Rogue YA

What an awesome sequel to the book Talon, this series is a bit of a different direction for Julie Kagawa to my enjoyment and hopefully yours too.  This series has dragons, and plenty of them, and dragon hunters, the Order of St. George, don't worry there are plenty of them as well.  The dragons are taught at a young age (in dragon years) to coexists with humans by masquerading as humans.  Learning their final lessons as humans by living as a human teenagers among humans for the first time right before their final dragon tests.
Rogue picks up right where Talon left off, and it is even more action packed, if that is even possible.  So much happens, albeit slow at first, so if you haven't read Talon you will still understand what is going on.  But it is still best to start at the beginning, that way you can see for yourself how the characters grow and evolve with each other.
I really liked this book a lot, the characters even though dealing with very grown up problems still have very real teenage issues, sometimes they can be humorous, at other times you feel for them and the pain they are each going through.  Julie Kagawa is able to make so much of their world feel so very real as you read her book, sometimes you just won't want to leave.

Fury YA

WOW! When you thought a series couldn't get any better, along comes Fury.  Steven James really out did himself in this sequel, Daniel won't be the only one doubting what is real and what isn't by the end of this book.  The suspense is so thick you will need a knife and fork to get to the end.

Daniel's blurs have started again, and resurfaced long repressed secrets, secrets that might help him find his father.  But as before deciphering what is real and what isn't can be very problematic, but his friend are there to help, but will they have enough time?

This was a awesome book!  The action and suspense is non stop.  I really did not put the book down, it sucked me in and trapped me until I was finished.  There where times I wasn't sure what to believe and what not to believe so I think I was just as confused as Daniel at times.There is so much going on in this book I wasn't sure how it could possibly get wrapped up by the end of the book, but it was and the best part is you can't guess who did it in the middle of the book!  Readers of the series will get some questions answered from the last book, but a few more asked going into the third and final book of the series, rumored to be named Curse (Spring 2016).

5 STARS

Blur YA

This is a great murder mystery/paranormal thriller for the young adults and the young at heart.  Daniel is a real enough character to suck you right on to the story as is you to lived in Belden Wisconsin and where part of Daniel's circle of friends. 
When Daniel starts having strange visions of a freshman classmate who has just died, he starts to question everything including his sanity, trying to figure out why he is having these visions, but in the mean time follow what the visions tell him and looking into the girls death.
It was nice to see that Daniel asked for help with this monumental problem and that everyone took his problem seriously, including his sheriff father.  It is also refreshing that this was a clean book even though the main focus was about a bunch of teens, but was written in a way that the language and such was not missed at all.
I really like this book and can't wait to start book two.  My only disappointment is that they have already classified this series as a trilogy, so there will only be three books.  :(

5 STARS

Seven Wonders: The Curse of the King MG

Oh my gosh, can it be true that we are already up to book four in the Seven Wonders series, and I have to say the book left me wanting the next one now! Peter Lerangis you have done it again with your fast paced, high octane, surprise around every corner style of writing for middle graders, it is awesome!!!

Jack and his friend are in a life and death battle for the Loculi hidden in the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World so they can hopefully reunite them and save their lives before the genetic mutation G7W kills them on their 14th birthdays.  But now they find out if they do that and it will raise the lost city of Atlantis and possibly set off a massive chain reaction that could kill millions of people and change the face of earth, so what will it be?  The tailor must once again stitch together the sailor, tinker, and soldier back together along with more friends now and see what happens.

Like I said this is a exciting fast paced book that is sure to keep you guessing.  The characters also keep it fresh and playful as you never know exactly what to expect from them as well, one minute the stone cold killer can be stalking its prey, than stop and help a little defenseless animal, or befriend the island monkeys, you just never know.  The adventure and suspense will draw you in and you will be stuck until you are done and yelling for the next book. Don't stay up to late past your bedtime. :)

5 STARS

Strange Skies YA

Tora is rescued from the Consulates hold, but not before she finds out her father is also alive and held in their grasp.  Tora and others in the resistance must save him and his weapons before they fall into the Consulates hands and can be used against them and  seal the Consulates reign forever, but are all the people in the resistance there for the right reasons and to help Tora, her father, and her friends?
This is the second book in the Burn Out series, and this one does not disappoint it to is full of action and suspense.  Tora, the main character, is a very strong female that will do what needs to be done but doesn't always agree with the violent way if there are other alternatives available.  All the characters in the book mesh well with each other and show a wide variety of personalities, which can make the resistor camp a very interesting place at times.  But don't get me wrong there is no shortage of fighting, hiding, running, shooting, and a little flying, oh and don't forget with Lucy around there will always be licking.

4 STARS

Breaking Sky YA

In  2048, a time when women are truly equal in the military, Chase Harcourt, call sign "Nyx", is one of the best, if not the best, young fighter pilot in the United Star Academy.  America is locked in the second cold war.  This time with China, who's drones are the best and fiercest around, there is nothing that can go up against them, or is there?  Chase and another Star Academy pilot are part of a experimental new "Streaker" program.  But all anyone cares about is the Streaker trials, not Chase and what she has to go through to be the best.  But as war comes closer and closer to home, Chase knows there are secrets being kept and when she finds the answers it might cause more people to be hurt than she ever imagined.

This is a high octane, non stop, high-G book!  This is a awesome book that could only be written by someone who has spent time on the inside, which is part of what drew me to this book being a product of the "Top Gun" Navy myself.  I love to read action, young adult , military books, but it is always so much better when the main character is a female, that is just awesome especially now when these jobs are being opened up to women.  Hopefully, this book will inspire someone or at least let girls know they can do these jobs too.  This may be a fiction book but some of the underlining tones run straight and true.

The characters are well rounded and normal, even the invincible "Nyx" has a soft, tender side that you see throughout the book, although she doesn't show it to her fellow cadets.  There is some romance and some breakups, but what co-ed school doesn't?  However, you will find the Streaker pilots and their RIO's have their own group and they mostly stick together like siblings, and if you have ever had a brother or sister you'll understand, they can fight each other all day but no one outside is allowed to fight with you or they will have to go up against the whole family, because they will always have each others 6's.

If you like non stop action, suspense, high flying, dog fighting books, you can't miss out on this one, it is out of this world!  Aim High. Fly. Fight. Win.

 

5 STARS

 

"Mongoose"



Travels With Gannon and Wyatt: Ireland MG

This was a really good book about twins Gannon and Wyatt that get to travel with their parents as their parents jobs (mom: flight attendant and dad: art entrepreneur) allow.  However, they do have to keep a detailed journal and do some kind of volunteer work that will help them get more in touch with their Irish roots.  They choose to work on a farm like their great grandparents use to do before coming to America, but soon find their talents are better used to help to save the 100 year old farm, than spreading manure in the fields.  There is something killing the crops and making the animals sick but can Gannon and Wyatt use all their scientific, wilderness, and gift of gab skills to bring justice and save the farm?
This is a great non stop adventure book! It also mixes a lot of fun facts and pictures about Ireland so there is some secret learning that can be had along the way.  The chapters alternate between the boys, Wyatt the scientist, and Gannon the one more interested in culture, history and humanities, so you get a well rounded look at the subject.  But both boys love travel, and adventure, but trouble seems to follow them everywhere they go.  This book will keep you on your toes with the insane mystery, action, thugs, being lost in the forest, falconry (Oscar is the coolest), and all the great information on Ireland that will make you wish you were there yourself.  The book is awesome for anyone who likes nonstop action, and anyone who is interested in travel to foreign places.  This is a great book and series for any middle grader.

5 STARS