Paranormalcy (Paranormalcy #1) by Kiersten White
WOW, seriously wow. After reading the summary I was sure that I would hate it. Too many supernatural creatures in the same book… I was sure it would suck, but I decided to give Paranormalcy a chance and it proved me wrong. It is impossible not to love this book especially since it has characters like Evie.
Evie is absolutely adorable with her taser and pink clothes and let’s not forget about her obsession with soap operas. Aside for what I mentioned before, I really liked her because she is different. She reminds me of Alice Cullen – a pixie with too much energy. In a way Evie is very innocent, maybe sometimes naive, but not all the time. She had to grow up fast, probably because of the importance of her job.
Like in every other book there is a main guy and his name is Lend. I have never met another character like Lend; I am still unsure what kind of paranormal creature he is. I loved the way he interacted with Evie even in the beginning when he was trying to ignore everyone.
I like the couple that Evie and Lend form. They are perfect for each other They seem so young. It reminds of puppy love. When I read about them together I remember those pics we can find on the internet with small children hugging and kissing each other. It is probably because of the way they grew up; they both needed something more in their life – answers or something else, I can’t tell.
The book is easy to read, but at the same time it is not. I really do not know why, maybe it is because of the multitude of paranormal creatures. The writing style is pleasant. The plot is quite unique. It is refreshing. If I am not mistaken this is the first time that I can say that I haven’t found any of the features in any other book. Good job!
The cover is breathtaking. I love the model and the dress is gorgeous. The only thing that I hate is the fact that the model does not remind me of Evie – the main female character. I guess it is not that important since most books do not have a cover model that represents perfectly the character.
The only thing that I did not like is the great number of creatures.
From me this book it gets: 4.4/5
A favorite quote:
“Besides, how could I ever be afraid of someone who wears so much pink?”
You should buy it. It is an amazing read.
Magyk by Angie Sage
Filed under: Book Reviews by Kids and Teens
Magyk tells the story of the Heap family who’s baby, Septimus, is taken away and labelled Dead. Silas Heap, the father, finds a baby in the snow and is told by the new Extraordinary wizard, Marcia Overstrand, to tell everyone that the baby is his and Sarah’s.
Later on they find out the Queen has been killed by DomDaniels and the Queen’s daughter has gone missing. Of course, Jenna Heap (as they named the baby found in the snow) is in fact the Queen’s daughter, while the midwife who labelled Septimus Dead actually works for DomDaniel and had been hired by him to make Septimus his new apprentice.
Later a frozen child soldier ‘Boy 412′ is thrown into the care of the Heap family. When DomDaniels finds out that the Heap family mysteriously have another child, he sends out a Hunter to track them down. But will Sally Mullin in her raggedy old cafe betray the Heaps? And will they ever rescue the Necromancers apprentice?
This was quite a mysterious book. I especially found it interesting as it claimed the book was about Septimus Heap but he ‘dies’ before the actual story starts to begin. I liked the way Angie Sage let the plot move smoothly so it wasn’t confusing.
I’d recommend this to ages 10+
My star rating is 4 out of 5.
“He was a aware of a small human heartbeat somewhere close to him.”
Guardian Angel, by Robert Muchamore
Guardian Angel by Robert Muchamore marks the second book in the recent re-incarnation of the now world famous Cherub series. The only real change in this incarnation is the characters though, so anyone familiar to the “old” Cherub series is going to find this novel easy to get their teeth into. This change really was necessary, due to the age of the previous characters; thankfully – for the loyal readers- the transition was smooth and now just as popular as before.
Guardian Angel has a particular flow from the previous book, making it seem almost a “part two”; the storyline is very varied though, despite the character’s being familiar. If you have read “People’s Republic” (and enjoyed it), then I must instantly recommend this novel, to finish off the story if nothing else. Whilst the storyline continues from the previous novel, Muchamore certainly doesn’t rely on “prior knowledge” to understand or enjoy this book; all the history is explained as you go along, enough for a new reader and for refreshing the memory of loyal “Cherubists” alike. Muchamore’s writing style is inspiring, at least to me, I do not quite understand how he manages to captivate readers so much, just from the first page. Whilst this is concurrent throughout all of the Cherub series, it is refreshing to see that it hasn’t faded with time, and it does explain the gigantic number of Cherub readers.
I do recommend reading this book, especially if you particularly like the spy genre, moreso I would recommend the whole series too you if you haven’t read it.
Hattori Hachi: Stalking the Enemy, by Jane Prowse
This book was brilliant! I read it as soon as I could, after reading the first one, The Revenge of Praying Mantis and I was not disappointed. You learn a lot more about Hattie’s past and more about her parents in this book, among other things.
Cover:
The cover is beautiful. Blue is my favorite color, and this blue is just gorgeous! I love the patters surrounding the face and the ninja shadow.
The Heroine:
Hattie Jackson/Hattori Hachi: Hattie’s very brave and skilled, and sort of reminds me of Katniss Everdeen from the Hunger Games. I love how strong she is, but she can act rashly when it comes to her friends. She is loyal to them and would her life for them, which reminds me of Percy Jackson. Read more
Snow White and the Huntsman, by Lily Blake
About: Snow White’s father, King Magnus, is killed by evil and twisted Queen Ravenna. She kills everyone who stands between her and eternal youth by sucking out the beauty from young girls. But soon her magic is making her old and weak so she sends for the imprisoned Snow White, because eating her heart will make her young forever. Snow White escapes into the Dark Forest which no one has ever come out of, save for one; huntsman, Eric. Eric’s hope is long gone and in exchange for something he’s always wanted, he agrees. But when he finds out the truth, he trains her to become a brilliant warrior and on the way they meet new friends on their quest to kill the Queen…
What I thought: I thought this book was a wonderful read; it had everything, a malevolent and malicious character, a poisoned apple, death, joy, shocks and a major twist on the classic. I loved the whole plot and thought it was magically crafted into a beautiful story, but with a slightly obvious ending.
Cover: Well the cover is actually just Kristen Stewart looking back so throughout the book you imagine Snow White to look like her so it doesn’t give you a chance to imagine her for yourself. But what I really do love about the cover is the background, where the trees look alive, the daunting ravens, the gnarled branches. But on the forest floor are beautiful mushrooms on a bed of lush green grass and attractive flowers. I think that is what makes the cover really fine because its shows the two sides of the story. One a happily ever after story and the other a scary twisted tale of darkness…
I would recommend this book to ages 11-15
My star rating is 4.5 out of 5.
Mr Creecher, by Chris Priestly
Billy’s master Fletcher is about to cut off Billy’s ear, when the horrific Mr Creecher arrives and frees him from Fletchers wrath but into another life. A life where people run away when they see you walking with a towering monster of a man. A life with no friends. A life with less food. But Mister Creecher and Billy develop a bond, in which they both help each other. With Billy being the investigator and Mister Creecher going in for the kill, on the search for the strange Victor Frankenstein…
I thought this book was excellent, and I really enjoyed savouring every page, it was quite horrific at parts, and was a very shocking story and plot line. I enjoyed every word and the ending was perfectly written, the only downfall was that particular parts of the story sometimes got to long and then got quite boring. But other then that it was a great read! Read more
Hattori Hachi: The Revenge of Praying Mantis, by Jane Prowse
The Cover:
The cover is amazing. I like how the shadowy ninja isn’t on some blank screen, but on a girl’s face-it makes it look more mysterious.
Overall what I thought:
I thought this book was amazing. It had me hooked from the first page. I love how Jane Prowse started the book with something symbolic in Japan, instead of moving right into the story. You learnt a bit about other countries and enjoyed a great book at the same time.
The Heroine:
The heroine’s name is Hattie Jackson and she’s fifteen. I loved her calm, cold exterior, which reminded me a bit of Katniss Everdeen from the Hunger Games. She is extremely gifted in the art of Ninjutsu, since her mother has been training her since birth and she’s fearless. You can tell she really cares about her friends and her family, and would do anything for them, which can lead her into trouble… I really like her character.
The Plot:
Basically, Hattie’s mother goes missing while she’s visiting the Foundry with Mad Dog, a boy who lives at the Foundry. Mad Dog also goes missing, and the blame is pinned on him because he was born in prison, and is therefore a criminal. Hattie and her father are devastated. Then Hattie starts talking to Yazuki, the little old washerwomen who lives in the flat below hers, and she discovers that she (Hattie) is part of the Hattori family, who are a wealthy Japanese family who are skilled in the art of Ninjutsu. Hattie struggles to learn all the Dans, as well as try and find her mum and overcome her invisible barriers. This book had a lot of twists and turns, and I thorougly enjoyed it!
My Final Thoughts:
This was an amazing book and has encouraged me to read the second and third!
My Rating:
5 stars out of 5!
Creepover: Truth Or Dare, by P.J. Night
This book is a spine-chilling book by writer of spooky stories, P.J Night. When Abby Miller confesses that she likes Jake Chilson, to only three friends at a sleepover, her life changes. First she gets sent a text message telling her to get away from Jake. Then someone rips up the top she was going to wear at the disco with Jake. Then more and more strange text messages arrive. Then she finds a lock of Jake’s girlfriend, Sara, who died in a unfortunate car crash, in her drawer along with a note. Is it Sara telling her to get away from Jake or is it a mean and jealous classmate? And will Abby ever get away from whatever haunting her?
This book was excellent, spooky at times, full of suspense and overall a great read. Get ready to have that feeling of dread when you know you’re being watched, and hide under the covers in fright before you finish the story…
I would recommend this book for girls’ ages 9-14 who love a creepily terrifying story. (Not too terrifying)!
My star rating out of 5 is 5
The Worst Thing About my Sister, by Jacqueline Wilson
Marty and her older sister Melissa are always fighting! Not even one day has a fight been avoided. Marty is a messy tomboy and Melissa is a tidy, neat girly who loves pink. They’re complete opposites. Then Marty and Melissa are forced to share a room. But this doesn’t seem to work out. Now they seem to fight day and night. With Melissa’s snoring and Marty’s scary stories they need to work things out. But then a harmless fight turns into a scarily horrible incident for Marty. What happens? And will Marty and Melissa ever be loving sisters?
I like this story because it’s very realistic and I wanted to turn the page and find out what happens next!
I would recommend this to ages 8-11 as it’s a book Jacqueline Wilson wrote specially for younger readers.
My star rating out of 5 is 5 because I found the book Brilliant!
Road to London, by Barbara Mitchelhill
Road to London is a magnificent book, about a boy called Thomas Munmore, who dreams of becoming a famous actor for none other then Shakespeare himself!
Set in Elizabethan London, Thomas finds himself in dangerous situations, with cruel people and terrifying plots…
Neversuch House: Mask of the Evergones, by Elliot Skell
This is the sequel to Neversuch House: Flight of the black Condor and is is just as good.
Omnia Halibut, who lives in Neversuch House, is the Halibut of the decade who can do something. But her life is in danger as she and her cousin Evergrow are on the run from a mysterious person in a grey panther mask. First the Underbutlers die and Omnia is next on the list.
Soon Omnia begins to suspect her protector; Cornelius Slinker, and runs away from him whenever he comes close. The Captain and the Butler have been locked in The Hold for safety, a place that the Halibuts are convinced is a legend, but then the Halibuts get out of control, how can they behave normally when their Captain isn’t there? So is Cornelius really the killer? And if not who is really behind that mask? And what is the killer really after?
This is such a great book, it’s mysterious and quite a thrilling read. I love how the author captures the plot carefully and brilliantly with excellent twists and turns in the story, at the right time.
I recommend this book to children aged 11-15 who love a good mystery
My star rating out of 5 is 5
The Book of Blood and Shadow, by Robin Wasserman
This story is about a girl called Nora Kane. Ever since her brother died in a car crash and was labelled a murderer, everyone has hated her. Her dad locks himself in his room and her mum hardly talks to her. Her only comfort is translating latin. Then Nora moves school and she meets a buy called Chris and a girl called Adriane. The three quickly become friends, and Nora and Chris even closer because Chris is the only one who knows about Nora’s brother. Chris and Adriane become boyfriend and girlfriend, and Nora starts to feel a bit left out.
Then one of the teachers of the school tries to decipher a book which is in code that nobody, for centuries could ever begin to understand. Chris and his dorm mate Max, work on the book and try and decipher some of the latin that is written on it. Nora is left with the job of deciphering Elizabeth Weston’s letters, step daughter of the man who wrote the book. Nora finds a connection with herself and Elizabeth Weston that she can’t describe. She ends up spending more time in the school and at night and finds herself mostly with Max. They talk about the wonders of latin and other stuff. Then one day, they are walking up a tower’s steps, and they kiss. From then on they’re boyfriend and girlfriend and things are brilliant and they all live happily ever after.
Switched: Book One in the Trylle Trilogy, by Amanda Hocking
Worthing High School’s reading group share their thoughts on Amanda Hocking’s Switched.
Wendy Everly knew she was different the day her mother tried to kill her and accused her of having been switched at birth. Although certain she’s not the monster her mother claimed she is, she does feel that she doesn’t quite fit in. The new girl in High School, Wendy is bored and frustrated by her small-town life – and then there’s her secret, her mysterious ability – she can influence people’s decisions, without knowing how, or why . . . When the intense and darkly handsome newcomer Finn suddenly turns up at her bedroom window one night, her world is turned upside down. He holds the key to her past, the answers to her strange powers and is the doorway to a place she never imagined could exist: Förening, the home of the Trylle. Among the Trylle she is not just different, but special. But what marks her out as chosen for greatness in this world also places her in grave danger. With everything around her changing, Finn is the only person she can trust. But dark forces are conspiring – not only to separate them, but to see the downfall of everything that Wendy cares about. . .
Wendy’s mum has always said that Wendy wasn’t her child and all her life Wendy just thought she was mad until one day she met Finn. He told her she is Tryll (Troll) and was switched at birth for a better life.
I liked this book as it kept you on the edge of your seat as it is full of magic and mystery and the story flowed very easily.
I liked the main character Wendy because I thought she was a strong character. The author tries to make us like Finn as Wendy liked him but I prefer Tove because he’s more mysterious.
I wasn’t expecting the book to end the way it did but what a good start to the next book!
This book was extremely emotional – in some parts it made me feel sad (most of it) but there were some exciting parts too.
I would definitely recommend this book.
Charlotte
Great book confusing at first but definitely good full of adventure and mystery! 
Can’t wait for the next book to come out.
Jessica
This was a brilliant book which cleverly merged old myths from fairy tales with modern day life. It was a little difficult to get into at the start, for the sole reason that it is too easy to hate the main character, but it is worth sticking with. I enjoyed it and can’t wait to read the next one in the series.
Sarah
I thoroughly enjoyed this book once I got into it. I thought it was going to be your run of the mill vampire-ish book but was totally different, not a vampire in sight. The characters were really likeable and the relationship that builds between Wendy and Finn keeps you on the edge of your seat. The ending, what can I say, I just can’t wait for the next part to come out. Read it!
Mrs Phelan
Switched was a great book. I loved how it went straight into the story. I thought Finn was a great character. The bit that I did not enjoy was that it leaves you hanging at the end. If only you had the next book…….
Chloe
This book is really fantastic. It was very unique and expressed human feelings, friendship and also dignity in a different way. Wendy is a changeling and she has been sent away at birth to be raised with a normal human family. Her mother is from a tribe that is secretly living in Forrening, America that humans don’t know even exists. Wendy meets Finn who is a tracker sent to bring her back home where she realises that she is a princess and her mother is queen of the Trylle tribe.
But she feels lonely and isolated as days pass by and then comes the attack of The Vittra….. there is a fight and guess what happens next…
I would definitely like to read this book again…..
Vaishali
Mistress of the Storm, by M.L Welsh
Verity Gallant is an ordinary girl, so why did a mysterious man with a red coat in the library, give her a book and a strange metal contraption?
Soon after strange things begin to happen, her grandmother appears, who loathes Verity and seems to go out of her way to make life hell for Verity. If Verity’s best friends, Henry and Martha, weren’t there to back her up she’d probably be dead! But worst of all no one else seems to see the wrath of her grandmother; they all seem to think Verity is making a fuss out of nothing. But her grandmother is here for a reason and will stop at nothing to get revenge. Solving mysteries long the way Verity must kill her grandmother to save her friends and family from the rage she may unleash. But then Verity finds out things she never wanted to know and keeps getting the mysterious message: “The Storm is coming….”.
This book is excellent and very mysterious, it’s quite thrilling and a great read.
I would recommend this book for 10-14 year old readers.
My star rating is 5 out of 5 because it was and exciting and wonderful read!
Reviews by kids and teens
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