Knightly Academy By Violet Haberdasher

Reading level: Ages 8 and up
Hardcover: 480 pages
Publisher: Aladdin; 1 edition (March 9, 2010)
Buy The Book: Amazon

Henry Grim is a servant boy at the Midsummer School—until he passesthe elite Knightley Academy exam and suddenly finds himself one of the first commoners at the Academy, studying alongside the cleverest and bravest—and most arrogant—young aristocrats in the country. But someone is out to sabotage him from becoming a full-fledged Knight of the Realm, and soon Henry uncovers a conspiracy that violates the Hundred Years’ Peace treaty—and could lead to war!

This book was amazing! I mean they are training to be some kind of knight! That's awesome! I want to be  a knight...... But those days are over :'(. Sadly I did  not listen to the audio of this book just yet. But a plan to soon :D. I'll tell you how it was as soon as I can in the chat box! I think the best part was when the boys found Frankie, the headmaster's daughter, fencing. At first they thought it was a boy so they where all like 'He's the best fencer I've ever seen!' and all that until she took off her mask, and then they thought she was the worst fencer.  So when the fencing master left, Valmont, Henry's tormenter from Midsummer, mocked Frankie and she told him exactly what she embroidered on a pillow that got her expelled at her last boarding school. It does not say what was on the pillow but I have my own suspicions.

My favorite character is Frankie, she is the ultimate tomboy. I mean she hates all kinds of schools with fancy stuff, she hates the piano (inside joke), and she likes to hang out with Henry and his friends. Plus the boys are scared of her (another inside joke). This book is also HILARIOUS! I'd start laughing randomly and Bransen (my brother) would be like, 'What's so funny!?' and I'd say, 'Nothing.' Because I'd already moved on. At first this was slow and a bit boring but after I got into it I was glued to the pages. I think if you like knight books, boarding school books you'd like this book. Thanks BYE!

Secret Agent Jack Stalwart: The Escape of the Deadly Dinosaur

Jack Stalwart: The Escape of the Deadly Dinosaur
by Elizabeth Singer Hunt
Series: Jack Stalwart book #1
Reading level: Ages 6 and up
Paperback: 110 pages
Publisher: Weinstein Books; First Edition edition (September 4, 2007)

In this action-packed new series, nine-year old secret agent Jack Stalwart travels the globe in search of his missing older brother Max while solving international crimes for the Global Protection Force.

In The Escape of the Deadly Dinosaur, Jack zooms to the city that never sleeps to try to solve the mystery of the missing Allosaurus toe. Starting at the Natural History Museum, Jack's detection takes him to a competitive grade-schooler determined to win the science fair with his experiment crossing his own dog with the DNA from the bone of a dangerous, carnivorous dinosaur. Soon the gargantuan creature is terrorizing New Yorkers and Jack must stop him before he devours the animals in the Central Park zoo!

This book is about a kid named Jack Stalwart.  In this book Jack has to go to New York to the American Museum of Natural History where the hallux of an allosaurus is missing.  Jack finds out that a kid named Thomas stole the hallux and got DNA out of it and turned his dog into an allosaurus.  Jake's job is to bring the hallux back to the museum.

I liked this book because it is easy to read, and it is exciting.  It is a cool book and you don't know what will happen next.  I also like secret agents.  I recommend this book to people who like action!

The Invisible Tower by Nils Johnson-Shelton

Reading level: Ages 10 and up
Hardcover: 352 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins (January 3, 2012)
Buy The Book: Amazon
Listening Length: 7 hours and 43 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: Harper Audio
Buy The Audio: Audible

In Artie Kingfisher's world, wizards named Merlin, fire-breathing dragons, and swords called Excalibur exist only in legends and lore - until the day his video game Otherworld springs to life.
You are special, Arthur, Says the mysterious message in his game. In one week's time you will come to me at the it.
Cryptic clues lead Artie to a strange place called the Invisible Tower, where he discovers that nothing in his life is as it seems. Artie is none other than King Arthur, brought to life in the twenty-first century. Artie has won the battle in the virtual Otherworld - now the key to saving the real Otherworld lies in his hands as well.
Green dragons, hungry wolves, powerful sorcerers - suddenly Artie must battle them all as he wields Excalibur and embarks on a quest worthy of the Knights of the Round Table. With his sister, Kay, by his side, Artie steps into the Otherworld - straight toward his destiny.

I really liked this book.   It is funny and has action, adventure, and fantasy.  I like how the book is like The Sword and the Stone.  My favorite character is Arty.  He is funy and brave.

I listened to it on audio and like the reader.  I would suggest it to people who like The Sword and the Stone and fantasy!

Here's my sister, Reagan's review!

Witch And Wizard: The Gift: By James Patterson

Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing; Reprint edition (March 1, 2012)
The Authors Website: James Patterson
Buy The Book: Amazon

When they were imprisoned by the new, brutal government, Whit and Whisty were barely able to escape with their lives. Discovering a hidden community of children like themselves--hunted by the state and with varying degrees of special talents--they have taken refuge underground. But the New Order is rapidly pushing in on them from all sides, and the pressure to stop the regime is mounting.


One day, as they rush to save another group of kids who are about to be captured by police, Whit and Whisty discover not only their own faces plastered to buildings on wanted posters, but also their parents'. When the hunting party sent out after the siblings always seems to be one step ahead of them, they begin to fear that it is controlled by a very, very powerful force. They are in much more danger than they feared...

I enjoyed reading this book. The writing was good with just a few errors. But maybe that  was because it was advanced readers copy *strokes imaginary beard*. Ahh well..... But back to earth. I enjoy James Patterson's books because they are kick-butt teens. Yes this is another teen book I read but I'm still not on the teens gang. Back to earth again.  OKAY.  I think that kick-butt books are the best BECAUSE they aren't afraid to stick up for the ones they love, and what is right.  Even though earth is crumbling around them they never lose hope, because hope is all they have left. I think that if I had the gift like Whisty I'd freakin KICK THE N.O.'S BIG HAIRY BUTTS!!! No mercy required. lol... ahh back to earth for the hundredth time!! Sorry precious. lol. So Why doesn't Whisty have the same urge I do? I have no idea.... SO I think my favorite character is.... No one!! At first I thought that I would like Whisty best because she has the gift, you know, but then she went all soft and now that's a no no.  I don't like Whit because he's more soft than Whisty.  I HATE Brian Swan,  and the rest of the lot is barley in the book!!  So yeah...... So I am really hoping that I get my hands on the next one so that I can see if Whisty makes up for her softyness (I don't think that's a word...) and Whit.

If you like James Patterson's books look at the reviews Of Maximum Ride
Maximum Ride 5: Reagans
Maximum Ride 1 Manga: Faith
Maximum Ride 7:  Reagan
Maximum Ride 3-4: Anna
Maximum Ride 1: Reagan

Note To Parents

Whit in the book cusses at Brian.... 

Whit also kiss's one of the resistance.

There is also gruesome things like hand being delivered for torture for Whisty.

Winterling By Sara Prineas

Reading level: Ages 10 and up
Hardcover: 256 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins and Harper Audio (January 3, 2012)

Narrated by Erin Moon
Buy The Book: Hardcover | Audible

With her boundless curiosity and wild spirit, Fer has always felt that she doesn’t belong. Not when the forest is calling to her, when the rush of wind through branches feels more real than school or the quiet farms near her house. Then she saves an injured creature—he looks like a boy, but he’s really something else. He knows who Fer truly is, and invites her through the Way, a passage to a strange, dangerous land.

Fer feels an instant attachment to this realm, where magic is real and oaths forge bonds stronger than iron. But a powerful huntress named the MÓr rules here, and Fer can sense that the land is perilously out of balance. Fer must unlock the secrets about the parents she never knew and claim her true place before the worlds on both sides of the Way descend into endless winter.

I listened to half the book on audio but the other half I actually read. I'll talk about the audio first. The reader, Erin Moon, was really good, she really sounded like a little girl when she did Fer's voice, and she sounded like an old lady when she did Grand-Janes's voice. So the audio was easy to go through, and fun to listen to. I think I like it best when she did Rooks voice because it was rough like it was supposed to be and deep like a boys is.  Listen to a sample here!

Now I'll talk about the book. The book had no errors as far as I know which was a relief! And it had no bad language or romance, but a little violence. I enjoyed the reading part almost as much as the listening part! Almost. I think it it was slower for me reading than listening. It took me like a week to read this book though, if that counts for anything.  I didn't realize that the author of this book, Sara Prineas, also is the author of The Magic Thief series! (See my review of the Magic Thief HERE) So as I also enjoyed her writing in the Magic Thief I enjoyed the writing here, it was really excellent. The names were very creative, cute, and I liked them all. I think my favorite character is Rook, the mischievous puck boy who can shift into a horse and a dog. He's funny (at least I think so....:)) , and I imagine him cute. But that's just me lol. I think my second favorite character is Fer, cause she's brave always, never scared (which is just plain weird but admirable). I also liked Fer's horse. Can't say his name here! I'm giving too much away already lol. I think if you like books for brave girls, fantasy, and hunting, this is the book for you!!!

The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen

The False Prince
Author:  Jennifer A. Nielsen
Reading level: Ages 10 and up
Hardcover: 352 pages
Paperback: 342 pages
Publisher: Scholastic Press (April 1, 2012)
Buy The Book: amazon

In a discontent kingdom, civil war is brewing. To unify the divided people, Conner, a nobleman of the court, devises a cunning plan to find an impersonator of the king's long-lost son and install him as a puppet prince. Four orphans are recruited to compete for the role, including a defiant boy named Sage. Sage knows that Conner's motives are more than questionable, yet his life balances on a sword's point -- he must be chosen to play the prince or he will certainly be killed. But Sage's rivals have their own agendas as well.

As Sage moves from a rundown orphanage to Conner's sumptuous palace, layer upon layer of treachery and deceit unfold, until finally, a truth is revealed that, in the end, may very well prove more dangerous than all of the lies taken together.

This False Prince is about a boy named Sage who lives at an orphanage who one day is bought by a noble man named Conner. He picks up 3 other boys. His intentions for them aren't good, they are even at the brink of treson! He wants one of them to play the role of the lost prince, Jaron who supposedly died 4 years ago by pirates. Supposedly (*Hint, hint!*). All he tells Conner is "I am your Prince." and nothing else. Even if he loses all he will say is "I am you prince.".

I LOVE THIS BOOK!

<3<3<3<3

I love it cause it's really epic! And it's violent! Most of what I love is a spoiler, but trust me, it's amazing.  It's probably my favorite book ever!

My favorite character is Sage (Or is it? *hint Hint!*) He's stubborn (like myself) awesome (like myself:)  He's like me in guy form! THAT MAKES HIM AWESOME!!!!!!!!!

After I got done reading, I couldn't stop talking about it.  I kept trying to tell everyone how amazing it is.  So now my friend Joy (she writes for us sometimes) is going to read it too.  And my brother.

If you like fantasy and adventure and excitement, or if you have a kid, or know a kid, or like kids, or don't like kids and wish they'd shut up and read, you should buy this book!!

It's too good for just 5 crowns

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

TADA!!

Witch & Wizard By James Patterson: Graphic Novel

Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Yen Press (September 20, 2011)
Language: English
Buy The Book: Amazon

Imagine waking up to find that the world around you - life as you know it - has changed in an instant. That's what happens to Whit Allgood and his sister, Wisty. They thought that they were just a couple of normal teenagers, until their rude awakening at the hands of a dozen armed police! Charged with being a wizard and a witch, accused of having incredible powers they never dreamed possible, the siblings find themselves the targets of an upstart political regime, The New Order, which has swept the country and vowed to wipe "their kind" from existence. Now Whit and Wisty must fight for both their freedom and their lives as they unlock the powers burning inside of them!

This is about ordinary teenage kids named Whit and Wisty. At least they where until the new order was made. They are captured and put into a trail with no lawyer and no chance to talk. They are accused of being a witch and a wizard. Then they find out it is true. As they discover new powers they uncover new things about the world and what it holds. They are imprisoned at a children's hospital that has been turned into a evil prison. They are forced through tests that always threaten their lives with no way of escaping.

I really loved it!! It was action-packed and magical, which I really love. I think my favorite character was Wisty. In the comics she was always making funny faces and doing funny things.

Book Review: The Long Weekend by Savita Kalhan

Reading level: Ages 12 and up
Paperback: 192 pages
Publisher: Andersen Press (November 11, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1842708465
ISBN-13: 978-1842708460

Buy the Book: Amazon

Sam knows that he and his friend Lloyd made a colossal mistake when they accepted the ride home. They have ended up in a dark mansion in the middle of nowhere with man who means to harm them. But Sam doesn't know how to get them out. They were trapped, then separated. Now they are alone. Will either of them get out alive? This gripping and hypnotic thriller will have you reading late into the night.

REVIEW:

This book was one of the few that I really loved. It was kind of violent, but I loved how realistic it was. I couldn't put it down, I stayed up late at night reading this book, I was involved in the story. Sam was the bravest 11-year-old ever. He would always find the smartest ways to get out of very rough situations. He was my favorite character in the whole book. The kidnapper was my LEAST favorite, he was very cruel to these boys, and pretty dumb all around. Lloyd was not as smart of Sam, but he knew how to make somebody laugh! I was thrilled to read this book. It was funny, it was freaky, and it made me laugh multiple times! It was a great read, Savita Kalhan did an amazing job! 

 

Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu

Audible Audio Edition
Listening Length: 7 hours and 51 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: Harper Audio
Audible.com Release Date: September 27, 2011
Ready by:  Kirby Heyborne
Buy the book:  Audible | Hardcover

Once upon a time, Hazel and Jack were best friends. But that was before he stopped talking to her and disappeared into a forest with a mysterious woman made of ice. Now it's up to Hazel to go in after him. Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's "The Snow Queen," Breadcrumbs is a story of the struggle to hold on, and the things we leave behind.

Vlog Review: Seekers by Erin Hunter

Reading level: Ages 10 and up
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins; Reprint edition (February 10, 2009)
Buy the book:  Amazon

Three bears . . . one destiny
From the author of the nationally bestselling Warriors books comes a brand-new animal fantasy series. Three young bears from different species—black, polar, and grizzly—are separated from their families when they are just young cubs. They find themselves brought together on a perilous journey. Fate is about to change all these bears lives forever, setting their paws on a path toward a future they cannot yet imagine . . .

Audible Audio Edition
Listening Length: 8 hours and 18 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: Harper Audio
Audible.com Release Date: July 8, 2008
Buy the audio:  Audible

Maximum Ride: Max (#5) By James Patterson

Reading level: Young Adult 

Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages 

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing; Reprint edition (February 1, 2010)

Maximum Ride and the other members of the Flock have barely recovered from their last arctic adventure, when they are confronted by the most frightening catastrophe yet. Millions of fish are dying off the coast of Hawaii and someone--or something--is destroying hundreds of ships. Unable to discover the cause, the government enlists the Flock to help them get to the bottom of the disaster before it is too late.

While Max and her team are exploring the depths of the ocean, their every move is being carefully tracked by Mr. Chu--a criminal mastermind with his own plans for the Flock. Can they protect themselves from Mr. Chu's army of mercenaries and save the ocean from utter destruction?

Plot Summary MAX,<3 FANG<3, Nudge, Iggy, Gassman(Gazzy), Angel, Total (The talking dog with wings) all are happy to be back in the United States, Max's mom, Dr. Martinez, created a thing called the CSM , to put people's notice to pollution and ocean pollution so that the global warming will stop. So to get the message out they MADE the flock do these air shows, so when they get shot at they decide that the air shows are too dangers (after much arguing)  so they do one more air show. But of course Fang was right. They where WAY too dangerous.  They are attacked by what they described as robot ninja's with orange blood and flesh. So they get moved to a safe house.  Max goes flying alone at night when she gets shot by the robots that she named M-geeks and taken to a short angry Asian man named, Mr. Chew. When she refuses to join him in his plans she is thrown a half a mile away from the safe house (Quote!: So this ended up with me actually ringing the door bell.)  She has to rest for 3 days (really a week) in those three days Jeb had told them about a day and night school that he wanted them to try.  When they came back they learned that Dr. Martinez had been kidnapped. So they go in military subs down into the depths and mysteries of the ocean and awesomeness ensues. 

Plot High Point:

When Max and the flock find out where Dr martinez ais and rescue her. 

Main Characters:

Max-The flock leader- Brown hair, brown eyes-brown wings <3Fang!OMG....<3<3- Black hair, Black eyes(Always back clothes)-Black wings Nudge- Carmel hair, Brown eyes-Tawny wings Gazzy- Blonde, Blue eyes- (Unknown..) Iggy- pale bolde, Sightless blue eyes- (Unknown..) Angel- Blonde, blue eyes- Pure white wings Total- black fur-black wings 

Personal Opinion 

GO FANG GO FANG!!!!!! I like Fang cause he can change in a snap and he's SOOOOO awesome!!! I <3<3 this book. I like is because it's SO EPIC!!!

AudioBook Review: Dork Diaries by Rachel Renee Russel & Read by Lana Quintal

Dork Diaries: Tales From a Not-So-Fabulous Life by Rachel Renee Russell

Audio CD
Publisher:Simon & Schuster Audio; Unabridged edition (September 28, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1442338962
ISBN-13: 978-1442338968
Reader: Lana Quintal
Buy the Audio Book: Amazon

Dork Diaries follows eighth grader Nikki Maxwell as she chronicles through text and sketches her move to a snooty new school; her epic battle with her mom for an iPhone; her enthusiasm for drawing and art; and a love/hate fascination with the new school’s queen bee, a girl named Mackenzie, who becomes Nikki’s rival in a schoolwide art competition. Nikki writes about friendships, crushes, popularity, and family with a unique and fresh voice that still conveys a universal authenticity. Nikki’s sketches throughout her diary add humor and spunk to the book, a surefire hit with tween girl readers.



Dork Diaries: Tales From a Not-So-Popular Party Girl by Rachel Renee Russell

Audible Audio Edition
Listening Length: 2 hours and 56 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Audible.com Release Date: September 28, 2010
Language: English
Reader: Lana Quintal
Buy the Audio Book: Amazon

Settled in at her new school and flanked by awesome friends Chloe and Zoey, life is looking up for Nikki Maxwell, especially since her crush, Brandon, asked her to be his lab partner - a seriously awesome development. However, when Nikki overhears mean girl Mackenzie bragging that Brandon's taking her to the Halloween dance, a bummed Nikki signs on to spend Halloween at a kids party with her little sister, Brianna, instead. After she finds out Mackenzie was lying and her dream of going to the party with Brandon could be a reality, Nikki has two events to juggle... plus plenty of other entertaining trials and tribulations along the way!



Dork Diaries: from a Not-So-Talented Pop Star by Rachel Renee Russell


Reading level: Ages 9-12
Audio CD
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio; Unabridged edition (June 7, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1442340460
ISBN-13: 978-1442340466
Reader: Lana Quintal
Buy the Audio Book: Amazon

Nikki Maxwell knows her reputation will be destroyed if anyone at school finds out her Dad works as the school’s exterminator in exchange for her academic scholarship. So when it looks like her secret might be leaked, Nikki’s willing to go to zany and wacky lengths to protect the truth—and the timing seems perfect when a major talent competition is announced with a school scholarship offered as the top prize. Nikki loves to sing and dance, but of course hijinks and misunderstandings aplenty ensue, along with more hilarious and heartwarming moments with all our favorite characters in this ultra-popular series.Dork Diaries 3


AudioBook Review:

So... the audio part was pretty good, I mean it wasn't my kind of book, but it was pretty good! I thought that the reader was a really good reader. I thought that Lana Quinlan did very well on the voices and she was very entertaining with the reading. I also think that if you like girly books that this is your kind of book! This audiobook (all three) was pretty entertaining and it wasn't very long so I breezed right through it!


What I liked about the book...

My Favorite character was Nikki, and she is the main character. Why I liked her was because she didn't always say "OMG! OMG! OMG!" And I liked that about her, she didn't want to be a really big popular girl. So that is what I liked about her! I like how there is a little bit of romance in the book, and I like scary books, but the only good scary books are YA books and  I cant read a lot of YA books! So as far as this book goes, it was well written and enjoyable.


AudioBook



Book

Angel: Maximum Ride: James Patterson

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company; 1 edition (February 14, 2011)
Buy the book:  Amazon

In the seventh book in the bestselling series, evil scientists are still trying to convince Max that she needs to save the world, this time by providing the genetic link in speeding up the pace of evolution. Worse, they're trying to convince her that her perfect mate is Dylan, the newest addition to the flock. The problem is that, despite herself, Max is starting to believe it.

Fang travels the country collecting his own gang of evolved humans, but the two separate flocks must unite to defeat a frightening doomsday cult whose motto is "Save the planet: kill the humans." And this time, the true heroine, for once, might just be little Angel.

This book is about, Max, FANG, ANGEL, Gazzy(Gassman), Iggy, Total, (DIE!) Dylan (KILL HIM!!).

So Fang left at the end of the last book to make his own flock. So he leaves Max heart-broken. Since she was screaming her head off in her room at the flocks safe house, and crying up in trees, the flock called Max's mom, DR. Martinez. So who's left? Fang. So who's there? you guessed him: Dylan *growls at him lashing tail*.  So when Dylan and Max are told that they should go to a house and get married Max and Dylan say no, BUT they become closer and closer throughout the book. Fang and Max's flocks both hear about this Doomsday group, that they are chanting, "Save that planted, kill the humans!" So Fang calls Max begging for help. So both flocks come together to save the planet...again.

I HATE this book!!!! It's dumb and stupid and it's ALL DYAN'S fault!! I hate it because Fang leaves Max and Max likes stupid DYLAN!!!!! IF DYLAN HADN'T TOLD FANG TO LEAVE IN THE BOOK BEFORE THIS THEN MAX AND FANG WOULD BE TOGETHER AND I WOULD LIKE THE BOOK!!!! BUT NO IT'S STUPID DYLAN INSTEAD!!! Don't read it if you like FANG(Who's worthy of Max, Hotter than Dyaln, SMARTER than Dylan, and he's not 6 MONTHS OLD!!) I punched the pillow, I cried and I really screamed into the pillow.

Oh and there is kissing in this book and it's really mushy gushy!

The Familiars: The Secret Of The Crown By Adam Jay Epstein and Andrew Jacobson

Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 384 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins (September 6, 2011)

Buy the Book:  Amazon

When human magic disappears suddenly from Vastia, it falls on the familiars, Aldwyn the telekinetic cat, Skylar the know-it-all blue, jay, and Gilbert the gullible tree frog--to find the Crown of the Snow Leopard, an ancient relic that can reverse the curse. They learn that the only way to do this is by following in the purple paw prints of Aldwyn's father, who'd gone missing while searching for the Crown years earlier. This magical spirit trail extends into the Beyond, where our heroes encounter new enemies and danger, while Aldwyn learns about his mysterious past.

Aphrodite the Diva (Goddess Girls) by Suzanne Williams and Joan Holub

Reading level: Ages 9-12
Paperback: 220 pages
Publisher: Aladdin; Original edition (August 9, 2011)
Buy the Book:  Amazon

In book 6, after a teeny misunderstanding in class, Aphrodite is failing Hero-ology. To raise her grade, she concocts a brilliant plan--an extra-credit project for matchmaking mortals. This brings her face-to-face with fierce competition--an Egyptian goddessgirl named Isis. Now the race is on to see which of them can matchmake Pygmalion--the most annoying boy ever! Will Aphrodite wind up making a passing grade after all? Or will she end up proving she's a diva with more beauty than brains?

These classic myths from the Greek pantheon are given a modern twist that contemporary tweens can relate to, from dealing with bullies like Medusa to a first crush on an unlikely boy. Goddess Girls follows four goddesses-in-training - Athena, Persephone, Aphrodite, and Artemis - as they navigate the ins and outs of divine social life at Mount Olympus Academy, where the most priviledged gods and goddesses of the Greek pantheon hone their mythical skills.

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.