Pillage

Author: Obert Skye (author of the awesome Leven Thumps series)

Series: the Pillage Trilogy #1

Genre: Fantasy/Young Adult/Adventure

When fifteen-year-old Beck Phillips travels by train to the secluded village of Kingsplot to live with his wealthy but estranged uncle, Beck discovers some dark family secrets. A buried basement, a forbidden wall, an old book of family history with odd references to… dragons? Beck’s life is about to be changed forever in this suspenseful tale about the destructive nature of greed and the courage to make things right.

Positive Content: Friendship, loyalty, love, and ingenuity are all themes in this book. People look out for each other, protect each other, and try to do what’s right in order to protect the ones they love.

Negative Content: Naturally, there’s the villains. Beck also uncovers several plots about greedy ancestors and family secrets. While digging around where he’s not supposed to, he lies several times to cover it up. Dragons wreak havoc. There is very little language (next to none, actually) and no sexual content.

Summary: This book was a blast; and I had trouble keeping my eyes off the eye-candy cover! Talk about a cover crush! I can’t wait to read the next book in this series as soon as I can lay my hands on it.

Ages: 13+

4.5 out of 5 stars

Artemis Fowl

Author: Eoin Colfer

Series: Artemis Fowl

Genre: Young Adult/Fantasy/Adventure

Artemis Fowl is a genius. And not just ANY genius – a 12-year-old criminal genius who has figured out how to steal things… from the realm of fairy.

Positive Content: In spite of his criminal record and devious mind, Artemis loves his parents, his bodyguard, and, in the later books, his younger siblings. He even goes so far as to risk his life for others – something which disturbs him, as it’s so un-criminal-like. Butler is very fond of Artemis, and Butler and his sister Juliet love each other. Many characters, in spite of their misgivings, go out of their way to aid and assist each other.

Negative Content: Artemis is a criminal. Therefore, most of the books center around criminal activity. The language is very mild – a few instances of the ‘d’ and h’ words, as well as the fairy swear-word “D’Arvit” – the meaning of which we are not told. Dwarves are diggers – they unhinge their jaw, chew the dirt… and shovel it out the other end. They can also emit ‘gas’ – air stored up from the dirt they eat – as a weapon. The violence is mild. Magic is used; but it really isn’t ‘mystical’ magic. These fairies rely on technology more than magic.

However, my main problem was that after the fourth book, demons are brought into the scene. I know they’re not the actual Biblical ‘demons,’ but they’re demons nonetheless.

Summary: This is a series about a criminal – but a criminal who begins to question his motives and, eventually, reforms. As series go, it’s very clean. It’s also quite fun and enjoyable – but only up until the fifth book; in which case, I stopped reading.

Ages: 13+

4 out of 5 stars

 

Stealth

Author: Karen Miller

Series: The Clone Wars Gambit #2

Genre: Young Adult/Fantasy/Science-Fiction/Adventure

Planet by planet, darkness creeps across the galaxy. Among warriors and generals, among ordinary beings living in far-flung worlds, the fear will not go away: We are losing this war. . . .
 
Anakin Skywalker feels it, too. The Separatist Alliance, with ruthlessness and treachery, is beating the Republic to every strategic target. But after a costly clash with General Grievous for the planet Kothlis, Anakin has a mission that will focus his anxious mind. Alongside Obi-Wan Kenobi, he is posing as a long-lost native of Lanteeb, an impoverished world on the Outer Rim. This seemingly unimportant planet has drawn the interest of the Seps—and Anakin and Obi-Wan soon discover the disturbing reason: A scientist enslaved by General Lok Durd is drawing on Lanteeb’s one natural resource for a devastating bioweapon. Now Anakin and Obi-Wan have entered the eye of a storm. Their presence has been exposed, Lok Durd’s plans unveiled, and a fight has begun for survival behind enemy lines—and a chance of winning a war that must be fought at any cost.

Positive Content: Even though it can be strained at times, the relationship between Obi-Wan and Anakin is strong and loyal. Anakin makes several headstrong decisions, but sometimes foregoes them after Obi-Wan tells him not to. Anakin also loves his padawan Ahsoka and is constantly worried for her welfare, and vise versa. He also loves all of his Clone troops and knows them individually; consequenly, he is devestated when they are killed or injured in attacks. His big heart gets him into trouble when he promises more than he can possibly give, at the expense of others.

Negative Content:  The derrogatory term “Barve” is used frequenly, as is the made-up expletive “Stang.” Taria was a former lover of Obi-Wan. Anakin and Padme have an intimate moment at dinner that includes a rather heated kiss.
The book begins with a battle sequence on Kothlis that results in several characters (including Obi-Wan) being injured. Lok Durd abuses Bant’era and threatens her family and is reponsible for the deaths of many other people. Anakin is headstrong and stubborn, and lies about his relationship with Padme.

Summary: This is my favorite Star Wars book I’ve ever read. I loved it. The author did a great job of writing the characters personalities – you could practically hear them talking. (Some authors will write well-known characters, and totally change their personalities. PET PEEVE! This did NOT happen here). The banter between Obi-wan and Anakin was absolutely priceless and made me laugh several times. All-around, I really loved this book and was VERY ticked off when the library didn’t have the others in the Gambit. I’m hoping to buy them for myself sometime soon.

Ages: 16+

5 out of 5 stars

The Iron King

Author: Julie Kagawa

Genre: Young Adult/Urban Fantasy/Romance/Adventure

Series: The Iron Fey #1

My name is Meghan Chase.
 
In less than twenty-four hours I’ll be sixteen. Countless stories, songs, and poems have been written about this wonderful age, when a girl finds true love and the stars shine for her and the handsome prince carries her off into the sunset.

I don’t think it will be that way for me.

I’d heard a lot about this book. Critics raved over it, book reviewers adored it, foreign countries sent hit men to snatch up all they could. So naturally I felt compelled to read and review.

Positive Content: Megan really loves her younger brother, and would do anything to get him back from the faeries who have kidnapped him and replaced him with a changeling. She loves her mother as well, even though the two are pretty distant. She really loved her father before he disappeared and still misses him, in spite of everything. She is willing to sacrifice anything – her safety, her memories, her life – in order to protect her friends. She risks everything in order to bring her little brother back from the NeverNever. Likewise, Puck and Ash honor their promises and look out for Megan’s safety.

Negative Content: Quite a bit of foul-mouthing here, including one ‘F-bomb’ (granted, the main character is horrified when this word is uttered, but that doesn’t alter the fact that it was still there) as well as several other a-b-and-d-bombs. Some crude language is used. Many of the faeries are sensual creatures and don’t mind hiding it (Megan herself is the product of a one-night tryst between her mother and the faerie king Oberon). A group of satyrs chases Megan with ‘wicked intentions’ (Puck warned her of  this earlier). Meghan has a few disturbing nightmares concerning her little brother being in danger (i.e. she dreams he’s hanging from wires like some sort of cyborg, etc.) They visit a faerie masquerading as a voodoo seer (the scene lasts only about a page and a half, if I remember correctly). Several people are killed and/or nearly killed. And, of course, there’s the whole ‘love triangle’ thing, which I’m really, really getting sick of.

Summary: This book had a strong imagination powering it, and many aspects of the Iron King are delightful and enthralling. The world of faerie is mysterious, magical, and dangerous, and I grew to like Megan, Puck, and even Ash as they journeyed through the Nevernever in order to retrieve Megan’s little brother. However, there was quite a bit of content that this book could definitely have done without; language and immoral faeries being the main problems. I’d probably own this book – but I would take a lot of black marker to it.

Ages: 17+

3 out of  5 stars

Peter and the Starcatchers

Author: Dave Barry, Ridley Pearson

Genre: Fantasy/Adventure/Children

Series: Peter Pan

Peter and his ‘lost boys’ are leaving London and going to the land of King Zarboff – the third. It is rumored that a giant snakes eat his servants.  They are leaving on a ship called the “Never Land” – though the ‘ship’ is more like a peeling, ill-run tub than anything else.

Needless to say, the boys don’t want to go.

When a box full of Starstuff is smuggled onto the Never Land, the notorious pirate captain Black Stache finds out about it… and will stop at nothing to find it.

This book was so much fun – it had just the right amount of magic, humor, and adventure. It was clean of sexual situations, gore, and language. A high fantasy, swashbuckling prequel to Peter Pan!

Ages: 10+

4 out of 5 stars

Virals

Author: Kathy Reichs

Genre: Young Adult/Fiction/Adventure

Tory Brennan is just your average teenager – except she LOVES Science. She doesn’t even really mind the fact that she lives on a remote island with her Scientist dad – along with only a handful of other people. In fact, her three best friends are as nutty about science as she is – but that’s all they are. Ordinary, geeky kids. Until Tory discovers a dog tag on a forbidden island, that is. One thing leads to another – and their lives will never be the same again.

OK. Sounded cool, right? I flipped through it at the bookstore. Neat – if somewhat cliched – idea. People get infected with a virus that gives them superhuman abilities. But the book’s language and over-used storyline make it not worth the read. It might be, if you could ClearPlay a book. But you can’t, so I wouldn’t take the time to read the whole thing.

Ages: 16+

0 out of 5 stars

The Truth of the Matter

Author: Andrew Klavan

Genre: Young Adult/Adventure/Christian/Fiction

Series: The Homelanders Series #3

Charlie is certain that if he could just regain his memory, the chaos around him would make sense. But the truth of the matter is even more incredible than he could imagine.

Charlie West was an ordinary high school kid who went to bed one night and woke up in the clutches of terrorists and wanted by the police for murder. He also woke up with no memory of the events of the past year.

Now Charlie has found the one person who knows what happened . . . and who can help him remember. But remembering is painful–as well as dangerous–and figuring out what to do with this new knowledge may be Charlie’s toughest challenge yet.

This book was awesome! I read it last night – I started it, and couldn’t put it down! It gripped me the whole way in a thrilling, fast-paced, non-stop-excitement ride that had me longing for book number four to come out!

There is violence – threats of torture, memories of it, shootings, fights, etc. but no language, and the only sexual content is Charlie holding (I think there was one kissing part) his girlfriend in his memories.

I highly recommend this book!

Ages 16+

4.5 out of 5 stars

The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner’s Dilemma

 

Author: Trenton Lee Stewart

Series: The Mysterious Benedict Society Book #3

Genre: Children/Fiction/Adventure

The foursome have returned for another adventure, battling the evil of Ledroptha Curtain. Ten Men, friends, enemies, plot twists, witty remarks, humor, and friendship abound – but there is an unexpected problem.

Constance has run away. Will they be able to find her in time – and will they be able to stop Ledroptha Curtain and help Mr. Benedict once and for all?

An excellent conclusion to one of my favorite trilogies. Nothing objectionable here – just lots and lots of good stuff.

5 out of 5 stars

AGes 10+

The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey

 

Author: Trenton Lee Stewart

Genre: Adventure/Children/Fiction

Series: The Mysterious Benedict Society Book #2

For my review of the first book in the series, go here http://thebookfae.wordpress.com/2010/08/14/the-mysterious-benedict-society/

Reynie, Kate, Sticky, and Constance are back – with another problem! Ledroptha Curtain is back and up to his evil tricks. Mr. Benedict is in dager, and the children are the only ones who can save him – along with Milligan, Rhonda, Number 2, and other potential allies (or enemies) along the way. But this time, they have new adversaries to face – the Ten Men. Ten different ways of hurting you is their speciality – and they’re after the children, with a special grudge against Milligan.

I LOVE this series. I really do. It’s one of my all-time favorites. Absolutely clean, cleverly written, hilarious, exciting, fast-paced, and mind-bending, this is a great book for anybody ten and up. I highly recommend it to anybody looking for an excellent, fun read that is very hard to put down!

5 out of 5 stars

Ages 10+

Sapphique

Author: Catherine Fisher

Series: Incarceron Sequel

Genre: Steampunk/Adventure/Fantasy/Young Adult

Finn has escaped Incarceron, but thoughts of the Oathbrother he left behind still haunt him. Claudia sees that Finn is moody and listless, and it worries her. But Finn has more problems than worrying about Keir0 – when another boy shows up and claimes he is the rightful prince and heir, Finn begins to wonder – is Claudia the only one who believes in him? While Finn and Claudia struggle in a battle with the queen, Jared tries to figure out a way to open Incarceron and get the inhabitants out. But two of the inhabitants - Keiro and Attia, namely – are trying to escape without Finn’s help. When they find a crazy sorcerer who holds the fabled Glove of Sapphique, they believe that they have found the key to escape. But Incarceron watches everything – and is willing to do anything to get the glove back.

This book was AWESOME! You know how much I liked Incarceron (http://thebookfae.wordpress.com/2010/05/04/incarceron/)

 (it’s one of my favorite books) – this sequel was just as gripping and thrilling as its predecessor!  It was free of sexual content, and the swearing was limited to two or three name-calling words. The only magic in the book is a villainous sorcerer whose power is never fully explained – you are given the impression that he is simply an illusionist who believes he  has real powers.

This book was fantastic, fantastic, fanTASTIC, and I wish there were more!!!

5 out of 5 stars

Ages 15+