Title: The Shade of the Moon
Author: Susan Beth Pfeffer (Twitter)
Publisher: HMH BYR
Publish Date: August 13, 2013
Genre: YA, Dystopian
Pages: 304
Source: Publisher

It's been more than two years since Jon Evans and his family left Pennsylvania, hoping to find a safe place to live, yet Jon remains haunted by the deaths of those he loved. His prowess on a soccer field has guaranteed him a home in a well-protected enclave.

But Jon is painfully aware that a missed goal, a careless word, even falling in love, can put his life and the lives of his mother, his sister Miranda, and her husband, Alex, in jeopardy. Can Jon risk doing what is right in a world gone so terribly wrong?

Four years ago, life for Jon and his family irreparably changed forever when the moon was knocked out of orbit, sending the world into a spiraling maze of chaos and confusion. In this broken world, Jon, his stepmother Lisa, and his little brother Gabriel manage to earn access to the enclave, where the world's most affluent hide out. They're not rich or talented enough to qualify, but they won their slips, leaving his sister Miranda, Alex and his mother on the outside in the grub. Life is easier in the enclave, but it's distinctly poorer in the grubs, and Jon watches the suffering every day. Can he do what is right, or will he fall in line within this new world order?

I started reading The Last Survivors books when I first started this blog almost four years ago, and I've been a fan ever since. After waiting for a very long time, I was thrilled to hear that veteran author, Susan Beth Pfeffer, was releasing a fourth installment which, I ultimately hoped would resolve the issues I had with the third book. The Shade of the Moon offers that insider's perspective into life years after the moon's orbit changed, and I was thrilled to know that there was life beyond the desolation of the third book. With vivid brush strokes and powerful imagery, the author paints the picture of a broken world that is so damaged, they can't see beyond their daily lives to entertain the fact that life as they knew it can go on...just differently.

I have to be completely honest when I start this review and state that I am completely on the fence about this book. So much of me wanted to love it because I really do like this series despite its flaws. A large part of me, however, felt somewhat cheated by this installment because of the plausibility of it all, as well as the utter lack of hope that I felt for much of the story. First and foremost though, let me state that The Shade of the Moon is a well-written book. The author has a way with words that makes it easy to feel the events as though you're actually a part of them, and that's an immensely strong skill to have. The story moves at a steady pace, building tension throughout, which breathes life into a somewhat hopeless tale, which made it easy to remain invested throughout. That said, I did have a couple of issues with The Shade of the Moon. As I mentioned before, I had issue with the plausibility of it all. This book takes four years after the moon's change. Four years, guys. Yet, in those four year, society basically reverted back to complete segregation, creating a distinct class split between the haves and have-nots, who are determined by their contributing abilities to society...and still, we see a teenage boy in Jon, who's earned access the the enclave through "slips," meaning they're safely inside, although not totally worthy. We've got the grubs outside the safety of the enclave, who basically live to serve "clavers." I could easily believe this societal shift if it took place 30 or 40 years later. Four years though? That's not even a generation gap. I found it very hard to believe that this distinct class separation evolved in just four years. Then, there was the massive onset of insta-love between Jon and Sarah, a "grub-lover." Now, remember...Jon's family is in the grubs, yet Jon buys into the ideal that these grubs are lesser than him and, therefore, easily engages in casual sex and demeaning of characters with these grub girls without any real thought as to the consequences. It irked me to no end. I will say that a redeeming quality of The Shade of the Moon is that Jon does evolve through the story, and this character growth and transition made it easier to stomach some of his more reprehensible actions. Plus, the fact that he was able to grow a set and actually stand up for what he knew deep down was right definitely made it more appealing.

Overall, there's a part of me that thinks this was a good fourth installment, and there's a larger part of me that felt a bit letdown by The Shade of the Moon. It's not a bad book by any means, and a lot of people will love it, but I felt like it didn't really encompass all I'd hoped it would. I give it a 2.5 out of 5, and I recommend it to fans of YA, especially fans of the Last Survivors series and dystopian and post-apocalyptic novels.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Today, I'm super excited to welcome debut YA author, Jennifer H. Lyne to the blog to promote her brand new book, Catch Rider, which was released by Clarion Books on June 4, 2013. I actually reviewed the book today, too, and you can view the review HERE.

The beautiful thing about Catch Rider is that it's less of a book about horses and more of a book about horse people. Jennifer took some time out of her busy day to answer a few of my questions about the book and some of her inspirations. Plus, be sure to keep reading for a giveaway of this great book!

1. In Catch Rider, you immerse the reader in what might otherwise been an unfamiliar world of horses and horseback riding. What sort of research did you have to do to make the story feel this authentic for the reader?

I grew up around horses, so most of the things I wrote about I already knew, but I did research to confirm them. One is example is Sid pulling the tooth out of the horse’s mouth. My friend Sandi Hooper Melnyk who lives in Ashland, Virginia, pulled a horse’s tooth that way when I was at the barn with her. I don’t remember what tools she used, but I do remember her squirting water from a plastic bike bottle in the horse’s mouth afterward, which still makes me laugh. In other cases, I had to go back and research. I didn’t show in the Maclay competition, so I did some reading on what kinds of courses they use, what the course requirements are, etc. I like doing research a lot, and I didn’t want horse people to read the book and find inaccuracies. I’m sure there are some in there, but I did my best.

2. Sid has a bit of a tough edge to her that can be misconstrued as cockiness. How did you balance her naivety with her resilient personality to ultimately make her likeable for readers?

Sid acts cocky, but people who do that are insecure. That behavior can hide deep uncertainty and fear of abandonment. I took the chance that some readers would not get this, or that they would get it and be turned off anyway. When I was trying to sell this story as a script in Hollywood, I was told that she was not likeable enough, and that I should make her more of an Everygirl protagonist, but I made the calculated decision to reject that advice. At some point, as a writer, you have to decide for yourself why you’re doing it in the first place, and what you want to say. Are you doing it to please people and make money, or are you doing it because you like to deal with reality, which is complicated.

3. What made you decide to use the first person point of view for Catch Rider?

I decided to use the first person after I had written 60 pages in third person, sold the book and was trying to finish it. I was having trouble feeling connected, like it was too forced, and the extra effort was not helping the story. So, I wrote it as though she was doing a long diary entry, and then the writing became really fun.

4. If you could describe Catch Rider in just five words, what would those words be?

Rocky wakes up in Covington.

5. Catch Rider wraps up very quickly and neatly at the end. Can readers hope to hear more from Sid's story? Why, or why not?

I wrapped it up more quickly than my editor would have liked. I like it when a movie ends and I’m staring at the screen thinking, “What?! That’s it?” Did you ever see the movie All the President’s Men? It’s before our time, but everyone should watch it. The director chopped of the entire third act! It’s kind of awesome. To answer your question, I’m not done with Sid, and there are going to be some surprises.

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And now...the giveaway! I'm offering up my ARC of Catch Rider to spread the word (and the fanfare) about this book. This giveaway is open internationally, and will end one week from today. Simply fill out the Rafflecopter to enter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Catch Rider by Jennifer H. Lyne Review

Title: Catch Rider
Author: Jennifer H. Lyne (Twitter)
Publisher: Clarion Books
Publish Date: June 4, 2013
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Pages: 288
Source: Publisher

Tough-as-nails fourteen-year-old Sid may not have expensive boots like the privileged teen riders in Virginia, but she knows her way around horses. Working with her Uncle Wayne since childhood, she’s learned to evaluate horses, break and train them, care for them...and ride like a professional.

Amid turmoil at home, she dreams of becoming a catch rider — a show rider who can ride anything with hooves. In this salty, suspenseful teen novel, an unexpected opportunity to ride a top-notch horse in an equitation show takes the small-town girl all the way to Madison Square Garden.

Sidney doesn't live a rich life. She's not pampered, or spoiled. She's never had more than exactly what she needs, but she does have one thing going for her. Sid knows horses. She understands how they think, how they act and how they work, and most of all, Sid knows how to ride. Having always had to deal with second-best of nearly everything, Sid finally wants something all to herself, and she'll do just about anything to accomplish her dream and become a riveting, sensational and inspiring show rider.

To be entirely honest, when the author contacted me to review her novel, that was the very first time I'd ever heard of Catch Rider, and I was a bit wary because of the younger protagonist. However, Jennifer Lyne has carefully crafted an empowering and emotional story of a girl that, while younger in age, often presents a maturity beyond her years, as well as a strength of spirit and determination that readers of any age can relate to. Blending tense drama, tangible characterization, an emotional plot and a journey to find and succeed at accomplishing one's dreams, Catch Rider is sure to whisk you away into Sid's world.

Sid was somewhat of a tricky protagonist for me - not because of her age, but rather because of her demeanor. The girl has had a rough life, and there is absolutely no denying that. You can sense her inner turmoil and the walls she has put up to shield herself from any more hurt. Her father is gone, her mother cares too much about her deadbeat of a boyfriend and she has no money on a good day. Sid's always been on her own and, therefore, you can understand why she's a bit rough around the edges. The reason, however, that I struggled with her at times is because despite the fact that she's got next to nothing, she doesn't hesitate to demean others, and her bitterness leaves an acrid taste in my mouth. That said, I think there were some definitive strengths to Catch Rider that really worked for a fairly slim novel. For one, we're thrust directly into  Sid's life from the start. With little to no introduction whatsoever, the reader is pushed into a sort of sink-or-swim environment where we very quickly learn and understand the world in which Sid lives. Furthermore, there is no lack of action and adventure in the book. From the start, we have the unique ability to become invested in Sid's journey to accomplish her dreams at all costs. We also have the unique opportunity to get an insider's perspective into the world of showing horses. The author has clearly done her homework, as the world is incredibly vivid and detailed, and I could picture the scenes and events as though I were there, myself. The plot, too, is well done. It never lags or slows, but blends the subtle character introductions, touches of sweet romance and engaging action with a great, steady pace. I will say that I wished the ending could have been fleshed out a bit further, as it was a bit abrupt for my liking, but it worked, and it was just wrapped up enough to feel satisfied.

Overall, Catch Rider is a great crossover book for most ages. The author has a way with words, and I definitely look forward to reading more from her. I give it a high 3.5 out of 5, and I recommend it to all fans of YA, especially those who enjoy contemporary fiction. This can also work for an upper MG audience. 

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Title: Loss
Author: Jackie Morse Kessler
Publisher: HMH
Publish Date: March 20, 2012
Genre: YA, Paranormal
Pages: 272
Source: Author

Fifteen-year-old Billy Ballard is the kid that everyone picks on, from the school bullies to the teachers. Things change drastically when Billy learns that years ago, he’d been tricked by Pestilence, the White Rider of the Apocalypse. Now it’s Billy’s turn to wield Pestilence’s Bow and spread sickness through the world. He uses his new power to lash out at his tormentors…and accidentally causes an outbreak of disease. Horrified by his actions, he wants nothing more than to be rid of the Bow. For that to happen, Billy must track down the previous White Rider, who is hiding in a place where even Death cannot go.

Billy’s search takes him across the centuries: from ancient Phrygia, where a man called King Mita agrees to wear the White Rider’s Crown, to a mighty forest, where Pestilence plans to cheat Death; from the docks of Alexandria, where plague is packed into cartons of grain, to the Children’s Crusade in France, where the White Rider learns a truth that will break him. By the time Billy finds the man who had tricked him so long ago, the White Rider is completely insane—and is poised to unleash a plague that would make the Black Death look like a summer cold. And only Billy can stop him.

Billy is tormented. It doesn’t matter the day of the week, or even where he is. He is bullied, tortured and beaten down every single day. His life, as far as he’s concerned, is one living hell. That all changes in an instant, however, when Billy discovers that years ago he was tricked by the White Rider and fated to carry Pestilence’s bow and spread disease throughout the world. Suddenly, he has more power than he could have dreamed, and he can finally get vengeance for the misery he’s faced. However, his actions have consequences, and when Billy realizes what he’s done, he must race to undo it before time runs out…for everyone. 

I’ve been a fan of this series from the start. Veteran author, Jackie Morse Kessler, has created a riveting series based around the story of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, hence the aptly-titled series, Riders of the Apocalypse. Loss is deeper than its predecessors, delving into one of the grittiest supernatural tales I’ve read in a good while. Equally heartbreaking and intense, Loss represents the darkest hells of the world, offers redemption and gives both the character and readers the chance to choose – what would you do in Billy’s position. Fluid and fast, the story spins on an epic arc, searing that very question into your mind. 

I made a commitment to reading more books from a male POV this year, and I’m so glad that Loss fit the bill. Billy was an excellent, multi-layered character that, despite his pain and anger, was not blinded by it and was able to understand the repercussions of both his actions and inactions. Furthermore, I also loved the fact that Billy wasn’t afraid to touch the dark aspects of the book. Bullying, too, is a completely relevant topic in today’s day and age. While Loss could very easily have spun into a preachy novel, it maintained a thoroughly objective standpoint while still allowing you to access the deep-seeded pain at the heart of it. I will say that parts of the story were a bit unbelievable, namely the epic journey that Billy must face to encounter the White Rider, as a whole, it worked well. Throughout Loss, Billy’s story was raw, gritty and honest, giving you a protagonist you wanted wholeheartedly to believe in. 

 In my opinion, I humbly state that this was the best book in the whole series for me. Loss was poignant and powerful, superseding the paranormal and becoming an honest, emotional story that resonates. I give it a 4 out of 5, and I highly recommend it to all fans of YA, especially those who enjoy the series, as well as those who enjoy the paranormal. 

I received this book free of charge from the author in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.