The Grimoire of the Lamb: By Kevin Hearne

THE GRIMOIRE OF THE LAMB

SUMMARY

When he’s not vanquishing villainous gods or dodging demons, two-thousand-year-old Druid Atticus O’Sullivan can be found behind the counter of Third Eye Books and Herbs in modern-day Tempe, Arizona, literally minding his own business. But when an evil sorcerer—and amateur shoplifter—snatches an ancient Egyptian tome of black magic,The Grimoire of the Lamb, Atticus is not sheepish about pursuing him to the ends of the earth . . . or at least to the Land of the Pharaohs.

Unfortunately, Atticus already has enemies in Egypt—including cat goddess Bast, who wants her own book of mischief back from the Druid. In the streets of Cairo, she sends a feline phalanx after Atticus and his Irish wolfhound, Oberon. With fur still flying, Atticus must locate the sorcerer’s secret lair—where he will face killer crocodiles, spooky sarcophagi, and an ancient evil Egyptian who’s determined to order the sacrificial lamb special tonight.

REVIEW

I’ve been a fan of Kevin Hearne since I first read Hounded last year. So keep in mind as you read this review that I eagerly await everything that is released from this amazing writer. That said, unlike some novellas and short stories that are released from authors, this story is packed to the gills with action, humor, and the characters that readers have come to love in the Iron Druid series.

One of the things that makes me love the Iron Druid series with a passion is the way that Hearne seemlessly integrates different mythologies into the heart of his stories, taking time to both illuminate readers who don’t know the myths, but often doing it in a humorous fashion, often by telling Oberon, Atticus’s hilarious and trusty sidekick and dog (in that order). In Grimoire of the Lamb, Atticus is forced to visit Egypt after one of his rare books (the Grimiore of the Lamb) is stolen from his shop. As he chases down the culprit, Atticus is forced to face off against; Egyption Gods, ancient wizards, and thousands of cats, all trying to kill him. Of course besides this, Atticus has to face something that readers will be possitivly agast at, a type of magic that can simply wipe out his own bindings.

All in all I absolutely loved The Grimiore of the Lamb. If you’ve read any of Hearne’s other books in the Iron Druid series, then you know how entertaining and well written his characters are. The book is filled with action, adventure, mythology, and humor. And finally, while this isn’t the size of a full book, at $2.99, it’s an absolute steal. A perfect buy for any fan of urban fantasy or the Iron Druid series.

INFO

Publisher: Del Rey

Published: May 7, 2013

Price: $2.99

Link to Buy: http://www.amazon.com/Grimoire-Lamb-Chronicles-Novella-ebook/dp/B00C8S9UXA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1369111388&sr=8-1&keywords=kevin+hearne

The Reluctant Assassin (W.A.R.P.): By Eoin Colfer

THE RELUCTANT ASSASSIN (W.A.R.P.)

SUMMARY

Riley, a teen orphan boy living in Victorian London, has had the misfortune of being apprenticed to Albert Garrick, an illusionist who has fallen on difficult times and now uses his unique conjuring skills to gain access to victims' dwellings. On one such escapade, Garrick brings his reluctant apprentice along and urges him to commit his first killing. Riley is saved from having to commit the grisly act when the intended victim turns out to be a scientist from the future, part of the FBI's Witness Anonymous Relocation Program (WARP) Riley is unwittingly transported via wormhole to modern day London, followed closely by Garrick.

In modern London, Riley is helped by Chevron Savano, a nineteen-year-old FBI agent sent to London as punishment after a disastrous undercover, anti-terrorist operation in Los Angeles. Together Riley and Chevie must evade Garrick, who has been fundamentally altered by his trip through the wormhole. Garrick is now not only evil, but he also possesses all of the scientist's knowledge. He is determined to track Riley down and use the timekey in Chevie's possession to make his way back to Victorian London where he can literally change the world.

REVIEW

While W.A.R.P. is not Artemis Fowl, fans of Colfer’s previous YA series will not be disappointed.

Colfer has created an engaging storyline laced with action, mystery, and time travel that any reader is sure to love.

Both main characters, Chevron and Riley, are likable and well written. If I had to pick a favorite I’d have to say Riley, as he’s smart, adaptable, and quick on his feet. He also was just a fun character to read about. Of course besides Chevron and Riley, Colfer has done a fantastic job creating a blood curdling villain in Albert Garrick. Garrick is smart, sinister, and it is fascinating to watch the change that occurs after his exposure to time travel in the beginning of the book. He is the type of villain that leaves reader’s jaws gaping

 

All in all, the story is gripping, the action non-stop, and the characters likable and fun to read about. Readers will really find themselves rooting for Chevron and Riley, and with the mysteries established in the final pages of the book, I personally can’t wait until the next in the series comes out.  

INFO

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Published: May 7, 2013

Price: $17.99

Link to Buy: http://www.amazon.com/Reluctant-Assassin-W-A-R-P-Eoin-Colfer/dp/1423161629/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1368652481&sr=8-1&keywords=warp

The 5th Wave: By Rick Yancey

THE 5TH WAVE

SUMMARY

After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one.

Now, it's the dawn of the 5th wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth's last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, Cassie believes, until she meets Evan Walker. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan Walker may be Cassie's only hope for rescuing her brother--or even saving herself. But Cassie must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up.

REVIEW

The 5^th Wave is an absolutely rollercoaster ride of emotion and adventure. Readers of Yancey’s other series, The Monstrumologist and Alfred Kropp, will not be shocked with the fact that The 5^th Wave, the first book in Yancey’s new trilogy will leave readers at the edge of their seats for most of this (not insubstantial book).

That said, while the 5^th Wave has tons of action to keep readers entertained, it also invokes a number of deeper questions, that separate it from other alien invasion books, such as Stephanie Meyer’s The Host, which has a similar basic plot. Yancey is able to pull off these deeper philosophical questions while at the same time keeping readers engaged by doing one thing so incredibly well, and that’s character development. Cassie, Evan, and Sammy are absolutely fantastic. Yancey not only does a fantastic job establishing the hopelessness of the situation, he also will captivate readers through the different perspectives he jumps from, each one timed perfectly to leave the reader absolutely stunned and wanting to know more.

Speaking of wanting to know more, while readers will certainly be clamoring for the next in the series, Yancey was kind in his stopping point in the book, giving the readers some semblance of closure, while still dangling questions and uncertainties for the books to come.

All in all I loved The 5^th Wave. Yancey has taken a story that has been done time and time again and made it his own. Hooking readers in with the action and adventure and then surprising them with the shocking amount of depth in the philosophical points as well as the strength of the characters. Perfect for readers 12 and up.

INFO

Publisher: Putnam Juvenile 

Published: May 7, 2013

Price: $18.99

Link to Buy: http://www.amazon.com/5th-Wave-Rick-Yancey/dp/0399162410/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1367907732&sr=1-1

Bronze Gods: By A.A. Aguirre

BRONZE GODS

SUMMARY

Janus Mikani and Celeste Ritsuko work all hours in the Criminal Investigation Division, keeping citizens safe. He's a charming rogue with an uncanny sixth sense; she's all logic--and the first female inspector. Between his instincts and her brains, they collar more criminals than any other partnership in the CID.

Then they're assigned a potentially volatile case where one misstep could end their careers. At first, the search for a missing heiress seems straightforward, but when the girl is found murdered--her body charred to cinders--Mikani and Ritsuko's modus operandi will be challenged as never before. Before long, it's clear the bogeyman has stepped out of nightmares to stalk gaslit streets, and it's up to them to hunt him down. There's a madman on the loose, weaving blood and magic in an intricate, lethal ritual that could mean the end of everything...

REVIEW

It’s rare to find an author who can wield their craft with enough versatility and expertise to be able to write in different genres. Ann Aguirre (or A.A. Aguirre as she’s known in this series) has written not only in steampunk (Apparatus Infernum), but also in science fiction (Sirantha Jax), YA (Enclave), and urban fantasy (Corine Solomon). Not only that, but throughout all of these series Aguirre has written all of these books with engaging plots and likeable characters.

That was actually the thing I liked most about Bronze Gods, how fantastic the two main characters (Mikani and Ritsuko) are. Ritsuko is a woman who has worked hard for her career. She is smart and meticulous but her real strength comes from working harder than anyone else out there. Mikani on the other hand is brash and unapologetic. He is able to use magic, but only at great risk to himself. These two make a great pair who complement each other in their manners and detective skills. But most importantly readers will love to read the subtle romantic tension between these characters. Unlike many books that thrust unrealistic love stories (falling in love in hours and risking their lives to save someone they barely know) upon their protagonists, Agguire has built a much more impressive, realistic, and engaging romantic tension. Think the subtle romantic tension in the TV shows Bones or the West Wing (between Donna and Josh) rather than How I Met Your Mother or The Big Bang Theory (not that I have anything against HIMYM or TBBT, personally I love them both).

Of course, besides fantastic characters Aguirre also does an amazing job giving the readers plenty of action and mystery to work their teeth on. Readers will be glued to their seats as they eagerly anticipate what will happen next. Of course, Aguirre does a great job at the end of tying of many of the pieces of the case while still leaving a few pieces missing that will leave readers eagerly anticipating the next book in the series.

All in all, I really liked Bronze Gods and think fans of steampunk and Aguirre’s fans from her other works will love this new series.

INFO

Publisher: Ace

Published: April 30th, 2013

Price: $7.99

Link to Buy: http://www.amazon.com/Bronze-Gods-Apparatus-Infernum-Novel/dp/042525819X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1367460670&sr=8-1&keywords=bronze+gods

A Conspiracy of Alchemists: By Liesel Schwarz

A CONSPIRACY OF ALCHEMISTS 

SUMMARY

In a Golden Age where spark reactors power the airways, and creatures of Light and Shadow walk openly among us, a deadly game of Alchemists and Warlocks has begun.

When an unusual cargo drags airship-pilot Elle Chance into the affairs of the mysterious Mr. Marsh, she must confront her destiny and do everything in her power to stop the Alchemists from unleashing a magical apocalypse.

REVIEW

While at times a bit more Victorian than I like, A Conspiracy of Alchemists was one of the best steampunk books I’ve read. (in keeping with being open and honest I haven’t read a lot of steampunk, possibly a dozen or so)

But what I liked most about A Conspiracy of Alchemists was Schwarz’s world building. Schwarz does a terrific job of bringing readers into the world of magic and Victorian science seamlessly intermingling descriptions of contraptions and spark reactors without taking away from the pacing of the story or the development of the characters.

The bits of mystery and intrigue gained from the in-between chapters, narrator from the onlooker (don’t want to give anything away) are fantastic and kept me captivated as with the addition of each of these it was a quick peek into the future of the story arc and the mysteries that await readers and character alike. Further it was from these glimpses that readers will be introduced into the broader world that Schwarz has created giving insight into the realms of magic that Elle will experience.

That said, while I really liked Elle's spunk and determination to take care of herself, there were moments when her independence and refusal for help were just plain idiotic. Also, her pivot from outright rejection of her heritage to acceptance seemed too abrupt, too conveniently played. That said, there may be ramifications for this that I haven’t seen yet as there are currently two more books scheduled in the series.

All in all I liked Schwarz’s debut novel. I thought it had a lot of potential and I’m curious to see where she and Elle go next in the series.

INFO

Publisher: Del Rey

Published: March 5, 2013

Price: $25.00

Link to Buy: http://www.amazon.com/Conspiracy-Alchemists-Chronicles-Light-Shadow/dp/0345545079/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1366697031&sr=1-1&keywords=a+conspiracy+of+alchemists

manicpixiedreamgirl: By Tom Leveen

MANICPIXIEDREAMGIRL

SUMMARY

Sometimes the most dramatic scenes in a high school theater club are the ones that happen between the actors and crew off stage.

Seventeen-year-old Tyler Darcy's dream of being a writer is starting to feel very real now that he's sold his first short story to a literary journal. He should be celebrating its publication with his two best friends who've always had his back, but on this night, a steady stream of texts from his girlfriend Sidney keep intruding. So do the memories of his dream girl, Becky, who's been on his mind a little too much since the first day of high school. Before the night is over, Ty might just find the nerve to stop all the obsessing and finally take action. 

REVIEW

I hadn’t read any of Tom Leveen’s books before reading manicpixiedreamgirl, but after reading manicpixiedreamgirl I want to see what else he’s written.

Manicpixiedreamgirl is an interesting story. First, Leveen doesn’t pull he punches in making his protagonist Tyler say or do the “right” thing in terms of his girlfriend Sydney. Leveen focuses on the complexity of liking someone while dating someone else. Tyler, who readers will both dislike and empathize with is a fantastic protagonist. He is so completely wrapped up in his own imaginary image of this perfect girl that he is unable to come to terms with her reality.

The story is told on one night with flashbacks to the creation of Tyler’s current situation, slowly unraveling the truth from what was initially perceived, until finally ending with the present, and the continuation of the night.

That said what I liked most about manicpixiedreamgirl is how real this book is. Some aspects may seem a bit far fetched but most of it strikes home in reality. Between the shattering of an idealized person on the slow and resistant discovery of their true selves, to the reluctance to leave your comfort zone in order to go after what you think you want, and how your inability to make this separation hurts everyone involved. All of these lessons are true and will resonate with readers of all ages.

All in all I really liked manicpixiedreamgirl. I thought it was engaging, had an interesting story, had likable characters, and most importantly it left me wanting to read more and find out what happened next. The only issue I had with it is almost a complement to the book in that I liked Tyler’s friends Robby and Justin and would have liked more stories involving them, heck I wouldn’t mind a spin off from either of their POV.  

INFO

Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers

Published: April 23, 2013

Price: $16.99

Link to Buy: http://www.amazon.com/manicpixiedreamgirl-Tom-Leveen/dp/0375870059/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1366693635&sr=8-1&keywords=manicpixiedreamgirl

Taken: By Erin Bowman

TAKEN

SUMMARY

There are no men in Claysoot.

There are boys—but every one of them vanishes at midnight on his eighteenth birthday. The ground shakes, the wind howls, a blinding light descends . . . and he's gone.

They call it the Heist.

Gray Weathersby's eighteenth birthday is mere months away, and he's prepared to meet his fate—until he finds a strange note from his mother and starts to question everything he's been raised to accept: the Council leaders and their obvious secrets, the Heist itself, and what lies beyond the Wall that surrounds Claysoot—a structure that no one can cross and survive.

Climbing the Wall is suicide, but what comes after the Heist could be worse. Should he sit back and wait to be taken—or risk everything on the hope of the other side?

REVIEW

Taken started off excellent. It introduced a protagonist that was likable and more than a little relatable in Gray. It then quickly established a question sure to intrigue readers, with the first Heist in the story occurring to Blaine, Gray’s brother. The Heist is a great idea by author, Erin Bowman. It adds a flair to the story that keeps the reader glued to their seats, at the very least just to find out the truth behind the Heist. Not only that, but Bowman does a fantastic job on the first section of the book making sure not to rush anything. She gives Gray time to grieve, time to fall in love, and time to discover small truths all without overly delaying the story or detracting from the readers enjoyment.

Unfortunately this pace doesn’t last throughout the entire book, and this is my biggest critique, for the second section of the book felt as if it jumped through time, rushing characters to act in ways that wouldn’t make sense and giving to much credit to Gray for his escape. Frank’s actions for treating Gray so special because he is a twin are never really addressed, nor is the great mystery of being a twin and why that attracts so much attention.

Other than that I really liked Taken. It had action, surprises, and a believable love situation. That actually is what I liked most about the book, how well thought out most of the characters actions and decisions were. Gray is not a military god overnight, nor does he know every aspect of every plan, he is instead a pawn in a much larger game being played around him. That is actually one of the reasons why the second section’s pacing bothered me so much, because unlike the rest of the story, some of the character’s actions didn’t make sense for the length of time Gray had been there.

All in all I really enjoyed the book. It had fun characters that were for the most part really well thought out and relatable, action, and an interesting plot. Definitely give it a try.

INFO

Publisher: HarperTeen

Published: April 16, 2013

Price: $17.99

Link to Buy: http://www.amazon.com/Taken-Erin-Bowman/dp/0062117262/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1366428149&sr=1-3&keywords=taken