Author: admin

Erin’s Pick of the Week (or so): Finnikin of the Rock

When Finnikin was nine years old he swore to protect the kingdom of Lumatere.  Soon after, the royal family was murdered, and a curse has cast the kingdom into darkness.  No one can pass through this boundary.  Ten years later, Finnikin is a wanderer, looking for a new homeland for his people.  His travels bring him to a temple where he meets a strange girl called Evanjalin.  She believes the heir to Lumatere, Balthazar, still lives.  But Evanjalin is clever, devious, and more than she seems.  Can Finnikin trust her? If he does, will his people be able to return to Lumatere?

This lovely tale of high fantasy uses all of the common themes of its genre, but adds depth, maturity, and an intriguingly complex plot.  I enjoyed the interaction between the characters. Finnikin has a way with people and a true desire to do what is right.  His relationship with Evanjalin is intense from the start and becomes more complex over the course of the story.  No need for a sequel, this book tells a full story and comes to a satisfying conclusion, both romantically and politically.

Erin’s Pick of the Week (or so): Anna and the French Kiss

This incredibly sweet and realistic love story is set in romantic Paris. Anna is sent abroad for her senior year of high school to an elite American boarding school. She was reluctant to leave her life in Atlanta behind her, but quickly falls in with a close-knit group of friends, including the smart, handsome and intriguing Etienne St. Clair. He is from Paris, San Francisco, and London, and has an adorable English accent. He has a girlfriend, she has a boy with potential back home, so while their attraction is apparent to the audience, they decide to be friends. What grows from their friendship is a deep understanding of each other complete with witty banter that blooms, over the course of the book, into love. In addition to swooning over the love story, I really enjoyed the setting of this book. The dorm life aspect is very realistic and all of the Parisian landmarks, cinemas, and patisseries made me want to go to France!

My favorite romance of 2010.

Erin’s Pick of the Week: Hold Me Closer Necromancer

I’m trying out a new feature on the website:  reviews.  Each week I will post about a young adult book that I particularly enjoyed.  If you read something you want to share or want to write about a movie, a game, a cd, or anything else send me an email (edaly@cwmars.org), and next week it can be your review in this spot!

Sam LaCroix is nineteen, a college drop-out, a fast food worker, and a necromancer. He’s only just found out this last thing. His mother hid it from him as an attempt to protect him from the likes of Douglas Montgomery, a powerful necromancer who either wants to make Sam his apprentice, or kill him and take his power.  Sam has one week to decide.

Over the course of this week he discovers the existence of all kinds of paranormal beings, gets captured by Douglas (and thrown in a cell with a fascinating were-hound girl), and must learn to use his powers to save himself, his friends and his family.

This book is at turns scary, funny, and sweet.  Sam is a likable protagonist, obviously under a lot of stress due to the recent discovery of his powers.  He has close family and friends who support him and make for an amusing cast of side characters. Sam’s romance in captivity with half-fey half-werewolf Brid, is sweet.  A lot of magical elements in the book are introduced quickly, which has me hoping for a sequel.

February

Here are some of the most especially exciting things that are happening in February:

Montly Teen Movie: Inception – Wednesday, February 16 @ 3:00

Anime Club – Thursday February 17 @ 3:00
Screening episodes of His and Her Circumstances, a realistic high school romance with plenty of comedy.  Watch a trailer here

Cupcake Decorating – School Vacation Week – Wednesday February 23 @ 1:00cc photo via flickr by dichohecho

For regularly scheduled programing (like gaming and free computer lab time) check the
Teen Events Page!