Strangely Literary

We3 by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 07:03:46 -0400

Official Summary: “Writer Grant Morrison and artist Frank Quitely deliver the emotional journey of WE3 – three house pets weaponized for lethal combat by the government – as they search for “home” and ward off the shadowy agency that created them.

With nervous systems amplified to match their terrifying mechanical exoskeletons, the members of Animal Weapon 3 (WE3) have the firepower of a battalion between them. But they are just the program’s prototypes, and now that their testing is complete, they’re slated to be permanently “decommissioned,” causing them to seize their one chance to make a desperate run for freedom. Relentlessly pursued by their makers, the WE3 team must navigate a frightening and confusing world where their instincts and heightened abilities make them as much a threat as those hunting them – but a world, nonetheless, in which somewhere there is something called “home.””

We3 by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely takes place in a not-so-distant future where the military has decided to turn household pets into weapons. As the book opens, the animals are being used by the government for covert assassinations. But, when government officials start to question the wisdom of violent, heavily armed, talking animals, the decision is made to end the program and kill the animals. Before the animals can be “decommissioned,” one of the scientists takes pity on the animals and frees them, leading to a long pursuit as the military tries to find and exterminate the three animals, all of whom used to be beloved pets.

This is a unique story that uses words only sparingly while depicting extreme violence both from and towards the animals. Despite speaking only a few words each, the animals all have distinct personalities that shine through consistently throughout the story. The idea of animals as weapons is taken to a horrific level, but at the same time, the reader sympathizes with the animals who don’t understand what is going on at any point. The humans in the book are mostly portrayed as lacking in any compassion for the animals, but there are some notable exceptions, primarily among the scientists who have worked directly with the animals.

With its graphic depiction of violence, this is certainly not a graphic novel for everyone, but for fans of Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely’s work or for those who are interested in a book that considers the lengths humans will go to in developing a seemingly perfect weapon, this is an interesting read.

Check it Out: We3 is currently available.

Readalike: Grant Morrison has written a number of well-respected graphic novels. If you want to try another of his works, you might try Batman: Arkham Asylum or his book about comics, Supergods: What Masked Vigilantes, Miraculous Mutants, and a Sun God from Smallville Can Teach Us About Being Human.

Heist Society by Ally Carter

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 08:38:38 -0400

Official Summary: “For as long as she can remember, Katarina has been a part of the family business—thieving. When Kat tries to leave “the life” for a normal life, her old friend Hale conspires to bring her back into the fold. Why? A mobster’s art collection has been stolen, and Kat’s father is the only suspect. Caught between Interpol and a far more deadly enemy, Kat’s dad needs her help.

The only solution is to find the paintings and steal them back. Kat’s got two weeks, a teenage crew, and hopefully enough talent to pull off the biggest heist in her family’s history—and, with any luck, steal her life back along the way.”

Heist Society by Ally Carter is the first in her series about teen art thief Katarina Bishop. Born into a family of thieves, Kat has been determined to break out of the family business, going so far as to leave her family to attend boarding school in an effort to become a “normal” teen. When members of both her actual family and extended “family” of criminals work together to get her kicked out of her exclusive new school, she quickly gets caught back up in her family’s less-than-legitimate activities. And, when a powerful criminal believes that her father has crossed him, Kat and her friends have to work together to protect her father and appease the criminal. But to do so, they will have to plan an elaborate robbery of one of the most protected art museums in the world.

In this first entry in the Heist Society series, Ally Carter not only quickly introduces the reader to the main players in Kat’s team of thieves, but also delivers a fast-paced escapade across Europe. The story spans several countries and is broken up into sections representing each day during the two week period that Kat has to steal the art to clear her father. With enough twists and turns to keep any reader guessing and lots of fun banter between the characters, this will appeal to any fan of adventure stories. Best of all, the book works as a standalone novel that is completely wrapped up by its the end but also serves as an entry point to the series of books about Kat, making it perfect no matter your preference.

Check it Out: Heist Society is currently available.

Readalike: If you enjoy Heist Society, you may also enjoy the rest of the series about Kat Bishop, including Uncommon Criminals and Perfect Scoundrels.

Gorgeous by Paul Rudnick

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 07:37:27 -0400

Official Summary: “A book that will make you see yourself clearly for the first time.

When Becky Randle’s mother dies, she’s whisked from her trailer park home to New York. There she meets Tom Kelly, the world’s top designer, who presents Becky with an impossible offer: He’ll design three dresses to transform the very average Becky into the most beautiful woman who ever lived.

Soon Becky is remade as Rebecca - pure five-alarm hotness to the outside world and an awkward mess of cankles and split ends when she’s alone. With Rebecca’s remarkable beauty as her passport, soon Becky’s life resembles a fairy tale. She stars in a movie, VOGUE calls, and she starts to date Prince Gregory, heir to the English throne. That’s when everything crumbles. Because Rebecca aside, Becky loves him. But the idea of a prince looking past Rebecca’s blinding beauty to see the real girl inside? There’s not enough magic in the world.

Defiant, naughty, and impossibly fun, GORGEOUS answers a question that bewilders us all: Just who the hell IS that in the mirror?”

In Gorgeous, Paul Rudnick takes aim at ideas of beauty, fashion, romance, and popular culture. He tells the story of Becky Randle, who has spent her whole life in small town Missouri living with her mother in a trailer park. Her mother is frequently mocked by children and adults alike for her weight, but she is happy and together she and Becky have a good life, but then, one day, when her mother dies unexpectedly, Becky is left not knowing exactly what she wants to do with her life. She has a job as a supermarket cashier, but she hasn’t decided what she wants her career to be. So, when she finds a phone number among her mother’s things that leads her to famed fashion designer Tom Kelly and an offer to be remade into the most beautiful woman in the world, she only briefly hesitates before deciding to give it a try. But, as with all great offers, this one comes with some fine print that she couldn’t have anticipated. And, it will lead her across the globe on a quest to find the truth about beauty, happiness and love.

Gorgeous is a pointed commentary on the world’s obsession with shallow ideals of beauty and success over other measures of happiness and success. The entire plot of the story is designed with this commentary in mind, which makes the book read more like a parable than a typical novel in many ways. But, despite being over-the-top at times, Rudnick succeeds in making the reader care about Becky and root for her to find her true happiness. As long as it isn’t read as a book that is aiming for realism, it is easy to get drawn into the plot.

This book is best suited for those who appreciate social commentary with their fiction. But, if you are looking for a humorous parable about the importance of being true to yourself and the fact that there is more to life than beauty, Gorgeous is a good choice.

Check it Out: Gorgeous is currently available.

Readalike: If you enjoy Rudnick’s humor, try his other works, such as I Shudder: And Other Reactions to Life, Death, and New Jersey.

Note: Review based on ARC from publisher.

True Blood Volume 1: All Together Now by Alan Ball, David Tischman, & Mariah Huehner

Sun, 09 Jun 2013 09:47:22 -0400

Official Summary: “Blood and sex mix on a hot rainy night at Merlotte’s, when Sookie and her friends are trapped by a vengeful spirit who feeds on shame. People die and dirty secrets are revealed as Sookie, Bill, Eric, Sam, Tara, Jason, and Lafayette and are all coerced to dig deep and tell painful memories from their past — those things we all have locked within us that we never tell another living soul! Bon Temps, Louisiana has never been stranger, or more twisted, in a story co-plotted by True Blood series creator Alan Ball, with a script by David Tischman (Bite Club) and Mariah Huehner, and lush art by David Messina (Star Trek: Countdown).”

True Blood Volume 1: All Together Now by Alan Ball, David Tischman and Mariah Huehner fits within the story of the True Blood TV series. While the story never explicitly states where it fits into the timeline of the show, it is clear that it is written by the same creator as the show. The dialogue of the characters fits well with the personalities and mannerisms that they have in the show. In the book, a demon that feeds off of people’s shame and embarrassment shows up at Merlotte’s and traps Sookie, Sam, Tara, Jason, Lafayette, Bill and Eric (along with some unnamed townspeople). He makes it clear that none will leave until he has exacted payment in the form of secrets from each of those present.

While this graphic novel captured the characters perfectly, the plot felt a bit like it was designed simply to give an excuse for each of the characters to tell stories from their past. The stories do reveal interesting details about the characters, which will make this a fun read for those who are fans of the show. The artist has done an excellent job of faithfully reproducing the look of the actors who play the characters on television while taking full advantage of the fact that it is not actual television in designing a demon that goes beyond what could easily be represented on film. This story is a quick read best suited for those who are already familiar with the characters and the basic plot of the television show True Blood. For those who are familiar with the arc of the story, it will be a fun read and great addition to the True Blood world.

Check it Out: True Blood Volume 1: All Together Now is currently available.

Readalike: If you enjoy this book, try the others in the series, starting with True Blood Volume 2: Tainted Blood or, if you haven’t yet read Charlaine’s original Sookie Stackhouse series, start that series with the first book, Dead Until Dark.

Note: Review based on ARC from publisher.

Templar by Jordan Mechner, LeUyen Pham, and Alex Puvilland

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 12:33:32 -0400

Official Summary: “Martin is one of a handful of Templar Knights to escape when the king of France and the pope conspire to destroy the noble order. The pope and king aim to frame the Templars for heresy, execute all of them, and make off with their legendary treasure. That’s the plan, anyway, but Martin and several other surviving knights mount a counter-campaign to regain the lost treasure of the Knights Templar.

With gorgeous illustrations by LeUyen Pham and Alexander Puvilland and lush coloring from Hilary Sycamore, this 480-page, full-color, hardcover graphic novel by Jordan Mechner is itself a treasure.”

Templar by Jordan Mechner, LeUyen Pham, and Alex Puvilland is at its heart a crime caper in the form of a historical fiction graphic novel. The book opens with scenes of a battle of the Crusades and quickly transitions from that to the streets of France where some Templar knights are enjoying the town. Little do they know that the whole world of the Templars is about to change. Political powers beyond their knowledge are at that moment plotting to accuse the Templars of heresy in an attempt to grab their power - and riches - for the French government. While these knights are out on the town, their brethren are captured by the authorities and imprisoned for their role as Templars. While the group initially escapes capture, they are pursued as known Templars and the Templars that are caught are tortured until they “confess” to their heretical activities. Those who refuse or who later recant their confessions face death as heretics.

In the midst of all of this, the main goal of the government forces is to find the Templar treasure to add it to their wealth. Unfortunately for them, they do not know its location, but when Martin, a Templar who has eluded the authorities, joins forces with several other knights, the government has some competition for the treasure. The political machinations of the French government and church entwine with the group’s efforts to find and steal the treasure to keep it from falling into the wrong hands.

This book offers a lot of great features. The artwork is wonderful and perfect for the story, conveying the action of the battles and fights particularly well. At the same time, the historical research that the author conducted is clear in the way that he portrays the Templar knights who have been captured (as he notes, he frequently paraphrased actual statements he read about in his research), which gives the book a sense of grounding in a real historical place despite its focus on a fictional heist. The characters are well-developed and give the reader a vested interest in the positive outcome of the story and the plot to steal the treasure offers a fun and gripping climax to the story.

Templar is a great option for those who enjoy historical fiction and graphic novels. The afterward and bibliography of the book offer some good suggestions for both non-fiction and fictional accounts of the Templars for those who are inspired to read more about the group. I would definitely recommend it for anyone who likes action-packed adventures.

Check it Out: Templar will be released on July 9th.

Readalike: If you enjoy Templar, try Red Handed: The Fine Art of Strange Crimes by Matt Kindt for another graphic novel that tackles unusual crimes, or one of the books that Jordan Mechner recommends in the afterward for more on the Templars.

Note: Review based on ARC from publisher.

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) by Mindy Kaling

Tue, 04 Jun 2013 07:25:17 -0400

Official Summary: “Mindy Kaling has lived many lives: the obedient child of immigrant professionals, a timid chubster afraid of her own bike, a Ben Affleck–impersonating Off-Broadway performer and playwright, and, finally, a comedy writer and actress prone to starting fights with her friends and coworkers with the sentence “Can I just say one last thing about this, and then I swear I’ll shut up about it?”

Perhaps you want to know what Mindy thinks makes a great best friend (someone who will fill your prescription in the middle of the night), or what makes a great guy (one who is aware of all elderly people in any room at any time and acts accordingly), or what is the perfect amount of fame (so famous you can never get convicted of murder in a court of law), or how to maintain a trim figure (you will not find that information in these pages). If so, you’ve come to the right book, mostly!

In Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?, Mindy invites readers on a tour of her life and her unscientific observations on romance, friendship, and Hollywood, with several conveniently placed stopping points for you to run errands and make phone calls. Mindy Kaling really is just a Girl Next Door—not so much literally anywhere in the continental United States, but definitely if you live in India or Sri Lanka.”

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) by Mindy Kaling offers a humorous take on her life so far. For those who aren’t already fans, Mindy Kaling is best known for her work writing for (and acting in) the U.S. version of The Office and for her new show, The Mindy Project. But, this book takes readers back far before she started writing for television to her childhood. She describes herself as a chubby, unathletic, slightly nerdy kid who was obsessed with comedy from a relatively early age, which helped her to bond with one of her best high school friends. She also realistically tackles the ups and downs in the life of a Hollywood writer with self-deprecating humor and discusses the way others have viewed her weight both before and since she became a star. For die-hard fans of The Office, there are also tidbits about her time working as a writer and producer for the show including anecdotes about several of her costars.

While the focus of Kaling’s book is obviously the humor, and it is certainly funny, I also found that she had a lot to say about learning to be confident as a writer and in life more generally as well as the importance of relationships with family, friends and coworkers. While reading this book you will laugh out loud, but you will also come to appreciate a bit more about the comedy world at the same time. I really liked the way that Kaling tackled serious issues in humorous ways in some essays and just included silly thoughts in others. The book is mostly comprised of relatively short chapters, so it is a perfect book to read in bits and pieces over time, though it is relatively short so you could also finish it in under a day if you get caught up in her story.

Even if you have never seen a single episode of one of Kaling’s shows, you can enjoy this fun and funny book and you will learn a bit about what it means to be a female comedy writer in the process. A great option for television comedy fans and humor writing fans alike.

Check it Out: Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? is currently available.

Readalike: If you enjoy this book, try Bossypants by Tina Fey or any of David Sedaris’ essay collections.

Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay

Sun, 02 Jun 2013 10:02:25 -0400

Official Summary: “I live in a world without magic or miracles. A place where there are no clairvoyants or shapeshifters, no angels or superhuman boys to save you. A place where people die and music disintegrates and things suck. I am pressed so hard against the earth by the weight of reality that some days I wonder how I am still able to lift my feet to walk.

Two and a half years after an unspeakable tragedy left her a shadow of the girl she once was, Nastya Kashnikov moves to a new town determined to keep her dark past hidden and hold everyone at a distance. But her plans only last so long before she finds herself inexplicably drawn to the one person as isolated as herself: Josh Bennett.

Josh’s story is no secret. Every person he loves has been taken from his life until, at seventeen years old, there is no one left. When your name is synonymous with death, everyone tends to give you your space. Everyone except Nastya who won’t go away until she’s insinuated herself into every aspect of his life. But as the undeniable pull between them intensifies, he starts to wonder if he will ever learn the secrets she’s been hiding—or if he even wants to.

The Sea of Tranquility is a rich, intense, and brilliantly imagined story about a lonely boy, an emotionally fragile girl, and the miracle of second chances.”

Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay is the story of two teens dealing with difficult lives that are far beyond their control. Nastya, the new girl in school, does everything in her power to put off her new teachers and classmates. Silent for months in the aftermath of a violent event that left her shattered, she dresses and acts in a way that announces loudly that she wants nothing to do with anyone. Josh may not be new to the school, but he has also mastered the solitary vibe that puts off those around him. And, given that it seems as though everyone close to him dies too soon, no one is particularly clamoring to get closer. Though they want nothing to do with one another at first, they are slowly and inextricably drawn together. But, with each of them holding on to their secrets their relationship has difficulty moving beyond its strained foundation until one chance encounter will push them both beyond their comfort level.

Sea of Tranquility is an intense book that can be difficult to read at times as the characters make poor choices that the reader can see even if they cannot. However, Millay manages to make her readers care enough about the characters that not only do they care about these poor choices, but they feel compelled to keep reading to see if the characters can bounce back from them. At times the behavior of some of the characters, particularly the adults surrounding the teenage main characters, seems a bit unbelievable, but most of the characters are so well-developed that their actions fit within their overall personality. As all of the characters’ secrets are slowly revealed the reader will understand what each has been through, but even though this seems like a very dark read, it has moments of hope and redemption that provide the perfect counterpart to the initial darkness. A good read for those who enjoy contemporary young adult novels and don’t mind a bit of darkness.

Check it Out: Sea of Tranquility will be available on June 4th.

Readalike: If you enjoy Sea of Tranquility, try Easy by Tammara Webber or Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell.

Note: Review based on ARC from publisher.

Crime of Privilege by Walter Walker

Fri, 31 May 2013 11:42:03 -0400

Official Summary: “In the tradition of Scott Turow, William Landay, and Nelson DeMille, Crime of Privilege is a stunning thriller about power, corruption, and the law in America—and the dangerous ways they come together.

A murder on Cape Cod. A rape in Palm Beach.

All they have in common is the presence of one of America’s most beloved and influential families. But nobody is asking questions. Not the police. Not the prosecutors. And certainly not George Becket, a young lawyer toiling away in the basement of the Cape & Islands district attorney’s office. George has always lived at the edge of power. He wasn’t born to privilege, but he understands how it works and has benefitted from it in ways he doesn’t like to admit. Now, an investigation brings him deep inside the world of the truly wealthy—and shows him what a perilous place it is.

Years have passed since a young woman was found brutally slain at an exclusive Cape Cod golf club, and no one has ever been charged. Cornered by the victim’s father, George can’t explain why certain leads were never explored—leads that point in the direction of a single family—and he agrees to look into it.

What begins as a search through the highly stratified layers of Cape Cod society, soon has George racing from Idaho to Hawaii, Costa Rica to France to New York City. But everywhere he goes he discovers people like himself: people with more secrets than answers, people haunted by a decision years past to trade silence for protection from life’s sharp edges. George finds his friends are not necessarily still friends and a spouse can be unfaithful in more ways than one. And despite threats at every turn, he is driven to reconstruct the victim’s last hours while searching not only for a killer but for his own redemption.”

Crime of Privilege by Walter Walker is a legal thriller that traces the ramifications of one man’s decision to help cover up a crime for a prominent family during his youth. When George Becket finds himself at a party at the Palm Beach home of one of America’s most beloved political dynasties, he hardly knows what to think. This is hardly the crowd that he normally spends time with and he is predictably impressed with all of the trappings of their wealth and power. But when he witnesses a horrible crime at this party, he must decide whether to give in to pressure to ignore what he saw and help the family to sweep it under the rug or follow his conscience.

But, once he has made the difficult decision to go against his moral compass on behalf of the family, he discovers that they are not the only powerful people in the picture and there are those who want to see that this one fateful decision follows him for the rest of his life. Torn between two powerful groups of people, George will find himself embroiled in another controversy nine years later that echoes that horrible night in Palm Beach and will once again test his morality.

In many ways, Crime of Privilege is a fairly standard legal thriller. It takes place in a world of power, privilege and wealth, where the rich and the politically connected play by totally different rules than the rest of the world. Primarily centered around a murder that occurred on Cape Cod, the book spans the globe as George tries to sift through all of the lies and subterfuge to find the underlying truth. Manipulated from all sides, George starts out as a fairly naive young man who becomes increasingly paranoid as he realizes the degree to which outside forces control his destiny. The book draws the reader in by alternating between time periods and locations to slowly reveal important details. But, while it will keep you guessing for quite some time, I found that certain minor plot points were telegraphed from early on. The book also felt as though it went on for a bit too long, adding a few too many plot twists and events that added to the George’s (and the reader’s) sense of confusion, but didn’t ultimately add all that much to the story. None of the characters in this book were entirely innocent and the villains of the piece are in some cases a bit one dimensional, but Walker does a good job of making George’s decisions somewhat understandable if not admirable. Readers might not agree with his choices, but they will want to find out what happens next.

If you enjoy legal thrillers, particularly those with a political conspiracy angle, you will enjoy this very readable entry in the genre. Overall it is a fast read that will make a good choice for your vacation this summer.

Check it Out: Crime of Privilege will be released on June 18th.

Readalike: Readers who like Crime of Privilege should also try Defending Jacob by William Landay, another legal thriller set in Massachusetts, or The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly.

Note: Review based on ARC from publisher.

Spies and Prejudice by Talia Vance

Tue, 28 May 2013 19:51:45 -0400

Official Summary: “Pride & Prejudice meets Veronica Mars in this slick romantic spy-thriller where nothing’s as it seems.

Berry Fields is not looking for a boyfriend. She’s busy trailing cheaters and liars in her job as a private investigator, collecting evidence of the affairs she’s sure all men commit. And thanks to a pepper spray incident during an eighth grade game of spin the bottle, the guys at her school are not exactly lining up to date her, either.

So when arrogant—and gorgeous—Tanner Halston rolls into town and calls her “nothing amazing,” it’s no loss for Berry. She’ll forget him in no time. She’s more concerned with the questions surfacing about her mother’s death.

But why does Tanner seem to pop up everywhere in her investigation, always getting in her way? Is he trying to stop her from discovering the truth, or protecting her from an unknown threat? And why can’t Berry remember to hate him when he looks into her eyes?

With a playful nod to Jane Austen, Spies and Prejudice will captivate readers as love and espionage collide.”

Spies and Prejudice by Talia Vance is the first book about Strawberry “Berry” Fields, a teen who has graduated to running her own stake outs and investigations for her father, who is a private detective. Together with her friend Mary Chris, who develops spy gear for her, Berry is in the midst of one of these stake outs when she happens to see Mary Chris’s father in the midst of a suspicious meeting. As she digs a bit deeper into this meeting, unresolved issues surrounding her own mother’s death, which was ruled a suicide, are brought to the forefront and she rapidly becomes obsessed with her mother’s death all over again. Berry is a girl who has always avoided any romantic entanglements, and just as she begins her new investigation, her life is further complicated by two mysterious boys who have appeared at her high school. Figuring out their motivations proves to be almost as difficult as finding her mother’s murderer.

This story does a good job of explaining Berry and how her mother’s death impacted every facet of her life. While this is obviously a great feature of the book, I felt that it actually made it more obvious that several of the secondary characters were not as well-developed. This didn’t take too much away from the plot arc of the book, and is somewhat understandable given that the entire story is told from Berry’s point of view, but I would have liked some additional information about the other characters. Additional details would be particularly helpful in making readers more invested in the plot twists and surprise reveals that happen later in the book. However, overall, these complaints don’t tip the balance against this book, particularly for those who enjoy the private detective genre.

Spies and Prejudice is advertised as a play on Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice, but even without the sly nods towards that story, it would be able to stand on its own as an entertaining mystery story that follows a teen detective who is intent on solving one case over all others - the case of her own mother’s death. I would definitely recommend this to young adult mystery fans who are looking for a new investigator to follow. The book seems as though it leaves the possibility of a sequel in the future, but for now, this is the only novel about Berry, which also makes this a great option for those who are tired of starting lengthy series.

Check it Out: Spies and Prejudice will be released on June 11th.

Readalike: If you enjoy Spies and Prejudice, try Vance’s other novels, starting with Silver, the first in the Bandia series or, for another option with even more of a spy bent, try Also Known As by Robin Benway.

Note: Review based on ARC from publisher.

Ripper by Stefan Petrucha

Sun, 26 May 2013 19:09:33 -0400

Official Summary: “You thought you knew him. You were dead wrong.

Carver Young dreams of becoming a detective, despite growing up in an orphanage with only crime novels to encourage him. But when he is adopted by Detective Hawking of the world famous Pinkerton Agency, Carver is given not only the chance to find his biological father, he finds himself smack in the middle of a real life investigation: tracking down a vicious serial killer who has thrown New York City into utter panic. When the case begins to unfold, however, it’s worse than he could have ever imagined, and his loyalty to Mr. Hawking and the Pinkertons comes into question. As the body count rises and the investigation becomes dire, Carver must decide where his true loyalty lies. Full of whip-smart dialogue, kid-friendly gadgets, and featuring a then New York City Police Commissioner Teddy Roosevelt, Ripper challenges everything you thought you knew about the world’s most famous serial killer.”

In Ripper by Stefan Petrucha, Carver Young is an orphan teen who has been wondering about his father for years. He has always been fascinated by detective stories and deduction, but when he is “adopted” by an eccentric ex-Pinkerton detective mostly on the strength of his investigative skills, he is thrust into the center of real mysteries that plague the city. In particular, he is tasked with assisting the investigation of a serial killer who is brutally murdering socialites in Manhattan. As Carver investigates the murders and the mystery surrounding his own father, he begins to wonder whether he may have more of a connection to the killer than he ever guessed. Along the way, he will meet famous detectives and politicians, live in an asylum and work in a high-tech, hidden headquarters.

Ripper is an action packed mystery that incorporates famous historical figures into a somewhat fantastical story that is nevertheless full of suspense. Details about the mystery of the murders are slowly revealed over time and will keep readers guessing and on the edge of their seat, while the historical details that are scattered throughout bring the setting to life. In addition to Carver, Petrucha has populated the book with a strong cast of supporting characters that serve as good foils for Carver. All aspects of the book tend to be a bit over-the-top, but as a whole, it works well and proves to be a pageturner. Readers won’t be able to wait to find out what happens next.

Ripper is a great book for mystery fans, Jack the Ripper aficionados and those who enjoy historical fiction. After the end of the story, the book includes the full text of an actual historical letter that was allegedly written by Jack the Ripper saying that he had arrived in New York City as well as notes explaining some of the historical facts that underlie the story. I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a historical thriller.

Check it Out: Ripper is currently available.

Readalike: If you like Ripper for its focus on Jack the Ripper, try The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson. If you found the serial killer mystery intriguing, try I Am Not A Serial Killer by Dan Wells or I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga.

My Latest Post on The Hub

Fri, 24 May 2013 08:02:15 -0400

Today I published a new post on The Hub. This time I talked about book and game pairs. If you are interested in finding the perfect book to go with your favorite table top game or vice versa, you should definitely check it out!

Daughter of the Centaurs by Kate Klimo

Tue, 21 May 2013 06:56:40 -0400

Official Summary: “A new character joins the ranks of powerful, kick-ass heroines such as those written by Tamora Pierce, Kristin Cashore, Esther Freisner, and Robin McKinley—Malora Ironbound. A great read also for anyone who loves horses and the Greek myths.

Malora knows what she was born to be: a horse wrangler and a hunter, just like her father. But when her people are massacred by batlike monsters called Leatherwings, Malora will need her horse skills just to survive. The last living human, Malora roams the wilderness at the head of a band of magnificent horses, relying only on her own wits, strength, and courage. When she is captured by a group of centaurs and taken to their city, Malora must decide whether the comforts of her new home and family are worth the parts of herself she must sacrifice to keep them.

Kate Klimo has masterfully created a new world, which at first seems to be an ancient one or perhaps another world altogether, but is in fact set on earth sometime far in the future.”

Daughter of the Centaurs by Kate Klimo takes place in a future version of our world where new species such as centaurs, twan and leatherwings have emerged and driven humans not only out of their cities but into a primitive existence with only minimal remnants of their past civilization remaining. Malora is one of these few remaining humans, living with her parents and a small band of other humans in a hunting and gathering society. Her father is a horse trainer who has taught her some of his skills. But when tragedy strikes, repeatedly, Malora finds herself alone with no family beyond a group of horses that she has trained and adopted as her own herd. While out on the plains one day, she encounters a group of centaurs hunting for horses. They are just as shocked as she is since they have never seen a human before, but soon she is brought to their city and must decide whether she wants to become a part of the centaur community.

This book unfolds slowly, revealing hints over the true history of Malora’s world over the course of many chapters to build suspense and a bit of confusion in the reader’s mind. Malora is a strong and independent character who is easy to root for, but despite this, I found that the book never truly drew me in. The slow revelation of facts is accompanied by a fairly slowly paced plot that takes a long time to take off. Moreover, even by the end of the book, I didn’t feel that Klimo’s world of hybrid species completely worked for me. It is possible that more will be revealed in later entries in the series, but by the end of this first book, I still didn’t feel as though the world had completely come to life for me. Klimo’s world is an ambitious and unusual one and, while it didn’t quite work for me, I could see some readers greatly enjoying Malora’s saga.

Check it Out: Daughter of the Centaurs is currently available.

Readalike: For another young adult tale of centaurs, try Elphame’s Choice by P.C. Cast. If you enjoy Malora’s story, you might also want to check out the sequel, A Gathering of Wings, which will be released on May 28th.

Note: Review based on ARC from ARCycling.

This Is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith

Sun, 19 May 2013 16:31:25 -0400

Official Summary: “If fate sent you an email, would you answer?

When teenage movie star Graham Larkin accidentally sends small town girl Ellie O’Neill an email about his pet pig, the two seventeen-year-olds strike up a witty and unforgettable correspondence, discussing everything under the sun, except for their names or backgrounds.

Then Graham finds out that Ellie’s Maine hometown is the perfect location for his latest film, and he decides to take their relationship from online to in-person. But can a star as famous as Graham really start a relationship with an ordinary girl like Ellie? And why does Ellie want to avoid the media’s spotlight at all costs?”

This Is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith is the story of a small town girl meeting a famous movie star, but it also manages to be much more than this. Ellie O’Neill is the small town girl, who is the inadvertent recipient of an email from Hollywood star Graham Larkin when he misspells the email address of his pig sitter. While she could easily have ignored his message, she responds to let him know that he sent the message to the wrong person and a friendship slowly develops between them over the course of countless emails. Intent to learn more about this girl he has been chatting with for months, Graham manages to finagle a way for his latest movie to be filmed in her small town in an effort to connect with her in real life. But, from day one, things don’t go quite as planned, with a case of mistaken identity delaying their first meeting and their own secrets, lies and pasts continually bumping up against their current reality.

While the book could easily have been nothing more than an unbelievable romance about a fantasy come true, Smith manages to make it more than this. The main characters all ring true in the decisions, both right and wrong, that they make and the way that their own insecurities and pride can get in the way of what they truly want in life. Much of the story is told from Graham’s point of view, which gives Smith a chance to make him more than just a stereotypical famous movie star who has come to town to sweep a girl off her feet. Instead, readers see his insecurities, uncertainty and deep ambivalence to his relatively new life as a huge movie star who can’t go anywhere without a crowd of fans and photographers. At the same time, Ellie has her own goals and dreams as well as a secret past that she keeps from everyone, which means that she introduces just as many complications into their relationship as Graham does. The dialogue between not only Ellie and Graham, but also each of the main characters and the other characters feels realistic and, while the story is clearly a bit of a fantasy in the way that Ellie and Graham meet, this goes a long way to make it feel nevertheless believable. There is one stereotypical Hollywood starlet character who feels a bit one-dimensional, but hints that perhaps there is a bit more to her actually made me curious about her full backstory.

This is a great option for those looking for a summer romance that ends up being a bit more complicated than the average entry in the genre. Fans of Jennifer E. Smith’s other works definitely won’t be disappointed by this latest offering and it is also sure to earn her new fans.

Check it Out: This Is What Happy Looks Like is currently available.

Readalike: If you enjoy This Is What Happy Looks Like, try The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, also by Jennifer E. Smith or Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell.

The Summer I Became A Nerd by Leah Rae Miller

Fri, 17 May 2013 07:33:47 -0400

Official Summary: “On the outside, seventeen-year-old Madelyne Summers looks like your typical blond cheerleader—perky, popular, and dating the star quarterback. But inside, Maddie spends more time agonizing over what will happen in the next issue of her favorite comic book than planning pep rallies with her squad. That she’s a nerd hiding in a popular girl’s body isn’t just unknown, it’s anti-known. And she needs to keep it that way.

Summer is the only time Maddie lets her real self out to play, but when she slips up and the adorkable guy behind the local comic shop’s counter uncovers her secret, she’s busted. Before she can shake a pom-pom, Maddie’s whisked into Logan’s world of comic conventions, live-action role-playing, and first-person-shooter video games. And she loves it. But the more she denies who she really is, the deeper her lies become…and the more she risks losing Logan forever.”

The Summer I Became a Nerd by Leah Rae Miller is a fun summer break story about a girl learning to accept herself. Maddie is a pretty, popular cheerleader who is dating the quarterback and going to all of the right social events. But, her secret is that, in reality, this is all part of a carefully crafted persona that she adopted after an embarrassing incident in middle school where she dressed up as a favorite comic book character for a costume contest. The laughter of her classmates still rings in her ears, so she has decided that it is better to bury her love of comics, videogames and science fiction in favor of an average facade that she feels is key to her popularity. Not even her best friend knows the truth about her obsession with comics. But, when the last issue of her favorite comic series is released, the only way for her to read it is to visit the local comic book store. There she will discover not only Logan, one of her classmates who shares her love of comic books and all things fan-ish, but also how much she has given up to maintain her fake personality.

The Summer I Became a Nerd has been released at the perfect time at the beginning of the summer. The story obviously focuses on Maddie’s summer break, but beyond that this is a very light book that is a nice read for someone who is looking for a fun story. The characters are all relatable and, while the message to be yourself is a bit heavy-handed at a few points, this is outweighed by the cute events and the way that Maddie progresses over the course of the book. While some readers might want something a bit more from the book, I think that it is really a worthwhile read for those who are looking for a fun summer break read.

Miller has crafted a cute story that is perfect for comic book fans of all sorts. I enjoy the way that all of her characters, even the ones who aren’t “nerds”, are passionate about something. This one is a fun read whether you love comic books or not!

Check it Out: The Summer I Became A Nerd is currently available.

Readalike: If you enjoy this book, try The Reece Malcolm List by Amy Spalding or Going Vintage by Lindsey Leavitt.

Note: Review based on ARC from publisher.

Kiss and Spell by Shanna Swendson

Tue, 14 May 2013 07:56:30 -0400

Official Summary: “With great power comes great danger…

When a freak accident leaves Katie Chandler with magical powers, it seems like a wish come true for the former magical immune. But it also means she’s vulnerable to magic, just when the dangerous Elf Lord is cooking up another scheme in his bid for power. Anyone who gets in his way disappears—including Katie and her wizard boyfriend, Owen Palmer.

Now Katie’s under a spell that obscures her true identity, living a life right out of a romantic comedy movie in a Hollywood set version of New York. Will she be able to find her true Mr. Right in time to break the spell with a kiss and warn everyone, or will she be trapped forever, unaware of the doom facing her world?”

***Spoilers for Books 1-6 of the Enchanted, Inc. Series***

In Kiss and Spell, book seven of the Enchanted, Inc. series, Shanna Swendson picks up shortly after the end of the previous book. The last book ended in a cliffhanger, with Owen regaining his magical abilities in the same incident that gave Katie brand new magical abilities and simultaneously stripped her of her magical immunity. This is a double-edged sword since it means that she can cast spells but also that others can now cast spells on her. Moreover, if she reveals her powers, there is concern their enemies might guess that Owen has also regained his powers. As a conflict with the Elves escalates, Katie and Owen become targets even without revealing their new powers. With the loss of all of her memories, Katie feels as though she is living in a movie and faced with the greatest challenge she has ever faced as she tries to find her way back to her real life.

I have had a soft spot for this series since book one. Every book in the series has been a light and entertaining read that combines magic, comedy and romance. And, this installment doesn’t deviate from this pattern. The characters that readers already know and love reappear and continue to develop over the course of the book. Particularly given the cliffhanger at the end of the last book, book seven offers a resolution for some of the existing plot points and continues to take the plot in new directions. Front and center is Katie’s relationship with Owen, which will please those who want to see more of the two of them and the addition of some new characters that have previously not had large rolls reinvigorates the cast in a great way. The plot will keep readers guessing and turning pages to the very end.

If you haven’t read the rest of the Enchanted, Inc. series, I wouldn’t recommend starting here (though I would definitely recommend reading the series from the start). But, if you have long enjoyed this series, this latest book won’t disappoint.

Check it Out: Kiss and Spell will be released on May 17th. In the meantime, you can read an excerpt on Swendson’s website.

Readalike: If you haven’t read the rest of the series, I would highly recommend starting with book one, Enchanted, Inc. If you aren’t convinced, check out my reviews of book 5 and book 6 in the series. For another similar series, try Mindy Klasky’s Jane Madison series, which starts with Girl’s Guide to Witchcraft.

Note: Review based on ARC from publisher.

Winger by Andrew Smith

Sun, 12 May 2013 08:02:34 -0400

Official Summary: “A teen at boarding school grapples with life, love, and rugby in a heartbreakingly funny novel.

Ryan Dean West is a fourteen-year-old junior at a boarding school for rich kids. He’s living in Opportunity Hall, the dorm for troublemakers, and rooming with the biggest bully on the rugby team. And he’s madly in love with his best friend Annie, who thinks of him as a little boy.

With the help of his sense of humor, rugby buddies, and his penchant for doodling comics, Ryan Dean manages to survive life’s complications and even find some happiness along the way. But when the unthinkable happens, he has to figure out how to hold on to what’s important, even when it feels like everything has fallen apart.

Filled with hand-drawn infographics and illustrations and told in a pitch-perfect voice, this realistic depiction of a teen’s experience strikes an exceptional balance of hilarious and heartbreaking.”

Winger by Andrew Smith is the story of Ryan Dean West, a 14-year-old who is a junior at an exclusive boarding school. He’s smart, athletic, artistic and has several friends both on his rugby team and otherwise, but he can never shake the feeling that he is out of place because he is so much younger than the rest of his classmates. In particular, he is in love with his best friend, Annie, and he can’t stand the fact that he is so much younger than her. And, his life is further complicated by the fact that he has landed himself in the dorm for problem students, so he has to room with one of his scarier teammates. Scattered throughout the book are drawings, cartoons and notes that enhance the feeling that the story is just a snapshot of Winger’s life during his junior year of high school. The informal style makes it feel like a journal or perhaps, given the illustrations, a scrapbook collected by the main character and it helps to make him more relatable and engaging.

The story has a believable and still entertaining mix of humor, conflict and emotion. Smith tackles the complicated nature of high school relationships, whether between friends, teammates, roommates or just classmates. Winger is dealing with not only his attraction to Annie, but also his attraction to his roommate’s girlfriend, which sometimes leads him to make decisions even he doesn’t think are good. At the same time, he is navigating complicated relationships with his team members and getting into fights both on and off the field. Smith manages to walk the fine line between making Winger annoyingly self-centered and making him feel like a realistic teenager who is trying to be a good friend and kind person but doesn’t always succeed. Since the book is told from Winger’s perspective, the reader gets to hear his internal struggles, which also makes him a more sympathetic character. It is difficult to discuss the end of the book without delving into spoilers, so I am trying not to reveal more than the book’s official description does, but events later in the story give the story a much different cast than I initially anticipated. However, Smith handles this plot twist well and uses it to explore the darker elements of the teen experience.

Teenagers will enjoy the realistic style of Smith’s story and will relate to Winger as an average teen. While the plot twist at the end comes as a surprise, readers will be so invested in the characters by that point in the story that it will have the desired impact.

Check it Out: Winger will be released on May 14th.

Readalike: If you enjoy Andrew Smith’s style, try one of his other books, such as Ghost Medicine or The Marbury Lens both of which have been named ALA Best Books for Young Adults. If you like the boarding school setting, try Escape Theory by Margaux Froley or When We Wuz Famous by Greg Takoudes.

Note: Review based on ARC from publisher.

Lucid by Michael McMillian

Fri, 10 May 2013 08:36:44 -0400

Official Summary: “Lucid is an action-packed, pop-fantasy series that draws inspiration from the spy genre, Arthurian legend, and 21st-century folklore! Dark forces are conspiring to prevent humankind from reaching its true potential. Thankfully, as newly appointed “Protector of the Realm,” Agent Matthew Dee uses his skills as a covert spy and Combat Mage to ensure America’s freedom from the grip of evil.”

Michael McMillian, best known for playing Steve Newlin on “True Blood,” has created a new series of comic books, Lucid, about an alternate reality where magic is not only a real force, but is utilized by a special branch of the government to aid in espionage. This volume collects the first several issues of the comic into a hardcover book for the first time. Over the course of these issues, readers are introduced to Agent Matthew Dee who uses his magical powers to protect America from evil powers. He is helped in this endeavor by a cast of characters from both the U.S. and Britain. These first several issues introduce not only these major players but also some of the villains on the other side of magic that Dee works against. Readers will get a sense of Dee’s work and be left eager to see what Dee will confront next.

While much of what is included in this volume is introductory in nature, it does provide a good sense of the world Dee inhabits and helps to set up the future of the series. The characters are well-realized both through the writing and the art work, which captures the world very effectively. Even in the relatively brief 100 pages of this first volume McMillian includes several separate stories, which left me wishing that the author had focused on fewer stories in more depth, though I expect that will come once the series has settled down to a normal pace, particularly now that its world has been introduced to readers.

Overall, I think that this series will appeal to fans of urban fantasy. It put me in mind of Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files series, and, while they are very different, I think that fans of each will enjoy the other. This comic is definitely worthwhile.

Check it Out: Lucid is currently available.

Readalike: If you enjoy Lucid, you’ll probably also like The Unwritten by Michael Carey or Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files (start with either the original Storm Front novel or the graphic novel based on that book).

His Majesty's Hope by Susan Elia MacNeal

Tue, 07 May 2013 07:21:34 -0400

Official Summary: “For fans of Jacqueline Winspear, Laurie R. King, and Anne Perry, whip-smart heroine Maggie Hope returns to embark on a clandestine mission behind enemy lines where no one can be trusted, and even the smallest indiscretion can be deadly.

World War II has finally come home to Britain, but it takes more than nightly air raids to rattle intrepid spy and expert code breaker Maggie Hope. After serving as a secret agent to protect Princess Elizabeth at Windsor Castle, Maggie is now an elite member of the Special Operations Executive—a black ops organization designed to aid the British effort abroad—and her first assignment sends her straight into Nazi-controlled Berlin, the very heart of the German war machine. Relying on her quick wit and keen instincts, Maggie infiltrates the highest level of Berlin society, gathering information to pass on to London headquarters. But the secrets she unveils will expose a darker, more dangerous side of the war—and of her own past.”

The third book in the Maggie Hope series, His Majesty’s Hope by Susan Elia MacNeal, picks up soon after the second book ended. Maggie is preparing to undertake her first spy mission on the continent in Germany itself. Juxtaposed with her preparations for this mission are the daily lives of two nurses in Germany. Both work at a hospital in Berlin, where they treat both soldiers who have been wounded in battle and young children. One of the nurses is devoutly religious with plans to become a nun after the war against the wishes of her mother, who holds a prominent place in the Nazi government. The other is married to a Jewish doctor who has been forced out of the medical field. The story of the book envelops all of these characters as they work to survive in a country where one false move can spell immediate disaster. Back in England, MacNeal also shows readers what life is like for those who work to help the war effort from within Great Britain.

As a fan of MacNeal’s books, I went into this third volume with the highest of hopes and somehow His Majesty’s Hope still managed to exceed my expectations. Maggie has always been a strong character, but this book shows her growing further into her role as a spy, both in terms of the training that she now has and in terms of the experiences that she gains in the field. The book combines an exciting plot that will keep you on the edge of your seat with additional character development for both recurring and new characters. The inclusion of all of these characters might seem as though it would overwhelm the book, but I felt that all of the myriad pieces of the story worked perfectly together to create a more nuanced story than is often seen in the mystery genre. MacNeal tackles aspects of World War II that are often glossed over, including the Nazi Action T4 as well as the shortcomings of both Great Britain and the United States. Readers have an opportunity to learn about aspects of World War II that they may not be particularly familiar with while enjoying a great story at the same time.

This book is definitely my favorite in the series and it won’t disappoint existing fans of the books. It is written such that those who are new to the series won’t have any trouble diving directly into this book, but given how good the first two installments in the series are, I would highly recommend reading the entire series in order. But, however you may decide to read the books, I would just encourage anyone with any interest in World War II or in mysteries to rush right out and get this book.

Check it Out: His Majesty’s Hope will be out on May 14th.

Readalike: If you haven’t read the first two books in the Maggie Hope series, I would highly recommend them, even before starting this book. If you are looking for another series after you are caught up on this one, try the Her Royal Spyness series from Rhys Bowen or the Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear. If you are simply looking for another amazing book about World War II, you can’t go wrong with Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein, which is an excellent choice even for those who don’t typically read young adult books.

Note: Review based on ARC from publisher.

Elvis and the Underdogs by Jenny Lee

Sun, 05 May 2013 07:33:34 -0400

Official Summary: “In the tradition of funny and heartwarming bestsellers like Wonder and the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books, this is the story of a sickly boy whose life is turned upside down when he gets a therapy dog…who can talk!

Benji Wendell Barnsworth is a small ten-year-old boy with a big personality. Born premature, Benji is sickly, accident prone, and at the hospital so often he even has his own punch card. That is, until the day Benji wakes up from a particularly bad spell. Concerned for Benji’s health, the doctor offers him two options: wear the world’s ugliest padded helmet or get a therapy dog. Benji chooses the dog, of course.

But when a massive crate arrives at Benji’s house, out walks a two-hundred-pound Newfoundland. And that isn’t even the strangest thing about the dog. He announces that his name is Parker Elvis Pembroke IV. That’s right, this dog can talk! And boy, is he bossy.

Having a bossy dog can come in handy, though. Elvis brings out the dog lover in the most surprising people and shows Benji that making new friends may not be as scary as he once thought.”

Elvis and the Underdogs by Jenny Lee is a very cute story about a young boy who is coping with his first seizure. Benji has been sick and in and out of the hospital for his entire life. He doesn’t actually mind the hospital that much, especially since his favorite nurse, Dino, gives him a prize for every tenth visit, but now that he has had a seizure, he is given two options: a hideous padded helmet or a therapy dog. His mother is immediately resistant to the idea of a therapy dog, for reasons of both allergies and cleanliness; but once she sees the helmet and Benji gets injured in part due to a bully’s response to it, she comes around to the idea of a new dog. And thus, Parker Elvis Pembroke IV, a massive Newfoundland enters Benji’s life. But, unlike your average therapy dog, “Elvis” can talk. Having Elvis as his therapy dog will forever change Benji’s life in ways that he could never have imagined, giving him new courage at school and helping him to find his “pack.”

Elvis and the Underdogs is a great book for dog lovers of all ages. While it is clearly aimed at a middle grade or tween audience, I really enjoyed this story and loved all of the characters. Benji is a lot of fun and Elvis is adorable with his mixture of loyalty, stubbornness, and more than a bit of pompousness. The book will almost certainly be particularly resonant with children who have spent time in the hospital, since more than one character has a medical condition and several key sections of the book are set at the hospital during a few of Benji’s many visits. Some parts of the story certainly require a bit of a suspension of disbelief (beyond just the talking dog), but overall, I think that the story includes nice messages about friendship, empathy and bravery without feeling as though these messages are overwhelming the rest of the story. If you enjoy stories about dogs, definitely check this one out!

Check it Out: Elvis and the Underdogs will be released on May 14th.

Readalike: If you like this book, try Wonder by R.J. Palacio or The Odd Squad: Bully Bait by Michael Fry.

Note: Review based on ARC from publisher.

Invisibility by Andrea Cremer & David Levithan

Fri, 03 May 2013 07:43:54 -0400

Official Summary: “A magical romance between a boy cursed with invisibility and the one girl who can see him, by New York Times bestselling authors Andrea Cremer and David Levithan.

Stephen is used to invisibility. He was born that way. Invisible. Cursed. Elizabeth sometimes wishes for invisibility. When you’re invisible, no one can hurt you. So when her mother decides to move the family to New York City, Elizabeth is thrilled. It’s easy to blend in there. Then Stephen and Elizabeth meet. To Stephen’s amazement, she can see him. And to Elizabeth’s amazement, she wants him to be able to see her—all of her. But as the two become closer, an invisible world gets in their way—a world of grudges and misfortunes, spells and curses. And once they’re thrust into this world, Elizabeth and Stephen must decide how deep they’re going to go—because the answer could mean the difference between love and death.

From the critically acclaimed and bestselling authors Andrea Cremer, who wrote the Nigthshade series, and David Levithan, who wrote Every Day and co-wrote Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist with Rachel Cohen and Will Grayson, Will Grayson with John Green, as well as many other novels, comes a remarkable story about the unseen elements of attraction, the mortal risks of making yourself known, and the invisible desires that live within us all.”

Invisibility by Andrea Cremer and David Levithan tells the story of Stephen who has spent his entire life literally invisible to everyone around him. Not even his parents have ever seen him. This reality shattered his family, sending his father across the country to California, and left Stephen isolated and completely alone after his mother’s sudden death. While he has come to terms with his existence, he is lonely and spends time observing those around him. But, when Elizabeth, his new neighbor down the hall, moves in, his entire life changes because she can see him. At first he doesn’t even understand what is happening. But once he does it will cause him to question the expectations he has had for his life and the reasons for his condition, which will lead him and his new friends on an unexpected and life-altering adventure.

Despite an engaging fantasy premise, the key feature of Invisibility that will keep you turning the pages is a strong cast of characters. Elizabeth and Stephen are both relatable characters who are strong but not without foibles at the same time. I loved the details about the characters, such as the fact that Elizabeth is an aspiring comic artist with a realistic view of how difficult this job will be. These two are joined by an interesting supporting cast and a mythology that is at once original and clearly well thought out. The authors also use New York City to its full effect, setting scenes in iconic parts of the city in ways that will make readers who have been to the city feel as though they are there all over again.

One of the highlights of this book is the slow revelation of details about each of the characters, so including many more details here would give away too much, but it is definitely well worth a read. I would recommend it to fantasy fans who are looking for something more unique than the average paranormal tale.

Check it Out: Invisibility will be released on May 7th.

Readalike: Both of Invisibility’s authors have written other works: try Nightshade for more by Andrea Cremer or Every Day by David Levithan.

Note: Review based on ARC from publisher.