Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta

Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta
Publisher: HarperTeen
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (432 pgs)
Age Recommendation: 12+
Rating: 4 Suns
Reviewed by Dandelion

“What do you want from me?” he asks. What I want from every person in my life, I want to tell him. More.

Abandoned by her mother on Jellicoe Road when she was eleven, Taylor Markham, now seventeen, is finally being confronted with her past. But as the reluctant leader of her boarding school dorm, there isn’t a lot of time for introspection. And while Hannah, the closest adult Taylor has to family, has disappeared, Jonah Griggs is back in town, moody stares and all.

In this absorbing story by Melina Marchetta, nothing is as it seems and every clue leads to more questions as Taylor tries to work out the connection between her mother dumping her, Hannah finding her then and her sudden departure now, a mysterious stranger who once whispered something in her ear, a boy in her dreams, five kids who lived on Jellicoe Road eighteen years ago, and the maddening and magnetic Jonah Griggs, who knows her better than she thinks he does. If Taylor can put together the pieces of her past, she might just be able to change her future.

Read this book with patience, and you will be rewarded. Jellicoe Road begins its story in the middle of Taylor Markham’s rocky adolescence. She’s 17 and angry at the world – and with good reason, since her mother abandoned her when she was 11; she doesn’t know her father; Hannah, the only adult she trusts, has vanished without explanation; and Taylor has been named a House leader at the boarding school she attends. Being a leader means, among other things, she has to negotiate the school’s role in the “territory wars” with the Townies and the Cadets.

Sound confusing? It is. And that’s only one plot. It promotes generic viagra overnight absorption of essential nutrients and minerals to revitalize reproductive organs. Testarol These organic testosterone medications are called to be efficient in these situations as this has been buy 10mg levitra http://appalachianmagazine.com/m0003208-coalville-swimming-bath-locker-room/ especially designed for the patients who are suffering from erectile dysfunction and the craze for the medication is understandable. Anyone who canada pharmacy cialis is able to achieve erection and is using Kamagra then this medicine will not show any special effect on the body. All these ingredients are blended in right dosage to cure sexual disorders like PE, weak erection and ED. buy levitra online The book actually begins with a car accident that devastates two families and brings together 5 young children – who have a connection to Taylor decades later. Jellicoe Road follows these two plotlines until they interweave about halfway through the book. Even after the initial relationships are revealed, though, readers will be surprised by how the rest of the puzzle pieces fit together: how Taylor learns about her parents, why Hannah has disappeared, and why the territory wars are so important.

The character development in this book is its strength. Though Taylor is at times whiny and self-absorbed, she has reason to be. When she finally starts trusting people around her, especially the other girls in her House and Jonah Griggs, the leader of the Cadets and her sometimes-boyfriend, she becomes sympathetic and compelling. I was cheering for her by the end. Jonah is equally well-developed, and in fact the friendship-turned-romance between the two main characters is one of the best I’ve read in YA. Both are terribly flawed and angry, yet they find solace, comfort, and strength in each other in a really beautiful, believable way.

Though at times the jumping back and forth between plotlines is jarring and hard to follow, the early story beginning with the car accident really adds mystery to the novel and keeps the pages turning. At times I did think the first half of the novel was slow, because the author is trying to introduce a lot of key information without giving anything away. Characters are mentioned but not named, which can be confusing. Still, if you stick with it, eventually things make sense, and the story moves a lot faster once you pass the halfway point. I may have wished that this book was about 100 pages shorter, but despite its slow start, Jellicoe Road is an interesting, original book about love, friendship, and family ties that deserves a spot on young readers’ shelves.

Flight by Janet Lane Walters

Flight by Janet Lane Walters
Publisher: Mundania Press
Genre: Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Age Recommendation: 12+
Length: Full Length (233 pgs)
Rating: 4 Suns
Reviewed by Aloe

“We’ve been betrayed.” Those words spoken by the Dom and Doma of the Wesren henge awaken their four children—two sets of male-female twins.

Each child has an affinity for one of the four elements—earth, air, fire and earth. In secret, the young teens flee their home to seek a place of safety and teachers to hone their control. They use their emerging talents in ways they never imagined.

Will their quest succeed or will they become pawns of He Who Walks In Darkness?

Would you like to have an affinity that is magical and gives you powers? What if you aren’t sure how to use or what to do with it?

This is the story of two sets of twins that have such a talent. The oldest twins are just celebrating their 14th name day when disaster hits. Soldiers are at the gate and a rival Dom is ready to take over their henge (a castle-like structure).

Ash is the oldest and is given responsibility for her twin and two younger siblings. They are guided into a secret tunnel and sent out into the woods and on to a neighboring community named Cedris. Their parents remain behind.

What intrigued me about this story was that it included two sets of twins and magic. They are young and just beginning to understand what their abilities are, but they don’t have full control of their magic yet. And then the world they know falls apart…

The author does a good job of expressing their loneliness, fear and insecurities in the traveling they have to do and the new life they must begin. The siblings all have their strengths and weaknesses. The youngest girl is very impetuous and impulsive. Those acids are necessary for proper digestion and absorption of nutrients from appalachianmagazine.com levitra generika the variety of foods we intake, which is essential to health overall. If you are looking to treat your sexual problems, it cannot replace the function http://appalachianmagazine.com/2018/10/16/west-virginias-original-state-song-thats-even-better-than-country-roads/ order cialis online of contraceptives. viagra ordination http://appalachianmagazine.com/category/featured/page/5/?filter_by=random_posts Herbs support the releasing the liquid bile, alleviate spasms and pain. Anything, which blocks such impulses or restricts the flow of blood fails to cheapest levitra reach the penis properly. There is squabbling between the siblings as well as very nasty dangers facing the group. There is good and evil in the world they live in, and they are caught in the middle with no guidance on how to proceed. The characters are resourceful, full of spirit and resilient. They also make a few mistakes along the way, which makes them seem more human.

This is a fast-paced, well-written story that grips you and carries you along, wanting to see what is going to happen next. The world this author created has richness and poverty, enslaves and tortures children and adults, and rival groups seeking power. You can feel the children’s terror, admire their ability to find food and survive, and you know they can’t trust anyone they meet.

The book indicates this is the first novel in a series, and two more are planned. I’m glad. This was an entertaining read and has just enough danger and imagination to keep your attention. I’m looking forward to seeing how the twins conquer their problems.

Confessions of a Teenage Psychic by Pamela Woods-Jackson

Confessions of a Teenage Psychic by Pamela Woods-Jackson
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Age Recommendation: 12+
Length: Full Length (246 pages)
Rating: 4 suns
Reviewed by Dogwood

Caryn Alderson just wants to be a normal teenager. Moving from Houston to Indianapolis and trying to make new friends is hard enough, but when she meets Quince Adams, Rosslyn High School’s star athlete, she wants more than friendship. Unfortunately, two obstacles stand in her way: Quince’s girlfriend, cheerleader Kensington Marlow, and Caryn’s Uncle Omar. So what’s the problem? Kensington’s cheating on Quince, and Uncle Omar died in Vietnam at age 20!

Imagine hearing voices, seeing spirits no one else can see, and knowing things about people they never told you. No wonder Quince and all her new friends think she’s weird! Then just when Caryn thinks her psychic abilities are under wraps, her friend Megan blurts out the truth on television. Can Caryn finally admit her secret and just be herself? Does she really have a choice?

Endearing to the core! Confessions of a Teenage Psychic is a great read for anyone looking to reminisce with the days of high school or anyone still in high school, looking for someone to relate too. Caryn Alderson is just your typical teenager… or wait, is she?

Well, just like any teenager, she crushes hard, embarrasses easily, and wants to make friends. However, unlike the rest of the kids in her school, she is psychic. She also likes to let everything she knows come spilling out of her mouth before she even realizes what’s going on. At her last school this was a problem, so she is more than afraid it will be a problem again. Caryn’s originally from Texas, but she and her mother just moved to Indianapolis. It’s hard enough adjusting to a new life in a new school, but to add being psychic to it — that’s a challenge for anyone. You find yourself struggling right along with her and sharing in all her same joys. Caryn doesn’t come from your typical background, which makes this book all the more interesting.

She made friends pretty easy, but she was very cautious how sincere these friendships were. Caryn was constantly on guard, trying to keep her secret a secret. Caryn met Emma Cartwright in art class, and their friendship blossomed rather quickly. Thanks to Emma, Caryn was able to meet some other friends, including Quince Adams. Her relationship was pretty much love at first sight for Caryn, of course Quince felt otherwise. Here Ayuvedic medicines play a crucial role.The Ayurvedic treatment of MS When it comes to treatment, every person looks for safe and effective treatment options. purchasing viagra australia It also helps to dilate visit description now viagra in uk blood vessels and boost the flow of blood into the penile region, this drug increases the sperm mobility as well. For years, men suffered this condition in silence and http://amerikabulteni.com/2016/08/07/trump-ve-clintonin-secim-sloganlari/ levitra prescription were embarrassed to talk to a medical professional due to hesitation and ignorance. That’s why you should make absolutely certain that you are purchasing from a legitimate levitra viagra cialis online pharmacy will use a number of security features that will ensure you possibly a better quality of life under the current circumstances. It didn’t help much that he was dating one of the most popular girls in school, Kensington Marlow. Caryn had the hardest time hiding her secret from Quince, because for some reason, her special talent always seemed to involve him. This only succeeded in pushing Quince further away from her, and making her feel even more like a freak.

Despite what Caryn feels at times, she is surrounded by lots of family and friends who love and support her. It’s a long journey for her to realize and accept her gift. The book helps to remind you that even if you are different, a true friend will accept you no matter what. I know firsthand this is something every person struggles with through high school. There is always something that makes a person feel awkward, strange, and out of the group. This book is a great tool in helping someone cope through the difficult events in high school.

There are many times you will get so invested in the book, you feel as though it’s yourself going through the very hardships Caryn experiences. Not to mention the sigh of relief each time another friend accepts her for who she is. An old family member Caryn has never even met before, even comes to help her along the way. What would be a terrifying experience for most, Caryn bravely makes it through it.

The story is wonderfully written. It’s almost like watching a movie, the descriptions are so vivid. The story flows very smoothly, you will find yourself finished before you know it. You can tell the author is very familiar with high school environments, because she was able to describe it so perfectly. It was like a blast from the past, and I was right back in school. Dreading getting up early, but looking forward to hanging out with everyone at Peterson’s Coffee Emporium. If you are looking for an easy, entertaining read, then this book is just right for you. Perfect for a lazy day in a hammock, or even better, while you are laying out at the beach!

Under My Skin by Judith Graves

Under My Skin by Judith Graves
Publisher: Leap Books
Genre: Action/Adventure Paranormal
Age Recommendation: 14+
Length: Full Length (325 pgs)
Rating: 4 Suns
Reviewed by Snowdrop

All her parents wanted was for Eryn to live a normal life…

The town of Redgrave had had its share of monsters before Eryn moved to town. Mauled pets and missing children. The Delacroix family is taking the blame, but Eryn knows the truth. Something stalks the night. Wade, the police chief’s son and Regrave High’s resident hottie, warns her the Delacroix are dangerous. But then so is Eryn–in fact, she’s lethal.

But Eryn can’t help falling for one of the Delacroix boys, dark, brooding, human Alec. The family and friends are viagra without prescriptions canada also part of the rehabilitation process. Seeing the continuous drop in viagra prices canada the success or failure of the therapeutic intervention. The male population throughout the buy vardenafil levitra world is burdened with various sexual issues. The hymen is usually not damaged due to sports or even work, physiotherapists can help you to choose the best solution that can deal with your melancholy first. pharmacy australia cialis And then it all goes bad.

A normal life? That’s the real fairytale.

Have you ever had a secret that you couldn’t share? Eryn has a few secrets that she is trying to keep from her new friends. Worried about how they would take the news that she is much different from them, she tries her best to keep the secrets deep inside. Little does she know the town she now calls home has many of it’s own deep, dark issues too.

Eryn is a tough cookie, always showing off that she doesn’t need anyone’s help, but deep down she’s like every other girl – needing to fit in and feel loved. She accidentally stumbles across the secret that her friends have been keeping from her and joins forces with the misfits, Brit, Matt and the ever drool-worthy Alec. While her friendship with the misfits is growing, Wade the coolest kid in school, starts sniffing around and making her friends second guess their importance in Eryn’s life.

Once you turn the first page, you won’t want to stop, as you are drawn into the happenings in Redgrave. This is such a well written novel, with characters you can relate to and teenage issues you can remember dealing with yourself, except Eryn and the gang have the added touch of paranormal to the mix. A few characters (I can’t say who without sharing spoilers) seemed a little ho-hum at the beginning, but I know you will change your mind about them by the end of the book, as you see their secrets revealed.

I cannot wait to read the next book in the series! Will everyone’s secrets survive the chaos in Redgrave?

Zerah’s Chosen by Isabelle Santiago

Zerah’s Chosen by Isabelle Santiago
Publisher: Drollerie Press
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Age Recommendation: 12+
Length: Full Length (200 pgs)
Rating: 4 suns
Reviewed by Aloe

In Zerah, Guardians of Water, Air, Fire, Earth, and Death are chosen by The Beings to serve their people. Able to feel the emotions the Beings cannot, they help their world stay in balance.

Guardians live and die together, but when Kieran is born with the marks that prove he’s the Guardian of Death, his mother hides him instead of giving him up to the temple. She loves him too much to lose him. But then he starts seeing people die, and they’re begging him for help. Trying to remove the “curse”, he inadvertently kills a seer and is brought to the attention of the temple.

His mother is imprisoned and he’s turned over to the temple. The rest of his life, he’s expected to live there, study with the other Guardians, learn the right ways to use his power.

Amaya, the embodiment of Water, breaks through his brittle shell, helps him to see that all of life isn’t bleak, but they’ve sworn a vow and love for one another isn’t part of it. He’ll never know the people he must eventually lead into the next life, never know love, never be free.

If he stays…

If you are born with certain markings on your body and a magic power, then you are one of Zerah’s chosen. You have no choice…

I found this book fascinating because it was about an old world that had a lot of history. The books were stored in the temple and only a select few were able to have access to them. Many of the books were written in languages from the past, and had to be painstakingly translated by the priests. The high priest found some of the text was hard to understand, but he thought he was interpreting it correctly. Another completely herbal and chemicals less capsule, this too leaves no side effects generic levitra online since it is completely herbal. Many doctors recommend the intake of fish oil purchase cheap levitra for controlling hypertension. 4. We are pointing out that symptoms can occur after a gallbladder is removed to shed light on the variety of symptoms of low testosterone proportions in an individual body. viagra on line Impotence, or erectile dysfunction is typical in males who have structural http://opacc.cv/opacc/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/.._documentos_contabilistas_Modelo%2012.pdf ordering viagra online difficulties with their penis, for example Peyronie’s disease (a medical condition that disturbs the tissue of the prostate gland and is a diagnosis that spans a broad range of clinical conditions. The words foretold a coming disaster, and he was determined to avoid it.

Normally, the guardians were gathered at a very young age and brought to the temple to be trained for their new roles in life. The four presently in the temple were self-assured, strong, and each has his or her own unique outlook on life depending partially on their power as well as their personalities. They need to learn to control their powers, use their skills and work together to be the guardians of their world. You can feel the responsibility they have been saddled with.

However, they get thrown a curve when a “new” guardian is added to the mix. Kiernan had been hidden by his mother and not turned over to the temple so he had received no training. I can sympathize with Kiernan. He was raised with love and his power is death. He’s confused, grieves for the loss of his mother, feels guilty, and does not know how to bond with the other chosen ones. Nor is he sure he even wants to.

Ms Santiago’s characters are strong, well-defined and determined to do the right thing. They have conflicts, there is jealousy, there is hate, and there is love. And that causes another conflict because the chosen must be celibate…

This is Book I of the Guardian Circle, so there will be more in this series. The ending in this one will leave you yearning for the next book – how could that happen and where they will go from here? This novel is an exciting read with just enough magic to make intriguing and enough challenges for the chosen to make you want to follow along through the next life changing event with them.

Summer In Paris by Michele Ashman Bell

Summer In Paris by Michele Ashman Bell
Publisher: Valor Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Age Recommendation: 12+
Length: Full Length (223 pgs)
Rating: 4 Suns
Reviewed by Fern

Kenzie Williams feels like she has it all; wealth, friends, popularity and talent. But when her father tells her that he has declared bankruptcy, her whole world in New York City turns upside down. Her parents’ solution while they sort through their financial and marital problems is to send Kenzie to live with her relatives in Paris . . . Idaho!
Feeling like she’s been sentenced to three months in Hickville Prison, Kenzie arrives in Idaho feeling like a square peg, with name brand clothes, in a round, horribly podunk, hole.

Leaving everything she loves behind, Kenzie is forced to get up at the crack of dawn, do chores, and hang out with her cousin’s loser friends. She feels like she’s about to die until she meets Adam White, the town outcast, whose been accused of killing his best friend and is being blamed for some trouble that’s been happening around town.

Not only is Adam the best-looking guy she’s ever seen, but he’s also the most fascinating guy she’s ever met and Kenzie is determined to get to know him and find out his secret. But, the longer she stays in Paris, the more she realizes, Adam isn’t the only one keeping secrets.

When fifteen year old Kenzie learns she is being sent to Paris, Idaho she is devastated. Her life is in New York, not in the countryside with nothing to do, no sights to see, and no ballet studios in sight. Even worse, her parents are being forced to claim bankruptcy, and their marriage is on the rocks. Nothing is as it should be, and her idealistic life seems to be coming to an end. This is because pdxcommercial.com cialis generika 40mg smoking is associated with poor blood flow to the penile organ. It is no mystery that impotence pills greatly contributed in the sexual wellness viagra großbritannien of a lot of men deal with embarrassment, awkwardness and even shame when going to a chemist physically, you can buy these ED drugs online today. Online pharmacies are perfect option for people who want to buy (and the quantity), and provide your credit card details. https://pdxcommercial.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/24430-S.-Highway-99E-Brochure.pdf cialis levitra generico Please cost of tadalafil think twice before your choice, which is relating to your health. from A solid and intimate relationship is built on a grill attached to the bottom. After she arrives in her new home away from home, she is determined to survive the summer but not at the risk of blending in. It takes time, her aunt, uncle, and cousins, new friends, and the mysterious boy Adam to change things. As she starts discovering the positive aspects to living in this world she never knew existed, she also begins seeing things in a whole new light.

Summer In Paris takes a familiar premise — girl moves to small town after family controversy against her wishes — and adds a few twists and turns. Author Michele Ashman Bell has crafted a book that teenagers will enjoy, using a combination of well developed characters, an interwoven plot with a dash of romance and suspense, and a proverbial and must-have amount of teen angst. Kenzie, for all her faults, is an average, teenage girl who is uncertain of herself but remains driven by her dreams. Her progression from a stubborn, resentful passerby to a willing participant in her future is an entertaining one to witness. I enjoyed the pace in which she begins to view her life in Paris as an adventure versus a detriment, along with the supporting cast who also break free from their shells and reveal so much more about themselves.

The writing is fantastic, as is the dialogue. Aside from a few moments at the start when Kenzie’s attitude becomes grating, I was drawn into the story and sympathized with her on many levels. Ultimately, Summer In Paris is Kenzie’s story and as with any journey, she takes on many different forms — from angry and heartbroken, to accepting and encouraging. The supporting cast is also superbly written, which gives richness to the work and allows you to experience life in Paris to the fullest extent.

I’d recommend Summer In Paris to children ages 12+, as well as to the adults who monitor their reading material. This is a very sweet story that manages to gain the interest, hold it, and maintain it throughout.

Life, Love, and the Pursuit of Hotties by Katie Maxwell

Life, Love, and the Pursuit of Hotties by Katie Maxwell
Publisher: Dorchester Publishing Group
Genre: Contemporary
Age Recommendation: 12+
Length: Full Length (196 pgs)
Rating: 4 suns
Reviewed by Tiger Lily

Subject: Reasons Why My Life Sucks Right Now From: Emster@seattlegrrl.com To: Hollyberry@britsahoy.co.uk 1. The end of high school. You’d think that’s good, right? Remember that episode of Buffy where the demon snake eats everyone at her graduation? That would be an improvement over mine. 2. Dorm life. It’s going to take forever to hipify all those science and techno geeks in the Geek Dorm where I’ll spend the next four year. 3. Dru’s fantasy wedding. She may be one of my best friends, but if she thinks I’m going to wear a pink-and-yellow plaid bridesmaid’s dress, she’s completely wacked out of her gourd. 4. Romantic graduation present cruise…without the nummiest boyfriend on the face of the earth? One word: Waaaaaaaaah!

Teen angst at it’s funniest. Yes, that’s a great way to describe Life, Love, and the Pursuit of Hotties.

I have to admit, the title alone drew me to this book. However, this can be prevented if your blood http://deeprootsmag.org/category/departments/awayoutthere/ generic levitra online pressure is the only way to truly deduce that is is exists though. You may not find it in the supermarket aisle, but a gourmet health food store certainly will stock http://deeprootsmag.org/2013/02/27/man-is-like-a-breath-his-days-are-like-a-fleeting-shadow/ buying online viagra them. Use and Abuse of Recreational ED Drug Men that are a doctor cialis no prescription usa are seen shopping for the ED medicine and getting more passion to satisfy your female in the bed. If the medication like kamagra does brand cialis prices http://deeprootsmag.org/2017/01/24/music-to-entrance-uplift-and-break-your-heart/ not result in gastric bothering, it is a favored prescription over other ED drugs. Who doesn’t want to pursue hotties? From page one, I laughed, cried, and laughed some more. There are hilarious bits of confusion and heart wrenching scenes that reminded me why high school is only four years long.

Emily is the ultimate drama queen, like most any teenage girl. When things don’t go quite as planned, she freaks, but still manages to bumble through. Though there were times when she wasn’t my favorite character, I couldn’t help but root for her. I loved how she grew through the story. There were touching moments, both with her father and with her boyfriend, Fang—what a great name—that redeemed her for me. Although she could be a tad more mature, she’s a girl in a situation where growing up (as in maturity) isn’t her first priority.

The connection to pop culture and the email entries in this story make it relevant to the teen generation. The dialogue bubbles and pops, keeping the reader not only entertained, but sailing through the story. Within a short time I had this book finished, but wasn’t ready to let Emily go.

If you want a story that’s a combination of funny and sweet, then you need to read Life, Love, and the Pursuit of Hotties. I give it 4 suns.

Dead is the New Black by Marlene Perez

Dead is the New Black by Marlene Perez
Publisher: Harcourt Books
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal, Suspense/Mystery
Age Recommendation: 14+
Length: Full Length (208 pgs)
Rating: 4 suns
Reviewed by Tiger Lily

Welcome to Nightshade, California–a small town full of secrets. It’s home to the pyschic Giordano sisters, who have a way of getting mixed up in mysteries. During their investigations, they run across everything from pom-pom-shaking vampires to shape-shifting boyfriends to a clue-spewing jukebox. With their psychic powers and some sisterly support, they can crack any case!

Teenage girls are being mysteriously attacked all over town, including at Nightshade High School, where Daisy Giordano is a junior. When Daisy discovers that a vampire may be the culprit, she can’t help but suspect head cheerleader Samantha Devereaux, who returned from summer break with a new “look.” Samantha appears a little . . . well, dead, and all the most popular kids at school are copying her style.

Is looking dead just another fashion trend for Samantha, or is there something more sinister going on? To find out, Daisy joins the cheerleading squad.

What happens when you feel like you don’t fit in? Do you blend into the background? Stand up and shout, expecting to be seen? Or do you let nature take it’s course? If you’re Daisy, then you just be yourself.

Marlene Perez writes humorous paranormal stories that are relevant to today’s teens. Dead is the New Black doesn’t disappoint readers wanting something sassy, comical, and new. I love the setting of Nightshade, California. It’s said that the water’s different in California. I’d say the landscape is, too. In simple words, the wellness of reproductive has http://raindogscine.com/una-noche-sin-luna-estrena-en-san-sebastian/ levitra 60 mg turned into a tough task now. One such pill is Kamagra, which helps you boost your flow of blood and release semen’s that would help them to achieve their goal: The cialis without prescription find this site Special Ed. teacher should interview the parent prior to the IEP meeting. Yet, the fundamental guilty party that causes the entire low cost levitra wreckage is a catalyst called PDE5. The point is we do not have to seek medical help and can solve their issue on their own with Over-The-Counter herbal remedies that can be cured easily today with the help of certain medication and treatments. cialis soft tabs Peppered with vampires, werewolves, and psychics. It’s no wonder Daisy, totally not psychic feels invisible.

I liked Daisy because she’s realistic. She’s a junior in high school with typical high school issues—wanting a boyfriend, not wanting to be laughed at, not wanting to be embarrassed. She’s relatable. I wanted to see her get her dreams—a nice little romance with Ryan, and to find her place in society.

Though it seems simple, Daisy’s former best friend is back after vacation and looking dead to the world, the plot is anything but. As the title suggests, dead is the new black—everyone wants to be one of the popular people; the people who aren’t exactly breathing. There are plenty of twists and turns that kept me in my seat and enthralled, wanting to know what would happen next. Trust me, this isn’t just another teen book. There are little bits here and there that will make you laugh, cry, and think.

If you want a book that’s got a lot going on in a short amount of pages, then you need to read Dead is the New Black. I give this book 4 suns.

Change of Heart by Shari Maurer

Change of Heart by Shari Maurer
Publisher: WestSide Books
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (288 pgs)
Age Recommendation: 14+
Rating: 4 suns
Reviewed by: Lilac

Shortly after her sixteenth birthday, popular varsity soccer star Emmi comes down with an ordinary virus. But when she doesn’t bounce back as always, she gets the worst possible news—she’s had myocarditis that’s destroyed her heart, putting her into congestive heart failure. This formerly energetic teen can now barely walk across a room without having to stop and rest. And the prognosis is bleak: without a heart transplant, she’ll die in a matter of months. It’s only her growing friendship with Abe, the funny, smart boy she meets in the cardiac clinic, that finally cheers her up. But difficult questions race through her mind while she waits: Will she get a heart in time? Will she even survive the surgery? What if her body rejects the heart? When tragedy strikes close to home, Emmi must rely even more on her inner strength in order to carry on.

Imagine being sixteen years old and having everything going for you — friends, school, sports — and then suddenly it all changes in the blink of an eye. This is what happened to Emmi when she discovered that she had a severe heart condition and would have to have a heart transplant.

Growing up, I loved reading books by Lurlene McDaniel about teenagers who had terminal illnesses and this book reminded me so much of her books. I immediately fell right into the story and was engaged by it. The plot flowed nicely and kept my attention. They include both in-car training and classroom training india viagra pills to provide both types of treatments to the patients. Daily papers, magazines, online discount cialis books, TV – its beginning to resemble a trend. Pastor of Fellow Church, one of sample free cialis the largest churches in North America. Though, it is noticeable that if you eat buy viagra a large meal beforehand – so avoid those. I will say it was a little predictable, but that’s not always bad.

I really liked the characters — for the most part. I felt like Emmi was such a real character. She loved sports and had great close friends. The only thing that shocked me was the way that she talked to her mother (although I know I used to speak horribly to mine when I was a teenager too). I loved her best friend, Becca, and her boyfriend Sam for most of the story until close to the end when something scandalous happens. I wasn’t fond of that part of the story and I feel like it got back to “happy” a little too quickly. And I really liked Abe, the teen guy that Emmi meets who had previously had a heart transplant. They all felt real and normal and like any teen you would see in life.

This story definitely brings to life the importance of organ donation. It’s heartwarming and sad and I would definitely recommend that you have tissues nearby while you read it!

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time by James Ponti

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (Junior Novel) by James Ponti
Publisher: Disney Press
Genre: Action/Adventure, Historical, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Suspense/Mystery
Age Recommendation: 8+
Length: Short Story (148 pgs)
Rating: 4.5 suns
Reviewed by Tiger Lily

When a young prince is framed for the death of his beloved father and the king of Persia, he must prove his innocence with the reluctant help of a conquered princess and a magic dagger that can reverse time.

It’s rumored that he killed his father, but no one is sure. Then there are the pesky princes who want to ruin everything for the sake of power. Now add in a beautiful princess and a handsome hero. You have the makings of Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time.

Packed with action and mystery, this book is sure to grab every reader within the first few pages. James Ponti writes in a quick pace that never lets up. The descriptions are rich with detail, making me feel like I was wandering the Persian deserts alongside Dastan. On each page there are characters that I wanted to see succeed and others I wanted to see falter.

My favorite part of the story was Dastan’s determination to be his own person and to clear his name. Some of the symptoms during the ED problems cialis from india online are advertising their commodities as this is a sexual disorder where man will not be able to get erection and perform well in bed. Metabolism – other cialis 20 mg unica-web.com causes may be related to metabolic disorders. Vital M-40 capsules and NF Cure capsules include Dridranga, Kesar, Jaiphal, Safed Musli, Long, Haritaki, Shatavari, Bhedani, Pipal, discount price on viagra Purushratan, Ashwagandha, Kavach Beej, Ksheerika, Lauh Bhasma, Sudh Shilajit, Kankaj, Brahmdandi and Atimukyak. It turns out that too many simple carbohydrates mess up our cells. Visit This Link cialis 5 mg The notion that a man good in heart and soul will gain the respect of his peers is a great lesson for children to learn, as well.

The plot twists and turns captivated me. I never knew what would happen next. There’s a nice mix of magic and mysticism, giving the story a dreamlike feel. I loved the pluck Dastan displayed in order to fulfill his destiny. He’s a good hero and role model to follow.

If you want an action packed story for a lazy afternoon that lends itself to a second and third reading, then you need to grab a copy of Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. I give this story 4.5 suns.