Shades of King Arthur

I started the The Raven Boys, by Maggie Stiefvater, because I am a fan of the Shiver Trilogy, but, I honestly had no idea what to expect.  As with Shiver this story is a new twist on a familiar legend.  Instead of werewolves, this is the legend of King Arther moved to the mountain country of Virginia.

Blue has grown up in a very non-tradional family.  She comes from a long line of true psychics.  She, however, does not have the sight, instead, she has the ability to amplify those powers in others.  Oh, and her future has been seen; she is destined to kill her true true love with a kiss.  Naturally, she avoids boys altogether, especially, Raven boys.  Raven Boys are rich, entitled, snobs who attend a local, very expensive, private school.  Much to her dismay, Blue becomes drawn to four boys on a mission to find a lost king.  Will she help them? Or, will her growing attachment lead to someone's death?

I like that this story is both familiar, and unpredictable.  Much like destiny, I thought I knew what was coming, but was surprised when we got there.  This is the first in The Raven Cycle series.

Zombie games

I almost gave up on The End Games by T. Michael Martin.  I believe this is because it is more than just a zombie book.  It is a zombie tale told by a lover of first-person shooter video games, of which I am not.  This is one of the first books that made me realize my age.  Teens, especially teen boys, will love it.

It begins with seventeen-year-old Michael and his five-year-old brother making their way through post-zombie-apocalyptic West Virginia.  Michael uses reflexes honed in the gaming world to navigate the dangers posed by the "Bellows" and by some of the uninflected survivors.  They are trying to make their way to the safe zone, without being totally sure of where they are.  Michael has regular communications with the "Game Master" who gives them clues on how to earn points and "win."  This is where the book nearly lost me.  While I can accept zombies, not so much the whole video game thing.  The purpose of the "game" is soon revealed, making the story much richer.  Michael must protect his little brother from all sorts of evil, as he realizes there may not be a safe zone.

His struggle to overcome both the real dangers of the world, and the imagined pitfalls of the game, as well as the insanity left in the world make this a worthwhile read.  The author is a film school graduate and it shows; the fight scenes reminded me of a great action flick.

Overcoming that inner voice

Skinny by Donna Cooner illustrates a voice that all women, young and old, have heard, and, unfortunately, fed.  We have all fallen prey to that inner voice that tells us we can't, can't lose weight, can't fit in, can't compete...the focus may be different, but the voice is there, whispering our worst inner fears.  This odd twist on Cinderella, has the main character, Ever, imagining her voice, which she calls "Skinny" as a "goth Tinkerbell" fairy godmother.

At the beginning of the story, 16-year-old Ever has become morbidly obese in the wake of her mother's death from cancer.  She now weighs 302 pounds and has the evil voice of Sknny telling her terrible things: how everyone laughs at her, no one could possibly love her, that she's ugly.  It doesn't help that her step-sisters are perfect and beautiful.  Ever makes the difficult decision to have gastric bypass surgery after breaking a chair in front of the entire school.  What follows is her battle to adjust to her new life and changing body.  More important, however, is overcoming Skinny, and being able to accept love and success in her life.

This book has the potential to change lives.  Truly.  When Ever hits rock-bottom, at the moment that was supposed to be her happily ever after, her realization about Skinny can change how we all respond to that inner voice of defeat.