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Powell's Staff:
Five Book Friday: In Memoriam
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Every year, the booksellers at Powell’s submit their Top Fives: their five favorite books that were released in 2023. It’s a list that, when put together, shows just how varied and interesting the book tastes of Powell’s booksellers are. I highly recommend digging into the recommendations — we would never lead you astray — but today...
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Brontez Purnell:
Powell’s Q&A: Brontez Purnell, author of ‘Ten Bridges I’ve Burnt’
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Rachael P.:
Starter Pack: Where to Begin with Ursula K. Le Guin
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Customer Comments
Erin Clarkson has commented on (16) products
Fairytale Retellings 03 Fathomless
by
Jackson Pearce
Erin Clarkson
, August 03, 2012
Fathomless was a dark and heady re-telling of The Little Mermaid, done typical Jackson Pearce style: two strong and flawed heroines, a romance, and a heart stopping finale. All of Jackson's fairy tale retellings are set in the same world, but this is the first book where characters from a previous one are referenced (not present). I like that this is a series without having over-lapping characters, even though I am dying to see Scarlett again, but the way Jackson played the overlapping stories in this book was excellently done and really added depth to the story and the world. In Fathomless we met Lo, an ocean girl who's lost her memories of her past, and waits out the days until she is taken by the currents of the sea to become an angel. The ocean girls tells stories of getting your soul back if you can make a boy love you; but then you have to drown him and take his soul. Lo has tried this and knows that it doesn't work, or at least it doesn't work so quickly--there is no such thing as love at first sight. But Lo is also Naida Kelly, the lost sister of Sophia from Sweetly, and our second heroine, Celia, is the key to Lo's past. Celia is an intriguing heroine for Jackson because she has psychic power. Jackson's previous heroines have certainly been strong and their lives have been touched by magic, by werewolves, but they have never had magic of their own. Celia however can see into a person's past when she touches them, a power that is part of a set of three because she is part of a set of triplets. Her sisters Jane and Anne can see the present and the future, and the three of them are alone in the world, struggling to grow up and grow into their powers. Celia and Lo meet on the night of the highest tide of the year. One of Lo's sisters, desperate to be human again, tries to drown a boy. Together Lo and Celia save him, and a complicated triangle begins. Celia and Jude develop a friendship, then romance, and Celia learns for the first time to shut off her power when she is touching someone--or someone is touching her. Celia and Lo form a tentative friendship when they discover that Celia can help Lo remember her past. And Lo and Jude can't help but be drawn to one another: the ocean girl to the boy who could save her, and the boy to the ocean girl who's music sings in his head as constant as the waves. Like Sisters Red, the narration of Fathomless is split between the two girls, Celia and Lo. But this is complicated by the fact that Lo is actually two girls herself: Lo and Naida. What you end up with is three narrators, all with different desires and motives. Though Lo and Naida share the same body, they are far different girls, slippery and elusive as the ocean. Celia is the solid rock, like Gretchen from Sweetly. Despite her psychic powers, her day-to-day troubles are like any girls: arguments with her sisters, worry over the boy that she likes, and questions about who she is. Lo is not that different from Celia, but their circumstances are vastly separated simply by the water between them. For Lo, it's a matter of life or death. If she stays as Lo, Naida will die, and eventually she will pass away with the waves too. If she becomes Naida again, Lo will die, and so must someone else. The three girls make for engaging heroines and narrators, their stories told so well you're not sure who you want to win when it comes to the stormy ending. And once again the love interest was one of the best parts of the book. Jude isn't as brooding or mysterious as the previous boys, but he is just as lovable. The best part of Fathomless is the chance to get to learn more about the Fenris and the mystery of the twin girls. Not every question is answered, by Jackson certainly opens a door into the hidden mysteries of her world. We meet the Fenris once again, and learn that the ocean girls don't actually become "angels" when they die: they return to the land and become Fenris themselves, soulless monsters. I'm really hoping this isn't the last book Jackson will write in this series; it really feels as though she's just getting started.
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Fallen 04 Rapture
by
Kate, Lauren
Erin Clarkson
, August 03, 2012
Rapture is Lauren Kate's best in this series. Full of adventure, romance, and revealed secrets, Rapture is an epic conclusion to this star-crossed love story. Luce and Daniel have been through a lot. They've fallen in love, and for the first time Luce has survived her first memory of what their love really is: timeless. There was no pillar of flame, and Luce is on a quest of discovery. Their love was tested by distance and secrets, even by the interest of another. Luce has just finished an arduous and revealing journey through time--through her past lives--in order to discover a way to break their curse. But she was tricked by the devil himself--Lucifer--and now they have 9 days to save their world and their love before time rewrites itself and they have to start all over. Rapture continues the theme of world travel that was set in Passion, which was again a refreshing break from the boarding school setting of the first two books. All your favorite characters are there again: Arianne, Cam, Roland, Annabelle, even Molly. And of course Daniel. They're on a hunt for three artifacts that when united will guide them to the location of the Fall, and thus Lucifer. These artifacts have been lost to the ravages of time, making them difficult to find. On top of that, Luce and Daniel and their friends are being chased by every heavenly and demon force, because no one wants them to succeed. From Venice, to Vienna, to Avignon, to the desserts of the Sahara, to the ancient fields of Troy, Luce and Daniel will chase their destiny. This book was the perfect combination of action, romance, and back story. We've been waiting this whole series to find out what really happened at the Fall, how Luce and Daniel first met, and Lauren doesn't fail to deliver. After the back story packed Passion, Rapture eases off on the flashback for a while, but its not too long before you're rushing back in time, solving the mystery of these two lovers. And the twist? Well I won't give it all away, but there is another man that Luce once loved, and he may be the key to everything. Luce and Daniel were once again lovey-dovey and staring into one another's eyes longingly, but despite the fact that Luce is wrapped in Daniel's arms for half the book, I still felt her strength and her fire. And some of the best moments are when Luce is forced to be strong without Daniel at her side to protect her--the damsel rescuing herself it far more satisfying. I didn't get as much of the other characters as I would have liked, in particular Cam and Arianne, but it felt necessary that they would fall into the background at the end. Even if there is another secret love in Luce's past, you know by this point that the Fallen series is not a love triangle--it's Luce and Daniel or nothing. It's refreshing to see other male characters present, but not directly competing for the love of the heroine. And it was nice to see Cam and Daniel really working together finally. Rapture was a really fantastic end to this series, and proof that Lauren knows what she's doing. I am excited to see what she does next. She certainly gave Luce and Daniel a stunning send-off.
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Fault in Our Stars
by
John Green
Erin Clarkson
, February 07, 2012
Among all the vampires, apocalypses, and plagues John Green's books are always a breath of fresh air. His stories are smart, funny, sad, and utterly true about the world. His characters may not be the average Joe or Jane, but they have something so human at their heart that it impossible to not feel the emotional roller coaster and catharsis of their stories. With Looking for Alaska John took us somewhere heart-heartrendingly sad with teenager suicide. In An Abundance of Katherines we met the charismatic math prodigy searching for love, and finding it in the most unusual of places. In Paper Towns we go on a daring road trip through adventure and love. In Will Grayson, Will Grayson John partnered with David Levithan to bring us the story of two boys trying to find their way in the world and make an identity for themselves. Now in The Fault in Our Stars we meet Hazel Grace and August Waters: teenagers with cancer. From the very opening lines we see immediately that Hazel is darkly sarcastic and deeply afraid. She is sixteen years old and her cancer is slowly killing her. She knows she wants more out of life, but is resigned to the fact that she will not get it. Estranged from her old friends by her disease, she hides in her room re-reading her favorite book over and over again. The book is like Hazel: it is the story of a girl who could have a brilliant future, but her dreams are cut dramatically short (the book literally has no conclusive ending) by cancer. But Hazel's mother is not content to see her daughter waste away what is left of her life inside four walls: so Hazel ends up reluctantly joining a Support Group for teens with cancer. And that is where she meets Augustus Waters. He is beautiful and athletic and funny and smart, and missing a leg from a surgery that saved his life and put him in remission several years before. Hazel is drawn to him because of his energy, his beauty, and the fact that he is instantly interested in her. Within their first day they are fast friends, with the stirrings of something more. Their romance is not love at first sight--at least not for Hazel--and it is not easy. Two teenagers brought low by the betrayal of their bodies can never laugh as easy as those of us who will never understand that pain. But they find the good and the laughter amid all the struggle. As you would expect in a book like this, someone dies. I won't say who, because that ruins the story, but it's no spoiler to say that someone does. The real resonance of this story wouldn't exist without the death of one of the characters. While it might be a great dream/fantasy to read about two kids with cancer who miraculously beat it and go on to live long happy lives, that is not John Green's intention. He doesn't want to tell fantasies. He also isn't telling the hard, plain truth. His stories fall somewhere in the middle--in that place where dreams and reality meet to make us laugh and cry all at once. Even with death and reality looming over their shoulders we cheer for Hazel and Augustus until the very end. So many nay-sayers of young adult fiction would argue that books for teens aren't worth reading because they have no deeper meaning. John Green's books (and so many other fantastic YA authors) blow those people away. The story of Hazel and Augustus is one of facing death, of finding your place in the universe, of wondering what you think about God and the afterlife, of trying to love someone even knowing that one of you will lost the other sooner than later, of trying to find meaning in the chaos. The Fault in Our Stars will be a must-read this year for young adult readers, and readers of any age. It is one of those stories that will touch your heart in unexpected ways, and stick with you long after you have turned the last page.
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Blue Thread
by
Ruth Tenzer Feldman
Erin Clarkson
, February 04, 2012
Blue Thread is the story of Miriam Josefson. She lives in 1912 Portland, OR at the height of the women's suffrage movement. Her father owns a printing shop, which Miriam loves to visit and hopes one day to run. But her father is determined to have Miriam marry well and live life as a proper lady. It seems that no matter how hard Miriam tries, she will not sway her father. Then fate intervenes. One day a mysterious girl named Serakh appears to Miriam and tells her that her great-grandmother's prayer shawl is special: it has the power to transport Miriam through time. With the touch of the blue threads on the shawl Miriam finds herself in biblical times, in the midst of another struggle for women's rights, and her actions and decisions could change the lives of many. Alternating between journeys to the past and struggles in the present, Miriam's story is one of perseverance, dreams, and the power of one woman to change the world. What I loved about Blue Thread was Miriam. She is headstrong and confident, but still learning what it means to be a woman in her world. She is sixteen, at the crux of becoming a woman, but still held in the thralls of childhood by her parents. Struggling to free herself from sexist prejudices and societal expectations, Miriam breaks all the rules in her effort to build a place for herself in what could be a new world. But amid all her bravery she is still afraid: afraid of her father and angering him (because despite his flaws she does love him), afraid that one wrong word will doom her friends in ancient times, afraid that the suffrage movement will fail, afraid that she will not get to live in the future that she wants to. Her strength and her flaws are what makes Miriam feel so alive. Even though she lived a hundred years ago, through her actions and dreams she is just like any teenager today, wishing for a better world. The world and story that Feldman built is lush and detailed, from the eccentricities of 1912 Portland to the grand majesty of the ancient biblical lands. She certainly did her research and it paid off. Her world feels as real and alive as her protagonist, and the two match perfectly. The characters surrounding Miriam are also brave and flawed like she is. You are drawn into their lives and struggles, hoping that it will end on a good day for all. Definitely an excellent read for any teenage girl, or any lover of history. This is a story that will echo with girls for years to come.
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Matched 01
by
Ally Condie
Erin Clarkson
, January 02, 2012
So much better than I was expecting. Instead of a sappy teen romance, Matched proved to be a provocative, well-written dystopia, looking into the heart of what it means to love and to find out what love really means. Her handle of the first person present tense was superb. An excellent read.
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Wondla 01 Search for Wondla
by
Tony Diterlizzi
Erin Clarkson
, September 01, 2011
The story of post-apocalyptic Earth is not a new one. It’s been told in science fiction, in fantasy, and most recently in an abundance of young adult dystopian fiction. I was not expecting to find such a story in a middle grade book by Spiderwick Chronicles author Tony DiTerlizzi. The Search for WondLa is the story of a twelve-year-old girl named Eva Nine. She lives in an underground Sanctuary with her robot caretaker Muthur, and longs to explore the outside world. One night the Sanctuary is attacked by a strange and violent beast, and Eva is forced into the world above. There she discovers that the planet and life she had been prepared for by Muthur and her self-contained habitat are nothing like what she finds. Making friends with Rovender Kitt, a native of the planet, and Otto, a lost water bear, Eva ventures with these two and Muthur into the strange wonder of this new world, on a quest to discover what happened to her people and to find her future. This book falls solidly between the middle grade and young adult classifications. Because Eva is only twelve, this would place the book with a younger audience, but the content and depth of Eva’s story raises it to a YA level. There is violence in this world, beyond what you would find in the average middle grade novel. The complexity of the native cultures, as well as the science of Muthur and Eva’s sanctuary also are surprising and intriguing. DiTerlizzi has built a place that is real and alive with beauty and darkness, more like what you find in The Hunger Games or The Maze Runner series. Initially my interest in the story was limited by Eva, mostly because she is so young, but also because her character does not have a lot of range in this first book (and yes, this is going to be a trilogy, no surprise). Eva is a typical twelve-year-old girl who’s sick of being stuck inside with mother and wants to go explore. And when she does get outside and discovers that the world is not an easy place to survive in, she is frightened and often turns to Muthur or her other friends for help. What saved the story for me was that while Eva did not per see change, she did at moments show a hidden inner strength--one that you would expect to develop as she grows older. When Eva stands up and demands for her life, for her safety, for her friends, she glows like the heroine that I look for in a good book. Overall this was a great story, and a great adventure. The online content looks amazing--interactive maps that you can explore using your book and a webcam--and I looking forward to the next installation in this series, due out sometime in 2012.
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Abundance of Katherines
by
John Green
Erin Clarkson
, May 25, 2011
I have never loved a book that I found on my own as I have loved the books that were recommended to me. In my publishing program we talk all the time about the future of books and the conversation inevitably comes back around to the fact that recommendations sell books. This book, An Abundance of Katherines by John Green, was recommended to me a few weeks ago by my boyfriend, and I am pleased to say that I will now count it among my favorites. It’s about a seventeen-year-old boy named Colin. He is a child prodigy and has a serious complex about “mattering” to the world. And he has a complex over the fact that he has dated a total of nineteen Katherines in his life, and they have all dumped him. After Katherine XIX finally ditches Colin, he and his best friend Hassan decide to take a road trip, which leads them down to Gutshot, Tennessee. There they see the grave of the Archduke Ferdinand, meet a girl named Lindsey Lee Wells, and learn the history of this little town. During their stay Colin begins to formulate a Theorem of “Dumpers and Dumpees,” plotting out his love life through math. While he hopes that this mathematical equation will solve his Katherine problem and prove his worth to the world, Colin learns about what it really means to “matter.” This book is everything that most YA books are not: funny and smart. A good number of YA books are funny"that’s what sells these days aside from the supernatural. A much smaller number are smart (The Book Thief, etc.). What really seals the deal for An Abundance of Katherines is the narration. It’s told in third person limited--which means we hear from only from Colin--with a fantastic balance of close and far narration. What that means is the narrator’s voice is sometimes so close to Colin’s thoughts that you can’t tell the difference, and other times the narrator is a completely separate entity, observing and commenting on the events of the book. Most writers can’t pull this off very well, or at all. And certainly most can’t do it with a splash of humor (from both the narrator and Colin). The story too is simple and endearing. There’s a little romance, a little adventure, a little soul-searching. And of course some incredibly great lines. This is a book that you will quote to your friends and laugh about years from now, even when the details of the story are fuzzy. The idea and the message of this story--that it’s okay to not matter to the world, as long as you matter to those around you--comes through so strong and clear that you won’t have to remember the exact details of Colin and Hassan’s botched feral hog hunt, or the math that goes into Colin’s Theorem, or how many Katherines exactly there were, to remember why you love this book. On a side note John Green also uses foot notes, which are surprisingly fun and unobtrusive. Nothing like David Foster Wallace, just little tidbits that add to the story. A definite must-read for any fan of YA--or any reader in general.
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The Book Thief
by
Markus Zusak
Erin Clarkson
, January 01, 2011
The Book Thief isn't just a story about a girl growing up, or a story about World War II and the Holocaust. It is a story about the power of friendship and imagination, and yes love. Told from the perspective of Death, it follows his observations of one girl, the Book Thief, and her childhood in Nazi Germany. The characters are alive and full and the story is beautifully crafted and heart-breaking. You may start it expecting a war story, or a coming of age, but you'll come out realizing that the story Zusak has told is one that will stick with you, and his characters are ones that will be in your subconscious for years to come.
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Kendra Chronicles 01 Beastly
by
Alex Flinn
Erin Clarkson
, November 07, 2010
Over four years ago I was told about this book, Beastly. I checked it out from the library, read the first section (which is a chat session with the main character and other modern-day fairy tale characters) and somehow got it into my head that the rest of the book would be in chat form. I turned it back in and didn’t really give it much more thought. Then a few weeks ago I saw a poster for the new movie they’re making of this book. So when I was at the library yesterday I looked to see if they had it, and they did. I finished in about five hours today. And I loved it (which I should have known I would). The story is unique among Beauty and the Beast tales in that it is told from the perspective of the Beast. Also, it takes place in modern day New York City. Beginning before the curse, the book takes you through Kyle’s entire journey. You see the snotty, cruel spoiled boy. You watch him turn into a Beast and lose all hope. Then you see him meet the girl, Lindy. And you watch them become friends, and eventually fall in love. Sure it’s a little sappy and yeah it’s a romance. But it does what no other Beauty and the Beast tale has done: it make the Beast very, very human. And I thought making the characters 16 years old worked for the whole falling in love thing. When you’re 16 finding true love is totally possible. Kyle’s voice was engaging and very true. He changes as the story goes along, but never lose the sense of self established at the beginning. He doesn’t lose his confidence or the core of who he is. Not to sound cliche, but its more the surface of him that changes, even while his appearance does not. To round this all off: Beastly was excellently done, and a pleasure to read. It’s a romance, and it’s a discovery. And most of all: it’s a fairy tale.
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Siren Song: Book 2 of the Blood Singer Novels
by
Cat Adams
Erin Clarkson
, November 05, 2010
This book was a weird mix of the good and the disappointing. The Good: Celia is an excellent main character, with a unique and entertaining voice. She’s strong, but she’s also has issues (getting turned into half-vampire and learning you’re a Siren can do that). Also, this book introduced a new character, John Creede, who has great potential as a secondary character, even possibly love interest. And the book was packed full of mystery, adventure, and a little horror. The Bad: Two of the more interesting characters from the first book (Kevin and Bruno) were almost completely absent in the sequel. Kevin, the blonde werewolf, who wasn’t in the first book nearly enough, only shows up at the very end, and not in a good situation. Then Bruno, the powerful mage/former lover (also very hot), is in the book for a grand total of two scenes. The first to break up with Celia and the second he doesn’t say anything at all. Also, the plot got a little tangled on its own tentacles. There are a few too many things going on, and not all of them get resolved. It does give the book a larger feel, and definitely leads into more story for the future. But… Still, I did enjoy the read. I have to admit I was disappointed when there was no romance at all in this book (not even one kiss), after all the steaminess of the first book. But again, Celia is a great character, and I’ll still read the next book when it comes out. I just hope we don’t get a whole new cast of characters again.
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Mr. Monster
by
Dan Wells
Erin Clarkson
, November 02, 2010
Mr. Monster, the sequel to I Am Not a Serial Killer by Dan Wells, was scarily addicting. It’s a story about a sixteen-year-old sociopath, at war with himself over giving into his darker urges or doing right and acting normal. And while this sounds creepy and weird, the mystery of the story and the development of John’s character make for a fascinating read. Also, it’s impossible to put down. Continuing a few months after I Am Not a Serial Killer, Mr. Monster delves even deeper into John’s sociopathic tendencies. He let out the monster inside him to battle the demon-serial killer in the first book, and now that monster doesn’t want to go back into his cage. The book is both a journey through the mystery, and also a roller coaster ride on John’s emotions and actions. Will he give in? Will Mr. Monster take control, leaving John in the back seat? With so many characters’ destinies riding on John’s actions, particularly the women in his life, this book was frightening at times. You’re terrified of John and what he might do, and at the same time inevitably drawn to him, wanting him to succeed and do the right thing. You almost enter a love-hate relationship with the two sides of his personality. While John is human and somewhat normal, Mr. Monster also has attractive, while definitely creepy, qualities. And you can’t completely hate the monster inside him, because you know it will be crucial in saving John’s life, and those around him.
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Blood Song: Book 1 of the Blood Singer Novels
by
Cat Adams
Erin Clarkson
, October 25, 2010
At first this started out a lot like the Anita Blake series. It’s first person, female narrator. Celia is a body guard, not a vampire hunter, but the similarities aside from this were a little heavy. But as soon as the book hits chapter 3, the similarities end. Not only does Celia have a distinct and interesting voice, her story is intriguing. Sure maybe it’s a little like Blade (she ends up half-vampire, half-human) but how exactly her human and vampire traits fit together was new and inventive. The book was fast-paced, a little bit mystery, a little bit thriller, a little bit romance. It was a fun read and I’m excited to get number two. Celia is a strong character (obviously, bodyguard) but she’s also got insecurities. She happens to really love the sun and driving her convertible with the top down. Not so much of an option when you’re allergic to sunlight. Also, she really loves food. Pizza, for instance, tastes quite nasty when blended into a shake. While you’re getting a mystery story with vampires and werewolves and demons and magic, you’re also getting the story of a woman coming to terms with a whole new life. And did I mention she has two very hot men in her life (and for once one of them is not a vampire—however, one is a werewolf)? All the genres were well-balanced and formed a nice little whole. Celia Graves is definitely an interesting new voice in the vampire legacy. And as I said before, Celia has a really great voice. The last line of the book is just one good example: "Well … shit. Didn’t my life just suck moss-covered swamp rocks?"
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Maze Runner 01
by
James Dashner
Erin Clarkson
, October 24, 2010
The Maze Runner was an intense thrill ride from start to finish. You enter the maze with Thomas, a Newbie with no memories of his life before coming to the Maze. All he knows is this strange certainty that he’s been to the Maze before, and that he needs to become a Runner. From there the story throws you into a whirlwind of adventure and mystery. What is the Maze? Is there a solution? Why do the walls move at night? Who created the Grievers, the Maze? Why can’t the boys remember anything? And most importantly, who is the girl, the first ever to be brought to the Maze, and what does she have to do with Thomas and a possible escape? Thomas proved to be a reliable and compelling narrator. He has the marks of a hero—willing to sacrifice himself for others—but he is also a scared teenage boy, simply fighting for survival. You follow him through the Maze and learn the secrets as he does. Dashner manages to keep you in the loop while still maintaining suspense. The end comes running at you and just as you can see the light at the end of the tunnel, it’s upon you. And the best part: the story has a good conclusion, a solid end, but also starts the beginning of something more. Because of course The Maze Runner is just the first in a trilogy. Definitely on par with The Hunger Games, this series does what so many others fail to do. It entertains, its smart, and its impossible to put down.
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Hush Hush 02 Crescendo
by
Becca Fitzpatrick
Erin Clarkson
, October 23, 2010
I picked up this series thinking several things. 1: more fallen angels. 2: writer’s first book, ever. 3: Twilight-style romance. Needless to say, I wasn’t expecting a whole lot. What I got was such a wonderful surprise. Not only is Fitzpatrick’s writing good, it sizzles. The voice of her main character, Nora, is spot on. She’s smart and a little naive and she’s got fight. Also, Patch, the Edward-style bad body, is so much more interesting and complicated than any sparkling vampire. Sure he’s in love with the girl, but he’s using her for his own ends. Plus, he’s way snarky and doesn’t have such an overpowering protective streak. And on top of excellent characters, the books themselves are great. They’re part supernatural romance, part thriller, part mystery. I was on the edge of my seat through both, and I am seriously frustrated about waiting a year for the next installment. They were good enough I would spend money to read the new one.
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Hush, Hush
by
Fitzpatrick, Becca
Erin Clarkson
, October 23, 2010
I picked up this series thinking several things. 1: more fallen angels. 2: writer’s first book, ever. 3: Twilight-style romance. Needless to say, I wasn’t expecting a whole lot. What I got was such a wonderful surprise. Not only is Fitzpatrick’s writing good, it sizzles. The voice of her main character, Nora, is spot on. She’s smart and a little naive and she’s got fight. Also, Patch, the Edward-style bad body, is so much more interesting and complicated than any sparkling vampire. Sure he’s in love with the girl, but he’s using her for his own ends. Plus, he’s way snarky and doesn’t have such an overpowering protective streak. And on top of excellent characters, the books themselves are great. They’re part supernatural romance, part thriller, part mystery. I was on the edge of my seat through both, and I am seriously frustrated about waiting a year for the next installment. They were good enough I would spend money to read the new one.
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Fallen 02 Torment
by
Lauren Kate
Erin Clarkson
, October 23, 2010
Lately I’ve been really impressed with the teen books that have come across my shelf. Hush, Hush and Crescendo, Nomansland, Rampant, and of course Fallen. Torment is the second in the Fallen series and just as good a the first. I was thinking about what really drew me into this book, and the others I’ve listed. You can only say “it was really good” and “the characters were great” so many times before those phrases lose meaning. And I think I’ve figured out what makes these books good to me: the main female characters are strong. They aren’t Bella Swan, so sure that she’d found the love of her life and nothing can get in the way of that. Nora, Astrid, and Luce are all in love and yet that love does not dictate the entire course of their story. They are not passive bystanders, watching the men in their lives fight the battles. They are curious and headstrong and not all together sure that being in love, even if you think it’s true love, is the best thing in the whole world. What I loved about Torment is that Luce spends a good deal of the book questioning her relationship with Daniel, the fallen angel who’s been in love with her for forever. Because it’s definitely not a normal, or very healthy, relationship. He keeps all kinds of secrets from her, treats her like a child on occasion, and expects her to trust him implicitly. But unlike Bella, Luce is smart enough to know when Daniel is keeping things from her and stubborn enough to go looking for the answers herself when he doesn’t offer them. She doubts their relationship and the future they might have together. Sure she’s got a beautiful amazing supernatural boyfriend, but she also wonders about what her life would be like if everything was just normal again. And—I really love this in characters—Luce gets mad at Daniel when he hides things from her or is acting particularly childish. Bella never gets mad at Edward and it’s the one thing that drives me completely up the wall about her character. What girl, what heroine, would really just let some guy walk all over her and then throw herself back in his arms when he’s ready to come home? Blech. It’s so passive, and damn frustrating. I want my characters to assert themselves, to fight back, to show some spirit that I can latch on to for the ride. Because what’s the point of reading an epic romance, if there’s no adventure? I don’t want a damsel in distress. I want the damsel that goes out swinging and then comes back for more. So hats off to Lauren Kate, Becca Fitzpatrick, Diana Peterfreund, and all the other teen authors out there who are giving life to these kick-ass heroines. And also for writing damn good stories.
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