Mundie Moms

Saturday, April 2, 2011

Book Review - BETRAYAL

Written by: Lee Nichols
Published by: Bloomsbury Kids
Release Date: March 2011
Source: ARC received from publisher & purchased
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars -- this is a must read.

Synopsis (from Bloomsbury Kids): The ghostly mystery continues with a traitor in the midst.

Emma Vaile is the most powerful ghostkeeper in centuries. Which is great when she's battling the wraith-master Neos, but terrible when she's flirting with fellow ghostkeeper (and soul mate) Bennett. When ghostkeepers fall in love, the weaker one loses all power, and that's not something Bennett can handle. Heartbroken and alone, Emma tries to lose herself in school with fellow ghostkeeper Natalie. When a new team of ghostkeepers arrive-one a snarky teen boy, the other a British scholar-Emma finds solace in training for the battle against Neos. But as the team grows stronger, they are threatened by an unknown force. One they thought was good. As chilling and page-turning as Deception, this sequel will grab readers and hold them to the last page. No one is safe from suspicion as Emma closes in on the traitor.

I picked up Betrayal right as I finished Deception (see link for review) and let me tell you, Mundie Moms, I was filled with anxiety (in a good way). We know by now all about Emma’s strength and her legacy. But, Deception ended with such a reveal that I was left thinking, “Oh boy, how will this work out?” Those are the best kind of endings, aren’t they? A reveal not a cliff-hanger. I think so.

So, on to Betrayal and my non-spoilery thoughts. We all know, as readers, that second books are tricky. Often times there are plot developments that we question or don’t like, but Lee managed to avoid every one of those potential pitfalls. Instead, she presents what is a logical extension of the decisions which were made in the first book. And I can’t even being to praise her writing – the plot, the characters and her dark, ghost-filled world all are brilliantly presented. The stakes are higher and everything gets more and more twisted. Don’t you love when that happens in a book? I know, I do.

This time around, the secondary characters are a pivotal part of the story. And the family of friends that Emma has built around her, in her parents’ and brother’s absence, is presented in such a realistic way. Their relationships are tested so very believably, I felt like I was experiencing my own friends’ emotional ups and downs. Even the villain, Neos, continues to be a credible threat. We learn more about him and how very un-stoppable he’s become. Nothing, but nothing, brings out my fangirly side like a good villain. And by good, I mean bad, of course.

Well, nothing except an impossible romance, that is. You know the kind – forbidden, yet destined. Bennett and Emma have just that. I can’t even begin to describe my love for this pairing because I will spoil all plot developments completely. It’s enough, I think, to remark that Bennett easily makes my Top 5 Favorite Fictional Boys list. And yes, MMs, he can work a sword rather well. So here’s to another Hot Boy with Sword who is just dreamy.

I encourage you to not wait and pick up this series as soon as possible. The third installment, Surrender, comes out in December.


April Book Releases

We are so EXCITED about this month's releases, especially for April 5th when City of Fallen Angels will FINALLY be in our hands! YAY!! Here's a list of some YA and MG books you'll find on book store shelves this month:

April 1st

April 4th
The Year We Were Famous by Carol Estby Dagg
The Lipstick Laws by Amy Holder

April 5th
City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare
Red Glove by Holly Black
The Emerald Atlas (MG) by John Stephens
Where She Went by Gayle Forman
Stay by Deb Caletti
Huntress by Malinda Lo
Through Her Eyes by Jennifer Archer
Faerie Winter by Janni Lee Shimner
Kat The Incorrigible by Stephanie Burgis (MG)
Hare Moon: An Original Forest of Hands & Teeth Story (ebook) by Carrie Ryan

April 12
Enclave by Anne Aguire
My Unfair Godmother by Jannette Rallison
In The Shadow of the Lamp by Susanne Emily Dunlap
The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong

April 19th
The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

April 26th
Abandon by Meg Cabot
Bumped by Megan McCafferty
Future Imperfect by K. Ryer Brees

April 28th
Exile (Aurelia #2) by Anne Osterlund

If I left off any YA or middle grade that are being released this month, please let me know in the comments and I'll be happy to add them.

Book Review/ Blog Tour- Memento Nora



By Angie Smibert
Published by Marshall Cavendish Children's Books
Released on April 1st, 2011
Source- ARC from the publisher for review
3.5 stars- It's A Good Read

A teen struggles to hold onto her memories-and her identity-in a world that wants everyone to forget-and keep on shopping. Three dynamic teens come together to creat a comic book of their memories (quoted from Goodreads).

Memento Nora is a fast past, realistic, dystopian read. Thrown into this dark world Nora has to deal with an uncertain future, and the daily threat of growing violence, and terrorist attacks. So when Nora is offered pills to take to erase her memory you'd think she'd jump at that chance, but wrong. Nora doesn't want to forget, anything. In fact she teams up with Micah (whom I adored) to create Memento, illustrated stories of what's going on around them.

While I didn't really connect with the characters, I liked that Angie tells the story through not only Nora's point of view, but from Micah and his friend Winter. This allowed me to see the story build and see what was happening from various angles. Each of the characters are different, coming from various backgrounds, and each adds something unique to the story. I like that they all have their flaws which makes them likable and in some way relatable. I loved that each chapter is like a journal entry from either Micah, Nora or Winter. My favorite character is Micah and I enjoyed the relationship the grows between him and Nora.

I liked that Micah and Nora teamed together to create Memento, which inspires others to find their voices, but with any movement it brings danger and now Micah, Nora and Winter must decide what their next move is as the government wants to find out who's behind the Mementos. I think this a great debut from Angie and being less than 200 pages, Memento Nora is a quick, engaging read.

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