Fever Crumb

Fever Crumb
by Philip Reeve

Fever Crumb is a girl who has been adopted and raised by Dr. Crumb, a member of the order of Engineers, where she serves as apprentice.

Soon though, she must say goodbye to Dr. Crumb – nearly the only person she's ever known – to assist archeologist Kit Solent on a top-secret project.

As her work begins, Fever is plagued by memories that are not her own and Kit seems to have a particular interest in finding out what they are.

Fever has also been singled out by city dwellers, who declare that she is part Scriven. The Scriven, not human, ruled the city some years ago but were hunted down and killed in a victorious uprising by the people. If there are any remaining Scriven, they are to be eliminated. All Fever knows is what she's been told: that she is an orphan.

Is Fever a Scriven? Whose memories does she hold? (description from author website)

So, a while ago I had picked up the first book in the Mortal Engines quartet, but just wasn't in the mood to tackle it then.  So, when I was looking for something to listen to in the car and saw that we had Fever Crumb available I was excited, but got even more stoked when I realized it was actually the first in a prequel series to the infamous Mortal Engines.  

The futuristic steampunk setting to this series is really intriguing.  The idea of variations of human species made things really interesting and played up the socio-economic dynamics that built tensions in London.  Trying to guess Fever's origins as she herself is trying to reason things out made the story feel more intimate and she's a great, strong character that I'm definitely interested to read more about.  

This book sort of embodies a lot of the things I really like about the steampunk genre: the mix of old and new technologies and societal expectations and mores, the imaginative possibilities of how things might have developed differently, and the discoveries characters have to make within these interesting setting frameworks.  

I listened to this as an audio book and found it well done.  I hope that I can sneak the second book in some time between review titles. 

Full disclosure: Audio book borrowed from my Library

The Shadow Girl

The Shadow Girl 
by Jennifer Archer

For as long as Lily Winston can remember, she has never been alone. Iris, a shadowy figure who mimics Lily's movements and whispers in her ear, is with her always -- but invisible to the rest of the world. Iris is Lily's secret. But when Lily's father is killed in a tragic accident, his cryptic final words suggest that he and Lily's mother have been hiding secrets of their own. Suddenly, Iris begins pushing Lily more than ever, possessing her thoughts and urging her to put together the pieces of a strange puzzle her father left behind. As she searches for answers, Lily finds herself drawn to Ty Collier, a mysterious new boy in town. Together, Lily and Ty must untangle a web of deception to discover the truth about her family, Iris -- and Lily's own identity.

When I picked this book up, I wasn't quite sure what to expect.  I was very pleasantly surprised to find that this book sucked me in immediately.  It reads really easily and Archer builds suspense beautifully, revealing small secrets one by one, building Lily’s discoveries into one culminating life-altering event. Intermingled within the mystery of Lily’s identity are also her conflicting feelings for Wyatt and Ty, as well as her guilt and grief over her father’s death. 

As the story concludes and Lily determines where she will go from here, the only detraction is one confrontation that seemed to be looming, but never actually comes to fruition. Aside from that, Lily’s story is a well-done blend of suspense, mystery, and romance. I just can't help but wonder if there might be a sequel down the pike that will explore Lily's future choices? I hope so... 

Full disclosure: ARC received to review for SLJ

The Future of Us

The Future of Us
by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler

Josh and Emma are about to discover themselves--fifteen years in the future

It's 1996, and Josh and Emma have been neighbors their whole lives. They've been best friends almost as long--at least, up until last November, when everything changed. Things have been awkward ever since, but when Josh's family gets a free AOL CD-ROM in the mail, his mom makes him bring it over so that Emma can install it on her new computer. When they sign on, they're automatically logged onto Facebook . . . but Facebook hasn't been invented yet. Josh and Emma are looking at themselves fifteen years in the future.

Their spouses, careers, homes, and status updates--it's all there. And every time they refresh their pages, their futures change. As they grapple with the ups and downs of what their lives hold, they're forced to confront what they're doing right--and wrong--in the present. (description from Amazon.com)

To be totally honest, I did not really like this book. I had expected to love it, but it just never really worked for me.  In the first couple of chapters I was totally into the whole nostalgia thing...I loved flashing back to my high school self...but as the story moved on, it just never grabbed me. 

I thought the concept was really cool, but I didn't really connect to either character. The plot didn't seem to move enough for me.  I liked the ending, but knew exactly where it was going almost from the start. 

I just felt, eh, about most of this book.  :/
Did any of you love it?

Midnight Crystal

Midnight Crystal
by Jayne Castle
Dreamlight Trilogy, book three

For many earthly centuries, a legendary curse has plagued the Winters family, stemming from the tumultuous founding of the Arcane Society. But now, on the futuristic world of Harmony, the curse's final mystery will be unraveled...

Head of the ghost hunters guild Adam Winters and dreamlight reader extraordinaire Marlowe Jones must break the curse, save Harmony's entire underworld-and fight a passion that could destroy them both. (description taken from Amazon.com)

Okay, I seriously love that these books crossover between Jayne Ann Krentz' three writing personas. Book one - contemporary - Jayne Ann Krentz, book two - historical - Amanda Quick, book three - future paranormal -Jayne Castle...so cool! I don't know of any other author that's done something like this.

Anyway, enough fangirl for now. Beyond the coolness of the trilogy itself, I think that the trilogy was ended in a very clever way. All loose ends were tied up...and by one sexy, bad-ass couple, no less. Marlowe Jones is a tough cookie, motorcycle chick, super intelligent private investigator. Adam Winters is the tough guy with morals that's going to clean up the corrupt Guild. Together, their passion ignites the pages.

My favorite character, though...the dust bunny! In Harmony, dust bunnies do not live under your bed...they are fierce little predators that hunt in the night, and sometimes deign to adopt a human. Loyal, lovable, and gluttonous. So much fun!

Beyond the romance, the mystery of the Lamp and who is willing to kill for it will keep readers turning pages. Castle a.k.a. Krentz, does a wonderful job dropping clues and keeping readers guessing until the revelations in the final pages. Well done.

In My Mailbox - October 10, 2010

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme, hosted by Kristi at the Story Siren, inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie. Every week bloggers can share what they received in the mail or at the bookstore or at the library. The goal is that everyone can be exposed to more books this way!

For My Nook:

Midnight Crystal by Jayne Castle

The Lying Game by Sara Shepard

Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton

Afterlife by Claudia Gray

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

The Lipstick Laws by Amy Holder

Once in a Full Moon by Ellen Schreiber

I am currently in Arizona vacationing with family, so I may not be blogging as much as usual, though I hope to read a lot!! :)