Villain (Gone #8 Monster #2) by Michael Grant

Villain by Michael Grant
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh do I LOVE this series and Villain did not disappoint! I devoured this riveting read in 2 days, with new characters (Dillon Poe, Francis Specter, DiMarco) and old characters I love - Shade, Dekka, Cruz, Malik, Sam Temple, Astrid, Armo and characters I hate - Drake, Peaks. As Malik suffers excruciating pain from burns, he ingests" the rock" and when he morphs he is able to give unbelievable pain to others. Dillon Poe is a horror, his power AFTER EATING THE ROCK- when he speaks all must do what he tells them and oh is Dillon awful. As things spiral out of control; Shade, Cruz and Malik want to work with Dekka to HELP turn the public tide of hatred and horror to their favor as superheroes. The government is mostly evil, working against everyone (DiMarco) and intent on wiping out the superheroes and supervillains. This book was action packed; filled with horror, battles, and the world in the clenches of crazy characters intent on evil, murder, and mayhem. But through it all I rooted for the superheroes and can't wait to see what Francis Specter does in future books! A tremendous wild read!

View all my reviews

Bridge of Clay by Markus Zusak

Bridge of Clay by Markus Zusak
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I listened to Markus Zusak narrate Bridge of Clay; it was a wonderfully sad story of 5 boys who lost their beloved mother, Penny and also their father (they refer to him as The Murderer) who abandons them. Because the story bounces back and forth between past and present often, it was sometimes disconcerting to listen to; I liked Zusak's narration but I think I might have gotten more out of it by reading the book. It is up to their brother, Clay, to go help their father build a bridge; he is the only one their mother told ALL the history and stories to before she died. It is also Clay who is best friends and later more with Carrie Novack, a jockey. I enjoyed all the animals, the references to the Iliad and the Odyssey; recalled Zusak's earlier books (Fighting Ruben Wolfe and Getting the Girl) about boxing brothers and loved Zusak's beauty and sadness in this story of family, the plot and the very human characters.

View all my reviews

Down Time (I Hunt Killers #0.1) by Barry Lyga

Down Time by Barry Lyga
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh did I love this I Hunt Killers prequel!!! Billy Dent, the serial killer is mesmerizing as he discusses his life, his son, Jasper and in this prequel - how he shows the world outside Bill - normal and taking a vacation. Reading this reminds me how much I loved this series and want to revisit Jasper - definitely not Billy. A great teaser, Lyga is the best when it comes to describing serial killer crazy and demented!

View all my reviews

I Will Save You by Matt de la Pena

I Will Save You by Matt de la Pena
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love Matt de la Pena and was honored to see him speak at the Ocean City (NJ) Library this August where I purchased this book. I have read MOST of his books & love him and his books, his writing, and hearing him speak; I am in awe. I Will Save You was a tough book; it begins with Kidd seeing his best friend, Devon kissing Kidd's love interest, Olivia and losing it---pushing Devon down a cliff and maybe killing him? Kidd has had an awful life; a father who beat Kidd and his mother, but there have been happy moments, too. Kidd's mother sits him down at age 10 and tells him about his father's mental illness and reveals he will probably suffer from this disorder too. Kidd has so much trauma he deals with (he wants to be normal and happy); he is at Horizon's Group Home after he loses both parents. He has a best friend, Devon, who is evil- he constantly talks down to Kidd; berates him about everything (girls, boys, his parents) but he is also his one and only friend. then Kidd runs away before he is finished his therapy to a campground where he gets a sanitation job with Mr. Red, who is really kind to Kidd. My heart broke for Kidd; I wish I had known sooner about his severe health problems---this will be a book I will happily go back and read again---now knowing the whole back story. Tragic, yet hopeful, and highly recommended.

View all my reviews

The Agony House by Cherie Priest

The Agony House by Cherie Priest
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Just as I loved Cherie Priest's book, I Am Princess X, The Agony House was such a great read-part horror, part mystery, containing graphic novel portions and blue font for texting each other and hearing what the ghosts have to say. Denise, her mom and stepdad, have returned to New Orleans after fleeing during Katrina (losing her father and grandmother) and move into a haunted house Denise renames as Agony House. I just loved the fear Priest writes into this story and the characters. Denise makes new friends who school her in what it is like to still be a native in New Orleans, and Denise's observations of the many shortcomings of this home and their venture to make it a bed n breakfast, endows the reader with the "real" situation of what Denise has walked into - as she explores, listens to the stories about ghosts, and unearths a comic with a kick ass female heroine---readers will not be able to stop turning the pages. I loved the comic book - Lucida Might Denise finds and as it raises lots of questions, Denise and her friends search for clues, answers, anything to explain why this house has become hazardous---is someone trying to scare them away, tell them something? Teens will love the blending of novel and comics, Priest is the queen of this format, I want more!!!

View all my reviews

The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Choksi

The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press and Wednesday Books for the advance reader copy The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi in exchange for an honest review. From the first page, Roshani Chokshi held me captive with her drama and taut suspense as she worthily worldbuilds France in 1889 as well as the science, math, magic, and mythology in this sweeping tale of chasing one’s birthright, stealing treasures, and keeping close to those you love/work with. Not only is the plot full of intrigue, tension, and drama, the characters are strong and believable. I could not stop turning the pages. Severin, Tristan, Laila, Enrique, and Sofia work well together with their different abilities but they also have secrets too ---I am not a fan of Hypnos and think there is more we will learn about him. Toward the end, I was put off by Severin in his treatment (separately) of Tristan and Laila. I was not fond of the ending either and that said, the readers deserve MORE redemption, closure, hope, and happiness and less horror, heartbreak, and evil in Book 2, please.

View all my reviews

Us Against You (Beartown #2) by Frederik Backman

Us Against You by Fredrik Backman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Marin Ireland's awesome narration of this 2nd in the Beartown series was compelling, taut, and noteworthy. This book picks up where Beartown left off, talks about a particular time period afterword but also gives glimpses of the past with new and old characters. I did not particularly like Backman's constant repetition throughout...mostly about human failings, what ifs, and the constant microcosm of politics, people, and harsh realities. If you liked the first one, youwill certainly enjoy this book- there are so many rich characters, lots of plot twists, and a small town damn proud of hockey, their factory and hospital.

View all my reviews