Book Review: Resolve

Resolve by J. J. Hensley

I got ahold of Resolve by J. J. Hensley this summer and adored it, and since at the moment he seems to be something of a local author for the city of Pittsburgh, I thought I’d take the opportunity to endorse his book wider afield because I think it deserves it. My hometown librarian recommended the book. Apparently Hensley came in once upon a time to do some promotional things and sign the library copy of the book.

Resolve is centered on a murder that takes place during the Pittsburgh Marathon. The narrator, Cyprus Keller (yeah, that’s his name), admits that he knows that a murder will take place during the run because he’s going to commit it. The mystery for the reader is figuring out who the victim is going to be, what Keller’s reasons are, and how he’s going to accomplish it in the middle of a very public event. (Speaking of the setting, I have family members who live in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, so I can tell you that all of the descriptions are authentic. I even have an uncle who runs the Pittsburgh Marathon, so while I know nothing about running as a sport, I still read this book fondly.)

When the book begins, readers find that Keller was a former Baltimore police officer but is currently teaching Criminology at a second-rate Pittsburgh college. When one of his students is murdered, he is understandably shaken. Then when her possible killer attacks him, he decides to take the law into his own hands and do a bit of investigation—and once he comes to a conclusion, vigilante justice. (Hensley is drawing on his own experience as an ex-police officer and former Secret Service agent. He also includes anecdotal experiences from his own life in the form of character Brent Lancaster.)

Hensley’s writing is clever with elements of noir humor and very accurate scenic descriptions. And while exercise is not my bag, it almost made me wish it was. I established several theories about who Keller’s victim would be as I was reading the book, and every one of my theories was wrong. Looking back now, it seems obvious, but Hensley uses misdirection so skillfully that I could hardly believe I had forgotten these all-important single lines. (That’s not a spoiler, just read closely.)

Resolve brings up very important questions about justice, responsibility, and conscience. Can the vigilante live with himself afterwards? Does knowing you are in the right make up for murder? How is this similar to capital punishment and the death penalty? As a character, Cyprus Keller makes it clear that he has no guilt for what he plans to do, apparently very comfortable with the idea of killing a man. And as a reader, I support him completely: if you’re going to have a revenge novel, you want to see the right sort of villain be put down. But it’s interesting that once Cyprus has resolved to commit the crime, he experiences no hesitation about what he feels he must do.

Does that make Cyprus any better than his victim? I don’t know, but that’s part of what makes it so interesting: readers question their own morality by examining Keller’s. I still recommend this book, even to readers who aren’t big on running, for the mystery. Hensley also has a sequel, Measure Twice, in the works.

Brynn Callahan

Book Review: Blue Lily, Lily Blue

Cycling On

On October 21st, Blue Lily, Lily Blue, the third book in the The Raven Cycle Series by Maggie Stiefvater hit bookstores – and my Kindle. In the third installment of the four book series, Blue and her Raven boys continue their search for Glendower, the long-dead Welsh King.

The book begins with Blue’s mother, missing in the underground cave for three months searching for her long lost lover (Blue’s father.) She has left nothing but a cryptic note to hint at where she went or when she will be back. While waiting anxiously for her mother to return, Blue continues to work with the boys to find Glendower, hoping the entire time to find her mother as well. Adam is learning how to control his new connection to Cabeswater, the forest on the ley line that they believe will lead them to Glendower. Ronan is attempting to get rid of the man who ordered his father’s death: the man that is now the new Latin teacher at the boys’ high school. Blue and Gansey’s relationship is progressing at night through quiet phone calls and late-night drives, away from the eyes of their friends. As the story’s plot thickens, the gang finds a way through the caves. But there is much more in there than they expect.

The book is fast paced and interesting. It twists and turns with every chapter, making it extremely unpredictable. The relationships between the characters both as a group and one on one are extremely well-done. All the characters relate to each other differently while simultaneously relying on the group wholeheartedly. As Blue says, “They were all in love with one another. She was no less obsessed with them than they were with her, or one another, analyzing every conversation and gesture, drawing out every joke into a longer and longer running gag, spending each moment either with one another or thinking about when next they would be with one another.” The scenes between Blue and Gansey are filled with subtle tension that leads their relationship to a much more heart-pounding and engrossing place than was present in any of the relationships within the first two novels. Meanwhile, Adam and Ronan’s relationship is also progressing in unexpected ways.

Blue Lilly, Lilly Blue is definitely a page turner. The series seems to get better with every book and I personally can’t wait to see how it ends.

By: Caitlin Muchow

J. K. Rowling vs. Potterheads

Whose Book is it Now?

Earlier this month, J. K. Rowling, the bestselling author of the perennial favorite Harry Potter series, revealed that she regrets pairing Ron and Hermione together, to the gasp and outrage of Potterheads all over the Internet. Though Rowling acknowledged that she may be “breaking people’s hearts,” what does this collective reaction say about the greater question of ownership in creative work?

www.jkrowling.com/en_US/

After all, this isn’t the first time that new information about the characters and their relationship has come to light. In 2007, she confirmed Dumbledore’s homosexuality, never explicitly stated in the books, generally calming fans’ is-he-isn’t-he-gay furor while opening the discussion about the representation of homosexuality in the media. However, this newest interview has generated the most controversy to date because it doesn’t confirm, but completely rewrites, major plot and character arcs of the series.

In a special issue of Wonderland, a UK based pop culture magazine with a circulation of around 65,000, Emma Watson interviewed J. K. Rowling about her newest venture in the Harry Potter universe, a screenplay for the movie based off the spin-off book, "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them." In the course of the interview, they naturally discuss Watson's character in the series, which leads to speculation about Ron and Hermione's relationship as described in Deathly Hallows’ epilogue. Both women agree that Ron and Hermione were not necessarily the most compatible match, and that Hermione and Harry would have had a more equal relationship.

Book Review: The Promise of Amazing

The Promise of Amazing by Robin Constantine

**SPOILERS**

I love a good romance book. You know, a good, easy, cute book that you can escape into for a few hours that’ll make you smile. The Promise of Amazing is almost that type of book.

The Promise of Amazing is told through alternating points of view, with every other chapter belonging to either Wren Caswell or Grayson Barrett. It takes place during the characters’ junior year, where Wren and Grayson first meet. They wouldn’t have run into each other had Wren not gone to work at her family’s catering hall after being annoyed at her guidance counselor’s “no one is going to Harvard,” pep talk.

It’s a cute idea when you consider the whole opposites attract thing, but just a glance at the YA shelf will prove that there are more than enough books about the bad boy and good girl falling insta-in-love. It started out cutely, as though their romance might be a real high school dating story, but that soon changed. When a book revolves around the romance connection, it needs to be believable; I could buy it if it was a story of dating casually to see if the two fit together, but not one about falling in love at first sight.

Books into Film: Why Winter’s Tale Just Didn’t Work

Book to Movie: Winter's Tale

I recently had the opportunity to attend a pre-screening of the film Winter’s Tale prior to its release in theaters on February 14th. Winter’s Tale stars Colin Farrell, Jessica Brown Findlay, and Russell Crowe, and is based on Mark Helprin’s novel of the same name.

Helprin’s novel, published in 1985, weaves a tale about a mythic New York City at the turn of the century and a curious battle between good and evil. Described by some as a novel of magic realism, it spans two centuries and has an array of unique characters. It even has an average rating of 4.04 stars on Goodreads, and overall very positive reviews. However, I, unfortunately, did not have the chance to read the novel before I saw the film this past week.

That being said, after viewing the film, I’m glad that I didn’t read the novel first. While the trailers for Winter’s Tale seemed promising, the film did not live up to my expectations. The theater was filled with laughter for the entirety of the screening as the audience made fun of the film’s oddities, including strange lines of dialogue and awkward character interactions. I found myself focusing very hard on understanding what the film’s plot was even about, and while there were redeeming moments sprinkled throughout the film, overall Winter’s Tale felt forced.

Book Review: Swipe

Swipe by Evan Angler

Dystopian/Post-Apocalyptic books are some of my favorite, but it can be hard to come across a true dystopian novel. However, Swipe is one of them: all remnants of an old life have disappeared for a corrupt, totalitarian government.

Swipe is set in a future North America where the current country is struggling to recover after war and famine. In this society everyone gets the Mark—a symbol of citizenship—at the age of 13; this allows every citizen to reap the benefits of being a citizen. The tattoo allows citizens to do everything from getting a job to shopping. However, ever since Logan (the main character the book opens with) witnessed his sister go in for the Mark and never come back, he’s had doubts about going in for his. And when Logan befriends the new girl in town, they begin on a journey to answer all his questions.

Why Interning In Educational Publishing Is Really Important

Educational Publishing from an Intern's Perspective

This summer, I had the pleasure of interning with a great company called Publishing Solutions Group based in Woburn, MA. As I finished my freshman year at Emerson, I was at the cusp of my career; I had no experience except for the minimal work I had done for a few campus organizations and I had a lot to learn.

PSG is a full production publishing company that takes on projects involving writing, editorial work, art production and management, design, and translation. They handle assignments in educational publishing and work with sectors of companies like McDougal-Littell, Pearson, and Harcourt. It is a small company with less than fifteen full-time employees, so as an intern I was trusted with a lot of work that was important to the company. I never felt like I was just a decoration or formality as some interns at other companies may feel. 

A Magical Idea

Delusion by Laura Sullivan

**Spoilers**

When I picked up Laura L. Sullivan’s Delusion, I was genuinely excited to start it.  The book appeared to combine two of my favorite things: historical fiction and magic.  Set in World War II England, Delusion follows twin sisters and stage magicians Phil and Fee Albion as the bombs of the London Blitz send them to the safety of the England countryside.  Phil is set on continuing to help the war effort despite the reluctance of the citizens of Bittersweet.  Her twin sister Fee, always the romantic, is caught up in the ambiance of the countryside and is looking for a romance of her own.  However, when Phil discovers a castle in the countryside full of real magicians, all of the twins’ ideas of what their time in the countryside will constitute changes. 

A Dystopian Review

“Slated” by Teri Terry

Rating: 4.5/5

Genre: YA, science fiction, dystopian literature 

Teri Terry really brings the thrills in the start of this new series. In a futuristic dystopian U.K, the government has a way of dealing with young criminals: giving them a fresh start. In other words, they slate them. Kyla has recently been slated, all memories of her past life—and past crimes—have been erased. After an entirely new family adopts her, Kyla is faced with the challenge of reintegrating into society, while Lorders (the new U.K. police), her new family, and other government agents watch her closely for any signs of relapse. And as if that wasn’t enough, Kyla is also forced to wear a Levo, a bracelet connected to a chip in her brain that will stun or even kill her if her anger or violence levels rise too high. However, Kyla is not like other slateds. She has the capacity to dream; she’s simply unsure as to whether these are her real memories or merely fantasy. She is forced to face loaded questions such as, “Why are innocent people vanishing?” and, “Who are the AGT (anti-government terrorists), exactly and what do they want?” With only she and her fellow slated Ben to rely upon, Kyla begins to peel back layers upon layers of mystery, endangering her own life, and the lives of those she has come to love.

This story has several strengths, the first being it’s world building. This is one terrible future that is frighteningly plausible. Teri Terry has created a stifling and repressed dystopia that is reminiscent of George Orwell’s 1984. Simply saying the wrong thing against the new Coalition can be cause enough for disappearance. Although the exact ways in which this dystopia came about are not fully explained, they are alluded to enough to make it convincing. 

A Trip to Remember

Becoming Chloe by Catherine Ryan Hyde

***Spoilers Below***

One of my all-time favorite books is Becoming Chloe, by Catherine Ryan Hyde. I first read it a few years ago after borrowing it from a friend for the ride home from a school trip. What was supposed to be a borrowed book quickly became a you-aren't-getting-this-back-till-I-get-my-own-copy book. The book is short and simple, but it makes you stop and really look at and appreciate the world around you.

Can the Movie Match the Book?

Upcoming Adaptations

Adaptation of books into movies often cause a split amongst book fans. Some fans hate them, claiming that the movies never live up to the expectations set by the books; however, other fans love them, as they are visual representations of some of their most beloved characters and story-lines. In the remainder of 2013 alone, many of these movies are scheduled to come out.

November 8th: Great Expectations
            Based on "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens

This movie is being remade... Again. But with Helena Bonham Carter, Ralph Fiennes, Robbie Coltrane and more, it'll he sure to draw attention back to Pip's classic story.

http://www.movieinsider.com/m9846/great-expectations/#.UnQtJJm9LCQ

November 8th: The Book Thief
            Based on "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak

A Promise to Keep

Serafina's Promise

In her latest work, Serafina’s Promise, Anne E. Berg (author of ALA Best Book for Young Adults and 2010 Jefferson award winner All The Broken Pieces) has masterfully created a stunning and lyrical depiction of both the hardship and hope within the heart of one Latin American girl and her impoverished family. Written entirely in poetic verse, this work is a quick read that leaves a lasting impression.

www.goodreads.com

Serafina, a young girl in the midst of seemingly insurmountable circumstance, strives to defy her societal restrictions and become a doctor. In order to do so, she finds she must discover a way to attend a school because her family can’t afford it. Finally she finds the courage to assert herself, informing her father that she has promises to keep: a promise to a late grandfather who emphatically dubbed education the road to freedom, and to a late little brother whom had needed a doctor like the one she hoped to become. With the dream of a crisp school uniform constantly on her mind, Serafina works tirelessly to ensure the health of her household and to save enough money to attend school in the fall. With the impending arrival of a new baby brother, Serafina finds a new source of motivation, quickly achieving what her mother initially dubbed impossible. However, when disaster strikes, Serafina must learn to take hardship in stride and to fight for something that so many take for granted, the opportunity to gain an education.

This story is enriched indefinitely by Berg’s poetic writing style and its distinctly poetic structure. Each concise verse is loaded both with unflagging hope and with insightful wisdom in the face of adversity, creating an impactful emphasis on vast and important ideas in few words. A narrative abound with hope, and still strikingly realistic, this book has been expertly crafted in such a manner that I believe it may truly hold the power to offer an enduring impact on young readers.

Addressing such issues as lack of education and opportunity alongside devastating and uncontrollable natural disasters, Berg writes genuinely in the innocent voice of Serafina, and just as deftly in the sagacious riddles of her elders. Simple enough for its target audience (10-14) but still complex and filled with wisdom, Serafina’s Promise is of the rare breed that can transcend age and touch all.

By: Ellie Mitchell

Book Review: The Hynotists

The Hypnotists by Gordon Korman

Rating: 3.5/5

Genre: middle grade, fiction, supernatural

In the beginning of his new series, Gordon Korman introduces readers to a young man whose color changing eyes can make others do anything. Jackson “Jax” Opus is an ordinary twelve year old boy who learns he is a descendant of a long line of hypnotists after he accidentally hypnotizes those around him. As soon as he discovers this, Doctor Elias Mako, the head of the Sentia institute, contacts him with an invitation to join their groundbreaking research. At an institute where Jax is surrounded by mindbenders like himself, he soon discovers that everything is not as it seems. Sentia has a much darker purpose, and Jax is the key to its success. Soon, Jax has to use his power to protect himself and those he loves from people who will do anything to possess his power.

Book Review: Escape From Eden

www.goodreads.com

Escape From Eden is not your typical YA novel - and thank goodness for that. While the cover and summary may lead you to believe that you’re holding just another dystopian teen romance, from the first page Elisa Nader creates a world unlike any other currently on the market. This fast-paced thriller will take you on a page-turning ride that you won’t want to put down.

Nader grants us a strong and interesting female protagonist, Mia Eden, who gets to be her own hero by the end of the book, a feat so rare in YA literature. I spent the whole time waiting for her love interest, Gabriel, to swoop in and save the day. Escape From Eden does not fall prey to the patterns most YA books do. The premise of a religious cult sequestered in the jungles of South America is both refreshingly new and intriguing. Mia’s story is action-packed and suspenseful from the very beginning where we are introduced to a religious cult that resides in Edenton called “The Flock.”

Book Review: Inhuman

When I first started Kat Falls’s book, Inhuman, I couldn’t get the futuristic, post-apocalyptic vibe out of my head. In the book, a virus that mutates the human population into savage cannibals causes a seven hundred foot wall to be erected in order to separate the infected from the non-infected. Reminiscent of The Walking Dead and Game of Throne series, Falls takes familiar elements and makes them her own with her descriptions of two isolated societes who have been faced with the “Ferae Naturae” virus in her latest series.

Imagine a society obsessed with cleanliness: everyone is constantly sanitizing their hands, there is little physical contact to avoid germs, and kids go to school online to, well, avoid spreading those germs. Okay, that’s not too far off from the society we know now, but imagine if we became this way because a virus had turned half the population into cannibalistic human-animal hybrids. That’s the society that Delany Park McEvoy comes from on the western side of the wall. Thrown into the zone just east of the Mississippi, she aims to find her father and send him on a secret mission. We can see through her eyes what the virus has done.

Book Review: Goblins by Philip Reeve

Skarper isn’t like the other goblins. Well, he does have the same love of treasure and the tendency to steal to accumulate more treasure. But unlike others of his kind, he has intelligence and a thirst for knowledge. In Philip Reeve’s Goblins, it is this brain that gets him into trouble – very amusing, imaginative trouble.

Along with Skarper, the book focuses on Henwyn, a young man who dreams of something bigger than cheese (he is apprenticed as a cheesewright in his father’s cheesery). When Skarper is kicked out of the goblin tower - or more accurately, catapulted out- for questioning the goblin king, and Henwyn is driven out of his town after an unfortunate incident with a magical cheese monster, the two misfits find each other. And soon, adventure finds them. There is old magic awakening in the land of Clovenstone, and it could spell danger if that power falls into the wrong hands.

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants Books

Who here has read Ann Brashares’ Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series? (*Proceeds to raise hand*) The concept is really quite simple: four friends are preparing to spend their first summer apart when they discover a pair of jeans that happens to fit each of them perfectly. The friends decide to share the pants over the summer. Each time a girl mails them to the next friend, they send an accompanying letter about all of the adventures the “traveling pants” have blessed them with. This summer, three friends, Hayley, Natalie, Caroline, and I decided to do something similar and formed The Sisterhood of the Traveling Books. Each of us selected a book and wrote a letter detailing our reasons for picking it. On the tenth of each month, we rotated books, so I shipped one to Natalie who shipped one to Caroline who shipped one to Hayley who shipped one to me. At the end of each book, the reader also wrote a new letter about how the book has influenced her, just like in Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.

Realistic Fiction

Hold Fast by Blue Balliett

Langston Hughes wrote “Hold fast to dreams/For if dreams die/Life is a broken-winged bird/That cannot fly.” As one of the most influential American poets, Hughes weaves words that make the heart soar and weep simultaneously, two qualities shared with Blue Balliett’s new YA book Hold Fast. Balliett illuminates the sad but ultimately hopeful world of Chicago’s homeless shelters through the eyes of one poetry lover, eleven-year-old Early Pearl.

Early’s father, an aide at the Chicago Public Library, has disappeared under the most mysterious circumstances, leaving Early, her younger brother Jubie, and their mother Summer to fend for themselves. With no money and no clue as to the location of Dash, the Pearl family must assimilate into the claustrophobic world of the Chicago shelters. Balliett, author of the award-winning novel Chasing Vermeer, employs her trademark mystery and problem-solving in Early’s quest to deduce the location of her father through the poems of Hughes he loved to share.