The Agency #2: The Body at the Tower by Y.S. Lee

Release Date: August 10, 2010
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Pages: 352
Review Source: Library

Synopsis: (from Goodreads)
This is another colourful, action-packed Victorian detective novel about the exploits of agent Mary Quinn. At a young age, Mary Quinn is rescued from the gallows and taken to Miss Scrimshaw's Academy for Girls. The school turns out to be a front for a private detective agency. At age 17, Mary takes on her first case (A Spy in the House). In this, the second book of the series, Mary Quinn sets out to uncover the truth behind a suspicious death at St. Stephen's Tower, better known as the clock tower of the Houses of Parliament. The accident occurred after hours in a highly public part of town and despite the presence of night watchmen. Mary, disguised as Mark Quinn, becomes a builder's assistant to find out the truth about the body at the tower.

My Thoughts:
I really enjoyed this second book in The Agency series by Y.S. Lee. I’m not the biggest fan of mysteries (though I do enjoy books with mysteries in them, if that makes sense) OR historical fiction, yet I really like this series. I think what draws me into them is the character of Mary. Mary is so stuck because of her gender and her race, yet she finds ways to rise above it. She’s feisty, and even when she’s feeling badly about herself, she somehow goes against the grain and stands up for herself, proving others wrong. I enjoyed the mystery in this book a lot more than the first one, and I thought it had a bit more action to it. Most of all, though, I have to say I enjoy the relationship between Mary and James, and I was thrilled that he was a main part of the book. Without that relationship I don’t think I would like the books as much, because James really brings out Mary’s personality. I would definitely suggest giving these books a shot, and don’t let the length scare you off, because once you get started in them, it’s easy to read the whole book in a couple of days.

Rating:


Find The Agency #2: The Body at the Tower by Y.S. Lee on Goodreads, Book Depository, & Amazon.ca

Future Reads (1)

Future Reads is a new feature on Book Labyrinth, where I'll post about books coming out in the near (or not so near!) future and why I want to read them. I hope you'll discover something you want to read as well! (All title links will take you to Goodreads)

Matched by Ally Condie
Release Date: November 30, 2010

This is the dystopia that everyone has been talking about, and I, for one, cannot wait to read it! I think it will draw a lot of comparisons with 'Delirium' (Lauren Oliver) once that book is out, so I'm interested in comparing the two.





Fixing Delilah by Sarah Ockler
Release Date: December 1, 2010

I only recently read Twenty Boy Summer, but I wish I had read it sooner. I'm pretty sure Sarah Ockler uses magic to write, because her words get put together so flawlessly. I fully expect this one to be just as lovely and heartbreaking as her first novel.





Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
Release Date: December 2, 2010

Well, this one has been hyped by every blogger and their mother. What can I say?? Their hype has worked, and I absolutely cannot wait to read it! I've been looking for a perfect YA romance, and I think this one will work splendidly.





The Book of Spells (a Private prequel) by Kate Brian
Release Date: December 21, 2010

I was a bit skeptical when I first heard of this book. I thought "do even my beloved Private books have to be dragged into the YA paranormal genre??" ... but I'm willing to give it a chance, because I'm pretty sure Kate Brian (aka Kieran Scott) could write absolutely anything and make me love it.



Real Live Boyfriends (Ruby Oliver #4) by E. Lockart
Release Date: December 28, 2010

Who is more lovely, hilarious, and neurotic than Roo? These books are amazing: they totally crack me up.






I hope you've enjoyed these future reads! What not yet released books are you looking forward to?

The DUFF by Kopy Keplinger

Release Date: September 7, 2010
Publisher: Poppy
Pages: 288
Review Source: Library

Synopsis: (from Goodreads)
Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper is cynical and loyal, and she doesn't think she's the prettiest of her friends by a long shot. She's also way too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush. In fact, Bianca hates him. And when he nicknames her "Duffy," she throws her Coke in his face.

But things aren't so great at home right now. Desperate for a distraction, Bianca ends up kissing Wesley. And likes it. Eager for escape, she throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with Wesley.

Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out that Wesley isn't such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up, too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she's falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone.

My Thoughts:
*This review contains spoilers; mainly alluding to events, but I wanted to be sure and warn everyone*
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I picked up this book. I had heard it described as racy, sexy, important, and a whole lot more. I knew that practically everyone loved it, and in some ways I can see why. Bianca is the perfect teenage voice: she’s snarky, cynical, and intelligent. I actually expected her to be a lot more cynical than what she was, based off reading people’s reviews. I found the side characters to be interesting and, for the most part, well thought out. Even the message of the book was a good one, although I would have liked it spelled out in more obvious terms while still lessening references to being “the Duff”: no matter how you try to own that term, it’s horribly degrading.

I’m a cheesy romantic, so I have to say that I was satisfied by the Happily Ever After ending, though I do think it might set a dangerous precedent. Bianca and Wesley’s relationship worried me, because as much as I enjoyed their banter, I don’t think the ending was very realistic. I’m glad Bianca was able to learn things about herself, but I think she did it in a very irresponsible and dangerous way. I would have liked more discussion about possible consequences, besides just having the pregnancy scare passed off onto Vikki. And let’s face it, most “man whore” guys are not going to turn into a loving boyfriend. Maybe I’m just getting too old or something, but it seemed like it sent the wrong message. I also don’t normally read books that have a lot of sexual content or swearing, so for me personally those are downsides, though I read it knowing what the book was about, so I tried not to let it bother me too much. Overall, I think most people would enjoy this book, or at least relate to Bianca’s voice or the theme in some way, which is what makes it a great, quick read, but it definitely wasn't my type of book.

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Find The DUFF by Kody Keplinger on Goodreads, Book Depository, & Amazon.ca