172 Hours on the Moon (Mandy)

Title: 172 Hours on the Moon (April 2012)
Author: Johan Harstad (Norway) (transl. by Tara F. Chace)
Age group in store: Fantasy (14+)

Briefly, it's about:

In hopes of boosting publicity for space research after a 30 year lull in lunar exploration, NASA has selected three teens from a world-wide lottery to accompany the next astronaut mission to the moon. Mia (from Norway), Midori (from Japan), and Antoine (from France) each have their own reasons for entering the lottery, and their own expectations for the mission. But there is something far more sinister and dangerous up there than they could ever have imagined. And they are about to realize, too late, what NASA already knows; there's a very good reason that no one's been back to the moon in 30 years and they would have been wise to keep it that way.

Mandy's rave:
Sooooooo exciting! I wasn't sure I felt like reading this book when I picked it up, but I read the prologue on my lunch break and was totally hooked (I closed the book after and just said "Awesome!!!"). It's sci-fi/mystery/thriller/horror, without being too heavily any of these things. It's got a great slow-ish build-up, with enough interesting back-story and character background to be really engaging while it gradually develops the suspense and eeriness. And once the climax hits ---so intense! I was literally biting my nails and loving every second of it! This book is creepy and thrilling and intense, and the stakes are high and...well, it's awesome!


It's perfect for:
Fans of the Maze Runner Trilogy series by James Dashner, fans of the Chaos Walking Trilogy by Patrick Ness, fans of A Confusion of Princes by Garth Nix, fans of Being by Kevin Brooks


# of stars: **** 1/2

The Art of Hearing Heartbeats (Mandy)

Title: The Art of Hearing Heartbeats (Jan 2012)

Author: Jan-Philipp Sendker (Germany) (translated by Kevin Wiliarty)

Age group in store: Adult

Briefly, it's about:

Years after her father disappears without a trace, Julia Win discovers an un-mailed love letter written by her father to a woman named Min Min. Angry and confused, and hoping to unravel some of the mysteries surrounding her father's life and his disappearance, Julia sets off to find the tiny Burmese village on the letter's address. Upon arrival, she is greeted by a stranger who proceeds to tell her the epic love story of a man she thought she knew.

Mandy's rave:

The Art of Hearing Heartbeats is a lovely story. The story the stranger tells Julia about her father feels a little like an Eastern fable, not necessarily realistic but beautiful and affecting. Tin, a blind boy, and Min Min, a graceful but crippled girl complete each other in a symbiosis that is the stuff of fairytale soul-mates, until Tin's selfish uncle sends him to America and blocks all correspondence from Min Min. Before Julia’s arrival in Burma, I had the impression that this book was realistic fiction, either a mystery or character journey (or both). And some of the story-telling devices won’t work if readers are looking for believable realism (for example, Julia returns day after day to listen for hours to the story a total stranger insists she must hear). However, when taken as a sort of folktale, I found the novel compelling, and, well, lovely.

It's perfect for:

Fans of Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese, fans of The Help by Kathryn Stockett, fans of Secret Daughter by Shilpi Gowda. Also, this book is definitely a potential cross-over book for teens who are moving into adult literature.

# of stars: ****

Title: The Drowned Cities (May 2012)
Author: Paolo Bacigalupi (USA)
Age group in store: Fantasy (14+)

Briefly, it's about:

In this companion novel, Bacigalupi returns to the war-ravaged, futuristic USA featured in Ship Breaker. This time, readers follow Mouse and Mahlia, cast-offs from a war that has ravaged the region for as long as anyone can remember. Mahlia, a war orphan who lost her hand after being captured by boy-soldier militia, is indebted to Mouse for saving her life. Under the care of Dr Mahfouz, an aging, principled pacifist, the two have become like siblings. So when Mahlia and Mouse are trapped by the half-man Tool (a phenomenally crafted character who first appeared in Ship Breaker), Mahlia promises Dr Mahfouz's expertise and medicine in return for Mouse's life. But complications arise when Mahlia returns to her town to discover it has been taken over by a regiment of boy soldiers, who capture and recruit Mouse. Mahlia must decide what is more important: survival by fleeing upriver with Tool’s help, or risking her own life to rescue Mouse.

Melissa's rave:

Bacigalupi has once again crafted a brilliant novel. Action-packed and compelling, The Drowned Cities is an excellent examination of the nature of human beings in the face of war, and the moral inner struggles we all face in a world bred of violence. Bacigalupi’s characters are in many ways savage creations, but they are also extremely morally complex; they are warriors, yes, but they are survivors more than anything. This is one of the most profound contradictions that The Drowned Cities examines. When the cost of survival is death to others around you, as it is for Mahlia, Mouse, and Tool, the value of one’s own life must be measured very, very differently. I cannot say enough about how much I admire Bacigalupi- his style, his pacing, his craft; they are all so unique. His sharpness and the underlying critical analysis of his stories make his writing nail-bitingly stellar.

It's perfect for: Fans of Ship Breaker, fans of Pure by Julianna Baggot, fans of The Maze Runner Trilogy by James Dashner, (older) fans of The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, fans of Divergent by Veronica Roth



# of stars: **** 1/2

Farm Boy (Loretta)

Title: Farm Boy (sequel to War Horse) (re-issue April 2012)
Author: Michael Morpurgo (UK)
Age group in store: 9

Briefly, it's about:

"Father was always getting into scrapes when he was a lad. But the worst scrape he ever got himself into was the First World War. See, he didn't go off to the war because he wanted to fight for King and Country…he went because his horse went, because Joey went." Albert (the boy featured in War Horse) has lived a full life, one that his son now recounts to a son of his own. And in retelling his father’s stories, Albert’s son reveals his own life’s story and comes to terms with his own shameful secret.

Loretta's rave:

This story reads every bit like a classic. The memories are sweet and full and told as if they happened just the day before. Grandfather's wonderful British 'argot' adds colour and atmosphere to the book. The most poignant story that Albert's son tells is his own, one that he feels much shame about. That kind of honesty changes a person and in that moment, a bond is made between the generations. The relationship between the boy and his grandfather is moving, gentle, and loving, and the beautiful illustrations are a great enhancement. The story is about remembering, about the stories we hear from our elders. It's about relationships with family and how they make us who we are.

It's perfect for: Fans of Michael Morpurgo (especially War Horse), fans of The Secret of the Night Ponies by Joan Hiatt Harlow, fans of A Child's Christmas in Wales by Dylan Thomas

# of stars: ****

The Princesses of Iowa (Joanna)

Title: The Princesses of Iowa (May 2012)
Author: M. Molly Backes
Age group in store: 14+

Briefly, it's about:

After a night of drunken mistakes, a car crash shattered Paige Sheridan's seemingly perfect world and set in motion the events of this wonderful novel. Now, as Paige begins her senior year of high school, a rift has grown between her and her friends and her perfect world of Homecoming Queens, princesses, and popularity begins to crumble around her. So when a charismatic and challenging creative writing teacher makes her think beyond her small-town Iowa aspirations, she begins to realize that there is so much more to life than the cardboard cut-out she has constructed for herself. Her old friends and plans suddenly seem shallow and pointless, and she finds herself drawn to new friends who see past the exterior and make real connections. Paige is forced to come to terms with the devastating consequences of alcohol abuse, her town’s latent homophobia that escalates into a full-on attack, and the difficult challenge of discovering who she really is.

Joanna's rave:

I must admit to judging this book by its cover (and title) and assuming it would be a schlocky teen romance. I couldn't have been more wrong! This is an amazing novel of self-discovery, and I absolutely could not put it down! So many things about the way the story is crafted ring true, from the slurred and half-remembered description of fateful drunken nights to the feeling of creative inspiration moving like lightning from brain to hand to pen to paper. Paige is a spoiled brat at the beginning of the novel, and yet somehow we still care deeply for her and are anxious to see what unfolds in her life, which is falling apart as we read. The change that comes over her is subtle and believable, and while Paige is the narrator and protagonist, the novel is populated with really well-illustrated supporting characters. Small-town America seems quite different from our life here in Toronto, but Backes tackles a lot of important and relevant issues, like drunk driving and homophobia, with care and insight.

It's perfect for: Fans of Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver (reviewed here), fans of The Chance to Dance for You by Gail Sidonie Sobat (reviewed here), fans of Just Listen by Sarah Dessen, fans of Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac by Gabrielle Zevin, fans of reality-based teen fiction.

# of stars: ****

The Story of Us (Melissa)

Title: The Story of Us (April 2012)
Author: Deb Caletti (USA)
Age group in store: 14+


Briefly, it's about:

Cricket's life is turning upside down. She's on a self-imposed break from her long-term boyfriend, she still hasn't decided where she wants to go to college (and its June!), and she's worried that her mother is about to back out of marrying her fiancée, even though everybody loves him and the wedding is only a week away. Afraid of losing her grip on past happiness, but determined not to forfeit the possibilities of the future, Crickett is in limbo. Will a week filled with friends, family, and a potential new romantic interest be enough to push Crickett to decide what she wants for her future?

Melissa's rave:

I am a big fan of Deb Caletti and this novel was no disappointment. The Story of Us is sweet and tender, but also real and uncomfortable. Deb Caletti manages to capture the complexities of human emotion and experience in a thoughtful and challenging way. There is nothing dramatically wrong in Cricket's life, yet she finds herself troubled. She stands on the precipice of change, and is immobilized by fear that the best times of her life are behind her if she makes the wrong decision. Still, she knows that making uncomfortable choices is sometimes part of living life to the fullest, as is making mistakes.

It's perfect for:
Fans of Deb Caletti, fans of Sarah Dessen, fans of Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins, fans of Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson


 # of stars: ****

Neil Flambe and the Crusader's Curse (Wayne)

 Title: Neil Flambe and the Crusader's Curse: Neil Flambe Capers Series #3 (May 2012)
Author: Kevin Sylvester (Canada!)
Age group in store: 11

Briefly, it's about:

The prologue opens the book in the Mediterranean in 1225, where we are introduced to Pierre Flambé, the King’s former chef, who has been deemed a traitor for feeding the enemy. He is cast on a deserted island by his teacher and mentor, Valette. Upon being rescued, Pierre learns of the terrible curse that Valette uttered on his deathbed: no Flambé shall cook again or else pay a horrible price. In defiance, Pierre pulls out a notebook full of his treasured recipes and vows that “the Flambés will become the greatest chefs the world has ever known. Curse or no curse!” A lightning bolt strikes his rescue ship, causing it to burst into flames…

Chapter one then begins with young Neil, who is celebrating his 15th birthday and the grand reopening of his restaurant, Chez Flambé. Things immediately go wrong: all the customers send their dishes back with shocking complaints about the taste of the food and the Department of Health closes the restaurant. Is this a result of the curse that will end Neil’s dream of being the world’s greatest chef?

Wayne's rave:

I love all of the Neil Flambé books. They are smart, funny, and keep you guessing till the very end. I appreciate how Kevin Sylvester ties history into all of his plots, making his characters familiarize themselves with the relevant past in order to solve the mysteries. All of the wonderfully quirky characters from books one and two are back for the third installment with the brilliantly petulant Neil: his loveable head-in-the-clouds cousin/sidekick Larry, his beautifully intelligent girlfriend Isabella, and many other fantastic characters with hilarious food-related names. Also back are the awesome illustrations that Kevin Sylvester sprinkles throughout the story. These drawings also give a nice visual cue for when readers are switching to the historical parts of the narrative. I can’t wait to read the fourth book in this series!

It's perfect for:

Fans of the first two books in the series: Neil Flambé and the Marco Polo Murders and Neil Flambé and the Aztec Abduction (reviewed here), fans of The Mysterious Benedict Society Trilogy by Trenton Lee Stewart, fans of The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster, fans of The Strictest School in The World by Howard Whitehouse, fans of the Evil Genius Trilogy by Catherine Jinks, fans of The Black Book of Secrets by F E Higgins, fans of mystery, history, travel, and quirky humour.
# of stars: ****