Best Books You've Read In 2017 So Far
Showing posts with label Neal Shusterman. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Neal Shusterman. Show all posts
It's A Muggle Monday Recommendation!
We are not wizards or witches, but muggles. We don't live in a magical world... Hogwarts is not home. But don't let this put you down. We don't need magic to transform our world. We have thousands lives to explore and dystopian worlds to travels. From the words of JK Rowling, "The stories we love the best live in us forever".
It's a Muggle Monday Recommendation is a new weekly meme hosted by Once Upon a Twilight in hope that this story will cast a spell over you and live with you forever.
This week is dedicated to a book that left me speechless, which hasn't happened in a very long time.
This book shook me to the core and I am completely thrilled that this is the first in a new series. I really want to spread the word about this book because it is just so amazing!
Book Review: Scythe by Neal Shusterman
Scythe
Scythe #1
Author: Neal Shusterman
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Science Fiction
Released: November 22 2016
Review Source: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
In a world where disease has been eliminated, the only way to die is to be randomly killed (“gleaned”) by professional reapers (“scythes”). Citra and Rowan are teenagers who have been selected to be scythe’s apprentices, and—despite wanting nothing to do with the vocation—they must learn the art of killing and come to understand the necessity of what they do.
Only one of them will be chosen as a scythe’s apprentice. And when it becomes clear that the winning apprentice’s first task will be to glean the loser, Citra and Rowan are pitted against one another in a fight for their lives.
In a world where death, illness and aging no longer plagues the human race there has to be a way to control the population. That's where the Scythe's come in. The bringers of death, the controllers of human existence - in a way. When Scythe Faraday decides to train two apprentices he doesn't realize the uproar that will create among the Scythedom, and everyone involved gets thrown into an adventure they're not quite sure they want to be on.
There are many times where I get a book by chance. Mainly that's because my fellow blogger, Leydy, will see a book and tell me "It's a Bri book" and send it my way. So many times this happens and so many times I find a book that I absolutely love. It makes me even wonder if I really know what a Bri book is. Scythe was one of these books. I got it by chance, trusted Leydy enough to say sure I'll read it, and decided to give it a go.
This book. There are so little words to describe just how much I loved it. I want to say it changed my soul - but I'm not sure how. It got into the depths of humanity, reached into the depths of my mind, and shifted my being. Scythe brings to attention the things that most people don't want to think about. Death. It is the main theme of this book. And it makes you realize how precious Death is. It's weird to say it, but seeing a society within Scythe that knows that Death isn't imminent, only if a Scythe declares it so, changes the whole entire way a person lives. If you live knowing that in 20 years you can "turn the corner" and go back to being 20 how would you live? Would you pursue your dreams, or would you just not care about anything.
Citra and Rowan become characters you love, and you have ideals and hopes for them. They are training to be Scythe's - but only one will be able to get the Scythe position, seeing as they're training under Scythe Faraday. You want both of them to become the Scythe so badly. And when the twists and turns of storytelling bring these characters apart it tears you up. You want Citra and Rowan to be with each other. Even if not romantically, just as friends. And then, when you reach the end, you're happy about where they ended up and what happened - even if it did break you up as well.
I got to the end of this book and cried. Cried because it was so good. Cried because I was heartbroken it was over. Cried because I really didn't want to leave this world, this world that makes us realize how precious our lives are even the darkest parts of it. This world will make you realize how special humanity is, how the threat of Death is really what keeps us close to one another, even to the strangers among us. It's why we are humans. This book will leave you with a feeling of hope and desire. Hope for the greater good of life, and desire to go out there and do something with this precious thing we call life.
Book Trailer: Challenger Deep by Neal Shusterman
Challenger Deep
Author: Neal Shusterman
Published: April 21, 2015
Publisher: Harper Collins
Caden Bosch is on a ship that's headed for the deepest point on Earth: Challenger Deep, the southern part of the Marianas Trench.
Caden Bosch is a brilliant high school student whose friends are starting to notice his odd behavior.
Caden Bosch is designated the ship's artist in residence, to document the journey with images.
Caden Bosch pretends to join the school track team but spends his days walking for miles, absorbed by the thoughts in his head.
Caden Bosch is split between his allegiance to the captain and the allure of mutiny.
Caden Bosch is torn.
A captivating and powerful novel that lingers long beyond the last page, Challenger Deep is a heartfelt tour de force by one of today's most admired writers for teens.
Book Review: Challenger Deep by Neal Schusterman
Challenger DeepAuthor: Neal Schusterman
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Contemporary
Released: April 21, 2015
Review Source: Harper Collins
Caden Bosch is on a ship that's headed for the deepest point on Earth: Challenger Deep, the southern part of the Marianas Trench.
Caden Bosch is a brilliant high school student whose friends are starting to notice his odd behavior.
Caden Bosch is designated the ship's artist in residence, to document the journey with images.
Caden Bosch pretends to join the school track team but spends his days walking for miles, absorbed by the thoughts in his head.
Caden Bosch is split between his allegiance to the captain and the allure of mutiny.
Caden Bosch is torn.
A captivating and powerful novel that lingers long beyond the last page, Challenger Deep is a heartfelt tour de force by one of today's most admired writers for teens.
Challenger Deep was a difficult read- both emotionally and technically. Neal Schusterman dives into the issue of mental health, and through his character, Caden, he couldn't describe it more perfect. The writing style is very strange and weird, but goes with the story perfectly. And, although I was confused at the beginning of the book, once I got the hang of it and understood Caden more and more, reading the book became easier.
Caden is such a beautiful character. He struggles with a mental health issue, and seems like he is unable to differentiate reality from non-reality. And, though there are secondary characters (quite strange characters), you never lose focus of Caden. He truly makes this read.
I enjoyed this book very much, and I could see it appealing to many young readers. Neal Schusterman has a way with words that will make you want more and more... Challenger Deep is definitely not a light read, but it is for sure a book worth reading!
Simon & Schuster Children's Partner Up with Shindig: “HOT YA SUMMER CHAT SERIES”
SIMON & SCHUSTER CHILDREN’S PUBLISHING TO PARTNER WITH SHINDIG FOR “HOT YA SUMMER CHAT SERIES”
Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing has partnered with Shindig to offer YA readers and fans an exciting new program to regularly engage with authors through their patented large scale video chat event service. Simon & Schuster will debut the program for fans of YA literature beginning every Tuesday at 7PM EST starting on June 11th, 2013 and will continue throughout the month of July. Fans that RSVP for the events can participate for free and have the opportunity to purchase their favorite authors’ books directly from the chat room site.
New York Times bestselling author Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian will launch the chat series by discussing the eagerly awaited sequel in the Burn for Burn trilogy, FIRE WITH FIRE. Participating authors will include Lisa McMann, Andrew Smith, Corey Ann Haydu, John Corey Whaley, Abbi Glines, Neal Schusterman and Carmen Rodrigues.
“We are very excited to partner with Shindig and to provide a place where our avid readers know they can return week after week,” says Paul Crichton, VP, Director of Publicity. “It’s also a great way to give readers who may not live near a common tour market the opportunity to interact with their favorite authors.”
“We are thrilled to be pioneering the new frontier of online reader engagement with Simon & Schuster. Stated Steve Gottlieb, Founder of Shindig. “Simon & Schuster recognizes that readers around the world are looking for meaningful ways to interact with their favorite authors, from the comfort of their homes.”
The schedule for the chats is as follows:
•June 11 – Jenny Han & Siobhan Vivian (BURN FOR BURN) - RSVP Here
•June 18 – Lisa McMann (CRASH) - RSVP Here
•June 25 – Andrew Smith (WINGER) - RSVP Here
•July 2 – Corey Ann Haydu (OCD LOVESTORY) - RSVP Here
Book Review: Everfound by Neal Shusterman
Skinjacker #3
Author: Neal Shusterman
Reading Level: YA
Genre: Fantasy/Paranormal
Published: April 27th 2011
Review Source: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Available: Amazon
Summary: (from goodreads) While Mary lies in a glass coffin aboard a ghost train heading west, her minions await her re-awakening by bringing hordes of new souls into Everlost to serve her.
Meanwhile, Jackin’ Jill has met Jix, a fur-jacker — a skinjacker who can take over the bodies of animals, most notably jaguars. Jix serves a Mayan god who collects Everlost coins to use in his Wurlitzer, which predicts the future.
In the concluding volume of the Skinjacker trilogy, Neal Shusterman reveals new sides of the characters of Everlost, who are pitted against each other in a battle that may destroy all life on Earth.
Mary Hightower will stop at nothing to put her plan in to action and finally destroy all the living so all her children can stop suffering. But after she awakes from her most recent death, thanks to Scar Wraith, Mary speeds the process and begins to cause havoc and create devastating events among the living. Nick, Mikey, Allie and allies are desperate to stop her and her minion. There’s a particular character who caught my attention because of how cool his name is. Jix is a furjacker, meaning he skinjacks animals and Jix prefers Jaguars. He has skinjacked so many Jaguars that he’s beginning to look like one. These are the characters among the many that really caught my attention and kept it. Like I said there are a lot of characters and the author does give each one their own POV making it a bit confusing, at least for me.
Although, I didn’t read the second book, there are too many characters and it’s a bit confusing I have to say this book was enjoyable due to Neil Shusterman’s writing. I would recommend this book only to those of you who are into these types to stories, Dark, complex, Enigmatic, dramatic and who doesn’t mind reading about dying children.
Book Review: Everlost by Neal Shusterman
Skinjacker #1
Author: Neal Shusterman
Pages: 313 Hardcover
Reading Level: YA
Published: August 22nd 2010
Review Source: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Available: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Indiebound
Summary: (from goodreads) Nick and Allie don't survive the car accident...but their souls don't exactly get where they're supposed to get either. Instead, they're caught halfway between life and death, in a sort of limbo known as Everlost: a shadow of the living world, filled with all the things and places that no longer exist. It's a magical yet dangerous place where bands of lost children run wild and anyone who stands in the same place too long sinks to the center of the Earth.
When they find Mary, the self-proclaimed queen of lost kids, Nick feels like he's found a home. But Allie isn't satisfied spending eternity between worlds. Against all warnings, Allie begins learning the "Criminal Art" of haunting and ventures into dangerous territory, where a monster called the McGill threatens all the souls of Everlost.
In this imaginative novel, Neal Shusterman explores questions of life, death, and what just might lie in between.
Here are a few other bloggers that gave Everlost a different review ratings: Donna @ The Happy Booker gave it 5 stars and Donna @ Eve's Fan Garden gave it 4 stars.
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