Soul Eater

Summary: It's winter, and Wolf, Torak's beloved pack-brother, has been captured by an unknown foe. In a desperate bid to rescue him, Torak and Renn must brave the frozen wilderness of the Far North.

As they battle for survival amid howling blizzards and the ever-present menace of the great white bear, their friendship is tested to the breaking point, and Torak is forced to get closer to his enemies than ever before. ..(I didn't write the summary, btw)

Review:
When I first picked up this book I felt ridiculous. I’d received it for Christmas two years earlier and it had been at least three years since I had read the Ancient Chronicles of Darkness series. I remembered them being good, but obviously not enough to keep my 8-9th grade self interested for Soul Eater sat on my shelf unread for two years (a rare feat). However, I had nothing else to read and if I didn’t read before bed I wouldn’t sleep. So I picked it up.

In the beginning I was annoyed and could remember why I never got more than ten pages in. Wolf was gone, again. He always disappeared! The only reason I ever read the books was for the relationship between wolf and Torak. For the first half I found myself pushing through just to get it done, however it was around that halfway point that it got fascinatingly addicting. All I could think about was Torak and Renn and what would happen next during the day and regretting that’d I’d left the book home on my night stand. I couldn’t wait to pick it up again and see what would happen in the next chapter. I wondered if the Soul Eaters would get away with it, how was Torak ever going to get out of it? Would he ever find a place?

In books like Rogue’s home it’s the characters that make the story, in the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness although Torak, Renn, and especially Wolf (my favorite character) are indeed vital parts, it’s the world in general that Paver creates that keeps the reader enticed. To imagine the ancient world where demons, spirits, and animals are always feared and respected. It puts you in a different kind of fantasy world and that world with its twists and turns is what makes the book what it is.

Rating: 4/5 I thought the beginning was annoying but by the end of book I absolutely loved it.

Reviews (not from the pros this time but many readers):

'Elegantly written and imaginatively executed, Soul Eater, is darker and edgier than the first two books, stepping up the face of this excellent series and promising plenty more adventures to come.' Rowan Stanfield, CAROUSEL

'The detailed research into prehistory and the matchless storytelling combine to create an irresistable feast for readers and it's easy to see why these books are so addictive.' (Becky Stradwick, Borders THE BOOKSELLER )

[being compared to William Nicholson's Jango] 'exceptional storytelling... Both Paver and Nicholson create fully realised fictional worlds that are far removed from our own but utterly relevant and convincing. I eagerly await the next installments.' (Angela Lockton, The Golden Treasury THE BOOKSELLER )

'Paver is a master storyteller, whose clear, taut prose overlies complex research. There is magic, but it is natural magic, depending on perception or superstition... The thrill of this remarkable series is that it makes readers percieve the world differently.' (Amanda Craig THE TIMES )

'Paver has a flair and a directness that really packs a punch... readers get a real sense of what it would be like to be in Torak's shoes.' (LIVERPOOL ECHO )

'exhilarating... Torak's trusty companion, Wolf, is captured by the Soul Eaters. The brilliance of Paver's earlier books lay in her descriptions of life as a wolf, and in the tender relationship between boy and lupine. But if this is pushed off centre, it is almost made up for by Torak's nuanced friendship with the girl, Renn... Readers of eight and above will find the story gripping.' (Lorna Bradbury DAILY TELEGRAPH )

'This is a marvellous book. It really, really is. It's a living, breathing, world of a story, perfectly realised and never missing a beat.' (Jill Murphy THEBOOKBAG.CO.UK )

'This was a very gripping book and had me on tenterhooks 'til the end! It was so well written that you could really believe these were the thoughts and feelings of a wolf.' (Lucy Howlett, age 12 FIRST NEWS )

'Much anticipated third novel in the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness sries. Both feral and otherworldly... strange and thrilling with a huge following.' (THE BOOK MAGAZINE )

'A wonderfully imagined adventure... left me enlightened, moved and optimistic. (Gaye Hicyilmaz TES )

'a story with a relatively small cast of characters and a single narrative trajectory, yet Paver find interest and excitement everywhere. The excitement of the surface adventure draws extra power from Paver's creation of a way of life, myth and magic that is rooted in people's relationship with an unyielding environment... a triumph of the imagination.' (Clive Barnes BOOKS FOR KEEPS )

'Once I had picked up the book I could not put it down and I read till long past my bedtime and every morning. I was in Torak's world all day and in my bed I go over what I have read and guess what will happen next. It is so unpredicatable that I was almost always wrong! It was a thrilling read!' (Hugh (age 11) FAMILIES SOUTH WEST )

'consistently superb... meticulously realised...' (Amanda Craig THE TIMES )

'Soul Eater crackles with atmosphere.' (Julia Eccleshare THE GUARDIAN )

'The third book in the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series and it is one of the best... Soul Eater is an amazing book.' (Benjy Taylor (age 10) INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY )

Rogue's Home

Summary: The Boys Are Back!

Sir Michael Sevenson and his squire, Fisk, can't seem to keep out of hot water. After five long years, Fisk has been called home to Ruesport to investigate who framed his sister Anna's husband, Max, as a blackmailer. Anna figures that Fisk, with his criminal past, is uniquely qualified to find out who set Max up. Of course Michael feels he has to come along to help his friend; but now he wears the tattoos of the unredeemed and fears he might be more hindrance than help.

Review: As many of you probably know at this point Hilari Bell is one of my favorite authors. Once again she proves worthy of all the obsessing I do over her books! I had enjoyed Last Knight, it was fun and the characters were well-written and hilarious. I loved Rogue’s Home. It was just the book I needed in the beginning of my senior year! I was stressing so much over college Applications and senior project; it was beyond relief to emerge myself in Rogue's Home every night.

The characters are as lovable as ever. Fisk's character is much more fleshed out as we are given more information about his past and his quirky, intelligent, and somewhat cynical personality. Michael is as sweet as ever, but perhaps not as naïve as he was in the first book. The growth he has made as a character and as a young man has been believable and somewhat endearing to witness. Being unredeemed taught him a lesson about first impression and how sometimes appearances really do matter. It is hard to dismiss the growth in Fisk's character as well, all ready so clever and cynical he learns to soften and care for others, Michael primarily. The bond between the two is like true brotherhood (some may choose to see it in a bromance kind of way). [P.S. If anyone out there is a Merlin fan {The most amazing British TV Show to ever air!} Michael and Fisk remind me so much of Merlin and Arthur that all I could picture through the entire book was the two of them.]

The dialogue flows easy and the old-speak English doesn't seem odd or out of place at all. As with the first book, there are parts in the book that are laugh-out-loud funny. There were times when I was literally dead tired and I would just burst out laughing at what I had read. The plot kept me questioning the entire time. I went back and forth through suspects in my mind attempting to figure it out before Fisk and Michael did. No such luck! At one point I really did think Judith did it! (read the book to get the joke!)

Basically Rogue's Home was fun, exciting, enthralling, funny, suspenseful, and just plain enjoyable. You need to go read this series.

Rating: 5/5 it was not life-changing no, but its book like these that make reading worthwhile.

Review from the Pros:

"The sequel to THE LAST KNIGHT, ROGUE'S HOME is a medieval tale of mystery and action that will captivate readers and keep them guessing until the end of the book."- From Teensreadtoo.com

"[P]art buddy comedy, part Don Quixote, and part mystery novel, Bell outdoes herself with this intrepid pair. ...Count on the book's humor, suspense, and plot twists to keep readers coming back for future installments." (School Library Journal )

"...the appeal of the series lies in the two strong protagonists, Mike and Fisk, and the fundamental tension as well as growing bond between them."-ALA Booklist

"Bell writes with a buoyant, easygoing style, creating character and setting...with economy and giving her readers a lighthearted, but also warmhearted, tale. ...Good-humored and thoughtful, this has the appeal of a dashing mystery-adventure, but the deeper elements of friendship and family loyalty give it substance." (Horn Book Magazine )

"[G]reat: lost of humor, likable people, mystery and suspense aplenty." (Kirkus Reviews )

I strongly encourage you to pick up any book by Hilari Bell. They’re supposedly for middle schoolers and early high schoolers but I am a senior in high school and still equally enjoy her books that I read in 7th grade.

Bonus! Awesome Quote:

Mrs. Trimmer turned beady eyes on me. "Humph. I've heard of you. I suppose you've gotten clever and come home to batten on the leavings. Serve you right there aren't any. I hope you're prepared to work."
If Mrs. Trimmer had been wearing an apron, I might have taken that more kindly.
"I never work." I smiled blandly. "If you're clever you don't have to. Are you a hard worker, Mrs. Trimmer?"-Fisk, Rogue’s Home

Happy Reading!

~She Who Reads A lot

Princess Ben

Princess Ben Summary [Courtesy of powells.com]: Benevolence is not your typical princess and Princess Ben is certainly not your typical fairy tale. With her parents lost to unknown assassins, Princess Ben ends up under the thumb of the conniving Queen Sophia, who is intent on marrying her off to the first available “specimen of imbecilic manhood.” Starved and miserable, locked in the castles highest tower, Ben stumbles upon a mysterious enchanted room. So begins her secret education in the magical arts: mastering an obstinate flying broomstick, furtively emptying the castle pantries, setting her hair on fire . . . But Bens private adventures are soon overwhelmed by a mortal threat facing the castle and indeed the entire country. Can Princess Ben save her kingdom from annihilation and herself from permanent enslavement?

Review: all right Princess Ben...what to say...this book was completely up and down for me. There were parts where I was thoroughly enjoying myself and others where I was bored. The beginning (as mentioned before) was intriguing and captivating but the second chapter throws you into something different and into a boring explanation of her country. It starts exciting then gets boring. Much of the first part of the book (the book is divided into four parts that Ben taglines wittily) was boring to me. All she did was whine and eat and behave like a childish little brat whose pride got the best of their rationality. The second part, where she finally finds magic, was fun and interesting. She could actually do something besides whine! Then the third part was decent, nothing amazing, but certainly not too boring. The final part was…all right, again a mix of good and bad. It was good up until the ending, which was rushed and had a distinct air (I believe) of duex de machina.(A term used in Greek theatre that meant that a solution to the problem came just miraclously [or about that definiton])

The characters in Princess Ben were fairly fleshed out. Ben was a typical teenage girl, who just happened to be the crown princess. She won’t tolerate being told what to do (especially when she doesn’t want to do it in the first place), she eats away her problems and grief, and she has spouts of irrationality that stubbornness blocks everything else out. Queen Sophia is a powerful ruler and strict care-taker but ultimately, knows what she’s doing. Florian...was very Prince Charming like, a bit too much for my taste. He and Ben hated each other for the whole third and fourth part of the book and then at the end of the fourth part, he suddenly loves her.

The ending really did it for me. It all seems to happily ever after. Suddenly out of nowhere the problem is resolved in a moment’s notice. The conflict that has been happening the entire book. Out of nowhere life was practically perfect for Princess Ben and her kingdom. It didn’t seem real and seemed completely rushed to me.

The concept is amazing, by the way, just I don’t think Catherine Murdock did a good job executing it. It could’ve been great, instead it sort of just looks like a big mess.

Rating: 2.5/5 it wasn’t terrible for sure...but the book was too much of a rollercoaster and the ending was too rushed. Concept gets five stars though, and Ben is a solid 4 (her narrative voice could use a little work). Overall the book was slightly enjoyable.

Reviews from the pros:

“Murdock's first venture into fantasy offers a fairy tale with several twists and surprises, and readers will be drawn into the world and moods that she creates.” –school Library Journal

“The wild adventure, intricately imagined setting, memorable characters, and romance will charm readers, especially fans of Gail Carson Levine’s Fairest (2006).”-Booklist, starred review


~She Who Reads A Lot

The Hunger Games

Summary: In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keep the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen year old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister’s place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before—and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she become a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

Review: Okay so by my own little policy, I try not to read two books at once because it gets confusing. However, this time I made an exception... I started Princess Ben but the Hunger Games was taunting me. I’d bought it months ago simply on the basis that I’d heard it was amazing. It’d been sitting up on my bookshelf for what seemed like months—and Princess Ben was confusing me---so I caved and took it down. I started it Thursday and was done by Sunday night. I took it out to my cottage and literally it came down to my father pulling it out of my hands as the boat got going telling me if I didn't put the damn book away it would be waterlogged. Every time I put it down my fingers itched to get back into the story, constantly wondering what was going to happen. Basically all I’d heard about the book was beyond true.

Panem reminded me of a twisted Rome—after Caesar takes over. The Hunger Games are much like gladiator fights, only much more cruel. Let me tell you Panem is not a pleasant place to be. The Capitol literally takes young children from their parents and for 23 of those children (ranging from 12 to 18) it’s a death sentence for out of the 24 tributes taken only one will return alive. The Hunger Games are a way of reminding the districts that the Capitol could kill them all at a minutes notice. It’s a terrible frightening world to even think about.

Unless you live in the Capitol life in Panem basically, to put it bluntly, sucks. People of the districts scavenge for food to even live. Katniss Everdeen, from district 12, only survives by breaking the law and hunting in the woods. She lives for her sister, so when Prim's (her sister) name is pulled out of the bowl to compete in the Hunger Games Katniss doesn’t even think when she volunteers herself in her place.

It's hard for me to say what makes this book so amazing, because its so many things! It could be the characters. Katniss is a well-written heroine with a temper and awesome aim who you will be rooting for the entire time. Peeta is a lovable sweet boy who you can’t help but love. It could be the writing. It's funny and witty, but at the same time has this sense of urgency to it. It makes the world seem so real. (By the way this book just screams movie! So I hope that’s in the works...)
Basically it was fantastic. You need to go read it, like, now.

Rating: 5/5 Simply a fantastic addictive book.

Reviews from the Pros:

"What happens if we choose entertainment over humanity? In Collins's world, we'll be obsessed with grooming, we'll talk funny, and all our sentences will end with the same rise as questions. When Katniss is sent to stylists to be made more telegenic before she competes, she stands naked in front of them, strangely unembarrassed. "They're so unlike people that I'm no more self-conscious than if a trio of oddly colored birds were pecking around my feet," she thinks. In order not to hate these creatures who are sending her to her death, she imagines them as pets. It isn't just the contestants who risk the loss of their humanity. It is all who watch."
--Publishers Weekly, Megan Whalen Turner, STARRED REVIEW


"...brilliantly plotted and perfectly paced...a futuristic novel every bit as good and as allegorically rich as Scott Westerfeld's 'Uglies' books."
--The New York Times, John Green


“...enthralling, imaginative and creepy...”
--Los Angeles Times


"Collins's characters are completely realistic and sympathetic as they form alliances and friendships in the face of overwhelming odds; the plot is tense, dramatic, and engrossing. This book will definitely resonate with the generation raised on reality shows like "Survivor" and "American Gladiator."
--School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW


"[A] plot-driven blend of suspense, science fiction, and romance."
--USA Today,

"The plot is front and center here—the twists and turns are addictive, particularly when the romantic subplot ups the ante—yet the Capitol’s oppression and exploitation of the districts always simmers just below the surface, waiting to be more fully explored in future volumes. Collins has written a compulsively readable blend of science fiction, survival story, unlikely romance, and social commentary."
--Horn Book, STARRED REVIEW


"Populated by three dimensional characters, this is a superb tale of physical adventure, political suspense, and romance."
--Booklist, STARRED REVIEW


"Themes of government control, "big brother," and personal independence are explored amidst a thrilling adventure that will appeal to science fiction, survival, and adventure readers. The suspense of this powerful novel will keep the reader glued to the page long after bedtime."
--VOYA, Deborah L. Dubois


"Impressive world-building, breathtaking action and clear philosophical concerns make this volume, the beginning of a planned trilogy, as good as The Giver and more exciting."
--Kirkus

Nobody's Prize (Finally!)

Summary [From Book]: Destined to become a beauty, raised to be a queen, young Helen of Sparta refuses to be left behind when her older brothers enlist in the quest for the Golden Fleece—why should boys get to have all the fun? Accompanied by her friend, the ex-slave Milo, and disguised as a boy herself, Helen sets out to join the crew of heroes abroad the fabled ship the Argo.

Helen soon faces all sorts of dangers and intrigue. She must use her wits to avoid her brothers’ detection, even as a devastatingly handsome boy catches her eye and brash, boisterous Hercules falls in love with her boy-self. In pursuit of the Fleece, Helen faces warrior women, deadly prophecies, and a terrifying, murderous princess. Not to mention the start of her period...

With her beauty blossoming, Helen’s journey takes her beyond the mythology of the Golden Fleece, across the seas of the ancient world to Athens, where her very future as Queen of Sparta is threatened.

Review: Ha I actually finished this book! It took forever (I’m not sure why, but it did). All right on to the review. First off, I would like to say how much I love Helen as a character. She is a strong, determined, outgoing girl who will not take no for an answer. She’s the kind of girl who would not allow a man to hold the door open for her. Helen refuses to sit by and let the boys have all the fun! She’s a greek version of the feminist.

Another reason I am so fond of this series is because I am a history-nerd, and greek mythology has always fascinated me. I thought the idea of the different Gods and the different stories on how they came to be. I knew the story behind Helen of Troy and for some reason had always pictured this gorgeous blonde Spartan girl who was just looks, no brains. It much more suits my liking to think of Helen of Troy as the Helen in Friesner’s novels. Anyways…on to the actual book.

The book was fast-paced (much like the first) and filled with moments of adventure and disaster at a moment’s notice. One character’s death threw me so much for a loop that I literally had to read the page over again to understand what had happened. It was compelling and fun, but I did put it down and was able to forget about it for a while. So it’s nothing completely unforgettable, but it’s a good adventure book. Friesner’s characters are entertaining and different. Basically a great adventure book for anyone looking for a fun fast-paced read with awesome characters, but nothing life changing.

Rating: 4/5 Lots of fun, kick-ass characters, awesome story, but not amazing.

Reviews from the Pros:

"Helen is the original ‘girl power’ heroine! She hungers for adventure like some people hunger for a new pair of cute shoes...if you are a fan of the romance, adventure, and intrigue in mythology, but would like to look a little deeper to humanize the characters from your favorite stories, this is the book for you!"–Justine Magazine

"Friesner is an accomplished writer who is able to interweave a contemporary feel for these ancient characters with piece of history and mythology. She can also be funny, as readers can virtually feel Helen rolling her eyes during the course of her narration."-voice of Youth Advocates

"The fresh take on a familiar woman...will intrigue both mythology fans and those readers who can’t get enough of tough girl heroines, regardless of setting or genre."-The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s books.

"Readers may be familiar with the legends and myths of Jason and the Golden Fleece, Medea, Hercules, and Helen of Troy, but Esther Friesner weaves these characters together in a teen novel that lifts them off those dusty pages and into a re-imagined tale of adventure and intrigue…It is a thrilling coming-of-age story that will undoubtedly please fans of Nobody’s Princess and garner new fans." –Historical Novels Review

Looking for Alaska

Summary: Miles Halter, or “Pudge”, (a boy obsessed with last words) wants to leave his boring minor life in Florida in search of the "Great Perhaps", and he decides that the great perhaps is in the private school Culver Creek in Alabama. He arrives at Culver Creek to meet Chip, or “the Colonel”, his genius roommate who enjoys drinking, smoking, hating the Weekday Warriors, playing video games, and pranking. The Colonel then introduces Miles to the amazing, mysterious (albeit strange), but beautiful Alaska Young. There is an immediate attraction between the two and Miles’s feelings towards her grow through the first half of the book. Miles quickly settles into Culver Creek life with the Colonel, Alaska, and Takumi as he partakes in a more outgoing lifestyle than his back in Florida. Then one night, when everything is finally looking up for Miles, his whole world is turned upside down. Alaska dies. She dies after he and the Colonel allow her to leave campus completely drunk (.24 BAC) and she goes straight and fast into a cop car. Miles can hardly live with the grief and guilt, so in an attempt to make sense of Alaska’s final hours, Miles and the Colonel decide to try to figure out what happened to Alaska. Was it suicide? Or truly an accident?

Review: Well I actually read this book for my summer reading homework. This was my choice book, the other one I had to read was 1984 by George Orwell. Anywho...I’ve been meaning to pick up a John Green novel forever (since I discovered him on youtube in the famous vlogbrothers), and I’m so happy I did. Green is a superior writer. He knows how to draw in readers without even trying to. His characters are fun, compelling, and real. The dialogue is laugh-out-loud funny at some points, but at others filled with depth and intellect. Everyone’s character growth is believable and watching as Miles grew was quite amazing. This book is just filled with real issues for many real teenagers. Looking for Alaska has such a real authentic voice and it is such an amazing debut novel for John Green. All Young Adults should read it.

Basically it was awesome, and when I went back to read Nobody’s Prize which I put on hiatus for summer reading...Nobody’s Prize looked and sounded extremely lacking. Everyone should read Looking for Alaska and make sure to savor Green’s unique
writing.

Rating: 5/5 there is a reason it won the Printz award.

Reviews from the Pros:

"Miles's narration is alive with sweet, self-deprecating humor...like Phineas in John Knowles's A Separate Peace, Green draws Alaska...lovingly, in self-loathing darkness as well as energetic light." –SLJ, starred review

"Miles is a witty narrator...he’s also an articulate spokesperson for the legions of teens searching for life meaning."-BCCB, starred review

"Compelling...What sets this novel apart is the brilliant, insightful, suffering but enduring voice of Miles Halter."-Chicago Tribune

Winner of the Michael L. Printz award
Los Angeles times book prize finalist
An ALA Best Book for Young Adults top 10
An ALA quick pick
A Booklist editors’ choice
A Kirkus best book of the year
An SLJ Best Book of the Year

Extras

Summary [From book]: It’s a few years after rebel Tally Youngblood took down the uglies/pretties/specials regime. Without those strict roles and rules, the world is in a complete cultural renaissance. “Tech-heads” flaunt their latest gadgets, “kickers” spread gossip and trends, and “surge monkeys” are hooked on extreme plastic surgery. And it’s all monitored on a bazillion different cameras. The world is like a gigantic game of American Idol. Whoever is getting the most buzz gets the most votes. Popularity rules.

As if being fifteen doesn’t suck enough, Aya Fuse’s rank of 451, 369 is so low, she’s a total nobody. An extra. Her only chance to escape extra-land is to find a big story to kick—something wild and unexpected.

Then Aya meets a clique of girls who pull crazy tricks, yet are deeply secretive of it. But the sly girls are hiding something bigger--an explosive discovery that may change the face of the brave new world forever. If Aya kicks this story, she’ll be propelled into the world of fame, celebrity…and extreme danger. A world she’s not prepared for.

Review: I have mixed feelings about Westerfeld fourth installment in the Uglies series. It did not bug me that it wasn’t about Tally Youngblood, in fact that made it more exciting. It was interesting to see the “mind-rain” through someone who experienced it. I had some problems with Aya’s personality, but that’s simply because of the way her character was. She was so obsessed with fame that she didn’t seem to care about anything else, and that bugged me. The idea of reputation economy is...interesting but also, in Tally’s words, so brain-missing!

I also got a kick out of Radical Honesty, mostly because I watch Lie To Me and it strikes me as familiar. Loker’s version of Radical Honesty didn’t work out, and in the end…Frizz’s didn’t either. Perhaps that is some world truth about honesty. The idea of this whole society, of kickers, tech-heads, and surge monkeys was really cool. The plot of Extras kept me hooked but at times I found myself bored with it.

Basically: It was good, not as good as the previous books though, I don’t think. Still think Westerfeld is a genius, but wasn’t the biggest fan of Extras.

Rating: 4/5 not amazing, but good.

Reviews from the pros:

Honestly...I couldn’t find any, I scoured the web and didn’t see anything. Unfortunately, I own the hardcover book of Extras so no reviews on there.

Now I’m off to finally read Nobody’s Prize!

~She Who Reads A Lot