"The Warrior Heir" Cinda Williams Chima

Fun light hearted reading for any age. This book is one I read over 3 years ago and I typically recommend it when I get asked by young teens what a good read would be. It is the first in a series of 3 books; The Warrior Heir, The Wizard Heir, The Dragon Heir. I read the first two and just haven't gotten around to reading the third but I will when it comes available at my library.

Here is a link The Warrior Heir

"The Maze Runner" James Dashner

One of the most unique books I have ever read, it was so suspenseful I almost had a heart attack while reading it! So so good, my husband even enjoyed reading it and when he was done he wanted the second one, "The Scorch Trials" when I told him it wasn't out yet he was very frustrated! He finally read "The Scorch Trials" and now he asks me weekly when the third book is coming out! If you liked "The Hunger Games" or "Divergent" then you will like this book.

Here is the link The Maze Runner

"Impossible" Nancy Werlin

This was a good read, I love the way she took a folk song and turned it into a whole story. I will say that there are some mature situations in this book that a younger reader might struggle with (pregnancy after date rape). This book has a great story and the author keeps the feeling of the book surprisingly light considering the content. I loved the love story and I love the "bad guy".

Here is a link Impossible

"A Northern Light" Jennifer Donnelly

This book is a little different from what I usually read. This is more a life story of choice and consequence. A young girl's struggle to decide whether to choose herself or choose her family and loose herself. It was very well written and I felt like I was connected to the characters and their emotions throughout the entire book. I also found myself talking to sixteen year old Mattie telling her what I believed she should do and trying to encourage her at times. It was a new experience for me to want something that strongly for a book character.

Here is a link A Northern Light

"The Pale Assassin" Patricia Elliot

I enjoyed reading this book. I read it so long ago that I don't remember a lot of the details but I do remember I liked it and I have recommended it to several people. If you like Eva Ibbotson then you will love this book. It was a very exciting read and there is a second one as well.

Here is a link The Pale Assassin.

"What I Saw and How I Lied" Judy Blundell

I did not LOVE this book but I really liked it. It was full of the angst of growing up and the heartache of family betrayal. The Character's growth was well written it was both sad and exciting.

Here is a link to the What I Saw and How I Lied website. Check it out and read a chapter.

"Immortal Beloved" Cate Tiernan

This was seriously the best book ever!!! I love every minute of it, I couldn't put it down. This book has it all; personal growth of the character, suspense, real characters, love, betrayal. It just keeps getting better as you read, and when you get to the end you will be dying to get your hands on the next one!

Here is a link to the official Immortal Beloved sight they have a great intro to the book!

I can not wait until the next one (Darkness Falls) is out but it looks like it will be Sept. 5th!!

Please leave a comment if you loved this book!

Blood Red Road! Moira Young

I read Blood Red Road while Kevin was away at scout camp. It was a really great book I loved the whole story!

Saba is a real character with real emotions and real flaws. I love that she isn't perfect but I also love that she is so strong and so determined to succeed at her goals!

The basic story is this: Saba live with her father, twin brother, and sister at a dried up lake bed when some strangers ride in and kidnap her brother and kill her father she takes off after them to rescue her brother Lugh. She feels like her twin brother is all that is good and that she can't be good without him. She tries to leave her sister with a friend and the younger girls refusal to be left behind creates a powerful learning experience for both of them. Throughout the book I find myself forgetting how young her sister really is. Saba and her sister get thrown into one bad situation after another yet they triumph. Saba gets thrown into cage fighting but it is her sister who surprised me with her strength to do what needed to be done. I love the freehawks and the fun and wild aspect that they add to the book, as they plot to free Saba from the cage fighting and I loved how the author kept the relationship between Jack and Saba so low key. When Saba rescues Jack without understanding why she felt so strongly that she needed to it left you with that feeling of wanting more and Moira delivered. Jack doesn't see Saba with rose colored glasses how he calls her out when she is acting spoiled and selfish and tells her what she needs to hear not just what she wants to hear. In the end they save the day but are still left with almost what they started with which was nothing! I really like the ending and the idea that it's finished but not over. This is one of the best books I have read in a while and it is great for all ages.