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Book Review: Made For You by Melissa Marr

Made For You by Melissa Marr

HarperCollins, 2014

ISBN-13: 978-0062011190

Available: Hardcover, Kindle edition, audiobook download.

 

Melissa Marr’s latest is the magic-light tale of Eva, a southern princess (child of the elite in the tiny town of Jessup, NC) who after being struck by a car and left for dead finds herself with the unpredictable ability to read the deaths of people who touch her.

Even more disturbing is how many of her friends die at the hands of a serial killer, a maniac that has begun leaving messages through flowers and carved into the flesh of his victims.

The whole premise of Eva being a genteel, popular, universally loved southern lady almost ruins this book. But in the chapters where readers find themselves in Eva’s head (which is most of them) we learn she finds it just as repressive and ridiculous as I did when I read the back cover. Eva feels trapped by societal expectations, a note that rings stronger when a psycho-serial killer starts sending her messages.

Made for You is a great introductory horror novel for teens. There’s a lot of the creepy, stalky, murdery bits with stronger drawn characters. There is horror and gore here, but without the loving descriptions often found in adult novels. Definitely recommended for teen audiences, especially ones who already enjoy Marr’s other series.

Contains: sexual language, violence, murder

Reviewed by Michele Lee

Editor’s Note: This review appeared previously at our partner blog on YA fiction, Reading Bites.

Posted on December 15, 2014 by , Reply

Book Review: Water Vamps by G.L. Giles

     Water Vamps by G. L. Giles

BlackWyrm Publishing, June 2013 (Second Printing)

ISBN-13: 978-1-61318-147-8

Available: Paperback, Kindle

 

Psychic vampire Setiana and her partner, a shape-shifter, stop at an inn for a good day’s sleep. While there, Setiana enters a dream state, and visits a young girl, Robyn, in Charleston, South Carolina.  It is Robyn’s 11th birthday, and her life will never be the same. Setiana welcomes the girl into a new life. Robyn meets a new companion, a boy named Marion, who discovers he is a shape-shifter. Setiana and her partner help Robyn and Marion understand what their lives will be like in their new forms. There are many types of vampires in the story– some good, some evil. They must all beware of the Water Vampires.

I had real trouble following the story in this work. The overarching problem was the overuse of descriptive elements. This really muddied up the storyline. I give the author kudos for having a unique style, and based on other reviews, I know it works for others. At any rate, the theme of love came through clearly in the story. Ages 12 and up.

 

Contains: Homosexuality

Reviewed by Aaron Fletcher

 

Posted on November 3, 2014 by , Reply

Book Review: Suspicion by Alexandra Monir

   Suspicion by Alexandra Monir

Delacorte Press, December 2014

ISBN: 978-0385743891

Available: Pre-order (hardcover and Kindle edtions)

 

Hot on the heels of her two previous books (Timeless, Timekeeper), author Alexandra Monir gives us Suspicion, a tale of secrets and suspense that lurk behind the iron gates of a modern day “Downton Abbey,” the magnificent and mysterious Rockford Manor.

Imogen lived in New York as a young girl, but she would often spend summers in Wickersham, England with her family at the grand estate known as Rockford Manor. One summer, while Imogen, her cousin Lucia, and friends Sebastian and Theo, are busy helping the groundskeeper plant flowers, Imogen accidentally discovers that she has supernatural powers – and a remarkable green thumb.

One night as she and Lucia are asleep in the boathouse, Imogen wakes to a raging fire in the garden, and sadly, both girls lose their parents to the devastating blaze. But not before Imogen’s father reveals there’s something special hidden within the garden’s curious maze. It’s decided that young Lucia will stay on at Rockford Manor in the care of her grandfather and a house full of servants, while Imogen is whisked back to New York, to live with friends of her family.

Over the years, the girls lose touch. Yet right before her high school graduation, Imogen’s past catches up with her. She receives word that both her grandfather and cousin have died, making Imogen sole heir to Rockford Manor and all of its twisted secrets.

For fans of The Princess Diaries or the classic Rebecca, this is a good fit —  and it looks like the author has left some wiggle room for a sequel, too. Recommended for ages 12 and over.

Contains: Teen Romance

 

Reviewed by Tina Mockmore

 

Posted on September 28, 2014 by , Reply
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