Cover Reveal: Spark by Holly Schindler

I'm very excited to be participating in the cover reveal of Holly Schindler's new YA novel, Spark. You'll want to make room on your bookshelves whether you've read her previous novels or you're looking for your next great teen read!

Published by HarperTeen, Spark is scheduled to be released in hardcover on May 17, 2016. 

Summary: When the right hearts come to the Avery Theater—at the right time—the magic will return. The Avery will come back from the dead. 

Or so Quin’s great-grandmother predicted many years ago on Verona, Missouri’s most tragic night, when Nick and Emma, two star-crossed teenage lovers, died on the stage. It was the night that the Avery’s marquee lights went out forever. 

It sounds like urban legend, but one that high school senior Quin is now starting to believe, especially when her best friend, Cass, and their classmate Dylan step onto the stage and sparks fly. It seems that magic can still unfold at the old Avery Theater and a happier ending can still be had—one that will align the stars and revive not only the decrepit theater, but also the decaying town. However, it hinges on one thing—that Quin gets the story right this time around. 

Holly Schindler brings the magic of the theater to life in this tale of family ties, fate, love, and one girl’s quest to rewrite history.

A note from Holly: “In my hometown, the restoration of a former movie theater on the town square provided the genesis for my new YA novel, SPARK. Who among us hasn’t dreamed of seeing their name in blazing neon across a gigantic marquee? Let me invite you to dim the lights and draw back the velvet curtains—let your imagination run wild as you enter my fictional Avery Theater, where literally anything goes…”     —Holly Schindler

About the Author: 

Holly Schindler is the author of three previous YA novels: PLAYING HURT as well as the critically acclaimed FERAL (starred PW review) and A BLUE SO DARK (starred Booklist review, ForeWord Book of the Year silver medal, IPPY gold medal). A writer of books for all ages, Schindler’s MG, THE JUNCTION OF SUNSHINE AND LUCKY, has made the master list for children’s book awards in Illinois, South Carolina, and Alabama. She is also a hybrid author, having independently released comedic women’s fiction (FIFTH AVENUE FIDOS) and the forthcoming PLAY IT AGAIN, her adult follow-up to her YA PLAYING HURT. She can be reached through her author site: hollyschindler.com, and hosts special sneak peeks and giveaways for subscribers of her newsletter.

Spark “Premieres” May 17, 2016, but you can buy your “tickets” now. Click the links below to visit these retailers, or pre-order wherever books are sold!

Amazon Canada 

Indigo

You can learn more about Holly and her books on her website. Or get in touch with her on social media.

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Review: The One by Kiera Cass

Teen readers looking for a good romance/dystopian series will love Kiera Cass' Selection trilogy. The One is the final novel in the Cinderella-like rags to riches tale of true love. All three novels are a fast, easy read for reluctant and impatient readers. The series also features the elements of drama, danger, a love triangle, and a dystopian world on the brink of war. Basically, it's everything teens want to read, plus the added bonus of pretty dresses and princes.

Summary: The Selection changed America Singer's life in ways she never could have imagined. Since she entered the competition to become the next princess of Illéa, America has struggled with her feelings for her first love, Aspen-and her growing attraction to Prince Maxon. Now she's made her choice . . . and she's prepared to fight for the future she wants.

Find out who America will choose in The One, the enchanting, beautifully romantic third book in the Selection series!

Maxon finally declares the winner of the Selection in The One, which from the beginning, we know will be America. Much like the Twilight series, we know who our protagonist will choose, but misunderstanding and bad choices form obstacles the characters must overcome to reach their happily ever after.

The ending includes a few surprising twists as war officially breaks out and a few main characters are killed off. So while all three novels circle around Maxon and America working out their issues so they can be together, The One delivers on a dramatic finale that makes their love story worth it for me.

As for content, this book does have a few intimate moments that would be considered inappropriate for younger readers. Cass does keep a PG-13 rating for her teen readers--Maxon and America never have sex and the violence isn't graphic. Other content flags include objectionable language, death and guns.

All in all, this is a great choice for teen readers. Kiera Cass has crafted a beautiful, light, fun, and sweet dystopian romance series that teen girls will love to return to again and again. I recommend this series to fans of Divergent, Twilight, and The Hunger Games.

3.5 Stars

The Selection                       The Elite 

Review: The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani

Soman Chainani's The School for Good and Evil is a YA fantasy novel for fans of twisted fairy tales. Based on the anime style of the cover, I wasn't sure what to expect, but it turned out darker, with more twists and turns than your typical fairy tale adventure. Chainani creates an imaginative story of good vs. evil, and explores what it means to be defined as a villain or a hero.

Summary: With her glass slippers and devotion to good deeds, Sophie knows she'll earn top marks at the School for Good and join the ranks of past students like Cinderella, Rapunzel, and Snow White. Meanwhile, Agatha, with her shapeless black frocks and wicked black cat, seems a natural fit for the villains in the School for Evil. 

The two girls soon find their fortunes reversed—Sophie's dumped in the School for Evil to take Uglification, Death Curses, and Henchmen Training, while Agatha finds herself in the School for Good, thrust among handsome princes and fair maidens for classes in Princess Etiquette and Animal Communication. But what if the mistake is actually the first clue to discovering who Sophie and Agatha really are . . . ? 

The School for Good and Evil is an epic journey into a dazzling new world, where the only way out of a fairy tale is to live through one.

The novel is written for readers ages 8-12, but I think it might appeal better to readers ages 10-14. Coming in at a whopping 496 pages, what this book needed most was a editor with a stronger hand. I work exclusively in the YA book market and I'm a HUGE fan of fractured fairy tales and shows like Once Upon a Time, but I struggled with this book. It's obvious early on where the story is going, but the road to get there is exhausting. There are many scenes peppered throughout of the characters musing on their situation, deciding on their feelings, and wishing for things to be different. Considering how soon the author drops obvious hints about who is good and who is evil, it took far too long (and too much whining and reluctance from the characters!) to get there.

Parents/educators should know that there is some content  to be wary of, including violence, potentially frightening scenes, objectionable language, and mature themes like love, child abduction, and death.

Sadly, this book was a disappointment for me. It lost a lot of its merit with its pace and wealth of unnecessary scenes. However, it does have quite a few positive critical reviews! I can attest to the fact that the book is well-written and the concept is a really good one, but it was a frustrating and exhausting read at times. Sadly, this fairy tale story did not enchant me.

2 Stars

Review: The Selection by Kiera Cass

35 Girls. 1 Crown. The Competition of a Lifetime. 

Kiera Cass' The Selection series is a romance/drama/fairy tale story with a reality show premise. The first book is called The Selection and was published in 2012 by HarperTeen. Aimed at teen readers, this three book series now has a companion novel and is sure to charm teen fans who like a girly romance that will unconditionally end with a happily ever after.

Summary: For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon. 

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks. 

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself—and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

I'm not particularly fond of America Singer, but the colourful cast of girls and handsome Prince Maxon make up for America's sometimes irritating quirks. Regardless, the books are a bit of delicious treat. An easy, no-stress read of an average girl who is given the chance to marry Prince Charming. The premise of the series is an interesting one—it's why The Bachelor still thrives on TV!

I flew through the first two novels and am about to start on the third. It's not my favourite series, but Kiera Cass is a fantastic author who appeals to teen girl readers who love a good love triangle and a match-up of a girl who could be you, who ends up marrying the perfect guy. As a YA fan, this is more of a guilty pleasure for me and my dislike of the heroine pulls down my overall rating. However, I can certainly attest to the fact that preteens who like this type of story will enjoy this series!

A well-written series choice for teens!

3 Stars

Review: Four: A Divergent Collection by Veronica Roth

It was a long wait for Veronica Roth's Four but I feel like it was worth it. This collection of short stories gives you a little more insight into Four's character, the Dauntless compound, and other characters such as Tori and Eric.

Summary: Two years before Beatrice Prior made her choice, the sixteen-year-old son of Abnegation’s faction leader did the same. Tobias’s transfer to Dauntless is a chance to begin again. Here, he will not be called the name his parents gave him. Here, he will not let fear turn him into a cowering child. 

Newly christened “Four,” he discovers during initiation that he will succeed in Dauntless. Initiation is only the beginning, though...

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth comes a companion volume to the worldwide bestselling divergent series, told from the per-spective of the immensely popular character Tobias. The four pieces included here—The Transfer, The Initiate, The Son, and The Traitor—plus three additional exclusive scenes, give readers an electrifying glimpse into the history and heart of Tobias, and set the stage for the epic saga of the Divergent trilogy.

Simply put, if you enjoyed Divergent, you will enjoy Four. It gives you some background into Tobias' life before Tris and allows you to appreciate and understand his character a little more. My personal favourite of the short stories is the one where Tobias rescues Tris from being thrown into the chasm. I enjoyed reading about their relationship from his point-of-view.

Like the rest of the series, it is a book for teen readers. It contains references to drinking, tattoos, danger-seeking thrills, violence, and romantic relationships. However, there is nothing graphic or disturbing and Roth handles mature content in a way that is appropriate and purposeful for her YA audience.

This isn't a book that needs a lot of publicity. If you like the series, you'll automatically want to read this one. I was excited to read it and for what it was, my expectations are satisfied. It's thrilling simply because Veronica Roth gives you more, but it was nothing special in considerations of writing style, plot, or characters. All in all, a decent read!

3 Stars

Review: Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige

One book that's getting a lot of buzz right now that I couldn't resist reading is Danielle Paige's Dorothy Must Die. And while I've never read or had any interest in Pride, Prejudice and Zombies or any comparative titles, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed reading this novel. It's still a great novel and I definitely recommend it for a fun weekend read!

Summary: I didn't ask for any of this. I didn't ask to be some kind of hero. But when your whole life gets swept up by a tornado—taking you with it—you have no choice but to go along, you know? Sure, I've read the books. I've seen the movies. I know the song about the rainbow and the happy little bluebirds. But I never expected Oz to look like this. To be a place where Good Witches can't be trusted, Wicked Witches may just be the good guys, and winged monkeys can be executed for acts of rebellion. There's still a yellow brick road—but even that's crumbling. What happened? Dorothy. They say she found a way to come back to Oz. They say she seized power and the power went to her head. And now no one is safe. My name is Amy Gumm—and I'm the other girl from Kansas. I've been recruited by the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked. I've been trained to fight. And I have a mission.

Be warned that while it is categorized as YA fiction, it reads more on the adult side. Graphic violence, extreme language, death, sexual references, and disturbing scenes are peppered throughout the text. It's not slasher/horror fiction, and all of these things are used effectively, but younger readers may find some scenes frightening.

This book has sass, humour, action, suspense, a kick-ass heroine, and a fantastic satiric quality about it. I liked that this is a story where the lines of good and evil are blurred and we get to see characters in a new light, with a different ending to the story. Of course there's also a very bloodthirsty and fearless lion, a scarecrow whose thirst for knowledge has warped him into a psychopath on Leatherface's level, and a Tin woodman who would do anything—and kill anyone—to earn Dorothy's love. It's what happens when power, courage, knowledge, and love can turn you into something... wicked.

This a fun summer read for teens and young adults alike, though the book will really appeal and be appreciated by those who have read Frank L. Baum's original books. Dorothy's past and present, Ozma, Jellia Jam, and the transformation of Oz itself won't mean as much to you otherwise.

Dorothy Must Die already has a prequel novella, and I'll definitely be picking up a copy of the sequel when it comes out! You can check out the book trailer below!

3.5 Stars

Review: The Silence of Bonaventure Arrow by Rita Leganski

Rita Leganski's The Silence of Bonaventure Arrow is a wholly wonderful novel. It's an addictive, powerful, and touching story. HarperCollins always delivers when it comes to publishing high quality adult fiction, and The Silence of Bonaventure Arrow is no exception!

Summary: Conceived in love and possibility, Bonaventure Arrow didn't make a peep when he was born, and the doctor nearly took him for dead. No one knows that Bonaventure's silence is filled with resonance—a miraculous gift of rarified hearing that encompasses the Universe of Every Single Sound. Growing up in the big house on Christopher Street in Bayou Cymbaline, Bonaventure can hear flowers grow, a thousand shades of blue, and the miniature tempests that rage inside raindrops. He can also hear the gentle voice of his father, William Arrow, shot dead before Bonaventure was born by a mysterious stranger known only as the Wanderer. 

Bonaventure's remarkable gift of listening promises salvation to the souls who love him: his beautiful young mother, Dancy, haunted by the death of her husband; his Grand-mère Letice, plagued by grief and a long-buried guilt she locks away in a chapel; and his father, William, whose roaming spirit must fix the wreckage of the past. With the help of Trinidad Prefontaine, a Creole housekeeper endowed with her own special gifts, Bonaventure will find the key to long-buried mysteries and soothe a chorus of family secrets clamoring to be healed.

The Silence of Bonaventure Arrow delves into the dark and frightening unknowns of our world. The characters are at the mercy of the power of the universe, of God, of religion, and of our own human weaknesses. Bonaventure is born a mute, Dancy is a lonely, guilt-ridden single mother, Adelaide is a religious fanatic... there are many tragedies and trials to endure in life. The best we can do is learn to live with our lot, to always do right by our family and friends, and to press on with life.

The story is beautifully written, filled with colourful characters that you immediately fall in love with. Leganski constructs a world so real and tragic, it's easy to lose yourself in her writing. I loved how the story shows how we affect other people over time and space. Leganski shows how we can never full anticipate how our actions will alter the course of the future. From page one to the gripping conclusion, I was hooked by this moving story. Rita Leganski is a masterful storyteller. 

I finished this novel days ago, but the ending has stuck with me. This book more than exceeded my expectations. Rita Leganski has given the world a brilliant and magical debut. I highly recommend this novel!

4 Stars

On Divergent: Book, Movie, and the Drama in Between

I work in YA and children's publishing and I read the books, so of course I was excited for Veronica Roth's Divergent to hit the big screen. I went to see it last week and it was great! I devoured my bag of popcorn early on, sat on the edge of my seat, and flinched at every fight in the Pit. Afterwards, I stood on the subway platform and thought about how utterly dull it was to calmly walk as I boarded the train. 

The books are addictive and they really are "the books to cure your Hunger Games hangover." But in spite of ALL the similarities to another wildly popular franchise, in spite of the anticipation, after the HarperCollins vs. Scholastic marketing war as Allegiant came out during the holy reign of Catching Fire's premiere, and after watching as both franchises obviously made good money off the other... Divergent did not hit the ground running.

Divergent earned a terrific $56 million last weekend on its premiere. But considering the hype, the money put into marketing, into the film budget, and KNOWING that the fan base for the books gave the movie a solid chance... that number is disheartening. 

Even without it's multi-million dollar franchise to back up a giant movie budget or marketing campaign, The Hunger Games earned a whopping $152.5 million dollars on opening weekend. And that was with a fan base that was half the size it is now. Moreover, there had never been such an explosion in the popularity of the YA genre. Divergent had all its ducks in a row, so what happened?

I am Team Hunger Games, but I did have high hopes for the franchise. Divergent is simply not on the same wavelength as The Hunger Games. As much as people vehemently argue the books are too similar, they aren't. Plot aside, look at the writing style... look at the length of the books and how much time Roth spends on Tris's in-the-moment thoughts and actions. Put your petty District-Faction / Katniss-Tris comparisons aside and look at the actual look and size of the book and the target audience. Finishing Divergent requires a much larger commitment than The Hunger Games. The resulting box office numbers is likely partly due to the fact that one series is easier to get into and finish.

Divergent will not be joining the three YA titans: Harry Potter, Twilight, and The Hunger Games, but it was an exciting movie and I thought it was just as good as the book, no more or less. 

Most importantly, no matter what fandom you follow, you should appreciate the value of a book that gets millions of young people reading. Hopefully they'll want MORE and they'll go out and find similar books and keep reading. Yes, there are people who bitterly insist that Divergent steps on the toes of The Hunger Games, but I say let them moan and groan. 

We need to encourage young people to read and Divergent has and will continue to do just that. Does it upset ME that the books are similar? Maybe a little. But I'd rather see one hundred too-similar books be published and get kids reading than worry about finding yet another synonym to describe a community.

Review: The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

The Rosie Project is wonderful and witty. Published by HarperCollins Canada, it's a love story between two misfits, whose quirks make them the perfect match. Rosie has emotional and psychological baggage and Don lives a compulsive life of organization and pragmatic behaviours that protect him from social chaos. Don is looking for a wife and Rosie is looking for her father. Two "projects" become one about self-discovery and about finding love. The Rosie Project is a story of finding the perfect person in an unexpected way, of life's unpredictability, and of finding ways to let your guard down and let love in.

Summary: A first-date dud, socially awkward and overly fond of quick-dry clothes, genetics professor Don Tillman has given up on love, until a chance encounter gives him an idea. He will design a questionnaire—a sixteen-page, scientifically researched questionnaire—to uncover the perfect partner. She will most definitely not be a barmaid, a smoker, a drinker or a late-arriver. Rosie is all these things. She is also fiery and intelligent, strangely beguiling, and looking for her biological father a search that a DNA expert might just be able to help her with. The Rosie Project is a romantic comedy like no other. It is arrestingly endearing and entirely unconventional, and it will make you want to drink cocktails.

Don's humourous and hilariously awkward attempts to find companionship will have the reader both cringing and smiling. This is a bildungsroman of sorts, as Don changes from a creature of habit and compulsion, into a man of compassion, understanding, and real heart.  It reminds of The Big Bang Theory's Sheldon and Amy's relationship. Although Don is more of an adult and more masculine than Sheldon, Don is just as hilariously obnoxious and clueless about social etiquette. If you find this TV relationship funny, this book will be enjoyable for you.

The Rosie Project is a light and easy read for adult readers. It's a sweet and funny story of a misguided and unexpected love affair.

Highly recommended.

4.5 Stars

Review: Allegiant by Veronica Roth

"I fell in love with him. But I don't just stay with him by default as if there's no one else available to me. I stay with him because I choose to, every day that I wake up, every day that we fight or lie to each other or disappoint each other. I choose him over and over again, and he chooses me."

I had high hopes for the final book of the Divergent series. I loved Divergent, enjoyed Insurgent, but Allegiant was only good, not great.

Normally, the history of the characters/ the world occurs early in the series, but we get most of it in Allegiant. As I waited three books for the dramatic conclusion to the series, the informational part of the narrative bored me to the point of annoyance.

With a pub. date in 2013, Roth cannot claim The Hunger Games had no influence whatsoever in Allegiant. I found this book to be very similar to Mockingjay in both the state of the heroine and in the rebellion against the corrupted government (with the opposing power not looking so competent either). If you want an exciting, fast-paced, flowing narrative, read Mockingjay instead. Essentially, Allegiant could have used an editor with a stronger hand. I would made many cuts to the editorial to make this book more concise. The tendency toward unnecessary detail in the mundane affected the book's overall impact.

Then again, Allegiant does go to darker places than Mockingjay. There is more vivid detail in the horror and there's more BANG in the violence. There's more death and far more tragedy. This book has no short of injections, guns, explosions, betrayals, suspense, and tragedy.

My biggest complaint is the fact that there were too many enemies! I was getting whiplash as Roth makes you hate and distrust one person after another. It made the narrative seem a little aimless and not as effective as it could have been. For example, the ending sees a reunion between Four and his mother--after we're made to dislike her for a book and a half. Let's pick a villain and build on him or her. The multiple villains makes for too many flat characters.

I won't spoil the ending. Allegiant might have bored me for most of the book, but around page 280, shit really hits the fan. Excuse the language (but there's no other way to describe it). More than the heart-pounding conclusion, Roth makes a very bold choice in her story arc that I did not see coming. When Roth is writing action, she's a powerhouse author. Bold, breathless, and brilliant.

Regardless of the fact that Allegiant was a little dry to start, it is the final book in a popular series. You, like me, NEED to finish the series. It might not be AS good as the first two books, but it's still definitely worth your time! Allegiant is dark and violent. It's filled with twists and turns, and the ending will leave you with a hole in your chest--and not just because the series is over.

Fortunately, the movie is coming... and with the competition of Catching Fire (click to see the trailer!), I think there is a VERY good chance that Divergent (the movie) will not let fans down.

Review: Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs by Mo Willems

Anything Mo Willems publishes I will read--and without a doubt, love. 

The hilarious author of the very popular The Pigeon series, Mo Willems takes on the Goldilocks story and puts his own spin on this well-known tale. Look for the Pigeon to make an appearance, as he always does!


I laughed my way through this whole book, and then flipped back to the front to read it again. Mo Willems is undoubtedly one of the top children's authors publishing right now. His style, humour, and his ability to engage with his audience puts him up on a talent block with Robert Munsch. I love his wit and the slightly dry humour that comes across in his narrative and in his illustrations.

This book summary from the publisher sums up the humour: "One day-for no particular reason-they decided to tidy up their house, make the beds, and prepare pudding of varying temperatures. And then-for no particular reason-they decided to go . . . someplace else. They were definitely not setting a trap for some succulent, unsupervised little girl. Definitely not!" 

A great spin on a classic tale and a great choice for a book to share with your kids. They'll love the illustrations and the simple, yet conversational tone of the narrator. Children do need to be familiar with the original Goldilocks story to really enjoy this book, but this is definitely a must-have for your little one's bookshelf!