First Chapter Challenge (3): Werewolf Edition

So, I noticed I have a bunch of books featuring wolves/werewolves/shapeshifter wolves, and since I highly doubt I am going to read more than one of them, it’s the perfect opportunity for a First Chapter Challenge! Basically, I read the summary and first chapter of each book and decide which one(s) I want to continue reading.

Nightshade by Andrea Cremer
Publisher: Philomel (Penguin)
Release date: Hardcover October 2010
Where I got it: It’s one of the Penguin Five which I received (unsolicited) for review
One sentence summary: Calla Tor is destined to become the mate of alpha wolf Ren Laroche until she saves the life of a human boy and puts herself in jeopardy with her pack.
First sentence: I’d always welcomed war, but in battle my passion rose unbidden.
First chapter review: The first chapter is a 6 page action scene featuring Calla rescuing a sexy hiker from a bear attack. We see her both as a wolf and a human and we see how she acts around one of her subordinate pack members. The central plot is set up well – we can see her attraction to the boy she saves as well as her longing for a different sort of life, but also her resignation to her fate. The scene is brutal, but compelling and definitely makes me want to learn more about Calla.
Verdict: Definitely on the shortlist for a full read, even though it is the first book in a series.
Cover comments: Shows one eye only – must be a werewolf! The model looks very cold, but the effect is softened by the flowers. Until you see the blood.

Dust City by Robert Paul Weston
Publisher: Razorbill (Penguin)
Release date: Hardcover September 30, 2010
Where I got it: Sent (unsolicited) for review
One sentence summary: Henry Whelp discovers that his father, The Big Bad Wolf, may have been framed for the murder of Little Red Riding Hood.
First sentences: Once upon a time, fairydust came from where you’d expect. From fairies.
First chapter review: Before the first chapter, there is also a prologue that talks about Dust City – a place that used to be filled with fairy magic and now is just full of manufactured fairy dust. The first chapter introduces us to Henry, who is hanging out at the St. Remus Home for Wayward Youth when a fight breaks out between some other wolves, one of which was trying to hide a letter. We are also introduced to Henry’s friend Jack (of Beanstock fame). I didn’t really get a sense of Henry’s character at all or where the story is going, and I didn’t find the fight at all compelling. 
Verdict: The premise seems like it could be fun, but this promise is kinda ruined for me by the dud first chapter.
Cover comments: You know he’s an actual wolf because you see both wolfy eyes! The cover makes it look like a very gritty story, possibly with a lot of violence. Hey, there was a fight in the first chapter, so the cover seems apt.

Raised by Wolves by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Publisher: Egmont
Release date: Hardcover June 2010
Where I got it: Bought it at The Strand when I was in NYC for BEA
One sentence summary: After her parents were killed by werewolves, human Bryn was adopted by the alpha of the pack but begins to question his ways when she finds a teen locked in a cage.
First sentences: "Bronwyn Alessia St. Vincent Clare!" Four names, five words, one pissed-off werewolf. The math in this particular equation never came out in my favor.
First chapter review: The first chapter is a conversation between Bryn and her guardian Callum, the alpha of a werewolf pack. I really liked how well we already get to know Bryn and her complex feelings towards Callum in this scene. She has an easy, wry tone and a rebellious attitude. You can tell it will be hard for her to defy Callum, when it inevitably comes to that, both because he’s very powerful and also because she does have some genuine affection for him. I feel I will like spending time with Bryn.
Verdict: Is the one out of the four that I am most likely to give a full read based on first chapter alone.
Cover comments: Looks like a fairly typical paranormal cover.  We know she's human, though we can only see one eye due to her pose.  Maybe she has werewolf secret to uncover?!

The Frenzy by Francesca Lia Block
Publisher: Harper Teen
Release date: Hardcover September 28, 2010
Where I got it: Sent (unsolicited) for review
One sentence summary: Teenage Liv may be a werewolf.
First sentence: At some point in everyone’s life they ask the question, “Who am I?”
First chapter review: Liv remembers her thirteenth birthday, the day she got her period for the first time and attacked her mother for killing a wolf. Now she’s 17 and knows she’s different, but tries to blend in all the same. I liked the contrast between wild Liv and her perfect mother, and am definitely curious how that might play out through the rest of the story. More so in fact than finding out if Liv is really a werewolf or not. The writing is nice – straightforward and dreamlike at the same time. Still, it didn’t really hook me, though I’d be willing to give it a few more chapters to do so.
Verdict: I have to admit I'm a bit biased about this title after reading a lot of bad reviews.  Probably won't continue. There are too many other books I am dying to read!
Cover comments: Only one eye showing – she MUST be a werewolf! I love the striking green eye/red hair combo.

So which book do YOU think I should finish reading?

First Chapter Challenge (2)

My first chapter challenge is a personal challenge this summer to whittle down my review pile. I read the first chapter of 5 books that have been sitting on my shelf a long time to determine if I'll keep them on my shelf or give them away. For this round of the challenge I chose books which came out last summer. In fact, at least 4 of the 5 are coming out in paperback very soon!

The Compound by S.A. Bodeen

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

Release date: Hardcover May 2008, coming in paperback Sept 2009

One sentence summary: Eli and his family are stuck in an underground Compound after a nuclear incident.

First sentences: T.S. Eliot was wrong. My world ended with a bang the minute we entered the Compound and that silver door closed behind us.

First chapter review: I read both the prologue, which details the night Eli's family entered the luxury Compound leaving behind his twin brother and grandmother, and the first chapter, where the action picks up six years later. Eli is pretty unlikeable in these passages, and except for his sister saying she hates their overbearing, controlling father, I don't really feel set up for the story. I read a bit further into chapter two where we get a big clue that life won't continue to be so rosy when Eli's mother discovers that the flour is rotting...

Verdict: Just on the basis of what I've read, I wouldn't want to keep reading. However, many reviewers have said it picks up midway and gets really exciting. So I'll keep it around for now, but I'm in no rush.

The White Mary by Kira Salak
Publisher: Henry Holt
Release date: Hardcover August 2008, Paperback Sept 2009
One sentence summary: Marika travels to Papua New Guinea to track down the truth about a war correspondent, Robert Lewis, who supposedly committed suicide.
First sentences: The black waters of Elobi Creek show no sign of current. It is another dead waterway, Marika tells herself, one that will breed only mosquitos and crocodiles. Another waterway that somehow reflects - in the darkness of the water, in its stillness - all of her failings.
First chapter review: Marika is presented as a very ususual sort of woman - one who found fame in war zones, doing the one thing she felt competent at, namely facing the unpleasant. And in Papua New Guinea she endures much discomfort on her months long search for Robert. Finally Tobo, a medicine man in a remote village, claims to know where Robert is. As the chapter ends, Marika is left behind by her guide but is still determined to continue her quest. The setting is exotic and Marika is so far interesting enough to want to keep following.
Verdict: Keep in TBR. I'm intrigued and want to know if Marika ends up finding what she's looking for.

The Day I Killed James by Catherine Ryan Hyde

Publisher: Random House
Release date: May 2008

One sentence summary: Theresa feels guilty about the suicide of James, a boy who had a crush on her, and writes in a diary for her therapist.
First sentences: People die of love. I'm one of the few who'll admit it. That doesn't mean it isn't true.
First chapter review: There are three short diary entries before the start of chapter 1 which introduce Theresa's fragile mental state and her not-so-nice therapist. Chapter 1 flashes back to before James' death and shows how Theresa took advantage of his crush on her. It's fine, but not particularly exciting. I'm assuming now that James kills himself because Theresa teases him too much, but I'm not hooked. Sorry.
Verdict: Unless someone can convince me that the story gets compelling fast, I'm going to ditch this one.

The Good Thief by Hannah Tinti

Publisher: Random House

Release date: Hardcover August 2008, Paperback August 2009
One sentence summary: One handed orphan Ren is picked up at the orphanage by someone claiming to be his long-lost brother who then takes him on a series of adventures that may hold the key to discovering his parentage.
First sentence: The man arrived after morning prayers.
First chapter review: I liked the scene presented here - a man coming to the orphanage to pick out a child, avoiding those too small to work and those too old to be pliable. At first, he picks Ren, until the priests reveal Ren's missing hand. It makes you yearn for Ren to be picked up quickly by the "brother" mentioned in the summary.
Verdict: I'm hooked! Looking forward to making some time to finish this one.

Jet Set by Carrie Karasyov and Jill Kargman

Publisher: HarperTeen
Release date: Hardcover August 2008, Paperback Aug 2009
One sentence summary: To avoid having to move during her high school years, military kid Lucy decides to attend super-exclusive Van Pelt boarding school in Switzerland.
First sentence: Imagine a school with endless gilded hallways that rival Versailles.
First chapter review: I actually read 3 chapters (and could have read more - they are very, very short). The first chapter sets up why Lucy is attending such a fancy school. The second introduces her to the resident snobs (two of the three are princesses). The third has Lucy afraid her super-rich classmates will find out she's there on scholarship. It's kind of mindless, trashy fun. And it reminds me of my summer project between 8th and 9th grade. I wrote an outline about students at a fancy Swiss boarding school. I got out my baby name book and a stack of Seventeen magazines and created about 50 character profiles. I wonder if I still have it somewhere?
Verdict: I'd give this one a few more chapters at least. Keep for now.

First Chapter Challenge (1)

To kick off my first chapter challenge, a personal challenge this summer to whittle down my review pile, I read the first chapter of 5 books that have been sitting on my shelf a long time to determine if I would keep them on my shelf or give them away.

The School for Dangerous Girls by Eliot Schrefer
Publisher: Scholastic
Release date: January 2009
One sentence summary: Bad girl Angela is sent to a reform school whose methods are questionable.
First sentences: All of the girls fell silent. The woman took a few seconds to look around the room, making eye contact with each of us. When she finally spoke, her voice was cold, with a slight accent that said she had lived years in places beyond our reach.
First chapter review: In the space of 8 pages, we are introduced to Hidden Oak, the girls, and a Dr. Spicer who asserts her absolute authority over the girls. We are also teased with flashbacks of what Angela might have done to be deemed dangerous - which is possibly murder. It's a solid start, but it's nothing that can't be put down.
Verdict: Return to TBR. The reviews I've read of this have been mixed, but considering David Levithan edited it, I'll give it a chance.

Suddenly Supernatural Book 2: Scaredy Kat by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel
Publisher: Little, Brown for Young Readers
Release date: February 2009
One sentence summary: Kat, who has recently discovered that she's a medium like her mother, investigates the disappearance of a boy in the abandoned house next door.
First sentence: The truth is, I find it very embarrassing when my mother talks to plants.
First chapter review: Although this is the second book in a series, I didn't get the sense from the first chapter that I needed to have read the first one to understand this one. The voice is fresh and fun and although I could've done without the e-mail correspondence, this is a nice set-up to what seems like a quick read with some spooky elements.
Verdict: This is one I definitely want to pass on to my favorite 11 year old. If I manage to get to it before I see her again, I'll read it myself. If not, I will pass it on to her with a good feeling.

The King's Rose by Alisa M. Libby
Publisher: Dutton (Penguin)
Release date: March 2009
One sentence summary: 15 year old Catherine Howard catches the eye of Henry the 8th who wants to make her his 5th wife.
First sentence: The Thames is a messenger of fortune, rippling smoothly beneath the prow of this barge.
First chapter review: The first chapter is a mere 2 1/2 pages and has a very reflective, dreamy tone. In order to get more a sense of Catherine, I also had to read chapter 2, which introduces the central tension of the narrative. She's proud of being chosen as Henry's next wife but also terrified (considering what happened to Anne Boleyn). She knows she has to deliver another male heir or else... The writing flows well, but knowing what happens to Catherine is basically a retread of Anne's story, I'm not that intrigued.
Verdict: Pass on to a friend who loves Tudor historicals.

The Dracula Dossier by James Reese
Publisher: William Morrow (HarperCollins)
Release date: October 2008
One sentence summary: Dracula author Bram Stoker is the prime suspect in a series of killings that will be attributed to Jack the Ripper and he must work to clear his name.
First sentence: You do not know me, and you never will.
First chapter review: This dossier starts out with a letter from an unknown collector to a senior editor at William Morrow. With the letter he includes a lost diary of Bram Stoker which tells of his involvement with Jack the Ripper. It's a pretty dry start. I probably would've been more hooked had it immediately begun with Bram's diary whose first line states "It seemed wise to hide the bloodied knife."
Verdict: Meh. It sounds like an ok book, but I have a pile of books waiting with some amazing premises, so I think I'll pass on this. I'll donate it to the library.


Suffer the Children by Adam Creed
Publisher: Faber and Faber
Release date: none in the US yet, May 2009 in the UK
One sentence summary: After a paedophile is brutally murdered, Inspector Staffe must question the families of his victims.
First sentence: Staffe raises his head as high as he can, sucks in the underground air.
First chapter review: To be honest, I couldn't even finish the first chapter. It is written in third person present, which is beyond awkward, and the subject matter is just not my thing.
Verdict: Didn't hook me. Will donate to library. I did like this cover the most of the 5 though.

Anyone want to weight in and tell me if I making a huge mistake keeping or getting rid of any of these?

Library Thing Tuesday (57) + picture of Emmy

Today's question from Wendi: How often do you find yourself struggling through a book (if you HAD to estimate)? How far will you read before you stop and consider it a DNF (Did not finish)? Will you skim ahead and see if it gets any better? Once you put it down, do you still write a quick review? What do you do with the book when you are done?

I have a good instinct about what books I'll like, so I don't find myself struggling through a book that often. This year, I've invoked the 50 page rule twice, and I wrote a post called I'm just not that into you... These two books are still on my shelf, but they may not be for long.

You see, I have a bigger problem than DNF and that is DNS (Did not start). I have a bunch of review copies of books that I picked up at book fairs, received unsolicited or won in contests that are gathering lots of dust. I am making it a summer project to read the first chapter of any review copy that has been on my shelf more than 9 months and then decide to keep it or purge it. I'll keep you all updated on my progress of course! Anyone want to join me? The more the merrier! I'll call it the First Chapter Challenge. Unofficial of course.

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This week, you are going to have to work for your Emmy fix! I did a guest post over at Heather Zundel's blog about how I got started blogging, and Emmy is posing with the first books I ever reviewed on my blog. It's very cute, I promise.