Burn by Ted Dekker & Erin Healy

ISBN-13: 9781595544711
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Published: January 2010
388 pgs
Source: Phenix & Phenix Literary Publicists

I have heard a lot of raves about Ted Dekker's books, but just have not got around to reading them yet. Thus, when Amy of Phenix & Phenix Literary Publicists offered me the opportunity to review Burn, a collaboration between Ted Dekker and Erin Healy, I jumped at the chance.

Seventeen-year-old Janeal Mikkado often feels trapped in her father's Gypsy culture, and she longs for a different life outside their close-knit Gypsy community. When Salazar Sanso, a powerful druglord, made a deal with her to grant her this wish in exchange that she has to retrieve a vast sum of money tied to her father, Janeal knew she would do it due to a number of reasons.

Unfortunately, the plan did not go on accordingly, and in a fury Sanso burned the Gypsy ground into ashes. During the blaze, Janeal was confronted a difficult situation for she has to decide whether to risk her life to save Katie, or to disappear with the money she had discovered. However, the option she chose at that moment has made an impact of her life thereafter, and she is led to believe that all are perished in that fire. After that horrible incident, she recreated her life and took on a new identity, until the past began to haunt her once again as she learnt that her boyfriend, Robert and Katie had survived from the fire.

Shocked and not ready to face them yet, she engaged a journalist to do a story on Katie as she thinks this would be the best way for her to get information of Katie. But that is not all, she has always been jealous of Katie for having Robert's attention from the beginning, and now that Robert knew Katie is alive, Janeal could not help but feel threatened by Katie. This time around, there is no escape from the ordeal as once again she has to make a decision whether or not to travel the way towards destruction or towards redemption.

There are books that are both plot driven and characterisation driven, and I have to say Burn falls under that category. I liked how the story is revolved around Janeal and her decision making, and why they are crucial to the story as after all, Burn is labelled as a Christian thriller though you would not find any preaching but allegory, which I think will appeal to non-Christian readers as well.

As much as I enjoyed reading Burn, I have to admit I was stumped over Janeal's identity at some point where I could not decide if Katie is really dead and that Janeal takes over her role as a redemption, or is it a plot to show the paranormal side of the story. Either of this, I am not telling but let's just say Burn has got me hooked and this is the book which has introduced me to Ted Dekker's and Erin Healy's works and I am glad to say I will definitely look forward to their books in the near future.

Blankets by Craig Thompson

ISBN-13: 9781891830433
Publisher: Top Shelf Productions
Published: July 2003
592 pgs
Source: Personal Library





After reading several glowing reviews on Blankets from fellow bookbloggers, I decided I should wait no more. I picked up this chunky novel last Tuesday, and began devouring it the moment I got home. I would have read it in one sitting if not of time constraint and family commitment. This is one of those books that you could not stop reading until you have read the last page.

Blankets is actually a graphic memoir of Craig Thompson's life. It is basically a record of his experience growing up, and involve themes like family, love, religious beliefs, child sexual abuse and freedom. Right from the first page, Craig shows us his love/hate relationship with his younger brother, Phil, and I have to admit it made me nostalgic as it reminds me of my relationship with my younger sister when we were younger. Both of us would say or do some mean things to each other, but at the end of the day we would forgive and forget and this would be a cycle as it goes on again and again.

Craig then proceeds to share with his readers about his strict fundamentalist Christian parents and the sexual abuse he and Phil have to endure though he did not elaborate further. His life in school is not that great either, as he has to face those bullies and disapprovals from his teachers. He took everything in without any grunt or complain, and this made my heart ache for him. He turn to drawing because it is his passion and an escapism.

He then met his first love, Raina, when he attends a winter church camp. She is like a beacon to him, and Craig has never felt so happy in his life. Raina too comes from a strict religious family, and on top of that she has to deal with the separation of her parents, as well as taking care of her mentally ill siblings. The love between Craig and Raina is simply pure and beautiful, but alas Raina felt it is simply too much to commit to a long distance relationship while dealing with her family, so sadly they have to go on separate ways.

What is most beautiful about Blankets is not only the outstanding illustrations but the emotions it evoked in me while reading this (Craig really captured all the emotions perfectly in this book.) There are some heartwarming, tender moments, but there are also some not-so-good moments that made you think and question about life, faith and freedom. It also made me teary-eyed just viewing the blanket Raina had made for Craig, because that reminds me of the blanket my grandmother used to make for me when I was a little girl.

Craig with his little brother, Phil

Craig and Raina

Seriously, I could go on and on, but I would rather you read it for yourself. I could now understand why this graphic novel has been receiving so many good reviews, and I can tell you I am so glad I did not wait much longer in reading it. Now it's your turn!

For more reviews on Blankets, please visit Book Blogs Search Engine.

The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson

ISBN-13: 9780312594411
Publisher: Square Fish
Published: August 2009
265 pgs
Source: Personal Library





Have you ever thought of these questions: What would you do to save your child? To what extent and at what price? Those are what I had thought (and asked myself) while reading The Adoration of Jenna Fox.

Seventeen-year-old Jenna Fox woke up from a coma after an accident that took place over a year ago. She has no memories of the past, and to seek answers she watches videos of her childhood but those are not enough to rekindle her memory. Whenever she asked her parents about her past, they would either give her vague answers or gently brush them away. Curious and frustrated with all the secrecy, Jenna decides to do a little exploring herself and found out some of the things she does not meant to know.

Filled with suspense and tension, The Adoration of Jenna Fox will hold your attention from the opening line till the end of the book. The story is told from Jenna's perspective, thus what we read or think is being told through her emotions and experience, and I find this pretty effective because I was totally sucked into Jenna's world and I could not help wondering what would Jenna think (or do) should she finds out the truth.

To risk revealing the plot, I shall share with you about my thoughts on Jenna. Right from the beginning, I knew there is something about her that made her stand out from the other characters. Besides being curious and at times stubborn, I liked that she is courageous and not afraid to seek answers despite the change(s) surrounding her.

What I liked about this story is besides the great characterization (of Jenna), it also touches on ethics and humanity and makes you think about the future should what had happened to Jenna would really happen. As much as I enjoyed the story, I have some questions in regard to Jenna's parents towards the end of the book, but then again it is a minor issue in my opinion and I don't think it will affect the overall message of the story.

Note: There are a lot of reviews on this book so do check out those links here (Book Blogs Search Engine) created and maintained by the lovely Fyrefly.