The Tourmaline by Paul Park

The Tourmaline is the continuation of the story that began with Paul Park's A Princess Of Roumania. In this novel, several characters from our world have been transported to an alternate world. It turns out that Miranda is really not from the familiar world that Peter, who is the first character we meet in this book, was born in. Miranda was, in fact, only sent for her own protection as a baby. Now she's back in this magical world, to save Roumania (or Romania) which is, in this reality, a world power. She has some help, including Peter, who is turning into the Chevalier de Graz, Andromeda, who is currently in the shape of a dog, and several others. Can they do it?

The Tourmaline is a beautifully written book. It has great characters, real enough so that the reader feels real emotion (like or dislike, or stronger) for them, which is a great accomplishment for a writer. The plot is fairly original, too, which is becoming more and more difficult as the number of books written increases, and more and more people struggle to come up with ideas no one else has already written down. This alternate world, wonderfully described, is especially interesting because it is obviously very different from the world we know, but is also similar. This fantasy novel is one that is worth reading, when it seems sometimes that there are too many similar fantasy books around, as it is a popular genre.

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

Out of Focus by Margaret Buffie

When Bernie's great-aunt Charlotte died, she left something behind for her niece. Bernie's mother, Celia, inherited the Black Spruce Lodge. Now they have a place to live, where they won't ever have to leave in the dead of night to avoid paying the overdue rent. Things aren't as easy as one might hope, though. Bernie's angry at her mother, and can't believe Celia could even try to stop drinking, or take some responsibility for her children, Bernie's younger siblings who have been taken care of by their older sister for years. That's the most dominant emotion Bernie feels: anger, specifically at her mother. It makes life out of focus (as the title says). Can Black Spruce Lodge help Bernie get things in focus?

Out Of Focus is one of the best young adult books I've read recently. It was very well-written, with believable, unique characters. The story, told from Bernie's point of view, surpassed any expectations I had of a novel from an author I'd never heard of. Now that I have read a book written by Margaret Buffie, I'll certainly be looking for more from her. The story is interesting and original, rather than the same old books I've been reading lately. Out Of Focus was certainly worth reading.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Asheville, NC USA

Jennie's War by Bonnie Hinman

Will Jennie ever be able to catch Pietro in the act? Jennie is led to believe that Pietro is a spy trying to find out information about Boeing, a factory that makes airplanes for the war, after she sees him doing some very suspicious things. One day Jennie overhears Pietro talking to a strange man about meeting in the underground, and having no idea where that is, she decides to follow him. While doing so she runs into a small problem along the way and has to seek the help of her brother, Tommy, in order to solve it. Jennie is uncertain of asking for Tommy’s help, for she is afraid he will take control and boss her around when it was her idea in the first place. From growing vegetables in the “Victory Garden” to collecting scrap metal for the war effort, Tommy and Jennie are always making everything a contest between them. Will Jennie ask her brother for help or will she let Pietro get away and possibly risk the lives of the many people who work at Boeing? Find out in this faith-based book called Jennie’s War written by Bonnie Hinman, which is one of the many wonderful books in the Sisters in Time series.

This book is set in 1944 during World War 2. It teaches the reader how the people had to live and about the many different things they had to do to help with the war effort. Jennie’s War also teaches you how working together instead of competing against one another will get you farther in life. I think this is a great book that throws a surprise ending at you. I highly recommend Jennie’s War mainly to girls, ages 9-12.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 12
Reviewer City, State and Country: Upper Strasburg, PA US

Harlem Hustle by Janet McDonald

Harlem Hustle is a teenager living in (where else?) Harlem. Hustle, who also goes by "Double H" (real name Eric Samson) may not have much in his life, but he's got big dreams. Hustle wants to be a rap star. He's got the words--he's been writing down his raps for a long time now. He just needs to break into the music business and get his work noticed. Easy, right?

This was a decent book. The characters, while interesting, were not particularly three-dimensional. They didn't exactly step off of the page. The storyline was not particularly original, either. There are tons of people out there with dreams of becoming music stars, and this wasn't a particularly new twist on that. Still, it was moderately interesting, and did keep my attention through most of it. The author's style wasn't remarkable, either. It was a decent read, though, but not one I'd spend my money on; I might, however, check it out from the library. It's worth that.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 6
Reviewer Age: 15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Asheville, NC USA

New Moon by Steohanie Meyer

New moon is the sequel to Twilight, and is just as good mabe even better. We watch as Bella and Edward struggle to be with each other, he being a Vampire and all, but then Edward makes a choice that could seperate them forever. Bella is devestated and emty without Edward we watch as several months go by before she starts to live again. And when she does she becomes even more accident prone and starts to get in a lot of trouble with little Jacob Black whos not so little anymore. Bella soon discovers that it will take everything she has to get Edward back to her and it wont be easy.

This is one of my favorite books, I am absolutely obsessed with it and recomend it to everyone. It's beautifully written and when Bella's in pain your in pain. Trust me you won't be able to concentrate on anything else. It also stands on it's own, I read it not knowing it was a sequel and easily kept up.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 10
Reviewer Age: 15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Fountain Valley , Ca Untied States

Cinderella ( as if you didn't already know the story) by Barbara Ensor

Obviously everyone knows the story of Cinderella, but did you know why Cinderella's Fairy godmother asked for lizards or what excuse did her stepmother make when she had to move to the attic? No? thats what I thought. As this classic tale unfolds we get to see all of Cinderella's feelings, thoughts and actions during this timeless fairytale. That makes You love Cinderella even more.

It was cute, I liked the fun little details they put here and there it made it interesting to read. I loved that they put compassionate notes that Cinderella had written to her dead mother. All in all they put a good spin on a classic tale.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 7
Reviewer Age: 15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Fountain Valley, Ca United States

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.