ARC Review: A Mad, Wicked Folly by Sharon Biggs Waller

Title: A Mad, Wicked Folly 

Author: Sharon Biggs Waller

Rating: 3.5 Stars

Release Date: January 23rd, 2014

It's a little jarring to think that if it were not for Heather's "Waiting on Wednesday" post, this book would have completely slipped under my radar. Although A Mad, Wicked Folly falls under one of my favorite genres - historical fiction - it focuses on art, a theme I nearly always dismiss (unless it's written by Cath Crowley). Needless to say, once I found myself immersed in the narration of this debut, I was more than just a little glad to have picked it up. A Mad, Wicked Folly is by no means a perfect novel, but it's certainly a riveting one. Once you fall into this book, you won't want to emerge back out.

Waller bases her debut during an interesting time period in history - one that hasn't been explored very much in historical fiction - which makes for a fascinating read. Vicky, a budding artist, is promptly whisked away from France when she is caught escaping class to pose nude for art students. In France, Vicky was subjected to the dull - and typical - "womanly duties" classes that all upper-class girls attended. In following her life-long passion of art, however, she stumbled upon a class of male artists. While every one of her fellow students posed nude for the class, Vicky, being the only female, never did. Nevertheless, determined to prove her worth among her students, Vicky poses for her fellow classmates and, once word gets around of her scandalous deed, is back under the jurisdiction of her strict parents in London.

It is 1909, though, and the women's suffrage movement is fully underway. Although Vicky is initially uninterested in gaining the power to vote, the wave of revolution strikes her as well, giving her the courage to take a stand and finally apply for art college. Vicky's only way into the prestigious school she dreams of attended, however, is to marry Edmund - a rich society man - who will pay for her education when her parents won't. While Vicky keeps up the charade of a perfect daughter to her parents, she sneaks off to draw Will, the handsome police officer who has offered to be her model for her portfolio. Vicky realizes, soon enough, that leading a dual life is not necessarily the path to her dreams. Finding the courage to go after what she wants, though, is far more difficult than it seems...

Where A Mad, Wicked Folly excels is in its characterization of Vicky. I love a strong female protagonist, but give me one whose stubborn will won't let her give up her passion? I'm sold. Moreover, this book truly shines in its historical portrayal of the time period. From clothing to occupations, class struggles to gender roles, Waller paints such a vivid image of twentieth century Europe that it's practically impossible to believe we aren't living there ourselves. Waller also captures the mindset of this time perfectly; the young radicals eager to charge into the future and the stubborn elders unwilling to let go of the past. Waller manages to weave the women's suffrage story into this era perfectly, conveying the desperation of the times and the staunch mindsets these women had to fight against. Additionally, Waller ties together the suffrage movement with art seamlessly. I wouldn't have thought art to be such a vital aspect of the movement, but Vicky, too, finds a place for her talents and voice among these strong women, which is heartening to see.

Another aspect of this novel which I loved was the romance. Will and Vicky meet during a suffrage protest and after a series of misunderstandings, soon become colleagues with Vicky illustrating the tale Will has written. Obviously, I adored the slow build-up between these two, especially their conversations and the manner in which Will - unlike anyone else in her life - truly supports Vicky in her artistic endeavors. I was also impressed, however, by the class distinctions between these two. Will comes from the country, so working in the city is prestigious for him. Vicky, on the other hand, not only employ dozens of servants but also owns many unnecessary comforts. Thus, I found that the gap between their social classes was portrayed very well, only because it examined the strangeness that could tinge their interactions but also proved that what they had went beyond mere societal boxes.

Where this book faltered for me, though, was in the extent to which a few events were carried out. First and foremost, the most pressing issue from the beginning of the novel is the fact that Vicky poses nude. Even in our day and age, it's a little extreme. Thus, I understood where her parents were coming from in their anger at Vicky and their attempts to make her fall back in line were realistically drawn up. In fact, all the familial interactions in this novel were brutally honest, which I appreciated. On the other hand, though, many people - such as Will and a few suffragettes that Vicky befriends - never fault her for her actions, accepting her and going so far as to imitate those actions themselves. Although Europe, during this era, was on the verge of a cultural revolution, I feel as if the readiness with which so much "scandalous" behavior was accepted to be a bit strange. Moreover, there is virtually no explanation given for Vicky's own forward-thinking. From the first page itself, Vicky's narration reads more like a woman from our time than a upper-class snob of 1909. On one hand, I completely understand that Vicky represents a group of women who slowly emerged from their seats of comfort into the working world, but I wish her growth into that mindset could have been more gradual. Instead, she more-or-less starts out with this form of thinking, which made for an excellent - and consistent - narration, but didn't quite work for me as the novel wore on.

What Vicky really goes through in this novel is the realization that there is nothing she can do to convince her parents of her side of life. Vicky goes through many stages, thinking that she can eventually prove to her parents that she is a serious artist - that it can be a career for her - and their continued refusal to budge an inch on the issue never deters her from trying again and again. It's more than a little naive. When Vicky does, eventually, realize that there is no way for her to keep her current life and pursue her dreams, the pace of the novel quickens suddenly, only to end in a matter of chapters. I really wish this aspect of the novel were explored with further depth. A Mad, Wicked Folly is a large book - the bulk of which is focused on Vicky's art, her romance with Will, or even just her inclusion into the suffrage movement. For me, this book would have been much stronger if it focused more on Vicky's internal growth and change a little further.

Nevertheless, I already know a handful of people for whom A Mad, Wicked Folly will be a perfect read. It addresses so many issues that teens go through daily, even today, especially in regards to breaking away from home and parental expectations. Despite its size, it is so, so quick, practically impossible to put down, and Will Fletcher is guaranteed to make you swoon on more than one occasion. A Mad, Wicked Folly is a debut to kick the year off with a bang and if it's anything to go by, then the coming year is going to be unusually promising.

A huge thank you to Heather @ The Flyleaf Review for organizing and adding me to the blog tour for this novel. :)

Review: Written in Red by Anne Bishop

Title: Written in Red (The Others, #1) 

Author: Anne Bishop

Rating: 4.5 Stars

It has become an accepted rule among readers of Urban Fantasy that the first book in a new series is going to be the worst. When it comes to Written in Red, however, all I really have to say is that Bishop has big shoes to fill if she's going to try to write a sequel even better than this. Although this novel is a little tedious to get into, its unique lore, lovable characters, and exciting plot line will likely leave you bereft by the end, not wanting to leave this world Bishop has spun.

Meg Corbyn is a woman on the run. As a blood prophet - one who can see the future when she cuts herself - she has been locked up and held by a Controller all her life. Now, desperate for freedom, Meg flees to the only place she can think of: the Compound. The Compound is home to the Others, creatures who wear human skin but are anything but. Ranging from werewolves and vampires to beings that can turn into birds or control the weather, the only sure thing about the Others is that they are dangerous. The Compound isn't the most welcoming of places for a human, but even upon first sight, Simon, the head of the Compound, knows Meg is no ordinary human. When Meg applies for the position of Human Liaison at the Compound, Simon agrees to let her have it...at least until he can figure out how much a threat she truly is. 

What makes Written in Red such a spectacular introduction to this series is the seamless manner in which the story is told. Bishop shifts from the third person perspectives of Meg, Simon, and Monty, a human policeman in charge of handling any crimes or misdemeanors involving the Others. Although multiple perspectives is often jarring for readers, Bishop handles this aspect of the story really well, only shifting the point of view when it is beneficial to the plot line and not because of a new chapter. Moreover, these different perspectives help build a more thorough picture of the world Bishop has created - through human eyes, through Other eyes, and through the eyes of a woman who doesn't quite belong in either worlds. 

Additionally, Meg is the epitome of a quiet heroine. While I admire a kick-butt female as much as the next reader, I appreciate the silently fierce heroines even more. When we are introduced to Meg, it is easy to see her as weak and frail. After all, she is thin, her skin covered in scars from her cutting, and nervous. Meg has had little interaction with humans or Others, which makes her an unpredictable character, but one whose journey it isn't difficult to become invested in. At her core, Meg is not only a good person, going out of her way to make friends and assimilate into her new lifestyle, but she is also strong, owning a hidden reservoir of courage and loyalty. 

Written in Red is difficult to describe in terms of plot, suffice to say that there are multiple plot lines at play. Simon, the head of the Courtyard, goes off for a period of time to investigate a series of strange occurrences outside of his compound. Meanwhile, Asia, a young woman relaying information about the Others in hopes of landing her own detective show, is snooping around the Compound with malicious intent. At the same time, however, Meg is witness to prophecies of her death, the kidnapping of a wolf pup, Sam, among other trouble. Nevertheless, despite the fact that the plot of this novel is involved, these plot threads subtly come together, never overwhelming the story line, and Bishop manages to still make this a character-centric book. 

For me, what made this book so irresistible to put down was the fact that it was comprised of relationships. Although there is a very understated romance in the novel - one that will likely gain more traction as the series progresses - the main appeal of this series is Meg and the manner in which she startles the Others, forcing them to change their lifestyles and acknowledge her presence. With Sam, Simon's nephew who has been an unresponsive pup ever since watching his mother die, Meg makes efforts to gain trust and open the child up to others, finally making him play, eat, act, and shift like a werewolf. Similarly, Meg maintains strong bonds with the humans in the Compound, delivers movies on time to the vampires, feeds the ponies carrots and sugar cubes, talks on equal par with Simon (no longer frightened of him as the book wears on), and amuses the crows. With time, she becomes part of the Compound and their culture, though different from that of the humans, soon grows to include her, which is the main highlight of this novel. It is, for all its deceptive appearance, a feel-good story through-and-through. 

Ultimately, I cannot recommend Bishop's latest enough. Not only does it introduce a vivid and original new world, not to mention a set-up of paranormal creatures that has them all living together instead of snarling at one another's throats, but it also sketches characters that worm their way into your heart. In my eyes, there is nothing better than a novel that can inspire emotion and Written in Red does that - in spades. 

ARC Review: Uninvited by Sophie Jordan

Title: Uninvited (Uninvited, #1)

Author: Sophie Jordan

Rating: 3 Stars

Release Date: January 28th, 2014

I am no stranger to disappointment. It trails me, especially in-between the words, in the spaces where potential lingers, but is passed over. I often pause at these gaps – these chasms – of un-realized fulfillment, seeking the gratification of invisible letters to clutters the emptiness. Alas, Jordan’s Uninvited is just another novel whose premise enticed me, concept intrigued me, and first few pages kept me glued…only to close the cover with a bang, a whoosh of air, and a sigh of discontentment. Admittedly, Jordan tries to cover the expanse her original idea covers, but these attempts are no substitute for a full-fledged, thought-provoking thriller. Ultimately, Uninvited isn’t bad…it just isn’t unforgettable either. 

In the not-so-distant future of Uninvited, scientists have found a gene that identifies killers. In fact, according to statistics, at least half of the murders committed in America were committed by individuals who carried this gene, known as the Homicidal Tendency Syndrome (HTS). Davy, a talented musician whose acceptance to Julliard has clinched her future, could never have imagined she carried the killer gene. When her genetic testing results report positive, her admission to Julliard is rescinded, she is uninvited from the private school she attends (despite her economic advantages), her best friend and boyfriend refuse to interact with her, and she is placed with five other carriers in a public school nearby. Now, the only question in Davy’s life remains…is she the girl she thought she was or the killer her DNA proclaims her to be?

It should come as no surprise that the question of “nature vs. nurture” is still regularly debated; a question whose answers vary just as much as the life-long question of “what comes first – the chicken or the egg?” Needless to say, with this innovative concept, Jordan had more than just a little to handle on her plate. And, at first, I was more than satisfied. Davy’s sudden recognition of the gene she carries, the slow estrangement of her friends and family, the fear she sees in the eyes of others…it’s a shocking, but realistic, reaction. After all, though Davy is the same girl she always was, the knowledge of the gene she possesses leaves her close comrades in harm: if anything were to trigger her killing gene, they would be the first targets. Thus, it becomes no difficult task to sympathize with Davy. 

Moreover, Jordan delves into the unforeseen consequences of discovering this gene. Davy is placed in public school to graduate, but in solitary confinement with five other students. In fact, she has no teacher, no friends, no lunch time, no recess, no gym class…nothing. While Davy is far from a killer – or seems that way – that isn’t the case with the other carriers she meets. Some, like the tech-savvy Gil, seem unable to commit harm, but others, like Sean, have been branded for their violence. What I found most interesting about this situation was the fact that the discovery of this gene isolates individuals, which coincidentally puts them in the ideal situation to trigger their killer instincts. Estrangement, after all, leads to bitterness and in the teenage boys Davy meets, manifests itself in violent ways. Even more disarming, however, is the fact that the girls – also estranged from society – are now placed in situations with violent men who are stronger than they are. Thus, though these girls, like Davy, have the potential to become killers, they are still weaker than those around them and will resort to terrible means to find a modicum of safety. For me, this first-half of Uninvited was the strongest, outlying the different results of this gene and truly portraying humanity in a realistic, though uncomfortable light. 

Where this story began to lose my attention, though, was in the second-half. After a mall shooting committed by individuals possessing the killer gene, all carriers in America are rounded up and placed in seclusion camps. A select few teenagers, though, are taken to a government training facility to be taught how to control their violent tendencies. As a musical prodigy, Davy is – naturally – chosen. Unfortunately, instead of using this opportunity as a means to instill world-building, background, or politics into this novel, Jordan continues along the same stream she already has. Additionally, the romance begins to gain greater importance in this part of the novel, which is fine – I rather enjoyed the slow-burn story between Davy and Sean, particularly their initial differences and gradual conversations – but I did feel as if Sean’s presence inhibited Davy’s growth. In fact, it become cumbersome to see Sean save the day, time-and-time again, by going to Davy’s rescue. I genuinely wanted to see more growth from her, beyond the initial eye-opening scenes into her new life. Moreover, the ending of this novel is rushed and abrupt, refusing to examine the sticky emotional situation Davy is reeling from after events towards the end. While I appreciate that this series is a duology – a pleasant change from the typical trilogy – I was still left disappointed; confused whether it was worth my time and effort to pick up the sequel when it released. 

Uninvited, you see, lacks world-building. For one, we are given absolutely no information about the discovery of this gene or the political/scientific repercussions about it. While it is made clear that the training facility Davy is sent to is mandated by the government, there are very few insights into the political scheme revolving around this situation. I, for one, would have imagined that the discovery of this gene immediately would raise gun-control concerns. After all, do we want potential killers to be in possession of guns? Moreover, what about the rights being violated by quarantining these people away? Where are the human rights activists? Where are the protests by disgruntled family members? Uninvited takes place in a bubble, with few glimpses into the real-world repercussions if this event were to actually take place. Even Davy’s family, beyond her older brother Mitchell, is strangely non-vocal about what their daughter is going through. Davy’s interactions with them are minimal, which is yet another disappointment. 

Nevertheless, I do not doubt that most readers will enjoy this novel immensely. Its characterization and romance are spot-on and, to some extent, it even makes one think, bringing up an uncomfortable, but intriguing, subject matter. For the readers who are expecting more of a psychological bite, however, or just a pleasant dose of science-fiction and politics, Uninvited is not that story. We are all, sadly, still waiting for it to be written.

Review: Pivot Point by Kasie West

Title: Pivot Point (Pivot Point, #1)

Author: Kasie West

Rating: 3 Stars

When I started this book, I knew it was either about to become one of the most surprising reads of the year (if I, by some miracle, enjoyed it after disliking West's Distance Between Us) or the most predictable (if I failed to enjoy this West novel as well). Unexpectedly, my feelings for this book fell right smack dab in the middle of the two extremes I thought they would steer towards. Granted, I enjoyed this novel much more than West's sophomore story, but that doesn't negate the fact that much of Pivot Point is unremarkable and disappointing.

Addie, the protagonist of our tale, is Divergent. Nope, she doesn't live in the futuristic Chicago of Tris Prior's world, but she possesses mind powers that enable her to see the different paths in her future. Although Addie's powers are rare in her world, her kind isn't as rare as we'd like to believe. In fact, groups of humans born with mind powers live in a secret complex known as the Compound, developing their skills and living separately from normal human beings. When Addie's parents decide to get a divorce, however, with her mother staying back in the Compound and her father determined to lead a normal life outside the Compound, Addie must suddenly choose between two completely different life choices.

Addie uses her power to Search her future, finding two choices that could dictate her future. In Future #1 Addie stays in the compound with her mother and best friend, Laila. Duke, the star quarterback of the football team, soon shows an unexpected interest in Addie. Although Addie has always despised the arrogant athlete - and rumored player - she can't help but fall for him with the encouragement of her best friend. While Addie is happy enough being Duke's girlfriend, she also harbors doubts about their relationship whenever she spends too much time away from him. Meanwhile, Laila slowly gets caught up in a difficult situation as her father, a drug addict, owes money to a drug seller by the name of Poison. In Future #2, Addie moves to the normal world with her father and meets Trevor, a high school senior who can no longer play football after a nasty shoulder injury. As Addie acclimates into normal life with Trevor and his friends - falling for the sweet senior - she also uncovers suspicions that the football players in her old school are using their powers to injure other football players on normal high school teams, like Trevor. Moreover, with Addie in the normal world, Laila's involvement with Poison only increases...

Every chapter of Pivot Point alternates between Future #1 and Future #2, which was surprisingly an effective method of storytelling as information from both futures overlap and add to our understanding of the plot as a whole. Where this story falters, though, is in its beginning. Pivot Point is unremarkable for the entirety of its first half. Not only does it rely on high school cliches such as cliques, jocks, nerds, etc. but it also lacks character depth. When the story finally picks up during the second half, I finally found myself engaged in the plot, unable to put the book down. Unfortunately, though, this all came a little too late.

When I went into Pivot Point, I was most concerned about a potential love triangle. As Addie witnesses two different futures, however, and is with (and devoted to) two different guys in each, any potential love triangle mess was efficiently cut out. Moreover, it becomes obvious quite quickly who West wants us to root for in terms of the "better" love interest. It's not much of a competition, really. And yet, though I did enjoy one of the romances in this novel, the love story focus of the book grated on me. West manages to include many parent-child interactions and the friendship between Laila and Addie is another integral aspect to the story, but these are often overshadowed by the romance.

Frankly speaking, if this weren't the case, Pivot Point could have been a much stronger novel. For a book that looks at two potential paths, it doesn't seem as if West was able to see another future for her novel. Unfortunately, I could. Pivot Point manages to incorporate hints about the Compound - their government, justice system, etc. - but never truly explores those parts of the world. In fact, the world-building is minimal and disappointing, particularly as Addie's father is an important member of their society as a lie-detector. Moreover, with the exception of Addie and Laila (on occasion), the rest of these characters remained black-and-white with little to no gray area. All the villains were wholly evil and the good guys were wholly pure and angelic. It was all just a little too convenient, by the end.

Pivot Point stands out because its intertwining timelines manage to reveal an intriguing plot line, but the other aspects of this novel leave much to be desired. Although I did manage to enjoy the second half of this story, that doesn't negate the fact that the first half was a complete snooze-fest of "hmm, where have I seen this typical and overused YA trope before??". Is Pivot Point better than West's Distance Between Us? Definitely. Without a doubt. And yet, it isn't the best YA has to offer. Not by a long shot.

ARC Mini-Reviews: The Killing Woods by Lucy Christopher & The Chocolate Temptation by Laura Florand

Title: The Killing Woods

Author: Lucy Christopher

Rating: 2 Stars

Release Date: January 7th, 2014

If Lucy Christopher's name hadn't been printed on the cover of this novel, I wouldn't have believed she wrote it. Granted, the prose is gorgeous, but the emotional complexity, character depth, and general plot originality I've come to expect from the author of Stolen wasn't present in this novel. Not in the least. Admittedly, I didn't expect The Killing Woods to be another Stolen, but I didn't expect to feel so apathetic to it as a whole either.

Told in alternating points of view, Christopher's latest is about a young girl whose father is charged with the murder of her classmate. Where The Killing Woods shines is in its portrayal of the emotions Emily feels, both after her father is accused and during his trial. What makes this situation so black-and-white is the fact that Emily's father has been suffering from PTSD after returning from the war and is often unable to discern from memory and his own reality. Thus, as Emily is left to pick up the pieces of human cruelty - friends abandoning her, questioning if she's a killer too - and confusion - who could have committed the murder? Damon, as the boyfriend of the murdered girl, is both outraged over her death and worried. Just the night before he had been out in the woods with her, high, and doesn't quite remember what happened. If he killed her, he wouldn't even know how he had done it, or why for that matter.

While this premise and set-up is fascinating, the slow unveiling of the murder isn't. Both Damon and Emily remain flat characters, never truly coming alive, and the story itself drags, bogged down by clunky chapters of Damon running through the woods, trying to remember what happened the night his girlfriend died, and Emily perusing her father's bunkers for clues of his guilt. Although the eventual reveal is satisfactory, the book as a whole is dull and forgettable. For fans of Christopher, I am afraid this will wind up being nothing more than a disappointment. And for those new to her work, do yourself a favor and pick up Stolen. It'll blow your mind; promise.

Title: The Chocolate Temptation (Amour et Chocolat, #6) 

Author: Laura Florand

Rating: 4 Stars

Release Date: January End, 2014

I can always rely on Laura Florand for a butterflies-in-my-stomach read, especially on a cold winter day when all I'm really craving is chocolate from one of these kitchens she writes about. The Chocolate Temptation follows Patrick, the suave second to Luc Leroi we met in The Chocolate Heart. You remember him, don't you? Always ready with a smile, a laugh, and a swoon-worthy face to lighten up your day. It's just too bad Sarah, the young American intern in Leroi's kitchen, doesn't think so. After all, as Sarah keeps trying to convince her intelligent Korean brain, she hates him. As we've established over the years, however, hate isn't all that far from love...

I practically squealed when I realized that The Chocolate Temptation finally took us deeper into these delectable kitchens than the previous novels ever have. Patrick is in charge of Sarah and, as always, Florand is the master of sexual tension. If you thought the heat from the ovens was hot, think again, because the steam between these two as they brush against each other in the kitchens is sizzling. Patrick, for instance, can't stop thinking about Sarah - about the concentration with which she does her work, her pure dedication to perfecting the art of cooking, and the passion she throws into work, tiring day after tiring day. On the other hand, Sarah cannot help but admire Patrick's talent, all while hating the way he will break her heart someday, even without realizing it.

As Sarah and Patrick get closer, however, they begin to realize that their facades of perfection are just that: masks. For me, the Florand's novels always have a two-fold appeal. One: the tension. As I keep mentioning, Florand's writing is divine. It just curls its way into your heart, creating emotion where there was none before. And two: the depth. Each of Florand's novels are romances about broken individuals, not necessarily broken in the same way or to the same degree, but who have barriers around their lives. What I particularly love is that she tackles a new issue with every one of her books, making them all such a delight to read. With Sarah and Patrick, both of them suffer from severe insecurity. Sarah, as a replacement child for the son who was killed in North Korea, never feels as if she's up to the mark and Patrick, a foster child, feels the same. Nevertheless, seeing them work through their struggles and find a way to trust and support one another was heart-warming.

Moreover, what I really love about Sarah and Patrick's relationship is that each of them have different dreams, but make conscious efforts to pursue them. Sarah, for instance, was a successful engineer in Caltech but she left her home and family behind to begin her life-long wish of sugar-making. Both the courage and guilt Sarah feels at pursuing her own dream, selfishly some would say, is depicted perfectly. Similarly, Patrick who - ironically - wishes he could be an engineer undergoes a mental journey as he realizes that dreams change with time and what he wanted as a twelve-year-old boy is not necessarily what he wants as a man now. Florand always touches upon such honest aspects of adult life with her novels that I feel enriched having read them. While the last few chapters of this book could veer on the lovey-dovey side, her books never fail to sate my thirst and bring a smile upon my face. Just as I expected, The Chocolate Temptation is a winner; another one.