You Have to Stop This: The Mystery! The Adventure! The Secret!

Another – you guessed it – syndicated Amazon.com "mini-review". But, hey, it's better than no reviews at all . . .

As with the previous four books in the Secret Series, You Have to Stop This (love the titles from this series!), expertly weaves mystery and humor, good and evil, and sense and madness.

Mystery and Humor: Incorporating unsolved mysteries threads from the previous books in the series – Ms. Mauvais and Dr. L's conniving plans, PB's true identity, and . . . The SECRET – along with new mysteries – a missing finger and a walking mummy – this final book produces a new question for each old question answered. But don't worry! All that is important is revealed, in some way or another, by the end of the tale. And, of course, humor is another big element in this story. Complete with poor mummy puns, chocolate lovers, and an application to join the Terces Society, You Have to Stop This provides comic relief coupled with a serving of crime-solving.

Good and Evil: Cass, Max-Ernest, and Yo-Yoji all make reappearances in this final tales. Their roles? The heroes, of course! All three heroes go through satisfying character developments in this book, creating the ultimate alliance to beat the well-characterized villains and obstacles surrounding The Secret.

Sense and Madness: Pseudonymous Bosch deftly creates stories in which the mystery makes sense, yet you're constantly wondering what happens next. Full of unexpected plot twists that not only deepen the characters' troubles, but also move the plot forward in a timely manner, You Have to Stop This is the perfect story for the imaginative.

Decorated with Gilbert Ford's whimsical illustrations, You Have to Stop This is the ultimate book for anyone looking for a fun, smart, and suspenseful read.

 Rating: 4.75 out of 5 stars

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Torn: M.P. Haddix Has Done It Again!

A short note from your reviewer:

Greetings, readers of The Bookshelf! I know earlier I posted a list of reviews that would be published throughout this month, but with the start of school, my personal vacation to Ocean City, Maryland, multiple orientations, and . . . oh, yeah, the EARTHQUAKE, I've fallen a wee bit behind.

Below is a short "mini review" of Torn by Margaret Peterson Haddix. This is a syndicated review from my Amazon account. While this review is shorter and more informal than most, I believe it provides much insight, explanation, and opinion of a fourth book in a historical, mystery, sci fi, thriller time traveling series.

Look for a few more posts before the end of August. Thank you!

And by "done it again", I mean "created another great history/mystery time travel tale".

The fourth installment in The Missing series, Torn by Margaret Peterson Haddix, follows Jonah and Katherine as they travel back in time to the year 1611. The missing child that they must return to history in order to correct time? John Hudson, son of the famous (famously crazy, that is) Henry Hudson. The only problem: JB, Jonah and Katherine's time travel...supervisor, you could say, is unable to find the 21st century boy who is actually John Hudson to send him back to the past. A truly missing child!

But, of course, there are more problems than just a missing (missing) historical figure. Jonah must pretend to be John, mask, wigs, clothing, and all, in hopes of setting history straight. However, after an hour or so aboard the Discovery, Henry Hudson's ship, all time is thrown out of balance. Tracers, ghost-like figures that show what is supposed to happen in history, go missing, Jonah and Katherine lose all connections with JB, and an evil Mr. Prickett threatens the safety of the ship's crew, most significantly Jonah.

Taking matters into their own hands, Jonah (still disguised as John Hudson) and Katherine (who is invisible thanks to the time traveling device, the Elucidator) try to make sense of the odd mishaps in time that keep occurring and attempt to save history and rescue their friends who are still stuck in the year 1600.

Captivating and well-paced, Torn provides a set of loveable characters and rich historical settings to create an enjoyable read. Fans of the previous books in the Missing series will not be disappointed.

Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars

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Sweetly: Deliciously Mysterious

To start off, let me say that Jackson Pearce is one of my absolute favorite authors. Her books are different, her videos are hilariously entertaining, and she doesn’t seem afraid to take risks in her writing. Sweetly, Pearce’s latest book, is a modern retelling of the Grimm Brothers’ classic fairy tale Hansel and Gretel. Sweetly takes place twelve years after three siblings, Gretchen, her twin sister and Ansel, encounter a horrible beast, a witch-like creature, in the woods near their house. Gretchen and Ansel make it back to their house alive, but the outcome for Gretchen’s twin sister was much more gruesome. Having to live with the horrifying truth that the sister is dead or, at best, lost forever in the menacing woods, the members of the grieving family each take on different roles. Gretchen, who becomes a recluse, and Ansel, who acts as Gretchen’s protective bodyguard, are thrown out of their house by their stepmother, who, needing a scapegoat, blames the family’s loss on Ansel and Gretchen.

Homeless, Ansel and Gretchen hit the road, hoping to discover a place where they can find solitude in their multitude of sorrow. When their car breaks down in a small town called Live Oak in South Carolina, Ansel and Gretchen seek refuge in a chocolatier shop owned by a sweet, but lonely, twenty-something-year-old lady named Sophia. Taking a likeness to Sophia, Ansel becomes her boyfriend and Gretchen becomes her best friend. Mesmerized by her chocolate treats, her caring smile, and her welcoming aura, Ansel and Gretchen seem to have finally a place they can call home.

However, not all is perfect. Gretchen, despite her resistance not to, notices something hidden underneath Sophia’s candy-coated smile and sun-kissed skin. Gretchen notices a sadness that is all too familiar, the same sadness that enslaved her for so many years after her twin sister’s disappearance. After discovering that eight teenage girls have gone missing from Sophia’s annual chocolate festival, Gretchen confronts Samuel Reynolds. Samuel is the town crazy, who claims that Sophia is crazy and spews nonsense about werewolves. Samuel, along with the families of the missing, is sure that Sophia has something to do with the town’s disappearances.

All the talk of disappearances causes many memories to flood Gretchen’s mind – memories of her twin, memories of the woods, memories of the witch. But could sweet, kind, gentle Sophia really be a witch? A witch who kidnaps innocent girls? Realizing that she needs to take control, Gretchen begins an investigation into what really happened to those girls, what secrets Sophia is hiding, and, most importantly, what happened to her twin sister, whose name she cannot even say due to the incredible hurt it brings.

Entrancing, Sweetly chronicles the journey of Gretchen as she finally makes amends with what happened to her many years ago. With the ever-present threat of something just out of reach, Gretchen makes it her mission to uncover the truth, no matter what consequences come with it. Full of realistic, loveable characters, Sweetly creates a flowing, rhythmic story of mystery, resolution, and the truth behind what’s sweet. 

 

Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars

Note: I was fortunate to recently receive an Advance Reading Copy (ARC) of Sweetly by Jackson Pearce. Officially, Sweetly will not be released as a hardcover until August 23rd. Since I have finished reading the ARC, I thought it seemed fit that you, the readers of The Bookshelf, should receive an inside look at one of this summer’s most captivating reads.

 

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Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children: Eccentric and Exceptional

Eccentric. With a title that sums up the mood of the book itself, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs (a pseudonym, presumably) is a treasure chest of witty characters, unique photographs, and a delightful story. Wonderfully composed, Miss Peregrine tells the tale of Jacob and the stories that were told to him by his grandfather.  Jacob’s grandfather was a Jewish WWII survivor that, as a child, escaped from his native country of Poland to an island off the coast of England. Jacob’s grandfather told him tales of a house for children that he stayed at during the war. He told Jacob about children at the house that had special qualities and abilities. A levitating girl, an invisible boy, a girl who could make fire with her hands, and a boy made of bees were among the children that Jacob’s grandfather insisted were real. As a child, Jacob believed the unbelievable stories, but as he got older doubt began to replace his once wondrous beliefs.

Fast-forward to when Jacob is sixteen-years-old. In a freak accident, Jacob is the last to see his grandfather alive. The police describe his grandfather’s death as an animal attack. Jacob wearily believes the police, but there is a strand of recollection in his memory. Right after his grandfather’s death, Jacob saw a creature, a monstrosity, with tentacles hanging outside its mouth. Making connections, Jacob begins to return to his grandfather’s stories, finding coincidences and patterns. Traveling with his father, Jacob visits England to find his grandfather’s old rescue home, hoping to resolve the many secrets that are wrapped around his mind.

An inside photograph

Jacob becomes determined to figure out if his grandfather was telling the truth or if he was simply crazy. Photographs included in the book of the children described by Jacob’s grandfather, inspire the reader’s creativity levels, while encouraging Jacob to dive deeper into a world unknown.

Exceptional. Fast-paced and detailed, Miss Peregrine leaves you hanging on every word. Definitely one of my top books for this year, it is a refreshing, humorous, different summer read. The inside photographs supplement the book perfectly, adding to the genius of the story and often breaking up the rather long chapters (One was bordering on seventy pages!). Jacob’s adventure is one to be heard and one to be remembered. Miss Peregrine’s sequel cannot possibly arrive soon enough to fulfill the desire that came with the cliff-hanger ending of the first book. A quirky rollercoaster ride of a book, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children allows your mind to explode in an array of creativity, wonder, and imagination.

Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars

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STRONG Characters

STRONG, in all caps, characters are leaders that can be viewed as role models and influential people in literature. STRONG characters seek excellence, but not at the expense of others. They strive to be the best they can be, but understand their limitations. They display their generosity and teach others, but also realize when it’s their turn to follow instead of lead. They face their obstacles and succeed, or at least try, to defeat their fears and demons. STRONG characters are often liked, main characters in novels. However, any book character, much like any person, can be STRONG. Listed below are three STRONG female and male characters and what traits, skills, and values they possess.

Three STRONG Female Characters

• Evie, from Paranormalcy: Determined, thoughtful, and witty, Evie always does her job, containing paranormal creatures, in a timely manner. Assertive, but not harmful, she disarms her suspects, but always makes sure that they are properly treated and are set on the right track at the International Paranormal Containment Agency (IPCA). A good friend to her mermaid pal, Evie demonstrates a STRONG, powerful aura of stability and gratitude.

• Lanesha, from Ninth Ward: Young and independent, Lanesha must take lead over her elderly guardian, Mama Ya-Ya, her dog, Spot, and her friends, TaShon, Max, and Ginia, as the take cover in the heart of Hurricane Katrina: the poverty-stricken Ninth Ward of New Orleans. Lanesha has the ability to see ghosts, including her deceased mother. Despite be mocked for her ability, Lanesha remains kind, curious, and STRONG during such an uncertain time.

• Liesel, from The Book Thief: Facing a new foster family during a difficult time in the world’s history, WWII, Liesel must adapt to new surroundings and new ways of living. Hiding the majority of the time due to her religion, Judaism, Liesel teaches and occupies herself while living in conditions that would cause many to give up. STRONG till the end, Liesel’s story is one to be heard.

Three STRONG Male Characters

• Marcelo, from Marcelo in the Real World: Born with Asperger’s Syndrome (a form of autism), Marcelo is proud of his abilities. Enjoying taking care of animals and learning the Christian religion, Marcelo is not afraid to speak his mind. But when he’s forced to get a job in the mail room of his father’s law firm, Marcelo must enter a whole new world, where not everybody is kind or easy to understand. Marcelo must be STRONG to be prosperous.

• Doug, from Okay for Now: Between moving to a new house, attending a new school, and living with an abusive father, being STRONG is not easy for Doug. However, finding friends at the local library and solitude in drawing, Doug discovers how happiness and generosity can change people for the better.

• Brewster “Bruiser,” from Bruiser: An outcast, a loner. Teased, bullied. Brewster, better known to his classmates as “Bruiser,” is always silent, the bruises covering his body the only thing expressing that something’s wrong with him. When Brewster falls in love with a girl named Brontë and becomes best friends with her brother, Tennyson, he begins to feel like he is STRONG enough to reveal his dark secrets.

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Wish You Were Dead: Be Careful What You Blog For

The first in Todd Strasser’s cyber “thrill-ogy”, Wish You Were Dead is a chilling mystery paired with a side of adventure, intrigue, and ever-bountiful plot twists. Recommended to me by my local library, Wish You Were Dead sows questions in your mind about social class, popularity, and the effect your words have on people.

Taking place in a ritzy neighborhood, Soundview, a community that isn’t often faced with crime, Wish You Were Dead follows Madison, a rich, but well-intentioned, high schooler. Madison, who volunteers with her community’s Safe Drives, an organization that offers ride to inebriated teens departing from parties, finds herself in a big mess after one fatal accident. Madison and her Safe Drives partner, Tyler, make the mistake of dropping a girl, Lucy, off without waiting for to enter her house. All Safe Drives volunteers are required to wait until the partygoer enters their house before leaving, but it was late, Madison was tired, and Lucy was being uncooperative. Leaving Lucy, Tyler and Madison returned to their homes to sleep. But when Madison waked up in the morning, she learned that Lucy had went missing, leaving no signs as to where she escaped to. Madison, shocked and guilty, was unsure what to think. Lucy, also another rich girl, used to be Madison’s best friend.  Madison called off the friendship because of Lucy’s extreme competitiveness and the mood swings that came from her bipolar condition.

the sequel to Wish You Were Dead

At first, Lucy is declared by the cops as a “runaway.” But as Lucy’s boyfriend, Adam, also another ex-friend of Madison’s, also goes missing, the cops, the parents, and the students of Soundview begin to worry. Madison, afraid that she will be the next “popular” to go, begins a search to find the kidnapper, who, as people begin to speculate, may be a murderer. Through a series of Facebook stalker messages, slashed tires, and handwritten notes, Madison begins to make some connections to the disappearances. However, for each connection made, a double amount of questions are created.  A culmination of plot twists and exposures causes Madison to view her former friends, her teachers, her best friend, Whitney, Tyler, and herself in a different light.

After the discovery of an anonymous blog, which, in detail, lists the cruel actions made and words spewed by the popular kids at Soundview High, Madison tries to improve her attitude, generosity, and friendliness in an attempt to avoid being the next one taken by the Soundview Kidnapper.

Using 21st technology to make an edge-of-your-seat, read-it-in-one-sitting-and-never-forgot-it thriller, Wish You Were Dead expertly weaves crime, loneliness, popularity, and rejection to create one engaging and horrifyingly creative story.

A companion to Wish You Were Dead, Blood on My Hands, another thriller that incorporates the cyber aspect, is now available.

Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars

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The Throne of Fire: Hieroglyphic Heroes

Rick Riordan, one of my all-time favorite authors, just recently released The Throne of Fire, the second book in his Egyptian mythology series, The Kane Chronicles. In 2005, Riordan, once an adult mystery author, released his first novel for middle readers and young adults, The Lightning Thief. This Greek mythology adventure mystery novel spawned the widely popular Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. Upon ending Percy Jackson’s story in 2009, Riordan created two new series, another one about Greek mythology and one about Egyptian mythology. Despite taking different directions and adding new characters to his more recent books, Riordan’s books remain the best of the best, garnering many accolades and number one positions on bestseller lists. His previous books have been called “clever”, “adventurous”, and “witty”. The Throne of Fire lives up to the level of greatness that its predecessors created.

A warning to all: Spoilers from The Red Pyramid, the book before The Throne of Fire, are present in this review. Proceed with caution.

The Throne of Fire started off with a bang. Taking place a few weeks after the end of The Red Pyramid, Carter and Sadie, the book’s sibling protagonists, find themselves in the Brooklyn Museum, scouring for a scroll, a piece of The Book of Ra. Ra, the sun god, has been in hibernation for centuries, but Sadie and Carter want to attempt to bring him back to Earth using the powers that they have as Egyptian magicians. The siblings believe that bringing Ra, the original Egyptian god, back will allow them to defeat Apophis, an evil snake spirit that wants to swallow the world. Sounds like Carter and Sadie are saving the world, right? That’s not what some people think.

The majority of the other magicians think that bringing gods into the mix will only worsen the world’s problems. They believe that the gods are manipulative, greedy, and too powerful. It sounds like they’re trying to do what’s best too, right? No. The magicians, especially the powerful ones, are evil, forceful, antagonizing people who try to stop Carter and Sadie from retrieving the remaining two pieces of The Book of Ra, the book that will revive Ra. With the ever-present threat of Apophis and evil magicians looming over them, the sibling duo travels the world in search of the rest of The Book of Ra. Along the way, they encounter a few friendly gods, many menacing gods, water demons, evil ice cream men, and, of course, a giant baboon.

Told from two witty and fascinating point-of-views, The Throne of Fire is spot-on. Just like, The Red Pyramid, The Throne of Fire is an audio transcript from a cassette given to the author by the main characters. This book is a daring, mysterious, humorous experience. Its magical spells and memorable characters will stay with you long past the final page. You will be dazzled by its rich setting and lyrical descriptions. Rick Riordan is the ultimate author and his novels are the ultimate stories. 

Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars

What I'm Reading (05/03/11)

I know that's it has been a while since my last "What I'm Reading" post (August seventh, to be exact), but I figured it's never too late to revive an old idea. So, without further ado, I present to you a new "What I'm Reading" post!

I have begun reading The Throne of Fire, by Rick Riordan. The second in The Kane Chronicles, The Throne of Fire is the sequel to The Red Pyramid, which followed the story of Carter and Sadie as they attempted to rescue their father from the evil Egyptian god, Set. Much like Riordan's Greek mythology novels, The Kane Chronicles offers many daring adventures, witty remarks, and visits to international locations. I look forward to reading The Throne of Fire, and I hope to have a review up on Saturday (fingers crossed). This is all part of The Bookshelf's Favorite Author Month. While I have not finished the The Throne of Fire yet, I am positive I will love it because Rick Riordan is, and has been for a while, one of my absolute favorite authors!

The publisher's synopsis is below, however, I would suggest you not read it if you are planning to read The Red Pyramid – major spoilers will be revealed!

Ever since the gods of Ancient Egypt were unleashed in the modern world, Carter Kane and his sister Sadie have been in trouble. As descendants of the House of Life, the Kanes have some powers at their command, but the devious gods haven't given them much time to master their skills at Brooklyn House, which has become a training ground for young magicians.

And now their most threatening enemy yet - the chaos snake Apophis - is rising. If they don't prevent him from breaking free in a few days' time, the world will come to an end. In other words, it's a typical week for the Kane family.

To have any chance of battling the Forces of Chaos, the Kanes must revive the sun god Ra. But that would be a feat more powerful than any magician has ever accomplished.

First they have to search the world for the three sections of the Book of Ra, then they have to learn how to chant its spells. Oh, and did we mention that no one knows where Ra is exactly?

Narrated in two different wisecracking voices, featuring a large cast of new and unforgettable characters, and with adventures spanning the globe, this second installment in the Kane Chronicles is nothing short of a thrill ride.

That's The Throne of Fire! I look forward to posting on Saturday!

Zora and Me: Valiant Stories of a Young Girl, Future Author

Zora Neale Hurston was a prominent African American novelist, folklorist, and anthropologist. Her love of storytelling and her inquisitive mind as a child allowed her to become a famous author as an adult. Born and raised in the all-black community of Eatonville, Florida, Zora was always getting into trouble and defying the rules to get an insider story. She quite frequently told largely exaggerated, or even entirely false, tales to her family, friends, neighbors, or anyone who would listen. She coveted books in the town's local bookstore, and one day she would find her own books at the same store. Having written over twenty books, short stories, plays, and articles, Zora's 1937 novel, Their Eyes Were Watching God, was her most successful product. The ultimate tale of life and identity, Their Eyes Were Watching God was, and still is, a book that caused huge improvements in women and African Americans lifestyles. Zora received much acclaim for this novel and many of her other pieces of literature. She received the chance to work alongside Langston Hughes, a Harlem Renaissance poet and playwright, and is well respected in today's literary community. I recently read a book about Zora Neale Hurston before she was a famous novelist, Zora and Me, by Victoria Bond and T.R. Simon, a tale narrated by Zora's best friend, Carrie.

Zora Neale Hurston, as an adult

Carrie, a fictional character, but based on real friends from Zora's life, has always been Zora's best friend, always following her around. Zora's shadow, you could say. But Carrie's quite alright being the shadow; she's quieter than loud, flamboyant Zora. Carrie always has a great time with Zora, hearing her recite her wacky stories. One day, Zora declares that there's a half-man/half-gator living in Eatonville. Of course, no believes her except Carrie, who is slightly skeptical herself. But if there is one thing that Zora is, it is determined. She stands by her story and will fight until she proves it. While traveling to their favorite tree, Zora, Carrie, and another friend discover a young man with a guitar, named Ivory. He is traveling to collect sap from the trees in Eatonville, and to sell it in the city. The friends like the kind man and enjoy his music.

Two children playing in Eatonville, FL

However, one day it is discovered that a "guitar-playing, hippie" is found dead, decapitated on the train tracks. Without needing to look, Zora and Carrie know who it is, their new friend Ivory. Saddened, the two friends go to the local swimming pond and discover that a local elderly woman, who considers herself a physic, has fallen off the edge of the cliff. The fall is declared accidental, but Zora thinks different. She believes that the same person that killed Ivory, attempted to kill the old woman. However, Zora doesn't think it was a person. She thinks it was the half-man/half-gator.

This leads the two friends on thrilling adventures, talking to the local officials, trespassing, eavesdropping, spying, and the most fun part: putting all the puzzle pieces together to solve the mystery.

This short, but fun, book gives, in amazing detail, the life of Zora. The reader is in advantage because the narrator is Carrie. If the book were to be narrated by Zora, we would be unable to get the descriptive words and imagery that come with viewing Zora's different journeys. Beautifully written and surprisingly thoughtful, Zora and Me is the perfect book for those that wish to know more about Zora Neale Hurston, or for those that have never even heard of her.

Rating: 4.2 out of 5 stars

Great Reads for this Spring

Ahhh. Spring. The flowers are blooming, the birds are chirping, and the sun is coming out of hibernation, glowing and spreading its warmth to Earth. What better time to enjoy nature, start fresh, or to dig into a great book? Never.

I’ve read, and heard about, so many great books lately that I feel that I must share them with you, the readers of The Bookshelf. I feel that I have compiled a list of books, new and old, fiction and true, to support you through the great season of spring. Books take you on adventures, provide you with guidance, and, well, are the greatest thing ever invented. Nothing compares to them. That’s right. Nothing. I hope you enjoy the following books as much as do and have a great spring reading and cherishing them.

Books that will make this spring the best one yet:

•       Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys: I, unfortunately, have not had the opportunity to read this book yet. However, I have not heard a single negative review of this historical novel. This book, which is already racking up tons of honors and slots on bestseller lists, explores the life of Lithuanians being forced into labor-camps during the Soviets’ rule. These camps, which are very similar to the Nazi concentration camps, prove to be foul, horrible places. But as the reader follows the journey of Lina, a sixteen-year-old    Lithuanian, it is discovered that courage and determination can conquer the odds. This harrowing novel is on the top of my to-read list, and I hope to review it once I am finished.

•          If I Stay by Gayle Forman: I read this book about a year ago, a month or so before the creation of The Bookshelf. Mia is an aspiring cellist and has hopes of making it into the prestigious Juilliard School, a preforming arts college in NYC. However, after a sudden car accident, Mia’s parents die, and she and her younger brother are taken to the hospital in critical condition. While comatose, Mia narrates the story, ultimately trying to make the decision to live or die. She is able to hear and see everything while she is in the coma and must face the difficult truth that if she were to live, her world would be completely different. This is a strong novel about life-altering decisions and willpower.

•          White Cat by Holly Black: Cassel Sharpe comes from a family of cure workers: people who are able to control the lives of others. Each curse worker is given the ability to control different things in people such as, emotions, luck, dreams, memories, physical pain, et cetera, all with the touch of a bare hand. Cassel, however, is the only one in his family that was not born a curse worker. Though Cassel is viewed as a con man or criminal like curse workers are, he still feels like one because he murdered his best friend. The reader is taken on an adventure of cons, shady pasts, lies, and unclear intentions as we the readers, and Cassel himself, attempt to discover what caused him to kill his best friend. A stellar read – review coming soon.

•           What I Saw and How I Lied by Judy Blundell: Another book that explores the art of lying and deception. Taking place after the end of World War II, Evie, an average ‘40s teen, is swept into a web of lies when her stepfather returns from war. Everything seems bright and cheery at first, but when Evie and her family go to Florida for a vacation, a whole other side is revealed to Evie of her once simple life. Many events occur that reveal shocking secrets about her once picture-perfect family. And when tragedy strikes, Evie must decide between what is right and what will ultimately save her family, whom, despite everything, she still cares for. The ending to this novel caught me by surprise as I’m sure the whole book will for you.

•          A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle: I am actually currently reading this classic book, perfect for all ages. What begins with the simple life of Meg Murry, quickly sky rockets into a time-traveling, space-defying tale of a genius four-year-old, three mysterious old ladies, and a being called IT. Originally published in 1962, this timeless classic will take you on an adventure and touch your heart.  

Well, there you have it; your ultimate list of what to read this spring – because no spring would be perfect without the presence of books!

I Am Number Four: A Mysterious Thrill Ride

Numerous things caused me to pick up this book, I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore, at my local bookstore a week ago: 1) There is a movie adaption, also titled I Am Number Four, of it coming out later this month; 2) This book is written under a pseudonym; 3) The actual author, or rather authors, of this book are, Jobie Hughes and James Frey, the latter of which is the controversial author of a fabricated memoir, A Million Little Pieces; 4) This book is very well designed, with a cool cover and interesting typeface and icons inside; 5) I was intrigued by the title, I Am Number Four, which is actually part of a sentence, Three are dead, I am number four. So, knowing these things, I began reading what was sure to be either a big success or a big flop.

I Am Number Four begin with the death of Number Three, one of nine aliens from the planet Lorien that escaped to Earth ten years ago after their planet was destroyed. The planet Lorien was taken over by the Mogadorians, another race of alien, in search of a life-sustaining planet. Number Four, then known as Daniel Jones, knew of Number Three’s death because of a curse that was put upon him and the eight others before departing Lorien at age four. The Mogadorians are out to destroy what is remaining of the people of Lorien, however, due to the curse, they must kill each Lorien in sequential order, one through nine. Each of the nine Loriens are aware of when their fellow allies die, because a small scar forms around their ankle each time one dies.

Upon feeling the third scar form around his ankle, Number Four, a member of the Garde, an elite form of Loriens that at a certain age will develop many supernatural abilities, and his Cepan, a keeper and protector of the Garde, Henri, flee their current home in Florida. They settle down in middle-of-nowhere Paradise, Ohio and start creating a new life. Henri, who is a fatherly figure to Number Four, helps him create a new identity. Number Four is then enrolled in high school and begins to go by the name John Smith.

For his entire life on Earth, almost his whole life, Number Four, John, is taught to not get to connected or involved with his home, his belongings, his town, and the people that live there. This is standard for procedure for John. He is used to leaving at a moment’s notice without even saying goodbye. He understands that if he actually made a true relationship with the people around him, he would be greatly hurt when he would have to leave. So, John starts his first day of school with hope that he’ll do what he’s supposed to do, then go home. Nothing more.

Unfortunately, that doesn’t happen. After receiving a warm welcome from the friendly Sarah Hart, John is taunted and teased by Mark James, her big, jock, ex-boyfriend. After standing up to Mark, John is befriended by Sam Goode, a fellow outcast and space/extraterrestrial beings nerd. John’s plan for no connections with the people around him had gone down the drain. Not to mention, he got his first power, known as a Legacy, the ability to shine light from his hands. All on his first day in Ohio.

The book progresses, with many plot twists and raging emotions: John and Sarah beginning dating, John and Sam becoming best friends, Henri training John to control and properly use his Legacies, and the ever constant threat of the Mogadorians finding Number Four. Ultimately, this book leads to a breath-taking cliffhanger ending, that will lead readers doubled over, waiting for the sequel, The Power of Six, coming out in August. This was, overall, a great first book. It set the scene for many good, potentially even better, sequels to come. My only complaint was that at times the characters seemed bland and two dimensional. This book could have been excellent if it took more time to better explain the feelings of the characters and how they reacted. But it was, overall, a great read.

Rating: 4.25 out of 5 stars

The Lost Hero: Greek Gods Galore

This past week I finished read The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan. Riordan is the author of The Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, which I highly recommend (but don't see the movie- it was awful), so I had high expectations for this book. Fortunately, my expectations were not let down.

For those of you have read the Percy Jackson series, this book takes place only a few months after the final book. However, you do not have to read the Percy Jackson series before reading this book. The Lost Hero introduces all new characters, who discover they are demigods: the offspring of a mortal and a Greek God. The three main characters, Jason, Piper, and Leo are whisked off to Camp Half-Blood, a training area and school for young demigods. The camp is disgruntled, because a prophecy has been predicted by the camp's oracle. Nobody is exactly sure how to decipher the prophecy, but one thing's for sure: Jason, Piper, and Leo have to complete a quest to help fulfill the prophecy. From that point on, the three friends have to travel around the world, on a flying, metal dragon, named Festus (Latin for "happy"). I can't tell you exactly why they have to travel the globe, because that would be a major spoiler. I can tell you, however, that Percy Jackson is missing in this book, as in lost. Nobody knows where the hero is, and his disappearance ties in with the quest.

This was a great book. Rick Riordan did a great job at keeping the same mood and tone form his previous, phenomenal books. As always, his research must have been very extensive. There is a lot of accurate information about the places the characters travel to (Grand Canyon, NY, Quebec, Detroit, Oakland, Chicago, San Francisco, etc.), the Greek gods (he introduced many new gods, many of whom I'd never heard of until reading this book), and Roman gods (yes, there are also Roman gods, however I can't say anymore, or I'll be giving away a major spoiler). I admire his work, and will be reading his Egyptian mythology book, The Red Pyramid, next.


Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars

Vacation Reads

It's always good to bring reading material with you on a vacation. But, it's especially good when you're vacationing in a foreign country, where all the bookstores sell books that appear to be in gibberish. For my trip, I'm bringing two books: 1 long (600+ pgs.), 1 short (just shy of 200 pgs.).

The long one, Android Karenina, is a mash-up of the original Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy, but with added robots. It's from the same series with the mashed-up Jane Austen books. Here's the publisher's synopsis:

As in the original novel, our story follows two relationships: the tragic adulterous romance of Anna Karenina and Count Alexei Vronsky, and the much more hopeful marriage of Konstantin Levin and Kitty Shcherbatskaya. These four, yearning for true love, live in a steampunk-inspired 19th century of mechanical butlers, extraterrestrial-worshiping cults, and airborne debutante balls. Their passions alone would be enough to consume them-but when a secret cabal of radical scientific revolutionaries launches an attack on Russian high society's high-tech lifestyle, our heroes must fight back with all their courage, all their gadgets, and all the power of a sleek new cyborg model like nothing the world has ever seen.

The short one, The Prince of Mist, is an internationally acclaimed, award-winning book. This book was originally published in 1993 by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. However, it was not published in the U.S. until this past May, due to many legal issues between the author and publisher. Publisher's synopsis:

It's war time, and the Carver family decides to leave the capital where they live and move to a small coastal village where they've recently bought a home. But from the minute they cross the threshold, strange things begin to happen. In that mysterious house still lurks the spirit of Jacob, the previous owners' son, who died by drowning.

With the help of their new friend Roland, Max and Alicia Carver begin to explore the strange circumstances of that death and discover the existence of a mysterious being called the Prince of Mist--a diabolical character who has returned from the shadows to collect on a debt from the past. Soon the three friends find themselves caught up in an adventure of sunken ships and an enchanted stone garden--an adventure that will change their lives forever.

When I get back from my trip (28th), I will write reviews/recommendations for these two books (If I get a chance to read them-I don't know how much reading time I will have.).

This will probably be last post before I leave for my vacation to France and Spain. So, au revoir and adios!

A Passion for Poison

I'm currently deep into the book, The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley. It's book one in the Flavia de Luce series, a series about an eleven-year-old chemist. Flavia, the main character, is one of three daughters to a widower, in the year 1950. Upon moving into their current house, Flavia discovered chemistry books in the house's library, and an abandoned laboratory near her bedroom. Since then, she has realized her excellence in chemistry, performing many tasks that would be difficult for even a beginning chemist.

Flavia is a very curious, adventurous, intelligent girl, so when a strange string of events occur, she can't help but judge the situation herself. The strange events start with a dead bird arriving on the de luce's doorstep. This would not be odd, except for the fact that a postage stamp was through the beak of the bird. Next, Flavia overhears her father talking to a strange man about murders, possibly committed by her father. And lastly, she finds a dead man in their cucumber patch, the same man that that was talking to her father.

Flavia begins to use her chemistry skills to solve the puzzle, while possibly changing her thoughts of her family at the same time. Flavia is introduced to a part of her life that she never knew existed.

While I have yet to finish this book, I'm writing a recommendation for it, because I can tell it's going to be (and is) great. This witty, intriguing mystery is intended for adults, but can be read by people of all ages. This book, published by a Canadian author, has also won the Canadian Dagger award.

Also...be on the lookout for another poll coming soon!