The Screaming Statue

Hey guess what? I have a guest-post on the Cybils blog today--a truly terrifying book list!

The Screaming Statue
(Curiosity House #2)
Lauren Oliver & H. C. Chester

My rating: ★★★★

ISBN: 978-0062270849
Publisher: Harper Collins
Date of publication: May 3, 2015
Age: Grades 4 - 6
Genre: Mystery, Historical Fiction

Themes: murder, friendship, curiosities & marvels, orphans, New York City, dime museum

Pippa, Sam, Thomas, and Max are happy to be out of harm’s way now that the notorious villain Nicholas Rattigan is halfway across the country in Chicago. But unfortunately their home, Dumfreys’s Dime Museum of Freaks, Oddities, and Wonders, is in danger of closing its doors forever. But their troubles only get worse when the four friends discover that their beloved friend, famous sculptor Siegfried Eckleberger, is murdered. As they investigate, they find clues that his death may be tied to the murder of a rich and powerful New York heiress, as well as to their own pasts.

Yep, these four awesomely extraordinary kids are at it again. The second book in the series added some further depth to the characters, keeping the reader invested in the story. For instance, turns out Max does have some heart. We continue to delve into their mysterious past and Rattigan is as terrifying as ever. Which, I'm not going to lie, (spoiler alert!) I was a bit upset at the end because of him—a good upset, you know, like a I-need-the-next-book-now-please upset.

Which brings me to the story itself. This one was a bit tidier than the first—not so many murders and clues thrown at you—but I sure got depressed by the continuing tragic saga of whether or not Dumfrey's museum would have the funds to survive. Plus the drama between the residents...it all created a rather stressful subplot. A minor, personal-preference complaint, really. Overall, a fantastic follow up to book one. I'd definitely recommend the series thus far.

And guess what? I'm hosting a giveaway of both books in the series! Just check out yesterday's post, the Curiosity House Blog Tour!

Find it at your library or on Amazon

Curiosity House Blog Tour

Welcome to this here stop of the Curiosity House Blog Tour!

Remember when I reviewed The Shrunken Head, book 1 of the Curiousity House series? Yeah, well, guess what, you guys: Curiosity House book 2, The Screaming Statue, comes out in just ONE WEEK—awesomeness! And how do we celebrate? Well, I got super lucky and was invited to not only interview the two authors, Lauren Oliver and H.C. Chester, but one of Dumfrey's Dime Museum's residents. Yep, the ever gruff and tough, but so lovable (ahem, don't tell him I said that), Danny the Dwarf.

AND (said in my best game-show-host voice) I've got another sweet giveaway! See below for details!

Okay, okay, first up, let's hear from the authors about their work...

The Shrunken Head

The Shrunken Head
(Curiosity House #1)
Written by Lauren Oliver & H. C. Chester

My rating: ★★★★

ISBN: 978-0062270818
Publisher: HarperCollins
Date of publication: September 29, 2015
Age: Grades 4 - 6
Genre: Mystery, Historical Fiction

Themes: murder, thievery, curiosities & marvels, orphans, New York City,

Three orphans have happily called "Dumphrey's Dime of Freaks, Oddities, and Wonders" home. Of course, that's because they're quite extraordinary—Phillipa with her mind reading, Sam with his amazing strength, and Thomas with his contortionist body. But when a fourth orphan shows up, a girl named Max who can throw knives with frightening accuracy, strange things begin to happen. The newest exhibit—Mr. Dumphrey's prize shrunken head—is stolen, and leaves in its wake a trail of deaths and murders. Could the head really be cursed? The four orphans are determined to solve the case, and in the process, stumble upon the shocking truth about their pasts.

The book itself is an "oddity and wonder"—I'm still trying to figure out just how to describe it! It's so perfectly quaint with endearing characters and a fascinating storyline, yet is punctuated with touches the weird, the terrifying, and the gruesome. Basically, it feels like you're cuddling with the Addam's family (snapsnap). I reveled in its uniqueness. Plus the periodically-placed illustrations are just fantastic. Look at that cover!

The four orphans are just about my most favorite characters that I've read in a juvenile mystery. Yep, I said it. Their individual "powers" are not distracting or awkward in the story, but really contribute to their personality, depth, and endearing qualities. Then, their interactions with each other just build on all that and make me love them all the more; there's punches of humor, touches of the emotional, and surprising discoveries. Having the chapters be told in their alternating points-of-view helps, too. Seriously—you get invested in these kids!

Which is why I may have gotten frustrated with some elements of the story. It does drag a bit in the middle ("oh wow yet another murder...and yet no one is particularly worried about the kids") and is weighed down by some confusing side elements and discoveries ("yet another possible clue!"). I wish that some of that bulk had been trimmed down so that the ending was that much more of a pow (fantastic twist there at the end, by the way).

So overall, yes, I do want to know what happens next! I would definitely recommend it, but I bet I'd have to push the sell a bit harder. The extra murders and length make me wonder if younger kids will really go for it, yet the cover/marketing is targeted at them—turning away some older readers. A bit of tough sell. But a fantastic read for sure!

A good pre-read to Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children.

Find it at your library or on Amazon

Panic

Panic
Lauren Oliver

My rating: ★★★

ISBN: 9780062014559
Publisher: HarperCollins
Date of publication: March 4, 2014
Age: Grades 9 and up
Genre: Realistic Fiction

Themes: fear, revenge, betrayal, game

Every summer, the graduating seniors participate in a dangerous game called “Panic.” The prize? A pot that can get up to $60,000. Yet, players have to face some stark fears in brutal ways. Heather never planned on joining, but this she soon discovers she has something to fight for. Dodge, on the other hand, has been planning on using the game to gain his revenge. Both are unprepared for what they face, both in the game and out, as they face the deepest fears.

Gritty, dark, and gripping, this novel pulls you in in a powerful way. Growing up in a small town in the middle of nowhere, these kids are a bitter bunch with little to call their own. See? The setting and characters are so richly developed, I got invested in it pretty quick. Crazy. It’s a suspenseful book with plenty of twists and turns. Read at your own risk.

Warning: Explicit Content
Language

Delirium

Delirium

Lauren Oliver
(Delirium #1)

My rating: ★★★

ISBN: 9780062112439

Publisher: Harper

Date of publication: August 2, 2011

Age: Grades 8 and up

Genre: Dystopian

Themes: Dystopian society, love, forbidden relationships

Lena is 95 days away from her procedure, the procedure that will cure her of anor deliria nervorsa, more commonly known as “love.” The disease can drive people to madness, hurt, breakdowns, and violence, so it must be eradicated. Lena is especially anxious to have it done since it didn’t work on her mother—even after three tries—and she committed suicide. However, she a meets a boy and is disturbed to find that she seems to enjoy the symptoms of the disease. Could the government be wrong about love? She soon discovers just how much the government is hiding.

Think Romeo & Juliet in a post-apocalyptic America and you’ll get the gist of this novel. It's pretty predictable. Still, it is an interesting concept for a story—I mean, how could you live without love? The government in this story is convinced it’s safer to be without. It’s fascinating to think about the repercussions of such a thought. The characters are enticing. So read if you like; I probably won't read the rest of the series, though.

Warning: Explicit Content
Language