the Nightmare Affair

The Nightmare Affair by Mindee Arnett
Arkwell Academy

 
Publication Date: March 5, 2013

Teen, Ages 13+

ARC copy used for review.

Personal Ranking 4 out of 5

 

 

Nightmares may be scary, but they have feelings too

Dusty is still trying to adjust to her new life as a magickind. It doesn't help that her mother's reputation as a rule breaker is making it harder. Nightmares feed their magic by invading other people's dreams, which often involves also breaking into their houses. Being a Nightmare is hard enough, but when a Eli, a former classmate of hers is dreaming about a murder that just happens to be on campus of her new school things begin to get complicated. Not only is the murder at Arkwell Academy, but it turns out that it has just happened. Now Dusty and Eli have to work together to figure out the clues before anyone else gets hurt. But, things aren't always what they seem at Arkwell, and Dusty has to figure out just who she can trust, even if they just happen to be her mother.

What a fun ride! From start to finish, this was a fast, enjoyable read. The fun thing will all the paranormal tales out today, is that they each have their own, unique spin on tales that are familiar. Our heroine is a sixteen year old girl named Destiny, who prefers to be called Dusty, who just happens to be a Nightmare. But, because of her fractured relationship with her mom, and her late blossoming into her powers, she is untrained and not sure of anything besides the basics. Nightmares are rare, and other then her mom, she only knows of one other in the area. Unfortunately, her mom has a bit of a wild side and has given their kind a bit of a bad reputation. Even though it takes her almost the entire book to admit it, her mother's absence has given her some emotional scars. Coming to terms with her mom, will hopefully help her heal and let go of some of her anger. I kept thinking that this would make a great series. Thankfully, I read the author's bio where she mentioned that it would be! I am looking forward to my next visit to Arkwell Academy.

 

Who Done it? an Anthology

Who Done it? an Anthology Conducted by Jon Scieszka,
and YOU, the reader
 
Publication Date: February 12, 2013

Teen, Ages 12+

ARC copy used for review.

Personal Ranking 3 out of 5

INVESTIGATION OF MURDER MOST FOUL
ALIBIS  BY AUTHORS WITH MOTIVES

A Serial Act of Criminal Literature to Benefit 826NYC

"You are invited to a gathering" read the invitation sent by Editor, Herman G. Mildew, to his clients. But Mr. Mildew is not only obsessed with cheese and pickles, but with being the most hated boss that ever existed. But when we arrive to the party, Mr. Mildew is dead and every author and illustrator present is a suspect. Now they each have to convince us of their alibi, when they each had desire and motive. It is up to us, the reader, to aide Jon Scieszka in his investigation. We must sort through the first-person accounts of over 80 of the best names in YA and children's fiction. Each one has a story to tell and something to hide. One which may prove that, in the end, they all did it!

 

I love a good mystery, especially a good murder mystery. When I was a young adult, there wasn't this wonderful genre of young adult literature. I seemed to have survived on Goosebumps, Sweet Valley High and Rita Mae Brown's Mrs. Murphy mysteries. But I digress.

 

This is just a fun read. And its for charity, 826NYC, "a nonprofit organization and superhero company that is dedicated to supporting students ages six to eighteen with their creative and expository writing skills, and helping teachers inspire their students to write."  Sounds like a worthy cause to me and with this much talent between one cover, you won't be disappointed. But "Who Done it?" you ask, really, it doesn't matter. But it wasn't me, I've never even met Mr. Mildew...

Scarlet

Scarlet by Marissa Meyer
The Lunar Chronicles, Book 2

Publication Date: February 5, 2013

Teen, Ages 12+

ARC copy used for review.

Personal Ranking 4 out of 5


 

 

 

"If this was her chance to decide who she was,
who she wanted to be,
then the first decision was an easy one."

 

Linh Cinder grew up a cyborg and a step-child in New Beijing, not sure of which one made her life worse then the other. But, after her step-mother donated her body to science, it is the doctor that discovers the reality of her being the lost Lunar Princess Selene that puts her in the most danger of all. Being the missing niece of Queen Levana only puts her in more danger as the Queen continues her pursuit of domination of the Earthern Union. Now, in prison, can she escape and reconnect with Dr. Erland?  A world away in France, Scarlet Benoit's grand-mere has been missing for two weeks and now the police have given up on looking for her. She meets a man named Wolf, who seems to know more then he says, but she can't ignore the attraction she feels. He agrees to take her to Paris, where her grand-mere is being held for a past she won't share. But it is not until trying to escape that Cinder and Scarlet's worlds collide and they realize just how much is at stake.

 

I loved Cinder and have been waiting, for what seems a very long time, for Scarlet! It did not disappoint. I don't even want to give too much away incase you haven't met Cinder, the little cyborg mechanic with a unknown past. This world and new reality that Marissa Meyer has envivisioned is amazing. To live in a world, after the 4th World War and fighting for your planet from an alien race that can manipulate your thoughts is terrifying and amazing. Enter this world, you will be glad you came.

 

The twists and turns in this one had me on the edge of my seat and the truth about both of their past's left me amazed. It is going to be a very long year waiting for Cress in 2014 and then Winter to conclude the chronicles in 2015.