"Rebel" by RJ Anderson [4 1/2]

Linden's caged glowed with fiery heat, burning her fingers when she tried to cling to the bars. She fluttered helplessly in midair, wing muscles aching with the effort, knowing that she couldn't hover much longer before her strength gave out - and that the moment it did, she would die...

A Magical second novel to the first, "Knife" and I think this was even better. Faerie novels seem to be all the rage at the moment and the couple of series that I've picked up have been really great.

Again this series will have a third novel out in Jan 2011 called 'Arrow' and hopefully that will finish it off beautifully.
Linden is a young faerie of 15 years and she has been fostered by 'Knife' or Peri as she is called now. It has been about 14 years since Knife chose to become human and marry Paul and they both do everything in their power to protect the faeries that live in the Oak in the back garden. Linden has been their foster daughter and she has been living in both human and faerie world alike.Things change when their queen dies and Linden is sent on a mission of mercy to save her people.
Timothy is Paul's cousin and he comes to stay with them after getting into trouble at school. Tension in the household is not good and Timothy decides to run away and that's where he meets Linden.

Between the two of them they get into a lot of trouble, but in the end they both save the faeries in the Oak tree...but for how long is the question. Both Linden and Timothy learn the lessons of friendship and trust and how to believe in themselves.

A really great faerie series this turning out to be, because while it's a good story the author has woven into it a few wonderful life lessons on friendship and the importance of believing in yourself. Wonderful novels for young teenage girls. Easy to read, flows beautifully and nothing to worry about in the writing, so suitable for teens.

I rate this book 4 1/2 stars.

Spells" by Aprilynne Pike [4]

A year ago Laurel discovered that she is a faerie, placed among humans when she was a baby. Although she's come to accept her true identity, Laurel refuses to turn her back on her human life - especially her boyfriend, David.

But the faerie realm is in grave danger and when Laurel is summoned, she must trust charismatic faerie-guard Tamani. Laurel's feelings for him are strong, and she is soon forced to make a choice that could break her heart...

The second book in this series and it starts off about six months after where "Wings" the previous book left off. Laurel is summoned to the Academy of Avalon to start learning her role as a faerie and while it is all quite thrilling and adventurous she is struggling to learn the basics as a faerie. Her friendship with the guard Tamani is starting to have an impact on her relationship with her boyfriend David, lines are starting to get blurred.

Then there is the danger of the trolls and Barnes who has been hunting her. Life couldn't be anymore difficult but wait...yes there is always something more and Laurel has to find the "faerie" in her to stay alive.

Really well written second novel to this series....but as usual we have to wait for the next installment!

I probably enjoyed the first book a little more than the second, but that doesn't mean that the series isn't good because it is. Great books for young teenage girls, they will love reading it.
I'm assuming the next installment is out sometime in 2011. Looking forward to it.
Beautiful covers too, I bought the U.K versions but the others are pretty too.

I rate this book 4 stars.

"Fire" by Kristian Cashore [5]

Fire's exceptional beauty gives her influence and power. People who are susceptible to it will do anything for her attention, and for her affection. If she wished, they would abuse their power, crush nations and even destroy their own kingdoms to please her.

But beauty is only skin deep, and beneath it Fire has a human appreciation of right and wrong. Aware of her ability to influence others, and afraid of it, she lives in a corner of the world away from people - not only to protect them but also to protect herself from their attention, their distrust, and even their hatred.

Yet Fire is not the only danger to the Dells. If she wants to protect her home, if she wants a chance to undo the wrongs of the past, she must face her fears, her abilities, and a royal court full of powerful people with reason to distrust her.

Beauty is a weapon - and Fire is going to use it.

WOW....this second novel to the "Gracelling" series is brilliant.

I have so been waiting for this next installment and I was not disappointed.

It starts off in the same kingdom as the first novel, but then moves through the mountains and into the kingdom called the Dells. I am assuming it is set around the same time, but it doesn't really matter.

In the kingdom of the Dells they don't have people who are gifted with graces....

instead they have monsters... larger creatures of animals, birds, insects, fish etc.

Also people... Fire's father was a monster, which makes Fire half human, half monster.

This is where she gets her special abilities.

I don't want to give away any of the story, but I will say she is a sensitive girl who struggles with her abilities, she struggles with her relationship with her father and the people who have come to look upon her as family.This is a story of how she overcomes her fears and embraces her gifts.

Brilliantly written, I couldn't put it down until I knew how it finished.

This second novel is just as good as the first....loved it.

Enjoyed all the characters and reading of a new dangerous world.

I rate this book 5 stars.

"Betraying Season" by Marissa Doyle [4 1/2]

Penelope Leland has come to Ireland to study magic and prove to herself

that she is as good a witch as her twin sister, Persy.

But when the dashing Niall Keating begins to court her, Pen can't help

being distracted from her studies.

Little does pen know Niall is acting upon orders from his sorceress mother.

And although it starts as a sham, Niall actually falls deeply in love with Pen,

and she with him. Even if he halts his mother's evil plan, will Pen be able to forgive him

for trying to seduce her into a plot? And what of Pen's magic, which seems to be

increasingly powerful?

This is a wonderful second companion to the first novel, 'Bewitching Season'.

Pen has always thought she wasn't as good with magic as her sister Persy is, but she never really did try to concentrate when they were learning. Now that Persy is married she has come with her trust friend Ally who has married, to Ireland. Here Pen meets Lady Keating and her son Niall and she becomes good friend with them. Pen falls in love with Niall and Lady Keating is like a mother too her. Without spoiling the plot things happen and Pen has to use her magical abilities to her save her and the man she loves.

Really well written and flows along well from the previous novel. Delightful to read.

Beautiful novels to introduce to young girls who want a little romance in a novel as well as some adventure and a little bit of magic thrown in. Age group 13 to 15 year old.

I rate this book 4 1/2 stars.

"Storm Glass" by Maria V. Snyder [4]

As a glassmaker and a magician-in-training, Opal Cowan understands trials by fire.

Now it's time to test her mettle. Someone has sabotaged the Stormdancer clan's glass orbs,

killing their most powerful magicians. The Stormdancers - particularly the mysterious and mercurial Kade - require Opal's unique talents to prevent it happening again. But when the mission goes awry, Opal must tap into a new kind of magic as stunningly potent as it is frightening. And the further she delves into the intrigue behind the glass and magic, the more distorted things appear. With lives hanging in the balance - including her own - Opal must control powers she hasn't known she possessed...powers that might lead to disaster beyond anything she's ever known.

This book is a spin off from the 'Poison Study' series.

While I enjoyed reading this book, I did find that I seemed to be reading the same type of story again, so I did find it a little monotonous. The main characters are new but we were introduced to Opal from the last series. Her character seems to be a tortured soul in the sense she feels responsible for the death of her sister and she doesn't feel she deserves to be at the magic school.

Opal soon discovers that she has more magical abilities than she realizes and her life is in danger because of it.

Well written...full of adventure... lots of magic...and a little romance thrown in.

A good teen read, especially if you enjoyed the first series.

I rate this book 4 stars.

"The Five Greatest Warriors" by Matthew Reilly [5]

Jack West Jr and his loyal team are in desperate disarray: they've been separated, their mission is in tatters, and Jack was last seen plummeting down a fathomless abyss.

IT FINISHES HERE.

After surviving his deadly fall, Jack must now race against his many enemies to locate

and set in place the remaining pieces of The Machine before the coming Armageddon.

WHO ARE THE FIVE WARRIORS?

As the world teeters on the brink of destruction, Jack will learn of the Five Warriors,

the individuals who throughout history have been most intimately connected to his quest.

OCEANS WILL RISE, CITIES WILL FALL.

Scores will be settled, fathers will fight sons, brothers will battle brothers, and Jack and his

friends will soon find out exactly what the end of the world looks like...

If our rating system would go any higher I would give this 10 stars...

For those of you that like action, adventure and a little science fiction in your novels then this series by Matthew Reilly is a must read. From the moment you open to the first page you will not be able to put it down until you have finished the whole novel...

These are not short stories either... each book is around 450 pages.

These are not girly books, so some of you might not enjoy them, but before you dismiss them too quickly I'd give the first in the series a go!

I don't want to give the story line away to much, but it's about saving the human race from the brink of destruction using ancient devices, hieroglyphics, and brute force...

This book is the third in the series with the character of Jack west Jr.

Fantastic read and totally recommend...

I rate this book 5 stars.

In the series...

1. Seven Ancient Wonders.

2. Six Sacred Stones.

3. The Five Greatest warriors.

"The Silver Blade" by Sally Gardner [4 1/2]

The blade of the guillotine falls on the neck of the King himself, and the spirit of the French Revolution lies in tatters. The reign of Terror has begun.

Yann Margoza, the mysterious young man known as the magician, is helping desperate people to escape to England, where Sido, the girl he loves, waits to hear from him.

But Yann's past haunts him. He is in grave danger, and so is Sido. For under the streets of Paris, in the catacombs, the howl of a great beast can be heard. And a boy with angelic looks and an evil heart is ready to do the bidding of a man who has made a pact with the devil.

An enjoyable second novel.

When we left Yann at the end of the first novel he had rescued Sido and taken her to England to live with her aunt and Uncle. Yann decides to return to Paris to help evacuate those that are innocently being sent to the guillotine. Things don't go as smoothly as they hope and soon Yann and his friends lives are in risk.

Sally Gardner did a good job finishing the story off from the first novel.

Just like her first it is full of murder, magic, secrets and passion and you are swept away into a time of utter terror, where just a wrong look at your neighbour could send you to the guillotine.

Wonderfully written and easily read you will be totally lost inside the story.

Well worth a read.

I rate this book 4 1/2 stars.

"The Red necklace" by Sally Gardner [5]

Paris 1789

While the aristocracy dine, dance, gossip, and

gamble their way to disaster, the poor and starving

dream of revolution.

Enter the boy Yann Margoza, destined to be a hero;

Tetu the dwarf, his friend and mentor;

Sido, unloved daughter of the foolish Marquis de Villeduval;

and the sinister Count Kalliovski, who holds

half the aristocracy in thrall to him.

The drama moves from Paris to London and back,

as the Revolution gathers momentum, and the hope of liberty

and the dream of equality are crushed

beneath the wheel of terror.

This is a story that has everything, murder, mystery, passion and even a little magic.

Beautifully written... you will breeze through this novel before you even realize that you have finished.

From the very start to the finish you are transported into the terrifying world of the French Revolution...

Her characters are people that you identify with straight away...

You eagerly encourage Yann to fulfill his destiny...

Your heart breaks for Sido, all she wants is to be loved by her cruel father...

You cringe when the evil Count Kalliovski comes calling at Sido's home to make her father an offer...

Laugh at the antics of Tetu and his friends...

This book leaves you wanting more...literally...

Her story continues with "The Sliver Blade"

For me it is a must read, totally captivating.

I rate this book 5 stars.

"Blackthorn's Betrayal' by Elizabeth Pulford [4]

Blackthorn's greatest desire -

to become a Trahern warrior -

is dangling within her reach.

Blackthorn must embark on a treacherous mission,

travelling deep into enemy territory, to infiltrate the Doane camp.

But the stakes are higher than she could ever imagine.

As the mission takes a sinister twist, her instincts are put to the ultimate test.

Second book in this young teen series.

It has been a few years since Blackthorn has gone to live in the forest

and she has learnt a great deal. Still her one wish, to be recognized as a Trahern warrior

is still not fulfilled. When a man named Esil comes with a certain mission for her, she feels it is the only way she can show that she is worthy of being a Trahern warrior.

Blackthorn still has much to learn and this mission will teach her that.

Another fast-paced adventure that the younger readers will enjoy.

Elizabeth Pulford writes with poetic flare... the story comes to life as you emerge yourself into it.

Plenty of action as well as lessons to be learn.

Great read.

I rated this book 4 stars.

In this series

1. Blackthorn

2. Blackthorn's Betrayal

"Blackthorn" by Elizabeth Pulford [4]

Following the death of her father,

a great Trahern warrior, Alyana is determined

to stay true to her heart and follow in his footsteps.

She flees the confines of her Uncle's

family to make a life for herself in

her beloved forest.

There, she becomes Blackthorn,

the warrior.

But life in the forest is tough

- it's a struggle just to survive.

What a great adventure novel for the young teens. This is a series of novels by this author.

With just over 200 pages I got through this book in a couple of hours, so it isn't too taxing for the kids to read.

As a young girl Alyana has always dreamed of being a warrior just like her father.

With his death she makes the decision to finally achieve this dream.

What she doesn't seem to count on is all the pitfall's that this brings.

For every young boy or girl who has dreamed of being a warrior this series is for them.

It is full of adventure ...

You have to believe in yourself...

and dare to dream...

I rate this book 4 stars.

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins (5)

Warning : Do not read this if you haven't read The Hunger Games as it contains spoilers ..

After winning the brutal Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen returns to her district, hoping for a peaceful future. But Katniss starts to hear rumours of a deadly rebellion against the Capitol. A rebellion that she and Peeta have helped to create. As Katniss and Peeta are forced to visit the districts on the Capitol's cruel Victory Tour, the stakes are higher than ever. Unless Katniss and Peeta can convince the world that they are still lost in their love for each other, the consequences will be horrifying. This is the terrifying sequel to The Hunger Games .

Will unless you have been living on the moon for the past year you are bound to have heard of this series .... And eagerly waiting on the next installment ........... And I have to say that the second book is just as great as the first :) ............ The only downside is that we have to wait until next year to find out what happens next ........ All I can say is 'Please Suzanne don't let it be too long!' ............

With Katniss and Peeta winning The Hunger Games you just knew that them being happy was not going to last .... And that the Capitol will find some way of paying them back for their rebellion ...

The book is fast paced and I really didn't want it to end ......... And the way it did end ... Sucks ..... In a good way because it has kept you hanging for the next installment ....

I love the characters in the book and I have to say I am totally on Team 'Peete' ........

So if you haven't read the first book do yourself a favour and get a copy ........

I rate this book 5*****

Books in order of series:
The Hunger Games
Catching Fire

"Ecstasy" by Jacquelyn Frank [4]

At one with the darkness, the mysterious Shadowdwellers must live as far from light-loving humans as possible in order to survive. Yet one damaged human woman will tempt the man behind the Shadowdweller throne into a dangerous desire...

After a terrifying car crash, Ashla Townsend wakes up to find that the bustling New York she knew is now eerie and desolate. Just when she's convinced she's alone, Ashla is confronted by a dark warrior who draws her deeper into a world she never knew existed. The bond between Ashla and Trace is a mystery to both, but searching for answers will mean confronting long-hidden secrets, and uncovering a threat that could destroy everything Trace holds precious...

Third book in Read your name challenge.

OOH, AAH, this is rather steamy!!

Didn't quite realize that this was an adult read... the story is what drew me to it.

That said I actually did enjoy it, if you can get past the erotic parts in the book.

Loved the character's of Trace and Ashla and the way they are drawn to each other and the depth of their feelings for each other... what starts out as probably pure lust turns into deep abiding love... something I think every woman would want in a relationship.

Well written, story line was quite intriguing.

The second book in this series is called "Rapture".

A good fluff read as I call them....nothing too serious or complicated.

I rate this book 4 stars.

"Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins [5]

If it were up to me, I would try to forget the Hunger Games entirely.

Never speak of them. Pretend they were nothing but a bad dream. But the Victory Tour makes that impossible. Strategically placed almost midway between the annual Games, it is the Capitol's way of keeping the horror fresh and immediate. Not only are we in the districts forced to remember the iron grip of the Capitol's power each year, we are forced to celebrate it.

And this year, I am one of the stars of the show.

Katniss Everdeen survived the Hunger Games.

Now the Capitol wants Revenge!

The Second book in the Heart - Stopping Hunger Games Trilogy.

I have been waiting for ages for this next one to come out...and I certainly wasn't disappointed with it at all.

It leaves off after Katniss and Peeta return from the games and the Capitol makes them tour around the districts in celebration of the games. Their lives have changed as they have now been given a more comfortable living situation, but the Capitol are not happy at all.

A visit from President Snow strikes fear into Katniss who thought that it was all over.

Now the games have only just begun and it's a race to see who will survive.

This second book was just as brilliant as the first... I read it in one sitting as I just could not put it down. Full of adventure, suspense, drama, action, a love triangle between the main characters,

it has it all. Can't wait for the final installment to see how it all ends.

If you loved the first one, then your going to enjoy this one just as much.

Brilliant read!

"Fire Study" by Maria V. Snyder [5]

When word that Yelena is a Soulfinder - able to capture and release souls - spreads like wildfire, people grow uneasy. Already Yelena's unusual abilities and past have set her apart. As the Council debates Yelena's fate, she receives a disturbing message: a plot is rising against her homeland, led by a murderous sorcerer she has defeated before...

Honor sets Yelena on a path that will test the limits of her skills, and the hope of reuniting with her beloved spurs her onward. Her journey is fraught with allies, enemies, lovers and would-be assassins, each of questionable loyalty. Yelena will have but one chance to prove herself - and save the land she holds dear.

The final installment to this series and it was brilliant!

It is rare I think to find a series where each book is as good as the previous, but this is one of them. Really well written, easily read, flows beautifully, and hard to put down until your finished.

This final book finds Yelena coming to terms with her magical ability, although she is being forced too. The Sorcerer that she thought was safely put in the dungeon has escaped with help from a supposed friend, who is out to conqueror her homeland. As her journey to catch these criminals continues she finds strength in her abilities as she uses them, and also her friends.

Yelena discovers who are her real friends and who are not to be trusted... with dire consequences to follow. She learns more about the people around her, and about herself as well.

Absolutely loved this series and will read it again at some point.

The author is writing a new novel entitled "Storm Glass," which is about Opal from this series... so it is an off shoot of sorts. Sounds interesting!

Hope you enjoy this series as much as I did...

A big 5 stars...

"Magic Study" by Maria V. Snyder [5]

So far, I've managed to survive. You would think after being kidnapped as a child, imprisoned in my teens and released to become a poison taster, I would have endured enough. But no. the discovery of my magical abilities - powers forbidden in Ixia - has resulted in an execution order. My only chance is to flee to Sitia, my long-lost birthplace.

But Sitia is unfamiliar. I'm treated like an enemy - even by my own brother. Plus I can't control my powers. I want to learn about my magic, but there isn't time. A rogue magician has emerged and I'm targeted as his next victim.

Will my magical abilities save me...or be my downfall?

Usually the second novel isn't as good as the first... well this is just as good!

After surviving all the intrigue from the first novel, Yelena now has to leave the territory of Ixia and her beloved Valek as she has an execution order on her, because she has magical abilities. Finally, Yelena will find out about her family and where she comes from...

Irys is the Fourth Magician from Sitia and she will introduce Yelena to her family and to the world of magic.

All does not go well though... soon Yelena is involved in more murder and mystery and it will be up to her to solve the problem... and to come to grips with her own magical abilities.

A truly wonderful series that you can't put down until your finished. Can't rave enough about it...

You have to read it...

Next book: "Fire Study"

"Poison Study" by Maria V. Snyder [5]

Locked in a coffin-like darkness, there is nothing to distract me from my memories of killing Reyad. He deserved to die - but according to the law, so do I. Here in Ixia, the punishment for murder is death. And now I wait for the hangman's noose.

But the same law that condemns me may also save me. Ixia's food taster - chosen to ensure that the Commander's food is not poisoned - has died. And by law, the next prisoner who is scheduled to be executed - me - must be offered the position.

As the front cover of this book states: ' This is one of those rare books that will keep you dreaming long after you've read it....

From the moment you pick up this novel to the time it is finished you can not put it down and cannot stop thinking about it. It's a fast packed adventure and suspense all weaved into a fantasy novel...just brilliant.

Yelena is our heroine who is sentenced to death... but through the twist of the law system is given the chance to live... though she is to be the food taster and how long she lives...well that's any ones guess?

Valek, is the Commander's personal security chief and the leader of the vast intelligence network, a chief advisor... is he to be trusted...he has already poisoned Yelena too keep her close.

All Yelena wants is too escape to the Sitia territory and be free of all the pain that she has endured...

but now she has to find the cure for the poison that has been given to her...

but is it all as it seems?

Fantastic debut novel, highly recommend to those that love there fantasy books.

Next in the series : "Magic Study".

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (5)

COULD YOU SURVIVE ON YOUR OWN, IN THE WILD, WITH EVERYONE FIGHTING AGAINST YOU?

Twenty- four are forced to enter. Only the winner survives.

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. Each year, the districts are forced by the Capitol to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the Hunger Games, a brutal and terrifying fight to the death – televised for all of Panem to see.

Survival is second nature for sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who struggles to feed her mother and younger sister by secretly hunting and gathering beyond the fences of District 12. When Katniss steps in to take the place of her sister in the Hunger Games, she knows it may be her death sentence. If she is to survive, she must weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

Well who knew that walking in Big W the other day that I would come across a book that I have been after for a while now !!! And the thing was I was staring at it for a while before it registered that it was The Hunger Games .... I have come accustomed to a different cover ... But I have to say I am delighted with this cover and I couldn't put the book down .... I read it in one day and loved it .... The only down side to the whole thing is that it is a trilogy and the second part isn't coming out until September ...!!!

I have been reading alot of Young Adult reads lately and I am really loving it !!! I think I am going back to my own teen years ... when all I used to read was Fantasy Books ... And I have to admit I have missed them !!!

This is a brilliant first novel by Suzanne Collins ... That both a girl and boy could identify with ... And the front cover is really clever that you can change it to a boy or girl cover depending on what you want !! This book has it all action, danger and romance and you will be grounded to your seat until you finish it !!! It was definitely well worth the wait to receive it !!!!

I rate this book 5*****

A short movie of Suzanne talking about her book .... Enjoy :) It is nice to put a face to a name ...

The Six Sacred Stones by Matthew Reilly (41/2)

THE END OF THE WORLD IS HERE

The secret of the Seven Ancient Wonders was only the beginning... After their thrilling exploits in Matthew Reilly's rampaging New York Times bestseller, 7 Deadly Wonders, supersoldier Jack West Jr. and his loyal team of adventurers are back, and now they face an all-but-impossible challenge. A mysterious ceremony in an unknown location has unraveled their work and triggered a catastrophic countdown that will climax in no less than the end of all life on Earth. But there is one last hope.

If Jack and his team can find and rebuild a legendary ancient device known only as the "Machine," they might be able to ward off the coming armageddon. The only clues to locating this Machine, however, are held within the fabled Six Sacred Stones, long lost in the fog of history. And so the hunt begins for the Six Sacred Stones and the all-important knowledge they possess, but in the course of this wild adventure Jack and his team will discover that they are not the only ones seeking the Stones and that there might just be other players out there who don't want to see the world saved at all.

From Stonehenge in England to the deserts of Egypt to the spectacular Three Gorges region of China, The 6 Sacred Stones will take you on a nonstop roller-coaster ride through ancient history, modern military hardware, and some of the fastest and most mind-blowing action you will ever read.

Well this was a real roller coaster of a book and I loved it !!!

This is this months book club novel and I cannot wait now until the next installment comes out to find out what happens !!!

If you love adventure then this book is for you !! It is a real page turner and you cannot help but visualize Jack and his team battling their way out of impossible predicaments !!! It is so like Indiana Jones that you just see Jack as a true hero out to save the world !!!

Although some people will say that this is a boys book because it does go into detail of guns, tanks, planes etc but I loved it ( may be because at the moment with playing Call of duty on X-Box I actually know which guns he is talking about ... lol ..... ) But as a girl reading this book I loved it ...... Maybe it is the action Hero which every girl looks to ........ not to mention that he has cool gadgets like 007 ........

This is the second book in the series and I will definitely be rushing out to purchase the 1st one !!! YOU can read this book without reading the first one and thoroughly enjoy it and understand the plot ...... BUT you will prob be like me and be dying to read how Jack's adventure started !!! ......... The only sucky thing is that we where left with a cliff hanger at the end and have to wait for the next installment .........

If you haven't read any Matthew Reilly books yet ................. WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR GO OUT AND GET ONE !!!

I rate this book 41/2 ****

Here's the man himself talking and showing us where he writes !!