Silver Phoenix Review

Title: Silver Phoenix
Author: Cindy Pon
Publisher: HarperTeen'
Published Date: April 2009
Price: Amazon ($12.23)
Synopsis:

No one wanted Ai Ling. And deep down she is relieved—despite the dishonor she has brought upon her family—to be unbetrothed and free, not some stranger's subservient bride banished to the inner quarters.

But now, something is after her. Something terrifying—a force she cannot comprehend. And as pieces of the puzzle start to fit together, Ai Ling begins to understand that her journey to the Palace of Fragrant Dreams isn't only a quest to find her beloved father but a venture with stakes larger than she could have imagined.

Bravery, intelligence, the will to fight and fight hard . . . she will need all of these things. Just as she will need the new and mysterious power growing within her. She will also need help.

It is Chen Yong who finds her partly submerged and barely breathing at the edge of a deep lake. There is something of unspeakable evil trying to drag her under. On a quest of his own, Chen Yong offers that help . . . and perhaps more. 

Review:

Silver Phoenix is an exotic, traditional Chinese fantasy with the romance and strong protagonist that sets it apart from historical fictions. The fantasy aspects of the evil spirits and the adventure Ai Ling goes on is characterized very well with Pon’s excellent description of China’s beautiful land. Ai Ling, on a journey to rescue her father, has obstacles from her past life, in which a man falls in a fateful love with her. As she is about to be defeated, Chen Yong supports her as he looks for his own identity and past. Their pasts and their futures are intertwined and written by the future.

The plot’s originality with the combination of the well developed characters creates a page-turning tale. The fantasy creatures and spirits that attack Ai Ling are described so well that made me shiver as I imagined maggots on a person’s face (it really did happen). Also, the different stages of the journey don’t lag in action, and even if nothing happens, Pon creates an aura of suspense as anything might attack the characters. The beauty of the landscape and the setting, including the yummily delicious food (I was drooling while I was reading this) portray the Chinese setting that you might not know about.

I also love the characters and the chemistry between Ai Ling and Chen Yong. Ai Ling’s character development is created very well, from a naïve girl who’s closeted within her protective family to a woman who’s experienced evil beyond imagination, death (I won’t say whose because there are a few), and the harsh measures against women’s inferiority. Ai Ling is able to not only able to rise up from these challenges but also keep her head up as she learns how to defy the woman’s boundaries within her husband’s house. However, I felt a little bit more dialogue could keep the story more paced and express Ai Ling better. Chen Yong’s supportive and deep, emotional past created a great supporting character. Zhong Ye, the antagonist, could have been developed better, maybe going deeper into his past. I felt a tugging notion that maybe he isn’t all that bad and the insults and shun he receives from others in the past created Zhong Ye’s evil nature.

Another feature that the book can be developed on is Ai Ling’s past and the pendant. I thought we could learn more about Silver Phoenix and why she decided to sacrificed her life. I also wanted to learn more about the pendant and where all the power to save her came from.

Plot: 4/5

Characters: 4/5

Cover: 5/5

I initially picked up the book because of the cover. The striking dress and the pendant, with the colorful background, make this one of the books that I would buy just to look at the cover. Even though it is very colorful that it does blind you a bit, the pretty Asian model, which her fierceness can represent Ai Ling, helps me picture her.

Overall: 4/5

The book’s original plot, with the fantasy elements and the evil spirits that you’ll probably never meet if you traveled back in time to China, creates a unique novel. I also love the combination of the adventure and the romance, even though I wish Chen Yong’s feeling could be reciprocated and is shown more. This is one book you can judge by the cover and I cannot wait for the sequel this fall!

The Devouring Review

Title: The Devouring
Author: Simon Holt
Publisher: Little Brown Young Readers
Published Date: September 2008
Price: Amazon ($7.99)
Synopsis:

When Reggie finds an old journal and reads about the Vours, supernatural creatures who feast on fear and attack on the eve of the winter solstice, she assumes they are just the musings of some lunatic author. But soon, they become a terrifying reality when she begins to suspect that her timid younger brother might be one of their victims.

Risking her life and her sanity, Reggie enters a living nightmare to save the people she loves. Can she devour own her fears before they devour her?

Bone-chilling, terrifying, thrilling...what are you waiting for? 

Review: 

Before I begin my review, I need to develop my “position” on horror books and movies. I probably am on the different end of the spectrum of horror tolerance than others. Last summer at a party, someone decided to bring The Grudge 3 and the horror just didn't end there for me. Let’s just say, I couldn’t practice the violin in the dark basement without seeing hallucinations of the bloody girl.

I started The Devouring around the Winter Solstice at 12 AM (while procrastinating on homework). I couldn’t sleep that whole night as the Vours gave me nightmares, and I couldn’t even stand looking out in the dark expanse outside my window. Reggie, a horror fan, tells her younger brother, Henry, the story of the Vours. Like many other protagonists in horror movies, she doesn’t realize the reality behind the story until it is too late, when the Vours actually take control of Henry and create him into a monster.

The fearscape and “Henry’s” chilling tone, which the Vour creates a perfect, but cracked image of an innocent child, makes the reader more disgusted and scared. Holt’s horrific descriptions when he descries the Vour's manipulation of the fears make you almost feel it yourself. I personally thought Henry’s fearscape was gory and bloody, reminding me of Saw (even though I’ve personally never watched it). However, the horror of the gruesome hallucinations starts to recede once the reader gets accustomed to it. I wished there was a more psychological terror to the book, creating suspense for the readers. Movies like The Ring (watched 20 minutes of it and freaked out) or Paranormal Activity (never watched it, but heard a lot about it) base its success on the unknown evil, the suspense in which you can’t control what happens to you and just has to wait and see how the higher powers will manipulate fate. After Reggie finds more about the Vours and she learns how to play with them, I got bored by it and the ending was too predictable.

I also thought character development was much needed, since the reader should experience the same fear as the protagonist. For example, even though I knew Reggie is a horror fan, I thought she overcame her fears way too quickly making her more like Superwoman who comes to rescue the day. I also thought Reggie’s personality isn’t delved into too much, in which all the readers know about is she likes good-looking guys, even if they are jerks (*cough cough* Quinn) and cares for her brother deeply. On the other hand, I thought Henry’s insecurity and fear is crafted very well since I felt sympathy and sadness for Henry’s sufferings.

Plot: 4/5

Characters: 3.5/5

Cover: 4/5

The cover is so pretty with the purple smoke and the contrast against the black backdrop and Reggie’s pale skin. It portrays the horror aspect of the novel well, especially with the smudged mascara.

Overall: 3.5/5

The Devouring will make you stay up at night, just staring out the window and planning to hide under your blankets during Sorry Night so be prepared to face your fear. The unique premise of the book, in which Vours take over one’s body and uses it as a puppet, begins the series well by starting with an innocent, naïve boy, by playing the sympathy card as you wonder how a boy can live their fears everyday. Even though the characters could be developed better to create more of a connection between the readers, the plot balanced it out. I already have its sequel, The Soulstice, so I cannot wait to start it.

Hush, Hush Review

Title: Hush, Hush
Author: Becca Fitzpatrick
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Published Date: October 2009
Price: Amazon ($10.52)
Synopsis:

For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch came along.
With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment.
But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure who to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.
For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life. 

Review:

News Flash:

Edward Cullen says goodbye to fame and fandom. Ex-Twilight fans now sport V scars instead of fangs.

Becca Fitzpatrick crafts an intoxicating boy, an inevitable and dangerous romance, and a story spun from the Bible story we thought we all knew. Nora Grey meets Patch in biology (Why do they always meet in biology, *ahem* Edward and Bella? My biology class is never that interesting) and is drawn to him, even though she knows her life is in risk as she hangs out more with Patch,

Nora was a well-developed protagonist, who I could easily relate to, with her ambition for school and her initial distance from the “bad” boy. I especially appreciated the fact that Nora wasn’t a “damsel in distress” as she doesn’t immediately fall on her knees and beg Patch to love her or by not calling him every time she needs help (even though she increasingly does so later in the book).

Patch. Extremely sexy guy that we barely know anything about except that he’s sexy and HAWT. Lol, ok there’s more to Patch that the reader is introduced to. But overall, I thought Hush, Hush only showed the façade of Patch, a boy deeply in love with the protagonist. There were so many complications in the plot as it moved back and forth between Patch’s intentions that I didn’t know which to believe. I felt that Patch’s coldness and his absence of emotions could be toned down a bit. I also wished Fitzpatrick would develop his past more and why he decides to become fallen. But, I thought the chemistry between Patch and Nora was depicted well enough for the readers to almost feel the love wave in their relationship.

I also thought the plot was designed well and could stand on its own without the romance (but who would want that?). During the beginning of the book, the chemistry between Nora and Patch was developed, but the second-half of the book picked up its pace in creating the suspense and the action. I loved Fitzpatrick’s unique idea of the fallen angels from the Adams and Eve story.

Plot: 5/5

Characters: 4/5

Cover: 4/5

Patch half-naked! Sorry, had to get that out of my system. I love the light play on the cover and the symbolism of Patch’s wings dropping. I thought the contrast and the variety of the color tones accentuated Patch’s character development and created the Patch’s past.

Overall: 4.5/5

Sexy bad boy, angels, and suspense. Fitzpatrick not only has a plot full of adventure and mystery, but she also depicts the romance between Patch and Nora with intoxicating emotions that the reader can’t help but fall in love with Patch himself. I thought Patch’s past could have been developed more, but we have the sequel Crescendo (*squeal*) so maybe we’ll find out more about him and about Nora’s past. If you are a fan or paranormal romance or sexy, bad boys, go get a copy of Hush, Hush and start reading it!

You Are So Undead To Me Review

Title: You Are So Undead To Me

Author: Stacey Jay

Published Date: March 2009

Publisher: Razorbill

Price: Amazon ($8.77)

Synopsis:

Q: HOW MANY ZOMBIES DOES IT TAKE TO RUIN A SOCIAL LIFE?

A: NOT MANY.

Megan Berry is a Zombie Settler by birth, which means she's part-time shrink to a whole bunch of semi-dead people with killer issues. All Megan really wants is to go to homecoming, but when you're trailed by a bunch of slobbering corpses whenever you leave the house, it's kinda hard to score a date. Let's just say Megan's love life could use some major resuscitation.

Megan's convinced her life can't get any worse - until someone in school starts using black magic to turn average, angsty Undead into scary, hardcore flesh-eating Zombies. Now it's up to Megan to stop the Zombie apocalypse. Her life - and more importantly, the homecoming dance - depends on it.

Review: 

Stacey Jay creates a new twist to the zombies, or rather the Undead, as she is able to bring a whole new emotional face to it than the ugly monsters we see in movies. Not only does Jay create a unique plot, but also creates a love story you’ll root for.

The elements of the zombies bring a shining difference than vampires and werewolves (Sorry, Twilight!). A whole new psychological aspect is developed as the Undead are able to mend the stuff that they aren’t able to fix in their old life. Rather than creating an emotional journey where the reader cries buckets of tears, Jay is able to create it subtly as it doesn’t shroud the chick lit aspect. The adventures and the Zombie settling business were developed really well with the suspense and the mystery. Also, the ending caught me off guard and I was like “WHAT?!”. Jay helps develop the story and the motives behind the culprits to make them more realistic and a bit understandable.

I also thought the character development was really well done. At first, I hated Megan because she was way too much like the stereotypical teenage girl you see. Obsessed with boys, loves the biggest jock of the school who’s a jerk, and worries about her homecoming dance the most. I think the materialistic aspect was a little overdone but it served well to emphasize Megan’s development and how she finally accepts and even welcomes her job as a Settler. And, oh my, I absolutely fell in love with Ethan! He sounds amazingly handsome and is so caring and protective. You feel sympathy for Megan as she falls for Ethan and is hurt by misunderstanding in what she thinks is a platonic relation (which I thought so too, even though I kinda knew what would happen in the ending.)

The book is for anyone, especially those who needed a break from the overly used glittery vampires, lol. The premise of the zombies and the theme of regret create a wonderful story that I hope to see in the sequel, Undead Much? (released: next Friday, Jan. 21). I also cannot wait to see the romance bud.

Plot: 4/5

Characters: 3.5/5

Cover: 3/5

At first, I thought she was standing on a soccer ball from the online edition, so I thought that Megan was a soccer player, lol. But I loved the idea behind the cover, as Megan is shown in control of the Unsettled. However, I felt that the background could be filled in better.

Overall: 3.5/5

An interview with Stacey Jay will be up later today or tomorrow! And watch out for the sequel, Undead Much? next week Jan. 21.

Devoured Review

Title: Devoured

Author: Amanda Marrone

Published Date: September 2009

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Price: Amazon ($9.99)

Megan’s twin sister Remy died in an accident nine years ago, and she’s been haunting her ever since. Knowing how crazy that sounds, Megan keeps this secret to herself and tries to lead a normal life. But when she takes a summer job at Land of Enchantment to keep an eye on her new boyfriend and his lovesick best friend, Samantha, she meets fellow employee Luke who can see Remy, too. Things get even twistier because Megan’s new friend Ari is sporting a massive crush on Luke, who seems to be developing a massive crush on Megan…making for a love triangle that’s positively possessed. Megan wants to keep her distance from Luke, but when Remy’s visions get crazy violent; she knows she needs his help. Because someone’s definitely in danger...the only question is who?

I am still reeling from the horror factors of the book. I finished this book in one sitting and the unique twist Marrone takes with Snow White made me turn the pages as I waited for the resolution. The unique perspective Marrone takes with the happy fairly tales that Disney created create this horrifying tale of jealousy.

At first when I picked up this book, I expected it to be shallow (even though the cover was contrary) and more focused on the romantic aspect of Megan’s life. Since the last supernatural book I read was Give Up the Ghost, I expected something similar to it in focusing more on the psychological and thematic aspect. But, was I in for a surprise! The horror Marrone depicts through her detailed descriptions of the vision of the dead girl and the mystery she surrounds it with made me turn the pages. However, the downside to having ten different situations occurring at the same time leaves you in a “What just happened state?” There were three different plots occurring at one time, the crazed visions Remy was showing, the strained relation between Megan and her mother, and the love, how do we call it, pentagon. Sometimes, the three plots create confusion as Marrone flits back and forth, but the overall effect, as it kept the plot moving, was addicting.

However, I felt the plot’s fast paced speed kept it from developing the characters. Sometimes, and maybe it just reminds me too much of my annoying sister, Remy became way too childish for me to handle. Sure, I understand she’s a seven year old. But her temper tantrums, from the nursing home incident to the time Luke’s grandmother tries to speak to her, get a little annoying as I get more and more sympathetic toward Megan and the stress she feels. I also wanted Luke’s character to be developed more, rather than the "nice" guy (He kisses Megan even though he knows she has a boyfriend. Where is his time for "jealous revenge"?).

Even though the characters could have been developed more by playing on the reader’s emotions, I thought Marrone did a great job on intertwining the horror effect, the fairy tale, and the themes of jealousy (I actually think that I would rather not have mind-reading power) and death.

Plot: 4/5

Characters: 3/5

Cover: 4/5

I am a shameless to say but the cover was the first attraction to the book. The stark contrast of the red makeup formed Megan into a player and created a breathtaking beautiful woman, but also an evil edge to it. I also loved the color contrast between the dark dress and the green apple, representing Snow White. Overall, the color scheme was superb.

Overall: 3.5/5

Give Up The Ghost Review

Title: Give Up the Ghost

Author: Megan Crewe

Published Date: September 2009

Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.

Price: Amazon ($11.55)

Cass McKenna much prefers ghosts over "breathers." Ghosts are uncomplicated and dependable, and they know the dirt on everybody... and Cass loves dirt. She's on a mission to expose the dirty secrets of the poseurs in her school.

But when the vice president of the student council discovers her secret, Cass's whole scheme hangs in the balance. Tim wants her to help him contact his recently deceased mother, and Cass reluctantly agrees.

As Cass becomes increasingly entwined in Tim's life, she's surprised to realize he's not so bad—and he needs help more desperately than anyone else suspects. Maybe it’s time to give the living another chance....

Cass McKenna is a protagonist you can empathize with, from her family issues to her feeling as an outsider. Crewe is able to integrate the supernatural ghost aspect of the character with the thematic elements of friends and elements. The unique element of the book is the ability to transition well from a novel of fun read to actually unearthing betrayal of friends and the feeling of exclusion. Also, the action-paced novel didn’t lag down the readers as they read through pages and pages of exposition. By telling Cass’s story within the plot, bit by bit, in how she was betrayed by Danielle and her sister’s story, I was able to enjoy the plot, without getting lost.

Also, Cass’s development is amazing! The characterization of Cass is developed through her every actions, as she is portrayed as a pushy character (which sometimes can get a bit annoying, so mean to poor Tim, lol), but through the retelling of her past is shown as a caring character, who really is sensitive. Also, the portrayal of Danielle differs from the regular bratty cheerleader, as her depth of character is revealed at the end. Also, Cass is finally able to change from being cold and mean, in which she is able to finally release the grudge. Also, Cass’s relation with the mother, the natural “doesn’t stay at home and doesn’t care about her children” mother, help tie into the interpersonal relations theme

Now, I know you all want to hear about Tim, the poor suffering boy who helps open up Cass to the public. But frankly, I was disappointed by Crewe’s development of the relation between Tim and Cass. Tim is of course the regular lanky, caring, blond guy, but underneath the confident image is the brewing of depression, which I thought Crewe did a good job on developing. BUT, (cry) there was no romance or friction, even though there were so many arrows pointing toward that direction. The ending disappointed me, but if Crewe decides to create a sequel (*cough cough* romance with Tim *cough cough*), then I’ll eat my words back up

Plot: 3/5

Characters: 4.5/5

Cover: 3.5/5

Overall: 3.5/5