Cherub Mission 1: The Recruit by Robert Muchamore
reviewed by Samuel
Cherub Mission 1: The Recruit is the first book of many in the tantalizing Cherub series. The book follows the life of an orphan named James and his transition into the Cherub spy organization. Cherub is a top secret organization that recruits gifted children with no family ties that are willing to work with the organization. The reason why MI9 (British spy organization) would allow children to go to work in the field is because criminals don't suspect children would spy on them. The book is set in London so there may be some phrases or words you may not understand but it is still an amazing book despite this. Although this book is very well written, I do not recommend it for younger readers because there is language not suitable for young children. This book is an amazing page-turner and the only complaint I had about it is that it wasn't longer. I can't wait to get the next one in the series.
The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black
reviewed by Jasmine
In The Coldest Girl in Coldtown Tana wakes up after she got drunk and fell asleep in the bathtub and she finds that almost everyone is dead. The only ones alive from the party were her ex-boyfriend and vampireshe knew almost nothing about. The rest had gotten killed by other vampires. Tana had heard of these things happening around the world. She never thought that they would happen in her town.
This book was full of action and was actually quite bloody. The story itself was great. Everything was explained perfectly including the back stories. I would recommend this book for those of you who either don't mind gore or go looking for it.
Waterfall by Lisa Tawn Bergren
reviewed by Jasmine
Waterfall is about a girl named Gabi and her sister Lia who live in Italy because their parents are working on an archaeological project. When their dad died their mom became obsessed with finding the things that she and their dad were looking for. While their mom is at an archeological dig, the sisters go off to explore. They find an ancient tomb with mysterious hand prints on the wall which perfectly match theirs.As soon as they touch the hand prints, Gabi gets transported to fourteenth century Italy in the middle of a medieval war. Where is her sister? What is she doing here?
This book has a wonderful love story and at the same time drops in a few facts about medieval history. This book can be for anyone who enjoys fantasy books.
The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey
reviewed by Samuel
The 5th Wave is the first installment in Rick Yancey's science fiction thriller series. This science fiction novel is not as far-fetched as some other sci-fi stories, like Star Wars) but it hits closer to home. When "The Others" invade Earth in an effort to purge the it, Cassie the main character in this novel, is one of the few humans left to have survived the fourth wave. The only thing Cassie has left to believe in is the hope that she'll find her little brother before the fifth wave hits. Although this is an amazingly written book, I don't recommend it for anyone under 13 because it has adult language and some gruesome scenes. This was an amazing book with a lot of action and heart warming tales of redemption and true love. I highly recommend this book if you're looking to start on a new series.
Waiting for You by Susane Colasanti
reviewed by Valerie
Waiting for You is an excellent realistic fiction novel by Susane Colasanti. In the beginning, it looks like it's going to be one of those typical high school drama stories but it is really unique. As you walk through Marisa's life, you can see how she deals with her life from her crazy family to her many friends. Throughout the book, Marisa (as well as many of her friends) is listening to someone who knows all the secrets and news of her school, and she realizes she likes him even though she doesn't even know him. At the end, she is extremely surprised to find out that the person is her best friend and you know how that ends! So if you're looking for a good book to read when you have down time, this is the one.
Unbreak My Heart by Melissa Walker
reviewed by Valerie
Unbreak My Heart is an unique and gripping read. The story is set in summer on a boat. Clementine (Clem) has just escaped from her past onto a boat with her family where she is staying for the whole summer. According to Clem, "Floating away isn't so bad when you don't have any friends left." You can tell something horrible has happened and Clem takes the blame for it. The way the author reveals this information is very interesting: telling Clem's story on the boat and including a few bits of her mysterious past along the way that piece together and form the complete story in the end. On the boat, Clem meets a funny and always cheerful boy who she thinks might be the key to putting her heart back together.
Although Clem is the main character, I think my favourite person in the book is Olive, Clem's little sister. You can tell by Olive's words and actions how much she cares for the older sister and how she tries to make Clem happier. It shows a true sibling bond that Clem doesn't realize until the end. So if you have a summer, or even a free weekend, read Unbreak My Heart. You will be wrapped in the blanket of Clem's life and swept away before you even finish the first chapter.
Protector of the Small: First Test by Tamora Pierce
reviewed by Maya
Tamora Pierce is without a doubt one of my favourite authors and I was so excited to learn that there was a third series set in Tortall, a land of magic and now, female knights. After a decree is passed allowing girls to become squires as well as boys, not many are ready to be the first to take the offer. Keladry, nicknamed Kel, is the first who is brave enough to travel to the castle to train. As the first open female squire, she is put on a probation year. A shorter scope of time than most of Pierce's books, she still artfully keeps the story flowing quickly. As a squire, Kel learns to deal with bullies and her crippling fear of heights. By making new friends, animal and human, Kel begins to succeed in her training. Then comes the ultimate test: the call to battle.
I would recommend this book to lovers of fantasy or science fiction. First Test is a book for younger audiences than what Pierce usually writes for, but all ages can enjoy the story. Reading the series before it, Wild Mage and Song of the Lioness, make for a better reading experience, but the books can be enjoyed on their own. This series is my favorite, and I cannot say how many times I have read these books. A great character unto herself, Keladry's books work magic on the reader that has nothing to do with the Gift, because she doesn't have one.