Two Waiting on Wednesday’s back to back? Yup I am a slacker, but reviews are abound in our future! Promise! As for this weeks WoW my pick is The Deadly Sister by Eliot Schrefer. This sounds like it’s going to be one hell of a crime/mystery/thriller. Makes me also think if someone told me MY sister was a murderer how much convincing would it take for me to believe them? (Probably not very much because she’s inssaaaane.)

The Deadly Sister by Eliot Schrefer

Abby Goodwin is sure her sister Tabitha isn’t a murderer. But her parents don’t agree. Her friends don’t agree. And the cops definitely don’t agree. Tabitha is a drop-out, a stoner, a girl who’s obsessed with her tutor, Clyde Andrews…until he ends up dead. Tabitha runs away, and leaves Abby following the trail of clues. Each piece of evidence points to Tabitha, but it also appears that Clyde had secrets of his own. And enemies. Like his brother, who Abby becomes involved with…until he falls under suspicion.

Is Abby getting closer to finding the true murderer? Or is someone leading her down a twisted false path?

I read a lot of YA books, and this is no secret, but by far my second favourite genre for books is MG Fantasy/Adventure. Things like the Artemis Fowl series, and the simply amazing Fablehaven series. But to be honest those are the only things I’ve read from MG, which makes it so much more amazing that if I had no YA books left to read in the whole world the next thing I would dive into without a doubt would be MG. So having said that it is really no surprise (or it shouldn’t be!), that my Waiting for Wednesday this week is for the fifth and final book in the Fablehaven series called Keys to the Demon Prison. These books have absolutely captivated my entire family (minus the infamous father who we still don’t think can read). My mom loves these books, my sister loves them, and the series is among my top 5 favourite books period. Out of all books. Ever. However it being the last in the series I can’t really tell you what it’s about – especially since they haven’t really released any information on it at all. But what I CAN do is introduce (assuming you have not been introduced already!) you to the series via the first book, simply called, Fablehaven.

Fablehaven (#1)

For centuries, mystical creatures of all description were gathered to a hidden refuge called Fablehaven to prevent their extinction. The sanctuary survives today as one of the last strongholds of true magic in a cynical world. Enchanting? Absolutely. Exciting? You bet. Safe? Well, actually, quite the opposite…

Kendra and her brother Seth have no idea their grandfather is the current caretaker of Fablehaven. Inside the gated woods, ancient laws give relative order among greedy trolls, mischievous satyrs, plotting witches, spiteful imps, and jealous fairies. However, when the rules get broken, an arcane evil is unleashed, forcing Kendra and Seth to face the greatest challenge of their lives. To save her family, Fablehaven, and perhaps the world, Kendra must find the courage to do what she fears most.

Summary:

In her debut collection, New York Times best-selling author Holly Black returns to the world of Tithe in two darkly exquisite new tales. Then Black takes readers on a tour of a faerie market and introduces a girl poisonous to the touch and another who challenges the devil to a competitive eating match.

Anna’s Thoughts:

This review is based on an ARC (which I received from LibraryThing’s Early Reviewer Program), which is also, sadly missing two stories that will be in the final book.

If there is one thing that I could say about Holly Black it would be this: The lady is good. I haven’t read many things by her, but everything that I have read continues to impress me. The Poison Eaters is no exception. The ability to tell an entire story in less than 15 pages is something that very few people can accomplish, and yet Holly makes it look like a cake walk. The only comparison that I can think of to sum up all of the stories inside of The Poison Eaters is that of the Brothers Grimm. Every story has a classic twist to it that leaves you completely in awe when you realize that never did you ever expect that to happen.

Since this is a collection of short stories though, what I did was rate each story individually and then averaged the ratings together for the final rating.

The Coldest Girl In Coldtown

It’s no secret that I am getting horribly tired of vampires, however this story introduces us to the idea of a world (in the near future) where vampires are commonplace in the world. We know they’re there, and they are not the good kind. The only thing that I disliked was the ending which to me felt a little blah.

A Reversal of Fortune

This by far is my favourite story out of the entire collection, it’s witty, wise, and the main character is a tricky little thing. LOVED the work-in reference to Devil Went Down to Georgia, although I couldn’t get the jump rope reference, anyone who might know what it is, should tell me :)

The Night Market

This story was very cute, but slightly sad. It’s nice to see a story where siblings fight for each other. And yet again the main character was strong and fought for what she wanted. There was a nice twist there at the end that I honestly didn’t expect at all.

The Dog King

This, this, this, is from what I’ve seen a lot of peoples favourites so far, and very well deserved, it’s a good story with a really good twist that you don’t expect fully but have some clue to. I wish there had been more information about the boy and his family, but it is a short story and not a novel for a reason.

Virgin

I loved love loved this one, I really truly did, and the lack of 5 stars is merely because of .. close to end ending.. hmm – I think when you read it you’ll know what I mean. This taught me a few things I didn’t know about unicorns and their lore/myths, and gives an amazing story with yet again, a beyond amazing twist!

In Vodka Veritas

In Vodka Veritas was cute, kind of like Revenge of the Nerds cute, where as the nerds get the upper hand for once! I liked it, the characters and descriptions of the class kind of remind me of the Italian class I took in 11th grade (which may I mention, I hated as well). However I was really interested in what people thought when they ‘woke up’ and found someone kissing them.. especially towards the end when the boys’ lips would have been getting kind of tired (I would imagine).

Coat of Stars

This was a very beautiful and sort of classic type story that shows the nature of the Faeries that I like. The sort of greedy, picky ones who have sleeves all full of tricky tricks. I really loved it and how easily the main character accepted what had happened and how hard he tried to get back what he had lost, it was really beautiful and very sweet.

Paper Cuts Scissors

Paper Cuts Scissors would probably have to be my least favourite out of all of the stories included in the book. For me it was sweet how everything happened, why the MC went after what he went after but the ending just completely shocked and sort of appalled me as well. I wasn’t happy with the way it ended, I kind of wanted to punch something.

Going Ironside

This one kind of left me going ‘ehhh’ at the end, good story, very vivid descriptions but there’s no real purpose to it, it kind of seems like they needed another story for filler and just kind of through this one together, and tossed it in the book. You will probably appreciate this one more if you’ve read the Modern Faerie books, if not and you don’t have knowledge of faeries in general, you might be a tad lost.

The Poison Eaters

By far this would have to be tied for my favourite with A Reversal of Fortune. I loved Reversal because of it’s funny, tricky, quirky story, but this one is my favourite for it’s sweetness and it’s pure ability to be an instant classic. It starts off a bit odd, but once you get into the story it’s completely heartbreaking and captivating all at the same time. I could defiantly see this being retold to children 20-30 years from now and beyond.

Main Characters: Valerie, Nick, Jessica

Summary:

Five months ago, Valerie Leftman’s boyfriend, Nick, opened fire on their school cafeteria. Shot trying to stop him, Valerie inadvertently saved the life of a classmate, but was implicated in the shootings because of the list she helped create. A list of people and things she and Nick hated. The list he used to pick his targets.

Now, after a summer of seclusion, Val is forced to confront her guilt as she returns to school to complete her senior year. Haunted by the memory of the boyfriend she still loves and navigating rocky relationships with her family, former friends and the girl whose life she saved, Val must come to grips with the tragedy that took place and her role in it, in order to make amends and move on with her life.

Anna’s Thoughts:

I usually don’t read many reviews of books before I read the actual book, but in the case of Hate List I was completely unsure about the book itself and really needed help knowing if I should read it or not. I know I read a few reviews, but one of them really stuck with me and intrigued me enough that I bought Hate List a few days later. It was the review by Sab at YABliss, in which she says “I wish every single High School student would read this and learn from it. And no only students, but also teachers, principals and staff.” I wasn’t so sure that I could read a book on such a sensitive subject without breaking into sobs, or feeling like such a tragedy could be properly portrayed. However, Jennifer Brown debuts an incredibly realistic, powerfully moving story about a girl who can’t let go even though she has to, and feels like the weight on her shoulders is too much to bare. Which is something everyone, teenager or not, feels in their lifetime no matter what clique you belong to at any point in your life. I also agree with Sab in her saying that every student, teacher, and principle should read this – and I’ll push as far as to say every parent as well. Hate is a thing that is learned, it is passed down through families, transferred through friends, and it is something so easily avoidable when countered with patience and compassion.

Hate List has characters you love, characters you hate and characters you love to hate, or hate to love – it’s got everything in it’s 400 odd pages to captivate you, move you, touch you, then make you want to scream out from the rooftops about it and tell everyone you know to read it. Every single person in this book seems so realistic, there isn’t one flat character, not one character that doesn’t act their age, or act out of place. They’re so real and believable that I am actually quite certain I went to High School with some of them.

While I am at a loss for words over the ending, Hate List has managed otherwise to leave me speechless with only the ability to give this advice: If you are a person whose heart isn’t a froze block of stone or ice, you need to read this book. If you have a child, know a child, teach at a school or have ever went to school, you need to read this book. If you are alive, you need to read this book.

Main Characters: Rebecca, Lisette, Anton

Summary:

Rebecca couldn’t feel more out of place in New Orleans, where she comes to spend the year while her dad is traveling. She’s staying in a creepy old house with her aunt. And at the snooty prep school, the filthy-rich girls treat Rebecca like she’s invisible. Only gorgeous, unavailable Anton Grey seems to give Rebecca the time of day, but she wonders if he’s got a hidden agenda. Then one night, in Lafayette Cemetery, Rebecca makes a friend. Sweet, mysterious Lisette is eager to talk to Rebecca, and to show her the nooks and crannies of the city. There’s just one catch: Lisette is a ghost.

A ghost with a deep, dark secret, and a serious score to settle.

As Rebecca learns more from her ghost friend — and as she slowly learns to trust Anton Grey — she also uncovers startling truths about her own history. Will Rebecca be able to right the wrongs of the past, or has everything been ruined beyond repair?

Anna’s Thoughts:

I think that it’s pretty obvious by now that I love ghost stories and stories about the south. But not just any south, not the picket fences lining the well-kept streets south, but the spooky south. The South that is littered with ghost stories, haunted houses, crazy vine covered cemeteries and family secrets. Ruined is all of these things and so much more – so much more even that I am kind of sad that I won it in a contest instead of having bought it. Although Ruined is a ghost story, it’s more of a book that has a ghost in it verses being a spooky ghost story.

The plot is strung together in such a way that you’re always guessing what will happen next, you can try to form ideas or your own lines of reasoning for characters and their actions but you never really know what is going on until it actually happens. Ruined keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire time drawing lines to connect events and people until finally you can’t take it anymore and get to the point in the story where it all comes undone. The way the characters lives and pasts – and futures – were wound together was absolutely incredible, and I loved every bit of it. The entire thing is built up from the very beginning when Rebecca meets Lisette to the very last pages when everything in it’s entirety comes spilling out. The truth, the lies, the beginnings and the tragic yet satisfying end. There is not a page I skipped, skimmed, didn’t care for or found useless, the entire story was absolutely perfect.

Not to mention the characters, Rebecca was a stupid stupid girl, but still strong – she made a lot of mistakes but didn’t try talking her way out of them or blaming someone else for what she had done. She took responsibility for her mistakes and moved on – although, not learning very much in the process as she kept repeating them. She however is a teenager uprooted from her home and her very different life into something she didn’t know and didn’t understand, which I’m sure didn’t help when it felt like everyone around her was keeping secrets from her. She however she was likable, there isn’t a tiny little piece of me that doesn’t like her, she was very well written character. AND LISETTE! I loved how much we learn about her and how intertwined her story is with everyone elses, and yet how much she just wants to be where she belongs. I never got the sense that she held any grudges or that she was a malicious type ghost intent on doing harm. The only thing that really bothered me about any of the characters was less about the actual character and more about how she was written, the issue being Lisette’s dialect. Lisette died around 1854, and yet she speaks as if she had lived in modern times. Now my mother made the argument that maybe she had just picked up the more current dialects from being around for so long, but the thing about that – which you’ll see if you read it – is that Lisette is quite limited in her human interaction. Not only that every generation creates it’s own speech, while some things carry on and others are universally called by certain names, things do change, and almost every area/region has differences in accents and I myself just don’t find it very believable that Lisette would be so well versed in modern languages having actually been alive a hundred and fifty-five years ago. Other then that one problem though I loved her, and Rebecca and Anton and the other side characters. They all had their places, and their roles, and they were very well written into them. The only thing that truly disappoints about Ruined is that it won’t have a sequel.