Book Review: Night Beach by Kirsty Eagar

For Abbie, her life revolves around three things: art, the ocean, and Kane, her broody surfer step-cousin.  Always out of reach, Abbie watches him and obsesses over him.  But when Kane comes back from a mysterious surf trip to an even more mysterious island, Abbie senses that something is wrong.  Kane carries a darkness that threatens to envelop them both.

It’s hard to summarize Eagar’s brilliant, darkly gothic novel without giving too much of it away.  The book is about a girl with a heightened emotional state, and maybe because of this heightened state (or in spite of?), supernatural events begin to occur.  Readers looking for an intensely atmospheric and engrossing tale should look no further than this one.  Eagar somehow manages to spin a paranormal tale that feels firmly rooted in the real world.  I’ve said it before and it might as well be my mantra: Eagar is an author to watch.

The atmosphere isn’t the only aspect of Eagar’s novel that entraps the reader.  Vivid, authentic characters propel the narrative forward.  Abbie is raw and flawed, and her obsession with Kane is only one thing that clouds her judgment.  Her love of painting distorts reality for her, as she struggles to see beyond the surface of things.  Her creative impulses mirror her other impulses, and readers will find her exasperating as well as worth rooting for.

Kane is harder to like, but because of Abbie’s fixation on him, it’s hard not to see the appeal.  He’s the quintessential surfer with a darker side, and while he’s definitely a selfish, hardened character, there’s no questioning his attraction.  Eagar is especially adept at creating characters who feel undeniably real: they may not be what you expect, and the story is the better for it.

Tension abounds in this taut novel.  Not every reader is going to “get” this one, and it’s certainly not the Eagar novel I’d recommend a person start with, but it has no shortage of merits.  Eagar’s prose is pitch-perfect, lush, and evocative.  There’s never a moment where she’s not in total control of her words, and the story moves along at a great clip as a result.  This is a stunning novel, and one that will stick with you long after you’ve reached the novel’s satisfyingly murky conclusion.

Recommended.

Night Beach by Kirsty Eagar. Penguin Books Australia: 2012.  Purchased copy.

Book Review: 172 Hours on the Moon by John Harstad

When NASA decides to hold a lottery for eligible teenagers to win a chance to go to the moon, the world pays attention.  It’s been decades since a human set foot on the lunar surface, but now NASA is hoping to drum up publicity for the space program.  Three teens are picked to spend a week on a station on the moon, and it’s certain to be a life-changing event.  The problem is that no one realizes just how life-changing it will be.  There’s something on the moon, and it’s not human.

This tense horror-suspense novel grabs readers from the start and doesn’t let go until the last page. A science fiction novel light on the science and heavy on the fiction, this one will keep readers up late into the night.  Part taut Scandinavian thriller and part straight-up horror novel, this is a story you’ll remember.

Harstad’s prose (translated from Norwegian by Tara F. Chace) is accessible, sparse, and tense.  This is a plot-driven novel, so readers looking for characters with a great deal of depth should look elsewhere.  Although the novel alternates between the three chosen teens’ perspectives as well as a few other characters, it becomes clear early on that this is Norwegian teen Mia’s story.  Tight pacing, especially in the last quarter, helps build the story to a thrilling climax and twisty, surprising conclusion.

Readers shouldn’t go into this one expecting much in the way of plausibility.  The mere fact that the story’s premise involves teenage astronauts should give you all the clues you need for whether or not the story is realistic, but once you get sucked into the horror, it doesn’t matter any more.  This is great suspense, and nothing else matters.

A good twist at the end will satisfy readers.  This is interesting, original, and extremely accessible.  There’s widespread appeal here, and the book’s simple prose makes it accessible to readers across many reading levels.  Recommended for those looking for a good suspense novel with some great thrills and chills.

172 Hours on the Moon by John Harstad. ATOM: 2012.  Borrowed copy.

On Re-Reading a Series: Sookie Stackhouse Series by Charlaine Harris

In lieu of a review today, I thought I’d talk a little bit about what it’s like to re-read a series.  I think I’ve talked about re-reading before, and how your relationship to a book can change over time, but I’m speaking very specifically about a particular series right now: The Sookie Stackhouse/Southern Vampire series by Charlaine Harris.

With the start of the new year came a fresh reading rut for me, and it’s one that I’m still struggling to crawl out of.  I’ve had a great deal of changes in my personal and professional life over the past several months, and reading has taken a backseat to the demands of my life (see: graduating from a master’s program, applying for jobs, moving in with boyfriend).  It doesn’t help that I’ve felt listless whenever I’ve picked up a book.

Which is why I’ve started re-reading books in search of comfort and something that holds my attention.  I’m still reading new stuff when I’m on  the treadmill, and I’m enjoying a lot of it, but there’s nothing like something you know you like to bring you that cozy feeling.

Re-reading Charlaine Harris’s Sookie series is interesting, because I’ve grown as a reader since I started reading it.  I first read Dead Until Dark years ago, way before TrueBlood became a TV show and before the vampire craze went nutso.  I liked it, but it was definitely out of my wheelhouse.  Here was a mystery featuring a plucky heroine who spends much of her narrative in the minutiae of her life.  There is so much detail about how Sookie spends her time in really unremarkable ways that it’s astounding.

That being said, there’s something comforting about reading about Sookie’s small-town life as a telepathic barmaid who sometimes has really great sex with supernatural creatures.  I’m finding that I’m enjoying the series in a different way: it’s not particularly well-written or well-paced, but there’s enough detail about small-town life and Sookie is a nice enough narrator (for a while, at least) that it’s kind of fun.

Plus, I’m determined to finish the series.  I haven’t read the last few books because they’re so bogged down in the story’s mythology that it’s kind of like drowning.  But I have to finish the series and see if I’m right.

The bonus? Sookie’s clothes, especially in the early books, are HILARIOUSLY bad.  Seriously, why hasn’t someone started a Sookie clothing blog yet?  COMEDY GOLD.

Have you ever read these books?  What do you think?  How do you feel about re-reading series from start to finish?

Book Review: The Rivals by Daisy Whitney

Last year, when Alex was raped by another student, her board school turned a blind eye.  Alex had to turn to the Mockingbirds, a secret society of students who police the student body because the staff refuses to.  Now Alex is the had of the Mockingbirds, and it’s her turn to take charge and right wrongs.  The problem is that this year’s case is different from what the tribunal is used to.  How do you prove guilt when there isn’t a clear-cut victim?  How far do you take something, even if it means jeopardizing relationships with those closest to you?

Although readers don’t technically have to read Whitney’s debut in order to follow the characters and plots present in this sequel, it certainly helps.  Having a sense of who Alex was last year, during her own rape trial, and who stood behind her and what it all meant will help add meaning to this convoluted mystery.  (This reader will admit to wishing for a little more review of what had happened in the previous book.)  That being said, the story moves along quickly enough that new readers should enjoy the twisty story.

Readers familiar with the Mockingbirds at Themis Academy will be surprised to find many changes afoot in this follow up.  While The Mockingbirds illustrated the group’s policies and procedures as a streamlined set of guidelines full of checks and balances, Alex really fumbles in this one.  Whitney provides a lot of ethical questions, and thankfully doesn’t attempt to answer all of them.

Also well done is the way that Alex’s rape stigma follows her around throughout this novel as well.  It is believable and authentic.  The reactions of characters around Alex help to add a realness to the novel that might otherwise be lacking.

That brings me to the biggest sticking point and the piece I find hardest to swallow: despite its entertaining qualities, the book’s main premise smacks of unreality.  The fact that the school’s administration turns such a blind eye to all student infractions never feels authentic.  Are we to believe that they really aren’t afraid of legal ramifications?  Really?

Despite all this, this is a fast-paced read that fans of twisting mysteries should gobble up.  This one doesn’t have staying power, though.  It fades from memory pretty quickly.

The Rivals by Daisy Whitney. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers: 2012. Library copy. Read for 2012 Cybils Round 1 Panel.

 

Book Review: Guy Langman, Crime Scene Procrastinator by Josh Berk

Guy Langman doesn’t let much ruffle him.  He’s your typical smart-boy slacker: he just doesn’t care all that much.  But when his best friend Anoop convinces him to join the school’s forensics club in order to meet some girls, Guy decides to go for it.  What results isn’t what they necessarily thought they were going to get: there’s a real dead body, a bunch of valuable stolen coins, and the fact that Guy can’t stop thinking about his recently-deceased father.  Like it or not, Guy’s going to have to use all his new forensic skills to figure some stuff out.

It’s difficult to walk the line between humor and grief.  It’s even harder to blend the two so perfectly, but that’s exactly what Josh Berk does in this funny, heartfelt novel about a slacker kid who’s starting to figure out his life.  Vivid characters, truly funny observations about life and love, and a memorable plot make this a standout in the mystery genre this year.

Berk nails Guy’s voice from page one, and in doing so guarantees that he’ll hook even the most reluctant reader (this one was convinced).  Guy is too smart for his own good, bored by school, and apathetic about most things, but it becomes clear early on that he’s really struggling with the death of his father.  There’s some character growth here, but it’s subtle, and Berk goes for the laughs as often as he does the tears.

A brilliant supporting cast make this one a total trip to read.  All of the characters who populate Guy’s world are interesting, quirky, and undeniably human.  The hijinx Guy and his friends find themselves up to are completely entertaining, and the novel’s quick pacing keep the games afoot (or a-thumb, as the case may be).

Overall a really fun read with a surprising amount of depth.  Highly recommended, but especially for those who like their humor a little dark and their wit a little edgy.  One of my favorite reads of the fall, for the laughs alone.

Guy Langman, Crime Scene Procrastinator by Josh Berk.  Knopf Books for Young Readers: 2012. Library copy. Read for 2012 Cybils Round 1 Panel.

 

Book Review: The Raft by S.A. Bodeen

Because her parents are scientists living on the Midway Atoll, a group of islands in the Pacific, Robie has become something of a seasoned traveler.  Shuttling between those islands and Honolulu, where her aunt lives, has become a complete routine.  But when she has to get home quickly, a decision to take a cargo plane ends up being a total mistake.  When the plane goes down into the water, Robie is stuck on a raft with her co-pilot Max (who is essentially comatose).  The two are stranded in the water, with limited supplies and an even more limited chance of being rescued.

This survival tale from S.A. Bodeen is an engaging take on the adventure genre for teens.  In a story that should appeal to both male and female readers (and whose relatively short length might work for reluctant readers), Bodeen mixes suspense with facts that only occasionally cross over into didacticism.  Of course, that won’t matter to readers who find themselves riveted by Robie’s story.

And it is a riveting tale.  Despite the fact that Robie isn’t an entirely likable character, her often almost stream-of-consciousness narration helps propel the book forward.  Although Robie spends much of the book alone with her own thoughts, the pacing never falters, and readers will tear through this one in their quest to see how it ends.

A strong addition to the adventure/survival genre for teens, this one would pair well with Kristen Tracy’s Sharks & Boys (don’t let the light-ish title fool you).  Recommended for reluctant readers looking for a dash of realism with their danger.

The Raft is out now.

The Raft by S.A. Bodeen. Feiwel & Friends: 2012. Electronic galley accepted for review via NetGalley.

Book Review: The Night She Disappeared by April Henry

The night that Kayla goes missing after a pizza delivery run, Drew thinks about the fact that the last caller had asked for the girl who drove the Mini Cooper.  That’s Gabie, who took the night off work.  The two of them are horrified about the fact that the kidnapper took their coworker, and they’re worried about the fact that he asked for a different girl.  The police won’t listen to their theories, so the two strike out on their own to try to find Kayla before it’s too late.

Much like Henry’s Girl, Stolen (another book about kidnapping), this is a quick read designed, I think, for reluctant readers.  Likely to find an audience looking for mystery/suspense titles (of which there are woefully few in the YA world), this book isn’t particularly offensive, but it’s not particularly inventive, either.  Fluffy fiction masquerading as a story with an edge, this is a good choice for summer readers who don’t really want to read.

There’s nothing inherently wrong here, and Henry has actually grown a bit as a writer as far as her prose is concerned, but there’s also no suspense.  This has to do with the fact that Henry offers multiple points-of-view throughout the book, so readers hear from Gabie, Drew, Kayla, and her captor.  Because readers get Kayla’s point of view, they know she’s alive and relatively unharmed.  This takes away any uncertainty about what has happened to her and kills much of the book’s momentum.

That being said, Henry’s choice to use a collage-type approach to the narrative works in its favor.  There are images and police reports interspersed in the narrative, and these things help add dimension to what is otherwise a pretty flat story.  There’s also some mild adventure, a bit of gore, and just a hint of romance.  All of this feels fairly calculated, but most teens probably won’t pick up on it.

Mildly entertaining but also pretty forgettable.

The Night She Disappeared by April Henry. Henry Holt & Company: 2012. Electronic galley accepted for review via NetGalley.

Quick and Dirty Mini-Reviews: Readers’ Advisory Edition

A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America Along the Appalachian Trail by Bill Bryson

Bryson and his friend Katz decide to hike the Appalachian trail, starting in the mountains of Georgia and ending up in Maine.  The trek is long–although no one can say exactly how long–and requires a great deal of faith.  Along the way, Bryson reflects on how the trail has changed since its inception and what it means for hikers today and into the future.

This was my first experience with Bryson, and I don’t think it will be my last.  There’s a lot to recommend here: Bryson’s writing is engaging, funny, frequently witty, and above all else, extremely accessible.  Bryson manages to weave narrative nonfiction with facts about the Applachian trail in a way that is nearly seamless.  This book will appeal to all sorts of readers: those who love travel memoirs, those who love ruminations about nature and history, and those who are just looking for a fun, smart read.

Lakeside Cottage by Susan Wiggs

A fairly typical contemporary romance set in the Pacific Northwest, Susan Wiggs’s novel features Kate, a single mom, and JD, a reluctant American hero.  Add in a summer lake house, a teenage runaway, and some good summer grilling, and you’ve got yourself a novel.

Any further descriptions of the plot make me feel fairly silly, but the novel itself was pleasant enough (though not so pleasant that I’ll be picking up any more of her titles).  Earnest, moving, and carefully plotted, this will work for readers looking for a gentler romance (we have a fade-to-black approach to any and all sex scenes).  The weirdly didactic social issues were off-putting for me but will work for readers who like a touch of reality to their romances.

State of the Onion by Julie Hyzy

Olivia Paras is one of the chefs in the White House Kitchen.  She’s good at her job and likes it that way.  She’s also dating one of the Secret Service officers–but they keep it under wraps for a number of reasons.  When she finds herself in the middle of a murder mystery and an assassination attempt, Olivia isn’t sure who to trust or what to believe.  A White House Chef mystery, Hyzy’s novel features food, terrorism, and a tiny bit of romance.  It’s closer to cozy-mystery than anything else, and it will definitely work for readers who like the food sub-genre of mysteries (who knew there was such a thing?).  While it was enjoyable enough (like cotton candy without the caloric guilt), I don’t feel compelled to read the next in the series.

Nothing to Lose by Lee Child

Jack Reacher roams the country and finds himself in trouble wherever he goes.  He can’t seem to help it–he’s curious, and once he’s onto the scent of something fishy, he can’t let it go until he figures it out.  When he wanders into the town of Despair (no, seriously), he’s struck by how unfriendly everyone is.  Why do they want him out of town so badly, and what are they hiding?

My first and hopefully last experience with Lee Child and his enigmatic hero Jack Reacher.  While I certainly understand the appeal of these books (they are pure and utter escapism for the graying population), they’re way, way too ridiculous for me.  If you can’t get enough of them, I’ve got good news and bad news: the good news is a movie’s in production; the bad is that Tom Cruise is playing the 6’4″ Reacher.

(#86) Book Review: Girl, Stolen by April Henry

While Cheyenne Wilder’s stepmother fills her prescription at the pharmacy, she takes a nap in the back of the car.  Before she can even react to what’s happening, the car is stolen with her still inside it.  Griffin hadn’t intended to kidnap a girl while stealing a car, but when his father finds out that Cheyenne’s dad is the head of a huge corporation, the game changes, and there’s a reason to hold onto her.  Things are complicated by the fact that Cheyenne is sick with pneumonia–and is blind.  How will Cheyenne survive this?

The good thing about April Henry’s novel is that she wastes no time jumping right into the action of the story.  We meet Cheyenne as she is kidnapped, and the fast pacing draws the reader in immediately.  The first third of the novel is the strongest as Henry sets up the kidnapping and plotting done by Griffin’s family as they realize there is something more valuable to be had than the stolen car.

The suspense in Henry’s novel lacks an edge from the start, and the blame can be placed upon the decision to offer narration from dual perspectives: Cheyenne and Griffin take turns narrating chapters, and the second that the reader is treated to the inside of Griffin’s head, they know that Cheyenne isn’t in any real danger.  Griffin makes it clear that he has no intention of hurting her, and once the reader knows that, much of the danger is gone.  With that danger goes most of the story’s potential, and the result is kind of sloppy.

Henry clearly did her research with respect to seeing impaired people.  These insights into how Cheyenne lives her life and how she makes sense of her surroundings are interesting, but they are not enough to drive the narrative.  Too often, Henry relies on info-dumping, giving the reader a lot of exposition in a way that is awkward and jarring, not to mention a little insulting.  The pacing is also uneven once the story gets past the initial car-jacking.

There’s a lot of unexplored potential here: Henry could have delved deeper into the concept of Stockholm Syndrome, or into Cheyenne’s complicated feelings for Griffin, who is, in many ways, also a victim.  None of this is done adequately, though, as the reader is left with a very surface-level understanding of the characters and their motivations.  In the end, I couldn’t help but with that Henry had done a little more with everything the reader is given.

Girl, Stolen by April Henry. Henry Holt & Co: 2010. Library copy.

Movie Review: The Roommate (2011)

 

Sara (Minka Kelly) begins her freshman year at U.L.A. and finds a mostly sweet if not a little overprotective roommate in Rebecca (Leighton Meester).  As Rebecca becomes more and more clingy, Sara deals with a creepy design professor (Billy Zane) and swoons over a cute drummer frat boy (Cam Gigandet).  It isn’t long before Sara realizes that something is up with her roommate, but it might be too late and the consequences might just be fatal.

Comparisons to Single White Female have to be made.  But while SWF was sufficiently creepy along with its camp, The Roommate, directed by Christian E. Christiansen is neither creepy nor particularly campy.  The movie drags along for 90 minutes, creating a film that is both monotonous and decidedly lacking in suspense.  Attempts to make it a sexy psychological thriller fall flat, and as the film trudges toward its inevitably violent conclusion, one can’t help but wonder why viewers should care.

The characters are bland and uninspiring, and Kelly and Meester look so similar that one wonders if it was even an intentional casting choice, because their appearances never once get mentioned.  The cinematography and score do nothing to elevate the mood of the film.  Nothing about the film rings true–not even the campus itself, which seems more like a gated community out of Melrose Place than a freshman dorm.

Plus, the plot doesn’t make sense.  Like, at all.

There’s something to be said for films that are so bad they’re good–they can be fun to watch and laugh at.  This is not such a film.  Heavy-handed and taking itself way too seriously, The Roommate isn’t even the kind of bad one can enjoy.  Skip this one, folks, and revisit the 90s trash-fest that is Single White Female.

The Roommate is out on DVD now.