Need by Carrie Jones

After witnessing her father die suddenly, Zara is stricken with grief. Struggling with a crushing depression she is sent to live with her grandmother. If coping with the loss of her father isn't enough she must now face living in a new place, going to a new school and meeting new people. But that's not all, Zara's life may be in danger. A mysterious man has been stalking her leaving a trail of gold dust. When a boy from school goes missing Zara learns that the quiet Maine town is not as it appears.

Need by Carrie Jones is a young adult novel. The main character is relatable to today's young readers. Zara has an obsession with phobias and frequently tells the reader names and meanings such as didaskaleinophobia the fear of going to school. At the beginning of the book she appears to be dark and moody. But soon we find that she is an anti-war activist who is involved with Amnesty International and is greatly concerned for the well-being of others.

This was the first teen book I have read since Twilight so I guess my expectations were too high. The plot was simple, the characters were two-dimensional, the love interest was lame, and Zara was obnoxious and pretentious. This book is better left to the teens, it doesn't translate well for adults as Twilight had. I give this book a Thumbs Down.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Blog Bookmark Gadgets

Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson is based on the mysterious disappearance of Harriet Vanger. In the 1960's young Harriet vanished without a trace from her family's island during a horrible fire that blocked the only bridge to the mainland. Harriet's disappearance still haunts her now elderly uncle, Henrik Vanger. Over the last 40 years, Henrik has used all of his power and wealth to try to find any clue of what happened that tragic day.  If Henrik is certain of one thing, it is that Harriet was murdered. As one last attempt to solve the case, Henrik has hired Blomkvist, a journalist whom is under investigation himself, to end the case once and for all. Blomkvist reluctantly sets out to unravel the mystery with the help of Lisbeth Salander, an eccentric computer specialist. But they quickly find that there is more to the case then meets the eye. Blomkvist and Salander find themselves venturing further and further into the Vanger family history and discover the risks involved.

Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson is currently one of the most wildly acclaimed and popular novels of the year. In more than 800 pages, Steig has created a compelling and complex mystery with multi-dimensional characters. "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is a striking novel. Just when I was thinking there wasn't anything new on the horizon, along comes Stieg Larsson with this wonderfully unique story. I was completely absorbed." -Michael Connelly  

I agree that this novel was written with intelligence, that the characters were wonderfully developed, and the scope of the mystery was mind-boggling. However, I give this book a Thumbs Down for one important reason: it did not keep my attention. The first 150 pages were completely boring and unnecessary. A novel like this should begin with a bang not an essay about the Swedish economy. I felt like I was reading a business textbook. Then the book started picking up speed. But even then I found a lot of redundancies such as overdrawn descriptions and side stories of no real importance. I was disappointed by this book. I like authors to get to the point and to constantly peak my interest. I think this book would have deserved a Thumbs Up of it was half its length.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Blog Bookmark Gadgets

Cat's Eye by Margaret Atwood

Cat's Eye by Margaret Atwood is a fictional novel about a controversial Canadian painter, Elaine Risley. Elaine reluctantly returns to her home town for a restrospective of her life's work. While visiting Toronto, she is inevitably forced to "come to terms with her own identity as a daughter, a lover, an artist, and a woman". Before she can achieve this important step in self-fulfillment she must first reflect on the troublesome events of her childhood. Elaine has always struggled with her identity from religion to relationships and this art exhibit is her opportunity to face herself once and for all.  

Cat's Eye read like the memoirs of a troubled woman haunted by her past and conflicted with her sense of self. This novel explores Elaine's entire life as she attempts to discover her true self and come to terms with her past.  From visions of the Virgin Mary to bullies at school Elaine Risley had endured many challenges growing up in the 1940's.

Atwood writes with such vivid descriptions that you can clearly visualize Elaine's experiences. It was very moving to read because it dealt with the many roles that women play in life as well as the obstacles we face. In essence this book is a feminist statement, empowering women by encouraging them to not ignore their past but to gain control by accepting it and growing from it.

Elaine's life experiences will linger with you long after you have finished the book.


I give this book a Thumbs Up.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Blog Bookmark Gadgets

The Strain by Chuck Hogan and Guillermo Del Toro

They have always been here. Vampires. In secret and in darkness. Waiting. Now their time has come.

In one week, Manhattan will be gone. In one month, the country.

In two months-the world.

The Strain is the first novel in the the Strain Trilogy created by Pan's Labyrinth's director, Guillermo Del Toro and award-winning author, Chuck Hogan.  

The story begins when a passenger airplane lands at the JFK airport but nobody gets off. The plane is still; all power is shut down and there is no communication with anyone on board. Dr. Eph Goodweather from the Centre for Disease control is called in to investigate. What his team finds is half as gruesome as what is about to come. 

The Strain leaves you on the edge of your seat for all 624 pages. Each chapter builds suspense and is packed with action, mystery, and fear. Horror fans will love this book. The vampires are portrayed as primal monsters who's only desire is to kill and feed. Can Dr. Goodweather save the world? Or is it all ready too late?

I give this book a Thumbs Up! 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Blog Bookmark Gadgets