Gypsy Knights

Hi Flamingnet, Just wanted to thank CDi for the kind and thoughtful review of Gypsy Knights. She really hit the mark with her comments, and we're glad that she liked the book! We're hard at work on the second installment in the Gypsy Knights Saga, and are looking forward to sharing it with the Flamingnet community:) All the best, Two Brothers Metz

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Columbus and the State of Ohio

When I was sent my book I requested, I also recieved a factual book about Columbus and the Sate of Ohio by Kate Boehm Jerome. The book is divided into two separate sections. The first section included many interesting things about Columbus, Ohios's state capital. This section is written more for kids to know basic things about the state capital, but still interesting for others to read. Talking about strange facts and things you can hear, see, smell, and explore; it was very fun to read. The second section was about the state of Ohio. Some things I knew, but others I didn't, and some of the facts were quite shocking to read. It almost felt like a traveler's guide; stating museums, attractions, and celebrations. It also talked about Ohio basics, such as the state bird, insect, tree, and others. While reading it, I became more and more interested to learn about the state I've lived in my whole life. I was surprised to realize that I didn't know such obvious things. Such as facts about plains, Lake Erie, canals, wildlife, and monuments. This book was a very fun, interesting, and factual book. Anyone who wants to learn about the state of Ohio should definitely read it.

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The Dark Hunters by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Calling themselves The Dark Hunters, a small group of friends live life on the edge as they protect the world from evolved vampires known as Daimons. These "Dark Hunters" have given up their souls to the Goddess Artemis to protect the earth. Some of them enjoy the fighting and living on their toes, some of them don't. And if you don't, quitting the job means getting your soul back, which is easier said than done.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it to others! The lighter humor was quite entertaining, and even some of the darker humor. I loved the characters a lot, and felt that they were made quite well. I found the plot interesting, and it kept me up until the early hours of morning until I finished it. As I read the fourth book first, I started out not knowing what was going on, but Sherrylin made it easy to get on track! I do hope that others will enjoy this book as much as I did!

Reviewer Age:14

Reviewer City, State and Country: Chalfont, Pennsylvania United States

Color Struck

Thank you Flamingnet and VBat for taking your precious time to read my debut novel, Color Struck. I am really honored to receive your Top Choice award and thankful that you enjoyed it. My next title, As Fast As Words Could Fly, is a picture book scheduled for release in Fall 2012 by Lee & Low Books. I have also completed a middle-grade novel, Stepping Out of Place, that is awaiting publication. Thanks so much for everything. -- Pamela Tuck

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RE: Reading and Having to stop

Yeah, I know! My mom jokes around that she has to tell me to put down my book and turn on the TV! And I'll admit, I do get in trouble occasionally at school for reading when I'm supposed to be doing my work.

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RE: Fast Readers

me too! I agree with you but I actually seem to understand it better when I read it fast, because when I read things slow, I find it harder to remember things. My English teacher this last year was the one to introduce me to this sight, and she would let me read in the hall so I could read at my own speed and wouldn't have to listen to the other kids slowly reading out loud which KILLS me. I would think there are other kids out there like us, but I have never met one till now, so I really don't know.

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The Violet Flash by Mike Mason

The Violet Flash is the sequel to the book The Blue Umbrella(Which was unexpectedly sent to me along with The Violet Flash). These were written by Mike Mason as his first and second novels. Chesterton "Ches" Cholmondeley is studious boy with a love of weather. He and the other local kids were in 'weather lessons' taught by Sky Porter, the man who controls the weather, when Ches' sister Chelsea is sucked up into the Blue Umbrella! In turns out seconds are disappearing one by one and causing accidents. So who knows about time? Ches' father's old friend Myron Stinchcombe who runs a clock shop. Ches is getting different opinions from eveyone and doesn't know what to do and everyone is leaving it all up to him! Sky thinks that a violet flash at sunset would fix everything but Ches only has a few days before the time thief plans to take a full minuet and violet flashes a are very difficult weather. If Ches does manage to creat a violet flash it could completely stop Chelsea from coming back. So what can Ches do? Either he can save the world or his sister.

The bottom line is that you should read the first book before this sequel, just because it answers alot of questions. I found this summary very hard to write because a lot of things are going on had been introduced in the first book. I found this book to be a bit below my age level but still very interesting and compelling. Often times I found it hard to put down. In the beginning, Ches propels the story along because of the kind of person he is but later in the novel its own momentum carries it. I didn't find the ending very fulfilling but it did answer most questions. Honestly, I found that the first book was better than this sequel, but I think that is because he had more options. In this book, he was confined to the information he had put in the first.

Reviewer Age:16

Reviewer City, State and Country: Sterling Heights, Michigan United States

Gypsy Knights by Two Brothers Metz

After Durriken's parents die in an accident, he makes his home on the rails with Casey, an engineer, as his "mother". Dilia has been living with her parents in jail for a while but still maintains weekly telephone calls with her father. What do these two have in common? A talent for chess, a beautiful yet mysterious chess set, and a need for each others' help as they go on a journey all over America to find something they're not even sure exists.

This book was incredible! The first few chapters were a little difficult to understand however because a lot of the names are Gypsy names and I got confused as to who was who. After those first chapters, I was totally addicted to this book. They visit many cities in America and I learned a bit about each one, I learned a lot about chess, and some about trains too! This book would make a very exciting adventure movie. I have already recommended it to a lot of my friends.

Reviewer Age:17

Reviewer City, State and Country: Gearhart, Oregon United States

Ultraviolet by R. J. Anderson

Is she crazy, or just a killer? From the moment Alison wakes up in a sterile hospital room she struggles to figure out the truth. The line between reality and Alison s memories seem to become more blurred the more she learns about the events that led her to be suspected of killing a classmate. Alison knows that it all somehow connects to her strange abilities, like tasting words and seeing sounds. Along with all this stress, she has to deal with living amongst other unstable teens in a mental health center. Things only get more complicated when a scientist involves Alison in research and helps her unlock some of the secrets of her abilities.

From the first word, Alison s story entices you with its mysterious twists and turns. I loved how this book seemed to combine science fiction and some coming-of-age drama with just a bit of romance. The author had a wonderful way of making you feel as though you were there with Alison in the mental health center, wondering what the truth is. You re right there with Alison as she tries to decipher her memories. This book could have easily been corny and portrayed Alison s abilities like a cheap sci-fi movie, but the words portray Alison s emotion perfectly. You can believe what Alison feels and experiences. Ultraviolet is very suspenseful, I stayed up way too late reading, wanting to know what the next twist would be. The author masterfully creates a great science fiction novel that reads like a murder mystery. The ending ties up all the loose ends, but is still very shocking. My only complaint is that the way the book ends is a bit disconnected from the beginning. However, the conclusion is still satisfying. I think readers of almost any genre will enjoy this book, because it has a little bit of everything. So pick this book up, unless you plan on needing a lot of sleep.

Reviewer Age:14

Reviewer City, State and Country: Crescent City, CA USA

Flip by Martyn Bedford

Ever imagine waking up in somebody else's body? Well, for Alex Gray this came true. All he can remember is walking home from a friend's house during Christmas break. And then waking up in a strange bed in a bedroom he'd never seen before, in a totally different part of the country. To make things worse, when he goes to the bathroom to wash his face, a face he's never seen before stares back at him. At the breakfast table Alex is greeted by total strangers. When he looks at the paper the date is June 23. 6 months are missing. Alex is forced to take on the popular life of Philip Garamond, while at the same time struggling to return his psyche back to HIS body.

In my opinion, Flip by Marty Bedford is a real page turner. It hooks you in from the very first page. To me writing a book about waking up in somebody else's body is truly stunning. The author uses a very stong technique of keeping the reader interested. There really isn't a dull moment in the book. If I was to rate the book out of 10 it would definitely be a 10.

I give this book a 3 because at the beginning of the book it makes a reference to the size and hair on his penis. And there is a lot of drinking, smoking, and making out.

Reviewer Age:13

Reviewer City, State and Country: Jackson, Missouri USA