HOOKED by Liz Fichera

Hooked
Liz Fichera

Rating: C+
Release Date: 01/29/13
Synopsis:
Get hooked on a girl named Fred... 

HE said: Fred Oday is a girl? Why is a girl taking my best friends spot on the boy's varsity golf team?

SHE said: Can I seriously do this? Can I join the boys' team? Everyone will hate me - especially Ryan Berenger.

HE said: Coach expects me to partner with Fred on the green? That is crazy bad. Fred's got to go - especially now that I can't get her out of my head. So not happening.

SHE said: Ryan can be nice, when he's not being a jerk. Like the time he carried my golf bag. But the girl from the rez and the spoiled rich boy from the suburbs? So not happening.

But there's no denying that things are happening as the girl with the killer swing takes on the boy with the killer smile...

My thoughts on the book:
Hooked is an interesting take on the typical contemporary YA love story. Fred was a likable character, and I enjoyed reading from her POV. Ryan was a bit weak for a love interest, but he grew on me as well. The characters developed throughout the novel, and the details of the plot were unique. Also, Fichera did an excellent job of showing some of the problems facing Indian Country today. However, she also exacerbated some colonial ideas. I do not think this was on purpose, but it still needs to be mentioned. Overall, I'd recommend this story to people who like cute YA romances that address social issues such as poverty, child abuse, and racism. 

Fred was a strong character, and she was easy to like, but she didn't grow much throughout the novel. While Ryan evolved into a new person, Fred was fairly static. This could imply that Native peoples are static (if I was reading from a strictly decolonizing lens), which would be problematic. It also could simply be that Fred was already evolved. Either way, she needed to grow more, in my opinion, to remain interesting. Ryan, on the other hand, grew a lot, but I didn't like him much at first. His friend Seth really pissed me off, too. He was a racist piece of crap, and I still have no idea the real reasons behind his actions. I simply know excuses given for him throughout the novel. Some real explanation and condemnation would have been nice.

The polyvocality worked to some extent, but sometimes the voices sounded similar. Also, I felt that Fichera used too many colloquial words. A few years down the road, this is going to read like a book from the 1950s because slang changes quickly. Also, for people who aren't familiar with adolescent slang, some of the sentences didn't make sense. It's always best to avoid slang when possible. 

My main issue with this novel was the fact that Fichera attempted to dispel stereotypes, but at the same time she reinforced them. I was never certain what nation Fred was from. Furthermore, Fichera perpetuated the idea that elders still run around acting like they live in the 1800s. As someone who has worked in Indian Country, I can tell you that the things that went on in this book are not normal practice. Furthermore, she used Cherokee blessings, Navajo words, and Pueblo blessings. This took away tribes' individualized national identities and made them seem homogeneous, when in fact, the 565 federally recognized tribes are extremely different. I felt that this was harmful to the message she was trying to convey. I know that she wanted to address racism and she at least painted most of the Indians in a contemporary context, but she did so in a harmful manner. Furthermore, if they were a casino tribe in Phoenix, AZ, then they should have made decent money from the casino. That would mean that the citizens of the nation would have their college paid for, etc. It wouldn't have been as impoverished as she made it seem. It's like she took everything she'd ever heard about contemporary indigenous peoples and shoved it all together for one tribe. The alcoholism (which is a problem, but not all Indian families have drunks in them), the poverty, and casinos. The tribal elder's "blessings" were the most problematic for me, though. I think they shouldn't even be placed in the book. It simply exoticizes Indians and makes them seem like an ethnic group instead of members of distinct polities. 

Overall, I'd recommend this book to people who like a good love story. However, I caution you not to take anything in this book about Native people seriously. It's problematic and exacerbates settler colonial ideals, which harm ALL indigenous nations. Since it's clear that Fichera had good intentions and at least addressed some stereotypes and dispelled them correctly, I am giving this book the benefit of a doubt. Not all indigenous peoples lived in teepees and none do now. They drive cars and they have dreams and goals, just like the rest of us. They are people and should be treated as such. She did an excellent job with those points. However, the aforementioned issues still remain. If you want a book to reflect what life is really like for contemporary indigenous peoples, might I recommend Thomas King, Sherman Alexie, and Eric Gansworth. For a non-Native perspective that serves as a decolonizing discourse through the illustration of contemporary Navajos, check out Shifted by Bethany Wiggins.

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THE CALLING by Kelley Armstrong

The Calling
Kelley Armstrong

Grade: A+
Release Date: 04/10/12


Synopsis from back of ARC:
Maya and her friends have been forced to flee from their homes during a forest fire they suspect was deliberately set. Then they're kidnapped, and after a chilling helicopter crash, they find themselves lost in the Vancouver Island wilderness. But Maya has a secret. She can run faster, climb higher, and see better than nearly anyone else. It's part of who she really is - and it has something to do with the mysterious paw-print birthmark on her hip. Yet as Maya and her friends face unforeseen dangers, it becomes clear that she's not the only one in their close-knit group with something to hide. If they're going to survive, they'll need all their extraordinary abilities to help them get back home.

This review contains spoilers from the first book in the series, The Gathering. So if you have not read The Gathering yet, then I recommend you read it before reading this review. Click read more to continue with the review.

FAIR GAME by Patricia Briggs

Fair Game
Patricia Briggs

Rating: A-

Synopsis from goodreads.com:
They say opposites attract. And in the case of werewolves Anna Latham and Charles Cornick, they mate. The son-and enforcer-of the leader of the North American werewolves, Charles is a dominant alpha. While Anna, an omega, has the rare ability to calm others of her kind.

Now that the werewolves have revealed themselves to humans, they can't afford any bad publicity. Infractions that could have been overlooked in the past must now be punished, and the strain of doing his father's dirty work is taking a toll on Charles.

Nevertheless, Charles and Anna are sent to Boston, when the FBI requests the pack's help on a local serial killer case. They quickly realize that not only the last two victims were werewolves-all of them were. Someone is targeting their kind. And now Anna and Charles have put themselves right in the killer's sights...

My thoughts on the book:
This was, in my opinion, the darkest novel that Briggs has written to date. It was a difficult read for me because the killers were so brutal. It was like reading Law and Order: SVU - Paranormal Division, or something. I generally like the Alpha and Omega series better than the Mercy Thompson series, though I love them both, but this novel reminded me more of the Mercy series. This is my least favorite of the Alpha and Omega series, for sure, and my third least favorite by Briggs. It was pretty obvious who the bad guy was, and Briggs is usually better at keeping me guessing. I just didn't feel the level of suspense that I'm used to when reading a Briggs novel. To me, this was one of those books that was necessary to move the story forward, and that usually makes for a less than amazing story. However, I still enjoyed the book, and it was still well-written. I just hope the next one is better.

Charles and Anna have hit a rift in their marriage, so they weren't as close as they have been in previous novels. This isn't because they don't like each other anymore; it's simply because Charles' guilt at being his father's unquestioning assassin is taking a toll on Charles since he's more about justice than mindless killing. Since the chemistry between them is non-existent for most of this novel, and the majority of the book was set in Boston, this crossed over into the realm of Urban Fantasy rather than Paranormal Romance. The sweet romance of this series is supposed to be what sets it apart from the Mercy series. I'm sure you see the problem with this crossing over. However, there were some extremely interesting developments in the story. 

One of the newer things I noticed is that Charles and Anna are working with humans to solve a crime. Now that the werewolves have come out, it's important to have good public relations with the humans. I really liked Leslie, and I hope to see more of her in future books. She was a fantastic character. She was strong, intelligent, and open-minded. Also, Charles grew a lot in Fair Game. He developed more than I expected him to, and I can't wait to see what these developments mean for his and Anna's relationship, as well as his relationship his father. Bran changed a little as well, and Anna really stood on her own two feet. She has become much stronger and will not let herself be victimized again. She's healing by leaps and bounds. 

I liked the developments with the fae, and the ending has ensured that there will be a lot of turbulence in the Mercy/Alpha and Omega world. I'm interested to see how these developments affect Mercy and company in Seattle, as well as how they affect Bran and the Marrok's pack in Montana. These two series just got a lot more complicated, and the next few books for each series are going to be intense. One thing about the ending really bothered me, though, and I just feel like more people should have died. I know that sounds harsh, but once you read the book, you'll probably understand what I mean. Of course, maybe death was too good for the bigots. Yea, I got angry at quite a few people while reading this, haha. 

The pacing of the book was done pretty well, though it did drag and some places. I felt like some of the parts were a bit uncalled for and just used for padding to make sure the book was long enough, and parts that would have shown Anna and Charles trying to fix their relationship or developments in the serial killer case were skipped over. I think that maybe some of those parts could have also been replaced with parts from Leslie's perspective, since Briggs did 3rd person limited with switching viewpoints. The POV wasn't confusing though, and it added some depth to the story. I'd also like to know why I was able to figure out who the killer was before a centuries old werewolf. Maybe Charles needs to watch more of Anna's detective shows.  Because I knew who the killer was, the big reveal wasn't a big reveal, but it was still suspenseful because of how brutal the killer was.

Overall, this book was well done, but it just didn't live up to what I am used to when it comes to Briggs' writing. Usually, she'd get an A+ instead of an A-. Still, there was tons of character growth, the plot was intriguing, and the pacing wasn't too terribly off. Even when I'm not as blown away as I should be, Briggs is still better than most of the authors out there today. I'd definitely recommend this book to any adult who enjoys suspenseful werewolf stories, and especially to fans of the Alpha and Omega and Mercy Thompson series. Because of how dark this book was, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone under 18.

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THE ABSOLUTELY TRUE DIARY OF A PART-TIME INDIAN by Sherman Alexie

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
Sherman Alexie

Grade: A+


Description from goodreads.com:
In his first book for young adults, bestselling author Sherman Alexie tells the story of Junior, a budding cartoonist growing up on the Spokane Indian Reservation. Determined to take his future into his own hands, Junior leaves his troubled school on the rez to attend an all-white farm town high school where the only other Indian is the school mascot. Heartbreaking, funny, and beautifully written, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, which is based on the author's own experiences, coupled with poignant drawings by acclaimed artist Ellen Forney, that reflect the character's art, chronicles the contemporary adolescence of one Native American boy as he attempts to break away from the life he was destined to live.


My thoughts on the book:
Sherman Alexie is one of the greatest authors of all time. Let me explain this. He has the ability to speak TO YOU through his words. Every time I read one of his books, I feel like he's talking to me and telling me his life story. His writing always sucks me in from the first page. I always laugh and cry, because let's face it, he's funny, but the stories themselves are heartbreaking, and there is no doubt in my mind that the stories he tells are at least inspired by true events, and that breaks my heart even more. Alexie's unique voice, sarcastic sense of humor, and well-developed, unique cast of characters add to his engrossing plots to make unforgettable books. True Diary is no exception to that. 


True Diary is told from Junior's POV, and you can't help but feel sympathy for Junior right away. He was born with water on the brain, after all, and that's enough to make anyone feel bad for you... or call you names, depending on if you're in high school or not. Ahh the best years of your life, high school is not. Junior tells a story of poverty, heartbreak, love, and loss. He explains life on the reservation and lets people know that it's not anything like most people would expect. Junior's story is an inspiration to all of us, regardless of our backgrounds, because he never lets anything get him down. He fights for himself, for an education, and for a life. That sets him apart from the others on the reservation, and they judge him even more because he has ambitions. But Junior doesn't give up... he never gives up. 


Junior gets angry because his reservation school textbook is over 30 years old. He throws the book and gets suspended. The teacher isn't mad at him, however, and after giving Junior a pep talk, Junior decides to go to an all white high school so that he can actually get a good education. Junior's parents are too poor to get him there on most days, though, and he ends up walking over 20 miles there and 20 miles back just to get an education. His best friend from the reservation, Rowdy, hates him for leaving, and Junior feels all alone in this new world. 


At the white high school, Junior experiences blatant racism from the students, but he quickly shows them that he won't take their crap, and he actually makes some really good friends. He tries to hide how poor he is, but they find out. Instead of judging him, they try to help him. Throughout the novel Junior evolves, and the reader goes on this emotional journey of growing up with him. You can't help but root for Junior, and when things go wrong, you cry for him. The book isn't too serious, though, because Alexie is wonderfully sarcastic. I was torn between laughing and crying throughout the whole novel. 


Every single character in the book is well-developed. There are no cookie-cutter types... at least not from my perspective. Everyone is dynamic and unpredictable. Alexie does a terrific job of showing that no one's life is what it seems. There are many surprises, both good and bad in this novel. Nothing is straight-forward because people's lives aren't straight-forward. We're all complicated, and it's clear that Alexie understands that. 


The pacing of the book is excellent, and there isn't a single dull moment. There are a lot of events that happen throughout the novel to keep the reader engaged, and when something tragic or hilarious isn't happening, then Junior is drawing cartoons of how he sees things, which is pretty funny. I really loved the addition of the drawings to the text. It made the book that much richer. 


The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is a book that you do not want to miss. If you haven't read the novel yet, then you are missing out. If you've never read anything by Sherman Alexie before, then I am sad for you. You  must get this book. You must read it now. 


What are you waiting for? Buy the book!

Shifting by Bethany Wiggins

Shifting
Bethany Wiggins

Grade: A+


Description from Goodreads.com

After bouncing from foster home to foster home, Magdalene Mae is transferred to what should be her last foster home in the tiny town of Silver City, New Mexico. Now that she's eighteen and has only a year left in high school, she's determined to stay out of trouble and just be normal. Agreeing to go to the prom with Bridger O'Connell is a good first step. Fitting in has never been her strong suit, but it's not for the reasons most people would expect-it all has to do with the deep secret that she is a shape shifter. But even in her new home danger lurks, waiting in the shadows to pounce. They are the Skinwalkers of Navajo legend, who have traded their souls to become the animal whose skin they wear-and Maggie is their next target.

Full of romance, mysticism, and intrigue, this dark take on Navajo legend will haunt readers to the final page.

My thoughts on the book:

This is by far the best novel I've read all year. Maggie Mae is a character that you can't help but fall in love with. From the first page, she is extremely endearing, and you are overcome with the need to know her story. She's a foster child who has been bounced around within the system in Albuquerque, NM. After multiple arrests for indecent exposure, she gets transferred to Mr. Petersen's (her social worker) mother's home in Silver City, NM. Mrs. Carpenter, her new foster mother, is a lovable character as well, and she helps Maggie Mae accept who she is. 

Once in Silver City, Maggie Mae meets Bridger O'Connell, an extremely rich boy of Navajo decent. They get off to a rocky start, but they become fast friends. Bridger comes to her rescue when the mean girls at school tell everyone of her past and say that Maggie Mae used to be a prostitute. Maggie, of course, is not a prostitute, she's just a shifter. The bullying scene where some of her secrets come out, though, is heartbreaking. 

While parts of the novel can cause you to get teary eyed, there are also some funny parts, such as when Maggie tries and fails to change into certain animals, but ends up getting stuck in between being that animal and her human form. There are also some really intense fight scenes and enough mystery to keep you on the edge of your seat. 

The relationship between Bridger and Maggie is believable and develops at a slow, natural pace. There is no insta-love, thankfully, and they become friends before they decide they like each other as anything else. Maggie is not co-dependent. She does not need Bridger to survive, and after all she's been through, she still has a will to live. She is not a self-sacrificing heroine, instead, she looks out for those in her life as well as herself to the best of her ability.  She's a fighter, and she's an excellent role  model for girls and women alike. 

My favorite parts of the book are the Navajo legends that are woven into the story. Wiggins treated the Navajo with extreme respect, and she put some very interesting Navajo lore into the story. I really enjoyed the explanations of skinwalkers and the various protection rituals that the Navajo use. She obviously did her research before writing this novel, and it paid off. 

The climax of the novel is a bit shocking, and it will have you on the edge of your seat, biting your nails until you make it through. The ending wraps the novel up nicely, and it feels like Maggie Mae's story is over, but I still hope for a sequel because I loved all of the characters so much that I want to see more of them! 

The romance is sweet, the fight scenes have plenty of action, but aren't graphic, and there is no cursing in the novel. There is also no drinking or drug use by minors. Because of this, I'd recommend this book to anyone 12 years of age or older. 

Shifting is a beautiful story that will keep you hooked until the very end. Be prepared to lose some sleep with this book!

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