Paranormalcy By White, Kiersten (Book - 2010)
Synopsis: Capturing a vampire, werewolf or hag is all in a day's work for Evie. Her unique ability to see straight past the glamour of paranormals has made Evie an indispensable asset to the International Paranormal Containment Agency (IPCA), the only real home she has ever known. When not out on a mission to tag a rule-breaking paranormal, Evie spends time training for combat, studying, watching her favorite television show, and daydreaming about living the life a normal teen. Despite having a mermaid best friend and the IPCA director looking after her, Evie cannot escape feeling lonely. When a shape-shifter breaks into the IPCA, Evie is strangely drawn to him and away from her fae ex-boyfriend's advances. Soon after, paranormals are mysteriously being murdered and the IPCA is scrambling to uncover what or who could be behind the brutal attacks. As Evie begins to put the pieces together, she discovers the startling truth about the murders and her own identity. Grades 7+, 335 pages.
Review: This is a fast-paced, entertaining debut, reminiscent of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer TV series in its story of a seemingly normal girl coerced to work for a supernatural agenda that she doesn’t always understand. White creates compelling tension as Evie longs for a normal teenhood while trying to preserve the humanity she has always believed to be her birthright; a love triangle adds further conflict, as Evie must choose between not only two different interests but two starkly different destinies. Alternately funny and tragic but never maudlin, White’s debut will have broad appeal among fantasy fans.-Kara Dean: Booklist,(2010).
A Brief History of Montmaray By Cooper, Michelle(Book - 2009)
Synopsis: Sophie FitzOsborne begins writing in her journal in October 1936. Sophie’s uncle John is the King of the small island kingdom of Montmaray, which makes her Princess Sophie. But her living conditions are far from royal. Her uncle, King John has been deranged since his wife left him years ago, their castle is falling apart, and most of the villagers have gone to live elsewhere. She plans to go to London with her favorite cousin Veronica so they can attend grand parties and meet dashing young men. Unfortunately, her cousin refuses to leave the island and the book she’s writing about the Kingdom of Montmaray. Sophie spends her time trying to convince Veronica of the splendors of London, keeping her younger sister from getting into trouble, and dreaming about their housekeeper’s handsome son. Sophie’s life seems like it will continue as it always has, but everything changes when Nazis come to the island and the FitzOsborne’s must face old secrets and new dangers. Grades 7+, 296 pages.
Review: This book has a bit of everything: romance, betrayal, a haunting, espionage, psychological discord, intimate liaisons, and murder. Although the beginning is heavily laden with the protagonist's accounts of historical events, the mood eventually shifts to an exciting pace illustrating the heroine's adventures and courageous endeavors to preserve her family's bond and royal lineage.— Kimberly Monaghan, formerly at Vernon Area Public Library, IL: Library School Journal (2010).
I Am A Genius of Unspeakable Evil and I Want to Be your Class President By Lieb, Josh (Book - 2009)
Synopsis: Oliver Watson has accomplished a lot more in life than most 8th graders, but no one realizes, and that’s just how he likes it. He flies under the radar as the slightly odd and chubby kid at school, but he’s really the third-richest person on earth, capable of overthrowing dictators, blackmailing the president, and, soon, achieving world domination. A true evil genius, Oliver always gets what he wants, and with his loads of cash and power, Oliver believes winning the election for 8th grade class president will be like taking candy from a baby. But, for once, money, evil, or brains might not be enough to succeed. Oliver has what it takes to take over the world, but does he have what it takes to win the hearts and minds of 8th graders? Grades 7+, 302 pages.
Review: Lieb perfectly captures the wise-guy sarcasm and trash mouth of a seventh-grade evil genius. Readers will love the sci-fi/fantasy touches, from Oliver's elaborate underground lair to the transmitter implanted in his jaw and his installing root beer and chocolate milk at the school's water fountain (of course, only he knows how to make it work). The format—short blurbs of text interspersed with humorous black-and-white photos—will appeal to reluctant readers. Although the book has as little subtlety as its title, certainly the theme of a boy wanting his father's love is a universal one. This is a book kids will be talking about.— Connie Tyrrell Burns, Mahoney Middle School, South Portland, ME: Library School Journal (2010).
The Iron King By Kagawa, Julie (Book - 2010)
Synopsis: Meghan has always felt that she didn't quite fit in. But she could always rely on her best friend, Robbie, for a smile and her little brother, Ethan, for a hug. On her 16th birthday, Meghan's world is shaken to the core when Ethan is kidnapped and she finds out that Robbie is not what he appears to be. Determined to rescue Ethan, Meghan enters the faery realm where the Summer and Winter fey are eternally at odds. Meghan becomes a pawn in their deadly game and knows she cannot trust anyone. Even so, she needs help to battle her way across the Nevernever in search of Ethan and must decide whether the gorgeous but dangerous Winter prince can be trusted. When a cruel and twisted power threatens to destroy all of Nevernever, will Meghan find her brother before it’s too late? Grades 8-12, 363 pages.
Review: Meghan is a likable heroine and her quest is fraught with danger and adventure. The action never stops, and Meghan's romance with Ash, the handsome prince of the Unseelie Court, provides some romance that is sure to continue in the sequel. Faery books are in high demand now, and this is one of the better ones. Expect it to be popular with teens who liked Melissa Marr's Wicked Lovely (HarperTeen, 2007).— Ginny Collier, Dekalb County Public Library, Decatur, GA: Library School Journal (2010).
Revolver By Sedgwick, Marcus (Book - 2010)
Synopsis: It is 1910 in a tiny arctic cabin near Giron in Swedish Lapland and 14 year old Sig sits alone in a cabin with the corpse of his father. His father had fallen through the ice a short time ago and Sig sits waiting for his step-mother and older sister to bring help from the town. There is a knock at the door and Sig opens it. Instead of help from the town, a huge bear like man forces his way into the cabin. His name is Wolff and he claims that Sig’s father owes him a share of a fortune in gold. Wolff is threatening to do something terrible to Sig and his family if he doesn’t get the gold. Sig has no idea where the gold is but he does know that there is a loaded revolver in the cabin store room. What is the mystery of the hidden gold and will Sig end up using the revolver to protect himself and his family? Grades 8-10 , 204 pages.
Review: The bleak setting and ominous circumstances will draw immediate comparisons to a Jack London tale, but in a more accessible, spare style. Reluctant readers will be riveted by the suspense and the short chapters. Scenes dealing with brutality or the harsh realities of death may not be for sensitive readers but the satisfying ending will dispel some of the gloomy tone. A great addition to survival/adventure collections.—Vicki Reutter, Cazenovia High School, NY: Library School Journal (2010).
A Spy in the House By Lee, Y. S. (Book - 2010)
Synopsis: Mary is an orphan and a thief. Stealing to survive is all she knows, but at 12 years old she gets caught and sent to the gallows. She is rescued moments before her death sentence by a woman who takes her to Miss Scrimshaw’s Academy for Girls. After 4 years of a proper education for a girl in Victorian London, she learns the Academy for Girls is really just a cover-up for The Agency, a select group of women that work as spies. Being a previous thief, Mary jumps at the opportunity to start her first mission and use her covert skills again. Posing as a companion for a young girl, Mary is thrown into the home and business of a rich merchant. Looking for clues to any illegal activity proves to be dangerous, and once she meets James it becomes harder to keep her cover. Can she keep her background a secret? Will everything be exposed before she can safely return to the Agency? What about James, is it even possible for Mary to have a romantic relationship? Join Mary in this Historical adventure that promises to leave you wanting more from this soon to be trilogy. Grades 9-12, 355 pages.
Review: Lee fills the story with classic elements of Victorian mystery and melodrama. Class differences, love gone awry, racial discrimination, London's growing pains in the 1850s, and the status of women in society are all addressed. Historical details are woven seamlessly into the plot, and descriptive writing allows readers to be part of each scene. Readers who liked Phillip Pullman's The Ruby in the Smoke (Knopf, 2008) will find similar elements in this new series starter.— Cheri Dobbs, Detroit Country Day Middle School, Beverly Hills, MI: Library School Journal (2010).
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