Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith and Jane Austen (review by Angela)

Hello, NSCG readers! I have recently decided to review Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, a book I had noticed a few times in bookstores, but never picked up. The book has mixed reviews on Amazon, many of the critical reviews coming from hard-core Jane Austen fans who do not like seeing her most famous work “defiled”. Since I had just read Sense and Sensibility and consider myself an Austen fan, I decided I would read this book, no matter how many strange looks I got from people who saw the cover. Therefore, on to the review:

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith (and Jane Austen) takes the basic plot of P&P and adds in—guess what?—zombies. Currently, England is being overrun by the flesh-eating, dim-witted monsters. People are infected and turn into zombies everyday, and there are few people that have the skills to do anything about it. These few people include Elizabeth Bennet and her four sisters, all who have traveled to China with their father to learn how to defend themselves and fend off zombies. The plot continues as it did in P&P, with Lizzy being rejected by Mr. Darcy, Jane falling for Mr. Bingley, Lizzy refusing to marry Mr. Collins (who is then quickly snatched up by Charlotte), Wickham sweet-talking his way into everyone’s good graces, Lizzy meeting Lady Catherine (and Darcy!) during her trip to visit Charlotte, and so on, except zombies (and even ninjas!) pop up every once in a while. I advise reading P&P before this book so you can focus on the new aspects of this book (the zombies) and not have to worry about keeping the plot straight. Plus, then you will notice the subtle (not really) changes to many of the famous quotes from P&P. For example, the first sentence: “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife” changes to “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a zombie in possession of brains, must be in want of more brains”. This quote-changing-for-effect is used repeatedly throughout the book, as is crude humor. These jokes may be funny the first couple of times, but doubles-entendres on the word “balls” can get old quickly.

The zombies definitely add a new twist to this beloved story. Whether it helps or hurts the book is up to you. It may be strange at first to imagine the five Bennet sisters as warriors, especially timid Jane and intellectual Mary, but somehow Grahame-Smith gets this to work (at least for a little while). Reading about Lizzy beheading a zombie with a swift kick or Lydia cutting a zombie in half is good fun at first, especially when the sisters work together to take down the monsters. However, the book starts to go downhill when it crosses the line. The sisters seem to have an unlimited amount of gruesome weapons, including guns, knives, swords, and much more, and they seem to relish using them. Lizzy even seems insane at one point when she kills a ninja, rips its heart out, and then takes a bite of it. However, the book is highly entertaining when it sticks to the plot, adding only small details that bring new humor to the story. For example, Charlotte may have a devastating secret; Darcy is the best zombie killer in the county; Bingley (and certainly his sisters) have never touched a gun; Wickham has a tragic accident; and Lady Catherine (a highly esteemed zombie killer herself) was trained in Japan, has her own personal ninjas, and looks down upon anyone who was trained in the Orient (China). The book falls apart a little near the end, where the craziness and gruesomeness reach new heights (ex: heart-eating), but overall, I really enjoyed reading through this silly parody. My advice: Don’t take it too seriously. If you do, you will probably end up hating it. Just sit back, relax, and enjoy a little romance/zombie horror for a while.

You can buy Pride and Prejudice and Zombies here.

P.S. If you liked this book, check out Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters by Ben H. Winters and Jane Austen!

~Angela

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen (review by Angela)

Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility is the story of two sisters, Elinor and Marianne Dashwood. When their father dies, he bequeaths his entire estate to their shallow half-brother and his spiteful wife, leaving the Dashwood sisters and their mother virtually penniless. When a distant relative of Mrs. Dashwood, Sir John Middleton, kindly offers them a small cottage on his estate to stay in, the family leaves their beloved home, Norland, and moves to Barton Park. Elinor must also say goodbye to her friend and secret love, Edward Ferrars, her unpleasant sister-in-law’s brother, who would visit and talk with her often at Norland. Soon after the Dashwoods become settled in their new cottage, they are invited to the Middleton’s house, where they meet jovial Sir Middleton, haughty Lady Middleton and her spoiled children, talkative Mrs. Jennings, and kind, quiet Colonel Brandon, a retired soldier. It is obvious that Colonel Brandon falls in love with Marianne, but she has lately fallen under the spell of the charming, young, and handsome Willoughby. Marianne’s emotions lead her to behave indecently around Willoughby, but when Elinor finally begins to chide her for her behavior, Willoughby abruptly disappears, leaving Marianne heartbroken and miserable. Soon after Willoughby leaves, Elinor finds out an awful secret about her beloved Edward, also leaving her disheartened. The two sisters leave for London with Mrs. Jennings, weary of the countryside and not expecting much out of the visit, but they soon discover that being in the bustling city will answer many of their questions and might even lead them to a happier ending.

Sense and Sensibility’s main theme that defines the book is the relationship between Elinor and Marianne. While Elinor is very sensible, always striving to be level-headed and logical, her sister Marianne is wild in comparison. Marianne’s emotions are always extreme—when she is happy she is joyful, when she is sad she is dejected and almost lifeless, and when she is in love, she becomes filled with reckless abandon and believes her admirer can do no wrong. Even their talents illustrate their differences: Elinor loves to draw, while Marianne is passionate about music. Both want what is best for the family, but it is Elinor who must help her mother make the important decisions in their household. This unique and loving relationship between the two sisters keeps the novel interesting and provides some very witty conversations.

***WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD!***

However, besides featuring a strong female character(s) and many pages of witty banter, Sense and Sensibility has quite a different feel from the rest of Jane Austen’s work, especially Pride and Prejudice. While Pride and Prejudice uses a light, witty tone to describe the adventures of its spunky heroine, Sense and Sensibility seems darker and not quite as optimistic. From the very beginning of the book, the Dashwoods are surrounded by spiteful, sly, greedy, small-minded, and foolish people. Their father, who was thought to be a good man, leaves nothing to his wife and daughters. Their half-brother seems well-meaning, wanting to help his half-sisters and stepmother somehow, but his greed and dim-wittedness make him easily controlled by his hateful wife. Willoughby is a deceitful and money-obsessed flirt (think Wickham from P&P), unwanted acquaintance Lucy is selfish and whiny, and Lady Middleton is proud and haughty, for the most part ignoring the sisters. Even the people who are nice to the sisters, such as Mrs. Jennings and Mrs. Palmer, seem like silly and somewhat airheaded gossips. The only “good” characters in the book are the Dashwoods, Colonel Brandon, and Edward (kind of—he was flirting with Elinor while secretly engaged to another girl). In addition to the general dark tone of the book, the ending is relatively unsatisfying. Elinor does end up with Edward, but her devotion to sense and self-control makes her engagement to him seem passionless. Marianne, after being rejected by Willoughby, ends up with Colonel Brandon, a much-older man she has never expressed interest in. While this seems implausible considering Marianne’s emotional nature, this serves to reinforce the point that the right balance of sense and passion is needed to live happily.

***END OF SPOILERS***

This is not to say that I do not recommend S&S. While not as thoroughly enjoyable as P&P, this book still has much to offer. In typical Austen style, there is much gossiping, entertaining conversations, and surprising secrets just waiting to be revealed. The satire on the wealthy class of England during Austen’s time is not lost either. The love stories are still touching, and the relationship between the two sisters is very well developed. If this is your first Jane Austen book, I suggest you read Pride and Prejudice first, but if you are an Austen fan, this book is a must-read for you.

~Angela

You can buy Sense and Sensibility here.

The Stolen One by Suzanne Crowley

The Stolen One by Suzanne Crowley, set in Elizabethan England, is the story of Katherine Bab, an orphan and talented embroiderer who longs to know her true history. On the day that her best friend, a farmer boy named Christian, proposes to her, a strange, sick woman shows up at her house and demands that Kat’s caretaker, Grace, give her a mysterious necklace. Both the mysterious woman and Grace die of the plague the next day, and Kat finds the hidden necklace with the help of Grace’s deaf daughter, Anna. Against Grace’s last wishes, Kat leaves for London with Anna in an attempt to find out more about herself and to escape from Christian’s startling proposal. When Kat arrives in London, her flaming red hair and beautiful embroidery quickly get her summoned before Queen Elizabeth, and she is made one of the queen’s ladies-in-waiting. As Kat gets closer to the queen, rumors swirl about their very similar appearances, and Kat begins to uncover the truth about the necklace and her heritage. All the while, surrounded by suitors, Kat just can’t keep her mind off a certain sheep farmer…

This book, full of romance, intrigue, and beautiful dresses, will especially satisfy anyone who loves historical fiction or the Elizabethan Age. The clothing and setting are lavishly described, and the many historical facts make this book a fun learning experience as well. The Seymour family especially is explored in great detail, as apparently there is a missing daughter in the family (who knew?).

As for the heroine, Kat is spunky, determined, and likable. Her “sister” Anna is sweet, but doesn’t have much importance in the story besides making Kat feel guilty. Kat is pursued at court by two charming gentlemen, Nicholas and Rafael. Nicholas is the stereotypical pretty-boy, but Rafael has an intriguing storyline that is unfortunately left mostly undeveloped. Queen Elizabeth is actually one of the main characters in the story, adding a unique twist to the book. She is portrayed as both powerful and vulnerable, a combination that makes her seem human and realistic. Christian is, of course, the requisite sweet, caring farmer boy who has loved Kat her entire life.

I really enjoyed The Stolen One. The story is interesting and moves along quickly, especially as Kat finds out more about herself. Making Queen Elizabeth an important character really added depth to the story. However, the only complaint I have about the book is Kat’s apparent bipolar-ness. When she leaves Christian, she claims she could care less about him, but two chapters later, she longs to return to him all the way from London just because he breaks his foot. Also, she claims to care so much about Anna, but completely ignores her once she is accepted at court. Besides this, The Stolen One was a very enjoyable historical mystery/romance that I would recommend to any YA reader.

~Angela

P.S. You can buy The Stolen One here.

Coffeehouse Angel by Suzanne Selfors

Just in time for hot chocolate and mini marshmallows, I’m reviewing a sweet novel perfect for the holidays, Coffeehouse Angel by Suzanne Selfors. The book, set in the Norwegian-influenced town of Nordby, Washington, revolves around Katrina Svenson and her grandmother’s coffee shop. Katrina, who spends every afternoon working in the coffeehouse, feels like she doesn’t have a direction in life. Her best friends, Vincent and Elizabeth, already have their futures planned out, but she doesn’t even know what she likes to do, besides work in the coffeehouse. However, her life turns upside down when she nonchalantly gives some food to a guy she finds sleeping in the alley beside the coffee shop. The guy, Malcolm, finds her at school the next day, begging her to be able to grant her greatest desire, but Katrina just thinks he’s crazy. To get him to leave her alone, she lies to him, resulting in two wishes that cause unhappiness in her life. Malcolm refuses to leave until he finds out Katrina’s “true desire”, and she begins to realize that Malcolm isn’t exactly human, but possibly an angel. In addition to giant rats, traitorous best friends, and villainous next-door neighbors, Katrina now has to deal with something even crazier: falling in love with an angel.

While often sweet and heartwarming, this book has both its upsides and downsides. When I first saw the cover, I felt like it was screaming I AM CLICHÉ at me. However, you should ignore the strange long-haired, glowing boy on the cover, as the book is not actually that bad. As I began to read, I found that I actually did like it. Katrina is sweet and realistic, and her two best friends are developed well. The plot is an interesting concept, and the small-town setting really adds to the book. However, as I continued reading, a few things started to bother me. Katrina began to seem whiny, as she constantly moans about her “lack of talent” and uncertain future. Since when is everyone supposed to know exactly what they want to do with their life when they’re only in 10th grade? The rest of the book is enjoyable, even though it can be a bit uneven. It’s hard to believe that a book that features such hilarious thoughts as “Is it easier to kick a guy in the balls if he’s wearing a kilt?” could be the same book that contains the horrendous sentence “His thighs spread out like corduroy logs”. The only other thing that bothered me was the ending. Everything works out much too perfectly, giving the ending an almost fake feel. However, Coffeehouse Angel was a fun, quick read, and I would recommend it for anyone with some extra time on their hands.

~Angela

P.S. You can buy Coffeehouse Angel here.

Sprout Review

Sprout by Dale Peck is the story of Daniel Bradford, a gay teenager who is nicknamed Sprout because he dyes his hair green. When Sprout’s mother dies, his grieving father decides to leave Long Island and take Sprout with him to Kansas. They buy a small trailer, and Sprout’s father drinks all day and starts collecting stumps, having no intention of getting a job. Sprout enters school and feels like an outsider until he meets Ruthie, a confident, outgoing girl determined to get what she wants and maybe help Sprout out too. Sprout, with Ruthie’s help, soon begins to dye his hair green, allowing him to stand out even more at school. Sprout’s writing abilities get him approached by Mrs. Miller, an English teacher inclined to drink a little too much who helps him develop his writing and encourages him to enter an essay writing contest. Two guys enter Sprout’s life, one who he only feels lust for, and the other who shows Sprout true love. Through all of this, Sprout struggles with who he really is and eventually learns more about himself.

This novel is so unique and well-written. The characters are all so realistic and well-developed, especially Sprout. The way he thinks and writes is very mature, yet believable and often funny at the same time. I like how the story revolves around his relationships with others and his struggle to understand himself, not his desire to come out as gay and be accepted (most people already know that he is gay, including his father and Mrs. Miller, and don’t really make a big deal out of it). Sprout’s unique voice always comes through, entertaining the reader and making the story more poignant. The other characters add to Sprout’s story and help him understand himself, even when they betray him (or he betrays them!). The ending was unexpected and a little unsatisfying, but it seemed to fit with the book. Sprout is definitely one of the most well-written and interesting novels I have read this year, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a heartfelt, but also humorous, story.

~Angela

P.S. You can buy Sprout here.

Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler (Reviewed by Angela)

Summary (from Amazon): "Don't worry, Anna. I'll tell her, okay? Just let me think about the best way to do it." "Okay." "Promise me? Promise you won't say anything?" "Don't worry." I laughed. "It's our secret, right?" According to her best friend Frankie, twenty days in Zanzibar Bay is the perfect opportunity to have a summer fling, and if they meet one boy ever day, there's a pretty good chance Anna will find her first summer romance. Anna lightheartedly agrees to the game, but there's something she hasn't told Frankie---she's already had that kind of romance, and it was with Frankie's older brother, Matt, just before his tragic death one year ago. Review: This touching, sweet book is one of the best I’ve read this year. All of the characters are very believable, complex, and well-developed. Anna, the main character, is compassionate and kind, but she can’t get over Matt’s death and continues to write to him in her journal. She can’t talk to her best friend, Frankie, about it, because she is scared what Frankie will do when she learns her best friend secretly dated her brother, who is now dead. Frankie has dealt with her brother’s death in a different way, becoming a social butterfly and devoting herself to makeup, clothes, and boys. Frankie’s parents refuse to talk about Matt and continue to pretend that everything is okay in their household. When they all go on a summer vacation to California, everything about Matt’s death will have to be resolved, especially if Anna and Frankie want to stay friends, come to terms with their grief, and accept Matt’s death. This poignant, beautifully written story about grief and friendship is definitely a must-read this summer. -Angela Purchase Twenty Boy Summer, released today, here.

Beautiful Americans by Lucy Silag (Review by Angela)

Summary:

PJ: Penelope Jane’s fluent French comes from being raised near the Canadian border, yet now this troubled, stunning waif will use it to escape forever.
Olivia: She may be a born dancer, destined for success. But that doesn’t mean scholarship-worthy grades and long-distance boyfriends are easy. What’s that saying about best-laid plans?
Alex: With a tough-love New Yorker mom and absentee dad, this snarky fashionista is anything but innocent. While seducing the guy of the moment, she could be in for the worst fall of her life.
Zack: Now that he’s away from his conservative Southern upbringing, lovable, handsome Zack can have almost anything he wants in Paris. But what if what he wants most is…another boy?

Review:

This book was ok, but not one of my favorites so far this year. Beautiful Americans is told equally by each of the main characters, so the reader gets to see the thoughts of PJ, Olivia, Alex, and Zack. The book seems like it might go well when the four arrive in Paris. They meet at school and form a loose friendship, with Alex and Zack becoming immediate best friends and PJ always unsure whether to hang out with them or not.

However, the book goes downhill from there. Alex becomes totally unbearable, as she is shown to be a complete narcissist with no regard for who she is hurting or how much she is spending. Her whole story involves whining about some preppy boy not liking her and how her mother cut off her credit card (she is used to getting whatever she wants). I’m not even sure how she got into this “study” abroad program, as she always has to get Zack to say things for her in French to waiters and others. PJ has a more intriguing story line (she gets to live with a famous, rich, dysfunctional French family), but she is stuck in the past. She is the character with all the secrets, and she is constantly reflecting on them and mostly ignoring anyone who tries to be nice to her. The reader gets little pieces of PJ’s secrets throughout the book. Olivia is the goody-goody turned rebel who at first misses home and her boyfriend back in the U.S., but soon starts keeping secrets from her parents and possibly falling for another guy. Zack is a mostly likable character who doesn’t really do that much. Like Alex, he’s worried about getting a boyfriend, but that’s about it. The one character I like, Jay, isn’t in the book much but seems like a genuinely caring and understanding guy.

The characters do a lot of partying and hanging out. It seems like they’re there more for vacation than to actually learn anything (I know this is true for Alex). However, the story does get a little better near the end, accelerating to a mild cliffhanger involving PJ. For a debut novel, Beautiful Americans is actually pretty well-written. Hopefully the sequel (out in fall ‘09) will make the characters a little more likable and have a better story line as well.

~Angela

You can buy Beautiful Americans here.

Secrets of My Hollywood Life: Paparazzi Princess by Jen Calonita (Review by Angela)

Summary:

As the last season of Family Affairs comes to a close, prime-time teen star Kaitlin Burke is no closer to deciding what she wants to do after the show ends. Struggling with career choices and bummed over a ridiculous catfight with her BFF, Liz, Kaitlin is so mixed up she even starts to semi-bond with her archnemesis, Sky. Worst of all, she falls in with two of Hollywood's biggest party fiends when one of them asks her, "Don't you ever do what you want to do?" Shopping sprees and the Tinseltown nightlife seems fun at first, but soon Kaitlin realizes that being a paparazzi princess just might be her downfall.

Review:

I really love this unique series about Hollywood’s “It” girl with a twist. Kaitlin, the main character, may be a celebrity, but she actually has morals and tries to do what’s right. She seems like a normal person with real problems who just happens to be famous. The conflicts in her life are not superficial and are easy to relate to: her mom is controlling, she’s fighting with her best friend, she’s trying not to spend too much money in a wealth-obsessed society, she can’t let go of Family Affairs, everyone is pressuring her to get another role, and she’s the last of her co-stars to land a new show. She stresses out, just like any other normal teenager would under all that pressure. Add the paparazzi and two party-hoppers, and everything becomes even crazier! This book gives readers an inside look at Hollywood and is also really funny at the same time. The characters, especially Kaitlin, are all realistic and refreshing. I really love this series and can’t wait for the next book!

~Angela

You can buy Paparazzi Princess here.

MAX by James Patterson (A double review by Angela and Bella Aire)

2

James Patterson's heroine, Maximum Ride, returns in the next book in the series, Max. This time Max and the gang- Fang, Iggy, Nudge, Gazzy, and Angel- are putting on shows to raise awareness about the environment when a new version of bad guys, the M-Geeks, show up, led by the nefarious Mr. Chu. Soon, in the Pacific Ocean, fish are dying and ships are being destroyed, and Max's mom is kidnapped. To save her, Max and her winged family are going to have to go where they've never gone before- underwater. All the while, Max finds that her relationship with Fang is getting serious, her bird/human family is still gaining new powers, and her authority over her flock and her life is getting challenged more and more often.

This book is definitely the best Maximum Ride yet. I am so happy that things finally got moving between Max and Fang (they are perfect for each other!). Angels character also developed and got a lot more interesting in Max. However, I am getting a little tired of the save-the-environment plotline (even though I totally support it), especially since the bad guy was rather boring. Even so, Max is still her sarcastic, kick-butt self, and the book is still entertaining and funny, so I suggest you go get Max as soon as possible!

-Angela

One thing about James Patterson is certain. He knows how to write! Anyone who has read any of his other works have to marvel with me over his range. He can write everything from teenage mutant fiction to sweet adult love stories. It's truly impressive.

However, even the best of authors can have a flop book here and there. But I am happy to say that this is not the case with James Patterson's Max. Max is, as Angela puts it, the best book in the Maximum Ride series- a bestselling series that boasts an "all ages" range (again with the amazing range). Though most of the relationships really grew in this novel, one relationship really outshone the rest: that of Max and Fang. The two finally start acting upon/reacting to the connection that they shared.

Thus said, this book will please all Fang lovers immensely. For all the girls who have been dreaming about Mr. Tall, Dark, and Winged, your prayers have been answered.

Another interesting subplot is the leadership struggle that Max experiences. Is she doing the right thing? Doing enough? Too much? Trying to find a correct balance of power is a crucial factor for Max.

I love that James Patterson has created a strong female leader as his heroine. But you know what I love even more? I adore that he has created a male romantic role who doesn't always have to dominate or who becomes sullen when a female takes control. Sure, there have been a few struggles regarding this before, but all struggles were between two people and not between and man and a woman. What I guess I'm trying to say is that gender never really seems to be a determining factor in whether or not Max is a strong leader (which she just so happens to be).

For first time Max readers, I highly recommend that you begin with the first Maximum Ride novel. This is not one of those series that you can really pick up in the middle. And for old fans? Do not be deterred by The Final Warning (which was, in my opinon, the weak link of the Max series). Patterson's latest more than makes up for it.

~bella aire~

Purchase MAX here.

Buy the first Maximum Ride novel, The Angel Experiment, here.

Or you can visit James Patterson's website!

Kiss Me Kill Me by Lauren Henderson (review by Angela)

Later today, Lauren Henderson will be stopping by via guest blog and both Kiss Me Kill Me and it's sequel Kisses and Lies will be given away, so make sure to check in!

Synopsis:

When Scarlett Wakefield transfers from St. Tabby’s, a posh private school outside London, to Wakefield Hall Collegiate, the world-renowned prep school that her grandmother runs in the English countryside, she is relieved that no one knows her dark, haunting secret. A few months ago, Plum Saybourne, the queen of St. Tabby’s “Smart Set”, surprisingly invited Scarlett to an elite party with a guest list full of the hottest names in British society, including Dan McAndrew, Scarlett’s secret crush. Before the party, Scarlett had only imagined what it would be like to have her first kiss with Dan, but on the penthouse terrace, Dan leaned in close and she no longer had to wonder. Their kiss was beautiful and perfect and magical, and then…

Dan McAndrew suffocated in her arms.

No one knows how or why Dan died, and everyone at St. Tabby’s believes Scarlett had something to do with it. After all, she was the last person to see Dan alive. But now that she’s safely hidden away at Wakefield Hall, Scarlett would rather forget that it ever happened. Only she can’t. Especially when she receives an anonymous note that will set her on the path to clearing her name and finding out what really happened to the first and last boy she kissed.





Review:


This mystery/romance novel by Lauren Henderson was very intriguing. The basic premise is pretty original: having someone die while you are kissing them. The heroine, Scarlett, is spunky and intelligent as she devotes herself to finding out the real cause of Dan’s death and often uses her gymnastic skills to help her in her investigation (such as stuffing herself in a dumbwaiter). Scarlett’s sidekick, Taylor (an American tomboy) is good as comic relief, and Jase (the gardener boy) keeps the novel from being totally romance-free after Dan’s death. Plum and her clique are suitably evil and entertaining, especially when they try to corner Scarlett at her locker. The plot gets a little slow in the middle of the book when Scarlett is stuck at Wakefield Hall, but it picks back up just in time for the cliffhanger of an ending. This light mystery novel is a very fun read, and I suggest you also pick up its sequel Kisses and Lies so you don’t agonize yourself over the ending for too long.

-Angela

Buy Kiss Me Kill Me here.

The Season by Sarah MacLean (Review by Angela)

Synopsis:Seventeen year old Lady Alexandra is strong-willed and sharp-tongued -- in a house full of older brothers and their friends, she had to learn to hold her own. Not the best makings for an aristocratic lady in Regency London. Yet her mother still dreams of marrying Alex off to someone safe, respectable, and wealthy. But between ball gown fittings, dances, and dinner parties, Alex, along with her two best friends, Ella and Vivi, manages to get herself into what may be her biggest scrape yet.


When the Earl of Blackmoor is mysteriously killed, Alex decides to help his son, the brooding and devilishly handsome Gavin, uncover the truth. But will Alex's heart be stolen in the process? In an adventure brimming with espionage, murder, and other clandestine affairs, who could possibly have time to worry about finding a husband? Romance and danger abound as this year's season begins!


Review:
This book is set during one of my favorite time periods, Regency England. Alex, the heroine who hates balls and dress fittings, is lively, witty, and entertaining. Obviously modeled after Jane Austen’s Elizabeth Bennet, she is intelligent and headstrong, not caring what other people think. Her friends Ella and Vivi are also delightful and help add humor to the story, and the mystery of the Earl’s death adds excitement throughout the book. Gavin, the Earl’s son, is a charming rogue and the hero of the story. My only wish is that the characters of Ella and Vivi were developed more, as they were very interesting and didn’t get enough attention. However, The Season was very entertaining and a fun, light-hearted read, and I can’t wait to read Sarah MacLean’s next novel.

-Angela


Bella Aire's Note: I just wanted to add that Angela really raved about how much she loved this book after she had read it. After turning in her review, though, she mentioned that she felt she didn't rave enough in her review- mainly because she had written it late at night and was tired. So she requested that I emphasize just how fabulous she found The Season (okay, so fabulous may be my word, but she definitely loved it). So there you have it. Angela found The Season rave-worthy.



The Season can be purchased here.


Visit Sarah MacLean's blog here (I totally love reading this blog- the NSCGs are followers!).

The Luxe- Anna Godbersen (review by Angela)

The Luxe by Anna Godbersen is an intriguing, fast paced, and scandalous story set in Manhattan in 1899. The book revolves around the two upper-class Holland sisters: Elizabeth, the beautiful darling of New York City, and Diana, her more rebellious, but equally beautiful younger sister. To outsiders, their lives may seem perfect, but the sisters have many dark secrets. The family has run out of money, and Elizabeth must be married off to wealthy Henry Schoonmaker to keep her family from disgrace. However, Elizabeth is in love with the carriage driver, Will, and her best friend, Penelope, is in love with Henry. To make things worse, Diana is in love with the one person she can never be with, and Elizabeth's vengeful maid will stop at nothing to take her mistress down. Suddenly, none of this matters when Elizabeth's carriage overturns in the river and she is presumed dead. Her death leaves New York reeling, and many wonder if the beautiful socialite's death was simply an accident. The twists, turns, and intrigue in this story of Manhattan's elite will leave readers wishing that they too had lived during this decadent era.

This book is good for fans of similar book series such as Gossip Girl and The Clique*. The plot is interesting and often surprising, and the characters are well-developed. The historical setting and the quotes from books, newspapers, and characters at the beginning of each chapter both greatly add to the novel. The Luxe is great entertainment for those who love to read about the lies, scandals, and secrets of the rich and famous.

-Angela-

*Bella's Note: I actually wasn't a huge fan of the Gossip Girl or The Clique series (though I love the GG TV show...I love Chuck!), but I really liked The Luxe. So don't necessarily think you won't like The Luxe if you didn't like the other series. Though I suppose it may be more likely that you would like The Luxe if you liked the other two. Just a note.

The Luxe can be purchased here: http://www.amazon.com/Luxe-Anna-Godbersen/dp/0061345687/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1231535639&sr=8-1

And it's sequel, Rumors, here: http://www.amazon.com/Rumors-Luxe-Novel-Anna-Godbersen/dp/0061345695/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_b

And finally, the third book in the series, Envy, coming out on January 27, can be preordered here: http://www.amazon.com/Envy-Luxe-Novel-Anna-Godbersen/dp/0061345725/ref=pd_sim_b_2

Have fun with those post-holidays giftcards!

Bloody Jack- L.A. Meyer

"Bloody Jack" by L.A. Meyer is the story of Mary "Jacky" Faber, a feisty orphan turned ship's boy. When her family dies from a disease, Little Mary is taken in and taught by a gang of orphans who teach her how to survive on the streets of London. When Rooster Charlie, the leader of her small group, dies, Mary decides to take her chances on the ocean. She takes Charlie's clothes, cuts her hair, and assumes the name "Jack". Jacky soon gets herself a job as ship's boy on the HMS Dolphin. There, she learns the workings of the ship, gains the affections of the sailors, and has numerous adventures on the high seas (like finding pirate treasure), all while maintaining "The Deception". However, Jacky also has to be wary of her changing body, which might give her away, and to be careful of the malicious people who want to hurt her, like Blifil and Sloane. During all of this, Jacky begins to understand her very confusing feelings for one of her fellow ship's boys, Jaimy Fletcher.

I enjoyed this book thoroughly. Jacky is a delightful heroine, and she is always getting into amusing situations. The nautical terms are explained very well, and Jacky's language is humorous. This book offers a very realistic portrayal of life on the streets during Jacky's time and a good view of life on the sea. However, the writing and plot may be a little basic for older readers while the content may be a bit mature for younger readers. Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a good adventure.

<3 Angela

Bloody Jack can be bought here:
http://www.amazon.com/Bloody-Jack-Account-Curious-Adventures/dp/015205085X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1225410061&sr=8-2

*The Bloody Jack Series is on the NSCG's List of Favorite Books
**LA Meyer has been added to the NSCG's List of Favorite Authors

Revealing Angela Doyle

“Hey! I’m Angela Doyle, a Not-So-Closet-Geek. Obviously, I love to read. My favorite book series are the Twilight, Harry Potter, Pendragon, and Jacky Faber book series, and my favorite book is The Hobbit (I enjoy when Gollum acts tricksy). Of course I have many other favorites, too, but you should check out the official NSCG list on our main profile. When I am not reading a good book, I am either swimming or playing with my fat cat, Smokie, or my destructive dog, Riley. I am also a little obsessed with the color purple. Additionally, I am a huge Gossip Girl fan (the TV show) and have recently become hooked to Burn Notice. CSI (the Las Vegas one) is one of my favorites as well. Forrest Gump, Benchwarmers, and National Treasure (I <3 Riley!) are the best movies ever! That’s about it, and I hope you enjoy our site.”

Songs
NOTE: Since there are no songs I know of that accurately describe my life (swimming, reading, and/or boringness), I present to you a list of songs that I find inspiring/amazing:
Just Fine- Mary J. Blige
Everything- Lifehouse
Any Rob Thomas/Matchbox Twenty song

<3 Angela

P.S. Go VT!