Enclave by Ann Aguirre

Reading Level: Young Adult
(4 out of 5)

The library for some reason doesn't own this in book format. It just has it available on audio CD. Listening to a book isn't my first choice but I have to tell you that listening to this story was awesome. The woman that reads the book does an outstanding job in my opinion. She does the voices and brings the story to life. I felt like I was watching a movie. Of course that has a lot to do with the authors writing. Ms. Aguirre's writing is very visual and it's easy to imagine it as a movie. Some of the scenes are very graphic. Just to forewarn.

Welcome to the Apocalypse

You are never really told what happened to generate the Apocalypse you just know that the world that we are used to is no more. I'm not sure what year it is either. In Deuce’s world, people earn the right to a name only if they survive their first fifteen years. By that point, each unnamed ‘brat’ has trained into one of three groups–Breeders, Builders, or Hunters, identifiable by the number of scars they bear on their arms. Deuce has wanted to be a Huntress for as long as she can remember.

As a Huntress, her purpose is clear—to brave the dangerous tunnels outside the enclave and bring back meat to feed the group while evading ferocious monsters known as Freaks. The tunnels are the subway tunnels and the Freaks are people who eat other people. She’s worked toward this goal her whole life, and nothing’s going to stop her, not even a beautiful, brooding Hunter named Fade. When the mysterious boy becomes her partner, Deuce’s troubles are just beginning.

Down below, deviation from the rules is punished swiftly and harshly, and Fade doesn’t like following orders. At first she thinks he’s crazy, but as death stalks their sanctuary, and it becomes clear the elders don’t always know best, Deuce wonders if Fade might be telling the truth. Her partner confuses her; she’s never known a boy like him before, as prone to touching her gently as using his knives with feral grace.

When Deuce and Fade get banished from the only home Deuce has ever known the real adventure really begins.

The sequel titled Outpost comes out in the fall of 2012. I'm looking forward to it

Vampire Crush by A.M. Robinson

Reading Level: Young Adult
(4 out of 5)

First, six mysteriously pale new students show up at Sophie McGee’s high school. Then, Sophie’s childhood nemesis James reappears, still displaying a knack for making Sophie’s blood boil. When Sophie finds out that James has a connection to the new students, she decides to investigate…never expecting her life will quickly begin to resemble a campy horror movie, complete with budding crushes and bloodthirsty villains.

This was a fun read. What's awesome is Ms. Robinson is from Indianapolis, Indiana.

Mistress Shakespeare by Karen Harper

This is the fourth book I've read from talented writer Karen Harper, although it is the one I have enjoyed the most. While I have never had an interest in Shakespeare, being the sort of English major who preferred her literature to be of a more recent and accessible variety, I picked up "Mistress Shakespeare" since the Tudor period is of particular interest to me.

While I had taken a college course in Shakespeare, and had visited Stratford- upon-Avon with a class, no instructor even mentioned the controversy surrounding Shakespeare's "other" wife, Anne Whateley. Just learning about her was a revelation. But this book does what seemed impossible for me - it makes moldy old genius Will Shakespeare into a flesh-and-blood human being, relatable
thanks to his human passions and failings.

This book pretends to be the story of Anne Whateley, the childhood companion of William Shakespeare who becomes his mistress and muse for the rest of his life. While it is a novelization of a historical mystery, it was fascinating to have Harper bring to life several other Elizabethan figures, including the Queen herself and other famous playwrights of the time. It is an entertaining and well-
researched glimpse into an oft forgotten era, as with Anne at our side we survive the Black Plague as it ravages the city of London, and the failed Essex uprising, which ultimately leads to the death of one of Queen Elizabeth's favorite courtiers.

Even more interesting from a student's perspective is the picture drawn of Anne Hathaway, the woman every English major knows as the true wife of William Shakespeare, as well as her children by the bard. Being Shakespeare's other woman, Harper's heroine is Hathaway's natural antagonist, and yet by the end of the book, the two ladies have come to a grudging understanding. Harper also
touches on the tragedies in Shakespeare's life - the death of his only son, and his favorite brother, again bringing a much-needed humanity to the literary icon.

In summary, this is a book that should be read by everyone interested in Tudor history, especially that of Elizabeth l's reign, but it should also be read by the English major who enjoys a look behind the plays and poems of that era. Unlike Harper's other historical novels I have read this summer, this one se'ems exactly the right length, and there are no parts of it where I was bored or wanted to skip ahead to a more dynamic section. Like all of her books, however, it leaves me wanting to do more research on certain "facts", such as whether Shakespeare's life really was threatened during the Globe fire that took down his London theatre. Mistress Shakespeare is a tremendous character, full-bodied and well- spoken, and it was wonderful to have Karen Harper bring her to life.

Submitted by Gerti

The Irish Princess by Karen Harper

This is the third book I've read from talented writer Karen Harper, since her
specialty, the Tudor period, is of particular interest to me.

That said, this book deals with Elizabeth "Gera" Fitzgerald, the disgraced Irish
princess of the title who becomes the companion of Elizabeth I. Like several
other Harper books, it is a novelization based on historical fact, and it was
fascinating to hear the stories of the noble families of Ireland, in which I had
previously had no interest. I was unaware of how many Irish nobles were
beheaded by Henry VIII and his family, and while Harper discusses those
controversial killings and the political intrigue behind them, her plot focuses
largely on the romantic leanings of the young ladies, Elizabeth Tudor and
Elizabeth Fitzgerald. Harper is, however, more sympathetic to Mary Tudor in this
book than in her previous effort on Kat Ashley, ''The Queen's Governess."

In summary, this is a book that should be read by everyone interested in Irish
history, especially where it touches the reign of the Tudors in England. At more
than 350 pages, it also seems over long in spots, as though it could have used a
bit more editing, although I find the early history of Gera Fitzgerald and her
harrowing escape from her homeland very interesting. It was fascinating to know
that she was a real person. The hardest part for me to swallow was that Gera
was bent on revenge for the death of her father and uncle's, considering the girl
ended up serving as lady-in-waiting to several queen's from the Tudor family, a
position from which she could easily have had her revenge had that really been
her motivation in moving up the social ladder at the Tudor court. It seems more
likely she was advanced because of her well-chosen marriages, good looks and
cleverness, qualities that bring success to a woman in any historical time and
place.

Submitted by Gerti

The Queen's Governess by Karen Harper

This is the second book I've read from talented writer Karen Harper, although I must admit to not remembering exactly which member of the family was "The Last Boleyn." I plan to pick up her book "Mistress Shakespeare" as well, since the Tudor period is of particular interest to me.

That said, this book, deals with Kat Ashley, the companion of Elizabeth I of England for most of her life. While it is a novelization of historical fact, it was fascinating to hear the stories (as told by servant Kat) behind several Tudors thrones, as Kat is present in the glittering but dangerous courts of Henry VIII, as well as those of his son Edward, and daughters Mary and Elizabeth. Harper discusses the controversial putting aside of Henry's first Queen, Katherine of Aragon, for the Lady Anne Boleyn, but since Elizabeth is the latter's daughter by
Henry, Harper devotes much more time and sympathy on Henry's beheaded queen. Harper's lack of sympathy continues for Mary I, the daughter of Henry by Katherine of Aragon, even though that girl was as much a victim of Henry's marital merry-go-round as Elizabeth was.

In summary, this is a book that should be read by everyone interested in Tudor history, especially that of Elizabeth I, but it should be read with a healthy skepticism regarding the character assassinations of those historical figures Elizabeth, and hence Kat Ashley, didn't like. At 349 pages, it also seems over long, as though it could have used a bit more editing, although I find the early history of Kat Ashley more interesting than much of what is common knowledge about Queen Elizabeth. I wish the book had ended with her ascent to the throne, but I understand that the author felt the need to discuss all the time Kat spent
with that Queen.

Submitted by Gerti

The Confession of Katherine Howard by Suzannah Dunn

This is the kind of historical novel where I find it hard to read to the end, not because the writing is bad, but because I already know that things don't turn out well for the title character. I know Katherine Howard is executed by her middle aged husband Henry VIII, but Suzannah Dunn was able to keep me reading through her artful story telling and believable characters, and in the process she skillfully portrays Katherine Howard as both a precocious child, and a sex-crazed woman. Dunn paints such a vivid picture of Katherine's days with her girlfriends and boyfriends before ascending the throne, that I just couldn't stop reading.

The story is told through the words of a childhood friend from the Duchess of Norfolk's home, another teenaged girl who is a little less advanced than Katherine Howard herself in terms of sex and romance. Much of the charm of the book is the naive voice of this main character, teenaged Cat Tilney, as she approaches relationships under the tutelage of her more experienced friend, Katherine Howard. While Howard is naturally above it all, Cat deals with some of the same issues as any teen - trying to live up to the hopes and wishes of her family, falling in love, thinking about marriage, dealing with people she doesn't like, all in shadow of her magnetic friend. Whether or not Cat Tilney actually existed historically I don't know at this point, but her portrayal here is so fascinating, that I can't wait to do more research on the topic.

I think it would be a good novel for teens to read, up to a point, as the execution of Katherine Howard at such a young age might clarify for teens why their parents warn them about life and its dangers. The only place the novel falls down for me is when Katherine Howard instructs her friend in medieval birth control methods, hoping she will follow her example and become sexually active. In contrast, the rest of the sex in the novel is handled with comparative subtlety.

All in all, a fascinating look at the early life of Katherine Howard, one of Henry VIII's hapless queens, and how her whole life was a crazy train destined to end fatally for her and the men who loved her. More disturbing to see as a parent is how none of the adults in her life cared for her as anything but a mindless pawn formed to further their own ambitions in the cut-throat Tudor court. It might be instructive for older teens who don't yet realize how every choice they make, even while in the midst of those carefree teen years, can have serious implications for their adult lives.

Submitted by Gerti

Angel Burn by L.A. Weatherly

Reading Level: Young Adult
(4 out of 5)

Angel Burn is the first book in a trilogy. This was a fun ride. Willow knows she is different than other girls. It's not just because she has a love for fixing cars. She can see peoples futures just by touching them. She knows that isn't normal. When she does a reading for a girl at school she finds out that she isn't the only abnormal thing out there. Angels are real. They are not angelic. She just happens to be part angel. Soon she finds her herself on the run from killer angels with a gorgeous angel killer named Alex. Nothing is what it seems. Ms. Weatherly takes you on a thrill ride that you don't want to get off of. I'm looking forward to the next one.