Trickster's Girl by Hilari Bell

Trickster's Girl

In the year 2098 America isn't so different from the USA of today. But, in a post-9/11 security-obssessed world, "secured" doesn't just refer to borders between countries, it also refer to borders between states. Teenagers still think they know everything, but there is no cure for cancer, as Kelsa knows first-hand from watching her father die.

The night Kelsa buries her father, a boy appears. He claims magic is responsible for the health of Earth, but human damage disrupts its flow. The planet is dying.

Kelsa has the power to reverse the damage, but first she must accept that magic exists and see beyond her own pain in order to heal the planet. 

I was afraid that this book was going to be very preachy and although not overly so, it still contained to much preaching for me.

I guess the book itself is good. There's a roadtrip involved that certainly brings much fun and Raven is a likable character and sometimes even cute. But somehow, this book didn't really stick with me.

Kelsa is really just a character. She was an okay narrator and there were moments where I conected with her and others where she seemd just too distant.  She really doesn't stand out from other characters in the way I would have liked.

Also, I know this is supposed to be novel set in the future but I didn't get that feeling AT ALL. It just seemed like 2010 and I REALLY love future-set novels.

A bit further on the preaching, what bothered me is that I usually don't mind books that implant the idea or show to problems and let the reader figure out the solutions. But this book told you straight out that we were killing our planet. Now, I know that but a book that really effectively sends a message is supposed to give your reasons and impact. That's why I like the implementing (AHH INCEPTION !!!) idea more because it makes the reader figure it out, therefore spending more time afterwards thinking about the book.

I also expected romance but there wasn't any, really.  It disappointed me.

In one sentence:
"Enjoyable but moderate, a library read."

Plot: 4
Characters: 3
Writing: 4
Cover: 4
Overall Feeling: 3
Average: 3.6/5 stars

Manifest by Artist Arthur

Manifeset

Krystal Bentley is an outsider at her new high school, having just moved to a small Connecticut town. Lately she's been hearing the voice of a teenage boy in her head, and he has become her friend and confidant. The only problem is, he's dead...

Ricky Watson was killed a year ago in the alley behind Krystal's new school. The rumor mill is filled with stories of Ricky and his untimely death. Unfortunately, as a ghost, Ricky is unable to investigate his own murder, so Ricky needs Krystal to find the truth and she needs someone to listen. When Krystal befriends Sasha and Jake, both outcasts at her high school, the threesome soon discover that they have more in common than their outsider status. Each has a unique paranormal ability and an unusual birthmark in the shape of an "M." Jake announces that the M must stand for misfits, and so the three form an unusual clique. They soon realize that solving Ricky's murder can help them understand the mystery behind their powers and may reveal whether there are others like them.

The aspect I most liked about Manifest was that it was multi-racial and not just black or white which I relate to, being Puerto Rican.

Krystal was funny and relatable character.  The only complain about her is that she was sometimes annoying and dramatic.

Ricky as fine, I suppose. He's not my type (I much prefer Jake) and he didn't help much but he was okay.

I was waiting for the book to finally pick up and I was happy when it did near the end.

I don't know if it's me or done on purpse but there seemed to be this big plot hole that confused me. I hope they fix this in the final copy. At one point, it is said Jake's power is super-strong (like Hulk) and then it totally changes to telekinesis.

I also liked the mythology aspect and I hope there is more on the next book.

Overall, I liked the book and I can tell Artist's writing has a way to go because in Manifest it seemed a bit ameteur.

In one sentence:
"An entertaining new novel with great potential."

Plot: 4
Characters: 3
Writing: 3
Cover: 4
Overall Feeling: 4
Average: 3.6 stars

ARC copy provided by publisher.