Tween Tuesday Review: Paris Pan Takes the Dare

Paris just moved to a new town - again. She's tired of making new friends and then having to leave them. Right now she's not sure about her options for new friends.

She hears a rumor about spending the night in the woods, something that apparently every seventh grade girl completes. Paris isn't sure she wants to participate, especially after she hears about the murdered girl in backyard.

When she starts finding creepy dolls around the property and hearing strange noises, she's convinced the murdered girl has come back as a ghost. Now more than ever her friend wants to spend the night in the wood. How far will Paris go for her new friend?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. I liked watching Paris make new friends and figure out her new place in town. I liked her interactions with her family and how they helped her solve her problems. I loved the dare angle. I really enjoyed the ending of the book. It's a great read for someone who wants something a little frightening but isn't ready for Wait Til Helen Comes.

Cover Thoughts: Fantastic
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: Recommended for the children's section

Review: Legend

Day and June come from two separate sides of the tracks.

June is the sister of Metias. Metias holds power among the highest military circles of the Republic.

June’s also the only one to get a perfect score on the testing. She hopes that she too will have a lengthy and respectable career in the military.

Day is a legend. He fights against the Republic. The Republic have been after him for year. The only problem in capturing him? No one knows what he looks like. Billboard wanted signs are plastered all over the city offering ransom for his capture.

When June’s brother dies, she’s told that Day is responsible. Y can’t imagine why Day would kill someone, it hasn’t been his MO. Still, she’s lets the rage live inside her. She takes to the streets, going undercover, hoping to learn some knowledge of Day.

She never expects that he will save her life. She never expects that he will take her under his wing. She never expects that she might come to like him.

My Thoughts: A brilliant debut dystopian novel. I loved the different perspectives of both June and Day. I couldn’t put the book down. There were so many twists and turns that I never saw coming. It's a thrilling novel full of action, betrayal, danger, and friendship. I can't wait to read more of their story!

Similar Read: Divergent

Cover Thoughts: Simple, but interesting

Source: BEA

Review: Name of the Star

Rory's headed for a London boarding school. Coming from New Orleans, she realizes that she’ll have a lot of learn about British culture. She never dreamed she’d have to learn about Jack the Ripper. But when murders start occurring in the same fashion and the same timing as Jack the Ripper, the whole city goes into panic mode.

Rory and her roommate slip out of their dorm room and head for the boys’ dormitory. As they return and Rory is just about to climb through the window, she sees a man. They have a very brief conversation and then Rory returns inside.

The next day, they wake up to discover, a woman’s body has been found on the school property. The murder happened just as the two girls were sneaking back into their rooms. Rory comes forward with her knowledge. The police question her and her roommate (who saw no one).

Could the new Jack the Ripper be coming for Rory?

My Thoughts: I confess that I only read this book during daylight hours. That’s right, I’m a wimp. I have nightmares from scary things. While this book was creepy, I really really liked it. I’m already looking forward to the next book in the trilogy. I loved how the students were so caught up in the Jack the Ripper story. I love how nerdy Rory and her roommate were - with their books, their tea, and their happiness to have nights in. I loved the romantic parts between Rory and Jerome. I loved the police. The last fight scene was scary – but awesome. I saw Maureen Johnson speak a few months ago and she’s hilarious. I quite adore her and her books!

Cover Thoughts: Spooky.

Source: my library

Review: Grimm Legacy

Elizabeth, the new girl in school, doesn't have any friends. When her social studies teacher Mr. Mauskopf recommends her for a job at a special library, things start looking up. During the job interview, she's given a box of buttons and asked to sort them. Elizabeth doesn't know quite what to make it of, but apparently she passes with flying colors. Then she discovers that the library doesn't hold many books, but it circulates a variety of items including hot chocolate pots. At first, she's confused, but soon learns that the library circulates old items, valuable items, and some magic items. The magic items are from the Grimm Collection - as in objects from the fairy tales. However the items from the Grimm collection seems to be losing their magic. Could someone be stealing it and with all the security, could it actually be an inside job?

Cover: It's hard to see because there aren't many pictures of this yet, but the tagline reads: Borrow the Magic...if you Dare. I love it. Plus the cover is very interesting and eye catching.

Thoughts: OMG, this library sounds amazing, I'd LOVE to work in it, although I would miss all the books. I love the idea of fairy tale items being available for circulation. While the fantastical elements made the story surprising and enjoyable, the mystery behind the magic moves the story. I simply devoured this book. I dearly hope this is the start of a new series.

*Out May 13th *
Read Chapter One

Copy provided by publisher at ALA Midwinter.