Chasers by James Phelan is the first book in the Alone teen post-apocalyptic series. It features Jesse, who has been attending a United Nations YoChasers by James Phelan is the first book in the Alone teen post-apocalyptic series. It features Jesse, who has been attending a United Nations Youth Ambassador camp. He and his three new friends, Dave, Mini, and Anna are on the subway when there’s an explosion and fireball. They crawl from the wreckage and enter a Manhattan that has buildings in ruins and deserted streets with wrecked cars and building debris blocking many of them. The only other survivors seem to be infected with a virus that turns them into thirsty predators. What has happened? Is help on the way? Will they survive? Are there other uninfected survivors?
The characters pulled me into the story, but their quest for survival kept me rapidly turning the pages. Where should they go that is safe and has food and water? There’s planning, disagreements, uncertainties, explorations, unfriendly encounters, fears, and more. The teens’ emotions and reactions seemed somewhat realistic. The world-building was well done, the story line interesting, and an ending twist that I did not see coming.
Overall, this engaging novel kept me entertained. If you enjoy teen post-apocalyptic novels, then I recommend that you check out this series.
All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date was January 1, 2011. ...more
Ripley Jones starts with a great premise in Missing Clarissa. Two high school journalism students decide to try to solve a cold case from twenty yRipley Jones starts with a great premise in Missing Clarissa. Two high school journalism students decide to try to solve a cold case from twenty years ago. Clarissa Campbell disappeared from a party in 1999. Despite an extensive search, no one knows what happened to her. She was a popular cheerleader and the mystery captured the attention of the nation for a few months. Blair Johnson and Cameron Munoz focus on archive research and interviews for their true crime podcast.
Cameron is intelligent, funny, awkward, and understanding most of the time. However, she can be impetuous and infuriating too. Additionally, she is jealous of the amount of time Blair spends with her boyfriend, James. Blair thinks of herself as boring and dull with patronizing parents who aren’t supportive, but more than anything, she wants to be a writer. However, she’s insecure and doesn’t have the courage to take a writing class.
The mystery has some twists along the way. The story builds momentum gradually and has a couple of action scenes. The last 20 percent of the novel has a brisker pace. Everyone seems to have agendas, but determining what they are and whether they are relevant to Clarissa’s case takes Cameron and Blair on some adventures. Set in fictional Oreville, Washington, readers get some feel for the community as the book progresses. One of the outstanding features of the novel is the diverse characterization. However, actions taken by one of the main characters are very immature. Would a typical seventeen-year-old act this way and not think about the consequences? Perhaps some would. Some of the items revealed in the interviews seemed unrealistic for adults to divulge to teenagers. Themes include family, friendship, cold cases, justice, grief, and much more. The author weaves several social issues into the story line. While most can’t be commented on due to spoilers, the one that starts it all is how news coverage varies based on a person’s physical characteristics or wealth.
The author did a great job in bringing together the past and present within the story. Despite plenty of conflict, I did not feel the intensity that I expected. The ending was more predictable than I wanted, but the final scene was dramatic and suspenseful.
Overall, this was intriguing, entertaining, and had an action packed ending with diverse characters. I enjoyed this novel with its fascinating story line. This is the first book I have read by this author. This novel should appeal to those who enjoy young adult mysteries or true crime podcasts.
St. Martin’s Press, Wednesday Books and Ripley Jones provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for March 07, 2023. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
------------------------------------------ My 3.3 rounded to 3 stars review is coming soon....more
Killing Time by Brenna Ehrlich is an engaging young adult mystery novel featuring eighteen year-old Natalie Temple and her mother Helen Temple, anKilling Time by Brenna Ehrlich is an engaging young adult mystery novel featuring eighteen year-old Natalie Temple and her mother Helen Temple, and alternates settings between current times in Ferry, Connecticut and about 19 years ago in Evanston, Illinois. Natalie is a true crime enthusiast. Therefore, when her favorite teacher is murdered, Natalie is determined to investigate even though she will have to hide that investigation from her mom. The other timeline gives us a look at Helen when she first went to college and how the events there have shaped her life and attitudes.
Although Natalie has a lot of typical teen emotions, actions, and feelings, she’s doesn’t tend to go to parties or date. She views her mother as overprotective, strict, and controlling. In her summer before college, she is purging stuff from her room, shopping for college, interning at the local newspaper, working in her mom’s diner, co-hosting a true crime podcast, and now investigating a murder.
Readers get some insight into Helen’s college personality, but her current emotions are mainly seen through Natalie’s eyes. Both Natalie and Helen make mistakes that could easily be avoided, but that also made them seem realistic. Despite their flaws, I cared enough to want to find out what happened. Natalie’s best friend Katie Lugo and childhood friend Jonathan Pressman are actually the most likeable characters and provide some humor and stability. The main and supporting characters are described well and I could easily visualize them.
The writing flows reasonably well and was descriptive enough to allow readers to easily visualize Ferry and the relevant characters, houses, and businesses. The plot is somewhat twisty, but the pacing seemed a little slow to me. Part of this may have been due to the somewhat overly long descriptions. One quibble that I have is that a little communication could have significantly reduced the angst. However, that added to the suspense. The pop culture references made the novel feel relevant and appropriate to the times. The highlight for me was the character interactions. However, there was one scene dealing with consent that seemed to be glossed over. Poor decisions and immature actions abound in this novel. The ending was a little predictable and fast, but tied up the loose threads with a beautiful bow. Themes include murder, grief, regrets, teen mistakes, friendship, parenting, and more.
Overall, this was an enjoyable book. Readers of young adult mysteries may want to check this one out.
Inkyard Press and Brenna Ehrlich provided a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for March 08, 2022. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
------------------------ My 3 star review will be posted 3-4 days after it is published at Mystery and Suspense Magazine....more
These Deadly Games by Diana Urban is suspenseful, shocking, and pulls on your heart strings with a high stakes twisty story line. This young adultThese Deadly Games by Diana Urban is suspenseful, shocking, and pulls on your heart strings with a high stakes twisty story line. This young adult psychological thriller with a game trope is a standalone novel and the first book that I have read by this author. What a first sentence! Then a reader’s emotions settle when they realize what’s going on. But the calm doesn’t last long.
Sixteen-year-old Crystal Donovan gets a message on her phone during class wanting her to play a game. If she breaks the rules or tells anyone, her younger sister will die. Each task is meant to hurt someone important in her life. Will she play? Is it someone trying to take her team out of the upcoming state-wide gaming tournament? Or is something else motivating the kidnapper?
Crystal was not always a sympathetic protagonist, but she was under tremendous pressure that affected her relatability. She’s a character that causes readers to feel a lot of emotions and she can be irritating at times and evoke empathy at other times. Other than her sister Caelyn who was likable, the other characters didn’t have a lot of depth and were somewhat unlikeable.
There are several twists to the story, some predictable, while others are surprising. However, the earliest couple of tasks that Crystal needed to complete felt like they were solved too easily. While the writing brought to life the situation, I couldn’t tell that this was set in Vermont. It seems everyone has secrets. How do they play into the story? Who can be trusted? Who is the kidnapper? The author drew me into the story immediately. There’s terror, chills, intrigue and cunning. In addition to this, other themes abound. These include anorexia, domestic abuse, friendship, gaming, guilt, grief, blackmail, panic attacks, fear, terrible mistakes and much more.
Overall, this book was creative, intense, impactful, fast-paced, and thought-provoking. The suspense, action, and twists kept me glued to the book. Readers that enjoy psychological thrillers and gaming will likely enjoy this novel.
St. Martin’s Press – Wednesday Books and Diana Urban provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for February 1, 2022....more
Marieke Nijkamp’s new novel, At the End of Everything, is an emotional ride with moments that range from heartbreaking and desperate to suspensefuMarieke Nijkamp’s new novel, At the End of Everything, is an emotional ride with moments that range from heartbreaking and desperate to suspenseful and hopeful. This young adult / teen novel is well-written and character driven. The setting is mainly the Hope Juvenile Treatment Center near the fictional town of Sam’s Thorne, Arkansas. The teens housed there aren’t wanted. They’ve been sent there for a variety of reasons, but they had little help from any family or concerned citizen to keep from being sent to the facility. One day they wake up and realize they’ve been abandoned. There aren’t any guards, cooks, or other staff. After initially thinking this is their chance for freedom, they discover a pandemic is affecting the world outside and they’re on their own.
The story is told from three points of view: Logan, Emerson, and Grace. Logan can’t talk except through a made-up sign language that he uses with his twin, Leah. Logan reads and writes well, while Leah talks for both of them. Emerson is a non-binary person with authority, gender identity, and commitment issues. Grace is outspoken and has anger issues. All three play pivotal roles in the story, but readers get to know several other characters as well. As supplies dwindle and the plague affects the residents of the Center, the group has to decide what actions should be taken, who can be trusted, and how to survive.
The three main characters are reasonably well-developed; they’re flawed, but show growth over time. Several teens show amazing strength of character and courage while some show less desirable traits. It would have helped to have more in-depth information on the teen’s backgrounds. However, the reader does get bits and pieces. Who will survive? Will they have food and medical supplies?
The book is emotional and intense. The teens had already been abandoned by family and friends. Now, it seems even those that are supposed to rehabilitate them have left them on their own. Additional themes include food supply issues, a desire to feel safe, homelessness, fear, trust, anxiety, discrimination, gender identity, leadership, caring for others, stealing, assault, movement restrictions, the loss of normal routines, and much more.
The author does a great job of portraying the hardships and lack of amenities as well as the friendships and struggles faced by the teens. This story hooked me immediately and kept me interested throughout. However, I would have liked a little more closure at the end in an extended epilogue.
Overall, it’s suspenseful and there are a few surprises along the way. While this is my first book by the author, I want to check out her other novels.
SOURCEBOOKS Fire and Marieke Nijkamp provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is set for January 4, 2022. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
------------------------------------------- Due to publishing guidelines, my review will not be posted until early December....more
Enola Holmes and the Black Barouche by Nancy Springer brings together Sherlock Holmes and his much younger sister Enola in a teen / young adult hiEnola Holmes and the Black Barouche by Nancy Springer brings together Sherlock Holmes and his much younger sister Enola in a teen / young adult historical mystery set in London and Surrey in 1889. There are several previous books in this series, but this one worked well as a standalone. Mystery, suspense, and humor are blended together in an appealing new case for Enola.
At fifteen, Enola is living on her own at the Professional Women’s Club and has a history of sleuthing. While she is visiting Sherlock a young woman, Miss Letitia Glover, shows up desperate to learn more about the fate of her twin sister, Felicity. Felicity’s husband of two years sent a note that she had died and needed to be cremated. Letitia believes she would know it if her sister was dead. Enola decides to go undercover to determine what happened to Felicity.
Enola is a likeable character; she’s is witty, thoughtful, outgoing, and a master of disguises. But sometimes she is short of facts and that can get her into hot water. How she and Sherlock think and analyze situations is fun to see unfold. Besides Sherlock, Dr. Watson and the Viscount Tewksbury put in appearances as well.
The author does a good job of world-building. I was able to easily visualize the settings, the people, the clothing, and the homes. The atmosphere felt right for the times resulting in a strong sense of time and place. Unraveling the mystery was enjoyable. While the mystery is not overly complicated, it is solid and entertaining. Additionally, amidst the tension and suspense, there are bits of humor that lighten the tone of the story. The ending wrapped things up nicely. While the prologue and epilogue are from Sherlock’s point of view, everything in between is from that of Enola. For those that haven’t read the previous books, the prologue does a great job of bringing readers up to speed.
Overall, this book was an engaging and enjoyable historical mystery that moved at a quick pace. Themes include treatment of women in the late 1800’s, clothing, disguises, friendship, injustices, sibling relationships, and much more. There are some disturbing descriptions of the conditions in some institutions of the times.
I am looking forward to reading the other books in the series. Readers that enjoy young adult historical mysteries will likely enjoy this series. There is a movie out that is based on an earlier book.
St. Martin’s Press – Wednesday Books and Nancy Springer provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for August 31, 2021. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine. ...more
TRINAL ACADEMY: ANCIENT BLOOD TIES by Erick Phillips is the first book is the first book that I have read by this author. The story is set in Ely, MinTRINAL ACADEMY: ANCIENT BLOOD TIES by Erick Phillips is the first book is the first book that I have read by this author. The story is set in Ely, Minnesota. This is a rural city in northern Minnesota that is historically home to several iron ore mines and is known for its beautiful scenery, wildlife, hiking, and is close to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. All of these items play a role in one way or another in this coming-of-age young adult paranormal suspense novel.
Elek Barington and his best friend Jake have been accepted to Trinal Academy in Ely as freshmen and had a good reputation for grooming students for college. It even has student housing and offers fraternity and sorority club programs. However, things are not always uneventful and clear-cut. Themes include myths, folklore, death, grief, family, young love, making decisions on what is right and wrong and much more.
Elek was definitely a character that you could root for. He had a distinct voice with flaws, virtues and insecurities. His goal was not always clear since at times he did not know which direction was best. I did not feel that he questioned the adults and other students enough. The secondary characters enhanced the story and had varying degrees of depth.
Overall, the premise brought a fresh perspective to a coming-of-age story if you are willing to suspend belief and go with the paranormal fantasy scenario. The version that I read could use a good proofreading and editing. The ending opened up a large thread for the next book in the series.
I won a digital copy of this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. Thanks go to Goodreads and Erick Phillips for the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. ...more
ANOMALY by K.A. Emmons is the prequel to THE BLOOD RACE series. It is also my first book by this author. It has a fantasy / paranormal aspect to it anANOMALY by K.A. Emmons is the prequel to THE BLOOD RACE series. It is also my first book by this author. It has a fantasy / paranormal aspect to it and could be targeted to teens and the young adult market, but older readers will get a lot out of this prequel.
Ion Jacobs is a 14-year-old boy living with a new foster family for about three months. He feels like he doesn’t fit in and then one day odd things begin to happen starting with a pencil he drops that floats rather than dropping to the floor. As tensions rise within his foster home, Ion finds he has other powers. How can he keep them a secret? Who can he talk to about his situations? Besides the paranormal aspect of this story, there are several themes that run through this prequel including dynamics with a foster family, feelings of isolation, how different family members treat a foster child differently, false accusations and the harm they can do, bullying, and much more.
Ion was a compelling character and someone you could root for. His distinct voice, situation, bewilderment and feeling of isolation drew me into the story and kept me engaged throughout the story. The secondary characters seemed believable and provided the appropriate emotions. The internal and external conflicts were well defined and believable arising out of characterization and circumstance. The scenes progressed in a realistic and compelling manner and had effective transitions.
The prose was well-written, absorbing, compelling and compulsively readable. The plot was engrossing, heartfelt, moving, thought-provoking, enlightening. The ending was heart-wrenching, but is a great set-up for the first novel in the series.
Overall, this was a book that made me pause, reflect and contemplate Ion’s situation. I definitely recommend that others check out this book. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Thanks to K.A. Emmons for a complimentary ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way....more
THREADS: A DEPRESSION ERA TALE by Charlotte Whitney is an engaging historical fiction novel set in 1934 with an epilogue set in 1974. This story is toTHREADS: A DEPRESSION ERA TALE by Charlotte Whitney is an engaging historical fiction novel set in 1934 with an epilogue set in 1974. This story is told from the perspectives of three sisters living on a farm in Michigan. Nellie is seven years old and has a fantastic imagination. Irene is eleven, overconfident, believes she is the smartest student at her school, and frequently finds faults in others. Seventeen-year-old Flora wants to get married. Short chapters alternate between the three sisters’ perspectives and reflections on the days.
The Great Depression was a tough time economically for most. In addition to the stock market crash and bank failures, farmers faced draught and over-production which led to reduced prices. The sisters’ family faced true hardship from working hard on the family farm to having very little to eat to peddling eggs and garden vegetables in town. However, there were other dangers including a variety of crimes and rumors.
The author used local dialect throughout the novel and included a note at the front of the book about her reasons for doing so. Once I got into the flow of the novel, it did not detract from my reading enjoyment. Ms. Whitney did a great job of painting the picture of the lives of the sisters, their family, and the surrounding community. Her characterization of the three sisters was consistent and provided a lot of depth. She obviously did a lot of research to ensure historical accuracy. Themes include family, school, pleasure from the small jobs of life, hardships, murder, love, survival, sexual assault, work ethics and much more.
Overall, the story is moving, fascinating and skillfully done. I hope that Ms. Whitney decides to write more historical fiction novels.
Thanks to Charlotte Whitney for a complimentary copy of this novel and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way....more
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