The Replacement

by Brenna Yovanoff

I barely finished this book, and now that I have I wish I hadn't wasted my time.

The Replacement is the story of Mackie Doyle - a 16-year old changeling boy. Mackie's parents and mostly his sister have done their best to love and care for Mackie, but his allergies to iron, steel, blood and consecrated ground are making it harder and harder for him to live in the human world. However, the world that Mackie came from is not a place he's dying to go back too. The Houses and Mayhem and Misery lie beneath the ground, under the slag heap and the dump hill. They are filled with creeping, mysterious dead and undead creatures. Mackie is content to avoid the world beneath the ground until he finds he needs their potions to keep him living. Then Tate's sister dies, and Tate isn't so sure the girl they buried was really her sister. Mackie finds himself attracted to Tate, which makes it harder and harder for him to deny to her that she's right, and he knows where her real sister is - he just doesn't think they can get her back.

It sounds so promising! Even when I describe the plot here I can't help but thinking, "Oh, that sounds cool!" Alas, the fabulous plot idea suffers from a few flaws:

One. The first half of the book drags. The author is intentionally vague about characters, history, origins, even what exactly Mackie is. Sure he's a changeling, but there are many types of changeling in folklore. Is he a faerie? A troll? An elf? A demon? Some new type of thing you just made up? It is NEVER explained. That bugs me. I read through the first half of the book feeling like I'd missed a chapter. I didn't know what was going on, who exactly people were, what they thought of each other, why they were doing things, etc. It felt like it does when you watch a TV show for the first time in the middle of the 3rd season. Lost and confused. You need a friend with you who knows the show to fill in the gaps for you. In the case of the book I needed the author to do that for me, but she didn't.

Two. Are these kids really supposed to be high schoolers? There is so much drinking going on with no apparent concern for being caught. Never mind the fact that the characters stay out all night and nothing comes of it. Where the heck are the parents? Wouldn't they be concerned? I've encountered this in other books, but it's often is explained away with and over-busy parent, or a poor (as in bad, not penniless) parent or something. But in this book Mackie's dad is supposed to be a pastor - shouldn't he be showing more concern?

Three: I just didn't understand the characters. Is Mackie popular or a freak? At one point he's freak, but then all these girls like him, so...? The twins were very flat and just seemed to be there to fill space. Alice was there one minute kissing Mackie and then she never comes into play again. Roswell was a nice guy, but if he's so close to Mackie, wouldn't you think he'd be more curious about what Mackie is? He seems to be aware of his oddities, but never questions. Maybe that's just supposed to make him a good friend who doesn't question, but I think it makes him seem too timid. Tate - one minute she's super mean girl, the next she's flirting with Mackie. I don't think I really understood any of them, and therefore I didn't really care that much about them.

Even though the ending was hastily and almost too-tidily wrapped up, I really didn't care anymore. I was just glad it was over.

The Blue Shoe

by Roderick Townley

Once again, I'm not really sure what I want to say about this book. It was good, but not I-wanna-rave-about-it good.

The Blue Shoe is the story of Hap Barlow, an apprentice to town's cobbler. Accused of stealing, young Hap is banished to the harsh mountain of Xexnax. Hap is sad to leave his master and friend, Grel, but he is also anxious to get to the mountain as he hopes he will be able to rescue his father who was sent there a few years prior. However, once Hap arrives on the mountain, things are not at all like he'd imagined. Hap must use all his wits to survive on this mountain.

The book has a few moments in the narrative that really catch you attention due to their interesting phrasing. However, there are also a few moments where the author breaks the narrative style to address the reader. (Much like Kate DiCamillo's style - a style I don't always like.)

The story was interesting, but didn't fully realize the mystery I thought was potential in the beginning. By the end the story tried to return to that mysterious element, but by this point it felt like an afterthought.

Leepike Ridge

N. D. Wilson


I love N.D. Wilson! This is the third book of his that I've read, and each one is a treasure. Not only are the stories original and interesting, but the way he tells the story is lovely and lyrical and engrossing.

Leepike Ridge is actually Wilson's first book, and one I've been wanting to read for a while. However, I've never bought it because I didn't like the cover art of the paperback version and could never find the hardback version which I did like the art for (the art pictured). Finally found a copy at an outlet book store though, so it was finally time to buy it and read it.

While I do think I like the 100 Cupboards series better (mostly because it's fantasy and this is realistic fiction), Leepike Ridge was a fun story.

It starts off with this boy, Tom, who sails off down the river on a piece of Styrofoam from a refrigerator box and before he knows what's happening, the river dives under the mountain and Tom is sucked along with it. Once the current stops, Tom finds himself stuck in the pitch-dark and he can't find a way out. He also finds a body, a dog, a flashlight and eventually, a stream traveling farther into the mountain. Meanwhile Tom's mother is desperately searching for her son, and trying to determine who she can trust and who is keeping things from her. Will Tom ever find his way back above ground, and if he does, will he find his mom is safe or in danger?

Gregor and the Code of Claw

by Suzanne Collins

It took me a little longer than I anticipated, but I finally finished the Gregor series. Contrary to Suzanne Collins' usual style, book four ended on a cliff-hanger and book five continues the story right from that point.

Gregor once again finds himself wrapped up in a conflict in the Underground. Soon-to-be-Queen Luxa has declared war on the rats, and Gregor finally learns what "The Prophecy of Time" has to say about his involvement. We heard about this prophecy in the last book, but no one would tell Gregor what it says, however, Collins does not make us wait much longer - Gregor finally gets to read the prophecy within the first chapter of book five - and he learns that this prophecy calls for his death.

Gregor must face his fears all while grappling with the questions of the looming war. Is it right? How can you distinguish your friends from you enemies? What is it that causes one to become evil? Are they born evil, or do outside influences make them that way? Don't we all have some evil in us or our pasts?

Many tough questions for a book aimed at upper-elementary readers. Collins seems to be promoting an anti-war message, but the book never feels preachy. My one complaint of the series is that the ending is a little too ambiguous for my tastes. Gregor's future is left largely unexplained. I would have liked a little more resolution than offered, but on the whole I really enjoyed the series and would highly recommend it.

Gregor and the Marks of Secret

by Suzanne Collins

Forth Gregor book and I'm running out of new things to say!

This is the first book of the series were we don't start out with a new prophecy. Gregor returns to the Underland this time around to visit his mom who's still being held in the hospital in Regalia. Quickly though, he gets involved in solving a mystery alongside his friend Luxa. The pair discovers that something mysterious is happening with the Underground mice colony. Headstrong Luxa immediately starts off on a quest to solve the mystery and Gregor, not wanting to have Luxa leave him behind, accompanies her. The pair will soon discover that more is happening in the Underland than anyone is aware of.

The Underland is, once again, a fun place to be. This book strays a little from Collins' typical style - ending with a cliff-hanger, which makes me thankful that I have the fifth book already waiting for me!

Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods

by Suzanne Collins

Back to Gregor! This is the third book in the Gregor series, and I think they just keep on getting better!

At the beginning of the book Gregor in back in NYC with his family. However, the Underlanders need him again to help fulfill yet another prophecy. This time though, Gregor's mom is absolutely not going to let him go! The family tries to avoid the rats that come to "convince" them, but soon realize that there is no escaping them. Gregor's mom relents, but insists that this time she's coming with them. Having Gregor's mom in the Underland is in interesting twist this time around, although she ends up having a smaller role than I thought she might. But again, the Underland is always entertaining!

Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane

by Suzanne Collins

I've gotten terribly behind on this blog (7 books behind) and I can't really remember the order I read some in or when I finished them, so this is just my best guess.

This is the second book in the Gregor series. Gregor returns to the underland to fulfill yet another prophecy. This book was better than the first one with some additional fun characters through into the mix. The fireflies are both hilarious and infuriating, while the newest rat Twitchtip keeps you guessing. Gregor continues to struggle to interpret the prophecies and understand his new friends all while having to make some of the most difficult decisions of his life. You can't help but love him, his sister Boots or even the various rats, bats and cockroaches that accompany him.

Gregor the Overlander

by Suzanne Collins

Two reasons to read this book: it's by Suzanne Collins, author of the incredibly awesome The Hunger Games, and Dani recommends it! (Both reasons clearly being enough on their own - put them together and it's pretty much mandatory to read this book!)

Gregor the Overlander is the first book in a five-part series. Gregor lives in New York City and lives a fairly ordinary life - until he and his little sister Boots fall through a grate in their laundry room and find themselves deep below the city in the Underland. Here they meet pale-skinned people with violet eyes, as well as scores of giant cockroaches, bats and rats. Gregor soon learns that the Underlanders believe he is the "warrior" from an ancient prophecy as well as that his dad (who's been missing for over 2 years) is likely being held prisoner by the rats. Gregor and his new acquaintances must set out on a journey to save his father, as well as the future of the Underland from the scheming plans of the rats.

Fun premise, fast read, amusing characters and four books to follow all add up to an exciting new series to enjoy!

Downsiders

by Neal Shusterman

I found this book at a used book store in California over Thanksgiving vacation. I've read a number of summaries of Neal Shusterman's books and I've been wanting to read something of his for a while. So when I came across a slightly-battered copy of Downsiders, I decided it would be my first Shusterman.

The book was interesting, and while it reminded me of other novels I've read, it was unique enough that the similarities were fun to ponder instead of annoying. The Downsiders was about two kids - Talon and Lindsay who come from very different worlds. Talon is a Downsider - that is, he lives beneath the streets and subways of New York City in a secret underground civilization. One day, he meets Lindsay, a girl from the "Topside". The two form a friendship that is against the rules of the Downside, and threatens to destroy their civilization - possibly forever.

It was almost like reading a mash-up of Tunnels (by Roderick Gordon and Brian Williams) and The City of Ember (by Jeanne DuPrau), although it is older than both of these books - I just happened to read them first.

Hmmm....let's see how it would rate on Dani's rating system!

1st star (butt-kicking) - alas, not much butt-kicking...more scheming and plotting and such...perhaps it can have half a star for that +.5

2nd star (romantic touch) - ah yes, romantic touch it does have that +1

3rd star (some wacky fantasy) - I think an underground society qualifies +1

4th star (love triangle) - kinda, yes, there is something of the sort - I'll give it a star for that +1

5th star -(delectable male co-protagonist) - I don't think I'd use the word "delectable" but he was charming so another half star for this one! +.5

6th star - (scene that is truly tear-jerking) - the end was kinda bittersweet, but that does not earn it a star in my opinion! +0

7th star (expertise with a bow and arrow) - the most difficult 7th star, unfortunately, this book does not earn +0

So we're up to 4 stars! And I think I'm going to tack on an extra .5 for the funny socks, feather hat, chain mail made of pop can tabs, and watches worn on ankles! Because that's just funny!

So 4.5 stars - funny, but it seems that Dani's rating system does give a fairly good rating! I should not have mocked it! In short, this book was good, entertaining, not the awesomest thing I've ever read, but I liked it.

The Diamond of Darkhold

by Jeanne DuPrau

Before reading Graceling I read the forth (and final?) book of Ember: The Diamond of Darkhold by Jeanne DuPrau.

I was apprehensive when starting the book because the previous book in the series was so un-fun! The series begins with the book The City of Ember, continues with The People of Sparks and then with The Prophet of Yonwood. Ember was refreshingly fun and mysterious and a quick read. Sparks began were Ember left off, but did lose a little of the magic of the first. The third book was a prequel to the first two, but the story seemed irrelevant and forced. I didn't like the characters and thought the whole story was a bit hokey. So when I heard there was to be a forth book that returned to the original story I was hopeful the series would be redeemed, but also worried that it might ruin it.

Thankfully, this book captures much of the flavor of the original. It starts up right where Sparks left off, and there is a much more interesting adventure than in the previous two.

One thing missing (as is missing in all the books) is a romance. I can forgive this since the books are for younger readers, but I was still hoping that in this book we would find the characters grown up a few years and perhaps our main two would be paired up. No such luck though, they are only about 6 months older than at the start of the series, and an eventual romance is only hinted at at the end.

Speaking of the end: the last 6 paragraphs are unnecessary. It felt like the author was trying too hard to wrap everything up and make is sound very lyrical or poetic. It also referenced the third book in a rather corny way. So I just went back a few pages and re-read, and then stopped at what I determined the "proper" point. Much better that way. I'd recommend it to all who read it. Other than that a quick and entertaining read. Not quite as good as Ember, but worthy to sit on the shelf beside it.