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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Rise of the Battle-Bred Book 1 by V.L. Holt

This review was written by: B

Received: Free e-book from the author

Publication Date of Book: December 11, 2013

Pages: 328

Stars: (4.5/5)

"It's like we have two lives going on.  The one where we try for normal, and the one where we fight to keep it."
-William

Years and years ago, the Warlochs existed as a prominent force.  It was and has always been their goal, even in present day, to have a strong rule over all people.  To better describe them, Warlochs, or Battle Loch, are a group of formidable men who are gifted in the art of magic and are definitely not to be trifled with.  To make their job of conquering mankind easier, they decided to construct a group of humans who would fight as their warriors, doing their dirty work for them.  This task was a long and in depth process that required the most meticulous of work if they wanted to create the perfect human beings.  Searching for just the right women full of health and longevity, of them twenty children were born.  Thus began the  race of the Warriors, or Battle Bred.  While these children were allowed to stay with their mothers until their fifth year, they showed much promise and demonstrated amazing skills.  They were better than any human could ever dream of being.  Some were faster, stronger, and better healers than the rest of humanity.  Their skills and gifts go on and on.  Then, they were taken from their mother's arms to be trained as the ultimate fighting force.  As they matured, they went out and conquered many peoples, but then they realized how confined they were.  The Warlochs used them as simple pawns in their game, and they just wanted to live their own lives.  So, the Warriors deserted their creators, spreading far and wide, falling in love, and having children.  The Warlochs were furious and have since vowed to destroy ever last one of their creations, no matter how long it takes them.

Switching to present day, Jane Burrows is your average girl next door.  She's beautiful in her own way...and just so happens to be a newspaper delivery girl.  All's normal in her humble home in Deer Fjord, Oregon, until one family  made up of a father and a son arrive in the middle of the night.  The son's name is William and he quickly takes a liking to Jane the moment he sees her, and somehow she feels a magnetic attraction towards him too.  For some reason, every time he opens his mouth or looks her way, Jane's face immediately burns red.  William has an uncanny talent to make her blush at the smallest of things.  Of course, it doesn't hurt Jane's thoughts about him when she acknowledges the fact that he has a nice face and toned body.  However, the normal town with the average girl next door suddenly starts to become anything but average as strange things start to happen all around her.  Also, something strange is up with William.  He's not like everyone else.  He's different.  Little does she know, William and his father are Warriors who have been on the run from the Warlochs for years.  The Warlochs have created a new spawn to kill the Warriors, and they are ferocious, killing machines.  Lochspawn are on all of the Warrior's trails, and one has followed William and his dad all of the way from Toledo to Deer Fjord.  Can these two ever have a normal relationship?  Can William ever settle down with Jane and get the courage to tell her who and what he really is?  Maybe no one is safe with his family around if the Lochspawn are going to try and kill him and those around him.  So, how can you explain these two's unnatural longing for each other and how this hot mess will work out?  Read 97 and discover the magic, romance, suspense, and talent that V. L. Holt can bring to the table.

I would like to start off by saying that this book exceeded all of my expectations!  The story of the Warlochs and their creations were just so intriguing.  From page one, I was hooked.  There was something about the story line and history in the book that made it so rich.  I also enjoyed how there was a switch from past to present between the time that the Warriors were being created to the time where Jane and William meet throughout the book.  The story developments and background histories Holt wrote about were absolutely brilliant.  It was intriguing, different, and exceptional work.  I like to think that any and all fans of Jennifer L. Armentrout's Lux series will love this new series!  It's just as enthralling and expertly done!

While some people have a problem with instant love, I don't find it much of an issue while reading books.  Of course, instant love is exactly what happened between William and Jane, and I thought it was quite romantic.  What girl doesn't like the idea of love at first sight?  It's a dream come true in 97!  Also, the chemistry between William and Jane seemed so natural, almost like they were destined for each other.  The point of view changes were also a nice touch.  Holt goes and gives us insight into each of the two's lives and thoughts.  We also get to see part of a Warloch's point of view and his direct past.  However, we mainly get to see through Jane's eyes.

Don't think that just because love is in the air, there's no action sequences.  Have no fear because we get to witness hand to hand combat and magical battles.  (Well, this is how I would categorize William and a Lochspawn fighting each other.)  There's danger, suspense, and a killer plot behind this book.  The ending even left me holding my breath.  This means that I'm dying slowly inside as I wait to get my hands on the next book so that I can read it!  97 was a great way to begin the Rise of the Battle Bred series, and it will undoubtedly get even more amazing as the next couple of books come out!  People better watch out because V. L. Holt has brought a new fantasy/paranormal romance on the scene, and I hope that people notice it.  It's imaginative, enticing, captivating, and exciting.  So, I have exactly three words for you: READ THE BOOK!

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Jesus Jackson by James Ryan Daley

This review was written by: B and C

Received: Free Arc from Publisher

Publication Date of Book: October 7, 2014

Stars: (4.5/5)

Jonathan Stiles is a fourteen year old atheist who lost faith in God a long time ago.  However, his disbelief in the faith was not prevalent in his youth.  Unlike his father, his mother was a devout Christian who instilled faith into her two sons at a young age, but when her oldest child, Ryan, decides that the Bible is nothing but lies in a book that contradicts the knowledge that we have today, like God creating the world in seven days, he tells his younger brother, Jonathan, that it's not real.  Jon quickly believes him and drops the love and hope he had in the Lord.  These two siblings then enter into a quest in which they are seeking a true religion so that they have something to really believe in again.  Compiling a list of what religions can't possibly be true, it seems as though they will never get to the bottom of their mystery.  The list keeps growing and growing until the religions available become smaller and smaller.  Then the worst possible thing that can happen does: Jon's mother finds the list with Catholicism as one of the top false religions.  She goes absolutely ballistic, phoning a special meeting with their priest.  The next school year, Ryan, an atheist teen, is forced to go to a Catholic school and be subjected to ideas he does not believe in.

Fast forwarding to present day, Jonathan is now about to start high school at the same Catholic facility that his senior brother has been at for several years now.  However, just hours before his first day, Ryan is found dead at the bottom of a ravine behind the school.  Starting school in a Catholic environment that's full of people who say that they knew his brother, is just the start of Jon's problems.  He believes that Ryan's death was not an accident.  He was there a few hours before he died and has suspicions on what may have went down.  However, proving himself to be right will not be easy.

Then comes Jesus Jackson, a man who bears an uncanny resemblance to Christ, with the exception of his outrageous clothing style.  He always shows up just when Jonathan needs him, and we find out that he has a very interesting occupation.  Jesus gives clients faith for money.  A free appraisal is even included!  When Jon says that he does not want faith because he is an atheist, Jesus tells him that he can give him faith in nothing.  Being an atheist requires faith in nothing itself, just like Christianity requires faith in God. Finally giving into Jesus Jackson's faith proposal, Jonathan's journey begins with a delve into the unknown and questions that we all have to answer when facing death.

We absolutely loved this novel!  It was a compelling, hard hitting, and emotional read.  The situations and questions that Jesus Jackson entails are subjects that countless people, especially teens, go through.  Doubts show up in young, and even old, minds and challenge the reality of God and his presence.  We believe that Daley addresses these subjects so well and creates a book rich with universal truths.  Faith is believing without seeing, and this is the reality that all Christians face.  Is it possible to prove that God is there scientifically with a one hundred percent guarantee that everyone will believe it?  Of course, the answer is no.  This system of reasoning is exactly what's eating and is so hard for Jonathan to see through.

The big question that kept being presented in the story was, if Ryan died and Jon doesn't believe in God then where did Ryan go after he died?  Heaven can't be an option because atheists don't believe in Heaven, and the idea of black nothingness is not very comforting to him.  For this reason, we see an internal struggle within our protagonist as he figures out what he believes.  We feel as though Daley was very honest with this character.  Jon felt so real, and we like to think that this was a fabulous portrayal of how a teen would react in this situation.  His journey was an honest one, full of earnest feelings and gut wrenching heart ache.  The dull attitude and then profound consumption of despair that overtakes Jonathan was well felt by the reader and expertly written.  

Jesus Jackson was one of our favorite characters in the story.  No one knew of him but Jonathan, leaving a mysterious trail about the origin of this man who bears the same name as Christ.  He had such profound thoughts and ideas to tell Jon towards the end of the book and they were very thought provoking.  However, I would like to point out that this book does not shove religion and Christian views in the reader's face in such a fashion that it becomes preachy and overbearing. . It's simply an aspect to Jesus Jackson that is approached in the gentlest and deepest of ways.

Overall, we proudly recommend this book to all young adults and even older and younger readers to pick up this book and give it a try.  While you may not become hooked right away, give it one hundred pages and you will be whisked away into Daley's amazing masterpiece.  If you haven't checked out the book trailer yet, it's amazing! Watch it, read the book, and hopefully experience what we felt!

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