“FANGIRL” BY RAINBOW ROWELL: DECEPTIVELY RICH AND COMPLEX

RATING GUIDE:

 

6 – Life-Affirming and Life-Changing!

5 – A keeper!   

4 – Very good

3 –  Passable

2 –  I’d rather read a telephone book

1 – An absolute bomb.  Read at your own risk!

0 – Nothing will compensate for what I lost reading this book 

After reading all these books for young adults where the young are either perpetually horny, perpetually smart-alecky, or perpetually pa-profound, you’ll be thrown off-balance when you first read Rainbow Rowell’s “Fan Girl”.  What is this girl all about, what is this book all about?  Is it worth my time and money or should I just toss this into my “To Donate” box?

Rainbow Rowell’s “Fangirl” is the story of Cath, a whiny, geeky, socially inept girl who hates change.  Tough luck, for soon, Cath and Wren, her twin, are forced to leave their home and their dad for college.  Unlike Cath, Wren can’t wait to start school.  Soon, she leaves her socially anxious sister in order to try out all the fun things a freshman supposedly does (e.g., getting drunk with the popular ones).  At first, Cath stays holed up in her dorm room, writing fan fiction.  Unlike in real life, Cath is highly known in the fandom she belongs to (she is a well-known slashy/bromance fan fiction writer).  But Cath can’t stay in her room forever.  With the help of people like Reagan, her dorm mate, Levi, Reagan’s best friend, Cath is coaxed out of her shell.  It turns out that Cath is a girl running away from her own life and its dark, painful secrets.  As Cath slowly gets to know herself and the world and the people around her, Cath needs to make a decision.  What kind of future does she want?  Will she continue hiding in her boring but comfortable shell, or face her demons and build a new life?

To be honest, I initially thought this book was a dud, because the writing style was so simple.  After reading John Green’s books, I was looking for something that was extremely witty or profound and “Fangirl” didn’t fulfill those expectations at first.  It took a while, but I soon learned to appreciate what Rainbow Rowell offered her readers --- a simply written, yet very honest and moving book about the complex world of today’s teenagers.

In this book, we have twins (Cath and Wren) who are very different from each other.  There’s the socially anxious Cath, who’s so scared of people, you wonder if she’s mentally ill.  Then there’s Wren, who seems like your ordinary freshman.  But then, as you read more about their lives, you discover that they are older beyond their years and are forced to cope in a world not of their own making.  We see some of the ways teenagers deal with their angst in the 21^st century (in Cath’s case, it’s escaping into the internet and her fan fiction writing; in Wren’s case, it’s partying).  Yet, we also see that no matter what generation teens belong to, whether it be the 20st century or the 21^st, there are some things that never change.  A teenager will always need a home, a family and real friends. 

Rowell’s cast of teenagers aren’t all innocent and virginal like Cath, but they are thankfully real and mostly good and kind-hearted.   As for her cast of adults, it’s easy to sympathize with them, even though some of them are so screwed up.  The good thing about this kind of portrayal is, readers are reminded that no matter what one’s age is --- whether one is a child, a teenager or an adult --- there is always hope for redemption, as long as one is brave enough to face one’s issues, forgive one’s self and others, and choose love over hate.

RATING:  5

“FIRST LOVE” BY JAMES PATTERSON AND EMILY RAYMOND: SAME OLD STORY, AND YET …

RATING GUIDE:

 

6 – Life-Affirming and Life-Changing!

5 – A keeper!   

4 – Very good

3 –  Passable

2 –  I’d rather read a telephone book

1 – An absolute bomb.  Read at your own risk!

0 – Nothing will compensate for what I lost reading this book 

There appears to be a new trendy subject when it comes to literature for young adults.  In the last couple of years, we’ve been sucked dry (literally and figuratively) by young vampires … or brought to worlds inhabited by strange creatures.  Apparently, authors want to go back to the basics.  Now, we’re reading love stories about ordinary teenagers in good old planet Earth … except that one of them is suffering from some type of sickness (usually cancer).

In the seventies, there was Erich Segal’s “Love Story”.  In the eighties, there was Barbara Conklin’s “P.S. I Love You”.  In the 21^st century, there’s John Green’s “The Fault in our Stars”.  And now, here comes “First Love,” written by James Patterson and Emily Raymond.

“First Love” is about the friendship (and the love that ultimately blossoms) between Axi, a “good girl” who has never broken the rules, and her best friend Robinson, a rebellious charmer.  On impulse, Axi invites Robinson to a cross-country road trip.  It’s a funny, exhilarating trip that soon turns into something more serious, for Robinson is sick (and probably dying) of cancer.

This kind of bittersweet young love, first love has been explored many, many times in the past, not just in books but also in movies and TV shows.  We all know, more or less, how it’s going to end.  Yet, we’re such suckers for it that we don’t mind rehashing the tale for the nth time. 

“First Love” is one such story, and if I may add, a story that seems quite similar to John Green’s “The Fault in our Stars” (you’ll easily spot the similarities).  To use a Filipino term, gasgas na gasgas na. 

And yet, there’s something about the way that Patterson and Raymond wrote this story that still makes it worth reading.  There’s something … heartfelt and touching about it.  And as we readers all know, sometimes, it’s not the originality of a story that grabs us, but the sincerity and rawness of its emotion.

“First Love” won’t be the last bittersweet love story you’ll ever come across, but it’s still a good reminder to seize the day and take a chance on love even if it’s a game you might not win.

RATING:  3

SALLY GREEN’S “HALF BAD”: DARK, DISTURBING, COMPELLING

RATING GUIDE:

 

5 – A keeper!   

4 – Very good

3 –  Passable

2 –  I’d rather read a telephone book

1 – An absolute bomb.  Read at your own risk!

            Sally Green’s “Half Bad” is the story of Nathan.  The offspring of a forbidden union between a White Witch and a Dark Witch, Nathan is a Half-Code and is one of a kind.  But being special is not exactly appreciated in the world of White Witches, where Nathan grows up.  Despite his healing powers, his artistic abilities, his physical strength and compelling appearance, Nathan is feared, discrimated against and HATED.  Though he is raised by a family of White Witches, Nathan is treated like a freak by many of the White Witches (who are supposedly good and kind), bullied at home and even in school.  His only friend is Annalise, a White Witch and the love of his life. 

            Every Witch is supposed to receive his “gifts” (special abilities) when he or she turns seventeen.  But Nathan is a Half-Code.  No one wants him to receive his “gifts”.  If Nathan doesn’t receive his gifts by the time he reaches his seventeenth birthday, he will die. 

            “Half Bad” makes use of elements that are already pretty boring and tiring to read about about:  the world of witches, the forbidden love affair.  Part of me wanted to groan upon realizing that this was going to yet another book about that world, those types of characters … I mean, aren’t the readers fed up with that yet? 

            Thankfully, Sally Green’s take on witches and doomed love affairs is surprisingly fresh.  If you’re not sidetracked by some of the British phrases and words in this book, you will find yourself reading about the very scary life of a young man whose only fault is being the child of a union that is frowned upon by his society.

            “Half Bad” is very dark and very disturbing.  The cruelty and evil just leap off the pages of this book, grab your heart and pull it right out of your chest.  I really don’t know how this could even be considered a book for young adults, because of the graphic ways violence was depicted in this book.  The imagery is not as gross as in Cassandra Clare’s Mortal Instruments series, but it feels very raw and real.  Not like a horror movie, where you can still detach from it.  The violence and evil in this book feels like something you are surrounded with on a daily basis.  Like something you see on the news everyday, or something you’ve actually encountered in real life.  Definitely a different form of “scary”.

            Reading this book is like being a spectator at a crime scene or a place of accident.  You can’t help but check it out, even though it’s very dark and disturbing. 

            All in all, “Half Bad” is a compelling read, a page-turner.  However, I don’t think this is a book I would like very young readers to get hold of, given the violence it contains. 

RATING:  4

             

“FROZEN (HEART OF DREAD # 1”) BY MELISSA DE LA CRUZ AND MICHAEL JOHNSTON: A “HALO-HALO” ADVENTURE

RATING GUIDE:

 

6 – Life-Affirming and Life-Changing!

5 – A keeper!   

4 – Very good

3 –  Passable

2 –  I’d rather read a telephone book

1 – An absolute bomb.  Read at your own risk!

0 – Nothing will compensate for what I lost reading this book 

I knew it the moment I read the words “turo turo” that one of the authors must be Pinoy, and so I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Melissa de la Cruz, one of the authors of “Frozen (Heart of Dread # 1)” actually grew up in Manila.  She currently lives abroad with her co-author (and husband) Michael Johnston.

“Frozen (Heart of Dread # 1)” is a pretty scary dystopian novel that seems to take place in a post-apocalyptic/post-Climate Change era.  The world as we know it is long gone.  Instead, people live in an ice world where almost everything else has either been turned into trash, rendered obsolete, or treated as the rarest of luxuries.  Living conditions have deteriorated to a point where it is a rarity for a person to reach middle age. Young people are sadly forced to live adult lives in a very violent society.

One such person is Nat, a young woman with a past that she doesn’t even know about and an inner voice that keeps giving her all sorts of weird instructions.  The voice tells her to go find “The Blue,” a mythical place that is supposedly the replica of the world that was.  A world where the sky is blue (and not forever gray), the weather isn’t always wintery, and plants and animals are not extinct. 

Nat enlists the help of juvenile mercenaries, headed by the young and handsome Wes.  For some strange reason, Nat is drawn to Wes.  He seems familiar.  As the journey progresses, Nat’s heart slowly warms up to Wes (who turns out to be more of a knight in shining armor than a mercenary).  Her memories also return, bit by bit.  The problem is, just when Nat finally falls in love with Wes, she also remembers a terrifying bit about her past.  If she tells Wes about it, it might spell the end of their relationship and her quest.

Overall, “Frozen” is an entertaining read; although I can’t help but think of it as the literary equivalent of a “halo- halo”.  It’s as if the authors borrowed elements from several stories/films and mashed them all together to produce “Frozen”.  If you’re familiar with movies from the eighties and the nineties, you’ll recall parts of Mel Gibson’s “Mad Max” and Kevin Costner’s “Waterworld” when you read this book.  But the author doesn’t just stop there.  She even includes anime elements, such as the power to summon mythical creatures.  Sure, it’s entertaining.  However, the book also feels too contrived, as if the authors wanted to make sure the book had something every reader would like.  It also felt a little awkward to be reading about young adults behaving like jaded grown-ups, so some suspension of disbelief is necessary when reading this book.  And here’s a question I never really considered until another reader pointed it out.  If water is such a precious commodity in the “Frozen” universe … couldn’t someone MELT the ice to produce the water? 

RATING:  3

MATTHEW JOBIM’S “THE NETHERGRIM”: EVEN A BRILLIANT WIZARD HAS PROBLEMS, TOO

RATING GUIDE:

 

6 – Life-Affirming and Life-Changing!

5 – A keeper!   

4 – Very good

3 –  Passable

2 –  I’d rather read a telephone book

1 – An absolute bomb.  Read at your own risk!

0 – Nothing will compensate for what I lost reading this book 

Whenever we “see” a wizard in action (well, in our imagination), we often see him or her performing extraordinary magical feats.  Yet, we never get a glimpse into the kind of life he or she might have.  In “The Nethergrim,” author Matthew Jobin presents us with his interesting, amusing, humorous take on a wizard’s life “behind the scenes”. 

Matthew Jobim’s “The Nethergrim” is the story of a young man named Edmund.  Edmund wants nothing more than to be a wizard, but he can’t even pursue that dream.  His father thinks it’s a waste of time.  His younger brother, Georey, bullies him on a daily basis.  He is secretly in love with his best friend Katherine … but Katherine appears to be in love with someone else.  Will a Wizard-Wannabe ever get a break?

In the middle of all this angst, a beast appears tears into the town and starts stealing children.  Now, Edmund, Katherine and their best friend Tom must find the children with only a stolen spell book, a horse and a dog to aid them.  

Although “The Nethergrim” is yet another story about wizards, I enjoyed reading this book.  It was fun to read about a wizard who experiences the same (more or less) problems as today’s average teenager.  I can’t wait to see what happens in the next installment.

In an age where everything is instant, Matthew Jobim’s “The Nethergrim” is a much-needed reminder to readers of the value of reading books and of education (something that’s definitely not acquired in a short time).  His book also contains a very important reminder to today’s youth, who live in a world where Group Think has sadly become the norm rather than the exception:  that the young ones must follow their heart, no matter how difficult it may be.  The book upholds the value of staying true to one’s self and being comfortable in one’s skin. 

RATING:  4

“VITRO” BY JESSICA KHOURY: A CAUTIONARY TALE ABOUT MAN’S USE OF TECHNOLOGY

RATING GUIDE:

 

6 – Life-Affirming and Life-Changing!

5 – A keeper!   

4 – Very good

3 –  Passable

2 –  I’d rather read a telephone book

1 – An absolute bomb.  Read at your own risk!

0 – Nothing will compensate for what I lost reading this book 

If we are to follow what is said about man being made in the image and likeness of God, then it probably explains man’s (delusional?) desire to control other human beings to make them conform to his specifications.  History is rife with examples of mad leaders trying to act like God by forcing people to live according to his or her standards. In her novel “Vitro,” author Jessica Khoury gives us a stern warning about the perils of using technology for such purposes.

“Vitro” is the story of Sophie, a young woman who finds herself on a trip to a faraway place called Skin Island after her mother sends her an urgent e-mail asking for help.  No one wants to fly her to the island; all except one --- a hunky guy named Jim, who turns out to be Sophie’s long-lost childhood friend. 

Upon reaching the island, Sophie meets a creepy young man named Nicholas, who offers to lead her to her mother.  Instead of meeting her mother, Sophie receives a blow to the head.  When Sophie finally regains consciousness, she is totally unprepared for what she sees:  the horrifying results of her mother’s work.  People with no minds and wills of their own.  People who feel and act based on codes implanted in their heads. 

I totally enjoyed reading “Vitro.”  It was such a page-turner for me.  I’m glad I didn’t know what this book was all about when I first read it.  I had no idea what to expect.  When I finally realized what it was, I was just blown away. 

Setting aside the customary love angle between Sophie and Jim (this is a book for young adults, after all), “Vitro” is a thought-provoking story about man’s greed for fame, money and power and the issues that arise when these age-old desires clash with ethics and morals.  The prospect of using technology to control people for profit is actually terrifying to me.  But what is more terrifying is how probable it seems, given the rate in which our technology has advanced.  Jessica Khoury’s “Vitro” is more than a young adult romance with a sci-fi element.  Like that cult movie classic, “2001:  Space Odyssey,” “Vitro” is a cautionary tale about man’s use of technology.  Be careful what you come up with, it just might wipe out mankind.

RATING:  4 1/2

“BETWEEN SHADES OF GRAY” BY RUTA SEPETYS: LIGHT IN THE DARKEST MOMENTS

RATING GUIDE:

 

6 – Life-Affirming and Life-Changing!

5 – A keeper!   

4 – Very good

3 –  Passable

2 –  I’d rather read a telephone book

1 – An absolute bomb.  Read at your own risk!

0 – Nothing will compensate for what I lost reading this book 

 

To think I once thought that “The Diary of Anne Frank” was a hard book to read … After reading Ruta Sepetys’ historical fiction novel, “Between Shades of Gray,” reading “The Diary of Anne Frank” is a walk in the park.  Reading this book is … unspeakable torture.  But it is the kind of torture that I believe everyone must be exposed to if we are to become better people.

At first, I thought this was another book about the Jews’ horrific experience in the hands of Nazis.  Then, I realized I was reading historical fiction about Lithuanians who suffered just as much as the Jews, only this time in was in the hands of the Stalin government.  I was surprised and dismayed to learn that there had been others who experienced the same kind of hell that the Jewish people went through.

“Between Shades of Gray” is the story of a group of Lithuanians in the 1940’s who are suddenly forced to leave their homes and travel by truck to a concentration camp in Siberia.  The story is told from the point of view of a teenaged girl named Lina, who uses her skills at drawing to document her experience and that of her fellow Lithuanians in the hands of their captives. 

This book is not for the weak of heart, for the brutality described in this book simply defies description.  It’s difficult to accept that mankind can inflict such cruelty against their fellowmen; and yet, if we know our history, we know that this kind of cruelty has happened in the past, it is happening now, and will happen again.

Sepetys’ characters gradually get stripped of everything that makes them “human”.  Their possessions are taken away from them, their loved ones, their health, their ability to choose, their freedom … towards the end of the book, all of them have been reduced to nothing.  And yet .. it is when Lina and her companions have been reduced to shadows of themselves that we get a glimpse of the human spirit in its clearest, purest form.  We realize that nothing can destroy love, or friendship, or dignity, or hope … if the human spirit is strong.  That in the end, even if we lose everything that we hold dear, everything that supposedly defines us, at the core, we are still the same inside our hearts and minds.  The human spirit will always triumph over evil.

“Between Shades of Gray” presents humanity at its worst and also at its best.  It is also a reminder for us living in today’s times to never let such atrocities exist again.

RATING:  6

CASSANDRA CLARE’S “CITY OF LOST SOULS”: MUCH IMPROVED, BUT …

RATING GUIDE:

 

5 – A keeper!   

4 – Very good

3 –  Passable

2 –  I’d rather read a telephone book

1 – An absolute bomb.  Read at your own risk!

“City of Souls” is the fifth installment in Cassandra Clare’s “Mortal Instruments” series.  The story begins with Simon, who has just arrived home following that big showdown with Lilith in the fourth book.  It’s immediately angst-laden, for Simon is barred from his own home by his mother, who thinks he is a monster that has killed and taken over his real son’s body.  In the middle of his grief, Simon receives information from Clary that Jace has gone missing.

Clary and the rest of her friends turn to the morally ambivalent Seelie Queen for help in locating Jace.  Clary strikes a deal with the Seelie Queen:  Her help in exchange for two faerie rings that have telepathic power. 

Jace returns, but isn’t his “usual” self.  Because of this, Clary uses the faerie rings instead of giving them to Seelie Queen as promised.  She keeps one of the rings for her own use, gives the other to Simon, and runs away with Jace in order to find out just what it is that’s going on with him.  She soon realizes that Jace is under her brother Sebastian’s power … but is Sebastian just as evil as Valentine was, or is he someone out to create a new world order?

Thankfully, unlike the fourth installment, “City of Fallen Angels,” this book is much improved in terms of characterization and plot.  Cassandra Clare made an effort in making the characters “grow up” (finally, Clary stops being a selfish idiot … towards the end of the story).  Simon remains as lovable as ever, and readers finally get to see Isabelle’s vulnerable side, Jace’s selfless nature, and Alec and Magnus’ weaknesses.  It was also very enjoyable to read this book, because for once, I had no idea what Sebastian’s true nature was until the end.  And the battle towards the end was fan-TAS-tic. 

However, I still have advise the parents of young readers to guide their children if they are to read this book.  As with the fourth installment, the steamy scenes are still … well, steamy, considering it’s a book for young adults.  There are other equally steamy moments between the other characters (moments that include actual implied sex), as well as an actual live-in arrangement between Alec and Magnus.  I know these things are standard practice in the Western world, and yes, I know everything has gone global with the internet … but I would still like Filipino young readers to think twice about going to bed with one’s boyfriend/girlfriend or shacking up with somebody simply because these are what the Shadowhunters did in the book. 

The gore/disgust factor remains high in this book, and the book is also laced with profanity.  So, parents might want to caution their children against adopting swear words as an alternative dialect.

RATING:  4

CASSANDRA CLARE’S “CITY OF FALLEN ANGELS”: WHERE’S THE STORY?

RATING GUIDE:

 

5 – A keeper!   

4 – Very good

3 –  Passable

2 –  I’d rather read a telephone book

1 – An absolute bomb.  Read at your own risk!

Cassandra Clare’s “City of Fallen Angels” is the fourth installment in Cassandra Clare’s highly popular “Mortal Instruments” series.  I wish I could give you an idea of what the book’s story/plot is about.  The problem is, I could hardly find any story in this very disappointing book. 

“City of Fallen Angels” gives us a glimpse of life for the Shadowhunters, post-Valentine.  Unfortunately, Clary and Jace still don’t have their happy-ever-after ending.  For some inexplicable reason, Jace has decided to keep his distance from Clary, which just tears Clary up inside.  Meanwhile, Simon has to contend with the problems of being a (hottie) vampire.  That includes having to fend off the attention of fan girls, keeping his mother from discovering his true vampire nature, and having to choose between two girlfriends.  As for Alec, his “bro-mance” with Magnus is (presumably) blossoming, for Alec is almost nowhere to be found within the story.  But that’s just the tip of the iceberg, problem-wise, for all of the Shadowhunters.  For the powerful demon Lilith, a creature more powerful and evil than Valentine, wishes to create an army of demon babies/“reverse Shadowhunters”. 

If you’ve ever watched any of the local telenovelas on TV, then I’m pretty sure you can tell when a network decides to extend the run of a telenovela that has run its natural course so its profitability can be maximized.  You get introduced to new characters, there are suddenly new major villains … I get the impression that this is what happened in the case of Cassandra Clare’s “Mortal Instruments” series.  I suspect that Clare meant to create a trilogy, but some wise guy suddenly realizes there’s more money to be made from the series, so the wise guy asks Cassandra Clare to churn out more books.  The result?  A book that’s not very hefty in terms of plot or character development.

Call me conservative, call me a prude, but I really have don’t like it when sex is treated so cavalierly in books that are supposed to be for young adults.  I know it’s a romance, a young adult romance, but when sex is presented as something that’s romantic and natural between then young adults without any reminders or consequences, then it just really, really bugs me.  I know, this is probably the Generation Gap at work here.  But still, I don’t want readers to get the impression that sex is just all romance, because it isn’t … especially if a young person gets pregnant. 

In this book, Jace and Clary make out like there’s no tomorrow, and I almost wondered if I was reading a steamy romance paperback novel, given the action (I half-expected Jace to devirginize Clary in a deserted alley) … however, Cassandra Clare stopped the action just in time for any actual orgasms and penetration to take place (so the parents wouldn’t object to their kids reading this book?).  I know we live in less conservative times, many teens are actually experimenting with sex, but still … I wouldn’t want any author to impress upon any young reader that sex is all romance and doesn’t have any consequences. 

The best part about this book was Cassandra Clare’s depiction of Simon after he was transformed into a vampire.  Unfortunately, Cassandra failed to follow through on that promising storyline, no thanks to her introduction of new characters/villains, and the almost-sextravaganzas between Clary and Jace.  Thankfully (for me), alas (for Jace fans), Simon remained my hero in this book.  Love must truly render anyone blind (and stupid), for I found myself thinking how Clary must be such an idiot for choosing Jace over Simon.

Squeamish readers, be warned, for the gore and disgust factor remains high in this book (what Cassandra Clare wrote about babies is enough to give you nightmares).

I wouldn’t necessarily keep young readers away from this book.  However, if I were a parent, I’d make sure their children know that the sexy bits in this book are as fantasy-laden as the other elements of this story … meaning, having sex with your first love doesn’t guarantee you won’t get pregnant … even if you have Shadowhunter powers. 

RATING:  2 1/2

CASSANDRA CLARE’S “CITY OF GLASS”: RATED “SPG” FOR SLIMY, PUKE-INDUCING GORE

“City of Glass” is the action-packed, incredibly slimy and gore-filled climax to Clary’s story.  In this book, Clary travels to Idris, the City of Glass, in search of the spell that would waken her mother from her comatose-type sleep.  It is an impulsive move that immediately places Clary and her loved ones in danger, for entering the City of Glass without permission is against the law and punishable by death. 

Clary and Luke seek refuge in the house of Amatis, Luke’s estranged sister.  As Clary searches for the spell that will set her mother free, she is drawn to Sebastian, a dark and mysterious Shadowhunter.  Meanwhile, Valentine moves closer to fulfilling his plans of destroying the Shadowhunters.  The only way the Shadowhunters can fight Valentine is by striking an alliance with the Downworlders, their mortal enemies.  But will the Shadowhunters and Downworlders trust each other enough to fight against a common enemy?

“City of Glass” is fairly telenovela-predictable.  I suppose the readers who were up in arms over Clary and Jace’s “incestuous” relationship don’t have enough telenovela exposure to recognize that of course, there’s a plot twist to make sure Clary and Jace have their happy ending.  There are also other telenovela elements within the story that have no shred of logic, at all --- such as the recovery of Clary’s mother (quite unsatisfying) and what happens to Jace during the big showdown with Valentine (if that’s not something that you can find in a telenovela, I don’t know what is!).  If you’re a hard-to-please, nitpicky kind of reader, then you will definitely hate this book.  However, if you’re the type of reader where anything goes, then you might forgive Cassandra Clare for this book.

Romance-hungry readers will not be disappointed by “City of Glass,” for it is filled with numerous angst-ridden romantic moments between Clary and Jace.  However, I wouldn’t advise parents to allow their children to read this if they’re still quite young.  There are many, many instances in this book that are quite gory and violent (that scene alone with the guardian angel Ithuriel made me quite nauseous).  Also, there are a few scenes here and there that are too intimate for young readers to read.  No actual sexual intercourse, but still hot enough for parental guidance.  Touchy subjects such as homosexuality, homosexual relationships and parental abuse are also present.  Parents might want to closely supervise their children if they are going to read this book. 

RATING:  4  1/2

CASSANDRA CLARE’S “CITY OF ASHES”: THE PLOT THICKENS ... AND SO DOES THE GORE FACTOR …

RATING GUIDE:

 

5 – A keeper!   

4 – Very good

3 –  Passable

2 –  I’d rather read a telephone book

1 – An absolute bomb.  Read at your own risk!

 

“City of Ashes” is the second installment in Cassandra Clare’s highly popular “Mortal Instruments” series.  In this book, Clary and the rest of the Shadowhunters have to stop their mortal … immortal (?) …. Valentine from creating his own evil army and destroying the world.  It isn’t an easy task for the Shadowhunters, especially Clary and Jace; for other than saving the world from their own father (really?), they have to deal with the humongous changes in their personal lives.  Clary, for one, not only has to adjust to her new world which is filled with strange and deadly creatures (namely, werewolves and fairies), she also has to suppress her feelings for Jace, who happens to be her brother (really?) AND deal with Simon’s love confession.  Meanwhile, Jace has to learn how to deal with his own heartbreak over Clary without the help of his family, which has disowned him.  It’s a similar situation Clary also has to face, for her mother remains in a coma.

To be honest, reading this book was tedious.  I found myself distracted many times while reading this.  I really hope it’s not due to age!  In any case, I think this is a book that’s best savored in moderate “chunks” instead of marathon sessions.  For some reason, the terms Cassandra Clare introduced in this series just didn’t stick.  The places, the new kinds of instruments … several times while reading this book, I felt like taking down notes.  What?  What were you talking about, Ms. Clare?

Thankfully, the Harry Potter similarities don’t seem as pronounced as it was in the first book.  It appears like Cassandra Clare’s story has begun to take shape at last the way SHE wants it.  However, I wonder if there’s any way she can “level up” those cliché creatures in her series.  Is there a way she can make her werewolves, fairies and vampires more interesting?  And while we’re on this subject, I just have to ask:  Is there anyone out there who wants to write a great book for young adults that DOESN’T involve all these creatures? 

Teenaged girls will have a FIELD DAY reading this book, for this is a showcase of sorts for the two heroes in Clary’s life:  Jace (the Bad Boy Hunk) and Simon (the Boy Next Door with the Heart of Gold).  It is in “City of Ashes” that we get a deeper look into the hearts of minds of these two boys who are both head over heels in love with Clary (I guess it’s every female’s fantasy to have at least two boys competing for her affections). 

Personally, Jace is so easy to dislike, given his bad boy antics.  If you’ll read some of the readers’ feedback, there are readers out there who just think he’s an asshole.  Had Cassandra Clare not given us glimpses into his REAL self (the one that’s not mouthing off all the time, or picking fights), I would have hated his character. 

However, in my opinion, it’s Simon who wins my heart in this book.  It’s hard not to like a slightly nerdy boy who’s that funny and loving and devoted to a girl.  Girls will LOVE the transformation that happens to Simon (I won’t tell you what it is, you’ll have to read the book to find out what it is).  Before that happens, though, readers are treated to a whole lot of angst and torture for Simon.  You know what it is, ladies.  The kind that makes you go, “Aaaaawwwww, let me hug you and make it all better!”

While there are still shades of Harry Potter in this book, it’s much better than City of Bones in terms of character and plot development.  Definitely much better than Twilight.  However, parents who want to screen the reading material their kids are reading must know that this is a book with a number of gory scenes.  This is not a book for the squeamish or the faint of heart.  Definitely not for very young kids who easily get nightmares from scary stuff.  I’m a grownup and even I found myself shuddering inwardly at some of the passages in this book (poor Brother Jeremiah!).

In addition, parents would probably need to advise young readers if they read this, for the book touches upon not-so-kiddie subjects, like abuse within one’s family.  It also hints at a homosexual relationship between a young man and someone who’s much older (though I really believe Cassandra Clare is just trying to throw us off-track), and (gasp!) incest (though I also believe Cassandra is just pulling our leg and will drop a bombshell when the last book comes out).  I’m actually quite amused that there are readers who were/are freaked out by the inclusion of these themes in the book.  I’m pretty sure she wrote this, telenovela fashion, and the twists will come (and restore the status quo!) very soon! 

RATING:  4 1/2

DAVID LEVITHAN’S “EVERY DAY”: FALLING IN LOVE AT FIRST “READ” …

 

RATING GUIDE:

 

5 – A keeper!   

4 – Very good

3 –  Passable

2 –  I’d rather read a telephone book

1 – An absolute bomb.  Read at your own risk!

I’ve read many books in my lifetime, and while I almost always find something good to say about a book and its author, it is very rare that I find a book that simply stands out.  David Levithan’s “Every Day” is one such book.  What a surprisingly wonderful experience to read this book for young adults, what a GEM of a book this is …

I really had no plans of reading this book, but I am so glad that someone gave this book to me.  The last time I was absolutely bowled over by a book was when I read John Green’s “The Fault in Our Stars”.  I never really thought I’d even come across a book that would match or even top that experience until THIS book came along.  How ironic it is that a book such as this, with such an average, ordinary title, be so special that you can’t stop thinking about it?   

The first word that came to mind after reading this book was “WOW”.  I can only liken the experience to that of falling in love at first sight … or should I say, “first read”.  It’s very rare that a book catches my attention just from the first sentence, or the first few paragraphs --- the only time that happened was when I read Pat Conroy’s “The Prince of Tides”:  “My wound is geography.  It is also my anchorage, my port of call.”  Those two sentences made me fall in love with Pat Conroy’s book.  However, in this case, practically everything about this book made me “fall in love at first read”. 

“Every Day” is the story of an intriguing character who calls himself/herself/itself “A”.  From the time he/she it was born, “A” has lived a very unusual life.  “A” lives his/her/its life through other people, but the weird thing is, “A” can only live a certain person’s life for one day. 

“A” has learned to accept the kind of life he/she/it leads, until one day, “A” meets a teenaged girl named Rhiannon.  All of a sudden, “A” isn’t just content moving from one body, one life to the next, day after day.  “A” wants something more.  His/her/its own life, something that’s more permanent.  A life with Rhiannon.  And it is this desire that shakes “A”’s strange, solitary life.

It’s hard to believe that this is a book written for young adults, considering the absence of vampires, werewolves, angels and demons … but, oh, what a relief is to read something like this!  Even if the premise of “switching” isn’t exactly new, Levithan’s use of this concept/premise was very pleasant surprise. 

Young readers who are all into mush and cheesy lines might find this book wanting, but those who believe that love is more than overly romantic quotable quotes will discover that “Every Day” is an interesting book with its own kilig moments.  (If “A’s” gesture of love towards the end won’t grab your heart and toss it into a blender, then I’ll wonder if you truly have a heart).

Levithan’s concept is fresh and intriguing, and his writing style is beautiful --- just like a poem, I think --- but that’s not what I loved about the book.  I love how Levithan has made me think about so many things --- life, love, prejudice, acceptance … In this book, Levithan featured people we may have met, as well as people we’ve already prejudged as “unacceptable”.  When you reach the last page and you put the book down, you can’t help but think about the people and the things you consider “acceptable” and “unacceptable” and wonder if it’s time for you to change your perspective.

Unlike other young adult books I’ve read, “Every Day” is more “realistic” (at least, to those belonging to less-conservative cultures).  Parents here might not like the idea that the characters, as young as they are, have had sex.  Although I can say that sex isn’t really glorified and romanticized in this book (you know, the kind of writing that gets young people into trouble later on).  Sex is treated matter-of-factly, but not treated casually and definitely treated with respect. 

I found this book to be very philosophical, there’s a lot of yin and yang here and it raises A LOT of questions  (Ah, just the kind of book that I love reading!).  For instance, what defines a life?  What makes it well-lived?  What makes a relationship solid?  Is it living day to day, living a mundane existence with the same routine and people?  Or is it squeezing every bit of “the moment” of the relationship or the experience in one day, knowing it will end when you close your eyes?  What is love?  Is it sticking it out with one person, even if he/she treats you like shit?  Or is it spending your life with one who loves you and treats you well, even if it means a whole lot of sacrifice, and will ultimately end? 

Sci-fi geeks and mushy-to-the-max readers won’t like this book very much.  But if you’re a reader who’s into Philosophy and likes to do a lot of self-introspection, then this book will be a very special and memorable book for you.

RATING:  5