Book Review: My Bonny Light Horseman

Author: L.A. Meyer
Publication Date: September 2008
Genre: YA Historical Fiction/Action-Adventure
Copy provided by: Library (audio), own a copy of the book as well.
Summary (via Goodreads):

The infamous pirate, riverboat seductress, master of disguise, and street-urchin-turned-sailor Jacky Faber has been captured by the French and beheaded in full view of her friends and crew.

Inconceivable? Yes! The truth is she’s secretly forced to pose as an American dancer behind enemy lines in Paris, where she entices a French general into revealing military secrets—all to save her dear friends. Then, in intrepid Jacky Faber style, she dons male clothing and worms her way into a post as galloper with the French army, ultimately leading a team of men to fight alongside the great Napoleon.

Why I read this: I just love this books, especially on audio and I've been meaning to reread these and catch up on the series.

Plot: Jacky is now a secret agent and infiltrates the French army to hopefully find some information. They tried to force her into becoming a lady spy by seducing men, but she wouldn't put up with it and disguised herself and forced them into letting her work by pretending to be a boy. Nothing Jacky does is easy and she finds herself devoted the men she has to lead and eventually even meeting Napoleon himself. But how will the English take it when they find all this out?

Another great adventure full of action, adventure and Jacky winning over the devotion of many men once again. I just love how she gets herself into tough spots and gets out of them without much trouble. This was an exciting continuation of Jacky's adventures and she definitely proves her worth over and over again.

Characters: I love Jacky, as always, but in this one she meets a new group of young men that you start to love. She can't help falling a bit for a dashing young man she works with in intelligence and her crew of untrained men can't help but become utterly loyal to her. Ah, Jacky, gotta love her. She's spunky and definitely clever.

Relatability: Fans of adventure, history, and romance will always enjoy one of Jacky's many adventures.

Cover Commentary: Love it. :) Puts you right into the heat of battle, don't it?

Rating: 5/5 Roses

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Book Review: Siren's Storm

Author: Lisa Papademetriou
Publication Date: July 12, 2011
Genre: YA Paranormal Fantasy
Copy provided by: Teen Book Scene/Publisher
Summary (via Goodreads):

Nothing has been the same for Will ever since what happened last summer. One day, on an ordinary sailing trip with his brother, there is a strange accident. When Will wakes up, he learns his brother has disappeared, presumed drowned. Worst of all, Will can't remember what happened—his family finds him unconscious, with no memory of the accident.

Now Will and his best friend and neighbor, Gretchen, are starting a new summer. Gretchen seems troubled—her sleepwalking habit is getting worse, and she keeps waking up closer and closer to the water. Will is drawn to Asia, the exotic new girl in town. Nobody knows where she's from—all Will knows is that her beauty and her mesmerizing voice have a powerful effect on people.

Then there is another mysterious drowning, and Will and Gretchen begin to wonder: Is Asia just another beautiful, wealthy summer resident? Or is she something entirely more sinister . . . and inhuman?

Why I read this: I love mermaid/siren tales, especially those that are a bit darker in nature and this one looked to be so.

Plot: The author does a fantastic job of melding mythology into a modern day setting. The story had a nice balance of intrigue, relationships, and fantasy elements. This story is darker and less focused on romance, which was a great relief as romance in paranormal YA can sometimes be stifling and ruin a good underlying plot. Instead it focused on friendship, on loss, on the darkness that can consume a person. And I of course loved all the mythology that played into the story and created a truly unique novel.

Characters: The characters in this book are blended well into the story. They have stand out features, but the plot takes precedence and there's this urgency that pushed them into action. I really loved the characters because of their flaws. There's Gretchen, who is the girl next door to Will who is self-conscious, doesn't always make the best decisions, but tries her best. Then there is Will, who is still suffering the loss of his brother and is marked with a scar that reminds him daily of that night.

I enjoyed the supporting characters as well, Asia, the strange girl who Will cannot get out of his mind, Kirk - a supposedly crazy teenage boy who acts like he is on drugs and spouts nonsense about angels and voices. And Angus, the town gossip, who is always there trying to get the scoop.

Relatability: I think those who enjoy stories based in mythology but set in modern times will enjoy this one. And anyone who needs a break from YA Para-romance but still wants a good paranormal novel.

Cover Commentary: Haunting. Not quite the way I picture Asia though.

Rating: 5/5 Roses

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Review: The Society of Dread + Giveaway

Author: Glenn Dakin
Publication Date: September 2010
Genre: Middle Grade Steampunk
Copy provided by: Publisher

Dr. Saint is no more, Lord Dove has disappeared, and the Dodo has slipped back into seclusion. But for Theo Wickland, descendant of the Victorian crime fighter of legend, The Candle Man, the adventure is just beginning. Now head of the Society of Good Works, Theo is determined to turn the activities of the order toward the betterment of humanity, starting with bringing the Network, the fascinating, secret underground maze of tunnels, back to its former glory.

But dark forces still lurk below the London streets - mysterious creatures, and enemies of the Candle Man, long thought dead - who continue to plot the downfall of the world.

Old enemies become new allies as Theo cobbles together a group to stop the sinister plans of these evil beings before they prove deadly. It is up to the new Candle Man and his Society of Dread to snuff out these nefarious plans, before it's too late.

Why I read this: I absolutely loved the first book in this series and had to continue on with the next.

Plot: With this second book in the series, there are new friends introduced along with new enemies. Theo must now descend below ground to save his friends who have been taken and enslaved by a wicked man whose power lies in destruction. there were some great twists to this book that put the world and history of Candle Man into perspective in a way that I wasn't expecting. I absolutely love the setting of these books as the dark setting amplifies the darker plot. The end of the book eluded to another adventure and I cannot wait to read on.

Characters: Theo is a character that I would compare a bit to Harry Potter, he's got the complexion, the past and the sort of clumsy way of stepping up to doing his part and saving those he loves. I love his comment about feeling better when he has direction, which shows a lack of confidence in his character. I love flawed characters and Theo definitely has a lot to learn about his powers, how and when to use them, and coming to terms that he will kill when he uses it. I really like how he is developing and can't wait to see what the next book will bring next for him.

Relatability: I think fans of underdog heroes, antiheroes, and steampunk will enjoy this series.

Cover Commentary: I have to say I love these covers, both US and UK versions of them. (The UK one is pictured above).

Rating: 5/5 Roses

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And now for the giveaway!

1. One lucky winner will receive both of the Candle Man books.
2. Fill out the form to enter.
3. Open internationally.
4. Contest ends Friday, July 15th.

Comment on this review and Glenn Dakin's guest post for extra points.

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Book Review: Mississippi Jack

Author: L.A. Meyer
Publication Date: September 2007
Genre: YA Historical Fiction
Copy provided by: Library (audio)
Summary (via Goodreads):

The intrepid Jacky Faber, having once again eluded British authorities, heads west, hoping that no one will recognize her in the wilds of America. There she tricks the tall-tale hero Mike Fink out of his flatboat, equips it as a floating casino-showboat, and heads south to New Orleans, battling murderous bandits, British soldiers, and other scoundrels along the way. Will Jacky's carelessness and impulsive actions ultimately cause her beloved Jaimy to be left in her wake?

Bold, daring, and downright fun, Jacky Faber proves once again that with resilience and can-do spirit, she can wiggle out of any scrape . . . well, almost.

Why I read this: I love these books and they are amazing on audio!

Plot: In this book, we find Jacky trekking across the Americas and of course finding a boat to sail down the Mississippi River. Jacky may be inland, but she always finds a way to stay on water as much as possible. This book is full of new twists, a possibly reunion with Jaimy and some adventures that involve pirates, a whorehouse, and trying not to get killed.

Characters: I love Mike Fink. What a fantastic character. An over the top troll of a man whom Jacky steals a boat from. I absolutely love when the narrator did his voice. Such a loud, hilarious man and almost always in the liquor. I also loved meeting the other characters introduced in this book and hope we continue to run into many of them in the future. Jack is herself as usual, always cunning and of a positive nature even when in death's grip.

Relatability: Probably one of my favorite books in the series. It's hard to pick one, but this one is definitely up there.

Cover Commentary: I love the old covers, the new ones are awful and look nothing like the Jacky I picture.

Rating: 5/5 Roses as per usual.

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Book Battle Round 2 Judging results

So, I'm a bit late in posting this up, but my partner (A Fangirls View) and I read two books for the first battle in the second judging round and here is what we came up with.

Starcrossed by Elizabeth C. Bunce

Digger thrives as a spy and sneak-thief among the feuding religious factions of Gerse, dodging the Greenmen who have banned all magic. But when a routine job goes horribly wrong and her partner and lover Tegen is killed, she has to get out of the city, fast, and hides herself in a merry group of nobles to do so.

Accepted as a lady's maid to shy young Merista Nemair, Digger finds new peace and friendship at the Nemair stronghold--as well as plenty of jewels for the taking.

But after the devious Lord Daul catches her in the act of thievery, he blackmails her into becoming his personal spy in the castle, and Digger soon realizes that her noble hosts aren't as apolitical as she thought... that indeed, she may be at the heart of a magical rebellion.

I absolutely fell in love with this book. The writing is fantastic and the author does a excellent job of drawing you into the story quickly and reveals a little of Digger's past slowly over the course of the book. The characters were unique and intriguing, especially the bad guys. I really remembered their names even if the characters were minor. The plot itself twisted and turned and really widened into this huge plot that made me glad to find out that this is a series. I am dying to read more about Digger's adventures and a little more play on the other characters she met briefly who should play a larger role in the second novel.


Inside the Shadow City (Kiki Strike #1) by Kirsten Miller

Life will never be the same for Ananka Fishbein after she ventures into an enormous sinkhole near her New York City apartment. A million rats, delinquent Girl Scouts out for revenge, and a secret city below the streets of Manhattan combine in this remarkable novel about a darker side of New York City you have only just begun to know about…

I wasn't expecting this book to be as dark as it was. Or maybe it was just something off that really gave me that thought. I felt like the characters were very ... comic-book like and not very realistic ones. Very flat and also right on with stereotypes. There's the mean girl, the smart girl, the edgy girl. . . and the parents of Ananka just killed me. Whose parents neglect their child so much? I just felt it was way off. The whole book had a bit of this weird vibe to it. It definitely was an interesting book and I love the girl power theme, but it just was way too unrealistic character-wise and I like being able to relate to the characters and I wasn't able to in this novel.


After some discussion we both decided that Starcrossed was the better book.

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Book Review: Breath of Angel

Author: Karyn Henley
Publication Date: June 21, 2011
Genre: YA Fantasy
Copy provided by: Teen Book Scene
Summary (via Goodreads):

The stranger’s cloak had fallen back, and with it, a long, white, blood-stained wing.

When Melaia, a young priestess, witnesses the gruesome murder of a stranger in the temple courtyard, age-old legends recited in song suddenly come to life. She discovers wings on the stranger, and the murderer takes the shape of both a hawk and a man.

Angels. Shape-shifters. Myths and stories—until now.

Melaia finds herself in the middle of a blood feud between two immortal brothers who destroyed the stairway to heaven, stranding angels in the earthly realm. When the feud turns violent and Melaia becomes a target, she finds refuge with a band of angels attempting to restore the stairway. But the restoration is impossible without the repayment of an ancient debt—the “breath of angel, blood of man,” a payment that involves Melaia’s heart, soul, and destiny.

Why I read this: I love fantasy novels and this one sounded like it was going to be different from what I've been reading lately.

Plot: I loved the darkness of this book. It's set in you're traditional fantasy world, where technology doesn't exist, but magic does. The magic in this book is very dark. There's these birds with the feet and hands of humans that are used as spies. There are angels and immortals and a legend that encompasses the whole story. I thought it was brilliantly written, our young Melaia at the beginning of the story is asked to tell a tale well known by a strange man who unsettles her and appears after she witnesses a man murdered. The tale is of two brothers and a price that was asked for a fruit of knowledge. It set the tone of the book and every where Melaia went, she learned more about the truth behind the tale and her part in it.

There was plenty of perilous situations, romantic notions and overall twists and turns that kept me reading and wanting to learn more about the past, about Melaia's future and just how everything will turn out. As this is the first book, I was somewhat satisfied with the ending but there is so much more to be discovered.

Characters: I really enjoyed watching Melaia grow into herself. She wasn't quite defined until halfway through the book. She's a chantress and must play her role and has her whole life. When her past is thrown into the mix she starts to change and the reader gets to see her develop into a more determined character.

Relatability: I definitely think that readers who want a fantasy novel without all the whiney characters will find a treasure in this book. It definitely is darker than most YA coming out. And the romance aspect is definitely a side-plot which is always helpful. I think many of us are sick of plots that revolve completely around the romantic interest.

Cover Commentary: I can't picture that cover model as the main character. So not my favorite cover.

Rating: 5/5 Roses

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Nerds Heart YA Decision

So, I participated in Nerds Heart YA this year, which is a battle of the books. I read two books with my partner Anastasia of Birdbrain(ed) Book Blog and here's what we thought of them and what we decided.

Finding Family by Tonya Bolden

Delana has never known her parents. Raised by her Aunt Tilley and a reclusive grandfather, Delana has led a sheltered existence, nurtured on her aunt's wild family histories. But when Aunt Tilley dies, Delana confronts her pent-up curiosities and embarks on a quest to unravel her aunt's fictions and draw out her mysterious grandfather. In searching for her true history, Delana finds herself, and a home in the one place she never thought to look. This moving fictional story is imagined from real antique photographs that author Tonya Bolden has collected. Bolden's well-researched historical details about 1905 Charleston, West Virginia lend authenticity, while spare, lyrical writing make this young girl's coming-of-age resonate.

I read this book first and really enjoyed the visual the old photographs gave to the story about a girl who is finding out the truth about her family after being sheltered from it her whole life. I definitely think it gives a look into the world during that time period in history and tells a story about family, grief and hidden family secrets. The author did a fantastic job with Delana's character of a girl who has been sheltered and finally breaking free from childhood into adolescence.


Toads and Diamonds by Heather Tomlinson

Diribani has come to the village well to get water for her family's scant meal of curry and rice. She never expected to meet a goddess there. Yet she is granted a remarkable gift: Flowers and precious jewels drop from her lips whenever she speaks.

It seems only right to Tana that the goddess judged her kind, lovely stepsister worthy of such riches. And when she encounters the goddess, she is not surprised to find herself speaking snakes and toads as a reward.

Blessings and curses are never so clear as they might seem, however. Diribani’s newfound wealth brings her a prince—and an attempt on her life. Tana is chased out of the village because the province's governor fears snakes, yet thousands are dying of a plague spread by rats. As the sisters' fates hang in the balance, each struggles to understand her gift. Will it bring her wisdom, good fortune, love . . . or death?

Toads and Diamonds was a book that took me by surprise. It had such an intricate world that it was set in that you are drawn right into it from the beginning. The two sisters are given these gifts that are both treasured but changes what they do with their lives so completely. Told from both of the girls in alternating chapters, you get a wide glimpse of their personalities, their desires and how they handle the challenges that face them. As much as the book ended in a way that really worked, I longed for more after I closed the book, it was that involving.


Both books had such merit and memorable characters, but when it came down to it Anastasia and I decided we both fell in love with Toads and Diamonds and are choosing that one to go forward.

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Review: Fairy Bad Day

Author: Amanda Ashby
Publication Date: June 9, 2011
Genre: YA Paranormal Fantasy
Copy provided by: Teen Book Scene
Summary (via Goodreads):

While most students at Burtonwood Academy get to kill demons and goblins, fifteen-year-old Emma gets to rid the world of little annoying fairies with glittery wings and a hipster fashion sense. She was destined to be a dragon slayer, but cute and charming Curtis stole her spot. Then she sees a giant killer fairy - and it's invisible to everyone but her! If Emma has any chance of stopping this evil fairy, she's going to need help. Unfortunately, the only person who can help is Curtis. And now, not only has he stolen her dragon-slayer spot, but maybe her heart as well! Why does she think it's going to be a fairy bad day?

Why I read this: I can't resist a good paranormal YA that involves both fairies and dragons.

Plot: Emma thinks she has dragon slayer in the bad as her designation for Burtonwood Academy. But she's surprised to find out she is now going to be a glorified slayer of fairies. Unfortunately, she's caught in a explosion as she's finally about to slay her first fairy and becomes the laughingstock of the school. To top it, a cute guy has taken her dragon slayer spot and she's steamed at him and when she finds out that they have to work on a project together she is less than happy.

Luckily, he is one of the few people that believe her when she sees an invisible to all eyes but hers dragon-like creature on the school grounds. Emma must find out how to stop this creature before it finds a way to open the gate that will let in other creatures just like him. Definitely full of action, some romantic drama, and hilarious friends, Fairy Bad Day is a book that is hard to put down when reading.

Characters: Emma definitely is a negative character, a bit on the moody side and unsure of herself when it comes to the charming Curtis, who has ruined her life dream to be a dragon slayer like her mother. She's definitely kick-butt though and speaks her mind a little too much at times. Definitely a fiery main character.

Curtis is way cute and hiding a secret (aren't all steamy young men?), one that keeps him pushing away from Emma even though he obviously likes her.

Relatability: Definitely a great paranormal story with a dash of romance and hilarity to keep the story rolling.

Cover Commentary: Love it! :) Definitely makes me think of Emma.

Rating: 5/5 Roses

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Review: Dare to Be Different

Title: Dare to be Different
Author: Nicole O'Dell
Publisher: Barbour Books
Pages: 384
Book Source: netgalley.com
Rate:
Description: Dare to Different is a book for middle school or those just starting out in junior high. There are two stories. In one the character deals with peer pressure. The other a twin wants to be her own person, she doesn’t want to be only know as half a set.

In both of these it tells the story up to a certain point. Basically the moment the main character needs to make a decision. It then lets you decide which way the story will go. Like in the first story does she give in to the pressure from her friends and how does her choice affect them all.

It is a good book for those that are younger that really go through these issues.


Thoughts: Dare to Different is a book for middle school or those just starting out in junior high. There are two stories. In one the character deals with peer pressure. The other a twin wants to be her own person, she doesn’t want to be only know as half a set.

In both of these it tells the story up to a certain point. Basically the moment the main character needs to make a decision. It then lets you decide which way the story will go. Like in the first story does she give in to the pressure from her friends and how does her choice affect them all.
It is a good book for those that are younger that really go through these issues.

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Review: Lemniscate

Title: Lemniscate
Author: Jennifer Murgia
Publisher: Lands Atlantic Publishing
Pages: 252
Rate:
Book Source: personally owned

Description: For Teagan, these last few months have been heaven on earth- especially now that Garreth, her boyfriend and guardian angel, is earthbound. But perhaps Garreth is becoming a little more human than either of them expected.

Now, Teagan must realize that her world is once again about to shift, as she questions the faith she held in others against those once considered enemies.
In this continuation of Angel Star, Lemniscate will draw you even deeper into the world of dark and light as Teagan realizes the angel who could possibly save them all is the one angel she feared the most.

Thoughts: It actually kills me to not give this a higher rating. I loved the first one and I love the author and still want and crave more from her but this one just wasn’t what I expected. After Angel Star I had certain expectations or hopes of what the storyline would be for Lemniscate and Jennifer threw me for a loop.

Don’t get me wrong. I still enjoyed Lemniscate. We get to see a different side of Garreth, Hadrian and even Claire (at one point). I just felt like when I finished it I had read a third book in a series instead of a second one. That is only because I was hoping Teagan would want to investigate something she had found out about her Dad, who had disappeared.

Instead we really just get to learn more about Claire. We learn why she is the way she is to Teagan and others. Claire makes a decision that makes her step-dad, who is dating Teagan’s mom, go to Teagan for help. He has his own secret that at first makes Teagan a little weary of him.

Even though we got to see different side to Hadrian it doesn’t make me change from being Team Garreth. Hadrian helps Teagan to have more understanding of the symbol on her hand too.
If you haven’t read Angel Star then I would recommend that you do and then check out this one.

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Review: The Midnight Gate

Author: Helen Stringer
Publication Date: May 10, 2011
Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy
Copy provided by: Blue Slip Media
Summary (via Goodreads): It’s been two months since Belladonna Johnson discovered she was the Spellbinder, and she’s full of questions about her powers. When a ghost finds Belladonna and her classmate, Steve, and gives them a mysterious map, the friends don’t know if they should be looking for or hiding from the one person who holds the answers to Belladonna’s powers: the Queen of the Abyss. Throw into the mix that Belladonna’s parents, who are ghosts, have disappeared and that her brand-new and maybe even sinister foster family seems to know more than they’ll let on, and you have a sequel made of high adventure and intrigue, seasoned with affecting characters and topped with a dollop of wit.

2nd in series. Check out my review for Spellbinder.

Why I read this: I really enjoyed reading Spellbinder and was happy to read on into the second novel.

Plot: Another intriguing plot, where Belladonna and Steve once again have to save the world from the evil powers. I really enjoyed these tales, with all of its supernatural awesome mixed with witty British humor. They go on quite the adventure with tests involved and are almost killed, quite a few times actually. And I definitely laughed when they met the Queen of the Abyss because it was completely unexpected. Most definitely unexpected. These are definitely great books that I will be putting in my elementary library for my students that love supernatural and adventure stories.

Characters: I absolutely love Belladonna and Steve and their chemistry is very funny. Steve reminds me a lot of my next door neighbor who I grew up with and liked to be around me, but when his friends were around, he'd totally ignore me. Maybe I see a bit of Belladonna in myself as well. Definitely a book full of great supporting characters and interesting villians.

Relatability: Fans of funny, spooky and adventurous stories will really dig into this series.

Cover Commentary: I like this one a lot more than the first book. It's got a perilous edge to it that I think kids will be drawn to.

Rating: 5/5 Roses

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Review: The Eternal Sea

Author: Angie Frazier
Publication Date: June 1, 2011
Genre: YA Historical Fantasy
Copy provided by: Teen Book Scene/Publisher
Summary (via Goodreads):

Romance and adventure are just around the corner . . .

After the thrilling journey that led Camille through the dangerous discovery of love, secrets, and a magical stone that grants immortality, Camille has everything she wants. She's escaped the men who wanted her dead, and now she is ready to build a new life with Oscar, her one true love. But things are not to be so simple. Oscar is acting strangely, and before they can even board a ship from Australia back home, to San Francisco, Camille learns that the journey is not over. If she does not follow the magic of the curse of Umandu, her life and Oscar's could be in grave danger.

Why I read this: I really enjoyed the first novel in this series, Everlasting and couldn't wait to read the sequel.

Plot: Picking up where the last book left off, Camille finds out that Oscar isn't completely revived from the dead and they must embark on another adventure to find the second stone to bring Oscar's soul back to his body. Her fiance shows up and forces himself into the adventure and Camille is torn between telling him the truth or keeping up the charade of still being his fiance. There's danger along the journey with twists that really surprised me at points. I did, however, get sick of the love triangle going on and it's not something that will be solved until the next book.

Characters: I really liked the new characters introduced in this book. There's another female character named Maggie who takes over guiding Camille to the second stone. There's her uncle, the dashing captain who has taken Camille's brother under his wing but seems to have ulterior motives that come out later in the novel. And, the big bads - we get to meet some really ugly awful characters that will make you shiver and want to crawl under your covers.

Relatability: If you enjoyed the first book, you're sure to enjoy this one. This series is one for fans of adventure and romance.

Cover Commentary: Lovely.

Rating: 5/5 Roses

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Review: What Comes After

Author: Steve Watkins
Publication Date: April 12, 2011
Genre: YA Realistic Fiction
Copy provided by: Teen Book Scene
Summary (via Goodreads): A gripping portrait of a teen’s struggles through grief and abuse - and the miraculous power of animals to heal us.

After her veterinarian dad dies, sixteen-year-old Iris Wight must leave her beloved Maine to live on a North Carolina farm with her hardbitten aunt and a cousin she barely knows. Iris, a vegetarian and animal lover, immediately clashes with Aunt Sue, who mistreats the livestock, spends Iris’s small inheritance, and thinks nothing of striking Iris for the smallest offense. Things come to a head when Iris sets two young goats free to save them from slaughter, and an enraged Aunt Sue orders her brutish son, Book, to beat Iris senseless - a horrific act that lands Book and his mother in jail. Sent to live with an offbeat foster family and their "dooking" ferrets, Iris must find a way to take care of the animals back at the farm, even if it means confronting Aunt Sue. Powerful and deeply moving, this compelling novel affirms the redemptive power of animals and the resilience of the human spirit.

Why I read this: I really thought this one sounded good, despite it not being my favorite genre and decided to give it a try.

Plot: This book is a mix of emotions. Iris goes through a lot, she loses her dad, the friend she was staying with forces her to leave because her parents were fighting, and then she has to deal with an abrasive aunt who turns out to be more abusive than Iris first thought. I have to say, the way she coped was very realistic, she turned to what she knew she loved - animals, and used them to keep going.

Characters: I can't imagine being in her shoes, but I feel like Iris was a very realistic character. The way she reacted to things really pulled her character together and made her so concrete. I thought the villain of the story - Aunt Sue - is probably one of the most realistic villians I've encountered as well. She's not over the top violent, but she takes deep offense when Iris does anything against her and she finds a way to make her miserable. Aunt Sue abuses Iris physically and mentally and you hate her for it, but you get this glimpse of how sorry a life she's lived behind all that anger.

Relatability: It's hard not to relate to one of the many themes in the book - moving away, trying to fit in, abuse, loss of a parent, and the love of animals.

Cover Commentary: Very pretty.

Rating: 5/5 Roses

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Spellbinder

Author: Helen Stringer
Publication Date: September 2009
Genre: Middle Grade Paranormal Fantasy
Copy provided by: Publisher
Summary (via Goodreads): Belladonna Johnson can see ghosts. It’s a trait she’s inherited from her mother’s side of the family, like blue eyes or straight hair. And it’s a trait she could do without, because what twelve-year-old wants to be caught talking to someone invisible?

It is convenient, though, after Belladonna’s parents are killed in a car accident. They can live with her the same as always, watching the same old TV shows in their same old house. Nothing has changed . . . until everything changes.

One night, with no warning, they vanish into thin air—along with every other ghost in the world. It’s what some people think ghosts are supposed to do, but Belladonna knows it’s all wrong. They may not be living, but they’re not supposed to be gone.

With the help of her classmate Steve, a master of sneaking and spying, Belladonna is left to uncover what’s become of the spirits and to navigate a whole world her parents have kept well-hidden. If she can’t find her way, she’ll lose them again—this time for good.

Why I read this: Because the lovely ladies at Blue Slip Media asked me to do a blog tour for the second novel and they kindly sent me a copy of this one. And because it sounded so good...

Plot: I was definitely thinking about my students when I read this book. They are always looking for funny but scary books and this one really fits into that niche well. The plot moves well along and is just so interesting. Belladonna can see ghosts, which is helpful since her parents had died but still live with her now as ghosts. Although when ghosts start disappearing suddenly. There's a ton to cover in this new world, where one small girl is the Spellbinder, which doesn't mean much to her until she starts reciting words she couldn't possibly know, opening doors to other worlds, and solving what is causing all the ghosts to disappear.

Characters: Belladonna is a loner, so I relate to her a bit. I wasn't quite like her, but I was definitely a quiet kid when in school. Steve reminds me a lot of my next door neighbor who I played with until we were in middle school, he was funny, always getting in trouble and definitely a great companion.

Relatability: I think a lot of kids can relate to either of the characters in these books and definitely will be interested in reading about ghosts.

Cover Commentary: Interesting, definitely one I'd think my students would pick up because of the cover.

Rating: 5/5 Roses

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Review: Ashes, Ashes

Author: Jo Treggiari
Publication Date: June 1, 2011
Genre: YA Dystopian
Copy provided by: Teen Book Scene
Summary (via Goodreads):

A thrilling tale of adventure, romance, and one girl's unyielding courage through the darkest of nightmares.

Epidemics, floods, droughts--for sixteen-year-old Lucy, the end of the world came and went, taking 99% of the population with it. As the weather continues to rage out of control, and Sweepers clean the streets of plague victims, Lucy survives alone in the wilds of Central Park. But when she's rescued from a pack of hunting dogs by a mysterious boy named Aidan, she reluctantly realizes she can't continue on her own. She joins his band of survivors, yet, a new danger awaits her: the Sweepers are looking for her. There's something special about Lucy, and they will stop at nothing to have her.

Why I read this: I love post-apocalyptic/dystopian stories, and this one looked really good.


Plot: Definitely a fast-moving survival plot, involving natural disasters, the invasion of militant-like Sweepers stealing people whenever they please, and even some budding romance. It all revolves around Lucy, who decides to abandon her seclusive camp of the past few months when hunting dogs find her and a young man saves her and tells her about the group he stays with. She's reluctant, but when a tsunami takes over her camp, she's forced to higher ground and gravitates towards Aidan's camp - Hell's Gate.

Characters: I really enjoyed getting to know Lucy. She did what she had to in order to survive. She didn't instantly become super-woman either. Lucy was a nicely balanced character and I loved her interactions with Aidan and Del. My favorite character would have to be Grammalie, a resilient old woman of 80 who ran the Hell's Gate camp and was very wise in her ways.

Relatability: I think fans of a more realistic post-apocalypse novel will enjoy this one.

Cover Commentary: Pretty cool. Definitely how I'd imagine a big city to look after severe natural disasters and plagues had run through it.

Rating: 5/5 Roses

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Review: Queen of the Dead

Author: Stacey Kade
Publication Date: June 7, 2011
Genre: YA Paranormal
Copy provided by: Teen Book Scene/publisher
Summary (via Goodreads):

After being sent back from the light, Alona Dare - former homecoming queen, current Queen of the Dead - finds herself doing something she never expected: working. Instead of spending days perfecting her tan by the pool (her typical summer routine when she was, you know, alive), Alona must now cater to the needs of other lost spirits. By her side for all of this - ugh - “helping of others” is Will Killian: social outcast, seer of the dead, and someone Alona cares about more than she’d like.

Before Alona can make a final ruling on Will’s “friend” or “more” status, though, she discovers trouble at home. Her mom is tossing out Alona’s most valuable possessions, and her dad is expecting a new daughter with his wicked wife. Is it possible her family is already moving on? Hello! She’s only been dead for two months! Thankfully, Alona knows just the guy who can put a stop to this mess.

Unfortunately for Alona, Will has other stuff on his mind, and Mina, a young (and beautiful) seer, is at the top of the list. She’s the first ghost-talker Will’s ever met—aside from his father—and she may hold answers to Will’s troubled past. But can she be trusted? Alona immediately puts a check mark in the “clearly not” column. But Will is - ahem - willing to find out, even if it means leaving a hurt and angry Alona to her own devices, which is never a good idea.

Packed with romance, lovable characters, and a killer cliffhanger, Queen of the Dead is the out-of-this-world sequel to The Ghost and the Goth.

Why I read this: I really enjoyed the first book and was interested to see where it was going in the second.

Plot: Well, there was definitely more action in this one. This book introduces a group of people that are similar to Will, but they may not be a perfect match to help him. The pace of this book was fast paced and it was a whirlwind of fun, romance, and some new intrigue added into the mix. I like the exploration back to Will interacting with his father and glimpsing a little into the future of Alona's parents without her.

Characters: I find Alona growing on me. Yeah, she can be selfish and mean and definitely is used to getting her way. There's also something more and I can't completely brush her off as a character I dislike.

Saying that, I like Will a lot more. Maybe because he's partly clueless (as most guys are), but also because he really is just trying to figure out how to deal with what life throws his way.

Mina is the girl I'd expect Will to fall for if there was no love interest with Alona. She's like him, somewhat cynical and has a bit of a family problem that really sums up a lot about how she's acts. But Alona is Will's dream girl, even if she's really only a ghost.

Relatability: I think fans of paranormal and comedy will enjoy this combination. And I think the writing is just fantastic and really brings you into the story with the characters, which means virtually anyone can enjoy this book.

Cover Commentary: Not sure I love it, especially since there's not much time spent in the diner Will works in. But it's definitely close to how I pictured the characters.

Rating: 5/5 Roses

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Review: Shadow Walkers

Author: Brent Hartinger
Publication Date: February 1, 2011
Genre: YA Paranormal
Copy provided by: Teen Book Scene
Summary (via Goodreads):

Living with his grandparents on a tiny island off the Washington State coast, Zach feels cut off from the world. Especially when he's forbidden to chat with his online friends. But then his little brother, Gilbert, is kidnapped. To find him, Zach discovers how to astral project. Soon, his spirit is soaring through the strange and boundless astral realm—a shadow place.

While searching for his brother, Zach meets a boy named Emory, another astral traveler who's intriguing (and cute). As they track the kidnappers from the astral realm, their bond grows—but each moment could be Gilbert's last. Even worse, there's a menacing, centuries-old creature in their midst that devours souls and possesses physical bodies. And it's hungry for Zach.

Why I read this: I love the paranormal novels Flux has been putting out lately, so I jumped on this one when I heard about it.

Plot: For how short this book is, I felt like there was a pretty good plot line that involved almost a dual plotline. The main story is that Zach is looking for his brother Gilbert by using astral projection, a new talent he has found with the help of some interesting incense. In the astral realm he finds another boy who he connects with instantly, but also a creepy octopus like substance that seems to want to harm him. He must find a way to help his brother while fending off this evil thing after his soul.

Characters: I have to say I wish there was a bit more character development on the part of the two main characters. I feel like I only glimpsed into the two boys that found each other on this astral realm. I didn't feel completely connected to either of them so I felt this distance to who they were and couldn't quite connect the way I like to when reading a novel. I did appreciate Zach's love for his brother and how it brought him to risk his soul to save him.

Relatability: I think it's an interesting read for anyone who likes a twist of paranormal in an otherwise realistic fiction plot. The main character is also gay, which also may interest readers.

Cover Commentary: Not a favorite of mine.

Rating: 4/5 Roses

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Review: Compulsion

Title: Compulsion
Author: Heidi Ayarbe
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Pages: 304
Source: Night Owl Reviews
Rate:
Description: Today has to be perfect.
Magic.
I look at the clock.
10:14 am.
Ten fourteen. One plus one is two plus four is six plus ten is sixteen minus one is fifteen minus two is thirteen. OK.
I turn from the clock and walk into the hallway. "Ready.”



Saturday will be the third state soccer championship in a row for Jake Martin. Three. A good number. Prime. With Jake on the field, Carson City High can’t lose, because Jake has the magic: a self-created protection generated by his obsession with prime numbers. It’s the magic that has every top soccer university recruiting Jake, the magic that keeps his family safe, and the magic that suppresses his anxiety attacks. But the magic is Jake’s prison, because getting it means his compulsions take over nearly every aspect of his life.

Jake’s convinced the magic will be permanent after Saturday, the perfect day, when every prime has converged. Once the game is over, he won’t have to rely on his sister, Kasey, to concoct excuses for his odd rituals. His dad will stop treating him like he is some freak. Maybe he’ll even make a friend other than Luc.

But what if it doesn’t work?

What if the numbers never go away?

Thoughts: I had a hard time reading this one. I thought it sounded interesting. There are times when I have thought I was a little OCD but this takes it to a whole new level. I guess that could be the point. But, it got to be a little distracting having the character constantly counting. I know it was his thing but it just started to make less and less sense. I couldn't finish it cause I got bored seeing it all the time.
I also didn't like the constant language. I know it gets used but good grief just because it gets said in real life does it have to translate to books. I read books to escape the way people are in real life. I don't really want to be reminded of it with language, violence and sex.
It can be a look into someone's life with obsessive compulisive disorder. I also found it odd at first but interesting that the chapters aren't ordered in the normal way. The main character has a thing for prime numbers so the chapters are numbered as such.

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Review: Unnatural by Michael Griffo

Author: Michael Griffo
Publication Date: February 22, 2011
Genre: YA Paranormal
Copy provided by: Teen Book Scene
Summary (via Goodreads):

In the town of Eden in northwestern England stands the exclusive boarding school known as Archangel Academy. Ancient and imposing, it’s a place filled with secrets. Just like its students…

For Michael Howard, being plucked from his Nebraska hometown and sent thousands of miles away is as close as he’s ever come to a miracle. In Weeping Water, he felt trapped, alone. At Archangel Academy, Michael belongs. And in Ciaran, Penry, and especially Ciaran’s enigmatic half-brother Ronan, Michael finds friendship deeper than he’s ever known.

But Michael’s only beginning to understand what makes the Academy so special. Ronan is a vampire—part of a hybrid clan who are outcasts even among other vampires. Within the Academy’s confines exists a ruthless world of deadly rivalries and shifting alliances, of clandestine love and forbidden temptations. And soon Michael will confront the destiny that brought him here—and a danger more powerful than he can imagine…

Why I read this: It sounded intriguing when Teen Book Scene sent around feelers for it.

Plot: The plot had a pretty good pace, although it felt a little weighed down by the many various characters and not-so-subtle sideplots that left me with a lot of questions spinning in my head as to what was going on. I felt like there was almost too much going on and too much of it trying to be intriguing but failing. I did however enjoyed the budding romance between Michael and Ronan.

Characters: There were just too many point of views in this book. I found some of the characters incessantly whiney (*cough* Nakano *cough*), but they were really well-developed. I especially liked getting to know Brania, the girl who was supposed to catch Michael's interest, if he wasn't oh-so-gay.

Relatability: Anyone who still loves vampire stories in YA will probably dig into this. For me, I don't think I'll be picking up another vampire novel in a while.

Cover Commentary: Not quite how I pictured the characters, but rarely does that happen for me from cover to novel.

Rating: 3/5 Roses

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Review: Princess for Hire

Title: Princess for Hire
Author: Lindsey Leavitt
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Pages: 240
Source: Library
Description:When a flawlessly dressed woman steps out of an iridescent bubble and wants to know, like, now if you'd like to become a substitute princess, do you:

a) run
b) faint
c) say yes!

For Desi Bascomb, who's been longing for a bit of glamour in her Idaho life, the choice is a definite c)--that is, once she can stop pinching herself. As her new agent, Meredith, explains, Desi has a rare magical ability: when she applies the ancient Egyptian formula "Royal Rouge," she can transform temporarily into the exact look-alike of any princess who needs her subbing services. Dream come true, right?

Well, Desi soon discovers that subbing involves a lot more than wearing a tiara and waving at cameras. Like, what do you do when a bullying older sister puts you on a heinous crash diet? Or when the tribal villagers gather to watch you perform a ceremonial dance you don't know? Or when a princess's conflicted sweetheart shows up to break things off--and you're sure she would want you to change his mind?

In this hilarious, winning debut, one girl's dream of glamour transforms into something bigger: the desire to make a positive impact. And an impact Desi makes, one royal fiasco at a time.

Thoughts: Princess for Hire wasn’t really what I expected. I wish Desi would have spent more time on each job. Instead when she would go in to “sub” for a princess she would be there for a scene or two, something crazy would happen and the job would be over.

I still enjoyed it. It was cute and funny. Desi went into each job wanting to leave an impact somehow on each princess. She was able to do this but also in return these changed her. She helped a princess be able to stand up to someone and it helped her to deal with someone in her life.

I am looking forward to reading the next book. I want to see how Desi grows both in her job and in her life. I want to see what will happen with her agent, Meredith. Meredith starts out a little harsh but by the end you get to see a different side to her.

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