Champion

Here's the deal friends- after Veronica Roth did what she did to Tris and Tobias, I wasn't sure I could handle a repeat in the end of the Legend trilogy by Marie Lu. I read each page with dread. Would she destroy one of my favorite couples? Would I have to give up reading for a while? Well, the conclusion to this amazing story was heart stopping. Day's impending death from his brain tumor, hung over it like a death knell. Eden being used as a guinea pig to find a cure for the plague. Anden's love for June that could never be requited. And June's guilt for her part in the ruin of Day's family. All set against the backdrop of a country on the brink of a takeover. Holy story line Batman! If you have read the series, you know what's going on. If you haven't, start at the beginning and fall in love with Day Wing- street rat, as my friend Michelle calls him. (We think he and Han "Cuffs" McAllister should hang out) Day is the hero of his country, his brother and the love of his life June. But Day will risk it all to save them even when his own body rebels against him. The end battle is most amazing and the last 100 pages of this book I read as if in a race. I will not give anything away. I will say that I sobbed on my porch for a while. I tried to convince myself that these were fake people and not real. I read the epilogue with my heart in my throat. And then I read Marie Lu's end notes. They made me chuckle. She thinks these are real people too, and she has let them go off into the world now to live their lives, and she thinks they are going to be okay. So, I'll dry my tears, get a new grip on reality and know that Day and June are okay, somewhere in the future. (And in my world, living happily ever after) So thank you Marie for not pulling a Roth on us and for giving us such amazing characters that we couldn't stand to see harm come to them. (Okay, so I just gave away that they live- so sue me!) On a sadder note, our favorite bookstore is closing it's doors, so thank you Mrs. Nelson's for all the wonderful author's you've brought to us over the years, you will be missed! Happy reading my friends- I'm off to put a scarlet streak in my hair in honor of Day!

Blood-Kissed Sky

It's a classic tale, boy meets girl, girl falls for boy, boy turns out to be a vampire. Not just any vampire, mind you, the son of one of the fourteen original families. Dawn and Victor have been through it together. She gave him her blood to save his life. But Vampires and humans should not mix. Especially when Dawn is the human delegate to the Valentine family. And now that he has killed his father, Victor is the Valentine family. To add insult to injury, Victor's evil half brother, Sin is out to get Dawn and all those she loves. When Dawn realizes it's more than jealousy, her world is turned completely upside down and she will have to make a life changing decision if she is to save those she loves. She takes the Night Train to Los Angeles to see how they handle The Thirst- a vampire disease that turns vampires into uncontrollable monsters. Something about Los ANgeles isn't right, but the group can't figure out what it is. Everyone is too perfect, happy and well cared for. With her friends, Michael, Tegan and the most famous vampire hunter in the world, Dawn comes face to face with the person calling to her in her dreams. But that dream may just be an nightmare that will not go away in the light of day. Can Victor save her in time? This is the second book in a trilogy that started with Darkness Before the Dawn by J.A. London. It is an interesting view of a world where vampires and humans have reached a shaky truce that could crumble to the ground in an instant. And there is the irresistible vampire/human love story. But Dawn is no Bella, she can hold her own, both with her mind AND a stake. So give it a try if you like this genre. All the books are out so waiting is not required. As for me, it's time to catch up with June and Day in the final book in Marie Lu's Legend series. Happy reading my friends!

bang

One thing I must say about Lisa McMann, her books are accessible and highly readable for the middle school reader. This sequel to Crash is no different. Jules has recovered from her visions of Sawyer Angotti's death. She saved the day and won his heart in the process. Unfortunately, now Sawyer is having a vision. His vision is of an impending school shooting. Jules feels responsible and together they decide to figure out the vision together. Jules's brother Trey joins in to help and the three of them piece together the clues needed to end Sawyer's vision and hopefully save the eleven victims in the process. In the background of the story is the Romeo and Juliet aspect of the two families. Jules's dad and Sawyer's mom have had an affair and so Jules and Sawyer have been forbidden to see each other. Jules's dad is an angry hoarder and Sawyer's father takes his anger out on his son. Both of the teens are dealing with some serious parent issues. The way the teens in this story stick together is lovely. The love story between Jules and Sawyer is also told with a truthful voice. McMann has a great little series here, with no end to the possibilities. Will Sawyer's visions get passed on to one of the survivors? How will they overcome their parent's issues? Will Trey find love? All pressing questions. If you enjoy a modern tale with a slight supernatural twist this is the series for you. You won't be disappointed. Happy reading my friends!

Rise

Much like the last book I reviewed, the heroine in this sequel to Rift is a red headed firebrand. Ember has fled the chaos of the night her mentor was killed. She is in the company of the love of her life, Barrow and the knights who are trying to stop the evil that has been unleashed on the world. She finds herself on the opposite side of her childhood best friend Alistair who is becoming increasingly hostile towards the fact that she doesn't return his desires. And then their is the Lord Mar. He commands the wraiths of another reality that can't be stopped. Mar won't stop until all the power is his. He uses Alistair to create a new evil to be unleashed on the world. Ember must put herself at risk to keep the knights plan in motion to close the gate between this world and Mar's. It will take great sacrifice and determination to pull off their plan. Will Ember be able to convince Alistair she is on his side? Can she hide her love for Barrow? Will her sister be used as a pawn in the evil machinations of Eira and Mar? Yikes, that's a lot of questions! I will say that most of these are answered, and I know this is a prequel to a series I haven't read yet, but  I feel like this one left me hanging! Will there be a third prequel? Will Cian's sacrifice be fulfilled? And what the heck happened to Kael? I totally enjoyed this book and the characters. Barrow is definitely top ten material and Ember is yet another non-damsel in distress. She could totally hang with Rachel from Defiance and Katsa from Graceling. It would be like another realm Charlie's Angels... Hey, there's an idea for a book... I look forward to reading the actual series this is based on Nightshade with my mini book club in January. Until then, the pile of unread books calls me and the weather is like summer, so off to my patio I go- maybe to finish Marie Lu's series, maybe to start a new one. I haven't made up my mind yet. Happy reading my friends and Merry Christmas Eve!

Deception

Best case scenario- I can finish a book in a couple of days. Worst case scenario- work gets in the way. Since break has just begun and I can't stomach heading out to shop with no rhyme or reason, I was able to finish the C.J. Redwine's sequel to Defiance. Logan and Rachel are trying to bring their city-state back from the destruction the Commander has wrought. Their loved ones dead, no place to go and no way to defend themselves, they must gather the few survivors and convince them to head into the Wasteland and try to get to the protection of another city-state. The way is fraught with peril. (wrought and fraught in one review!) They are being attacked from within their group. Many lives are lost, some more devastating than others. The people that Logan and Rachel can trust grow smaller and smaller in number. Just when you think they have reached safety, a crushing revelation is revealed, changing the game for everyone. How are Rachel and Logan going to get out of this one? Hmm. I have a confession to make, I sometimes (read-all the time) check the ending of books to make sure my favorite characters are still alive. Well, this time that backfired. I almost threw this one into the orange tree until I stopped and actually read the whole ending. Clever trick, I must say. I love this series. It is filled with strong female characters in Willow, Rachel and Sylph. Loyal boys in Frank, Adam, Quinn and Logan and not one, but TWO super evil villains from H***. Whew. I think I need to sit and think about this one for a minute. So if you love a good girl warrior takes on the world book, check out this series. You won't be disappointed. Happy reading my friends!

Shades of Earth

Amy can't wait to set foot on Centauri- Earth. She has spent three months trapped on the Godspeed with only Elder on her side. Her parents are still cryo-frozen and the ship is dying. She would much rather take her chances with the monsters on the planet then spend another day behind the walls of the ship. As she and Elder land the shuttle on the new planet, the fifteen hundred people who came with them are put in peril. Waking up her parents, Amy thinks she has everything she wants, but she is sadly mistaken. Her parents are confused about what has happened and don't care much for Elder or the Shipborns. Her father becomes the highest ranking member of the military and quickly takes control of the group much to Elder's dismay. As members of the colony are slowly picked off, Amy and Elder must figure out the last clue Orion has left them. But the truth is more horrible than they can imagine. Elder risks his life to save the colony as Amy is trapped on the planet with some vengeful 'aliens'. Who can be trusted and who will survive? This is the action packed conclusion to the Across the Universe trilogy. All questions will be answered. All loose ends tied up. But all do not survive. Would you be willing to give up life on earth to colonize a new planet? It seems a timely question seeing as how they are looking for people to do just that now. Would you have the sense of adventure required to risk all you love? I very much enjoyed this series and couldn't put this one down today. Good thing I am still on vacation for another 24 hours. Happy reading my earth friends!

The Wizard Heir

Have I mentioned that I love Cinda Williams Chima's books? This one just adds to the list of fantastic stories she has told. We find Seph McCauley getting kicked out of yet another school. He has no parents and his guardian has died. Trouble seems to find him, which is no surprise seeing as how he is an untrained wizard. He is sent to the Havens, a boarding school in Maine run by Dr. Gregory Leicester. When Leicester tries to convince Seph to link himself to him, Seph refuses and pays the price. Leicester tortures Seph for a year until Linda Downey comes to rescue him. Yes, Jack Swift's aunt from The Warrior Heir. What is her connection to Seph? Well, she is his guardian who has been looking out for him his whole life, unbeknownst to him. She brings him to Trinity to keep him safe and he moves in with Jack and Becka. He begins his training and is determined to get revenge on Leicester for all the people he has killed. When the council is set to meet to sign a new guild constitution, Leicester unfurls his master plan to get a hold of Seph's power and take down the elusive Dragon, who is vexing the Wizard Council. Seph is used as bait for his "father" who turns out to be someone I am quite fond of actually. As Seph's parents conspire to find a way to save him, it may be Seph who has to save them all. I so enjoy this series, and am sad that I do not have the next book so I can start right away. Chima has seamlessly woven this new character into a landscape I am already entranced by. She has given Seph a family with characters that will do anything for each other. So, if there are to be no more Seven Realms books, I can at least revel in the fact that I have two more Heir books to read. These books are great for those of you who enjoy a little magic with their stories, a little romance and a little intrigue. Enjoy and happy reading my friends!

Inhuman

Sometimes the biggest decision I have to make when on vacation is which book to pick off the pile. I must say, this one was a total surprise! Inhuman by Kat Falls is a story about a world where a plague has made most of the population go feral. Humans are infected with animal blood and turn into (sort of) that animal. Tigers, hyenas, lions etc. Most of the survivors live behind a wall erected by the company that unwittingly released the plague. Lane is a teenager who lives with her art dealer father behind the wall. One night she is rounded up by a patrol and told her father is a 'fetch', someone who goes into the feral territory to get things for people. Lane can't believe this. And to make matters worse, if she doesn't help out the lady in charge, her father will be caught and executed. Lane must risk venturing into the Feral Zone to find her father and warn him. She finds out the stories he's been telling her her whole life are actually a guide to the zone. The mystical creatures he made up are real, and the wild boy is actually waiting for her. Along the way, she teams up with Everson, a line guard, who follows her into the zone. He is, of course, dreamy. She also teams up with Rafe, rude, brash and devastatingly handsome. They both seem to want to keep her alive, but for different reasons. The three of them must survive the zone, a CRAZY tiger man named Chorda, and find what really makes someone human. The twists and turns are unreal and the losses beyond crushing. The end of this book was a jaw dropper and leaves way for a sequel that I, for one, will be anxiously awaiting. What an imaginative world Kat Falls has created, filled with engaging characters. Oh Cosmo! *tear* This is not your ordinary apocalypse tale, it certainly amps that genre up to a new level. So give it a try and let me know what you think. Happy reading my friends!

Teardrop

As a fan of Lauren Kate's Fallen series, I was happy to see a new book from her! And it sure didn't disappoint. Eureka has just lost her mother to a freak accident. Someone has saved her from the same fate against his orders. He's been watching her his whole life and has fallen in love. As Eureka tries to get over her devastating loss, Ander decides he must reveal himself. She doesn't know what to make of this strange boy who turns up wherever she is. She finds that she can't stop thinking of him. Then there's her best friend Brooks. He and Ander have an instant hatred towards each other. Which is strange for Brooks. Eureka notices that Brooks has changed and Ander has warned her to stay away from him. Meanwhile, Eureka has received her inheritance from her mother. A locket that won't open, a rock wrapped in gauze and a book in a language no one has ever seen. Eureka must solve the mystery of these items which hold the truth of her true identity. When the people who killed her mother come after her and her family, Eureka must decide if she can trust Ander and his crazy story. She will do anything to save those she loves. And what about Brooks? Can he be saved from his fate? Eureka's mother once told her to never cry. She may have to break that promise to save the world. I loved this story. It promises a tale of Atlantis, romance, adventure and many twists and turns along the way. I am firmly on Team Brooks and hope he finds a way to escape his fate. But I guess we'll have to wait and see. Well, my friends, Thanksgiving break will find me enjoying some books on my patio. Happy reading to you all!

Ruby Red

Gwyneth is just an ordinary girl living in London. It's her family that is extraordinary. You see, some of them can travel through time. Lucky for Gwyneth, it's her cousin Charlotte who carries the gene. Charlotte, who has been training for this her whole life- language lessons, fencing, manners etc. Charlotte, who any day will take her first trip through time. Charlotte, who has grown up with Gideon another time traveler. Charlotte, who is the one every member of the family is focused on. Until they're not. When it's Gwen who finds herself traveling back in time, she doesn't know what to do. I mean it wasn't supposed to be her destiny. Her mother made sure of that. She isn't prepared. She isn't ready. She certainly isn't anyone's choice to be the Ruby. But being the plucky teenager that she is, she decides to make the best of it and enjoy the adventure. Until it gets too real. There's the night she has to save Gideon and run someone through with a sword. There's the time the evil Count uses telekinesis to send her a warning. There's the time when she meets her relatives who warn her that all isn't what it seems. Oh, and there's the time when Gideon kisses her. And the book ends... sort of. The cliffhanger that follows is even more startling. I enjoyed this fun romp through time. It has a great leading lady in Gwen. An intrepid best friend in Lucy. An evil foil in her cousin Charlotte. And of course, the dashing young man that infuriates and excites her in Gideon. But don't forget James, the ghost she can see who doesn't know that he's dead. This seems to be a fun series that doesn't take itself too seriously. I look forward to the continuing adventures in Sapphire Blue and finishing up with  Emerald Green. The great thing is, that these books are all just an order away... Happy reading my friends!

The Warrior Heir

Jack was just a normal teenager. Granted, he had a heart condition that required him to take medicine everyday. But all around things were fine. He was surrounded by friends like Will and Fitch, liked a pretty girl named Ellen, lived with his mom and was watched over by Nick Snowbeard. He planned on going out for the soccer team. You, know, regular stuff. Until the day he forgot to take his medicine. And then things were remarkably not normal. Jack finds out he is a Weir. The kind of Weir that other Weir are hunting for. Jack is a Warrior Heir. A breed known and used for their fighting skill. And their short lives. He becomes a pawn in a game between the White Roses and The Red Roses, two factions of wizards fighting to maintain power. Jack's aunt tries to keep him out of this fight and under cover, but all her attempts fail and Jack finds himself about to fight to the death against an unlikely opponent. Will he survive,? because if he does, it will mean he has killed a friend. I am a huge fan of Cinda Chima's books. I love her Seven Realms series with a passion. She recently came to our school and talked about this series so I had to check it out. While Jack is no Han, I truly enjoyed this story and look forward to continuing on with the Heir novels. It was action packed, filled with clever characters and mixed with lots of intrigue. And now I have a whole new series to look forward to reading while I wait for Mrs. Chima to hear my plea to keep writing the Seven Realms books. Protect your warrior stones and happy reading my friends!

Unbreakable-The Legion Bk. 1

Whew. That was a fast read. I have been looking forward to reading Kami Garcia's novel as I am a huge fan of the Beautiful Creatures series.  What a ride! Meet Kennedy, a normal girl with a single mom who loves her. Until one night when Kennedy comes home to find her mother has died. A few weeks later as she is getting ready to leave for boarding school, a vengeance spirit tries to kill her. The only thing that saves her is a pair of dreamy brothers, Jared and Lukas- twins who are part of a secret society out to rid the world of a demon. Of course, Kennedy doesn't buy any of this, I mean after all, her mom couldn't have been one of the five members of the Legion. But after much convincing, she realizes her mom may not have told her everything. She joins up with the twins, along with the genius inventor Priest (a fifteen year old wunderkind)  and Alana the granddaughter of a voodoo priestess to find a way to kill the demon Andras. What about a love triangle you ask? Kennedy finds herself drawn to both brothers causing no end of the trouble. But it's Jared, the loner with secrets, that she really falls for. This doesn't make Lukas happy. As the five run around to haunted sights collecting the things they need to rid the world of the demon, more truths come to light that may change everything for Kennedy. Loved this book!~ I couldn't put it down. I think my students will LOVE this as well, boys and girls alike.  The characters are interesting and quirky, the romance is building and the whole thing reminds me of the Winchester brothers and Supernatural. All that's missing is Castiel and his trenchcoat. Can't wait for the next book as I'm sure the road these five are on is a long and winding one. So carry on my wayward sons.... Happy reading my friends!

Allegiant

You can't always get what you want- isn't that how the song goes? Here we are at the end of the amazing Divergent series by Veronica Roth. Not a happy reader just now. I knew something awful was going to happen because my students have been moping around for a week, urging me to get the the end-even encouraging me to skip to the end but I refused. So I read with dread. If something was to happen to my beloved Four, I may have to give up reading for a while. This book finds Tris, Tobias and friends making their way to the outside of their city. And lo and behold, things are going to be shocking. Their lives have been a careful construct of the people on the outside and nothing they believe about themselves is true. Where does this leave them? Do they remain loyal to their home or to the new world they find themselves apart of? And is it worth the sacrifice of one life to save the masses? The characters must decide just how much they can live with and what they can't live without. Sometimes just plain living can be hard enough and that may be the sign of real bravery- losing it all and still carrying on for those you have lost. I can't say much at this point without giving away the ending of this book, so I won't. I will just say that this series has delivered one unexpected twist after another and has left me with a heavy heart. So girls in my class- I'm off to shed a few tears.  Happy reading my friends!

Frozen

Nat is marked. That makes her hunted. She has to find a way out of New Vegas before those that would lock her up can find her. Wes is a mercenary. He lives on the edge, day to day, trying to keep his crew alive. They need each other. Nat has to get to the Blue and Wes can get her there. For a price. They decide to use each other to get what they need. Of course you know what happens next- the F word- feelings! Nat tries to fight her attraction to Wes because they told her she doesn't have a heart. Wes tries to fight his attraction because that is what he does, he doesn't have room to keep one more person safe. As they race through the toxic ocean to find the Blue (which may or may not exist) they face extreme circumstances that cause them to put aside their reservations about each other and band together to survive. But both of them harbor secrets that could drive a wedge between them forever. This story is set in the future where all creativity and technological advancements have stopped. People are eating manufactured food, nothing grows, the world is frozen. You save up all your money to get a clean drink of water or a hit of oxygen. You earn Watts for heat to keep you alive. You trust no one, because no one is trustworthy. I completely fell for these characters and this book. Wes is totally a guy you can count on and Nat fights for what is right. Their crew including a Sylph and some smallmen are quite a team. It moves at a brisk pace to a unsatisfying conclusion and by that I mean a cliffhanger that will make me wait impatiently for book two of this series. I need to go warm up with a cup of coffee after spending time in this frozen novel. Happy reading my friends! Stay warm.

Another Jekyll, Another Hyde

This one has been sitting on my bookshelf for a while and so I noticed it the other day and thought- 'why not?'. This is a retelling of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in modern times. It is set at the Marlowe school for the rich and elite. Thomas Goodman-Brown is the golden boy of the school. But something has happened to him on a night he was at his girlfriend Belle's house. Her governess did something to him. Now Belle has disappeared and Thomas is slowly losing control of his own mind. He doesn't know what is wrong with him, only that his new step-mother is not what she seems. He begins taking a drug called 'W' that a mysterious girl at a club gave him and this only makes things worse. Thomas begins hearing a voice in his head, and that voice is one angry bird! Edward is slowly taking over Thomas's body and doing not so nice things. Thomas doesn't know how this is happening, but must figure out a way to defeat Edward and his evil mother Nicola. The evil is an ancient one and will take everything in Thomas's power to overcome it. He will lose friends along the way, but for him, this is a matter of life or death. I believe this book is the third in a series, although it stands alone. There is much backstory that I assume is explained in either Another Faust  or Another Pan. There are enough references to make me want to read both of these other tales. This book won't be for everyone. It changes voice quite often and this may confuse younger readers. But anyone familiar with the source material will enjoy the modern day twists. Happy reading my friends!

A Million Suns

In this sequel to Beth Revis's book Across the Universe, our main characters must grow up! Now that Amy has realized that she isn't getting off the Godspeed and all her hopes are lost, she must decide if she will wake up her parents. Oh and decide what her true feelings about Elder are. Elder has bigger problems. After freezing Orion in the Cryo tube,  he must take command of a ship that is no longer under the influence of Phydus- a drug that causes the population of the ship to be much like complacent sheep. He ability to rule is under constant question and rebellions begin to form. But then Amy starts getting clues from Orion. He has left her a huge secret which will force her and Elder to make life changing decisions. All is working against them and even Elder isn't sure what his decision should be. Amy, on the other hand, does not waver in her belief that they MUST get off the ship. As the body count rises and time grows short, Amy follows the clues to the shattering secret. And that's when all hell breaks loose. I must say that after the first book, I let this one sit on my shelf for a while. (So long even, that the final book is out in paperback in a couple of weeks) I was depressed at the idea that Amy was going to be trapped on a ship for the rest of her life. But this book was filled with action, adventure and a growing love story. As the characters are on the brink of a new life filled with uncertainty, I am looking forward to seeing what this new chapter will bring for Amy, Elder and Orion. Will the hero get the girl? Will they live happily ever after? Will they have made the right decision? Stay tuned and happy reading my friends!

Fangirl

Add to my list of favorite authors Rainbow Rowell. She wrote my favorite summer read Eleanor and Park and now she has added Fangirl to my favorites bookshelf. This is the story of twins Cather and Wren as they go off to college. Their mother left them when they were 8 and their bipolar father raised them. Wren decides she doesn't want to room with Cath at college, which causes Cath to shut down and isolate herself. They are also in love with the world of Simon Snow, the main character in a long series of books (imagine Harry Potter) Cath writes fanfic (stories about the characters) and has a massive following online. At college, Cath's roommate Reagan, a tough talking sassy girl, decides to take pity on Cath and makes her become more social. Reagan's ex-boyfriend Levi is always hanging around. He "passes out smiles to everyone he met like it didn't cost him anything". He is charming, always happy, and such a gentleman. Of course, Cath doesn't realize that he and Reagan are exes and is horrified with herself when she falls for him. Levi is the boy we are all looking for. (yes, top ten fictional boy list material right next to Park) he Outsiders. Cath reads it to Levi and says they are on chapter 12 but only in the middle of the book. The Outsiders  only has 12 chapters. But that is a minor complaint from a language arts teacher who loves that book. Anyway, I highly recommend you check out this author. She is wonderful. Happy reading my friends!
 No magical powers, no extreme talents, not even a great head of hair. Just someone who loves completely and is open to everything. There are lots of serious conflicts in this book, but I won't give them away. It is truly a masterful coming of age novel filled with realistic characters. Her books are so easy to read and almost impossible to put down. My only complaint is about a reference to T

The Dream Thieves

Ok, so the pressure was on. Rylee threatened to finish The Raven Boys tonight and would need this book for the weekend. I never turn down a challenge so I came home, parked myself on the patio and finished the sequel, The Dream Thieves. Now if I tried to explain what this book was about, it would turn into a one hundred page summary that still wouldn't be clear. So I will say this, read the first one and get hooked into the world of Henrietta, where the Aglionby boys and the girl they all adore, are able to do magical things on their quest to wake Glendower, the king who will grant a wish. This book finds Ronan learning to use the power/curse he is born with. Adam must come to terms with who he really is. Noah has to find enough energy to materialize. Gansey must keep his friends together while not abandoning his quest and Blue must stop herself from kissing her one true love. Add to this mix the arrival of Mr. Gray, the hitman, sent to find the Greywaren. He didn't expect to fall in love with Blue's mother, which really puts a crimp in his plans. This is a mystical world, filled with monsters, powers, psychics and at it's heart, a love story. I can't get enough of Maggie Stiefvater's books. She creates the most fabulous characters, who even when they are dastardly, you can't help but love them! (Declan) The twists and turns will keep you wondering what will happen next and I for one, am looking forward to the next book. Because we all know, book two always leaves you hanging. Happy reading my friends!

Crown of Midnight

Okay Rylee- you were right- the last page was crazy! This sequel to Throne of Glass by Sarah Maas was outstanding. It returns to the world of Celaena Sardothien, the King's Assassin. She is bound by the knowledge that if she doesn't do as the king demands, those she loves will be killed. And she has lost far too many loved ones as it is. The King seems to have the mysterious ability to conquer all the lands he wants and he wants all the lands. Celaena is surrounded by her friends, Nehemia, a princess trying to free her enslaved people, Dorian, the king's son and her former flame, and Chaol, the King's Guard, who has become more that just a training partner. Nehemia wants her to be strong and embrace her power to change the world, but Celaena has been burned one too many times. Dorian is grappling with his own mysterious problem that could find him in a mess of trouble. And Chaol realizes he would give up everything if he could take Celaena away and live happily ever after. But as we know, without conflict, the story would have no where to go. So bring on the tragedy. With the tragic and brutal death of one of the main characters, Celaena's world forever changes, not only who she loves, but how she lives. She realizes it's time to step up and face her past even if it means she will lose the only ones who matter to her. Holy Assassin's Batman. This was one action packed read, filled with romance, deception, magic and overwhelming loss. So until the next book comes out, I will have sit and wonder how this epic adventure will be resolved. Luckily, I have boxes of books to keep me occupied until then. But Chaol and Celaena will be in the back of my mind, waiting to be unleased on the evil and unsuspecting King of Adarlan. And here's hoping he gets what he deserves. Happy reading my friends!

Fire and Ash

When I get to the end of a great series it is always with mixed emotions. This is no different. The final book in Jonathan Mayberry's FANTASTIC Rot and Ruin series was complete satisfaction. Benny and his friends must find a way to defeat the evil Saint John and his band of merry reapers as they try and end humanity. Oh and also find the lost Dr. who may or may not have a cure for the zombie plague. Oh and find a way to cure Chong who is locked in a cage trying to eat Benny. Oh and bring Lilah back from the brink of insanity after losing her 'town boy'. No biggie. After all Benny is at the ripe old age of fifteen. And he just lost his brother- one of my favorite all time characters- Tom Imura. The kids must find a way to be 'warrior smart' and be willing to become the monsters they are fighting when their hometown of Mountainside is threatened by the Reapers. I can't say how much this series means to me. It shows that in times of war, humans can be the biggest monsters of all. And on the flip side, what humans will do to protect and defend each other and humanity. So, while this is a book about the zombie apocalypse, it so isn't  a book of the zombie apocalypse. It's about people and where they stand when the chips are down. And how friends can become family. And how courage can move mountains. And how love can save the day. That being said, I will miss the world of Benny Imura, but I know that he is out in Tomsland with his red haired wild girl protecting the world from the humans who would do it harm. Tom Imura would be proud. Well done Mr. Maberry. Well done. Happy reading my friends!

Finale

It was with trepidation that I finally picked up this final book in the Becca Fitzpatrick series about Nora and Patch. The last book had me so annoyed at Nora I wasn't sure I was going to be able to finish the series. Am I glad I did. Nora is back to her fighting self and Patch is as brooding and wonderful as ever. Nora has taken over as leader of the Nephilim and must figure out how to stay in power or she will die. Literally. They are in a battle with the fallen angels over fealty. Nora is surrounded by people she can't trust, even people she has to rely on to survive. But the bright side is Patch. He is her stalwart boyfriend. He will move heaven and earth to keep her safe. Literally. As they realize that the betrayal they are facing runs deep, they have to find a way to save Nora and the Nephilim, even if it means putting Patch in mortal danger. We lose some great characters in this book and I bid them a fond farewell, there are always casualties in a battle between heaven and earth. Trust me, I've read enough angel books to know. But the love story of Patch and Nora doesn't disappoint. I hope that doesn't give anything away, but anything less than a happily ever after just wouldn't do. Patch remains my favorite angel and top ten fictional boy. Nora is back on the no damsels in distress list. I am sad the saga is over, but glad that I can put these characters on the "they will live forever together" list. (which I can't do with Will and Tessa because I had to watch Will die of old age, dang it. It still makes me sad.) Sorry, I digress. I have a new load of books arriving tomorrow, and look forward to some sequels to some great books, if I can fight Rylee for them. Happy reading my friends!

Unspoken

If you could read my mind, you would understand how much I enjoyed this book! Kami lives in a small town in England called Sorry-in-the-Vale. She is half Japanese. She has two brothers. She is an intrepid reporter always on the lookout for a good story. When the famed Lynburns return home, everything changes. See, Kami has an imaginary friend she has been speaking to in her head her whole life. His name is Jared. They are there for each other in the bleakest times. Funny thing is, one of the Lynburn boys' names is Jared. What are the chances that her imaginary friend is real? And that he is a Lynburn? Kami and Jared must figure out how to be with each other now that they know they are real people. Emotions get tangled, feelings get hurt, a love triangle forms- sort of. When murders start to occur, Jared is blamed and only Kami believes he is innocent. But who will believe her? As Kami unravels the mystery of their connection, her world is turned upside down. Can she live without Jared in her head in order to be with him in real life? And how will Jared feel if the only friend he has deserts him? Kami is such a hilarious character. She is determined, smart and loyal. She speaks her mind. She is fearless. Jared is troubled, rebellious and dependent on Kami. They have a complicated relationship, only made more so by the Lynburn family secrets. This first book in the Lynburn Legacy series delivers so many things I love in a book. Mystery, romance, loyal friends, sassy main characters and a bit of a supernatural gothic twist. I hope you enjoy Kami as much as I have. Happy reading my friends!

Forgotten

What if you couldn't remember anything from the past? Your brain resets every night at 4:33. The only way you know what happened to you is by the notes you leave by the side of your bed. What if your only memories are of the future...? Meet London Lane. Typical teenage girl with an atypical memory. Every day is a challenge for her, only a couple of people know her secret. Her mother and her best friend are the only ones who know why she seems kind of different to everyone else. Then a beautiful, kind boy rolls into her life- Luke. Luke is great, and London finds herself falling for him. It's like she's meeting him for the first time every time. He takes her breath away. And then she finds out he's been lying to her the whole time. He knows her secret- he went to camp with her when she was little. She is furious and tries to erase him from her memories. But Luke won't give up and pursues her until she will let him back into her life. This resets some other memories, of a funeral. But London soon realizes the funeral is from the PAST and figures out she had a brother who was kidnapped and presumed dead. This changes everything. Can London change the future and save those she loves or will she have to watch devastating events unfold? I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters are great, the storyline is interesting and there is never a dull moment. The ending leaves you hanging just enough to wish you could see into the future too. I highly recommend this first novel of Cat Patrick's and I won't forget that in the morning. Happy reading my friends!

The Future of Us

So one day Emma sets up her new computer and logs onto AOL. She notices a strange program called Facebook. She enters, she sees posts from someone with the same name as her. This other Emma is telling the smallest details of her life. Only one problem, it's 1997 and Facebook hasn't been invented yet. How is this happening, how can Emma see into her future. She drags her best friend and neighbor Josh into the picture. Their relationship has been strained as of late since he tried to kiss her and she rejected him. When they look up his future, he is married to the most popular girl in school, has three kids and a huge house on the lake. He couldn't be more thrilled. Emma finds herself married to a jerk, living in a place she isn't interested in. So she decides to see if she can change the future. And boy can she. Josh is worried that she may inadvertently change his, so he tries to convince her to leave things alone. Not gonna happen. As each of them try and figure out what they really want- is the most popular girl really the one for him?- they may come to find that their futures are with each other. This was such a clever concept for a book. I mean, who wouldn't want to see into the future, right? But what if what you saw was not what you had planned? This book is written with alternating points of view in each chapter- Josh and Emma. There are some clever posts that made me laugh. All in all I really enjoyed this book from two terrific authors. Happy reading my friends!

Rift

Well it's been a while my friends. And yes Rylee, I have finally finished Rift by Andrea Cremer. It didn't take me so long because I didn't enjoy it, on the contrary, I really liked the story. It took forever because my new school year has started and there is much to do to ensure that my 70 8th graders are entertained. This is the story of Ember, who had been promised at birth to serve Conatus. On her 16th birthday, the Guard comes to collect her against her father's wishes. But Ember can't wait to leave. She craves a life of adventure and service, not that of a dreary housewife to some nobelman of her father's choosing. What she finds is beyond her wildest dreams. She is trained to fight unnatural things and is surprised how much she loves it. She is reunited with her childhood friend Allistair and thinks nothing could ruin her mood. Until she is paired with Barrow, the strong, silent knight who will be training her. She is drawn to his strength and bravery. But life in the Guard is supposed to be a solitary one, so she is confused by her feelings for him. Meanwhile, Allistair has plans for them that Ember is horrified by. As the Guard is challenged by an evil force, one of their own may be behind it. The Guard must flee in the night as they prepare to take on that which can't be killed. Barrow and Ember must put their feelings on hold to save all that they hold dear. This is the prequel to the Nightshade series, which I haven't yet read and I look forward to getting to it in the future. For now, it's on to Rise, the sequel to see where Ember and Barrow end up. Which better be together, just sayin'! Happy reading my friends!

Awaken

How is it that Meg Cabot made a death deity with a surly attitude who lives in the Underworld so appealing? I mean as I get ready to go back to work, she makes me long for a chance to work next to John Hayden ferrying souls to their final resting place, Furies and all. I guess I am a sucker for tall, dark and brooding in my fictional boy way. This is the final leg of the Abandon Trilogy. Pierce has discovered that she must stay with John in the Underworld but she is still being hunted by the Furies. This puts everyone she loves in danger so she has to figure out a way to save her family and still do her duties as the Queen Consort to John. Pierce has a great cast of characters around her: Kayla, Frank, Mr. Liu, Mr. Graves, Henry and even her Dad. They all band together along with a few newly dead souls to drive the Furies away from the island and lure the Fates back. She has to take on Thanatos, her grandmother and a crazy cemetery worker in order to save all she loves, including John. Pierce really comes into her own as she has to manage things without John for a while. She's grown into the perfect partner for John. The book is filled with adventure, Greek mythology and lots of laughs as John and his gang try to understand what the heck Pierce and her family are talking about, after all they are from another time. This was a happy ending to a great series that wrapped up all the loose ends. One, two, three blink!  Happy reading my friends!

This is What Happy Looks Like

How is it possible that my two favorite books so far this summer both have a red-headed, father issues, main character named Eleanor??  If you want to know what happy looks like, it's this book. What would you do if you got an email that was sent to the wrong person and wound up really liking the sender? What if you told him things you had never told anyone, except your biggest secret? And what if he showed up in your little town to find you? And how about if he turned out to be Graham Larking, teen mega star? Ellie can't believe the boy she has been emailing is a movie star. And unlike most other girls, she isn't pleased. See, she needs to stay out of the spotlight as she is the illegitimate daughter of a state senator. But the pull of her connection to Graham is more than she can resist and they embark on a summer romance that puts both of them in the public eye. Graham is a great character. He is kind, introspective and willing to go to any length to keep Ellie safe and happy. Ellie is a strong, smart, determined girl who is unimpressed with Graham's stardom. Can they make it work in a world of instant news and celebrity obsession? Loved this book and can't wait to share it with my new students in a few weeks. As for Graham- definite top ten fictional boy material and Ellie is a definite No Did. So here's to what happy looks like for you and happy reading my friends!

SYLO

Tucker is the average high school football player. He lives on an island in Maine and tries to stay out of the spotlight. When the star football player drops dead in the middle of the game, Tucker's life takes a crazy turn. The island is put on quarantine under mysterious circumstances. More strange deaths occur. Tucker is approached by a shady stranger who offers him some "ruby" promising it will make him faster, stronger and a star athlete. Tucker takes some and realizes it must be the stuff that had killed Marcus. He and his best friend Quinn are suspicious about the strange things they are starting to see. Unidentifiable aircraft that emit musical tones and vaporize all in their past. People being rounded up, hunted down and killed. And Granger, the leader of the SYLO team sent to contain the island. Even his parents seem to be up to something. Tucker and his friends decide to try and sneak off the island and make a break for the mainland, but meet with tragic consequences. Who are SYLO? What side are they on? Can he trust his parents? Who is really fighting who? More questions than answers in this first of the series. D.J. MacHale has created a scary world, scary because it is all too possible. If you want a novel with lots of twists and turns and unanswered questions- this is the perfect summer read for you. Happy reading my friends!

I Hunt Killers

Jazz doesn't have the best role models in his life. His mom is gone, his grandma is beyond crazy and his dad is no longer around. But that is a good thing since Jazz's father is Billy Dent, the most prolific serial killer of all time. And Bill has raised Jazz in his image. Jazz knows the mind of serial killers because he was trained by the best. When a body turns up in his town, Jazz just knows something is up and he is determined to catch this new killer. He is the most qualified to do this as the new serial killer is copying his father's crimes. Jazz must convince the Sheriff to let him help so that the body count doesn't get any higher. Jazz and his friends Howie, a hemophiliac and Connie, his girlfriend sneak around the murder investigations trying to find clues. Little does Jazz know that the Impressionist is also watching him. Jazz struggles with the knowledge that he may be just like his dad and he constantly does tests to check his humanity. He knows he's a moment away from becoming just what his dad wants, a chip off the old block. This book is a lot like the series Dexter if Dexter had never murdered anyone. Jazz is both a likable and terrifying character. You are never sure what he is going to do, because he isn't sure what he is going to do. The murder scenes are a bit gruesome so this isn't for everyone, but is such an interesting psychological study of manipulation I couldn't put it down. (But I like gruesome) The end of the book is pretty scary and leads into the sequel called Game where I'm sure Jazz will be tested further. Happy reading my friends!

far far away

Once upon a time, there was a lonely boy, a headstrong girl and and ancient ghost. Then something bad happens  and someone must be saved. Will they live happily ever after? Jeremy Johnson Johnson is a strange boy in a town called Never Better. He hears voices. His father won't leave the house. They run a bookstore with only 1 book in it. He doesn't have any friends. Ginger is a free spirited trouble maker. She takes a bite of magical cake and falls for Jeremy. His ghostly friend, who happens to be Jacob Grimm, one of the Grimm brothers of fairy tale fame, thinks she's trouble. He is trying to protect Jeremy from the Finder of Occasions who is out to do harm to Jeremy. Only one problem, Jacob doesn't know who it is. As Jeremy and Ginger try to navigate a judgmental town, they are driven to befriend the town baker. Big mistake. When they find themselves locked in the baker's dungeon, they must figure out a way to survive and Jacob must face down his own past to save him. As Grimm fairy tales go, you can't always expect a happy ending. Sometimes the good guys lose and the monsters live happily ever after. This was a lovely book with an enchanting ghost that had me shedding a tear at the end. Happy ever after reading my friends and avoid the bakery if you see the green smoke. Just sayin' !

Return to Exile

Sky and his Uncle Phineas shared a special bond. Phineas taught Sky important life skills like puzzle solving, how to lay a trap, botany and reading about fake  monsters. Sky loves his Uncle but doesn't understand what these lessons have to do with anything. Phineas is his only friend and when he disappears on the night of Sky's birthday, Sky knows something is wrong. The family heads back to Exile where Phineas's mansion is. Only Phineas isn't there. And something is on the loose in Exile. Sky realizes all the lessons were for a reason and he has to find a way to stop a monster prison from being opened and save his uncle. But he can't do it alone. He teams up with other who share his strange abilities and they begin a quest to solve a riddle, lock up a prison and save a man they all know and love. In a world of shape shifters, edgewalkers and changelings, it is almost impossible to know who to trust and even harder to know if the face they are wearing are their own. It is a race to the finish to keep the monsters from escaping the prison and being let loose on the world. This book is filled with puzzles, traps, adventures and many gruesome monster battles. Sky is an endearing character who wants to make friends, save his family and the world while he's at it. Happy reading my friends!

Ingenue

Any book that has the word 'mustachioed' in it is okay by me. In fact it's swell! This is the second book in the Flappers series where the reader is transported to the 20's when girls were starting to take control of their lives amid gangsters, dancing and prohibition. It follows the lives of four girls. Gloria- a debutante on the run for murder with her black boyfriend-scandolous on so many levels. Clara- a reformed flapper back in the city with her boyfriend Marcus- trying to stay on the straight and narrow. Lorraine- a troublemaker messed up with the mob, looking for revenge on Gloria. And Vera- an African American girl trying to find her brother before the mob assassin finds him. Sounds interesting eh? The girls each face scandal, fear and societies stereotypes as they make their way through the speakeasies and back alleys of NYC. There is intrigue, drama and more than one love story in this easy to read series. It is such a great time period that isn't typical in YA literature. Jillian Larkin lures you in through the secret entrances and passwords to a time of glamour and danger. If this interests you, start with Vixen and brush up on your Charleston. The dames are waiting.Thanks again JP for introducing me to this fun series! Happy reading my friends!

The Moon and More

Oh Sarah Dessen. Every time. The latest addition to the heart wrenching stories that Sarah Dessen creates is the story of Emaline. A beach girl from Colby, (yes, home of Auden) in the summer before college. She has a blended family, an absent father, a longtime boyfriend and sand between her toes. When her father comes to town for the summer with her stepbrother, Emaline must resolver her shaky relationship with him. She is pulled into the world of a New York filmmaker and her assistant. She experiences the heartbreak of losing her long time love. She gets pulled into a new romance that seems exciting at first, but does not turn out to be the Best Thing Ever. (And I'm glad, I didn't like Theo at all. Team Luke all the way!) Emaline navigates the world of summer rentals, her family and her best friends, all while trying to decide who she truly is and what she wants for her future. Does she really want to leave Colby and see the world, does she want to make peace with her father, or will she follow her own dreams? Wow, this was a one day read that I have been putting off because these books always leave me with a pit in my stomach. They are filled with such great characters that seem so alive and true. I want to live in Colby and meet the people and walk on the boardwalk. I'll skip the shrimp burgers though! So for those of you who already know what it is to read a Sarah Dessen book, enjoy! For those of you who come to this as a new experience, welcome. -sigh- Happy reading my friends!

Towering

I love Alex Flinn's non-fairy tale books. They are super fantastic. This is the second fairy tale re-imagining I have read. This is the story of Rapunzel. Rachel is trapped in a tower in the middle of nowhere. Her only company is her 'Mama' who comes once a day to feed her and warn her about the perils of the outside world. Mama tells her the man who killed her mother is still out there and wants to kill her too. Rachel longs for something more, a romance like in all the books she reads. Wyatt is sent to live with his mother's friend's mother. He is trying to get away from the death of his best friend. He starts to hear singing when no one else can and he is determined to find the cause of it. On his quest, he falls through some ice and Rachel escapes from her tower to save him. They are incredibly drawn to each other and quickly fall in love. But Rachel won't leave the tower until she figures out her destiny and Wyatt wants to be worthy of being a hero for a change. As Wyatt investigates Rachel's story, he uncovers a nefarious plot that will take Rachel out of the safety of the tower and on a crash course towards her destiny. This is a fun Rapunzel tale set in a modern time. My favorite line "But those who are not trapped in towers could not possibly understand the special concern of those of us who are." Deep on many levels. But isn't that the beauty of a fairy tale, a deep message hidden in tales of knights and dragons? If you love a retold fairy tale Alex Flinn is your girl. But don't miss out on a couple  of my favorites- Breathing Underwater and Nothing to Lose. Happy ever after reading my friends.

Variant

Benson is finally going to get something good in his life. He has been shuffled around from foster home to foster home. But now he has been accepted into the Maxfield Academy, a boarding school. Benson will now have a great school and friends. When he arrives, he notices the students trying to get his attention from the windows, but he doesn't know what they are trying to tell him. As the doors open two students fly out and try to run away. As Benson is brought into the school, he realizes it is not what it seems. First of all, there are no adults. Secondly, there is no way out. The students are controlled by the "school" which uses the students to keep the peace. And if you wind up in detention, you are dead. Literally. Benson is determined to find a way to escape and can't understand why all the students don't feel the same sense of urgency he does. When he makes a startling discovery about his girlfriend, he must convince the others to run before it is too late for all of them. What kind of experiment is this school and how can Benson find his way out? But most importantly, who can he trust when he can't seem to trust anyone?? This was a fast paced read that will appeal to the male population for sure. Always love a book that the reluctant reader will like. The story continues in the sequel Feedback, so I'll get back to you when I read that. Onward my friends and happy reading!

Goddess

The final book. Will Lucas and Helen finally learn the truth and get to live happily ever after? Will they fulfill the prophecy? Who is the Tyrant? Which of the Scion's will survive? All these questions are answered in the final book of the Starcrossed Trilogy. With a war with the gods of Olympus on the horizon, Helen must rally the Scions in order to save everyone she loves. After becoming blood brothers with Lucas and Orion, Helen seems to be gaining in power. She is scaring her mortal friends and is unable to control her emotions leading to tragic consequences. Which side will everyone line up on when the war finally begins? When Helen learns the truth of her fate as well as the past lives she has lived, she comes to some startling realizations that affect all those who love her. This book is filled with intrigue and plots, love and death, war and peace. When the truth of Lucas and Helen is finally revealed, will it be too late to save the one true love of her life? This was a great series filled with Greek mythology, but you better keep a scorecard of the players because it isn't easy to keep track! In the end, though, this is a fun series for fans of the mythology and a great love triangle. Helen is a warrior willing to give up everything for her family. Lucas is a hero for the sacrifices he makes in order for Helen to find happiness. And Orion, Hector and Jason are just fun! So watch out Zeus, there's a new sheriff in town and his name is Helen! Happy reading my friends!

eleanor and park

oh. my. goodness. I was waiting for my ride to the beach and didn't want to unpack the book I was reading from my bag. I had just read that John Green loved this book so I picked it up off the pile and started. Well, 15 minutes later, my ride was here and my old book was out and I was sucked into the world of eleanor and park. Two sixteen year old kids who were insecure with their places in the world. Eleanor is overweight, dresses 'differently', has bright red curly hair and lives with her 4 brothers and sisters with their abusive step father. Park is half Korean, lives with his overly affectionate parents and giant brother. When Eleanor steps on the bus for the first time, Park wants nothing to do with her because he knows the attention she will get and he likes to live under the radar. Eleanor just wants a seat on the bus. Park's good manners win out and he invites her to share his seat, not knowing how that one small gesture will change both of their lives. They slowly create a friendship fraught with obstacles. Friendship turns to love. Park will do anything for Eleanor and she can't figure out why he loves her- no, needs her. All the while she must navigate the bullying at school and more frightening, at home. When things with her stepfather come to a head, she must run for her life and the only one she can turn to is Park. But by saving her, he also knows he will lose her. This is a FANTASTIC book that is up there among my all-time favorites. I loved this book. I can't say enough nice things about it. I hope awards pour down on this author. I hope somewhere, Eleanor and Park are having their happily ever after. Run to the bookstore and pick this up. You won't regret it. I promise. Happy reading my friends!

The Program

There is a suicide epidemic going on. Teenagers are committing suicide left and right. So society has created The Program, a way to erase all the bad memories and cure the teens. Only problem is, all your memories get erased until you barely know who you are anymore. Sloane's brother has committed suicide and she and his best friend James have been trying to cope. They turn to each other and fall in love. But the Program is always watching for signs that you are sick. When James starts to show the symptoms, Sloane tries to save him, but she can't and she watches as James is dragged into the Program. Her mother soon turns her in as well and Sloan finds herself undergoing 'treatment'. Fighting back is futile. As her memories of James are slowly stripped from her, she finds a friend in Realm, a boy who seems to know the ropes of the Program. He tries to help Sloane get by, but what are his true motives? Sloane is exited from the program with no memories but finds herself drawn to this boy- James. When she discovers a message she left herself, Sloane must decide what her and James's past was really all about and she needs to rely on Realm to help her. This was a frightening book that begs the reader to think about what memory they would save and how much of ourselves are made of memories. The Program will make me think for a long time to come. Happy Reading my friends!

Monument 14 Sky on Fire

One of the most popular books in my class last year was Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne. A chemical cloud has been unleashed in Colorado and a group of kids take refuge in a superstore. They have to figure out how to survive and find a way to get to the airport to evacuate and maybe find their parents. In this sequel, it picks up when half the group has left in the bus to get help for those left behind. Among the group are high school kids and some much younger kids, oh and a dog. The story is told in the alternating voices of brothers Dean and Alex. Alex has left with the bus and Dean has stayed behind because his blood type makes it deadly for him to be exposed to the air. Each group faces deadly circumstances on their journeys. The kids on the bus are hijacked by some rogue teenagers and must make their way to the airport on foot. The kids in the store face intruders who want to get into the store. But they have learned not to let outsiders in. When the hijackers find out about the store, they take the bus and head for the group that was left behind. Mayhem ensues. People are killed. Friends are lost and new friends are made. Dean is forced to do things that will haunt him for the rest of his life. A love story even occurs amidst the chaos. After a harrowing rescue mission, the kids are reunited- mostly- until a newspaper arrives. And the person in the picture must be saved... Cue the next book in the series. These are fast paced books that appeal to all readers, but especially the hard to reach boy population. That being said- strap on your gas masks and pack your backpacks- it's going to be a bumpy ride! Happy reading my friends!

The Beautiful and the Cursed

You had me at gargoyle, Page Morgan! What a concept, gargoyles protecting their human charges who live in the houses the adorn. They come out of hibernation when the house is occupied and are tied to the humans that live there.Ingrid and Gabby move into such a house in Paris in the 1800's. They are going to be reunited with Ingrid's twin brother Grayson, who had arrived weeks ago. But when they get there, they find that Grayson is missing. Ingrid is determined to find her twin and in her quest, meets up with some interesting people. Not to be left behind, Gabby joins the search and meets the infuriating Scotsman, Nolan. But it is Ingrid's connection to Luc that really guides the story. Luc is the gargoyle sworn to protect the family as long as they are living in the house. It is strictly forbidden for gargoyles to have a romantic attachment to humans. Luc is quickly forced to reveal his true self to Ingrid and instead of running in fear, Ingrid is fascinated with Luc's gargoyle form. Luc is drawn to her in ways he has never experienced. It could cost him his life. As Ingrid and Gabby search for a way to find their brother, they find out about secret societies, demons, angels and the dark and dangerous place that holds Grayson. Ingrid discovers she has mysterious powers of her own and her true nature is a puzzle to both the gargoyles and the Alliance alike. Only Axia, a fallen angel, knows what she truly is and will stop at nothing to possess her. This was a GREAT story filled with fabulous characters, supernatural wonders and a fast paced storyline, unresolved of course! I, for one, will never look at gargoyles the same again. My heart belongs to Luc and I look forward to meeting up with him again in the sequel, which can't come out soon enough for me! Happy reading my friends!

The Culling

Oh. My. This book was brutal. Imagine the Hunger Games, but way more violent and disturbing. That being said, I couldn't put it down. This is the story of Lucky, who is living in a post apocalyptic world where you can be pulled off the streets and disappear forever. He lives with his four year old brother Cole. Lucky is trying to keep them both alive and when his old friend Cassius comes back to town as a Prefect, he thinks his problems may be solved. Unfortunately, Cassius has changed and as revenge for Lucky not helping him catch the resistance, Cassius puts Lucky in the running to become an Imposer. Of course, to become one you must win The Trials. As the five unlucky names are called, Lucky finds himself in competition with the dreamy Digory. The only problem is that only one person will survive the Trials- oh and if you come in last in any of the events, someone you love will be "culled" or killed in some horrible fashion. Since Cole is one of Lucky's Incentives, Lucky must sacrifice everything to keep him safe- even at the cost of Digory and the other contestants's loved ones. I haven't despised a character as much as Cassius in a long time. I look forward to him getting what is coming to him in future books. The Trials that the contestants must endure are horrifying and gory. The choices the contestants must make are devastating. This book is not for the faint of heart, but it definitely will keep you on the edge of your seats. Steven Dos Santos has created a world that disturbs me in so many ways and leaves me with more questions than answers. So, if you have a strong stomach and can find hope in little things, give this one a try! Happy Reading my friends!

The Testing

Cia is about to graduate from school. She is living in Five Lakes with her family. The world isn't as we know it. She is waiting on pins and needles to see if she is chosen for The Testing. Only a few are chosen, and no one from Five Lakes has been taken in years. The day after graduation she is informed that she and three others will be going to the Testing. Her father is less than thrilled and tells her of his experience with the Testing. He can't remember any of it, except what comes to him in dreams. And those dreams are nightmares. He is worried for his daughter's safety and warns her to "Trust No One". But he can't mean Tomas, the boy from her school, the one that every girl dreams about. Cia and Tomas team up to try and pass the Testing. To do any less could result in their deaths. As each test is given, the stakes get higher and higher and Cia must use all her wits to keep her and Tomas alive. She has to trust her instincts and if they are wrong, people could die. This book is fraught with tension as each test becomes a matter of life and death. Even at the end, you aren't sure who Cia should trust and what the consequences will be if she doesn't pass the Test. This definitely has a Hunger Games quality as no one is safe from violence, deceit and death. The participants aren't given the choice whether or not they want to attend, and more than one does not return to their colony. The sequel is coming out in the fall and this is a series to watch out for. Happy reading my friends!

Angelfall

Why are all the angels in angel books guys? Daniel, Patch, Jackson, even Castiel on Supernatural?? Not that I mind, there's something about a fictional boy with wings that is enjoyable. Add Raffe to the list. Penryn is trying to keep her family safe in the aftermath of an Angel Apocalypse. The humans must hide from the packs of roaming angels that are destroying cities. She comes upon an angel being beaten by a group of angels. She is horrified when they cut off his wings. As she finds herself helping him fight off the pack, her sister is taken by the angels. She saves his wings and brings him to safety to heal so that he can help her get her sister back. Raffe doesn't want to help her and is struggling to recover. But he reluctantly agrees to do so when she helps him out of a couple of tricky situations. She did save his wings after all... He leads her to the aerie in San Francisco where he hatches a plan to find her sister and get his wings sown back on. Nothing goes as planned and the events that follow are beyond disturbing. Raffe is much more than he appeared to be and Penryn's sister is not quite the same. Penryn is a tough girl with loyalty and determination in spades. The forbidden relationship between angel and Daughters of Men is taken very seriously in this book and will make for many problems in the future of the series I'm sure. I have yet to read an angel book I haven't liked- or a cute angel boy for that matter, so I look forward to reading more of this series and am quite disappointed that the sequel isn't out there yet!!! So add Raffe to the list and await his return on his wings of.... not giving that away! Happy reading my friends!

The Elite

She loves him, she loves him not, she loves him, she loves him not. Aspen-Maxon, Maxon-Aspen. And so it goes. In this sequel to The Selection by Kiera Cass, America is torn. Does she want to be a princess and marry Maxon, or is it her boy-next-door former boyfriend Aspen she wants to spend her life with? Her indecision is driving the two boys crazy and to be honest, me too! This is such a fun concept, kinda like the Bachelor for teens. Even though I refuse to watch those shows, this novel is a fun read. America is feisty and sure of what she believes. She isn't afraid to speak her mind, even when it goes against what Maxon is trying to do. She is unhappy with the caste system which guides her society and when she finds out how it was started, she is determined to try and fix it. Unfortunately, she doesn't know how to do that and she is less than graceful in the way she goes about it. Maxon loves her, but can't deal with her outspokenness as it interferes with the quiet way he is trying to change things in his father's kingdom. Aspen doesn't think she can handle being a princess, but he is the one who let her go to pursue this chance. Also, the rebels keep attacking the palace and what exactly are they looking for? All the decisions seem to rely on America and she is torn between who she is and who she has the potential to become. I can't wait to see how it ends, someone's heart is bound to be broken and  the fate of a country may lie in the hands of a couple of teenagers. Scary thought- eh? The first book was a popular one in my classroom this year and I know the girls will be eager to get their hands on this one! Happy reading my friends. I'm off to the beach. (bag of books in hand!)

Darkness Before Dawn

Dawn is the newest and youngest delegate that Denver has ever had. She is taking the place of her parents in their job of serving Lord Valentine. She is the go between as she supports the VampHu treaty. You see, after a long war between vampires and humans, they have come to an uneasy peace. The humans agree to supply blood to the vampires and the vampires, well, they agree not to eat all the humans. When Dawn goes to a party with her best friend Tegan, they are attacked by four vampires. Victor arrives just in time to save them and makes sure they get home safely. They assume he is a member of the Night Watchmen, the trained men who guard the city. How wrong they are. Dawn discovers he is the son of Lord Valentine, her mortal enemy. As Victor keeps turning up to help Dawn, she begins to realize that he is different. He wants to help the humans and the vampires coexist. But danger is afoot. His evil brother makes an appearance to undo all the good Victor wants to do. ANd who is the guy in the hoodie who keeps stalking Dawn? Dawn has many decisions to make on who she will trust and who she will save and at what cost will she do both? This was a fun vampire story with some twists and turns. Victor is the typical dreamy vamp who falls for the human girl. But I'm not so sure that Dawn is what she seems. I'll have to read the sequel to see if I'm right. Happy reading my friends!

Unremembered

When Sera wakes up as the only survivor of a plane crash she has NO memories. Of anything. Not even her name. The only thing she knows is that everyone is interested in the beautiful girl with the violet eyes. When a boy shows up at the hospital asking if she remembers him, her mind says yes, always yes, but she can't trust him. He seems to turn up everywhere she goes, warning her that others will come looking for her. Run away with me, he asks. Sera is stubborn and isn't ready to trust anyone. She enlists the help of her foster brother Cody to help her figure out who she is and where she comes from. She discovers she has super strength and an ability to run really fast. She can understand and speak many languages and she is drawn to Zen, the mystery boy, for reasons she can't explain. When he offers her her memories back, she slowly realizes who he is and why she had to run. Only problem is, she didn't run far enough and the company that is responsible for her has found where she is. And they want her back. Sera and Zen must figure out a way to outwit the company and make there way to a place where they will be safe, but can they do it in time? This is a really fast paced adventure with a neat twist at the end. Sera is not what she seems and Zen is willing to follow her to the ends of the earth to protect and love her. How do you remember someone when your memories are gone? Would you still recognize your soul mate? Would you trust a complete stranger if he knew how to pull on your heart strings? I totally recommend this book and would love to know how Sera and Zen are doing and if they reached their destination. Happy reading my friends!

The Friday Society

The Silver Heart, Lady Sparkle and Hyde. What a group of swell heroines! In this steampunk novel, the three girls join forces to foil evil, back each other up and find a little romance along the way. Cora, who works for Lord White is the inventor. Nellie, who works for the Great Raheem, is a magician's assistant with skills to get out of tricky situations. And Michiko, who works for Callum as his Samurai assistant, who is really the one with all the skills. When the ladies meet by accident at the scene of a murder, they keep finding themselves in death defying predicaments. They are clever, resourceful and brave, all while keeping outstanding senses of humor. Most of the men in their lives underestimate them, but that doesn't stop them from foiling several diabolical plots, solving a couple of murders and keeping their independence at a time when women didn't seem to have much. This was such an enjoyable book, written with great style and humor. These three are no damsels in distress! I will be looking forward to more capers with the Friday Society in the future. It most definitely has a sass and personality many readers will enjoy. Summer vacation has officially begun- so let the reading commence. Happy reading my friends!

Rootless

What would the world be like if there were no more trees? Or books? Or a way to grow food? What if the locust that used to eat the crops had no where to turn except for humans? What if one company had the power to make all the food we were able to consume? What if that food was a super food like popcorn? You would find yourself in the world of Rootless  by Chris Howard. Banyan is a tree builder. He makes trees from scrap metal for people willing to pay. His father has disappeared- taken by what he assumes is Pirates to be sold. Banyan meets up with a family, Zee, Sal, Hina and Frost and their watcher Crow. When Zee gives him a picture of his father chained to actual trees, Banyan is thrust into a wild mission to try and find him. Nothing goes as planned and Banyan finds himself captured by Pirates, led by the fascinating Alpha- a Pirate girl who catches his eye. Banyan finds himself fighting for his life and the lives of his new friends. When he discovers what GenTech (the food company) is really up to- he realizes the evil things people will do to survive. Banyan must gather his forces to try and save not only his father, but the thousands of people GenTech has taken. This was a really thought provoking book. I mean, what would life really be like with no trees? I take it for granted that when I look out the window, I will see trees blowing in the breeze. Banyan is a great character who comes into his own in his search for his father, and finds a little love story on the way. Crow is another great character who turns out to be more than he seems. I look forward to the continuation of this series and will make sure before it comes out, I plant a few more trees in my yard. Happy reading my friends!

Maggot Moon

This short, fast-paced novel begs the question, what is worth risking your life for? Standish Treadwell is different in a world where different can get you sent away. He can't read, he has two different color eyes and he lives in Zone Seven, where all the worst offenders are sent. The government- The Motherland- is a totalitarian state where you must do as they say or disappear. Like his parents. When the Lush family moves in next door, Standish finally finds a friend in Hector. Together, they have a plan to leave the planet in their paper mache rocket. In the meantime, the Motherland claims to be able to put a man on the moon. Only one problem, one of the astronauts turns up on Standish's doorstep with a horrifying secret. One that would keep the Motherland in power over the world. Standish can't stand the thought of this hoax and decides he must tell the world the truth. When the Lush's are taken, Standish must convince his grandfather that his plan is worth the risk. Because even if Standish can't read, he is far from stupid. This is a heartbreaking little novel with a strong message. Even the most insignificant of people can make a world of difference. This isn't for everyone. but is an interesting concept that makes you question what you would do in this situation. Would you risk your life to save the world? Happy reading my friends!

Dr. Bird's Advice for Sad Poets

James Whitman likes to start his day with a giant YAWP ala Walt Whitman. Partly to piss off his dad and partly to convince himself that he is okay. His sister has been kicked out of the house and he is guilt ridden knowing he did nothing to help her. He is depressed, lonely and living in an abusive household. He talks to a made up counselor named Dr. Bird who is a pigeon he has created in his mind. He somehow keeps screwing up his only friend, Derek's, life and has fallen for a girl with a boyfriend. He spends each day trying not to commit suicide and writing poetry to impress Beth. He finds himself on a quest to get his sister back into the high school she was expelled from so his parents will let her come home. Little does he know that her problems are far greater than graduating from high school. James is a unique individual who hugs trees to make himself feel better. He gets a job so he can make enough money to pay an actual therapist. This is a book about a young man trying to figure out how to cope with all life has dealt him. He is such a likeable character who is going through what most people go through at some point in their lives. Trying to discover who he is and then being okay with it. There are many good messages in this book and it is filled with Walt Whitman poetry to boot. I enjoyed this quick read- no supernatural elements unless you count the imaginary Dr. Bird- who's advice is right on the money most of the time. Happy reading my friends!