Libyrinth by Pearl North

On a long forgotten colony, far from Earth, a long-ago war has left the people that remain scattered and distinctly divided by caste and religion. All that remain are a few powerful city-states, among them the women-warriors of Ilysies and the Corvariate Citadel, home of a people referred to by others as the Eradicants, but who call themselves the Singers. Trapped between them are the scholars and librarians of the Libyrinth, a massive fortress-like library filled with so many tomes in it’s labyrinthine corridors that in all the generations the Libyrarians have been there cataloging there are still thousands more books to find.

Haly is a library clerk, and one with a most unusual gift that she has struggled to keep hidden for fear no one will believe her. She can actually hear with the books. Without opening a book, she can hear its voice telling its story. When the Eradicants arrive for their annual book burning, Haly; her friend Clauda, a kitchen servant; and Haly’s mentor Selene flee the Libyrinth. Selene has just found a clue to the location of The Book of Night, a long missing text that supposedly details the making of Eggs, powerful battery like objects that could save their civilization.

But before the trio can successfully retrieve the book and hide it, a team of Eradicants tracks them to the hidden vault. Selene and Clauda are able to escape, but Haly is not so lucky. At first prisoner, and then holy Redeemer for her ability to hear the ‘dead’ words in the books, Haly must find a way to bring the Libyrarians, Ilysians, and Singers together before the war for power and knowledge destroys them all.

A wonderful start to a very promising trilogy, Libyrinth is a book lover’s guilty pleasure. Because of Haly’s ability to hear the books, there are quotes throughout the book as each of the books in the Libyrinth tries to catch her attention. Half the fun in reading this is trying to identify each quote. Fortunately, there is an index at the back of the book detailing which books each came from. The moral questions and conundrums that Haly finds herself trapped in both as a Librarian and as the Redeemer are complex and North provides satisfying answers to them.

Yellow Star by Jennifer Roy

Syvia was just four years old when the Germans invaded Poland at the start of World War II. A few short months later her family’s life is turned upside down when they are forced into a crowded Lodz Ghetto with more than a quarter million other Jews. This story, written in free verse displays Syvia, later known as Sylvia and her family’s real life experiences as they did everything in their power to not only remain alive but also to stay together in a time when tomorrow was not guaranteed.

Jennifer Roy’s portal of her aunt’s survival story is real and touching. Starting with Syvia at such a young and tender age allows readers to understand not only her confusion but also the level of innocence that was taken when the Nazi’s invaded. It is clear that Syvia does not understand Germany’s reasons for their decisions but she is fearful and feels the amount of power they possess. As time goes by Syvia not only grows but also the severity of their situation.  Readers are able to feel the harsh winters and cold nights without food as well as the level of fear the family goes through when the Nazi’s demand that all the children be sent to a near by concentration camp. Syvia was only one of twelve children to survive due not only to her family’s level of hope but also her father’s courage and attention to detail.

Syvia’s survival story does display tragedy but is also imbedded in hope as she explains what happened to her family after the war and how her story was able to be passed down from generation to generation. These experiences should never be forgotten if simply for the reason that they should never be repeated. A must read for anyone that is looking for a personal or inside look in what it was like during these times and the level of strength that was needed in order to survive.

Eighth Grade Bites by Heather Brewer

Vladimir Tod, better known as Vlad is like any typical middle school student trying to discover himself. He is definitely not the most popular or athletic and the girl he has been crushing on seems to have eyes for his best friend rather than him. But, through these awkward moments one thing sets him apart…the fact that he is 50% vampire and does not have any sort of guide to show him his full potential.

You see his parents died a couple of years ago and his “Aunt” Nelly has been doing her best to cover up her nephew’s particular eating habits but when his English teacher goes missing and the substitute seems to be getting a little too close for comfort Vlad begins to wonder if there are others 50 or even a 100% dead that he can relate too. A story that starts out as your typical anxiety middle schooler now transforms into fantastic coming of age piece as Vald not only learns about his past and the risks his parents took to keep him alive but also that he is not alone and that there are other people similar to him that can help him understand what it means to be a modern day “vampire.”

Perfect for those who are tired of the typical star crossed lovers or overly handsome vampires; Vlad is an interesting or new vampire prototype all his own. Here, different does not automatically equal cool and Vlad like most middle school students is just trying to find his own way…all while dealing with his blood thirsty cravings. The first in a series where readers will follow Vlad from one school year to the next where they can track his growth and experience his insecurities floating away.

The Sorceress by Michael Scott

And, so the alchemist’s saga continues and to be honest this is the worst predicament to date! Not only has Paris crumbled at the hands of Dee and Machiavelli but his beloved wife Perenelle is still trapped in Alcatraz without any hope of being released. Scatty, their vampire protectress has also gone missing so now it is up to Nicholas to figure out a way to not only protect the twins but also teach them the five elemental magics before it is too late!

All while Nicholas’ health and nerves are fading it is clear that the twins, Sophie and Josh are starting to get suspicious. Like the last book Josh does not understand why they are listening to Nicholas and his cast of colorful characters and has now convinced his sister that something is up. When the two over hear a conversation about Nicholas’ obsession with the twins and how he has trained others in the past the two are fearful and are not sure who or what to believe. Does Nicholas truly have the twins’ best interest at heart or will they end up like the rest dead or even worse living but insane?

Like Scott’s work in the past The Sorceress does not miss a beat cutting from one main character to the next and the predicament they currently find themselves in. Many will wonder if Josh and Sophie will remain by Nicholas’ side. They are just beginning to understand what they magic is capable of and do not want others convincing them to use it in ways that will not only harm them but also the world. This is truly a piece of the puzzle that cannot be missed for those that have been with Nicholas from the beginning.

It’s Not You, It’s Me by Kerry Cohen Hoffmann

This book details 31 days in the life of a teenager by the name of Zoe who is experiencing heart ache when her boyfriend of 6 months admits that it is time for him to just “focus on the band.” Zoe is shocked and hurt not understanding what went wrong…after all this is love and love is meant to last! Rather than turning to her friends or family for support Zoe practically goes manic doing everything she can including: writing poems, sneaking into his email, and leaving collages in his locker in order to win him back! Of course this creates an adverse affect leaving Zoe feeling even more dejected believing that her ex never cared for her from the start.

The plot sounds almost too familiar and of course our main character automatically becomes lost when her boyfriend is not by her side but readers cannot help but be wrapped up in Zoe’s drama and your heart breaks each time she uses her broken heart rather than her head. Although many of the scenarios are over the top readers will understand what it means to get lost in someone else and how difficult it is to be alone when your identity was defined by someone else. The use of time passing or days as chapters allows readers to see how Zoe’s thoughts and feelings change, especially when she begins to realize that maybe there were relationship problems that she was not ready to admit.

A light and delightful read that will have readers remembering their first heartbreak or learning from Zoe’s mistakes so that they will be that much more wiser when first love comes around.

Zach’s Lie by Roland Smith

Jack Osborne was a pretty normal kid until men tore into his house in the middle of the night, searching for something…something that he and his family did not understand. That same night Jack’s father is arrested for drug trafficking. He claims that he had no other way to provide for his family. Fearing for his family’s safety Jack’s father has made a deal with the feds…place his family in the witness protection program and they will get all the information needed to take down a major drug provider.

Now, Jack is forced to leave his old world behind and become someone completely new. Living in a small town out in the mid west does not seem very promising and the more Zach, formally known as Jack learns about how small towns operate on hear say the more nervous he gets about someone discovering their true identity. Always remaining on guard and never being able to be a hundred percent true to himself Zach keeps other children at bay. But, when he begins to trust his school’s custodian and one of his classmates shows romantic promise Zach begins to forget the past and feels comfortable in this world. But, terror waits because the men who tore through their house so long ago have not forgotten and the more Zach reveals the closer they get to discovering where the family that ratted them out resides.

A suspense filled story that will have you pushing and hoping that Zach originally known as Jack will survive. Perfect for those who like their realistic fiction on the spooky side.

Schooled by Gordon Korman

Capricorn Anderson, Cap for short has lived on a small farm with his caretaker Rain for his entire life. All that remains of a hippy generation that many of never heard of Cap learns how to take care of himself but lacks the social skills to interact with the “real” world. When Rain falls while picking plums from a tree her rehabilitation takes longer than expected and Cap is forced to attend a public middle school until she is good and well.

But, the kids are not as nice as Rain. They see Cap’s long hair, strange clothes, Tai Chi workouts, and automatically pin him for a weirdo. They want nothing to do with him and some of the more popular kids make it their job to embarrass him. Perfect example, nominating him for Class President! But, when Cap starts to take his Presidential duties seriously and gets to know the kids around him the tides begin to turn. No longer a weirdo Cap practically becomes a hero displaying an ultimate level of kindness that has the rest of the school questioning their horrible motives and what it means to judge.

Another winner written by Korman displaying bullying dynamics and how they can change. Korman’s writing is unique making sure to display multiple characters points of view so that they can see how Cap’s way of life or better yet thinking causes them to question who they are and what it means to care. Although the transformation between each student displayed differs it is clear that Cap’s presence has a long lasting affect on them. A fast and delightful read that will have readers asking whether or not they are focusing on what is truly important.

 

Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev

Beatrice Shakespeare Smith, or Bertie as she prefers, has lived backstage at the Théâtre Illuminata since she was a little girl. She’s grown up surrounded by the Players, the characters of all the plays contained in the theater’s magical book. But Bertie has been without direction or a task since arriving at the theater, and with friends like the faeries Cobweb, Moth, Mustardseed and Peaseblossom from A Midsummer Night’s Dream there’s bound to be trouble.

And now because of Bertie’s latest escapade (which involved unauthorized use of a cannon, fire to the stage curtains, and a hole in the roof) she’s being kicked out to find her way in the world outside the Théâtre Illuminata. With help of the faeries and Nate, one of the pirates from Peter Pan, Bertie must find a way to convince the Theater Manager to let her stay. They come up with an unlikely plan, restage Hamlet in ancient Egypt!

Time is against Bertie, she’s got less than a week to pull the restage off and with temperamental Players who dislike change and a Stage Manager who would like nothing more to see her gone she’s going to have her work cut out for her. Worst of all, Ariel, an airy spirit from The Tempest, is making a complete nuisance of himself by sabotaging the props and agitating the Players. But is Ariel’s goal simply tormenting Bertie, or does he have a grander scheme in mind?

Eyes Like Stars is a great book for the theater geek in all of us. Full of inside jokes, pokes at Shakespeare, and elaborate sets that swoop in by magic with a whisper in the Stage Manager’s headset. The book is a little melodramatic at times, but full of fun and some wonderfully unhinged characters.

Clash of the Demons by Joseph Delaney

In Wrath of the Bloodeye, Thomas Ward barely managed to escape both the water witch Morwena and the Fiend. It was with the help of the witch assassin Grimalkin that Tom was able to stop Morwena for good. But the Fiend has grown in power and his sights are still set on Tom.

When Tom receives a letter from his beloved mother, who has been waging her own war against the darkness in her homeland of Greece, asking him to come to the farm as she has a favor to ask of him, Tom doesn’t even think twice about going. It seems that the fight in Greece has neared its end, but there is still one major battle to come, one that will decide the fate of both far off Greece and the County. And Tom’s mother needs an army. An army of built of spooks and witches to take on the Ordeen, one of the old gods and a potential ally of the Fiend.

But Tom’s willingness to do as his mother bids, regardless of whether or not he’ll be corrupted by the dark, drives a wedge between Tom and Mr. Gregory. Torn between his duty as a son and as an apprentice spook, Tom will face some of his toughest challenges yet. A mountain full of feral lamias and maenad assassins may be the least of his worries when the Fiend comes to make a bargain that Tom may be unable to refuse.

The sixth book in the series, Clash of the Demons is just as satisfying as the previous books with just enough creepy supernatural creatures and frantic action. The series looks to be close to wrapping up, with maybe one or two more books to finally bring Tom’s confrontation with the Fiend to a close.

Darkside by Tom Becker

At 14 Jonathan Starling knows his way around on the streets of London. He’s become an expert at disappearing, and considering how much time he spends skipping school, that may be a good thing. But when Jonathan’s father ends up in the asylum again, things are about to change dramatically.

Jonathan’s father Alain has been unwell for years, periodically slipping into fits and catatonic states that the two have started to refer to as darkenings. This time when Jonathan heads home to the empty house he’s attacked in the middle of the night, only managing to escape by barricading himself in his father’s off-limits study. Now with only some vague clues his father left behind, Jonathan must find a way into the ‘Darkside’.

But things won’t be easy, not with an orange-haired bounty hunter on his trail. Not to mention that Darkside itself is a terrifyingly lawless city, ruled by the descendants of Jack the Ripper! Jonathan must now rely on an old friend of his father’s, Carnegie, a werewolf private detective to find out who wants him enough to send a bounty hunter.

The first book in the series, Darkside provides just enough great scares and shivers. The idea of a dark city underground is not a new idea, but it’s handled well here without getting hung up on the little details about how such a city can exist undetected for so long. Darkside is an exciting read, and leaves enough mystery for a sequel or two.