REVIEW: PITCH GREEN (DIMENSIONS IN DEATH, #1) BY THE BROTHERS WASHBURN

Published by Jolly Fish Press, 2013. Trade paperback, 280 pgs
Genre: Young Adult Horror/Mystery
Disclaimer:
*I was kindly provided an e-Pub version of this novel by Jolly Fish Press in exchange for an honest review*.
This title is currently an Amazon Kindle special for October #Spookreadinggoals for $1.99 if interested Link here to purchase!

    During this spooky time of year, I was hankering for a creepy read. Somehow I had managed until mid-month without one. Just in time, I received a nice email from the folks of Jolly Fish Press, asking if I would be interested in reviewing a book. After perusing the titles, I was initially attracted to the green and black imagery of the Pitch Green cover, as well as the story description. This is the first book in a three book series, with book two currently available as well, Mojave Green. I also found the author bios of the Washburn brothers quite interesting, and thought it would be so fun to collaborate with a sibling to write your dream story.

     Cammy and some younger children are trick-or-treating in their old mining town of Trona, California. Cammy is the oldest, so has designated herself to babysit the little ones of the group. Her best friend Cal's little brother, Hughie, has dressed as a ghost and lags behind as they are walking. A quick distraction later, Hughie has disappeared and the case is never solved. The reader is then moved forward seven years to the aftermath of this tragedy, and how Cal and Cammy are moving forward. The mystery of these recurring childhood disappearances is brought to the surface again, and the two are pulled into the investigation. 

     I'm predisposed to like any old mansion or motel setting. I liked the addition of the decrepit, sulfuric smelling mining town to add to the icky feels. Any reader who passes factories or lives near one on a daily basis can relate to the stench! The permeating stink affects ones mood and the town surroundings. I also liked how the authors touched on how grief touches everyone differently- while some wallow in guilt and self-doubt, others sweep their emotions under the proverbial rug and thrown themselves into every activity.

     I think this a good story for a young adult reader. I'm in my early thirties, and it is particularly hard to scare me, so I'm a bit of a tough customer for this genre. I didn't care too much for the italicized paragraphs of the monster's bloodthirsty thoughts in between the regular narrative. It is straightforward that it is some kind of monster. I felt it would have been more climactic and mysterious without them. Having children of my own, a vanishing child is enough to terrify me-I don't need the additional goading to be scared. I also like subtle psychological horror best. However, I feel it would have been fun for a young teenage reader who hasn't had that life experience. I appreciated that this is an appropriate level for it's age group. There is death and some blood, but otherwise a tame romantic element and little harsh language.

    This was a fast-paced read and would appeal to those who like a good old- fashioned monster book. There is good setup for the following story. If you loved Goosebumps, this will be one you want to pick up. Thanks again to Jolly Fish Press, and I look forward to seeing what the Brothers Washburn produce next.

REVIEW: THE RAVEN BOYS BY MAGGIE STIEFVATER

Published by Scholastic, 2012. Hardcover, 408 pgs

      Blue Sargent's family is full of seers and fortune tellers. While she doesn't share these abilities, she amplifies energy and enhances her relative's psychic powers. Every year on St. Mark's Eve (April 24), she and her mom (in one case her aunt) travel to the church graveyard and wait for the parade of near dead souls- those who will die in the coming year. This year Blue actually sees someone in the graveyard for the first time. This boy, Gansey, is from the prep school Aglionby. The school mascot is the Raven. Through a series of events, Blue becomes involved with these Raven Boys to satisfy some of her curiosities, and becomes their friend. I can't take credit for this since I saw it on an Amazon review, but it's accurate: "This book is like if Edgar Allan Poe taught the boys from The Dead Poets Society." 

       I love books featuring fortune telling. It can be a tricky writing subject, because if not told in a certain way, it can sound campy and completely absurd. I listened to Jodi Piccoult's Leaving Time on audio and loved the story of a young girl trying to find her missing mom through a fortune teller. Stiefvater also delivered in writing a quirky, heartfelt family who just happened to have these psychic abilities. I loved all her crazy aunts and cousins at 300 Fox Way. Also, here's a random lovely quote: "She recognized the strange happiness that was sometimes so big it felt like sadness. It was the way she felt when she looked at the stars."

      I'm from Virginia, and always appreciate reading about this location and the beautiful surrounding mountains. Since privileged characters can leave the reader feeling cold, I think it's important for the author to make them distinguishable in some way to make us care. In this case, Stiefvater creates Gansey, a boy bent on finding ley lines- invisible energy lines that connect spiritual places. An eclectic interest indeed! "From his father, Gansey had gotten a head for logic, an affection for research, and a trust fund the size of most state lotteries." I liked Gansey and his friend Adam immediately, but also disliked the Lynch brothers (Declan and Ronan) from the start. Big props to Stiefvater for addressing the issue of money and the class system in a heartfelt way through Adam. Money can create an unintentional divide among friends, and whether wealthy or poor, everyone has their own awful crap to deal with. 

    Blue's relationship with Maura (her mom) was of particular interest to me. Blue says when she is expected to do something it is never demanded, but the question is "phrased more as an imperative." Another scene in the kitchen where her mother is quiet "in that heavy way that was louder than talking"could describe a lot of tense teenage girl/mother mornings and interactions.

     I highly recommend this book. I found it unique, and I cared about all the characters so much that I would have been really sad if they died. This might seem a callous barometer, but some characters being killed off doesn't bother me in any way (besides kids and animals of course!). I do have one complaint. I must say I wasn't crazy about the supernatural story line. I found it a bit odd that people would go to such lengths for the reasons given. I felt it was silly and too contrived- but I liked the characters so much I forgave it, even though it probably dropped the star rating from a 5 to a 4. Looking forward to book 2- Dream Thieves!

REVIEW: GRACELING BY KRISTIN CASHORE

Published by Harcourt, 2008. Hardcover, 471 pgs

      In this first installment of a Young Adult Fantasy trilogy, our main character Katsa has an extreme talent for killing. In this culture, anyone with an inherent gift and eyes of two different colors possesses a "Grace" and is known as a Graceling. Katsa despises that she is under the employ of her uncle Randa, King of the Middluns. Her assigned tasks include punishing those who have bothered the king in any way, whether that be removing fingers or being an executioner. Wishing to use her gift for combat in an honorable way as well, she embarks on covert side jobs to protect and free oppressed peoples in other kingdoms. Upon meeting Prince Po, a young man also Graced with fighting skills, her life changes in unexpected ways as she discovers more about her abilities.
     I really enjoyed this. It's been on my TBR for awhile, and I was happy when it was chosen for me to read by my BookBuddyAThon partner, Felica. This fulfilled one of five challenges in a readathon I participated in on YouTube, particularly reading a book your friend gave five stars. I really liked the world building and the characteristics of the seven kingdoms, as well as the strong female lead. She reminded me a lot of Lia from Kiss of Deception by Mary E Pearson, in that she rebelled against the life set out for her.
       I preferred Po a bit more than Katsa. Along with her gifts, her level of angst and bad temperament could be grating (even though this was resolved by the middle to end of the book). While the Graceling talents could feel convenient for the situations sometimes, I liked the progression of the story-and it was incredibly well-paced! Po is so well-drawn because Cashore makes him seem genuinely humbled that Katsa's talents are often superior, and he's refreshing because he doesn't feel threatened. Other authors attempt this, but often I think it feels forced.
       This was a great story, quite jealous at the selection of wonderful YA options available for teens today. I've always been a voracious reader, but would have been more so at a younger age with this kind of diverse content. Two thumbs up!

REVIEW: AFTERWORLDS BY SCOTT WESTERFELD

Published by Simon Pulse (division of Simon & Schuster Children's), 2014. Hardback, 599 pgs.

I've heard mixed reviews of Westerfeld's Uglies and Leviathan series, and have some issues with YA contemporary stories in general. However, I was intrigued because I love books that discuss the publishing industry, and this one has the added component of containing a story within a story. This is semi-paranormal Young Adult and features our main character Darcy Patel, a high school senior who has landed a publishing contract for her teen novel Afterworlds. In lieu of college, she heads to New York City to pursue her dream of becoming a writer.
From Goodreads:
 Told in alternating chapters is Darcy's novel, a suspenseful thriller about Lizzie, a teen who slips into the 'Afterworld' to survive a terrorist attack. But the Afterworld is a place between the living and the dead and as Lizzie drifts between our world and that of the Afterworld, she discovers that many unsolved - and terrifying - stories need to be reconciled. And when a new threat resurfaces, Lizzie learns her special gifts may not be enough to protect those she loves and cares about most.

I enjoyed the NYC component, the agent and editing process, the networking events where Darcy meets fellow debut and seasoned authors alike, and how social media ties into the marketing scheme to promote a novel. I loved the book tour sections. I learned the term "flap monkey"- which is a person who helps move a signing line along by taking books and tucking flaps into title pages for the signature. A media escort from the airport and around town is immensely helpful. I also learned the significance and difference between a full and half title page. I wonder how much of this section was gleaned from Westerfeld's own experiences, and I'd imagine quite a bit. There are also cat references, which I believe should receive bonus points in any book. 

I appreciated that Darcy was from India, even though cultural references were a bit sparse except for references to her parent's Hindu religion in aspects of Afterworlds, namely Yamaraj. Darcy felt very real to me with her insecurities- she grappled with feeling like a "real author", and expected to be exposed as a fraud at any moment. She also struggles with the difficulty a lot of writers face when nailing an ending, and how to balance editor and publisher suggestions with your own creative integrity.

As much as I enjoyed the aforementioned, I found a good bit of the book fraught with problems. We have bad romantic dialogue...."I didn't tell him his touch was electric." Of course you didn't sweetheart, because it's dumb. We also have the cliche sparks, heat, and fire from said encounter. These parts are  "written" by Darcy who is 18, so perhaps this should be forgiven? Maybe Westerfeld is just trying to explain things from a young girl's perspective. Unfortunately, this is also problematic. Westerfeld's writing of women in this novel just felt a little clunky, particularly in thoughts and descriptions. However, he did have some good one-liners. 

Also, Lizzie in Afterworlds has just gone through a traumatizing terror attack where dozens of people die. I realize teenagers are extremely resilient, but she barely seems upset, and certainly doesn't suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. She carries on with life (albeit changed into a psychopomp-you'll have to read the book to find out what that is! Spoiler-free review after all:-). No visions, nightmarish thoughts, troubled internal dialogue. I've never experienced trauma but this seemed highly unrealistic and very strange. 

Lastly, Darcy's existence in New York City is highly unrealistic. There is a joke that she will run out of money early but caution is thrown to the wind for an exorbitant rental (this IS definitely realistic), and is supposedly going to subsist on a $17-per-day budget eating ramen noodles. Umm, what?? Since this novel doesn't span three years I suppose this plot point didn't have to be worked out (unless this turns into a series). 

While I enjoyed many aspects, the problems brought this down to three stars. I think people will enjoy this as a fast-paced informative read about certain parts of publishing, if they can cast a blind eye to some writing flaws. The book benefited from the story within a story as well, even though I don't think each could have stood alone.  

REVIEW: SECONDS BY BRYAN LEE O'MALLEY

Published by Ballantine Books, 2014. Hardcover, 322 pgs

This is the first graphic novel I've ever read to completion besides The Arrival by Shaun Tan (which is wordless). I'm not into the superhero genre, but I suppose that's unfair as I've never given it a chance. I always wanted to explore this medium of reading, but never found a topic that interested me enough to take the plunge.

While the artwork style wasn't my favorite, I loved the premise. Katie is a young chef who runs a popular restaurant. Wanting a change of scenery and pace, she sets her sights on opening a new property. However, a series of pitfalls occurs (as is often in these cases), and her once happy new direction is starting to look pretty glum. When a mysterious girl appears on her dresser in the middle of the night and offers a quick fix by means of a drawer filled with magical mushrooms, Katie accepts the opportunity to change her luck for the better.
The rules she must follow:
1. Write down her mistake in a notebook
2. Ingest one mushroom
3. Go to sleep
4. Wake anew

Needless to say, the quickest fix is fraught with issues and the story follows Katie as she tries to navigate all the unintentional revisions she's made to her life. 

Previous work experience in restaurants and having a brother-in-law who owns his own, I believe this story realistically explored food service issues, especially pertaining to owners and chefs. There is a level of frustration when forced to rely on a younger and younger workforce, high turnover, and dealing with mundane (but necessary) business details when you just want to be in the kitchen.

I loved the food images when reading the list of menu items. It made me feel like I could step into the pages and order a dish. I usually enjoy forming my own image of a place or character from description, but it was nice to see a visual layout of the restaurant. This helped with the flow of the story, especially to immerse you in the restaurant world.

The concept of life being rewritten every evening was really entertaining. As you can imagine, there were themes of pushing your luck and unintended consequences. Of course, changing the past is fundamentally flawed, even with initial good intentions. I flew through this in a couple hours, which was a bit of a bummer because I wanted more. One day I will take the time to analyze the art a little more carefully, since I'm sure most graphic novels benefit from a closer examination of the illustrations. I would recommend this to any reader 16+. There were a few steamy scenes (no nudity, and they are cartoonish characters, but you know what's going on!). Really happy my library had a copy!

Final Rating:

REVIEW: LEGACY OF KINGS BY ELEANOR HERMAN

**I received this e-ARC from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review- all thoughts and opinions are my own**
Published by Harlequin Teen, expected Aug 25, 2015. Hardcover, 384 pgs. 

SUMMARY:
When I went to Book Expo America this year, I encountered a woman near the restrooms decked out in full Queen regalia. Intrigued, I later realized said lady was Eleanor Herman, signing Advanced Review Copies of Legacy of Kings in the Harlequin teen booth. Unfortunately, I was scheduled to be in lines on both days she was doing signings, so was pleased as punch to receive a Net Galley approval for this title.

Also, I just read a book called The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton and it was fabulous, so reading two Eleanor's in a row seemed auspicious.

First in a new series called Blood of Gods and Royals, this Historical Fiction/Fantasy Young Adult novel is a retelling of Alexander the Great. Herman focuses on several sets of characters in different Kingdoms to highlight how Alexander first showed signs of greatness in battle, how his relationships affected his leadership and perceptions, and his coming of age to be one of the most spectacular Conqueror's and Tacticians the world has ever seen.
Goodreads Description

CHARACTERS: The first scene worried me- Kat and Jacob, friends since birth in the small village of Erissa, get gushy immediately. There were "shivers" and "body tingles" in the first few pages. There also seemed to be a good deal of Gale and Katniss throwback from The Hunger Games. Most obviously in Kat's name, the mimicking of "he's not just my dorky childhood friend anymore" sentiments, and finally that both duos are heading to bloody tournaments! Luckily Kat and Jacob get separated for most of the story, so this annoyance went away quickly (but could possibly resume later).

Also, there is a Tyrrhian dwarf named Timaeus. This could have been a strange coincidence, but Game of Thrones is so popular for Tyrion Lannister (also a dwarf!) that I was surprised the author went with this name choice. Call me nitpicky, but similar character traits, as well as extremely similar name association from very current popular shows and books, seems to detract in my humble opinion. Perhaps she was paying homage, or maybe it was unintentional? Not sure.

I liked the strong female characters in Alexander's sister Cynane, Kat with her animal magic, the Persian Zofia, and even the evil but fascinating Olympias. Herman was wonderful in her portrayal of women in this time....the majority having no value besides being sexual playthings or child-bearers for the kingdom. As stated in one section, they often "Lead lives of frustration, boredom, and resentment."

Herman is ambitious with her characters, and this will be conducive to fleshing out the series in the future.

WRITING: The writing is not highly literary, but it suits the story and is incredibly atmospheric- which is a huge requirement for this type of book. My favorite expositions were on the elements of magic and the battle between Gods and Monsters. I was happy she gave reasons and explanations for the magic. When this element is left intentionally vague in other books, like a "you're supposed to reach your own conclusion" situation, it mostly feels (fairly or unfairly) like the author had trouble articulating the magic in the first place. Kudos Herman!!

WORLD BUILDING: I was totally engrossed in this Empire. The historical tidbits felt real, especially the smell of incense in the markets, the descriptions of places in the palace like the Royal Laundry, and the evocative rituals and ancient magics. Very hypnotic!

PACING: The book excels in pacing, particularly the battle scenes. The action moves along appropriately and doesn't feel rushed or overly lengthy. I always felt like I knew who was fighting who, the location and progress of battle, and who was winning. I appreciated the ease of reading these sections. There was good handling of what can often be tedious, violent scenes. War is by nature violent (I know reader, I'm laying down shocking, brand new info here!) but Herman managed well and didn't linger excessively on gruesome details.

PLOT: Political intrigue and battles are not new topics, but my forays into this category are usually the World War II time period variety, so I quite enjoyed my jaunt to 340 B.C. Herman is a Historian and this is evident in the mixture of real facts with the sprinkling of fiction. There was lots of information she had to sift through and I thought it was a job well done in picking and choosing what was relevant to her narrative.

FINAL RATING: 4 STARS. These days I seem to go into Young Adult with trepidation. I'm happy to say I was pleasantly surprised with this story, especially the strength of the last half in setting up for future books. Herman paced her story better than a lot of my recent fantasy reads, the characters were well-crafted, and I liked the period detail and magic.

In Herman's acknowledgements, she makes mention of  how "The most cunningly crafted novels are an easy read, which can lead to the mistaken belief that very little skill is required." While this might seem a touch self-indulgent, I found this to be utterly true in her work. The book felt easy and pleasurable to read, but not because of being simple or watered down- just a capable author handling an epic story. Keep a lookout for this one, I predict it will be popular in the fall. The second installment is already slated for September 2016. I look forward to seeing the buzz and reviews, and will likely continue the series.

REVIEW: The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson

Published by Tor, 2013. Hardback, 370 pages

SUMMARY: Joel has always dreamed of being a Rithmatist. Rithmatists have the power to bring two-dimensional drawings to life, defending people against merciless chalklings (who are unleashed by an unknown source). Chalklings are evil creations whose intent is to kill. Joel befriends a young girl Melody, and together they end up helping Professor Fitch with the scandalous and mysterious disappearances of students. This is all you should know, as it is more enjoyable going into the book blind.

WRITING: Brandon Sanderson is one of my new favorite authors. I appreciate his magic systems, world building, and all-over creative talent. I loved just about all facets of the story. The only teeny thing that bugged me were the names of the United Isles (the fantasy world's version of the United States). Georgiabama and Cincinnatus are prime examples. Some of the states we know in the US stayed the same, like Texas and Tennessee. I realize this was intended for geographic familiarity, but I would have preferred wholly original names.

CHARACTERS: The characters perfectly fit with the story. In the beginning a bully tells Joel (the main character) "You have to admit, everyone treats you pretty well here. You've got a good life. Nobody picks on you." Gee, how sweet. You're an outcast, but at least you aren't tortured. The elite high school pecking order is an annoying reality in this novel. Sanderson cleverly shows how this behavior can make the bullied party prone to treating others poorly as well- partially as a way to compensate, and also passing on the learned behavior. Joel does this to Melody, is quickly shamed, and never makes the mistake again.

I ended up liking Joel and his earnest passion for Rithmatics, Melody for her sweet, eccentric charm, Professor Fitch for his quiet dignity and intelligence, and Principal York for having great morals and always doing what was in the students' best interest.

PLOT: The story is very well-developed and fits in that rare category of being not just suitable, but enjoyable for all ages. It would appeal to any kid who likes math, enjoys a good puzzle or mystery, and/or is artistic in any way. Geometry was one of my worst subjects in school and I was still utterly sucked in by the chalkling theory, history, and illustrations.

Example of awesome sketches:

PACING: I would recommend this to any reader, particularly those who tried Sanderson's Mistborn trilogy and found the pace quite slow. It has the same great sense of imagination, but is much faster paced. As in Mistborn, I'm not entirely sure I 100% understand the magic, but no matter because it was SO MUCH FUN and is slated to be a series.

WORLD BUILDING: I enjoyed the steam punk aspects- horses replaced with springwork beasts (fully functional with gears that click and twist), the innovative transportation method of traveling through springrail, and the lanterns. Armedius Academy was fully imagined, and I felt like I had a keen sense of the world with the added illustrations.

FINAL RATING: 5 STARS
I'm glad Sanderson initially wrote this book as a creative diversion from his current project. Once he finished Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series, he revisited and revised this story. It was his first foray into the Young Adult genre, and coupled with the spectacular illustrations by Ben McSweeney (my favorite were the fighting unicorns!), I think he knocked it out of the park. This book is especially distinctive in that I could read it in any mood and find the story enjoyable. It could be classified as a "lighter read", but still had depth and attention to detail that is often reserved for more "literary novels". I'm reviewing this two days after finishing, and am still realizing brilliant things the novel accomplished- in addition to being such a fun experience. For example, the attached reading and activity guide would be a great resource for schools. It is perfect for sparking ideas through artistic projects. I can't wait for my girls to read it in a few years. Luckily, Sanderson is prolific and the abruptness of the ending lends itself to a series continuation.

REVIEW: FROM A DISTANT STAR BY KAREN MCQUESTION

Published by Skyscape (division of Amazon) 269 pages, release date May 19, 2015

**DISCLOSURE: I was provided a copy of this novel by the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own**

*Big thanks to Karen McQuestion for selecting me to read her book. She was very kind and I appreciated the thought. She has written other novels for children and adults, including her highly acclaimed YA Urban Fantasy series called Edgewood about four teenage super heroes. Also, she acknowledges bloggers as the "unsung heroes of the publishing world" in her Acknowledgement section of this book....and that means quite a lot to this small reviewer!

SUMMARY:
Emma and Lucas are two Wisconsin teenagers in love. However, tragedy has struck and the normally vibrant and athletic Lucas has terminal cancer. His organs are shutting down as Emma keeps a vigil at this bedside, with frequent run-ins with his mother, Mrs. Walker. Mysteriously, Lucas begins to get better. This happens to correspond with a suspicious crash of a disc-like object on the farm's property. As agents come to investigate the disturbance, Emma and Lucas's brother Eric begin to question Lucas's miraculous recovery. However, Lucas is not the same and it us up to them to figure out how to completely restore him. Equal parts mystery, adventure, and romance, McQuestion looks into extraterrestrial life and how help can come from unexpected places.

I was drawn to do this review based on the premise, cover, and also loving a Lucas (my husband). In addition, I am one of those unlucky people who can empathize with watching a loved one suffer with cancer and the Hospice process. I enjoyed reading a book where miraculous cancer recovery occurs, as that is everyone's dream outcome!

WRITING: The writing was good. The most enjoyable scenes were between Emma and Scout as they were traveling. I liked when they were in a Diner and we were made privy to Emma's thoughts: "...two ladies were talking loudly about scrapbooking, oblivious to the alien presence one booth over".

There were some obligatory teenage-angsty scenes that were full of raw emotion and "our love will never die" type stuff. This can be realistic to seventeen year olds, but sometimes icky to read as well.

PLOT: The combination of aliens and illness was a cross that I have never read before. The two elements are common, but made a fun story when mashed up. There is some suspension of belief required in how the ultimate task is completed, as the characters are lucky enough to get exactly what they need in the moment.

PACING: Well-paced. McQuestion sets up the issue in an appropriate time period and moves the story along towards it's conclusion at a pretty fast pace. The book is a great length, and doesn't suffer from being unnecessarily long.

CHARACTERS: My favorite characters were Eric, Lucas's handy, fix-it, shy brother, and Mack, the family dog. My least favorite characters I wanted to throw rotten tomatoes at....Mrs. Walker, Lucas's mom, and the hospice worker.

First, Mrs. Walker is not pleased with Emma, but she takes it beyond the "she's not good enough for our son" type thing to outright hostility...banning her from the house, telling her she's in the way, and yelling at her for wanting to be near her dying boyfriend. I realize slack should be cut for misdirected anger due to her son's terminal illness, but this lady was more than a little cruel. This is proof that everyone copes differently, but she was a real piece of work.

ALSO...the hospice worker was pretty deplorable. If a hospice nurse had told me when my mom was sick:  "family members see improvement as more than it is so I have to be the one to bring them down to earth", I would have FREAKED. WHAT???? Outrageous. Either use those words in private with another co-worker or rephrase for the family. I wanted to see her fall on her tush as well.

So McQuestion definitely evoked strong emotion, and whether that is positive or negative, I always appreciate an author who can make me feel!

FINAL RATING: 3.5 STARS
I liked the examination of young love, the protective nature of parents, and the way McQuestion highlighted the decision-making ability of teenagers to pull themselves out of a mess (whatever the result may be). Emma was a sweetly optimistic teen who refuses to give up on something she believes in, and that was nice to read. I saw a Goodreads review recently that said this book could be the lovechild of These Broken Stars and Alienated. I'm not sure if that's true since I haven't read these two books, but it seemed to get a lot of online support. This is a cute, fast-paced book with a little romance and some other worldly elements. I think teenagers will enjoy!