The Enchantress (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel No. 6) by Michael Scott

The last day of battle, and Nicholas and Perenelle Flamel are in San Francisco with Niten, a warrior from Japan, and Prometheus, an Elder without a Shadowrealm.  These four valiants must save the city from the Dark Elders Bastet and Quetzalcoatl and the horde of monsters stored on Alcatraz. With several unlikely allies and insane courage, the Flamels might just die knowing they've won.  Meanwhile, on the Isle of Danu Talis, ten thousand years ago, Sophie, Josh, Scathach, Palamedes, Joan of Arc, Saint-Germain, William Shakespeare, Virginia Dare, and Dr. John Dee must fight to keep Isis and Osiris from gaining the throne by trickery, rescue Aten, and complete the prophecy that started this whole business.  The gold and silver twins have been found. The two that are one have become the one that is all.  Now one must save the world and one must destroy it.

It is the last book of the series.  It is a good ending.  Not necessarily happy, but good.  The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel is one of my favorite series, so of course I chose this book.  I believe that every character ended this book as something different than they started.  Some objects changed also.  Even the four swords of power, Joyeuse for Earth, Excalibur for Ice, Durendal for Air, and Clarent for Fire, changed their form and were united.  I really liked the idea of a fifth major power, an element, I suppose, a perfect mixture and balance of the other four - Aether. I doubt that any other person has taken traditional mythology and made it into something so different, so accurate, so realistic.  Michael Scott has outdone himself in this marvelous book, the dramatic conclusion to his original mythology series.

About the genre of this book: fantasy is the closest you had, but it's really a mythology book.

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

See You at Harry's

In this book Fern faces several conflicts. She finds out shocking things and experiences a tragedy. She also gets embarrassed and aggravated.  Although not everything is a conflict, everything is alright when everyone s happy.. This book may not start out the way you expect, but in the end everything is better.

I enjoyed this book; it was very captivating. Once I started reading, I couldn 't stop. I think this would be a good book for kids 10 and up. My favorite part was when Fern s sister was pull over in the ice cream truck. There is nothing in my opinion that could make this book better.The author must have met her goal of this book. There was no part of this book that was boring.

Reviewer Age:11
Reviewer City, State and Country: Wray, Georgia United States

The Book of Blood and Shadow by Robin Wasserman

The world's greatest minds have tried to crack the Voynich manuscript, but none have succeeded. That is, until Nora Kane, her friend Chris, and his odd roommate have at it. That is, until Nora's affinity for Latin and her strange connection with Elizabeth Weston, a 400 years dead poet who seemed to have cracked the code back in the 1500's, will make her the closest to finding out its secrets. But then those who wish for the secrets of the Lumen Dei to be kept in the dark are after them, sending her across the ocean, into a city that is still stuck in the past. There is no one Nora can trust, not the stricken Adraine, girlfriend of Chris; nor quiet Max, that odd roommate she had fallen so hard for; and especially not the mysterious distant cousin, Eli.
Beautiful, is the perfect word to describe this book. The language is woven in a complex pattern full of vivid words and deep meaning. It has a completely different feel than any other book I've ever read before, in a very good way. It's realistic, which with all of the Twilight wannabe's out there is an amazing feat. It sucks you in until you've read the last word, and even after that, it keeps you thinking and wondering over each mystery it presents you with. Of all the mystery novels I've read, The Book of Blood and Shadow has been the most surprising and suspenseful. With a little bit of romance, religion, history, and mythology, it has everything. It was not a book I would normally read, but it makes me want to read them, if they're as good as this one.

Reviewer Age:16
Reviewer City, State and Country: Colorado Springs, Colorado The United States of America

Unbreak My Heart by Melissa Walker

Unbreak My Heart is the story of Clementine, a high school sophomore who sets out with her family to sail along the east coast for the summer. The extended family time isn't as horrible as it normally would be, mostly because Clementine has managed to lose her best friend, Amanda, after flirting with Amanda's boyfriend. Clementine uses the trip to reconnect with her parents and her little sister, as well as to sort out her own feelings about what happened between her and Amanda. As a little bonus to this soul-searching vacation, she meets a friendly boy named James, who is sailing the same route as Clementine's family.

Unbreak My Heart was an interesting story that added a sailing background to the typical teenage drama. The creative setting allowed for a different take on the genre, and limited the repetitiveness I have come to expect from teen girl books. The plot was a little bit slow, focusing a lot of attention on Clementine's thoughts and the mysterious mistake she made that cost her Amanda's friendship. The small amount of action the book had was in the sub-plots, and greatly underplayed. Clementine's character was not developed enough, and I never really felt connected to her. She did not have enough flaws to make her relatable; besides the one mistake that the plot revolves around, Clemintine seemed like a pretty, smart, social girl with everything going for her. All in all, Unbreak My Heart is a quick read perfect for a teen girl relaxing on the beach and looking for something to read. I would recommend it to fans of Sarah Dessen, and those looking for a quick look into the mind of a heartbroken teenage girl.

Reviewer Age:16
 Reviewer City, State and Country: Harleysville, Pennsylvania USA

Such a Rush by Jennifer Echols

Leah Jones has always lived near airports and been fascinated by planes. When she is finally able to afford flying lessons, she goes to the owner of Hall Aviation, a small banner advertising business, to teach her. But when Mr. Hall dies suddenly, Leah fears her flying days are over. Luckily for her, Mr. Hall's two sons decide to restart his flying business, and they want to hire Leah. The only problem is that Mr. Hall's one son, impulsive Grayson, decides to blackmail Leah into dating his brother, and Leah finds herself stuck between the two of them.

I have never read a book by Jennifer Echols, and after reading Such a Rush, I think she is a terrific author. Such a Rush was a lot different than any other book I've read, especially since it involved flying planes. Everything about the planes was well-researched, and reading about Leah up in the air made me want to learn how to fly a plane, too. All the characters were interesting, and throughout the whole book I wanted to know their motivations. The mystery with Grayson and why he's blackmailing Leah was particularly engaging. Speaking of the protagonist, Leah grew up poor with an absent mother, but she was able to overcome her upbringing by the end of the book. Overall, I thought that Such a Rush was a fun read about a very interesting topic.

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

The End: 50 Apocalyptic Visions from Pop Culture that You Should Know About by Laura Barcella

What do 17 horror movies, 12 bone-chilling books, 4 creepy songs, 4 strange plays, 1 terrorizing radio broadcast, 5 sci-fi TV shows, 3 scary comic book series, and 4 frightening pieces of art have in common?

The end of the world.

In this book, Laura Barcella breaks down 50 of the world's most recognizable visions of the end times. For each vision there is a short summary, famous quotes, unforgettable moments, the impact the vision had on people, and a black and white photo. There is also a Reality Factor, which explains whether or not the vision could really happen or ever come true.

This is a stunningly well-put-together book. Laura Barcella adds her own funny captions to the pictures, and has an upbeat sort of vibe, which makes this book very amusing and easy to read. The only problem is that for some of the plays, movies, books, and comic book series the ending is clearly stated. The upside is that not every single one is spoiled. There are only a couple that are truly given away.

Laura Barcella has taken an impossible challenge and made it her own in a funny and laughable way. I will forever enjoy this book, as it is a welcome edition to anyone's library.

While this is an amazing book, there are quite a few pictures of bloody and gory scenes. There are multiple movies and books where people are killed in very vile ways. The aspects of the world ending are clearly present on every page of this book, so young or squeamish reader might want to steer clear.

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

Vodnik by Bruce Moore

Tomas is a sixteen-year-old born in Slovakia, but due to a near-drowning accident when he was five, he and his parents moved to America-where he was raised. Ever since his accident, Tomas has been deathly afraid of water, and because of the mysterious burn scars he wields, he is constantly the recipient of everyone's jokes. A fire burns down their house, and their insurance is inadequate, so the family has no choice but to move back to Trenin, Slovakia. Befriending his cousin, Katka, Tomas learns that it was no accident that he almost drowned and that a vodnik, a mythological creature in Slovak lore, is trying to steal his soul. Together with Katka, Tomas must find a way to kill the vodnik, and along the way, he has to deal with daily racism against his people the Roma (Gypsies), three bullies who absolutely hate him, bizarre visions sent by a water spirit, and a dark-humored woman in black commonly known as the Zubat￡.
This book was a compelling novel full of suspense, humor of various kinds, and, something I truly enjoy, culture awareness; throughout the book, you learn numerous facts about the Slovakian culture, language, and folklore, along with the eye-opening racism the Roma face every day. At the beginning of each chapter, there is a small segment from a tome mentioned in the book called Death in the Modern Day; each caption has a darkly humorous tone to it, along with interesting information about different things throughout the story. One such caption describes vampires in a never-before-thought-of way: instead of being elegant, beautiful, and aristocratic, in this book, they are "a lazy, slovenly lot, prone to long bouts of diarrhea and cursed with some of the worst body odor on this plane of existence."
Overall, this is a wonderful book that I highly recommend for anyone who loves everything previously mentioned. Tomas is very relatable to those who have major issues making friends-so instead spend their time watching movies or TV, or those who are harassed due to race or differences, or if haunted by any creature from Slovakian lore.

Reviewer Age:17
Reviewer City, State and Country: Oskaloosa, Iowa USA

BlackGold by Albert Marrin

Black Gold, it controls the world. Also known as crude oil, it shapes our society by being involved with everything we use and do on a daily basis. "Black Gold" explains this process of control. From the very beginning of time when it was created to the present day with our rising gas prices, "Black Gold" covers it all. "Black Gold" makes connections that you'd never even think of. If you're interested in history, any type of social studies, and even math, then you'll definitively enjoy this book. 
I thought this was a well written book. It was just a bit too "textbook-y" for me, I was looking forward to more of the effects that drilling and the oil industry has the personal lives of people all over the world. As I said, it was very informative and I learned a lot, I just wish there was some more personality to it. Overall, I might recommend this book to a friend if the circumstances were appropriate, though probably not just for pleasure reading.

Reviewer Age:15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Hopkins, Michigan United States

Treason's Shore by, Sherwood Smith

After being exiled for ten excruciating years, Inda finally returns home. He finds that his old classmate, Evred, has become the ruler of his homeland and is overjoyed to see his friend again. However, the kingdom he knew has changed. Evred wanted Inda to be his Royal Shield Arm-leader of the military-so that his now famous skills can be put towards defending the kingdom. Inda is a military genius, but his skills lay where the ocean is and is not suited for land. During this, the ancient kingdom of Venn is planning the largest invasion the world has ever known. Can Inda defend his homeland while gaining new responsibilities? Find out in Sherwood Smith's, Treason's Shore.

Treason's Shore was definitely a great, action-packed book. Treason's Shore is bursting at the seams with characters, events, and magic. This story of blocking an invasion kept me riveted to the page as though I were made of iron and it, the magnet. The book was a little slow in the beginning, however. I recommend this book to all those who search for adventure as they enter a library.

Reviewer Age:15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Mineola, Texas America

Attack of the Killer Video: Take 2

Attack of the Killer Video Book: Take 2 is for kids who want to make a movie. It has tips on brainstorming ideas, casting characters, and writing a script. It also has technical tips including lighting, cameras, and sound. It shows different types of camera shots and when to use each of them.  Lastly, it gives ideas to make the movie happen: costumes, props, and special effects. It even shows how to edit your video. It helps people plan a video, and then do it.
This book contains all the information anyone would ever need to know to make a stellar movie. Its humor and easy reading give a light tone; it is good for all ages. It is well organized and gets to the point. It has many variations and possibilities to use depending on the number of people, type of video, and other factors. No one who reads this book will need any other references; it covers the whole process, from the planning to the editing. It is filled with Great Idea boxes with tips for keeping organized, shooting smoothly, and more. It also has several Bloopers telling how to solve or prevent problems you might have. I could not find anything the author could have improved.



Reviewer Age:11
Reviewer City, State and Country: calhoun, georgia USA