One teen’s single-night journey full of magic, surprise, and introspection.
“Because of the Night” is a creative, lively, and delightful read. Written for teens, many ages will easily enjoy this story. In fact, there were times I was convinced the author had hidden “Easter eggs” for the adults; little gems of humor that only those who lived in the last millennium will appreciate.
“Our Threatened Kin - Fur, Feather & Fin: Verses on India’s Vanishing Wildlife” by Dev Shah is an encyclopedia style book of unique, exotic, and vanishing animals from India. The target audience is Teen/YA, but I believe it would also be great for young readers. The book presents a list of animals native to different regions within India. Each animal has its own feature spread. Within its pages, readers will find a beautiful, accurate image; a descriptive information paragraph; a map showing the region where they are located; and a color-coded status on each animal.
“A Warm Touch” by Connor Shane is an adventure set several hundred years in the future where WWIII has destroyed all humans. Prior to their extinction, scientists had been experimenting with gene splicing, combining the DNA of 22 humans with the DNA of eleven species. A male and female were created from each species, including the wolf, kangaroo, snake, hawk, hyena, tiger, coyote, monkey, fox, panther, and even a dragon. In addition to carrying both human and animal traits, these humanoids tend to be very colorful. The test subjects were hidden underground when the humans were annihilated. After the damage to the planet settled, earth became known as FourEarth. Society developed within the United Cores. There are eleven cores which are further broken down into sectors. The area outside the cores is undeveloped and much of it is unexplored.
Jexter Bladebrace is a great name for a hero and in this fantasy novel, we follow Jexter as he battles against alien foes who are attempting to take the Earth for themselves. He has some people who are accompanying him on this journey, Shelly and Mac, as they resist a terrible foe and they further encounter beings along the way who offer help and assistance.
“The Urban Boys: Discovery of the Five Senses” is a fascinating and facile second edition fantasy by K.N. Smith, an award-winning writer who appeals in both charisma and passion in promoting innovations, talents, and natural endowments, globally.
The books prologue grips with shock and alarm, when a squabble between one authoritative Joaquin and his friend Ross quickly spins into a dreadful and gruesome sight, and one that may take forever to rub off the minds of Della and Juson, a loving couple who stumbles across the two during an adventure of their lifetime in the forest.
tarting a kid's book with the murder of an old man? Bold move, but it sure got my attention. Many in town spoke of the recently deceased Oren Appleton as the “hermit of Oak Hill.” But to the main character, he was a beloved grandfather.
We first meet Olly and his parents as they move into the inherited house on Oak Hill in Littleton, Massachusetts. Olly has very fond memories of his grandfather spending time with him roaming through natural areas, exploring, and playing games. Olly’s love for nature, and specifically plants, comes directly from his grandfather’s influence. So, while Olly mourns the passing of his grandfather, he sees the possibility of great adventure in exploring the woods of Oak Hill that the older man adored. Having befriended a girl in town who shares his love for nature, Olly inadvertently begins a journey of discovery that will change their lives.
"Reign Returned" written by Katie Keridan, is the first book in the young adult series, "The Felserpent Chronicles." In ancient days, the Felserpent King and Queen made a pact that would endure the ages and ensure a future salvation for their people; but civil war broke out and divided their kingdom by blood, causing Astrals, Daevals, and their animal Cyphers to embody hatred and prejudice for the other. Present day Sebastian Sayre is a Daeval intent on one goal: retrieving the Felserpent King's sword Rhannu to make himself invincible. The only problem is, he can't enter the realm of the dead without the help of a Recovrancer. Kyra Valorian is a young, talented Astral healer who is next in line to become the top healer in her realm, but her world is turned upside down when she meets Sebastian and feels an intense connection to him she doesn't understand. Through trials and tense moments, the couple learn more about themselves, the past, and the politics of their realms, while discovering their part in the shared destinies of their people.
The Take-Over Friend is an excellent story about the very confusing time in life when you are a teenager and trying to discover exactly who you are and what you really want. I was very impressed with the story Ms. Dines put together. It shows all the normal, sometimes difficult, parts of life at this age, such as doing well in school, wanting to have a boyfriend, the confusion and joy that come from family, and the happiness and heartache that comes with friendship.
Angelica and Clara are twins living in a home that is supposed to be of some historical note except for one thing: it's falling apart! Seacrest is a glorious, mysterious and (literally) haunting mansion that the girl's father inherited, but they soon discover their family is cursed! In the delightful and adventurous novel The Warlock's Curse by C.B. Oresky, the twins must travel through dimensions to help their grandfather fight evil and get to the bottom of the curse that the villain has placed on their family!
Fourteen-year-old Mathew has just one wish: to get away from his parents and annoying younger brother, and to have his own adventure. On a family camping trip, Matt meets a strange looking magical dog while walking through the woods. Before he realizes it, Matt finds himself transported to an ancient medieval realm full of witches, spells, and dangerous rivalries, kings, knights, and enchanted castles. But unfortunately, not all is well in the Kingdom! When Mathew finds himself going up against a powerful enemy only he can defeat, you might say it would be wise to heed this warning: be careful what you wish for!
Mystical and expressive, Michael Bialys' fantastical feat follows a young teen who, with the help of her friends, endeavors to seek back her father's soul and protect her two siblings from the threat of a vengeful villain.
"The Chronicles of The Virago: Book III the Triumviratus" is the third volume in the series and can be read as a standalone novel. Makenna Grace Gold, The Virago, and a "Protector of Protectors" had just conquered an enormous seven-headed dragon, lying high in the sky over Shanghai's Huangpu River in China.
I love to read a book that is well written, fun, enchanting, and has a purpose for being written. In her first book, Natacha Belair has successfully given me all of these reasons to read, plus some, and I am thrilled.
In “A Stellar Purpose,” we are introduced to Avery, who is a normal 15-year-old with all the normal problems and enjoyable moments. Avery has a boyfriend she adores but cannot quite figure out why he is with her, a best friend who she adores but finds out cannot always be trusted, a great family with an annoying younger sister, and a love for animals which leads her to a wonderful job – or so she thought. In addition to all of this, each time that Avery falls asleep she is led to an alternate dimension on earth where she finds out there is a whole group of people, her grandmother who passed away years ago included, whose goal is to save the planet. Avery finds herself among them and learns that her purpose in this life is to protect animals.