Saturday, December 31, 2011

Another Faust by Daniel and Dina Nayeri


(OOO)

One night, in countries all across Europe, 5 children disappear. No one connects the disappearances because no one remembers the children. Several years later, they all reappear at a Christmas party in New York City. They are introduced as the adopted children of a Madame Villeroy. She has given each of them a talent that they must use to rise to the top of their pretigious high school. THey have goals to reach and nothing, and no one, will stop them. But why don't they remember their past? Two of the children start to questionn their "mother's" motive. This questioning begins the uncovering of secrets so dangerous and shocking it just might turn their family against itself.

This was a very... mysterious book. Even halfway through it I didn't fully understand what it was about. And when I had finished reading it, I still felt a bit confused. But it was still very good writing and a captivating and unique storyline. The characters were pretty developed and from the beginning there were certain ones I prefered over others. I did enjoy this book, and people who are interested in the paranormal will definitely find it interesting. I reccommend it, but with a note that it was a confusing and a bit difficult to read.

Daniel and Dina Nayeri are a brother and sister team who were born in Iran and spent a lot of time in Europe. Daniel lives in NYC and Dina lives in Amsterdam. They have another book called Another Pan that I look forward to reading. For more information about Daniel and Dina, Another Faust, and other works by the pair, visit danielanddina.com

Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson


(OOOOO)

"It wouldn't be a road trip without some detours..."
When Amy Curry left for a cross country trip from California to her new home in Connecticut with an old family friend Roger Sullivan, she had no idea just how many detours would come her way.

When Amy's father died a few years earlier, her life changed for the worse. With her mother becoming more and more distant, her brother secretly in rehab, and a secret that haunts her, everything seems to be spiraling out of control. Until the day her mom announces that she needs to drive the car across the country to Connecticut, where her mom has already been living. Through a series of "small" detours what seems like an awkward car ride with a now-stranger whom Amy hasn't seen in years turns into a journey in which two teenagers rethink themselves, their pasts... and each other.

This book won me over from the very beginning, starting with the cover. I was looking for a quick, fun, summer romance and I got just that. But I also got so much more. This book, while a fun teen romance, was a story that made me laugh, cry, and scream all at the same time. The occasional page of pictures really helped me visualize Amy and Roger's adventure. I fell in love with the characters and found myself cheering for them all across the country. It made me wish I could take a road trip myself. Recommended for any high school girl who wants a fun, romantic read!

Morgan Matson lives in Los Angeles, California and is a fan of roadtrips herself. Amy and Roger's Epic Detour is her debut novel. For more information (and the first chapter of the book!) visit morganmatson.com