Boneshaker by Cherie Priest
ISBN: 9780765318411
A Tor Book, published by Tom Doherty and Associates, LLC
Science Fiction/Steampunk/Alternative History

Dreadnought by Cherie Priest
ISBN: 978076532785
A Tor Book, published by Tom Doherty and Associates, LLC
Science Fiction/Steampunk/Alternative History

FTC Disclosure: I own both of them and they look great on my shelves!

Whether you’re familiar with steampunk or not, this is an author who represents  it so well, I have no problem recommending her novels as an introduction to this sub-genre of science fiction.

The unique aspect, for me at least, with these novels is the horror element. Who thought zombies could work so well in an alternative history novel? Well, it does!

Boneshaker and Dreadnought are books 1 and 3 respectively in the Clockwork Century stories. Unfortunately, the second Clementine, a short novel, is only available as an eBook as far as I can tell.

The books don’t need to be read in order, although I recommend reading Boneshaker first to help set the tone, and offer a better understanding of the Clockwork Century.

What struck me about the writing and stories is how quickly I became involved, especially with Boneshaker. The strength of this novel is its characters and the setting.

Dreadnought is a different read. If you can refrain from trying to compare the two, and read each, and judge each, singularly, then they are equally excellent reads. Despite being set in the same century and having characters appearing in both, they are as unique, and similar as siblings – not twins.

There is no cookie cutter formula used here to develop this series of novels. I love the fact that the author has no fear in giving her characters and their stories a quality unique to each.

Another love was that each book has a female protagonist that is not stereotypical and has strengths and faults that make them easy to like. My only gripe may be that the supporting characters in Boneshaker had a stronger presence and more impact on the reader than in Dreadnought.

I think this is because the author told the story in Boneshaker from the point of view of two people and Dreadnought from only one person. This would affect the development of the story and its characters as it all has to be told in a way that is more limiting.

However, it’s still successful. It took no more than two days to read each book. And both times I was up to the wee hours of the morning finishing them because I couldn’t put them down.

In fact, they were such fun and great reads, I am going to find it nearly impossible to wait until September when Ganymede is released.

These books are adult fiction, but would be fine for older teenagers. There is no heavy romance, but there is violence as there is a horror element in each. Not too gory, and never gratuitous.

Whether you are a steampunk fan or not, these books are worth a spot on your shelves or eReader. Definitely.

1978 Newbery Medal winner; ALA Notable Children’s Book

FTC Disclosure: Borrowed from the library

There are several reasons I decided to read children’s books. Primarily it’s because I need to better understand the children’s area at work. This means understanding what books or type of books are appropriate for a child at any particular reading level.

For me, this understanding comes from not just reading about the books, but actually reading them.

In addition, it’s a book that has made the 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books list for the last two decades. And as some of you know, championing the freedom to read is a passion of mine.

I’m not sure if it’s because I haven’t read children’s books since I was, well -  a child. But I had difficulty with the first part of the book. I had to keep reminding myself to lower my literary expectations in regards to the tone of the narrative. And I don’t mean this in a negative way. This is a children’s book, so I can’t expect the voice of the story to be as mature as the fiction I’m used to reading.

The only other issue, and it was minor, was the amount of similes used. It took some getting used to. However, once past the first few hurdles, mostly of my own making, I started to enjoy myself.

I found myself drawn into Jess and Leslie’s world and issues. They resonated with childhood memories and feelings. We all remember the pressures put upon us as we grew up, the ones asking us to be responsible, to be what others wanted us to be (whether perceived or actual), and how this causes a struggle as we seek to find our own identity when peer pressure to conform is at its strongest.

This book is about primarily about friendship, but its more important aspect is how children learn to cope with fear and loss: both emotional and physical. One of those ways is through creativity and imagination.

Terabithia then comes to be more than an imaginary kingdom. It’s symbolic of a greater purpose. The most important aspect of that kingdom is the bridge needed to cross the turbulent waters of childhood to get there. The bridge to Terabithia is the one built between reality and imagination, between conformity and individualism.

I highly recommend this as an addition to your home library. I also recommend reading the book first or with your child in order to be able to discuss any questions he or she might have. There is a sad part, and if unprepared, it may be upsetting.

If you are an educator, or an interested parent, Scholastic has a page that will explain better the benefits this book has to offer.

Review copy courtesy of Hachette Book Group
Book released: August 2009

On the back cover, the blurb states”: “Alex Cross tells the irresistible story – passed down through the generations – of an ancestor’s courageous fight for freedom.”

Actually, the only time we are introduced to Alex, and his true voice, is in the preface. In it, he prepares the reader by telling them they are about to read an account of a man his family knew, a brave man, who was part of a trial, and not just the literal kind, that affected all those who knew him.

As the story unfolds, learn about Ben Corbett in a way that we quickly forget that this is a book within a book.

Ben’s voice is strong, and it is through his eyes we see a Mississippi in a time when racial tensions still ran strong, and at times, was a deadly affair.

Corbett, a lawyer in the early 1900’s, takes on cases for the right reasons, but somehow ends up on the wrong side of the judgments, and his family, as he continually champions against racism; not a popular cause at the time.

There is a resurgence of violence in the South, the Klan becoming active and more dangerous than ever before. Corbett is called upon to return to his home town to investigate and find a way to curtail, if not cease, the Klan’s activities.

I’ve seemingly given you the whole plot, but there is more to the story than a plotline.

For me, the characters have to be as strong, if not stronger, and here is where these writers excel. I must admit, I am unfamiliar with both. Yes, you read that right. This is the first James Patterson I’ve read. DiLallo, is an even greater unknown, but obviously works well with Patterson in developing a cohesive, coherent, and well-paced story with characters that become people you care and cheer for.

My only issues are with the style and the ending, which I feel was a bit curt and forced.

Many Patterson fans will what I speak of regarding the style: Short, as in sometimes paragraph length chapters. As a reader accustomed to literary fiction where chapters sweep you up, take you for a ride, setting you down to catch your bearings before continuing, reading Patterson is like being on a train which likes to travel at breakneck speeds but makes frequent – very frequent – stops.

For some a momentum builder, for me – not so much. It took a while to get used to, and I did manage to enjoy the read regardless of the style. I would definitely choose this author when selecting reads for a trip or commute.

This is also my  introduction to Dectective Alex Cross, although as stated above, it isn’t much of one. That’s okay as this book is not about Alex. I have to say though, that after reading this, I do like the character and any other Patterson book I do get, will be one from the series he has written with Detective Cross as the lead.

It’s great to have options and a variety when choosing a book or author to read. I can’t say this one will be ever be a favorite, however I’m happy to add him for author’s to watch and bear in mind when I’m looking for something different than what I’m used to.

Usually, I put a short blurb/bio about the author here. However, Patterson’s career and prolificity is such that I simply don’t have the space! So here are some links to follow if you would like to read more. The last two links are literacy projects Patterson supports. I urge you to visit them if you have not done so already.

James Patterson’s Official Website
James Patterson’s WikiPedia Entry
James Patterson Page Turner Awards
ReadKiddoRead.com