The Runaway King by Jennifer A. Nielsen

The Runaway King by Jennifer A. Nielsen

Summary from Goodreads:
A kingdom teetering on the brink of destruction. A king gone missing. Who will survive? Find out in the highly anticipated sequel to Jennifer A. Nielsen's blockbuster THE FALSE PRINCE!

Just weeks after Jaron has taken the throne, an assassination attempt forces him into a deadly situation. Rumors of a coming war are winding their way between the castle walls, and Jaron feels the pressure quietly mounting within Carthya. Soon, it becomes clear that deserting the kingdom may be his only hope of saving it. But the further Jaron is forced to run from his identity, the more he wonders if it is possible to go too far. Will he ever be able to return home again? Or will he have to sacrifice his own life in order to save his kingdom?

The stunning second installment of The Ascendance Trilogy takes readers on a roller-coaster ride of treason and murder, thrills and peril, as they journey with the Runaway King!

5 Stars

Read/Listened to October 2013

Fantasy, Book on CD from library and paperback bought at the school Scholastic Book Fair

My Review:
Well, as soon as I finished The False Prince, I requested The Runaway King at the library.  I figured I would do the same as I did with the first book and listen to it on the way to work.  This worked well: my commute was faster and more interesting.  However, this time around was a bit different than with The False Prince.

Julia, my 12 year old, read these books this summer.  She was so excited I was listening to them and asked if we could listen when we were running errands.  She would also often ask me where I was in the story.  Last week was the Scholastic Book Fair at her school.  All she wanted was The False Prince and The Runaway King.  What deal!  They were paperback and on sale.  

Well, one day after we bought them she said, "Where are you in the story?"  I had been listening to the story and told her where I was.  As I made dinner, she read aloud to me.  She was just so excited for me to keep going.

The story was very exciting.  I never knew where the author was going to go with it.  I couldn't figure out how this story was going to end.  There were twists and turns and sometimes it made my stomach hurt with anxiety.  There were times that I thought the author made some pretty big leaps, but at the same time, that is why this is a fantasy.

When it got down to the last couple of chapters, I couldn't wait until I was driving to work.  So instead, I pulled out my daughter's new copy of the book and read the last few chapters instead of listening to them.  This was another great story and I can't wait for the third book, The Shadow Throne.

Warnings: Stabbings, murder, sword fighting, thieving

I would let my 12 year old read this book.  She read it before I did!

Just Ella by Annette K. Larsen

Just Ella by Annette K. Larsen

Summary from Goodreads:
A proper, clean Romance

Ariella was only looking for a distraction, something to break up the monotony of palace life. What she found was a young man willing to overlook her title and show her a new and vibrant way of life. But when her growing feelings for Gavin spiral out of control and clash with the expectations of her station, she will discover that the consequences of her curiosity are far more severe than she'd imagined.

"I watched in helpless horror as two guards hauled Gavin to his feet and dragged him from the room. My voice was frozen, unable to protest as another guard took hold of my arm, leading me upstairs. From the confines of my room, I stared into the darkness beyond my window, hoping to catch one more glimpse of Gavin. He was gone, and I wondered if he would have been better off if he had never met me."

5 Stars

Read September 2013

Historical romance, Free e-book on Kindle (read it on my phone)

My Review:
This book was recommended to me by I am a Reader not a Writer.  I am so glad I took her recommendation and read the book!

I love this book.  Like many clean romances, this book starts with the meeting of two characters and the developing of their relationship.  Unlike many romances, this book does not end when the two characters discover their feelings for each other.  This book covers more time and more issues than just these two falling in love.

One of the things I really like about this book is the journey that the main character goes through.  She starts the book as a 15 year old girl who is bored and looking for something to do.  By the end of the book, she has found a way to feel fulfilled and of use.  

This book has romance (of course), small adventures, kidnappings, unwanted suitors, and so much more.  I highly recommend this book.

Warnings: None

I would let my 12 year old and my 15 year old daughters read this book.  I think they would love it.

The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen

The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen

Summary from Goodreads:
THE FALSE PRINCE is the thrilling first book in a brand-new trilogy filled with danger and deceit and hidden identities that will have readers rushing breathlessly to the end.

In a discontent kingdom, civil war is brewing. To unify the divided people, Conner, a nobleman of the court, devises a cunning plan to find an impersonator of the king's long-lost son and install him as a puppet prince. Four orphans are recruited to compete for the role, including a defiant boy named Sage. Sage knows that Conner's motives are more than questionable, yet his life balances on a sword's point -- he must be chosen to play the prince or he will certainly be killed. But Sage's rivals have their own agendas as well.

As Sage moves from a rundown orphanage to Conner's sumptuous palace, layer upon layer of treachery and deceit unfold, until finally, a truth is revealed that, in the end, may very well prove more dangerous than all of the lies taken together.

An extraordinary adventure filled with danger and action, lies and deadly truths that will have readers clinging to the edge of their seats.

4 Stars

Listened to September 2013

Young Adult/Fantasy, Book on CD in the car on the way to and from work (new thing for me)

My Review:
I have started a new job.  The commute is about 20 minutes one way.  What better time to start listening to a book on CD?!!!

My 12 year old daughter read The False Prince this summer and loved it.  So I started with it.  The beginning was a little hard, I found it a bit slow.  However, once the story got going it was exciting and I wanted to take extra drives so I could listen to the book.  

The story was new to me.  I didn't know what was going to come next.  I liked the plot twists.  I admit I was not a fan of the main character.  I have a hard time understanding him and why he behaves the way he does.  He makes me anxious.  Although somehow I am still routing for him.

There is a sequel to this book called The Runaway King.  I plan on listening to it next.  Bring on the commute!

Warnings: Murder, torture

I would let both my 12 and 15 year old daughters read this book.  As stated before, my 12 year old recommended the book to me.  

Kiss in the Dark by Marcia Lynn McClure

Kiss in the Dark by Marcia Lynn McClure

Excerpt from Goodreads:
“Boston,” he mumbled.
“I mean…Logan…he’s like the man of my dreams! Why would I blow it? What if…” Boston continued to babble.
“Boston,” he said. The commanding sound of his voice caused Boston to cease in her prattling and look to him.
“What?” she asked, somewhat grateful he’d interrupted her panic attack.
He frowned and shook his head. 
“Shut up,” he said. “You’re all worked up about nothing.” He reached out, slipping one hand beneath her hair to the back of her neck. 
Boston was so startled by his touch, she couldn’t speak—she could only stare up into his mesmerizing green eyes. His hand was strong and warm, powerful and reassuring. 
“If it freaks you out so much…just kiss in the dark,” he said.
Boston watched as Vance put the heel of his free hand to the light switch. In an instant the room went black.

4.5 Stars

Read September 2013

Contemporary Romance, free e-book for Kindle (read on my phone app, anyone wanna get me a Kindle?)

My Review:
I loved all of the relationships in this book.  There were great friendships, bad friendships, casual dating relationships and great chemistry in a new romance.

I gave it a high rating for being a fulfilling story that I didn't want to put down.

Warnings: Personal assault

I would let my 15 year old read this story.

Blackmoore by Julianne Donaldson

Blackmoore by Julianne Donaldson

Summary from Goodreads:
Kate Worthington knows her heart and she knows she will never marry. Her plan is to travel to India instead—if only to find peace for her restless spirit and to escape the family she abhors. But Kate’s meddlesome mother has other plans. She makes a bargain with Kate: India, yes, but only after Kate has secured—and rejected—three marriage proposals.

Kate journeys to the stately manor of Blackmoore determined to fulfill her end of the bargain and enlists the help of her dearest childhood friend, Henry Delafield. But when it comes to matters of love, bargains are meaningless and plans are changeable. There on the wild lands of Blackmoore, Kate must face the truth that has kept her heart captive. Will the proposal she is determined to reject actually be the one thing that will set her heart free?

Set in Northern England in 1820, Blackmoore is a Regency romance that tells the story of a young woman struggling to learn how to follow her heart. It is Wuthering Heights meets Little Women with a delicious must-read twist.

5 Stars

Read September 2013

Historical Fiction, e-book on Nook

My Review:
I loved this book.  It had more sadness in it than Edenbrooke, but the emotions up and down were very fulfilling.  This is another must-read for those that like clean, historical romance.

I read this book a couple of weeks ago and was so sucked up in the story and emotions that I had to take a break from reading for a few days.  I wanted to linger with this story and these characters.  And, I feel that I can't do justice to this book in my review.  I can't say enough good things about it and I can't find the words anyway.

Warnings: None

I would let my 15 year old read this book.

Guest Review by Jules: Sky Jumpers by Peggy Eddleman

Sky Jumpers by Peggy Eddleman

Summary from Goodreads:

What happens when you can’t do the one thing that matters most?

12-year-old Hope lives in White Rock, a town struggling to recover from the green bombs of World War III. The bombs destroyed almost everything that came before, so the skill that matters most in White Rock—sometimes it feels like the only thing that matters—is the ability to invent so that the world can regain some of what it’s lost.

But Hope is terrible at inventing and would much rather sneak off to cliff dive into the Bomb’s Breath—the deadly band of air that covers the crater the town lives in—than fail at yet another invention.

When bandits discover that White Rock has invented priceless antibiotics, they invade. The town must choose whether to hand over the medicine and die from disease in the coming months or to die fighting the bandits now. Hope and her friends, Aaren and Brock, might be the only ones who can escape through the Bomb’s Breath and make the dangerous trek over the snow-covered mountain to get help.

For once, inventing isn’t the answer, but the daring and risk-taking that usually gets Hope into trouble might just save them all.

Review by Jules

4.5 stars: Loved it - enthusiastically recommend (A)

YA Post-Apocalyptic, ARC (Advanced Reader's Copy) from Publisher

This book will be released September 24, 2013.

Review:

I am excited about middle-grade author Peggy Eddleman’s debut book Sky Jumpers.  Due out on September 24^th, this post-apocalyptic story is refreshing among a sea of vampires and werewolves. 

There was a clear theme to this story of playing to your strengths, a theme with which every tween out there can definitely identify.  In this post World War III environment, there are no power plants or electricity and properties of metal have changed, so much of the technology current teens take for granted no longer exists.  The community of White Rock that Sky Jumpers focuses our attention on thrives on human ingenuity and invention.  In so doing, Eddleman spotlights humanity’s resiliency rather than dwelling on the struggle to survive. This is great in theory, but main character Hope is not a great inventor, it is not one of her strengths.  When her invention doesn’t even qualify for entry into the annual Harvest Festival, she feels defeated in every way possible.

  I would put Sky Jumpers squarely in the league of childhood favorites like Hatch, My Side of the Mountain, and A Wrinkle in Time.  It’s perfect for the fifth or sixth grade reader.  The vocabulary and tension are appropriate; there is no swearing or sexual innuendo of any kind.  Hope is a strong female lead without drawing attention to the fact that she’s a twelve year old girl.  Her character could have just as easily been male which I think makes her casting all the stronger. 

I liked that while the drama wasn’t unnecessarily frightening, it was still authentic.  The good guys were clearly good and the bad guys were clearly bad; the lines of demarcation were easy to identify.  The pacing was also excellent.  The story surged forward and paused in a natural flow which kept the story moving while still giving us time to invest.  Probably most significant to me is that it has a strong ending, pulling us full circle, as Hope learns what her strengths are and is recognized for her unique contributions to her community.

Here is a book trailer.  

Warnings: None that aren't mentioned in the review above.

Jules recommends this for 5^th or 6^th grade and up.  Brooke will definitely recommend it to her 12 year old daughter.

Mistress of Mellyn by Victoria Holt

Mistress of Mellyn by Victoria Holt

Summary from Goodreads:
Mount Mellyn stood as proud and magnificent as she had envisioned...But what about its master--Connan TreMellyn? Was Martha Leigh's new employer as romantic as his name sounded? As she approached the sprawling mansion towering above the cliffs of Cornwall, an odd chill of apprehension overcame her. TreMellyn's young daugher, Alvean, proved as spoiled and difficult as the three governesses before Martha had discovered. But it was the girl's father whose cool, arrogant demeanor unleashed unfamiliar sensations and turmoil--even as whispers of past tragedy and present danger begin to insinuate themselves into Martha's life. Powerless against her growing desire for the enigmatic Connan, she is drawn deeper into family secrets--as passion overpowers reason, sending her head and heart spinning. But though evil lurks in the shadows, so does love--and the freedom to find a golden promise forever...

4 Stars

Read September 2013

Romantic Suspense/Historical, Library book

My Review:
When the cover says "The Classic Novel of Romantic Suspense", that is what it means!  Wow!  

The romantic side of this story reminded me a bit of Jane Eyre.  You have a governess in charge of a spoiled girl who has a brooding father that the governess falls in love with.  However, the mystery/suspense side of this story was very new to me.  I did not know who could be trusted throughout the entire book.  And, the ending was fantastic.  The suspense was definitely the star in this story.  

I found the romantic story line lacking.  I didn't believe the male lead when he said he was in love with the governess.  I didn't see their relationship grow.  And, I didn't understand why the governess loved him.  What did she see in this philandering, non-present father?

The setting of this book was a character as well.  It took place in Cornwall (I had to look it up on a map).  There were cliffs and waves crashing.  There were different customs and ways of speaking as well.  The setting added to the mystery and feel of the book.

Warnings: Philandering, murder, illegitimate children

I would let my 15 year old read this book.