The reluctant assassin by Eoin Colfer
Target audience: Young Adult
Rating: Wizard

From the man who brought us the popular “Artemis Fowl” books, comes a new wickedly fun and deviously intricate science fiction series featuring a wormhole machine, a teen almost FBI agent called Chevron, Garrick, a magician turned assassin, his young assistant, Riley and W.A.R.P., the Witness Anonymous Relocation Program. The FBI has been using this time machine to transport high profile witnesses  to Victorian London until it’s safe to return them for the trial. But with all great technological advances, there are glitches. Mutations keep popping up among those returning from the past. The current problem lies with the crime banker by the name, Terry Carter, who has decided that life in the past where anonymity is to his advantage is much more preferable. He changes his name to Tibor Charismo and sets up a nice little crime network for himself using the ready supply of waifs and criminals on the streets of Victorian London. Complete success at this enterprise requires eliminating all those from the future who can identify him including the scientist who created W.A.R.P. and Riley’s FBI parents. He employs the service of the notorious assassin, Garrick. Riley escapes into the future followed by his master and chaos ensues as Victorian and modern day London collide with spectacular results. Colfer creates villains worthy of hatred and reluctant heroes destined to become favorites. The non stop action, crazy science, mobsters from both centuries, and the shear genius of the plot execution will have kids craving the next installment. (Book provided for review by Children's Lit - www.childrenslit.com).

 

 

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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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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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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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