Catch-up Post 1: Teen Fiction

Leviathan and Behemoth by Scott Westerfeld

• Mechanical marvels, monstrous genetically engineered beasts of burden, intrigue, adventure and war.  A girl dressed as a boy regularly exhibits more valour than anyone else.  Air heroics and good-natured characters are reminiscent of Oppel's Airborn series.  Good for the younger end of teen lit readership or advanced elementary aged readers.

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

• This was a disappointment to me.  I either disliked, or didn't feel much connection to most characters, and I wasn't thrilled by the plot.  Multiple elements of the story felt like alternate-era rehashing of Clare's previous series.  Some language read awkwardly (ie overuse of "your precious ____").  Didn't work for me

The Giver by Lois Lowry

•  A dystopian classic I'd somehow missed reading.  Gentle pace allows readers to think and feel their way through the story, which contrasts with the frenetic plots of the Hunger Games and other current dystopian yarns.  Nice story; might need to read the sequel to see how everything turned out.

Tomorrow, When the War Began by John Marsden

• Seven teenagers return from a camping trip to find their town empty, pets dead or dying, and communication lines and power cut off.  When they realize that their country has been invaded they set out to discover where their families are, whether they can help, and how to survive through the war.  Characters are believable; strong and smart but confused, upset, and fallible. Small acts of heroism and bravery are exciting to read, and are written carefully enough to allow for reflection.