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There’s nothing like non-stop, adrenaline-pumping, bite-your-nails-to-the-bone action. This week I read Act of Dedemption by C.C. Cole and Amulet#1: Stonekeeper by Kazu Kibuishi. While both were action-packed, the books were as different as they come.

Act of Redemption targets an older teen and adult audience. It tells the story of a city being taken over by demons from Hell, and a teenage girl named Shevata, whose stength and fearlessness are a match for the most ruthless demons. I’ll warn you…it’s violent and gory, definitely not for kids. But it is an absorbing read. If it peaks your interest, check out an interview with C.C. Cole to learn more about the author.

Amulet#1: The Stonekeeper has the kind of action that’s appropriate for young adults. It’s a graphic novel with clear, vivid pictures and a fun storyline. Emily, Navin and their mother move into an old, haunted-looking mansion that their great-grandfather Silas used to live in – that is, before he disappeared. On their first night, they hear a sound coming from the basement. When their mother goes to investigate, a massive, slimy monster steals her away. Emily and Navin chase them into another world where Emily learns that she has been chosen as the next Stonekeeper.

This week was all about the spooky, the terrifying and the ghostly. I’ve read tons of books about ghosts, and most aren’t worth remembering. It’s a typical topic, making it hard for authors to put a new spin on it. The Haunting of Derek Stone #4: The Ghost Road by Tony Abbott and Rebel Stone and the Ghost Whisperers by Walter Rouzer were just that–typical. The Ghost Road was decent, assuming you start by reading the other books in the series. It was high-action, but in my opinion it’s a story that is more interesting for boys than girls.

Rebel Stone and the Ghost Whisperers mixed ghosts and aliens, which I’ve never seen before. But the writing sounded amateur. The constant flaws and overuse of metaphors made it hard to read.

Malice, on the other hand, was fantastic. While it wasn’t about ghosts, it was definitely spooky. The story was about a comic book called Malice. Kids who perform a ritual and summon Tall Jake (like Bloody Mary), are stolen from their homes and brought to the dangerous world of Malice–the world inside the comic book. The writing is easy to follow, the characters are relatable and the concept of part-novel, part-comic book is very unique.