, I rarely will read all the books in a series; however, this series was worth reading all three. There is a fourth related book - Extras, but I haven't read that one yet....
The setting for these books is a futuristic dystopian society after a biological catastrophe that has destroyed many of the cities and people on the planet. You slowly learn that the survivors have formed cities, much like the ancient Greek city states. Each city is autonomous and has little to do with each other. Tally only wants to be old enough to become "pretty" and live in New Pretty Town. Shay her best friend has other plans. They enjoy sneaking into New Pretty Town to spy on the "pretties".
Eventually, Tally learns that there are others. They have no desire to be pretty. They have escaped to the wilderness to avoid becoming pretty. Although Tally wants to be pretty, she follows Shay to join The Smoke, where David lives. Both Shay and Tally like David and are vieing for his affections.
In fact, the interplay between these three drives the stories in all three books and how Tally works her way through her guilt, desires, and others blackmailing her.
This series is a great read for everyone. I highly recommend this series.
The setting for these books is a futuristic dystopian society after a biological catastrophe that has destroyed many of the cities and people on the planet. You slowly learn that the survivors have formed cities, much like the ancient Greek city states. Each city is autonomous and has little to do with each other. Tally only wants to be old enough to become "pretty" and live in New Pretty Town. Shay her best friend has other plans. They enjoy sneaking into New Pretty Town to spy on the "pretties".
Eventually, Tally learns that there are others. They have no desire to be pretty. They have escaped to the wilderness to avoid becoming pretty. Although Tally wants to be pretty, she follows Shay to join The Smoke, where David lives. Both Shay and Tally like David and are vieing for his affections.
In fact, the interplay between these three drives the stories in all three books and how Tally works her way through her guilt, desires, and others blackmailing her.
This series is a great read for everyone. I highly recommend this series.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
I couldn't help myself. After reading The Hunger Games (see my previous post), I had to read Catching Fire. Especially because a copy arrived the next day from Junior Library Guild and because it was not already spoken for by one of my students. Although I didn't have to wait for the this book, it would have definitely been worth the wait. I sure hope the next one will be.
Even though some of Catching Fire was predictable, the story still managed to keep me intrigued with new twists and turns. Haymitch, Peeta, and Katniss are all having to deal with the Quarter Quell. These are the Hunger Games that happen every twenty-five years. Haymitch was the winner at the last Quarter Quell - the 50th games. Meanwhile the capitol is planning for Peeta and Katniss to marry. In fact, President Snow makes a very threatening visit to Katniss to make sure that she is serious about Peeta. However, is she serious? Gale is a more prominent character in this book even though he doesn't have much page time.
The surprise for me was the ending of course, but also getting the bigger picture of Katniss' mother and some of her upbringing and relationships outside the Seam. District 12 and it's citizens are a big part of this book as are the victors from previous Hunger Games.
Oh, not to spoil anything, but this book abruptly ends like the last. Suzanne Collins' writing reminds me of the old serial movies my dad watched when he was a teen. Where the characters are thrown into an impossible cliff hanger. He had to spend another ten cents next week to find out what will happen to his favorite characters. So, like my dad I have to wait for the next book. HURRY, hurry Suzanne Collins! It is going to be a difficult wait to find out what awaits Katniss in the next book. Maybe I should start her other series The Underland Chronicles - Gregor the Overlander?
Listen to this post as a podcast!
Even though some of Catching Fire was predictable, the story still managed to keep me intrigued with new twists and turns. Haymitch, Peeta, and Katniss are all having to deal with the Quarter Quell. These are the Hunger Games that happen every twenty-five years. Haymitch was the winner at the last Quarter Quell - the 50th games. Meanwhile the capitol is planning for Peeta and Katniss to marry. In fact, President Snow makes a very threatening visit to Katniss to make sure that she is serious about Peeta. However, is she serious? Gale is a more prominent character in this book even though he doesn't have much page time.
The surprise for me was the ending of course, but also getting the bigger picture of Katniss' mother and some of her upbringing and relationships outside the Seam. District 12 and it's citizens are a big part of this book as are the victors from previous Hunger Games.
Oh, not to spoil anything, but this book abruptly ends like the last. Suzanne Collins' writing reminds me of the old serial movies my dad watched when he was a teen. Where the characters are thrown into an impossible cliff hanger. He had to spend another ten cents next week to find out what will happen to his favorite characters. So, like my dad I have to wait for the next book. HURRY, hurry Suzanne Collins! It is going to be a difficult wait to find out what awaits Katniss in the next book. Maybe I should start her other series The Underland Chronicles - Gregor the Overlander?
Listen to this post as a podcast!
Saturday, October 3, 2009
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Wow! This book had me sitting on the edge of my seat. The setting is a futuristic dystopian society in North America. You have the sense that something has gone terribly wrong. The book is told in first person as a sort of memoir by Katniss Everdeen girl tribute from District 12 to the 74th Hunger Games.
The Hunger Games were started in the nation of Panem as a reminder to the districts to never rise against the Capitol again. In fact, there used to be 13 districts, but the capitol obliterated District 13. Now every year each district must send two tributes, a boy and girl, to the hunger games. The hunger games are not merely a game they are a battle to the death that is televised across the nation. Every citizen must watch, including the families of the tributes. These games reminded me of our reality shows on TV now and made me think of the gladiator games in Ancient Rome. Like the gladiator games the hunger games are horrific. However, the violence isn't any worse than what is currently shown on TV. Plus, to boost ratings the Gamemakers will contrive to make the games more interesting by creating extra obstacles, like feast days. These days promise food and items the competitors will need and want, but are designed in a way to bring the tributes in close proximity, so that they can pick each other off.
I can hardly wait to read the recently released sequel Catching Fire. Suzanne Collins is also the writer of the Overlander Series. I am thinking that I need to pick up one of these to read. She is a great writer.
The Hunger Games were started in the nation of Panem as a reminder to the districts to never rise against the Capitol again. In fact, there used to be 13 districts, but the capitol obliterated District 13. Now every year each district must send two tributes, a boy and girl, to the hunger games. The hunger games are not merely a game they are a battle to the death that is televised across the nation. Every citizen must watch, including the families of the tributes. These games reminded me of our reality shows on TV now and made me think of the gladiator games in Ancient Rome. Like the gladiator games the hunger games are horrific. However, the violence isn't any worse than what is currently shown on TV. Plus, to boost ratings the Gamemakers will contrive to make the games more interesting by creating extra obstacles, like feast days. These days promise food and items the competitors will need and want, but are designed in a way to bring the tributes in close proximity, so that they can pick each other off.
I can hardly wait to read the recently released sequel Catching Fire. Suzanne Collins is also the writer of the Overlander Series. I am thinking that I need to pick up one of these to read. She is a great writer.
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