CANR
WORK TITLE: Like Never and Always
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S): Gray, Ava; Connor, Ellen
BIRTHDATE: 8/27/1970
WEBSITE: http://www.annaguirre.com/
CITY:
STATE:
COUNTRY: Mexico
NATIONALITY: American
LAST VOLUME: SATA 337
http://www.amazon.com/Ann-Aguirre/e/B001IGNPYI http://geek-news.mtv.com/2011/06/13/ya-book-interview-ann-aguirre-talks-enclave/
RESEARCHER NOTES:
PERSONAL
Born August 27, 1970; married; children: two.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Writer. Worked as a clown, a clerk, and a voice actor.
WRITINGS
Also author of the novel Thistle & Thorne, 2013.
SIDELIGHTS
Ann Aguirre has written romantic science fiction, urban fantasy, and paranormal romance novels for both adults and teenagers. She also writes paranormal romantic suspense novels under the name Ava Gray. She is the author of several series, including one featuring Corine Solomon, a handler, who has the supernatural ability to touch something and know its history and sometimes its future. Released in 2009, Blue Diablo kicks off the series. In an attempt to leave her old life behind, Corine has crossed the border, ending up in Mexico City. Her ex-boyfriend Chance is able to track her down and asks her to help him find a dear friend of theirs who has gone missing in Laredo, Texas.
In the next entry in the series, Hell Fire, Corine journeys back home to Kilmer, Georgia, in order to uncover the truth behind the death of her mother and the origins of her powers. Voice of Youth Advocates reviewer Rachelle Bilz felt that Hell Fire “is loaded with action and interesting characters.” She concluded, “A unique combination of the horror and romance genres, this urban fantasy should appeal to older teens.” A Publishers Weekly contributor also praised the novel, noting that it is “full of well-drawn characters” and “a nearly tangible setting.”
The third novel in the series, Shady Lady, finds Corine ready to return to her normal life as a pawnshop owner, but then she gets an unexpected visit from former ally Kel Ferguson, warning her that a drug cartel boss is out to get her. Aguirre “has a gift for creating strong characters who keep her readers coming back for more,” remarked a Publishers Weekly contributor.
Aguirre is also the author of the “Razorland” trilogy, a postapocalyptic series for young adults. Released in 2011, Enclave is the first novel in the series. One of the main characters is fifteen-year-old Deuce, a Huntress trainee who lives in the tunnels beneath a New York City that has been devastated by war and plague. She is begrudgingly paired with Fade, a teenage Hunter who lived above ground, called Topside, when he was a young boy. Their job as hunters is to provide the enclave with meat and protect it from the zombielike subhumans called Freaks. After Deuce defends a friend unfairly accused of hoarding, the two are exiled from the clan and end up Topside, where they are forced to brave numerous dangers.
“All in all, this well-paced zombie-esque adventure in an urban wasteland will keep fans happy,” contended a Kirkus Reviews contributor. A Publishers Weekly reviewer also praised the novel, noting that it contains “a gritty and highly competent heroine, an equally deadly sidekick/love interest, and a fascinating if unpleasant civilization.”
The second novel in the series, Outpost, released a year later, finds Deuce and Fade living Topside in a town called Salvation, where they are still trying to keep from being killed by the cannibalistic Freaks. “ Outpost is a tense dystopian thriller and convincing romance, though the love triangle feels a bit forced,” remarked Voice of Youth Advocates reviewer Jenifer Rosentein. A Kirkus Reviews contributor noted that the novel has “an engaging world and forward-moving plot with a resolution that promises new settings and challenges in Book 3.” Horde, released in 2013, is the third novel in the series.
With Havoc, the prison ship Perdition has been boarded by mercenaries who attempt to team up with the Conglomerate’s most dangerous convicts. Dred and Jael, however, lead their own group of inmates to fight back against this invasion. A Publishers Weekly contributor said that “some of Aguirre’s characters are simply monstrous, but most have intriguing, complex histories and motives.”
In Vanguard, Tegan, Millie, and James set off on a new adventure after the end of the war. But when Tegan helps Szarok, she finds her life path is uncertain once again. Booklist contributor Krista Hutley reasoned that “existing fans will appreciate this addition to the series, though it doesn’t work as a stand-alone.” Writing in School Library Journal, Leah Krippner opined that readers “new to the books will be delighted with the fantasy-style details and sophisticated writing.”
Published in 2014, Mortal Danger is the first novel in “The Immortal Game” series. It introduces readers to teenager Edie Kramer, who was driven to the brink of suicide by her classmates at Blackbriar Academy. Thanks to a Faustian deal with a mysterious and handsome boy named Kian, she is granted three wishes and intends to make those who bullied her pay.
The author “has crafted a sophisticated novel that combines science, horror, and romance amid the realities of high-school cultures,” remarked Booklist reviewer Frances Bradburn. However, Kat Kennedy, writing for Tor.com, felt that “this novel spends so much time introducing its plethora of characters and complex mythology and world-building, that it’s almost unreadable. It was saved only by the creepy, gory atmosphere that is wonderfully crafted by Aguirre.” Lucy Schall, writing for the Voice of Youth Advocates, had a more positive reaction: “This will be a popular, fun, and fast-read series that can encourage discussion about true beauty, friendship, popularity, loyalty, and choices.” “The story has a freshness and intelligence that puts it at the top of the genre,” asserted a Kirkus Reviews contributor.
Released in 2015, Public Enemies is the second novel in “The Immortal Game” series. In this installment, Edie is trying to figure out how to prevent her boyfriend’s imminent death and protect the family she has left from monstrous forces. “The plot is fast paced and leads to a suspenseful ending that will make readers contemplate if Edie’s story is truly done yet,” remarked Voice of Youth Advocates reviewer Nina Michael. “The monsters provide most of the book’s charm, with nicely original twists on mythological beings making up the pantheon,” asserted a Kirkus Reviews contributor.
Departing from her usual genres, Aguirre is also the author of the stand- alone romance novel The Queen of Bright and Shiny Things, which was published in 2015. It focuses on the love story between two teens with tormented pasts: Sage, who lives with her aunt after a terrible incident, and Shane, who lives in a trailer his dad bought for him after his mother’s death.
“This could be a tale of heartbreak but instead the tone is one of learning to accept life as it comes,” remarked Voice of Youth Advocates reviewer Pam Carlson. A Kirkus Reviews contributor felt that “although it touches on serious issues, the melodramatic plot isn’t helped by wooden dialogue and stilted prose.” On the other hand, a Publishers Weekly contributor had a totally positive response to the novel, noting that the author “offers a satisfying romance while eloquently conveying a message about facing the truth and not giving up.”
Aguirre coauthored Honor among Thieves with Rachel Caine. Petty criminal Zara Cole joins the elite, superhuman Honors to explore space while on the run from the law. She falls into the rhythm of life aboard the ship only to be blown away by the reality of her mission. A Publishers Weekly contributor claimed that “keenly wrought characters, imaginative world building, and an inventive plot engage and gratify.” Writing in Voice of Youth Advocates, Kelsey Arender insisted that “Zara and Beatriz are strong female leads who complement each other very well.” Arender called the novel “a breath of fresh air to the YA community.” Booklist contributor Cindy Welch noticed that several “culturally specific references seem forced, but the bond between the humans and alien is delicately built.”
Aguirre published the young adult novel Like Never and Always in 2018. Best friends Morgan and Liv somehow switch bodies after a car accident. This new perspective leaves Liv wondering how she will manage to cope with all of the secrets Morgan kept from her. A contributor to Kirkus Reviews opined that “the book offers a compelling twist on the body-swap trope, but this still doesn’t quite elevate an otherwise standard thriller.” A Publishers Weekly contributor mentioned that “Liv’s fearful and emotional reactions to her predicament ring true.”
Aguirre published the novel Nightfall under the joint pseudonym Ellen Connor, of which she shares with Carrie Lofty. As the Change threatens to alter society forever, the destruction of technology pushes people further west to escape it. Nobody knows what it is or how to stop it, and rumors only fuel the chaos as civilization hangs on the brink. Mysterious ex-Marine Mason does know what to expect. He takes Jenna to a remote location away from the chaos that will ensue in the cities at the wishes of her father, a scientist who was working to prevent it. When things start to get bad and a group of strangers appear at Mason’s secret cabin, they must learn to trust their instincts and each other.
A contributor to the Yummy Men and Kick Ass Chicks website suggested that “if you are looking for an explosive romance story, you may be a tinge disappointed. But if you are looking for an action-filled tale with crazy creepy elements and a strong survivor story, definitely check this one out. The story is interesting and the voice of the writers is great. It just wasn’t quite my cup of tea.” A contributor to the Dear Author website admitted that “while I did roll my eyes quite a bit, I kept picking it up to see what would happen next. I feel I should give the authors credit for showing people struggling to fight in an apocalypse, rather than taking the easy way out and showing it a few years later. The story itself was fairly fast paced and full of action. If you are looking for apocalypse romance, this is a very good place to start. I just wish I had connected with the characters, the writing, or the world more than I did.” A contributor to the All Things Urban Fantasy website noted that “some of the supporting characters grate at times and I do wish the sudden introduction of magic into our world had been explained more, but the two leads were perfectly matched and their love story was exciting.”
Midnight is the next novel in the series. Dr. Chris Welsh is lost in the postapocalyptic wasteland until he encounters the societal safe haven of Valle de Bravo. Leader Rosa Cortez is wary of him but acknowledges an attraction to him as well. A contributor to the Fiction Vixen website admitted: “I loved most everything about this book, but I had a few irritants that I was not able to easily brush aside. Mostly it centered on Rosa and her refusal to bend in certain cases.” The same reviewer confessed: “I’m really excited to see where the author will take us in the next book. I can’t wait to see how much time will have passed and how far the survivors will have progressed. I have high expectations.”
Again writing as Connor, Aguirre published Daybreak in 2012. Twelve years after the Change, Penelope Sheehan continues to use magic to help people. An encounter with shapeshifter Tru, though, changes her approach to life. A contributor to the Parajunkee blog recorded: “I hate talking bad about this book, because I adored the first two books in this series. But, I just did not connect with Tru and Pen at all.”
Under the joint pseudonym A.A. Aguirre, she coauthored Silver Mirrors with her husband, Andres Aguirre. Inspectors Janus Mikani and Celeste Ritsuko investigate the magical disruption of life’s fabric after an ancient ritual is interrupted. A Publishers Weekly contributor claimed that “the solid mix of police procedural and magical adventure will satisfy urban fantasy fans.” A contributor to the Vampire Book Club mentioned that “Silver Mirrors was a bit uneven. It took me longer than I would have liked to make it through the middle of this book, but not enough to keep me from finishing, and definitely not enough to keep me from telling everyone and their uncle to read it.” A contributor to the Reading Reality website shared: “I enjoyed Silver Mirrors, but not nearly as much as Bronze Gods. There may have been one too many plots upon plots in the political aspects of the story.”
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Booklist, November 1, 2012, Krista Hutley, review of Outpost, p. 67; August 1, 2014, Frances Bradburn, review of Mortal Danger, p. 69; June 1, 2017, Krista Hutley, review of Vanguard, p. 98; November 1, 2017, Cindy Welch, review of Honor among Thieves, p. 46.
Guardian (London, England), July 1, 2015, review of The Queen of Bright and Shiny Things.
Kirkus Reviews, March 1, 2011, review of Enclave; August 15, 2012, review of Outpost; July 1, 2014, review of Mortal Danger; February 1, 2015, review of The Queen of Bright and Shiny Things; June 1, 2015, review of Public Enemies; May 15, 2018, review of Like Never and Always.
Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, August 1, 2009, Charles De Lint, review of Blue Diablo, p. 37.
Publishers Weekly, February 22, 2010, review of Hell Fire, p. 51; February 7, 2011, review of Enclave, p. 58; February 28, 2011, review of Shady Lady, p. 39; July 16, 2012, review of Endgame, p. 152; July 22, 2013, review of Perdition: The Dred Chronicles, p. 48; March 10, 2014, review of Silver Mirrors, p. 46; July 14, 2014, review of Havoc, p. 55; February 2, 2015, review of The Queen of Bright and Shiny Things, p. 61; December 4, 2017, review of Honor among Thieves, p. 62; May 14, 2018, review of Like Never and Always, p. 58.
School Library Journal, June 1, 2014, Sunnie Lovelace, review of Mortal Danger, p. 113; February 1, 2015, Sarah Wethern, review of The Queen of Bright and Shiny Things, p. 96; June 1, 2015, Kerry Sutherland, review of Public Enemies, p. 119; June 1, 2017, Leah Krippner, review of Vanguard, p. 103.
Voice of Youth Advocates, August 1, 2010, Rachelle Bilz, review of Hell Fire, p. 259; October 1, 2012, Jenifer Rosentein, review of Outpost, p. 370; August 1, 2014, review of Mortal Danger, p. 76; April 1, 2015, Pam Carlson, review of The Queen of Bright and Shiny Things, p. 52; August 1, 2015, Nina Michael, review of Public Enemies, p. 73; August 1, 2017, Meghann Meeusen, review of Vanguard, p. 68; December 1, 2017, Kelsey Arender, review of Honor among Thieves, p. 64.
ONLINE
All Things Urban Fantasy, http://allthingsuf.com/ (May 27, 2011), review of Nightfall.
Ann Aguirre website, http://www.annaguirre.com (August 17, 2018).
Dear Author, https://dearauthor.com/ (June 9, 2011), review of Nightfall.
Fiction Vixen, http://fictionvixen.com/ (October 4, 2011), review of Midnight.
Parajunkee, http://www.parajunkee.com/ (August 6, 2012), review of Daybreak.
Reading Reality, https://www.readingreality.net/ (June 3, 2014), review of Silver Mirrors.
Tor.com, http://www.tor.com/ (August 13, 2014), Kat Kennedy, review of Mortal Danger.
USA Today Online, http://happyeverafter.usatoday.com/ (November 24, 2014), author interview.
Vampire Book Club, http://vampirebookclub.net/ (May 16, 2014), review of Silver Mirrors.
Yummy Men and Kick Ass Chicks, http://yummymenandkickasschicks.com/ (June 14, 2011), review of Nightfall.
A A Aguirre
A pseudonym used by Andres Aguirre, Ann Aguirre
A.A. Aguirre is the pseudonym for Ann & Andres Aguirre, a husband-wife writing team. She specializes in compelling characters; he excels at meticulous worldbuilding. By day, she's a bestselling novelist, and he is a pharmaceuticals tycoon.
Born in Mexico, Andres spent his early years traveling and getting in trouble everywhere else. Along the way, he got a degree from Pepperdine in economics and international business. Ann was born in the Midwest and has a degree in English Literature from Ball State.
Now settled, if not fully domesticated, Andres lives with his love, Ann, their fantastic kids, two whiny cats, and a wistful dog.
Together, they form Megatron. Or not. Actually, they write books.
Series
Apparatus Infernum
1. Bronze Gods (2013)
2. Silver Mirrors (2014)
Ellen Connor
A pseudonym used by Ann Aguirre, Carrie Lofty
Ellen Connor Is a collaborative writing team comprised of Ann Aguirre and Carrie Lofty.
Series
Dark Age Dawning
1. Nightfall (2011)
2. Midnight (2011)
3. Daybreak (2011)
Ann Aguirre
(b.1970)
aka A A Aguirre, Ellen Connor, Ava Gray
Ann Aguirre is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling author with a degree in English Literature; before she began writing full time, she was a clown, a clerk, a voice actress, and a savior of stray kittens, not necessarily in that order. She grew up in a yellow house across from a cornfield, but now she lives in sunny Mexico with her husband, children, and various pets. She likes all kinds of books, emo music, action movies and Doctor Who. She writes all kind of fiction in multiple genres, both YA and for adults.
New Books
July 2018
(hardback)
Like Never and Always
August 2018
(paperback)
Vanguard
(Razorland, book 4)
January 2019
(paperback)
Honor Among Thieves
(Honors, book 1)
February 2019
(hardback)
Honor Bound
(Honors, book 2)
Series
Sirantha Jax
1. Grimspace (2008)
2. Wanderlust (2008)
3. Doubleblind (2009)
4. Killbox (2010)
5. Aftermath (2011)
6. Endgame (2012)
Corine Solomon
1. Blue Diablo (2009)
2. Hell Fire (2010)
3. Shady Lady (2011)
3.5. Forbidden Fruit (2013)
4. Devil's Punch (2012)
5. Agave Kiss (2013)
Razorland
0.5. Foundation (2012)
1. Enclave (2011)
1.5. Endurance (2012)
2. Outpost (2012)
3. Horde (2013)
4. Vanguard (2017)
The Razorland Trilogy (omnibus) (2014)
Dred Chronicles
1. Perdition (2013)
2. Havoc (2014)
3. Breakout (2015)
Immortal Game
1. Mortal Danger (2014)
2. Public Enemies (2015)
3. Infinite Risk (2016)
Mortal Danger, Chapters 1-5 (2014)
I Want it That Way
1. I Want it That Way (2014)
2. As Long As You Love Me (2014)
3. The Shape of My Heart (2014)
Ars Numina
1. The Leopard King (2016)
2. The Demon Prince (2017)
3. The Wolf Lord (2018)
Honors (with Rachel Caine)
1. Honor Among Thieves (2018)
2. Honor Bound (2019)
Novels
Stone Maiden (2009)
The Queen of Bright and Shiny Things (2015)
Like Never and Always (2018)
Omnibus
Modified: Cyborgs, Mutants, and Dystopia (2012) (with Gennifer Albin, Katherine Applegate, Leigh Bardugo, Michael Grant, Lish McBride, Marissa Meyer and Gabrielle Zevin)
Collections
Nothing But Red (2008) (with Mechele Armstrong)
'Til The World Ends (2013) (with Karen Duvall and Julie Kagawa)
Kisses and Curses (2015) (with Gennifer Albin, Anna Banks, Leigh Bardugo, Jessica Brody, Lauren Burniac, Katie Finn, Nikki Kelly, Emmy Laybourne, Lish McBride, Jennifer Mathieu, Marissa Meyer, Caragh M O'Brien and Marie R)
Novellas
Thistle & Thorne (2013)
Ann Aguirre is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling author with a degree in English Literature; before she began writing full time, she was a clown, a clerk, a voice actress, and a savior of stray kittens, not necessarily in that order. She grew up in a yellow house across from a cornfield, but now she lives in sunny Mexico with her husband, children, and various pets. She likes books, emo music, and action movies. She writes all kinds of genre fiction for adults and teens.
Ann Aguirre
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Ann Aguirre
Born
August 27, 1970
United States
Pen name
Ellen Connor, Ava Gray
Occupation
Novelist
Nationality
American
Genre
Urban fantasy, Romantic science fiction, Young adult fiction
Notable awards
RITA Award, Top 10 Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers, YALSA Best of 2011
Spouse
Andres Aguirre
Website
www.annaguirre.com
Ann Aguirre is an American author of speculative fiction. She writes urban fantasy, romantic science fiction, apocalyptic paranormal romance (with co-author Carrie Lofty as Ellen Connor),[1] paranormal romantic suspense (as Ava Gray), and post-apocalyptic dystopian young adult fiction.
Contents
1
Personal life
2
Bibliography
2.1
Sirantha Jax Series
2.2
Corine Solomon Series
2.3
Razorland Trilogy
2.4
The Skin Series
2.5
Dark Age Dawning Series
2.6
Dread Queen Series
2.7
Apparatus Infernum
2.8
The Immortal Game Trilogy
2.9
The Honors series
2.10
Other novels
2.11
Anthologies
2.12
Short fiction
3
References
4
External links
Personal life[edit]
Aguirre has a degree in English literature and lives in Mexico with her husband and children.[2][citation needed]
Bibliography[edit]
Sirantha Jax Series[edit]
Science fiction
Grimspace (2008, ISBN 978-0-441-01599-3)
Wanderlust (2008, ISBN 978-0-441-01627-3)
Doubleblind (2009, ISBN 978-0-441-01781-2)
Killbox (2010, ISBN 978-0-441-01941-0)
Aftermath (2011, ISBN 978-0-441-02078-2)
Endgame (2012, ISBN 978-1937007744)
Corine Solomon Series[edit]
Urban fantasy
Blue Diablo (2009, ISBN 978-0-451-46264-0)
Hell Fire (2010, ISBN 978-0-451-46324-1)
Shady Lady (2011, ISBN 978-0-451-46325-8)
Devil's Punch (2012, ISBN 978-0451464491)
Agave Kiss (March 2013)
Razorland Trilogy[edit]
Young-adult fiction
Enclave (2011, ISBN 978-0-312-65008-7)
Outpost (September 4, 2012, ISBN 978-0312650094)
Horde (September 2013, ISBN 978-1250024633)
Vanguard (July 25, 2017 ISBN 9781250089823)
The Skin Series[edit]
Paranormal romantic suspense as Ava Gray
Skin Game (2009, ISBN 978-0-425-23153-1)
Skin Tight (2010, ISBN 978-0-425-23516-4)
Skin Heat (2011, ISBN 978-0-425-23920-9)
Skin Dive (2011, ISBN 978-0-425-24214-8)
Dark Age Dawning Series[edit]
Apocalyptic romance with Carrie Lofty as Ellen Connor
Nightfall (2011, ISBN 978-0-425-24169-1)
Midnight (2011, ISBN 978-0-425-24299-5)
Daybreak (2011, ISBN 978-0-425-24340-4)
Dread Queen Series[edit]
Perdition (September 2013)
Havoc (2014)
Breakout (2015)
Apparatus Infernum[edit]
Steampunk noir as A.A. Aguirre, with Andres Aguirre
Bronze Gods (May 2013)
Silver Mirrors (May 2014)
The Immortal Game Trilogy[edit]
Paranormal YA
Mortal Danger (2014, ISBN 978-1-250-02464-0)
Public Enemies (2015)
Infinite Risk (2016)
The Honors series[edit]
Honor Among Thieves (February 13, 2018, Katherine Tegen Books, ISBN 978-0062570994, with Rachel Caine
Other novels[edit]
Stone Maiden (2009, BoD and Free PDF Download under Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License)
Anthologies[edit]
Primal (2011, ISBN 978-0425239056) As Ava Gray with Lora Leigh, Michelle Rowen and Jory Strong
'Til the World Ends (2013, ISBN 978-0373803491) With Julie Kagawa and Karen Duvall
Fierce Reads: Kisses and Curses (2015, ISBN 9781250060532) ed. Lauren Burniac
Short fiction[edit]
Circle Unbroken (2009)
Princes of Dominion (2010)
Skin & Bone (2011)
Wild Magic (2011)
Endurance (2012)
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Ann Aguirre has been a clown, a clerk, a savior of stray kittens, and a voice actress, not necessarily in that order. She grew up in a yellow house across from a cornfield, but now she lives in Mexico with her husband and children. She writes all manner of genre fiction for adults and teens.
Ann Aguirre has been a clown, a clerk, a savior of stray kittens, and a voice actress, not necessarily in that order. She grew up in a yellow house across from a cornfield, but she now lives in a terracotta adobe house in Mexico with her husband and two adorable children. The post-apocalyptic novel Enclave is her first book for young adults. She also writes the romantic science fiction series about Sirantha Jax, starting with Grimspace, as well as urban fantasy and paranormal romance. As Ava Gray, she writes paranormal romantic suspense.
Rita Award Winner
Aguirre, Ann: LIKE NEVER AND ALWAYS
Kirkus Reviews. (May 15, 2018):
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2018 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Full Text:
Aguirre, Ann LIKE NEVER AND ALWAYS Tor Teen (Young Adult Fiction) $17.99 7, 17 ISBN: 978-0-7653-9758-4
A teen swaps bodies with her best friend after a fatal car crash, but with a twist.
Rich, stylish, high school senior Morgan Frost and her best friend, whip-smart junior Olivia Burnham, have bright futures ahead of them until Olivia is killed in a car crash. She is survived by Morgan and the girls' boyfriends, brothers Clay and Nathan Claymore. Well...not so fast. Olivia is alive, but she's trapped inside Morgan's long-legged body instead of her own petite frame. Horrified, she tries to get a handle on Morgan's privileged life, eventually turning up sordid secrets, including her friend's affair with a much older, and very creepy, politician and disturbing details surrounding the death of Morgan's mother 10 years ago. Olivia, who narrates, deep dives into the darkness that lurked underneath Morgan's picture-perfect exterior, putting herself in danger in the process. Olivia's struggle to avoid losing herself as she's forced to live Morgan's very different life is realistically rendered, and Aguirre (The Wolf Lord, 2018, etc.) builds considerable suspense, but the abrupt payoff after so much time spent digging into Morgan's mother's suspicious death is disappointing. While the main characters are white, diversity can be found in Morgan's multiethnic group of artistic friends.
The book offers a compelling twist on the body-swap trope, but this still doesn't quite elevate an otherwise standard thriller. (Romantic thriller. 14-18)
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Aguirre, Ann: LIKE NEVER AND ALWAYS." Kirkus Reviews, 15 May 2018. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A538293960/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=9f15e2f7. Accessed 10 Aug. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A538293960
Like Never and Always
Publishers Weekly. 265.20 (May 14, 2018): p58.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2018 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text:
Like Never and Always
Ann Aguirre. TorTeen, $17.99 (336p) ISBN 978-0-7653-9758-4
High school junior Olivia "Liv" Burnham is out for a night of fun with her best friend Morgan in Renton, Ga., when a car accident changes everything. Liv wakes up hospitalized and in Morgan's body, her own body long since buried. Living Morgan's life appears to be the only way to stay out of a psychiatric unit, yet Liv quickly realizes just how much Morgan kept secret--and the dangerous trouble Morgan was courting while trying to investigate her mother's death. Liv seeks out some answers while navigating the complicated particulars of life in a new body with its own memories and history. Liv also feels torn over her feelings for two brothers--one of whom was Liv's boyfriend before the crash, the other Morgan's. This suspenseful science fiction thriller is a fresh take on the standard body-swapping story and comes with a few surprisingly dark twists. Liv's fearful and emotional reactions to her predicament ring true, and it immediately draws the reader into a tender--but conflicted--romance that tugs at the heartstrings. Ages 13-18. Agent: Laura Bradford, Bradford Literary Agency. (July)
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Like Never and Always." Publishers Weekly, 14 May 2018, p. 58. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A539387484/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=4f748acd. Accessed 10 Aug. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A539387484
Honor Among Thieves
Publishers Weekly. 264.49-50 (Dec. 4, 2017): p62+.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2017 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text:
* Honor Among Thieves
Rachel Caine and Ann Aguirre. HarperCollins/Tegen, $17.99 (480p) ISBN 978-0-06-257099-4
In 2042, sentient spaceships called the Leviathan saved Earth from ruin by sharing their technology. In return, humans agreed to provide crew to assist with research and maintenance while imparting their knowledge and culture. A century later, it has become customary for the Leviathan to tap 100 skilled individuals, known as Honors, every 12 months for yearlong deployments. Homeless teenager Zara Cole isn't good at anything but fighting and stealing, so she's shocked when she's selected to tour the stars with a Leviathan named Nadim. The experience proves transformative: the previously hard-bitten Zara befriends Beatriz Teixeira, the other human on board, and forms an ineffable bond with Nadim. Still, Zara can't shake the feeling that the Leviathan are hiding something. This series opener from Caine (the Great Library series) and Aguirre (the Immortal Game trilogy) is both a thrilling SF novel and a deeply philosophical examination of the nature of love. Keenly wrought characters, imaginative world building, and an inventive plot engage and gratify while urging readers to stay curious, question authority, and fight injustice. Ages 13-up. Agent: (for Caine) Lucienne Diver, Knight Agency,; (for Aguirre) Laura Bradford, Bradford Literary. (Feb.)
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Honor Among Thieves." Publishers Weekly, 4 Dec. 2017, p. 62+. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A518029551/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=00c060f0. Accessed 10 Aug. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A518029551
Cane, Rachel, and Ann Aguirre. Honor Among Thieves
Kelsey Arender
Voice of Youth Advocates. 40.5 (Dec. 2017): p64.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2017 E L Kurdyla Publishing LLC
http://www.voya.com
Full Text:
Cane, Rachel, and Ann Aguirre. Honor Among Thieves. Katherine Tegen/ HarperCollins, February 2018. 480p. $17.99. 978-0-06-257099-4.
4Q * 3P * J * S
Zara Cole lives her life in the Zone constantly looking over her shoulder. She can barely remember the last time she ate or how she will buy her next meal. Enter the Honors program. A prestigious program that chooses one hundred candidates to travel through space with a race of alien ships called Leviathans. Zara is swept from her bleak existence on Earth and placed in a ship named Nadim, with whom she instantly connects. Now she and her new partner, Beatriz, are rocketing through space, uncovering secrets of the universe. Who are the Leviathan? Why do they need humans? Honor Among Thieves is an action-packed novel sure to keep readers waiting impatiently on its sequel.
Honor Among Thieves gives readers a rags-to-riches story. Zaras life in the Zone is gritty and harsh compared to her life on Nadim. There are chapters from Nadim's point of view that add to Zaras narrative. The relationship between Nadim and Zara is very intriguing and slightly confusing. It seems to walk the line between romantic and platonic. The dynamics between Zara, Beatriz, and Nadim, however, are very well developed. The three form a wonderful misfit family. There are plotlines that seem too convenient, but overall these do not affect the pace of the novel. The characters are diverse and complex. Zara and Beatriz are strong female leads who complement each other very well. Honor Among Thieves is a breath of fresh air to the YA community.--Kelsey Arender.
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
Arender, Kelsey. "Cane, Rachel, and Ann Aguirre. Honor Among Thieves." Voice of Youth Advocates, Dec. 2017, p. 64. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A522759450/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=1201204d. Accessed 10 Aug. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A522759450
Honor among Thieves
Cindy Welch
Booklist. 114.5 (Nov. 1, 2017): p46.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2017 American Library Association
http://www.ala.org/aboutala/offices/publishing/booklist/
Full Text:
Honor among Thieves.
By Rachel Caine and Ann Aguirre.
Feb. 2018.480p. HarperCollins/Katherine Tegen, $17.99 (9780062570994); e-book, $17.99 (9780062571014). Gr. 8-11.
Eighteen-year-old, dark-skinned, petty thief Zara Cole inadvertently steals from a major crime boss not known for forgiveness, but, luckily, fate steps in, and she is chosen to be an Honor in the interspecies exchange program between humans and Leviathans. These sentient creature-ships host humans for a year-long space tour with the option of extending indefinitely. Mystery shrouds this program, and as inquisitive Zara, co-Honor Beatriz (a Rio-born musician), and the Leviathan Nadim travel together, its dark side is revealed. Caine and Aguirre create a fresh and fascinating story of interspecies bonding, the power of music, and the effects of trauma on good creatures. A few culturally specific references seem forced, but the bond between the humans and alien is delicately built and inspiring. Nadim (the ship) and Zara share first-person narrative duties, and this is primarily Zara's story with a few intercut chapters from Nadim's perspective. Pair this with Philip Reeve's Railhead (2016), or for a real throwback, bring out Anne McCaffrey's Brain and Brawn Ship series.--Cindy Welch
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
Welch, Cindy. "Honor among Thieves." Booklist, 1 Nov. 2017, p. 46. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A515383049/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=c87d9182. Accessed 10 Aug. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A515383049
Aguirre, Ann. Vanguard: The Razorland Trilogy
Meghann Meeusen
Voice of Youth Advocates. 40.3 (Aug. 2017): p68+.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2017 E L Kurdyla Publishing LLC
http://www.voya.com
Full Text:
4Q * 4P * J * S
Aguirre, Ann. Vanguard: The Razorland Trilogy. Feiwel & Friends/Macmillan, 2017. 368p. $17.99. 978-1-250-08982-3.
Tegan is at a crossroads, unsure which path to take now that she is without her mentor, only ten months after the War of the River. Yet, as she sets out with the kindhearted Millie to reunite with friends forged in battle, she joins with companions old and new, including James Morrow, the storytelling warrior who still feels deeply for her, and Szarok, the mysterious Uroch vanguard who will join their company as he seeks to find a safe haven for his people. Setting sail together, the four companions meet with violence and scandal that eventually pulls them apart, leaving Tegan and Szarok stranded and struggling to survive. Even these diverged paths hold meaning, however, for as the unlikely pair of Tegan and Szarok begin to trust, and even care, for each other, Morrow and Millie also redefine their relationship and the paths that lie ahead of them.
A companion novel to The Razorland Trilogy, Vanguard can be enjoyed as a standalone and will likely spur new readers to the series seek out the trilogy. Filled with romance and adventure, the text explores cultural connection and conflict, combining a touching story of two couples coming together with a swashbuckling saga and desert island survival story. This mix works remarkably well in Aguirre's hands, as she balances and blends in-depth characters with intriguing post-war politics to create a melding of fantasy and dystopia sure to keep readers interested. --Meghann Meeusen.
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
Meeusen, Meghann. "Aguirre, Ann. Vanguard: The Razorland Trilogy." Voice of Youth Advocates, Aug. 2017, p. 68+. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A502000836/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=d0d09f64. Accessed 10 Aug. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A502000836
Vanguard
Krista Hutley
Booklist. 113.19-20 (June 2017): p98.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2017 American Library Association
http://www.ala.org/aboutala/offices/publishing/booklist/
Full Text:
Vanguard. By Ann Aguirre. July 2017. 368p. Feiwel and Friends, $17.99 (9781250089823). Gr. 8-11.
This romance-heavy companion to the Razorland trilogy picks up years after the war between humans and Uroch ended. Most of the now-legendary heroes have settled into peaceful lives, but not all: Tegan's lingering shame keeps her from forging close relationships; Millie hates how her acts during the war now define her life; and Morrow's unrequited love for Tegan prevents him from making future plans. When Tegan signs on as a ship's doctor, Millie and Morrow follow in search of adventure and romance, respectively. Szarok, the Uroch vanguard, follows after Tegan promises to help find a place to build a permanent settlement for his people. The bulk of the wandering plot, loosely directed by Szarok's mission, is devoted to Tegan and Szarok falling in love, though they contend with storms, deserted islands, pirates, and more. Their romance develops with great care, made more fascinating than the typical star-crossed love story by the detail Aguirre puts into the Uroch's nonhuman behavior. Existing fans will appreciate this addition to the series, though it doesn't work as a stand-alone.--Krista Hutley
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
Hutley, Krista. "Vanguard." Booklist, June 2017, p. 98. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A498582841/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=5769bd61. Accessed 10 Aug. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A498582841
Aguirre, Ann. Public Enemies: The Immortal Game, Book 2
Nina Michael
Voice of Youth Advocates. 38.3 (Aug. 2015): p73.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2015 E L Kurdyla Publishing LLC
http://www.voya.com
Full Text:
3Q * 3P * S
Aguirre, Ann. Public Enemies: The Immortal Game, Book 2. Feiwel & Friends/ Macmillan, 2015. 384p. $17.99. 978-1-250-02466-4.
In this vividly imaginative sequel to Mortal Danger (Macmillan, 2014/VOYA August 2014), Edie Kramer is struggling to solve a life-changing puzzle: how can she prevent her boyfriends imminent death and protect what remains of her family from the sick and twisted game in which otherworldly monsters have ensnared them? Edie does not know who to trust, as her loyalties are pulled between the warring creatures and one by one the leaders foot soldiers recruit her for their sides. All Edie knows is that time is ticking and she has six months to reverse the death curse her boyfriend is under while figuring out how to destroy the fear-devouring underworld that suddenly has its sights set on her.
There is a very different focus in Public Enemies that moves away from the school-bullying environment that Edie was so involved with in Mortal Danger. The world-building that creates the dark and suspenseful atmosphere for this story is in full swing, and readers will enjoy the larger glimpses into the underworld. The romance between Edie and Kian is also heating up, and Edie gets the opportunity to act as his guardian, which is a nice change from the first book. The plot is fast paced and leads to a suspenseful ending that will make readers contemplate if Edie's story is truly done yet. Purchase this for readers who loved the first book or who are into highly detailed fantasy with a little bit of blood and guts.--Nina Michael.
Michael, Nina
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
Michael, Nina. "Aguirre, Ann. Public Enemies: The Immortal Game, Book 2." Voice of Youth Advocates, Aug. 2015, p. 73. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A425811477/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=730a04a3. Accessed 10 Aug. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A425811477
Aguirre, Ann: PUBLIC ENEMIES
Kirkus Reviews. (June 1, 2015):
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2015 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Full Text:
Aguirre, Ann PUBLIC ENEMIES Feiwel & Friends (Children's Fiction) $17.99 8, 4 ISBN: 978-1-250-02466-4
This second book in the Immortal Game trilogy picks up right where Mortal Danger (2014) left off. Edie finds herself again entangled with the monstrous forces she encountered previously as she looks for a way to rescue her heartthrob, Kian, from his pledge that he will give up his life to save hers. The monsters provide most of the book's charm, with nicely original twists on mythological beings making up the pantheon. The Harbinger, Edie's adversary/protector, actually comes across as the book's most engaging character, far more so than either Edie or Kian. Readers also meet the almost attractive character of a killer clown, aptly named Buzzkill, and a wonderful smith, Govannon, who forges a magical weapon for Edie. Aguirre expects readers to recall that in this complex plot, Edie has become involved in the immortal game of the series title, defined in the first book but never here. Except for the inventive translation of mythological creatures into the book's monsters, any of which might become enemies or collaborators, the storyline essentially follows the standard formula for paranormal romance. Readers must navigate lengthy, alternating action and romance episodes, including loosely described sexual encounters, before finally returning to the series' main premise: that Edie is trying to escape a Faustian deal and to repair the damage she has done to the world. Nifty monsters, standard plot. (Paranormal romance. 12-18)
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Aguirre, Ann: PUBLIC ENEMIES." Kirkus Reviews, 1 June 2015. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A415493811/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=0a92b867. Accessed 10 Aug. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A415493811
Aguirre, Ann. The Queen of Bright and Shiny Things
Pam Carlson
Voice of Youth Advocates. 38.1 (Apr. 2015): p52.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2015 E L Kurdyla Publishing LLC
http://www.voya.com
Full Text:
4Q * 3P * S
Aguirre, Ann. The Queen of Bright and Shiny Things. Feiwel & Friends/Macmillan, 2015. 336p. $17.99. 978-1-250-04750-2.
Two teens with tortured pasts are irresistibly drawn to each other. Sage lives with her aunt after a horrific incident, an event that is only hinted at through the first three-quarters of the book. Shane lives in a trailer provided by his dad after his mother's death. Dad is then guilt-free to carry on with his long-distance trucking job. No one except Sage realizes that Shane is alone. Shane is not only incredibly handsome, but also a soulful singer/songwriter. Sage's beauty shines through her habit of leaving Post-it notes of encouragement on the lockers of her classmates. When their secrets are revealed as an act of vengeance, the reaction is not what Sage expects. Although Shane is sent to juvie and then a group home for pounding the bully, no one at school blames him. Sage is overwhelmed by the support of friends and fellow students, and her aunt's admission that she loves Sage like a daughter. Sage's compulsion to try to fix things by hounding Shane's father to care for his son reaps a romantic reward. Dad moves back to town and Shane is released, arriving at school just in time to purchase tickets for prom.
This could be a tale of heartbreak but instead the tone is one of learning to accept life as it comes. There is one quick sex scene. Current issues like caring for the environment are gently included with practical projects carried out by the students. Adults are a mixed bag, from caring to careless. They, along with the teens, could be found in any high school along with a Post-it note stating, "It will be all right in the end."--Pam Carlson.
Carlson, Pam
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
Carlson, Pam. "Aguirre, Ann. The Queen of Bright and Shiny Things." Voice of Youth Advocates, Apr. 2015, p. 52. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A409832264/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=b4bf5edc. Accessed 10 Aug. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A409832264
The Queen of Bright and Shiny Things
Publishers Weekly. 262.5 (Feb. 2, 2015): p61+.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2015 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text:
The Queen of Bright and Shiny Things
Ann Aguirre. Feiwel and Friends, $17.99 (336p) ISBN 978-1-250-04750-2
In a departure from her supernatural and postapocalyptic YA fiction, Aguirre (the Razorland trilogy) introduces 16-year-old Sage Czinski, also known as "Princess Post-it" for her habit of leaving encouraging notes on the lockers of classmates having a bad day. What Sage's fellow students don't know is that her upbeat attitude doesn't come easy--it takes conscious effort to push down memories of a harrowing childhood that includes an event too awful to think about or name, even now that she's living safely with her aunt. Absent a best friend after finding out that platonic pal Ryan hasn't been totally honest with her, Sage is intrigued by new student Shane. He has his own difficult past, and Aguirre does an excellent job of showing two wounded teens growing closer. Sage's secret eventually comes out, but when it turns out that she and Shane can survive this and other difficulties, things begin to look surprisingly hopeful. Aguirre offers a satisfying romance while eloquently conveying a message about facing the truth and not giving up on oneself or others. Ages 12up. Agent: Laura Bradford, Bradford Literary Agency. (Apr.)
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"The Queen of Bright and Shiny Things." Publishers Weekly, 2 Feb. 2015, p. 61+. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A401094170/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=5f51acff. Accessed 10 Aug. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A401094170
Aguirre, Ann: THE QUEEN OF BRIGHT AND SHINY THINGS
Kirkus Reviews. (Feb. 1, 2015):
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2015 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Full Text:
Aguirre, Ann THE QUEEN OF BRIGHT AND SHINY THINGS Feiwel & Friends (Children's Fiction) $17.99 4, 7 ISBN: 978-1-250-04750-2
Sage is known around school as Princess Post-it for her efforts to cheer others up by sticking anonymous compliments on their lockers.Sage, 16, lives with her aunt in the small Illinois town of Farmburg. She maintains a picture-perfect facade to keep "Shadow Sage" at bay--anger from her mysterious former life that sometimes threatens to overwhelm her. Shane is a good-looking, guitar-playing new kid in school who's bullied by football star Dylan. Sage takes Shane under her do-gooder wing when she discovers that he lives alone in a trailer on the outskirts of town. In trying to fix Shane's life, Sage falls in love with him. Meanwhile, Sage's best friend, Ryan, admits that he's been using her as cover while sleeping with a 21-year-old who thinks he's 19. Family secrets are part of most of the characters' lives, but Sage's tragic back story, when it's finally revealed, trumps them all. Stumbling through soap opera-like teen romance on her way to happily ever after, Sage's rambling narrative veers into a Wild West-style showdown with Dylan when he tries to intimidate her: "Once he has some bullets for his figurative gun, I'm going down," which Shadow Sage can't let happen. Although it touches on serious issues, the melodramatic plot isn't helped by wooden dialogue and stilted prose. This one's strictly for fans of lightweight romance. (Fiction. 12--16)
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Aguirre, Ann: THE QUEEN OF BRIGHT AND SHINY THINGS." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Feb. 2015. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A399321940/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=f594d7cc. Accessed 10 Aug. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A399321940
Mortal Danger
Frances Bradburn
Booklist. 110.22 (Aug. 1, 2014): p69.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2014 American Library Association
http://www.ala.org/aboutala/offices/publishing/booklist/
Full Text:
Mortal Danger. By Ann Aguirre. Aug. 2014. 384p. Feiwel and Friends, $17.99 (9781250024640). Gr. 9-12.
Edie Kramer, a senior at Boston's exclusive Blackbriar Academy, is homely, brilliant, and bullied by the Teflon crew. So defeated that she's ready to propel herself off a bridge, Edie is rescued by handsome Kian, who saves her life by offering her three favors. Yes, it is the classic three-wishes convention with a twist: she must also return three favors. Suspicious, she still accepts, choosing a more perfect model of herself as her first wish. Her second: use her beauty to pay back the bullies. Thus the stage is set for a complicated paranormal novel that explores the mind's power to conjure our worst fears while also exploring the power, destruction, and sad private lives of the bullies themselves. If that is not enough, Edie and Kian are pitted against two organizations vying for world domination. Both use variations of evil folklore archetypes to carry out their terrors. Aguirre has crafted a sophisticated novel that combines science, horror, and romance amid the realities of high-school cultures. Readers will eagerly anticipate sequels to this frightening, exciting, and erudite celebration of smart teens.--Frances Bradburn
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
Bradburn, Frances. "Mortal Danger." Booklist, 1 Aug. 2014, p. 69. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A379569498/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=0c06191f. Accessed 10 Aug. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A379569498
Aguirre, Ann. Mortal Danger: The Immortal Game, Book 1
Lucy Schall
Voice of Youth Advocates. 37.3 (Aug. 2014): p76.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2014 E L Kurdyla Publishing LLC
http://www.voya.com
Full Text:
4Q * 4P * J * S
Aguirre, Ann. Mortal Danger: The Immortal Game, Book 1. Feiwel & Friends/Macmillan, 2014. 384p. $17.99. 978-1-250-02464-0.
In this first volume of the series, homely and socially awkward seventeen-year-old Edie Kramer is driven to suicide by the cruelty of her high school's beautiful people--"Teflon crowd"--but is saved through a Faustian deal with Kian, a handsome, sensitive young man who physically transforms her, builds her confidence, and promises her revenge. The new Edie witnesses her enemies' horrific destruction, discovers their insecurities and humanity, comes to regret her revenge, and finds that she has entered a demonic world out of her control. She uses her last wish to save the self-sacrificing Kian, with whom she has fallen in love, even though that decision places her at the mercy of the evil Wedderburn, head of the demon corporation, who wishes to capitalize on her parents' time-travel research and Edie's ability to complete it.
Packed with slimy legendary demons and centered on a teenage society coming of age in a whirlwind of bullying and love, this story is a supernatural Hate List (Little, Brown, 2009/VOYA December 2009) that warns against valuing appearance, money, and in-group status over friendship and love. The soap opera feel, as well as the angstfilled Kian, holds high appeal for teen girls. The beautiful and ugly, and the in- and outgroup demons, offer multiple plot lines and surprises. This will be a popular, fun, and fast-read series that can encourage discussion about true beauty, friendship, popularity, loyalty, and choices.--Lucy Schall.
Schall, Lucy
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
Schall, Lucy. "Aguirre, Ann. Mortal Danger: The Immortal Game, Book 1." Voice of Youth Advocates, Aug. 2014, p. 76. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A378680567/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=4e4066f2. Accessed 10 Aug. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A378680567
Havoc
Publishers Weekly. 261.28 (July 14, 2014): p55.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2014 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text:
Havoc
Ann Aguirre. Ace, $7.99 mass market (320p) ISBN 978-0-425-25812-5
This fast-paced space adventure is a worthy sequel to 2013's Perdition. The Conglomerate uses the mothballed starship Perdition as an oubliette, consigning criminals, monsters, and the inconvenient to lifelong imprisonment there and avoiding the inconvenience and messiness of executions. When the Conglomerate finds a new use for Perdition--one that requires it to be uninhabited--heavily armed and armored mercenaries begin a deadly sweep through the ship. They are led by Vost, a man as desperate as any of Perdition's prisoners. Gang leader Dresdemona "Dred" Devos is determined to lead her people to safety, but her mob of killers, madmen, and discarded victims is woefully under-equipped, and some of them may pose a greater threat to her than Vost's soldiers. Dred's efforts to save her followers and herself may lead only to a new and equally desperate situation. Some of Aguirre's characters are simply monstrous, but most have intriguing, complex histories and motives, and she brings them together for a raucous tale of grit and gumption. (Sept.)
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Havoc." Publishers Weekly, 14 July 2014, p. 55. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A375948402/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=fffe6d0f. Accessed 10 Aug. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A375948402
Aguirre, Ann: MORTAL DANGER
Kirkus Reviews. (July 1, 2014):
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2014 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Full Text:
Aguirre, Ann MORTAL DANGER Feiwel & Friends (Children's Fiction) $17.99 8, 5 ISBN: 978-1-250-02464-0
A girl makes a deal with the devil--or something awfully similar--in this Faustian suspense tale.Seventeen-year-old Edie, the unattractive, nerdy daughter of brilliant physicists and the constant victim of popular bullies in her private high school, finally decides to commit suicide to escape her tormentors. An amazingly handsome young man named Kian stops her and offers her a deal: She will receive three favors over five years if she agrees to stay alive and later provide three favors to his employer. She takes the deal and asks first for beauty. Kian molds her face and body until she is truly beautiful. When she returns to her high school seeking revenge, however, Edie watches in horror as her former tormentors begin to suffer horribly. Meanwhile, a ghastly trio of ghosts threatens her, and she begins to understand that she has become a pawn in a supernatural game. She"s also fallen hard for Kian, but she can"t be sure he isn"t merely doing the bidding of his awful employer. Aguirre has confidence in her audience, never dumbing down her prose while always keeping her readers guessing. Edie makes an impressive heroine as she not only fights the increasingly dreadful baddies, but matures as a person, lifting the book beyond easy thrills. The story has a freshness and intelligence that puts it at the top of the genre.A standout trilogy opener. (Horror. 12-18)
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Aguirre, Ann: MORTAL DANGER." Kirkus Reviews, 1 July 2014. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A373030262/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=679534ac. Accessed 10 Aug. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A373030262
Silver Mirrors
Publishers Weekly. 261.10 (Mar. 10, 2014): p46+.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2014 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text:
Silver Mirrors
A.A. Aguirre. Ace, $7.99 mass market (336p) ISBN 978-0-425-25820-0
Janus Mikani and Celeste Ritsuko, inspectors from the Criminal Investigation Division of a fantastical alternate Britain, managed to survive their last case (as detailed in Bronze Gods), but the cost is a plague of elementals run amok. As a mastermind hides in plain sight, possessed machines rampage, and pirates form a grand alliance, Ritsuko and Mikani unravel a conspiracy of silence, a dreadful secret underpinning the economy, and an unforgivable crime whose victims may claim the lives of every human in recompense. Spouses Ann and Andre Aguirre don't hesitate to introduce elements whose resolution forces dramatic, irreversible changes on both the setting and the two protagonists. The story catapults the leads toward unexpected existential threats, requiring them to come to terms with shifts in their own relationship before it is too late. The solid mix of police procedural and magical adventure will satisfy urban fantasy fans. (May)
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Silver Mirrors." Publishers Weekly, 10 Mar. 2014, p. 46+. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A361944255/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=83eefb37. Accessed 10 Aug. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A361944255
Aguirre, Ann. Vanguard
Leah Krippner
School Library Journal. 63.6 (June 1, 2017): p103+.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2017 Library Journals, LLC. A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/
Full Text:
AGUIRRE, Ann. Vanguard. 368p. (Razorland: Bk. 4). Feiwel & Friends. Jul. 2017. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9781250089823. POP
Gr 7 Up--This fourth volume in the post-apocalyptic dystopian series continues Tegan's story. She has completed her apprenticeship as a healer and is eager to take her valued skills on the road. Szorak, the vanguard of the subterranean Uroch people, has booked passage on the same ship as Tegan, hoping to locate a safe new homeland for his kin. Tegan and Szorak are fast friends, but humans have not forgotten the war with the Uroch, and when a human is killed, all eyes turn to the hairless, clawed Szorak, and he is tossed overboard. Without hesitation, Tegan dives in to save him, and the two end up in an abandoned colony, where the bond between them quickly escalates to romance. Although this installment can stand alone, followers of the series will have an easier entry into the speculative world and will welcome the reintroduction of familiar characters. Those new to the books will be delighted with the fantasy-style details and sophisticated writing. The novel does occasionally include mildly gratuitous language, but sex is described so discreetly that less mature readers may miss it altogether. VERDICT A required purchase wherever the previous entries circulate well; this addition alone may reawaken a surge of popularity in the series.--Leah Krippner, Harlem High School, Machesney Park, IL
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
Krippner, Leah. "Aguirre, Ann. Vanguard." School Library Journal, 1 June 2017, p. 103+. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A493916108/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=e065621b. Accessed 10 Aug. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A493916108
Aguirre, Ann. Public Enemies
Kerry Sutherland
School Library Journal. 61.6 (June 2015): p119.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2015 Library Journals, LLC. A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/
Full Text:
AGUIRRE, Ann. Public Enemies. 384p. (Immortal Game Trilogy: Bk. 2). ebook available. Feiwel & Friends. Aug. 2015. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9781250024664.
Gr 9 Up--Following Mortal Danger (Feiwel & Friends, 2014), this volume moves as fast as the first, jumping right into action as Edie attempts to beat the Harbinger at his own game in order to save Kian's life. She knows she is in too deep for her own safety, but she is past any sense of disbelief at the horrific revelations she continues to encounter, as well as any concern for herself. The legendary beasts, gods, and urban legends, including a sadistic killer clown, make for a busy battle schedule for the formerly bullied teen that is as creative as it is violent, without a dull moment. As Edie obsesses over saving Kian, her new enemies focus on others she loves, creating heartbreak that takes her original desire for power and revenge to heights that threaten her humanity, just as she accepts a weapon that offers spectacular power to destroy any and all who stand in her way. This work should particularly appeal to fans of Ilsa Bick's "The Dark Passages" series (Egmont USA) and Mary Weber's "The Storm Siren" trilogy (Thomas Nelson). VERDICT This engaging nightmare will make even mature horror readers check under the bed at night.--Kerry Sutherland, Akron-Summit County Public Library, OH
Sutherland, Kerry
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
Sutherland, Kerry. "Aguirre, Ann. Public Enemies." School Library Journal, June 2015, p. 119. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A417472790/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=30407d39. Accessed 10 Aug. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A417472790
Aguirre, Ann. The Queen of Bright and Shiny Things
Sarah Wethern
School Library Journal. 61.2 (Feb. 2015): p96.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2015 Library Journals, LLC. A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/
Full Text:
AGUIRRE, Ann. The Queen of Bright and Shiny Things. 320p. ebook available. Feiwel & Friends. Apr. 2015. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9781250047502.
Gr 8 Up--Sage Czinski just wants to do her time in high school. Though not popular, she is not relegated to burner status either. Her calling card is leaving positive Post-it notes on her classmates' lockers, earning the nickname "Princess Post-it." She used to have a crush on her best friend Ryan, but otherwise has never really fallen for any guy--until Shane Cavendish arrives at her small-town Illinois school. He plays guitar, has dreamy eyes, and lets Sage meddle in his life, despite his hardened surface. Sage knows that he is hiding something, but then, so is she, and she is afraid to let him know the real girl behind her upbeat facade. Aguirre's first stand-alone novel has a slow-building story line, more focused on character development than external action. The reveal of the secret that the protagonist hides so closely from Shane and her friends will feel anticlimactic to readers. Though she claims to be holding back an angry and reckless girl, Sage's actions rarely suggest that. Additionally, the author fills the narrative with minute details of Sage's life, slowing the pace considerably. "Good girl" and "bad boy" falling for each other has been done time and time again and while this work does not put a new spin on the trope, Sage's positive nature is a hidden gem in this pleasant tale. VERDICT For teens who can't get enough of YA romance.--Sarah Wethern, Douglas County Library, Alexandria, MN
Wethern, Sarah
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
Wethern, Sarah. "Aguirre, Ann. The Queen of Bright and Shiny Things." School Library Journal, Feb. 2015, p. 96. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A399887035/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=7e3d007c. Accessed 10 Aug. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A399887035
Aguirre, Ann. Mortal Danger
Sunnie Lovelace
School Library Journal. 60.6 (June 2014): p113.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2014 Library Journals, LLC. A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/
Full Text:
AGUIRRE, Ann. Mortal Danger. 384p. (Immortal Game Trilogy). Feiwel & Friends. Aug. 2014. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9781250024640.
Gr 7 Up--High school sophomore Edie Kramer has decided to end her life on a bridge in New York City. Just as she's about to jump, stunning Kian appears and offers her an alternative--his "company" will offer her three favors now, in exchange for three favors later. After accepting his offer, Edie unwittingly becomes a player in a deadly game. Her first wish to he beautiful is granted, and the teen sets off on a quest for revenge on the prep school bullies who have made her life unbearable. However, she soon realizes that the company she's now indebted to will do anything to manipulate the future, ensuring that Edie will give them what they want later. In fact, these immortals have already been to the future via a physics breakthrough the heroine discovers in her adulthood. Meanwhile, another group of immortals is dead set against Edie ever making it alive that far in time, and any number of alternate futures may occur based on how she reacts to their mental and physical attacks. Despite an interesting premise, Mortal Danger falls prey to the danger of predictable plot points. Readers will not be surprised when the devilish nature of Kian's "company" is revealed, nor with Edie's growing romantic feelings for him. The heroine has the expected reaction to her newfound beauty and its effect on her classmates. Despite some stirring vignettes, the jumps in the time line are awkward and the dialogue is uneven. For teens with a penchant for fantasy/horror mash-ups.--Sunnie Lovelace, Wallingford Public Library, CT
Lovelace, Sunnie
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
Lovelace, Sunnie. "Aguirre, Ann. Mortal Danger." School Library Journal, June 2014, p. 113. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A370319545/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=42c05491. Accessed 10 Aug. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A370319545
Review: Midnight by Ellen Connor
October 4, 2011
I said it before in my review of Nightfall and I’ll say it again. The world in this series is awesome. It is gritty and intense, and the setting is so easy to picture. The descriptions don’t overwhelm the narrative, but the author paints an extremely clear picture of the world three years after it all went to hell.
After losing Angela in the last book, Chris just couldn’t stay. He’s been on the move almost constantly for the last three years. A professional wanderer, you might say. He won’t let himself grow roots only to eventually see them ripped away, and he fears that is inevitable in this new world. He’s very different from the guy we first met in Nightfall. He’s become hardened, but not so much that he’s unable to connect with Rosa. Before he seemed very Beta. While he still has some shades of that, he has a much more forceful personality now. He is confident and self assured, but has no urge to take control of the situation and lead. He is content to be the follower and Rosa the leader. For the most part, at least.
Rosa was quite unexpected. Given her position, the author walked a fine line between making Rosa too hard to sympathize with and too weak to be believable. I think she hit the mark dead on. She was compassionate and loved the life she had built, but she knew that she had to rule with an iron fist to maintain power. The first sign of weakness and she would have been eaten alive.
One of the big things I was surprised about was Rosa’s take on the Change. Most people bitterly regretted losing the life they had led and the people they had known, but not her. As she said…
How fucking sad—the end of the world had improved her life.
I was actually really pleased that she was cast this way. One of the things I loved seeing in the last book was how people from different walks of life reacted to the same event. That’s really emphasized here given the fact that Rosa was worse off in her BC (Before Change) life. This catastrophic event actually gave her a chance to pull herself up and take control of her life. Money, opportunity, education…it didn’t matter anymore. Now you survived on strength of will and determination. That’s what makes Rosa so impressive. Not only did she survive, but she created a whole community of survivors. They lived pretty well when you consider the rest of the people out there.
I like how we got to see a community of people struggling to carve out their spot in this crazy new world. They had their customs and beliefs, and although some of them might seem silly to an outsider, they gave them a sense of community and belonging that they desperately needed. Chris managed to walk into this community and sidestep many of the requirements of the community members. His skills as a doctor are needed enough to convince Rosa to ignore her gut feeling that he will be trouble. She’s frustrated by Chris’s ability to stand to the side of rest of her bravos. It’s not that he doesn’t respect her rule, it’s just that she can’t keep him off balance with her ‘Madonna/whore’ act. She’s forced to look at him as a man and is bewildered to find that she is attracted to him despite herself.
I loved most everything about this book, but I had a few irritants that I was not able to easily brush aside. Mostly it centered on Rosa and her refusal to bend in certain cases. I had no problem with her occasional hardness and her desire to keep her relationship with Chris a secret. She was leader after all, and she was walking a tightrope to keep from being challenged for her position. Plus, she was a good judge of her people and their motivations, so if she said it was necessary, I was willing to go with it. That doesn’t mean I didn’t cheer when Chris refused to accept less than he deserved, though. I understood her fears and the reasons she felt that way, but I was frustrated by her inability to see Chris’s side. That, combined with her bigotry and her behavior toward the end, made her a little harder to take. I still liked them together, but you might say that I lost my rose colored glasses in relation to her.
I’m really excited to see where the author will take us in the next book. I can’t wait to see how much time will have passed and how far the survivors will have progressed. I have high expectations and hope I end up enjoying it as much as I did this one.
Favorite Quote:
Chris wondered if she could feel the intimacy of what was happening. Ex was just a human tool, the means to do Rosa’s bidding. Every stab of the needle into Chris’s skin was her command, her claim over him.
Rating: A
Midnight by Ellen Connor
September 6th 2011 by Berkley Trade
Paranormal Romance
Series
GoodReads Reviews
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Review: Daybreak by Ellen Connor
Posted by Parajunkee | Aug 6, 2012 | Book Review | 0 |
PJV Quickie: Daybreak by Ellen Connor is the final in the Dark Age Dawning Series and unfortunately I didn’t enjoy it as much as I did the others. The story and plot were up to par with the rest of the series, I believe my lack of verve revolved around the main characters.
Title: Daybreak
Author: Ellen Connor
Series: Dark Age Dawning Book 3
Type: Dystopian Romance/Paranormal Romance
Signed copy purchased at RT Convention.
Purchase Goodreads
Review
The final book in the series covers the final two characters, that were introduced in the first book. The children. Tru and Pen. Now all grown up, Pen is a legendary character, known for her magic, she is considered to be goddess-like and revered by the survivors. She is also on a mission, take down the O’Malley organization and end the human trafficking and other nasty crimes that they are profiting in. Tru is another story, he has embraced his shifter side, but has become completely selfish and driven to only look after his own needs. By chance, Tru and Pen meet again and Pen is not impressed with the man Tru has become. But, she needs him to take down O’Malley. Tru doesn’t care about O’Malley, but he is kind of interested in Pen…so he decided to go along with her plan.
Look, I hate talking bad about this book, because I adored the first two books in this series. But, I just did not connect with Tru and Pen at all. First, I found Pen to be almost emotionless. She was driven and focused and when she did start getting close to Tru, I just found it to be lackluster. Tru on the other hand was the typical rake, selfish and handsome, which is why I didn’t understand why he stuck around. I liked him better then Pen and wondered where the fascination was. I assumed it was because of their prior association, but I just didn’t connect with the progression from tolerance to love. So, overall, I really enjoyed the story, but this was supposed to be a romance and the romance wasn’t there for me. I do recommend reading this series and hopefully you will feel it where I didn’t.
Recommendations:
Read the first two before taking this one on. You could probably skip number two, but the book was good, so don’t do that. Adults only, this book is very sexual and there is a considerable amount of violence. Fans of the Kate Daniels series might find this one very like-able.
Jun 14, 2011
Posted by Julie in Reviews | 8 Comments
Review: Nightfall by Ellen Connor (Dark Age Dawning #1)
Sci-Fi Paranormal Romance
June 7 2011
Trade Paperback
327 pages
Berkley Trade
Received from publisher
Yummy Man – John Mason
Kick Ass Chicks – Jenna Barclay
From Goodreads
Growing up with an unstable, often absent father who preached about the end of the world, Jenna never thought, in her wildest nightmares, that his predictions would come true. Or that he would have a plan in place to save her–one that includes the strong, stoic man who kidnaps and takes her to a remote cabin in the Pacific Northwest.
The mysterious ex-Marine named Mason owes a life-debt to Jenna’s father. Skilled and steadfast, he’s ready for the Change, but Jenna proves tough to convince. Until the power grid collapses and the mutant dogs attack–vicious things that reek of nature gone wrong.
When five strangers appear, desperate to escape the bloodthirsty packs, Jenna defies her protector and rescues them. As technology fails and the old world falls away, Jenna changes too, forever altered by supernatural forces. To fight for their future, she and Mason must learn to trust their instinctive passion–a flame that will see them through the bitter winter, the endless nights, and the violence of a new Dark Age.
———-
I know, I know. You are probably all looking at my rating and thinking “What the hell is wrong with that Julie?!” *sigh* I have come to the conclusion that Nightfall by Ellen Connor is going to be ‘that book’ to me. That one book that everyone adores but that I just couldn’t find that love for it. I think the writing was superb and the world was interesting, but… Well, let’s just start at the beginning.
Nightfall by Ellen Connor is book one in the new Dark Age Dawning trilogy. It’s a series about what happens during and after the apocalypse of sorts. I always find it interesting to see different people’s take on what could happen during the end of the world, and I found Ellen’s take to be very interesting and completely unique. The end of the world doesn’t happen everywhere and all at once. It started over in Europe and is spreading in pockets. At the beginning of the book, only a part of the U.S. is affected by it. They are in the dark. No technology of any sorts works and demon dog things eat and attack everything. And once you are bitten, you turn into one of these beings. If you are strong, you survive as one. If you are not, you die. A really graphic and horrific death.
Jenna lives in an unaffected part of the States. In fact, those who live there don’t completely believe that the trouble is all that bad because the government is really good at fluffing it. Her father always warned her and others of the upcoming danger, but he was seen as a bit of a kook. Mason made a promise to Jenna’s dad that he would keep her safe once things turned for the worst in her part of the country. So when he sees the signs that the “end of the world” is coming to where Jenna is, he sort of kidnaps her and takes her to a cabin that he set up to keep them both safe and alive.
I thought that was all fine and dandy. Two people, one man and one woman, secluded in a cabin for goodness knows how long. Throw in a huge stressful situation and their need to protect each other and you have the makings for a great romance story. But…suddenly other people show up, crash the party…and never leave.
I enjoyed the pacing of this book. It was filled with action scenes followed by ‘catch your breath’ scenes and over again. And the action was fun to read. Suspenseful – and downright creepy – but fun to read. And whoever originally came up with the idea of those demon dog things…I’m not sure if I should be in awe of their imagination or worried about their mental health. Those are some sinister freakish nightmare worthy things. *shudder*
The part about this book that I had trouble with were the characters themselves. I didn’t feel much for any of them really. Jenna was just fine. Mason was just fine. Together they were…sort of meh. I didn’t have strong feelings about them nor did I connect with their supposed feelings for each other. There was barely a ‘dance’ between them. And even when they are thinking ‘inappropriate thoughts’ about one another, they think about it as though it’s just because they are a man and a woman facing such a dire situation. I just didn’t really believe their romance. And I can’t say I was drawn to any of the other characters either. Well, I was a little curious about Penny and Tru (who will be the hero and heroine of the third book), but even then, not as much as I was hoping I would be. And unfortunately for me, I need that connection to the characters and to their feelings for one another for a romantic story to truly work for me.
So here’s what I say: If you are looking for an explosive romance story, you may be a tinge disappointed. But if you are looking for an action-filled tale with crazy creepy elements and a strong survivor story, definitely check this one out. The story is interesting and the voice of the writers is great. It just wasn’t quite my cup of tea.
2.5 stars
Giggle worthy quotes
“She nodded and backtracked to the stairs leading to the bunker – the bunker with the broken door. They seriously needed to do something about that. She wanted more metal between her and those things, a secure fallback position.
Damn, she was starting to think like Mason.”
—–
“’What’s so funny?’
‘You.’
‘What, it’s funny that I love you so much my heart feels broken with it?’ She half sat up and pushed a fist between her breasts. ‘Because that’s what it was like. I was mourning you, waiting for you to turn into a damn monster or to keel over dead. So you tell me what’s so fucking funny.’
He grinned. ‘You missed me.’
‘Asshole.’”
Books in the Dark Age Dawning series –
Nightfall
Midnight (September 6th 2011)
Daybreak (December 6th 2011)
June 9, 2011
REVIEW: Nightfall by Ellen Connor
DA_JanuaryD ReviewsCarrie Lofty / dystopian / post-apocalyptic / shapeshifters29 Comments
Note: January is a new reviewer at DA. She will be providing reviews at least once a month if not more often.
Dear Ellen Connor (aka Ann Aguirre and Carrie Lofty):
I wanted to love this book. I really did. You are both well known names in the industry, and both of you have high praise for your novels. I thought this might be a dynamite pairing. And it has potential. The concept is not an overdone one: a romance in a post-apocalyptic setting. I can get behind that. But I felt like the treatment of it was ham-handed at best. I’m having a hard time mentally articulating what I found so irksome about this book, so I thought I would make you a top five list instead of recapping the plot.
There are spoilers everywhere, so please do not read further if you are not interested.
1) There is no apocalypse you don’t like: famine, plague, werewolves, technology, etc. My problem was that you didn’t stick with just one. Apparently cars stopped working and so did electricity. However, not all electricity stopped working. Radios and SOME cars still work. Guns still work. Generators work? I guess it is a discretionary apocalypse. I don’t know. And then if that wasn’t enough of an apocalypse, everyone is turning into nightmare wolf-dog-things. Which is brought on by an infectious disease that has wiped out cities. And the heroine is also developing psychic powers. I guess this would have worked for me better if you’d stuck with just one aspect and developed it. Instead, we have a constantly mutating – pun intended – apocalypse that I had a hard time following.
2) Tru – Why is he a POV character? I found him smirky and annoying and a massive cliché (he’s the token Goth teenager in the apocalypse, of course). Then I read the descriptions of the next two books and realized that you were setting him up to be a hero for the third book. Eh. Are goths even edgy anymore? I think Hot Topic is about as edgy as American Eagle nowadays.
3) The hero. I did not have problems with his personality. I did have problems with his portrayal. The little description we are given of him is that his hair and his skin are dark due to the fact that he is clearly mixed race. At this point, I turned my book over.
One of these things is not like the other. And that sucks, but I know it is not the author’s fault. So I keep reading…and then felt a twinge of concern. When his race does come up, it’s in a negative context. Let me show you a few quotes.
“When the dark man comes for you, don’t be afraid.”
This is part of the prophecy that Jenna’s father left for her. I cringed. The dark man??? What does his race have to do with the prophecy? Why can’t it just be ‘When the stranger comes for you, don’t be afraid?’
But it gets better/worse.
“I never knew my folks and grew up in foster care,” he said, his throat tight. “A lot of being smacked around, but not a lot of supervision. I knocked off my first convenience store when I was fourteen.”
I just don’t know what to think. Now not only is he the ‘dark man’, he is a criminal brought up in foster homes. You want a clichéd mixed-race hero? Here you go.
Mind you, this book is not chock-full of racefail. Those are really the only mentions of Mason’s past, and I suppose that’s why I don’t know what to make of it. It happens early in the book and I read the rest of the story warily as a result.
But don’t worry – Mason’s the most likable one in the story! Especially compared to…
2) The heroine, Jenna. God. I wanted to slap her. Repeatedly. She is blonde, and privileged, and naturally can do anything and everything tossed in her direction. Mason thinks she is perfect and beautiful and he is not worthy of someone as perfect as her. She becomes the leader of the group when Mason wants to leave everyone behind. She is the nurturer and den mother and defender all in one. She’s perfect. Literally. Even when she’s described, she’s described as perfect.
“…her eyes closing and her priceless-work-of-art chest expelling a long exhale.”
Not only is she perfect, but she develops special powers. She can hear Mason’s thoughts and can communicate with him. And later on, Jenna has a plot development that makes me totally roll my eyes so hard I feared they would fall out of my head.
SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER
[spoiler]Jenna gets bitten by one of the wolf creatures. Everyone else that has been bitten has turned into a monster or died horribly. Perfect Jenna acquires the ability to shapechange into a wolf. A perfect white wolf. Who can communicate with the hero thanks to her telepathy. The apocalypse just handed her another special power. Lucky Jenna.
But then it gets even better. Here’s a second spoiler for you. Mason gets bitten by the things repeatedly. He is sick and dying for days, and so Jenna decides to perform blood magic on him and uses her blood to seal his wounds with magic. How does she do this? She doesn’t know. It just works because it is magic and Perfect Jenna must have her mate. It is not explained at any point, it just is. When Mason recovers, he cannot turn into a wolf like Jenna. She is the only one. She is special.
[/spoiler]
1) The similes and metaphors drove me crazy. Every time I ran into a very obvious one, it threw me out of the story and I wanted to call a friend and tell them how awful they were. Can they be that bad? You tell me. Here’s some of my favorites.
Mason frowned. So did Jenna and Angela, trading their confusion like bread recipes.
And his cock got hard as an iron pipe.
His cock blazed against her belly, hard enough to hammer nails.
Strung tight as fishing line with a whopper on the end, Mason raked blunt nails along the backs of his forearms.
Her fear tugged him like a parachute deploying.
His chest was a volcano with its top blown open—burning lungs, thrashing heart, and the sick knowledge that he’d let this happen.
But Mason turned blasted eyes on him, pulling him into one of those post-modernist paintings where every road led to hell.
He felt her absence like the end of a rainstorm. One minute his mind was clouded ovee with the interference she always brought. The next…nothing.
Incredulity melted into a feeling brighter and stronger, like Sarah Connor must’ve felt when she found out Kyle went back in time for her.
Should you name check your namesake in your book? My gut tells me no. Someone please come and trade me your thoughts on the matter. We can share them…like bread recipes.
Reading this might make you think I loathed the book. Not true. While I did roll my eyes quite a bit, I kept picking it up to see what would happen next. I feel I should give the authors credit for showing people struggling to fight in an apocalypse, rather than taking the easy way out and showing it a few years later. The story itself was fairly fast paced and full of action. If you are looking for apocalypse romance, this is a very good place to start. I just wish I had connected with the characters, the writing, or the world more than I did. Instead, I did not connect with any of it. Am I on board for the next one in the series? Despite my mocking…probably. So that is a point in its favor, right? Right.
D
All best,
January
Early Review: Nightfall by Ellen Connor
May 27, 2011 Abigail Uncategorized 2
*This title will be released on June 7, 2011*
Title: Nightfall
Author: Ellen Connor
Series: Dark Age Dawning #1
Cover Art: N/A
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Excerpt: Yes
Source: Publisher
Reviewed by: Abigail
Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Berkley Trade (June 7, 2011)
ISBN-10: 0425241696
ISBN-13: 978-0425241691
Sexual Content:
A few graphic sex scenes.
Rating:
Excellent – Loved it! Buy it now & put this author on your watch list.
Description
First in a stunning new post-apocalyptic paranormal romance trilogy.
Growing up with an unstable, often absent father who preached about the end of the world, Jenna never thought in her wildest nightmares that his predictions would come true. Or that he would have a plan in place to save her-one that includes the strong, stoic man who kidnaps and takes her to a remote cabin in the Pacific Northwest.
The mysterious ex-Marine named Mason owes a life-debt to Jenna’s father. Skilled and steadfast, he’s ready for the prophesied Change, but Jenna proves tough to convince. Until the power grid collapses and mutant dogs attack-vicious things that reek of nature gone wrong.
When five strangers appear, desperate to escape the bloodthirsty packs, Jenna defies her protector and rescues them. As technology fails and the old world falls away, Jenna changes too, forever altered by supernatural forces. To fight for their future, she and Mason must learn to trust their instinctive passion-a flame that will see them through the bitter winter, the endless nights, and the violence of a new Dark Age.
Review
NIGHTFALL is the first in a new Paranormal Romance trilogy from Ann Aguirre and Carrie Lofty (who combined Ellen Ripley from Alien and Sarah Connor from The Terminator to create their pen name Ellen Connor). Co-writers can be hit or miss for me. Ilona and Gordon Andrews, and also Clay and Susan Griffith combine the strengths of both writers to produce books that are better than one writer could pen by themselves. But others tend to be a clash of ideas that produce uneven stories. NIGHTFALL lands right in the middle of that spectrum.
The story grabbed me right away. The world is slowly changing, succumbing to a devastating ‘Change’ that defies explanation. The death of technology begins crawling across our country. People push further and further west to escape it. Rumors and speculations run rampant. Desperate new governments emerge, but the world as we know it still ends. Mason, one of the few who knows what’s coming, literally kidnaps Jenna and flees with her. He plans to hole up with her in a remote cabin while the first wave of devastation hits.
After that killer setup, the plot didn’t develop quite the way I expected for a paranormal romance. Just when things are about to explode between Jenna and Mason, a group of new characters got dumped into the mix. I resented them for their intrusion, specifically the sulky teen, Tru, and it took me a long time to adjust to everyone. If you’ve watched the first season of The Walking Dead, NIGHTFALL is very reminiscent the the last few episodes of the season. A ragtag group of survivors end up in a bunker with a doctor and try and survive the end of the world.
Overall, NIGHTFALL was a fun fast read, combining thrilling danger and steamy romance in a magical post-apocalyptic world. Some of the supporting characters grate at times and I do wish the sudden introduction of magic into our world had been explained more, but the two leads were perfectly matched and their love story was exciting from start to finish. I’m already looking forward to the next two Dark Age Dawning books which will both be released later this year and feature characters introduced in NIGHTFALL. MIDNIGHT in September, and then concluding with DAYBREAK in December.