Review: Bumped (Megan McCafferty)

Bumped by Megan McCafferty

Publisher: Balzer + Bray (2011)

Format:  Hardcover | 323 pages

Genre(s): Young Adult, Science-Fiction, Satire

Description (Goodreads): "When a virus makes everyone over the age of eighteen infertile, would-be parents pay teen girls to conceive and give birth to their children, making teens the most prized members of society. Girls sport fake baby bumps and the school cafeteria stocks folic-acid-infused food. Sixteen-year-old identical twins Melody and Harmony were separated at birth and have never met until the day Harmony shows up on Melody’s doorstep. Up to now, the twins have followed completely opposite paths. Melody has scored an enviable conception contract with a couple called the Jaydens. While they are searching for the perfect partner for Melody to bump with, she is fighting her attraction to her best friend, Zen, who is way too short for the job.
Harmony has spent her whole life in Goodside, a religious community, preparing to be a wife and mother. She believes her calling is to convince Melody that pregging for profit is a sin. But Harmony has secrets of her own that she is running from.
When Melody is finally matched with the world-famous, genetically flawless Jondoe, both girls’ lives are changed forever. A case of mistaken identity takes them on a journey neither could have ever imagined, one that makes Melody and Harmony realize they have so much more than just DNA in common.
From New York Times bestselling author Megan McCafferty comes a strikingly original look at friendship, love, and sisterhood—in a future that is eerily believable."

I honestly don't know what to write about this. It was a strange read.

The author tried to write a satire of some sort about current social views on teenagers and sex and in part, I think she was successful. But somehow the ending didn't convince me. It didn't seem to drive the point across strongly enough. But that may be because this is only the first book in a series

In the near future, twins Melody and Harmony have been separated at birth and sent to live in two very different homes. Melody grew up with progressive parents who groomed her to be a perfect professional "Surrogette". Harmony lands in the middle of a religious community that thinks teens should be married if they are to have children.

And now you're thinking: teens having children? Well, yes. Because in this near- future, a mysterious virus makes everyone over the age of 18 infertile. So teens are every one's only hope; if nowadays teens are celebrities because they are actors and singers in the world written by McCafferty they are famous for their genetic traits and capacity to "bump" and "pregg" effectively.

Two worlds collide when Harmony appears on Melody's doorstep.

Reading this was... an experience. I liked her satirical representation of the many hot and controversial issues that plague our society, like sex and pregnancy among teens. I liked how McCafferty cleverly built her world to represent a completely different reality from ours that strangely enough seems to have some of the same problems.

As far as satires go, I think it was well written enough, but for some reason I just didn't love it. I think it would appeal more if I was a teenager, but it wasn't just that. While the book was supposed to make a point by hyperbolizing characters and situations, I sometimes felt like it was too much... even for a satire. I really don't know how to explain this better, sorry.

Overall: while the author did a good job at getting her points across by writing about a future that focus on most of our taboo subjects, I think the narrative lacked... sophistication sometimes. Not to mention it was fairly predictable. So I did like "Bumped" but I think I'd have liked it more if I was its target readership.

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Review: Prophecy of the Sisters (Michelle Zink)

Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink

Publisher: Little Brown and Company (2010)
Format:  Paperback | 343 pages
Genre(s): Young Adult, Historical Fantasy, Urban Fantasy

Description (Goodreads): "In Michelle Zink's debut novel, orphaned twin sister Lia and Alice Milthorpe are yoked together in an ancient prophecy that makes them enemies and could destroy them both. If Lia can break this familial curse, she can not only save her relationship with her beloved boyfriend; she can finally resolve the mystery behind her parents' death. A teen author to watch."

Here's a difficult book to give an opinion about. I enjoyed it enough but didn't think it was that great. There were a lot of things that the author was trying to do with the story that didn't quite work and things she could have used but didn't.

It's 1890; Twin sisters Alice and Lia Milthorpe just lost their father in a bizarre accident, making them orphans. As if that wasn't enough a friend of the family finds an hidden book with a strange prophecy. When Lia, the older twin learns about the contents of the book she decides to start investigating it's meaning... because something strange has happened to her too; a strange mark has appeared on her arm overnight.

"Prophecy of the sisters" was, as I said before, an agreeable enough read. But it was also just... average. Nothing stood out much in the story, there were no remarkable characters and some parts of the plot were a bit unrealistic.

First, I wasn't crazy about the way the author mixed Norse and Celtic mythology with Christian. I thought it was confusing and unnecessary (to this book at least).

Second, the story was just... predictable. The prophecy was easy to figure out as was Lia's true role in it. And Luisa and Sonia's role in it as well. So it was kind of frustrating to read about how Lia and her friends didn't understand the prophecy and how much investigating they had to do to get the knowledge. I wondered why they just didn't piece it all together as it was so obvious. I don't know if the author thought readers wouldn't piece it together that quickly or if it was a way to make readers feel smart, but it made me, at least, enjoy the book less.

Third: the characters. This book is about twin sisters (and both are supposed to be the protagonists) but we only ever get Lia's perspective. Alice is very one-dimensional and seems to be there just to be Lia's antagonist. I didn't particularly like this. There are books that have multiple POVs and don't really need them; but this book should have had alternating chapters, in my opinion. I'd have liked to know about Alice too and her own internal struggle (she doesn't seem to have one, but if that's so she is very poorly developed).

As for supporting characters there were a few, but they were merely there as aides and didn't have that much personality. Some are exclusively placed in the story as "means" of information for Lia and her friends.

Overall: I liked the concept but not how the author developed it. She could have created a much more intricate story. Also I didn't get why this is historical as the fact that it takes place in the 19th century doesn't really matter much. Lia and her friends seem to have too much freedom considering the period and the author really doesn't describe 19th century American society with enough detail to make it interesting. The author also didn't manage to make it "gothic" as it seemed to be the intention. An average paranormal read for young adults.

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Mais Lançamentos Fantásticos para Julho!

Bem, não se pode dizer que a saga "Harry Potter" seja propriamente uma novidade, mas a Editorial Presença decidiu relançar a saga inteira com capas novinhas (quer dizer, novas em Portugal, porque na verdade são as capas das "versões adultas" do Reino Unido). De qualquer modo, aqui ficam as novas capas da série.

A Saída de Emergência tem também algumas surpresas dentro do género para este mês. Procurem-nas nas livrarias a partir de 8 de Julho. :D

Título: "Wicked Lovely - Frágil Eternidade"

Autor: Melissa Marr

Editora: Saída de Emergência

N.º de Páginas: 336

Lançamento: 8 de Julho

Sinopse (SdE): "Seth quer ficar com Aislinn para sempre. Mas a eternidade ganha um novo significado quando a nossa namorada é uma rainha das fadas imortal... O Rei do Verão tornou Aislinn imortal para fazer dela monarca e agora ela enfrenta desafios e tentações muito para além do que alguma vez imaginara. No terceiro livro desta hipnotizante saga do Mundo das Fadas, Seth e Aislinn lutam para se manterem fiéis a si próprios e um ao outro. Num ambiente de regras obscuras e fidelidades voláteis, onde os velhos amigos se tornam novos inimigos, um passo em falso pode fazer com que a Terra mergulhe no caos." 

Título: "Pecados na Noite"

Autor: Sherrilyn Kenyon

Editora: Saída de Emergência

N.º de Páginas: 288

Lançamento: 8 de Julho

Sinopse (SdE): "No universo dos Predadores da Noite existe um código de honra que até os imortais mais ousados devem seguir: Não magoar humanos. Não beber sangue. Nunca se apaixonar. Mas, de vez em quando, um Predador parece achar-se acima do código. É nessa altura que sou chamado. Quem sou eu? Sou a fúria que terá de enfrentar. Nada me pode tocar. Nada me pode deter. Sou implacável e insensível. Ou assim pensava eu, até me cruzar com uma Predadora da Noite conhecida como Danger - e não o é apenas no nome, mas na forma como vive a vida. Não confia em mim. E quem sou eu para censurá-la? Apenas ela sabe que estou aqui para julgar, sentenciar e, muito provavelmente, executar os seus amigos. Danger St. Richard é uma distração fatal. Algo nela conseguiu despertar

um coração que eu julgava morto para sempre. Nesta corrida contra o mal, a única esperança da Humanidade é que eu cumpra o meu dever. Mas como poderei fazê-lo se isso significa sacrificar a única mulher que alguma vez amei?"

Título: "Os Dilemas do Assassino"

Autor: Robin Hobb

Editora: Saída de Emergência

N.º de Páginas: 400

Lançamento: 8 de Julho

Sinopse (SdE): "O seu nome é murmurado com temor e respeito.
A sua figura move-se nas sombras da noite e das políticas.
Acaba de salvar o herdeiro do reino. Mas será suficiente?

Depois de salvar o príncipe das garras dos pigarços e de sofrer a mais devastadora perda possível ao fazê-lo, o lendário assassino regressa ao lugar a que em tempos chamou lar. Aí, esperam-no dias difíceis de adaptação, mas também o esperam oportunidades, velhos e novos amigos e até um filho adolescente. E espera-o também um príncipe, do seu sangue sem que o saiba, dotado com as magias desse sangue mas sem conhecimentos para lidar com elas, e prometido a uma princesa estrangeira. Como irá Fitz lidar com todos os desafios que o aguardam em Torre do Cervo? Que soluções encontrará para os seus dilemas?"

Lançamento - O Segundo Cerco

Chega já amanhã às livrarias, o segundo volume da série "A Tapeçaria" intitulado "O Segundo Cerco". Esta série de fantasia claramente influenciada por sagas como a de Harry Potter ou Percy Jackson é da autoria de Henry H. Neff. O primeiro volume, lançado no ano passado na Colecção Via Láctea chama-se "O Guardião de Rowan" e introduz a personagem de Max McDaniels, o protagonista.

Título Original: "The Second Siege"

Título: "O Segundo Cerco"

Autor: Henry H. Neff

Editora: Editorial Presença (Colecção Via Láctea, nº 98)

N.º de Páginas: 432

Data de Lançamento: 5 de Julho

Sinopse (Presença): "Este segundo volume de A Tapeçaria leva a série a um novo nível de sofisticação e suspense. Max McDaniels e David Menlo, agora no seu segundo ano na Academia de Rowan, desenvolveram as suas potencialidades, os seus conhecimentos e são agora jovens adultos preparados para enfrentar os seus adversários. Entretanto Astaroth, um demónio que se libertou de um cativeiro de séculos, vai tentar apoderar-se do Livro de Tot, o Livro das Origens, e utilizá-lo para os seus tenebrosos objectivos. Uma saga que decorre no mundo actual e que reúne fantástico, ficção científica e magia."

Sobre o Autor:

HENRY H. NEFF é um ex-consultor de gestão da zona de Chicago. Mas a sua verdadeira vocação veio a revelar-se numa área de actividade completamente diferente. Foi professor de História e Belas-Artes em São Francisco e actualmente vive em Brooklyn onde escreve e ilustra livros juvenis.

Site oficial do autor: http://www.henryhneff.com.

Review: Forgive My Fins (Tera Lynn Childs)

Forgive My Fins by Tera Lynn Childs

Publisher:  Katherine Tegen Books (2011)

Format:  Paperback | 331 pages

Genre(s): Young Adult, Paranormal Romance
Synopsis.

WARNING: Contains a Lot of Spoilers!

While I really like mermaids (look at all the mermaid related books I've read this year) I was never particularly interested in this book. "Forgive my Fins" always seemed to me to be the type of fluffy, cute paranormal romance I only enjoy reading occasionally. Let's just say I prefer my mermaids to be darker and less human than Cleo, Emma and Ricky (if you're wondering what I'm talking about, it's the Teen TV show H2O).

Still, this finally came out on paperback and I did enjoy a couple of fluffy teen romances this year so I thought "why not"? I read the synopsis and I liked the idea of enemies turned lovers (oh the potential).

I guess I was expecting this book to surprise me in a positive way, like "The Ghost and the Goth".

Unfortunately that didn't happen. "Forgive my Fins" is just as fluffy, sweet and full of clichés as I feared. Not to mention it has a thin plot, cookie-cutter characters and weak world-building.

The story is pretty standard. The main character, Lily (who I found annoying most of the time) is a half-mermaid living with her human aunt. She is actually also a royal princess of the seas (her father is the king and he has a trident) and decided to 'explore' her human side before being called to her duties. So she's been experiencing high-school, with all it's ups and downs including a crush on the popular kid, Brody, who she thinks may just be her life mate. And you know why that is? Because he is a good swimmer. I kid you not.

Then there is the leather-clad bully who seems to target only Lily with his mocking words. Of course the reader understands immediately (like, by page 5 or something) that he likes her but Lily doesn't, obviously. Because if she had brains it would be a short-story. But even with this premise the author could have written something interesting if only she had explored the chemistry between the two main characters.

So basically you have the start of a pretty standard love-triangle that only gets more ridiculous when Lily ends up 'mated' to the leather-clad hunk (whose name is Quince, the poor guy) by accident. She doesn't want it but her Dad wants her to try at least, which results in many trips to underwater realms, silly tests in desert Islands and other unrealistic stuff. All the while the reader nods sagely because it is so obvious she likes the bully.

So story-wise? Weak. Pretty weak.

Then you have the characters. Most of them are pretty stereotyped and one-dimensional: Lily's best friends, Brody, Aunt Rachel, Lily's dad (who is like a copy of Ariel's father... no really). Lily is too dumb to live and honestly not very charismatic. Not to mention she seems to have personality shifts; for example right at the beginning of the book she tells us mermaids aren't good at human subjects like math and sciences, but later on she is able to explain the mechanics (in very scientific lingo too) of breathing underwater as a mermaid.
Also none of them seems particularly surprised when Lily confesses to being a mermaid: three separate characters in three separate occasions learn the truth and they just go all "right, that's cool, what's for lunch". I mean... uh... mermaid? She's a mermaid. As in non-human, mythical creature?

Quince is, by far, the best character in the book (so of course, some of the best lines are his). So character-wise? Could improve. A lot.

Last but not least: world-building. Again, not brilliant. Merpeople are basically humans with fins. They live in cities and have houses, parties, love sushi (even use chopsticks) and don't even think of luring unwary sailors to their deaths. They're... fluffy. There was no mystique in Child's mermaid world. It was rather boring and ordinary.

Overall: if there was a word to describe this book it would be... pink, I guess. This is a badly paced teen romance. I do admit it has it's cute moments but if you're looking for well-written fluff, look elsewhere. This book needed more story and character development to be a truly interesting read.

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In my Mailbox (19)

E como já é costume à sexta-feira, cá está o "In my Mailbox". Esta semana chegou finalmente o "Ultraviolet" que já tinha sido enviado no dia 3 de Junho e que receava que se tivesse perdido. Chegaram também "Bumped" e "Leviathan Wakes" (uma boa space opera segundo o George R. R. Martin) ambos recomendações do site The Book Smugglers. E como foi também no The Book Smugglers que descobri o "Chime" decidi dar uma chance a estes dois livros, embora "Bumped" tenha algumas críticas menos boas.

Dark Descendant - Jenna Black [UF, Adult]

Forgive my Fins - Tera Lynn Childs [YA, PR]

Ultraviolet - R. J. Anderson [YA, UF]

Crush Control - Jennifer Jabaley [YA]

Bumped - Megan McCafferty [YA, Sci-Fi]

Leviathan Wakes - James S. A. Corey [Sci-Fi]

E vocês o que receberam na vossa Caixa de Correio (What did you get in your mailbox this week?)?

"In my Mailbox" is hosted by The Story Siren.

Review: Chime (Franny Billingsley)

Chime by Franny Billingsley

Publisher:  Bloomsbury Publishing (2011)
Format:  Hardcover | 361 pages
Genre(s): Young Adult, Historical Fantasy, Paranormal Romance
Synopsis.

Warning: Contains some SPOILERS!

I... don't really know what to write. You know when you read a book and you like it so much you just want to write "I loved this book" and not a detailed opinion on story and character development? Well, that's how I feel right now. I just want to say I really liked this book and be done with it. Write nothing else. Except that wouldn't be very helpful, would it? So I'll try to write something, even if I'm not sure what. Sorry if this review is confusing.

Briony Larkin is a witch. A wicked, powerful and mean witch that wields her magic with great skill and destroys everything around her. She hurts her sister; she hurts her good-natured stepmother; she even burns her library to the ground. Briony knows she deserves to hang, like all witches, but she insists on living. So she keeps quiet about her powers and her wickedness. She only half-lives. Until Eldric arrives.

"Chime" was a great book. I loved most everything about it because the story had that wild, raw enchantment of folklore tales and the characters were... fascinating. Quirky, sure. But fascinating nonetheless. Briony undergoes transformation throughout the book and I think that this, more than the story (which is fairly easy to piece together, especially after Leanne arrives) is what makes this book so intriguing and interesting.

This was definitely a character-driven sort of book and the plot seemed to be there to help the characters evolve. But that didn't stop Billingsley from creating a beautiful and mysterious world where people and the "Old Ones" co-exist together in uneasy harmony. I liked how strange, almost alien, the magical beings were. And while the author is skillful in her world building it's also her writing style that helps create the 'mood' of this book.

It is also the writing that makes it hard to get into "Chime" at first. It is different, not straightforward almost lyrical and sometimes chaotic (especially when it describes twisted emotions, like the ones Briony experiences). It suits the story and the characters but it takes a while for the reader to get used to it. But once you do, you'll find the book wouldn't be half as charming if it weren't written this way. It has to be written this way because the protagonist is ill (and what irony, she doesn't believe in Freud and his theories).

What more can I say? I loved Rose, of course, because who wouldn't? She was a genius in her own way. I even liked Elric because he was the male protagonist and there wasn't a brooding bone in his body! The love story was touching and beautiful.

I felt that the book dragged a bit and Briony took too long to figure some things out, but other than that I loved this book (yes, I said it again).

Overall: "Chime" is a delicious book with well-developed characters and a great story. I wouldn't say it's a page-turner, because it's too intricate for that, but it is an excellent read and I recommend it to everyone who likes some magic in their stories. I'll definitely be looking for Franny Billingsley's other books!

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