Book Review: Revolution

My reading has slowed down a bit...I was celebrating my nephew's 3rd birthday and working lots...So, this review is LONG overdue, but I hope to get back on the bandwagon!

Revolution (Replica Book #3)

Jenna Black

The third and last book of the series, Revolution continues the story/conspiracy of Nate and Nadia, Executive teens who used to live in the grandeur of Paxco.  Now they are in hiding.  The all-knowing computer, Thea, has killed Nate's father and framed Nate for it, and has now built a human body to host her mind.  While Nate, Nadia, Kurt, Agnes, and Dante work from the "Basement" to fight against Thea, Thea spreads lies about the Basement and the Executive teens. 

When Thea starts dropping bombs in the Basement, the group of teens must find a way to stop Thea before she completely destroys the city, and eventually, the human race.

Jenna Black's story of Replicas is a new take on dystopias, and I am absolutely in love with this series.  I do think this last book lost some of the "Oomph" the other two books had, but still captivated me with the twists and turns in the plot. I was gripping the book just waiting to figure out how the teens would be able to take down such a sentient and cruel being.

The relationships in this book are a little ridiculous for me; it seems like EVERYone must have a partner, and cannot stand alone, independently.  I get that it helps pull the teens together, but there is a lot of the story lost when half the book focuses on romance.

Regardless, if you have begun this series, you MUST finish and figure out what happens with Paxco!

The Princess Bride

One of my absolute favorite movies from growing up is The Princess Bride.  It came out in 1987...You can check out the info at: IMDB link

This was actually a book first, and it's amazing! Though the movie follows the book nearly line for line, which rarely happens.  If you have not seen this film before, you MUST!

...as you wish...

Book Review: Melt

Domestic Abuse is a HUGE problem in our culture today, as it has been in decades past--it's only now coming to light and addressed.  This book does an incredible job of weaving poetry, domestic abuse, and a struggling mind together to create a love story that overcomes hatred and violence.

I also got to meet Selene Castrovilla at a conference in Austin, TX.  She is such a down-to-earth woman who has, herself been through a ton.  She loved eating at taco trucks, and shopping at thrift stores, and chatting about the color purple.  I think you will really dig this book and the message of hope and redemption it sends.

Melt

Selene Castrovilla

Joey has grown up with the abuse.  Every night, his dad, a local cop, greets his wife, not with a kiss, but with the steel of his gun in her mouth.  Joey's dad beats his mom day after day, and if she or the boys cry, the boys get the abuse as well.  Joey's life is torn upside down.  He no longer believes in love---it is just a cover for hate.  He drinks, smokes, sleeps around, and gets in trouble with the law.  You might say he is hopeless. Doomed to repeat history.

When Dorothy moves to town, Joey can't help himself.  He falls head over heels.  The two are inseparable.  Dorothy works to show Joey just how important he is to her.  But can Joey let go and move on? Can he melt his hatred? When Dorothy gets caught in the crossfire, the two must decide their own fate.

Melt is a haunting tale of real life events.  The abuse is based off of someone the author knew, personally.  The fact that this type of thing happens in real life disgusts and scares me.  This powerful tale is an incredible emotional roller coaster.  Set from 2 points of view--Joey's is a broken, jagged, scrawling of words on the page, while Dorothy is able to organize her thoughts into narrative.  The two could not be more different, however, they are each what the other needs and craves.

There are a few confrontations that left me breathless.  My skin crawled at the atrocities that occur behind closed doors, and how easy it is to hide those situations.  When Joey describes his first visit with Dorothy to his house, he can't believe that Dorothy can't tell what happens among their family.  He feels the hatred and violence ooze down the walls.  The air is permeated with destruction.  But it just goes to show that no matter how serene a situation might seem, the skeletons in their closet might be incredibly numerous. 

This story is a must-read for all kinds of reasons.  Pick it up at the library (YA CAS), get some tissues and a blanket...maybe some tea for your nerves and get ready....to melt.

How old AM I!?

I found this meme on Pinterest...Because I am 28 years old, I DO know what each of these things are.  I'm sure the teens that read this blog do NOT know them all---especially the one on the far left. I remember playing Oregon Trail on those 3.5in. floppy disks in elementary school 20 years ago!

How many of these have YOU seen? How many have you actually used?

Book Review: Jellicoe Road

Thank you to Krista who suggested this book to me a few weeks ago.  I tend to get stuck in the same genre for months and months, and she broke me out of my rut.  This book is a wonder!

Jellicoe Road

by Melina Marchetta

Taylor is a boarder at Jellicoe School.  Her mother abandoned her when she was only 11 and she has been living at the school for 6 years, with Hannah, a nearby adult as her only true friend and confidante. "War" has begun at the onset of the school year.  The "Townies," "Cadets," and the school students fight for physical territory around the school and form alliances and create betrayals.

When some teenagers disappear, Taylor embarks on a journey to find out her past, her connection to Hannah, her confusing attraction to one of the Cadets, and what happened to a group of teens all those years ago.  She must face her past and the secrets that have been kept about her family.

This book kind spun me in a loop and threw me every which way.  I doubt you will guess ALL of the secrets Taylor is hiding in this book, but if you do, Kudos, because I couldn't!  Marchetta is a poet, and the way she weaves this story is so intense and elaborate.  At first, it took me a while to get into the book...about 100 pages.  I felt like there were a lot of ideas and concepts that I just wasn't understanding.  But I stuck with it, and at about page 130, I got my answers and my satisfaction.  The story began unraveling and connecting the dots.  

The struggles of Taylor, at this boarding school, is quite emotional, and I definitely got caught up in her strife.  While she is supposed to hate Jonah, he is the leader of the Cadets, they have a history.  And they can't forget that.  So they must put aside their silly war game and work together to find the answers Taylor is looking for.  Why did her mother leave her? Who is Hannah and where has she disappeared to?  Who will win the war?  Who are these 5 kids she keeps seeing in her dreams, and what happened that resulted in the death of one of them--and why is Taylor connected to their story?  Soooo many questions, and you MUST find the answers!

Maze Runner film

Have you seen the movie or read the book, The Maze Runner by James Dashner?

Well, recently, some of the actors were interviewed about the film.  When Will Poulter (plays Gally, on right hand side of picture) and Thomas Brodie-Sangster (plays Newt on left hand side of picture) were questioned, it was probably the funniest part! Check out their question.

Seriously! A ladder! Problem solved. Movie over. :D Hahaha, obviously the story is amazing, but you have to be able to poke fun at obvious "what ifs"!

Teen Craft Night!

Last night we had our March craft night.  We used Altoid tins to make lip balm, candles, Lego travel kits, and plant holders. I had 10 teens show up and they did an AMAZING job! Craft night is one of my favorite programs--especially because the teens usually show me up and do a WAY better job than me at every craft.  Enjoy the photos!