Oracle Code//A Graphic Novel by Marieke Nijkamp and Manuel Preitano

The Oracle Code by Marieke Nijkamp
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this graphic novel from Marieke Nijkamp about DC Comics Barbara Gordon's teen years! She is shot, lands in a wheelchair and goes to rehab at a place that doesn't sit right with her. As she struggles with her new life, she is angry at her father and exasperated because he will not listen when she tries to sound the alarm that things are not okay here! I loved Barbara and her determination, her friends at the center and Benjamin, her best friend. Artist Manuel Preitano's illustrations were awesome, spooky when they needed to be. Teens will love this DC Comic!

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Woner Twins Vol. 2: The Fall and Rise of the Wonder Twins by Mark Russell and Stephen Byrne

Wonder Twins Vol. 2: The Fall and Rise of the Wonder Twins by Mark Russell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really liked this 2nd Wonder Twins comic; Jayna and Zan are heroes for their part in taking down the League of Annoyance but Jayna's friend is behind bars and wants nothing to do with her. But this is a swift moving and exciting volume as the twins strike out on their own to help their friends and the world!

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Wonder Twins Activate! by Mark Russell and Stephen Byrne

Wonder Twins Vol. 1: Activate! by Mark Russell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Known as the Wonder Twins, Jayna and Zan come from the planet, Exxor, but the twins have been banned from their home and come to earth to live as students in a high school watched by Superman as they work at the Hall of Justice. They work to stop the villains who are called the League of annoyance. I felt this first in the series jumped around alot and it was difficult to follow at times.

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Mountain Dog by Margarita Engle

Mountain Dog by Margarita Engle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh did I love this middle grade novel in verse from awesome Margarita Engle! Told from 2 points of view (and one is a dog) this is the story of boy who has suffered trauma at his mother's hands, she was involved in dog fighting (she made her son responsible for taking care of the pit bulls - those who were injured, feeding them, and forcing him to be involved in the dog fights. Tony continues to have nightmares, does not know what love is, and lives in fear. When his mother lands in jail for cruelty to animals, a compassionate social worker finds an uncle, Tony, did not even know about. Tio lives in the Sierra Nevadas with his search and rescue dog, Gabe, and as a park ranger, he rescues lost hikers, guides nature walks, and takes care of trees. Together Tio and Gabe take this very sad, tormented Tony and show him, love, friendship and a real home. I could not put this book down; it was filled with many search and rescues, Tony learning to be a rescue for the dogs, and Tony trying to find a lost hound and getting lost himself. I LOVED THIS BOOK ad the pictures were awesome too!

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The Innocent (Will Robie, #1) by David Baldacci

The Innocent by David Baldacci
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a first book in the Will Robie series and I can't wait to read more about this assassin. I loved all the John Puller books so I am sure I will enjoy Will Robie----he is isolated, great at his trade, hardly ever makes mistakes because that could mean death. But in this book---as he goes to his next target, he finds the target has a child in bed with her and Will will not shoot her, but what happens is that a sharp shooter kills her and her son with one shot and now Will is being hunted down. There is another story he becomes involved with---a 14 year old girl and she is a foster child---tough but all alone and she and Will become partners and I could not stop turning the pages!!! Awesome, suspenseful read!

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Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson

Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a book club selection for my Albright College Zoom Book Club. I love anything Jacqueline Woodson writes; she is so interesting and all of her writing is compelling. In this book, Iris gets pregnant and never has her coming of age ceremony---16 years later, her daughter Melody has the all important ceremony wearing the dress meant for Iris. What transpires in between is how the pregnancy alters everything---Iris and Aubrey as a teen couple---she is a much higher social class and so much more advanced than Aubrey. Aubrey and his mom are poor, he is madly in love with Iris and also Melody and spends his life taking care of his daughter and her parents while Iris attends college and goes to work and tries to find herself. I loved everything about this novel except the presentation of the book---it would have helped this reader tremendously if each chapter had the person's name so the reader did not have to guess who was telling the story in that chapter.

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People of the Sun (The Eye of Ra, #3) by Ben Gartner

People of the Sun by Ben Gartner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to Crescent Vista Press, Independent Book Publisher’s Association (IBPA), and the author, Ben Gartner, for the advance reader copy, People of the Sun (The Eye of Ra, #3) by Ben Gartner in exchange for an honest review. This is my 3rd Ben Gartner book in the Eye of Ra series and I just keep wanting to read more and more of this exciting middle grade series involving science fiction, fantasy, adventure, and mystery using time travel to many different ancient cultures. But this book contains many surprises for both the reader and John and Sarah as they travel to 1519 CE, Mexico. In this book, they learn more about their past quests and how this present mission is crucial; they must restore the past to restore history. This will involve learning and seeing things about themselves, their clones, their parents, and the Eye of Ra! I could not stop turning the pages; this book contained just as much adventure but oh so much more suspense! Will John and Sarah be able to stop an Aztec woman, Toci, from changing history? Readers will be riveted to the adventures and mystery even more so as John and Sarah grapple with how to save the day and restore history. I loved the growth of John and Sarah and their shifting roles as they are exposed to danger and intrigue. I want more John and Sarah adventures! Highly recommended!

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Between Two Kingdoms: A Memoir of a Life Interrupted by Suleika Jaouad

Between Two Kingdoms: A Memoir of a Life Interrupted by Suleika Jaouad
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thanks so much to Tara Smith, MaryAlice BD, and Pat Graham for your high recommendations that pushed me to read it immediately! Flawlessly narrated by the author, Suleika Jaouad's story had me captivated from page 1! As a 22 year old she contracts a form of leukemia 60 year olds deal with. Over a four year period, Suleika will share her treatments, her relationships, her friendships and her blog that the NYT picks up as a way of helping others, helping herself and coming to terms with what her life will be after cancer. This is a must read, I will think of Suleika and what she has accomplished whenever I want to feel sorry for myself---this book is a testament to the beauty of life even during cancer. She gave me meaning, hope, and beauty with her emotional truth and her triumphs as she learns how to drive and visits some of the people who wrote to her after reading her column, Life Interrupted.

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What About Will by Ellen Hopkins

What About Will by Ellen Hopkins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book tore me up: I ached for 12 yr old Trace and the life he once enjoyed with his 17 yr old brother, Will, before he suffers a brain injury during a football game which drastically changes Will. Trace's mom ends up leaving, his father is seeing someone new, and Will is scaring Trace--he steals his baseball glove signed by Victor Sanchez, is hanging out with truly scar people, and he is taking drugs and maybe selling too. As Trace tries to be true to Will, he alerts his mother and father and even a neighbor and they all chalk it up to being a teenager---but Trace is really worried. Ellen Hopkins' novels in verse are real, aching, raw and deal with timely issues. This book is no different--the football injury in essence ends Will's life-a traumatic brain injury giving him awful headaches, he can't smile right, and he has uncontrollable rage. This is a must read for kids and adults! Young adults will enjoy this Hopkins book too!

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The Hawthorne Legacy (The Inheritance Games, #2) by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

The Hawthorne Legacy by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this 2nd in The Inheritance Games series--it started off running and ran and ran until the very end! There were so many plot twists and turns as Avery tries to find out why she is the one who was chosen by Tobias to inherit the millions. There are more people trying to murder her in this book. The puzzles, games, and back tunnels are definitely ramped up- with Avery, Jameson, Zander, Libby, Nash all trying to solve the many puzzles, lies, stories together. And Avery puts the pieces together about her mother's past. The book moved at breakneck speed and I did not want it to end. I can't wait for the 3rd in the series---some resolution, and a decision on Jameson or Grayson from Avery.

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The Forgotten (John Puller, #2) by David Baldacci

The Forgotten by David Baldacci
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved the John Puller series so much but this 2nd book was my favorite in the series--taking place near Destin, Florida John decides to take a badly needed break to visit his favorite aunt, who has sent a mysterious letter to John's Dad talking about mysterious goings on and people not being who they are. Only when he gets there, his aunt is dead---police say it was suicide but John is not convinced and as the clues begin to add up and this beautiful resort town is not what it seems to be, John becomes involved with a cast of characters charging forward to thwart a human trafficking ring by two very evil men.

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Fast Pitch by Nic Stone

Fast Pitch by Nic Stone
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I absolutely loved Nic Stone's narration of her middle grade book about softballer Shenice Lockwood and her impetus to make take her all black team all the way to the Fast Pitch World Series. It is also about Shenice meeting her ill Great Uncle Jack who slides in and out of dementia, but on a day when he is clear minded tells Shenice about her great grandfather JonJon and how he was set up as a thief and lost the ability to prove himself as one of the Baseball greats. As Shenice tries to solve this mystery, she also loses focus on herself and bringing the team to greatness. I could not stop listening to this awesome sports story blending past (discrimination in baseball) and present, humor, suspense, friendship and family. A must read!

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The Unwilling by John Hart

The Unwilling by John Hart
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What this was such a raw book; yet I was compelled to read it, even though I wanted to put it down. Why? The evil characters made me sick---X, Reece, and all the other sick, brutal, violent people X controls--- while members of Jason and Gibby's family were severely disgusting---Jack French, their dad is a cop, who made sure after Jason came home from the war because he was dishonorably discharged that his family did not see him. His mother, Gabrielle, was just awful and mentally ill---she loved her first son and her 3rd son but not the 2nd---and her husband allowed her dissension--truly sickening. Gibby is a good kid caught between his mother and father who have kepst him in a bubble with all kinds of restrictions and written off Jason and Gibby wants to forge a bond with his only brother. Of course, I loved Gibby, Chance, and Becka (I wish there was more of them at the end of the book) and of course Jason---he was so misunderstood---but as the reader learns more about him (the cover-up, his heroism, and how so many never believed the worst of him (unlike his father and mother) you really feel for him---I rooted for him the whole book but what kind of life can he have---it could be another whole book in the future - like the John Merriman books!

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The Escape (John Puller, #3) by David Baldacci

The Escape by David Baldacci
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this 3rd John Puller book! His brother, Robert is in jail for treason and when a storm and no power open the cell doors, prisoners flee and pandemonium occurs. As John gets involved as a CID agent, he is joined by a mysterious woman, Veronica Know who is also trying to solve the case but lying about lots of things. As they work together and try to trust one another, I could not stop turning the pages as I fell in love with his brother Robert's mind, and the strong bond the brothers have despite Robert being in prison. You will love how the mystery builds, Robert eludes murderers out to kill him, Puller and Knox trying to thwart a devious agent and bring justice---but who can they trust???

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Pahua and the Soul Stealer by Lori M. Lee

Pahua and the Soul Stealer by Lori M. Lee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Disney Publishing Worldwide and Rick Riordan Presents for the advance reader copy, Pahua and the Soul Stealer by Lori M. Lee in exchange for an honest review. This is my 3rd Rick Riordan Presents book and I just keep wanting to read more and more of these middle grade fantasies about different cultures. I fell in love with the Hmong folklore, spirits, food, and Asian mythology in this debut by Lori M. Lee. There were so many memorable characters with my two favorites being Pahua (and her best friend cat, Miv – that no one can see) and her friend/enemy Zhong (a shaman in training on a quest). Both these girls are Hmong, lonely, and on a mission- Pahua to rescue her brother Matt’s spirit which has been stolen by a horrid bridge spirit and Zhong, a warrior shaman who must complete a trial or fail. As Pahua and Zhong work together they have many, many adventures (funny and serious), racing against time and mythological characters and spirits to save her little brother; these 2 fearless and unforgettable characters will use magic, strength, nature-based spirits and fantastical folklore to conquer a soul stealer like no other. Highly recommended for middle grade fantasy lovers!

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Apex (Hunter, #3) by Mercedes Lackey

Apex by Mercedes Lackey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This final book in the series, awesomely narrated by Amy Landon, had me reeling. I really enjoyed Joy's hounds and in this book they shine with all they can do to help their handlers---because Drift and an evil Folk Mage are out to end the Hunters and take over. Joy also is approached by Josh to help him, Drift wants to recruit him and Josh knows what it means--- he will die like the others...As Joy hides him in the Drift (it was amazing how she accomplished this---her hound turns into a human impersonating Josh, and he is spirited away. But as the fighting with more and more creatures becomes deadly to the Hunters, Joy turns to her Folk Mage for help and this results in an epic cover-up by Drift and her team. Hold on, this last book moves quickly! I wish there was going to be another book in this series because there are still unanswered questions and more drama in Apex!

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Elite (Hunter, #2) by Mercedes Lackey

Elite by Mercedes Lackey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow this audiobook read by Amy Landon has me hooked! Now the Joy knows Ace (and others) is out to get her, she decides to become Elite where she will no longer have to care about ratings; she will be hunting with an Elite crew all the time---I really liked her new friends like Hammer, Steel and her romance with Josh hits bumps because the head of Psicore, Drift is doing some very unorthodox stuff to her teams and when they begin to turn up Joy is the one finding them! There is also a Folk Mage who seems to want to help her, what will Joy do? I can't wait for the 3rd book, Apex in this series!

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Zero Day (John Puller, #1) by David Baldacci

Zero Day by David Baldacci
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read the last & 4th book in the John Puller series, No Man's Land, and loved John Puller so much I wanted to read all the other books in this series. Beginning in West Virginia in a town that is slowly dying because of mining dust, explosions, and a bad economy---Puller is assigned to investigate a general and his family's murder and after pairing up with the female town cop---off they go and the mystery and adventure ramp up as even more murders happen. I loved Puller's drive, the way he thinks things out, his knowledge of guns and battle tactics, and how he will not stop til he finds those responsible.

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Stronger Than You Know (McKenzies of Ridge Trail #2) by Lori Foster

Stronger Than You Know by Lori Foster
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Just as I loved the 1st book in this series, No Holding Back; I really enjoyed the relationship Reyes McKenzie and Kennedy Brooks build in this steamy thoroughly enjoyable mystery romance. Kennedy was one trafficked and now tours the country speaking about the horrors of human trafficking and how victims can heal and be stronger after their ordeal. But there are old traffickers that want Kennedy silenced and they will stop at nothing to apprehend her. Reyes knew when Kennedy began working out at his gym that she was hiding something just as Kennedy knew Reyes had secrets too. As they begin to trust one another they begin to learn about other; meeting Reyes family was awesome because I enjoyed these characters from the first book. Foster has once again penned a romance with enough mystery, chemistry, and adventure, I could not stop turning the pages!

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