Young Adult

BACKLIST REVIEW: Marie Antoinette, Serial Killer by Katie Alender

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Marie Antoinette Serial Killer

Published September 24th 2013 by Scholastic Press

Synopsis:

Colette Iselin is excited to go to Paris on a class trip. She’ll get to soak up the beauty and culture, and maybe even learn something about her family’s French roots.
But a series of gruesome murders are taking place across the city, putting everyone on edge. And as she tours museums and palaces, Colette keeps seeing a strange vision: a pale woman in a ball gown and powdered wig, who looks suspiciously like Marie Antoinette.
Colette knows her popular, status-obsessed friends won’t believe her, so she seeks out the help of a charming French boy. Together, they uncover a shocking secret involving a dark, hidden history. When Colette realizes she herself may hold the key to the mystery, her own life is suddenly in danger . . .
Acclaimed author Katie Alender brings heart-stopping suspense to this story of revenge, betrayal, intrigue — and one killer queen.

My rating: ★

MARIE ANTOINETTE, SERIAL KILLER* was extremely disappointing. It had all this potential but fell flat very quickly. I figured out how the book would end by the second chapter.

It had what could have been a great plot but was poorly executed (pun intended). The characters were one-sided, whiny, and clichéd. The author didn’t explain certain plot point very well; such as, when Colette would speak to Veronique she couldn’t understand any french but could speak it fluently and understand it when speaking with Marie Antoinette.

I had a big question: Why did Marie Antoinette come back 200+ years after her death to get her vengeance? Why not right after her death? It didn’t seem to make sense.

Also, I didn’t like the cover art. It was just lazy. A pouty blonde in period garb is the best they could do?

The synopsis is a better read than the book.

*I read an Advanced Readers Copy that I picked up at BookExpo America.

REVIEW: The Girl With All the Gifts by M.R. Carey

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Published June 19th 2014 by Orbit

Published June 19th 2014 by Orbit

Synopsis:

NOT EVERY GIFT IS A BLESSING.

Melanie is a very special girl. Dr. Caldwell calls her “our little genius.” Every morning, Melanie waits in her cell to be collected for class. When they come for her, Sergeant keeps his gun pointing at her while two of his people strap her into the wheelchair. She thinks they don’t like her. She jokes that she won’t bite, but they don’t laugh.

My rating: ★★★★★

Melanie may not bite but M.R. Carey does! From the first sentence to the last I couldn’t stop reading; it bit me and held on. THE GIRL WITH ALL THE GIFTS is science fiction, dystopian, thriller, and mystery all rolled into one. The reader only gets little nibbles of answers to the mystery but I like it and hate it at the same time. It keeps the anticipation going so you will keep reading but at the same time you want to yell at the book, “Just tell me already!” It’s wonderfully delicious!

I’m not going to give any of the plot away because I think not knowing anything gives the reader more of a thrill. I will say this, I did not see the very last part of the ending coming.

There is one plot point of this book that is ripped right out of a scientific journal which is why the book scared the crap out of me. I keep thinking this COULD happen. Nature finds a way. I’ve also seen this same bit of science mention on other TV shows like The Flash on the CW. OK, that’s it! I’m not going to say anymore.

The book is written in 3rd person but each chapter centers on one character’s thoughts and experiences. I really liked this because we could see into the minds of the characters as they fought their inner demons, between right and wrong and survival.

This book as become one of my top favorites. Anytime someone asks me what’s my favorite book this instantly pops into my head.

 

*THE GIRL WITH ALL THE GIFTS was sent to me by Orbit because I am a current member of Young to Publishing Group.