The Guardians of the Hidden Scepter by Frank L. Cole

This Friday I have the opportunity to review the second book in this series by Frank Cole, so I thought I had better read the first book, just to get up to speed!  =]

From the book:  Amber's favorite teacher, Dorothy Holcomb, is missing, and it's up to Amber and her archaeology  classmates to rescue their teacher and recover the ancient artifact Dorothy's trying to protect.  But with codes to crack, clues to follow, and more danger at every turn, this mission may be more than four teenagers can handle - not to mention the fact that they're being chased by an evil organization that will stop at nothing to claim the artifact for itself.

From Heather:  From the start, this book looks right up my alley!  I love books about archaeology and mysteries and clues and adventure!  The book starts with the following line: "Two flashlight beams cut through the darkness of the museum, leaving me no choice but to drop down below the stone sarcophagus."  From that moment, it's adventure after adventure for Amber and Trendon and Lisa and Joseph.  Their teacher sends them a coded message and they learn that she is in trouble.  So they set off to help her, and run into some really bad guys on the way.

I really did like this book.  I liked the adventure and the different places that the author takes you to in his writing.  He has done a wonderful job of keeping the pace moving and making you want to find out what comes next.   I really liked Trendon as the computer geek, and while Amber wasn't my favorite character, she was smart and adventurous and determined to find the artifact.  (I would have liked a little bit of a relationship between the two of them, but sadly, no.)  I also liked the biblical tie-ins to the story, some interesting, imaginative ideas that were fun to consider.  It's an all around good, clean, fun read.

There were a few nit-picky things that I struggled with throughout the book, but those seem to have worked themselves out in the second book (which I will review on Friday!)  Some of the action is a little intense, so I think the age recommendation is 14 and up.  That sounds about right.  =]   Check back on Friday and read the review of the next book in the series, The Guardians of Elijah's Fire!

Everneath by Brodi Ashton

Synopsis (from goodreads.com):

Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath, where immortals Feed on the emotions of despairing humans. Now she's returned- to her old life, her family, her friends- before being banished back to the underworld... this time forever.

She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can't find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.

Nikki longs to spend these months reconnecting with her boyfriend, Jack, the one person she loves more than anything. But there's a problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who first enticed her to the Everneath, has followed Nikki to the mortal world. And he'll do whatever it takes to bring her back- this time as his queen.

As Nikki's time grows short and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she's forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole's.

Jillian’s Review:

Amazingly beautiful cover, probably the most beautiful cover I've ever seen… but the story—megh—not so much. I hate it when books go back and forth from the past to the present, especially when it feels like we're just waiting for the train-wreck to happen.

Also, there was way too much "telling" instead of "showing" and even one paragraph described how we were supposed to have perceived the main character, Nikki, at the end of the book that I didn't get at all.

Nikki's epiphany was pathetic... it took her more than half the book to realize that the emotions she felt for one guy were artificially produced and that the other guy was the right choice. Not a whole lot of growth for this girl.

The one redeeming quality in this novel was the guy, Jack. He was strong and unbelievably faithful. I loved everything about him. If only we could pluck him out of this horrible story and place him with someone who deserved him and with a storyline that we could tolerate. Don't get me wrong, I think Ashton is a great storyteller. Her scenes and characters are realistic, I would just didn't enjoy to story or Nikki and the gross Cole.

And just one more thing; Cole was nowhere near “smoldering” as described in the synopsis. He was just a chain-smoking jerk. Ugh.

Sad waste of a great cover.

I'd Tell You I Love You, but Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter

Synopsis from Goodreads.com: Cammie Morgan is a student at the Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women, a fairly typical all-girls school-that is, if every school taught advanced martial arts in PE and the latest in chemical warfare in science, and students received extra credit for breaking CIA codes in computer class. The Gallagher Academy might claim to be a school for geniuses but it's really a school for spies. Even though Cammie is fluent in fourteen languages and capable of killing a man in seven different ways, she has no idea what to do when she meets an ordinary boy who thinks she's an ordinary girl. Sure, she can tap his phone, hack into his computer, or track him through town with the skill of a real "pavement artist"-but can she maneuver a relationship with someone who can never know the truth about her? Cammie Morgan may be an elite spy-in-training, but in her sophomore year, she's on her most dangerous mission-falling in love.

Christina (guest post) Review: I absolutely LOVE Ally Carter's books. This is number 1 in the Gallagher Girls Series (there are currently 5 total in this series). Ally Carter does a fantastic job captivating her reader. The books are entertaining and clean. Very important quality for me. The characters are fabulous! After going to an all girls school Cammie is trying to figure out boys. . . what different postures, looks and responses mean. She has her best friends there every step of the way to help her.

It is a fun, light read. And once you read the first one, you'll be hooked!!!!

The False Princess by Eilis O'Neal

On the back:

  "According to the oracle, there was a chance the princess could die, murdered, before her sixteenth birthday. All the oracle saw was blood, and the princess dead in this room."

  But I am sixteen, I thought hazily. Is that what they want to tell me, that I'm safe now?

  My father went on. "The princess was the only heir. We had to keep her safe, no matter what the cost... We hid the princess away so she would be safe until after her sixteenth birthday. And we replaced her with another baby, a false princess. You."

  I am alone, I thought as I gazed around the hall. All of this, all of my life, it was a dream. And it is ending.

  "What is my name?" I asked. For the first time, the queen stirred, raising her head to look at me. "Sinda," she said, her voice thin. "He said your name was Sinda."

  Jennifer's Review:

  This is a book I could not put down. Ask my family, it was constantly in my hands until I was done.

 Great story line, neat main character, good clean romance, magic and adventure.

 There were quite a few editing errors making me wish I could have gone through it before it was published and helped out a little. It always detracts from the story when you have to read and re-read something just to understand that part of it was a type-o.

  I give The False Princess 3 1/2 stars. It would be four stars if not for all of the long descriptive paragraphs. There were many times I just skipped a paragraph to get to the juice of the story. A couple of times I went back to read what I had skipped and found that it wasn't anything that kept the story going. Lots of pretty words and nice descriptions but they, to me, were just too long.

 Still, I think you'll enjoy it!

A Novel by Anna del C. Dye

Publisher's Notes: The deep relationship between Amaria, the princess of Abalon and Marken, the chancellor’s son, comes to a halting stop after their kingdom is almost annihilated. However, death isn’t the only thing this battle brings. Elfs come to their rescue and, as a souvenir, take the princess home with them.

Blinded by fury, the overprotecting queen orders the extermination of the mighty elfs. Her captains know they can never win, so they are pleased when Amaria intervenes so desperately that she loses her mother. The unprepared princess is left to care for a kingdom that will demand her true love.

A Royal Elf of Abalon is the stand-alone continuation of Anna’s Elf series. Once again she has crafted an exciting new tale full of jealousy, betrayals, and death. A Royal Elf of Abalon is a masterpiece created in the genre of Tolkien that you’ll love to the end.

Mandi's Review: From the moment I had the chance to meet Author Anna del C. Dye I have been intrigued with her stories. I'm not usually one who enjoys elves and fantasy, but when asked to review A Royal Elf of Abalon I didn't hesitate, and I'm glad I didn't. A Royal Elf of Abalon follows a young princess, Amaria. Raised by a cruel and jealous queen, Amaria leads a sheltered life, but when enemies attack the kingdom, Amaria is sent away. Soon, the young princess discovers all is not right in her kingdom. Her mother's cruelty goes beyond anything Amaria believed, and after she meet Kurzan, an elf who has come to the kingdom's rescue, the story really takes off. The author does a fantastic job keeping readers engaged. The plot twists and turns, and Dye has developed strong, unique characters that will leave a lasting impression.This story is filled with high adventure, intrigue, and a secret, forbidden love. If you loved Lord of The Rings, Dye's books are sure to keep you reading late into the night.

Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey

Synopsis (from goodreads.com):

Marrying a vampire definitely doesn’t fit into Jessica Packwood’s senior year “get-a-life” plan. But then a bizarre (and incredibly hot) new exchange student named Lucius Vladescu shows up, claiming that Jessica is a Romanian vampire princess by birth—and he’s her long-lost fiancé. Armed with newfound confidence and a copy of Growing Up Undead: A Teen Vampire’s Guide to Dating, Health, and Emotions, Jessica makes a dramatic transition from average American teenager to glam European vampire princess. But when a devious cheerleader sets her sights on Lucius, Jess finds herself fighting to win back her wayward prince, stop a global vampire war—and save Lucius’s soul from eternal destruction.

Jillian’s Review:

This was well written, but both the guy and girl were annoying. Jessica was unimaginative, weak, and only grew because a guy told that she was more than she thought she was. Ugh. And Lucius! He was as bad as his name: completely self-absorbed, arrogant, and disloyal. The only time I liked him was when the story was from his point of view (POV) in the letters he wrote to his uncle. Then we discover how sarcastic and intelligent he was.

I did like that Jessica is actually born a vampire and isn’t just corrupted as in most vamp stories. And the passion… it was pretty amazing. I was surprised how Fanstaskey was able to make the biting scene more steamy than any of the kissing scenes (no worries, it’s not too descriptive) combined. I never thought being bit by a vampire could be more tantalizing than being kissed by one! Lol

But, be warned: the audiobook SUCKED! I think most of me being annoyed was because of the narrator. She sounded like she was in her 40’s, which is really bad when you’re narrating from a 17 year old girl’s POV. And the fake, Count Dracula accent she used for Lucia was just heinous! The only time I could stand listening to Lucius was when it was in his POV (the letters) and a guy narrated… maybe that’s why I liked that part of the novel best.

I give it three generous stars all because of the romance.

Lady Anne's Quest

From Goodreads:
Love Lost. . .and Found

Lady Anne Stone believes her prayers are answered and she’s at last found her long lost uncle. Unwilling to let her meet him on her own, Daniel Adams accompanies her to her uncle’s ranch. But instead of answers, Anne is left with more questions. Both Dan and Anne are convinced the man introduced as her uncle is an imposter and decide to continue the search for the new Earl of Stoneford.

But now the swindler is on their trail, hoping to steal Uncle David’s inheritance. Dan has his hands full trying to protect Anne, but he finds he must guard his heart just as carefully. Even though he’s good at keeping her safe, he knows he’ll never convince Anne to become a farmer’s wife in Oregon when she has her sights set on returning to her home in England. But as Anne’s quest becomes even more difficult — and dangerous — Anne begins to see Dan differently. Will she soon be envisioning a new life in America?

Misty's Review:

I tried so hard to like this book. I SO wish I had gotten ahold of this manuscript before it got submitted to a publisher. I want to tell you it was a light, cute romantic mystery, but I can't. Maybe we could just blame the cover blurb for being misleading...

I found two main problems with Lady Anne's Quest. First, Davis spent half the novel characterizing the wrong people. Was I supposed to be sympathetic to the villians? Why? I didn't want to get to know them. I didn't want their every move laid out in front of me. This made the book so tedious and predictible, I didn't want to read to the end, and after a week of valiantly trying, I skipped the last 40 percent and scanned the last chapter. Yep. Just as suspected.

While spending so much precious word count on tedious descriptions of what the villians were doing, Davis failed, completely failed, to characterize the main characters. The ones who I was supposed to like. The ones who were supposed to be falling in love. I'm giving it the benefit of the doubt that the character descriptions were in the first book of the series, creatively titled, The Lady's Maid, (great, now I'm getting sarcastic), a book I admitedly have not read. In which case, this would just be like a really long Epilogue to that. And that doesn't have to be bad--I classified Enduring Light by Carla Kelly that way, and found it a delightful read. But, needing to like the characters I'm reading about (Anne was a clueless cold fish, and Dan was a big incompetent sissy--plus, Anne and Dan? Bleh), this book just did not do it for me.

This sounds like such a terrible review of a book that had clean romance, great writing, and an intriguing premise. But the romance was so clean it was boring, the writing so detailed and focused on the wrong things, the banter didn't ring true, the characters made a series of unwise choices when they were otherwise (supposedly) characterized as smart and capable, and the premise wasn't played out as interestingly as it could have been. I think other people might like this (Laura), and I might have under different circumstances (I had read and loved the first book, I had not expected to really like it, or maybe listened to a fantastic narrator read it on Audiobook or something). It's not a terrible book, but it's not very...satisfying either.