Visitors--Orson Scott Card

Title: Visitors
Author: Orson Scott Card
Publisher: Simon Pulse, 2014
Pages: 608 p.
Source: Library Ebook
Compensation: None
Read: November 2016

Orson Scott Card's Visitors

Visitors is the conclusion to the Pathfinder trilogy that includes Pathfinder and Ruins. There is no point in even attempting to read this unless you've read the first two.

I've seen the negative reviews of this book (and series) but I enjoyed this series. Rigg and his friends have discovered that the world is in danger of obliteration from visitors with deadly intentions. Luckily, Rigg and his friends are not ordinary teens. They each possess different talents letting them manipulate time. They put those talents to use as they frantically search for a way to prevent the destruction of everything they know and save the world.

Just like Ruins, this is not the book to read while watching TV or multitasking. You need to devote some time to this and then some more time to think about it when you're done reading. I love time travel and I'm a big fan of tv shows/movies that explore its ramifications. It helped that I've already thought about the concept of time and Riggs & Umbo's conversations about causality and the relationship between the past and the future were conversations that I've thought about. This book is *deep*. The entire series is deep. I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it, but it'll take a special reader to truly appreciate it.
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Ruins—Orson Scott Card

Title: Ruins
Author: Orson Scott Card
Publisher: Simon Pulse, 2013
Pages: 544 p.
Source: Library E-Book
Compensation: None
Read: November 2016

Orson Scott Card’s Ruins

This is the second book in Orson Scott Card’s Pathfinder series and without reading the first you’ll be lost and confused and simply unhappy. If you haven’t read the first, go ahead and do that before you read this review.

Rigg, his friend Umbo, and his newly discovered sister Param all have special powers to help them manipulate time. On the run from people who would like to prevent Rigg and/or Param from claiming their birthright, they cross the forbidden Wall between the world they know and one they can only imagine. Here they uncover even more mysteries and are not sure who they can trust. Even though they spend a lot of time bickering and being suspicious of one another, they have to work together if they are going to prevent the horror that the future brings—a destructive force with deadly intentions that’s hurtling across time and space towards Garden.

Get ready to use your brains because there is some DEEP thinking about time and cause/effect in this mind-bending sequel. This is a complex book that deserves undivided attention.
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Pathfinder--Orson Scott Card

Title: Pathfinder
Author: Orson Scott Card
Publisher: Simon Pulse, 2010
Pages: 657 p.
Source: Library e-book
Compensation: None
Read: October 2016

Orson Scott Card's Pathfinder

I read Pathfinder nearly a year ago (yes, I know, I've gotten so horrible at these reviews. I think often of just scrapping this blog altogether, but it's hard to let go.) and my brain still hurts. It's the type of sci-fi time travel book that keeps you up at night thinking of paradoxes and how it all works. I loved it.

Rigg has had a strange education--taught by his unemotional father to excel in game theory and politics and survival. He has a strange talent too; he can "see" the paths of people's pasts. When Rigg's father dies in a freak accident, he must use his talents and skills to figure out the truth of his own past and his real identity. He teams up with a childhood friend, Umbo, who has a unique talent of his own and the two of them set out on a dangerous journey through the country and through time.

Juxtaposed with Rigg's story is another suspenseful one chronicling a spaceship that has split into 19 different versions of itself and its captain Ram. This story is completely gripping and while you know it will relate to Rigg's story eventually, it's quite fun to try to figure out how.

I really liked Rigg's character, as well as his super team of talented friends. I enjoyed the two separate stories and found myself thinking of the book often and wanting to read more. 
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Star of Deltora: Two Moons--Emily Rodda

Title: Star of Deltora: Two Moons
Author: Emily Rodda
Publisher: Kane Miller, 2016
Pages:165 p.
Source: Purchased
Compensation: None
Read: July 2016

Disclaimer: I chose to buy this book and review it on my own. This review has NOT been paid for, but I did receive a 25% commission for purchasing the book through my Usborne Books & More Independent Consultant business.

Emily Rodda's Star of Deltora: Two Moons

Britta has passed the preliminary test to be the newest apprentice on the Trader ship, Rosalyn, in this sequel to Shadows of the Master. Now she must sail with the other three finalists and continue to prove she is worthy of working with the Trader Mab. Her sailing companions are as desperate as she is to win the contest, but one of them will stop at nothing to succeed, even if it means violence. As Britta navigates the dangerous path to Apprenticeship, she learns more about her father's mysterious quest for the Staff of Tier and begins to suspect there is something more sinister than ambitious humans on her journey. 

I enjoyed this one just as much as the first. It's a very quick read and full of adventure and intrigue.  I'm looking forward to continuing the series and getting some answers. 

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Star of Deltora: Shadows of the Master--Emily Rodda

Title: Star of Deltora: Shadows of the Master
Author: Emily Rodda
Publisher: Kane Miller, 2016
Pages: 165 p.
Source: Purchased
Compensation: None
Read: July 2016

Disclaimer: I chose to buy this book and review it on my own. This review has NOT been paid for, but I did receive a 25% commission for purchasing the book through my Usborne Books & More Independent Consultant business.

Emily Rodda's Star of Deltora: Shadows of the Master

Shadows of the Master is the first in a series about a young girl desperate to be a trader like her father. Traders are sailors that explore different lands and trade the goods found there. Unfortunately for Britta she cannot reveal who her famous trader father was because he disgraced himself searching for a mysterious object. Britta has been living in hiding ever since, but when she has a once in a lifetime opportunity to compete for a position on her father's old ship, she knows she has to go for it.

I really enjoyed this quick fantasy novel. Britta is strong and brave, but not perfect. At times she is completely oblivious to things happening right in front of her. I was intrigued by the whole trading lifestyle, as well as the mysterious magical elements of the King in the Shadows watching her. Full of adventure and a bit of suspense, Shadows of the Master was enough to entertain both my nine year old daughter and me.

******

Rogue--Mark Frost

Title: Rogue
Author: Mark Frost
Publisher: Random House, 2015
Pages: 368 p.
Source: Library e-book
Compensation: None
Read: January 2016

Mark Frost's Rogue

At the end of the last novel, Will West discovers that the old man he has been interning with is actually his grandfather and his grandfather is not only in league with the bad guys--he's in charge. Forced to make a tough decision to save the people he loves, Will pretends to go along with his grandfather. He works "undercover" as a dutiful grandson learning about his family legacy, all while building a plan to end the Other Team's nefarious plot to take over our world. Will is not alone in his work. Trusted friends Ajay, Nick, Elise and Shaman/cross country coach Jericho all assist him in his most daring plan ever--to break into the Never-Was, rescue good guy Dave, and save the world from the bad guys (humans and demons).

This final novel is a non-stop action ride. While a lot of the second book was surveillance and information-gathering, this one is one battle after the next. The majority of the story takes place in the demonic realm, the Never-Was, and is appropriately full of monsters and supernatural events. Will and his friends are able to use more of their new-found powers. The Paladin Prophecy dipped its toes in the supernatural, but Rogue is fully immersed in it. 

I thoroughly enjoyed this trilogy. I would have liked just a bit more with Dave and the Hierarchy, but I was satisfied with the ending of this series. (Although a short story featuring Dave would be pretty awesome. And if there is ever a movie made he should be played by Jason Statham). Fans of action packed adventure stories will not be disappointed.

United We Spy--Ally Carter

Title: United We Spy
Author: Ally Carter
Publisher: Disney Hyperion Books, 2013
Pages: 293 p
Source: Library
Compensation: None

What started as a fun fluffy series about girls in spy school and boy troubles has morphed into a serious suspenseful survival story. It's still fun because Ally Carter knows how to write fun characters and make us love them, but the "fluff" is gone. I have to wonder if it was ever there to begin with or if Carter was just lulling us (and Cammie) into a false sense of security.

Previous reviews (some more complete than others):

I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You
Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy
Don't Judge a Girl by Her Cover
Only the Good Spy Young
Out of Sight, Out of Time

In this conclusion to the Gallagher Girls series, Cammie has to hunt down the leaders of the Circle of Cavan before they can carry out their most dangerous plot ever. She's aided by her spy boyfriend Zach and her trusty companions Bex, Liz and Macey. Questions are answered and mysteries put to rest in this final satisfying installment. Carter ends the series perfectly. This is a must read for anyone who has read the previous books. It's a great series to give to readers who like reading about strong girls. The box set (I don't know if there is a box set yet, but there should be) would be a perfect holiday gift.

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Out of Sight, Out of Time--Ally Carter

Title: Out of Sight, Out of Time
Author: Ally Carter
Publisher: Disney
Pages: 294 p
Source: Library
Compensation: None

In this latest book in the Gallagher Girls series, Ally Carter takes Cammie out of the classroom and throws her into the very real dangerous world of spying. Cammie spends her summer vacation tracking down the traitorous Circle of Cavan. Unfortunately she cannot remember any of it when she wakes up in a convent in the Alps. With the help of her friends and her unofficial boyfriend Zach she slowly pieces together her missing summer and learns that some things are better left forgotten.

I love the kick-ass Gallagher spy girls. Carter has done a great job of creating a character we truly care about, one who juggles the normal teenage girl problems of boys and bad hair days with the high stakes world of international espionage. We worry about Cammie but also want to see her succeed. She gets close in this fifth book but still doesn't have all the answers, which is good for us because we'll get another book!

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Ashfall--Mike Mullin

Title: Ashfall
Author: Mike Mullin
Publisher: Tanglewood, expected pub date October 2011
Pages: 472 eGalley
Source: Netgalley courtesy of the publisher
Compensation: None

I read this back in May, but May was not a good month for me so I am just now reviewing it. 

Alex is a normal high school boy living in Cedar Falls Iowa when a super-volcano erupts. Although the volcano is at Yellowstone, it's a SUPER one so it causes lots of problems for people all over the country. Unfortunately for Alex, he is alone in his house when the volcano hits it--literally. A piece of rock flies hundreds of miles and destroys part of his house. His parents and sister are visiting family in Illinois, so Alex is completely alone. He starts out staying with his neighbors while the volcano continues to cause havoc and deafening thunderous booms, but quickly decides he needs to get to Illinois to be with his family. There's no public transportation or working cars because of all the falling ash so all Alex can do is walk. Luckily he finds a pair of his father's skis in the garage which makes the walking slightly quicker. Along the way Alex finds helpful people and murderous people. He spends the bulk of his journey with a young girl named Darla, a MacGuyver-type resourceful farmer who teaches him how to survive off the land.

As with most "post apocalyptic" books (and movies), in Ashfall the worst in human nature often comes out. Most people are just out for themselves and are not above killing and raping to get what they want to survive. But author Mullin does a good job of balancing the dark forces of humanity with some genuinely good people who help Alex and Darla on their mission. He also does a good job of showing how truly connected we are as a nation--the volcano physically affects neighboring states but it also has a severe impact on the nation's economy and the food supply. Money is useless if there's no food to buy.

Alex is a little naive at times but he grows up quickly on his journey. He's a good kid and we want him to reach his family. He and Darla fall in love, but it's done realistically and slowly. They endure horrible events together and it matures them in ways that most teens don't go through. Romance is not the crux of the story however and it will not be enough to turn off boys. The main story is survival and adventure. This is not a boy book or a girl book. It will appeal to both. Boys will like the harsh survival story. Darla is a strong character and girls will like reading how she is just as crucial to their survival as Alex.

The book ends how we expect it to with a little twist and sets Alex and Darla up for further adventures. Readers will be happy to know the sequel, Ashen Winter, will be published in the fall of 2012.

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Stravaganza: City of Ships--Mary Hoffman

Title: Stravaganza: City of Ships
Author: Mary Hoffman
Bloomsbury, 2010.
356 p. 


The Stravaganza Series started with City of Masks in 2002. Lucien is a high school boy in England dying of cancer. He finds an old notebook, falls asleep with it, and is magically transported to 16th century Talia, like our Italy, in a parallel world. He is not plagued with cancer in Talia and is able to help the citizens of Bellezza (Venice) with their crisis. City of Masks sets the stage for the rest of the series--in each one a relatively unhappy English student stravagates to the Talian world and must help their city overcome some obstacle. The series continues in City of Stars,  City of Flowers and  City of Secrets.

In City of Ships the stakes are getting higher in the Talian world. The independent city-states are on the brink of war with the Gate people, as well as the constant threat of the Di Chimici family. Isabel is the newest Stravagante and overcomes her poor self-image and low self-esteem while helping the city Classe defend itself against a naval attack from the Gate people and a land attack from the Di Chimici. The former Stravaganti all lend a hand, both in England and in Talia, to help protect the country they've all come to love.

I love this series. It's great for book discussion groups, for classes. The author includes notes detailing what Italian city she's based her cities on and how she's changed them (Classe is based both on the Italian Ravenna and Classe). Students could research the modern cities and show similarities with their fictional counterparts. They could compare the Di Chimici family to the Medici family of Italian history. This series would be great for one of those interdisciplinary projects--read the book in English class and talk about the real history in History class.

Despite the fact that it's so great for teachers to use with students, it's still a good series for teens to read for fun! There's adventure, suspense, and a little romance in each book. Arianna/Luciano fans will not be disappointed in City of Ships. Although the story is Isabel's to tell, our favorite original couple is not forgotten and plays a pivotal role in the latest novel as well. The romance is not overwhelming but just enough to satisfy the curious and not turn off the uninterested. The book, as well as the whole series, is good for boys and girls, middle through high school. I am eagerly awaiting the next book City of Swords which should come out in 2012.

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Only the Good Spy Young--Ally Carter

"Only the Good Spy Young" is the 4th book in the Gallagher Girls series by Ally Carter. I reviewed the 3rd book, "Don't Judge a Girl by her Cover" yesterday. This latest entry in the series answers many questions, while still enticing the reader to want more. I don't like to do summaries here--I look at these as reviews not book reports--so I like to focus on the critical analysis and whether or not you should read this book rather than what happened. But I will tell you this, by the end of this book you will know:
Who Joe Solomon is
Who Zach is and what he's hiding
and some other stuff I'm not going to tell you.

The Gallagher Girls books are fun to read. The girls are smart and strong and funny. Carter does a great job of telling a suspenseful, thoughtful story, while keeping it fun and funny. Cammie is a great protagonist--she's still grieving for her father, still longing for more of a relationship with her mother, still scared of people who want to hurt her, but she doesn't lose herself. She still quips and wonders whether Zach is going to kiss her. Carter's writing is easy to read because it's interesting and entertaining. But there's a substance there too. I would feel completely comfortable handing these books to a middle school girl, as well as older readers. Boys will be turned off by the pink cover, but they might be persuaded to change their minds when the movies start coming out. According to Carter's website she plans 6 books in the series. I for one can't wait for the next installment!
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Don't Judge a Girl by Her Cover--Ally Carter

When I was a kid I loved Wonder Woman. I still do. That's why even though I blinked, I didn't really hesitate to drop $30 on a Wonder Woman action figure my daughter can actually play with. When I was a young adult (in the true sense of the word--in my 20s) I transferred that adoration to Buffy the Vampire Slayer. And then when Buffy was gone I found Veronica Mars. Do you see a pattern?

I like strong girls.

Naturally then, I LOVE the Gallagher Girls series by Ally Carter (she *is* a YA Author You Need to Read, you know.) The first one was "I'd Tell You I Love You, But then I'd Have to Kill You", the second was "Cross My Heart & Hope to Spy". I don't why it took me so long to get to the 3rd one in the series, but I'll blame my children.

I thought that finishing up the Gallagher Girls series would be the perfect followup to the Hunger Games series... something fun and light and fluffy. I was wrong. It's still fun, but in "Don't Judge a Girl by Her Cover" Carter has taken the series to the next step. It's not a light, fluffy, beach read. It's more real. In the first two books the biggest problem was boys. Sure, the girls were in spy school and had to learn how to, you know, be spies, but it was trying to figure out boys that really gave them headaches. In the latest books, the girls are dealing with real life espionage, kidnapping and danger on top of mixed signals from boys.

In the 3rd book in the series, Cammie and her roommate Macey are in Boston watching Macey's father accept the nomination for Vice President of the United States. They wind up the target of kidnappers and must use their special spy skills to save themselves. They spend the rest of their junior year trying to figure out who the kidnappers were and why they were targeted. What they discover surprises them.

Carter has added depth to the characters as well as beginning a story arc giving the girls an enemy and making their work more meaningful. There's lots of adventure, humor, suspense, and a little bit of romance making this a must read.
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Catching Fire--Suzanne Collins

"Catching Fire"
Suzanne Collins
Scholastic Press, NY 2009
391 p.

Please note that this review will contain spoilers for "The Hunger Games" if you have not finished reading it yet.

After breaking the rules and tricking the gamemakers of the Hunger Games to let both Peeta and herself stay alive, Katniss lives in fear of retaliation from the Capitol and President Snow in "Catching Fire", the sequel to the engrossing "The Hunger Games". Although she and her family are no longer starving back home in District 12, she does not live the relatively free existence she once did. She is still the darling of the Capitol Hunger Games viewing audience, even if the government wants her dead, and so must continue to pretend to be in love with Peeta much to the chagrin of her longtime friend Gale. Katniss learns of a rebellion that her daring exit of the Hunger Games inspired and must decide if she will stop it--like President Snow has ordered her to do--or join it. She's not given much of a choice when the unthinkable happens and she must return to a place she never imagined she would see again, except in nightmares.

"Catching Fire" is just as engrossing and thrilling as the novel it follows. It is nearly impossible to put this book down. It is full of surprises and twists and ends with a cliffhanger that has people pre-ordering "Mockingjay" before it has even been released.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book, and this series, and cannot wait for the conclusion. I know middle school boys are reading this, as well as adults. It seems like this is a good cross-over series, it has a strong female main character, but it has a lot of action and violence and suspense to appeal to boys.
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Graceling--Kristin Cashore

In Kristen Cashore's fantasy novel there are people called Gracelings who have extraordinary gifts. Some are graced with cooking skills or healing skills or mind reading. Katsa is a young girl graced with killing. Her uncle, King Randa, uses her abilities to maintain control over his subjects, as well as her. She does not like being the king's bully but she doesn't see a way out until she meets another strange Graceling from another kingdom.

This book has everything you want. Fantasy, adventure, romance, social commentary, political intrigue, mystery. Katsa is a strong female character who stays true to her ideals. She is determined not to marry or have children. At one point I was disappointed because I thought that certain events were going to change her mind, but she didn't. She didn't change her true essence to please a man or anyone else. Cashore did a great job of creating a really strong heroine. She starts out a little lost and not understanding her grace, but by the end of the book she learns what her grace really is and what she can do with it. She finds her place in the world and accepts it.

This was a great book and I look forward to reading the companion, Fire, when it comes out in the fall.

Starclimber--Kenneth Oppel

This is the sequel to Airborn and Skybreaker. It is just as good as the first two.

Matt Cruse is still in the Air Academy and hoping to land a job as an officer on an airship and work his way up to captain so he can seriously compete for Kate's affection and win the approval of her parents. While on break from school both he and Kate are invited to take part in a brand new adventure--in space. After a grueling 2-week training camp, Matt is ready to embark on the very first mission to space, but not without some hesitation as he has just learned that Kate is engaged.

The entire book is exciting and thrilling. As expected things don't quite go as planned and what started out as a simple mission to space turns into a race for their lives. Along the way we learn Kate's true motives and intentions.

This is a great blend of fantasy, adventure and romance. A must read for fans of the series.

Zoo--Graham Marks

Title: Zoo
Author: Graham Marks
Pages: 266 p.
Publisher: Bloomsbury
ISBN: 1582349916

I don't usually go for the spy/action/boy books and I probably would not have read this if it hadn't been for one of my middle school boys choosing it for our book group. But once I started reading I couldn't stop. This is an intelligent, quick-paced, action-packed book that boys are sure to love. Although it's probably geared more for high school (the main character is 17), there's nothing preventing middle schoolers from reading it. There is a little lovey-dovey stuff, but nothing more than kissing, and it definitely takes a back seat to the action.

17 year old Cameron Stewart has always lived a privileged life. His mother has never been very affectionate and treats him more like an investment than her flesh and blood, but he's had a happy childhood. His father is not a millionaire, but pretty well-off and able to provide whatever Cam needs. Life is great until he gets kidnapped, manages to escape, but discovers that he can't trust anyone and must survive on his own until he can figure out what's going on.

I enjoyed this book and was able to finish it in just a couple of days (hey, I have a toddler). I'm looking forward to the middle school book group next month. I think the boys are going to really respond to it.

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Reading:
On My Nightstand: New Moon--Stephenie Meyer

Stormbreaker--Anthony Horowitz

I am not a 6th grade boy. And I liked this book. My middle school book group (made up of 6th grade boys. ALL boys. ALL 6th grade. Feel my pain. ;-) ) chose this book because they wanted to read a boy book that wasn't fantasy. And because the ringleader had already read it.

I think I'm probably the last person to have read this, so I'll skip the summary. Everyone knows all about the Alex Rider books now. He's a teen James Bond, a reluctant spy-hero, fighting the evil forces that killed his spy-Uncle. It's very easy to read--the language and plot are perfect for those reluctant reader boys. It's action-packed and reads like a movie (no surprise a movie will be made). Alex is a likeable boy, he's capable of taking care of himself, but makes mistakes along the way. He's not cocky or arrogant (at least not in this first book, I can't speak for the rest of the series). It's a very quick read, particularly because it's so action-packed it's hard to put down. You want to keep reading to see if Alex can get out of the mess he's in.

Overall thumbs-up; PERFECT for boys, especially middle school.

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Reading: Girl , 15, Charming But Insane--Sue Limb
On My Nightstand: waiting for Sir Thursday!!

Skybreaker--Kenneth Oppel

I loved this book. Loved. Devoured. Could not stop reading even though I was so tired and knew I would be up early the next morning.

Matt Cruse and Kate De Vries from Airborn have another sky adventure. Now a student at the Air Academy, Matt is struggling with his studies. Thinking that he would do well because of his natural skill, he is surprised by his difficulty with the numbers and physics and theory behind air travel. Kate offers him a chance to salvage a "ghost ship" and make his fortune. He, Kate and a young gypsy girl catch a ride with a new ship--a skybreaker--capable of flying at the dangerously high altitudes the ghost ship travels (in skyberia). Not only do they have to deal with airborn creatures, they also have to contend with pirates after the same loot.

I loved the story, I loved the relationship with Kate and Matt and the jealousy that arises when Matt befriends the gypsy girl and Kate befriends the young captain of the skybreaker. The adventure was good, the writing was good. There was a typo, but they did a much better job proofreading this one than the last one! Although it can be read as a stand-alone, it's so much better if you've read the first one and know the history. The story wraps up nicely but it would be great to see other adventures in later books.

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Reading:
On My Nightstand: Stormbreaker--Horowitz, others.

Sleep Rough Tonight--Ian Bone

Alex used to be cool... until his dad called the police and ratted on Alex's criminal friend, the Jockey. The Jockey gets sent to juvenile detention and Alex is ostracized. He's willing to do anything to get attention--inluding deliberately baiting the bullies so they will beat him up and notice him. Then one day the Jockey comes back and decides he's going to "help" Alex become a man by showing him what it's like to live on the streets for a weekend and have to survive with nothing but your own wit and cunning. But can Alex survive?

Bone has written a gripping, engaging story. Alex is annoying--but he's supposed to be annoying. He easily falls for the Jockey's "big brother" act, but with the help of a true friend he realizes what it means to really be a man.


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Reading: Nothing right now
On My Nightstand: lots

Quid Pro Quo--Vicki Grant

In the interest of full disclosure--I've read this book because the author sent me a free copy (and signed it too!) after finding this blog.

Cyril MacIntyre is not your average teenager. He accompanied his mother to law school from 10 years old until he was 13. He attended her classes and helped her cram for exams. When she gets a job with an attorney, he even helps out in the law office. All of this legal experience comes to good use when his mother winds up missing and he suspects foul play.

The style and tone are very reminiscent of the author's other work--The Puppet Wrangler. It's funny. Cyril's a good kid but not perfect. He remembers certain things from law school, but not everything. He's not some super-smart kid who automatically saves the day.

I particularly enjoyed this book since I married a lawyer... I threw out the term "estoppel" the other day and my husband was very surprised. And he thinks I learn nothing from reading fiction.

There are some Canadian references that may be lost on American readers, but nothing sticks out in my head right now, so there couldn't have been that many.

Quid Pro Quo is a good, quick read and will interest boys looking for a little hero adventure and anyone interested in the law. And I'm not just saying that.

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Reading: Stravaganza: City of Flowers--Mary Hoffman
On My Nightstand: Lots