Rachel Ann Nunes has filed a complaint in federal court against a Utah teacher, accusing her of plagiarizing one of Nunes’ books and then harassing Nunes after she was caught. Salt Lake Comic Con is going on, with lots of Mormon authors participating. No Mormons won Hugo awards. I caught up with the several books published by Mormon authors at Xchyler Publishing. Saints and Soldiers: The Void opened nationally. There is a fascinating review of the career of animator Don Bluth. National novels arrived from James Dashner, Shannon Hale, Jolene Perry, and Courtney Miller Santo.
News and blog posts
Rachel Ann Nunes’ lawyers have filed the complaint in federal court over the plagiarism of their book. John Dopp reports that the suspect, a Utah schoolteacher, “has been served with a summons to appear in Federal court on complaints of copyright infringement, defamation, false light, injurious falsehood, harassment, false advertising, and deceptive trade practices. If the suit is successful, she faces statutory damages of $150,000.00, plus damages for each sale of the infringing work, damages to compensate for the other allegations in the complaint, and attorney’s fees.” Although the suspect has been named, Nunes says “I make a plea for my supporters to refrain from bullying, name-calling, or attacking the defendant online.”
Salt Lake Comic Con is going on September 4-6, at the Salt Lake City Convention Center. Among the Mormon authors participating are Brandon Sanderson. Richard Paul Evans. Tracy and Laura Hickman, David Farland, Shannon Hale, Brandon Mull, Larry Correia, Jennifer Nielsen, Brad R. Torgerson, Robison Wells, Dan Wells, Brian McClellan, Michaelbrent Collins, Bree Despain, Jessica Day George, Adam Gladwell Sidwell, Lisa Mangum, Julie Wright, Heather Ostler, J. Scott Savage, DJ Butler, Natalie Whipple, J.R. Johansson, Sara B. Larson, Sandra Tayler, Jaleta Clegg, and Frank L. Cole.
None of the LDS authors who were nominated for 2014 Hugo Awards (for speculative fiction) won the final awards. Nominee Brad Torgerson gives his post-mortem of the awards. Eric James Stone’s explained some of the controversies around the nominations.
A Motley Vision posts: Needing an Editor: a Review of Alfred Osmond’s Married Sweethearts (1928) (Kent Larson), And Earth will appear as The Garden of Enid (Tyler), Just a reminder (of Ben Abbott’s Questions of the Heart theatrical tour) (Theric), Some Considerations (and an Interest Gauge) for an Online Mormon Lit Course (Tyler).
Zarahemla Books has announced that it will be republishing Angela Hallstrom’s novel Bound on Earth, which was going out of print. First published by Parables in 2008, it is widely considered one of the best examples of contemporary Mormon literary fiction.
Segullah has a new weekly column, Peculiar Treasures, which links to particularly interesting books, blog posts, and other things from the week.
In Defence of Sparkly Vampires (Tom Pollock). “The Cullen clan are a phenomenally badass pieces of monster-writing . . . Twilight took the vampire back to basics. In a sense, Twilight is the Nirvana of Vampire fiction – stripped it back to its core elements, no room for pretension, an emotional shot in the arm to a generation of teenagers. One of those core elements was sex. Sex, and the withholding of it, are some of the dominant themes in Twilight, and Meyer handles them in a way that, rather than consciously being ‘in conversation’ with a hundred years of vampire fiction, speaks directly to the lives and emotions of its readers. The desire, frustration, and uncertainty of getting into your first sexual relationships are acutely captured.”
Film
Don Bluth offered a dark alternative to Disney animation with films like The Secret Of NIMH and The Land Before Time (AV Club). “It’s impossible to talk about Don Bluth without talking about Walt Disney. Bluth started as an animator and director at Walt Disney Animation Studios before founding a rival company that became Disney’s main competitor in the 1980s. During his roller coaster of a career, Bluth produced commercial hits (An American Tail, The Land Before Time, Anastasia), cult classics (The Secret Of NIMH, All Dogs Go To Heaven, Titan A.E.), and bizarre missteps (Rock-A-Doodle, A Troll In Central Park). He’s a magnetic but polarizing figure whose impact on the animation world is understood through conflicting narratives. What is clear, however, is that for two decades, Bluth’s films offered a dark alternative to Disney.”
Saints and Soldiers: The Void. Directed by Ryan Little, opened nationally on August 29. It spread to 41 theaters, including 25 outside of Utah.
LDS Cinema Online (Kevin Burtt). B. “This is a weightier theme to bite off obviously (the racism, not the tanks) and one that shows Ryan Little has more significant and ambitious objectives with his third Saints & Soldiers film than merely “Hey, we still have a bunch of equipment and uniforms left over, might as well make another movie!” . . . Little has always shot battle scenes well, and The Void is most effective when the action starts. The tank vs. tank encounters are distinct enough from previous films to avoid a feeling of deja vu. Fans of WWII action with (mostly) practical effects instead of CGI will enjoy The Void in the same vein as the earlier films. Unfortunately, the non-battle scenes aren’t nearly as interesting. Little has bumped up the sheer number of characters this time around, but outside of Sgt. Owens, this batch is the least-developed in the series. I couldn’t tell you half of their names or anything memorable about them even immediately after watching the film. It’s a given that some of the crew aren’t going to survive the battles ahead, but their deaths are meaningless emotionally if we don’t know any of them as characters. Religion plays even less of a role in the film than in the other entries. One tank crew member says a prayer before battle, but that’s the sole instance of religious observance or dialogue in the movie. It’s okay that none of the Saints & Soldiers films have characters or stories in common, but thematically it’s curious that Little didn’t have anything to say about the “Saints” angle this time around, especially given the lack of other meaningful characterizations . . . The Void addresses a serious issue but subconsciously minimizes it at the same time. It treats its characters as if they were from 2014 and simply thrust through a time machine to react to World War II-era culture. The film implies that racism consisted of a few outliers with extremist attitudes, not institutionalized racism that was prevalent across ALL levels of the army, from the privates to the generals.” . . . The fact that racial issues are addressed at all deserves praise (and including it also allows Little, in a “meta” sort of way, to provide acting opportunities to a handful of black actors as well). But it’s regrettable that the film isn’t willing to go all the way in portraying the dark subject matter in its full, ugly, and realistic ‘glory’. Considering how unmemorable most of the white tank crew are in the first place, why not spend more time with Owen’s original black battalion and their struggles right from the beginning instead of including them in only a brief flashback? Theirs is the true compelling story of the film. The Void is a good film, but a missed opportunity at the same time, not only due to dropping any religious themes or discussion, but not being willing to explore its chosen subject matter to its full extent.”
Liahona. Tessa Sanders, director. Screening in September at Brazil’s Indie Festival, following sessions at FIDMarseille and at last year’s New York Film Festival.
Interview by Aaron Culter (Filmmaker Magazine). “The man’s voice comes from a found audio recording, as do the sounds of choir organs and spiritual hymns that resonate throughout the film’s soundtrack. Many of the images accompanying them arrive from found footage. Some are taken from Church-commissioned promotional films detailing the journey taken by the Church’s founder Joseph Smith, a self-proclaimed prophet who wrote the Book of Mormon in 1830 and who left the Church in his followers’ hands following his death by mob violence in 1844. Others come from home movies made by Church members and show people preaching and receiving God’s word, or simpler, more basic images of family members greeting each other. All are displayed for us as though they had been found on an archeological dig . . . Sanders interpolates her found sounds and sights with original 16mm Bolex footage of landscapes and town streets, sometimes containing people posed as though waiting for something left up to us to fill in. Liahona encourages us to look not at costumes, but at faces, and bring ourselves to people whose lives could easily be ours. It does so even while shifting gradually from a study of Mormon life in general to one particular life, as Sanders’ own voice enters the film’s soundtrack to recite texts, sing songs, and ask her Mormon parents questions about their Church experiences. Liahona provisionally concludes a series of films and expanded cinema installations that Sanders has made in exploration of Mormonism. In some, such as 2013′s The Relief Mining Co., she interviews Church followers about their beliefs; in others, such as 2012′s Tokens and Penalties 1, she herself appears enacting Church rituals. By the end of Liahona, we understand that she has set aside the Church’s teachings in favor of seeking to learn the world’s ways for herself. We might also wonder whether someone who has followed a faith can ever truly leave it behind.”
Short Stories
Brad R. Torgersen. Racers of the Night. Wordfire Press, September 4. Short story collection. “The book contains 12 pieces of short science fiction, the majority of which have appeared in the pages of Analog magazine, Orson Scott Card’s InterGalactic Medicine Show, Mike Resnick’s Galaxy’s Edge, and elsewhere.”
Penny Freeman, editor. Mechanized Masterpieces: A Steampunk Anthology. Xchyler Publishing, April 13, 2013. Among the Mormon authors in the anthology are Neve Talbolt, “Tropic of Cancer” and Scott W. Taylor, “The Little Boiler Girl”.
McKenna Gardner, editor. A Dash of Madness: A Thriller Anthology. Xchyler Publishing, July 14, 2013. Among the Mormon authors in the anthology are M. Irish (McKenna) Gardner, “Reformation”, Sarah Hunter Hyatt, “Stunner”, Elizabeth Gilliland, “Mouse and Cat”, Ben Ireland, “Kissed a Snake”, David McIver, “Fogo”, Tim Andrew, “Proxy”, and Breck LeSeur, “Five Humvees”.
Terri Wagner and Jessica Shen, editors. Shades and Shadows: A Paranormal Anthology.Xchyler Publishing, October 9, 2013. Among the Mormon authors in the anthology are Neve Talbot, “Crossroads”, Scott W. Taylor, “Split Ends”, and Scott E. Tarbet, “Tombstone”.
Penny Freeman, editor. Moments in Millennia: A Fantasy Anthology. Xchyler Publishing, January 30, 2014. Among the Mormon authors in the anthology are Candace J. Thomas, “The Hawkweed” and Ben Ireland, “Fairykin”.
Terri Wagner, editor. Terra Mechanica: A Steampunk Anthology. Xchyler Publishing, May 21, 2014. Among the Mormon authors in the anthology are Scott E. Tarbet, “Ganesh”, Jay Barnson, “Dots, Dashes, and Deceit”, Chanda Simper, “The Journey of Inspector Roux”, and Shauntel Simper, “Priority Passage”.
Lee Allred. “Slow Answer”. In Fiction River #8: Universe Between, edited by Dean Wesley Smith
Theric reviews Fiction from Dialogue 47.1 (Spring 2014).
“Acute Distress, Intensive Care” by Karen Rosenbaum. “This slice-of-life is perhaps more painful in its matter-of-fact sadness while observing loss of faith than in its observation of death and interfamily failure. Which is interesting because the narration certainly does not judge or condemn those who have lost their faith. And it’s doesn’t make the faithful seem more happy or full or honest, with the possible exception of an autistic teenager who encounters the sublime while saying the sacrament prayer for his congregation . . . Which sounds like a downer, but Karen’s work always maintains a certain beauty and purity no matter how uncheerful it’s subject or execution.”
“Two-Dog Dose” by Steven L. Peck. “A technique I’m losing patience with in general is the in-media-res-then-let’s-go-back-and-surprise-the-beginning-was-actually-near-the-end. I can’t deny that Peck uses it to terrific effect here, but I think that’s largely due to how dang corporeal and shocking it is rather than any need for the story to have had that shape. Not, anyway, if it had had a different title. (Incidentally, what is it with Peck and killing canines?) Anyway, story is a powerful one about the decline of age and the decision to choose one’s own moment of death and friendship and love and trust and faith. As in Rosenbaum’s story, the p-o-v has lost his faith while remaining close to those who remain close to faith. And both story’s share redemptive elements for the faithless character, without returning them to the community of faith. Anyway, it’s a moving tale and an significant addition to those keeping a lists of Mormon stories about male friendship.”
New novels and their reviews
Amanda Ashley (Madeline Baker). Beauty’s Beast.Zebra, Sept. 2. Paranormal/medieval romance.
Publishers Weekly: “Ashley delivers a solidly written but somewhat tired retelling of the classic fairy tale . . . With brief nods to witches and werewolves, the novel primarily focuses on the relationship between the beast and the beauty, relying on stereotypical tropes and relatively elementary plot development. It’s as predictable as it is repetitive with few, if any, surprises to distinguish it from countless other variations on the theme.”
RT Book Reviews: “In this lovely, sexy retelling of Beauty and the Beast, Ashley hits the mark. The mysterious change that the hero goes through and the depth of his curse will keep readers intrigued until the very last page. The relationship between the two main characters is set to a slow simmer and becomes more beautifully passionate as the story unfolds. When it comes to a sensual romance, Ashley never disappoints.”
Anna Jones Buttimore. Emon and the Emperor. Self, Sept. 2. YA science fiction. “A 18-year old dyslexic boy is whisked away to a Canadian research centre by an eccentric doctor where he learns that he has been genetically engineered and, along with others like him, is to develop his unusual gifts so that he can serve as a soldier in the mysterious and idyllic Empire.”
Jaleta Clegg. Dark Dancer. Self, Aug. 20. Steampunk fantasy.
James Dashner. The Rule of Thoughts. Delacorte Press, Aug. 26. YA science fiction. The Morality Doctrine #2 (sequel to The Eye of Minds). Virtual reality games threaten to take over people’s minds. Also a sentiment computer program.
Kirkus: “A trio of gaming teens battles a corrupt computer program that is hellbent on leading a virtual army into our reality. Upon completing the Path in The Eye of Minds (2013), Michael discovered he’s nothing more than a Tangent, a stray bit of computer code that has gained sentience. Now downloaded into the brain of teenager Jackson Porter, Michael must find his friends and get ahead of Kaine, the villainous Tangent that has discovered the ability to invade the real world by corrupting human bodies with Tangent consciousnesses. Dashner has created an excellent sequel, filled with propulsive character development and a self-contained emotional arc woven through plot threads that properly lead to future installments. The escalation in plotting is smartly paced and paired with well-balanced characters that feel real rather than just character types. The author’s use of nifty technobabble goes a long way in describing a future that, refreshingly, is not dystopian in any way. Amid a sea of trilogies and series devoid of imagination or smarts, the Mortality Doctrine stands tall by having both in equal measure. This episode does end on a cliffhanger, but the enjoyable ride and arresting scenario make it easy to swallow. An excellent franchise entry that proves planned series can be just as enjoyable as one-offs.”
The Guardian: “This book is exactly what it says on the tin. It’s an excellent dystopian thriller with a great plot featuring loads of cool technology, surprises and adventure. And nothing else. What’s missing is that little ‘something extra’ to set it apart from the crowd and make it unique. Dashner certainly keeps you on the edge of your seat and describes some intriguing new technology – some of which actually seems, rather worryingly, not too far from today’s reality. What’s scary is the blurring of the boundary between real and virtual. Who’s to say something virtual can’t still be ‘real’? There is a planned follow up, The Rule of Thoughts, which I’ll look out for. I’d recommend this book if you want a fast-paced read that won’t require too much thought. Sit back in a comfy chair and enjoy the ride – just remember, it’s not real!”
Raine Gillespie. Hearts in Harmony. Trifeta Books, Aug. 28. Contemporary romance. Love Notes #1. “Elahna gave up her musical dreams to help run the Queen of Hearts, her mother’s chocolate shop, after her sister’s sudden death. Hearts in Harmony is the first in the Love Notes series of short romance novels, which revolve around music within the small fictional town of Dolce, Montana. The Love Notes series is part of the ‘Sweet & Clean Romance Collection’ from Trifecta Books. “Raine Gillespie” is the pseudonym of Karen E. Hoover.
Shannon Hale. Ever After High: A Wonderlandiful World. Little, Brown, Aug. 26. Middle grade fantasy. Ever After High #3. Hale says, “Mattel invented the world of Ever After High and I was invited to write the first four books. I have no part in the TV/merch.”
Fantasy Literature: 3 stars. “It’s all just as cute and clever as it has been from the beginning, but as much as I admire Shannon Hale’s cleverness, and Matel’s good sense in commissioning such an excellent author to write their tie-in novels, I have to admit that the conceit is starting to lose its charm for me. Probably because I’m not the target audience. It’s just a little too silly for me. The puns are especially bad, though I think they’ve been toned down a bit in this story, probably because Hale realized their potential to grate on the nerves. The way that Maddie interacts with the narrator, trying to get her to give Maddie plot spoilers, is still amusing. My favorite part was how Maddie had to take over the narration and, in the process, learns a lot about storytelling.”
E. James Harrison. Chariots to Jordan. Covenant, Aug. 4. Scriptural/historical. 12-year-old slave girl is placed in the middle of the Old Testament story of Elisha and Naaman. Second novel.
Ben Ireland. Kingdom City: Resurrection. Xchyler Publishing, February 25. Science fiction/thriller. “With the death of Kingdom City’s chief of police in a terrorist attack, Autumn Stevens lost the only man who could save her from herself. Still paralyzed by grief after six months, the last thing she expected was his return—along with three thousand of his fallen comrades. As confusion turns to violence throughout the city, Autumn discovers the lengths she will go to protect her family, and right the wrongs carried out in the name of security and prosperity—especially those committed by her own hand.”
Jenni James. Drowning. Trifecta Books, Aug. 8. Women’s fiction novella. Revitalizing Jane #1. A recently divorced mother of five starts dating again, but worries about her kids.
Rebecca H. Jamison.Sense & Sensibility. Bonneville/Cedar Fort, Aug. 16. Contemporary romance. A Latter-day Tale #3. Contemporary tales based loosely on the Austen novels.
Jennie Hansen, Meridian Magazine: 3 stars. “I really couldn’t identify with any of the women in this book. Their negative qualities are so much stronger than their positive ones, they left me feeling like they all needed some mental health counseling, though Jameson did an excellent job of creating distinctive characters and making them more interesting than their Austen counterparts. Dialog is handled well and the plot follows the Austen story line well. The two sisters’ stories told in first person, a chapter at a time, breaks the flow of the story and is somewhat annoying. The author tries a little too hard to be politically correct and to support all of today’s popular charities. I’ll admit to some bias here because I’m definitely not an Austen fan. The author shows great promise and the cover is exceptionally well done.”
Reading for Sanity. 4.5 stars. “This is LDS literature, it’s not over the top LDS lit. Things are mentioned, spoken about in passing, but not overdone. This book truly hit the spot for me. I’ve been needing a good fiction-fast-read. I needed a story where the story-line drew me in and boy did the ride went quickly over the two days I read! I’ve always loved the story-line of Sense and Sensibility, and this version is so realistic but stays true to the original plot of the story. I loved seeing how Jamison carried the structure of the story while making it new at the same time. And I loved the characters. Typically I have a harder time to relating to Maren’s character, but even in this story it was believable and understandable her reactions with how Jamison crafted the tale. I think what made this story so satisfying was the depth and complexity of each character and their lives. They felt like people I know in real life, people I love and can’t understand all at the same time. And the plot felt the same–things happened that didn’t make sense, but that’s how life goes; you don’t always know what hand you’ll be dealt or how exactly you’ll deal with it. But, Jamison writes a smooth tale that takes you from start to finish effortlessly. I truly enjoyed this. If you’re needing a Jane Austen fix, but something a little different you definitely want to pick up this book. It has the right mix of romance, comedy, realistic plot twists, and conflict to be enjoyable. If you know the plot of Sense and Sensibility, the ending won’t be a surprise, but it’s enjoyable nonetheless.”
Elizabeth D. Michaels (Anita Stansfield). For Love and Country. White Star Press, Aug. 11. Historical romance. Horstberg Saga #3. “When a man is torn between honoring his country and the woman he loves, the best option might be to choose both.”
Jolene Perry. Stronger Than You Know. Albert Whitman Teen, Sept. 1. YA general. A 15-year old girl is rescued from a lifetime of abuse locked in an RV by her mother and her boyfriend. She now begins the difficult work of starting a new life.
Kirkus: “A teen’s first steps toward recovery are here sensitively portrayed. Given her history, Joy’s name “is sort of a lesson in irony.” After suffering years of neglect and physical abuse at the hands of her mother—including sexual abuse at the hands of one of her mother’s boyfriends—Joy breaks free and is placed under the care of her aunt and uncle. But it’s just the beginning of Joy’s journey: She’s scared of her uncle and other men, she suffers panic attacks and nightmares, and she struggles both to talk to anyone and to eat a full meal. Thanks to assignments from her therapist, Joy slowly makes progress, becoming friends with the charming Justin and wild Daisy, forming relationships with her family, and even learning kung fu. But realistically, there are setbacks, too—mostly minor, but she handles them until a much worse one occurs: Joy is told she must testify against her mother in person. Has Joy’s “journey of self-discovery” made her strong enough to face this? Perry deftly avoids the problem-novel label thanks to complex characters and a well-structured plot. Joy’s story is very affecting, and her voice is suitably self-effacing without being ostentatious; most readers will be engrossed. For those not quite ready for Ellen Hopkins, this novel is a good choice.”
Courtney Miller Santo. Three Story House. William Murrow, Aug. 16. General. “As they renovate a historic Memphis house together, three cousins nearing thirty discover that their spectacular failures in love, career, and family provide the foundation for their future happiness.”Same universe as Santo’s debut novel The Roots of the Olive Tree, with a cameo appearance by one of its characters.
PW: “Santo turns home improvement into a metaphor for self-discovery in this well-crafted novel. Cousins Lizzie, Elyse, and Isobel have been inseparable since childhood, when their family dubbed them the “Triplins”—a cross between cousins and triplets. Lizzie, under pressure by her estranged mother, reluctantly agrees to help save her late grandmother’s Memphis home from demolition. After all, she’s an elite soccer player who has just destroyed her ACL and has nothing but time on her hands. Hearing of Lizzie’s state of affairs, Elyse, whose sister is about to marry the man of Elyse’s dreams, and Isobel, a former child star at loose ends, join her. While slogging through the renovations, each woman must confront her own insecurities as well as a few surprising family secrets, including the truth of Lizzie’s parentage. Told in three parts, each from a different triplin’s point of view, the novel skillfully draws readers into its fictional world. Fans of historic homes will appreciate Santo’s focus on the number of repairs beloved old houses often require.”
Knoxville News: “Careful readers may notice the occasional plot point left unresolved or wish that Santo had integrated more of the family history into the body of the novel rather than explaining it in an appendix. Another appendix includes several famous examples of spite houses, which makes for an interesting addition to the novel. Ultimately, however, the real centerpiece of Santo’s engaging and suspenseful story is less the house itself — inadequate plumbing, dangerous wiring, and all — than the warmth and depth of the cousins’ relationship, qualities that are revealed in the healing of the house. As these young women weather life’s unexpected changes — romantic heartache, health problems, family dysfunction, career complications — their love and support for one another remain constant. Among hidden compartments and mysterious boxes filled with scraps of memories, a tangled family story, and decades-old lies, Spite House reveals its secrets in stages as the cousins peel back the layers of the physical house — and their shared family history — exposing old wounds and revealing buried truths. Among hidden compartments and mysterious boxes filled with scraps of memories, a tangled family story, and decades-old lies, Spite House reveals its secrets in stages as the cousins peel back the layers of the physical house — and their shared family history — exposing old wounds and revealing buried truths.”
Scott E. Tarbet. A Midsummer’s Night Steampunk. Xchyler Publishing, November 20, 2013. A Victorian steampunk retelling of the Shakespeare classic.
Paige Timothy. And Something Blue. Trifecta Books, Aug. 22. Contemporary Romance. “Bridal consultant Laurie Fletcher spends her time helping others prepare for the most special day of their lives. Will love ever come her way? And Something Blue is the first in the Main Street Merchants series of short romance novels—all featuring a business located on Main Street in the fictional town of Aspen Ridge, Colorado. The Main Street Merchants series is part of the ‘Sweet & Clean Romance Collection’ from Trifecta Books.”
Candace J. Thomas. Vivatera. Xchyler Publishing, April 13, 2013.
Candace J. Thomas. Conjectrix. Xchyler Publishing, April 24, 2014. YA fantasy series. An orphan discovers a world of magic.
Sherryl Woods and RaeAnne Thayne. Safe Harbor/A Cold Creek Homecoming. Harlequin, Aug. 26. Romance. Two older Harlequin romances (from 1987 and 2009) are rereleased together in the same edition. Thayne is the Mormon.
Reviews of older books
Timeless Romance Anthology: Summer in New York (Deseret News). “Now in their eighth compilation, these Timeless Romance Anthologies have become a sturdy fixture in the arena of romantic collections. Local authors Heather Moore, Sarah Eden and Annette Lyon spearheaded this project from the start and submitted stories for each of the standalone collections, including this latest work. Janette Rallison, Luisa Perkins and Lisa Mangum, newcomers to this edition, each add their own voice and creativity to this array of stories . . . The compilation moves quickly, and the stories are sweet and simple with characters who are relatable and engaging. As with the previous collections, “Summer in New York” is free of foul language, overt sexuality or any described violence.”
Michael Bast. Death’s Academy (Reading for Sanity). 4 stars. “Oh, goodness, I really enjoyed this book! It was exactly what the summertime prescribed – creative, silly, and too much fun to put down. It definitely felt a little Harry Potter-eque to me … the draw toward boarding school, the magical elements, a threat not quite understood … but there were some aspects that I felt Best nailed. Midnight is a twelve-year old boy. And he has an ego of one. He’s pretty sure he’s awesome, and he’s more sure of his abilities than any kid should be, but I found it endearing, probably because he’s also aware when he’s in over his head. Unfortunately, that ego also means that he’s a little bit of a smart aleck, and I found myself wishing he would show his parents a little bit more respect. (Or, you know, any.) I can see where Best is coming from – Midnight has suffered from the mistakes of his father his whole life. HIS own life has been and will continue to be affected because of it, but no one ever bothered to tell him what happened. His mother is downright derogatory to his father, his father has given up any gumption … what a confusing place for a child to be. However, Best has done a great job weaving intrigue into the sad tale. Midnight stumbles onto a plot too crazy to be imagined, but too real to be ignored. Before he knows what he’s really doing, Midnight finds himself teamed with his best Reaper friend, his arch-nemesis on the Skullball court, and fighting …. unicorns?! Bits and pieces of his father’s history are sprinkled quietly throughout the book, and Midnight starts to discover that perhaps his dad isn’t as humiliating as he thought. I find myself anxiously awaiting the second book to get the full story. This is definitely a series I’ll be keeping my eye on!”
Jennifer K. Clark and Stephonie K. Williams. Bonds of Loyalty (Mindy, LDSWBR). “4 1/2 stars. I loved the events that take place in this story and the characters are well-written. My heart broke for Sarah many times, but I was very pleased with how she handles the tough situation she is faced with. I did figure out something early on, but I eagerly finished reading to see how it would play out. I will be reading the first book, Mark of Royalty as soon as I can. FYI, if you haven’t read Mark of Royalty, no worries, the authors do a great job of back story and catching the reader up.”
Shannon Hale. Dangerous (Theric). Theric summarizes his review, a coda to his series of pieces on the book at AMV. “I found the first ninety pages utterly tedious. Were it not for the Whitneys, I would have quit around page forty. I kept going because in the 90s I found something to write about (see AMV), but I never did fall in love with the novel. Which makes me sad. I really thought I was going to like it. Maybe I’ll still pick up Goose Girl or Princess Academy one of these days, but I’m not feeling the drive I once did.”
Tess Hilmo. Skies Like These (Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, 68:1). “his novel succeeds in its celebration of the west, but it falls short in skillful execution of story, with stilted exposition, unnatural dialogue, and limited characterization for Jade (though spunky Roy proves engaging and sympathetic). Audiences looking for a quick escape may nonetheless enjoy the Wyoming landscape and its trappings, and puppy-lovers will enjoy the four-legged background characters whose names and personalities imbue this novel with a little spirit.”
Kimberley Griffiths Little. The Time of the Fireflies. (Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, 68:1). “The story here is both sweet and atmospheric, with the intriguing mystery behind Larissa’s family history capably balanced with the more quotidian, accessible elements of her dealing with the arrival of a new sibling and coping with bullying. Larissa’s narration is particularly effective at capturing her overreactions without making her seem melodramatic, and her concern over her appearance and how it relates to her budding identity will be familiar to preteen readers. Moss-covered cypresses and gator-filled swamps make for a beautifully dangerous Southern setting, but the book is uncomfortably evasive on the issue of race, never directly acknowledging the racial divide between the wealthy plantation owners and their servants. This still makes for an absorbing read, however, and it would make an appealing readalike to Thompson’s The Girl from Felony Bay.”
A. L. Sowards. Deadly Alliance (Shanda, LDSWBR). 4 stars. “Overall, Deadly Alliance is an enjoyable and satisfying conclusion to the series. I would recommend the Espionage series to anyone who enjoys clean, well-researched historical fiction, particularly WWII fiction. While LDS elements are present, it isn’t a major theme of the book. I look forward to more from A.L. Sowards, and can’t wait to see what she has in the works.”
Stephen J. Sterling. Persona Non Grata (Jennie Hansen, Meridian). 4.5 stars. “This is not your usual international suspense story and Paladin Smith isn’t the stuff TV heroes are made of, even though his parents named him after an old TV western star. Remember “Have gun, will travel?” He’s no “quick draw,” he doesn’t even carry a gun. He does have a quick tongue however and possesses a quality most of us lack; the ability to think fast and have the appropriate comeback when needed. He’s a school teacher, teaches early morning seminary on the side, and is a happily married man. Trouble arrives in the form of a congressman, the uncle of one of his former students, who caused trouble for him before by putting his political career ahead of his niece’s welfare . . . The action is fast and gripping in this story, though slightly unrealistic at times. Some of the secondary characters are not as strong or mean as I suspect they would be in real life. Paladin is larger than life as a modern knight who thinks fast and depends on the Spirit to get him through sticky situations. He’s reminiscent of the fantasy heroes so popular today. He lives a quiet, ordinary life, then when danger threatens, he’s suddenly stronger, braver, and smarter than anyone else, a hero who wins at all costs. He’s a one man army and a super missionary rolled into one. Instead of being corny, it all works, making the book fun and exciting.”
Natalie Whipple. House of Ivy and Sorrow (Rosalyn). 4 stars. “The opening chapter is magical: dark and warm and whimsical. I love the relationship between Jo and her Nana. And the intrigue sets in right away, which is nice. It does slow down a little in the middle–we get more of Jo’s relationship and less of the danger–but it picks up considerably at the end. I enjoyed Whipple’s snappy dialogue and the development of Jo’s first boyfriend. While some readers seem to think the lightness detracts from the gothic tone, it worked for me. (But then, I’m a wimp who generally doesn’t do really dark stuff anyway).”
Natalie Whipple. Relax, I’m A Ninja (Shelah Books It). 4 stars. “This is a really fun read. It has just the right amount of action, well-drawn rounded characters in Tosh and Amy, a fun, smart mystery, and a little romance. In fact, the romance was one thing that made this book hard to classify. On the one hand, it’s got the kind of action I think my teenage son would totally dig. I’d put it in the Hunger Games/Divergent– strong girl camp, except that the narrator is a guy. On the other hand, Tosh talks A LOT about what he’s feeling about Amy, which made it feel a little girly (sorry, gross generalization, I know). And then there’s the fact that about halfway through the novel, it shifts from our everyday world to a speculative world where ninjas can steal souls and have superpowers and stuff like that. I liked that surprise and thinks it works here, but that ordinarily would be a strike against the narrative for me. So I guess I’ll give this book to both of my teenagers and suggest they read it. I think they’ll both love it, for different reasons. And yes, there will be a sequel or two. It feels written to be a movie or three.”
Kiersten White and Jim Di Bartolo. In the Shadows. (Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, 68:1). “In this collaborative effort, White offers a prose novel interspersed with a nearly wordless graphic story by Di Bartolo, the two plots sometimes overlapping. The events mostly happen in a small town and to five of that town’s young residents, though there are hints that the sinister forces working against the kids are planning larger efforts. Adventure elements abound in the grand declarations, explosive scenes, and high stakes, and the prose novel offers an additional touch of young romance. Though the scarcity of backstory means the bad guys’ motives (aside from survival) aren’t exactly clear, it’s a gorgeous endeavor: White’s wispy narrative hints at the (mostly carefully hidden) desperation faced by most of her characters, and Di Bartolo’s rich, heavy paintings detail decades of misadventures in thought-provoking panels. Indeed, the thick lines, dark notes, and splashes of lives that play out in the arresting illustrations complement the intricate, everyday feeling of the prose narrative. If readers may leave slightly unsure what the story actually was, there is still much to contemplate and some awesome atmospherics to enjoy, and there is plenty to warrant a repeat read to continue puzzling it all out.”
Bestsellers
August 31, September 7, September 14
James Dashner. The Maze Runner
USA Today #9, #4, #9 (40 weeks)
PW Children’s: #9, #9, #10 (4 weeks). 11,642, ?, 13,582 units. 46,112 total.
NYT Children’s Series: #3, #2, #1 (99 weeks)
James Dashner. The Kill Order
PW Children’s: #17, ?, #20 (19 weeks). 4049, ?, 4614 units. 101,297 units.
James Dashner. The Scorch Trials
USA Today: #57, #40, #44 (25 weeks)
James Dashner. The Death Cure
USA Today: #86, #72, #74 (27 weeks)
James Dashner. The Eye of Minds
NYT Young Adult: #12, x, x
James Dashner. The Rule of Thoughts
NYT Young Adult: x, x, #7 (1 weeks)
Shannon Hale. Ever After High: The Most Wonderlandiful World
PW Children’s: x, x, #14 (1 week). 7327 units.
Shannon Hale. Ever After High: The Storybook of Legends
NYT Middle Grade: x, #11, x
NYT Children’s Series: x, x, #9 (1 week)
Orson Scott Card. Ender’s Game
PW Sci Fi: #1
NY Times Mass-market paperback: #8, #11, #16 (97 weeks)
Christine Feehan. Dark Wolf
USA Today: #94, x, x (2 weeks)
PW Mass Market: #7, #13, x (3 weeks). 8793, 5913 units. 26,322 total.
NYT Mass Market: #16, #25, x (3 weeks)
Sherryl Woods and RaeAnne Thayne. Safe Harbor/ A Cold Creek Homecoming.
USA Today: x, x, #75 (1 week)