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BOOK REVIEWS |
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ATWATER-RHODES, Amelia. All Just Glass. 247p. (Den of Shadows Series). Delacorte. 2011. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-385-73752-4; PLB $18.99. ISBN 978-0-385-90671-5; ebook $15.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89807-5. LC number unavailable. Gr 9 Up–This novel picks up where Shattered Mirror (Delacorte, 2001) left off, and it will be difficult to follow the story without having read that book. Sarah Vida has done the unthinkable. Descending from a long line of vampire-hunting witches, she has been raised to destroy the undead. Now she is the thing she once hunted–a vampire. Turned by Kristopher, whom she loves, she is convinced that the witch clans are not 100 percent correct in their assessment of vampires. Vampires can choose to coexist among humans and do not have to become the evil, soulless beings that Sarah was taught to believe. Unfortunately, the Vida family matriarch invokes the Rights of Kin, an ancient law calling for Sarah’s destruction. Now her family members must hunt her down and eliminate her at any cost. Atwater-Rhodes weaves a fast-paced, action-packed story full of suspense and intrigue, with some clever plot twists and turns. Points of view alternate among the characters, giving them dimension. The strong ending does not tie up all the loose ends, leaving room for a possible sequel.–Donna Rosenblum, Floral Park Memorial High School , NY |
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FEASEY, Steve. Dark Moon. Bk. 2. 336p. (Wereling Series). Feiwel & Friends. Feb. 2011. pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-0-312-64643-1. LC number unavailable. Gr 8 Up–Dark Moon continues the adventures of Trey Laporte and friends that began in Wereling (Feiwel & Friends, 2010). Lucien Charron, Trey’s vampire friend and mentor, lies in a comalike state after rescuing his daughter from the clutches of his evil brother and nemesis, Caliban. Trey, an orphan who recently discovered that he is a werewolf, is ready to do anything to save this father figure from certain death. It is rumored that an ancient magical artifact may be the key to Lucien’s survival. Unfortunately, it is in the possession of the wicked sorceress Gwendolin, Caliban’s “Darth Vader” figure. A quest to Reykjavik, Iceland, follows, consisting of an unlikely alliance made up of a werewolf, half-vampire, sorcerer, and human as they enter the Netherworld to steal this all-powerful orb. This heart-racing action/adventure story captivates readers from the start. Feasey has expertly created an intriguing world full mystery and suspense that includes a multitude of dark and terrifying nether-creatures. This is sure to be a hit with fans of the supernatural, and the cliff-hanger ending will have readers anxiously awaiting the next installment.–Donna Rosenblum, Floral Park Memorial High School , NY |
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TURNER, Max. End of Days. Bk. 2. 296p. (Nightrunner Series). St. Martin’s/Griffin. 2010. pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-0-312-59252-3. LC number unavailable. Gr 7 Up– This action-packed sequel to Night Runner (St. Martin’s/Griffin, 2009) is filled with mystery and danger. Orphaned at a young age and having spent most of his youth in a mental institution, Zach Thomson gets the surprise of his life when he learns that he and those closest to him are vampires. Trying to survive and make sense of his predicament has definitely not been easy, especially when the Underground, a network of vampires, humans, and others that is supposed to protect vampires, is in a state of turmoil and disarray. Then a mysterious werewolflike creature launches an attack on vampires and is compared to the beast of the Apocalypse. Looking for answers and the means to stop it, Zach and his friend Charlie stumble upon an ancient prophecy that references the End of Days. As events begin to spin out of control, Zach realizes that he is the “chosen one” in the prophecy–possible destroyer or savior. With the support and courage of his friends, he must discover the path of righteousness at a time when he is surrounded by darkness and the unknown. The well-developed characters add dimension to the story line, and Zack’s witty and sarcastic humor makes this a truly enjoyable read. Fans will be left anxiously waiting to sink their teeth in the next installment.–Donna Rosenblum, Floral Park Memorial High School , NY |
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COLLINS, Tim. Notes from a Totally Lame Vampire: Because the Undead Have Feelings Too! illus. by Andrew Pinder. 336p. CIP. S & S/Aladdin. 2010. Tr $12.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-1183-8. LC 2010010634. Gr 6-9–In many ways, Nigel is your average teenage boy next door. He spends most of his time worrying about getting a girlfriend, fitting in, and dealing with acne. But things are even more complicated for him since he is also a vampire. Transformed by a couple who wanted children, Nigel must spend the rest of his life as a 15-year-old. That wouldn’t be so bad if he were a vampire like Emmett or Edward Cullen, but he lacks their good looks, supernatural strength, and great sex appeal. Instead he is boring and unattractive, and suffers from acne breakouts when exposed to the sun. Then Nigel falls head over heels for the new girl in school. Now he spends his time plotting ways to get Chloe to notice he’s “alive” while writing pathetic poetry declaring his love. Originally published in Great Britain as Diary of a Wimpy Vampire, this book has a witty, laugh-out-loud story line and cartoon illustrations that are liberally sprinkled throughout. Readers will sympathize with Nigel and his teen angst, and the great ending makes this a satisfying and entertaining read.–Donna Rosenblum, Floral Park Memorial High School , NY |
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NANCE, Andrew. Return to Daemon Hall: Evil Roots. illus. by Coleman Polhemus. 272p. Holt/Christy Ottaviano Bks. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8050-8748-2. LC number unavailable. Gr 8 Up–Horror writer Ian Tremblin has decided to hold another writing contest, which includes a frightful evening of storytelling by the competitors and judges. But unlike last year’s tragic event held at Daemon Hall, this contest will be held in a secure location–Tremblin’s home. What no one understands is the power of the twisted and evil Book of Daemon Hall. It is the source behind all the gruesome occurrences that have plagued this area and is now in Tremblin’s possession. Each contestant spins a story using titles from its table of contents and, as a result, things quickly spin out of control. As he did in Daemon Hall (Holt, 2007), Nance weaves a gripping story full of bone-chilling horror. The engaging characters add depth to the story line, driving the action and giving readers the needed details to follow it. Tremblin still seems to be the weak link here but the cliff-hanger ending more than makes up for it. A sure hit with genre fans, with frightening illustrations scattered throughout.–Donna Rosenblum, Floral Park Memorial High School , NY |
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JINKS, Catherine. The Abused Werewolf Rescue Group. 416p. Houghton Harcourt. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-15-206615-4. LC number unavailable. Gr 8 Up–Life for 13-year-old Toby Vandevelde has been pretty normal until he awakens in the hospital and discovers that he was found naked and unconscious in the local wildlife park’s dingo pen. If that isn’t disturbing enough, Toby gets the shock of his life when he is visited by Father Ramon Alvarez and his freaky-looking friend, Rueben. They reveal that he is, in fact, a werewolf. What follows is a whirlwind of events that involves Toby’s prankster friends, his overworked mother, an underground werewolf fight ring, kidnappers, abused werewolves, and members of the Reformed Vampire Support Group. As with The Reformed Vampire Support Group (Harcourt, 2009), these supernatural creatures are not romanticized or portrayed as gorgeous, strong, and sexy. Instead Jinks shows them as mistreated, weak, uncontrollable, and in need of therapy. She weaves an action-packed story that has a tempo all its own. The constant plot twists and turns thrust the characters into bizarre situations that are at times as humorous as they are scary. The ending leaves room for another installment. The story can stand on its own, but it will be enjoyed most by those familiar with the characters from the previous book.–Donna Rosenblum, Floral Park Memorial High School, NY |
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ROBINSON, A. M. Vampire Crush. 404p. HarperTeen. 2011. pap. $8.99. ISBN 978-0-06-198971-1. LC number unavailable. Gr 8 Up–Unlike her popular and beautiful stepsister Caroline, Sophie McGee enjoys being on the sidelines. She is a watcher, not a player, and her greatest dream is to become the editor in chief of the school newspaper at Thomas Jefferson High. Her first assignment is to interview some new students, but as Sophie begins to question them, her investigative senses immediately go on full alert. They are unwilling to talk, extremely evasive, and mysterious, and, most disturbing, they all know one another. Then James, Sophie’s former neighbor whom she had a love/hate relationship with, is secretly back and is connected to the new arrivals, too. Danger follows Sophie as she discovers that these students are actually vampires on a quest to find the key to an ancient forgotten prophecy. As things intensify, her life hangs in the balance. Robinson’s debut novel is full of action, adventure, and suspense, with some romance as well. Sophie is a great character and has a witty style with which readers can easily identify. The fast-moving plot deals with issues like teen angst, facing your fears, and being true to yourself all rolled up with evil vampires and some serious fight scenes. An entertaining and satisfying read.–Donna Rosenblum, Floral Park Memorial High School , NY |
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BURNS, Laura J & Melinda Metz. Crave. 288p. S & S. 2010. Tr $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-0816-6; ebook $8.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-0817-3. LC number unavailable. Gr 8 Up–Born with a rare untreatable blood disorder, 16-year-old Shay knows she will never lead a normal life. She has accepted her fate but longs for the day when people can look beyond her illness and see her for herself. That day comes when her stepfather, Martin, an expert in the field of leukemia research, begins giving her a new type of transfusion. The treatments give her energy, strength, and awesome visions, which stir Shay’s desire to live and cause her to want more. She breaks into Martin’s office and finds Gabriel, the guy from her visions, chained to a table and sets him free. Kidnapped by him and on the run from Martin, Shay finds her world turned upside down. Crave is a fast-paced, action-packed vampire thriller with an original and refreshing story line. Gabriel’s life is beautifully revealed through Shay’s visions, and the well-written plot conveys depth and feeling while exploring important issues like friendship, loyalty, trust, love, and betrayal. A satisfying read with a shocking cliff-hanger ending.–Donna Rosenblum, Floral Park Memorial High School , NY |
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BARNES, Jennifer Lynn. Raised by Wolves. 419p. Egmont USA. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-60684-059-7; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-1-60684-088-7. LC number unavailable.
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ARMSTRONG, Kelley. The Reckoning. Bk. 3. 391p. (Darkest Powers Series). CIP. HarperCollins. 2010. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-166283-6. LC 2009044008. Gr 8 Up-Fifteen-year-old Chloe Saunders and her friends Tori, Simon, and Derek are genetically altered supernaturals on the run from the evil corporation that created them. Hiding out with a family friend, they are trying to make sense of their predicament and discover what sinister plans the Edison Group has in store for them. As a powerful necromancer who can raise the dead in her sleep, Chloe struggles to control her abilities and figure out how to best use them to keep everyone safe. To further complicate matters (as if running for your life were not enough), Chloe wrestles with her feelings for Simon, a good-natured sorcerer, and Derek, a misunderstood werewolf. This nail-biting climax to the series continues to captivate readers with its edge-of-one's-seat pacing. Armstrong's story is full of action, romance, deception, and intrigue as well as complex characters and serious teenage issues. A satisfying addition for fans of the supernatural.'Donna Rosenblum, Floral Park Memorial High School, NY |
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JOHNSON, Christine. Claire de Lune. 352p. S & S/Pulse. May 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-9182-3. LC number unavailable School Library Journal Gr 7 Up—For Claire Benoit, life in Hanover Falls has been pretty normal and uneventful. But all that changes on the night of her 16th birthday when she discovers a secret that will change her world forever. Her mother explains that she is a werewolf, descended from an extensive line of strong, female wolves. After being introduced to the pack, Claire learns that her full change will occur at the next full moon when she will be initiated into the pack. Claire has never been close to her mother, so this revelation leaves her totally lost and alone. Struggling with her new identity, she turns to Matthew, the charming, hunky soccer star who has been recently flirting with her. As their relationship begins to heat up, events seem to work against them. Werewolf attacks are occurring at an alarming rate in Hanover Falls, creating a state of panic. This unrest is further fueled by Matthew's father, who is a lycanthropy scientist and has organized the hunt for the rogue werewolf. Overwhelmed with trying to balance her old and new life, Claire must make decisions that alter her behavior and have ramifications for her future. Johnson weaves a page-turning tale of forbidden love, loyalty, friendship, and deception that will leave readers eager for more. Strong characters and major plot twists coupled with a new twist on werewolf mythology make this a fun and entertaining read that will satisfy fans of the genre.—Donna Rosenblum, Floral Park Memorial High School, NY
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SELZER, Adam. I Kissed a Zombie, and I Liked It. 192p. Delacorte. Jan. 2010. PLB $12.99. ISBN 978-0-385-90497-1; pap. $7.99. ISBN 978-0-385-73503-2. LC number unavailable.
School Library Journal Gr 7 Up—For 18-year-old Algonquin "Alley" Rhodes, living in an era in which vampires, werewolves, and zombies are the norm is not what it's cracked up to be. Unlike most human girls at her high school, dating, especially the undead variety, is the last thing on her mind. Alley just wants to leave Cornersville Trace, go to college, and make something of herself. But then, while critiquing a local band for the school newspaper, Alley the Ice Queen falls head over heels for the guest singer. Like Alley, Doug truly loves music, and she feels as if he is singing just for her. They begin dating, and Alley overlooks what is obvious to everyone else. Doug isn't just a Goth—he isn't even human—he's a zombie. As Alley's world is turned upside down, she must make decisions with major ramifications for her future. The story is original, funny, unpredictable, romantic, and tragic. Selzer explores some basic teen issues like love, friendship, acceptance, commitment, and loss in a way that is realistic and that will make readers question their own values. An excellent addition to libraries with an occult following.—Donna Rosenblum, Floral Park Memorial High School, NY |
