All Fall Down by Ally Carter

Title: All Fall Down
Author: Ally Carter
Publisher:Scholastic Press  
Release Date: January 20, 2015
Received From: Library  

Synopsis:   A new series of global proportions -- from master of intrigue, NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author Ally Carter.
This exciting new series from NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author Ally Carter focuses on Grace, who can best be described as a daredevil, an Army brat, and a rebel. She is also the only granddaughter of perhaps the most powerful ambassador in the world, and Grace has spent every summer of her childhood running across the roofs of Embassy Row.
Now, at age sixteen, she's come back to stay--in order to solve the mystery of her mother's death. In the process, she uncovers an international conspiracy of unsettling proportions, and must choose her friends and watch her foes carefully if she and the world are to be saved.

Review: I love Ally Carter's books. She writes such amazing, smart, strong female characters. If you liked Heist Society series' Kat or the Gallagher Girls' Cammie you will find a new favorite in Grace.

Grace is smart, spunky, and a risk-taker. She is taking the death of her mother really hard and makes some mistakes along the way, but those mistakes just make her more and more relatable.

I am a huge fan of mystery books, so reading about Grace and the other Embassy Row kids try and solve the murder of Grace's mother was really fun. There are twists and turns, as well as some suspenseful moments. But there is also lots of jokes and humor.

I really liked the setting of Embassy Row. It is such a cool idea because it adds more levels of politics and what Grace can and can't do. It also adds variety and diversity to her cast of friends and enemies. Also important people like the President of the United States dropping by is all ways good for more suspense.

Overall I really like this new book of Ally Carter's and I think Grace will be added to the list of strong feisty female characters. I also can't wait for the next book in the series!

The False Prince by Jennifer Nielsen (Audio Review)

Title: The False Prince
Author: Jennifer Nielsen
Publisher: Scholastic
Release Date: April 1, 2012
Received From: Library

Synopsis: 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.

Review:
I listened to The False Prince on audio and I really enjoyed it! The reader was fantastic and he totally embodied not only Sage but all the other characters. I think when I read the second book it will probably be in his voice. So if you have the opportunity to listen to this one I definitely recommend it! Also it would be great for road trips with your family because it is technically middle grade.

I love fantasy books. While I really enjoy all other types of books, fantasy is my love. Though even I can admit sometimes the plots feel contrived. Not The False Prince, the idea is very similar to others. A group trying to take over a country you know the story. But how often does it happen that they try to take over the country by trying to essentially bring the Prince back from the dead. (He has been missing/presumed dead. No sorcery or necromancy here)

I loved all four boys. They were all so different and so like many other boys that I have known over the course of my life. But even with that I fell in love with Sage. He is the perfect middle grade boy character. His is a rascal, smart, and funny. Plus he has a few more tricks up his sleeve than you may think.

Jennifer Nielsen created a richly developed story with just enough twists and turns to make it interesting. Also, I loved the major plot twist. It was perfect and executed so well!

Basically if you are looking for a book to read with your kids or just plain want a good fantasy to read yourself, The False Prince is right for you. And even better the second book; The Runaway King is already out so you don't have to wait!

It is debated on whether or not The False Prince is MG or YA but it does not really matter since it is really good for MG on up!


Also through the 31st The False Prince audiobook is one of the free SYNC titles so if you want to try the audio: http://www.audiobooksync.com/2013/07/25/sync-has-a-secret-identity-week-9/

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

Title: The Scorpio Races  

Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Publisher: Scholastic Press 

Release Date: October 18, 2011 
Received: Library

Summary:  It happens at the start of every November: the Scorpio Races. Riders attempt to keep hold of their water horses long enough to make it to the finish line. Some riders live. Others die.

At age nineteen, Sean Kendrick is the returning champion. He is a young man of few words, and if he has any fears, he keeps them buried deep, where no one else can see them.

Puck Connolly is different. She never meant to ride in the Scorpio Races. But fate hasn’t given her much of a chance. So she enters the competition — the first girl ever to do so. She is in no way prepared for what is going to happen.  


Review:  I listened to The Scorpio Races on audio and it was so beautiful. If you have the chance to listen it rather than read it I would definitely recommend it. But even if you can't you really need to read it.

I had read all of Maggie Stiefvater's other books and had fallen in love with her style and voice. Her Shiver series while good, was not as amazing of a fit for her voice as her first two books, Linger and Ballad. But The Scorpio Races was the perfect fit for her lyricism and style. The minute I started listening I knew I was in for a treat.

Puck and Sean are awesome main characters, their stories were seamlessly wound together and I loved the dual POV, it made the story richer and more beautiful. Puck is such a strong female character and even though she was not out saving the world, but she was out doing whatever she could to save her family. Sean on the other hand is alone and is doing all he can to get what he wants and needs but is not selfish about it which is not seen very much in books.

Finn, Puck's brother was one of my favorite characters. He was so sweet and awesome I loved his personality and wanted him to be my little brother. Also he was always surprising me and I love that about him.

Thisby the island that The Scorpio Races takes place on it almost a character in itself. It could not take place in any other place. Maggie Stiefvater brought it to life and I felt like I was there. I really want Thisby to be real so I can experience it. But because it isn't I feel like I have been there.

The audio narration is awesome. There are two narrators, one for Puck and one for Sean and they are the perfect voices for them. Especially the man who voiced Sean, I fell in love with his voice and I would listen to him read the phone book if I had the chance. But I also loved the voice of Puck, she was sassy and fit Puck's personality perfectly!

You need to read this book. I am mad at myself for waiting this long to read it. Also it is a stand alone so if you are tired of all the series' and need a break, or if you just want an awesome book to read I recommend The Scorpio Races.

The Eternal Sea Review

Title: The Eternal Sea ( Everlasting #2)

Author: Angie Frazier

Publisher: Scholastic

Release Date: June 1, 2011

Received From:  ATWT

Summary: 

Romance and adventure are just around the corner . . .

After the thrilling journey that led Camille through the dangerous discovery of love, secrets, and a magical stone that grants immortality, Camille has everything she wants. She's escaped the men who wanted her dead, and now she is ready to build a new life with Oscar, her one true love. But things are not to be so simple. Oscar is acting strangely, and before they can even board a ship from Australia back home, to San Francisco, Camille learns that the journey is not over. If she does not follow the magic of the curse of Umandu, her life and Oscar's could be in grave danger.

Review:

CHECK OUT MY REVIEW OF THE FIRST BOOK!

If you read my review of the first book you know that I really enjoyed the characters in that book, this book was no different! I liked delving back into this world and getting to know the characters even better, as well as meeting new ones!

The plot of this book was full of action and adventure, I was kept on my toes wondering what was going to happen next and how it was going to end. Even though most of the book takes place on a ship it wasn’t boring or mundane like it could have been.

I have two words for you, LOVE TRIANGLE. There was a definite love triangle in this book but I think it was done better than in many other books. Camille’s reasons for being torn were valid and I found myself switching back and forth with who she should be with. (OSCAR)

The only problem I had with this book was that I wish the mythology had been gone into more. While it was gone into more than in the first book I found myself craving even a little more.

Overall a good book and I hope there is going to be another book because I was not satisfied with that ending!