Interrupted

Author: Rachel Coker

Series: None

Genre: Young Adult/Fiction/Christian

Can love really heal all things?

If Sam Carroll hadn’t shown up, she might have been able to get to her mother in time. Instead, Allie Everly finds herself at a funeral, mourning the loss of her beloved mother. She is dealt another blow when, a few hours later, she is sent from Tennessee to Maine to become the daughter of Miss Beatrice Lovell, a prim woman with a faith Allie cannot accept. Poetry and letters written to her mother become the only things keeping Allie’s heart from hardening completely.

But then Sam arrives for the summer, and with him comes many confusing emotions, both toward him and the people around her. As World War II looms, Allie will be forced to decide whether hanging on to the past is worth losing her chance to be loved.

I was excited to read this debut novel from teenaged author Rachel Coker. It had many things going for it – a gorgeous cover, Emily Dickenson poems at the beginning of each chapter, it’s about a writer, etc. – so needless to say, I enjoyed the book. It was the little touches that made it for me.

Allie, at the beginning, is not entirely likeable. (Then again, neither is my main character Sienna).  She never really ‘resonated’ with me – it seemed a bit strange how she could be so completely pushy and hardened throughout the course of about six years. She didn’t seem to change at all from section 1 to section 2, so it surprised me quite a bit when the jump was made.

However -

Sam. I love Sam. Can I say that again? I really, really loved Sam. He’s just so… loveable. I also loved the prose of the book; the writing was very well done and the scenes in the library or on the beach were very vivid in my mind.

Also, there was no ‘objectionable content.’ No cursing, no sexual content – all around a clean, unique, enjoyable book.

It was a quicker read than I thought it would be, and while it had its flaws (it is a first novel, after all) I think it is a beautiful entrance into what I hope is a very prollific writing career. Congratulations, Rachel! I can’t wait to see more of your work!

Stars: 3.5 out of 5

Ages: 12+

Want to see an interview with Rachel, curtosy of NovelTeen? Go HERE!

Tags: Christian, fiction, Novelteen, young adult

Halflings

Author: Heather Burch

Genre: Young Adult/Christian/Fiction/Romance/Paranormal

After being inexplicably targeted by an evil intent on harming her at any cost, seventeen-year-old Nikki finds herself under the watchful guardianship of three mysterious young men who call themselves halflings. Sworn to defend her, misfits Mace, Raven, and Vine battle to keep Nikki safe while hiding their deepest secret—and the wings that come with. A growing attraction between Nikki and two of her protectors presents a whole other danger. While she risks a broken heart, Mace and Raven could lose everything, including their souls. As the mysteries behind the boys’ powers, as well as her role in a scientist’s dark plan, unfold, Nikki is faced with choices that will affect the future of an entire race of heavenly beings, as well as the precarious equilibrium of the earthly world.

 

Positive Elements: Pro-God/Christian and anti Satan/demons, obviously, this book focuses on half human/half anges known as Halflings. You have a few spiritual complications right there, but nothing too serious. The Halflings’ job is to protect Nikki, which they do to the best of their ability. There is a strong bond between them, even whey they annoy each other.

 

Negative Elements: No swearing. No sex – but a fair amount of sexual tension. Raven is a Halfling who appears to be ‘turning to the dark side,’ and who ‘falls in love’ with Nikki and does his best to seduce her. It’s also known he plays around with girls and ‘has as much fun as possible’ while doing his job. Hell hounds and dark halflings prey on Nikki. There is some violence, a lab explodes killing scientists.

 

Summary: The minute I read the description, I had doubts about the book. Paranormal Romance has long irritated me, and it didn’t start with Twilight. The whole idea of angels (or half-angels) falling in love and fighting over a human girl… yeah. I wasn’t impressed with the book. It wasn’t written badly – in fact, the writing style was nice and kept me turning pages. But at the end, I felt more like I’d wasted time. I know NO author wants to hear this, and I happen to like Heather a lot. But to me, the book seemed to scream “Christian Twilight! Christian ‘Hush, Hush’! Read me!” I can’t stand cliches, and this book really was one. Now, I did totally fall in love with Vine. The youngest halfling is adorable and sweet and oh-he’s-just-the-cutest-thing-I-want-him-for-a-friend. Mace and Raven, however, didn’t impress me. I don’t like paranormal love triangles 99 percent of the time, and this was not the other 1 percent. It felt like the book was trying too hard to be the aformentioned Christian Twilight, and the ‘Christian’ part of it seemed pretty small. Over all, my opinion was that the book was unoriginal and trying too hard to cater to what a lot of teens some to want.

I think Heather has talent. I didn’t completely dislike the book, and I think as an author Heather could write some awesome, awesome stuff – but Halflings didn’t make it.

Ages: 16+

2 out of 5 stars

 

 

- Readers can download a free ebook prequel here: http://tinyurl.com/6tosslq

 

For more info, check out these sites –

http://halflings.ning.com/ is a great website where readers can learn more about Heather’s book.

- Readers can download a free ebook prequel here: http://tinyurl.com/6tosslq

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Team Novel Teen is a group of bloggers dedicated to spreading the word about clean teen fiction. Check out other posts about Halflings by Heather Burch by clicking on the links above, and check out www.NovelTeen.com for more information about Team Novel Teen.

 

Tags: Christian, fantasy, paranormal, romance, young adult

The Wishing Pearl

 

Sixteen-year-old Olivia Mansfield dreams of a land far, far away. . .

A land far away from her stepfather’s abuse and torment.

A land far away from her mother’s blind eye.

A land far away from the haunting memories of her past.

But then reality sets in, and Olivia knows she must make the best of her dire situation—at least until her high-school graduation. But when poor choices lead Olivia to the brink of a complete breakdown and she finds herself dealing with the unexpected death of her best friend, she comes to a crossroads. Will Olivia find the path to ultimate hope and healing that her heart longs for? Or will the demons from her past prove too much to bear?

Positive Content: Being a Christian book, ‘The Wishing Pearl’ is full of Christian values. Overcoming hard pasts, working out difficult relationships, living a godly life as opposed to squandering it on alcohol, drugs, and bad company. Olivia’s attitude has a definite change; because no matter how hard she fights God, she realizes He is always there for her. She and several friends from Diamond Estates do their best to help and encourage each other. As a side note,  balanced meals, exercise, prayer and time with God are all promoted as essential to healthy living.

Negative Content: While I wouldn’t call it ‘negative content,’ so much as ‘mature content,’ Olivia’s stepfather has abused her sexually (though this is tactfully dealt with) many times since her mother married him. During the darkest time of her life, she has a rotten attitude, hangs out with the wrong crow, does alcohol and drugs, and goes to jail. At Diamond Estates, one girl stuffers from bulimia, another girl is a prostitute. Abortions are mentioned. (Mind you, these are things that God can fix, as is shown in the novel. These are troubled teens, and their help comes from God).

Summary: This was a good book. While it wasn’t the best I’ve ever read, it was engaging and promoted Christian values. The voices were true, and I wanted to know how it ended. I’d also be up for reading more in the Diamond Estates series when they become available.

Ages: Mature 16+

3.5 out of 5 stars

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Team Novel Teen is a group of bloggers dedicated to spreading the word about clean teen fiction. Check out other posts about The Wishing Pearl by Nicole O’Dell by clicking on the links above, and check out www.NovelTeen.com for more information about Team Novel Teen.

Tags: Christian, fiction, young adult

Paper Towns

Author: John Green

Genre: YA/Fiction

Series: None

When Margo Roth Spiegelman beckons Quentin Jacobsen in the middle of the night—dressed like a ninja and plotting an ingenious campaign of revenge—he follows her. Margo’s always planned extravagantly, and, until now, she’s always planned solo. After a lifetime of loving Margo from afar, things are finally looking up for Q . . . until day breaks and she has vanished. Always an enigma, Margo has now become a mystery. But there are clues. And they’re for Q.

Summary: It’s rare I’m harsh on a book. It honestly is. But I’m going to be pretty harsh.

This book was awful.

Now, the story idea was fantastic. It could have been amazing. But there was an abundance of language, crudeness, and worldliness around teens that made a book that could have been good – awful.

So my advice is?

Don’t read it.

Tags: fiction, ya

Entwined

Author: Heather Dixon

Genre: Young Adult/Fantasy/Fiction/Rewritten Fairytale

Series: None

Azalea is trapped. Just when she should feel that everything is before her . . . beautiful gowns, dashing suitors, balls filled with dancing . . . it’s taken away. All of it.

The Keeper understands. He’s trapped, too, held for centuries within the walls of the palace. And so he extends an invitation.

Every night, Azalea and her eleven sisters may step through the enchanted passage in their room to dance in his silver forest.

But there is a cost.

The Keeper likes to keep things.

Azalea may not realize how tangled she is in his web until it is too late.

Positive Content: Though burdened with the job of keeping the castle running, Azalea does her best to be a good sister to her ten younger sisters and keep her promise to her mother. She wants to do what’s right for everyone else. The sisters, though they can irritate and annoy each other, love each other very much. The King loves his daughters – and deceased wife – very much, and wants to keep them protected. Several characters protect others and go out of the way to be kind.

Negative Content: It is said that the first High King D’Eathe went mad with magic and tormented people in awful ways; even going so far as to trap their souls. (This is never confirmed). The sisters disobey their father and even go so far as to say they hate him (this is later rectified and put to rights, however). The sisters swear on silver (magic) when they promise to tell no one about a newly-discovered secret room where they can dance to their heart’s content, and this causes problems later on.

Summary: I loved this book. LOVED. I could relate to Azalea, and the sisters – as well as a certain lord Teddie Haftenravenscher, provided humor and laughs. It is easily – but well – written and an original take on the Twelve Dancing Princesses. The cover was candy to the eye – and I enjoyed the book so much that I’m reading it aloud to my younger sister. This is not a PERFECT book (Azalea curls her toes inside her shoes every other page or so) but my complaints are small and my praises loud. Huzzah!

Ages: 15+

5 out of 5 stars

Tags: fantasy, favorites, rewritten fairytale, young adult

The Gammage Cup

Author: Carol Kendall

Genre: Children/Fantasy/Fiction

Series: The Minnipins #1

The Minnipins have lost their past. And not only that, they’ve lost their heroes, individuality, and ability to think for themselves! Nobody realizes this, of course – nobody except Walter the Earl, the poet Gummy, the eccentric Curly Green, and the simple – but highly effective – Muggles, who even dares to wear an orange sash for everyday. They know something is coming over the mountains, but nobody will believe them. So these tiny heroes set out to do the unthinkable – and save their fellow Minnipins.

I”m not going to bother with a ‘positive content, negative content, etc.’ format here, because there is no negative content to be found in this book.  Heroism, doing what’s right even if it means dire consequences, perserverance, and friendship are the major themes in this adorable, humorous, adventurous book. It was completely clean, totally charming, and I can’t wait to read the second book in the series, “The Whisper of the Glocken.” I was wondering what all the hullabaloo was about, and now I know. This book is the perfect children’s book – and when you’re too old for children’s books, you’re dead. Read it. Read it now.

Ages: 8 – 800

5 out of 5 stars

Tags: children, fantasy, favorites

The Merchant’s Daughter

Author: Melanie Dickerson

Series: None

Genre: Young Adult/Christian/Fiction/Fairy Tale

An unthinkable danger. An unexpected choice. Annabel, once the daughter of a wealthy merchant, is trapped in indentured servitude to Lord Ranulf, a recluse who is rumored to be both terrifying and beastly. Her circumstances are made even worse by the proximity of Lord Ranulf’s bailiff—a revolting man who has made unwelcome advances on Annabel in the past. Believing that life in a nunnery is the best way to escape the escalation of the bailiff’s vile behavior and to preserve the faith that sustains her, Annabel is surprised to discover a sense of security and joy in her encounters with Lord Ranulf. As Annabel struggles to confront her feelings, she is involved in a situation that could place Ranulf in grave danger. Ranulf’s future, and possibly his heart, may rest in her hands, and Annabel must decide whether to follow the plans she has cherished or the calling God has placed on her heart.

 

Positive Elements: Annabel is a gentle, selfless girl whose highest desire is to know the word of God. Lord Ranulf shows gruff kindness and is clearly a noble person who risks his life for others. Themes of love, kindness, goodness, virtue, patience, gentleness, purity, and Christian thought run rampant (that’s a good thing ;) through the book.

 

Negative Elements: A few of the servant girls lust after Ranulf. The Bailiff lusts after Annabel and tries to catch her alone several times; one resulting in a knock on the head that sends him into a coma. Annabel’s family display characteristics of selfishness, cruelty, and laziness. A woman whom we never meet was unfaithful to her husband.

 

What I Thought: I loved “The Healer’s Apprentice,” also by Melanie Dickerson, and was not at all disappointed in this book. It is not a sequel, but both are in the same vein of fiction (historical retellings of fairytales with Christian – and Catholic - themes). It is well-written and I grew attached to the characters. It isn’t a ‘great book’ with amazing plot twists and stunning style, but I truly enjoyed it and will read it again.

 

Ages: 17+

 

4 out of 5 stars

 

Team Novel Teen is a group of bloggers dedicated to spreading the word about clean teen fiction. Check out other posts about the Merchant’s Daughter by clicking on the links below, and check out www.NovelTeen.com for more information about Team Novel Teen.

 

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Tags: Christian, fairy tale, favorites, fiction, young adult