Action Pick: Boy X

Boy X
by Dan Smith
Chicken House
2017
288 pages
ISBN: 9781338065640

Available February 28, 2017

Kdnapped, drugged, and transported to a remote location, Ash wakes up in a bed surrounded by stark white walls. He remembers bits and pieces of being kidnapped along with his mother, and he begins searching this hospital (prison?) for her. The place is deserted and Ash cannot find any clues about where he is until he sees the view from the front doors. It looks like he is stuck in the middle of a jungle somewhere. Ash exits the doors, goes into the forest and sees a girl about his age. She tells him he is on Isla Negra, Black Island, and that her father works inside the BioSphere (the building he woke up in). Ash and Isobel go inside to search for her father and Ash's mother.

 Gunshots ring out, a helicopter crashes, the building is sealed, and their  parents are locked inside of a lab.  There they were exposed to Kronos, a poison that will kill them in 24 hours unless they get the antidote. Ash feels strange and disoriented. He has a heightened sense of smell and hearing. Ash is changing, and he's not the only one.

Ash is determined to save his mother's life but he'll need the help of Isobel to cross the island, find the thieves, steal the poison back along with the antidote, and stay alive long enough to deliver it to BioSphere and save his mother and Isobel's father.

What is BioSphere and why is Ash's mother involved? What happened to Ash when he was unconscious? And who wants to change him?

Fast pacing and non-stop action make this a must read for reluctant readers. Each chapter shows a clock showing hours and minutes left that the kids have to get the poison and cure. Readers will feel on edge as Ash races to save the world and his mother.

Highly recommended for action and adventure junkies. Anyone who loves a medical mystery/government cover up story will love Boy X.

Grades 4-8.

FTC Required Disclaimer: I received the ARC from the publisher. I did not receive monetary compensation for this review.

My Favorite Survival Adventure Book: Kalahari

Kalahari, a YA read by Jessica Khoury, is a great action adventure/survival/sci-fi novel set in a world most readers probably have not visited, even through the pages of a book!

If you love adventure and exploration, see what Cotopaxi has to offer. The right gear for all your adventures!

See what others are saying:

Review

“A gripping adventure.”
--Kirkus

"Survivor meets James Bond in this page-turning mix of realism and science fiction."
—Voice of Youth Advocates

“Enthralling and filled with suspense...”
--School Library Journal"Khoury builds a relentless plot and seeds the narrative with a deadly mystery that echoes themes of her first novel, Origin (2012). The science-fiction elements and setting evoke Jurassic Park's themes of human meddling in nature, while touches of teen angst and love keep the book realistic and broaden the appeal."
--Booklist

"Khoury keeps the tension throughout with life-threatening moments and narrow escapes...a true adventure story in an unusual setting."
--School Library Connection Reviews

“A blend of survival/adventure, sci-fi, and first love, KALAHARI is grounded in the resourceful courage of a girl raised in the African bush. Thrilling, unpredictable, irresistible . . . six teenagers in dire straits, and the suspense never lets up. Readers will flock to Jessica Khoury's masterful prose and storytelling.”
--Will Hobbs, award-winning author of Far North  and Never Say Die

 

What I liked and why this adventure story sticks with me:

 

Sarah, although well traveled and trained by her zoologist parents to survive in the wild, has never been around teens her age. When a plane arrives with a group of teens from the U.S. and Canada, Sarah is terrified to make small talk with a bunch of strangers, but her father and friend have to leave camp in search of armed poachers.

 

With the threat of poachers nearby and in charge of a bunch of kids who are more at home in penthouses with air conditioning and chefs, Sarah must lead the group to the safety of the next town. But the desert is harsh. The climate brutal. With conditions worsening, their vehicle gets stuck. Now on foot, the kids discover why the poachers are out in the wild.

 

Now they have to battle the elements, an unnaturally aggressive male lion, and a group of murderous poachers. Sarah will have to rely on her training and wits.

 

The lasting thing readers will take from this read is the unusual setting and a spunky protagonist who fights for survival.

 

FTC Required Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. I did not receive monetary compensation for this review.

 

 

Book Giveaway and Blog Tour: Temple Run

I have one copy of the new Temple Run book up for grabs! One winner wins all 3 books! For your chance to win, post a comment to the blog and please include your first name, city, state and email. The winner will be picked randomly by Randomizer. Deadline for posts is September 25 at noon MST. Please check your email on that date. Winner has only 24 hours to respond to my email. The book will ship from New York courtesy of Egmont.

 

Temple Run: Run for Your Life: Jungle Trek

by Chase Wilder

Egmont

2014

Ages 8-12

 

 

Temple Run Book One Run for Your Life!: Jungle Trek

Chase Wilder    

978-1-60684-571-4          

On Sale: 09/23/2014      

Trade Paperback

You're a lucky kid--for your birthday, you're having a destination party: a campout and scavenger hunt in an exotic locale. Depending on the choices you make, you will reach safety in time to enjoy your party, or you will be kidnapped and held for ransom, buying Guy and Scarlett time to make off with the treasure. You decide!

 

Temple Run Book Two Run for Your Life!: Doom Lagoon              

Chase Wilder    

978-1-60684-572-1          

On Sale: 09/23/2014      

Trade Paperback

You are an intern and will be accompanying the curator of an antiquities museum during school vacation on a dive to a newly discovered historic shipwreck. Depending on the choices you make, you will either be stranded at sea, drown, explore the wreck, or discover buried treasure. You decide!

 

Temple Run Downloaded Apptivity Book

978-1-60684-573-8          

On-Sale: 09/23/2014      

Trade Paperback

Temple Run Downloaded is a cool, fast, addictive mobile game, and fans can relive the excitement with this activity book shaped like a tablet. Race down ancient temple walls, along sheer cliffs, and avoid evil monkeys as you challenge your brain to solve these fun puzzles. Temple Run Downloaded includes mazes, brain teasers, puzzles, 4 gatefold pages, and 4 sticker pages, with exclusive info about this favorite game and characters. Full color illustrations throughout.

 

 

Sci Fi Pick: Burn Out

Burn Out
by Kristi Helvig
Egmont
2014
253 pages
ISBN: 9781606844793

Lone survivor Tora Reynolds lives in a bunker designed by her scientist/inventor father. Having lost her entire family, Tora has never felt more alone. The last human she saw was Markus, a gun runner and general no-goodnik who promised to come back for her if he found a habitable planet. Earth has become a giant desert with little water or oxygen. Tora hopes for someone to post a comment to her GlobalNet post but she waits in vain to see if anyone else is alive out there.

Markus comes back, but the problem is that he is not alone. He brought some well-armed soldiers to storm Tora's bunker and take her father's weapons by force. They are not the only enemy. The Consulate sends its forces to take the guns for themselves. This makes Markus's team and Tora now one against the bigger brute--the government or what's left of it.

Kale, James, Britta, Markus and Tora go on a space chase trying to outrun the Consulate's ships and get their weapons safely to Caelia. Tora knows that Kale is the enemy but should she trust Markus who says he's "got her back?" And who is James and what is his angle? He seems like a good guy and Tora secretly crushes on him, but what is he doing as Kale's second in command? What does the Consulate hope to accomplice with Tora's guns?

Shifting loyalties and cloak and dagger rat and mouse games keep the reader guessing until the very end. The plot races along with just the right amount of shoot 'em up action. Tora will appeal to both girls and boys; her tenacity and toughness speak volumes of her character.

Recommended for any fan of sci-fi and space travel books. Grade 9-up. Profanity, violence.

FTC Required Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. I did not receive monetary compensation for this review.

This review has been posted in compliance with the FTC requirements set forth in the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (available at ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf)

Fierce and Feisty Pick: Defy

Defy
by Sara B. Larson
Scholastic
2014
323 pages

Released January 7, 2014

What others are saying:

Booklist: Defy has "...grand adventure, romance, and thrilling political intrigue." (from the author's blog)

"A wonderful tale of adventure, romance, and embracing your true self. Alexa is a heroine readers will love to follow!" --Marie Lu, author of the Legend series

"(Defy) has everything you'd want : intrigue, awesomely real characters, suspense, and a captivating plot. All in a world that comes to life in your mind. Highly recommended." --James Dashner, author of The Maze Runner series.

What I say:

There may never be another female YA protagonist  as passionate, feisty, and fierce, but also fabulously flawed, frightened, and fragile as Alexa (Alex). After young Alexa witnesses the brutal murders of her parents by the Blevonese army aided by an evil sorcerer, Alexa is forced to cut her hair and take on the persona of a young boy (Alex). Alex and her twin brother Marcel join the king's army and because of her tenacity and fierce warrior spirit and commanding  swordsmanship, she advances to the elite king's guard. Years pass, and Alex becomes comfortable pretending to be a boy, so comfortable, in fact, she sometimes wonders what being a girl feels like.

An enemy attack on the palace makes the king nervous. He orders the royal guard to watch over his son Prince Damian at all times. Alex is tasked with the chore of sleeping outside of Damian's chambers. The prince is spoiled, arrogant, and haughty, but, oh, so handsome. Alex begins to feel something she has never experienced before, and she is careful not to let her feelings show--she is a "male" fighter and the prince's private protector. She fears what may happen to her if she lets her "guard" down (pun intended).

When Alex, fellow guard Rylan and the prince are kidnapped by a sorcerer, they are taken deep into jungle as prisoners of the country of Blevon. Alex is surprised to find out that both Prince Damian and Rylan know she is actually a girl; however, she keeps up her disguise in front of the rival army.

Damian holds the secret to his father's kingdom, the plan  to ending the bloody war, the power to defeat evil sorcerers and the key to Alexa's heart.   Alexa is torn between her sudden, passionate fire for Damian and her sisterly love for Rylan. Can she afford to break Rylan's heart and fall headlong in love with the future king? Can she trust Damian--who keeps secrets from her? Does she believe his word? Can Damian's plan actually work? Can mere humans defeat an army of black sorcerers?

Teen readers will be swept away by the mesmerizing romantic tale. Alex/Alexa is compelling and intriguing; Damian is smoldering and sexy. Rylan, too, is swoon-worthy. Defy may be the next YA novel to movie--anyone in Hollywood listening?

Highly, highly recommended for every reader but will resonate with those who love romance, adventure, action and fantasy and a fierce female warrior. The author spends most of her time on plot and character development instead of world building, but that being said, I didn't miss knowing every minute detail of Alexa's world.

Suitable for grade 7-up with this caution: in the beginning of the book, Alex has to take girls to the breeding house where girls of their kingdom are prisoners forced to breed for the kingdom. It's not pretty. Some kissing.

FTC Required Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. I did not receive monetary compensation for this review.

This review has been posted in compliance with the FTC requirements set forth in the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (available at ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf)

Action Adventure Pick: The Sultan's Tigers

The Sultan's Tigers
by Josh Lacey
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
2013
298 pages

Fast-paced, high octane, perilous action will thrill teen readers who love an action adventure story with a gritty young hero. The plot rollicks on at a breakneck pace. VOYA says, "Non-stop action...This is a fine choice to add to a 'Guys Read' list."

Tom Trelawney's family tree is not impressive, in fact, he states, "...I come from a long line of liars, cheats, crooks, bandits, thieves, and smugglers." From the opening line, this book draws you in, hook, line and sinker. When Tom is held captive and threatened, he decides to find the secret hidden somewhere in his grandfather's house. He remembers a visit when his grandfather showed him a hiding place. Sure enough, Tom finds a secret cache of letters.

He realizes that one of his ancestors hid a great treasure in India and left clues how to find it. Tom enlists the help of his slightly unbalanced Uncle Harvey and off they jet to India. They are looking for the last of the "Sultan's tigers," a statue encrusted with jewels that will make them both rich. That's the trouble with treasure, the more it's worth, the more people are willing to kill for it.

The Sultan's Tigers is a great book for reluctant readers. It will keep them entertained and reading, wondering what will happen next. When they're up against a vicious mercenary who will stop at nothing and an ego-maniac billionaire who plans to horde all the tigers, Tom comes up with a plan to steal the tiger and help others.

Don't worry though. Tom doesn't become a "goody two shoes," soon he's sneaking out of the house and looking for trouble.

Highly recommended for anyone who loves a fast-paced adventure with globe-trotting appeal. For grade 7-up.

FTC Required Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. I did not receive monetary compensation for this review.

This review has been posted in compliance with the FTC requirements set forth in the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (available at ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf)

Book Giveaway: BZRK Reloaded

BZRK Reloaded (Book 2)
by Michael Grant
Egmont
2013
432 pages

Available October 8, 2013

I have FIVE copies of the ARC of BZRK Reloaded up for grabs!

Talk about mind-bending! The Armstrong twins have plans to rule the world, but not if Noah and Sadie can help it. Science fiction, mind-blowing action and a thrilling plot will keep teen readers turning the pages. 


Post a comment to the blog. Please include your first name, city, state and email. Winners are chosen randomly by Randomizer. Deadline for posts is October 14 at noon MST. Check your email on that date after 12:00 noon. Winners will be notified by email. Books will ship from New York courtesy of Egmont and Margaret.

Good luck and start posting! Pamela

Adventure Pick: Stranded

Stranded
by Jeff Probst and Chris Tebbetts
Scholastic
2013
176 pages

What happens when a smooth sailboat experience becomes dangerous and life threatening? Four kids who don't know each other and don't like each other are thrown together when their parents marry. The parents send the four on a sailboat adventure with their uncle Dexter and his first mate Jim. When the weather turns rough, their uncle tells the kids to go below in the cabin.

The storm is too much for the boat and soon Dexter and Jim are launching the life raft. Jim and Dexter are swept away with the raft and kids have to weather the storm alone with no power and no mainsail. Eventually the kids are washed onto a rocky outcropping on an uninhabited island (shades of "Survivor")!



Forced to work together, the four soon realize they only have each other. They are able to contact their parents and tell them approximately where they are--the Coast Guard is searching for them, but the search area is 500 miles wide. The kids set up a signal fire in case they see planes and learn to trap rain water for drinking water. They salvage what they can from the sailboat.

Jim and Dexter are rescued but the kids are running out of hope. When a huge wave takes the sailboat out to sea, they realize that they will have to survive with nothing but each other.

Jane is the most remarkable character of the four children. She's smart, outspoken, and fearless. She's only nine years old, but she's the brains in this mixed family.

Highly recommended grade 5-up. Anyone who likes action and adventure is sure to like this book.

FTC Required discalimer: I received this book from the publisher. I did not receive monetary compensation for this review.

Action Pick: Money Run

Money Run
by Jack Heath
Scholastic Press
2013
256 pages

Available March 2013 (the arc has the publication date March 2013, but Amazon has April 1, 2013 as the release date). I will update available date as I get more details.

Watch the book trailer here

Fasten your seat belts for a high-octane adrenaline boost of explosive non-stop action, riveting adventure, daring stunts, and "Mission Impossible" style intrique and superspy antics.

Ash and her bff Benjamin originally began stealing to help Ash out. Her father's meager salary just didn't pay for everything and Ash was just hoping to eke out enough money to get by, but then each job got more thrilling and Ash becomes addicted to the rush of almost getting caught each time.

A mysterious person or persons named The Source contacts them through Benjamin's gmail account and sends them lists of locations, dates and links and each link has something valuable that Ash and Benjamin could steal. The pair continue pulling off jobs happily along until they are offered $200 million that is located at the Hammond Buckland building. They have never done a job this big and the plan is actually no plan at all.

Ash and Benjamin enter an essay contest sponsored by the company and Benjamin's essay wins. It was written under Ash's name and she has to appear at the company's headquarters to collect the $10,000 prize. She and Benjamin plan to steal the hidden $200 million after Ash's interview.

When Ash begins her search of the offices, she realizes that she's not the only one who wants that money. There's an evil hit man prowling the building and now he's after her. She'll not only have to outsmart security guards, cameras, and heat sensors, but she'll have to do it while outrunning an armed assassin!

The police arrive when a body is discovered in the alley and someone has called in the Terrorism Risk Assessment team. They cordon off the block and won't allow anyone enter or leave the perimeter. This is a problem for Ash--even if she escapes the psycho-hit man assassin and finds the money, she can't leave the building undetected.

Ash is a super cool action heroine with moxie and Benjamin is the voice on the other end of her earbuds. Ben is at home and runs the operation from his computer. The two are a dynamic duo and are unstoppable as teen uber-thieves.

I LOVED this book! I raced through each chapter wondering what would happen next and as each obstacle appeared in front of Ash, I wondered how she would ever overcome it. Benjamin is her hilarious tongue-in-cheek computer geek sidekick. The ending sets up flawlessly for a sequel. Jack Heath is at the top of his game and the best YA action writer out there. Money Run has it all: adept storytelling, hold your breath action, dead on dialog, non-stop tension and unrelenting pace. This slam bang yarn will captivate teen readers looking for adventure.

Highly, highly recommended grade 7-up. No language. No mature subject matter. Younger readers who are fans of James Bond-like action books may be able to tackle this one.

FTC Required Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. I did not receive monetary compensation for this review.

This review has been posted in compliance with the FTC requirements set forth in the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (available at ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf)

Sci-Fi Thriller Pick: Nobody

Nobody
by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Egmont
2013
400 pages

Available January 22, 2013

Read the prologue

Read Chapter One


Clever and creepy, Nobody is a sci-fi action thriller that is sure to satisfy fans of the genre.

Trained assassin Nix has never known his family or his past. He has been raised and trained (brainwashed) by the Society, a shadowy organization of an elite few who have power over even the President. The Society keeps the Normals safe from the Nulls. Normals are "normal" people who can feel pain and happiness, love and loss. Nulls are void of any feelings at all, and surprisingly (or not) many of them hold government office. The Society takes care of Nix and molds him into a killing machine who has no emotion; Nix is Nobody.

Nobodies are rare; in fact, Nix believes he is the only one. He is on his twelfth kill when he realizes his target can see him. This isn't supposed to happen; Normals and Nulls can't see Nix once he goes into the fade. The Society studies energy and Nix has a special gift that can make him invisible and stealthy. When he tries to take the kill-shot, the girl looks directly at him. He's shocked and wants to know why.

Claire sees the boy with the gun and realizes he was going to kill her, yet she wants to see him again (okay, this part is kind of cheesy, but bear with me). Nix captures Claire yet keeps her alive. They have a heated discussion and realize that Claire is not a Null after all; she's not a normal either. Claire is an untrained Nobody and the Society wants her dead.

The two agree to break into the Society's headquarters and Nix steals the folders of all his targets. Together they hope to find out a pattern in the killings. Why these targets? What do they have in common?

Nix and Claire realize that the Society is playing politics at the highest level. Not only that, there is a secret serum they have developed to make Normals act like Nulls, and the Society can shape their power by using it. They have been experimenting on children, developing new Nobodies. Claire and Nix have to save the children, destroy the serum, and wipe out the Society and still get away with it. Will they be able to destroy malevolent Ione and escape?

I was drawn to Claire's personality at the beginning of the novel but after she met Nix she seems to lose some of what I liked about her. She seems to be his carbon copy. After they meet, I feel more compassion for Nix than for Claire. I wish Claire had been a tougher girl; even though she grew up feeling invisible, she had a strong personality at the beginning.

Recommended grade 9-up. Lots of sleeping together and melding as one...but no details. No language. Violence. Assassinations.

FTC Required Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. I did not receive monetary compensation for this review.

YA Book Giveaway: Nobody

Nobody
by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Egmont
2013

I have FIVE copies of this exciting new sci-fi/romance pick up for grabs. All you have to do is post a comment here on on the review for Nobody. Please include your first name, city, state, and email contact. If I don't have your email, I can't contact you if you win. Deadline for posts is January 30 at noon MST. Winners will be chosen randomly by Randomizer. Winners will be contacted on January 30; please check your email on that date (after noon deadline, of course). Winners have 24 hours to provide me with the mailing address. I will notify the publisher. Books will ship from New York courtesy of Egmont and Katie. Thanks, my bff, Katie!

Good luck and start posting! Pamela

Guest Review: The Bar Code Prophecy: Conspiracy Theory

Blogger's Note: This is a guest review from my BFF Leslie Rush, who is an avid YA reader, high school teacher, author wannabe (like me) and the world's best cheerleader--she keeps me writing.

The Bar Code Prophecy (book 3)
Suzanne Weyn
Scholastic Press
November 2012
208 pages

Available November 1, 2012


If you've ever wondered about those bar codes, those rewards cards, internet cookies that track what you buy, where you travel, what you search--if you've ever felt uneasy about the possible misuses of DNA technology, if you distrust large corporations, and the upcoming Dec 21, 2012 makes you nervous--then this is the book for you.

In the year 2026, everyone gets a bar code tattoo when they turn 17. No need for an ID at work, a driver's licence, bank cards and credit cards or having to remember your own phone number; all of your most-used info is conveniently stored, scanned and retrieved whenever you need it.

It's not just convenient--- it's the law. Grace Morrow is turning 17 in a few days and is looking forward to this rite of passage. All of the rumors, all of the whispers about the bar code tattoos don't bother her--she works for Global 1, the company that engineered and maintains the database, as does her loving father. The scandal involving the unauthorized use of DNA information? Grace knows that was just one rogue division of the huge, multinational I.T. corporation, and besides, all of that has been halted, and there's nothing to worry about any more.

Grace can't wait to start the new school year as captain of the gymnastics team, and she's started learning the rigors of rock climbing. The fact that her crush, Eric, is the instructor, well, that just makes for greater motivation, right? Eric, a Native American, is really cute and a world-class rock climber. He tells her she shouldn't get the tattoo, and he seems to know an awful lot about the anti-Global 1/anti-bar code radicals that make the news now and then. But more important, he seems as interested in her as she is in him.

Grace's almost-perfect world comes crashing down around her when she ignores Eric's warning, and gets her tattoo. Her family disappears without a trace and Grace finds herself on the run from both the police and Global 1's elite security force. Her only refuge is Eric and his revolutionary friends who live off the grid.

She finds herself caught in a web of techno-conspiracy and an ancient Hopi Indian prophecy--a prophecy that seems to center around Grace and Eric! That prophecy takes them deep into the sacred lands of the American Southwest, in a race against time, facing danger from every agency on earth, and a looming menace from space, as well.

Fast-paced, this is a quick read full of action and adventure. This third entry in the Bar Code series stands on its own. It will please Weyn's fans and gain her some new ones. Teens may read this book without having read the first two, but why not start off with book one? The series is a delight for dystopian fans.

Recommended for grade 7 and up. Light romance, no sex or offensive language. PG-movie violence.

FTC Required Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. I did not receive monetary compensation for this review.

Book Giveaway: Michael Vey: Rise of the Elgen (book 2)

Michael Vey: Rise of the Elgen

I have 5 copies of this exciting and action-packed thriller. Fans of book 1 will have to get their hands on this one. If you haven't read book 1, what are you waiting for? Get up, drive to the bookstore and buy both books! Or, buy book 1 and try to win book 2 here.

To enter: post a comment on the blog here or on the review (please scroll down) and include your first name, city, state, and email address.

Deadline for posts is September 13 at noon MST. Winners will be chosen randomly by Randomizer. Winners will be notified by email and have 24 hours to respond to my email with their mailing addresses. Sorry, only U.S. mailing addresses.

Books will ship from New York courtesy of Simon & Shuster.

Good luck and start posting, Pamela

This review has been posted in compliance with the FTC requirements set forth in the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (available at ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf)

Action Pick: Michael Vey: Rise of the Elgen

Michael Vey: Rise of the Elgen (book 2)
by Richard Paul Evans
Mercury Ink (Simon Pulse, Simon & Schuster)
2012
335 pages

Creepy, compelling, and chilling, the second book in this series will have teens frantically racing through the pages to find out what horrific plans Dr. Hatch has in store for Michael Vey and his friends—the electric kids.

There’s McKenna who can create light and heat, Ian -–although blind--can see through electrolocation—which means he can even see through solid objects—very handy when trying to see which apartment the bad guys are staying in or trying to locate Michael’s kidnapped mother in a giant complex, Abigal can take other’s pain away, Zeus, well, you know about Zeus, like the Greek god—he can throw lightning bolts, Grace can download information from any computer and keep it stored in her brain, Taylor can reboot people’s thoughts and memories, and Michael is electric! The teens are on the lam and escaping back to Idaho—far away from evil Dr. Hatch and his minions.

Michael is going to need his friends’ help and his buddy Ostin’s—who isn’t an electric kid, but has a superpower of his own—his near genius intelligence helps out when things get bleak. The Elgen want the kids back and will do anything to control the situation. They have already kidnapped Michael’s mother; next, they take Ostin’s parents and burn down Jack’s house. The kids have no place to hide but they decide to go to Jack’s sister’s tanning salon. While there, a stranger hands Michael a cell phone and the key to a tanning room. He takes them and waits for a phone call as instructed. A voice on the phone convinces Michael to dump the stolen vans—which have GPS devices that the Elgen are using to track them—and change vehicles. The voice directs the kids to a safe house.

Every time the group begins to feel safe, something bad happens. They are on the run throughout the novel. The mysterious voice gets them to the Amazon jungle; they are going to find Michael’s mother and rescue her. Taking down Dr. Hatch and the Elgen will be a nice little bonus.

The macabre secrets they uncover in the jungle are disturbing, yet provocative and are bound to change the course of human history if Dr. Hatch and his army are not stopped. Hatch has created a super-army through brainwashing and mind conditioning. His army will not question an order; they believe him to be a supreme being and their master. If Hatch can unleash his latest invention, it will have ruinous effects throughout the world. He will control governments and kingdoms; no one will be untouched by his evil.

The conclusion seamlessly sets up for book 3. I was happily surprised by the conclusion and some interesting new friends Michael meets.

Michael is an unforgettable hero with a heart. Rise of the Elgen is thrilling, action-packed, and entertaining. This book will have fans eagerly anticipating book 3.

Highly, highly recommended for fans of action and adventure. If you haven’t read book 1, drop everything and go out and buy both Michael Vey books. Once you start reading this series, you won’t want to stop.

Grades 7-up. Some violence. No sex. No language.

FTC Required disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. I did not receive monetary compensation for this review.



This review has been posted in compliance with the FTC requirements set forth in the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (available at ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf)

Fantasy Pick: Icefall (Guest Reviewer Leslie Rush)

Icefall
by Matthew J. Kirby
Scholastic
2011
336 pages

This is a guest review from ya novels lover and avid reader and my BFF Leslie Rush. Leslie is a high school teacher and my muse/reader of my own attempts at ya fiction.


Icefall takes place in Scandinavia during the Dark Ages. It is a time of brutal warfare and deprivation, but also a time of rich culture and mythology-- both of which drive this coming-of-age tale of survival, betrayal, and the true meaning of loyalty.


Solveig is the middle child of a warrior king. She has neither the ethereal beauty of her older sister Asa, nor the importance of her younger brother and heir to the throne, Harald and has spent her life being invisible to her father. The children have been sent to a remote fortress on the edge of a fiord, nestled below an enormous glacier, while their father battles another warrior king whose marriage proposal to Asa has been refused. The royal children are surrounded by a loyal staff, and early in the story a company of berserkers arrives, sent by the king to defend the fortress if necessary.

Solveig and the staff—-Bera the cook, her son and Soveig’s friend Raudi, Per the young soldier, Ole the thrall (slave) and Alric the storyteller-- are all wary and anxious about the berserkers, whose terrifying violence is legendary. They are led by Hake, the biggest and most terrifying of them all. An early act of violence and loss committed by Hake makes him unbearable to Solveig.

As winter deepens, several acts of sabotage and murder make it apparent that there is a traitor in their midst. Solveig has no idea who to trust and everyone is suspect. She has a repeating nightmare that foretells of disaster and death when spring comes, adding to her uneasiness.

While the anxiety and suspicions build in the fortress, Solveig is discovering her own hidden talent as a storyteller--a skald--and she begins training with Alric in the art of telling the great tales of Norse mythology and the hero’s saga. Her confidence builds as her skills improve, and all of her companions, even Hake, see her gift. Then, her father’s enemies arrive and they all must not only survive, but fight against impossible odds.

Solveig’s growing relationship with Hake, her genuine power as a skald, and the bravery she finds deep within herself all determine the surprising and heart-stopping acts of loyalty that conclude this novel.

The cover art shows one scene from the story, but is woefully inadequate and not representative of the story. The back cover is all reviews of Kirby’s previous book, and says nothing about Icefall. Because of that, this wonderful tale will probably be skipped over by many who would love this story.

The publisher’s classifications include fantasy and sci-fi, and although lovers of those genres will like this book, it has neither fantasy nor sci-fi in it. It is solid historic fiction. Kirby writes with powerful imagery. He describes the beautiful and brutal the Norse winter so well, by the end of the first chapter I was both fascinated and freezing.


Recommended grades 4-up. The publisher says grades 3-8. Violence, but not too graphic. Light romance. No language or sex, although there is a vague sense of menace regarding Asa and her spurned bridegroom.

Paranormal Thriller: Wolf Mark

Wolf Mark
by Joseph Bruchac
Lee & Low
2011
392 pages
Available September 2011

Finally...a paranormal book with bite that boys will like! No sappy romantic vampires or longing for unrequited love here just a rollicking thrill ride that will have both boys and girls turning pages long into the dark and stormy night.

The novel starts off in a typical paranormal fashion--a teenager who is a little different finds out what he truly is, what his destiny is, and how he can never be a normal teen...but then... just when the reader thinks the book will continue in paranormal fashion, it takes a sharp left turn into an action/adventure/espionage thriller.

Lucas King is tired of moving around. He and his father have moved countless times in the past couple of years and Lucas has had it. Why can't they just stay in one place? Why can't they put down roots? He is starting to get comfortable at RHS and has a good friend Renzo and an "almost" girlfriend Meena, but something is just not right. There's the sunglass mafia that seem to be following him around, spying on him. They are Russian-born kids in town since their fathers work at one of the multi-national firms. There's something weird about them; Lucas can sense it.

Then Lucas's father disappears. Before he does, he calls Lucas and tells him through code words--not to go home, EVER, and that he has been taken by someone--an enemy, and to go to their secret message site for more insturctions. Lucas knows the code, he knows how to track, how to hide, how to live off the land, hand-to-hand combat, some martial arts and covert techniques. You see, Lucas has been trained to become what he must: a shadow-walker or werewolf.

The sunglass mafia grabs his friend Renzo to convince Luke to work with them. They are after the people who kidnapped Luke's father, too. Their must destroy the factory that is attempting to use "special" people like themselves to develop a super-soldier. Vampires and wolves will have to work together in order to survive.

Lucas is a cool wolf--way cooler than the typical howl-at-the-moon werewolf. Author Joseph Bruchac developed the wolves in Wolf Mark to be more human than wolf. They are capable of speech and can use their paws--which look and function like human hands. They are not full of bloodlust but capable of human thought and planning.

I loved this paranormal turned action-packed adventure novel. This one is sure to please fans of paranormal and adventure novels. Wolf Mark will have wide appeal among both male and female readers. Bruchac drew on his Abenaki culture and Slavic roots to develop his characters. This novel is unique enough that I think Hollywood may soon be knocking on Bruchac's door!

Highly, highly recommended grades 7-up. No sex, no language. Some violence.

FTC Required Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. I did not receive monetary compensation for this review.

Paranormal Romance Pick: Angel Burn

Angel Burn
by L.A. Weatherly
Candlewick, 2011
page count undetermined
Due out May 24, 2011

What if Angels aren't sent from the heavens to help humans? What if they have a more sinister and devious plan for humankind?

The first in a planned romantic trilogy, Angel Burn catches fire. Whether running for their lives, fighting evil angels, outsmarting old friends who are now enemies, fleeing the CIA, or digging up secrets, Willow and Alex are likeable characters young adult readers will latch onto.

Willow is unique. She has the gift of knowing other people's fates, their pasts and futures, their pain and their promise. It takes just one touch for her to see what is likely to unfold. When Willow sees Beth's future, she warns Beth that her new religion and church of choice, The Church of Angels, is hurting her. Willow sees danger and violence in Beth's future.

Alex is a trained AK, or Angel Killer, hired by the CIA in a secret program to hunt and kill Angels who have been proven to feed off the humans, leaving them with "Angel Burn," an untreatable sickness which will destroy them. If the CIA can't stop the Angels, humankind will cease to exist.

The Church of Angels is becoming more powerful as humans flock like sheep to its doors. Then Alex gets his next hit--an Angel in Pawtucket, New York.

When Alex breaks into the house, he sees a ethereally beautiful teen-age girl asleep, but he knows this is no ordinary Angel--she is something else entirely, and he is drawn to her. He leaves without hitting his target.

Later, Alex and Willow are thrown together and forced to flee--they know they have to disappear from the Angels and the CIA.

Can an Angel Killer like Alex rely on Willow, who is half-Angel and his hit? Can Willow trust Alex, the man sent to kill her?

Exciting, well-paced, and suspenseful, Angel Burn is a sure hit.

Recommended grades 9-up. Language.

FTC Required Disclaimer: I received the galley from the publisher. I did not receive monetary compensation for this review.

Best New Series

Oracles of Delphi Keep
Victoria Laurie
Delacorte Press, 2009
549 pages

The first in a series of books by a debut author is a magical story of two orphans, a castle and orphanage, an English earl, and the white cliffs of Dover. But it’s much more than that, part adventure, part magical tale, it reminds readers of A Series of Unfortunate Events and The Lightning Thief series (Riordan) with a bit of Harry Potter magic thrown in.
A baby arrives on a dark and stormy night in 1930, carried by a mysterious horseman, and Ian is entrusted to be her older sibling and look after her.

Ian loves adventure and fancies himself a great explorer someday. He dreams of romantic places and amazing discoveries. One day he and Theo are exploring among the cliffs of Dover near the Keep, when Ian discovers a fantastic black box. He unearths it and takes it back to the Keep to try and open it. The box is decorated with strange markings but try as he might, Ian cannot open it.

Ian and Theo uncover a 3,000 year old prophecy and are astonished that their names are written down. They have been called upon to save the world from forces that will be called together to destroy humankind.

Readers who enjoyed Riordan’s The Lightning Thief and the Harry Potter series will love this novel. Rollicking great fun and a real page turner. ‘


Highly, highly recommended. Ages 10 and up.

FTC Required Disclaimer: I received this copy of the book from the publisher. I did not receive monetary compensation for this review. I REALLY loved this book..

YA Pick

Witch & Wizard
by James Patterson and Gabrielle Charbonnet
Little Brown and Company, 2009.
314 pages.

Teen readers will be drawn to this novel for three reasons: the large "W" ablaze dominating the cover, the words "witch" and "wizard" in the title, and those readers who followed the Maximum Ride series will want to read Patterson's latest YA novel.

Siblings Wisty and Whit Allgood are awakened in the middle of the night by armed thugs who arrest them, transport them to a "trial," and drop them off at a sadistic prison. The old government has been overthown and replaced by a maniac who refers to himself as "The One Who Is The One." The Allgood teens are dangerous to the new order because of their powers. Wisty and Whit discover that they are a witch and a wizard, respectively. As they begin to harness their powers, they befriend a ghost or "curve" who helps them escape the prison through the Shadowlands, a dangerous otherworld where spirits, and sometimes, humans, roam. Later, they join a gang of likeminded kids who hope to overthrow the new regime and fulfill a prophecy that kids will rule and peace will come.

This is a quick read with chapters only 2-4 pages in length. Each chapter ends on a suspenseful note to keep those pages turning. Action and adventure readers will enjoy this novel. Patterson continues to use a formula he has had past success with: working with another author who is comfortable in the children's and YA lit market. Charbonnet, with over 75 titles to her credit, is best known for the Babysitter's Club Baby Sister's books.

The ending of this novel makes possible a slew of sequels. As prolific a writer as Patterson is, he will likely churn out a whole series.

Recommended for YA collections. Grades 6-high school.