98 by V. L. Holt

This review was written by: B

Received: Free e-book copy from the author

Publication Date of Book: August 2014

Pages: 275 (Kindle Edition)

Stars: 5/5

"Your silence is more valuable to me than anything you could have said.  There's something big going on and I'm going to find out, even if you don't want to tell me."

         -Crady

Have you ever tried to keep a life changing secret from your best friend?  Every wonder what it would be like to never know your father?  Has your boyfriend ever died and come back to life more than ninety times?  Well, Jane has experience in all of these matters and so many more.  Her true love is William, a Warrior who has died 97 times and only has a couple lives left to live before he runs out of chances.  However, he desperately wants to cling to the time he has remaining so that he can be with Jane forever, but this is definitely not going to be easy.  Evil Lochspawn are hot on his and all the other Warriors' trails at every turn, just waiting to tear them apart.  A normal relationship is hard enough for two average teenagers, but for two people who live very extraordinary lives, things cannot turn out well, or can they if they choose to fight for it?  This is Jane and William's story back in action and continued with just as much awesomeness as the first book in the  Rise of the Battle Bred trilogy.

William and his father are backtracking to Toledo, Ohio to clear their names in the incident that previously occurred in 97.  (I won't spoil it here if you haven't read it yet.)  However, after realizing a fatal mistake from back home, William races back to Deer Fjord before things can turn sour.  However, will he lose another one of his precious lives in the process?  Depressed and already missing William after only a day, Jane is pacing and can hardly do anything but obsess over this special guy.  At the same time, strange occurrences are going on elsewhere.  Smitty, a college student who witnessed the horrible accident in Toledo involving the previously said characters, is figuring out what really happened that fateful night and what he should do.  When a strange man shows up wanting something from him, things only get more suspicious, dangerous, and real for this innocent yet influential bystander.  Smitty has the ability to clear William and his father's name, but will he be able to do just that before time runs out?  Then there are the Warlochs.  Are they being infiltrated?  Can they be brought down finally?  Strife continues to ransack their ranks, and the five men are at odds.  What will happen next?

He had died for Jane just a short while ago.  Now he was going to do his damnedest to live for her.

I personally felt that 98 was even better than 97!  I know that some series can get monotonous after awhile, especially with the same old scenes coming up, over and over again.  However, V. L. Holt was able to create not only a great sequel but also a compelling story line that was unique and different than 97.  Once again, the reader was able to witness several different characters and their reactions, personal stories, thoughts, and feelings.  This is something that really made me fall in love with these books. I never get bored with all of the different perspectives going on.  Plus, there are thrilling events going on around them.  Holt switches to a new character at just the right moment for the perfect suspenseful moments!

What makes 98 so different from 97 is the incorporation of Agnes and her story.  We get to see a hefty majority of what exactly transpired in her life.  Her troubles, conflicts, struggles, loves, losses, triumphs, and scarifies are laid bare for all to see.  Given to the Church at a young age as a tithe from her family, her troubles began when she was quite little.  I feel as though there are so many admirable qualities in just this one character that so many people will fall in love with her and what she stands for.  Her life, situations, and responses to her ever unfair circumstances are honest and heartbreaking.  Yet, at the same time, she is strong and willing to help others even if she has not been shown the same respect by those around her.  She has really stuck with me and in my thoughts throughout the entirety of this series so far and is one of my favorite characters to read about.  I don't think that it will be easy to forget about her.

Lastly, as I expressed when I was talking about Jane and William in my review for 97, I just love them to death.  They're just so innocent together.  Their love is undying and hard to dismiss because their connection is just so prevalent.  When I read the last few lines of this book my heart just stopped.  It was the sweetest thing ever!  I just wish that every girl could get a William of their own.  I think that the one thing that really draws me to these two characters, especially in my believing in their relationship, is how they act towards each other.  It is simply so pure and warming to the heart.  The two care so deeply and wholly for each other that you just can't help but root for them.  They'll forever go down as two of my favorite book couples!!!!

If you haven't read 97, you really need to.  The backstory and lore behind the whole thing is really amazing and creative.  The entire idea is alluring, and if you have already read 97 and are deciding to pick up the next book in the series, the answer is a no brainer.  You have to read 98.  While it may be easy for me to like a book, I loved this one.  Holt created a wonderful world, backstory, and a series that I cherish so much.  Oh, and you know what?  Before you know it, it'll be Christmas soon, and you know what that means!  Presents!!!!  So, if you're looking for a great YA book to get someone or even a nice little gift for yourself, the Rise of the Battle Bred series is a great way to go.  Also, your birthday is sometime during the year.  Just say it's an early birthday gift for yourself.  It's okay to be spoiled a little!  I can also eagerly say that I can't wait for the last book in this trilogy to come out! I don't know if my heart can take it!!!

If you liked this book you may also enjoy: 

        

The Silent Deal by Levi Stack

This review was written by: B

Received: Free e-book copy from the author

Publication Date of Book: May 2013

Pages: 358 (paperback version)

Stars: 6/5 (Yes, I JUST DID THAT!)



"Dwelling on the unchangeable would only lead to madness." - The Silent Deal

Rating: 6/5

Am I allowed to do this?  I don't know, but I am!  That's how awesome this book is!)

In the town of Aryk, there are three rules: no playing cards, no graffiti, and no firearms.  However, if you look hard enough, you will find back streets and dark alleys adorned with bold, shiny, graffiti centering on the forbidden playing cards.  This is known as Brass Art, holding buried secrets revolving around the mysterious history of the Russian town.  No one will talk about these topics.  Not a single soul wants to bring them up.  Silence is everywhere.  However, demanding questions arise.  Why is this happening?  What does all of it mean?  Young Viktor wants to find out.

Plagued with nightmares of horrific ordeals and past experiences, Viktor, a boy in a family of surfs,  can hardly sleep.  Years ago, he secretly went to a town meeting in which a man was hung by the infamous Captain Ulfrik for having a single playing card in his possession.  Then right after, people in horrific masks raided the streets, chasing and searching those gathered around, ransacking and grabbing everyone in sight.  Running, desperately needing safety, he stumbles upon the Brass Art.  Years later, this fourteen year old is determined to discover the true answers that no one will give him.  However, he will need a little help.

If Romulus had grown  up in Aryk, it would be an impressive feat, because his past remained a mystery.  No one knew him; they only knew about him.  No one knew him as a friend, because he didn't have any of those.  Instead he had secrets.  Whether by choice or necessity, Romulus was detached from life in Aryk in a way his peers didn't understand.

Romulus is allusive and an alluring character.  Under certain circumstances (which I won't spoil), these Viktor and Romulus become blood brothers.  Viktor also discovers that Romulus has a playing card of his own that could get him and those around him killed.  They then stumble across a dark and sinister secret that they were never meant to know, and their lives and the lives of their families are in grave danger.  Soon, the men in masks return once again, the Masqueraiders, in search for them and any other remaining card holders.  They are told that these frightening individuals work for and are servants of a mysterious man called the Leopard who supposedly wants the cards for himself and their owners dead.  The only way to keep themselves and their loved ones safe is to find the Silent Deal, a supposed document holding evidence of the Leopard's gruesome crimes.  If found and given to the tsar, everyone could be saved.  However, this will not be an easy feat.  The road will be paved with hardships and perhaps even some...adventure!



As you can easily guess from my rating, I thought the world of this book.  To make it easier for you to understand, let me explain.  You might have read the Percy Jackson series.  The majority of its audience members loved it, and so did I.  The first book grabbed me, and I went on to read the rest of the series.  I even went back to read some of them four times!  I felt this love once again as I read the Cirque du Freak series.  For awhile now, I have been trying to find something new to replace them and obsess over, and in all honesty, I felt the same love for this book and became hooked on it, just like while reading Percy Jackson and the Cirque du Freak series.  Of course, it was not because of the same exact reasons, but it really made me remember what it was truly like to fall in love with a new series yet again, waiting for a few months to pass just so that you could say "Yep, I'm rereading this book just to refresh my memory on it," but secretly you remember every detail about it and simply want to relive that feeling.

The first thing that drew me into The Silent Deal was the setting.  The story takes place in Russia from about 1839-1840 with a couple of flashbacks from earlier years.  I remember my seventh grade history class when we talked about Russia, and I recall becoming immersed in this period.  It is easily said that I have read little to no books with a Russian setting, and the book really excited me because of this.  Then Stack adds on layers of mystery, secrets, almost fantasy like elements.  It was simply a perfect blend of stunning scene after stunning scene.  There were beautifully described forests, colorful tents in a sudden community, and a mystifying castle.    

The second thing that drew me into The Silent Deal was the array of characters.  While I loved all of them, I was especially intrigued with Romulus and his past.  It was shrouded and distant from the reader at many points.  He practically just walked out of the woods one day.  He has a wolf to protect him and definitely owns an enthralling story.  There were gaps that are indistinct, and he was constantly lying about his true identity when it came to his childhood, and I don't mean these to be bad things.  He himself was such a fascinating topic in the story whenever he came up.  I really wanted, needed to know more. Then there were the gypsies. I loved them!  You just have to read it to understand.

Thirdly, there was the atmosphere of the story.  While this is impossible to ever possibly describe, I can only try.  From the very first page, the novel was simply captivating, compelling, and ultimately appealing.  I think that this was largely due to Levi Stack's writing style.  For this being his first book, you would never know it.  His writing was perfect.  I truly believe that he wove a real masterpiece.  There was plot twist after plot twist, and most I never saw coming.  His topic and story line were not only absorbing abut also enchanting!  I just can't describe how much it drew me in.  Everything was clever and the anticipation just grew and grew.  The Silent Deal portrays what a perfect book actually is.  When I started the story, I fell into and never wanted to come back out.  It was like ripping off a bandaid when I did, unpleasant and unwanted.

The Silent Deal is now my go to recommendation book!   I highly encourage all people to read it!  It would blow my mind if you even didn't remotely enjoy it.  Honestly, I can go on and on forever and ever, but I'm sure you don't want that.  So, just go pick up the book and treat yourself to what I promise you will not regret.  Go on...do it now!  You're in for the ride of your life!      

If you liked this book you may also enjoy: 

            

Horizon by Douglas R

This review was written by: B

Received: Free e-book from the author

Publication Date of Book: January 2014

Pages: 410 (for Kindle)

Stars: (4.5/5)

"The only way to get through is to fight through."-General 

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have an identity hidden from you, kept secret because your loved ones thought it was best?  Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have the whole world depend on you to save it from impending doom?  Well...welcome to Ivey's life!  Her mother Aadrika has drug her around the country and back again, never staying in one spot for too long.  Why?  She won't tell her daughter.  Then Ivey decides to run off, and everything is suddenly revealed to her in a crash and bang sequence!  She is one of the five Zartans who are to stop tons of meteors from striking Earth, killing and destroying every piece of existence through a repetition of events similar to what happened during the time of the dinosaurs.  She finds out that she is part of a prophecy and then is sent back to 65,000,000 B.C. where the fate of the future rests on her shoulders.

As you can assume, this is the great time of the amazing and gruesome dinosaurs!  The mysterious matrix is hidden during this period of time, and this special matrix (that resembles a huge, glittering and illuminated rock like diamond) is what will help the Zartans save the Earth.  However, time is dwindling and there are only a few months left to find it.  With hope now resumed in the search with Ivey along for the ride, all seems fine and dandy...until an unexpected enemy arises among their ranks.  So, now they have to find the matrix, fight the enemy, survive the dinosaurs, and save the world.  What to know what happens next?  Go and pick up Horizon to find out!

I love reading books from young authors.  There is something about their writing style and outlook in their books that is extremely relatable to someone like me who is close to their age range.  Of course, they can bring other elements to the table at the same time that allows for older or younger viewers to be drawn in, too.  I believe that Douglas R. is one of these talented young writers in today's world.  While I loved the initial book description, I definitely knew I was going to love it when he mentioned this special technologically advanced wrist watch that possessed all of these fancy doohickeys which prompted Ivey to call it the Omnitrix after Ben 10!  I loved that so much!!!!!  Then he mentioned the universally loved television series Vampire Diaries and singing group Three Days Grace.

Ivey was an overall enjoyable character.  Something that really hit me as amazing was the diversity of the characters themselves that were scattered throughout the story.  They weren't all one group of people.  Some were from India, Iran, Australia, and so on.  I feel like this allowed for an easy way to bond with a lot of the people presented to us.  However, while I did enjoy Ivey, I believe that Aadrika was by far my favorite!  Why you ask?  Well, Douglas R. made me despise her in the beginning.  Whether this was intentional on the authors part or not, I did.  She and her daughter were constantly at odds, and I just wasn't too keen on how she acted.  Then Ivey goes off to the past, and we see more of Aadrika's story.  You can then imagine from my previous statement that I quickly took to her despite my past views.  I'm a huge Aadrika fan now!  When an author makes me do a total 360 on a character, I definitely admire them for their skills.

If you liked Jurassic Park or any type of time travel or action movie, I highly recommend this book to you.  The ending literally played out like a movie in my mind's eye with the struggles, constant action, and tempting suspense.  Plus, there was just a dash of romance so that we get a little bit of everything.  While I wish that some parts of the story were fleshed out a little bit more in the beginning, I am sure that that was probably for suspenseful purposes.  The ending did not leave me upset with loose ends, which definitely was a plus as we all know that those type of books with open endings can be quite frustrating.  All in all, the conclusion itself was beautifully written and made me a happy reader!  If you're looking for a nice read on time travel, action, or dinosaurs, this book is definitely for you!

Due to my love of quotes, I thought that I would share several of my favorite ones contained in Horizon:

"Everyday is part of a big war, Ivey. We fight every moment of our lives."

-Mandark

"Numbers don't matter. Value does."

 -Ivey

"Charm is deceitful, Ivey, my words are from the heart. Take care of my words. We might not have each other when this is over and I'm prepared for that. Cherish the moment." He pats my shoulder and walks away.

  -Hugo

Also, seeing that all of the three covers of Horizon are fabulous, here are the other two:

    

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(September/October 2014) Topic of the Month: ZOMBIES

ZOMBIES

September's Topic of the Month is officially ZOMBIES! To kick it off we have posted a few zombie-filled novels that may interest you! If you have any suggestions let us know! Hope you enjoy!


Read by: H

Here is the GoodReads summary of the book: Ian was the one who chased the majestic buck into the forest.  Kendra and PJ followed him.  They all hoped to return to the hiking trail before anyone noticed they were gone.  However, the mountain had other plans for them: dark, sinister plans that only nightmares are made of.  

Book #2 and #3 in the series:

     

Read by: B andC
Our review:

Here is the GoodReads summary of the book: When Tom, the son of a powerful Senator, becomes stranded in the Plagued States of America while searching for his lost sister, his only hope of survival rests in the hands of a few grizzled veteran zombie hunters and a mysterious half-breed zombie woman he thinks may know where to find his sister.

The second and third books in the series are:

     

Read by: B

Here is the GoodReads summary of the book: A tween takes on undead New Yorkers in this paranormal action-adventure that breathes new life into the zombie genre. Most kids have enough to deal with between school, homework, extracurricular activities, and friends, but Molly Bigelow ins't your typical tween. By day, Molly attends MIST "the Metropolitan Institute of Science and Technology" but it's what she's learning outside of school that sets her apart from her classmates. Molly is a zombie hunter, just like her mother.

This, however, is news to Molly. Now she must come to terms with not only the idea that zombies exist, but also that they are everywhere, and it's her job to help police them and keep the peace. Sure, she'd like to be a regular kid, but  this just isn't possible when ti turns out the most revered zombie hunter in the history of New York City is your mother. It seems Molly's got some legendary footsteps to follow.

Book #2:

Read by: H

Here is the GoodReads summary of the book: In the zombie-infested, post-apocalyptic America where Benny Imura lives, every teenager must find a job by the time they turn fifteen or get their rations cut in half. Benny doesn't want to apprentice as a zombie hunter with his boring older brother Tom, but he has no choice. He expects a tedious job whacking zoms for cash, but what he gets is a vocation that will teach him what it means to be human.

Here is the GoodReads summary of the book: 

The First Rule of Torching: Cleanse with fire. 

Josh is by far the best zombie Torcher around - at least, he is in his virtual-reality zombie-hunting game. Josh has quickly risen through the player ranks, relying on the skill, cunning, and agility of a real Torcher. 

The Second Rule of Torching: Save all humans.

But luckily for Josh, zombies exist only in the virtual world. The real zombie war is now more than fifteen years in the past, and the battle to defeat the deadly epidemic that devastated his family - and millions of others - is the stuff of history lessons.

The Third Rule of Torching: You can't bring them back.

Charlie is the top-ranked player of the game. Since all the players are shrouded in anonymity, Josh never expects Charlie to a girl - and he never expects the offer she makes him: to join the underground gaming league that takes the virtual-reality game off the screen and into the streets. Josh is thrilled. But the more involved he gets, the more he realizes that not everything is what it seems. Real blood is spilling, members of the team are disappearing, and the zombies in the game are acting strange. And then there's the matter of a mysterious drug called Z.

Read by: C

Here is the GoodReads summary of the book: R is a young man with an existential crisis--he's a zombie. He shuffles through an America destroyed by war, social collapse, and the mindless hunger of his undead comrades, but he craves something more than blood and brains. He can speak just a few grunted syllables, but his inner life is deep, full of wonder and longing. He has no memories, no identity, and no pulse. Just Dreams.

After experiencing a teenage boy's memories while consuming his brain, R makes an unexpected choice that begins a tense, awkward, and strangely sweet relationship with the victim's human girlfriend. Julie is a burst of vibrant color in the otherwise dreary and gray landscape that R lives in. His decision to protect her will transform not only R, but his fellow Dead, and perhaps their whole lifeless world...

Read by: H

Here is the GoodReads summary of the book: Zomb-B is a radical new series about a zombie apocalypse, told in the first person by one of its victims. The series combines classic Shan action with a fiendishly twisting plot and hard-hitting and though-provoking moral questions dealing with racism, abuse of power, and more. This is challenging material, which will captivate existing Shan fans and bring in many new ones. As Darren says, "It's a big, sprawling, vicious tale...a grisly piece of escapism, and a barbed look at the world in which we live."

Eden M51 by G. R. Paskoff

This review was written by: B

Received: GoodReads Giveaway

Publication Date of Book: April 2012

Pages: 438

Stars: (4.5/5)

"Nothing is without limits, and all things require effort, Nathaniel Oliver, even those which seem effortless."
-Ah'n-Ben

Humanity is on the brink of destruction.  Natural resources are depleted, oceans are almost void of all sea life, and the capacity for housing on Earth's surface is practically nonexistent.  For this reason, people have now inhabited the moon and even live underwater. However, these places are obviously not ideal for normal people to live comfortably in.  For this reason, a search for a planet with the same qualities as Earth has begun.  Of course, this is not an easy task, and there have been false alarms, but when one finally has been found, promising data creates a stir around the world.  Every country wants to be one of the first to reach the planet and explore it, striking a stronghold for their nation to be front and center for colonization.  However, it was mutually decided that every country would work together to assemble a research team to collect further data to ensure this promised land is really worth moving to.  The scientists and flight crew members range from Americans all the way to the Chinese, but things will definitely not go as planned despite the purposeful action of assembling mixed individuals on the mission for the chance of equality when it comes to saving the whole world.

Nathaniel Hawke has been placed as the pilot during this mission, given the very important task of getting everyone to the planet's coordinates and back to Earth safely.  The M51 mission will be tougher than anticipated, though.  Despite all of the preparations and careful planning, dangerous things have been going on aboard the space craft.  A traitor is in their midst and a murderer lurks in the shadows.  How can humanity's salvation take place if no one is willing to cooperate?  No one knows who to trust.  Hawke is trying to keep things under control but when lives are on the line, dread and anticipation both take over all at once.  With Eden so close that the crew can almost touch it, people's dreams seem to becoming true, but will it all come crashing down around them?  Will the planet be all that they hoped for?  What will they find there?  Can everyone's salvation be acquired by the M51 mission, and what happens when a life form  similar to us is found on Eden?  Read Eden M51 to find out!

"You're chasing shadows, if you ask me." -Hawke

"A big part of my job is to chase shadows, you know.  Chase them long enough and you might just catch something of substance." -Bishop

Warning: Slight spoilers may be brought forth when I express my thoughts on the book.


Recently, I feel as though I'm finding really great books, and I've honestly been really surprised by a lot of what I'm reading.  Sometimes you found gems when you're not even looking.  Recently I've read 97 by V. L. Holt and just started reading The Silent Deal by Levi Stack, two extraordinary novels, and Eden M51 is yet another amazing story to rival today's modern literature.  It was equally part suspenseful, part mysterious, and part thought provoking.  Everything anyone could love about science fiction was put into this story, and one of the reasons that I enjoyed this book so much was because of the strong characters.  They showed the reader all of the aspects of what it means to be human.  The good and the bad, the beautiful and the ugly, it was all there.  It perfectly portrayed that in the end, while we may be flawed, some of us will fight for what's right and not back down.  Out of all of the characters, Hawke was obviously my favorite.  His troubled past yet strong perseverance at the end showed just how much his character must have grown through his life.  Plus, his character developments and story were definitely well done.  Then on the other hand, we have Max Snelling.  This character was an antagonist who you just had to despise.  I always say that when an author makes you feel something besides indifference or total annoyance towards their story and especially their characters, then they did a job well done.  As a reader, I want to feel something towards a character because of how they are written or for what they stand for, and Paskoff did a wonderful job with this, especially with Hawke and Snelling. All of his characters were expertly portrayed through their thorough emotions, actions, and thoughts.

Eden M51 may be considered a larger book, but it never drags along at an agonizing pace.  It basically encompasses a broad range of time that include the period before Hawke goes into space with his crew, the time he is in space, the landing on the planet, and their stay, followed by the inevitable repercussions of human beings and their visit.  If I had to choose a favorite part, I would hands down say the moments when they were in space heading towards the promised planet.  The reasoning behind this decision is because of the frequent action and deception that takes place during this time.  Once they reach the planet, these aspects in the story slow down a tad bit.  However, the details and beautiful descriptions of the planet that is so similar to Earth is breathtaking and easily replaces what is left out.

The aspect of God, or in this case the people on this planet call him Ah'n-Ben, was a profound part of Paskoff's writing. He put a twist on the common religious views of God, making him a creator that left Earth long ago.  I was definitely intrigued when Hawke got to have his conversations with him because they spread over quite a large range of topics.  I definitely found it sad to hear how the Creator left our home planet in this book to create a better one and an even better one after that until he decided he liked this one, but it was such an enriching element to the story.

The only thing that was a little hard to follow in this book was this time period's lingo.  However, there was a glossary in the back for all of the abbreviations if you wanted to go back and find out what they meant again.  Also, there was this one scene in the book that I won't go into very much detail out of fear of giving too much away, but I just want to point out that it was written so expertly.  Just when you thought the newly found planet was perfect, you're proven dead wrong.  I was stopped dead in my tracks when reading about the individuals who deviated from society's norms.  The impact of those scenes pertaining to this moment were just shocking and ultimately hard hitting when it came to the story line.  My heart couldn't take the injustice that I felt.  It just took my breath away.  Hats off to G. R. Paskoff!

Overall, I was deeply impressed with Eden M51 and loved it more than I thought I ever would.  The ending left things wide open for further developments.  After finishing the book, I went onto G. R. Paskoff's website (http://www.grpaskoff.com/) and was absolutely excited to find out that there's going to be a sequel!  Now I am eagerly awaiting a synopsis on it.  Also I totally believe that Morgan Freeman would be an excellent actor choice if this book was ever made into a movie.  :)  You'll just have to read the book to find out what I mean!

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Santa Claus vs The Aliens by James Cardona

This review was written by: B

Received: Free e-book from the author

Publication Date of Book: June 2013 (paperback version)

Pages: 120 (paperback version)

Stars: (5/5)

"A person can only play the hand that they are dealt and my cards...they weren't so good you see."
-Fundy

One day, Fundy witnesses a strange object falling out of the sky.  It gets stuck in the nearby mud, and a strange man comes out of it.  Fundy first believes the object to be something like an asteroid and hopes to sell it for money, but when he realizes a person is in it, he helps the man pull his strange vehicle out of the brown goo that it's embedded in with his own horse, Paulo.  To thank Fundy and to repay him for his generous services, the peculiar stranger bestows upon him a ring and tells Fundy that he can call upon him anytime he needs help for he will surely show up to assist him.

Fast forwarding to present day, Edwin, Fundy's adolescent son, is now in possession of the ring.  After his encounter with the strange man, Fundy and his wife moved to the United States hoping to find happiness, but instead they eventually get divorced, placing Edwin in a children's home when neither of them could take care of their own son, but before Edwin was sent to a home, Fundy gave his son the ring.  The father had tried to call upon the man he met long ago many times before, but he never came in all of that time.  Now several years after his divorce, Fundy has remarried, had a little girl, acquired a decent job, and wishes for Edwin to come back home.  Alas, the boy cannot bring himself to do this.  He feels as though his home is no longer his own if a strange woman is living there.  Edwin knows that he will no longer see his father and actual mother together ever again.  It's just not right to him.

Out of frustration, Edwin throws away the ring in a park during a winter's day.  However, he soon finds himself feeling guilty and returns to search for it on Christmas Eve, and, just after finding the ring, he encounters two extremely odd individuals who seem less than human.  It's obvious to him that their anatomy and speech pattern are completely off.  Edwin flees from the scene once he has the ring back in his possession, only to find himself later followed by these creepy creatures.  No matter how many turns he makes, routes he takes, or back alleys he hides in, they always find him.  With them hot on his trail, Edwin goes into a Macy's store, rushing to find safety.  He has no idea what they want from him.  Once he finally arrives in an area where children are lining up to talk to the Santa stationed in the store, Edwin is given special attention by the man who is supposed to deliver toys all around the world to children everywhere on Christmas Eve.  Santa gives him a knowing look and tells him that he will never stop being followed.  What in the world is going on?  Who are those people that are chasing him?  What's with this Santa, why does he seem so authentic, and most importantly, how does he know about Edwin being tracked down if he never mentioned it?!  Read Santa Clause vs The Aliens for the answers to these pressing questions!

I have to start off by saying that this book was so enjoyable!  Despite the fact that it's actually geared towards a younger audience than myself, I found it to be a really fun and great read for a person who's older than the targeted age range.  I can definitely see a younger person reading it just as much as a whole family with people of varying ages sitting and reading it aloud together during the Christmas season.  It has many great qualities in it including a Christmas message that is more subtle than boisterous and overbearing.  I highly recommend it!

My favorite aspect of this book was how it took place during the twentieth century.  While we all think we know the story of Santa Clause, Cardona put an unexpected yet fascinating twist on the origin of this cherished yet timeless figure.  I just really got into the Christmas mood while reading this story despite the fact that's is only October.  Alas, I still have a couple more months to go.

There is simply something about the character Edwin that I really fell in love with and latched on to.  Perhaps it was his family situation and the decision that he had to make when deciding whether to live with his reconstructed family or stay at a children's home that naturally drew me to him.  Also, the slight peek into Fundy's past was a rich addition to the novel.  Then there were the aliens!  What child doesn't like either Santa Claus or aliens?  After you put the two together you get one smash adventure for the whole family to enjoy!

Overall, I have to say Santa Claus vs The Aliens was an imaginative, entertaining, and original story placed in a fast paced and thoroughly genuine tale of love, family, and Christmas.

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Princeless #1 By Jeremy Whitley

This review was written by: B

Received: Library 

Publication Date of Book: April 2014

Pages: 128

Stars: (4.5/5)

Adrienne Ashe is a far cry from your typical princess.  For one, she doesn't want to be a princess or even carry out a princess's duties for that matter.  She has a strong mind and will of her own that is not easy to break.  For this reason, when her parents tell her that she is going to be locked in her very own tower at the age of sixteen because it is the princess tradition, she quickly tells them that this is never going to happen.  They reluctantly agree with her, saying that she can follow her own path, but this is all a lie.  Adrienne is drugged and then placed in the very same tower she desperately wanted to avoid and is now under the watch of a dragon, and here waits the princess for the dashing knight to slay her dragon, set her free, and whisk her away.  Obviously, this is just not going to work for her.  

Bored out of her mind, she decides that she doesn't need a prince to rescue her, she has a mind of her own after all.  Adrienne wants to be her own hero.  This is made easier for her when she finds a sword mysteriously hidden under her bed.  Taking the dragon as her companion, Adrienne sets off to rescue her older sisters who are still stuck in their own towers and her little sister who has yet to be placed in one.  As the story progresses, we find out that this is not going to be as easy as she expected.  Her overbearing, violent, and "macho" father has a plan of his own.  

To start off, I would like to point out that this book had lots of great humor.  For an example, the following is an excerpt of when a knight comes to rescue Adrienne from her tower but miserably fails.  As you can see from the cover, Adrienne, is of darker color.  

"I seek a fair maiden Adrienne!"(The Knight yells up to her tower.)

"Oh, brother."-Adrienne

"Fair Maiden!  Be YOU Adrienne?"-the Knight

"Be you a MORON?"-Adrienne

"Um...what sayest thou?"-Knight

"I sayest...'Be you a MORON?'  Be you of LOWER than normal princely intelligence?  Do you UNDERSTAND the words coming out of your own mouth?  Do you know what FAIR means?"-Adrienne

"Um...beautiful?," says the knight a little shaky and confused.

"WRONG-O, Prince Chuckles.  It means WHITE.  As in, FAIR SKINNED, as FAIR as the new fallen SNOW.  As FAIR as the MOON, or as FAIR as a LILY.  I ASK you then...does this look FAIR to YOU?"-Adrienne 

Whitley addresses countless princess stereotypes that we have seen over the years in a new and innovative way, full of humor and independence.  I loved princesses when I was younger and all of their fairy tales.  That being said, I don't want to say that this graphic novel bashes them, but shows a different story of what we see in today's independent girls.  It's a fairy tale that proudly stands on its own while demonstrating the strength, intellect, drive, and  courage that females have.  It also bravely depicts that girls don't need a Prince Charming to make them happy or to save them from despair.  They can also be their own person and find their own way.  

There are so many great elements in this story.  There is one female character that is a blacksmith but is too afraid to tell people because then the men won't buy her items.  She also feminizes her armor for girls so that they show what guys want to see.  However, she discovers that girls don't have to wear that stuff and can actually wear armor that will properly protect them for their own sake. 

What's the greatest part of Whitley's book is that this story is not just for girls, but it's also for guys.  Adrienne's brother is the only son in the family, meaning that he is to take over the thrown when he is older.  However, his father says that he is not manly enough, strong enough, or the "kingly" type.  He likes to read poetry and be intellectual, which is what the father views as what a king should not be.  They need to be able to fight.  So, not only do we get to see how it's okay for girls to be independent, but we also get to witness how boys don't have to be macho men to make it in this world.  The main point is, you can be who you are as long as you are yourself and shine your true colors.  Break away from the stereotypes of society and make yourself happy and stand up for what you believe in.  I would have loved to have had my parents read this to me before bed every night and would have definitely eaten it up.  Princeless is a great book for all ages and genders, and for this reason, it is definitely getting a high rating from me!

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