Classics Review: The Birchbark House

Title: The Birchbark House
Author: Louise Erdrich
Length: 239 pages
Genre: Historical fiction
Stand alone or series: Stand alone
Content appropriate for: Grades 3-7

Three adjectives that describe this book: slow, memorable, interesting

A book designed to transport you into the daily life of an Ojibwa family in the mid 1800s. Not only does The Birchbark House meet this goal, but it does so quite vividly. This is not a plot-driven novel, but instead all about the characters and setting. It follows a family over the course of one year, so we experience all that it takes to survive in the Great Lakes region. The characters hunt, fish, and farm. They create clothing, spend time with friends, and celebrate with their neighbors. They build homes suited to each season, and must survive a challenging winter. They encounter changes brought by the white men, and make decisions about how to deal with these changes. This is a quiet story, but would be great for any middle grade reader who is interested in the lives of native peoples.

On a side note - As an adult reader, I kept sensing the clock ticking in the background, knowing that the story is set in 1847, and that the characters in this story would not continue the rhythms of life, as established by their ancestors, for much longer. It was a strange feeling to be the observer who knows more than the characters about their futures.

3.5 stars

Sunbolt Review: Just Read it Now!

Premise: Orphaned at a young age, Hitomi has learned to hide her magical aptitude. Most of all, she must conceal her role in the Shadow League, an underground movement working to undermine the powerful and corrupt mage, Blackflame. When Hitomi finds herself captured, it will take everything she can summon to escape with her life. ~ From Goodreads

Title and Author: Sunbolt by Intisar Khanani
Length: 142 pages
Genre: Fantasy
Series or Stand Alone: Book 1
Content appropriate for: Grades 9-12
Format: Digital copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley

Three adjectives that describe this book: unexpected, intriguing, intense

I have a major thing for world-building. I love to read Brandon Sanderson and Hugh Howey precisely because they invent super creative worlds and develop them completely with carefully placed details that create the world without boring exposition. Sunbolt does this too. But the amazing thing about it is that the author richly developed this world and these characters in under 150 pages. That is some seriously talented writing!

And the plot? Sunbolt is chock full of fight scenes, creative magic, strong women, and scary nonhuman villains. The plot also twists and turns, so that at first it seems like a political intrigue book and then a vampire story and finally a magic powers story. I need book 2 now!

Book Review: Shadow Scale

Premise: Seraphina's secret half-dragon parentage is out and now the kingdom of Goredd has found itself in the middle of a dragon civil war. She must travel to neighboring kingdoms in search of the other half-dragons, for they share a connection that might be used to fight the dragons more successfully.

Title: Shadow Scale
Author: Rachel Hartman
Length: 608 pages
Genre: Fantasy
Series or Stand Alone: Book 2 following Seraphina
Content appropriate for: Grades 9-12
Format: Digital ARC provided by Random House Children's via NetGalley

Three adjectives that describe this book: complex, gripping, twisty

Oh man! So much goodness here. This sequel is certainly worthy of its predecessor. Rachel Hartman had her own big shoes to fill, and she filled them marvelously. Where Seraphina was largely character-driven, Shadow Scale is largely plot-driven. And that plot? It was deliciously complex, with the reader never really sure who could be trusted.

Book 1: Seraphina

As a huge fan of world-building, I love how Rachel Hartman showed us more of Seraphina's world. We travel to all the different kingdoms, meeting people of various cultures. Each culture has a slightly different take on both dragons and religion, so it was really interesting to experience that spectrum. Rachel Hartman has clearly invested a lot of creative energy in developing this world, its foods, customs, clothing, geography, politics, and religion.

Another really cool element is that we spend a lot more time with dragons in this book. The first book really focused on Seraphina, so we didn't get to know many dragons. In this one, though, not only do we spend more time with dragons, but we also get to experience a Quigutl society. It was absolutely fascinating. Plus, we learn a lot more about the powers of half-dragons. It turns out, that they all have some sort of ability and Seraphina's mind garden is key to the whole thing.

This book totally met my needs for political intrigue. The characters are constantly scheming and plotting. The humans and dragons are split into several camps, some working together, some fighting one another, and others manipulating each other. I loved how Seraphina was constantly circling her nemesis in this one, they were like wrestlers at the start of a match, sizing each other up.

Overall, I highly recommend this book to fans of Seraphina. And if you haven't read book 1 - do it now!

4.5 stars

Mystery + Science + Humor = Nick and Tesla

Premise: This 4th installment of the series centers on a science museum that seems to be being sabotaged from within. Using science and invention, Nick and Tesla must find the culprit and save the museum.

Title: Nick and Tesla's Super-Cyborg Gadget Glove
Authors: Bob Pflugfelder & Steve Hockensmith
Length: 272 pages
Genre: Mystery
Stand Alone or Series: Book 4 of 4 (so far)
Content appropriate for: Grades 4-6
Format: Digital ARC provided by the Quirk Books via NetGalley

Three adjectives that describe this book: creative, fun, entertaining; 
Bonus adjective: nerdy

I just love these mysteries. All of the standards are there: central puzzle, clues, suspects, and daring attempts to get evidence. In addition, all the Nick and Tesla books add humor, science, and inventions you can build at home.

I really enjoyed this one because there was even more humor than in the other three. This time most of it was provided by Nick and Tesla's best friends and some of the museum staff like an owl mascot and an IT man obsessed with his rock band. In previous books, I didn't like that a lot of the humor came from their uncle's science mishaps and lack of social skills. However, the authors have Uncle Newt a more positive light, but still quirky. A terrific change!

I also like how the Nick and Tesla books emphasize that both being smart and doing science/engineering are cool. Preach!

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. My only concern is how my students will handle so many references to historical figures and scientific history since they won't recognize much of it.

Book Review: Code Name Verity

Premise: A British spy plane crashes in Nazi-occupied France. Its pilot and passenger are best friends. One of the girls has a shot at survival. The other has lost the game before it's barely begun. When "Verity" is arrested by the Gestapo, she's sure she doesn't stand a chance. (from Goodreads)

Title: Code Name Verity
Author: Elizabeth Wein
Length: 447 pages
Genre: Historical Fiction
Series or Stand Alone: Book 1 with a companion
Content appropriate for: Grades 7-12
Format: Audiobook (free download via Bolinda Publishing and the summer YA program from SYNC)

Three adjectives that describe this book: gripping, memorable, complex

This is the story of two British women during World War 2, one a spy and the other a pilot. I read this as an auidiobook and MAN that is the best format for this one. The publishers chose to use two readers since Part One is narrated by one character who is Scottish, and Part Two by another who is English. The women (Morven Christie and Lucy Gaskell) who read this book were simply incredible. The emotion in their voices added so much color to the story, especially since it's not very action-packed. They also used an array of authentic accents and even sang some sections.

Code Name Verity is a powerful story. It starts with the premise that one character has been captured by the Gestapo, and then tells her story up to that point. How did she get captured? How did she end up in the war at all? Interspersed with this narrative we hear about the treatment of the prisoners, how she and others are being tortured. But the author also humanizes the Nazi agents, as we get a glimpse into their inner struggles with their jobs and who they were before being drafted.

My favorite thing is that the second part of the book sheds completely new light on the first half. I'm planning to listen to it again with all this new information/perspective in mind. Sweet!

I enjoyed Code Name Verity. If you can get the audiobook, that's the way to go!

Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom by Christopher Healy

Premise: Prince Liam. Prince Frederic. Prince Duncan. Prince Gustav. You've never heard of them, have you? These are the princes who saved Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Snow White, and Rapunzel, respectively, and yet, thanks to those lousy bards who wrote the tales, you likely know them only as Prince Charming. But all of this is about to change. Rejected by their princesses and cast out of their castles, Liam, Frederic, Duncan, and Gustav stumble upon an evil plot that could endanger each of their kingdoms. (from Goodreads)

Title: The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom
Author: Christopher Healy
Length: 436 pages
Genre: Fantasy, Re-invented Fairy Tale
Series or Stand-Alone: 1st book of (currently) 3
Content appropriate for: Grades 3-8
Format: Hardback in the classroom library

Three adjectives that describe this book: hilarious, creative, adventurous

This book is a rollicking good time with lots of witty humor along with bad puns, fun characters, and a witch with an evil plot. I absolutely loved the way Christopher Healy played around with gender roles and stereotypical fairy tale characters. Healy crafted a book with a distinct authorial voice, and a world of terrifically crafted characters. So fun!

My only complaint is that it got a little slow in the middle. The novelty was wearing off and the climax was a few too many pages away, while the characters traipsed about it in the woods... I wonder if Healy should have shaved 50ish pages off the middle. Overall there was TONS of action, though, so it's only a minor complaint.

Overall, a solid 4 stars!

This post is part of the A to Z Blogging Challenge.

The Most Magnificent Thing is Pretty Magnificent

Premise: A young girl loves to tinker. When she has an idea for a MAGNIFICENT THING she builds and rebuilds it, never satisfied with the results. Eventually, the girl gets angry and begins to doubt herself. Now what?

Title and Author: The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires
Length: 32 pages
Genre: Picture book, realistic fiction
Series or Stand Alone: Stand alone
Content appropriate for: Ages 4-11
Format: Digital ARC provided by Kids Can Press via Netgalley
Publication Date: April 1, 2014


Three adjectives that describe this book: believable, fun, memorable

The Most Magnificent Thing is a story for people who tinker. I absolutely love that the tinkerer in question is a girl. However, at first I wasn't sure how to feel about the main character's response to frustration. After several failed builds, she throws up her hands and says, "I quit."

NO!!! 

After a walk around the block with pretty balloons and cupcakes, she calms down and has another go at it.

Hmm... balloons and cupcakes?

But then I realized that the message to take a break and come back to your work is a good one. Just because you aren't successful on the first, second, third, fifth, or tenth try, it doesn't mean you are incapable. But realistically, there won't always be balloons and cupcakes followed by a big AHA!

I was first drawn to The Most Magnificent Thing by its fun illustration style. Ashley Spires uses a pseudo-monochrome approach with lots of white and pale blue.

I also loved how Ashley Spires used the girl's dog for comic relief. This book has the potential to be annoyingly preachy, but the dog keeps it light and fun instead.

Keeping away the distractions

I would love to do this book as a read aloud in my classroom before having my students take on a complicated problem or project. I often find myself suggesting that they start a task over, try a different approach, etc... this book would be a more lighthearted and less threatening way to get across the the same message.

4.5 stars

Battle for WondLa Cover Reveal and Release Date

I have loved the WondLa books since I first saw Book 1 - The Search for WondLa - on the store shelf. Tony DiTerlizzi's artwork sets these books apart. Each book has full page color images that act almost as a series of color studies:

The trilogy follows Eva Nine, a human girl raised in an underground bunker by a robot. She believes that there are other humans on her planet, but has been told that she's not ready to leave the bunker and see for herself. When Eva Nine is forced out into the open, the truth of her planet is both wonderful and terrifying.

Tony DiTerlizzi has been documenting his cover art process and soliciting feedback from fans at his blog. I've enjoyed watching his process. Now the official cover of Book 3 - The Battle for WondLa - has been revealed!

DiTerlizzi also has a video posted on the Entertainment Weekly website explaining his process for creating this cover art. 

I can't wait for this release! Mark your calendar - It's May 6, 2014.

Not sure the series is for you? My reviews of the first two books are here:

Book 1 - The Search for WondLa

Book 2 - A Hero for WondLa

Monster Hunting in Paris = Seriously Battle-Worthy

Premise: Jack and his merry band of friends are on the hunt for the 5 Jerusalem Stones which will be used to stop the evil vampire Ren Lucre from taking over the world. This book follows the quest for the first stone. It is held by the Lord of the Vampires, a challenging foe with an interesting past.


Title: Jack Templar and the Lord of the Vampires
Author: Jeff Gunhus
Length: 360 pages
Genre: Fantasy
Series or Stand Alone: Book 3 of the Jack Templar series
Appropriate for: Grades 5-8

Three adjective that describe this book: action-packed, fast-paced, adventurous

I love these Jack Templar books. In fact, I just recommended them to one of my students when he asked, "I just finished reading the whole Percy Jackson series. What can I read that is similar?" These books are similar because the kids are on a quest and battling magical creatures, but they are more action-packed, darker, and don't spend quite as much time on character and world development.

This book, the third in the series, picks up the story right where book 2 left off. The group of protagonists encounter danger right from the start. They find themselves battling a horde of creepy creatures and discovering an uncomfortable truth about monster hunting hero. The action continues in Paris, where the Lord of the Vampires has an entire community of underground, slightly psycho vampires. When one of our favorite characters is captured, Jack and his friends devise a dangerous rescue plan.

Surprisingly Terrific! A Review of Ship Out of Luck

Premise: Anthony "Antsy" Bonano and his family have been invited on a birthday cruise for their wealthy, cranky, old-man neighbor, Mr. Crawley. But when Antsy meets a mysterious stowaway on his first day, his relaxing vacation turns into one terrible idea after another.

Title: Ship Out of Luck
Author: Neal Shusterman
Length: 256 pages
Genre: Realistic Fiction / Humor
Series or Stand Alone: Book 3 in the Antsy Bonano Series
Content Appropriate For: Grades 8-12
Format: Hardcover provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Three adjectives that describe this book: engaging, page-turner, fun

I was a bit hesitant to start reading Ship Out of Luck since it's the third book in a series, of which I have read neither books 1 or 2. So let me start by relieving you of that concern - this book is totally grand on its own and requires no previous knowledge of the other books.

My other hesitation was that this book is billed as a comedy. I don't read a lot of humor because it always feels forced, fake, and annoying. Ship Out of Luck was fun... and there was humor... but it surprised me because the humor was sophisticated and fit with the characters and plot. It only appeared at reasonable times, so that the humor was not the focal point of the novel, nor did it distract from the story. Antsy and Crawley are pretty acerbic characters. They are witty and they're humor is dry. I enjoyed it thoroughly.

Abbreviated Review: Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

Abbreviated Reviews are just that... short, sweet, and to the point. Thanks for visiting.
Premise: Cinder, the cyborg fugitive, has escaped from prison and is desperately searching for answers to her mysterious Lunar past before being captured and killed. Meanwhile, Scarlet's grandmother is missing and a strangely dangerous man, Wolf, offers to help. Both stories reach fever-pitch when they meet up and must work together to evade Queen Levana's forces.

Title & Author: Scarlet by Marissa Meyer
Length: 454 pages
Genre: Science Fiction
Series or Stand Alone: Book 2 in the Lunar Chronicles
Content Appropriate for: Grades 6-12

Three adjectives that describe this book: futuristic, exciting, intriguing

In this installment of Meyer's futuristic revamp of classic fairy tales, the battle between Earth and Luna is rapidly approaching. Wow! Wow! Wow! I loved the first book, Cinder, but Scarlet really ratcheted up the intensity. And the way Marissa Meyer wove in the key elements of Little Red Riding Hood - genius! I also appreciate how the romance element is minimized, realistic, and valuable to the plot. That combination is hard to come by in YA these days. Eagerly awaiting book 3!

5 stars

Abbreviated Review: Shamer's Daughter

Abbreviated reviews are just shorter and use a more simple format. Here we go:

The Shamer's Daughter is a great fantasy novel set in a somewhat medieval world. There are two fantasy elements to this world that really make the book stand out:

1. DRAGONS. And not just any dragons. These are vicious, terrifying dragons that drip poison from their fangs. These dragons tear apart people and goats in seconds. The danger is palpable and violence is vivid.

2. Shamers. The main character, Dina, is the daughter of the local Shamer. Both she and her mother possess the "gift" of Shaming - they can look someone in the eye and read their deepest secrets. The Shamer can use this skill to determine a person's guilt after a crime and to bring that person to their knees from debilitating shame.

In the novel, a murder has been committed and the Shamer is called upon to find the murderer. Ultimately, Dina finds herself caught up in a dangerous chess-match that threatens to trade her mother's life for political power.

Although the plot is somewhat predictable, I found the story fun to read with enjoyable pacing. I especially enjoyed the fact that the female protagonist intelligent, brave, and believable. I think most middle school readers will LOVE this book!

Appropriate for grades 7-10

4.5 stars

The Reluctant Assassin by Eoin Colfer

Premise: Riley, a teenage orphan boy in London circa 1898, is apprenticed to Albert Garrick, assassin extraordinaire. When their latest victim disappears into an FBI-monitored wormhole, Riley finds himself along for a ride into the future. In present-day London, Riley knows his days are numbered until the assassin comes to the future looking for him.

Title: The Reluctant Assassin
Author: Eoin Colfer
Length: 352 pages
Genre: Science Fiction
Series or Stand Alone: The first book in the W.A.R.P series
Content appropriate for: Grades 8-12
Format: Digital ARC from Disney Book Group via Netgalley.com

3 adjectives that describe this book: dangerous, gritty, tedious

Although I really enjoyed Colfer's famed Artemis Fowl series and his less well-known book The Supernaturalist, I was anxious to start this newest book. I suppose it's because I had recently finished the poorly-titled book, The Accidental Time Traveller, which had virtually no time travel in it. I really enjoy a time travel story - The Time Paradox is one of my favorite Artemis books. Needless to say, I wasn't in the mood to be disappointed by another so-called time travel book. So, now for the good news - there's LOTS of time travel in The Reluctant Assassin. The characters zip back and forth between the present day and 1898 quite frequently. Hooray!

Shade's Children by Garth Nix

Premise: Set in a future dystopia, where the Overlords have decreed that no human can live past their 14th birthday, four fugitive teens set out to put society back on track. Under the watchful eyes of their once-human mentor, Shade, they come face to face with all manner of evils.

Title: Shade's Children

Author: Garth Nix
Length: 345 pages
Genre: Science Fiction ~ Dystopia
Series or Stand-Alone: Stand-Alone
Content appropriate for: Grades 9-12 (some adult content)

3 adjectives that describe this book: futuristic, gritty, action-packed

After reading (and loving) Nix's Sabriel earlier this month, I decided to seek out more of his work. I really enjoy good dystopian fiction, but lately they all seem the same. Shade's Children was remarkably fresh and appropriately dark. The world of this book is the near-future, making the story terrifyingly believable.

Abbreviated Review: Sabriel by Garth Nix

Abbreviated Reviews are just shorter and use a more simple format. Here we go:

I saw this book at the used book store many times. I often picked it up, then put it back down. I mean, look at this terrible, boring, old-lady cover:

AWFUL cover

Then I read some other Garth Nix titles and saw a different cover... Boy am I glad I finally picked up Sabriel! It's definitely going on my Favorites Shelf!

BETTER cover!

Sabriel is an epic high fantasy, set in a world that is literally on the borders. The story revolves around the border between life and death. Sabriel is a necromancer, but not just any necromancer. She and her father, Abhorsen, are sworn to bind the death in Death. They often have to travel into Death themselves to do this. The story is set on another important border - between a realm of magic and that of ordinary (1920's ish) society. Both borders have been in a perpetual state of unrest for the last 20 years. The Dead aren't staying dead and scary Free Magics are creeping across The Wall into the rest of the world. Now Sabriel's father is trapped in death... or actually dead? She must find him and save the kingdom from a terrible enemy set on releasing all of the Dead and taking power for himself.

Sure. This sounds like your typical high fantasy, girl-on-a-quest-to-save-the-world novel. I thought so too. But Garth Nix weaves a story like no other. The setting is both beautiful and eerie. The magic is simple, but powerful. And the villains are really really scary. Sabriel is a hero worth believing in. She never whines or hands over the reigns to her male companion. Garth Nix knows how to write strong female protagonists. Count this book a new favorite.

Content appropriate for grades 9-12

5 stars

A Hero for WondLa by Tony DiTerlizzi

Premise: Eva Nine and Rovender Kitt have finally made it to the human village. However, as Rovender suspected, things are not quite as utopian as they seem. The leader of the humans, Cadmus Pryde, is secretly building an army of robots!

Title: A Hero for WondLa
Author: Tony DiTerlizzi
Length: 437 pages
Genre: Science Fiction
Series or Stand Alone: Book 2 in the WondLa trilogy
Content appropriate for: Grades 4-10

3 adjectives that describe this book: complex, adventurous, intense

This sequel refuses to stay in any pre-established genre box. Where book 1, The Search for WondLa, was pretty firmly in the "adventures on another planet" category, this book flirts with dystopia, alien battles, and creepy spiritual creatures. Somehow, Tony DiTerlizzi makes all of these pieces fit together seamlessly.

The Search for WondLa by Tony DiTerlizzi

Premise: Eva Nine is a human being raised underground by a motherly robot. She has lived her entire life alone with the robot and she's desperate to get out and find all the other humans. When she makes it above ground, things are not how she imagined. There are giant, dangerous creatures set on capturing her! And trees that walk! WHAT?!

Title: The Search for WondLa
Author: Tony DiTerlizzi
Length: 466 pages
Genre: Science Fiction
Series or Stand-Alone: Book one in the WondLa trilogy
Content appropriate for: Grades 4-10

5 stars

3 adjectives that describe this book: memorable, breathtaking, futuristic

WOW! After holding this book in my hands and seeing the incredible illustrations, I just knew I would love The Search for WondLa. I just didn't know how much I would love it. Tony DiTerlizzi has absolutely blown my mind! Each chapter opens with a gorgeous full page illustration in in only 2 colors. Each one could stand alone as a work of art.

Poison by Bridget Zinn

Premise: Kyra, a sixteen-year old highly-skilled Potions Master, is on the run. While fleeing from the authorities, she also must find and assassinate the princess. Unfortunately, the princess is also Kyra's best friend and the entire is kingdom is on the look-out for her since she failed in her first assassination attempt.

Title: Poison
Author: Bridget Zinn
Length: 288 pages
Genre: Fantasy
Series or Stand-Alone: Stand-Alone
Content Appropriate for: Grades 4-8
Format: This ARC was provided by Disney Hyperion Books through Netgalley
Release Date: March 12, 2013

4 stars

3 adjectives that describe this book: fun, easy-to-read, whimsical

Poison is a super fun read. It fully deserves that wonderful, eye-catching cover. The main characters are unique, fun, and well-developed. At first I thought Poison was going to be fairly typical - a fantasy novel about a girl who kicks some butt. Basically a simpler version of Graceling, just with less intense and without the raciness. Luckily, I was wrong. Bridget Zinn has created a story that stands on it's own.

While Kyra is indeed a main character who can disable her assailants in moments, she is much different than other popular female protagonists in recent YA fantasy. Kyra is conflicted about her talents, actively seeking to ignore some of her more deadly potential. Yet, she isn't afraid to defend herself and her kingdom from the richly populated world of Poison. Most uniquely, though, Kyra is funny. She finds herself in ridiculous situations (likes crossing a river in lacy underwear with a pig on her head). Also, the rapport between she and Fred, her traveling companion, was chock-full of witty barbs at one another. I have never chuckled so much in a fantasy adventure.

The humor, however, doesn't take away from the intense adventuring, questing, and intrigue of the story. Poison is a fun, quick read, even though the lengthy and too-frequent flashbacks made me impatient. There are goblins, witches, invisibility spells, fun disguises, and witty exchanges among the characters. It will certainly keep you wanting to read more.

The Recruit by Robert Muchamore

Premise: CHERUB agents are highly trained, extremely talented--and all under the age of seventeen. For official purposes, these agents do not exist. They are sent out on missions to spy on terrorists, hack into crucial documents, and gather intel on global threats—all without gadgets or weapons. It is an exceptionally dangerous job, but these agents have one crucial advantage: adults never suspect that teens are spying on them. James is the latest CHERUB recruit. He’s a bit of a troublemaker, but he’s also brilliant. And CHERUB needs him. Before he can start in the field he must first survive one hundred grueling days of basic training, where even the toughest recruits don’t make it to the end....(Amazon)

Title: The Recruit
Author: Robert Muchamore
Length: 352 pages
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Series or Stand Alone: First book in the Cherub series
Content appropriate for: Grades 7-10 
 Warning: Some Strong Language                                

                    4.5 stars
                                       

Three Adjectives: dangerous, intriguing, page-turner

There are many ways that I could try to describe this book to you. Many of these ways would include using words that were mentioned in this book, which brings me to my first point: Though James (the protagonist)  is 11 years old, I would not recommend this book to a young audience because of the strong language peppered throughout the story. But rather than detracting from the story, the profanity enriches the character building and the believe-ability of the plot. 

Usually when you think about child spies you think about criminal hijinks and light-hearted humor, not broken bones and anthrax.So many stories of children as operatives tend to be "child proofed" so much so that it waters down any of potential of real action and drama. The Recruit is most certainly the exception to this rule. Robert Muchamore creates a much rougher world than most readers would expect.  He successfully walks the fine line between morality and danger when handling the subject of children in potentially deadly situations, and leaves just enough up to chance to keep me turning to page from beginning to end. 

From the bone-crushing agony of basic training to the intense game of espionage, teen readers will not be disappointed with this thriller of a novel. You will definitely want the second book, The Dealer, close at hand after finishing this one.

Dark Life by Kat Falls

Premise: Dive deep into the vivid underwater world of Dark Life! The oceans rose, swallowing the lowlands. Earthquakes shattered the continents, toppling entire regions into the rising water. Now, humans live packed into stack cities. The only ones with any space of their own are those who live on the ocean floor: the Dark Life. Ty has spent his whole life living deep undersea. When outlaws attack his homestead, he finds himself in a fight to save the only home he has ever known. Joined by Gemma, a girl from Topside, Ty ventures into the frontier's rough underworld and discovers some dark secrets to Dark Life. Secrets that threaten to destroy everything. (Amazon)

Title: Dark Life
Author: Kat Falls
Length: 304 pages
Genre: Science Fiction
Series or Stand Alone: First book in the Dark Life series
Content appropriate for: Grades 5-8

                      
                  
                      3.5 stars

Three Adjectives: engaging, adventurous, unique

In a time when readers are inundated with post-apocalyptic, dystopian novels, Dark Life breaths new life into old themes. The author, Kat Falls, combines the Wild West, mutants, and marine life to craft what should have been fantastic book. I found myself cheering on Ty in his pursuit of the Seablite Gang, yet in a more skilled writer's hands, this book would have earned four, possibly five stars in my rating. 

What this book truly lacked was pace; it could have benefited from being trimmed down by 30-50 pages. The stretches between the action-packed moments of chase and discovery were often bogged down with forced dialogue and awkward exposition. At times, Falls failed to paint a clear picture of what was happening because of the technology of this world, but at the same time I could clearly picture the magnificent jellyfish houses of the subsea homesteads. 

In spite of its flaws, the mystery of this story was quite intriguing. I found Ty and his family to be dynamic and colorful characters, while Gemma was an admirable female protagonist. What this story lacked in strong craft, it made up in imagination and adventure. I'm not sure that I will continue to read this series, but I still would recommend this book to anyone looking for a new twist on the dystopian novel.