Book Review: The Lost Hero

The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan

In the sequel series of Percy Jackson and the Olympians, starring the demigods of Camp Half-Blood, strange things are happening at camp. Percy Jackson is missing, a power greater than even the gods is rising, and the arrival of three new campers mark the beginning of the next great prophecy.  

Jason can’t remember anything about where he came from; he barely remembers his own name. Piper’s dad has been kidnapped, and the only way to get him back is to sacrifice her friends and maybe the world. Leo is a hyperactive son of Hephaestus and he has a special, but dangerous talent.

The Lost Hero is only the first book in the Heroes of Olympus series. Rick Riordan writes a story as thrilling as his first. The Greek mythology mixed with the modern world is hilarious and witty.

 

--Hannah

Book Review: The Necromancer

The Necromancer by Michael Scott

WARNING: This excellent review may spoil the plots of previous books in The Alchemyst series. Read those books first!

This book was great! It is the 4th book in The Alchemyst series, and was just as good, maybe even better, than the first book, The Alchemyst. It is full of action, magic, and evil. The series about the twins of legend with pure gold and silver auras. Their names are Sophie and Josh. The prophecy from the Codex written by Abraham the Mage says "the two that are one, the one that is all, one to destry the world and one to save it." In this book, Josh finally joins the evil side with Dr. John Dee and his "partner" Virginia Dare. I give this book 5 stars!

--Michaela Matocha

Book Review: The Scarlet Letter

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne

The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, is a story full of emotion! Almost every single character is emotionally unstable and frustrating. The only person who is reasonably compelling is Hester Prynne, and she isn't too charming. Overall, the story is quite good, there is just only a small handful of good characters.

--Zach

Book Review: A Study In Scarlet

A Study in Scarlet by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

The first story Sherlock Holmes was introduced, and one of my favorites. It starts with recently retired Anglo-Afghan War veteran Dr. John H. Watson. He was forcefully discharged because of an injury sustained to the left shoulder (though, in later works the injury has a habit of relocating), and was looking for a place to live. After accidentally meeting up again with an old friend, he is thrown into the world of Sherlock Holmes, consulting detective. Everyone knows what happens next: the two split the rent and end up residing in 221 B Baker Street. Their first case together comes in the form of the unique murder of Enoch Drebber. A heart-pounding beginning story to an extraordinary franchise, not to disappoint a reader of any age.

--Martha Rose

Book Review: Bites: A Fate Worse Than Death

Bites: A Fate Worse Than Death by Allen B. Ury

This book was one of my favorites as a child, and recently I couldn't help myself from picking it up again. It's a collection of "spooky" stories centering around the same type of malevolent being: vampires. The stories themselves don't have too much "meat" on their bones, if you could call it such. Each short story only ranging a little over 10 pages a piece, but it holds a lot of scenarios. Tales about classic vampires, and ones that are man made. It ranges greatly, yet still has the same center point of blood sucking Nosferatu. Not something everyone would enjoy, and I've long since passed reading literature of this rather basic level, but it holds a special place in my heart.

--Martha Rose

Book Review: The Hobbit

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

An epic tale of unlikely heroes, a Hobbit is an unlikely adventurer. They tend to be lazy and don't like leaving their comfort zones. But, as Bilbo himself discovers, he finds and explorer deep within. But it takes the wildness of thirteen dwarves to bring it out.

--Keyes

Book Review: The Pool of Fire

The Pool of Fire by John Christopher

WARNING: This excellent review may spoil the plots of The White Mountains and The City of Gold and Lead by John Christopher. Read those books first!

In this exciting conclusion to the Tripods Trilogy, Will and Beanpole return to the White Mountains and the rest of the un-Capped! There, the receive Will's report and they decide to attack the Tripods's three Cities.
Soon, Fritz comes back. He had managed to feign his death and escape the City. A group of fake Caps, including Will and Fritz, are sent to the City to destroy it. They succeed and the first City dies. The next one falls the same way. Back in the White Mountains, Beanpole has invented the hot air balloon and they plan to use it against the last City. Will they destroy the City? Find out in the exciting conclusion, The Pool of Fire.

--Katelyn

Book Review: The City of Gold and Lead

The City of Gold and Lead by John Christopher

WARNING: This excellent review may spoil surprises in The White Mountains by John Christopher. Read that book first.

In this exciting sequel to The White Mountains, Will, Beanpole, and Henry have finally made it to the White Mountains, and they are training for the Games. The Games are like the Olympics and the victors are taken by the Tripods to the City. After Will and another un-capped kid named Fritz are crowned victors, they are taken to the City where they begin to serve the Masters. After serving their separate Masters for a while, Will's Master discovers that Will is wearing a false Cap and Will kills the Master. Will and Fritz make an escape, but only Will makes it out. Now that he is rejoined with Beanpole, they return to the White Mountains to rally an army.

--Katelyn

Book Review: Ender's Game

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

This book was very interesting, but slightly sad. It had a lot of action, even in the beginning. Ender's Game is about a boy named Ender (Andrew) and how he goes to Battle School and what happened there. I really enjoyed reading this book!

--Breanna

Book Review: The White Mountains

The White Mountains by John Christopher

The White Mountains is the first book of the Tripods trilogy.
In this world, there is an alien race called the Tripods, which are giant domes with three long legs and metal tentacles. They are a part of the humans's Capping Ceremonies, the process of going into adulthood. The Cap is a large piece of metal with wiring and electronics that is attached to the person's head.
Young Will discovers that the Tripods may be using the Capped ones as their slaves, so he, with his best friend Henry and an uncapped teenager named Beanpole begin a journey to fight against the Tripods and the Caps.

--Katelyn

Book Review: Unwind

Unwind by Neal Shusterman

I thought this book was beyond moving. It was shocking and raw. Kept me on the edge of my seat wanting to read more but not knowing if I could go on or not. It makes you think, rethink, and think again. It makes you question things we don't like to think much about. Life. Death. Courage. Honor. Survival. And most of all, love. For me at least. This is a book I believe everyone should read, or give a chance, at least once. Powerful and emotional, it will not leave you thinking, "That book will NEVER be noticed."

--Aubrey

Book Review: The Roar

The Roar by Emma Clayton

The Roar is an amazing sci-fi that is non-stop. The story line is so stream-lined that you keep turning pages. It also shows depths of compassion and the strength of family ties.

--Keyes

Book Review: Ender's Game

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card is an awesome story! Ender and the supporting characters are so compelling and realistic. The story really makes you think about how you'd react in different situations. The technology is timeless because Orson Scott Card lets your imagination interpret the level of technologicality that is in it. I'm excited to read the rest of Orson Scott Card's books.

--Zach

Book Review: A Monster Calls

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
from an original idea by Siobhan Dowd

When a monster calls for your attention, you should be afraid. But Connor has seen worse. Not in real life, but in his nightmares. The Nightmare. But this monster doesn't want to just scare him. It wants to teach him a lesson.

This beautifully written book is not what you would expect from the cover. It is a story of heartbreak, of hope, and of the human heart.

--Keyes

A Month of Bribes

Our book review blog has been sadly neglected, so to get it going again I am offering the teens of the Starkville area a bribe: During the month of October, or as long as supplies last, you are invited to turn in book reviews for candy! If you are not a teen, but you want to bring me a YA book review, come by with your most convincing argument. We'll see.

THE RULES:

1. The book review must be at least five (5) sentences long and must include the name of the book and the author.

2. The book review must be of a book you've actually read recently.

3. The book review must be of a YA book. If you've read an adult or juvenile book that you think deserves a review spot on the blog, feel free to make your case.

4. You cannot turn in more than four (4) reviews a week.

5. These reviews must be legible, but they do not have to be typed.

6. These reviews must have your name on them in order for them to be posted. This does not have to be your full name, but completely anonymous reviews will not be posted.

7. You cannot turn in your reviews to anyone other than Anna Ruhs. This means that you cannot turn in your reviews during lunch, book clubs, or on Saturdays.