The Book of Dead Days by Marcus Sedgwick

This book had a bit of history attached to it.  I couldn't quite figure out what time period it took place in.  One of the main characters, Valerian, reminded me of Gandalf from Lord of The Rings.  He was a magician of sorts with an act in the theatre although the story doesn't last very long.  Boy is his loyal slave and helps out with anything Valerian asks of him.  This story is very reminiscent of the mid century play, Dr. Faustus.  Valerian has made a deal with the devil and his time for payment is upon him.  This story is his journey in trying to find a way out of death.  It's not quite clear in details of some of the events but it gives you enough to understand what is going on.  The story only gives you bits and pieces that makes you just curious enough to keep reading because you'll want to have questions answered.  This is only book one, the next book is called The Dark Flight Down.  Although this book was good it wasn't one I was so excited about that I'd go out immediately and get the second one.  One day I'll read the following though, I can't stand to have an unfinished series on my mind.=)  Happy Reading!!!

Incantation by Alice Hoffman

This was a book that has been one of many just sitting on my bookshelf just waiting to be read!  I'm glad I picked this one up, it wasn't adventurous or funny or a lighthearted book by no means.  This was a historical story about the Jews being persecuted in Spain.  It is very somber and is a book full of the truths of evil and cruelty placed on people just for their ways of life and their beliefs.  It's also full of love, life and family, and what is most important in life.  It has strong undercurrents of how you should treat the other human beings around yourself.  It will drag you into the story and won't let you go until the end.  Although the other leaves the ending open, she leaves you with hope.  I think any book about the persecution of Jews needs that hope, it is all that cruelty left them with during those horrible and evil times.  I strongly recommend this book.  It would be a great book to do a report or project on for school.  It is not your typical Jew from Germany story either.  It is a different culture and time and family whose point of view I have never read before and it was very eye opening.  A must read. 

The Limit by Kristen Landon

If you are a fan of Margaret Peterson Haddix, you'll love this book.  She even recommends it!  It was fast paced and thrilling and adventurous right from the get go.  It's in a society where the government has started a program for families to recover from debt.  Each person and family has a "limit" that they cannot go over as far as money is concerned.  When the limit is breached there are usually a couple of options made available to families, although one in particular is often used.  This involves the government taking the oldest born child from the family and putting them in a workhouse in order to help the family get out of debt.  Matt is one such kid that was taken but his particular workhouse isn't quite right.  Kids are having severe headaches and some are even having seizures.  No one is really noticing anything though.  He isn't receiving any emails from home which is really odd.  Also he's caught the head lady in a couple of cover ups and small lies.  Why would she lie?  The more Matt digs, the more illegal activities he discovers about this workhouse.  They can't do these things to children can they?  Will Matt find any incriminating evidence? and if he does how will he get out?  This was such a good book, I didn't want to put it down until I finished!  Strongly recommend!!!  Happy Reading!

Wake by Amanda Hocking

I received this book in the mail from the publisher as a sneak peak.  I believe this one comes out August first, but I could be wrong on the date.  Amanda Hocking is the author of the Trylle Trilogy which I would recommend to everyone!!!! I absolutely loved the Trylle Trilogy.  Wake falls into the same category of Trylle.  Wake is a story that totally unique and all it's own.  It involves a small east coast town and a very modern family with their own set of problems to overcome.  4 strange girls show up right before the tourist season and everyone takes notice.  They are glowingly beautiful and draw every man's and some women's eyes as they walk down main street.  I won't give up exactly what they are, I'll leave that a surprise.  But i will tell you that they look to recruit because there always must be 4 of them.  The story involves the gods, sirens and mermaids.  This will be such a great book for you to delve into for the summer.  And there will for sure be two more each coming out 6 months apart.  Amanda Hocking is really establishing herself as a great writer.  I love her.=) Definitely a must read for the summer.  Happy Reading!!!!

The Dead Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan

This was the second book to The Forest of Hands and Teeth.  I have to admit I read this months ago, but life has been going on and I'm just barely getting to blogging about it! The start of the book threw me off a little because of the starting point of the story, but once I got my bearings it was a great continuation.  The main character in this story is the daughter of the main character in the previous book.  They still have the same problem but there are new problems that pop up and new twists and turns.  I still think it's comparable to Resident Evil but on a less gross scale.=)  It was thrilling and adventurous and there will definitely have to be a third book that I will look into.  This has been a good little series that I will definitely watch for.  Happy Reading!!!