Season of Secrets by Sally Nicholls is about two sisters, Molly and Hannah, who go to live with their grandparents after their mother dies and their father needs some time alone. While Hannah tries to act older than she is and works her hardest to provoke their grandparents, Molly seems to act younger, preferring to escape into daydreams and imagination. It's because of this that no one really takes Molly seriously when she begins telling them about her new friend. They think she's made up this man who was being hunted by creatures on horses and who seems to disappear and reappear at will. As her new friend grows weaker, Molly can see the one who is hunting him grows stronger. What she doesn't realize right away is that the man she's grown fond of is actually the Holly King and it's the Oak King who is determined to destroy him. Through stories told by her teacher, Molly learns more about the stories of the winter and summer solstice and the recurring battles between the Holly and Oak Kings. Molly is convinced if she saves the Holly King, some of his magic can help restore some of the things that have gone wrong in her own life.
This was a really good book. I enjoyed the way the author wove the story of the solstice kings into the story of Molly and Hannah's family. I had never heard the stories of the Holly Kind and Oak King, so I felt I was learning right along with Molly. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy, fairy tales, mystery, and/or adventure novels.
Nowhere Girl by A. J. Paquette is about Luchi, a thirteen year old girl who was born and raised by her mother in a prison in Thailand. When her mother dies, the warden allows Luchi to stay in the prison for several months, but eventually, she has to leave. Luchi doesn't know anything about her father nor any other family she may have except one tiny clue provided by her mother's cellmate: the name Payne Industries. The warden's nephew, Luchi's old playmate and friend, agrees to drive her to the city where she plans to research what she knows and find some way to reach family. Unfortunately, Luchi was not well equipped to make it outside the prison. She speaks the language and knows the customs, but she's a skinny blonde girl who just doesn't fit in. She gets taken advantage of, stolen from, and left with little hope. Things start to unravel and Luchi learns about her mother and father's past and exactly what happened to put her mother in jail. She does meet up with family, but in a most unexpected way.
This was a very interesting story. I really felt for Luchi, being so naive and alone. As a reader, I was able to predict what would happen to her that she was unaware was even possible. Though the story about her mother and father turned this realistic adventure into a murder/mystery story that will appeal to people who enjoy all genres!
The Death Cure by James Dashner is the third book in the Maze Runner Trilogy. In this final installment, the Gladers continue their battle against WICKED, still not sure if they are good guys are truly evil. The Flare, a debilitating disease has taken over the entire country. Very few people are immune... including some of the Gladers! WICKED is trying to "map out" a blueprint for the Flare by analyzing the brain patterns of the immune put into different situations. Unfortunately for Thomas, the final test to complete the blueprint can only be administered to him and leads to death! If WICKED is telling the truth, Thomas must decide whether to sacrifice himself to save the many who are infected with the Flare, or to fight to stay alive.
I really enjoyed this trilogy, particularly the first book, The Maze Runner. Everything came together well in the final book. All of my questions were answered and there was some room at the end for me to imagine what would happen next for the survivors. This is a great series for those who enjoy The Hunger Games and other dystopian science fiction adventures.
Legend by Marie Lu is about two teens from two different worlds. June is wealthy and on her way to being one of the best police officers/military officials in the area. Day, the most notorious criminal in the country, was born in the ghetto and lives his life to protect those he loves. He is almost like a modern-day Robin Hood, stealing from the rich and helping the poor. June is convinced Day was responsible for the death of her brother - her only family left - and has vowed to hunt him down. Day has learned his mother is sick with a mysterious illness that keeps plaguing the land and is desperate to obtain the extremely expensive medicine that will cure her. Their two paths cross when June goes undercover. What she doesn't realize right away is the boy she's befriended on the streets is actually the criminal she's been hunting! Will she betray their friendship and turn him in? Can she get over her feelings about the death of her brother once she learns the truth? Will Day's mother receive the medicine she needs to survive?
This was an awesome book! The story was told through the alternating perspectives of June and Day. There was science fiction, adventure, action, even a little romance!... qualities any reader will enjoy.
The Great Wall of Lucy Wu by Wendy Wan-Long Shang is about Lucy, a Chinese American girl who thinks she's about to have the best year of her life! She's an excellent basketball player, is on her way to 6th grade (oldest in the school!), and her older sister is moving out to attend college and leaving her bedroom to Lucy. Everything changes, though, when Lucy's long-lost aunt arrives in town. Not only does Lucy have to share her brand new bedroom with this complete stranger, she is forced to go to Chinese school... instead of BASKETBALL! To top it all off, Aunt Yi Po will be staying with their family for several months!! Having to deal with these changes would be bad enough, but Lucy also has to battle the school "mean girls" who are out to get her and ruin her chances of coaching the co-curricular basketball tournament, as well as trying to keep know-it-all, but desperately friendly Talent Chang at away from her. And, of course, there's this boy....
I loved this book! I really enjoyed seeing how Lucy changed over the course of her 6th grade year. Despite having to go through some major set-backs, Lucy comes out on top, having learned some valuable lessons about her own culture and values, her family and her friends.
Entwined by Heather Dixon is Azalea and her eleven sisters. After the death of their mother, the girls are forced into one year of Mourning, during which time they must stay in the palace, wear only black, and cease dancing (their true passion). Their father, the King, goes off to war and leaves the girls in the care of servants and tutors. The palace was enchanted hundreds of years prior by an evil king, who was aid to have disappeared. While most things in the palace have been "un-magicked", there are still a few items remaining, including a secret passageway and room within the girls' hearth. Azalea finds if she rubs her mother's old silver handkerchief on the faint symbol carved into the wall of the hearth, the passage opens and the girls are able to dance the night away in a beautiful enchanted ballroom. They are overseen by the Keeper, who continues to invite the girls each night. Unfortunately, he wants something in return and forces a promise out of Azalea that she must keep. This puts not only her sisters, but her father the King, their palace, and their way of life in danger.
I loved this book! It's a version of the Twelve Dancing Princesses fairy tale. I especially liked getting to know the characters of all of the sisters, meeting their would-be suitors, and seeing the relationships between the girls and their father evolve. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes fantasy and fairy tales.
War Horse by Michael Morpurgo is about Joey, a farm horse owned by Albert and his family. When trying to make ends meet, Albert's father sells Albert's beloved Joey to the soldiers of World War I. Joey changes hands many times during the war, from one side of the conflict who uses him in the cavalry, to the other who uses him to pull heavy guns, to a young girl who does nothing but love him. In the mean time, Albert has vowed to someday reunite with Joey. He joins the army in hopes he'll run across Joey somehow. And, amazingly, he does! But, the story doesn't end here. Joey develops tetanus, and is nursed through the illness despite all odds against him. When the war ends, Joey is not able to return with the soldiers. He is sold off as property of the army. In the end Joey's journey comes full circle as those who love him make it possible for him to live out his days as he was meant to... as a farm horse.
This was a great book! Admittedly, I was not eager to read this one, as I was expecting Joey to die in the end. I was pleasantly surprised! This story is told through Joey's perspective, which is really unique. It is a story about how the was has impacted people and countries, but it doesn't choose sides. It's a compelling read for anyone who enjoys a good story!
