Supernatural Fatasy: Need

Fans of Twilight will want to pick up Carrie Jones's new book, Need. It tells the story of Zara White, new girl in town. She's living with her grandmother now, because her mom sent her away to recover from the shock of her dad's sudden death. But Maine isn't exactly the relaxing vacation she thought it would be.

Instead, Zara finds she's being stalked by a pale man who leaves a trail of gold dust in his wake. Sound weird? That's not all. On top of that, her new friends can turn furry on the full moon, and the high school cliques are fierce enough to draw blood; literally. Throw in a hot guy and a budding romance, and you have a recipe for a supernatural thriller.

This book isn't as gripping as the Twilight series, but for fans who are looking for titles that are similar, it's a quick read.

Supernatural Fantasy

Grades 9-12

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Science Fiction: Genesis

This book is classic science fiction, in the tradition of Arthur C. Clarke and Ray Bradbury. Nothing is what it seems; the whole book is designed to upend your view of what humanity is, and how it relates to others.

This thoughtful book feels more like a short story than a full novel, but it's worth the trip through its brief, 185 pages. Student Anax is taking her final examination for entrance to the Academy, and her topic is the life of Adam Forde, long dead hero of the Republic. As she explains the history of her specialization, we begin to see a picture of a ruined world, with only one tiny bastion of civilization remaining. Anax delves deep into the concepts of ethics and morality, wrestling with ideas that will rock the foundations of her world... and ours. This is a book that will unsettle and grip readers. Highly recommended.

Science Fiction

Grades 10 and up

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Horror: Skeleton Creek

Skeleton Creek is hybrid book, and it's one of the best examples of it's kind. Author Patrick Carman has delivered unparalleled creepiness by mixing a traditional book format with online video clips that are reminiscent of The Blair Witch Project. The diary-style writing is simple and direct, and the scary videos build the suspense and mystery as the book progresses.

Teenage Ryan and his best friend Sarah have found something horrible in the woods. They were messing around, exploring an old piece of machinery at night when Ryan saw something moving. After he woke up in hospital, he couldn't remember what happened...but Sarah had recorded the whole thing on video. At this point, you pause to watch a scary clip on the book's website, and then you resume following Ryan as he and Sarah explore the secret that haunts Skeleton Creek.

In case you hadn't caught on, this book is definitely not for the faint of heart! Despite the distinct lack of gore, the suspense is heavy. I certiainly didn't want to watch those videos at night, and had to wait to read the book in the daytime! Highly recommended for reluctant readers, and teens who love suspense/horror.

Horror

Grades 5-10

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Graphic Novel: Dark Wraith of Shannara

This title is author Terry Brooks' first venture into the graphic novel format. Based on his wildly popular Shannara series, this book follows magic user Jair Ohmsford as he battles the forces of evil to save his friends.

The main attraction of this book lies in the detailed fantasy world that the author has painstakingly created. The world of Shannara is set in the far future, eons after humanity nearly destroyed itself through chemical and nuclear apocolypse. Magic has seeped in to fill the gaps where science was lost, and elves and other fantastic races have risen in power to vie with humanity for supremacy.

Jair is a half breed;the magic of the elves runs in his veins, for he is a descendant of a great elven bloodline. His unique power is the wishsong, a dangerously seductive magic that seeks to destroy him each time he uses it to accomplish his will. In this book, Jair must walk the fine line between using his magic for good, and falling forever into the hands of the dark druids. His quest is to destroy the last scraps of the Ildatch, a maelevolent parchment imbued with the ultimate evil. Fans of sword and sorcery fantasy will dive into this well written graphic novel; I recommend it for those who like tales of dark faeries, quests and battles of good vs. evil.

Graphic Novel (fantasy)

Grades 10-12

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Graphic Novel: Silverfin

Why two images for this post? Well, the very popular graphic novel (right) is based on the equally excellent young adult fiction title (left). I couldn't decide which format I preferred, so I'm reviewing both versions of the book here.

Charlie Higson's fiction novel was published in 2005, to the joy of Bond fans everywhere. Released just prior to the film Casino Royale, the book describes the childhood of James Bond. Starting with his teen years at Eton, Higson follows Bond as he makes the transition from a clever and adventurous boy into a hardened government spy.

Kids who love espionage and thriller novels will definitely want to pick this book up, in either the fiction or the graphic novel version. Both are fast paced reads focusing on action, with plenty of military technology, betrayal and action. I expect that the entire Young Bond series (three more titles exist in the fiction format) will be made into graphic novels, with a possible movie deal in the works.

Graphic Novel/Fiction

Grades 9-11

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Fantasy: Tender Morsels

Margo Lanagan is best known for writing eerie, atmospheric short stories. Her fantasy novel, Tender Morsels, is a dark and convoluted story based on the fairy tale of Snow White, Rose Red.

Lanagan's tale is for mature readers, as it involves themes of rape, murder and heartbreaking sadness. However, readers will be well rewarded for approaching these difficult topics, as the characters wrestle with their desire to retreat into a dream life of ease and kindness, where they are insulated from the harsh realities of life.

One of the most compelling aspects of this novel is the unique use of language. Lanagan creates her own dialect, which adds to the jarringly vivid sense of place. This is a rich tale about the human soul, and it explores the depths of cruelty, and the heights of human kindness. The message, in the end, is that somehow life is worth it.

Fantasy

Grades 11-adult

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Elfpunk: Wicked Lovely

Elfpunk is a genre set in gritty urban environments, with characters who are conflicted, dark, and often goth. If you like vampire novels, like Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series, you'll probably find Elfpunk appealing!

Aislinn has always been able to see fairies, but her grandmother taught her to never, ever show that she's aware of the other world that shadows ours. The Fey Folk have had no interest in Aislinn...until Summer King Keenan discovers that she is fated to be his queen. As Keenan pursues Aislinn out of love, the Snow Queen's minions race to kill her. An unusual love story follows, as Aislinn struggles to evade her fate, and maintain the fragile life (and love!) she has built for herself in the city. With romance, violence and a large dose of the fantastic, this book is suited for older teens.

Melissa Marr is definitely an author to watch. Other books in this series include Ink Exchange and the forthcoming Fragile Eternity.

Elfpunk
Grades 10-12
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Science Fiction/Horror: Bloodtide

Author Melvin Burgess typically writes disturbingly graphic young adult novels for the mature reader. I knew this when I picked up Bloodtide, but I was still shocked, revolted and utterly transfixed by the incredibly intense, powerful and gory retelling of the viking Beowulf legend.

The story is set in a post-apocolyptic London, where warring gang families have divided the city into territories that they defend visciously. The whole city of London has been abandoned by the democratic government and a wall has gone up round the perimeter, to keep the gangs in. Terrifying halfmen, created by twisted science, patrol the strip of territory between the wall and the gang lands; these monsters are fed on human sacrifices, and evoke fear and loathing in all who encounter them.

Two families have split London between themselves, the Volsons and the Conors. And so here we have the perfect setting for a modern blood feud. When a marriage is arranged to calm the tensions between the families, betrayal and an incredibly brutal war ensues. Burgess's genius is in the steady, relentless progression of vengeance and tension; midway through the book, you can see that there is no possible path to a happy ending. Nevertheless, you must read on to the brutal, inevitable ending, where the poor, battered protagonists face the truth about revenge's poisionous nature.

This is a complex book told by many different voices as the action progresses. And as well as all the fantastic characters (Gods and monsters make several appearances) there is real human drama and deep emotional development. I was absolutely gripped by this book from the first page, and Burgess's genius is in portraying the many facets of humanity in the face of terrible events and extreme emotions.

Science Fiction/Horror

Grade 11 and up (for mature readers)

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Graphic Novel: The Rabbi's Cat

This graphic novel is translated from the original French, and is actually intended for an adult audience. However, I would certainly recommend this title for older teens or young adults who are interested in ideas about religious freedom, philosphy, and love.

Set in the 1930's, this is the story of a cat who swallows a parrot, and magically gains the power of speech. Much to his owner's consternation, the cat immediately begins to tell lies! The Rabbi immediately vows to teach the cat right from wrong by educating him in the ways of the Torah, but the cat keeps asking questions that challenge the Rabbi, and require him to think about the nature of Judaism, and of goodness in general.

The Rabbi's daughter is a major player in this book, as she finds love with a non-observant family. This presents many challenges, and the book is funny, sad and thoughful by turn as the Rabbit's family expands to include a new son and parents-in-law.

The art is cartoonlike and drawn in full colour, and its familiar mood balances the writing's often pensive tone. A classic graphic novel, and highly recommended for all mature readers.

Graphic Novel

Grades 11-Adult

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Graphic Novel: The Good Neighbors: Kin

Holly Black is the author of several elfpunk novels for teens, including Tithe, Valiant, and Ironside. This graphic novel follows the same style, with dark, urban settings and gritty characters.

Heroine Rue (short for Kangaroo) is pulled into the dangerous world of faeries when her mother goes missing. It turns out that Rue's mother is a faerie herself, and that she's been called back to the fey because of a broken promise. Rue needs to rescue her mom, save her father from being charged with murder, and uncover the secrets of her mixed heritage.

The black and white art in this book is drawn in western comic style, with lots of dark shadow and play on white space. The dark tones really echo the plot's mystery and sense of foreboding. Strange pixies and faeries dance across the pages, and even the trees and buildings seem forbidding. There is just enough romance in the plot to round out this title; fans of Stephenie Meyer's Twilight and graduates of the Spiderwick Chronicles will love this graphic novel.

Graphic Novel

Grades 8-12

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