Rie Sheridan Rose

For quite some time now, people had been telling me I needed to read these books. I finally had a chance to do so, and it took me three and a half days to get through all of them. The series is what YA should be — intelligent, thought-provoking, well-rounded writing that transcends labels and gives the reader new heroes…imperfect as they might be.

The Hunger Games — In a not too distant future, when America is no more, replaced by 12 Districts amalgamated into the nation of Panem, there is a yearly call for “tributes” to participate in the “Hunger Games.” Every child between the ages of 12 and 18 is required to put their name in the pot. When Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take the place of her little sister Prim in the current game, events are set in motion that will change her world forever.

Catching Fire (The Second Book of the Hunger Games) — It is a year after the events in The Hunger Games, and the 75th anniversary of the uprising that brought the games into existence. Katniss finds herself back in the arena under an unprecedented set of rules. And this time, she is up against fellow winners from past games. That makes things deadlier than ever. And the President of Panem is determined that Katniss will fail in her quest to survive the “Quarter Quell.”

Mockingjay (The Final Book of The Hunger Games) — Katniss has become the face of a revolution she didn’t even know existed. She is the “Mockingjay”, a symbol of resilience in the face of adversity. The entirety of Panem is ablaze, and if she wants to put out the fire, Katniss must play the part she has been molded to fill.

These are compelling books. They feature characters you can believe in. The plots are fast-paced and heart-thumping. The pages almost turn themselves as you follow the characters into the games and beyond. Certainly meatier fare than the Twilight Saga….

I picked up Room: A Novel for my Kindle because Amazon was touting it as #1 Bestseller for Kindle. I can see why. As a writer, I was floored by the pure technique required to sustain the point of view of the five year old protagonist through the whole story. As a reader, I was awestruck at the way that story was revealed. That may sound like hyperbole, but in this case, I feel it is justified.

Jack has lived his entire life in Room. Door only opens to let in “Old Nick”, and he only comes at night. Jack and Ma watch TV, and do Track by moving Rug onto Bed. They count the cereal and care for Plant. It is a confined existence, but all he’s ever known. Until the day Ma starts “Unlying” and the world becomes a completely different place.

I recommended it to a friend, and on reading the description, he said it sounded “delightfully disturbing.” It is. Compelling, disturbing, “scave” (you’ll know what I mean when you read it) and wonderful. This is definitely a keeper to me. Highest recommendations.

So, today I finished a charming little romance I loaded onto my new Kindle 3G Wireless Reading Device, Free 3G + Wi-Fi, 3G Works Globally, Graphite, 6″ Display with New E Ink Pearl Technology which I got for Christmas. This short piece, The Haunted Chamber A Novel by “Duchess” was one of the many volumes I downloaded into the device from the public domain books Amazon offers for free.

While the language and style of the story are dated enough to raise an occasional smile, the tale itself is quite enchanting, offering the reader a glimpse into the lives of the English gentry in days gone by. The action takes place at a house-party in an old castle after the end of the season in London. The lord of the manor is infatuated by one of his guests; she is in love with him; her cousin is in love with him; his cousin is in love with her…the typical entanglements of a nineteenth century romance. The expected misunderstandings and duplicity occur. It isn’t a new story, but it is a well-told one, if you can get past the present tense narration and predictability — which I found easily done.

I thought the story delightful, if predictable, and recommend it to the romantic at heart. After all, you can’t beat the price.

Heart’s Blood by Gail Dayton is a charming journey back to the world that she introduced us to in New Blood, and — while you don’t have to read them in order, I would recommend it for the background on the world the first book gives you.

This second book in the series focuses on Greyson Carteret, Magister of the Conjurer’s Guild of England and Pearl Parkin — who becomes his apprentice by blackmailing him into it when he is in a vulnerable position…since he is in jail accused of murder at the time. Of course, he didn’t do it, and they are soon on the hunt to discover who did. With the aid of alchemist Harry Tomlinson and his own apprentice, wizard Elinor Tavis, Grey and Pearl delve deeper and deeper into the mystery of who is corrupting magic in an attempt to raise a demon.

The story flows beautifully, carried along by well-drawn characters and a fascinating alternate London where the four magic schools of alchemy, conjury, wizardry, and newly rediscovered sorcery are as integral a part of reality as the prep schools were in the real England of the Victorian era. The world is so rich and fully formed that you become a part of it as you read, losing hours that seem like minutes. A true page-turner.

Unfortunately, I don’t think there will be a third novel in the series, and that is a crime, because there is so much more to see in this world. And there are definitely stories left to tell.

Latiece’s Through the Eyes of Your Teens: A Collection of Poems is a nice collection of poetry dealing with subjects all teens have to consider growing up — fitting in, sex, parenthood, suicide. Of course, not all teens FACE all these situations, but enough do that this little collection of poems can provide insight and strength in times of travail. Poems like “Sometimes”, “The Eraser”, and “The Exchange” are especially powerful. And yet there is the peaceful beauty of “Your Eyes~”, short yet poignant.

Occasionally, the reader is pulled out of the poetry by a misused word or typo that is unfortunate for the poet’s sake. However, they aren’t distracting enough to obscure the message if you just read on.

All and all, I enjoyed the collection, and I think there is something to be gleaned for all readers in this book. I hope to see more from the poet in the future.