Books for Maiko

Deadlocked - Charlaine Harris

I am particularly obsessed with the Sookie Stackhouse series, so much so that I re-buy them just to have matching covers. So you can imagine my excitement at the new novel (and my disappointment at the next one being the last).

I really enjoyed “Deadlocked” and I feel that it got Sookie’s story back on track. The plot lines have been a bit odd in the last few but this one tied up a lot of loose ends. And made you fall in love/hate with the characters all over again.

There’s still a fair bit of fairy drama going on which means Sookie’s life is still at risk. However her main priority is that her boyfriend Eric is being framed (or not?) for murder. And then there’s the vampire Queen who would like Eric to be her consort, an offer that may be too good to refuse? Drama ensues!

The Giver - Lois Lowry

As this book is a classic amongst the dystopian novels I thought it was about time I gave it a go and I’m so glad I did. It has a more innocent feel to it than most other YA books these days, mostly in that it’s lacking in a love triangle. This however I felt helped to emphasize the actual story and emotions.

Each child at the age of 12 is given a job for life and the main protagonist Jonas recieves the job of ‘the giver’. No one actually knows what this job is except that it is very prestigious. Basically his job is to carry the memories of the world before this perfect utopia existed, which in essence is all the emotions that have been eliminated from extreme pain (in war) to love (such as from one’s family).

It is hard to say more without giving away the plot however I thought this book was amazing. I’m surprised it has caused some controversy, with people saying it shouldn’t be a children’s book, as to me it seemed very innocent.

Looking for Alaska - John Green

I’m going to jump on the John Green bandwagon (a bit late I know) as I think he is a refreshing new writer in the overcrowded YA genre as he tackles issues that other writers skip over/ avoid for easier subjects.

‘Looking for Alaska’ takes a little bit of effort to get into as he writes in such a ‘teenage language’ style (which I think he pulls off better in ‘The Fault in our Stars’). I do love however how his characters seem to be book/literary obsessed. This gives them instant access to my heart. They are also a bit deeper, in terms of lifestyles, problems etc than the typical ‘boy meets girl falls in love’ type characters.

The story follows a friendless geek in his first year at boarding school where upon he becomes part of a rather misfit group who can’t really be summed up in one word. They’re smart but naughty, talking (and doing) rather a lot of smoking, drinking, sex and so on. One of the girls is named Alaska and is rather a complex person. She snaps between being adventurous and fun and risk-taking to a sullen, grumpy person whom obviously has issues. She draws people into her web with her charisma and ultimately ends up forcing her pain onto them, most likely unintentionally.

I could write forever about this book but it’s hard to without giving away the plot. I would recommend it for older teens and adults however as it’s one of those books which makes you think.

The Sense of an Ending - Julian Barnes

I was a bit conflicted when I picked this up as people I know haven’t enjoyed it however it did win the Man Booker prize so I thought it was worth a go. I finished it in two goes (pretty much couldn’t put it down) so it was definitely worth it. 

The story is split into two halves of the main protagonist’s life. The first half being his teenage years where nothing all that significant happens. However these teenage boys discuss literature, listen to classical music and compare their lives to famous characters throughout history. So in other words, I found them refreshing and intriguing. A school friend commits suicide during this time however it does not bear much significance on their lives (yet).

The second half is a lot more intense and really explores human’s emotions, ways of dealing with problems, optimism and sadness. The main character, now an old man receives an object of significance from his past in a will and must therefore contact an old girlfriend to obtain the item (as she has it). She is his complete opposite, cold and heartless but it is not until the story finally comes to an end that you realise why. I loved that this book portrayed humans (I thought) quite accurately and how the main character seemed to be happy in himself in old age, accepting his faults.

Starters - Lissa Price

I feel like this book should have been a whole lot better than it was, as the storyline is fairly awesome but the writing lets it down.

The story begins following a viral warfare that killed all the adults as only children and old people were vaccinated. So you’re left with a society of kids and oldies, some of whom secretly rent out teen’s bodies by connecting up their brain signals. Except… dun dun dun the main protagonist wakes up when she’s not meant to— so she’s back in her body but pretending to be the old person in her body (whom she can still hear in her head).. and trying not to get killed by the evil scheming ‘old man’ who wants to turn all youngsters into renters permanently. However the writing is not that great in fact I wanted to throw it against the wall a lot.

The Paris Wife - Paula McLain

This book is currently a best-seller and from the moment you pick it up it’s not hard to see why. I read it all in three goes, only stopping the first two times to get some sleep! It tells the story of Hadley, Hemingway’s first wife, and their five year marriage spent mostly in Paris.

The book begins in Chicago in the 20s where the parties and illicit alcohol flow freely and Hadley’s romance with Hemingway is so romantic and joyful. One knows it is only downhill from there but the writing is so spot on emotionally that you want to believe, as Hadley does, that love will conquer all. Aside from the marriage, the picture of Paris is beautiful and scandalous, like somewhere you both would and wouldn’t want to be. The mention of other famous faces is also exciting, most notably Fitzgerald.

This is not a book to make you feel good about life and love but rather bitter sweet. It angered me in the end how Hemingway ruins it all and yet plays the victim, and Hadley for a long time just takes it. I guess this makes her strong but it also makes her stupid. 

It is an excellently crafted book however and I now feel a certain obsession with all things Hemingway, Hadley and Paris in the 20s coming on.

Hades - Alexandra Adornetto

If you only read the first few chapters of this book you could be forgiven for thinking that it was awful. The completely nauseating love between Beth and Xavier is well just that…sickening. HOWEVER once the story actually gets going it’s rather good, original and creative, mostly because Beth is away from Xavier.

Beth (who is an angel living on Earth) is kidnapped into Hades (a much better name than Hell) by Jake (Satan’s son). Meanwhile her angel siblings try desperately to find a portal into Hades to rescue her. I quite enjoyed the version of Hades created here. It’s modern with hotels, night clubs and so on but it still had an evil other-wordly feel to it.

The portrayal of the archangel Michael however was a bit weird - he seemed way too human. An archangel does not shrug. The constant mention of God and Bible verses may also seem weird. I know in other books (such as the House of Night series for instance) religion is mentioned a lot but it is never the Christian religion. It’s not a bad thing it just seems odd in such a PC society.

All in all I enjoyed the story. A word of warning however, after the grand showdown at the end don’t read the last chapter. The soppyness returns and in a way somewhat ruins what was a good book.

Legend - Marie Lu

I just read this book in one go so it must be good! Cashing in on the dystopia craze, the story follows a young boy and girl, each living very different lives on either side of the military vs commoners paradigm.

Both are highly regarded, one as the perfect A+ student and the other as the ultimate renegade. Of course their lives are doomed to cross and the ending is rather predictable but nevertheless it’s an entertaining read.