Review: Phoenix Island by John Dixon

A champion boxer with a sharp hook and a short temper, sixteen-year-old Carl Freeman has been shuffled from foster home to foster home. He can't seem to stay out of trouble, using his fists to defend weaker classmates from bullies. His latest incident sends his opponent to the emergency room, and now the court is sending Carl to the worst place on earth: Phoenix Island. 

Phoenix Island by John Dixon is another Stoker finalist and one I devoured over two days. 

When Mark Twain was asked how he approached character development, he said, “Chase 'em up a tree and throw rocks at 'em." John Dixon must have written this book in a quarry. The MC, Carl, had so many rocks thrown at him I was exhausted by the end! The writing is excellent, easy, and many times made me forget I'm a writer (Dang that internal editor!). 

This book was definitely a five-star for me. I can't wait for the sequel.

Review: Unmarked (Legion Book 2) by Kami Garcia

There’s a reason this book is a Bram Stoker finalists. It’s amazing!

Kennedy Waters is still trying to find her mark and her place among the Legion. After accidentally unleashing a demon of hierarchy, it’s now up to Kennedy and the Legion members, Alara, Priest, Lukas, and Jared, to destroy him before he opens the gates of hell.

This was a could not put down for me. So many twists and turns. And a huge reveal at the end that has me craving book 3.

The Worst Class Trip Ever by Dave Barry

I admit, I don't read as much middle-grade as I used to. But I'm so glad I got my hands on this one! 

When 8th grader, Wyatt, sets out with his classmates on a trip to Washington, D.C., his only real objective is to impress Suzana, the hot girl who hangs out with the popular clot. What he doesn't count on is getting mixed up with a couple of terrorists with their sites on the White House. Wyatt and friends are dead set on stopping them.

I read this book in like two sittings, not wanting to put it down. Dave Barry scores with a great voice, intriguing plot, and characters that keep you laughing out loud.

Received the ARC from NetGalley.com.  

Book Review: Shutter

I think I’d like to cozy into Courtney Alameda’s brain and live there for a bit. Her book Shutter was unlike any horror I’ve read lately…and those who know me know I read LOTS of horror.

The main character, Micheline, a descendant of Van Helsing, can see auras of the undead through a unique mirrored device and is trained to hunt down the supernatural. But when a routine detail goes wrong, she infected with a ghostly virus called a soulchain. The countdown clock begins when she learns she has seven days to exorcise the entity that’s contaminated her.

Shutter is an action-packed read with a dark plot and a kick-ass main character. What’s not to love?

The Cure for Dreaming

Five Freakin' Stars!

If this book doesn't get optioned and made into a film, I'll have lost all hope with the world. The entire book played out cinematically in my mind.

Cat Winters is fast becoming my favorite writer. She has a romantic relationship with words that I could only dream of (no cure). The Cure for Dreaming is a beautifully written tale of suffragettes and mysticism, and, I swear, the ending proves one of the strongest I've read in a while. 

V Is For Villain

Ready to root for the bad guys? This book put supervillains in a whole new light. And the humor and characterization are superb. Loved every page.

The Floating Boy and the Girl Who Couldn't Fly

I received a copy through NetGalley, and wow, I'm so glad I did! Floating Boy and the Girl Who Couldn't Fly is a unique mixture of fantasy and fun. Mary's a cool protagonist with a true teen voice. Her quirky personality and cute observations kept me smiling throughout the book. It's one of those books I wish I had written.

Highly recommend.          

Review: Dark Metropolis by Jacyln Dolamore

Sixteen-year-old Thea is struggling with her mom—a mom who’s ailing from “bound sickness,”  caused by folk magic performed when she married Thea’s dad. But Thea’s dad is dead…or so she thinks. One night, while working her waitressing job at the Telephone Club, she meets Freddy, a boy who has the magic touch. When Thea brushes against his hand, she has a vision of her father rising from the dead.

Dark Metropolis, loosely based on the 1927 sci-film Metropolis, is filled with magic, necromancy, zombies, and mystery. Pretty much my kind of book.

Review: Mary: The Summoning (Bloody Mary 1) by Hillary Monahan

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley.

I think most girls have at one time lit candles by the bathroom mirror and chanted, Bloody Mary, Bloody Mary, Bloody Mary. It's creepy and fun and is as common at sleepovers as the old reliable Ouija board.

When Shauna's friend Jess pulls their group together to try it, Mary not only appears, she attacks. And it's Shauna who becomes haunted by the vicious ghost.

It's no secret I love horror. While the YA voice skewed a little young, this book definitely met my expectations.