April 05, 2009
Deadly Little Secret by Laurie Faria Stolarz, 2 1/2
Book description: Some secrets shouldn't be kept...
Up until three months ago, everything in sixteen-year-old Camelia's life had been fairly ordinary: decent grades; an okay relationship with her parents; and a pretty cool part-time job at the art studio downtown. But when Ben, the mysterious new guy, starts junior year at her high school, Camelia's life becomes anything but ordinary.
Rumored to be somehow responsible for his ex-girlfriend's accidental death, Ben is immediately ostracized by everyone on campus. Except for Camelia. She's reluctant to believe the rumors, even when her friends try to convince her otherwise. She's inexplicably drawn to Ben...and to his touch. But soon, Camelia is receiving eerie phone calls and strange packages with threatening notes. Ben insists she is in danger, and that he can help--but can he be trusted? She knows he's hiding something... but he's not the only one with a secret.
Review: My main problem with this book is that it borrows way too much from Twilight. Actually, if you take away the vampire stuff, this book is almost identical to Twilight. The book starts out with the mysterious hot guy saving the girl from getting hit by a car. They also end up being lab partners. Ben acts like he hates Camelia at first but then he lets her in on his secret power. No, he can’t read minds but it’s pretty close to that. Also, all the boys in school are into Camelia and Ben has to save her from a stalker. Twilight much? This isn’t an entirely terrible book and the writing style is very different from Stephenie Meyer’s. I probably would have like it had the plot been more original.
Category, Young Adult|
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March 31, 2009
Megan Meade's Guide to the McGowan Boys by Kate Brian, 3 1/2
Book description: Megan is used to moving from place to place -- it's typical for an army brat. But she drew the line at South Korea. She insists on staying in the States to finish her last two years of high school. So her parents made arrangements for Megan to live with their friends, the McGowans...and the McGowans' 7 sons.
Turns out, living with 7 boys might as well be a foreign country! The boys are messy. They are cliquey (who knew?). And worst of all, two of the oldest boys are H-O-T. (A problem considering they are supposed to be Megan's "brothers.") Megan is definitely in enemy territory. She needs to win over the boys' hearts without totally crushing her own.
And when Megan starts falling for one of them, sibling rivalry takes on a whole new meaning....
What is a girl to do?
Review: Megan Meade’s Guide to the McGowen Boys is a fun teen romance without a lot of drama. My only problem was that not a lot was wrapped up by the end and it doesn’t look like there is going to be a sequel. Still, it’s a nice way to spend an afternoon if you like teen romances.
Category, Young Adult|
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March 28, 2009
Gamer Girl by Mari Mancusi, 4
Book description: After Maddy’s parents divorce, she’s stuck starting over at a new high school. Friendless and nicknamed Freak Girl, Manga-loving artist Maddy finds refuge in the interactive online game Fields of Fantasy. In that virtual world, she reinvents herself as Allora, a gorgeous elfin alter ego, and meets a true friend in Sir Leo. Maddy can’t hide behind Allora forever, especially as a real-life crush begins edging in on her budding virtual romance. But would anyone pick the real Maddy, gamer girl and Manga freak, over the fantasy?
This fresh, geeky/cool novel includes online chats and exciting gaming, and features Maddy’s Mangastyle artwork.
Review: Gamer Girl is a cute and geeky read. It’s a little on the juvenile side but that didn’t keep me from enjoying the book. The main character was likeable and a lot of teens would probably identify with her. The romance was a little like something out of an 80’s teen movie but in a good way. I loved all the manga and video game references too. If you’re a little bit of a manga or video game geek who doesn’t mind reading book for a younger audience you’ll probably enjoy this.
Category, Young Adult|
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March 27, 2009
Wonderous Strange by Lesley Livingston, 3
Book description: For seventeen-year-old actress Kelley Winslow, faeries are just something from childhood stories. Then she meets Sonny Flannery, whose steel-gray eyes mask an equally steely determination to protect her.
Sonny guards the Samhain Gate, which connects the mortal realm with the Faerie's enchanted, dangerous Otherworld. Usually kept shut by order of icy King Auberon, the Gate stands open but once a year.
This year, as the time approaches when the Samhain Gate will swing wide and nightmarish Fae will fight their way into an unsuspecting human world, something different is happening . . . something wondrous and strange. And Kelley's eyes are opening not just to the Faerie that surround her but to the heritage that awaits her.
Now Kelley must navigate deadly Faerie treachery—and her growing feelings for Sonny—in this dazzling page-turner filled with luminous romance.
Review: I thought the plot of this book was kind of neat. I liked all the Shakespeare references and the fairy stuff wasn’t overly complicated. The characters were not all that interesting though. Overall, it was a fast and fun read but I would have liked a bit more depth. Actual teens may like this but I wouldn’t recommend it to adult readers.
Category, Young Adult|
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March 20, 2009
The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan, 3 1/2
Book description: In Mary's world there are simple truths. The Sisterhood always knows best. The Guardians will protect and serve. The Unconsecrated will never relent. And you must always mind the fence that surrounds the village; the fence that protects the village from the Forest of Hands and Teeth. But, slowly, Mary’s truths are failing her. She’s learning things she never wanted to know about the Sisterhood and its secrets, and the Guardians and their power, and about the Unconsecrated and their relentlessness. When the fence is breached and her world is thrown into chaos, she must choose between her village and her future—between the one she loves and the one who loves her. And she must face the truth about the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Could there be life outside a world surrounded in so much death?
Review: I got really excited when I found out a YA romance set during a futuristic zombie apocalypse was being published. Unfortunately, this was a little disappointing. I didn’t really care about the characters or their romance. The world building was kind of interesting but it needed to be developed more. There were also way too many unanswered questions for my taste. Despite all that I did enjoy this book. The writing was suspenseful enough that I never got board and there was enough zombie action to keep me happy. If you enjoy zombies and YA fiction you may like this, otherwise you should skip it.
Category, Young Adult|
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March 09, 2009
North of Beautiful by Justina Chen Headley, 4
Book description: It's hard not to notice Terra Cooper.
She's tall, blond, and has an enviable body. But with one turn of her cheek, all people notice is her unmistakably "flawed" face. Terra secretly plans to leave her stifling small town in the Northwest and escape to an East Coast college, but gets pushed off-course by her controlling father. When an unexpected collision puts Terra directly in Jacob's path, the handsome but quirky Goth boy immediately challenges her assumptions about herself and her life, and she is forced in yet another direction. With her carefully laid plans disrupted, will Terra be able to find her true path?
Review: I enjoyed pretty much every aspect of North of Beautiful. Terra was a likeable and well developed heroine. The romance was nice but I also liked exploring Terra’s relationship with her family, particularly her relationship with her mom. If you like Sara Dessen you’ll probably like this book. I’ll be seeking out more books by this writer.
Category, Young Adult|
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February 21, 2009
In the Coils of the Sanke by Clare B. Dunkle, 4
Book description: Miranda has waited her whole life to come to the goblin kingdom. Now she’s finally underground where she has always wanted to be, but she never imagined she would feel so lost. Her beloved Marak, the center of her world since childhood, has reached the end of his reign.
But Marak didn’t raise a coward. He taught Miranda to be brave, intelligent, and proud—the ideal woman to take her place beside Catspaw, the new goblin King.
Then a mysterious and highly magical elf lord brings his people back to their homeland, reigniting the age-old battle between goblins and elves. Miranda finds herself a prisoner. Caught between the two hostile rulers, she becomes their greatest reason for war—and possibly their only hope for a future.
Review: In the Coils of the Snake is the final book in the Hollow Kingdom Trilogy. It was a fitting end to the series with just the right blend of fantasy and romance. If you like fantasy novels written for a younger audience I highly recommend you pick up the first book, The Hollow Kingdom.
Category, Young Adult|
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February 14, 2009
Keeping the Moon by Sarah Dessen, 4
Book description: Fifteen-year-old Colie is spending the summer with her eccentric Aunt Mira while her mother travels. Formerly chubby and still insecure, Colie has built a shell around herself. But her summer with her aunt, her aunt's tenant Norman, and her friends at the Last Chance Diner, teach her some important lessons about friendship and learning to love yourself.
Review: Keeping the Moon doesn’t have quite as much depth as the other Sara Dessen books I’ve read but it is still quite enjoyable. It’s full of teen drama and Dessen’s kooky side characters. There’s even a little bit of romance. Keeping the Moon was just a nice way to spend an afternoon.
Category, Young Adult|
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February 06, 2009
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, 4 1/2
Book description: Katniss is a 16-year-old girl living with her mother and younger sister in the poorest district of Panem, the remains of what used be the United States. Long ago the districts waged war on the Capitol and were defeated. As part of the surrender terms, each district agreed to send one boy and one girl to appear in an annual televised event called, "The Hunger Games." The terrain, rules, and level of audience participation may change but one thing is constant: kill or be killed. When Kat's sister is chosen by lottery, Kat steps up to go in her place.
Review: I love good dystopian fiction and The Hunger Games delivers. This is mostly a plot and character driven book but the world building is well done. The plot is so action packed I had a hard time putting this book down. The survival element to the story was addicting. Katniss is a great main character. She isn’t without sympathy but she never lets it get in the way of what she has to do. If you like books with a lot of action I highly recommend this one. The only thing I don’t like about this book is that I have to wait until September to find out what happens next.
Category, Young Adult|
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January 13, 2009
Forever Princess by Meg Cabot, 4 1/2
Book description: What's a Princess to do?
It's Mia's senior year, and things seem great. She aced her senior project, got accepted to her dream college(s), and has her birthday gala coming up . . . not to mention prom, graduation, and Genovia's first-ever elections.
What's not to love about her life? Well . . .
Her senior project? It's a romance novel she secretly wrote, and no one wants to publish it.
Prince Phillipe's campaign in the Genovian elections isn't going well, thanks to her totally loathsome cousin René, who decided to run against him.
Her boyfriend, J.P., is so sweet and seemingly perfect. But is he the one?
And her first love, Michael, is back from Japan . . . and back in her life.
With Genovia's and her own future hanging in the balance, Mia's got some decisions to make: Which college? Which guy? How can she choose? Especially when what she decides might determine not just the next four years, but . . . forever!
Review: Forever Princess is the last(!) book in the princess diaries series. I’m really sad to see this series come to an end but I’m so happy with the way it ended. Everything I wanted to happen happened and it was pretty much the perfect conclusion to the series. I’m sure most fans of the series will like it as much as I did.
Category, Young Adult|
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January 01, 2009
The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen, 4 1/2
Book description: Sixteen-year-old Macy Queen is looking forward to a long, boring summer. Her boyfriend is going away. She’s stuck with a dull-asdishwater job at the library. And she’ll spend all of her free time studying for the SATs or grieving silently with her mother over her father’s recent unexpected death. But everything changes when Macy is corralled into helping out at one of her mother’s open house events, and she meets the chaotic Wish Catering crew. Before long, Macy joins the Wish team. She loves everything about the work and the people. But the best thing about Wish is Wes—artistic, insightful, and understanding Wes—who gets Macy to look at life in a whole new way, and really start living it….
Review: I’m really starting to like Sara Dessen. I really loved Just Listen and The Truth About Forever is just as good. Macy is a likeable main character who is trying to get through a tough time in her life. The romance here is fantastic and the ending is perfect. Dessen writes about teenagers but her writing never feels juvenile. I highly recommend her to people who like character driven coming of age stories with a touch or romance.
Category, Young Adult|
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December 14, 2008
Belle: A Retelling of "Beauty and the Beast" by Cameron Dokey, 3
Book description: Belle is convinced she has the wrong name, as she lacks her sisters' awe-inspiring beauty. So she withdraws from society, devoting her time to wood carving. Secretly, Belle longs to find the fabled Heartwood Tree. If carved by the right hands, the Heartwood will reveal the face of one's true love.
During a fierce storm, Belle's father stumbles upon the mysterious Heartwood -- and encounters a terrifying and lonely Beast. Now Belle must carve the Heartwood to save her father, and learn to see not with the eyes of her mind, but with the eyes of her heart.
review: Belle offers up some interesting twists on the Beauty and the Beast story but the book had some serious pacing issues. The beginning dragged on for far too long. Belle doesn’t meet the beast until the second half of the book and in such a short book that doesn’t leave enough time for their relationship to be well developed. Still, the book did hold my interest and fans of the Beauty and the Beast story will find something to like here. If you’ve never read a Beauty and the Beast retelling I recommend Beauty by Robin McKinley instead.
Category, Young Adult|
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August 03, 2008
Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer, 4 1/2
Book description: "New York Times"-bestselling author Meyer returns to her teen vampire Twilight saga with this much-anticipated fourth book in the series. In this riveting novel, questions will be answered and the fate of Bella and Edward will be revealed.
Review: Breaking Dawn is the forth book in the Twilight series and the final one narrated by Bella. I seem to be in the minority here but I actually enjoyed this one a lot. I was expecting a nearly 800 page book of Bella whining until Edward turned her into a vampire. Sure, the plot here is a little odd and kind of wrong but the whole premise of the series is a little bit wrong so it didn’t bother me. I greatly prefer it to what I was expecting to happen. This book is told in three parts, the first and third are narrated by Bella and the second is narrated by Jacob. The first part was my favorite in the book but I also enjoyed Jacob’s pov. The third part of the novel did what it had to do. It gave Edward and Bella their happy ending and left enough material for future books in the series. Stephanie Meyer still remains one of the very few authors I will automatically buy in hardcover.
Category, Young Adult|
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July 19, 2008
The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong, 4 1/2
Book description: My name is Chloe Saunders and my life will never be the same again.
All I wanted was to make friends, meet boys, and keep on being ordinary. I don't even know what that means anymore. It all started on the day that I saw my first ghost—and the ghost saw me.
Now there are ghosts everywhere and they won't leave me alone. To top it all off, I somehow got myself locked up in Lyle House, a "special home" for troubled teens. Yet the home isn't what it seems. Don't tell anyone, but I think there might be more to my housemates than meets the eye. The question is, whose side are they on? It's up to me to figure out the dangerous secrets behind Lyle House . . . before its skeletons come back to haunt me.
Review: The Summoning is a YA novel set in the set in the same world as Kelley Armstrong’s adult Women of the Otherworld series but it stands on its own. The Summoning is a little slow at first but I soon became hooked on the characters. I also enjoyed seeing Armstrong’s world from a very different perspective than the ones in her adult books. I was completely addicted by the end of this book and I can’t wait to see what happens next. I recommend this to readers of the Women of the Otherworld series as well as to fans of YA supernatural books.
Category, Young Adult|
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July 14, 2008
Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer, 4
Book description: Miranda’s disbelief turns to fear in a split second when an asteroid knocks the moon closer to the earth. How should her family prepare for the future when worldwide tsunamis wipe out the coasts, earthquakes rock the continents, and volcanic ash blocks out the sun? As summer turns to Arctic winter, Miranda, her two brothers, and their mother retreat to the unexpected safe haven of their sunroom, where they subsist on stockpiled food and limited water in the warmth of a wood-burning stove. In her journal, Miranda records the events of each desperate day, while she and her family struggle to hold on to their most priceless resource--hope.
Review: I enjoy apocalyptic survivor stories so I had to pick Life As We Knew It up after I read Rosario’s review of it. It was a very emotional read for me and I could not put it down. I was surprised at how grim it was, especially for a YA book. It had me near tears on more than one occasion. I was a very good read and I highly recommend it.
Category, Young Adult|
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June 01, 2008
Airhead by Meg Cabot, 4
Book description:EM WATTS IS GONE. Emerson Watts didn’t even want to go to the new SoHo Stark Megastore grand opening. But someone needed to look out for her sister, Frida, whose crush, British heartthrob Gabriel Luna, would be singing and signing autographs there—along with the newly appointed Face of Stark, teen supermodel sensation Nikki Howard. How was Em to know that disaster would strike, changing her—and life as she’d known it—forever? One bizarre accident later, and Em Watts, always the tomboy, never the party princess, is no longer herself. Literally.Now getting her best friend, Christopher, to notice that she’s actually a girl is the least of Em’s problems. But what Em’s pretty sure she’ll never be able to accept might just turn out to be the one thing that’s going to make her dream come true….NIKKI HOWARD IS HERE TO STAY.
Review: Airhead is about an average teenage girl whose brain is implanted in the body of a Paris Hilton type celebrity. If this book had been written by anyone else, I would not have gone near it. Fortunately, I’ve never read a Meg Cabot book I did not enjoy and this one is no different. She fully commits to the silly plot and makes it work in a fun way. The book got really good towards the end and I can’t wait to see what happens in the next one.
Category, Young Adult|
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Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica Day George, 3 1/2
Book description: Blessed—or cursed—with an ability to understand animals, the Lass (as she’s known to her family) has always been an oddball. And when an isbjorn (polar bear) seeks her out, and promises that her family will become rich if only the Lass will accompany him to his castle, she doesn’t hesitate. But the bear is not what he seems, nor is his castle, which is made of ice and inhabited by a silent staff of servents. Only a grueling journey on the backs of the four winds will reveal the truth: the bear is really a prince who’s been enchanted by a troll queen, and the Lass must come up with a way to free him before he’s forced to marry a troll princess.
Review: This is a retelling of East of the Sun, West of the Moon. I’ve read another book based on this myth (East by Edith Pattou) and this book felt very similar to that one. I did enjoy this book and it held my interest through out. However, I think I liked East a little better.
Category, Young Adult|
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May 26, 2008
Princess Mia by Meg Cabot, 3 1/2
Book description: Mia has been invited to speak at a gala for Domina Rei, an elite society of powerful businesswomen. But what could she possibly have to say? Now that Michael has broken things off, Mia can barely get out of bed, and her parents are making her see a therapist. School, where Lilly still refuses to speak to her and Lana suddenly wants to be bff, is a total nightmare. Even J.P.'s efforts to cheer Mia up (he's being really sweet!) aren't helping. What's a royal to do?
Just when things couldn't get worse, Mia uncovers an old family secret, a long-forgotten diary of a teenage princess of Genovia. It could be just the thing to help Mia write her speech—but it might also change the fate of the Renaldos forever.
Review: Princess Mia is the ninth book in the Princess Diaries series. This volume focuses on Mia attempting to move on after her breakup with Michael. As much as I love Mia’s self involved teenage babble, I’m glad to see her finally start to grow up. I look forward to the next book in the series, which is believe is the last one.
Category, Young Adult|
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April 28, 2008
The King of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner, 4
Book description: By scheming and theft, the Thief of Eddis has become King of Attolia. Eugenides wanted the queen, not the crown, but he finds himself trapped in a web of his own making.
Then he drags a naive young guard into the center of the political maelstrom. Poor Costis knows he is the victim of the king's caprice, but his contempt for Eugenides slowly turns to grudging respect. Though struggling against his fate, the newly crowned king is much more than he appears. Soon the corrupt Attolian court will learn that its subtle and dangerous intrigue is no match for Eugenides.
Review: This is the third book in the series that started with The Thief. This is a slower read than The Queen of Attolia but I still enjoyed it. It follows Gen as he tries to adjust to his new life. It works well as the last book in Gen’s story but I still feel there are many more stories that could be told in this series. I hope Turner plans on writing more. If you like complex epic fantasies I highly recommend this series.
Category, Young Adult|
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April 07, 2008
The Queen of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner, 4 1/2
Book description: When his small mountains country goes to war with the powerful nation of Attolia, Eugenides the thief is faced with his greatest challenge. He must steal a man, he must steal a queen, and he must steal peace.
But his greatest triumph-as well as his greatest loss-can only come if he succeeds in capturing something the Queen of Attolia may have sacrificed long ago.
Review: The Queen of Attolia is the sequel to The Thief. I found this book to be much darker and complex than the first. There’s a political conflict in this one and the story is told from both sides. Gen starts this book in a bad place and he spends most of the book trying to get over what happened to him. There’s also an unconventional romance that I enjoyed a lot.
Category, Young Adult|
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The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner, 4
Book description: "I can steal anything."
After Gen's bragging lands him in the king's prison, the chances of escape look slim. Then the king's scholar, the magus, needs the thief's skill for a seemingly impossible task -- to steal a hidden treasure from another land.
To the magus, Gen is just a tool. But Gen is a trickster and a survivor with a plan of his own.
Review: The Thief is a smart fantasy novel that can be enjoyed equally by children and adults. The story appears to be simple at first bit it has many layers and I did not see the end coming. The main character, Gen, is great. His personality and motives are slowly and skillfully developed. The wold building and mythology are well done too.
Category, Young Adult|
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March 27, 2008
The Safe-Keeper's Secret by Sharon Shinn, 3 1/2
Book description: Damiana is Safe-Keeper in the small village of Tambleham. Neighbors and strangers alike come one by one, in secret, to tell her things, knowing that Damiana will keep them to herself. One night, a mysterious visitor arrives with an unusual secret— a newborn baby. Damiana names him Reed and raises him side by side with her baby daughter, Fiona. As the years pass and the two children come of age, they must come to terms with who they are—and who they may be.
Review: This is the first book in a young adult series from Sharon Shinn. I liked the world building and Shinn’s beautiful writing held my attention. The plot was also interesting and I didn’t see many of the reveals at the end coming. The characters were average and I found them to be the weakest links in the book. I did like this book enough to read the next one in the series.
Category, Young Adult|
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January 13, 2008
General Winston's Daughter by Sharon Shinn, 4
Book description: When seventeen-year-old heiress Averie Winston travels with her guardian to faraway Chiarrin, she looks forward to a reunion with her father, who is a commanding general, seeing her handsome fiancé Morgan once more, and exploring the strange new country. What she finds is entirely different. Although the Chiarizzi appear to tolerate the invading army, rebels have already tried to destroy them; Morgan is not the man she thought he was; and she finds herself falling in love with Lieutenant Ket Du’kai, who himself comes from a conquered society. Can the irrepressible Averie remake herself in this new world?
Review: General Winston’s Daughter is not a typical novel from Sharon Shinn. The only fantasy elements in it is that the countries have fictional names but this story could take place in the real world at any time in history. I liked the main character, Averie. She starts out blindly following everything her society has told her but she slowly see the reality of the situation she’s in. Watching Averie’s thoughts and feeling change is what made this book so enjoyable for me. I also liked the romance quite a bit. This one is a must read for people who like YA romance.
Category, Young Adult|
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December 23, 2007
Beastly by Alex Flinn, 3 1/2
Book description: I am a beast.
A beast. Not quite wolf or bear, gorilla or dog but a horrible new creature who walks upright—a creature with fangs and claws and hair springing from every pore. I am a monster.
You think I'm talking fairy tales? No way. The place is New York City. The time is now. It's no deformity, no disease. And I'll stay this way forever—ruined—unless I can break the spell.
Yes, the spell, the one the witch in my English class cast on me. Why did she turn me into a beast who hides by day and prowls by night? I'll tell you. I'll tell you how I used to be Kyle Kingsbury, the guy you wished you were, with money, perfect looks, and the perfect life. And then, I'll tell you how I became perfectly . . . beastly.
Review: Beastly is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast set in modern day New York and told from the Beast’s point of view. It was a quick, fun read but the writing was a little too juvenile for my taste. It’s worth reading if you really like Beauty and the Beast retellings.
Category, Young Adult|
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October 14, 2007
This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen, 3 1/2
Book description: When it comes to relationships, Remy doesn’t mess around. After all, she’s learned all there is to know from her mother, who’s currently working on husband number five. But there’s something about Dexter that seems to defy all of Remy’s rules. He certainly doesn’t seem like Mr. Right. For some reason, however, Remy just can’t seem to shake him. Could it be that Remy’s starting to understand what those love songs are all about?
Review: I didn’t like This Lullaby quite as much as Just Listen. It was well written and I did like the romance. However, Remy was so bitter through out most of the book that I found it exhausting to be stuck insider her head.
Category, Young Adult|
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September 24, 2007
Just Listen by Sarah Dessen, 4 1/2
Book description: Last year, Annabel was "the girl who has everything"—at least that’s the part she played in the television commercial for Kopf ’s Department Store.This year, she’s the girl who has nothing: no best friend because mean-but-exciting Sophie dropped her, no peace at home since her older sister became anorexic, and no one to sit with at lunch. Until she meets Owen Armstrong. Tall, dark, and music-obsessed, Owen is a reformed bad boy with a commitment to truth-telling.With Owen’s help,maybe Annabel can face what happened the night she and Sophie stopped being friends.
Review: Just Listen is women’s fiction for teens. That’s not a genre I usually enjoy but this is amazingly well written. The main character is flawed and not very likeable on the surface. However, she is written with such depth you can’t help but identify with her and root for her. Her relationships with her family and friends are well done and believable. I didn’t find the romance quite as believable but I still really enjoyed it. Fans of Megan McCafferty’s earlier books will enjoy Sarah Dessen. I’ll certainly be reading more from her.
Category, Young Adult|
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September 15, 2007
Vampire Kisses 2: Kissing Coffins by Ellen Schreiber, 2 1/2
Book description: Not far from Dullsville, someone's lurking in the dark. . . .
After meeting the handsome and shadowy Alexander Sterling, goth-girl Raven's dark world has a bright, new glow. But as in her favorite movie, Kissing Coffins, Raven knows that love always has its complications, especially when Alexander has a big secret to guard.
When Alexander suddenly disappears, Raven leaves Dullsville to begin a dangerous search to find him. Can she stay safe, no matter who—or what—she encounters on the way?
Review: I had to pick up the second Vampire Kisses to see if the bad cliffhanger ending in the first book could be redeemed. It wasn’t. This book felt very much like a middle book in a series. Except for the introduction of a few new characters, not a whole lot happened. I also got the impression that this series is going to use every bad vampire romance cliche I can think of. The first book should have been a stand alone. I doubt I’ll continue with the series.
Category, Young Adult|
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September 07, 2007
Vampire Kisses by Ellen Schreiber, 3
Book description: In her small town, dubbed "Dullsville," sixteen-year-old Raven -- a vampire-crazed goth-girl -- is an outcast. But not for long...
The intriguing and rumored-to-be haunted mansion on top of Benson Hill has stood vacant and boarded-up for years. That is, until its mysteriously strange new occupants move in. Who are these creepy people -- especially the handsome, dark, and elusive Alexander Sterling? Or rather, what are they? Could the town prattle actually ring true? Are they vampires? Raven, who secretly covets a vampire kiss, both at the risk of her own mortality and Alexander's loving trust, is dying to uncover the truth.
Review: Vampire Kisses is a fun teen vampire romance. The goth characters were cheesy but in a fun way. It’s nice to see goth teenagers that aren’t depressed and don’t write bad poetry. I really didn’t liked the ending though. It came out of nowhere. The writing is a bit on the juvenile side so older readers may want to skip it. Teenagers will love this.
Category, Young Adult|
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September 01, 2007
The Princess and the Hound by Mette Ivie Harrison, 3 1/2
Book description: He is a prince, heir to a kingdom threatened on all sides, possessor of the animal magic, which is forbidden by death in the land he'll rule.
She is a princess from a rival kingdom, the daughter her father never wanted, isolated from true human friendship but inseparable from her hound.
Though they think they have little in common, each possesses a secret that must be hidden at all costs. Proud, stubborn, bound to marry for the good of their kingdoms, this prince and princess will steal your heart, but will they fall in love?
Review: The Princess and the Hound is a bit of a misleading title because the book focuses on Prince George and his animal magic more than the Princess. I liked the idea of animal magic and the world building was good as well. George was an interesting main character but I wish the romance had been developed more. Still, I had a hard time putting this one down. If you enjoy young adult fiction you’ll like The Princess and the Hound.
Category, Young Adult|
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August 19, 2007
Jinx by Meg Cabot, 3 1/2
Book description: The only thing Jean Honeychurch hates more than her boring name (not Jean Marie, or Jeanette, just . . . Jean) is her all-too-appropriate nickname, Jinx. Misfor-tune seems to follow her everywhere she goes—which is why she's thrilled to be moving in with her aunt and uncle in New York City. Maybe when she's halfway across the country, Jinx can finally outrun her bad luck. Or at least escape the havoc she's caused back in her small hometown.
But trouble has definitely followed Jinx to New York. And it's causing big problems for her cousin Tory, who is not happy to have the family black sheep around. Beautiful, glamorous Tory is hiding a dangerous secret—one that she's sure Jinx is going to reveal.
Jinx is beginning to realize it isn't just bad luck she's been running from. It's something far more sinister . . . and the curse Jinx has lived under since the day she was born might just be the only thing that can save her life.
Review: In Jinx Meg Cabot tackles wicthcraft. The plot was fun but very predictable if you’ve ever seen any teen witchcraft movies. I liked the romance too but it could have been developed a little more. This may not be my favorite Cabot book but she never fails to entertain.
Category, Young Adult|
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August 13, 2007
Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer, 4 1/2
Book description: As Seattle is ravaged by a string of mysterious killings and a malicious vampire continues her quest for revenge, Bella once again finds herself surrounded by danger.
In the midst of it all, she is forced to choose between her love for Edward and her friendship with Jacob — knowing that her decision has the potential to ignite the ageless struggle between vampire and werewolf. With her graduation quickly approaching, Bella has one more decision to make: life or death. But which is which?
Review: Eclipse is the third book in Edward and Bella’s story and it was just as addicting as the first two. I keep waiting for these characters to get boring but they never do. This installment does have flaws but the writing is so enthralling I find the flaws easy to overlook. I can’t wait to find out what happens to Edward and Bella next.
Category, Young Adult|
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July 30, 2007
Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr, 3 1/2
Book description: Rule #3: Don't stare at invisible faeries.
Aislinn has always seen faeries. Powerful and dangerous, they walk hidden in mortal world. Aislinn fears their cruelty—especially if they learn of her Sight—and wishes she were as blind to their presence as other teens.
Rule #2: Don't speak to invisible faeries.
Now faeries are stalking her. One of them, Keenan, who is equal parts terrifying and alluring, is trying to talk to her, asking questions Aislinn is afraid to answer.
Rule #1: Don't ever attract their attention.
But it's too late. Keenan is the Summer King who has sought his queen for nine centuries. Without her, summer itself will perish. He is determined that Aislinn will become the Summer Queen at any cost—regardless of her plans or desires.
Suddenly none of the rules that have kept Aislinn safe are working anymore, and everything is on the line: her freedom; her best friend, Seth; her life; everything.
Review: Fairy stories don’t usually work for me. I don’t know why but fairies are one of the few supernatural creatures that don’t interest me. Surprisingly, I loved the fairy elements in Wicked Lovely. The fairy mythology here is accessible to those of us who can never keep all the fairy courts and species straight. Marr’s writing about fairy appearances and powers is very descriptive. The plot was also interesting and I couldn’t wait to see how it ended. The main problem I had with the book was Seth. He was too perfect to be believable or interesting. Still I’d recommend this book to people who like teen fiction.
Category, Young Adult|
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July 23, 2007
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling, 4
Review: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is the seventh and last book in the Harry Potter series. As the final installment of Harry’s story, this book works very well. Harry finally moves out of his bratty teenage faze and comes into his own. The action moves along quickly and I could not stop reading it. There were certain character developments that I was dissatisfied with but I won’t go into that because I don’t want to spoil anyone. All in all, I was mostly happy with the ending. The Harry Potter books weren’t the best books I’ve ever read but they were fun. I seriously doubt I’ll ever get the chance to stand in line at midnight to buy a book ever again.
Category, Young Adult|
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June 06, 2007
Pants On Fire by Meg Cabot, 4
Book description: Katie Ellison is not a liar. It's just that telling the truth is so . . . tricky. She knows she shouldn't be making out with a drama club hottie behind her football-player boyfriend's back. She should probably admit that she can't stand eating quahogs (clams), especially since she's running for Quahog Princess in her hometown's annual Quahog Festival. And it would be a relief to finally tell someone what really happened the night Tommy Sullivan is a freak was spray-painted on the new wall outside the junior high school gymnasium—in neon orange, which still hasn't been sandblasted off. After all, everyone knows that's what drove Tommy out of town four years ago.
But now Tommy Sullivan has come back. Katie is sure he's out for revenge, and she'll do anything to hang on to her perfect (if slightly dishonest) existence. Even if it means telling more lies than ever. Even if, now that Tommy's around, she's actually—no lie—having the time of her life.
Review: Pants on Fire is the best stand alone teen romance Meg Cabot has ever written. The main characters work well together in a believable way. Kate isn’t very likable in the beginning of the book but she’s a character that a lot of teens could identify with. I enjoyed watching her change through out the book and that change had a lot to do with Tommy always calling her out when she wasn’t genuine. I read this book in one sitting and I think fans of teen romance will enjoy it as much as I did.
Category, Young Adult|
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April 20, 2007
Keturah and Lord Death by Martine Leavitt, 3 1/2
Book description: Keturah follows a legendary hart into the king's forest, where she becomes hopelessly lost. Her strength diminishes until, finally, she realizes that death is near. Little does she know that he is a young, handsome lord, melancholy and stern. Renowned for her storytelling, Keturah is able to charm Lord Death with a story and thereby gain a reprieve--but only for twenty-four hours She must find her one true love within that time, or all is lost. Keturah searches desperately while the village prepares for an unexpected visit from the king and Keturah is thrust into a prominent role as mysterious happenings alarm her friends and neighbors. Lord Death's presence hovers over this all until Keturah confronts him one last time in the harrowing climax.
Review: I liked the idea behind this book but, for the most part, I could not get myself emotionally involved in the characters’ concerns. The beautifully written ending saves this from being a totally mediocre read. If you really like Young Adult fiction this may be worth a look, otherwise skip it.
Category, Young Adult|
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February 23, 2007
Missing You by Meg Cabot, 4
Book description: Ever since a walk home on a particularly stormy day, Jessica Mastriani has had an ability like no other. She became known worldwide as Lightning Girl—a psychic who could find the location of anyone, dead or alive. Jess finally had no choice but to embrace her newfound talent, and ended up lending her skills to the U.S. government.
But her work for them has taken a terrible toll, and Jess resurfaces months later a shadow of her former self, her powers gone, Lightning Girl no more. Her only hope is starting over in a new place, a big city where nobody knows her. It's only when Rob Wilkins unexpectedly shows up on her doorstep that she's forced to face her past. Rob, all the way from back home, needs her help. But how can Jess, her powers gone, find anyone, let alone the sister of a man she once loved . . . when she can't even find herself?
Review: Missing You is the fifth and final book in the 1800-Where-R-U series. This series doesn’t seem to be as popular as Meg Cabot’s other series but it’s one of my favorites of hers. I’m sad to see the series is over but I’m happy with the ay it ended. The characters have matured and the plot was fantastic. I also enjoyed Jess and Rob’s romance. If you like Meg Cabot this is a must read series.
Category, Young Adult|
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January 30, 2007
Princess on the Brink by Meg Cabot, 4
Book description: At last, Mia is a junior. An upperclassperson. Free of her responsibilities as student body president. So why is it that everything is going so terribly wrong? What is she doing in Intro to Creative Writing? When she has made it through Algebra and Geometry, why must she be faced with Precalculus? And for the love of all that is Genovian, why has Lilly nominated her for school prez again? All this is nothing compared to the news Michael springs on her, however. On top of all the mathematical strife, her beloved boyfriend is leaving for Japan for a year. Precalc has nothing on preparing for the worst separation ever!
Turns out there is one way she might convince Michael to stay. But will she? Or won't she? No matter what, Mia seems headed for disaster.
Review: Princess on the Brink is the eighth book in the Princess Diaries series. I haven’t enjoyed a Princess Dairies book so much since the third book, Princess in Love. I liked this one enough to read it in one sitting. It mainly focuses on Mia and Michael’s relationship. I don’t want to give too much away so I’ll just say that there’s major drama. It also ends in a way that leaves me impatiently waiting for the next one.
Category, Young Adult|
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January 05, 2007
Valentine Princess by Meg Cabot, 3 1/2
Book description: That is, it usually means those things. But when you're Princess Mia, nothing happens the way it's supposed to. For one thing, Grandmère seems determined to prove that boy (or Michael, as he is commonly known) isn't the right one for the crown princess of Genovia. And Mia isn't having much luck proving otherwise, since Michael has a history of being decidedly against any kind of exploitative commercialization (Valentine's Day, as it is commonly known).
Boris can declare his love openly to Lilly, and even Kenny comes through with a paltry Whitman's Sampler. So why can't Michael give in to Cupid and tell Mia he loves her—preferably with something wrapped in red or pink and accompanied by roses—in time to prove he's Mia's true prince?
Review: Valentine Princess is a short novella that takes place after the fourth Princess Diaries book. I love the Princess Diaries series but have been skipping these novellas. The main Princess Diaries have been referring to events that happen in these books so I felt like I was missing out by not reading them. Valentine Princess is a really fun but very quick read. Fans of the series will like it for the valentine’s day cuteness between Mia and Michael. It’s also made very clear why Lilly and Boris should have broken up. I also enjoyed the earlier look at The kid who hates it when they put corn in the chili. This is worth reading for Princess Diaries fans but keep in mind it can be read in under an hour when you’re making the decision to buy it.
Category, Young Adult|
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November 25, 2006
New Moon by Stephenie Meyer, 4 1/2
Book description: For Bella Swan, there is only one thing more important than life itself: Edward Cullen. But being in love with a vampire is even more dangerous than Bella ever could have imagined. Edward has already rescued Bella from the clutches of one evil vampire, but now, as their relationship threatens all that is near and dear to them, the realize their troubles may be just beginning...
Review: New Moon is the sequel to Twilight. I held off on reading this for a while because I was afraid Bella and Edward’s relationship would get stale which would ruin Twilight for me. But I ended up liking this book almost as much as the first one. Edward and the vampires were missing through out most of the story but Jacob is given a bigger role. I really liked Jacob and the werewolf story line. I occasionally wanted to smack Bella but her behavior is typical for a teenager. I can’t wait for the next in the series.
Category, Young Adult|
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September 22, 2006
Sorcery & Cecelia or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot by Patricia C. Wrede & Caroline Stevermer, 3 1/2
Book description: A great deal is happening in London this season.
For starters, there's the witch who tried to poison Kate at Sir Hilary's induction into the Royal College of Wizards. (Since when does hot chocolate burn a hole straight through one's dress?!)Then there's Dorothea. Is it a spell that's made her the toast of the town--or could it possibly have something to do with the charm-bag under Oliver's bed?And speaking of Oliver, just how long can Cecelia and Kate make excuses for him? Ever since he was turned into a tree, he hasn't bothered to tell anyone where he is!
The girls might think it all a magical nightmare . . . if only they weren't having so much fun.
Review: Sorcery and Cecelia is the story of two cousins, Kate and Ceceila, who battle evil magicians and find love in a fantasy regency setting. What makes this book different is that the story is told entirely through the girls’ correspondence. The book is hard to get into at first and the story unfolds slowly but I ended up liking the writing style. The regency setting is more believable than it is in most regency romances and the magic system fits in perfectly with it. Each of the girls also get satisfying romances so fans of fantasy romances will enjoy this one.
Category, Young Adult|
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September 04, 2006
A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray, 4
Book description: It’s 1895, and after the suicide of her mother, 16-year-old Gemma Doyle is shipped off from the life she knows in India to Spence, a proper boarding school in England. Lonely, guilt-ridden, and prone to visions of the future that have an uncomfortable habit of coming true, Gemma’s reception there is a chilly one. To make things worse, she’s been followed by a mysterious young Indian man, a man sent to watch her. But why? What is her destiny? And what will her entanglement with Spence’s most powerful girls—and their foray into the spiritual world—lead to?
Review: A Great and Terrible Beauty is the story of four girls discovering witchcraft in a Victorian era boarding school. Not an overly original plot but the writing was atmospheric and the tale was darker than most YA novels. The author also did a fantastic job at creating believable characters. The girls are all flawed and often times not even likeable. This accurate depiction of teenage personalities and interaction made the book seem grounded in reality. The possibility that any one of the girls could betray the group at any time is what kept the tension going. This book has a sequel, Rebel Angels, that I’ll be sure to pick up.
Category, Young Adult|
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July 25, 2006
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer, 4 1/2
Book description: Isabella Swan's move to Forks, a small, perpetually rainy town in Washington, could have been the most boring move she ever made. But once she meets the mysterious and alluring Edward Cullen, Isabella's life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn. Up until now, Edward has managed to keep his vampire identity a secret in the small community he lives in, but now nobody is safe, especially Isabella, the person Edward holds most dear. The lovers find themselves balance precariously on the point of a knife -- between desire and danger.
Review: Twilight is the best vampire romance I’ve read in a long time. It’s YA but the writer’s voice is mature enough that the book can easily be enjoyed by older readers. The vampires, while not all that original, are different from those found in an average paranormal romance and that made them feel fresh. I really loved the romance in this one and I could not put it down. Fans of paranormal romance who want something a little different should definitely try this. People who don’t normally like vampire books may like this one. I can’t wait for the sequel.
Category, Young Adult|
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April 02, 2006
Party Princess by Meg Cabot, 3 1/2
Book description:This spring, Mia's determined to have a good time, despite the fact that the student government over which she presides is suddenly broke. Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it) Grandmère has an elaborate scheme to simultaneously raise money, catapult Mia to theatrical fame, and link her romantically with an eligible teen bachelor, not her boyfriend. It's no wonder that Michael, the love of her life, seems to think she's a psycho, or worse: not much fun.
Is it possible that Mia, soon-to-be star of the stage, president of the student body, and future ruler of Genovia, doesn't know how to party?
Review: Party Princess is the seventh book in the Princess Diaries series. There isn’t a whole lot I can say about this one that I haven’t said about the others. It’s just more of Mia’s self obsessed paranoid rambling that I love so much. I like the new character that is introduced. I’m glad this series is still fun. That’s it.
Category, Young Adult|
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November 19, 2005
Ready or Not by Meg Cabot, 
Book description: Top ten things Samantha Madison isn't ready for:
10. Spending Thanksgiving at Camp David
9. With her boyfriend, the president's son
8. Who appears to want to take their relationship to the Next Level
7. Which Sam inadvertently and shockingly announces live on MTV
6. While appearing to support the president's dubious policies on families, morals, and yes, sex
5. Juggling her new after-school job at Potomac Video
4. Even though she already has a job as teen ambassador to the UN (that she doesn't get paid for)
3. Riding the Metro and getting accosted because she's "the redheaded girl who saved the president's life," in spite of her new, semipermanent Midnight Ebony tresses
2. Experiencing total role reversal with her popular sister Lucy, who for once can't get the guy she wants
and the number-one thing Sam isn't ready for?
1. Finding out the hard way that in art class, "life drawing" means "naked people."
Review: Ready or Not is a followup to All-American Girl. This series is very similar to Meg Cabot's Princess Diaries series. That isn't a criticism because this kind of book is what Meg Cabot does best. I didn't like Ready or Not quite as much as All-American Girl but it was still a quick, fun read. It's refreshing to see a YA book deal with teen sex without condemning or glorifying it. I'll keep reading this series if there are any more installments.
Category, Young Adult|
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July 18, 2005
Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones,
Book Description: In the land of Ingary, such things as spells, invisible cloaks, and seven-league boots were everyday things. The Witch of the Waste was another matter.
After fifty years of quiet, it was rumored that the Witch was about to terrorize the country again. So when a moving black castle, blowing dark smoke from its four thin turrets, appeared on the horizon, everyone thought it was the Witch. The castle, however, belonged to Wizard Howl, who, it was said, liked to suck the souls of young girls.
The Hatter sisters--Sophie, Lettie, and Martha--and all the other girls were warned not to venture into the streets alone. But that was only the beginning.
In this giant jigsaw puzzle of a fantasy, people and things are never quite what they seem. Destinies are intertwined, identities exchanged, lovers confused. The Witch has placed a spell on Howl. Does the clue to breaking it lie in a famous poem? And what will happen to Sophie Hatter when she enters Howl's castle?
Review: Howl?s Moving Castle is a solid YA fantasy. I liked everything about it; the world, characters, and plot. I didn?t get overly engrossed in it though. I?ll probably try more by this writer.
Category, Young Adult|
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July 17, 2005
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling, 
Book Description: The war against Voldemort is not going well; even Muggle governments are noticing. Ron scans the obituary pages of the Daily Prophet, looking for familiar names. Dumbledore is absent from Hogwarts for long stretches of time, and the Order of the Phoenix has already suffered losses.
And yet...
As in all wars, life goes on. Sixth-year students learn to Apparate -- and lose a few eyebrows in the process. The Weasley twins expand their business. Teenagers flirt and fight and fall in love. Classes are never straightforward, though Harry receives some extraordinary help from the mysterious Half-Blood Prince.
So it's the home front that takes center stage in the multilayered sixth installment of the story of Harry Potter. Here at Hogwarts, Harry will search for the full and complex story of the boy who became Lord Voldemort -- and thereby find what may be his only vulnerability.
Review: This is another very enjoyable book in the Harry Potter series. It?s written in much the same way as Goblet of Fire and Order of the Phoenix. There?s a lot of material, which is great if you like exploring the world Rowling has created, but doesn?t do much to separate it (in my mind at least) from other books in the series. I?ve always loved this series for its characters and there is a lot of development here. However, I could care less about any of the budding romances. Fortunately, the romance doesn?t take too much away from the rest of the book, except when it comes to Hermione?s character development. This is the first book in the series where the plot managed to grab me. I was on the edge of my seat for the last fourth of the book and the end left me anticipating book seven.
Category, Young Adult|
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May 14, 2005
The Darkangel by Meredith Ann Pierce,
Book Description: Aeriel is kidnapped by the Darkangel, swept up into his dozen black wings and carried to his distant keep. There she is to serve his brides?thirteen pitiful creatures who were once beautiful, before the Darkangel drained away their souls. Aeriel would free them, but now that she, too, is one of the Darkangel?s captives, she can do no other than to obey?even while she knows she must destroy him.
For when he has found his final bride, he will come fully into his sinister powers. Aeriel must kill him first, even though deep within him is a spark of goodness that makes her love him?a spark that could redeem even his soul.
Review: The Darkangel is the first in the YA dark fantasy trilogy of the same name. I loved the darker elements of the story and the characters. Was less than thrilled with the second half of the book, when the author employed the fantasy fallback plot of questing to find some magical object. Also, the end didn?t inspire me to read the rest of the trilogy much. Still, this is a better than average YA dark fantasy that fans of the genre will enjoy.
Category, Young Adult|
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May 07, 2005
The Realms of the Gods by Tamora Pierce, 
Book Description: Daine and Numair are suddenly swept into the otherworldly home of the gods after facing certain death on earth. But they cannot remain there for long, because they are both needed to help fight the desparate battle raging in Tortall. And so they undertake the dangerous journey back to earth...a journey that will teach them a great deal about life and about each other, a journey that will lead to the startling culmination of the conflicts, both mortal and immortal, that have long plagued Tortall.
Review: The Realms of the Gods is the last in The Immortals quartet. I?m glad I managed to get all the way through this series because this was a very satisfying ending. I especially loved the romance and finding out more about Daine?s parents. Anyway, great ending to an ok series. I recommend this series to fans of YA fantasy.
Category, Young Adult|
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May 02, 2005
Emperor Mage by Tamora Pierce,
Book Description: Daine sails to Carthak as part of a peace treaty delegation from Tortall. There, she is amazed by strange and wondrous sights, including rooms filled with dinosaur bones and the Emperor Mage?s zoo. But she also senses a darkness beneath all the gold and glitter, a darkness that lies in wait. At the same time, Daine is discovering that her own wild magic is growing again, this time giving her powers both great and terrifying.
Review: Emperor Mage is the third book in The Immortals quartet. This is usually the point where I completely lose interest in a Tamora Pierce quartet. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that this book is much better than the previous two. I loved all the plot twists and palace intrigue. This book also finds a happy medium between focusing on animal and human characters. This may just be the first Tamora Pierce quartet I manage to finish because I can?t wait to see what happens next.
Category, Young Adult|
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May 01, 2005
By These Ten Bones by Clare B. Dunkle,
Book Description: A mysterious young man has come to a small Highland town. His talent for wood carving soon wins the admiration of the weaver's daughter, Maddie. Fascinated by the silent carver, she sets out to gain his trust, only to find herself drawn into a terrifying secret that threatens everything she loves.
There is an evil presence in the carver's life that cannot be controlled, and Maddie watches her town fall under a shadow. One by one, people begin to die. Caught in the middle, Maddie must decide what matters most to her-and what price she is willing to pay to keep it.
Review: This stand alone is another strong novel from Dunkle. It?s a great little piece of YA horror that offers an interesting new twist on werewolves. It has everything you could want from a horror novel; atmosphere, great characters, and an engrossing plot. It has some gruesome moments for a YA book but these contribute to the atmosphere of the book and are not done for shock value. I?ve never read a book by this author that I haven?t liked. If you are looking to try something by this author By These Ten Bones and The Hollow Kingdom are both good places to start.
Category, Young Adult|
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April 26, 2005
The Rose by Jennifer Baker, 
Book Description: Just like everyone in town, beautiful Bonnie Oliviera has heard the rumors about the mansion on the cliff. They say it?s haunted bu a ferocious beast. But this beast is no ghost. He?s a horrible-looking creature named Peter Crowley.
Placed under a spell long ago, Peter was transformed into an ugly beast and given an enchanted rose. Now Peter must earn the love of another before the last petal falls, or he will remain a beast forever.
Peter?s sure falling in love is just a fairy tale. Until the day he meets Bonnie. She?s smart and beautiful. She?s gentle and kind. But can a girl as beautiful an Bonnie learn to love a hideous Beast?
Review: The Rose is a young adult retelling of Beauty and the Beast in a modern setting. Other than the setting, the book follows the Disney movie closely. Too closely to really offer anything new to people who?ve seen the movie. Other than that it?s not a particularly bad retelling of the story. If the characterization and romance had been fleshed out a bit more it could have been quite good. Younger fans of the story will find something to like here but older fans should skip it.
Category, Young Adult|
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April 25, 2005
Wolf-Speaker by Tamora Pierce, 
Book Description: When humans start cutting down trees and digging holes in peaceful Dunlath Valley, the wolves know that something is wrong. They send a messenger to the only human that will listen?Daine, a fourteen-year-old girl with the unpredictable power of wild magic. Daine and her closest companions heed the wolves? cry for help. But the challenge they are about to face in the valley is greater than they can possibly imagine...
Review: I didn?t like this quite as much as the first book in the Immortals quartet, Wild Magic. A lot of the animal stuff in this one didn?t interest me and the characters I liked from the first book were missing from the second. Still, an ok read even if it was a little dull for me. I?ll be reading the next one.
Category, Young Adult|
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April 18, 2005
Wild Magic by Tamora Pierce,
Book Description: Young Daine?s knack with horses gets her a job helping the royal horsemistress drive a herd of ponies to Tortall. It soon becomes clear that Daine?s talent, despite her struggles to hide it, is downright magical. Horses and other animals not only obey the mysterious girl, they come to her and seem to listen to her words. But Daine will have to learn to trust humans before she can come to terms with her powers, her past, and herself.
Review: Wild Magic is the first book in The Immortals quartet which is part of Pierce?s Tortall books. This book follows the Song of the Lioness quartet but you don?t need to read those books to follow this one. I actually greatly prefer this to the Song of the Lioness books. Daine is a great heroine and her connection with animals isn?t done in a cheesy way like it usually is in books like this. I?m not quite hooked on the plot yet but I can?t wait to see what direction this series goes in.
Category, Young Adult|
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April 03, 2005
Princess in Training by Meg Cabot,
Book Description:Princess for president!
Student body president, that is. It's all the fault of Princess Mia's power-mad best friend and campaign manager, Lilly, who nominates her in the first place. This is not how Mia imagined kicking off her sophomore year, even if Grandm貥 thinks ruling her high school makes good practice for ruling Genovia someday.
As usual, though, Mia has bigger problems to worry about. Sophomore Geometry appears to be just as hard as freshman Algebra, and a shocking B on her first English assignment has Mia reeling. And with Michael, her one true love, uptown at college, what is the point of even getting up for school in the morning? The last straw is what Lana whispers to her on the lunch line about what college boys expect of their girlfriends ...
Really, it's almost more than a princess in training can bear.
Review: I was worried that this series was losing steam, but the sixth book is as good as the first three books in the series. The nonsense with her friends is kept at a minimum and the story goes back to being about Mia. My favorite part of the novel was Mia?s race for student body president against Lana. I also liked that the topic of sex wasn?t approached in an after school special kind of way. Fans who are worried this book is the final nail in the coffin for this series should stop worrying and read it.
Category, Young Adult|
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March 31, 2005
Close Kin by Clare B. Dunkle,
Book Description: ?Goblins are just a tale to frighten children.? Emily might have believed this once, but she knows better now. For years she has been living happily in the underground goblin kingdom. Now Emily is old enough to marry, but when her childhood friend Seylin proposes, she doesn?t take him seriously.
Devastated, Seylin leaves the kingdom, intent on finding his own people: the elves. Too late, Emily realizes what Seylin means to her and sets out in search of him. But as Emily and Seylin come closer to their goals, they bring two worlds onto a collision course, awakening hatreds and prejudices that have slumbered for hundreds of years.
Review: Close Kin is the follow up to The Hollow Kingdom and the second book in the Hollow Kingdom Trilogy. I didn?t like this quite as much as the first book. None of the characters were as interesting as Marak and Kate. Other than that it was great. It does a wonderful job expanding the world that was introduced in the previous book. I especially enjoyed the parts of the book about Seylin and the elves. Clare B. Dunlke is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors and I can?t wait for her next book.
Category, Young Adult|
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March 26, 2005
Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison,
Book Description: There are six things very wrong with my life:
1. I have one of those under-the-skin spots that will never come to a head but lurk in a red way for the next two years.
2. It is on my nose.
3. I have a three-year-old sister who may have peed somewhere in my room.
4. In fourteen days the summer hols will be over and then it will be back to Stalag 14 and Oberfuhrer Frau Simpson and her bunch of sadistic teachers.
5. I am very ugly and need to go to an ugly home.
6. I went to a party dressed as a stuffed olive.
Review:This is the first book in the Confessions of Georgia Nicolson series. It?s one of those teen diary style novels and Georgia comes across as a younger but even more insane Bridget Jones. I did enjoy it though. It was a quick, fun read that ended before the teen angst began to annoy me. I also enjoyed the amusing glossary of British terms in the back of the book. Next time I?m in the mood for a teen novel I may pick up the next in the series. Fans of Bridget Jones and The Princess Diaries will probably like this.
Category, Young Adult|
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January 19, 2005
Gingerbread by Rachel Cohn, 7 1/2
Book Description: After getting tossed from her posh boarding school, wild, willful, and coffee addicted Cyd Charisse returns to San Francisco to live with her parents. But there's no way Cyd can survive in her parents' pristine house. Lucky for Cyd she's got Gingerbread, her childhood rag doll and confidante, and her new surfer boyfriend.
When Cyd's rebelliousness gets out of hand, her parents ship her off to New York City to spend the summer with "Frank real-dad," her biological father. Trading in her parents for New York City grunge and getting to know her bio-dad and step-sibs is what Cyd has been waiting for her whole life. But summer in the city is not what Cyd expects -- and she's far from the daughter or sister that anyone could have imagined.
Review: This is the best YA book I?ve read in a while. Cyd is likeable yet annoying making her one of the most believably written teens I?ve ever read about. The book felt like it was trying a bit too hard to be hip at first but once I settled into the story that didn?t bother me as much. Fans of YA fiction will definitely find something to like here. I know I liked it enough to read the sequel, Shrimp, which is coming out in March.
Category, Young Adult|
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December 30, 2004
Twilight by Meg Cabot, 8 1/2
Book Description: Suze has gotten used to ghosts. They wake her up in the middle of the night. They haunt her locker at school. She's even spotted a few down at Carmel Beach. Suze is a mediator, after all, and communicating with the dead is all in a day's work for her. The last thing she ever expected was to fall in love with one: Jesse, a nineteenth-century hottie.
But when she and Paul Slater, himself a mediator of undeniable power (and dubious intent), discover that the powers they share aren't limited to helping ghosts resolve their earthly woes, but can also be used to determine whether or not they become ghosts in the first place, Suze can't help but freak. Not because she suddenly knows how to alter the course of history, but because Paul can, too. And Paul would like nothing better than to prevent Jesse's murder, keeping him from becoming a ghost and allowing him to live a natural life at last ... but in the nineteenth century. Meaning Jesse and Suze would never meet.
Suddenly, Suze is faced with the most important decision of her life: allow the only guy she's ever loved to have the life he's always longed for ... or keep him anchored forever in half-life at her side. Will Jesse choose to live without her, or die to love her?
Review: The sixth and final book in the Mediator series is possibly the best. Suze could be a little slow at grasping the situation at times but other than that it was entirely enjoyable. It was also the perfect time for this series to end for me. The series was still good but there wasn?t a whole lot more that could be done with it except dragging out the Suze/Jessie/Paul triangle. Fans who are disappointed that the series is ending won?t be disappointed with this final installment. I really couldn?t imagine a better end to the series. If you like teen paranormal romance you?ll enjoy this series. The earlier books in the series have recently been reprinted so people who have been waiting to read them should have no problem finding them.
Category, Young Adult|
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November 07, 2004
Spirited by Nancy Holder, 5
Book Description: In May of 1756 war is formally declared between the British and the French. During this highly dangerous time, Isabella Stevens is traveling with her father to the British stronghold Fort William Henry.
In the forest, Wusamequin, the young and handsome medicine man, looks to avenge the death of his wife and child at the hands of British soldiers. When Wusamequin spots Isabella and her father, he alerts his warriors to capture them. But Wusamequin is quite taken with how bravely Isabella battles. He orders the warriors to spare her and her father, and they are dragged back to their village. However, many members of the Mohican tribe still want them to be killed. In a desperate plea to Wusamequin, Isabella vows to stay as his hostage if he lets her father go.
Review: This is suppose to be a retelling of Beauty and the Beast but there is very little of that story to be found in this book. It?s a shame because the plot would have been so much more interesting if some more Beauty and the Beast elements had been included. The book was a quick read and it did keep my interest throughout but other than that there wasn?t a whole lot I liked about it. The characters were as generic as they come. The romance was poorly developed and I never got a sense of why these characters should even like each other. I recommend this only if you?ve read all the other Once Upon a Time books and are a completest.
Category, Young Adult|
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October 29, 2004
The Hollow Kingdom by Clare B. Dunkle, 9 1/2
Book Description: Hallow Hill has a strange and tragic history. For thousands of years, young women have been vanishing from the estate, never to be seen again. Now Kate and Emily have come to live at Hallow Hill. Brought up in a civilized age, they have no idea of the land's dreadful heritage-until, that is, Marak decides to tell them himself.
Intelligent, pleasant, and completely pitiless, Marak is a powerful magician who claims to be a king-and he has very specific plans for the two new girls who have trespassed into his kingdom.
Review: This is one of the best, if not the best, books I?ve read this year. I adored the non traditional human/goblin romance. Kate and Marak are particularly well composed characters and I found myself actively rooting for a happy ending. I really didn?t want this one to end but I?m looking forward to reading more books set in this fascinating world.
Category, Young Adult|
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October 25, 2004
East by Edith Pattou, 8
Book Description:Rose has always felt out of place in her family, a wanderer in a bunch of homebodies. So when an enormous white bear mysteriously shows up and asks her to come away with him--in exchange for health and prosperity for her ailing family--she readily agrees. The bear takes Rose to a distant castle, where each night she is confronted with a mystery. In solving that mystery, she loses her heart, discovers her purpose, and realizes her travels have only just begun.
Review: This book is based on the fairy tale ?East of the Sun and West of the Moon.? I don?t know a whole lot about that story but it has a lot in common with Beauty and the Beast. This is one of the better fairy tale retellings I?ve read in a long while. It has an adventurous plot and a delightful female heroine. The viewpoint skipped around a bit too much in the beginning but that was quickly rectified. I recommend this to anyone who likes fairy tale retellings.
Category, Young Adult|
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October 24, 2004
The Storyteller's Daughter by Cameron Dokey, 7
Book Description: Once upon a time, there lived a king whose heart was heavy. He had been betrayed by the woman he loved. Though the queen's schemes were discoverd before she could deprive her husband of his life, her dying curse killed something deep within him: his ability to love and trust.
And so he makes a terrible resolution: He will take a bride for one night only. In the morning she will face a horrible fate. Then he will choose another. Nothing can change his course, until one brave woman steps forwward. Shahrazad, the Storyteller's Daughter.
Steeped in the ancient art of her mother's people, Shahrazad embarks upon a perilous course. With words alone, she will seek to restore the king's heart. As she tells her tales a bond forms between them that neither can deny. But will it be strong enough to hold them together when unexpected danger erupts?
Review: YA novel based on The Arabian Nights. I?m not really familiar with that story so I can?t say how close the book sticks to it?s source material. However, I found it to be an enjoyable, quick read. The characterization was a bit too shallow for my tastes but the plot was interesting enough. I?ll probably read more from the ?Once Upon A Time? series which this book is a part of.
Category, Young Adult|
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October 18, 2004
Alien Secrets by Annette Curtis Klause, 7
Book Description: Puck, expelled from yet another boarding school, is on her way back to her parents, who are doing alien research on Shoon. She's worried because she hasn't seen them in years and now she's in trouble.
On board The Cat's Cradle, Puck befriends Hush, a native Shoowa, who is also returning to his home in shame. He was entrusted with a symbol of freedom for his people, and now that treasure has been stolen. He believes the Soo is hidden somewhere on The Cat's Cradle, and he must recover it before they reach Shoon and before it can be smuggled off the ship. Puck is determined to help, even though it means putting her life in danger--danger from the crew, other passengers, and the ghosts who are haunting the ship. If she fails, neither she nor Hush can return home with dignity.
Review: This was a cute little sci-fi mystery. It was enjoyable but not really anything to get excited over. It also good for reading on the go. Fans of the author?s other books will like this but they may be disappointed because of the lack of romance. The friendship aspect of the book was really great though.
Category, Young Adult|
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August 10, 2004
Teen Idol by Meg Cabot, 6 1/2
Book Description: Ask Jenny your most complex interpersonal relationship questions. Go on, we dare you!
High school junior Jenny Greenley is good at solving other people's problems . . . so good she's the school newspapers' anonymous advice columnist. But when nineteen-year-old screen sensation Luke Striker comes to Jen's small town to reserach a role, he creates havor that even levelheaded Jenny isn't sure she can repair . . . especially when he asks her, and not Jenny's Luke Striker-groupie best friend, to the Clayton High Spring Fling.
Can Jen, who always manages to be there for everybody else, learn to take her own advice, and find true love at last?
Review: My Meg Cabot addiction continues. I wasn?t overly interested in the plot of this book. I also found the main character dull through out the first half but she improved greatly. I know this sounds like a negative review but the writing was entertaining enough that none of those things really bothered me. This isn?t one of the best Meg Cabot books I?ve read but it was enjoyable. Fans of her books won?t be disappointed.
Category, Young Adult|
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July 06, 2004
Night World: Dark Angel by L. J. Smith, 6
Book Description: One winter day Gillian Lennow almost dies...and is saved by an angel. His hair is golden. His eyes are as violet as her own. And when Gillian comes back from her near-death experience, he comes with her. An invisible guardian that only Gillian can see, he whispers the secrets of popularity in her ear. Overnight, the once-shy Gillian becomes a sensation. David, the boy she has loved for years, notices her.
But then Angel begins to make bizarre demands. To draw Gillian into a world of risk and dark excitement. At last, she has to face the terrifying question: Who is Angel? What has he brought back from the Other Side? And can she and David find out his secret before it's too late . . . ?
Review: This book was ok. Not the best L. J. Smith Book I?ve read but not the worst. It?s part of her hard to find Night World series which I really want to read more of. Supernatural stuff aside, this book is just your basic geeky-girl-becomes-popular-and-discovers-its-not-that-great but the supernatural elements kept it interesting for me. This book is worth reading if you are fond of L. J. Smith, otherwise, skip it.
Category, Young Adult|
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May 31, 2004
Nicola and the Viscount by Meg Cabot, 6
Book Description: Nicola Sparks, sixteen and an orphan, is ready to dive headlong into her first London Season. A whirlwind of fashionable activities awaits her, although nabbing a husband, ordinarily the prime object of every girl's Season, is not among them. For Nicola has already chosen hers: a handsome viscount by the name of Lord Sebastian.
Lord Sebastian Bartholomew is wealthy, attractive, and debonair, even if the few tantalizingly short moments Nicola has spent with him have produced little save discussions about poetry. Nicola is sure that a proposal from Lord Sebastian would be a match made in heaven. Everything is going well, until the infuriating Nathaniel Sheridan begins to cast doubt on the viscount's character.
Nicola is convinced Nathaniel's efforts to besmirch Lord Sebastian's sterling reputation will yield nothing. But when she begins to piece things together for herself, the truth that is revealed has as much to do with the viscount as it does with Nicola's own heart.
Review: This one was ok but it wasn't really anything to get excited over. The romantic plot line was a lot like the one in The Princess Diaries which was ok with me. I wanted to smack the heroine a couple of times but I did like the overall plot of the book. It's worth a read if you like Meg Cabot or the Avon True Romance line.
Category, Young Adult|
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May 11, 2004
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J. K. Rowling, 10
Book Description: For twelve long years, the dread fortress of Azkaban held an infamous prisoner named Sirius Black. Convicted of killing thirteen people with a single curse, he was said to be the heir apparent to the Dark Lord, Voldemort. Now he has escaped, leaving only two clues as to where he might be headed: Harry Potter's defeat of You-Know-Who was Black's downfall as well. And the Azkban guards heard Black muttering in his sleep, "He's at Hogwarts...he's at Hogwarts." Harry Potter isn't safe, not even within the walls of his magical school, surrounded by his friends. Because on top of it all, there may well be a traitor in their midst.
Review: This is my favorite book in the series. I've read it many times but I had to read it again in preparation for the movie. I love this one for the characters that are introduced and for the plot. It was great to learn more about Harry's parents' school days. It made them seem more like real people. Anyway, I'm sure you all have read this book so I don't really need to convince you to read it.
Category, Young Adult|
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April 12, 2004
Princess in Pink by Meg Cabot, 8
Book Description: Things are looking up for Mia: She's the newest staffer on the school paper, and her miraculous completion of freshman Algebra is just around the corner. Plus she's about to get a new baby brother or sister. Could things possibly get any better? But in her heart of hearts, Mia has one wish: an evening spent with Michael in a tux and a corsage on her wrist—in other words, the PROM. Michael, however, does not seem to share the dream that is the prom. Worse still, a service workers strike (with Grandm貥 and Lilly at the heart of it and on opposite sides) threatens the very existence of this year's prom. Will the strike end in time? Can Michael be dissuaded from his anti-prom views? Most importantly, will Mia get to wear her pink prom dress?
Review: Oh look, it's another Princess Diary book so you know I loved it. This book contains all of the zany chaos and romance you've enjoyed in the previous books so fans of the series won't be disappointed. If you aren't already a fan of the series then go get the first book right now!
Category, Young Adult|
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March 15, 2004
Sanctuary by Meg Cabot, 7
Book Description: Sixteen-year-old Jessica Mastriani knew she wasn't going to be able to hide her psychic powers from the U.S. government -- interested in utilizing her special skills for their own devices -- forever. But she never thought that she and Cyrus Krantz, the special agent brought in to "convince" Jess to join his elite team of "specially gifted" crime solvers, would turn out to have something in common. But when a local boy's disappearance is attributed to a backwoods militia group, Jess's goal -- to find the missing child -- and Dr. Krantz's -- to stop a group of madmen before they kill again -- turn out to be one and the same. Suddenly Jess finds herself working with one enemy in order to stop a far worse one. In an atmosphere of hate and fear, can Jess and Dr. Krantz -- not to mention Jess's would-be boyfriend, Rob -- work together to unite a community and save a life...without losing their own?
Review: Fourth book in the series. I liked it a lot. I loved the Jess/Rob stuff and it's always amusing when Jess gets to drive a vehicle. The darker tone of the third book stuck around which is cool I guess. I do wish there was more in this book about Douglas' plot. I've really been enjoying this series and I hope Meg Cabot writes another installment one day.
Category, Young Adult|
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February 12, 2004
Safe House by Meg Cabot, 7 1/2
Book Description: Jessica Mastriani, 16, has been having psychic visions ever since she was struck by lightning, earning her the nickname Lightning Girl at school. When a cheerleader disappears and is found dead, Jessica reluctantly uses her psychic abilities to catch the culprits.
Review: Kind of darker than the rest of the series but still a really good read. I liked it a lot better than Code Name Cassandra.
Category, Young Adult|
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Code Name Cassandra by Meg Cabot, 7
Book Description: Jess Mastriani -- dubbed "Lightning Girl" by the press when, after a huge storm, she develops a psychic ability to find missing children -- has lost her miraculous powers. Or has she? She would like the media and the government to think so. All Jess wants is to be left alone, by everyone except sexy Rob Wilkins -- who still hasn't called, by the way.... But it doesn't look like Jess is going to get her wish -- especially not while she's stuck working at a summer camp for musically gifted kids. Then the father of a missing girl shows up to beg Jess to find his daughter. Jess can't say no, but now the feds are on her trail again, as is one ornery stepdad, who'd like to see Lightning Girl...well, dead.
Review: This book lagged a bit for the first half but after the speed picked up, it was really entertaining. Fans of the series won't be disappointed.
Category, Young Adult|
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February 09, 2004
Gossip Girl by Cecily Von Ziegesar, 6 1/2
Book Description: Welcome to New York City's Upper East Side where my friends and I live, and go to school, and play, and sleep- sometimes with each other. We all live in huge apartments with our own bedrooms and bathrooms and phone lines. We're smart, we've inherited classic good looks, we have fantastic clothes, and we know how to party... Introducing Gossip Girl, a wickedly funny and risqu? paperback original novel about the provocative lives of New York City's most prestigious private school young adults. Gossip Girl herself is an anonymous narrator with the ultimate insider scoop on the inner-workings of this privileged society because she's one of them. Sharp wit, intriguing characters, and high stakes melodrama drive the action of this addictive novel that will make Gossip Girl the lit world's new "it" girl. In Gossip Girl, when the beautiful Serena van der Woodsen returns to private school after mysteriously getting kicked out of boarding school, the whole school is talking. All Blair Waldorf knows is that there's no freaking way Serena's going to just waltz back in with her Jimmy Choo mules and Kate Spade bag and steal everyone's heart again. But Serena's got other things on her mind, like college pressure and living up to everyone else's extreme expectations. Plus there's that Ryan Phillippe-looking guy who stands across the street and stares at her all the time. It's going to be a wild and wicked year, I can smell it. Love, Gossip Girl --
Review: I had a strange reaction to this book. All of the characters were completely unlikeable so I didn't really like the book. However, I couldn't put it down! It was like watching one of those awful celebrity news shows. It's possible that I'll read more of the series because I still kind of want to see what happens.
Category, Young Adult|
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January 12, 2004
When Lightening Strikes by Meg Cabot, 7 1/2
Book Description: Just because her best friend wants to exercise, Jessica Mastriani agrees to walk the two miles home from their high school. Straight into a huge Indiana thunderstorm -- and straight into trouble. Not that Jess has never been in trouble before. Her extracurricular activities, instead of cheerleading or 4-H, include fistfights with the football team and monthlong stints in detention -- luckily, sitting right next to Rob, the sexiest senior around. But this trouble is serious. Because somehow on that long walk home, Jessica acquired a newfound talent. An amazing power that can be used for good...or for evil.
Review: I've enjoyed everything that Meg Cabot has written and this book was no exception. Great characters and an interesting premise make this top notch escapist teen mind candy. If you've liked any of Meg Cabot's other books you'll most likely enjoy this one as well.
Category, Young Adult|
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December 31, 2003
Companions of the night by Vivian Vande Velde, 6 1/2
Book Description: Kerry's got a tough night ahead of her. What begins as a simple lost-and-found trip to the Laundromat turns into a nightmarish odyssey of murder, vampires, and--quite possibly--true love. Vivian Vande Velde puts a terrifying spin on what should be a typical night in a small town.
Review: This book was an ok read but I couldn't really get into it. I never got attached to any of the characters and this book could have easily been a short story and not lost anything. I also really didn't like the end. It sort of came out of nowhere and it didn't reflect the rest of the book at all. Only read this if you are obsessed with teen vampire fiction.
Category, Young Adult|
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December 30, 2003
The Last Vampire by Christopher Pike, 6
Alisa believed that she was the last vampire left but when she discovers a detective is investigating her, she begins to suspect someone form her past is behind it. So she goes undercover as a high school student and gets close to the detective's son to try and discover who's after her. But things get more complicated when she falls in love with him.
This book could have been so good. The main character and her background were really interesting. It's too bad the entire book was dragged down by the typical bland romance you usually find in books like these. If you really like teen vampire novels the by all means read this but if you are just a casual fan of the genre, go find something better.
Category, Young Adult|
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December 17, 2003
Haunted by Meg Cabot, 7 1/2
Book Description: My name is Susannah Simon, and I am a mediator -- a liason between the living and the dead. If you think this gets in the way of my attempt at a normal sixteen-year-old life, you'd be right. You try going to the mall while constantly being accosted by the undead. Not that this is a bad thing all the time. Like, for example, when I discovered my bedroom is haunted by Jesse, the ghost of a nineteenth-century hottie. While I haven't made much progress with him (only one kiss so far), I remain optimistic. Jesse's inexplicable resistance to my charms is not my only obstacle, though: there's this other guy. A live one, who has the same gift of gab with the undead I have. In the same way I'm after Jesse, this guy is after me. And he knows how to send Jesse to the Great Beyond. For good. So I guess you could say I'm haunted. I just never thought it would be by someone who isn't dead.
Review: Nice addition to the series but it was pretty much more of the same. If you are a fan of the series you will enjoy this installment. Also, while you are waiting for the next Mediator book to be released, you should check out another of Meg Cabot's series called 1-800-WHERE-R-YOU. I've been enjoying it even more than this one.
Category, Young Adult|
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November 20, 2003
The Miserable Mill by Lemony Snicket, 6 1/2
Book Description: Dear Reader,
I hope, for your sake, that you have not chosen to read this book because you are in the mood for a pleasant experience. If this is the case, I advise you to put this book down instantaneously, because of all the books describing the unhappy lives of the Baudelaire orphans, The Miserable Mill might be the unhappiest yet. Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire are sent to Paltryville to work in a lumber mill, and they find disaster and misfortune lurking behind every log. The pages of this book, I'm sorry to inform you, contain such unpleasantries as a giant pincher machine, a bad casserole, a man with a cloud of smoke where his head should be, a hypnotist, a terrible accident resulting in injury, and coupons. I have promised to write down the entire history of these three poor children, but you haven't, so if you prefer stories that are more heartwarming, please feel free to make another selection.
With all due respect,
Lemony Snicket
Review: I liked this book about as much as I liked all the others in the series. Although this one does feature Count Olaf in drag which was highly amusing. I've been told that I should read this series faster since it gets really good soon. But I only feel the need to pick up this series every once in a while. Still it's a good series and all the books in it have been fun quick reads.
Category, Young Adult|
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September 20, 2003
Darkest Hour by Meg Cabot, ****
Suze's summer vacation is ruined because she had to get a job as a babysitter at a pricey hotel. Suze's charge is eight year old Jack Slater, who was utterly boring until Suze discovered he is also a mediator. Things haven't remained quiet on the ghost front either. Maria de Silva, Jessie's fiance/murder, has returned from the dead to finish the job she started more than a century ago.
This is the fourth installment in The Mediator series and probably my favorite one as well. The plot followed the basic ?murderous ghost somehow tied to Suze's latest love interest' plot except this time the love interest was Jessie. Yay for the plot finally going somewhere. I also really liked Jack and thought it was cool that Suze got a tiny mediator to teach (or corrupt) This series is still really fun for a light read and I'm sure future books in the series will be just as good.
Category, Young Adult|
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Reunion by Meg Cabot, ****
Suze's best friend, Gina, is visiting her for a few weeks. Suze would be thrilled but a pack of teenage ghosts are trying to kill the school geek, Michael. Things get even more complicated when Michael develops a crush on Suze.
There's not much I can say about this book that I didn't say about the first two. The series seems to have settled into a pattern of murder mysteries revolving around Suze's latest love interest. That isn't necessarily a bad thing though and the book was still a fun read. I will certainly continue to read this series with enthusiasm.
Category, Young Adult|
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Ninth Key by Meg Cabot, ****
In the second book of The Mediator series, the ghost of a woman asks Suze to find "Red" and tell him her death wasn't his fault. Suze has her work cut out for her when she discovers that "Red" is really eccentric millionaire Thaddeus Beaumont, and all signs point to his being a murder. Suze also has a new love interest, Tad, who just happens to be Mr. Beaumont's son.
This book was pretty good but a few things did get on my nerves. Suze's constant complaining that Tad was the only boy to ever ask her out was really annoying because two boys asked her out in the first book. Also, in the beginning, the book kept skipping around in time which was really awkward. Other than those minor complaints I really enjoyed the second book in the series, but not quite as much as the first.
Category, Young Adult|
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September 14, 2003
Shadowland by Meg Cabot, ****
Susannah's mother has just gotten married and she's forced to move across the country to live with her new stepfather and three stepbrothers. Fortunately she makes new friends quickly. Unfortunately there's also a pair of ghosts making her life miserable. You see, Susannah is a mediator and it's her job to help ghosts move on to the afterlife but it's not so easy to get certain ghosts to move on.
This is the first book in The Mediator series written by Princess Diaries author, Meg Cabot. I really enjoyed this book. The plot was pretty run of the mill but I really liked the heroine. I love it when heroines are a little bit of a bitch. I liked some of the supporting characters as well. Fans of teen horror or just good teen fiction should really give this series a try. I'm totally hooked and I hope to get my hands on the rest of the series very soon.
Category, Young Adult|
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August 30, 2003
Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause, ****
Vivian loves being a werewolf but she doesn't like having to hide what she is from humans. She also isn't too happy with the boys her age in the pack so she begins dating a human. Aiden is respectful of her and he is interested in the occult. Vivian begins to hope that she can trust him with her secret. Meanwhile, the pack is in disarray while they battle it out over the position of leader. While this continues no wolf or human is safe, including Aiden.
This book was very different from a lot of YA books I've read. The author does a really good job of writing the animalistic side of Vivian's personality. It was also petty adult for a YA book as the sex and violence aren't too watered down. People who are looking for fluffy romance with supernatural bits thrown in are going to be disappointed. However, if you like good werewolf books this one shouldn't be missed.
Category, Young Adult|
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Dark Visions Volume I: The Strange Power by L. J. Smith, ****
Kaitlyn Fairchild has always been unnerved by her uncontrollable ability to draw pictures of the future. So she's thrilled when she gets into a special school for psychics. For the first time in her life, Kait is surrounded with people she feels she belongs with and she's especially interested in kindhearted Rob. But she begins to suspect that the owner of the school has an ulterior motive, one that could get Kait and her new friends killed.
The Strange Power is an intriguing but a bit slow start to the Dark Visions Trillogy. I probably should be continuing L. J. Smith's The Vampire Diaries series but I decided to take a break from that. This series was a nice chance of pace. I really enjoyed the characters and am curious to see what happens next. I have no clue why The Vampire Diaries seems to be the favorite of many L. J. Smith fans. This series and all her others are much better.
Category, Young Adult|
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August 26, 2003
Spinners by Donna Jo Napoli & Richard Tchen, ****
Spinners is the tale of a young tailor who is in love with a beautiful woman. He promises the woman's father that he can make her a wedding gown of gold. The father says that if the tailor's boast is true then he will allow the woman to marry him. He manages to spin straw into gold and make the dress but he becomes a cripple in the process. Because of his condition, he loses the woman he loves and their unborn daughter.
Spinners is a bittersweet retelling of Rumpelstiltskin. It far surpasses the original story because it examines all the characters' motivations which makes the story more meaningful. The characters are very well written and the authors really make you feel for all of them. I found myself wanting every character to have a happy ending even though I knew that wasn't likely. If you are a fan of re-told fairy tales then I highly recommend Spinners. I know I'll probably read everything by Donna Jo Napoli that I can get my hands on.
Category, Young Adult|
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August 25, 2003
Coraline by Neil Gaiman, ****
Dark fairy tale about a young girl named Coraline who is fond of exploring. One day when she is exploring her new house, she finds a doorway to another world. At first glance, this world seems to be just like Coraline's own, only more interesting, but she soon begins to suspect that something evil is waiting for her there.
Coraline is a terrifying yet charming children's book that can be equally enjoyed by adults. Some parents may think this book is too scary for children but this is the kind of book kids really love. Not only is the book's plot highly entertaining but there is a great moral to the story as well. I've read a couple of Neil Gaiman's other books but Coraline is my favorite of them all. Gaiman's style works well with the children's book format and Dave McKean's illustrations match the tone of the book perfectly. I think this one will stay fresh in my memory for a long time.
Category, Young Adult|
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August 20, 2003
Princess in Waiting by Meg Cabot, ****
The fourth installment of the Princess Diaries series finds Mia spending her winter vacation in Genovia. Mia is less than pleased to be visiting the country she will someday rule because it is taking her away from her new boyfriend, Michael. When Mia finally returns to New York her relationship with Michael still doesn't run smoothly. She is constantly convinced that Michael is going to dump her and Grandmere's interference isn't helping one bit.
I was kind of bored by the beginning of this book but Mia's Jane Eyre obsession and the constant digs at the Princess Diaries Disney movie made me interested again. While this isn't the best book in the series fans will not be disappointed. The series still retains everything that made it enjoyable in the first place and will leave fans waiting eagerly for the fifth book.
Category, Young Adult|
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August 18, 2003
The Woman Who Rides Like a Man by Tamora Pierce, ***
The third book in The Song of the Lioness Quartet starts with Alanna joining a desert tribe know as the Bazhir. When the tribe is left without a magician Alanna must train a new one before she can move on. Alanna's personal life also heats up when Prince Jon asks her to marry him!
I didn't enjoy this one as much as the first two. The Bazhir plot line, which took up most of the book, just didn't interest me. The book did become more enjoyable towards the end though. I'd recommend just skipping over this book but the last half is important to the rest of the series. Oh well, hardcore fans of this series will no doubt enjoy this otherwise, just suffer through it like I did.
Category, Young Adult|
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August 01, 2003
The Vampire Diaries Volume II: The Struggle by L. J. Smith, ****
In the second book in the series, Elena and Stefan find themselves at the mercy of the powerful vampire Damon. Damon wants to destroy his brother and keep Elena for himself and there doesn't seem to be much they can do to stop him. Damon isn't the only danger though, Caroline, Elena's arch rival, wants to destroy Elena and she doesn't care if Stefan gets caught in the crossfire.
This series is still quite readable but it hasn't improved much since the first volume. Every time I find myself starting to like Elena she does something stupid or gets all weepy for no reason. Also, Elena and Stefan's supposed inability to fight back against anyone that is trying to hurt them is just frustrating and ridiculous. Another thing that keeps this series from being great is Damon, he's just not a very compelling villain. However, L. J. Smith's addictive writing makes this an entertaining, quick read and the series is still good despite it's flaws.
Category, Young Adult|
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July 27, 2003
All-American Girl by Meg Cabot, ****
Samantha has a troubled life. She's in love with her older sister's boyfriend. She's also being forced by her parents to take an art class that restricts her creativity. Things get worse when she saves the President's life. Now she has to dodge the media and fulfill her duties as the teen ambassador to the U. N. Her romantic life also gets more complicated when the President's son takes an interest in her.
This book is every bit as enjoyable as the Princess Diaries Series and fans of that series should run out and buy it this second! Sam has a lot in common with Mia but is different enough that you won't feel like you are reading the same book twice. I especially like this books because it's filled with art humor and Gwen Stefani worship which I can identify with. I hope Meg Cabot decides to write a sequel.
Category, Young Adult|
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July 08, 2003
The Vampire Diaries Volume I: The Awakening by L. J. Smith, ****
Elena is the most beautiful girl in school and she's dated many guys. Still, she's never even been close to falling for any of them. Then she meets Stefan, a handsome and mysterious new student. Elena really thinks she could be in love with him but there's one thing she doesn't know... he's a vampire. Stefan also has a vampire brother named Damon who, unlike Stefan, doesn't have any qualms about taking a human life. Will Elena be able to avoid getting caught up in their sibling rivalry?
This is my least favorite L. J. Smith book I've read so far. I couldn't really get attached to any of the characters. Elena is a bit too full of herself to be really likeable and Stefan and Damon are really cliche. The book is still a decent read and fans of teen vampire books will enjoy it. I'll most likely be finishing the series.
Category, Young Adult|
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July 07, 2003
Samantha and the Cowboy by Lorraine Heath, *****
Samantha's family are having financial trouble and she doesn't know if they will make it through the winter. The money they would get from working on a cattle drive would be a big help but her brothers are unable to go. Sam decides to go herself but to get hired she has to pretend to be a boy. She gets the job and all is going well until she develops feelings for Matt, the handsome cowboy that's training her.
I liked the book far more than Amelia and the Outlaw, the other book in this series by Lorraine Heath. Not that I didn't like Amelia and the Outlaw but Sam is a far more appealing heroine. She may even be my favorite heroine in the entire series. The plot and the romance were also really fun. The only thing I didn't like was how abrupt the ending was. Still, this is one of the best books in the series.
Category, Young Adult|
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July 05, 2003
The Wide Window (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Book 3) by Lemony Snicket, ****
In the third book in the Series of Unfortunate Events, the Baudelaire orphans find themselves in the custody of another distant relative. This time around it's their "Aunt" Josephine; a widow who's afraid of everything and obsessed with grammar. Although the orphans aren't too fond of their new home they decide that it's much better than living with Count Olaf. Still, things go from bad to worse when a disguised Count Olaf shows up and none of the adults believe that it's really him.
I liked this one a bit more than the second one, mainly because there was less of Mr. Poe. That man is really starting to get on my nerves. Besides that this book pretty much follows the same formula as the second. Surprisingly enough the series still hasn't gotten stale. Lemony Snicket's way with words and the orphans still keep this series interesting.
Category, Young Adult|
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July 03, 2003
The Secret Circle Volume III: The Power by L. J. Smith, *****
Cassie is finally reunited with Diana but her problems are not behind her. Faye has been elected new leader of the coven and Black John is still on the loose. Cassie is determined to make things up to Diana by reinstating her as the leader of the coven. She also realizes she must double her efforts to stay away from Adam so she begins dating Nick.
The final book in The Secret Circle trilogy was not a disappointment. All the characters in the series were finally fleshed out and most of them turned out to be pretty interesting. I liked how Cassie slowly changed from the shy girl she was in the first book to a kick butt witch. She's probably my favorite L. J. Smith heroine. The ending of the series was a little to happy to be realistic but I liked it anyway. I highly recommend this series to fans of teen horror.
Category, Young Adult|
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June 30, 2003
Wolf Tower by Tanith Lee, ****
This is the first in a series of books that revolve around a young girl named Claidi. Claidi has lived her entire life as an orphaned maid in the House, a town isolated from the outside world. Claidi has always been told that the world outside the House is full of poison and nearly impossible to live in. Her life changes when a handsome young man from the outside world is captured and imprisoned in the House. Claidi decides to rescue the man and they escape into the outside world.
I really liked this book but not quite as much as some of Tanith Lee's adult books. The world is very interesting and Claidi is a great heroine. I also liked the diary format the book is written in. I never really got too attached to any of the side characters but this will probably change in future books. The shocking twist at the end may turn a few people off but it also really separates this book from others like it. If you like YA fantasy/adventure then you should give this series a shot.
Category, Young Adult|
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June 28, 2003
The Secret Circle Volume II: The Captive by L. J. Smith, *****
Faye, a powerful member of the coven, is blackmailing Cassie. Faye wants to have more power and be the leader of the coven and Cassie has to help her reach her goals. Cassie soon realizes that her actions may hurt Diana even more than the truth about Cassie and Adam would. Still, Cassie feels trapped and her only way to be free may be to join the dark side.
I enjoyed this one just as much as the first. The action didn't slow down and I was hooked throughout the entire thing. I also liked Cassie's brush with the dark side. It gave the series a depth that it may not have had otherwise. Another thing I liked was how the coven was no longer split up into groups of good and bad members. All in all this is a great middle book that doesn't fail to live up to the first.
Category, Young Adult|
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June 26, 2003
In the Hand of the Goddess by Tamora Pierce, ****
In the second book of the Song of the Lioness series Alanna has been able to maintain her masquerade as a boy to all but a few of her friends. Alanna is also now Prince Jonathan's squire. The book starts out with Alanna having a run in with a goddess who tells her she must face her fears; fighting Duke Roger and falling in love. As if that wasn't enough to fear, during the course of the book a war breaks out and Alanna must survive that as well.
I liked this book about as much as the first one. The characters are enjoyable and the love triangle was quite enthralling as well. The plot is basically a good one but it loses a lot of it's effectiveness through the pacing. The book covers four years and every time I got comfortable with events that were occurring the book would skip ahead a year. Still, the book was an enjoyable quick read and fans of the first one will be pleased with it.
Category, Young Adult|
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June 24, 2003
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J. K. Rowling, *****
In his 5th year at Hogwarts, Harry must deal with the reality that He Who Must Not Be Named has come back to life. The problem is that most of the wizarding world doesn't believe him. The Ministry of Magic is dead set on discrediting Harry and Dumbledore so they send a High Inquisitor to Hogwarts. Harry must also study for his O.W.Ls and he must try and understand the most confusing thing of all... girls.
The 5th Harry Potter novel was well worth the long wait. J. K. Rowling has mastered writing a novel of this size as this one flows much better then the last. Harry has changed quite a bit as well. He's in a much darker mood and is now prone to violent outbursts. Many of the other characters get a lot of development as well, especially Neville, Snape, and Sirius. All in all this is my second favorite of all the Harry Potter novels. I can't wait for the next one but I hope J. K. Rowling is given enough time to make it as good as this one.
Category, Young Adult|
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June 20, 2003
The Secret Circle Volume I: The Initiation by L. J. Smith, *****
Cassie's life is turned upside down when her mother decides they are moving in with her grandmother. Cassie must leave all her friends behind and start at a new school in the town of New Salem. She has trouble fitting in at first. A group of witches have decided to make her life a living hell. Her luck changes when she makes friends with the leader of the coven. Diana is the best friend that Cassie could ever hope for, there's just one problem... she's in love with her boyfriend!
I loved pretty much everything in this book. The characters, plot, and romance were all great. I look forward to learning about more of the side character in future books. I usually like the first book in all of L. J. Smith's series the best but I think this series can only get better. L. J. Smith is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors and I want to read every book she's written.
Category, Young Adult|
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Emily and the Scot by Kathryn Smith, *****
Emily Fitzgerald and her family have been burdened with scandal since her bother, Richard, attempted to murder their half brother, Ewan. Her chances to make a good match seem hopeless but a top bachelor proposes to her. However, Emily has always been determined to marry for love. Fearing more scandal for turning down the proposal, she decides to vacation with Ewan in Scotland. She would be enjoying her vacation but Ewan's cousin, Jaime, and her are constantly arguing. Emily highly doubts that her and the brash scot will ever get along.
This book is the sequel to a previous Avon True Romance, Anna and the Duke, but it's not really necessary to read that one to understand this one. Emily and the Scot is a watered down but well done type of love/hate story. Although Emily and Jamie never really hated each other their personalities just grate against one another's. The characters were vibrant and the romance managed to remain interesting throughout the entire book. I also really enjoyed the ending. The author showed great restraint in making it a happy but realistic one. Emily and the Scot and Anna and the Duke are two of the best books this series has to offer and I highly recommend them both.
Category, Young Adult|
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June 19, 2003
The Forbidden Game Volume III: The Kill by L. J. Smith, ****
In the final book in The Forbidden Game Trilogy Jenny and her friends cross over into the shadow world to rescue Tom, her boyfriend, and Zach, her cousin. Once they enter the shadow world a new and even more deadly game begins because in this world, their nightmares are more real than ever. Trapped in a demonic carnival they are at the mercy of not only Julian, but all the other frightening creatures of the shadow world. Will Jenny and her friends all make it out or have they bitten off more then they can chew?
I was fairly pleased with the conclusion to the series although the ending was a bit disappointing. This is probably the most well written book out of the three. I nearly cried during some of the scenes. I was also happy that Michael got some character development at last. Actually the characters in general were handled very well, especially Julian. Besides the slightly disappointing ending, the only other complaint I have is that it was far too short. The first book in the series still remains my favorite but this one comes in at a very close second. I highly recommend this series.
Category, Young Adult|
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June 13, 2003
Amelia and the Outlaw by Lorraine Heath, ****
Jesse Lawton has been in jail for five years, arrested at the age of fourteen for robbing a bank. A new judge believes that Jessie's ten year sentence may be a bit to harsh and decided to let Jessie work off the rest of his sentence at his ranch. Jessie really doesn't want to mess up this second chance but when the judge's daughter, Amelia, takes an interest in him Jessie finds her hard to resist. The Judge is very protective of his daughter and if he catches them together he'll send Jessie back to jail.
This is one of the better Avon True Romances. The author focuses more on character development and romance than on the plot. The pacing is also very good. Jessie is a pretty likeable character. Amelia got on my nerves at first but I grew to like her. The romance was well done and enjoyable even though I never got overly attached to either of the characters. I look forward to reading Samantha and the Cowboy, another Avon True Romance by this author.
Category, Young Adult|
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Night World: Secret Vampire by L. J. Smith, *****
The Night World is a secret society of vampires, werewolves, and witches. In the first book in the series, teenage Poppy discovers she has terminal cancer. Things look pretty bleak for Poppy till her best friend and secret crush, James, reveals that he is a vampire and that he wants to make her one as well. Poppy isn't out of the woods yet, by making her a vampire James has broken the laws of the night world which could cost him and Poppy their lives.
This is probably the best L. J. Smith book I've read so far. I enjoyed it so much I read it practically in one sitting. The characters, plot, and pacing were all perfect and the writing was very emotional as well. Smith's vampires are different from any I've read about before. She's also created a very intriguing world that makes me want to track down the rest of the series. Fans of teen horror, vampire fiction, or even just good romance should give this one a try.
Category, Young Adult|
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April 28, 2003
The Ruby in the Smoke by Philip Pullman, *****
This mystery set in Victorian London centers around 16 year old Sally Lockhart, who's Father has just been murdered. Sally sets out to discover why her Father was killed but she uncovers many more questions than answers. Why do the words "seven blessings" scare a man to death? Why does a evil old woman want to kill her for a ruby she doesn't have? And what happened to a good deal of her inheritance money? Sally soon learns she must find the answer to these questions if she hopes to survive.
I've read a bit of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials Series and wasn't too impressed bit I'm so glad I decided to pick up this book. I enjoyed pretty much everything about this book. The setting, characters, and plot were all highly entertaining. Although it's a quick read, it's still a well fleshed out and complicated story. I'm amazed Pullman was able to pull all that off in such a short book. I'll certainly be reading the other books in the series and maybe I'll even give His Dark Materials another shot.
Category, Young Adult|
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Princess in Love by Meg Cabot, ****
In the third installment of the Princess Diaries Series Mia finally has a boyfriend. She would be thrilled except he isn't the one she wanted. When her new boyfriend confessed his love for her Mia decides she has to dump him. However, there are many things that keep her from doing this, not the least of which is her desire not to be dateless at the big dance. Mia's guilt begins to eat at her and she has an important trip to Genovia to worry about as well.
Princess in Love offers up pretty much the same witty writing and quirky characters that you loved in the first two but is made even more interesting by Mia's love triangle. In the spirit of all princess stories there's a fairy tale ending and Meg Cabot manages to keep it from being cheesy. This is probably my favorite of the series so far. The series has reached a turning point and I'm afraid that after this the series will loose a lot of steam. We'll see...
Category, Young Adult|
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Princess in the Spotlight by Meg Cabot, ****
Mia's life was just starting to get back to normal... or as normal as possible with her grandmother still insisting she attend princess lessons but that is all shattered when her mother announces she is pregnant. The father of the child is her algebra teacher, a subject which she still isn't doing all that well in. To make matters worse, her grandmother insists on planing an unwanted wedding for the soon to be parents. Mia's spirits are lifted when she starts to receive letters from a secret admirer, who she hopes is her long time crush, Michael.
This book is pretty much more of the same. If you liked the first one you'll like this one. It's kind of a transition book leading up to the major plot advancement of Mia's love life in the third book. What I love about this series is how the trivial stuff almost totally makes me forget about the princess plot, which would make a pretty boring book by itself. You may not enjoy this one quite as much as the first but it's still a really fun read.
Category, Young Adult|
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April 14, 2003
The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot, ****
Mia Thermopolis is just your average geeky teenage girl. She hangs out with her friends, talks about pop culture, and is failing math. Mia is absolutely devastated when her Mom starts dating her math teacher, which is sure to add to her freak reputation. Things go from bad to worse when Mia finds out she's the princess of Genovia. She is desperate to keep this a secret even from her closest friends. To further complicate things, her Grandmother shows up and starts insisting Mia take princess lessons.
The plot of this book just sounds like your average rags to riches story but what saves it from that cliche is the characters. For once a writer has gotten how geeky teenage girls talk and act right. From major things like Mia and her best friend's fight to trivial things like how Mia's father reminds her of Captain Picard, Meg Cabot has really hit the nail on the head. Meg Cabot's attention to detail is another thing that makes this a fun read. I have no doubt that most teenage girls will enjoy this book but please don't make your decision to read it based on how much you like the Disney movie of the same name, which retains little of the book's charm.
Category, Young Adult|
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Alanna: The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce, ****
Alanna knows she doesn't have what it takes to be a proper lady and she'd much rather be a knight. She comes up with a plan to switch places with her twin brother and enter knight training school disguised as a boy. Her plan gets her into the school but she has to learn to be as strong as the boys. Her problems only begin there. Because of a dark power that is brewing, Alanna must learn to use her magic, a power she fears.
This book was ok but not really as in depth as some of Tamora Pierce's other books I've read. It's also stretched over too long a time for such a short novel. Still, it is a fun read. I read it in one sitting actually. The best part of the book is the characters, most of whom are lively and fun. I don't really think that many adult readers will enjoy this book too much but I plan to continue with the series.
Category, Young Adult|
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April 02, 2003
The Forbidden Game Volume II: The Chase by L.J. Smith, ****
Jenny and her friends are dealing with the aftermath of the events of the first book. No one believes them about their friend's death and the paper house is still missing. When they finally find the paper house it is ripped to shreds and they don't know if Julian was released or not. All is soon reveled and they begin a new deadly game where Jenny's friends are disappearing one by one.
This book wasn't nearly as good as the first one. The first half of the book is pretty dull. The action does pick up but it's barley enough to make up for the first half. I did like how we got to know the characters better but I didn't like how little Julian there was. The book kind of struck me as a filler book but I'm sure the last in the series will be much better.
Category, Young Adult|
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Protector of the Small: Squire by Tamora Pierce, ****
Kelandry of Mindelan made it through all four years of knight training school and now all she has to do is wait for someone to choose her as their squire. She hopes that she will be chosen by Lady Alanna but expects to become a desk squire. She is presently surprised when Lord Raoul chooses her.
I didn't like this book as much as the first two but it's still a great book. The beginning was a bit on the boring side but the plot picked up before I was thoroughly bored. I kind of missed the school setting and I really missed a lot of the characters. The book was also more action packed than the others which was a good and a bad thing. I really liked the romance even though Kel's boyfriend was not who I'd have picked for her (I'm not telling who it is) This was a good book but I'm not really as anxious to start the fourth one as I was the third.
Category, Young Adult|
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March 30, 2003
Miranda and the Warrior by Elaine Barbieri, ****
Miranda Thurston has always been willful and stubborn but one day that leads to her capture at the hands of a renowned Cheyenne warrior named Shadow Walker. For a long time Miranda refuses to follow any orders no matter what Shadow Walker does but they eventually take a liking to each other. Much still stands in the would be couple's way especially the fact that Miranda is still Shadow Walker's captive.
This book has a few flaws but I liked it in spite of them. The beginning of the book is very rushed and Miranda isn't likeable at all in the beginning. The pacing and Miranda's characterization improve quickly though. I really enjoyed the plot of this book and I adored Shadow Walker. I felt that the animosity between the Indians and the white men was downplayed quite a bit but that is understandable considering this is a teen romance. The only thing that keeps this from being a really great book is it's length. I prefer my books to be meatier than 197 pages. Still the book is well worth your time.
Category, Young Adult|
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Anna and the Duke by Kathryn Smith, *****
Ewan MacLaughlin believed all his life that his father abandoned him and his mother and didn't care about him at all. Ewan is shocked when he discovers that his father has died and has left him quite a bit of money and the title of duke. He soon meets a young woman named Anna who shares his love for reading and is perfect for him in every way... except that she is engaged to his newly discovered half brother!
Anna and the Duke is another really good Avon True Romance. The main characters are likeable and very well suited to each other. The plot is fun as well and the end will have you biting your nails in suspense. I liked how this book was written. The whole thing reminded me of Jane Austen only lighter. Anna's mother especially reminded of Mrs. Bennet from Pride and Prejudice. I look forward to reading Kathryn Smith's other Avon True Romance, Emily and the Scot.
Category, Young Adult|
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Protector of the Small: Page by Tamora Pierce, *****
Kelandry of Mindelan passed her first year of knight training and was allowed to stay and finish her training. The second book in the Protector of the Small series covers Kel's three remaining years as a page in the school. Just because Kel was allowed to stay doesn't mean things get any easier for her. Old enemies and budding womanhood are among Kel's biggest problems and her school work never lets up. Old friends and new make Kel's school experience bearable and she even develops her first crush.
I enjoyed this book even more than the first one. Kel is still a wonderful main character and her friends grew even more likeable. I also liked how Kel's quick thinking on the battle field made more people respect her. Even though this book covers more time than the first it didn't feel rushed at all. It's all pretty much more of the same so if you liked the first book you'll like this one as well.
Category, Young Adult|
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March 28, 2003
Gwyneth and the Thief by Margaret Moore, *****
Lady Gwyneth's father is ill and she is left in charge of their estate but a neighboring Baron plots to take her estate from her and marry her as well. Gwyneth has no army to fend off an invasion but she comes across a young thief who she blackmails into training the townsmen to become soldiers. Will Gwyneth and the thief be able to get along for long enough to prevent the Baron from taking away everything she holds dear?
Gwyneth and the Thief is the best Avon True Romance I've read so far. The plot is exciting and the pacing of it is perfect. The two main characters are full of personality and are the type you really root for. I really liked many of the secondary characters as well. The ending was happy but managed to keep form being too unrealistic. I hope there are more books in the series as likeable as this one.
Category, Young Adult|
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Protector of the Small: First Test by Tamora Pierce, *****
Kelandry of Mindelan wants to be a knight so she decides to sign up for training. She is the first girl in 10 years to do this and, despite the decree that all girls may train for the knighthood, they don't treat her application as they do the boys. She is put on probation and has one year to prove that she is able to keep up with her fellow students.
Tamora Pierce's writing is given glowing recommendations every time I read something about her so I decided to give it a try and Protector of the Small: First Test did not disappoint me. I liked the school setting of the book and some of the secondary characters were interesting as well. The best part of the book is Kelandry. Her character is more reserved and realistic than most feminist fantasy heroines which was very refreshing. However, she's no pushover and should satisfy fans of kick butt heroines. Based on this book, I'll probably be reading anything by Tamora Pierce I can get my hands on.
Category, Young Adult|
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March 24, 2003
The Forbidden Game, Volume 1: The Hunter by L. J. Smith, *****
Jenny Thorton wanted to find the perfect entertainment for her boyfriend's birthday party. She stumbles upon a strange game store and the even stranger boy who works there sells her a mysterious game. Jenny is apprehensive about the game but it turns out to be a big hit with her friends until they are sucked into the game and forced to live out their worst nightmares.
The Hunter is a fast paced blend of horror, action, mystery, and romance. It's different from any other teen horror I've ever read and I was so hooked on it that I read it in one sitting. I enjoyed many of the characters, especially Julian who is the villain of the book. The end is great and leaves you wanting more. If you are even remotely interested in teen horror then you should seriously consider reading this book.
Category, Young Adult|
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Tess and the Highlander by May McGoldrick, **
Tess Lindsay is content to be the sole occupant of a remote island but when Colin Macpherson washes ashore her life of solitude gets shaken up. Tess had always been told to fear strange men but she reluctantly strikes up a friendship with Colin. Soon Tess discovers that she has a family she had forgotten about but will she have the courage to leave the island and start a new life?
The beginning of this book is very amusing and the end is decent too but the middle is a big problem. The plot loses much of it's believability mostly due to the poor characterization. All of the new characters that are introduced are one sided and their behavior lacks reason. Even Tess and Colin's development is side tracked in much the same way and their relationship seems awkward and forced. The writing does improve towards the end but it's not enough to save the book. Unless you have your heart set on reading all of the books in the series, skip this one.
Category, Young Adult|
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March 21, 2003
Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast by Robin McKinley, *****
This book is a charming little retelling of the Beauty and the Beast fairy tale. It has pretty much the same plot that we are familiar with, which is probably because Disney lifted much of Belle's character from the ?Beauty' in this book. Beauty (which is just a nickname, her real name is Honour), her two elder sisters, and her Father are forced to move to a small town after the Father's shipping business goes under. After the family adjusts to poor country living they run into a problem. The father wanders into the Beast's castle and steals a rose to bring home to Beauty. This angers the Beast and he tells the father that he must send one of his daughters to live with the Beast or the Beast will kill him. When the Father returns home and tell his tale to his daughters Beauty knows that she must be the one to go. Beauty then goes to the Beast's castle and gets to know him and eventually love him.
This thing that makes this book truly special is the character Beauty. Her bookish and tomboyish ways make her endearing. The book is intended for 9-12 year Olds but don't let that stop you from reading it. It is easily enjoyed by fairy tale loving adults. Also, the amazon.com page for this book has Robin McKinley listed as the illustrator, which makes absolutely no sense especially since the book isn't even illustrated. Anyway, If you are looking for an excellent fairy tale retelling or just a book to read to your kids then this book is a terrific pick.
Category, Young Adult|
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March 20, 2003
The Reptile Room (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Book 2) by Lemony Snicket, ****
In the second book of the series, the Baudelaire children find themselves in the care of another distant relative. Their luck seems to improve because their new guardian, Montgomery Montgomery, is quite fond of the kids and even lets them help him with his snakes. Things take a turn for the worse when Count Olaf shows up in the guise of Uncle Monty's assistant and he only has one goal in mind, to get his paws on the Baudelaire fortune... at any cost.
This book doesn't really have anything new to add to the series and the plot of the first one was much more interesting. However, Lemony Snicket's brilliant way with words kept me laughing and Mr. Poe's idiocy kept me frustrated through out the book. Even though this book doesn't have much to it, it's still an enjoyable read and I look forward to reading the next in the series.
Category, Young Adult|
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March 19, 2003
Beast by Donna Jo Napoli, *****
Pretty neat book. Beauty and the Beast from the Beast's point of view. Most of the book focuses on what happens to the Beast before he finds the enchanted castle and meets Belle. Another interesting twist to this version is that the Beast is transformed into a lion instead of a man-beast creature. The Beast's dual nature is still there in that he thinks like a man but has the instincts of a lion. He even attempts to live as a lion but when that fails he realizes he must try to lift his curse. This is where Belle finally comes in. I really like Belle in this book. She's a lot more strong willed than the other Beauties I've read about. Beauty and the Beast's relationship develops in an fascinating way because the Beast can't talk. I also love the cute little fox they keep as a pet. If you are looking for a pure romance book this one will probably be a let down. Otherwise, pick it up!
Category, Young Adult|
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March 17, 2003
Catherine and the Pirate by Karen Hawkins, ****
Catherine Markham has been very lonely since her brother, Royce, died at sea. Things start to look up when she finds a ransom note saying that her brother is alive. However, she only has to weeks to deliver the ransom and her Uncle Elliot refuses to pay. Catherine decides to take matters into her own hands with the help of her dog and her brother's friend, an ex-pirate named Derrick.
The romance in this book wasn't overly interesting but the fast paced, action filled plot makes up for that. There's plenty of robberies, kidnaping, and sea battles to satisfy thrill seekers. The characters are pretty likeable and even some of the secondary characters will catch your attention. All in all, Catherine and the Pirate is a fairly decent teen romance and it's worth a look if you are a fan of that genre.
Category, Young Adult|
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March 14, 2003
The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley, *****
Aerin is the only child of the King of Damar but she is not in line to succeed him. Her mother was a foreigner and rumored to have been a witch and the country also fears Aerin may take after her. So, Aerin grows up not really having a place in the kingdom she loves but wanting to find a way to serve it. She knows that a life as a court lady isn't for her and she soon becomes interested in dragon slaying. She begins slaying small dragons but she soon discovers that an ancient giant dragon has awoken.
Although, I didn't really like this book as much as the other McKinley books I've read it's still a darn good book. Aerin is a heroin that you can get really attached to. The action in the book is terrific and action scenes usually bore me to tears. The romance scenes, though brief, are very touching. The reason I feel that this book doesn't quite measure up to McKinley's others is that the last third of the book is far too rushed. Aerin's strongest enemy seems to just come out of nowhere and the battle that results isn't nearly as interesting as the earlier battles. Also, it was not really explained in enough detail why the crown was so important. Another large problem was that Aerin's horse (not that I don't love that horse) was given more personality then either of her love interests. However, I still feel that the book deserves five stars because of the strength of it's heroine. Aerin really is one of the most endearing fantasy heroines I've ever come across.
Category, Young Adult|
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The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Book 1) by Lemony Snicket, ****
The Baudelaire kids are suddenly orphaned when their parents are killed in a fire. The kids must be sent to live with a relative and the vile Count Olaf seems to be the most handy one. But the Count hardly has the kids' best interests in mind and he cooks up a terrible scheme to get his hands on the kids' inheritance.
This is a pretty enjoyable book. With every horrible event that happened to the kids I found myself wondering how far the author would go. The kids themselves had cute little personalities and it was great to see them find ingenious ways to overcome their problems. I plan on reading the rest of the series if I can get them from the library. Ten bucks is a bit expensive for a book I can read in about an hour. Parents may want to consider buying them because kids will most likely want to read them many times.
Category, Young Adult|
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March 13, 2003
Victoria and the Rogue by Meg Cabot, ****
Victoria Arbuthnot is shipped off to England to find a husband but she finds herself engaged to the charming and handsome Hugo Rothschild before she even gets off the boat. Her life seems perfect but she can't get the ship's captain, Jacob Carstairs, out of her head. Sure, Jacob is handsome and rich but he also teases Victoria relentlessly. Jacob also seems to distrust Victoria's new fianc鮠So, which of these men is Victoria's true love and which is just a rogue?
I don't usually read romance books but since I enjoy teen novels I thought I'd give this one a try. Victoria and the Rogue isn't the most thought provoking book I've ever read but it was a more than adequate fun weekend read. Victoria is a bit judgmental but she means well so she not entirely unlikeable. Jacob was also pretty amusing. The ending vas very predictable but that didn't hinder my enjoyment of the book. I'll probably be reading more books from the Avon True Romance series.
Category, Young Adult|
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The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley, *****
Harry is a young girl who is sent of to live in the country of Damar. However, she does not stay in her new home for long. When Corlath, the king of Damar, sees Harry he is compiled to Kidnap her and turn her into a warrior. Harry soon begins to feel as if she belongs in her new life and she accepts her destiny to protect Damar.
The Blue Sword is the sequel to The Hero and the Crown and I much preferred this book to it's prequel. Harry, like many of McKinley's heroines, is very likeable and Corlath is given much more development than McKinley's usual leading men. I really enjoyed the beginning of the book. Harry's adjustment to her new surroundings and her getting to know her kidnappers was very interesting. The book drags a bit in the middle but it quickly picks up the pace again and the end is satisfying. I don't really like McKinley's Damar series as much as some of her fairytale books but The Blue Sword is a great addition to any fantasy/romance fan's library.
Category, Young Adult|
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Sabriel by Garth Nix, ****
Sabriel is the daughter of Abhorsen, a famous necromancer, but her father goes missing and the only place she can find him is in the Old Kingdom. The Old Kingdom is not a friendly place however, the dead roam free and magic is the only way to survive. But how is a girl who just finished school suppose to track down her father in such a place? Even with the help of Mogget, a cat who is more then he appears, and Touchstone, a freshly revived swordsman and mage, the rescue mission still won't be smooth sailing. Something dead and powerful is after Sabriel and she must become an even greater necromancer than her father if she hopes to survive.
I adored the setting and magic system. The necromancy aspect in this book is the most interesting I've ever read about. The engrossing, fast paced plot makes this book a real page turner. This could have easily been a five star book if the characters had been more interesting. There was very little character development and what little there was came across as cold. Still, I probably will read some other books in this series, if only for the rich world that Garth Nix has created.
Category, Young Adult|
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