Middle Grade Review: Medusa

When Ava deals with a bully at school, her mom decides it's time for her and her brother to attend boarding school. Suddenly they are both whisked off Venice. There, they learn they are descendants of Greek monsters, not heroes. 

Ava's thriving at the school. All her knowledge of mythology has paid off. Now she's getting more praise than her brother. But all that changes when she meets the goddess Athena. 

The Accademia isn't quite what it seems. When someone threatens Ava's friend, she's ready to cause a scene. But could protecting her friend get her expelled?

My Thoughts: It took me a little bit to get into this book, but then I was sucked in. This is a REALLY powerful story with an important message. This feminist read talks about how females lose their voice and how powerful stories can be. The Greek mythology will pull readers in, but I stayed for the friendship, the action, and the feminist twist. I love the idea that Greek mythology monsters might not have really been monsters. It seems like this could be the start of a new series and I really hope that is true. 

Cover Thoughts: Great - lots of action

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended to your school and public library

Review: Midnight Frost

 * Book 5 in the Mythos Academy series *

Gwen's left dealing with aftermath from the previous attack from the reapers. She's struggling with missing Logan and going about her normal routine.

An attack occurs from one of her classmates - who poisons her water bottle. Luckily, she witnesses the event and goes after him. He takes his own life just before capture.

But damage has been done, the librarian drinks from one of the two water bottles poisoned. The poison acts fast, a healer can only help so far. An antidote is desperately needed.

Using her skills, Gwen uncovers the trail of clues left for her. The reapers wanted her to find the book because the only place the antidote plant grows is Eir Ruins - a location close to another academy.

Even though they know, they're walking straight into a trap, they must get the antidote. They only hope they can escape the trap without any more bloodshed.

My Thoughts: I adore this series and I couldn't put this book down! I love the action, the danger, and the friendships created throughout this series. I love how Gwen tries to take care of everyone around her - including animals. I love how she talks to Nike and how the Goddess responds to her. I admire her determination and her loyalty. I liked learning more about Gwen's family and I hope to see more of Rory in future books. I Loved the book's ending and can't wait to read more of the addicting series.

Cover Thoughts:  It's ok, something seems a little off to me about it.
Source: My Library

Tween Tuesday Review: Pandora the Curious

* Goddess Girls Series #9*

**Tween Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted at GreenBeanTeenQueen to highlight great reads for tweens. Join the fun! **   

Pandora's always been curious. As a mortal attending Mount Olympus Academy, she feels out of place. Her need to ask questions helps her feel more grounded.

When Epimetheus  carries a box down the hallway, it sparks interested. Most of the interest comes from the godboys bullying him with a game of keepaway, but for Pandora, seeing the box brings up lots of questions.

She wants to know what's inside. Pandora itches to have her hands on the box. Before long, it flies into her hand. It takes her seconds to open the locked box. Inside rests various color bubbles, which escape before Pandora can close the lid.

No one else notices the bubbles, but as they begin to pop, Pandora notices her friends acting strange. Could she have accidentally caused it?

My Thoughts:  Another fun installment of this adorable series. I felt bad for Pandora as she strives to fit in at school. White asking questions helps her, it doesn't endear her to the other students. It wasn't my favorite book of the series, however I was happy to read more about my favorite characters and to see the school from other perspective. 

I felt like Pandora should have made the connection between the bubbles and the strange behavior long before she did.  I liked how different her friends acted under the bubble's spells, especially Artemis. 

Cover Thoughts: Great - it really captures the book.
Source: Inter-Library Loan

Review: Underworld

* sequel to Abandon*

Pierce and John fled to the Underworld to escape the dangers. However, danger still exists. Pierce isn't sure what to do in the Underworld. She's interested in how things work in this alternate universe, but she also misses her home.

She's not sure she wants to live here forever. Pierce doesn't want her mom to grow old with out her. She's worried about the rest of her family and her friends. She hated that she didn't get to say goodbye.

When she receives a disturbing message about the fate of her cousin, she's desperate to get back to her normal life. She needs to warn Alex and help save him. She has no way of knowing if what she saw has happened, is happening, or will happen. All she knows is that she'll do everything in her power from prevent that scenario from coming true.

My Thoughts: First off, I adore Meg Cabot and all her books. I devour them. It's impossible for me not to love them. However, it's been a long time since I read Abandon and I forgot most of the story. As a result, it took me a little bit longer than normal to get into the story. (I really do wish I had time to re-read books when sequels appear, but I don't.)


I loved the heat between John and Pierce. I enjoyed their banter as they tried to make each other understand their viewpoints. While at times, I found John controlling, after learning more about his life, I find myself able to understand his character better. 


I loved the descriptions of the Underworld - the gardens, the house, and how things needed appeared. I liked Hope - even her ironic name. I found her antics amusing as she judged everything and everyone around her.


I'm looking forward to the next book - the last book in this fantastic trilogy. 


Cover Thoughts: Great!


Source: my Library

Movie News: Sea of Monsters

Hitting theaters in 2013...

This ruggedly handsome guy just joined the cast as Hermes. Read more about it here. 

I'm super excited now! I <3 Nathan Fillion!

Tween Tuesday Review: Artemis the Loyal

*Tween Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted at GreenBeanTeenQueen to highlight great reads for tweens. *

Artemis thinks the Olympics are unfair. She's not the only girl unhappy about the competition rule that only allows boys to participate.  She knows she could win the archery competition.

Artemis figures she can help her twin brother Apollo - so he might have the best chance at winning. But after she humiliates him in public, he's not interested in hanging out with her.

Still she worries about him entering the final game at the Olympics - defeating  the Parnassus Python. She hopes that he won't become injured in the process. It doesn't help that she visits the snake herself and might have spoiled his chance at winning.

Defeated, Artemis and her goddess girl friends create a petition against the sexist rules of the Olympics.  Will the godboys embrace her ideas or will they laugh at her?

My Thoughts: I loved how the girls stood up for themselves and how they wanted to participate in the Olympics as well. I'm so addicted to this series. I love the friendship drama, the school drama, and the slight romance drama. I love the strong female characters who are the perfect mix of strength and girly.



Cover Thoughts: Fabulous!


Source: Inter-Library Loan

Tween Tuesday: Aphrodite the Diva

When Aphrodite learns of her failing grade in HERO-OLOGY, she tries talking with the teacher. He points out that mortals aren't happy with her because she accidentally started the Trojan War. She also failed to stop by Mr. Cyclops's office when so they could talk about her grade.

Fortunately, he's giving her another chance. He'll allow her to perform extra credit to boost her grade. Unfortunately, it's vacation week.

Now Aphrodite must cancel her plans of traveling with her friends and work on improving her name with the mortals. She decides to offer her match-making skills.

She spreads the word and sets up a mailbox in her room. Two mortal girls from the school sign up to find their perfect match. But it's the letter that arrives torn in two that makes Aphrodite suspicious. She claims half, but the wind must carry the rest of the letter to a goddess girl in Egypt.

Stunned, Aphrodite flies off with her friends to Egypt. There she meets Isis. The two of them agree to a competition: whoever finds the perfect match for Pygmalion she will reign as supreme goddess of Love!

My Thoughts: This is the 6th book in this adorable series. Aphrodite fights against the stereotype of pretty girls - that they can't be both Pretty AND Smart. While she hides the truth about her grades from her friends, she's determined to prove she's more than just a pretty face. I love this distinction. I liked the eventual peace between Isis and Aphrodite. I liked how they were able to look beyond their differences and become friends. A wonderful addition to a charming series of friendship, smarts, beauty, loyalty, and becoming the best version of yourself.

Cover Thoughts: Adorable!

Source: Inter-Library Loan

Up Next: Artemis the Loyal out December 6th

Review: Goddess Test

Kate and her sick mother move halfway around the country on Kate’s eighteenth birthday to fulfill her mother’s wish. She wants to move back to her childhood home. On top of her mother’s declining health, Kate now must also deal with a new school, finding new friends, and figuring out what to do after her mom dies.

Kate gets invited to a party. She doesn’t want to go, but she goes to appease her mother. Only the party turns out to be a prank – a deadly prank.

Kate meets Henry right after the accident. Henry makes her a deal – he’ll bring back Ava from the dead if Kate agrees to become a form of Persephone. Kate agrees to anything if it will just bring Ava back to life.

Now, she’s stuck in a bargain where she must live in a mansion for six months out of the year. She must pass seven tests in order to remain in the mansion – among the living. Meanwhile, Henry will do his best to help her and also keep her mother alive until the end of six months.

No other girl has passed the tests in centuries. Kate has no idea what’s she’s getting herself into. The more time she spends with Henry, the more she grows attracted to him. Can she break through his barriers and capture his heart?

My Thoughts: The first in a trilogy leaves the reader breathless – a beautifully haunting novel. Kate worries about everyone around her that she doesn’t realize how different her life will become. Readers watch her new life unfold as she struggles with loneliness, her frustration, her growing feelings for Henry, and her fears at failing the tests.

Cover Thoughts: I love the greenery and the old fashioned dress.

Source: reviewed for www.teensreadtoo.com

YA Debut Novel - perfect for the Debut Author Challenge

Tween Tuesday: Artemis the Brave

While Artemis loves archery, she doesn't always feel brave. There's now way she can confide in her friends. She doesn't want them to know she feels insecure sometimes. She puts on a brave front.

However, she does ask their advice when it comes to boys. Before Artemis met Orion, she never admired a boy. Now she wants to gain his attention. Orion's used to having a fan club. He's asking Artemis for all kinds of help. Artemis is afraid he sees her only as one of the guys. What can she do to show him she likes him than just a friend?

My Thoughts: I really love this series. I love how the authors mix mythology with issues facing tweens. I love the friendship between the four girls and how each girl is unique. I like how the godboys are drawn out as well, I really had strong feelings against Orion. Mythology really comes to life in these books.

Cover Thoughts: Cute and fun

Source: Inter-Library Loan

Up Next:
Book Five: Athena the Wise: out in April

Book Six: Aphrodite the Diva: out in September