Absolutely Maybe is an original story plot that caters to anyone, teens or adults, who have ever felt like there was something missing from their life, and had the urge to find the missing link. The story encompasses the life of a teenager who lives against the standards for American beauty, and it shows that even if you are not "beauty queen perfect," there is still beauty in your life and your person. Lisa Yee really captured the essence of being different in a supermodel world, which is something I think many authors strive to create, but Yee masters the art of the teenage mind. Absolutely Maybe was one of the best books I have read this year and I was very inspired by it.
 

I could feel a personal connection with Maybe, which is essential for me to truly appreciate and enjoy a book. I love how her friends are so genuine and real, balancing the crazy beauty-obsessed mother who is convinced Maybe is ugly because she is not like her. I appreciated that her friends where there with her the entire time, and Yee captured the fact that friends don't get along all the time and everyone has bad days, but in the end, if you are really friends, they will still be there for you. Absolutely Maybe was an amazing read, and enjoyed every moment I had my eyes glued to the pages. It was hard to put down. Claudia Florian, IRS Member

Everyone studies folktales in school, and so most of us have heard of Anansi, the African trickster and spider god. However, he’s generally relegated to the past, the olden days when Africa was dominated by tribes and they had many gods. Until now—because in Anansi Boys, Neil Gaiman brings the fabled rogue forwards into the modern era, with hilarious results.

Fat Charlie is not fat. Not anymore, that is; but he was once, and his father called him Fat Charlie, and…well, it stuck. That was only one of the many ways in which Charlie’s dad embarrassed him during his childhood, and part of the reason why, in his adult life, Fat Charlie Nancy crossed an ocean to get away from dear old dad. Everything seems to be looking up—he’s got a steady job and is even engaged to be married—when Mr. Nancy drops dead in a karaoke bar. Charlie returns home to Florida for the funeral…and then one of his elderly neighbors mentions his brother. A brother Fat Charlie didn’t know he had. And when that brother shows up, he brings and causes trouble enough to make Anansi proud.

Neil Gaiman is one of the most popular writers of our time, and it’s easy to see why. He writes with an uncomplicated, unhurried style, using words in such a way that it is easy to imagine the story being told aloud for the very first time. It’s flowing, natural prose- and it’s funny.  Whether from shock or humor or relief, this book will make anyone laugh. Anansi Boys is a rich, modern-day trickster tale chock full of irony and truth…and a lime. Lisa Moritz, IRS Member

The cover on this biography is simple yet intriguing. I liked how it portrayed Mariatu's hands, such an important part of the book, holding the mango that was given to her just after she was attacked. It did indeed reflect the story, with the burning village in the background and a feeling of sadness overall. While this book was hard for me to read, I was glad that I did. What Mariatu experienced in Sierra Leone was horrible, but the story of her determination to live and succeed is something to marvel at. I admire her completely, and I'm glad that she had the courage to share her story with the rest of the world. She is so very strong for what she has gone through, and I just hope that she succeeds with all she does. Rachel Beenken, IRS Member

Anthologies are always great ways to sample a writer’s style. Whether a collection of stories by one author or a variety of authors on a common theme, anthologies provide short snapshots of an author’s work and literary range.

Margo Lanagan’s talent seems not to be limited by genre, and certainly not by the bounds of imagination. In the ten stories of Black Juice, she travels the realms of fantasy and the future, telling tales through human and even elephant eyes of love, choices, loss, freedom, death, acceptance, and courage. These stories span the spectrum of human emotion with grace and beauty. From a boy who sings as his sister slowly dies to a girl who finds self-confidence and determination in the ways of ancient monarchs to a herd of elephants who break out of their zoo to find a mahout they love, these ten tales touch on key moments in the lives of memorable characters and their equally mesmerizing worlds.

I absolutely devoured Blankets. This autobiographical story of first love and self-discovery is an experience—not always pleasant, painfully real, brutally honest, and rendered in deft and beautiful drawings.

At first glance, Blankets is huge, especially for a graphic novel.  However, when reading, it simply flies by in a rush of pages, images, and words.  It’s not an easy read; it raises deep questions and describes difficult times in Thompson’s life.  What it lacks in ease and simplicity, though, it makes up in truth and importance. (And really, who needs ease or simplicity?)

It takes a day or less, total, to read it, but Blankets will stick with you for much, much longer. Lisa Moritz, IRS Member

Just prior to her graduation from St. Vladimir's Academy, almost-guardian Rose has set off and is now in Russia when she meets Sydney, an alchemist who leads her to Demitri's family. After a fight with Victoria and a deal with Abe, Rose goes to Novoskva to kill Strigoi, which are Immortal Vampires with super strength and speed, only to get kidnapped by none other than Demitri himself.

This book can not only tear your heart into tiny pieces and make you so happy you jump around at the same time, but it also has a certain grace to the writing. The characters are amazing and so human; even when they aren't, you can tell why they make every decision they make and they all will find a place in your heart. The cover is gorgeous and it goes with the rest of the series nicely. The most exciting part of the story was the moment of uncertainty when Rose recognized Demitri and made the mistake of hesitating. The only thing disappointing about this book it that the sequel doesn't come out until May 18, 2010. Geneva Smith, IRS Member

Bloodhound is the second in Tamora Pierce's Beka Cooper series, a prehistory to her other Tortall novels. The protagonist, Beka, is now a full Provost's Dog—just in time for someone to start releasing false coins into Tortall's money supply. She and her partner are sent to Port Caynn to investigate, and what they turn up is a lot more than a few brass coles, which are false coins.

I wouldn't say that this book is particularly outstanding. Like all Pierce's work, it's enjoyable and it's certainly a fun read, but nothing about it really struck me as unusual or special. Loyal readers will enjoy it, but as a sequel it's unlikely to appeal to newcomers.

The cover showed Beka looking rather reflective, which was one of her prevailing moods throughout the book. It also showed Achoo, the scent hound that she 'adopts' and who eventually helps her to discover the source of the false coin. The image in the background is one of crates and the ocean, which reflects the change in setting between the first book of the series (which was set in Corus) to Bloodhound (which is primarily set in Port Caynn). The cover reflected the contents very accurately.

The mystery that is the focus of the plot is also the most compelling aspect of the book. Because it is never wholly cleared up until the very end, the reader is always left with a sense of wanting to know more, and for that reason they continue reading. There's always a sense that the criminal just might be a character the readers already know and like.--Lisa Moritz, IRS Member

Bloodline is a tale that transports you back in time to a place where battles were fought hand to hand on an open plain and where boys wear the ring of the lord to whom they are sworn. This book is an exciting read, with enough realism to make the story all the easier to live in. By far, the most compelling aspect was the true emotions that the main character felt. The moral conflict that he encountered endeared him to me, and made the adventure even more lifelike.

At first, I had difficulty really getting into the book. However, I understand that this was necessary due to the fact that we need to build an emotional bond with the characters before the story really begins. Rachel Beenken, IRS Member

The Books Of Magic is pure Neil Gaiman. It shares many qualities with his Sandman comics (including Death and Destiny, two of Morpheus’s Endless siblings).  It looks at magic in an unusual way. And lastly, that which marks all of Gaiman’s work- it makes you want to dive in, through the vivid illustrations, and just wander around this beautiful, terrible, foreign world.

As the first volume of its series, the main purpose of The Books Of Magic is to introduce the main character, which it does in fine fashion. Timothy Hunter is an ordinary boy, or so he thinks- until four mysterious men show up.

“Do you believe in magic?” they ask. Naturally, being a child of modern times, he says no- at which point one of them turns his yo-yo into an owl.

It only gets stranger from there. The magic of Gaiman’s world is not simple, the future not set, the past not untouchable. This is Harry Potter in the city—with the “Trenchcoat Brigade” for Hogwarts, and a skateboard for a broomstick. Lisa Moritz, IRS Member

The highly anticipated third installment of the inheritance series, Brisingr, has been released. I know many people have not read this book so I will keep this a spoiler free as possible, and if you have not yet read the first two books Eragon and Eldest, this review will not make any sense.

Eragon is being called upon by many of the free peoples of Alagaesia to support their cause, he has obligations with the Varden, the dwarves, and he needs to complete his training with the elves, all while trying to defeat a seemingly invincible foe. Roran had joined the Varden and begins to fight for their army. He must learn to deal with the harsh brutality of constant fighting if he wishes to bring his people home. The Varden are beginning to make their move on the Empire as the elves advance from the north, but the might of Galbatorix seems unconquerable. As Eragon fights more he come to the conclusion that he must have a sword which leads him to the elves. In the elven kingdom, Eragon begins to learn some surprising secrets about Galbatorix’s power as well as shocking secret about his own heritage.

            As many of you know, Brisingr was originally planned to be one book but it got so long that Paolini had had to cut it into two books. When I first heard the news I was very doubtful about the sincerity of Paolini’s decision. In other words I thought it was a ploy to make more money. However after reading this book all my doubts have been shattered. The book was excellently written, Paolini’s writing style has improved greatly. The plot is more complex, the language more descriptive, and the characters more real. As Paolini gets older his writing gets better. I have found only one flaw in the book and that is the content of the plot line. For the majority of this book Eragon does not do much but fight in small battles and talk with important leaders. There is nothing heart stopping, or overtly thrilling until the final third of the book. This book does do a good job of heightening tensions and increasing excitement for the final installment of the series. If you are a fan of fantasy, sci-fi, or even thrilling novels the first two books, Eragon and Eldest, are must reads, and Brisingr is a perfect complement. 4 out of 5 stars. Tyler Rudolph, IRS Member

Review #1

It's only been half a year since Katniss Everdeen won the Hunger Games. Now, among her confusion with her growing feelings for Peeta and her love for Gale, she also is marked as the symbol of the rebelling districts. All of a sudden, everyone wants her again. The people of the districts do because of what she stands for; the people of the capital do because they want her dead. This exhilarating sequel to The Hunger Games will quench everyone's thirst for a story that is truly life or death. It has everything a wonderful book has in perfect measures: romance, fear, competition, and brilliant dialogue to tie it all together. I didn't feel like I was watching Katniss fight for her life—I felt like I WAS her!

The cover perfectly fits in with that of the first book. The mockingjay that is within a circle looks stunning and the eye is immediately drawn to it. Also, the color scheme of reds, yellows, oranges, and black carries the idea of fire, which is such a prominent part of the story. After all, the protagonist is Katniss, the girl on fire.

It's impossible to pick only one best part of Catching Fire. Between the witty dialogue and intense action, the carefully woven story caught me up and swept me away in a whirlwind of ingenious ideas. Honestly, there is no best part of the book, because the whole book is the best! The worst part of the book can be summed up like this: “Noooo! Not a cliffhanger!” Rachel Beenken, IRS Member

Review #2

The Hunger Games left you thirsting for more, and Catching Fire quenches that thirst at the same time it ignites it for the next book. Katniss Everdeen just won the 74th Hunger Games with her fellow tribute Peeta Mellark, yet the stunt she pulled at the end gets her into even more trouble than what she faced in the arena. Following the tour of the Districts, Katniss realizes her victory has sparked the beginnings of a rebellion and the Capitol will have none of it. They blackmail her into trying to convince the citizens that she acted out of love, not rebellion, but it seems its too late for that as well.

In this stunning sequel, Katniss finds herself fighting for more than herself, fighting for more than even she realizes. Catching Fire is beautifully written and will have readers clinging to the edge of their seats anticipating with dread and excitement every twist and turn Collins throws at them. It also brings up many ideas about deciding what's worth fighting for, and how the smallest of acts can have huge repercussions.

The cover is awesome; it is similar to the first, but the brighter colors sort of signify the higher tensions that run throughout the book. Especially compelling are the twists that you can anticipate, like the Quarter Quell, the ones you can't, and then the others that you only realize seconds before Katniss does. My only disappointment is just the fact that I know the next one won't be out for a while. GAHHHHHH! Rachel Malone, IRS Member

Ever wonder what the world will be like one millennium into the future? This topic is thoroughly explored in the book The Caves of Steel. The world has been overpopulated and a group of people have left to colonize other planets. The people, called spacers, are the leading technicians in creating robots. The people on earth hate robots and spacers. They hate spacers because they have left the earth and hate robots because they take human jobs. In a spacer colony in New York a leading spacer has been murdered. A detective named Elijah Baley has been put on the case. His partner is an anthropomorphic robot named R. Daneel Olivaw who was made by the spacers. Elijah must put aside his own robot prejudice in order to solve an increasingly complex case. The spacers’ motives seem to be elsewhere and Elijah’s own safety is in jeopardy. His family is scared of R. Daneel Olivaw, tearing Elijah’s personal and business life apart.

This is a fantastic book. Much of it talks about what the earth will be like with a murder mystery to move it along. I found many of the predictions very probable and frightening. The world has lost almost all of its open space and millions are living off of basic yeast food with nothing to do. This is a very good science fiction novel with a compelling story. The ending to the case is not very unexpected but several other tidbits are thrown in making the ending surprising and interesting. I would recommend this book to any person who likes science fiction, mystery, or a thoughtful read. 4 stars. Tyler Rudolph, IRS Member

Review #2

It has been a long time since I've read a series that builds in momentum as spectacularly as the Mortal Instruments has. City of Glass delivers a stunning climax to the story, while at the same time weaving complex plot points that one could never have foreseen. I literally could not put the book down until I finished it, it was so well paced and written.

It's hard to pick just one outstanding aspect of this book, since they were all the same degree of amazing! However, if limited to one, I would say that the most compelling part of the book was how the plot intertwined so well with character development. In this book, I actually felt like I knew the characters to the point that if I saw them walking down the street, I wouldn't be surprised that they were real. Honestly, I can't think of a better way to end a series than what this book delivered. Rachel Beenken, IRS Member

Elves are beautiful, powerful beings who lead lives full of magic and joy. Right? Or at least, that’s how they’re portrayed in most fantasy novels. Clare B. Dunkle’s Close Kin is an exception. Her elves, while much less romantic, are much more realistic.

Close Kin is volume two of the Hollow Kingdom Trilogy. Emily has grown up around goblins and thinks nothing of their strange appearances or stranger ways. However, it’s her childhood friend Seylin, who’s almost an elf by blood, that she’s truly attracted to. What bad luck that when he proposes, she doesn’t take him seriously! Only after Seylin leaves to seek his ‘true’ people, the elves, does Emily realize her mistake and go after him. But is it already too late?

The two meandering quests do seem to drag on at times, but there’s always a good purpose for the detour, if the reader is patient. The strongest point of this book is how it turns the traditional concept of elves on its head. The dying nation has reverted to more primitive ways; they hold little of their former grandeur, and this makes them believable as characters. It also serves as the goblins’ excuse for kidnapping elf women, but as the goblins are the protagonists this is to be excused. Dunkle’s writing is perfect for the story she spins, and she has given us another neat new “fairy tale” to follow her first novel, The Hollow Kingdom. Lisa Moritz, IRS Member

In this book, four teens all have one thing in common: They all want to kill themselves. They decide to take a journey visiting graves of celebrities that have committed suicide. When the four teens get near the end of their journey, something takes a turn for the worse that will change them forever. Teens can connect to every character in this book so well. It's beautifully written and full of mystery and emotion. The mystery is what is behind everyone's reason as to why they want to kill themselves. The raw emotion is in each one of them, especially the main character, Owen, as they're all working toward this one goal, to die. Sarah Stice, IRS Member

When someone opens Daughter of the Flames, they're opening a portal to a coming-of-age story about a brave, brilliant girl by the name of Zira. After her temple home is destroyed, she discovers her true lineage as the ruler of her people and that she must fight to free them from a horrible oppression. In order to achieve this, however, she needs the aid of her people, her closest friends, and a man who is perhaps the most unlikely ally ever. 

I have read many books that consist of a plot where a young hero must rise and overthrow an overlord. Yet this book approached the idea in such a unique way that I did not feel like it was repetitive at all. Also, the imperfection of the main character only served to make me care all the more for her. More then anything else in this story, Zira's discovery of her identity and her challenge to accept a mantel that she never knew she had before kept me reading. There were some sections, such as when Zira and the other temple people first take refuge, that the pacing feels somewhat slow. Other then that, I cannot complain! Rachel Beenken, IRS Member

Larry McMurtry won a Pulitzer Prize for Lonesome Dove, the third volume of the series that begins with Dead Man’s Walk. The first volume tells the story of Augustus McCrae and Woodrow Call, two young Texas Rangers who have terrible luck in officers. Their first commander, Major Chevallie, is fat and incompetent.  Leading his band of Rangers across Texas in search of a stagecoach route, they run into a group of Comanche raiders and lose half their squad. Returning to Austin after that harrowing experience, Gus and Call sign onto another expedition. This one, headed by Caleb Cobb, aims to conquer the New Mexican town of Santa Fe, and make every man rich with the silver that is just lying around in the streets. But Cobb, when faced by the Mexican Army, promptly surrenders- dooming his men, already starved and ragged, to the desert march called the Dead Man’s Walk.

McMurtry’s style is unlike anything I have ever read before; his characters speak with an authentic dialect and seem to really suit their surroundings. The writing took me some time to adjust to, but when I did it flowed fairly well. The plot at times seems to take odd sidetracks, but because Lonesome Dove was the first published novel of the series, this makes sense. Dead Man’s Walk is an exploration of Gus and Call’s youth, and should probably be read after Lonesome Dove to make the most sense. Lisa Moritz, IRS Member

Two brothers, Alan and Nick, live in a world where the suprise attacks by demon-wielding magicians looking for their deranged mother is commonplace. That is, until the duo meets the sister/brother team of Mae and Jamie. Jamie has been attacked and infected by a demon, and as a result Alan is also bitten and infected. Now they must rush to heal the infections in a journey that will create many more questions about their mother and the family's dark past.

This book is a fascinating combination of Star Wars, Harry Potter, and the Bartimaeus trilogy with entirely original characters and a breakneck plot. The ending is a fantastic suprise with a very smooth and well planned build up. The excellent combination of memorable characters and a fascinating plot really made for an enjoyable read. The author did an excellent job of taking themes from other books and making them entirely original and exciting. Tyler Rudolph, IRS Member 

Having super strength and the ability to fly is amazing, right? Wrong. For Avery, superpowers are just about the last thing that he needs. When he gets in trouble for trying to stop a robbery, Avery's parents send him to a school for troubled teens, and there he finds that he might not be the only one with troubles as super as his. Dull Boy is an exhilarating read that readers can easily connect with, even if they themselves lack superpowers. It has a little of something for everyone: danger, wit, and of course action that will keep the reader's eyes glued to the pages until the very final word.

This book was hands down amazing! From the very beginning, I connected with the character of Avery, due to the fact that his character is written so well. He has flaws, he has quirks, and I found myself cheering for him every step of the way. My favorite book characters are those with plenty of individual voice and an abundance of flaws and challenges. In addition to Avery, every single character in Sarah Cross's book was rich, unique, and so well fleshed out that I could see each one in high definition in my mind's eye. It was not only Avery and the other characters that won me over, however, for the plot quality exceeded many that I've read this past year, and the cover is one of this year’s favorites. The dramatic pose of Avery flying through the title, shattering it, just draws the eye to the book. The balance between the light blue background and the brightly colored figure of Avery and the black letters makes the title pop out from the shelf. Rachel Beenken, IRS Member

Having finally read Dune, it’s easy to see why it’s known as one of the best science fiction novels of all time. Yes, it’s filled with jargon that makes the glossary the reader’s best friend; yes, the politics that characters keep track of without a thought can make one’s head spin. But those are necessary evils, because what makes Dune great is its complexity.

From the Bene Gesserit School and their Panoplia Propheticus to the unusual ecological workings of Arakkis, the desert planet that gives Dune its name, the details and mythos of this universe really make it pop. It is astounding to step back and think that all Dune’s nuances came from one human mind.

It is clear that Dune is intended primarily to introduce Paul Atriedes and his lifelong quest, and that its story is intended for at least one sequel, if not more. Still, it is undoubtedly a masterwork in its own right. Lisa Moritz, IRS Member

Of all the religions of the world, I can’t think of anything remotely comparable to the pantheon of The Elder Gods—ten deities, eight in eons-long cycles of birth and rebirth, who interfere often in the lives of mortals. In this book, and possibly in the sequels, it is in fact the gods themselves who are the main characters, fighting against time to build and army and protect their land.

The writing and plot of The Elder Gods is deceptively simple, only hinting at what promises to be a complex story spread over four volumes. As the opening volume of the quartet, it draws readers into the Land of Dhrall, introducing them to its denizens and its gods- and its ancient enemy. While at times one may wish for a more detailed map, overall the actions are clear and the characters true to their set personalities.

The Elder Gods is a solid fantasy novel, almost classical in its style, but original in plot. It rarely drags on and has enough twists (especially during the critical battle) to keep readers guessing. Lisa Moritz, IRS Member

Every time I pick up one of Naomi Novik’s Temeraire books, I am newly astonished. Roughly summarized as "the Napoleonic Wars with dragons," these books never fail to amaze me, both with their historical accuracy and with Novik’s fabulous writing. This woman can portray characters with exacting detail and unerring wit, making her books an absolute joy to read.

Volume four, Empire Of Ivory, has Laurence, Temeraire and company bound for Africa. England’s dragons are stricken with a plague, leaving them virtually defenseless against France’s aerial corps; and with the Chinese Celestial Lien teaching them new strategies and tactics, Napoleon’s forces are primed for invasion.  Laurence and Temeraire are charged with finding the cure for the mysterious disease- but they know that there might not even be an England to return to if they are successful. To top it all off, there’s something powerful waiting for them in the center of the continent…

As usual, Novik delivers a surprise-packed narrative full of twists and turns.  Her depiction of the era is accurate, and well-imagined where the dragons are concerned.  (And her dragons may well be the coolest things ever to grace the pages of historical fiction.)  Like its predecessors, Empire Of Ivory is a gem of a book. Lisa Moritz, IRS Member

Anyone who has ever played a Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (MMORPG) will enjoy Conor Kostick’s novel Epic. The world it describes is one in which an advanced game is both legal and economic system for the entire planet. The game of Epic is considerably more advanced and complex than most MMORPGs online today—and it has to be, because it is the lifeblood of the world of New Earth. Transactions are conducted in coin and items in Epic; disagreements are dealt with in the Arenas. Violence is strictly prohibited outside the game.

Wonderful as this seems, a teenager named Erick thinks the system is flawed. When his father is unjustly exiled, Eric persuades his friends to join him in an effort to kill one of Epic’s legendary dragons. He plans to use the treasure to buy his father’s freedom, and instead attracts negative attention from the all-powerful Central Allocations Board. It isn’t long before he’s in way, way over his head.

In many ways, the world of Epic is more vivid than the external world of New Earth. However, because the game is so important, this is excusable. The action takes place almost entirely in Epic, which does take a bit of getting used to. Gamers will recognize many aspects of any virtual world, though at the moment interfaces such as those used in Epic are only science fiction. Apart from the need to “clip in” and “unclip,” however, Epic is a standard fantasy world.

Now, that doesn’t mean the book is boring or predictable; far from it. Every time things start to make sense, Kostick throws in another surprise. These unusual elements keep the plot moving at a good pace. All in all, it is an entertaining read, though those with little experience with MMORPGs may enjoy it somewhat less. Lisa Moritz, IRS Member

Jane Turner is a high school senior and a barista at a coffee shop called Wired Joe’s. It’s her job that consumes most of her time, and because she spends so many hours around coffee drinkers, she’s started to notice some patterns. Certain types of people buy certain drinks. Jane starts writing down her observations, and soon it develops into a quasi-science she calls “Espressology,” even leading her to set up people on blind dates based on their drink of choice. When her boss finds out, he decides that her matchmaking should be the store’s holiday promotion—and suddenly Jane’s in way over her head.

The cover was very cute, and definitely fit the book—light colors, a steaming coffee cup, and a couple in place of a logo on the cup. It was simple, interesting, and gave a good hint at the contents. I also absolutely loved Jane’s little coffee profiles, which were sprinkled throughout the book. They were often funny and seemed accurate, even if I don’t know as much about coffee and the people who drink it as Jane does. I wish that there was an appendix in the back with even more personality descriptions; it’d be fun to consult it before ordering at Starbucks. I expected light and fluffy, and that's exactly what I got. Lisa Moritz, IRS Member

For anyone in need of a quick vampire story fix, Eternal is just the thing. When Miranda's guardian angel Zachary intervenes in her fate, he starts a chain of events that result in her being changed by none other then the current Dracula. In this slightly creepy whirlwind of a story, Miranda and Zachary narrate in alternating chapters: Miranda, trying to "live" the best life she can as a vampire, and Zachary, trying to save her soul. Vampire fans will swoop upon Eternal with delight! Without a doubt, the character of Zachary was the part of the book that kept me reading until the end. He was so ernest and balanced out the darkness of the story very nicely. Rachel Beenken, IRS Member

These days, it seems like a new vampire novel crops up every time you turn around. From Twilight to Vampire Academy to Marked, everyone’s writing about the bloodsucking undead. And it’s getting a little old, really.

Evernight, though superficially different from other novels in the gothic romance theme, is essentially cut from the same cloth. Girl meets boy, they like each other at first sight, but there are secrets that make their relationship difficult. In this case, those secrets involve (surprise, surprise) blood drinking and decapitation. For good measure, Claudia Gray throws in a spooky school filled with odd students and a headmistress who intimidates just about everyone. Oh, and the main character believes herself to be plain and yet still manages to have two attractive guys fighting for her attention.

Sound familiar? If all the teen vampire novels that have come out recently were tossed in a blender, this would basically be the result. In all likelihood, Evernight would delight so-called “Twihards” and the like, but if you’re not a tried-and-true genre fan, stay away. Evernight would simply waste your time. Lisa Moritz, IRS Member

Cadel Piggot is an Australian child prodigy with a penchant for mischief. His parents (or so he though) enroll him in counseling sessions with Dr. Thaddeus Roth, who quickly introduces Caddel to his birth father, Dr. Phineas Darkkon, and guides Caddel's dark intellectual growth as he passes out of high school. Dr. Roth then enrolls Caddel in the Axis Institute, a secret university for Evil Masterminds established by Caddel's father himself. But, despite the Axis being everything Caddel dreamed of on the surface, he can't help but notice strange disappearances and events occurring around himself. Caddel must now rely on his wits to keep himself safe from those who would harm him while attempting to unravel the mysteries surrounding the Axis Institute, and even his own family's tangled past. Jack Kelly, IRS Member

Alberich is back!  Exile’s Valor, part of Mercedes Lackey’s Valdemar series, is the second of two books telling the story of the Karsite Herald.  Valor picks up where Exile’s Honor, its predecessor, left off, after the Tedrel Wars and the death of King Sendar. His daughter, Selenay, is beginning to pick up the reins of power- but her Council doesn’t seem to believe that she can be a good queen, and they’re pushing her to marry. Talamir, the Queen’s Own Herald who is supposed to be her closest advisor, was pulled back from the brink of death after the killing of his Companion, a horse-shaped being with which he shared a deep bond.  Needless to say, he’s not the best of confidantes.

Alberich won acceptance in the Wars, so he’s no longer the target of suspicion for being from Karse. But his work as Selenay’s eyes and ears in the rougher parts of the city of Haven is only getting more complicated. An incident involving two Trainees, a mirror, and some interesting acrobatics leads him to a plot that seems complex- but reaches nowhere. Until an ambassador from one of Valdemar’s neighbors arrives, bringing the answers to Alberich’s questions with him.

Mercedes Lackey is one of my favorite authors, and this book is a prime example of why.  Alberich is a complex character- once an officer in the armies of Valdemar’s greatest enemy, he’s now one of its elite defenders.  While he has adjusted to his new life well, he’s still Karsite at heart, from his worship of the Sunlord to his accent. He’s got a soldier’s take on the world, which means he’s somewhat oblivious when it comes to emotions. (His tentative romance with Herald-Chronicler Myste lightens the book somewhat.)

The content of Valor has been mentioned in Lackey’s original ‘Arrows’ trilogy, but here it is explored in more depth. While the story is not new to Valdemar fans, it is fun to read more about it.  This book is not a stand-alone novel; it would make the most sense to those who have already read at least Arrows Of The Queen, if not most of the rest of the series. Lisa Moritz, IRS Member

Mara Bell lives on her drowning island of Wing, in the year 2100. When the sea takes a huge gulp of the island, Mara feels she must find a way to save the people of Wing. She ends up leading her people in an exodus to a New World City. But her hopes of saving her people are dashed against the wall surrounding the New World City. Mara needs to get inside the New World and get help to save her own people and the Treenesters from the Netherworld and the boat camp outside the city wall filled with decay and death.

It is a new book with a new plot line other than: "The aliens are invading Earth! Run!" And it is a very well written book that has very little fantasy and is very realistic. The cover really is a work of art and very interesting. It reflects the contents by showing the hand of a drowning person and the whirlpool above it; but the hand was also coming above another layer of water reaching for the surface. The most compelling aspects of this book for me would be all of the unique characters in all the different places, and the fact that it’s "the-end-of-the-world," but she wrote it in such a way that is a whole new idea and a whole new way to save the people. Instead of: “Oh my gosh! The aliens are invading Earth!” it’s very realistic and could very well happen. Even though I found it quite sad and depressing, all of the drama and action made up for that. Jordan Hernandez, IRS Member 

In this stunning sequel to Obernewtyn, Elspeth and her Misfit companions start to take the offensive against the tyrannical Council. With their collection of odd abilities, Elspeth and company set off to rescue a powerful new Misfit they have sensed and to scout out a collection of Oldtime books. Elspeth must also deal with the promise she made to destroy the machines that caused the Great White.

From award-winning authors Robin McKinley and Peter Dickinson comes the second collection of short stories focused on one of the classical elements. The first, Water, was a finalist for the World Fantasy Award, and Fire is just as good. These five tales range in setting from a forest in England to a world where dragons travel through the Firespace at will, moving miles in a few wing beats.

Every story is unique, well-crafted, and beautiful, making the collection as a whole a joy to read. To start off, McKinley and Dickinson are fantastic writers on their own, so any collection featuring their stories is bound to be good. The central theme is specific enough to keep a common thread binding all five works, but broad enough that there's a lot of variation between them. As for the cover, I loved the way the fire pattern was the background for the authors' names, cut out of the blackness. It was very simple, but elegant—the swirl of the fire, the slight difference between the title's background and the main image, and even the little curves cut out of the corners around the title.

The variety of the stories was extremely impressive. Each seemed to center around a particular animal, but none of them were the same or even more than slightly similar—a phoenix, dragons, salamanders, a hellhound, and a firework, all unique and intriguing. I particularly liked McKinley's story “First Flight.” Her concept of three-eyed dragons was pleasantly unusual, and one I'd love to read more about. (Perhaps in a novel? That would be cool.) Lisa Moritz, IRS Member

The Firebird fantasy anthologies are always exquisite, and this newest one lives up to its predecessors magnificently. Every story is different, and every one takes the reader to a new world, or a new part of ours. The stories are like a sampling of an author's work, with many excellent writers included. Even the cover, which shows a phoenix-shaped cloud with fire radiating from its underside, represents the contents and the imprint very well. Each Firebird anthology cover has the phoenix and fire on it somewhere, but this edition is particularly creative. Since the title is “Firebirds Soaring,” the cover focuses more on the sky than the previous two have, yet it still incorporates flame in a rather haunting manner.

The greatest aspect of this book is its readability. Because it is a series of short stories, it's easy to put down from time to time, though it is also quite easy to just keep going. There is a story in it for everyone, since the selections range across many branches of fiction. At the end of every story there is a little paragraph by the author about why he or she wrote it, which is very interesting. Inspirations that are shared range from pets to people to sheer literary “accident,” but they all give insights into each writer's mind.--Lisa Moritz, IRS member 

Neil Gaiman’s Sandman comics are small. If you had all of them to hand, you could probably read them in a day or less.  Providing, that is, that you wanted to- which you probably wouldn’t, because along with being creative and brilliant and in all other ways pure Gaiman, The Sandman is a series of dark, heavy little books.

Volume five, A Game of You, is somewhat less so than the books that precede it.  There’s blood, of course, but not so much as in Preludes and Nocturnes. A Game of You is more of a classical fantasy plot.  Barbie, the protagonist, has stopped dreaming- but her dreams aren’t held back by little things like that.  Barbie left before her quest was fulfilled, and the creatures of her dreams are coming into her world to find her. When she does get sucked back into the Land, though, her worried friends follow, causing mayhem in both worlds in the process.

Save for the inescapable bits of oddity that are hallmarks of The Sandman, this plot would have made a fine short story, or perhaps even a novel. Some of the odd twists, though, make it the kind of story only Gaiman and the Sandman can get away with.

Though it’s the fifth volume, A Game of You would make a good starting place, a sampler for a reader not yet sure about the series. Lisa Moritz, IRS Member

Who hasn't imagined being able to read minds? Davy, the main character of Peter Dickinson's The Gift, can do just that. Only his power isn't such a good thing. For one thing, he can only see images- he never gets words. For another, he can't control it. The images enter his mind whether he wants them or not- though most often not. And the gift has traditionally brought whoever has it to grief. It shows Davy that his entire family is in danger, but what can a 14-year-old boy do? I found this book haunting, spooky and disturbing. When Davy begins to see images from Wolf's mind, I almost shut the book. It's just plain creepy. Peter Dickinson has a talent for the disturbingly believable--which in this case only makes things worse. I definitely did not enjoy this book as much as I enjoyed some of the author's other work. Another thing often present in Dickinson's books is a moral of sorts. In The Gift, it's very much buried--if there even is one. All in all, I don't think this book lives up to the precedents set by his other writing, and I was very disappointed. Lisa Moritz, IRS Member

The Hollow Kingdom completely shocked me. It started out as a supernatural quasi-romance, and turned into a much more intriguing story. Kate, the older of two orphaned sisters who move to the country after their father’s death, has a funny feeling that someone is watching her…probably because someone is. His name is Marak, and she is instinctively afraid of him. At first, it seems that this book might go the way of Twilight, with a romance that overcomes danger and authority. But Marak is consistently menacing, not charming, and Kate steadfastly opposes him. Kate’s corpulent guardian also has plans for the young woman, though his plots revolve around finding a way to claim her land for his own. When he goes a step too far, Kate appeals to Marak for help—and receives it at the cost of her freedom. And though this could very well have been the ending, it is in fact where the real story begins.

Kate and Marak are two of the strongest, most well-defined characters to be found in young adult fantasy today. They hold strong opinions and beliefs, which often puts them at odds. In Marak’s case, his lack of scruples makes him a highly unusual protagonist and a better character for it. Kate’s strong will gets her both into and out of scrapes; she’s no shrinking violet. The magic wielded by characters in this book is unusual, powerful, and fascinating. All in all, The Hollow Kingdom is a truly original work, and I look forward to the rest of the series. Lisa Moritz, IRS Member

Behind the slightly promiscuous title of Hot and Bothered lies Annie Downey’s light romance about a single mom and her quest for love. The book follows the mother’s hectic life as she cares for her two children all while attempting to control her insane family and keep a host of suitors (with varying degrees of zaniness themselves) at bay.

 It never ceases to be amusing through its sharp wit and mimicry of the heroine’s frantic thought process through the series of overwhelming situations she manages to get herself into. Added to the book’s appeal is its barrage of unique characters, all loveable but with their own particular abnormalities. There is the overbearing mother, the best friend misguided in her attempts to help, the guy that seems nice but is really all wrong (and an Alaskan tour guide at that), and of course the perfect guy who just seems to have the worst timing. All of these come together around this recently divorced mother of two, herself a short and bubbly character with a propensity for pink clogs and getting herself into sticky situations.

Although the plot can be guessed within the first few pages and contains most of the typical archetypes of a good romance, Downey did an excellent job of adding enough quirky twists to the characters that the reader doesn’t feel as though they’re just reading a repeat of the latest “chick flick.” This, combined with her fresh writing style and clever use of words, makes Hot and Bothered an excellent summer read. It is perfect for enjoying while relaxing on vacation or just taking a break from life by becoming immersed in this frantic, hilarious, and satisfying tale. Laura Pape, IRS Member

A second sequel to Jones' first novel, Howl's Moving Castle , House of Many Ways is a spectacular return to Ingary, Jones' fictional location the novels. Enter Charmain, a “respectable” (read: spoiled) young woman whose main interest in the world is books. Her Great-Uncle William, the Royal Wizard Norland, has fallen ill and must taken to be treated by the elves, and so Charmain is roped into tending his house while he is gone. At the same time, she applies to assist in the Royal Library, and is thus inducted into an investigation of the disappearance of the Royal Family's gold. Howl and family soon arrive and assist in the investigation, but in some ways only cause more chaos. Charmain must learn the secrets of her Great-Uncles house, master a few spells, find the King's Gold, deal with some particularly nasty kobolds, and an even nastier Lubbock. Combine with Jones' fantastic writing style and you have a great way to spend a handful of afternoons. Jack Kelly, IRS Member

Howl’s Moving Castle may well be one of the greatest young adult novels ever written.  It is the story of Sophie, cursed by the Witch of the Waste to be old before her time, who sets off to find the Witch and break the curse.  Along the way she runs into Howl Jenkins, a wizard known for eating the hearts of beautiful girls, and Calcifer, a fire demon who promises to free her if she releases him from his contract with Howl.  In pursuit of this goal, Sophie becomes the ‘cleaning lady’ for Howl’s castle, and ends up having adventures that were not in the job description.

Japanese director and animator Hayao Miyazaki made Howl’s Moving Castle into an acclaimed film, but book and movie differ vastly.  Fans of the screen version may be disappointed with differences in characters and plot, but this doesn’t mean it’s not possible to enjoy both.  Diana Wynne Jones’s story is clever and funny, and her characters vivid and engaging.  (With chapter titles like ‘In Which Howl Expresses His Feelings With Green Slime’, even the table of contents is funny.)  Without a doubt, this book is and shall remain a classic. Lisa Moritz, IRS Member

When I saw the number of chapters in Ill Wind, I was convinced that I was wrong. After all, if it really only had five sections, they’d average close to seventy pages each—and that was crazy. Surely there was a rational explanation.

Well, there was: There’s simply no place to stop in Rachel Caine’s lengthy, fast-paced chapters.  It’s hard enough to pause at the end of one—or even at the end of the book. A pause in the middle of this storm of adventure would be useless, because you’d have to read “just one more chapter”…and everyone knows how that goes.

Caine’s plot is fantastic, showing a complex world and full of twists, turns, and outright reversals. Joanne, the protagonist, is a character with depth, both of personality and of problems. She’s not all-powerful, she’s not perfect, and she makes mistakes. These things make her realistic; her control over weather, love of fast cars, and jaded wit make her entertaining. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series. Lisa Moritz, IRS Member

Lucy Scarborough is 17, pregnant and cursed, as were all of her previous ancestors. In order to break the curse that will drive her insane after she has her child, she must complete three impossible tasks set before her in the song "The Elfin Knight." Where her mother, grandmother, great grandmother and so on only had the lyrics to help them, Lucy has so much more. She has her uber protective foster parents, Leo and Soledad and her life long friend Zach Greenfield, who might be more than a friend.

Orson Scott Card is an acknowledged master of science fiction. With more than forty books in print and various awards to his name, there is no doubt that he is a man of expansive imagination and nigh-unbelievable talent. However, not until one reads one of his anthologies is it possible to comprehend the breadth of Card’s astonishing skill.

Keeper Of Dreams touches on everything from dragons to parallel worlds to Davy Crockett and even a bet between God and Satan. From “50 WPM”, a father’s recounting of how his best friend saved his life, to “Space Boy”, in which a little boy travels to another planet to rescue his mother, these stories are ordinary and bizarre, comforting and jarring, innovative and sweet. In Keeper Of Dreams, there is a tale for everyone, no matter their age, gender, or outlook on life. Lisa Moritz, IRS Member

This unique historical fiction book tells the story of Catherine Howard. Catherine is just a girl of 15 when she marries King Henry. Although the story takes place so long ago, the reader still feels connected to Catherine and to all of the characters, as if the story were happening today. Readers will feel sympathy for her. Throughout the whole book Catherine is told what to do, and she is never able to decide anything for herself. When everyone finds out about her past and her affair with Thomas Culpepper, she is left out to dry. Even her own family doesn't protect her.

The title and the cover, showing a girl holding a rose, will intrigue readers. Even the font fits with the time period. Though readers who know history will know what happens to Catherine Howard in the end, they will still be glued to the book. The writing is very descriptive, especially about the gowns and jewels that Catherine wears. The relationship portrayed between Catherine and Thomas is amazing because of how much they loved each other, even though they could never truly be together because Catherine was married to the King.

The part with Anne Boleyn at the end is especially interesting. Because she and Catherine are cousins they share a bond, and they are the only ones of King Henry's queens to be executed. Another interesting thing about the book is that it showed a different side to King Henry, how being a king changed him into a person who, even though he is king, really isn't allowed to make any decisions for himself. A lot of what he does is horrible, but readers can feel some sympathy for him.

This wonderful book will appeal to all kinds of teens. It has the perfect mix of romance, history, and all of the makings of greatness. Most teens don't look twice at historical fiction, but the way this book combines history with an appealing story will attract them. --Megan Ryssman, IRS member

Here’s a quick summary of this review:  Go and read Little Brother now.  Don’t bother with my thoughts on it; just go find it this instant and devour it.  Absorb the words and take them in, because Little Brother is a story for our times.  It’s a story of our times.

It starts when Marcus, a 17 year-old amateur hacker, cuts school along with three friends.  Inadvertently, this escape coincides with a major terrorist attack, putting them very much in the wrong place at the wrong time.  They are apprehended by the Department of Homeland Security and subjected to brutal ‘questioning’ for days on end.

When they are released, Marcus is first overjoyed to be home and then outraged.  During his captivity, his city has been drastically changed.  Every citizen’s movement is tracked, every word of dissent noted, every internet access logged.  Furious at what has happened to his freedom-loving home, Marcus starts to fight back, with every hacker trick in the book.

What really gives this book its kick is this:  No date is ever given.  The technology described is all current, the politics familiar.  Little Brother is the story of something that could happen tomorrow, or in ten years, or in a hundred.  The idea that our world could easily turn into Marcus’s is not a comforting one.

But at the same time, there’s hope.  Just as the bad parts of Marcus’s world could be right around the corner, the good parts are already around us.  There always have been and always will be people willing to fight for what they believe in by any means possible.  They’re the ones who take the Declaration of Independence literally when it says that it is ‘the right of the people to alter or abolish’ the government if it no longer protects their life, liberty, and happiness.  Most of the time, we think these people are fringe wackjobs—but  someday, like Marcus, they might save us from ourselves. Lisa Moritz, IRS Member

The Magic of Recluce is a contradiction of a book. It is confusing and logical, mythical and scientific, dull and engrossing. In short, it is both ordered and chaotic- which is exactly how it should be.

Order and chaos are central focuses of the book; more specifically, the conflict and balance between them. Lerris, the first person narrator, comes from Recluce, an island ruled by black-garbed magisters. On Recluce, perfection is the law. Should anything be less than flawless, it would let chaos in. What, exactly, this means is not explained. It is this kind of writing that makes the book confusing. Modesitt writes as if his readers know exactly what he means, and rarely if ever explains the intricacies of this complicated world. Thankfully, Lerris is almost as much in the dark as the reader (though he does at times make jumps in reasoning that suggest he has more knowledge than he shows).

The Magic of Recluce is not light reading; it requires considerable effort to understand the plot, setting, and unusual system of magic. Nothing really comes together until the final half of the book, at which point it becomes both much more readable and much more interesting. Lisa Moritz, IRS Member

I also wrote a review on The Caves of Steel by Isaac Asimov. The Naked Sun is the next book in Asimov’s Robot Series. The Naked Sun follows the same character our New York detective Elijah Bailey. Elijah is asked to come to the world of Solaria by the spacers, people who inhabit planets other than earth, who remember their experiences with the detective in past years. Elijah is sent by Earth to not only solve the case but to observe the spacers. Earth has had almost no contact with the spacers and tensions are building up about a possible Spacer invasion. Elijah arrives on Solaria to find an alien society. People live on huge estates and never actually see each other. Each person has thousands of robots at their disposal to do their every whim. With people never actually being near each other, the ability for a person to kill another person is almost impossible. That leaves only one option for the murderer, the robots, which is also impossible.  Elijah is teamed up with his robotic partner from his last murder on Earth. As Elijah conducts his investigation the murderer strikes again and begins to target Elijah. Elijah must learn to adjust to the new culture and solve the murder before he is the next victim.

            Reading The Caves of Steel is not a requirement to read The Naked Sun, but it does help to understand the society on Earth. I didn’t think that The Naked Sun was as good as The Caves of Steel but it was a very good book. This book is very physiological mystery; the solution is logical and neat. The mystery almost takes a back seat to the exploration of the culture that Elijah embarks upon. I had a hard time connecting with the book because I had a very hard time seeing our society becoming so isolated, but the exploration was still interesting. The science fiction elements of the book were very well put together creating a complex but understandable society. Over all I give this book a three out of five stars. Tyler Rudolph, IRS Member

Zara has a creepy stalker—a creepy stalker that leaves no footprints, but instead a mysterious trail of gold dust. A creepy stalker that may or may not be a pixie...

When Zara moves to Maine to live with her step-grandmother after her step-father dies, she meets new people, not all of them nice. In this exciting read, Zara faces her fears and learns the truth behind her family and the evil pixies that are watching her every step. The cover is interesting; I think it provides some useful foreshadowing. The title headings for each chapter add to the story. I love how they were different phobias that kind of hinted at a theme of each chapter. A problem is that in the final scene it was very hard to keep who was changed and who was in human form straight. They kept switching and the author didn't keep up. But overall, this is a great and a fun read! Rachel Malone, IRS Member

Cole may look like an ordinary 18 year-old, but he's been around for ages. Normally a loner, struggling to live in the present, he gets called to New York to train a new hemovore by taking him along on a road trip and trying to get him to cut ties with all that he knows. What Cole doesn't expect is for Gordon, the trainee, to ruffle his usually cool demeanor.

This gripping tale is exciting and thought-provoking as Cole, Sandor, and Gordon travel on the road. The cover is neat and slightly symbolic. The questions Cole asks himself and Cole’s flashbacks are always interesting and the book is paced really well. While it is exciting there isn't a whole lot of action, but that’s okay with me. Rachel Malone, IRS Member

New York City, Greek mythology, and family secrets: these are the ingredients of Katherine Marsh’s The Night Tourist. This modernized retelling of the Orpheus myth centers around Jack Perdu, a teenager who lives with his professor father at Yale University. After a near-fatal car crash, Jack’s father sends him to see a doctor in New York. In the city he meets Euri, a mysterious girl who might just be able to reunite Jack with his mother. But since his mother died eight years earlier, something odd is going on…

This book is a fast read, with a quick pace and intriguing concepts. It’s not hard for a reader well-versed in mythology to predict the ending, but there are a few twists and turns along the way. At times, locations are described in such a confusing way that a reader may want to consult a map of New York to find out what’s going on, but generally this is not necessary.

While not challenging or overly original, The Night Tourist is fun—perhaps for those very reasons. Marsh’s writing flows well, and the plot rarely drags. Some of the characters Jack and Euri meet add comic relief to what might be a dark tale. This book would be good for upper elementary and middle school readers. Lisa Moritz, IRS Member

Isobelle Carmody’s Obernewtyn is definitely one of the well-imagined post-apocalyptic novels I have ever read. “The Great White” reshaped the world long before the book is set, and its contamination has created “Misfits” like Elspeth Gordie. In a society where even the slightest deviation from normalcy can be cause enough for burning by a fanatical religious leadership, her ability to sense thoughts must always be kept hidden. She’s managed fairly well in an orphanage, and her brother has even been chosen for the priesthood. All that changes when a woman from the mountains visits the orphanage. She comes from the shadowy Obernewtyn, a place whose name is used by parents to scare their children into good behavior. Obernewtyn takes Misfits and puts them to work, but there are rumors of darker doings. Somehow, the woman from Obernewtyn knows that Elspeth is a Misfit and takes her away into the mountains. There she discovers a plan that threatens to destroy the world again, and a group of people more like her than she had ever imagined.

While Elspeth is not the strongest of characters, her world is more than intriguing enough to make up for the lack. It seems clear that the “Great White” was a nuclear war, but some of the machines hinted at are unfamiliar, and so the reader wonders. Obernewtyn is the first volume of a series, and so its primary purpose would seem to be setting up the characters and their world, to be developed further in later books. It certainly serves as a good introduction, and I look forward to reading the rest of the series. Lisa Moritz, IRS Member

In this story, set in the rougher sections of New York City, Mika Sykes is a hearing-impaired highschool outcast; Jimmi Sixes is an 18-year-old already burned-out war vet and poet-artist; and Fatima Esperer is an illegal immigrant who has come to earn her family's passage to America. The paths of all three intertwine as Mika and Fatima are urged on by Jimmi to make "the most wonderful thing" for the community while the book counts down to Jimmi's brutal hanging. 

The writing style is enjoyable and you can relate to the characters, but the novel is missing something. It is a one-time read, which is a fine thing to be in today's literary field, but I would not read it a second time. Interestingly enough, the most motivating part of the book for continuing to read is the brief blurb at the beginning of each chapter counting down to Jimmi's hanging. Amazingly, it is then able to continue on its own momentum for several more chapters after that occurs. Jack Kelly, IRS Member

Second review:

Carly has grown up in a world of money and privilege, but doesn't like to concern herself with those kinds of things. She strives to be real, but when her little sister Anna grows into a smokin' hot little chick, she finds herself becoming jealous. As she makes her way through her sophomore year in high school she finds herself confused by boys, her sister, her parents, and her friends. In this clever story, Myracle navigates the tumultuous waters of sisterhood and the complications that come with high school.

For the first three volumes, D. J. MacHale’s Pendragon books have been fairly predictable.  Protagonist is introduced to strange new worlds, has adventures, battles Great Big Evil a few times, makes new friends, etcetera.  It would be easy for this series to become ten different versions of “Bobby Pendragon saves the day!” However, The Reality Bug, book four, provides a nice burst of…well, reality.

Bobby’s still trying to deal with a crisis of conscience when he receives word that Veelox needs help--but when he arrives there, he is curtly informed by the resident Traveler that everything is under control. It’s not, though, and it soon becomes clear that in this situation, the cure is worse than the disease.

The Reality Bug has the most twists and turns of any Pendragon book so far, right up to an ending that very neatly  breaks any existing pattern. As a bonus, Mark Dimond and Courtney Chetwyndy become more than secondary characters, and MacHale explores the mysterious “Acolytes.” It’s good to see some depth added to the worlds of Halla. If the rest of the series builds in complexity like The Reality Bug, it’ll only get better. Lisa Moritz, IRS Member

Savvy is a Southern, freewheeling romp of a book.  It’s lighthearted and light reading, and it’s great fun too. The story starts not long before Mibs Beaumont’s thirteenth birthday, the day when she will discover her ‘savvy’. Everyone in her family has a special talent—her grandmother could “can” sound; her grandfather creates new places; and her two older brothers create hurricanes and electricity.  Mibs can’t wait to discover her own savvy- until her Papa is in a car crash a few days before she turns thirteen. Even a savvy takes second stage to that—to the point that Mibs, two of her brothers, and the preacher’s kids hop a bus to the hospital…only to find it going the wrong way!

This book won a Newbery Honor Medal, and it’s easy to see why. In essence, it’s a story about ordinary people, with just a bit of a magical twist. The basic parts of the plot could conceivably happen anywhere, to anyone. There are few readers who can’t sympathize with Mibs’s desire to help her Papa and recognize that, while her methods may be unorthodox, her motivation is common:  Love. Lisa Moritz, IRS Member

Susan Cooper is probably best known for her Dark Is Rising sequence, but she deserves equal acclaim for Seaward. The book reminded me a little of Phillip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy, except a bit lighter. Cooper's protagonists travel through a magical land, aware that there are two great forces working around and through them. Taranis, a lady who always dresses in blue, attempts to hinder them in their quest to reach the sea. Lugan, cloaked in gold, does his best to help. But when West and Cally, the two young travelers, reach their destination neither power can help them choose where their lives will lead next. I found this book enchanting. It starts with little or no explanation of events, which serves to draw the reader in. Nothing more is revealed, except in hints and chance phrases that confuse and tantalize, until the end of the book. Even then, certain characters are left to the reader's imagination. This is a rather small book, but every page is a treasure. It is the kind of book that anyone and everyone should read and savor. Lisa Moritz, IRS Member

Alison Croggon’s Pellinor tetrology began with an extraordinary novel, The Naming.  Now, to the delight of fans across the world, it concludes in The Singing. Resolution is finally here—but now the series is over, too.

As the book opens, Maerad and Cadvan are arriving in Innail, a welcoming Bard School they passed through once before. They’re on their way to find Hem, Maerad’s brother- but when the powerful elemental called the Landrost attacks the walls of the school, what might have been a short and restful stay turns chaotic. The battle is desperate, but Maerad manages to turn it in their favor…at the cost of her friends’ trust.

Meanwhile Hem, Saliman and Irk travel north only days ahead of the Nameless One’s army.  For brother, sister, and their companions it is a race to reunite before Sharma finds them. But even then their work isn’t done, because the mystery of the Treesong must be solved if Edil-Amarandh is to be saved…

This amazing series was Croggon’s entrance into the world of fantasy novels, and I can only hope that it isn’t also her exit. Edil-Amarandh is an immensely detailed world, clearly showing much thought and effort on the author’s part.  The Elidhu elementals, too, hint at vast depths of imagination and skill; they are essentially wild, forces of nature, and are portrayed very well. Maerad and Cadvan, the two central protagonists, are not perfect- each carries secrets and guilt, and they often fight.  In this way their relationship is realistic; they don’t just magically get along. Maerad’s struggle with her feelings for Arkan, the Ice Witch who held her captive, adds another element to an already unusual story.

The Pellinor books are, hands down, some of the best YA literature around. The Singing is the icing on a confection of story- the perfect finish to such a wondrous work. Lisa Moritz, IRS Member

Anne Ursu’s Cronus Chronicles are a delight to read. She brings a modern twist to the ancient Greek gods, with characters who are both likeable and funny. Her prose is light and deft, switching perspectives and moods with enviable grace.

The Siren Song is the second volume of the Cronus Chronicles.  As it begins, cousins Zee and Charlotte are dealing with the consequences of their last adventure.  Of course, having saved the world, they feel that being grounded until age forty (Charlotte) and treated like glass (Zee) is rather unjust.  But, then again, all their parents know is that they snuck out at night.  Regardless, things are mostly back to normal…until a man in an aqua suit shows up; Charlotte’s parents win a free cruise, and Zee begins acting strangely.  Something fishy is definitely going on, and this time Charlotte will have to face it all by herself.

Ursu captures the outlooks of Charlotte, Zee, and Philonecron absolutely perfectly; when she switches from one to another it’s almost as if the characters themselves are writing.  Her senses of humor and of irony are finely honed and deftly used.  This is a wonderful read for anyone who loves Greek mythology- bit it would doubtless charm any reader. Lisa Moritz, IRS Member

In a time when the environment is increasingly a source of concern, the works of author and naturalist Jean Craighead George are very important. She is best known for My Side Of The Mountain and Julie Of The Wolves, but The Talking Earth deserves equal acclaime. It is the story of Billie Wind, a Seminole Indian girl who doesn't believe in the old ways of her people. Sent out into the Everglades as a punishment, she learns that not only do animals talk, they give important messages to those who listen. I found this book inspiring. Billie's survivial depends on her ingenuity and her ability to read the land. And not only does she survive, she thrives. Through many difficulties, she learns about the importance of conservation and the uniqueness of the Earth. The message of conservation is present throughout the book, but it is never preachy. It is communicated through animals and Billie's unique experiences, which makes it somehow more real. Rather than read about the Everglades and the importance of protecting them, we see it through Billie's eyes and the eyes of her animal friends. Lisa Moritz, IRS Member

Agent Six of Hearts has a past that he must always hide: He was not born like all other people--he was an illegal experiment. When the Deck, the justice seeking organization that he belongs to, starts to investigate the lab where he was created, Six finds himself between the world he was created for and the world that he lives in.

I couldn't help but read this book straight through, it was so well written. I felt like I was there with Six through jarring action and horrifying discoveries. One does not have to be a super spy to see that this book is for thriller lovers everywhere. Rachel Beenken, IRS Member

If  A Wizard Of Earthsea was lyrical and as strong as the tides, then The Tombs Of Atuan is majestic and bittersweet, like dark chocolate. Told entirely from the point of view of Arha, high priestess to the Nameless Ones, it is as haunting as the title promises. Arha--the name means "Eaten One"--cannot remember who she was before coming to the temple at age five. All she has known is life in The Place Of The Tombs, always aware that she will eventually become the most powerful one in the Place. In time, this certainty becomes an arrogant, possessive attitude towards her position and the Labyrinth only she and her chosen may enter. But when an outsider from the West enters her tunnels and shines light where there should be none, Arha's life is changed. Arha herself changes throughout the book, and her evolving character is one of the book's finest qualities. The shift from arrogant, confident and satisfied priestess to curious, fearful, defiant girl is skillfully done and completely believable. Another thing I enjoyed about this book is that it could easily stand alone. Though Ged, the main character of A Wizard Of Earthsea, appears in this book it focuses on Arha; one does not need to have read A Wizard Of Earthsea to understand it- though I highly recommend both books. Lisa Moritz, IRS Member

Education is everything, especially if you live in the city that Tack does. The system is corrupt, the teachers cruel, and those who have left school are left to their own devices...and for some such as the Truancy leader Zyid, their own devices are deadly. When Zyid kills someone close to Tack, he is ready for revenge and in order to get this, he must join the Truancy himself.

I could not believe, when I started this book, that it was written by a fifteen-year-old. The richness in writing style is advanced far beyond what anyone could have ever expected and I could say the very same about the brilliant plot. I was not disappointed with the book at all, particularly the climax, which is practically cinema-worthy. Rachel Beenken, IRS Member

The world where the story is set is so close to our own, yet set in a time that's not quite defined. In this world, education is absolute and students suffer constantly. It is a very creative setting for a story that is half gunslinger, half martial arts, with a little bit of everything else mixed in. A derelict New York city is where the story is set.

There was not really too much that I was disappointed with, except that maybe the story was a tad bit too violent for my taste. However, for a person who does like this format of plot, I think that there would be nothing bad to say. Rachel Beenken, IRS Member

The only word for The Unnameables is, well, “unusual.” Ellen Booraem’s debut novel combines a modern-day society more old-fashioned than the Amish with a creature out of Greek mythology, and the result is an excellent book.

Medford Runyuin is cursed by his name. He lives on Island, where everything is named for its use, and to be Useless is the worst fate for any of its citizens. Medford is the only one whose last name isn’t ‘Carpenter’ or ‘Learned’ or ‘Fisher’, and it has made his life difficult. As if growing up a foundling wouldn’t have been hard enough already! And to make matters worse, not long after he assumes a trade and might have found his place on Island, a creature called the Goatman takes up residence under his porch. The Goatman is a nosy being, too, and it doesn’t take him long to unearth Medford’s deepest secret…the thing that could get Medford banished from Island forever.

Medford’s struggles with fitting in are something everyone has faced at one time or another. He’s an understandable, likeable character and easy to sympathize with- unlike some of the other, stiff Islanders. The Goatman acts as a kind of odd mentor, along with providing comic relief. And of course, the lesson about the importance of art and self-expression will resonate with all readers. Lisa Moritz, IRS Member

Far into the Not-So-Distant future, the conflict between the Pro-Life and Pro-Choice groups boils over into the Heartland War. At its end, the two parties reconcile their differences by establishing the act of “Unwinding,” or “Belated Abortion.” Children must be born to term, but between the agse of 13 and 18 parents have the right to Unwind them, an unspecified process which leaves the child “alive, but as part of someone else.” This is the basic premise for the setting of Unwind. The story opens on Connor, a teen whose parents have recently signed the order to have him unwound. However, he runs before he can be taken away to be unwound. On the run, he meets two other Unwinds (the semi-derogatory term for teens in Connor's situation): Risa, a ward of the state being unwound to free up space in the foster home, and Lev, a willing unwind who is to be a tithe to his family's church. Banding together, the Connor and Risa look to find a way to survive to 18, while Lev seeks to get his life back on track. The pacing of the novel is very well done, and Shusterman has a certain knack for putting the reader in a character's head. Unfortunately, for all its redeeming points, the backstory (The Heartland War) was just too big a pill to swallow- such a conflict, and its resolution, would be unlikely to occur. As a light-reading piece, Unwind is thoroughly “okay;” but it does show promise as a philosophical discussion piece focusing on the origin and nature of a “soul.” Jack Kelly, IRS Member

In this age of ever-advancing technology, I suppose it was only a matter of time before some writer decided that magic should go digital. That writer, as it turns out, is Kelly McCullough- and he makes that transition gloriously.

WebMage’s protagonist is Ravirn, descendant of one of the three immortal Fates, the women who spin, measure, and cut the threads of human life. He’s also a gifted hacker, which is how he works magic. His spells are in code, his familiar shapeshifts into a laptop, and he scorns the ‘old ways’ of blood and ritual. Unfortunately, he’s also at odds with Atropos, the Fate who cuts the threads (and his great aunt).  He refuses to debug a program for her, and in revenge she sends her assassins after him…and curses him so that he can’t tell anyone.

Though most of Ravirn’s spellcasting went right over my head, heavy as it was with computer jargon, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. His world is, well…cool, dangers included. The adaptation of magic to technology is well-handled and plausible, and it works very well. The goddess Chaos, who shows up late in the book, is an excellent character, and the twist she introduces very neatly sweeps Ravirn’s feet out from under him when he thinks he’s almost won. This novel will appeal to the geek in everyone- and even if there’s no nerd under your skin, there’s enough action to satisfy any reader. Lisa Moritz, IRS Member

I will admit I was biased toward Winter Moon from the very beginning. Mercedes Lackey is one of my all-time favorite authors; I’ve read Tanith Lee before and enjoy her books; and C.E. Murphy’s ideas intrigue me. So, naturally, I had high expectations for anthology created by these three women. As it turned out, my expectations weren’t high enough.

Quite simply, Winter Moon blew me away. The creativity inherent in each of the three novellas was astonishing, the worlds created therein clearly deeply developed, and the characters complex and conflicted. Lackey’s “Moontide” was rich in irony and clever plans; Lee’s “The Heart of the Moon” featured a heroine unusually flawed for a fantasy character; and Murphy’s “Banshee Cries” was just…cool. I mean, who doesn’t like the idea of urban magic?

The only thread connecting these three tales is the winter moon that always plays a part. They are each wholly original, vivid and very real in themes of trust, redemption, and acceptance. Lisa Moritz, IRS Member

Reflected through the eyes of a very sick girl, 18-year-old Lia, and tying in the story of her friend who has just died, this book deals openly and clearly with the deep-rooted issues of eating disorders. It doesn’t shy away from the frightening aspects or dance around the emotions or deceptions underlying the problems that allow them to continue. It is a book that will make readers cringe away from how brutally gritty it is. It is terrifyingly honest, though stops short of being too extreme to read. The characters have problems; these problems are shown clearly and discussed, and though this transparent depiction of disorders that are disturbing in their magnitude can make one want to close the book, it never crosses that line, and readers will come back.

Eating disorders are extremely present in modern life, but it takes a certain kind of literary courage which Laurie Halse Anderson possesses to write a story about them. This is an unflinching novel with a cover that is, in a word, eerie. On it, Lia looks as if she is wrapped in plastic and at the same time as if she were frozen, one eye covered by loose hair but the other staring out with astounding intensity. The cover and the subject matter will draw readers in from the start, urging them to learn who this person is, and what made her look at the world with such a lost expression. At times, readers will want to scream at the characters for being so stupid.--Lisa Moritz, IRS member