Such Wicked Intent--Kenneth Oppel

Title: Such Wicked Intent
Author: Kenneth Oppel
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Pages: 310 p.
Source: library
Compensation: None

Victor Frankenstein is a lonely grief-stricken sixteen-year-old boy mourning the death of his twin brother and his inability to save his brother's life. He is sad and moody and inconsolable until he discovers the unthinkable--a way into the world of death--and attempts to bring his brother back to life. He is aided by his brother's love Elizabeth and their best friend Henry.

I was sucked into this story from the very beginning. I've enjoyed Kenneth Oppel's work in the past and that was part of the reason I picked this book off the new YA book shelf without knowing much about it (more on that later). Oppel has done a great job of creating a teen version of Frankenstein--the scientist not the monster we erroneously call Frankenstein--we can see how Victor starts off with understandable intentions, to be reunited with his twin, but then quickly becomes consumed with power and less noble motivations. The setting and time period are firmly established by Oppel; there is a good blend of modern science and old world magic. Elizabeth and Henry are not quite as complete as Victor is, but that's okay. This is Victor's story and his is the one we want to read about.

The entire time I was reading I felt like I was *in the middle* of Victor's story, that it had already begun and I was just allowed to witness this episode. I thought it was just a literary device and was not bothered by it at all. In fact, I liked it and thought it worked well. Then, just moments ago, as I was thinking I had better write my review soon the title "His Dark Endeavor" came to me. I didn't know why. I searched it and sure enough Such Wicked Intent is Book TWO of The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein with the first book This Dark Endeavor (I was close). I did not feel like I was missing anything having not read the first book, Such Wicked Intent easily stands alone, but now I understand a few of the references to Victor's previous exploits.

This is a perfect gateway into Mary Shelley's classic Frankenstein. Teens (or grownups) who have already read the original will be interested in this story of the doctor's past and the events that shaped him into the man who created the monster. Teens who have not yet read Frankenstein may be prompted to pick it up after reading Oppel's page-turner prequel(s).

******
I'm an Amazon Associate now. If you click on the Amazon links & buy anything I might make a tiny bit of money.

How to be a Zombie--Serena Valentino

Title: How to be a Zombie
Author: Serena Valentino
Publisher: Candlewick Press, 2010
Pages: 144
Source: VOYA, courtesy of the publisher
Compensation: None

Zombies have always been popular with a certain segment of the teen population. That popularity has increased recently due to the success of movies like “Zombieland” and the TV show “The Walking Dead.” Serena Valentino capitalizes on this attraction for the undead with a unique, funny, interesting guide for zombies. There have been books telling humans how to survive a zombie apocalypse, but this book is geared for the newly risen zombie instead and serves as the “Essential Guide for Anyone Who Craves Brains.” Valentino counsels the novice zombie on his origins, offers suggestions on finding fresh brains to eat, and gives advice on the latest fashions for the undead. She also lists the essential zombie books and movies for further information.

Even non-zombie fans will find Valentino’s book to be a fun and worthwhile read. The book is full of useful hilarious information. In the chapter “How to Pass as a Human,” Valentino warns that “Humans rarely lurch, moan, or bite each other, so you should cut back on these habits.” Colorful photographs of zombies are interspersed throughout the book adding to its visual appeal. Zombie fans will most likely want to buy their own copy, but libraries should have one as well. 

******
I'm an Amazon Associate now. If you click on the Amazon links & buy anything I might make a tiny bit of money.

Savannah Grey--Cliff McNish

Title: Savannah Grey
Author: Cliff McNish
Publisher: Carolrhoda LAB, expected pub date April 2011
Pages: 272 p
Source: The publisher, courtesy of Netgalley
Compensation: None

Savannah Grey is a teenaged girl with a big secret. She's never felt comfortable staying in the same place for very long and chooses to move from foster family to foster family, she doesn't make connections with other people, and she makes weird noises when she sleeps. Unbeknownst to her Savannah is nature's weapon against the ultimate alien evil and the big showdown is quickly approaching. Luckily for her she meets Reece, a guy who seems to have the same secrets, but can she really trust him?

This is the very first eBook I have ever read. I'm glad I chose this title, it was riveting and engrossing and hard to put down. I ignored many Words with Friends games to continue reading it on my iPad.

The story is a quick-paced one; it is very much like an action or horror movie--there's a brief intro to the protagonist and then we are thrust into non stop action. Most of the story is told in first person, but interspersed throughout the novel are chapters describing the history of the evil, the Ocrassa, giving the reader some background knowledge Savannah doesn't have. Savannah's chapters lure us in with the suspenseful action, but these other sections are thoughtfully interesting. While some might argue that Savannah learns too much about her power too easily, it makes sense in the story. She is awakening to that which she has always known; nature has a plan for her and her body forces her mind to accept it. This is a unique girl-power story, part horror, part science fiction, part growing up and accepting one's fate. I highly recommend it to readers looking for something just a bit different from the norm.

******
I'm an Amazon Associate now. If you click on the Amazon links & buy anything I might make a tiny bit of money.

Look for Me by Moonlight--Mary Downing Hahn

From the Vault

This review was originally written--handwritten no less--in August 1999 before the Age of Blogs. I'm not editing it at all because I don't believe in tampering with history. For other old reviews, click on the "From the Vault" tag.

Title: Look for Me by Moonlight

Author: Mary Downing Hahn

1995

Genre: horror; supernatural

Subjects: vampires, ghosts, family, mind control

Summary: 16 year old Cynda feels lonely and unwanted when she moves in with her father and his new wife and child. Then a mysterious older man stays at the inn with them and pays special attention to her. "Ill come to you by moonlight" was the secret message hidden in the scrabble board. But was it "I'll" or "Ill"? Cynda wonders and you will too.

Critique: The book slowly builds to its climax, we are swept away with Cynda as Vincent tells her what she wants to hear. Once it's clear what Vincent really wants, the books becomes truly scary as we see how much control he has over Cynda. 

Recommendation: Yes.******
I'm an Amazon Associate now. If you click on the Amazon links & buy anything I might make a tiny bit of money.

Thirsty--M.T. Anderson

From the Vault

This review was originally written--handwritten no less--in July 1999 before the Age of Blogs. I'm not editing it at all because I don't believe in tampering with history. For other old reviews, click on the "From the Vault" tag.

"Thirsty"
M.T. Anderson
1997
genre: horror
subjects: vampires; puberty

Summary: Chris must choose between the forces of darkness and the light and fight for his soul as he unwillingly turns into a vampire.

Critique: Suspenseful and funny, "Thirsty" blends teenage angst with vampire bloodlust is a unique and creative way. Definitely a quick read, the book keeps the reader engrossed in the struggle between good and evil.

Recommendation: Yes


******
I'm an Amazon Associate now. If you click on the Amazon links & buy anything I might make a tiny bit of money.

Pretty Dead--Francesca Lia Block

I read this book quite a few months ago. I'm a Francesca Lia Block fan and a vampire book fan and had high hopes for this book. Unfortunately I was disappointed and thought about not reviewing it here at all. I don't know why I've turned into a softie...

Charlotte Emerson is a vampire. She's posing as a high school student and has developed a close friendship with a girl named Emma and her boyfriend. Emma has some baggage of her own and decides to commit suicide. Charlotte is devastated, as is her boyfriend Jared, so naturally they start flirting with one another. Along the way we learn about Charlotte's history and her transformation as a vampire and her connection with a mysterious vampire William. In the one original part of the story, Charlotte begins to turn human again.

I wanted to like this book, but it felt very much like Block (or her publisher/agent/editor/neighbor) said "hey, you should write a vampire book! Everyone else is!" and so, without having a real story, she wrote one. It doesn't feel like a Block book. Not that every book an author writes needs to be the same, but most authors who have written many books start to have an identifiable "feel" to them. A discerning reader doesn't need to see the author page. This book didn't have the Block feel. It felt like it was rushed to get out there while vampires were still popular with the masses (vampires will always be popular with certain readers. "Twilight" was NOT the first vampire book ever written or published.)

******
I'm an Amazon Associate now. If you click on the Amazon links & make a purchase I might make a tiny bit of money.

Title: The Love Curse of the Rumbaughs
Author: Jack Gantos
Pages: 185 p.
Publisher: FSG
ISBN: 0374336903

Disturbing. Freaky. Yet riveting. I know there's been a lot of mixed reviews of this book--some people love it, some people hate it. I suspect the people who hate it just can't get over the freakiness of it.

Ivy is 7 years old when she stumbles across the taxidermied-body of her neighbor's mother. Although she screams and is freaked out, she is also strangely fascinated by her neighbor's (71 year old twins Dolph and Ab) activities. She realizes that she too loves her mother as much as the twins' loved theirs and embarks on an apprenticeship with them learning all there is to know about taxidermy.

I finished Love Curse in a day. It's not a very long book and it's pretty hard to put down once you start reading. It's just so... odd. Much like the twins themselves. Half of the story takes place when Ivy is 7 and just learning the secrets of the twins and the other half happens when she is 16 and learns the secrets of her own history. The story is gripping and interesting and definitely leaves the reader with something to think about. Is it possible to love your mother *too* much?

Teens who like mind-blowing books and books that make one think "What the hell??" will be drawn to this one.

************
Reading:
On My Nightstand: