Read For Your Future

October 22, 2012

Review: Reunited by Hilary Weisman Graham

Summary-

1 Concert
2000 Miles
3 Ex-Best Friends
Alice, Summer, and Tiernan are ex-best friends.
Back in middle school, the three girls were inseparable. They were also the number one fans of the rock band Level3.But when the band broke up, so did their friendship. Summer ran with the popular crowd, Tiernan was a rebellious wild-child, and Alice spent high school with her nose buried in books.
Now, just as the girls are about to graduate, Level3 announces a one-time-only reunion show.
Even though the concert’s 2000 miles away, Alice buys three tickets on impulse. And as it turns out, Summer and Tiernan have their own reasons for wanting to get out of town. Good thing Alice’s graduation gift (a pea-green 1976 VW camper van known as the Pea Pod) is just the vehicle to get them there.
But on the long drive cross-country, the girls hit more than a few bumps in the road. Will their friendship get an encore or is the show really over?

Review-

This book shows the reader the journey of three girls who were once best friends who shared everything and were inseparable but who no longer even talk to each other. They all went their separate ways until a few days after graduation, when Alice suggests they all three go on a road trip to see their once-favorite band in concert. On the road, the girls run into obstacle after obstacle, both internal and external. The author lets the reader into the minds of all three girls; showing the reader that sometimes how someone acts on the outside is not always how they feel on the inside. The author did a great job writing this book.

Publisher-Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Reviewer Rating: 4.5 Stars

Reviewed by~Destiny Beaudoin (Student at Franklin High School)

Thank you to the Publisher for the donation of this book to the Read for your Future book program!

Summary-

Jarrod Thornton is mesmerizing, but Kate Warren doesn't know why.
The moment the new guy walks into the room, Kate senses something strange and intense about him. Something supernatural. Her instincts are proven correct a few minutes later when, bullied by his classmates, Jarrod unknowingly conjures up a freak thunderstorm "inside" their classroom.
Jarrod doesn't believe in the paranormal. When Kate tries to convince him that he has extraordinary powers that need to be harnessed, he only puts up with her "hocus pocus" notions because he finds her captivating. However, the dangerous, uncontrolled strengthening of his gift finally convinces Jarrod that he must take Kate's theories seriously. Together, they embark on a remarkable journey -- one which will unravel the mystery that has haunted Jarrod's family for generations and pit the teens against immense forces in a battle to undo the past and reshape the future.

Review-

Old Magic has an interesting storyline with many twists, turns, action, and just a touch of sparkling romance. There were a few parts that I didn't understand and had to reread a few times (some spelling/gramar errors and the way something was worded) but I enjoyed reading it. I'm looking forward to reading more books by Curley.

Publisher-Simon Pulse

Reviewer Rating: 4.5 Stars

Reviewed by~ Ashleigh Donathan (Student at Franklin High School)

~Thank you to the author for the donation of this book to the Read for your future Book Program~

Summary-

Two days before the start of her junior year, seventeen-year-old Janelle Tenner is hit by a pickup truck and killed--as in blinding light, scenes of her life flashing before her, and then nothing. Except the next thing she knows, she's opening her eyes to find Ben Michaels, a loner from her high school whom Janelle has never talked to, leaning over her. And even though it isn't possible, she knows--with every fiber of her being--that Ben has somehow brought her back to life.
But her revival, and Ben's possible role in it, is only the first of the puzzles that Janelle must solve. While snooping in her FBI agent father's files for clues about her accident, she uncovers a clock that seems to be counting down to something--but to what? And when someone close to Janelle is killed, she can no longer deny what's right in front of her: Everything that's happened--the accident, the murder, the countdown clock, Ben's sudden appearance in her life--points to the end of life as she knows it. And as the clock ticks down, she realizes that if she wants to put a stop to the end of the world, she's going to need to uncover Ben's secrets--and keep from falling in love with him in the process.

Review-

Norris did a really great job writing this book. It keeps you guessing the entire time. It's not a book where you know the ending on page 32, you don't know how it ends until The End. When I got to the last page, I was disappointed because it's one of those books where you don't want it to stop. I can see Unraveling becoming a movie someday. Of course, when you leave the movie you'll say ʺthe book was better.ʺ This book could be appealing to many types of readers, including those who like to read about romance, the existence of other universes, and mysteries.

Publisher-Balzer + Bray

Reviewer Rating: 4.5 Stars

Reviewed by~Destiny Beaudoin (Student at Franklin High School)

~Thank you to the Publisher for the donation of this book to the Read for your Future book Program!~

Summary-

As Faith Reynolds enters her freshman year of college, she is a complete and utter nervous wreck. With her best friend Derek suddenly pulling out the romance card and her dark, mysterious classmate staring her down at every turn, Faith somehow feels stuck in the middle without dating either one. And fortune may or may not be with her when a devilshly sexy stranger offers her a welcome escape.
Boys, romance, classes, and annoying roommates are all within the realm of the expected for a college frosh. Trying to solve the mysterious murders of young college coeds near campus is not. Darkness seems to be creeping into every corner of Faith's life, no matter the hour. And when she seeks the truth, danger seems to be the only thing that finds her.
Faith is well aware of the strange currents in the air, particularly when she sets off static sparks with everything she touches. Before long, she finds herself entrenched in the deep-seeded battle between werewolves and vampires. The war has reached the tipping point, and Faith has the power to determine where the scales fall. But the most important question may be with whom does her loyalty lie?
Deliciously suspenseful and immediately addictive, Blood on the Moon features a headstrong heroine and all of the thrills, chills, and otherworldly boys with deadly charm that a human could ask for.

Review-

I think this book is a smashing hit. For people that do and don't like twilight (me).

Publisher-Perseus Books

Reviewer Rating: 5 STARS!!

Reviewed by~Hailey Bowman (Student at Franklin High School)

~Thank you to the author for the donation of this book to the Read for your Future book program!~

Summary-

Falling in Love, baking a magical cake, fighting an evil necromancer—it’s all in a day’s work for Audrey Oliver, seventeen-year-old witch-in-training.
When her mother goes missing and her twenty-one-year-old witchy cousin shows up out of the blue, Audrey knows something’s gone horribly, dangerously wrong. Now it’s up to her to get her own magical powers up to speed before everyone she loves is destroyed by the sorcerer intricately connected to her mother’s secret past.

Review-

This is not just another story about witchcraft. On the surface it may look that way. Once you get a little deeper into the book you realize that it's so much more. Sure, the main character discovers she has paranormal powers. Along with training to be a witch, attending school and finding her soul mate, she has to fight and conquer unspeakable evil. That's a lot for one teenager girl to have on her agenda. Besides all that, there is loyalty, friendship, sibling rivalry & love and learning who she truly is inside. Becoming self aware so to speak. All those factors combined make for a pleasantly surprising & enchanting story. Yet the thing that put this book close to the top for me was the romance. It was very refreshing to see a normal one-on-one, typical, realistic relationship play out. I can't wait to get my hands on the sequel!!

Publisher-Magic Genie Books

Reviewers rating:5 STARS!!!

Reviewed by~Mechele

~Thank you to the author for the donation of this book to the Read for your Future Book program!~

Review: Courtship & Curses (Leland Sisters #3)

Summary-

From the author of Bewitching Season and Betraying Season comes a brand new regency romance with plenty of intrigue--and magic!
Sophie’s entrance into London society isn’t what she thought it would be: Mama isn’t there to guide her. Papa is buried in his work fighting Napoleon. And worst of all, the illness that left her with a limp, unable to dance at the Season's balls, also took away her magic. When the dashing Lord Woodbridge starts showing an interest in Sophie, she wants to believe it's genuine, but she can't be sure he's feeling anything more than pity.Sophie's problems escalate when someone uses magic to attack Papa at the Whistons' ball and it soon becomes clear that all the members of the War Office are being targeted. Can Sophie regain her own powers, find her balance, make a match--and save England?

Find out in Marissa Doyle's Courtship and Curses!

Review-

I did not read the other books in this series. That had no bearing on my understanding of this book. The storyline is full of magic, excitement, intrigue and mystery. This is a good coming of age story. The main character has a lot more to worry about than which dress to wear to the ball. The long ago days of London society are brought to life in the pages of this historical fantasy. It was a very entertaining, light read. The fresh new romance of the main character was just too cute. She is a shy, humble, caring, sweet young lady. Her sense of humor makes her endearing. I liked this book enough that now I must read the other two. This was a light-hearted, charming read. If you are in the mood for a cute fun read then you should give this book a try.

Publisher-Henry Holt and Co.

Reviewer Rating: 4 Stars

Reviewed by~Mechele

~Thank you to the publisher for the donation of this book to the Read for your Future book program!~

Review: Otherkin by Nina Berry

Summary-

In her fresh, inventive debut, Berry introduces a teenage feline shapeshifter coming to terms with her strange powersNthe first in a mesmerizing new series that deals with such teen issues as body image and the strength to be found in friendship.

Review-

Extremely exciting and action packed from the very beginning. Definitely a different approach on shifters and magical abilities. The author does an excellent job of pulling you into this emotion filled, fantastic story. There in never a slow or dull moment in those pages. The main character is a sweet young lady. who evolves into a strong, courageous woman. The kind who will stand up and fight for what she believes is good and right. I loved her gang of misfit friends. They all grow from individuals into a fiercely united clan. With all the action and bonding going on there is also a new love budding. In my opinion that makes the story even better. I can not wait to read the follow up. This was a fun and great book to read. I really liked the whole package.

Publisher-Kensington

Reviewer Rating: 4.5 Stars

Reviewer: Mechele

~Thank you to the publisher for the donation of this book to the Read for your Future book program!

October 16, 2012

Review: Feed by M.T. Anderson

Summary-

Identity crises, consumerism, and star-crossed teenage love in a futuristic society where people connect to the Internet via feeds implanted in their brains.
For Titus and his friends, it started out like any ordinary trip to the moon - a chance to party during spring break and play with some stupid low-grav at the Ricochet Lounge. But that was before the crazy hacker caused all their feeds to malfunction, sending them to the hospital to lie around with nothing inside their heads for days. And it was before Titus met Violet, a beautiful, brainy teenage girl who has decided to fight the feed and its omnipresent ability to categorize human thoughts and desires. Following in the footsteps of George Orwell, Anthony Burgess, and Kurt Vonnegut Jr., M. T. Anderson has created a not-so-brave new world — and a smart, savage satire that has captivated readers with its view of an imagined future that veers unnervingly close to the here and now.

Review-

I'm not sure where to begin with this one. The technology in this story is both fascinating and frightening. The storyline in very original in all aspects. I am not sure I would like to live in a world where the Feed is a must have. Consequently, If you lived in that world and did not have the Feed, you would be light years behind everyone else. As far as information goes. You would have to be reliable on your brain and hands on skills. Which is not always a bad thing. It's a catch 22 kind of story. The main character starts out to be someone who can stand outside the pack. Unfortunately, by the end, he is just like everyone else. He has to deal with everyday teenager woes, like fitting in, peer pressure and avoiding anything or anyone who doesn't fit in the nice little box of a clique. Sadly, most teens would make the same mistakes he does. Just because I don't agree with the way everything is handled, does not mean you shouldn't give this book a chance. It's a good well written book.

Publisher-Candlewick Press

Reviewer Rating: 4 Stars

Reviewed by~Mechele

~Thank you to the Publisher for the donation of this book to the Read for your Future book Program!

Review: Hunted by Cheryl Rainfield

Summery-

Caitlyn is a telepath in a world where having any Paranormal power is illegal. Caitlyn is on the run from government troopers, who can enslave, torture, or even kill her, or make her hunt other Paranormals. When Caitlyn settles down in a city, she falls for Alex, a Normal (someone without Paranormal powers), which is dangerous because he can turn her in. And she discovers renegade Paranormals who want to destroy all Normals. Caitlyn must decide whether she's going to stay in hiding to protect herself, or take a stand to save the world.

Review-

I have to say this is not your average paranormal book. While it does deal with the paranormal aspect, it's a fresh new view into the supernatural. The storyline is a fast paced, action packed, exciting thrill ride. It kept me on the edge of my seat with all the emotions it brings to the surface. The main character is fun loving, kind hearted and selfless. Just what every heroin should be. Along the way there is certainly a lot of unforeseen twists to keep you wondering. When it becomes clear in your mind all you can say is WOW! On another note, the story deals with real everyday problems that our society continually observes. This book will open your eyes to the overwhelming negativity people face everyday. Hopefully, we can all revaluate ourselves, our actions and the Humans around us. A very good and thought inducing read.

Publisher-WestSide Books

Reviewer Rating: 4.5 Stars

Reviewed by~Mechele