Noah Zarc: Cataclysm (Noah Zarc, #2), by D. Robert Pease, Book Review

MMGM is a weekly meme hosted by middle grade author, Shannon Messenger. (Finally! A meme that fits perfectly with my content!)

D. Robert Pease is two for two. His first MG novel, Noah Zarc: Mammoth Trouble, was given the very first Bookworm Blather Squeaky Award. His sequel, Cataclysm, will be receiving another. (Check out my review of Noah Zarc and my 5-Q interview with the author.)

In book one, Noah’s family had embarked on a scientific mission of repopulating the earth with animals. But Haon Craz had done his best to thwart their efforts. Now, we find out another side of this villain. A visit to Venus shows Noah the horrible squalor the Venetians live in. Haon, he learns, isn’t against the ARC project so much as he is for recolonizing the earth with people.  But the Poligarchy, in an effort to keep its rigid control over the solar system, won’t allow it. Yet we’re never quite sure if Haon is really a good guy. In fact, he seems downright suspect. Now Noah is having dreams that link him to Haon and cause him to seek the man out. Only that was Haon’s plan all along. Haon needs Noah to fly the ship back in time to implement his plan to prevent the cataclysm that destroyed earth in the first place. But is Haon really preventing it…or causing it?

This is another great mind-bender. The wild time jump details are fabulously thought out and cause some unexpected results. And we are introduced to some cool robot characters with personalities (personhoods, actually) of their own. Noah and James, one of the robots, share a special connection due to the neuro chip implanted in Noah’s brain. This gives them a direct mental link that comes in handy. They’re like brother, twins, two of the same person, almost. (“I felt like I was actually discovering who I was. And I realized I didn’t mind hanging out with me.”) Noah can even inhabit James, giving him a physical presence outside his own body and a chance to use his legs for the first time. Noah’s handicap gives readers a ready way to identify with him. We may not all be wheelchair- (okay, magchair-) bound, but don’t we all live with something we wish we could change? I know I do.

I have very little bad to say about this series. It can be a little difficult to follow at times, especially if I’m reading in the evening after a long day. You have to stay up on the details, and it moves fast. Also, there are a lot of unnecessary commas that slow the flow of the sentences.  But I can live with both of those. There’s so much good in the series: family, nobility, sacrifice, friendship, excitement, and imagination, not to mention a complete lack of offensive subjects and language. I also really appreciate the high value Mr. Pease gives to people. Cavemen are intelligent and enterprising, and the world was made for people. This implies intention and purpose, not chance and degradation. That is so refreshing to find.

In conclusion, this is a fun read with no caution flags. I highly recommend the series. Probably a 10+ independent reading level, but a great read aloud for those a few years younger.

They’re a steal on Kindle:

Mammoth Trouble 2.99

Cataclysm 3.99

Open Minds (Mindjack Trilogy, book one), Susan Kaye Quinn, 2011, Book Review

I am so excited to share this book! I have read over two hundred MG/YA books since reading The Hunger Games, a series that totally floored me. Out of those hundreds, Open Minds is the only one that glued my butt to my couch as The Hunger Games did. In fact, this review will be a little off-the-cuff, because I didn’t slow down to take notes like I usually do.

In an aside, the world of juvenile self-publishing does seem to be a small one. I first saw this book on D. Robert Pease’s design website. He’s the one who created this incredible cover art. (He’s also the indie author of the very excellent book, Noah Zarc, which I loved. I have to get the newly released book two.) I remember being totally struck by this cover. But it wasn’t until I saw the book again, in a BookBub promotion, that I picked it up.

Open Minds has a dystopian feel to it. Kira lives in Chicago in a world very different from ours. Because of a mutation linked to chemicals in the water supply, people have developed the ability to communicate telepathically. The skill kicks in roughly with the onset of puberty, and the rare child who fails to develop it is destined for life as a zero, the bottom of society. Kira is one such child. By age 16, she still hasn’t changed to a reader. She’s become something far worse.

Kira is a mindjacker. She can control other people’s minds.

Kira’s confusion, anger, and fear draw us into her story. We learn about her new skill as she does. Fortunately, she has Simon, a classmate and fellow jacker who guides her development. Unfortunately, Simon carries an undercurrent of danger, a hint of the underworld. Kira can’t tell her family about her new abilities for fear of their safety. Neither does she tell Raf, her best friend, and their relationship fills with lies.

Then Kira learns there are far greater dangers when one is a jacker. And in a world that reads minds, a secret is a very difficult thing to keep.

Let me say again, this is a riveting read, one I highly, highly recommend. And I’m proud to say it’s written by an indie author who did an amazingly professional job. The huge popularity of the book is testament to that. I do have a few negatives to mention, though. First, the terminology alienated me in the beginning, but that was probably just me. I was overwhelmed by the new culture (slang/music) as well as new technology like “hydrocars” and “nove-fiber.” Also, the catalyst that prompted this monumental, worldwide mutation felt coincidental and insufficiently explained. Finally, the flow felt a little rushed in some places, particularly at the seams where hard-hitting scenes mesh together or when Kira is reflecting. The prose grows a little matter-of-fact in these few spots. I found myself wishing the author had lingered a little longer, fleshed these moments out, given us more detail to savor.

But don’t let my little quirks sway you from checking out Open Minds. (At .99 it’s a steal!) They certainly didn’t affect my five star rating. Rarely has a book mindjacked my attention like this one. The premise is wonderfully unique, the action fast and hard-hitting, the prose clearly and smoothly written. Details tuck into a tight, intelligent package. All around, it’s the best book I’ve read in a long time, Big Six offerings included. I’ve already downloaded book two.

Geared for a YA audience, but completely appropriate for 10+. I’d honor it with a Bookworm Blather Squeaky Award except for a few omg’s.

View the Mindjack Trilogy trailer.

The Candle Star, by Michelle Isenhoff

Divided Decade Trilogy, Book One

• When Emily was a little girl, her father had taken her outside in each season and pointed out the pictures in the stars, explaining the ancient lore behind them.  She wondered if he was looking up at the same stars right now. 

“They’re beautiful, aren’t they?”

Emily stared.  She hadn’t heard Malachi approach.

“Looks like you can just reach up and pluck one down, maybe set it in a ring,” he said.  “It’d be the most beautiful piece of jewelry you ever laid eyes on.”

He pointed to the giant dipper.  “See the last two stars in the bowl of the spoon?  They line up just right and point the way to the North Star.”

Emily had learned that when she was six.

“When I was little, I remember Mama setting a candle in the window on the nights Daddy would get in late.  I slept sound on those nights, confident that beacon was guiding my daddy  home.”

He paused as he contemplated the night sky.  “The North Star is sort of like a candle that God hung up special to guide His lost children.  Lot of black folks looking up at it right now, directing themselves home to freedom.”

It’s now FREE everywhere! 

Watch the trailer.

Available as a free podcast.

Free lesson plans.

Where to find it:

• Kindle
• Paperback
• Nook
• Kobo
• Smashwords

Related posts:

• About the series
• Book Two–Broken Ladders
• Book Three–Beneath the Slashings
• Digital Boxed Set Read the whole series at a discount.

Michaela’s Gift, by Cordelia Dinsmore, 2012, Book Review

This is a book I was given in exchange for a review. It’s a cute story about a twelve-year-old girl who is on the brink of inheriting a magical ability. But more important than magic, it’s about discovering oneself and about love and family.

Michaela is so excited to be visiting the mountain where Granny and Grandpa live. And bonus! Aunt Sharon will be there too, along with her big dog, Blackie. But things don’t go quite according to plan. Mom can’t seem to get along with Aunt Sharon for anything, she’s so distrustful of the dog that Michaela’s not even allowed to touch it, and she absolutely refuses to believe that the supernatural family gift even exists. She’s short-tempered and unreasonable, and after two days she announces that they’re leaving. Michaela’s furious! But things have a way of working out when your family sticks together like Michaela’s does.

I enjoyed the sweetness of this story. And I liked the way Michaela thinks for herself, speaks for herself, and acts for herself, even when some big surprises catch her off guard. She grows into her gift, and I do appreciate a character who learns and changes. The story makes sense. It comes together well. The prose flows easily enough. And the setting and characters are quite satisfactory. My only complaint is that the story just isn’t very snappy. All those things I mentioned are very nice; they’re simply not exceptional in any way. It’s not a story that will stay with me.

But I do love the cover. (What’s not to love about a Newfie?) And I commend Ms. Dinsmore on the age-appropriateness of her work, even when it delves into the supernatural. I think kids ages 9-12 will enjoy the read. I did. It’s easily worth its 2.99 price tag.

Sea Cutter, by Timothy L. Davis, 2011, Book Review

MMGM is a weekly meme hosted by middle grade author, Shannon Messenger. (Finally!  A meme that fits perfectly with my content!)

I’m going to postpone the book review I had planned for today and feature instead a super novel by Tim Davis. I reviewed the book a year ago, but seeing as it was such a fun read and seeing that it just won first place in the International Digital Award’s YA category (!!!), I decided to feature it again, here on MMGM. I like to give recognition to indie authors where that recognition is due, and it’s definitely due here. Read what two of the judges had to say about Sea Cutter:

“Timothy Davis weaves a beautiful coming of age story into the backdrop of the raging Atlantic…Strong on loyalty and the value of honesty, I recommend this book to anyone who loves and appreciates the priceless gift of a well-written story.” –Anna Kittrell

“If I could ‘like’ this book twice, I would! Mr. Davis has a new fan here.” –Calisa Rhose

And without further adieu, here are my own thoughts:

“He’s not dead!”

“Please Nathaniel. It’s been two years. He’s not coming back,” my mother begged.

“How can you give up on him?” I yelled.

Nat’s heart tells him his father survived the shipwreck. But where is he? Why has he left Nat and his mother to a pauper’s existence in New Bedford? Then Nat receives a package from his father, one that had been stolen and delivered years late. One containing treasure. The accompanying letter indicates that his father may be alive on an island in the Atlantic, but none of the sea dogs in New Bedford’s harbor believe in the island’s existence. None of them but the one with hard, snakelike eyes…

Nat eventually persuades an old family friend to make the voyage, but he accomplishes it with deceit. As they sail, Nat’s dishonesty grows and broadens, finally enmeshing him in a murderous scheme. How did a simple lie grow so monstrous? Will it cost him the very things he holds most dear?

Sea Cutter is a cleanly written adventure with lots of positives. It celebrates truth, family, friendship, honor and forgiveness, and it does so with a LOT of excitement. Mr. Davis has sections of absolutely beautiful prose, but his greatest strength is a flair for creating danger. He’s a master of foreshadowing, and each chapter ending leaves Nat in impossible scrapes. The tale twists and turns in some unexpected directions, but some well-planted clues help us guess at others. It’s a fun read for anyone, but boys especially will eat up the exploits of this swashbuckling, brave young hero.

Sea Cutter is just .99 and available as a Kindle download and on Smashwords.

The Bookworm Blather Squeaky Award was not in existence when I first read Sea Cutter.  However, I’m happy to bestow the honor now.

Eligere (Seranfyll, book two), by Christina Daley, 2012, Book Review – Bargain eBooks

Christina Daley’s second book in her Seranfyll series is well worth reading. I think I liked book one just a touch better, with its unexpected magic and the delightfully eccentric character of Domrey (read my review of Seranfyll), but this is a solid second installment. Domrey and his adoptive sisters and brother, Rain, Snow and Coal, are all back. In fact, it is the cohesion of this peculiar family and the awesome values they stand for—like love, sacrifice and freedom—that makes this series truly refreshing.

As Domrey, who’s now using his magic powers in the service of the king of Yoan, is given an assignment on a tropical isle, the action moves across the globe. Ms. Daley gives the “Untamed Island” a great sense of place, making effective use of details like climate, animals, people groups and native culture. The book takes on the feel of a missionary story when Domrey, Rain and the others finally land in jungle village and help the doctors who live and work there. (Actually, quite a few times I was vaguely reminded of biblical parallels, just as in book one, but the book is not religious.) And while my attention did wander at times during the mundane moments in the village, there are exciting events scattered throughout. The last quarter of the book, after Rain is kidnapped, grows very adventurous indeed.

A word about characters. Oddly, I never really clicked with Rain, even though the narrator follows her around for the whole book, with the singular exception of chapter 32, when the “camera” follows Domrey and Coal on a journey that does not include Rain. I found her reactions, especially her moments of anger, a little forced. While she does discover some hidden talents by story’s end, and she makes some selfless choices, I never felt that she internalizes the plot effectively, never develops and grows like she did in book one. Domrey was easily my favorite character in book one. As the devoted, wise, generous patron of the family, he is still vastly important, but he takes more of a back seat in this one. This time I thought it was Coal who emerged strongly, with his complex personality. He’s coarse and quick-tempered, violent even, but his loyalty and tender heart make him vastly endearing.

The prose flows easily and is noticeably smoother than book one; however, it delves a little too deeply into slang and cliché. Modern words and phrases like “moron,” “cool,” “weird me out,” “missed it by a mile,” “beaten to a pulp,” etc. clash with the setting’s Old World feel. But the writing does contain moments that are absolutely lovely, such as when the old chief sings “with a voice beautified with age and dignity.” Or when “Light drops (of rain) tapped their tiny tunes on the roof.

Ms. Daley is a master of quirky detail. In book one, I loved that Domrey created his spells by knitting. And that Quill, the butler, was once a chicken and now runs around in circles when excited shouting “Ba-Clack!” I was glad to see Quill back. This time around, a new character, Phineas Klopp (Don’t you love that name?) draws mystical creatures on paper and brings them to life. And another magician creates black hole spells, where the air rips open and swallows bullets and fireballs and such before they can do any harm. Clever! Details like these give this series so much character.

In conclusion, I think Eligere, like Seranfyll, will appeal to anyone with a penchant for fantasy. I’d say it’s geared toward mid-teens, but the language is perfectly clean, and any content objections are so mild that I won’t even include them, so I’d put a 10+ recommendation on this one. And finally, I’m pleased to say the book’s final pages scream the promise of a third volume sometime in the not-too-distant future.

Tune in tomorrow for a 5-Q Interview and GIVEAWAY with Eligere author, Christina Daley.  In the meantime, hop over to her blog and pay her a visit!  

Be sure to grab a copy of  Seranfyll (book one).  It’s only 99 cents!  Also available in paperback.  Find it here:

• Amazon
• Smashwords
• Barnes and Noble

 Eligere (book two) is only 2.99, or paperback.  Here’s where to find it:

• Amazon 
• Smashwords
• Barnes and Noble

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll, 1865, Book Review

I have never much cared for Alice in Wonderland. Before today, I had never read the book, only seen parts of the Disney movie. But since Alice features in the book I am currently writing, I had to take the plunge. And I found that I still don’t care for Alice.

Before the Victorian era, stories for children were rather rare, and the ones that were published were, for the greater part, instructional and/or religious. But the mid-1800’s brought about a rise in imaginative stories, books written simply for children to enjoy. It was a novel concept. Many still had a moral point to them, but they were fun.

Alice was written during this time period, and it is very much a celebration of children and childhood. For those who may not know the story, young Alice falls down a rabbit hole where she meets a variety of talking animals, meets the King and Queen of hearts (as in playing cards), and changes size dramatically—several times. It’s silly and nonsensical, without a distinct plot (which is what I dislike about it), but for young children, it really is a wonderland where fantastical things can happen. And adults (including me) can laugh at the logic (or lack of it) and the many humorous word plays Carroll makes. I also particularly enjoyed the variety of clever nursery rhymes Carroll created. (I looked them up, many are parodies of actual rhymes from the era, some of which I recognized.)

Over the last century and a half, Alice has proven immensely popular. Only a year or two ago a new Alice movie came out! But as always, I like to encourage kids to read the original text that prompted all the adaptations, to see where it all began. It’s a very easy listening level, for the most part. The only difficulties are the occasional old-fashioned phrases. (Independent reading level may be about fourth to fifth grade.) The imagination, which is the book’s key strength, is still as relevant today as it was in 1865. In that regard, kids have not changed. If you have one who likes the Alice movies, try the novel.

Download Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland free for Kindle.

Noah Zarc: Mammoth Trouble, by D. Robert Pease, 2011, Book Review

One thousand plus years into the future of our solar system, Earth has been destroyed. People now live on Mars and Venus, fly around in the coolest space ships, and utilize amazing technology (like holopads, personal flying thermsuits, chef-bots that speak with French accents, and neuro implants). They’ve even perfected time travel. But, unfortunately, all animal life has been destroyed in the great Cataclysm.

Enter the Zarc family. Hannah and Noah Sr. are scientists in charge of a government sanctioned project to rescue extinct animal populations and resettle them on the slowly recovering Earth. They do this by traveling back in time, capturing a male and female of each species, and holding them within the Animal Rescue Cruiser (ARC) until their natural habitats can sustain them on Earth. Twelve-year-old Noah Zarc, a paraplegic and incredible space pilot, is a vital part of this family program. Not everyone, however, is excited about the repopulation efforts, and some will go to any lengths to stop it.

Futuristic sci-fi is not usually my first choice, but this spin on Noah’s ark looked so intriguing I had to download it. I’m glad I did. Not only is it one of the most original stories I’ve read recently, it’s well-written, entertaining, sometimes unpredictable, and just plain fun. It’s also squeaky clean, totally appropriate for middle-graders as young as eight, though I’d probably rate it at about a fifth grade reading level.

One thing that I really appreciated about this book was the worldview from which it was written. I expected the usual naturalistic approach. You know, one more repetition of the we-all-evolved, save-the-earth mantra of modern science. But this story was refreshingly open-minded. It did have one reference to people “evolving past” something, but it also spoke again and again of creation, and it gave cave people high intelligence. And my favorite, my absolute favorite statement it made was that the earth – this uniquely life-supporting planet – was MADE FOR PEOPLE. For you see, the Poligarchy (the solar system government), in an effort keep power, will not allow people to repopulate the earth, only animals. Not even when people are dying on Venus. This adds a unique element of sympathy for the antagonist. It also counters the real-life Green Movement that sometimes erroneously places greater importance on our planet rather than on the people for whom the earth was made.

Kudos on an excellent first novel, Mr. Pease!  It would be a worthwhile purchase even if it wasn’t only 2.99 on Amazon.  And in honor of a clean, kid-friendly read, I’m bestowing on Noah Zarc the first ever Bookworm Blather Squeaky Award!

Mr. Pease has a second Noah Zarc novel (Cataclysm) coming out this year. Jump onto his website for more information. He can also be found on Twitter, Facebook, and his blog.

Tomorrow: 5-Q Interview with Noah Zarc author, D. Robert Pease.

Anabar Rises, by Will Granger, 2011, Book Review

This is the second book of the Anabar series.  If you haven’t read my review for Anabar’s Run, click that first.

When we left Anabar at the end of book one, he had successfully completed training to become a scout for his home country of Semdela. Book two picks up where Anabar’s Run leaves off. Anabar is given his first tasks. Initially, he guards a vital port city, then he is assigned a section of the border with Ricamareth, where tensions with that country are heating up. He makes plenty of mistakes, unintentionally calling attention to himself in several instances, which gains him the ire of his instructor. And then Anabar is captured and hauled off to a work camp in Ricamareth.

To his surprise, he finds a culture similar to his own and people as friendly and likable as the Semdelans. Then Anabar falls in love with Princess Astrida, daughter of the foreign king. Don’t worry, boys, the romance is very low-key, but it complicates things tremendously. As the two countries draw toward war, Anabar’s loyalties are pulled in many directions, and it becomes harder and harder for him to know what to do.

I like this second installment better than the first. The prose flows more easily, the plot thickens, and readers are forced to think on many different levels. What’s right? It’s often hard to tell in times of war. But through everything, Anabar keeps his honor, making him an incredibly easy character to rally behind. The story is full of adventure, and the message is one of conscience, integrity and peace. It’s a great choice for kids as young as eight.

Read my 5-Q Interview with author Will Granger.

Mr. Granger has a really cool website dedicated to the series that I think kids will enjoy.

Anabar Rises is available as an ebook only. Find it on Amazon.

 

 

Cycles, by Lois D. Brown, Book Review

I always tread cautiously when my blog attracts requests for book reviews. I see a wide range of talent and professionalism, but Cycles, by Lois D. Brown, I am pleased to say, rates among the best stories I’ve received.

Within, an accident leaves13-year-old Renee Beaumont’s life completely shaken. Not only does she narrowly escape death, but doctors in the hospital identify abnormalities in her blood. Abnormalities that lead to questions concerning her parentage. Abnormalities that may be linked to an increasing number of dizzy spells and memories that cannot possibly be her own. Abnormalities that prompt the sudden interest of individuals who do not have Renee’s best interest at heart. Abnormalities that push Renee, along with her best friend Sam, on a wild ride of discovery that lands them smack in the center of a most peculiar blending of science and legend.

I have lots of good things to say about the story’s mechanics. Intrigue begins right away. The opening chapters create a host of questions that are skillfully unraveled throughout the remainder of the story. A deadly horse epidemic, Renee’s habit of drawing spirals, Sam’s father’s death, solar eclipses–all these details come back around to tuck nicely into the story later on. The plot is original, engaging and creative. There is a measure of predictability, but I think the kids for whom the book is intended (12-16) will enjoy figuring out the clues artfully planted along the way. And in all fairness, there were elements I didn’t foresee.

As to Ms. Brown’s writing, it’s very nice. There are moments it doesn’t read as smoothly as a title with a whole publishing team behind it, but I was very pleased with the overall effect. She creates some wonderfully descriptive word pictures, often in tandem with bright humor. For example, “Dawson cleared his throat again. He was either allergic to the hospital’s disinfectant spray, or he was nervous.” The title, too, is wonderfully metaphorical and clever.

The characters, as is often the case with contemporary teen fiction, feel a bit cliche. Rich girl with parents that ignore  her. Geeky guy with a crush on a cheerleader. But they are given quirks that make them feel realistic and warmth that wins a reader over. Gamma Didi, on the other hand, is hugely original. An old Indian woman with gentle wisdom, odd habits, tribal memories, and modern intelligence, she’s the perfect counterpoint to the teens. Indeed, she’s the character that jumped off the page and became my favorite.

I would rate this book easily appropriate for kids 10 and older. Romance is kept sweet and innocent, language is perfectly clean. There is some violence at the end, but it isn’t graphic or overwhelming. There is an element of spiritualism–souls of the departed watching out for the living and the mention of a seance–but it’s very background, and a bit of mysticism is necessary for the story’s magical elements. Ms. Brown nicely blends legend with science.

I enjoyed Cycles a great deal, and I’m happily putting out my recommendation. Besides, with a 2.99 price tag, you can’t afford to pass it up!

Cycles is available only in ebook format. Find it at:

• Amazon
• Barnes and Noble
• Smashwords

 

Visit Ms. Brown’s author website and her blog, Life of Lois.

Tomorrow: 5-Q Interview with Cycles author Lois D. Brown.