Hers

Anatomy of a Single Girl (Anatomy #2) by Daria Snadowsky (Delacorte Books for Young Readers, 2013, 240pp.)

A year after she’s dumped by her first boyfriend, Dominique Baylor, now a pre-med major at Tulane, is officially single—and not at all sure how to feel about it. Then she meets Guy, an attractive physics student who's as nerdy about science as she is. When they decide to have a summer fling (each agreeing to go their separate ways in the fall), Dom finds out just how complicated “no strings attached” relationships can be.

Anatomy of a Single Girl is the follow-up to Anatomy of a Boyfriend, a novel that deals with first-time relationships (and all the baggage that comes with them). Single Girl, on the other hand, debunks more advanced issues like sexual health and non-traditional girl/guy relationships. Although the novel works as a whole, there are some scenes that read more like a primer on sexual health and gynecology visits than as a work of fiction. Despite this, however, the novel's message itself is enough reason to check it out: it’s perfectly okay for a guy to remain a friend. Recommended for Ages 16-18 for sexual content.

His

Anatomy of a Boyfriend (Anatomy #1) by Daria Snadowsky (Delacorte Press, 2007, 264pp.)

When high school senior Dominique meets Wesley Gershwin, a devoted member of the track team, it’s pretty much love at first sight. Ordinarily Dominique, who plans to become a doctor, is only interested in making good grades, but after getting to know Wesley, she quickly goes mad for him. Fortunately for her, the feeling’s mutual. They quickly begin a sexual relationship, but are worried about what will happen when it comes time to apply for colleges. Will their infatuation be able to survive a long-distance relationship?

Full of much-needed wisdom for teens of today, Anatomy of a Boyfriend gives the skinny on first-time relationships and how they so often fail to meet expectations. (No, your first boyfriend probably won’t be your last, your love does not outshine the sun, and your first time at sex will most likely be uncomfortable and disappointing.) It also focuses on anxiety-ridden issues like college life, personal identity, and brings to light the horrifying realization that, at 18, you may still have no idea what you want to do with your life. Although neither Dominique or Wesley are particularly memorable characters, their short-lived romance will serve as an enlightening experience for young adults. Recommended for Ages 16-18 for sexual content.

A Fresh and Engaging Read

Thrall (Daughters of Lilith #1) by Jennifer Quintenz (Secret Tree Press, 2012, 297pp.)

Braedyn Murphy wakes up one day to learn that she is far from an normal high school sophomore—she is, in fact, a demon. Odysseus called them sirens. Harry Potter calls them Veela. Braedyn’s brand of demon is called Lilitu. To the ordinary human eye, they are beautiful, irresistible women. But the Guard, a centuries-old organization dedicated to fighting these demons, knows better: the Lilitu are succubae that use their beauty as a tool to lure their prey and then drain them of their life-force. A kiss can be draining to a human; sex itself can be deadly.

Braedyn’s father, a member of the Guard, explains to her that although she is a demon, the Guard intends to use her as a force for good, a spy of sorts, to infiltrate the Lilitu and learn what they’re up to. When she meets Lucas, a fellow classmate at school and the only other teen member of the Guard, it’s love at first sight. But there’s only one problem: Lucas doesn’t know she’s a Lilitu, and harbors a particular grudge against her species for killing his brother. 

Thrall is a fresh and engaging read. Parents of readers worried by the mention of sex needn’t worry. Although sex is the ultimate “power-up” for the Lilitu, no sex actually appears in the book. Braedyn and Lucas have one or two kissing scenes, but that’s about all in turns of “mature” content. Recommended for fans of urban fantasy, and readers ages 16-18.

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Very Readable and Enjoyable, But Still Needs Work

Cuspian (Cuspian Saga #1) by DC Hall (Self-Published, 2013, 348pp.)

“The destiny of the world is laid out in the stars. Each man, woman, and child’s life. The struggles, successes, the major and minute details are written out in the skies of the heavens, concealed from mankind.”

A tale told by a pair of fraternal twins, Cuspian tells the story of Kennedi and Kendal Myles, two close-knit siblings who find their lives shattered when their mother is murdered. After their father, who abandoned the family years ago, arrives to take custody of them, strange things begin happening. Kennedi can suddenly hear other people's thoughts, while her brother, Kendal, is plagued by a force that threatens to cause serious injury those around him. Then they learn that they’re Cuspians, individuals born during the period of time when one astrological sign is receding, while another moves into prominence. As one character explains it, “[Cuspians] are born on the cusp between the stars with two destinies: one of unspeakable good or unimaginable evil. ... Cuspians have abilities to help them fulfill their true destinies.” 

Cuspian, the first in a series, is ultimately engaging, and ends with a tense, cliff-hanger ending. You know, the “Oh-my-God-when-is-the-next-book-coming-out?” kind. The mystery surrounding the origin of the twins’ powers is intriguing, and although the narrative voices aren’t really that distinct from each other, the author is still able to develop the twins into two distinct personalities. However, I certainly wouldn’t call this book a finished product, just yet. It could use a lot of trimming and tightening of certain elements. More specifically, pacing is inconsistent throughout the novel, and tends to lag in between big events and important revelations. Some events that occur are confusing, and the cliffhanger ending leaves some questions unanswered that may annoy some readers.

The verdict: very readable, but not the best it could be. The story is dark, and gets pretty bloody and graphic towards the end, so I’d recommend this for fans of dark fantasy only. Recommended for Ages 16-18.

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The Tree House

The Tree House by Shay Lynam (Self-Published, 2013, 272pp.)

***Spoilers are present.***

When two mysterious gunmen break into Hailey’s house and try to kidnap her, she just barely manages to avoid capture by fleeing into the maze of downtown Seattle. As the armed agents close in, she runs into a young man named Jack, who not only helps her escape, but also knows why she’s being pursued. Enter Sy, Jack’s superior, and the other members of the Tree House. What is the Tree House, you ask? Well, it’s certainly not the condemned building it seems to be (even though it does have a tree growing through its cement floor). Those who live in the Tree House are survivors—just like Hailey—in a massive science experiment gone awry.

Back in the 1990s, E. Scott Pharmaceuticals, headed by medical genius Eli Scott, experimented with newborns around the world that had been infected with neonatal tetanus, a disease contracted by infants when they are born into a non-sterile environment. To solve the problem, the company inserted a microchip into the infants’ brains in order to fight off the infection. Then, instead of sending the children back home to their parents, they were placed in the care of foster families so the company could monitor their progress. When something about the experiment went drastically wrong, the company made the decision to scrap both the project and its test subjects (hence, the chase-scene).

While The Tree House has plenty of action and romantic tension, the characters are flat, and the premise itself is, I’m sorry to say, illogical. Why would anyone use microchips to fight off tetanus? It’s a bacteria. There’s a shot for it. If there has to be experimental microchips involved, why not have the company focus on something neurological, like Parkinson’s? Also, why the need for secrecy? If the company is breaking human rights laws, why perform these experiments in the United States? Why not hold them in a third world country with where people can be bribed to look the other way? The Tree House is a problematic novel that still needs a lot of work, and is unfortunately one that I can’t really recommend to readers at this time.

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Justice League—the High School Edition

High School Heroes (High School Heroes #1) by James Mascia (L & L Dreamspell, 2010, 298pp.)

When Goth-chick Christine starts hearing voices while at school, she fears she may be loosing her mind—until she realizes that the “voices” are actually people’s thoughts. At first, she thinks she’s the only person at Thomas Jefferson High with special powers. Wrong! Turns out that Ethan, her hunky crush and captain of the football team, is the team’s star player for a reason: he has the power of super-speed. After revealing their powers to one another, the two quickly become fast friends. Meanwhile, they discover that two other students have powers: snarky mean girl Savanah (gifted with super strength) and skateboarding loser Peter (able to shoot lightning out of his hands). Then, Ethan has an idea: why not form a super league? (Christine’s initial reaction is less than enthusiastic.) And, as happens with the formations of all impromptu super leagues, the group eventually does come to loggerheads with a villain or two—one of them at Winter Formal, no less.

Been there done that, right? Actually, there’s more to it than that! Not only does the author build up a nice plot, he also pays attention to character development. True, the characters do play off certain stereotypes (the Goth-chick, the jock, the snarky mean girl), yet each of them is distinct in his or her own way. (I can’t tell you how pleased I was when Ethan, who, when we first meet him,seems to be a typical jock, is actually a really nice, smart guy who likes to drag his friends to ComicCon.) Overall, an enjoyable read.

The adventures of Christine and her friends in High School Heroes is the foundation for Mascia’s High School Heroes series. At least three more volumes will follow. Recommended for Ages 15-Up.

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Author Interview: James Mascia

Introducing the first-ever author interview I’ve conducted for my blog! Meet James Mascia, author of the High School Heroes series.

Q: Is High School Heroes your first novel?

A: It is my first traditionally published novel. I had self-published a couple of novels years ago that are no longer on the market. I can honestly say that High School Heroes was probably the first novel I took seriously. Before this I had pretty much wrote for fun and for myself and if I published the novel then great, if not, no big deal. While writing High School Heroes was absolutely fun, I also wrote it with the intention of getting it published. So, after I was done, I edited it extensively, then I hired an editor to find and fix the thing I missed. Only then did I start sending it out to publishers. 

Q: Tell us a little about how you came up with the idea for your book.

A: I was at a comic book convention and talking to someone about how there weren't really any prose novels about superheroes. So, I decided I was going to write one. I've always liked comic books and stories about superheroes, so it was only natural that I create my own and write a story about them. So, I set out with a couple of short stories, which I got published in a magazine called A Thousand Faces. But, even with those few short stories, I knew there was a bigger tale to tell, so I decided to write the novel. 

Since High School Heroes was published, the market has been flooded with super-hero themed books. So, while I definitely didn't write the first superhero novel, I'd like to say I was a bit ahead of the game. 

Q: You’ve already published Volumes 2 and 3 in the series. How many books do you have planned for the series?

A: I have 5 volumes planned. Part 4, called Hero's Burden, is with my publisher now and should be out late 2013. Part 5 (which doesn't have a title as of yet), is what I am currently working on. I end the story-arc started in Book 1 in Part 5. Now, that's not to say another story arc can't pop up (they always seem to in comic books), but after I'm done with 5, I will be moving on to other projects. 

Q: I notice you chose a small press to publish your work. Why did you decide to go that route instead of contacting a traditional publisher?

A: First, I just want to say that there is nothing wrong with a small press publisher. However, I want to dissuade you from thinking that a small press isn't a traditional publisher, because it is. What you're referring to is the big publishers, like Scholastic, Hyperion and such. 

In that case, I would like to say that when I sent out my query letters, I sent to the big publishers as well as the small publishers. The small press publisher just happened to come to me first and offered me a great deal for my books. So I went with them. When I'm ready to do another series, I will follow the process again, and I will send to the big and the small alike. 

Q: Do you have a website where readers can find out more about your books?

A: My books can be found on Amazon.com, BN.com, iTunes, and information on myself and my books can be found at www.islandofdren.com