Ayla is just a normal 17-year-old girl... that grew up in a dwarf community. Although she knows that she is a human, her knowledge of the human world is severely lacking. She is ugly by dwarf standards; too tall and too slender with black, unruly hair, and nearing the end of her years of eligibility. It seems that all hopes for her future are lost, until one night she runs away, distraught from the other young dwarves mocking her. She falls into the river and is carried down to the human world. There she is found by an arrogant prince named Noland and his solemn captain, Roderick. Noland is determined to make Ayla his bride because of her beauty, yet he thinks she is simple minded and making up where she comes from. Roderick on the other hand, will not tell her who he thinks she is. A captivating story ensues, and Ayla embarks upon a journey of self-discovery, romance, faith, friendship and adventure.
I really enjoyed reading this book! It hooked me in and I couldn't stop reading it, in fact, I printed pages of it and took it with me overseas! It is slightly similar to the worlds of Eragon, The Book of Lies and Rangers Apprentice, however some themes will appeal to girls moreso. Readers can immediately relate to Ayla and the common situations and insecurities involved in becoming a young woman. The other characters are also very believable and easy to love or hate. Kendra Thomas is really descriptive, especially when it comes to emotions and the awkward situations and small details that girls love. It is really refreshing to finally read a good fantasy novel with a girl as the main character and heroine! I would highly recommend this book to all girls who enjoy the fantasy genre and those who enjoy stories about romance, friendship and adventure.
Quite a few parts of the book deal with religion and belief systems, and whilst it is fantasy, it can be related back to the real world in some ways.
Reviewer Age:16
Reviewer City, State and Country: Brisbane, Queensland Australia
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Sylvie and the Songman
All of London is growing quiet, animals are losing their voices. Then Sylvie's dad, a songwriter, mysteriously disappears. Sylvie, her best friend, George, and her dog, Mr. Jackson set out on an adventure to solve the mystery. Along the way they encounter animals of all shapes and sizes, who help them in their search. All the while running from the mysterious songman and the woodpecker man. Together they attempt to save the world from silence.
Sylvie and the Songman took a while to get into, the beginning of the plot was slow. But once the adventure got underway I couldn't stop reading. Overall the book was interesting, it makes you think and ponder the ideas of animal-human interaction and the power of voice. I think this book is like "indie" music, it's unique and interesting but it most likely will not be a mainstream hit. The text of the book was inter-woven with illustrations. These illustrations showed the setting but still let me imagine. The illustrations are in black and white, and beautifully add another element to the book. The author does a wonderful job of bringing the characters to life. I felt like I was on the adventure with them. The ending wrapped up the story well, except it didn't fully explain the teachers whereabouts. Reading this book makes you think, it is beautifully powerful and exciting at the same time. I would recommend this book to people who like to wonder, but I would tell them it takes time to get into.
I would recommend adult guidance for this book because it can be scary at times. There was some graphic descriptions that are slightly disturbing but very important to the plot.
Reviewer Age:16
Reviewer City, State and Country: Amherst, MA USA
Buggy Crenshaw and the Deadwood Principle: Evolution
Buggy Crenshaw and the Deadwood Principle: Evolution begins exactly where Buggy Crenshaw and the Bungler’s Paradox ended. In The Bungler’s Paradox, Buggy defeats the first of five Dark Lords of the Underworld. In this next installment, Buggy is exhausted after fighting off Evil. When she goes into her room, she is met by an unexpected visitor, the Rebel Phoenix Alabaster. He guards one of the doors to the Nexus, (a place where good and evil meet). The Deadwood brothers, Cypress and Cedar, have a theory that if one of the doors to the Nexus is destroyed, like in The Bungler’s Paradox, the world would become unbalanced and fall into cosmic chaos. Guided by a mysterious message given to her by the Rebel Phoenix, Buggy and her friends find themselves thrown into another adventure. Will they be able to save the world?
To understand Buggy Crenshaw and the Deadwood Principle: Evolution, you really have to read the first book Buggy Crenshaw and the Bunglers Paradox. I thought there were still a few confusing parts, but I think if you keep reading, you’ll figure them out. Buggy Crenshaw and the Deadwood Principle: Evolution was interesting and action-packed from beginning to end. It was a fun book to read and there were a lot of twists in the plot. I thought it was even better than the first book! I would recommend this book to anyone who likes adventure, but read The Bungler’s Paradox first. Just watch out because Buggy has an addiction to adventure. Happy reading!
Content: 1
Rating: 9
Reviewer Age:12
Reviewer City, State and Country: Harleysville, PA USA
To understand Buggy Crenshaw and the Deadwood Principle: Evolution, you really have to read the first book Buggy Crenshaw and the Bunglers Paradox. I thought there were still a few confusing parts, but I think if you keep reading, you’ll figure them out. Buggy Crenshaw and the Deadwood Principle: Evolution was interesting and action-packed from beginning to end. It was a fun book to read and there were a lot of twists in the plot. I thought it was even better than the first book! I would recommend this book to anyone who likes adventure, but read The Bungler’s Paradox first. Just watch out because Buggy has an addiction to adventure. Happy reading!
Content: 1
Rating: 9
Reviewer Age:12
Reviewer City, State and Country: Harleysville, PA USA
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Elissa's Quest by Erica Verrillo
Thirteen-year-old Elissa has a very special gift: she can speak with animals. She doesn't think much of her unique ability but keeps it a secret as her nana advised. Not knowing who her real parents are, she stays with an all-knowing healer in the quietly pleasant valley of High Crossing. News arrives of a royal guest coming and Elissa is invited to the royal banquet. There she meets a mysterious nobleman named Lord Falk who says that he has come for her. Having no choice but to go with him, Elissa leaves her beloved home to travel across the desert to the Citadel many miles away. After learning that she is a bargaining tool for Lord Falk's kingdom, she is held captive by a devious Khan who wants her hand in marriage. She meets and makes friends with a very unusual servant girl and together they run away to try to find their way home. Along the way Elissa learns of her fate from the wise Blue People and the Healers. Will Elissa be able to take on her destined duty or will she choose to go home while the chance still exists?
Elissa's Quest is a unique fantasy full of talking animals and rivalry that will surely appeal to young readers. I think that the author did a very good job at being descriptive and unfolding the scenes. It was hard for me to get into the story at first and I found it somewhat boring and slow-paced since I am of an older age. I thought that a lot had occurred throughout the story but it felt like not much had really happened because the events only lasted a few pages at most and there wasn't a lot involved with each event. I think that the idea for this trilogy was pretty very different and Elissa being able to talk to animals made it more interesting. There wasn't enough action during each scene and the setbacks were solved too quickly and simply but she did add some very silly parts, which added a good laugh to the read. The wording was well-chosen for the reading age suggested, which was 9-12. Overall, I recommend this story to younger children who are looking for a fun and amusing read.
Reviewer Age:15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Upper Strasburg, Pennsylvania United States
Elissa's Quest is a unique fantasy full of talking animals and rivalry that will surely appeal to young readers. I think that the author did a very good job at being descriptive and unfolding the scenes. It was hard for me to get into the story at first and I found it somewhat boring and slow-paced since I am of an older age. I thought that a lot had occurred throughout the story but it felt like not much had really happened because the events only lasted a few pages at most and there wasn't a lot involved with each event. I think that the idea for this trilogy was pretty very different and Elissa being able to talk to animals made it more interesting. There wasn't enough action during each scene and the setbacks were solved too quickly and simply but she did add some very silly parts, which added a good laugh to the read. The wording was well-chosen for the reading age suggested, which was 9-12. Overall, I recommend this story to younger children who are looking for a fun and amusing read.
Reviewer Age:15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Upper Strasburg, Pennsylvania United States
Alein Feast by Michael Simmons
In this science fiction, William comes home one day to find his parents eaten by aliens. All that is left of his parents are their feet. Planet Earth has been invaded and the aliens are destroying the human race. Sophie, one of Williams's friends, is also shocked to find her parents gone. They were not eaten though; Sophie's parents were kidnapped by the aliens. William and Sophie, with the help of Uncle Maynard, worked together to find Sophie's parents and save the world from disaster.
I found the storyline to be a little slow. This book is definitely for basic readers. A young reader might be okay with the plot. However, I think anyone over nine will find the book boring. I felt the writing to be unimaginative and lacking detailed descriptions.
Reviewer Age:16
Reviewer City, State and Country: Lemoore, CA 93245
I found the storyline to be a little slow. This book is definitely for basic readers. A young reader might be okay with the plot. However, I think anyone over nine will find the book boring. I felt the writing to be unimaginative and lacking detailed descriptions.
Reviewer Age:16
Reviewer City, State and Country: Lemoore, CA 93245
Falling in the Garden by Walter G. Klimczak
Meet Michael Sullivan and Ashley Haddow. Just two average American teenagers that meet on a summer break. There's just one thing separating them: 53 years. The book begins with Michael's best friend Joe moving away. He lives in a fairly secluded area surrounded by a forest with his mother. Carrying on with the explorations and adventures he and his best friend had in the forests, Michael discovers that he when he is in a certain place, he can speak to Ashley Haddow. They are the same age, but the year is 1946 according to Ashley, not 1999. Because they can only speak, Michael tries to find out more about who Ashley is. Ashley can't help him much, because her father has sworn her to secrecy regarding their location. The story continues and as their friendship grows, so too does the mystery of how and why they can communicate with each other.
The novel is a romance with a twist that makes their relationship very unique and interesting. Although the book starts off a bit slowly, it provides a good look at Michael's life before the events and definitely sets the scene for the story. Once the two main characters meet, the book picks up pace and I couldn't stop reading. I really loved how Walter Klimczak used such brilliant descriptive language throughout the whole book, allowing readers to imagine a very beautiful, detailed setting. Also, the characters were easily likable and are very believable. Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it especially to anybody who enjoys a nice, descriptive, romantic novel with a bit of mystery added to it.
Reviewer Age:16
Reviewer City, State and Country: Brisbane, Queensland Australia
The novel is a romance with a twist that makes their relationship very unique and interesting. Although the book starts off a bit slowly, it provides a good look at Michael's life before the events and definitely sets the scene for the story. Once the two main characters meet, the book picks up pace and I couldn't stop reading. I really loved how Walter Klimczak used such brilliant descriptive language throughout the whole book, allowing readers to imagine a very beautiful, detailed setting. Also, the characters were easily likable and are very believable. Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it especially to anybody who enjoys a nice, descriptive, romantic novel with a bit of mystery added to it.
Reviewer Age:16
Reviewer City, State and Country: Brisbane, Queensland Australia
Episodes: My Life in Syndication by Blaze Ginsberg
Blaze Ginsberg is a high functioning autistic teenager. In his book, Episodes: My Life in Syndication, he lets you into his world of celebrity crushes, Thanksgiving dinners, freshman through senior year of high school and his many trios of friends. The book is set up like T.V. episodes, giving you the cast, a summary of the "episode", air date, soundtrack listings and much more. Episodes starts off at Blazes freshman year at a new school for autistic kids. Throughout the book, Blaze travels to games with the schools sports teams, crushes on Hilary Duff and Sara Paxton, attends Vista View College, works at a grocery store and much more.
I thought the book was a little boring. The idea of it is interesting, but the plot does not have a hook that brings you in and makes you wonder what will happen next. While I was reading this, I thought it needed more to keep the readers attention. Through each "series" (chapter) Blaze tells you about his days and what happens. I found that it was dull and boring. I wouldn't recommend this to others if they want a book with action or an exciting plot.
Reviewer Age:14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Finksburg, MD USA
I thought the book was a little boring. The idea of it is interesting, but the plot does not have a hook that brings you in and makes you wonder what will happen next. While I was reading this, I thought it needed more to keep the readers attention. Through each "series" (chapter) Blaze tells you about his days and what happens. I found that it was dull and boring. I wouldn't recommend this to others if they want a book with action or an exciting plot.
Reviewer Age:14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Finksburg, MD USA
Tuesday, September 08, 2009
The Calligrapher's Daughter by Eugenia Kim
This story takes place in Korea in the twentieth century. Najin Kan is a spirited young woman with great potential in education. Her mother thrives to see her succeed, but her father, being a traditional Korean, is reluctant about the idea of a young girl going to school. Then he decides her education is well, he wants to marry her to an aristocratic family. Her mother is so against it, she sends Najin away to be an companion to a young princess. But shortly after, the king is murdered, and the princess has to leave. When she returns home she pursues her education, and does something she never expected, finds love, but after just one day after her marriage, a declined passport separates them for years. Will Najin ever be able to find her love again?
I found the characters in this book to be quite amusing, especially how the father acted toward Najin. I also found the ending very interesting, I never would have guessed that it would have taken Calvin and Najin so long to find each other. I was also surprised that she told Calvin all her secrets. Although the ending was well-written I didnt like the beginning, because a lot of times I found myself day dreaming. I also felt that some parts just dragged on. I would recommend this bookﾠ to anyone who likes realistic-fiction about Chinese life, and history in the twentieth-century.ﾠ
sexual situations
Reviewer Age:13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Springfield, Ohio USA
Monday, September 07, 2009
My Name Is Jason. Mine Too. by Jason Reynolds and Jason Griffin
My Name Is Jason. Mine Too, is a story about two men who make their way living as artists. Their story is told in a book of poems and paintings. Each poem and painting symbolize a different chapter in their lives. As artists, friends and practically brothers, both Jasons decide to write a book together. This book shows the struggle of how they had to live on their own in a fun, interesting way.
My Name Is Jason. Mine Too, is a great book. I was disappointed when I finished because I wanted there to be more. While reading this book I don't think I put it down once. Every page was different. They were creative, interesting and they were all unique. This book does not compare to any books I have read lately. The books I have read have not been based on art, while this is filled with different types of poetry and paintings. I think the only weakness I found was in one of the poems I didn't understand its concept. Other then that I thought it was interesting and might be one of the only books I have liked all the way up to the end.
Reviewer Age:15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Sandy, Oregon United States
My Name Is Jason. Mine Too, is a great book. I was disappointed when I finished because I wanted there to be more. While reading this book I don't think I put it down once. Every page was different. They were creative, interesting and they were all unique. This book does not compare to any books I have read lately. The books I have read have not been based on art, while this is filled with different types of poetry and paintings. I think the only weakness I found was in one of the poems I didn't understand its concept. Other then that I thought it was interesting and might be one of the only books I have liked all the way up to the end.
Reviewer Age:15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Sandy, Oregon United States
The Uninvited by Tim Wynee-Jones
Mimi Shapiro is running. Running away from a disturbing first year at NYU to a small and creepy town in Nowhere, Canada. She hopes that while there for the summer, she can get her first screen play written, while coming to turns with what happened to her in the previous year.
Though nothing can stay perfect for long. When arriving at her father's deserted old summer house she finds that someone else is living there too. Her long lost half brother, a half brother that has been having his own problems, as of lately. Problems that involve a mysterious stalker who has been leaving him presents of dead birds and snake skin.
Can the two of them make it through the summer? Will they get to know each other the way only siblings can? Will they catch the stalker before their lives come to a crashing halt? Well, I guess you'll have to find out for yourself, in The Uninvited by Tim Wayne- Jones.
Only one adjective comes to mind after reading this page turning thriller: Wow! The Uninvited is a book that mixes mystery and getting to know long lost siblings in a fresh and fantastic new way. I was constantly trying to figure out how everything tied together. The characters were my favorite part of this story. They were well developed, likable, and funny. Plus, Tim Wayne-Jones' writing was pretty darn good. I loved how he slowly told the past of the characters and the stalker by reveling their secrets one at a time. Overall, The Uninvited is a definite must read for all teens and adults.
Reviewer Age:13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Mountain Top, PA USA
Though nothing can stay perfect for long. When arriving at her father's deserted old summer house she finds that someone else is living there too. Her long lost half brother, a half brother that has been having his own problems, as of lately. Problems that involve a mysterious stalker who has been leaving him presents of dead birds and snake skin.
Can the two of them make it through the summer? Will they get to know each other the way only siblings can? Will they catch the stalker before their lives come to a crashing halt? Well, I guess you'll have to find out for yourself, in The Uninvited by Tim Wayne- Jones.
Only one adjective comes to mind after reading this page turning thriller: Wow! The Uninvited is a book that mixes mystery and getting to know long lost siblings in a fresh and fantastic new way. I was constantly trying to figure out how everything tied together. The characters were my favorite part of this story. They were well developed, likable, and funny. Plus, Tim Wayne-Jones' writing was pretty darn good. I loved how he slowly told the past of the characters and the stalker by reveling their secrets one at a time. Overall, The Uninvited is a definite must read for all teens and adults.
Reviewer Age:13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Mountain Top, PA USA
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