Thursday, July 31, 2014

Mr. Ruins by Michael John Grist

MR-300[Mr. Ruins] by [Michael John Grist] is a mind twisting thriller through the tsunami ravages future. The main character Rit is a diver of minds and the plot goes back and forth between Rit and Me, who is currently on a mission with his "chord". If this sounds confusing, it can be, but this is how the tone is set for this novel and works very well with it. The future world created by [Grist] is one in turmoil and with no promise of a future and he portrays this emotion in his writing.

I look forward to reading more of [Mr. Grist's] books. It was a interesting journey. I recommend it to any fan of science fiction.

{At the time of this review the book is not yet published. It should be out in early August.}

Saturday, July 26, 2014

Hidden Power by Tracy Lane


This book is AMAZING! [Tracy Lane] does a masterful job creating a magical world. The balance between good and evil is crucial. When Kronos has his squire steal the Orb that balance is in jeopardy. This will set the adventure in motion as Kayne and Aurora find strength in each other to battle evil.

I will be recommending this book to my school library. I am greatly looking forward to the adventure continuing.

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Torn Away by Jennifer Brown


15845648I received this book as an ARC and immediately put it on top of my pile. I would categorize [Torn Away] by [Jennifer Brown] as a coming of age novel because the main character,Jersey, in the beginning is a typical teenager who does not realize what she has but not in a spoiled rotten way. When the tornado strikes her whole world changes and she will need to learn to live again. She finds more about her family than she ever knew, or wanted to know. I will recommend this book to everyone but especially my students. I did not want to put it down.

Two Empty Thrones by C.H. MacLean


22380763Wish I could give this 5 more stars! I am in love with this series! [C.H. MacLean] is a masterful weaver of tales! I will again be recommending this to my school media specialist. The magic continues. Awaiting the third book,

Monday, July 21, 2014

Behind Closed Doors: Stories from the Inside Out by Marjie Bowker


22239047WOW! [Behind Closed Doors: Stories from the Inside Out] by the students of [Scribner Lake High School] was amazing! As a teacher, who is well aware of the struggles kids go through, the story's told by these courageous young people blew me away. I want to work on this project with my students. Better yet is that high school looking for teachers.


Thank you to the amazing teachers and students who gave us this wonderful but heartbreaking insight.

Fatal Forecast by Michael J. Tougias


1337900[Fatal Forecast] by [Michael J. Tougias] was a very well written account of a prediction disaster on George's Bank. Unfortunately when we learn to rely on technology and the people in charge decide to cut corners lives can be lost. That is what happened with this storm. The fishermen did not get an accurate forecast because two bouy's were not working. 


I really enjoyed this book and it gave me my non fiction fix.

Friday, July 18, 2014

The Angel Makers by Jessica Gregson


11911674I had high hopes for [The Angel Makers] by [Jessica Gregson]. I mean foreign land, war, infidelity, murder, and mystery, how could you go wrong? It did. The language was a bit cruder that I felt it needed to be even for character development. The beginning of the story started so well. The character of Sari was intriguing but as the book went on she seemed to get sucked into the shallowness of the rest of the characters. The ending just fizzled.

Reader(Daughter of Time Book 1) by Erec Stebbins


17878124[Reader] the first installment of the [Daughter of Time] series by [Erec Stebbins] had a really great concept. The writing just needed a little more organization. I enjoyed it but it was like looking into an person with ADHD's mind at times. 
The first person narrative of Ambra Dawn who must work with an alien race to rewrite time to save planet Earth. 


Sunday, July 13, 2014

Conversations with Amelia by Kathleen Schmitt


16165325[Conversations with Amelia] by [Kathleen Schmitt] cover both the history of one of the greatest women, Amelia Earhart, but also the growing pains of a family after WWII. All seen through the eyes of Hannah, who is very naive in the beginning. Her confidant is an imaginary Amelia who gives her good advice and keeps her "flying right".


I have been looking forward to reading this book because Amelia Earhart is one of my favorite figures in history. I was not disappointed. It is well written and interweaves the history with the events happening in the story so that it has a really nice flow. I highly recommend reading this book.

Saturday, July 12, 2014

Origin: Season One by Nathaniel Dean James


22642414[Origin:Season One] by [Nathaniel Dean James] is a great debut novel. It has a great sense of mystery and conspiracy. I really enjoyed reading this novel although usually I tend to shy away from alien stuff but it reminded me of the [Destroyermen] series.


The flow was a little choppy and the location seemed to get mixed at times but those are minor things that should be cleared up in the second book.

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Across the Rift by H. Ann Ackroyd


22025859[Across the Rift]by[H Ann Ackroyd] started out slow for me and the format was difficult. The plot,characters, and setting was excellent though. I wonder if the formatting issue was with the eBook download if not it could use some editing. It was an enjoyable historic fiction.

Monday, July 7, 2014

Arlo's Epiphany by Jane Oldaker


16092892I loved the concept of [Arlo's Epiphany] by [Jane Oldaker] but it could have been so much more. It was a cute story about a secret agent barncat and the lesson he learns about friendship. I would have liked this to be expanded to a novel because there is so much that can be done with the ideas and characters.

The Prediction by Darren Sugrue


22452711[The Prediction] by [Darren Sugrue] was an excellent thriller. The question is, if you could know the date of death would you want to? Daniel did his PhD thesis on a mathematical formula that could predict when someone would die. His thesis was rejected and he gave up his old life to be a crane operator. Twelve years later his old professor approaches him after the death of his son and wants Daniel to take his thesis up again. This decision will change everyone involved.


The characters were well developed and drove the plot. I really liked how you got to see different perspectives throughout the book.I highly recommend this book. I could not put it down once I started reading.

Saturday, July 5, 2014

The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith(aka J.K. Rowling)


16160797[The Cuckoo's Calling] by [Robert Galbraith aka J.K Rowling] was a mystery in the classic sense. The character of Cormoran Strike is one that a series can be built around and I could not really tell who the culprit was until it was revealed at the end. I was very pleased with this book and will be reading more of this series.


I did notice though that the author seems to like protagonists that are from broken families and have not had the best childhoods. Also the author seems to like to make the privileged the antagonists.

Getting A Life by Kathleen S. Schmitt


18685442[Kathleen S. Schmitt] does an incredible job of tackling issues that face many teens in [Getting a Life]. Hildie has been sent to live with her rich uncle in Canada after her parents were killed in El Salvador(ok, not many kids experience this.) Unfortunately her uncle has no idea how to deal with kids and kicks Hildie out and she lives on the street with a group of other kids. She eventually ends up back in a home and throughout the experience she learns the true meaning of family, love and justice.


This book was well written and showed that trauma can have a drastic  impact on how a child see things. As a teacher I always try to keep in mind that there may be more going on with the "bad" kids.

Thursday, July 3, 2014

Once Upon A Road Trip by Angela N. Blount


18816364In [Once Upon A Road Trip] [Angela N. Blount] tells of a coming of age/finding yourself journey for the internet age. Angeli at the age of 18 has no idea what she wants to do. She would like to be a writer or even a minister. Her desire to figure it all out takes her on a journey through the US stopping and staying with people she has met on the internet. Before you all get like all the adults and say she is crazy, understand she had a plan. Also it was families she was staying with not weirdos.


I loved most of the style and voice of this book. In fact I plan to recommended to a few former students who are going through similar angst. The ending was predictable though. Perhaps I should not have read the dedication first.