The Last Days by Scott Westerfeld

The last days of the world as we know it are here. The world is changing; people are disappearing, angels (according to some) are appearing on the fire escapes of New York City, the water is turning black, and there are rumblings deeper than those of the subways beneath the streets. Those aren't the only things happening, though; for five New York teenagers, music is what matters the most. The nameless band, started by Moz and Zahler, greatly improved by Pearl, and joined by Alana Ray and Minerva, is providing the soundtrack for the end of the world. A vampire lead singer and a drummer whose halucinations might be real only bring the band closer to the apocalypse that began in Scott Westerfeld's book Peeps. Things are changing in the world; what's their place in it

Definitely one that readers will want to purchase as soon as possible; it'll be sold out on bookstore shelves for those that wait too long! While it is a vampire story, you don't need to be a fan of traditional vampire books to appreciate the awesomeness of Scott Westerfeld's novel. You don't need to have read the sequel, Peeps, either (though it's a great book, so why wouldn't you?). The story, told in the alternating points of view of the five band members, is one that will keep readers riveted from the first page right up until the last. The five main characters are well-developed, unique and interesting characters who make this what it is; still, there is plenty of help from minor characters that plays a big part in this story. This is a book not only for fans of vampires or Scott Westerfeld; anyone can (and should) enjoy reading this book!

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Asheville, North Carolina United States

Reiffen's Choice by S.C. Butler

A young boy named Reiffen who is the heir to the thrones of two kingdoms is kidnapped by a group of wizards known as The Three. Reiffen's friends in his hometowm of Valing come together and plot a way to rescue the boy from Ussene, a place where no one has ever escaped. During his stay in the dungeons of Ussene, Reiffen discovers the intentions of the three. The wizards wish to teach him magic and use him as a pawn to rule the kingdoms. Reiffen also makes friends with a slave in the castle named Molio, but he is killed from the magic of the three. At the end of the story, a valiant effort by Reiffen's friends is rewarded by rescuing the boy, but Reiffen decides to return to Ussene and learn magic to use against the three, hence the title: Reiffen's Choice.

I really enjoyed this book, it was very interesting and there was always plenty of suspense. Usually in most book series, the first book has to incorporate a lot of information to paint a picture for the reader as far as what this world is like that the characters are living in. This book does that, but is also keeps the story moving in a way that doesn't bore the reader. This world that the author created fascinated me very much. The different kinds of creatures and places were great, and they also were new and oringinal; this book was definitely not another Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings as far as the setting of the story. I found the ending very intriguing, and it was a great way to set up the next book in the series. Overall, Reiffen's Choice and its sequels have great potential to be in the ranks of some of the best fantasy books ever.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 16
Reviewer City, State and Country: Eden Prairie, MN United States

A Scholar of Magics by Caroline Stevermer

Samuel Lambert, an American, is invited to stay on in Glasscastle University which teaches magic when he wins a sharpshooting contest. He was hired to contribute his shooting accuracy to the mysterious Agincourt Project. A Fellow of the University named Fell invited Lambert to share a room with him and Lambert discovered the amazing, peace-giving chants that maintain the University's wards. Then, one day, the Provost's sister, Jane Brailsford, comes to visit. After she arrives, things start happening. Fell disappears and the Agincourt Project develops a sinister side. It will be up to Lambert and Jane to solve the mystery and return things to normal.

With magic, romance, and mystery all combined together, this book makes for a good read. It has beautiful and descriptive language that puts you in the scene. The plot is developed very well, however, some parts of it move rather slowly. I felt that some of the events mentioned were not needed and only lengthened the book. There were also a few jumps in the book from present to past to future that were hard to follow. Even so, it is still a great book and I recommend it to older readers because of slightly complicated language.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 7
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Tucson, Arizona USA

The Hunter's Moon by O.R. Melling

An expert in the topic of Celtic and Medieval Irish History, O. R. Melling gives young adults a brief lesson in Irish folklore while enticing the imagination in The Hunter’s Moon. This romantic modern day fantasy focuses on an American girl named Gwen visiting her cousin Findabhair in Ireland. Since the girls earliest years they dreamed of visiting the other world of Faerie, the land where the King and his subjects have thrived for thousands of years. Finally at 16 years old the girls decide to set out on their quest to find Faerie. As they make a plan for their mystical tour of Ireland, they decide to leave Tara, a sacred ground of ancient kings, for last. In a twist of fate, and magic, they are closer than they had originally planned and decide to go to Tara first. The girls break many rules in order to sleep one night in an ancient mound, only to find a power far beyond their expectations. In their sleep Finvarra the fairy king comes to take them away, but Findabhair is the only one who will go willingly. Gwen awakes in the morning to find her cousin gone and a strange dream fresh in her mind. In order to find her cousin, Gwen sets off on her own journey throughout the Irish countryside. Gwen is confronted with several tests Finvarra set upon her and is soon forced to be brave and strong in order to get closer to her cousin. Meeting several friends along the way, she learns to trust those with red hair, and falls in love. After many trials and tribulations, Gwen is faced with the ultimate task, one that involves pure evil. The plot moves quickly, which keeps the reader guessing whether Gwen and Findabhair will be stuck in Faerie forever, with all its glamour and beauty or remain mortals in their known world.

While the language of the book may be difficult at times, the page-turning plot will carry readers through the story. There are many Irish words and phrases, which may be confusing at first, but Melling includes a glossary and notes on the Irish language, which are very helpful. The descriptions of the landscape are beautiful and give the reader a clear vision of what the characters see. Some of the themes may be too deep for some pre-teens, but would be great for teenagers to mull over. Life vs. death, good vs. evil, how to be who you truly are, are just a few ideas the characters are constantly dealing with. And the romance mixed in is always good for the hopeless romantic. Love and fairies? Every girls dream. Best suited for those ages 12-17, this novel is sure to please any lover of Celtic lore with a fairy twist whether young or young at heart.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 20
Reviewer City, State and Country: Catonsville, MD United States

Sword Play by Linda Joy Singleton

This book is about Sabine Rose returning to her hometown to reunite with her family, that shunned her when she was blamed for the death of a football player named Kip. So now she is returning hoem to the town of San Jose leaving behind the new life she has grown to love, and bringing with her a quest given to her by the spirit of Kip telling her to "help her." So now she is back in the world that once shunned her, reuniting with people who always cared about her, her old fencing team and fencing teacher for one. She is not happy being back home again, but seeing those who once were close to her brightens the prospect of being home again. Although there are a few dark clouds that present themselves on her return, findingthe person Kip wants her to help, seeing her ex-best friend, her father constantly disappearing,her grandmother's illness she is not able to monitor anymore, and of course the fact that someone is trying to hurt her, Sabine is back home again and she's determine to try and be happy about being back in San Jose.

"Sword Play" was a good book. Although it was a sequal in a series, if you chose to read it without reading any of the other books before it in the series you wouldn't be lost wondering what the characters were talking about. Everything that might have raised a what are you talking about question was fully explained so the reader wasn't left confused. Throughout the book Sabine is trying to help Kip help someone else, but also they include a goal Sabine pursues throughout the series; finding a way to help her grandmother keep her memory. Although it isn't the best seer type of book I've read, it still did a good job of showing you the life of someone with a power to see things from the past, future and dead people's spirits making it an enjoyable book to read.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 6
Reviewer Age: 14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Tucson, Arizona U.S.A.

Fairest by Gail Carson Levine

Fairest is the story of Aza, the daughter of an inn keeper, who lives in a town where beauty is worshiped, beauty of voice beyond all and though Aza’s voice is beautiful beyond belief her face is hideous. Her beautiful voice and unusual talent to throw her voice, which she calls illusing, lands her a spot next to the vain queen as her lady in waiting who is forcing her to illuse . Find out how Aza turns out in Gail Carson Levine’s Fairest.

I never liked fairy tales with their simple plots and cliche endings so when I picked up Gail Carson Levine’s Fairest I expected nothing more than a 2-bit retelling of Snow White. What I found was something entirely different. Gail Carson Levine takes the story of Snow White to a new high. Female fans of the Ella Enchanted and The Two Sisters of Bamaree will not be disappointed. Each page reminds you why Levine is loved my millions of fans everywhere and this book will only add to her ever-growing list of fans.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 16
Reviewer City, State and Country: Starkville, MS USA

Before I Go by Riley Weston

Before I Go is a sad love story that brings tears to a reader's eyes. The skater and coach were also mother and daughter who have a very deep relationship. At the age of six years-old, Madison meets Jackson Wellington III, who becomes her best and only companion in life. All of her life, Madison had never belonged anywhere because she was a lone wolf, an outcast in other words. Skating was her only passion and reason to live. But things in her life change.

I would enjoy this book forever. Madison seems like a spoiled girl but she was actually under a lot of stress. Madison's relationship with her best pal is really sweet and romantic. The author did leave me wondering what happened to Jackson and Annie in the end. I really enjoyed the last chapter. The last chapter was sad. I was crying so much that my tissue was all wet. I really encourage teens and young adults to read this novel. I learned that you should enjoy life as much as you can. I cannot wait until "Before I Go" comes out so everyone can experience the emotions in this wonderful and tearful novel!

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Norwalk, California United States States

Journey Between Worlds by Sylvia Louise Engdahl

Melinda has her whole life planned out. She is going to marry her boyfriend and live on the beach. When she graduates high school, her father offers to take her to Mars on a long business trip with him. She accepts. On the ship to Mars, she befriends a guy named Alex. She lives on Mars longer than she expected and goes through many different problems. When Alex thinks about more than friendship, Melinda doesn't know what to choose. Who knows what will happen.

This book was excellent. It was a little slow at first but it got interesting quick. I'm not a big fan of science fiction, but this book was pretty good. It was a little confusing at some parts though. Overall it was good and I would recommend it to many people.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 6
Reviewer Age: 11

Tales of a Hollywood Gossip Queen by Mary Kennedy

When Jessie was flown to California to redo some lines for her small role in the movie, Reckless Summer, she wasn't expexcting to get much out of it. She planned to go to L.A. for a few days, record some lines in the studio, maybe a little shopping, then back to her boring life on the east coast; but that changed dramatically. When Shane Rocket, the hearthrob (yet cheating) co-star, comes to visit her in the studio, she is in awe. Before she knows it, she has an internship for a gossip magazine, Juicy, with her best friend, Tracy, and is starting to fall for Shane once again. When Jessie starts to realize he is hooking up with another teen actress, the Hollywood scene isn't where she wants to be especially when she lands herself on the cover of Juicy...

I loved the book. When I recieved the book, I realized that Tales of a Hollywood Gossip Queen was the sequel to Confessions of an Almost-Movie Star. I had already read the first one but it didn't matter. The second book catches the reader up on the things that were significant in the first book for this one. Personally, I thought this book was good. Compared to the first one, I thought Confessions had more excitement to it but when alone, Tales was great! I would definitely recommend this book to my friends!!

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

Hit the Road by Caroline B. Cooney

On the first day of Brit's summer vacation, her parents leave for an Alaskan cruise. They entrust Brit's care to Nannie (or rather Nannie's care to Brit). Nannie has recently lost her driver's license and her car because Brit's mother feels Nannie has become senile. Nannie fights back by renting a large van and attempting to take her old college roomates to their 65th reunion. When Nannie discovers her inability to drive the large van, Brit must take over, only having her license for a short time. Along the way, Nannie and Brit must stage a kidnapping of Auriela, Nannie's former roomate being kept in a nursing home against her will by her contrary son Aston the Third.

I found the book incredibly entertaining, but a little cliched and over-the-top. There are several subplots in the book that make it much more interesting and complex. The characters brighten up the story for me, especially the "girls" (Nannie's former college roomates). I think it ended rather abruptly, with many untied ends. Parts of the book were laugh-out-loud funny, while others were a bit overextended. Certainly an entertaining summer read.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Skopje, N/A Macedonia