Choices, Factions and Well-Written Romance (In a YA novel, no less!) - Review of "Divergent" by Veronica Roth

Title: Divergent

Author: Veronica Roth

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Publication Date: May 3, 2011

Reading Level: 16 and up

Synopsis: (from Goodreads) -

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself. 

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves… or it might destroy her. 

Debut author Veronica Roth bursts onto the literary scene with the first book in the Divergent series—dystopian thrillers filled with electrifying decisions, heartbreaking betrayals, stunning consequences, and unexpected romance.

My Review:

In the library system where I work, you can always tell the really good books.  When brand new books come out, there's always at least a month or so where those books are constantly on hold and anyone who wants a turn just had better take a number.  The really good ones are on hold for a couple of months and the really, really, REALLY good ones are on hold for about six or seven.  "Divergent" came out in May 2011 and it still has a hold list rolling out the door and down the road.

But just because a book is popular doesn't make it good (naw - DUH!)  My readership is well aware the issues I had with "Uglies" and that is one that continues to be on the request list.  But, with the Christmas holidays coming up and my need for something on the "light and fluffy" side during this break (seeing as how I've been tackling "The Wheel of Time" series the past two months, most anything else would qualify as light and fluffy by comparison), I decided to give "Divergent" a shot.

I will be as upfront about this as I can be - "Divergent" gave me a distinct "Uglies" vibe about halfway through the book.  Could I point to anything specific?  Not really.  Maybe it was the aspect of teenagers teaching teenagers how to do stupid things (like zip-lining down a skyscraper for the fun of it? Yeah, that's an "Uglies" thing).  It could be the Dauntless training Tris and Co. have to go through, but "The Hunger Games" did something similar and it didn't bother me there (even though the Dauntless training is more or less a period of "Yeah, we know you're going to be accepted into Dauntless - when is stuff going to start happening?") However, that feeling didn't last (Thank Gallifrey) and "Divergent" turned out to be much better.

One thing I enjoyed about this book is that the important surprises were well-placed and were actually - well, surprising (hm... fancy that).  I was so impressed by one in particular that I'm not even going to mention it here because I'd like someone else to be surprised by it.  I will give you a hint - it's not the reveal that Four is Tobias (let's be honest - that one was telegraphed in by the end of chapter 6.  At least, I think it was chapter 6 - I don't remember specifics.  But don't get the impression that I was bothered by that).

Another thing - and this is something I harp on quite a bit, but I certainly can't be the only one who feels this way - I was so happy that there are no contrived and crappily-shoe-horned-in love triangles in "Divergent."  There was a moment where that could have happened, but thankfully Al bit the dust and Tris and Four are able to let their budding romance blossom as the plot progresses.  In fact, the Tris/Tobias pairing is one of my favorite things about this book specifically because there is very little drama around the relationship itself.  Oh sure, the both of them have their own issues and problems they deal with individually, but they kind of help each other through those problems and it's quite a joy to read.  It's one of the more better-written romantic relationships I've read in YA fiction in quite a long time.   

(That being said - Woe betide the story if some heretofore unknown trollop or he-man swoops in to make an unnecessary and idiotic love triangle.  This story has plenty of outward drama and conflict to create an enjoyable plot)

I have to talk about the ending a little bit because that was my favorite part of the story. Honestly! I'm not being snooty about it or anything.  The climax was one of the most satisfying things I've read in a while and I'll tell you why that is - it's because I could follow what was happening.  Many action-packed endings I've read have so much action and description going on that I can hardly tell who's doing what, where the characters are, who's died and who's on our side.  Roth kept this surprisingly simple and to-the-point without sacrificing any of the intensity or edge-of-your-seat-ness that makes a good climax.  Oh, and I'm quite pleased that Tobias didn't end up being captured by the Dauntless/Erudite/Fishbait faction so Tris has to spend all of the next book pining for him.

A note on the setting - the summary says that this takes place in a futuristic Chicago and perhaps it does, but the specific setting really doesn't matter.  I think there was one specific mention of a certain building in Chicago (and it shows how important that mention was that I don't remember the name of the building), but this could have taken place in the futuristic version of any city, really.  But if that's what Roth wants it to be, it's not a terrible bother.

Where would I set "Divergent" on my Sliding Scale of Excellent Dystopias? Since I just made that up, I would have to say it ranks with "Matched" - that is slightly below "The Hunger Games," but heads and above better than "Uglies" or "The Bar Code Tattoo."  Worth your time to pick up and certainly worth your time to finish so you can feverishly anticipate the next installment (titled "Insurgent" and due out May 2012).

Return to Camp Half-Blood - Review of "The Heroes of Olympus" series by Rick Riordan

Title: The Lost Hero (Book 1); The Son of Neptune (Book 2)
Author: Rick Riordan
Publisher: Hyperion Books
Publication Date: October 12, 2010; October 4, 2011
Reading Level: 13 and up


Synopses (from Goodreads) -
 - The Lost Hero - Jason has a problem. He doesn’t remember anything before waking up in a bus full of kids on a field trip. Apparently he has a girlfriend named Piper and a best friend named Leo. They’re all students at a boarding school for “bad kids.” What did Jason do to end up here? And where is here, exactly?

Piper has a secret. Her father has been missing for three days, ever since she had that terrifying nightmare. Piper doesn’t understand her dream, or why her boyfriend suddenly doesn’t recognize her. When a freak storm hits, unleashing strange creatures and whisking her, Jason, and Leo away to someplace called Camp Half-Blood, she has a feeling she’s going to find out.

Leo has a way with tools. When he sees his cabin at Camp Half-Blood, filled with power tools and machine parts, he feels right at home. But there’s weird stuff, too—like the curse everyone keeps talking about. Weirdest of all, his bunkmates insist that each of them—including Leo—is related to a god.

 - The Son of Neptune - Percy is confused. When he awoke from his long sleep, he didn't know much more than his name. His brain fuzz is lingering, even after the wolf Lupa told him he is a demigod and trained him to fight with the pen/sword in his pocket. Somehow Percy manages to make it to a camp for half-bloods, despite the fact that he has to keep killing monsters along the way. But the camp doesn't ring and bells with him. The only thing he can recall from his past is another name: Annabeth

Hazel is supposed to be dead. When she lived before, she didn't do a very good job of it. Sure, she was an obedient daughter, even when her mother was possessed by greed. But that was the problem - when the Voice took over he mother and commanded Hazel to use her "gift" for and evil purpose, Hazel couldn't say no. Now because of her mistake, the future of the world is at risk. Hazel wished she could ride away from it all on the stallion that appears in her dreams.

Frank is a klutz. His grandmother says he is descended from heroes and can be anything he wants to be, but he doesn't see it. He doesn't even know who his father is. He keeps hoping Apollo will claim him, because the only thing he is good at is archery - although not good enough to win camp war games. His bulky physique makes him feel like an ox, especially infront of Hazel, his closest friend at camp. He trusts her completely - enough to share the secret he holds close to his heart.

Beginning at the "other" camp for half-bloods and extending as far as the land beyond the gods, this breathtaking second installment of the Heroes of Olympus series introduces new demigods, revives fearsome monsters, and features other remarkable creatures, all destined to play a part in the Prophecy of Seven.


My Review:
Rick Riordan is a genius.

Let me back up - as a kid, I ate up anything I could learn about Greek mythology.  Zeus, Hera, Apollo, Artemis, Athena, Poseidon, Hades - loved every minute of it.  Roman mythology - eh, yeah, I got into it to a lesser extent (mostly because I also loved astronomy and the planets are named after the Roman gods), but Greek was the way to go for me.  I think that's where my love of fantasy originally stems from (that, and Grimm's Fairy Tales. Great stuff, that).

So when I discovered the original "Percy Jackson" series, I was in seventh heaven (also wondering "Why in the world couldn't I have come up with this?"  You know, as I do).  Setting Greek gods in the modern world and how their demigod children cope with life - add in a healthy dose of sarcastic humor - it's so much fun.

But then, "The Heroes of Olympus" comes out and I wonder how this is going to work.  There was already a highly successful series and a satisfying conclusion - what more could Riordan do with this?

Answer - A lot.

First of all - he mixes in the Roman gods.  Now, I always assumed that the Romans just appropriated the Greek gods and gave them new names, but kept the same stories.  But in a fantastic showing of Having Done The Research, Riordan decides to work in the differences between Roman and Greek culture into the gods' personalities.  Plus, there's a whole new demigod camp - Camp Jupiter - on the west coast to compliment Camp Half-Blood on the east coast (signifying that the western and eastern parts of the Roman empire were split up at one point and turned out very different cultures - who says popular literature isn't educational?)

The Lost Hero introduces Jason, Piper and Leo.  Jason has lost his memory and ends up at Camp Half-Blood for Greek demigods and it turns out Jason is a descendant of... Jupiter.  Which is the Roman version of Zeus.  And that Roman aspect makes a HUGE difference.  Also, Percy Jackson is missing (which has this little fangirl going "Ugh - REALLY?")  The sarcasm is toned down a bit from the original series - it's not gone completely, however.  This just makes for a slightly darker story and Riordan is able to tell the story by shifting points-of-view between the three main characters.  It's been a few months since I last read The Lost Hero, so I'm a little fuzzy on the details, but it is an exciting new take on this world and from a fresh perspective of other half-blood kids.

The Son of Neptune reintroduces Percy (HOORAY!) but he's lost his memory as well (BOO!)  Percy's wound up in Camp Jupiter, the somewhat more uptight (in my opinion) Roman camp for demigods, and he has a quest to complete with the assistance of Hazel and Frank (who are about as cute a pair of demigods you could ask for).  They complete their quest - but are left with a big chunk of prophecy to think upon for the rest of the series.  Oh - and Annabeth (the daughter of Athena that featured prominently in the original series and is Percy's girlfriend and is just made of general awesomesauce) is coming back, which may or may not be a good thing.

Like I said, Rick Riordan is a genius.  He's come up with an entire world and mythology and has written one fantastic series from it and is now going back to do something new with it.  Some would say that it's not wise to go back to the well too many times, but this works somehow.

The third book in the series, The Mark of Athena (eee! TITLE!) comes out next fall.

Programming Note: During my senior year high school, I was introduced to a series called The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan.  For those not familiar with it, this series is one of those Doorstoppers (thank you, TV Tropes) with a zillion books of similar length in the entire series (okay, okay, more like fourteen, when all is said and done).  I had to stop reading when I got to college because of the sheer amount of work involved (in college, not reading WOT - though I suppose that would hold true as well) and only got to about book seven.  But now that I am finished with school (HOORAY!!) I find myself with extra time to devote to those Super Awesome and Fun But Not Exactly Productive projects I always wanted to complete - which includes re-reading AND finishing The Wheel of Time.  I am really excited about this because I got sucked into it the first time around and I was heartbroken when I had to set it aside for other pursuits.  And if you know one thing about me, it's that I LOVE to get sucked into stories.  Even when they monopolize all my free time (I should say Especially when they monopolize my free time).  The point? I probably won't be able to review very much until I finish (or - most likely - take a break from) The Wheel of Time.  There'll still be a few reviews here and there - but just so you know why I haven't been posting very much. That's why.

Having Crossed the Bar (Not to Mention the Red Desert) - Review of "Crossed" by Ally Condie

Title: Crossed
Author: Ally Condie
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
Publication Date: November 2011
Reading Level: 13 and up

Synopsis: (from Goodreads) –
The hotly awaited second book in the dystopian Matched trilogy

In search of a future that may not exist and faced with the decision of who to share it with, Cassia journeys to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky - taken by the Society to his certain death - only to find that he has escaped, leaving a series of clues in his wake.

Cassia's quest leads her to question much of what she holds dear, even as she finds glimmers of a different life across the border. But as Cassia nears resolve and certainty about her future with Ky, an invitation for rebellion, an unexpected betrayal, and a surprise visit from Xander - who may hold the key to the uprising and, still, to Cassia's heart - change the game once again. Nothing is as expected on the edge of Society, where crosses and double crosses make the path more twisted than ever.

My Review:
Remember how my review of "Matched" was an undying love letter to Ally Condie and her masterful work of YA fiction?  Remember how I was super-duper excited for the second installment?  Well - I'm still excited about this series, but I do have a few things to say about it.

When giving my rating on Goodreads for this one, I sincerely wished there was a way to give a ½ star rating between levels. Because “Crossed” was really good, but it has the unenviable job of being the second book in a trilogy. “Matched” was fantastic – like, blow-everything-out-of-the-water brilliant and I loved every minute of it. “Crossed” was excellent in its own right, but I think “Matched” was slightly better.  This is not a dig against "Crossed," by any means - I loved it!  But I loved "Matched" just a teensy bit more.

I was correct in my prediction that “Crossed” would be a bit more action-oriented than “Matched” was. This book takes Cassia and Ky into Southern Utah the Outer Provinces. They’ve both been split up and put into the company of other Aberrations (outcasts from the Society – though now that I think of it, I don’t know that Cassia was ever officially marked an Aberration. But I’m sure that’s going to change. Nit-picky, I know). There is still a little of Xander in the story, but that is blessedly short (if there is one thing I want the world to know about these books is that it is possible to have a really good YA dystopian story and leave out the contrived love-triangle.  The itty-bitty love triangle in this series actually serves a purpose!  Bless Ally Condie for this forever!) and Cassia’s focus is entirely, 100% on finding Ky.

One thing I want to make special mention of is the switch between Cassia’s and Ky’s first-person POVs between chapters. I only make note of it because I only noticed my enjoyment of it because I took on the NaNoWriMo challenge and I’m trying to work this technique into my own novel, so I’m pleased to see it work well in an actual published work (there is hope!) I’ve always, always enjoyed stories written in first-person and it almost seems like they’re easier to write. But there’s always something going on elsewhere in the story that, as an author, you feel like it’s important for the reader to know but your character doesn’t know it quite yet. So, I liked that Condie just flat out said “Dear Reader, you get Ky's POV in one chapter and Cassia's in the next.” Both characters deal with their own uncertainty about the other (Is Ky still alive? Is Cassia out there looking for Ky?), but the reader knows that it’s going to work out (or, at least you hope it will) because you know what the other one is doing. My only complaint (and this comes from me reading the Nook version and I wonder if there were headers in the printed version that avoided this problem) is that when Ky and Cassia meet up, the back-and-forth first-person gets confusing and I’m not always sure who’s speaking. But it’s a minor thing – something that someone reading the hard-copy might not have had an issue with.

The only thing that gives me pause about this is that it felt like it ended too quickly. Maybe I’m used to gigantic blow ups and insane cliffhangers at the end of the second part of my trilogies, but there wasn’t much of that. There were a few things that (I won’t mention because of SPOILERS) take Cassia and Ky and the rest off into points unknown and set up the third book, but it felt like there should have been more. I’m sure there are going to be plenty of CRAP JUST GOT REAL moments in book 3 because there were so many in “Matched,” but just not as many in “Crossed.”

Bottom Line: “Crossed” is a good enough follow-up to “Matched” and I’m eagerly awaiting the end of the series.

A Little Birdy Told Me...

Not a review, but I do have something good in the works so watch this space!  I do have two announcements for those in and around Salt Lake County (one applies to the interwebs, so maybe that caveat isn't as hard-and-fast).  Both apply to the library and as I work for the Salt Lake County Library, I feel like I ought to support the home team :)

Two things -

1 - This is for today only - If you've read a bunch of really good books and you don't know what to read next, if you post a comment listing a few of those titles on the Salt Lake County Library's Facebook page, one of their librarians will give you some personalized suggestions of something you might enjoy based on what you give them.  This is just like their personalized reading lists that they do via email, but much quicker.

2 - In one of the comments of said personalized recommendation campaign, one of the librarians let slip that Ally Condie will be speaking at the Holladay Library on March 23, 2012!  Remember Ally?  Author of Matched and Crossed? (which I will be reviewing soon)  Super-awesome books and (I hear) a really super-awesome person?  I'm sure more details will arise as the date comes closer, but I for one am stoked!  The calendar is cleared of any and all conflicts (and before you even say it - I can hit The Hunger Games midnight showing and go see Ally Condie in the evening.  It's a dystopian awesomeness all-day affair!)

The Trailer! It's Here!

The Hunger Games movie trailer is out!

I have chills just watching this.

Boffins, Beasties and Bum-rags - Review of the "Leviathan" trilogy

Another whole-series review? Well, dear readers, you deserve it.  And what a doozy of a series it is!

Titles: 1- Leviathan, 2- Behemoth, 3 - Goliath
Author: Scott Westerfeld
Illustrator: Keith Thompson
Publisher: Simon Pulse

Leviathan Synopsis (from Goodreads) -

Prince Aleksander, would-be heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, is on the run. His own people have turned on him. His title is worthless. All he has is a battletorn war machine and a loyal crew of men.
Deryn Sharp is a commoner, disguised as a boy in the British Air Service. She's a brilliant airman. But her secret is in constant danger of being discovered.
With World War I brewing, Alek and Deryn's paths cross in the most unexpected way…taking them on a fantastical, around-the-world adventure that will change both their lives forever.

My Review:
I know I slagged off Westerfeld for his other-series-that-shall-not-be-named (and rightly so).  I was initially hesitant to read another one of his books because of how much I despised that other thing.  But my students at the time recommended this series to me and my sister said it was good and it was steampunk rather than dystopian, so I thought maybe a change of genre would be good.

And now, seven months after I began Leviathan, I can honestly say that this is one of the best series that I have read in a freakishly long time.  I don't think I have devoured a book - much less three of them - with such ferocity and enjoyment as I did these three.  Not since Harry Potter, where I gladly sacrificed sleep to read "just one more chapter," have I been so excited about a book.  And I get excited about a lot of books.  Seriously - I audibly SQUEE'd when I saw that Goliath was available at the library.  Since I started working there, I don't think I've been so careful to avoid accidentally reading a spoiler when I'm checking in a book.

This series takes place in an alternate World War I, which is an interesting setting for an author to go.  Most steampunk is in the late 1800s.  And honestly, if you want to do a war story, it seems like the easiest place is World War II.  But I applaud this move for several reasons - 1) It's a fresh topic to explore. 2) When I was growing up, I heard plenty about World War II and what that was all about.  But I seldom heard about World War I.  And, in my childlike mind, there must have been a One for there to be a Two.  Even the crappiest of sequels had to have an original to follow.  So I think it's great for there to be something for kids about World War I.  Even if it's not historically accurate (c'mon - they're traveling on an airship grown from a whale, for heaven's sake!) it might pique some kid's interest and want to learn more about that first conflict.

I've got to talk about the Darwinists and the Clankers, which are the two factions at war in this alt-WWI.  The Darwinists are the Allied powers - Britain, France, Russia - and they have the ability to build machines out of animals.  The Leviathan airship is pretty much a giant whale with bits of other animals genetically built in to the structure.  One of their weapons is a flechette bat, which is a genetically modified bat that will eat pieces of iron and the crew lets them out and they... well, they drop what they've eaten and it's like a little flying machine gun (don't think about it too much).  The Clankers are the Central Powers - Germany and the Austro-Hungarian empire - and their machines are metal machines, but bigger.

Oh geez - here's the picture from the endsheets of Leviathan. It's easier to understand:

Click to embiggen

Is it weird that I love how Russia is drawn as a giant rotting bear?

Another thing that made me love this series is the character of Deryn Sharp.  Dear Sweet Gallifrey - this kid has so much life and sarcasm and she is totally her own person.  I love how she is totally not worried about anyone discovering her secret (as long as she's careful and follows her own plan) she can be a midshipman on a naval airbeast and show up all the boys on the crew.  The best, I think, is when Dr. Barlow ("the lady boffin," as Deryn often calls her) comes aboard and Deryn isn't cowed by her authority, even though the Leviathan is charged with taking her to Istanbul as a scientific ambassador.  Even when Prince Alek gets thrown into the mix, Deryn holds her own and their friendship is believable.  I also love how Deryn doesn't make a big deal about "girls can do anything boys do" and that allows the story to flow and take shape without any sideshow preachiness to slow it down.  I mean, I was always one of those girls that wanted to beat the boys in sports and games and things like that, but that doesn't mean I want it shoved in my face every time I try to enjoy a good story.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention the absolutely gorgeous illustrations in this book.  When I finally got my copy of Goliath from the library, I was a bit miffed to see that the tech services folks had taped down the book jacket so you couldn't see the endsheet illustrations (I'll probably purchase this set for myself for Christmas - it is definitely worth owning.)  Keith Thompson does such an amazing job of creating scenes and characters and they add to the story.  As good as the narrative is, it's hard to picture a lot of this stuff when you're just reading the word that describe living airships and enormous metal clanking war machines.  The pictures are just a wonderful way to give the reader a good sense of place and how these things would look.  My favorite is the one in Leviathan where Deryn is flying on this big jellyfish-looking air balloon and the wind has blown her into the path of the Leviathan airship and the ship is just coming out of the clouds and it looks like a whale flying in the air.  If I could have that picture framed on my wall, then I would - it is that neat.

On a personal note - It's funny after having come back from a trip that took me to Vienna and Serbia, which are the two main places that got World War I going in the first place (and hearing so much about Nikola Tesla  in Serbia - and he turns out to be a complete loon in Goliath).  Now, I just have to add Britain to that list and I will be a satisfied little world traveler.

Speaking of Tesla - just because I can and because it's Back to the Future day - here's a video of Tesla coils playing the theme song from BttF -



Ah - nerds. Don'cha just love 'em?

As I look at this review thus far, I notice that I didn't give too much mention of Behemoth.  I will say that the second book was good - it just has the difficult task of being the second book in a trilogy.  By this point, the story has already started and it's not going to finish here.  The whole "Mr. Sharp is really a girl" plot continues on, as does Alek's continued hiding from the Clankers.  Their relationship grows to where it needs to be at the beginning of Goliath and the reader is constantly wondering when the heck is Alek going to figure out that "Dylan" Sharp is actually female (because you know that's going to happen at some point.  It always does).  But it's still interesting and enjoyable and Deryn and Alek are just a joy to follow, no matter what's going on in the rest of the story.

(Oh, and there's no crappily fabricated love-triangle that seems to be all the rage in YA fiction these days.  There is one moment in Behemoth where it comes close, but it mercifully skulks back into the shadows and lets the rest of the story move along in peace).

Bottom Line - I could gush more about these books, but then you wouldn't have time to go read them yourself (I haven't even mentioned how adorable Alek is through the whole series.  And that picture of him on the cover of Goliath? Da-yum). This trilogy more than makes up for Westerfeld's previous botched attempt at YA fiction.  Even without that hanging over his head, he deserves much praise for Leviathan, Behemoth and Goliath.  This just a fantastic story and anyone who enjoys steampunk or alternate history or even historical fiction will enjoy these books.

LDS Fiction: You're Doing It Right

Title: Not My Type: A Single Girl's Guide to Doing It All Wrong
Author: Melanie Jacobson
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Date: September 2011


Synopsis (from Goodreads) -
Twenty-three-year-old Pepper Spicer is not living the dream. She ended her engagement at the last minute because her fiancé — a musician and soon-to-be reality TV star — wanted her to sacrifice her own career ambitions for his.

Now she's stuck at home sharing a room with her little sister, trying to pay off massive debt for a wedding that didn't happen, and spending Friday nights Facebook-stalking everyone who has a better life. Her therapist father urges her to choose her career dreams and count her blessings by writing weekly thank you notes, but gratitude is a tall order when she botches an important job interview and has to settle for writing an undercover dating web-zine column — the
last thing in the world she wants to do. Still, as Pepper (byline: Indie Girl) chronicles her bizarre and hilarious blind dates, she gives her father's challenge a try and slowly finds herself leaving self-pity behind. Life takes a major upswing as Pepper's column hits the big time and she tastes the exhilarating thrill of success. But there's one tiny problem: the intensely hot man she's falling for is having issues with her job (again). Will Pepper trade her personal ambition for another chance at love?

My Review:
I have had a very rocky relationship with LDS fiction over the years.  I blame Jack Weyland and all his soapy-sappy-Sunday-School-watered-down versions of "realistic" (ha!) LDS fiction where it takes someone dying of some rare disease to give the lovable-yet-misguided protagonist their "Come to Jesus" moment and suddenly everything in life is wonderful.  I thought I had another one of "Those Books" on my hands when "Not My Type" floated across the automated check-in system at work.  Didn't help that the main character's name is "Pepper Spicer" (I wish I could say that this name is just something cutesy the author made up, but I would not be surprised if there is some poor unfortunate BYU co-ed with a name like that. I don't know what kind of ill wind is blowing down in Utah County that people name their children such weird things).  I was pretty well ready to blow this one off as another sappy Jack Weyland-knock off about a poor girl whose best idea of rebellion is to read the Salt Lake Tribune and hang out in Sugar House with all the people who fancy themselves hippies, yet could only get their liberal club cards punched as far as the east side of Salt Lake City (poor things. You almost have to feel sorry for them).

However, I was not prepared for the character development Melanie Jacobson had in store for her heroine.  Or her loving-yet-honest (and very refreshing) take on Utah culture - especially the dating scene.

Pepper lives with her parents and works full-time in an effort to pay off a wedding that never happened.  Her ex-fiance, Landon, broke off not just one wedding, but two, because his music career came first.  So, Pepper is living with her parents (sharing a room with her seven-year-old sister) and working a crappy full-time job at a sandwich shop in order to pay-off the debt from the second wedding that never happened.  Needless to say, Pepper is not happy about where her life is and the book begins with her making everyone else miserable because she is miserable.  Her dad, in an effort to administer tough love, gives her two choices - (1) find a new job and a new attitude (for the latter, Dad assigns Pepper to write a thank you note once a week to someone who's done something nice for her) or (2) find an apartment, pay rent and take longer to pay-off the wedding debt.  Luckily for the story, Pepper chooses Option 1.

The weekly thank you notes are key to this being an enjoyable story because Pepper's attitude does change and she does find joy in the weird circumstances she winds up in.  She does find a better job writing for an upstart online magazine for the twenty-somethings.  Her column: "Single in the City," where she goes on dates with guys she meets online and writes about the dates and how disastrous they are (all under a pen name, of course - because who would go out with a girl who's going to write about the date and post it to the internet?)  However, Pepper's newfound change-of heart conflicts with her desire to make fools of these boys... plus she ends up meeting a really nice guy (through a rather hilarious chain of events.  Well... I thought it was funny. I won't spoil it for you, dear reader. Seriously - did not see that one coming).  She also adjusts her career expectations for the better and it's wonderful to see her shift from the whiny, heartbroken sandwich shop manager to a self-assured, happy reporter.

As with most LDS fiction, there are certain elements of Utah culture that are fun to see (considering Utah isn't a place that's featured in a lot of mainstream fiction writing).  I especially loved how Jacobson included the abject idiocy and, quite frankly, pants-wetting the local media engages in when someone from Utah gets on one of those stupid American Idol shows (it's kind of embarrassing, to be truthful).  There are a few scenes that are Church-related, but nothing too doctrinally-heavy gets explored, which is nice for people who aren't familiar with the particulars.  And anything else that's unique to our culture that other people might not fully understand is either explained enough for the purposes of the story or the reader can figure it out well-enough that it doesn't ruin the narrative.  Honestly, I think anyone - LDS or no - would enjoy reading this book.

Bottom Line: All in all, a nice fluffy romantic comedy where the characters just happen to be LDS.  Some lovely character development and lots of witty dialogue makes for an enjoyable read.  It's refreshing to see something even halfway decent come out of the local publishing companies and I'm glad I picked this one up.