Review: Let the Sky Fall

Let the Sky Fall written by Shannon Messenger

Well… to use a not so original pun… this book BLEW me away.  (hehehe)

So I am really enjoying Shannon Messenger’s writing style. I did not enjoy these books as much as I enjoyed the Keeper of the Lost Cities books, however I still really enjoyed them. So far I have read the first two, the third is currently not available on the kindle so I will have to wait. (And I am ok with that.)

This book had a similar premise to Keeper of the Lost Cities, in that a magical being, was hidden from his world within the human world. Which of course leads to a problem of him needing to choose between the worlds.

I thought this book was well written, I liked the characters, I even liked that the main character, who in fairness had just had his world turned upside down was a little bit whiny, and was not just totally accepting of what was happening to him. This felt realistic to me.

I enjoyed the book, I thought it nicely balanced the learning about the world of the Sylphs, alongside the action, and the romance. The three were all important and the story did not get weighed down one way or the other.

This was another case though of being drawn into a trilogy, and ended up using the hotspot on my phone in order to download the next one. She certainly knows how to draw a reader in.

Genre: Adolescent fiction, romance fiction, supernatural fiction

Review: Home Front

Home Front written by Kristin Hannah.

So I am going to start by saying that I loved this book. I cried, through a lot of it!

Interestingly though I just got caught up in reading reviews on goodreads. (Always a dangerous hobby!) So perhaps some of the reason that I enjoyed this book so much is perhaps the more romanticized version of a spouse going away to war. I have no military experience, and living in NZ, do not even have the risk of this, like I feel people living in America do.

However, it tugged on my heartstrings as a mother and I also really enjoyed the information, and court case around PTSD. I think anything that highlights the importance of this, and the effect it can have on anyone, including soldiers is very important.

The PTSD also made the story more interesting, in terms of there was a depth to it, more like The Nightingale. Probably my least favorite character in the book was Betsy. She was a 12 year old, but one that I am not sure was quite realistic, and her acting out drove me insane, especially when it was then contrasted with her being a good big sister.

However, I really liked Tammy and Joleen, and their passion and sense of family. Call me a big softie but I also liked Joleen’s husband at the end, although he left a lot to be desired early on, and I am picking this up as a theme in Kristin Hannah’s books. Currently in close succession I have read three of them, and I would say their big focus or theme is about coming home, and finding yourself. Which is an admirable quality. I think it is easy for women in particular to fall into a role “wife” or “mother” especially, and along the way forget who they are.

Overall it was a book, anything that can make me cry that much is definitely worth a read!

Genre: Fiction, Romance, Contemporary

Review: The Nightingale

The Nightingale Written by Kristin Hannah

This was the fourth book I read on my holiday, after getting caught up in the Fire and Ice Trilogy. I was trying to explain to my husband what I was starting to read, but to be honest I had not really read the blurb. I had read some early Kristin Hannah books when I was a teenager and I told him “she is kind of like Danielle Steel – this will be light reading”.

Boy was I wrong, I am now three books of hers down, and I would liken her more to Jodi Piccoult than to Danielle Steel. Her books are incredibly well written, and so powerful at bringing a story to life.

The Nightingale is set in France during the second world war. I have a history major, and have done a lot of reading around WWII, but this is the first real book that I have read that actually looks at what life was like for those living in France.

The story, which I do understand is fiction, taught me a lot. What I really loved about this book, as I reflected on it afterwards, was that although it dealt with love, it was not a love story. Romance, was not the key binding factor. Instead it was a story about sisters, and about daughters. It was a story about needing to stand up for what is right, and in the process learning for yourself where your line is, and what that means for you.

I also liked the contradiction in the sisters. The rebellious feisty sister, and then the quiet subdued one, the one that openly thought she was not strong. However what the book taught me is that war makes you strong, it makes you do things that you thought were impossible.

I really don’t want to give away the plot. But this book is definitely worth a read, it is powerful beyond measure.

I would love to encourage my year 11 and 12 (and even 13) students to read it, to compare it with books such as The Boy Who Dared, and to look at war not from the normal perspectives, but draw a connection between books about what courage means.

Genre: Historical fiction, War fiction, WWII fiction

Review: Fire and Ice Trilogy (all three books)

So I was fortunate enough to spend my Christmas on a ten day cruise around some of the pacific islands. We had an amazing holiday of sun, food and family time. Of course, naturally this included reading! I read a total of 8 books over 11 days, which is pretty good going when I think about what else I did in that time. So here is the start of the reviews of my holiday reading. It will be interesting, because normally I finish a book and write a review straight away. But here, I have read other books before I write the reviews.

Review: Fire and Ice Trilogy by K F Breene

Initially I bought the first of these book at the same time I read the Keepers of the lost cities series. However, as you know I ended up so engrossed in that there was no room for anything else. As such, perhaps it was not surprising that after that series, I needed to read some single books, I didn’t feel like I had the energy to get caught up in another series. In fact I was so determined that prior to hoping on the cruise ship I only downloaded the first book onto my Kindle. (You can obviously see how well that worked out for me, as I paid a million bucks for internet to download the next two!)

The first book really wowed me. Initially I compared it to The Princess Thieves. It felt like it broke the fourth wall, and was actually laugh out loud funny. The main character Reagan was awesome, and really likable. She reminded me a lot of Buffy, she was all action, and take no prisoners type of girl.

The first book I would hands down give 5 stars. It was awesome.

However, the subplot, which was a romance story felt like it got a bit carried away in books two and three, and overshadowed the main part of the story. What I really liked about book one was how independent Reagan was as a character, she fought against men in particular helping her out. This felt like a contradiction to the third novel where she ‘needed’ a man to bond with.

Also, I struggled with the time. Books one and two took place over a length of time, they were well paced, and interesting. The entirety of book three took place over about two weeks, and it was very fast, and at times I struggled to follow. I am not sure if this is because I had lost my initial spark for the series, or if the story was just not as good.

The twist around Reagan’s magical ability is certainly worth the read!

Overall, I enjoyed the series. I would highly recommend the first book in the series, less so the others, but also understand the draw of the characters to continue reading.

I would recommend for older teenagers, as the sex scenes in books two and three become pretty graphic.

Genre: Paranormal, speculative fiction, Fantasy, Romance

Review: Sold

Sold written by Patricia McCormick

I have read quite a few contemporary books over the past months that have given me insight into what it is like to live in other countries. (Persepolis and Paper Planes as examples) Sold definitely falls into that category. Although this was something I was aware of, the brutally harsh narrative in this book makes it much more real than something you learn about in social studies.

Lakshmi is the star of this book, a delightfully sweet girl who even in the first part of the book has seen harsh realities that no twelve year old should have to deal with. However it is her relationships that keep her going. Her delightful Ama, and her goat Tilly.

Despite the harshness of the life they live you are able to see that they are happy, and there is happiness in the small things. However her stepfathers debt gets too much and so he takes her. The hardest thing at this point is how little she understands about what is happening.

However, despite the harsh situations the book has many sweet moments, the understanding of Lakshmi about the importance of education, and her determination to stay on top of her debt are striking features.

As are her relationships with the other girls. The understanding that even in the hardest of times there is a small light in the tunnel to make things survivable.

I read this book in one sitting. The short chapters written in almost poetic form made it easy. The beautiful way it was written and the harshness that they lived with made me want to keep reading, hoping beyond hope for a happy ending.

I think this book is for older readers, perhaps year 10 and above, and would certainly work well in a connections report.

The book was beautifully written, and I think it is so important to try and have an understanding of what is happening in the world. These are not things that are always covered by the media, and as such novels offer as an insight into what is happening.

Mrs K

Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Adolescent Fiction,

 

Review: Liar

Liar Written by Justine Larbalestier

Liar was bought by another teacher at school, and then read by a good friend first. As such it was brought to the top of my pile of holiday reading, and boy am I glad it was!

The book is about Micah. A teenager girl who by her own admission is a compulsive liar. However when her boyfriend, Zach, dies under strange circumstances she finds herself the center of more attention than she would like. Which challenges her very being.

Told in a very direct narrative style, it feels like we should be sitting around a campfire to be told this story. The direct style makes it feel like Micah is confiding in you. Complete with the idea that she is going to be honest with us. But how does a compulsive liar become honest? How does one tell the difference between the lies and the truth. Certainly as the story goes on we realize this is not a reliable narrator, but that just draws the reader deeper and deeper into the web.

The book was a fascinating thriller, told in three parts. Each part different to the last. The ending was a solid ending, but one that left me as a reader questioning everything, and even doubting what I believe about humanity.

There were some fantastic moments in the text. Some of my favourite quotes come during their ‘Dangerous Words’ class. (Side note – how cool is that? Can we please add this to the classes taught at my school??”)

“Isn’t it mostly books for teenagers and children that get  banned?” … “What is it about writing for teenagers that leads to so much censorship?”

This part enough was enough to make me think. I have always been interested in books that have been banned. In fact I was determined a few years ago to do a thematic unit on it, but struggled to complete it and find texts that I wanted to teach. However the answer given in the book to me really hits the nail on the head. The answer Micah suggests is:

“It’s because grown-ups don’t remember what it was like when they were teenagers. Not Really. They remember something out of a Disney movie and that’s where they want to keep us.”

I can’t help but want to leap up and shout YES! How true is that, while being a teenager has some amazing moments, it is also filled with so much angst. So much anxiety, it is important at this point in your life to fit in, to do things ‘right’. I remember being mortified that in 6th form I was the only one of my friends to not have a date to the ball, yet equally so, in 7th form the only one to have a date! It felt like either way I could not fit in! But when we think back on those years we gloss of the anxiety and the angst and move straight to a romanticized version!  It is one of the reasons why I think literature becomes so important, because it is nice to read about people who are feeling the same as you. Even if their world is totally different from your own, they are relate-able because of the feelings.

I would recommend this book to our year 11 and 12 students. I think it really was a great read, that dealt not just with the key ideas of what it means to be a teenager, but also looked at the essence of truth, and how do you tell one shade of grey from another?

Mrs K

Genre: Thriller, Adolescent Fiction, Teenage Fiction, Fantasy

Review: Where the world Ends

Where the world ends written by Geraldine McCaughrean

This book was recommended to me by a friend. I bought it in hard copy (which is a guilty pleasure) and it sat patiently by my bed while I finished my Carnegie medal shortlist, and then while I had my love affair with Keepers of the Lost Cities. So as such, once I was ready to move on I am so pleased this was the first book I read.

It is haunting. Yet intriguing, offering a glimpse into life and thoughts in 1727 like no other text does.

As I read it I constantly thought of Lord of the Flies. And it certainly has those moments, but is so much more. As a remnant of a society that supports each other, their lord of the flies moments were much less angry and much more supportive. This was a group of boys who was able to find a strong leader who built each one of them up. Who humbly took on the leadership role, rather than fought for it, and who never stopped thinking of the end.

It was interesting as I started, and even the first quarter I was not really sold on the book. In fact spent a lot of time doubting my choice. However once you got passed a certain point there was definitely no going back. And then there is the draw as you wonder what happened that keeps you reading until the end.

It is a very stark and honest reminder of  a different time. And despite being set in Scotland, some of the descriptions of the land are very relatable from New Zealand.

Overall this is a great historical novel. With lots to learn about what we do in certain situations, survival, and leadership, and above all being a person you can be proud of.

I think year 10 rather than year 9 (Sadly because we don’t have many year 9 books!) However it would be great for older readers too – again in connections reports, particularly about isolation, or survival.

Mrs K

Genre: Adolescent fiction, historical fiction

Review: Keeper of the Lost Cities books 4, 5 and 6!

Written By Shannon Messenger

Book 4: Neverseen; Book 5: Lodestar; Book 6: Nightfall

 

WOW! So in the end I have decided to review all these books together. Mostly because I barely stopped in between them, It has taken me eight days to read all three of them but there were at least two or three days in there where I actually had to work!

I legitimately love these books, and could not put them down, while at the same time wanting to savor every moment of them. Which is a strange, yet very pleasant contradiction. I am pleased to say that number 6 is not the last. THANK GOODNESS BECAUSE I HAVE SOOOO MANY QUESTIONS.

The story continued to be compelling and pull me along, desperately needing to know what happened next. I loved some of the deeper themes that were explored in these three books, including the blurred line between friend and foe, and also the needing to embrace darkness in order to win. However not everything was about darkness, more than one character was able to accept that Sophie perhaps was the spark of change the cities needed, and from that we get the spark of hope.

“Sometimes things have to get worse before they get better.”

I love these two quotes! The first one which reeks of hope, and the second one which shows the darkness that they have all become so familiar with. Probably the only thing that leeches so much of the hope away for me is when you stop to consider how young these people are. But that is not uncommon in adolescent fiction, and many many other texts do the same! (Think Hunger Games, Divergent, Maze Runner, The Giver…)

“It’s all a rather dark shade of gray. But that’s a color all of us are familiar with, aren’t we?”

The love triangles kind of got a bit much for me by book six. But I am happy to concede that there is a good chance that that is because I am reading this book as an adult rather than a teenager.

“Sooner or later you’re going to have to solve the triangle. Or should we get real and call it a square?”

I think the character development in book six is absolutely phenomenal. I really enjoyed the way that characters changed, and embraced both their light and dark sides, including Bronte and Grady. 

“Fine, but you should at least have to write an epic poem in my honor. Here, I’ll help you. “Ode to Keefe Sencen, that brave lovable nut. He may not have teal eyes, but he has a really cute,”
“KEEFE”!”

I think we should all take a moment to truly  appreciate Keefe. His sense of mischief and trouble, and his sense of humor is an amazing asset to the story. My first thoughts were that he did not really develop much as a character, but the more I think about it the more he did change, fighting desperately against what everyone thought showed him to be an amazingly genuine character.

Let’s note I deliberately chose quotes from Lodestar – because I do not want to be responsible for any spoilers!

My house will now be getting a thorough cleaning, because I am not quite ready yet to launch into a new book, I want to live in and surround myself with Sophie’s world just a little bit longer! Fall 2018 seems a very long time away!

On Shannon Messengers website she has some curriculum ideas for these books. While our school year has just finished I think I would definitely like to use some chapters as writing prompts, because there are some really excellent ideas there that have my mind whirring!

I still think years 9 – 11, but there is definitely room for a deeper discussion at a higher level, especially about some of those themes I have touched on.

Basically… if you still have not started this series you need to do so now!!

Mrs K

Genre: Adolescent fiction, teenager fiction, fantasy, adventure

Review: Keeper of the Lost Cities #3 Everblaze

Everblaze (Keeper of the Lost Cities book three) by Shannon Messenger.

Three books in the series in three days. I am still loving this series, so much so that rather

than a blog with a critical review this is starting to feel like some kind of fan girl crazy obsessed thing going on!

About half way through this book I wondered if I was done with the series, and if it had lost it’s hold on me – but then I came back with a bang at the ending, and just have to clean my house before I start book four!

I like that book three has in many ways wrapped up the first of the story arcs, and we will obviously have quite a shift for book four. In that way, it almost reads like two trilogies rather than one series of six. However the story is as captivating as ever.

Sophie continues to be a great narrator, and an incredibly trustworthy one. Her friends also develop a lot more in this book, which is some really nice character development. As well as this Sophie’s parents also develop a little more awareness and come out of their haze, which was also nice character development.

The action scenes continue to be really well written and I enjoyed them immensely. Also… can we just take a moment to appreciate Keefe and the humour he brings to the book? He manages to lighten the most series of situations, which is definitely his special talent!

“And I’m the only one with a plan,” Fitz reminded them.
“Hey- I’ve got plans,” Keefe argued.
“Plans that don’t involve tormenting Dame Alina,” Fitz clarified.
“But those are always the best plans!”

I just paused in my writing to read some goodreads reviews  I was after some ideas which might provoke a little more of a critical response, but it seems that others love this series just as much as I do.

You can read my book one review here and my book two review here.

Now I am off to clean my house so I can start book four!!

Mrs K

Genre: Adolescent fiction, action, drama, adventure, speculative fiction

Review: Keeper of the lost cities #2 Exile

Keeper of the lost cities #2; Exile. Written by Shannon Messenger

It has been a long time since I read a book and instantly had to launch into the second book. But this series is definitely one of those!  I loved the first book so much I instantly bought the second, and finished it less than 24 hours later.

The characters continue to develop, like any good school story they start a new school year, although a lot of the action in this book happens away from the school, however it is there enough to satisfy that part of me.

The overarching story-line is really compelling, however there is enough going on within anyone book to control my curiosity and keep me in the moment.

Further mythical elements were added in this book which I totally loved. It feels almost a little over the top writing a review of this book when I have fallen in love so much I am not sure I am still objective!

With my teacher hat on I continue to love Sophie as our narrator, she is reliable, we can connect with her, and she feels really genuine. I was probably disappointed that we got less Dex in this book, and less Fitz, however this is only upon reflection, I did not notice it while reading.

As an edit I have to add my favorite quote from his book:

You’d be surprised how powerful hope can be, Sophie.

I got super excited when I read this line, I think, if I cast my mind back to other books that is one of the things that really matters to me as a reader, the characters having a chance for hope, and to make things better. Despite the sometimes grim episodes that Sophie endures, there is always hope that ultimately everything will be OK.

The story continue to be compelling and unique, and I can’t wait to go and curl up with book number three!

As a random observation, I am still not in love with the cover artwork, and I probably never would have picked this series up from a bookshop shelf! Guess there is a benefit to e-books after-all!

The age appropriate question is an interesting one – what I love about the series is the ‘goodness’ of it. The main characters are 12 and 13, and while they are interested in boys, there is no sex, drugs, alcohol or bad language. It has a pure kind of quality to it.

Mrs K

Genre: Teenage fiction, adolescent fiction, speculative fiction, adventure, school series, series,