Giveaway of Into the Wild & April Genreflecting: The Devil's Breath by David Gilman review

WHEN AN ASSASSIN bursts from the shadows to try to kill him on the dark, windswept grounds of his boarding school in England, Max Gordon realizes his life is about to change forever.

After learning that his explorer father is missing, Max is determined to find him, no matter what dangers may lay in his path. A secret clue his father left behind leads Max to the inhospitable wilderness of Namibia, where he soon discovers a potentially massive ecological disaster masterminded by Shaka Chang, a very powerful and completely ruthless man—a man Max fears may have put his father in mortal danger. Max needs all the help he can get. Because whoever is behind his father’s disappearance is determined to get rid of Max, too. For good.

From Goodreads

Max seems like a pesky protagonist, the kind who couldn't survive without his iPod for 5 minutes; but once you learn about the special school he attends and the adventures his father has taken him on, you'll be more inclined to root for him. In this extremely fast-paced, but detailed, book we find ourselves on a whirlwind journey to rescue a young boy's father in the heart of South Africa. After escaping from a near-assassination, and discovering his father is missing, Max finds himself lacking people to trust, but knowing he must find his father.

Thus begins the harrowing and awesome story that is The Devil's Breath. With a merry cast of characters ranging from a Bushman boy to a plane-flying, farmer's daughter to a refuge-turned-citizen at Max's school, this book delivers a stellar cast that carry the weight of this book quite well. For such a simple premise, this book is quite long at almost 400 pages. Let me assure it flies by as you see the story through multiple people's (both the good guys & the bad guys) views. The writing is engaging & informative, while leaving you enough room to imagine some things yourself. I really don't want to say any more than that because there are just so many little bits & pieces that you have to put together yourself to really appreciate the book, but trust me, it's worth it.

I really loved the thriller aspect of this book. The suspense & tension were (at times) almost unbearable because there really weren't many clues as to who you could completely trust in this story. The adventure part of the story added to the thriller component because in addition to the mystery shrouding Max's father's whereabouts and what he uncovered that got him in so much trouble, this is also a story about a 15 year-old English boy running around the South African desert with nothing more than the clothes on his back and a native teen for help. There is this perfect melding of both these genres in this one book and I think that's why it was so long, because in order to adequately tie up all the loose plots, it took some serious time.

For my giveaway this week, I am giving away one of my favorite adventure-based books. While it is technically a biography, it reads really well for me. Into the Wild by Job Krakauer is the story of Christopher McCandless, a young college graduate who abandoned his affluent life, and almost all his mortal trappings, to wander the American Nothwest and end up in Alaska. It's a compelling story and one that will stay with you. You must be over 13 to enter the giveaway and live in the United States. The giveaway will be open until May 6th!

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April Genreflecting: Adventure/Thrillers: The Details

Based on the Collins English Dictionary, a subgenre is "a category that is a subdivision of a larger genre." (Source) Adventure/thrillers is kind of a catchall category that covers books that are action-packed, very engaging, and usually fast-paced. There is however a subtle difference between Adventure and Thriller. 

Adventure books tend to deal with some sort of journey. Sometimes the character is lost or finds themselves in a survivalist situation while other times they're just out exploring the world. Typically the settings of these books are exotic and not necessarily in just a tropical sense. A lot of the time we get to see a whole other side of nature in these books through the eyes of someone having to experience a natural event or combat a natural disaster.

Thriller books tend to have a component of mystery. It doesn't fall under mystery per se because instead of a problem-solving approach to the action, thrillers use suspense and tension. These books play on the reader's emotions and senses while allowing them to role play the scenario at hand. A lot of spy novels would fall under this category.

Here's what Anthony Horowitz had to say about his inspiration behind the Alex Rider series:

He found solace in boyhood in the escapism of the James Bond films, he says. He claims that his two sons now watch the James Bond films with the same tremendous enjoyment he did at their age. Bond's glamour translates perfectly to the 14-year-old psyche, the author says. "Bond had his cocktails, the car and the clothes. Kids are just as picky. It's got to be the right Nike trainers (sneakers), the right skateboard. And I genuinely think that 14-year-olds are the coolest people on the planet. It's this wonderful, golden age, just on the cusp of manhood when everything seems possible."

From Penguin.com

I think one of the better thriller books I've read recently is Stolen by Lucy Christopher. This book, written in the form of a letter to her captor, follows the events that happen to Gemma after she is kidnapped from an airport. We never really get a complete explanation as to why she was taken & we definitely don't get a pretty ending. Throughout the entire novel you're trying to piece things together & think about what's still to come. It's a fantastic read that doesn't take very long, so if you get a chance you should really think about picking it up.

I hope that helps to break down these two genres. I find myself more attracted to adventure books over thrillers simply because I seem to like survival books. Which one do you prefer? Check back next week for my review of Hatchet!

April Genreflecting: Adventure/Thrillers: The Basics

I wanted to do a reading challenge for the subject of Genreflecting, but I didn't get much feedback (maybe because it asked you to read 2 books for each genre and discuss them or because it's not really a "reading challenge" per se, but more an educational experiment), so I've turned it into a monthly feature! For each month of 2013, there will be a specific genre that will be analyzed. I'm planning to have author input and at least 2 reviews of books in the genre as well.

April's genre is Adventure/Thriller! There’s nothing groundbreaking to say about this specific genre. Adventure and thriller books are pretty much self-explanatory. There is usually danger and, if done correctly, page-turning action. Some people are attracted to the elements of “beating the odds” and “surviving adversity” that abounds in these books. Often times these books can be considered “movie-like” in their fast-paced play out. The beauty of this genre is its flexibility.  Adventure and thriller books can involve anything from wilderness survival, to spys and espionage, to war stories. We’ll get more into the subgenres next week though! (paraphrased from Teen Genreflecting 3, 2010 & Teen Genreflecting 2, 2003)

A few of my favorite authors you may recognize in this genre are:
Anthony Horowitz- Alex Rider series
Roland Smith- Peak
Gary Paulsen- Hatchet
Caroline B. Cooney- The Terrorist

I'm excited to say that I've chosen my two books, one older and one newer, to read for this challenge. The older book is Hatchet by Gary Paulsen (originally published in 1987) and I'll have a review and analysis up on Friday, April 19th. The newer book is The Devil's Breath by David Gilman (originally published in 2008) and I'll have a review and analysis up on Friday, April 26th. I'll also be hosting a giveaway, so stay tuned!

Icecore by Matt Whyman review

He's a seventeen-year-old British computer hacker who penetrated the security systems at Fort Knox for a laugh. But the American government was less than amused. Since his prank, gold bars have been landing in the hands of terrorists across the globe.Now, Carl has found himself in a military prison deep in the Arctic and far off the grid. He's been caged alongside the world's most notorious terrorists, with no one to trust and no end in sight.Carl Hobbes may not be a criminal mastermind, but if he wants to escape this subzero prison with his life, he'll have to start thinking like one.

From Goodreads


Carl Hobbes knew what he was doing was risky, but he honestly didn't mean for anything untoward to happen when he opened the doors to the largest gold bullion repository for kicks. That's right, 17 year old computer hacker Hobbes got bored and infiltrated Fort Knox on an unprecedented scale. What he didn't do was work in cahoots with those who robbed it while he created the window.

His boredom project has landed him in so seriously deep water that he's treading fairly well, at first. That is until the "American government" decides to release him, after he takes a weekend trip to an undisclosed location where he will tell all. It sounds like the ray of sunshine that Hobbes was holding out for, but he is sorely mistaken.

Flown to Icecore, a detainment camp for some of the worst kinds of terrorists settled in the Arctic Circle, Hobbes must now wade his way through the other detainees, confusing special agents, demanding military higher-ups, and a girl with the most gorgeous eyes. Too soon does it come to Hobbes that they have intention of releasing him and the other detainees are just as determined to get out.

This was a great thriller! I think Publisher's Weekly did a spot-on job labeling this a "techno-thriller" with hints of Robert Ludlum's Jason Bourne series. That's not to say that Hobbes is anything like Bourne, but there is definitely some cross-over. I was a little apprehensive to dive into this book because I was afraid that the techno-jargon would be too much for me. Fortunately Whyman has a deft hand when it comes to how much detail is needed to be authentic and convincing without overwhelming the reader.

Most of the events in the book took me by surprise. There is so much going on around Hobbes that, looking back now, I can see the small clues, but on the first read-through I completely missed them. What works best for this book and the plot is the short time frame. The majority of action takes place over approximately 3 days. That being said, there is very little down time and it only added to the awesomeness.

This is a great book for guys, but works just as well for gals. Another strength of Whyman's is challenging your preconceived notion of what kind of a person behaves a certain way. The reader doesn't end up caring about the gender of the character taking the action, but they can more fully appreciate the action itself. A hard task to master.

I hope you enjoy this one as much as I did! Even better, if you did like it, there appears to be a sequel entitled Goldstrike.

The Possession of Cassie Quinn by Kathryn Knutson review

A long, dark driveway towards an old farmhouse. A new stepsister with a nasty streak. A little sister who runs off. Something sinister lurking in the woods. Cassie Quinn's new home comes with . . . complications. Cassie never believed in ghosts before. But now she is receiving strange messages, telling her to stay out of the woods. Are the messages just a ploy by her stepsister? Or are they warning her of an evil that stalks the shadows of the woods beyond her home?

From Goodreads

I am not a fan of horror anything. If I watch a horror movie it must be a) during the day, b) with all the lights on, & c) preferably with someone who has already seen the film and can tell me when to look away/be prepared for a fright. As sad as it sounds, I still have nightmares from various movies I've seen over the years. I thought books might be a better approach, alas my imagination's ability to improve upon the author's description to a frightening degree also nixed that. Why am I telling you all this? Because I found a suspenseful, horror-based book that didn't give me nightmares but did spook me.

The Possession of Cassie Quinn begins like any other story with a newly blended family (dad & daughter with mom & her two daughters) moving into a new home. The spirit/entity is already on the property waiting for the new inhabitants. Unique family dynamics, like an outgoing, inquisitive younger sister & a "I wanna be seen as a tough girl" step sister, give the spirit even more wiggle room. Standard haunting tricks ensue, but with an individual twist. The mysterious deaths of two teenagers in the woods should be a sign, but of course no one listens.

Another thing I thought I'd get bored of quickly would be the characters themselves. I was sure they were all going to be thick-headed morons who couldn't be bothered to open their eyes to what was going on around them. These teens are surprisingly adept at handling supernatural forces. While there are still some understandably stupid actions (repeatedly going off into the woods alone) they are believable. 

If you're looking for a way to ease into these types of books, I highly recommend this one. Even better, it's going to have a sequel. It might have take a little bit for the book to get going (back story will do that) but once it was on a roll I was sad to see it end. Until I realized there would be more. :)

Anyone have any recommendations for a fraidy cat who likes gentler horror/suspense books?

Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton

Ellie wanted a huge party for her 17th birthday; too bad all she got were some seriously messed up magical abilities. The ever hunky, and handy, Will shows up practically on her doorstep to inform her that she isn't just Ellie Monroe. She is actually a centuries-old, reaper-slaying warrior, who continues to be reincarnated after each of her deaths. This recent incarnation, Ellie's life, took longer than usual, so her memory isn't coming back to her as quickly as usual.

Unfortunately that doesn't stop all sorts of nasties from trying to stop her reincarnation cycle permanently. Bastian, a very powerful reaper, has come forward to formally challenge her abilities & put her out of her misery, for there is no way she can defeat her enemies without her memories. The only one capable of wielding the angelfire swords, Ellie must make a choice between stepping away from the fight & watching the world end or trusting Will to guide her as she steps back into her old self & lays siege to those who dare to threaten her world.

Angelfire was certainly a different kind of story. As promised, there were definitely elements of mystery, thrilling battle scenes & undeniable attraction. I truly enjoyed this debut author's take on the urban fantasy world. The writing was very accessible & easy flowing. It would be very interesting to see this book written from different points of view because I felt like I really knew Ellie, but that the rest of the cast was kind of blurry. That's not to say that it's a bad thing. I honestly expect them to become clearer in the next book or two since this will be a series.

The mysteriousness of Ellie's history was a very mesmerizing part of the story. There was certainly some amusement to be had since Will (as her protective warrior) knew about her past, but refused to share it. Their interactions were some of the most charismatic I have seen recently. It kind of reminded me of the Buffy & Giles/Angel relationships that bewitched me during the show's 7 season run. Will has elements of both Giles & Angel all wrapped up in one; like a really hot tutor. :)

Anyway, I digress. For those urban fantasy folks, this is right up your alley and for those who enjoy a good action novel, try this too. Good luck!

Waiting on Wednesday: The Tension of Opposites

Waiting on Wednesday recognizes that we as bookies pine for books. This post is about what I am impatiently waiting for right now. It was started by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week's selection is The Tension of Opposites by Kristina McBride and is set to be released May 25, 2010 by EgmontUSA.

It’s been two years since Noelle disappeared. Two years since her bike was discovered, sprawled on a sidewalk. Two years of silence, of worry, of fear.

For those two long years, her best friend Tessa has waited, living her own life in a state of suspended animation. Because how can she allow herself to enjoy a normal high school life if Noelle can’t? How dare she have other friends, go to dances, date boys, without knowing what happened to the girl she thought she would share everything with?

And then one day, someone calls Noelle’s house. She’s alive.

A haunting psychological thriller taken straight from the headlines, The Tension of Opposites is a striking debut that explores the emotional aftermath of a kidnapping on the victim, and on the people she left behind.

From Goodreads

Oooo. A psychological thriller is always exciting. This book looks quite intriguing; the grief and guilt I think will play a big role in this storyline. If it can be pulled off without sounding whiny, this can be another realistic fiction triumph. In a way I can imagine this along the same lines as Jandy Nelson's The Sky is Everywhere, minus the death; the guilt, grit, and confusion is all there. Who knows, I

So what are you waiting on?

Nostalgic Friday: The Body of Christopher Creed

Welcome back to Nostalgic Friday! Since I love all things historical (culturally, physically, and personally) I do a post on Fridays honoring some awesome book that is a bit older. Many of them are books I enjoyed in my teens and others are books that I discovered as an adult that I think are relevant to YA readers.

This week's selection is one of my favorites. I almost always recommend it to middle grade kids who like intrigue, mystery, and realistic fiction. The Body of Christopher Creed by Carol Plum-Ucci was released in 2000.

The often-tortured class weirdo has disappeared, leaving an enigmatic note on the school library computer. Is he a runaway, a suicide, a murder victim?
Sixteen-year-old Torey Adams and his friends remember beating up Chris Creed when his gentle but obnoxious ways exasperated them. Now that he is gone, they joke uneasily about him to ease their guilt. The town is full of ugly rumors, as Torey's lawyer mother tells them "See, guys, this is what happens when a kid suffers a personal tragedy. Nobody wants to take responsibility. Nobody wants to admit they had a part in it. So, they spend a lot of time pointing the finger, and things just get worse and worse." Suspicion of murder conveniently falls on big, tough Bo Richardson, an outcast "boon" from the boondocks edge of town. Torey's smug assumptions about people are rattled when he discovers that his childhood friend Ali is secretly romantically involved with Bo, who displays surprising tenderness and maturity in caring for her.
The three try to solve the mystery of Chris's disappearance by attempting to steal his diary, but only succeed in implicating themselves, as the town is consumed with rumors and the revelation of adult secrets. Torey begins to find himself distanced from his other friends by his growing understanding of the importance of compassion toward those who are different.
-From Goodreads

Can I just tell you how much this book influenced me? Of all the books I read as an adolescent and teen, this is in the Top 5. The characters were so memorable and it kind of reminded me of another favorite, To Kill a Mockingbird. The "bad guy" from the wrong side of the tracks and the mystery surrounding the truth. I found myself identifying with many of the characters, not just one. We all know what it's like to be bullied and picked on and we all can imagine what it's like to be madly in love with someone and not be able to tell anyone.

This book seems especially relevant in light of recent headlines (examples here and here). I'm not one to usually drag the news into my blog, but this book really strikes home the effect that bullying can have on an individual. Kids can be very cruel and I found that The Body of Christopher Creed really focused on lessons that can be learned from such tragedies. The writing was also spot on and I really felt like the author understood the plight of teens. This is one of a few good novels from this time period when YA was still an up-and-coming genre. This is a great thriller/mystery that I think fans of Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher will appreciate.

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday recognizes that we as bookies pine for books. This post is about what I am impatiently waiting for right now. It was started by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

The Dark Divine by Bree Despain is set to be released December 22, 2009!

Grace Divine, daughter of the local pastor, always knew something terrible happened the night Daniel Kalbi disappeared--the night she found her brother Jude collapsed on the porch, covered in his own blood--but she has no idea what a truly monstrous secret that night held.

The memories her family has tried to bury resurface when Daniel returns, three years later, and enrolls in Grace and Jude's high school. Despite promising Jude she'll stay away, Grace cannot deny her attraction to Daniel's shocking artistic abilities, his way of getting her to look at the world from new angles, and the strange, hungry glint in his eyes.

The closer Grace gets to Daniel, the more she jeopardizes her life, as her actions stir resentment in Jude and drive him to embrace the ancient evil Daniel unleashed that horrific night. Grace must discover the truth behind the boy's dark secret...and the cure that can save the ones she loves. But she may have to lay down the ultimate sacrifice to do it--her soul. From Goodreads

This has real promise written all over it. A paranormal mystery/thriller that leaves someone's soul on the bargaining table sounds amazing! I have never understood why families (in stories and in real life) can't be as open as they should be about important things. I mean, if there is something bad that happened one night and it may come back to affect us later, I really think all family members that it might affect should be clued in. Anyway, this book has been getting some pretty high praise so I'm hoping it's as wonderful as it sounds!