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