Review - Tracking the Tempest (Jane True, Book 2) by Nicole Peeler (4.5/5 stars)

Reading level: Adult
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Size: 368 pages
Publisher: Orbit
Release Date: July 1, 2010
ISBN-13: 978-0316056571
Stand Alone or Series: 2nd book in Jane True series
Source: Bought
Rating: 4.5/5 stars

This is the second book in the Jane True series with 6 books currently on contract.  The third book, Tempest's Legacy, comes out in Jan 2011.  I really enjoyed this book, even more than the first one, Tempest Rising.

This book picks up a few months after the first one leaves off.  Jane is with Nell getting lessons on how to use her supernatural powers as a selkie.  Then Ryu whisks Jane back to his home town of Boston for a romantic Valentine's Day weekend.  Unfortunately things don't go as planned.  People are ending up dead in a very crispy way and it is likely that a fire genie halfling with a serious grudge is responsible.  Instead of being romanced by Ryu Jane is drawn into supernatural politics, running for her life, and hunting down a viscous murderer.  The only good thing about it all is she is getting a lot of on the run training in her new powers.

This was a wonderful book.  Like the first book Jane is funny and down to earth, she is a bit of a dork at points which only serves to make her more likable.  There are some sizzling scenes between her and Ryu and more feeling begins to develop between them (although I am still having trouble taking Ryu completely seriously).  Jane is starting to take charge of her life; she is working on her training and starting to stand up for herself.

We meet a lot of new interesting characters and get to learn a lot more about some of the ones introduced in the first book.  My favorite is the Barghest Anyan, who we saw some of in the first book.  He gets involved in this book in a big way.  You also learn a lot more about how the Court operates and how they are governed.  A new part of the supernatural community called the Borderlands is introduced; I am eager to hear more about the Borderlands in future books.

The pace of this book is faster than the second and there is a lot more action.  I like how Jane knows her limits and tries to help in anyway she can, but stays out of the way in areas she doesn't excel in.  I also enjoyed how Jane acts like an intelligent woman and doesn't just let herself get swept off her feet by Ryu but seriously looks at her relationship with him.  I enjoyed some of the decisions she made towards the end of the book and think that this book really helped Jane grow as a character.

Overall a really great installment in this series.  I am now officially hooked on Jane True.  This book takes the series from a fun light read, to a fun read with some serious mojo going on.  There is better world-building, better action, better plot, and great characterization in this book.  I can't wait to read the next book, Tempest's Legacy.

 

Review - The Fantastic Secret of Owen Jester by Barbara O'Connor (3/5 stars)

Reading level: Middle Grade
Genre: Adventure
Size: 176 pages
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and GirouxRelease Date: March 6, 2007
ISBN-13:  978-0374368500
Stand Alone or Series: Stand Alone
Source: Amazon Vine
Rating: 3/5 stars

I got a copy of this book through the Amazon Vine program.  It looked like a fun little read.  It ended up being okay but was a bit simpler and less wondrous than I was hoping for.

Owen Jester lives in a house with his parents, grandfather, and housekeeper.  No one does much with him and he is left mainly to his own devices; he has two friends he hangs out with and there is a girl who bothers them from time to time.  Most of the book is spent dealing with Owen's struggles about whether or not he should keep this magnificent frog he caught or release him.  The other parts of the book deal with Owen and his friends trying to find something that fell off of a train in the middle of the night.

The story is well-written and paced well enough.  It teaches about responsibility, a little about ecology, and about friendship.  Honestly I thought it was a bit boring, but a younger reader might find it to be more interesting.

Owen's parents aren't really more than place-holders and his friends aren't that well-developed as characters either.  The highlights of the story are definitely Owen himself and the girl that shadows Owen and his friends.

Overall a simple story that is well written and tells of a boy's summer adventures.  An okay read, but nothing very wondrous or fantastic here.  I thought it was a bit boring and that the characters were underdeveloped.  Younger readers might find the story more intriguing.  Personally I would recommend "The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate" or "The Year Money Grew on Trees", as better stories about middle grade kids spending their summers in interesting ways and learning interesting things.

Best of 2010 - Young Adult Paranormal and Dystopia Books

I read a ton of young adult, most of it in the paranormal genre.  This is an area that is really exploding lately!  Anyway below are my favorites for this year; I included dystopias in this post as well.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Mockingjay (my review)

This whole series is absolutely excellent and the conclusion to it, Mockingjay, was stunning.

Nightshade (Witches War, Book 1) by Andrea Cremer

(my review)

A stunner of a debut novel, I devoured this huge book in no time flat.  It took werewolves to a whole new level and was wonderful!  I can't wait to read Wolfsbane next year.

The Iron Fey by Julie Kagawa

The Iron King (my review)

The Iron Daughter (my review)

The Iron Queen (my review)

The most excellent fairy based young adult series I have ever read.  Fun, easy to read, creative, great characters, and intriguing.  I absolutely loved it and can't wait to read The Iron Knight when it comes out next year.

Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

(my review)

This was another great debut novel.  It features a heroine that is girly and spunky and so much fun.  Lots of action, very creative world; this book really stands out apart from the other paranormal YA books out there!  I can't wait to read Supernaturally when it comes out next year.

Demon Princess: Reign Check by Michelle Rowen

(my review)

Absolutely loved the first book in this series Demon Princess: Reign or Shine and this second book was another wonderful addition to the series.  These are again very creative and fun and feature a normal girl who finds out she is a demon princess.  Rumor is that there won't be any more books in this series, which is a bummer, but they are still wonderful so check them out.

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Spirit Bound (my review)

Last Sacrifice (my review)

Did you think I would forget this series on my list?!  Of course not!  This is a wonderful series featuring a strong female lead, a complex vampire society, and hands down wonderful writing.  It wrapped up nicely and I can't wait to see what spin-offs Mead comes up with for this series.

Matched by Ally Condie

(my review)

This is a dystopian fantasy.  It is kind of a Brave New World or Handmaid's Tale for the modern teen set.  I really enjoyed it and enjoyed how it looked at things from a different point of view.  Here the heroine is a peace-loving non-conflict type of girl but her world of perfection is slowly shattered around her.  Some neat ideas and east to read, I enjoyed it.