Vous l’avez peut être remarqué, mais je poste de moins en moins vu que je suis en pleine phase « phase terminale des lectures obligatoires pour les cours ». Même si je continue à lire des livres qui m’intéressent, je dois avouer que je suis vite lassée ayant déjà 2h de lecture dans les pattes (et la lassitude de ces satanés romantiques qui font trainer l’intrigue en longueur avec leurs descriptions ^^). Comme je ne veux pas laisser tomber le blog, je vais tenter de chroniquer des livres que j’ai lus il y a longtemps et pour qui j’ai eu un véritable coup de cœur. Comme je vous rabats les oreilles avec elle, je vais commencer par la génialissime Meg Cabot. Je ne vais pas faire un résumé des cinq livres de la série (je ne serai pas fidèle) mais je vais tenter de vous en donner une vue d’ensemble. Il faut savoir que cette série était celle qui me tentait le moins et dont j’ai longtemps différé la lecture mais qui est, selon moi, la plus réussie. L’héroïne principale, Jessica, est une héroïne crâne-brûlé comme je les aime : forte, indépendante, osée, drôle… Mais, dans son lycée, son franc-parler n’est pas apprécié de tous. Jess s’en fiche. Elle n’a besoin que d’une moto et de sa meilleure amie. Ah et si elle arrivait à choper le canon Rob, ce serait parfait. Un jour qu’elle finissait une colle, elle rentre à pied chez elle malgré l’orage. Dieu seul sait comment, elle est frappée par la foudre et a des visions étranges qu’elle ne comprend pas. Puis, plus l’intrigue avance, plus la situation s’éclaire : Jess est capable de situer les personnes disparues en voyant simplement leur photo. Voilà le cadre. Les cinq tomes tournent autour de cinq enquêtes visant à retrouver une cible en particulier, enfin sauf le dernier qui développe surtout l’histoire Rob/Jess. Le résumé a l’air bateau comme ça, mais ce qui est étonnant c’est que l’enquête ne prédomine pas. On suit Jess au lycée, ses débâcles avec Rob et ses mésaventures de justicière. C’est donc un récit rythmé, haletant mais qui reste extrêmement drôle et léger. Jess s’adresse à son lecteur, lui fait des blagues et ne se plaint jamais. Que demander de plus ? Sans compter que les scènes sont aussi variées que nombreuses. Vous pouvez suivre les conflits avec sa mère qui souhaiterait voir sa fille un peu plus féminine et enchainer avec une vision qui éclaire Jess. Ou bien encore, vous pouvez suivre l’évolution de ses relations (houleuses) avec le FBI et enchainer avec une dispute des deux ados. Au fil des pages, on devient plus accro et chaque tome nous semble encore meilleur que le précédent. Les deux derniers tomes sont vraiment caricaturaux et chaque page tournée nous fait éclater de rire tout en se demandant ce qui va encore arriver à la pauvre Jess. Chose exceptionnelle, aucun tome ne nous ennuie et je ne regrette qu’une chose : qu’il y ait seulement cinq tomes x) Un extrait sur chacun des cinq tomes ici : http://lecturesdunenuit.blogspot.fr/2...
3.5 STARSJessica Mastriani has two choices: spend her summer working the steam table at one of her family's restaurants or work as a Counselor at an Orchestra Camp for gifted children. Jess chooses the camp. But her fantasy of girly gossip and French braiding sessions is shattered when she is reassigned to a cabin full of rowdy boys--one of whom is the camp bully. And, as icing to the cake, an anxious father appears at her camp desperate for Jess to use her 'gift' to locate his kidnapped five-year-old daughter, Keely. If that wasn't enough to spoil Jess's summer, one of her campers goes missing and she may've broken off more than she could chew when one of Keely's abductors decides he wants revenge.CODENAME CASSANDRA was an enjoyable book and another quick, fun read. However, I had two issues with the story (and series in general so far). First issue: all authority figures are portrayed as incompetent, bumbling fools; especially the pair of FBI agents assigned to follow Jess. If this is supposed to be a running joke, it's a tired, stereotypical one. Second issue: Jess's black-and-white view that all missing children either want to be found or they don't--no room for middle ground. This is a knee-jerk reaction to the fact a young boy she found with her powers was actually in hiding from an abusive parent. Now Jess seems to be operating under the assumption that all custodial parents are scumbags with power and money and judge in their pocket until proven otherwise. She won't locate a missing child unless she knows for certain that child *wants* to be found. However, she isn't taking into account instances of children being abducted in infancy who may have little or no memory of their real parents. Should Jess refuse to find that child because they cling to their kidnappers who are the only parents they've known? What about children who have been manipulated or brainwashed into believing they were abducted for their 'own good'. Or children who have been threatened with bodily harm (or harm to their families) if they reveal their true identity? I hope this black-and-white view is challenged somewhere later in the series.A note about the Kindle edition: there are far, far fewer conversion errors than in the first book of the series. The errors that are there could've been caught and corrected if the publishers would just send backlist conversions to a proofreader.
What do You think about Code Name Cassandra (2007)?
Once again, it's Ruth's fault. That's how Jess explains her actions when she takes a summer job at Camp Wawasee as a counselor with Ruth. Jess somewhat tries to convince herself that 6 weeks away will do some good, for her and her family.But it goes South almost immediately when she is reassigned to a boys cabin to cover a sick counselor. Now, she's in charge of 8 surely boys. Of course she finds the trouble maker instantly. Mullet boy, or Shane as she later finds out, is the king of all young jerks. She's constantly getting on to him for causing trouble and picking on small Lionel. (Lee-oh-nell)If dealing with Shane wasn't trouble enough, a distraught father begs Jess for her help in finding his daughter, Keely. Not having much of a choice once the picture is shoved under her nose, Jess finds her the next morning. However, Jess has learned her lesson and is determined to make sure Keely wants to be found.So guess who she call? Yep, Rob finally makes her appearance! Driving 4 hours just to pick her up, Rob and she make a trip and find Keely. It's clear up front that the care her mother is giving her is not sufficient. As Jess is trying to lead the girl to Rob's bike the crazy drunk step-father attacks them. Just escaping, Rob takes them to a McDonald's where she calls Keely's father.While waiting, Jess confronts the white van that has been following them. Our favorite Special Agents are back and determined to prove Jess lied and still has her powers.Going back to camp, Rob and Jess see multiple police and ambulances line the camp's front. Barging in, Jess learns Shane has drowned. Hitting Jess hard she is determined it isn't true, that he just ran off.Making things worst, Keely's mother's husband, Clay Larson, is after Jess and is potentially dangerous.Choosing not to care, she refuses to leave with Rob, risking their 'relationship' when he leaves angrily. Learning of Shane's whereabouts without going to sleep, it appears her powers are growing. Giving the feds the slip she, Ruth, and fellow counselors' Dave and Scott help her track him to some caves. Climbing in after Shane she finds him where he calls her out on being a liar about losing her powers. Claiming his stunt was to prove it.While down there, Mr. Larson traps them and attacks. Barely escaping, Shane and Jess are taken to the infirmary where she and Rob make up.Book ends with her and Ruth finally getting to relax on tubes in the river.
—Paige
Meg Cabot has made me fall in love with yet another one of her books. Taking up just after book one, When Lightning Strikes, lets off, Code Name Cassandra reintroduces the cast of characters. This time, it’s summer, and Jess is looking forward to weeks of french-braiding little girls’ hair, lounging by the pool, and hanging out with her best friend, Ruth.Of course, for a girl who can figure out where lost children are when she falls asleep, things don’t always go exactly according to plan.I love the concept of this series, and can’t wait to read on. The only negative thing I can think of is that the action slacked off a little just before the climax. I didn’t really think much more was going to happen, then BAM!, the plot twisted! That definitely made me love the book 100% more-just as soon as I was fearing it would turn out mediocre, it pulled a complete 180 and was fantastic.I love Jess-she’s so headstrong, and knows how to work for what she wants. She doesn’t take ‘no’ for an answer and considers rules optional. Though she may be a bit extreme when it comes to anger management, I think there definitely need to be more female characters like her. Independent, working for what they want. I like her as a role model, if you can take just the good parts of her personality.I give Code Name Cassandra a whole-hearted 5/5 stars. I loved it, and can’t wait to read the third book in this series!
—Kayla
