Thursday, June 30, 2011

Catching Fire - Collins, Suzanne

Catching Fire is the Second book in the Hunger Games trilogy. This book, and the others in the trilogy, are intended for a young adult audience, but readers of all ages will enjoy this post-apocalyptic tale.



In this book Katniss is thrown back into the hunger games, along with Peeta and 22 other tributes from games past.  Her unintended act of rebellion has consequences she can't anticipate.  This is another book full of interesting characters and heart stopping action.  Very highly recommended.

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Buried Prey - Sandford, John

Buried Prey is a Lucas Davenport novel. You don't have to read the whole Prey Series, but it would be worth it to start from the beginning and end up here. These are some amazing books that keep you turning pages late into the night.



In this novel Lucas is haunted by two bodies that are found in a construction site. They're the bodies of two sisters who were kidnapped and murdered. They were the first case he worked on as a plain clothes detective. The location of the bodies proves that the man he helped collar back then was not the killer. Lucas blames himself for not finding the real kidnapper. Then someone very close to Lucas is gunned down by the killer and nothing will stop Lucas until this man is no longer a threat to anyone. I couldn't put this book down. Very highly recommended.

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

The Hunger Games - Collins, Suzanne

The Hunger Games is a post-apocalypse novel with a twist. The perspective is that of a teenager who is forced to participate in an annual spectacle called the hunger games.  The hunger games are more like a gladiatorial contest than anything else, and of the 24 participants, from ages 12 to 18, only one makes it out alive.



Sixteen year old Katniss is her family's provider. Her father was killed in a mine accident, and when it happened her mother emotionally collapsed.  When Katniss volunteers to take her younger sister's place in the hunger games she thinks she's destined to die, but maybe a young girl from District 12 can pull off a miracle.  The Hunger Games is the first book in a trilogy and I can't wait to read the other two.  Very highly recommended.

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Switched - Hocking, Amanda

Switched is the first novel in the Trylle Trilogy. This story is targeted to young adults, with the emphasis on adults.



Wendy Everly feels like she doesn't belong. It doesn't help that her Mom tried to kill her on her sixth birthday. It turns out Wendy's right, she just never realized how much she doesn't belong. Magic and teenage romance make for an interesting read. For a change this is a supernatural story with no vampires or fairies or zombies. This time it's trolls. This book is certainly worth the price. Recommended.

Lethal People - Locke, John

Lethal People is the first novel in the Donovan Creed series. I look forward to reading them all.



Donovan Creed is an ex-CIA assassin who still dabbles in counter terrorism for the government.  But since he has the skills, he also makes money as a hit man. It's kind of hard to get behind a hero who kills for money, but Locke manages to make Donovan a likable protagonist in a twisted way.

Donovan has normal people problems.  He has an ex-wife and daughter.  He struggles with romance.  It's just that he also has people trying to kill him most of the time.  Guns, bombs, poison, you name it.  Donovan uses it and does his best to avoid having it used on him.  Throw in dwarfs (sorry little people) who want to take over the world, and some mob people who think they already have, and it's a volatile mix.  Very highly recommended.

Hunt the Moon - Chance, Karen

Hunt the Moon is the fifth Cassie Palmer Novel. Please read them in sequence to really enjoy these books. They're well worth the time.



Cassie started out as a reluctant clairvoyant on the run from some bad guys who were trying to use her. She has since become the Pythia, the most powerful clairvoyant on the planet.  In addition to getting ready for her coronation, she's busy fighting beings so desperate to kill her that they've traveled back in time to kill her mother as insurance.  She's also juggling romances with a master vampire and a legendary war mage.  Her plate is full and it makes a great story. Oh yeah...after this novel she gets a promotion.  Very highly recommended.

Saturday, June 18, 2011

The Burning Wire - Deaver, Jeffery

The Burning Wire is Deaver's ninth Lincoln Rhyme novel.  Kathryn Dance makes an appearance in this story, and the Watchmaker also plays a role.  You don't have to read this series in order, but I recommend you do so.  All the stories are worth reading and easier to follow that way.  Deaver doesn't waste words explaining what has already been covered in earlier books, and I like that.



Someone is killing people with electricity, and in a spectacular way.  Lincoln is called on to sift the evidence and find out who the killer or killers are, and where they'll strike next.  After reading this you may never plug in your toaster again!  Very highly recommended.

Friday, June 10, 2011

The Magic of Finkleton - Hilton, K.C.

The Magic of Finkleton will be a great book for kids who've moved up to the "chapter book" level, or for parents to read to younger children.  No tragedy, no sex, no scary, and no bad language, that is unless you count "daft".  It's a very enjoyable story.



The Finkle family have inherited their uncle Harry's general store in the rural town of Finkleton.  Uncle Harry's general store is the hub of this rural community, in ways none of the Finkles can imagine.  The three Finkle children each use their unique abilities to keep Finkleton safe and secure.  Magic gives this story it's edge, but good traditional family values with respectful and obedient children are what makes this story great.  Keep in mind this is a true children's story.  That said, this book is very highly recommended.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Declare - Powers, Tim

I can't really decide whether Declare is a fantasy book that tries to be a spy book, or a spy book that tries to be a fantasy book. I found it to be a slow, and at times tedious read. I finished it though, and was glad I did.



Without spoiling anything, the hero of our story is Andrew Hale. He was recruited by British intelligence at a very early age. This story spans his lifetime and more. WWII is his first taste of action and he keeps tasting to the end of the cold war. There's some romance to spice things up a bit. Not that a book with spies, djinns, and other supernatural manifestations needs a lot of spice. In spite of being a slow read I recommend this book.The ending is predictable, but satisfying.