The Guardian by Joyce Sweeney

Genre: Young Adult

At age thirteen, Hunter has already been placed in four foster homes. Despite the fact that Hunter has a pretty bad life, he does not complain about it. He just takes it. His foster mother is verbally abusive (and sometimes physically, as well), his sisters are mentally abusive, and a bully at school is physically abusive. It doesn't help that his foster father Mike, the only person who truly appreciated him, is dead. After experiencing all these misfortunes and abuse, it's a wonder how Hunter stays sane and good at heart.

When mysterious miracles start happening and Hunter's prayers begin to come true, Hunter can't help but wonder if it is the work of his guardian angel or if he's finally cracking down from all the abuse he has taken. It's not until his guardian angel is revealed to him does Hunter realize he has to make an important, life-altering choice. Joyce Sweeney's The Guardian is a splendid novel about family, hope, and faith.

Hunter truly is the real angel of this novel. Although he has his own problems to deal with, he still worries about others, namely his youngest foster sister. He also does his best to support the family through doing yard work for others, earning the most income out of all the children in his family. Not to mention, he is intelligent for his age.

Hunter's situation makes readers desperately wish that his guardian angel was truly real despite the other characters' skepticism. Hunter may not live in a heavenly place, but he sure does try to make the best of his situation. Although I wish the ending could have been different, I thought this was a superb and unique novel that is absolutely worth reading.

Delightful and divine, The Guardian is a powerful novel that will captivate readers.

Life After Genius by M. Ann Jacoby

Genre: Realistic Fiction

College genius Theodore Mead Fegley decides he can’t take it anymore. Just eight days before graduation, he decides to head back home to High Grove, Illinois, back to his overbearing mother, and back to the life he once knew. Mead has worked his whole life to be able to graduate from this top-ranking university; not to mention, he was just about to give a raveling presentation on the Riemann Hypothesis (a baffling mathematical equation that has trumped many academic scholars for over a century) just before he left. However, no valid answer is provided for his resolve to ditch school. As the story progressed, the reason becomes clearer.

Life After Genius is an ingenious book. Jacoby offers a unique view inside the mind of a genius, covering the pressure, scrutinizing, and the torture of geniuses perfectly. Mead was a particularly admirable character, who I could definitely relate to. What’s commendable about Mead is that he goes through his life without a single word of complaint. I couldn’t help but feel sympathy for Mead, while resenting those who torment him. Another interesting thing about the book is that it often jumps back and forth between Mead’s present and his flashbacks, which gives you a more in-depth look at Mead’s life as well as increase as the suspense. If you ever want to read about a genius’s life, this would be the best book to read.

*This was also reviewed for Book Divas – CollectiveX.

Gettysburg: The Graphic Novel by C.M. Butzer

Genre: Graphic Novel

Gettysburg: The Graphic Novel is as straightforward as its name suggest; it's a historical graphic novel about the Gettysburg, which leads up to Lincoln's famous Gettysburg Address.

What a dynamic ending to a graphic novel! I'm rarely touched by graphic novels, but this was excellent.

I wish I had this book when I was first learning about the Gettysburg Address because it would have helped me understand it a lot better. The visuals greatly enhanced the understanding of the historical events leading up to Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. Keeping the novel succinct helped highlight all the important events of the Civil War.

The organization of this book is efficient, so that it's easy to find the information you need. The book opens with an introduction to all the characters. I really love the artwork; it really goes well with the novel, and it was the most significant part in clarifying what was being said. They are really striking, and the author's notes at the end really added to their depth.

In the author's notes, the author explains his drawings – what it was supposed to represent and why he drew what he did. An added bonus to the pictures is that some of them are more metaphorical than literal. The explanations are thorough and easily comprehensible. My favorite part of this book was when Lincoln was making his speech, and the author drew historical events that happened long after the speech. This emphasized the timeliness of Lincoln's words and its historical impact.

Pandora Gets Jealous by Carolyn Hennesy

Genre: Greek Mythology

Demi-god Pandora Atheneus Andromaeche Helena – you can just call her Pandy – is quite the procrastinator, a trait that most people can relate to. With only a day until her project is due, Pandora still hasn't found the perfect idea yet. For this project, she had to find an object that illustrated the enduring presence of gods in everyday life. Pressed with time and pressure to do well, she decides to bring a forbidden box belonging to her father, Prometheus. Prometheus was entrusted with this box by Zeus. If the seal of this box is opened, all the evils will flood into the world and cause immediate devastation. Pandy didn't think of the harm that could happen. After all, all she had to do was make sure that the box is never opened, right? Unfortunately, the worst-case scenario did happen, and now it is up to Pandy to capture all the evils before all humans are wiped out forever.

The story of Pandora's box was actually one of the first Greek myths I've ever read. I've never read a retelling of a Greek mythology before, but this was wonderful to read. For a retelling of a classic myth, the story was fresh and unexpected as well as effortlessly humorous. Pandy's voice gives it a fun and adolescent edge. She may be foolish at times, but she is determined to right her wrongs and take responsibility for her actions. Now, that is a character I can admire. The Greek gods became less formidable and more relatable after I was done reading; their witty banter with each other made them more humane. I also love how the author incorporated Greek terms into modern language, such as when straight-A students were described as straight-alpha students. This is a novel that completely hooks you in and doesn't let you go until the end, a must-read for Greek mythology lovers.

*Note: This was also reviewed for Book Divas.

Jo-Jo and the Fiendish Lot by Andrew Auseon

Genre: Supernatural

Jo-Jo Dyas thinks it's his fault when his girlfriend Violet is killed for dating him. Without Violet, his life is meaningless. Just as Jo-Jo was about to pull the trigger and end his sad, pathetic life forever, he meets a dead girl named Max. Max lives in the Afterlife, where she is the drummer for a band called the Fiendish Lot. Max convinces Jo-Jo that death is overrated and introduces him to the other members of her band. One thing led to another, Jo-Jo manages to land himself in the Afterlife as well. There, he must make something of his afterlife before he is lost forever.

Jo-Jo and the Fiendish Lot is a supernatural novel that candidly depicts grief, changes, depression, and all that jazz. The story really is a dark one, which is fitting for a novel about death. For a book about death, it really taught a lot about appreciating life. I did wish for a better ending for Jo-Jo though; but for the most part, I'm pleased with it. It wasn't too drastic, but it was in accordance to the events leading up to it. Jo-Jo may not have had a wonderful life, but at least he learned more about himself in the Afterlife. The plot seemed a bit slow at times, but it accelerated as the story progressed. For the most part, I love this novel, and I'm overjoyed that I had the chance to read it.

Throughout the story, Jo-Jo spends a great deal of his time moping about Violet, and this trait would've irritated me after awhile if the characters didn't reprimand him for sulking. The best thing about having the novel told from Jo-Jo's point of view is that his character is very well-developed. The story's told with an effortlessly natural voice, yet it is bizarrely innovative and imaginative.

Max was an exceptional character; you rarely encounter such a feisty and forthright character in literature. Ironically enough, she marches to the beat of her own drum; she says what she thinks, regardless of others' feelings. However, she is compassionate, a quality that shined through when she saved and hand-delivered all the sentimental things of the Afterlife residents. I found her to be a fantastic character foil to Jo-Jo.

What I love most is the descriptions about the band and their effects on the residents of the Afterlife. Music is an amazing thing; it cleanses the soul and helps you express yourself, as the characters came to find out.

It was also interesting how the characters of the Afterlife have their own lingo. For example, they sometimes add "like" to the end of words, using terms such as "great-like". It was slightly bothersome at first, but I quickly got used to it.

Lively, rhythmic, thrilling, and unusual, Jo-Jo and the Fiendish Lot is a special novel that you can rock out too.

*Note: This was also reviewed for HarperTeen First Look.

The Powder Box Secrets by Carrie Silver-Stock

Genre: Self-help/Inspirational

Doctors have their medical equipment, magicians have their tricks, and teenage girls have The Powder Box Secrets. Overflowing with encouraging messages, straightforward tips, and a lot of common sense, The Powder Box Secrets confronts topics that teenage girls may face from day to day. Being a teenage girl is hard. Not only do you have to deal with peer pressure, parents, grades, and boyfriends, you also have to deal with yourself. However, this well-meaning self-help book shows that it doesn't have to be so hard.

Every teenage girl will find this book relevant. What's amazing with this book is that every topic can be dealt with by just using the seven secrets introduced at the beginning of the book. I love how the secrets are utilized and explained in all the different situations. A thorough guide, this book offers real-life anecdotes from other teenage girls, small quiz questions to ask yourself, and knowledgeable tips. Even if you're not going through any life-changing events, this book will surely change your life after you've read it. The organization is so systematically designed that if you're ever going through any of the situations present in the book, you can easily flip to it for sound advice. Often times, we don't always like to listen to advice that is offered to us; however, this book convinces you to listen. The Powder Secrets is a friend you can trust with all your problems.

Note: This was also reviewed for Book Divas.

Rune Warriors by Jame Jennewein & Tom S. Parker

Genre: Mythology (Norse)

When Dane stole the invincible Shield of Odin to impress his love interest, Astrid, he never meant to bring death and destruction to his village. Unfortunately, that's exactly what happened. To add onto that, Astrid was also kidnapped, while his father died at the hands of Thidrek the Terrifying, an evil tyrant. In order to redeem himself, Dane must embark on a quest with a chosen group of Viking boys to regain the Shield of Odin, rescue Astrid, and foil Thidrek's diabolical plans to expand his kingdom.

This book reads very much like a movie, and I can imagine everything playing out in my head. Not a page is wasted with unnecessary plot fillers; everything was relevant to the plot. This is to be expected, since both writers are screenwriters. The engaging descriptions really do make you feel as if you're alongside the characters, fighting their battles with them.

I love the twists and turns throughout the story; even though you know what the outcome is going to be, you don't know how the characters will accomplish their tasks. I had to keep reading in order to see what the characters were going to come up with next. I also love all the dynamics in the plot from escaping a frost giant to fighting with Thidrek's henchmen. There is some violence, but it's kept to a minimal; nothing is overly gruesome. It's interesting enough to capture the interest of teens, but appropriate enough for younger kids to enjoy as well.

However, because this book was mostly plot-driven, the characters aren't as developed as they should be. Thidrek acts as an extremely one-sided evil character that I wish there were more background story to explain his brutality. Out of all the characters, I liked Astrid the best for her strength and independence, and her personality makes up for the other characters.

Overall, this was a great story, especially for those interested in Norse mythology.

The Hunt for the Seventh by Christine Morton-Shaw

Genre: Mystery/Supernatural

Minerva Estate is haunted by ghosts of children who had died there, yet Jim is the only one who can see them. At first, Jim thinks that the children are mischievous ghosts who play pranks on him for the fun of it. He eventually realizes that they're leaving him clues leading him to the cause of their deaths as well as an ancient prophecy that he must break before another death occurs. When he encounters Einstein Minerva, an autistic math genius, he believes that Einstein plays a vital role in the prophecy. With his own family – a grievous father mourning over his wife's death and an overbearing younger sister – and the Lord Minerva posing as obstacles, Jim must be shrewd and sleuth-like in order to follow the ghost children's instructions to "find the Seventh".

Jim is an identifiable character; he has to deal with parental control as well as an annoying, interfering sibling. Jim is also very determined with a subtle hero complex; he believes that he alone can save the Seventh child from freak accidents that killed the other Minerva children. I found this to be a commendable and worthy characteristic since it shows his courage in spite of difficulties. On top of his courage and perseverance, Jim is also caring and compassionate. He treats Einstein with kindness in spite of his differences.

Though the beginning was dragged a bit and the sentence structures of the first few chapters were rather choppy, the story picks up more momentum as it progresses and increases its suspense. It just got better and better. It never once slows down again, finally ending with a dynamic bang. The novel reads very much like a modern ghost mystery until the part about the ancient prophecy plays in; Morton-Shaw did an excellent job at blending modern with ancient.

Upon finding each clue, Jim witnesses a replay of the death of the child who had just left him the clue. I must say that the clues and riddles were really fun to read. Just when you think you've solved the mystery, another twist is produced. Intriguing, captivating, and energetic, The Hunt for the Seventh is guaranteed to keep you reading until the end.


Note: This was also reviewed for HarperCollins Children's.

The Host by Stephenie Meyer

Genre: Science Fiction

Humans' worst fear have come true: aliens have won the invasion against Earth. These aren't just aliens; they are parasitical aliens also known as "souls". These souls need to invade humans and take over their minds in order to survive. When Melanie's mind is taken over by a soul named Wanderer, Melanie refuses to vanish. Instead, she still lives within her mind, while Wanderer is occupying it at the same time. Through browsing Melanie's memories, Wanderer learns of two humans who have yet to succumb to the souls; in other words, these two humans have yet to be invaded. One of these humans is Jared, the love of Melanie's life. Because Wanderer is in Melanie's mind, she falls in love with Jared as well. Melanie and Wanderer then set out to find Jared as well as Melanie's brother, Jamie.

When I first read the summary for this book, the first thing I thought about was Animorphs. Growing up, I love to read Animorphs, a series about a group of kids fighting mind-invading aliens called Yeerks. The idea of aliens taking over human minds is not a unique one. It has been done many times before in various science fiction stories. What I like about The Host is how Stephenie Meyer presented it – from the alien's point of view rather than the human's.

One thing I noticed about The Host is its similarity to Twilight – some of the characters' personalities are so alike, I wouldn't be surprised if they were the same. Wanderer, without a doubt, reminded me of Bella. They're passive, altruistic, and don't fit in with their own kind - to sum it up, just dull weak characters. On encountering Jamie, the first Twilight character I thought of was Jacob Black – nice and easygoing. Jared definitely reminded me of Edward with his fierceness, strength, and handsomeness. Doc's Twilight twin would be Carlisle, of course. As if the parallel characters weren't enough, even the storyline was almost alike – two guys fighting over one girl with a slight twist.

The souls are not inherently wicked creatures. In fact, they are making the Earth a better place to inhabit. They were able invade because the invasion was gradual, and the souls outnumbered the humans. Wanderer's character really irritated me; I preferred Melanie over Wanderer. Wanderer's character is really too predictable – she always, always does what's right for others. She has no sense of survival instinct, even when others are trying to kill and hurt her; all she does is whimper and cry. I had trouble grasping the fact that a member of an Earth-invading species has trouble defending herself.

A lot of reviews I read about this novel complained about how dull the middle is. I didn't mind that so much, though I thought some parts were really unnecessary. Melanie's initial reaction to Wanderer's and Jared's kiss was really melodramatic for me. I do think the last chapter and the epilogue should have been taken out entirely. The happy ending was too overdone – corny, to be blunt.

I'm not sure why this is considered an adult novel, since it's tamer than Breaking Dawn (from what I've read so far). I actually like The Host better than the Twilight series though. When I looked past its flaws, it really was an excellent story to pass the time. It was interesting enough to keep my attention even through the melodramatic and slightly boring parts. I especially love how the aliens seem more humane than the actual humans.

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Blind Rage by Terri Persons

Genre: Thriller/Crime Fiction

There is a new victim every month. One by one, emotionally disturbed women are committing water-related suicide. At first hand, there isn't anything that connects them, other than the fact that they died by drowning. However, FBI Agent Saint Bernadette Saint Clare believes that this is no coincidence. There must be a serial killer on the loose. Two main suspects are Dr. Luke VonHader, a psychologist of the latest victim, and Finlay Wakefielder, a professor of two of the victims. Using her supernatural prowess and some help from a deceased FBI partner, Agent Saint Clare uncovers clues that may bring justice to the victims.

Brace yourself for a thrill of a read. This novel was mazelike with a pace so fast it'll leave you dizzy. There is some graphic stuff; the killer was very brutal and unrelenting – it's definitely not for the weak-hearted. I enjoyed this book as well as the protagonist. Bernadette's powers make her intrinsically unusual, but she was a strong heroine; it was really interesting to read about her. I thought her chemistry with her boss was rather dull, but her interactions with Agent Creed (her deceased FBI partner) made up for it. I love the whole plot – how they conducted the investigation even though it was mostly based on Bernadette's hunch, how the suspects reacted to the interrogations, and how they finally discovered the true culprit.

(Note: This was also reviewed for Book Divas – CollectiveX)