The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

Rory Deveaux has the opportunity to spend her senior year at a boarding school in London.  This a long way from her quirky life in Louisiana.

The day she arrives in London, a murder identical to the first Jack the Ripper crime has occurred.  As the gruesome crimes continue to arise, Londoners become consumed with “Rippermania.”  Rory is the only person who sees the suspect even though her friend was with her when she spoke to him...it’s strange, but so is the special police unit that has taken over the case.

This book is excellent.  Rory is a lovable, funny, and well-developed main character.    The secondary characters are strong and likeable   The story is fast-paced and full of mystery and romance.  I am very excited that the story didn’t end with this book.  It looks like it is the first book in a series titled, Shades of London.  And, isn’t London, with its long history, the perfect place for a good ghost story?

Epitaph Road -- David Patneaude

Epitaph Road is an excellent dystopian book told from a male perspective.  In many ways this is the most realistic dystopian book I’ve read.  In one way it is completely unrealistic...I didn’t completely buy that women would be so content to live without men.

Welcome to the year 2067 when a world-wide plague has almost completely wiped out the male population.  Over the years the plague, Alisha’s Bear, continues to creep up wiping out more males.  During this time crime has halted. Wars are no longer being fought.  Prisons have been transformed into libraries.  Women aren’t afraid to take jogs at night.

Fourteen-year-old Kellen feels alone.  His dad has chosen a life away from society, and his mom’s high pressure job seems more important than her son.  Kellen is also one of  only two boys in his entire class.

When his history class begins to study Alisha’s Bear, he and two of his classmates come across information that lead them to believe that there might be more to Alisha’s Bear than they originally thought.  When Kellen overhears that an outbreak might put his father in danger, he and his friends head out to try and warn him.

Dystopia/suspense/romance

Sweetly -- Jackson Pearce

The back cover of this book makes this statement, “Not everything is as sweet as it appears in this wickedly delicious reimagining of Hansel and Gretel.”

Jackson Pearce has done an excellent job of doing just that....reimagining.  Sweetly starts out very similar to Hansel and Gretel.  The story is familiar, but truly unique as it redefines the witch.

Ansel and Gretchen lose their sister in the woods, and no one believes them when they tell them a witch is to blame.  Over the years they continue to experience hardship, losing their mother and their father.  When Gretchen turns 18 and Ansel 19, their step-mother asks them to leave.

Driving as far away from the forest that has haunted them their whole life, they set out across country towards the beach.  When their car breaks down in a small town, the siblings find themselves working at Sophia Kelly’s chocolatier.

 

Fantasy/Fairy tales/Romance

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

I eagerly awaited the release of The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern.  The story sounded so different, so magical.  I tried to get an advance reader copy without success .  I finally resigned myself to adding it to my “to read” pile and waiting.  In the meantime, I read reviews that claimed the book was a disappointment for various reasons.  I wondered if the book wasn’t going to live up to my expectations.  I needn't have worried.

This book was pure pleasure....completely imaginative and yet fully realized, each character unique.  The circus itself was an explosion to the senses. I could taste the caramel corn, feel the masterful ticking of the circus clock, and visualize each artist's performance.  I felt cold when I walked through the ice garden.  I smiled as I watched Poppet and Widget with their clever kittens.  I felt anxious when Bailey was in the bottle tent, and I found myself unconsciously stretching as the contortionist tucked herself into a small glass box.  This enchanting circus opens at dark and closes at dawn and is both artful and beautiful, each detail meticulously designed.

Behind the mystery and intrigue of the circus, an intense competition is playing out.  Two magicians have been pitted against each other by their teachers, not knowing that in this game only the winner can survive.  At first they are not aware of the other's identity but make their moves in response to their opponent or add to a display that the rival has created.  Eventually they are involved in a playful and fun collaboration.  When they are finally aware of the other's identity, they fall in love.  Their love is deep and passionate, and they delight in each other's ability and companionship with complete abandon.  When they realize that only the winner survives, it is no longer a game either wants to win.  Plus the lives of the performers and the patrons are also at stake.

The Night Circus is a masterpiece, well written and executed.  It is hard to believe anyone would be disappointed by this book, unless of course they were expecting something more like Harry Potter.  I had so much fun reading it and was genuinely sad when I finished.  I’ve found myself thinking about it many times since closing the cover.