A new student review of Beyond the Cell

Jigub posted a new student review of Beyond the Cell . See the full review.

In every book I read, there seems to be phrases, or even paragraphs that just catch my attention.  I chose this book because the idea of a 16 year old girl being held captive at a prison that is hidden among mountains intrigued me.  Segregation has been around for a very long time and in fact, it has even been the cause of wars.  Tribble does a fascinating job at showing the way segregation works in her book.

You see, this book has caused me to think.  We’ve all been segregated before and this book has opened my eyes showing that not only humans face segregation, but, if they exist or not, mythical creatures do too.  The main character is one that can be related to.  She may be young and a little foolish at times but she craves freedom and stability.  I know exactly how that feels and I know for a fact that the readers of this book will relate as well.

I encourage readers to read this book.  While this book doesn’t have as much  detail as I would like, and it may seem as if it was quickly paced, the book is still well written with a good plot and setting.

A new student review of The Unwanteds (Island of Fire)

Rainbow Shard posted a new student review of The Unwanteds (Island of Fire) . See the full review.

I loved it.  Lisa McMann continues to weave her magic in a way that is both strange and touching.  The intricate plot held my attention the entire way through.  However, this tale isn’t just a riveting adventure.  It’s also a story of heartfelt emotions.  I really felt close to these characters, and believed I was living through these acventures with them.  At times, I wanted to cry; other parts made me laugh, sigh, mentally cheer on the characters (does anyone else do that?), and just collapse from desperation.  A beautiful tale of the true meaning of loyalty and friendship, this tale will not soon be forgotten.  I eagerly await the next chronicle in the Unwanteds sequence, and expect the best is yet to come!

A new student review of There Will Be Bears

NathanPechacek10 posted a new student review of There Will Be Bears . See the full review.

In my opinion, I enjoyed reading about the relationship between a grandfather and his grandson. It was an unusual bond and they did some awkward things together. I would recommend the age range most interested in this story would be 11-14 years old. The story did mention drug use and some parts were intense. Overall, the writing style was decent and the storyline was easy to follow. I did feel it was a strong ending that did not leave a reader hanging.

A new student review of Au Pair Girl by Judy Klass

LaRayne posted a new student review of Au Pair Girl by Judy Klass. See the full review.

This is an awesome, amazing and captivating book that any teen would definitely read in one day. It will keep you on the edge of your seat throughout the whole book. There is also a bit of romance, but it is not too overwhelming or underwhelming. I would recommend this book to any teen who likes any kind of book. It is amazing how the author can make this book fit into so many genres. I am definitely telling all my friends to read this book.

A new student review of The Grave Winner

ViviB posted a new student review of The Grave Winner . See the full review.

Leigh was a very real character. Her emotions, for the most part, were understandable, yet complex. Since this is a horror story, capturing the emotions is key for a good book. The characters were lovable; I liked Jo, the best friend, and I liked Leigh's sarcastic, witty way of narrating. The love triangle between Leigh, Cal, and Tram was well developed as well.

This book was only about a hundred and sixty pages, and so the supernatural bits seemed to come into play too quickly for my liking. A little bit more background and character development would have been helpful before diving into the magic. For example, the book talked about Lazarus Syndrome when people began coming back from the dead, and it seemed widely accepted by the citizens. I was a bit unclear on whether the world of Krapper, the name of the town, was used to phenomona like that, or whether the magic was new to the people yet didn't explore the reactions.

Leigh missed some obvious hints that I caught onto immediately, and I found that a bit unrealistic and irritating, but there were twists throughout the book that I enjoyed; it wasn't predictable.

All in all, this was an interesting read, and I would keep an eye out for a sequel.

 

 

A new student review of Empress of the Sun

ClarissaAdeleMorgenstern posted a new student review of Empress of the Sun . See the full review.

I enjoyed this book. I think that the premise of the story is very interesting, as well as the explanation for the Jiju and separate realities. However, I was confused by several things in this book, especially when I first started reading it. When I received this book, I didn't know that it was the third in a series. This may have explained some of the things I didn't like about the book; for example, I felt like some of the characters weren't very well developed, but they were most likely introduced in earlier books.  I also didn't like some aspects of the science fiction. For example, people still used iPads and common real life technology, even though they had Heisenburg Gates, which let them travel between alternate worlds, and other very advanced technology. I think I would have enjoyed this book a lot more if I had read the other books in the series. Overall though, this was a good story.

 

A new student review of Historical Heartthrobs: 50 Timeless Crushes

dancechicka posted a new student review of Historical Heartthrobs: 50 Timeless Crushes . See the full review.

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from this book, to be honest.  Nonfiction isn’t really my forte—I read so much of it at school that I have no desire to read it at home.  A week ago, as I was browsing through the booklist, I happened upon it and was so intrigued by its witty description and unique air that I decided to give the whole nonfiction genre a shot.  What a load on this book’s shoulders, correct?  Fortunately, I am happy to report that this manuscript flourished under the pressure and my critical eye.  I found it humorous, entertaining, and educational, which is what every nonfiction book should be if it wants to attract younger readers.  It moved at a brisk pace through fifty different historical figures known for their beauty (or simply their big bank account) that seemingly had it all--appeal, influence, aim, and in some cases, a defining attitude.  Organized into small, three page sections dedicated to each person, I felt that the book moved along at a quick enough pace to avoid being boring yet giving me enough information that I felt that I learned something.  All in all, it is great nonfiction read that I believe would be wonderful for anyone who is looking to mix up their winter reading.

I would recommend this book for ages 12 and up, since there are frequent mentions of sex, affairs, and violence, along with a minimal amount of swearing.  There are also some mentions of homosexuality and bisexuality, so if it bothers you or your child, it may not be the book for you.

So, are you looking for a unique twist on history and the people who shaped it?  What about looking for your next celebrity crush?  If so, be sure to check out Historical Heartthrobs: 50 Timeless Crushes by Kelly Murphy!

A new student review of Once We Were Brothers

VBat posted a new student review of Once We Were Brothers . See the full review.

Once We Were Brothers was a fast, intriguing read that combines a legal thriller with a Holocaust story. Ben Solomon's heart-wrenching recount of his family's experiences in Poland during World War II was emotional, and provided depth to the many relatable characters. The betrayal of the Solomon family by their adopted son provided a new angle on Holocaust time-period stories. 

My biggest problem with this story was the ending. The conclusion lacked emotion, and there was no forgiveness or significant changes in the characters. The story built up to a huge twist ending, but failed to deliver anything that really surprised me.

This book is great for fans of John Grisham and legal thrillers, and for those who enjoy historical fiction revolving around the Holocaust. 

A new student review of Loud Awake and Lost by Adele Griffin

JesusFreak posted a new student review of Loud Awake and Lost by Adele Griffin. See the full review.

What first intrigued me to pick this book up was the cover artwork, which is absolutely beautiful.  When I started to read the book, it was actually quite good.  I was waiting to see what would happen to the main character and how she would figure out what she should do, but I soon found that after ten chapters it did not pick up.  It continued on and on in description and there was hardly any action.  I frequently had to remind myself to pick up the book and force myself to read it.

Another problem is that Ember was not a very likeable character for me; I could not relate to her or like her in any way possible, which was a big problem for me.  I would like to be able to relate to the main character and to connect with her/him in some way.  Ember was too hard on her parents most of the time, and I found that very rude of her.

The one thing I did like about this book was that it put a phrase of the chapter into the chapter title.  It was a bit fun to read those and try to guess what sentence they would go in with the chapter.

A new student review of Calixte: A Novel by Rosella Eleanor LaFevre

detectiveginger posted a new student review of Calixte: A Novel by Rosella Eleanor LaFevre. See the full review.

The setting was vividly decribed and allowed the reader to totally immerse themselves into the world of Calixte. The voice of the book gave a very authentic feel to the narration of the story and felt typical to modern teenagers. However, the characters in the book are at times unrealistic and dislikeable. While this may have been deliberate characterisation, it seems as if the characters needed more depth and more relateability. However, this book is a good start for author's first novel.

A new student review of Midnight Frost by Jennifer Estep

kfc1997 posted a new student review of Midnight Frost by Jennifer Estep. See the full review.

Jennifer Estep shows her brilliance once again in Midnight Frost: A Mythos Academy Novel. Estep further develops the character of Gypsy girl, Gwen Frost, in a novel that is both mystifying and alluring. The storyline was very well written; however, Gwen’s character begins to lack the spunk and courage she had in the first four books of the series. There was the focus on the search for the antidote, but it seemed as though the story plot mainly focused on the absence of Logan, Gwen’s boyfriend. It did pick up in the middle, and the focus once again returned to defeating the Reapers. It is still an amazing book, and though it is not as good as the first four, it has it’s own unique voice. I cannot wait to see where Estep takes Gwen in the next book in the series. This is recommended to girls and to mythology lovers ages 13 and up.

A new student review of Historical Heartthrobs: 50 Timeless Crushes

dancechicka posted a new student review of Historical Heartthrobs: 50 Timeless Crushes . See the full review.

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from this book, to be honest.  Nonfiction isn’t really my forte—I read so much of it at school that I have no desire to read it at home.  A week ago, as I was browsing through the booklist, I happened upon it and was so intrigued by its witty description and unique air that I decided to give the whole nonfiction genre a shot.  What a load on this book’s shoulders, correct?  Fortunately, I am happy to report that this manuscript flourished under the pressure and my critical eye.  I found it humorous, entertaining, and educational, which is what every nonfiction book should be if it wants to attract younger readers.  It moved at a brisk pace through fifty different historical figures known for their beauty (or simply their big bank account) that seemingly had it all--appeal, influence, aim, and in some cases, a defining attitude.  Organized into small, three page sections dedicated to each person, I felt that the book moved along at a quick enough pace to avoid being boring yet giving me enough information that I felt that I learned something.  All in all, it is great nonfiction read that I believe would be wonderful for anyone who is looking to mix up their winter reading.

I would recommend this book for ages 12 and up, since there are frequent mentions of sex, affairs, and violence, along with a minimal amount of swearing.  There are also some mentions of homosexuality and bisexuality, so if it bothers you or your child, it may not be the book for you.

So, are you looking for a unique twist on history and the people who shaped it?  What about looking for your next celebrity crush?  If so, be sure to check out Historical Heartthrobs: 50 Timeless Crushes by Kelly Murphy!

A new student review of Coaltown Jesus

Isaac posted a new student review of Coaltown Jesus . See the full review.

I personally liked this book because I believe in God. It shows good values to have in  life, and shows us that we have to let go of the past. What's done is done, and there's nothing you can do now to change it. Oh, and the best part I got from this book was, "Be the miracle."

A new student review of Modern Cartooning by Christopher Hart

Gwendolyn posted a new student review of Modern Cartooning by Christopher Hart. See the full review.

Throughout this book the author gives examples of various methods on how to customize your cartoon character. I find it fascinating that by merely changing the direction or position of the mouth or eyebrows one can completely change the character’s reaction and expression. I like how the author provides examples of the posture and stance of the character, which enables the reader to determine how the cartoon is feeling. I found his tutorials helpful because I sometimes have issues with transferring how I want my character to act from my mind to the paper. I learned several tactics from this book, despite the fact that I have been drawing for most of my life and I’m not exactley a beginner. I think that the methods taught can be applied to all artists at any level. Once I had made direct copies of the characters within the book, I was able to use his advice to successfully create sketches of my characters in my own artistic style! Although I enjoy sketching quite often, prior to reading this book, most of my drawings stood motionless and inactive. Modern Cartooning definitely helped me to make my art stand out and essentially pop to the viewer! The step-by-step instructions provided me with the knowledge to make my cartoons appear to interact and come alive on the paper. This book is well written, informative, and entertaining to read. I am certain that I will use this book as a reference whenever I am having difficulties with my artwork in the future. It is a quirky, hilarious, easy to follow and straight forward read that contains valuable instructions. Overall I highly enjoyed Christopher Hart’s  Modern Cartooning: Essential Techniques for Drawing Today’s Popular Cartoons. 

 

A new student review of Too Cool For This School

Tenaya posted a new student review of Too Cool For This School . See the full review.

Too Cool For This School is a book that kids all over the world will enjoy. The story line is one that many will relate to. Its moral is sweet, and it's a great read. The book hooked me  immediately, and I feel like I've know the characters forever. I'd recommend it to kids of ages of about 10 to 12.

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

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

I enjoyed the first bit of the book, then afer that I did not enjoy reading it anymore. I got bored and I had to force myself to keep reading some days. Because of all the stopping and starting, it took me a long time to read and it did not keep my attention like many other books I have read in the past. I have read books off of websites that were not published that I enjoyed more then this book. 

A new student review of The Break-Up Artist

Juggles1414 posted a new student review of The Break-Up Artist . See the full review.

I enjoyed the novel immensely. I would definitely recommend it to others because it was a page turner filled with teenage drama. The main characters were well thought-out and you could relate to what they were doing and why. The writing is humorous at times because the author gave the main character a sarcastic attitude about love. It was well done. The ending was the part I really liked because it wasn't what I was expecting. With some novels like this about teenage love and whatnot, it's easy to figure out how it'll end, but this one surprised me. It was a good surprise. Others will get a kick out of reading it.

A new student review of Falcon in the Glass

nowhereman posted a new student review of Falcon in the Glass . See the full review.

Falcon in the Glass was an amazing historical fiction action book. It swept you right into Victorian London from its very first pages with its vivid descriptions of Venice, Italy. The book also does a great job of describing glassblowing which makes it very interesting because you are able to glean information from the book while getting an enjoyable action and adventure read. This book reminds me a lot of The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke because it is set in Venice and it is also about a group of kids overcoming challenges on the street.  I recommend this book for kids 10 and older. 

A new student review of Wizard by Paula Paul

ash42818 posted a new student review of Wizard by Paula Paul. See the full review.

Wizard by Paula Paul is an amazing story full of mischief and fun. Meghan’s viewpoint into the modern world is funny at times when she tries to understand things that are new to her and as she tries to use magic to control situations that don't turn out as they should. Dating current day boys also brings interest to the mix. I loved reading this story of a teen’s struggle to find herself as she gives up the past to begin a new future. I recomend this to all young adults! Paula Paul did an amazing job writing this book about bringing a girl from the past into the present to live..

A new student review of The Grey Star

scifiguy posted a new student review of The Grey Star . See the full review.

The Grey Star was action-packed, but it kept switching between characters too often. I liked the book, but I failed to understand it because I had not read the previous two books. I would recommend others read the first two books in the trilogy, The White Fox (number 1) and The Black Rose (number 2) before they read The Grey Star. 

A new student review of Alice Parker's Metamorphosis - Book 1 of the new adventure series for children

Npspranger posted a new student review of Alice Parker's Metamorphosis - Book 1 of the new adventure series for children . See the full review.

I think this book is a giant adventure that takes the main character into lots of different settings.  The author describes all the characters in great detail and paints a picture in your head of what's going on.  The author adds a lot of suspense and mystery into the story by giving you almost no clue about what is going to happen next.  I recommend this book because it is really interesting and exciting and I think that almost anyone would enjoy it.

A new student review of Alice Parker's Metamorphosis - Book 1 of the new adventure series for children

aeehrhardt posted a new student review of Alice Parker's Metamorphosis - Book 1 of the new adventure series for children . See the full review.

I think that the book was good but I think that the first half wasn’t very exciting and it didn’t have enough action because nothing was really happening. But then it got more and more exciting and I think that it was very good in the second half. I liked the way the author built up excitement and in the end everything works out. Overall I think it was a pretty good book. I recommend this book to people who are willing to wait for something exciting to happen. 

A new student review of Charis: Journey to Pandora's Jar

ekallen posted a new student review of Charis: Journey to Pandora's Jar . See the full review.

I find Charis: Journey to Pandora's Jar an intriguing book, capturing details perfectly and describing the gods exactly how I imagine them. It also includes a good mix of action and drama, some romance, too, when Gabe kisses her once or twice.

A new student review of More Than This

rachweatherman posted a new student review of More Than This . See the full review.

The book is really very grim, yet has plenty of depth and complexity; both Seth's recollections and the place he's in now are pretty bleak. There are flashes of dark humor now and then, but that's about it. All considered, I thought the story was very enjoyable and thought-provoking, and well worth a read. The writing quality is really top-notch and there is never a dull scene. It makes you want to keep reading and reading and reading. I would recommend this to anyone, especially those who like sci-fi, post apocalyptic books. and ponder what might come after.

A new student review of The Freedom Maze

vbobrocks posted a new student review of The Freedom Maze . See the full review.

The Freedom Maze by Delia Sherman is a well written and understandable novel.  Reading it felt natural and it was easy to relate to Sophie while she struggled to succeed.  There was a lot of dialogue in a more Southern slang style, but it made sense and wasn’t too obscure or confusing.  It is difficult to write a novel combining so many elements; time travel, history, growing up, and regional details and language; but Sherman managed to do it and create a cohesive, enjoyable tale.  I personally enjoyed the historical aspect of Sophie’s journey with all of the excellent insight to one of America’s toughest times.  It is unlike any book I have ever read with both history and fantasy, although I found that the history stood out above the fantasy.  Therefore, I would recommend it to 7th and 8th grade girls who enjoy historical fiction; it really is written more towards girls than boys.  Also, it is currently an advance copy novel through Candlewick Press, but it has been published before through a smaller company.  The Freedom Maze was an excellent and well written historical novel that should definitely be considered by middle school girls.

A new student review of Juvie

cheyenne21 posted a new student review of Juvie . See the full review.

This book is about a teenage girl who has to push past her family issues and the experinces in juvie that she has to face. I especially appreciated it when Watkins wrote moments of pre-juvie experiences within the text.  That fact allowed me to react internally and take a deep breath before being thrown back into the experiences of the juvie system.  I really enjoyed this book and the story line.

A new student review of Charis: Journey to Pandora's Jar

cjsynnes posted a new student review of Charis: Journey to Pandora's Jar . See the full review.

This book was very well written!  I loved how the book altered characters and changed the perspective of the story so many times!  Sometimes I found myself deep in thoughts about the book.  I loved all the “sitting on the edge of your chair” suspense and all the scary sacrifices they (the characters) made for each other.  I would say this story is a mythological adventure, but also partially a love story!  So, what i’m trying to say is this is a wonderful story, and it is well worth reading!

 

A new student review of The Social Code by Sadie Hayes

amjones474 posted a new student review of The Social Code by Sadie Hayes. See the full review.

 

The Social Code by Sadie Hayes is a suspensful book that will make you never want to put it  down. I loved this book. This book made me feel like I was right in line with the characters. This book was very easy to read.  The layout of the book is very much appreciated with the short chapters.

A new student review of The Royal Ranger (Ranger's Apprentice )

alphatauri posted a new student review of The Royal Ranger (Ranger's Apprentice ) . See the full review.

This book was a welcome surprise for me since I thought that the Ranger’s Apprentice series had ended with Book 11, The Lost Stories. To my delight, I found a completely new adventure! This marks the first time in which Will acts as a mentor, and it’s such a refreshing change to see his journey come full circle. John Flanagan did a perfect job characterising Will as a mentor. The titular Royal Ranger’s transformation was also detailed very well. At the beginning of the book, she’s a spoiled brat, but soon begins to learn important skills and metamorphoses into a bold girl. Her and Will’s relationship also changed from icy to heartwarming. One notable feature about the book is that Halt and Horace don’t play a key role in it, but I loved how this symbolised the changing of the guard.  The writing is in the style that is to be expected of Flanagan--although, in this volume, I wish he’d show a bit more rather than telling. Overall, this was an action-packed book that distinguishes itself from other volumes in the series, and it will make you hope for more new adventures in the series. I highly recommend it to anyone who’s a fan of some good medieval fantasy!  
 

A new student review of Kizzy Ann Stamps

underwood_bcl posted a new student review of Kizzy Ann Stamps . See the full review.

I enjoyed reading this book because it helped me understand how blacks were treated many years ago.  I have never read a historical fiction book from this time period.  I was surprised at how discrimination affected so many things.  For instance whites were allowed to have big libraries and African Americans only had worn out books in a small library. I was surprised how people treated KizzyAnn and her brother.   I have brother and a sister from Ethiopia and I never knew that African Americans  were not treated fairly.  When I visited Ethiopia no one was unkind to me.  This book helped me see how things used to be. I would like to learn more about this time. 

A new student review of Starstruck

alison_S posted a new student review of Starstruck . See the full review.

As portrayed alternately through the eyes of Margaret, Gabby, and Amanda, Shukert's old Hollywood offers readers a refreshingly holistic view of stardom. From Gabby's overdosing on diet pills to Amanda's graveyarding as call girl to the studio executives, Starstruck illustrates both the injustices and euphoria of 1930s celebrity. Although spot-on period details encamp this novel firmly in pre-WWII Hollywood, the characters are anything but archetypical fixtures of the era. Rather, Margaret, Gabby, and Amanda are as timeless as they are complex, individuals in whose lives I see the reflection of my own. Deftly paced, Starstruck enthralls the reader, while also allowing time to savor the expansive, luxuriantly-detailed world Shukert has created. Resplendent with intrigue, romance, and poignancy, Starstruck by Rachel Shukert is historical fiction at its finest.

A new student review of Stained

XxtidaxX posted a new student review of Stained . See the full review.

Personally, I couldn't believe how much this book really dragged me into it. When I first got the book, I thought I wasn't going to like it, and that I wouldn't be able to finish the book, but when I actually started to read the book, I wasn't able to put it down even for a second. I would suggest this book to anyone, it truly is a riveting book that draws you in and won't let you go.

A new student review of Gated

cmason178 posted a new student review of Gated . See the full review.

Gated is an excellent read which follows the true story of the Jonestown Massacre. This book keeps your interest and your heart. Parker does a fantastic job of telling you about Lyla’s life thick in lies and catches your heart as she tries to escape alive. Leaving room for a sequel, I would recommend this book to any avid reader.

A new student review of Alice Parker's Metamorphosis - Book 1 of the new adventure series for children

jlsoliva posted a new student review of Alice Parker's Metamorphosis - Book 1 of the new adventure series for children . See the full review.

Overall, the book is good, but I would only recommend it to patient readers. In the beginning the book is slow and quite uninteresting. However it picks up its pace towards the middle and end of the story. Again, if you are patient enough, read it, the book gets fantastic. But for those readers who like books that start out strong, this book is not for you.

 

A new student review of Alice Parker's Metamorphosis - Book 1 of the new adventure series for children

neschick posted a new student review of Alice Parker's Metamorphosis - Book 1 of the new adventure series for children . See the full review.

I strongly suggest this book because it is an exciting book with lots of twists and turns.  Since this is book one of this series the first little bit of this book has a lot of explaining and no action.  You have to be able to stick through it because the end is super good, exciting and full of adventure.

This story is very well crafted and well written. This book falls into the adventure fantasy type. Again I strongly recommend this book.

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

sschu5 posted a new student review of The Black Stone Prophecy (Volume 1) by Alex Baj. See the full review.

I love this book because it keeps you suspended between two things. What will they do to get back to Earth? Also, will they choose to save this planet at the same time? It's cool because they are just kids but they have this huge responsibility accidentally put on them. It teaches kids to listen to their gut (so they do what is right).

A new student review of His Dark Ways

kanati posted a new student review of His Dark Ways . See the full review.

His Dark Ways by Naomi Canale is a sensational supernatural thriller with an abundance of exciting plot twists. Canale's eloquent writing style clashes beautifully with its dark subject matter to create an enthralling masterpiece. The contrast between Savanna and Daniel's thoughts throughout the book helped bring out the traits that made them so endearing and realistic as characters. The only thing I would have changed was the ending because it stops on a suspenseful note that could be a starting place for a sequel or simply a tortuous cliff-hanger that will never be resolved. This book is great for any teenage girl who loves a good supernatural thriller and I would definitely recommend it.

A new student review of Once Upon A Road Trip

GSracegirl posted a new student review of Once Upon A Road Trip . See the full review.

Once Upon a Road Trip by Anglia N. Blount is an adventure filled book about a girl who drives across the country and back alone.  I thought that this book was very well written.  Once Upon a Road Trip is a book that is suitable for middle school students.  I would recommend this book to a friend. This book covered every topic I enjoy, romance, adventure, and self-struggle.  Once Upon a Road Trip has some parts where not much is going on and they seem stretched out, but over all I would read it again

A new student review of Calixte: A Novel by Rosella Eleanor LaFevre

detectiveginger posted a new student review of Calixte: A Novel by Rosella Eleanor LaFevre. See the full review.

The setting was vividly decribed, it allowed the reader to totally immerse themselves into the world of Calixte. The voice of the book was very superficial and stereotypical of a teenager, it gave a very authentic feel to the narration of the story. The characters in the book are at times unrealistic and dislikeable, while this may have been deliberate characterisation, it seems as if the characters needed more depth, more relateability. However, this book is a good start for the aspiring author.

A new student review of Morlanos (The Chronicles of Guiamo Durmius Stolo)

Crazyman5 posted a new student review of Morlanos (The Chronicles of Guiamo Durmius Stolo) . See the full review.

I thought Morlanos was a poorly written book.  It didn't make much sense, and the numerous characters just confused me. It doesn't seem to express any kind of idea or theme, and the setting is not very well explained.  The use of made up words detracts from the book's message, ecspecially without an explanation to their meaning. It seemed to jump from idea to idea and overall, the book was confusing and didn't seem to have a real plot line.

A new student review of Through the Zombie Glass by Gena Showalter

tlang posted a new student review of Through the Zombie Glass by Gena Showalter. See the full review.

I enjoyed this book very much and am looking forward to more. I absolutely loved Ali. She is strong, determined, and protects the one she loves. Her relationship with her Grandma is so beautiful, and they can always be cheerful aroud each other even with all the craziness.; however, I feel disappointed with Ali and Cole's relationship. I feel like they were speeding things too quickly and are too worryied about the visions. They've only known each other a few months and get mad so easily.  Besides that, the book is perfect with plenty of action, romance, and humor. I laughed out loud throughout the whole book, and I know you will too. 

A new student review of Premeditated

dancechicka posted a new student review of Premeditated . See the full review.

Oh boy.  Where do I begin?  I can’t help but smile as I think back on my expressions reading this….I must have been quite comical.  I smiled, frowned, recoiled in shock at the in-your-face bluntness and wit.  Dinah, our main character, was mostly behind all of it.  She was BRILLIANCE.  I really believed anyone could have connected with her—she was tough and driven and ready to kill (making a strong central character) but she also was vulnerable and sad and broken over her cousin’s deed (without her seeming any weaker).  She even scared me sometimes; she was so calculating and driven like some kind of search-and-destroy robot—and I LOVED her for that. I mean, who wouldn’t be out for blood if someone intentionally hurt your best friend?  There was also a strong plot and set of supporting characters who added wit and depth throughout the novel.  Oh, and twists?  There’s so many you’ll feel like you’ve rode a roller coaster at the nearest theme park once you finish this baby.  An altogether wonderful read that I wholeheartedly recommend for your to-read list!

“Over my dead body.  Lightening was welcome to strike me down—as long as he went first.”

I would recommend this book for ages 10 and up, as it involves plenty of references to bloody demises and a sexual situation or three.  Not a bad book for profanity though—just be careful if suicide and/or cutting disturb you or those you might show this book to.

Dinah’s radar is set and locked on her target—and if she has her way, he’ll be down by tomorrow.  As she continues on her quest for revenge, will she finally avenge Claire—or will she discover something that she never expected instead?  Premeditated by Josin L. Mcquein is your ticket to find out!

A new student review of Chantrees by Amy Butler Greenfield

Ravette posted a new student review of Chantrees by Amy Butler Greenfield. See the full review.

I've read stories about witches and warlocks, but Chantresses are a different thing, entirely. The story was set in the 1600's, which I found to be enchanting all on its own. That and the relentless use of 'Wild Magic' throughout the novel. Regardless, the characters were quite realistic and some were indeed beguiling; especially Nat, who seemed to have mixed feelings for both Lucy and her magic. I personally enjoyed the idea of Chantresses and all magic to be 'forbidden', as it created a definite twist in the plot. This novel was very enthralling and I enjoyed it to the fullest.

A new student review of The Iron in Blood

Tfletcher posted a new student review of The Iron in Blood . See the full review.

I liked this book very much. It drew me in from the very beginning because I was wondering, who Angus was looking for, and what did this have to do with Rebecca. When I finally found out where the story was going, I was even more drawn in. I liked how the author made two people from different backgrounds (Angus and Rebecca) who never meet in their life, feel an attraction that will forever change their lives and those around them.

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

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

I really did enjoy this book. It was like a breath of fresh air. I felt as if the plot was really well-explained since it was the first time I was reading about a subject like this and everything came together well. The one thing I didn't like about this book was how repetitive the author was. Literally, Griffin stomped out of the room once in every chapter, and sometimes for no reason at all. It was really hard to relate to Griffin because he was mysterious and extremely angry all the time. Although I have to say Griffin was my favorite character. I liked his dark attitude, it brought a unique touch to the story. Jordan was probably my least favorite character. He was too perfect. He was super sweet and amazing, which annoyed me. I mean the guy seemed like he had no faults at all! On the other hand, I loved Emma because she was really relatable. I was able to understand most of her actions and I really love how she broke out of her shell towards the end. My other favorite part of the story was the action. The book overall was really fast-paced and there was a fight scene in every other chapter. The last thing I liked about this book was how emotional it was. I mean one moment I’m laughing and the next I’m crying. This book was amazing overall and I couldn't put it down.

A new student review of The Vow

Juggles1414 posted a new student review of The Vow . See the full review.

This story’s characters were well thought-out. As I was reading, I could identify the different personalities of each individual. The message was strong as well; you definitely saw the ideas she was touching on, like love and selfishness. It was a good novel; I would recommend it to others, but it wasn’t a page turner. The story didn’t have the excitement that you would get from one. The ending was lacking for me, only because of the quickness it came about. I would have enjoyed it more if the emotions behind the decision at the end were explained or elaborated a little more. I would, however, re-read this book. Others should read it for the great story yet seriousness that Jessica Martinez puts into each situation.

A new student review of Red

briellanoelle posted a new student review of Red . See the full review.

When I first saw the cover and summary for this book, I thought it would be cheesy and boring. However, the minute I started reading it, I was hooked. The character is someone you instantly fall in love with. Felicity is just trying to fit in and have the same opportunities as the red heads in her town. And of course she has a crazy pageant mom who is determined to have her baby girl win. As I continued reading I found myself glued to it, sneaking in a couple pages during class and sighing along with the main characters. The ending is something I expected, however it twisted and left me wanting a sequel! I would definitley recommend this to anyone who wants a quick read as well as a lovely story about being accepted. 

A new student review of Witchstruck

popcorn posted a new student review of Witchstruck . See the full review.

There were a few times when I didn't like this book at all, such as when it got a bit predictable, or a bit cheesy. The book does capture your attention however, and when it gets predictable its usually when something exciting is about to happen. This book has a smooth read and the plot is well laid out, so if Victoria Lamb finds a good topic for a second book I will most likely read it. Overall this book is pretty good and I would recommend it to anyone interested in this kind of book.