Teen review of "Eyes Like Stars" and "Perchance to Dream" by Lisa Mantchev

 Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev (Théâtre Illuminata #1)
*Originally posted in June of 2013*

I've been searching for this book for what seems like ages. A reviewer had given it high praise and I found the premise to be very intriguing. The only problem was, I couldn't find it anywhere. Fast forward to a few weeks ago when I stumbled across TWO copies in Half Price Books. I think I may have squealed. So, I did go in with rather high expectations, but I was not let down. At all.

The over all idea for this novel could have turned out to be a disaster if it weren't so incredibly well written. It took me a while to get into the story, but that has been happening a lot with me lately. Once I got well into the story, however, I was absolutely hooked. Every character was so well defined and written. Bertie made for an excellent heroine. She was outlandish and flawed, but she did ultimately have good intentions at heart. The faeries were my absolute favorites. They were absolutely hilarious! I loved every second they were there, which is basically the whole book. And of course, there is a bit of a love triangle, but it's not a suffocating one, of which I was glad.

The setting itself can be character as well. The Théâtre houses the characters from every play ever written, and I just loved how those characters were exploited. Hamlet is a sulky teen, Ophelia shows up every time there is running water, I was just so amused by the author's take on iconic Shakespearean roles. Oh, and let's talk about the cover for a moment, shall we? IT'S FREAKING GORGEOUS. As soon as I saw it, I had to have it.

Overall, I highly recommend this novel to those who like fantasy, theater, faeries, or strong willed heroines, because it definitely has all four. I'm going to have to go on a hunt to find book two now. Who knows how long that will take... it'll be worth it though.

- Caroline

Originally posted on The Attic blog.

Perchance to Dream by Lisa Mantchev (Théâtre Illuminata #2)

It's not often that I come across a series whose installments I can read back to back or in close proximity to one another. I know several people who have to exist in a certain story or genre for a while, but is I do that I get burnt out. The last time I did that was over a year ago when I went on a dystopia binge. However, I read Eyes Like Stars only a couple months ago and I just had to read the sequel. And it did not at all disappoint. We get a continuation of the story in the first book but outside the theater with new characters and even higher stakes.

The change of scenery in Perchance to Dream gave a story a refreshing change without losing the magic that Eyes Like Stars had. If anything, it might have been even more magical. Some sequences, especially towards the end, I could totally see as a stop-motion film. Everything was so whimsical and well developed, especially the characters. We have the return of the faeries from A Midsummer Night's Dream, who will forever be my favorite characters, as well as some new characters. It's very rare that a book will cause me to laugh out loud, but the faeries' banters about sweets and pies and all around tom-foolery will never fail to make me laugh. And the reason for that is probably because the writing is so well done and so clever. The language is something I just absolutely love. It's this mix of modern and Shakespearean English that is just so delicious to read and really adds to the crafting of the story.

However, this series, like every other young adult series, is not without romance and a love triangle. But, I will defend this one by saying that it was unpredictable, and the outcome at the end of this novel is not one you see very often. And that could apply to the entire book as a whole. The narrative took twists and turns that I didn't expect. It was just so well crafted! One minute I'd be laughing at the faeries, the next moment Bertie would be stuck in some sort of waking dream, and the next moment would be dark and sort of scary. It takes an awful lot of skill to be able to jump ranges like that.

Overall, if you haven't read this series, you definitely need to pick up Eyes Like Stars. It's been a while since I've wanted to completely binge on a series, but this is turning out to be one of those moments. I need to find a copy of book three as soon as possible.

- Caroline

Originally posted on The Attic blog.

Teen review of "Incarnate" by Jodi Meadows

Welcome to our new Teen Reviewer, Caroline! Caroline also blogs at The Attic (YA book reviews) and The Sleuth (a Nancy Drew fan blog). 
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Incarnate by Jodi Meadows

Another one of those books that is causing me to ask myself, why did I take so long to read this?! It was always one of those "maybe" books for me since it came out, and I just happened to find it on sale and grabbed a copy. What I was expecting was an interesting story involving reincarnation and dragons. What I wasn't expecting was that it would have excellent world building, characters, and be full of music.

The setting of Incarnate is a character unto itself. Range and the city of Heart are this mix between the present, a fantasy world full of mystical creatures like dragons and centaurs, and futuristic technology (i.e. laser guns.) And it completely worked. To me, there are some genres that are hard to write and get right, and fantasy is one of them. There is so much that could go wrong when crafting a complex universe like the one in Incarnate. I have to applaud the author for not only making it all work together, but for making it a world I want to live in.

And not only is the world building excellent, but so is the character development. I really liked Ana as the main character. She doesn't start out the strong heroine that everyone loves to read about. She had a sheltered and abusive upbringing that causes her to be cautious of everyone and everything, but she evolves throughout the novel. Even though I do enjoy main characters who know what they want and will do anything to get it, I thought Ana was realistic. Most people don't start out like that-- they have to work towards it. And of course, our love interest Sam is the one who gets her to the point of which she can fend for herself. There's kind of an insta-romance between them, but it didn't really bother me that much. It made sense to me later on in the novel, but spoilers! I won't tell you why. You can figure it out.

Overall, Incarnate has a slower pace to it, but I don't really think it took away from the story. I really enjoyed getting to all everyone and getting engrossed in the world of Range. The plot is shrouded in enough mystery that it kept my brain constantly involved in what was going on. And the music. There is so much music woven into the story and I absolutely loved it. So, in the end, once I was done kicking myself for not reading it sooner, I very much enjoyed this novel. Especially the ending. It ended with just enough of a cliff hanger to make me want more, but not too much to make my mind melt. Well done, Jodi Meadows. Well done.

- Caroline

This review is also available on The Attic blog.

Teens recommend books by Rick Riordan

Summer reading ended on Saturday. Teens turned in over 100 Recommended Read slips with their picks on what to read over the summer. Rick Riordan is one author whose books continued to pop up on the Recommended Read entries. He is the author of Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Heroes of Olympus, and Kane Chronicles series. Here teens explain why his books are so great:

The Lightning Thief: "It puts a whole different spin on the Greek Gods and myths." -- Kenyan "I'm sure almost everyone has read this book but this recommendation is for those who haven't! This book itself is a great book and so are the books that follow in the series. It's also historical!" -- Glorielly
	The Serpent's Shadow: "It corporates Egyptian mythology into a modern culture, which causes some very interesting scenarios. The characters are well formed, and described aptly enough so that one can feel for their trials and troubles." -- Hannah
The Battle of the Labyrinth: "Rick Riordan does an excellent job continuing his story. He also has some very well-placed sarcasm and very 'teen' remarks." -- Kenyan
	The Son of Neptune: "Every chapter makes you want to read more and more." - Stephanie
The Titan's Curse "I love Greek mythology. The book includes some of the actual Greek myths and Gods and Goddesses." -- Bailey

New sci fi, fantasy, & paranormal books to check out

Fated by Alyson Noel Strange things are happening to Daire Santos. Crows mock her, glowing people stalk her, time stops without warning, and a beautiful boy with unearthly blue eyes haunts all her dreams. Fearing for her daughter's sanity, Daire's mother sends her to live with the grandmother she's never met, but who recognizes the visions for what they truly are-the call to her destiny as a Soul Seeker-one who can navigate the worlds between the living and dead. This is the first book in the new Soul Seekers series by the author of The Immortals series.
	The Selection by Kiera Cass Sixteen-year-old America Singer is living in the caste-divided nation of Illea, which formed after the war that destroyed the United States. America is chosen to compete in the Selection--a contest to see which girl can win the heart of Illea's prince--but all she really wants is a chance for a future with her secret love, Aspen, who is a caste below her.
The Last Princess by Galaxy Craze Tired of the royal family's relative comfort while they suffer in the wake of worldwide catastrophes in 2090, rebels kill the British king and abduct two of his children, but Princess Eliza escapes, disguises herself, and joins the rebels to seek revenge and the safe return of her siblings.
	Sweel Evil by Wendy Higgins Sweet southern girl Anna discovers at age sixteen that she is the daughter of a guardian angel and a demon, the only one of her kind. As Anna struggles to fight the dark legacy of her father, she falls for the mysterious Kaidan Row, the ultimate bad boy. Forced to face her destiny, she must decide whether to embrace her halo or her horns
Taken by Storm by Jennifer Lynn Barnes Alpha Bryn's humanity becomes a bigger problem as she takes her place in the werewolf Senate and tries to address a new threat to the pack.
	The Hunt by Andrew Fukuda Seventeen-year-old Gene has passed as a vampire for years, carefully following every rule, but now, just as he finds a girl worth fighting for, he is chosen to participate in the hunt for the last remaining humans among ruthless vampires who soon suspect his true nature.
Immortal City by Scott Speer Jackson is the hottest Angel in the city, soon he'll be a full Guardian and people will pay for him to save them. Then he falls for Maddy who likes him for who he is and not for his celebrity, but a serial killer is loose.

New release Tuesday: "Insurgent," "Bitterblue," & more!

Science fiction, fantasy, historical fiction, and realistic fiction-- there's something for everyone in today's new releases!

Insurgent by Veronica Roth
I have been waiting for this book for months! Insurgent is the follow up to last year's Divergent. This dystopian series is set in a future Chicago, where everyone belongs to one of five factions: Abnegation, Amity, Candor, Erudite, or Dauntless. Author Veronica Roth will be appearing at Anderson's Bookshop in Naperville this Friday at 7 PM!

Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore
The next entry in the popular Seven Kingdoms fantasy series, which also includes Graceling and Fire. Author Kristin Cashore will be appearing at Anderson's Bookshop this Saturday at 2 PM!

The Drowned Cities by Paolo Bacigalupi
This is a companion novel to 2010's dystopian sci-fi thriller Ship Breaker.

Wentworth Hall by Abby Grahame
Here's something for all you fans of historical fiction: Wentworth Hall is set in 1912 England and has been described as a young adult version of the popular PBS television series Downton Abbey.

Waiting by Carol Lynch Williams
As the tragic death of her older brother devastates the family, teenaged London struggles to find redemption and finds herself torn between her brother's best friend and a handsome new boy in town.

Tuesday book releases

The Story of Us by Deb Caletti
After jilting two previous fiances, Cricket's mother is finally marrying the right man, but as wedding attendees arrive for a week of festivities, complications arise for Cricket involving her own love life, her beloved dog Jupiter, and her mother's reluctance to marry.

Ascend by Amanda Hocking
This is book #3 in the fantasy Trylle series. Duty-bound to marry her friend Tove in order to give the Trylle people their strongest king and queen in history, Wendy, a changeling troll princess, is torn between two other suitors, Finn and Loki.

The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa
This is a new series by the author of the Iron Fey books. Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city, until she too becomes an immortal vampire. Forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls, she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend -- a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.

Coming soon: "City of Lost Souls"

City of Lost Souls, the fifth book in Cassandra Clare's popular Mortal Instruments series, will be released May 8. Place your holds now!