The Last Seal by Richard Denning

A powerful demon named dantalion has been trapped below London for over 300 years. Ben is trapped in school, unaware of the rising threat to the city which will cause the Great Fire of London. When Ben runs away from the school he meets a nice squibe, who turns out to be a magican who is trying to keep Dantalion from rising to his full power, in his shop and buys some books, but gets more than he bargained for. As he is leaving the shop he runs into a thief who is no ordinary thief, but a girl trying to make her way in the world. Ben is charged with thievery and runs for is life after the thief who he teams up with along with the scribe, Gabriel, and a unlikely doctor to stop the rise of Dantalion. As London burns they must race against time to save London and the whole world. Will they stop Dantalion or will the world perish with them with it?

I didn't really like this book due to the fact that it had a pentagram on the cover. Other than that it was a really good book, the way it was written and the characterization. The strengths and weaknesses of this book are excellent word choice but it doesn't flow well. What I mean is that it was kinda of choppy and I didn't really get it half of the time. I would not recommend this book because it is all very religious and kind of boring. There are no inappropriate
scenes in this book but there is a lot of religious beliefs in it.

Reviewer Age: 15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Hopkins, Michigan USA

The Skinny On Success by Jim Randel

The Skinny on Success brings attention to the several characteristics of successful people. This book was a self help book. It will help many adults. Maybe some teens or college students on how to be successful. It was a witty way to show you the importance of success.

The author would achieve his purpose on success if the readers are older.I say this because I felt it should be geared towards college students and adults. The strengths of this book are it definitely will help people with the success of jobs and guide them in the right direction. The jokes in the book and the wittiness is geared to adults so it didn't seem all that funny. This book made me realize being successful isn't always easy. Also you should never give up and you should stick to your goal no matter what. Also you can't expect instant success cause nine times out of ten it won't happen. The author could have made the jokes a little more funny because they weren't very amusing. I would recommend this book to older people college age and older. I think this because it was more job related and how to succeed financially and young people don't have to worry about this kind of material just yet.

Reviewer Age:12
Reviewer City, State and Country: Braintree, Massachusetts USA

The Official XXXHolic Guide by Clamp

Since the worlds that CLAMP has created are all incredibly complex, this guide is helpful in filling in the blanks that users might have about the manga series. The Official xxxHolic Guide starts out with six full-color mini posters depicting the main characters of the manga - namely Yuko and Watanuki. It then continues to go in depth about the characters, connections to other CLAMP works, and Yuko's best quotes, wardrobe, and favorite things. At the end are various readers' poll results, compatibility tests, and quizzes.

I have not read the xxxHolic manga series before, and this definitely piqued my interest. Having read other CLAMP works, it was fascinating to see the intricate plot threads and parallels that bind various CLAMP mangas together. Coupled with the gorgeous artwork, complex storyline, and explanations on Japanese legends and culture that were integrated into the manga, The Official xxxHolic Guide would be perfect for any CLAMP fan.

Reviewer Age:15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Palo Alto, CA US

Fall for Anything by Courtney Summers

Fall for Anything by Courtney Summers is a teen novel about a 17 year old girl, Eddie Reeves, who loses her father to suicide. He was a semi-famous photographer, he was loved, and had a wonderful family, or so it seems. She is constantly enveloped in the question 'why?' She goes on a wild hunt searching for answers, anything that will help her understand why her dad chose to leave this world. With the help of a former student of her father, Culler Evans, she goes on a journey to discover who her father was, and why he made this decision. Along the way though, she finds love and understanding in many forms.

I was initially very intrigued by this novel. I was curious about a story of a young girl working through the suicide of her father. Soon though, I realized the book hit slightly less than my expectations. I was looking for an emotional and powerful novel of discovery and hope. Instead it focused more on Eddie's best friend Milo and his girlfriend, and how much Eddie hated her mom's best friend, and her father's only student and her small crush on him. I was disappointed that this novel was more of a high school - somewhat unrealistic - drama. It had far less depth and contemplation that usually comes with a story line focused on suicide. I was hurt at how the author seemed to almost completely overlook the suicide. Frankly, I was upset the way the suicide of Eddie's father was casually approached. If you enjoy a slightly clicheteen novel, this book is for you, but don't read it if you expect to find anything much deeper than that.

Reviewer Age:16
Reviewer City, State and Country: Minnetonka, Minnesota United States

Vesper by Jeff Sampson

Vespers, that's what they called the creatures that weren't like other humans, and Emily might be one of them. Emily Webb is a quiet nerd who never even thought about trying to fit in. But the night of the other Emily's murder, everything changes. She has become strong, wild, fast, and fearless, and she is scared of what the changes could mean. Has the other Emily's soul inhabited her body? Or could it be something that not even humans can control?

Vesper is a very exciting book. I have to admit that while first reading the book I kept putting it aside to read others, but the ending captured my heart with its romance and my mind with its action. I love how the author showed Emily telling her story; it added suspense and helped me to later on realize why everything played out the way it did. I think everyone should read this story at some point in life. Behind all the fantasy, it gives examples about how everyone at some time in life, especially in school, feel like they don't fit in. I can't wait to read it again.

Reviewer Age:13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Fresno, California USA

THE WAR ON DESTINY by J. Sciancalepore

Jenny Martinson, the sixteen-year-old main character in THE WAR ON DESTINY, possesses a very cynical outlook on the world.  After a visit to her oblivious guidance counselor and experiencing strange results on a website, Jenny is suddenly pulled into an adventure she never expected.

  Guided by two mini-soldiers, Jenny journeys into an alternate world with her two best friends.  Once there, she battles evil creatures and learns that she could quite possibly be ruler of this new kingdom.  However, things are more complicated than they seem and there is a twist waiting for Jenny and her companions at every turn.
  I found this book enjoyable, as the characters were all very realistic and there was plenty of action.  Every character had a unique personality, even those that could not talk, and this allowed me to picture them as actual people/creatures more easily.  Also, the author often showed character thoughts, which let me understand each character better.  The story was definitely suspenseful and it proved quite unpredictable.  Jenny, as the narrator, was very sarcastic in the way she acted and what she said.  I found this sarcasm very funny.  At parts, the book was slow and there were other pats that required more detail, but overall I really enjoyed the sardonic humor of the characters and the interesting plotline.  I recommend this book to fans of adventure, fantasy, and sarcasm.

Reviewer Age:15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Needham, Massachusetts United States 

Gwenhwyfar by Mercedes Lackey

Gwenhwyfar is a book written about King Arthur's Queen, Gwenivere. It is split into 3 parts; Princess, Warrior, and Queen, each representing a different stage in her life. Gwenhwyfar, Gwen, is the daughter of King Lleud and grows up a princess, but what she really wants is to be a warrior. Her father finally lets her and she begins one of the happiest and most successful times of her life which ends when she is arranged to marry King Arthur whom she has never met. She is unhappy with him, but knows her duties as a king's daughter includes what's best for the people. But it appears her evil sister, Little Gwen, who looks so much like Gwenhwyfar that she could be her twin even though they are a year apart, does not know her duties and will do whatever it takes to get Gwen out of the way.

This book is all about King Arthur's times, which I absolutely love, so I was very excited to read it, and was not dissapointed. There was a huge part that confused me however, and this might help clarify it to people: Gwenhwyfar is the main character, and her sister's name is Gwenhwyfach, also known as Little Gwen because of her resemblance to Gwen. This puzzled me for the first few chapters because I did not notice a difference in the names at first so I thought they were the same character. There is also a lot of other people with similar namesﾾGynath, Gwydion, Gwalchmai, Gwalchafed, Gwynfor, and Agrwn to name a few. Also, if you are hoping for Queen Gwenhwyfar, you will not get to her until the last third of the book. And lastly, I want to warn you, in this book she has sexual intercourse and describes it. Despite all that, I found that I enjoyed the book a lot and it kept me very entertained. I could see it as a great movie. Please read this book, I would highly recommend it.
In this book, Gwen has sexual intercourse with two men, while being married to one of them, and most likely a third man, though she is not sure because she was drugged. Also she is described quite a few times by herself and others as being bred. &the only thing that kept it from being rape was my consent& I was breeding. He stayed only long enough to put a child in me and then could not leave me fast enough.


Also, a few characters are seen using black magic to bring men to bed with them and other stuff like that.
 
Reviewer Age:16
Reviewer City, State and Country: Gearhart, Oregon United States

What Can't Wait by Ashley Hope Perez

Marisa (pronounced MarisAH not dropped flat at the end: MarisUH) is stuck between a rock and a hard place. When she is at school, her teachers encourage her to do better. She is a senior in high school, and honor role student, she should be applying to college. And not just U of H, either, Marisa has a chance to get into UT Austin. However, Marisa's home life could not be more different. Her alcoholic father cannot seem to leave his Mexican childhood behind. Marisa does not have to get good grades as long as she graduates from high school. College? Totally unnecessary. All she has to do is work, give him the money, and take care of her young niece when her sister is at work to take care of her permanently injured husband. When does Marisa have time for herself? Also, what can(t) wait?
This book was thoroughly enjoyable. It covers issues that hit close to the youth of today including parental influences and multicultural conflicts. Marisa is a real character who is easy to connect to. Perez wove a wonderful story about an extraordinary girl whom the average teen can sympathize with. It is a fun and engaging read.

Reviewer Age:17
Reviewer City, State and Country: Leverett, MA USA

Vicious Grace by M.L.N. Hanover

Kim starts working at the mysterious Grace Memorial Hospital in Chicago where strange things have been happening. She soon realizes it is too large for her to handle herself and calls Jayn￩ and her group of friends to help. They face many difficulties, including an attack in the hospital, which they barely escaped. The mysteries extend to their house when they find two hidden rooms. In one of the rooms they find Jayn￩'s uncle Eric's private study. Inside they find clues to what is terrorizing the hospital and things that may tear them apart.

￩ to fight the evil spirits of the world and to protect them.  When she is not fighting the forces of evil, she is almost a normal girl who has family problems and fights to keep her new family together.  I think the theme of this story is the importance of teamwork. I would recommend this book to teens who like fantasy, mystery, and action stories.

Vicious Grace is a very unique book with many plot twists. I think M.L.N. Hanover did very well in creating an alternate world where demonic parasites, or riders, plague the world. Luckily for the people of that world, they have the powerful heroine Jayn
I gave it a 2 because it includes some material that may not be suitable for all younger children.
Reviewer Age:14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Makanda, Illinois USA

Pegasus by Robin McKinley

Princess Sylviianel is the fourth child of the king of Balsinland. She is bound at the age of twelve to a midnight-black pegasus named Ebon. As soon as they are brought together, the two new friends realize they can alk to each other in their heads. The first night after they are bound, Ebon takes Sylvi flying on his back, even though it is forbidden by law. For Sylvi's sixteenth birthday, Ebon invites her to visit the pegasus kingdom of Rhiandomeer. Sylvi accepts and while she is there, she visits the pegasi Caves and experiences ssshasssha (a type of pegasi recollection), as well as meeting Ebon's little sister. After Sylvi meets Niahi, she is able to silent-speak to the other pegasi as well. When Sylvi returns home, her kingdom is in great danger of falling to magical beasts including three rocs (giant birds, nasty habits) which are extremly hard to defeat. Will the king's army win the war? And how will Sylvi explain to her father what happened in Rhiandomeer

Pegasus by Robin McKinley was a wonderful book. It was extremely hard to put this book down. I loved all the pegasi, but I have to say Niahi, Ebon, and Hibeehea were my favorites. The kingdom of Rhiandomeer was amazing; I could see it as if I were there. I wish I could live in Sylvi's world, despite people like Fthoom, who was very strict about enforcing the rules about pegasi. I thought it was funny that Sylvi always broke the rules: no touching pegasi, no riding pegasi, no flying on pegasi. The rules seemed kind of pointless, because it didn't seem like most of the pegasi would mind being ridden. The author created a great cast of characters; the pegasi were as interesting as the people. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes fantasy, adventure, or magical creatures. I hope Robin McKinley will write a sequel to this book.

Reviewer Age:11
Reviewer City, State and Country: Lake City, IA USA