My Lady Jane, by Cynthia Hand

I'm definitely a fan of historical fiction and romance. My Lady Jane, who are written by the co-authors, Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows, is absolutely magical, adventurous, and heartwarming. I don't see how anyone could fail to fall in love with this story and its wonderful characters.

I seriously don't want to ruin any of the plot, so I'll just say this book is surprisingly hilarious. Basically, the story starts out adding its own twist on history, but then ends up chucking history out the window and rewriting a happier ending for King Edward VI, Lady Jane Grey, and Lord Guildford Dudley. All of the familiar faces like Elizabeth I, Bloody Mary, and Mary Queen of Scots are featured. And the new ending could totally still fit in with actual history. There were so many hilarious references and actual lines pulled straight out of Monty Python and the Princess Bride. And Guildford's character kept coming up with a ton of Shakespeare's lines. I especially loved the characters and the mixing in of actual history with a fictional book. It was quite well done!

I also loved the slow-burn romance. Jane and Guildford, otherwise known as "G", were total strangers upon their first meeting at their wedding and hated each other. Of course, they gradually learned to tolerate one another, though there were too many annoying almost-kisses in my opinion. Lady Jane can be pig-headed and silly at times, but she's also brave and fearless and bold. Although I think she is a little too bold for this time period. *JK*

The Dragon's Tooth, by N.D. Wilson

If you liked Percy Jackson (Rick Riordan) and Harry Potter (J.K. Rowling) and are looking for what to read next, head on over to our Tween Area and grab The Dragon's Tooth, by N.D. Wilson. This is the first in a fantastic trilogy that's packed with high adventure, heart-pounding excitement, and non-stop action that will keep you on the edge of your seat. We promise you won't be able to put it down!

Cyrus Smith never thought there was anything special about his life. Since the death of his parents a few years earlier, he and his sister, Antigone, have lived a fairly boring existence with their older brother Dan and helped operate the family's run-down motel. But not many guests come to stay, so there's not much to do. 

Until...

On a day that begins like any other, a reclusive old man with a skeleton tattoo arrives and makes some very particular demands. By morning, the motel has burned down, the old man is dead, and Cyrus is in possession of a set of very unusual keys that, in the hands of the diabolical Dr. Phoenix, could spell the end of the world as we know it. Just before the bad guys arrive on the scene, Cyrus and Antigone are kidnapped by a hulking stranger who informs them that their family is part of an secret Order of magicians, explorers, and sages who have been keeping the world in balance for thousands of years. Now they must begin training so they can take their rightful place among these great men and women.

But that's not the whole story.

Years earlier, their parents got involved in something that caused them to fall out of favor with the Order (their deaths were no accident). And now, because of this, Cyrus and Antigone are outcasts. But despite being hated by nearly every member of the Order, Cyrus and Antigone must stay within the walls and train. Because staying means they will be offered a certain amount of protection. 

But Dr, Phoenix knows Cyrus has the keys to ultimate power. He knows where Cyrus is. 

And if Cyrus makes one wrong move... 

--AJB

Tales from Outer Suburbia, by Shaun Tan

A family hosts a peculiar exchange student who chooses to sleep in the pantry, asks unusual questions, and departs mysteriously one day... leaving behind a most spectacular thank you gift.

An elderly man entertains his grandchildren with the story of his wedding day. But if you're expecting a tale of dancing, cake, and fancy parties, think again. Back in those days, weddings were much more complicated affairs.

A family, down on their luck and weary of their dreary existence, discovers a secret passage within their own home... A secret passage that leads to a kind of perfect paradise. Maybe there's one in your home?

Welcome to Outer Suburbia, where a blind reindeer visits once a year to take peoples' most valued possessions, where endangered sea creatures appear (quite suddenly) on the front lawn, where mandatory government-issued missiles become a thing of beauty, where turtles need to be rescued and there exists a magic formula for growing a beloved pet out of every day random discarded objects. 

Shaun Tan's (The Arrival) bizarre and beautiful book, Tales from Outer Suburbia is packed with such stories. Some are several pages long, while others are no more than a couple sentences. Still others are mostly told through bright illustrations. Each is fantastical in a way that it will transport you the way a great story should. It's a memorable book, and I'm very happy I finally picked it up.

This one is memorable, guys! Don't pass up the chance to read it! --AJB

Aquamarine, by Alice Hoffman

A few days ago, we reviewed Ella Enchanted, by Gail Carson Levine. So in keeping with the trend of reviewing adorable girlie books made into adorable girlie movies, we give you Aquamarine, by Alice Hoffman.

I'm not ashamed to admit I love both the book and the movie version of this sweet story. And, like most understated books adapted for the screen, you're probably most familiar with the movie version of the tale (or is it tail?). 

In the movie, a headstrong mermaid (named Aquamarine) washes up on land and is discovered by best friends, Hailey and Claire. Aquamarine has swam away from home with a very special mission: To find true love. She has three days to do this and, if she is unsuccessful, she must return to the sea and honor her father's wishes to marry a merman who she can't stand (like, ew!). The girls agree to help her meet and find love with Raymond, the cute lifeguard every girl on the beach is crushing on. In exchange, they'll get a wish...and they know exactly what they'll ask for (no spoilers here). Despite the time crunch and encounters with mean girl Cecilia and her mean girl posse, Aqua and Ray do get together. But, not unlike in the movie Frozen, the actual love that is so crucial to the plot isn't the romantic sort at all, but the kind one good friend feels for another. The ending is kind of bittersweet, but the audience feels good about it. It feels right. There's lots of bright colors, fun music, cute boys, cool fashion ideas (I've actually tried that T-shirt transformation idea & it works), and a villain you love to hate. In short, it's the quintessential teen girl movie.

That's the movie version.

But I was fortunate enough to stumble upon the book long before learning there was a movie adaption. Had I not... Well, I might not have been able to write so positively about the book.

The BOOK version of Aquamarine is much more understated than it's movie counterpart. And it's very, very different from the movie except for a few bare essentials (actually, I can understand why they changed it so much, because an exact interpretation of the book wouldn't be very exciting to watch). In the book, best friends Hailey and Claire, both 12, spend their days hanging out at a deserted beach club where they don't really do much of anything but hang out. At the end of the summer, Claire will be moving far away, and Hailey will be alone. Then, the day after a nasty storm, they discover a mermaid in the swimming pool of the club (like in the movie). The mermaid falls in love with Raymond, the bookish boy who runs the snack shop, and the girls agree to help the two meet. Claire and Hailey arrange a blind date for their friends, and the date goes very well (there IS some trouble with hiding the tail). Then the mermaid returns to the sea, Raymond leaves for college, the beach club closes forever, and Claire moves away as planned. It's a sweet story, clocking in at less than 100 pages. No mean girls, no wishes, no cool soundtrack, no flash or flare. And not nearly as exciting as the movie. But it has a certain quiet charm to it the movie doesn't possess. And, as with most cases, I actually prefer the book (if I had to pick only one).

If you haven't experienced either the book or movie, read the book before you watch the movie. Then let me know what you think.--AJB

Brides of Rollrock Island, by Margo Lanagan

As you may have guessed from previous reviews, I like stories about fantastical sea creatures. Always have. So when author Margo Lanagan took a stab at the Selkie myth, I had to read it for myself. I was not disappointed.

(Side Note: Some may say Selkies are related to mermaids, but, really, the two aren't anything alike. To simplify, Selikes are women and men--yes, men too--who can shapeshift from seals into human form. To make one stay human, simply steal and hide their seal skin.)

The Brides of Rollrock Island is set on a distant, isolated island and takes place over several generations, and there is a lot going on. So pay attention. (this is NOT light reading, people) At the center of the story is Misskaella, who was born with the uncanny ability to communicate with the seals who make the shores and beaches of the island their home. Misskaella was not a pretty child, among other things, and the residents of the island never failed to remind her of her shortcomings. As she grows, she learns to use her unusual gift to draw out the women living inside the seals. She then sells these women, these "sea-wives," to the island's men...and makes quite a healthy living doing so. But the effect on the island's population is devastating: Families split when men trade their human wives for sea wives, children lose their mothers when a sea wife finds her stolen skin and returns to the sea without so much of a backwards glance, hearts break, and the witch laughs at it all. This is the revenge she'd hoped for. The story of Rollrock Island, and the revenge brought upon it by Misskaella, is told from six points of view--including that of the witch herself. It's not a happily-ever-after sort of story. In fact, it's quite uncanny and creepy. But it IS beautifully-written and memorable. And once you get into it, you'll want to keep reading.

Read this if you've enjoyed complex realistic fantasy stories like Maggie Stiefvaer's Raven Cycle or Bennett Madison's September Girls. Definitely recommended! --AJB

Teen Reviewer

Teen Reviewer Troy, 19, recently finished Naomi Novik's Black Powder War, the third installment of The Chronicles of Temerair. To date, this is one of Troy's favorite fantasy series:

"This has to be one of the best series of books I have read in a long time! If you liked the Eragon books or others like that, you will love these stories. (Temerair) portrays the Napoleonic war, but with the twist of adding barn-sized dragons to the mix. No magic or super powers. Everything is portrayed in a realistic manner, and I love it for that. It's nice to see a change from works of high fantasy to realistic fantasy. The books are dripping in detail and always leave you with a cliffhanger and wanting more. Some might consider these books hard due to the large vocabulary and dated social reasonings. Not to mention not one of the books (in the series) is under 300 pages. But I can finish one of them in under 6 hours. See if you can do better than I can. Good luck and enjoy these masterpieces!"

Due to the difficult vocabulary and some mature situations, Troy recommends Black Powder War and the Chronicles of Temerair for older teens and more advanced readers.

Second Star, by Alyssa Sheinmel

Fairy Tale retellings can be very tricky, particularly ones reworked so they are set in modern day. Sometimes they work (as in Alex Flinn's Beastly), other times not so well. An example of the later is Alyssa Sheinmel's Peter Pan reboot, Second Star. 

At the opening of this story, we meet recent high school grad and Good Girl Wendy Darling. Wendy's twin brothers (Michael and John), both die-hard surfers, disappeared several months earlier. Pieces of their surfboards were found shortly after a huge swell swept up the coast, creating larger than normal waves (even for winter). Everyone but Wendy believes the boys drowned, even though no bodies were found. So after graduation, Wendy sets off to investigate and see if she can't find her brothers and bring them home. Instead she discovers an almost magical beach where the waves are always perfect. Here lives Pete and a group of homeless teens who spend their days surfing and stealing supplies from nearby McMansions. Wendy lies to her parents, saying she's going on a road trip with her BFF, and moves in with Pete and crew. Wendy develops a crush on the charismatic Pete... But she also falls for Jas, a local bad-boy-who-wants-to-be-good sort. Jas makes a living selling a hallucinogen called "Dust," and claims to know the whereabouts of her brothers. Wendy and Jas take off up the coast, chasing a storm that will bring unseasonably large waves. If Michael and John are anywhere, they'll be there when the waves hit. They find the beach, but not the brothers. Wendy and Jas rendezvous with Pete & Co. and take a boat out to catch the waves...and Wendy almost drowns.

She wakes up days later tied to a bed in the psych ward of the hospital... And here's where things get confusing. 

The reader learns that Wendy was found, bruised but otherwise physically OK, nowhere near the beach she claims to have traveled to with Jas. Her parents and doctors tell her that she must have hallucinated the whole adventure and everyone in it. The reason for this is Wendy apparently took an odd cocktail of drugs that combined to cause her "trip." Evidence suggests otherwise, though. Wendy can suddenly surf like a pro (before she couldn't). And near the end she anonymously receives a photo of the boys she fell for. And this is where the author left things. 

I did like the whole summery, dreamlike quality to the story. And the idea was a good one. Unfortunately, the execution was sloppy. The ending confusing.

Before diving into Second Star, know this: The story does require a good deal of suspension of belief in addition to the typical fairy tale elements. For example, what parents would allow their 17-year-old daughter to take off to do who knows what for weeks at a time--especially one as supposedly unstable as Wendy? Also, it is unclear at the end whether Wendy's whole adventure was imagined (as her parents and doctors claim), really happened (as the photo of Pete and the gang she receives at the end suggests), or a combination of the two. And if the adventure did indeed happen, why did Wendy's family, friends, and doctors tell her otherwise? If they want her to heal properly, wouldn't they be honest with her? Nothing really lines up properly.  Also, if the author wanted to add the "she just imagined the whole thing" twist, it could have been done better. The way it was, it seemed too rushed and, well, cliche.

If you're looking for a good magical realism story, there are better options. Ask the on-duty librarian for recommendations :)

AJB

Blue Lily, Lily Blue

The third book in Maggie Stiefvater's Raven Cycle series, Blue Lily Lily Blue, picks up where Dream Thieves left off. 

The hunt for the Welsh King Owen Glendower continues, but a more pressing concern seems to be the whereabouts of Blue's mother, Maura, who mysteriously vanished at the end of Dream Thieves with very little explanation except to say she was going "underground." As the teens' search leads them to explore a series of caves, new discoveries are made and new secrets are reveled. Turns out there are three ancient sleepers, not just Glendower...and one of these must NOT be woken, no matter what. The Gray Man's former employer Colin Greenmantle, who was no more than a vague threat last time around, is a more solidly-rendered villain in this book. He and his diabolical wife, Piper, have arrived in Henrietta to seek the Greywarren (an object that allows the holder to take objects from dreams), not knowing the something they seek is actually a someone. Tension builds throughout the book, and time seems to be running out for everyone: For Blue, who must find her mother before it's too late... For Gansey, whose prophecized year to live is nearing the end... For Adam, who is getting pulled deeper and deeper into Cabeswater... For Ronan, whose dreams are becoming increasingly deadly... Finally comes the cliffhanger, which will leave readers desperate for the final book.

Did you love The Raven Boys & The Dream Thieves? Then you HAVE to read Blue Lily Lily Blue! 

Haven't checked out The Raven Cycle yet? What are you waiting for?? --AJB

Belzhar, by Meg Wolitzer

What if you wanted something so badly, you actually convinced yourself it was reality? Meg Wolitzer explores this in her addicting novel Belzhar.

After her boyfriend, Reeve, died, Jam was inconsolable...so her parents sent her to The Wooden Barn, a boarding school in Vermont that's sort of a halfway house for emotionally damaged teens who aren't crazy enough for the psych ward (but are too fragile to mix with regular society). Jam obviously doesn't want to be there. She wants to be with Reeve. But Reeve is dead, and they can never be together again.

Or can they?

Jam is stunned when she is one of five students selected for Special Topics English, taught by the mysterious Mrs. Quenell. Everyone who has ever taken the class has claimed it changed their lives, but have remained secretive about the details. So Jam goes, not knowing what to expect.

What happens as a result of this exclusive membership is she and the other Special Topics students are allowed limited entry into the magical world they dub "Belzhar." This is a place they can go where the terrible thing that happened to them, the terrible thing that put them in The Wooden Barn, never happened and life is as it should be. For Jam, this means she can be with Reeve again. But she soon discovers they can only relive past memories. They can't create any new experiences. And she can never stay for very long. But this is enough for her.

As Jam and her classmates approach their last visit to Belzhar, they learn the truth about the place: That Belzhar gives them what they want to see...but it also reveals the truth about their trauma, the parts they blocked out the first time around. That during their final visit, they must re-live every sordid and terrible detail of the worst experience of their lives. This means Jam must re-live Reeve's death and face the awful, psyche-scarring truth about what really happened that day.

I wasn't really sure what to expect from Belzhar. I'd picked it up because I'd read a fabulous review that revealed just enough to spark my curiosity...but didn't give it all away. And it was good. Very, very good. Unusual, but very good...and I kept reading. I wanted to know what happened as much as the characters did.

Yes, there was a bit of a twist at the end (no spoilers). Not one that put my jaw in my lap, but still one that surprised me and changed the way I felt about Jam. Previous to the twist, I had felt a twinge of sympathy for her, certainly, but that was it. After all, she seemed to be getting better. Then the twist...and I realized how sick and twisted she really was. Far beyond what I first believed. 

Confused? Curious? 

Read the book. --AJB

Eye of Zoltar, by Jasper Fforde

Jenny Strange, 16, Orphan, Indentured Servant, and acting manager of Kazam Mystical Arts Management has been assigned with perhaps the biggest (and strangest) task of her young life. 

In the Eye of Zoltar, the third installment of Jasper Fforde's Kazam Chronicles, The Mighty Shandar, greatest wizard of all times, is back--and he's got a vendetta against Jenny for unknowingly foiling his centuries-old evil plot to rid the world of any and all dragons. Shandar gives Jenny a deal: He will spare the lives of her two young dragon friends if Jenny retrieves for him the legendary Eye of Zoltar. The Eye is an egg-sized ruby of untold power that was supposedly last seen in the possession of the legendary Sky Pirate Wolff, who supposedly has a hideout within the legendary Sky Leviathan graveyard atop the mysterious mountain Cadir Idris, located at the heart of the deadly Cambrian empire. The odds are against her even before she begins her quest: Surviving the untold dangers of the Cambrian Empire are 50%...and the odds of returning alive from Cadir Idris are 0%. Furthermore, any unmagical person who touches the Eye (or even an unworthy magician) will be instantly transformed to lead. Yes, there are risks. But being a girl of considerable bravery and resourcefulness, Jenny accepts this challenge. She really has no choice.

Joined by wizard boyfriend Perkins, a princess in disguise, a rubber dragon (who is really a real live dragon), a rag-tag trio of adventure-seeking idiots, and a juvenile tour guide who is so hard-core she could scare the crap out of Chuck Norris, Jenny sets off on her impossible quest. What she learns while chasing legends is there is a reason for all the horror stories and secrets surrounding Cadir Idris. In fact, there is a reason for all the legends of the Cambrian Empire. Eventually, the ugly truth reveals itself: The Mighty Shandar's evil plot is to start the most vicious Troll War ever, and it seems the only one who can stop him and save the world as she knows it is the very non-magical Jenny. A cliffhanger ending promises a fantastic fourth installment in the (hopefully) very near future.

I can honestly say I haven't enjoyed a fantasy series this much since Harry Potter...and I think that, maybe, I like The Kazam Chronicles even more. The Eye of Zoltar makes an awesome addition to the first two installments of the series, The Last Dragonslayer (book 1) and The Song of the Quarkbeast (book 2). The Kazam Chronicles have it all: Adventure, humor, great characters, and an awesome storyline. If you haven't checked out these books yet...what are you waiting for?

Highly, highly recommended! --AJB

Raven Cycle

The third volume in Maggie Stiefvater's Raven Cycle quartet, Blue Lily Lily Blue, is due out next month, and we couldn't be more excited! Here, the adventures of Gansey, Ronan, Adam, Noah, and Blue continue as they delve deeper into their search for the elusive mythical king, Owan Glendower, and the often exciting, and sometimes frightening, mysteries surrounding their hometown of Henrietta. Fans of the series who can't wait until the official release can read an official excerpt on the author's website. And trust me when I say this little taste is awesome! But be warned: It will make you want the book that much more.

For those who haven't experienced the series yet, here's a rundown of what's happened so far:

In book one, The Raven Boys, readers are introduced to a close-knit group of four guys brought together by their fascination with a myth that an ancient Arthur-like king was buried somewhere in the hills around their hometown. The story goes that whoever finds that king will be granted a wish. Each boy has his personal reason for wanting this. Each has his own dark secrets. Readers also meet Blue, the only ordinary person in a family of powerful psychics. She is drawn into the mystery after having a vision that one of the Raven Boys will die within the next 12 months--presumably by her hand.

The Dream Thieves picks up where The Raven Boys left off. Despite having awakened the magical lay lines surrounding Henrietta, and despite disposing of their chief adversary, the five friends are still no closer to finding Glendower. This second book in the series focuses mainly on Ronan and his rare abilities that could either help or hinder the hunt. Worse, there are some very dangerous people following the friends, upping the overall sense of urgency overshadowing the plot. Meanwhile, Blue finds it increasingly difficult to keep from doing the one thing that could trigger a deadly curse.

For those who haven't experienced the series yet... What are you waiting for?
--AJB

Teen Review: The Seventh Door, by Bryan Davis

Teen Reviewer Jillian Wolf also read The Seventh Door, book three of Bryan Davis' Children of the Bard series. In this fantasy-adventure, teenage Matt and his mother Bonnie must stop the apocalypse by traveling through seven doors (each one containing a different evil). Opening the final door will either doom or save the world, but they won't know until they're there.

"The Seventh Door will keep your attention from the first page. With fast-paced adventure, breath-taking fights, evil villains, heroic characters, and loving sacrifces, you won't be able to put it down." --Jillian Wolf

Jillian recommends this book for ages 13 and up.

Teen Review: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Just as we love when our patrons discover a hidden treasure within our collection, we like just as much when a newcomer to the department re-discovers an old classic. This is what happened when Teen reviewer Gargi Ramekar, 10, read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, the first book in J.K. Rowling's now-iconic fantasy series about how the "Boy Who Lived" defeated "He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named" and had many fantastic adventures in the process.

"This is a great story about Harry Potter, his friends, and the Hogwarts school. I loved the way the author wrote the story and how she built up the suspense. I would recommend this book for all ages. I think you're never too young or too old to read it."

Teen Review: Keturah and Lord Death

It's always great discovering a fantastic book that's NOT something seemingly every single person has read or is reading. Teen reviewer Tabitha, 14, discovered this sort of hidden gem in Martine Leavitt's gorgeous romance Keturah and Lord Death.

In this story, which was a National Book Award finalist, Keturah becomes hopelessly lost in the forest. Near death, she meets a handsome stranger who turns out to be Death himself, come to collect her for his own. But Death takes pity on Keturah, giving her a day to find her true love. If she is successful, she may go free. If not, she must come with him. Keturah eagerly embarks on this quest, assisting other relationships along the way. But as her time runs out she realizes that she'd already found her true love and has no need to look further.

"This book was very good and had a solid plot. It was well-written and makes me wish it would become a movie even though the movie couldn't possibly be half as good as the book because of how great it is."

Tabitha recommends Keturah and Lord Death for all ages. She is happy this book was suggested to her.

Teen Review: Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige

Teen reviewer Becca read Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige on a friend's suggestion and thought it was awesome. In this dystopian, Amy, a teen finds herself trapped inside her favorite story: The Wizard of Oz. Only things have gone horribly awry: The Scarecrow is a mad scientist, the Tin Woodsman is cruel military commander, and the Cowardly Lion is a vicious beast. Worst of all, Dorothy is now a power hungry tyrant bent on stealing the land's magic and enslaving its people. Recruited by the Witches, Amy must save Oz before its too late.

"One day a tornado comes and transports Amy off to Oz, but her favorite fairy tale has been twisted. Amy is on the ride of her life to take down Dorothy and her minions."

Becca recommends Dorothy Must Die for teens ages 12-15. 

Teen Review: Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini

Teen reviewer Nathan, 16, read the Inheritance Cycle series by Christopher Paolini on a friend's suggestion. Nathan loved this story, which is about a boy who discovers a dragon egg, becomes a dragon rider, and who fulfills his destiny to save his kingdom. He particularly liked the series finale, Inheritance.

"Inheritance is an outstanding book! It keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very last page."

Nathan recommends the Inheritance Cycle (Eragon, Eldest, Brisingr, and Inheritance) to teens 13 and up. The Inheritance Cycle is shelved in the Teen Series section.

Teen Reviewer-- 3 Reviews

Veteran Teen Reviewer Kate read, loved, and reviewed three books: Fire and Flood, by Victoria Scott; Rebel Belle, by Rachel Hawkins; and The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken. All three books Kate would recommend for teens 13 and up.

In Fire and Flood, Tella's brother is deathly ill. So she enters the dangerous Brimstone Bleed Race where she hopes to win a cure. But there is no guarantee she will win--or even survive. "When I started reading Fire & Flood, I had no expectations. I hadn't seen many reviews for it, but I loved it! This book was a perfect dystopian and surreal story, and Victoria Scott's characters really come to life by the end of the book. This book had some plot twists that I didn't see coming."

In Rebel Belle, Harper Price, a popular homecoming queen type, unexpectedly comes into some serious powers: She becomes a Paladin, an ancient guardian. And who must she protect but her lifelong nemesis! Kate was pleasantly surprised by the book: "The cover made me think it was some girly kind of book, but it was the exact opposite. It was funny, exciting, and an overall great book. The story was amazing and I liked all of the characters. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book."

In Darkest Minds, teenage Ruby survives a deadly virus only to contract terrifying abilities. Having escaped a rehabilitation camp for other survivors, Ruby is on the run. Her only hope is to reach a safe house--but even there, nothing is as it seems. "This was an amazing dystopian read! I loved the author's writing and can't wait to see what she writes next."

Would you like to write reviews for our Teen Book Blog? Stop by the Teen Desk and find out how!

Angelfall -- Teen Reviewer

Teen reviewer Kate loved Angelfall by Susan Ee, a dystopian thriller about teenage Penryn and fallen angel Raffe and their journey to rescue Penryn's kidnapped little sister from the evil angels. 

"The very beginning of the book introduces the reader to this apocalyptic world where angels have taken over the Earth and most of the humans. But some still try to survive."

For Kate, everything about this book, from the characters to the plot development, was perfect:

"I always hate when books have plot holes, but Angelfall was woven together seamlessly. The creepiness of this book was really enjoyable, and the main character, Penryn, was amazing. She was really independent and strong. The book was really thrilling and I enjoyed the action and suspense that came with it. I can't wait to read World After, the second book in the series."

According to Goodreads, World After has been out since November. A third book is expected to be released sometime in 2015.

Kate recommends Angelfall for teens 13 and up.

Teen Reviewer: Daughter of Smoke and Bone

Kate Marsh also enjoyed Daughter of Smoke & Bone, by Laini Taylor. She didn't like this high fantasy romance as much as some of the other books she reviewed, but she found it entertaining enough to finish.

"Daughter of Smoke and Bone was really good. This was the first book in the trilogy, so most of it was world building. But once that was established, it was a really beautiful story. I enjoyed the main character, Karou. She was relatable in many ways even though her situations weren't. I fully think that Laini Taylor's writing is what really drove me to finish this book. The clear pictures she paints with her words are wonderful!"--Kate Marsh

The Smoke and Bone Trilogy involves an epic battle between good and evil, but neither the bad guys or the good guys are who you'd traditionally expect them to be. And many of the characters fall into that grey area. And of course there's the love story that is, really, central to the plot. Don't miss book two, Days of Blood and Starlight, or book three, Dreams of Gods and Monsters. All three books are published and available for checkout.

Teen Reviewer: Defy

Teen reviewer Kate Marsh, 14, read Defy by Sara Larson. Lately Kate has been really into fairy tale retellings. And she'd read glowing reviews about Defy (a Mulan-type story) on Goodreads. But, unfortunately, she found it lacking:

"Compared to other fairy tale-type books, this one was fairly disappointing. The world that was built was really strong, and I really liked the new fantasy element with the sorcerers, but the characters were very dull. Alexa, or Alex, was Mulan, and she was very two-dimensional. When she was put into really scary situations, she would make really frustrating choices. The other characters, such as the prince, were really interesting, but we didn't get to find out much about them in this book. There is supposed to be a sequel, so I hope it will be more entertaining character-wise." 

Kate feels Defy would be appropriate for teens age 13-15. Unfortunately, she wouldn't recommend it.