What a fun story! Kat and her sisters are definitely dueling in this one, with both words and magic! I thoroughly enjoyed this story, and anyone who's...moreWhat a fun story! Kat and her sisters are definitely dueling in this one, with both words and magic! I thoroughly enjoyed this story, and anyone who's read KAT, INCORRIGIBLE will love it, too.(less)
Things to love about this book: - The fast-paced dialogue between Vincent and his two best friends. - The way the...moreFrom my blog post review for this book:
Things to love about this book: - The fast-paced dialogue between Vincent and his two best friends. - The way the book plays with the tropes of superhero stories, comic books, and movies. - The author’s clear passion and joy for this story that shines through on every page. - The great diverse cast and the diversity of working family units. - The wonderful plot twists.
When I looked at the (amazing) cover, which features Vincent, his two male friends, and a GIANT EVIL ROBOT, I couldn’t help thinking, “Where are the girls?” Well, let me tell you right now that there is a wonderful girl in this story who plays a pivotal role in saving the day. She has her own character arc and really comes into her own by the end. She was one of my favorite parts of the book.
The Advanced Reader Copy contained only sketches of the amazing artwork by Mike Maihack that is sprinkled throughout the book, and I can’t wait to buy a brand-new hard cover so I can ogle the final art. There’s one particular picture near the end that I would love to have on my wall. [Note: I now have the hardcover and the art is AWESOME.]
Not convinced? Here’s what I said in my (first ever!) blurb for this book:
GEEKS, GIRLS, AND SECRET IDENTITIES by Mike Jung is a joyful, action-packed ode to comic books, friendship, and the many faces of heroism. Spandex and super-villains have never been this funny. Captain Stupendous and Mike Jung have themselves a new fan.
Fantastic. Five stars for sure. A rich, detailed alternate world similar to historic Brittany, but with magic and old gods and mysterious cults. Many...moreFantastic. Five stars for sure. A rich, detailed alternate world similar to historic Brittany, but with magic and old gods and mysterious cults. Many likable characters -- including our heroine Ismae -- and a romantic subplot without any of the dangerous gender politics I see in so many other YA books. An engrossing read that makes me itch for the next book in the series.
Fans of GRACELING and THE GIRL OF FIRE AND THORNS will definitely want to read this!
Note: I read this via NetGalley, but will be buying the hardcover as soon as it comes out. The cover is amazing-- a strong girl dressed appropriately for the narrative and carrying a weapon. SOLD.(less)
Wow, what a wonderfully surprising book! The writing is strong, the characters interesting, and the mystery just kept unfolding in surprising ways lea...moreWow, what a wonderfully surprising book! The writing is strong, the characters interesting, and the mystery just kept unfolding in surprising ways leading to a truly epic finale. At the beginning, I had no idea how the story would tie everything together: a post-collapse Earth of the future, an isolated facility for teens run by a sadistic headmistress, and a main character whose reality is filled with visions of the ocean. But amazingly, the author did it, and in a wholly satisfying way.
The setting and premise make this book unique among all the other recent YAs I've read. I will remember this story, and these characters, for a long, long time.(less)
I really enjoyed the brisk pace and strong voice of this story about young Victor Frankenstein. When Victor's twin brother falls ill, Victor embarks o...moreI really enjoyed the brisk pace and strong voice of this story about young Victor Frankenstein. When Victor's twin brother falls ill, Victor embarks on a quest to find a cure. The journey takes him down the dark road of alchemy, an art forbidden by his very own father and which has disturbing costs.
Note: the Nook version of this book comes with a copy of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. I thought I was only halfway through the book, but I had actually finished it. Surprise!(less)
A fast-paced comedy with a wickedly dark undertone, a snarky heroine with a dangerous power, and a town full of secrets. Fans of DEAD LIKE ME will rea...moreA fast-paced comedy with a wickedly dark undertone, a snarky heroine with a dangerous power, and a town full of secrets. Fans of DEAD LIKE ME will really enjoy this one.(less)
[Audiobook review] Oh, wow. Even better than book one, and even darker, too. I listened to this on a 6.5-hour roadtrip and almost stayed in the car af...more[Audiobook review] Oh, wow. Even better than book one, and even darker, too. I listened to this on a 6.5-hour roadtrip and almost stayed in the car after I got home to hear the last hour. Started book 3 immediately. The actor who reads Viola's PoV sections is amazing. Highly recommended.(less)
This book blew me away. Sabriel is a fantastic character, strong and brave and so very human. The setting is so vivid and unique -- especially the mag...moreThis book blew me away. Sabriel is a fantastic character, strong and brave and so very human. The setting is so vivid and unique -- especially the magic system. I found myself gulping pages faster and faster, unable to stop. I will remember this book for a long time and possibly for the rest of my life. I only wish I'd read it at 14, so it could have helped to shape me.(less)
Set in an alternate present where magical creatures ("crags") live among humans, this story follows Emma, a youn...moreWonderfully unique and vibrant world!
Set in an alternate present where magical creatures ("crags") live among humans, this story follows Emma, a young girl whose family has been struggling to recover since Emma's older sister went missing. When her family moves into a crag neighborhood, Emma quickly becomes involved with a pack of talking cats. Oh, but these aren't any talking cats! There's nothing cute or fuzzy about them -- they're ambitious, powerful, and downright dangerous. As Emma becomes more embroiled in the world of magic, she gets closer and closer to solving the mystery of her sister's disappearance. Faeries, harpies, hags, and creatures of all sorts abound!
Fast-paced, funny, and nicely layered with a great, diverse cast. I loved this and will be recommending it every chance I get.(less)
This wacky and fun middle-grade adventure involves leprechauns, pookas, elves, Bigfoot.... and breakfast cereal. The main characters are all likable a...moreThis wacky and fun middle-grade adventure involves leprechauns, pookas, elves, Bigfoot.... and breakfast cereal. The main characters are all likable and funny, although I would have liked the one female character, Emily, to get a little more screen time. This one didn't speak to me the way THE TRUE MEANING OF SMEKDAY did, but I enjoyed it immensely. Rex's humor always works for me, and he's in fine form here. (less)
This book is utterly delightful. When Callie Anderson gets a new pair of glasses the day before she starts middle school, she's astonished to discover...moreThis book is utterly delightful. When Callie Anderson gets a new pair of glasses the day before she starts middle school, she's astonished to discover that they have magic powers: they let her read other people's thoughts. As Callie navigates her own middle school trauma, each of the girls in her life are also dealing with big issues.
The tone is funny and breezy, the pace is fast, but there is a lot of heart and some very important themes underneath it all. I was reminded (most pleasantly) of Linda Urban's fantastic CROOKED KIND OF PERFECT. I am not surprised this book was selected for the Scholastic Book Club -- it's going to have a legion of fans.(less)
Wholly unique YA adventure with an authentic male protagonist: two thumbs up!
The story unfolds layer after layer like a great mystery. Ephraim is inc...moreWholly unique YA adventure with an authentic male protagonist: two thumbs up!
The story unfolds layer after layer like a great mystery. Ephraim is incredibly likable (despite some questionable choices) and I was rooting for him the whole time. Myers handles his characters -- and the story's speculative elements -- deftly and with obvious passion. (Geeks like myself will love the many fantasy and science fiction references!)
I want to say much more, but there are so many great twists and turns in the plot that I'm afraid of giving something away. It's so refreshing to have a male protagonist that is not a cookie-cutter boy, and to have a story with a genuinely unique premise that's executed so well. I am eagerly awaiting the sequel!(less)
Extremely funny. I listened to this on audio and was thoroughly entertained. The alternating voice actors threw me off a bit, but I got used to it eve...moreExtremely funny. I listened to this on audio and was thoroughly entertained. The alternating voice actors threw me off a bit, but I got used to it eventually.(less)
I really enjoyed this book. I loved the world-building the most -- an interesting extrapolation of what it looks like to try to protect children from...moreI really enjoyed this book. I loved the world-building the most -- an interesting extrapolation of what it looks like to try to protect children from everything. (less)
I love this book. Hallie is one of the most interesting characters I've ever read and her voice sings from the first page on. I also love the setting...moreI love this book. Hallie is one of the most interesting characters I've ever read and her voice sings from the first page on. I also love the setting -- no urban for this fantasy! The wide open prairie, the ranches, the country bars... everything feels authentic and visceral, even when magic enters the picture. Although there are three books planned for this series, WIDE OPEN stands alone and has a very satisfying ending.(less)
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