The Girl in the Park by Mariah Fredericks

When Rain's once best friend Wendy is discovered dead in Central Park, she is shocked and upset. Though not liked by everyone at their prep school, Wendy was still full of life and fun to be around. But now the newspapers are accusing Wendy of only being a party girl whose actions caused her demise. Rain decides she wants to clear Wendy's name and set the record straight - and the best way she can think of doing that is by exposing her murderer.

I really enjoyed The Girl in the Park. It was short and an extremely quick read, especially for a mystery. However, the book read just like an episode of Law and Order. I was instantly drawn into the murder, and having a great narrator like Rain made the novel that much better. Even though the book is short, the author hits a lot of points and we get backstory on Wendy as well as an array of suspects. Rain realistically looks for clues and questions suspects like Nancy Drew, but it doesn't seem corny or campy. The whole time I was unsure of the culprit, but the ending is very satisfying. All the clues added up, and I was pleased with how everything was resolved. For such a short book, I thought that the author wrote an exciting mystery that everyone can enjoy.

The book portrays the murder of a young girl.

Reviewer Age:20
Reviewer City, State and Country: Aston, PA United States

Ascend (Trylle Trilogy No. 3) by Amanda Hocking

Wendy Everly is willing to do anything for the well-being of her kingdom. Even if "anything" includes marrying someone she doesn't love. But marriage is the least of Wendy's problems. The Vittra are planning an attack that will leave most of her kingdom dead. Will Wendy figure out how to save her people, or will she be too late?

Unlike its two predecessors, this book is action-packed from the beginning. Normally I would have to read half of the book to get to the action; but with this final installment in the trilogy, the action starts on page one.

Wendy has matured into a smart young woman. She understands her actions have consequences, and is focused on saving her people. I am pleased to see how far she's come from the whining and pathetic little girl she was in the first book. Part of this transformation is due to the fact that she no longer obsesses over Finn. I am extremely pleased about that since I've loathed the obsession from day one. Instead of obsessing over a guy she'll never be with, Wendy turns her attention to the people of her kingdom and how she can protect them. She has finally grown into the responsible young woman I was hoping for from the beginning.

Wendy's relationship with her mother has also changed. In the beginning of the series Wendy loathed everything her mother stood for. In this book, however, she realizes that taking time to understand her mother helps their relationship.

For the most part, the plot is original. While there were a couple parts that were predictable, the storyline kept me on the edge of my seat.

Amanda Hocking has redeemed herself in my eyes. She has finally created the original story and compelling characters that she promised in her first book. She has truly created a whole new world.

Wendy has sex, and this book is written from her perspective. There are multiple instances of mild cursing as well.

Reviewer Age:17
Reviewer City, State and Country: Yucaipa, CA USA

Glitch by Heather Anastasiu

Glitch takes place in a dystopian future where everyone is connected through controlling computer chips implanted in their brains. Despite the Community's assurance that life is more peaceful and happy while the people are under their control, the "subjects" feel no emotions, and make no decisions. Increasingly frequent, however, are Glitches. Glitches, or Anomalies, are teenagers who develop the ability to escape the Link, and are amazed at the world of color and emotion that surrounds them. Zoel is a 17 year old glitch who also has telekinetic powers, anomalies that she is constantly trying to hide from those that would report her as faulty. Luckily, she soon discovers that she is not alone in her independence when she meets Adrien, part of the Resistance. Adrien, who has the ability to glimpse the future, is positive that Zoe will one day lead this rebellious organization. Telekinetic powers don't make it any easier to figure out who is trustworthy and who is not, however, and Zoe must quickly make the distinction between friend and foe if she ever wants to figure out the secrets from her past, and what she plans to do with her powers in the future.
Glitch was a fast-paced book that I found hard to put down. With a setting that reminded me of the Uglies Series and Revealing Eden, the author twisted the familiar dystopian theme into a new interesting take on freedom and emotion. Zoe was an incredibly likeable character, with well developed thoughts and realistic reactions. Her friends, including the Glitches Adrien and Max, were each unique and added to the intrigue of the plot. Intense action scenes involved high-tech brain control and supernatural powers, and moved the plot smoothly from one idea to the next. The author also played mind games, as allegiances are questioned throughout the book. I enjoyed trying to puzzle my way through the deceit and figuring out what was really going on. The end of the story did not quite tie up all the loose ends, but it is definitely possibilities for a second book. I would recommend Glitch to teenage readers who enjoy futuristic stories and adventure, as well as to those who enjoy Scott Westerfield and Suzanne Collins.
Glitch contained a small amount of cursing and sexual references.
Reviewer Age:16
Reviewer City, State and Country: Harleysville, Pennsylvania USA

Lunch Lady by Jarrett J. Krosoczka

When three kids skip out on a museum tour their punishment is the scariest thing ever!!!! They have to join their schools mathletes. At first the kids are really bummed, but with the help of Lunch Lady and her sidekick, Betty, they figure out that being mathletes can be a wonderful experience. This book has action, humor, and comic book format. If that intrigues you, Lunch Lady is definitely the book for you.

This book was hilarious!!!! My mom is a lunch lady (she wanted to help out because the other lunch ladies are, in my opinion, evil!) and Lunch Lady reminded me of her. No, my mom is not a crime-fighting spy person but my mom is always willing to lend a hand. This book was so funny even my dad who was on the side while I read it laughed out loud. I would recommend this book to anyone who says they want a book with action and humor.

Reviewer Age:9

Reviewer City, State and Country: Charlotte, NC United States

Oreo by Valerique Williams

In the book Oreo, by Valerique Williams, Jayenia is trying to figure out who she is, because she is too black on the outside to be white, but too white on the inside to be black. She thinks high school will be a great time but does not think that after the first day. Jayenia must try to figure out who she is and who she wants to be. She wants to fit in society, but she feels as if she isn't living up to who a black person should really be.

I would not recommend reading this book for many reasons. First, the writing style seems as if it is being written by a first grader during free time, rushing to get it all down. Secondly, the book doesn't even make much sense. It seems as if she just got tired of writing it at the end and said there she's fine, done, let's get this published. This was not a very good book and it just doesn't make sense. I wouldn't have read past the first chapter if I didn't have to review it.

Reviewer Age:11
Reviewer City, State and Country: Rochester, New York USA

Rating: 1

Content Rating: 1

Echo's Revenge: The Ultimate Game by Sean Austin

Echo's Revenge: The Ultimate Game by Sean Austin is about the video game Echo's Revenge becoming a reality for its online players. The book is written around two brothers, Reggie and Jeremy, and starts in the small town of Meadowbrooke, Washington, with both of them playing Echo's Revenge. Reggie is one of the top players in the world of Echo's Revenge, and as such, he's able to kill the Echo in the game. However, their real life is not so good, with Reggie and Jeremy living with their absentee mother and their abusive step-father Asa. Reggie, being one of the top, was invited to the top players conference at the AAA Reality Games headquarters, but Asa forbids him to go, throwing the invitational letter into the fireplace. Reggie decides to go anyways, and once there, he meets all the other top gamers. After Reggie gets home from the conference, Asa discovers that he disobeyed him, and both brothers enact Operation: Thunderbolt, their plan to escape Asa and go to their dad's house in Pasadena. However, they encounter many trials along the way and end up facing their greatest fear: a real life Echo. Full of danger, Echo's Revenge: The Ultimate Game is a riveting adventure full of unexpected turns and twists.

Although being varied and having many things going on within it, Echo's Revenge: The Ultimate Game can be evaluated in three ways: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.

The Good:
Although the idea of a video game coming to life is not a new concept, Sean Austin explores it in a way previously unseen in a story, making it distinctly unique. Also, it is a relatively short read, so it can easily be read on any schedule.  And finally, it's conclusion leaves it very suspenseful, leaving the reader thirsting for more. I know that I cannot wait for the next book.

The Bad:
Although there are hidden twists and secrets behind the book, the majority of the book is extremely predictable. It can make the book a bore at times and makes it a lower level reading material.

The Ugly:
Although I understand this was an uncorrected advanced readers copy, the book is in desperate need of just a basic grammar and spell check. Mistakes are riddled all throughout the book, which makes the book a confusing read. It is not fit to be published until these mistakes are corrected.

Reviewer Age:16
Reviewer City, State and Country: Tucson, Arizona U.S.A.

Peaceweaver by Rebecca Barnhouse

Hild is the sister-daughter of King Ragnar of the Shyflings.  She was a favorite of her uncle until the day she ran across a training field, controlled by a strange instinct, to keep her cousin, the heir to the throne, from being assassinated.  In doing so, she killed her cousin's would-be murderer with a borrowed sword without realizing what she was doing until it was over.  To Hild's surprise, her uncle is not pleased to have his heir safe, but instead is furious at her deed.  His adviser, Bragi, goes so far as to say she has been possessed by evil spirits, while others murmur of the gods chosen.  Because of the doubt that this possession is for good purposes, Hild must be exiled.  Ragnar decides to marry her off to the new king of the Geats.  On her journey to the Geats, Hild meets a terrifying monster, loses her maid, and learns that the union is a ploy. Her uncle plans to attack after the wedding, when the Geats feel secure.  Hild know that when he attacks, she will not be spared.  In only a few days, Hild must find a way to be a true peaceweaver between the two kingdoms.

Hope.  That is the feeling I had when I closed this book.  Hope and determination.  Hild was so brave to endure extreme hardships: from being accused of being possessed, to being attacked by a monster and losing her maid on a journey to be a false bargaining tool.  It wasn't her choice to be possessed, and the punishment is unfair, but Hild doesn't complain.  She simply does as she is told, hoping it will all end well.  Then she arrives in the land of the Geats, which has been ravaged by a dragon.  She almost runs from the small kingdom with so little to offer but decides to stay and help the new king rebuild his country and possibly make peace with hers.  Hild must have felt hope, determination and also a certainty that this was her home now.  This story attracted me because it supposedly involved Norse Mythology.  I was disappointed to learn the author only made use of the three most common gods and goddesses, but it was still a great story.  What more can I say?  It was an amazing and extraordinary story, the kind that makes you want to laugh and cry at the same time.  Thank you, Rebecca Barnhouse.

Reviewer Age:13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Lake City, IA USA

Emerald Witch

Living with her Grandmother Grace in a small Irish town resides the story’s main character, Amelia. The book follows Amelia as she must abandon her human life to embrace a newfound discovery; she is the last in the line of the Emerald Witches. With her mother deceased, and her father, a dark and infamous wizard, out for her blood to complete a nefarious spell, it is Grace who must help Amelia survive and harness her new powers.  The pair is accompanied by a throng of magical defenders willing to put down their lives in order to save Amelia and stop her wicked father. Together they begin an epic adventure filled with danger, mystery, and malevolence. 

The Emerald Witch begins with Amelia, not knowing about her magical heritage, dealing with mostly normal teenage issues, mixed with strange and unexplainable happenings that become important later on.  It is at these earlier stages of the book that I became acutely aware of the skewed priorities of our heroine. Exploding principals, mysterious disappearances, unsolved murders and in Amelia’s mind, all this pales in comparison to the dreamy way an attractive guy-not the one she is dating, mind you- flips his hair.  I was infinitely grateful when the storyline moved on, and the importance of her love life diminished, replaced with the more significant details of the story. I found myself enjoying the book more and more as it continued on, getting darker and much more interesting every time a key point was revealed. The majority of the characters where unique and had their share of endearing faults, though I could point out a few that where unrealistically perfect. The plot itself seemed very original, while still keeping familiar elements used in the majority of the fantasy genre. In all, the story was enjoyable, and I don’t regret choosing this fascinating book. 

Reviewer Age: 13

Reviewer City, State and Country: Phillipsburg, New Jersey United States

The Mark by Jen Nadol

Cassandra Renfield didn' t know what it meant...until she followed a man and watched him die. She now knows that the strange glow she sees on individuals does not mean she' s crazy . . . it means those people are going to die. Today. Cassie knows that the mark is a remarkable predictor of the inevitable, a warning . . . which is why she feels anxious and panicked when she sees marked people and knows she can 't save them. Or can she? Seeing the mark again and again begs the question: should Cassandra tell the people she knows will die in just hours?  Can she prevent death?
Although it was not the best I' ve read, I liked this book. It has an interesting concept that I haven' t seen before in a story. Cassandra is a believable character, and the dialogue is believable as well. The writing style wasn 't my favorite, but that 's personal preference. Overall, this was a decent book. I wouldn' t recommend it to younger readers, mainly because of harsh language but for more mature readers, give it a try. The Mark is a worthwhile read.

Reviewer Age:12
Reviewer City, State and Country: Tigard, OR USA

The Princesses of Iowa by M. Molly Backes

Last spring, Paige and her friends were involved in a drunk driving accident; luckily for them, it could have been a lot worse. She returns to her small town in Iowa for her senior year after having been shipped off to Paris for the summer to be an au pair. She's expecting to pick right where she left off, but things have changed. Her boyfriend is distant, her friend walks with a limp now, and Paige feels increasing pressure from her mother to look and be perfect. But when she takes a creative writing class with an inspiring teacher, Paige learns how writing can be therapeutic and uses her new found knowledge to become the person she's always wanted to be.

I really enjoyed The Princesses of Iowa, especially because it addressed a lot of concerns that teenagers have to deal with on a daily basis. This included drunk driving, friendship/boyfriend/family issues, self-image, love interests, popularity, parental/peer pressure, disabilities and gay rights/discrimination. While I was glad to see so many themes, there was almost too much going on in the book for any one point to be fully addressed and discussed.

That being said, I liked that Paige developed like a true dynamic character. She really did change for the better, and it was nice to actually be able to see that. Also, some of the supporting characters were really fun to read about, such as Shanti, Ethan, and Mr. Tremont. Since there is a lot going on, the book is a quick read, and there is never a dull moment. I liked The Princesses of Iowa a lot, but for her next book the author should use a few themes and stick with just them.
Reviewer Age: 20
Reviewer City, State and Country: Aston, Pennsylvania United States