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Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Gears of Revolution (Mysteries of the Cove #2) by J. Scott Savage

After finding a compass and clues left by Kallista’s father, Leo Babbage, Trenton and Kallista head west aboard their homemade mechanical dragon to search for the missing inventor. The two teenagers hope to find answers about their mountain city of Cove, but instead, they find only a blackened forest, ruined buildings, and a small underground city.

Almost immediately, Trenton and Kallista are caught up in a civil war between a clan of scavengers called Whipjacks and the Order of the Beast, people who believe that dragons are immortal and divine.

Stranded in a new city, the two friends meet Plucky, a Whipjack girl with mechanical legs, and Ander, a young member of the Order who claims humans are able to communicate with dragons. Can they trust anyone, or have they unknowingly stepped into a trap?

And high above in the sky, the dragons are gathering . . .


 Opening line:

"Trenton lifted the side flap of his leather flight helmet, and a blast of mountain air instantly made his exposed ear go numb."

J. Scott Savage has written another intriguing, mysterious middle-grade book that everyone, even adults will want to read!

The story moves along as our main characters face their fears and flaws and keep moving on and becoming stronger and better. Kallista and Trenton are in the middle of trouble and excitement again and this second doesn't disappoint as other second books might. Imagination and twists and dragons fill this story and it's hard to put down.

I love how Mr. Savage always has parents in his books and they are helpful and smart.

His writing and skill are awesome and keep getting better, if that's possible because I don't think I've read a book of his I disliked.

I recommend this for a great summer read to keep kids brains from turning to mush! Keep writing, Mr. Savage! Keep on writing!

Thanks to netgalley for the read in exchange for my honest review.


5 STARS

Wednesday, August 24, 2016

The Girl Who Heard Demons by Janette Rallison


Shy Adelle Hansen hears demons, but she’s determined to make friends at her new high school by keeping her ability secret.
When she overhears supernatural voices celebrating the impending death of the school quarterback, Levi Anderson, she knows she has to do something to prevent it. However, the demons aren’t the ones plotting; they’re just celebrating the chaos, and Adelle must contend with earthly forces as well if she wants to preserve Levi’s life.
Handsome, popular Levi doesn't appreciate Adelle’s self-appointed role of guardian angel. As Adelle battles to keep him safe, she’ll have to protect her heart, too. Can she do both?

  Opening line:

"The demons came again during the night."

First off, I love Janette Rallison's writing style and humor so I was excited this book won on kindlescout.

Second: I got this book because I nominated it and it won!

Third: Did I say I love Janette Rallison's writing? It's A Mall World After All had me laughing out loud.

I was a little worried about reading this book at night, but I didn't need to worry, other than I stayed up late reading because I wanted to know what happened next! Danger, demons, delicious romance all mixed in this book.

Adelle and Levi are the main characters and get their own chapters. Each have something they are struggling with and have to learn how to overcome it. I enjoyed reading their points of view and felt they added well to each others story and the overall plot. They were cute and funny and real to me.

There are bad, bad guys and they are evil. No punches are pulled in describing them and their deeds. Right from the beginning of the book I wondered what choices I've made now and in the past that might attract a nasty demon to hang out with me. It was an interesting takeaway.

While this is a young adult book, I think readers of upper reading levels would enjoy it.


5 STARS

Wednesday, August 17, 2016

PARRISH by Shannen Crane Camp

Sadie Smith was absolutely certain of three things: (1) ghosts were indisputably real; (2) she and her three friends were some of the best (though not the most successful) ghost hunters in Oregon; (3) her teammate Jefferson Parrish was always the scariest thing in the room. In a face-off between supernatural beings and Jefferson's Tim Burton-esque vibe there really was no contest.

But ghosts—unsurprisingly—can’t help pay the rent. So when Sadie and her friends are offered an undisclosed sum of money from an anonymous client to find a link between four historical haunted locations, it’s an easy sell.

During their cross-country investigation, Sadie finds herself forgetting about Jefferson’s macabre tendencies and falling for his sweetness, even if his idea of a love letter reads more like a note from a serial killer. And she can’t stop thinking about his annoyingly irresistible deep green eyes.

As Sadie’s feelings get more tangled up with Jefferson, their group puts together the final pieces of a 100 year old mystery—one that will change Sadie’s life forever.

Parrish is a Supernatural, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance Mystery story.



  Opening line:

""Did you die here?""

This read was a great, well-written blend of ghosts, adventure, romance...and doppelgangers.

Sadie and her friends are paranormal investigators who are poor and not sure what to do with their talents. Until a series of clues sets them up on an adventure they won't soon forget. But who is behind the mysterious messages and why?

I liked the story. It was unique and well-paced with enough twists and romantic tension to keep me wanting to read more.
The character were fun with quirks all their own but not so much as to draw me out of the story.
The romance was written in such a way as to be natural in that it wasn't instana-love or a triangle or all about taking clothes off. It mostly involved kissing and sneaky glances at each other and hand holding.

I'd recommend this book to any reader, though it is written with older characters.

Great job, Shannen!


5 STARS

Wednesday, August 10, 2016

DEATH THIEVES by Julie Wright


“You’re dead, Summer Dawn Rae.”

When Summer Rae is stolen from the moment of her own death and taken to a future where mankind is dying, it is with the hope that she, and other teenagers like her, can save it. But after only a short time in the future, Summer discovers a darker side to the altruistic reasons behind her abduction. She is determined to fulfill her purpose in a world gone literally mad, but can an ordinary girl save a whole world when she only cares about saving one person?


  Opening line:

"I stumbled in the dark, trying to get out without alerting anyone to my escape."

The beginning of this book drew me until about the time Summer was kidnapped by a guy from the future named Tag and basically told she would be an Eve in a dying world. I wasn't that excited to keep reading but I'm so glad I did! Ms. Wright has written a unputdownable story about time travel, greedy world leaders, adventure and romance.
The main story of the world slowly dying and the adventure to save it was awesome and kept me reading, wondering how this story could possibly end on a happy note.
The romance was tense and surprising and I loved the way it built up.
And the twists and turns and the ending! Awesome.

Keep up the good work, Julie Wright!!

Monday, August 1, 2016

SLAVE QUEEN by H.B. Moore

Slave QueenSlave Queen by H.B. Moore
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Special Agent Omar Zagouri’s latest case is his most dangerous—and his most personal yet. The discovery of secret sixteenth-century letters unveils a plot between the sultan Suleyman and his chief wife, Roxelane, to change the course of the Ottoman Empire. A descendent of Roxelane, Zagouri learns he has an enemy whose revenge has been centuries in the making.

Targeted by an antiquities collector who’s also descended from a chief rival for the ancient throne, Zagouri soon uncovers a modern-day conspiracy that threatens the lives of his family and the security of a nation.

To expose the plot, Zagouri must team up with Naim, the son of his nemesis, who heads an international black-market operation that may have ties to the killings. From ancient Constantinople to the present-day Middle East, Zagouri is on a collision course with history. Time is running out to solve a royal mystery and stop a ruthless killer—one who has Zagouri’s name on his hit list.


Opening line:

"Baris Uzuner turned the bolt in the lock for the second time, double-checking that the front door was secure."

I forgot how much I LOVE the Omar Zagouri series! SLAVE QUEEN is another great addition to the series.
I love love love the romance. I love how the chapters are from different views of characters as well as points in the story. I wanted to know how each story ended so I had to keep reading! I even went so far as to read the Sultan and Roxelane chapters by. them. selves. I did. I cheated.
While I didn't care about the history, it didn't detract from the story and I learned a bit about the era and countries. Moore knows how to write historical stories where the history is the canvas for the story.
Each character is unique and as well written as the story itself. Moore paces the story well. Sometimes I was smiling or giggling and the next I'm gripping my kindle, white-knuckled and wondering what's going to happen to the characters I've grown to care about. There were twists and surprises and mystery that kept me reading too.
Well done!


Thanks to netgalley for the early read in exchange for my honest review!





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