A new student review of Earth Girl by Janet Edwards

dancerASJ posted a new student review of Earth Girl by Janet Edwards. See the full review.

This book is a good read. Not too long.Not too short.Great storyline with developing characters , secrets , and friendship. All in all this is any enjoyable book.

A new student review of Who Is AC? by Hope Larson

mattstudent_101 posted a new student review of Who Is AC? by Hope Larson. See the full review.

quick summary

A new student review of Touch of the Demon

kanati posted a new student review of Touch of the Demon . See the full review.

l personally enjoyed this book for the action and constant plot twists keeping me on my toes. Diana Rowland shows her mastery of the element of suspense and the urban fantasy genre by use of her captivating characters and engaging plot line. This is truly a great page turner that contains a little something for everyone. I recommend this to any teen looking for a great series that will never grow old. I know I will be keeping my eyes out for the next book in the series.

A new student review of The Moon Coin (The Moon Realm Series, Book 1) by Richard Due

PrincessLeiaAayla posted a new student review of The Moon Coin (The Moon Realm Series, Book 1) by Richard Due. See the full review.

The Moon Coin by Richard Due was an average book.  I liked the fact that it included:

• Some pictures, so you have a better image of what the characters look like
• Some descriptions, but they are very confusing

Here is what I didn't like:

• The story and the way it unfolded was VERY confusing
• Lily is always lying throughout the story and never learns from her lying, which is frustrating.
• The spelling is weird, as if it's from another country. It makes the book difficult to read.

A new student review of Garden Princess by Kristin Kladstrup

TaurielOfMirkwood posted a new student review of Garden Princess by Kristin Kladstrup. See the full review.

It was a pretty good book. Not the best, but not the worst. It wasn't really that exciting, and it was actually kind of boring at times. The ending was good, though. That was the part in the book that really made me want to know what happens. So, overall, it was a good book. Not a great book, not a terrible book, but a good book.

A new student review of Plague in the Mirror

swimmer1430 posted a new student review of Plague in the Mirror . See the full review.

The subject of doppelgangers is very interesting and hasn't been written about as much as it should. I thought the premise of Plague in the Mirror sounded very original: evil twins, time travel, romance, and travel all rolled into one. However, I think the author had too many storylines and themes in her novel. Neither modern day Italy or Medieval Florence were as fleshed out as they could have been. I would have preferred if the author picked one setting and stayed with it - rather than have May constantly travel between the two. There were things that I enjoyed in this novel. I loved the setting of Florence. I want to travel to Italy so I was jealous of May's opportunity to live there for the summer. I also enjoyed May's relationship and romance with Liam although I do wish they spent more time together in the book. Overall I think the author of Plague in the Mirror had too many ideas for one book, but it was still an enjoyable read.

A new student review of The Goddess Inheritance by Aimée Carter

sthom506 posted a new student review of The Goddess Inheritance by Aimée Carter. See the full review.

Kate Winters has such a human feel for a supposed Goddess, which allowed for a wonderful connection to the character. Her tale is believable while still being fantastical and adventurous. There is a balance of romance and action, not to mention familial love and tight-knit friendships. The character relationships developed the most in this latest book, and it is easy to be drawn in from the first sentence. As the characters go through pain, joy, and amusement, so will each and every individual reader, feeling as though they are apart of this brilliantly painted mastery of a story. Well written and much enjoyed by this reader, The Goddess Inheritance is a perfect addition to any fantasy or mythology loving reader's collection. 

A new student review of The Crossing (Blood of the Lamb: Book One)

dancechicka posted a new student review of The Crossing (Blood of the Lamb: Book One) . See the full review.

This book was a breath of fresh air for me.  Hagar has defiantly come up with an original and innovative idea.  I was a little confused with the plot and who’s who at the beginning, but as the book went on I figured it out.  I love how Hagar portrayed Maryam as a strong and willful individual, yet gave her a certain vulnerability that made you want to cheer her on to victory.  This book was exciting but not too faced paced, edgy without being intrusive, and had plenty of new twists that kept me guessing.  This book captures the feeling of deception and conspiracy, with the underlying rage and anger just below the surface.  I also felt the supporting characters played a big role in this book’s plot, giving it depth and personality.  All in all, I felt this novel was a success and encourage you to read it!

“The singing and the crush of people amplified around her….she cast about, desperate for some whom might ease her plight.  But now she was falling….”

I would recommend this book for mature readers and young adults, as this novel had some sexual situations and references, yet no profanity to speak of.

Faced with the consequences of turning her back on everything she believes, will Maryam be able to escape the dreaded and merciless Apostles and find out the truth…..alive?  You’ll have to read Mandy Hagar’s new novel, The Crossing, to answer that question?

Note:  This book is the first installment of the Blood of the Lamb Trilogy.  If you are interested in reading the other installments, the second novel is called Into the Wilderness and the third, Resurrection.

A new student review of Dare You To by Katie McGarry

kaiyle posted a new student review of Dare You To by Katie McGarry. See the full review.

Dare You To is one of the best books that I have read in a really long time.  I love how Katie McGarry switches back and forth between Beth and Ryan's perspectives so the reader can see how different events affect each of them differently.  Once I started reading this book, I couldn't put it down.  I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a teen romance book.

A new student review of Shaken by D.M. Anderson

EmilyFredricks posted a new student review of Shaken by D.M. Anderson. See the full review.

I liked this book very much, I liked how it showed three different teenagers' stories. It didn't just show one. You got to see how each of the different teenagers deals with the earthquake. I enjoyed it quite a bit, it was one of the better books that I have read in a long time.

A new student review of Peanut

MIZZIQ posted a new student review of Peanut . See the full review.

It's a pretty neat story. I wouldn't say it's very original. However the pictures and the likable characters that you can relate to bring it to life in a whole new way. Friendships are the main focal point for this book and it does a fine job of entertaining, making you think, laugh, and read it all in one sitting. Cute and very memorable. One thing I especially loved was how the pictures furthered an already good story, and the cool transitions between color and black and white kept me interested. I thought there were some really great comedic parts as well. Overall a very neat book that arrived just in time for a snow storm.  

A new student review of My Ex From Hell (The Blooming Goddess Trilogy Book One)

LISH0985 posted a new student review of My Ex From Hell (The Blooming Goddess Trilogy Book One) . See the full review.

What I liked:
Sophie Bloom is a sarcastic, spunky narrator who keeps the action rolling in the book. She is a refreshing version of a goddess. Usually goddesses are aloof, mean, cunning, manipulative, and sometimes nice. But Sophie represents all the things that I would look for if I decided to worship a Greek God. I love Sophie’s friends, too, who are just as sarcastic as she is. Kai sounds evilly delicious and I just want to take a bite out of his character. The plot, while not original, plays out well and keeps me interested; it is refreshing in it’s own little way. Also the action doesn’t drag on, which can happen when the author gets to excited and into the novel.

What I didn’t like:
A good book describes the characters. This book hinted at a description. The author just scratched at the surface of the animosity between Sophie and Bethany and I was deeply interested to know why they hate each other so much, since Bethany is a part-time main character. Also, I would've like to have known the history between Felicia and Sophie. I understood that Felicia was a drunk and wasn’t always the most attentive mother, but until the end, when Sophie was traveling down the labyrinth, I didn’t know that Felicia was cruel to Sophie, as well. The tension between Sophie and Kai could have been played up some more as well. In the story, it feels like they are two people who just met each other, with no hints at the past they really have.  Kai must know things about what Sophie was like when she was Persephone, but it never seems that way. I would have expected there to be more hints from them about what they knew about each other.   Another thing that I didn’t like is that the action moves too fast. Kai kisses her and "boom" - she knows who she is and how to use some of her powers. I would have liked if she gradually worked in the use of her powers. Sophie could have begun to experience dreams of her former life and have her powers start to act up in front of people at first. The battle scenes could have been drawn out more. We could have gotten to know Theo: his past, his sacrifice, and ultimately about his time imprisoned by Zeus and how he got free. And I feel like maybe Ms. Darling could have explained why Theo hates Kai so much.

Overall:
I give this book anywhere from a 4.3 to a 4.5. It kept me entertained and I didn’t want to put it down.

A new student review of A Long, Long Sleep

JesusFreak posted a new student review of A Long, Long Sleep . See the full review.

I’ve never been one for love stories; I’ve always loved fast-paced futuristic stories.  However, this book was an exception.  I was afraid that it was going to be a slow, boring book as soon as I started it.  I quickly found out that I was wrong.  I found myself thinking like Rose, the main character, so it was nice how I felt connected with her.  I also loved how the story was based on Sleeping Beauty but wasn’t all gushy.  The main reason I loved this book was the emotion that it brought with its story.  I found myself tearing up at quite a few parts (which I usually never do when it comes to books).  I suggest this book to everyone out there, no matter if you do or don’t like romantic stories.  You won’t be disappointed!

A new student review of Super Zombie Juice Mega Bomb by MJ Ware

hometlf@yahoo.com posted a new student review of Super Zombie Juice Mega Bomb by MJ Ware. See the full review.

If you like Zombies, this book is for you! If you like creepy stories or stories with adventure, this book is for you. I recommend it for kids ages 10 and up. I loved it and couldn’t put it down. I even read it more than once.

I liked Nate, Misty and Kali. I felt like I was right there with them as they battled the Zombies and was rooting for them all the way. I didn’t want to see them get blown up with the town and I wish the story could have had a different ending for Kali. He was a really cool and smart kid.

SUPER ZOMBIE JUICE MEGA BOMB by M.J.A. Ware is a great story and as an extra bonus - besides giving us the answer to wiping zombies out of extinction – he gives the reader a 3 for 1: Super Zombie Juice Mega Bomb and two short stories.  They are just as great a read as Super Zombie Juice Mega Bomb.

So what are you waiting for, so get the book and your Zombie survival guide now! Enjoy!

A new student review of A Long, Long Sleep

swimmer0016 posted a new student review of A Long, Long Sleep . See the full review.

I thought this book was very interesting. It was completely different from anything I have ever read before. There was so much technology portrayed; some that we haven't even imagined yet. It was hard to understand what all of the information meant at first but once you got into it it was so cool. There is a romance it is sad and sweet and in the end it is beautiful. I loved this book

A new student review of Heron's Path by Alethea Eason

Rainbow Shard posted a new student review of Heron's Path by Alethea Eason. See the full review.

I really enjoyed this book.  The blending of the worlds of the native people and the white girls was accomplished in such a manner as to make the worlds seem one, while still expressing the separation of the two.  I also was drawn in by Celeste’s struggle with the wei-ni-la, the evil ones, and the Old Ones in the native myths.  I did find it a little strange that she kept running off naked, but it only added to the intrigue of the story.  Then blue feathers began to grow on her arm, which fascinated me, though I suppose some people might call it creepy.  Overall, it was an excellent book, one I would recommend to anyone who likes history or is just interested in the legends of Native Americans.

A new student review of Glamorous Illusions: A Novel (Grand Tour Series) by Lisa T. Bergren

jarofclay posted a new student review of Glamorous Illusions: A Novel (Grand Tour Series) by Lisa T. Bergren. See the full review.

This is one of my favorite books and I cannot wait for the rest of the trilogy. The time period is absolutely stunning and Lisa Bergren has a talent for developing well thought-out characters and transporting the reader into the past. One of the best aspects of the book is that the romance, while still there and intriguing, develops slower than most books nowadays and makes you keep guessing. Also, the main pull of the book is Cora discovering herself, learning how to deal with her newfound fortune and family, and knowing that soon she'll have to choose which life she continues to live. By making Cora's story a trilogy, Bergren gives herself time to fully explore the characters and settings while allowing the reader to become fully enthralled with her story. I definately recommend this trilogy to anyone who enjoys historical fiction and books with something more than just a romance story. 

A new student review of White Fur Flying

underwood_bcl posted a new student review of White Fur Flying . See the full review.

   I liked the story because of the relationships between the children and their neighbor and how they managed to get the new rescued dogs and the little boy to begin to trust them.  When the silent boy, Phillip,  follows  Jack, a rescued dog, the dog ends up keeping Phillip safe.  I think I like Alice best because of her imagination.  She always tells the truth but she often adds a bit more than the real truth.

A new student review of Penny's War by Anne Dearle

blu6 posted a new student review of Penny's War by Anne Dearle. See the full review.

 I think this was an okay book. It explained things well so you don't have to sit there and wonder what it means. It could have been more detailed in some parts, because some things were very to the point and short. I like how it talked about real things that happened in the war too, rather than being totally untrue.  Otherwise it was a really good book.

A new student review of Fat Angie

Peace8747 posted a new student review of Fat Angie . See the full review.

I thought Fat Angie was a pretty good book. It was not the best book that I have read, but overall it was a good book.

A new student review of Anatomy of a Single Girl

ryleestrohmeyer posted a new student review of Anatomy of a Single Girl . See the full review.

I think this was a good book, but not approprite for my age.

A new student review of My Ex From Hell (The Blooming Goddess Trilogy Book One)

EmilyFredricks posted a new student review of My Ex From Hell (The Blooming Goddess Trilogy Book One) . See the full review.

 

I thought that "My Ex from Hell" was very well written and was very interesting. I enjoyed how the story was more than just a love story. Its main backbone wasn't the romance, it was more about the mythology and the Greek gods. I also enjoyed how there was some romance sprinkled in the story along the way but it wasn't the main thing. I thought it was well written and ended in a good spot. It didn't drag on and on, but it wasn’t like there could have been more to make it better. Overall I enjoyed the book.

A new student review of My Ex From Hell (The Blooming Goddess Trilogy Book One)

detectiveginger posted a new student review of My Ex From Hell (The Blooming Goddess Trilogy Book One) . See the full review.

“My Ex From Hell’ is a superb book written by Tellulah Darling. It had a very good plot with Greek mythology themes and good action. I especially liked the fact that it was based on Greek mythology, as it is an interesting topic really worth delving into.

There was also very good interaction between the characters, however there was one thing that was a bit lacking, and that is the relationship between Prometheus and Persephone. I would like to know more about the history of Prometheus and Persephone’s friendship, to find out why he would give up so much for her – perhaps it will be explored in the next books.

Also the book needs a few minor editing but besides that, it was all good. Tellulah Darling’s writing really pulls the reader in with her storytelling, and it was hard to put down the book, all the way to the end (which ended with a nice cliffhanger); I was perplexed to find that I had finished reading the book, and I will be interested in reading the next books in the Blooming Goddess Trilogy to find out what kind of situations the protagonists will get into.

A new student review of Shadowflesh

R. Mae posted a new student review of Shadowflesh . See the full review.

 

Shadowflesh was riveting, it was eerie and yet humorous at the same time. The plot was charismatic, but a little depressing for my taste. I enjoyed the characters and their quirky attitudes, although the atmosphere was a little dreary, but that comes with living in a haunted mansion. I felt like the romance  was a little overdone or exaggerated.  Aileen, the main character, was strong willed and a brave girl. I loved the book because of her, and her oddly nerdy friends.  Addison was boring. I liked how nice he was, but his attitude was tiring (being trapped in a prison like death sentence and having to kill random people probably does that to you though). The creative story-line really moved the book along, it mixed everyday life, and the supernatural together exceptionally. Although the book has its flaws, it was still written very well.

A new student review of Above World

lagoonablue444 posted a new student review of Above World . See the full review.

I would recommend this book to girls and boys in middle-school ages and older, and also anyone fascinated by water.  I really liked that each chapter is from a different character's point of view.  It felt like I was in that world; and the vocabulary was easy to understand.  I learned that even people who are different and come from different worlds can get along.

The ending was so suspenseful, I can't wait to read the next book.  I can't think of anything I didn't like about it.

I really liked this book; it is the best book I've ever read!

A new student review of Diary of a Part-Time Ghost by Vered Ehsani

EmilyFredricks posted a new student review of Diary of a Part-Time Ghost by Vered Ehsani. See the full review.

Diary of a Part Time Ghost by Vered Ehsani, Published 2011. The setting of this book was in the house of the main character, and also Boston during the American Revolution. The main Characters are Ashish Kali, and Sara. Ashish is a young teenage boy who lives in Modern time. Sara is one of Ashish's Ancestors who lived during the American Revolution. Kali is the 'bad guy' of this book. He is the person who is trying to take the book from Ashish throughout the book. The main conflict is between Ashish and Kali. The problem is that Ashish has a very important book that Kali needs to get a hold of in order to get out of the American Revolution time period. I liked the story line. I found it to be very interesting and creative. I also liked how the story was an easy read. I didn't like how short the book was. I found that some of the ideas could have been developed more to make the book longer but over all I did like the book.

A new student review of A Red Sun Also Rises by Mark Hodder

Raphael posted a new student review of A Red Sun Also Rises by Mark Hodder. See the full review.

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A new student review of Plague in the Mirror

nlsings posted a new student review of Plague in the Mirror . See the full review.

In books, the improbable is allowed to occur.  The reader can suspend disbelief for the story, he or she can believe that time travelling ghosts can pop up out of nowhere, or that best friends can become boyfriends.  Perhaps the reader can even believe that teenage girls can follow their ghost-twins back in time to escape the stress of their parent’s crumbling marriage.  Or that those same teenage girls can meet steamy painters, and fall into a deep, meaningful relationship all during the time of the Black Plague.  But really, are we meant to believe all of this at once?  Even the most imaginative and creative books need some sort of grounding, or at least good writing to carry it though.  Some of the most far-fetched books attain that status by being so realistic, with only one slightly different aspect.  The author can then take this subtle change and run with it.  Simplicity is best.  This book is an overload of ideas, that all collide to create a massive pile up.  I would not recommend it, unless you enjoy being bombarded with a jumble of partially formed concepts.  

A new student review of Maggot Moon

rmaehill posted a new student review of Maggot Moon . See the full review.

 

Though in some ways simply written, I found Maggot Moon to be a very powerful book.  Although its syntax and diction was basic enough for middle schoolers, its language and imagery was coarse and crude, reflecting the lives the characters lived.  This originally turned me off the story, yet as I continued reading, I found that the excellent character development and themes of courage and rebellion in the story overpowered any negative effect the grammar had originally had on me.  The themes and ideas presented in the story, though dark and sometimes depressing, were truly adult, and I can say that the story made me cry in the end.  I would recommend it to any high school reader who would like a quick yet thematically and emotionally powerful read.

A new student review of The Watch That Ends the Night: Voices from the Titanic

dancechicka posted a new student review of The Watch That Ends the Night: Voices from the Titanic . See the full review.

I am really at a loss at how to describe this book.  It was stunning.  Amazing.  Heartbreaking.  Powerful.  It was all the same yet completely different.  This book was an emotional rollercoaster for me.   I’m usually an impassive reader, not really letting the words affect my emotions, but, somehow, this book broke that shell I built around myself.  I laughed with the first-class promenade and cried with the little child in the lifeboat that heard the endless moaning of the dying as they sank below the surface of the merciless ocean.  This novel was organized into stanzas, with a new character’s viewpoint at every page, which made it even more influential.  I was just so moved by this great piece of literature.  It changed me.  I felt like I was right there, felt like I could feel the terror of the passengers as the ship sank below the surface to its final resting place, felt the anguish of the few who made it to safety but lost their loved ones to the sea.  It made me realize how so many lives can be altered in just one moment, how many lives are already on the twisted path of fate.  There are a lot of characters in the novel, which can be confusing, but you get the hang of it by the middle of the story.  This book was wonderful and I would highly recommend to anybody searching for a good read.

                “We could still make out the Titanic’s brightly lit outline......And then it was gone altogether.  Then the moans.  There was no one voice that stood out.  From that distance it was just a horrific roar.”

                I would recommend this book for ages eight and up because it is quite a long book and a higher reading level is required.  This book has no profanity or any compromising situations.

                Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be one of the doomed on the RMS Titanic?  The Watch That Ends the Night by Allan Wolf will give you just that!

A new student review of Eternal

kaiyle posted a new student review of Eternal . See the full review.

I thought this book was well written.  There were several mysteries throughout the book that kept you reading until the very end.  The characters were relatable and well developed.  I would recommend this book to anyone who likes romance novels with a little adventure thrown in.

A new student review of Maybe I Will

VBat posted a new student review of Maybe I Will . See the full review.

Maybe I Will was an interesting, fresh look into a topic that is relevant to many teen readers.  

While it threw me off a little in the beginning, not knowing Sandy's gender gives the reader the freedom to relate to the main character in the way they feel most comfortable. The first-person point of view made this gender-unspecific character possible, and provided for intimate looks into Sandy's thoughts and feelings. 

Sandy was a well developed character. I enjoyed reading about the Peter Pan auditions, and getting a glimpse into Sandy's life before the abuse. Details about Sandy's interactions with friends and family throughout the story gave the story depth and added heart to the story. The way that Sandy was betrayed by his/her friends stirred real anger and a whole range of additonal emotions. 

I would have liked for Cassie and Troy to make a few more appearances in the middle of the story, and perhaps add a bit of external conflict to keep the story moving at a faster pace. 

All in all, Maybe I Will is a fantastic story that stirs reader emotions and shares a meaningful story. I would reccommend it to teenagers who enjoy realistic fiction and books like Speak.

A new student review of Charm & Strange

MIZZIQ posted a new student review of Charm & Strange . See the full review.

I was enthralled with this book and sometimes just simple phrases that were just in the right spot. The author uses suspense to their incredible advantage. To me Charm & Strange spoke about healing. But the coolest thing for me was what it showed through the characters: that it's okay to be broken when you're hurt. And you don't have to be totally healed to move on with your life. The character was in a sense going crazy, but the author didn't critisize that or make it seem wrong...even before you knew the cause. It makes me think that she felt very deeply about the subject and her characters. That is very cool. I loved how the characters were developed and how I could change my opinion about someone so suddenly. The book was a little journey.

 

There were things about it that bothered me of course :). Namely some language used. Because of this and a few ways some things were described it did rub me the wrong way. It didn't make me dislike the book, but it didn't make me love certain aspects of it. I think it's just a case of taking the good out of it and the story and the wonderful characters and trying to leave the rest. Characters after all can't be perfect. :)