The Mirror of N'de by L.K. Malone

Hadlay Mivana and her people, the Ramash, have lived their entire lives as slaves or beggars, unlike the haughty Oresed. Hadlay wants nothing more than to help her people. When Hadlay becomes an Initiate at 13, the long lost Emperor and his son return to the city of Turris. Hadlay is hired as a servant in the Tower, the residence of the Emperor. Things are looking up for Hadlay until she finds that the Emperor is not what he seems. Hadlay then finds herself in the middle of a plot to destroy her people. Fortunately for the Ramash, Hadlay isn't about to let that happen.

This book was a bit like a roller coaster ride. It kept changing the way it felt. It started out rather slow, not exactly boring, just slow. Then it made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside when Hadlay's living conditions improved. Awhile after that it got a little creepy when the danger increased. It certainly kept me enthralled, though. Hadlay is very easy to relate to, so you really feel the emotions of her character. The plot was complicated enough that you didn't see everything coming, but not so complicated that you got confused. If you look for them, you (at least I) can find some parallels to the Bible. I feel glad I got to review it, and recommend it to any teen fantasy reader.

Reviewer Age:12

Reviewer City, State and Country: Rockwell, IA USA

Butterflies (eBook)

Author: Susanne Gervay

Summary: Katherine has always wished to look normal. When she was very young she was severely burned. She wishes she could wear her hair up and be a competitive swimmer. While struggling to look normal, Katherine falls for William, a boy from her school, who she hopes will look past her scars and love her the way she is. With help from her mother, her best friend Jessie, and her sister Rachel, she might just get what she wants.
Opinion: I thought this was an excellent book about knowing who you are, and that people will always love you. I really felt the emotion in this book that Katherine felt. When she burned, I burned. When she cried, I cried. When she was happy, I was happy. Butterflies has taught me an amazing lesson about always staying true to who you are.

Content:1


Rating (0 - 10 scale): 7
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Enon, Ohio United States

The Sleepwalkers

Summary: The Sleepwalkers, by J. Gabriel Gates, is about rich, popular, Caleb Mason. Born in Hudsonville, Florida, he moved to Malibu at the age of 7 after his parent's divorce. On the night of his graduation, Caleb gets a strange letter in the mail. Christine, his childhood friend from Florida, had sent him a plea for help. Their old home town has been plagued by disappearances of children and the old insane asylum has been re-opened. Christine has been trapped in the building. Caleb and his best friend, Bean, set off to save her.
Opinion: Sleepwalkers was an overall captivating book and is a very quick read. The author uses choice language to instill a sense of horror into the whole book, making the pages seem to fly by. It was scary, but not in the usual sense. Instead of just continuous events, the author adds some mystery to the book by leaving you wondering about what is happening. The characters are believable, likable, and easy to relate to. I liked this book a lot and would recommend it to older teens because of some mature themes.

Content:3
Mature themes

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Tipp City, OH United States

Off Track

Book Title: Off Track
Author: Michael J. Hultquist
ISBN: 192691225X
Summary: Off Track By: Michael Hultquist The whole storyline for this book revolved around one child, one abused child with a drunken mess of a father and a mother who can’t stand up to her husband. The boy, Gary Sanderson, decides to stand up for her by taking him out permanently. He is then is quickly carted off to Radcliffe, a juvenile delinquent facility for boys. He had been there since he was twelve years old, now at age sixteen, he has a choice: to start over with foster parent, or to wait another two years in that horrid place and leave on his own. He chooses the easy way out. So now he is in Winsbury, Illinois, and for a while everything is starting to look better, he has his own job, has no problems with schoolwork, and only some minor setbacks with his foster dad. Most is well and when something bad happens, it always ends up getting better. But one day his world spins out of control when his love tells him something no one ever wants to hear and wants him to stop it, forever. All of this could have been avoided if he just stayed in Radcliffe but now he has gone and made the choice to come to Winsbury and he’s going to follow through with his choices whether good or bad, even if he goes Off Track.
Opinion: This story in particular may not look like the average read. But once you open it up, Off Track unleashes a world of excitement and fear. This book had me in a trance. When I put the book down to eat, or do something else for that matter, I found something in the back of my mind tugging at me to read more. This book is definitely worth a reread. It relates to the problems of a teenager with parties, friends, fights, and the worst of them all, romance.

Content:3
I gave this book a content rating of three because of the sexual content and also because of the violence between the characters.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Enon, Ohio United States of America

R My Name is Rachel

I read R Is For Rachel by Patricia Giff. The book is about a girl named Rachel who has lived in the city all her life . Because of the depression, her dad loses his job. Rachel's mom has died so when her dad finds out about a possible job in the country the whole family has to move so he can try to get the job. The family does not want to move away from their good friend Miss Mitzi . Miss Mitzi spends a lot of time with Rachel teaching her important things about life. The house they move to in the country has holes in the roof and needs repairs. Because of a snow storm Rachel's dad doesn't get the job he thought he would get. The family doesn't have much money and has no way to pay their rent. In order to make money Rachel's dad has to leave his children alone while he takes a job far away. The children have to make many decisions while their father is away. All during this time Rachel continues to write to Miss Mitzi.

R My Name is Rachel is a historical fiction book set during the Great Depression. My favorite part is when Rachel sneaks into the school house and takes some books. Miss Mitzi helps Rachel realize she should return the books and talk to the teacher about what she did. I like the characters because they are realistic. They act like a normal family with the kids fighting with each other but helping each other too. Another part I really liked was when Pop and Miss Mitzi decide to get married. I think anyone who reads this book will love it.

Reviewer Age:8

Reviewer City, State and Country: Jackson, Missouri USA

Hattori Hachi: The Revenge of the Praying Mantis

Hattori Hachi: The Revenge of the Praying Mantis
     Recently, I ve read the action-packed novel,
Hattori Hachi: The Revenge of the Praying Mantis, the
first installment of the Hattori Hachi trilogy and first
novel of its author, Jane Prowse.  Hattie Jackson (also
known as Hattori Hachi) is just a normal fifteen year old
adolescent with a slightly jumpy, cautious mother who
spends her spare time training Hattie to defend herself
against others.  The training?  A secret signal, mock
sparring, and submerging herself under their apartment
complex s lake, for instance.  Hattie, having grown up with
this odd ritual that always unexplainably is kept hidden
from her dad, believes this practice to just be of her
mother s insecurities from her troubled childhood-- until
her mother mysteriously disappears.  Traces of blood and
signs of struggle are found in the area where her mother
was reported to have been last seen.  Grieving and
troubled, Hattie is determined to get to the bottom of her
mother s disappearance.  That is, until her apartment s old
washerwoman (who turns out not to be so old after all)
reveals to Hattie her mother s true story; her role as the
last surviving descendant of the most powerful Ninjustu
family of all Japan that has dated back for thousands of
years.  Quite enough for a fifteen years old s mind to
consume, right?  Not yet.  There s more.  The quiet
laundress, Yazuchi, also informs Hattie that she is the
Golden Child, the heir to all the Hattori Ninjustu pride,
and that the Kataki, (an evil band of Ninjustu warriors
who also abducted her mother) are determined to kill her.
  You must.  You are last in line.  You are Hattori
Hachi: Golden Child.
 With this dreadful responsibility now keeping her
grounded, Hattie and her friend, the notorious juvenile
delinquent, Mad Dog, start training excessively with their
mentor, the washerwoman Yuzuchi.  Learning how to control
their emotions, empty their mind, build their strength,
and break through their invisible barriers are constantly
demanding their attention while time is slowly ticking
away to the time to test their true Ninjustu
instincts&&&..the time where they have to face the Praying
Mantis, the most deadly assassin in the world&..
  You think you can fight the Praying Mantis and win?
He laughed.  It was chilling.
Jane Prowse has completely nailed this novel.  I loved
the descriptions, the action, the heart-stopping moments
where deceit lurks just around the corner.  The story plot
is fabulous, smoothly transitioning from one thing to
another, while almost a hidden profoundness is scattered
in every chapter, from the age-old ways of the ninja, to
the tiny little clues Hattie s mother leaves to aid Hattie
on her mission to save the common good of all people.
A ninja s sprit is as sharp as the edge of a blade&.
 Considering this is Jane Prowse s first book, I
believe the fruits of her efforts definitely turned into
something phenomenal.  I could honestly barely tear myself
away from the novel, from beginning to end!  The only
thing I disliked about this book was the sometimes the
sentences were slightly awkward, kind of distorted.
 I would recommend this book for ages eight and up,
for some of the violence mentioned in this novel.
 Will Hattie Jackson have the courage and the
spirit to become the true Ninjustu princess she was born
to be?  Read this intriguing novel to find out!
Note:  If you are interested, there is a sequel to this
book, which is Hattori Hachi: Stalking the Enemy, and
there is also the last installment in this trilogy coming
up,entitled Hattori Hachi: The Curse of the Diamond Dagger.

Reviewer Age:12
Reviewer City, State and Country:
Leopold, Missouri U.S.A.

Paradise Lost by Steven L. Layne

     The Barrett family is running from an ugly past with memories of a lost mother and a dead father. Life with their eccentric grandmother seems relatively safe in comparison, until Chase, a former geek shows up with a miraculous transformation and secrets beyond comprehension. A series of mysterious events and dangerous close calls leaves Jack, the eldest boy, struggling to protect his family and friends. The reappearance of droids that resemble humans leads to even more danger and desperation. Can Jack overcome his insecurities to save his family and friends, or will he die trying?
     Layne creates a twisted, but disturbingly relatable world in Paradise Lost , the sequel to This Side of Paradise . The advanced technology is disturbing, but human motivations are clearly defined throughout the whole book. One of the things that sets this book apart from many of the others in this genre is the fusion of the main character s flaw with the plot. This makes the book so much more realistic and relatable. The plot line was engaging, and the characters even more so. This was by far one of my favorite sci-fi books in the fact that it combines mystery and romance as well, therefore, I would recommend Paradise Lost to any avid reader who loves mysteries.

Reviewer Age:16
Reviewer City, State and Country: Colleyville, Texas USA

Second World by R.M.Wagoner

Clare's world is pretty messed up.  Her dad smokes, her grandparents are dead, and the pastor's wife is deathly ill.  A talking dog named Horus, whom she has always considered a friend, is showing an evil side.  Then the pastor's wife, Millie, dies, and Judy - Clare's sister - gets sick!  It's not a great life.  However, at Millie's funeral, Clare meets a man named Change.  After that her life starts to...well, change!  She learns that she is a supernatural link, a person who still has enough imagination to see spirits.  Together, she and Change get rid of Horus and heal Judy, but can they save the pastor too?

I was not expecting this to be a religious book.  It starts kind of slow, but then it gets better.  I like the idea of Change being another name for the Holy Spirit because that's what he does - changes things!  I thought it was funny that Horus the dog shared some characteristics with the Egyptian god Horus from Rick Riordan's Kane Chronicles.  Arrogance, greed, selfishness - all shared traits.  This was a really good book.  I think that if an Atheist read this, they would start believing in God.

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

Drowning Instinct by Ilsa J. Bick

Drowning Instinct is about the way a girl named Jenna gets in over her head and is also helped out of the water. Jenna's life is awful; her parents are borderline abusive, her mother is a drunk and her father is a private monster. Her teacher, Mr. Anderson, helps her and makes her feel loved. And oh, how he loves her. He loves her more than anyone else ever has. As her family dissolves farther, Jenna relies more and more heavily on his love, but does she know everything? Is she a victim of a teacher, or a star crossed lover?  This novel forces you to look deeper into what constitutes true love, and who is a monster.

This book is all about the way that relationships are not black and white. The relationship between Mr. Anderson (Mitch) and Jenna is confusingly beautiful, but the love between them shines through every secret she finds out about him. Although he is her teacher, and kind of creepy even aside from that, he is not a classic predator and she is most definitely not a victim. Told in the format of a monologue on a police officer's tape recorder, the prose is impeccable and deliberate. The pain leaks from the book and is something palpable that does not only live on the pages. It will stay with you long after you turn the last page.

Student-teacher relationships and sexual content play a large role in the plot line
Reviewer Age:15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Exeter, NH USA

Nightingale (eBook) by David Farland

Nightingale, by David Farland is an exceptionally well written book that is sure to have readers swept away in a world of action, fantasy, romance and of course adventure.  Bron Jones is a foster child. He has taught himself not to get close with any of his foster parents or siblings. Bron must transfer parents after being accused of stealing. He is being sent to a woman who can't have any children of her own. Right off the bat she offers him much; however, Bron believes that she is in a sweet phase and that he will probably only receive one or two of the things she has promised. His new foster mother is different; in addition to upholding her word, she tells him he is a breed of human called Masaak. He doesn't believe her, of course. But who would? Right?

    Farland uses a perfect blend of imagery and mystery to keep his audience turning pages. Teens as well as adults will enjoy Nightingale and want to take part in this thrilling adventure book. I love the story and the detailed plot the author uses for this novel and can't wait until his next book come out. 

Reviewer Age:13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Austin, Texas U.S.A

Break and Enter by Norah McClintock

When Chloe is falsely accused of cheating and vandalism, she has to find out who would hate her so much as to frame her. When she thinks she finally has figured out who is framing her, she finds that that person is doing more then just framing people.
This book was AWESOME! I loved it so much that I want the whole series now! It kept me at the edge of my seat, and I kept on reading and reading! The only downside was this; in Chapter 13, I had already figured out who had broke into the cottages, and in Chapter 9, I had already figured out who had framed Chloe. But besides that, it was a really good book! It also had mild violence which might be too much for the younger age to handle. But besides that, it was epic.
I rated it two because there is some mild violance which might be too much for the younger age.
Reviewer Age:12
Reviewer City, State and Country: Yucaipa, CA USA

Brotherband Chronicles by John Flanagan

Young Hal is a young teen competing in the Brotherband training. The Brotherband training is to prepare them to be Skandian warriors. His team is called The Herons, after a new type of sail he invented. Their rivals are the team called The Wolfs. The Herons steadily do better in the challenges, but then something happens in the end of the training and his world falls apart.
The book was amazing! It kept me turning the pages from start to finish and contained tons of action and suspense.  An example of this is He came at Hal like a raging bull . The main character, Hal, was one of the best characters I read about in a while because he was very brave and kind. The author is very descriptive. His writing makes you feel like you re there with Hal on his ship sailing. An example of this is the sun was shining. The sea was calm. There was a steady wind and Ulf and Wolf were bickering, All in all, he couldn t ask for more . If you read this and like it then I would recommend John Flanagan s other series Rangers Apprentice. I recommend this book to anyone 12 years and up.  

Reviewer Age:13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Uxbridge, Ma USA

Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25 by Richard Paul Evans

Michael Vey seems like a normal kid.  But is he?  He has a super powers; the power of electricity. He is sort of like an eel. No one knows this besides his best friend Ostin, but recently a girl named Taylor told him she has powers--the power to reboot people, which makes people black out for a second or two. Together Mike, Ostin, and Taylor form a club called The Electoclan . Then Mike s mom and Taylor get kidnapped, and Mike has to go on a quest to save them. On the quest Mike finds out a horrible secret that his Mom has kept hidden from him for many years.
I thought this book was excellent. It has everything a book should have action and humor. An example of this is on page 311, Wade hit first, wrapping his arms around the guards legs, while Jack knocked him over . The main character is a great role model. He is brave, strong, and willing to risk his life to save his family and friends. I think that this would be a great addition to your bookshelf. This reminds me of the book Hero written by Mike Lupica. It is also about a boy that has superpowers. I recommend this book to anyone 12 years  and up.

Reviewer Age:13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Uxbridge, Ma USA

Try Not To Breathe by Jennifer R. Hubbard

Try Not To Breathe is a psychological-thriller-love story.  Sixteen-year-old Ryan has just graduated from a mental hospital when he meets Nicki, a girl with a bubbling personality who appreciates Ryan for what he really is.  But Nicki has a dreadful past.  Is Ryan getting into more than he bargained for?  And what's up with Val?  But underlying the entire story is a...waterfall.

Try Not To Breathe is an extraordinary story.  It's one of those stories that really speaks to your soul.  It is one of those books where you don't go to sleep, you just lie there thinking about it even after you finished reading it.  The characters are very well developed, as was the plot and setting. A masterfully crafted book.  This is a book that every well-read teen will enjoy.

Reviewer Age:13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Silver Spring, Maryland USA

The Taste of Snow by Stephen V. Masse

When a young girl named Nicole is sold a magic candy cane, everything changes. Whether good or bad, magic is in the air. When bad things overtake good things, Nicole finds herself depressed. Before she can return the candy cane, she finds what is really important and learns an important lesson. Nicole learns that things could have been worse. Much worse. She also learns that magic is everywhere, even if it doesn' t seem like it.
This book was amazing. I felt like I was drawn into the story. The main character, Nicole, was so strongly developed that I felt like I really got to know her. The descriptions of the events and scenes were powerful and detailed making me feel like I was a part of the experience. I couldn' t stop reading. Anyone who enjoys magic, mystery, action, adventure, and culture should read this book. This author definitely deserves a round of applause.



Reviewer Age:9
Reviewer City, State and Country: Charlotte, North Carlina United States

Inheritance by Christopher Paolini

It all began years ago, when Eragon, a young farmer, stumbled across a polished blue stone in the Spine. Upon returning to his house, he realize that the stone was in fact an egg; inside was a baby dragon. Now, many adventures and 3 books later, Eragon has evolved into an accomplished dragon rider who is pledged to the cause of the Varden, and organization dedicated to the overthrow of the tyrannical ruler Galbatorix. Yet, as strong, focused, and determined Eragon has become, he readily acknowledges the monumental task ahead of him is almost impossible. With his hope waning, and his army in shambles, Eragon will have to find the motivation to step out of his comfort zone, and to readily accept everything that the god-like Galbatorix has to throw at him. But will Eragon prevail, or will his whole existence and purpose be squashed under the immense power of his enemies?

Christopher Paolini's powerful conclusion his "Eragon" series dynamically displayed the inner struggles of Eragon as a character, and helped to solidify Eragon as a realistic identity. Eragon's personal battle with love, heartbreak, and hopelessness enables me to understand why he acts and feels like he does, and also gives insight into the author's effectiveness as a writer. Eragon, with his profound love for the character Arya, battles to suppress his feelings of love which, contrary to what Eragon believes, need to be shared. Such inner conflict brings Eragon to life and helps the reader appreciate him as a person, and not as a fictional character. In addition, the feelings of helplessness that Eragon feels concerning the impossibility of his lofty goals and expectations humbles him, and makes him more human than not.

The country of Alagaesia, which serves as the setting for "Inheritance", is perhaps the most elaborate and convincing I have ever encountered. The intricate complexities woven into the background of the many scenes help to not only give the reader an idea of the context of the story, but also help to firmly place the reader inside the book itself. Such an authentic setting only serves to augment the characters and ideas so thoughtfully exhibited in "Inheritance," and enables the reader to examine the deeper themes without having to pause to collect his or her bearings.

Christopher Paolini, author of "Inheritance," successfully conceived a gripping novel that very well can be considered the best of the series. While reading the novel, I was fascinated by the unexpected twists and turns of the plot, and I found myself constantly wondering what would happen next. It is this intense anticipation that leads me to believe that this is, so far, Christopher Paolini's greatest work. The prose of the novel was dynamic, thoroughly explaining many aspects of the story, while also leaving the reader to draw his or her own conclusions for some of the more mysterious ones. Perhaps the only weakness of the book was the numerous loose ends left untied; after the conclusion of the novel I was left wondering about many issues that were not completely addressed and resolved. However, in his acknowledgments, Paolini hints this will not be the last we will hear of Alagaesia, and that hopefully some of the mysteries left unsolved by "Inheritance" will be resolved. On account of the formidable characters and settings in the book, I would most definitely recommend "Inheritance" to others, and found the novel to be very memorable and distinct.

Reviewer Age:15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Baltimore, Maryland United States

Element Keepers

Rhet, a dockworker in the land of Seatra, and his friend Peteal are mysteriously taken away from their home one day by nine magical strangers called Y'dah with the ability to weave and control the wind. According to prophecy, Rhet possesses an unimaginable power strong enough to destroy the world. Locked up and treated as a prisoner, he does not understand where he is or why he was taken from Seatra.  When one young Y'dah named Soralin discovers a hidden passage of the prophecy that explained Rhet's capture, she learns that his powers will save the world, not destroy it.  Using her wind-weaving abilities, the two flee and travel across the land and discover Rhet's true talents, while meeting some familiar faces along the way.  Will Rhet and his friends be able to stand up against true evil?

This book was very enjoyable to read.  I was hooked from the very first page.  The storyline is suspenseful and easy to follow while being told from different perspectives.  The characters are interesting and relatable.  I found myself liking Peteal the most and his struggle from slave to ruler.  The relationship between Rhet and Soralin is sweet and also a focal point in the book that I loved.  The only thing I disliked about the book was the ending, which was abrupt and left me hanging.  I would recommend this novel to anyone who likes romance, suspense, or fantasy.

Reviewer Age:13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Torrington, CT United States

Borrowing Abby Grace (eBook) by Kelly Green

Borrowing Abby Grace by Kelly Green. When Abby Grace wakes up, she is in the back of a moving van driven by two men wearing ski masks. She can’t remember anything, including her own name. After escaping from the kidnappers, she is returned to a home she doesn’t remember full of things and a father she doesn’t know. While standing in her unfamiliar room, she is approached by a boy named Will. He tells her she is a Shadow. She is inhabiting the body of a girl named Brooke and she has some sort of mission. If Abby doesn’t figure out what her mission is and complete it in time, she will be stuck in Brooke’s body forever.
This novella is not even fifty pages. The writing is mediocre. It falls under the heading of most teenage girl fluff novels. It’s not something I would recommend to a friend simply because it has no substance to it. It is too short to become attached to any of the characters or the story, and the writing is neither compelling nor exciting. The story line is average and not that interesting.

Reviewer Age:18
Reviewer City, State and Country: New York, NY United States

Blood Sacrifice

Blood Sacrifice is a fantasy about vampires, fae, and shape shifters.  Kiera Kelly has accepted Challenge from her former lover Gideon and may lose her land because of it. Everybody involved in Challenge has to leave the land, but while they’re gone strange things are happening. The land is being vandalized, and Minerva Kelly, the clan’s leader has gone missing. Will they find her, and save their land or will Gideon take over?

This book is definitely for mature fantasy readers. I loved Kiera Kelly, she was funny and it was really easy to get into her character. Although I enjoyed reading this book, I didn’t like the ending. I was left confused and wondering what happened. I thought there could have been more of a clear explanation. It still is a book that I would recommend.
language and sexual content
Reviewer Age:13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Springfield, Ohio US

Night Mare in the Hamptons

Summary: Night Mare in the Hamptons is the second installment of the Willow Tate series written by Celia Jerome. After first dealing with a ten-foot-tall red troll, Willow has another problem on her hands. Not only does the whole town expect her to take care of three enchanted mares that are running amuck, but she also has to work with a cocky horse-whisperer along the way. At least she'll have the help of the uniquely talented locals, or more accurately, psychic, talented locals. It looks like graphic novelist Willow Tate has a lot on her hands.

Opinion: This is a book that I would read once, but it isn't really one that I would reread. The writing style isn’t one that I enjoy, but the idea of the story was what kept me reading. The subject of the book was interesting and very creative. I felt like Willow and Ty contradicted themselves a lot, so you can't get a very good read on what their personalities were. All the other characters had solid personalities, and they didn't waver on who they were. The writer gave great detail about everything, but I don’t enjoy this; I don't need to know what every surrounding town is like and where everything is.  Some people may like the book more because of this, but it was the part I had the most problem with.   I did like the humorous writing style of the author, it had me laughing out load at times, and made me smile.

Content:3  The reason I gave this book a 3 on the age content, is that during some parts of the book there were sexual themes. Anyone that reads this book should be on a mature level, if they aren't, they should put this book back.
5
Katie Campbell_IVMS
Reviewer Age:14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Fairborn, Ohio USA