Wednesday, February 08, 2012

Wicked Circle by Linda Robertson

Persephone Alcmedi is back and in more trouble than ever. Heldridge has escaped from Menessos's prisons, and he is on his way to reveal a very dangerous secret. Along with attempting to stop Heldridge, Seph is trying to support Johnny as he reveals himself to all waeres as the Domn Lup. With everyone vying for attention, Persephone goes through her largest struggles yet, worried about those around her. Can she manage to fix all the problems before it's too late, or will she go down with everyone else?

Seph is back in the fifth installment of the Persephone Alcmedi books, Wicked Circle. Linda Robertson has written another fantastic book about Persephone's struggles as the Lustrata. There were periods in the book where I felt like I was witnessing what actually happened. The imagery Robertson inserted into the book was very vivid, and it was some of her best work for this series. This book was full of romance, adventure, mystery, and suspense. By the way the book ended, I can only assume that there is to be a sixth book, and I know if there is, it is going to be just as great if not better than the others. I would recommend this book to mature high school readers.

There is some sexual innuendo and sex scenes in the book. They can get pretty descriptive.
Reviewer Age:14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Fresno, California USA

Tuesday, February 07, 2012

The Blizzard by Marty Martins

Blizzard Review
    This book is about a teenage boy named Chet Bucek. His dad is in the military, so his family moves a lot.  They end up in Rockford, Illinois. That is where Chet meets Melanie, and is instantly smitten. She rejects his advances, but when classmate Tommy Schmidt tries to abuse her, she runs away and falls into an icy river, only to be saved by Chet. He rescues her and takes her to his cabin. They have to sleep in the buff to keep warm, and when Melanie's dad finds them in just their underwear he jumps to conclusions. Chet is accused of rape and put in jail. Will his named be cleared? You'll have to read the book to find out!   
Blizzard Opinion
    I highly enjoyed reading the blizzard. It has strong, well-rounded characters and is a San Diego bronze award winner. This, combined with an unlikely real-life scenario is a recipe for a great book. The book sometimes divides into little subjects that focus on a particular character, so you get interesting snapshots of that character's emotions, thoughts, and life. My only complaint is that if this was a movie it would be rated R. The whole book is about an innocent boy accused of rape. Do I have to say any more? Anyway, if you can get pass that stuff, it has a good plot. I would recommend it for ADULTS ONLY!
This book has some very graphic scenes.
Reviewer Age:12
Reviewer City, State and Country: Rockford, Michigan United States

Monday, February 06, 2012

Dungeon Crawlers Ep. 1 and Ep. 2 by , Stefan U. G. Leblanc

The world is not what it was thousands of years ago. Magic is all but forgotten and technology rules in it's place. But one artifact from ancient times will start an adventure that will change the lives of three people forever. Join Lars, Izlude, and Marina as they travel across the world to obtain the pieces of a map that was thought to be nonexistent. This trio must face many dangers if they are to complete their map. Follow these rising stars as the begin their quest to find The Crystal of Immortality!

Perfect, simply perfect. The author has expertly crafted a story to be remembered. Just the setting is enough to draw readers to this tale. It captures what I have always wanted to see in a book, ancient times of swords and magic colliding with a future of advanced technology. Anyone could enjoy this book. I can't wait to read what happens next in the Dungeon Crawlers series.

Reviewer Age:15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Mineola, Texas United States

Conspiracy 365: October by Gabrielle Lord




Conspiracy 365 October by Gabrielle Lord is about a teenager named Cal who is trying to find a treasure his ancestors have kept hidden for generations. Cal is wanted by the police, and many different people are trying to get the reward for delivering him. His friends Winter and Boges help him. Winter is trying to solve the mystery of her parent s death, as well. They think a rival enemy named Oriana de la Force has the next clue to the treasure in Zrich Bank. They find a way to get her fingerprint then make a copy of it. They try to get her PIN code and create disguises of her and her bodyguard to break in and get the clue.

I thought this book is a great story with a great pace. I liked how they left you hanging at the end of the book. It really explained how the characters felt. When it explained things, it provided just the right amount of information so that you understand but are not bored. This book has great supporting details so you can understand what the characters feel. The only part I didn' t like is how it didn' t tell much about Cal' s family.


Reviewer Age:12
Reviewer City, State and Country: Overland Park, Kansas USA

Thursday, February 02, 2012

Wild Life

       Wild Life by Cynthia DeFelice is a book about a boy named Erik. Erik is preparing for his very first hunting trip, when he learns that his parents are being deployed to Iraq. Then Erik is shipped off to live with his grandparents, Oma and Big Darrell. When Erik finds a dog he later names Quill, he can t bear to be separated from her. When Big Darrell says Erik can t keep her, Erik runs away, taking the dog and his uncle Dan's hunting boots, camouflage jacket, gun, and a few boxes of shotgun shells.
       I think this book was exciting. I would have to say my favorite character would be Quill. Even though she's a dog, she acts like a human and is very loyal. She is very smart and is really strong. The thing I like the most is her will to help Erik survive. I wish I could have a dog like that. I would recommend this book for ages 11-14. I hope you will like it as much as I did.
Reviewer Age:11
Leopold, Mo United States

Artemisia of Caria by Shirin Yim Bridges

A long time ago, in Ancient Greece, when women couldn’t even leave the house, a girl named Artemisia led war ships to battle. When other women would knit and cook, Artemisia would sink enemy ships and call out orders to male soldiers. When women weren’t even considered citizens, Artemisia was the only person the Emperor trusted. Learn about her food, clothing, and life in Artemisia of Caria. This book will make girls and women around the world more powerful than ever.


This book was really entertaining. It’s always bothered me that a long time ago women were treated badly. This book really shows how women can be just as good (or maybe better )than men. I love how the author didn’t just teach me about Artemisia, but also about some Ancient Greek customs. I was really pulled into the story when the author described the wars Artemisia was in and all the scary things that happened to her. Now, after reading that book, my life motto is, ”Fight like a girl.” I would recommend this book to all girls who are tired of hearing boys say they are better than them.

Rating:  10
Conent:  1
Reviewer Age: 9
Reviewer City, State and Country: Charlotte, North Carolina United States

Wednesday, February 01, 2012

Changing My Wardrobe (eBook) by Deb Hanrahan



Lindsey is lokking for a new start after a not so fabulous junior high expierience. And to do that all she needs is a new wardrobe. With her good friends Teeny and Grouper at her side Lindsey will take on high school, with its pros- like Marco Marino- and its cons- like old enemy Avery. Can she help her best friends find happiness? Can she find her own? And will they be able to high school?
At first when I began reading this book I presumed that it would be a feel-good romance, that would be sweet and cute. That is why the tragic ending threw me for a loop. The writing was okay, but lacking in detail. The details that were there, though, were very realistic. Towards the middle it got much better; I could not even put it down, and was quite engrossed in it. I was excited for the adorable ending, and was majorly dissapointed when it did not come. The ending, although not what i was hoping for, was very unpeedictable, and made the characters extremely real to me. It was not the sweet ending I would have liked, but it did have a bittersweet quality that left me in tears. The best part was the authors stunning taste in music, which added some joy to my reading expirience. It wasn't for me, but I am sure that there are plenty of people who would like it.
language, and teenage content (drugs, alcohol, etc.)
Reviewer Age:15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Colorado Springs, Colorado United States

You Have Seven Messages by Stewart Lewis


   You Have Seven Messages is an amazing story of discovery. It is about a girl that loses her mom in a tragic and mysterious accident. Sometimes when someone loses a person they love, they will go searching, trying to find any remnant that may be left of that person. That may mean searching through their belongings. It might mean talking to people who knew them. It could even be as simple as visiting places that were important to them. It is all done for one purpose- to hold on to anything that is left of that person. For Luna, this searching brought up a part of her mother s life that had been completely hidden from her.
I absolutely LOVED this story. I have never read anything like it! It was mysterious, dramatic, and suspenseful all at the same time. It really made me feel so many different emotions. Mr. Lewis did a great job showing how desperately Luna needed to find the truth. This story was also a good example of how when we love someone we have to accept that they aren t perfect and love them for who they really are. I would definitely recommend this book.
Adultery is a dominant theme in this story and there are references to homosexuality although neither are graphic.  There are also a few scenes where characters are drinking. These topics may be undesirable for some readers.
Reviewer Age:11
Reviewer City, State and Country: Alton, MO USA

Empire of Ruins: The Hunchback Assignments by Arthur Slade




Modo is a fourteen year old secret agent, with incredible abilities, working for British intelligence.   He is sent on a mission to find the god face, an ancient artifact, currently held by Australian tribes in the deep Australian jungle.  An old enemy of Modo s, the clockwork guild, is looking for the god face as well.  What follows is a race against each other, including an air battle and a surprising discovery, with the consequences of loss, death, chaos and destruction.
This is only an average book, but still has a way of holding your attention with well-spaced action sequences.  Modo is a good character, with a fully developed personality, but some of the secondary characters aren' t as good, with less developed personalities. The plot is only somewhat well-thought through and needs some revising, but all in all this is a fairly good book.


Reviewer Age:12
Reviewer City, State and Country: philadelphia, PA United States

Fox and Phoenix by Beth Bernobich



Fox and Phoenix by Beth Bernobich occured in a magical, fantastical version of Asia, in Long City and the Phoenix Empire. In this novel, Kai and his best friend Yun are going to get the princess of Long City, Lian, and take her to her dying father. She is studying in the Phoenix Empire where the Emperor is preventing her from recieving the information of her father's worsening condition to get the control of Long City.
The book has great, vivid details that make it easily imaginable. Although it was slow at first, the pace picked up and it became quite a page-turner. The characters were also easy to relate to and were enjoyable to read about. Fox and Phoenix is a book I would recommend though don't be surprised if it's a bit young.

Reviewer Age:13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Mendon, Vermont United States of America