Review: Homeroom Headhunters

After reading the title and seeing the cover, I decided I need to make this novel a part of my life. I was not disappointed.

This is a great read for that reluctant male reader in your classroom/library/home.

Title: The Tribe: Homeroom Headhunter

Author: Clay McLeod Chapman

ISBN: 9781423152217

Pages: 304

Publisher: Hyperion Books

Available: May 7, 2013

Source: Netgalley

Summary (from Amazon):

All Schools are the same and Spencer Pendleton expects no less from Greenfield Middle. But Spencer hasn't met them yet-the Tribe, a group of runaway students who secretly own the school. They live off cafeteria food and wield weapons made out of everyday school supplies. Strangely, no one seems to know they exist, except for Spencer. And the group wants him to join their ranks. All he has to do is pass the initiations...and leave his mother and life behind. Can Spencer go through with it? Better yet, what will happen if he says no?

My Thoughts:

This book = WOW!

It is not realistic fiction. It is not fantasy. I am not 100% sure where I would categorize it. But I will say this—it’s a fast-paced, mind-bending, literary allusion-filled read for boys. I think this would appeal to girls too, but if you have a reluctant male reader, hand him this book. Seriously.

Here’s why.

Spencer always seems to be “that kid” who is always in trouble. So, now is his time to start fresh at Greenfield Middle. But, that would be too easy, right? I mean, we wouldn’t have a plot if that was it.

There is so much more.

The Tribe, a group of kids who have mysteriously disappeared but who live in the school, has their eye on Spencer. He seems like the perfect fit. He has all the attributes they are looking for, so what happens when they try to recruit him? Mayhem, to say the least.

There’s trouble from the start, and for once it’s not Spencer’s fault. With his track record, no one believes him. All of his hope is lost, unless he joins The Tribe. They want him. They believe he can add to their cause. I’m not too sure what their cause really is, but whatever it is, Spencer can definitely add to it.

There were moments when I cringed, I laughed, and my heart pumped. It was a great treadmill/elliptical book because I was moving my legs as fast as Spencer—sometimes.

I really enjoyed Spencer as a character. I’ve had quite a few Spencer’s in my own classroom—and sometimes they help challenge me in new ways (good and bad). I think a lot of male readers will identify with his character for a multitude of reasons, and I think his character sells this plot.

I have mixed feelings about the characters that make up The Tribe, but I think that’s because I am a mom and a teacher. I just wanted those children to go home to their families. To live normal lives. But they left that behind by choice. And it’s their choice to stay a part of The Tribe. Or is it?

The principal reminded me of Mr. Rooney in ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’ – he and his staff added a few comical elements to the plot, again something that will appeal to male readers.

This book has so many literary allusions I cannot begin to count. When I was reading, all I could think was, “This will spark readers to pick up that book to see what it’s all about.” Well-played by the author. Well-played indeed. What a sneaky way to spread the love of reading while having readers read your novel.

The one novel that is alluded to the absolute most: ‘Lord of the Flies.’ Now, I don’t know about your high schools, but here we teach that novel to seniors. I was surprised to see it so heavily alluded to in a book that Amazon says is appropriate for ages 8 and up, but you know what? It’s a good book at any age.

But I just want you to be aware before you put it in the hands of a fifth grader. I know some parents are finicky about what their kids read. The book does contain violence, but nothing on the level of LOTF.

As a whole, I enjoyed this book. I enjoyed the plot, the pacing, and the characters. I gave it three stars on Goodreads because I felt it was a little too drawn out. There were parts where I thought, “Here comes the end…” and then not.

My main complaint with the novel is with the end. I know this is a part of a series, but I really like it when there is an element of a cliff-hanger as well as a ribbon tied to a few plot questions I had. Those did not get answered at all, and I will forgive the author if he answers them in the second book.

Happy Reading!

-      The Hodgenator

Review: A Corner of White

Title: A Corner of White

Author: Jacylyn Moriarty

ISBN: 9780545397360

Pages: 384

Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books

Available: NOW at your local bookstore or library

Source: Netgalley

Summary (from Goodreads):

Madeleine Tully lives in Cambridge, England, the World – a city of spires, Isaac Newton and Auntie’s Tea Shop.

Elliot Baranski lives in Bonfire, the Farms, the Kingdom of Cello – where seasons roam, the Butterfly Child sleeps in a glass jar, and bells warn of attacks from dangerous Colours.

They are worlds apart – until a crack opens up between them; a corner of white – the slim seam of a letter.

A mesmerising story of two worlds; the cracks between them, the science that binds them and the colours that infuse them.

My Thoughts:

I requested this novel because I was attracted to the cover as well as the storyline. It took me roughly eight days to read it, not because the novel is badly written but because I could not get into it. That changed when my Kindle said I was 66% into the story.

My first piece of advice: do not read this on your Kindle. I was confused from the get-go of the story. It could be because I was running on the treadmill when the story first opened, but once I was lost, it took a while for me to find myself back on track with the story.

Now that I’ve finished reading, I can honestly say I enjoyed the novel as a whole. The plot was clever and interesting; however, it seems as if the author dragged it out too long. At 66% into the story I was hooked, intrigued, and couldn’t put it down until it was down. For the first 65% I was confused, not engaged with the characters, looking for a reason to care.

In other words, the pacing was too slow for 65%. Too, too slow. This can be a risk with a teen audience, but it seems from what I’ve read of others’ thoughts on the novel, I may be on my own with this. And that’s okay. It’s not that the book didn’t work for me. I enjoyed it. The pacing didn’t.

As for the characters, it took me a while to really invest in them. Madeleine and Elliot. Two teens from two worlds, each with a mystery within their own lives to solves. Can they help one another? This element I enjoyed, especially toward the end. It was during their “conversations” that the plot really seemed to move. When we were in their worlds, that is when the plot seemed too slow—for me.

I found myself more invested in Elliot as a character than Madeleine. Maybe it is because I found his mystery a lot more intriguing, especially with the reveals toward the end. He is struggling, simply wanting to know what became of his father, keeping faith that his dad did not run off with that teacher, no matter what anyone else says. His loyalty throughout the story, with his father as well as with communicating with Madeleine, helped move me through the story. He is an honorable character. Until the very last page.

Madeleine’s character was a bit harder for me to grasp. She is homeschooled, has two friends, and is pining for a life that she no longer lives. The problem with her focus on her past life is that she is missing what is right in front of her. Now this is something a lot of people can connect with, but the execution of her character and storyline did not work for me. I found her annoying, and I found myself reading the dialogue and moving through her story as quickly as possible. Then, the author throws readers a curveball to “humanize” her, and while this did happen for me as a reader, I still do not like her character.

With all that said, I am going to read the next novel. Why? I’ve got to know what the Colours really are. I’ve got to know how the crack between Elliot and Madeleine’s worlds happened. I’ve got to know what Cello is, if it’s a metaphor for something bigger in life. I’ve got to know if Elliot finds his father. I’ve just got to know.

There are so many unanswered questions, and I hope some of the answers are addressed in the next novel. I am realist. I know the author cannot answer all of my questions. There is more to write. But still. Throw a girl a bone.

As I stated earlier, at the novel’s conclusion I decided I did enjoy it as a whole piece. While there were elements here and there I did not enjoy, I don’t think they’re worth you not giving the novel a shot. Different strokes for different folks, and I seem to be in the minority with not connecting to it.

Have you read this novel? What are your thoughts? What book have you recently read that you didn’t necessarily enjoy but hung on until the end? Was it worth it?

Happy Reading!

-      The Hodgenator

Review: Moonlight Mayhem

Title and author: Moonlight Mayhem by Sherry Soule

Date: July 2, 2012

ISBN: 9780615665658

Source: from the Author

Summary (from Goodreads):

Otherworldly Creatures. Dazzling Magic. Fiery Romance.

Shiloh Ravenwolf thought she was getting used to the strange events in Whispering Pines, until the full moon brings another surge of supernatural threats to her coastal town. Ferocious wolves, deadly necromancers, and shambling zombies have descended upon the neighborhood, so Shiloh needs to gain control of her magical abilities—fast!

It sucks that she has a crippling fear of the dark, which for a demon hunter can be an epic problem. But she spends so much time wallowing in the darkness, how can she not become a part of it?

When her classmates are attacked by a mysterious creature and her father is murdered, Shiloh vows vengeance. Forcing her phobias aside, she forms an unlikely coven of supernaturally gifted teens to help her eradicate this menace. Except that’s not all Shiloh has to worry about. She’s battling a different monster within herself and struggling not to become the very thing she fights: evil.

But with demon blood inside her—anything can happen…

My Thoughts:

Werewolves. Zombies. Witches. Oh my!

This sequel packs a punch, that’s for sure! Soule holds nothing back as she thrusts readers back into Shiloh’s world, one full of even more mysteries than the first.

The title is quite revealing in the basic premise, werewolves. Except they aren’t.

Shiloh is trying to rebuild her life in Whispering Pines, but she soon finds herself in deep. She finds herself constantly holding “down” the evil inside her, screaming to get out. And while she is learning to control this element of her power, mysterious attacks keep occurring, specifically to the local high school football players.While the football players are being attacked, other locals are finding themselves mortal victims.

As the protector of the town, Shiloh must seek the truth. But could the truth lead to her own demise, or the demise of those she loves?

Like its predecessor, the setting is what sells this novel’s plot. Whispering Pines is a character unto itself. While Ravenhurst in the first novel was one of the creepiest settings I’ve read in YA, Whispering Pines is quickly giving it a run for its money. The entire time I was reading, all I could think was, “I would move. There is no way anyone could pay me to live here.” 

And the entire novel reminds us all of a very important fact: the woods are not safe. Ever!

As a whole, I enjoyed the novel. It was a fun, easy read full of action. And romance. But mostly action. The zombie element I found comical, which was a nice way to break the tension. I would have liked to have seen more witchery, but that’s because I love all things witchy.

I do have one critique: the dialogue. As someone who has taught juniors and seniors for thirteen years, I always pay close attention to text in YA novels. If I don’t buy it, the kids won’t either. I really suggest eavesdropping on teen conversations while in public. At times the dialogue hindered the storytelling for me.

I recommend this series to fans of the Twilight series looking for something to help fill in the gaps of their lives, especially with the final movie coming out this week.

Have you read Moonlight Mayhem? Thoughts? Leave a comment below, or link to your own review.

Happy Reading!