Yearly Archives:: 2012

Thursday, September 06, 2012

Review: Fang Girl by Helen Keeble

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Fang Girl

Helen Keeble
Publication date: September 11th 2012
by Harper Teen

 

Things That Are Destroying Jane Greene’s Undead Social Life Before It Can Even Begin:

1) A twelve-year-old brother who’s convinced she’s a zombie.
2) Parents who are begging her to turn them into vampires.
3) The pet goldfish she accidentally turns instead.
4) Weird superpowers that let her rip the heads off of every other vampire she meets.(Sounds cool, but it doesn’t win you many friends.)
5) A pyschotic vampire creator who’s using her to carry out a plan for world domination.

And finally:
6) A seriously ripped vampire hunter who either wants to stake her or make out with her. Not sure which.

Being an undead, eternally pasty fifteen-year-old isn’t quite the sexy, brooding, angst-fest Jane always imagined….

Helen Keeble’s riotous debut novel combines the humor of Vladimir Tod with Ally Carter’s spot-on teen voice. With a one-of-a-kind vampire mythology and an irresistibly relatable undead heroine, this uproarious page-turner will leave readers bloodthirsty for more

*A copy was provided by Helen Keeble for review purposes*

A ridiculously funny vampire comedy, Fang Girl brings us a fun read with a surprising lot to offer – aside from the humor, we’ve got a witty protagonist and a entertaining plot which has a good amount of substance for such a frivolous novel.

When Jane wakes up and realizes she’s in a coffin, has super speeds, and fangs, her mediocre life is no more. 15 year old Jane is a surprisingly compelling character; her charm and wit throughout her ordeal is constantly entertaining, brimming with laugh-out-loud quotables, while her innocence and insecurities convey her teenage years perfectly. Additionally, Jane’s family has a big role in this story which is much appreciated. Though kookie at times, the parents become instantly likeable if only for their immediately support for Jane’s… predicament. Their characters really enrich this novel. They would do anything to help their daughter and I adored the way they handled all the sudden, bizarre situations they’re thrown in. Jane also has a brother who is an absolute darling with his enthusiasm for these antique beings. We meet a slew of secondary characters along the way as well who have a satisfying amount of development and great charisma. For a novel that is so humor-based, I wasn’t expecting to see such strong character presence.

Ridiculous in an almost vampire parody style, Fang Girl is a perfectly gratifying read that is amusing to no end. This book is never to be taken as a serious vampire novel, it’s a comedy through and through. Sure there is an intriguing plot-line with turns that completely caught me off guard, but in the end, it’s meant to be comical. Nevertheless, I was quite pleased with how interesting the story itself truly was. Too often in a comedy do we see plots shoved aside, becoming secondary to the humor. In Fang Girl, however, the plot is exciting as well as diverting, with a touch of romance to spice things up. I especially enjoyed how blunt some plot developments were. One page you’re all happy and dandy, and the next you have to take a picture of the page to text to your friend who previously read the book because you accidentally mailed it to them *deep breath* to ask if this really just happened. True story! It’s not all unpredictable, and some of it may be cheesy, but it’s the good kind of cheesy that makes you snort unattractively, which is always cool!

Fang Girl is the perfect book for the beach, a plane ride, to hide behind your math textbook; it’s effortless and extremely high in entertainment value. If you’re looking for a fun, refreshing novel, I would recommend this one in a heartbeat!

4 Hot Espressos

Monstrous Beauty Audiobook Clip & Giveaway

Posted by on 09/06/2012 • 7 Comments

Monstrous Beauty Elizabeth Fama Format: Audiobook Publication date: September 4th 2012 by Macmillan Young Listeners  

Fierce, seductive mermaid Syrenka falls in love with Ezra, a young naturalist. When she abandons her life underwater for a chance at happiness on land, she is unaware that this decision comes with horrific and deadly consequences. Almost one hundred forty years later, seventeen-year-old Hester meets a mysterious stranger named Ezra and feels overwhelmingly, inexplicably drawn to him. For generations, love has resulted in death for the women in her family. Is it an undiagnosed genetic defect . . . or a curse? With Ezra’s help, Hester investigates her family’s strange, sad history. The answers she seeks are waiting in the graveyard, the crypt, and at the bottom of the ocean—but powerful forces will…

Review: Monstrous Beauty by Elizabeth Fama

Review: Monstrous Beauty by Elizabeth Fama

Posted by on 09/05/2012 • 40 Comments

I have tried to read mermaid books – a new hype in today’s YA market – and book after book I keep finding myself disappointed, realizing that these water beings are simply not my forte… until now. Is it the dark, twisted plot? Is it the violent, yet beautiful story? Is it the combination of local sea lore mixed with curses, murders, love, and horror? Let’s just say, this is definitely more up my alley than the froufrou mermaid books that I have been using for kindling lately.Monstrous Beauty welcomes the old sea-folk lore, where mermaids are beautiful, perilous beasts who seduce and kill those who unfortunately come upon their waters. There is even mention of specific lore details such as the goddess Atargatis; I can’t say I was extremely…

Waiting on Wednesday (52)

Posted by on 09/05/2012 • 32 Comments

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine and spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.  My pick this week:

Period 8 Chris Crutcher Release date: March 26th 2013by Harper Collins  

In this full-length novel from Chris Crutcher, his first since the best-selling Deadline, the ultimate bully and the ultimate good guy tangle during Period 8.

Paul “the Bomb” Baum tells the truth. No matter what. It was something he learned at Sunday School. But telling the truth can cause problems, and not minor ones. And as Paulie discovers, finding the truth can be even more problematic. Period 8 is supposed to be that one period in high school where the truth can shine, a safe haven. Only what Paulie and Hannah (his…

Review: Outpost by Ann Aguirre

Posted by on 09/04/2012 • 0 Comments

OutpostAnn AguirreSeries: Razorland, #2Publication date: September 4th 2012by Feiwel & Friends

 

Deuce’s whole world has changed. Down below, she was considered an adult. Now, topside in a town called Salvation, she’s a brat in need of training in the eyes of the townsfolk. She doesn’t fit in with the other girls: Deuce only knows how to fight.

To make matters worse, her Hunter partner, Fade, keeps Deuce at a distance. Her feelings for Fade haven’t changed, but he seems not to want her around anymore. Confused and lonely, she starts looking for a way out.

Deuce signs up to serve in the summer patrols—those who make sure the planters can work the fields without danger. It should be routine, but things have been changing on the surface, just as…

Review: Burn for Burn

Posted by on 09/04/2012 • 37 Comments

Burn for BurnJenny Han & Siobhan VivianPublication date: September 18th 2012by Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers

 

BIG GIRLS DON’T CRY… THEY GET EVEN. Lillia has never had any problems dealing with boys who like her. Not until this summer, when one went too far. No way will she let the same thing happen to her little sister. Kat is tired of the rumours, the insults, the cruel jokes. It all goes back to one person– her ex-best friend– and she’s ready to make her pay. Four years ago, Mary left Jar Island because of a boy. But she’s not the same girl anymore. And she’s ready to prove it to him. Three very different girls who want the same thing: sweet, sweet revenge. And they won’t…

Review & Giveaway: Send by Patty Blount

Posted by on 09/03/2012 • 26 Comments

SendPatty BlountPubication date: August 1st 2012by Sourcebooks Fire

 

To keep his secrets, all he has to do is listen to the voice in his head and just walk away… On his first day at his new high school, Dan stops a bully from beating up a kid half his size. He didn’t want to get involved. All he wants out of his senior year is to fly under the radar. But Dan knows what it’s like to be terrorized by a bully-he used to be one. Now the whole school thinks he’s some kind of hero, except Julie Murphy, the prettiest girl on campus. She looks at him like she knows he has a secret. Like she knows his name isn’t really Daniel.

*A copy was provided…

Xpresso Weekly: Stacking the Shelves (19)

Posted by on 09/02/2012 • 63 Comments

Xpresso Weekly is my edition of Stacking the Shelves hosted by Tynga’s Reviews featuring the books I got this week, and I also mention blog news/happenings of the past week. This week at Xpresso Reads

We are in September! *cries*This week on the blog was nothing but reviews! So I don’t have any special posts to highlight. But I did update the sidebar for the new month – September’s Brew was picked and zombilicious 😉 I also scheduled a couple of new tours: Possession and What’s Left of Me. The latter is stopping by just next week! And if you haven’t already, don’t forget to enter to win a finished copy of Yesterday by CK Kelly Martin that ends tomorrow.

Did you miss any cover reveals this week? Have a…