Limon weaves Sharks in the Rivers through with themes of dissociation and dislocation without ever crossing the line into heavy handedness. Her images...moreLimon weaves Sharks in the Rivers through with themes of dissociation and dislocation without ever crossing the line into heavy handedness. Her images are fresh and thoughtful and her verse is compelling. She is especially deft when discussing fear and how it disseminates into all the corners of our lives. An essential read.
If you'd like to begin reading Sharks in the Rivers, you can find the first 30 poems here on Figment.(less)
The Reading Promise is true story about a girl, her father, and their "reading streak", 3218 consecutive days of reading out loud together. ...moreThe Reading Promise is true story about a girl, her father, and their "reading streak", 3218 consecutive days of reading out loud together. Ozma talks about the experience fondly, but doesn't romanticize it. She portrays it as challenging but rewarding. Only 23 and already a published author, Alice Ozma exemplifies the benefits such a streak can have.
If you'd like to read about Day 3170 of the streak, you can find it here, on Figment.(less)
Weatherly's Angel Burn is a fast-paced story about Willow, a teenage girl with psychic abilities, and Alex, an angel killer. Both are on the run when ...moreWeatherly's Angel Burn is a fast-paced story about Willow, a teenage girl with psychic abilities, and Alex, an angel killer. Both are on the run when angels, who really feed of humans' life force, attempt to destroy Willow. The angels in this book are not helpful or good - they drain humans of their energy and often leave them with incurable diseases, adding an interesting twist to the tale. Weatherly also carefully constructs the romantic relationship between the two heroes, making it believable rather than feeling rushed. With quick and clear language, Angel Burn makes for an immensely enjoyable read.
If you're interested, you can read the first two chapters here on Figment.com. (less)
City of the Snakes maintains the gritty, conspiracy-laden tone that Shan established in the first two books of the series. While the book does begin w...moreCity of the Snakes maintains the gritty, conspiracy-laden tone that Shan established in the first two books of the series. While the book does begin with a brief (very brief) recap, it is a part of a trilogy and does depend in some part on the other two books. It is a gripping read, pulpy in a way that mainstream fiction usually shies away from, and thoroughly worth the time.
If you'd like to read City of the Snakes, you can start it here on Figment.com(less)
I came to this book as a fan of the Miyazaki adaptation, but loved this book on its own (broad) merits. The plot is fairly recognizable from the movie...moreI came to this book as a fan of the Miyazaki adaptation, but loved this book on its own (broad) merits. The plot is fairly recognizable from the movie until about halfway through when the two sharply diverge. This book was a fantastic read. The characters were very multi-dimensional; I love/hated almost all of them (Howl and Sophie included) because they were a very human mix of gifts and flaws. Although a few times (a very few) I needed more description to shape my mental picture, for the most part the book was absolutely gripping and kept my total attention. This is both a writer's book and a reader's book, which can be a rarity in YA.(less)
Rebecca Lim creates in Mercy a unique new mythology for angels. Mercy is trapped on Earth, cycling through lives again and again, doomed only to livin...moreRebecca Lim creates in Mercy a unique new mythology for angels. Mercy is trapped on Earth, cycling through lives again and again, doomed only to living the worst parts of the lives she inhabits. One of the only things that helps her through is her perpetual dream of Luc, introduced as a mysterious figure from her maybe past who implores her to find him.
If you want to read the first chapter of Mercy you can find it here on Figment.com.(less)
Ruby Red is about a girl living in a family that possesses the recessive gene for time travel. Gier drops you right in the action- the prologue defies...moreRuby Red is about a girl living in a family that possesses the recessive gene for time travel. Gier drops you right in the action- the prologue defies traditional romantic structure and makes it impossible to read the story without a knowing itch in the back of your mind. If anyone wants to read the first few chapters of Ruby Red, you can find them here on Figment.(less)
Sisters Red is Little Red Riding-hood, darkly reimagined. Its protagonists f ight back, and they fight back hard. In the chilling and gripping prolo...more Sisters Red is Little Red Riding-hood, darkly reimagined. Its protagonists f ight back, and they fight back hard. In the chilling and gripping prologue, you see the traditional tale in Grandma's cottage play out, but Grandma's wearing jeans and "The Price is Right" is playing in the background. If you aren't hooked by the end of the prologue, it's not any fault of the author's; her prose is quick and fluid.
If you'd like to read the first five chapters of Sisters Red, you can find them here on Figment.(less)
Micol Ostow's Family follows teenager Mel on a dizzying journey into the arms of a cult. Focusing on Mel's desire to be part of something meaningful, ...moreMicol Ostow's Family follows teenager Mel on a dizzying journey into the arms of a cult. Focusing on Mel's desire to be part of something meaningful, Ostow's quick verse serves to reflect Mel's impressionable and fractured mind and self-esteem, while creating dark and touching poetry. While Family does follow the history of Charles Manson's cult, Ostow's work creates a new image of what a community such as this would think like, and always asks the question: what would you do for family?
You can read the first few chapters of FAMILY here on Figment.
This book is full of steamy-steam-punk shorts that work seamlessly as a whole. If you're new to the steam-punk genre, this anthology's short stories p...moreThis book is full of steamy-steam-punk shorts that work seamlessly as a whole. If you're new to the steam-punk genre, this anthology's short stories provide a nice intro into the fantastic world of the re-imagined past. If you want to read one of the shorts from this anthology, you can find Maria V. Snyder's Under Amber Skieshere on Figment.(less)
Flip is a nail-biting, body-switching thriller. Alex wakes up one morning in the body of a popular jock named Flip, and the only one who notices anyth...moreFlip is a nail-biting, body-switching thriller. Alex wakes up one morning in the body of a popular jock named Flip, and the only one who notices anything amiss is the dog (the dog ALWAYS knows). The pace is break-neck and the writing drags the reader forward without interruption.
If you want to read he first chapter of Flip you can find it here on Figment.(less)
This book is a must-read for people who enjoy sarcastic and snarky narration. Patrick Ryan (somehow!) makes the quasi-love triangle between a boy, his...moreThis book is a must-read for people who enjoy sarcastic and snarky narration. Patrick Ryan (somehow!) makes the quasi-love triangle between a boy, his twin sister, and a sexually ambiguous house guest who claims to be a vampire less interesting than the relationship between the two twins and the internal dialogue of a typical (if typical can include whip-smart and confidently out) high school boy. You can read a preview of Gemini Biteshere on Figment.(less)
Purple Daze by Sherry Shahan is a look at the universality of being a teenager set in the 60s, moments before the Vietnam War. What really sets this b...morePurple Daze by Sherry Shahan is a look at the universality of being a teenager set in the 60s, moments before the Vietnam War. What really sets this book apart is the compelling use of verse. Chapters are written from different characters' perspectives and are interspersed with terse reminders of the context. If you want to read the first 26 chapters of Purple Daze, you can find them here on Figment.(less)
RECOVERY ROAD deals with Issues (capitalization for emphasis) that can tend toward the melodramatic, but the tone of the narrator and the frankness wi...moreRECOVERY ROAD deals with Issues (capitalization for emphasis) that can tend toward the melodramatic, but the tone of the narrator and the frankness with which Nelson writes keeps the book from lapsing into sappiness. That's not to say the book doesn't have heavy moments (it has several). The relationship between Maddie and Stew is also much more flawed and realistic than teen books tend to portray.
If you want to read the first three chapters of RECOVERY ROAD, you can find them on Figment, here: Recovery Road on Figment (less)
Told from two perspectives, that of a young boy inside Incarceron, Finn, and of the daughter of the warden of Incarceron on the outside, Claudia. From...moreTold from two perspectives, that of a young boy inside Incarceron, Finn, and of the daughter of the warden of Incarceron on the outside, Claudia. From the get go, Finn is convinced that there is a way to escape although most people believe there is nothing beyond Incarceron's walls. We know this to be false, because Claudia narrates from the outside. This book has an Orwellian play on 'truth' as a publicly defined concept. Truth is what is believed by the majority to be true. There are those that are imprisoned and those that are free, although both parties believe the 'truth' that things are better the other way around. (less)
Whenever I read a scary book, I find myself noting scenes because they're supposed to be scary or are trying to be scary. With HUSH,HUSH I was just ch...moreWhenever I read a scary book, I find myself noting scenes because they're supposed to be scary or are trying to be scary. With HUSH,HUSH I was just chilled, the entire way through. I like the twist on the traditional love triangle, as well. Nora, the sometimes predictable, gawky, nervous, protagonist has two boys interested in her. The problem is one or both of them mean her harm.(less)
LEVIATHAN was a gentle introduction into the steampunk world for those who have never encountered the genre before, but was unique and imaginative eno...moreLEVIATHAN was a gentle introduction into the steampunk world for those who have never encountered the genre before, but was unique and imaginative enough to satisfy even hard core fans. The world created in LEVIATHAN is magical, one of the most vibrant parts of a vibrant novel. Scott Westerfeld weaves the familiar with the impossible and creates a story that is beyond compelling. (less)
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