A new student review of Belle Epoque by Elizabeth Ross

bookgirl1289 posted a new student review of Belle Epoque by Elizabeth Ross. See the full review.

This beautifully written novel about 19th century Parisian society is a marvelous read. Inspired by Emile Zola’s short story, “Les Repoussoirs,” Ross has created a masterpiece. The characters are likeable and show interesting development, and the story is compelling. One thing I think is interesting is that most authors of historical fiction create female characters who are rebellious and who do not want to get married or pursue lady-like accomplishments. Isabelle fits this description. I think that most women of the time would have accepted and relished the opportunities that a rich woman like Isabelle would have had. However, I do believe that Isabelle’s rebellion does make the story more interesting and helps Maude to realize that she truly is friends with Isabelle. Ross’s debut novel is full of intricate details that reveal the true meaning of beauty and friendship. I highly recommend this book for girls 13 and up who like to read historical fiction. This book not only teaches you about the past, but also teaches life lessons that are as true today as they were then. I hope to read more books by Elizabeth Ross in the future!
 

A new student review of Age of Heroes: The Witch Hunter's Gauntlet

Zmbarrickman posted a new student review of Age of Heroes: The Witch Hunter's Gauntlet . See the full review.

I thought it was a great book because it contained a good balance of humor, suspense, unpredictability, and a little bit of romance.  I liked the dialogue between Samantha and her friends. I especially liked the comical character Natch, who added humor along the adventure.  The battle with the magic people provided the plot for adventure and suspense. Overall, it was a page turner that ended differently than how I expected it would-- that was cool.

A new student review of Midnight City by J. Barton Mitchell

leonardo posted a new student review of Midnight City by J. Barton Mitchell. See the full review.

Midnight City is an amazing book. In the beginning, you don't really know how Earth was captured, but you know enough to be able to read and enjoy the book and learn more as the book goes on. The author reveals the right amount of information throughout the book, otherwise there would be a whole history section that wasn't needed. The book is fast-paced and never boring. Once I started reading the book, I couldn't put it down. The characters were original and intriguing because each had their own mysteries and backgrounds that you had to read to find out about. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes action/sci-fi books with a little romance thrown in. Reviewer Age:17 Reviewer City, State and Country: Brownsburg, Indiana United States of America

A new student review of Midnight City by J. Barton Mitchell

leonardo posted a new student review of Midnight City by J. Barton Mitchell. See the full review.

Midnight City is an amazing book. In the beginning, you don't really know how Earth was captured, but you know enough to be able to read and enjoy the book and learn more as the book goes on. The author reveals the right amount of information throughout the book, otherwise there would be a whole history section that wasn't needed. The book is fast-paced and never boring. Once I started reading the book, I couldn't put it down. The characters were original and intriguing because each had their own mysteries and backgrounds that you had to read to find out about. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes action/sci-fi books with a little romance thrown in. Reviewer Age:17 Reviewer City, State and Country: Brownsburg, Indiana United States of America

A new student review of Reunited

VBat posted a new student review of Reunited . See the full review.

The first thing that struck me about Reunited was how easy it was to relate to at least one of the three main characters. Alice is smart and motivated. She plans on attending a prestigious college, and is always on top of things. Summer is into boys, writing poetry and hanging out with her friends. Tiernan is rebellious and hurt by her parents' divorce. With this range of personalities, it was easy to identify with the thoughts and feelings of the characters. This made it easier to care about the girls and their journey. 

The obstacles placed in the girls' way kept the road trip interesting and exciting to read about. The three girls ran over a squirrel, tore kudzu off of a shed, and performed a synchronized dance routine onstage- all while getting to know each other again. Exciting twists and turns prevented the plot from feeling cliche. 

The girls' hesitant friendship, which develops throughout the story, is completely believable and well described. From their arguments to their silences, every interaction between the girls feels real, justified, and meaningful. 

Overall, Reunited is a  funny, lighthearted and entertaining road trip book that will delight fans of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. I would recommend it to preteen and teenage girls who enjoy realistic fiction and humor. 

A new student review of Crown of Midnight

DJ_RESH_RESH posted a new student review of Crown of Midnight . See the full review.

Honestly, this was one of the best books I have ever read. The author Sarah J. Maas  did a good job at creating specific character personalities and then using those character personalities to influence their decisions. For example, the author portrayed the King as heartless and most of the decisions the King made only helped him gain power at the cost of others lives and well-being. The author also depicted the setting well. Every time she described how cold it was, it made me shiver and she made you feel like you were in an old castle. She used the perfect vocabulary to describe each scene. I could not find anything wrong with this book. It had everything in a book I was looking for and the ending was genius. It was a cliffhanger that left me begging for more.

A new student review of Gingersnap

aschoenfeldt posted a new student review of Gingersnap . See the full review.

As another in a long line of young adult novels by Patricia Reilly Giff, Gingersnap never fails to charm, but often feels familiar. The characters, including Jayna and her brother Rob, are likeable, despite having little depth. The plot, too, was fairly predictable, and Jayna's quest to find her family at times felt pointless. Certain details, such as the lucky rock and Jayna's mysterious friend, were interesting touches but not fully explained. I would recommend  this book to historical fiction enthusiasts, although I would warn any lovers of Patricia Reilly Giff not to expect anything of her usual caliber. 

A new student review of The Black Stone Prophecy (Volume 1) by Alex Baj

yasomatinandana posted a new student review of The Black Stone Prophecy (Volume 1) by Alex Baj. See the full review.

 

It’s a pretty good story for a debut novel with plenty of plot complexity and likable characters. I would recommend it to anybody who wants a bit of light reading filled with out-of-this-world, sci-fi fantasy awsomeness but also something with a subtle undertone of a serious topic (ie. how we are slowly wrecking our world). Subtle undertones aside I think this is a fun, short reas that I think will appeal to all ages!

A new student review of The Cydonian Pyramid

nowhereman posted a new student review of The Cydonian Pyramid . See the full review.

I thought that this book was ok compared to the first one. The first one set a level  of action and adventure that you think the second one would at least reach, or prehaps even go over it, The second didn't.It was a disapointing read. i thiought this one would be an exelent follow up to the first one, but it just got confusing with all thgat was going on. I think the author could have presented it a less confusing way, or at least include a list of names and descptions, because they are a lot of chacters in the book seris to keep up with. Overall i realy would't recomend this book to people but just to read what happens(if they liked the first one) online, simple and to the point.  

A new student review of Shadows of Glass by Kassy Tayler

Ravette posted a new student review of Shadows of Glass by Kassy Tayler. See the full review.

Shadows of Glass was a very enthralling read. It was fast-paced and exciting. Each event lead to the next without it being predictable. The characters were very realistic, and the situations they were placed in were clearly defined. I especially liked how Wren went through continuous changes, difficult obstacles, and met new friends while journeying to save her old ones. 

A new student review of Never Girls #1: In a Blink (Disney Fairies)

underwood_bcl posted a new student review of Never Girls #1: In a Blink (Disney Fairies) . See the full review.

I am only ten years old but, I I thought this book was very simple with a plot that left a lot to be desired. I don't think girls much older than eight would really like it. I think it would be a good book for girls who are just starting to read chapter books. Even though I thought this book was too easy, I would like to see how the girls get back home.

A new student review of Me On The Floor, Bleeding

dancechicka posted a new student review of Me On The Floor, Bleeding . See the full review.

When I first saw the powerful title of this book—Me on the Floor, Bleeding-- I knew I had to read it.  It wasn’t what I expected it to be at all.  I thought it would be about a girl struggling with life as she knew it and trying to break free of her own dark, twisted world.  Which it was—but Jagerfeld failed to capitalize on the dark and moving parts and instead chose to focus on Maja’s own selfish desires.  I had no connection the Maja at all, which made the novel difficult to read because Maja was what the novel was about!  There was hardly any focus on any of the secondary characters, such as her father.  Maja did not develop at all in this book, nor did she learn to understand others and their feelings any better.  This book was written in first person, which usually adds depth into a novel, but this time it just oppressed the story and made it dull.  Jagerfeld tried to make this book honest, gritty, and tear-jerking.  Instead, it was flat, colorless, and unmoving.  Maja relationship with Justin also made no sense to me.  The romance seemed to be thrown in there hurriedly just to fill the pages.  They just meet, and suddenly they can’t stop thinking about each other and are making out in the hallway.  I felt that Maja just used Justin to get her mind off of everything else in her life—and all the ladies out there know that a relationship built on that usually ends up in flames.

                “It was a quarter to one of Thursday the twelfth of April, one day before the so-called unlucky thirteenth and I had just sawn off the tip of my left thumb with an electric saw.”

                I would recommend this book for ages twelve and up, or very mature readers, because of language, sexual situations, and some graphic storytelling when she actually does saw off her thumb.  Ouch.

                When Maja finds her mother missing, her whole world seems to fall apart.  With hardly anyone to turn to, will she be able to track down her mother—or be left to pick the pieces up herself?

A new student review of Singled Out by Sara Griffiths

leonardo posted a new student review of Singled Out by Sara Griffiths. See the full review.

Singled Out by Sara Griffiths is fantastic book that teaches one to never give up, and to fight for what one believes in. It is also the second installment in a series about Taylor Dresden and her dream to play baseball. This story is very realistic in the fact that its main character is a girl who is told she can't do something because she is not a guy. Many girls today are told they cannot do things because they do not have the abilities guys do. This story is a very motivational one, and I suggest it to both guys and girls who believe anything is possible if you try hard enough.

A new student review of Singled Out by Sara Griffiths

leonardo posted a new student review of Singled Out by Sara Griffiths. See the full review.

Singled Out by Sara Griffiths is fantastic book that teaches one to never give up, and to fight for what one believes in. It is also the second installment in a series about Taylor Dresden and her dream to play baseball. This story is very realistic in the fact that its main character is a girl who is told she can't do something because she is not a guy. Many girls today are told they cannot do things because they do not have the abilities guys do. This story is a very motivational one, and I suggest it to both guys and girls who believe anything is possible if you try hard enough.

A new student review of Singled Out by Sara Griffiths

leonardo posted a new student review of Singled Out by Sara Griffiths. See the full review.

Singled Out by Sara Griffiths is fantastic book that teaches one to never give up, and to fight for what one believes in. It is also the second installment in a series about Taylor Dresden and her dream to play baseball. This story is very realistic in the fact that its main character is a girl who is told she can't do something because she is not a guy. Many girls today are told they cannot do things because they do not have the abilities guys do. This story is a very motivational one, and I suggest it to both guys and girls who believe anything is possible if you try hard enough.

A new student review of Singled Out by Sara Griffiths

leonardo posted a new student review of Singled Out by Sara Griffiths. See the full review.

Singled Out by Sara Griffiths is fantastic book that teaches one to never give up, and to fight for what one believes in. It is also the second installment in a series about Taylor Dresden and her dream to play baseball. This story is very realistic in the fact that its main character is a girl who is told she can't do something because she is not a guy. Many girls today are told they cannot do things because they do not have the abilities guys do. This story is a very motivational one, and I suggest it to both guys and girls who believe anything is possible if you try hard enough.

A new student review of Singled Out by Sara Griffiths

leonardo posted a new student review of Singled Out by Sara Griffiths. See the full review.

Singled Out by Sara Griffiths is fantastic book that teaches one to never give up, and to fight for what one believes in. It is also the second installment in a series about Taylor Dresden and her dream to play baseball. This story is very realistic in the fact that its main character is a girl who is told she can't do something because she is not a guy. Many girls today are told they cannot do things because they do not have the abilities guys do. This story is a very motivational one, and I suggest it to both guys and girls who believe anything is possible if you try hard enough.

A new student review of Singled Out by Sara Griffiths

leonardo posted a new student review of Singled Out by Sara Griffiths. See the full review.

Singled Out by Sara Griffiths is fantastic book that teaches one to never give up, and to fight for what one believes in. It is also the second installment in a series about Taylor Dresden and her dream to play baseball. This story is very realistic in the fact that its main character is a girl who is told she can't do something because she is not a guy. Many girls today are told they cannot do things because they do not have the abilities guys do. This story is a very motivational one, and I suggest it to both guys and girls who believe anything is possible if you try hard enough.

A new student review of Singled Out by Sara Griffiths

leonardo posted a new student review of Singled Out by Sara Griffiths. See the full review.

Singled Out by Sara Griffiths is fantastic book that teaches one to never give up, and to fight for what one believes in. It is also the second installment in a series about Taylor Dresden and her dream to play baseball. This story is very realistic in the fact that its main character is a girl who is told she can't do something because she is not a guy. Many girls today are told they cannot do things because they do not have the abilities guys do. This story is a very motivational one, and I suggest it to both guys and girls who believe anything is possible if you try hard enough.

A new student review of Singled Out by Sara Griffiths

leonardo posted a new student review of Singled Out by Sara Griffiths. See the full review.

Singled Out by Sara Griffiths is fantastic book that teaches one to never give up, and to fight for what one believes in. It is also the second installment in a series about Taylor Dresden and her dream to play baseball. This story is very realistic in the fact that its main character is a girl who is told she can't do something because she is not a guy. Many girls today are told they cannot do things because they do not have the abilities guys do. This story is a very motivational one, and I suggest it to both guys and girls who believe anything is possible if you try hard enough.

A new student review of Singled Out by Sara Griffiths

leonardo posted a new student review of Singled Out by Sara Griffiths. See the full review.

Singled Out by Sara Griffiths is fantastic book that teaches one to never give up, and to fight for what one believes in. It is also the second installment in a series about Taylor Dresden and her dream to play baseball. This story is very realistic in the fact that its main character is a girl who is told she can't do something because she is not a guy. Many girls today are told they cannot do things because they do not have the abilities guys do. This story is a very motivational one, and I suggest it to both guys and girls who believe anything is possible if you try hard enough.

A new student review of Singled Out by Sara Griffiths

leonardo posted a new student review of Singled Out by Sara Griffiths. See the full review.

Singled Out by Sara Griffiths is fantastic book that teaches one to never give up, and to fight for what one believes in. It is also the second installment in a series about Taylor Dresden and her dream to play baseball. This story is very realistic in the fact that its main character is a girl who is told she can't do something because she is not a guy. Many girls today are told they cannot do things because they do not have the abilities guys do. This story is a very motivational one, and I suggest it to both guys and girls who believe anything is possible if you try hard enough.

A new student review of Singled Out by Sara Griffiths

leonardo posted a new student review of Singled Out by Sara Griffiths. See the full review.

Singled Out by Sara Griffiths is fantastic book that teaches one to never give up, and to fight for what one believes in. It is also the second installment in a series about Taylor Dresden and her dream to play baseball. This story is very realistic in the fact that its main character is a girl who is told she can't do something because she is not a guy. Many girls today are told they cannot do things because they do not have the abilities guys do. This story is a very motivational one, and I suggest it to both guys and girls who believe anything is possible if you try hard enough.

A new student review of Singled Out by Sara Griffiths

leonardo posted a new student review of Singled Out by Sara Griffiths. See the full review.

Singled Out by Sara Griffiths is fantastic book that teaches one to never give up, and to fight for what one believes in. It is also the second installment in a series about Taylor Dresden and her dream to play baseball. This story is very realistic in the fact that its main character is a girl who is told she can't do something because she is not a guy. Many girls today are told they cannot do things because they do not have the abilities guys do. This story is a very motivational one, and I suggest it to both guys and girls who believe anything is possible if you try hard enough.

A new student review of Singled Out by Sara Griffiths

leonardo posted a new student review of Singled Out by Sara Griffiths. See the full review.

Singled Out by Sara Griffiths is fantastic book that teaches one to never give up, and to fight for what one believes in. It is also the second installment in a series about Taylor Dresden and her dream to play baseball. This story is very realistic in the fact that its main character is a girl who is told she can't do something because she is not a guy. Many girls today are told they cannot do things because they do not have the abilities guys do. This story is a very motivational one, and I suggest it to both guys and girls who believe anything is possible if you try hard enough.

A new student review of Singled Out by Sara Griffiths

leonardo posted a new student review of Singled Out by Sara Griffiths. See the full review.

Singled Out by Sara Griffiths is fantastic book that teaches one to never give up, and to fight for what one believes in. It is also the second installment in a series about Taylor Dresden and her dream to play baseball. This story is very realistic in the fact that its main character is a girl who is told she can't do something because she is not a guy. Many girls today are told they cannot do things because they do not have the abilities guys do. This story is a very motivational one, and I suggest it to both guys and girls who believe anything is possible if you try hard enough.

A new student review of McKinley's Jewel

ReesaOnFire posted a new student review of McKinley's Jewel . See the full review.

I enjoyed this book very much. It had an interesting plot and great characters.  The link between the future and the past was intriguing. The entrance of David’s great-great-grandfather was most humorous.  St. James does a wonderful job of connecting the past to the present, making believable motivations for villains and realistic reactions of time-travel. I enjoyed it.

However, there were a few holes in the book and a few things weren’t explained clearly, which left me a little upset. The biggest ‘hole’ I had an issue with was the lack of closure with Bonnie-Jean about her ex-husband’s death. It was the biggest problem that caused me to frown, because Bonnie-Jean’s character herself deserves the closure.

I recommend this book to time-traveling lovers who want a dash of romance.  

A new student review of Living With Jackie Chan

guck1st posted a new student review of Living With Jackie Chan . See the full review.

The story was pretty good, but used way too little description. The only things the author described were the gazebo and the character's personalities. What color was his hair? What about his eyes? Also, I hated the ending. What happened to Josh and Stella? Did they start dating? I felt that the title was misleading and there was way to much text-talk. On the positive side, there weren't many mistakes and it was a good story. It was easy to follow and had enough dialogue. So overall it was an entertaining story.

A new student review of Out of This Place by Emma Cameron

VBat posted a new student review of Out of This Place by Emma Cameron. See the full review.

I enjoyed Out of This Place for many reasons. 

First of all, I genuinely like each of the characters. It is not often that I find a book that depicts realistic characters who make logical decisions. While they are not perfect, Luke, Casey and Bongo's choices make sense and prove to the reader that each has a heart of gold. 

Throughout the book, the story unfolded through three different perspectives. While the storyline remains the same for each point of view, each adds details and emotion to the story. This style allows the reader to get to know each character's life and thoughts, making it easier to relate to each. 

The book was written in prose, but the format included only three or four words per line. Although this format was initially annoying, I eventually began to appreciate the inconvenience. By slowing the reader down, the format forces them to notice the word choices and to really focus on every word. The slow pace makes descriptions harder to skip over, resulting in a more enjoyable reading experience. 

I would recommend Out of This Place to teens and young adults who enjoy realistic fiction. 

A new student review of Spirit's Chosen

EmilyFredricks posted a new student review of Spirit's Chosen . See the full review.

I thought that this book was very good. It made me want to keep reading to find out what happens next. There are some parts that are a little slow but most of the book was wonderful and made me want to keep reading. There were some parts that I couldn't even put the book down I had to find out what was going to happen to Kaya. Most of the book is very upbeat and happy but there are a few parts that are a little sad.  

I found Kaya to be a very interesting character that made me want to learn more about her. In the beginning of the book you are not fully sure of how she will turn out but in the end you will love her and be on the edge of your seat as you are reading about her adventure against the wolf clan. 

A new student review of Lullaby (Watersong Novels) by Amanda Hocking

DJ_RESH_RESH posted a new student review of Lullaby (Watersong Novels) by Amanda Hocking. See the full review.

Overall this wasn’t a very good book. The only thing I liked about this book was the descriptions. It was really easy to picture the settings of the book. The author used effective vocabulary words. Everything else on the other hand was not nearly as well done. The characters didn't feel real. Gemma was a perfect person who did everything right and then at the end, she selfishly puts her friends and family in danger just so she could be with them. I think it contradicted the Gemma that Amanda Hocking had built up in the first book. The narrative voice was not that funny. Nor was any part of the book. When the author did try to make jokes it involved swearing and that took away from the effect. I don't think it was a good idea to write in third person because it didn't uphold the suspense very well. You basically knew what was going on all the time. I found this story lacking in humor, action, and suspense. I did not like this book and I would not recommend it to anyone.

A new student review of All We Know of Love

madisonlindauer posted a new student review of All We Know of Love . See the full review.

I liked this book a lot. It was sad at first ,but it also had happy times.  It was a good book to help me learn to reflect on my life and my relationship with other people. This book has some mature content too!

A new student review of e-Sc@pe: Nascent

leonardo posted a new student review of e-Sc@pe: Nascent . See the full review.

Mad's dad is the Bird Guy. He'll go anywhere to study birds. So when he's offered a bird-tracking job in Central America, his bags are packed and he's jungle bound.

A new student review of Neverworld

featherwhisker posted a new student review of Neverworld . See the full review.

I think that this book was amazing. Racine's writing style is easy to follow, but isn't simple like a child's book. He makes the book exciting, but doesn't make it seem unrealisticly exciting. He concludes the book, but leaves room open for a sequel. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoyed the Percy Jackson series, and I would buy the book if it was published.

A new student review of Hattie Ever After by Kirby Larson

swimmer1430 posted a new student review of Hattie Ever After by Kirby Larson. See the full review.

It is fitting that I am reviewing Hattie Ever After, because Hattie Big Sky was one of the first books I ever reviewed on Flamingnet. I really enjoyed the predecessor to this novel and was excited to find out the author decided to write a sequel. Even though it's been so long since I read the first book, I was able to quickly jump right back into Hattie's story. I loved how brave and daring she is, especially moving to a big city to accomplish a pretty lofty dream: to be a reporter. Many women had trouble entering male-dominated fields, but Hattie's talent and gusto for writing allow her to join the ranks of women reporters. As for the story, a lot of the plot points that were suppoesd to be twists ended up being easily predicted, but that didn't take away from Hattie's character development. Fans of the first novel will be pleasantly surprised by Hattie Ever After and history buffs will find plenty of interesting factoids about the early twentieth century.

A new student review of From The Ashes

sabol posted a new student review of From The Ashes . See the full review.

Snaith puts an original twist on the typical sorrows between two cursed lovers. The plot is compelling, instantly drawing in the reader. However, the descriptions were inconsistent, vivid and enthralling at some points, while other times becoming flat and misleading. The romance between Lundy and Harlan is undeniably present, but the psyche of both characters never went farther than the surface. The ending definitely opens itself for a sequel, and anyone interested in a good, short, summer read would be smart to try From the Ashes.  

A new student review of Shark Girl

Peace8747 posted a new student review of Shark Girl . See the full review.

I liked the realistic element of the story. Another thing I liked was that the story was written in verse format, so it was a short read. I liked how it included news articles and letters from people who were inspired by Jane’s story.

This book is good for children in 4^th grade all the way through 7^th or 8^th grade. There are a couple of swear words in the book, but nothing to be worried about.

I liked this book a lot and I would suggest it to anyone!

 

A new student review of Inferno

Hickey posted a new student review of Inferno . See the full review.

Overall I liked this book. I thought it was really slow to get started. Some of the random jumps between who was talking were confusing, too. But despite that, I thought it was overall a good book. 

A new student review of The Incredible Adventures of Charlotte Sycamore by Kate Maddison

kfc1997 posted a new student review of The Incredible Adventures of Charlotte Sycamore by Kate Maddison. See the full review.

The Incredible Charlotte Sycamore by Kate Maddison was entrancing and immediately pulled me in with the very first words of the first chapter. This book had a wonderful mix of romance, steampunk tweaks, mystery, and action, but it was lacking in a few areas. As a novel, which one can assume it is, it didn’t fully clear up any questions a reader might have. It also had quite a few spelling errors, of which I am sure were mainly corrected before the book was published. Overall though, it was highly amusing and entertaining, and I would love to read it again really soon. I recommend this book mainly to girls in grades nine and above. 

A new student review of The Obsidian Blade

nowhereman posted a new student review of The Obsidian Blade . See the full review.

I thought that this book was a very good action-packed read that left me wondering what was going to happen next. The characters, I found, were very enjoyable to read about because they were well developed and interesting. There are also a lot of connections of things as you get further along that made you second guess your prediction of the end. It has enough plot twists and action in that will keep you reading far into the night!  

A new student review of Emily and Jackson: Hiding Out by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

glambert posted a new student review of Emily and Jackson: Hiding Out by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor. See the full review.

I’m so glad that Phyllis Reynolds Naylor wrote this book along with Emily’s Fortune because it was such an exciting adventure that kept my nerves up!  I love how she leaves the reader hanging at the end of every chapter.  If I could be any character in that book, I would choose Emily because she gets trapped many times with her uncle but always seems to end up safe with Aunt Hilda.  I was very surprised and a little worried for Emily and Jackson when the widow woman turned into someone unexpected! 

 

My favorite part of the book was when Emily and Jackson were on the boat and had to keep running around and hiding from Emily’s uncle.  What will happen next with Emily and Jackson?

A new student review of In the Shadow of the Lion by Kimberly M. Jane

scifiguy posted a new student review of In the Shadow of the Lion by Kimberly M. Jane. See the full review.

This book was an exciting page-turner. Everything seems to change from the beginning to the end of the story. It changes scenes frequently. I really enjoyed this book. 

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

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

Glancing at the cover of this book, I saw a privileged woman standing feet away from Paris's iconic Eiffel Tower.  Noting the antiquated style of her dress, I decided that this was a book I wanted to read.  I have always been fascinated by European history, especially personal accounts of life.

The chaptersof this book alternate between perspectives of different characters, enhancing the reading experience without disrupting the flow of the plot. Though Cora is a wonderful, admirable heroine, her character is still realistic as she deals with social and emotional struggles.

Sometimes, the language and concepts seem cliché, including the physical attraction between Cora and the apprentice tour guide (William). However, the growing connection between the aforementioned outcasts, each struggling to find a name in their worlds, is unique. I also appreciate how the romance was slowly paced, instead of forced and rushed. Unfortunately, I did not find Cora’s religious epiphanies to be profoundly moving, despite the author’s intention.

Being the history lover I am, I give this book a four-out-of-five star rating for its quality writing style and historical detail. Revving up the drama, the author concludes the book when the group prepares to leave France, continuing their trip—leaving me hanging for more. Given the chance, I’ll be sure to check out the sequels of this promising trilogy.

 

 

 

A new student review of My Boyfriend is a Monster(6): Wrapped Up in You by Dan Jolley

Ravette posted a new student review of My Boyfriend is a Monster(6): Wrapped Up in You by Dan Jolley. See the full review.

The novel was beautifully illustrated and had an easy-to-understand plot. I really liked the characters and how realistic their personalites were. The story was interesting, but was a rather fast-paced read. Regardless, it did not lack in detail. Lastly, I liked how there were multiple themes present: such as magic, history, and romance.

A new student review of Scrooge and Marley

read_write_eat posted a new student review of Scrooge and Marley . See the full review.

I thought the story was a little too cheesy and predictable until I remembered all Christmas stories are as such! Just like its precursor, Scrooge and Marley successfully conveys the spirit of Christmas in a heartwarming fashion, whether you read it in December or June. The continuation was seamless and a very quick read, with no prolonged action. However, I did find the book somewhat predictable with little nuance and an ending almost too happy, similiar to a Disney movie. The writing was excellent yet too straightforward, as if going step by step (i.e- "First this happened, then that happened"). As a piece of literature, Scrooge and Marley isn't complex in nature, but in essence is a wonderful Christmas tale, and I'll probably read it again when the holiday season rolls around.

A new student review of Revenge of a Not-So-Pretty Girl

dancechicka posted a new student review of Revenge of a Not-So-Pretty Girl . See the full review.

Oh, Ms. Caroline Blythe….how impressed I am with you!  For being such a young author, I felt like she did really well with this book!  It isn’t something I’ll rant and rave about and claim it’s a classic, but it was a good, solid read that was equally enjoyable and notable.  Blythe gave Faye and her mother’s relationship an excellent angle and developed a plot that I felt made the book stand out from some of the rest.  Some parts were slightly dull and the sentence structure wasn’t all that great, but the good certainly overshadowed the bad.  I feel this book would be a good read for teenage girls like me struggling with the whole “gotta be pretty” problem—Faye had some experiences that I can relate to, especially in a school setting, with the constant scrutiny and put-downs.  I felt as if I could connect with Faye through her first person dialogue, even if I don’t mug people for money and attack old ladies on accident.  In conclusion, I felt that this was a good read for this summer season!

                “I try to take a few more steps forward, but it’s as if I’ve landed in quicksand and I’m being sucked under.  The thing is, I don’t really know if this old lady is dead.  I mean, I think she is.”

                I would recommend this book for ages ten and up, for mild sexual references and swearing.  Nothing too graphic, though.

                Much to Faye’s chagrin, you can’t turn back the hands of time—you have to live with the consequences of your actions.  Her guilt and fear is eating her away……and even if the lady’s alive, the clock is ticking.  Will she choose to forget…..or find out?

A new student review of Strands of Bronze and Gold

seaotter77 posted a new student review of Strands of Bronze and Gold . See the full review.

I superbly enjoyed reading Strands of Bronze and Gold, and even more so because I had never heard of the Bluebeard fairy tale before I picked up this novel. Sophia's character is so richly developed that I could not help but shiver when she finds out what happened to the many wives of her godfather or gasp in awe when the door to her bedroom is opened. The author uses adjectives like threads and spins them into a descriptive web, which will create a painting in the reader's mind that could rival the Mona Lisa. M. de Cressac will set off alarms in the reader and will make them worry for Sophie and be curious to figure out what will happen next. There is some mature content, so I would only recommend this book to kids ages 12 and up.

A new student review of Awakening (Hope Trilogy #1)

R. Mae posted a new student review of Awakening (Hope Trilogy #1) . See the full review.

Awakening was a bold, amazing story about breaking out of your shell.

The Plot:

Oh, fantastic! The plot was bloody brilliant, literally! There was so much action and gore that I couldn't stop turning pages. The only thing that bothered me was a slight flaw in the writing style. There were a few things like this, 'Seeing that I needed time to think, Kiana took Sarah and left the room. Alone I sat quietly, thinking about it for a moment. Everything seemed surreal to me...' I think that would have been smoother like this, 'Seeing that I needed some time to think, Kiana took Sarah and left the room. Alone,  I sat quietly. Everything seemed surreal...' I totally adored Lauren's word choice! It was so descriptive and gave a clear image. It was practically poetry!

The Characters:

Emma's character arch rang true with me. It was about freeing yourself from shyness and self doubt. Personally, I think that is a major issue with teens my age all over the world. Emma ends up beating that fear, becoming a role model for us all. Her character was intriguing and unique. Especially in the way of her intense love. Emma doesn't love half way. Sarah was a true friend, encouraging and brave. Her own story was of selflessness and innocence. I loved her! I was delighted that no matter how much I tried, I couldn't figure out Griffin. He was constantly changing. There were places when I was led to believe he was evil, and then wondered if there was a budding romance. Something like in Kelley Armstrong's The Darkest Powers Trilogy.

The Setting:

Awakening takes place in a modern time period, which is well portrayed in this book. The characters fit perfectly.

The Standout:

The thing that stood out to me most was the action. Maybe because it was that IN YOUR FACE kind of action. Lots of writers are afraid to write that kind of stuff. It's really daunting. Lauren managed to write it beautifully in a sickening way. There was so much blood and guts! I was envisioning the whole thing as a movie and am now positive it would be rated R. Anyways, I admire how Lauren was able to write such realistic action into her supernatural story!

The Moral:

I personally believe this book's moral was about breaking out of your shell, and standing up for yourself and others. I didn't like how it seemed to sweep forgiveness to the sidelines. Thankfully, the good hearted characters made up for that. There were some intense kissing scenes, but nothing terrible. A few worthy curses, well placed without being overdone. All in all, I loved the book!

A new student review of The Paganini Curse

aschoenfeldt posted a new student review of The Paganini Curse . See the full review.

The first in the Aurora Lewis series, The Paganini Curse, proved to be a disappointing start. Despite the promising setting and opening mystery, the novel lacked significant plot points and was often predictable. I liked the idea of a teenage, female protagonist, but Aurora never measured up to my expectations. The mystery itself did not capture my attention, and the killer could be easily spotted early on in the novel. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a thrilling page turner, but the historic and musical references do make it appropriate for lovers of historical fiction. 

 

A new student review of The Scroll of Years

Endless Summer posted a new student review of The Scroll of Years . See the full review.

I really wanted to like this book. I really did. High fantasy with Eastern influence, threads of Chinese culture, a magical scroll, a poet and a thief as the main characters, the names Gaunt and Bone; It sounds like it could be something astounding, something breathtakingly fantastical.

The author’s writing style…Ahhh this tears me apart. On one hand, it’s very gorgeous, scattered with stunning figurative language and a distinct Eastern cultural influence. But, after reading a few pages, I felt like it was stilted in many places. It was not fitting. The author either rambled off into details/thought processes or did too much “telling.”

I could not lose myself in the world of this book; the writing style, alternative plotline and voice just weren’t for me. They kept distracting me. And, main point: the characters. I never got to know the true personalities of the characters. Their stories, especially that of Next-One-A-Girl (the name drew me in, nice touch), could have been heartbreakingly emotional. But they weren’t. They were all kind of flat.

The premise of the book seemed very intriguing. But I never got into the actually story. So much of it felt unbalanced. And it’s not because it’s for a younger age group. It’s marketed to “Mature Young Adult” on Litpick. I don’t know how other readers will find this book.  Remember, this is just my opinion.

***eBook provided by Litpick.com in exchange for my honest review

A new student review of Lighthouse Nights by Jake Vander Ark

CarissaH posted a new student review of Lighthouse Nights by Jake Vander Ark. See the full review.

Jake Vander Ark's Lighthouse Nights takes a very interesting look into the lives of people who you probably dont know anyone quite like, yet seem so familiar after the initial feeling of alienness wears off. It provides behavior, backround, and catch-22s, just in-depth enough to draw you in and answer your biggest questions, but still ambiguous enough to not destract from the plot. All topics are handled with blunt care, perfectly reflecting its most prominent characters while still maintaining a poignant poetry. It's a brilliant cautionary tale in many ways, while also providing some guilty indulgence akin to that of Bonnie and Clyde's story. The characters, even at their most depraved and disturbed, are very relatable, and as you get to know them better, you understand their plight. You feel righteous indignation where appropriate, yet you keep suporting your antihero protagonist. The reason I don't describe the more naive character is because he, by nature, is pretty standard for the most part, and providing much more informatin than that could get into spoiler territory. Suffice is to say, his characterization and arc are wonderfully done.
There are several scenes which could be considered the climax, all nail-bitingly engaging and unpredictable. There are quiet moments as well, which hold your attention with the same powerful grasp as the more active ones. Sexuality and romance in the book are both palpable and intriguing, yet not at all something you'd like to immitate. The people, places, and situations explored feel very true-to-life. The only reason I can think of to not finish the book is out of how much it upsets you. This novel is exciting, curiosity-inducing, heart-wrenching, sometimes sickening, but most of all, it is thought-provoking. If that sounds like the sort of thing you'd like to try out, I strongly recommend you read Lighthouse Nights.

A new student review of Glimpse (The Dean Curse Chronicles)

McTower posted a new student review of Glimpse (The Dean Curse Chronicles) . See the full review.

Glimpse is definitely the kind of book that you would want to read over and over. It is definitely full of adventure, but as you look at the cover you think that the person on the cover is traveling in time. It’s not really that way because the story doesn’t go back in time.  Glimpse is filled with adventure, like a balloon filled with so much air that anymore would make it pop. Glimpse is really a very good book. It makes you feel like you are right there, and it has many details.