Book Review: Free Speech Handbook by Ian Rosenberg and Mike Cavallaro

Free Speech Handbook: A Practical Framework for Understanding Our Free Speech Protections
by Ian Rosenberg and Mike Cavallaro (323.443 Ros)

Traces the history of free speech law by reviewing the Supreme Court cases and compares the results to current events. An adaptation of Rosenberg’s book The Fight For Free Speech. Recommended for teens and adults seeking an understanding and entertaining overview of free speech legal history.

 

( publisher’s official Free Speech Handbook web site ) | ( official Ian Rosenberg Twitter feed ) | ( official Mike Cavallaro art site )

 

This was one of dozens of Graphic Novel reviews submitted by library staff during our 2022 In-Service Training day on 9/23, all collected on A Day Full of Graphic Novels

 

Recommended by Wyatt P.
Gere and South Branch Libraries

 

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New BooksTalk Booklist - The Alex Award Winners - 2021 with Wyatt P. and Aubrey S.

 

Wyatt P. and Aubrey S., both from the Gere Branch Library, presented a booktalk at the Bethany and South Branch Library BooksTalk series in September 2021, which they also presented for attendees of the annual Nebraska Library Association annual conference in October.

 

Their theme was the 2021 Alex Award Winners, which are given to ten books written for adults that have special appeal to young adults, ages 12 through 18.

Check out the list of titles Wyatt and Aubrey shared at the following link: 

 

The Alex Award Winners - 2021

 

Nimona by Noelle Stevenson

Nimona
by Noelle Stevenson [YA Stevenson]

Nimona is the collected web comic by Noelle Stevenson which features the title character Nimona who works as the sidekick for the evil Lord Ballister Blackheart. Nimona can shapeshift into any creature or person and she constantly wants to make a mess of things for the kingdom. It is Nimona who is egging on Blackheart to get his revenge against his nemesis Sir Ambrosius Goldenloin and the Institution of Law Enforcement and Heroics, while Blackheart wants to follow the “rules” of villainy. I was very much expecting this to be a simple comic making fun of fantasy tropes, however it is so much more as after a few chapters a real story develops and the characters come to life. It is in this book that the question is posed as to what exactly makes a villain or hero, and if someone is capable of being both. Nimona’s hilariously childlike behavior coupled with her desire to wreak havoc makes her such a funny character and she forms the punchline for many of the jokes. In addition to the excellent narrative and comedic writing, Stevenson’s artwork is amazing with her stylized drawings and bright color palate. It is also in Stevenson’s artwork that she shows the diversity of her world and it was such a great thing to see featured. I very much recommend this book to young adults who enjoy fantasy or adults who would love a comedic graphic novel.

[ official Noelle Stevenson and Nimona web site ]

Recommended by Wyatt P.
Gere Branch Library

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20th Century Ghosts by Joe Hill

20th Century Ghosts
by Joe Hill

Joe Hill presents himself with this collection as both a wonderful writer and as a story teller that possess that special touch. His works are sly and subtle, while some also manage to be so incredibly creepy and even touching. The stories vary in tone and subject manner, sometimes making it difficult to ascertain exactly what Hill is trying to accomplish in each of the tales presented. However, I give the author a great amount of credit for allowing a mode of thinking on the reader's part, making the stories all the more reader driven while allowing a sense of camaraderie with the author and his characters. It would be impossible not to compare Joe Hill's work with that of his father, Stephen King. When I say that they both write with a similar style and imagination, I mean to take nothing away from Hill. His stories and prose are all his own and while being similar to those of his father, Hill's books have a flavor of their own. Now in every collection there are stories that stand out to certain readers and those that just don't work. I believe that every reader will find "their story" in this collection and many may differ from those I liked the most. The opening story "Best New Horror" is an absolutely wonderful play on the cliched horror stories that are so often presented and the almost satirical nature made this one of my favorites. The title story, "20th Century Ghost" has a much more subdued approach and has the smoother and almost poetical writing that showcases Hill's skill at maintaining both creepy and beautiful. "Pop Art" was another favorite of mine. Highlighting not scares or darkness but the friendship between two boys. Initially in the story I thought it was unbelievable but the honesty and touching nature made a believer out of me. "Voluntarily Committed" was fantastic and I hold it as not only my favorite story in the collection, but as what I think a good short story should be. It is exper tly told and is both heartfelt and by far the biggest scare I had while reading this collection. By the end of the book Hill had proven himself as an exceptional writer and one that I am sure to follow. He is right up there on my list of favorites, right between Stephen King and Neil Gaiman. There are many other stories in this book that I did not reference above and I encourage everyone to read this excellent collection and find their favorites. -- recommended by Wyatt P. - Gere Branch Library

[If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try Fragile things: Short fictions and Wonders by Neil Gaiman, Night Shift by Stephen King, or Stories : all-new tales edited by Neil Gaiman and Al Sarrantonio.]

[Also available in book-on-cd format.]

[ Wikipedia page for 20th Century Ghosts ] | [ official Joe Hill web site ]

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Sharp Objects

Sharp Objects
by Gillian Flynn

After another preteen girl goes missing in the small town of Wind Gap, reporter Camille Preaker is sent to cover the story for her second-rate Chicago newspaper. But this is much more than just a news story, because Wind Gap is Camille's home town. The town she swore never to go back to. In going back, Camille is forced to confront her haunted childhood memories, of her cold, cynical mother, and her younger sister that died when Camille was only thirteen. While investigating, Camille discovers that her young half sister has more control over the residents of the town than any thirteen year old girl should, and looking at the way her sister acts causes Camille to face her own scarred past. Including the scarred words that she has cut across her skin. The more involved Camille becomes in the investigation the more she she discovers about her family, and the darkness that seeps throughout the town. I am yet again amazed at how Gillian Flynn conducts a story. She is an immensely strong tonal writer and the book is written in the same cool detached manner as that of her main character. Gillian Flynn can pull of disturbing better than anyone and rivals Stephen King in the way in which she balances the dark themes. I also found the psychological aspects of the novel to be very interesting, showing the different character's reactions to abuse and loss. Sharp Objects is a very uncomfortable book, and the level it reaches speaks of the author's incredible skill. This is definitely not a book for those who get uncomfortable reading about dark subjects, it is however a very fascinating book regarding disturbed relationships and unhappy endings. -- recommended by Wyatt P. - Gere Branch Library [If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try Gillian Flynn's other novels, Gone Girl, and Dark Places. Movie adaptions of both are being released in theaters later in 2014.]

[Also available in downloadable audio and downloadable E-book formats.]

[ official Sharp Objects on the official Gillian Flynn web site ]

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The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
by Sherman Alexie [YA Alexie]

The hype surrounding this book is enormous. Now I am not usually the type of person who buys into it necessarily, but I am more than willing to see what the buzz is about. Arnold "Junior" Spirit lives on a reservation with his parents and sister. Arnold is often picked on and considered an outcast among the "rez" because he was born with water on the brain, causing him health problems and brain damage. But those are the least of his issues when he chooses to leave the rez and attend an all white school twenty-two miles away. This decision makes Junior even more of an outcast, but the budding cartoonist continues on, wanting to escape the never ending circle of alcoholism and drug use the prevails among his reservation. Throughout the novel Junior deals with issues regarding death, the loss of a friendship, wanting to belong, and the desire to become something more than just a poor indian. With an original voice, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian i s a strong book about a young man breaking free from tradition. I did like this book and thought that Junior's voice was original and strong. However, I did find the book as a whole a bit simplistic in areas and strongly lacking in emotion. With the issues that are brought into Junior's life I thought I would have a better perception of him by the end of the novel, however Junior seemed to have grown little, and maintained a similar stance throughout. The book is an engaging read and I can understand the popularity of this book and Sherman Alexie as an author. This is the perfect step up for those who enjoyed The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, and are now looking for a more mature, highschool aged protagonist. -- recommended by Wyatt P. - Gere Branch Library

[Also available in Audio Playaway format.]

[ publisher's official Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian web site ] | [ official Sherman Alexie web site ] 

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Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock

Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock
by Matthew Quick [YA Quick]

Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock starts off with Leonard's admission of his plan of killing his ex-best friend and then himself. But first he wants to give a gift to the four people who have meant the most to him in his daily life. As the reader you are completely immersed in Leonard's thoughts and spend a little over a day in his troubled mind. I originally thought it would be hard to connect to a character who is so emotionally cut off from others and is very dark, but as a character Leonard gradually becomes more and more relatable and even likeable. I read this book in one sitting and was wowed at the emotional punch that Quick is able to develop. The story is told entirely from Leonard's perspective in first person which allowed me an insight into his thoughts and feelings in a very real and emotional way. I was left with a feeling that was very similar to the way I felt after finishing John Green's The Fault in Our Stars, with its haunting beauty and immensely quotable passages. This is not a happy book or necessarily even an enjoyable one. For me it was a very rare reading experience, where the character really became something more. -- recommended by Wyatt P. - Gere Branch Library [If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try The Fault in Our Stars by John Green, or Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell.]

[Also available in downloadable audio, book-on-cd, downloadable E-book and Large Print formats.]

[ official Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock page on the official Matthew Quick web site ]

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Charm & Strange

Charm & Strange
by Stephanie Kuehn [YA Kuehn]

I can't say much about the plot of Charm & Strange because really anything I'd say would spoil it for the reader, but I am able to talk about the main character. The chapters alternate between Drew/Win, Drew is the angry young boy who was forced to spend a summer with his family where something horrible occurred, while Win is a lonely teenager who has spent the last few years at a remote boarding school, hiding dark secrets about is childhood and even the person he is. I will admit that I didn't enjoy reading Charm & Strange. As the reader you are kept in the dark and are really discovering Win's past and what is wrong with him as the story progresses, which at times was very frustrating to me. The writing is impeccable, Kuehn's prose does an amazing job at putting the reader in the mind of Win and Drew and draws us a picture of a very injured and wronged boy. I didn't like Win as a main character, but by the end I realized I didn't have to. Win isn't a character to like, he is someone who you are meant to understand, to learn. Charm & Strange is by far the most allusive and poignant young adult book I have read recently, if not ever. The ending brought the mystery of what happened to young Drew and why Win is mentally scared the way he is, to a close and while not a happy ending, it was by far the best and most satisfying way to end the story. This book will not please every reader, and is not a book to go into looking for a happy ending, but it is a book that will leave the reader with a strong and lasting mark. -- recommended by Wyatt P. - Gere Branch Library

[ official Stephanie Kuehn web site ]

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Reality Boy

Reality Boy
by S.A. King [YA King]

Gerald remembers when he first started resenting his family, the TV cameras were there to help. Growing up known as "the messed up little boy from that nanny reality show" is not easy, but even at seventeen his past continues to be brought up. His family is dysfunctional and how they interact is beyond flawed. Gerald remains to be the lonely little boy who was so horribly mistreated and throughout the novel we are presented with his journey of self discovery and humanism. His new friend Hannah will come to influence Gerald and becomes a large part of his life. By the end of the novel Gerald must come to terms with the real reality, coming to terms with life. I wasn't sure what to expect of Reality Boy when I started reading and at first I wasn't sure I liked Gerald as a main character. As the novel progresses King develops and reveals Gerald as the flawed person he is. What the author accomplishes is excellent, an intellectual look at just what makes us who we are and what is really important in life. I do not wish to go to in depth with the story as that is another area in which King excels, presenting pieces of Gerald's past, bit by bit, allowing the reader to discover the real person beneath the first impression. With impeccable writing and an immensely strong voice, Reality Boy is an excellent book of self discovery. -- recommended by Wyatt P. - Gere Branch Library

[ publisher's official Reality Boy web page ]

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Instructions

Instructions
by Neil Gaiman [jP Gaiman]

Instructions is one of my favorite Neil Gaiman poems and is something that is as wonderful from a reader's perspective as it is from a writer's or those that are interested in archetypes. Instructions tells of the journey. Not a specific one, but one that in it's deepest sense is in fact instructions. As I was reading I found myself thinking of many of the adventure fantasy novels and myths I have read and Instructions is that journey. The one you find every hero going on, and every character facing. With this book Neil Gaiman cements himself in my mind as both a wonderful writer as well as a great knowledge of myth and stories. And not to leave it out, Charles Vess's illustrations add a wonderful element to Gaiman's writing and his limited color palette makes the pictures both simple and deep that take nothing away from the writing itself. -- recommended by Wyatt P. - Gere Branch Library

[ official Neil Gaiman web site ]

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Delia's Shadow

Delia's Shadow
by Jaime Lee Moyer

Delia has seen ghosts since her childhood, she was gifted (she considers it a curse) after the 1906 earthquake rocked San Francisco and the fires raged. After several years in New York, where she had hoped to flee the ghosts the haunt her, she returns to San Francisco. She returns because one ghost just won't stay away. A ghost that follows her. A ghost she has dubbed Shadow. When Delia returns, she is quickly swept up in her best friend Sadie's wedding preparations and falls for Sadie's matchmaking tendencies. A serial killer his ruining the festivities however, and Delia finds that maybe her Shadow is connected to the murder spree that is spreading terror across San Francisco and the Panama-Pacific International Exhibition. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed Delia's Shadow. The writing is simply lovely. Jaime Lee Moyer writes in a way that felt very period and yet flowed wonderfully well. I didn't feel as strong a connection with Delia as I would have liked and found her to be the weakest character in the novel. Her counterpart however, Gabe, was very well done and I enjoyed the switch from Delia's first person perspective to Gabe's third person perspective. (Though it was a bit jarring at first) Gabe was definitely the most developed character and he had a certain air of a dark persona. Which brings me to the romantic element. Gabe and Delia's courting is very mature and I felt their interactions were very real and romantic in a lifelike way. Moyer also creates a very palpable, eerie atmosphere that worked well with the setting. Moyer pulls the story in some very different directions and the plot becomes more of a murder mystery as the novel goes on. I find mystery's to often be very predictable and often cliched. This is an excellent exception that proves that, when well done, I do like things outside of my comfort zone. Romance, horror, mystery, and historical fiction all rolled into one, Delia's Shadow is sure to please those with refined tastes. -- recommended by Wyatt P. - Gere Branch Library

[ official Delia's Shadow page on the official Jaime Lee Moyer web site ]

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Ender's Game

Ender's Game
by Orson Scott Card

Ender Wiggins may be the only hope for humanity. In an effort prevent the destruction of humanity, government agencies are taking some of the smartest children that walk the Earth, and try their best to turn them into solders and battle tacticians. Ender is a Third, a derogatory word referencing his family's shame at having more than the allotted children, due to overpopulation. The government approved Ender's conception because his brother, Peter, and his sister, Valentine, showed immense potential, but were ultimately ruled out because of their unfit dispositions. Peter is abusive and violent, while Valentine does cares greatly and does her best to protect Ender from their brother's abuse. After being monitored for several years, Ender is chosen for Battle School. In Battle School Ender excels but quickly becomes an enemy amongst many of the children. The space fleet needs Ender because they fear another invasion from the "buggers" and Ender is the last one t hey will attempt to train before it is to late. Will Ender be able to become the hero Earth needs? Does he want to? Ender's Game is a very fast paced read and I enjoyed the speed at which it progressed. The ideas presented are very intriguing and the concepts well done. Ender is a very hard character to connect with however, and throughout maintained a coldness and aloofness and I couldn't help but find his superiority complex to be bothersome and felt quite narcissistic. I felt that the ending, the last ten percent or so, was totally disjointed and came quickly and anticlimactically, though it did have one of the greatest twists in science fiction. I give credit to Card for the technology he introduces, which at the time would have been quite futuristic and now seems very in place. I am very interested in reading more of the Ender Saga books and I am very interested in seeing how Card will continue. -- recommended by Wyatt P. - Gere Branch Library

[Also available in book-on-cd format.]

[ official Ender's Game page on the official Orson Scott Card web site ]

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The Hammer and the Blade

The Hammer and the Blade
by Paul Kemp

The Hammer and the Blade is your classic fantasy adventure novel. Egil and Nix are tomb robbers and adventurers. They are a bit clichéd and the thing that I liked about it was that they know and freely admit it. After robbing a tomb and killing a devil they decide that they are through with the adventure business and have decided to go respectable. So they went and bought a bar/brothel. Unfortunately right when they thought they were done, a group of solders show up and force them back in. I thought the writing was fine. Not exactly flowing prose but did the job for an adventure novel. The main characters Nix and Egil were fully developed and I enjoyed the relationship they have together as friends. This was a very quick read and was a nice change of pace for me. If you are looking for a classic action fantasy novel look no further, literary masterpiece, go elsewhere. -- recommended by Wyatt P. - Gere Branch Library [If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try the follow up in the series, A Discourse in Steel.]

[ official Tales of Egil and Nix page on the official Paul S. Kemp web site ]

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The Compound

The Compound
by S.A. Bodeen [YA Bodeen]

The Compound by S.A. Bodeen is a nice dose of originality in the often cluttered genre of YA fiction. Eli has been in the compound for six years and in that time has learned to hate it, and himself. When they entered the compound, believing there was a nuclear war, Eli was separated from his twin brother, Eddy. After years in the compound Eli hates himself for Eddy being left outside and believes that Eddy, along with the rest of the world, were destroyed. Eli and his sisters cope with their entrapment in different ways, none all that healthy. Food is running low in the compound as well, and Eli and his mother and sisters can't bear to even consider the other option. The Supplements. Eli refuses to even acknowledge that part father's plan. Then Eli discovers that not all his father told him is true, that his brother may in fact still be alive. And he will do anything to escape. The story moves very quickly and is fast paced. I never really bored while reading, though I thought the writing was a bit simplistic. The story itself was quite clever and I felt the ending was satisfying though expected. I did have a very strong dislike for Eli however, and that made him a very hard main character to relate to. With strong concepts and an interesting setting, reluctant readers will definitely enjoy this book. -- recommended by Wyatt P. - Gere Branch Library [If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try the sequel to The Compound, The Fallout.]

[Also available in book-on-cd and Playaway formats.]

[ official S.A. Bodeen Blog on LiveJournal ] | [ official website for Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen a.k.a. S.A. Bodeen ] 

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The Ludwig Conspiracy

The Ludwig Conspiracy
by Oliver Pötzsch

Munich antique bookseller Steven Lukas is enjoying his quiet life until people began to show up, asking questions about a diary he does not know he possess. A woman, Sara, asks if he has seen her uncle, Steven does recall the elderly man who talked over a book of poems and then vanished from the shop. Steven then accidently finds an odd box on one of his shelves he knows he did not purchase. Inside is the historic diary of Doctor Theodore Marot, which accounts the last days of the fairy tale king Ludwig's life. One evening a group of mysterious thugs try to break in and take the diary, Sara saves Steven and they are both quickly thrust into an adventure that will take them across Germany in an effort to solve the century old mystery surrounding Ludwig's death. The Ludwig Conspiracy, by German author Oliver Pötzsch, is a very intriguing novel with the mysterious King Ludwig II playing an integral part. Before reading about this book I had never heard of the fairy tale king Ludwig and was immediately drawn to the historic aspect of the mystery. Pötzsch comes off very well researched in his accounts of the King and in the brief glimpses into the past with Theodore as the narrator are both thrilling and lush with historical accounts. The present day setting with Steven and Sara however does leave a little to be desired. I found the plot to be much what you would expect of the genre and many of the plot twists which should have come as a surprise were both expected and a bit cliched. Pötzsch is a very good writer however predictable I may have found the plot to be, and I will most definitely be checking out his Hangman's Daughter series. -- recommended by Wyatt P. - Gere Branch Library

[ publisher's official Ludwig Conspiracy web page ]

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Attachments

Attachments
by Rainbow Rowell

Is there such a thing as love at first sight when you've never seen the other person? That is the question Lincoln asks himself. Lincoln works for a newspaper as IT Security. Primarily going through all the flagged company emails and sending off the occasional warning for misuse. Then he starts reading Beth and Jennifer's correspondence. They're violating every rule in the book. But at the same time Lincoln can't help himself. Those heartfelt and funny emails between friends make his long, lonely work nights manageable. Then he starts to fall for Beth. But after months of not reporting them or finding out who Beth really is, he can't exactly introduce himself. "I'm the guy who reads your email and also I love you." That conversation would be very awkward. Rainbow Rowell has a way with characterization that amazes me. I couldn't help myself but relate to the characters. I really felt for Lincoln and even though you only see Beth through her emails I really did love her character. For such a simple premise Rowell really goes in depth with her characters and make them fully formed personalities and believable people you would want to know. Though it is in many ways a love story it also felt very coming of age. I would definitely recommend! -- recommended by Wyatt P. - Gere Branch Library [If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try Rainbow Rowell's novel for teens, Eleanor & Park.]

[ official Attachments page on the official Rainbow Rowell web site/blog ]

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The 5th Wave

The 5th Wave
by Rick Yancey [YA Yancey]

The Others have come to Earth and at the dawn of their 5th Wave humanity is in shambles. Cassie is alone, doing what she must to survive. Staying alone is her best option because you can't know who is human and who is Other. Then Cassie meets Evan and she must make her decision to trust or surrender, because Evan is the only one who can help Cassie rescue her brother and herself. Yancey does well at creating palpable tension that had me eagerly turning pages to find out what happened next. I can already see a blockbuster movie being made based on this book and I would gladly be the first in line to see it. This is not only an incredible action story, but Yancey's writing is impeccable. I did have a few issues with the way the story was laid out and thought the twists could have been more surprising, my issues were incomprehensible however in comparison to my vast enjoyment. I eagerly await the sequel and in the meantime will make do (happily) with Yancey's other works, starting with his Monstrumologist series. -- recommended by Wyatt P. - Gere Branch Library

[ official 5th Wave page on the official Rick Yancey web site ]

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The Pirate's Wish

The Pirate's Wish
by Cassandra Rose Clarke

Picking up where The Assassin's Curse left off, Ananna and Naji are still stranded on a magical island. When they are rescued their quest to break Naji's curse (Naji has to protect Ananna at all costs) resumes. The romance between the main characters also intensifies. Clarke's writing has definately improved since her first book and is highly entertaining. She has expanded on her somewhat limited world building from The Assassin's Curse, as well as included much more history on the characters. My only complaints are the love hate relationship Ananna has with Naji as well as the very convenient way they seem to get out of their problems. Other than that a very enjoyable YA read. -- recommended by Wyatt P. - Gere Branch Library

[ official Pirate's Wish page on the official Cassandra Rose Clarke web site ]

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Proxy

Proxy
by Alex London [YA London]

Syd's life is not his own. In the future people may sell years of their lives to repay debt, they are Proxies. Society (the rich) encourages this system. Those born rich are the fortunate Patrons, those born poor have no choice but to sell their lives to the Patrons just to live. Sixteen year old Syd is just trying to get by. Going to school and being in the city has already gotten Syd eighteen years as a Proxy to probably the worst Patron he could have been stuck with. He has taken beatings and electric shocks as punishments for his Patron's vandalism and pranks. But then he faces the worst punishment possible for his Patron. Death. Knox is a rich kid parting hard and goofing off. Trying to impress a girl Knox steals one of his dad's high speed hover cars. On the road he loses control and crashes. He is told the girl is dead and that the punishment for the murder is death. His Proxy's death. Proxy was a quick read for me and I did find it entertaining. The author does a good job at keeping the story moving and for a dystopian I found the idea original. I thought the interaction between the characters was very realistic and you can see how they grow from knowing each other. Overall a very fast paced and action filled story. -- recommended by Wyatt P. - Gere Branch Library

[ official Proxy page on the official Alexander London web site ]

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The Assassin's Curse

The Assassin's Curse
by Cassandra Rose Clarke

Ananna is a high ranking pirate's daughter. When her parents arrange for her to be married, Ananna wants none of it. She dosen't want to ba a pirate captain's wife, she wants to captain her own ship. Escaping on camel back, she runs from her husband-to-be and hides in the bustling city market. While in the market Ananna can't get her thoughts off of her fiancé's threats, that his father will hire one of the famed magical assassins to hunt her down. She makes a plan to brave the desert when everything goes wrong. An assassin shows up. During the insueing fight (in a somewhat unbelivable scene) Ananna saves Naji and thus activates his curse. He must protect her no matter what or he will die. This book starts off very quickly, which is a fast attention grabber but I usually prefer some world building first, especially in a fantasy world. Ananna is a nice change for a female character in YA fiction, and I did find that refreshing. I wasn't sure about this book in the first hundread pages or so as the book does move very fast, but after it really did start to grow on me. For her first novel Cassandra Rose Clarke did very well, and I believe her writing will get much better in the future. I will be reading the sequel, The Pirate's Wish, which I hope will tie up the loose ends. -- recommended by Wyatt P. - Gere Branch Library

[ official Assassin's Curse page on the official Cassandra Rose Clarke web site ]

Have you seen this one? What did you think? Did you find this review helpful?

New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide website. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually over the course of the entire month. Click the tag for the reviewer's name to see more of this reviewers recommendations!