Slayers

Slayers by C.J. Hill

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Dragons are not just mythical creatures. There are a few still alive and an evil man (a descendant of a Dragon Lord who inherited his powers to control dragons) is waiting for a few more eggs to hatch in order to take control of the United States government.

A select few pregnant women who carried descendants of the knights who fought the dragons years ago came near the eggs and the powers to fight dragons was awakened in the babies. These Slayers have been searched out and trained to help save their country.

Slayers focuses primarily on one Slayer, Tori. She's the daughter of a wealthy Senator, and has lived a privileged life. She has no idea why she is so interested in dragons, but jumps at the opportunity to go to a dragon camp one summer. It is at the camp that she learns who she really is, and the revelation is anything but the relief she hoped for.

This was a fun story with enjoyable characters, suspense, action, and some romance. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

The Alloy of Law

The Alloy of Law by Brandon Sanderson

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

This is a tough book to rate. It took awhile to get into the story (not too surprising since I was a bit lost diving into this sequel to a trilogy I was unfamiliar with). The descriptions of Allomancy and Feruchemy and how they worked was somewhat lengthy and confusing at times. But, the story of a man returning to his home and responsibilities after living as a lawman in the Rough (like the Wild West) eventually drew me in. The characters were great, especially Wax and Wayne (except for some of their language).

I was hoping for more closure, but the book was left open. I'm not sure if a sequel is in the works or not though.

Acceptable Loss

Acceptable Loss by Anne Perry

My rating: 1 of 5 stars

William Monk, commander of the River Police, has a new murder to solve. Criminal Mickey Parfitt's strangled and bludgeoned body washed up, and although it's widely agreed that everyone is better off with him dead, Monk can't ignore the need to find the murderer.

This is my first Anne Perry book, and it will be my last. The crimes that were being committed (child pornography and prostitution) really bothered me, but I imagine each Monk novel has different subject matter. What I was really turned off by was the swearing (especially the numerous times the Lord's name was taken in vain). Knowing that Perry is LDS makes this even worse.

Oh, and there was also that bit at the end where a new crime was committed and you don't find out who did it.

A Night of Blacker Darkness

A Night of Blacker Darkness by Dan Wells

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a hilarious story about a banker who discovers that a little forgery could land him 90,000 pounds . . . until he's double crossed and ends up in prison. Follow Frederick and the funny cast of characters (John Keats, Mary Shelley, Jane Austen) as he escapes from prison and tries to get the money while running from the law, ghouls and vampires.
 
My favorite quote in the book was:

"You want to die by way of death? I didn’t know there were any other options.” 

“Of course there are! It’s called ‘a long and pointless existence,’ and it is the leading cause of people not being alive."

Other than some drawn out silliness and a few swear words, the book was entertaining.

Miles from Ordinary

Miles from Ordinary by Carol Lynch Williams

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

If I could only use one word to describe Miles from Ordinary it would be depressing. No child should have the sole responsibility to care for their mentally ill parent, but that is the situation we find fourteen-year-old Lacey in. She longs for freedom, but love keeps her bearing the daily burden.

I wouldn't be surprised if I had nightmares about this book. Mental illness is just so difficult to read about. There were moments of light, and the ending was definitely happier than the beginning, but it was still so dark.

This is not my kind of book, and I wouldn't recommend it because it is so depressing. But, it was well written and (horrifyingly) realistic.

Sean Griswold's Head

Sean Griswold's Head by Lindsey Leavitt

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Every once in awhile I come across a book that I can relate to. It is typically unexpected, and Sean Griswold's Head was no exception. I definitely didn't think I'd relate to the book based on the title, or the excerpt from the back (although that made me laugh), but I did relate and I really enjoyed it.

Honor student Payton Gritas is blindsided when she discovers that her dad has multiple sclerosis, especially that she's the last to find out. Her mom makes her talk to the school guidance counselor, who assigns Payton to have a focus journal. Trying to pick an object that won't let her think about her dad's deterioration, she decides to focus on the thing right in front of her . . . Sean Griswold's head.

This book takes you on an emotional roller coaster ride. I really appreciated that there were a lot more ups than downs, even in a difficult situation.

Tuesdays at the Castle

Tuesdays at the Castle by Jessica Day George

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A really cute story about a magical castle that is alive (always building rooms and moving things around) and the royal family that lives there. When half of the royal family is attacked and disappears, 11-year-old Celie and two of her siblings must keep the bad guys from taking over.

I think my 2nd grader will really enjoy this.

Bloodborne

Bloodborne by Gregg Luke

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Dr. Erin Cross is working on a vaccine that could save millions of lives world wide, but she suddenly finds herself on the run. People are being killed, and she is a target. Sean Flannery, ex-Special Ops, tries to protect Dr. Cross while fighting his own demons.

For the most part I really enjoyed this book. The chapters from Erin and Sean's points of view were great and filled with suspense. I didn't find much beneficial from the chapters told from Magnus' pov (many of the details in these chapters didn't move the story along). Dr. Krantz's chapters were ok, but I'm usually not a fan of the soap opera jumping around style. It was nice when everything came together.

Smokescreen

Smokescreen by Traci Hunter Abramson

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Taylor cuts her stay in Paris short after her hotel room becomes a crime scene. Upon returning to the US it appears that the incident in her room wasn't random. She reconnects with Quinn, a Navy SEAL she was dating before she left to paint in Europe, and they have to sort through their feelings for each other while trying to figure out why Taylor's art seems to be bringing trouble.

This was a pretty enjoyable story. Some of the situations seemed pretty unrealistic, but I read that the author used to work for the CIA, so maybe it was more realistic than it seemed.

No Angel

No Angel by Theresa Sneed

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars


No Angel is a story about guardian angels and their assignment on Earth. It was very interesting to follow Jonathan, a bitter angel who does not want to be back on Earth. Although lengthy at times, it was a fun story.

With a Name Like Love

With a Name like Love by Tess Hilmo

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Olivene Love is thirteen and the oldest of a traveling preacher's 5 daughters. She longs to put down roots and stay in one place for more than 3 days. The opportunity comes when they stop in Binder, Arkansas, and Ollie finds a boy around her age that needs help. Jimmy's mom is in jail for the murder of his dad-a murder she did not commit. Ollie is set on saving her new friend from being sent to live with an aunt he's never met.

This youth fiction is a touching story about love and kindness.

Fires of Jerusalem

Fires of Jerusalem by Marilyn Brown

My rating: 1 of 5 stars

This is a novel about the Biblical prophet Jeremiah. It appears to have been well researched, but it just didn't draw me in. I tried several times, but couldn't get into the story.

Daughter of Helaman

Daughter of Helaman by Misty Moncur

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Daughter of Helaman tells about a young woman who desires to join a militia with her brothers to help fight for their religious freedom. Although an unlikely tale, I was caught up with Keturah's battle. I liked her strong character and couldn't help rooting for her.

I really enjoyed this debut novel of Misty Moncur's . . . right up until it ended. It's not that it had a bad ending, it just didn't end (such a disappointment when you aren't expecting that). Hopefully there is a sequel in the works.

Letters in the Jade Dragon Box

Letters in the Jade Dragon Box: A Historical Novel by Gale Sears

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars


This was an interesting and moving story, although slow, that tells about life in China and Hong Kong during the reign of Mao Tse-tung. It follows Chen Wen-shan, a teenager who was sent to Hong Kong when she was five. She has suppressed the memories of her first few years, but learns about her past by reading letters from her mother that were smuggled out of China.

I had no idea about the oppression caused by Mao Tse-tung. Such a sad time in history, and it wasn't all that long ago.

If I Should Die

If I Should Die by Jennie L. Hansen

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

When Kallene's friend and running partner disappears, her life is altered forever. Normally comfortable in her home, she's now suspicious of her neighbors. The disappearance brings unexpected romance into her life, and she's forced to decide who to let in.

This was a pretty creepy story that kept me guessing. Parts were intense and I wanted to keep reading, and other times I could walk away from it.

Borrowed Light

Borrowed Light by Carla Kelly

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars


Julia graduated from a fine cooking school in Boston and finds herself home in Salt Lake, engaged and unsure about her future with her stuffy fiancé. She sees an ad in the newspaper for a cook wanted for a Wyoming ranch, and jumps at the opportunity. Mr. Otto, the rancher, isn't who she expected, but she commits to staying for a year. Her life at the ranch is a huge adjustment, but she learns a lot about herself.

It took me a little while to get into this story, but it was enjoyable. The characters were fun, and I liked learning about ranch life in Wyoming in the early 1900s.

Captive Heart

Captive Heart by Michele Paige Holmes

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I wasn't drawn to this book by the cover, and I honestly had no idea what it was about. I just read it because it's a Whitney Award Finalist. But, I am happy to say that it was really good!

It tells about a single Bostonian woman heading West to become a school teacher (and to avoid a marriage her father wants for her). Her train is stopped by robbers, and she is picked to go with them. She fights hard to avoid being taken, but ends up being pushed from the train. Her abductor isn't who she thought he was, and she's faced with being taken to the Black Hills to teach.

Such a fun and entertaining story that I didn't want to put down (I shouldn't have started reding so late last night). A good, clean romance with some interesting insights into early life in the Black Hills.

The Lost Gate

The Lost Gate by Orson Scott Card

My rating: 1 of 5 stars

Danny doesn't fit in with his family of mages and longs to be a part of the rest of the world. Then he discovers that he has magic after all, although it is the kind that means death if his family finds out. He sets out on his own to figure out how to use his newfound magic.

This wasn't my kind of book. I did find Danny's situation somewhat interesting, but was really turned off by the language and crude scenes (especially because it is in the teen section of the library).

The Evolution of Thomas Hall

The Evolution Of Thomas Hall by Kieth Merrill

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Thomas Hall is an extremely talented artist who is also very worldly and conceited. He is offered a job painting a mural for the children's wing of St. Marks Hospital. It is a job he doesn't want to take, but when his other projects fall apart he finds that he needs the work in the Healing Place, and not just for the money.

This is a touching story that focuses on the changes in (or evolution of) Thomas Hall. The story jumps around a bit in flashbacks, and at times is very verbose, but it is heart warming. I would have enjoyed it even more without the swearing and if it was more concise.

I Don't Want to Kill You

I Don't Want to Kill You by Dan Wells

Teenage sociopath John Cleaver is determined to destroy the demons that are terrorizing his town. The problem is, he can't track the demon until it kills.

This is a really tough book for me to rate because it is not the kind of book I like. In fact, I avoid this type of book. It was super creepy (as a horror book should be), and parts were gross (probably pretty common in the genre too). I almost gave up reading a couple of times, but then I pushed ahead since I'm trying to read all of the 2011 Whitney Award Finalists.

I'm avoiding giving stars on this because I don't want to taint the overall rating. I didn't like the story, but I think if you are into this type of book, you'd probably really enjoy it. (Although, I'm not sure why anyone would enjoy reading about serial killers, and blood and gore, and mental illness, etc. etc. Such dark, unhappy stuff that will require me reading something else to try to clear my mind before I go to sleep.)