BEA – Adventures in Polishland

Tag: BEA

Book Review | All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

Posted on April 14, 2016March 17, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

Published by Knopf on January 6, 2015

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 400

Source: Book Expo America

Goodreads: ★★★★★

The Fault in Our Stars meets Eleanor and Park in this exhilarating and heart-wrenching love story about a girl who learns to live from a boy who intends to die.

Soon to be a major motion picture starring Elle Fanning!

Theodore Finch is fascinated by death, and he constantly thinks of ways he might kill himself. But each time, something good, no matter how small, stops him.

Violet Markey lives for the future, counting the days until graduation, when she can escape her Indiana town and her aching grief in the wake of her sister’s recent death.

When Finch and Violet meet on the ledge of the bell tower at school, it’s unclear who saves whom. And when they pair up on a project to discover the “natural wonders” of their state, both Finch and Violet make more important discoveries: It’s only with Violet that Finch can be himself—a weird, funny, live-out-loud guy who’s not such a freak after all. And it’s only with Finch that Violet can forget to count away the days and start living them. But as Violet’s world grows, Finch’s begins to shrink.

This is an intense, gripping novel perfect for fans of Jay Asher, Rainbow Rowell, John Green, Gayle Forman, and Jenny Downham from a talented new voice in YA, Jennifer Niven.

REVIEW

I am a huge fan of contemporary young adult novels, and I knew I would enjoy All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven as soon as I began to hear buzz about it back in 2015. I was luckily able to meet the author at Book Expo America last year, and received an autographed copy of the book. However, I didn’t pick it up until early 2016 because I know it would be an emotional investment. All the Bright Places is definitely a poignant read, but it’s absolutely beautiful and my first five-star rating of 2016. Let me share more of my thoughts on the book with you.

All the Bright Places follows two teenagers, Finch and Violet, and opens when they meet on the roof of their high school, both contemplating suicide. Finch talks Violet out of jumping, and the two begin a friendship. The book is written in a dual perspective, so readers follow both Finch and Violet, and learn about the struggles each has had to encounter in life. The two team up for a class project in which they must discover the wonders of their home state, Indiana, and the book follows their journey together.

I was deeply moved by All the Bright Places, and think everyone needs to read this book. It does deal with very difficult topics like mental illness and suicide, so do take that into account before reading. That being said, I loved Niven’s writing very much. While the writing style is easy to read and flows very naturally, it also contains a maturity that isn’t often found in young adult literature. Finch and Violet have distinct voices, and Niven’s writing is very powerful.

Moreover, there were some things I didn’t like about All the Bright Places. Many of the characters in the novel are extremely unlikeable, especially the adults. However, I still gave this novel a five-star rating because I know that Niven purposefully writes these characters to be unlikeable, and develops them well. For example, Finch has extremely neglectful parents that are abusive and not present in his life. While that angered me, it helped the story. It shows a real situation where teenagers don’t have good home lives, and desperately need help in order to survive. Thus, while it would be easy for me to detract a star from my rating because I didn’t like certain characters, I didn’t because I know they are purposefully written that way.

Similarly, I found Finch very difficult to understand at first. His chapters didn’t make sense to me, but by the end of the book I saw that this was done to show readers his struggles. I’m not supposed to fully understand his thoughts, because even he doesn’t even know what he’s going through completely. I think Niven does an excellent job of writing his character, as she does with all the characters in All the Bright Places.

Finally, my favorite thing about the book was how it lit a fire in me as a reader. A big aspect of All the Bright Places is wandering. Finch and Violet visit a lot of unique places in their home state, and I want so much to take their journey, too. I also want to visit the wonders in my own home state to see what’s out there. All the Bright Places also inspires me to take care of myself and watch out for the ones I love. It’s so important to care for one another, even though it might be extremely difficult.

All in all, I am so glad I finally read All the Bright Places. I did cry a lot while reading it, and when I was finished I sat and cried for a little while, too. But I do really think that this is a book that needs to be read, and so I recommend it to you. I hope you’ll pick it up and enjoy it as much as I do!

BUY THE BOOK

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

When you buy a book through the Amazon or Book Depository links above, I earn a small commission through each website’s affiliate program. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Book Review | Newt’s Emerald by Garth Nix

Posted on April 12, 2016April 12, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Newt’s Emerald by Garth Nix

Published by Katherine Tegan Books on October 13, 2015

Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Historical Fiction

Format: ARC

Pages: 304

Source: Book Expo America

Goodreads: ★★★

On her eighteenth birthday, Lady Truthful, nicknamed “Newt,” will inherit her family’s treasure: the Newington Emerald. A dazzling heart-shaped gem, the Emerald also bestows its wearer with magical powers.

When the Emerald disappears one stormy night, Newt sets off to recover it. Her plan entails dressing up as a man, mustache included, as no well-bred young lady should be seen out and about on her own. While in disguise, Newt encounters the handsome but shrewd Major Harnett, who volunteers to help find the missing Emerald under the assumption that she is a man. Once she and her unsuspecting ally are caught up in a dangerous adventure that includes an evil sorceress, Newt realizes that something else is afoot: the beating of her heart.

In Newt’s Emerald, the bestselling author of Sabriel, Garth Nix, takes a waggish approach to the forever popular Regency romance and presents a charmed world where everyone has something to hide.

REVIEW

I received an ARC of Newt’s Emerald while attending Book Expo America in 2015, and was excited to read a book by well-known fantasy author Garth Nix for the first time. Newt’s Emerald is a magical fantasy story that takes place in London during the Regency era. The book follows Lady Truthful as she turns 18-years-old. Her father shows her the emerald she will inherit during her birthday dinner, when suddenly a big storm occurs and the emerald is stolen. Truthful travels to London to visit her aunt, and to help find the emerald.

I thought the idea for Newt’s Emerald was a lot of fun, but unfortunately the book fell a bit flat for me. My first issue is with the writing style. Nix does an excellent job of writing in the British English of the time period, but it was difficult to adapt because there was a lot of vocabulary I didn’t know. While there is a glossary in the back of the book, many of the words I looked up weren’t listed there. Similarly, Nix assumes that the reader is already familiar with the magic system in the book. Perhaps if you read a lot of books in this genre you would be, but I would have liked a lot more world-building. This is especially true for a young adult novel, in which many of the readers might not be familiar with this particular magic system.

Moreover, I also found that the book’s short length held back the story. The characters were underdeveloped, as was the romance. A longer book would have also helped to build suspense. This is especially true at the end of the novel. I won’t spoil the story for you, but I will say that I was very disappointed with the ending. The book built up to a climax that happens in the last couple of pages. Then, the book is suddenly over. This sudden ending really detracted from my enjoyment of the story. This could have been solved with a longer book, or even an epilogue.

That being said, there were still some things I liked about Newt’s Emerald in addition to the plot idea. First, I loved the character of Truthful’s aunt, Lady Badgery. Ever since becoming an aunt, I’ve loved aunts in literature. Lady Badgery is sassy and smart, but also quite loving. She really takes Truthful under her wing, and I loved seeing how their relationship played a role in the book. In addition, I loved the glamorous setting of Newt’s Emerald. Not only was glamour a part of the magic system, but I really liked all of the balls Truthful attended, as well as the careful attention to fashion. I don’t believe I’ve ever read a book in the Regency era before, and this definitely piqued my interest.

All in all, I was quite disappointed with Newt’s Emerald because it was underdeveloped and slow-going. It reads more like middle grade than young adult, so I would recommend it for younger readers. While I thought the story had a fun plot, it just wasn’t done well for my tastes. I am interested to hear your thoughts on Nix’s other books. I know his Abhorson series is well-loved, so I might give that a try in the future.

BUY THE BOOK

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

Book Review | Soundless by Richelle Mead

Posted on October 8, 2015August 30, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Soundless by Richelle Mead

Published by Razorbill on November 10, 2015

Genres: Middle Grade, Young Adult, Fantasy

Format: ARC

Pages: 272

Source: BEA

Goodreads: ★★★★

From Richelle Mead, the #1 internationally bestselling author of Vampire Academy and Bloodlines, comes a breathtaking new fantasy steeped in Chinese folklore.

For as long as Fei can remember, there has been no sound in her village, where rocky terrain and frequent avalanches prevent residents from self-sustaining. Fei and her people are at the mercy of a zipline that carries food up the treacherous cliffs from Beiguo, a mysterious faraway kingdom.

When villagers begin to lose their sight, deliveries from the zipline shrink and many go hungry. Fei’s home, the people she loves, and her entire existence is plunged into crisis, under threat of darkness and starvation.

But soon Fei is awoken in the night by a searing noise, and sound becomes her weapon.

Richelle Mead takes readers on a triumphant journey from the peak of Fei’s jagged mountain village to the valley of Beiugo, where a startling truth and an unlikely romance will change her life forever…

REVIEW

I’ve been hearing amazing things about Richelle Mead’s books for years now, but haven’t picked one up until receiving Soundless at Book Expo America (“BEA”) this past May. Soundless is a stand alone fantasy novel following Fei, a young artist who lives in a Chinese village in which everyone is deaf. No one is entirely sure why the people in Fei’s village lost their hearing several generations ago, but now members of her community are losing their vision as well. This poses a danger for them, because they are stuck at the top of a mountain, and their only chance at survival comes by way of a zipline connecting the village with the township at the bottom. So long as Fei’s village sends down the precious metals they mine, they receive food in return, but the more they lose their vision, the less food they receive. Things are looking bleak until one day Fei’s hearing suddenly returns. She decides to use this new ability to make the dangerous trek down the mountain with her childhood friend Li Wei in hopes of saving her community.

What follows is a short but incredibly well-written account of what Fei and Li Wei discover at the bottom of the mountain, and what, if anything, they can do to save their people. I found Soundless a very unique and refreshing story, and I really liked that I never knew what was going to happen next. I was especially fond of all the characters in Soundless, and felt a bond with them throughout the story. Fei, in particular, is an incredible heroine. She is brave, self-sufficient, and always does what is best for her community over what may fulfill her own selfish needs. Richelle Mead does an excellent job creating a heroine who is realistic, yet still surprisingly strong.

My only critique of Soundless is with the ending. In order to keep this review spoiler-free, I will generally explain my disappointments. The ending for me was a bit of a cop out, because it turned an otherwise contemporary-feeling read into a fantasy one. While I still enjoyed the ending overall, I do wish it flowed better from the rest of the novel. Similarly, I found that everything in Soundless wrapped up a bit too easily. I recognize that this is a middle grade novel, though, so that is understandable.

Overall, Soundless is a great read, and I highly recommend it if you are looking for a unique and diverse story. I appreciate that Soundless is a stand-alone fantasy book, as I tend to avoid fantasy due to the long series that are often involved. That being said, I am definitely looking forward to picking up Richelle Mead’s other books now that I know I enjoy her writing.

BUY THE BOOK

Amazon | Book Depository | Barnes & Noble

Book Review | The Accident Season by Moïra Fowley-Doyle

Posted on September 29, 2015September 18, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

The Accident Season by Moïra Fowley-Doyle

Published by Kathy Dawson Books on July 2, 2015

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Magical Realism

Format: ARC

Pages: 283

Source: BEA

Goodreads: ★★★★★

It’s the accident season, the same time every year. Bones break, skin tears, bruises bloom.

The accident season has been part of seventeen-year-old Cara’s life for as long as she can remember. Towards the end of October, foreshadowed by the deaths of many relatives before them, Cara’s family becomes inexplicably accident-prone. They banish knives to locked drawers, cover sharp table edges with padding, switch off electrical items – but injuries follow wherever they go, and the accident season becomes an ever-growing obsession and fear.

But why are they so cursed? And how can they break free?

REVIEW

Perhaps it’s because Halloween is coming up, but I’ve really been into creepy reads lately. The Accident Season definitely fits that description. This haunting young adult novel follows Cara and her family during the month of October, during which they experience the Accident Season. Every year they experience a series of accidents, sometimes small and sometimes tragic. This year Cara’s best friend Bea predicts that it’s going to be the worst season yet.

What follows is an incredibly written story full of emotion. It started slow, but the pace quickly picked up to the point where I couldn’t put the book down and finished the novel in two days. I loved the mystery of The Accident Season. It is written in a way so that it leads the reader in one direction, but logically builds up to a few exciting twists.

In the same way, I really loved the characters in The Accident Season. I cared deeply for each character and his or her personal struggles, and I also rooted for each character. I am amazed at how the emotions jumped off the page and into me. For example, during one particular scene, I felt frightened and like I was watching a scary movie take place. I’m amazed at how the author seamlessly used her words to create such a feeling in me as a reader.

As always, I won’t spoil the ending, but I will say that it was perfect for the magical realism genre. That being said, I feel like this book will not be for everyone because it does deal with some very serious issues that I won’t discuss due to spoilers. I recommend the book for those who enjoyed We Were Liars, as it has a similar vibe with a very different storyline. The Accident Season is also a great choice for book clubs, because it leaves a lot to be discussed and will mean different things to different readers.

In the end, I highly recommend The Accident Season. It’s very difficult to describe just how much I loved this book without giving away the mysterious plot. If you are looking for an eery yet extremely poignant book this fall, I highly recommend The Accident Season. I am really looking forward to the next books from debut author Moïra Fowley-Doyle, as this one is outstanding.

BUY THE BOOK

Amazon | Book Depository | Barnes & Noble

Book Review | Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff (The Illuminae Files #1)

Posted on September 17, 2015September 17, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Illuminae (The Illuminae Files #1) by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers on October 20, 2015

Genres: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Fantasy

Format: ARC

Pages: 608

Source: BEA

Goodreads: ★★★★ 1/2

This morning, Kady thought breaking up with Ezra was the hardest thing she’d have to do.

This afternoon, her planet was invaded.

The year is 2575, and two rival megacorporations are at war over a planet that’s little more than an ice-covered speck at the edge of the universe. Too bad nobody thought to warn the people living on it. With enemy fire raining down on them, Kady and Ezra—who are barely even talking to each other—are forced to fight their way onto an evacuating fleet, with an enemy warship in hot pursuit.

But their problems are just getting started. A deadly plague has broken out and is mutating, with terrifying results; the fleet’s AI, which should be protecting them, may actually be their enemy; and nobody in charge will say what’s really going on. As Kady hacks into a tangled web of data to find the truth, it’s clear only one person can help her bring it all to light: the ex-boyfriend she swore she’d never speak to again.

Told through a fascinating dossier of hacked documents—including emails, schematics, military files, IMs, medical reports, interviews, and more—Illuminae is the first book in a heart-stopping, high-octane trilogy about lives interrupted, the price of truth, and the courage of everyday heroes.

REVIEW

I knew Illumiae would be a unique reading experience ever since I picked it up at Book Expo America (“BEA”) this past May. This brick of a book is 600 pages, yet flies by due to its experimental writing style. Illuminae is told through a series of hacked documents and presented to the reader as one large case file. From email logs, to video surveillance summaries, to government documents and more, Illuminae is experimental writing done right.

The story chronicles Kady Grant and Ezra Mason, a young couple who breaks up on the same day their colony is attacked by a giant corporation. Kady and Ezra escape on spaceships, with Kady being on the Hypatia and Ezra on the Alexander. Illuminae chronicles this duo as they discover the reasons behind the attack and the fate that is in store for their community. What follows is a terrifying tale featuring a petrifying virus taking over the population and a human-like artificial intelligence program called AIDAN, which is controlling the fate of everyone aboard the spaceships.

I was immediately captivated with the story, though I did find it a bit difficult to understand everything that was going on at first because of the book’s set-up. While the world-building could have been stronger, the characters were instantaneously likable, and I was rooting for Kady and Ezra from page one. I was amazed with how connected I felt with the characters in Illuminae. Kady, in particular, is an impeccable heroine.

The breakthrough star of Illuminae, though, is AIDAN, the artificial intelligence on board the Alexander. While AIDIN may be just a machine, his words and feelings are so human that it was easy to forget he was created through computer code. AIDAN’s character is creepy and intriguing. His ability to know and see everything around him is disturbing, and his ability wipe out the entire community with one command is terrifying. AIDAN’s role in Illuminae stirs up a dialogue about what it means to be human, and the dangers of technology if we continue to let it dominate our lives.

Moreover, Illuminae’s design is done extremely well. As the story continues, page design plays a big role in the reading experience. The color of the pages, font, and word placement help to build anticipation, and I’m very impressed with the careful attention to detail. Some pages in the book are truly works of art, and it does not go unappreciated.

Finally, the ending of Illuminae is very well done. While it was a bit predictable, I still enjoyed it nonetheless. The story is completed while still setting up for book two. I can’t wait until the next installment in this trilogy comes out, though I’ll have to do so – it won’t be released until sometime in 2016. Until then, I highly recommend you pre-order Illuminae so you can experience this adventure as soon as the book hits shelves in October. Don’t be intimidated by the page count – you’ll fly through Illuminae with ease.

BUY THE BOOK

Amazon | Book Depository | Barnes & Noble

When you buy a book through the Amazon or Book Depository links above I earn a small commission through each website’s affiliate program. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Book Review | The Shrunken Head by Lauren Oliver & H.C. Chester (The Curiosity House #1)

Posted on September 15, 2015September 15, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

The Shrunken Head (The Curiosity House #1) by Lauren Oliver & H.C. Chester

Published by HarperCollins Children’s Books on September 29, 2015

Genres: Children’s, Middle Grade, Mystery, Urban Fantasy

Format: ARC

Pages: 368

Source: BEA

Goodreads: ★★★★

What you will find in this book:

– A rather attractive bearded lady
– Several scandalous murders
– A deliciously disgusting Amazonian shrunken head
– Four extraordinary children with equally extraordinary abilities
– A quite loquacious talking bird

Blessed with extraordinary abilities, orphans Philippa, Sam, and Thomas have grown up happily in Dumfrey’s Dime Museum of Freaks, Oddities, and Wonders. But when a fourth child, Max, a knife-
thrower, joins the group, it sets off an unforgettable chain of events. When the museum’s Amazonian shrunken head is stolen, the four are determined to get it back. But their search leads them to a series of murders and an explosive secret about their pasts.

This sensational new series combines the unparalleled storytelling gifts of Lauren Oliver with the rich
knowledge of the notorious relics collector H.C. Chester.

What you will NOT find in this book:

– An accountant named Seymour
– A never-ending line at the post office
– Brussel sprouts (shudder)
– A lecture on finishing all your homework on time
– A sweet, gooey story for nice little girls and boys.

REVIEW

I got in a line to meet Lauren Oliver at Book Expo America (“BEA”) this past May and came away with this book, of which I knew nothing. What I got in The Shrunken Head is a fun children’s story that takes place in New York City in the 1930s. The setting is Dumfrey’s Dime Museum of Freaks, Oddities, and Wonders, which just got in a new and exciting oddity – a shrunken head. This head wows audiences and drives crowds to Dumfrey’s until it is stolen. The story follows four children who live and perform at Dumfrey’s as they run around New York trying to find the head and figure out why so many people have mysteriously died since the head’s disappearance.

The Shrunken Head is perfect for fans of Clue and Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, as it combines these genres in a new way. Our ‘freaks’ in the story are: Pippa, a mind reader; Thomas, a boy who can fit into any space no matter how small; Max, a knife-throwing girl; and Sam, a scrawny strongman. These four unite to save the museum they call home, and make a great cast of characters. Each child has a well-developed personality individually, but work together really well. In addition, The Shrunken Head has an extended character list that is easy to follow and keep in line.

Moreover, The Shrunken Head is very well written. I loved the funny lines thrown in, and how the mystery aspect of the story is well-crafted. There are just enough hints along the way that make the book fun for adults as well as children. That being said, I do think the storyline is a bit dark for its intended audience of 8-12-year-olds. The Shrunken Head is a murder mystery, so there is a bit of violence, and a discussion of murder and suicide. While there is nothing too graphic, if you are a parent of young children I would keep the subject-matter in mind.

One thing I do really love about the story, though, is the overall message. I think it’s great that The Shrunken Head discusses body image and being different, and how what makes a person good is not what he looks like on the outside. I definitely look forward to seeing the children in The Shrunken Head in another book soon, especially considering the ending of this one!

All in all, I really enjoyed The Shrunken Head. It is a cute and fun story, and can be enjoyed by a wide audience. I look forward to seeing the final version of the book upon its release on September 29, 2015, so I can see the beautiful artwork that is to be included (I only got sneak peeks in my advanced copy!). I definitely recommend The Shrunken Head if it sounds like something up your alley!

BUY THE BOOK

Amazon | Book Depository | Barnes & Noble