So, I love all things carnival-related. Specifically side-show histories/biographies. I went through a period of reading only non-fiction books about Tom Thumb, Schlitzie, Daisy & Violet, et al. I watched Carnivale compulsively (don't get me started on my "WTF!?!" toward HBO canceling like it did...*shaking head*). And made my family watch Freaks...multiple times. "One of us, one of us..." AND visited the Circus World Museum in Baraboo, WI.
This interest led me to requesting Conjured by Sarah Beth Durst.
Eve has a new home, a new face, and a new name—but no memories of her past. She’s been told that she's in a witness protection program and that she escaped a magical serial killer who is still after her. She tries to appear normal as she shelves books at the local library, trying to not let anyone know that she can do things like change the color of her eyes or walk through walls. When she does use her powers, she blacks out and has horrible visions. When she comes to, she finds that days, even weeks, have passed and she’s lost all short-term memories. Eve must find out who and what she really is before the killer finds her.
I'm still not quite sure what I thought of this book. I didn't dislike it...there wasn't a lot of carnival-y stuff til the last quarter. However, the events leading up to it are definitely interesting! It's kind of Memento meets Mirrormask/Coraline/Stardust (so...lots of Gaiman-esque overtones) meets, I don't know, CSI?
It does have insta-love between Eve and a co-shelver. I prefer more of a relationship development other than--eyes lock, you're hot, we're soul-mates.
Because it was similar to Memento with the short-term memory loss, it took me awhile to get into it. I spent the first quarter of the book very confused- but in a good way. Well, first it was frustrating, but then I figured "this is what Eve is feeling, too!" So unraveling her past is all part of the fun!
There was a stretch about 3/4 of the way in, where I rolled my eyes...then the story got really cool again. I realize there are magical elements in the story, but it got a little ridiculous and seemed like an easy way out of every obstacle. That said- it wasn't enough to make me dislike the book. And after that it REALLY got into the magical carnival "stuff" and was right up my alley! I couldn't turn the pages fast enough!
It's definitely an interesting concept, and if you're into magic, carnivals, and such, you'll probably enjoy it. I can't say it's very genre-specific, definitely runs the gamut as far as action, horror, suspense, fantasy, some romance. Plus, you know, there's a library! Try it! You may like it!
Conjured is published by Bloomsbury. Digital ARC provided by NetGalley.
Released: 09.03.2013
What happens when Iron Chef, Master Chef & Top Chef meet Drop Dead Gorgeous?
You get Taste Test by Kelly Fiore!
Nora Henderson's a small-town girl from North Carolina, who's grown up in her Dad's barbecue restaurant. When the opportunity to compete for $50,000 and a culinary trip to Paris arises, she has to take it! She leaves her Dad and best friend Billy, hops a plane to Connecticut, and is thrust into the world of Reality TV cooking shows. Personalities clash, judges are acting shady, and there are many too random accidents on the set. Will Nora figure out what's going on, while still putting forth her best dishes?
I enjoyed Taste Test! As I said in one of my earlier posts, I'm kind of addicted to cooking competition shows (tonight, even, I caught up on all my Master Chef and Hell's Kitchen episode backlog). -And I just love experimenting in the kitchen.
The book starts with an explanation on regional dialects, and how barbecue has its own regional dialects (St. Louis, Kansas City, Texas, etc). My sister, like Nora, lives in North Carolina- and that barbecue is hands down the best I've ever had. There's a lot of food explanations included in the novel, so you're learning a lot while reading it, too.
To me, it kind of read like a manga (without, you know, the pictures). You have the jerky boy wonder, the feisty girl, the snotty princess, almost an entire book's worth of chemistry build up (like "Oh! OH! Here it comes! HERE IT-! Oh....crapdammit, c'mon!") There's a love triangle thrown in, too. With the love, drama and food aspects, it reminded me a lot of Kitchen Princess. Which made me like it even more.
Then! To add to its awesomeness- RECIPES AT THE END!!! So, there's that. All in all, it's a really fun, entertaining read.
I would recommend Taste Test to anyone who likes teen dramas, reality TV, cooking shows and mysteries.
Taste Test is published by Bloomsbury USA Children's Books. Digital ARC provided by NetGalley.
Release Date: 08.09.13
