“Hold Me Closer, Necromancer” by Lish McBride

This book has really impressed some of my librarian friends, so I thought I would read it for myself.

Sam is a normal guy, working fast food, just trying to make a living, when he runs into Douglas.  Sam is immediately creeped out by Douglas, though he’s not sure why.  Turns out that Douglas is an incredibly powerful necromancer – and he recognizes Sam as one too.  Suddenly, Sam has an undead friend, a werewolf, and a spirit guide on his hands while he tries to avoid falling into Douglas’s clutches.  Will Sam be able to fly under the radar?  Or will Douglas see him as a threat and kill him?

This book was really funny.  I know it seems weird to say that, after the review up above, but it’s true.   Sam really felt like a regular guy, which made me like him instantly.  Not to mention his buddies are pretty funny, Douglas is a really well-written villain, and it’s not too gorey.  If you like your supernatural with some humor, this book is definitely for you.  I really enjoyed it, and I give it a 9.5.

Read-A-Likes:  Rot and Ruin by Jonathan Maberry (funny, the undead), The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong (necromancy, regular kids and magic), The Alchemyst by Michael Scott (regular kids and magic, the undead/necromancy)

“Spell Bound” by Rachel Hawkins

This is the third (and final?) book in the Hex Hall series.

Sophie has had her powers locked down, and the last time she saw Archer, Cal and her father, they were in the vicinity of the burning Thorne Abbey.  She was sent to her mortal enemies, the Brannicks, and can be possessed by a ghost.  Life can’t get any weirder, right?  Except for Lara Casnoff, whose grand plan is to turn all Prodigium into demons to “protect” the magical community.  Will Sophie be able to retrieve her powers and stop the Casnoffs?  Or are her friends and family doomed?

This book had a lot of running around, but not much story advancement.  Nonetheless, Sophie still has her sense of humor and her friends are still true.  If you’ve enjoyed the series thus far, you will love this third (final?) book in the Hex Hall series.  I for one will be looking forward to Hawkins’ next novel for young adults.  I give this one an 8.5.

Read-A-Likes:  Hex Hall and Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins (books 1 and 2), I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter (funny heroine, teen love), Prom Dates from Hell by Rosemary Clement-Moore (funny heroine, magic), Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead (strong heroine, true friendships, vamipres)

“Bruiser” by Neal Shusterman

This book is on this year’s Florida Teens Read list for high school.

Bronte and Tennyson are typical siblings. When Bronte decides she wants to date Brewster, Tennyson is worried for his sister, because Brew has a reputation that includes a “Most Likely to Receive the Death Penalty” as voted on by his peers. But as brother and sister get to know Brewster, they must start believing in the impossible – and to protect Brew before it’s too late.

This one wasn’t as graphic as Unwind, but it had the same elements – teens trying to figure out who they are and own their lives. The ethical and moral dilemmas of having a friend like Brewster are the types of things teens struggle with all the time, so I felt like that part was realistic. It was a little too angsty for my taste, so I give this one a 7.5.

Read-A-Likes: Everlost by Neal Shusterman, If I Stay by Gayle Forman, The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson

“The Strange Case of Origami Yoda” by Tom Angleberger

This is one of the middle school books on the Sunshine State Young Readers list this year.

Dwight is the weird kid in the class – he shouts random words to be annoying, he wears embarrassing clothes, and now he’s got an origami Yoda puppet that he refuses to take off his hand. When Yoda starts dispensing advice that seems like magic, can Tommy trust Yoda’s advice about a girl he likes? Or will he be publicly humiliated in front of his entire school?

This was an odd little book. It’s written like a case study, so much of the story happens in the past. Tommy wants to believe in origami Yoda, while his friend Harvey doesn’t believe in him at all. It was a minor problem to write a novel about, but I enjoyed the pictures and different fonts for each character. This is definitely one for middle schoolers, not high schoolers, and I give it a 5.5.

Read-A-Likes (lots of drawings throughout the story): The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick, The Chronicles of Harris Burdick: Fourteen Amazing Authors Tell the Tales by Chris Van Allsburg, Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

“Cinder” by Marissa Meyer

This is a new take on the Cinderella story.

Sisxteen year-old Cinder is the most respected mechanic in New Beijing. Only her closest family knows she’s also part cyborg. When Prince Kai visits her in the marketplace, begging her to fix his broken android, she intends to do only that. But when Cinder’s stepmother volunteers Cinder for medical research to save her sister, discoveries are made that could overturn everything Cinder has ever known and endanger Earth.

This was an amazing book! It’s light sci-fi, and it was so interesting. Cinder is a strong character, and I loved how she and Kai become friends. The only downside to this book was knowing that we have to wait until next year for the next one to come out. A 9.5 from me for a really new, unique and remarkable book.

Read-A-Likes: Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor, Before Midnight: A Retelling of "Cinderella" by Cameron Dokey, Feed by M. T. Anderson

“Borderline” by Allan Stratton

This book is on this year’s Florida Teens Read list for high school.

Sami is always out of place. As a Muslim in a mostly white community, he’s been the target of racism most of his life. But when his father is arrested and accused of plotting with a terrorist, Sami knows it’s time to find out what really happened – even if it means his own death.

I didn’t think I was going to like this book, but I really did. Sami is a smart guy, just trying to live his life without getting beaten up, and dealing with his super strict father. The bullying felt realistic, as did the FBI’s raid on Sami’s house. And the racism from the adults in the book felt realistic too (sad as that is). Anyone who likes real life fiction would like this book. I give it an 8.5 out of 10.

Read-A-Likes: Purple Heart by Patricia McCormick, Efrain's Secret by Sofia Quintero, The Last Summer Of The Death Warriors by Francisco X. Stork

“Out of Sight, Out of Time” by Ally Carter

This is the fifth Gallagher Girls book.

Cammie wakes up in a convent in the Alps – and realizes she doesn’t remember the summer. At all. She doesn’t even remember if the Circle is still after her. But things are almost worse at home – her friends are awkward around her, her mother and aunt are dealing with the trustees, and there may be a leak in the CIA. The only way to keep everyone safe is to retrace Cammie’s steps last summer, following clues Cammie left behind. Will they be able to protect a secret they don’t even know from the people who would do anything to obtain it?

This one is a bit more serious than the other GG books. While it is never explicitly spelled out, many of the adults in Cammie’s life think she was tortured, based on the condition of her body when they find her in the fall. Also, with her friends mad at her, Cammie doesn’t have the support system she’s used to having at school. But she is one of the strongest young women in teen fiction, and I’m really excited for the (I’m assuming) next book. I give it a 9 out of 10.

Read-A-Likes: I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter (the first Gallagher Girls book), Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins, The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong

“Wonder Struck” by Brian Selznick

This book is by the author of the Invention of Hugo Cabret.

Ben has lived in Minnesota for as long as he can remember. One day he decides to leave for New York City, where his mother’s notes and pictures suggest his father might be living. Rose also runs away to New York City, but it’s a different city for her. With ever tightening circles, Ben and Rose are destined to meet.

My description of this book really doesn’t do it justice. One of the things I love about Selznick’s books is that they start kind of all over the place, and then it all comes together and totally makes sense. I also love all the pictures – at least half of the book is pictures, and it really adds an otherworldly feel to the storyline. I know it’s really big and heavy, but if you flip through some of it and think it looks interesting, you’re going to love this book. A 9.5 from me.

Read-A-Likes (lots of drawings throughout the story): The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick, The Chronicles of Harris Burdick: Fourteen Amazing Authors Tell the Tales by Chris Van Allsburg, Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

“Pandemonium” by Lauren Oliver

This is the sequel to Delirium.

Lena has managed to escape into the Wilds, even though her beloved Alex didn’t make it. As she tries to learn how to live without him, the Wilds teach her some hard lessons about life. When she infiltrates the DFA, the organization most dedicated to the cure, she meets Julian, the son of the head of the DFA. A rally goes terribly wrong, and suddenly Lena is fighting for her life again. Can she make it out alive again? Or will she succumb to the deliria affecting her?

Oliver consistently writes such great characters. I feel like I know Lena, like she’s one of my friends, which is why I care so much about her life. The changes with Julian feel natural, and I think it’s a great way to look at how love can change people. The cliffhanger ending was really excruciating (wait, what?!?), but hopefully it means that a third book is on the way – and soon! I give this one a 9.

Read-A-Likes: Delirium by Lauran Oliver (the first one), Fever by Lauren DeStefano, Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

“Rip Tide” by Kat Falls

This is the second book about Ty and his world beneath the ocean’s surface.

Ty finds a township in the middle of nowhere under the sea. But when he checks it out, he discovers that the residents were murdered, chained in so they couldn’t escape. When things go bad with a trade, it’s up to Ty to do something, both to retrieve the hostages and to find out what happened to the township. Will he poke his nose into the wrong place? Or will he solve the mystery and make things better for everyone beneath the surface?

This one was just as good as the first one. I love reading about Ty and his mysterious world beneath the waves. The mystery was good (I didn’t figure it all out before the end) and even though he got awfully lucky in a few places, overall it was a great adventure, and I hope there will be more. A 9 from me.

Read-A-Likes: Dark Life by Kat Falls (#1), Uglies by Scott Westerfeld, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne