YA or STFU

Flinn, Alex (2007). Beastly. NY: HarperTeen (Harper Collins). 300 pages.

The ninth-grade son of a famous (and wealthy) New York newscaster, Kyle is, simply put, an asshole. He's rich, he's good looking, and he knows it. Which is probably why he's so mean to kids who aren't in his "league" and definitely why he hatches a plan to humiliate the kind of nerdy, semi-goth-y, girl at school who challenges him. After he makes plans to meet this girl at the big school dance (where he is a shoe-in to be crowned ninth grade prince), he publicly shames her by showing up with his sexy girlfriend and announcing that he had never intended to escort her at all. Turns out, this girl--Kendra--is actually a witch, and she exacts revenge by putting a transformation curse on Kyle, changing his appearance from studly teen to hairy beast. The one cure for this spell: Kyle must find a girl to love him--beastly appearance and all--within two years; otherwise, he'll spend the rest of his life a monster.

Because Kyle's father can't handle Kyle's make-under (and because Kyle's father, like the pre-beast Kyle, is an appearance-obsessed ass), Kyle is sent to live in Brooklyn where he stays indoors and is tutored by a blind man. He does, however, discover a passion for growing roses in his walled backyard. Can you see where this is going? With Beastly, Flinn tells the "Beauty and the Beast" story from the point of view of the beast and sets it in contemporary NYC to boot.

Flinn's novel is mostly successful and Kyle's first-person description of life as a beast--albeit a rich beast--is surprisingly sympathetic. The only problem: I had a hard time believing in the Kyle we meet at the beginning of the story. The rich, good-looking asshole who sets up the school outcast, Carrie-style, is just a little too common. I'd rather read a more subtle portrayal of teen jerkiness; however, because the story is really about the internal transformation effected after the physical one, this trope can be excused. The chat-room excerpts that pepper the novel in which other contemporary "victims" of fairy-tale curses vent about their uncommon plights are less excusable. The whole novel would benefit without these secondary characters' input.

That said, the 300 page novel moves quickly and, in spite of the fact that the bones of the story are familiar, manages to change things up enough to keep the heart of the tale fresh and even incorporate some surprises.

Posted by Amy P. at 11:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Shan, Darren (2006, 2007 [US]). Bec (Book 4 in the Demonata series). NY: Little, Brown. 235 pages.

If you're going to read a series out of order, progressing from Book 2 to Book 4 in Shan's Demonata series is the way to go. Book 4, Bec, takes us back in time to the first emergence of the demons of the Demonata, way back in very early Christian Europe. Told from the point of view of Bec, a young priestess foundling living in a primitive rath, the story follows her on a journey to close the gate opened between the human and demon worlds. After a mysterious and seemingly simple boy visits Bec's rath, Bec joins a small band of her people as they follow him in hopes of joining force with another small clan and to beat the demons who terrorize their homes every night. Along the way, the band meets a druid who encourages them to follow him to the gate between worlds, where the group may be able to close the gate and die heroes.

The story unfolds at the fast clip characteristic of Shan's work and is full of the usual blood and gore. Steaming entrails aside, the historical story held greater appeal than the contemporary installments of the this series; I had long been curious about the emergence of the demons and found the pre-pre-modern setting of this volume intriguingly described. During Bec's travels, she and the group witness the druid's play with a primitive chessboard, a set piece that should figure prominently in later installments. While this series is not as much about character development as it is about telling a swift but powerful (and gorey) tale, I've found the installments that I read satisfying in themselves and effectively suspenseful. An appearance of Lord Loss, a demon leader whose power and general evilness has been well established in earlier books, was just the icing on the cake. Of course I'm going to read the next one and maybe even backtrack to book 3. After all this investment, how could I not?

Posted by Amy P. at 11:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Nelson, Blake (2007). They Came From Below. NY: TOR/Tom Doherty Associates. 299 pages.

OK, I think I'm just going to have to stop expecting Blake Nelson to write another Girl. It's unfair to him and it's unfair to me; we both just have to realize that that moment of brilliance can never be reproduced. That said, Nelson's new novel, a semi-fantasy, semi-science fiction, is pretty fucking cool. When I describe the premise it's going to sound a little lame, but, believe me, this book works.

It's the beginning of another summer and Emily is heading for Cape Cod to spend time with her MIT professor father and hang out with her summer friend, Reese. The two girls are hoping to slip back into their routine of pizza slice specials at the local pizza parlor, days at the beach, and evenings scamming for guys. After a mysterious glowing object is washed up onto the beach and Emily's father is called to consult on its appearance and two rather unusual boys appear in town, the girls and Emily's father become involved in an alien invasion of sorts. Only these aliens are from the sea. Turns out, these new guys have morphed into humans in an effort to rescue their "alien" friend, the glowing blob that came ashore after an environmental disturbance down below.

In Nelson's semi-deadpan style, this sci-fi/fantasy-lite doesn't hit you over the head with sci-fi/fantasy details or environmental awareness didacticism, the way it could in the hands of someone less capable. It's the descriptions of Emily's interactions with these aliens and their unintended effect on humans that really captivates. There are some high-speed car chase moments in the spirit of E.T.; however, even these aren't super-cheesy. I think the thing is, you can read this book and really believe in it, which is an accomplishment in itself. In Girl-style, Nelson leaves the ending a little open; however, as with Girl, we never know if the story will be continued by the author, himself, or by us readers, in our heads.

Posted by Amy P. at 05:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

Vizzini, Ned (2006). It's Kind of a Funny Story. NY: Hyperion. 444 pages.

The best day of Craig's life is the day he is accepted to the prestigious Executive Pre-Professional High School; unfortunately, it's all down hill from there. To avoid the daily four hours of homework the EPHS requires, Craig hangs out with his stoner friend Aaron, a supposed genius who doesn't seem to need to study and is engaged in some hot action with Nia, a girl Craig secretly likes. This is not what causes the depression and suicidal thoughts that eventually cause Craig to check himself in to a hospital--that is, not exactly. Instead, it's the "trailing" thoughts, the crushing feeling of obligation to everything and nothing, and the anxiety that renders him unable to eat or keep anything down.

I have to admit, I came to this novel with something of a chip on my shoulder (surprise--this is nothing new). I thought, "Great, another novel about depression and suicidal ideation from another young writer who's been there." Turns out, this was a pretty good book, cheesy end note ("Ned Vizzini spent five days in adult psychiatric in Methodist Hospital in Park Slope, Brooklyn,11/29/04-12/3/04. Ned wrote this 12/10/04-1/6/05.") notwithstanding. Vizzini's descriptions of Craig's growing depression and desperation ring true and the bulk of the novel--during which Craig is "in residence" at the hospital--is not romanticized the way I thought it would be. Where I was afraid that I would have to endure a male version of Elizabeth Wurtzel's Prozac Nation with this new novel, I instead found myself enjoying this sympathetic portrayal. Sure there were the Ned Vizzini touches of semi-cheeseball optimism disguised as narrative revelations; however, there were also some moments of pretty genuine insight, most notably when the "friends" Craig meets in the hospital discourage him from contacting them on the outside. All in all, this 444 page paperback didn't weigh me down. Instead, it rather surprisingly lifted me up.

Posted by Amy P. at 05:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

Shan, Darren (2007). The Demon Thief (Book 2 in the "Demonata" series). NY: Little, Brown. 256 pages.

Darren Shan, author of the "Vampire Saga" series, is at it again. This time, his focus is the demon world and the ways in which this world intersects with our own. The first book in the series (Lord Loss) establishes the character of Lord Loss, a powerful demon ruler who makes an appearance in The Demon Thief. Interestingly (and according to the notes on Shan's website, [click here]), this second novel is set 30 years before the first book and is meant to aid in the establishment of the history of the demonata.

Cornelius "Kernel" Fleck is an ordinary kid who doesn't seem to fit in with any of the other kids at school. Even though he dresses cool, watches the same TV shows and listens to the same music as all the other kids, they (and, to be honest, even Kernel) senses something different about Kernel. Since he can remember, Kernel has been seeing lights--glowing shapes that hover in the environment that he can manipulate into patterns with his mind. One night, when he's playing with the lights (sounds like a euphamism for something dirty, doesn't it?), he opens what seems to be a window through which he catches a glimpse of the demon we've come to know as Lord Loss. Kernel steps through the passage and awakens five days later, clutching his baby brother in his arms and with no memory of what had transpired. The bulk of the novel is given over to his search for answers.

As gorey as a Stephen King but absent the pathos, the second book in Shan's new series is a fast and fun read. In spite of the fact that folks are, literally, exploding and getting their limbs ripped off right and left, there are some pretty hysterical moments (most notably when 35 kids "crap their pants" all at once when they witness the appearance of an evil demon called Cadaver). While I am an admitted sucker for series fiction, I do have some standards and, I have to say, Shan's horror series have R.L. Stine's "Fear Street" beat. Beneath the blood, guts, and mayhem, Shan's characters are dealing with real feelings of loneliness and inadequacy. The end of this installment packs an intriguing surprise as Kernel faces the real consequences of his own lonely desperation.

Posted by Amy P. at 10:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

de la Cruz, Melissa (2007). Masquerade (a Blue Bloods novel). NY: Hyperion. 320 pages

The second book in de la Cruz's series about the vampire elite finds the key teen characters coming into their vampire powers. In the first book, Blue Bloods, primary character Schuyler Van Alen (who is described in a way that brings an Olsen twin to mind) discovers she is a half-vampire in a Manhattan controlled primarily by "Blue Bloods" (vampires) who live among the "Red Bloods" (humans). In the second book, Schulyer is searching for her estranged grandfather, whom she believes can help her determine if "Silver Bloods," evil vampires who hunger for power over other vampires, have infiltrated their Blue Blood society. Additionally, Schuyler is struggling with her strong romantic feelings for fellow vampire Jack Force and her confusion over whether her relationship with her human best friend will be ruined by all the vampire business.

De la Cruz is a former magazine writer whose forays into young adult literature include the "Au Pairs" series. This latest vampire series is very much of the same ilk and features light horror mixed with indulgent descriptions of the lifestyles of the rich and (literally) bloodthirsty. Of course, I love it: the gothicized New York setting, the teen soap opera sub-plots and the brand name-dropping--it's all there. Yum.

Posted by Amy P. at 04:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Updale, Eleanor (2007). Montmorency's Revenge. NY: Orchard Books. 304 pages.

This is the fourth book in a smashing historical fiction series that, to be honest, I can't get enough of. The series is set in late 19th century Europe and follows the adult character of Montmorency, a onetime crook who, by adopting some rather dubious and self-interested Robin Hood behaviors, manages to infiltrate high society and live among the upper class. He develops a close friendship with some minor royalty and a physician and the men engage in some undercover detective and spy work. At the end of the last book, Montmorency and the Assassins, a tremedous act of personal terrorism has occurred and Montmorency has vowed revenge.

Disturbed by the terrorist acts of anarchists in Europe, Montmorency and his gang are put on the trail of the anarchist leader responsible for the death of one of their friends. Although they are working under the auspices of the British government, Montmorency and his young friend Frank are more thrilled by the prospect of exacting bloody revenge. With Frank disguised as "Jack" to avoid detection, Montmorency notices the thrall this new, undercover personality has on Frank/Jack. It appears as if Frank may be as seduced by the dark side as Montmorency one was.

I've never really been one for historical fiction; however, Updale's series is so great! I love the character of Montmorency and his perpetual struggle with his dark "self" and I'm especially excited that we'll see this conflict play out in another character as well. Updale evokes the nineteenth century in a distinctly non-pedantic way (we even get to witness the assassination of William McKinley!), a technique that all too many children's and YA authors seem to ignore in favor of didacticism. The surprise and brutal ending of the last book had me drooling for more and damn if the promise of future depravity doesn't have me again waiting eagerly for Updale's next installment.

Posted by Amy P. at 04:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)