Forged in Fire and Stars by Andrea Robertson - OPTIONAL

Forged in Fire and Stars (Loresmith, #1) by Andrea Robertson, 371 pages.  Philomel Books (Penguin), 2020. $19.  

Content: Language: PG (3 swears); Mature Content: PG-13; Violence: PG-13.  

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS – OPTIONAL  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE  

15yo Ara is a blacksmith who knows how to forge weapons and use them.  When the lost prince and princess of Saetlund find Ara, she realizes that she is the Loresmith from the legends she has heard since birth.  As the Loresmith, she can forge powerful weapons that protect Saetlund and the prince and princess hope to have Ara’s help as they reclaim their kingdom.  Along their journey they meet Teth a sixteen-year-old thief who has connections to the dark underworld of the kingdom.  Teth and Ara care for each other and work together to help the princess and prince.  

I wanted to love this book, especially because I really enjoyed Andrea Robertson’s Nightshade series, but this book was frustrating.  For most of the book it felt like the characters were just wandering around.  The main point and plot line were not returned to enough and I found myself trying to remember what the character’s goals were.  I liked Teth and Ara but wanted them to have a purpose that was clear.  Great premise, but disappointing execution.  

Reviewer, C. Peterson.

Exile by Anne Osterlund - OPTIONAL

Osterlund, Anne Exile, 304 p. Speak (Penguin), 2011.  $9.  Violence: PG (fighting and murder, but nothing described).  Having survived the assassination attempt, Aurelia is determined to find about more about her father’s kingdom – and get herself away from her plotting stepsister and palace intrigue.  Tension between Aurelia and Robert is palpable, as neither knows how to talk to the other.  More than a simple tour of a nation, Aurelia is on the journey of a life time.  Aurelia finally has a chance to shine in this second novel – and it is much better than the first.  Girls who love tough heroines and exotic locales will enjoy this.  MS – OPTIONAL.  Cindy, Library Teacher

The Hidden Coronet by Catherine Fisher - ESSENTIAL

Fisher, Catherine The Hidden Coronet (Relic Master #3), 421 p. $17.  Violence: PG.  Raffi, Galen, Carys and the Sekoi are on the move again – this time hunting for the Coronet.  This powerful relic is rumored to have the power to bring all of the Makers’ devices back online.  This time they are joined by two newcomers:  Solon, a keeper, and Marco, a relic peddler whom Solon rescued.  When it looks as though a traitor is trying to sabotage the group’s mission, suspicion abounds and if the group doesn’t root out the saboteur, then all that they hold dear may go directly into the Margrave’s hands.  Fisher is doing an excellent job maintaining the tension, mystery and excitement along her quartet.  There’s only one month and one installment left to go!  EL, MS – ESSENTIAL. Cindy, Library Teacher

The Secret Prince by Violet Haberdasher - ADVISABLE

Haberdasher, Violet The Secret Prince, 503 p. Henry and his friends survived their first term at Knightley Academy, but that doesn’t mean that second term is going to be any better – or safer.  While Henry and Adam still like hanging with Frankie (the headmaster’s daughter), Rohan has become more stubborn and is looking to others for friendship.  And Henry’s main nemesis, Theobold is still actively trying to stir up hate against the commoners, but his sidekick, Valmont, while still verbally hostile, seems to be opening up towards Henry.  Then disturbing news starts coming from the north and Frankie, tired of the boys ignoring her, runs away.  When Henry and Adam sneak away to spy on the North, they not only find Frankie, they also find a huge amount of trouble.  I must admit, I was pretty harsh in my review of the first installation of this series.  I enjoyed number two much more.  While it will never be a number one series, it can certainly hold it own.  I am actually looking forward to number three!  EL, MS – ADVISABLE. Cindy, Library Teacher

The Ring of Solomon by Jonathan Stroud-ADVISABLE

Stroud, Jonathan. The Ring of Solomon, 398 pgs. Disney-Hyperion Books, 2010. $17.99. Sexual Content-PG; Language-G; Violence-PG-13 (some people get eaten by demons and sword fights). For readers who loved the irreverent and off-the-wall Bartimaeus from The Bartimaeus Trilogy this new adventure (although technically a prequel) will be a delight. Bartimaeus’ narration is tongue-in-cheek and at times laugh-out-loud funny. The story begins when the demon Bartimaeus eats his first master. He thinks he’s free until King Solomon commands Khaba (a royal magician) to re-summon Bartimaeus and punish him. Meanwhile a guard named Asmira has been sent by her queen to assassinate King Solomon. Bartimaeus and Asmira’s paths meet and together they face the immeasurable power of the ring of Solomon. The twists and turns of the plot will keep the reader guessing. Readers do not need to have read The Bartimaeus Trilogy to eat up this fantastic historical fantasy book. MS/HS – ADVISABLE. Samantha, Public Librarian.

Dust City by Robert Weston - ESSENTIAL

Weston Robert, Dust City, 299 pages, published 2010, Sexual Content: G, Violence: PG, Language: G. Life’s not easy for Henry because his dad is the wolf who killed Little Red Riding Hood. As he gets older he realizes his dad has been framed and it’s his job to prove this. He needs to figure out the secrets of the ancient fairy dust. I really liked this book because it was very interesting to see Little Red Riding Hoods story from a wolf's point of view. I think everyone would enjoy reading this book, it’s that good! EL-MS – ESSENTIAL. Student Reviewer: SO

Tale of Two Castles by Gail Carson Levine - OPTIONAL

Levine, Gail Carson Tale of Two Castles, 216 p (app.) MAY 2011.  Content: G.  Elodie, 12, has been sent off by her parents to apprentice herself to a weaver, but Elodie’s dream is to be a Mansioner (actor).  Instead she finds herself with a dragon as a mastress – a dragon who fancies itself a detective – in a city that has a human King and an ogre who is engaged to the Princess.  Someone is poisoning the king and the easiest target is the ogre, but Elodie really likes Jonty Um, the ogre, and is happy to help her mastress puzzle out the crime – even when the finger points directly back at Elodie.  Levine has constructed a medieval, scaly Sherlock Holmes in a distant land.  The audience is young, but they had better be smart, as Levine doesn’t give away the answers easily.  But the smart reader will find it is worth the patience.  EL – OPTIONAL.  Cindy, Library Teacher.

The False Princess by Eilis O'Neal

O’Neal, Eilis The False Princess. Egmont, 2011.  $16.99.  Content: G.  For 16 years, Nalia has been the beloved princess.  Now, however, she is a just a baby that was used as a decoy while the real princess was raised hidden from the eyes of her enemies.  Abandoned by those she used to call Mother and Father, and now called by her true name, Sinda is eking out a life in a poor village with an aunt she never knew.  But more lies and more secrets and deadly twists await the fate of the true princess and only Sinda has the courage to head into danger and to seek the truth.  O’Neal has written a wonderful first novel that rings true with all of the elements of great fantasy.  Whether your students like E.D. Baker or Shannon Hale, they will truly like Sinda.  MS – ESSENTIAL. Cindy, Library Teacher

The Secret of Ka by Christopher Pike

Pike, Christopher The Secret of Ka, 407 pgs. Harcourt, 2010. Language - PG (27 swears, 0 "f"), Sexual Content - PG; Violence - PG; Sara is in Turkey visiting her dad. You would think it would be fun and exciting, she thought so too, but it has been the same boring routine for a week! That's when she meets Amesh. She makes him take her to her father's work site to finally do something different. Finding a magic carpet wasn't in the plan, but it was definitely something different to be swept away to an island with a boy you barely know. I was sucked in almost immediately after starting to read. I've never read a book with such a unique outlook on magic carpets and genies. I was swept away before I could even consider putting it down. I enjoyed the fact that Sara learned slowly and didn't suddenly know everything about what she could do and that she was vulnerable at times. Although the end made me a little sad, it wasn't extremely predictable, and I cannot wait to read the next one! MS, HS - ADVISABLE. Reviewer: CCH

Raven Speak by Diane Lee Wilson

Wilson, Diane Lee Raven Speak, 247 pgs. Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2010. Language - PG (1 swear, 0 "f"), Sexual Content - G; Violence - PG-13; Asa is the cheiftain's daughter and the last of his children since her two brothers passed on. This winter has been long and hard, everyone is ready for summer. The food is just shy of gone, so Asa's father takes most of the men and goes on a journey overseas to try and find food. When your clan is dying, what will you give up to save them? This story is excellent. I love Asa; her leadership skills are unfailing because she is just and sacrificing. I loved the fact that when the "bad guy" was taken care of, there was still more to the story. MS, HS - ADVISABLE. Reviewer: CCH

The Tilting House by tom Llewellyn

Llewellyn, Tom The Tilting House, 150 pgs. Tricycle Press, 2010. Language - PG (2 swears, 0 "f"), Sexual Content - G; Violence - G; Josh and his family move into a big house with tilted floors and writing all over the walls. Though weird and a little scary, they enjoy the house. This book tells about some experiences they had living in the strange house and uncovering some of its secrets. I enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought I would. It was filled with mystery and adventure and it had a great end with all the important questions answered. It still leaves more for the imagination, but what great books don't? EL, MS - ADVISABLE. Reviewer: CCH

Phantom of Blood Alley by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell

Stewart, Paul & Riddell, Chris Phantom of Blood Alley, 202 pgs. David Fickling Books, 2009. Language - PG (3 swears, 0 "f"), Sexual Content - G; Violence - PG; Barnaby Grimes, tick-tock lad, takes on a job from Clarissa Oliphant to follow her secretive brother and report back to her. Unforeseeable to all, they get wrapped up in a murder mystery. Can Barnaby Grimes, tick-tock lad, prove innocence of the accused and catch the real murderer before getting killed himself? Very suspenseful and a pretty good book. I think it will be better enjoyed by the kids it's focused towards, but if a high schooler wants to read it, this book isn't a bad choice. EL MS - OPTIONAL. Reviewer: CCH

Legion of the Dead by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell

Stewart, Paul & Riddell, Chris Legion of the Dead, 225 pgs. David Fickling Books, 2008. Language - PG (2 swears, 0 "f"), Sexual Content - G; Violence - PG; Barnaby Grimes is a successful tick-tock lad, earning him regular customers, one of which is Professor Pinkerton-Barnes. He has another theory and wants Barnaby to help him discover whether or not it's correct. They aren't prepared for the answer, though, or the mystery that is accidentally uncovered. Though entertaining, I still think these books are too young for high schoolers. I also think the authors get too carried away with the details. Some specifics are appreciated, but there are just too many and it's distracting. EL, MS - OPTIONAL. Reviewer: CCH

Museum of Thieves by Lian Tanner

Tanner, Lian Museum of Thieves, 312 pgs. Delacorte Press, 2010. $16.99. Language-PG(1 swear); Mature Content-G; Violence-PG; The ancient museum has hidden its secrets over the years, but when trouble arises in the city strange things start to occur. Once the museum is invaded, the city is in for a huge surprise. Can two children save the city of Jewel from this terrible fate? I love this book! It is written really well and has a story that doesn't make you want to put the book down. If you love action books, you will love this book. MS-ESSENTIAL. Student Reviewer:CGM.   

The Toymaker by Jeremy DeQuidt

De Quidt, Jeremy The Toymaker, 356 pgs.  David Fickling Books, 2010.   $16.99.  Language – G, 1 swear, 0 F’s.  Sexual Content – G.  Violence – PG.   Setting:  A mysterious land far away, a long time ago.   This book starts out with a toymaker trying to figure out a way to keep toys from running down.  He discovers that he can use the hearts of animals in the toys.  I thought that this book was going to be full of blood and gruesome action…not so…after the first chapter the story follows young Mathias and his friend Katta, as they escape from the evil Dr. Leiter and gain the help of Koenig the woodsman.  Koenig helps them discover the secret that Mathias’s grandfather gave him before his death.  The adventure and excitement the characters go through will keep the reader hooked until the end.  However, I felt that there were too many unanswered questions and the ending was disappointing and depressing.  MS-HS ADVISABLE.  Reviewer Jim Moon, Middle School Librarian

The Fire Opal by Regina McBride

McBride, Regina The Fire Opal, 292 pgs. Delacorte Press, 2010. Language - PG (1 swear, 0"f"), Sexual Content: G; Violence: G; Ever since Maeve's little sister died her mom hasn't been herself. Then Maeve's mom insists that Ishleen is coming back to them and is labeled as crazy. The night that the new Ishleen is born, two things happen: Maeve sees that it really is Ishleen and her mother becomes despondent. Maeve now has to face upand do things she couldn't ever have thought of, in order to get her mom back. I was sucked into all the action that comes up in this book. I didn't expect there to be as much action as there was. I also loved that Maeve had a weakness that brought trials and made her think in order to get out of them. MS, HS - ADVISABLE. Student Reviewer: CCH

The Brimstone Key by Derek Benz

Benz, Derek & Lewis, J.S. Grey Griffins: The Clockwork Chronicles: The Brimstone Key, 369 pgs. Little, Brown and Company, 2010. Language - G, Sexual Content - G; Violence - PG; The Grey Griffins got accepted to Iron Bridge Academy and both excited and nervous. When they arrive at their new school they have friends, enemies, and questions. The questions that never get asked, though, are the most important: what if something went wrong? What if it's not safe? Will we survive? I advise that you read the Grey Griffins original trilogy before the Clockwork Chronicles. Although not technically part of the series,            it will make it less confusing because they make references to them throughout the book. Even without reading them, though, I found it very alluring. It has a mystery element and lots of action. The end left me very unhappy only because I don't have the second book available. MS - ADVISABLE. Student Reviewer: CCH

Society of Unrelenting Vigilance by Glenn Dakin

Dakin, Glenn Candle Man: The Society of Unrelenting Vigilance, 300 pgs. Egmont, 2009. Language - PG (3 swears, 0 "f"), Sexual Content - G; Violence - PG; Theo isn't allowed to know anything about the outside world. He is stuck in the same room, seeing the same three people, eating the same food, and doing the same things day after day. Through out all of this, almost all he has been told are lies. Theo is sick of all of this, but how he feels after finally gaining his freedom and ending up in a war is a different story. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Theo's tale of being trapped, finding freedom, and discovering new things. I liked the characters too--especially in the mythical creatures department. I am anxiously awaiting the moment I get the sequel in my hands. MS - ADVISABLE. Student Reviewer: CCH

the Owl Keeper by Christine Brodien-Jones

Brodien-Jones, Christine The Owl Keeper, 320. Delacorte Books for Young Readers, 2010. Content - G; Max is allergic to the sun. Forced to spend his days inside, he sneaks out at night to visit the owl tree where his silver owl is hidden. Max loves silver owls and believes them to be magic, but the government claims they are evil and kill any they find. When Max discovers that his caregiver and the government have a horrible use for him he runs away with his friend Rose to try and find The Owl Keeper, someone who was prophesied of long ago to bring freedom and peace to their world.

I found this book slow to start and wordy throughout. 100 pages shorter and I would've liked it much more. It had a lot of plot holes and the adults aren't all that smart. EL - OPTIONAL. Rebekah, Public Librarian

The Hunchback Assignments by Arthur Slade

Slade, Arthur The Hunchback Assignments, 278 pgs. Wendy Lamb Books, 2009. Language - G, Sexual Content - G; Violence - PG; Mr. Socrates took in Modo when he was little and has been training Modo--without Modo's knowledge--to help him. When Mr. Socrates leaves Modo in the middle of an unfamiliar place as a test, Modo learns to adapt and gets himself ready to accomplish the tasks that Mr. Socrates has planned for him. I couldn't put this book down. I loved the mystery that's incorporated into every page and I loved everything about Modo. MS, HS - OPTIONAL. Reviewer: CCH