Lava crown: Troll hunters, book three by Michael Dahl.

105 pgs.
Target audience: Ages 9-13
Rating: Wizard

Pablo and his friends are becoming more adept at using their new found light bearer powers and are working with Mara on a plan to rescue Dr. Hoo, Bryce and all the other residents of Zion Falls who have been taken prisoner by the troll general and kept in the underground lava chamber of the gathool kingdom. Uzhk, their troll ally, is heading underneath to create a diversion with a direct attack. Since Dr. Hoo’s tower can double as a moving vessel when activated by the combined powers of Pablo, Thora, Zack and Louise, they decide to use it to descend into the enemy’s lair. Meanwhile Dr. Hoo sets a trap for Ooloom, the troll general, by convincing him he’s betrayed the children. The battle to save the prisoners is treacherous and the young warriors  battle against overwhelming odds. The victory is bittersweet and reveals Dr. Hoo’s dark secret. Lots of heated fighting, lots of hot lava, plenty of evil troll warriors and a sinister general with hypnotic powers fill the pages of the third book in this series. Readers will be chomping at the bit to find out what happens. Just as in the previous volumes, the author includes a glossary and notes at the end. (This book provided for review by children's lit - www.childrenslit.com)

 

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Dark tower rising: Troll hunters, book two. by Michael Dahl

105 pgs.
Target audience: Ages 9-13
Rating: Wizard

Pablo, Thora, Zack and seven-year-old Louise find out they are Praktara, bearers of light, and destined to fight the battle against the trolls for control of the earth. Each child is star touched and in battle bears the likeness of a constellation – Zack is Ursa Major, Pablo is Orion, Thora is Aquarius and Louise is Libra. Banded together their power is formidable. Thora’s brother, Bryce is possessed by an evil denizen and while under its thrall he kidnaps Dr. Hoo. Summoned by the doctor, her colleague, Mara arrives in Zion Falls to help. She discovers where the trolls are planning their next attack using a Croatoan, a type of dark tower that can be ridden to the surface. Battling as a team, Mara, her troll ally, Uzhk, and the kids with their combined powers stop the trolls from emerging. Each book in this series depends on the previous volume flowing so continually and naturally they resemble one long story divided into parts. There is much in this volume to appeal to kids – constellations, magic, science, giant evil toads, swarms of insects, fierce battles, seas of snakes and strangling vines. As with previous volumes, the author includes notes on dark towers and additional Gathool vocabulary.

(This book provided for review by children's lit - www.childrenslit.com)

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Skyfall: Troll hunters, book one. by Michael Dahl

105 pgs.

Target audience: Ages 9-13

Rating: Wizard

The monsters so vividly drawn in a young boy’s imagination come alive during the biggest meteor storm in a century, the Draconids. Pablo and his friends, Thora and Bryce are supposed to meet at the old quarry lake to watch the show, but a mysterious car accident involving one of Pablo’s schoolmates, Zack, prevents him from getting there. Seven-year-old Louise who lives nearby with her dad, runs into the woods after one of her bunnies escapes. Upon returning home after the meteor shower, Thora meets up with Zack and Pablo who are trying to find the lost Louise. A terrifying monster comes thundering through the forest after them, but a centaur appears out of nowhere and vanquishes the beast. A strange three-armed man, Dr. Hoo, rescues the kids and takes them to his house. They learn that Dr. Hoo is a crypto zoologist who studies hidden and secret creatures and the monster after them was a gathool or troll and is most definitely not alone. Others have come to take back the surface world for themselves and the doctor’s house is currently under attack from all sides. While the doctor goes off to take care of the trolls, the kids use their initiative, unique skills and talent to help out. There is non stop action in this exciting new chapter book series. The illustrations done in black and sepia contribute nicely to the creepy aspect of the story. The author includes notes on the gathool and a gathool vocabulary.
(This book provided for review by children's lit - www.childrenslit.com)

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Seraphina by Rachel Hartman

451 pgs.
Target audience: Young adult
Rating: Dragon

In the kingdom of Goredd, a peace treaty allows dragons and humans to live together. However there are those on both sides who will stop at nothing to dismantle this agreement. Fear and mistrust run rampant among the citizens as the treaty anniversary approaches. Seraphina has a secret, one which she must keep hidden from both sides. Her mother was a dragon and her father a human, making her half dragon. As a uniquely gifted musician Seraphina is engaged as a music teacher under the tutelage of Viridius, the court composer. Her only confidant is her mentor and dragon uncle, Orma, who creates a counterfeit mother to disguise his niece’s true heritage. No sooner is Seraphina ensconced in her new job than Prince Rufus is found decapitated implicating a draconian killer. The arrival of the leader of the dragon world, Ardmagar Comonot, does little to alleviate the already tense atmosphere. Seraphina befriends her student, Princess Glisselda and the devilishly handsome Prince Lucian Kiggs, fiancé to Glisselda. Together Seraphina and Kiggs uncover a secret plot to assassinate the Ardmagar and to break the treaty. Although Seraphina’s intimate knowledge of dragon culture serves to be invaluable to their investigations, she worries that her continual need to lie will jeopardize not only her friendship with Kiggs and the princess but put the kingdom in danger. This is a brilliantly written book and so engrossing it’s very hard to put down.  The plot is fantastic, unique and intricate and like a good stew, the more it simmers the better it gets. Readers will savor each delicious moment. There is a cast of characters and a glossary at the end.Plus it has a fabulous cover. The only thing missing is a map.

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City of Liesby Lian Tanner (audiobook – read by Claudia Black)

5 discs
Target audience: Ages 9-12
Rating: Wizard

Children are going missing in the city of Jewel. Goldie Roth has been offered the position of fifth Keeper at the Museum of Dunt, but she’s reluctant to leave her parents at home alone. However when Toadspit’s sister, Bonnie, is taken, he and Goldie head off in pursuit of the kidnappers by stowing away on their ship headed for the southern city of Spoke. When they arrive the citizens are celebrating a local festival where nothing is as it seems and lies and truth switch places. The city allows for a few big lies to come true and Goldie uses this to bring the mythical Princess Frisia to life. She and Toadspit are helped in their battle against the kidnappers by a few street urchins, their beloved slaughterbird, Morg, a group of loyal mice, and a cat. Back in Jewel, the Flugelman and Guardian Hope are orchestrating the kidnapping as a way to ensure their return to power. The story continues to be just as captivating as its predecessor, The Museum of Thieves, but ends with a cliffhanger. Claudia Black simply does an amazing job with the tone of the story, breathing life to the emotions and delivering sound effects with perfection. As is often the case with middle books, it sets the stage for the final battle to save the city of Jewel, so the pace does slow down a bit in an effort to give backstory. Even though the bulk of the story takes place in the city of Spoke, favorite characters Sinew, Olga Ciavolga, and Broo make an appearance. The big lie that Goldie weaves with her magic gives the author the opportunity to explain the reason behind Goldie’s power. This series needs to be read in order, so if you haven’t read these there is no better time than the present.

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The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson

432 pgs.
Target audience: Young Adult
Rating: Dragon

This book is adventure at its finest. Elisa is the youngest princess of Oravalle, chosen at birth as the new bearer of the Godstone. As such she is destined to perform a great service. Overshadowed by her much thinner, more beautiful sister, Elisa doubts her worthiness. In a political move, she's betrothed to the king of a neighboring kingdom. No sooner has she arrived in Joya d'Arena to take on her new responsibilities, when a rebel faction kidnaps her. She's suddenly faced with obstacles almost too onerous to bear, but she slowly gains confidence in herself and the trust of others. There's danger, political intrigue, battles, betrayal and just the right amount of romance. Fans of Tamora Pierce's books will love this book. I certainly hope that Rae continues to write because it was a joy to read.

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Die for me by Amy Plum
352 pgs.
Target audience: Young adult
Rating: Wizard

 YA fiction is currently teeming with supernatural romances with no signs of slowing down. Girl falls for the impossibly gorgeous________ vampire, werewolf, immortal, angel, revenant - just fill in the blank. I'm thrilled since I cannot seem to get enough of them. I'll be the first to admit to picking up a book based on its cover and Die for Me by Amy Plum was an instant hit. After the death of their parents, Kate and Georgie move to Paris to live with their grandparents. The two sisters couldn't be more different. While the ever popular Georgie grieves by plunging herself into the French social scene, Kate prefers to draw into herself spending her days in museums or reading at sidewalk cafes until she sees Vincent, that is .He's of course gorgeous, aloof, mysterious and way out of her league. One night when Kate and Georgie are out late, they see the rescue of a young girl about to jump off a bridge. One of her rescuers is none other than Vincent who turns out to be a Revenant bound to a centuries-old war with their evil counterparts. This stunning debut is packed with romance, thrills and heart-stopping action. Also included is some great sword fighting scenes and lovely medieval weaponry. The Parisian backdrop literally comes alive in this brilliant addition to the supernatural romance genre.

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Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu

320 pgs.

Target audience: Ages 8-12

Rating: Wizard

This is a stunning modern-day version of the snow queen. Hazel doesn't fit in either at home or at school. Nobody seems to see things the way she does. The truth always pales in comparison to what she can imagine and she can imagine quite a lot. Then there's Jack, the one person in the whole world who understands her. He lives next door and life, especially her dismal school with all its mundane occumpans, seems brighter. One day at school everything changes after Jack gets a piece of glass in his eye at school. Now Jack won't even talk to her and then simply vanishes. His parents won't tell her what happened and Hazel is beside herself with worry. Her parents try to explain that sometimes friends grow apart. Hazel is not convinced and panic sets in when she sees Jack at the edge of the forest with a mysterious woman made out of ice. So ignoring everyone'sadvice Hazael sets out into the wood on a journey to rescue her best friend. He's certainly under some sort of spell she thinks. This a heartfelt story of friendship, loyalty and determination. The frightening forest presents dangers both real and magical. Hazel is a very strong character who knows who she is and what she wants. Very likable and believable. Recommend to fans of Lewis' Narnia books.

 

 

 

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Wildwingby Emily Whitman

368 pgs.
Target audience: Young adult
Rating: Wizard

. In 1913 England, Addy's prospects seem glim since she never knew her father and her mother scrapes a pittance of a living as a seamstress. Her only chance is to secure a position with Mr. Greenwood, a curmudgeonly, batty old man who lives like a hermit. Mr. Greenwood is overcome with grief over the disappearance of his young son years ago, but Addy's young inquisitive presence rejuvenates him and they spend many an afternoon chatting over tea and books. One day Addy is alone exploring the old house when she stumbles upon an old lift in the library. No sooner than she steps inside that the door shuts and the lift starts to rumble and rattle. When it stops she steps out onto a vast field apparently nowhere near 1913. Now she's in medieval England, mistaken for Lady Matilda who's presumed killed in a shipwreck and happens to be betrothed to Lord Hughes of a nearby manor. Addy is torn between finding her way back home and playing the role of a Lady whose every whim is catered to by an eager and extensive staff of servants. Here she could have everything she has ever wanted. But should she stay and assume another's identity even if that person is dead? The handsome young falconer's son may help make up her mind. (Pub date 9/11) Recommend this to readers new to fantasy, there is enough that is familiar. Also offer to fans of alternate histories such as Prisoner in the Palace by Michaela MacColl and Saving Julietby Suzanne Selfors.

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Entwined by Heather Dixon
480 pgs.
Target audience: Young adult
Rating: Dragon

There are so many books based on The Twelve Dancing Princessesit's hard to imagine the uniqueness of another version but Heather Dixon pulls it off superbly. Azalea is the oldest of the twelve daughters and heir to the throne. When their mother dies, the household is plunged into a strict mourning period where dancing is definitely not allowed. Azalea is the one who, after months of mourning and insurmountable boredom, discovers a secret passageway to an enchanted pavilion where she and her sisters dance each night away. While the darkly mysterious and alluring Keeper makes all the magic possible, his motives are not entirely honorable especially where Azalea is concerned. As the secrets and lies from the past are revealed, Azalea realizes what true evil they are facing. The story turns dark and wonderfully gothic with unexpected twists and turns taking Grimm's classic tale to a new and suspenseful level. The characters are rich and well formed. The darker tone of this version will appeal to fans of Hunter's Moonby O.R. Melling and Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr.

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Wither by Lauren DeStefano

384 pgs.
Target audience: Young adult
Rating: Dragon

Genetically engineered perfection proves disastrous in Witherby Lauren DeStefano, a new addition to young adult dystopian fiction. Their success in creating a disease free and practically immortal humanity accidentally introduces a virus into human DNA. As a result all women live only to age twenty and men to age twenty-five. Panic, poverty and despair reign as girls as young as thirteen are farmed out to be married and turned into baby producing machines in a desperate attempt to preserve the human race. Rhine, kidnapped from her home which she shares with her brother, is sold into a polygamous marriage to a rich man, Linden. She and her sister wives, Cecily and Jenna, are trapped in a fancy prison-like mansion where they're expected to perform their new duties with enthusiasm while outside the rest of the world is trapped in poverty, crime and death. Their marriage is deemed necessary because Linden's father is a scientist bent on discovering a cure for the virus and he needs subjects. Eager to escape and reunite with her brother, Rhine befriends one of the mansion's staff and together they uncover some alarming secrets behind the experiments done in the name of science in the dank and dismal basement forbidden to all but Linden's father. This was truly a gripping book, I could not put it down. A compelling start to the Chemical Garden Trilogy. Fans of Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, Bumpedby Megan Mccafferty and Eveby Anna Carey will eat this book up.

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Wings of fire: the dragonet prophecy by Tui T. Sutherland

304 pgs.
Target audience: Ages 9-12
Rating: Wizard

Clay is a mudwing, one of the dragonets of prophecy destined to end the war and unite all the dragon tribes under one queen. He and the four other young dragons are sequestered in an underground cave where they are being prepared and educated by the Mindkeepers, older dragons sworn to protect them. Tsunami, a seawing convinces Clay and the others for the need to escape their imprisonment. After all how can they possibly fulfill the prophecy without any real world experience? Along with Glory, an unusual rainwing, Sunny, a small sandwing and Starflight, a bookworm nightwing, they finally find a way out. But no sooner are they free than Queen Scarlet of the skywings snatches them up and takes them to her kingdom up in the clouds. Clay and his friends are thrust into gladiator fighting with other more powerful dragons. Isolated from the others, Clay, desperately tries to find a way to save himself and his friends from a terrible fate. Can he trust Peril, the queen’s champion, who seems to have befriended him? What will happen if they actually have to fight? The dragonets must learn to face their greatest fears, find a balance between self-reliance and the bonds of friendship, and harness their developing powers. This is a heartwarming story starring uniquely different characters bound to delight young readers who will get caught up in the dragonets quest for freedom. Recommend to fans of the Silverwingseries by Kenneth Oppel.

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Time traveling fashionista by Bianca Turetsky

272 pgs.

Target audience: Young adult

Rating: Wizard

Vintage clothes come with their very own special history which takes on an altogether new meaning for young Louise, a fashion conscious vintage shopper. Just as she is thinking about what dress to wear for the upcoming school dance, she receives a mysterious invitation to a new vintage clothing shop. With her mousy brown hair, braces and flat chest, Louise dreams of a life as a star in the golden age of Hollywood cinema. At first the new vintage shop seems like a joke with its run down appearance, eccentric owners and complete and utter lack of customers. But Louise soon finds herself enchanted by the plethora of fashion originals that surround her. As soon as she tries on a shimmering gown of pink perfection, she blacks out only to wake up on a grand ocean liner in the body of a famous Hollywood actress. In the mirror she sees herself, but to everyone else she's the talented Miss Baxter. This new role seems like a fun fantasy until she discovers over dinner that this isn't just any ship, it's the H.M.S. Titanic and we all know how that ends. Louise's time traveling adventure takes on an alarmingly desperate turn as she frantically tries to warn the captain of the impending crash all the while searching for a way back to her own time. The last chapter includes the detailed research Louise does on the people whom she met while on that fateful voyage bringing a historical depth to this fun new fantasy series.

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 Hollowby Jessica Verday

528 pgs.
Target audience: Young adult
Rating: Wizard

 As befits the title of the first installment in this trilogy, it is thoroughly steeped in the Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Abbey struggles in the wake of her best friend's disappearance and presumed death from a legendary bridge. Unable to process her grief, Abbey splits her time between their favorite hang-outs, the Crane river bank and Washington Irving's grave. But the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery has much more in store for the troubled girl. She cautiously befriends an old caretaker, Nicholas, and a mysterious and deliciously hot teen, Caspian who later reveal themselves to be mortal enemies. The more she finds out, the murkier and spookier reality becomes. The combination of Sleepy Hollow legend and romance lend this fantasy a surreal quality. This is not a scary horror book but more about forbidden romance. Highly recommended for fans of Twilightby Stephenie Meyer and Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater.

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Real Mermaids Don't Wear Toe Rings by Helene Boudreau

224 ps.
Target audience: Young adult
Rating: Griffin

Being thirteen is awkward enough. Jade's mother drowned and she now lives alone with her endearing but somewhat clueless dad. While her best friend is beautiful and slim, Jade is overweight. An epsom salt bath is anything but relaxing when her legs vanish to reveal a mermaid's tail. The onset of her period and salt water brings on her metamorphosis. It turns out that her mother did not drown but is alive and trapped by some rebel mer-people. The kidnapping turned rescue of Jade's mom was forced and confusing. However it is still a sweet story and the classic adolescent moments will appeal to tween readers.

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Scream street: Blood of the witch, book twoby Tommy Donbavand.

117 pgs.
Target audience: Ages 9-13
Rating: Wizard

G.H.O.U.L., Government Housing of Unusual Life-forms, has designated Scream street a community for the supernatural. Luke and his parents are forced to move there after Luke transforms into a werewolf on his tenth birthday. His parents, however, live in constant fear of their new monstrous neighbors. Luke quickly befriends two other kids – a mummy named Cleo and Resus, a normal boy in a vampire family. In order for Luke to open a doorway and return his parents home, he must find all six relics listed in the ancient book, Skipstone’s Tales of Scream Street. But before they can even begin their quest, the blood supplied to resident vampires on tap is suddenly blocked off. Sir Otto Sneer, the landlord of Scream street is infecting all the rats and residents with vampire energy to raise an army and obtain the powerful relics for himself. Will the children unblock the blood supply in time? Will Luke save his parents from becoming vampires? Perfect for Goosebumps fans, this story sizzles with grisly, ghoulish, and ghastly fun. Each volume focuses on getting one of the sacred relics. The black and white illustrations sprinkled throughout range from full page pictures to strategically placed globs of blood, spider-webs, claws dripping with gore and bats. The author includes a pictorial gallery of residents, a keyed map and a short synopsis of the series so far. (Book provided for review by Children's Lit www.childrenslit.com)

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The obsidian bladeby Pete Hautman

308 pgs.
Target audience: Young adult
Rating: Fairy

Tucker, son of the local minister, lives a quiet life in a small Minnesota town until a hazy disc appears floating in the air above the roof where his father is working. Then just as suddenly both dad and disc vanish right before his eyes. Later his dad returns no longer believing in God and bringing with him a strange girl who doesn’t talk and is apparently from Bulgaria. To top it all off, his mom starts to lose her mind. Life goes on this way until a year later when  both his parents vanish and Tucker goes to live with his Uncle Kosh.The strange discs Tucker keeps seeing were created by a discorporeal artist from the postdigital age as a way to travel into the past to witness major events in history. When Tucker travels through one to find his parents, he is swept from one event to the next in a dazzling display of human history including a close up look at the attack on the Twin Towers. Time travel is usually a big draw, but the level of complexity to the origins of the discs overwhelms the underlying story. Tucker is a flat and undeveloped character while the secondary characters pop in and out of the journeys through time without contributing much to the plot. This book will no doubt appeal to avid fans of the author and science fiction, but will not reach a wider audience.
(Book provided for review by Children's Lit www.childrenslit.com)

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Sweep series by Cate Tiernan
Target audience: Young adult
Rating: Dragon

I recently discovered the awesome Sweep series by Cate Tiernan. There are 15 in all and I read through them at lightning speed. This is the story of young Morgan who discovers Wiccan culture while under the roof of her adoptive Catholic parents. The more she delves into it, the more she finds out her true heritage. She and her friends are drawn into the Wiccan world by the new hottie, Cal, at school. Of course jealousy and backstabbing common to high school are still present. But then you add in circles, blood witches, books of shadows and rituals and the drama gets even better. Each chapter begins with an excerpt from a book a shadows (BOS) so you have two stories overlaying each other. I just love that part. Each book features the BOS of someone related to a character in the main story, often an ancestor.

I often compare this series to an addictive TV show. Each installment leaves you dying for more. The second book is the one with the major cliffhanger at the end. I mean it literally ends right in the middle of a critical scene. I had not gotten the 3rd book on hold yet at the library when I finished the 2nd one and was almost ready to buy it at the store, but mercifully it came in for me the next day. All's right with the world. It's like that TV series 24, you cannot read them out of order. So, if you like high school drama and intrigued by Wiccan Culture, this is definitely for you.

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