March 2010 – Michele Lee

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

Hyperion, 2010
ISBN: 978-1423121305
Available: New

Sophie knows she’s a witch, but that’s about all she knows. She’s never met her warlock father. Her human mother tries, but can help her very little. When Sophie tries to help a classmate with a love spell, and it goes horribly wrong, she is sent to Hex Hall by the Council that rules the Prodigium, which consists of recognized magical species like fairies, vampires, and shifters. Part boarding school, part juvenile detention center, Hex Hall is filled with soured, entitled magical beings who resent their imprisonment, all of whom seem to hate Sophie from the moment she arrives. When Sophie learns why, and what Hex Hall means to her family, her life is sent into a tailspin.
Hex Hall has a familiar feel that paranormal readers will love. Rachel Hawkins has done an excellent job of world-building, and creates characters just a bit on the other side of dangerous. Although it may have its roots in books like the Harry Potter series, Hex Hall focuses specifically on the fragile teen sense of self-identity. It’s refreshing that Sophie isn’t a “chosen one” with special powers- rather, she’s the magical equivalent of a reckless teen in trouble Why is everyone around her purposefully keeping her in the dark? What makes someone a monster? What counts for more, blood or actions?

The strength of writing and likability of the lead characters combine for a fast-paced, quite digestible tale. Hex Hall is a great choice for library collections that seem unable to keep up with demand for paranormal YA titles, and would be a valuable (and likely popular) addition to public libraries.

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March 24

Amazon Reviews (or not)

There’s long been complaints about the Amazon reviews system. Most recently Paul Carr at Tech Crunch addresses the issue after a segment of readers began to mark books as one star solely because the publisher hadn’t yet made a Kindle version available. This decision is completely out of the control of the author, so it does seem sort of dirty to punish the author for the publisher’s policies.

But this isn’t the first case, or first kind of review/rating manipulation to plague amazon. Any writer and author, particularly in the small press can tell you about the author who begs people to give them 5 star review only, encourages their friends and family to rate books they’ve never read, or even make multiple accounts (called “sock puppets) themselves to bump up their own rating. Likewise there are authors who reward fans for posting 5 star reviews, but not 3 or 4 stars. And authors who routinely post 1 star reviews to the books of people they see as competition, or people who they have personal grudges against.

Not to mention the occasional flare up of authors against bad and not so bad reviews and the people who post them (and worse, in this case, is the time Amazon actually banned the reviewer when the author campaigned against her 3 star review to the point where the author posted the reviewer’s home address. Remember, Amazon “fixed” this problem by BANNING THE REVIEWER.)

Over at agent Nathan Bransford’s digital place a discussion is going on on how to fix this. The first idea thrown out is to limit reviews to people who have bought the book from Amazon. This is a valid idea, however, it’s far too punishing, in my opinion.

See, I post almost all my reviews to Amazon, but I buy very little from Amazon. It’s common practice for authors and publishers to give out free copies, print or electronic, before publication, or just after, all to create a “buzz” of consumer interest in the book. Amazon already restricts reviews from being posted before the launch dates (even thought they’ve been known to ship books before the launch date.) And while cutting out people who buy books at competitors would be the exact kind of thing I’d expect from Amazon, it would also reduce Amazon’s usefulness to publishers (which in turn would make Amazon’s temper tantrums and buy button removals less effective).

So why not a wikipedia style policy, where certain books are “locked” when “digital vandalism” occurs?

Well, if you want to know why not: It’s because amazon thrives on the loading of their ratings by authors and sock puppets, and the controversy of revenge fueled low ratings. It gets people going to Amazon, which is kind enough to suggest books the person might have forgotten about. The hardest part of business is getting people into your business and that’s what this level of community and interaction does for Amazon. It gets people looking, and you can’t sell if nothing’s bringing them in. Authors slant their Amazon reviews in the hopes that those 5 stars bring more sales, and Amazon encourages poor reviewer behavior because it helps put Amazon in a position to be irreplaceable.

So bad behavior will continue to be rewarded, especially the bad behavior of readers penalizing publishers for not having Kindle versions. Because, how can Amazon take over the ebook world if publishers keep resisting?

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March 23

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Predators and Prey

ISBN: 9781595823427
BtVS Season 8 Volume 5
I purchased this book.

This volume of BtVS season eight is for fans, not newcomers. It’s not really a book that pushes forward the drama of Twilight, the secret anti-Slayer group that’s trying to destroy every Slayer on the streets. This collection of comics serves as housekeeping, as well as character and world building asides.

Perhaps channeling the modern day popularity of shows like True Blood and the urban fantasy genre (and irony since Buffy was an establishing factor in UF’s popularity) this graphic novel starts off with a frivolous-feeling tale of the vapid vampire Harmony getting a reality TV show. (Not that the story arc is vapid or frivolous, it merely reflects the qualities of Harmony herself.) While the reality show is almost on its death bed Harmony is attacked by a Slayer and all of a sudden it becomes a hit, Harmony a star and Slayers the bad guys. It fits in the greater scale of the story arc, but this wasn’t how I pictured vamps coming out in the Buffy-verse. Through Harmony everything seems shallow and empty, but that is the point.

Continuing, readers will find; a story about the Asian sect of Slayers that hints at, but doesn’t come close to the hilarious third book of season eight; a story of Andrew, Buffy and the growing sect of bad Slayers that reads like it’s seeding all kind of future things for the series, but just barely brushes against them; a story from Faith and Giles, which is absolutely fabulous, dark disturbing and wonderful; a resolution of sorts of the magical mess up Dawn got herself into; as well as bonus snippets of Harmony’s reality show and an ad for a fictional product featured in this volume.

Each of the stories are stand alone, provided you already know the characters, which is the major factor leading to this book feeling more like a themed anthology than the next book in a series. It is almost impossible to pick up Predators and Prey without knowing the previous story lines. So readers should be forewarned that this book will probably not be a satisfying read if read out of order.

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March 20

Interview with PC Cast

Originally appeared at MonsterLibrarian.com

P.C. Cast is the co-author with her daughter Kirstin the popular young adult vampire series House of Night books and is the author of the Goddess Summoning and Partholon book series.

ML: Before I ever read any of the House of the Night books I stumbled upon a picture of your covers and I have to ask, how many people did you have to sacrifice to get such gorgeous covers?

PC: I know! I have seriously excellent cover Karma – always have. It makes me smile. A lot!

ML: It took me a few months to finally pick up Marked, the first book in the series because I read the blurb and thought “Oh, it’s another vampire high school series.” With all the competition out there like Nancy A. Collins’ Vamps series and Richelle Mead’s Vampire Academy series, what do you think makes your books different?

PC: My world is the only one that is based around a matriarchal belief system. The message of empowering young women really resonates with teenagers. Also, I try hard to keep the kids real, which means that quite often I push the envelope with the themes I tackle in the books, and while that can be difficult it also reaches my audience and means a lot to them.

ML: All the students in the House of the Night series are marked by the vampire goddess Nyx, destined to become her representatives in the world. Can you tell us a little about how your vampires are different from the ones we’re more familiar with and why you made them that way?

PC: Well, as I said, I’ve based their belief system on a Pagan, matriarchal society. I choose to do that because I believe in empowering women. It’s a theme on which I’ve focused my adult books, too. Also, carrying through with the Pagan ideology, I’ve made the journey of my teens Changing into vamps more biological with a touch of paranormal, versus the other way around. I did that because I like the earth-based aspect of it, and my father is a biologist, so research is a family affair!

ML: Also a large part of the series is an amazing mixture of ancient and modern myths. How did you manage to modernize multiple ancient pagan cultures yet keep everything so familiar?

PC: Practice! I used ancient myths in my adult books, especially the Goddess Summoning Series, and wove a modern slant throughout them. It’s something I’m very comfortable with. For as long as I can remember, I rewritten history/myths/stories in my head.

ML: You write this series with your daughter, Kristin, which is just amazing. What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of writing a series with a close relative?

PC: Writing is usually such a solitary job that it’s nice to have someone in it with me. I write the entire first draft, and then send it to Kristin for her to go through. It makes me feel like I can relax and write, knowing she has my back. Believe me, she’ll let me know if I’ve messed up and made Zoey sound 40-something! I guess the down side would be that she’s the only person in the world who can tell me (and has), “No, Mom. You have to change it ’cause that sucks.”

ML: The House of the Night series isn’t your only series. Can you tell us about the other books you have out there?

PC: I write an adult paranormal romance series for Berkley called the Goddess Summoning Books. They’re fun, sexy retellings of ancient myths/legends, with a modern twist. I also have an adult fantasy series I’ve written for LUNA, and two YA books for Harlequin Teen written in the same world. And this past fall I joined the Nocturne team with THE AVENGER, which was part of a cool Time Raiders collection.

ML: Your books seem to have a focus on women who are chosen in some way for wild, magical destinies, almost like modern tales of power or fairy tales for women. Do you think you purposefully set out to be an inspiration to women, and do you think younger girls need more magic and encouragement in their lives?

PC: I did set out to empower and inspire modern women, young and old(er). I love so much about today’s women – we’re strong and independent, well educated and wise. I love that we step out and live life with confidence, and that many of us won’t be bound by outdated societal chains. Yes! Young women need to understand how valuable they are, and magic and encouragement does help with that!

ML: Another wonderful aspect I’ve found in your books is how the characters all, after figuring out the plot and defeating the bad guys, seem to be on a quest to find something and someone to connect with. Zoe Redbird, from the House of the Night series, for example, leaves a family that doesn’t seem to want to connect with her, who are fueled by a religion about control and, in becoming what used to be considered a monster, she finds people who care about her and support her and a connection to something greater than her that inspires and strengthens her. Do you think this reflects a growing disconnect from things and people in the world today, or do you feel that this is a universal position that people find themselves in, which makes it easy to relate to?

PC: I think it’s universal and timeless, especially with teenagers. And don’t we all wish we could take the negatives in our lives and turn them to positives? Or at the very least, use them to empower us to make better decisions and to work for change?

ML: Paganism features very strongly into your stories and your characters are also very upfront and honest about drug use, drinking and sex (and might I say for the most part your characters seem to have very good heads on their shoulders about these issues). Which aspect do you think has led to more school libraries banning your books?

PC: Sex! When I taught high school I actually had parents tell me that they didn’t care about the amount of violence their kids read/watched, but no sex. Great lesson for our young people, huh? Violence = acceptable. Sex = horrid, bad, dirty. Teenagers deal with sexual issues on a daily basis. I believe in facing those issues and opening a dialogue without judging and condemning. I think many teenagers do have good heads on their shoulders, especially when they’re allowed to talk about their feelings honestly and without incrimination.

ML: Finally, as both an author and a former high school teacher inspiring a love of reading in people is clearly something you enjoy doing. What books, other than your own of course, do you think inspire teens to a lifelong habit of reading? What can parents, and librarians, do to encourage children and teens to read?

PC: Parents and librarians and teachers can encourage kids to read by setting an example and reading! Books should be a habit at home as well as at school. Kids should grow up seeing their parents read. They should frequent libraries and bookstores, and be raised knowing the power and magic of the written word. Some of my favorite lifelong books: TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD by Harper Lee, BEAUTY by Robin McKinley, FAHR 451 by Ray Bradbury, THE SILVER METAL LOVER by Tanith Lee, DRAGON FLIGHT, DRAGON QUEST, and THE WHITE DRAGON by Anne McCaffrey, THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES by Sue Monk Kidd – to name only a few!

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March 18

Psychiatric and Behavioral Disorders in Israel- From Epidemiology to Mental Health Action, Edited by Itzhak Levav

Guest review by Gothi Jason Lush, D.D.

ISBN: 978-9652294685
I received this book from the LibraryThing Early Reader’s Program.

Of all the nonfiction I have been asked to review this thick tome is the first to meet all the criteria for a great reference book. First off, the work is authored by thirty experts in the Psychiatric field, including the editor Dr. Levav. There is no fluff, no anecdotal nonsense and no speaking down to the reader.

As the title states the book covers psychiatric and behavioral disorders in Israel. The studies that the book is based on take many things into account that many people would not think to, such as the economic environment, the influx of immigrants, war and sexual trauma in the region. Also the studies compare side by side the differences between men and women as related to the topic, and where relevant, the social and financial situations of the subjects. The studies in this work are thorough and conclusive.

On the down side there is the length. You are looking at 333 pages of hard, dry data and there are “out there” studies, like an attempt to find the link between obesity and schizophrenia.

Again I say that Dr. Levav’s book is of incalculable worth for anyone in the psychiatric field or any serious mental health worker, for the layperson, not so much. The heft of the work has ensured that it will not turn up on my reread pile, but I will keep it around for future research and I will use it as the yardstick by which I will compare any similar book.

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