Best Friends For Never, A Clique Novel: Review by Alyx

Title: Best Friends For Never, A Clique Novel

Author: Lisi Harrison

Format: Paperback

Price: $9.99

There are five main characters in the novels of the Clique. First is Massie Block, who is gorgeous and hopes to rule the social scene at Octovian Country Day. Massie decides to throw her first boy/girl Halloween party, to keep her spot on top. Massie is mad. She doesn't know what's scarier, her parents making her invite the entire grade or that she has to throw the party with Claire. Next is Dylan Marvil, who has lost weight, has a bad attitude, and is planning on using her "new" boy to snatch a new guy. Then there's Kristin Gregory, who is jealous that Dylan likes the same guy she does, and she will do whatever it takes to get him. Her favorite quote is, "Clothes are for sharing. Guys aren't." Next, Alicia Rivera, who wants to takeover everything. And finally, Claire Lyons, who is out of the group and really wants back in.

I really enjoyed this book. I like that it is based upon friendship and the fact that I could relate to this book. I like how this book has letters in it because it makes the book more fun to read. My favorite part would have to be towards the end of the book when Claire and Cam were writing "love" letters back and forth. Claire isn't positive if Cam likes her or not. But Claire likes Cam! The last letter that Claire received from Cam, she read the note five times.

I rate this book 4 out of 5 chocolate bars. The book is contemporary fiction. I thought the cover of this book didn't really explain anything, other than the three main characters on the cover giving each other, "I'm mad at you, don't talk to me" looks. These girls are constantly getting into fights and starting drama over a halloween party with some guys. The design on the cover was pretty cool and the book was neatly organized.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, a review by Ezio

Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows is like one of my favorite books! It was a very good book. 

This book is mostly about Harry, Ron, and Hermione getting the final horcruxes in order to defeat Voldemort. 

SPOILER ALERT! Harry and Voldemort have the FINAL BATTLE!! Harry has to look for the Horcruxes (as heard about in book 6.)  

I like it because there was a lot of suspense, it was thrilling because Harry is running through a bank and a castle that is like crumbling. My favorite part is the final battle because it was cool. You didn't know who was going to win, even though you have a pretty good idea because mostly it's the good people who win. My favorite character is Harry. I relate to him because he breaks rules and doesn't listen to rules, and I do the same, at least not all the time. He also takes risks, and I also take risks, like when I jumped off a twenty foot cliff into a lake and almost hit the rocks. I've finished this series twice because I really like it. I recommend the series to ages at least nine and up, or just people who really, really love a good book.

I rate 5 chocolate bars!
Appropriateness: swearing and lots of violence
Cover Thoughts: Pretty cool. It gave you and idea of what was going to happen in it, not much though. 

plz comment!

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: a review by Ellis

Title: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Author: J. K. Rowling

Price: $29.99

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 734

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire sucked.......... JUST KIDDING! THE BOOK ROCKS!! My favorite part of the book is when Harry is flying away from the dragon.  I like that part because it's entertaining and thrilling. 

This book was mostly about the other wizarding schools coming in to Hogwarts for a tournament, the Tri-Wizard Tournament and the betrayal that comes from the three schools. Harry is the fourth contender in the Tri-Wizard tournament, when usually there were only three: one from each school. 

The strengths of the book is that it is entertaining, and when you stop reading (if you ever do), it's a cliffhanger. The book was very thrilling, and it was a very heated story. There was more fighting and the climax was a life and death situation and it was about knowing your spells and being quick thinkers. The ending was reminiscent and Dumbledore dedicated a speech to one of the students. And that's all I can tell you for now.

Rating: 4.5 chocolate bars out of 5 (at points it got boring)

Appropriateness: There is a little bit of vulgar language, kissing and mushy scenes, and lots of violence. I'd recommend it for 8 years old and above.

Cover Thoughts: It told us a little bit about what it was about. It was kind of weird but fun, a very good book.

Book Title : Catching Fire

Format: Hardcover

Author: Suzan Collins

Length/number of pages: 289

Price : 13.99

Short Summary: Katniss Everdeen has to go back into the hunger games for the Quarter Quell. But it’s different scenery. And this game works like a clock. There are twice as many tributes because two victors from each district has to go in. This happens every twenty-five years. Some new characters are in this, too. Also their beloved district won’t be there anymore When Katniss returns to what she thinks is home. Some people believe that there is a thirteenth district; they are headed there because their districts are getting attacked because of some recent uprisings that have occurred in a few of the districts.

Peeta has to go back into the games to protect Katniss but she is really trying to protect him because last time Haymitch and Peeta were set on protecting her. Also they have to convince everyone one that they are in love because some districts think it’s just an act and some people aren’t very happy with them.

 Strengths/Weaknesses/Favorite Parts: My favorite part was when Katniss blew up the forcefield and they took them out of the games. And Peeta disappeared but a few people think he’s dead because they don’t know where he went.

Rating (out of five chocolate bars) 5

Appropriateness: Anyone

Cover Thoughts: I thought it represented the book very well because the mocking jay was what Katniss wore in the hunger games and it represented her district. And it still does throughout the entire series

Walter Moers' Zamonian stories

Walter Moers’ Zamonian stories (as far as I know the books don’t have an order, they are ALL worth reading and are awesome!)

The Thirteen and A Half Lives Captain Blue Bear: This book is my favorite of the series because of its many MANY characters, abundance of settings and completely new and brilliant ideas and characters. It is really exciting and brilliant story filled with twists and unexpected experiences. DEFINITELY worth reading!!!

5 chocolate bars! I had no problem with the vocab. (though it is a longish book) The story starts with a baby blue bear floating in a walnut shell towards a giant vortex in the ocean. Luckily before he is killed by the giant whirlpool, a group of mini pirates comes to his rescue and raise him as their own. They teach him everything a mini pirate has to offer and when he grows too large for their tiny ship, sadly leave him on an island with some supplies, with that catapulting him into his second "life" (it just keeps getting better and better after that).

The Alchemasters’ Apprentice:  A crat (a rare creature that’s like a cat but way cooler, you’ll see ;) ) is starving on the streets of Malaisea is given an opportunity the city’s Alchemaster. He can starve to death in three days or he can live in luxury for two weeks before he’s used for alchemic experiments He needs to make allies and escape from the Alchemasters’ clutches before it's too late.

4 chocolate bars. Read it!

The City of Dreaming Books:  A young Lindworm is searching for the author to a mysterious manuscript he received from his god father (its PERFECT) he starts his search where his god father told the author to go, Bookholm (a city that’s just ALL about BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS!) when he accidently finds himself caught in a HUGE (it gets crazy) conspiracy fighting for his life in the HUMONGOUS catacombs of Bookholm. You’ll find out the rest on your own! ;) .

4 chocolate bars. Read it after you’re done with the Alchemaster's Apprentice!

Rumo and His Miraculous Adventures: Rumo (a young Wolperting, the best fighters in Zamonia) is living a pampered farm life when a group of Demonicles abducts him and his family starting his EPIC adventure. All Wolpertings have a silver thread they see in the sky it leads them to their one and only true love/to the city of Wolperting. (Wolpertings are abandoned as babies)  His silver thread is named Rala. He needs to save her and all of Zamonia from an unseen disaster.

4 ½ chocolate bars, save this book for last! Or do whatever, I’m not stopping you. My summaries might sound boring but PLEASE try them out!!!

Walter Moers (AKA the author of these amazing stories!)           

 

Painter, Walter Moers was born in Hamburg Germany 1957 and is a writer, cartoonist, and sculptor.  Careful with reading other books he’s written besides those mentioned (they may get political!).

My Sister the Vampire: Lucky Break, a review by Shutterbug

 

Title: My Sister the Vampire: Lucky Break

Author: Sienna Mercer

Format: Softcover

Price: $4.99

 

In the series called My Sister the Vampire, Lucky Break is the sixth book in the collection. One of the twin sisters Olivia gets a part in a play which she auditioned for so she could get her first kiss with her boyfriend. But her boyfriend doesn't get the part and now she had to kiss a guy she definitely doesn't like. Luckily the director says that she will cut out all the kisses till the end. Also at that time of the school year, the twins get to meet their aunt, and Olivia gets to ride a horse, but Ivy, Olivia's twin sister, can't because horses don't really like her. She thinks it's because she's a vampire. Ivy feels left out but turns out to be braver than she thought, so everyone gets happy, but just wait till next year.

 

I enjoyed all the action and all the times they were about to get in trouble but they got out of it. There's a lot of drama in the series, and I like that the sisters always stay together. My favorite part of this book was during the play when the boyfriend went to help Olivia so she doesn't have to kiss the boy she doesn't like!

 

Rating: I would give this book 5 out of 5 chocolate bars.

Appropriateness: It's appropriate for almost any age. There's no bad language at all.

Cover Thoughts: It's fitting to the book.

Seekers, a review by Silver Dragon

Book Title: Seekers

Format: Paperback

Author: Erin Hunter

Length: 293pages

Price: $12.40

Short Summary: This book is by the author of Warriors. It is about three bears that must live on their own, alone as cubs. Each struggles to survive as they face flat faces (humans), fire beasts (cars), and other bears. The three bears: black, polar, and grizzly, must follow a shape-shifting grizzly cub to their own fate.

Strengths/Weaknesses/Favorite Parts: the weakness is the bears all live in different environments so it is unlikely they will meet…

Rating (out of five chocolate bars) 4 out of 5 chocolate bars...no book is perfect, but I liked this one.
Appropriateness: appropriate,  some violence though.
Cover Thoughts :I think the cover suits this book, but I feel like it could show where the bears actually are. I  like the colors.

The Jack Blank series: Review by The Muse

Post By The Muse  
Review of the Jack Blank series
By Matt Myklusch

Titles: The Accidental Hero, The Secret War and The End of Infinity

Author: Matt Myklusch.

Price: At Walmart I got The Accidental Hero and the End of Infinity for $7.99 & $14.44. I got The Secret War at Barnes&Nobles for $7.99

Length: 470 pages, 525 pages, and 398 pages

Summary of the series:
Starting as an orphan with his  future job as a toilet brush scrubber?  Jack is suddenly chased down by a  robot zombie, and  he barely makes it out alive by causing a generator to explode. He is about to be sent to the loony bin. He is saved by Jazen, an  android  from Imagine Nation. No, not imagination, Imagine Nation -- a place where anything is possible like aliens, superheros and androids. He doesn't even know who he is, and just as he's about to find out, an alarm goes off!  Then we meet the "loving" Mr.Smart, who tells everyone that Jack is infected and demands his execution and Jazen's dismantling. A lot of Jack's  comic  heroes like Prime the Valorian and other famous characters are voting on his fate.  These books follow his adventures as he tries to find out who he is and save the world from the Rustov -- an evil zombie race that is going to take over the world.     

Strengths/ Weaknesses or favorite parts: Well, I loved the whole series, but my favorite book is the last one because it leaves me in suspense. I want to know what happens next! Please, Matt, make a fourth book!

Rating of the series: 5 out of 5 chocolate bars.
Appropriateness: A wussy vampire  because the only bad thing in is the violence.
CoverThoughts: I think the covers are awesome!

                                                                      

                                                                      

                               

Eon, a review by Matthew

Title: Eon
Author: Allison Goodman
Format: paperback
Length: 531 pages
Price: borrowed from a friend

This book is set in a land based on the cultures of ancient China and Japan. The land is ruled by the Emperor, but the keepers of order in the country are the Dragoneyes. The Dragoneyes are a group of men trained to channel the power of the dragons of the twelve year cycle. Over 500 years ago the most powerful dragon of them all, the mirror dragon or the dragon dragon, disappeared and has never been found.   
  
Every year a handful of boys is chosen to be trained, until they turn twelve, to show their skill and power to the Dragon of that year. If the dragon chooses him he becomes apprenticed to the current Dragoneye. But not just anyone can be chosen, they must have the power to go into the energy world to see and channel their dragon.

Eon is one of the boys chosen to show his skill to the dragon. But he is also at a disadvantage; he is crippled in his left leg. He also has a secret, he is really a she named Eona. Being a female Dragoneye and hiding it is punishable by death. At the choosing ceremony for the Rat Dragon Eon is chosen. Not by the Rat Dragon though. Eon was chosen by the Mirror Dragon!!! 

Eona becomes apprentice in a very dangerous year; the emperor has fallen ill to a deathly disease. His throne will be taken by the emperor's general, Lord Sethon, unless Eon joins the resistance against him.

I really liked the way Goodman wrote the book because the characters were vividly described.  She created a really good mind-picture of everything.  I could envision the mirror dragon.  The book is set in a mixture of ancient China and Japan to make the fictional world, and it is very realistic.  The book was also really suspenseful all of the time.

If you want to find out if Sethon take the throne or why the mirror dragon chose Eona you must read this outstanding five chocolate bar book. I guarantee you will love it as much as I did. This is a Y.A. book and has some scenes that may be inapropriate for younger or less mature audiences. 

The Second Summer of the Sisterhood, a review by Maggie

The Second Summer of the Sisterhood; a Review by Maggie

Title- The Second Summer of the Sisterhood

Author- Ann Brashares

Format- Hardcover

Price- $15.95 (U.S.) / $23.95 (Can.)

Plot Summary- In book two of a four book series Bridget, Carmen, Tibby, and Lena go off on their second summer passing around these “magical” pants that, even though the girls are not the same size, the pants fit all of them. Tibby decides that working at Wallman's isn’t how she wants to spend her summer again so she gets into a college film making program. Carmen starts to worry that her mom may possibly be going “boy crazy” especially when her mom wears the pants on a date. In not liking her mom’s new boyfriend, David, Carmen manages to break the two up but then realizes it was a big mistake. Bridget decides to go to Alabama to secretly find information about her dead mom from her grandmother and ends up meeting up with some old friends she used to play soccer with when she was younger. Lena dreadfully misses her Ex, Kostos, who she met on her trip to Greece the summer before and when Kostos surprisingly shows up in the United States they do some things and then he suddenly disappears back to Greece leaving Lena determined to find out why when she returns after her grandfather’s death.

Character Analysis-  

Bridget- the summer prior Bridget had spent quickly falling in love with her soccer coach at camp but in realizing how she had acted Bridget quits playing soccer, and becomes very quiet. After spending her summer pretending to be a girl named Gilda helping her grandmother around the house Bridget learns a lot about her dead mother and grows a strong relationship with her grandmother.

Tibby- Tibby is what most parents would call a rebellious daughter but finds her joy in filmmaking and goes to take a college course. Not realizing it, she starts to cause damage to the people who really love her when trying to make new friends but when she steps back at looks at what she is doing she turns herself around, leaves her new friends to make things better.

Lena-  Lena is a very pretty yet quiet girl who misses her ex living back in Greece a lot. When she finds out that he is now getting married to a women he doesn’t love it hurts her a lot. Then she meets Carmen’s stepbrother, Paul, and they really like each other.

Carmen- Carmen is very sensitive and when her mom gets into a more serious relationship she feels like he is getting more attention from her mom than she is. After causing the break up between them, and her mom becoming depressed she realizes her mom deserves to be happy and tries to fix things.

Theme- 

The theme to really all four books would be that no matter how far or how close you are from the people you truly love you will always still love them.

Strengths, Weakness, favorite parts of the book-  

I think the strengths of this book would really be the message sent out with the girl’s friendship. I feel there were no real weaknesses but that’s just me.               

My favorite part of the book would probably be the ending because everything that had gone wrong during their summers turned out alright.

Ending- 

The ending of the book is really about all four girls realizing what is best. With Lena, finding someone new, Bridget, gaining a relationship with her grandmother, Tibby, fixing what she had broken, and Carmen, getting her mom and David back together.

Rating- 5 out of 5 chocolate bars!!! (Now to watch the movie J )

Book cover- I think the book cover fits the story 100% because the books are really all about these magical pants that travel with all the girls making memories they all will never forget so having a picture of the pants is perfect.

Appropriateness- I would say this book is definitely a young adult book. The book uses some sketchy language and does reference sex but otherwise it has a positive message to it.

The Bearers of the Black Staff, a review by Cullen

Title:  The Bearers of the Black Staff: Legends of Shannara Book 1)
Author:  Terry Brooks
Format:  Hardcover
Price: $7.99

Summary: The magical barrier that has protected the valley for over 500 years is eroding.  Evil creatures from the world outside have entered the valley, but there is still disbelief that the barrier is gone.  Sider Ament is the bearer of a magic as old as the barrier, the Black Staff, and he knows the valley won't be safe for long.  Panterra Qu and Prue Liss have grown up together and have become expert trackers.  They believe that Ament is correct and the barrier won't hold for long.  Panterra and Prue are tasked by Sider to gather support from the Elves so they can defend the passages into the valley.  Panterra and Prue cross the barrier and go into the world beyond.  Unwillingly, they cause an army of Trolls to take an interest in the valley.

Panterra and Prue escape the Trolls and go to tell Sider what happened.  The Elves and humans race to defend the passes.  As the Troll army approaches, the defenders see that the Trolls are vastly superior to their inexperienced warriors.  The only advantage is Sider Ament and his Black Staff.

Characters:
Sider Ament is a solitary man who has very little contact with civilization as he helps protect the valley.  He is torn up over the loss of teacher and the loss of his love.

Panterra Qu has heightened senses that help him as a Tracker.  He is driven by feeling like he left Prue behind.

Prue Liss can sense danger before it happens.

Theme: One theme of this novel could be that all good things come to an end.  The People of the valley are shocked when the barrier fails.  They don't expect it to end, but it did, and they weren't prepared.  If they knew this lesson, they would have been prepared.

My Thoughts: Overall, this was a very strong book and I enjoyed reading it.  I think Terry Brooks is a good writer, having read most of his other books.  I enjoyed this one the most.

I didn't really like the ending, but I guess it had to happen in order to set up the second book.  I enjoy reading this genre and reading other books by this author.

Rating: 4 out of 5 chocolate bars
Cover Thoughts: I like the cover.  I thought it helps you visualize the setting as well as Sider Ament.
Appropriateness:  There is some violence in the book but nothing really that graphic.

Hunted, a review by Miranda

Title: Hunted
Authors: P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast
Format: I read Hunted as an ebook on my nook.
Price:  $8.99

Summary:  Zoey and red fledglings are fighting Neferet and Kalona. They stay underground while the raven mockers run rampant throughout the streets and House of Night (for vampyre fledglings.) Zoey is injured and must go back to the House of Night in order to survive. She finds out that Neferet wants her to leave her goddess, Nyx, for the fallen angel, Kalona.
 

Characters

Zoey: a young fledgling priestess who has affinities for all five of the elements: wind, water, fire, air, and spirit. She is fighting for her life as well for her friends lives while she stays faithful to her goddess Nyx. She has a very confusing love life as she struggles between her vampyre, human, and red fledgling lovers.
Aphrodite: a previous fledging who becomes human after saving red vampyre, Stevie Rae.
Stevie Rae: First red vampyre who is Zoey’s best friend.
Erik: Zoeys vampyre boyfriend
Heath: Zoey’s human boyfriend
Neferet: Vampyre priestess who is under the rule of Kalona.
Kalona: Fallen angel who has been trapped underground for many years after being trapped by native women. He is the father of the raven mockers.
Stark: red fledgling who has a special power and Zoey has feelings for him.

Theme: The theme to me seems to be that you need to stay true to yourself and faithful to those around you. Also to choose good over evil and protect what’s important to you.

Strengths: it has a great pace, it’s action-packed, it gets you hooked immediately, and it was very suspenseful!
Weakness: has a little too much sexual content and is confusing at parts.
My favorite part is when Zoey uses the elements to attack Kalona after he hurts Darius. It’s very descriptive, and I can see what is happening in my head!

Ending: is very catchy and hooks me to read the next book.

Rating: I’d rate it 3.5 out of 5 chocolate bars.

Cover Thoughts: I always enjoy the book covers because they have the cool tattoos all over them and they have an eerie picture of someone from the book.

Appropriateness:
language--there is occasional swearing but that is most because of the character speaking. Zoey tries to censor her language while Aphrodite does not hold back.
violence--it is very action packed to the point of getting over-the-top gory.
sexual content--There is a fair amount of sexual content but I think that it is enough to handle for most young adults.
Maturity--I think that it is not for most middle schoolers because of the sexual content but if you are comfortable with the sex and swearing then it is all right for you to read.

Percy Jackson The Lightning Thief, a review by Kyle

Title:  Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief
Author:  Rick Riordan
Format:  Paperback
Price: I borrowed it from the library



Summary:The storyline of this book is centered on a 12 year-old boy named Percy Jackson. Just after the end of 6^th grade Percy Jackson finds out that there is something different about him than other kids this age. He is then taken to a camp by his best friend Grover that is safe for other kids like him to train and practice fighting monsters after a nightmarish journey with his mother driving him and Grover and a Minotaur snatching his mother away from them just as they reach camp. At camp, Percy learns more about himself and his godly parent, The God of the Sea -- Poseidon -- and one of the Big 3 brothers which include Poseidon, Zeus, and Hades. When Zeus discovers his master bolt is missing (his weapon that allows him to create and shoot lightning at will), Zeus then blames Poseidon for this theft and declares war on him unless the bolt is returned by the Summer Solstice. Percy is sent on a quest to retrieve the masterbolt which is believed to be in Hades' possession in the underworld and return it to Olympus, helped by Grover and a smart daughter of Athena named Annabeth who will also become his other close friend. Does he succeed? Read and find out!



Characters:  Perseus Jackson: The protagonist of the story. Percy seems to be a good-natured, friendly, brave, and willing to risk his life to save friends. Percy is on a quest to retrieve a very powerful godly weapon and save his mother from the underworld. Throughout the story his motivations never seem to waver from saving his mother from the clutches of Hades.

Annabeth: A blonde-haired, smart daughter of Athena who becomes close friends with Percy Jackson. In the beginning of the story Annabeth just wanted to go on the quest with Percy just to get out of camp and find out if she was “any good” in the real world. However in the duration of the book she comes to genuinely like Percy a lot and they become very good friends.


Grover: Of the trio that goes on the quest to retrieve the masterbolt Grover is the only non-human. He is a Satyr who is best friends with Percy and Annabeth. He also plays the reed pipes (rather badly). In the beginning of the book Grover does not seem to be too intense on going on the quest to be a big hero, he just goes along because he feels that it is his duty as Percy’s assigned Protector and one of his best friends. Then, on the quest Percy relies on him quite a bit for all their safety and Grover steps up to the plate ready. His motivations never change from wanting to help Percy and protect him. 

The main important ideas in this book drive home the idea/feeling that no matter how bad or depressing a situation may be if you want it badly enough and you trust your friends then it will turn out all right in the end. Percy learns that in the story and matures a lot by the end of the book.

He also becomes more aware of how quickly life can go so that is a sobering thought but Rick Riordan also makes the book humorous and a extremely enjoyable read. At the end of the book Percy trusts his mother enough to make the decision herself that will affect her and Percy’s life.

Percy becomes a much more flexible person personality-wise also. Even though it goes against his very nature to obey oppressive orders, Percy consents to listens to his elders. 

Some of my favorite parts of the book are the humorous parts. Rick Riordan wrote an awesome adventure/quest book that had awesome, amazing characters that made it seem like you were there with them due to the fact that it is written from Percy’s POV. He goes into depth with their emotions and dialogue. The storyline is also perfect. It has a lot going on in it and Rick Riordan spaces it pretty nicely so that the book is not a read like a Harry Potter book but yet it is thrilling.

The ending was good for me because at the time that Rick Riordan just wrote it, I don’t think he fully knew that he would be writing a full 5 book series so it was okay if he fast-forwarded a little bit.  I am looking forward to reading the other 4 books in this series by him; I hear from friends that it is an excellent series. For a book about Greek mythology it is amazing that he found a way to make a series about Greek myths. It’s like a story about old myths told by Greeks within a modern storyline.  

Rating: I would definitely give it 5 out of 5 chocolate bars in rating.

Cover Thoughts:  Between the 2 book’s covers I definitely prefer the original over the cover that has a picture of the movie on it because it shows what the author envisioned Percy Jackson looking like not some actor being paid a bunch of money to act in a movie that destroyed the book’s good rep.

Appropriateness:  The book’s appropriateness is good for kids that are just starting to read chapter books and for older kids as well because it has the right kind of humor for all ages: It’s not perverted humor but it's not stupid 1^st grade potty jokes either. 

A review on the secret series by SpicyChocolate

Title: The Secret Series
Author: Pseudonymous Bosch
Format: Hardcover

Length/Number of pages: 400
Price: $16.99

Summary:

This crazy, suspenseful series is about two kids named Cass, and Max-Ernest. Written by Pseudonymous Bosch, it is very funny and exciting. The names of the book in the series are: The Name of This Book is Secret, If You're Reading This It's Too Late, This Book Is Not Good for You, This Isn't What It Looks Like, and the newest book, You Have to Stop This. They are very good, and I would recommend the series to everyone who likes to read a fun book.

Strengths: My favorite book was probably the first one, (The Name of This Book Is Secret), because it is a great introduction to the series. It has a lot of plot twists, and it is really funny and good.  My favorite scene is probably when Cass and Max Earnest find the Symphony of Smells.  It was really weird because there were vials of smells in a big case.

Rating: 5 out of 5 chocolate bars
Appropriateness: Fairy- Princess
Cover thoughts: I like all of the covers to the books because they all show some part of the book, but in a secretive way.The illustrations are also really good, and they are by Gilbert Ford.

THE OUTCASTS, A review by thierryhenry14

Title: The Outcasts

Author: John Flanagan

Format: Hardcover

Length: 434 pages

Price: unknown

Hal never knew his father, a respected Skandian warrior, because he died when Hal was only four years old. When Hal's dad died on a raid in a far off coast his shipmate and loyal friend, Thorn, promised to look after his son and wife. But on their way back home to the city of Hallasholm their ship, wolfwind, was struck by a terrible storm and Thorn was forced to cut off his right hand. No longer able to work as a mighty warrior, Thorn takes up the art of drinking and for six whole years he continues to get drunk night after night until his late friend's, Mikkel, gives him a stern talking to after he fell unconscious in front of her eating house and had to be awoken by her son throwing a cold bucket water on him. Hal's mam makes thorn promise not to drink one more drink for the rest of his life and she also forces him to live in a lean to behind her eating house. Fast forward six more year and Hal is a bit of an outcast among his piers. At the age of sixteen Hal is a an absolute genius and an inventor. When Hal got a job at a local boat yard he helps design a new boat for an old retired sea raider much like Thorn but when that man unexpectedly dies Hal's boss lets him build it and keep it for himself. And does exactly that. Of course he can't do all of the work so he asks a couple of local boys to help him. He asks his only friend Stig who has a bad temper but is strong and huge, twins Ulf and Wulf who are always bickering, Ingvar who is huge and strong just like Stig except Ingvar can't see more than a yard in front of himself and in quite clumsy, so with all of his crew he takes heron for a test drive to test out his new sail rig that he designed himself. It works just as well as thought it would and everyone either saw or heard about his grand entrance into the harbor for he almost crashed into the Oberjarl's ship but he pulled it off skillfully. Two days later he starts BROTHERBAND training, a training program that gets 16 year olds prepared for the hard life of being a skandian sea warrior. Right away Hal finds that his fear is confirmed; he was not chosen to be in one of the brotherbands but then a surprise comes his way and the Oberjarl demands that Hal and the other seven outcasts, which include his whole crew and a few others, become a brotherband. Hal was elected to be his teams skirl and they name their team the herons after Hal's boat. At the end of brotherband training Hal receives another surprise, his brotherband of outcasts actually wins the brotherband competition even though they were two men short. Yet the night of their victory tragedy strikes when the Herons were gaurding the andomal, Skandia's most precious possession, as all winning brotherbands have in the past, it got stolen. Hal could only see one way that his life could return to normal, he only saw one way that he wouldn't have to live the rest of his life in shame so he and his brotherband and Thorn went after the pirate that stole the andomal.

This book is really well-written, and it has lots of adventure.  The characters are adventurous and fun.  My favorite part is the ending because it was kind of a twist, and when I closed the book, I couldn't wait for the second book!

I give this book five chocolatebars out of five chocolatebars. I seriously think that this is my new favorite series.

I also give this book the rating of vampire there is practically no violence, but there are some weapons and there is one scene of nothing but fist fighting.
Cover Thoughts: I really like this cover because I got it for Christmas, and immediately I thought it looked like a super good book.

Fury of the Phoenix by Cindy Pon

A book review by Little Angel

Title: Fury of the Phoenix
Author: Cindy Pon
Format: Hardback
Price: $17.99
Length: 359 pages

:) This book is the sequel to Sliver Phoenix by Cindy Pon, which I reviewed earlier on the blog.

This book starts with Ai Ling chasing Chen Young to help find his father. Their adventure takes them on a journey through the sea. They deal with anger, embarrassment, and (because the story's not complete without it) monsters. They do meet his father, but will everything go smoothly? Knowing Ai Ling, of course not!

The same with the last book--it was great! I just loved reading it. Adventure, mythology, and romance--in my opinion, that is a great mix. I love all the food she describes, the area it's based off, and the way she describes everything. Again I couldn't put it down; this one I felt was more romantic filled then the last one.

This one explained a lot more than the last one on the relationship between Sliver Phoenix and Zhong Ye. I loved the way the author went back and forth between their story and Ai Ling's story.

The thing I didn't really like was how long the ship ride lasted. Now this may be because she flipped back and forth, which could have made it seem longer. Another thing is that this sequel didn't have as much mythology as it did last time. I was really sad about that, but I still love it as much as I did the last one, if not more.

Rating: 5 out of 5 chocolate bars because I liked the way it was written and the ending was amazing.
Appropriateness: well this one is fine for young adults or middle schoolers
Cover Thoughts: I didn't really like this cover, it looked like the knife was photo shopped in. there isn't very much color. I found it really dull and if I didn't know it was the sequel I never would have picked it up.

Book Review: Inheritance, by Christopher Paolini

Book Title:  Inheritance series

Author: Christopher Paolini

Format: Hardback

Price: $27.99

Length: 880 pages

A thrilling series with excitement and suspense is now reaching a breathtaking finale with a book called Inheritance. The series starts with a boy named Eragon who finds a blue dragon egg. Without knowing it Eragon changes his life and fate by taking the egg home and names the dragon in the egg Saphira. After three novels filled with all of Eragon’s adventures, the final battle that fate has brought Eragon to is now here. Now Eragon and Saphira have to face Galbatorix and the fate of all of Alagasia rests on there shoulders. But with the help of Glaedr and others that you will hear about in Inheritance maybe Galbatoix will be defeated and a new ruler will rule Alagasia again.

           

To me the book Inheritance was a great finale with an ending that wasn’t as romantic or sad as it could have been. But the way it was written, the end was fabulous. One of my favorite parts is when Saphira, Glaedr, and Eragon find hidden treasure on Vroengard and discover that not all is lost. Another one of my favorite parts is when Roran conquers Aroughs. There are other parts I really loved but I won’t go into the details. If you are interested in reading you must read the other books. Sometimes they can be slow with lots of details but there are certain parts that are so good the slower parts don’t even matter anymore.

           

The ending of Inheritance was a good ending but it was sad because Eragon never got the one he loved and neither did Murtagh or Saphira. I think the author did that so the book wouldn’t get lovey dovey. But the way Eragon and Saphira left was I think great way to finish the book and the series.

Book Review: The Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

A book review by GIRlover230

The name of the book I read is: Uglies

The format is: paperback
The author is: Scott Westerfeld
The number of pages: 425
The price I got it at was: $8.99

The book is about a town in a time where anyone who is normal is ugly. Luckily, when you’re sixteen, you undergo a surgery that makes you pretty (in their terms). Tally, the main character, can’t wait to get her surgery done. Her best friend Paris has already gotten his surgery done and was already in New Pretty Town (that’s the town you go to when you’re pretty). Tally is three months younger than Paris so she is alone for three months until she turns pretty. So one day she decides to go visit Paris in New Pretty Town, but the thing is, Uglies are not allowed in New Pretty Town, so she sneaks in. I won’t go into details, but when she leaves she finds another Ugly named Shay. During the three months until they get their surgeries done, Shay and Tally become good friends the week before there surgeries Shay tells Tally a big secret, then gives her a map in code to tell where she’s going. She tried to talk Tally into going, but it didn’t work. I’m not going to tell any more spoilers, but they go on a big adventure.

I thought this book was good, and it has a really surprising ending.  I also liked the author's description of the characters, how detailed he was on describing things.  My favorite part was the turning point, and the big decision Tallie made in the New Smoke.  You'll find out about the New Smoke when you read the book. 

This is the first of three books. The names are Uglies, Pretties, and Specials. I liked it enough to read the rest of the series, and I'm now on the third book.  This is probably one of the first science-fiction books I've read and liked.

Rating: 5 out of 5 chocolate bars

Appropriateness: fairy princess
Where I got it: we owned it but you could get it at a book store or library.
Cover thoughts: I like it.  It fits my idea of Tallie because I imagined her with reddish-brown hair like that.  I think it's eye-catching because if it were on a shelf, I'd probably see it and go grab it.

Vampire Academy, by Richelle Mead

A review by LocoCoco of the Vampire Academy Series, by Richelle Mead

Rose Hathaway is the type of girl you would see beating people up for her friends or loved ones.  Or if people just tick her off.

Rose attends a special school, St. Vladimir's Academy for Future Guardians, Dampires, and Moroi, which is a type of vampire that can control the four elements of the earth: air, water, earth, and fire.  But Lissa Dragomir, Rose's best friend, controls a rare power--spirit.

As Rose and Lissa go on with their school life, they find more and more problems and more answers.

I read almost all of the Vampire Academy books, and I've loved it every step of the way.  The plot is very absorbing and I have to read what's next.  Sure, sometimes it gets a slow start but towards the end, you can't put it down.  Trust me, I tried, and failed.  Richelle Mead does a very good job with the whole fighting, which is good because most of the book has to do with killing Strigoi.  The book also has a good, close-to-home feeling to it.  What I mean by that is that some of the vampires have lived at the school since they were young, and they feel like a family, and the school like their home.

I rate this series 5 out of 5 chocolate bars.
Rated DEATH for sexual content and harsh language.

The Dark Years Part 1, a Fictional Piece in Installments

Hello all,

Crazienis here. I had a spark of inspiration after being squeezed to the thickness of a pancake during elective one day. I would then continue on to be here, and write this post. I'm going to release a story in installments for ?????????? installments. Here goes!!!!

Of all the quirky things to do with my life, I decided to end the world. Not that I was at all remorseful, because mankind had destroyed all my childish innocence by eliminating my family when I was four.

It was a stormy, gloomy night as I crept out. I wished I had picked a better night to go, but Mother Nature had other ideas. I squished across my soggy front lawn and slowly crept up the tree where I would wait.

End of Part One.