July, 2012

"Brooklyn Zoo:  The Education of Psychotherapist" by Darcy Lockman         

Darcy has decided to go back to school and become a psychologist.  Her last year of school is to be a practical course, conducted in the field at Kings County Hospital, a run down, disorganized hospital.  She rotates through four departments, providing us her insight and failures of each.  Despite problems with her advisers, inadequate conditions and a poor learning environment, Darcy manages to survives the year and become a psychologist.          

Overall, I thought this book was interesting, well written and engaging.  She presented some unique patients to us while venting her frustration at the medical profession in general.  It was an interesting look into both the hospital and academic world.  I enjoyed this book and would be interesting in reading Darcy's next.

"Shadow on the Mountain" by Margi Preus

Espen, a teenager during WWII is a idealistic Norwegian boy, one who will do anything to thwart the Nazi's.  He begins by delivering illegal newspapers, then progressing to a courier and then spy.  The book spans a period, the length of the Nazi regime in Norway.          

I think this is a book that will appeal to a pre-teen audience.  It has adventure, and explores the question of friendship through adversity.  I thought it was poorly written at times, the author skipped around, jumped in time and provided little information about the in-between times.  The author also used multiple points of view, which was distracting at times.  Despite its flaws, I did find the book interesting and the characters endearing. 

"Princess Academy: Palace of Stone" by Shannon Hale         

After attending the Princess Academy in the first book, Miri and her friends leave their mountain home and travel to the city to help the future princess prepare for her wedding.  While in the city, Miri attends the Queen's Castle, a prestigious university.  Everything seems normal at first, until she learns that a revolution is brewing in the city.          

I didn't immediately realize that this book was a sequel, or that I had read the first book in the series several years ago.  However, I thought this book was very well written, the characters were engaging, and the plot seems perfect to catch the attention of a teenage audience.  Overall, I thought this was a home run.

"Throne of Glass" by Sarah Maas         

The well-known and well-feared assassin Celaena, has spent the past year in hard labor in the salt mines of Endovier.  She manages to survive this death camp until the day when Prince Dorian offers her freedom in exchange for entering into a competition to be the King's champion.  She is brought to the palace, given a fake identity and begins to compete in a variety of challenges.          

I thought the premise of the book was interesting, and overall I enjoyed the author's writing style.  However, I do have a few criticism.  I was a bit annoyed by the fact that this is the first book in the series, yet there is an unusual amount of information that the author hasn't given us, and provides to us in e-book novellas.  Although a lot of her background was mentioned, not enough detail was provided to make the issues clear.  I also found myself a bit annoyed by the contradictions within Celaena's personality. 

"The Book of Madness and Cures" by Regina O'Melveny         

Gabriella is a female physician, something unheard of in 16th century Venice.  After receiving a letter from her father, who left ten years ago on a mission to discover the secrets of medicine, she sets out to find him.  

I found this book to be extremely slow.  Gabriella is constantly reminiscing about the past, which makes it hard to be interested in her current plight.  Although the book was eloquently written, I found it to be more fluff than substance.  Overall, this is not a historical novel I would recommend.

"Let's Hear it for Almigal" by Wendy Kupfer         

Almigal is unable to hear until she receives cochlear implants.  Although I thought that the premise of this children's book was good, I found the writing a bit poor.  Not only is it a bit repetitive, but it is written in a jumble of past and present tense.  The illustrations were cute and well drawn, but overall I was a bit disappointed.

"All Different Kinds of Free" by Jessica McCann         

This is a historical fiction novel based upon the little known life of a woman before the Civil War. Born free, Margaret was living a comfortable life with her husband and young children until one day a former neighbor claimed that she was a runaway slave.  Margaret and her family are taken from their home and sent to the auction block, where they are separated.  Although Margaret is able to remain with her daughter, they rarely see each other and their conditions are horrible.  While recounting her life, the book discusses the landmark case of Prigg vs. Pennsylvania, a case that ultimately ruled against Margaret and for her kidnapper.  

     This book can only be described as tragic.  It is hard to imagine the fear, terror, and outrage that Margaret must have suffered when her family was torn apart.  This is a powerful and moving book, one that everyone should read.

"Low Pressure" by Sandra Brown         

When Bellamy was 12, her older sister was murdered on Memorial Day during a tornado.  Fast forward 28 years, Bellamy has written a bestselling novel about her sister’s death.  Brought into focus, is the question of whether or not the correct man was sent to jail for the crime.  Along with her sister's past boyfriend, Dent Carter, Belllamy seeks to uncover the truth, before once and for all.

     Overall, I thought the book was OK, not great.  It felt very repetitive at times.  The sex scenes were a bit blah, the same phrases were used over and over to describe the allegedly intense and passionate moments.  Bellamy's fear of storms didn't really come across until the very end of the book.  Not a home run, but I would be willing to read the author's next book.

"The Things We Cherish" by Pam Jenoff         

This book alternates between two interconnected stories.  It begins with Charlotte and Jack, two attorneys who find themselves working together on the defense of Roger, a man accused of crimes during World War II.  The alternate story is one of a clock, its origin, how it was passed down from person to person and then ultimately how it affects the first story.

     I'm not quite sure what the point of the book was.  The plot was imaginative, but it didn't really work for me.  The writing was well done, but the book just didn't grab me.  Overall, not a home run, but I would read something else from the author.

"I Came From the Water" by Vanita Oelschlager         

This is a picture book outlining the lie of Moses, an eight-year old orphan.  His family was wiped out in floods, however he was saved when a relative placed him in a basket.  Then an earthquake hit, further decimating the area.          

I thought this was an interesting story, but it was a bit all over the place.  The illustrations were beautiful, and it will teach children about natural disasters.  I wish there was some cultural emphasis in the book, I think it would have added to the overall story.  Overall, not a bad picture book.

"Bonyo Bonyo" by Vanita Oelschlager         

This is the moving story of Bonyo Bonyo, a Kenyan boy who dreams of becoming a doctor.  Through his courage and dedication he is able to go to school, move to the states, and attend medical school.  Years later he goes back to Kenya and builds a clinic for the village.          

This is a beautiful story with amazing illustrations.  It is a moving tale of hope and courage.  Overall, a home run.

Hellboy: The Storm and the Fury by Mike Mignola Review by Jason Bullock, Giraf Network         

Graphic novel of collected works by Mike Mignola and Duncan Fegredo, colors by Dave Stewart. Cover by Mignola and Stewart. This is an excellent compilation graphic novel of the most recent Hellboy adventures, of which he has had many. If you have followed the Hellboy series from the beginning, you would know the following things.  Hellboy is the son of the devil in Pandemonium, not Lucifer himself, but he does bear the horns, the crown, the stone right hand of doom, all of which mark him as the Beast of the Apocalypse. However, he has rejected all these things to go with his past in favor of protecting humanity, innocence, and the underdog. All these teachings were lain in his moral foundation from his first appearance upon the Earth by one Trevor Bruttenholm (Broom). The Professor raised Hellboy as his own at Area 51 ultimately allowing him to join the Bureau of Paranormal of Research and Defense, which fights back against those things that go bump in the night.

     The Storm and the Fury is a culmination of a lot of story threads that set up the past few mini-series with Hellboy, including fighting in the Wild Hunt against giants in the British countrysides, rescue Morgan Le Fey, find Excalibur, and even become King of England. Now the dead noble knights are rising from their graves to be his army against the minions of the Thrice-War Witch Nimue. The Battlefield is set with the dead, ancient forces, mankinf and the four horsemen of the Apocalypse.

I would really have enjoyed to see more of Mignola's work in this particular series than Fegredo but he does and amazing amount of truth to the Mignola mythology. There is no doubt that when you see Hellboy die at the end of this series , you know that death is only the beginning for a son of Pandemonium.     Rating 4 out of 5

"Fatal Incision" by W. R. Park          

Matthew Ward, and Jimmy Black are sent from London to help investigate the Manhattan Ripper.  The detectives believe that the Manhattan Ripper and Jack the Ripper are one and the same.  They have a suspect, but the slippery doctor continues to elude their grasp.          

I have to admit that I was disappointed by this book.  I had figured out the murderer early on, which took a lot away from the mystery.  I also felt that towards the end the authors were throwing up very obvious false clues to mislead the reader, almost as if they expect the reader to be stupid.  I found the characters a bit stereotypical, and the relationships they instantly fall into a bit far fetched.  Overall, this isn't one I would recommend.

"An Echo Through the Snow" by Andrea Thalasinos         

After leaving her abusive husband, Rosalie finds herself adopting an abused Siberian husky named Smokey.  She soon falls into a new job, taking care of animals for a competitive dogsled racing team.  Slowly she emerges from her shell and finds that life is worth living.  In between Rosalie's story is the heartbreaking tale of the Chukchi people of Siberia.  The Chukchi's were killed and lost their homes when the Red Army came to power in the late 1920's.  Huskies, called Guardians, were the heart and soul of the Chukchi people.          

I didn't really expect to like this book, but I found myself mesmerized by the two stories.  I expected a fluff story about dog racing, without any real substance.  Instead I found powerful and moving stories.  Each chapter left me wanting more.  I was particularly touched by the Chukchi's story, and their struggle to live and survive.  Overall, I highly enjoyed this book.

"Beta" by Rachel Cohn         

In the future, the inhabitants of Demesne are served by bio engineered clones.  These clones are supposed to be unfeeling without hopes or dreams for the future.  Elysia, a beta prototype of a teen clone, is immediately purchased and put to work as a companion to a wealthy family.  Slowly, she begins to feel and experience life and dreaming about being free.  However, she must hide these feelings and emotions, otherwise she would be classified as a defect, tortured and ultimately killed.

     This was a very interesting novel.  It was fun seeing Elysia develop feelings, and the unique relationship she had with other clones.  Overall, I am interested in reading the next book in the series and perhaps checking out the author's other works.  I think teenagers will highly enjoy this book.

"The Darkest Minds" by Alexandra Bracken         

All across the country kids are either dying or developing mysterious powers around their tenth birthday.  When Ruby wakes up on her tenth birthday, her parents have no memory of her.  They immediately call the police and she is sent to a rehabilitation camp, Thurmond.  At camp, the kids are divided based upon their powers, and the dangerous kids mysteriously disappear.  Ruby hides that she is telekinetic and until the Children's League breaks her out.  She soon realizes that the League has their own agenda, and she breaks free, inadvertently running into a small group of kids who have banned together for survival.

     I enjoyed the story and its characters.  The book did feel a bit like a compilation of other stories and ideas and at times was fairly predictable.  However, the characters did keep me interested, even when the story lagged a bit.  I think teenagers will love this book and fall in love with the characters.