Fablehaven

* * * */ Four Stars

Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Humor

In this awesome book by Brandon Mull, you meet Kendra and her cheeky brother Seth, who are dreading spending time with their grandparents, since they haven't ever reached out or know much of anything about their grandkids. They are only taking the kids in because they have to, since their parents are going on a family cruise. Which, apparently, didn't include the children. As they settle in on their grandfather's estate, which is apparently missing their grand-mother, they begin to notice strange happenings, such as the fact that there is a creepy old lady struggling with a rope in the woods, and that all of the butterflies and such are attracted to mirrors. Soon they learn the truth about the strange estate they are on; it is actually a secret magical preserve called Fablehaven that shelters the creatures inside of it; both good and evil. During the equinox, Seth opens the window, allowing demons and other such creatures of darkness into the house, where they steal away their grandfather and terrorize the rest of the staff. It's up to Kendra and Seth to right their wrongs, save their friends and family, and prevent all of Fablehaven from falling. But can they even make it out alive?
I am a fan of Mull, and I really like his work and this series, but I wish that there was more elaboration on this first book, which is why it got downgraded a star. Anyways, I recommend this novel to anyone with a taste for excitement and a yearning for an amazing adventure.  

Kingdom Keepers: Disney After Dark

* * * * */ Five Stars 

Genre: Action, Adventure, (some slight) Humor, Fantasy, Fiction, Futuristic 

Meet Finn Whitman. He and four other teenagers were selected by the Disney company to be models for their new programs, DHIs; Disney Interactive Hosts, or designated holograms that will show visitors around the parks. The money they received and the lifetime passes to Disney seemed too good to be true, and they accepted these gifts along with other freebies openly in exchange for having their faces plastered all over the major Disney outlets. What they didn't realize was that the holograms aren't just to show visitors around; each night, the band of fives' consciousnesses are transported into their hologram, and they explore the parks while they are suspended in sleep. But the dangers are very real. Whatever injuries and traumas happen while you are a hologram are there on your physical body in the morning, and that isn't all they need to worry about. You could be captured and rendered unable to return back to your human self, trapped as a hologram. You could die. Finn Whitman and the others are discovering the dark side of Disney; one where the villains (who call themselves Overtakers) want to overthrow the heroes and take over the parks once and for all. It is up to the Kingdom Keepers to stop them. Can they succeed in defeating the forces of evil, or will they fail, and the Disney magic be lost forever?  

I adored this creative book by Ridley Pearson. It was beautifully written and I loved this amazing blend of mystical magics and real-life situations. It is sure to be a real success and an instant hit with anyone who reads it!

SQUEEEEEE!!!

If you haven't already heard, Rick Riordan fans, a new book is being released! YAYYY! Rick is releasing a new book series on the Norse gods called Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard Book 1: The Sword of Summer! It is coming out on 10/6/15. Here is a sneak peak of the new cover:



Be sure to look for it this fall!

New Arrivals

As you know, everyone has been buzzing about the new release of the spin-off of The Selection, which is called The Heir. I have linked the book name to Kiera Cass' website, where you can look at this new book and all of her old ones concerning The Selection series. In addition to just talking about this specific book, I am also showing you the release dates of some new books from a bunch of my other personal favorite series. Not all of them I have written about, but here they are . . .

The 13th Reality Book 4: The Void of Mist and Thunder
- comes out on 7/3/2015 (on eBook; it will come out in other formats soon after)



The Waterfire Saga Book 3: Dark Tide
- comes out on 10/13/2015



The Ever Afters Book 4: Of Enemies and Endings
- comes out on 6/30/2015




The School For Good and Evil Book 3: The Last Ever After
- comes out 7/21/2015



The Finishing School Series Book 4: Manners and Mutiny
- comes out 11/3/2015



So be on the lookout!

Graceling

* * * * */ Five Stars

Genre: Action, Adventure, Mystery, (mild) Humor, Suspense, Intrigue, Fantasy, (some slight) Romance

In this whimsical novel by Kristin Cashore, there are many realms and some 'extra special' (but highly discriminated against) people with eyes that are differently colored. They are called 'the graced'. The Gracelings can develop their talents at any age or stage in their life, and when they do, it is quite obvious what they are graced at. For example, if the first time you ever dance you may do so as if you were a professional, you are graced with dancing. The same is true for cooking, cleaning, sword-fighting, and anything else you can possibly imagine. When young Katsa punches her cousin in the face as a little girl to such effect that it breaks his nose, everyone, including herself, assumes her grace is fighting. Her uncle (the king), instead of sending her away, appoints her to be his own personal thug. Sent on missions to torture, collect info, fight in battles, and so much more, Katsa barely has much of any say in her destiny and is beginning to wonder what she wants. Then, one fateful day, she meets Prince Po, another royal from another realm that claims that he too shares this gift. As they become friends, her suspicious rise, and the flames fan around her kingdom. What will happen to her? And what secrets are yet to be uncovered?
I adored this 'colorful' and imaginative book. However, this book is probably more for a mature and developed audience. Anyways, I recommend it to any member of an older mental crowd that loves mystical worlds, pirates, magical beasts, and a taste for the extraordinary!

The Selection

* * * */ Four Stars (almost five)

Genre: Action, Adventure, Romance, Humor, Futuristic, Suspense

America Singer and her family are fives; aristocrats, all of them working in 'the arts'. They are 3 caste levels up from the worst caste, an eight. In a world where the USA has long since crumbled and a new kingdom has risen from the ashes, China is a superpower, and World Wars 3 and 4 have already been fought, the 'one' caste remains; the royal family. Whenever a prince born of the royal family comes of age, 35 eligible girls from any caste are selected to compete for his hand and for the crown. America doesn't want to enter the Selection, since she is happy with her boyfriend back at home. But, at his urging, her mother's pleas, and the chance to earn money for her poor family and friends, America enters. Unexpectedly, she is chosen, and her world gets flipped upside down. Now immersed in a world of luxury and lies, America Singer must fight out the Selection while confused about who and what she wants. Will she continue on and choose to be with the prince? Or will she be eliminated and go back home?
I really liked this incredible book by Kiera Cass. The distopian world and America's fiery courage throughout the book had me hanging on to the last words! I recommend this book to anyone wanting a 'modern Cinderella' story and an interesting romance.



(Above are all 3 main books in the trilogy)

Etiquette and Espionage

* * * * */ Five Stars

Genre: Action, Adventure, Humor, Mystery, Suspense, Intrigue, Fantasy

In this amazing book by Gail Carriger, you meet the lovable and humorous Sophronia, a girl living in the 1800s. She isn't like her many older sisters; she enjoys climbing elevator shafts, playing in the mud with her brothers, and annoying her mother. When her family is recommended by their neighbor to Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing School, Sophronia's mother jumps at the opportunity to send her there. At first, Sophronia is dreading the experience, thinking it to be a boring school that will teach her manners and curtsies all day, but she is in for quite the surprise; at this school, all the girls learn to finish . . . everything. From eyelash fluttering to knife throwing, Sophronia soon realizes that this school has it all. Is she ready to be thrown into this wacky world of tea parties AND assassinations, or will her adventures there prove that she can't handle the weight of this extraordinary profession?
I love the crazy steam-punk universe that the author has created. This book is crafted with humor, adventure, the supernatural and so much more, which will make it an instant hit with anyone who reads it!