Book Review: Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles

Forget Me Not is a meme created by Steph from The Thoughts of a Book Junky where slightly older but still great books are shared. This Tuesday, I am going to feature an older book that I enjoyed: Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles.

Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles
Release Date: April 1, 2007
Publisher: Flux
Pages: 303
Received: Library
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars 
Goodreads Page

Summary

A year ago Maggie was hit by a drunk driver and Caleb, the driver and Maggie’s former crush, was sent to a juvenile prison facility to pay for his crime. Maggie had hoped to be out of the country on scholarship before Caleb came home, but his early release throws them back into each other’s lives. Caleb struggles to readjust to a life filled with stigma and blame, while Maggie deals with her fears of inadequacy now that the accident has left her with a limp that has ruined her path as a tennis player. While initially trying to avoid one another, Caleb and Maggie find themselves increasingly drawn together as they open old wounds and attempt to heal.

Review

This is one of those books that while I was reading it I really loved it, but then after it settled with me I realized I didn’t like it as much as I thought I did. Ultimately, I did still really enjoy this book, but the “OMG I LOVE THIS BOOK” feeling did fade the more I thought about what I had read.

There are three main characters in the story: Maggie, Caleb, and Mrs. Reynolds. Maggie and Caleb both narrate the story (alternating chapters) and I found them both likable and sympathetic. Mrs. Reynolds is one of those too-good-to-be-true fictional characters that make me feel so good I don’t care if they’re just a little *too* perfect or convenient. Maggie and Caleb's interactions with Mrs. Reynolds are predictable (and reminded me of a bunch of other books/movies) but enjoyable to read about nonetheless.

There really are two parts to this story, the first being the romantic relationship between Caleb and Maggie and the second being how they each adjusted to the aftermath of the accident. The romantic storyline is sweet and should appeal to readers looking for one of those “perfect boy” love stories. I certainly found myself melting for Caleb.

Even though we’re shown Maggie and Caleb’s perspectives, they both sounded like Maggie’s perspective (where the relationship is concerned). What I mean by that is that Caleb’s feelings and actions about their relationship felt very much like what Maggie would wish them to be. If I were Maggie and I were to dream up the best possible Caleb actions, they would be pretty much what happened.  It didn’t seem entirely realistic, but it was satisfying like a daydream where you can make everything happen exactly as you wish they would happen (except for the whole “Show me your scars” thing, which I thought was kind of strange).

The second part is how each character dealt with the aftermath of the accident. This part had a lot of depth and emotion. If the romance is the fluff of day dreams, this part is a raw nightmare. Some parts seemed unbelievably harsh, like how the school responded to Maggie. I don’t really understand why the students would turn away from her and make fun of her for limping, especially since she had been popular. Wouldn’t people rally around her as an innocent victim? Wouldn’t they support her? Instead they shun her and mock her, which I found a little confusing.

Other parts were completely believable, particularly the way Caleb’s family reacted. This part was harsh and cruel, but also very realistic. His parents’ reactions were terrible and made me really feel for Caleb. I despised his ex-girlfriend and the callous way she treated him. I am glad Simone Elkeles didn’t shy away from these nastier sides of humanity. She could have taken the easy way out by having his parents shun him on moral grounds (driving drunk). Instead she confronted the issue by showing his parents disintegrate over petty but very realistic fears of appearances and simply not knowing how to deal with their child driving drunk and the ramifications of that act. I hated his parents for the way they behaved, but I also understood and pitied them.

There is a twist toward the end that makes Caleb much easier to like, but I think cheapened the story a little. On one hand I appreciate that it is there because it improves Caleb, but on the other I wish she hadn’t taken what seems to me to be an easy out. The open ending allows for a sequel (Return to Paradise) but the book does stand well on its own and doesn’t really require a sequel. Even with my complaints, I am happy I read this one and I do recommend it. 

 Explanation of rating system: Star Rating Key 


You may want to consider Leaving Paradise  if you are participating in: 

• Old World Reading Challenge hosted by Splash of Our Worlds and My Love Affair with Books

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Book Review: The Luxe by Anna Godbersen

Forget Me Not is a meme created by Steph from The Thoughts of a Book Junky where slightly older but still great books are shared. This Tuesday, I am going to feature an older book that, while I didn't love, I think it still deserves mention: The Luxe by Anna Godbersen.

The Luxe by Anna Godbersen
Release Date: November 19, 2007
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pages: 433
Received: Library
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars 
Author's Page
Amazon Page 
Goodreads Page

When you're done reading the review, come gush with me over this beautiful cover in my cover review. 

Summary

The year is 1899 and society is mourning the death of the beautiful Elizabeth Holland as a result of a freak carriage accident that lead to her drowning. The events of the story rewind to a month earlier and readers follow the lives and lies of Elizabeth, her secret beau, her fiance, her sister, her maid, and her backstabbing best friend. Readers are quickly swept up in the gossip and glitz, but uncovered secrets reveal that Elizabeth's carriage accident may not have been an accident at all.

Review

A mysterious death, an upstairs-downstairs affair, a marriage of convenience, a scheming social climber, a jealous maid, and a man in love with his fiancée's sister make up the sordid plot of The Luxe, the first in a four-book series about Manhattan's wealthiest families. While it may sound like a lot is going on, I found the 400+ pages to be surprisingly dull. Thinking back, the plot can be summarized quickly and so I'm not quite sure what was filling all those pages.

The book is covered with quotes and references to both Edith Wharton and Gossip Girl. Both of these influences are apparent in the book, but sometimes they're a little too apparent. If you are familiar with either the Gossip Girl book series or television show, then you'll definitely recognize Blair, Serena, Nate, Chuck, and Jenny in their Luxe counterparts. I enjoy the GG books and television show for what they are, and I was a little irritated to see it cribbed so closely here.

On the other hand, I was also disappointed that this book lacked the glitz and snappy speculation of Gossip Girl. There was gossip and glamor, but the gossip wasn't as biting or juicy as I was hoping and the glamor didn't live up to the cover. Part of the fun of reading about wealthy people is that you can immerse yourself in their rich lifestyle, but I had trouble feeling like I was actually there. I looked at that dress on the cover and I hoped reading the book would make that dress come alive, but it didn't really. The lack of glamor in the main character's life also weakened this aspect.

The characters felt simply drawn and I didn't really like or care about any of them. For me, they also suffered in comparison to their GG equivalents, feeling like pale imitations. I figured out the climatic "big reveal" in the opening chapter, which made the rest of the book frustrating to read. I also didn't really feel like I was learning anything about the historical time period, though this would be a benefit for people who want to read a gossip novel set in that time period but don't really like heavy historical fiction.

Overall, I didn't really enjoy this book, but I didn't dislike it either. It was ok. My biggest complaint really is just that I was bored. If I hadn't figured out the climax in the first pages, then I probably would have enjoyed this book more. As it is, I don't think I'll be reading the rest of the books in the series. It's not that I think they'll be bad, it's just that I have other books to read that I think I'd enjoy more. In comparison, my sister loved this book and sped through the whole series in a few days. So what do I know?

 Explanation of rating system: Star Rating Key 


You may want to consider The Luxe if you are participating in one of the following challenges: 

• YA Series Challenge hosted by Stalking the Bookshelves and I Eat Words
• 350 Page Books Challenge hosted by What's Your Story
• YA Historical Fiction Challenge hosted by YA Bliss
• Old World Reading Challenge hosted by Splash of Our Worlds and My Love Affair with Books
• Wish I'd Read That Challenge hosted by My Love Affair with Books
  

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Book Review: The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall

The Penderwicks, by Jeanne Birdsall
Release Date: August 15, 2004
Publisher: Yearling
Pages: 272
Received: Bought
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars 
Author's Page
Amazon Page 
Goodreads Page

Summary

Widowed Mr. Penderwick takes his four daughters on a vacation to stay in the guesthouse of a posh mansion owned by the snooty Mrs. Tifton. Sisters Rosalind, Skye, Jane, and Batty (ages 12 to 4) engage in humorous hijinks with the help of Mrs. Tifton's very interesting son Jeffrey, two rabbits, a cute gardener, and the family dog Hound.

Review

I so completely love this book. If Anne of Green Gables and Little Women met, had a baby, and sent it to live in modern times the result would be this book. I adore every single thing about this book. Have you ever watched a show like Full House where you might snicker a little over how corny it is, but secretly you wish that could be your life? Maybe it's just me, but when I watched that show I wished I could live there with a dad who always knew the exact right thing to say to make me feel better, a family who loved me unconditionally, and sisters who were my very best friends. There was just so much love (cue the emotional music)!

This book is like that. The warmth and loving guidance of Danny Tanner or Marmee March are perfectly captured in Mr. Penderwick. The bond of sisterhood is alive and strong with Rosalind, Skye, Jane, and Batty. And, just like the March girls, I can't decide which Penderwick sister I like the best. Each is endearing and relatable in unique ways. They all wear their hopes, fears, and feelings on their sleeves, and I found myself able to relate to each sister and remember when I too went through my first unrequited love, my first realization that boys could be more than icky, my attempts at creativity, and my imaginative play.

While the Penderwick girls remind me strongly of Little Women they don't ever feel like cheap ripoffs. Instead, they feel like reincarnations, fully alive, similar, yet distinct. This doesn't feel at all like cribbing from a classic. It feels like going home.

The plot is equally engaging, though certainly bolstered by the strength of the characters. Each scene reads like a perfect gem. Hilarious, touching, endearing, and heartbreakingly real, I treasured every event I read. The plot may sound simplistic, but believe me when I say I was entertained throughout. I laughed my way through and never once was I bored or felt the story lagged. On the contrary, when I turned the last page I immediately went online to see if there was a sequel. And there is! There are five books planned with two published and one on its way in the summer of 2011, though each can be read as a standalone.

This is a middle grade book recommended for ages 9-12. While it is certainly appropriate for that age group (my library kids love it), it is equally enjoyable for YAs and adults. There is a timeless and ageless quality to this book. The Penderwicks won the National Book Award and it is well deserving. I wouldn't be surprised at all to see this one considered a classic in years to come.

 Explanation of rating system: Star Rating Key 

Looking for more endearing escapades? You might like: 

The Education of Bet, by Lauren Baratz-Logsted
The Ugly Princess and the Wise Fool, by Margaret Gray

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Book Review: The Two Princesses of Bamarre by Gail Carson Levine

The Two Princesses of Bamarre, by Gail Carson Levine

Release Date: March 20, 2001
Publisher: HarperCollins

Pages: 256

Received: Bought
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars 

Author's Page
Amazon Page 

Goodreads Page

Summary

All their lives, sisters Meryl and Addie have played at saving their people from the specters, ogres, dragons, gryphons, and the mysterious Gray Death that plague their cowardly father's kingdom. Brave Meryl always played the hero, while shy and cowardly Addie always took the part of the damsel in distress. Both sisters were comfortable in their roles and never questioned their futures, until Meryl falls ill with the deadly Gray Death. Always following a specific progression, and always ending in death, Addie knows exactly how many days her sister has left before she succumbs to the illness. Empowered by a prophecy that claimed the Gray Death would be vanquished when "Cowards find courage," Addie battles her fears and, racing against time, she sets out to find a cure to save her sister.

Supplied with a cloak that helps the wearer blend into the shadows (but it doesn't work on dragons and specters), a table cloth that provides an endless supply of food, seven league boots, a spyglass that allows the viewer to see over long distances and through walls, and an elfin herb that provides strength and dampens pain, Addie finds she must rely upon her own ingenuity if she is to find a cure and make it back to the castle alive. A handsome wizard provides sporadic moral support and an invisible stranger lends an occasional helping hand, but this is not a story where the hero triumphs with the help of a gaggle of friends. Instead, Addie is pretty much on her own and she must learn to find strength, courage, and ability within herself instead of always relying on others.

Review

I've heard nothing but fantastic things about Gail Carson Levine, but for some reason I had it in my head that she wrote "simple" stories. Maybe they were good, but I just wasn’t expecting all that much from them. My only exposure had been watching the movie Ella Enchanted (cute, but nothing amazing) and one of her fairy short stories (again, cute, but forgettable). Granted, not a fair account, but that’s where I was. I had picked up this copy at a garage sale and finally decided to read it (fully expecting to give it away when I was finished). Let me just say, I was so wrong about Gail Carson Levine!

Addie was such a good character. She was meek and the exact type of person the phrase “Scared of her own shadow” would apply to. She always lived in the shadow of her bold sister, and she was perfectly happy to stay there. I, like Addie, was always content to stay in the background while my friends took center stage. Because of this, I felt an instant connection with Addie.

While much of the plot was predictable and neatly tied together, the story didn't feel stale or boring at all. It is obvious from the outset that Addie will find courage, but her progression from timid coward to capable woman is paced well and enjoyable to read. I appreciated that Levine had Addie find courage in her own way. She never became a daring swordswoman charging into battle like her sister, but she instead found confidence in her own strengths and abilities. This made for a nice “Stay true to yourself” message without being overly preachy.

The quality of world building in this story surprised me, in a good way. The specters added a level of fear and interest that was different from the norm. They could appear as anyone, and so they often tried to trick the characters by pretending to be benign people. This concept was creepy, and the puzzle that presented in having to figure out who was real and who was a specter made for some fun scenes.

Often dragons are written pretty similar to human characters with very human-like personalities. This dragon wasn't very human at all. Though she possessed some human-like traits, overall her way of thinking was definitely different. She wasn't a villain, but she wasn't good either. She was a complex character older tweens and teens will probably appreciate.

The objects Addie has with her on her journey allowed for even more inventive scenes. Reading about and trying to guess how she should best use these resources was fun. The epic poem about the hero Drualt woven throughout the story also added a layer of depth to the world and was a nice way for the author to foreshadow events.

The ending was not my ideal, but it worked. I wasn't expecting to like this story as much as I did, but it was a fun, nice read and I was pleasantly surprised. This should be a hit among tween girls, and would make for a great recommendation to girls who are a little shy or insecure. While not a tween, I still enjoyed this story very much.

 Explanation of rating system: Star Rating Key 

Looking for something similar? You might like: 
The Wide-Awake Princess, by E. D. Baker

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Book Review: The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi

The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, by Avi
Release Date: 1990
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pages: 215
Received: Bought
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars 
Author's Page
Amazon Page
Goodreads page
 

Summary:

The year is 1832 and thirteen year old Charlotte Doyle finds herself aboard a ship bound to take her from her school in England to her home in America. Charlotte is a proper young lady, bred to be dainty and prim. She is therefore horrified to find that the family who are supposed to serve as her companions on her voyage will not be accompanying her and she will instead be left alone on a ship full of coarse sailors. What ensues, however, goes beyond any of Charlotte’s wildest dreams as she finds herself caught up in mutiny, murder, and mayhem. A kindly stowaway and a truly depraved captain add depth to this swashbuckling adventure.

Review:

I first read this story when I was in late elementary school. I read it again when I was in middle school. And again when I was in high school. Then again when I was in college. And many times since then. Each time I return to Charlotte, the experience is just as good as the last.

Charlotte herself is a wonderful character. She narrates the story, and so her personality shines through every page. What we see is a strong and admirable young girl with a heart of gold. Charlotte is exactly the type of friend I would love to have: loyal, kind, hard working, tenacious, inquisitive, and with just enough spunk to make her endearingly fun.  The decision she makes in the end always has me cheering.

As a narrator, her voice is captivating, keeping tension and excitement high. The way she describes her experiences make them come alive: I feel like I’m right there next to her on board the rolling ship with the salt water spraying my face and the sea winds tossing my hair. I can smell what she smells, hear what she hears, and feel what she feels. I am fully transported into Charlotte’s world.

The plot is equally fantastic. This book is an example of a story that is well-plotted and complex enough to enthrall adult readers while still remaining accessible and interesting to younger tweens.  The pacing is fast and engaging, always causing me to fly through the pages to find out what happens next (even though, by this point, I well know what happens).  The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle is simply a perfect example of good storytelling, and this quality transcends the bounds of age levels. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if in the future this book is referred to as a classic.

The historical fiction parts are detailed enough that you feel like you are learning something about the time period and setting, but not so detailed that you feel swamped by historical details. Likewise, the characters don’t feel awkwardly modern and out of place, but they are modern enough that readers can easily relate to them.

I have a book shelf that I refer to as “The Special Shelf,” which contains copies of my most treasured books. The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle sits prominently on that shelf. The cover above is the newer cover, which I think makes the book look a lot more grown up. I wouldn’t feel embarrassed at all if some scholarly adult happened to catch me reading it. The cover to the right, however, is a little more embarrassing. It definitely looks like a book for a younger audience, while also funnily enough channeling just a hint of “romance cover” with Charlotte’s wind-tossed tresses. Despite all that, this is the cover on my well-loved edition and that girl will always be Charlotte to me.

Explanation of rating system: Star Rating Key   Tweet

Book Review: Assassin by Lady Grace Cavendish (Patricia Finney)

Assassin (The Grace Mysteries #1), by Lady Grace Cavendish, aka Patricia Finney
Release Date: September 28, 2004
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Pages: 194
Received: Library book
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Amazon Page
 

Summary:

Serving as a lady's maid for Queen Elizabeth I, Lady Grace is grudgingly faced with the task of choosing a husband out of three possible candidates selected by the Queen. The seemingly simple task is complicated when one of Grace's suitors is found murdered, another suitor is suspected, and her third suitor begins behaving in ways most strange. With the implicit permission of the Queen, Grace joins forces with a maid and a jester and sets out to solve the mysteries surrounding her suitors.

Review:

While this is the first book in a series, the story is complete and can easily be read as a standalone. Told in diary entries, the reader gets to know Grace well. Spunky and clever, Grace is sweet and interesting enough to engage older teens, but her emotional dilemmas will also resonate with younger readers. While everything comes together perhaps a little too neatly in the end, the mystery is sufficiently interesting (if not overly suspenseful) and the characters are engaging enough to overlook the saccharine ending.

A glossary of terms will help younger readers learn about objects, customs, events, and sayings of the time without dragging down the story with distracting historical explanations. While educative in this regard, the behavior of the characters is more modern, making the book less historically accurate, but probably more interesting for modern young readers. This is a good pick for pre-teens, some teens, and classroom shelves. I will probably pick up the series again at some point, but I'm not in a rush. The new cover for the bind up edition (books one and two) is pretty and seems aimed to attract a teen audience (whereas the old cover seems pretty clearly tween).

Explanation of rating system: Star Rating Key   Tweet

The Ugly Princess and the Wise Fool by Margaret Gray

The Ugly Princess and the Wise Fool, by Margaret Gray
Release Date: October 1, 2002
Publisher: Henry Holt and co.
Pages: 176
Received: Library book
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Amazon Page
 

Summary:

Everyone knows that the third and youngest princess is the most beautiful, so you can imagine the surprise of the kingdom of Couscous when the third princess Rose turns out, well, rather ugly. Rose and the kingdom adjust to this anomaly, but when a strikingly handsome prince comes looking for a beautiful princess to fall in love with, Rose begs her fairy godmother for beauty. Her distracted godmother complies and the wish goes predictably awry. Apparently, you can't just wish wishes away (the fairy godmother council frowns upon such things), but there are quests and such to help undo unwanted wishes. Helping her along the way is a charming and funny wise man in disguise (the king outlawed wise men, they made him nervous). 

Review:

I adore this author! I hope she writes more, and SOON! The Ugly Princess and the Wise Fool is an absolutely hilarious fractured fairy tale. Margaret Gray pokes fun at all kinds of fairy tale stereotypes and common occurrences in a way that is just laugh out loud funny. What I also really appreciated is that, while she is poking fun at fairy tale conventions, she isn't doing it with malice. Instead, all of her fun is good-natured ribbing.

The lessons she includes are sweet and unobtrusive. They're good, easy to digest, and don't beat you over the head with morality. I find that stories for tweens are sometimes a little too obvious and pedantic for adults to really enjoy. This isn't the case at all here. There also isn't just one moral in this story. There are several, and each is deftly handled so the point hits home but doesn't feel at all tiresome. I'm far outside the target age group, but I still loved the story and found value in the messages.

There is a laugh to be had on almost every page (actually, I think this is probably one of the funniest books I've read), but the story's moral makes this more than just a funny book. While perfectly suitable for tweens, young adults and adults can find much to like here. I highly, highly recommend this book to all ages.

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