The Throne of Glass

 

The Throne of Glass by Sarah Maas was positively transporting. First, I was totally transported back to my childhood when I discovered the Alana series by Tamora Pierce. Throne of Glass reminded me of her work in all the best ways : a kick butt heroine, political intrigue,engrossing world building,  and a main character that sees lines of gray when everyone else in that world sees only black and white. Calaena has two choices, die a slow death as a slave in the salt mines, or train and compete to be the King's new assassin. While she has no love for the King, she wishes for her freedom, so she competes. And while at first life at the castle seems like a major upgrade from her time in the mines, Calaena is quickly caught up in a web of political intrigue, magical stirrings, and of course a romantic triangle. I think the best comment I can give is this: I started the book in the afternoon and had to stay up until 3 a.m. to finish because I could NOT bear to leave the book unfinished. Now I'm desperate for a sequel!

Also Known as Rowan Pohi

Also Known as Rowan Pohi is a rare treat ~ a book aimed at adolescent boys that isn't about magic or sports, yet still manages to be a fun, absorbing read.
It all started out innocently enough. Three friends hanging out at IHOP, making fun of the private school kids at the next table. Bobby Steele and his two best friends decided that they could make up someone that could get into Whitestone Academy, just like those other snobby kids. It was just a joke right?
But here's what isn't a joke. Bobby's school is not exactly the best, and thanks to budget cuts, there will be no football to play next year. Bobby's mother has been gone for over a year now, leaving him to pick up the slack with his little brother Cody. And nobody ever jokes about the reasons his mom left. 
So when this one joke happens to pan out - and their creation, Rowan Pohi is accepted at the prestegious Whitestone Academy, what would be the harm in checking it out? Bobby is soon thrown into a whole new world of challenging academics, football practice, wealthy classmates, oh and, keeping up with the lie that is Rowan Pohi. While at first reinventing himself seems like the perfect plan. But, life soon catches up with him and he has to decide which life he wants to keep, Bobby Steele or Rowan Pohi?
Ralph Fletcher has definitely captured the voice of an adolecent guy. In this slim novel, he is able to explore many questions like - Who are my real friends? What kind of person do I want to be? and How do you mend broken relationships with family?
I absolutely enjoyed reading Bobby's story and look forward to more YA from the author in the future!

 
Mission (Un) Popular is a familiar tale of life in middle school these days. It is an honest portrait of daily life at age 13. This would be a great book for discussion, especially for mother-daughter book clubs. It deals with the many life lessons we all learn at 13, most of the time the hard way. What I liked most about the book is how realistic the main character Margot is. She is honest and smart, but easily influenced by her peers.Margot has always wanted to be popular, and now that she has joined forces with the new girl Em, it looks like she may get that wish. The problem is, now she has to decide what she is willing to do in order to stay that way. Her story absolutely illustrates the old saying "Be careful what you wish for, you just may get it."  An absorbing read!