TEEN: The Cahill Witch Chronicles 1: Born Wicked - Jessica Spotswood

Release Date: 07/02/13  

SYNOPSIS:  
Romance, magic and an age-old prophecy - the first novel in a stunning new paranormal young adult series. "Born Wicked" is to witches what "Twilight" is to vampires! Our mother was a witch too, but she hid it better. I miss her. To me, the magic feels like a curse. According to the Brothers, it's devil-sent. Women who can do magic-they're either mad or wicked. So I will do everything in my power to protect myself and my sisters. Even if it means giving up my life - and my true love. Because if the Brothers discover our secret, we're destined for the asylum, or prison ...or death. Praise for "Born Wicked": "A tale so captivating, you don't want it to end". (Andrea Cremer, "New York Times" bestselling author of the "Nightshade" series). Jessica Spotswood is a debut US author. She grew up in a tiny one-stoplight town in Pennsylvania. Now she lives in a gentrifying hipster neighbourhood in Washington, D.C. with her playwright husband and a cuddly cat named Monkey. She's never happier than when she's immersed in a good story, and swoony kissing scenes are her favourite. "Born Wicked" is her debut novel for teens.  

REVIEW:  
When I originally heard about this book I was more than intrigued as rather than making an Urban Fantasy in the modern age, the author decided to give it the flection of historical fiction and whilst for the most part the book worked well on some levels, there were quite a few others where it failed to live up to my expectations as parts were easily predicatable as well as treading a familiar road as a young woman is pulled between love and her family. Its not that there’s anything inherently wrong with the title but when most of the book is setting the scene without bringing all those wonderful historical references to add a timely charm, that it starts to leave you wondering where the series is going to go (this is part one of the Cahill Witch Chronicles) that will give the reader not only the fire but the desire to keep on going. Throw into the mix a major problem of Cate being a pretty perfect woman (beautiful, intelligent and of course extremely powerful) and it leaves you wondering why you want to care about this central character when others such as Maura stir the pot wonderfully well taking on Cate at every opportunity. It is a book that does have a lot of scope and here’s hoping that in future outings the characters will do a little more than follow a predictable path, but all in, for me, I’ll look at the next part to see what mayhem will ensue. 


 

TEEN: The Masque of the Red Death - Bethany Griffin

Release Date: 02/08/12

Book Blurb: 
Death is impossible and living is impossibly hard for 17-year-old Araby Worth in this sexy, post-Apocalyptic reimagining of Poe's gothic horror story of the same name. It's 1870 and a deadly virus has decimated the population of North America. Masked corpse-collectors roam the streets, removing the bodies before the contagion can spread. Though Araby tries to escape it all with drugs and parties, even at her most intoxicated she can't forget her brother's death - or her guilt for causing it. But things begin to change when William, the fascinating proprietor of The Debauchery Club where she searches for oblivion, and Elliott, nephew of the insane dictator, enter her life. One wants her heart, and the other her name. Convinced that he has won over his uncle's army, Elliott believes that having Araby on his arm will charm the populace into supporting a new government. After all, her father is the inventor of the mask which prevents the spread of the plague and saved civilisation - for those who can afford it...but Araby's greatest interest is that his plans will make protective masks available to all citizens and, in particular, to Will's young siblings, whom she has come to love despite herself.

But nothing is what it seems. A new contagion called the Red Death is sweeping the city and a shocking revelation about the origin of the new virus puts Araby's life in danger. The mob wants her. The rebels want her. And both boys want her. In this superb two-book series, what and who Araby chooses may just decide the fate of humanity ...

Review: 
If a book is based on what many would think of as a literary classic, then that book has to be something special and to be honest this was a book that’s taken me some time to review purely as I wanted to digest what I’d read.

Firstly this book is all about the setting, its dark, it seeps into the readers unconscious and to be honest it works delightfully well for the author. The principle character comes over very well (if not a little over the top) and for readers of Teen fiction, will fit in beautifully whilst still being someone they can identify with.

Add to this solid direction, a wonderful sense of pace and of course a story that keeps you going right to the very end which all in makes this a book that you really will enjoy.

   

TEEN: Fire City - Bali Rai

Release Date: 30/08/12

Book Blurb: 
Twenty-five years ago the world changed forever. A great war, which had raged for three years ended, and the reign of the Demons began...

Within the crumbling walls of Fire City, fifteen-year-old Martha is a member of the resistance, a small band of humans fighting for freedom in a lawless and horrifying new world. Amidst the chaos of battle arrives Jonah, a handsome stranger with a thirst for revenge and a power to destroy the Demon rulers.

As Martha and Jonah's lives collide, the future of the resistance is altered forever. The battle for humankind will now begin. An epic story of catastrophe, survival and the power of humanity.

Review: 
The future is dark, the world is threatened and mankind is not only is not only declining alongside threatened but also on the menu. It’s hard hitting, the characters working very well in the dark dystopian future and when added to a kick ass plot that has serious pace alongside the odd lull to allow you to recover, works very well for readers.

Add to this an author who can do some solid sleight of hand, gives readers a cracking tale for their money as well as gives readers the possibility for future titles all in makes this a book that really will hit the spot. Finally throw into the mix a lead character that readers can not only identify with but will also want to spend time around and all in its been a lot of fun to spend some time in the future.

   

TEEN: Summertime of the Dead - Gregory Hughes

Release Date: 30/08/12

Book Blurb: 
Yukio's two best friends are dead. Tormented and blackmailed by the Yakuza - the Japanese mafia - they have taken their own lives. Yukio is a kendo champion and he knows all the stories of the samurai. Heartbroken and furious, he is determined to avenge the deaths of his beloved Hiroshi and Miko. And so begins a deadly struggle between Yukio and the Yakuza, and between Yukio's capacity for love, and his thirst for revenge. Shot through with the beauty of Tokyo in spring, this is an unforgettable and uncompromising read.

Review: 
This title is a bit of a strange one as it has all the feeling of a Young Adult story but with more adult themes explored within. As such recommending this has been quite difficult, not because I didn’t enjoy the story but trying to find the right age range really made this difficult as the subject matter isn’t one that should be introduced too early.

Within this book by Gregory Hughes is a story of emotional pain, bloody revenge set in the modern world that harks back to traditions of a bygone era as this tale is set in modern Japan. Written from the principle characters point of view we see it all from its seemingly innocent beginnings into its dark decent to its final conclusion.

It is well written with the lead character coming over quite strongly but when you add a world that few westerners will fully understand into the mix (let alone the YA market) its definitely a story that is not one I’d give them too early and would recommend that you read yourself before passing on. Don’t get me wrong, it is well written, the prose sharp but with the overall emotional turmoil within if you want to give a younger child a taste of Japan then I’d recommend Chris Bradford first.

   

TEEN: The Raven Boys - Maggie Stiefvater

Release Date: 19/09/12

Book Blurb: 
Blue has spent the majority of her sixteen years being told that if she kisses her true love, he will die. When Blue meets Gansey's spirit on the corpse road she knows there is only one reason why - either he is her true love or she has killed him. Determined to find out the truth, Blue becomes involved with the Raven Boys, four boys from the local private school (lead by Gansey) who are on a quest to discover Glendower - a lost ancient Welsh King who is buried somewhere along the Virginia ley line. Whoever finds him will be granted a supernatural favour. Never before has Blue felt such magic around her. But is Gansey her true love? She can't imagine a time she would feel like that, and she is adamant not to be the reason for his death. Where will fate lead them.

Review: 
OK, I have to admit to a major crime here, I haven’t read Maggie’s writing before but on a recommendation from friends on a forum, I decided to give her a go and boy was I right to do so. This story had all the elements that I look for in a YA title, it had romance, it had a believable history and when backed with a touch of folklore alongside characters that I wanted to spend time around I really couldn’t put the book down. Add to this some wonderful turns of phrase, a great sense of pace and when backed with group dynamics that felt straight out of the real world, really presented me with a book that was over before I realised it. I really can’t wait to see what Maggie comes up with next. Great stuff.



   

TEEN: The Mystic City - Theo Lawrence

Release Date: 11/10/12

Book Blurb: 
Aria Rose, youngest scion of one of Mystic City's two ruling rival families, finds herself betrothed to Thomas Foster, the son of her parents' sworn enemies. The union of the two will end the generations-long political feud - and unite all those living in the Aeries, the privileged upper reaches of the city, against the banished mystics who dwell below in the Depths. But Aria doesn't remember falling in love with Thomas; in fact, she wakes one day with huge gaps in her memory. And she can't conceive why her parents would have agreed to unite with the Fosters in the first place. Only when Aria meets Hunter, a gorgeous rebel mystic from the Depths, does she start to have glimmers of recollection - and to understand that he holds the key to unlocking her past. The choices she makes can save or doom the city - including herself.

Review: 
This was a bit of a weird book to be honest as it wasn’t really one genre or another but an amalgam that utilised aspects from several to help make a world that was not only believable for the characters but to help prop up the flaws (and there were many) within the logic of the setting which whilst interesting did leave me gasping at the huge problems when the author introduced new elements that simply weren’t feesable or possible given the situation.

That said, if you skip over that you do get a romance story that it not only interesting but one that helps give the world a little sparkle as our lead principle seeks to (oh so slowly) figure out a lot of the mysteries beneath the surface.  It is definitely something different and whilst the author has done a reasonable job of pace, the lead characters intelligence is often drawn into question as the reader is going to be way quicker at finding answers than she. 

All in it is a reasonable book and one that I’m pleased I took the time to read but I hope that in future outings the author tries to do a bit more sleight of hand as I hate solving things so quickly which ruins the beauty alongside carefully thought out plot for me.



 

TEEN: Ashes Trilogy 2: Shadows - Ilsa J Bick

Release Date: 27/09/12

Book Blurb: 
Alex has escaped from Rule - but what new horrors face her in the ravaged world outside? Tom is safe - but what will he risk to find Alex? Chris - how much does he really know about the terrible darkness of Rule? And what are his true feelings for Alex? Ellie - where is she? The terrifying follow-up to the hugely popular Ashes.

Review: 
Having not been really all that enamoured with the first book in the series, I really wasn’t expecting too much from the second and to be honest I wasn’t disappointed. Whilst the tale does try to keep the pace moving with an over abundance of action the tale did feel more than a little flat as the sheer volume of supporting cast within left me wondering who was who and what they’d done in the first (and no I’m not joking when I say that I did a quick reread and wrote a cheat sheet to refer to.) All in, not a great book for me and whilst there will be a number of readers who enjoy the descriptions alongside action within, this book for me didn’t hit all my requirements in a title. All in a great shame.



 

TEEN: The Last Echo - Kimberly Derting

Release Date: 29/03/12  
BOOK BLURB:  
Violet has always kept her strange ability to sense dead bodies a secret from everyone except her family and best-friend-turned-boyfriend Jay. But now she's using her gift to help track down murderers, working in a group that includes the mysterious and dangerously attractive Rafe. When Violet discovers the body of a college girl murdered by "the girlfriend collector", she is determine to solve the case. But now the serial killer is on the lookout for a new "relationship" and Violet seems to have caught his eye...  

REVIEW:  
I picked this title up on the recommendation of a friend and to be honest I’m glad I did, the lead character was not only a breath of fresh air but she came over as one that you could easily believe lived and breathed in our own world alongside being a person that you want to spend time with. Add to this a multifaceted personality, emotional conflict as well as character growth and these reasons alone present a wonderful read. Back that up with different character perspectives (including the killers) and you know that its going to be a hard book to not only put down but one that you’re going to eke out to make the reading pleasure last longer. All in, this title was a real treat and for me, the only real downside is that the next part isn’t available yet. 

 

TEEN: Mortal Kiss and Mortal Kiss: Fool's Silver - Alice Moss

Release Date: 26/04/12  
BOOK BLURB:  
How much would you sacrifice for just one kiss ...When smouldering Finn and sexy Lucas arrive in Winter Mill, life starts to get very complicated for Faye McCarron. But two boys battling for her heart is just the start. Soon there's a dead body in the woods, a motorcycle gang on the prowl, and the snow just won't stop falling. Something evil is at work, and only Faye and best friend Liz can stop it. As Hallowe'en draws near they must uncover the dark and sinister secret ...before it's too late. Love paranormal romance, werewolves and ethereal spirits? Then this book is for you!  

REVIEW:  
This is one of those books that sat on a back burner for a bit and I have to admit that I sadly left it alone for quite some time. So much so that I only found it again recently when the second title landed and I thought, “Eeeekk, I haven’t read the first one yet.” Pulling this from my TBR shelf was more an effort of will as I’d forgotten that the cover didn’t inspire me so I sat down and read. What unfurled within at times felt like genius, the twists that the author added worked wonderfully from the curse to the links with the Devil. Yet for all that, at times it felt like the book was akin to pulling teeth as you had to wait for something to happen to keep you enthused. This became the pattern throughout and sadly for me whilst average, didn’t allow this book to stand out on its own. It could be that this is more an introduction than anything else so with the second title on hand I was more than prepared to give it another go just to see if it would improve.


 

Release Date: 26/04/12  
BOOK BLURB:  
Could you chose between the ones you love ...? A gorgeous boyfriend and a long summer in Winter Mill to look forward to - things are good for Faye McCarron. Then her friend Lucas disappears without a trace. But nobody seems to care - until two strangers arrive in town ...Faye and Finn leave Winter Mill to try and find Lucas. But with Finn struggling to adjust to his new role as leader of the wolf pack, and unknown evil forces working against them, will they save their friend before it's too late? Love paranormal romance, werewolves and immortal villains? Then this book is for you.  

REVIEW:  
Having just finished the first book I immediately started the second hoping that after a lot of the world building that the overall arc would pick up pace and work a lot better for me as a reader. Sadly it didn’t feeling just as convoluted and slow in pace as the original. Don’t get me wrong some of the idea’s within did come over very well, in much the same way that it did with the original but overall it just wasn’t a novel that stood out from the crowd for me as a reader. All in I was disappointed as I felt that it could have been an absolute cracker had the pace picked up as the characters had something within for all tastes yet overall when a book lacks pace and seems to stop as well as start, it won’t keep very many glued to find out the kicker at the end.

   

TEEN: The Power of Six - Pittacus Lore

Release Date: 12/04/12  
BOOK BLURB:  
Seventeen-year-old Elliott hasn't slept properly for six months. Not since the accident that nearly killed him. Now he is afraid to go to sleep. Sometimes he wakes to find himself paralysed, unable to move a muscle, while shadowy figures move around him. Other times he is the one moving around, while his body lies asleep on the bed. According to his doctor, sleep paralysis and out of body experiences are harmless - but to Elliot they're terrifying. Convinced that his brush with death has opened up connections with the spirit world, Elliott secures a live-in job at one of England's most haunted locations, determined to find out the truth. There he finds Sebastian, the ghost of a long-dead servant boy hanged for stealing bread. He also meets the living, breathing Ophelia, a girl with secrets of her own. She and Elliott grow closer, but things take a terrifying turn when Elliott discovers Sebastian is occupying his body when he leaves it. And the more time Sebastian spends inhabiting a living body, the more resistant he becomes to giving it back. Worse, he seems to have an unhealthy interest in Ophelia. Unless Elliott can lay Sebastian's spirit to rest, he risks being possessed by him for ever, and losing the girl of his dreams...  

REVIEW:  
Having read the first book, I fell in love with the concept and writing of Pittacus and couldn’t wait for the second instalment. That was, of course, until I saw the film, which, in my opinion, didn’t do the title justice and also left me wondering if I’d imagined how good the first book was. So it was with a heavy heart that I delayed in picking up the second book and when I did, I braced myself for something that wouldn’t live up to my expectations. Thankfully the book was every bit as good as I hoped, the prose really came alive, the characters grew and friends of four and six returned with others of their kind to help save their own planet whilst on the run from their enemies and mankind. It’s quirky, it has plenty of action and when you add a pace that really keeps you going from start to finish, it’s a title that will be devoured in a very quick time. All round lots of fun and a magical reading experience, don’t let the film put you off this cracking series. 

 

TEEN: Unrest - Michelle Harrison

Release Date: 26/04/12  
BOOK BLURB:  
Seventeen-year-old Elliott hasn't slept properly for six months. Not since the accident that nearly killed him. Now he is afraid to go to sleep. Sometimes he wakes to find himself paralysed, unable to move a muscle, while shadowy figures move around him. Other times he is the one moving around, while his body lies asleep on the bed. According to his doctor, sleep paralysis and out of body experiences are harmless - but to Elliot they're terrifying. Convinced that his brush with death has opened up connections with the spirit world, Elliott secures a live-in job at one of England's most haunted locations, determined to find out the truth. There he finds Sebastian, the ghost of a long-dead servant boy hanged for stealing bread. He also meets the living, breathing Ophelia, a girl with secrets of her own. She and Elliott grow closer, but things take a terrifying turn when Elliott discovers Sebastian is occupying his body when he leaves it. And the more time Sebastian spends inhabiting a living body, the more resistant he becomes to giving it back. Worse, he seems to have an unhealthy interest in Ophelia. Unless Elliott can lay Sebastian's spirit to rest, he risks being possessed by him for ever, and losing the girl of his dreams...  

REVIEW:  
Michelle Harrison is a sickening talented author, the writing grips you from the start with the author having a great understanding of not only what her audience wants but delivers it with ease. This title, featuring Eliott, a boy who was involved in a car accident that left him dead for two minutes, has been having recurring nightmares where he awakes paralised or not even within his body and seeing spirits. Not sure whether he’s going mad or if he has a mystery to solve, its an adventure that will keep you guessing throughout. All in, this title is a cracking change to what Michelle has achieved before, but add her usual style of twists, turns and characters that you feel that you really get to know as well as enjoy spending time around and you’ll find that this tale passes quite quickly. All in a wonderful read and definitely an experience for the reader, especially if you read it late at night with just a book light. Magical.

Teen: 172 Hours on the Moon - John Harstad

Release Date: 26/04/12  
BOOK BLURB:  
In "Deadly Dare", there's a new craze at Theo and Ricky's school. The rules are simple: write a dare, put it in the bag and take turns to pick one out. But on the night Ricky does his dare and enters the deserted warehouse, he disappears. What really happened to Ricky - and how much does new girl Angela know? Theo needs to find the answers before it's too late ...There's nothing unusual about getting emails from your dad ...unless he died a few months ago. In "Computer Ghost", Jade asks Theo, Ricky and Angela to help her find out what's going on. Could the mysterious, desperate messages really be from a ghost? One thing's for sure. Whoever is behind them wants something badly - and they'll stop at nothing to get it ...Theo, Ricky and Angela have to become "Lie Detectives" to uncover the truth about top inventor, Darius Marriott, after he comes to give a talk at school and collapses. Who is out to get him, and why does their friend Bullet seem so involved? They're determined to get to the bottom of it all - but that could prove to be much more dangerous than they think ...Three gripping mysteries by bestselling Malorie Blackman, now with a fresh new look.  

REVIEW:  
Malorie Blackman is an author who takes the reader by the hand and gives them a story (or in this case a set of stories) that are not only vivid but ones that they can easily associate with the characters. Its lovingly woven, the prose sharp and to the point and she keeps the reader interested by knowing what they want to read. Add to this three wonderfully woven tales in this one compendium, value for money and of course a writing talent that leaves the reader wanting more and for my money it’s a book that will encourage even reluctant readers to keep going. All in a cracking trilogy and one that will haunt long after the final page is turned. 

 

TEEN: Earth Girl - Janet Edwards

Release Date: 16/08/12  
BOOK BLURB:  
A sensational YA science fiction debut from an exciting new British author. Jarra is stuck on Earth while the rest of humanity portals around the universe. But can she prove to the norms that she's more than just an Earth Girl? 2788. Only the handicapped live on Earth. While everyone else portals between worlds, 18-year-old Jarra is among the one in a thousand people born with an immune system that cannot survive on other planets. Sent to Earth at birth to save her life, she has been abandoned by her parents. She can't travel to other worlds, but she can watch their vids, and she knows all the jokes they make. She's an 'ape', a 'throwback', but this is one ape girl who won't give in. Jarra invents a fake background for herself -- as a normal child of Military parents -- and joins a class of norms that is on Earth to excavate the ruins of the old cities. When an ancient skyscraper collapses, burying another research team, Jarra's role in their rescue puts her in the spotlight. No hiding at back of class now. To make life more complicated, she finds herself falling in love with one of her classmates -- a norm from another planet. Somehow, she has to keep the deception going. A freak solar storm strikes the atmosphere, and the class is ordered to portal off-world for safety -- no problem for a real child of military parents, but fatal for Jarra. The storm is so bad that the crews of the orbiting solar arrays have to escape to planet below: the first landing from space in 600 years. And one is on collision course with their shelter.  

REVIEW:  
Science Fiction is one of those genres that has so much scope, huge opportunities and for the right author, the chance to present something not only dazzling but an idea that stands on its own feet that embeds itself into the readers psyche. What this book by Janet Edwards brings to the table is a story of strength of character, of wits and of course love as the tale wends its way into an almost apocalyptic world where the Earth has been left by mankind as home to few who are looked after by the planets and sectors of mankinds expansion into the stars. Its cleverly written from the point of view of the lead protagonist who is not only smart but savvy, has a clear idea where she wants to go and do which when backed by her drive really works well as a way into the tale for the reader. Back this up with a whole host of supporting cast alongside an almost uncanny ability to give the reader what they want and all in it’s a tale that works well from start to finish for me. Great stuff all in and I can’t wait to see what Janet comes up with next.

TEEN: House of Night 9: Destined - PC and Kristin Cast

Release Date: 28/06/12  
BOOK BLURB:  
'Zoey, what is is?' Stark said softly. I didn't answer Stark. Instead I faced Neferet. Somewhere in the back of my mind I could hear the buzz and whispers of the kids around me, and I knew forcing a confrontation with Neferet here and now wasn't smart. But I couldn't stop myself...Zoey is finally home where she belongs, safe with her Guardian Warrior, Stark, by her side, and preparing to face off against Neferet - which would be a whole lot easier if the High Counsel saw the ex-High Priestess for what she really is. But there are new forces at work at the House of Night. An influx of humans threatens their precarious stability. And then there's the mysterious Aurox, a jaw-droppingly gorgeous boy who is actually more - or possibly less - than human. Only Zoey can sense the compassion that wars with his Dark calling. Will Neferet's true nature be revealed before she succeeds in silencing them all? And will Zoey be able to touch Aurox's humanity in time to protect him - and everyone - from his own fate?  

REVIEW:  
Sadly this series that started out so well has sadly been on a long slippery road and I’m starting to wonder if its time they let the characters rest rather than throwing out yet another title that really doesn’t accomplish much let alone give the reader a solid read. There’s some twists but sadly the authors can’t let whats dead lie (which in my opinion they really should have.) Throw into this a sadly lack lustre plot, characters that I’m wanting to off personally and a series that feels like its seen better days, all rounded off with yet another cliffhanger and all in, its time to take a seriously long break before I do something rash.

 

TEEN: Between the Lines - Jodi Picoult and Samantha Van Leer

Release Date: 05/07/12  
BOOK BLURB:  
Delilah knows it's weird, but she can't stop reading her favourite fairy tale. Other girls her age are dating and cheerleading. But then, other girls are popular. She loves the comfort of the happy ending, and knowing there will be no surprises. Until she gets the biggest surprise of all, when Prince Oliver looks out from the page and speaks to her. Now Delilah must decide: will she do as Oliver asks, and help him to break out of the book? Or is this her chance to escape into happily ever after? Read between the lines for total enchantment ...  

REVIEW:  
Whilst I know the name of Jodi Picoult very well, I’m always a little dubious when an author takes a stab at another genre. Don’t get me wrong, there are common traits between quite a few of them but when you’re writing for a YA audience after having written for adults, theres a lot of differences that need to be addressed and whilst some make the transition very well the majority sadly don’t. Such was the case with Philippa Gregory and for me, it’s the same case with Jodi. The book really didn’t work well for me as a reader, it felt more like forcing the elements together to make it work rather than allowing a certain amount of organic work to take the burden for the writers. Its convoluted, it doesn’t work characters wise and sad to say, I suspect it wouldn’t have made it to print had Jodi not been associated with it. Add to this a confused set of quandaries, lacking emotional context to allow the characters to grow and all in, this is not a book that I’ll be recommending to others. 

 

TEEN: Widdershins 2: False Covenant - Ari Marmell

Release Date: 26/06/12  
BOOK BLURB:  
A creature of the other world, an unnatural entity bent on chaos and carnage, has come to stalk the nighttime streets of the Galicien city of Davillon. There's never a good time for murder and panic, but for a community already in the midst of its own inner turmoil, this couldn't possibly have come at a worse one. Not for Davillon, and not for a young thief who calls herself Widdershins. It's been over half a year since the brutal murder of Archbishop William de Laurent during his pilgrimage to Davillon. And in all that time, Widdershins has truly tried her best. She's tried to take care of Genevieve's tavern and tried to make a semihonest living in a city slowly stagnating under the weight of an angry and disapproving Church. She's tried to keep out of trouble, away from the attentions of the Davillon Guard and above the secrets and schemes of the city's new bishop. But she's in way over her head, with no idea which way to turn. The Guard doesn't trust her. The Church doesn't trust her. Her own Thieves' Guild doesn't trust her. Too bad for everyone, then, that she and her personal god, Olgun, may be their only real weapon against a new evil like nothing the city has ever seen.  

REVIEW:  
To be honest with you I was left feeling confused and a little cheated with Ari’s previous title in this series so when the second landed it wasn’t one that I was prepared for to start straight away as I felt that I was never fully sure of the characters mental stability with her relationship with her personal god, Olgun. Don’t get me wrong Ari does present a solid fantasy title but when I’m still left questioning sanity as a reader it really doesn’t help me immerse within the world or really get to like the principle player but putting that aside I thought that I’d best give it a go. Whilst for me, this title is an improvement on the previous outing its still not a fantasy that is top of my reading pile as I felt a lot of the cliché’s that have existed for years were played upon within. It was a solidly crafted tale but it wasn’t one for me that made it stand on its own two feet for me as a reader. That said, the villain was delicious and Ari really knows what he’s doing to keep you reading but all in when I don’t like the lead character I’m left feeling lukewarm to the writing. A great shame all in as this could have been something spectacular. 

 

TEEN: Struck - Jennifer Bosworth

Release Date: 26/04/12  
BOOK BLURB:  
Mia Price is a lightning addict. She's survived countless strikes, but her craving to connect to the energy in storms endangers her life and the lives of those around her. Los Angeles, where lightning rarely strikes, is one of the few places Mia feels safe from her addiction. But when an earthquake devastates the city, her haven is transformed into a minefield of chaos and danger. The beaches become massive tent cities. Downtown is a crumbling wasteland, where a traveling party moves to a different empty building each night, the revelers drawn to the destruction by a force they cannot deny. Two warring cults rise to power, and both see Mia as the key to their opposing doomsday prophecies. They believe she has a connection to the freak electrical storm that caused the quake, and to the far more devastating storm that is yet to come. Mia wants to trust the enigmatic and alluring Jeremy when he promises to protect her, but she fears he isn't who he claims to be. In the end, the passion and power that brought them together could be their downfall. When the final disaster strikes, Mia must risk unleashing the full horror of her strength to save the people she loves, or lose everything.

REVIEW:
If you love stories with a cracking lead female character that the reader will not only be able to associate with but want to spend time around, then this book will definitely be a title for you. Mia is smart, savvy and of course a girl of unknown depths who whilst she has a special power, seeks to avoid those who would use her for their own purposes. Its cleverly constructed, Jennifer brings a character that is not only likeable but a whole host of supporting cast who help to develop the world to its full potential as the tale unfurls. Add to this a solid understanding of pace, some great dialogue and of course a love interest to the mix and all in you’ll find that it hits the spots for the younger end of the teen market. Great stuff.

 

TEEN: Ship Breaker 2: The Drowned Cities - Paolo Bacigalupi

Release Date: 01/05/12  
BOOK BLURB:  
In this exhilarating companion to Printz Award winner and National Book Award finalist Ship Breaker, Paolo Bacigalupi brilliantly captures a dark future America that has devolved into unending civil wars, driven by demagogues who recruit children to become soulless killing machines. Two refugees of these wars, Mahlia and Mouse, are known as 'war maggots': survivors who have barely managed to escape the unspeakable violence plaguing the war-torn lands of the Drowned Cities. But their fragile safety is threatened when they discover a wounded half-man--a bioengineered war beast named Tool, who is hunted by a vengeful band of soldiers. When tragedy strikes, Mahlia is faced with an impossible decision: risk everything to save the boy who once saved her, or flee to her own safety. Drawing upon the brutal truths of current events, The Drowned Cities is a powerful story of loyalty, survival, and heart-pounding adventure. 

REVIEW:
Having read Shipbreaker last year, I was more than interested to see how the world would develop in future stories as it was dark enough to begin with. What this loose sequel to the original story does is amerces the reader into this dark apocalyptic future and takes them on an adventure where the cost of life and death is measured in seconds and choices have severe consequences. It’s well written, the prose as well as pace sharp and when added to dealing with harsh facts it’s a tale that needs the reader’s full attention as they get deeper within the pages. Add to this Paolo’s wonderfully addictive writing style as well as his ability to take you there in an almost cinematic manner and you know that its definitely a story that will stay with you long after the final page is turned. 

 

TEEN: The Soul Seekers: Fated - Alyson Noel

Release Date: 24/05/12  
BOOK BLURB:  
Strange things have been happening to Daire Santos. Animals follow her, crows mock her, glowing people appear from nowhere. Worried that Daire's having a breakdown, her mother sends her to stay with the grandmother she's never met, who lives on the dusty plains of Enchantment, New Mexico.There Daire crosses paths with Dace, a gorgeous guy with unearthly blue eyes. Her grandmother recognizes Daire's episodes for what they are - a call to her true destiny as a Soul Seeker, a person who can navigate between the living and the dead. Guided by her grandmother, Daire must be quick to learn how to harness her powers, because Dace's brother is an evil shape-shifter, out to steal them. Daire must embrace her fate as a Soul Seeker and discover whether Dace is the guy she's meant to be with ...or if he's allied with the enemy she's destined to destroy.  

REVIEW:  
Alyson is an author who knows how to twist the readers emotion within her writing as she brings a love story to the reader that is not only hard to put down but compulsive reading. Here within this title Daire’s love for Dace is not only clear but one that will test the strengths of them both emotionally as well as physically especially when Alyson throws in Cade, Dace’s brother. It has some great twists, the characters grow emotionally and their connection to the reader strengthens with each passing page. I can’t say I was surprised at how quickly the pages flew by as for me Alyson is an author I have a hard time putting down but by the stories end I was left demanding more which for an author is always a good thing. Finally throw into the mix a reader left wondering how the series will develop and imagining all sorts of twists and you know damn well that I’ll be one of the first in line for the next tale. 

 

TEEN: Burn Mark - Laura Powell

Release Date: 07/06/12  
BOOK BLURB:  
Glory is from a family of witches and lives beyond the law. She is desperate to develop her powers and become a witch herself. Lucas is the son of the Chief Prosecutor for the Inquisition - the witches' mortal enemy - and his privileged life is very different to the forbidden world that he lives alongside. And then on the same day, it hits them both. Glory and Lucas develop the Fae - the mark of the witch. In one fell stroke, their lives are inextricably bound together, whether they like it or not.  

REVIEW:  
An unusual story and one that I was pleased to read as an Alternate Urban Fantasy world comes to the fore where Witchcraft is still alive and kicking in the modern age. Its dark, the characters within gel well to bring the world to life and when you throw into the mix various abilities of the characters to fight against the injustice heaped upon the few it really stands out. Add to this characters that not only have a realistic feel but also manage to rub each other up the wrong way as they all seek to find their place in the world and it really is a story that I enjoyed. Finally add to this an author who loves to play sleight of hand with the reader and then throws a curve ball into your imagination and all in it’s a satisfying read. I’ll look forward to seeing what Laura comes up with next.