A new student review of Garden Princess by Kristin Kladstrup

PrincessLeiaAayla posted a new student review of Garden Princess by Kristin Kladstrup. See the full review.

Kristin Kladstrup is a very good writer and gives awesome descriptions. You can even feel how the characters feel and see everything as though you're looking through their eyes. As there is in all good books, this story has a villain and a hero. This book even has a twist of magic. Overall, this is a very good book, and I would recommend it to anyone who loves princesses, gardens, and magic.

A new student review of Mojo

alliepaige13 posted a new student review of Mojo . See the full review.

This was an amazing book. Nothing is what it seems in this book. It gives you clues, so you believe what happens just to throw you off. Once again, it's amazing, and I plan to read more books by this author.

A new student review of Winger by Andrew Smith

Peace8747 posted a new student review of Winger by Andrew Smith. See the full review.

I thought that Winger was a pretty good book. It was not the best book ever. There was a lot of swearing and sexual content. I would suggest it to a mature middle schooler or a high schooler. Over all it was a pretty good book.

A new student review of Earth Girl by Janet Edwards

Endless Summer posted a new student review of Earth Girl by Janet Edwards. See the full review.

Personally, I enjoyed reading Earth Girl. Edwards has built a fascinating vision of the future, perhaps with an undertone of warning about human disposition towards prejudice and judgment. The world building, characterization and action scenes were the strong points of Earth Girl. However, some of the plot turns seem less developed. In addition, there are areas where the author “tells” rather than “shows.” I felt like Earth Girl, being aimed at the teen audience, could have been more technical with regards to the science and technology elements.

Overall, Earth Girl was a action-packed pageturner…with interesting futuristic curse words. But most of all, the message of Earth Girl is something I really appreciate. I definitely recommend this book to the YA audience, even those who may not be solid science fiction readers.

A new student review of Timekeeper

rachelmcclure posted a new student review of Timekeeper . See the full review.

“Timekeeper,” by Alexandra Monir, was an extremely entertaining read that keeps the reader enthralled to the last page. Through haunting villains, and a revenge that attempts to cross both time and space, the story is truly gripping, and is enhanced significantly by Monir’s masterful inclusion of the Windsor family’s backstories. The main character, Michele, was extremely relatable to high school readers because the story is one, not only of romance, but of self-discovery. Monir’s creation of the time traveling world was a refreshing rendition, with principles of time traveling I have never seen before. “Timekeeper” unites the 1900s with the present in a unique and exciting way, and is enchanting for lovers of adventure novels and romance enthusiasts alike.  

A new student review of Fish Finelli

moseso posted a new student review of Fish Finelli . See the full review.

I enjoyed reading this book because it made me feel like I was a part of the story; I liked how it includes some real information along with the fiction part. My favorite character of the threesome is Fish, whose real name is Norman, because he is the leader of the three. Fish is the one who guides the boys around while making sure the plan goes on correctly. The author‘s book is written best for children ages 8-11. She achieved her goal, which was to write a fiction book with real information, so kids can learn and still be reading a fun, fictional book. 

A new student review of One Came Home by Amy Timberlake

underwood_bcl posted a new student review of One Came Home by Amy Timberlake. See the full review.

My favorite part of the book is when Georgina had to fight  the cougar by throwing all her belongings at it.  It was a very scary part.  The book did have some sad parts but most of the time it is entertaining and fun and just a bit scary.  I think this is the best book I have read since I became a Litpick reviewer.  I think I will want to reread it later!

A new student review of Element 238 - The Search for Truth - Episode One by J.H. Soeder

Zmbarrickman posted a new student review of Element 238 - The Search for Truth - Episode One by J.H. Soeder. See the full review.

 

I think Element 238 is one of the best books I ever read. It is a good story that keeps you on the edge of your seat because of the emotional tension.

A new student review of Guardians

EmilyFredricks posted a new student review of Guardians . See the full review.

 

I thought that this book was very well written and it wasn't like anything that I have read before. It kept me guessing about what would come next. Many of the things that happened surprised me. There were some parts of it that were a little boring because it was a lot of text without much happening it was just explaining things. Also I LOVED the characters. My favorite was Azalea; she is a great character and very relatable. I find it very good when there is a character that is relatable. Over all I loved this book. It was a book that I could read again and again and not get bored with it.

A new student review of Alien Invasion and Other Inconveniences

R. Mae posted a new student review of Alien Invasion and Other Inconveniences . See the full review.

 

Alien Invasion and Other Inconveniences was a unique cliché. First of all, the actual base idea of aliens invading earth and controlling everyone with their minds is cliché. The storyline was also cliché, and so was most of the humor. Although the aliens were little green guys, they were one of the things not cliché. How they were mostly human like was very interesting and I felt like I was reading a history book by the way they ‘colonized’ the earth. I did not like the writing style. It sped up and slowed down and was very inconsistent.

The Plot: It’s been done before, escaping alien slavers and joining a rebellion force. That has been done a lot.

The Characters: They were original. They were realistic, even though I found Jesse annoying, and interesting. They took alien invasion rather well, especially Jesse. He seemed not at all fazed. Their humor, as I mentioned above, was annoying. In the act of trying to be witty the book seemed more obnoxious. The aliens were better. They were funny in their own way, and they bordered on delightful. That was one of the unique parts, the aliens not being total monsters or oblivious.

The Standout: I don’t like it when the standout is negative, but this one was. I did not like the jerky way this book was worded. Some people may enjoy that, but it’s not for me. It was done in a way that is jumped from thought to thought, and the descriptions were so overused that it was depressing. There were great things about this book., but the wording just ruined it for me.

A new student review of Ballpark Mysteries #6: The Wrigley Riddle (Stepping Stone) by David A. Kelly

carsonlindauer posted a new student review of Ballpark Mysteries #6: The Wrigley Riddle (Stepping Stone) by David A. Kelly. See the full review.

I like this story mecause it is mysterious.  I like how the kids try to trick the thief so they can catch them.  I think other kids that like mysterues would enjoy this book a lot .  It is easy to read!  I give it an 8 out of 10.

A new student review of Dead River

heavenlyangel posted a new student review of Dead River . See the full review.

I found the book was hard to read because it talked about seeing and talking to dead people, which is something you can't do in real life. I have read other books from this author and loved them, but I found myself having to force myself to finish reading this book.

A new student review of The S-Word

dancechicka posted a new student review of The S-Word . See the full review.

If I had to describe this book in one word, it would be….riveting.  Heartbreaking.  Astonishing.  This book was so gritty, so daring, so direct that I felt the emotions in the story--really felt them—like a knife twisting in my heart.  I felt the pain and the guilt and the wariness that Angie experienced as she searched for Lizzie’s “killer.” I felt the dreams and the goal shatter as Lizzie took her own life.  I felt everything.  This novel portrays the powers that rumors and bullying has to destroy entire lives.  It has such darkness, such in-your-face reality that makes you realize that a version of this story happened.  People do go through this.  Lives are taken.  Dreams are ripped to shreds.   Even though you could definitely tell this was Pitcher’s first novel, I was really impressed with the way she dealt with this real world problem.  There were some parts of the story that I wished Pitcher would dive into with more detail (like Lizzie’s father) and also felt like she didn’t follow up on some parts of the novel at the end.  This is a dark and chilling whodunit novel that I believe all readers will enjoy. 

                “So I stood there, mouth open, lips trying to form the word: Why?  Why hadn’t she called?  Why wasn’t she sorry?”

                I would recommend his book to mature readers or for ages fourteen and up for obviously mature content, sexual references, and profanity.

                As Angie sinks into the dark side of Verity High, as she slowly uncovers the secrets that hide the true reason behind Lizzie’s death, will she be able to reveal Lizzie’s tormentor—even if she can’t see it herself?  You’ll have to read Chelsea Pitcher’s The S-Word to find out!

A new student review of Sliding Beneath the Surface by Doug Dillon

blu6 posted a new student review of Sliding Beneath the Surface by Doug Dillon. See the full review.

    I really liked this book. The suspense, mystery, adventure, and even some history all add up to make an awesome book. It kept me reading until the end. A few times I got a little confused though because what they were talking about wasn't in the book. Overall this was a good book.

 

A new student review of All About Daisy by O'Dell Hutchison

admin posted a new student review of All About Daisy by O'Dell Hutchison. See the full review.

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A new student review of Revenge of a Not-So-Pretty Girl

Raphael posted a new student review of Revenge of a Not-So-Pretty Girl . See the full review.

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A new student review of Off Side by M. G. Higgins

Phoebe posted a new student review of Off Side by M. G. Higgins. See the full review.

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A new student review of Small as an Elephant

Christian Reader posted a new student review of Small as an Elephant . See the full review.

This is an excellent novel.  The plot is fast-paced and the story is gripping - I had a hard time putting down this book!

The characters are life-like and believable.  Jack, while being a child, seems more mature than his mother.  He understands what is acceptable in society, and also comprehends that when his mother goes off the deep end, he has a chance of being separated from her by the authorities.  He understands the implications of bad actions; he strives to always be good, and to help his mother with her mental problems.  He can’t completely control his mother, however, and she does get a little loopy at times.  This is the first time that she has left Jack anywhere, but he understands that it’s up to him to get back home and find his mother, before she says or does something stupid and gets them separated for good.  Jack has been separated from his mother before; the government found out about his mother taking him out of school for no reason at all, and other not-quite-normal things she’d done with him regarding school and care-taking.  When that happened, Jack was taken away from his mother and sent him to the only other family he had - his loving grandmother.  While Jack is eventually returned to his mother, it's clear that there's a huge rift between his mother and grandmother. 

It is because of all this that Jack is my favorite character - he understands that one must deal with what one is given. He is mature for his age, and he figures out very interesting ways of staying alive while he’s on his own.  His mother and grandmother, likewise, are very believable and life-like; their actions, while not always justified and good, were understandable and something I’d expect a real person to do.

The setting is excellent.  The author makes the state of Maine (along with some other various states in the USA) come to life; having never visited there myself, after reading this novel, I feel like I’ve been on vacation there for a week.  While descriptive, the author is not very wordy - he states what needs to be stated in an clear, clean, and concise way.

Overall, this is a fun and heartfelt story and an emotional journey with a young boy who only wants to find his mother, but is afraid of letting anyone know he’s alone.  This is a book I will cherish and keep in my collection for a long, long time.

A new student review of The Assault by Brian Falkner

JesusFreak posted a new student review of The Assault by Brian Falkner. See the full review.

This book was okay. It wasn't awesome and it wasn't horrible. There was action, but there was so much description that I got bored easily. I found it cool, though, how there was an index in the back so that if you didn't know what a word meant you could just look at the back of the book. The characters were well formed, but the book just didn't interest me that much. I like apocalyptic stories, and this had a good idea, it just wasn't executed well.

A new student review of The Geneva Project - Truth

engineerphilip18 posted a new student review of The Geneva Project - Truth . See the full review.

This book is very well-written. It’s very gripping and a fast book. The short chapters should encourage reluctant readers to keep going. Also, the intriguing beginning made me want to find out more. The characters were well-developed, especially Geneva and Jemma. When you read the book, you really empathize with Geneva and want to help her. I didn’t like the romance side of it, however. It seemed like an adventurous book and the romance took away from the feel of the book. I loved the cliffhangers! They wanted me to keep reading and not put the book away. I recommend this book to anybody who wants a fast-paced, adventurous book that will keep them thinking!

A new student review of Butterfly

seaotter77 posted a new student review of Butterfly . See the full review.

I found the writing style in Butterfly to be incomprehensible and annoying at times. I could barely understand what Sonya Hartnett was writing half the time. The words and sentence structure made no sense whatsoever, and there was no interesting plot at all! I found it extremely challenging to get through the book, as it was not only confusing, but also boring, and if I could, I would give this book no stars at all. The novel was even depressing at times; all Plum ever did was worry about herself, and constant worry does not make for a good read. I would never recommend this book to anyone, but if someone would want to read it, I would suggest ages 14 and up: the writing style is advanced and there is some mature content.

A new student review of Maybe I Will by Laurie Gray

Tester4 posted a new student review of Maybe I Will by Laurie Gray. See the full review.

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dfdsThe Houston Rockets were on a West Coast swing at the time. Their coach, the former Celtics star Kevin McHale, had more than a passing curiosity in Lin, and perhaps even a twinge of regret.

“I was fascinated like everybody else,” McHale said.

Two months earlier, for 12 days in December 2011, a still-obscure Lin had been a member of the Rockets. But he had a minimum contract and thus a maximum chance of not surviving a lockout-shortened training camp.

“Everything he did was full-bore,” McHale said. “I thought he’d be a great energy guy on our team.”

Before this season, Lin returned to the Rockets as a free agent with a better-known name and a three-year, $25.1 million contract that the Knicks declined to match. He also faced impossible expectations among Houston fans and a challenge that seems to confront artists more often than athletes.

A new student review of Pandas and Other Endangered Species by Natalie Pope Boyce Mary Pope Osborne

Tester5 posted a new student review of Pandas and Other Endangered Species by Natalie Pope Boyce Mary Pope Osborne. See the full review.

The Houston Rockets were on a West Coast swing at the time. Their coach, the former Celtics star Kevin McHale, had more than a passing curiosity in Lin, and perhaps even a twinge of regret.

“I was fascinated like everybody else,” McHale said.

Two months earlier, for 12 days in December 2011, a still-obscure Lin had been a member of the Rockets. But he had a minimum contract and thus a maximum chance of not surviving a lockout-shortened training camp.

“Everything he did was full-bore,” McHale said. “I thought he’d be a great energy guy on our team.”

Before this season, Lin returned to the Rockets as a free agent with a better-known name and a three-year, $25.1 million contract that the Knicks declined to match. He also faced impossible expectations among Houston fans and a challenge that seems to confront artists more often than athletes.

A new student review of The Grimalkin's Secret

McTower posted a new student review of The Grimalkin's Secret . See the full review.

     This is a very magical and gripping book.  If you like magic, dragons and a good Adventure or Mystery, this is the book for you.  Including lots of magic, with an unexpected twist, readers of all ages will love this.  This story is not only about Kya and her friends battling the Symbari, but also about true friendship, and paintings linked to missing people. This book is sure to leave readers not wanting to put it down.

A new student review of Dead Strange by Matt Lamy

Christian Reader posted a new student review of Dead Strange by Matt Lamy. See the full review.

In this book, Matt Lamy attempts to explain 50 of the world’s most famous mysteries.  This book includes information about the Bermuda Triangle, Bigfoot, zombies, voodoo dolls and magic, alien encounters, UFO sightings, real-life Men in Black, alchemy, Amityville, the Ark of the Covenant, and the Bible Code.  For each topic there are black and white photos and around two pages of facts about that particular mystery.

While this book does state the main facts about these mysteries, there are not enough facts given.  For me to give this book a five star rating would mean that this book had little to no problems.  This book only has one problem, yes.  But it’s a large enough issue that I do not feel I can justify giving this book a five star review.  The only problem this book has is a large one - there are not enough facts given to prove or disprove each mystery.  Yes, the main facts are given, and the author doesn’t try to state whether or not each mystery really happened - he simply suggests whether or not he personally thinks it might have happened, and at times states he’s not sure if it happened.  That part is good - it allows the reader to make up his or her mind about whether or not to believe these mysteries.  However, the author does not give enough information about each mystery for me to truly state whether or not I agree. With some mysteries, the author simply states suggestions, and doesn’t really state fact or truth.  And considering that the cover states that this book contains “the bizarre truths behind 50 world-famous mysteries”, it’s disappointing.  I was hoping the book would live up to its high standards, but alas, it did not.

This book is informative but not informative enough.  It is easy to read, and simple to understand.  However, not enough fact or truth is given for me to justify giving this book a five star review.

A new student review of My Ex From Hell (The Blooming Goddess Trilogy Book One)

sthom506 posted a new student review of My Ex From Hell (The Blooming Goddess Trilogy Book One) . See the full review.

My Ex from Hell is a hilarious take on Greek mythology that borders on cheesy. The main character, Sophie, is witty and entertaining, and has two very realistic and interesting cohorts with whom she can witty-banter the day away. This book was different - the characters seemed realistic in their actions, yet the story had a good dose of mythology at the same time. I enjoyed this book, and it made me laugh quite a bit. 

A new student review of The Litigators by John Grisham

George posted a new student review of The Litigators by John Grisham. See the full review.

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A new student review of Regine's Book: a teen girl's last words by Regine Stokke

Kennick7 posted a new student review of Regine's Book: a teen girl's last words by Regine Stokke. See the full review.

I really enjoyed this book.  Her story really touched my heart.  There was never a time that i wanted to put the book down, a real page turner.  I felt like I was in the hospital with her, I could feel the anticipation for the test results, I could feel Regine's pain!  I can just imagine what all of the family is going through, what that family had to do now.  Although there was a slight bit of swearing, I felt that it was appropriate for what was happening.  This was one of the best biographies that I have ever read.  To tell you the truth, I have thought of most biographies as boring, but Regine's Story kept me guessing and hoping about what was going to happen next.  From parts that made me cry, to parts that made me laugh, this book was over all, GREAT!

 

 

 

A new student review of Girl The Reaper

EmilyFredricks posted a new student review of Girl The Reaper . See the full review.

 

I thought that this book was very interesting and was able to keep my interest. But it wasn't a book that made me want to just sit down and read until it was done. Some parts of this book got a little boring but the overall book was interesting.

A new student review of Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

dancechicka posted a new student review of Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell. See the full review.

This novel was amazing.  Rowell has shaped an entirely new and groundbreaking novel that has taken a normal romance and bent it into such a totally messed-up and random love story that it makes Romeo and Juliet seem like amateurs.  And, wouldn’t you know, it worked.  While this story was raw and brutally honest, it had a poetic feel to it, it  flowed from one line to the next.  I felt a connection to each of the characters and truly felt like I was there in the story.  I felt the sadness and the pain and the hurt that accompanies young love and its consequences.  This book was such an emotional and gripping story that made me bawl and gasp and smile…….it just had the whole package.  Sometimes I felt a little bored with the plot and the whole star-crossed lover’s storyline.  Just let me speak to all the romance lovers out there—this was not your average love story, and I really believe that you’ll enjoy this book.

“Eleanor could swear she heard five hearts racing.  Every one of them was stifling a sob.  Crying inside out.”

I would recommend this book for ages fifteen and up, or for very mature readers, because this book did have extreme profanity and sexual references.

So, will the couple that never had a chance make their own destiny, or will they be influenced and let the world break them apart?  There is only one way to find out—the choice is yours.

A new student review of Who Is AC? by Hope Larson

Sally posted a new student review of Who Is AC? by Hope Larson. See the full review.

Worst Game: Not a whole lot of horrible games on this schedule, but I'm gonna go with the game against the Dolphins for my pick. (The Bills would be a reasonable choice, too.) Unlike a lot of people, I think Miami will disappoint in 2013 and, also unlike a lot of people, I don't think the Ravens are nearly as bad off as people want to act like. $$ testing

A new student review of Maybe I Will by Laurie Gray

mattstudent_101 posted a new student review of Maybe I Will by Laurie Gray. See the full review.

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A new student review of Mystic by Alyson Noel

MickeyBeth posted a new student review of Mystic by Alyson Noel. See the full review.

Mystic is my favorite (so far) in the Soul Seeker series. Alyson Noel does a spectacular job of making the complicated journey of a Seeker easy to understand. (When I try to explain what the series is about.. Well, that's not so easy.)

Alyson Noel has a way of making mystical worlds become real in the reader’s mind, and while she does not disappoint in Mystic by “creating” the different dimensions (Middle, Upper, and Lower Worlds), she also makes less “enchanting” places seem quite real as well. She describes the land of Enchantment, New Mexico amazingly; so that you can picture the crumbling adobes and even how the town has been darkly influenced by the evil Richters.

The characters also seemed much more developed then when the Soul Seeker series first started. Daire has grown in her training with her grandmother, Paloma has become a better seeker and now understands the seriousness of the task at hand. Dace has also become a much deeper character. Instead of his world being purely shades of black and white as it used to be, he starts to see that sometimes there can be a shade of gray in between. Xotchl, Daire’s best friend, is a very interesting character. With Xotchl being blind, yet able to see energy, anything in her perspective was a little harder to picture but her character is definitely intriguing. Then, of course, there's the romance. Daire and Dace are perfect together. They're definitely my two favorite characters, and the "love padlock" is now on my list of things to do.

In short, all of the characters are believable, even the otherworldly ones.

Mystic is told mostly from Daire’s perspective, but there are certain chapters in Dace and Xotichl’s (Daire’s best friend) perspectives. I liked Daire’s perspective the most. As the main character, her thoughts are the ones that kept my attention the most. Since Xotichl is blind but sees the “energy” of things it was more difficult to imagine some of the things she sees, so I wasn’t as captivated by her perspective. It was also nice to have some in Dace’s perspective to see how deep his devotion for Daire goes.

I also like this series a lot more than Alyson Noel’s Evermore series. I started the series and fell in love with the first book but then the series had grown so sad and depressing by the second book that I never finished it. Mystic holds all of the happiness and romance that I loved in Evermore without being so depressing that I can’t stand it. (In other words, much better.)

It’s hard to say whether or not I liked the ending of Mystic due to the fact that it’s the third book in a series, and there’s going to be four. So Daire’s journey as a Seeker will continue in the next book called Horizon which comes out in November. The ending was sad, but still a good ending all the same.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good suspenseful romance. It is a great book with romance, action, & some Native American myths thrown in.

Mystic will be on sale in about a month! ;)

A new student review of Throne of the Crescent Moon (Crescent Moon Kingdoms)

alison_S posted a new student review of Throne of the Crescent Moon (Crescent Moon Kingdoms) . See the full review.

The prose was electric in its simplicity, monstrosities such as bone ghuls and the ominous Jackal Man illuminated through a writing-style which perfectly skirts the boundary between succinct and Spartan. Ahmed’s deft pacing seamlessly integrates developments in both character and plot, neither of which is marred by stereotyped science-fiction protagonists. On the contrary, Abdulla’s balding visage and corpulent physique, when presented alongside the ferocious self-discipline of his dervish Raseed bas Raseed, makes for a powerful juxtaposition. As our heroes traverse the Crescent Moon Kingdoms, their ensuing escapades- whether against demonic fiends or inner-demons of their own- evoke pity and awe, suspense and angst, glee and wonderment. Imaginative as it is vivid, Throne of the Crescent Moon by Saladin Ahmed breaks your heart, only to send it racing back amongst the gleaming temples of Dhamsawwaat.

A new student review of Wednesdays in the Tower

avolzer posted a new student review of Wednesdays in the Tower . See the full review.

 

Wednesdays In The Tower is a sequel to Tuesdays At the Castle. It is not necessary to have read the first book, but it is very helpful. The development of the plot of this fantasy/mystery moved slowly, but it got more exciting as the book continued. The plot was interesting, and I found myself wondering what was going to happen. However, it was lacking an antagonist, or bad guy. There wasn’t really a problem or conflict. Be aware that it ends on a cliffhanger. This really disappointed me, as it was the most exciting part of the book. I’ll be looking for the next book!

 

A new student review of Jane Austen Goes to Hollywood by Abby McDonald

HannahScorsone posted a new student review of Jane Austen Goes to Hollywood by Abby McDonald. See the full review.

The book was okay. I usually have to find the perfect book to get into it. To me the book was kind of boring in the beginnning. Usually books bring me in on the first chapter, but this one didn't. The book got better towards the end. Hallie was my favorite character in the book. She is upbeat and loves to go for her dreams.

A new student review of Jane Austen Goes to Hollywood by Abby McDonald

HannahScorsone posted a new student review of Jane Austen Goes to Hollywood by Abby McDonald. See the full review.

The book was okay. I usually have to find the perfect book to get into it. To me the book was kind of boring in the beginnning. Usually books bring me in on the first chapter, but this one didn't. The book got better towards the end. Hallie was my favorite character in the book. She is upbeat and loves to go for her dreams.

A new student review of All Our Pretty Songs

swimmer1430 posted a new student review of All Our Pretty Songs . See the full review.

I did not know what to expect when I started reading All Our Pretty Songs and I definitely did not expect it to be a retelling of the myth of Orpheus. That fact explains a lot of the plot, and I think fans of Greek mythology will really enjoy this story. The writing is beautiful, almost like poetry. However, there is a lot of narration and not much in the way of plot and dialogue. I would have liked to see more action instead of reading the author's flowery prose. I thought it was interesting that the narrator does not have a name, and I'm still surprised that it's possible to write a novel without revealing that fact. I loved reading about the bond between Aurora and the narrator and it was nice to see such supportive and caring friends. On the other hand, the relationship between the narrator and Jack wasn't as interesting to read about: I felt as though it could have been developed more. I'm not really into mythology, so that part of the plot didn't appeal to me. That's the reason for the 3-star rating. Even though I'm not the biggest fan of All Our Pretty Songs, I think people who like Greek mythology will get a lot out of this story.

A new student review of Sacred by Elana K. Arnold

admin posted a new student review of Sacred by Elana K. Arnold. See the full review.

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A new student review of 100 Cupboards by 99 Unknown Email

admin posted a new student review of 100 Cupboards by 99 Unknown Email. See the full review.

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A new student review of Ruby Redfort Look Into My Eyes

TaurielOfMirkwood posted a new student review of Ruby Redfort Look Into My Eyes . See the full review.

I loved this book! It is like a Nancy Drew, but more modern and at kid level, because Ruby is a kid of 13. It was a thrill to read, with cliffhangers and always the question: "What will happen next?" There was multiple views from multiple characters, which made it interesting. It was also funny at some parts! Overall, this was an AWESOME book!!

A new student review of Quicksilver

calicool123 posted a new student review of Quicksilver . See the full review.

Nothing could compare to Ultra violet but this came pretty close. I have owned it for about a week and have read it so many times already. The way R.J Anderson sets up the chapters is confusing at times. It adds to the dramatic affect of the story though. I would recommend this book to anyone.

A new student review of The Eternity Cure

alphatauri posted a new student review of The Eternity Cure . See the full review.

I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in the series, The Immortal Rules, and was hungry for more, so I was delighted when this book popped up on LitPick! The Eternity Cure features mostly the same characters from book one, and is written in the same style, but builds upon the world and concepts in book one. I highly recommend reading book one before this. The strengths of book one are all mostly here. Allison was already likeable before, but she grows stronger and more independent here. Jackal is a great supporting character with personality. Zeke is still meh, but he's getting there. Sarren is a convincing villain that you love to hate. The descriptions of fights in this book are also worth a mention. Kagawa describes so eloquently that you never get tired of reading them, and believe me, there are a lot of them. However, there's a lot of filler as well. This occurred in book one too. The Eternity Cure is 400+ pages and has a relatively short climax. Much of the beginning is difficult to get into due to the lack of action, and when the action comes, it is all clustered together. If not for this, The Eternity Cure would've been a five-star read. As it stands though, The Eternity Cure was well worth my time and I will be reading the next book in the series as soon as I am able. 

A new student review of Ink by Amanda Sun

leonardo posted a new student review of Ink by Amanda Sun. See the full review.

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A new student review of First Light (Project Five Fifteen) by Samantha Summers

LISH0985 posted a new student review of First Light (Project Five Fifteen) by Samantha Summers. See the full review.

This book was full of grammatical errors, lacking descriptive language at times, and also very dry at times. The first 200 pages were very hard to get through. There were so many things wrong that it's hard to think about how to review this critically. I would not recommend this book. The author needs to go back and revise: many sentences were either worded wrong, confusing, or could have been written better. The language was very babyish. I was disappointed.

A new student review of My Ex From Hell (The Blooming Goddess Trilogy Book One)

RavenWing posted a new student review of My Ex From Hell (The Blooming Goddess Trilogy Book One) . See the full review.

My first piece of advice would be - read a few pages first. This author has a particular writing style which may be difficult for some readers. There’s a ton of detail and lots of analogies. If you aren’t an experienced reader, or don’t read a lot, this might not be the easiest read for you.

When I read the summary for this book I thought “Yeah, some Greek mythology laced with romance!” That is not what this book is. Basically, it is a comedy with a dash of Greek background. The stories mentioned are not the main part, but it does deal with Zeus and Hades. Also, most of the time is spent with Sophie doing stupid stuff to get herself almost killed.

Despite what I’ve said, I did enjoy this book. It was a laugh-out-loud comedy that had an easy story line. The author cracks jokes often in a way that’s reasonable. As a comedy, I would recommend this book. Whatever you do, though, DO NOT pick up this book for the romance. It sounds good, but it is not. After a few passionate kisses that are more about Kai’s missing Persephone, Sophie’s god form, he won’t even give her the time of day. Not to mention he’s an ass that does not get better with time.

Lastly, just to warn you, the ending is horrible. I, personally, will not be reading the sequel because everything I was hoping would happen was brutally mutilated. The ending did not leave me laughing, crying, or open-mouthed. It was an “ok?” ending where you ask yourself “did the last chapter just get cut off? Because this doesn’t sound like the end.”

A new student review of The Worst-Case Scenario: Deadly Seas by Alexander Lurie David Borgenicht

nowhereman posted a new student review of The Worst-Case Scenario: Deadly Seas by Alexander Lurie David Borgenicht. See the full review.

I thought this book was really good. It has a lot of action and adventure that keeps you on your toes as to what choices you make. I thought that it was also cool how it actually tells you how to survive certain situations, like for instance shark attacks, what to eat and what not to eat when adrift at sea, and how to make a flotation device. If you like this book then you might like the other books in the series. One example of the questions in the book is “If you abandon ship, turn to page 157”or”if you stay on the boat, Turn to page 104”(54). I recommend this book for all ages.

 

A new student review of Life: An Exploded Diagram

ReesaOnFire posted a new student review of Life: An Exploded Diagram . See the full review.

This book had started out fantastic. Clem’s ancestry, and indirectly Frankie’s, was captivating. Their, Clem’s Grandparents and parents, story alone could have made an excellent book. I found that their story was better than Clem's and Frankie’s.  Then again, Clem and Frankie’s story had more passion.

 Overall, the writing was great. Pleet’s vocabulary and descriptions are in great detail and place you into the scene or the characters minds. You feel the anxiety, the fear, the happiness and the lust.

 I’m afraid that once I got towards middle-end of the book, when Frankie appeared, I was disappointed. The book had been so great, so interesting—mostly historical but great.  Once Frankie appeared however, I felt as though the whole story had changed. It was now about Frankie and Clem’s relationship; which seemed purely emotional and hormonal. When I said that Pleet described everything in great detail I meant it—and towards the center end of the book I disliked it. I had to skip over huge chunk of the book as it became less historical and interesting but hormonal and over all inappropriate. The character seemed more focused on lust rather than love. But this does give a different look on the world, a view that, to some, is a little risky.

Thinking back, to have that level of realism in the book was a good thing.

I loved the familial story—the parents and the grandparents were great – they gave a sense of the time frame they lived in. But as Clem and Frankie gave a look into the rebellious side—a different view, which was good but they were just too crass for me to stand. 

A new student review of The Moon Coin (The Moon Realm Series, Book 1) by Richard Due

worms123 posted a new student review of The Moon Coin (The Moon Realm Series, Book 1) by Richard Due. See the full review.

One thing that I liked about this book are the descriptions. For example page 86 paints a picture of Niminn and Lilly. “Nimlinn stared long at Lilly and narrowed her ernormous eyes.” The top thing I liked about this book was chapter 13 because this part just made me shiver. The part was “ Bathed in moonlight, Travin stood alone under the shrinking hole burned into the clouds by the dragon’s breath.” The thing I didn’t like was in chapter one, I didn’t understand what a flocskool was. Chapter 19 was creepy because it was a scary chapter. I didn’t know if anyone was killed or not. I also found some of the words were too complicated. If you like fairytales and have an open mind this would be a good book for you.

A new student review of The Subway by Christopher Taylor

jackyboy889 posted a new student review of The Subway by Christopher Taylor. See the full review.

I think that the subway is definitely not for anyone under 14, unless you are an advanced reader, as it can get extremely confusing at times. My favorite part of the book is when Stacy is in the paradox, and tries to figure out what is happening to her, as you don’t know what is going on either. Overall I would definitely recommend this book, but only to advanced readers.

A new student review of Super-Scary: Mochimochi by Anna Hrachovec

Gwendolyn posted a new student review of Super-Scary: Mochimochi by Anna Hrachovec. See the full review.

 

As one who doesn’t always like to follow patterns and gets highly frustrated when I don’t understand something, I found the author’s notes to be helpful. By breaking down the patterns into sections, she made knitting less difficult and stress free. The patterns go by somewhat quickly, which I liked, and I think is quite good for all the impatient knitters out there. In my opinion, a few of the creature designs are not entirely cute, so this is one of the reasons why I enjoyed the “mix and match monsters” section, where I was able to practice certain techniques and design the toy specifically how I wanted. Anna Hrachovec makes knitting simple and easy to comprehend.

 

A new student review of The Geneva Project - Truth

LaRayne posted a new student review of The Geneva Project - Truth . See the full review.

This is an amazing story of how Jane #65 discovers she has powers that may be too much as they put her friendships to the test. This is a fast paced adventure about friendship, family, and not pushing things too far. I love this book because it has adventure in it but the real point is for her to find out who she really is. I would recommend this book to young teens that like adventure and don’t mind a bit of drama in it as well.

 

 

A new student review of The Serpent In The Glass by D.M. Andrews

link posted a new student review of The Serpent In The Glass by D.M. Andrews. See the full review.

The author did a good job of describing the characters. I could picture them in my head easily. I think the idea of the marble with a serpent in it was cool. The story itself was very original. I've never read anything like it before.

However, the pace of the book was very slow and could have benefitted from more action, especially in the middle. The mystery was easy to figure out and not a surprise at the end. There were a few dream sequences that were strange and sometimes hard to follow because some were italicized and others were not. 

A new student review of The Girl With The Iron Touch

kfc1997 posted a new student review of The Girl With The Iron Touch . See the full review.

Kady Cross has written another amazing book in The Steampunk Chronicles, and I sincerely hope that she has another one coming. The characters felt realistic; I could connect to their emotions, which were well written. The storyline was amazing, and it connected well to the two previous books in the series. I recommend this book to girls aged 15 and up.  

A new student review of Neferet's Curse: A House of Night Novella (House of Night)

Bookreader587 posted a new student review of Neferet's Curse: A House of Night Novella (House of Night) . See the full review.

This book has an extremely mature theme. The entire book hints to the end, and the events leading up to it. This book does explain the antagonist's reasons for being the way she is in the House of Night novels. The authors did a great job of setting a tone to the novella such as some instances when they would use the words "burning gaze" to describe the way her father looked at her. You can tell that the character is almost constantly threatened or scared, very rarely happy. The book was written very well, other books written in the same time setting as this one I found rather boring. This book had a very mature theme and I would not recommend it for people under 15 due to the graphic violence.  

A new student review of Weather Witch

R. Mae posted a new student review of Weather Witch . See the full review.

 

 

When I started Weather Witch I had trouble following the plot. The character view changed so often, I couldn't figure out who to vote for and it was very confusing. After reading it for a while, I kind of 'fell into' the plot. It all clicked together and I realized that the multiple points of view taught me a great moral. Jordan hates Bran for trying to make her, and I would have too if I didn't know the truth about him since I had been in his mind. Rowan was snotty, and seemed that way to everyone including me, but in his own head he was perfectly fine. All these different viewpoints gave Weather Witch a unique edge. Once the plot came into focus I really enjoyed the book. One thing I didn't like was that everyone except me knew what the witches were and could do. When everyone else seemed to know what was happening, I didn't and that was annoying.  Even though there were some problems, I really liked the book. Weather Witch is creative and fresh.

A new student review of Feral Nights

lagoonablue444 posted a new student review of Feral Nights . See the full review.

            I give this book 3.5 stars.  I would have liked it better, if they didn’t have so much talk about sex and drinking.

            I didn’t really have a favorite character in this book.  I liked the mystery and that they were all were-animals.

A new student review of Belonging (A Temptation Novel)

Peace8747 posted a new student review of Belonging (A Temptation Novel) . See the full review.

I thought Beolnging was a very good book. I loved a bunch of the elements in the book. I have read a lot of book and Belonging was one of the best. The thing that I loved the most was the real life element of the story. The thing that I hated the most was all the talking about sex. Overall it was an amazing book.

A new student review of Fitz

nowhereman posted a new student review of Fitz . See the full review.

 

This book sounded interesting when I read the overview but after reading it I had mixed feelings about it. I mean how could a boy justify holding his father at gunpoint? I thought that the author needed to add more stuff to justify Fitz’s actions because the boy didn’t think about his actions at all. Overall though it just needed something to make it stand out more. I recommend this book to ages 12 and up.

 

A new student review of The Sin Eater's Confession (Carolrhoda Ya)

sabol posted a new student review of The Sin Eater's Confession (Carolrhoda Ya) . See the full review.

I found this book to be one of the most gripping and suspenseful thriller novels I have ever read. Ilsa J. Bick took great care in weaving each thread into the complexity of the plot that keeps you holding your breath. I found myself becoming so attached to the tragic hero; at one moment feeling sympathy, and other times screaming at him in frustration. At times I had to force myself to stop reading at night. And when the story was over, there were even more unanswered questions than before.  The Sin-Eater’s Confessions is not only an engrossing novel, it is also a social statement that questions sexuality, the role of parents, and the struggle that teens undergo when trying to define who they are among society,      

A new student review of Life: An Exploded Diagram

VBat posted a new student review of Life: An Exploded Diagram . See the full review.

In Life: An Exploded Diagram, Mal Peet masterfully knits storylines from different times and places into one seamless plot. The character development reminded me of Khalid Hosseini's A Thousand Splendid Suns, in that the story followed the characters for their entire lives, not just focusing in on the 
"important" part of their existence. This allows for the reader to relate to each of the characters, especially Clem and Frankie, and for the reader to pick up on the clever ways in which the past, present and future intertwine over the course of the story. 

The mix of storytelling and narration of political events worked in a unique, interesting way. The important political happenings that affected the story were narrated by an older Clem. His interpretations of key political figures are though provoking, and spark an interest in the Cold War era.  

I would recommend Life: An Exploded Diagram to teens and young adults who enjoy romance, history, and realistic fiction. Fans of Peet's Tamar or works by Khalid Hosseini will enjoy this book immensely. 

A new student review of A Monster Calls

JesusFreak posted a new student review of A Monster Calls . See the full review.

When I first got this book, my first thought was, this book is really small. And it was really short.  I finished it within three days. But, excluding the shortness, it was a very good book! I loved how it really got deep into your thought process and made you think. The only other things I didn’t like about it was that they never fully explained the whole concept of the Monster. Was the Monster just a figment of the main character’s imagination, or was it real? The other thing that I didn’t like about it was that the ending didn’t really feel like an ending. It just sort of stopped suddenly without further explanation. Other than that, a pretty good book.

A new student review of Butterfly

nlsings posted a new student review of Butterfly . See the full review.

I liked this book.  The writing was pleasant and poetic.  The story was decent.  It was a pretty typical tale of an awkward kid growing up, and learning to appreciate who she really is.  It has a good message, but it is one that often surfaces in teen literature.  Some of the parts about her friends and boys were cliche and overdone, but it was a sweet and nostolgic read overall.  If you have a soft spot for adorable and well written books about teenage girls growing up, then this is for you.  Especially if you have read and enjoyed the book Scarlet by Cathy Cassidy, then I would highly recommend this to you.  

A new student review of Earth Girl by Janet Edwards

dancerASJ posted a new student review of Earth Girl by Janet Edwards. See the full review.

This book is a good read. Not too long.Not too short.Great storyline with developing characters , secrets , and friendship. All in all this is any enjoyable book.

A new student review of Who Is AC? by Hope Larson

mattstudent_101 posted a new student review of Who Is AC? by Hope Larson. See the full review.

quick summary

A new student review of Touch of the Demon

kanati posted a new student review of Touch of the Demon . See the full review.

l personally enjoyed this book for the action and constant plot twists keeping me on my toes. Diana Rowland shows her mastery of the element of suspense and the urban fantasy genre by use of her captivating characters and engaging plot line. This is truly a great page turner that contains a little something for everyone. I recommend this to any teen looking for a great series that will never grow old. I know I will be keeping my eyes out for the next book in the series.

A new student review of The Moon Coin (The Moon Realm Series, Book 1) by Richard Due

PrincessLeiaAayla posted a new student review of The Moon Coin (The Moon Realm Series, Book 1) by Richard Due. See the full review.

The Moon Coin by Richard Due was an average book.  I liked the fact that it included:

• Some pictures, so you have a better image of what the characters look like
• Some descriptions, but they are very confusing

Here is what I didn't like:

• The story and the way it unfolded was VERY confusing
• Lily is always lying throughout the story and never learns from her lying, which is frustrating.
• The spelling is weird, as if it's from another country. It makes the book difficult to read.

A new student review of Garden Princess by Kristin Kladstrup

TaurielOfMirkwood posted a new student review of Garden Princess by Kristin Kladstrup. See the full review.

It was a pretty good book. Not the best, but not the worst. It wasn't really that exciting, and it was actually kind of boring at times. The ending was good, though. That was the part in the book that really made me want to know what happens. So, overall, it was a good book. Not a great book, not a terrible book, but a good book.

A new student review of Plague in the Mirror

swimmer1430 posted a new student review of Plague in the Mirror . See the full review.

The subject of doppelgangers is very interesting and hasn't been written about as much as it should. I thought the premise of Plague in the Mirror sounded very original: evil twins, time travel, romance, and travel all rolled into one. However, I think the author had too many storylines and themes in her novel. Neither modern day Italy or Medieval Florence were as fleshed out as they could have been. I would have preferred if the author picked one setting and stayed with it - rather than have May constantly travel between the two. There were things that I enjoyed in this novel. I loved the setting of Florence. I want to travel to Italy so I was jealous of May's opportunity to live there for the summer. I also enjoyed May's relationship and romance with Liam although I do wish they spent more time together in the book. Overall I think the author of Plague in the Mirror had too many ideas for one book, but it was still an enjoyable read.

A new student review of The Goddess Inheritance by Aimée Carter

sthom506 posted a new student review of The Goddess Inheritance by Aimée Carter. See the full review.

Kate Winters has such a human feel for a supposed Goddess, which allowed for a wonderful connection to the character. Her tale is believable while still being fantastical and adventurous. There is a balance of romance and action, not to mention familial love and tight-knit friendships. The character relationships developed the most in this latest book, and it is easy to be drawn in from the first sentence. As the characters go through pain, joy, and amusement, so will each and every individual reader, feeling as though they are apart of this brilliantly painted mastery of a story. Well written and much enjoyed by this reader, The Goddess Inheritance is a perfect addition to any fantasy or mythology loving reader's collection. 

A new student review of The Crossing (Blood of the Lamb: Book One)

dancechicka posted a new student review of The Crossing (Blood of the Lamb: Book One) . See the full review.

This book was a breath of fresh air for me.  Hagar has defiantly come up with an original and innovative idea.  I was a little confused with the plot and who’s who at the beginning, but as the book went on I figured it out.  I love how Hagar portrayed Maryam as a strong and willful individual, yet gave her a certain vulnerability that made you want to cheer her on to victory.  This book was exciting but not too faced paced, edgy without being intrusive, and had plenty of new twists that kept me guessing.  This book captures the feeling of deception and conspiracy, with the underlying rage and anger just below the surface.  I also felt the supporting characters played a big role in this book’s plot, giving it depth and personality.  All in all, I felt this novel was a success and encourage you to read it!

“The singing and the crush of people amplified around her….she cast about, desperate for some whom might ease her plight.  But now she was falling….”

I would recommend this book for mature readers and young adults, as this novel had some sexual situations and references, yet no profanity to speak of.

Faced with the consequences of turning her back on everything she believes, will Maryam be able to escape the dreaded and merciless Apostles and find out the truth…..alive?  You’ll have to read Mandy Hagar’s new novel, The Crossing, to answer that question?

Note:  This book is the first installment of the Blood of the Lamb Trilogy.  If you are interested in reading the other installments, the second novel is called Into the Wilderness and the third, Resurrection.

A new student review of Dare You To by Katie McGarry

kaiyle posted a new student review of Dare You To by Katie McGarry. See the full review.

Dare You To is one of the best books that I have read in a really long time.  I love how Katie McGarry switches back and forth between Beth and Ryan's perspectives so the reader can see how different events affect each of them differently.  Once I started reading this book, I couldn't put it down.  I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a teen romance book.

A new student review of Shaken by D.M. Anderson

EmilyFredricks posted a new student review of Shaken by D.M. Anderson. See the full review.

I liked this book very much, I liked how it showed three different teenagers' stories. It didn't just show one. You got to see how each of the different teenagers deals with the earthquake. I enjoyed it quite a bit, it was one of the better books that I have read in a long time.

A new student review of Peanut

MIZZIQ posted a new student review of Peanut . See the full review.

It's a pretty neat story. I wouldn't say it's very original. However the pictures and the likable characters that you can relate to bring it to life in a whole new way. Friendships are the main focal point for this book and it does a fine job of entertaining, making you think, laugh, and read it all in one sitting. Cute and very memorable. One thing I especially loved was how the pictures furthered an already good story, and the cool transitions between color and black and white kept me interested. I thought there were some really great comedic parts as well. Overall a very neat book that arrived just in time for a snow storm.  

A new student review of My Ex From Hell (The Blooming Goddess Trilogy Book One)

LISH0985 posted a new student review of My Ex From Hell (The Blooming Goddess Trilogy Book One) . See the full review.

What I liked:
Sophie Bloom is a sarcastic, spunky narrator who keeps the action rolling in the book. She is a refreshing version of a goddess. Usually goddesses are aloof, mean, cunning, manipulative, and sometimes nice. But Sophie represents all the things that I would look for if I decided to worship a Greek God. I love Sophie’s friends, too, who are just as sarcastic as she is. Kai sounds evilly delicious and I just want to take a bite out of his character. The plot, while not original, plays out well and keeps me interested; it is refreshing in it’s own little way. Also the action doesn’t drag on, which can happen when the author gets to excited and into the novel.

What I didn’t like:
A good book describes the characters. This book hinted at a description. The author just scratched at the surface of the animosity between Sophie and Bethany and I was deeply interested to know why they hate each other so much, since Bethany is a part-time main character. Also, I would've like to have known the history between Felicia and Sophie. I understood that Felicia was a drunk and wasn’t always the most attentive mother, but until the end, when Sophie was traveling down the labyrinth, I didn’t know that Felicia was cruel to Sophie, as well. The tension between Sophie and Kai could have been played up some more as well. In the story, it feels like they are two people who just met each other, with no hints at the past they really have.  Kai must know things about what Sophie was like when she was Persephone, but it never seems that way. I would have expected there to be more hints from them about what they knew about each other.   Another thing that I didn’t like is that the action moves too fast. Kai kisses her and "boom" - she knows who she is and how to use some of her powers. I would have liked if she gradually worked in the use of her powers. Sophie could have begun to experience dreams of her former life and have her powers start to act up in front of people at first. The battle scenes could have been drawn out more. We could have gotten to know Theo: his past, his sacrifice, and ultimately about his time imprisoned by Zeus and how he got free. And I feel like maybe Ms. Darling could have explained why Theo hates Kai so much.

Overall:
I give this book anywhere from a 4.3 to a 4.5. It kept me entertained and I didn’t want to put it down.

A new student review of A Long, Long Sleep

JesusFreak posted a new student review of A Long, Long Sleep . See the full review.

I’ve never been one for love stories; I’ve always loved fast-paced futuristic stories.  However, this book was an exception.  I was afraid that it was going to be a slow, boring book as soon as I started it.  I quickly found out that I was wrong.  I found myself thinking like Rose, the main character, so it was nice how I felt connected with her.  I also loved how the story was based on Sleeping Beauty but wasn’t all gushy.  The main reason I loved this book was the emotion that it brought with its story.  I found myself tearing up at quite a few parts (which I usually never do when it comes to books).  I suggest this book to everyone out there, no matter if you do or don’t like romantic stories.  You won’t be disappointed!

A new student review of Super Zombie Juice Mega Bomb by MJ Ware

hometlf@yahoo.com posted a new student review of Super Zombie Juice Mega Bomb by MJ Ware. See the full review.

If you like Zombies, this book is for you! If you like creepy stories or stories with adventure, this book is for you. I recommend it for kids ages 10 and up. I loved it and couldn’t put it down. I even read it more than once.

I liked Nate, Misty and Kali. I felt like I was right there with them as they battled the Zombies and was rooting for them all the way. I didn’t want to see them get blown up with the town and I wish the story could have had a different ending for Kali. He was a really cool and smart kid.

SUPER ZOMBIE JUICE MEGA BOMB by M.J.A. Ware is a great story and as an extra bonus - besides giving us the answer to wiping zombies out of extinction – he gives the reader a 3 for 1: Super Zombie Juice Mega Bomb and two short stories.  They are just as great a read as Super Zombie Juice Mega Bomb.

So what are you waiting for, so get the book and your Zombie survival guide now! Enjoy!

A new student review of A Long, Long Sleep

swimmer0016 posted a new student review of A Long, Long Sleep . See the full review.

I thought this book was very interesting. It was completely different from anything I have ever read before. There was so much technology portrayed; some that we haven't even imagined yet. It was hard to understand what all of the information meant at first but once you got into it it was so cool. There is a romance it is sad and sweet and in the end it is beautiful. I loved this book

A new student review of Heron's Path by Alethea Eason

Rainbow Shard posted a new student review of Heron's Path by Alethea Eason. See the full review.

I really enjoyed this book.  The blending of the worlds of the native people and the white girls was accomplished in such a manner as to make the worlds seem one, while still expressing the separation of the two.  I also was drawn in by Celeste’s struggle with the wei-ni-la, the evil ones, and the Old Ones in the native myths.  I did find it a little strange that she kept running off naked, but it only added to the intrigue of the story.  Then blue feathers began to grow on her arm, which fascinated me, though I suppose some people might call it creepy.  Overall, it was an excellent book, one I would recommend to anyone who likes history or is just interested in the legends of Native Americans.

A new student review of Glamorous Illusions: A Novel (Grand Tour Series) by Lisa T. Bergren

jarofclay posted a new student review of Glamorous Illusions: A Novel (Grand Tour Series) by Lisa T. Bergren. See the full review.

This is one of my favorite books and I cannot wait for the rest of the trilogy. The time period is absolutely stunning and Lisa Bergren has a talent for developing well thought-out characters and transporting the reader into the past. One of the best aspects of the book is that the romance, while still there and intriguing, develops slower than most books nowadays and makes you keep guessing. Also, the main pull of the book is Cora discovering herself, learning how to deal with her newfound fortune and family, and knowing that soon she'll have to choose which life she continues to live. By making Cora's story a trilogy, Bergren gives herself time to fully explore the characters and settings while allowing the reader to become fully enthralled with her story. I definately recommend this trilogy to anyone who enjoys historical fiction and books with something more than just a romance story. 

A new student review of White Fur Flying

underwood_bcl posted a new student review of White Fur Flying . See the full review.

   I liked the story because of the relationships between the children and their neighbor and how they managed to get the new rescued dogs and the little boy to begin to trust them.  When the silent boy, Phillip,  follows  Jack, a rescued dog, the dog ends up keeping Phillip safe.  I think I like Alice best because of her imagination.  She always tells the truth but she often adds a bit more than the real truth.

A new student review of Penny's War by Anne Dearle

blu6 posted a new student review of Penny's War by Anne Dearle. See the full review.

 I think this was an okay book. It explained things well so you don't have to sit there and wonder what it means. It could have been more detailed in some parts, because some things were very to the point and short. I like how it talked about real things that happened in the war too, rather than being totally untrue.  Otherwise it was a really good book.

A new student review of Fat Angie

Peace8747 posted a new student review of Fat Angie . See the full review.

I thought Fat Angie was a pretty good book. It was not the best book that I have read, but overall it was a good book.

A new student review of Anatomy of a Single Girl

ryleestrohmeyer posted a new student review of Anatomy of a Single Girl . See the full review.

I think this was a good book, but not approprite for my age.

A new student review of My Ex From Hell (The Blooming Goddess Trilogy Book One)

EmilyFredricks posted a new student review of My Ex From Hell (The Blooming Goddess Trilogy Book One) . See the full review.

 

I thought that "My Ex from Hell" was very well written and was very interesting. I enjoyed how the story was more than just a love story. Its main backbone wasn't the romance, it was more about the mythology and the Greek gods. I also enjoyed how there was some romance sprinkled in the story along the way but it wasn't the main thing. I thought it was well written and ended in a good spot. It didn't drag on and on, but it wasn’t like there could have been more to make it better. Overall I enjoyed the book.

A new student review of My Ex From Hell (The Blooming Goddess Trilogy Book One)

detectiveginger posted a new student review of My Ex From Hell (The Blooming Goddess Trilogy Book One) . See the full review.

“My Ex From Hell’ is a superb book written by Tellulah Darling. It had a very good plot with Greek mythology themes and good action. I especially liked the fact that it was based on Greek mythology, as it is an interesting topic really worth delving into.

There was also very good interaction between the characters, however there was one thing that was a bit lacking, and that is the relationship between Prometheus and Persephone. I would like to know more about the history of Prometheus and Persephone’s friendship, to find out why he would give up so much for her – perhaps it will be explored in the next books.

Also the book needs a few minor editing but besides that, it was all good. Tellulah Darling’s writing really pulls the reader in with her storytelling, and it was hard to put down the book, all the way to the end (which ended with a nice cliffhanger); I was perplexed to find that I had finished reading the book, and I will be interested in reading the next books in the Blooming Goddess Trilogy to find out what kind of situations the protagonists will get into.

A new student review of Shadowflesh

R. Mae posted a new student review of Shadowflesh . See the full review.

 

Shadowflesh was riveting, it was eerie and yet humorous at the same time. The plot was charismatic, but a little depressing for my taste. I enjoyed the characters and their quirky attitudes, although the atmosphere was a little dreary, but that comes with living in a haunted mansion. I felt like the romance  was a little overdone or exaggerated.  Aileen, the main character, was strong willed and a brave girl. I loved the book because of her, and her oddly nerdy friends.  Addison was boring. I liked how nice he was, but his attitude was tiring (being trapped in a prison like death sentence and having to kill random people probably does that to you though). The creative story-line really moved the book along, it mixed everyday life, and the supernatural together exceptionally. Although the book has its flaws, it was still written very well.

A new student review of Above World

lagoonablue444 posted a new student review of Above World . See the full review.

I would recommend this book to girls and boys in middle-school ages and older, and also anyone fascinated by water.  I really liked that each chapter is from a different character's point of view.  It felt like I was in that world; and the vocabulary was easy to understand.  I learned that even people who are different and come from different worlds can get along.

The ending was so suspenseful, I can't wait to read the next book.  I can't think of anything I didn't like about it.

I really liked this book; it is the best book I've ever read!

A new student review of Diary of a Part-Time Ghost by Vered Ehsani

EmilyFredricks posted a new student review of Diary of a Part-Time Ghost by Vered Ehsani. See the full review.

Diary of a Part Time Ghost by Vered Ehsani, Published 2011. The setting of this book was in the house of the main character, and also Boston during the American Revolution. The main Characters are Ashish Kali, and Sara. Ashish is a young teenage boy who lives in Modern time. Sara is one of Ashish's Ancestors who lived during the American Revolution. Kali is the 'bad guy' of this book. He is the person who is trying to take the book from Ashish throughout the book. The main conflict is between Ashish and Kali. The problem is that Ashish has a very important book that Kali needs to get a hold of in order to get out of the American Revolution time period. I liked the story line. I found it to be very interesting and creative. I also liked how the story was an easy read. I didn't like how short the book was. I found that some of the ideas could have been developed more to make the book longer but over all I did like the book.

A new student review of A Red Sun Also Rises by Mark Hodder

Raphael posted a new student review of A Red Sun Also Rises by Mark Hodder. See the full review.

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A new student review of Plague in the Mirror

nlsings posted a new student review of Plague in the Mirror . See the full review.

In books, the improbable is allowed to occur.  The reader can suspend disbelief for the story, he or she can believe that time travelling ghosts can pop up out of nowhere, or that best friends can become boyfriends.  Perhaps the reader can even believe that teenage girls can follow their ghost-twins back in time to escape the stress of their parent’s crumbling marriage.  Or that those same teenage girls can meet steamy painters, and fall into a deep, meaningful relationship all during the time of the Black Plague.  But really, are we meant to believe all of this at once?  Even the most imaginative and creative books need some sort of grounding, or at least good writing to carry it though.  Some of the most far-fetched books attain that status by being so realistic, with only one slightly different aspect.  The author can then take this subtle change and run with it.  Simplicity is best.  This book is an overload of ideas, that all collide to create a massive pile up.  I would not recommend it, unless you enjoy being bombarded with a jumble of partially formed concepts.  

A new student review of Maggot Moon

rmaehill posted a new student review of Maggot Moon . See the full review.

 

Though in some ways simply written, I found Maggot Moon to be a very powerful book.  Although its syntax and diction was basic enough for middle schoolers, its language and imagery was coarse and crude, reflecting the lives the characters lived.  This originally turned me off the story, yet as I continued reading, I found that the excellent character development and themes of courage and rebellion in the story overpowered any negative effect the grammar had originally had on me.  The themes and ideas presented in the story, though dark and sometimes depressing, were truly adult, and I can say that the story made me cry in the end.  I would recommend it to any high school reader who would like a quick yet thematically and emotionally powerful read.

A new student review of The Watch That Ends the Night: Voices from the Titanic

dancechicka posted a new student review of The Watch That Ends the Night: Voices from the Titanic . See the full review.

I am really at a loss at how to describe this book.  It was stunning.  Amazing.  Heartbreaking.  Powerful.  It was all the same yet completely different.  This book was an emotional rollercoaster for me.   I’m usually an impassive reader, not really letting the words affect my emotions, but, somehow, this book broke that shell I built around myself.  I laughed with the first-class promenade and cried with the little child in the lifeboat that heard the endless moaning of the dying as they sank below the surface of the merciless ocean.  This novel was organized into stanzas, with a new character’s viewpoint at every page, which made it even more influential.  I was just so moved by this great piece of literature.  It changed me.  I felt like I was right there, felt like I could feel the terror of the passengers as the ship sank below the surface to its final resting place, felt the anguish of the few who made it to safety but lost their loved ones to the sea.  It made me realize how so many lives can be altered in just one moment, how many lives are already on the twisted path of fate.  There are a lot of characters in the novel, which can be confusing, but you get the hang of it by the middle of the story.  This book was wonderful and I would highly recommend to anybody searching for a good read.

                “We could still make out the Titanic’s brightly lit outline......And then it was gone altogether.  Then the moans.  There was no one voice that stood out.  From that distance it was just a horrific roar.”

                I would recommend this book for ages eight and up because it is quite a long book and a higher reading level is required.  This book has no profanity or any compromising situations.

                Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be one of the doomed on the RMS Titanic?  The Watch That Ends the Night by Allan Wolf will give you just that!

A new student review of Eternal

kaiyle posted a new student review of Eternal . See the full review.

I thought this book was well written.  There were several mysteries throughout the book that kept you reading until the very end.  The characters were relatable and well developed.  I would recommend this book to anyone who likes romance novels with a little adventure thrown in.

A new student review of Maybe I Will

VBat posted a new student review of Maybe I Will . See the full review.

Maybe I Will was an interesting, fresh look into a topic that is relevant to many teen readers.  

While it threw me off a little in the beginning, not knowing Sandy's gender gives the reader the freedom to relate to the main character in the way they feel most comfortable. The first-person point of view made this gender-unspecific character possible, and provided for intimate looks into Sandy's thoughts and feelings. 

Sandy was a well developed character. I enjoyed reading about the Peter Pan auditions, and getting a glimpse into Sandy's life before the abuse. Details about Sandy's interactions with friends and family throughout the story gave the story depth and added heart to the story. The way that Sandy was betrayed by his/her friends stirred real anger and a whole range of additonal emotions. 

I would have liked for Cassie and Troy to make a few more appearances in the middle of the story, and perhaps add a bit of external conflict to keep the story moving at a faster pace. 

All in all, Maybe I Will is a fantastic story that stirs reader emotions and shares a meaningful story. I would reccommend it to teenagers who enjoy realistic fiction and books like Speak.

A new student review of Charm & Strange

MIZZIQ posted a new student review of Charm & Strange . See the full review.

I was enthralled with this book and sometimes just simple phrases that were just in the right spot. The author uses suspense to their incredible advantage. To me Charm & Strange spoke about healing. But the coolest thing for me was what it showed through the characters: that it's okay to be broken when you're hurt. And you don't have to be totally healed to move on with your life. The character was in a sense going crazy, but the author didn't critisize that or make it seem wrong...even before you knew the cause. It makes me think that she felt very deeply about the subject and her characters. That is very cool. I loved how the characters were developed and how I could change my opinion about someone so suddenly. The book was a little journey.

 

There were things about it that bothered me of course :). Namely some language used. Because of this and a few ways some things were described it did rub me the wrong way. It didn't make me dislike the book, but it didn't make me love certain aspects of it. I think it's just a case of taking the good out of it and the story and the wonderful characters and trying to leave the rest. Characters after all can't be perfect. :)

A new student review of Ashes of Twilight by Kassy Taylor by Kassy Tayler

Ravette posted a new student review of Ashes of Twilight by Kassy Taylor by Kassy Tayler. See the full review.

This was a beautifully, and intelligently, written novel. It was definitely an enthralling read. I loved the character development and how the characters changed throughout the story. I also liked the plot and how the suspense never ceased. I also enjoyed reading about a realistic, and very creative, type of world where people are physically restricted. Lastly, I liked the character Wren because she was one of many who thought about the escape from the dome, yet the first to act on it; which made her admirable.

A new student review of Road Trip

Bunnyrabbit posted a new student review of Road Trip . See the full review.

  Gary and Jim Paulson bring the statement, "road trip," to a whole new level. On a route to save a border collie, Ben and his father travel through the west. Bringing along a troubled friend, a mechanic, and a unique waitress. But a strange car following them and a car on fire in the middle of nowhere bring this gang of misfits into a dangerous situation. Adding a new dimension to a father and son road trip offers many life lessons everyone can use. For example, how a family can be brought back together and new friendships made on just one trip. This action packed book will have you hooked and wanting more. 

 

A new student review of All We Know of Love

calicool123 posted a new student review of All We Know of Love . See the full review.

All We Know Of Love was strange, but in the best way possible. I was constantly intrigued and felt exited to turn the page to reveal more perfectly constructed text. The writing was very well put together and flowed very easily. Anyone who is in search of a great, easy read would enjoy this book. Natalie is a character that almost anyone could relate to, and I think we all have a little peice of Natalie's personality in us. Throughout the book I felt like I was taking the journey myself. 

A new student review of Whispers at Moonrise

Bookreader587 posted a new student review of Whispers at Moonrise . See the full review.

In my personal opinion of this book, the plot line was great, a little slow to start, but got moving pretty quickly. I do think that this book could have been written better for a teen novel. The vocabulary wasn't what you would expect, and it seemed like every character talked in the same way. For example, every character said the word "frigging' no matter their age, and it seems like an adult would not talk like that. Regardless, I got a great picture of every character and their personalities. I would also like to point out the relationships between characters. It seems that, as a reader, the entire book revolves around Kylie and how she solves all the problems for every character. There are other character issues, but if the issue is not solved by Kylie, or had advice from Kylie on the situation, the problem would not be resolved. It also seems like Kylie is too timid in some parts, and too aggresive in others, with little or no transistions between the two. Althought this book was overall pretty good, I found the writing immature for a young adult novel, but am excited to read the next book in the series.