The Fourth Nephite by Jeffrey S. Savage

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Sheila's Reviews, Uncategorized
Oct 252010
 

  • Title: The Fourth Nephite
  • Author: Jeffrey S. Savage
  • Hardcover: 261 pages
  • Publisher: Deseret Book (2010)
  • ASIN: B003V2CKG6



Busted. Football star Kaleo Steele is caught under the high school bleachers with the wrong group of friends. Even worse, he’s caught by his seminary teacher, Brother Mortensen. If Kaleo gets turned in, he’ll be in jeopardy of missing the regional championship game.

It doesn’t help that Kaleo has been cutting seminary class. But what’s the point? Mumbo jumbo stories about angels and gold plates and Joseph Smith? Brother Mortensen decides Kaleo is ready for an extraordinary “field trip” – one that could alter the course of his life and his heart.

Reluctantly, Kaleo meets with Ladan – a mysterious old blind man – and unknowingly begins a quest through time, landing in Palmyra, New York, in the fall of 1827.

Soon, Kaleo and a nineteenth-century girl named Jennie are caught up in a battle between treasure seekers – led by Alistair Blackburn, a necromancer hired to steal the gold plates – and the young Joseph Smith, who has sworn to keep them safe.

In his quest to find a key that will send him back to his own time, Kaleo will have to decide for himself what to believe and who to trust. Before it’s too late.


This is a great new book from Jeffrey S. Savage. LDS teens and their parents will love this book and so will adults who love YA books. I love the concept of going back in time, especially to meet the Prophet Joseph. This will be another wonderful series by Jeff. (At least I think this is going to be a series. If I am incorrect Jeff, let everyone know. It just seems to be something that would make a great series.)

I always read his books so quickly. He is an such an awesome writer. He knows how to create fantastic and realistic characters that you love to care about. The main character,Kaleo, learns a lot on his adventure. At first you think he is another sassy kid that just doesn’t “get it”. By the end of the book, his testimony grows and yours can’t help but be strengthened by what Kaleo learns from The Prophet Joseph Smith. This is a book I will be sharing with my own children and my nieces and nephews.

Another note, I loved reading the author notes at the end of the book. They are so awesome! You will get a feel of what Jeff is really like; besides being a fantastic author,he is a really great guy with a super sense of humor. Just don’t read the author notes first! You have been warned.

I bought my copy of this book at the Book Academy Writers Conference and had it signed there by the author.

My Review of, "No Going Back" by Jonathan Langford

 Posted by  Uncategorized
Oct 202010
 









  • Title: No Going Back
  • Author: Jonathan Langford
  • Paperback: 312 pages
  • Publisher: Zarahemla Books (October 5, 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0978797191
  • ISBN-13: 978-0978797195


  • Product Description
  • A gay teenage Mormon growing up in western Oregon in 2003. His straight best friend. Their parents. A typical LDS ward, a high-school club about tolerance for gays, and a proposed anti-gay-marriage amendment to the state constitution. In NO GOING BACK, these elements combine in a coming-of-age story about faithfulness and friendship, temptation and redemption, tough choices and conflicting loyalties.

  • The issue of gay marriage and abuse of gay teenagers is a very hot topic right now. There are many heated feelings about the issues on both sides. This is why this novel is so timely and needed. The LDS church does not believe in gay marriage. There are many gay members of the church, that struggle daily with their same-sex attraction and “living” their religion . That means that we don’t hate them, shun them or attack them verbally or physically. They need our love and understanding like any other member of our church.

  • “No Going Back” addresses the issue of a young, male, LDS member who comes out saying he is gay. Jonathan does a good job of showing the intense feelings and fears of the main character, Paul, and how others react to him. It was heartbreaking reading how the kids in his ward, the scout council and his own father, treated him once they found out Paul was gay. He also wasn’t treated very well, by other gays,when they wanted Paul to leave the church and he would not leave. This is a novel full of many conflicts and not many of them are resolved during the book.

  • This is the way that Jonathan describes his book:
  • “Don’t know if this will interest anyone, but my novel No Going Back is a coming-of-age story about a Mormon teen who is conflicted between his religious beliefs and his gay feelings…. I don’t know if you’d call it a YA novel or an adult novel with a YA protagonist, but most of the book is written from the point of view of the 15-/16-year old protagonist and his (straight) best friend.”

  • My recommendation is this, before having a teen read the book, an adult should read it first. There has been some concern about letting gay, LDS young people read this book. Again, the child and parent must make this decision. The concerns have been about this book influencing someone towards suicide. I think that is too strong of a statement for this book, not saying that this couldn’t happen. I do feel that this book could be a good tool for families when discussing this issue; especially those families who have a teen who is dealing with same sex attraction

  • All of this is such a personal thing. Every teen and family will face this challenge differently. Jonathan Langford has shown us one person’s story and how he dealt with it. I must also say, the story is very well written; especially the main character Paul and his compassionate Bishop.

  • There is strong language and discussions about same sex attraction that some people may not be comfortable reading. This novel is, as other reviewers have stated, “gritty, brutally honest and disturbing”. I was touched by the story of Paul and Chad (His straight life-long friend) and how they came to value their friendship. It truly should not matter,when it comes to friendship, who others love. We can still be friends and not judgmental. Even though we may not agree with others beliefs or practices, we need to remain free from causing pain to others.

  • I know that others may not agree with me in this review, but I have seen friends struggle with same-sex attraction. I have seen them and the pain they have felt at others hands. I feel that this is the main message that can be found in , “No Going Back”. Ultimately the choice is up to you how you perceive this novel. If you care about the topic or want to get a new insight into what it is like to be a gay LDS teen, read this novel by Jonathan Langford.

My review of, "The Musician’s Daughter"

 Posted by  Uncategorized
Sep 252010
 

Title: The Musician’s Daughter

Author: Susanne Dunlap

Publisher: Bloomsbury U.S.A. Children’s Books

Published: 2009

ISBN# 978-1-59990-452-8

Paperback: 322 pages

Murder and love—from the halls of Vienna’s imperial family to a perilous gypsy camp

Amid the glamor of Prince Nicholas Esterhazy’s court in 18th-century Vienna, murder is afoot. Or so fifteen-year-old Theresa Maria is convinced when her musician father turns up dead on Christmas Eve, his valuable violin missing, and the only clue to his death a strange gold pendant around his neck. Then her father’s mentor, the acclaimed composer Franz Joseph Haydn, helps her through a difficult time by making her his copyist and giving her insight in to her father’s secret life. It’s there that Theresa begins to uncover a trail of blackmail and extortion, even as she discovers honor—and the possibility of a first, tentative love. Thrumming with the weeping strains of violins, as well as danger and deception, this is an engrossing tale of murder, romance, and music that readers will find hard to forget.

This book is promoted as a young adult/ historical fiction, but it doesn’t read like one. It is a wonderful read for any adult who loves historical fiction, a budding romance and a lot of mystery. I was surprised to read on goodreads.com, that many people did not like this book as much as I did. I have found this to be happening with many books I have read lately. I will either like a book more than others or will not like a book as much as other readers do. I really am not trying to be contrary, it just seems to be happening.

The beginning of this book hooked me from the moment I started reading it. If you would like to read an excerpt from the beginning of the book, which I found on the author’s website, you can go to my other blog to read it. It is very long, but you will be able to see why I had to read this book.

The 15 year old girl, Theresa is brave, courageous and very vulnerable at times. I liked her because of how she took charge of the family after her father died. Her very pregnant Mother shuts down and is no help to the family. It is up to Theresa to look for her father’s murderers and get a job to earn money for her family to live on. This story is told so well, first person, from Theresa.

I related so well to her because of her great love of music, which she and her father had shared. The glamorous city of Vienna came to life, and the hardships of the 18th century became more realistic. I loved the excitement and intrigue that came as Theresa visited the Gypsy (Romanian) camps for clues. There she learns of their plight during this time period and how they were ill-treated by the higher gentry and politicians. We also get to go into the very glittering palace of Prince Nicholas Esterhazy’s and experience the life of nobility. I particulary loved when Theresa, for the first time in her life, was fitted for a gown for a ball. As a “girl” I loved the idea of dressing up in finery. A warning, there is also a creepy Uncle in the background tormenting Therea.

I do know that a sequel to this book is being written. It truly was left open for a sequel. I think that more romance will be found in the next book. I enjoyed Susanne’s fast paced writing style and the wonderful details that she included that swept me away to 18th Century Vienna.

If you would like to learn more about Susanne Dunlap, her other historical fiction novels and the history behind this book, go to her website here.

This book receives 4 stars from me. I will probably end up purchasing this book. I want to read it again.

 Comments Off on My review of, "The Musician’s Daughter"

AUTHORPALOOZA!!!

 Posted by  Uncategorized
Sep 172010
 
I found this on author Jessica Day George’s blog. She has all of the details about a fabulous event going on tomorrow. We are going to be there too!

AUTHORPALOOZA!!!
Yes, folks, it’s time for that ultimate in booksigning experiences: the Authorpalooza!
This one is at the Orem, Utah, Barnes & Noble at University Crossings Plaza. It will be THIS Saturday, September 18th, from 1-4(ish).

Come on down and goggle at the authors!

I will be there (of course, otherwise I wouldn’t blog about it!), and also Dan Wells, Nathan Hale, Brandon Mull, Brandon Sanderson, Dene Low, Mette Ivie Harrison, both Kristen Landon and Kristen Chandler, PLUS Kristyn Crow! (Whew, I know a lot of Kriste/yns!) John Brown, Lisa Mangum, Sydney Salter . . . and like TWENTY more authors, Scout’s Honor!

Join us! It’s never too early to start your Christmas shopping!

My Review of "Linger" by Maggie Stiefvater

 Posted by  Uncategorized
Sep 032010
 

Title: Linger (The Wolves of Mercy Falls #2)

Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 368 pages
Publisher: Scholastic Press (July 13, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0545123283
I read the first book in the series, “Shiver” several months ago. Unlike almost every reader out there, it was just an OK book for me. It was good enough though to want to read the next book in the series. I looked forward to reading the second book in the series, “Linger”.
If you don’t know anything about this series let me give you a little back ground on the first book, “Shiver”….
For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf—her wolf—is a chilling presence she can’t seem to live without. Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human… until the cold makes him shift back again.

Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It’s her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human—or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever.
Shiver begins the story of the wolves of Mercy Falls.


“Linger” continues on with Grace and Sam’s story. The thing I liked more about the second book is that Maggie brings in two new voices, Isabel and Cole. The book goes back and forth between the four characters. I found that this made the story more interesting and more complex. In an interview Maggie explains the
challenges of writing a book with four distinct voices.

Q: In Shiver, the narration alternates between Sam and Grace. In Linger, you add two more voices—Isabel and Cole St. Clair. What were the challenges (and joys!) of doing so?

Stiefvater: Oh, it was insane. The hard bit was keeping everyone’s voices straight and consistent of course. They had to sound distinct while still sounding like they belonged in the same book. Each had a distinct vocabulary. Sam, for instance, says “amongst.” The others can’t say amongst. Isabel has her own particular brand of swear words. Cole has his own way of describing the world. Grace sees action in a particular way. The challenge was picking which character narrated each scene; who saw what I needed the reader to see? They were all so different. Of course, that was the joy as well. Hard to get bored that way . . .
Here is more about “Linger”…

In Shiver, Grace and Sam found each other. Now, in Linger, they must fight to be together. For Grace, this means defying her parents and keeping a very dangerous secret about her own well-being. For Sam, this means grappling with his werewolf past . . . and figuring out a way to survive into the future. Add into the mix a new wolf named Cole, whose own past has the potential to destroy the whole pack. And Isabel, who already lost her brother to the wolves . . . and is nonetheless drawn to Cole.

At turns harrowing and euphoric, Linger is a spellbinding love story that explores both sides of love—the light and the dark, the warm and the cold—in a way you will never forget.


Now for the ironic thing, I am one of the few people out there that liked “Linger” better than “Shiver”. Some have said that it is slow moving and think Grace has turned into a whiner like Bella in “Twilight”. I have to disagree with the “Others” and say that I like “Linger” better than it’s predecessor. It was an intriguing read and very exciting at the end. I also love Maggie’s writing, so beautiful and poetic. The story just seems to flow, not choppy at all.
Another telling sign for me, was that I was almost done with “Linger” when my copy of “Mockingjay” came in the mail. I tried to start reading “Mockingjay” but could not get “Linger” out of my mind. So I finished “Linger” first and then I picked up “Mockingjay”.
If you are someone who likes this kind of book filled with teenage angst and falling in love with non-human creatures, give this series a try. The final book in the trilogy, “Forever” will be coming out in 2011.
One more thing, I would recommend this book for older teens and adults. My twelve year old daughter will not be reading this series for many years. There are many adult things that happen that tweens should not be reading about. Read it first and use your own judgment here, but this is what I will be doing with my daughter.
I will be reading this book again next year before the third book comes out. I do not own my own copies and have borrowed them from the public library.

A Date with "Mockingjay"

 Posted by  Uncategorized
Aug 272010
 


I am thrilled that I will be reading “Mockingjay” this weekend. I received my copy two days ago and have only read 2 chapters. That does not mean I didn’t like the book, it just means I have been super busy. I also have been going to bed A LOT earlier that I used to. Now that my daughter is in middle school, we have to get up earlier, because school starts at 7:30 a.m. I am getting to bed about 2-3 hours earlier than I have been before.

What I want to know, how many of you out there, are also reading “Mockingjay” by Suzanne Collins? This is the third and last book in the series. Maybe we will do a group review of this book in a few weeks. I am almost positive that we all will be reading this book.
That’s all for now! Happy Reading!!
 Older Entries