“Snakecharm” by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes

This is the second book about Danica Shardae and Zane Cobriana, and it was just as interesting as the first one, Hawksong.

Danica and Zane have been working hard to keep the peace between the avian and serpiente peoples. For the most part, they are succeeding – while the two peoples aren’t jumping into each other’s arms with joy, they are no longer hostile to each other, and some have even taken up residence in the opposing court. Then Syfka, a messenger from the falcons, arrives with news that a falcon criminal is hiding in the midst of one of their courts. Will Zane and Danica be able to keep the peace between their peoples when the falcons are trying to stir up trouble?

For the most part I enjoyed this story. Atwater-Rhodes still has the annoying habit of naming everything with mysterious names, with a new name both in the avian languages and serpiente languages, making everything 3 times as complicated, but the essence of the story is still thoroughly enjoyable. I give it a 7 out of 10.

“Catching Fire” by Suzanne Collins

This is the second book in the Hunger Games series, and yes, the series doesn’t end with this one. I’m only saying this because I got all the way to the last page before I realized that there would have to be a third book, and I was really mad!

Katniss has been trying to deal with the aftermath of the horror in the Arena – her family is safe, they have food and money, and things with Gale have (almost) gone back to normal. She hasn’t seen Peeta much in the past 6 months since the Games, but that’s about to change, as they have to go on the Victory Tour, another reminder to the Districts that the Capital owns them. The Victor of the previous Game is paraded around in each of the Districts, rubbing their life in the faces of the dead tributes’ families. Katniss and Peeta are under extreme pressure to defuse the rebellious undercurrent of the nation, but they don’t succeed. When a sick twist of fate puts Katniss and Peeta back in the Arena for the next Games, she has decided to keep Peeta alive at all costs – even if it means the loss of her own life.

This one was a little slow in the beginning/middle when Katniss is still in District 12 and trying to work out her feelings for both Gale and Peeta. Once the Games began, however, it’s non-stop action, with fresh new horrors for the tributes. I give this one an 8.5 and I can’t wait for the next in the series (whenever that may be).

“When You Wish” by Kristen Harmel

I read this one because it was recommended to me by Alexandra and Carolyn Klarr at Veterans Memorial over the summer. (Yes, I’m just now getting around to reading it…)

Star Beck is a superstar, along the lines of Miley Cyrus or Britney Spears – everyone recognizes her all the time, her entire life is scheduled down to the minute, and her team is extremely controlling on everything about her, from what she eats to what she can say in interviews. The only thing Star misses in her life is her father, who left when she was a little girl. One day, Star finds out that he’s been trying to get in touch with her all her life, and on a sudden impulse, she decides to take off and find him. Along the way she has minor mishaps, real-life troubles, and meets some really great people. By the end, Star has some tough decisions to make about her life and who will be controlling it.

I thought the journey was excellent, with Star having real-life problems (like a blown tire) that she has no clue how to deal with, and the types of people she meets along the way. The ending was a little too perfect for my liking but overall a nice story about family and the price one pays to be famous. A 7.5 on my scale.

“Highway to Hell” by Rosemary Clement-Moore

This is the third book in the Maggie Quinn: Girl vs. Evil series, and it was just as fantastic as the first two. (Prom Dates from Hell and Hell Week)

This time, Maggie and Lisa are on a road trip for Spring Break, when they break down in a little nothing town in Texas. As in all small towns, there is lots of gossip, and most of the gossip centers around the mysterious deaths of cattle that have been occurring around town. Maggie and Lisa look into it, and sure enough, it’s related to Evil. It’s up to Maggie and Lisa to vanquish the Evil – before it takes any human lives.

I liked that this story was different from the ones before it – Justin is off on his own Spring Break trip, so Maggie doesn’t have him to rely on, Lisa is becoming more trustworthy, and the change in location allows for some interesting new characters. Another amazing story in the Maggie Quinn universe and another 9 from me. (No word yet on when/if a fourth book is coming out).

"Blood Promise" by Richelle Mead

This is the much-anticipated 4th book in the Vampire Academy series. While there are other "boarding schools and vampires" series out there, this one blows them all away.

Rose has just dropped out of school, to follow Dimitri. She heads for Siberia, sure that he will be found there. She finds his family and tells them the news from book 3, and stays with them for a while. She continues to check in on Lissa, but there's not much Rose can do half a world away. When Rose finally finds Dimitri, she has an emotional struggle like nothing she's ever known before. Certain death stares her in the face at least 3 times during the book, but she manages to keep pushing through the physical and emotional pain. Rose returns to St. Vladimir's at the end of the book, to be reunited with Lissa and heal. Just as she agrees to finish school, a huge surprise finds her and Rose must once again prepare for battle.

I realize this post is rather vague, but I don't want to give anything away to those who haven't read the third book, Shadow Kiss. It felt like there wasn't much action in places, but the story didn't drag. I really care about Rose and I really hope she figures out a solution to the big surprise that hits at the very end of the book. Lissa is becoming a better person, and even Adrian is growing up a little bit. I think this is the best book yet in the series, and I give it an 8.5.

Have you read it? Leave a comment and say what you thought!

“Into The Wild” by Sarah Beth Durst

When I looked at this book, I thought it was the other Into the Wild, the one by Jon Krakauer, with the main character camping in Alaska. But this was a different book entirely.

What if all the fairy tale characters you’ve ever read about are real? Julie is Rapunzel’s daughter, and it is their job to keep The Wild, the place where fairy tales happen, from growing too much and taking over the world. When the worst happens, it is up to Julie to go into The Wild and rescue not only her mother and grandmother but all of her mom’s friends too. Julie must try not to fall into The Wild’s tricks and traps, while at the same time discover a way to defeat it and save her family. Can she do it or will The Wild put her in a story forever?

I liked that Julie was aware of what might trap her – growing up with Rapunzel as her mother taught her how to identify a fairy tale already in progress, and that skill comes in handy. The story was quite exciting and while the ending was a little cheesy, I give this one an 8. There’s a second book, called Out of The Wild, for those interested.

Have you read this one? Leave a comment!

“Wintergirls” by Laurie Halse Anderson

For those familiar with Anderson, you won’t be disappointed by her latest book. For those who haven’t read any of her work before, you’re in for a real treat.

Wintergirls follows Lia and how she is dealing after her best friend Cassie’s death. Cassie was not really her friend any more, but she called Lia the night she died – 33 times. Lia is struggling with weight issues already, and Cassie’s death sends her over the edge, back to cutting and exercising all night long instead of sleeping. Lia sees herself as cold and strong and empty, and she can only maintain that if she doesn’t eat. But when she hovers near death herself, will she have the strength of will to pull herself back to life, or will she let herself take the easy way out – forever?

Lia is in so much emotional pain for so much of this book. I can’t even imagine being a teen and having that much emotional pain – no wonder she had to resort to an eating disorder to feel like she had some control in her life. I really like how honest Anderson makes her character, with crossouts and the mental voices chanting when you least expect it, just like in real life. I give this book an 8.5 (there was too much pain in it for my personal enjoyment), and for anyone going through these issues, or who knows someone going through these issues, or who thinks they might be at risk for these issues, please read this book!