The Black Opera: a Novel of Opera, Volcanoes, and the Mind of God

Mary Gentle
The secret occult brotherhood of the King's Men don't want to destroy the world, per se. They just think the devil would do a better job at running things than God has. So to change the balance of the world, they are going to write an opera so powerful that the very foundations of the earth are altered. ...

Review by Amy B. »

The Name of the Wind: the Kingkiller Chronicle Day One

Pat (Patrick J) Rothfuss
What to be said about this book? I came across it accidentally online in a blog. Yes, there is almost always someone who will save something good about a book but I decided to take a chance. ...

Review by Christopher S. »

Nic Bishop Snakes

Nic Bishop
Snakes!!!Love them? Hate them (they scare you)? You just don’t care? Well, after looking at the fabulous pictures in this book I hope that everyone can appreciate their beauty. Who knew that there was a snake with huge scales like a dragon’s? ...

Review by Christopher S. »

Country Road Abc: an Illustrated Journey Through America's Farmland

Arthur Geisert
Author Arthur Geisert has created a trip back in time and into the country with this charming alphabet book. Not only does the book travel down country roads it also follows the four seasons in the year of farmers in Iowa.Nice! ...

Review by Christopher S. »

Pale

Chris Wooding
Pale is a highly engaging dystopian story. In this not so distant future, there is a drug called the Lazarus Serum that can bring you back to life. Problem is, it only works on one blood type. Another problem is, it changes your appearance so that everyone can instantly tell that you were brought back to life. You become a Pale. ...

Review by Linda S. »

Tale of a Great White Fish: (a Sturgeon Story)

Maggie De Vries
This book chronicles the life of a white sturgeon who lives in the Fraser River in British Columbia, Canada. The story starts in 1828 when she is just an egg and ends in 2005 and she is still alive! Throughout her long life she faced many challenges as her home/life was changed by the arrival of people from other lands. But what a fish!!! She is 20...

Review by Christopher S. »

Liar & Spy

Rebecca Stead
Georges (7th grade) is facing a move, a new life and a new school after his father loses his job and his mother takes on extra shifts at work. Making friends at school proves difficult, but then Georges meets Safer, a home schooled boy of similar age, and his rather odd family who live in the same apartment building. ...

Review by Michele R. »

Crow

Barbara Wright
In the summer of 1898 in Wilmington North Carolina, escalating tensions lead to race riots and attacks on minority citizens. Moses Thomas, an 11 year old African American young man, becomes an unexpected hero during the riots, showing great bravery and wise judgment. Some young readers may find this Reconstruction Era story disturbing, however it is...

Review by Michele R. »

Starry River of the Sky

Grace Lin
Rendi leaves home hoping for a place bigger and better but finds himself stranded in a small nowhere village. A missing mountain, strange moaning in the night, and a moon that is gone from the sky haunt the village and overshadow any chance for happiness. Rendi becomes the chore boy at the village Inn. ...

Review by Michele R. »

The Unfortunate Son

Constance Leeds
Don’t let the dull dark cover lead you astray, there are great and huge adventures in this work of historical fiction set in the fifteenth century. Luc, unfortunately born with only one ear, is considered unlucky and his father despises and neglects him. His mother has already left. ...

Review by Michele R. »