One Giant Leap by Ben Gartner

One Giant Leap by Ben Gartner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this latest and greatest book from Ben Gartner! He sucks the reader right in with the first page, "I'm pretty sure I'm about to die in space. And I just turned twelve and a half." Fin is a stellar protagonist, with his thoughts, actions, and words. Yes, he has doubts and insecurities but he is a strong character and along with his other "friends" on the Aether pacecraft, these young science geniuses and space lovers (Mae, David & Kal) are the first to win the StellarKid Project and travel to the moon, and the International Space Station. I loved all the information I learned about outer space and the space program, this book should be read by adults, young adults and middle grade readers! They will enjoy the perfect amount of tension and suspense that keeps the readers turning the pages. What happens when the winners and their families and the NASA crew go to space? Read all about their adventures! Highly recommended!

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A Rover's Story by Jasmine Warga

A Rover's Story by Jasmine Warga
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a great science fiction middle grade novel about a rover, named Resilience, who has developed "human" feelings from two of his scientists, Rania and Xander, as he is prepared for his mission to Mars. I loved Warga's writing - authentic, empathetic, and genuine. The plot was exciting, so humorous, and the "characters" like Fly, Res's drone and Guardian, a space satellite, as their adventures proceed from NASA to a Mars exploration & hopefully recover another rover from the past. Readers will love this brave rover, his thoughts, his words, and his actions. Highly recommended!

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The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera

The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Awesomely narrated by Frankie Corzo; Petra uses English and Spanish, her grandmother's folktales, the great folktales of the world, and her ingenuity and bravery to thwart the evil collective she has woken up to. All that Petra was told would happen as her family and special chosen others journey in a sleep state to a new planet are gone when she wakes up to a whole new world. There is a lot going on in this dystopian sci fi journey but listening to it as Petra's life as Zeta 1 unfolds was gripping & suspenseful with the beauty, honesty and reality in Petra's dreams and family stories. I loved many of the characters, Petra's guts, and her dogged determination to find a world where she might bring/tell her storytelling and folktales.

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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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The Shape of Water by Guillermo del Torro and Daniel Kraus

The Shape of Water by Guillermo del Toro
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Awesomely narrated by Jenna Lamia, I was in love with the Devonian, Giles, Zelda, empathetic scientist Hostetler (really a Russian spy) and Elisa as they battled their lots in life and the mad man Strickland who was determined to tortured the asset until death. Elisa is a mute who works as a janitor, lives above a movie theater, and LOVES shoes! When she meets the asset, Elisa is drawn to the amphibious man and returns with eggs, record player, and sign language as often as she can sneak in. As time conspires (also Strickland conspires) for the asset, Elisa engages Giles to help her with saving the Devonian. OMG I could not stop reading this horror story suffused with magical realism. It was a race against time, would Elisa and her friends be in time to save this amphibious man??? I now must see the movie!!!

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Soul of Stars (Heart of Iron #2) by Ashley Poston

Soul of Stars by Ashley Poston
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this 2nd and final book in the Heart of Iron series; the relationships and romances between Robb & Jax, the Captain and her wife, and Ana and Di pulled on my heartstrings. The world building was breathtaking, the crazy, awful bad guys and Ana's fiercefamily and friends were central to this human/metal series and even if the world was ending ---all of Ana's family would support her, just like she would support them. A must read, thrilling, I love all of Ashley Poston's books; teens will too!

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Rogue Princess by B. R. Myers

Rogue Princess by B.R. Myers
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing group and Swoon Read for the advance reader copy, Rogue Princess, by B.R. Myers in exchange for an honest review. I loved this Cinderella retelling from the awesome characters, to the exciting plot, and the beauty of planet, Astor. I was hooked from page one; Aidan is a court servant who has no qualms about taking things (jewels, daggers) in order to escape the meanness of his father and two brothers. I was in love with Aidan; he is smooth, funny and self-confident; when he “runs into” Princess Delia on a palace space ship, his answers to her many questions are hysterical especially saying “it’s classified”; he is able to convince Delia he is a bodyguard for one of the princes who have arrived to seek her hand in marriage. I could not stop reading this exciting science fiction fantasy, the many twists and turns kept me riveted. Also, Delia is not your normal princess; I laughed each time she “saved” Aidan. Delia is sensitive to her subjects, respectful to her mother, the Queen, while also being her own person, honest, trustworthy, and mindful of the political climate dictating she marry to further the kingdom (even if she is not interested in marrying). Teens will love Delia’s adventures with Aidan, the pirates, the mazes, the court intrigue, and a wonderful surprise ending, highly recommended for those who love the Lunar Chronicles and Ashley Poston’s Heart of Iron series.

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The Toll (Arc of the Scythe #3) by Neal Shusterman

The Toll by Neal Shusterman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh the narration of this awesome 3rd book in the Arc of a Scythe series was my favorite & it is because of Greg Tremblay's superlative narration of so many wonderful, awful characters!!! This final book was a nail biter with so much going on with The Toll, The Thunderhead, Scythe Anastasia and Scythe Lucifer (loved them!!!) and don't forget awful Goddard and his belief in himself alone!!! Shusterman wrote such a great series (just like his Unwind Dystology), I will read anything he writes because he is that good- his worlds & words suck you right in!!! While the world is dive bombing--- forces (Goddard) are working against the Tonists while Grayson (The Toll) travels the world helping the Tonists; all I can say about this book & series is---it is MASTERFUL, ENJOYABLE, THRILLING and a MUST READ!

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This Cruel Design (This Mortal Coil #2) by Emily Suvada

This Cruel Design by Emily Suvada
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Cat, Cole, Lee, and Jun Bei race to find Lachlan while Cat tries to figure out who she is and what to do about it. I can't wait for the next book in the series; the science fiction is wonderfully written and I could not put the book down.

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The Power of Six (Lorien Legacies #2) by Pittacus Lore

The Power of Six by Pittacus Lore
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OMG, I am loving this Lorien series and the narrators are just the BEST!!! John Smith, Friend Sam and their supernatural dog, Bernie Kosar (who can take any kind of animal shape and protects the teens) when they meet the sixth Lorien and she has many VAST & GREAT powers (I love her invisibility best), bands together with John and Sam as they try to keep away from the Mogadorians, find the other teens so they can band together. Marina is the other point of view/chosen Lorien located in Spain, frustrated by her Sapon, Adelina, who has embraced religion and rejected Marina, Marina befriends a new orphan, Ella and follows John Smith's stories on the internet convinced he is just like her and needs her help. I was transfixed with the psychological, physical, and supernatural aspects of each Lorien teen. I can't wait for the next book in the series---I will be listening!!!

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Dry by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman

Dry by Neal Shusterman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh wow, what a listen- it was really tough, narrators were excellent, and really gives one much thought for the future. I loved the narrators- they did such an awesome job with a tough subject: Neal Shusterman, Jarrod Schusterman, Jenni Barber, Michael Crouch, Noah Galvin, Kivlighan de Montebello, Candace Thaxton. So get ready for a sickening wild ride...Alyssa, her brother, Jacqui and Kelton must face so many fears as they battle to find water during the TAP Out in their home town located in California.

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The Third Mushroom by Jennifer L. Holm

The Third Mushroom by Jennifer L. Holm
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved Ellie, her humor, her positive outlook on the world and her hysterical grandfather who inhabits a body of a 14 year old boy (Melvin and living with them). Holm's book will be totally enjoyed by middle school students; her plot is totally believable with the science experiments, her best friend Raj, her grandfather's life as a teen and cat, Jonas. I totally enjoyed this book; I laughed out loud, I was plunged to the depths of despair and was so happy with how Ellie deals with so many things (she loves her grandfather, cat, is a good friend, and enjoys school, movies, and friends). The science fair experiment had me enthralled, too bad Ellie and her grandfather did not get first place.

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I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh did I love Neil Kaplan's stupendous narration of John Smith, resident teen alien trying to remain inconspicuous with his guard/Sapon Henri in Paradise, Ohio. Kaplan did such a great job with all the voices; he really kept me listening and I can't wait to read the other books in the series---will they be as good as this first thriller? I especially loved the dog's character and Sarah, John's love interest.

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Bloof of a Thousand Stars (Empress of a Thousand Skies #2) by Rhoda Belleza

Blood of a Thousand Stars by Rhoda Belleza
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I listened to this last book in the series, the narrator, Rebecca Soler was stellar but I also found listening to this book more confusing because it jumps and pivots with all the drama, lies, political intrigue. vast technology and the horror that is Nero. He is out to use the overwriter for his own devices- to control anyone (everyone) he wants. Aly, Kara, Rhee (and minor, awesome characters too) are all rushing to head off Nero (which seems almost impossible)- will they succeed? Not to be negative but I did not enjoy this novel as much due to the always changing technology and ever changing fast paced events that were not always explained thoroughly. Violence, lies, cheating are everywhere and the reader is propelled forward, hoping the characters will overthrow Nero which made the narrative seem cut up and rushed.

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This Mortal Coil by Emily Suvada

This Mortal Coil by Emily Suvada
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book was packed with science fiction (advanced science and technology) so much so I couldn't plow through it because I really had to slowly read to understand all the terms, how they evolved, how they were existing in the world for example: gene technology allowing people to program & hack their bodies, and downloading vaccines, cures, hormones as apps on a panel implanted on one's arm. When a virus threatens to destroy the world, tough, determined Catarina Agatta is the one who might be able to save it. This was a thriller I could not put down, I was on a constant roller coaster as I read it, and will be pre-ordering the 2nd book in this series- many thanks to debut author, Emily Suvada for her knowledge of science and data and code---her book was explosive in all that it covered! The dystopian world Suvada crafts is so chilling, the characters so thoroughly fleshed, the plot intriguing and horror-filled when contemplating just how deranged those in power (or wanting power) will be to control the vaccine that will conquer the virus. Highly recommended scifi read!

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Spill Zone by Scott Westerfeld & Alex Puvilland

Spill Zone by Scott Westerfeld
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this as part of the 2018 HUB Reading Challenge and also for the March twitter chat with #YearofYA to be held on Monday 3/26 at 8PM- please come join us as we discuss the award winners we have read. There has been a catastrophic spill in Addison's hometown where many, including her parents did not survive. Her little sister does not speak and Addison takes pictures of the horrors that remain and sell them on the black market. I can't wait for the 2nd book in this awesome series!!!

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Monster by Michael Grant

Monster by Michael Grant
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read and loved the Gone series in 2008 when it was published and gobbled all the books in this series up, my students loved this series too! Now Grant is back with a new series but tied to the FAYZ after the dome is broken and the horror that was Gaia is now contained in the rock that was TAKEN from inside the mountain and as it hurtles through the sky, where it breaks up and a whole new horror of deadly powers is unleashed (alien rock/virus is ingested!!!) in teens and adults (Shade Darby, Armo, Justin, Vincent, Drake and Peaks) but I was so glad to see Dekka return (relived her nightmares, memories of those kids at Perdido Beach, and her last 4 years as no one). I also loved Malik's steadfast love and support (even when he did not support Shade) of crazy Shade Darby and her friend, Cruz. Can't wait for Villain which will be out last quarter 2018!!!

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The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman

The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was just beginning my time as a librarian (1996) and Oh did I love this series with Lyra and Pantalaimon as Lyra's dæmon (they are bound to each other in her world)!!! Now listening to Philip Pullman's narration (with a cast of characters to help with the many voices) it was just so lush, divine, and exciting to listen as I drove to West Chester to watch my grandchildren. Pullman's voice was melodious, awesome & frightful. I loved the interplay of good characters ( Iorek Byrnison, Iofur Raknison, Lee Scoresby, Roger Parslow, Serafina Pekkala) and the evil characters (Mrs. Coulter and Lord Asriel). Lyra's & her daemon's voice were perfect and the adventures took her to many places, taught her how to lie, be a spy and further cemented that she was a very special child indeed with a legacy she must forge. If you like witches, magic, fantasies, series, this book begins and awesome series you can't put down (but sometimes the horror made me want to!!!) you must read how little Lyra rises to the challenge England and beyond!

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The Queens of Innis Lear by Tessa Gratton

The Queens of Innis Lear by Tessa Gratton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan-Tor/Forge and Tor Books for the advance reader copy Winner Take All by Laurie Devore in exchange for an honest review. I did not realize I received only an excerpt, because that definitely doesn’t help in an “overall review”. All of a sudden the book ended and I was “WHAT!!!” So I will give a short review of what I did read. I loved the SciFi/Fantasy element, the world building, but the many hints at what happened in the past and Ban’s secret spying ideas left me wondering about too much. I will definitely be reading this book when it comes out because I did like Ban, Aefa, Kayo as characters that were authentic. I did not Elia’s character (as much as was in the excerpt) she is so idealized by Ban, that I truly wanted to like her character and Elia had a wonderful childhood with (Ban) but she is conflicted and can’t make decisions since after her mother’s death, Elia decides to side with her father (what does she see in him???), stop practicing earth magic and using the language of trees. This results in her sisters’ animosity towards her and isolates her, thankfully Aefa is always trying to fins ways to help Elia. I so appreciated the magic-rich nature world of Ban, Gratton’s language was heady and beautiful as Ban would commune with the trees, animals, and water. There was so much good vs evil, magic vs no magic that I loved turning the pages to revel more in the fantasy of this world of kingdoms, kings, queens, lords and ladies.

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