The Maze Runner by James Dashner

Book Review: The Maze Runner by James Dashner

Boy, do I have an exciting (if a bit violent) book to share with you today!

When Thomas wakes up, he finds that he has been placed in the center of a giant maze. He's not alone. About 50 or 60 other boys are there along with him in the Glade. None of the boys remember anything about their lives previous to entering the maze.

For two years, one new boy has been placed in the maze every thirty days, so they were expecting a new arrival when Thomas came through the Box. However, the day after Thomas showed up, a girl comes through the Lift, half dead, and bearing a strange message.

This book will appeal to fans of The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card, and Uglies by Scott Westerfeld.

As for cleanliness, like I said, this book is a bit violent. You'll probably want to preview it before handing it to your kids. If you've read The Hunger Games or Ender's Game, the violence level is similar to those. There is also a lot of fake swearing. The boys are always using their made-up curses (klunk, shank, slinthead....)

Anyway, I really enjoyed this book...couldn't put it down until I'd read the last word....and now I'm hungry for book 2!

 

Fablehaven:Rise of the Evening Star and Grip of the Shadow Plague by Brandon Mull

I enjoyed the first Fablehaven book, but to be honest, would not have put it in the same category as Harry Potter. However, I'm repenting of that now. The books get better and better, the adventures intensifying with each turn of the page. I won't give much away, but I want you to know that I have fallen in love with Fablehaven, and if you like Harry Potter-esque books, this series is for you. And it's not some copycat either. It is definitely wonderful and well-written in its own right.

Fablehaven: Rise of the Evening Star by Brandon Mull

The Society of the Evening Star is getting stronger. Seth and Kendra are no longer safe at home. Will they be safer at Fablehaven?

Their grandparents have invited three magic experts to live with them and help them find a powerful artifact hidden in Fablehaven. Are they trustworthy or is there a traitor in their midst? Will they find the artifact before the Society of the Evening Star does?

This book is full of adventure, humor, bravery, and of course, magic.


Fablehaven: Grip of the Shadow Plague by Brandon Mull

The Society continues to get stronger. Fablehaven is in great danger. A mysterious plague is spreading through the mythical characters, turning good creatures dark and evil.

Will Seth and Kendra be able to help save Fablehaven from falling? They have both earned special powers through their brave acts, but will their gifts be enough to make a difference?

The Companion by Ann Granger

The Companion by Ann Granger

Review by Cindy Bohn of Digging Up Bohns

Lizzie Martin arrives in London for the first time. As her cabdriver takes her to her new address, they pass a body covered with a shroud. The body turns out to belong to Madeline Hexham, whom Lizzie is replacing as paid companion. Lizzie can't help wondering about Madeline and who could have wanted her dead.

I enjoyed this one. There was some great background about coal mining and life among the working class. Lizzie and the police inspector, Ben Ross, were strong characters.

I have heard that this is the first in a series, with a little hint of romance to come.

MagicKeepers Book 1:The Eternal Hourglass by Erica Kirov

Today I am participating in a book tour for...drumroll, please...

MagicKeepers Book 1:The Eternal Hourglass by Erica Kirov

From the inside cover: "Nick Rostov's life is borderline embarassing. His dad is well known as the worst magician in Las Vegas. Nick hasn't had a real friend in years. And his report card is not good at all...But on Nick's thirteenth birthday his life changes forever. Awaking on the top floor of the world famous Winter Palace Hotel and Casino, he meets, for the first time, his extended family. A family gifted with the power of magic, real magic, exiled from their native Russia, they now hide in plain sight among the neon lights of the Casino..."

Although Nick is not a great student, and his father is certainly not a great magician, they were getting along just fine. Nick had been looking forward to the summer when he could sleep in, play video games, and skateboard. Then his life was turned upside-down.

At the Casino with his extended family, Nick swims with polar bears, makes his first real friend, rides a horse, participates in the biggest Vegas show of all time, and learns real magic.

I know this sounds a bit like a Harry Potter knock-off, but I thoroughly enjoyed it, and actually found few similarities, besides the obvious. The setting is fabulous and the plot unique. The author cleverly weaves in bits of history, as well.

I recommend the book for kids and tweens. The ONLY even slightly questionable thing in the book is the following quote (which actually appears on the very first page): "He tried to imagine how he would explain to his dad that his lone A was for the class that taught where babies came from; that he knew what a fallopian tube was, but square roots eluded him."

Anyway, I think I will read this book to my kids. They'd love it. And that is the only part I might skim, since I'm not quite ready to have THAT conversation (What IS a fallopian tube, Mama?) with a five and three year old...oh, wait, she's four. Man, they just grow right up.

The Mysterious Benedict Society #2

Mysterious Benedict Society, Number 2! by Trenton Stewart

Review by Amanda Snow from A Patchwork of Books

I loved the first installment (reviewed here) of Trenton Stewart's Mysterious Benedict Society books and this second installment was pretty fantastic as well. Lots of adventure, thrills, and more of those brilliant children we've all come to love!

Book two, titled The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey, does in fact, take the reader on quite the journey! Reynie, Kate, Sticky, and Constance reunite about a year after the first book finished, ready to go on a scavenger hunt their beloved Mr. Benedict has set up for them. Unfortunately, once the pair gets together, instead of a fun game, they must complete the scavenger hunt in order to find Mr. Benedict, who has been kidnapped by the evil Mr. Curtain. The quartet boards a ship and ends up on a journey around the world, searching for their leader. All of the enemies from the first book are back and extra nasty, but the tricks the kids have up their sleeves are even more impressive, making for an awesome adventure.

I love these books and I'm already looking forward to the next one. If a book keeps me turning pages, involves me in the minds of the characters, and puts a smile on my face, it's a definite winner. Children will love this book, whether or not they've read the first book.

The Hound of Rowan: Book One of the Tapestry by Henry Neff

The Hound of Rowan by Henry Neff

Review by Amanda Snow of A Patchwork of Books

While on a trip to an art museum with his dad, Max McDaniels comes across an interesting tapestry that seems to glow when he looks at it. Soon after, he receives a most unusual invitation to a school, far away in New England. So starts The Hound of Rowan: Book One of the Tapestry the first title in a promising new series by Henry Neff. After much debate and discussion with a strange representative from the school, Max makes the decision to attend Rowan Academy, where he will take care of a magical creature, train his newfound abilities on the Course, make friends with kids from all over the world, and ultimately build up power against the Enemy. Filled with ogres, crazy classes, and intimidating teachers, from page one this book had me turning pages, earnestly wanting to find out what was to happen next. I am now a huge fan of Max McDaniels!

Do we have any Harry Potter fans out there? I'm sure there are lots of you! When I first picked up The Hound of Rowan: Book One of the Tapestry by Henry Neff, I was afraid of a miserable Potter rip-off. The similarities to the much-loved series seemed quite high and I was really worried that I would end up putting the book down after only a couple of chapters, disappointed with a failed look alike. The exact opposite happened. True, the similarities to the Harry Potter premise are somewhat high. A boy, a school, an enemy, becoming friends with outcasts, having extreme powers, etc. There is still a uniqueness to the story and even with the similarities, the writing is excellent and is bound to draw you in. I fell in love with a new series, but unlike Harry Potter, where I now have seven books at my disposal, this one is fairly new, the second book (came out last month).

Head to your library or bookstore to check this one out, I guarantee you will not be disappointed.

THE SCRIBE by Francine Rivers

THE SCRIBE by Francine Rivers

Review by Lauren, regular contributor.
Baseballs and Bows

The Scribe, the fifth and final book in Francine Rivers' Sons of Encouragement Series, is the story of Silas, an important figure in the early church. The story begins shortly before the apostle Peter's death, but much of the narrative focuses on Silas' memories of the events surrounding Jesus' ministry, Jesus' death, and the spread of the gospel after Jesus' resurrection. The book is short and easy to read, but it carries a powerful punch. As with all the books in this series, I am so glad I read it.

Although this is a fictional story, Mrs. Rivers sticks closely to the Biblical text; the details she adds are based on research and what she believes could have happened. One of the aspects of this book that I appreciated was that after reading this book, I wanted to reread the Biblical account to compare and contrast the two. Additionally, reading this book gave me a greater appreciation for the historical setting and the context in which the early Christians lived.

The other books in this series are written in a similar style; they tell the stories of Aaron, Caleb, Jonathan, and Amos. Mrs. Rivers also has five books, called the Lineage of Grace Series, highlighting the five women that are named in the lineage of Christ: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary (I enjoyed this series tremendously). Be sure to give these books a try!

This book is suitable for older teens and adults.

Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Haddix, Margaret Peterson. 1998. AMONG THE HIDDEN.

Among the Hidden is the first in a seven book science fiction series entitled the Shadow Children. Luke is a third child. That alone sets him apart. Makes his very existence a threat to the status quo. In a world where the Population Police have not only ruled that each family is only allowed two children...but where they enforce the law with deadly force, Luke’s existence puts his whole family at risk. Before his twelfth birthday party, Luke’s life was restricted but not unbearable. For a child who’s never known the joy of going shopping, going to school, having friends outside his immediate family, he cannot miss these things. But when his family’s farm’s neighboring land (woods, farmlands, etc) becomes prime real estate development...then his world does change. Suddenly, he’s not allowed outside even in the backyard. No longer can he run and play in the yard. To help in the garden. He can’t even be allowed near any windows--whether the blinds are drawn or not--for fear someone might see his shadow. Restricted almost exclusively to the attic, Luke’s life seems one of lonely despair. But when he sees another face in the window of a neighbor’s house--one who shouldn't be there because she has two older brothers--he begins to realize that he might not be alone after all. He then has to weigh the risks. Is it worth finding a friend if it jeopardizes his life in hiding? What if he’s caught? What if they’re both caught? Is it better to be safe and hidden? Or is there another way to live--a better way to live?

Review by Becky Laney, frequent contributor.

Becky's Book Reviews: http://blbooks.blogspot.com/

Becky's Christian Reviews: http://stand-firm-then.blogspot.com/

Reading With Becky: http://readingwithbecky.blogspot.com/