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A Librarian Reads Bullet Point

Wednesday, July 21st, 2010

bullet-pointBullet Point by Peter Abrahams

Wyatt loves baseball. His high school coach thinks Wyatt is good enough to get a scholarship to college. Unfortunately Wyatt can’t play ball because the school district cut all extracurricular activities in order to save money. But his coach has a plan. Wyatt can transfer to Silver City, which is across the state, and play there. But those plans quickly unravel because Wyatt’s best friend, Dub, already transferred and got the only open spot on the team. Wyatt is pretty upset. But life just keeps throwing Wyatt curveballs. His coach also gave him a photo of Wyatt’s father when he was young and played ball.

Wyatt never met his father; never even saw a photograph. It has always been him, his mom, his half sister, and his stepfather, Rusty. Wyatt’s biological father, Sonny, was sentenced to life in jail before Wyatt was born. The charge was murder.

When Rusty sees the photo of a young Sonny, he takes it away from Wyatt and rips it up. They have never gotten along, but Rusty has never been so blatantly mean. Wyatt doesn’t think and tackles his stepfather. Soon they are really fighting and Wyatt has a broken nose. He flees and eventually decides to move with Dub to Silver City. He can wait out a year and then will be eligible to play ball again.

But as soon as he gets there he runs into a girl, Greer, who runs the local bowling alley and batting cage. Soon they are a couple although Wyatt isn’t quite sure how that happened. But Greer has a reputation. Some say she sleeps around, others say she helped her father commit arson. Wyatt tries to discuss things with Greer, but they end up fighting. Eventually, after making up, he discovers that her father is in jail too. In fact Greer’s father is in Sweetwater State Penitentiary, the very same jail that houses Sonny, Wyatt’s father.

Through Greer’s father, Sonny knows his son is around. Wyatt is unsure if he wants to meet his biological father. But after a few calls they meet face to face. Much to Wyatt’s surprise he really likes Sonny, and starts to believe that his father may be innocent of the murder he was sentenced for. Soon Wyatt and Greer are exploring the case. He isn’t sure why she is so interested, but he likes her. But he really doesn’t know her. What if she did commit arson? And for that matter does he really know his father? He wants to believe that his father isn’t guilty, and that the rumors about his girlfriend are untrue, but will that trust turn to regret in the end? Wyatt is poking his nose in more then one person’s business and sooner or later he is going to get burned. But by who? And what will Wyatt do to protect the ones he loves?

This is a great thriller. Bullet Point keeps you glued to the page and guessing on how it will all turn out. Highly recommended for those who love mysteries, thrillers, and suspense. Appropriate for ages 16 and up due to some mild sexual content and swearing.

A librarian Reads The Demon’s Covenant

Thursday, July 15th, 2010

demons-covenantThe Demon’s Covenant by Sarah Rees Brennan

Mae has killed someone in order to save her brother Jamie. Her victim was an evil magician who tried to feed her brother to demons, but he was still a person. She has tried not to think about it and move on. But then she discovers her brother, who has a gift for magic but not the knowledge or skill to use it, being harassed by the school bullies. Before she can intercede she finds herself frozen. A magician has spelled her. He then scares away the bullies and helps Jamie out. Jamie is relieved and treats the magician like a good friend. But Mae knows who this magician is; he is the leader of the circle of magicians who threatened she and Jamie mere months before. His name is Gerald and Jamie should be very afraid of him, but he’s not. Once Gerald and Jamie leave together, the spell on Mae is broken. She immediately seeks the aid of Alan and Nick, the brothers who helped defend she and Jamie from the magicians before.

But things are not easy between the two brothers. Something has happened between them that has strained their loyalty to each other. It doesn’t help that Mae is attracted to both of them. However they are all in agreement that Jamie is playing a dangerous game by hanging out with magicians. As they try to decipher Gerald’s motivations they come across a deeper plot that will change the balance of power between the magicians and all who oppose them. Gerald needs to be stopped because he seeks to expand his power and the only people in his way are Mae, Jamie, Alan, and Nick. Soon Mae will need to make tough decisions again; decisions in which she may have to kill again, or watch allies die. She will have to put her feelings aside and focus on the fight ahead, because if they lose, then the magicians and their demons win.

The Demon’s Covenant is a superior book to its predecessor, The Demon’s Lexicon. If you enjoyed the first book you will definitely be thrilled by the second. This story is shaping up to be a great new series and I am looking forward to the third installment. Appropriate for ages 14 and up; recommended to urban fantasy enthusiasts.

A Librarian Reads The Demon’s Lexicon

Tuesday, July 6th, 2010

demons-lexiconThe Demon’s Lexicon by Sarah Rees Brennan

Nick, and his older brother Alan, have been on the run from evil magicians and demons since he was a baby. Although they have no magical ability themselves, they do rely on talismans, and train relentlessly to fight off evil when it finds them.

The magicians are after Nick and Alan’s mother, a magician herself who has been driven insane by the very magic she possesses. She wears a very valuable and powerful talisman. Nick and Alan have sworn to protect her. Even though Nick is only 16 he has fought many magicians and even killed when it was necessary.

The odd thing is that Nick is ambivalent about killing. Alan is tortured by what they have done to survive, but Nick feels no remorse. He even enjoys the thrill of the hunt a little bit. Nick isn’t worried by his feelings, but he knows that something isn’t quite right with him. When the brothers get new visitors, a young boy (Jamie) and his older sister (Mae), Nick feels defensive that his brother Alan can bond with them more easily than his own brother.

Jamie needs help, he has been marked by a demon. Nick wants to ditch them so he can keep Alan away from the beautiful Mae.  But soon demons attack and Alan is marked himself. Now the four of them will have to find the magicians who are hunting them and get the marks removed.

But something is nagging at Nick. He can’t seem to relate to their new friends. He becomes suspicious and starts snooping into the history behind one of his brother’s favorite books. Soon he discovers a horrible secret; a secret that tests his loyalty. Will he stay true to his family or will he turn his back and join the horde of magicians and the demons they employ?

The Demon’s Lexicon is a pretty good read. It starts off extremely rough. It took me at least 150 pages to get into a groove with it. But it finishes strong and I look forward to reading the sequel. The book is appropriate for ages 14 and up and recommended for those who are fans of Holly Black and Cassandra Clare.

Abduction: A Recommendation by Lana

Thursday, June 10th, 2010

Abduction by Peg Kehret
5 Stars

My review of this book is very high because the language is very good plus it keeps you on the edge while your reading you just can’t stop. Peg Kehret is one of my all time favorite authors mostly because I love mysteries and all her books are mysteries. Some of her other books that I would recommend would be “Terror at the Zoo” and “Danger At the Fair”. Both of these books are very well written and have many twist that keep you on the edge of your seat. Once you begin reading any of Peg Kehret’s books they are very difficult to put down.

Abduction is about a boy named Matt who gets abducted by his unknown father at his school playground. Bonnie, Matt’s older sister realizes Matt’s disappearance and attempts to put the clues together and try and find her young brother. and I would recommend this book to kids in fifth grade to eighth grade. I think kids should read this book because it gives them the chance to realize the dangers of kidnapping.

I would rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. And I hope you will enjoy reading about it, I did!

A Librarian Reads White Cat

Monday, May 17th, 2010

white-catThe Curse Workers Book 1: White Cat by Holly Black

Cassel Sharpe is trying to be a good guy, but that is difficult when you come from a family of con artists. What makes it worse is that everyone in his family are curse workers except him. Curse workers are people born with a magic touch. Some workers can grant you good luck, or curse you with bad. The same goes with dreams, memories, emotions, pain, and even some workers can kill with just a touch. Unfortunately these people are shunned by society, and curse workers are a secretive bunch. Cassel is stuck in the middle, not accepted by society because of his family, but not really accepted by his family because he is normal.

Life is complicated enough by being alone, but it gets worse. Cassel starts sleepwalking while at boarding school. He wakes to discover himself on the roof of his dorm. But it is not the height that worries him. It is his dream. A white cat had stolen his tongue, and taunted him to follow her. Everyone at school fears that Cassel is suicidal. The dean places him on leave until they can decide whether it is safe for him to return. The only place for him to return is his family. But he soon notices that things aren’t what they seem at home. His sister-in-law is hearing strange music no one else can hear. His brother, Barron, seems to be forgetting things, while his eldest brother, Phillip, is more controlling than ever. And then when Cassel goes to live with his grandfather. There he discovers a white cat living in the barn. It is the exact same cat from his dreams.

Something is going on with his family, something they don’t want him to know about. If he is going to solve the mystery of the white cat he will need use all his skill of working the con to succeed. But what is even harder is that Cassel may need help. This means he might actually have to make friends and trust other people. But when you are dealing with mobsters your life is always on the line. Does he really want to risk his life, and his friends, on the mystery of the white cat?

This is a good start to a new urban fantasy series. Recommended to those who are into the supernatural, mobsters, fans of Holly Black, or want something new and original. Appropriate for ages 14 and up.