YALit Review - Guardians Inc.: The Cypher

Guardians Inc.: The Cypher Synopsis

GUARDIANS INC.: THE CYPHER is two stories in one. A glimpse into a multinational company that is in reality the oldest of secret societies, one that spans close to seven thousand years of existence, weaving in and out of history, guiding and protecting humanity from creatures and forces that most of us believe are only mythology and fairy tales.

The other is the story of Thomas Byrne, a young man thrust into secrets he shouldn’t be aware of and dangers he shouldn’t face but, that he ultimately will, for he is a Cypher. The only one who can steer humanity’s future.

The ultimate conspiracy theory is that Magic is real. Kept in check by technology but, every five hundred years the balance can shift and, if it does, technology will fail and those creatures we’ve driven into myth will come back with a vengeance.

To protect the present, Guardians Incorporated needs to know the future.

 My Review

As soon as I picked up Guardians Inc.: The Cypher by Julian Rosado-Machain I was hooked. The story begins with 15 year old Thomas Byrne getting ready to face Vice Principal Killjoy... ahem... I mean Khanna for a fight he got into in his new school. Immediately I was drawn into Thomas' tale and was curious about the Vice Principal whose school reputation seemed to cloud over some real secrets. Thomas is in a new school because his parents went missing on a vacation while Thomas was staying with his grandfather, Morgan. Since Morgan has to get a new job to help support his grandson he and Thomas look through the newspaper for job listings, which is when the real fun begins.

Both Thomas and Morgan are hired by a mysterious company housed in a mansion that appears two and half blocks away from Morgan's house. Of course, this mansion is not ordinary in any way and as we follow Thomas in his new job, we start to see how unique it is. This mansion was one of the most fascinating parts of the book. Just like the Percy Jackson and Harry Potter stories, Thomas' story is of a world that exists just beyond the reach of our own, but affects us all. I love this kind of story and, in that sense this book delivered. The cast of characters are also likeable (when they are supposed to be) and I can definitely see myself following this adventure through to its sequels.

If I had any criticism of this book it would be that it felt like a "first book." In other words, there was a lot of origin and world building which is, of course, necessary, but for that reason I felt like the book ended just when the action was truly escalating. This is a great hook to get me to read book two, but I wonder if the target audience - YA - will feel cheated while reading.

To Delve Further

For those who are captivated by the Guardians Inc. world, there is a Guardians Inc website and a Guardians Inc. Facebook page to learn more about the author, the characters and the universe they operate in.

My Final Word

I highly recommend this book to fans of Percy Jackson. While this story is completely unique in its conflicts, our teenage male protagonist learning of his secret powers that are needed to save the world is something Percy fans will gobble up!

Thinking only of books in a series, is there any "first book" that you think works well as a standalone?

If you lived in a world where magic was put up against technology, which side would you take? 

Book Review - So, You Want To Be A Writer? by Vicki Hambleton and Cathleen Greenwood

Vicki Hambleton and Cathleen Greenwood came together to write a fantastic book for young adult aspiring writers. So, You Want To Be A Writer? How To Get Published, and Maybe Even Make It BIG! is so wonderful that even I, at nearly 36 years of age, found it to be entertaining, informative and useful. In fact, while initially I was planning on giving this book to my husband to put in his classroom after I reviewed it, I have now directed him to purchase a copy for the class, as I plan to keep my copy as my own personal writer's reference!

You may be wondering what's so great about this book that I couldn't find searching around the Internet or many of the writing books I have already read and put up on my reference shelf, well, here are a couple of things that set this book apart:

• The Voice: While this book is intended for a younger audience, it never talks down to its reader. The content is rich and uses the terminology of the publishing world while introducing it clearly and simply. Also, at the end of the book, there is a glossary containing all of the pertinent vocabulary!
• The Design: The book can be read cover to cover for a reader who wishes to learn everything they need to know to get started in their writing career, or the reader can jump into which ever chapter(s) s/he wishes to learn more about. In this way, the book will end up being a handy reference for all who own it.
• The Anecdotes and Author Profiles: Within every chapter, there are anecdotes from established authors about their own experiences as well as profiles of young writers demonstrating how they found success in writing. With these sections the reader is introduced to the diverse potential and career options for those interested in a writing life.
• The Full Scope: At 192 pages, this book is short and sweet, but within that small package the entire scope of the writing life is exposed. The twelve chapters of the book cover everything from the "Tools, Time and Turf" needed for writing, selecting a genre to write, finding a career to match your writing style, the process of getting published, and even has writing exercises and resources that the reader can continue to use over and over again.

There was only one problem I found with this book after I finished reading it: it should have been published 20+ years ago!!

Personally, I think every middle school and high school writing teacher should have this book available as a reference for the aspiring writers in their classes. If you are not a writing teacher, but you happen to know a young aspiring writer (or you are one yourself), this is a great gift idea. Let's let our young writers know that they can begin living their writing lives now!

 

 

YA Book Review and Giveaway - Skinny by Donna Cooner

When I heard about Skinny by Donna Cooner in the YA Editor's Buzz Panel at this year's Book Expo America, I knew it was one book I just had to get my hands on. Not only did this book sound like it was going going to be an enjoyable read, I felt that it might also turn out to be an important one.

Skinny is the debut novel of Donna Cooner and it will be released in October 2012. Aimee Friedman, the book's editor, described the book as one that "could change lives," that was written in an "incredible voice," that is "haunted," but also has "dazzle." She claimed that this "novel is both timely and timeless," with "rich characters" throughout.Does it sound like too much for one book to handle? I promise you, it is not.

Summary 

The novel is told in first person from the perspective of Ever Davies, a 15 year old girl, who is over 300 pounds and is haunted by a voice she has named "Skinny." Skinny tells Ever everything others are thinking about her, constantly calling her fat and unlovable in any number of cruel ways. The whispers of Skinny are enough to silence her beautiful singing voice which she knows is her great talent.

When embarrassment and frustration reaches its peak, Ever goes through gastric bypass surgery in order to live the life of her dreams. Ever's journey towards happiness is not solved magically overnight with this surgery. As readers, we are swept up in the challenges of Ever's day to day: what to eat, how to exercise, how to get her dream boy to notice her, how to behave in the new social scene around her and how to deal with the fact that the surgery did not silence Skinny.

My Review

I loved this book. I believe we all have a "Skinny" inside of us. Maybe our Skinny doesn't whisper to us about our weight or looks; maybe her chant is about our competence at work or school, or how (un)athletic we are. (My voice should probably be called "Sickly" since she's always talking about how my health is holding me back from everything - honestly, she needs to shut up!) With this singular truth, Ever's story hits home from page one - and for those readers who are struggling with their weight that impact will be tenfold.  Donna Cooner's writing in Skinny's lines is so steeped in reality that they deliver the stings only one's inside voice can.

Cooner's skills did not stop with Skinny's script. All of the characters in this novel come vividly to life. Ever is surrounded by a fairly large cast of characters of varying importance to the unfolding story; each and every one of these characters were given a rich description and persona. I never once found myself confusing one character for another. In fact, right now, days later, I can recall character names, personalities, and even styles from characters as important as the two boys in Ever's life - her best friend Rat and her dream guy Jackson - to those background characters like Gigi, a girl in the drama program and Wolfgang, a guy her step-sister had a crush on.

I have to agree with the book's editor when she claimed that this book has the ability to change lives. I believe, presented to the right person at the right time, Skinny can make all the difference in the world. For anyone who is insecure, particularly those young adults in the social high school scene, count Skinny as one of your must reads this Fall. This Fall won't be about fighting against the Capitol, the Dark Arts, or any other outside demons; with our new heroine, Ever Davies, YA readers will be learning to fight the most important battle of all: the one against their internal insecurities.

ARC Giveaway

A book this good has to be shared. Let's get the buzz going before it's big release this Fall! I have an Uncorrected Proof Advanced Reader Copy that I received at the 2012 Book Expo America that I'm looking to GIVE TO YOU! I'm opening this Giveaway up to the world - yep, that's right, International - so, don't let the borders bind you: use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter for your chance to win. 
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