Alien On A Rampage - Clete Barrett Smith

Alien On A Rampage by Clete Barrett Smith
This is the follow up to the author's excellent debut Aliens on Vacation.   Once again David is going to be spending the summer working at his grandmothers bed and breakfast, which caters to aliens who want to visit earth while on vacation.  However, this time David is excited from the start to be going to the Intergalactic Bed &Breakfast.

David's grandmother has more help, making it difficult for him to find ways to be useful.  The bed and breakfast has it's first alien employee, Scratchull.  David does not trust the condescending, and human hating (when no one else is around) alien.  But everyone loves Scratchull and since David keeps on messing up he can't convince anyone that Scratchull is up to no good.  

David is a very likable, down to earth (pun intended) character, and seeing the Intergalactic Bed and Breakfast through his eyes is a lot of fun.  This sequel has all the great elements of the first book. Smith takes it a step father, skillfully building on what he already started; once again the dialogue is sharp and funny.

Chapter One  

The Rock of Ivanore - Laurisa White Reyes

The Rock of Ivanore by Laurisa White Reyes
Each year in the village of Quendal, young men on the verge of manhood are sent on a quest. This year it is 14yr old Marcus turn, along with Jerriod, Zody, Clovis, Tristan and Kelvin. The six are on a quest to find the Rock of Ivanore.  They have no idea, what or who the Rock of Ivanore is or even where to begin the search,  discovery that is all apart of the journey.  The story revolves around Marcus, who is an orphan and always felt like an outsider.  He is the only student of Zyll an older sorcerer who the other boys laugh at. Marcus has a natural talent for magic, he simply has to practice and the quest gives him the opportunity. 

Reyes doesn't do anything new with this story but she tells it well.   Marcus and Kelvin's growing freindship is a nice dymanic.  As is the very solid diagolue throughout.   There are a lot of close calls and the author does a very good job with these scenes.  The visual appeal of them will grab a few reluctant readers. 

"Marcus ran and within moments stumbled upon the gruesome sight.  Kelvin lay unmoving on the ground. Bryn sat on his haunches beside him, his mouth stretched unnaturally wide like a python about to swallow its prey. His eyes glowed yellow. Upon seeing Marcus, the creature let out a deafening, animal like howl.  Marcus rushed forward, swinging Xerxes like a club.  The creature leapt out of the way and slashed at Marcus's back with needle like claws that had grown along its fingertips.  Marcus fell to his knees beside Kelvin.  He could feel blood trickling down his back."  

 I loved the action that leads up to the end which was very satisfying.  It is nice to read a book in a  middle grade fantasy series that does not end in a cliffhanger.  An enjoyable page turner.

Read prologue and chapter one via authors site

The Jewel of the Kalderash - Marie Rutkoski

The Jewel of the Kalderash by Marie Rutkoski
This is the third book in the kronos chronicles. I was really looking forward to it because I loved the first two. When the Celestial Globe ended Petra and her friends Tomik and Neel were headed to Neel's home country of Roma, sailing with a Roma crew. The Jewel of the Kalderash begins were the second book ended, the three are on the last journey of the trip. Once in Roma Neel who was always teased for not knowing who his birth mother is, discover the truth and it changes his future. Petra is still trying to save her father who has been turned into a monster by the Prince of Bohemia. Neel will use his natural skills with glass to help his best friend Petra anyway he can.
I really enjoyed seeing these characters again, (of course Petra's tin spider Astrophil was there) and meeting a few new one. The story is filled with a lot of great dialogue, always liked watching the changing dynamics of three characters various relationships. The Jewel of the Kalderash did not disappoint. It was a very satisfying ending. Highly recommend for anyone who has read the first two books. This series must be read in order and since I enjoyed it so much I will also add the excerpt from book one, Cabinet of Wonders

excerpt

Breadcrumbs - Anne Ursu

Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu
I've heard great things about Breadcrumbs and there's something about the cover that I really like. This story was inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's Snow Queen. One of the things I loved about Breadcrumbs is one doesn't have to be familiar with Snow Queen to lose themselves in this story. It's simply very well done and lives up to the early praise. Hazel and Jack her best friend because he's the only one who gets her. In the fifth grade at a time when boys and girls no longer hang out Hazel and Jack are still good friends. Then one day out of nowhere Jack is mean to Hazel. Soon after Jack's parents tell everyone he's went to live with an elderly aunt no ones heard of. After hearing a story about Jack's where abouts no one else but a dreamer like Hazel would, she sets out to rescue the boy that was once her best friend. Hazel enters the forset filled with wolves in search of woman made of ice who has Jack. I could feel the danger as soon as Hazel entered the forest.

"The air was a tangible thing, rushing into Hazel's lungs as she breathed, touching her skin like a curious ghost. It carried with it the smell of old leaves and wide open sky. She was in the wood at the end of the world, or perhaps at the beginning. She looked behind her, to remind herself of the place she came from but it was gone. The wood stretched out in every direction. It was as if she had sprouted there. She had stepped into the woods in the park and landed in an entirely different place. She knew this might happen. She'd been to Narina , Wonderland, Hogwarts, Dictionopolis. She had tessered, fallen through the rabbit hole, crossed the ice bridge into the unknown world beyond. Hazel knew this world. And it should have made it easier. It did not."

This is one of those stories that one knows will be good after the first page. One of the things I truly appreicated is that the author reconginzes that the small moments are as in important as the big one. There was a lot of care put into this very enjoyable story. There are a few beautiful illustrations sprinkle throughout the story.

Aliens on Vacation - Clete Barrett Smith

Aliens on Vacation by Clete Barrett Smith
David, who goes by Scrub, is not happy about having to spend the summer with his grandmother. She lives in a secluded part on Washington and runs a bed and breakfast. All of the guest are a little strange to Scrub and he thinks its because they are really into their love of space. Eventually the grandmother tells Scrub she runs a bed and breakfast for aliens . Scrub starts helping around the B&B. His grandmother has kept her guest a secret from the town for over twenty years. After Scrub makes a bad decision the truth about the Bed and Breakfast could be discovered.

I only picked this up because the author is going to be at the Decatur Book Festival this year. After reading the first page, I knew had winner.

"When the taxi pulled up to Grandma's place, I wanted to burrow under the seat and cower in shame. I blinked a few times, but the view didn't get any better. Of all the place my parents had dumped me for a summer, this was the dumpiest. The sign out front said it all: The Intergalactic Bed and Breakfast. The three story Victorian home had at least the potential to be normal, with its white picket fence and rocking chairs on the wraparound porch but no. The house was jet black with huge murals of comets and stars and planets on each side, painted on with what looked like glittery nail polish."

I enjoyed every aspect of this very funny story. Smith has created a wonderful new protagonist in Scrub. I was very impressed that the author cared enough to consider what would be the best diet for the Aliens. Aliens on Vacation will appeal to sci fi , non sci fans and reluctant readers. A debut favorite of 2011

Read chapter one

The Midnight Gate - Helen Stringer

The Midnight Gate by Helen Stringer
This was one sequel I was really looking forward to reading. I loved the first book, Spellbinder. Set two months later, Belladonna and Steve have gone back to their normal routines. Belladonna is still the quiet girl with no friends and Steve continues not to pay attention in class.

Belladonna lives with her ghost parents. On paper she resides with her grandmother. It works well until some informs the authorities Belladonna is living alone and her grandmother goes missing.

After a field trip to a Fenchurch Abbey, Belladonna and Steve realize their talents are needed again. Belladonna caretakers, The Proctors seem nice but Belladonna soon wonders how much she can trust them. Forcing Belladonna to keep the mission a secret.

It's nice to watch Belladonna and Steve grow into their roles. Belladonna is the spellbinder and Steve her protector.The elements I enjoyed in the first book are present again. Belladonna, Steve and the ghost Elsie still have good chemistry, making for some great dialogue.

This is a wonderful sequel and best enjoyed in order. So I highly recommend reading Spellbinder first.

Read chapter one via feiwel and friends

As an added bouns chapter one of Spellbinder. I loved the hardcover edition. The new paperback edition is nice as well, and I think it will attract a larger audience.

Theodosia and The Last Pharaoh

Theodosia and The Last Pharaoh by R.L. LaFevers

This is the fourth book in the Theodosia series and each one is better then the last. Theodosia can sense curses and black magic on artifacts. Theodosia's father is the head curator at a London museum, so she stays busy. Theodosia's mother goes to Egypt for an archaeological dig. Theodosia is going as well, to return two priceless artifacts to a The Brotherhood, a secret Egyptian society. The Serpents of Chaos have followed Theodosia from London. They want revenge and the artifacts.

This is the fourth book in the series, each one is better then the last. They are so much fun, I love Theodosia. LaFevers writing is continually strong. I love how well the storyline is moving along and the many layers of Theodosia. As with the other three, this one could easily stand on its own. Though I would highly recommend starting from the beginning.

Read chapter one

Juniper Berry - M.P. Kozlowsky

Juniper Berry by M.P. Kozlowsky
Juniper's parents are famous movie stars. Before they were household names, the Berry's spent a lot of time together and were very happy. Now Juniper hardly ever sees her parents who are always too busy. On the outside they look the same but Juniper believes something is terribly wrong.

The Berry's property is secluded to keep fans and media away. Juniper isn't allowed to wander too far and is home schooled. Her only companion is her dog, Kitty. One day she meets, Giles. He walked miles in hopes of figuring out what's going on with his parents. Quickly the two realize their parents are suffering from the same thing. They decide to work together to save them.

Juniper is a smart, curious and likable 11 yr old girl. When the story begins she's waiting up for her parents. Recalling the good times as her parents act strangely and indifferent toward her. Soon after Giles comes along.

They've been (very distant ) neighbors and strangers for years. Whether or not the two could've gone so long without meeting or at least knowing about each other doesn't bother me.

I do have issue with how easily everything falls together. I am wondering how much I can say here without giving too much away. I figure since there's a tree on the cover I have a little leeway. Juniper knows which tree is the source of evil before their search even begins.

I would've been okay with this is the author used the time saved to develop the villain. There simply wasn't enough action to cover up the lack of character depths. There were a few good visual scenes that involved the loss of blood. But it was too late, the author had already lost me.

The story was also lesson heavy handed. Juniper and Giles parents become easy targets thanks to not realizing what they had and desire to have all their dreams come true without working for it.

Mr Berry grabbed her hand. "The words will come. Only they'll be mine now, no one else's. It may not be what everyone wants, but that's okay I'll be doing what feels right to me, and I'll have you and your mother. That's what I should've known from the beginning.

"We were so lost," Mrs. Berry said. "We had everything and yet, nothing. This is what matters most, the three of us like this. We've missed out on so much. You've missed out on so much."

I picked the book up because of the cover, which had right amount of scary darkness. The story is bit of scary but not enough. This might be a good recommendation for a young reader who wants to read something scary but not too scary. Though Juniper Berry didn't work for me as much as I would've liked, it is very readable. I will definitely try the author again.

Chapter One

Positive Reviews

The BookSmugglers

BookYurt

Fantasy Baseball - Alan Gratz

Fantasy Baseball by Alan Gratz
I've been sitting on this book for at least two months. I got it when Gratz was in town for a book signing* at Little Shop of Stories I was worried I wasn't going to like it. So I put off reading it.

Alex Metcalf wakes up one day in Ever After where all storybook and fairytale characters live. This alternate world is just beginning a baseball tournament. Alex finds himself on the Oz Cyclones team bus. Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz is the pitcher and captain. Toad from Wind in the Williows is the shortstop. Br'er Rabbit plays third. The rest of the team is made up of less famous Oz characters.

Each member on the winning team gets one wish granted by the Wizard. Dorothy is determined to win a showing with the Wizard. Alex was born to play baseball and will be the Cyclones new first baseman. They go on to play such teams as the Little Women, (Jo, protects her pitcher behind the plate) a Manga team, and Mother Goose.

I knew I was going to enjoy the baseball aspect of this story. It was the fantasy and the classical characters I was concerned about. I was only familiar with a few of the characters. (I've never read many of the these classics, like Wind in the Willows)

I worried for nothing. Fantasy Baseball was easy to fall into. My lack of classical book knowledge didn't lessen my enjoyment. Toad, the player and the politician was one of my favorite characters. Gratz also includes a few contemporary characters. Lester from Ingrid's Savvy drives the Cyclone team bus and a pig that sounds very much like Olivia is the pitcher for the pigs team.

In the first game thanks to Alex everyone laughs at the Big Bad Wolf. The Wolf is not happy, throughout the story he pops in and out in various disguises trying to catch and eat Alex. I really enjoyed this Wolf as the bad guy. It gave the story just the right amount of danger. I absolutely loved Alex's security detail, Nanny Mae and her cat Mrs. P. All Nannies are a part of the Wizard's secret service. There was a great action filled Nanny face off. Very intense and exciting.

All the characters worry their stories will go unread and they will being forgotten. When that happens they vanish from Ever After. This aspect of the story could've easily become too much lesson about remembering classics but the author doesn't let it. Gratz also does a very good job of balancing baseball and fantasy. There isn't too much baseball for non baseball fans but enough for baseball fans to enjoy. There isn't too much fantasy for non fantasy fans, fantasy fans will appreciate the author's world building. I am glad I finally picked this one up, its great story.

* It was pretty cool to learn that author's Brian Jacques and Ingrid Law were okay with their characters being used. Actually Redwall was one of the stadiums.

Akata Witch - Nnedi Okorafor

Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor
12yr old Sunny was born in New York. When she was 9, her parents decided to move the family back to Nigeria. Sunny's parents and two older brothers were all born in Nigeria.

"You see why I confuse people? Nigerian by blood, American by birth, and Nigerian again because I live here. I have West African features, like my mother, but while the rest of my family is dark brown. I've got light yellow hair, skin the color of sour milk, (or so stupid people like to tell me), and hazel eyes that look like God ran out of the right color. I'm albino"

Halfway into Akata Witch, I realized I've read all of Okorafor's novels. I return for many reasons, one being I love the author's main characters. I always want to follow them on their adventure. Sunny had me at the prologue.

When Sunny's hair catches on fire, she has to cut her hair. When Sunny goes to school everyone laughs, including her so called friends. Soon Sunny begins hanging out with Orlu, a boy in her class. Through Orlu, Sunny meets Chichi. Orlu and Chichi are childhood friends with magical abilities. They are known as Leopard people and it runs in their family.(which is normally the case) With the help of Orlu and Chichi, Sunny discover she's a free agent Leopard.

Orlu and Chichi have always been exposed to magic and are already in the early stages of training. Sunny has a lot of catching up to do. 13yr old Sasha from Chicago joins the group. Sasha misused his abilities at home, so his father sent him to Nigeria to keep him out of trouble.

The four are being taught Anatov, one of eight living people in Nigeria to have passed the last level. Sunny must go to these lessons in secret. Sunny's family can't know about her magical abilities. I thought the author did a good job of balancing Sunny's life.

I really liked the foursome and I hope this is the first of many books. Though for now, I would've liked a little more action less training. There's much to like about Akata Witch., including the Oha Coven. "It's a group of mystical combination, set up to defend against something bad"

An Oha Coven is always made up of four people, two boys, two girls and there are a few other elements. When this came up I was instantly intrigued and wish it was explored a bit more. There are a few more things I hope the author expands on in the future, including Sunny's grandmother.

The four are eventually asked to help stop Black Hat, a serial killer targeting children. The Black Hat storyline didn't play out as well as I would've liked. I was underwhelmed by the final confrontation. The strength of this story comes from the four friends, especially Sunny. As well as Leopard Knocks, the main West African headquarters. The author makes it very easy to envision Leopard Knocks.

I couldn't end this without mentioning one of the first things Sunny buys in Leopard Knocks, book. "from fast facts for free agents, by a well known free agent. Before each chapter begins there's an excerpt from the book. I loved these, since it allows the reader to learn more about the Leopard people with Sunny.

Okorafor has written a good foundation. I have my fingers crossed there will be more adventures to come for Sunny and her friends.

Publishers Weekly Review

The Search For Wondla - Tony Diterizzi

The Search For Wondla by Tony Diterizzi

I am lucky enough to work at a bookstore, where I am not the only one that enjoys middle grade and young adult fiction. One of my co-workers The Search for Wondla as soon as it came out and loved it. She said it was Flora Segunda good. Even with that great compliment I still put off reading this one. When I found out Wondla was Al Roker's next book club pick, I decided it was time. I've only heard great things about Wondla and I wasn't dissappointed.

12 yr old Eva Nine lives in an underground Sanctuary, where she was born and raised. Eva doesn't know who her parents are and she's never meet another human. The only parent Eva has ever known is a female robot, she calls Muthr. Eva is ready to explore the world above and find more people like her. Muthr doesn't think Eva is ready.

Besteel, a hunter discovers and destroys their underground home. Muthr is barely able to help Eva escape. Eva, quickly realizes all of her training has not prepared her for life above ground. Luckily Eva meets Rovender a friendly creature. Eva has entered the world where she is the strange one and the lone human. Eva soon befriends Otto, a giant and gental water bear, after freeing him from Besteel. Eva and Otto are able to communicate without words, they can hear each others thoughts.

Throughout the book Besteel is hunting Eva. It's his job to capture specimens to be studied and then mounted in the museum. With the help of Muthr, Rovender (Rovee) and Otto, Eva seeks out her Wondla and other like her. Eva's Wondla is an old torn picture of a girl smiling next to her robot.

This story was very good and a lot of fun. I loved losing myself in it. One of the best things about it, I could never guess what was going to happen. I didn't think I could care for Muthr, she was only a robot after all and in the beginning she was a little cold. But above ground as Muthr had to quickly adapt to changes, I found myself liking her as much as the other characters. One of the stories many strengths are Eva's relationships with Muthr, Rovee and Otto.

Visually this is a wonderful book and I am not talking about the illustrations (though they are nice) Diterizzi writes a fanstasy world readers can easliy see.

Theodosia Eyes of Horus - R.L. Lafevers

Theodosia and the Eyes of Horus by R.L. Lafevers

When I discovered Theodosia (Theo) last year, she was already into her second adventure "Theodosia and the Staff of Osiris I kept putting off reading the book but eventually got to it and loved it. Eyes of Horus was just as good. Theo's parents own the Museum of Legends and Antiquities. Theo is able to detect and remove curses and black magic on artifacts. Theo finds the Eyes of Horus, a very valuable Egyptian artifact in the museum's holdings. Theo must quickly figure out who she can trust, and avoid the people looking to harm her.

Smart and independent Theo was one of my favorite female protagonist of 2009 and she didn't disappoint. This is simply a very well done mystery series and a whole lot of fun. Its perfect for fans of Glida Joyce.

An excerpt from The Eyes of Horus

An excerpt from book one, which is available in paperback.

I took the time to link to two excerpts because this series is that good.