Princess Academy: Palace of Stone by Shannon Hale

Princess Academy: Palace of Stone by Shannon Hale is the sequel to Princess Academy.  In this book, Miri Peder, and the girls who attended the Princess Academy have the opportunity to travel to Asland (the capital city of Danland).  While the girls are officially there to help Britta prepare for her wedding to Prince Steffan, they are taking advantage of the many learning opportunities available.  For instance, Gerti is work in a forge, Peder is learning about carving, Liana is taking full advantage of her noble title, and Miri is attending school at the Queen's Castle.  As a result of her studies and the people she meets, Miri is thrown into the middle of what looks like a revolution!  Due to the demands of the king, the "shoeless" are nearly starving and working to death just to stay alive while the royalty and nobles have everything they want and more.  Miri is torn between helping a cause she knows is right and remaining faithful to herself, Mount Eskel, her family and friends.  Does she really have to choose?

I LOVED this book.  Shannon Hale is one of my favorite authors.  She gave me a signed ARC of Palace of Stone at the IRA Convention last May.  When I finally got the chance to read it, I finished in a day!!  I really liked the way Miri grew through her experience with the scholars, the "rebels" and her wish to understand ethics.  I also liked the message that everything is not always black and white.  If one is clever and persistent a new, and sometimes better, answer is just around the corner.  Look for Palace of Stone by Shannon Hale on August 21, 2012.

The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen

The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen is about Sage, an orphan boy who is great at making his own way in the world.  Whether it's stealing, lying, hiding or simply making mischief, Sage is an expert!  It's a good thing, too, because when he is sold by the head of the orphanage where he's been staying to a ruthless man named Connor, Sage has to use all of his street smarts to stay alive.  Connor collected 4 orphans, all with characteristics similar to the long lost Prince Jaron - youngest son of Eckbert, the King of Carthya.  His plan?  To train them all and select the best "false prince" to take over the kingdom now that King Eckbert, his wife and eldest son have been murdered.  Sage wants absolutely no part in this plan, but knows if he doesn't go along with Connor he'll be killed.  Sage also knows no matter which orphan is chosen to become Prince Jaron, the other three will be killed.  Sage has to use all of the skills he learned on the streets to not only beat the other boys for the title of prince, but to try to figure out Connor's plan and stop him from rising to power.

This was an awesome story with an unexpected twist at the end!  I absolutely loved all of the adventure and Sage's antics.  This is the first book in The Ascendance Trilogy.  I cannot wait until book two comes out!  I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy and adventure stories, particularly books like the Eragon Series, Faerie Wars Series, Looking Glass Wars Series, etc.

 

Beyonders: A World Without Heroes by Brandon Mull

Beyonders: A World Without Heroes by Brandon Mull is the first book in the Beyonders Trilogy.  When Jason falls into the hippo tank at the zoo where he works, he never would have imagined being swallowed and entering a new world called Lyrian.  But, that's exactly what happens.  Not only that, but he learns if he every wants to make it back to Beyond, he'll have to take on the evil Wizard Maldor.  Rachel, who also appeared in Lyrian under mysterious circumstances, teams up with Jason on this quest.  They know there is a magical word that if uttered in Maldor's presence will completely destroy him, so they set off on an incredible journey in search of all six syllables of this word.  They face intense dangers and mystery along the way, including making friends with a man who can drop his limbs at will, battling a human-sized crab, traversing a lake worse than quick sand, and thwarting numerous villains who want them dead.  Around every corner they meet new people, but they never know who can be trusted and who is out to get them.  Will Lyrian find its hero in Jason and/or Rachel?  Read to find out!

This was an amazing book!  It was full of action, adventure, mystery and fantasy.  I especially liked the fact that there wasn't any romance!  I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys fantasy novels - this one reads like a movie.  It's not hard to visualize the action in this book!  I can't wait to read the second and third!

Season of Secrets by Sally Nicholls

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.

Entwined by Heather Dixon

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.

Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica Day George

Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica Day George is based on a folktale from Norway.  It tells the story of woodcutter, Jarl Oskarson's youngest daughter.  When she was born her mother was very unhappy about having another girl and refused to give her a name.  Thus, she was known only as 'pika', meaning 'girl'.  Being youngest, most of her siblings had moved out and on to lead their own lives.  Her older brother, Hans Peter, however, came back after years aboard a merchant ship, injured and broken.  He and Pika became very close.  Hans Peter was dismayed when a giant polar bear came seeking Pika, asking her to live with him in an ice castle in the north for one year, in exchange for wealth and riches for her family.  Pika agrees, at the encouragement of her greedy mother.  Pika could never have realized that Hans Peter knew much more about this situation than her let on.  During her year stay with the polar bear, many strange things happened to Pika, including a nightly visit from a strange man who wouldn't speak to her.  When her curiosity got the best of her, Pika lit a candle to get a good look at her visitor.  Unknowingly, this act ruined the deal the man had made with the evil Troll Princess.  Now, despite Pika and the stranger having fallen in love over the course of their time together, he was forced to marry the troll!  So, Pika calls upon all of her strength to travel into the trolls' realm and challenge the princess, risking her life and limb to save her true love.

When I read this book, I couldn't help but feel as though I already knew the story.  About half way through, I realized it was the folktale I was familiar with, not this particular version of it!  I really liked this book.  It was a great fantasy adventure.  I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys books by Shannon Hale.

Liesl & Po by Lauren Oliver

Liesl & Po by Lauren Oliver is about Liesl, a little girl that lives a tough life.  After her father dies, Liesl's step-mother locks her in the attic.  She's been there for over a year!  But, one evening a strange little ghost named Po appears and they become instant friends.  This book is also about Will, an alchemist's apprentice who has secretly admired Liesl through her attic window for as long as she's been imprisoned there.  Will makes a terrible mistake one evening, unknowingly exchanging the box of powerful magic he was supposed to be delivering with a box full of Liesl's father's ashes.  Thus begins an adventure for Liesl, Po and Will that changes everything for them all!

This was an AWESOME story!  There were many different side stories that all came together by the end.  This is not your typical fairy tale/fantasy novel!  All in all, a fantastic middle grade novel.

The Mystic Phyles Beasts compiled by Stephanie Brockway and Ralph Masiello

The Mystic Phyles: Beasts, compiled by Stephanie Brockway and Ralph Masiello, is Abigail Thaddeus's journal.  Abby has lived with her crazy grandmother and her very strict grandfather ever since her parents died when she was a baby.  One day, Abby is contacted by a "Devoted Friend" through a letter delivered by a black cat!  The letter advises Abby to begin researching mythical beasts - some common, such as Bigfoot, unicorns and dragons, but some uncommon such as giant flying bats known as ahools, the bunyip, and the giant spider tsuchigumo.  She has to sneak around to do this research because she knows her grandfather would never approve.  Strange things begin happening as Abby and her close friend Charley delve deeper into the secrets of these beasts.  Abby begins to suspect that her grandfather is keeping some sort of secret and that her grandmother knows more than she's letting on...

This was a really fun read.  I loved the way the story was told through Abby's research and the diary entries about her daily life.  I also really liked the way the story unfolded, and we learned more about Abby, her grandparents, and their connection to the mythical beasts she's been studying.  I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning more about cryptozoology (the study of strange creatures) and those who enjoy a diary/journal style novel.

Incarceron by Catherine Fisher

Incarceron by Catherine Fisher is about Finn, a prisoner in a unique prison, and Claudia, the prison warden's daughter.  In this future, the government has forced changelessness on the society, forcing them to live as people lived hundreds of years earlier.  One hundred years ago, Incarceron was conceived.  It was meant to be an experimental prison that most people in regular society thought was somewhat of a paradise for the prisoners.  This couldn't be further from reality.  Finn awoke in the prison when he was about 12 with only snippets of memories.  He immediately fell in with a band of thieving, murdering, partying gang and became oathbrothers with Keiro, a strong but somewhat untrustworthy boy.  When one of their raids produces a strange key, the boys set out to find escape with a healer/teacher, a Sapient, named Gildas.  Tagging along is a small slave girl who owes her life to Finn.  They are following the old stories of Sapphique, the only person (a Sapient) who has ever escaped the prison.

Claudia, while raiding her father's study with the help of her personal Sapient, Jared, finds a matching key.  There is a direct link between the keys and Finn and Claudia meet.  Claudia is promised to the younger half-brother of the former prince of their land.  The first born prince, and true heir died in an accident several years prior.  Claudia does not want to marry Caspar, but know she must follow "Protocol".  However, Claudia is also convinced that Giles, the rightful heir died under strange circumstances and is determined to learn the truth, without attracting the attention of her father and the evil queen.  Together, Finn and Claudia work to find escape from Incarceron, rid the world of the Protocol rules, and find out the truth about what happened to their kingdom.  Will they succeed?

I absolutely loved this book!  I cannot wait to read the sequel, Sapphique!  I loved the way the book alternated between Claudia's story and Finn's story, and how the two came together in the end.  I also liked the idea that the prison was its own living entity and completely in charge of the prisoners and completely unaware of what happened on the outside.  I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a good science fiction, fantasy or adventure novel.

The Crowfield Curse by Pat Walsh

The Crowfield Curse by Pat Walsh is set at the Crowfield Abbey in 1347.  Will is an orphan who has taken refuge at the abbey in exchange for working in the kitchen for the monks.  While gathering firewood one afternoon, Will comes across a very small, injured creature in an animal trap.  He is a hob, and Will has never seen anything like him.  Will decides to take him back to the abbey in hopes that one of the monks will be able to heal him.  Will must be careful, though, because he knows most of the monks would not approve of such a mysterious creature.  Through his healing, Will becomes friends with the hob, whom he calls Brother Walter, and learns bits and pieces of a secret the monks in at Crowfield have worked very hard to conceal for more than 100 years.  One winter Prior Ardo, the monk in charge while Abbott Simon's health is dwindling, allows two strange and unexpected guests to lodge at the abbey.  Will knows they are not human, but can't quite figure out what they are doing at the abbey.  That is, until Will learns a little too much about the secret the monks are so desperate to keep and finds out about the Crowfield Curse.

This was an awesome book!  I absolutely loved it!!  It kept me wanting to come back for more and more - I had a hard time putting it down.  I really liked the characters of Will and Brother Walter.  I especially liked the fantasy elements of the story and how most of the monks were so sheltered from that side of the world, despite being entrenched in it.  I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys fantasy.

Birth of a Killer the Saga of Larten Crepsley by Darren Shan

Birth of a Killer the Saga of Larten Crepsley by Darren Shan is a prequel to the Cirque du Freak series. This book tells the story of a young Larten Crepsley and how he came to be a vampire. It begins when Larten and his cousin, Vur Horston, work for an evil boss (Traz) at a silk factory in their home town. One day, Traz snaps and attacks meek and timid Vur, drowning him in a vat of boiling water. Seeing this fills Larten with rage and he stabs Traz and kills him. Knowing his life is over is he is caught, Larten flees the city, seeking refuge in a graveyard. Here, he meeds Seba, a vampire. Seba offers to make Larten his assistant, and seeing no other options but truly believing this is his destiny, Larten accepts. Seba tests and trains Larten as a human for many years before changing him. When Seba goes to attend the summit at Vampire Mountain, he leaves Larten in the care of Mr. Tall at the Cirque du Freak. During this time, Larten meets Wester, another human boy who reminds him of his cousin, Vur. Larten takes Wester under his wing when he realizes that a strange version of vampire (vampaneze) has murdered Wester's family. Together they try to slay the vampaneze, but are unsuccessful. As a result, Larten and Wester return to Cirque du Freak. When Seba returns, he agrees to take Wester as his assistant as well. Once they are both vampires, Larten's and Wester's training continues until they are allowed to go the the next summit at Vampire Mountain. Following this, the trio goes back to traveling, but Larten begins to feel some unrest. Eventually, the two young vampires break from Seba, preferring to take part on more humanly pleasures - at least for the time being. This is when Larten Crepsley is noticed by Desmond Tiny...

This was a great prequel to the Cirque du Freak series. I've read the whole series, so I really enjoyed learning the back story of Larten Crepsley. It was interesting to learn about his family, how his hair became such a vivid shade of orange, and how he grew up. This book does have a little gore, so it may be for more mature readers. I recommend Birth of a Killer and the Cirque du Freak series to anyone who enjoys a good horror novel!

Cloaked by Alex Flinn

Cloaked by Alex Flinn is about Johnny, a seventeen year old boy who lives with his mother and runs his family's shoe business in a South Beach, Florida hotel. Things have been tough for Johnny and his mother since his father mysteriously disappeared when Johnny was only two years old. During the summer of his 17th year, Johnny spends almost all of his time working at the shoe shop - partly to earn money for his family, but partly to escape his apartment where the electricity has been shut off due to lack of payment. One summer day, Victoriana, the Princess of Aloria checks into the hotel. It is the talk of the staff and Johnny desperately wants to see her. Not only does he see her, she offers him a secret mission! Victoriana plans a secret meeting with Johnny and offers him an unbelievable quest: to find her brother, who has been turned into a frog and is somewhere in the Florida Keys. In exchange, she'll marry Johnny! Thinking about the money this marriage will bring to him and his family, Johnny accepts, convinced Victoriana has gone crazy. That is, until she gives him a magic hearing device that allows Johnny to hear the speech of animals who were once men, and a cloak which will transport him anywhere he wishes. Armed with these devices and with the help of his best friend, Meg, Johnny sets out on his journey. Along the way to saving the prince, Johnny encounters witches, giants, deadly scorpions, talking geese and rats and fox, a golden bird, and... the love of his life - who isn't who he thought it might be!

This was an amazing book! It's the kind of story you just want to hug when you shut the back cover. I loved the way the author wove many fairy tales into the story. I especially liked the author's note that summarized each of the less familiar fairy tales so I could make connections to the story itself. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fairy tales, fantasy, and/or romance novels.

11 Birthdays by Wendy Mass

11 Birthdays by Wendy Mass is the story of Amanda's and Leo's 11th birthday. Ever since they were born, Amanda and Leo celebrated their birthdays together with one big, fantastic party. That is, until their 11th birthday. During their 10th birthday party, Amanda overheard Leo saying some very hurtful things about her to some of the popular boys at their school. Ever since, Amanda has refused to even speak to Leo. On the morning of their 11th birthday, Amanda awoke to her alarm like usual, startled to find a giant SpongeBob balloon floating near her bed. From that moment on, Amanda's day got worse and worse - beginning with having to ride the bus to school because her father was sick, and ending with a costume party that everyone left early (or didn't even show up) to go to Leo's party instead. Thankful the day was finally over, Amanda went to bed. Surprised, she woke up to her alarm the next morning, even though it was Saturday. When she saw the SpongeBob balloon, Amanda realized something wasn't quite right. Everyone was acting as if it was Friday again! Amanda was being forced to live her 11th birthday over and over again!! After several days of this, Amanda realized that Leo was the only other person who knew what was happening. Together, they had to figure out what to do so that Saturday would finally come!

This was a really cute story. It was fun to see how both Amanda and Leo grew as people through their experiences living that same day over and over. It was also fun to see the changes they both made each time the day began again. This is a great read for anyone who ever wanted a do-over and for anyone who ever had a misunderstanding with a good friend.

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo is about a self-centered china rabbit named Edward Tulane and the unexpected adventures that teach him to love people other than himself. Edward is first owned by Adilene, a young girl who's family can afford to dress Edward in the finest clothing. He sits in a special chair during the day, waiting for Adilene to return from school, he sits at the table during meal times, and he has his own special bed. Adilene loves Edward with all her heart, but Edward only loves himself. That all begins to change, however, the day Edward is lost at sea during a vacation Adilene's family takes. After being on the bottom of the ocean floor for years, Edward is caught in a fisherman's net and dragged to the surface. He is cleaned up and given new clothes, and even a new name (Susanna) by the fisherman's wife. Edward is still treated like a member of the family here, but in a much different way. This begins his miraculous journey. From here, he ends up with a homeless man and his dog, used as a scarecrow in an old lady's garden, loved by a dying girl and her brother, and eventually makes it full circle back into the arms of an adult Adilene and her daughter.

This was a very good book. I didn't realize how sad it would be! I really enjoyed all of the adventures Edward went on throughout the course of the book. It was interesting to see how he changed as a result of his journey. I recommend this book to everyone!

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl is about Ethan, a good basketball-playing, cheerleader-dating, southern boy who had (until recently) enjoyed a peaceful, ordinary life in Gatlin, South Carolina. That is, until Lena Duchannes showed up at school. Lena was the niece of the town shut-in, Macon Ravenwood, who lived in the oldest plantation house on the outskirts of Gatlin. The upstanding citizens of Gatlin tolerated him because he never showed his face in town. Lena, on the other hand turned into the bane of everyone's existence... except for Ethan. It turns out, the strange dreams Ethan had been having were actually about Lena - they shared a strange connection and could even read each others' thoughts from miles away! Ethan finds out that's because Lena and her family are not typical Mortals like everyone else in Gatlin. They are Casters and Lena has until her 16th birthday, only a few months from their first meeting, before she is claimed - either Light or Dark. Lena is terrified of the Claiming, certain she is going Dark. She is just as terrified of losing Ethan, whom she has grown to love over the course of their few months together. Everything comes to a head the night of Lena's 16th birthday when she has to make a life or death decision which will result in losing one or more of the people she loves. Will she repeat the mistakes from the past which cursed her family? Will she choose Mortals over Casters? Light over Dark? Mother or Uncle?

This was a great fantasy. I really liked the way the authors made it from Ethan's point of view. Most of the paranormal romance stories I've read are from the girl's perspective. I also liked the way the authors wove in information about the Civil War and southern living. I'd recommend this to anyone who likes the Twilight Series or is a fan of paranormal romance.

The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan

The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan is the first book in his new Heroes of Olympus series. Jason wakes up on a school bus traveling to a field trip with his class, and holding his girlfriend's hand. The only problem is, he doesn't remember getting there, doesn't remember the school, his girlfriend Piper, his friend Leo... anything! After being attacked by storm spirits at Niagara Falls, Jason, Leo and Piper find out they are half-bloods (one of their parents is a Greek god and one is a mortal) and are whisked away to Camp Half-Blood, a safe haven for demigods. While there, they find out that one of the camp's heroes, Percy Jackson, is missing and their savior Annabeth is searching for him. The trio also learns that their entire world is threatened by the rise of Gaea (mother earth) and her titan children, having kidnapped Hera. Hera has been visiting the demigods through their dreams, trying to lead them to her in hopes they'll free her before the worst titan rises on the eve of the summer solstice. Jason, Piper, and Leo go off on their first quest, to free Hera and save the world. Unfortunately, all three have their own ulterior motives - Piper is desperate to save her father from the clutches of an evil giant even though she knows her friends will be hurt if they go with her. Jason just wants to find out who he is and where he came from. And Leo, terrified that his ability to produce fire will hurt or kill another person he loves, just wants to belong somewhere. They meet many different characters along the way, including Midas who turns anything he touches into gold, Medea one of Ancient Greece's most evil mortals, Coach Hedge a crazy satyr bent on protecting them, and even some interesting gods/goddesses. And of course, they are plagued by mystery and danger the whole way. Will the succeed in holding off another war between gods and titans? Will Gaea rise and take back the world?

This was a great adventure! It was really fun to have some of my favorite characters brought back from the Percy Jackson series - Chiron, Annabeth, Clarise, etc. The story was really engaging and I loved the new characters. I also really liked the way the author brought in the Roman side of the characters and stories. I can't wait to read the next book, The Son of Neptune, coming out in fall of 2011.

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick is about Nora, a typical teen who leads an a-typical life. Her father was killed several months ago and she lives with her single mother in an old farm house on the outskirts of a small Oregon town. Her mother has to travel a lot for her job, so Nora is left alone in the house more often than not. This arrangement was working out just fine until some strange things began happening. First, Nora was paired up with the mysterious transfer student in biology class, Patch, who seemed to know a lot more about her than she had actually revealed. Nora began feeling like someone was watching her and even suspected someone had been in her room! A stranger tried to attack her while driving home one night, but when she was able to escape there was no damage to the car she thought had been smashed up! Things got even more strange when Nora and her best friend Vee met a new student who had previously gone to a fancy prep school in Portland. Elliot and his friend Jules were just a little too interested in hanging out with the two girls. Nora became suspicious of this behavior when she learned that Elliot had been suspected in the death of one of his former classmates and that was the real reason he had left the private school. Nora is convinced Elliot is behind the strange events plaguing her and her friends, while Vee is just as convinced it is Patch causing the problems. Nora is inexplicably draw to Patch, and on the evening of a strange storm learns a lot more about him, Elliot, and Jules than she ever could have thought was possible.

This was a very entertaining book! I would definitely recommend it to anyone who loved the Twilight Series. There are some very similar themes within the two series. I really liked the way Nora and Patch's relationship developed and unfolded. I felt like I was a part of all the drama!

The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor

The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor is the first book in the Looking Glass Wars series. It tells the "true" story of Alice in Wonderland. Alyss Heart is the daughter of Queen Genevieve and King Nolan. She had lived a relatively happy life in Wonderland, until her 7th birthday. On that day, Alyss's Aunt Redd, scorned after being denied the crown in favor of her sister, decided to take over the kingdom. Redd and her army of card soldiers killed both the kind and queen and were ready to kill Alyss as well, until Hatter Madigan saved her. They jumped through the Pool of Tears and ended up in separate places in our world, in the year 1859. Alyss ends up in England, while Hatter Madigan finds himself in France. Alyss, through a series of strange experiences, ends up adopted by a family. After years of trying to convince everyone about her past as princess of Wonderland only to be mocked, she begins to forget. That is, until Madigan finds her and sends her old friend Dodge Anders to bring her home. By this time, Alyss is an adult and about to be married to royalty in England! She doesn't know about what her people have had to endure under the dark imagination reign of her Aunt Redd. The Alyssians, people who still serve the Heart family, have gone into hiding, determined to bring Alyss to her rightful place on the throne. Redd has terrorized everyone she suspects of being loyal to Alyss and white imagination - the kingdom is in turmoil. Will Alyss be able to defeat Redd and return the kingdom to its former glory?

This was an exciting adventure. I would recommend it to anyone who likes fantasy and adventure! It reminded me of The Mirror's Tale by P. W. Catanese (another excellent adventure). At the end of the book there is a time line which shows the connections between what happened in the story and what was happening in the "real world" during the same time period. It was really interesting to see how the author mirrored the events.

Linger by Maggie Stiefvater

Linger by Maggie Stiefvater is the second book in the Wolves of Mercy Falls Series. In this book, Sam and Grace are content as a couple, knowing the "cure" worked for Sam - he will never turn into a wolf again, no matter how cold it gets. Unfortunately, Beck didn't know about Sam's cure and created some new wolves to help take care of the pack. Cole is trying desperately to become a wolf and stay a wolf, wanting to leave his tumultuous past behind. He and Sam do not get along. Cole and Isabel do get along, until she finds out about his plan to force the wolf out of himself. She is still upset and guilty about her brother dying from the same thing that cured Sam and doesn't understand Cole's need to change for good. Things take a turn for the worse when Grace begins to exhibit some strange symptoms. It gets even worse when her parents find her with Sam when she was supposed to be alone. The ground her and force the two apart during what could possibly be the worst time of Grace's life. No one will say it, but everyone who knows about the wolves of Mercy Falls is convinced that Grace will be the next to turn (even Grace).

This was another awesome story! I can't wait for the third book to come out in July, 2011. I had forgotten how much I loved Sam and Grace's story until I got back into the series. I really like the way the author switches from character to character for each chapter. It's interesting to see what one character is thinking, then immediately move to another's thoughts on the same situation.

Suck it Up by Brian Meehl

Suck it Up by Brian Meehl is about Morning McCobb, a 16 year old vampire. Morning is what's known as a "Leaguer," meaning a new style of vampires who never dine on human blood. They are formally educated at a special school on ways to blend in with human society and to curb their natural cravings. "Loners" are rogue vampires who still live by the old rules. There aren't many loners left, but they are dangerous. Morning was not at the top of his vampire class. He had a hard time memorizing the rules and a harder time CDing, or changing physical form. As a result, Morning is puzzled when the head of the school asks a special favor from him - to be the first vampire to "come out" to human society. Together, they select a public relations expert (Penny Dredful) to represent him through the experience. Things don't work out as planned, however, when Penny's daughter Portia and Morning fall for each other. Little do they know, a very dangerous loner is not pleased with Morning's decision to "out" himself, and is stalking them in hopes of destroying Morning forever. Things come to an exciting peak when Morning, Penny and Portia attend a festival announcing IVLeague.com at the very vampire school where Morning was educated.

This was an exciting, adventurous and humorous read! The author uses witty and hilarious similes and metaphors throughout to describe the action. This was a nice change of pace from the vampire romances that are so popular right now. I'd recommend it to both boys and girls who need a good read!