Yakety Yaks

Yakety Yaks rated a book 5 of 5 stars

The Raven Boys (The Raven Cycle, #1)
by Maggie Stiefvater (Goodreads Author)

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Yakety Yaks rated a book 5 of 5 stars

Ask The Passengers
by A.S. King (Goodreads Author)

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Yakety Yaks rated a book 5 of 5 stars

The Crown of Embers (Fire and Thorns, #2)
by Rae Carson (Goodreads Author)

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Yakety Yaks liked Katie's review of Wither (The Chemical Garden, #1):

" Before I picked up Wither I was skeptical. There were so many fabulous reviews and I figured I would be the one person who hated it. Boy was I wrong. I completely agree with every amazing review and now I am going to attempt to write my own.

Rhine... " Read more of this review »

Yakety Yaks rated a book 3 of 5 stars

Wither (The Chemical Garden, #1)
by Lauren DeStefano (Goodreads Author)

read in January, 2013

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Yakety Yaks rated a book 5 of 5 stars

Seraphina (Seraphina, #1)
by Rachel Hartman (Goodreads Author)

read in July, 2012

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(From our blog, YaketyYaks.com)

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman (No spoilers)

I have a lot to say about Seraphina, but here’s the entirety of my reaction to it in one sentence:

I wish I had written this book.

Seraphina has absolutely everything I love about...more

Yakety Yaks rated a book 3 of 5 stars

Chomp
by Carl Hiaasen

read in July, 2012

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There is no doubt that this book is for middle grade boys. And I mean that in the best way possible. It was fun and exciting and never too itself too seriously.

Wahoo is in that odd place between childhood and adulthood. Though he is only in middle sc...more

Yakety Yaks rated a book 4 of 5 stars

Grave Mercy (His Fair Assassin, #1)
by R.L. LaFevers (Goodreads Author)

read in July, 2012

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I really liked Ismae. She was never willing to lie down and take her fate as it was handed to her. Her unhappy childhood. Being married off to vile Guillo. Though downtrodden she had a strong sense of self throughout the book. Gotta respect that in a...more I really liked Ismae. She was never willing to lie down and take her fate as it was handed to her. Her unhappy childhood. Being married off to vile Guillo. Though downtrodden she had a strong sense of self throughout the book. Gotta respect that in a historical character.

I wish we could have spent more time in the convent. In the first few chapters Ismae shows up at the convent, is told that is a daughter of death and that makes her special, meets a few people, then bam it’s three years later. The relationships that emotionally anchor her, specifically her friendship with Sybella, and Annith, felt slightly forced throughout the book. There was so little time spent developing those relationships early in the story and too much narrative summary. It was obvious that the author wanted to get to the intrigue of the Britton court and the romance which is really the heart of the story, but I would have enjoyed a bit more set up.

What I love love loved:
The romance. Yes, I know, it’s not like me at all but I’m serious–it was great! There was a kissing scene that I loved so much I read it TWICE. I don’t think I’ve read something so tender yet so utterly steamy in a while. Duval was a little bit too perfect (notorious for not taking women to his bed, vigilant in his protection of the duchess) but I bought it. Maybe I’m just a sucker for a hero and heroine that are forced to pretend to be in love for the sake of some secret plan.

What I liked:
The intrigue. What good is a historical novel without nobles jockeying for power? The feasting, the dancing, the court-life, the treason. It was twisty and delicious. (Not a surprising ending, but delicious none the less.)

The most compelling theme in the book was justice versus mercy. Ismae is sent by the convent as the hand of Mortain’s justice, but she quickly realizes sometimes justice looks like vengeance. And she searches for a different way. After a fateful encounter with the tormented soul of a murdered nobleman she finds her gift for killing can be used for mercy also. Ismae comes to realize that justice and mercy are two sides of the same blade. And it is up to her how she wields it.

Over all, it was a strong historical book. The pacing feels a little weird in the first fifty pages and the last fifty pages, but the middle is fabulous. Highly recommended.(less)

Yakety Yaks rated a book 4 of 5 stars

The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson

The Girl of Fire and Thorns (Fire and Thorns, #1)
by Rae Carson (Goodreads Author)

read in May, 2012

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This book came as a recommendation for me from Lisa T. Bergren. I threw out a general plea for vacation reads and she quickly and graciously responded with this title. She wasn’t wrong either.

This book was a slow burn for me. The hubs asked me what I...more This book came as a recommendation for me from Lisa T. Bergren. I threw out a general plea for vacation reads and she quickly and graciously responded with this title. She wasn’t wrong either.

This book was a slow burn for me. The hubs asked me what I was reading and I said, “a chubby princess of a small country gets married off to this attractive king with a Spanish sounding name, who, in my imagination has distinctly middle eastern features. Oh, and she has, like, a divine jewel in her bellybutton and it changes temperature and stuff. The writing is good but I’m not crazy about it yet.”

Thankfully, we’ve been married long enough that he knows the best response to an explanation like this is to kiss me on the top of my head and say “Well, keep reading. I hope it gets better.”

Well played, hubs. Well played.

Sure enough, the more I read, the more I fell in love with Elisa, Alejandro, and their world.

At it’s core, The Girl of Fire and Thorns was a lovely coming of age story. Elisa has always lived in the shadow of her older sister. And she doesn’t really mind. She’s not the most driven character in the world yet here she is being offered up as the peace-princess of a very important treaty.

Sometimes weaknesses are just that

Throughout the story Elisa comes to the realization that food has become a comfort and a crutch for her. It was nice to read about a character that doesn’t start out as a physical ideal. She has to rely on other strengths; her mind, her wit, and her faith. And she begins to lean on the people around her. The more she does that, the less she needs to rely on food. Nothing about her weight loss seemed forced or unnatural. If you’re concerned about things like political intrigue, divine rite, and impending war, food isn’t as much of a priority as it used to be.

One bone I have to pick with the book is something almost undoubtedly brought on by the publisher. The title has nothing to do with the story. I would have called this The Daughter of Sand and Fire or The Girl of Indigo and Gold or The Stone that Chills the Bone. Ok, sorry you just had to sit through “titling with Gracie” like my department does almost once a week–but there is very little fire and there are almost no thorns in this story and discrepancies like that drive me nuts!

Ogres are like onions

Carlson does a lovely job revealing Elisa in layered way. You learn about her insecurities, her generous spirit, and as Elisa finds her strength, you’re on that journey with her. One of the most poignant moments for me came shortly after their caravan is attacked in the jungle by unknown enemies on the way to her new home with her new husband. Shaken by the attack and the injuries of their party...For the rest of this review:
http://www.yaketyyaks.com/2012/05/the...(less)

Yakety Yaks rated a book 4 of 5 stars

The One and Only Ivan
by Katherine Applegate (Goodreads Author)

read in July, 2012

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I am not gonna lie: I chose The One and Only Ivan purely on the cover. Isn’t it sweet and a little creepy and wonderfully mysterious, all at once? I was smitten.

This is one of those stories that is deceptively simple. Told from the persecutive of Iva...more I am not gonna lie: I chose The One and Only Ivan purely on the cover. Isn’t it sweet and a little creepy and wonderfully mysterious, all at once? I was smitten.

This is one of those stories that is deceptively simple. Told from the persecutive of Ivan the gorilla, who has lived in his “domain” alone for almost 30 years, this is a story about friendship and home and hope. It certainly has a certain animal-rights angle going on, but not in a heavy-handed way. (Which I appreciate. I can’t stand books with agenda…even if I happen to agree with said agenda.)

Ivan is a pretty simple fellow. He astutely observes the world around him, noticing the habits and peculiarities of humans, and he is a sincere and loving friend to fellow domain-mates, Stella the elephant, Bob the dog, and Ruby the baby elephant. He also considers himself an artist, and enjoys coloring on sheets of paper stuffed into his domain by Julia, the night janitor’s daughter. Julia is an artist, too, so she and Ivan share a special connection.

The beginning of this tale is a little uneventful. We learn a lot through Ivan’s observations of his friends and environment. We learn his domain is rather shabby, with very little for a silverback gorilla to do. We learn that Mack, the owner of the mall in which the animals are housed, is a bit cranky and stressed over money troubles. We also learn that Stella the elephant is both wise and unwell. Her sore foot is an ominous sign for both Stella and the future.

When Ruby, the baby elephant, arrives, she instantly injects new life and playfulness into the atmosphere of the story, as well as the story itself. Curious and playful, Ruby has lots of questions. She wins Ivan’s heart, despite his jealousy over Stella’s adoration for the little lady. In fact, Ruby wins everyone’s heart; and it is on Ruby that Mack places all his hope for a financial rebound. But of course, nothing works out as planned in stories like Ivan’s and Ruby’s.

I enjoyed Ivan and found him a compelling character. He has a simple approach to life, but it is nonetheless profound. It was both amusing and poignant to see the world through Ivan’s eyes–from the financial struggles of the humans, to the sorrow of the elephants–Ivan had a way of seeing right to the heart of things. Sometimes, though, Ivan was just a little too perfect for me. I felt just a teensy bit emotionally manipulated by the animals in that domain, and Ivan’s melancholy narration only added to that.

All in all, though, this is a sweet and enjoyable story. Ivan is a true friend, and his love for little Ruby is a powerful thing indeed. I wanted to see Ruby more than we do because I liked her so much. Her curiosity, the heartbreaking moment when she sits down during her training, and the innocence with with she trusts Ivan as he encourages her toward an unknown future are such important and lovely characteristics. And, of course, Bob the dog. He’s everything you imagine a tough, tiny mutt to be.

Also–some fun trivia here–the character of Ivan is based on a real gorilla named Ivan, whose life was very similar to the fictional silverback’s. Because I’m such a nice yak, I did a little research for you so you could see the REAL One and Only Ivan without having to go on a foray into Internetland. You can learn more about the real Ivan here.

A very happy 4 Yak Smacks to The One and Only Ivan for its imagination, heart-touching themes, and unique voice. And, of course, 5 Honorary Yak Smacks to the real Ivan, for being such an inspiration.

xoxo,
Madeleine(less)

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Yakety Yaks rated a book 5 of 5 stars The Raven Boys (The Raven Cycle, #1) by Maggie Stiefvater (Goodreads Author)	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jan 21, 2013 11:13am
Yakety Yaks rated a book 5 of 5 stars Ask The Passengers by A.S. King (Goodreads Author)	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jan 21, 2013 11:13am
Yakety Yaks rated a book 5 of 5 stars The Crown of Embers (Fire and Thorns, #2) by Rae Carson (Goodreads Author)	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jan 21, 2013 11:12am
Yakety Yaks liked Katie's review of Wither (The Chemical Garden, #1): " Before I picked up Wither I was skeptical. There were so many fabulous reviews and I figured I would be the one person who hated it. Boy was I wrong. I completely agree with every amazing review and now I am going to attempt to write my own. Rhine... " Read more of this review »
Jan 06, 2013 10:22am · see review
Yakety Yaks rated a book 3 of 5 stars Wither (The Chemical Garden, #1) by Lauren DeStefano (Goodreads Author) read in January, 2013	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jan 06, 2013 10:21am
Yakety Yaks rated a book 5 of 5 stars Seraphina (Seraphina, #1) by Rachel Hartman (Goodreads Author) read in July, 2012	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
(From our blog, YaketyYaks.com) Seraphina by Rachel Hartman (No spoilers) I have a lot to say about Seraphina, but here’s the entirety of my reaction to it in one sentence: I wish I had written this book. Seraphina has absolutely everything I love about...more
Jul 16, 2012 07:29am · see review
Yakety Yaks rated a book 3 of 5 stars Chomp by Carl Hiaasen read in July, 2012	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
There is no doubt that this book is for middle grade boys. And I mean that in the best way possible. It was fun and exciting and never too itself too seriously. Wahoo is in that odd place between childhood and adulthood. Though he is only in middle sc...more
Jul 14, 2012 11:34am · see review
Yakety Yaks rated a book 4 of 5 stars Grave Mercy (His Fair Assassin, #1) by R.L. LaFevers (Goodreads Author) read in July, 2012	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
I really liked Ismae. She was never willing to lie down and take her fate as it was handed to her. Her unhappy childhood. Being married off to vile Guillo. Though downtrodden she had a strong sense of self throughout the book. Gotta respect that in a...more
Jul 14, 2012 10:58am · see review
Yakety Yaks rated a book 4 of 5 stars The Girl of Fire and Thorns (Fire and Thorns, #1) by Rae Carson (Goodreads Author) read in May, 2012	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
This book came as a recommendation for me from Lisa T. Bergren. I threw out a general plea for vacation reads and she quickly and graciously responded with this title. She wasn’t wrong either. This book was a slow burn for me. The hubs asked me what I...more
Jul 10, 2012 09:51am · see review
Yakety Yaks rated a book 4 of 5 stars The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate (Goodreads Author) read in July, 2012	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
I am not gonna lie: I chose The One and Only Ivan purely on the cover. Isn’t it sweet and a little creepy and wonderfully mysterious, all at once? I was smitten. This is one of those stories that is deceptively simple. Told from the persecutive of Iva...more
Jul 10, 2012 09:49am · see review

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