(Blog Tour) Guest Post: Author Alex Smith's Tens List

AUTHOR BIO:
Alex Smith is 17 and lives in Hertfordshire, England. She started writing when she was just four and says, ‘to me, writing is like breathing’. She wrote her debut novel, Calling For Angels, at the age of 14, ‘as a way of relaxing’.

Alex is also a reviewer for the Guardian Children's Books website. Her first assignment was to film an interview with Guardian Children's Fiction Prize-winning author Michelle Paver.


The CALLING FOR ANGELS Blog Tour was arranged by Teen Book Scene.

Welcome to Alex Smith, author of CALLING FOR ANGELS. Today Alex will be sharing with us her Top Ten List of things she would like to accomplish in the next five years.

Travel. I have this list of the top ten places in the world I want to go to. Places like New York and going to see the Northern Lights. I'd like to cross some places off that list :)

To go to university and pass my degree. Not really sure what I actually want to study though!

Pass all my school exams, that probably would help....

This is going to sound seriously nerdy, but when I was little, I was obsessed with King Arthur. I used to love "Arthur, High King of Britain" which was written by Michael Morpurgo. So I'd like to read Malory's "Morte D'Arthur".

To keep writing. I hope I never stop.

Improve my public speaking. I talk too fast and and as my English teacher told me, I need to clear my "verbal clutter".

Become fluent in Italian. I'd like to live there one day.

Pass my driving test.

Learn how to cook properly. I'm not talking Michelin Star stuff, but something other than beans on toast.

I love the Lake District, I go there every year on holiday so I'd like to climb its highest peak, Scafell Pike.


Thanks Alex, for visiting today! Good luck with accomplishing all your goals!

TITLE: CALLING FOR ANGELS
AUTHOR: Alex Smith
IMPRINT: The Red Telephone
PUBLICATION DATE: 15 November 2010
PREVIOUS TITLES IN SERIES: Standalone

Em never believed in angels. That was until she met Zak and Kai…

Em - shy, sensitive, with her head in the clouds - and Caitlyn - gorgeous, popular and talented - have been best friends forever, in a sleepy, nondescript town called Philiton.

But when new boy Zak moves into town, Philiton suddenly becomes a much more interesting place. With his meltingly hot looks, sense of humour and a smile that has even the hardest-hearted girls falling at his feet, Zak has the female population of Philiton Comprehensive School convinced he's an angel.

Usually, Caitlyn has the boys worshipping the ground she treads on, so it’s a shock when Zak seems to be more interested in Em. Cracks appear, tensions arise, but surely Em and Caitlyn’s lifelong friendship can survive?

Em feels beset by demons. At home, she’s looking after her grandmother, who is slowly deteriorating, whilst despairing at her normally sensible brother, who is going off the rails just to fit in with the ‘right crowd’. Even Zak’s unexpected attention causes jealous girls to shower Em with spite – not least Caitlyn. If only she had a guardian angel…

Then a second boy steps into Em’s life. Dark and brooding, a captive to the secrets of a past he’d rather forget, Kai, who has appeared as if from nowhere and fallen head over heels in love with Em, is the exact opposite of Zak.

And although he may not seem like it, Kai is the real thing. He really is an angel.

CALLING FOR ANGELS description and cover art courtesy of Goodreads.

Click HERE to purchase CALLING FOR ANGELS.

(Blog Tour) Character Interview: Kyle from PRISCILLA THE GREAT and Contest

Welcome Kyle! Glad you could join us today. Let's get right to the questions.

Off the top of your head, what five words would you use to describe yourself?
Cool, competitive, confident, cute and charismatic. I kinda borrowed Priss’ love of alliteration.


What subject are you most interested in in school? 
Girls


What do you like to do when not in school? 
Ride bikes with Priss


Even though you are only in middle school, you must have some idea of what you want to be when you get older. What's your dream career? 
Model/ Actor/ Musician. Basically, I want to be the new Justin Timberlake.




Quick five: Favorites
Song – Love Will Come Through by Travis
Food – Nacho Cheese Doritos and Snickers. Together. Don’t knock it till you try it.
Book – Ugh. Something with pictures. Let’s go with Spiderman comics
Holiday – Easter. I once beat Priss in a race to eat marshmallow Peeps. It’s the only thing I’ve ever beaten her in.
TV Show – Reruns of Zorro. You’ll understand why in book 4 of the Priscilla the Great series.

Thanks again for joining us Kyle! I'm looking forward to reading more about you and Priscilla in the upcoming PRISCILLA THE GREAT books.



I received a finished copy of PRISCILLA THE GREAT as part of a blog tour arranged by TEEN BOOK SCENE.

Interested in reading PRISCILLA THE GREAT? Perhaps you'd like your own SIGNED copy plus some great swag? Then enter Sybil Nelson's PRISCILLA THE GREAT Prize Pack contest! All you have to do is comment on this post (remember to include your email for notification purposes, if you are the winner). Contest open until midnight of April 8th.

Prize Pack includes:
Win a Priscilla the Great Prize Pack!
Prize Pack includes:
1 signed Priscilla the Great book,
1 Priscilla the Great t-shirt,
1 Priscilla the Great totebag,
and a $15 iTunes gift card!


For more information on Sybil Nelson and the PRISCILLA THE GREAT series, visit

PRISCILLA THE GREAT WEBSITE
Sybil Nelson WEBSITE

TITLE: PRISCILLA THE GREAT
AUTHOR: Sybil Nelson
IMPRINT: WorldMaker Media
PUBLICATION DATE: 15 December 2010
PREVIOUS TITLES IN SERIES: None

Meet Priscilla Sumner, an ordinary seventh grader with extraordinary gifts. As if middle school isn’t hard enough, not only does Priscilla have to fight pimples and bullies, but genetically enhanced assassins trying to kill her and her family. Armed with wit, strength, and a genius best friend, Priscilla must defeat the Selliwood Institute, an organization dead set on turning children into killing machines.

Add an older brother annoyingly obsessed with Christina Aguilera, mischievous baby twin brothers who could scare the sin off of Satan, and parents more puzzling than a Rubik’s cube in the Bermuda triangle and expect a smoking page-turner!

PRISCILLA THE GREAT description and cover art courtesy of GOODREADS.

(Blog Tour) Book Review: PRISCILLA THE GREAT

TITLE: PRISCILLA THE GREAT
AUTHOR: Sybil Nelson
IMPRINT: WorldMaker Media
PUBLICATION DATE: 15 December 2010
PREVIOUS TITLES IN SERIES: None

Meet Priscilla Sumner, an ordinary seventh grader with extraordinary gifts. As if middle school isn’t hard enough, not only does Priscilla have to fight pimples and bullies, but genetically enhanced assassins trying to kill her and her family. Armed with wit, strength, and a genius best friend, Priscilla must defeat the Selliwood Institute, an organization dead set on turning children into killing machines.

Add an older brother annoyingly obsessed with Christina Aguilera, mischievous baby twin brothers who could scare the sin off of Satan, and parents more puzzling than a Rubik’s cube in the Bermuda triangle and expect a smoking page-turner!

PRISCILLA THE GREAT description and cover art courtesy of GOODREADS.

I received a finished copy of PRISCILLA THE GREAT as part of a blog tour arranged by TEEN BOOK SCENE.

THE TWEET
PRISCILLA THE GREAT: Hilarious story of a young girl in middle school who's just found out her family's secret...superhero like powers.

WHAT WORKED
The humor in PRISCILLA THE GREAT was what, in my opinion, made the book so good. Priscilla's character is funny, without being overdone, snarky, without being cynical, and just plain hilarious. She has some great "one-liners" in this book and I couldn't stop laughing as I was reading.

I also liked the family unit and dynamic in PRISCILLA THE GREAT. The book started off with Priscilla having a father as the main carer, while the mother was always out of town. This definitely caused some resentment with Priscilla, especially since she was the only female in her household. But, as the book progresses, it becomes apparent that their is another, darker reason why Priscilla's mother is absent, that ties into Priscilla discovering her special powers.

Author Sybil Nelson not only wrote a great family relationship, but she wrote a great relationship between Priscilla and her best friend, Tai. I loved the story of how Tai and Priscilla first meet and ultimately become friends.

OVERALL
PRISCILLA THE GREAT is a fast and fun read that will keep readers laughing. Though technically a middle grade novel, Priscilla and her fellow characters act a little older then expected for their age. Because of this, I feel PRISCILLA THE GREAT will not only appeal to middle grade readers, but to teens and readers of teen fiction alike.

FAVORITE QUOTE(S)
"He busted through the door like a cop in one of those Lifetime movies where the hero has to save the teenage daughter of his ove interest from a coke-dealing pimp."

MY RATING IS

Interested in reading PRISCILLA THE GREAT? Perhaps you'd like your own SIGNED copy plus some great swag? Then enter Sybil Nelson's PRISCILLA THE GREAT Prize Pack contest! All you have to do is comment on this post (remember to include your email for notification purposes, if you are the winner). Contest open until midnight of April 8th.

Prize Pack includes:
Win a Priscilla the Great Prize Pack!
Prize Pack includes:
1 signed Priscilla the Great book,
1 Priscilla the Great t-shirt,
1 Priscilla the Great totebag,
and a $15 iTunes gift card!


For more information on Sybil Nelson and the PRISCILLA THE GREAT series, visit

PRISCILLA THE GREAT WEBSITE
Sybil Nelson WEBSITE

Book Review: SEAN GRISWOLD'S HEAD

TITLE: SEAN GRISWOLD'S HEAD
AUTHOR: Lindsey Leavitt
IMPRINT: Bloomsbury USA Children's Books
PUBLICATION DATE: 1 March 2011
PREVIOUS TITLES IN SERIES: Standalone

According to her guidance counselor, fifteen-year-old Payton Gritas needs a focus object—an item to concentrate her emotions on. It's supposed to be something inanimate, but Payton decides to use the thing she stares at during class: Sean Griswold's head. They've been linked since third grade (Griswold-Gritas—it's an alphabetical order thing), but she's never really known him.

The focus object is intended to help Payton deal with her father's newly diagnosed multiple sclerosis. And it's working. With the help of her boy-crazy best friend Jac, Payton starts stalking—er, focusing on—Sean Griswold . . . all of him! He's cute, he shares her Seinfeld obsession (nobody else gets it!) and he may have a secret or two of his own.

In this sweet story of first love, Lindsey Leavitt seamlessly balances heartfelt family moments, spot-on sarcastic humor, and a budding young romance.

SEAN GRISWOLD'S HEAD description and cover art courtesy of Goodreads.

I received an ARC of SEAN GRISWOLD'S HEAD from the publisher Bloomsbury USA Children's Books as part of a blog tour.

THE TWEET
SEAN GRISWOLD'S HEAD is a realistic look at a girl dealing with family illness while simultanously becoming fixated on a boy in her class.

WHAT WORKED
I really liked how author Leavitt was able to inject humor into her story, despite the serious circumstances surrounding Payton's family. Payton is a down to earth main character that, in addition to her father's illness, is going through all the typical things a teen goes through - school, maintaining friendships and finding a love interest. Leavitt has weaved a very realistic and heartwarming story of a girl finding her way through grief and finding a boy who supported her through it (even when he didn't know he was).

I also loved the relationship between Payton and her best friend, Jac. Jac is not afraid to tell it like it is, no matter what the consequences. She is who she is and doesn't apologize for her behavior. I like this attitude in a teenage girl (even if it does lead to trouble) because it shows a unique personality, someone who will stand up for themselves and doesn't have the "mob mentality." Jac is the perfect foil to Payton's more conservative personality and the two of them together make a great duo.

WHAT DIDN'T WORK
I didn't like how long Payton held a grudge against her parents, particularly her father. I think she had a right to be angry that they kept something so important from her, especially since all of her brothers knew, but that it was a little immature that she refused to talk to her parents for as long as she did. To me, her actions were counterintuitive to how she wanted to be treated.

OVERALL
SEAN GRISWOLD'S HEAD is a great story about a teenage girl learning to grow up and face the difficulties of having a parent suffering from MS.

MY RATING IS

Click here to purchase SEAN GRISWOLD'S HEAD from The Book Depository.

For more information on Lindsey Leavitt and SEAN GRISWOLD'S HEAD, visit:

Lindsey Leavitt's WEBSITE
Bloomsbury Kids WEBSITE
Bloomsbury Teens FACEBOOK page

Fused Giveaway Winner

Chosen by Random.org, the lucky winner of a personalized copy of Fused (The Samantha Granger Experiment #1) is:

VIVIEN P.
Vivien has already been emailed about her prize.

Congratulations Vivien! Your personalized book will be sent direct from the publisher/author.

(Blog Tour) Kari Lee Townsend's Library List: Fused (The Samantha Granger Experiment)

Welcome, readers! Today I have the pleasure of being a stop on the Fused (The Samantha Granger Experiment) Blog Tour hosted by The Teen {Book} Scene.

Author, Kari Lee Townsend has generously shared with me her list of favorite books and book series'. Check them out below! Also, you can enter to win your own personalized copy of Fused. Just follow the instructions at the end of this post.

KARI LEE TOWNSEND'S LIBRARY LIST:
1). The Stephanie Plumb Series by Janet Evanovich (I love anything funny, and her characters are a hoot. Throw in a good mystery, and I’m a gonner for sure!)

2). The Meg Langslow Mystery Series by Donna Andrews (Such a fun cozy mystery series with great characters! These are the kinds of books I love to read and write.)

3). The Den of Antiquity Mystery Series by Tamar Myers (Another really fun cozy mystery series with quirky characters and lots of laughs. The above three women inspired me to write my own cozy mystery series which comes out in August called Tempest in the Tea Leaves: A Fortune Teller Mystery.)

4). The Twilight Prophecy by Maggie Shayne (Maggie is the queen of paranormal, and her vampires for grown-up girls are simply the best. No one does vamps like Maggie!)

5). The Twilight Series by Stephanie Meyer (I admit I am a twilight addict, but I am totally team Jacob! Never thought I’d like werewolves, but Jacob has officially converted me J)

6). The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling (Who DOESN’T like Harry Potter. I want to be J.K. Rowling when I grow up! I think she’s inspired a lot of authors to push themselves to be the best they can be, step out of their comfort zone, and dare to be different. I’m going to hate to see the series and movies end.)

7). The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (Wow, talk about pushing the boundaries. I was shocked yet riveted at the same time. Impressive!)


WIN YOUR OWN PERSONALIZED COPY OF FUSED!

When Samantha Granger touches a meteor while talking on her cell phone, her life is changed forever: her body now has all the capabilities of her phone (GPS, phone, text, camera). She secretly calls herself a "Digital Diva" as she rushes to answer emergency calls. But will her identity be discovered when sparks fly (literally!) between her and Trevor, her dreamy crush? Samantha has to get a handle on her abilities and quick, because when Sam gets kidnapped and the entire town is in danger, she is the only one who can save them.

Giveaway has ended. Click here for winner announcement.

(ARC) Book Review: Virals

Virals by Kathy Reichs


Publication Date: 2 November 2010

I received an ARC of this book from Star Book Tours.




Description
Tory Brennan, niece of acclaimed forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan (of the Bones novels and hit TV show), is the leader of a ragtag band of teenage "sci-philes" who live on a secluded island off the coast of South Carolina. When the group rescues a dog caged for medical testing on a nearby island, they are exposed to an experimental strain of canine parvovirus that changes their lives forever.


As the friends discover their heightened senses and animal-quick reflexes, they must combine their scientific curiosity with their newfound physical gifts to solve a cold-case murder that has suddenly become very hot if they can stay alive long enough to catch the killer's scent.


Fortunately, they are now more than friends they're a pack. They are Virals.




My Review
Virals is a well-written murder-mystery adventure with a dash of science-fiction. Kathy Reichs makes her first foray into young adult fiction with a great story that would appeal to young readers, "sci-philes", and reluctant readers alike.


Loved: The main character, Tory. She is a smart, benevolent fourteen year old who is not afraid to stand up and fight for her friends, as well as the wolf pup she formed a relationship with. Despite some major setbacks in their investigation of a cold case murder, the Virals, led by Tory, continue to search for the truth and ultimately find the answers they are looking for in a decades old case that could have gone unsolved had they not started to dig for information.


Liked: The fact that the story was more science-fiction than paranormal. Not that I'm not a fan of paranormal novels, but it was nice to see the author break away from this trend and branch out into something different. I'm hardly a "sci-phile", but Reichs simplified all the science with well-written explanations and examples that anyone young or old could understand without prior knowledge of the subject matter.

 Overall: Kathy Reichs has once again managed to create an engaging storyline that includes adventure, mystery and science. Virals is an absorbing debut young adult novel that will create a wider audience for Reichs.


My Rating is 4 stars


Picture and description courtesy of Goodreads.

Book Review: Witch and Wizard

Witch and Wizard by James Patterson and Gabrielle Charbonnet

Publication Date: 8 October 2009

I purchased this book.


Description
Everything is about to change. The government has seized control of every aspect of society, and now kids are disappearing. For 15 year-old Wisty and her older brother Whit, life turns upside-down when they are hauled out of bed one night, separated from their parents, and thrown into a secret compound for no apparent reason. It's clear that the new government will stop at nothing to suppress Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Being a Normal Teenager.

For the sister and brother, the chaos started when Whit's girlfriend, Celia, was spirited away in a black van, never to be seen or heard from again. Locked inside their cells, the two fear that they have been taken to the very same complex that swallowed Celia and realize that a daring escape is their only hope of survival.

While imprisoned together, Wisty and Whit start exhibiting strange abilities and powers they never knew they possessed. Their new talents lead them to believe that maybe there is a reason they were singled out. Can this newly minted witch and a wizard master their skills in time to save themselves, their parents--and maybe the world?


My Review
Witch and Wizard is an entertaining book that introduces readers into the world of Wisteria (Wisty) and Whitford (Whit) Allgood, two siblings who are accused of being a witch and wizard and imprisoned.

I enjoyed reading this book, but felt there was very little character development. The action scenes are great, but I would have liked to learn more about Whit and Wisty personally. And there is virtually no background on how their society was formed. How was the totalitarian government created? What event or events made it easy for the government to subjugate the citizens? Most dystopian fiction has some starting point as to how the society changed from a democracy into what it is now. Not so with Witch and Wizard. I think the story would have had more depth if there was some explanation and greater character development.

The thing I did like was how the authors took current places and people and changed the names to fit into the idea of an alternate world. References were made to everything from books - The Pitcher in the Wheat (Catcher in the Rye) to music - The Groaning Bones (The Rolling Stones) to museums - POPA (MOMA). The humor behind some of the alternate names or places brought a smile to my face and added a little extra snark to the book.

Witch and Wizard is not a stand alone book. No conclusion was made, and in fact, it reads as more of an introduction into the Witch and Wizard series. While there was a lot of action, very little in the way of events occurred. The majority of the book details Whit and Wisty's imprisonment and subsequent jailbreak. I'm interested in seeing what occurs in the second book. I would hope that readers will learn more about Whit and Wisty, as well as the background of the society they live in. This series could have the potential to be really great if there is more of this in the second book. With the name James Patterson on the cover, I definitely expected a better story.


My Rating: 3 stars

Description and picture courtesy of Goodreads.



Witch and Wizard Book Trailer

Book Review: Nocturne

Nocturne by L.D. Harkrader

I received a copy of this book from Star Book Tours.

Publication Date: 8 June 2010


Description
Flannery Lane is tired of being protected by her Uncle Anatole. After years of studying magic in the back of his bookshop, she's ready for an adventure of her own. Then one day, strange things start happening. A burglar breaks into the butcher's shop, stealing nothing, but leaving the floors sparkling clean. Soon the seamstress's apprentice vanishes on her way home, leaving behind only a shoe still laced at the top. And then worst of all, Uncle Anatole disappears. That night, a young vampire hunter named Pascoe knocks urgently on the bookshop door. Pascoe insists there is a vampire lurking in nearby Blakely Hall. Flanders looks deep into Pascoe's gorgeous eyes and finds herself agreeing to help him. As Flanders tracks the vampire, her feelings for Pascoe grow until she stumbles upon a secret that turns everything she thought she knew about Pascoe--and herself--upside down.


My Review
Despite the jacket copy, Nocturne is more about magic than vampires. In fact, Pascoe, the vampire hunter, is more of a secondary character and his story is not delved into in much detail. Nocturne is really about Flannery Lane, her search for information on her real parents and the powerful magic she possesses.

I liked the tone that Nocturne is written in. It is not a traditional fantasy novel, but instead reads like a Grimms' fairy tale or similar story. This may not appeal to some, but as a lover of fairy tales, especially those with a dark side to them, I felt it made the story refreshing and gave a different view to the predictable vampire tale. I also liked the character of Flannery Lane. She is written as a strong young female who is not afraid to follow her instincts, even when they go against what her uncle has told her. While this does lead her into trouble, it also presents her with an adventure that in turn reveals her true identity. The one thing I would have liked to read more about is Pascoe. I was intrigued by his circumstances and would have enjoyed learning more about his past and how he got to be the person he is.

Nocturne is a fast and easy read. Although it is classified as a young adult novel, I feel it would appeal more to middle grade readers based on the language in the book, the tone and the way the story plays out. I also feel the ending left a little too much up in the air. This seems as if it may be part of a series because, as a standalone novel, it left too many loose ends at the conclusion.


My Rating: 3 stars

Description and picture courtesy of Goodreads.

Book Review: The Grimm Legacy

The Grimm Legacy by Polly Shulman

Publication Date: 8 July 2010

I purchased this book.


Description
Elizabeth has a new job at an unusual library— a lending library of objects, not books. In a secret room in the basement lies the Grimm Collection. That’s where the librarians lock away powerful items straight out of the Brothers Grimm fairy tales: seven-league boots, a table that produces a feast at the blink of an eye, Snow White’s stepmother’s sinister mirror that talks in riddles.

When the magical objects start to disappear, Elizabeth embarks on a dangerous quest to catch the thief before she can be accused of the crime—or captured by the thief.

Polly Shulman has created a contemporary fantasy with a fascinating setting and premise, starring an ordinary girl whose after-school job is far from ordinary— and leads to a world of excitement, romance and magical intrigue.


My Review
The Grimm Legacy is a great book for readers who love fairy tales.  Author Polly Shulman uses the Grimm Brothers stories to craft a funny and imaginative novel about a young girl who, while working at a materials repository, discovers that magic is real.

I like how Shulman is able to create distinctive voices for each of her main characters.  While the story is told from Elizabeth's point of view, readers get a glimpse into the other characters through their dialogue and actions.  I would have liked to learn more about Marc though.  He is the only character that readers don't really see in a personal light outside of his relationship with Anjali and the repository.  Elizabeth meets both Anjali's and Aaron's mothers and in the case of Anjali, her sister Jaya, plays a pivotal role in the conclusion of the story.  But, while Marc's brother Andre is introduced, I couldn't really form a personal connection with Marc because his life outside of the repository remained a mystery.

Other than that, The Grimm Legacy is a fast and easy read.  The story moved quickly and had enough conflict to keep me glued to the pages, wondering what would happen next.  It also renewed my interest in the Grimm Brothers stories.  I'm definitely going to be checking out some of the less known tales that Shulman mentioned in the book.


My Rating: 3.5 stars

Description and picture courtesy of Goodreads.


The Grimm Legacy Book Trailer

Book Review: KNIGHTLEY ACADEMY

TITLE: KNIGHTLEY ACADEMY
AUTHOR: Violet Haberdasher
IMPRINT: Aladdin
PUBLICATION DATE: 09 March 2010
PREVIOUS TITLES IN SERIES: None

In Violet Haberdasher's Knightley Academy, the first commoner accepted at a prestigous boarding school uncovers a conspiracy that could lead to war.

KNIGHTLEY ACADEMY description and cover art courtesy of Goodreads.

I purchased KNIGHTLEY ACADEMY.

THE TWEET
KNIGHTLEY ACADEMY chronicles the adventures of a young orphan boy who's granted the opportunity to go to a prestigious school for knights.

WHAT WORKED
Knightley Academy is an entertaining read that draws parallels to J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, absent the magic. Henry Grim is a poor orphan boy who gets accepted into an exclusive boarding school that trains modern knights to become important members of society. He quickly becomes friends with two other boys, Adam, a Jew, and Rohan, an Indian, who are treated as outcasts for their differences, just like he is treated differently because of his social standing. The story chronicles their adventures during their first year of study, including their introduction to the people and customs of a warlike country called the Nordlands, which is even more intolerant of different races and social classes.

I liked how Haberdasher was able to introduce important issues such as racism and classism into a middle grade (and up) book, without making it too difficult or heavy for a young reader to understand. She has a great mix of humor, danger and obstacles to overcome that grabs readers and pulls them into the story.

OVERALL
Despite it's initial similarities with Harry Potter, Violet Haberdasher has penned a unique story that leaves readers waiting for the next book in the series.

MY RATING IS

Click here to purchase KNIGHTLEY ACADEMY from The Book Depository.

Book Review: Lynn Visible

Lynn Visible by Julia DeVillers


Publication Date: 4 March 2010

I purchased this book.


Description
Lynn Vincent knows all the latest trends and isn't afraid to flaunt her funky style. The problem is, in small-town Pennsylvania, being fashion forward makes Lynn socially backward. And the queen bees at her high school won't let her forget it, especially when her dream of making the IT panel for GlITter Girl‚”the coolest fashion magazine in teendom‚”is crushed. But when one of Lynn's unique creations makes it into the hands of a famous designer and onto the runway, it seems that Lynn might finally get her moment in the spotlight.


My Review
Once I started to read Lynn Visible, I couldn't put it down. Lynn's character was easy to relate to and I loved that she wasn't ashamed to express herself through fashion, even when it usually led to teasing by her fellow classmates. Her antics had me laughing aloud throughout the whole book.

Author Julia DeVillers had the right amount of tween/teen angst, comedy (and a love interest too!) to capture her audience and keep them turning pages. Even though this story is written for middle grade readers, DeVillers has written a story that will appeal to a much wider audience.


My Rating is 3.5 stars

Book description and picture curtesy of Goodreads.

Book Review: Worldshaker

Worldshaker by Richard Harland

Publication Date: 18 May 2010

I purchased this book.


Description
Col lives on the Upper Decks of the juggernaut Worldshaker, a mobile city as big as a mountain. He has been chosen as next Supreme Commander - but then a girl, Filthy, escapes from Below and appears in his cabin. "Don't let 'em take me!" she begs.

Will he hand her over, or will he break all the rules? Col's safe, elite world is about to fall apart as he learns the terrible truth about the nature of his society in this steampunk novel by Richard Harland.


My Review
I had not previously read any of Richard Harland's other books prior to picking up Worldshaker. I had no expectations beyond a great steampunk adventure and Worldshaker delivered. Harland has written an engaging young adult read that tackles important issues such as gender and class while building a fantasy world full of great characters.

Col, the Upper Deck privileged grandson of the Supreme Commander, has just been named as his grandfather's successor. When his grandfather gives him a tour of the juggernaut, Col sees for the first time the Filthies, the labor class living and working in the bottom decks of the ship. Later, when he encounters a Filthy girl named Riff, he realizes that everything he has been taught about the Filthies is not true, that they are just as human as he is and not the animals he was led to believe. By helping Riff, Col sets in motion a series of events that lead to him questioning his whole upbringing. In the end, Col has to decide which side to choose, helping the Filthies or returning to his Upper Deck life and assuming the mantle of Supreme Commander.

Harland has written a great steampunk novel with dystopian themes, and is a master world builder that leaves a reader wanting more. He skillfully sets the stage for future books involving the characters of Worldshaker. My only complaint is that though this book is considered young adult, the language, sentence structure and grammar are more suited to middle grade readers. Young adults, as well as adults who read in the young adult genre, may find the storyline too simplistic and may be frustrated with the naiveté of Col.

Overall, I enjoyed Worldshaker and am looking forward to seeing if Harland will develop this story into a series. I would love to read a second book from Riff's point of view in order to get more character development of her and the other Filthies.


My Rating: 3.5 stars

Book description and picture courtesy of Goodreads.