Tuesday, September 30, 2014

A new student review of WhipEye by Geoffrey Saign

Pikachu posted a new student review of WhipEye by Geoffrey Saign. See the full review.

I thought it was a pretty good book. My favorite part was the ending because all seems right in the world. I liked the setting because it made me feel as if I were actually in the book. My favorite character was Samantha, she was just pretty cool. I could not put the book down, it hooked me in and would not let go.

 

 

 

Saturday, September 27, 2014

A new student review of Sky Jumpers by Peggy Eddleman

muffin posted a new student review of Sky Jumpers by Peggy Eddleman. See the full review.

This fast-paced, nerve wracking, edge-of-your-seat-story  is bursting with adventure, danger, and excitement!!! I loved this book; it was flawless!! Peggy Eddleman did a wonderful job on this story; there were no bad or confusing parts. I recommend this book for readers who like excitement and adventure! I loved the characters. Hope was courageous and thought of others before herself. Aaren was always cautious and adventurous. Brock was brave and spontaneous. I also loved the plot in this book. How it was in the future but very similar to our lives. I felt like I could connect to the characters. I recommend Sky Jumpers to readers who like adventure.

A new student review of Captive by Aimée Carter

nictaf posted a new student review of Captive by Aimée Carter. See the full review.

I wasn’t happy when I found out Captive was a book two when I hadn’t read book one.  I could understand the main gist of the book, but I couldn’t understand the minor subtleties of this story.  In the end, though, it didn’t matter. The story kept me riveted anyway, even if it is considered a romance.  The author had a way with words to make it seem like you were right there in the book, too. Overall, this book was great, but very violent.  Punishments were harsh and usually meant death.  There were quite a few bad words also.  The surprise ending made me want to read book three immediately.  Aimee Carter made a great series for adventurous readers.  I would recommend this book for ages 13 and up.

A new student review of Element 238 - The Search for Truth - Episode One by Jon Soeder

vbobrocks posted a new student review of Element 238 - The Search for Truth - Episode One by Jon Soeder. See the full review.

J.H. Soder’s Element 238: The Search for Truth was written atop a strong dystopian foundation and born from a solid blueprint.  However, the construction itself could use a bit of touching up; the first half of the short novel felt heavy with the repetition of an overplayed practical joke and was slow in picking up.  The interest level began to gain speed with the second half, in which Thomas Harding took the spotlight and began to heat the plot up with a futuristic Bunsen burner.  With his character’s development, readers began to really understand the impact of Mensam and its actions on the world as we know it, plus the action became more relevant to the overall plot.  Also, there were a few structural mishaps as there was an abundance of exclamation points and a paucity of contractions, especially in dialogue.  That being said, Soder’s Element 238 was an interesting read that would be a potential read for science fiction fans in middle school or above.

 

Friday, September 26, 2014

A new student review of The Watcher by Joan Hiatt Harlow

moseso posted a new student review of The Watcher by Joan Hiatt Harlow. See the full review.

The Watcher is an exciting book that will keep you on the edge of your seat from the beginning! The author makes it seem like you’re in the book, experiencing Wendy’s adventures with her. The book is historical fiction, even though the characters seem life-like. The plot is slightly complex; an in-depth story that requires undistracted reading. Therefore it should be rated for 10-14 year olds. I highly recommend you read The Watcher, not only is it jam packed with adventure, it also has mystery and suspense thrown in with it!        

Thursday, September 25, 2014

A new student review of Don't Turn the Page by Rachelle Burk

sisto8 posted a new student review of Don't Turn the Page by Rachelle Burk. See the full review.

My little sisters loved this book!  This book is very fun book for young kids.  It holds their interest and it gets their imagination going at the same time.  It grasps their attention while it teaches them basic preparation for bedtime such as brushing their teeth, putting on pajamas, etc.  I recommend this book for parents who have children who don’t like bedtime, as well as preschool teachers who like getting a variety of books for their class.  The age group that will be most interested in this book is 2-6.

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

A new student review of The Journey of the Marked (The Miyran Heir Series #1) by Rebecca P. McCray

jotaf posted a new student review of The Journey of the Marked (The Miyran Heir Series #1) by Rebecca P. McCray. See the full review.

I really liked The Miyran Heir: The Journey of the Marked as it was very adventurous, thrilling, and action-packed. The author, Rebecca P. McCray, did a really good job with developing each and every character and gave them some very fitting personality traits.  For example, Tip, the Liput, was a comedian who liked to crack jokes.  The author also did a good job making the characters, and even the world they live on, seem convincing.  One of the only flaws that I saw with the book, though, was that a lot of the time it kept flipping between three through five stories.  This, at times, made it difficult to follow the story line.  I would recommend this book to anyone who likes adventure, mystery, or excitement, but can also handle some death and blood.  I am anxiously awaiting book two and hope it comes out soon.

A new student review of Kissing Atticus Primble by Stephanie Hoina

sisto8 posted a new student review of Kissing Atticus Primble by Stephanie Hoina. See the full review.

I didn’t like this book at first.  The characters didn’t seem to make sense to me and some things were out of order.  After I got into the story, I really enjoyed it.  I think the beginning of a book is harder for authors to write because they have all these ideas floating around inside their heads waiting to come out.  Once they finish the first chapter or so, they tend to realize that not everything they planned will fit with the particular story.  The more the author writes, the easier it is to swim through the ideas straight to the ones that will work.  I think the story was fine and the plot was interesting.  I also think the author did a great job with this book.  I can’t wait to read more from her.  I recommend this book for people 12+.

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

A new student review of Let's Get Lost by Adi Alsaid

swalia posted a new student review of Let's Get Lost by Adi Alsaid. See the full review.

Let's Get Lost was a very interesting book to read. It was written in 5 parts, each told from a different chracter's perspective- Hudson, Bree, Elliot, Sonia, and Leila- and the characters were believable. Many of the events in the book could possibly happen. My favorite part of Let's get Lost is that throughout the book, the author is very descriptive, and in each part, the author reveals a little more information about why Leila is going on this trip. Overall this book was very enjoyable and I would recommend it to people age 12 and up.

A new student review of Resurgence by Virginia Vayna

lunarwolf posted a new student review of Resurgence by Virginia Vayna. See the full review.

This book is boring to me; the book never picks up the pace. Sure at one or two points you get a bit of suspense or intrigue. But even then it only lasted a page or two. The tone is completely monotone, and I wanted to skip parts. I wouldn’t recommend this book to anyone who likes action or fast paced books. I must say my least favorite thing was that I had a hard time figuring out whose point of view it was; though that is only me. When reading the point of view was constantly changing, and it was hard to keep track of who was talking or thinking. So its tricky trying to keep track of the story.

 

A new student review of Kissing Atticus Primble by Stephanie Hoina

Star360 posted a new student review of Kissing Atticus Primble by Stephanie Hoina. See the full review.

Kissing Atticus Primble decidedly belongs on the “basic teenage girl conflict” bookshelf. The protagonist, Kathleen, thinks only about Atticus and Bobby and seems to have no other interests in life. The predictable cast of characters is relatively small, so the reader can easily keep up with the plot. The storyline is basic: one girl plus two boys equals one love triangle. Atticus’s handicap, a wheelchair, is a refreshing aspect; however, I felt that Hoina could have taken that variable a lot further. I would have liked to see a more deeply psychological impact of the wheelchair on Atticus and his friends. Also, ATTICUS Primble and Bobby O’HARA are two name choices that I believe could have been different. As soon as I saw them, my mind jumped to Harper Lee’s beloved Atticus Finch and Margaret Mitchell’s unforgettable Scarlett O’Hara. The boys in Kissing share some of the traits (Atticus is gentle and kind, Bobby is popular and fun-loving) but the weight that those names carry is too much for many an author to tackle. Frankly, I would only recommend this to a thirteen-year-old dreaming of her first love.

Monday, September 22, 2014

A new student review of 77 Things You Absolutely Have to Do Before You Finish College by Halley Bondy

Lucy posted a new student review of 77 Things You Absolutely Have to Do Before You Finish College by Halley Bondy. See the full review.

77 Things You Absolutely Have to do Before You Finish College is a really cool book, I'm currently in high school and I'm going to try to do some of those things. Some of the things that they had in the book are already stuff that I already did. It gave me some good ideas on to trying some new and cool things. I decided that when I'm going to college, one of my goals for college will be to try all 77 of the things that are in the book. 

Saturday, September 20, 2014

A new student review of Space Case by Stuart Gibbs

nictaf posted a new student review of Space Case by Stuart Gibbs. See the full review.

Space Case is an excellent book that comes alive with detailed descriptions. Stuart Gibbs made an extremely intense book that made me feel like I was with Dash the entire way. I also loved the depth of this thriller. There were a lot of twists and turns that kept me guessing. This book won't fail to entertain you. I would recommend this book for ages 9 and up.

Friday, September 19, 2014

A new student review of The Night Fairy by Laura Amy Schlitz

spickle posted a new student review of The Night Fairy by Laura Amy Schlitz. See the full review.

The Night Fairy was well written, whimsical, and an enjoyable book that I didn’t have to think about.  I was able to appreciate the story without having to wrap my mind around twisting plot lines and characters that disappear and then reappear much later so no one remembers them.  The character development was stretched through the whole book, each chapter revealing a different dimension of Flory, and throughout the entire story you see her mature and learn to make choices.  She retains a little bit of her selfish behavior, until she is faced with a decision that will mean life or death for a completely unknown stranger.  The Night Fairy is a book that I will keep on my shelf to read over and over.         

A new student review of Monstrous Affections An Anthology of Beastly Tales

Klynnj951 posted a new student review of Monstrous Affections An Anthology of Beastly Tales . See the full review.

I really love this book and all the stories and I plan to reread it multiple times. The pages are already dog-eared and loved, and I highly recommend this book for any lover of fantasy fiction or even realistic fiction. If you like to think, you'll love this book. :)

A new student review of Shadows by E. C. Blake

mail4chase@yahoo.com posted a new student review of Shadows by E. C. Blake. See the full review.

The book Shadows, by E. C. Blake was a fantastic story describing a power struggle between those without magic and those with it. Blake’s idea of magic was interesting. It intrigued me that magic was found in a black stone and the human using the magic has a “magic meter bar” letting them hold only so much power in their system. I also enjoyed how Blake described magic in colors, with most people only able to call upon certain colors. Also, the concept of Mara’s ability to pull magic from others was very cool and an awesome idea. E. C. Blake has opened up a doorway into a new style of magical fantasy. Another reason I loved this story was because of the instant connection I felt with the characters, none of the characters were perfect at all, giving me the ability to really relate with each and every one of the characters. To say the least, I am trembling in anticipation for the next book, Faces, to be released. I would recommend both Masks and Shadows to anyone who has a passion for reading or enjoys fantasy style stories.

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

A new student review of Shark School by Davy Ocean

Boomer123 posted a new student review of Shark School by Davy Ocean. See the full review.

 

I liked this a lot because I love sea creatures.  The story holds your attention through the whole book.  Sometimes I didn’t even want to stop reading when my teacher asked us to stop.  All day long I would think about the book and wonder what would happen next.  There are many funny parts that made me laugh out loud.


I felt this book was just right for me.  There were some hard words but with the help of my mom and some hard work on my part I was able to figure them out.      

A new student review of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Flies Again by Frank Cottrell Boyce

moseso posted a new student review of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Flies Again by Frank Cottrell Boyce. See the full review.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Flies Again is a mysterious book about a flying camper van. It’s a definite page-turner. Frank Cottrell Boyce does an excellent job of continuing Chitty’s adventure. There are some confusing sentences to decipher within the story. That issue put aside, this book is an extremely good read. It would most likely be enjoyed the most by 9-12 year olds. Because it is a cliff hanger, it leaves room for imagination at the end! The five main characters are: Jem, Lucy, Harry, Dad and Mum. The author makes the characters seem realistic. If you’re looking for an exciting and thrilling read, this is the book for you!        

Sunday, September 14, 2014

A new student review of Mistry by Moonlight by Claire Merchant

ClarissaAdeleMorgenstern posted a new student review of Mistry by Moonlight by Claire Merchant. See the full review.

This book was relatively good.  The reader can tell how out of place and uncertain Taylor feels after arriving in South Coast.  The author does a good job balancing Taylor's internal struggle with the outer conflict.  However, the dialogue felt a bit unnatural, and some of the characters' motives were unconvincing.  Many of the characters had only one or no defining character traits, and it was difficult to understand her attraction to some of the men interested in her,   The plot was good, especially the circumstances that caused her to be marked for death.  I also found the concept of the banshee's mark attracting other monsters and hazardous events interesting. 

Saturday, September 13, 2014

A new student review of Bridge by Patrick Jones

sisto8 posted a new student review of Bridge by Patrick Jones. See the full review.

I liked this book because of the way the kid dealt through his troubles.  He seemed to be able to handle everything that came his way.  He worked through the troubles to succeed in his goal.  The problem I had with this book was that it was short.  Short novels are okay for some people, but I find short novels less interesting because the troubles the person has stop almost as quickly as they start.  Other than that, the story was pretty good.  The characters were realistic.  The setting was great with the characters and troubles.  I recommend this book for kids 12+.

Friday, September 12, 2014

A new student review of Let's Get Lost by Adi Alsaid

sarah.g posted a new student review of Let's Get Lost by Adi Alsaid. See the full review.

Quirky and unforgettable, Let's Get Lost features unexpected plot twists and interesting characters reminiscent of authors like John Green. The settings are picturesque backdrops that the characters fit right into. The narration is strong and lively with a clear, distinct voice and style. Through this, the characters really stand out on their own. Your heart instantly goes out to the five protagonists, especially Leila, who is fierce and unrelenting in her efforts to help others, despite the dark secrets she hides within herself.

Thursday, September 11, 2014

A new student review of The Kingdom of Little Wounds by Susann Cokal

tlang posted a new student review of The Kingdom of Little Wounds by Susann Cokal. See the full review.

It says that this book is for young adults, but I think this way too advanced for most young adults. This book contains high vocabulary, adult scenes, and speaks in older English. Not like Shakespeare, but I think older than that. It took me a while to understand all that the characters were talking about by how things were said, so I was not hooked into the story line. There's a lot going on through this book with each character, so it is filled with action, lust, betrayal, heart aches, enemies, power, and friendship.

A new student review of Between Two Worlds by Katherine Kirkpatrick

bookgirl1289 posted a new student review of Between Two Worlds by Katherine Kirkpatrick. See the full review.

I liked Between Two Worlds and found it interesting but questioned some of the aspects of Inuit life represented. The story was based on the life of a real young woman who had contact with Robert Peary, but the historical record was from the point of view of white explorers. I felt that Billy Bah and some of the other Inuits were represented as very in awe of the white men, which I don’t think is necessarily accurate. There was, especially in the latter half of the book, some interesting character development in Billy Bah as she decides to take her life in a non-traditional direction. The plot moved very slowly, though, and the characters did not have individual personalities. Taking all into consideration, I thought that Between Two Worlds was a well-written story, and I would recommend it for girls 13 and up.
 

Tuesday, September 09, 2014

A new student review of The Fog of Forgetting by Genevieve Morgan

kingc20 posted a new student review of The Fog of Forgetting by Genevieve Morgan. See the full review.

My opinion of this book is that everyone should read it so they know how to be true to themselves. I really like that in the book it shows you what could happen if magic was at the fingertips of the world's would-be conquerors--what could happen if Hitler had the power to change anything he wanted. This book also gives you different points of view from one person to another. I think that the shifting of point of view is good because it shows how many sides to a conflict there can be. I would read this book so that you can learn that one of life's lessons is to be true to yourself.

A new student review of Winter Falls (Twin Willows Trilogy) by Nicole Maggi

McTower posted a new student review of Winter Falls (Twin Willows Trilogy) by Nicole Maggi. See the full review.

This book was truly captivating from the start. The  author made me feel like I was right in the middle of the best book ever made. The vocabulary was perfect for the recommended age. The reader is instantly pulled into the book within the first few paragraphs. It is definetly one of the top 3 best books I have ever read. 

Sunday, September 07, 2014

A new student review of Beetle Boy by Margaret Willey

sisto8 posted a new student review of Beetle Boy by Margaret Willey. See the full review.

I think this book was somewhat okay.  The author had the main character going back and forth between past and present.  It was hard to follow and stay completely interested in the story.  I liked the younger Charlie more than the older Charlie because the older Charlie wasn’t easy enough to understand.  Other than that, the story in and of itself was pretty good - it was sort of cute.  I found it slightly unorganized because of the many stories placed in a random way throughout the book.  I don’t recommend this book for kids under 13.

A new student review of Smash: Trial by Fire by Chris A. Bolton

nictaf posted a new student review of Smash: Trial by Fire by Chris A. Bolton. See the full review.

I loved SMASH Trial by Fire.  Chris A. Bolton has produced a thrilling page-flipper that will leave you wanting more.  I really liked when Smash, a.k.a. Andrew, tossed the dodgeball at the bully after he got his super strength.  I also enjoyed the part where Smash barely escaped from Magus.  There was one drawback.  It left the story up in the air at the end.   I’m sure this is a lead-in to a second book.  If you like manga, graphic novels, or stories with superheroes, this book is for you.  I would recommend this book for ages 7 and up.  

A new student review of Smash: Trial by Fire by Chris A. Bolton

nictaf posted a new student review of Smash: Trial by Fire by Chris A. Bolton. See the full review.

I loved SMASH Trial by Fire.  Chris A. Bolton has produced a thrilling page-flipper that will leave you wanting more.  I really liked when Smash, a.k.a. Andrew, tossed the dodgeball at the bully after he got his super strength.  I also enjoyed the part where Smash barely escaped from Magus.  There was one drawback.  It left the story up in the air at the end.   I’m sure this is a lead-in to a second book.  If you like manga, graphic novels, or stories with superheroes, this book is for you.  I would recommend this book for ages 7 and up.  

A new student review of My Own Revolution by Carolyn Marsden

Star360 posted a new student review of My Own Revolution by Carolyn Marsden. See the full review.

My Own Revolution is an excellent example of historical fiction. The conversations between the four friends sounded real, not fake. I laughed alongside them and got worried when there was a new plot twist. While there was the quibbling and frustration that typically accompany friendship and dating, it was all relevant to the story. Never did I feel that the author was scrabbling for extra words to print on the page. In fact, I enjoyed reading about the characters and plot so much that I wish there had been a few more chapters to draw out the tension. A positive note about the story was how Marsden slipped in little bits of trivia about the times. It added to the local color, and you could tell that the author had done her research. For a smart, believable read that won’t leave you disappointed, pick up My Own Revolution.

A new student review of Uncertain Glory by Lea Wait

Star360 posted a new student review of Uncertain Glory by Lea Wait. See the full review.

The dawn of the Civil War gets a fresh face with Uncertain Glory. Joe and his friends prove to be excellent channels for writing about the various aspects of a nation in chaos. As the rich local color proves, they are in many ways different from twenty-first century teenagers. But their rebellious, brave, and patriotic essence will settle well with today’s readers. Though the novel is targeted to readers aged ten to fourteen, the story is not simplistic. Wait has no qualms about adding in lots of Civil War data. That allows the reader to truly understand what is going on and how frightening it was for the people living it. The novel also delves into topics that are not always mentioned in Civil War books. Besides the expected issues of loyalty and racism; opium addiction and the Spiritualist movement add an unexpected dimension. I was also pleased to discover that the story is partially based on true events, so I was able to learn about the real Joe Wood. Uncertain Glory is a moving story about people that not only stand at the brink of adulthood, but at the edge of a dying era.

Friday, September 05, 2014

A new student review of Lightning's Run (Bareknuckle) by Gabriel Goodman

nictaf posted a new student review of Lightning's Run (Bareknuckle) by Gabriel Goodman. See the full review.

Gabriel Goodman did an excellent job on this book.  This book started a little slow, but picked up very fast.  I liked Lightning's Run and can’t wait to read the other books in the series.  This book was thrilling and I loved it.  The action in the book could have been real, especially during the boxing scenes.  If you like action, boxing, and drama, this would be a good book for you.  I would recommend this book to ages 10 and up.

A new student review of Uncertain Glory by Lea Wait

Star360 posted a new student review of Uncertain Glory by Lea Wait. See the full review.

The dawn of the Civil War gets a fresh face with Uncertain Glory. Joe and his friends prove to be excellent channels for writing about the various aspects of a nation in chaos. As the rich local color proves, they are in many ways different from twenty-first century teenagers. But their rebellious, brave, and patriotic essence will settle well with today’s readers. Though the novel is targeted to readers aged ten to fourteen, the story is not simplistic. Wait has no qualms about adding in lots of Civil War data. That allows the reader to truly understand what is going on and how frightening it was for the people living it. The novel also delves into topics that are not always mentioned in Civil War books. Besides the expected issues of loyalty and racism; opium addiction and the Spiritualist movement add an unexpected dimension. I was also pleased to discover that the story is partially based on true events, so I was able to learn about the real Joe Wood. Uncertain Glory is a moving story about people that not only stand at the brink of adulthood, but at the edge of a dying era.

A new student review of The Forever Song by Julie Kagawa

The_Reaper97 posted a new student review of The Forever Song by Julie Kagawa. See the full review.

There is nothing I would change about this book. I love it and recommend it to any and all people.

Thursday, September 04, 2014

A new student review of Stormbringer by Shannon Delany

S.Ehlers posted a new student review of Stormbringer by Shannon Delany. See the full review.

Opinion:
Stormbringer is easily the worst book I have ever read. This novel was like a ghost. I was still able to read it, but the book was dead. I believe that this would have been better if the story took place in the future instead of the past, 1844, because the olden language bored me, and there were not any airships in 1844. It would have been more reasonable if instead of the story taking place on airships, the story took place on boats. Overall, the only good part of the novel was the end when Rowen and Jordan love each other even though they both changed completely. All in all, Stormbringer was the worst book I have ever read, but I enjoyed the ending. 
 

A new student review of Talon by Julie Kagawa

Anjel posted a new student review of Talon by Julie Kagawa. See the full review.

I love this book because it has the sense of adventure that never stops all throughout the book. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series. The only thing I would say was a little weird was when it switched from Ember's and Garret's perspectives and I thought I was still reading from Ember's view even though it was Garret's. It was only the first few switches that confused me. I would recommend this book to adventure, romance and mystery readers. Also, if you like “FableHaven” by Brandon Mull or “Parched” by Georgia Clark, I would recommend this book to you. There are some bad words and content so this would definitely be a Young Adult book.

A new student review of Pay It Forward by Catherine Ryan Hyde

Pikachu posted a new student review of Pay It Forward by Catherine Ryan Hyde. See the full review.

I think this book is very inspirational in many ways. For example: anyone can change the world for the better. My favorite part has to be when Trevor gets the idea to change the world for the better by doing a project that revolved around "pay it forward." In the end I think it was a cliff hangar. I thought this is a great book, and I like how the story flows from one person's perspective to another. My favorite character is Mr. St Clair.

Wednesday, September 03, 2014

A new student review of Spaceheadz (SPHDZ 4 Life) by Jon Scieszka

cowboys1 posted a new student review of Spaceheadz (SPHDZ 4 Life) by Jon Scieszka. See the full review.

Can they finish school and find the person who stole the brainwave? And what's up with all the weird things going on at the elemenatry school?

This amusing and exhilirating book will answer those questions.  The reader won't be disappointed!

This was an exciting ending to a wonderful series!

Tuesday, September 02, 2014

A new student review of The Alchemist War (The Time-Tripping Faradays) by John Seven

Laurenjanice posted a new student review of The Alchemist War (The Time-Tripping Faradays) by John Seven. See the full review.

I thought this was a great book; I was always on the edge of my seat. I liked this book because it gave me a new perspective on history and alchemy. This book also gave me a chance to see what could happen if we could invent time travel. The book also gave me a perspective on how much little things can matter in history. The Time Tripping Faradays was an excellent book that was action packed and full of suspense.

A new student review of The Revelation of Gabriel Adam by S.L. Duncan

McTower posted a new student review of The Revelation of Gabriel Adam by S.L. Duncan. See the full review.

This book honestly wasn't one of my favorites. The author did make me feel like I was part of the setting; it just wasn't what I expected. The vocabulary was perfect for the recommended age. The book has many strengths, including a very large but age appropriate vocabulary & an interesting ending. However, it did have many weaknesses, including dead moments where you just want to put it down because there is much less action. Overall, it was an acceptable book.

Monday, September 01, 2014

A new student review of Promise Bound by Anne Greenwood Brown

ReesaOnFire posted a new student review of Promise Bound by Anne Greenwood Brown. See the full review.

Ms Greenwood Brown certainly does know how to spin a good story.  Mystifying, heart-wrenching, and enticing, Promise Bound is a book like no other.

Promise Bound being a finale to a trilogy, I expected to be at least moderately confused. I had not read any of the previous books of the series, and so had no prior knowledge of any of the characters.  However, it wasn’t a problem.  Ms. Brown beautifully spins the story where, if you never read the series, you could still understand nearly all the actions.  Truly independent story, it can stand on its own two feet—for that reason I was hooked from the beginning.

Brown’s characters kept my attention with their magic.  The leading characters—Lily, Calder and family—were especially well done, only with perhaps one instance or two of inconsistency.   But the depth at which the character’s work is truly noteworthy and realistic.   Putting Calder and Lily aside, out of Brown’s characters, Danny stands out for his ‘realness’.  Brown does mention some side characters, Lily’s best friend as example, but does not, in my opinion, finish them in this book. In other words, they are loose ends in this finale.  I wished they were more finely finished.

With that, I must mention that at times, the book seemed a bit too fast paced.  Particularly after Calder returns, I felt that the novel was picking up a dangerous speed until the end. 

 In total, Ms. Brown creates a stunning, stand alone plot, with vivid descriptions and a romance that will have the reader eating out of her hand.   I certainly was. Calder’s and Lily’s relationship is just so strong, it draws the reader in, her action and intrigue keeping the reader in the zone.  Promise bound is sure to draw you in from start to finish, even if you hadn’t any prior knowledge about the series.

  I recommend it for ages 15+.