Mundie Moms

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Book Review: Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25

Released on: August 9th, 2011
Source: ARC/book from publisher to review
4 stars: I Enjoyed It
Purchase from: Amazon| Barnes & Noble

My name is Michael Vey, and the story I’m about to tell you is strange. Very strange. It’s my story.
To everyone at Meridian High School, Michael Vey is an ordinary fourteen-year-old. In fact, the only thing that seems to set him apart is the fact that he has Tourette’s syndrome. But Michael is anything but ordinary. Michael has special powers. Electric powers.

Michael thinks he's unique until he discovers that a cheerleader named Taylor also has special powers. With the help of Michael’s friend, Ostin, the three of them set out to discover how Michael and Taylor ended up this way, but their investigation brings them to the attention of a powerful group who wants to control the electric children – and through them the world. Michael will have to rely on his wits, powers, and friends if he’s to survive.

A fast paced, entertaining read with an engrossing story line and well developed characters. Richard Paul Evans introduces fans to an unlikely hero with an extraordinary gift.

One of the things I liked about Michael Vey is how down to earth he is. When I first met him I felt bad for him. He's just a normal teen who's trying to fit into his Meridian, Idaho high school, has a great nerdy best friend, and gets bullied by Jack and a few of his friends, but there's so much more to Michael than meets the eye. At first the mother side of me wanted to teach Michael to stand up for himself towards Jack and the annoying school principal, but I quickly learned that he's more than capable of taking care of himself. Ugh, Michael's high school principal infuriated me! I seriously wanted to get into his face, and I know I shouldn't say that, but his character is just one of those characters who gets on your bad side from the start.

The story really picks up after a turn of events that had me fist pumping the air over something Michael does. Not only does Michael's secret get revealed that he's tried so hard to keep hidden, but after seeing what he can do, the beautiful cheerleader Taylor, whom Michael has a crush on has a secret of her own that she wants to share it with him. Taylor and Michael share a similar secret and the powers they have are amazing. Too bad for them they're the last two kids of their kind that haven't been found and all that's about to change. I really like Michael, Taylor and Michael's best friend Ostin. Yeah, that's Austin, but his mother spelled his name wrong so it's Ostin. It's the settle humor like that, that makes this story great for middle grade, YA and adult readers.

As the storyline progresses, the characters themselves become more in-depth and I really enjoyed reading about them. Taylor for example is a totally awesome cheerleader who's fun, outgoing and thoughtful to all those around her. I really liked how Richard worked in the different class structures and stereotypes that are present in high school. It made all the characters, including the secondary ones believable, and relatable. The dialogue between the characters was also very well written, and exactly what you'd except to hear in a high school setting. It was realistic and snarky at times which made the story that much more enjoyable.

Now for the great plot. I won't say too much so I don't give anything a way, but I like the unique electrical powers the group of kids, who are similar to Michael. There's a lot of mystery and secret cover ups keeping them hidden from the outside world. Over the course of the story, I liked how their different friendships formed, their betrayals and the way each of their situations were described. Ostin for me is the one that shocked me the most. He's one nerd no one wants to mess with, and I'm so intrigued with his thought process and the things he comes up with. He's an awesome best friend to Michael. The other thing I really liked about the story is how Michael deals with his Tourette Syndrome. It made me admire him that much more, because he didn't feel the need to hide it or the things that it made him do, like blink a like. It was apart of him and when asked about it, he openly talked about it.

I think this is going to be a fabulous new series by Richard Paul Evans. It's exciting, full of action, snark, unique powers and has a group of teens who are worth reading about. It's a clean cut book that middle grade and younger YA readers will enjoy. I should say I'm neither a MG or "young" YA reader and I enjoyed it. It's a book that boys will really enjoy and girls will like reading. I definitely recommend picking this one up.

Author Interview with Pittacus Lore

Today we're thrilled to have The Power of Six author, Pittacus Lore, who is also the Lorien elder. Recently I had the chance to read and review the thrilling sequel, The Power of Six, which continues to follow John, Six and Sam on their quest to find the others. This time we also get to meet Number 7, Marina who's living in Spain and is also looking for the others.

About the book:
In the beginning they were a group of nine. Nine aliens who left their home planet of Lorien when it fell under attack by the evil Mogadorians, who scattered on Earth and went into hiding, who look like ordinary teenagers, but who have extraordinary skills. The Mogadorians killed Number One, Number Two, and Number Three. They tried to kill Number Four, John Smith ...and failed.

Following a massive battle at the end of I AM NUMBER FOUR that proved that the Mogadorians have found him at last, John joined forces with Number Six. Now the fate of Lorien—and Earth— rests in the hands of these two teens.

Already John and Six have inspired a fellow Lorien—Marina, Number Seven—who has been hiding in Spain. She’s been following the news of what’s happening in the US, and she’s certain it’s the sign she’s been waiting for.

How would you describe The Power of Six in three words or less?
Best. Book. Ever.

Which character have you enjoyed getting to know the most and why?
I have quite a crush on Number Six. She’s beautiful, smart and a truly, profoundly gifted warrior.

We love how tough Number 6. What is one thing you admire the most about Number 6?
She’s utterly and absolutely fearless. And she is very funny, which is something most people do not know about her.

There's a new character who's introduced into the story. Are you able to tell us a little bit about Number 7, Marina?
She was raised in a convent. Her Legacies grow in strength every day. The Mogadorians fear her.

How many more books can we look forward to reading in the series?
For as long as the war between the Lorien and the Mogadorians is being fought on earth, I will document it. Or for as long as I continue to breathe, as I am the Mogadorians #1 target.

Many of us who saw the movie, I Am Number Four really enjoyed watching the extras with Number 6. Are there any plans for The Power of Six movie?
We are hoping there will be, though that is in the hands of Mr. Bay and Mr. Spielberg.

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Thank you Pittacus Lore for being with us today and answering our questions.

You can read my 4 star review for The Power of Six here.

You can read another great interview with Pittacus Lore via Hollywood Crush.

Giveaway: Dark Souls by Paula Morris

I'm so excited to be hosting a fabulous giveaway for Paula Morris's Dark Souls. It's a fascinating story that has an intriguing mystery to it. It's a great ghost story mixed with a rich historical setting and a little bit of romance. I really enjoyed it and you can read my 4 star review here.

About the book:

Welcome to York, England.

Mist lingers in the streets.

Narrow buildings cast long shadows.

This is the most haunted city in the world. . . .

Miranda Tennant arrives in York with a terrible, tragic secret. She is eager to lose herself amid the quaint cobblestones, hoping she won’t run into the countless ghosts who supposedly roam the city. . . .

Then she meets Nick, an intense, dark-eyed boy who knows all of York’s hidden places and histories. Miranda wonders if Nick is falling for her, but she is distracted by another boy — one even more handsome and mysterious than Nick. He lives in the house across from Miranda and seems desperate to send her some sort of message. Could this boy be one of York’s haunted souls?

Soon, Miranda realizes that something dangerous — and deadly — is being planned. And she may have to face the darkest part of herself in order to unravel the mystery — and find redemption.


About the author:

Paula Morris is the author of Ruined, and has published several novels for adults in her native New Zealand. She has lived in a number of cities around the world, including York, England. She now lives in Glasgow, Scotland, and teaches creative writing at the University of Stirling. Visit her online at www.paula-morris.com.


You can also find out more about Dark Souls and Paula by visiting the This Is Teen facebook page.

Thank you Scholastic, we have 2 copies of Dark Souls we'll be giving away to two lucky winners!
To enter to win, please fill out the form below:
- Open to residents in the US only
- You must be 13 yrs & older to enter
- 1 entry per person
- This giveaway ends on 9/15/11

Waiting on Wednesday #98- The Carrier of The Mark


Published by Harper Teen
To Be Released on October 4th, 2011

Their love was meant to be.

When Megan Rosenberg moves to Ireland, everything in her life seems to fall into place. After growing up in America, she's surprised to find herself feeling at home in her new school. She connects with a group of friends, and she is instantly drawn to darkly handsome Adam DeRĂ­s.

But Megan is about to discover that her feelings for Adam are tied to a fate that was sealed long ago—and that the passion and power that brought them together could be their ultimate destruction.

I really like the premise- a fated romance, passion, power, destruction. It sounds like an intriguing read to me. Plus the cover is captivating. I really like the cover. I'm really looking forward to getting my hands on this book.

What book are you waiting to read?

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