Demon Princess: Reign or Shine by Michelle Rowen

Nikki Donovan’s life is perfect. She’s popular, just turned sixteen and Chris Sanders, the hottest guy at school, has just asked her out. Then Michael shows up, he seems to be stalking Nikki, trying to convince her that her long-lost father is really DemonKing in another dimension. She ignores him but takes the note that is “from her father” and convinces herself that it’s just one of Chris’s friends messing with her. If that’s the case then why does Michael know her father’s name: something she’s never told anyone and why is there a large man with a knife trying to kill her while calling her “Princess”? On top of all that why does she feel strangely drawn to Michael and now unsure about Chris?
It turns our Michael is telling the truth. Nikki’s father is a demon, but not the stereotypical one. He’s loving and compassionate just like any good father. He’s dying and Nikki is his only heir. Now Nikki must choose between becoming the Demon Queen or drinking a potion and turning back into a regular human. Pretty easy choice right? Well if she chooses the human route then she’ll forget everything and everyone related to the Demon world including her dragon-tear bracelet, her father and Michael. What will Nikki do? To find out the answer to these questions and more read Demon Princess: Reign or Shine by Michelle Rowan.
This book was one of the best books I’ve read in a while. I’d give it a perfect 5 out of 5. The characters were interesting and easy to relate to and the plot was unpredictable and kept me reading until the last page. Rowan has created a unique read that has something in it for everyone: monsters, mystery and even a little romance. It’s a sensational novel.

Deep and Dark and Dangerous by Mary Downing Hahn

Ali is just your average 13-year-old girl looking for some adventure in her summer. When her Aunt Dulcie invites her Gull Cottage by Sycamore Lake, where Dulcie and her mother used to spend summers, to baby sit Emma while Dulcie paints, Ali can’t say yes fast enough. Ali’s mother is not as open to the idea, could it have something to do with the picture Ali found a few weeks of Dulcie, her mom, and the arm of a girl who’s name completely gone except for the letter “T”? Ali tells her mom that there is nothing dangerous about Sycamore Lake. Although her mom seems to be holding something back, she eventually lets Ali go with her aunt and cousin. When they get to lake Ali has no idea how her mother could hate such a gorgeous place.

Emma, who’s 4 years old, is simply ecstatic that she gets to spend the summer here and is almost happy except for one thing, besides her mom Ali is her best and only friend. Then Sissy comes. Sissy is cruel, bratty and Emma’s new best friend. Ali is furious when Emma starts acting exactly like Sissy. Ali is sure that Sissy is just using Emma ,but whenever she brings the topic up Emma becomes furious and Ali gets in trouble with Dulcie. When Sissy starts telling them the rumors about a girl being drowned right in Sycamore Lake, Ali begins to wonder who she can trust and what is and isn’t real.
Deep and Dark and Dangerous by Mary Downing Hahn is a thrilling, quick read that will keep you reading until the very end. I’d give it a 4 out of 5 because at times the plot was quite predictable, other than that Hahn does a wonderful job of making the characters jump off the page and has really created a wonderfully chilling ghost story.

Review by SilentLikeALamb17

Works Cited
"Deep and Dark and Dangerous Cover." Online image. LibraryThing. 7 May 2009 http://www.librarything.com/work/2338116.

The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson

If you knew that someone you loved was going to die, how far would you go to save them? Mary E. Pearson explores this concept in The Adoration of Jenna Fox. Jenna Fox has just come out of a coma after she was in an unexplained accident. She’s trying to piece together her life while trying to unscramble the mysteries of the present. Why can she remember her baptism when she was an infant but not remember what her best friends were like? Why does her next door neighbor know more about her than she does? Why is she 2 inches shorter than before? Most importantly, who was Jenna Fox and who is Jenna Fox?

On her journey Jenna will have to face obstacles bigger than odd next door neighbors, cute egocentric boys, and kind disabled girls. She’ll have to face herself and what she did that her parents are trying to make her forget. But if she forgets her past, how will she discover her future?

Overall I enjoyed the book. I would give it a 3 out of 5 stars because there were certain parts that I thought were boring and unnecessary and the ending was pathetic for a published writer. Other than that I thought that theme was great and it was an original story that is worth reading.

Review by SilentLikeALamb17

Works Cited
"The Adoration of Jenna Fox Cover." Online image. LibraryThing. 4 March 2009 http://www.librarything.com/work/4448913/

Evernight by Claudia Gray

Bianca doesn't connect with people well; she's extremely shy. She's deadly afraid of her first day at Evernight academy where her parents are both teachers. She decides to make a statement to her parents and run away from the gloomy castle of Evernight. Before she gets too far away from Evernight she meets Lucas who tackles her thinking she needs protection from something. Lucas is apparently also an Evernight student and Bianca finds it strangely easy to talk to him. Bianca finds Lucas attractive with his rumpled bronze hair and his perfect smile. They depart and Bianca can't wait to go to orientation in hopes of seeing Lucas again.

At Evernight there are two very distinct social groups: the perfect, snobby popular ones and the losers who didn't belong. Bianca, upon arrival realizes she's in the second group. In the main hall where all the students are assembled Lucas is nowhere to be found. Even after the headmistress has dismissed everyone Bianca can't find Lucas and she is disappointed, she thought Lucas and her had really connected, but apparently it was nothing special. In the next few days Bianca is walking to class with Patrice and she sees Lucas. She immediately runs over to talk to him and he acts as though he's never met her before. Bianca is crushed and feels completely alone once again. She tries to forget about Lucas but it seems impossible. What will happen next? Will Bianca and Lucas ever end up together? To find out these answers and more read Evernight by Claudia Gray.

Overall I thought that Evernight had an outstanding cast of characters that keep you reading until the very end. I would give it 5 out of 5 stars because the plot was full of twists and turns and it was one of those books that really makes you laugh, cry, and wish for more. I would highly suggest reading Evernight to all fans of Twilight.

Review by SilentLikeALamb17

Works Cited
"Evernight cover." Online image. LibraryThing. 29 Jan. 2009 http://www.librarything.com/work/4511060/book/41099007

The Tail of Emily Windsnap by Liz Kessler

Emily Windsnap is just your average seventh grader except for one little thing: she's half mermaid. I know that is something you can't really miss, and she only turns grows a tail when she's in the water. Her mom has never allowed her to take swim lessons before. Until she decides to let Emily take them in seventh grade which is kind of inconvenient considering Emily and her mom live on a boat. After Emily discovers she's a mermaid she sneaks out at night to go for a swim, and she meets another mermaid named Shona. Shona has a theory about how Emily is so unique but she wants to ask her teacher at her mermaid school a few questions to confirm her theory. They ask the teacher and they learn about an illegal interaction between a merman and a human woman that happened in this area. Apparently they were deeply in love and King Neptune's guards caught them, arrested the merman, and began to wipe the memory of the human woman. Emily and Shona go on a journey to find Emily's father but in the process Emily finds out things that she never dreamed of learning about.

Overall I would give the book three stars because there were a few parts where Emily took forever to figure things out, which bugged me, and I thought the ending only resolved part of the conflict and I honestly hated it. I thought the book had two main strengths, one was the plot was very interesting and there really was no boring parts, also Emily has a very strong sense of who she is so it makes her a character you can relate to easily. I would highly suggest The Tail of Emily Windsnap by Liz Kessler to anyone who likes fantasy and adventure.

Review by SilentLikeALamb17

Works Cited
"The Tail of Emily Windsnap Cover." Online image. LibraryThing. 30 Dec. 2008 http://www.librarything.com/work/1004049/.

Trouble by Gary Schmidt

Henry Smith is just your average kid. He has a mom, a dad, sister Louisa and a brother named Franklin. Franklin is a rugby star who promised to climb the mountain Katahdin with Henry. Henry’s life is quite uneventful until a car hits Franklin. Franklin looses his arm and is rarely conscious in the hospital bed. The entire family goes into depression. Louisa locks herself in her room and refuses to come out, Henry’s father just stares out the window, and Henry’s mother tries to put on a brave mask but Henry hears her cry herself to sleep at night. Henry immediately hates the man who hit Franklin, Chay Chouan. When they go to court to see what happens to Chay, the court declares him innocent and just takes away his license for a few months. Henry is furious that the man who tried to kill his brother is off the hook. As Chay leaves the courtroom he looks up at Louisa and she begins to cry. Henry decides that in honor of Franklin he is going to climb Katahdin. Will he make it, and what’s up with Chay and Louisa? To find out these answers and more read Trouble.

I give the book 3 out of 5 stars because the book was excellent once the action started but until that point it was slow. I have to admit that the author set up the plot very well but there were a lot of unnecessary details that dragged down the plot. Overall I thought the book was average with an occasional glimmer of extraordinary writing.

-Review by SilentLikeALamb17

Works Cited
"Trouble Cover." Online image. LibraryThing. 13 Nov. 2008 http://www.librarything.com/work/4124215

Ever by Gail Carson Levine

Gail Carson Levine has done it again with Ever. Olus is the god of winds who has never had a friend. Kezi is a mortal peasant who loves to weave and dance. What were to happen if these two were to fall in love? But how long can this love last when Kezi is going to be sacrificed to Admat, what Kezi believes to be the god of all, in 30 days. Olus has a plan, if Kezi were to become immortal then when the priest stabs her he will live, but becoming immortal isn't as easy as you think. Will love conquer all or will Kezi only have 30 days to live with her beloved Olus?

I would give this book a 4.5 stars out of 5. I thought the book was enchanting except for the ending. The author, in my opinion, wrapped it up way too quickly, but other than that the book was extraordinarily well written. The book has many strengths including a plot with so many twists and turns that it made it nearly impossible to put down. I found myself saying just one more page, no wait maybe another page, constantly. The characters also have very refreshing personalities. How often do you come across a girl who loves to dance and weave with a heart of gold and a god who has human needs and just wants to be loved? I loved these unique personalities, they made the book worth while.

I also loved how Gail Carson Levine described the characters and settings. For example, this part is describing Olus, "The slave was flawless, without a blemish. Majestic, taller than Elon, more muscular... He stands straight, and he is clean-shaven so I see his square jaw and wide mouth... I see humor and sadness in the mouth." (p.63) I think that paints a better picture in your mind than any artist could ever try to paint. I thought that was one of the major strengths because you feel like you are Kezi looking at this perfect slave.

If you like romance, adventure and a sprinkle of humor then read Ever by Gail Carson Levine, where you'll be whisked away to another world and go on the adventure of a lifetime!

Review by SilentLikeALamb17

Image Citation
"Ever Cover." Online image. LibraryThing. 9 Oct. 2008 http://www.librarything.com/work/4517682.