THE UNDERLAND CHRONICLES

THE UNDERLAND CHRONICLES by Suzanne Collins
Scholastic. £29.95. (Ages 8 and up)

Rating: 5 Stars

GREGOR THE OVERLANDER
The Underland Chronicles Book 1
256 pp.
ISBN 9781407137032

GREGOR AND THE PROPHECY OF BANE

The Underland Chronicles Book 2
256 pp.
ISBN 9781407137049

GREGOR AND THE CURSE OF THE WARMBLOODS

The Underland Chronicles Book 3
288 pp.
ISBN 9781407137056

GREGOR AND THE MARKS OF SECRET
The Underland Chronicles Book 4
272 pp.
ISBN 9781407137063

GREGOR AND THE CODE OF CLAW
The Underland Chronicles Book 5
336 pp.
ISBN 9781407137070

    These amazing books just blew me away, for example, already by the first chapter, I got to thinking about how lucky I was because this book, unlike others, was about a family who had just enough money to live off of. An interesting aspect of the way the story was written was how the writer described humans through the perspective of human-like creatures in the Underland. In the book humans are described as Killers because they kill not only all of the other animals but their own species too. Sadly, it is all too true.
    This series starts off about Gregor and his little sister Boots falling through the laundry chute into the Underland. In the first book, Boots is pronounced 'Princess' by the Crawlers (cockroaches). Meanwhile Gregor is told he is the warrior from the prophecy. At the end, he bonds with a bat, Ares. In the second book Gregor has to go on a long journey to kill the Bane, a large white rat. However, when he gets there he finds that the Bane is barely a pup so he refuses to kill it. In the third book, Gregor’s mother , and Ares, catch a disease. Gregor and some other people go to look for a cure for the disease, only to have it destroyed by the Cutters (ants) immediately. At the end of the story, they find that it was made by the humans and that it was there all along. In the fourth book the Nibblers (mice) mysteriously disappear. Gregor and his friends set off to discover why and are shocked by the terrible truth. In the fifth and final book the biggest war of all time occurs in the Underland and Lizzie, Gregor’s other little sister, breaks the code of claw. At the end Luxa, a human, and Ripred, a Gnawer (rat), bond, therefore ensuring peace between all the humans and Gnawers.
    My favourite characters in this series were Boots, Ares and Luxa. I liked Boots because she seemed so funny and innocent. She made the scary and sad parts in the book seem happy and funny. Luxa was one of my favourites because I felt I could link to her. She was very brave and was always running off on adventures when she wasn't supposed to. I felt sorry for Ares, because he was such a good guy but he was always treated badly and like an outcast. He was always put into positions where he had to make a hard choice, and got scolded afterwards for not choosing the other option even though he would have been treated the same or worse if he had. Sadly, at the end of the last book he got killed.
    I think ages nine and over should read this amazing series. This book definitely deserves five out of five stars.

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FIVE ON A TREASURE ISLAND

FIVE ON A TREASURE ISLAND
The Famous Five book 1
by Enid Blyton
192 pp. Hachette Children's Books. £5.99. (Ages 8 and up)

ISBN
9780340931592

Rating: 4 Stars


    This was a brilliant kids mystery book. Enid Blyton has always been one of my favourite authors but this truly swept me away. As you read this book you truly begin to admire the children for their bravery and courage. Personally, my favourite character is George (short for Georgina) because she refuses to act like a girl and is even more of a boy than most real boys. I'm also a big tomboy so I feel like I can understand her the best. I also like Julian because he is so cheerful and makes everyone around him happy.
    This book is about when Anne, Julian and Dick go to visit their cousin Georgina. Soon they learn that she hates being a girl and won't answer unless you call her George. After awhile they earn her friendship and she agrees to take them to her island with her dog Timothy. While there, they are caught by a storm which causes an old shipwreck to crash against the rocks. Curious, the children explore the ship and find a locked box which has a treasure map of the island. Soon they are on a big treasure hunt. Little do they know that they aren't the only ones looking for the treasure…
    I think this book is good for ages eight to twelve. I definitely give this book four out of five stars.

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Book Review: Doll Bones

Zach, Poppy and Alice have been friends for ever. They love playing with their action figure toys, imagining a magical world of adventure and heroism. But disaster strikes when, without warning, Zach’s father throws out all his toys, declaring he’s too old for them. Zach is furious, confused and embarrassed, deciding that the only way to cope is to stop playing . . . and stop being friends with Poppy and Alice. But one night the girls pay Zach a visit, and tell him about a series of mysterious occurrences. Poppy swears that she is now being haunted by a china doll – who claims that it is made from the ground-up bones of a murdered girl. They must return the doll to where the girl lived, and bury it. Otherwise the three children will be cursed for eternity . . .

I snagged a copy of Doll Bones by Holly Black the day it hit shelves. I'm a huge fan and have read most everything she's published. The Spiderwick Chronicles and beyond the Spiderwick Chronicles were both fabulous series, and so I was excited to read this new middle grade.

Doll Bones is one of my favorite books of 2013. It's fun and adventurous, but also sad and touching. Zach, Poppy, and Alice are all kids on the brink of becoming teens. Soon they'll be too old for their games, running around playing with dolls and action figures, creating these stories with their toys. When Zach's father declares he's too old to play, and tosses his toys out in the garbage, it sets him and his friends on a path to give up their game.

But they have one more adventure before they finish. One of Poppy's dolls, the queen, is a china doll. Poppy claims a ghost comes to her in her sleep and says that her bones are used to create the china of the dolls bones. The ghost vows not to leave her alone until the doll finds it's way to her parents' graves. So Poppy, Alice, and Zach agree to get her there.

This novel is creative and funny and creepy and very entertaining. By then end of the book, these three friends are more grown and on their way to adulthood. It made me think of the games I used to play and how much I miss that carefree time. Being an adult can be so boring. So thank the goddess for books like these.

I highly recommend this book to everyone. Even if middle grade fiction isn't your thing, I think you'll like this one. And if you need a bigger selling point, it had a very similar vibe to Neil Gaiman's, Coraline.

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Book Review: The Keeper

Abisina is ready to assume the role of Keeper that has been her destiny, leading the future of the Watersmeet community. But the survival of the land depends on the north and south - the centaurs, dwarves, fairies, humans, and fauns - joining together to confront a gathering evil. The rift that opened in the Mountains Eternal has continued to spew forth terrible creatures: uberwolves, leviathan-birds, minotaurs. Abisina knows that the most challenging creature of all has arrived - though what shape it will take is still a mystery.

She sets out to bring the folk together to confront this unknown evil, but the land has never been more divided. As she faces hostile centaurs, ambitious fairies, the destruction of the only home she's ever known, and separation from those who love her, Abisina doubts if she has the strength to be the leader that everyone needs. Even the power of the Keeper's necklace doesn't seem to be enough - and when that is taken from her, she's left on the brink of hopelessness. Can Abisina's faith in the power of love, acceptance, and unity that she's learned from her friends and family survive this final test?

The Keeper is the third book in Ellen Jensen Abbott's Watersmeet trilogy. It's a high fantasy adventure with humans, dwarves, centaurs, fauns, fairies, minotaurs, and more.

Abisina is on a quest to unite Watersmeet with the other lands both north and south of the mountains. They've been separated for so long and are opposed to be one people that Abisina certainly has her work cut out for her. As if that isn't enough, the big bad is back, and he's determined to win once and for all.

Abisina has her friends and allies, but not all are to be trusted. She's separated from family and concerned for their safety. Parts of this story are touching and parts are terribly sad. Not everyone lives to see if Abisina succeeds in her mission.

I really enjoyed the conclusion to this wonderful story. I'd been waiting for well over a year for it. It certainly doesn't disappoint. I couldn't put this down and gobbled it up in only a day. I'm going to miss Abisina, Watersmeet, and all of the friends I met along this journey. If you haven't read this treasure, be sure to pick up a copy soon. At least you won't have to wait in between novels.

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Book Review: Everlost

All she ever dreamt of was to be human.

With one kiss, Tatiana has discovered a love for a man she’d hated—the prince of Natatoria. Through the botched rescue attempt by her father against this union, an army of rebels has revealed their identity and intentions—treason. When the King is fatally injured, Azor takes things into his own hands and he will stop at nothing to get what he wants: to be king. Including killing Tatiana’s father.

Jacob had always been loyal to the crown, that was until his brother‘s banishment to die on Bone Island without an explanation. Invited to help on a mission with Jack, leader of the underground army, Jacob learns the truth about the kingdom and of Jack’s daughter, a girl with beautiful blue eyes and a heart of gold. Falling for her—a promised princess—wasn’t supposed to happen.

Caught between the bond and her family, Tatiana, the future Queen, must overcome the promise to fight for what’s right and uncover the truths of the past or all will become Everlost.

I've been finishing a lot of series lately, and most recently that was Everlost by Brenda Pandos. It's book three in her mermaid trilogy. The first was Everblue, followed by Evergreen.

Everlost continued on the story that the first two set up. However, it almost felt like a companion novel. The first two books switched between Fin and Ash, alternating points of view. This book followed Tatiana while she was stuck in the mermaid's homeland, Natatoria. Despite that, I had no trouble diving right back into this world.

I really enjoyed Tatiana's story. While some of what happened was predictable, the world, rules, and customs that Brenda created were interesting. And there were some twists and turns that surprised me. I love that Tatiana was a strong character, a feminist while still having a girly side. Her struggle to overcome a bond that was forced on her was inspiring, showing that had control of her life, not some guy. Even if he was a prince.

I thought she wrapped the story up nicely, but that's not going to stop me from wishing that another novel (or even a short story) set in this world will pop up. I don't want to leave these characters. If you haven't read this series, now is the perfect time to check it out. Everblue is free for your Kindle, so get it today!

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Book Review: Phantom Eyes

Every child in Belle Dam is taught about the feud from an early age. There are ‘our’ people and ‘their’ people. Friends and enemies. Associates and strangers. It’s the kind of town where eyes are always watching, and you don’t need a reason to sell out your neighbors.

But the feud is a lie. As a new wave of fury sweeps through the town, creating a third front to an already overtaxed war, Braden has been broken worse than ever. His innocence? Shattered. His heart? Crushed. His magic? Gone. His new life? Ruined. And this is only the beginning.

Beneath the city lay deep wellsprings of power. The one who controls them is the one who will win the feud. In a city filled with puppet masters, Braden must elude their strings and end the feud once and for all. But first, he must outsmart his father, evade Catherine’s dark magic, regain what was stolen from him, trick a phantom who refuses to die, and foil a demon’s master plan.

Even then, he may not survive. Because power is a problem, and victory comes with a cost…

Phantom Eyes by Scott Tracey is the final book in the Witch Eyes trilogy. In Witch Eyes, Braden moves to Belle Dam and finds himself in the middle of a feud. In Demon Eyes, the feud becomes even more dangerous. In Phantom Eyes, he finds out the truth and risks his life to save those he cares for.

There is a definite surge of witchy books hitting the shelves in the teen section. I, for one, am loving this trend. I really enjoyed this trilogy, and the witchiness is certainly part of why I picked up book one. There are several factors that make this book a bit different than the other witchy books one the shelf. For one thing, it's written by a male author with a male witch narrating. The YA section is dominated by female authors, and it's always a refreshing change to see something different. There are a fair number of books with a male narrator written by women (Caster Chronicles, Curse Workers). And while I enjoyed both of those series, this book had a completely different feel.

Another thing that makes this series stand out is Braden's sexual orientation. Gay main characters is not a new thing in YA, but in my experience this happens a lot more in contemporary, where the character is dealing with coming out, family issues revolving around his sexual orientation, being a part of a same sex couple for the first time. There is none of that here. Braden is gay and that's that. Being attracted to the same gender is a non-issue for him and his friends and family.

Phantom Eyes was impossible to put down. It was fun and fast paced and kept me guessing. Braden had gotten himself into quite a tight spot, and I had no idea how he was going to get out of it. I really enjoyed the story and how Scott Tracey wrapped up Braden's story. I can't wait to start his new witchy series, The Legacy of Moonset (also by Flux books.

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Cover Reveal: Conning for Keeps

Did you read and love Gaming for Keeps? If not, you're missing out. Go order it now! If so, you'll be pleased to hear there's another book in the series, Conning for Keeps, that you can preorder now before it's February 3 release date. And here's the cover. What do you all think?

Lovers Undercover…

Secret Agent Marissa Joens has a gift. A con artist to the core, after deep hypnosis she can turn into someone else entirely. Marisa’s gift has gotten her into a lot of hot water over the years, but now more so than ever. With her smoking hot partner by her side, she needs to convince him that not only is she her true self, but also that she can be trusted—even in spite of her past.

…or traitors to the cause?

Trevor Harris has his own issues with the mission, he’s got revenge to seek, a cursed painting to secure, and Marissa’s sugary sweet alter-ego to ignore. But when he releases Marisa from her mental cage and things get a little too hot, he ends up finding out what falling for a con artist really means—bigger trouble than ever before.

At a young age, Seleste discovered the trick to not being afraid of the monsters under the bed was to turn them into heroes. Since that time, she’s seen enough of human monsters that she prefers to escape to fictional worlds where even the worst demons have to play by the rules and the good guys might end up battered and bruised (or dead), but they always win. And really, isn’t that the way it should be?

She is in the process of relocating to southeast Michigan with her two kids (and a pair of fierce, attention-hungry slobber- monsters of her own) and is hard at work on her next book. In those rare moments when she isn’t battling terrorists, vampires, or rogue clockworks, she can be found all over the Internet, where she loves to interact with readers.

To that end, you can find her at:
Website: http://www.selestedelaney.com
Tumblr: http://selestedelaney.tumblr.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorSelestedeLaney
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/SelestedeLaney
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/SelestedeLaneyAuthor
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/selestedelaney/

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Book Review: The Dream Thieves

Now that the ley lines around Cabeswater have been woken, nothing for Ronan, Gansey, Blue, and Adam will be the same.

Ronan, for one, is falling more and more deeply into his dreams, and his dreams are intruding more and more into waking life.

Meanwhile, some very sinister people are looking for some of the same pieces of the Cabeswater puzzle that Gansey is after...

The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater was very high on my holiday wishlist, and I was thrilled when I unwrapped it. I loved The Raven Boys so I was excited to delve back into this world.

As with all of Maggie's books, the story takes time to unfold. Her books are rather slow reads for me, as they're so interesting and beautifully written that I read slow and savor each word. When the writing is this good, there's no need to rush through it.

The Dream Thieves picks up where The Raven Boys left off, the search for a sleeping Welsh king, Glendower. Each of the characters have an important role to play in finding him. This book features Ronan a bit more than the first one, letting us get to know him better. He's kind of a jerk, but it's obvious that he cares a lot about the important people in his life. And I like the evolution he goes through in this book.

Another thing that made me love this book more than the first, was the inclusion of Jane's Blue's family. I think my favorite character in the entire series is Maura, Blue's mother. If I could pick any place to live out of any book I've read, I think it'd be 300 Fox Way. There is never a dull moment around there. I love the eccentric personalities that Maggie created it.

Book three doesn't have a title yet, but I'll be eagerly awaiting that and the cover. Because the covers. are. so. fantastic! If you haven't read this series, go pick up The Raven Boys right now. And you should probably just pick up The Dream Thieves while you're there to save yourself the trip. Or, if you want signed copies, they are always available at Fountain Bookstore in Virginia. PS... they will ship to you!

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MR MOLE AND THE MOST POWERFUL BEING IN THE WORLD

MR MOLE AND THE MOST POWERFUL BEING IN THE WORLD
by Andrew Fusek Peters and Polly Peters
Illustrated by Didier Conrad
32 pp. International Baccalaureate Organization (UK) Ltd. $10.99. (Ages 5 and up)

ISBN
9781906345884

Rating: 3.5 Stars


This book review is about Mr Mole trying to find a smart husband for his daughter to marry. And the man Mr Mole wanted her to marry was in the sky, but every time they said no. I think 7 year old children in the Infants Years would like this book because I am 7 and I enjoyed this book. I enjoyed this book but it is a little boring because the same thing basically keeps happening, so I will give this book 3 and a half stars.

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