By: Rosario Neria

Kathryn Stockett’s the Help (2009), features a view into the lives of those who want to change things, Miss Skeeter, Aibileen Clark, and Minny Jackson. Set at Jackson, Mississippi the characters of this book are written within stories that will have the reader wondering weather they are real people who were really in these situations and not a fictional book of these stories. The reader believes in Miss Skeeter’s brave influence, in Aibileen’s caring nature, and in Minny’s uneasy trust, also the harsh and cruel personalities of some of the white people in town such as Miss Hilly. With all of this the reader would be sucked into the stories of these three women.

Miss Skeeter is a white woman who had an idea to show the world what it is like to work for a white family, by getting life stories from some of the black maids who worked for the white families in town. Her story is made up of her struggle to become an author and receiving the stories of the other maids, loosing her friends along the way.

Aibileen Clark is a black woman -who works for Elizabeth Leefolt; is for a time, raising Mae Mobley, her 17^th white child. She worked for the white families quietly taking orders but found a new bitternes after her sons death. Her story relates on how she as the first to speak of her story, tries to convince others to speak as well as her view of the world around her.

Minny Jackson is a black maid who is known not only for her cooking but, also for her smart mouth and rudimentary behavior. Resisting to share her stories not understanding why a white woman would care about what she has to say, even though she has a lot to say. Her story also shows how life is like working for a white woman. A woman who is very mysterious and harbors secrets that would leave the reader speechless.

These three women’s stories fill this book with a new understanding of what it was like for those who needed to watch their step when it came to the rights of the black community, there was always a threat of being beaten, houses being destroyed, being put in jail, and loosing all who were close to you, for “going over the line.”

Stockett wrote this book showing all of this and more, she built this book as if it was fact, the reader not knowing if it was. The reader will be amazed by the strength there is when one has hope for change. At a rating of 1-10 I would rate this to be a 9 with secrets, fear of punishment, and a view that is not often seen this book as a wonderful collection of stories.

As an old fear carries a view into a world that many have not truly seen, this book is surely a fascinating and interesting read. You can buy this book at Barnes & Nobles paperback for $10.98 or $9.99 for your Nook.

Thursday, September 15, 2011 By Rosario Neria

Chloe Neill’s book The Dark Elite displays a not so usual fantasy world with high school drama. – Rosario Neria

Chloe Neill’s book The Dark Elite (2011), features two of her books,Firespell (2010) and Hexbound (2011). This intriguing fantasy book displays a not so usual fantasy world, though with high school drama.

Set at an all girls boarding school in Chicago, the characters in this book are written so incredibly that the reader feels that they are real. The heroine of the story, Lily, is not your usual fantasy girl of a soft girl in distress and yet tough, but someone with a strong and curious personality, as she often tries to play Nancy Drew. Lily’s new friend Scout is also another not so usual character, as mystery combines with her humorous persona.

In Firespell Lily is sent to a boarding school in Chicago by her parents who went on a business trip to Germany. Lily is depressed by the transfer and the only thing that has kept her spirits up is her new friend Scout. But Lily finds that Scout has some secrets and leaves during the night on some unknown mission. Lily soon understands the reason for Scouts nightly leavings. When a prank leaves Lily trapped at the schools underground tunnel system, and she is attacked by something that should not be out of books and fairy tales, and Scout finally tells Lily the truth. The fight between good and evil brought to a new light.

In Hexbound, the line, with great power comes great responsibility is taken to a whole new level, which is why Lily needs to understand and control her new powers in full and soon. As if it wasn’t enough with brat pack drama and a crush on a cute guy- who has a werewolfy secret. Also she meets with a guy from the opposite side who promises her that he can help her to control her powers and use them like never before. With deception and secrets, Lily soon finds that her path is not always clear.

Neill has written a wondrous and complex world of magic, mystery, and boarding school drama. It has some romance, though not very much can satisfy any teen romantic. An example is when Lily finds that her parents trip to Germany is not as simple as it seems. There are secrets hidden behind the reasons they leave and why Lily was sent to St. Sophia boarding school. Another is when Scout is kidnaped by the enemy, and Lily tries to convince the other Adept (good guys) to help her find and rescue her friend – though the senior Adepts are very reluctant to go.

This book though complex, is very intriguing, and the characters are so mysterious and humorous the reader won’t want to put this book down. This book is an escape from the real world. Get this book at your local WalMart for around $5-$6 or at Barnes and Noble for $9.49.