Thanks for the Memories

by Cecelia Ahern

Cecelia Ahern is such a unique author; funny, smart, emotional. Thanks for the Memories is another distinctive work from her.

Somehow Ahern manages to create an emotional attachment between the reader and her characters extremely early on in the book. Even being a little annoyed at Justin's narcissism, I still liked him and I was rooting for him to get it together. Joyce was an extremely vulnerable character, but her strength made it possible for this protagonist to balance on that precarious line between relatable and pathetic. I wasn't thrilled with Joyce's father, Henry. Although a very likable character, I have an aversion to elderly main characters because I'm afraid they will die at any moment and put a damper on the whole book. The bond between the father and daughter was genuine and the situations they found themselves in were silly and fun to read about.

The unique idea of this book, a person's memories being transferred to another through a blood transfusion, could have turned out too contrived and out there. However, Ahern manages to keep the book's feet firmly planted on the ground and it remains intriguing, but not too Science Fiction. This book was a literal feast of quotes; "Be patient and tough; someday this pain will be useful to you." I found myself nodding in agreement at several pieces of dialogue throughout the book. One quote in particular surprised me with its ringing wisdom:

"Everything grows. Including love. And with that growing every day, how can you expect the missing part to ever fade away? Everything builds. Including our ability to cope with it. That's how we keep going."

Ahern's writing is beautiful, clever, sincere and as fluid as the Seine. There is some language in Thanks for the Memories.

A Kiss in Time

by Alex Flinn

In my review of Alex Flinn's Beastly, I mentioned that I was willing to give him another chance despite my disappointment with that book. I had read a description of A Kiss in Time and thought it looked too intriguing to ignore. I won't make that mistake a third time.

This book was sub par at best. Telling the story of Sleeping Beauty and waking her up in the 20Th Century is a unique take on the well-known tale. However, once again, I wasn't in love with the characters and it seems like Flinn is still trying a little too hard to talk the talk of a seventeen-year-old. I was a little put off by the soul mates vibe, as I prefer characters to be a little more mature in those scenarios. Like Beastly, I was pleased by the Epilogue and the way he wrapped up some stray ideas.

All in all it was an okay book and it was devoid of any adult themes.

Princess of the Midnight Ball

by Jessica Day George

The Twelve Dancing Princesses is a story that has always captivated me. This book was no exception.

George did an excellent job in making this well-known tale her own. Her characters were distinct and each of the twelve princesses has a personality. I've said before that I'm not a fan of authors taking the modern world, calling it something else and creating a semi-new fantasy civilization, but George makes it work in this book. The setting is one I can picture, maybe in the late 1800's or early 1900's, making the juxtaposition of guns and pastoral Europe plausible. The hero, Galen, is likable and clever, but not without fault, which makes him more realistic. I enjoyed the spin George put on the reason the princesses dance; not for some frivolous fancies, but because of something sinister and beyond their control. I really enjoyed reading this book and Jessica Day George is fast becoming one of my favorite authors.

The book is wholesome and there is no swearing or profanity.

Wings

by Aprilynne Pike

I was really excited to read this book. After Melissa Marr's depiction of cruel and cold fairies, I thought Wings would be a bit softer and fairy-tale-like.

I liked this book, but I should have known that it wouldn't be as good as I wanted it to be from the review on the cover by Stephanie Meyer. This book read somewhat like one of Meyers' books, although slightly more juvenile. I enjoyed the story and the characters, but I felt that they were a little two dimensional. I felt like the entire book's purpose was to set up for another book, when there was a lot of fluff that could have been trimmed and the substance I feel is coming could have made the book complete now. I was left hanging, but not on the edge of my seat and not feeling like my questions were answered at all. It was lacking.

There was nothing inappropraite in this book.

Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow

by Jessica Day George

This Norwegian folk tale is one that I've come across before and this book did nothing to quell my adoration for the story.

The characters in this book are unique and familiar at the same time. The lass is an endearing and wholesome woman that embodies a loving nature and has an affinity for animals. Her glaring flaw is her curiosity which ultimately places herself and her true love in peril. Although predictable, the fact that the lass perseveres in the end and saves not only herself, but her family, her homeland and many others around her, is not contrived or boring. I don't really have very much to say about this book because it was just an enjoyable, well written story.

There is nothing inappropriate in this book.

Hunted

by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast

This latest addition to the House of Night series was, overall, the most well-written of the five. That's not saying much.

There's not too much to say that I haven't already said. The one thing that is a little unbelievable is that the books evolved to this point. The main protagonist, Neferet, has gotten much further in her evil plot that she should have. For one, Zoey should have gotten off her boyfriend's face and figured out a way to reveal her as the villain. Secondly, if many adult vampyres are especially intuitive, I would assume that the leaders of the race would be able to keep a close eye on their High Priestesses, not to mention the fact that the big gal herself was in the school, around Neferet and apparently didn't get an inkling of her true nature. Not likely. Plus, there's that whole, let's start a war with the humans, thing. Red flag. Considering all of this, the conclusion of this book was a little anti-climatic and Neferet just ascends with Kalona and that's that. Obviously the next book(s)will have to deal with the conclusion that is so badly needed.

More language and teenage groping.

Untamed

by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast

Why do I keep reading this series? Because, despite the atrocious writing, outdated fads and irritatingly self-righteous undertones, the plot is actually a good one.

This fifth book of the series was a little easier for me to read because Zoey has lost all of her boyfriends and has some serious apologies to make to her friends, which, while stemming partly from their immaturity, makes me a little happy to see Zoey doing something other than stringing guys along, being praised and adored by her friends and peers and pondering endless soliloquies worth of teen slang-infused angst. I do like the changes in Aphrodite. She remains true to her base character while evolving and transitioning from antagonist to protagonist.

"Jack and Damien are together. Hello. They're gay. My friends and I, along with anyone who's not narrow-minded and utterly judgemental, are cool with that." This literally had me rolling my eyes. It illustrates well the attitude the authors portray; that anything supporting what the characters believe is right and anyone that doesn't believe that is judgemental and narrow-minded. Another example is the interaction between Zoey and a nun who states her belief that the goddess Nyx, whom the vampyres worship, is another manifestation of the Virgin Mary and, consequently, not to be feared or reviled. The whole situation irritates me because Zoey expects to be shunned and is shocked when she's not, but at the same time, she's up on her high horse talking about how everyone that doesn't see things her way is contemptible and people shouldn't judge while she's walking up to a nun expecting to be cast into Hell. This character really drives me crazy.

I will admit that this book included a major plot change that diverted things toward Cherokee legends, which was very enjoyable.

Crude language.

Chosen

by P.C.Cast and Kristin Cast

Book three in the House of Night series begins with the celebration of Zoey's "Birthmas", so called because, in having a birthday so close to Christmas, Zoey is often the recipient of Christmas-themed birthday gifts. True to form, her close friends decide on a theme of snowmen, which upsets her greatly, although she hides it well until her ex-boyfriend's gift arrives with a revealing note and her highly insulted friends blow her off.

Why am I starting my review with such an obvious departure from my normal format? Because I just summed up the entire book right there. Zoey keeps stupid little things to herself and her friends freak out without getting the full story. Seriously, I know the characters are teenagers, but please don't write an entire series about super-human, anomaly, gifted vampyres and expect me to reconcile myself to their immaturity. Also is the fact that supposed fashionistas willing to spend $400 on a pair of boots would never get something as tacky as sparkly, Christmas tree embellished ones and that a stereotypical, well-dressed, gay male would ever consider a cashmere scarf with freaking snowmen embroidered on either end anything other than a waste of a good cashmere scarf.

In addition to this, I am increasingly annoyed by Zoey's boyfriend dilemmas. One girl, one boyfriend, not three. How hard is that? Yes, Zoey, you are gifted enough to save the whole world, but there's no way you can have enough sense to figure out that making out with a teacher in the Library after he gives you diamond earrings is not a good idea. Seeing the human you've imprinted with to "break things off"? Also, not a good idea! It is so annoying to me that she can't get past her hormones and her blood lust. Call down Water and dowse some sense into yourself!

More of the usual unnecessary bad language and sexual innuendo.

Rosie Dunne

By Cecelia Ahern

Rosie Dunne is an entire novel made up of e-mails, letters, instant messages and other correspondence. Incredibly, the story Ahern tells is in no way lacking despite her challenging medium.

The characters in this novel are endearing and real, facing real-life challenges that are complicated and heart-wrenching. Rosie and Alex are childhood friends, soul mates, really, that endure the whims of fate as their lives lead them to each other again and again only to face ironic twists that tear them apart. Despite this, they remain close friends and help each other through life's most bitter rejections. This is a story of unrequited love, in a way, but what I appreciate about that is the lack of cliches and silly, prideful insecurity. Love is unrequited because the characters care more for each other and their perceived feelings and circumstances than about themselves and, not only do they remain emotionally attached, but continue to move on in their own lives rather than dwelling on what they feel could never be.

I am impressed and surprised at how fast I fell in love with Rosie and Alex and even more so that Ahern was able to invoke such emotion and depth without real dialogue or imagery. This is a book that made me laugh, cry and shake my fist in annoyance and anger. The enduring loyalty and unconditional love between Rosie and Alex is rare and this book made me feel hopeful and uplifted.

I love this book. There is some crude language used in this book.

Betrayed

by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast

Book two of The House of Night series once again left much to be desired.

The Casts have added more evidence to my theory that they distinctly lack the skill that should be involved in writing novels, especially given that there are FIVE books in this series. I will admit that the story continues to intrigue me and there is an interesting plot that has a little depth without getting lost in a million subplots. The main character, Zoey, has a little more personality in this second installment, in that she is making some mistakes and feeling a little self-conscious in real life situations. However, there is a side to her that is completely devoid of control when her blood lust kicks in and it is a little frustrating to see the juxtaposition of her apparent maturity and the anomaly she appears to be in the vampire world and this emotional, uncontrollable teenager that gives into her impulses. Looking back at my previous review and thinking about what I've already read of book three, I think I just don't particularly like or relate to this girl. It is also frustrating to have to read through the recap of the previous book, as told from an over-dramatically portrayed teenage point of view, complete with an absurd amount of parenthetical asides and an annoyingly common use of words like totally as well as outdated slang and abbreviations, i.e. 'rentals. Actually, that pretty much sums up the whole book.

I will continue to read the series despite the trying-too-hard dialogue, because the story is really not too bad and I would like to see how things end up. This book contains more semi-graphic sexual talk and imagery...not verging on Fabio romance novels, but inappropriate and unnecessary.