Tuesday, November 24, 2009

New Moon (The Movie)

The Twilight Saga: New Moon


Directed By: Chris Weitz
Reviewed by: Lisa M., 15
Rating: It was amazing!


OMG! New Moon was absolutely amazing! Let me just say that the novels were definitely in much more detailed so before hand, if you haven't read the novles read those first, than watch the movie. But though some may say that New Moon-the movie was a let down from here to there, it was still GREAT! (:

The cast of the New Moon such as Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Launter, etc. worked very hard to please their fans of Twilight(: they did quite a very good job. To those who love twilight-which includes me(: keep up the support;D i am absolutely grateful that Stephenie Meyer was able to come up with such a unique story and also the director Catherine Hardwicke who put time into the movies and to make twilight come to life(:


Recommended to: For anyone out there who likes to read about love, some drama, and vampires;&:werewolves. And also for those who may be going through a hard/rought time, this is a book for you to explore your imagination and for your comfort whenever things are so well(:

New Moon (The Movie)

The Twilight Saga: New Moon


Directed By: Chris Weitz
Reviewed by: awesomeVia, 15
Rating: It was alright...


The movie that Twilight fans have been waiting for a year to see. Well...it wasn't worth waiting a year for because it was so...predictable.

The movie kind of drags a bit, and getting to the climax took forever. I did like the movie though and it was so much better than Twilight. The special effects were way better than Twilight. The ending was weird and should not happen until Eclipse. They got it mixed up with Eclipse. The movie was okay. Best to see it with Twilight fanatics.


Recommended to: Twilight die-hard fans, girls, etc.

Murder at the Vicarage

Murder at the Vicarage


By: Agatha Christie
Reviewed by: Kayleigh, 16
Rating: It was amazing!


This mystery comes straight out of the Miss Marple series by Agatha Christie with full force. Told by the main character, Len Clement, St. Mary Mead’s vicar, the reader is walked through a murder mystery with many Peculiar Things and things you won’t see coming. Of course, Miss Marple is in the heart of this mystery and always seems to be one step ahead of Vicar Clement, Inspector Slack, and Colonel Melchett.

The basis of this story is trying to find who murdered Colonel Protheroe. Once someone turns himself or herself in, Miss Marple is right there telling authorities that they aren’t the murderer and that’s where the story begins. Unexpected relationships, crooked thieves and clever setups are all apart of the fun and thrilling story line.


Recommended to: mystery lovers everywhere

New Moon (The Movie)

New Moon


Directed By: Chris Weitz
Reviewed by: Kamille, 14
Rating: It was amazing!


From a teenage girl's perspective, this was an out of this world movie. Of course I might be biased, seeing as I was a bit distracted by the attractive guys, but I think this movie was a real improvement. The actors have really stepped up since the first movie and made this story even better. Kristen Stewart really conveyed the character Bella's conflict and heartache for her beloved Edward Cullen. Robert Patterson was really great as well, and so was Taylor Lautner, who trained hard for his part as Jacob Black. The special affects are without a doubt, far better, and the additional characters really added to the story. When I first heard that a new director would be taking the place of Catherine Hardwicke I wasn't too sure if that would work, especially when I found out that the new director was a man. I didn't think that a man could direct a romance story that's told from a female's point of view. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it did keep that special something that speaks to me as a young woman, and the movie flowed more graciously than before. Chris Weitz did a wonderful job and I think it's something that the whole cast should be proud of.


Recommended to: anyone really, minors with parental permission

New Moon (The Movie)

New Moon


Directed By: Chris Weitz
Reviewed by: Lissette, 13
Rating: Really liked it


I Personally liked The first movie better. The fist showed how much love Edward and Bella have for each other. The second, however, just gives people the illusion that Bella is always leading Jacob on and that Edward is a big Jerk for Dumping Bella. The movie doesn't really express how Edward ONLY left her to PROTECT her not hurt her. But now everyone likes Jacob because they think Edward is a Jerk.


Recommended to: Anybody

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland


By: Lewis Carroll
Reviewed by: Matt, 13
Rating: It was amazing!


Go down the rabbit hole and you will find the strangest world of fantasy in classical and modern literature. This plot is centered around Alice (a young English girl) and her travels through the mystical Wonderland. Where she change sizes multiple times and meets many animals who are offended by almost everything. But things get stranger, and among these oddities is an insane tea party with an exhauted dormouse and an insane hare and an equally mad hatter. Alice has many adventures through this insane world, and there are a couple lovable characters such as Alice herself and the Cheshire Cat, who disappears with a grin. All this in more can be found in this childrens' classic.


Recommended to: anyone who is interested in trippy fantasy or has listened to Jefferson Airplane's 'White Rabbit'

Surrealistic Pillow

Surrealistic Pillow

By: Jefferson Airplane
Reviewed by: Matt, 13
Rating: It was amazing!


This is a classic album by the 1960s-70s SF acid rock group Jefferson Airplane. It is a great listen especially when you're just sitting around and enjoying the music

Track Listing:
1) She has Funny Cars*
2) Somebody to Love*
3) My Best Friend
4) Today*
5) Comin' Back to Me
6) 3/5s of a Mile in 10 Seconds*
7) D.C.B.A 25
8) How do you Feel
9) Embryonic Journey
10) White Rabbit*
11) Plastic Fantastic Lover*

*recommended


Recommended to: Everyone

Have a Little Faith

Have a Little Faith


By: Mitch Albom
Reviewed by: Yaz, 16
Rating: Really liked it


No matter what your faith, this is a great, inspirational and fun book to read. The story covers big topics, but Mitch Albom's rabbi is so easy-going and funny that it's very enjoyable to read even while it's making you think a little. The inner-city pastor Albom meets isn't quite as easy-going or humorous, but his story is no less inspirational. You will remember these two men long after you've finished the book.


Recommended to: Every lost soul :)

The Metamorphosis

The Metamorphosis


By: Franz Kafka
Reviewed by: Yaz, 16
Rating: It was amazing!


I have had this book for the longest time. My mom gave it to me years ago and I alays read a little before i go to sleep.
The fascination and the horror of these stories is positively captivating. The Metamorphosis, In The Penal Colony and The Hunger Artist become something than just curious entities that were written before our time. They become metaphors and interesting takes on society and the so-called humanity of human nature. The stories are just as current as they are when they were written.

It is nothing short of inspirational for horror writers and for the mind that is open to reading between the lines of some positively phenomenal writing. Fantastic!


Recommended to: Every single person

The Killer Angels

The Killer Angels


By: Michael Shaara
Reviewed by: Yaz, 16
Rating: Really liked it


Quite a good book. I personally love historic fiction over history books. If they are based mostly on fact, you can really see the impact of wars and tribulation. It is not a great surprise that The Killer Angels is moving and compassionate. Men aren't just fighting against men at Gettysburg, they are fighting against friends. People they grew up with and moving sentences that suggest that you forget what you're fighting 'for' in the war when you're in the thick of it, watching your fellows disappear from this earth around you.

War is a much different story during the present day. You don't see the expressions of those you kill, you don't know their names, or their families. At Gettysburg, the immense weight of personal kinship threatens to tear hard Generals and Colonels apart. A great, great read for anyone that would like to know a little bit more about what happened at Gettysburg or to learn about a little bit of human compassion.


Recommended to: High schoolers mostly

Slaughterhouse-five

Slaughterhouse Five


By: Kurt Vonnegut
Reviewed by: Yaz, 16
Rating: Really liked it


This was a very wuick and interesting read for me. I'd have to say this is one of the best "sci-fi" books I've read but honestly I don't think it's really a sci-fi book at all. It's almost a poem, yet written in easy to understand prose. It's fantastic but only illustrates the realities and absurdities of day to day living.

This book is quite a unique experience, and even if you hate sci-fi you might pick it up since it's a different experience than the genre implies. Even satire doesn't seem to sum it up as there is a human warmth here that is absent from many other books labeled "satire."


Recommended to: 13+, everyone

Animal Farm

Animal Farm


By: George Orwell
Reviewed by: Yaz, 16
Rating: It was amazing!


Another briiliant book of George Orwell I read this past month. I cannot get enough of his writing, it is amazing!!

George Orwell's classic satire of Stalin's Communistic state of the old USSR still can teach us a lesson.

Orwell uses a farm and its animals in a well thought out parody substituting animals for the main characters involved in the Russian Revolution unto the establishment of a Communistic State.

For example the prize Middle White boar named the Old Major is suppose to represent the father of Communism Karl Marx. The Berkshire boar named Napoleon represents the long time Russian Dictator Joseph Stalin.

Orwell uses these characters to show the development of a treacherous and diabolical form of government. Orwell shows the evolution of political brainwashing to develop a totalitarian form of government.

For kids who dont know the world war and cold war era, they should definetly pick this book up!


Recommended to: Older teens

1984

1984


By: George Orwell
Reviewed by: Yaz, 16
Rating: It was amazing!


Here is the book that first got me thinking about politics and philosophy.
This is Orwell's dystopia of how he feared the world would become run by a group of cahooting despots by 1984.

The main character, Winston Smith, lives in London in a dictatoeship run by "big brother". In this state there is no love but love for big brother. There is no excitment but patriotism. In this world smith somehow manages to fall in love.. and that's just the start of his problems.

1984 warns us to be wary of those who might take our freedom whilst trying to convince us we are actually gaining extra liberty. Im 16 years old, but I know I will remember it till I am way beyond my age!


Recommended to: Everyone growing up, and if not, still read it!

Frankenstein

Frankenstein


By: Mary Shelley
Reviewed by: Yaz, 16
Rating: Really liked it


Frankenstein is one of the most beautifully written novels I've ever read. Besides its smooth style of writing, it has also enlightened me thourgh two major themes. The first is its revelation of indivudal's fragility compared to nature's unparalled power. The main character Frankenstein's desprate endeavor in creating a monster of perfection is equivalent to an attempt to completely control one's fate and get ride of nature's influence, which results in nature's retaliation as the monster slaughter all the people connected Frankensten. The second is the excitement and fear from solitude and loneliness. The former feeling exists before Frankenstein successful created the monster and the latter feeling arises after the experient is accomplished and done. These two extreme feelings shown in the book, coincide with our daily experience, showing how loneliness can help a person achieve the extraordinary and how it can make a person suffer from the unthinkable, the despairing, the worst.


Recommended to: Everyone

X-Men Orgins: Wolverine

X-Men Orgins: Wolverine


Directed By: Gavin Hood
Reviewed by: AndrewSkyBlood, 13
Rating: Hated it!


X-Men Origins: Wolverine was directed by Gavin Hood and again stars Jackman as Wolverine. It is a prequel focusing on the character and his time with Team X, before and shortly after his skeleton was bonded with the indestructible metal adamantium. The film reveals Sabretooth/Victor Creed, to be his half brother. David Benioff began writing the film in October 2004, and unlike the other films it was shot in Australia and New Zealand.

This movie was by far BORING. Sure it had new "heros," but as always they drift away the characters. As far for the action sences, they were ok, but it's so obvious that there was stunt men, and strings. As for Logans relation ship with his girlfriend, it's an fail. They try to make it seem like there life was perfect, right after he left Team X. Fail, just like Spiderman 2. (Don't get me started) And they add Gambit for what reason? just to drive him to the waste land? The black guy from The Mummy Returns Izy, did an better role. Heck he doesn't even have powers. As far as Team X goes, they had no role, atually it's the same like the other X-Men movies. They just keep on failing on there new heros. Now Logan, is such an retard. He is way to over dramatic about who he is. Sure by getting an bike, and running away solves his answers. Ah don't get me started with his brother! Such an major fail, they try to make him like the joker that uses funny insults in battles. What makes it an HUGE fail, is that in the first X-men in 2000, Sabertooth didn't even talk! And when Wolverine and Sabertooth had there sences, it didn't have an relation, that they are brothers. Only thing i remember is that Wolverine calling Sabertooth "Bubb" is the only thing thats close to the word brother. Leave it to MARVEl to make fail movies.


Recommended to: People who don't kow what true quality movies are.

Tokyo Mew Mew, Vols 1-7

Tokyo Mew Mew, Vols 1-7


By: Mia Ikumi and Reiko Yoshida
Reviewed by: Nekomimi 13, 13
Rating: It was alright...


Let me start off saying that I really don't know why I bought the volumes as I read the series. I didn't get them all at once as I had with Full Moon O Sagashite, but still, I really don't get my intentions there.
This was one of those series that has awesome art (with a few exceptions, see below) but has a story that can be quite good to a person who does not have opinions.

Story:
Not too steadily developed. It was the kind of story that was almost thrown together. Ichigo has all these great things and a love interest and every thing is pretty-much peachy-keen for her. It's really a shame that the other four "main" characters didn't really get developed much. Then there's pretty much a bunch of guys that would pretty much kill (themselves) for Ichigo's heart. It gets annoying.

Art:
The eye style is adorable on the girls, but when she does adults, I got confused and thought they were kids. Sometimes she goes overboard with details that are better left out. BTW, there is some... neud... art in it. Nothing too detailed or etchy, but may not be good for young'ins.

Eh, just another so-so manga.


Recommended to: Anyone who has the tragic inability to make opinions. Or anyone who is desperate to read manga but isn't allowed to read teen manga yet.

Friday, November 13, 2009

Fruits Basket Volume 1

Fruits Basket Vol. 1


By: Natsuki Takaya
Reviewed by: Nekomimi 13, 13
Rating: It was amazing!


Now, I know that many people would think that, just from the name, that this is going to be a boring book of not so awesome plot, not attractive/cool characters, blah blah blah, but this has turned out to be one of the best manga series I have ever read (and I've started my manga addiction strong).

This is a heart-touching story that starts out whimsical and mysterious but ends up heart-touching and keeps you hooked. The art is not my favorite, but I doesn't in the least bit hinder the enjoyability of the story. You feel frustrated with the characters, you feel their pain, and their joy.

This is one of the most popular manga in the US, and the #1 shojo manga too (again, in the US).

This manga ROCKS!!!! <3


Recommended to: Anyone who can read T Rated manga and can handle a sad and somewhat disturbing at some times story

Yotsuba&! Volumes 1 and 2

Yotsuba&! Volumes 1 and 2


By: Kiyohiko Azuma
Reviewed by: Nekomimi 13, 13
Rating: It was amazing!


It's absolutely hilarious! I have found myself ROFLOL-ing many times whil reading this. Yotsuba is an adorable and naive little girl who can make anyone laugh! This cleverly written and comedic manga was way too fun!


Recommended to: Anyone who needs a good laugh... y'know, let your worries out... nevermind.

Fearless (Platinum Edition)*

Fearless(Platinum Edition)*


By: Taylor Swift
Reviewed by: Tina R., 13
Rating: It was amazing!


This edition of Taylot Swift's Fearless album, includes many new songs. These songs have great lyrics with great meaning. THis cd is just more of Taylor's great personality and voice.


Recommended to: Taylor's fans!

*The library does NOT have the Platinum Edition

Christmas from the Heart

Christmas from the Heart

By: David Archuleta
Reviewed by: Tina R., 14
Rating: It was amazing!


David Archuleta, runner up on American Idol two seasons ago, has another awesome cd. His Christmas album is the best Christmas songs in a while. Some of them are original, and some of them are traditional Christmas songs. This is a great Christmas listen.


Recommended to: Everyone!

Breakthrough

Breakthrough

By: Colbie Caillat
Reviewed by: awesomeVia, 15
Rating: It was alright...


Colbie Caillat actually has a pretty good voice that seems to be free of auto-tune, amplifiers, and all that junk. That realization started with her first album "Coco". I found "Breakthrough" a continuation of her last album and only found one song I liked, "Fallin' For You". The songs are soft and pleasant-sounding, the main instrument being the guitar. The music video that compliments the song is very good how Colbie liked that man no matter what he looked like externally. So...just check it out.


Recommended to: Colbie Caillat fans, people who want to hear something without auto-tune/amplifiers, teenage girls

Twilight (The Movie)

Twilight


Directed By: Catherine Hardwicke
Reviewed by: Lizzie, 17
Rating: Hated it!


Bella moves to Forks, and meets a vampire named Edward Cullen.

First off, the person who played Bella, was exactly how I imagined her. The voice, and the annoying face. Secondly, Edward. I thought (in the book) that Edward was drop dead handsome? No. This dude is freaking ugly. Yuck.

The setting was good. That's how I imagined Forks. Boring. BUT I thought it was to blue. Now yes I am a twilight hater, so is this bias? Hehe nope. Let's pretend that I never read the books, and that this is just a made up movie, shall we?

This is what I thought when I was watching Twlight:

Okay here it goes. Um..the Twlight logo is cool. Oh the girl. She looks boring, on purpose. Oh secertly wanting attention. Hehe the vampire dude. Eh, he looks...weird. Maybe he needs a shower. LOLOL he sparkles! I thought this was a vampire movie!? OOOO hopefully some action. I'm still waiting. That was lame.


Exactly.


Recommended to: Twilight Fans. Hehe how obvious.

Pocahontas

Pocahontas


Directed By: Mike Gabriel
Reviewed by: Lizzie, 17
Rating: It was amazing!


Pocahontas is a free spirited woman, who comes between her people, and the new explorers.

Ah, this movie, I can say - is a classic. I love Pocahontas. Her name, her character, and the plot, is perfect.

I love the songs. They are inspirational, and not like the other Disney movies. I always liked the native american culture. I feel that they drew Pocahontas right, with her native american 'features'. What draws in more, is the...leaves. They are beautiful! The way they moved, and those colors! Wow! When I think of Pocahontas, I think of leaves. Haha.

Anyway, I loved Meeko, Grandmother Willow, and John Smith. I find that this movie, stands out more than the other movies. Sleeping Beauty, Beauty and the Beast, etc are almost the same. In the fact that they are 'white' (nothing bad), and the Prince part.


Recommended to: Disney fans...

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs


Directed By: David Hand
Reviewed by: Lizzie, 17
Rating: Hated it!


Snow White is a prisoner of her Step Mother, and soon escapes. She fall's in love with a Prince, and meets new friends.

Ugh, this movie is so boring. Snow white herself, was annoying. Her "singing" voice, wasn't all that. I found it dumb again, that she falls in love with a Prince...that she didn't even meet.
I tell ya, Disney comes out with many misconceptions about 'love'. Heh, well it IS a Disney movie.

Anyway, the drawfs were amusing, I can say that. But still, it was a poor disney movie.


Recommended to: Disney fans. Oh, so obvious.

Monday, November 9, 2009

Full Moon O Sagashite

Full Moon O Sagashite


By: Arina Tanemura
Reviewed by: Nekomimi 13, 13
Rating: It was amazing!


This was a great (stress the great) manga!! Her art really improved from her other works, but that's just a bonus. It was heart-touching, then heart -stopping and full of cleverly placed twists and cliff-hangers. The mistake I made was getting all seven volumes at once!


Recommended to: Anyone who can read Teen Rated Manga

Kiss & Tell

Kiss & Tell

By: Selena Gomez & the Scene
Reviewed by: Nekomimi 13, 13
Rating: It was alright...


It's so-so. She's another so-so Disney channel artist. My favorite song was Falling Down, but it wasn't awesome. It's enjoyable if you can get over the fact that her voice isn't awesome. It's... eh, OK.


Recommended to: Pretty much anyone who likes a lot of different music genres

X-Men Orgins: Wolverine

X-Men Orgins: Wolverine


Directed By: Gavin Hood
Reviewed by: Lizzie, 17
Rating: It was amazing!


It shows the orgin, on how Logan became Wolverine. From his past, to his new begining, this movie depicts his battle with Victor, and his begining battle to find who he really is.

I believe that summary, is correct. Because this movie shows how Logan became Wolverine, and depicts (at the end) his begining to his unique story. As far as plot goes, it was perfect. I mean it. Hugh Jackman was so perfect as wolverine, heck he IS wolverine.

The cool thing about this, is that I didn't go see it just for Wolverine. It had Cyclops, Gambit, Emma Frost, Xavier, and Saber Tooth. Leave it to MARVEL, to make a cool, and perfect movie with our favorite heroes. This for me, was BETTER than 'The Dark Knight'.

Psh, I bet a majority of people went to see Batman, just for Joker himself. Unlike The Dark Knight, X Men Orgins has everything I mentioned above. Overall, MARVEL shines through this movie.


Recommended to: MARVEL fans, Hugh Jackman funs, etc.

Josie and the Pussycats

Josie and the Pussycats


Directed By: Deborah Kaplan
Reviewed by: Lizzie, 17
Rating: It was amazing!


3 small town girls from Riverdale, hope to become famous, and hope to stay friends.

Haha, I LOVE this movie! When I was little, I used to watch the cartoon. I know, it may sound dumb, but I found it to be a very awesome movie. It's NOT like the Spice Girls movie, either.

Of course, Josie is my favorite character. I liked how they made the band like a Punk Rock kind of style. The songs were awesome, too.

It had at least, a cooler and partly REAL plot. They picked the perfect characters. All of them, look like the cartoon, which is cool.


Recommended to: Fans or movie comedy lovers.

Friday, November 6, 2009

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry


By: Mildred D. Taylor
Reviewed by: Adam C., 13
Rating: It was alright...




It was pretty boring in the beginning but got better

Recommended to: no one

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

A Child Called It

A Child Called It

By: David Pelzer             
Reviewed by: Yuuki, 13
Rating:   It was amazing!



A story about a child's story of survival.

This book is one that you'll never forget once you've read it. It centers around a little boy, whose mom abuses him, starving him, torturing him, and having him put up will her deadly "games". In order for him to survive, he must trust on no one other than himself. But when his teachers find out about his life at home, they put their jobs in jeopardy to help him.
                     

Recommended to: everyone

Artemis Fowl


Artemis Fowl

By: Eoin Colfer
Reviewed by:  Michael S., 12
Rating:   It was amazing!



I love this book because it has funny scenes, a great plot, good characterization, and mixes a very smart (and diabolical) kid, technology, and magical beings. However, do not think this is a book with with a bunch of magic and powers. Overall, it's an awesome book!
Recommended to: People who can understand big words and complicated scenes with a good imagination.

Ranger's Apprentice


Ranger's Apprentice

By: John Flanagan                  
Reviewed by:  Michael S., 12
Rating:   It was amazing!



This book is great because it tells the story of a young teenager who wants to be a warrior, but gets chosen to be an apprentice of one of the mysterious and feared rangers. Ranger's Apprentice is very exciting, and has some pretty intense and scary scenes. You learn about some deaths, but I don't think you ever see any. Great book; strongly recommended.                         

Recommended to: Readers who want an adventure book with some good action. Ages 10+

The Black Stallion


The Black Stallion 

By: Walter Farley
Reviewed by:  Michael S., 12
Rating: 



This is a great book about a kid who gets shipwrecked on an island with no one but a wild stallion. When he gets home he tries to keep and take care of the stallion; and maybe even race him! I think this is a wonderful book because it's interesting, and shows a great bond between a boy and his horse. Be prepared for some fighting between horses, and someone gets struck with a hoof and possibly killed at the beginning.
Recommended to: Ages 12+. Readers looking for an exciting book that keeps you on your toes.

The Fire Within

The Fire Within

By: Chris D'Lacey                         
Reviewed by:  Michael S., 12
Rating:   It was amazing!



This is a great book about a man who's going to college and rents a room with a family. The family is Liz, who is grown, and Lucy, her daughter. David, the tenant, finds out that Liz makes clay dragons and puts them around the house or sells them. When Liz makes him a dragon, it starts to give him advice in his mind. David also helps Lucy find squirrels that used to live in their backyard (especially one named Conker), and find out how Conker got his eye hurt. Later, David gets upset with Gadzooks, his special dragon, and has to save his dragon from shedding a fire tear and dying. Along the way they also meet a girl named Sophie that works at an animal hospital who helps them with the squirrels. I liked this book because it has good characters, a good plot, and is very well written.                       

Recommended to: People who want a good book that doesn't have fighting.

Best Ghost Stories of J.S. Le Fanu


Best Ghost Stories of J.S. Le Fanu

By: Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu
Reviewed by:  Pablo V., 19
Rating:   Really liked it



This collection of Le Fanu's scariest stories really delivers, from the macabre Mr. Justice Harbottle to his most famous work of art, Carmilla. A great selection of Gothic horror novellas.
 

Recommended to: ghost story aficionados

Carmilla


Carmilla

By: Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu                        
Reviewed by:  Pablo V., 19
Rating:   It was amazing!



Carmilla is one of the greatest vampire stories ever written, predating Dracula and the classic film Nosferatu. With a lovely narration and a true femme fatale, this short novella is sure to excite anyone with a love of Gothic fiction.
                          

Recommended to: fans of Edgar Allan Poe and Flannery O'Connor

Breaking Dawn


Breaking Dawn

By: Stephenie Meyer
Reviewed by:  Elizabeth V., 16
Rating:   It was alright...



It was a good read. There were some surprises that were likable and others that were terrible. Much of the book was predictable, but it kept you entertained.
Recommended to: vampire lovers

Tithe


Tithe

By: Holly Black               
Reviewed by:  Elizabeth V., 16
Rating:   It was amazing!



Holly Black creates a hidden world within the one we know. Faeries rule this hidden world and would do anything to own it all. Two factions of this hidden world fight for power, using any schemes they can think of.

A somewhat cruel and painful romance and a world of conspiracy and secrets.                             

Recommended to: Faerie lovers

Valiant



Valiant
By: Holly Black
Reviewed by:  Elizabeth V., 16
Rating:   Really liked it



Val never knew about faeries until she ran away from home and to the big city. Living in the subway brought a new world into her sights, a world full of magic and danger.

It was a really good read, I didn't expect a lot of the events that took place. I would definitely recommend this to others.
Recommended to:

Scorpia


Scorpia 

By: Anthony Horowitz                         
Reviewed by:  Elizabeth V., 16
Rating:   It was amazing!



Alex Rider is finally learning about his father. But now that he knows his father was a part of one of the greatest crime organizations, he decides to join.

A wonderful read, once again full of excitement and adventure. The secrets within are great.                           

Recommended to: 

Stormbreaker


Stormbreaker

By: Anthony Horowitz
Reviewed by:  Elizabeth V., 16
Rating:   It was amazing!



This book was full of excitement and had a wonderful plot. A world of secrets, the world of espionage. Alex Rider is pulled into this dangerously mysterious world when his uncle is killed on a mission. Now he must rescue the youth.
Recommended to: 

Gathering Blue



Gathering Blue
By: Lois Lowry
Reviewed by:  Elizabeth V., 16
Rating:   Really liked it                            


Lois Lowry creates a new world where blue is lost and technology is limited. This primitive world is hidden away and seemingly forced to be isolated. An interesting story of one girl's discovery will keep you reading.

Recommended to: anyone

The Messenger


The Messenger

By: Lois Lowry
Reviewed by:  Elizabeth V., 16
Rating:   Really liked it


This book tied together The Giver and Gathering Blue. It was full of interesting twists, and an unexpected ending.

Recommended to:

The Giver

The Giver

By: Lois Lowry
Reviewed by:  Elizabeth V., 16
Rating:   Really liked it



This book was filled with mysterious circumstances and the plot was very interesting. I greatly enjoyed reading this book.
Recommended to: 

The Edge on the Sword

The Edge on the Sword 

By: Rebecca Tingle                          
Reviewed by:  Elizabeth V., 16
Rating:   Really liked it



A young princess must train to save her own life.

This book shows how strong a girl can be in the face of danger.                            

Recommended to:

Wicked Lovely

Wicked Lovely



By:     Melissa Marr                            
Reviewed by:  Elizabeth V., 16
Rating:   Really liked it

An interesting romance that deals with the world and politics of faeries. A faerie game has many rules that must be followed. This particular game will leave you surprised at the outcome.

Recommended to: Faerie lovers

Ironside


Ironside

By: Holly Black
Reviewed by:  Elizabeth V., 16
Rating:   It was amazing!



The world of faeries is definitely nothing like a Disney movie, Kaye knows this to be a fact and learned it the hard way. A romance between the faerie king and a pixie is full of dangerous factors.

An enticing world full of conspiracy and an ancient battle for control, Ironside will excite you with every moment.
Recommended to: Faerie lovers

Wolf Wing

Wolf Wing

By: Tanith Lee                     
Reviewed by:  Elizabeth V., 16
Rating:   It was amazing!



Argul and Claidi can finally get married, but in the end it's not nearly as grand as they would have hoped. Not to mention a new problem is in their path. Ustareth is alive and wants to meet with them on the land she created. All is well until the group is forced to separate.

Tanith Lee creates a world where the truly powerful must play a game of life.                         

Recommended to: People who like strange technology and twisted plots.

Trickster's Queen

Trickster's Queen

By: Tamora Pierce
Reviewed by:  Elizabeth V., 16
Rating:   It was amazing!



The story continues as the Raka fight to put the rightful queen on the throne.

A suspenseful read with many twists and turns, all leading to an unexpected queen and a much needed reunion.
Recommended to: Someone with an eye for rebellions

Trickster's Choice


Trickster's Choice

By: Tamora Pierce                       
Reviewed by:  Elizabeth V., 16
Rating:   Really liked it



Tamora Pierce introduces the readers to a new world where women can truly reach a man's level. The characters are all very interesting. The story itself is full of political intrigue and conspiracy.                          

Recommended to: Girls that are pro-women empowerment