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chodgens

chodgens

I LOVE books! I love the way they feel, smell, etc. I love everything about books...the possibilities they bring into the lives of those who enjoy them.

I obsessed with Harry Potter, Twilight, and the Salem Witch Trials. I love anything that gets kids reading...and Harry Potter and Twilight have accomplished... more »
  • AL
  • member since March 27, 2007

Reviews

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Displaying 1-10 of 879 reviews
  • Love & Leftovers
    • Rated 5 stars

    “I loved every single page of this novel. I could not put it down. Marcie is a heroine to be reckoned with. Okay, that may be a bit hyperbolic, but so is her character. She is wild, she is normal, she is lonely, she is seeking approval. Most of all, she wants to be loved.

    Tregay drew me in from the first page, and I wanted to keep turning those pages, rooting for Marcie to find love as well as a happy relationship with her mom. Readers will find themselves caught in the web of these pages, but they will not struggle to free themselves. Instead, they will allow the web to hold them, devour them, until the very last page.

    I enjoyed the plot, the writing style, and the characters. While Marcie is this novel's focus, it is the guys in the novel that bring it up to spice-worthy. Linus, the boyfriend left behind, will have readers' hearts beating for more as he brings a bit of "rock 'n roll" into Marcie's world. And then there is J.D., the one that will have readers' hearts beating for more as he helps Marcie discover that she likes (and needs) kisses that she feel on more than just her lips. But do not be deceived; this is not a novel about lust and sex. As a matter of fact, there is no sex in the novel, but there is a lot of kissing.

    Marcie's struggle with the two boys in her life is one that reflects the real struggles of growing up. They add a "coming of age" element to the plot, helping Marcie find herself.

    On a final note, this novel reminds me of another one that I recently read and enjoyed, Anna and the French Kiss. I think this lyrical work will appeal to the same type of reader, so be sure to add it to your list. It is worth every single word. ”

    chodgens wrote this review 2 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink )
  • Double
    • Rated 3 stars

    ““Funny, the distant little roots of big and life-changing things, their humble beginnings. The phone call that causes a car crash, the delayed train that kicks off an affair, the whiskey shortage that turned me into nobody.”

    What happened to Cassiel that his face is now on a missing flyer? Who is Chap, and why does he look a lot like Cassiel? This is the mystery that unfolds in Valentine’s new novel, Double.

    First, let me say that as a whole, I enjoyed this novel. I did not love it, but I did enjoy it. The problem with reviewing a book like this is it is difficult to fully evaluate without ruining plot points, but I am going to try my best.

    This novel seems to have a conflicted identity, much like our main character. It struggles between being plot-driven and character-driven. There are moments in the novel where the plot drives the action, and then it seems within pages Valentine switches and begins to have the characters drive the novel instead. For this reason, I struggled with reading it. Not because it was bad writing but because the book itself lacked its own identity. I believe this could have been solved with a third-person narration. For me, first person narration just did not work. It weakened the novel as a whole.

    With that said, I want to start with the plot itself. It is an interesting idea – Chap, taking on Cassiel’s identity without really knowing who he really is. Many teens themselves struggle with the same thing – trying to figure out who they are in a society that wants them to be one thing while they strive to be someone else. For this reason I felt the author was clever because she creates this effect through the first-person narration, even if I did not prefer it.

    The mystery of the novel is what kept me turning the page. I love a great mystery. I guess I am a closet mystery reader because I don’t really blog about it, but I love when an author keeps me guessing until the final page. That is what Valentine did with this novel. Though there were elements of the mystery that I felt were easily identifiable, there were a couple of pieces of the puzzle that I did not see coming.

    For me the strength of the novel lies with the story of family: Chap and his grandfather as well as Cassiel and his family (mother Helen, sister Edie, brother Frank). I enjoyed how Valentine reminds readers of a very important fact: we all need one another, and many of us are willing to believe anything in order to survive. That is what I believe is the author’s underlying meaning, and that is why I enjoyed this novel.
    ”

    chodgens wrote this review 2 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink )
  • Katie, Batter Up!   [CUPCAKE DIARIES #05 KATIE BATT] [Paperback]
    • Rated 5 stars

    “The Cupcake Club is back for another round of storytelling.

    Katie's grandma is turning seventy-five, and the girls are determined to find just the perfect cupcake cake to prepare for her. But that is not the true focus of the story.

    This time the focus is placed on Katie, the only one in the group who seems to not have talent at anything other than baking cupcakes. But she could not be more wrong - and her friends are going to help her prove it. So it is Emma, Alexis and Mia to the rescue!

    Katie struggles with being athletic in every way possible, even in gym class. She is mocked by the resident popular girl Sydney, and she has convinced herself that she only belongs in the kitchen baking cupcakes. But with the help of her friends, Katie finds that she does have hidden talents, talents she never realized were there.

    Katie is a strong runner and softball player, but when she makes the softball team at school, does she realize that what she wants versus what she thinks she wants are not always the same?

    I adore this series. It is wholesome storytelling with four girls that readers can root for until the very last page. I would have been proud to call any of these four girls my friends when I was in middle school.

    I highly recommend this series to all tween girls.”

    chodgens wrote this review 2 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink )
  • Emma on Thin Icing   [CUPCAKE DIARIES #03 EMMA ON TH] [Paperback]
    • Rated 5 stars

    “The Cupcake Club is going to be a part of a very special day - the wedding of Mia's mom. Not only are all of the girls going to be junior bridesmaids but they are also going to provide the desserts.

    In the third installment in the series, the focus is on Emma. She is excited to be a part of the Club and to be a junior bridesmaid, but with her mom's recent furlough from the local library, money is tight. The last thing Emma wants to be is a burden to her parents; after all, they have enough on their plate.

    Emma finds herself in hot water on more than one occasion because the money she has been saving to buy a KitchenAide mixer is now going to pay for her bridesmaid dress. The only problem is time. She does not have the time needed to save the amount for the dress, so she finds herself taking extreme measures (walking too many dogs, baking too many cupcakes, and losing her younger brother) to make it happen.

    This book is quite topical right now in a struggling economy, and many young readers may find a piece of themselves in Emma. While they may not have a $250 bridesmaid dress to purchase, there could be other extras in their lives that must be cut due to unforeseen circumstances.

    This book's focus is on working hard, staying true to one's friends, but asking for help when it is needed.

    I love the Cupcake Diaries. I always find myself invested in all of the characters, wishing I had a group like this when I was trying to survive middle school. ”

    chodgens wrote this review 2 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink )
  • Alexis and the Perfect Recipe   [CUPCAKE DIARIES #04 ALEXIS & T] [Paperback]
    • Rated 4 stars

    “The Cupcake Club is back - and this book's focus is on Alexis.

    Alexis' sister, Dylan, is turning sixteen, and The Cupcake Club has been hired to provide the dessert. There is just one problem: Dylan. She is an unreasonable customer, but sticking with the theme of this series, all things are worked out in the wash.

    The true focus of this novel is not on The Cupcake Club and their dilemma with Dylan; the focus is growing up and developing first crushes. For Alexis, that crush is Matt Taylor, brother to her best friend.

    This installment deals with the importance of friendship and remaining true to yourself no matter the situation, difficult older sisters and crushes included.

    I thoroughly enjoyed the book, but I gave it four instead of five stars because I felt the focus was too much on Alexis. But as all things happen when growing up, the author is moving the series from being about the group as a whole to giving readers individual characters that are enhanced when with their group of friends. I guess you could say that by book four in the series, the author begins to show young readers the importance of friendship, but also the importance of one's self.”

    chodgens wrote this review 2 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink )
  • The zombie chasers
    • Rated 5 stars

    “An absolute adorable tale of surviving the zombie apocalypse. Saving the world just might come down to best friends, and sixth graders, Zack and Rice and eighth grader, and resident cool girl, Madison. These three join forces to save themselves as first, but as time passes, and Rice's ingenious mind puts together the pieces, a cure could be on the way.

    Kloepfer brings to life a "what if" scenario ripe with clever dialogue and a group of middle-schoolers. A cute new series that will leave zombie fans craving for more...”

    chodgens wrote this review Sunday, January 15, 2012. ( reply | permalink )
  • The Zombie Chasers #3: Sludgment Day
    • Rated 4 stars

    “The saga continues...

    Can the kids get the cure to those who need it before they themselves become zombies?

    With a trip that includes zombie Elvis impersonators, a purchase of a Winnebago, a visit to Mall of America, a giant Ketchup bottle involving a tornado, and the headquarters that started it all, fans of the series will find themselves satisfied.

    The illustrations that accompany this novel help enhance the storytelling, bringing it to a new level of grossness, which is why young readers will enjoy it. I love it because I love a good zombie tale, especially one that is aimed at younger readers.

    If you have a reluctant reader in your household - especially a boy age 9+ - you might want to consider this series. ”

    chodgens wrote this review Sunday, January 15, 2012. ( reply | permalink )
  • The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer
    • Rated 5 stars

    “First let me say this book had me so creeped out that it took me a little longer to read it – and that’s a good thing. I did not want it to end – so I prolonged the story to allow my mind moments to absorb all that was happening, and it is a lot.


    This is one of my favorite debut novels ever. Hodkin grabs a hold of the reader and does not let go. While the reader will try to unravel what is happening to Mara, it will not be worth the time. Just sit back and allow the plot to unfold. Just when I thought I knew what was happening, a curve ball was thrown my way. I love a book that keeps my guessing, until the very final word.

    The plot of the novel is intriguing. Mara cannot remember what happened the night of the accident, and the reader discovers the truth as she does, giving readers a sense of ownership. This is not Mara’s story – this is our story because we are taking this journey with her, experiencing what she experiences, questioning what she questions. The pacing of this novel is what kept me turning the page (well, the plot and Noah, but I will get to him). The author is spot-on in her plot development, creating a sense of “truth” in the novel – even when we as readers cannot believe anything that is happening. After all, Mara is not the most trustworthy character. To have the story told from her point of view just increases the suspense, and it takes me to a quote from The Hunger Games: “Real, or not real?”

    While this novel is plot driven, the characters enhance the overall effect. Mara is our main focus, but it is Noah that I love. Noah. Noah. Noah. As a reader I am still not 100% sold on whether or not he is trustworthy, which makes him so perfect for Mara. I found myself literally laughing aloud when Noah was on the page. The author gives him the best dialogue, and it is needed to help break the tension readers will experience with the plot. I am definitely curious to see where the author takes his character, and I hope it deals with a lot of make out scenes.

    With that said, there are other important characters that are sprinkled throughout. Mara’s older, responsible brother Daniel seems to take on more than necessary when it comes to Mara. He is her rock, her key into keeping her ever-worrying parents at bay. I found his character refreshing. While he constantly worried about his sister, he was not overly annoying. He was tender and concerned, but he was Mara’s cheerleader. Then there is Joseph, Mara’s younger brother. He plays quite an important role in the novel that I did not see coming, and I cannot write anything more without ruining plot points. And then there are Mara’s parents. While in a lot of YA the parents are absent (which I usually prefer because they usually just get in the way), they are quite present in this novel. They are an integral element of Mara’s life, and not because she is a teenager in need of guidance. Again, I cannot write too much more without spoiling something important.

    Are you still not sold on reading this novel? Well, there is an exclusive private school in Miami; a new best friend; unexplained sightings of dead people; a fight with an alligator; kidnappings; underhandedness; unexplained death; memory loss; hunt for the truth; love; romance; and that is just a small taste of what is waiting for you within the pages. This is going to be one of those novels that stick with me for a very long time. Definitely add this to your “I must read this today” pile if you are a reader of YA.”

    chodgens wrote this review Sunday, January 15, 2012. ( reply | permalink )
  • Noah Zarc
    • Rated 4 stars

    “The plot of this novel is nicely developed with a pacing that will appeal to its core audience – tween boys. The story takes place in a post-apocalyptic world, told from the perspective of twelve-year-old Noah. With the help of his brother Hamilton and sister Sam, Noah will take embark on a vital mission: to rescue their parents. Young readers will find themselves glued to the pages as Noah and his siblings begin the journey to save their father from the Ice Age and to rescue their kidnapped mother.

    The strength of this novel lies with its main character, Noah. He is a paraplegic who never lets this hold him back. Readers will fall in love with his spirit, and many will find elements of themselves in him. As a matter of fact, young readers can learn a lot from his strength and determination. And what would a great story be without a trusty sidekick – his dog Obadiah.

    While I am not a huge fan of sci-fi novels, I did enjoy this one. The author makes a strong showing, especially choosing to tell the story from Noah’s point of view. There are many messages presented in this novel – messages from not allowing disability to hold one back to our responsibility for protecting, not destroying, our planet to showing respect to all living things (in this case, animals). This modern re-telling of Noah’s Ark serves as a cautionary tale in a mild way.

    I do have one suggestion – create a starting chapter that lures readers into the world of Noah instead of thrusting us into a world we know nothing about. This was the greatest weakness; there were too many things to try to figure out in that one chapter. But for many young readers, an opening like this might be more appealing.”

    chodgens wrote this review Thursday, January 5, 2012. ( reply | permalink )
  • Wither
    • Rated 5 stars

    “Wither was not what I was expecting, it was better.

    The author thrusts readers into the future, a world where life ends at such a ripe age. Because of this new world, drastic measures have been taken – girls are kidnapped and placed into marriage in order to keep up the population until an antidote can be found. While it is a glimpse into the future, the ways of this novel’s world clearly reflect the world’s past. It is this world that will keep readers engaged, turning the page to see where the author will lead us next.

    The character focus in this novel is on Rhine and her want, her need, for escape from her husband, from this life that has been forced on her. Readers enter the world with her, from the moment she is taken to the moment she is prepared to walk down the aisle to…well, I will not spoil it for you.

    What is fascinating about Rhine’s character is that she is a plotter, not a girl of action. She waits, she watches, she plots for escape. She wins over the favor of her new husband and her sister wives, and while Rhine is forced into marriage with Linden, it is his character that I carried the most sympathy for. I cannot say more without revealing plot points, but let me just say that the author was really tugging at my heart strings with him. He and Rhine have more in common than Rhine wants to admit, and I hope to see his character in the sequel.

    While the focus is on Rhine, the heart of the novel is her relationship with her sister wives – Jenna and Cecily. This bond of “sister wiveshood” is unique. Upon Rhine’s arrival the last thing on her mind is these two other brides, but by novel’s end we see a change. It is in these relationships that readers will learn who Rhine really is and what motivates her. It is this bond that will develop Rhine’s character deeper, offering readers an understanding as to what true sacrifice looks like, at least in Rhine’s world.

    I found the plot was nicely paced, especially for a debut. Sometimes debut novels are a bit slow to the start and make a mad dash to the finish, but Wither is not like that. This book thrusts readers right in from page one and holds on tight until the finish.

    There were many questions I had while reading this novel and the author did answer quite a few. There are others that remain unanswered, so I am anxious to know if those questions are answered. I read a few reviews where unanswered questions bothered the reader, but let me say this: not questions can be answered. I learned this from reading what JK Rowling had to say about unanswered questions with her series. Sometimes those questions are not answered because they are not truly important to the plot. Readers feel those questions are important while the writer does not. I will be curious to see if the author satisfies those readers with her sequel, or if those questions will still be unresolved. Either way, I really enjoyed the novel, and I highly recommend it to lovers of YA and lovers of dystopia.”

    chodgens wrote this review Monday, January 2, 2012. ( reply | permalink )
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Displaying 1-10 of 879 reviews

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