The Artist Librarian

Throwback Thursday --since I'm taking a Books & Media for Young Adults course this summer, I thought I'd post a contemporary YA review I first wrote in February 2014.

Title: Destination Unknown
Author: Amy Clipston
Published: 2014 by Zondervan

The Artist Librarian Review: It’s Whitney Richards' senior year and the pressure is getting to the straight-A student. When her mother forces her to get tutoring after she receives a D on her Calculus exam, Whitney meets Taylor Martinez. More than just explaining mathematics concepts, Taylor begins to challenge Whitney to look beyond her prep school life and the popular crowd. But while Whitney’s mother and friends are discouraging her from forging a deeper relationship with Taylor, Whitney struggles to take control of her life for the first time …

I admit, I don’t read a lot of contemporary-set YA fiction, but I could really relate to Whitney’s semi-perfectionist worries over grades and the frustration of feeling like your parents control everything you do. (Don't many teenagers share those thoughts?) Though some of Whitney’s decisions and lies of omission (when she’s hiding her relationship with Taylor) made me want to give her a talking-to (and she does face the consequences for her actions), it was really Whitney’s mother that I was most disappointed about. She’s supposedly a Christian, but she is so obsessed about perfection, appearances, and Whitney attending her alma mater. Along with the way she treated and referred to Taylor just because he was from a single parent, lower income family … she didn’t seem very Christ-like to me. I know she thought she was doing what was best for her daughter, but it still didn’t rub me the right way.

However, I did love Taylor and the way his friendship with Whitney makes her realize how shallow and superficial the popular crowd she had been hanging out her whole life with was. I liked how their relationship began with friendship (though there was also some physical attraction), conversations, and getting to know each other before heading to romance. Though I think the spiritual aspect of the novel may have been its weakest point, in the end Whitney realizes she needed to trust God and His direction in her life even when the future is unknown (I definitely related to that feeling). However, the included discussion questions should help readers (and parents) to think and talk about the decisions of the characters and some of the ideas touched on in the novel. If you’re looking for a quick, clean YA read, give Amy Clipston’s books a try!

[Disclaimer: I received an advanced reader copy from the publisher for review purposes. No compensation was received and the opinions expressed are my own.]

Do you enjoy reading contemporary YA fiction (Christian/Inspirational or general market)? Why or why not? Are the school settings realistic, in your opinion?

Destination Unknown by Amy Clipston - Throwback Thursday Review

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Throwback Thursday -- this review originally written in December 2013

Title: One Realm Beyond
Author: Donita K. Paul

Author Donita K. Paul's first fantasy novel after a two year absence

(c.) 2014 by Zondervan

Published: 2014 by Zondervan

Donita K. Paul makes her return to fantasy after a two year absence: a new book set in a new world (along with a new publisher, Zondervan instead of Waterbrook) that will charm and delight readers anew.

Cantor D’Ahma is an untested new member of the Realm Walker Guild, the protectors of the nine planes (or realms) with the ability to travel between them through portals. During his first mission, he discovers that the long heard rumors of corruption within the Guild may be true. Along with new allies –Bixby, a fellow realm walker, the mysterious Dukmee, and a shape-shifting mor dragon named Bridger– Cantor must decide where his true allegiance lies.

I really enjoyed Mrs. Paul’s new world of the Realms. The only critique I have is that I wish there was a map and perhaps a glossary as her previous series (such as The DragonKeeper Chronicles) did. (Note: I have an ARC copy, so I’m not sure if the published version is different.) Though Cantor is her first male main protagonist, I found his voice to be authentic and I liked how he plays off of Bixby and especially Bridger. Bixby is another quirky character. Her agility and lightness (in temperament and in the flowing clothes she loves) reminds me a bit of the Kimens in Mrs. Paul’s previous series, but she is definitely her own person! Some may find the beginning slow, but I enjoyed getting immersed into and learning about their world. With the ending being a bit of a cliffhanger, I hope to read the next Realm Walkers book soon!

*I received an advanced reader copy from the publisher. No compensation was received and the opinions expressed are my own.*

[Note: As of September 5, 2014, Zondervan's website has no news on any sequel, but Donita K. Paul wrote on her blog in July that Realm Walkers will be a trilogy. Then, on Amazon.com they have listed Two Renegade Realms (note: this is an affiliate link) along with a summary and cover art as releasing December 2014. I was getting worried for a second, so I'm glad the story will continue! However, I must say that for a major publishing company, their promotion really is lacking.]

One Realm Beyond Review: Donita K. Paul's Return! - Throwback Thursday

It's another Throwback Thursday! I'll be revising and posting reviews I've written in the past. This entry was originally written in 2011:

(c.) 2011 by Zondervan

Title: Sketchy Behavior

Author: Erynn Mangum

Published: 2011 by Zonderkidz

Author Erynn Mangum's first novel for teens centers on 16-year-old Kate Cater, who discovers she has a talent for art and unknowingly uses it to sketch a wanted criminal after a forensic sketching introduction in her school's art class. When the police use her drawing to apprehend a man who matches the description, her life is turned upside down –suddenly she is as famous as Nancy Drew in her small hometown. Things take dangerous turn when it seems that the murderer is intent on getting revenge through his accomplices. With law enforcement establishing 24/7 security around her home and a police officer following Kate everywhere –even to school– will her life ever be the same?

That is what first (pardon the pun) “drew” me in –I've loved art and drawing ever since I could remember, so I wanted to see how it would be incorporated into this YA novel. Though drawing was not described in technical detail (as it was not needed), the emphasis for an artist's need to observe and pay attention to detail (especially for a profiler) was spot-on. Erynn Mangum really captured her protagonist's teenage point of view in an authentic, believable voice. Kate narrates her story with wry humor (and sprinkled with pop references). It's interesting to see how her relationships with other characters change over the course of the book. The climax of the story included a twist I definitely did not see coming and the conclusion was satisfying enough, though I do think (and hope) that a sequel is possible.

Though there were moments that some could say bordered on the line of “too preachy”, I think that the spiritual aspect of “Sketchy Behavior” was done well. Kate comes from what I'd imagine a fairly typical modern American family would be –spiritually speaking. Her father seems indifferent to religion and her mother only suggests they go to church to “get all the help they can” when it's clear that Kate's life could be in danger. Kate herself admits that she hasn't really thought about things like that. Christian characters like Detective Masterson provide a contrast for Kate and the reader to observe how they handle or look at situations compared to Kate's family. I was glad that the author didn't go for a more stereotypical ending for Kate's spiritual journey (though it seems unfinished) which is part of the reason why I think a sequel or maybe the start of a series could be realized.

*Disclosure: I received an advanced reader's copy of this book through Zondervan's Z-Street Team program. No compensation was received and the opinions expressed are my own.*

Sketchy Behavior - Throwback Thursday!

It's another Throwback Thursday! I'll be revising and posting reviews I've written in the past. This entry was originally written in 2011:

Title: Protection for Hire

Author: Camy Tang

Published: 2011 by Zondervan

Image (c.) Zondervan

About the Book:

Tessa Lancaster's skills first earned her a position as an enforcer in her Uncle Teruo's Japanese Mafia gang. Then they landed her in prison for a crime she didn't commit. Now, three months after her release, Tessa's abilities have gained her a job as bodyguard for wealthy socialite Elizabeth St. Amant and her three-year-old son.But there's a problem or two ... or three .... There's Elizabeth's abusive husband whose relentless pursuit goes deeper than mere vengeance. There's Uncle Teruo, who doesn't understand why Tessa's new faith as a Christian prevents her from returning to the yakuza. And then there's Elizabeth's lawyer, Charles Britton, who Tessa doesn't know is the one who ensured that she did maximum time behind bars. Now Tessa and Charles must work together in order to protect their client, while new truths emerge and circumstances spiral to a deadly fever pitch.Factor in both Tessa's and Charles's families and you've got some wild dynamics---and an action-packed, romantic read as Tessa and Charles discover the reality of being made new in Christ. (Summary via goodreads.)

The Artist Librarian's Review:

Having read and enjoyed Camy Tang's “Sushi Series,” I was ecstatic to see her publish her first full length novel in two years (she's published two Love Inspired novellas during that time). Camy Tang doesn't disappoint in the first entry to the “Protection for Hire” series –with humor, action, unique characters and of course, Ms. Tang's signature “romance with a kick of wasabi.”

From NCIS's Ziva David , Star Wars' Mara Jade (from the Expanded Universe novels) and many more in between, I've grown up reading about and watching many “kick-butt,” independent heroines on television, but I had never really encountered them in Christian fiction until I met Tessa Lancaster in “Protection for Hire.” Okay, yes. I admit it, I usually read historicals which don’t lend themselves well to female lead characters knowing martial arts and such … However, I appreciated that despite her strong personality and abilities, Tessa also had vulnerabilities and struggles that made her easy for me to relate to. I think every Christian who has relatives who don't share their faith can understand and emphasize with Tessa's struggle to relate and reach out to her family (especially with her mom and sister).

I eagerly await the continuation of Tessa's story in A Dangeous Stage [released in 2012] and will probably peruse more contemporary inspirational suspense in the future!

About the Author:

Camy writes Christian romantic suspense with Love Inspired Suspense as Camy Tang and Regency romance with Zondervan under her pen name, Camille Elliot. She grew up in Hawaii but now lives in northern California with her engineer husband and rambunctious dog. She graduated from Stanford University in psychology with a focus on biology, but for nine years she worked as a biologist researcher. Then God guided her path in a completely different direction and now she’s writing full time, using her original psychology degree as she creates the characters in her novels. In her free time, she’s a staff worker for her church youth group and leads one of her church’s Sunday worship teams. She also loves to knit, spin wool into yarn, and is training to (very slowly) run a marathon. (Via goodreads.)

[Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the author for review purposes.]

Protection for Hire - Throwback Thursday!

Image c. 2007 - Thomas Nelson Publishing

Throwback Thursday! I'll be revising and posting reviews I've written in the past. This one was originally written in 2009 for a book review essay contest.

Title: Isle of Swords

Author: Wayne Thomas Batson

Published: 2007 by Thomas Nelson Publishers

Captain Declan Ross is not your typical pirate. A man of honor and integrity, he searches for the riches that will free him and his daughter from the “piracy business” forever.

Sixteen-year-old Anne Ross has sailed with her father ever since her mother’s death nearly ten years ago. Unlike her father, Anne is fascinated with the pirate’s life and the sea. So much so that she secretly longs to captain a ship of her own –a seemingly impossible dream, as her mere presence on her father’s ship is objected to by a few (but vocal) crewmen who cite old sailor’s tales that claim a woman on board brings bad luck. However, her more pressing concern is getting some space away from her father, who has become more protective and cautious since the death of his wife and is now in the awkward position of a parent caught between his desire to always protect his only daughter and realizing he needs to slowly let go of the growing young woman before him. Anne finally sees her chance for some space when they stop at a deserted island to make some much needed repairs to the old vessel. With the entire crew occupied, Anne impulsively decides to explore the island and finds…

…A young man, severely injured and nearly to the point of death. Saved by Captain Ross’s crew, he is nicknamed “Cat” (for his “nine lives” and narrow escape from death) when it is discovered that he has no memory of who he is, how he was injured, or how he ended up on the island. The only clues Cat has to his past are a beautiful green jewel and a mysterious lock of red hair found in the leather pouch he was clutching on the island.

The legendary Treasure of Constantine (and the secret sect of monks who guarded it) was said to have been one of fables and lore of yesteryear. But when Bartholomew Thorne steals a copy of the map which leads to the renowned treasure’s location, Padre Dominguez, a monk of that mysterious order, enlists the help of Captain Ross and his crew to protect the treasure. But the only way to save Constantine’s Treasure from the most ruthless pirate of the Caribbean …is to get there first.

Add these characters and plots together, throw in the diverse crew of the William Wallace, a pirate-hunting British Commodore, numerous sea battles, a dash of humor, a bit of swordplay, a smidgen of mystery, a major plot twist –and did I mention a Frenchman with a penchant for explosives? Mix it all together and you have a thrilling adventure that takes you from the Caribbean, across the Atlantic to Africa, all the way to Europe, and back to the Caribbean. Who knew the 18th century could be so exciting?

I found Isle of Swords to be reminiscent of many things I love about Brian Jacques' works –both the Castaways of the Flying Dutchman and Redwall series (especially the ones featuring seafaring such as The Legend of Luke ). It's definitely a good thing! Like Jacques' novels, Isle of Swords is full of questing, adventuring, humor, unique characters and action. However Wayne Thomas Batson delivers a bit faster pace (not as given to the borderline “wordy” descriptiveness as Brian Jacques is known for) in a believable historical setting (minus one use of the word “okay” which I felt was a bit to modern for 18^th century characters).

While I did let my youngest brother read this series when he was ten, because of some "intense scenes" (of a violent nature, but most are implied, if I remember correctly) I would suggest adults, parents, or guardians pre-read the novel to decide if it is appropriate for your younger elementary school aged kids . . . Though I think if they’ve watched the Lord of the Rings or Star Wars films, they should be fine. However, I highly recommend this book (and it's sequel "Isle of Fire") to teens and adults looking for a great read (especially for reluctant readers)! Definitely the best I've read from Wayne Thomas Batson so far!