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This week I had a couple of quick and exciting reads. Guardians of Ga’Hoole: The Lost Tales of Ga’Hoole by Kathryn Lasky is a fantastic companion book to the popular owl series. It describes the lives of six guardians before they came to the great Ga’Hoole tree. In a sense, it is a short story collection, but the book comes together nicely with Otulissa, the tree’s historian, providing commentary at the beginning of each piece. Even if you didn’t read the series, you’ll enjoy this book.

The second book, Gecko & Sticky: Sinister Substitute, is fast-paced and it kept me on the edge of my seat. The villainous Damien Black has disguised himself as Dave’s substitute in order to find out who Dave, a.k.a the Gecko, is and to retrieve his powerband. But where is Dave’s real teacher, the scarastic and hated Mrs. Krockle? Is she really sick? Or has Damien Black kidnapped her? It’s up to Dave to find out.

I’d recommend both books, but for different audiences. If you’re the type of kid who likes a classicly-written story or a tale with animal characters, then The Lost Tales of Ga’Hoole is your cup of tea. If you’re more into the modern, fast-paced stories with quirky characters and funny illustrations, then Gecko & Sticky is right up your alley.

This week was all about snarling, drooling, howling, prowling wolves! And I’ll bet you’ll be surprised to hear that neither one was a story of werewolves, especially with the whole “Jacob Black” craze going on. Instead, these two books took a different approach. Wolven by Di Toft is about a whole new brand of superpowered wolves called, you guessed it, Wolven! Whereas Wolves of the Beyond: Lone Wolf by Kathryn Lasky is about wolves in the traditional sense of the word.

Wolven follows Nat Carver and his new “dog” Woody. Only Woody isn’t exactly the dog that Nat was expecting. He’s huge, mangy, and Nat was sure Woody sent him a telepathic message. There’s something different about that dog. Nat and Woody develop a close friendship and Nat discovers Woody’s secret: he’s a wolven–a.k.a the opposite of a werewolf. He is a wolf that transforms into a human instead of the other way around. If that isn’t troublesome enough, there is a top secret government organization who is experimenting on wolven…and they’re after Woody.

Wolves of the Beyond: Lone Wolf, a new series by the author of Guardians of Ga’Hoole,  follows Faolan, a wolf pup who is abandoned by his pack because of a slight deformity in his paw. A grizzly bear finds him and decides to raise him as her own. But the grizzly doesn’t know the ways of wolves. And come winter she’ll have to hibernate. And Faolan will be left on his own.

Both books target young adults, ages 9-13. If you like books with a little bit of magic and a whole lot of fast-paced excitement, then definitely check out Wolven. If you’re more into realistic stories about how animals live in the wild, then Wolves of the Beyond is the one for you!

This week I read two young adult novels: Superior Saturday (book 6 in the Keys to the Kingdom series) by Garth Nix, and The Viper’s Nest (book 7 in The 39 Clues series) by Peter Lerangis.

I have to be honest. I didn’t like Superior Saturday. Which is unusual because I love science fiction and fantasy books. But this novel really confused me. I haven’t read the first five books, which are all based on the days of the week (and if you look a little deeper, the seven deadly sins):

1. Mister Monday (Sloth)
2. Grim Tuesday (Greed)
3. Drowned Wednesday (Gluttony)
4. Sir Thursday (Wrath)
5. Lady Friday (Lust)
6. Superior Saturday (Envy)
7. Lord Sunday (Pride)

So that might have been my downfall. By book 6, authors expect you to have some background knowledge of the plot and characters. So coming into the story with fresh eyes was not the best idea. The series follows 12 year old Arthur as he attempts to gather all seven Keys to the Kingdom–keys, which were left by the Architect, to a mortal heir. But Arthur is growing more and more immortal all the time. In this book, he must find the Sixth Key before his mortality runs out, and return home to stop a nuclear bomb from hitting his city. Those are some big orders to fill for anyone, let alone a 12 year old.

As a long time fan of The 39 Clues series, I really enjoyed The Viper’s Nest. I’m not going to give you too much info on it (the books are so short, I don’t want to ruin any surprises!). But I will say that Dan and Amy travel to South Africa following a clue left by their relative Irina Spasky before she gave her life for theirs. And Dane really steps up to the plate this book, using his awesome decoding abilities. That’s all I’ll say. Definitely check it out.

This week I read four books: Alcatraz versus the Scrivener’s Bone (book 2) and Alcatraz versus the Knights of Crystallia (book 3) by Brandon Sanderson, as well as Cyberia (book 1) and Cyberia: Monkey See, Monkey Don’t by Chris Lynch. What can I say? Both authors are amazing.

The Cyberia series follows Zane, a boy who lives in a world of techonology, high-tech computers and talking animals. But you see, Zane is the only one who can hear the animals, courtesy of his trusty ear-noodle. He discovers that the evil Vetrinarian, Dr. Gristle, is developing chips that, when inserted into animals, allow him to control them. Zane can hear the animals’ pleads for help. But how can a boy match up against a powerful, influential pet doctor?

Alcatraz took my breath away. The cover wasn’t appealing, and I naturally judge books based on that. But once again, I was wrong. Alcatraz Smedry is a 13-year-old boy who has recently discovered that the world we call home is actually run by evil Librarians. He’s part of a famous family, whose home is located in a place called Nalhalla. The story claims to be a memoir of Alcratraz’s real life experinces. He begins almost every chapter with funny, random topics that have absolutely nothing to do with the story. They let you see how quirky and hilarious Alcatraz really is. And he’ll have you laughing your pants off.

The thing that makes both these series’ so special is that they’re hilarious. The narrators are quirky and clever, and they actually make you laugh out loud. They both look and sound a little sci-fi-ish, but don’t worry. The characters are completely normal, except that they have a better sense of humor than just about anyone you’ve ever met. Please give these books a read, especially Alcatraz.

This week I read Secrets of Deltora by Emily Rodda and The 39 Clues #6: In Too Deep by Jude Watson.

As series companion books go, Secrets of Deltora is a great one. The book is basically a guide to the land that Emily Rodda has created in her Deltora Quest series. It’s nice bonus to have in case you’ve taken too long to read the series and can’t remember certain details about the story. You learn about each of the gemstone-named territories and the native dragons. And you get an inside look at all the cities and creatures that are unique to each region. Not only is the book informative, it’s also very visually appealing. It’s a large, hardcover book with a funky hologram on the cover. The pages, which are made to look old and weathered, contain lots of colorful images and illustrations. This companion book is a great addition to the Deltora Quest series.

The 39 Clues has be one of my favorite YA series since book 1. But I must say, books 6 knocks its predecessors out of the water. The strong character emotions in this book will attract more female readers. And it takes place in a great setting too–Australia, home of koalas, kangaroos and dingos! But aside from these warm and fuzzy animals, Australia is also home to some of the worlds deadliest creatures. And as you’d expect, Amy and Dan encounter perhaps the most frightening of them all. In Too Deep is sure to keep you hooked on the series.

This week I read two young adult sequels: Song of the Wanderer by Bruce Coville (book two in The Unicorn Chronicles) and Timothy and the Dragon’s Gate by Adrienne Kress (sequel to Alex and the Ironic Gentleman).

While both books contain fantastical adventures and dangerous journeys, they appeal to different audiences. Song of the Wanderer would primarily appeal to girls, while Timothy and the Dragon’s Gate is a great adventure for both genders, specifically boys.

In Song of the Wanderer, Cara travels through the land of Luster, home of the unicorns, in order to find the portal that will take her home. Following the Queen’s orders, she must return to Earth, retrieve her grandmother (known as the Wanderer) and bring her back to Luster. But there are unfriendly forces at work that add a strain to Cara’s adventures. This story is magical and heart-warming. Fantasy lovers will definitely enjoy this book.

In Timothy and the Dragon’s Gate, Timothy meets a mysterious man name Mr. Shen, who is actually a dragon trapped in a human’s body. Mr. Shen needs Timothy’s help to break the curse so that he can live in his true form. Timothy and Mr. Shen travel to China, pursued by ninjas and relentless black taxicabs. This book is okay, but chances are you won’t be craving the next installment.

Both books I read this week looked unbelievably magical. But that’s why you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. The Giant Slayer by Iain Lawrence depicted a massive giant and a tiny boy — a fablelike cover that conjures so many magical possibilities. And while the book was decent, it didn’t reflect the same feel as the cover. Fairy Godmother Academy #1: Birdie’s Book by Jan Bozarth looked and sounded magical. I mean, its about a school for Fairy Godmothers right? Well, it fell a little short for me. The structure for a truly magical story was there, but I felt like the author didn’t deliver. It was too cookie-cutter, too typical, despite the fact that a fairy godmother academy is a new spin on magical stories (as far as I’m aware).

I would recommend The Giant Slayer to those who like sad stories with symbolism. But if you’re just looking for a light, escape read, the book isn’t for you. It takes place in the 1950′s, and illustrates the horrors of the Polio epidemic. The “giant slayer” part is merely a story told by the main character.

As for the Fairy Godmother Academy, I wish I had something better to say. It’s definitely for the younger half of the YA audience, and would likely only appeal to girls who’ve slightly outgrown the Rainbow Magic series. The dialogue is unrealistic in some parts, and at times I found the plot hard to follow. Maybe Jan Bozarth will deliver a winner in book two, Fairy Godmother Academy #2: Kerka’s Book.

This week, I read two adventure novels: Tentacles by Roland Smith and Charlie Bone and the Red Knight by Jenny Nimmo. Both books delivered on their promising plotlines.

Tentacles, the sequel to Cryptid Hunters, went above and beyond my expectations. It was rich with sneaky, slimy villains (not to mention creatures!), quirky characters and of course action. Tentacles followed Marty and Grace, two kids who recently learned that they’re cousins, not twins! They and the crew of their big ship embark on a high-seas adventure in search of the legendary giant squid. But Grace’s grandfather has snuck on informant on the ship, hoping to ruin their expedition while making himself out to be the hero.

Charlie Bone and the Red Knight is the eighth and final book in the Charlie Bone series. Without reading the previous seven novels, you’d definitely be confused. There are so many characters and loose ends left over from the previous book, that an unfamilar reader would be lost. But if you have followed the series, you’ll absolutely love it! In this fantastic conclusion Charlie and his friends must put a stop to the evil Bloor family once and for all, especially now that a will, hidden by Charlie’s father, states that Billy Raven is to inherit Bloor’s Academy. Way to go, Jenny Nimmo! You ended strong.

This week was all about the fantasy books. Dragon Rider by Cornelia Funke and The Wizard of Rondo by Emily Rodda each offer a great assortment of fantastical creatures–everything from dragons, brownies and humunculus’s to dots, talking pigs and terlamaines.

Dragon Rider is a fantastic adventure novel by one of today’s most popular young adult authors–Cornelia Funke, author of the Inkheart Trilogy. Dragon Rider follows a dragon named Firedrake, a brownie named Sorrell and a human boy named Ben on their quest to find a legendary Himalayan mountain range known as the Rim of Heaven. But trouble is hot on their trail. An evil, manmade dragon named Nettlebrand wants nothing more than to locate the Rim of Heaven and eat all the dragons who reside there. Somehow Firedrake must find the legendary mountain range without leading Nettlebrand to the world’s only dragon sancturary.

The Wizard of Rondo is the sequel to The Key to Rondo by Emily Rodda. The first novel in the series was a little easier to follow and had a more magical feel. The Wizard of Rondo is more like a murder mystery. When cousins Leo and Mimi return to the world of Rondo, they find their friends have deemed themselves a Quest Team. They recieve a letter from a distraught resident in the Hobnob and set out on their first investigation. Wizard Bing has disappeared, and his apprentice, who has been transformed into a giant mushroom, is now in custody of Officer Begood. Someone his behind these mysterious events and it’s up to the Quest Team, along with Leo and Mimi, to uncover the culprit.

There’s nothing better than a good series. And this week I reviewed installments in two different wonderful series’: The Key to Rondo by Emily Rodda and Catching Fire (book two of The Hunger Games) by Suzanne Collins.

The Key to Rondo has that perfect blend of magic and reality. It was exciting and fast-paced with a wide variety of magical and relatable characters. The story follows Leo Langlander and his impulsive cousin Mimi as they discover the secret about a family heirloom–a music box depicting magic land. They soon discover that there’s a whole lot more to the music box than just nice paintings and a pretty tune. It’s actually a gateway into the world of Rondo. After an evil blue queen steals Mimi’s dog, Leo and Mimi follow her into the music box and discover the life and strife inside of Rondo.

What can I say about Catching Fire? Amazing. Intense. Gripping. I didn’t think Suzanne Collins could outdo her first novel, The Hunger Games, but she certainly did. After surviving the Hunger Games–a brutal televised fight-to-the-death–Katniss is just trying to live a normal life. But the stunt she pulled in the arena that kept both her and her District 12 partner Peeta alive is coming back to haunt her. Her survival instinct may have unintentionally sparked a rebellion against the Capital, and President Snow is furious. He’ll do anything to prove that he is in control, even if it means threatening the lives of Katniss and all her family and friends.

Both of these books are fantastic reads. The Key to Rondo appeals to a younger audience (9-12 year olds) and Catching Fire will suit a teenage audience. Happy reading!