"The Island of Mad Scientists" by Howard Whitehouse is a wild book, indeed. The stories of over ten characters are intertwined when an island used for scientific research comes into play. Not far from this island, the Collector spies on the scientists and kidnaps the ones he wants to hold prisoner. In the book, he is after two young avionics. The other characters in the book are are related to the kids, friends of the kids, or merely people the kids meet on their journey. The story kicks off when a mad scientist steals a car and all those associated with him are on a most wanted list. So, the characters split up to flee to the isolated island of mad scientists. Little do they know what this island will have in store for them.
This book has the stories of characters divided in each chapter. It is rare for all the characters to actually be in the presence of the others. Also, the infamous island is not reached until well after the midway point in the novel. The plot events are hard to keep track of, and some are a bit incongruous (hence the madness). Sometimes satirical and other times just plain silly, this book is definitely unique. Due to the accents in some of the dialogue, grammar is thrown off. While this adds depth to characters, it can be detrimental to little eyes just learning sentence structure.
There is brief mention of rum, paganism, and unintelligible swearing (to make certain characters appear more silly and block-headed)
Reviewer Age:18
Reviewer City, State and Country: Staten Island, NY USA
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Girl Force by Nikki Goldstein
What are you an air, fire or earth girl? GirlForce by Nikki Goldstein tells you this then uses it to give you a guide to your life. Fire girls should exercise in a calm and meditative way and dress in mostly blues. Earth girls should eat bitter foods and air girls should stick to slow, gentle yoga moves. All this information, plus more, is inside GirlForce.
GirlForce has a cool idea, basically you take a test that tells you if you are an air, fire or earth girl then it uses this information to give you advice on every aspect of your life. Sadly, this concept doesn't come through very well. Although some of it is quite interesting and shockingly true most of it is kind of goofy. It provides a good laugh but isn't as deep as it is made out to be.
Reviewer Age:15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Greenwood Village, Co USA
GirlForce has a cool idea, basically you take a test that tells you if you are an air, fire or earth girl then it uses this information to give you advice on every aspect of your life. Sadly, this concept doesn't come through very well. Although some of it is quite interesting and shockingly true most of it is kind of goofy. It provides a good laugh but isn't as deep as it is made out to be.
Reviewer Age:15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Greenwood Village, Co USA
Girl Force by Nikki Goldstein
What are you an air, fire or earth girl? GirlForce by Nikki Goldstein tells you this then uses it to give you a guide to your life. Fire girls should exercise in a calm and meditative way and dress in mostly blues. Earth girls should eat bitter foods and air girls should stick to slow, gentle yoga moves. All this information, plus more, is inside GirlForce.
GirlForce has a cool idea, basically you take a test that tells you if you are an air, fire or earth girl then it uses this information to give you advice on every aspect of your life. Sadly, this concept doesn't come through very well. Although some of it is quite interesting and shockingly true most of it is kind of goofy. It provides a good laugh but isn't as deep as it is made out to be.
Reviewer Age:15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Greenwood Village, Co USA
GirlForce has a cool idea, basically you take a test that tells you if you are an air, fire or earth girl then it uses this information to give you advice on every aspect of your life. Sadly, this concept doesn't come through very well. Although some of it is quite interesting and shockingly true most of it is kind of goofy. It provides a good laugh but isn't as deep as it is made out to be.
Reviewer Age:15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Greenwood Village, Co USA
Thursday, June 25, 2009
The Eternal Smile by Gene Luen Yang
Come fly into these three graphic novels in only one book! Meet Duncan, he's charming and brave and also the princess's favorite. Is he enough to go get the frog kings head and win the princess and her kingdom? Then there is Gran'pa Greenbax, a greedy old frog, longing for a pool full of gold. When a peculiar smile appears in the sky, will it satisfy him? Or will it lead to more greed? Finally, there is Janet; her nine to five life spins when she gets a romantic email from a Nigerian prince. She is chosen to liberate his family fortune; all he needs is her bank account. Is it a scam or will a true prince finally rescue her? When you read these three graphic novels, they will take a turn and lead to unexpected places.
These graphic novels were great, but I thought they were a little slow. For example, in the first one, I wish there was more fighting. The second one with gran'pa frog took a little time for the story to build, but once it did, it was very good. My favorite was the last one, though the character didn't act as you expected, which I liked. Janet shows the reader that any dream or wish can come true. Overall, these graphic novels were really good!
Some Adult themes.
Reviewer Age: 16
Reviewer City, State and Country: Northport, NY USA
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
City Boy by Jan Michael
Sam has grown up very comfortably as an only child. Every morning he is driven to a private school which he attends up until the day his mom passes away. Sam's mother and father both die a slow, painful death caused by AIDS. His Aunt, Mercy, willingly takes him in. Sam now has to say goodbye to the life he once had. He is forced to live in poverty and struggles with the drastic changes in his life. He lives with four other children in a small house that doesn't even have electricity. He also has difficulty making new friends. Sam feels alone and confused. His journey is filled with challenges and lessons to be learned.
City Boy by Jan Michael is an inspiring story about a young boy. The book has many strengths such as its use of mood and imagery. The author uses a very creative vocabulary that helps to paint a picture in the reader's mind. The author also has one weakness that stands out. When reading I found parts of the book boring. So boring that it made me want to put the book down. The ending was one of the best parts of the book, everything was resolved and all the loose ends were tied up. The authors message in the book was whatever happens, you will always have family that will love you, and where ever you are, your home is where your family is. I recommend this book to anyone who loves books with happy endings.
Reviewer Age:14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Sandy, Oregon United States
Monday, June 22, 2009
Silver Phoenix by Cindy Pon
Chen Yong has been seeking the truth behind who his parents really are. He meets a young woman, Ai Ling, as she struggles to find and rescue her own father. Chen Yong gladly accompanies her, but she begins to experience a power that is growing within her. Ai Ling can hear people's thoughts, and that helps the travelers as much as it lures evil towards them. Along the way of finding their family, Chen Yong and Ai Ling also find monsters, goddesses, and romance.
I really enjoyed reading Silver Phoenix because of its mix of genres. Adventure, romance, and fantasy are all incorporated in this delightful book. The introduction to the novel seems at first meaningless, but as the reader gets further along in the story it make sense and makes a better read. The clues and hints that are thrown in the plot are very beneficial to the reader when the events they foreshadow occur. I loved the characters and the way that their emotions were well described. If there were a sequel to this book, I would read it. I recommend it to anyone who likes one, or all, of those three genres.
Reviewer Age:15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Carlisle, Pennsylvania United States of America
I really enjoyed reading Silver Phoenix because of its mix of genres. Adventure, romance, and fantasy are all incorporated in this delightful book. The introduction to the novel seems at first meaningless, but as the reader gets further along in the story it make sense and makes a better read. The clues and hints that are thrown in the plot are very beneficial to the reader when the events they foreshadow occur. I loved the characters and the way that their emotions were well described. If there were a sequel to this book, I would read it. I recommend it to anyone who likes one, or all, of those three genres.
Reviewer Age:15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Carlisle, Pennsylvania United States of America
How To Buy A Love Of Reading by Tanya Egan Gibson
In Carley Well's life, reading wasn't one of her top priorities. Her personal trainer, her tutor, and her English Teacher, Mr. Nagel, are not some of her favorite people in the world. When Carley answers one of Mr. Nagle's questions of "What is your favorite book?" with "Never met one I liked.", Mr Nagel and Carley's parents decide to fix that problem. Carley is to have a book written just for her, that meets her standards, and has to impress Mr. Nagel along with the town of Fox Glen.
After reading this book I was amazed. Not only was I amazed by the actual story line of the book, but I was stunned at the language that was used. At the same time, I came to understand that without the cursewords that were used in the book, the characters would not be who they are and the whole book would be completely different. Other than the cursewords, I found the book to be very interesting but yet maybe not at the age level that it should be. I would recommend this book to an age of a higher level of reading such as maybe 16 or 17 years old.
After reading this book I was amazed. Not only was I amazed by the actual story line of the book, but I was stunned at the language that was used. At the same time, I came to understand that without the cursewords that were used in the book, the characters would not be who they are and the whole book would be completely different. Other than the cursewords, I found the book to be very interesting but yet maybe not at the age level that it should be. I would recommend this book to an age of a higher level of reading such as maybe 16 or 17 years old.
I rated the content of the book a 2 because I felt that they used some curse words that may be have been too mature for the reader and also spoke of sexual interaction throughout the book.
Reviewer Age:13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Springfield , Ohio United States
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Terribly Twisted Tales by Jean Rabe
Approaching famous fairy tales from a different direction, the eighteen stories in Terribly Twisted Tales will challenge the reader's preconceived notion of a fairy tale. This anthology edited by Jean Rabe and Martin H. Greenberg includes stories by Dennis L. McKiernan, Annie Jones, Chris Pierson, Mickey Zucker Reichert, Mary Louis Eklund, Robert E. Vardeman, Kathleen Watness, Jody Lynn Nye, Jim C. Hines, Steven D. Sullivan, Brendan DuBois, Paul Genesse, Ramsey Lundock, Skip & Penny Williams, Elizabeth A. Vaughn, Janet Deaver-Pack, Kelly Swails, and Michael A. Stackpole.
From Grimm to Andersen, classic fairy tales are taken from new angles and sometimes transformed so much that the reader can hardly recognize the original. These stories range from funny to heartbreaking to slightly disturbing, each one distinct from the stories preceding and following it. Some of the best stories include the tale of Snow White's falling out with the seven dwarfs, another of Rumpelstiltskin as the victim, and of Red-Riding Hood challenging a suffocating religious force.
Anthologies in general are often hit or miss. Terribly Twisted Tales falls somewhere in between, with quite a few absolutely fascinating stories that are scattered among mediocre tales along with a couple that are so complex they aren't at all enjoyable. Nevertheless, it is worth picking up this anthology just for those great twists on your everyday fairy tales. In particular, McKiernan's Waifs, Pierson's Once They Were Seven, and Swails' Three Wishes are not to be missed as they are very well-developed despite being short stories and are absolutely captivating. Also, fans of Jim C. Hines' The Stepsister Scheme will appreciate a glimpse of Red who will be central to the third installment of this Princess series. Terribly Twisted Tales is a great read for those who only have short increments of time to read as the varying lengths of the stories and their independence makes the book one that is easy to pick up and put down.
Reviewer Age:19
Reviewer City, State and Country: Farmington, CT USA
From Grimm to Andersen, classic fairy tales are taken from new angles and sometimes transformed so much that the reader can hardly recognize the original. These stories range from funny to heartbreaking to slightly disturbing, each one distinct from the stories preceding and following it. Some of the best stories include the tale of Snow White's falling out with the seven dwarfs, another of Rumpelstiltskin as the victim, and of Red-Riding Hood challenging a suffocating religious force.
Anthologies in general are often hit or miss. Terribly Twisted Tales falls somewhere in between, with quite a few absolutely fascinating stories that are scattered among mediocre tales along with a couple that are so complex they aren't at all enjoyable. Nevertheless, it is worth picking up this anthology just for those great twists on your everyday fairy tales. In particular, McKiernan's Waifs, Pierson's Once They Were Seven, and Swails' Three Wishes are not to be missed as they are very well-developed despite being short stories and are absolutely captivating. Also, fans of Jim C. Hines' The Stepsister Scheme will appreciate a glimpse of Red who will be central to the third installment of this Princess series. Terribly Twisted Tales is a great read for those who only have short increments of time to read as the varying lengths of the stories and their independence makes the book one that is easy to pick up and put down.
Reviewer Age:19
Reviewer City, State and Country: Farmington, CT USA
The Lost Fleet: Relentless
The latest installment in The Lost Fleet series,
Relentless, continues with the narrative of Captain
John Black Jack Geary and his endeavors with the
Alliance Fleet. The Lost Fleet: Relentless commences with
a reminiscence of Geary, which serves to both chronicle
the occurrences of preceding novels for inexperienced
readers, and refresh the memories of returning hands.
Geary dreams about his prompt evacuation from the Alliance
heavy cruiser Merlon, his entrance into cryogenic sleep,
and his subsequent revival a full century later. Geary was
miraculously recovered by a surpassing Alliance battle-
cruiser after suspension in cosmos for over one hundred
years. At this juncture, it is introduced that Geary was a
legendary commander of Alliance space forces throughout
the initial stages of the Alliance - Syndic conflict,
giftedly conducive to both intricate strategies and the
full-hearted support of his associates. Upon awakening,
Geary reveals that he has guided the Alliance fleet
through Syndic-controlled space for the past several
months, carefully circumventing declining fuel sources and
superior enemy presences. The majority of the plot
converges upon Geary's efforts to return the exhausted and
resource-strapped fleet to Alliance held space with the
Hypernet Gate key, which is hoped to be of use in
converting the deluges of the War hitherto. Geary is also
required to subtly maneuver the political and military
conflicts which arise from his iconic status, as well as
ensnaring and ejecting the traitorous officers dispersed
in his ranks. Campbell does an excellent job of
amalgamating the new plot elements with the gist of the
plot of his previous novels; having never read other books
in The Lost Fleet collection, I was still able to clearly
grasp previous occurrences in the storyline so far.
The Lost Fleet: Rendezvous marks another successful
foray of Campbell into the science fiction genre, with a
satisfying superfluity of combat, elaborate and convincing
substitutions for space engagement tactics, and a superbly
crafted narrative, which proves capable of fully fleshing
out the nuances and general keystones of war in mutual
countenance. Campbell displays remarkable astuteness at
seamlessly integrating the myriad conflicts that are
harbored within Relentless' pages, as they never seem
unwarranted or superfluous. Similarly, the extreme
echelons of drama and detail never function to detract
from the velvety flavor and progression of the novel. On
the contrary, they are well assimilated, operating to
truss the discrete constituents of the plot in a textbook
comportment and further impelling the progress of the
residual pages. The rare fractures which intermittently
conceal Relentless' genius concern mainly the sparse prose
and short plot, details simple to overlook in face of the
glut of the supplementary content. Fans of various other
science-fiction authors, chiefly Eric Nylund and William
C. Dietz, may regard the unpretentious and rather down-to-
earth tone of Campbell with distaste. However, this
disparity from the norm is easy to disregard after the
passage of the first few pages, due to the authority and
strength of Campbell's rendering literary skills and
elaborate content. The other dominant and most manifest
blemish regards the frustratingly diminutive contribution
of Relentless to the overall advancement in the plot of
The Lost Fleet series. Despite the profuse number of
pages, the plot only takes Geary from Syndic-occupied
space to a more native location, instead of progressing
the overall plot of the Geary series further as was hoped.
Luckily, the saturation of lesser conflicts and
occurrences alone provide any reader with motivation to
enjoy Relentless, and shortness, after all, is an
objective facet of any literary work. Ultimately, the
novel proves a paradigm for science-fiction writing,
incorporating superb descriptions of military combat and
tactics with a tactile and impressive storyline to produce
an extraordinarily deep, gratifying, and near perfect
experience.
Strong language is ubiquitous in this military themed
novel.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Shrewsbury, MA USA
Relentless, continues with the narrative of Captain
John Black Jack Geary and his endeavors with the
Alliance Fleet. The Lost Fleet: Relentless commences with
a reminiscence of Geary, which serves to both chronicle
the occurrences of preceding novels for inexperienced
readers, and refresh the memories of returning hands.
Geary dreams about his prompt evacuation from the Alliance
heavy cruiser Merlon, his entrance into cryogenic sleep,
and his subsequent revival a full century later. Geary was
miraculously recovered by a surpassing Alliance battle-
cruiser after suspension in cosmos for over one hundred
years. At this juncture, it is introduced that Geary was a
legendary commander of Alliance space forces throughout
the initial stages of the Alliance - Syndic conflict,
giftedly conducive to both intricate strategies and the
full-hearted support of his associates. Upon awakening,
Geary reveals that he has guided the Alliance fleet
through Syndic-controlled space for the past several
months, carefully circumventing declining fuel sources and
superior enemy presences. The majority of the plot
converges upon Geary's efforts to return the exhausted and
resource-strapped fleet to Alliance held space with the
Hypernet Gate key, which is hoped to be of use in
converting the deluges of the War hitherto. Geary is also
required to subtly maneuver the political and military
conflicts which arise from his iconic status, as well as
ensnaring and ejecting the traitorous officers dispersed
in his ranks. Campbell does an excellent job of
amalgamating the new plot elements with the gist of the
plot of his previous novels; having never read other books
in The Lost Fleet collection, I was still able to clearly
grasp previous occurrences in the storyline so far.
The Lost Fleet: Rendezvous marks another successful
foray of Campbell into the science fiction genre, with a
satisfying superfluity of combat, elaborate and convincing
substitutions for space engagement tactics, and a superbly
crafted narrative, which proves capable of fully fleshing
out the nuances and general keystones of war in mutual
countenance. Campbell displays remarkable astuteness at
seamlessly integrating the myriad conflicts that are
harbored within Relentless' pages, as they never seem
unwarranted or superfluous. Similarly, the extreme
echelons of drama and detail never function to detract
from the velvety flavor and progression of the novel. On
the contrary, they are well assimilated, operating to
truss the discrete constituents of the plot in a textbook
comportment and further impelling the progress of the
residual pages. The rare fractures which intermittently
conceal Relentless' genius concern mainly the sparse prose
and short plot, details simple to overlook in face of the
glut of the supplementary content. Fans of various other
science-fiction authors, chiefly Eric Nylund and William
C. Dietz, may regard the unpretentious and rather down-to-
earth tone of Campbell with distaste. However, this
disparity from the norm is easy to disregard after the
passage of the first few pages, due to the authority and
strength of Campbell's rendering literary skills and
elaborate content. The other dominant and most manifest
blemish regards the frustratingly diminutive contribution
of Relentless to the overall advancement in the plot of
The Lost Fleet series. Despite the profuse number of
pages, the plot only takes Geary from Syndic-occupied
space to a more native location, instead of progressing
the overall plot of the Geary series further as was hoped.
Luckily, the saturation of lesser conflicts and
occurrences alone provide any reader with motivation to
enjoy Relentless, and shortness, after all, is an
objective facet of any literary work. Ultimately, the
novel proves a paradigm for science-fiction writing,
incorporating superb descriptions of military combat and
tactics with a tactile and impressive storyline to produce
an extraordinarily deep, gratifying, and near perfect
experience.
Strong language is ubiquitous in this military themed
novel.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Shrewsbury, MA USA
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr
Ink Exchange is a fiction novel that should be categorized as fantasy and romance. This novel is about a teenager who is growing up in a troublesome household. Her mother has left, her father is a drunk, and he brother is a drug dealer. Leslie has to live her life day to day in fear and feels nothing is for herself. She decides to get a tattoo so that something is finally her own when things go awry. A man starts showing up everywhere she goes and she begins to learn that the world she thought she knew was more different than she ever could have imagined.
I would recommend Ink Exchange to those who like to live in alternate universes. This book took me a few chapters to really get into the story line but once I did, I was hooked. Melissa Mar makes her faery world seem like it could be real and makes you take a second look at the world we live in. The author makes a vulnerable weak person like Leslie look like a hero by the end of the book. You don't have to be big and strong to live your own life and not let others take it over for you. This book was very good and if you like fantasy novels you should read this book. The beginning is a little dry but the middle and the end won't let you put it down.
Reviewer Age:17
Reviewer City, State and Country: Mantua, NJ United States
I would recommend Ink Exchange to those who like to live in alternate universes. This book took me a few chapters to really get into the story line but once I did, I was hooked. Melissa Mar makes her faery world seem like it could be real and makes you take a second look at the world we live in. The author makes a vulnerable weak person like Leslie look like a hero by the end of the book. You don't have to be big and strong to live your own life and not let others take it over for you. This book was very good and if you like fantasy novels you should read this book. The beginning is a little dry but the middle and the end won't let you put it down.
Reviewer Age:17
Reviewer City, State and Country: Mantua, NJ United States
Pirouette: Ballet Stories by Harriet Castor
The Pirouette is a collection of fiction short stories
based on ballet life. Harriet Castor has chosen the
stories for the book. The book has sixteen short stories
meant for teens. The focus is the different problems and
achievements made by young girls in the ballet world.
Harriet Castor wrote one story called Grace, based on how
a young girl who did not have the dream of ballet but her
mom did.
Each of the stories focused on one young lady
in the ballet world. One story may be about school and
ballet or about repeated frustrations during work outs.
Most stories were set in English schools and homes. It was
hard to see them due to not knowing England's countryside
or the differences in school systems that came up
frequently. The book would be wonderful for hopeful future
ballerinas. The everyday teen may have a hardtime sticking
with the book due to its focus solely on
ballet.
Reviewer Age:20
Reviewer City, State and
Country: Marble Hill, Missouri Bolliger
based on ballet life. Harriet Castor has chosen the
stories for the book. The book has sixteen short stories
meant for teens. The focus is the different problems and
achievements made by young girls in the ballet world.
Harriet Castor wrote one story called Grace, based on how
a young girl who did not have the dream of ballet but her
mom did.
Each of the stories focused on one young lady
in the ballet world. One story may be about school and
ballet or about repeated frustrations during work outs.
Most stories were set in English schools and homes. It was
hard to see them due to not knowing England's countryside
or the differences in school systems that came up
frequently. The book would be wonderful for hopeful future
ballerinas. The everyday teen may have a hardtime sticking
with the book due to its focus solely on
ballet.
Reviewer Age:20
Reviewer City, State and
Country: Marble Hill, Missouri Bolliger
Friday, June 19, 2009
Assassin's Apprentice by SR Vaught & JB Redmond
Assassin's Apprentice is a fantasy novel about Aron Brailing, who was Harvested from his Home to go to the guild of Stone. This book is in the adventure genre. After Harvesting, Aron and his new Guild Master make the Journey to the Guild of Stone's HQ, Triune. On the way they must battle manes, and Aron befriends a girl named Dari who is a Stregan and looking for her sister. When they arrive at Triune they learn that Lord Brailing and Lord Altar have declared war on the other dynasts and Aron begins his training and has been punished to go woth the person he loathes most, Galvin Herder, to The Ruined Keep, where they might die.
In my opinion the book is a very engaging read. The authors are very good at describing all the characters. They have also got a talent for fantasy writing and keeping you curious until the end of the story. Their writing style makes it easy to imagine the scenes in the book. I would reccomend this book to anyone who enjoys a fantasy novel and a page-turner.
Reviewer Age:12
Reviewer City, State and Country: Chippewa Falls, WI USA
In my opinion the book is a very engaging read. The authors are very good at describing all the characters. They have also got a talent for fantasy writing and keeping you curious until the end of the story. Their writing style makes it easy to imagine the scenes in the book. I would reccomend this book to anyone who enjoys a fantasy novel and a page-turner.
Reviewer Age:12
Reviewer City, State and Country: Chippewa Falls, WI USA
The Sorceress by Michael Scott
The Sorceress picks up where The Magician leaves off. Nicholas Flamel (aka The Alchemyst) has decided to take the twins, Sophie and Josh, to London. Kind of a bad move since it's Dee's hometown, and The Magician has got A LOT of backup there. Mainly, Nicholas is trying to find a place to re-group and rest until he can figure out where to find Gilgamesh the King. Meanwhile, on the other side of the Atlantic, Perenelle is still stuck on Alcatraz. Perry has yet to think of a brilliant plan to get off the'sland. By now, the Elders are getting impatient, Dee's Elder especially. At the moment, they trust Machiavelli more than The Magician. Basically, Dee has one more chance to prove himself.
I liked this book, but the action was kind of slow with getting Perenelle off Alcatraz. Also, The Alchemyst was worried sick, but he still couldnt think of a way to help her, and the author just kept coming back to that. What really bothered me most though, was that the author never said anything about Scatty, one of The Alchemyst's strongest allies, who disappeared in the previous book. For most of this book, I was wondering, "Where's Scatty going to come in? Is she even alive?" Despite these shortcomings, fans of the Alchemist series will enjoy this next adventure.
Reviewer Age:12
Reviewer City, State and Country: Round Rock, Texas United States
I liked this book, but the action was kind of slow with getting Perenelle off Alcatraz. Also, The Alchemyst was worried sick, but he still couldnt think of a way to help her, and the author just kept coming back to that. What really bothered me most though, was that the author never said anything about Scatty, one of The Alchemyst's strongest allies, who disappeared in the previous book. For most of this book, I was wondering, "Where's Scatty going to come in? Is she even alive?" Despite these shortcomings, fans of the Alchemist series will enjoy this next adventure.
Reviewer Age:12
Reviewer City, State and Country: Round Rock, Texas United States
Thursday, June 18, 2009
You, Maybe by Rachel Vail
Josie is very content with her life, which includes working as a clown for children's birthday parties, having the funkiest friends, and being friends with a cute boy who is more like a friend-with-benefits than anything else. So when the hottest boy in school, Carson Gold, lands his sights on her and approaches her during lunch, she is happy with just having an occasional hook-up, but that only works when both people agree, and Carson wants more than just kisses; he wants her for his own. She tells him that she doesn't want to date but after a lot of begging and a little singing, she reluctantly says yes. Little does she know that by saying yes that she is in for way more than she could've ever expected, and that's not always a good thing. Her and Carson's relationship continues to grow as her other ones--as well as her life in general and everything that she once knew and believed in--crumble and fall apart. Sometimes instead of trying to fix the destruction that was caused, what's causing the destruction should just be gotten rid of, which in this case is Carson Gold, but for Josie that's going to be harder than she thinks.
The author, Rachel Vail, always does a splendid job of incorporating the book titles into her stories. You, Maybe made me laugh, cry, and feel all of the many emotions of the up and downs of teenage relationships, before, during, and after the break-up. It was easy to relate to Josie since we're both teenagers in high school, she was kind of shy, and the author described a lot about her thoughts, character, and personality. I could picture the scenes very well since they were well described. I liked most of the characters and their unique personalities except for the hunky Carson Gold because he seemed like a preppy snot who played girls and always seemed to get his way. The ending was fairly enjoyable and came as quite a surprise to me since it wasn't the perfect fairy-tale ending I was expecting. Overall this story was well-written and a fun read, but it left a few questions unanswered such as the outcome of her mother's health. I recommend this romantic and drama-filled novel to teenage girls looking for a quick summer read.
The author, Rachel Vail, always does a splendid job of incorporating the book titles into her stories. You, Maybe made me laugh, cry, and feel all of the many emotions of the up and downs of teenage relationships, before, during, and after the break-up. It was easy to relate to Josie since we're both teenagers in high school, she was kind of shy, and the author described a lot about her thoughts, character, and personality. I could picture the scenes very well since they were well described. I liked most of the characters and their unique personalities except for the hunky Carson Gold because he seemed like a preppy snot who played girls and always seemed to get his way. The ending was fairly enjoyable and came as quite a surprise to me since it wasn't the perfect fairy-tale ending I was expecting. Overall this story was well-written and a fun read, but it left a few questions unanswered such as the outcome of her mother's health. I recommend this romantic and drama-filled novel to teenage girls looking for a quick summer read.
There was some sexual content and references.
Reviewer Age:15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Upper Strasburg, PA USA
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Cycler by Lauren McLaughlin
Jill McTeague is your average high school girl. With the help of her best friends Ramie and Daria, she embarks on a mission to be Tommy Knutson's prom date. As she becomes more involved with Tommy, he opens up to her with a secret similar to her own. Can she tell him why she is really gone for four days each month, something she won't even tell Ramie?
Meet Jack - he lives for four days every month. Jill physically and emotionally transforms Jack, anatomy and all, and for the last few years he has been content with spending those days locked in solitude in Jill's room daydreaming of Ramie. Anti-Jack Mrs. McTeague keeps his needs satisfied with food and pornography, while Mr. McTeague has confined himself to the basement to meditate and practice yoga.
But Jack's contentment has reached its end. If life wasn't hard enough having such a secret, Jill must resist harder to keep him one as he fights to be known and released from his captivity.
Lauren McLaughlin did a wonderful job when writing Cycler. She discusses gender issues in a practical yet unrealistic way that allowed me to see a whole different perspective. The story is full of twists from the beginning that kept me reading. Just as I thought I knew what would happen, BAM! I think that some of the surprises were unnecessary, but overall I would recommend it to any young adult reader.
Reviewer Age:20
Reviewer City, State and Country: Bay City, Texas United States
Meet Jack - he lives for four days every month. Jill physically and emotionally transforms Jack, anatomy and all, and for the last few years he has been content with spending those days locked in solitude in Jill's room daydreaming of Ramie. Anti-Jack Mrs. McTeague keeps his needs satisfied with food and pornography, while Mr. McTeague has confined himself to the basement to meditate and practice yoga.
But Jack's contentment has reached its end. If life wasn't hard enough having such a secret, Jill must resist harder to keep him one as he fights to be known and released from his captivity.
Lauren McLaughlin did a wonderful job when writing Cycler. She discusses gender issues in a practical yet unrealistic way that allowed me to see a whole different perspective. The story is full of twists from the beginning that kept me reading. Just as I thought I knew what would happen, BAM! I think that some of the surprises were unnecessary, but overall I would recommend it to any young adult reader.
Reviewer Age:20
Reviewer City, State and Country: Bay City, Texas United States
See No Evil
"See No Evil" is the tale of a girl named Nettie. She does not go to school like all other kids; instead, she has a private tutor. Her favorite of these tutors, Miss Kovachev, disappears under mysterious circumstances. After her parents refuse to tell her why, she asks for the help of her friend Bennie, the night watchmen's son. They soon begin to uncover the horrifying reality behind Nettie's father, Vladamir (aka Vlad the Impaler), and many other shocking truths.
I found this book extremely hard to follow and could not understand what was going on for the majority of what I read. All of a sudden, I'd understand something, but it wouldn't make sense in the storyline, since I didn't know what was going on in the first place. I thought Nettie was not a very interesting main character, nor was anybody else in the story. Her disdain for every tutor she had (except Miss Kovachev) made me think she was just a bratty main character and the disappearance of her favorite teacher is hardly a good reason to investigate. I was interested in the fact that Vlad the Impaler was Nettie's father, but even that was not enough to keep my interest in this book. I definitely would not recommend this.
Content: 1
Rating: 2
Reviewer Age: 15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Westerville, OH United States
I found this book extremely hard to follow and could not understand what was going on for the majority of what I read. All of a sudden, I'd understand something, but it wouldn't make sense in the storyline, since I didn't know what was going on in the first place. I thought Nettie was not a very interesting main character, nor was anybody else in the story. Her disdain for every tutor she had (except Miss Kovachev) made me think she was just a bratty main character and the disappearance of her favorite teacher is hardly a good reason to investigate. I was interested in the fact that Vlad the Impaler was Nettie's father, but even that was not enough to keep my interest in this book. I definitely would not recommend this.
Content: 1
Rating: 2
Reviewer Age: 15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Westerville, OH United States
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Guinevere's Gamble by Nancy McKenzie
"Guinevere's Gamble" by Nancy McKenzie is a lengthy book set in the Dark Ages. It follows Guinevere, the girl who is to one day marry King Arthur. However, King Arthur is scarcely mentioned as a present character in the novel. Additionally, there is no interaction between the two, let alone talk of marriage. Rather, the plot sticks to Guinevere's friends and enemies. A large part of the book talks about one of Guinevere's friends being falsely accused of kleptomania.
Book two in a four part series, this book is easy to follow. Events and characters are explained in depth. The only bad part is that major plot events in the legend of King Arthur are omitted; these are most likely saved for the proceeding books. Most of the book is either full of drama or mystery. While well-written, this hefty book does have some parts that make the book unnecessary longer.
Reviewer Age:18
Reviewer City, State and Country: Staten Island, NY USA
Book two in a four part series, this book is easy to follow. Events and characters are explained in depth. The only bad part is that major plot events in the legend of King Arthur are omitted; these are most likely saved for the proceeding books. Most of the book is either full of drama or mystery. While well-written, this hefty book does have some parts that make the book unnecessary longer.
Reviewer Age:18
Reviewer City, State and Country: Staten Island, NY USA
Skunk Girl by Sheba Karim
Nina Khan is skunk girl. Not because she stinks, but because she has a stripe of soft hair that runs along her spine. Nina and her family are from Pakistan and she has genes that make her hairy. She and her sister Sonia were born in the United States and have never been to Pakistan, but her parents grew up there and were all about the traditions. These traditions include never dating, arranged marriages, and not being allowed to party. Nina is having a tough time with these rules, not that a boy has ever asked her out, but she'd like to have parties and some fun like any teenager would. On top of all of that, her parents aren't as impressed with her as they are her sister Sonia, the "supernerd", because she knows she can't live up to those expectations.
Then, the new school year starts. Her friends Bridget and Helena are easy to find boyfriends and they try hard not to make Nina feel bad. Deer Hook High, being the small town that it is, no one new ever moves in, but that all changes when the boy of her dreams comes from Italy. He's Asher, he's handsome, and all the girls want him, including Nina. Asher soon dates Nina's archrival Serena, but Nina can't help but think that Asher doesn't truly like Serena, that he really likes her. But how would that work, her parents wouldn't approve of a boy non-Pakistani, and she would feel guilty going behind their backs.
Then, the new school year starts. Her friends Bridget and Helena are easy to find boyfriends and they try hard not to make Nina feel bad. Deer Hook High, being the small town that it is, no one new ever moves in, but that all changes when the boy of her dreams comes from Italy. He's Asher, he's handsome, and all the girls want him, including Nina. Asher soon dates Nina's archrival Serena, but Nina can't help but think that Asher doesn't truly like Serena, that he really likes her. But how would that work, her parents wouldn't approve of a boy non-Pakistani, and she would feel guilty going behind their backs.
This book was good, but a little cliche. Its plot was basic and a lot of other books I've read have the same kind of thing. Girl meets boy, girl wants boy, girl can't have boy, and so on. When you get to the middle of the book, you can pretty much guess what happens for the rest of it. Although, it did have a turn around from other books with this plot. The fact that Nina was Pakistani, it had a lot of their traditions, language, and food. I thought it helped me understand the culture a little bit because I didn't know anything about Pakistan.
Some drinking, mentions of sex, but no details.
Reviewer Age:13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Norristown, Pennsylvania USA
Monday, June 15, 2009
Flirting with Boys by Hailey Abbott
Every summer Celeste Tippen has to work at her family's resort. She also has to deal with the son of their family's wealthiest clients, Nick, flirting with her constantly. This year is different. Celeste's boyfriend, Travis, has a job at the resort as well. Nick and Celeste need to plan a party that will be the biggest event that her resort has ever seen, but Travis cannot leave Nick alone. Celeste's feelings change towards both Travis and Nick as she learns more about who they really are.
I thought that this book would be an easy, but fun, read. It was entertaining, but the level of difficulty was too low for me. Almost every event in the book was conventional and expected. The book was not unique, but it was still a good book. The dialogue between the characters seemed to be unrealistic at certain spots, and the characters' emotions were pretty extreme. This book is most likely suited for girly-girls. I would recommend this book to teenage girls who want a fun book to read in the summer.
Reviewer Age:15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Carlisle, Pennsylvania
I thought that this book would be an easy, but fun, read. It was entertaining, but the level of difficulty was too low for me. Almost every event in the book was conventional and expected. The book was not unique, but it was still a good book. The dialogue between the characters seemed to be unrealistic at certain spots, and the characters' emotions were pretty extreme. This book is most likely suited for girly-girls. I would recommend this book to teenage girls who want a fun book to read in the summer.
Reviewer Age:15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Sisters in Sanity by Gayle Forman
Sixteen year old, Brit Hemphill can be seen as your typical semi-rebellious teen. She is lead vocals in her rock band, sports a tattoo, and can't for the life of her get along with her father and step-mother. Any other parent would just let their child live out their rebellious teen years. But not hers. Her father and step-mother send her to Red Rock; a boot camp like institution that breaks people down in order to "share their emotions." Here, Brit learns about her real mother, who lives in an institution with schizophrenia. Along the way, Brit meets four other young women who encourage each other to stay sane in this insane environment. These "Sisters in Sanity," as they call themselves, must stick together and find some way out of Red Rock; back into normal, real life.
I really liked this book. I have to admit, as an eighteen year old, it took me a little longer to get into the book. The issues Brit dealt with were very much so for a sixteen year old, like having her first crush and being totally against everything her parent's said. But once in Red Rock, I was intrigued. The situations each girl was in were very real and raw. For example, one of the girls, Cassie, was a bisexual. There was no hiding behind a blanket; the girls' issues were thrown right in front of you. At times, especially the end, the book jumped quickly from one scene to the next. I know the book can't go on forever but I saw some scenes that were more important than others and they were left for my imagination. But maybe that's how a good writer writes. Overall, it was a good book that made me take a step back from my sheltered life to see what other girls have to deal with in theirs.
Reviewer Age:18
Reviewer City, State and Country: Villa Hills, Kentucky United States
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