#t.a.l.e.

Katie reviewed The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins, available now. She thought the "characters and plot twists" in this 1860s mystery, "combine to form a complete novel that makes a perfect circle in the reader's head." Katie recommends this book "full of suspense, mystery, sacrifice, and just a bit of romance... if you like classics, old-fashioned British literature, and mysteries."  Read Katie's full review here.

Danielle reviewed Paradox by A.J. Paquette, available now. Danielle wrote that this "science fiction/apocalyptic/alien planet novel... follows a girl named Ana who wakes up on a spaceship with no memory of where or who she is." All Ana knows about herself is her name, "which is on a nametag she found clipped to her chest... she has a device with a ticking countdown attached to her wrist." Danielle recommends Paradox to anyone "who's a fan of apocalyptic/science fiction novels, or really anyone looking for an exhilarating page turner." Read Danielle's full review here.

Danielle reviewed The Lucy Variations by Sara Zarr, available now.  "Lucy Beck-Moreau was a renowned concert pianist at the age of 14, but her grandmother's death caused her to walk away from all of it. Now, at 16, her career is over, and she doesn't know if her grandfather will ever forgive her for giving it up," Danielle wrote of The Lucy Variations. She thought this was a "well-written, provocative coming-of-age story" that "captures the struggles faced by most of its young adult audience." Read Danielle's full review here.

Kayla reviewed Reboot by Amy Tintera, available now. Kayla thought this dystopian novel about "Wren Connolly, whose 178 minute stretch of death has removed all shred of her emotion, of her humanity" living in "an environment defined by the illness that doesn't end with death... felt innovative." She said that this book, "in the midst of a society controlled and policed by the undead, was above all else, beautifully and wonderfully human." Read Kayla's full review here.

  Annalise reviewed Tithe by Holly Black, available now.  She thought that "Tithe was a very different type of fantasy book than most," about "sixteen-year-old Kaye, who travels with her mother's rock band... until an attempted murder... forces Kaye back to the town where she grew up. There, Kaye learns about her dark past, as well as the secret world of the fae residing side by side with her own." Tithe is "a beautiful written story that will leave you aching for the sequel."  Read Annalise's full review here.

Alex reviewed The Fallout by S.A. Bodeen, available September 24, 2013. Alex said that author S.A. Bodeen "may be the only author I've read that has mastered something most don't understand about their own lives." She said that this sequel to The Compound, in which "Eli and his family are out of the compound, and freedom has never felt so incredibly dangerous... demolishes the complexities of the family dynamic and delivers them to the reader in a fascinating and unmatched manner."  Read Alex's full review here.

It's been a while. (Oops.) (I think I speak for myself and the rest of the T.A.L.E. members when I say that I've been pretty busy over the summer, and perhaps a bit neglectful of this blog?) 

I hope y'all have had amazing summers (apparently, I became southern over the summer), and are ready to get back to the drudgery of daily responsibilities... (Maybe? A little bit?) So, in that vein, except more posts here, as well as on our website.  

For me, the start of a new school year always brings the return of a schedule. Every morning, I'm up at the same time. I have classes, work and homework after school, and plenty of other things to occupy my time (applying to college? Eep!). There's not much quite as relaxing as settling down in bed with a book at the end of the day. 

Katie reviewed The Beginning of Everything by Robyn Schneider, available August 27, 2013. She said this novel about Ezra Faulkner, "a popular tennis player and a shoo-in for homecoming king until he gets into a car accident at a party over the summer... and gets to know Cassidy Thorpe... is one of my new favorite books... All romantic relationships have some degree of awkwardness, and Schneider captures this perfectly." Author Robyn Schneider "is pretty much the female version of John Green." Read Katie's full review here.

  Kayla reviewed Pivot Point by Kasie West, available now. Kayla wrote that "author Kasie West explores what happens when Addie Coleman is faced with the choice between staying in the paranormal compound she's been raised in with her mother, or leaving for the outside world with her father... I found Pivot Point to be an enjoyable and compelling read... that takes a step beyond tired plot lines... with a hint of romance."  Read Kayla's full review here.

  Katie reviewed Imperfect Spiral by Debbie Levy, available July 16, 2013. Katie "appreciated the raw and honest portrayal of characters that seemed incredibly real in this book" about a high school student who is babysitting "an inquisitive five-year-old with a passion for alliterative words and intriguing thoughts" when he gets hit by a car. "Be prepared to shed a few tears... Imperfect Spiral is heartfelt and touching." Read Katie's full review here.

Kayla reviewed Perdido Street Station by China Miéville, available now. Kayla said this steampunk science-fiction adventure novel that "follows the story of an experimental scientist through a dangerous adventure... manages to avoid cliches and stock storylines in favor of unbelievable unexpectedness and creativity... Overall, an ambitious but well-achieved story, and an excellent read." Read Kayla's full review here. 

Kayla reviewed My Chemical Mountain by Corina Vacco, available June 11, 2013. She wrote that "Corina Vacco's incredible insights and truly beautiful writing" about teenage boys' interaction with their polluted town "carries you away on noxious fumes and chemical rain to a place where you can't help but feel powerful and unbreakable."  Read Kayla's full review here. 

Danielle reviewed Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell, available now. She said that author Rainbow Rowell "achieves something which is practically impossible for modern romance authors: creating a realistic romance story." Eleanor & Park "shows the awkwardness and reality of first love and heartbreak... I recommend this book to absolutely anyone; however, it is an absolute must for John Green or David Levithan fans!" Read Danielle's full review here.

Sami; reviewed The Paradox of Vertical Flight by Emil Ostrovski, available September 1, 2013.  She wrote that this "philosophical comedy" about "a possibly suicidal eighteen year-old named Jack" who "kidnaps his newborn son from the hospital... and drives off with him, his ex-girlfriend, and his best friend on an absurd road trip... is filled with Jack's philosophical ponderings as he struggles with existential ideas, trying to make sense of the life he is living." Read Sami;'s full review here. 

The current number of reviews T.A.L.E. members have written for the MB14 blog in the past year, on young adult books like UnWholly (Neal Shusterman's sequel to Unwind) and The Program (Suzanne Young's dystopia about a teenage suicide epidemic) - books growing in popularity like Rainbow Rowell's romance Eleanor and Park and historical fiction you may not have heard of yet, like Amy McAuley's WWII novel Violins of Autumn.

Read all of our reviews at the MB14 website!