Book Review: Burn Mark

Burn Mark by Laura Powell
Review by Saranjeet

**This book will be released on June 19, 2012.**

I recently read Burn Mark by Laura Powell.  It gives a new perspective of witches and how they become the way that they do.  The beginning of the book starts off great, with Glory dreaming about the Burning Court and Lucas actually attending it.  These events really help out the reader because it gives details about what life is like for someone who worships the Fae and someone who doesn't.  Not only that, but it immediately grasps the reader.  Also, the gangs, the poice, and the mob really fit into the story nicely, and make it even better.  But, as the story progresses, certain parts become weak.  For example, Glory's father, Patrick, doesn't really play any important role and doesn't seem to affect any of Glory's actions.  Since Glory lives in a dangerous society, I would expect her father to be more strict or overprotective of her.  Also, Glory and Lucas's relationship seems to be astray, and at the end of the book the reader can't really make a decision whether it is a friendship or something more.  The ending of this book gave off the feeling of a second book, which I will excitedly hope for.

Three Reviews

The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan
In The Red Pyramid, Riordan faces the challenge of introducing us to new characters and a whole new mythology!  He is famous for writing the Percy Jackson series, which is based on Greek mythology.  The Kane Chronicles series focuses on a brother and sister, whose Egyptologist father endangers all of their lives during a research experiment gone wrong.  Soon, Carter and Sadie realize that the gods of Egypt are real, and that saving their father means trying to stop the most evil among them.  I had to read this for middle school book group, and I was actually surprised to find myself liking it.  Of course, there was a lot of action and some great battle scenes, but my favorite part of the book was actually learning about Egyptian mythology.  The second book in this series, The Throne of Fire, is already available, and the third (unnamed) book will be out on May 1, 2012.

Heist Society by Ally Carter
Ally Carter is known as the author of the Gallagher Girls spy series, starting with I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You.  But, in this book, she goes in a different direction, featuring Kat Bishop, who has been raised as a thief since birth.  Kat attempts to escape into a "normal" life, but is sucked back into the family business when her dad is implicated in a major heist that she knows he didn't commit.  This book reminded me of a cross between Son of the Mob by Gordon Korman and a heist movie (like Ocean's Eleven or Tower Heist).  It was an easy and fun read, with plenty of action, cliffhangers, and plot twists to make it interesting.  There's also a sequel, Uncommon Criminals, so look for that as well!

Birth Marked by Caragh M. O'Brien
16-year-old Gaia is a midwife-in-training who hands over a quota of babies to the Enclave every month, even though she's never been allowed inside. But when Gaia returns home and finds her parents have been arrested by the very people they serve, she starts a dangerous journey into the city to find them.  This dystopian fantasy's strengths are the character of Gaia and the medical problems caused by the small gene pool in the Enclave.  Several of the plot elements are a bit too convenient, but a disturbing twist at the end made the reading worthwhile.  This book is a good choice if you are a fan of the genre, or particularly interested in science or in childbirth.  And, if you like this book, the second book in the trilogy, called Prized, was released last month.

Recommendation: Angel Isle

Angel Isle by Peter Dickinson
(Click here to find a library copy.)

Recommendation by Pamela
Should we keep it?  YES
Why?  It's a very exciting sequel to The Ropemaker, and it raises interesting questions about teamwork, emotional wounds, jealousy, and the need for people with differences.

This book was part of the Last Call book display in the teen section during November and December. Thanks to everyone who participated!

Recommendation: The Blue Sword

The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley
(Click here to find a library copy.)

Recommendation by Samuel
Should we keep it?  YES
Why?  The heroine discovers her secret heritage and goes from bored charity case to warrior queen, second in skill to nobody.  Oh, and there's magic, too!

This book was part of the Last Call book display in the teen section during November and December. Thanks to everyone who participated!

Recommendation: The Ropemaker

The Ropemaker by Peter Dickinson
(Click here to find a library copy.)

Recommendation by Pamela
Should we keep it?
Why?  This book is encouraging to people who feel like a disappointment to their families.  Tilja's lack of magical talent turns out to be the gift that is needed to save two countries.  Also, it's fun.

This book was part of the Last Call book display in the teen section during November and December. Thanks to everyone who participated!

Recommendation: Singer

Singer by Jean Thesman
(Click here to find a library copy.)

Recommendation by Sarah
Should we keep it?  YES
Why?  She sets an example of saving people she loves even if it means facing her fears.

This book was part of the Last Call book display in the teen section during November and December. Thanks to everyone who participated!

Recommendation: The Phoenix Dance

The Phoenix Dance by Dia Calhoun
(Click here to find a library copy.)

Recommendation by Eliza
Should we keep it?  YES
Why?  It helpfully potrays the difficulties of psychologial illness and coming to terms with medication in a sensitive way.  It is a unique treasure.

This book was part of the Last Call book display in the teen section during November and December. Thanks to everyone who participated!

Recommendation: Spindle's End

Spindle's End by Robin McKinley
(Click here to find a library copy.)

Recommendation by Sarah
Should we keep it?  YES
Why?  I love the way the magic works in this book.  Also, it's funny and charming and a very original twist on the fairy tale.

This book was part of the Last Call book display in the teen section during November and December. Thanks to everyone who participated!

Recommendation: Sorcery and Cecelia

Sorcery and Cecelia, or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot by Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer
(Click here to find a library copy.)

Recommendation by Alana
Should we keep it?  YES
Why?  I liked it; it felt like a magical Jane Austen novel.  The plot is a little simplistic, but it's still better than a lot of books.  I'd keep it around.  :)

This book was part of the Last Call book display in the teen section during November and December. Thanks to everyone who participated! If you still have slips, no worries. Just bring them in by the end of January.

Recommendation: The Edge on the Sword

The Edge on the Sword by Rebecca Tingle
(Click here to find a library copy.)

Recommendation by Katie
Should we keep it?  YES
Why?  I think the teen section should keep this book because it is well written and the characters are loveable.

This book was part of the Last Call book display in the teen section during November and December. Thanks to everyone who participated! If you still have slips, no worries. Just bring them in by the end of January.

Recommendation: The New Policeman

The New Policeman by Kate Thompson
(Click here to find a library copy.)

Recommendation by Alana
Should we keep it?  YES
Why?  This book has a lot of Irish mythology in it, which separates it from a lot of the modern fairytale stories out there.  It's appropriate for just about everyone, and it has traditional Irish music in it (which I am just dying to hear played).  J.J. is a relatable protagonist, Aengus is just downright gorgeous, and getting rid of either this book or its sequel (The Last of the High Kings) would be a crime.  Plus, it's one of my very favorite books.

This book was part of the Last Call book display in the teen section during November and December. Thanks to everyone who participated! If you still have slips, no worries. Just bring them in by the end of January.

Recommendation: Kiki Strike

Kiki Strike:  Inside the Shadow City by Kirsten Miller
(Click here to find a library copy.)

Recommendation by Kathy
Should we keep it?  YES
Why?  It's a very thrilling read, full of twists and turns, with tips on how to be resourceful in different ways.

This book was part of the Last Call display in the teen section.  Kathy checked it out, read it, and filled out the bookmark with her recommendation.  You can do the same...there are a lot more books that need a boost from readers like you!  Just make sure you get to the library before December 29 to participate.

Recent Reads

I haven't had much time for book blogging recently, so here are several fantasy reviews in one post! All of these were read recently by our Read and Rant Book Discussion Group, which is for grades 7 to 9. If you want to read them, click on the covers to find library copies.

Downsiders by Neal Shusterman
This is one of Shusterman's older books that has recently been republished. I am a fan of his books, especially Unwind, so it's great to be able to read more of his writing. Downsiders envisions a secret society living in the tunnels under New York City, which is just possible enough to be creepy. Talon, a Downsider, knows there are strict rules about contact with Topsiders, but his curiosity gets him in trouble. After being discovered in our world by 14-year-old Lindsay, he dares to take her on a forbidden visit to the Downside. The story follows a fairly typical fantasy arc, but the world created by Shusterman is rich with images even though it is dimly lit. The Downside really captured my attention with forgotten subway stations as meeting places, dropped subway tokens and lost earrings finding new life as art, and herds of cattle (not alligators) terrorizing the tunnels. It's great for the imagination...think of what might be under Philadelphia!

Airborn by Kenneth Oppel
Matt Cruise is a knowledgeable cabin boy aboard the airship Aurora in a historical fantasy setting where airplanes never replaced dirigibles in the skies. One night, he helps rescuse a dying balloonist whose last words are of mysterious winged creatures. Matt thinks his talk was just a hallucination, but that man's wealthy granddaughter, Kate, shows up as a passenger a year later and is seriously searching for information about the creatures. When their flight is overtaken by pirates and crashes on an uncharted island, Matt and Kate are propelled into action to save themselves, rescue their shipmates, and possibly revolutionize science. This book starts out slowly, as the author works to build the reader's understanding of his world. But the action really starts to take off when the pirates attack, and it does not slow down until the end! This is a good old-fashioned adventure story with a fantasy twist. It is first in a trilogy, so be sure to look for Skybreaker and Starclimber if you like it.

The Other Side of the Island by Allegra Goodman
With the Earth's enviornment in ruins from freak weather events, Earth Mother is gathering the remaining people into the safety of the Enclosure.  When Honor and her parents are brought in from a remote island, Honor is happy to accept everything as it is presented to her.  However, her parents are much more suspicious.  They refuse to worship Earth Mother and decide to have a "selfish" second child.  It seems that the harder Honor tries to fit in, the more her parents to do stand out.  And people who stand out have a habit of disappearing.  Allegra Goodman does an excellent job of creating a dytopian world build on radical environmentalism rather than the intellectual freedom issues featured in many other books of this genre.  The story really picks up pace in the second half of the book and becomes a page-turning race against time to save those who have had their minds altered in the name of peace and safety.  Some of the plot elements seemed a bit unlikely to me, but I think that the writing style and compelling action more than compensate for them.  This is a good choice for fans of The Hunger Games and other dystopian novels.