Bookanistas Review: Catching Jordan

Hey y'all! Sorry for the radio silence on the blog this week. Did a little traveling with MAJOR HOTSAUCE and tried to fight the siren song of the Internet for a few days. But I'm back...and ready to talk about a wonderful, entertaining read!

This week I read CATCHING JORDAN, by Miranda Kenneally

From Goodreads:

What girl doesn't want to be surrounded by gorgeous jocks day in and day out? Jordan Woods isn't just surrounded by hot guys, though-she leads them as the captain and quarterback of her high school football team. They all see her as one of the guys, and that's just fine. As long as she gets her athletic scholarship to a powerhouse university. But now there's a new guy in town who threatens her starting position... suddenly she's hoping he'll see her as more than just a teammate.

My good friend Shari recommended this book on her blog, so I decided to check it out. It had been on my radar for a while: I remember reading Miranda's blog when she announced the sale and it stuck in my mind because I love football.

My Take

There were lots of things I absolutely loved about this book: the character development, the relationships between characters, the pacing, particularly of the second half of the book (I stayed up late to finish it, reading the entire second half in one sitting), the football...how fun to read a YA book about football! Geek moment, but I loved that I recognized all of the real football players the main character refers to.

But most of all I loved that this is a story about a girl distinguishing herself in a field/sport that is traditionally male only. As a teenager, I was definitely someone who felt held back sometimes by the fact that I was female. I often felt like I wanted to "prove them all wrong", that I was just as strong or as fast or as cool as the guys. It's one of the reasons short, little blond Buffy Summers appealed to me so much...I loved every single scene where an arrogant guy (or vampire) underestimated her...right before she kicked his butt. CATCHING JORDAN totally tapped into those feelings for me and even though I have never before played football or tried out for a male-dominated sport, I could still totally relate to the challenges Jordan faces in getting the respect she so desperately wants.

I have to admit the girl quarterback thing felt a little like wish fulfillment to me. I never fully bought into the idea of a high school team being so supportive of a female quarterback, even while I reveled in the protectiveness and respect Jordan's teammates feel for her. It all felt a little like a fairy tale...a story I *wanted* to believe but wasn't *quite* sure I did. Having said that, I think if I'd read this as a teenager, I would have been much less skeptical. In fact, I think I would have been 100% engaged with and inspired by this book. As I said...I was a girl who was reminded all too often that I couldn't do the same things as the boys. And, much like Buffy, Jordan totally kicks those boys' butts (at least on the football field!). :-)

Speaking of boys, there are some seriously cute ones here! I loved how the romantic entanglements reveal themselves throughout the story, beginning subtly and building into some really compelling conflict. There were many sweet, romantic moments that had me swooning. 

Caveat

There was one thing in the book that rubbed me the wrong way. It wasn't a dealbreaker for me - I obviously loved the book - but it would be dishonest not to mention that the scene with Jordan's first kiss and its aftermath bothered me. I didn't have any issues with the casual sex in the book or the promiscuity of the characters in general (or rather, the fact that that was an element in the book - I'm not advocating sleeping around! ;-))...but I remember my very first kiss. And I just can't imagine anyone going from that fraught, intense, exciting, insecure, emotional moment...straight to where Jordan went. In my opinion her character development to that point didn't support what happened, and the moment was glossed over way too casually. Maybe it's because I related to so much of Jordan's character, her insecurities and desire for respect, that that moment didn't work for me. We all project ourselves into what we read, so I fully acknowledge this probably had more to do with who I am as a reader than any fault in the story.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, I highly recommend CATCHING JORDAN! Like Kody Keplinger's DUFF, I'd say it's most appropriate for older YA readers, given the swearing and sex, but I think any girl, young or old(er), who has ever been patronized or not taken seriously because of her gender, will love Jordan and this book. :-)

Oh, and totally unrelated sidenote...I got bangs! ;-) (sorry for the pink "mood lighting"!)

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Now, check out what the rest of the Bookanistas have been up to!

Christine Fonseca  interviews author L.K. Gardner-Griffie

Corrine Jackson announces Change Write Now: Round 2 signups are open

 Carolina Valdez Miller adores UNDER THE NEVER SKY - with giveaway

 Jen Hayley has a passion for PARTIALS

 Jessica Love shares some TIME BETWEEN US cover talk

 Tracy Banghart jumps for CATCHING JORDAN

 Stasia Ward Kehoe contemplates middle grade series

 LiLa Roecker is enthralled with THE NIGHT CIRCUS

Shelli Johannes-Wells visits with author Elle Strauss

Bookanistas!

I didn't have time to do a review this week, my bad! But you should check out what the other Bookanistas are up to! :-)

Christine Fonseca surrenders to THE SECRET OF SPRUCE KNOLL

Corrine Jackson delights in CHOPSTICKS

Stasia Ward Kehoe  presents a Stunning Seconds interview with A MILLION SUNS author Beth Revis

Jen Hayley gives a shout-out to the classics

Debra Driza celebrates CINDER – with giveaway!

Katy Upperman raves over JELLICOE ROAD

Hilary Wagner is all about LEXAPROS AND CONS – with giveaway

Carolina Valdez Miller talks about the cover of TEN

Jessica Love has high ratings for THE STATISTICAL PROBABILITY OF LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT

Bookanista Review: Silver Phoenix & Fury of the Phoenix

Hey y'all! Today is a double whammy of awesomeness!

I'm going to be talking about Cindy Pon's magical SILVER PHOENIX and its even more marvelous sequel, FURY OF THE PHOENIX, which I just finished. I discovered this series through a wonderful review Robin McKinley wrote on her blog (for the link, go to Cindy Pon's website, link at the end of this post). On the basis of that endorsement, I picked up SILVER PHOENIX, and I'm so glad I did!

on the day of her first betrothal meeting--and rejection--ai ling discovers a power welling deep within her. she can reach into other people’s spirits, hear their thoughts, see their dreams…and that’s just the beginning.

ai ling has been marked by the immortals; her destiny lies in the emperor’s palace, where a terrible evil has lived, stealing souls, for centuries. she must conquer this enemy and rescue her captive father, while mythical demons track her every step. and then she meets chen yong, a young man with a quest of his own, whose fate is intertwined with hers. here is a heart-stopping, breathtaking tale for fans of action, fantasy, and romance--of anything with the making of legend.

My Take

This is one of the most cinematic, beautifully written books I've read in a long time. Pon's descriptions of food in particular are mouth-watering...and also add to our understanding of Ai Ling, a wonderfully strong, independent girl...who happens to have an appetite and appreciation for good food (which I really loved about her, as I am ALSO a fan of yummy food! ;-)). 

The story is a sweeping adventure in the same vein as some of my favorite fantasies, like On Fortune's Wheel by Cynthia Voigt and The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley, but it takes place in the Asian/China-inspired mythical Kingdom of Xia...and is all the more engaging for its vivid setting. 

In addition to the lush writing, I particularly loved Ai Ling's character. She was aware of her duties and role in her world's society, but also independent, resourceful, and powerful. She was strong enough to make tough choices. And she was real, sometimes making mistakes. She had passions, fears, regrets...all explored through a complex, interesting story.

And Chen Yong isn't just a pretty face. He's just as interesting and complex a character, with his own quest and his own strengths and weakenesses. They have great chemistry, and watching their relationship develop while they dealt with the challenges of their journey as well as the strictures of their society, was both wonderful and bittersweet. Theirs is not a relationship with easy answers, and I loved that about it.

And let me just say, this is a book with one hell of a villian. SO. AWESOME. :-)

Today I finished the sequel, FURY OF THE PHOENIX, and while I don't want to say much about it, so as not to give anything away, I WILL say that I think I loved it even more than SILVER PHOENIX, if that's possible.

FURY OF THE PHOENIX is just as beautifully written as Pon's first novel, and the exciting story will keep you turning pages until well after you should have been asleep (take it from me!). I loved the way Pon delved deeper into the histories and mythologies of her characters, and how both books follow Ai Ling on a quest...while keeping those journeys different and fresh. I love books with adventure, romance, gorgeous scenery...and these books have all of those things in spades!

I highly recommend this series...and, for more info and a taste of the author's beautiful artwork, check out her website! 

UPDATE: Wanted to share that Koko's tumor turned out to be Stage 1 and the vet got it all, so she has a clean bill of health! YAY!!! :-)

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Check out what the other Bookanistas are raving about this week!

Christine Fonseca  takes a shine to A MILLION SUNS

Carolina Valdez Miller falls for FRACTURE

Jen Hayley surrenders to THE NIGHT SHE DISAPPEARED

Stasia Ward Kehoe is dazzled by DARK COMPANION

Nikki Katz wonders at THE FAULT IN OUR STARS

Debra Driza is overwhelmed by UNDER THE NEVER SKY

Jessica Love gives a trophy to BEAUTY QUEENS

Shelli Johannes-Wells takes you on a tour of The Reading Room

Tracy Banghart has double-love for THE SILVER PHOENIX and FURY OF THE PHOENIX

Hilary Wagner is in the grips of THE GATHERING STORM

Woe is Koko

So, this is what I've been dealing with for the past few days...

The pouting is seriously getting to me, guys, I have to say. The thing is, the reason for the collar is that she recently had surgery to remove a couple of tumors (still waiting to hear what type/stage they were) and if she ISN'T wearing the collar, she licks her sutures. :-(

But still. It is SO, SO hard to resist that face. She also has this technique of walking up to you and pressing the plastic cone into your leg and standing there, unmoving. Her passive aggressive way of saying she is NOT. PLEASED.

Moving into position

But overall she's been a very good sport. (And sometimes we let her take a break and curl up on the bed, cone free. Cuz we're suckers like that.)

In other news, for the first time in MONTHS I had a good writing week last week! SO, SO excited about this and seriously hoping it continues. The past few months have been tough on the new work in progress...revisions on other projects kept needing to be done, and there were holidays and trips and...frankly...some discouraged feelings to overcome. But the WIP is starting to take over my brain again and I'm finally beginning to feel the story consume me. Yay!!

A few of my hopes for this week: We'll get good news regarding Koko's tumors/prognosis, I'll reach 30k on the WIP, and SMASH will be as awesome as the previews make it look! ;-)

Bookanistas Review: Juliet Immortal

Welcome to another Bookanistas Review!

This week I read JULIET IMMORTAL by Stacey Jay and let me just say...WOW. Like, a serious WOW.

"These violent delights have violent ends
And in their triumph die, like fire and powder,
Which as they kiss consume."
—Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

The most tragic love story in history . . .

Juliet Capulet didn't take her own life. She was murdered by the person she trusted most, her new husband, Romeo Montague, a sacrifice made to ensure his own immortality. But what Romeo didn't anticipate was that Juliet would be granted eternity, as well, and would become an agent for the Ambassadors of Light. For 700 years, she's fought Romeo for the souls of true lovers, struggling to preserve romantic love and the lives of the innocent. Until the day she meets someone she's forbidden to love, and Romeo, oh Romeo, will do everything in his power to destroy that love.

My Take

Holy moly is this book ah-maz-ing. I have to say that this is one that kept catching my eye in the bookstore, but I wasn't convinced it'd be my kind of thing. I generally am not a huge fan of retellings (except of the fairy tale variety) and wasn't sold on the whole "making the story of Romeo and Juliet paranormal" thing. 

But here's the power of Twitter...I clicked on a link to a review and the person (I can't remember who now or I'd link, but it might have been a Bookanista) LOVED it. So I thought, hey...a) I'm about to go to Italy, the birthplace of Juliet and b) it's getting some great reviews...so why not? So I went to my local bookstore and picked up a copy.

AWESOME, AWESOME decision by me. :-)

I didn't end up reading it while I was in Italy, but that was probably a good thing. If I had, I wouldn't actually have SEEN much of Italy. This story drew me in from the first page and left me breathless with suspense until the last. 

Juliet's voice is fantastic - lyrical and realistic. I loved the quality and flow of the language, the emotions that come alive on the page. The funny thing is, after I started reading it didn't bother me one bit that this was a retelling, because it wasn't. What Stacey Jay did with these iconic characters...I really don't want to give a thing away, but I have to admit...I loved Stacey's Juliet more than I did Shakespeare's...and I say that as a total W.S. 'shipper. 

JULIET IMMORTAL is just...different. And twisty. And intense. And incredibly romantic. Imaginative...surprising...I could go on. But, really, you should just go out and get a copy for yourself, so you can see what I mean.

Last Thought

From a writer's perspective, my favorite element of the story was the way Stacey Jay threw HUGE, MASSIVE, LIFE OR DEATH obstacles at her characters. I really had no idea how she was going to resolve things. If things could even BE resolved. (I won't tell you if they are.) The reason I was breathless was because the entire book I knew exactly what Juliet - and the other characters - had to lose...and how very high the odds were stacked against them. This is something you hear over and over again as a writer - make it hard for your main character, raise the stakes, etc etc...but let's face it. It's a tough thing to do. Especially in a way that'll earn a payoff at the end (if you're going to make your stakes life or death, you better not have a simple solution at the end and keep everyone living and breathing like there was never any danger at all...ahem). 

So I've gotta give Stacey mad props for that. 

And everything else.

Cuz this book is badass and you should read it. :-)

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Check out what else the Bookanistas are excited about this week!

Christine Fonseca  interviews author Denise Grover Swank

Jessi Kirby and Jen Hayley are wowed by WANDERLOVE

Corrine Jackson is mesmerized by MAY B.

Stasia Ward Kehoe  interviews DIES IRAE author Christine Fonseca

Debra Driza is entranced by HEMLOCK

Katy Upperman delves into THE DISENCHANTMENTS

Nikki Katz  celebrates CINDER

Tracy Banghart  marvels at JULIET IMMORTAL

Jessica Love spotlights SHINE

Gennifer Albin gives some trailer love to STARTERS