Shapeshifter's Quest by Dena Landon

Shapeshifter's Quest by Dena Landon is about Scyanthe, an 18 year old shapeshifter who lives in Carlbine Forest, the place where all shapeshifters were relegated by the King after the big rebellion. Scyanthe is different from everyone in her world, however, because she escaped having the priests mark her with the poison tattoo that binds the other shapeshifters to their part of the forest. While others of her kind would die an excruciating death upon leaving the boundary, Scyanthe is free to leave, though she never has. That is until the day her mother becomes ill with the wasting illness that seems to be taking over her land - not just the people, but the trees of the forest as well. Scyanthe is the only one who can save her mother, by leaving the forest and seeking out the medicine in the capitol. Along the way, Scyanthe must solve the mystery of what's killing the trees in her forest and poisoning the land. Eventually, she is taken in by a caravan of human traders who also possess magical capabilities. Scyanthe finally understands how the evil King and his priests have been gaining power and living beyond any normal human lifespan when she is forced to witness a ceremony. There, the priests sacrifice innocent animals, to which Scyanthe and all shapeshifters are tied, to preserve the lives of the wicked men who rule the land. When their caravan makes it to the capitol, Scyanthe desperately wants to find the medicine and leave, but she is held back by Jerel, the leader of the caravan. It turns out that none of them are what they seem and the "traders" have a special plan of their own to stop the King once and for all. Will Scyanthe make it back to the forest with the medicine in time to save her mother? Will Jerel and his crew accomplish their goal? Will they be captured by the priests who seek them out? Read Shapeshifter's Quest by Dena Landon.

This was an awesome book! I was completely enthralled the entire time I read it. I was immediately immersed in the world of the shapeshifters, as if it were my own reality. I couldn't put it down from beginning to end. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy!

Reality Check by Peter Abrahams

Reality Check by Peter Abrahams is about 16 year old Cody, the star quarter back of the Little Bend, Colorado football team. Things seem perfect - summer is starting, he's got a great job, a great girlfriend, an excellent chance of making a college football team (if he can get his grades up), until Clea's dad sends her to Hong Kong for the summer. When she returns, they are both so happy, until Cody finds out Clea will be attending a fancy prep school in Vermont that fall. Things keep falling apart for Cody - he breaks up with Clea before she goes, thinking it's what's best for them both, he suffers a knee injury during a football game, and he ends up dropping out of school. One afternoon he sees a breaking news story - a girl from a prep school in Vermont has gone missing... and, it's Clea. Not knowing what else to do, Cody leaves his dad a note and drives all the way to Vermont to help out with the search. Cody doesn't realize what he's getting himself into. It seems like finding Clea is hopeless... until Cody finds some clues that lead him closer to her, but also closer to danger.

This book was a good mystery once it got going. There was a lot of build up to Clea's disappearance, focusing on Cody's football playing. Also, there was a lot of swearing - some pretty serious language. I would recommend this book to older readers (high school) who want a good mystery.