The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Press; 1st edition (September 14, 2008)
• Language: English
• Buy The Book: Amazon

 Katniss is a 16-year-old girl living with her mother and younger sister in the poorest district of Panem, the remains of what used be the United States. Long ago the districts waged war on the Capitol and were defeated. As part of the surrender terms, each district agreed to send one boy and one girl to appear in an annual televised event called, "The Hunger Games." The terrain, rules, and level of audience participation may change but one thing is constant: kill or be killed. When Kat's sister is chosen by lottery, Kat steps up to go in her place.

     This is going straight to the top of my favorite list. Even above the Heist Society books. That's how good this book is. I love how Katniss is like, the top dog in her family and how she's tough yet caring at the same time, and she was so brave, to step in to volunteer for her sister and to take over for the family when her dad died. Suzanne Collins made me feel like I was really there, watching the events happen. This book was awesome because it had all the best things in it, romance, danger, action, fighting and awesomeness in general! Anyone who hasn't read it yet... you should just go read it... right now... drop everything and go to the library... I'm not kidding... go now. *Shoos people off to the library*
     My favorite characters were Katniss- of course- and Cinna, and Gale and Peeta. I even liked Haymitch a little. I felt like I knew all of them personally by the end of the book.
     Overall this was a really awesomesauce book, and a clean one too, other than all the blood and killing of course. <(^^,)> But yeah, no bad language or inappropriateness or anything. YOU HAVE TO READ THIS BOOK!!! Just go read it right now.

Storybound by Marissa Burt

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
• Hardcover: 416 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (April 3, 2012)
• Language: English
• Buy The Book: Amazon

     Inkheart meets the Never Ending Story in this sweeping middle-grade fantasy.

     In the land of Story, kids go to school to learn how to be the perfect character: a brave Hero, a trusty Sidekick, even the most dastardly Villain. They dream of the day when they will live out stories written just for them.
     But when a lonely twelve-year-old girl in our world named Una Fairchild is magically transported to Story, she realizes that the land is threatened by a dark secret- and and it may be up to Una to save it.
     With the timeless appeal or A Wrinkle In Time and the breathtaking action of Inkheart, Storybound will leave the readers wishing they too could jump into this enchanting fairy-tale world.

     Okay, so I thought that since it said Neverending Story on the back, that I would NOT like it. Because I thought the movie (I think that's what it was) for the Neverending Story was weird and annoying. But when I finally got past the beginning and all the boring stuff and it got to the action I really liked it! It was kinda cheesy how the main girl's name is Una Fairchild... like, that's kinda weird. But the character in general was cool. She was brave, smart, kind, and clever, and she always came up with cool ideas. I liked how they were all training to be characters, like how we learn to read, they learn to provide the story. One thing I thought was cool, is the old rulers of Story, and how they are kinda like the gods and goddesses of Percy Jackson, but in this book they're imprisoned and everyone hates them... except a few who think they are innocent. Well, I'd better not give away too much... that wouldn't be very good. My favorite character was Endeavor Truepenny. He was kinda mysterious at first, but then he and Una kinda get to know each other.. and I think they would be perfect together!!! Even though Peter and her were kinda cute together he has Snow. Anyway, this book was really clean and there was really nothing even a little bad!

Warriors: Sign of The Moon by Erin Hunter

• Reading Level: Ages 10 and up
• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (April 5, 2011)
• Language: English
• Buy the Book: Amazon

The end of the stars draws near.
Three must become four to battle
the darkness that lasts forever. . . .
The dark forces that have driven a rift between the four warrior Clans are growing stronger. Jayfeather, Lionblaze, and Dovepaw now know that unless they can unravel the true meaning behind the prophecy that binds them, the warrior code could be destroyed forever.
While Lionblaze remains focused on protecting ThunderClan from another deadly battle, Jayfeather receives a desperate plea for help from the Tribe of Rushing Water. He must travel to the mountains in search of answers that link the Clans to the Tribe in ways no cat could have imagined. But with the summons comes an ominous warning that suggests the power of the stars may not be enough to save the Clans.

     Yeah, warriors, they're not actually that bad. I'm going to be in ninth grade next year and I'll still read them even then. I have actually had this one on my shelf since last year when it came out, which is kinda sad because I usually finish one of these in a day with breaks. But this one was kinda slow at the start and then I found out my least favorite cat in the whole entire series was going to come back in the next book and I was like, "meh." But it turned out to be pretty good, Jayfeather has a special medicine cat quest and Lionblaze seems to be pretty happy protecting the clan and Dovewing and the others are all happy. Except Leafpool. *Tear* She seems like she'll never see happiness again! JK lol, but still, she isn't very happy and it's sad because I liked her. Oh well, but yeah this book has some action here, a little romance there, the usual for warriors.

     I love Lionblaze, Jayfeather and Dovewing they are my current favorites because they are the three! I like how Dovewing is so nice and sweet and then Jayfeather can be soo grumpy then be kinda okay ish then be grumpy again. And Lionblaze is awesome period. I will always like Sandstorm and Squirrelflight and Leafpool, mother and daughters. But mostly Squirrelflight because she knows when to rip you apart and when to not rip you apart, and when it's a go she won't hesitate to rip you apart!
   
      I don't really not like Firestar but he's soo old! He needs to retire, he's only got like two lives left and when he only has one he really needs to retire! But before he does somebody kill Brambleclaw so that Lionblaze can be deputy then leader! Lionstar! Mwahahaha! And those two are okay compared to Hollyleaf! She gave away the biggest secret ever to the WHOLE forest at a gathering! And then Leafpool lost her med-cat ness and Brambleclaw dumped Squirrelflight for protecting her sister and her sister's kits!
   
     Overall the book wasn't bad, there's nothing really mature or bad like language in this book because it's for kids, so if you haven't read this book you should give it a try and read multiple books because it takes a few to get to the good parts like the big battle and all the fun stuff like betrayal and secret romance! lol I'm hopeless! Haha oh well!

Bone #1 Out From Boneville by Jeff Smith

• Reading level: Ages 11 and up
• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic (February 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• Buy The Book: Amazon

 The cornerstone of GRAPHIX, our new graphic novel imprint, BONE is the incredible comic book saga of the unwitting hero who must save an idyllic valley from the forces of evil.

The BONE adventures tell the story of a young bone boy, Fone Bone, and his two cousins, Phoney Bone and Smiley Bone, who are banned from their homeland of Boneville. When the cousins find themselves mysteriously trapped in a wonderful but often terrifying land filled with secrets and danger - and special new friendships - they are soon caught up in adventures beyond their wildest dreams.

     This book is so AWESOME! My friends got me into these books in elementary school, but I didn't finish them until 6th grade, and since then I've read them all three more times! The series has 9 books and a prequel, or maybe 9 including the prequel... oh well. Sometimes it can be a little violent... okay maybe a lot violent, but it's also hilarious and cool. The main characters, Smiley, Fone Bone, and Phoney are the funniest, most adorable little creatures ever, and their friends are awesome too, like Ted the Bug and Gran'ma Ben and Thorn. I especially like how the author makes the book ominous and scary, but then sometimes everything is fine and they're laughing, doing funny stuff, and you're reading and laughing even harder than the characters.

     The things I didn't really like are that some characters smoke (eew). Then sometimes Thorn goes to take a bath in the stream (you can't see her in the pictures, that would be gross) and Fone Bone sees. Then there's the violence, sometimes it's just random fighting, but sometimes it's kinda gruesome, like one guy gets his head cut off and there's blood all over... yeah, gross. Other than that there's no language or anything else.

     My favorite characters are SMILEY! He's awesome and kinda stupid but that's what makes him awesome and funny! He finds a baby rat creature and names him Bartleby, and then after Fone Bone tells him not to bring it with them to the city, guess what he does... brings it with them. My next favorite is definitely Bartleby, he is soooo cute and he looks like a little purple teddy bear! He is brave and smart and he does tricks! Then there are the two stupid rat creatures, they're so funny and stupid, and they're always fighting. One wants to make Fone Bone into a stew, and the other wants a light fluffy quiche. That makes the other creature angry, what kind of monsters are they if they eat quiche?!? I have way too many favorites so I'll just wrap it up now, I love Gran'ma Ben and how she's always flirting with Lucius, and there's Thorn and how she still doesn't know that Fone Bone likes her, even though it's dead obvious! And Fone Bone, he's so cute!

     My least favorite is Briar, she scares me... she's this zombie type lady who was cut in half and then the Locust, her master made her able to float around somehow so that she could free him and he could enslave the world! But I won't tell you anymore, you just have to figure it out yourself and read the book!

                         + 1,000,000,000 x 100!

A Hero For WondLa by Toni DiTerlizzi

• Hardcover: 464 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers (May 8, 2012)
• Language: English
• Buy The Book: Amazon

Before the end of The Search for WondLa, Eva Nine had never seen another human, but after a human boy named Hailey rescues her along with her companions, she couldn’t be happier. Eva thinks she has everything she’s ever dreamed of, especially when Hailey brings her and her friends to the colony of New Attica, where humans of all shapes and sizes live in apparent peace and harmony.
     But all is not idyllic in New Attica, and Eva Nine soon realizes that something sinister is going on—and if she doesn’t stop it, it could mean the end of everything and everyone on planet Orbona. Three illustrations trigger a 3-D Augmented Reality flying game that mimics action in the novel.
     Featuring an abundance of lavish two-color illustrations and spot art throughout and introducing a host of remarkable characters that reinforce the importance of friendship, A Hero for WondLa has all the hallmarks of a classic book—of the future.

 This book was AWESOME! Even better than the first one! It had aliens and world conquest, but the conquering was being done by humans instead of aliens. Eva Nine finally meets another human who she likes and he takes her to a human city, but the human leader is planning something evil. (Shifty eyes "mwahahaha") Eva Nine and her sister Eva Eight escape the city with Rovender and his friend, Nadeau and a new alien, Huxley. I liked how the author added some new things in this book, so it wasn't just like the first one. Hailey was awesome, but by the end he was bald... he doesn't look that great bald. In one picture he doesn't look that great period. But he's still awesome.

I didn't like... I didn't not like much, but one of the characters cursed at least once or twice.

My favorite characters are still Eva, Rovender, and Otto, but my new favorite from this book is Hailey. Hailey is cool, and he's pretty smart too.

My least favorite was Cadmus, he was decieving all his people and he was going to kill all the aliens, who are awesomer than the humans and they deserve to live.

Redwall #1 by Brian Jaques

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Puffin/Philomel Books; 1ST edition (September 30, 2002)
• Language: English
• Buy The Book: Amazon

 When Redwall was published in 1987 it catapulted author Brian Jacques to international stardom. And small wonder! This enthralling tale is jam-packed with the things we long for in a great adventure: danger, laughter, hairbreadth escapes, tragedy, mystery, a touch of wonder, a truly despicable villain, and a hero we can take to heart.

That hero is Matthias, a young mouse who must rise above his fears and failures to save his friends at Redwall Abbey. The villain is Cluny the Scourge, one of the most deliciously despicable rats of all time. The unforgettable cast of supporting characters includes the stalwart badger Constance, an irrepressible hare named Basil Stag Hare, and the elderly wisemouse Brother Methuselah.

But most of all there is Matthias, seeking his true destiny in a journey that will lead through danger and despair to true wisdom.

 When I first heard about this book it didn't seem quite that interesting, even though it turned out to be exactly what I liked. I started reading and it was like, yeah, this is okay. Then all the action, adventures and fighting started and I was sucked right in. I like that the characters are little mice in habits, it's really cute, and the way the author describes them, it makes you want to see it. I haven't really ever read anything quite like it, there's warriors, yeah, but those are just cats. This is a total personification, the mice stand up and walk around, wear clothes and stuff. I liked that some characters were perfect little church mice, then there were characters like Constance the badger who wanted to beat the enemy to a pulp.

My favorite character was definitely Constance! She's awesome because she takes action, beats stuff up! Not like The Father Abbot, who wants to do things as peacefully as possible. Then there was Basil Stag Hare, he is the best dude character. He has this funny way of talking, and he's like Constance, take action, beat up the bad guys, and he's a real drama queen too. The best character for cuteness was Silent Sam, he is a baby squirrel who doesn't talk. He's just the most adorable thing, and he ends up fighting the rats with the best of them!

My least favorite was.... Chickenhound the fox. His mother is all clever and smart, then he is just a fool. He escapes the rats and then doesn't watch himself and gets himself killed.

This book was pretty clean, I don't remember there being any language or anything. Just violence.

Maximum Ride (Manga) #1 by James Patterson

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Yen Press; 1ST edition (January 27, 2009)
• Language: English
• Buy the Book: Amazon 

 Fourteen-year-old Maximum Ride knows what it's like to soar above the world. She and all the members of her "flock" - Fang, Iggy, Nudge, Gasman, and Angel - are just like ordinary kids, except they have wings and can fly! It may seem like a dream come true to some, but for the flock it's more like a living nightmare. When the mysterious lab known as the "School" turns up and kidnaps their youngest member, it's up to Max to organize a rescue, but will help come in time?

 This book is AWESOME!!! I know Reagan did a review on the novel, but this is the manga, it's different. Anyway, this book was even better than Reagan described! From the very beginning there was action and danger, and it kept me on the edge of my seat. The setting is always changing, and with the whole manga thing you get to see all the different places. It's pretty cool. You should read this book.

My favorite characters were not what everyone expected. Reagan always says that I pick the hottest dude, and she is way in love with Fang so she thought I would pick Fang. I picked Iggy. As soon as he told Gasman, "Bombs are good, I love bombs." I loved him! He is blind, but really smart, and cool. I also like Gasman, he's awesome because he came up with the idea of blowing up the bad guys. And of course, who couldn't like little Angel? She is soooooo cute!

I didn't like Ari so much, he was cool and had big muscles and he looks good in a suit, but dudes that ripped creep me out. I didn't like Fang as much as everyone told me I would, he seemed kinda weird, and he needs a haircut.

There was some language in this book, just two things, but other than that the book was pretty clean. *Puts on hypnotizing eyes* You mussst read thissss book!!

The Book Of Wonders by Jasmine Richards

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
• Hardcover: 416 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (January 17, 2012)
• Language: English
• Buy The Book: Amazon

Thirteen-year-old Zardi loves to hear stories about fantastical beings long banned from the kingdom of Arribitha. But anyone who is caught whispering of their powers will feel the rage of the sultan—a terrifying tyrant who, even with his eyes closed, can see all.
When her own beloved sister is captured by the evil ruler, Zardi knows that she must risk everything to rescue her. Along with Rhidan, who is her best friend, and an unlikely crew of sailors led by the infamous Captain Sinbad, Zardi ventures forth into strange and wondrous territory with a seemingly impossible mission: to bring magic back to Arribitha and defeat the sultan once and for all.

     At first I kinda had a hard time getting into this book, but then when events started to unfold, I wouldn't put it down. This book is awesome because it had pirates AND magic! I liked that the author put Sinbad in the book, I'm a big Sinbad fan and in this book he was as awesome as always. This book is- I'm pretty sure- set in some kind of fictitious Arabic country, because the name of the country is Aribitha, and the ruler is the sultan....

     My favorite character in this book was probably Rhidan, because he's cool. He is the main character, Zardi's best friend who is different than everybody else, he has paler skin and violet eyes, topped with a shock of silvery hair. I think Rhidan and Zardi should end up together because they're best friends and they're always trying to protect each other. I also liked Zardi, she's my age (Not for long!) and she's brave, kind, helpful, and smart. She's a really cool heroine in the story. The best baddie of this story was the Serpent Queen, she was so cool, I pictured her in my head and thought, I love it! She is a woman with scales and a snake head or something like that, but it's cool. She was really powerful and sneaky.

     My least favorite character was probably Nadeem, he is a traitor and a fool. I mean, sure he turns good at the very end, but he betrayed his crewmates, whom he said were his family, and caused them to be imprisoned by the Serpent Queen while he is dressed in fine robes as her adviser. I also didn't like the sultan, he was completely raving mad, killing everybody who disobeyed any tiny rule.

     There was definitely violence in this book (When do I not read violent books?) But nothing too graphic, just some fight scenes. Otherwise there were no real romance or language problems.

Deltora Quest: Book One

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Kodansha Comics (July 26, 2011)
• Language: English
• Buy the Book:  Amazon

 The kingdom of Deltora is turned upside down when the King and Queen both die mysteriously and their young son, Endon, is given the Belt of Deltora and pronounced kind.  Endon's best friend, the orphaned Jarred, then discovers a plot to strike at the royal household from within!  Before he can warn his new kind, Jarred is accused of murder and barely escapes the castle with his life, but this does not stop the intrepid warrior from pledging his allegiance to Endon and the Kingdom of Deltora.

Now, with the nefarious Shadow Lord's army preparing for invasion, Deltora has never needed Jarred more-- will he answer the call?

     I liked this book, but it was definitely a change from the actual books. (This is another manga, it took me two days to finish all three mangas I got from the bookstore, so I've had a lot of reviewing to do!) Anyway, I liked it, but I kinda liked the actual books a bit better. This is kind of a backstory about the main character of these books' father, Jarred. (There is a little secret that is unveiled in the second or third series that goes along with Leif's parents, but I'll leave it a secret) So it's about how Jarred grew up with his best friend Endon. I liked that I finally got to see what the characters looked like! Some were completely different than what I thought, like Endon looking like a girl for instance, but it wasn't that hard to get used to. I loved how this manga wasn't that different from the actual books, you know, like at the movies when you freak out because they changed everything. Not a problem here!

     I did not like that they made Endon look like a girl! His robes made him look extra girlish too! Also I didn't like how there was some cussing. It wasn't terrible, but every once in a while there was a word or two. And Prandine was totally suspicious looking, and weird I would've been wary of him from the start if I was in that book.

     My favorite character... I don't know, I didn't really have a favorite in this book. If I had to chose I'd pick Jarred because he is strong and brave.

     My least favorites were Endon and Prandine, Endon because he cried too much, even as a grown man. Prandine because he was a traitor and he killed Min!

     Overall, this book is not my favorite, but it is still pretty good. I'd say read the ones after this one, they are better, especially because of Leif and Jasmine!

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Part 1

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: VIZ Media LLC; Original edition (October 7, 2008)
• Language: English
• Buy the Book: Amazon

     In the mystified land of Hyrule, three spiritual stones hold the key to the Triforce, and whoever holds them will control the world! A boy named Link sets out on a quest to deliver the Emerald, the spiritual stone of the forest, to Zelda, Princess of the land of Hyrule. The journey will be long and perilous, and Link will need all his skill and courage to defeat evil. The battle for Hyrule and the Sacred Realm has begun!

     This book isn't one of the comic books that we Americans claim to be manga, this is the real deal! A Japanese book that goes right to left instead of left to right! I was so excited about the book and I was not let down. This was a good book, all clean and perfect all around, no cussing, not even kissing or romance (except that Link and Zelda are obviously crushing on each other) at all! (Though I suspect there will be in the other books) I thought that I might be let down but it turned out to be pretty funny and cool.

I didn't like that the dude doesn't wear pants! In other pictures I see him wearing tights at least, but in the book he's pretty much just wearing a little green dress! It's a miracle that no wind was blowing!

My favorite character was definitely Link, he's so cute and brave! In the first half he's only a cute little kid, but then he grows up for the second half and he's more dramatic, but still awesome.
My other favorite character was Epona, the horse who liked Link from the start and ended up becoming his horse at the end. She is smart for a horse, and really cute and sweet.

My least favorite character was Ganondorf, the villain. He's kinda... meh. I just don't really like the guy.

 

Vampirates: Empire Of Night by Justin Somper

• Paperback: 512 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; Reprint edition (December 5, 2011)
• Language: English
• Buy the Book: Amazon

     Determined to stake their claim on the dark waters, renegade Vampirates are expanding. But the Pirate Federation and the once-neutral Nocturnal Vampirates are determined to thwart their efforts and destroy every rebel Vampirate ship in sight. Meanwhile, shocking secrets about their family history have twins Connor and Grace questioning every allegiance they've ever made. There's a bloody battle brewing on the seas, and one thing is tragically clear: This time, no ship is safe.

     I know what you're thinking, "vampires? Has Faith gone to the dark side?" Well, the answer is no, these vampires are the real deal, not the sparkly ones that have relationship problems and give birth to creepy monsters. Lol no, these are pirates, and they rock. This book was definitely the saddest and it made me (almost) cry twice. There are many deaths in this book, but I'm not going to tell you who dies because that would just give it all away. I love how Justin Somper mixed the pirates and vampires together in these books, it makes the vampires far less detestable, and you get a lot of cool battle scenes that get you on the edge of your seat. I liked how Grace and Connor finally had to face what they are, and they chose the good side. And an added bonus, Grace finally sorts out her feelings (I said they don't have relationship problems but everybody does once in a while right?) and she picks Lorcan. (That's good cuz I called dibs on Johnny anyway :P) This book was pretty clean except for one word (only repeated twice) and kissing. (Grace kissing Johnny when she's dating Lorcan *rolls eyes*)


      I didn't like how Cheng Li said that word and then Connor repeated it, it was funny, but it was the last thing expected, especially from Cheng Li! I also didn't like how some important people died, and some of the said people were vampire-ified! At least they aren't totally gone.

     My favorite characters in the book were definitely Johnny, he's the cowboy vampirate, and he is totally awesome! He is a bad boy, but he has other sides to him also, making him a hard nut to crack. He is completely in love with Grace, and tries to steal her away from Lorcan. I have to say Jez, well, Stukely now, and Bart too. Stukely is the funny guy, but he's also killer at sword fighting, literally! And Bart is the sweetest guy ever, he's so awesome and hilarious. My favorite female character is Darcy Flotsam, she is a flapper, and also Grace's best friend. She is really cool, and she always knows when something is up with Grace, and she always tells Grace exactly what she needs to feel better.


     My least favorite characters were Lady Lola because she killed one of the main charris that should not have been killed. Also Lola's girls, who killed another person who should not have been killed. (They are pretty cool though- the girls not Lola-) I always have to say Moonshine too, even though he isn't really in this book that much. He's just... icky. lol

     A few notes about the book, firstly, this is NOT the first one, read the first one first to know what is going on! Secondly it can be kinda freaky sometimes, and pretty violent, like, decapitating violent. Also, as I said above, there is one word, but just that one, only said twice. Finally, read these books! You won't be sorry!

Return To Exile by E.J Patten

• Hardcover: 512 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers (September 6, 2011)
• Language: English
• Buy The Book: Amazon

  ONE BOY. UNTOLD ENEMIES. A WHOLE WORLD TO SAVE.
IT'S GOING TO BE A LOOONG THREE DAYS.

Eleven years ago, a shattered band of ancient monster hunters captured an unimaginable evil and Phineas T. Pimiscule rescued his nephew, Sky, from the wreckage of that great battle. For eleven years, Sky Weathers has studied traps, puzzles, science, and the secret lore of the Hunters of Legend believing it all a game. For eleven years, Sky and his family have hidden from dark enemies while, unbeknownst to Sky, his uncle Phineas sacrificed everything to protect them.

For eleven years, Sky Weathers has known nothing of that day.

But on the eve of Sky's twelfth birthday and his family's long-awaited return to the town of Exile, everything changes. Phineas has disappeared, and Sky finds himself forced to confront the mysterious secrets he's denied for so long: why did his family leave Exile on that day so long ago? What, exactly, has Phineas been preparing him for? And, the biggest mystery of all, who is Sky really and why does everyone want to kill him?!

Featuring an action-packed plot that covers the gamut of every monster you've never heard of (not to mention weird powers and weapons made out of garbage), Return to Exile is brimming with boy and girl appeal and is a gem for reluctant young readers. And, with a diverse assortment of well-aged monster hunters in the cast, this series will be a hit with adults young and old as well. Recommended for ages 9+.

My Thoughts~

      This. Book. Is. Epic. I know, for me, every book is, that's just the way I am. But seriously, this book is amazing. I haven't read that fast in ages. It took me about from the start of this week to yesterday afternoon, which is actually quite normal for me, but with school and homework and stuff I haven't read that fast since two years ago in sixth grade during class (Note: don't read during class). Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to talk about me, I'm trying to emphasize the amazingness of the book. I got completely sucked into this book, and I couldn't put it down for long. It has monsters and action and weapons, the works of an awesome adventure/action book. You definitely need to read this, after all the other ones I told you to read :P.

Fave Characters~

     Sky Weathers: good at puzzles, has a person in the back of his mind, doesn't make friends easily. My kinda guy. He is my favorite character other than Hands, one of his friends that doesn't completely trust him until the very end, and Errand, the person I mentioned in the back of Sky's mind.

     Hands: likes his privacy, dramatizing everything, and teen vampire romance novels. Love the guy. He is something else, and definitely one of the best characters in the whole book.

     Errand: likes helping Sky with fights at school, takes Sky edgewalking, has been trapped and frozen in a prison for eleven years. He looks exactly like Sky, even has the same marks on his hand. Two white crescent moons in his palm that connect at the tips, surrounded by a black mark that looks like a wound that won't heal, it is also two crescent moons connected at the tips (The Hunter's Mark (white) and the cicatrix, or trix (black)).

 

The best monsters in this story are:

     Echo: treelike, with big black wings like leather. Its branches can be like tentacles, or like branches, or like a shield around it. It does not have eyes, because the great monster hunter, Solomon Rose, gouged them out one by one.To survive a fight/encounter with one, attack the branches.

     Shadow Warg: basically shadow wolf, since warg means wolf, and is pronounced with a v not a w. Weird huh? Anyway, they are the size of a Clydesdale, and made of shadow and darkness. They can move from shadow to shadow without being seen, like in the Percy Jackson books when Nico shadow travels. They are controlled by a Wargarou, the pack leader pretty much. These creatures, even the Wargarou, can appear human when they want to. To survive a fight/encounter with one, use silver, fire, or wolfsbane.

I couldn't not put the pics up, they are so awesome, even more than I imagined.

Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter

• Reading level: Ages 11 and up
• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion Book CH (June 21, 2011)
• Language: English
• Buy The Book: Amazon

Katarina Bishop has worn a lot of labels in her short life. Friend. Niece. Daughter. Thief.  But for the last two months she’s simply been known as the girl who robbed the greatest museum in the world. That’s why Kat isn’t surprised when she’s asked to steal the infamous Cleopatra Emerald so it can be returned to its rightful owners.

There are only three problems.  First, the gem is owned by the most secure auction house in the world.  Second, since the fall of the Egyptian empire and the suicide of Cleopatra, no one who holds the emerald keeps it for long, and in Kat’s world, history almost always repeats itself.  But it’s the third problem that makes Kat’s crew the most nervous and that is simply… the emerald is cursed.

Kat might be in way over her head, but she’s not going down without a fight. After all she has her best friend—the gorgeous Hale—and the rest of her intrepid crew with her as they chase the Cleopatra around the world, realizing that the same tricks and cons her family has used for centuries are useless this time.

Which means, this time, Katarina Bishop is making up her own rules.



     Heist Society and Uncommon Criminals are now the king and queen of my favorite list. The characters are so likeable, and they all have a sense of humor to just add a perfect touch to the books. This book was completely captivating and amazing! At first, though, the Bagshaws weren't there so it wasn't completely perfect, but it was close enough. I especially liked how there was a little more of a spark between Hale and Kat, and Gabrielle was trying to talk to Kat about Hale and how good they would be together. This time Kat has a little bit of a rebellious attitude. She goes against her uncle's word and heads off with Simon, Hale and Gabrielle to steal the Cleopatra Emerald, which is cursed, while the rest of their family is in Uruguay... or Paraguay, they confused me with their fighting about which one is which. Anyway, it was also fun to see the adversary as someone else, who is even harder to beat than Taccone was. Like in a game when you level up and get harder enemies.

     The stuff I didn't like... probably that it was annoying to me how the bad guy was so smug about everything, especially when Kat's crew's plan didn't work. I can't think of anything else that was really bad or anything. I can never find bad stuff, it's like Andye is a mind reader, picking the books that I love and asking me to review them. :P

     Okay so not much has changed since the last book in the category of fave characters. I still love the Bagshaws the best, and Kat. She is so awesome, how can anyone not like her? I have to say I like everyone, but those are just the absolute best.

     My least favorites were Maggie, the bad character, she was breaking like, a million thief rules, just so she could be rich. I just didn't like her, I'm not sure why other than the reason listed before.


     Overall, the book was awesome, it was real people, no magic, but it was from the thief's point of view. If you haven't read these books, you are missing out BIG TIME. You have to read them, like, right now.

Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken

• Reading Level: Young Adult
• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: EgmontUSA; Reprint edition (June 28, 2011)
• Buy The Book: Amazon

The day the rains came was like any other, blistering air coating the canyon in a heavy stillness...

Just as the rains come after ten long, dry years, a young wizard, Wayland North, appears, to whisk Sydelle Mirabil away from her desert village. North needs an assistant, and Sydelle is eager to see the country--and to join him on his quest to stop the war that surely will destroy her home. But North has secrets--about himself, about why he chose Sydelle, about his real reasons for the journey. What does he want from her? And why does North's sworn enemy seem fascinated by Sydelle himself?

Through a journey that spans a country, magic and hard-won romance are woven together with precision and brilliant design by a first-time novelist.

This book was AWESOMESAUCE! I loved the characters, the settings, the romance, all of it! This is definitely going to be added to my long list of favorites. I really especially liked how there were lots of different scenes, all in different places, it makes it more interesting to me when the author is explaining the scenes constantly. I also liked how the author didn't just instantly make the characters fall in love, they gradually discovered new things about each other and got closer before they fell in love. They only kissed like, twice or three times in the book, which made me happy, I like romance, but not excessive kissing. 

I didn't not like this, but it still made me angry how North yells at Syd and gets mad at her sometimes when he's had too much drink. I didn't dislike much about this book, just North's random outbursts made me a bit angry at him. 

My favorite character is probably Sydelle, because she is independent, strong, but also passionate about what she does, and also very kind, intelligent and helpful to those in need. I also think North was a pretty good character, he was misunderstood, but still kind and protective. The perfect hot guy of the story lol. My other favorite character of the story was Owain, North's friend. He's like, this big, teddy bear type guy who helps Syd and North with their quest. I got the feeling that he wasn't much for romance, because he started talking about his girl, Vesta, and it turns out she's a horse. 

My least favorite characters were probably Queen Eglantine, The Sorceress Imperial, and Dorwan, a rogue wizard and North's sworn enemy. I usually have a thing for the bad guys, because they're cool, they have better weapons or it turns out that they have a heart... not this time. The villains were cruel, they didn't have very good weapons or anything, and they just didn't captivate me like they usually do. 

I think this is a more fantasy-ish book, and real-life lovers might like it, but it has a lot of magic in it. Guys might like this, but it does have romance and mushy, sappy parts. I also believe that everybody should read this book, it is awesomesauce, epic, and it will knock your socks off!

Firelight by Sophie Jordan

• Reading level: Ages 13 and up
• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins; 1 edition (September 7, 2010)

 

Marked as special at an early age, Jacinda knows her every move is watched. But she longs for freedom to make her own choices. When she breaks the most sacred tenet among her kind, she nearly pays with her life. Until a beautiful stranger saves her. A stranger who was sent to hunt those like her. For Jacinda is a draki—a descendant of dragons whose greatest defense is her secret ability to shift into human form.
Forced to flee into the mortal world with her family, Jacinda struggles to adapt to her new surroundings. The only bright light is Will. Gorgeous, elusive Will who stirs her inner draki to life. Although she is irresistibly drawn to him, Jacinda knows Will's dark secret: He and his family are hunters. She should avoid him at all costs. But her inner draki is slowly slipping away—if it dies she will be left as a human forever. She'll do anything to prevent that. Even if it means getting closer to her most dangerous enemy.
Mythical powers and breathtaking romance ignite in this story of a girl who defies all expectations and whose love crosses an ancient divide.



I didn't know how to get the blue thing around the first part.... Anyway, my review~

 This book is probably one of the best books I've ever read. It's really well written and detailed, and you feel like you're standing right there watching it all go down! I liked how she made the people half dragon, and that they live in a big community [pride]. I also liked that they weren't just dragons, they had different kinds that learned different things and had different abilities. It was cool how the author mixed the fantasy of the dragon people with the realistic town of Chaparral and the normal teen girl problems and situations.

What I didn't like... let's see.... I didn't like it that they kissed as much as they did. Every two to four pages there was kissing. It was partly to keep Jacinda alive, but I saw no need to go that far with it. Also, I didn't like it that they have to strip when they turn into their dragon. At the end of the book, Jacinda has to go nude for the whole car ride home, which was REALLY disturbing to me. Otherwise, though, it was a great book.

My favorite character was probably Jacinda, because she was so independent and fearless. She wasn't afraid to do what she thought was right, and she stuck up for her friends and her boyfriend when it was really dangerous. She is also really pretty, and a really rare, cool draki.

My least favorite character was definitely Cassian, the pride leader's son. He was basically forcing Jacinda to date him when she quite obviously didn't want to. He only wanted her for her power, and because she was a rare draki that could make his bloodline stronger and better. Cassian's father was also really annoying. He was really into punishing people....

I think this is definitely a girl's book, and probably mostly for teens for reasons listed above. Also, people who like real life stuff probably wouldn't like this book because it is full of fantasy everywhere. So overall, this book was one of the best in my list.

Finally got a new piccy! Yay!

Heist Society by Ally Carter

Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: Hyperion Book CH (February 9, 2010) 
Buy the book:  Amazon

When Katarina Bishop was three, her parents took her on a trip to the Louvre...to case it. For her seventh birthday, Katarina and her Uncle Eddie traveled to Austria...to steal the crown jewels. When Kat turned fifteen, she planned a con of her own--scamming her way into the best boarding school in the country, determined to leave the family business behind. Unfortunately, leaving "the life" for a normal life proves harder than she'd expected.

Soon, Kat's friend and former co-conspirator, Hale, appears out of nowhere to bring her back into the world she tried so hard to escape. But he has good reason: a powerful mobster has been robbed of his priceless art collection and wants to retrieve it. Only a master thief could have pulled this job, and Kat's father isn't just on the suspect list, he is the list. Caught between Interpol and a far more deadly enemy, Kat's dad needs her help. For Kat there is only one solution: track down the paintings and steal them back. So what if it's a spectacularly impossible job? She's got two weeks, a teenage crew, and hopefully just enough talent to pull off the biggest heist in history--or at least her family's (very crooked) history.

Heist Society looked like an entertaining book on the outside, and it was even better on the inside! This book was about a family of thieves, that go around stealing valuable things like paintings and statues. They are really good at stealing, and after they come in, steal the paintings, and get out, nobody even knows what happened.

The main character, Katarina Bishop, was really funny. In the first few pages it describes her as a Russian princess, even though she isn't Russian. [She isn't a princess either, but she could definitely pass for one] She's sneaky, cunning, and at a boarding school. Yeah, she tries to give up her life for a more 'good' and 'respectable' life. Her family won't let her do that so easily, and they bring her back. More specifically, W. W. Hale The Third brings her back. He frames her for a crime that she didn't do, and she gets kicked out of school and goes back to Europe.

When she gets back, Hale [nobody knows what the W's stand for so they call him Hale] and Kat's cousin Gabrielle are waiting for her. They lecture her on how she shouldn't have left, that thievery is her life, and she can't just walk away. Soon after that, she is visited by a mysterious, Al Taccone. He accuses Kat's father of stealing his paintings, and he wants Kat to get them back to him. She argues that her father did not steal the paintings, but he insists and Kat accepts. But she can't just do it with however much time she needs. She has a time limit to get them back, before he takes her father away.

I liked that the characters were all thieves, it seems like nobody has really ever stopped to tell their story before. It was cool that stealing was a family business, and they all stuck together no matter what. I thought it was funny how they all kind of knew what the others were thinking, and they seemed really close, like they weren't only family, but best friends. There wasn't really anything that I didn't like, except Taccone seemed to be flirting with Kat at the end, which was just a little awkward since he is a grown man, and she's a teenager.

My favorite characters would have to be the Bagshaws, they are definitely the funniest, and they just go ahead and say what's on their minds, even if it's a totally random and strange comment. My least favorite character was probably... I don't know, they were all so cool!

This is definitely one of my favorite books, and I would read it again and again if I didn't have other books to read and review. I think it could be a good read for all ages, because it didn't have any bad content and it kept me excited. One example; I kept thinking that Gabrielle was going to steal Hale away from Kat. Which, I know she probably wouldn't do, now that I've read the whole book.

The only thing about this book was that Kat's cousins kept commenting on her boobs. It was meant to be funny, and it was, but I know some people out there would be kinda weirded out by that. Other than that there wasn't any awkwardness, language or bad stuff in it at all. It was a really good book and I really enjoyed it.