Dingo

Summary: In the small town of Point, literally nothing goes on inbetween the time the turistas are there. Miguel lives his ordinary life in this town all year around, he hangs out with friends, he goes to school, he helps at his Dad’s shop. All ordinary. Until the day Lainey and her strange “dog” walks into the store doors and he feels immediately attracted to her. Turns out Lainey feels the same connection. Too bad things can’t just go normal for them. Lainey can turn into a dingo and her “dog” is a dingo who is really her twin sister who can also turn human when she wishes. The girls are hiding from their father and Dingo, the first dingo who is trapped in a tree. Now Miguel must help save Lainey and her sister Em with the help of an unexpected ally in Johnny Ward. Together the two boys will try to save the girls they love.

Review: Wow that’s one of the quickest summaries I’ve ever written. Probably because this book is very simple. Now I enjoy absolutely any Charles De Lint book, he is a great writer (one of the best fantasy writers of his time). Dingo was very very straightforward and very predictable, which I really hated. However, it was so fast-paced I couldn’t put it down. That’s the thing I did like about this book, it was very clear and to the point. The plot didn’t twist and turn at every edge but it still managed to weave in an entirely different world right in the midst of our normal society. De Lint wrote fast-paced and straight forward book that I did enjoy. The main character, Miguel, annoyed me a bit. He was a bit too perfect; however, he was sweet and a hero at heart (even though he denies it). Johnny Ward was much more appealing he was such a complex character, I am still left wondering about him. Basically, although the book was predictable it was enjoyable. I think it was just an okay book, nothing completely astonishing but another enjoyable read by Charles De Lint.

Rating: 4/5

Reviews from the Pros:
Winner of the World Fantasy Award

“De Lint is a romantic; he believes in great things, faith, hope, and charity (especially if love is included in that last) but he also believes in the power of magic—or at least the magic of fiction—to open our eyes to a larger world.” –Edmonton Journal

“A master storyteller, he blends Celtic, Native American and other cultures into a seamless mythology that resonates with magic and truth.” –Library Journal

“There is no better writer than Charles De Lint at bringing out the magic in contemporary fiction.”-Orson Scott Card, author of Ender’s Game

The Uglies

Summary: Tally Youngblood cannot wait to turn sixteen, not to drive but to get the operation. She will get the operation that will turn her from a pathetic Ugly to the amazing Pretty. She’ll get to join Peris and the rest of her friends in New Pretty Town. Things don’t go as well as she planned when she befriends the rebellious ugly Shay. Shay thinks the operation is truly wrong and tries to convince Tally of the same thing. Shay tells Tally of a place where no one is pretty and no one is ugly, The Smoke. When Tally quickly dismisses Shay’s legend of the Smoke, Shay runs away leaving directions to the Smoke just in case for Tally. Well, come operation day Tally finds out something horrible: She can’t get the operation. Not till she helps the Specials find and destroy the Smoke. Tally agrees and as she ventures forth to the Smoke she finds a whole new side of the pretty world—one that is actually pretty ugly. The Specials gave her her choice, now Tally has to choose: Betray her friend or stay Ugly forever.

Everybody gets to be supermodel gorgeous. What could be wrong with that?

Review: I have decided that once you pick up a Scott Westerfeld novel you will not put it down. The first line wraps you in: “The early summer sky was the color of cat vomit.” How do you not want to keep reading after that? Anywho! The Uglies. What a ride with this one! I haven’t read a book that captivated me like this in quite a while, I enjoyed Nobody’s Princess, but The Uglies made me ponder and wonder while I enjoyed the book. Unfortunately, I did not get to read this book often as I was swamped with much more pressing summer AP English homework. However, I’m sure if I did not have to do homework I would’ve gotten through this book much quicker. Anyways, back to the book. Tally was a very easily relatable character; I liked how she always seemed to use her head. I felt for her for the entire book, even when she might’ve been a bit stupid. I felt like this book was very…real. Its one of those very rare young adults books that even though set in the future or a different world, you feel as if it’s really happening. You can relate to all the characters, you love or hate them all, and it just appeals to your deep nature; especially as a teenager. How many times have we, as teenagers, felt that we were ‘ugly’ and longed to be that certain age, to grow up and become beautiful? Only this book takes a turn on exposing all the issues with our society. It was a bit predictable, but it was most certainly a page-turner something that is very hard to put down. I deeply enjoyed it even if it was a bit predicable. This book is a hard one to review, because I feel like a lot of it is very hard to put into words. Basically this is a phenomenal book that is a must-read for any YA lover.

Rating: 5/5 I would certainly re-read it.

Reviews from the Pros:

"With a beginning and ending that pack hefty punches, this introduction to a dystopic future promises an exciting series...the awesome ending thrills with potential." -Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Fortunately, the cliff-hanger ending promises a sequel." -School Library Journal, starred review

"Teens will sink their teeth into the provocative questions about invasive technology, image-obsessed society, and the ethical quandries of a mole-turned-ally...Ingenious." -Booklist, starred review

"Teens will appreciate the gadgetry--including bungee jackets and hoverboards that work by magnetic levitation...Westerfeld introduces thought-provoking issues." -Publishers Weekly

"Uglies is not only timely food for thought, but is a breathless,can't-put-it-down read, leaving readers impatient to get their hands on the second book in Scott Westerfeld's trilogy--Pretties immediately." -Teenreads.com