Fiction Addict &#187; Young Adult

Reviewed by Shaun Stevenson

Travis Thrasher hit his stride when he began releasing The Solitary Tales a year ago. With both Solitary and Gravestone, Thrasher set up a complex and multi-layered world for Chris Buckley to enter and explore, while dealing with his own heartaches. So many mysteries surround the small town of Solitary, North Carolina, and many of them have yet to be solved in the first two books of the series.

So, keeping readers happy while waiting for the next installment in this astounding series, Thrasher has released this “b-sides,” Something I Can Never Have. If you have not read both Solitary and Gravestone, stop now and go back to read those first. I promise you won’t be disappointed. But for those who have finished those dark and creepy tales, read on.

Something I Can Never Have is a collection of letters written by Pastor Jeremiah Marsh, who is introduced in Solitary and continues to scare throughout Gravestone. Some dark mysteries circle around the pastor, and here, we have a glimpse into his life before coming to pastor the large church just outside the main town of Solitary. What follows is definitely a frightening collection, and truly begins to show Marsh’s slip toward madness and suddenly chilling recovery. There are definitely a few surprises lurking here, and while not solving the greater mysteries of Solitary, this short novella does give us a few bits of information about Pastor Marsh.

Since Jeremiah Marsh is penning the letters comprising each chapter, the writing style differs from the main books. It doesn’t come across as choppy, but instead flows in the unsettling manner you’d expect from Marsh. Parts of this one reminded me more of Thrasher’s Isolation, and the letters definitely dive into some deeper topics and very disturbing scenes.

In some ways, reading this short book was cruel: it truly reminded me why I loved The Solitary Tales, and it also reminded me of how much I couldn’t wait before Temptation, book number three, is released. It would be great if Thrasher released more “b-sides” – more short tales of various characters from the series. Fans will definitely eat it up. I know I did. And maybe, Pastor Marsh did too…

Book purchased by reviewer.

Jake Ransom and the Skull King’s Shadow by James Rollins

Shaun Stevenson — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 05:00:14 +0000

Genre: Children’s / Young Adult

Publisher: HarperCollins

Publication Date: February 2010

It all began with a package. A package sent by Jake Ransom’s dead parents. When Jake and his older sister Kady both took out the last thing their archaeologist parents had left them, they didn’t know what to do with it. And then — the letter comes. Inviting both of them to be at the unveiling of a new exhibit featuring the last artifacts dug up by the Ransoms. But when Jake and Kady arrive, something strange and powerful is about to happen. Soon, Jake is sucked into another world: a place filled with lost civilizations and ancient secrets. And a brewing threat: the evil Skull King is waiting for his chance to strike against the peaceful land. Jake knows he has come for a reason. But it can’t be to defeat the most powerful man alive… Can it?

The premise of Jake Ransom and the Skull King’s Shadow was exciting: an Indiana Jones style adventure filled with fantasy reminiscent of Brandon Mull’s Beyonders. And James Rollins definitely delivers an adventure sprawling over worlds and through many different mysteries. Even by the end of the book, some things are left untouched — sure to be answered in further installments. Jake battles his way from one danger to the next, and Rollins provides a rollicking good story to match.

Jake Ransom himself comes across as slightly bland. He’s a somewhat typical hero for a middle grade fantasy novel: kind of an outcast kid in school who has a love for archeology, and an insatiable curiosity. And his curiosity ends up getting him into the most trouble. His friends, Pindor and Marika, round out the principal cast and keep things fun and lively. But one place where Rollins truly shines is in the dark creations he has stuffed into this fantasy world. There are a few truly terrifying creatures he’s described here, and some he’s pulled from ancient mythologies. The only problem I had was with his main villain, who seemed to be a direct knock-off from Lloyd Alexander’s Horned King in The Book of Three.

The story takes a slowdown in the middle as Jake and his sister explore their new world and try to figure out exactly where they are and what has happened to them both. Rollins definitely takes his time building up this world and describes the scenery — sometimes to excess. But every few chapters, he drops a key plot twist that ends up keeping the reader wanting to find answers. It all climaxes with a huge battle and Rollins does a very decent job of giving the last section of the book a very epic feel. I kept thinking the scenes would play out in a great movie sequence.

Fans of books like J & P Voegel’s Middleworld or other archeology stories filled with puzzles to solve will have some fun with Jake Ransom and the Skull King’s Shadow. With the heavy fantasy element, Rollins has delivered a story with a lot of fun — and worth a rainy day to read.

Book purchased by reviewer.

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Shaun Stevenson — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 03:36:26 +0000

Genre: Young Adult

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Publication Date: August 2010

I knew going in that Mockingjay wasn’t necessarily a happy-go-lucky ending to an action-packed and highly controversial series about teenagers killing each other. The Hunger Games and Catching Fire were both equally bleak, and painted a world seemingly devoid of any sort of moral compass. Things ended badly in Catching Fire and with some major twists. And now, Katniss Everdeen returns to face her biggest challenges yet. The question remains: will the forces against a young girl from District 12 make her stronger? Or will they break her completely?

Suzanne Collins picks Mockingjay up right where Catching Fire left off – with Katniss flying in a hovercraft to the mysterious District 13 – a place where a revolt against the evil Capitol has been brewing for some time now. The new society is stark and organized, and offers much more to people like Katniss and her family, but the question keeps egging at the back of her mind: where exactly is her freedom? Sure, she has food to eat now. She has quarters assigned to her family in a hospital-like environment. But still there are those in authority even in 13 that would control her. That would seek to use her. And now she has to decide which path she will take: Revolt against everything, or join a revolution that merely views her as a pawn? With her friend Peeta captured in the Capitol, and a war looming on the horizon, death is only right around the next corner.

I will say this up front: I highly dislike Collins’ first chapters. They seem to take too much time setting things back up and often seem highly over-written. But once this book takes off in the second and third chapters, things just don’t let up. Katniss is faced with one terrifying decision after the next, and as every bulwark in her life is torn down, she has to learn to rely on herself to make it. Her character evolution is very interesting. In The Hunger Games, she begins as an idealistic and brave girl who will save her sister’s life. As she grows in Catching Fire, she begins to seek independence, but comes to see everything requires dependence – her dependence on others, on the Capitol, on the hope of a resistance, on Peeta. On Gale. But in Mockingjay, those things are slowly stripped away, until all she has left is herself. With Peeta captured and Gale caught up in the resistance, Katniss doesn’t know where her place is. And this book is her struggle to find that place.

Collins, as always, shines in the action. I couldn’t help turning pages faster and faster as Katniss and Gale enter wartime situations to battle the Capitol. The writing was charged with excitement, and with some of the plot twists right up to the very last few chapters, it really did leave me breathless. Panic overcame me many times as I wondered: Who is going to possibly survive any of this? I began to dread the ending, wondering if Collins would finish painting her depiction of society in a bleak way or not. While I refuse to spoil the end, I will say that I was satisfied with it. Collins does wrap things up in a beautiful way, the perfect ending that she could have chosen for such a trilogy.

Readers who enjoyed the actual Hunger Games in both books one and two, will probably come to Mockingjay expecting more of the same. What is here is very different. The whole series had to change positions and switch over to this sort of a finale. Collins has been building her viewpoints on what war and an oppressed society does. In so many ways, the Capitol reflects Western Civilization – a place that has everything and wastes everything, while the Districts mirrors places the West relies on for food and exports. It’s a fascinating look at the way societies interact and work with each other, and it definitely is sobering to the reader to consider the possibilities of such a society in the real world.

Dystopian fiction can’t find a better series than The Hunger Games. It truly is an epic trilogy that will be around for ages to come. And while Mockingjay slips a little with momentum, the end of Katniss Everdeen’s story is one that must be read. For when the end comes, then a new beginning can truly start to grow.

Book purchased by reviewer.

DragonFire by Donita K. Paul

Josh Olds — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 05:00:08 +0000

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Publisher: Brilliance Audio, unabridged CDs
Publication Date: June 21, 2011/CD July 17, 2007/paperback
Reviewed by P.J. Coldren

In this continuation of the Dragon Keepers series, Kale has grown up some and is now married to Bardon. They have been blissfully ignoring the world around them for a while as they celebrate their marriage and get to know each other better. It has been a wonderful time for them and now they have to come back into their real world, which isn’t going as well as they’d like.

Amara is threatened by an evil couple, married to each other and not the happiest couple to come down the pike. Paladin is very ill, perhaps dying. Amara, as many countries have done in bad times, hopes that if they ignore the evil threatening them, it will just go away all by itself. Paladin gives Kale and Bardon their missions. Already Kale is upset; she doesn’t want to be separated from Bardon. Their connection is deep, and she is afraid that being apart will change that. She is also unhappy about having to work with her father, a man she barely knows and is not at all sure she trusts completely.

Bardon has his mission, too. He is also working with people he doesn’t know well, and misses his wife. He’s not sure her father knows how to handle her, and Bardon thinks he has a lock on that skill. He does trust Paladin, however, and is sure that good will triumph. At least he really hopes so.

Paul has, as in previous books, a definite message to send. Those looking for Christian concepts won’t have to look very hard to find them. Paul has the grace not to beat the reader over the head, always a pleasant surprise. Grafton does an excellent job reading this story, as she did with the previous book I listened to on CD.

Caveat Emptor: Obviously fantasy, but nothing else.

Review copy purchased by reviewer.

A Beautiful Friendship by David Weber

Josh Olds — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 05:00:07 +0000

Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction
Publisher: Baen Books
Publication Date: October 2011
Reviewed by P.J. Coldren

Stephanie Harrington is a very bright eleven-year-old, an only child. She and her parents are recent (as these things go) settlers on Planet Sphinx in the Manticore Binary Star System. Her parents are scientists and allow her considerable freedom, but not nearly as much as she’d like. Something to do with hexapumas and peak bears. She’s tired of being indoors, or of having to deal with months and months and months of snow. She just wants to have a little freedom.

Her parents suggest, in an off-hand kind of way, that she try to find out what has been sneaking into the greenhouse and stealing all the celery. Celery, of all things! Still, it’s something to do, and Stephanie is convinced that she’s seen the creature – and it’s not something she’s seen before. She’s right. It is, at least in human terms, a treecat. A sentient being. The first anyone on Sphinx has encountered; the first anyone on any settled planet has encountered. This presents Stephanie and her family, as well as the treecats, with a great many problems.

David Weber, if his list of prior publications has any bearing on it, has been writing for a while. It shows. His ability to build a character is quite good. The setting is given to the reader a little at a time, so that by the end of A Beautiful Friendship readers have a good idea of what makes up Sphinx. The story is believable, as is the plot. Involved parents can find many sources for discussion. Peer pressure? Got it. Gifted children dealing with a world not always accepting of their gifts? Got it. The ramifications of xenophobia? Got it. Negative and positive ways to deal with new things? So got it. The possibility of more books to come? One can only hope.

Caveat Emptor: Some violence, mostly off-screen (as it were)

Review Copy provided by The Amazon Vine program

The Dig: Zoe and Zeus by Audrey Hart

Shaun Stevenson — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 05:00:07 +0000

Genre: Young Adult / Fantasy

Publisher: Backlit Fiction

Publication Date: November 2011

Reviewed by Shaun Stevenson

Zoe Calder just wants to survive high school. To make it past the snobby girls who constantly laugh behind her back, or perhaps to find at least one guy worth dating. But so far, it’s been rough going, and she’s just looking forward to the end of her junior year. Because then she’ll join her aunt and uncle in Greece on an archaeological dig. But there is something much more dangerous waiting for Zoe than a few petty high school jerks. Destiny is calling, and it has terrible things in store for her. When Zoe is sent back in time to ancient Greece, she discovers the Greek gods are real. And some of them are just as petty as high schoolers. The only problem is, when a powerful Greek goddess is bent on Zoe’s destruction, the only thing to hope for is a quick and painless death.

Audrey Hart’s The Dig: Zoe and Zeus is the first installment in a three part series, and it definitely starts off perfectly. Hart brings us the most original and probably most fun look at Greek mythology in a long time. I would say her interpretation of the Greek gods and goddesses is better even than Rick Riordan’s take in the Percy Jackson books. She takes the whole cast of them, Zeus, Athena, Hera, and nine others, and turns them into teenagers with emotions, fears, and hormones.

The story is told from Zoe’s perspective, and she has become one of my favorite female characters in a fantasy novel. She’s funny and highly relatable – someone who’s always on the fringes of the group and an underdog. But then she finds herself on a crazy journey back in time. At first she only wants to get home, but later begins to appreciate the adventure she’s on. Most characters put in similar situations only whine about wanting to get home, but Zoe is tough and wants to try and figure things out. It’s a lot of fun to root for her as she battles monsters, outwits crazed goddesses and begins to fall in love.

The chapters are short and quick, and the whole book is pretty easily read. Hart keeps things light, but doesn’t shy away from some darker moments that really shine. Hart has a wonderful grasp of Greek mythology, and uses and twists it in good ways to suit the story. Frequently, she introduces things like the Minotaur, or nymphs, or other creatures, and they play their parts in the story in a natural way. It never felt like a Percy Jackson adventure with random encounters with vicious monsters. Each encounter plays a part to unfold the plot.

Some of the best moments are Zoe explaining life to the reader. Often, she’ll use her time at boarding school as ways to explain what’s happening to her. Some were downright funny, and others were sobering. The story ends up being a blend of fantasy adventure with touches of teenage drama. The mix is good, and the drama never overloads the story or becomes obnoxious.

Readers who enjoy a good Greek mythology story will definitely have some of the best fun they’ve had on Mount Olympus with The Dig: Zoe and Zeus. Others who enjoy coming-of-age tales will have something to like as well. Overall, I can’t imagine Hart giving us a better first entry. And that said, be warned: the ending escalates and leaves the reader waiting for the next installment. It can’t come too soon.

Review copy provided by publisher.

The School For Dangerous Girls by Eliot Schrefer

Shaun Stevenson — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 05:00:06 +0000

Genre: Young Adult

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Publication Date: January 2009

Angela Cardenas is one of the worst. She’s been kicked out of school after school and gotten into more trouble than she’s worth. At least that’s how her parents think of her. So with nothing else to do, they decide to send Angela to Hidden Oak, a school tucked away in the snowy Colorado mountains. The staff is ready to be tough and make Angela into a model citizen. No matter what it takes. Only as Angela goes from her classes to strange group therapy to breeding, she’s beginning to wonder if it’s not the students who are dangerous, but the staff. Something is going on at Hidden Oak, and now, with the few friends she can find, Angela vows to find out what is going on behind all the closed doors. The only thing is, how long will she be able to survive? Because the closer she noses to the truth, the closer she is to being hidden away. Forever.

Eliot Schrefer has put together a highly intriguing novel in The School For Dangerous Girls. All the students at the school have either been in trouble with the law, or just never rose to their parents expectations, or have some inner demon chasing them down. And so they have been sent to Hidden Oak in a last ditch effort to rehabilitate them. The mystery begins from the first pages, as Angela arrives in Colorado. Things don’t seem to go well for her as she tries to rebel against the set-up authorities in her new life. It’s apparent something very dangerous is happening throughout the school: like what happened to all the abandoned buildings? Where are people disappearing to? What is this school really all about? And who is the mysterious headmistress no one ever sees?

Questions swirl around throughout the book, and just as some things are solved, others are introduced, creating new levels of paranoia for the main characters. Angela leads off the cast as the questioning rebel, who just wants to figure out what is really going on. She really drives the novel, and everything centers around her. She’s brazen, but funny, and definitely fits the mold of dangerous. A lot of her actions near the beginning of the book go beyond simple angry rebellion. But she grows, and doesn’t even realize as she begins to turn her life around and use her bravery for something other than sticking it to the authorities. Some typical characters bleed into the novel, with wallflower Carmen and leader-punk Juin, but they revolve around Angela so well it ends up working.

There isn’t necessarily a lot of action in the plot. The story weaves in and out and sets up more scenes where the reader is wondering if the girls will get caught or escape. There is some gang-type violence near the end of the book, and some of the violent moments are somewhat gory. But it fits the tone and the atmosphere as Schrefer approaches some very dark subject matter. This is definitely a YA book with some language littered throughout, and heavy themes of abuse in various forms come up often.

Fans of mystery novels with an edgy twist will definitely enjoy The School For Dangerous Girls. It kept me up, wondering exactly what would happen next, and even delivered a couple of pretty frightening revelation moments. Near the end, things go a little sideways, but Schrefer manages to bring it back around. Almost a grittier Tower Prep, this book is one you’ll want to finish for that book report. Because you never know what your teacher might do if you don’t…

Review copy provided by Amazon Vine Program.

Tomorrow Girls: Behind The Gates by Eva Gray

Shaun Stevenson — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 05:00:56 +0000

Genre: Young Adult / Children’s

Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks

Publication Date: May 2011

The War is all any adult will talk about. How the War has changed everything: ID bracelets must be worn by everyone. No longer do miles of shopping centers line the highways busy with traffic. Places once thought safe aren’t anymore. And now Louisa’s parents feel they have one choice left: Send their daughter to Country Manor School — where she will be safe. At first, Louisa loves the new school – she even manages to set aside her new friend Evelyn’s crazy conspiracy theories about the place. But then, strange things are happening. And now, Louisa begins to wonder… if Country Manor is so good… can it really be true? But no matter what question she asks, all she hears is: “It’s for your safety.” Soon Louisa’s only question becomes: exactly how safe is she?

Behind The Gates, book one in Eva Gray’s new series, Tomorrow Girls, opens things out slowly. Most of the novel read like a contemporary high-school type drama. There’s the preppy girls looking down on everyone else, there’s the more nerdy types, and there are those just trying to blend in with the wallpaper. What really changes things up is the underlying intrigue Gray lays down. Throughout the book, it appears something strange is going on as Louisa and her friends go through classes, some normal, and others teaching the girls basic survival skills. And while Louisa doesn’t buy into all these conspiracy theories about the school’s sinister motives, there’s enough to keep the reader wondering.

Louisa is a fairly typical character: she has fears, questions, and worries just like anybody else. What does make her interesting though is how Louisa isn’t the girl worrying about the school. She’s just trying to forget the terrible things happening in the world while trying to stay afloat with classes and friends and popularity. Most books like this would have been written from the paranoid character’s perspective, making this one a bit refreshing.

The story moves along swiftly, and by the end, there are a few good plot twists that leave the series wide open for book two to pick things up. Gray has definitely created a fascinating future world where resources are scarce, and people can’t really be trusted. More secrets will be unveiled as time unravels in the series.

Behind The Gates is a quick read perfect for fans of shows like Cartoon Network’s Tower Prep or books about boarding schools. This story ends up as an interesting take on the dystopian fad running strong in YA literature. And it’s definitely a worthy addition.

Review copy provided by the publisher.

Adventurers Wanted: Slathbog’s Gold by Mark Forman

Shaun Stevenson — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 05:00:08 +0000

Genre: Young Adult / Children’s

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

Publication Date: February 2009

Reviewed by Elizabeth Olmedo

Alex Taylor didn’t think much of the strange looking bookshop. But then there was the blinking sign. The wooden, hand-painted blinking sign. The sign that kept telling him to come inside. As soon as Alex walks through the door, his life changes forever. Questions he’s always had will be answered: who is he? Why does the “real” world feel so strange? Who are his parents? Alex discovers another world: a place where he can travel with elves and dwarfs, and face countless danger and adventure. And now Alex has his first quest: Find an evil dragon’s lair and rescue the hoard of gold. The only problem is: no one has ever come back alive from a quest to the dragon’s rotting domain. On all accounts, this adventure is a not much more than a death sentence.

Mark Forman’s debut book, Adventurers Wanted: Slathbog’s Gold, is a pretty fun, adventure story, with some heavy borrows from The Hobbit and RPG-esque ideas. The story world is firmly rooted in high fantasy with trolls, goblins, wizards, dwarfs, elves, and quests. I wondered about this book for a while: would I be inwardly groaning over the obvious similarities to other fantasy titles of the past? Or would Forman manage to pull his own weight and give us something fun and exciting to follow? As I read, many of the plot devices and elements reminded me heavily of The Hobbit, but the writing drew me in. Forman keeps things moving along at a steady pace, and there are mysteries and questions to be answered unique to the world he’s created.

Alex is a fairly typical and straightforward character – he doesn’t know who his parents are, or who he really is. And as he begins to discover the secrets surrounding his life, he humbly embraces them. This aspect of Alex’s character won me over. A lot of characters traveling from the “real world” to a fantasy world end up whining their entire way through their journeys. Those characters question things in a very grating way and just want to get home. Alex, however, is different. He starts out wondering what is happening around him, but not in a whiny-sort of way. And slowly we can see his wide-eyed wonder at the magical world he’s stumbled into.

Forman doesn’t drag us into long and drawn-out descriptions either, which was definitely a plus. It didn’t take long to get to the action or the mystery. And by the novel’s end, he delivers a couple of interesting twists that made me excited for the second book. There’s also the interesting dose of RPG elements into the book from the use of inventory-holding magic bags to the dividing of gold based on a character’s adventurer level.

All this said, the book did feel like a more modern-day telling of The Hobbit, and die-hard fans of Tolkien will definitely turn up their noses here. Being a fan of The Hobbit myself, I wondered if by the end I was going to be annoyed or not, but I was surprised to have really enjoyed the book as a fun epic fantasy that didn’t feel dragged through the mud in description or utter clichés.

Fans of Brandon Mull’s Beyonders series would do well to pick up Slathbog’s Gold and check it out in between books. Light-hearted readers of fantasy will definitely enjoy this adventurous romp through magical worlds and into the very mouth of danger.

Book purchased by reviewer.

Touch (Book 1 in the Denazen Series) by Jus Accardo

Elizabeth Olmedo — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 05:00:18 +0000

Genre: Young Adult

Publisher: Entangled

Publication Date: November 2011

Adrenaline junkie, Deznee Cross has one goal in life, to make her father as angry as possible. So when she stumbles across a boy near the river embankment, she takes him home. However, Kale isn’t a normal teenager. The simplest things fascinate him and he avoids contact acting like his touch is lethal. When her father returns home pointing a gun in their direction, Deznee realizes that there is more to this strange boy and to her “lawyer” father than she ever imagined.

Now on the run with Kale, Deznee’s life goes from worrying about where she’ll find her next adrenaline high or wild party to how she can stay alive. In the process, her strength and courage will be tested as her life is turned upside down and everything Deznee thought she knew will be taken from her.

X-Men meets Twilight (minus the vampires and werewolves!) in Jus Accardo’s debut novel, “Touch,” the first book in the Denazen Series. Deznee is the typical ignored daughter acting up to get daddy’s attention. Kale is the tortured, naïve boy that gives her a new outlook on life.

“Touch” is a fast-paced thriller that keeps the adrenaline pumping and the pages turning. This is a book that will appeal to readers who enjoy stories with mutants and villains. That being said, while it is clearly written for a younger audience, mature content keeps me from recommending this book especially to those on the lower end of the young adult spectrum. Readers should be aware of some vulgar language, underage drinking, and sex before picking up this novel. Though all of them may be part of many teenagers’ daily lives, I cannot, with a clear conscious, recommend a book that contains these to a young audience. They were not necessary for the plot and the lack of vulgar language, drinking, and sex would have made the novel both YA adult friendly and more about romance than lust.

First Day On Earth by Cecil Castellucci

Shaun Stevenson — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 05:00:51 +0000

Genre: Young Adult

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Publication Date: November 2011

Malcolm is a loser. At least according to all the others: the jocks, the cheerleaders, the perfect people who surround him every day. He’s gliding through life, just trying to make it through. The past haunts him in many ways, and until now he’s never shared the truth with another living soul. For three days, Malcolm disappeared completely. Most people think he just lost it and wandered into the middle of the desert on purpose. But Malcolm knows: he was left there. After being taken by aliens. He never thought anyone would believe him: until he met Hooper, a strange man with strange secrets. Soon, Malcolm and the only people he would ever call friends, head out deep into the desert to discover the truth about Malcolm and Hooper.

Cecil Castellucci has crafted a very intriguing, yet strange, coming-of-age novel in First Day On Earth. Parts of the writing reminded me of Travis Thrasher’s The Solitary Tales – with sudden and deep introspection, coupled with strange events that at first seem to have no meaning. But Castellucci weaves everything together deftly, and by the end of this short novel, Malcolm discovers himself and the truth about who he is.

This isn’t a mystery or a thriller. And most action is relegated to flat tires and typical high school bullying. A definite sci-fi thread winds its way throughout, however. Some parts of Malcolm’s story are truly depressing, and at moments, I found myself really hurting for him. Other moments are so raw and honest, I put the book down just to sit and think about everything Castellucci had written. And the entire time, I kept wondering, was Malcolm really abducted by aliens? Or not? It drove me through the book – wondering if Malcolm was truly crazy. Or was he really the sane one?

The surrounding characters seem fairly typical at first: there’s the nerdy kid who just wants to fit in, brown-nosing to everyone. There’s the picture perfect girl who seems to have the perfect life, and then Malcolm: the loser kid who is just barely surviving day to day. But as the book moves along, Castellucci opens them all up and truly makes them complicated in a good way. Their stories became so interesting, I kept stopping to read parts aloud to people around me. And some of the book’s hardest moments come when Malcolm describes his relationship with his father: staring up at the stars together, memorizing constellations… and then the morning Malcolm heard the soft click of the door shutting, and the footsteps of his father leaving for good.

There is a fair bit of language and some eyebrow-raising content throughout, definitely putting this book on the edgy side of YA. Readers should be aware there are a couple of graphically-described physical traumas. But even through the heavy issues, Malcolm’s journey is truly one that ends with hope.

This is not a book I’d come back to again and again, but it is one that will weigh on me. Fans of coming-of-age novels will enjoy First Day On Earth. Castellucci has done a fine job here, relating raw emotions and the true pain of living in a world where you feel truly alone.

Review copy provided by publisher.

The Secret of Ka by Christopher Pike

Shaun Stevenson — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 05:00:44 +0000

Genre: Young Adult

Publisher: Harcourt Children’s Books

Publication Date: September 2010

Sara’s life seems anything but exciting: long, boring days sitting in a Turkish hotel waiting for her father to return from the hydroelectric plant. But then she discovers the carpet – a magical flying carpet. And everything changes for her and a Turkish friend, Amesh, when they board the carpet under the light of the stars. They sail out over the ocean and find themselves on the Island of the Djinn, who will grant wishes – for a price. And now they’re both in over their heads as their very souls are in danger. But then the real question looms: who will Sara be able to save? And at what price? Because in the end, she must learn to be very careful what she wishes for.

Best-selling author Christopher Pike dabbles into Middle Eastern mythology in The Secret of Ka. He carefully unfolds the story and the djinn legends as the book progresses, steadily gaining speed until the very last pages. It’s been quite a while since an author has truly surprised me, but Pike did so multiple times. At first things seem so simple and straightforward, and I believed I was settling into what might end up being a long, drawn-out book. But I was glad Pike proved me wrong. He strings the reader along with just enough mystery to keep us going. And the plot is fairly tight and interesting. Pike has said this is one book he didn’t really sit down and plan, but the little pieces come together near perfectly by the end – creating a tapestry almost as impelling as the flying Carpet of Ka.

There is a heavy romance throughout the book, and it drives much of the narrative along. Sara and Amesh’s relationship is highly strange – especially as the more fantasy-esque elements of the story emerge – and sometimes I didn’t always believe it. Near the end, they both make a few choices that left me baffled. I didn’t think the direction their romance headed in the end always felt right. And this was the one downfall of the book. If Pike had led the romance in a slightly different direction, I think it would have worked very well.

The beginning is firmly rooted in a very real, young adult world, with Sara first encountering Amesh. But things really pick up just a couple chapters in, and the payoff for what some might consider a slow start is worth it. Pike definitely aims at a slightly higher audience with some light language and a higher romantic tension throughout.

Not much more can be said about The Secret of Ka. To say more would ruin the surprises to come. And there are surprises. I love when a good book really picks me up and twists around near the end. And that’s exactly what Pike has accomplished here. I’m eager to try a few of his other novels now.

Readers who have grown past books like P.B. Kerr’s fantastic Children of the Lamp series would do well to find Pike’s The Secret of Ka. Wrapped up in this delightful book is a great blend of magic, mystery, and a dose of romance. The Secret of Ka leaves the reader wishing for their own flying carpet to float on under the stars.

Review copy provided by the Amazon Vine program.

Dark Eden by Patrick Carman

Shaun Stevenson — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 03:41:37 +0000

Genre: Young Adult

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Publication Date: November 2011

Reviewed by Shaun Stevenson

Deep in the middle of the forest, way beyond any normal highways, is a place called Fort Eden. It’s a place where those with deep fears – who have come to the very end of themselves and can’t live another day – can go to find peace. But only seven are allowed. And Will Besting has been chosen. His psychiatrist believes that if Will can just get through the treatment, he can be cured of the fears stopping him from living a normal, teenage life. But Will soon discovers that the treatments seem to be harming each of them. And then Will discovers a place where he can hide. But how long can he go before the caretakers of Fort Eden find him? And what dark secrets will he discover? His only hope is to escape before his turn to be “cured” can come.

Patrick Carman has really hit the sweet spot. Dark Eden is a top-notch under-the-skin sort of thriller. Carman isn’t a stranger to writing scary stories – his Skeleton Creek books, as well as 3:15 Season One: Things That Go Bump In The Night, show that Carman can crank out stuff that will make your skin crawl. But Dark Eden takes it to another level: a subtle, yet disturbing story about what truly makes us afraid.

Will Besting is a very interesting, underdog sort who has a deathly fear along with the other six teens sent to Fort Eden. Only he manages to escape from the Fort and is frantically trying to unravel the mystery of the place, along with dealing with the fear that keeps trying to eat him alive. Will’s odd conversations with others and himself really are unnerving and leave the reader in one sense deeply disturbed, and yet wanting Will to survive Fort Eden and figure it out.

The storyline is superb, and Carman takes us on his typical twisting ride, leaving the reader gasping near the end. He really manages to quietly weave the characters and plot together in a way that keeps us moving, and yet reflecting on the ideas of fear. A quiet sort of action persists throughout as Will continually tries to stay hidden and merely survive. The story moves pretty quickly, up to the final few moments. There are only a couple of minor, unanswered questions by the end, but nothing that will leave the reader hurting for the answers.

There is some violence and truly disturbing moments – one of them forcing me to put the book down because I knew I wouldn’t be able to sleep afterwards. The different fears of the teens are things that many people face in their lives, and it was a definite mystery to discover which teen feared what.

Along with the book, there’s a downloadable app that can take readers deeper into the story with videos, audio segments, and maps. The audio and video are typical of Carman’s high-quality videos done for Skeleton Creek or the Trackers series. Teens who are more reluctant readers will love this different way of interacting with the story.

Fans of more complicated psychological-type thrillers will love Dark Eden, and the strange, twisting route it takes to the very end. It’s the sort of book to read on a dark night, when fear is at its highest. Maybe you’ll beat Fort Eden and make it through to the morning… or maybe you won’t.

Review copy provided by the Amazon Vine Program.

3:15 Season One: Things That Go Bump In The Night by Patrick Carman

Shaun Stevenson — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 05:00:53 +0000

Genre: Young Adult

Publisher: Scholastic Inc.

Publication Date: September 2011

Scary stories can be a lot of fun – especially when they’re coming from the mind of Patrick Carman, author of the wildly popular Skeleton Creek books. And with 3:15 Season One, Carman delivers another spooky, multimedia piece of work that will leave readers gasping and pulling the covers up and over their heads.

Containing nine stand-alone stories and one tie-in to the Skeleton Creek books, Things That Go Bump in the Night boasts a good variety of scares. Each story begins with a passcode to enter on the 3:15 website, where readers can first hear an audio introduction to each story. The introductions are told by a man known as Paul Chandler, who has mysterious secrets of his own to hide away. After each intro, readers dive into the book to find out more of the story. And finally, as they finish reading, they log back onto the website and enter a second passcode that will unlock a video to finish the story.

The creepy introductions do well to set up the mood and perhaps a burning question, and then the written parts add to the general feel. But the scariest part of these stories is definitely the videos, which had me jumping multiple times and checking over my shoulder. I was wondering how the acting and production of each video would be, and I was pleasantly surprised. The actors and actresses do a good job portraying their characters, and even the small spattering of special effects are well done. A couple of times, it seemed like little details from the videos and the book didn’t always match up – such as a certain piece of clothing Carman described characters wearing. But otherwise, the videos fit very well with the format and leave things pretty chilling.

The ten stories are pretty varied, some taking place in the past such as “Buried Treasure” – the story of a boy living in the 1940′s, who ends up letting his greed get the better of him. Some of the stories were downright frightening, and ending up being my favorites, such as “The Lift” – a story about a teen who goes snowboarding and never comes back from the mountain. The atmosphere created in the audio introduction and throughout the written part definitely left me jumping out of my skin during the final moments of the video. Other tales don’t come off quite as well, and I found myself shrugging through them as just being slightly disturbing. One of the best payoffs and frights is in the final story “Night on the Dredge,” which is related to the Skeleton Creek books. The final film is very frightening, and had me reaching over to turn on the lights before I did anything else.

Carman’s writing is top notch as usual, and he uses the written parts of each story to set up fairly creepy tales. One of his best here is in the story “Heart of Stone,” in which Carman writes about a young girl who builds a strange obsession over checking to see if the gargoyle on her family’s high rise building is still there each night. The slow build up of the girl’s obsessive behavior added to the overall tone.

Fans of horror type-story collections such as Anthony Horowitz’s Bloody Horowitz or The Complete Horowitz Horror will have a lot of fun with these slightly lighter tales. The multimedia format works well to engage reluctant readers, who can work well with the video, audio and written parts of each story. Hopefully, 3:15 Season Two will be along shortly to give more scares and make all of us wonder just what those bumps in the night really are.

Review copy provided by the publisher.

Beyonders: A World Without Heroes by Brandon Mull

Shaun Stevenson — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 05:00:00 +0000

Genre: Children’s / Young Adult

Publisher: Aladdin

Publication Date: March 2011

I love discovering new authors. Ones who write well and keep me highly entertained are a huge plus. And Brandon Mull definitely delivers with his newest book, Beyonders: A World Without Heroes. There’s plenty of action. Plenty of humor. And some genuinely great villains and plot twists that make reading Mull’s work downright enjoyable.

Jason Walker thought life was pretty boring. Just going from school to home to baseball and back. But then he falls through a portal inside the mouth of a hippo and ends up in another world: Lyrian. It’s a place filled with danger and mysterious creatures – but that doesn’t even begin to describe Jason’s problems. When he accidentally stumbles onto the biggest secret in Lyrian, it’s up to him to band together with a handful of characters to stop the last and most evil wizard, Maldor, who rules over the land. And now Maldor is after Jason. But in order to defeat the Emperor, sacrifices must be made, friends might be lost, and everything Jason ever believed will be challenged until he can answer the question: will he choose to be a hero?

This was my first Mull book, and I must say I was very excited with it. A World Without Heroes sounded extremely interesting to me, and I’m glad I picked it up and started reading. The beginning does move a little more slowly than a typical middle-grade / YA novel might, but once this book gets rolling around chapter two, Mull gives us a ride that just does not stop. His action scenes run through very smoothly and Mull has dreamed up great solutions to get his characters out of danger’s way — at least for a little while. It was definitely hard to guess what might happen, and that made reading this first volume of the Beyonders series even better.

One of my favorite things about A World Without Heroes is just how dire and horrible things go for Jason and his friend Rachel, who face endless danger from nearly the beginning pages. And Mull has given us an utterly evil villain in Maldor, the Emperor of Lyrian – who always seems to be one step ahead, always anticipating their moves, always within killing reach through a spy or a loyal servant. I love when characters are constantly thrown into hopelessness and there really seems to be no way out. Mull delivers multiple dark moments, but saves the darkest for the end of the book putting an incredible twist onto the whole story. From giant crabs to devious puzzles and traps, Jason and Rachel must face it all. Mull manages to weave things together so well that small moments from early on become important later. There is a bit of gore splattered throughout, but nothing too outrageous or out of place.

Jason’s personal journey is interesting as well. His entire life has been utter boredom up until this point. And as he grows throughout the novel he has to choose: will he end up being a hero? Or will he succumb to the easier ways out? Soon he has to question what he really wants out of life: possible death at the hands of Maldor or living to see his family again. The side characters also make this novel downright fun: Ferrin — the loyal guide, Jasher — the noble warrior, Malar — the talking head, and many others. Mull uses these characters to bring in humor — and a lot of great plot twists.

Nothing is ever as it seems in the world of Lyrian – and nothing can surprise quite so much as Mull’s Beyonders. He stays away from many fantasy-novel cliches, or manages to twist them enough to make them his own. Fans of epic fantasy stories with humor, danger, and the unexpected will definitely enjoy A World Without Heroes.

Ashes by Estevan Vega

Josh Olds — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 05:00:56 +0000

Genre: Young Adult

Publisher: StoneGate Ink

Publication Date: September 2011

Reviewed by Josh Olds

Ancient mythologies spoke of a bird called the phoenix that, upon death, resurrected itself from the ashes of its former life. Emery Phoenix has been burned several times in her life—the scars on her face leave the physical scars but it’s the scars on her heart that brings her real pain. She thought healing might begin, ironically, when she met a boy named Arson, but that only caused her life to spiral to the point it’s at now.

Arson Gable always knew he was a special kid, a freak, an outcast who could create fire. Nobody truly understood him. Until Emery came along, that is. Together the two outcasts worked together to discover the meaning of their existence, to hope amidst the brokenness, and to find love amidst hate. But all that led them to a place of utter despair.

Estevan Vega begins Ashes where he left off in Arson. Arson and Emery have been abducted after Arson’s powers manifested itself on a major scale. Now they find themselves a part of an underground experimental facility, human lab rats on which power-hungry scientists can feast. As Vega’s tale twists and ties itself together, the reader learns the true purpose of the facility, all while learning more about the nature of Arson’s past.

Emery’s parents—their relationship broken and nearly destroyed before the abduction—struggle to pull things together and find hope in a doubly hopeless situation. Joel takes off on a whim to find his daughter. He’s not sure why, but something seems to be calling to him. Maybe he just wants to escape from the wife he neither likes nor loves.

Everything builds to a resounding crescendo as the full purpose of the underground facility known as the Sanctuary is made known. In the end, Vega leaves readers with a breathtaking ending that leaves reading hoping it’s only the beginning for more of the story. Like Arson, Ashes takes a little while to build the context of the story. So much new is thrown in that must be tied to book one, that—just like Arson and Emery—the reader is left with his head spinning, trying to figure out what’s going down. But once the story latches hold, it rockets toward a pulse-pounding finish, full of twists and turns and unexpected events.

Vega is setting himself up to be a vanguard in the realm of speculative fiction. His stories are bizarre, out of the box, and brilliant. Ashes is a strong testament to Vega’s ability as a Storyteller—he keeps getting better, which means I can’t wait to see what’s next.

Review copy provided by author.

Sketchy Behavior by Erynn Mangum

Shaun Stevenson — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 05:00:04 +0000

Genre: Young Adult

Publisher: Zondervan

Publication Date: August 2011

Erynn Mangum has been one of my favorite authors ever since a friend recommended Miss Match to me a couple years ago. Sketchy Behavior continues to deliver the quirky humor and drama of life while moving into some new territory.

Kate Carter loves art. Even though her dad wants to see her follow in the Carter family name and become some kind of engineer, that doesn’t set too well with Kate. But now she’s rethinking her passions. When a simple class assignment in sketching criminals leads to the arrest of a major serial killer, Kate doesn’t know what to do. News reporters cover her front lawn. The police applaud. The world seems grateful and relieved. But the killer wants revenge. And now he’s sending his friends after Kate. The question is: how long can Kate keep up her “I’m fine” excuse before everything crumbles? And how long will it take before the killer finds his next target: Kate Carter?

Sketchy Behavior aims to please a slightly different crowd than her previous two series did. Mangum leaves behind the twenty-something world of romance and life and enters a more suspense-driven young adult realm. Coming in less than 250 pages, this is definitely for a younger crowd, and older fans might not go for the more high-school-esque feel. The book is much more plot-driven than any of Mangum’s previous titles, and she pulls off the smattering of action scenes fairly well. There’s even a couple of interesting twists near the end that will leave readers flipping pages faster and faster to see what happens next. Romance doesn’t make it’s way into this novel, and fans of Cool Beans or Rematch might miss these elements.

Mangum’s strong suits are always in characters, and she definitely delivers here. Kate is fun to follow around, and just as spunky as Maya Davis or Lauren Holbrook. Some of my favorite moments take place in Kate’s first interactions with church — trying to understand the different quirks and nuances of the service. And as usual, I found myself laughing out loud at Kate and her antics. The surrounding cast is just as fun — from a psychiatrist mother to a logical and over-protective father — Mangum gives us plenty to laugh along with. Her villain is pretty terrifying, and definitely sounds like something stepping right out of the news and into Kate’s backyard.

This book felt like a step in a good direction, keeping a complicated and realistic main character, while giving us a little action and suspense. Teen fans of light-hearted suspense will enjoy this latest Mangum outing and be left hoping for more.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Dark of the Moon by Tracy Barrett

Jaci Miller — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 16:33:22 +0000

Genre: YA

Publisher: Harcourt

Publication Date: September 2011

Reviewed by Jaci Miller

The story of Theseus and the Minotaur has come down through the ages relatively untouched. Now, Dark of the Moon by Tracy Barrett turns this myth on its head by relating the tale as if it was actually lived by the humans of that time—the real story, if you will. Much like the film Ever After puts a realistic spin on the tale of Cinderella; Dark of the Moon does the same for this myth.

Ariadne embraces her destiny as future goddess of the moon, but she longs to learn more about the world outside her home of Krete. When a shipment of slaves arrives as a tribute fromAthens, she sneaks down to the ship to see what she can learn of other lands. Instead, she meets Theseus, the son of the king ofAthens, a young man destined to die at the hands of a monster beneath the palace. If he is to live he must kill the beast. In a twist, this monster, Asterion, is Ariadne’s brother and not a monster at all, but a freakishly strong, mentally childlike human—not a bull-human creature. Ariadne is caught in the middle of a budding friendship, her religious responsibilities and her brother.

At first glance, this book sounds intriguing and action-packed, but honestly, the story languishes a bit as it expounds on the religious underpinnings that inform Ariadne’s daily life. Dumps of information and complicated theology make this an unlikely read for adventure seekers as the book is less concerned with Theseus’s adventures and more with Ariadne’s internal struggles. Indeed, the book is a coming-of-age story with a young would-be goddess learning to find her place as goddess.

For readers who relish myth and retellings, Dark of the Moon provides an imaginative re-telling of what could have happened. The unusual shifting in points-of-view from past tense to present is a bit unsettling, but interested readers will surely overcome this. The pacing slows at points due to Ariadne’s explanations of her duties. But again, those fascinated by ancient religions will find those discussions enjoyable. Barrett has essentially crafted a new religion for her story and has done so thoroughly.

Review copy provided by publisher.

The 39 Clues: Cahills Vs. Vespers: The Medusa Plot by Gordon Korman

Shaun Stevenson — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 20:32:30 +0000

Genre: Children’s / Young Adult

Publisher: Scholastic

Publication Date: August 2011

The Cahills are back in the new 39 Clues series, Cahills vs. Vespers. And this time the stakes are higher than they’ve ever been before. The team of authors behind this ground-breaking, multi-media book series have really outdone themselves in kicking things off with The Medusa Plot. With six new cards, more hidden puzzles, and danger behind every turn, Gordon Korman brings us the latest, and perhaps best, entry yet.

Amy and Dan Cahill thought they could return to their normal lives after the massive globe-trotting clue hunt. And two quiet years have gone by. Years filled with training for Amy… and a sinking depression for Dan. Then the Vespers strike – kidnapping various members of the Cahill family. Every moment Dan and Amy waste could cost them one of their family members. The clue hunt never prepared them for this. Not even Grace Cahill – the family mastermind – prepared them. For the first time, they are truly alone. And unless they follow the Vespers’ instructions to the letter, people will die.

Nothing could have prepared me for The Medusa Plot. Each chapter and page held new secrets. New surprises. Korman is at the absolute top of his form, and this easily bests any of his previous entries in the series. In fact – this new set of books promises to be worlds better than the first eleven. After a couple books, it wasn’t too hard to guess what the 39 clues might be for. But this time around – things are much more mysterious. And the hidden codes in the book make things even more intriguing. As usual, pieces of history are intertwined with the plot, taking Amy and Dan on some wild excursions and into some very deadly places.

Korman has amped up the action – with some great sequences, and also some rather frightening ones as well. The tone of this new series is definitely a bit darker than before, with issues between Amy and Dan, as well as a few unnerving plot developments. While there’s no explicit gore, there are a few scenes that might make younger readers squirm.

Dan and Amy have changed too – and it’s interesting to watch their progression from their innocence in The Maze of Bones to now. Within the first few books, it seemed as though many of the characters were fairly one-dimensional. That problem has been fixed along the way, as the varying authors have fleshed out both heroes and villains – making for a very complex cast. And the Cahill siblings continue to grow throughout this volume. Amy and Dan are drifting apart, and Amy doesn’t know what to do about it. And with the added stress from the Vespers, they might tear completely apart.

Newcomers to The 39 Clues would do best to go back to where it all started: The Maze of Bones. While a very savvy reader might be able to dive in – a lot of the subtle hints and nuances of the series would be lost.

The Medusa Plot is definitely the best so far. Everything we’ve known about the Cahills has been shattered. The Vespers have struck. And now the clock is ticking…

Review copy provided by publisher.

The Black Heart Crypt by Chris Grabenstein

P.J. Coldren — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 20:23:04 +0000

Genre: YA, Mystery

Publisher: Random House

Publication Date: August 2011

Reviewed by P.J. Coldren

The Black Heart Crypt holds the bodies, and ghosts, of generations of Ickleby men – not a one of them a decent person. Virginia, Sophie, and Hannah Jennings have sealed the ghosts in the crypt; the only way they can get out is if someone undoes the black stone heart puzzle used to seal the spell. Zach Jennings is the nephew of the Jennings sisters; he can see ghosts, as could his father George before him, until the sisters helped George lose that particular gift. They are ready to help Zack, if he wants them to. Of course, the Ickleby’s may have something to say about all of this.

Zack’s friend Malik undoes the puzzle, thereby releasing the Ickleby’s. He does this not knowing what solving the puzzle will do, although he and Azalea, Zach’s other good friend, soon find out. Halloween is not a good time to be releasing ghosts; the veil between the natural world and the supernatural world is very thin at Halloween, and the Ickleby’s know this. They try their best to continue their evil ways, although the Jennings sisters are fighting them at every turn.

Grabenstein has written mysteries for adults as well as the Zach Jennings series. While his plots are pretty straightforward in the Zack books, his characters are just as well developed and subject to growth as those in his other series. The series gives young male readers something that isn’t all that different from the world they know, and still it challenges their imaginations and reasoning abilities. Readers can see, over the three books that Zach gets through things by thinking them through, by doing the right thing, and by enlisting help from his friends and family. Zach grows up a little bit in each book.

Caveat Emptor: Minimal language issues, minor violence, definite references and acceptance of the supernatural world.

Review copy provided by the author.

The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross

P.J. Coldren — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 04:39:43 +0000

Genre: Steam Punk, YA

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Publication Date: May 2011

Reviewed by P.J. Coldren

Finley Jayne knows she is different, but not how she got that way or what the extent of her differences might be. When she is in the grip of strong emotions, a dark side to her nature is released and she can do a lot of damage. Felix August-Rayne is the son of her employer, and he puts the moves on her with disastrous results for both of them. Maids are not supposed to argue with any member of their employer’s family and they are supposed to be chaste and pure. Felix relies on the first to ensure that the second is not possible. Either way, Finley knows she will be out of a job. And she is, but not until she beats the crap out of Felix.

As she flees the house in the middle of the night, she literally runs into Griffin, Duke of Greythorne, on his velocycle. Neither she nor the velocycle should have been able to move as fast as they both were which leads to a certain level of injury. Griff takes her back to Greythorne House and his own personal band of misfits. They are working on a series of unusual crimes, crimes in which robots have turned on humans and caused injury. Finley seems like she’ll fit right in, once she sorts out all the relationships and crosscurrents.

Cross held my interest from page one. Steampunk is a fairly new sub-genre in young adult fiction. It is to the Victorians/Industrial Revolution/Steam Age what the Society for Creative Anachronisms is to the Middle Ages/Medieval Era. There is a blend of alternate universe science fiction, bodice-rippers, conspiracy theory, and rip-roaring action in most steam punk novels that I’ve read and this is no exception. Finley Jayne grows to accept that her differences are not always a bad thing and that she must work to control her impulses. These are lessons common to everyone in the Greythorne household, and good lessons for young adults anywhere.

Warning: Minimal language issues, minor violence, vague references to sexual issues. This book is in no way connected to the Stieg Larsson series of similar titles.

Gravestone by Travis Thrasher

Lori Twichell — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 04:55:21 +0000

Genre: YA, Mystery, Suspense

Publisher: David C. Cook

Publication Date: June 2011

If you’re reading Gravestone, it’s likely that you will have read the book that comes before it, Solitary. If not, stop now, go the library or your closest store and get a copy. Gravestone is not the book with which you want to start. Now that said, there be spoilers for Solitary in this review, so if you haven’t read that one yet, you might want to wait on this review as well.

Now that all of the housekeeping is out of the way, let me start by saying this. Chris Buckley is in trouble. If he didn’t realize it before, he knows it now. Everyone in the town believes that his girlfriend, Jocelyn, broke up with him and moved away. They’ve even gotten emails to prove that she’s there and she wants nothing to do with him. But Chris knows different. Jocelyn was killed by a group of people right in front of his eyes. He watched her die. But no one believes him and now, he’s on their radar.

So as Chris tries to keep his head down at the same time that he tries to figure out how to get himself and his mother out of this mess. Oh and speaking of his mother, she’s in the mess too. She’s been having nightmares at night about a man coming into her room. Or are they nightmares? And what’s up with that creepy pastor of that weird church with the upside down crosses?? Why’s he suddenly hanging around so much?

As Travis Thrasher’s Solitary series presses on toward what we can only imagine is a cataclysmic battle of good and evil, this second installment to the series leaves no thrills or chills behind. Unfolding like an old fashioned Hitchcockian adventure, this book is guaranteed to leave you with goose bumps and perhaps, a desire to check all the cabinetry in your home to be sure it’s really what it’s supposed to be.

Containing a variety of pop culture references sure to make you laugh, cringe and more deeply enjoy the tale, one can’t help but compare Thrasher’s work to that of the culture bending phenomenon that was the television show, LOST. Leaving you with more questions than answers but promising (in the author’s notes at the end) that he really does know where he’s going and where this will end up, it’s hard not to see the parallels.

If you enjoyed LOST, you’ll enjoy Gravestone and all that is Travis Thrasher’s Solitary series. If you weren’t a fan of meandering through endless mazes of questions without answers, it might not be the ride for you. But still, packed full of endless plot twists, fascinating characters and engaging dialogue, it’s easy to see how this book will enthrall audiences and keep them coming back to see what Thrasher has to throw at them next.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Agatha H and the Airship City by Phil & Kaja Foglio

P.J. Coldren — Tue, 31 May 2011 18:36:43 +0000

Genre: Steam Punk, YA

Publisher: Night Shade Books and Brilliance Audio

Publication Date: January 2011

Reviewed by P.J. Coldren

Agatha Clay lives in Beetleburg with her parents, Adam and Lilith. She is a student at the Transylvania Polygnostic University, working as a minor lab assistant and getting very frustrated with her inability to make anything that works. One day Baron Klaus Wulfenbach overthrows the University and the town. The Baron has done this to most of Europa, maintaining some kind of peace. He looks for Sparks, the brilliant and frequently mad inventors who have the capability to create all kinds of machines. Most of them are not practical, but the Baron is far more interested in the minds of the Sparks than in what they create. He is training his son Gilgamesh to rule his empire.

Agatha finds herself a prisoner on the Baron’s airship, Castle Wulfenbach. She goes through a bit of culture shock, finds that she CAN make things that work, and ends up being Gilgamesh’s assistant. There are romantic sparks between the two, although they both resist the inevitable.

This is obviously an alternate world universe, one in which steam, gears, and the like have become the mainstay of machines. It’s as if the Industrial Revolution never made it to electricity or nuclear power. The absent heroes are the Heterodyne Boys, adventurers and inventors who have been missing for a decade and a half. Their exploits are the stuff of story and legend; non-Sparks pray they return to battle Baron Wulfenbach and the other Sparks.

This novel is based, as I understand it, on the graphic novels about the Girl Genius (Agatha Clay). The novel is full of adventure, a bit of romance, and tons of mad science . . . And for a change, the Girl is the hero! Some of the characters are larger than life, histrionic, a bit out there. It works in the context of the story.

The book was read by Angela Dawe. She did a fine job. If there are more coming in this series, and one hopes there are, one also hopes that Angela Dawe gets to read them all. There are numerous characters of all ages and backgrounds; Dawe is able to keep them all separate in the listener’s head. She does this through accent, intonation, pitch, and various other means necessary to a good storyteller.

Warning: Minimal language issues, minor violence, some discussion of Agatha’s tendency (not on purpose) to appear in her undergarments.

Book purchased by reviewer.

The Throne of Fire by Rick Riordan

Shaun Stevenson — Wed, 18 May 2011 15:37:14 +0000

Genre: Young Adult / Children

Publisher: Disney Hyperion

Publication Date: May 2011

Excitement cannot begin to describe Rick Riordan’s newest powerhouse The Throne of Fire. Blazing with action, humor, surprises, and a very blatant theme — the newest book in The Kane Chronicles really sets a standard in YA fiction. Riordan brings back all the adventure from The Red Pyramid in his take on Egyptian mythology. And fans will not be disappointed.

Carter and Sadie Kane have fought gods, demons, and magicians from all over the world before — and now they have to do it again. Apophis — the evil Lord of Chaos is rising, and everyone is panicked: who in their right mind would ever be able to stand against such a force? Even just being near the prison of Apophis is enough to disintegrate a mortal. But the Kanes know that they have to do something — anything — to unite the House of Life and all its magicians in the coming battle. And the only way to do that is on a risky gamble: bring back the king of the gods: Ra. But wakening Ra might not be as easy as Carter and Sadie think — and there are rumors that have them both nervous: Ra left for a reason. And he might not want to come back. With the clock ticking down to doomsday, evil villains and insane gods out to kill them, and secrets and lies everywhere, how can the Kanes even expect to survive?

The Throne of Fire picks things up right away — and I had to go back to The Red Pyramid to remember some of the storyline. Riordan does fill in a few blanks from last time — but it’s wise just to skim back over The Red Pyramid to catch some forgotten details. The writing is fairly crisp and well-oiled. Riordan has mastered the art of storytelling: the characters are fleshed out well. In fact, Carter and Sadie are much more complicated than Percy Jackson ever was. Their issues are much deeper and it seems as though Riordan has made them more realistic than some of his other characters. Some of what really shines through here is the amazing side cast — from gods to evil demons to fellow magicians. I busted up laughing a number of times — and found myself really enjoying every moment.

The plot is more linear than some previous Riordan books — which made switching viewpoints from Carter to Sadie much easier to swallow. In The Red Pyramid, I was often confused as to what exactly was happening and who it was happening to. Carter and Sadie’s voices are stronger here — and much more recognizable. The story unfolds near perfectly. Typical intense action scenes abound — and the finale is one of the best yet — and promises more for the future.

This book does have a very strong theme — which was interesting for a Riordan book. Normally the themes come in much more subtly, such as in The Last Olympian with its roots in home and family. But even though the theme had been strong — it was very subtle and woven into the quieter parts of the story. For The Throne of Fire, the theme of identity is very prevalent — not to the point of being overwhelming or preachy — but a reader definitely knows it’s there. Riordan’s commentary on the idea of identity is interesting and definitely a topic a lot of his core audience will relate with.

The Throne of Fire should definitely please eager fans of Riordan — and those who might have been skeptical about Egypt over Greece should look no further. This one pulls it all out and leaves nothing behind. All I can say is a year is too long to wait for another book in The Kane Chronicles.

Book purchased by reviewer.

No Place Like Holmes by Jason Lethcoe

Lori Twichell — Fri, 06 May 2011 18:47:14 +0000

Genre: YA, Mystery

Publisher: Tommy Nelson

Publication Dates: May 2011

Griffin Sharpe isn’t quite sure what to think of his uncle. Never having met him before, he’s only heard a few things from his mother about what life was like growing up with her brother. So when she sends Griffin off to stay with him for the summer, he’s certain there will be lots of adventure and fun. And with his uncle’s very famous address of 221 Baker Street in London? Griffin’s absolutely certain that he knows precisely who his mysterious uncle is. After all, Griffin has an incredible eye for detail and a photographic memory. His mother and father don’t, so he must have gotten it somewhere in the family. A detective at 221 Baker Street? His uncle MUST be Sherlock Holmes!

Imagine his deep disappointment when he discovers that Mr. Holmes resides at 221 B Baker Street. His uncle is, instead, a beaten down, dirty, crude and rude man named Rupert Snodgrass. And Uncle Rupert is not happy at all about having a little boy he doesn’t know on his doorstep.

Instantly, the two of them get along like oil and water. Though Griffin does his best to do every single thing he can to keep his uncle happy, it doesn’t seem to matter. Griffin prays and seeks God’s will at every turn for how he can reach his uncle and at the same time, he tries to survive this trip to London without starving to death or getting himself in trouble.

On Sunday morning after his arrival, Griffin takes some of his very own hard earned cash, hails a carriage to take him to church, and finds himself smack in the middle of a mystery begging for the considerable talents of Mr. Sherlock Holmes. A woman sobbing in the street is begging for Mr. Holmes and needs to know where and how to find him. Griffin knows what he must do and he takes the woman immediately back to 221 Baker Street. He runs upstairs and bangs all over the door, but Mr. Holmes appears to be gone.

This is how Uncle Rupert and Griffin soon became the lead detectives on a huge case involving a missing clockmaker, the Loch Ness monster and missing Chinese fireworks.

Lethcoe’s adventure is fantastic, incredible, delightful, and one of the best reads I’ve had in a long time. Griffin’s character is brilliant. I loved him from the very first second for his keen eye and tender heart. His uncle is a wonderful antithesis to the incredibly spotless paradigm of perfection that is Sherlock Holmes. With a tight paced fast running adventure, witty and fun dialogue and plot twists that are sometimes breathtaking, Lethcoe has created a nearly perfect adventure. When I got to the end, I definitely wanted more. (Despite the fact I wanted to throw the book across the room too!) I was so glad to hear that Griffin’s next adventures are expected soon. The Future Door is slated to release in December and I guarantee I’ll be first in line for that one.

Don’t miss our recent podcast interview with Jason Lethcoe.

Reviewed copy provided by publisher.

The Time Traveling Fashionista by Bianca Turetsky

Lori Twichell — Thu, 05 May 2011 15:32:20 +0000

Genre: YA

Publisher: Poppy

Publication Dates: April 2011

Louise Lambert is a teen with issues. Well, not really big issues. They’re your standard ordinary issues that most teenagers deal with on a regular basis. Things like wishing she looked different, loving fashion and some odd, albeit caring and considerate parents.

When Louise gets an invitation to an exclusive vintage clothing sale, she’s over the moon. Perhaps she can find a really fantastic stand out dress for the upcoming dance that she’s been stressed over. Upon arrival in the little shop, she does find the perfect dress – but it’s amazing how perfect the dress actually is. Vintage, and dating back to 1912, when Louise puts the dress on, she ends up in 1912. (I’m such a sucker for time travel books!) Not only is she in 1912, but everyone else sees her as a gorgeous 17 year old actress known all over the world. As much as she’d like to get back to her normal life, family and friends, being catered to and living the high society life inside a gorgeous teenager isn’t that bad. Or is it?

On a cruise ship as a first class passenger, she’s enjoying the food and mostly enjoying the fashions of the time (corsets – UGH!) but then she realizes something that takes the wind out of her sails. Literally. She’s not on just any cruise ship. Louise is on board the Titanic and it’s about to hit the iceberg!

Can she stop the tragedy before it happens? Will she be able to save anyone who died the first time around? And most importantly to her, will she die here too?

With fast paced action, fun dialogue and wonderful description, Bianca Turetsky has created a wonderful first novel that women of all ages can enjoy. Louise Lambert is a delightful character who learns much about responsibility and the realities of life during her time on the Titanic. As she struggles to first stop the tragedy and then to just survive herself, she grows into her own skin and learns that life isn’t all about what’s on the outside.

I enjoyed this book. It was a fun, light read that was easy to follow and yet still interesting enough to engage for an evening. My daughter (who is 9) was all over the beauty of the book as well. Rich heavy paper with beautiful illustrations peppered throughout, it was of a caliber not often seen in books these days. I loved turning each page to find out what was going to happen next. The feel of the book in my hands was wonderful and the illustrations of each dress and of her invitation were fantastic for the imagination.

This is a delightful read for tweens or teens and I know that as a mom, I’m good with my kids reading it and I enjoyed it. The history was spot on and to be honest I can’t wait to see what happens in the fashionista saga next.

Review copy provided by publisher.

The 39 Clues: Vespers Rising by Rick Riordan, Peter Lerangis, Gordon Korman, Jude Watson

Shaun Stevenson — Mon, 02 May 2011 15:13:57 +0000

Genre: Children’s

Publisher: Scholastic

Publication Date: April 2011

To all Cahills:

Warning! This review is for your eyes only. If you fear Vespers are tracking you, immediately shut off your laptop, mobile, or other wireless device. Once you’ve gone a safe distance be sure to delete your browsing history. The Vespers are everywhere, and they’re now beginning to make their final moves. And I don’t think I need to warn you just what is at stake if the Vesper family gets their hands on all 39 Clues and Gideon Cahill’s mysterious ring. The world is in your hands, Cahill agent.

Rick Riordan, Peter Lerangis, Gordon Korman, and Jude Watson team up to bring the latest installment in The 39 Clues saga with book eleven: Vespers Rising. Meant to be a transition between the first ten books and the upcoming series, Cahills Vs. Vespers, this volume offers four stories by the authors. There are no chapters exactly, but instead long “short stories” about four different Cahill family members. Newcomers to the series should really go back to book one, The Maze of Bones, instead of trying to tackle the subtle references and mysteries that would not make much sense otherwise.

Riordan starts things off with the story of the night Gideon Cahill died. Riordan takes us back to 1507 and the Madrigal family base off the coast of Ireland, and we finally get our first glimpse of the evil Damien Vesper — who wants the clues badly. Vesper can see just how powerful he will become if he assembles them all, and he wants it. The story works well, and Riordan is at his usual top form giving us adventure and mystery along with revealing a few interesting key points in the Cahill story.

The second part picks up with Madeleine Cahill, grown up and attempting to infiltrate the court of King Henry VIII. Lerangis writes this story, and does a fairly decent job showing us two of the Cahill siblings and their journeys. This story, set in 1526 is exciting enough, with jousting and dungeon escapes, and a few twists. It’s interesting to read these sorts of back story with ten books already in print and providing a lot of information on how the different branches of the Cahill family interact. Keeping everything together while still bringing in the threat of the Vespers must have been quite a bit of work, but Lerangis manages to keep things flowing nicely.

Gordon Korman, who wrote books two and eight, One False Note and The Emperor’s Code, really surprised me here. Book two was one of the weakest of the series, but his short story about Grace Cahill and her adventures in 1942 during the World War was absolutely amazing. Grace is thirteen and wondering if her mysterious father James will ever come home from his trips abroad. And suddenly, before she even realizes it, Grace is thrust into an insane adventure tracking clues and coming up against powerful Vesper enemies. This part was so fun to read with great side characters and puzzles that it made me want an entire book just about Grace.

The final story brings us back to the present with Amy and Dan. I was excited to see Watson taking part in Vespers Rising. Her two books from the series, Beyond the Grave and In Too Deep, were two of my favorites. She leads Amy and Dan on a crazy adventure through school, Boston, and then the Swiss Alps. It was interesting to see how Amy and Dan are returning to “normal” life after their globe-trotting, and seeing them interact with Fiske Cahill was great. My only complaint here is the virtual absence of Nellie Gomez, but the typical 39 Clues action still made me excited for the upcoming first book in the new series.

Six cards in The 39 Clues card game are included in the front cover, and there is also a secret message to be decoded as usual. The light smattering of illustrations of key events and clues help make this volume just as great as any previous installment.

Scholastic has done something really brilliant: bringing together so many different authors on a project with good characters, plotting, and well-written action scenes. And now with the new enemy of the Vespers, things are about to get much more dangerous for the Cahills.

Protect your clues, and watch your back. And read this newest report on the Cahill family. The Vespers are rising.

Best of luck,

–A Fellow Clue-Hunter

Review copy purchased by reviewer.

Song of the Ovulum (Children of the Bard Book 1) by Bryan Davis

Kaci Hill — Mon, 02 May 2011 14:46:45 +0000

Genre: YA, Fantasy, Science Fiction

Publisher: Living Ink Books

Publication Date: July 2010

Reviewed by Kaci Hill

Fifteen years have passed since the events of The Bones of Makaidos (book four of the Oracles of Fire series), where our four heroes, Billy, Bonnie, Walter, and Ashley entered adulthood and a period of peace. Now, Mr. Davis brings us the beginnings of a new series, Children of the Bard. Book one, Song of the Ovulum, opens up with Bonnie, Ashley, and Billy in prison, dying dragons, and a pair of siblings named Joran and Selah.

There’s two timelines to follow for a good portion of the book: Joran and Selah, whose story begins the day before Noah’s Flood, and the 2020s A.D. Chapter one begins with Joran and Selah, who have a gift. They fight demons with a lyre and two sonic rods and use song to capture and destroy them. They’re charged with the task of protecting the ark, but they will not themselves be on the ark. But through a series of events, they are themselves preserved another way. . . for centuries. In the present, Bonnie sees their story unfold while she’s unconscious, and events finally bring the siblings into the present. Meanwhile, Walter and a pair of teenagers, a boy and girl, carry the action.

I admittedly wasn’t sure, initially, what I thought about a third series. The story felt complete on its own. But Mr. Davis didn’t just drag out a complete story; he started afresh with the twin children of legacy and five-thousand year-old teenagers from Genesis six. Most of Joran and Selah’s arc is from Joran’s perspective, and he’s very well-developed and carries his end of the plot well. He’s hurting and angry, but beneath all that he’s a good kid who matures as the story progresses. His arc is one of redemption, a theme Davis develops beautifully.

It’s Walter Foley, though, who owns the story. Walter’s no longer just the wise-cracking sidekick; he’s a battle-toughened warrior who’s sacrificed everything to hold on to his family and his God. Walter’s developed a tough skin and a tender heart as a result of all this, and his introduction scene is magnificent. He and Joran make strong leads for both their story lines and I’m really looking forward to their working together in the next installment.

Mr. Davis also changed his style just a bit. I’m a fan of authors changing it up and challenging themselves. Song of the Ovulum is grittier than the previous books, a novel with dirt under the reader’s nails. Part spy novel, part underground church/concentration camp novel. Even Joran and Selah trapping the enemy with a lyre was both surreal and earthy.

Those who’ve read the previous books will find a gold mine of Easter eggs: old, favorite characters appearing, subtle references to past books, and new perspectives on previous encounters. They’ll also come face to face with long-standing enemies back for revenge, any way they can get it. I’m not telling who, though.

For those who haven’t read, never fear, there’s a Recap chapter at the end of the book that covers both previous series in chronological order (which means it’ll start with Eye of the Oracle events, then the Dragons in Our Midst books, then the next three Oracles of Fire books). And you can get away without having read the previous books; you’ll just be missing out on some of the details that won’t mean anything to you.

Song of the Ovulum has beauty, intrigue, and grit all wrapped in a package. I’m looking forward to its sequel.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Dragonspell by Donita K. Paul (Read by Ellen Grafton)

P.J. Coldren — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 15:39:17 +0000

Genre: YA, Fantasy, Audiobook

Publisher: Brilliance Audio & Random House Press

Publication Date: 2004, Random House 2009, Brilliance Audio

Reviewed by P.J. Coldren

Kale, an orphan slave from Orant (all names are a guess, because I listened to this in audio form) is a Dragonkeeper and drawn to the eggs of dragons. She is sent by her village to be a servant of Paladin. On her way to the city, she is abducted and escapes. She is found by other servants of Paladin, and informed that she is now on a quest. She is to find the Meech egg and bring it to Paladin. The evil Risto has the Meech egg in his castle, and his minions guard it well.

Kale is accompanied on her quest by the Wizard Fenworth, a Daneel named Dar (that’s the short version), and her mentor LeeTwo. Along the way this core group acquires some other servants of Paladin, all there to help Kale find and keep the Meech egg. As with all quests, there are adventures, mysterious happenings, set-backs. Kale finds out that she knows nothing (as her village mayor told her), and that she has powers she must learn to control. Her companions help her learn what she must know, as best they can, and work with her on how to control her powers.

This is the first book in a series. While listening to it, I was reminded of C. S. Lewis’s CHRONICLES OF NARNIA. Both are fantasies, both are allegories dealing with faith and the pursuit of faith, both can speak to both adults and children old enough to read the books. ON Kale’s world, Waldur is the supreme authority and Paladin knows what Waldur knows – he is a physical connection to Waldur. One can communicate with Waldur without knowing Paladin, and Waldur can protect one even if Paladin is not there. DRAGONSPELL can be enjoyed even if one doesn’t make any connection to the faith aspects of the book; Paul is a very good writer.

Ellen Grafton does a good job reading this unabridged version. Her voice brings a young girl to mind, although she has no difficulty making Paladin and some of the other older characters seem their age. I think having someone with a “young” voice makes the story more accessible to young listeners.

Audiobook purchased by reviewer.

Scorpia Rising by Anthony Horowitz

Shaun Stevenson — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 16:35:38 +0000

Genre: Young Adult

Publisher: Philomel

Publication Date: March 2011

Anthony Horowitz has led readers on incredible journeys — across continents, through city streets and beneath them, from the stale halls of MI6 headquarters to the greasy oil rigs of the Pacific. And now, he brings us to the final chapter in Alex Rider’s story: Scorpia Rising.

Twice before Alex has foiled the criminal organization known as Scorpia. And now they want revenge. They want to take Alex Rider down and make sure he never has another chance to spy for MI6 again. And this time, they will stop at absolutely nothing to make sure Rider comes back to England in a body bag. And Alex has no idea the incredible amount of evil that has joined forces with Scorpia to make sure it happens — enemies from the past join with new ones. Old friends come to help, but will it be enough to keep Alex alive?

From the very beginning, Scorpia Rising felt like the end. Horowitz pulls out a style that ends up being very final in every sense. The book is split into two sections — Part 1: the buildup and Part 2: the payoff. Alex is definitely in over his head, and it was fun to see some of the interesting connections Scorpia Rising has to previous installments in the Alex Rider series. And Horowitz does something that is insanely fun this time: he sends Jack Starbright and Smithers on the mission along with Alex. Jack has always been one of my favorite characters in the series, and she was fun to follow as she tries to help Alex. And having Smithers along was definitely a major highlight — and not without a few surprises.

Alex has grown up a little and the series has grown with him. The entire book had a very dark feel to it, reminiscent of book five: Scorpia. The action scenes are really gritty as usual, and there is a bit of coarse language splattered in. Alex has to face real evil, far worse than many of the other villains of the past.

This is a spoiler free review, but I must say that the only part I was slightly disappointed with was the very last page and the strange note that Horowitz leaves the book on. It didn’t feel quite resolved in the end, although this is apparently the last time we will be seeing Alex Rider.

I still have yet to find a Horowitz book I didn’t like. He brings everything together — excellent plotting, twists, characters, action — to create something that truly transcends other YA fiction.

Book purchased by reviewer.

From Darkness Won (The Blood of Kings Book 3) by Jill Williamson

Jake Chism — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 18:49:15 +0000

Genre: Fantasy, YA

Publisher: Marcher Lord Press

Publication Date: April 2011

Reviewed by Jake Chism

Achan Cham has fully embraced Arman’s will and is ready to take the throne once and for all. As war stirs around him he faces an enemy that is as mysterious as he is dark. To make matters worse, rumors abound that Esek has survived and is still planning to steal the crown. Amidst the turmoil Achan is broken hearted and tossed and turned by his emotions. Even though he is engaged to Lady Averella of Carmine, his heart still lies with Vrell Sparrow. While he questions Arman’s will in regards to his heart, he still has no idea that Lady Averella and Vrell Sparrow are one in the same.

Vrell wants to give her heart to Achan and reveal her true identity, but she refuses to fall in love with a man who does not follow Arman. Seeking to both distance herself from her complicated love life and find a way to serve Arman, Vrell sneaks away to serve as a healer in the upcoming war. Things quickly spin out of control and Vrell finds herself lost in the Veil.

Now Achan and Vrell find themselves in over their heads as darkness is spreading and threatens to overtake all of Er’Rets. They’ve always known that without Arman all would be hopeless, but the sacrifices are greater than they ever imagined and the odds are seemingly stacked against them. Can they find the strength to submit fully to Arman’s will and put an end to the reign of darkness?

From Darkness Won is exactly what I wanted it to be. Throughout this trilogy Jill Williamson has kept us churning the pages with anticipation that answers and closure were coming. Fans of the series get a huge payoff here and not only that, but Williamson also saved the best story for last. From the epic battles, to the jaw dropping journeys into the Veil, to the trademark witty banter between Achan and Vrell, there is really nothing about this final tale that fans won’t be cheering about. We’re even treated to some surprising revelations that shed even more light on Achan’s past and tie in well with the story.

I also love the way that not everything is tied up into a nice little bow in the end. Yes, we get the closure we’ve longed for, but a lot of sacrifice and loss pave the way for it. In the end, there are still questions unanswered and characters undecided, but those elements only work to keep the story balanced.

The added element of “veil warfare” in this novel really heightens the action and suspense. This showcases a whole new angle to the bloodvoicing ability, making these battle scenes some of the most exciting in the whole series.

Finally, for fans out there that have been less than patient with Vrell’s indecisiveness and reluctance, just hold on a bit longer. You’re almost there. Trust me. Vrell Sparrow soars in this story and she will win you over (if she hasn’t already).

With the Blood of Kings trilogy Jill Williamson has more than succeeded in creating a story that challenges readers to think seriously about their faith, all the while entertaining at the highest level. For this final installment the title could not be more fitting. This one is truly a winner.

Review copy provided by author.

Corus the Champion (The Legends of Karac Tor Book 2) by D. Barkley Briggs

Jake Chism — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 14:45:22 +0000

Genre: Fantasy, YA

Publisher: Living Ink Books

Publication Date: April 2011

Jake Chism’s Review:

Kr’Nunos has suffered a devastating blow from brothers Hadyn and Ewan Barlow, who have foiled his plans to ruin the youth of Karac Tor. However, Kr’Nunos has his sights set on an even darker plan. Once and for all he will destroy Corus, the great champion of the land that Kr’Nunos keeps imprisoned in Hel. With Corus out of the way, he can finally lead his evil army out to take control of Karac Tor. Unfortunately for Kr’Nunos, Hadyn and Ewan will continue to fight along with their brothers Garrett and Gabe, who have also been called to this mysterious land for a greater purpose. Together they must unite a divided people and confront the one who seeks to destroy them all.

In 2008, D. Barkley Briggs released The Book of Names (Book 1 of The Legends of Karac Tor), only to find out shortly after that his publisher had dissolved their entire fiction line. Fans of the series were shocked and Briggs was left without a publishing home. Four years later fans are rejoicing with the news that Living Ink Books is now publishing the entire series, and has even committed to the five books that Briggs originally intended. It has been a long wait, but faithful fans will be glad to know that it was certainly worth it.

Corus the Champion echoes many of the themes that so many readers fell in love with in the first installment. Hadyn and Ewan captured our hearts as they overcame loss and adversity to become heroes, and this time around I was especially taken in by the sacrifice Ewan makes at a pivotal point in this story.

Garrett and Gabe share much of the spotlight here, and they are a worthy addition to an already well written cast of characters. Gabe’s newfound gift and Garrett’s relationship with Merlin bring even more depth to the story, strengthening the plot and setting the stage for the rest of the series. Of course this story wouldn’t be complete without the supporting characters from The Book of Names, and I especially enjoyed spending more time with the warrior monk Sorge.

To say too much about the plot would just ruin the story, but rest assured Corus the Champion contains all the action and adventure a fantasy reader could want. At the end of The Book of Names, D. Barkley Briggs gave us a surprise twist that changed everything we thought about the story. Once again, we are treated to an ending that will leave us begging for more while we wonder what Briggs has in store for us next. Thankfully, we only have to wait a few months this time for the adventure to continue.

Kaci Hill’s Review:

Three years ago, Dean Barkley Briggs introduced readers to the world of Karac Tor in The Book of Names, the first of The Legends of Karac Tor series. In The Book of Names, four brothers move with their widowed father to a new town. The eldest two are called into another world—Karac Tor—where a kingless land is beset by an enemy who steals children, a sorceress set to destroy the heart and soul of the people. Hayden and Ewan’s story is a fascinating tale leaving readers eager for more.

Well, more has come, steadfast reader. Within the first few pages I knew Corus the Champion was everything we’d waited for, and it is. For me, reading the next book of a series should be like going to visit old friends: inviting and familiar. This proved both.

Mr. Briggs masterfully brings the reader up to speed; both with the characters and behind-the-scenes events in Karac Tor that the characters aren’t yet privy to, deepens the story world, and unveils layers of legend, faith, and magic. The younger brothers have arrived, bringing with them several new characters that the end of Book of Names alluded to, that and a few surprises. Sacrifice, redemption, penance, revenge, hate, and love—all find their place here. I about cried in a few places. Mr. Briggs has a good deal of time, ground, and characters to cover, but he’s good at keeping multiple plotlines from getting lost. No pun intended. It’s well paced and full of surprises.

Corus the Champion is a strong sequel to its predecessor, and I recommend it highly. And I’m chomping at the bit to read book three.

Listen to our recent podcast interview with D. Barkley Briggs here.

Review copy provided by author.

The End of Time by P.W. Catanese

Shaun Stevenson — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 18:14:53 +0000

Genre: Young Adult

Publisher: Aladdin

Publication Date: February 2011

The end of a book series is always bittersweet. There’s the excitement of finally seeing what happens, but also the sadness of leaving a world behind. And now P.W. Catanese brings readers to the finale of The Books of Umber trilogy with the last installment, The End of Time. I wondered if the ending would live up to the previous two books, Happenstance Found and Dragon Games. But I have to say: The End of Time is the best one yet.

Umber has sunk deep into another depression, and things in the kingdom are grim with Prince Loden looking to claim the throne. Happenstance, Umber’s ward, dreads the moment when he will be faced with the challenge of saving an entire world – all while old enemies are drawing close. And that’s when the whispers begin: something powerful and unknown is coming across the ocean from the mysterious Far Continent. To make things even worse, deep beneath the Aerie, an evil is growing, biding its time before striking. Everything is coming to the pivotal moment when Happenstance must face his true fears and powers: can he save his friends? Or will he led them all to a fate worse than death?

The book reads like an epic, action-packed finale, and it’s easy to see Catanese pulled out all the stops with this one. It felt like the author was at his top form as he plowed through. I could barely put the book down — I kept wanting to pick it right back up and keep going. I wondered how anything could ever turn out well by the time the last pages were getting closer. We learn more about Happenstance and what he is meant for, and some of the mysteries strung along throughout the series are solved. When I closed the book, I sat back and thought about it — it was like finishing a good movie and wishing there was still more. It wasn’t that anything felt unresolved; I just wanted to spend more time in this fantasy world.

It felt like Catanese wanted to work with the character of Happenstance a little more this time, and those developments show through. With all the pressures pushed onto Happenstance, he naturally begins to break, and Catanese takes him through a very interesting process that didn’t feel forced, but definitely felt much different than other character story lines I’ve seen. At first I wondered if it would work, but as the epilogue comes around, it felt right.

Catanese has also included some of the most disturbing scenes I’ve ever read in a children’s book. There were a couple that made me grimace and feel a little taken back. One particular scene involved a deer being eaten alive — which was pretty gruesome and definitely nightmarish. The slightly darker tone did fit The End of Time, however, since things have gotten progressively worse and worse for Happenstance and the world around him.

Overall, The Books of Umber was a fantastic series, one that I can hardly find anything to complain about. It surprised me with twists often, and the characters drew me in. It’s also fun, because Catanese ties these books into earlier titles, such as The Thief and the Beanstalk and The Eye of the Warlock. Fans of this newest trilogy should go back and read Catanese’s other works for little winks the author gives at the universe he’s created.

If you’re looking for a top notch fantasy series with some incredible plotting and characters, don’t look any further than P.W. Catanese’s The Books of Umber. You won’t be disappointed.

Review copy provided by publisher.

The Book of Names (Legends of Karac Tor Book 1) by D. Barkley Briggs

Jake Chism — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 19:52:17 +0000

Genre: Fantasy, YA

Publisher: Living Ink Books

Publication Date: April 2011

Reviewed by Jake Chism

Hadyn Barlow and his brother, Ewan, have never wanted to live in the middle of nowhere Missouri, but after the tragic loss of their mother that is just where life has brought them. Making the best of the situation they set out to help their father with some chores while on Thanksgiving break. Amidst their work they discover a mysterious stone formation hidden on their land. The discovery is highlighted by a frightening encounter with four large birds that seem to be delivering them a message. It seems the formation they have uncovered is an ancient rune stone that serves as a portal to another world. As the brothers explore this fascinating new land they soon discover that their arrival is anything but coincidence. Darkness threatens to destroy the ancient world of Karac Tor and Hadyn and Ewan have been called to fight it.

The Book of Names is everything you could want in an epic fantasy adventure: Good vs. evil, wondrous landscapes and settings, intriguing characters, mysterious magic, and action scenes galore. D. Barkley Briggs works his own brilliant magic as he weaves all of these elements together into a dazzling journey that leaps off the pages as each new chapter unfolds.

Briggs will no doubt be lauded for his clever writing and delectable prose, but his strength is his ability to tell a story. We are given characters that we care about and clear cut heroes and villains that we love to cheer and loathe. Themes of faith and redemption ring loud and true without seeming manufactured or irrelevant to the story. In the end Briggs gives us a delightful taste of what is to come with a brilliant twist that will surely send this series in an altogether exciting new direction.

Young and old alike will be charmed and captivated by D. Barkley Briggs and his exceptional storytelling prowess. The Book of Names is certainly worthy of your attention and the perfect first installment to what is sure to be a groundbreaking new series.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Invasion by Jon S. Lewis

Shaun Stevenson — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 15:12:42 +0000

Genre: Young Adult

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Publication Date: January 2011

Thomas Nelson has been hitting YA gold lately. With their wildly good Dreamhouse Kings by Robert Liparulo, The Homelanders by Andrew Klavan, The Lost Books by Ted Dekker & Kaci Hill, the publisher has been a real powerhouse in putting out solid fiction with solid stories and characters. And now, Jon S. Lewis enters the fray with his equally great Invasion, book one in the C.H.A.O.S. series.

Colt McAlister’s parents are dead. And he doesn’t understand what’s happening. Especially when he has to move in with his grandfather in Arizona. Things aren’t quite what they seem to be, and soon more questions are flying around than Colt has answers for. And then things get really crazy as Colt learns the truth: this planet isn’t alone. And there are evil forces threatening to invade. And now it all falls to Colt — can he save the world and keep his friends alive at the same time?

Lewis isn’t a stranger to the YA world. With his popular Grey Griffins books, he definitely knows what he’s doing. And he creates a fun universe filled with all kinds of strange stuff from shape-shifting aliens to flying motorcycles and jet packs. The writing moves along swiftly, and Lewis balances character and plot well. The chapters are fairly short, but don’t feel too stunted or quick. Some of the action scenes are top-notch, often reminiscent of Anthony Horowitz’s Alex Rider books. Things leave off well at the end of the story, but not so much that Lewis has nowhere to go next time around. A sketchbook of sorts is included detailing different characters and highlighting possible future mysteries to be solved.

But this isn’t just a straight-up, non-stop action extravaganza. Lewis takes some time to dive into the emotions behind Colt losing his parents, and issues of revenge and being open to others. Colt’s character is well explored and given enough depth to keep things interesting. A couple of side characters do tend to seem similar, but overall, Lewis does a good job with his supporting cast.

At times Invasion almost reads like a fun nostalgic throwback — mixing elements of stories like The Rocketeer, Captain America, and 1940′s action-adventure serials into something new and fun. Lewis will definitely gain many new fans through this series. I know I’m one.

Book purchased by reviewer.

Driven by Shellie Neumeier

Lori Twichell — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 19:56:55 +0000

Genre: Religious, YA

Publisher: Risen Books

Publication Dates: March 2011

Robyn is a typical Christian teenager. She loves her friends, her youth group, and she’s generally happy with her life. One day, when she arrives at school, she sees one of her friends in the middle of a very large group of people and realizes she’s being interviewed by a local news reporter. Her friend isn’t in a good place and Robyn can tell she’s very uncomfortable. Without even a thought for herself, Robyn wades into the fray to help her friend and consequently, into the middle of a very dangerous spiritual battle.

The news reporter turns all of Robyn’s words upside down, the new boy at school is suddenly very interested in who she is, and her little show of courage has caused her Bible study to vote her as their new leader. Now she’s in the sights of the Principal, the caustic reporter, and forces that are far more dangerous than she realizes.

I’ve been reading a lot of YA books lately and some of them have really hit the mark. Others, unfortunately, have not. I had mixed feelings about this book right away. I liked where she was going, but I wasn’t sure how I felt about the tone of the book. It took me a little bit of time to get into it and really enjoy the story. Once I did, I devoured the rest of the book very quickly. (One evening actually.)

When I got to the end I realized I’d liked the mystery, the characters, and the way that she built the story. The plot moved quickly, kept you guessing and threw a few twists into the middle. The characters seemed spot on for teenagers and the situations were realistic.

I thought to myself though that this is a book that really should be ready WITH a parent or a spiritual leader as a mentor. That way some of the situations and more tense scenes can be discussed and talked through so they’re understood.

These situations are serious and could be heavy for a young person. This could be especially so with one who has just become a Christian or who is young in their walk. Don’t get me wrong. This is a good book. Shellie Neumeier pulls no punches in what spiritual warfare is about and she writes some really good creepy scenes. Some of her situations gave me goose bumps and I was reading during the daylight hours surrounded by people. It was GOOD stuff. But because of the subject matter, I’d recommend parents realize that this could open some heavy topics of conversation and in some cases, might open up some fears in young people.

If you decide to read it or gift it to a young person – get two copies so you can have one for yourself. It’s well worth the read and everything she addresses needs to be discussed. But it’s not for younger readers (under 15/16) and it needs follow up from a good adult mentor/parent/role model that can help answer any questions that may pop up.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren

Lori Twichell — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 18:46:02 +0000

Genre: Romance, Religious, YA, Supernatural

Publisher: David C. Cook

Publication Dates: February 2011

Gabriella Bettarini is a typical seventeen year old who is trying to find her way through life since her father passed away. For her and her younger sister, Lia, the struggle has been to figure out where they fit in their mother’s life since her father’s death. An archaeologist who devoted herself to her husband and her work, Gabi’s mother has spent more of her life studying the past than connecting with her present.

When Gabi, her mother and her sister go on another trip to Italy to explore Etruscan remains, Gabi’s bored and trying to figure out how to have some fun. When she wanders into an ancient tomb that her mother discovers and puts her hand on a really interesting handprint, she and her sister are suddenly transported to sixteenth century Italy. Seriously.

A 17 year old girl in skinny jeans, cami top and thin cardigan lands in the middle (literally) of a battle between two separate groups of knights. Oh and one of the knights? Total hottie. Yup. She’s 17 – what are we supposed to expect?

So Gabi, rescued by aforementioned hottie, now has to figure out not only how she got into 14^th century Italy, but if Lia, her sister came with her and how they can get back. In many instances, this becomes a fight for her life as she struggles with new customs, clothes and the daily grind of violence and death that many romanticize out of medieval romances.

I’m going to cut to the chase. I loved this book. In fact, I loved it with a deep abiding passion. When I finished it (in less than 2 days) I slammed the cover shut and pronounced to my whole family that I loved the book. If you’ve read any of my previous reviews you know that I’m a little vocal when reading books that I enjoy. I was frantic to try and get my hands on the next book. I immediately went online and began searching for more information. Lest you miss what I’m saying here, I LOVED THIS BOOK.

The characters were fabulous. Spot on teenagers for the modern day girls mixed with what I can only assume are wonderful characterizations of teenagers in medieval times. (Hey- I grew up in the 80’s… I’m not that old!) I loved the parallels between 17 year old girls of the time mixed with modern day girls. The differences in the way that they see themselves, their futures and handle their daily lives are wonderfully described by Bergren. What I loved the most was that she also showed how teenage girls aren’t that different. As anyone who has been a teenage girl can attest, they aren’t always all sunshine and roses. In fact, in some instances, they can be scheming, manipulative and very much not nice. Bergren hits on this pretty quickly as Gabi begins to work her way through her time travel dilemma.

Where she could have created clear cut enemies and friends, she didn’t though. All is not black and white with Lady Rossi, the potential enemy of Gabi. She’s obviously calculating (the hottie mentioned above is her betrothed) but she also doesn’t hesitate to give credit where it’s due and reach out the olive branch when needed.

Full of action and adventure that keep the plot moving forward at a good clip, Bergren’s tale of romance out of time delights, enthralls, and leaves the reader yearning to find out what happens to these beloved characters. Oh and did I mention ROMANCE? Seriously. Lots of romance. Good, clean, romantic, heart rending romance. Bergren filled this book with so much goodness that I can’t highly recommend it enough.

Review copy provided by publisher.

To Darkness Fled (Blood of Kings Book 2) by Jill Williamson

Jake Chism — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 17:03:55 +0000

Genre: Fantasy, YA

Publisher: Marcher Lord Press

Publication Date: April 2010

Reviewed by Jake Chism

Having discovered his true identity, Achan Cham flees to Darkness from those who would destroy him. By his side are Vrell Sparrow, Sir Gavin, and his fellow Kingsguard Knights. Their mission is to break into the Ice Island prison to free their imprisoned comrades. Esek is hot on their trail and they will need an army if Achan is to successfully claim his throne.

All the while Achan and Vrell grow closer, which makes it more difficult for Vrell to hide her true identity. She must balance her emotions if she is to help Achan embrace his destiny. Arman’s path has never been easy, but this leg of the journey will test her faith more than anything that has come before.

Jill Williamson is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors and this brilliant second offering further proves why. As much as I loved the first book in this series (By Darkness Hid), I found myself even more captivated this time around. Much of this story takes place in the Darkness side of Er’Rets, taking us on a pulse pounding journey filled with new locations, eerie villains, and even more adventure. Indeed, this book is much darker than the first allowing Williams to showcase her uncanny ability to plunge her characters (and readers) into despair without losing sight of the light that is always within reach.

Having Achan and Vrell together for the majority of this story really pays off for fans who want more interaction between the two. Vrell’s struggle to keep her identity brings just the right amount of humor to the story, balanced with the emotional and spiritual turmoil she finds herself in. In the end, we are left with an intriguing glimpse of what is to come, all but ensuring that the “tension” between Achan and Vrell is only just beginning.

Even though this series is full of lovable characters, grand adventure, and surprising twists it all only works together to display the powerful spiritual messages Williamson has carefully woven throughout. Never preachy, yet always relevant and stirring, this is the kind of faith based fiction I love. The final book in the series, From Darkness Won, is just around the corner and you can be sure that I will fight my way to the front of the line.

Review copy provided by author.

Don’t miss our review of By Darkness Hid and our podcast interview with Jill Williamson.

By Darkness Hid (Blood of Kings Book 1) by Jill Williamson

Jake Chism — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 05:53:21 +0000

Genre: Fantasy, YA

Publisher: Marcher Lord Press

Publication Date: April 2009

Reviewed by Jake Chism

Achan Cham has been held captive his entire life, but his heart has always longed to be free. Day after day his master heaps abuse on him, maiming his pride, but never quenching his spirit. When an aged Kingsguard Knight offers to take him as his squire, Achan begins to believe that things are indeed turning around. As Achan takes up the sword to train he also discovers he has the unique gift known as bloodvoicing that allows him to communicate with his mind. Achan’s life is indeed changing, but nothing can prepare him for the journey ahead.

Vrell Sparrow is on the run and has disguised herself as a boy to escape an arranged marriage to an evil tyrant. A strong follower of Arman, the Creator, Vrell longs to serve Him at all cost, even if it means giving up her life of privilege. Vrell also has the ability to bloodvoice and recently she has heard the thoughts of Achan as he tries to master his newfound ability. Even though she doesn’t know him, she can tell he is far more powerful than he realizes. As Vrell sets out on her own journey she begins to sense that Arman has great plans for Achan, and she may be the only one who can help him become who he was born to be.

As a kid I cut my teeth on epic fantasy. Terry Brooks, Tolkien, Terry Goodkind, even a dash of Piers Anthony here and there. I love sweeping adventure, with complex plots, deep characters, and grand battles of good VS evil. I had high hopes for this series going into book one, but I never expected to enjoy it as much as my childhood favs. Jill Williamson has just pulled the rug out from under me with this highly impressive debut.

Solid characters are the backbone for any great story, and Achan and Vrell more than fit the bill. Williamson effortlessly alternates between their story lines throughout the book giving us a balanced approach that never lags or wanders too far off the map.

The pacing of this story is a wonder to behold. Williamson manages to balance the action, humor, suspense, and emotion in such a way that the reader forgets about the massive page count. Indeed, anyone reading this book on an e-reader will be shocked to know that the hard copy is 500 plus pages.

What I love most about this story is how the spiritual message shines through without seeming forced or manufactured. You will find no squeaky clean characters or glossed over violence in this book. However, the portrayal of darkness only makes the light shine brighter, and Jill Williamson does this with a style and grace that is wondrous.

By Darkness Hid does everything the first book in a series should, giving us heroes to love, villains to loathe, and the promise of great story to come. I can’t recommend this one enough.

Review copy provided by author.

Don’t miss our review of To Darkness Fled and our podcast interview with Jill Williamson.

Reckless by Cornelia Funke

Lori Twichell — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 15:49:43 +0000

Genre: Fantasy, YA

Publisher: Scholastic

Publication Dates: September 2010

Jacob Reckless never planned to enter another world. Even though this one seemed to be crumbling around him with the disappearance of his father and the subsequent decline of his mother’s health, he still didn’t expect to actually leave the life he’d always known. But when the mirror beckoned to him, the pull was too strong for him to resist.

So now Jacob spends his time as a treasure hunter. Renowned in the other world for his abilities, he now knows that all the fairy tales and children’s stories that he’d heard growing up weren’t just stories. He’s experienced the reality of sleeping beauty and seen the home of Hansel and Gretel’s witch. Through all that danger, he has learned how to take care of himself. What he hasn’t learned is how to keep his brother, Will, safe. And Will is in a miserable situation right now. He’s turning into a Goyl. That’s a person made of stone for those of us who live on ‘this side.’ Each day Jacob can see more and more of the stone taking over his brother’s body. Legend says that there’s no way to halt the change, but Jacob also knows that legends aren’t always fact. This is why he sets out to reverse the course of his brother’s existence.

Jacob, known as a famous treasure hunter in this world, relies on some of the contacts he’s made over the years to get information that may help his brother. In the meantime, he’s got to fight off people who want to kill his brother for turning into a Goyl, keep his brother’s girlfriend safe, and work with Fox, a beautiful young woman who can change, at will, into a fox. (Actually she prefers this form over her human form.)

Once again, Cornelia Funke has allowed us a glimpse into a new world. As with previous books, it’s a world that is delightful and frightening all at once. As readers, we can sit comfortably in our homes and experience a world that is populated with familiar fairy tales and stories from our childhoods but isn’t quite as bright and cheery as our big picture books might have led us to believe. There are some dark moments that could be scary in these books. For the appropriate age though, they are perfect.

Cornelia Funke has a talent for creating vividly beautiful settings and worlds that are also exceptionally dangerous. Full of intrigue, adventure and a lot of action, this book is certain to kidnap the imagination of the reader and take it on a journey that won’t soon be forgotten.

Funke’s writing seems to live and breathe on its own. With words that wrap around you and tease you deeper and deeper into the story like a butterfly in flight, this is a definite must read for fans of Funke’s work. And if you’re not already a fan, you have no idea what you’re missing.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Hummingbird by Kimberly Greene Angel

Anne Barnhill — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 18:47:11 +0000

Genre: Children’s/YA

Publisher: Farrar, Straus, Giroux

Publication date: May 2008

Reviewed by Anne Barnhill

In her debut children’s novel, Hummingbird, Kimberly Angel explores unexpected territory in a book meant for young people–death, loss, friendship and grief–subjects most adults find disturbing. However, in Angel’s capable hands, these dark themes do not overwhelm the reader; rather, the reader finds comfort and hope as the story of March Anne Tanner, a 12-year-old girl living on her grandparents’ watermelon farm, unfolds.

March Anne lost her mother when her little brother, Kevin, was born. Since then, she and Kevin, along with their daddy, have lived on the family farm. Her grandmother, Grenna, is the matriarch and caretaker. From Grenna, March Anne learns how the world works and what is expected of her. She learns to appreciate the world around her, especially the cardinals and hummingbirds. Her two best friends, Meg and Laverne, provide further support. Their secret club, the Pseudonymphs, is rich in ritual and tradition–and allows them to change their names with each changing season. Of course, they keep their new names to themselves, but take great joy in picking and choosing whatever name grabs them.

When Grenna has a heart attack, things change on the Tanner Watermelon Farm. March Anne must take over Grenna’s chores, including cooking. The results are often less than mouth-watering. However, as March Anne keeps trying, we see how hard it is to lose not one, but two mothers and how March Anne must cope with what are often devastating circumstances. When Grenna passes away, March Anne’s grief is real and not maudlin or sentimental. Angel does a good job steering the course away from any sort of easy answers.

I cuddled beside her but I didn’t want to look (at Zipp, the hummingbird who was

wintering in their barn).

“I can’t take this, Grenna. I can’t take this.”

“I know, child. It’s the hardest thing to say goodbye, but we all must do it.”

“I don’t know how.”

“Oh, fiddlehead ferns, March Anne. None of us know how. It’s just something

we’ve got to endure. We never get to know. We simply get to choose.”

“Choose? Choose what?”

“Choose life, of course,” Grenna said, as if it were the clearest thing in the world.

“That’s what the Good Book tells us, and near the beginning, too. The Lord says

‘Choose life.’ It doesn’t mean bad things won’t happen, it just means that there’s

enough good mixed up with the bad to make life worth living.”

As the book moves to its end, the reader is heartened to believe that even the worst sorrows can be healed, and the choices we make when we are dealt a bad hand are more important than the hand itself. This lovely book has been nominated for two awards, the Georgia Children’s Book Award (2010-2011) and the Children’s Crown Award (2010-1011). A well-deserved accolade for an impressive debut.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Dragons of the Valley by Donita K. Paul

Kaci Hill — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 18:04:13 +0000

Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Young Adult

Publisher: WaterBrook Press

Publication Date: September 2010

Reviewed by Kaci Hill

Dragons of the Valley is the sequel to Donita Paul’s new series. Book one, The Vanishing Sculptor, introduced readers to the continent of Chiril, a place which, unlike Amara (for those familiar with the DragonKeeper books), knows little to nothing of Wulder. In the Vanishing Sculptor, we followed Tipper Schope as she and a team of questers (including a bog wizard, an artist, and a giant parrot) set out to save both her father and all of Chiril by way of fixing a broken gateway.

Now, the existence of the statues and their nature is, unfortunately, known, and now Chiril’s enemies are invading. Our heroes are forced to once again separate the statues, but they must reunite them quickly in a hidden place to prevent the world—and Tipper’s father—from coming apart again. The invading king, Oddidodex, is a cruel tyrant from Baardack, but the foe we see the most of is a strange, amoral creature with a gray past simply known as The Grawl.

I suggest reading The Vanishing Sculptor first, or you might not understand why it’s so imperative three statues that make up the foundation of Chiril and serve as a gateway are so important, among other things. Dragons of the Valley follows a wider cast but is largely about the young tumanhofer artist Bealomondore turned swordsman. While all Chiril has fallen into gloom and despair, war and oppression and a land ruled by fools who shun wise counsel, Bealomondore works to remind himself that, ultimately, a sword can preserve life as well as a paintbrush.

As I couldn’t help comparing Tipper and Kale (from the Dragonkeeper series) a little, so I couldn’t help comparing Bardon (especially from DragonKnight) to Bealomondore to some extent. But, again, they aren’t the same people, and each is a strong character in his own right. She’s added a few characters, too: I think I saw more kimens in this book than all of the previous books. At least, I’ve gotten to know them better.

Paul retains her prowess with the pen and her subtle blend of wisdom and fantasy. For me, reading her books is always a bit daunting because I could probably read them twenty times and still pick up a thread of symbolism or theology and wisdom I missed the first nineteen. Her characters can be funny and witty, aware of the seriousness of the situation but using humor the way they would a sword. And, in all, Paul doesn’t disappoint me. Just to reiterate: While her primary audience is young adult, this really is an author I say writes for all ages.

And again, while you won’t be too lost, I don’t think, if you read out of order, I very much recommend reading The Vanishing Sculptor first.

I look very much forward to reading her next book.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Sir Quinlan & The Swords of Valor by Chuck Black

Lori Twichell — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 16:32:43 +0000

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Publisher: Multnomah Books

Publication Dates: October 2010

Sir Quinlan has one very good friend in the world. Tav. In fact, when his parents died, he went to live with Tav and his family. Known as Twitch (for the twitch in his cheek when his nerves took over) Quinlan was much loved, but never really respected. He simply did whatever Tav did and he was content with that.

One day, when Tav’s uncle, Sir Baylor, comes to visit with important information about a mission for the prince, Twitch feels something in his soul. He knows that he does not want to spend his life in the same place doing the same things all the time. He chooses to follow Sir Baylor. This is an unreasonable decision according to Tav and his family, so it’s with much difficulty that he leaves them behind. When he does, he leaves behind the name Twitch and takes on his given name, Quinlan.

On the road with Sir Baylor, Quinlan becomes a member of Baylor’s elite group of soldiers though he’s untried in battle and not nearly trained well enough for everyone’s tastes. When Baylor dies while on a mission, Quinlan accepts the man’s dying words, a trinket from him, and full responsibility for the death of his leader. This guilt weighs him down and drags at him from every angle until he’s unable to run away from it anymore.

A seemingly chance encounter with a brilliant soldier named Taras leads Quinlan in a direction he never expected. He trains with Taras until he takes over the leadership of the very team of soldiers from which he’d been running.

This book dealt heavily with guilt, the sin of your past and moving on into what God has planned for your life. Everyone, at some point, has experienced the burden of guilt for something that hurt someone else. Everyone has to learn to give it to the King and then let Him guide your life. The book resonates on a much deeper level than just good storytelling. It’s a brilliant parable for life, sin, wisdom and the consequences of poor choices.

At this point in the series I had a hard time reading. Not because the books were getting more difficult to read. In fact, the books continued to improve with each successive sequel. Nope, the books were harder for me to read because I couldn’t find them! At this point in the series, I had an 11 year old daughter, an 8 year old daughter and my 40 year old husband all in possession of at least one or more of the books. When it came time to read this one, I had to track it down. Which of my family members had it and more importantly, would they be willing to give it up to mom for her to read and review? It’s safe to say that the readers in my house are huge fans of Chuck Black’s. I couldn’t wait to start the final book in the series, Sir Rowan & the Camerian Quest.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Sir Rowan & The Camerian Quest by Chuck Black

Lori Twichell — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 16:27:58 +0000

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Publisher: Multnomah Books

Publication Dates: October 2010

Rowan knew from the time that he was a young man that he was destined to wield a sword. Though raised in the mean harsh streets and barely able to make enough money to feed himself, it remained his dream to become an amazing swordsman. One day, he received a bit of money that he could pocket. Upon asking the soldier from whom he’d received the money if he could pay for the chance to merely hold the sword, he received more than he’d imagined. The chance not only to hold the sword became his, but to be trained under the sword’s owner, a Knight of the Prince.

Just as he knew that he would, Rowan grew in his sword abilities until he became one of the greatest swordsmen in the land. He took his talents to the tournaments and soon he was one of the most famous men in the world. He had crowds following him everywhere and he soon became lost in the praise and trappings of men. This is when things got really bad for Sir Rowan.
Taken hostage, beaten, and left to die, he came face to face with the reality that he’d let his Prince down. He’d taken the praises of men over the code of his King and Prince. He rededicated his life to the mission of His Prince and prayed for his deliverance. Soon, it came.

Rowan’s tale takes an interesting turn at this point when he is nursed back to health by a beautiful young woman, goes home to discover that not only his home, but also his town has been taken over by an egomaniac set out to destroy followers of the Prince.

As Rowan struggles with what to do next, he falls in love with the beautiful young woman and vows to become the man she deserves. He marries her and soon, they find themselves in search of the other Knights of the Prince. When they find the knights, everyone is thrilled to have the famous Sir Rowan set to fight for them. But who is that mysterious man who refuses to fight? Why does he watch everyone and what is it that he has to say to Rowan?

As the final book in Black’s Arrethtrae series, I couldn’t see how this story could possibly be better than the others that I’d already read. Yet with each book in the series, it seems that Black’s writing has taken off into a level of its own. The magnitude of Rowan’s tale seems so much bigger and more fulfilling than the 192 pages of the book. Though partway through, I figured out what Black was doing, I was still absolutely stunned at the ending. I finished this book with tears in my eyes, nearly unable to tell my family how good it was. I was overcome with emotion and I think that Black could have honestly written an entire series just based on the story of Rowan.

The Knights of Arrethtrae is a stunning series. It’s beautiful, entertaining and enjoyable for the whole family. My children are fighting over who gets to read the next book next and my husband has several of them stuck in hidey spots around the house so they don’t get lost in the kids’ rooms before he has a chance to read them.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Lady Carliss & The Waters of Moorue by Chuck Black

Lori Twichell — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 18:36:12 +0000

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Publisher: Multnomah Books

Publication Date: March 2010

Lady Carliss has passion for her King and his Son. She has always stood strong for her faith and done whatever she needed to do for them. So when she develops feelings of more than friendship for Sir Dalton and she thinks those feelings aren’t returned, she takes a sojourn to a nearby haven to help with the training of their young students. When she’s supposed to be going back home to visit her brother and Sir Dalton, she takes a detour with a friend from school and suddenly finds herself in her own dangerous and life-threatening adventure.

Soon, when Dalton finds her, his life is in danger as well and only she can bring him the antidote that will keep him alive. Threatened with the death of the man she loves, Lady Carliss vows to do whatever she needs to do to save his life.

Along the way, she gets drawn into a dream world that is eerily reminiscent of escape through illicit drugs in our own. Trapped in a situation that becomes far more than just the life or death of Sir Dalton, Lady Carliss must struggle to defeat the evil growing in the region and threatening to take over control of the land.

This book deals in a big way with vices and the disaster that can occur when they take over the mind. Parallels to drugs, alcohol and even gambling and sex can be found in this book. The dangers are not glossed over. Clearly visible in the books is the corruption that comes when these things begin to take over people’s lives and visions.

Chuck Black’s use of Lady Carliss, a female heroine, to visualize the consequences of these vices is fantastic. Lady Carliss is a brilliant young woman who has many of the same thoughts that young girls today have. Am I good enough? Pretty enough? Will I be found lacking? Once again, Chuck Black boggled my mind with the depth and spiritual brilliance to this story. I was delighted with this venture into Arrethtrae and literally nearly devoured this book. Once finished, I couldn’t wait for my eleven year old daughter to dig in to this one. For young people today, I cannot highly enough recommend these books. Brilliantly handled Mr. Black!

Review copy provided by publisher.

Sir Dalton & The Shadow Heart by Chuck Black

Lori Twichell — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 18:33:43 +0000

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Publisher: Multnomah Books

Publication Dates: May 2009

Sir Dalton is a young knight in training. He’s got the world going for him. He has a beautiful maiden that he’s planning to marry and he’s the best in his class. Everyone at the haven where he learns would like to be like him. So why does he feel like he’s missing something important? And what exactly is going on with the new trainer at the haven? He seems to have some very specific ideas about life and they run counter to some of the things he’s previously been taught and believed.

When Sir Dalton is sent out on a mission, he begins to encounter a series of attacks. As he begins to doubt more and more and step further away from the Prince’s plans for his life, the attacks become more vicious until he ends up near death and in prison.

Unlike the previous books, Dalton doesn’t face an outside temptation or foe. He must battle and struggle with something far more dangerous. It’s within himself. What happens when you don’t really feel your vow to the King? Are you just going through the motions instead of doing that which you are called to do? These are the things Black tackles in this book and this is when I truly became a fan of this series. When I finished this book, I handed it directly to my husband and told him to read it. It was simply too good. The spiritual lessons, the impact, the powerful moments of this book were overwhelming as I was reading. I finished this book with a renewed passion for my own vow to the King and his Son and wondering what adventure God would lead me on next. In fact, after finishing this book, I placed it on the Christmas list for several friends of mine and their sons. Chuck Black is a master of portraying the spiritual battles we all face and bringing them to a new level of understanding for us.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Sir Bentley & Holbrook Court by Chuck Black

Lori Twichell — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 18:42:27 +0000

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Publisher: Multnomah Books

Publication Date: Feb 2009

In the second book of Chuck Black’s Knights of Arrethtrae series, we meet Sir Bentley. He’s a young man with a passion for life and a compassionate heart for others.

Sir Bentley’s tale starts from the gripping perspective of a young man who has been raised to kill and destroy those who serve the King and his Son. His father lived through the death of the great imposter (the Son of the King) and has definite feelings about those who follow him. When Sir Bentley gets into a life and death situation the very men that he was sent to kill step up and defend him. This is when he knows that the life he’s been leading is wrong and he wants to change. In a dramatic twist, he becomes a follower of the prince and, in doing so, becomes an enemy of everything that his father has taught him.

He leaves his family’s fortune to follow the path that the Prince has set before him and soon becomes an invaluable help in a small farming community that’s being run by a tyrant. He learns to farm and sees firsthand how difficult the lives of these simple people are. When he comes before the ruler of the land, he does his best to try and change things for the people. He also meets a beautiful maiden whose heart seems as cold as ice. Is it?

Sir Bentley learns much in this book about appearances, wisdom and loyalty. Closely mirroring the life of Joseph, Bentley shows a brilliant example of what we, as Christians, should be when looking at the suffering around us.

Once again as we dive into Black’s world, we are transported with adventure, beautiful descriptions and most of all, fantastic life lessons. The characters we meet in this book are young, brave and smart, but faced with a lot of the same issues that we deal with today. Appearance, kindness, wisdom…these are lessons that all of us can benefit from as we go through each day. Black’s creation of this universe to share these lessons is spot on, brilliant and relevant.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Sir Kendrick & The Castle of Bel Lione by Chuck Black

Lori Twichell — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 17:33:38 +0000

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Publisher: Multnomah Books

Publication Dates: June 2008

A long time ago there was a Kingdom that had lost its way. The King, able to see his people and see what they were doing, decided to send his son to the Kingdom to bring them the message of his love to his people. The people in the kingdom didn’t recognize the son. They believed that he was an imposter and they killed him. You would think that the story would end there, but the King, who was mighty in power, raised his son from the dead and promised that he would send his son once again in the future to redeem his people. Sound familiar? Indeed. This is the story of the Knights of Arrethtrae.

Pledged to the King and his Son, they travel the land, spreading the good news of his word and battling the evil forces who are determined to destroy all the King holds dear. Each of the six books in Chuck Black’s series resounds with beautiful allegorical tales that are given new life and breath in the setting of a kingdom with knights and fair maiden poised in battle. And along with each tale is the chance to learn a valuable lesson about life as a member of the King’s family.

Sir Kendrick’s tale comes first in the series and he must take under his wing a young and impetuous new knight, Sir Duncan. The two take off on a mission to investigate Lord Ra and his mysterious festivals where young men and women disappear from neighboring villages. When Sir Duncan disappears, Kendrick must try to save him. In order to do this, he tries to enlist the aid of a mysterious warrior that he meets not far from Ra’s castle. With this warrior, he learns the truth of Ra’s rise and what he does with the young people who stay with him. But more than that, he also must confront some of his own agonies and hurts from the past.

Kendrick’s battle with his own history, loyalty and faith is an epic one and is bound to enrapture readers with its climactic and stunning ending. This book teaches valuable lessons across the board and is packed with scriptural lessons that anyone of any age can use in their lives.

Review copy provided by publisher.

The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan

Shaun Stevenson — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 17:36:09 +0000

Genre: Children / Young Adult

Publisher: Disney Hyperion

Publication Date: October 2010

Rick Riordan has not ceased to amaze me. Ever since I picked up a copy of The Lightning Thief in 2008 and read the Percy Jackson and the Olympians straight through, I have loved everything Riordan has put out. From his Egyptian offshoot, The Kane Chronicles, to even his entry in The 39 Clues, The Maze of Bones, I am always shocked and in awe of his story-telling. And the first outing in the new Heroes of Olympus series, The Lost Hero, is no exception.

I debated for quite a while as I read The Lost Hero whether a new-comer to Riordan could pick up this book and just start in, and I came to the conclusion that if someone hasn’t read anything by him, it would be best to go back to The Lightning Thief and start there. Otherwise, The Lost Hero would contain too many references to events and characters which wouldn’t make sense to someone who hasn’t read the books yet. So if you haven’t finished Riordan’s first series, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, I would say stop reading this review now and go back to The Lightning Thief.

The story begins with a boy named Jason, who suddenly appears in a school bus in the middle of the desert sitting beside Piper and Leo, two classmates that he’s supposedly been friends with for the past few months at Wilderness School. But Jason can’t remember any of that. In fact, he can’t even remember his own name or how he got there. I really don’t want to say much more than that, because diving too deeply into the storyline will only ruin the experience.

Per usual, the story is action-packed, and coming in at a hefty 576 pages, The Lost Hero, starts and doesn’t slow down until the very last page. As I read, I couldn’t help myself from gasping out loud. There was a new plot twist to almost every page I turned. At first, I kept wondering what on earth can Riordan do with the whole concept of Greek gods and mythology that he didn’t accomplish in the first five books – and I will admit part of me was a bit afraid that The Lost Hero was going to fizzle out and not live up to my favorite, The Last Olympian. But Riordan pulls out some unexpected ideas that meld seamlessly with the mythology he’s crafted throughout the first series.

The book is told in third-person, which is a bit of a switch from either The Kane Chronicles or Percy Jackson and the Olympians, which were both written first-person. The Lost Hero switches off between Jason, Piper, and Leo, each getting two chapters and then switching to the next. This aids in the character development, which is stronger here than in other novels from Riordan. The things that Piper and especially Leo grow through in the book felt real and done in a way that made sense with the story. The author searched out a lot of the issues that face students today, including abandonment in its various forms. In a way, I think The Lost Hero is one of his more serious books, and while there was definitely humor to lighten things up here and there, this one definitely came across as a much weightier story, for the characters and the plot.

While the story does center around Jason, Piper, and Leo, there are plenty of familiar faces around to tie things back to the first series. Cameos from people such as Chiron, Clarisse, Annabeth and others definitely were fun and added an interesting dimension to the storyline. Riordan also mines some lesser known myths in the Greek works and gives us some exciting battles with old foes that are just as deadly as anything Percy, Grover, and Annabeth faced – and sometimes, much, much worse.

The Lost Hero ends up rising above and beyond anything I expected from Riordan, and will definitely get readers excited to revisit Camp Half-Blood and its demigods. And now, we only have to wait until Fall of 2011 for the next volume, The Son of Neptune.

Book purchased by reviewer.

The London Confidential Series by Sandra Byrd

Anne Barnhill — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 15:42:32 +0000

Genre: Young Adult

Publishers: Tyndale House

Publication Date: April, 2010, October, 2010

Reviewed by Anne Barnhill

Sandra Byrd’s new series, London Confidential, started in April, 2010 with the first two books, Asking for Trouble and Through Thick and Thin, which chronicle the life of Savvy (short for Savannah) Smith as she navigates the treacherous path through early adolescence. Savvy faces the usual teen dilemmas, but this series is different from many. Savvy is not just any teenage girl; she is a Christian who takes her faith seriously. This does not mean she is perfect or a ‘goody-two-shoes.’ It does mean that she considers most of her actions before she takes them and she says her prayers at night.

In Asking for Trouble, Savvy’s family (Mom, Dad, little sister Louanne, dog Giggle) has moved from Seattle, Washington to London, England–quite an adjustment for 15-year-old Savvy to make. Like most teens, she is anxious to fit in and make new friends. She tries a variety of clubs but nothing suits her until she sees an advertisement for the school newspaper. The editor, Jack, is handsome and she’s always wanted to write so she gives it a go. The position she lands is nothing as glamorous as reporter or photographer–Savvy delivers the papers. Will she be able to make new friends and make a place for herself in Merry Old England?

In Through Thick and Thin, Savvy has completed her first term at Wexburg Academy but she has not yet found friends, nor has she proven herself on the newspaper. She writes the advice column, “Asking for Trouble”, but her identity remains anonymous. She wants to do a column where she can actually get credit where credit is due. Then, Savvy notices an advertisement for a photo shoot in Vogue magazine. She knows if she can somehow get into that shoot, she can write the column for the Wexburg Academy Times and make her name as a reporter. But, what is she willing to sacrifice to succeed?

In Don’t Kiss Him Good-bye, Savvy is finishing up her first year living in England. She is surprised by the British tradition of the May Day Ball. It seems everyone has a date for the ball but Savvy. Then, as she continues with her secret identity advice column, someone emails her, telling her that he knows her secret–he knows she writes the Asking for Trouble column. Later, she gets a mysterious phone call also mentioning her part in the column. She is afraid whoever is contacting her will blow her cover and her career at the school paper will be shorter than she’d intended. To add to her problems, the one boy who seems interested in her is a notorious bad boy. She needs a date; he’s interested. What will Savvy do to get to the dance and save her newspaper career?

In the final installation, Flirting with Disaster, Savvy has to decide what to do with those irritating chain letter emails. Is there such a thing as luck? Can you bring good or bad luck on yourself? Where is God in all this? On a more casual level, will Savvy become the poster girl for the old saying, “Sweet Sixteen and never been kissed?” She certainly hopes not, but there don’t seem to be very many boys who are interested in her. She finds the Aristocat (her term for the wealthy, popular kids) Tommy very appealing but he would never be interested in her, would he? In this last book of the four, Savvy grows up and also grows in her faith.

While these books seem a bit didactic for my taste, perhaps a young girl would not feel that way. However, I think these books would suit my younger granddaughters (8 and 11) rather than the 13-year-old. But I’m going to send them along anyway in the hopes that the themes of Godly living will have an impact.

Review copies provided by publisher.

The Prophecy by Dawn Miller

Shaun Stevenson — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 15:52:03 +0000

Genre: Young Adult

Publisher: Zondervan

Publication Date: April 2010

When I first saw that Dawn Miller would be releasing a title to the YA world, The Prophecy, book one in The Watchers Chronicles, I was excited. It sounded interesting from the back of the book, and seemed like it could be just what the Christian YA market needed: a strong sci-fi / fantasy novel to really help jump-start the genre. And then I saw the angel wings on the cover. And I thought, “This is trying to cash in on the new angels trend in writing (following on the heels of the still-going vampire one).” But I still gave it a try, and after closing the last few pages of The Prophecy, I must say that I left it with mixed feelings.

Five friends. Separated by dark forces that would want to keep them as far apart as possible. An ancient prophecy. About Watchers who would help lead the battle against the darkness. And in the middle of everything: Jonah, a strung-out kid who just can’t figure out life or anything else for that matter. He doesn’t know what to do… until the nightmares start. Sending him back in time to when he and his friends were young. And it may be that the past holds the key to their very survival against the evil that is coming after them all.

The beginning slams into action and is riveting, really, as Miller slowly paints the first few chapters with just enough edge and mystery to keep things going. I told a couple of friends right at the outset that they should go get a copy and start reading because it was good. Insanely good. But then I hit the middle. And then it dragged all the way out to the very bitter end, and promised another installment at some point in the future.

The problem for me came in a couple things. First, after a few chapters, the characters started piling up. It was getting harder and harder to figure out who was who, and who had done what, and why. I kept just getting more and more confused as to who exactly the main character was. And then I figured it out: there were about six main characters, all having about equal time to tell their part of the story. And that was the first thing that started bugging me. It would have been a much stronger novel if Miller had just brought things down to one or two main characters, three at the very most, and eliminated the head hopping chapter after chapter. Things got even worse when random side characters also got stage time — and when the whole host of strange names show up, it’s difficult to really follow who’s who anymore.

Second, a lot of the novel is told in flashback, which normally I don’t really have a big problem with. I’ve read some books with more flashbacks than The Prophecy and still enjoyed them a lot. The problem here is that the flashbacks mush together with the present story, and it became confusing at times as to what exactly was happening. I found myself lost more than once and had to re-read sections to figure it out. The other problem with the flashbacks was the fact that since we had so many main characters, each one had to tell their version and give just a few more details about the event, which soon got old.

Another thing that seemed to be problematic was the writing style itself. At times, I found myself flipping pages so quickly through the scenes and action that I lost track of time. But for bulks of the novel, I found myself distracted, lost without real concrete settings and descriptions of what exactly was happening. If Miller had gone through the book one more time and siphoned out those last few bumps, it would have made things a lot easier to follow and digest.

But, all that said, there was still something about the book that was intriguing and well-done. I found myself surprised at quite a few plot twists, which were actually fairly decent, and there were moments of action sequences where Miller truly shined in her writing style and just made things flow along. The other thing that I appreciated was the true-to-life feel of the dialogue. Nothing sounded stilted or written down. It felt real as the characters talked with each other.

In some ways, The Prophecy suffers from first-book-syndrome. It takes its time setting things up, and in the process, loses out on what it could have been if Miller had just really dove in and made this thing shine. I think that her follow-up will start to fall into that category, because obviously she has the ability to write it. From those peeks into her really good stuff, I know it’s possible for her to put out something that really stuns the reader and pulls them in. It’s just going to take some tapping into that part of her story-telling.

All said, The Prophecy wasn’t a total waste of time. It was definitely intriguing, but it might be handy to make a little scorecard for yourself as you read — just to keep track of the people… and the flashbacks.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Empty by Suzanne Weyn

Shaun Stevenson — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 15:23:27 +0000

Genre: Young Adult

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Publication Date: October 2010

War with Venezuela. Oil shortages. Global warming. Riots. And that’s just the beginning in Suzanne Weyn’s new novel Empty. Gwen Jones lives in rural Sage Valley, a small town near the Hudson River, and things are starting to get interesting. Gas prices have soared beyond most people’s budgets, and even worse, gas is in short supply everywhere. And as the oil crisis continues, people are only getting edgier. Soon they’re going to grow desperate – especially as the grocery store shelves look emptier and emptier. Can Gwen and her friends survive in this new and changing world? Or will they succumb to the panic and end up destroying themselves?

Weyn has crafted a truly frightening tale set in the near future, all based on the premise: what would happen if oil actually ran out? What would be the ramifications for regular people trying to live day to day? And she sets out to tell us a story centering around three high schoolers, Gwen, Tom, and Nikki, to challenge thinking and deal with a hard topic in a realistic way.

Going into the book, I knew what it was basically about, and that worried me in a way. I was afraid that this would turn into another environmental treatise, just trying to tell me a bunch of facts and that I should change the way I lived. Of course I don’t mind trying to live in a way that doesn’t affect nonrenewable resources, but it almost seems like media in the past few years can’t find another subject to beat to death. From movies and books to documentaries, the message of green living is always around. And while at times it did feel like Weyn was trying to give me a lesson or two on not wasting resources, most of these discussions were limited to a paragraph, and even then I only found about two sections in the whole book that really seemed preachy.

The characters are fairly well done, and their way of speaking felt true to life. Weyn also throws in some interesting plot twists that really made me gasp out loud and want to keep going. The book itself was fairly quick and easy to read, and the ending comes around in a good way. I was wondering how on earth she could end the novel – since things kept getting worse and worse as it went along. But the ending is realistic and well-brought together, without feeling like I had just read an article on green living.

Overall, while preachy at a couple quick spots (which were easy to get past), Weyn does a good job of crafting a solid story around a realistic and ominous idea. There was plenty of suspense and action to keep things moving, and Empty is definitely one that I would recommend for someone looking for a book that goes a little deeper than others.

Review copy provided by publisher.

The 39 Clues: Into the Gauntlet by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Shaun Stevenson — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 17:46:25 +0000

Genre: Children’s

Publisher: Scholastic

Publication Date: August 2010

I was really excited to see that Margaret Peterson Haddix was going to be writing the final installment in The 39 Clues series. I had always been a backstage fan of Haddix’s books, and I knew she would be able to bring book ten, Into the Gauntlet, right where it needed to be to finish strong. And I definitely wasn’t disappointed — it took me just a few hours to devour the book, as I was insanely anxious to see how everything would finally end.
Things have not been easy for Dan and Amy. They’ve been close to death numerous times, betrayed by both close friends and evil relatives, and they’ve discovered one shocking secret about their family after another. And now, it’s coming down to the wire. Who will come away with all the clues and become the most powerful people in the world? To make things even worse, Isabel Kabra will stop at nothing — even if it means the death of her own children — to get her hands on the final clues. Can they stop her before it’s too late? Can Amy and Dan save the fate of the entire world? Or will everything crumble to pieces here at the very end?

The writing is just as strong as any other Haddix book. And she brings an extra something to the series that makes it really shine — the characters have become deeper than some of the early cardboard-cast relatives from the earlier books. And this one is the longest yet — coming in at a hefty 300+ pages, there’s plenty of action, humor, and heartache to keep things really going. More secret messages are hidden in the book, and the one at the very end will make readers really on edge. Because perhaps the race for The 39 Clues isn’t over…

** SPOILER WARNING **

One thing that did kind of bother me in a sense is the fact that the series doesn’t actually end. The story arch that is created here in these ten books does end, but things twist around at the very end and leave things hanging for another book or perhaps another whole series to come. I wasn’t ready for the series to end, but in some ways I wanted things to tie up nicely. To actually end. A lot of books in the children’s market aren’t quite ending anymore — making room for possible sequels, which is great sometimes, but it’s also nice to see something end. And end well.

** END SPOILER WARNING **

Overall, The 39 Clues series is worth the investment. It’s fun, it’s easy to read, and it’s challenging in some aspects as we travel with Amy and Dan and watch their character growth over the course of the books. Rick Riordan and Scholastic definitely came up with something well done and conceived, and it was nice to read something for the younger market that wasn’t just another book.

Book purchased by reviewer.

Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer by John Grisham

Shaun Stevenson — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 17:53:57 +0000

Genre: Young Adult / Children’s

Publisher: Dutton Children’s Books

Publication Date: May 2010