A new student review of Lightning's Run (Bareknuckle) by Gabriel Goodman

nictaf posted a new student review of Lightning's Run (Bareknuckle) by Gabriel Goodman. See the full review.

Gabriel Goodman did an excellent job on this book.  This book started a little slow, but picked up very fast.  I liked Lightning's Run and can’t wait to read the other books in the series.  This book was thrilling and I loved it.  The action in the book could have been real, especially during the boxing scenes.  If you like action, boxing, and drama, this would be a good book for you.  I would recommend this book to ages 10 and up.

A new student review of Uncertain Glory by Lea Wait

Star360 posted a new student review of Uncertain Glory by Lea Wait. See the full review.

The dawn of the Civil War gets a fresh face with Uncertain Glory. Joe and his friends prove to be excellent channels for writing about the various aspects of a nation in chaos. As the rich local color proves, they are in many ways different from twenty-first century teenagers. But their rebellious, brave, and patriotic essence will settle well with today’s readers. Though the novel is targeted to readers aged ten to fourteen, the story is not simplistic. Wait has no qualms about adding in lots of Civil War data. That allows the reader to truly understand what is going on and how frightening it was for the people living it. The novel also delves into topics that are not always mentioned in Civil War books. Besides the expected issues of loyalty and racism; opium addiction and the Spiritualist movement add an unexpected dimension. I was also pleased to discover that the story is partially based on true events, so I was able to learn about the real Joe Wood. Uncertain Glory is a moving story about people that not only stand at the brink of adulthood, but at the edge of a dying era.

A new student review of The Forever Song by Julie Kagawa

The_Reaper97 posted a new student review of The Forever Song by Julie Kagawa. See the full review.

There is nothing I would change about this book. I love it and recommend it to any and all people.

A new student review of Stormbringer by Shannon Delany

S.Ehlers posted a new student review of Stormbringer by Shannon Delany. See the full review.

Opinion:

Stormbringer is easily the worst book I have ever read. This novel was like a ghost. I was still able to read it, but the book was dead. I believe that this would have been better if the story took place in the future instead of the past, 1844, because the olden language bored me, and there were not any airships in 1844. It would have been more reasonable if instead of the story taking place on airships, the story took place on boats. Overall, the only good part of the novel was the end when Rowen and Jordan love each other even though they both changed completely. All in all, Stormbringer was the worst book I have ever read, but I enjoyed the ending. 

 

A new student review of Talon by Julie Kagawa

Anjel posted a new student review of Talon by Julie Kagawa. See the full review.

I love this book because it has the sense of adventure that never stops all throughout the book. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series. The only thing I would say was a little weird was when it switched from Ember's and Garret's perspectives and I thought I was still reading from Ember's view even though it was Garret's. It was only the first few switches that confused me. I would recommend this book to adventure, romance and mystery readers. Also, if you like “FableHaven” by Brandon Mull or “Parched” by Georgia Clark, I would recommend this book to you. There are some bad words and content so this would definitely be a Young Adult book.

A new student review of Pay It Forward by Catherine Ryan Hyde

Pikachu posted a new student review of Pay It Forward by Catherine Ryan Hyde. See the full review.

I think this book is very inspirational in many ways. For example: anyone can change the world for the better. My favorite part has to be when Trevor gets the idea to change the world for the better by doing a project that revolved around "pay it forward." In the end I think it was a cliff hangar. I thought this is a great book, and I like how the story flows from one person's perspective to another. My favorite character is Mr. St Clair.

A new student review of Spaceheadz (SPHDZ 4 Life) by Jon Scieszka

cowboys1 posted a new student review of Spaceheadz (SPHDZ 4 Life) by Jon Scieszka. See the full review.

Can they finish school and find the person who stole the brainwave? And what's up with all the weird things going on at the elemenatry school?

This amusing and exhilirating book will answer those questions.  The reader won't be disappointed!

This was an exciting ending to a wonderful series!

A new student review of The Alchemist War (The Time-Tripping Faradays) by John Seven

Laurenjanice posted a new student review of The Alchemist War (The Time-Tripping Faradays) by John Seven. See the full review.

I thought this was a great book; I was always on the edge of my seat. I liked this book because it gave me a new perspective on history and alchemy. This book also gave me a chance to see what could happen if we could invent time travel. The book also gave me a perspective on how much little things can matter in history. The Time Tripping Faradays was an excellent book that was action packed and full of suspense.

A new student review of The Revelation of Gabriel Adam by S.L. Duncan

McTower posted a new student review of The Revelation of Gabriel Adam by S.L. Duncan. See the full review.

This book honestly wasn't one of my favorites. The author did make me feel like I was part of the setting; it just wasn't what I expected. The vocabulary was perfect for the recommended age. The book has many strengths, including a very large but age appropriate vocabulary & an interesting ending. However, it did have many weaknesses, including dead moments where you just want to put it down because there is much less action. Overall, it was an acceptable book.

A new student review of Promise Bound by Anne Greenwood Brown

ReesaOnFire posted a new student review of Promise Bound by Anne Greenwood Brown. See the full review.

Ms Greenwood Brown certainly does know how to spin a good story.  Mystifying, heart-wrenching, and enticing, Promise Bound is a book like no other.

Promise Bound being a finale to a trilogy, I expected to be at least moderately confused. I had not read any of the previous books of the series, and so had no prior knowledge of any of the characters.  However, it wasn’t a problem.  Ms. Brown beautifully spins the story where, if you never read the series, you could still understand nearly all the actions.  Truly independent story, it can stand on its own two feet—for that reason I was hooked from the beginning.

Brown’s characters kept my attention with their magic.  The leading characters—Lily, Calder and family—were especially well done, only with perhaps one instance or two of inconsistency.   But the depth at which the character’s work is truly noteworthy and realistic.   Putting Calder and Lily aside, out of Brown’s characters, Danny stands out for his ‘realness’.  Brown does mention some side characters, Lily’s best friend as example, but does not, in my opinion, finish them in this book. In other words, they are loose ends in this finale.  I wished they were more finely finished.

With that, I must mention that at times, the book seemed a bit too fast paced.  Particularly after Calder returns, I felt that the novel was picking up a dangerous speed until the end. 

 In total, Ms. Brown creates a stunning, stand alone plot, with vivid descriptions and a romance that will have the reader eating out of her hand.   I certainly was. Calder’s and Lily’s relationship is just so strong, it draws the reader in, her action and intrigue keeping the reader in the zone.  Promise bound is sure to draw you in from start to finish, even if you hadn’t any prior knowledge about the series.

  I recommend it for ages 15+.