Desires of the Dead by Kimberly Derting is the second book in The Body Finder series. It takes place after the serial killer was revealed in The Body Finder.
Violet Ambrose is approaching seventeen years old, and is dating her best friend, Jay Heaton. On a trip with Chelsea to visit one of the islands in western Washington Violet hears an echo. It is something only she can hear. It calls to her, the source however is something once living. The echoes are the dead calling to her. The dead that have died violently, such as murder; they call to her. When she follows the echo to a cargo container she knows what is inside; a dead body. No one else besides her uncle, mother, father, and Jay know about her ability to find dead bodies. Now the FBI wants to know about Violet’s ability. Not only does the discovery of the body remind Violet about what happen last time; but there is another string of murders. All leading up to a murderer who is closer then she thinks.
When I heard that there was a second book in this series, I couldn’t wait to read it. In this book Jay and Violet have begun dating. The relationship has some rocky parts, but all turns well. In this book the points of view switch between Violet’s and another person’s point of view. In the mind of the mysterious person makes you think about what is going on, and who it might be. This book kept me guessing till the end. The suspense, action, mystery, romance, and horror; all come together in the second book in The Body Finder series.
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YAY, Xian! Last year Xian wrote an amazing review of The Body Finder, the first book in this series. The author, Kimberly Derting, was so amazing, she sent us a bunch of great stuff (like bookmarks and stickers!) because of Xian's review. Whooo! Click here to check our catalog to see if The Body Finder is on our shelves.
This year, Xian had the chance to review an ADVANCE READER'S COPY (ARC) of the second book in the series, meaning she got a chance to read it before it was published and she had a chance to let the library know if it she thought we should purchase it for our shelves or not.
Do YOU want a chance to read and review books before they're published? Do YOU think you could give your opinion on if the library/other people should buy these books? If so, you can ask at youth services or send us an e-mail for more information on how you can get a chance to be an advance reviewer.
And guess what? Kimberly Derting liked Xian's second review so much she sent us more great goodies!! If you show up at a library teen event, you just might get some too! ^___^
Monday, February 14, 2011
The Host by Stephenie Meyer (reviewed by Amethyst Collins)
Do you love science-fiction? Aliens? Romance? World apocalypse, peaceful style? Intense conflict and personal enlightenment? If you answered yes (or maybe) to any of those, then The Host is the book for you.
As a reader, I first liked The Host because of its size. I want a book I can lose myself in, and that doesn’t usually happen in the 200 pagers. At over 600 pages (hardback copy), I was definitely drawn toward this novel.
Told almost entirely in first person, this story is unique in being able to tell the story from two points of view – without actually switching point of view. How is this possible, you ask? Well, you see, the most main character, Wanda, is a parasite, an alien, who has been inserted into a human body, Melanie, and taken complete control. Or at least, that’s what’s supposed to happen. This particular human is not going down without a fight, and even though she has lost her body, Melanie is not giving up her mind.
This is where the romance kicks in. Since Melanie is still present in Wanda’s head, Melanie’s thoughts and desires are a major distraction. And one person is thought of a lot. That would be Jared, Melanie’s partner before her capture. Wanda’s tie to Melanie’s body is complete, and Melanie wants Jared, so isn’t it natural that Wanda would want Jared, too? But Jared is still free, still part of the resistance, and he no longer trusts Melanie – or whatever it is that is inside her.
Wanda was supposed to receive the joys of Earth – the sights, the emotions, the experiences – without a pesky human interrupting her attempt at a normal (for them) invasion. Their species, of which the individual is called a “soul,” has taken over many, many planets in the galaxy. They have technology far advancing the human race – there is no disease, no hunger, no pain – and when they take over a planet it is peaceful. One could rightly argue they make that world a better place. On Earth they cured cancer, eliminated conflict and murder. They truly improve everything around them; but the cost is each individual’s presence in the world. Is it really worth that?
I don’t want to spoil any more of it for you, but by the time you finish this book you will see some things differently (and you will find at least one male character that you love; unless of course you yourself are a male, and then you will just enjoy the violence of the resisting humans and the intricate plot design).
And for anyone who is put-off because this is by the same author who wrote Twilight? Don’t be so ridiculous. Whatever your judgment of Twilight is, put it aside for just a moment. You don’t want to miss out on this because of negative bias.
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OMG Amethyst, I totttttalllly agrreeeee. There's nothing worse than judging a book by comparing it to another book. And this book is a crazy-good-sci-fic romp! I hope she writes another one soon! Click here to check our catalog to see if The Host is on our shelves.
As a reader, I first liked The Host because of its size. I want a book I can lose myself in, and that doesn’t usually happen in the 200 pagers. At over 600 pages (hardback copy), I was definitely drawn toward this novel.
Told almost entirely in first person, this story is unique in being able to tell the story from two points of view – without actually switching point of view. How is this possible, you ask? Well, you see, the most main character, Wanda, is a parasite, an alien, who has been inserted into a human body, Melanie, and taken complete control. Or at least, that’s what’s supposed to happen. This particular human is not going down without a fight, and even though she has lost her body, Melanie is not giving up her mind.
This is where the romance kicks in. Since Melanie is still present in Wanda’s head, Melanie’s thoughts and desires are a major distraction. And one person is thought of a lot. That would be Jared, Melanie’s partner before her capture. Wanda’s tie to Melanie’s body is complete, and Melanie wants Jared, so isn’t it natural that Wanda would want Jared, too? But Jared is still free, still part of the resistance, and he no longer trusts Melanie – or whatever it is that is inside her.
Wanda was supposed to receive the joys of Earth – the sights, the emotions, the experiences – without a pesky human interrupting her attempt at a normal (for them) invasion. Their species, of which the individual is called a “soul,” has taken over many, many planets in the galaxy. They have technology far advancing the human race – there is no disease, no hunger, no pain – and when they take over a planet it is peaceful. One could rightly argue they make that world a better place. On Earth they cured cancer, eliminated conflict and murder. They truly improve everything around them; but the cost is each individual’s presence in the world. Is it really worth that?
I don’t want to spoil any more of it for you, but by the time you finish this book you will see some things differently (and you will find at least one male character that you love; unless of course you yourself are a male, and then you will just enjoy the violence of the resisting humans and the intricate plot design).
And for anyone who is put-off because this is by the same author who wrote Twilight? Don’t be so ridiculous. Whatever your judgment of Twilight is, put it aside for just a moment. You don’t want to miss out on this because of negative bias.
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OMG Amethyst, I totttttalllly agrreeeee. There's nothing worse than judging a book by comparing it to another book. And this book is a crazy-good-sci-fic romp! I hope she writes another one soon! Click here to check our catalog to see if The Host is on our shelves.
The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke (reviewed by Bear Schacht)
When browsing for a book at the library the title The Thief Lord caught my eye. I recognized the author's name, Funke, from another book I enjoyed, Dragon Rider. The Thief Lord takes place in Venice, Italy and follows a small band of thief children. The story focuses on Prosper and Bo, two runaway brothers, and Scipio, the group's leader, a boy who wants to be grown-up. When the guardians of Prosper and Bo send a detective after them the band of thieves's way of living is shaken up and Scipio gets the biggest job he ever has to do. The friendshop between the children, especially the brothers, and how they use their wits to get by, combined with some very amusing bits and some mystery as well, made it very enjoyable to read. Unlike most of my other favorite books, The Thief Lord is not part of a series. It is a very solid, self-sufficient story that is about 350 pages long. I would recommend this book to just about anyone.
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I love Cornelia Funke! This one had an ending I did not see coming, which was a real surprise for once. Click here to check our catalog to see if The Thief Lord is on our shelves.
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I love Cornelia Funke! This one had an ending I did not see coming, which was a real surprise for once. Click here to check our catalog to see if The Thief Lord is on our shelves.
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