Peter and the Sword of Mercy

This book fully lives up to the high bar set by the three other Peter books written by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson. It takes place years later, and Wendy Darling (Molly's daughter) is the main character - though it's not told exclusively from her point of view. Anyway, it's a great book, and it was fun to revisit characters from the previous books. The plot was strong and so was the writing. Good, good, good, good. I definitely plan on owning this, which is as strong a compliment as I can give a book. The whole series is one I highly recommend.

When You Reach Me

This book just won the Newbery, and for very good reason. It is amazing! I love the plot. It belongs next to other classic children's New York lit, like Harriet the Spy and From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. Also, if you're a fan of A Wrinkle in Time you will LOVE this book. It's just so fantastic! Some of the other recent Newbery winners (like The Graveyard Book) have been censured for being too scary or inappropriate (personally, I love them as an adult, but I can see objecting to them for certain ages and types of children), but When You Reach Me is just good literature that no one can object to. Go read it!

Calamity Jack

I finally got my hands on the sequel to Rapunzel's Revenge! This is a great book, and told from Jack's POV. Jack is hilarious, so this is a very funny read. It has some great new characters and, of course, killer illustrations. I never thought I'd love a graphic novel (that's the new term for comic book), but this is so great. Of course, Shannon Hale is magic. She could write an instruction manual for putting together a bookcase and it'd be fascinating. Anyway, this is a great read. My daughter loves these books, and I think they're great for all ages.

The Maze Runner

Fantastic! This book is intense and so interesting. It is very psychological and reminds me a lot of Ender's Game. I can't tell you why, because I worry that I'd be spoiling things for you. Let's just say, you will be engrossed through the entire book. It also ends on the mother of all cliffhangers. I plan on recommending this book to anyone who asks me for a recommendation. I can't wait for the sequel.

Othello

I loved reading this for my Lit class. I never studied Othello in my high school Shakespeare class, but I can understand why now. Othello has loads more mature themes and dirty language than a lot of other Shakespeare plays. It's very controversial, but I think that makes it even more interesting. Iago is the villain, and I'm leaning towards thinking that he is the king of all villains. Anywhere. This is Shakespeare at his best.

Leviathan

I've been looking forward to this book. As the author of the Uglies series, I knew it would be good, and it doesn't disappoint! It's for a bit younger of an audience, but the writing and the plot and the characters are all so well done. Readers of any age should like this, and there should be two sequels, so the characters will be growing up. There's lots of adventure and history (with a sci-fi alternate history tweak to it) in this book. It's loads of fun.

Fire

Fire is the companion book to Graceling. I liked Graceling, but I loved Fire. The writing was better, and I thought the romance was so much better done. There was a strong foundation of friendship, and it was nice and gradual. I always hate it when people fall in love so quickly it's obviously infatuation. This book also doesn't revolve around only romance. There's a strong plot and some very interesting side stories. There are a couple of more mature themes, so I wouldn't recommend this to younger teenage girls, but that's the only criticm I have for this book. Lovely!

The Amaranth Enchantment

I really liked this book. It is fantasy, and almost a Cinderella retelling (sorta, but not too much). There was a touch of sci-fi, which I don't think really worked in this book, but for a fantasy/princessy/YA story, it was nice to find something a little different. Some really fun and memorable characters are in this book as well. You won't regret reading it.

Shiver

It's been on my to-read list, but after finishing it, I kind of wished I hadn't bothered. Maybe my tastes are changing. I thought the writing was fine, but not outstanding. The plot was ok, but not all that gripping. Overall, I wasn't impressed.

A Place Where the Sea Remembers

I read this book for my lit class, and it gets high marks for its beautiful writing, plot, and use of symbolism. It has been one of those books that has really helped me stretch out of my reading comfort zone and try new things. I still wouldn't say I love, love, loved it, though. I dislike reading about awful things happening to people, no matter how well written.