Tesla's Attic (Accelerati Trilogy #1) by Neal Shusterman and Eric Elfman

Hey, guys!  I read this back in January and am just now posting about it.  Sorry.  But the second book, Edison's Alley, came out very recently, so I thought I'd go ahead and post a little something!

I enjoyed this book.  It was creative and fun.  It's probably important to keep in mind that this book's target audience is probably middle schoolers, though I enjoyed it as a high schooler.  Just keep the fact that it might be a tad juvenile in mind (though it really won't affect your enjoyment of this book).
I read this book mainly because Neal Shusterman helped write it.  He is one of my top three favorite authors of all time, and I love everything he writes.

The Cover:

The Cover:
It shows Nick and Caitlyn as they try to defeat the Accelerati.  I honestly don't have an opinion on the cover.  It doesn't stand out, but it's also not too mundane.

Official Description
Tesla's Attic is the first book in a brilliantly imagined and hilariously written trilogy that combines science, magic, intrigue, and just plain weirdness, about four kids who are caught up in a dangerous plan concocted by the eccentric inventor Nikola Tesla.
After their home burns down, fourteen-year-old Nick, his younger brother, and their father move into a ramshackle Victorian house they've inherited. When Nick opens the door to his attic room, he's hit in the head by a toaster. That's just the beginning of his weird experiences with the old junk stored up there. After getting rid of the odd antiques in a garage sale, Nick befriends some local kids-Mitch, Caitlin, and Vincent-and they discover that all of the objects have extraordinary properties. What's more, Nick figures out that the attic is a strange magnetic vortex, which attracts all sorts of trouble. It's as if the attic itself has an intelligence . . . and a purpose.
Ultimately Nick learns that the genius Nikola Tesla placed the items-his last inventions-in the attic as part of a larger plan that he mathematically predicted. Nick and his new friends must retrieve everything that was sold at the garage sale and keep it safe. But the task is fraught with peril-in addition to the dangers inherent in Tesla's mysterious and powerful creations, a secret society of physicists, the Accelerati, is determined to stop Nick and alter destiny to achieve its own devious ends. It's a lot for a guy to handle, especially when he'd much rather fly under the radar as the new kid in town.
Fans of intrigue, action, humor, and nonstop surprises are guaranteed a read unlike any other in Tesla's Attic, Book One of the Accelerati Trilogy.

My Review:
It was a silly book, but I loved it. I laughed out loud at times and got really into the plot. Also, I'm a huge Tesla fan, so how could I not love a book that frequently mentions him! I strongly recommend it.  If you want to have a light, fun read, I would strongly recommend Tesla's Attic!

Phrase:
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Unwholly by Neal Shusterman (Awesome)

Okay, sorry that I am like a month late.  I just didn't get around to posting so I have a bunch of really good books to post on but not enough time.  I'll start with this one and move on if I have time before more books come out.

Unwholly was the sequel to Unwind.  I LOVED Unwind.  It really made me start loving Neal Shusterman's writing.  Anyway, it was an amazing book that you should go and read.  It will sound creepy without a doubt but it's worth it.

Without further ado, the cover.

 

I'll be the first to admit this cover is downright scary.  There's a sulking multicolored teenager on the cover and that's it.  I really hated his character, as you are supposed to.  Anyway, I think they could have done a different cover that wouldn't turn people away from the book because it's not that bad.

 

The plot starts soon after the last book ended.  Conner is taking control of the Graveyard, Risa is handicapped, and Lev is under the custody of his older brother, Marcus.  Things are standing to unravel at the seems, though.  The ADR is cutting resources from the Graveyard, Risa is not as safe as she believes she is, and a tragity in Lev's life might leave him as a prisoner.  We are also introduced to some other characters such as Cam and Starkley.  Let's just say that neither will help their cause much.  And the overlying question is: When will the Juvies finally take out the Graveyard?

 

The plot thickens in this amazing sequel to Unwind.  Neal Shusterman, as always, makes a compelling, action packed story, with some very lovable characters and same very dispisable characters.

 

II would really suggest reading this book along with the first book of the trilogy.  The last book will come out eventually and I will be looking forward to it, hopefully along with you.

 

Thanks for reading this!

The Dark Side of Nowhere by Neal Shusterman (Awesome)

I'm going to get right into it this week, so here's the cover:

The cover shows metal glove shooting lasers out of the fingers.  I really like the lettering on it; it really sets the mood.  And the title, surprisingly not actually depressing, and perfect once you've read the book.

To tell you the truth, I would feel guilty even writing a summary of this book.  The whole thing is revealed as it goes along and you can't summarize it without mention a main point, which would ruin a chunk of the beginning of the book.  I read it without having any idea what it was about (I love Neal Shusterman) and that worked out great, for the best even.  I'll put in a summary at the end of the post, just in case, and I'll make sure it won't ruin the surprise.

It was an amazing story with action, love, random funny bits, and a couple dramatic twists.  I thought I should put in the first sentence because, well, I don't really know.  Anyway: "Ethan died of a burst appendix."  (Random thought, why do Ethans never live long in TV shows and books?  My advice is to never get too attached to a character named Ethan; you'll regret it.) 

I would definitely suggest reading this book.  It wasn't long, maybe 200 pages, but it was definitely worth reading.  And the ending...  Well, if you've ever read a book by Neal Shusterman, you'll know the kind of ending he usually uses.  One that wraps everything up nicely except for one thing, which the reader is almost certain they know how will end up.  It leaves you hanging, not enough to make a sequel, but makes you think about it for a long, long time.  They should give him a prize for his amazing (if sometimes sad) endings.

Oh, random tid bit.  There's this character, Ralphy Sherman, who appears in a whole bunch of Neal's books.  He is a guy who "stretches the truth" a long ways.  Keep an eye out for him, makes it a bit more interesting.

And here's where I'll write my summary.  I'll try my hardest to make it spoiler free.

Jason lives in a nice little town where everything is normal and nice.  Nothing interesting ever happens.  That is, until his friend Ethan dies.  Then strange things start happening.  The janitor gives Jason something that, let's just say, is very unusual.  Jason and Paula start poking around the town and find somethings are not as they seem.  If fact, nothing at all is how it seems.  And it all seems to connect with a problem that happened in Old Town twenty years before and the fact that Grant (the janitor) has his satellite dish pointed in the wrong direction.

Once again, this is an amazing book and I would recommend it to every one.

P.S. I had a realization the other day that the Gone Series has a couple bits that I would feel guilty recommending to anyone under twelve years old, starting in the second or third book.  I mean, most would be okay with it, but I need to point it out just the same.  I think that currently it is my favorite series. (It's amazing, and I haven't gotten tired of it like Harry Potter, yet.)  So don't think I'm complaining.  It's just that, well, there is a little PG 13 content a little later in the series.  (I hope you know what I mean there.  If not, ask in the comments, but that's super uncomfortable, so please don't.)  I thought I'd throw that all out there and hope it doesn't deter you from the series because it is beyond amazing. I mean, seriously, go out and read it.



Speeding Bullet by Neal Shusterman (Great)

Thank you to the people who have commented on this blog. I really appreciate it. Everyone who hasn't commented, please do; it lets me know that people are actually reading this.  I know this didn't fit in, but I had to say it.  Back to the summary.

I had a weird thought. I hadn't read anything new this week, since I was re-reading the Gone Series.  I have a whole list of books that are on my "to review" list, and now I can actually got to use it.  This is one of those books you read because of the author's awesome-ness.  If you click the Label beneath the post that says "Neal Shusterman" you'll see all of the other books that I've reviewed by him.  Just in case you decide you're a fan.

The cover:

Sorry, I couldn't get it any bigger.  Anyway, on the cover shows the main character in front of a subway car.  The reason that that's the picture is pretty obvious once you read it.

Nick is just an average kid living in New York City.  Until one day, while waiting for the subway car, he notices a little girl, whom would get hit by the subway without his help.  He becomes a hero, and then everyone forgets about him.  The only thing that remains the same is that whenever he flips a coin, it lands on heads.  Just an average kid whose luck can't run out.  Nick starts doing crazy, reckless things like running into burning buildings.  Only his friend, Linda, doesn't want him to get hurt.  After all, eventually everyone's luck runs out...

Overall, it was a great story.  The whole older brother complex made it even better.  I would suggest it and all, but thinking back on it, it's not one of Neal's best books.  Still amazing by most scales, but not one of my favorites.  But, that's not to say it wasn't good. 

Maybe the only problem was that I read it a while ago, and the "power" of the book has lessened over time.  Who knows?

I'll try to post next Friday.  See you then.

P.S.  If you want to be super awesome, click on an add on the side or bottom of this post.  Just the one add.  It would be awesome, and I'd love you for it.

Downsiders by Neal Shusterman (Really Good)

Sorry that I'm a bit late this week.  It's been  pretty hectic.  Anyway, back to Downsiders. 
I read this book because I absolutely LOVE all of the books by Neal Shusterman (especially Full Tilt, Bruiser, Everfound, Unwind, and The Schwa was Here). This was a really good book, not as good as some of his book but still pretty amazing.  The cover:

For future references, the book has another cover with the title and author in a circle, but I didn't put that one on this post because it had "a novel" on it. (That's my biggest pet peeve.  Look at the cover and you know it's a novel!)

The story goes like this: There's a society under the feet of New York City.  They've gotten about well enough on their own, but Talon wants to go to the Topside so much that it hurts.  He meets Lindsay, a Topsider, by a chance run in and, later, things start crashing down around them, literally.  A simple truth that could destroy everything that all of the Downsiders' lives, a broken-in-half home, a sick sister, and an execution wait within these pages, all you have to do is start reading.

Overall, I really liked this book.  He should have slowed down during the pipe part, and gone quicker during the very beginning, but it was a wonderful book.  I would definetely suggest you to read it.

I'm about halfway through Birthmarked  and I have to say that it is amazing so far.  I'll post on it next week!