Farewell!

Dear readers,

You may have noticed that I haven’t posted anything in the last little while, and that is because I have been adjusting to a decision I have made about the future of The Crescive Library.

Unfortunately at this time I do not feel that there is any reason to continue with blogging in the way that I have been for the past two years. It has got to the point where it was causing me more stress than enjoyment (I’m sure you’ve all felt that).  I still love reading and reviewing, but I can do that on Goodreads without the stress that comes along with maintaining a blog like this. I miss reading for the sake of pleasure and not to ensure I have something to post the following week.

It’s bittersweet, but it’s time to say goodbye. I’m sure you can understand.

I have activated my Goodreads account and I will still be posting reviews there. You can friend me if you want  (Katie (The Crescive Library)

Thanks for reading my blog. It has been a pleasure.

Sincerely,

Katie

Bloodlines

Bloodlines

By Richelle Mead

2011

421 pages

Book 1

Summary: Just when alchemist Sydney thinks life is going to settle down, she’s sent into hiding to protect Moroi princess Jill. While Sydney isn’t thrilled with the idea of rooming once again with a vampire, at least it will protect her sister from being forced to join the alchemist society. She’s also not going alone, Eddie, Jill’s guardian will be protecting her, and the charismatic wild boy Adrian will be going along as well. Not only is Sydney stuck with a bunch of vampires in a place that doesn’t know vampires exist, but there is no way to tell where the danger is going to come from and who the enemy really is.

Review: Those who love the Vampire Academy series can rest assured that Mead is capable of creating a spin off series to love. Her fast paced and blunt writing style prevails, making a smooth transition for readers into the new series. By doing the story from Sydney’s perspective, readers are given an outsider’s view of the world they’ve come to love. Sydney is a much more compelling character this time around. Not only is she dark and witty which is fun to read, but as she is once again brought into the Moroi world she must struggle between her feelings and what she’s been raised to believe. It’s also great to have Jill and Eddie back. Of course fans of the series who loved Adrian will absolutely love Bloodlines. Not only does his character take a more central role, but readers get to see that there is more to Adrian than meets the eye. A great start to a new series, one that proves it can hold it’s own against the beloved Vampire Academy.

Also by Richelle Mead: Vampire Academy series

If you liked Bloodlines, you might also like The VampireAcademy, The Darkest Powers series by Kelley Armstrong, Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins, A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray, Evernight by Claudia Gray and Blue Bloods by Melissa De la Cruz

Additional Info: The second book in the series The Golden Lily is set to come out next summer

Check out the Bloodlines website to find out what power you have (Bloodlines tattoo), it’s pretty cool. http://www.bloodlinesseries.com/

Author website: http://www.richellemead.com/

Rating:

Writing: 4/4

Characters: 4/4

Plot: 4/4

Originality 4/4

Popularity: 4/4

Cover: 3/4

Grade Level: high J or S

(And in case you were wondering I liked is as much, if not more than Vampire Academy...I’m really excited about this series)

Adult Fiction for Teens

While I primarily read YA fiction these days I do enjoy some adult fiction every once in a while. This feature looks at some of the adult fiction I am reading and examines its appeal for those who prefer Young Adult literature.

Handle with Care by Jodi Picoult

Every expectant parent will tell you that they don't want a perfect baby, just a healthy one. Charlotte and Sean O'Keefe would have asked for a healthy baby, too, if they'd been given the choice. Instead, their lives are made up of sleepless nights, mounting bills, the pitying stares of "luckier" parents, and maybe worst of all, the what-ifs. What if their child had been born healthy? But it's all worth it because Willow is, well, funny as it seems, perfect. She's smart as a whip, on her way to being as pretty as her mother, kind, brave, and for a five-year-old an unexpectedly deep source of wisdom. Willow is Willow, in sickness and in health.


Everything changes, though, after a series of events forces Charlotte and her husband to confront the most serious what-ifs of all. What if Charlotte should have known earlier of Willow's illness? What if things could have been different? What if their beloved Willow had never been born? To do Willow justice, Charlotte must ask herself these questions and one more. What constitutes a valuable life?


Handle with Care is a great fit for teens who read issue fiction or enjoyed the movie adaptation of Picoult’s other novel My Sister’s Keeper. Told in alternate narratives, this story is quick and easy to read. It tackles difficult and interesting topics such as family relationships, fitting in, bulimia and cutting. It also has the element of Willow’s illness, which might be appealing to teens wanting to branch out from typical issue fiction. Teens interested in adult legal fiction will also find this book compelling.

YA Connection: Willow by Julia Hoban

Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation website

Coming Soon to a Library Near You

Coming Soon to a Library Near You is a weekly feature inspired by Jill at Breaking the Spine that looks at upcoming books.

This Week’s Book: Cross My Heart
Author: Sasha Gould
Release Date: March 2012
Summary: Venice, 1585.

When 16-year-old Laura della Scala learns that her older sister, Beatrice, has drowned, she is given no time to grieve. Instead, Laura's father removes her from the convent where he forcibly sent her years earlier and orders her to marry Beatrice's fiancé, a repulsive old merchant named Vincenzo. Panicked, Laura betrays a powerful man to earn her way into the Segreta, a shadowy society of women who deal in only one currency—secrets. The Segreta seems like the answer to Laura's prayers. The day after she joins their ranks, Vincenzo is publicly humiliated and conveniently exiled. Soon, however, Laura begins to suspect that her sister's death was not a tragic accident but a cold-blooded murder—one that might involve the Segreta and the women she has come to trust.

Not only does this sound incredibly interesting, but that cover has got to be my favourite YA cover!!!

Twisted

While I was on my trip I became seriously addicted to the Pretty Little Liars series. Since the books are very similar in plot, writing style, etc., I’ve decided to do mini reviews so I’m not repeating myself as much. For a full review, check out my review here.

Twisted

By Sara Shepard

2011

320 Pages

Book 9

Summary: It’s been a year since the torturous notes from A stopped and the mystery of Alison DiLaurentis’ disappearance was finally put to rest. Aria is jealous of her boyfriend’s new exchange student. Spencer is getting a little too cozy with her soon-to-be-stepbrother. Hanna is one scandalous photo away from ruining her dad’s Senate campaign. And Emily will do anything to get a swim scholarship. Worst of all: Last spring break in Jamaica, they did something unforgivable. The girls are desperate to forget that fateful night, but they should know better than anyone that all secrets wash ashore . . . eventually.


Review: While I’m happy that the series continued, this is my least favourite book. The 8^th book did feel like a good conclusion, and I’m a little worried that the storyline is starting to drag on.  Also, Emily’s secret didn’t really fit with the flow of the plot and just seemed like a weird add on. However, that’s not to say that the book wasn’t good. The rest of the girls had interesting storylines, which is what I liked about the beginning of the series…plus there are quite a few plot twists to keep readers guessing….who is the new A and what are the girls going to do about Tabitha?


Rating: 2.5/4

Wanderlove

Wanderlove

By Kristen Hubbard

March 2012

e-galley

Summary: It all started with a question, Are you a Global Vagabond? 18 year-old Bria definitely isn’t, but she wants to be. So she decides to book a trip to Central America with the hope of gaining some independence and leaving behind the mess her life has become. But when she arrives her bus tour is full of old middle age tourists, not the youthful beautiful people on the brochure –not what she was expecting. So when beautiful backpacker and definite global vagabond Rowan invites her to join him off the beaten path, Bria takes the chance to live bravely for once in her life.

Review: Wanderlove is the perfect travel novel. It has beautiful landscapes, exotic locations, adventure and romance. Hubbard does a great job setting up the novel and introducing readers to the world of backpacking. Bria is awkward and in some ways plain, which makes her completely relatable. Through her reluctance and sometimes hilarious mishaps, the backpacking aspect becomes more accessible to readers. The relationship between Rowan and Bria was slow and sweet to develop, and was written well enough to stand on it’s own outside of the unique landscape of the book. However, it is the landscape and sense of adventure that will provide readers with a type of escapism not commonly found in YA literature. The drawings done by Bria (i.e. Kristen) also add an extra dimension to the novel, making this well rounded book an absolute delight to read.

Also by Kristen Hubbard: Like Mandarin

If you liked Wanderlove, you might also enjoy: Amy andRoger’s Epic Detour by Morgan Matson or Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

Non Fiction Connection: Let’s Go Central America: TheStudent Travel Guide

Author website: http://kirstenhubbard.com/

Rating:

Writing: 4/4

Characters: 4/4

Plot: 3/4

Originality: 4/4

Cover: 3.5/4

Grade Level: S

Book Blogger Hop

Time for the Blogger Hop from Crazy for Books

What a great idea! I love following readers blogs almost more than I like blogging myself. What a great way to get out there and meet new people who share the same interests as you.

This week’s question: What is your favourite spooky book?

As an adult I don’t read books that would scare me, because frankly I am a wimp. However, when I was a kid I was really all things scary and creepy. I loved the Goosebumps books and the show Are You Afraid of the Dark. However, my favourite book was Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz. We would read it out loud to each other during sleepovers and be totally freaked out. I still smile every time I pass it in the library.

Here is a great list of scary stories for kids.