YA Reviews - Long and Short Reviews

Silver Dew by Suzi Davis

2012-01-30T04:00:00.008-05:00

Silver Dew by Suzi Davis
Publisher: Central Avenue Publishing
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Full Length (335 pgs)
Age Recommendation: 16+
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Sunflower

Just weeks before graduating from high school, Grace is running for her life with her magical and mysterious boyfriend, Sebastian, by her side. An ancient magic has been awakened inside of Grace that is powerful, frightening and barely within her control. The Others, who possess their own dangerous magic, are hunting them, and their only hope is for Grace to learn how to harness her incredible powers to stop them. The answers they seek are hidden within a life lived thousands of years ago, shrouded in mystery, magic and deceit. When their past catches up to them, Grace and Sebastian are faced with a truth that shakes the foundation of their relationship, their lives and everything they thought they knew. It is up to Grace to learn to control the Lost Magic, to right the wrongs that have been done, and to discover once and for all, who she really is.

If readers didn't get enough of Grace Lynn and Sebastian in Amber Frost, worry not, because Silver Dew is here, and the story of these two continues. On the run from those that want to hurt them, this story is powerful and intense.

There was a time Grace Stevenson was a normal teenager. She went to school, had her friends, dated. Who would have though in just a span of a few months that she'd be deeply in love with a mysterious boy and now fleeing her home to be safe? Grace is learning to embrace the things that are deep within her. She faces situations that seem to make her stronger. There is a darkness that wants to overtake this young girl, it it will take strength and wits to beat it all.

Sebastian is still a mystery just like before, but readers slowly learn more about this character. It's time Sebastian faces his past, his memories, and the people that were in his life. His love for Grace is intense. He's just as strong as a hero as Grace is the heroine.

This sequel is so much more action packed than Amber Frost. For those that like to read series in order, I'd advise to read Amber Frost first, so you're clued into what's going on. There you'll find the story of the couple's beginning and how things came to be in this story. There are a few scenes that are mature content, this is by far not a light read. It has its dark moments, but nothing too over the top. Overall, I enjoyed it and was glad to know more about Grace and especially Sebastian.

If you enjoy paranormal young adult with plenty of action and intrigue, add Silver Dew to your reading lists. If you've read Amber Frost, this exciting installment has the potential to keep you up in to the late hours of the night, or keep you distracted from other duties during the day. This book is definitely an attention grabber...and keeper.

A Closer Look by Karen DelleCava

2012-01-23T04:00:00.022-05:00

A Closer Look by Karen DelleCava
Publisher: WestSide Books
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (302 pgs)
Age Level: 14+
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Peppermint

Freshman year is going well for Cassie, a standout sprinter who is about to move up to varsity; school has been fine, her best friend Tara is also running track, and Tommy, that cute sax player she likes has asked her to come see his band rehearse. But in a matter of weeks, Cassie has a secret she is trying to hide from everyone. Her hair has started falling out, and she s doing everything possible to keep it from showing. When her parents tell her it happened to her once before, at age 3, she s horrified, and a trip to the dermatologist confirms what she has been afraid of: that all of her hair may fall out. She has alopecia, and there s no known effective treatment. Cassie eventually gets a wig when she can no longer disguise the truth, and she finally confides in Tommy about it. But when he starts being standoffish and avoids her, she feels betrayed. Then, at a track meet, Robin, her rival on the team, exposes her secret to the whole crowd. With her worst fears realized, will Cassie ever be able to face her classmates, her teammates, and most of all, Tommy?

Cassie's story is one that is truly inspiring for all ages. At the age where she is just starting to discover boys and have a sense of independence, Cassie must also deal with her hair falling out sporadically. With such a delicate subject, I knew from the first page this story would be riveting. At times, I was so sad thinking about everything this young girl had to go through.

While it may sound vain, my hair has always been my crowning glory. So while reading about Cassie's alopecia, I found myself in tears at times because my heart went out to her. There were times it was difficult to keep reading because of how upset I was for her. That effect actually speaks volumes about the effectiveness of the subject matter and the author’s ability to make me feel for the main character in the story.

Not only was the subject matter riveting, the charaters were as well. For example, at moments I felt like I could sympathize with Cassie's mother and other times I wondered how a mother can treat her daughter the way she treated Cassie. Another character I enjoyed was Cassie's best friend Tara. The way she supported Cassie throughout the whole ordeal displayed a true friendship that can never be replaced. These characters really added a certain amount of depth to the story, which help with the flow and made it much easier to read.

One of the most amazing things about A Closer Look is that I highly recommended it to people around me even before I finished the last page. This will be a great story for mothers to read with their daughters, or for anyone to enjoy on their own. Ms. DelleCava's book should make it to Oprah’s reading list because after I was done reading it, I was convinced that it has the ability to change lives.

Destined by P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast

2012-01-19T04:00:00.000-05:00

Destined by P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary, Paranormal, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (325 pgs)
Age Recommendation: 16+
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Peppermint

Zoey is finally home where she belongs, safe with her Guardian Warrior, Stark, by her side, and preparing to face off against Neferet – which would be a whole lot easier if the High Counsel saw the ex-High Priestess for what she really is. Kalona has released his hold on Rephaim, and, through Nyx's gift of a human form, Rephaim and Stevie Rae are finally able to be together – if he can truly walk the path of the Goddess and stay free of his father's shadow…

But there are new forces at work at the House of Night. An influx of humans, including Lenobia’s handsome horse whisperer, threatens their precarious stability. And then there’s the mysterious Aurox, a jaw-droppingly gorgeous teen boy who is actually more – or possibly less – than human. Only Neferet knows he was created to be her greatest weapon. But Zoey can sense the part of his soul that remains human, the compassion that wars with his Dark calling. And there’s something strangely familiar about him…

Will Neferet’s true nature be revealed before she succeeds in silencing them all? And will Zoey be able to touch Aurox’s humanity in time to protect him – and everyone – from his own fate? Find out what’s destined in the next thrilling chapter of the House of Night series.

Destined reignited my passion for this series the moment I read the first chapter. I have been following this series for a few years now and have read every story to date. Unfortunately, the last few stories have left me feeling a little passionless when it comes to this group of kids I had come to care for. This story however, captured the reasons why I had fallen in love with the series to begin with. It showed me that this mom and daughter author duo still has the capacity to weave the magic that can enchant an audience.

If a reader has not been following the series, they'll most likely be lost if they jump right in with Destined. The stories follow the same group of young adults who are fighting the ultimate battle between good and evil. That means that Zoey has found her way through a barrage of tough decisions and loss. It is worth reading each story and even though I have read them all, after reading Destined, I am ready to go back to the first book, Marked,and start the experience all over again.

One writing technique that these authors use that really keeps readers interested is changing the point of view character. I can experience the same scene through another's eyes and catch various changes, or even get to understand the characters differently. It gave me a more enriched experience and kept me entertained. It also helped flesh out the antagonistic conflict because I then understood that characters who are thought to be on evil’s side instead fall into the category that “Darkness does not always equate to evil. Light does not always bring good” as the prophetic Kramisha had declared in this story.

While this is a young adult's novel, this is not a story I would recommend for young teens or tweens. There is profanity throughout this story as well as intimate situations. The characters in the book are older teens and some have already went though the change as they went from fledglings to adult vampires. They act accordingly.

Destined is a book that older individuals as well as young adults can enjoy. They really try the whole series. A tale as captivating as this one is deserves five stars as well as a place in my must read again pile.

Cracking the Ice by Dave Hendrickson

2012-01-05T04:00:00.004-05:00

Cracking the Ice by Dave Hendrickson
Publisher: Westside Books
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (365 pgs)
Age Level: 14+
Rated: 4 stars
Reviewed by Snapdragon

Delves into the perilous world of a black teen hockey phenom in 1968, during the highly charged Civil Rights era. Jessie leaves home for New Hampshire, despite misgivings of his parents and girlfriend Rose, to pursue his dreams at an elite, formerly all-white prep school, which he hopes will put him on the path to the Ivy League and NHL. He is realistic about encountering racist fans and opponents at his new school, but finds that he's in the most danger from his own teammates and coach, who clearly despises him based only on the color of his skin. Full of exciting on-ice action and heart-wrenching realism, Cracking the Ice will have readers rooting for Jessie as he fights for what any standout student and athlete deserves.

The best of Cracking the Ice is on the ice - hockey descriptions are in-the-moment, bring-you-there. "Jessie cradles the puck on his stick and took off, skating ahead ten feet, then dropping the puck and cutting to the left..." Hockey is important, not only as the game itself, but how it impacts the dreams and goals of the main character.

Ultimately, this is a personal journey story: goals, and the future are what drive the main character and the plot. He's an admirable young man, ethical and strong, but he lives at a time when those dreams seem one step too far: Jessie is a young black man, in the late 60s.

The Civil Rights movement is in full swing; Martin Luther King is a hero - and those events are important backdrop and in a odd way, parallel some of the action. For Jessie gets an opportunity: he's accepted at a predominantly white prep school with an amazing hockey team. This school might be the ticket to his dreams - but then things start to go wrong. The coach doesn’t want him, even if the principal does. Coarse players go from hazing to threats to worse. The reader will worry and hope that what seems predictable downward turn of events will not be the actual events. The dark side here is dark indeed. It must be admitted that this is an unsettling story. It will stir emotion and anger and leave one wondering how our world could have ever been like this. It is however, sadly believable.

Spoilers would do this story no good at all; it is a worthy, if heartwrenching read, with a fair amount of violence. The best of humanity is explored -- and some of the worst, exposed. It is very readable, written with a clear and powerful voice, and is engaging from beginning to end.

A Kid From Southie by John “Red” Shea and Michael Harmon

2012-01-03T04:00:00.004-05:00

A Kid From Southie by John “Red” Shea and Michael Harmon
Publisher: WestSide Books
Genre Action/Adventure, Contemporary
Length: Full Length (239 pgs)
Age recommendation: 14+
Rating: 4 Suns
Reviewed by Cholla

High school senior Aiden O'Connor's life is in turmoil. Bored with school, his growing skill at boxing won't pay the rent when his drunken father leaves, and someone is keeping his mom from finding work in any pub in South Boston. Lured by childhood friend Tommy's promise of easy money, Aiden reluctantly gets mixed up with the Irish mob. Aiden's strong sense of honor makes him a bit too good at his job with the King of the Street, who wants to keep Aiden involved for reasons of his own. Conflicted about nearly everything, Aiden has to decode where his loyalties lie and when he has had enough. Exploding with tough choices and the grit of true crime, A Kid from Southie is the story of one teen's dangerous trip through the temptations of power and the sacrifices that come with it on his way to deciding who he wants to be.

Life is hard in South Boston and there aren’t a whole lot of opportunities for a kid from Southie, either. Enter Aiden O’Connor, a high school senior who gets a double kick in the gut when his alcoholic and abusive father runs off, leaving him and his unemployed mother alone to fend for themselves. In the fashion of so many teenage boys, Aiden is bound and determined to find another way to survive, no matter the cost. But to what lengths will he go to keep a roof over his head?

Aiden O’Connor has a lot in common with his father – a quick temper, a need to fight, and a desire to prove himself in any way he can. However, he at least sees the disaster his father has made of his life because of his alcoholism and does his best to not follow in his old man’s footsteps. Unfortunately, Aiden can be an utterly unlikable character at times: he’s hard hearted, rude, sometimes inconsiderate and just arrogant to the extreme. However, he does have his shining moments of clarity, too. He has a huge soft spot for his mother, even when he feels she doesn’t deserve it. Those moments when he’s around his Angel, a beautiful Cuban girl from his neighborhood, he finds that he may just be able to redeem himself, too. With her help, he may someday make himself into a good and decent man, despite the odds.

A Kid From Southie is chock full of lessons about life. From the discrimination against Aiden based on where he’s from to that against his girlfriend of mixed race, Aiden is forced to combat Boston’s – and the world’s – misconceptions and prejudices. He learns the hard way about so-called easy money vs. hard work and why the easy way isn’t always the best way. This trip through the school of hard knocks is about to knock this young boy around and good, but when he comes out the other side, he’ll be more man than he ever dreamed he could be.

While tough to read sometimes due to the extreme circumstances Aiden finds himself in, the ending for Aiden and his family is worth it all.

Open Wounds by Joseph Lunievicz

2012-01-02T04:06:00.008-05:00

Open Wounds by Joseph Lunievicz
Publisher: WestSide Books
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (344 pages)
Age Recommendation: 14+
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Lavender

Cid Wymann, a scrappy kid fighting to survive a harsh upbringing in Queens, NY, is a almost a prisoner in his own home. His only escape is sneaking to Times Square to see Errol Flynn movies full of swordplay and duels. He s determined to become a great fencer, but after his family disintegrates, Cid spends five years at an orphanage until his injured war-veteran cousin Lefty arrives from England to claim him. Lefty teaches Cid about acting and stage combat, especially fencing, and introduces him to Nikolai Varvarinski, a brilliant drunken Russian fencing master who trains Cid. By 16, Cid learns to channel his aggression through the harsh discipline of the blade, eventually taking on enemies old and new as he perfects his skills. Evocative of The Book Thief with a dash of Gangs of New York, Open Wounds is the page-turning story of a lost boy's quest to become a man.

Talk about courage. Cyd Wymann is a kid living in New York one could not soon forget. He grows up in harsh circumstances in the thirties and forties, and the things he sees and goes through are heart breaking. But what does he do to survive?

Open Wounds by Joseph Lunievicz is a memorable coming-of-age story. Many colorful characters such as Siggy, Tomik, and Betty, Leftie, Nikolai and others have their place here, but Cyd, young as he is, is a true hero. He constantly gets beat down in life but picks himself up, making the best of things. His story is inspirational and entertaining.

The vintage setting comes across naturally, as if coming right out of journal from the era. The language is smooth and appropriate for the hero telling his story. The writing is active, upfront, and straight to the point. There are beautifully descriptive moments putting the reader right in the scene.

A major theme is friendship, and the authentic form is shown here, forged through hard times. Other important themes—well written—are courage, loyalty, and family.

My heart went out to Cyd while reading, and I rooted for him as he went through his adventure. The exciting moments didn’t disappoint. The end was satisfying, but I can honestly see a sequel being written here. There is room for one.

The glossary of fencing terms in the back is helpful since fencing plays such a large part in Cyd’s life. But fencing isn’t a sport for him. It’s so much more. I got a new appreciation for it, a better understanding, not to mention for acting and war veterans as well.

This is not a romance but a young adult, vintage, adventurous story that I’d recommend to anyone loving those genres.

Carrie Pilby by Caren Lissner

2010-10-20T04:00:00.009-04:00

Carrie Pilby by Caren Lissner
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Genre: Contemporary, Inspirational
Age Recommendation: 14+
Length: Full Length (331 pgs)
Rating: 4.5 suns
Reviewed by Snowdrop

Teen Genius (and Hermit) Carrie Pilby's To-Do List:

1. List 10 things you love (and DO THEM!)

2. Join a club (and TALK TO PEOPLE!)

3. Go on a date (with someone you actually LIKE!)

4. Tell someone you care (your therapist DOESN'T COUNT!)

5. Celebrate New Year's (with OTHER PEOPLE!)

Seriously? Carrie would rather stay in bed than deal with the immoral, sex-obsessed hypocrites who seem to overrun her hometown, New York City. She's sick of trying to be like everybody else. She isn't! But when her own therapist gives her a five-point plan to change her social-outcast status, Carrie takes a hard look at herself—and agrees to try.

Suddenly the world doesn't seem so bad. But is prodigy Carrie really going to dumb things down just to fit in?

Carrie Pilby, a nineteen-year-old prodigy and Harvard graduate, is socially awkward and having a very hard time meeting people that she can befriend or even relate to on a basic level. She consistently looks down on others when they come across as hypocrites based on her moral code or unintelligent based on her search for fellow genius'.

At first I hard a very hard time getting into the book, because I found Carrie annoying with her constant judgment of others. She has strict ideals of what people should be like and when someone fails to follow her holier-than-thou code, she judges them instantly and puts them in the immoral/hypocrite pile never be spoken to again.

After you reach the middle of the book, Carrie soars! The one thing that made me continue reading was the list that her psychiatrist, Dr. Petrov, makes for her to complete. I was intrigued by the list and wanted to see If she could overcome her outcast status and finally make some friends.

1. List 10 things you love (and DO THEM!)
2. Join a club (and TALK TO PEOPLE!)
3. Go on a date (with someone you actually LIKE!)
4. Tell someone you care (your therapist DOESN’T COUNT!)
5. Celebrate New Year’s (with OTHER PEOPLE!)

Following Carrie through the list is the fun part. She finally learns to just try things and that everything isn't truly black and white or good and bad, that there are things she can experience that don't completely break her code. I think the most interesting things to see her try are; joining a church because she feels she can expose them as a cult and she finally gets a temp job where she meets people that accept her for her intelligence and unorthodox behavior.

In the end, following Carrie through her self discovery is amusing and intriguing. She is witty, sarcastic and charming in her social awkwardness. I think in the end you will fall in love with her quirkiness – I know I did.

I think Carrie grew up too fast and was too serious about life at a young age, so she did not have the same youthful experiences that others her age have had. Once she finally works on this list, she truly sees what is it like to live. And well, her Dad was right, “You're cursed. Cursed with a mind. Use it. Don't fear it. But don't let all of your thinking destroy you.”

Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick

2010-10-19T04:00:00.005-04:00

Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick
Publisher: Simon & Schuster YA
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary, Paranormal, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Age Recommendation: 14+
Length: Full Length (432 pgs)
Rating: 5 suns
Reviewed by Wisteria

The sequel to the New York Times Best selling phenomenon, Hush, Hush!

Nora should have know her life was far from perfect. Despite starting a relationship with her guardian angel, Patch (who, title aside, can be described anything but angelic), and surviving an attempt on her life, things are not looking up. Patch is starting to pull away and Nora can't figure out if it's for her best interest or if his interest has shifted to her arch-enemy Marcie Millar. Not to mention that Nora is haunted by images of her father and she becomes obsessed with finding out what really happened to him that night he left for Portland and never came home.

The farther Nora delves into the mystery of her father's death, the more she comes to question if her Nephilim blood line has something to do with it as well as why she seems to be in danger more than the average girl. Since Patch isn't answering her questions and seems to be standing in her way, she has to start finding the answers on her own. Relying too heavily on the fact that she has a guardian angel puts Nora at risk again and again. But can she really count on Patch or is he hiding secrets darker than she can even imagine?

Crescendo continues the harrowing story of Patch, a fallen angel and his love interest Nora. Love, heartbreak, and a century old grudge line every page of this amazing novel. If you loved Hush, Hush you will absolutely adore Crescendo.

The book opens innocently enough with Patch and Nora dealing with the decisions they’ve made to tempt fate and be together. It’s very difficult to adequately review this book without giving away some spoilers. But, the basics are Patch has been tapped to be Nora’s Guardian Angel. As such, he’s tempted to love her, but there are those that will do everything they can to destroy Patch. This book, laced with a strong plot, amazing characters, and outstanding writing will suck you in and will not let you go until the very last page. Ms. Fitzpatrick gives us so much information of Nora and Patch’s world, yet so little at the same time. There were times I wanted to throw this novel at the wall and other times I refused to set it down — even when I hadn’t eaten in ten hours.

This book has love, crazed-decision making teenagers, irony and a bit of morality kicked in. It is a must read. If you haven’t read Hush, Hush - the first in the series - I highly suggest both.

The Mermaid’s Mirror by L. K. Madigan

2010-10-15T04:00:00.009-04:00

The Mermaid’s Mirror by L. K. Madigan
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
Genre: Contemporary, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Age Recommendation: 12+
Length: Full Length (320 pgs)
Rating: 3.5 Suns
Reviewed by Aloe

Lena has lived her whole life near the beach – walking for miles up and down the shore and breathing the salty air, swimming in the cold water, and watching the surfers rule the waves – the problem is, she’s spent her whole life just watching.

As her sixteenth birthday approaches, Lena vows she will no longer watch from the sand: she will learn to surf.

But her father – a former surfer himself – refuses to allow her to take lessons. After a near drowning in his past, he can’t bear to let Lena take up the risky sport.

Yet something lures Lena to the water … an ancient, powerful magic. One morning Lena catches sight of this magic: a beautiful woman – with a silvery tail.

Nothing will keep Lena from seeking the mermaid, not even the dangerous waves at Magic Crescent Cove.

And soon … what she sees in the mermaid’s mirror will change her life …

Does the sea draw you to it when you get near? Or do you feel at home when on the beach with the waves splashing over your toes? Did you ever think that maybe something besides the sea might be calling you?

Lena has loved the sea her whole life, and now that she’s coming up on her sixteenth birthday, she’d really love to have her father teach her to surf. She knows he loves the water, but he won’t even step into it any more. Even though it’s her birthday, he again denies her request to teach her how to surf. She wouldn’t even have known how to swim if her stepmother hadn’t taught her how! Lena has friends, though, and they are not as worried about the water as her father is…

L K Madigan has written nicely fleshed-out characters, who are each, strong and determined in their own ways. You can connect with them and share their emotional feelings.

As she comes of age, Lena wonders why her father won’t tell her about her “lost” mother. She has a happy home life with her Dad and step-mother, but feels she’s missing something—although she doesn’t know what. Her parents are kind but don’t want to hurt her. Even though she could get hurt just as easily by not knowing all the facts, her father is afraid to enlighten her.

The truth can’t be hidden forever, though. When Lena goes surfing in a forbidden place, she comes home with a key she has received as a gift, and her whole life changes…

Lena finally learns why her father was hesitant to tell her the truth about her mother, and now she find she must make a choice on which parent she wishes to stay with. She loves them both and her mother’s life is attractive,but is it the best choice? It was easy to empathize with Lena as she struggled with tough choices and decisions she had to make, because as we grow up we all go through this type of experience. I wasn’t allowed to date until age 16, and thought I was really missing out on life. Then I found out how confusing dating could be – and almost wished I could backtrack... Lena’s experience is not that different from my own so I could relate to her situation and feel how tormented she was while trying to make a good decision.

In a related storyline, Lena and her friend Pem are both just discovering boys and kissing. Kissing is a bit strange to Lena, but Pem seems to enjoy her older boyfriend. She almost wonders if they aren’t doing more than kissing. Lena is concerned that her friend is advancing into a relationship too soon and too fast, but she also is feeling her way through a new relationship and is unsure how to proceed. Then she meets another romantic interest and it gets even more confusing...

The Mermaid’s Mirror is an enjoyable read for a young adult just discovering male and female relationships. It’s also a great read if you like to read fantasy novels, or if mermaids intrigue you.

Moonstone by Marilee Brothers

2010-10-14T04:00:00.013-04:00

Moonstone by Marilee Brothers
Publisher: Bell Bridge Books
Genre: Paranormal
Length: Short Story (120 pgs)
Age Recommendation: 14+
Rating: 4 suns
Reviewed by Snapdragon

Wry, compelling, heart-warming and just plain fun. Allie Emerson is living in a twenty-four foot trailer with a mother who has decided to Retire From Life. Not exactly the sort of environment you'd expect to produce a girl destined to save the world. Allie's barely managing to survive high school. She hasn't got time to believe in prophecies and evil. Until evil makes it personal.

Moonstone, the first in a series of three YA novels is a fun and quirky jaunt that starts off with sparks and offers a whole different perspective on being ‘different’ in high school. Allie, our main character, is immediately likable. I’m not sure if it's her tough situation, her conversational style, or her always semi-humorous response to the frequently off-kilter events in her life. She never fails to learn from her misadventures (like never wear flipflops on an aluminum ladder.) Sometimes, she makes goofy decisions or takes forever to realize something we long since suspected, but she’s always honest about how she sees things.

She’s often annoyed with her mother (Faye) and so are we! Allie is the sensible adult of the pair, and we can’t help wishing she could be the kid at times. She kicks off a somewhat weird relationship with Trilby too, who just shows up out of thin air. Well – to be honest, Allie has on odd relationship with pretty much everyone. Her friends are perfectly willing to believe in the paranormal (would love to meet a vampire,) but she doubts their capacity to believe in her guardian angel.

Kizzy, her pal the elderly gypsy-slash-witch, helps her identify her unusual abilities in a way I think anyone would question a bit more than Allie does, but there it is. If you haven't much tolerance for magic and the second sight (or the third eye, or the power of suggestion) this book may not be for you. One crush (that might or might not lead to something meaningful) and the High School bully all help to round out a cast of all slightly-unusual personalities.

The rural atmosphere provides a fun background which comes so clearly through when poor Allie has to avoid the cow patties as she plunges off the roof, and has an obsession with garden-fresh produce. Author Marilee Brothers tells us this is a small town -- and then she very believably creates Peacock Flats. And more importantly, she creates Peacock Flats High School and its population: the all too believable high school social scene. Throughout, the setting is clearly there and occasionally humorous, but never intrusive, and never slows the fast paced story line.

Everything about this story is funny and unexpected; from Allie herself to all the events that surprise her. Life is never boring for Allie, and so this tale never suffers one dull moment. It does require a willingness to believe in magic in a world trying desperately to be everyday: it all lends to the overall charm.

The most appealing part of this work is Allie herself, her take on the world, and her usually positive approach to problems. Do read.

The Fallen by Thomas Sniegoski

2010-10-13T04:00:00.009-04:00

The Fallen (The Fallen and Leviathan) by Thomas Sniegoski
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary, Paranormal, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Suspense/Mystery
Age Recommendation: 14+
Length: Full Length (544 pgs)
Rating: 4.5 suns
Reviewed by Tiger Lily

On his eighteenth birthday, Aaron begins to hear strange voices and is convinced he is going insane. But having moved from foster home to foster home, Aaron doesn't know whom he can trust. He wants to confide in the cute girl from class, but fears she'll confirm he's crazy.

Then a mysterious man begins following Aaron. He knows about Aaron's troubled past and his new powers. And he has a message for Aaron: As the son of a mortal and an angel, Aaron has been chosen to redeem the Fallen.

Aaron tries to dismiss the news and resists his supernatural abilities. But he must accept his newfound heritage -- and quickly. For the dark powers are gaining strength, and are hell-bent on destroying him....

What’s better than a guy with a beautiful set of wings? When he knows how to use them.

When I picked up this book (which is really two, but they flow so well together, I forgot it was two), I broke a cardinal rule. I liked the cover. But I have to say, that it was worth it. I don’t read a ton of YA, but this one was indeed cool. Fallen angels, demons, and the ability to speak to animals (or at least understand them); caught my attention from page one. I felt like I was there with Aaron, learning about his heritage, and coming to terms with what he is, the son of a fallen angel and a human female.

This book was hard to put down. Why? It moves at a nice, brisk pace and there are plenty of little details that correlate (sort of) to The Bible. It was rather fun to try to figure out how the main players were manipulated to create this story, and it was totally worth the read.

Aaron, even though he’s not a typical teen, is a good teen for others to read about. Talk about angst. Yeah, the guy has issues. Girls, who he is, frustration, it’s all here, but with a great paranormal twist. I loved his dog, Gabriel. He’s got the best lines. What got to be a bit troubling was the heavy-handed use of passive voice. Sometimes I felt like I wasn’t really in Aaron’s point of view where it would’ve been better to be. Still, it wasn’t enough to detract from the story and make me not want to continue.

I’m glad I read this book. If you want a paranormal that’s a little off the beaten path, then pick up a copy of The Fallen. I give it 4.5 suns.

The Secret Society of the Pink Crystal Ball by Risa Green

2010-10-12T04:00:00.009-04:00

The Secret Society of the Pink Crystal Ball by Risa Green
Publisher: Sourcebooks, Inc.
genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Age Recommendation: 14+
Length: Full Length (315 pgs)
Rating: 5 suns
Reviewed by Cholla

In a world where nothing is certain, a little magic couldn’t hurt…right?

When Erin Channing’s favorite aunt dies, Erin is bequeathed a pink crystal ball and a set of weird instructions. Granted, Aunt Kiki (aka Aunt Kooky) always lived “outside the box.” But now Erin and her two best friends are convinced that the pink crystal ball holds the key to their future—or at least the key to getting dates…

Consider Your Fate to Be Sealed . . .

•Absolute knowledge is not unlimited; let the planets be your guide to the number.
•There are sixteen ways to die, but four of them you will never see.
•The future belongs to you alone. Other voices will be disappointed.
•One rotation is as far as you can see. Only uncertainty lies beyond.

High school is all about making choices, hopefully the right ones, too. But what if you had a way to get around making those choices and just make things happen? What would your life look like then? That is exactly what Erin Channing is trying to find out. Armed with nothing more than her two best friends and a pink plastic crystal ball, they embark on a journey that is both mystical, amusing, and emotionally liberating.

Erin is your average high school kid with an above average intelligence. She tends towards the rational and logical in most things, although sometimes she does allow herself to get caught up in the whirlwind that is her two best friends. Considering the fact that she’s in the middle of high school and in the midst of more drama than any one tenth grader needs, she is relatively level-headed and a great kid. I love the fact that she steps outside her comfort zone, no matter how freaked out it makes her, and takes a chance to gain the affection of a boy who was once her best friend and now, possibly more. And while she does make mistakes, they’re always because she had someone else’s best interests at heart. Erin is definitely the kind of kid I’d want to be friends with.

The Secret Society of the Pink Crystal Ball is a wonderfully written story of love, friendship, and wishes that really do come true. Written in a style that makes me think of chick lit for teens, Ms. Green is a master at the art of making you laugh out loud. She knows just how to weave a sense of mystery into an otherwise regular story, adding just a bit of something exciting to keep you reading and wanting more. A sure fire hit with any teen girl or any mom who once was a teen and is now raising one of her own.

Beautiful Dead: Arizona by Eden Maguire

2010-10-08T04:00:00.016-04:00

Beautiful Dead: Arizona by Eden Maguire
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary, Paranormal, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Age Recommendation: 14+
Length: Full Length (271 pgs)
Rating: Best Book
Reviewed by Fern

Darina’s only chance for immortal love is to sacrifice everything for an enemy…

Darina has always loathed prickly, arrogant Arizona but after weeks with no sign of the Beautiful Dead, Darina is willing to put up with anything if it means seeing her undead boyfriend, Phoenix. With less than two months before Arizona’s time is up, Hunter returns with the Beautiful Dead and demands that Darina live up to her promise to help them.

When you read a fantastic start to a series, you can’t help but anticipate the next installment. Thus is the case with The Beautiful Dead. When I read Beautiful Dead: Jonas I was captivated. I told everyone I knew about the book and couldn’t stop gushing about it. So when I finally received Beautiful Dead: Arizona, my one hope was that I at least came close in my enjoyment of the first. Not only did it do that, but the second book, to my delight, was even better.

In this, our heroine and the voice of the story, Darina must uncover the mystery behind Arizona’s death. It’s been nearly a year, and time is running out. As revenants, zombies, and those given one chance to get out of limbo, Arizona must find out what happened to her or face an eternity in flux. Darina helps, although she’s never cared for Arizona, because of her abiding love for Phoenix; her boyfriend and a member of the Beautiful Dead following his death months before. In order to maintain contact with her beloved, she must assist those who died from her high school. Meaning that after Arizona’s mystery is solved it is then Summer’s turn, and then Phoenix’s.

As with Jonas, I couldn’t put this book down. I love the voice of the author and her style of writing. In Arizona, she kicks things up a notch. The mystery of what occurred with Arizona is compacted by a multitude of different things, and Arizona isn’t talking, which means Darina’s job is even harder than before. As Darina enters into dangerous situations, her importance to the Beautiful Dead truly comes into focus. This, I felt, was important as it revealed just how much they need her. Even the head honcho, Hunter, finally accepts what she means to the salvation of those who have turned to her for assistance.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the one thing that pulls me back to the series and will continue to do so until the end -- the complex and heartbreaking relationship between Phoenix and Darina. Theirs is a love affair that is doomed to end tragically. You know it, are fully cognizant of it, but in some macabre way have to know how it ends. With only two books left, I know the answer is coming soon. I just hope that author, Eden Maguire finds some way to mend my heart after she’s broken it.

A definite must read and another Best Book, I loved The Beautiful Dead: Arizona. I recommend this story to a 14+ audience as well as for adults. If you’ve not experienced this phenomenal series, do yourself a favor and purchase a copy. I eagerly await the next, Beautiful Dead: Summer.

Struck by Conscience by C.K Green

2010-10-07T04:00:00.010-04:00

Struck by Conscience by C.K Green
Publisher: Whimsical Publications
Genre: Contemporary, Sci Fi/Fantasy
Age Recommendation: 12+
Length: Short Story (48 pgs)
Rating: 4 suns
Reviewed by Forsythia

I, Charisma Mansfield, do solemnly swear that... I never asked to be popular. I never asked to be voted Prom Queen. I definitely never asked to have an invisible pixie perched on my shoulder whispering her opinions into my ear 24/7. But of all the things I never asked for, this is the worst one yet—when brooding but gorgeous Heath Ruvelas (my next door neighbor and the guy I used to be best friends with before jr. high) rescued me from drowning in the school pool. My already bizarre life would never be the same.

When life flashes before your eyes, what do you hope to see? C.K. Green's Struck by Conscience really makes you wonder this very question in the first pages of her book. Charisma Mansfield isn't your ordinary teenager. Not only does her life take a different turn after she nearly drowned in a pool, she also carries around a little sprite on her shoulder named Dahlia since as far back as she can remember. Although that sounds a little far-fetched, Charisma (Risa for short) seems to be a very genuine and strong character. For a short story she is definitely one of the best written characters I've seen in a while. Green's writing helps you get to know Risa and feel everything the character is feeling.

Risa's life came into prospective when she almost drowned in her school gym's swimming pool. As her life flashed before her eyes it seemed so unexciting and mundane! Sure, she was the popular girl in school and every girl wished to be her. She was voted homecoming and prom queen and had her token popular boyfriend at her side. Was this what she really wanted? Why didn't her boyfriend jump in after her? Why was it her childhood friend that she traded in for popularity helped her instead? Now her feelings toward everything started shifting gears. Luckily, she had her little sprite to help her make some decisions.

My favorite thing about this story was the fact that what most teenage girls strive for wasn't what Risa wanted and it made her such a strong character. Torn between life changing moments, confused feelings of love and loss from what she's been so used to, C.K. Green makes Risa feel so real to the reader. The things people might think are important really aren't what defines you as a person. When life takes you to a cross road which road will you take? I think Ms. Green wrote a great heart felt story with little whimsical twists following Risa around. Hopefully, there will be more of Risa and Dahlia to look forward to in the future. It really was an impressive coming-of-age story. It made this reader fall into the story from the moment Risa fell into that pool.

Personal Demons by Lisa Desrochers

2010-10-06T04:00:00.006-04:00

Personal Demons by Lisa Desrochers
Publisher: Tor Teen Books
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Age Recommendation: 14+
Length: Full Length (365 pgs)
Rating: 5 Suns
Reviewed by Fern

Frannie Cavanaugh is a good Catholic girl with a bit of a wicked streak. She has spent years keeping everyone at a distance---even her closest friends---and it seems as if her senior year is going to be more of the same . . . until Luc Cain enrolls in her class. No one knows where he came from, but Frannie can’t seem to stay away from him.

What she doesn’t know is that Luc is on a mission. He’s been sent from Hell itself to claim Frannie’s soul. It should be easy---all he has to do is get her to sin, and Luc is as tempting as they come. Frannie doesn’t stand a chance. But he has to work fast, because if the infernals are after her, the celestials can’t be far behind. And sure enough, it’s not long before the angel Gabriel shows up, willing to do anything to keep Luc from getting what he came for. It isn’t long before they find themselves fighting for more than just Frannie’s soul.

But if Luc fails, there will be Hell to pay . . . for all of them.

The battle is to tag a girl’s soul for Heaven or Hell. Who will win? The gorgeous and breathtaking Gabe? Or the sinfully attractive and hot as Hell Luc? Thus is the question posed in Personal Demons, the first story in a series about good, evil, and that fine line that exists in between.

When the story begins, we are introduced to Frannie - a girl with a special talent that Heaven and Hell want so badly they have sent their very best to ensure she plays for their team. What they don’t anticipate is just how deeply Frannie’s presence will affect the two men who vie for her attention - and her soul. Told through first person narratives of Frannie and Luc (you’ll understand as the book progresses why you never hear from Gabe), Personal Demons is wrought with angst, witty one liners, and enough anticipation of what awaits on the page to keep your interest from start to finish.

Frannie was a character I wasn’t all that sure I liked until I really got to know her issues. She’s a bit standoffish and hard to relate to. As her shell cracked, and I got a glimpse of her vulnerable exterior, I found that I not only liked her but I could have been her at some point in my life. We all have things that occur that force us to retreat inside ourselves. In Frannie’s case, this something is big, and the guilt is eating away at her soul.

As for Luc and Gabe, well, they are equally intense and unforgettable. Gabe is an angel who will be there for Frannie even if she chooses the wrong path, while Luc is so burn-your-fingers-hot that you’ll want Frannie to fall from grace. I have to say, if there are teams, I’m all for Team Luc. He’s sexy, he’s smart, and in the end, he proves he’s far more than a minion from the abyss who doesn’t deserve redemption or the chance to win Frannie’s heart. That’s not to say Gabe isn’t a sexy force of his own, but rather, the way the story is written you can’t help but root for the “bad” boy.

The writing is very good and, though the start is a tad slow, once you’re immersed in the lives of the characters, you won’t want to stop reading. I recommend Personal Demons for readers 14+ and for adults who have a taste for darker YA with humor, heat, and characters that come to life on the page.

Suspect by Kristin Wolden Nite

2010-10-05T04:00:00.010-04:00

Suspect by Kristin Wolden Nite
Publisher: Peachtree Publishers
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Age Recommendation: 12+
Length: Full Length (224 pgs)
Rating: 4.5 suns
Reviewed by Aloe

This well-plotted whodunit will hook readers from the start and keep them reading until the surprising solution is revealed.

Seventeen-year-old Jen is scheduled to spend a thrilling summer helping Grandma Kay run the Schoenhaus, a Victorian bed and breakfast in the Missouri vineyards. But Grandma Kay’s plans include a lot more than housekeeping. She intends to solve a real mystery from the past involving the disappearance of a beautiful and accomplished young woman.

And the victim was Jen’s own mother.

Ellen disappeared without a trace when her daughter was still young. For years, Jen received holiday gifts in the mail and letters signed by her mother. But then the communication abruptly stopped. Now Grandma Kay is convinced the letters were forged and that her daughter-in-law was murdered.

The stage is set for an elaborate Mystery Weekend at the inn. Family members and friends—including Jen’s very recent ex-boyfriend, her old childhood crush and his insufferable girlfriend—assemble and are assigned roles to play. But as the drama unfolds, Jen makes an important off-stage discovery in the Schoenhaus library. Soon her worst suspicions are aroused: Could a member of her own close-knit family be responsible for her mother’s disappearance?

Jen’s mother left her when she was very young. No one knew where she went or why, but Jen wanted to believe she was still alive. After all, she still sent her letters and presents for a long time. She couldn’t be dead, could she?

Ms. Nite’s characters are very realistic. They have all the idiosyncrasies of people here in the real world - there are different beliefs about Ellen being missing, and Jen’s boyfriend has just broken up with her.

The author picks a unique setting for her mystery: Schoenhaus, a Victorian bed-and-breakfast that belongs to Jen’s grandmother. Then she adds one more fascinating component to the story: a Mystery Weekend with handpicked guests. This combination works very well and adds a sense of mystery woven within mystery because you can’t be sure who is just playing their part and who might very well be a killer. The romantic love interest in the book adds a little spice while you wonder just who Jen is going to choose.

The story moves well, keeps you reading and has a complex plot that doesn’t give away any answers until the very end. I enjoy reading mysteries that have a well thought out plot, and this one delivered. The clues are slow to come and you aren’t really sure what they are telling you. And when Jen plays the part of her mother on the mystery weekend, the suspense kicks up a notch. If her mother is dead, is the killer someone she knows? Is the killer there that night?

This well written mystery has a strong female character in Jen, and while it reads fast because it’s fun to read, you’ll be pleased you took the time to check it out. Let me know if you figure out the plot before the ending, because I sure didn’t.

Fablehaven by Brandon Mull

2010-10-04T04:00:00.009-04:00

Fablehaven by Brandon Mull
Publisher: Aladdin Paperbacks
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary, Paranormal, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Suspense/Mystery
Age Recommendation: 10+
Length: Full Length (351 pgs)
Rating: 5 suns
Reviewed by Peppermint

For centuries mystical creatures of all description were gathered into a hidden refuge called Fablehaven to prevent their extinction. The sanctuary survives today as one of the last strongholds of true magic. Enchanting? Absolutely. Exciting? You bet. Safe? Well, actually, quite the opposite.

Kendra and her brother, Seth, have no idea that their grandfather is the current caretaker of Fablehaven. Inside the gated woods, ancient laws keep relative order among greedy trolls, mischievous satyrs, plotting witches, spiteful imps, and jealous fairies. However, when the rules get broken — Seth is a bit too curious and reckless for his own good — powerful forces of evil are unleashed, and Kendra and her brother face the greatest challenge of their lives. To save their family, Fablehaven, and perhaps even the world, Kendra and Seth must find the courage to do what they fear most.

Seth and Kendra were petrified because they had to go to their grandparents' house and that was before they knew it harbored all kinds of mystical creatures.

The fantasy world the author created was a beautiful yet chilling place. Grandpa Sorenson only asked two things of the kids: to stay in the yard and do not go in the barn. Both of these rules were eventually broken. Good thing for the children they were still oblivious to the creatures surrounding them or they may not have made it out of the woods. But when they discovered the world around them wasn’t as it seemed, life got much scarier.

Seth reminds me of a typical little brother. Not listening to what he was told and always looking for the next adventure. He caused trouble every time he turned around. Though we hope he learned his lesson we know that he hasn’t and will soon be causing even more problems. On a few occasions he even risked his safety and maybe even his life because of his escapades. But then he made one vital mistake that threatened not only himself but his entire family.

This was truly a great story and I would recommend it to anyone who has a vivid imagination and loves a well-written fantasy. The subject matter was extremely family friendly and is a story that parents and child can enjoy together. This is only book one of this series and I know I plan on reading the rest of the stories. I suspect many will join me because these books are truly fantastic.

Fat Hoochie Prom Queen by Nico Medina

2010-10-01T04:00:00.004-04:00

Fat Hoochie Prom Queen by Nico Medina
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Genre: Contemporary
Age Recommendation: 14+
Length: Full Length (290 pgs)
Rating: 4.5 suns
Reviewed by Tiger Lily

What does it take to be the queen?

Margarita "Madge" Diaz is fat, foxy, and fabulous. She loves herself, and is adored by almost everyone else...except queen bee/student-body president Bridget Benson. These two girls have a history that's uglier than a drag queen after last call. During a heated argument, they decide there's only one way to end their rivalry: be named prom queen and the other backs off — for good.

Of course, everything looks different in the sober light of morning, but pride is at stake and the race is on. Madge is committed to doing whatever it takes to secure the title, but so is Bridget. And everyone's got something to hide.

Welcome to Winter Park High School, where the dirt's not just gonna fly...it's gonna go into freakin' orbit.

The book had me laughing from the moment I saw it on the shelf. What a great title! I knew I had to pick it up and trust me, I wasn’t disappointed. The characters felt like my friends and it was like I was back in high school for a while. I laughed, I cried, and I read it over again.

Oh yeah, and I rooted for Margarita.

High school is one gigantic drama and hotbed for issues. Once best friends become mortal enemies and then one day poof! become besties again. Not always the case, but stranger things have been known to happen. Nico Medina’s characters are the best and worst of high school and written in a fresh manner that I couldn’t put the book down. Although this is a follow-up story, I didn’t feel I needed the first one to know what was going on. I plan to read the first one because I’ve found a new must read author.

Margarita, for all her bluster, was my favorite character. She’s flawed. She won’t admit it, but she’s not always the tower of strength and snappy comebacks she wants to be. But as seniors in high school, who is really that perfect? That’s what I liked about her. She’s unique-what you see is what you get. As she evolves in the story, you can’t help but sympathize for her more, even if she gets what she wants most of the time. I love how things all came down to a competition to be the prom queen. Isn’t it every girl’s dream to be the queen? Maybe, but seeing how Magarita goes about it had me in stitches.

If you want a book that’s a look at high school and a whole lot of laughs and a few tears, then you need to read Fat Hoochie Prom Queen. I give this book 4.5 suns! Awesome job!

Immortal: Love Stories with a Bite edited by P. C. Cast

2010-09-30T04:00:00.006-04:00

Immortal: Love Stories with a Bite edited by P. C. Cast (various authors)
Publisher: BenBella Books, Inc (for Borders Books)
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary, Historical, Paranormal, Suspense/Mystery
Age Recommendation: 14+
Length: Full Length (185 pgs)
Rating: 5 suns
Review by: Cholla

In Immortal: Love Stories With Bite, edited by New York Times bestselling author of the House of Night series P.C. Cast, seven of today’s most popular YA vampire and contemporary fantasy authors offer new short stories that prove when you’re immortal, true love really is forever.

Rachel Caine (the Morganville Vampires series) revisits the setting of her popular series, where the vampires are in charge and love is a risky endeavor, even when it comes to your own family

Cynthia Leitich Smith (Tantalize) gives us a love triangle between a vampire, a ghost and a human girl, in which none of them are who or what they seem

Claudia Gray (Evernight) takes us into the world of her Evernight series, in which a pre–Civil War courtesan-to-be is courted by a pale, fair-haired man whose attentions are too dangerous to spurn, in more ways than one

Richelle Mead (the Vampire Academy series) brings us the tale of a young vampire on the run from the rest of her kind, and the human boy who provides the getaway car, as well as a reason to keep running

Nancy Holder (the Wicked series, “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”) immerses us in a post-apocalyptic New York where two best friends are forced to make a choice that may kill them both

Kristin Cast (the House of Night series) introduces us to a new kind of vampire: one with roots in Greek mythology, and the power to alter space and time to save the girl he's meant to love

Rachel Vincent (the Soul Screamers series) explores a new corner of her series with the story of aleanan sidhe capable of inspiring the musician she loves to new creative heights, or draining him, and his talent, dry

And Tanith Lee (Black Unicorn) shows us what happens when a bright young woman with some supernatural savvy encounters a misguided (but gorgeous) young vampire.

Love vampires? Love vampire romance even more? Then this is definitely the anthology for you. Packed with a fistful of big name young adult authors like Rachel Caine and Richelle Mead, Immortal: Love Stores with Bite is a powerhouse of exciting and engaging short stories to fit every taste.

Haunted Love by Cynthia Leitich Smith kicks off this collection with a ghost story. Spirit, Texas is your typical small Texas town, complete with abandoned movie theater with a spooky past. When new girl Ginny Augustine approaches Cody Stryker looking for a job at the newly renovated spooky theater, he figures that a little help couldn’t possibly hurt. When the ghost of a teenage girl, murdered in the Old Love theater, shows up, things get a bit more than complicated… Cody’s hiding a secret, but so is everyone else. Haunted Love is a wonderful story combining two aspects of the paranormal world into a mystery with more twists and turns than you’d ever expect.

Following Haunted Love is an out-of-the-ordinary story by Kristen Cast entitled Amber Smoke. All Jenna wants for her senior year is to be cool for a change. What she doesn’t plan on is Alekos and the Furies intervening in her future. Jenna begins the story as your typical teenager, and a bit shallow to boot. By the end of this short story, her entire outlook has changed and she’s even grown up some. She shows great potential and I’d definitely love to read more about this pair.

Dead Man Stalking by Rachel Caine follows in the third slot of this wonderful anthology. Family relationships are never easy. Just ask Shane Collins, he knows better than the rest of us. So what do you do when your father is anti-vampire and you’re dating one? Like I said, it’s complicated. This was my first taste of the acclaimed Morganville Vampires series and I liked it a lot. Shane is a very strong character who rises to the occasion and makes the best decision possible, considering the tough situation he’s put in. I’m definitely going to have to read more of this series.

Tanith Lee has long been a favorite author of mine, so I was pleased to see her short story, Table Manners, in the fourth slot of this anthology. This was probably one of my favorites in this collection. In this lovely short, Lel is the daughter of an unusual man, one who treats vampires. She knows Anghel for what he is the moment she first spots him and is determined to help at all costs. One of the most unique vampire stories I think I’ve ever read. The characters are different and the storyline is more than enjoyable.

Riding on the heels of Tanith Lee is Changed by Nancy Holder. Set in a post-apocalyptic New York, two best friends are forced to make the ultimate sacrifice to save the other. This story shows the true strength of friendship over love and hit me hard. It was very real-to-life in respects to the teens of today’s world and the challenges and choices they face. Although probably the most frightening of the stories contained in this collection, it was also one of the most relatable.

Blue Moon by Richelle Mead was one of the most interesting stories in Immortal. Lucy is an ancient prophecy come to life. But not for long as her family is out to kill her before she can set the prophecy into motion and change the state of the world as they know it. After essentially kidnapping an innocent human, Lucy is forced to make some hard decisions and look her future in the face. I loved her character – she was fresh and new as far as vampires go. She wasn’t over-confident nor was she even very sure of herself most of the time. She and Nathan, her captive human counterpart, learned as they went and discovered they were more alike than they could have dreamed. I do hope that Lucy does eventually get a novel of her own.

Tying things together and finishing up this great collection is Free by Claudia Gray. Free is the only historical story of the bunch, but it couldn’t have been written in any other time period. Patrice is a free black teen, not something you saw much of in New Orleans in 1841. In order to stay free, she must find a rich white man to take her as a temporary wife, like it or not. On the night of her presenting, she finds another choice in the form of the vampire, Julien Larroux. Patrice is very independent and outspoken considering both her age and time period. It’s always exciting to see a woman in history stand out against the ties holding them down. Free is another of my favorite stories for many reasons. It is a very unique and intriguing story, but it also has quite the surprising twist at the end that took me quite by surprise. I just love when a story does that. I am going to have to look up Ms. Gray’s series and learn more about Patrice.

Immortal: Love Stories with Bite is a wonderful collection of widely varying stories suitable for both teens and adults alike. With many different genres and just as many different takes on the vampire legend, you’re certain to not get bored with this anthology. Nor will you think that you’ve read this story or that one before as each are as unique and individual as their authors. A must-read for any lover of vampires, Immortal: Love Stories with Bite will not disappoint.

Ghost Huntress 4: The Counseling by Marley Gibson

2010-09-29T05:50:00.000-04:00

Ghost Huntress 4: The Counseling by Marley Gibson
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal, Suspense/Mystery
Age Recommendation: 12+
Length: Full Length (267 pgs)
Rating: 4.5 suns
Reviewed by Orchid

Kendall has just discovered who Emily really is, lost her boyfriend, and nearly died doing the thing she loves most--ghost hunting. It's time to take a break and try to reconcile all the changes she's going through. So Kendall heads to the Sierra Mountains, where there's a camp especially for young people with gifts such as hers. It's a time for reflection and self-discovery.

But when she gets to California, she once again finds restless spirits--and the boy in her last vision. It may be the end of one chapter of her life and the beginning of a new one.

How do you learn to control your psychic abilities?

Danger and problems almost swamp Kendall when she finds herself with not one, but several forms of psychic talents. Her spirit guide, also her natural mother, passes over into the light leaving Kendall floundering with her newfound skills. Her adoptive parents send her to a camp which specializes in counseling and teaching young psychics to get the best out of their abilities.

The teenagers see, hear, empathize and see the auras of people, ghosts and locations. Their abilities are incredible but none of them have any idea how to control their gifts. Only one boy stands alone. He wears a beanie, sunglasses and gloves at all times and the others think him weird, but Kendall finds him intriguing.

The story is exciting and looks at psychic abilities from the young adult point of view rather than the adult, as is usually the case. Kendall and her friends have to learn how to use their talents to the best of their abilities without letting themselves be swamped by the pleas of the ghosts and lonely spirits.

The only reason I didn’t give this book full marks was due to a few occasions where Kendall didn’t seem to get a situation which should have been perfectly obvious to her with or without the use of her talents.

Apart from this I found it a very entertaining book with hidden depths which drew me in from the beginning and made me want to carry on reading until I reached the end. I notice this is book 4 of the series. I haven’t read any of the other books but from the hints given regarding Kendall’s awakening I would love to read the previous three. This was an intriguing book I'd recommend to lovers of the paranormal.

Camp Club Girls: Mystery at Discovery Lake by Renae Brumbaugh

2010-09-28T04:00:00.005-04:00

Camp Club Girls: Mystery at Discovery Lake by Renae Brumbaugh
Publisher: Barbour Publishing Inc
Genre: Contemporary, Holiday, Inspirational, Paranormal, Suspense/Mystery
Age Recommendation: 12+
Length: Full Length (160 pgs)
Rating: 4.5 suns
Reviewed by Orchid

When six girls from different parts of the country end up as roommates at camp, they also join forces to find out what’s really going on beyond the crafts and Bible quizzing. Where are the strange noises coming from? And what’s the “DanGer” warning all about? “Camp Discovery” indeed! The mysteries seem as thick as the woods surrounding the cabins!

The excitement begins when six girls, strangers to each other, meet at a summer camp. They all have different strengths and weaknesses and form an immediate bond with each other. Their friendship is put to the test when they try to discover what is making weird noises on the run down crazy golf course. This leads to the mystery of who is digging holes and why is a member of the camp staff trying to keep them away from the golf course? Add to this a gorgeous wriggling puppy which they must keep hidden, and you have a delightful book sure to appeal to any age group.

The girls are typical pre-teens, curious about anything and everything. They can also be scared by noises and events they don’t understand, but are brave enough to investigate - as long as they don’t have to go alone.

I loved the way the different personalities all wove together. The pacifier, the gadget queen, the golfer, the performer, the horse lover and the nature lover. All their skills were put to the test as they set out to solve the mystery surrounding the golf course.

This is a lovely book, captivating enough to keep the reader wanting to find out what’s next, but without any of the bits parents often object to. The inspirational part adds a depth to the characters without making them seem like children who can do no wrong.

Camp Girls: Mystery at Discovery Lake is a book I would encourage any pre-teen child to read.

Moon Spun by Marilee Brothers

2010-09-27T04:00:00.019-04:00

Moon Spun by Marilee Brothers
Publisher: Bell Bridge Books
Genre: Paranormal, Contemp
Length: Short Story (148 pgs)
Age Recommendation: 12+
Rating: 4 suns
Reviewed by Snapdragon

Junior's back from Mexico with his movie-star entourage. Beck's using his half-demon charms to "heal" a new girl. Mom's still wacky and now she's dating Principal Hostetler. High school is still an obstacle course of drama queens, bullies and nutjobs. The Trimarks are still a menace, and the moonstone pendant has revealed even more mind-boggling powers. In other words, Allie Emerson's life as the Girl Voted Least Likely To Save The World From Evil has gone from Weird to Super-Charged Super-Weird, and it's about to get even weirder. You're a faery princess. So says the mysterious Ryker, whose handsome talents include turning himself into a hawk. By the way, he and Allie are destined to marry. In faery land--Boundless. If they can save it from forces even more deadly than Trimarks and high school. The third book in the Unbidden Magic series plunges readers into a rich other-world of danger, humor, romance, fable, fairytale and magical destiny.

What could possibly be worse than not fitting in at High School? Again, Ms. Brothers has a quick answer for us: Your Mom, dating the principal of your high school. Once again, teen Allie’s everyday life problems vie with her magical world problems for overall disaster quotient.

Moon Spun kicks off with a Allie-problem that is sooo Allie: an empty underwear drawer. On the other hand, totally great things await, or maybe just possibly-great; the return of her boyfriend, Junior.

We have to start doubting Junior straightaway; only he’ll surprise us (and Allie.) He’s a surprise to that old half-demon too (and if you didn’t read book 2, you might well find yourself puzzled at this point.) Allie has enough other issues to keep us occupied than the various boyfriends or potential boyfriends; like her powers seem to go awry in funny incidents. I never could quite figure out if Allie was delighted with being the fresh fruit queen, but her wry response to so many incidents was again a delight. Dialogue is, as ever, fast paced and belieavable.

I love how Ms. Brothers maintains the rural and small-town flavor in Moon Spun. It would have been easy for me to overlook the setting here, as I’ve read the first two books of the Unbidden Magic series. Yes, we still do have the chiming apple tree and grumpy bull. The trailer Allie lives in is still twenty-four feet long. Characters are true to those we met earlier. My main complaint is that perhaps this wasn’t different enough. Nice to find Allie still sorting all this stuff out – and there is still plenty of unpredictable happenings; but the one new thing is probably the hardest to simply believe: the abrupt addition of the fairy kingdom kind of drops out of the sky. The Boundless world is also little Endless. This story is far from dull though: Moon Spun is a fast paced, fun read. Fans of the inestimable Allie will definitely enjoy this third in the series.

I do recommend reading Moonstone, first in the series, and then Moon Rise before this one.

Summer and Shiner by Nolan Carlson

2010-09-23T04:00:00.003-04:00

Summer and Shiner by Nolan Carlson
Publisher: Vintage Reflections Publishing
Genre: action/adventure, contemporary
Length: Short Story (87 pgs)
Rating: 4 suns
Reviewed by Tulip

Carley and Troop, blood brothers for life, spend a summer together like no other. Releasing a trapped raccoon, battling their club rivals, the Spiders, climbing Cave Springs Mountain at night, and skinny dipping in crazy old Luke Webster's pond are just a few of their adventures. Travel back with Carley and Troop to a simpler time...a time for growing up, adventure, and fun!

School is out for the summer in Randall, Kansas. It is the late 1940's and Carlisle "Carley" Bimberg and his best friend, pure-blood Cherokee, Bryan "Troop" Whitewater are walking through the woods. They have finished the chores for the day and are just being boys.

They encounter a racoon that is caught in a trap that was left by a careless hunter over the winter. They rescue "Shiner" and Carley makes him a pet, with permission from his parents.

Shiner is the best pet that Carley could hope for and goes with him everywhere. Shiner even sleeps with him, nestled under the covers like a small child.

Carley and Troop are co-founders of a gang called the Mustangs and are constantly butting heads with Mick and his gang, the Spiders, and Mick's mean dog, Devil.
The boys are spending the summer doing initiations with the gang, learning about miracles that are more earthly than heavenly and forming friendships that get stronger by the day.

Nolan Carlson has written a book about a much simpler time and does a great job of placing you in that era. His description is wonderful and you are made to feel like you are there with the characters.

What really appealed to me was the part about Carley reading Moby Dick for pleasure. There are no cell phones, no internet, no TV. Just a very simple life, with maybe some radio for media.

The only issue that I have is that I have a hard time thinking that nine to twelve year olds would really relate to the story. Most kids of that age today wouldn't fathom the simpleness of the era and the pace of life that these boys enjoy.

All in all, though, I really enjoyed the story. It made me wish for a return to a simpler existence.

The Crescent by Jordan Deen

2010-09-22T04:00:00.007-04:00

The Crescent by Jordan Deen
Publisher: Black Rose Writing
Genre: Paranormal, Sci-fi/Fantasy
Age Recommendation: 16+
Length: Full Length (188 pages)
Rating: 3 suns
Reviewed By Dogwood

Becoming a werewolf is not an option for seventeen-year-old Lacey Quinn, but death can be a strong motivator. Lacey is so focused on her future that everyday life has passed her by. Counting down the days to her eighteenth birthday, Lacey is almost home free. But when she falls for the mysterious Alex Morris, she lands in the middle of an ancient war between two enemy wolf packs. Tempting dreams, tantalizing lies and a dangerous love triangle ensues leaving Lacey heartbroken and confused. Lacey's fate rests in the hands of Alex and Brandon, but both are pulling her strings for their own agendas. Even as she slips further into the dark world of werewolves, Lacey struggles to find the truth and save the only family she's ever know.

Lacie thought her biggest problem was her parents, she had no idea just how big of a problem they were! Lacie's parents constantly fought. Her father liked to get drunk, and her mom just argued back. They were both dragging Lacie into it all the time, so she spent a lot of her time wandering around her neighborhood, or sitting in her play house. One night while sitting outside she met a new friend. Grant, a larger than life dog, who kept her company, and made everything alright.

Lacie had spent most of her summer hanging at the mall or the beach with her best friend Jillian. She was about to start her senior year, but she didn't expect things to be much different. Boy was she wrong. Not accustomed to dating at all, she met a handsome new transfer in the office on the first day of school. She flubbed it, at least she thought she did. Crazy as it seemed, this hottie was interested in Lacie, and only Lacie. She was instantly mad about him, but with some trepidations, she blamed it on her lack of knowledge on how a relationship is even supposed to work. A few days later she meets Brandon in the office. That's when she realized what it means to instantly fall in love. She had no idea she could have feelings even stronger than the ones she had for Alex. And so begins Lacie's dilemma.

Lacie starts having these vivid fantasies of Brandon, of their future together. But at this point she can't make out what's a dream and what's reality. To be honest, I had a hard time even understanding what was supposed to be the dream, and what was real. So I felt for the girl. The book definitely keeps you interested. You want to know what's going on and why. There is a point you just start getting suspicious of everyone. I don't want to give too much away, but obviously Lacie has to choose, between the two handsome men. Is Brandon telling her the truth, which is so hard to believe, and goes against everything she knows? Or is Alex really right for her?

Her head and her heart are battling it out on every page. Your mind changes about as much as hers. You want to believe Brandon when you are with him, but then again, Alex is just so great. That was one of my favorite parts of the books. It wasn't predictable in the sense, you never really knew who she was going to choose, and you never knew who was telling the truth. Even though the author gave several clues throughout the book, it wasn't enough to give the ending away. So you just keep reading, without a clue of how much time has passed, or what's going on in the world around you.

The author had a great way of getting you attached to the characters. So that you would be battling with the same decision Lacie was. What do you want Lacie to do? I found myself asking myself a few times, what would you do? Only to respond with, "I have no idea, thank goodness she is the one who has to decide, not me." I felt like this was a common coming of age metaphor for a lot of women her age. We all at some point, have to decide, what's right for me, and what's right at the moment? Usually, someone will always get hurt. It doesn't matter how you slice the cake. It's wonderful how the author is able to just pull you into the story like that, so much so, you feel as though you are actually the main character.

Aside from the fact that I thought this was a great plot, and an entertaining story, I gave it 3 suns. Why you ask? There were a few issues, that I just couldn't get over. I found it a bit strange how in the beginning the book's main focus was on the fact that Lacie's parents were a tornado, fighting pretty aggressively. Then suddenly, it just all stops with no explanation at all. There were just parts of the book, that needed more explaining. I was also troubled by the foul language. There were several times that bad words were used, and it's just not my style. Also, the book focused heavily on Lacie losing her virginity and needing to sleep with Alex. I felt this could have been avoided. It didn't seem natural for her parents to be so encouraging of her physical relationship with Alex. It seemed strange. I also am not a fan of cliffhangers, but that didn't take away from the book for me. Especially, since I saw there is a sequel coming out. That just guaranteed I will be reading it.

Basically, this was a really good book. Not like your typical werewolf story. Almost like a modern day werewolf Romeo and Juliet. I would recommend this book to just about anyone, anyone over 16 that is. I don't feel it is right for the youngest of young adults. I am not a big fan of fantasy and paranormal books, and I thoroughly enjoyed this one, so I know it can be enjoyed by anyone. So if you enjoy reading period, just pick this one up and try it, you might find you have a new favorite author on your hands.

Foresight by Sherry D. Ficklin

2010-09-21T04:00:00.007-04:00

Foresight by Sherry D. Ficklin
Publisher: Dragonfly Publishing
Genre: Paranormal, Sci-fi/Fantasy
Age Recommendation: 14+
Length: Full Length (174 pages)
Rating: 4 suns
Reviewed By Dogwood

All Grace Archer wanted to do was graduate from high school and get on with her life. But the Gods of Fate had other ideas. Attacked at her graduation by a mysterious woman and a gruesome henchmen, Grace was lucky to escape with her life.

Rescued by her Aunt Phoenix and a Fae warrior named Chris, Grace is confronted by a startling truth: her mother was the Greek Goddess Pandora. Now it has fallen to Grace to protect her mother’s box from the crazed demi-goddess Lilith, who is determined to use it to unleash destruction on Earth.

As if her blood legacy wasn’t bizarre enough, Grace has begun to develop frightening new powers that threaten to destroy her from the inside out. In a world where nothing is what she thought it would be, can Grace find the strength to defeat Lilith? Can she learn to control her powers before she loses her mind?

When Grace thought she would barely make it through graduation, it was only because she was bored, she had no idea she literally would barely make it out alive. Graduation is supposed to be a happy, relaxed day. All Grace could think about was how badly she wanted to get out of there and eat a cheeseburger with fries, little did she know, that wasn't going to happen.

Right away you are slammed into a mythological world full of demon vampires and a prison escapee named Lilith who wants nothing more than to have Grace's blood on her hands, literally. Grace makes it out of graduation with the help of a hunky looking guy named Chris, and her Aunt Phoenix. Grace's parents died when she was just a little girl, so she was raised by her Aunt Phoenix in a small town in Colorado. Most of her life seemed pretty normal, until today, when she finds out, this isn't her real life at all.

Grace's mother is actually the goddess Pandora. Lilith is desperate to find out where Pandora hid her box, and Grace's blood is the only access to it. If the box is opened, then we all know the ending to that story, it's the end of the world. Grace discovers her Aunt is actually a faerie, who was best friends with her mom. Chris is also a faerie, but we will get back to him later. By the way, it's actually an urn too. Apparently the gods don't like calling it a box. Grace has spent a lot of her life in special classes teaching her things like how to shoot a bow and arrow, and studying mythology with her aunt. She had no idea she was being trained the whole time. Now it is up to Phoenix and Chris to save mankind, which happens to be their job, by taking Grace to Faerie City. Lilith is unable to gain entrace, so they just have to wait it out until the eclipse passes. Which happens to be the only time in a couple hundred years before the urn can be opened again. If only it were that easy right. It is quite the adventure trying to make it to the closest gateway to Faerie City. Grace continues to learn more about herself, and we get in on the secret as well.

Chris is a handsome faerie with the uncanny ability to sway people's thoughts and feelings. At first Grace was a bit annoyed with him, but suddenly she is falling for him. Is it all part of his plan, or is it for real? Although Chris looks about the same age as Grace, he is actually a bit ancient. So he was around when she was born, and made a vow to Pandora to protect Grace no matter what. And that is just what he intends to do. He wont let anything get in his way of saving her and humanity.

Throughout the story you will meet quite a few gods and faeries that make the story terribly interesting. It's nonstop action with a bit of romance thrown in. Just enough romance in my opinion. I like that it doesn't overpower the main plot of the story. Grace is a fantastic character, that you really want to like, but sometimes she does things a normal person would do, that just drives you crazy. There will be a few times you are yelling at her not to do something, but alas, she does it anyway. She is a sweet girl that makes it hard to stay mad at her for long. I did find it strange how quickly she bought into the whole lifestyle, but heck, what else did she have to lose, she just graduated and has no plans. I probably would have been hoping it was true too. Lucky for her it is.

I gave this book 4 suns, simply because I felt this story was missing a few important scenes. Everything flowed nicely, but just a bit too quickly. Normally, when I read a book, I think: okay let's get to the point. This time I was wondering how we even got there. I realize they were running for their lives, but it would have been nice to have more details here and there between the important stuff, just to make it more believable to me. There were a lot of unanswered questions for me about her father, so I would have loved to have more detail there. Not to mention the huge cliffhanger left at the end of the book. Okay, maybe not huge, but a cliffhanger nonetheless. Of course this only leads me to believe that this is a series, and there are more to come. If so, then I can't wait!

The author does a great job at telling the story, describing the scenes perfectly. Not too much detail, but just enough that I could see it. I also thought she did well expressing Grace's different emotions throughout the story. I know I would be feeling a wide range of them, so I am glad she showed that, without it seeming like a roller coaster ride.

All in all, I really enjoyed this book. I even chose finishing it over sleep. I would recommend it to just about anyone. There are a few scenes I felt were a bit gory for me, so it might not be good for someone very young, or someone who is squeamish. If you like mythology, fast-paced fighting scenes, and emotional romances, all with some juicy gossip, this is the book for you. I personally guarantee you will enjoy it!

Sleepless by Cyn Balog

2010-09-20T04:00:00.007-04:00

Sleepless by Cyn Balog
Publisher: Delacorte
Genre: Contemporary
Age Recommendation: 14+
Length: Full Length (215 pgs)
Rating: 5 suns
Reviewed by Wisteria

Eron DeMarchelle isn't supposed to feel this connection. He is a Sandman, a supernatural being whose purpose is to seduce his human charges to sleep. Though he can communicate with his charges in their dreams, he isn't encouraged to do so. After all, becoming too involved in one human's life could prevent him from helping others get their needed rest.

But he can't deny that he feels something for Julia, a lonely girl with fiery red hair and sad dreams. Just weeks ago, her boyfriend died in a car accident, and Eron can tell that she feels more alone than ever. Eron was human once too, many years ago, and he remembers how it felt to lose the one he loved. In the past, Eron has broken rules to protect Julia, but now, when she seems to need him more than ever, he can't reach her. Eron's time as a Sandman is coming to a close, and his replacement doesn't seem to care about his charges. Worse, Julia is facing dangers she doesn't recognize, and Eron, as he transitions back to being human, may be the only one who can save her. . . .

Even once they've become human again, Sandmen are forbidden to communicate with their charges. But Eron knows he won't be able to forget Julia. Will he risk everything for a chance to be with the girl he loves?

Let me start off with saying: THIS IS A MUST READ. Eron is a sleepbringer- charged with the care and safety of his assigned “clientele”. Julia, one of Eron’s charges is in danger, big danger and the rules dictate Eron can’t interfere. But, that won’t stop him.

This story is amazing. I read mostly paranormal novels and this one brings a whole new edge to the regular fair of vampires, werewolves and angel books that is out there right now. Julia is blindly dealing with the death of her boyfriend—and surprisingly—she’s not upset. Along with his friend, Bret, Griffin helped buffer Julia from the rest of the world. But when Griffin is killed in a car accident, she realizes she has lost her buffer and her best friends.

Eron is the Sandman assigned to her, always has been. He’s watched her grow and now that he’s about to become human, he wants to be in her life. But there is one problem: Griffin has agreed to be the Sandman that will replace Eron—and he will become responsible for Julia’s safety.

This novel winds a tight tale that loops and wraps around itself until you are not sure which way is up and what the characters true motives are. It had me staying up half the night to untangle the web of confusion I was wrapped in. This is the first novel I have read by Ms. Balog, but I will say- I’m now 100% fan of her writing and plan on picking up all her other novels. Please check this one out!

Nothing Like You by Laura Strasnick

2010-09-17T04:00:00.008-04:00

Nothing Like You by Laura Strasnick
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Genre: Contemporary
Age Recommendation: 16+
Length: Full Length (240 pgs)
Rating: 4 suns
Reviewed by Wisteria

When Holly loses her virginity to Paul, a guy she barely knows, she assumes their encounter is a one-night stand. After all, Paul is too popular to even be speaking to Holly...and he happens to have a long-term girlfriend, Saskia. But ever since Holly's mom died six months ago, Holly has been numb to the world, and she's getting desperate to feel something, anything—so when Paul keeps pursuing her, Holly relents. Paul's kisses are a welcome diversion...and it's nice to feel like the kind of girl that a guy like Paul would choose.

But things aren't so simple with Saskia around. Paul's real girlfriend is willowy and perfect... and nothing like Holly. To make matters worse, she and Holly are becoming friends. Suddenly the consequences of Holly's choices are all too real, and Holly stands to lose more than she ever realized she had.

Holly isn’t exactly the most popular girl in school, but when she starts hooking up with uber-hot Paul Bennett, she thinks her life has turned around. Yeah, that’s just the beginning of her troubles.

This book opens with Holly Hirsh and Paul Bennett hooking up in his car at the beach. It quickly gets into a hush-hush type relationship with the two as Paul is already dating a popular, gorgeous, and surprisingly nice girl, Saskia. To make matters worse, Holly is dealing, not-so-well, with the death of her Mother. It doesn’t take long for Holly’s best friend, Nils (the stereotypical hot boy next door) to start noticing a change in his friend.

This book is filled with very messy friendships that will leave you asking questions and searching for answers that sometimes aren’t immediately known. I loved how Strasnick develops Holly as a character, and regardless of her not-so-honorable tryst with Paul, you feel sorry for her and the sticky situation her actions have thrown her into. Nils' character seemed flighty through most of the book and left me heartbroken for him in the end (once you read it, you’ll understand). The only thing I wish about this book is that it was a series.

This book was easy to get into, hard to put down, and ultimately a tear jerking story that left me wanting so much more.

Naomi & Ely's No Kiss List by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan

2010-09-15T04:00:00.007-04:00

Naomi & Ely's No Kiss List by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
Genre: Contemporary
Age Recommendation: 16+
Length: Full Length (230 pgs)
Rating: 4 suns
Reviewed by Snowdrop

NAOMI AND ELY ARE BEST FRIENDS. Naomi loves and is in love with Ely, and Ely loves Naomi, but prefers to be in love with boys. So they create their "No Kiss List" of people neither of them is allowed to kiss. And this works fine - until Bruce. Bruce is Naomi's boyfriend, so there's no reason to put him on the List. But Ely kissed Bruce even though he is boring. The result: a rift of universal proportions and the potential end of "Naomi and Ely: the institution." Can these best friends come back together again?

This is the second collaborative novel from Cohn and Levithan – both authors that I adore. I went into this book with high expectations as I have really enjoyed the previous co-written novel as well as many of their individual novels. They did not disappoint.

Naomi and Ely, best friends from an early age, are like one entity and feel like a part of them is missing if the other is not around. The friendship between the two is one of comedy, spontaneity and uniqueness. Naomi loves Ely in more than a friend kind of way even though she knows that Ely is gay. They pretend that one day they will get married, but Ely doesn't realize that deep down Naomi wants that pretend game to come true. They create a No Kiss List, so that they know which guys are off limits for dating – “The No Kiss List is our insurance against a Naomi & Ely breakup”. As the novel goes on, their friendship gets ripped apart, because one breaks the pact of the list. This leaves the two torn with the truth, angry at each other and themselves and trying to put the pieces back together.

Each chapter is written from a different character's point of view, not just Naomi and Ely, but friends and lovers too. It is a very interesting concept to have so many points of view for the same story as it goes along, but it also lets you see how others see the friendship develop and fall apart. Each chapter has a uniqueness to it and the style of writing changes based on the character speaking. Naomi's sections use a lot of wingding font images to stand in for some words, which for the most part I understood based on the text surrounding them. The only other characters style that stood out to me was Gabriel, Naomi's maybe love interest. His one section was a play list of songs, he made a mix tape for Naomi, where he explains why each song has meaning and you learn quite a lot about his past through this process. It was a very creative way to show the background of a character.

I found myself fighting for Naomi and Ely and wanting them to finally figure out their issues and make nice again. It was exciting to see how they each come to a realization about themselves and actually learn from the “breakup”. Naomi grows so much as a character, from being a snotty, self-absorbed girl into an understanding and compassionate lady. And Ely himself learns that all he has truly wanted was love, but kept pushing everything away that might actually bring that to him.

Overall, a great read and an interesting look at friendship, the meaning of love on many different levels, and how life can throw curve balls at you to test your ability to weather the storms. I hope to see more from Cohn and Levithan in the future as they write so beautifully together.

Jekel Loves Hyde by Beth Fantaskey

2010-09-14T04:00:00.011-04:00

Jekel Loves Hyde by Beth Fantaskey
Publisher: Harcourt
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Age Recommendation: 14+
Length: Full Length (282 pgs)
Rating: 5 suns
Reviewed by Wisteria

Jill Jekel has always obeyed her parents' rules--especially the one about never opening the mysterious, old box in her father's office. But when her dad is murdered, and her college savings disappear, she's tempted to peek inside, as the contents might be the key to a lucrative chemistry scholarship.

To improve her odds, Jill enlists the help of gorgeous, brooding Tristen Hyde, who has his own dark secrets locked away. As the team of Jekel and Hyde, they recreate experiments based on the classic novel, hoping not only to win a prize, but to save Tristen's sanity. Maybe his life. But Jill's accidental taste of a formula unleashes her darkest nature and compels her to risk everything--even Tristen's love--just for the thrill of being . . . bad.

Jekel Loves Hyde is a full of irresistible romance with heartbreaking courting, difficult situations — and the age old questions of what should you do versus what you want to do.

Jill Jekel never gave Tristen Hyde a chance, until a project pins the two together — not to mention the irony that their last names are Jekel and Hyde. When the two finally pair up, it ends in sparks. So many that I started wanting the next page to have the two of them be together. With strong basis on the classic Jekel and Hyde story, the two embark on an experimental journey that leaves them questioning their motives, their relationships and each other.

This book is full of plot twists; flirty romantic undertones, and heartbreaking decisions lace every page. I truly enjoyed this novel and wish it had been a series.

Jekel loves Hyde is a strong romantic novel with the makings of a classic novel. The characters will suck you in and hold you captive. The only problem with this book? There wasn’t more of it!

Songs for a Teenage Nomad by Kim Culbertson

2010-09-13T04:00:00.003-04:00

Songs for a Teenage Nomad by Kim Culbertson
Publisher: Source Books Living Ink Books
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary
Age Recommendation: 14+
Length: Full Length (254 pgs)
Rating: 4 Suns
Reviewed by Aloe

What is the soundtrack of your life?

After living in twelve places in eight years, Calle Smith finds herself in Andreas Bay, California, at the start of ninth grade. Another new home, another new school…Calle knows better than to put down roots. Her song journal keeps her moving to her own soundtrack, bouncing through a world best kept at a distance.

Yet before she knows it, friends creep in—as does an unlikely boy with a secret. Calle is torn over what may be her first chance at love. With all that she’s hiding and all that she wants, can she find something lasting beyond music? And will she ever discover why she and her mother have been running in the first place?

Why won’t her mother talk about her natural father? She was a baby when he left, so she can understand hard feelings. But why would she refuse totally?

Ms. Culbertson does an excellent job of depicting what teenage life is like. Some have strange hair, some wear certain types of clothing, some talk a lot, some say nothing, and Calle is in the “some say nothing” group.

She has been moving around her whole life and she’s learned to just be a wallflower and hang out in the background rather than get involved, because as soon as her Mom breaks up with her latest new man, they’ll be on the move again.

Whether they are popular or not, several of these students are carrying family secrets with them. Ms. Culbertson's words show you how conflicted some of the students are and how becoming friends can be a challenge. It’s also hard for them to know who to trust.

My first year at high school was my first time in public school; I had gone to a parochial school and wore uniforms for the first eight years. I know just how Calle felt when she entered this new high school. The author expresses the feelings very well, but doesn’t make you feel sorry for her character.

The story has a very ironic ending; one I never saw coming. This is an excellent read for young adults who may be experiencing their own problems fitting in at a new school or who could use some guidance on why a student may be acting in a certain way. It’s not just what’s happening in school, there are also outside influences.

This story is a compelling read with a fairly complex plot that flowed well and kept my attention, so I have rated four suns.

The Everafter by Amy Huntley

2010-09-10T04:00:00.003-04:00

The Everafter by Amy Huntley
Publisher: Harper Teen
Genre: Inspirational, Paranormal, Suspense/Mystery
Age Recommendation: 14+
Length: Short Story (148 pgs)
Rating: 5 suns
Reviewed by Snowdrop

Madison Stanton doesn't know where she is or how she got there. But she does know this—she is dead. And alone, in a vast, dark space. The only company she has in this place are luminescent objects that turn out to be all the things Maddy lost while she was alive. And soon she discovers that with these artifacts, she can reexperience—and sometimes even change—moments from her life.

Her first kiss.

A trip to Disney World.

Her sister's wedding.

A disastrous sleepover.

In reliving these moments, Maddy learns illuminating and sometimes frightening truths about her life—and death.

This is a haunting and ultimately hopeful novel about the beauty of even the most insignificant moments—and the strength of true love even beyond death.

I am actually really impressed that this book doesn't follow the norm for YA books – that being faerie tales, love triangles, or gossipy stories. This debut novel is astonishingly refreshing and has such a lovely writing style.

From the very first line, “I'm dead.”, I was completely stuck on this book. I could not put it down. I am a sucker for beautiful covers and interesting titles, so those are the first reasons I was drawn to the book. Then the idea of being dead and not knowing how you died, nor who you really were, intrigued me.

Maddison, our 17 year old narrator, cannot understand how she died, let alone who she really was when she was alive. As she stumbles upon items she lost during her life, she realizes that each one will bring her back to the moment she lost them, where she can observe or change what happens. I found myself wanting to yell at Maddy as she tries to change things. I understood she wanted things to be different than they were, but I worried she would change the future too much and lose who she already was. This is such a great feeling when you are that compelled to want to interact with the character and give them advice.

I absolutely loved the idea that lost items are there in the afterlife for us to find and re-experience different parts of our lives and see them from an outsiders point of view. I believe that while Maddy entered into scenes from her life, she actually learned more about who she was, what her family and friends really meant to her and that sometimes it's the small things in life that we take for granted.

Each interaction that Maddy has with someone from her life and afterlife lead to her finding an understanding of life and death. Eventually we will all die, it's just a matter of when and how. So once you are gone, would you really want to change it all?

Quest for the Magic Stones by Shannon Rouchelle

2010-09-09T04:00:00.003-04:00

Quest for the Magic Stones by Shannon Rouchelle
Publisher: Devine Destinies Books
Genre: Action/Adventure Contemporary Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Age Recommendation: 12+
Length: Short Story (86 pgs)
Rating: 5 suns
Reviewed by Orchid

Leslie Burrows, a young woman impoverished and living in a small cottage with her mother, is delighted when she attends her first royal ball and meets Prince Peter, the man of her dreams.

But the prince has a nasty secret and desperately needs her help. Leslie must complete a quest and defeat a wicked sorcerer to break the spell bestowed upon her beloved. She decides to risk her life and face the dangers that linger in the Spirited Forest.

Can love conquer all, or will evil prevail?

Fairy tale, adventure, handsome prince. There’s even an evil monster, a real fairy and dwarves. Quest for the Magic Stones has them all, but the author put her own interpretation to the mixture and updated it for the modern world.

The characters had ordinary names - Leslie, Peter and Kim - but the story is certainly not ordinary. A timid poor girl, a kind excitable rich girl and a prince with a terrible secret. Magic also plays a part with spells cast by an evil sorcerer and magic jewels. Stir these all together and place them in poor cottage, luxurious castle and magic forest and you have a winner.

The story had all the ingredients of the usual fairy story but the author turned the story round. I liked the way the the young lady went on a quest to save the prince. Usually it’s the other way around.

The only problem I had was that the book was too short. This is not to say there wasn’t enough depth, Ms Rouchelle has written an action packed tale that leaves no questions at the end. Luckily I noticed this book is the first of a series so I cheered up again. I look forward to reading the next installment and hope it’s as intriguing as the first.

Wildthorn by Jane Eagland

2010-09-08T04:00:00.007-04:00

Wildthorn by Jane Eagland
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
Genre: Historical
Age Recommendation: 14+
Length: Full Length (355 pgs)
Rating: 5 suns
Reviewed by Orchid

They strip her naked, of everything—undo her whalebone corset, hook by hook. Locked away in Wildthorn Hall—a madhouse—they take her identity. She is now called Lucy Childs. She has no one; she has nothing. But, she is still seventeen—still Louisa Cosgrove, isn't she? Who has done this unthinkable deed? Louisa must free herself, in more ways than one, and muster up the courage to be her true self, all the while solving her own twisted mystery and falling into an unconventional love . . .

Louisa Cosgrove or Lucy Childs - what is her real name?

Louisa has always been an unusual child. She longs to follow in her father’s footsteps and become a doctor, but this occupation is frowned on for women of her class.

Her family arrange for Louisa to work as a companion to a young girl, but instead of arriving at a large country house, she is locked in a mental asylum and told her name is Lucy Childs. Despite the cruel and unpleasant regime she is forced to lead in the asylum, Louisa clings to her identity and plans to escape. But how can she do this and where will she go? Her only friend is Eliza, one of the assistants.

Wildthorn is an unusual book but definitely had me hooked from page one. I got a good understanding of the workings of the mental institutions of the Victorian era and how young ladies were not free to run their own lives, but were expected to obey their male relatives.

Louisa’s belief in herself makes the book so engrossing. Only once does she falter in her determination to escape the asylum. Out of place in her own era she would have fitted perfectly into today’s world. Betrayed by those who were supposed to protect her, she perseveres in her fight to regain her freedom.

Romance is not the main focus of this book. It doesn’t need to be, the story moves at a strong pace keeping the reader engrossed and eager to find out what is going to happen next. The romance is necessary, although it appears to be superfluous until the end of the book when all is revealed.

I would like to thank the author for writing such a well thought out and entertaining book. It is suitable for the older teenager rather than the juvenile reader, but would also be enjoyed by an adult.

The Ghost of Crutchfield Hall by Mary Downing Hahn

2010-09-07T04:00:00.002-04:00

The Ghost of Crutchfield Hall by Mary Downing Hahn
Publisher: Clarion Books
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Paranormal
Age Recommendation: 12+
Length: Full Length (160 pgs)
Rating: 4 suns
Reviewed by Alyssum

When twelve-year-old Florence boards the crowded horse-drawn coach in London, she looks forward to a new life with her great uncle and aunt at Crutchfield Hall, an old manor house in the English countryside. Anything will be better, she thinks, than the grim London orphanage where she has lived since her parents' death.

But Florence doesn't expect the ghost of her cousin Sophia, who haunts the cavernous rooms and dimly lit hallways of Crutchfield and concocts a plan to use Florence to help her achieve her murderous goals. Will Florence be able to convince the others in the household of the imminent danger and stop Sophia before it's too late?

This is a great scary ghost story for young readers from author Mary Downing Hahn, who has a knack for giving readers a creepy story without frightening them.

This book is set in 19th century England and starts off in true creepy fashion with a stormy night, a long walk, and a scary looking old house. Florance is a orphan and did not think she had any relatives, then finds out she has a great uncle and great aunt who live in Crutchfeild Hall. The uncle sends for her and is delighted to have her staying with them, but the aunt is not. Florance bears a slight resemblance to Sophia, her cousin who died in a tragic accident almost a year earlier. She also learns that her cousin James, who is not well, never comes out of his room and it is off limits for her to visit.

As soon as Florance arrives she feels as if she is not alone in this creepy old house, but she shakes off the feeling because she figures that it is probably just due to being in a new home. Her uncle loves having her around but the aunt never wants anything to do with her, so she usually spends a lot of time in the sitting room reading. Then one day she fears the ghost of Sophia is haunting the place but her uncle doesn't believe in ghost.

Sophia was not as nice as her aunt thought her to be and her evil spirit is trying to get Florance to help her with her evil skim. Will Florance be able to find the will power to fight against Sophia and save her cousin James?

Mary Downing Hahn has a great way with drawing you into her stories. With such incredible details it comes out almost like being told a ghost story over a camp fire at night. You can't help but want to know what else is going to happen. When Florance sets out for Crutchfield Hall it is a nasty, stormy winter day and the descriptions in the story are perfectly written to capture a young reader's imagination. "Wind and rain struck me with a force that almost knocked me down." "Frightened by the creaking and groaning of tree limbs over my head, I walked faster, almost losing my shoes in the mud." These are the types sentences that will send the reader pressing on to find out what is going to happen.

The book has a true nineteenth century feel with its old houses, spooky haunts and, of course, the nasty aunt who thinks Florance is nothing but bad even when she hasn't done anything wrong. I would recommend this book to anyone who has young readers who love a good ghost story.

Orphan! by John R. Weber

2010-09-06T04:00:00.008-04:00

Orphan! by John R. Weber
Publisher: WestSide Books
Genre: Action/Adventure, Historical
Age Recommendation: 12+
Length: Full Length (301 pgs)
Rating: 3 Suns
Reviewed by Fern

Homer abruptly finds out at age 13 that he’s adopted when his gruff father, an Iowa farmer, announces it after dinner one night. Homer is crushed and decides he must find his real family, who he learns had been in New York City. On his way, he stops to tell his best friend, Jamie, who feels compelled to go along and keep Homer out of trouble. They hop a train and head east, only to run into danger the very next day. Narrowly escaping a brutal demise, they’re befriended by Smilin’ Jack, a hobo who takes them under his wing. After a series of misadventures and serious scrapes, Jamie falls ill as they reach New York and Homer takes him to the house of their friend Sam, a wealthy girl who had lived in their town but then was ordered back east. Sam helps Jamie get the best medical care possible and lends support as Homer traces his origins to a church-run orphanage. As Homer adjusts to what he learns, his family in Iowa helps raise money for Jamie’s potentially life-saving experimental care, helping Homer to at last know the true meaning of family.

When I first read the blurb for John R. Weber’s novel, Orphan!, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I was intrigued by the concept of an orphan who discovers the truth of his parentage and sets off on an adventure to meet his family. However, I wasn’t sure exactly how the pieces would come together, or how I would enjoy the journey along the way.

The start, I’ll confess, was slow. Due to dialogue that was stilted and rudimentary, I couldn’t relate to the characters. Complicating this were the extenuating circumstances and corresponding events which lead Homer to leave his adoptive family behind, which seemed farfetched and difficult to believe. He’s a thirteen year old boy who has learned a profound truth, but his harsh treatment of the man and woman who have raised and loved him as one of their own felt rather extreme. I struggled to get through the first quarter of the novel. Considering this is a YA book, I began wondering what audience would enjoy the material. Fortunately, after sticking to it and pushing through, I was able to discover that if you’re able to see through the beginning, there is a story of interest waiting within the pages of Orphan!.

From the moment that Homer and his best friend Jamie take the wrong train and begin traveling in the wrong direction, the story takes on a life of its own. Danger lurks around every corner and safety comes in a manner that you least expect. Smilin’ Jack isn’t your average hero. In fact, he’s not a hero at all. He’s a hobo. After he rescues the boys and places them under his care, the story comes to life. You’ll hold your breath, grasp for it when your heart is broken, and exhale in relief when things come full circle. As one adventure ends, another begins. It’s not always an easy read, but once Homer and Jamie face the real world, are challenged by it and grow from it, it becomes a real one.

While there are issues with Orphan! I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this book, especially to those who like stories about coming of age. The characters grow as the story progresses, and when things get up to speed it’s an engaging read.

Raising Dragons by Bryan Davis

2010-08-30T04:00:00.003-04:00

Raising Dragons, Dragon in our Midst Book I by Bryan Davis
Publisher: Living Ink Books
Genre: Action/Adventure Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Age Recommendation: 12+
Length: Full Length (417 pgs)
Rating: 4 Suns
Reviewed by Aloe

A boy learns of his dragon past; a girl has known of hers for years. They combine their faith, courage, and love to overcome evil, a slayer who seeks to bring an end to dragon heritage, forever.

The kids at school call Billy Dragon Breath for good reason. His breath is bad! It isn't the normal, morning-mouth bad; it's the hot-as-fire, don't-you-dare-get-near-me bad. Trouble erupts when his hot breath sets off the fire sprinklers in the boy's restroom at school, and his parents learn that they've kept their secret for too long.

Billy finally discovers the secret. His father was once a dragon! Now that's a piece of news a guy doesn't deal with every day! Billy feels betrayed, alien, lost. When the dragon slayer traps him on a cold mountaintop in West Virginia, Billy learns to battle with weapons of steel and spirit while relying on a power he doesn't understand, a power that helps him learn to trust again.

Bonnie, an orphan, tries to find a home, someone to love her, even though she feels like a freak because of a body feature that she calls a deformity. But this unusual feature becomes a life-saving attribute as she discovers that her love for others and her faith in a creator hold the answers she's looking for.

Can you imagine finding out that dragons exist today? So do dragon slayers…

This book is fast paced, very exciting and full of well-thought-out, bigger than life characters. Mr. Davis does a good job of blending history and fantasy together. He also accurately depicts teenager anxiety and their uncertainty about life in general.

Billy had a real problem with bad breath. And now he was actually having “hot” breath. He accidently burnt his mother when he kissed her goodbye on his way to school. He’s been avoiding everyone and trying not to worry about it, but soon he won’t be able to anymore. What’s happening to him and why?

His only real friend is Walter, a boy he grew up and enjoys playing with; he’s a good friend. He also likes his history teacher at school – he’s British and interesting. And the new female student is interesting, too, but why does she always wear that backpack?

This story is mix of fantasy, fact, and imagination, and it works very well. Young adult readers will be drawn into the story concept and swept along in the action. There’s good, there’s evil, and both sides are powerful – you don’t know who is going to win. And the battle is wicked; even boys should find themselves flipping pages to see what’s going to happen next.

This is the first book in a series of four, and I’m sure looking forward to the next one. This book is just the beginning of the tale, setting the scene for the books to come. You’ll be glad to know there are more; one is just not enough.

Girl V. Boy by Yvonne Collins and Sandy Rideout

2010-08-20T04:00:00.005-04:00

Girl V. Boy by Yvonne Collins and Sandy Rideout
Publisher: Hyperion
Genre: Contemporary
Age Recommendation: 12+
Length: Full Length (311 pgs)
Rating: 4 suns
Reviewed by Wisteria

All's not fair in love, war, and high school journalism.

Sixteen-year-old Luisa Perez is not looking to win any awards for school spirit. In fact, she and her friends make it a point to avoid all activities considered "extra-curricular." So when her English teacher volunteers her to be an anonymous columnist for the school paper, Luisa's first impulse is to run. But, unlike her high-school dropout sister, Luisa does want to go to college--it may be her only ticket out of a life spent working at the cowboy-themed diner where she waitresses part time--and it would be nice to something on her applications.

Her first assignment is to cover her high school's latest fundraiser, which pits the girls against the boys. Luisa will cover the events from the female POV, while another anonymous writer provides the male perspective--or, at least, that's how it begins. The two columnists soon find themselves engaged in an epic battle of the sexes--a battle that Luisa is determined to win. Just who does this guy think he is, encouraging his peers to act like Neanderthals with their girlfriends? And why can't Luisa shake the very sinking feeling that her new unidentified nemesis might also be her new boyfriend?

Luisa is one of three “Luisa’s” at her school and it’s easy for her to fade into the background. When her writing teacher decides she needs an extracurricular activity—he signs her on as a journalist for the school paper.

Interesting love interests, spicy articles and fun dialogue ensue, making for a fun and entertaining read. The thing I liked the best about this novel is the constant questioning and twisting plot. There are several boys that seem to be competing for Luisa’s attention and she’s a likeable character in the way she is trying so hard to keep herself balanced, but she can’t keep up. This book is witty, exciting and a must read. I didn’t want to put it down.

Girl v. Boy is full of snappy, roller-coaster worthy characters and dialogue. It is a light hearted, tightly woven read that will keep you turning page after page wanting more.

The Ghost and the Goth by Stacey Kade

2010-08-19T04:00:00.005-04:00

The Ghost and the Goth by Stacey Kade
Publisher: Hyperion
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Age Recommendation: 12+
Length: Full Length (281 pgs)
Rating: 4 Suns
Reviewed by Wisteria

After a close encounter with the front end of a school bus, Alona Dare goes from Homecoming Queen to Queen of the Dead. Now she’s stuck as a spirit (DON’T call her a ghost) in the land of the living with no sign of the big, bright light to take her away. To make matters worse, the only person who might be able to help her is Will Killian, a total loser outcast who despises the social elite. He alone can see and hear (turns out he’s been “blessed” with the ability to communicate with the dead), but he wants nothing to do with the former mean girl of Groundsboro High.

Alona has never needed anyone for anything, and now she’s supposed to expose her deepest, darkest secrets to this pseudo-goth boy? Right. She’s not telling anyone what really happened the day she died, not even to save her eternal soul. And Will’s not filling out any volunteer forms to help her cross to the other side. He only has a few more weeks until his graduation, when he can strike out on his own and find a place with less spiritual interference. But he has to survive and stay out of the psych ward until then. Can they get over their mutual distrust—and the weird attraction between them—to work together before Alona vanishes for good and Will is locked up for seeing things that don’t exist?

Alona Dare is the stereotypical not-so-smart blonde. Will Killian is the not-so-typical tall dark and brooding boy. Too bad Alona is dead and only Will can see her.

The Ghost and the Goth is a two person point of view chapter novel. Alona’s character reminded me of so many other blonde cheerleader leads—but there was one huge thing that set her apart—her snarky-ness. She isn’t exactly the brightest crayon in the box, but she has a silver tongue that ends up helping Will when everyone else wants to believe he is crazy.

Will, facing his own demons (and a myriad of ghosts from all decades) never imagined Alona Dare would be the one girl that would haunt him. When she starts to show up everywhere he is—he realizes he can’t just ignore her (no matter how hard he tries).

This book doesn’t focus on the romantic side of the two characters, and focuses more on their internal struggles with their lives and their families. I did expect more romance out of the characters, but the lack of it didn’t diminish my attachment to Alona and Will.

The Ghost and the Goth is the new telling of Cheerleader meets Bad-Boy. Alona is a ghost (and a character) that refuses to be ignored. Will is a brooding, ghost-ignoring Bad-Boy that will leave you wanting to yell at him yourself! A good, unique read in today's paranormal YA market.

13 to Life by Shannon Delany

2010-08-18T04:00:00.008-04:00

13 to Life by Shannon Delany
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary, Paranormal, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Age Recommendation: 14+
Length: Full Length (308 pgs)
Rating: 5 suns
Reviewed by Wisteria

Everything about Jessie Gillmansen’s life changed when her mother died. Now even her hometown of Junction is changing. Mysterious dark things are happening. All Jessie wants is to avoid more change. But showing a hot new guy around Junction High, she’s about to discover a whole new type of change. Pietr Rusakova is more than good looks and a fascinating accent—he’s a guy with a dangerous secret. And his very existence is sure to bring big trouble to Jessie’s small town. It seems change is the one thing Jessie can’t avoid…

Talk about a fun, fast, paranormal roller coaster that will leave you craving more of Pietr.

Debut Novelist, Shannon Delany, brings a whole new level to the werewolf world with 13 to Life. The story opens with Jessie — a girl with not much left to lose — but nothing really to gain. She’s lost her mother and is faced with all the heartbreak she can bear. Yet, when Pietr, a hot, Russian mystery boy shows up, she can’t help but be a little snarky, outspoken, and just downright curious. Pietr and his crazed family of seeming-misfits will have you wondering what they are trying to hide and why they are all-too-willing to fight each other to keep whatever secret they are hiding.

This book definitely has it all — drama, love, flirting (even though it’s really unintended in the beginning!), and mystery that will have you refusing to put the book down. It is an awesome start to the series!

13 to Life will leave you craving more of Pietr and his mysterious and seemingly corrupt family. Jessie is a relatable character that is well written and I heavily identified with her from the beginning. This is a must read — and Ms. Delany, I want a Pietr of my own!

Karma Bites by Stacy Kramer & Valerie Thomas

2010-08-17T04:00:00.005-04:00

Karma Bites by Stacy Kramer & Valerie Thomas
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children’s Book Group
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Age Recommendation: 12+
Length: Full Length (352 pgs)
Rating: 4.5 suns
Reviewed by Cholla

Life seems to have it in for Franny Flanders.

Her best friends aren’t speaking, her parents just divorced, and her hippie grandmother has moved in. The only karma Franny’s got is bad karma.

Then Franny gets her hands on a box of magic recipes that could fix all of her problems. It could even change the world! Finally, life is looking up.

But Franny is about to learn that magic and karma aren’t to be played with. When you mess with the universe, it can bite back in unexpected ways.

Ouch!

When they said middle school wasn’t going to be easy, they weren’t kidding! Franny Flanders is going in with the odds already stacked against her. Her two best friends can’t stand one another. Her parents just divorced. And when you add the oddest of all grandmothers into the mix, you have to wonder, can things possibly get any worse? Without a doubt, yes, they can.

Franny is your ordinary girl. She’s excitable, she’s fun, and she loves her friends. However, she’s also stuck in a tough situation, both with her family and her friends. Sometime in the past, her two best friends, Joey and Kate, had a falling out, leaving Franny to shuffle between them like a lost ship. The idea that her two closest friends can’t even be civil to one another tears at her heart and her twelve-year-old sense of fairness. She struggles for a way to bring the three of them together constantly. And when she’s accidentally presented with what seems to be the perfect solution, disaster strikes.

Even though Franny is a pretty level-headed kid, she is still just that – a kid – and she lets the excitement get the better of her. Despite well-meant warnings and her own gut feeling, she gets caught up in what’s happening around her, unable to make herself stop, in much the same way kids do every day. In the way of pre-teens everywhere, an uncontrollable sense of what should be overcomes her better sense and the hard truth of what is. Aside from being a bit hard-headed, Franny is a loveable character - very realistic in her thoughts, fears and actions. I found a lot of myself in her – never settling into her own niche, always kind of floating between her more popular friend Joey and her less popular, but just as good friend, Kate. All in all, she’s a good kid with a strong idea of how she wants things to be. Eventually she does come around and comes to grip with the idea that some things just can’t be solved with magic. Some things just aren’t meant to be. In addition, like most kids her age, she can learn only one way – the hard way – before she gives in and realizes that others often do know best.

Karma Bites is a great story, full of laughs, difficult choices, and crazy middle-school hijinks. It’s a fun way to show kids that not everything bad has to be the end of the world, nor does it give false hope by swearing that everything will always be okay. Despite the magical aspect, these kids are very real in their ideas, actions, and feelings. Because of this, you’re sure to love Franny and her madcap group of friends and family from the very beginning. By the end of this delightful story, you’ll be cheering her on!

Dead is Just a Rumor by Marlene Perez

2010-08-16T04:00:00.004-04:00

Dead is Just a Rumor by Marlene Perez
Publisher: Graphia
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Suspense/Mystery
Age Recommendation: 12+
Length: Full Length (216 pgs)
Rating: 4 suns
Reviewed by Tiger Lily

As the creepy little town of Nightshade prepares to celebrate its 200th anniversary—on Halloween, of course—many of its paranormal residents are receiving mysterious blackmail letters. Psychic teen Daisy Giordano and her sisters set out to find out who is behind the threats. But launching an investigation isn’t easy for Daisy with her overprotective father watching her every move. Though she’s is happy to have him back after the years he spent being held captive by an anti-paranormal group called the Scourge, Dad is having difficult time adjusting to home life—and the fact that his little girl is now a senior in high school. He even disapproves of Daisy’s boyfriend, Ryan. Can their relationship take the strain?

And Daisy’s got even more on her plate: A talented amateur chef, she has won cooking lessons with celebrity chef Circe Silvertongue. After nosing around (with a little help from Circe’s pet pig), Daisy begins to suspect the temperamental chef’s secrets aren’t only in her ingredients. . . .

The fourth installment in this favorite series is full of surprises and scares!

Things aren’t exactly as they seem, but normal isn’t normal in Nightshade, California. Intrigue, confusion, romance, and a pet pig make up Dead is Just a Rumor.

When I saw this book was on the list of to be reviewed, I had to have it. I’d read the other books in the Dead series and had to see what happened next. It’s like reading a soap opera—you have to know what’s coming next and can’t put it down.

Daisy is still trying to find her place in Nightshade. It doesn’t help that she’s got psychic abilities she’s yet to discover. But it’s because of her still learning about herself that really made me identify with her. She’s not perfect and because of that, she’s more realistic. I loved her father. He’s been in captivity for quite a long time, but he’s still her daddy and still protective. For those of us who had over-protective folks, it’s easy to relate to her frustration. Some things worked out for Daisy, i.e. the Ryan front and it’s great to see she got something she really wanted—him.

My favorite character was the pig. Call me crazy, but anyone who has a pig for a pet is good people to me, even if they aren’t all that they appear to be (or perhaps are more than they appear to be).

This story has plenty of twists and turns that kept me in my seat. Even when I thought I knew what would happen next, I was off and it was a nice feeling.

If you want to read a story that’s not at all what it seems and a pleasure to open, then you need to read Dead is Just a Rumor. I give this book, 4 suns.

Shiner's Return by Nolan Carlson

2010-08-12T04:00:00.004-04:00

Shiner’s Return by Nolan Carlson
Publisher: Vintage Reflections Publishing
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary, Historical
Age Recommendation: 10+
Length: Short Story (80 pgs)
Rating: 4 suns
Reviewed by Orchid

The Summer and Shiner tale continues... Travel back with Carley and his best friend, Troop, as they once again dive into adventure, mischief, and fun. Join them in their antics at school and as they save Big Louie, the giant catfish. There are Halloween hijinks, a daring rescue for Shiner, and more trouble than Carley bargained for this school year. You'll recognize some old familiar faces and be introduced to new ones-the terrifying schoolmarm, Miss Both, Carley's new rival, Moose Harrigan, and a girl Carley would rather not know, Toby Swanson. And Carley welcomes a brand new friend. Don't miss his excitement or the journey back to Turtle Creek and Carley's hometown.

Summer’s over, it’s back to school. But this year the teacher is the dreaded Miss Botch.

Carly has returned Shiner the Raccoon to the wild and now has to get through a new year at school. His pa has promised him a puppy if he stays out of trouble. Poor Carly. Trouble seems to find him this year, both in and out of school. Every time something goes wrong it seems Miss Botch is looking over his shoulder. Punishment then follows as a matter of course.

His parents try to help Moose, an orphan, by giving him a weekend job. Unfortunately the boy is a bully and huge, so Carly gets into even more trouble when he’s with Moose. His friend Troop is the only one he can rely on.

Boys will be boys and their gang, the Mustangs, get up to all sorts of mischief during the summer and winter. Carly believes he’s been in so much trouble he’ll never get the dog he’s pining for. The one bright light for him is when he sees Shiner again and finds his old friend now has a mate. This proves to Carly that he did the right thing returning the raccoon to the wild.

The boys, Carly and Troop reminded me of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. Set in the 1940s in Kansas, the story had the same drowsy days of summer attitude coupled with hard working parents and kids who do chores as a matter of course. Each chapter has a different minor story to tell, while the main story continues in the background.

The only reason I didn’t give this book a higher rating was because it was a bit too drowsy. Although the boys got up to all sorts of scrapes, there was no mind gripping adventure forcing you to read on to find out what happened next. I got the feeling all the way through that everything would turn out all right so there was no need to worry.

Shiner’s Return is still a good book to read or maybe even to read to a younger child. The characters are really true to life and the lifestyle gives a good look into how things were in the 1940s. I would recommend this book for the younger reader. Especially if they enjoy the Tom Sawyer type of books.

Bones of Faerie by Janni Lee Simner

2010-08-11T04:00:00.015-04:00

Bones of Faerie by Janni Lee Simner
Publisher: Random House
Genre: Action/Adventure, Paranormal, Fantasy
Age Recommendation: 14+
Length: Full Length (247 pgs)
Rating: 4 suns
Reviewed by Snowdrop

The war between humanity and Faerie devastated both sides. Or so 15-year-old Liza has been told. Nothing has been seen or heard from Faerie since, and Liza’s world bears the scars of its encounter with magic. Trees move with sinister intention, and the town Liza calls home is surrounded by a forest that threatens to harm all those who wander into it. Then Liza discovers she has the Faerie ability to see—into the past, into the future—and she has no choice but to flee her town. Liza’s quest will take her into Faerie and back again, and what she finds along the way may be the key to healing both worlds.

Not your typical YA faerie book - this well-written story gives us a different look at the realm of faerie vs. humans. A war has destroyed the human world and has left humans feeling as though they cannot trust anyone for fear that they will hurt them with magic.

Liza, has been brought up to fear magic. She was easy to empathize with as she panics and feels she will be no longer wanted by anyone if she reveals her evil (magic) side. As she flees her town, her stubborn nature and strong will are what help her in the upcoming adventures and keep her moving forward.

Liza is joined by a few misfits along the way; Matthew, a fierce protector, who is touched by magic and has been hiding it for years; Allie, the best friend with magical healing powers and Tallow a tag-along cat with a humorous personality. The four make a great team and rely on each others' strengths to help them through many obstacles.

There was a tiny glimmer of romance developing between Liza and Matthew, though Ms. Simner did not expand upon or explore the idea of their budding romance in this novel. It would have been truly exciting to see unfold while they were going through such an emotionally charged journey together.

The use of American landmarks is quite creative. There are references to different rivers and landmarks from the state of Missouri. The destruction left by the war is so descriptive during the misfits' adventures along the abandoned highways and cities.

The one thing that is alluded to is that there are always two sides to a story. I think it would be wonderful to see both sides of the history of the war. There are glimpses here and there, but are never really elaborated upon, nor do they explain what started the war in the first place. The fae left the plants and forests to have magic within them that seek to kill humans, which is also not explained. This bit of dark magic makes Ms. Simner's tale that much more interesting and unique. I feel a sequel could be created that may explain the past war and could easily carry on with the characters in their new awareness of magic and it's uses. All in all, a wonferful read that I recommend for lovers of magic and adventure.

Shiner and King by Nolan Carlson

2010-08-10T04:00:00.009-04:00

Shiner and King by Nolan Carlson
Publisher: Vintage Reflections Publishing
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary, Historical
Age Recommendation: 10+
Length: Full Length (204 pgs)
Rating: 4 Suns
Reviewed by Orchid

The only thing better than more adventures with Carley and Troop is sharing the fun with a German Shepherd named King—the best dog in the whole wide world, according to Carley. Hometown shenanigans abound along with a surprise or two with Luke Webster, and with Carley at his side, King shows his true colors as a hero while Shiner roams free in his new life in the wild woods along Blue River. Could a boy's life get any better? Of course, Mick Fuller and his dog, Devil, and Toby Swanson are back, meaner than ever, and Miss Botch's swats still hurt. Carley still seems to spend a bit more time in trouble than he'd like, but he wouldn't trade his life in Belford for anything in the world!

School’s over and Carley, Troop and King have the whole summer ahead of them.

Now Carley has his dog, King, he’s determined to enjoy the summer. King becomes a hero when he goes for help when Carley’s Grandpa is taken ill. The dog is devoted to Carley and follows him everywhere. The two of them accept a dare to enter a creepy house with an old hermit inside, and fall foul of a man who everyone thinks is a bit mad.

Carley and Troop still manage to find trouble at every turn, plus this time Carley is beginning to get both annoyed and fascinated by Toby Swanson, a girl who wants to be a boy.

Once again the setting reminded me of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. Lazy days of summer, fishing, getting into trouble, going places where no other boys dared. Bike racing, going on hikes, dust on the road - everything kids love about the summer break.

This is the third in the series and apparently there are more to come. They are delightful books to read, but aren't suspenseful enough to make you sit on the edge of your seat. I believe this series is better for the younger reader to either read themselves or have read to them. A rainy afternoon, a roaring fire and one of these books would be perfect - that’s when I read them and they captured my imagination.

A very well written and thought out series. A pleasure to read.

The Geek Girl's Guide to Cheerleading by Charity Tahmaseb and Darcy Vance

2010-08-09T04:00:00.006-04:00

The Geek Girl's Guide to Cheerleading by Charity Tahmaseb and Darcy Vance
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full
Age Recommendation: 12+
Rating: 4.5 Suns
Reviewed by Viscaria

When Bethany — self-proclaimed geek girl — makes the varsity cheerleading squad, she realizes that there's one thing worse than blending in with the lockers: getting noticed. She always felt comfortable as part of the nerd herd, but being a member of the most scrutinized group in her school is weighing her down like a ton of textbooks. Even her Varsity Cheerleading Guide can't answer the really tough questions, like: How do you maintain some semblance of dignity while wearing an insanely short skirt? What do you do when the head cheerleader spills her beer on you at your first in-crowd party? And how do you know if your crush likes you for your mind...or your pom-poms?

One thing's for sure: It's going to take more than brains for this girl genius to cheer her way to the top of the pyramid.

I thoroughly enjoyed this modern, teenage take on Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from this novel, as I haven’t read a Young Adult novel in quite some time. I did however get snagged by the title. The rest of the book kept my attention from the first chapter to the end.

Bethany is… well she’s a geek! And she’s proud of it, which I loved about her. So often we hear about young women who just want to be someone else. Bethany was perfectly happy in her geekdom… well, except for having to run The Gauntlet. Nope, not gonna tell you, you’ll have to read to find out what I’m talking about. When Bethany’s best friend Moni, a fellow geek, convinces her that the two of them should try out for the Varsity Cheerleading Squad she is willing to go along for the ride, all in the name of supporting her best friend. Thinking that they’ll be denied a spot on the squad she is a bit stunned when they both make the squad. What follows is a rather funny, and emotional journey into another world… at least for her.

Bethany was a rather interesting girl, who didn’t always understand what was going on around her. While perceptive to a point, she was a bit unsure of how to deal with changes in the familiar as well as behaviors of her friends. Let’s face it, that’s not something we magically grow out of, at least this young woman is smart enough to admit to herself when she has no idea what is going on. I felt for Bethany as she navigated a completely alien territory with quite a few stumbles, and even some bruises, but she came out on the other side a better person, and amazingly a pretty good cheerleader.

Jack is the star of the high school basketball team and he has a reputation… for never dating. It didn’t matter what “type” of girl she was, he doesn’t date her. My feeling was that he wanted to be with someone who could be themselves and who he could be himself with. He just hadn’t found that person, so he waited and just didn’t date. He seemed like a sweet enough kid in my opinion and we are eventually given a lot of backstory as to what has happened in his life to mould him into the person he was. I saw hidden depths in him, and it’s not always easy to find depth in a teenaged boy.

This book deals with some issues that are unfortunately things young people have to deal with. When does the desire to be cool and one of the in-crowd lead to completely undesirable situations? What can one person do to change things and take a stand? Sadly, these things do happen in your average everyday high school. Some issues brought up were peer pressure--to laugh and make fun of others in lesser circumstances, but the hot one was underage drinking. I will make it known right now that I was pretty proud of the way Bethany handled it. Other than that issue, which greatly added to the story, I can’t think of anything that would give others pause.

This dynamic duo of authors display a dry humor that had me snorting out a laugh on more than one occasion. Each internal monologue was thoroughly believable, and I could see myself (at that age at least) thinking the same thoughts, or saying those same things. I liked that Bethany was a relatively responsible young woman. I know that it can be hard to step forward and say something, even when you know that it probably won’t change anything.

Again, let me say, that I loved this book. I would recommend it to any youth and parent (and I already have recommended it because I enjoyed it so much) in the market for humor, a sweet bit of romantic courting and the desire to revisit that world again. Aside from a minor slip, these two main characters had me laughing out loud one more than one occasion. A great read, and I highly recommend it.

Note: This review was originally posted on Long and Short Reviews.

Death (and Further Adventures) of Silas Winterbottom: The Body Thief

2010-08-06T04:00:00.008-04:00

Death (and Further Adventures) of Silas Winterbottom: The Body Thief by Stephen M Giles
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Genre: Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Suspense/Mystery
Age Recommendation: 10+
Length: Full Length (229 pgs)
Rating: 4 Suns
Reviewed by Aloe

And you thought your family was strange.

I am dying. . . I might get the chance to know you before death takes me...I would like you to be my guest at Sommerset. . .I have enclosed a check for $ 10,000. . . Should you accept my offer...

Uncle Silas has always been greedy, evil, insulting, and extremely rich! But a dying uncle with a vast fortune is definitely one worth getting to know. Even if it means spending 2 months on his secluded island home with a houseful of suspicious servants and a hungry pet crocodile.

But what is Uncle Silas really up to? Will Adele, Milo, and Isabella outlive Uncle Silas to inherit his money? And just who is that mysterious "guest" in his basement? Is it worth the money (or their lives) to stick around and find out?

Does your Uncle have a pet alligator? None of mine did, either.

This is the story of three young cousins who live in poor households and have worries about their futures. Dear old Uncle Silas has tons of money and has invited them all to come and visit. He’s near death, perhaps they might be lucky enough to become his heirs!

This is a wickedly funny story. It reminds me of the Lemoney Snickett series, but I enjoyed this book much more.

Mr. Giles creates characters that “live” on the pages of the book you read. Her skillful writing clearly paints each scene so we are thrust right there with the children. The three cousins come from diverse backgrounds, and have the very human characteristics of greed, fear, distrust and selfishness -- they aren't perfect, and it makes for a thoroughly enjoyable read. They don’t know each other, and it’s not just their Uncle who's evil.

Uncle Silas reeks of evil. He’s nice, but they know it’s just an act. He has plans for them alright, but not necessarily as his heirs. He’s ready to sic the alligator on them if they don’t do as he asks. After all, Uncle Silas has the ultimate power and authority in his home and he plans to get his way.

There are multiple adventures for the three cousins, most fraught with danger. They have no allies, so must depend on each other (which doesn’t always work out well), and they have to watch for the alligator crawling the hallways and coming out of “forbidden” rooms.

Can they band together enough to beat Uncle Silas at his own game? Just exactly what does he want them for anyway?

If you love clever fiction, get a copy of this incredibly fun book and follow along on their adventures. You’ll enjoy it. And, good news: There’s an epilogue at the end of the book that suggests there will be more coming in this series. That makes me happy. I’d like to see where the author goes from here with this story.

Marisol Bean Dragon Queen by Elisabeth & Ian Arbuckle

2010-08-05T04:00:00.007-04:00

Marisol Bean Dragon Queen by Elisabeth & Ian Arbuckle
Publisher: Mundania Press
Genre: Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Age Recommendation: 12+
Length: Full Length (209 pgs)
Rating: 4 Suns
Reviewed by Aloe

Whenever a princess of Dissany turns seventeen, she is sent away from her home to foster with one of the other races in the land. This is called the Tine, and the humans have been paying it for centuries.

On her seventeenth birthday, Marisol Bean is scheduled to go to the stone people of the North, who are every bit as dull as the chunks of granite they resemble. Thirsting for adventure, Marisol switches places with her twin sister, Meredith, who is heading off to live with the great dragons of the South.

Much more than adventure awaits Marisol in the land of the dragons. Forced to serve the brash king of dragons as a maid, she witnesses a plot to assassinate her master. He avoids death, but an enemy magician manages to wound him deeply...by turning him into a human. Now, with her humbled king in tow, Marisol must pursue the would-be killers across the continent. When they finally catch up to their quarry, the things that Marisol learns about the plot, her king, and herself will change her world forever.

Don’t you think it’d be more exciting to live with dragons than live with stone people? Marisol did. But she didn’t know just how exciting it was going to get…

Marisol and her twin, Meredith, were being trained for their new lives. They would leave their parents and family and the castle they grew up in and go to live with one of the other races of the land. Who they lived with was chosen by their birth order, but the twins decided to switch. Marisol wanted more excitement and challenges, and Meredith was happy to have a quiet life.

The main reason I chose to read this book was because it was about dragons. Dragons are generally magical, powerful beings that live for so many years they view life much differently than a human does. The dragons in this book did not disappoint me.

The author does a good job of expressing the emotions of the different characters and describing the different worlds they populate. Trust is a scarce commodity; all the races have reasons to be hesitant about interacting with each other.

There is no choice, though, when the dragon who “owns” Marisol has a spell put on him that makes him human. He’s the future king, and he has to have his own form to do that.

You meet the other races, see how much trickery there is in all their worlds, and watch how they weave their way through treacherous lands to finally locate the sorcerer who changed the dragon’s form. The lands and heritage of each world is vividly described, and you can relate to Marisol’s problem in trying to calm down an enraged dragon. Even in human shape, he’s dangerous.

Underlying this story is the dragon’s legend about how they will get their fire back. As this segment of the story ends, you can tell that there will be a sequel to this book continuing the story. I’m looking forward to reading that one also. Marisol and her dragon friend still have several challenges to conquer.

Manifest by Artist Arthur

2010-08-04T04:00:00.006-04:00

Manifest by Artist Arthur
Publisher: Harlequin
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal, Suspense
Length: Full Length (256 pgs)
Age Recommendation: 16+
Sun Rating: 5 Suns
Reviewed by Dogwood

When fifteen-year-old Krystal Bentley moves to Lincoln, Connecticut, her mom's hometown, she assumes her biggest drama will be adjusting to the burbs after living in New York City.

But Lincoln is nothing like Krystal imagined. The weirdness begins when Ricky Watson starts confiding in her. He's cute, funny, a good listener—and everything she'd ever want—except that he was killed nearly a year ago. Krystal's ghost-whispering talents soon lead other "freaks" to her door—Sasha, a rich girl who can literally disappear, and Jake, who moves objects with his mind. All three share a distinctive birthmark in the shape of an M and, fittingly, call themselves the Mystyx. They set out to learn what really happened to Ricky, only to realize that they aren't the only ones with mysterious powers. But if Krystal succeeds in finding out the truth about Ricky's death, will she lose him for good?

Nail-biting, edge of the seat sitting, hair-twisting suspense! Right from the start this book pulls you in and never lets you go...not that you want it to anyway.

Krystal Bentley is confused and living in a new world. To top it all off she can hear, see, and feel ghosts. She isn't really sure what to do with her life, so she is lashing out at anyone who dares to speak to her. There are a few times you just want to slap her, and tell her to snap out of it. Then there are other times you can really relate. Just about everyone I know, myself included, has had to deal with a life situation similar to hers, so it's easy to understand where her frustration is coming from. Coming from a broken family isn't easy for anyone. Several times you find yourself laughing at her humorous encounters with her new ghost friend Ricky Watson. He was killed a year ago, at the same school Krystal now attends. Since Krystal is the only one who can see him, he needs her help to solve his murder. You immediately like him.

You also may find yourself talking out loud to Krystal, trying to convince her to help Ricky. That is how deep you get pulled into this book. It's even better than watching a movie. You actually feel like you right there beside the characters, experiencing everything just as they are. Which is where the scary part comes in. I found myself many times too scared to look up from the book, because I knew there was going to be a ghost by my bed. Every sound I heard made me shiver. It's amazing the amount of bravery Krystal showed throughout the book. I know if I had to see ghosts everywhere, I would have handled it much differently...crying my eyes out in a mental institution, of course.

Seeing ghosts wasn't the only thing special about Krystal Bentley. Krystal meets Jake and Sasha and learn the three of them have something very special in common. They have a special bond which they decide only means one thing. They must form a group and start by helping Ricky find out who murdered him. This leads to an interesting adventure, each with a different task. I bet you'll be as surprised as I was to learn all the secrets this tiny town has to offer.

Krystal, Jake, and Sasha are one unlikely group of characters, but that's what makes the story so interesting. Jake is a poor kid from the wrong side of the tracks. He knows all too well what it's like to grow up with only one parent, who seems non-existent anyway. Sasha, however, comes from one of the richest families in town. Not to mention she is very beautiful. She got the most grief from the other kids in school, just for hanging out with Krystal and Jake. You fall in love with the three of them, and every time they get into trouble, you are biting your nails hoping they find a way out. At every turn of the book there seems to be something new to discover. It's in no way predictable, although you will be trying to guess throughout who the murderer is.

You love how Krystal's character grows throughout the story. At first you want to hate her mom and step dad just as much as Krystal seems to. Then you grow right with her, and start to warm up to them. It has to be tough moving from the big city of New York, to a small town her mom grew up in. She was a daddy's girl, and hated not having him apart of her life anymore. Once she learns the real reason her mom left, she suddenly feels horrible for how she has been treating her. Krystal is a normal teenage girl, aside from the whole ghost thing, so you definitely get why she is treating everyone the way she is.

All in all, this was a fantastic book that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. If you enjoy books with lots of suspense and a little love story on the side, you have to pick this up. It was non-stop suspense throughout the book. There is no way you won't enjoy the many adventures Krystal, Jake and Sasha get themselves into. It will start feeling more like a foursome since you are right there with them. You will find yourself shocked at how the story all falls into place in the end. I can not wait for the rest of the series to come out. This crazy threesome is sure to find lots more to do, and many more ghosts to help. I am sure you will enjoy the book as much as I do. Don't wait another minute, get this book today!

Hunter Brown and the Consuming Fire

2010-08-03T04:00:00.007-04:00

Hunter Brown and the Consuming Fire by Christopher and Allan Miller
Publisher: Warner Press
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary, Fantasy
Age Recommendation: 10+
Length: Full Length (366 pgs)
Rating: 4 Suns
Reviewed by Lupine

After returning from his first trip to Solandria, Hunter Brown finds himself alone with memories of his adventures and many unanswered questions. He returns to school with the sneaking suspicion he is being watched, but his tendency to think he is being trailed by the Shadow lands him in a heap of trouble.

Soon, Hunter takes a wild ride to Solandria with two new friends, Trista and Rob, and a furry creature, Boojum. The land has greatly changed. The Codebearers have been scattered and the Resistance is weak. With more questions than answers, Hunter, Trista and Rob begin their quest, led by a mysterious flame. Their goal is to find the Seven mentioned in the Author's Writ. But they face a brutal adversary, Xaul, who threatens to steal the flame and destroy all that remains of the Resistance.

Has Aviad abandoned them all to the Shadow? Will Hunter and his friends find the courage to complete their quest… or will they be too late?

It's great fun again as we join Hunter Brown in a wonderful new adventure! Here, back in the "real" world of Earth, Hunter finds himself deserted by his friend, Stretch, who will not believe that the world of Solandria is real, or any of the adventures Hunter says he had. Even though Stretch takes all of Hunter's friends with him when he leaves, Hunter finds new ones in Rob, who is another teenaged Codebearer, and Trista.

Before we know it, Hunter is swept off into another adventure in Solandria. He has a new adversary, Xaul, a Xin warrior with a Vertis sword that has been twisted into the way of evil. Xaul desires The Flame, a mysterious fire that gives mythological powers.

Hunter sets off on a perilous journety to find the flame before Xaul does. Hunter vows to protect the flame with his life, if need be, for if he does not Xaul will take it. And then, it will be used to kill the Codebearers and destroy the Writ.

This was another nail-biting adventure for Hunter, and I didn't want to put this book down, even when I grew sleepy or had other things that needed doing. The Miller brothers are fabulous authors who color their text with imagination and detail. The characters, as before, were three-dimensional and so realistic. The always jolly Stoney was my favorite character. I liked him because he always tried to do the right thing, even when it was difficult or painful. Even more wonderful was the fact that he was so happy and his joy made other people (including me!) feel better.

The book was also populated with terrifying creatures. The Fangworm was particularly fearsome, at least for me. With its four fangs as long as spears, spikes up its back and skin covered with tough scales, he was a difficult monster to defeat. The Scourge -- a kind of mist haze that could take any shape it desired -- was a terrifying, albeit clever, construct as well.

Truthfully this book had me hanging off the edge of my seat with every page I turned. Well-paced with an excellent plot, it's perfect for fantasy and action/adventure readers. I give it four books, and can't wait for the next installment in this series.

Getting Revenge on Lauren Wood by Eileen Cook

2010-08-02T04:00:00.006-04:00

Getting Revenge on Lauren Wood by Eileen Cook
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Genre: Contemporary
Age Recommendation: 14+
Length: Full Length (272 pgs)
Rating: 4 Suns
Reviewed by Aloe

Popularity is the best revenge.

In the final weeks of eighth grade, Lauren Wood made a choice. She betrayed her best friend, Helen, in a manner so publicly humiliating that Helen had to move to a new town just to save face. Ditching Helen was worth it, though, because Lauren started high school as one of the It Girls--and now, at the start of her senior year, she's the cheerleading captain, the quarterback's girlfriend, and the undisputed queen bee. Lauren has everything she's ever wanted, and she has forgotten all about her ex-best friend.

But Helen could never forget Lauren. After three years of obsessing, she's moving back to her old town. She has a new name and a new look, but she hasn't dropped her old grudges. She has a detailed plan to bring down her former BFF by taking away everything that's ever been important to Lauren—starting with her boyfriend.

Watch out, Lauren Wood. Things are about to get bitchy.

Has anybody you thought was your best friend ever done anything really awful to you? Have you ever been tempted to get even? I sure have…

Helen and Lauren did everything together. They created their own Nancy Drew Club and did their own sleuthing (not very successfully), they shared candy, went to the mall and hung out and were BFFs (Best Friends Forever). However, when it was time to move to high school, Lauren did something so bad that it caused everyone in school to hate Helen because they thought she’d done it.

Ms. Cook does an excellent job of reminding you what it’s like in school and how badly you can be emotionally scarred by someone’s words or actions. Children can be cruel, and this story demonstrates that. Helen is shocked and finds it hard to believe Lauren would use Helen as a stepping stone into high school and popularity.

Helen’s family is non-traditional. Lauren’s family sets goals for her. The girls' characters are defined by their families and friends, just like it is in real life.

After spending three years in New York, Helen returns to her hometown for her senior year, staying with her grandmother. She decides to reinvent herself and get revenge on Lauren.

It's fascinating to watch her begin her plan with only an outline and then see the pleasure she takes by seeing thing go wrong with Lauren. Then she begins to be conflicted with what she’s doing and how it changes her basic personality – not for the good. She’s been led to temptation and has started down the thorny path, will she continue to the end?

As you read about Helen’s torment over the issue of revenge, you’ll keep turning the pages and trying to decide how you, personally, would like the story to end.

This author’s knowledge of young people, their emotions, and their interactions with other people their age creates a very authentic story with a storyline that covers all sides of the issue of revenge. I’d recommend this to any family with teenage children.

The Oracle of Dating by Allison van Diepen

2010-07-30T04:00:00.009-04:00

The Oracle of Dating by Allison van Diepen
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Genre: Contemporary
Age Recommendation: 14+
Length: Full Length (256 pgs)
Rating: 4 Suns
Reviewer: Dandelion

For five bucks, the Oracle of Dating will tell you:

* How to flirt

* If that cute guy you're crushing on likes you, too

* Whether your new romance will last through lunch period

* And much more

What she won't tell you? Who she is.

No one at Kayla's school knows she's the famous Oracle of Dating—the anonymous queen of dating advice. She doesn't even have a boyfriend. Two relationship disasters were enough to make Kayla focus on everyone else's love life.

But then her advice backfires on her own best friend. And Kayla starts to seriously obsess about Jared Stewart—the very cute, very mysterious new guy in school. Suddenly, the teen queen of advice needs her own oracle of dating—and she knows just where to find one…

There’s much to like about this book: Kayla, the narrator, is smart, strong, savvy, and has a terrific, authentic teenage voice. The main characters and secondary characters alike are well developed, and broody, artistic Jared makes the perfect love interest for Kayla. I enjoyed the overall tone and pace of this book, too. It’s fast, fun, and an easy read. Kayla gets caught up in her double life as an online dating guru until she realizes that her love-life advice might be hurting her friends, who don’t know about her secret identity. Then she’s forced to go it alone, facing her own dating troubles when Jared – who seems to like her but ends up dating shallow “It” girl Brooke – becomes a major crush in Kayla’s life. Taking her own advice but also learning to risk her emotions makes for a satisfying happy ending.

The story does suffer from a couple of glitches, though. Kayla gives relationship advice to anyone and everyone who finds her online, though she’s a sixteen year old who’s had just two minor relationships in her past. Yes, she does research and is pretty intuitive, but the sixteen year olds I know aren’t mature enough to understand all the nuances of dating the way Kayla seems to. She also gives advice to Tracey, her older sister, who lives and works in Manhattan. Again, the role reversal of a teenager telling her twenty-something sister who to date and why didn’t always ring true – and there were a lot of scenes with Tracey which sometimes took away from the main story action. Finally, though I absolutely love Jared’s character, he’s quite well-adjusted, eloquent and self-aware for a guy who’s bounced around foster homes and spent time in juvenile detention. This contrast in characterization fell a little short for my taste.

Overall, however, I really enjoyed The Oracle of Dating. I would definitely read another book by Allison van Diepen!

My Wolf by Linda Palmer

2010-07-28T04:00:00.002-04:00

My Wolf by Linda Palmer
Publisher: Wild Horse Press
Genre: Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Paranormal
Age Recommendation: 12+
Length: Full Length (233 pgs)
Rating: 4 Suns
Reviewed by Aloe

Andee Rivera has no idea what she's getting into when she saves Jonah Killebrew from drowning in a chilly mountain lake. He's badly injured--wild animal bites from the look of his wounds--and as a fledgling healer, she wants to help. But his bites are more than they seem, and all the potions and salves in the world may not be enough to save him.

Poor Andee. Can you imagine anything worse than helping a young man in trouble, finding out you’d love to have him for a boyfriend, and then discovering he’s a werewolf???

It’s hard to find stories written in the first person that read well, give you enough information and keep you from getting bored. Ms. Palmer does that very successfully in this book. Her characters evolve through the pages and the storyline has a couple of twists to it that will keep your attention and make you wonder just where she’s going with this tale. The characters are strong, have powers, use them for both good and evil, and everyone is after Andee’s boyfriend.

This story reminded me a bit of the Twilight series, however this book was better. Werewolves and witches and sorcerers may be a bit of stretch, but the characters' personalities shine and you can stretch your imagination to believe such things might happen. Things might have been a lot different in the tale if they didn’t have a “white” witch to help them along.

This would be an excellent book for a reluctant reader. I started reading it and read it straight through to the finish. Even a hesitant reader would keep returning to see what’s going to happen in the next chapter.

If your child is one who might be frightened by the “magical” concepts in the book, it’s a book you most likely would enjoy reading also and you could then discuss any concerns the child might have. I imagine most would simply read the book and accept the oddities as the norm for fantasy fiction nowadays.

I really enjoyed this read, and believe (and hope!) there will be another book in the series. After all, the ending just make you want to pick up another chapter and keep going. I bet the author gives us that satisfaction soon.

Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta

2010-07-27T04:00:00.007-04:00

Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta
Publisher: HarperTeen
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (432 pgs)
Age Recommendation: 12+
Rating: 4 Suns
Reviewed by Dandelion

"What do you want from me?" he asks. What I want from every person in my life, I want to tell him. More.

Abandoned by her mother on Jellicoe Road when she was eleven, Taylor Markham, now seventeen, is finally being confronted with her past. But as the reluctant leader of her boarding school dorm, there isn't a lot of time for introspection. And while Hannah, the closest adult Taylor has to family, has disappeared, Jonah Griggs is back in town, moody stares and all.

In this absorbing story by Melina Marchetta, nothing is as it seems and every clue leads to more questions as Taylor tries to work out the connection between her mother dumping her, Hannah finding her then and her sudden departure now, a mysterious stranger who once whispered something in her ear, a boy in her dreams, five kids who lived on Jellicoe Road eighteen years ago, and the maddening and magnetic Jonah Griggs, who knows her better than she thinks he does. If Taylor can put together the pieces of her past, she might just be able to change her future.

Read this book with patience, and you will be rewarded. Jellicoe Road begins its story in the middle of Taylor Markham’s rocky adolescence. She’s 17 and angry at the world - and with good reason, since her mother abandoned her when she was 11; she doesn’t know her father; Hannah, the only adult she trusts, has vanished without explanation; and Taylor has been named a House leader at the boarding school she attends. Being a leader means, among other things, she has to negotiate the school’s role in the “territory wars” with the Townies and the Cadets.

Sound confusing? It is. And that’s only one plot. The book actually begins with a car accident that devastates two families and brings together 5 young children - who have a connection to Taylor decades later. Jellicoe Road follows these two plotlines until they interweave about halfway through the book. Even after the initial relationships are revealed, though, readers will be surprised by how the rest of the puzzle pieces fit together: how Taylor learns about her parents, why Hannah has disappeared, and why the territory wars are so important.

The character development in this book is its strength. Though Taylor is at times whiny and self-absorbed, she has reason to be. When she finally starts trusting people around her, especially the other girls in her House and Jonah Griggs, the leader of the Cadets and her sometimes-boyfriend, she becomes sympathetic and compelling. I was cheering for her by the end. Jonah is equally well-developed, and in fact the friendship-turned-romance between the two main characters is one of the best I’ve read in YA. Both are terribly flawed and angry, yet they find solace, comfort, and strength in each other in a really beautiful, believable way.

Though at times the jumping back and forth between plotlines is jarring and hard to follow, the early story beginning with the car accident really adds mystery to the novel and keeps the pages turning. At times I did think the first half of the novel was slow, because the author is trying to introduce a lot of key information without giving anything away. Characters are mentioned but not named, which can be confusing. Still, if you stick with it, eventually things make sense, and the story moves a lot faster once you pass the halfway point. I may have wished that this book was about 100 pages shorter, but despite its slow start, Jellicoe Road is an interesting, original book about love, friendship, and family ties that deserves a spot on young readers’ shelves.

The Distant Shore by Deborah M. Coty

2010-07-22T04:00:00.010-04:00

The Distant Shore by Debora M. Coty
Publisher: Vintage Reflections Publishing
Genre: Historical, Suspense/Mystery, Inspirational
Age Recommendation: 12+
Length: Full Length (268 pgs)
Rating: 5 suns
Reviewed by Dogwood

Mysteriously banished to live with demanding Aunt Augusta on Florida's remote, untamed Merritt island of 1904, young Emma-Lee Palmer discovers a dark family secret. Befriended by a kindly sea captain, Emma-Lee and Aunt Augusta discover courage, renewed hope, and the importance of family in this transcendent story of healing and redemption through God's unconditional love.

Inspired by a true story, The Distant Shore is a powerful blend of action, adventure, romance, and the quest within each of us to find our heart's home. Love, after all, is never too lost or too late.

Sweet, charming, exciting, and tearful. This book has it all. This was a fantastic read that any member of the family would enjoy. My favorite part about this book was the fact that it was able to ignite every emotion and still be good, clean reading. Emma-Lee Palmer will have you melting in her hand. Right from the beginning your heart it breaking for her. Emma-Lee is being sent away to live with her Aunt Augusta on Merritt Island. The island is very isolated and you can only reach it by boat.

Emma-Lee has two brothers and two sisters, yet she is the only one who is being sent away. She is terribly saddened by this fact, and can't help but wonder what she could have possibly done wrong. Her father and mother gave her no explanations for why she is going. Her few memories of her aunt are not fond; Aunt Augusta is not one for showing much emotion. I found myself becoming so angry for Emma-Lee, swearing to never speak to her parents again for doing such a thing. It's amazing how the author can send you all the way back with a nine-year-old's mindset. It wasn't until well within the book that I started to wonder if she was sent for good reason.

Eventually, right along with Emma-Lee, you get over the hurt and start to settle in with her life at Merritt Island. Aunt Augusta is the school teacher on the island. Throughout the book you start to see different sides to Aunt Augusta and begin to understand her a little bit more. Much like Emma-Lee you fall right in love with her. Emma-Lee was so excited to make friends, and was a little caught off guard by how difficult that turned out to be. However, she did becomes friends with quite a few people. Her first day off the train she met a gentleman by the name of Captain Stone, who treated her like his very own daughter. She also became quite close with his parents, who introduced her to Christ.

Pa and Ma Stone were wonderful people, the type everyone wants as grandparents. Pa Stone used to be a pirate, until he met Christ and changed his ways. But he still had many stories that Emma-Lee just loved listening to. I found myself becoming quite fascinated with his different tales. She started spending so much time with Captain Stone, that even he and her aunt became rather close. Emma-Lee enjoyed seeing the love develop between them, and it was a wonderful way to draw her mind away from missing her family.

Emma-Lee became great friends with a girl everyone called Punkin. Punkin had a bit more sass in her than Emma-Lee, and took this opportunity to show her all the adventures and mischief one could get into on the small island. There was one particular adventure that will have you biting your nails, hoping everything will turn out right. Punkin is the kind of girl, everyone needs as a friend. She is quick to defend anyone she loves. Emma-Lee wished many times she had as much courage as Punkin, but she never realized until the end, just how courageous she actually was. For a nine year old this girl was braver than most men I know. She is one amazing character to overcome so many trials and tribulations at such a young age. As you will soon learn, there is not much this girl can't handle.

There were so many moments in this book that I was laughing out loud, and crying my eyes out. You will honestly experience, every emotion there is. Which all the more makes this author a fantastic writer. You will completely forget about everything going on in your life, because you will be so involved in Emma-Lee's. It seems like there is one tragedy after another happening to Emma-Lee, yet many wonderful things happen to her as well. You wouldn't be able to put this book down for a second even if you wanted too. There are too many exciting moments that you have to keep reading till it's over.

If you are looking for an entertaining and wholesome book this is the one. It is sure to keep your interest, never wanting it to end. This is by far one of the best books I have ever read. I insist you go out and buy this book this very second, because I can guarantee you will feel exactly as I do.

Flight by Janet Lane Walters

2010-07-21T04:03:00.001-04:00

Flight by Janet Lane Walters
Publisher: Mundania Press
Genre: Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Age Recommendation: 12+
Length: Full Length (233 pgs)
Rating: 4 Suns
Reviewed by Aloe

"We’ve been betrayed." Those words spoken by the Dom and Doma of the Wesren henge awaken their four children—two sets of male-female twins.

Each child has an affinity for one of the four elements—earth, air, fire and earth. In secret, the young teens flee their home to seek a place of safety and teachers to hone their control. They use their emerging talents in ways they never imagined.

Will their quest succeed or will they become pawns of He Who Walks In Darkness?

Would you like to have an affinity that is magical and gives you powers? What if you aren’t sure how to use or what to do with it?

This is the story of two sets of twins that have such a talent. The oldest twins are just celebrating their 14th name day when disaster hits. Soldiers are at the gate and a rival Dom is ready to take over their henge (a castle-like structure).

Ash is the oldest and is given responsibility for her twin and two younger siblings. They are guided into a secret tunnel and sent out into the woods and on to a neighboring community named Cedris. Their parents remain behind.

What intrigued me about this story was that it included two sets of twins and magic. They are young and just beginning to understand what their abilities are, but they don’t have full control of their magic yet. And then the world they know falls apart…

The author does a good job of expressing their loneliness, fear and insecurities in the traveling they have to do and the new life they must begin. The siblings all have their strengths and weaknesses. The youngest girl is very impetuous and impulsive. There is squabbling between the siblings as well as very nasty dangers facing the group. There is good and evil in the world they live in, and they are caught in the middle with no guidance on how to proceed. The characters are resourceful, full of spirit and resilient. They also make a few mistakes along the way, which makes them seem more human.

This is a fast-paced, well-written story that grips you and carries you along, wanting to see what is going to happen next. The world this author created has richness and poverty, enslaves and tortures children and adults, and rival groups seeking power. You can feel the children’s terror, admire their ability to find food and survive, and you know they can’t trust anyone they meet.

The book indicates this is the first novel in a series, and two more are planned. I’m glad. This was an entertaining read and has just enough danger and imagination to keep your attention. I’m looking forward to seeing how the twins conquer their problems.

Confessions of a Teenage Psychic by Pamela Woods-Jackson

2010-07-20T04:00:00.004-04:00

Confessions of a Teenage Psychic by Pamela Woods-Jackson
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Age Recommendation: 12+
Length: Full Length (246 pages)
Rating: 4 suns
Reviewed by Dogwood

Caryn Alderson just wants to be a normal teenager. Moving from Houston to Indianapolis and trying to make new friends is hard enough, but when she meets Quince Adams, Rosslyn High School’s star athlete, she wants more than friendship. Unfortunately, two obstacles stand in her way: Quince's girlfriend, cheerleader Kensington Marlow, and Caryn's Uncle Omar. So what’s the problem? Kensington’s cheating on Quince, and Uncle Omar died in Vietnam at age 20!

Imagine hearing voices, seeing spirits no one else can see, and knowing things about people they never told you. No wonder Quince and all her new friends think she’s weird! Then just when Caryn thinks her psychic abilities are under wraps, her friend Megan blurts out the truth on television. Can Caryn finally admit her secret and just be herself? Does she really have a choice?

Endearing to the core! Confessions of a Teenage Psychic is a great read for anyone looking to reminisce with the days of high school or anyone still in high school, looking for someone to relate too. Caryn Alderson is just your typical teenager... or wait, is she?

Well, just like any teenager, she crushes hard, embarrasses easily, and wants to make friends. However, unlike the rest of the kids in her school, she is psychic. She also likes to let everything she knows come spilling out of her mouth before she even realizes what's going on. At her last school this was a problem, so she is more than afraid it will be a problem again. Caryn's originally from Texas, but she and her mother just moved to Indianapolis. It's hard enough adjusting to a new life in a new school, but to add being psychic to it -- that's a challenge for anyone. You find yourself struggling right along with her and sharing in all her same joys. Caryn doesn't come from your typical background, which makes this book all the more interesting.

She made friends pretty easy, but she was very cautious how sincere these friendships were. Caryn was constantly on guard, trying to keep her secret a secret. Caryn met Emma Cartwright in art class, and their friendship blossomed rather quickly. Thanks to Emma, Caryn was able to meet some other friends, including Quince Adams. Her relationship was pretty much love at first sight for Caryn, of course Quince felt otherwise. It didn't help much that he was dating one of the most popular girls in school, Kensington Marlow. Caryn had the hardest time hiding her secret from Quince, because for some reason, her special talent always seemed to involve him. This only succeeded in pushing Quince further away from her, and making her feel even more like a freak.

Despite what Caryn feels at times, she is surrounded by lots of family and friends who love and support her. It's a long journey for her to realize and accept her gift. The book helps to remind you that even if you are different, a true friend will accept you no matter what. I know firsthand this is something every person struggles with through high school. There is always something that makes a person feel awkward, strange, and out of the group. This book is a great tool in helping someone cope through the difficult events in high school.

There are many times you will get so invested in the book, you feel as though it's yourself going through the very hardships Caryn experiences. Not to mention the sigh of relief each time another friend accepts her for who she is. An old family member Caryn has never even met before, even comes to help her along the way. What would be a terrifying experience for most, Caryn bravely makes it through it.

The story is wonderfully written. It's almost like watching a movie, the descriptions are so vivid. The story flows very smoothly, you will find yourself finished before you know it. You can tell the author is very familiar with high school environments, because she was able to describe it so perfectly. It was like a blast from the past, and I was right back in school. Dreading getting up early, but looking forward to hanging out with everyone at Peterson's Coffee Emporium. If you are looking for an easy, entertaining read, then this book is just right for you. Perfect for a lazy day in a hammock, or even better, while you are laying out at the beach!

Under My Skin by Judith Graves

2010-07-16T04:00:00.008-04:00

Under My Skin by Judith Graves
Publisher: Leap Books
Genre: Action/Adventure Paranormal
Age Recommendation: 14+
Length: Full Length (325 pgs)
Rating: 4 Suns
Reviewed by Snowdrop

All her parents wanted was for Eryn to live a normal life...

The town of Redgrave had had its share of monsters before Eryn moved to town. Mauled pets and missing children. The Delacroix family is taking the blame, but Eryn knows the truth. Something stalks the night. Wade, the police chief's son and Regrave High's resident hottie, warns her the Delacroix are dangerous. But then so is Eryn--in fact, she's lethal.

But Eryn can't help falling for one of the Delacroix boys, dark, brooding, human Alec. And then it all goes bad.

A normal life? That's the real fairytale.

Have you ever had a secret that you couldn't share? Eryn has a few secrets that she is trying to keep from her new friends. Worried about how they would take the news that she is much different from them, she tries her best to keep the secrets deep inside. Little does she know the town she now calls home has many of it's own deep, dark issues too.

Eryn is a tough cookie, always showing off that she doesn't need anyone's help, but deep down she's like every other girl – needing to fit in and feel loved. She accidentally stumbles across the secret that her friends have been keeping from her and joins forces with the misfits, Brit, Matt and the ever drool-worthy Alec. While her friendship with the misfits is growing, Wade the coolest kid in school, starts sniffing around and making her friends second guess their importance in Eryn's life.

Once you turn the first page, you won't want to stop, as you are drawn into the happenings in Redgrave. This is such a well written novel, with characters you can relate to and teenage issues you can remember dealing with yourself, except Eryn and the gang have the added touch of paranormal to the mix. A few characters (I can't say who without sharing spoilers) seemed a little ho-hum at the beginning, but I know you will change your mind about them by the end of the book, as you see their secrets revealed.

I cannot wait to read the next book in the series! Will everyone's secrets survive the chaos in Redgrave?

Zerah’s Chosen by Isabelle Santiago

2010-07-14T04:00:00.011-04:00

Zerah’s Chosen by Isabelle Santiago
Publisher: Drollerie Press
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Age Recommendation: 12+
Length: Full Length (200 pgs)
Rating: 4 suns
Reviewed by Aloe

In Zerah, Guardians of Water, Air, Fire, Earth, and Death are chosen by The Beings to serve their people. Able to feel the emotions the Beings cannot, they help their world stay in balance.

Guardians live and die together, but when Kieran is born with the marks that prove he's the Guardian of Death, his mother hides him instead of giving him up to the temple. She loves him too much to lose him. But then he starts seeing people die, and they're begging him for help. Trying to remove the "curse", he inadvertently kills a seer and is brought to the attention of the temple.

His mother is imprisoned and he's turned over to the temple. The rest of his life, he's expected to live there, study with the other Guardians, learn the right ways to use his power.

Amaya, the embodiment of Water, breaks through his brittle shell, helps him to see that all of life isn't bleak, but they've sworn a vow and love for one another isn't part of it. He'll never know the people he must eventually lead into the next life, never know love, never be free.

If he stays...

If you are born with certain markings on your body and a magic power, then you are one of Zerah’s chosen. You have no choice…

I found this book fascinating because it was about an old world that had a lot of history. The books were stored in the temple and only a select few were able to have access to them. Many of the books were written in languages from the past, and had to be painstakingly translated by the priests. The high priest found some of the text was hard to understand, but he thought he was interpreting it correctly. The words foretold a coming disaster, and he was determined to avoid it.

Normally, the guardians were gathered at a very young age and brought to the temple to be trained for their new roles in life. The four presently in the temple were self-assured, strong, and each has his or her own unique outlook on life depending partially on their power as well as their personalities. They need to learn to control their powers, use their skills and work together to be the guardians of their world. You can feel the responsibility they have been saddled with.

However, they get thrown a curve when a “new” guardian is added to the mix. Kiernan had been hidden by his mother and not turned over to the temple so he had received no training. I can sympathize with Kiernan. He was raised with love and his power is death. He’s confused, grieves for the loss of his mother, feels guilty, and does not know how to bond with the other chosen ones. Nor is he sure he even wants to.

Ms Santiago’s characters are strong, well-defined and determined to do the right thing. They have conflicts, there is jealousy, there is hate, and there is love. And that causes another conflict because the chosen must be celibate…

This is Book I of the Guardian Circle, so there will be more in this series. The ending in this one will leave you yearning for the next book – how could that happen and where they will go from here? This novel is an exciting read with just enough magic to make intriguing and enough challenges for the chosen to make you want to follow along through the next life changing event with them.

Odin Cats by Sandra Cox

2010-07-13T04:00:00.004-04:00

Odin Cats by Sandra Cox
Publisher: Whiskey Creek Press
Genre: Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Age Recommendation: 12+
Length: Full Length (186 pgs)
Rating: 3 Suns
Reviewed by Aloe

Man with his constant desire to enslave and assert his will has destroyed the earth. From this destruction the earth has been rebuilt similar yet different. Guns in a primitive form exist but no cars or planes. There are no resources to fuel them.

Now two factions vie for power. Man who did not learn from his mistakes and Odin Cats.

There is a legend among the Odin Cats. An Odin will come with the pure blood of royalty flowing through his veins. This cat will lift the ferals out of their oppression and unite the kingdoms of Odin and man.

Imagine a cat that weighs a hundred pounds and has trained like a warrior and can speak English. Now imagine humans in a war with them…

This is a world of Odin cats, humans, and feral cats. The Odin cats have a king and kingdom, as do the humans. The feral cats are caught between the two factions and try to stay alive by stealing and begging what food can be found. None of the cats wants to be a human’s slave.

This well-paced fantasy novel is filled with cat lore, and that really drew me in. These cats act as cats do, but have extraordinary intelligence. The humans act as humans do and sometimes make you wonder just how much they think about their actions.

There are two warring kingdoms, two kings who hate the enemy, and a prince in each kingdom who has taken an oath of fealty and is sworn to protect the kingdom and fight the enemy as necessary. There’s hate, bitterness and regret, along with love, fierce loyalty, and a determination not to quit.

An underlying theme in this book is that war is not good and that differences can be overcome if one tries hard enough. The characters are strong, the action moves along quickly and surely, and danger lurks at every corner.

When the two princes meet accidently during their wartime adventures, both hiding in the same cave, the give and take between the two enemies forges the beginnings of a friendship. You see the tension, the fear, the uncertainty between the two sworn enemies. And you see them begin to realize that working together will be better than trying to succeed on their own.

This action-packed adventure is a good read. You aren’t really sure how it’s all going to turn out with so much mutual hate and mistrust. There may be a sequel – there’s more that could be explored in this world of cats and men.

The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa

2010-07-09T04:00:00.003-04:00

The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Genre: Action/Adventure, Fantasy
Age Recommendation: 14+
Length: Full Length (361 pgs)
Rating: 5 Suns
Reviewed by Snowdrop

Half Summer faery princess, half human, Meghan has never fit in anywhere. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, she is prisoner to the Winter faery queen. As war looms between Summer and Winter, Meghan knows that the real danger comes from the Iron fey—ironbound faeries that only she and her absent prince have seen. But no one believes her.

Worse, Meghan's own fey powers have been cut off. She's stuck in Faery with only her wits for help. Trusting anyone would be foolish. Trusting a seeming traitor could be deadly. But even as she grows a backbone of iron, Meghan can't help but hear the whispers of longing in her all-too-human heart.

There is just something remarkable about reading books involving the faery realm that share a new perspective and twist on the same old, same old. The Iron Daughter brings an exciting and refreshing storyline to life with brilliant characters, gorgeous settings and the return of the Iron Fey.

Meghan, the half-faery princess, and her gang of misfits are yet again trying to fight the Iron Fey in their latest adventure in the Nevernever. Meghan teams up with Ash, Puck, Grim and a slew of new and exciting characters. The princess needs to figure out who she can trust, who her real friends are and exactly what she is fighting for.

To be honest most of the time when I read sequels I am leery, because I feel as though the first book is usually the best in a series. I was completely wrong with this author. Julie Kagawa surpassed my expectations for a sequel; with regards to her writing style, the imagination needed to create such endearing characters, and the passion that must have gone into getting the storyline just right. Throughout the book I caught myself actually going back to reread passages, because the wording was just so beautiful that I could clearly see the scene as if I were actually a part of the faery realm.

One of the things that made this a page turner for me was the love triangle that Meghan is involved in. She has incredible feelings for two amazing men in her life, but fears losing either of them. It is actually quite hard to ignore the emotions that pour through you during this novel. There is such passion and longing involved throughout the entire story.

As an avid faery world and romance novel reader, I would have to suggest this series to any who have just recently started reading fantasy and also to longtime readers of the genre. I will definitely be adding this series to my fantasy collection. Can't wait to see what Meghan's next mission will be!

Billowing Sails by Debora M. Coty

2010-07-07T04:00:00.006-04:00

Billowing Sails by Debora M. Coty
Publisher: Vintage Reflections Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Historical, Inspirational
Age Recommendation: 12+
Length: Short Story (104 pgs)
Rating: 5 Suns
Reviewed by Orchid

Discovering the laughter and tears of a blended family, young Emma-Lee Palmer encounters intrigue and adventure on Florida's untamed Merritt Island in 1905. Midnight ghosts, injustice, mysterious fires, and life-threatening sabotage stretch faith and taut family cords to the limit. Can love survive the ultimate test? Amid the rich backdrop of island beauty and unforgettable characters, Billowing Sails offers transcendent insight into forgiveness, restoration, and redemption in family relationships. Seasoned with humor and the innocence of budding romance, Billowing Sails is a poignant reminder that the winds of faith fill the sails of the heart.

Most of the previous year has not been good for eleven year old Emma-Lee Palmer, but now life is smiling on her. She and her two sisters live with their Aunt Augusta and her new husband Captain Stone in the Stone family homestead. Safe in the heart of a warm loving family and with Papa God watching over her, Emma-Lee is eagerly looking forward to the arrival of Captain Stone’s nephew Lyman.

Unfortunately Lyman is trouble and Emma’s second summer on Merritt Island does not go quite as well as she hoped it would.

This book is extremely well written and is a pleasure to read. The belief of Emma-Lee in God, or Papa God as she calls him, is part of what makes her such a delightful young lady. Very close to all her family, she misses her brothers and her parents, but at the same time loves being part of her aunt’s family. Emma has many friends on the island ranging from German immigrants to the tomboy daughter of one of the island families. She also befriends some Indians who have settled on the island.

I can honestly say I liked everything about this book. It reminded me of Anne of Green Gables, a lovely story of a girl who introduces God into her everyday life. This does not mean the book is all about faith which is only part of the story.

Emma-Lee is an enchanting young lady who sees good in everybody. Her life on the island is exactly how she wants to grow up with a loving family and no outside pressures. There are highs and lows in Emma’s life with new people being introduced to the community and others departing, even someone dying, but Emma-Lee always has someone to give her love and comfort.

In return she gives love and help in any way she can to friends, acquaintances and even Lyman, who does everything he can to annoy her.

Billowing Sails left me feeling happy and contented at the end of the story. This book is one I would recommend to friends young teenagers to read.

Summer In Paris by Michele Ashman Bell

2010-07-06T04:03:00.003-04:00

Summer In Paris by Michele Ashman Bell
Publisher: Valor Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Age Recommendation: 12+
Length: Full Length (223 pgs)
Rating: 4 Suns
Reviewed by Fern

Kenzie Williams feels like she has it all; wealth, friends, popularity and talent. But when her father tells her that he has declared bankruptcy, her whole world in New York City turns upside down. Her parents' solution while they sort through their financial and marital problems is to send Kenzie to live with her relatives in Paris . . . Idaho!
Feeling like she's been sentenced to three months in Hickville Prison, Kenzie arrives in Idaho feeling like a square peg, with name brand clothes, in a round, horribly podunk, hole.

Leaving everything she loves behind, Kenzie is forced to get up at the crack of dawn, do chores, and hang out with her cousin's loser friends. She feels like she's about to die until she meets Adam White, the town outcast, whose been accused of killing his best friend and is being blamed for some trouble that's been happening around town.

Not only is Adam the best-looking guy she's ever seen, but he's also the most fascinating guy she's ever met and Kenzie is determined to get to know him and find out his secret. But, the longer she stays in Paris, the more she realizes, Adam isn't the only one keeping secrets.

When fifteen year old Kenzie learns she is being sent to Paris, Idaho she is devastated. Her life is in New York, not in the countryside with nothing to do, no sights to see, and no ballet studios in sight. Even worse, her parents are being forced to claim bankruptcy, and their marriage is on the rocks. Nothing is as it should be, and her idealistic life seems to be coming to an end. After she arrives in her new home away from home, she is determined to survive the summer but not at the risk of blending in. It takes time, her aunt, uncle, and cousins, new friends, and the mysterious boy Adam to change things. As she starts discovering the positive aspects to living in this world she never knew existed, she also begins seeing things in a whole new light.

Summer In Paris takes a familiar premise -- girl moves to small town after family controversy against her wishes -- and adds a few twists and turns. Author Michele Ashman Bell has crafted a book that teenagers will enjoy, using a combination of well developed characters, an interwoven plot with a dash of romance and suspense, and a proverbial and must-have amount of teen angst. Kenzie, for all her faults, is an average, teenage girl who is uncertain of herself but remains driven by her dreams. Her progression from a stubborn, resentful passerby to a willing participant in her future is an entertaining one to witness. I enjoyed the pace in which she begins to view her life in Paris as an adventure versus a detriment, along with the supporting cast who also break free from their shells and reveal so much more about themselves.

The writing is fantastic, as is the dialogue. Aside from a few moments at the start when Kenzie’s attitude becomes grating, I was drawn into the story and sympathized with her on many levels. Ultimately, Summer In Paris is Kenzie’s story and as with any journey, she takes on many different forms -- from angry and heartbroken, to accepting and encouraging. The supporting cast is also superbly written, which gives richness to the work and allows you to experience life in Paris to the fullest extent.

I’d recommend Summer In Paris to children ages 12+, as well as to the adults who monitor their reading material. This is a very sweet story that manages to gain the interest, hold it, and maintain it throughout.

The Eternal Ones by Kirsten Miller

2010-07-05T04:00:00.000-04:00

The Eternal Ones by Kirsten Miller
Publisher: Razorbill
Genre: Paranormal, Suspense/Mystery
Age Recommendation: 14+
Length: Full Length (416 pgs)
Rating: 5 suns
Reviewed by Gladiolus

Haven Moore cannot control her visions of a past with a boy called Ethan and a life in New York that ended in fiery tragedy. In our present, she designs beautiful dresses for her classmates with her best friend Beau. Dressmaking keeps her sane, since she lives with her widowed and heartbroken mother in her tyrannical grandmotherÕs house in Snope City, a tiny town in Tennessee. Then an impossible group of coincidences conspire to force her to flee to New York, to discover who she is, and who she was.

In New York, Haven meets Iain Morrow and is swept into an epic love affair that feels both deeply fated and terribly dangerous. Iain is suspected of murdering a rock star and Haven wonders, could he have murdered her in a past life? She visits the Ouroboros Society and discovers a murky world of reincarnation that stretches across millennia. Haven must discover the secrets hidden in her past lives, and loves, before all is lost and the cycle begins again.

Do you believe in reincarnation? After reading The Eternal Ones you will certainly consider the possibility. I know I did.

In this one we meet Haven, who has been reincarnated into a new life but doesn't know it yet. Why is that? Well, people are trying to hide it from her.

Haven is a great, believably written teen who struggles through high school and not being able to fit in, a common occurence and completely authentic. Through all of those trouble, she remains true to herself which is something I really admired. Beau, her best friend, is also a really amazing character. He stays true to himself throughout this story as well. It seems to me that a big lesson in this book was about a person's true nature coming through no matter kind of trials they faced.

The plot was just awesome -- unique and interesting. In a YA paranormal world typically populated with vampires and shifters, this was a nice change. With strong, descriptive writing the author kept me hooked. I loved following the adventures of Haven as she tries to find out who she really is and who she can really trust.

Overall, I give this one five suns! I enjoyed everything about it from beginning to end. If you're looking for a paranormal book that's a little different from the norm, I recommend you give this one a try.

Life, Love, and the Pursuit of Hotties by Katie Maxwell

2010-07-02T04:00:00.007-04:00

Life, Love, and the Pursuit of Hotties by Katie Maxwell
Publisher: Dorchester Publishing Group
Genre: Contemporary
Age Recommendation: 12+
Length: Full Length (196 pgs)
Rating: 4 suns
Reviewed by Tiger Lily

Subject: Reasons Why My Life Sucks Right Now From: Emster@seattlegrrl.com To: Hollyberry@britsahoy.co.uk 1. The end of high school. You'd think that's good, right? Remember that episode of Buffy where the demon snake eats everyone at her graduation? That would be an improvement over mine. 2. Dorm life. It’s going to take forever to hipify all those science and techno geeks in the Geek Dorm where I’ll spend the next four year. 3. Dru’s fantasy wedding. She may be one of my best friends, but if she thinks I’m going to wear a pink-and-yellow plaid bridesmaid’s dress, she’s completely wacked out of her gourd. 4. Romantic graduation present cruise…without the nummiest boyfriend on the face of the earth? One word: Waaaaaaaaah!

Teen angst at it’s funniest. Yes, that’s a great way to describe Life, Love, and the Pursuit of Hotties.

I have to admit, the title alone drew me to this book. Who doesn’t want to pursue hotties? From page one, I laughed, cried, and laughed some more. There are hilarious bits of confusion and heart wrenching scenes that reminded me why high school is only four years long.

Emily is the ultimate drama queen, like most any teenage girl. When things don’t go quite as planned, she freaks, but still manages to bumble through. Though there were times when she wasn’t my favorite character, I couldn’t help but root for her. I loved how she grew through the story. There were touching moments, both with her father and with her boyfriend, Fang—what a great name—that redeemed her for me. Although she could be a tad more mature, she’s a girl in a situation where growing up (as in maturity) isn’t her first priority.

The connection to pop culture and the email entries in this story make it relevant to the teen generation. The dialogue bubbles and pops, keeping the reader not only entertained, but sailing through the story. Within a short time I had this book finished, but wasn’t ready to let Emily go.

If you want a story that’s a combination of funny and sweet, then you need to read Life, Love, and the Pursuit of Hotties. I give it 4 suns.

Dead is the New Black by Marlene Perez

2010-07-01T04:00:00.008-04:00

Dead is the New Black by Marlene Perez
Publisher: Harcourt Books
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal, Suspense/Mystery
Age Recommendation: 14+
Length: Full Length (208 pgs)
Rating: 4 suns
Reviewed by Tiger Lily

Welcome to Nightshade, California--a small town full of secrets. It's home to the pyschic Giordano sisters, who have a way of getting mixed up in mysteries. During their investigations, they run across everything from pom-pom-shaking vampires to shape-shifting boyfriends to a clue-spewing jukebox. With their psychic powers and some sisterly support, they can crack any case!

Teenage girls are being mysteriously attacked all over town, including at Nightshade High School, where Daisy Giordano is a junior. When Daisy discovers that a vampire may be the culprit, she can't help but suspect head cheerleader Samantha Devereaux, who returned from summer break with a new "look." Samantha appears a little . . . well, dead, and all the most popular kids at school are copying her style.

Is looking dead just another fashion trend for Samantha, or is there something more sinister going on? To find out, Daisy joins the cheerleading squad.

What happens when you feel like you don’t fit in? Do you blend into the background? Stand up and shout, expecting to be seen? Or do you let nature take it’s course? If you’re Daisy, then you just be yourself.

Marlene Perez writes humorous paranormal stories that are relevant to today’s teens. Dead is the New Black doesn’t disappoint readers wanting something sassy, comical, and new. I love the setting of Nightshade, California. It’s said that the water’s different in California. I’d say the landscape is, too. Peppered with vampires, werewolves, and psychics. It’s no wonder Daisy, totally not psychic feels invisible.

I liked Daisy because she’s realistic. She’s a junior in high school with typical high school issues—wanting a boyfriend, not wanting to be laughed at, not wanting to be embarrassed. She’s relatable. I wanted to see her get her dreams—a nice little romance with Ryan, and to find her place in society.

Though it seems simple, Daisy’s former best friend is back after vacation and looking dead to the world, the plot is anything but. As the title suggests, dead is the new black—everyone wants to be one of the popular people; the people who aren’t exactly breathing. There are plenty of twists and turns that kept me in my seat and enthralled, wanting to know what would happen next. Trust me, this isn’t just another teen book. There are little bits here and there that will make you laugh, cry, and think.

If you want a book that’s got a lot going on in a short amount of pages, then you need to read Dead is the New Black. I give this book 4 suns.