The Mask of Atreus by A.J. Hartley

The story starts with the 761st Tank Battalion patrolling a road just south of World War II Berlin. A powerful German tank column is heading their way. After the battle, the American victors inspect what the tanks had been protecting: a truck with one crate. Andrew Mulligrew, a tank commander, takes a look at the contents. Astounded, he orders his driner to call the MP's. In modern day Atlanta, Deborah Miller is at a museum fundraiser. She is there because she is the curator. After a long night, Deborah begins to drive home. Following a disturbing phone call, she returns to the Druid Hills museum and finds her mentor and museum owner, Richard Dixon dead from several strange wounds. When the mysterious caller asks if they took the body, Deborah hides under Richard's bed and watches him come and then leaves. When she returns to her apartment after being questioned by the police, Deborah senses an intruder after the police don't believe her and Keene voices his concerns about Cerniga, Deborah flees to Greece. There she makes some stunning conclusions about Richard and a dark secret. Soon she fights for her life and tries to piece together a mysterious conspiracy.

I found this book to be exciting and gripping at times. However, some parts can be a little a slow and boring. The good outweighs the bad, though, and this book can be hard to put down once you get into the plot. Mystery and suspence fans will especially enjoy this novel. In my opinion, A.J. Hartley is an excellent novelist.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Chambersburg, Pennsylvania The United States of America

Curse of Arastold by Jo Whittemore

Sunil, a magical world full of, elves, mythical beasts and many other mysterious powers is where Ainsly and Megan find themselves trapped. They were brought here by Bornias Niksrevlis an old neighbor of theirs on earth, but who turns out to be the ruler of the kingdom of Arylon, in Sunil. While there, the Staff of Lexiam, the powerful artifact that was used by Bornias, was stolen. Fortunately the staff was recovered, but the magically empowered gems were not. Ainsly, while searching for the staff, contracted the Illness. The Illness, which was originated from the dragon Arastold, is a curse upon those who abuse magic… and have come into contact with dragon blood. It slowly turns a human into a dragon while destroying its host’s soul. Then the dragons fly off to serve their master, Arastold. His companion, Megan, has found a cure for this horrible fate, but can she administer it in time to save her friend

I think this was one of the best fantasy books I have read in a long time. The author made this book extremely suspenseful by throwing in many twists and turns in an ongoing roller coaster. I was, however, disappointed that I couldn’t find the first book in any local library or bookstore. I was so disappointed because I have not read the first one. I do think that it was a very good book and will be enjoyed by fantasy readers everywhere.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 10
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Denair, California America

Witch Catcher by Mary Downing Hahn

Jen’s father has inherited an estate from his Great-Uncle Thaddeus and they are moving into the old, castle-like house on the property. Jen is thrilled; she can feel the strange vibes coming from the castle and knows something out of the ordinary is going to happen. When, against her father’s wishes, Jen goes up the tower in the back yard, she finds a beautiful glass globe with a spout on the end and takes it back to her room, knowing instinctively that it is special. Odd things begin to happen. Dad has a girl friend, Moura, who Jen can tell does not love her Dad. Jen’s cat breaks the globe, and Jen meets a girl in the woods who says she was trapped in the globe and was released when it was broken. Together Jen and Kieryn must defeat HER and save her brother and aunties, who are also trapped. Can Jen rescue them? And can she do it in time to prevent her father from marrying Moura?

Witch Catcher tells of the struggle between a girl and a witch, good and bad, young and old. Mary Downing Hahn’s story is both creative and fantastic as it describes the dangers and fears of a young girl and her attempt to save her father from something that he doesn’t want to be saved from. This is a story that will fuel the imagination of the young and the young at heart.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Chambersburg, PA USA

The Oracle Prophecies Book Two: The Sphere of Secrets by Catherine Fisher

A god was reborn as a young ten year old boy named Alexos. He must travel to the Well of Songs and return three apples which he turned into stars. They must be returned to the Rain Queen, a god. Alexos had stolen the apples from the Rain Queen in one of his past lives. If he can make it across the unforgiving desert and fight the beasts that guard the well he can bring back the water to his kingdom. On his jouney he faces many predicaments. While he is away his kingdom is thrown into a war. His friend Mirany is one of the nine and works the altar of the god. Hermia, whom the god is supposed to speak through is making up the answers to the questions the people come to ask the god. She and the general of the army had formed a conspiracy. If someone was asking for something one of them was interested in they would decline. The rest of the nine have figured this out. When the prince of another country comes to ask the god to let his country mine in the mountains and is declined the rest of the nine tell him about their findings. War is soon waged between the two countries.

I thought that overall the book was very good. The suspense would not allow me to put the book down. Since there are two stories going on, one with Alexos and the other with Mirany, the author would switch between the two whenever an exciting event was about to happen. It about drove me nuts, but it kept me reading. I extremely advise you to read The Oracle Prophecies Book One: The Oracle Betrayed first. If you do pages 1-60 will make a lot more sense. I think the author used pronouns way too much. I would sometimes have no idea which character was being referred to. This was a very exciting book and if you are a fantasy fan you'll like this book.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 12
Reviewer City, State and Country: Chambersburg, Pennsylvania U.S.A.

Rubber Houses by Ellen Yeomans

Written in a series of poems, Rubber Houses by Ellen Yeomans is the story of Kit. Kit is a high school student whose world turns upside down when her little brother, Buddy, dies of cancer. She reads about the stages of loss and relates each one to a part of baseball, a game she shared with Buddy. Kit tries to deny his death and starts rejecting her friends. She, also, watches her parents become despondent, consumed by their grief. Only after she gets a job at a hardware store, does Kit start to live and accept a normal life again.

I thought the book was wonderful, but extremely sad. Ellen Yeomans accurately depicts the grief a teen feels after the loss of a loved one. Before I read the book I didn't think the poetry could tell the story without the reader having to search for a hidden meaning. But the book was really easy to understand and very relatable. I, also, liked that the book ended on a hopeful note, not a depressing one. Overall, I thought it was a great book and good summer reader.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Erlanger, Kentucky United States

The Killer's Tears by Anne-Laure Bondoux

What Mr. and Mrs. Poloverdo thought was just another visitor to their home was what would change Paolo's forever. Angel Allegria was his name, killing his game. While the unsuspecting couple drank wine with the murder, he drew a knife from his belt and ended their lives. His eyes then were put on the boy, demanding him to approach. Paolo stood still and answered many personal questions. The killer and his boy, as Angel called him, then buried the parents. And they resided in the house for a few weeks...until a knock sounded at the door. It was Luis Secunda, a traveler who stole the boy’s heart from Angel. The man taught him to read and write, and after many days, promised to take him and Angel along in his travels. They went to the city of Punta Arenas first. The trio resided in an inn for a week or two. And when they were not there with the innkeeper and his daughter, they were in the city seeing the sights. But, one sight that Angel did not expect to see was his face on a poster…with the word “WANTED!” under his name. And Angel wanted to escape that town before he was discovered and arrested. And separated from the boy. Luis betrayed them when he and the innkeeper’s daughter were planning to leave the city on a boat so they would not face the music from them placing up the poster. When the boy and the killer find them, the knife is drew… Does the murder kill yet another person…or more? Does he get to stay with the boy? And, does Angel get caught? Only The Killer’s Tears can tell.

This reviewer found this book to be surprisingly fulfilling. Twists and turns fill this book like a mountain road. Ms. Bondoux has an excellent way with words, like a crafts-worker with a needle joining fabrics. This book was excellently written, and is a very remarkable work of literature. Some of the grammar is different than what many people know, however, but that can be justified: this book is a translation from French text. Even so, the meaning was not lost. This reviewer enjoyed this book and believes that anyone who reads The Killer’s Tears will fall in love with this story also!

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 10
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Chambersburg, PA United States

Alice in the Know by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

It's the summer before Alice's junior year and Alice learns a lot more about growing up. First, her dad makes her get a job on her own. Her brother, Lester, thinks that he's finally found the woman he wants to marry. And Alice's friends experiment with drugs and alcohol. Not to mention an embarassing incident about an email involing sex nand her personal life. Alice also has to deal with sickness and death as well with some of her closest friends and family. But Alice really learns to make the best of her summer.

I was really excited to read the newest Alice book since I've been reading them all along. I was a bit disappointed with this newest edition. The story kept my attention and all, but I really felt like something was lacking throughout. I can't wait to see what happens next to Alice though. I would definately recommend reading the Alice series if you haven't read it though.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 7
Reviewer Age: 19
Reviewer City, State and Country: Philadelphia, PA USA

Going Under by Kathe Koja

Going Under is a novel in which Kathe Koja introduces readers to Hilly and Ivan, sister and brother, but more than that. Before Hilly decided to break away from family, to meet people who were not related to her, and Ivan felt betrayed. To achieve her goal, she joined the literary magazine staff at the local high school. It’s a great activity for her; she has been writing for almost her entire life: essays for her mother, entries to contests, but, most important, her journals. While working on Currents, as the magazine is called, Hilly meets new friends, Kim and Elisha. When Elisha commits suicide, Hilly retreats from the world around her, especially Ivan, and is sent to a psychotherapist. When Ivan tries to get closer to his sister, he is pushed further away, and to cement the separation, he betrays her by establishing his own relationship with the doctor, who is manipulative of both of them, and talking with him about Hilly.

This novel is told in the alternating, very different, voices of Hilly and Ivan. Kathe Koja does a great job of telling the story from the two points of view, and it makes the story much better than it would have been if it were told by only Hilly or only Ivan. Both characters are very well-written and realistic. Going Under is definitely a page-turner; it kept my attention the entire way through, with the brilliant prose that actually sounded more like poetry at times. The ending was great, closing off the story without being too cheerful or unrealistic, which would really have taken away from the overall tone of the story. It doesn’t compare to any other young adult novels; it is, in fact, like nothing I’ve read. Highly original, this story gets into your head and stays there.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Asheville, NC USA

Conrad's Fate - A Chrestomanci Book by Diana Wynne Jones

Series Seven is one of eleven parallel universes. That is where Conrad Tesdinic, the main character, lives in the small village of Stallchester. As he turns twelve, his uncle, who is a magician, tell Conrad he has horrible karma. Then he is sent off to become a servant at Stallery, the mansion in the mountains above Stallchester. His uncle tells him that that is where he can settle his fate. There he meets a boy about his age named Christopher. Christopher reveals to Conrad that he is an enchanter from Series Twelve and is looking for a lost friend. Can Conrad succeed in settling his fate, or is he doomed to have bad karma forever? Find out, by reading Conrad’s Fate.

I enjoyed reading this book because it has a little bit of everything. It had just enough humor, suspense, and magic. It has twists and turns that kept me reading long into the night. I also liked how the author intertwined the alternate worlds. But, I think that the author should have made it a little less modern. Televisions and sports cars are, to me, a little too much. However, I think that many fantasy readers will really enjoy this book.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Denair, California America

The Crystal Doors by Rebecca Moesta and Kevin J. Anderson

The Crystal Doors is about two "twin" cousins, Gwen and Vic. The story begins with a visit to a water park in California. Where Gwen is nearly killed. Early the next morning, the cousins find Vic's Dad arranging crystals. The cousins walk in the room and are sucked into another world. This dimension has flying carpets, intelligent talking animals, and is ruled by magic.

The Crystal Doors is a good book for what it is: a fourth/fifth grade adventure book. The storyline doesn't have nearly enough depth to pull off the "young adult" characterization. Many of the twist are obvious and predictable, provided I am an avid young adult reader, lower school students will definitely find the story intriguing. The plot is fun, unique, and magical adventure. What kid wouldn't enjoy that?

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 7
Reviewer Age: 16
Reviewer City, State and Country: Starkville, Mississippi United States of America