I Am the Messenger

by Markus Zusak
Published: Knopf Books, 2007
Pages: 360

This is an Eclectic Book Challenge book!

Ed Kennedy is an underage cabdriver that seems to be going nowhere with his life.  Then he starts receiving cards with names on them.  Ed becomes the messenger.  He begins to deliver messages to people he has never met.  His dull life is suddenly brimming with purpose.  Only one thing remains a mystery:  who's behind Ed's missions.

This book is so well written, it kept me continuously curious and interested.  After the first incredibly comical chapter, I was hooked.  It's not every day you read about someone unintentionally preventing a bank robbery.

The characters are incredibly engaging as well as infuriating.  Ed and his friends are an incredibly complex and quirky bunch of people.  They balance each other so well.  The Doorman is possibly one of my favorite characters in this book.  He may be just a dog, but he embodies so much more.  His human characteristics and relationship with Ed makes this story ten times better.  Ed knows exactly what The Doorman wants and needs and The Doorman knows exactly what Ed needs.

It seems that Zusak has a purpose for every word he writes. Each carefully placed poetically that gives this story a gritty charm.  I admire how he crafts words into sentences and sentences in to paragraphs.  Those paragraphs become the stories that grace the pages of his books.  .

It seems that Markus Zusak can do no wrong.  I cannot wait to what he has planned for his next novel.

Stars: 5/5

Praise:
"Zusak doesn't sugarcoat anything, but he makes his ostensibly gloomy subject bearable the same way Kurt Vonnegut did in Slaughterhouse-Five: with grim, darkly consoling humor."
-- Time Magazine

"Elegant, philosophical and moving...Beautiful and important."
-- Kirkus Reviews

"An extraordinary narrative."
-- School Library Journal

The Name of the Star

by Maureen Johnson
Published: G. P. Putnam's Sons, 2011
Pages: 370

This is an Eclectic Reader Challenge book!

To be honest, I didn’t know what to expect coming into this novel.  I hadn’t read anything about it, but I did know that it was getting recommended left and right.   I love Maureen Johnson’s other books so left at the chance to read a copy of this book.  She has not failed me.  This book is highly entertaining and I was pleasantly surprised that the setting was England.  (I love many things that have to do with the UK.)  Even though, I’ve never been to London, I felt as though I knew my way around after reading this book. 

Rory came all the way from Louisiana to attend school in London.  However, when the murders start to occur, it becomes clear that Rory is not going to have a normal English education.  Even worse, a strange man repeatedly runs into her but no one else seems to remember him.  Her friends start to wonder if she crazy and she starts wonders if she is in danger. 

The characters are absolutely engaging.  Rory and Jazza, her roommate, compliment each other and when Boo gets thrown into the roommate mix, the dynamics changes just enough to keep the characters growing.  Rory’s oddities match her frustration and the way her friends see her.  Her adventurous spirit gets her into all sorts of trouble without even realizing it.  Rory's sharp wit and crazy family stories make her a hilarious character.  Rory is surrounded by a cast of fantastic quirky characters that make this book unforgettable.  

I am glad to report that there is a solid Doctor Who reference and enough witty banter to hold anyone over until the next Maureen Johnson book is published.  Maureen Johnson once again expertly crafts this story with humor, teen angst and romance.  Nothing seems out of balance.  I can even hear the British accents!

This book is the first installment in the supernatural thriller series Shades of London.  Look forward to the next book due out sometime in 2013!

Stars: 4/5

Praise:

"A gorgeously written, chilling, atmospheric thriller. The streets of London have never been so sinister or so romantic."
                    - Cassandra Clare, #1 New York Times bestselling author

"Johnson uses a deft hand, applying the right amount of romance and teen snarkiness to relieve the story's building tension. Departing from her previous works, she turns paranormal on its head, mocking vampires and werewolves while creating ghosts that are both realistic and creepy. A real page-turner." 
                 - School Library Journal

Shall I Be Challenged?

Hey!  I know this is a little late in the year, but I think it's time to join a couple book Challenges!

The first challenge I've decided to join is the YA Contemporary Challenge, hosted by Katie's Book Blog and Reading Angel.

RULES: Participants can read any contemporary YA novel that is publish between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2012 but you must read them in 2012!  (All formats accepted: paperback, ARC, e-book)

There are a couple different levels offered:
Level 1: 5+ books
Level 2: 10 + books
Level 3: 15+ books

I've chosen Level 1: 5+ books
1. The Fault In Our Stars by John Green
2. The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith
3. Getting Over Garrett Delaney by Abby McDonald
4. Where It Began by Ann Redisch Stampler
5. Guitar Notes by Mary Amato
6. 52 Reason To Hate My Father by Jessica Brody
________________________________________________________________

The next challenge I've decided to join is The 2012 Book Blogger Recommendation Challenge, hosted by Reading with Tequila.

RULES: Participants can read any books from the list of books recommended by bloggers in 2011.  You can decide to read books only from the top 25 or from the entire recommendation list.  Rereads do not count towards your total books.  (All formats acceptable: audiobooks, e-book, etc.)

Recommended Books

The Levels:
Level I: 5 books
Level II: 10 books
Level III: 15 books
Level IV: 20 books
Level V: 20 + books

I've chosen Level I: 5 books (I might move up levels as the challenge continues)
1. The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss (2/26/12)
2. Inkheart by Cornelia Funke (3/30/12)
3. The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson (5/21/12)
4. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs (7/21/12)
5. Paper Towns by John Green (9/16/12)
6. I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak (10/28/12)
_________________________________________________________________

This book challenge is called The Eclectic Reader 2012 Challenge, hosted by Book'd Out.



RULES:
This challenge will run from January 1st to December 31st 2012.  Create a blog post committing to your participation.  You can choose your books as you go or create a list in advanced.  You have to read a book from each of the genres listed below.  You can read your chosen titles in any order, at any pace, just complete the challenge by December 21st 2012.  Each time you read and review a book as part of this challenge, make sure you identify it by adding either a direct statement or the challenge image badge to the post.

Genres:

1. Literary Fiction - Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
2. Crime/Mystery Fiction - The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie
3. Romantic Fiction - The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight - Jennifer E. Smith
4. Historical Fiction - Alice I Have Been by Melanie Benjamin
5. Young Adult - Paper Towns by John Green
6. Fantasy - Bridge to Terabithia - Katherine Paterson
7. Science Fiction - Nevermore by James Patterson
8. Non Fiction - The Scientists by John Gribbin
9. Horror - Coraline by Neil Gaiman (Graphic Novel)
10. Thriller/Suspense - The Name of the Star - Maureen Johnson 
11. Classic - Lord of the Flies by William Golding
12. You favorite genre - I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak

The Name of the Wind

By Patrick Rothfuss

Published: DAW Books, 2007

Pages: 722

This first installment of The epic Kingkiller Chronicle has been likened to a wittier, darker version of Harry Potter.  That is high praise considering Potter's popularity.  Is this a journey worth experiencing?

The Name of the Wind is the story of man with many names: Kvothe the Bloodless, Kvothe Kingkiller, and Kvothe the Arcane among them.  Kote is just your average bartender in your average small town tavern.  What nobody realizes is that he is in fact the legendary Kvothe.  After some persuading, he agrees to share his story, the real story, not the rumors that have traveled all over The Four Corners of Civilization.  Here begins the story of love, loss, survival, and the search for meaning in a world of magic and mystery.

Patrick Rothfuss' first novel has delightfully surprised me.  It is the first "adult" fantasy book that I have read in a very long time, so I did not really have any expectations.  I had been told that not only was it a fantastic read, but it was well written too.  I hate to say it, but that combination is sometimes hard to find in the fantasy genre.  However, all the recommendation were accurate.  The Name of the Wind was beautifully written with many vivid images and lyrical descriptions. 

One of the most unique aspects of this novel is how the story is told.  It is written for the most part in first person through Kvothe's voice, but there are also sections of third person.  The world of the tavern is built in third person, but when Kvothe agrees to tell his story it switches to first person.  The transition happens flawlessly and it feels as though you are going to be told a story, and not just any story.  You are going to be told a rare story that will only be spoken once.  There is something about this style that make the reader feel special, like they are getting to know a secret that no one else will be privileged to hear.

The characters are very well written.  My dislike for Kvothe's school rival, Ambrose grows every time I think about him.  Reading about his attempts to get Kvothe expelled for the Academy, a school for Arcane studies, irritates me and makes me wish that Ambrose would take his money and his title and shove it.  (Can I say that?)  His character is so unlikable but it makes the story that much better.  Denna, Kvothe's love interest, is wounded and mysterious.  Although she is beautiful, there is something that warns the reader that they cannot have a happily ever after.  It is not and cannot be written in the stars.  Yet, she is lovely and you cannot help but wish this would work out.

Despite it's length, I think that is it paced very well, with aptly timed breaks from the narrative to the real time Kvothe and friends.  This breaks up the plot a bit and allows the reader to digest what they are being told.  They are figurative bathroom breaks.  Well done.

There is a simple beauty in fantasy, in being caught up in a world full of magic and creatures unheard of before, where adventure is around every corner, where the unknown is the most wonderful part of life.  Let your imagination wander and you will come to Kvothe's great adventure.  It is truly an epic journey worth reading.

Stars: 4/5

Praise:

"This is a magnificent book, a really fine story, highly readable and engrossing. I compliment young Pat. His first novel is a great one. Wow!"     
       -Anne McCaffrey

"Like the writers he clearly admires, he’s an old-fashioned storyteller working with traditional elements, but his voice is his own. I haven’t been so gripped by a new fantasy series in years. It’s certain to become a classic."
       -The London Times