TO UNCOVER OR BE COVERED: In the UK cover design, all there is is a big-faced girl kind of blurred out of focus doing some weird pose with her hand. Other than the red hair, nothing about that cover is cool. Now in my country, we’ve done something a little different. Or A LOT different, and it is so much more awesome! Deliciously enigmatic with all the nighttime stuff going around in the background while an ominous-looking building peers out from the shroud of black and blue. I like that, with the girl heading towards it on the bottom, it looks as if it’s the only light out there, giving the illusion of the possibility of a safe place, when really safe is the last thing it is.
It’s really beautiful, and maybe if I liked this book, I’d have given in and bought it. But, oh, right, I didn’t like this book. I wish I was as impressed with this story as I am with the foliage on the cover.
WHAT HAD HAPPENED WAS: Allie is a sad, cynical, bitter teenager who makes a mockery of the system every chance she gets, having been arrested a few times in the same year by engaging in rebellion and all that. At last, with her most recent arrest fresh in their minds, her parents have had enough. They’ve had enough of the poor behavior, poor attitude, and lack of respect for the rules; it doesn’t matter that her brother, Christopher, has been missing for a while and that this is really the cause of Allie’s malfunction as a person. So they say, as many parents have done before them—why didn’t my parents ever suggest boarding school, I wonder?—that it is off to Cimmeria Academy for her, where everyone seems to have been attending all their lives and The Rules are suspiciously strict (girlfriend can’t even whip out an iPhone without a serious case of dramalama because The Rules say no computerized technology, and so it makes sense why these kids are so damn crazy).
Little does she know, however, that Cimmeria Academy is not an ordinary boarding school (didn’t you guess?). Everyone is super secretive around her, and though she makes some friends, people are drunkenly falling off buildings and getting attacked by growling "foxes," turning up with their throats slit in the middle of a raging fire, and her headmistress is super hush hush about Allie’s family’s connections, until even the fact that Allie makes a half-insane best friend, two boys are at each other’s throats over her, and she’s actually starting to fit in somewhere, is not enough to mollify Allie. And so the dogged quest for answers begins.
WHERE WE GO: So the setting of NIGHT SCHOOL by C. J. Daugherty is a boarding school shrouded with mystery. Allie’s never heard of it before, even though it’s obvious that many English rich kids from important families are in attendance. I tried not to roll my eyes at the typical paranormal book setup we’re getting here: girl with an attitude problem ends up on the doorstep of a strange school with even stranger architecture, after which her parents leave her behind and are never heard from again (because what’s a paranormal book without uninvolved parents?). Once she realizes she’s been thrust into a dangerous situation, she receives evasions for her questions, is attacked and manhandled, is fought over by two boys with testosterone issues, and STILL WANTS TO STAY. We recognize this story, yes?
I realize that it looks like I’m in the minority here—what with all these five star ratings on goodreads—but this story is bland and uninventive. Boring. I could’ve ignored that setup I mentioned, because sometimes paranormal book plots don’t stray very far away from each other, but only if that setup had been developed and built upon with interesting layers. Instead the plot meanders to avoid telling us what’s really going on and maybe in an attempt to get me interested enough to care. I didn’t.
WHO WE ARE WITH:
Allie, Allie. Al. Whaddup, girlfriend? What the hell is up? At first, she started out as ordinary in that I’ve read many, many main characters just like her. But as I went along, I noticed that there is a little something special, something distinctly Allie about the way she snarks. I started to see some personality, and though I really think she should’ve phoned somebody for help after about five or six chapters in, I did appreciate that she wasn’t willing to take any answers at face value, which were really just shoddy cover ups, even if they were delivered to her by school officials. She questions things and tries to see straight, even if people would rather block her view and continually try to.
But then there came this point where she began to blend into all those other forgotten MCs I’ve sifted through before. Her one defining trait had to be her humor, which I admit, when paired with Carter West, is diabolically awesome and very good fun. I would continue reading this series, on my own time, if only to read scenes between these two. Not so much because Allie likes to climb onto his lap a lot—which is only hot after the first twenty times and then even my eyes start to spazz—but because they have excellent bantering that is very rarely done well when it comes to YA couples in a paranormal setting. They read as friends who like each other and like kissing as opposed to just a girl and guy getting hot for each other.
However, I kid you not, the rest of the characters are a DISASTER area. One girl starts out as a good friend but later turns into a neglected child off her rocker and on the booze. A boy originally liked by the main character is freakishly on top of her every move, showing up randomly and making creepy romantic suggestions, and when she does fall prey to his charm and whatnot, he attempts to take advantage of her. When Allie confronts him about it, the scene that followed made me *head-desk* hard because it read like: “Oh, what’s that? You didn’t drug me so that my inhibitions were lowered enough to go outside with you where you proceeded to grope me without my consent? You just kept refilling my champagne glass every chance you got, making sure my glass was never empty in the hopes to get into my pants when I could barely slur my own name? Oh, well, all right then. Thanks for the honesty.” Like. WHAT.
So she decides never to forgive him or be alone with him, but she tells no one except her immediate friends, who also do nothing (unless you count Carter's menacing glares *rolls eyes*). The whole thing is totes treated like a nonissue, so that bugged me. IMMENSELY.
THE LITTLE THINGS:
Carter And Allie Say Funny Things to Each Other... Often
I’m still trying to figure out how this is a paranormal book. Can somebody explain this to me? It has all the telltale signs of a really unimaginative one, but there were nothing but little hints, like growling or “exceptional” hearing or speed. But, honestly, I kept waiting for someone to rip off his shirt and howl into the moonlight, or for Allie to wake up to puncture marks on her neck with all the bedroom window opening going on, but, uh, nada. So kind of a letdown after ALL THAT.
I don’t get where this book was trying to go, but I appreciate the effort. Not really. I’ll read any sequels in my own time and only because I enjoy some of the dialogue, and would maybe enjoy learning answers to stuff. But as far as plot goes, characters (and, eww, the villain is not scary) and setting, this is an unimpressive start to a “paranormal” series.
Hardback / 400 pgs / May 21st 2013 / Katherine Tegen Books / Goodreads / $17.99
I received an e-galley of this book from Harper Collins via Edelweiss.
TO UNCOVER OR BE COVERED: I know somepeople don’t dig the bejeweled covers with the model at their center, but I think they’re all really stunning. It could be for reasons as shallow as they’re sparkly or it could be more obscure than that even to me.
Well, I was going to say absolutely my most anticipated sequel release of the year but then I started thinking about Thankless In Death, Storming the Castle, The Fiery Heart, Daylighters, and I could go on and I started to think that when I get all rambunctious and excited my memory short-circuits and I start spouting untruths akin to blasphemy.
Even my cat, Sam, is giving me a look that says
Anyway, I can barely remember what I wrote in the message to Harper Collins to convince them to let me read this book (probably that excitement-makes-my-brain-go-kaput thing I mentioned) but I know it probably alluded to willing enslavement among other unsavory behaviors if only I COULD HAVE THIS BOOK.
They sure know how to read beneath all that flowery language and abundance of compliments and found the desperation I was doing little to hide AND I THANK THEM.
WHAT HAD HAPPENED WAS: I read THE BITTER KINGDOM in April, read THE CROWN OF EMBERS in October of 2012 and I can still tell you what this series is about. That’s skillz, my brethren, so believe it, fear it. What? I meant Rae Carson. Surely you know I have more modesty.
THE GIRL OF FIRE AND THORNS introduces an insecure, unhappy, god-chosen Elisa who’s not comfortable in the shoes of “the chosen one” let alone in her own skin. She’s malleable and is pushed, pulled, toyed with and has no clue as to how much untapped potential and power she truly possesses, which, by far, makes the brightest spot of the series—her growth and transition into one of the most formidable, powerful heroines I’ve ever loved. Her journey to that inner strength begins in GoFaT (funny isn’t it!), climbs in THE CROWN OF EMBERS, and makes the distance at a profound height in THE BITTER KINGDOM. Her opponents range from terrifying pale-skinned magic users to sly dark-skinned country and noblemen, and within that are political disarray and a mysterious prophecy to take on as well. Why wouldn’t you want to read a series in which a girl, through personal struggles and vast accumulation of loyalties, triumphs against them all?
WHERE WE GO: I’m a character girl all the way down to my underwear (my feet are a little undecided) but even I can appreciate the depth and complications of the story line. Carson takes her beautiful eruption of a fantasy world—so vivid, startling, and well-excavated—and wields it in EVERY INCH of the plot that has spanned the trilogy, filling all the holes at the right moments with the secrets of her world she’s left buried in the desert of Joya d’Arena and under the cold stones of the bitter kingdom of Invierno and calls them to rise. Like a darn pro and I’ve found her machinations of torture against us readers brutal and delightful.
Yeah, probably.
WHO WE ARE WITH: Storm chuckles. "Queen, chosen one, horse thief. Let it never be said that you are not accomplished."
Oh, God, this review wasn’t supposed to be so long, but I can’t not divulge on each amazing fictional specimen on every page of THE BITTER KINGDOM! Elisa is undoubtedly one of my favorite heroines of all time, and even to my surprise her growth STILL CONTINUES. And it’s marvelous and beautiful and, gosh darn, I’m so freaking proud. Her acceptance of everything she’s become, all that she was, and what she still is is disarmingly FEELS-RIDDEN. But, man, her supporting cast is exactly that, determinedly supportive and fiercely loyal, and deserves as much mention as my keyboard and your attention will allow.
I think what draws these people to Elisa is her willingness to forgive and a power that leaves them awe-stricken. Belen, once traitor always a friend, is on my FAVORITE ASSASINS LIST, and deserves nothing less than the whole heart of Mara, Elisa’s BAMF lady-in-waiting. Then, there’s forever room, OBVS, for Hector, a deep-in-the-bones good, honorable man, friend, and so much more than I could EVER have hoped for my chick. Storm, an unexpected, grudgingly loyal ally, is surprisingly my favorite person for comic relief. Surprising because of his usual stoic nature, but everything that comes out of his mouth is caresses to my very receptive ears. And the newest addition of Mula/Red just caps the awesomeness on these guys. Another lovable child added to the cast, with so much courage and strength and lovable qualities, it makes me glow better than the biggest baddest glowworm that Elisa, essentially, has found a son in Rosario and perhaps a daughter in this fantastic little girl.
She has been with us for such a short time, yet she was willing to risk her life for our cause. "Weren't you scared?" I ask.
"Yes. But it was a good scared."
"There's a good kind?"
"Oh, yes." Her voice drops so low I have to strain to hear. "Orlin made me scared all the time. Scared I would starve. Scared I would get too cold. Scared he would hurt me again or get so mad that he'd throw me to one of the men. That was nasty bad scared." She pauses, scuffing her boots against the floor. "But you never hit me, even though I'm your slave."
"You're not my--"
"And you always feed me. You call me a true name. Now, when I'm scared it's not because of meanness. And today I chose my own scared. It's always a good scared, when you get to pick it for your own self."
THE LITTLE THINGS:
Hector’s %(*&^$DGG)^ to Elisa’s &%$@DF@$
The Sexy Nervous Bedchamber Scene
Mula Becomes Red Sparkling Stone
Red Picks Her Own Scared
Mara Says No to Belen and Smiles
Everything Said By He Who Wafts Gently with the Wind Becomes as Mighty as the Thunderstorm
And especially… everything
"You look beautiful," Alodia says.
I startle at the compliment. Then I smile. "I'm beautiful to the one person who matters."
She nods. "*&^^&$FGD's mouth will drop open when he sees you."
"I hope so. But I meant me. I'm beautiful to me."
What more do you need me to say? I’ve told you ALL OF IT. Every ounce of feelings in my overburdened body has been poured into this review. If, after ALL THIS, you don’t read this book I will slay you with whatever is at hand (I don’t know how much damage a keyboard will do, but I’m friggin’ willing to find out).
TO UNCOVER OR BE COVERED: Honestly, I was a little bit worried about the cover design for THE ELITE. I guess it was the hair and how weird-shaped the model’s head looked on the smaller computer image, but in person it’s just as pretty and eye-catching as it’s predecessor’s. Maybe they’re too much alike and only a little different and maybe my thoughts on THE ELITE are slipping into my cover thoughts as well.
WHAT HAD HAPPENED WAS: ‘Kay, so remember how in THE SELECTION, there might as well be A TON of girls for our lovely, awkward prince to choose from. Now there are only five girls remaining, and our prince is having a tough, frustrating time determining the best choice as America Singer is the one causing problems. With America teetering unsteadily toward the end of THE SELECTION, it was easy to see on which end she was most likely going to fall. That decision seems to be intact but only after loads of drama, half-hearted rebel attacks, and a plot that has wavered and become riddled with tension, misunderstandings, slow-moving tactics to pique the interest of THE ELITE’s reader.
WHERE WE GO: The setting of Cass’s story hasn’t changed since we dropped out of THE SELECTION. We’re still in the glam of the palace, soaking up all that royal riches can buy, from fine food to good help, and, frankly, it gets to be a bit tedious. Though the tension grows thicker, it’s like a weak sapling dying under falling snow—it struggles to make its presence known but ultimately fails—unless you’re an optimist, which I’m pretending not to be for the sake of this image I’m trying to create. It’s not a weak attempt on Cass’s part, just a failing one.
Same goes, if not more, for the plot. With THE SELECTION, I found it okay for Cass to slowly and teasingly introduce the rebel squad she’s got working, but to do it in the sequel just made me want to roll my eyes every time the people of the palace came out of hiding and found the very ambiguous and threatening “WE ARE COMING.” I was a little spooked in THE SELECTION, like an anxious mare anticipating a storm, but after THE ELITE that mare has since found a more interesting-looking predicament, like how to reach that apple. What I’m getting at is the tease is half the fun in an introduction to a series, but one of the top reasons one waits for the sequel is to be satisfied—in answers, you perverts.
Cass made a wrong turn, as she kept dangling that shiny new thing expecting me to give chase, only when I got a closer look I realized it was the inside of Twix wrapper.
WHO WE ARE WITH: Oh, Greek deities above on a mountain, everyone was all over the place in THE ELITE! And not in a good way. In many respects, THE ELITE showed the absolute worst sides of all the characters combined, America especially. Between all the blubbering, self-doubt, wishy-washy decision-making I wanted to smother her under all those pretty dresses her lady’s maids were slaving over. In THE SELECTION, I found her uncertainty both believably practical and emotional and now I see that Cass has failed in amassing more sympathy for America because my supply ran short after the first third of the book. I didn’t see America as irrational and silly, initially, but then she started doing all these THINGS until she landed in the neighborhood of emotionally afflicted stupidity and childishness. One moment she’s saying how she’s sorry she’s hurt Aspen so much then the next she’s realizing he messed up everything, one moment hates Maxon with the power of a thousand suns and the next she gets why he’s done what he has. I got her insecurities, but I hated her indecisive stance, unable to leave the Selection but not sure if she should stay while countless girls ARE competing and are maybe even winning a little…
Then, toes below Maxon gets to be a piece of work. Most times I would only find that irritating on the behalf of the FMC not so much the author’s part. But I couldn’t help but question the organic-ness of his small changes. Cass made me believe the Maxon that THE SELECTION showed us, and the actions of this Maxon don’t coincide with the Maxon I’ve come to know. I want to say that that may have been the point BUT it felt forced and artificially incorporated for the sake of Second Book Tension. I didn’t buy it even as I was raging at him, I didn’t buy the sudden revealing of some dirty secrets he’s been keeping.
Aspen, though, needs to just go home! It doesn’t even have to do with his influence on the romance, but more his input feels useless, unnecessary, and eyerollable. He’s there solely to make America conflicted, and always has been, which is why I’ve probably been so frustrated by his character. I mean, deep down, who doesn’t love a good love triangle? But as the third point, he weakens the overall shape just by existing to exist.
I’m really disappointed by these three. And the fact that, while Cass was busy complicating matters of love with drama and angst, she didn’t give nearly enough depth to characters I’d hoped to cling to by the time I finished THE ELITE.
THE LITTLE THINGS:
Maxon Dancing with America
The real deciding factor on my feelings on this book is summed up by the fact that I skimmed a little over a third of this book after the first third. And the only reason I wanted to pay full attention to that last bit was to ensure I wasn’t missing anything I wanted to bask in. Because in spite of my disappointment and mild rage, I am cracked out over Maxon and America no matter how pissed I am at them. Yeah, I didn’t enjoy this one, but is that going to stop me from finding out how this pairing turns out? Uh, yeah no.
Hardcover / 323 pgs / April 23rd 2013 / Harper Teen / Goodreads / $17.99
SUMMARY: Allie's world is falling apart...
