Review: Memory Girl

Ever since scientists have figured out a way to transplant memories into another body, death ceases to matter. Youths are raised for the purpose of joining a family and returning as a beloved family member.  While everyone else can't wait for the Celebraze to be chosen into a new family, Jenza's not certain.

She hasn't studied the families in hopes of finding the perfect match. She hasn't thought about which families might choose her. Jenza isn't sure she wants to be chosen.

Because once she's chosen, she'll become someone else. But what will become of her and her memories?

My Thoughts: A very interested start to a new series. I really liked the concept of this book, how the youths are grown to take over the identity of someone else. But at the same time, it's a creepy thought. I really liked Jenza. She was different from the other youths. She had questions that couldn't be answered. She broke the rules and explored her world. I liked learning about the science behind their world and how it changed over time. I liked her determination. I really enjoyed this book and I'm looking forward to the next one.

Cover Thoughts: Fun
Source: ARC sent for review
Final Thoughts: Recommended for libraries with readers who can't get enough dystopian books

Mysterious Saturday Review: Mystery of the Zorse's Mask

 * Book 2 in the Curious Cat Spy Club series *

Becca is torn up about giving Zed back to his previous owner. She's not convinced that the owner didn't hurt Zed. Her gut tells her that everything about the man is wrong, but besides Zed's reactions, she's not sure how to prove it.

Luckily for her, the owner wants to recover the fly mask that was on the animal when he arrived at Becca's family animal refugee.  Becca enlists the help of Kelsey and Leo to recover the mask. She also wants to prove that Zed belongs with someone kind, not his owner.

When Kelsey takes matters into her own hands, she becomes wrapped up in a very dangerous situation. Could the club have gotten in over their heads this time?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed the second book of this series - while the mystery is great, it's the other plot lines that hit me hard. Kelsey wants to make a good impression on people - so much so that she's willing to imitate them to become friends. But I love how Becca told her the truth about her sparkle friends. I love how the three friends are different and yet care so much about the same things. My heart broke for Zed. After reading this story, I wanted to give my puppy a huge hug and hold him tight. It was sad and yet hopeful. The danger scenes were intense. I'm eager to see what happens next to this group of friends and animal lovers.

Cover Thoughts: Cute and I love how it ties into the book
Source: My Library

Final Thoughts: A fun tween mystery that blends friendship, a love for animals, and curious minds. 

Mysterious Saturday Review: Curious Cat Spy Club

Kelsey's out running an errand for her father when she helps a classmate out with a runaway animal.The errand is now out of her control, but she meets her classmate Becca.  As they walk down an alley, they uncover three abandoned kittens.

With the help of a boy, they rescue the kittens and form a club. The first order of business is find a place for the kittens. The second order is to figure out who left the kittens in the dumpster in the first place.

Kelsey and her new friend realize that a number of pets are missing in the neighborhood. Could this have anything to do with the abandoned kittens? Can the three friends work together to find the missing animals?

My Thoughts:  This is a fun start to a new mystery series featuring three tweens. Becca has a group of friends, but Kelsey and Leo do not. I love that they come together because of their interest in animals and because they want to help people. I love how they annoy each other, but also how they learn to see past it. I love that Leo is super logical, Kelsey likes to plan, and Becca tries to keep peace between the two of them. I love Kelsey's spy pack and can't wait to see the club use it more in the upcoming books.

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: My Library

Final Thoughts: A great new start to a charming fun series featuring friendship and animals.

Mysterious Saturday Review: Buried

Thorn has three secrets.

Thorn is not her real name - not that she's ever tell her new BFF Rune.

Thorn loves to create music.  She's constantly strumming on her guitar, tinkering until the sound feels right but she doesn't write lyrics to her songs. Not that she'd ever tell her secret to Amerie who wants Thorn to sign up for the Singing Star competition she's helping to coordinate. Thorn scoffs at the idea of auditioning.

Thorn's a finder. She can touch an object and receive a vision from it. Just like when she touch a locket in the gym while meeting Amerie after auditions take place. Right away the necklace calls to her. Eventually she opens the locket and discovers a lock of hair. Just like that she know the hair came from a person who's now dead.


She uncovers the grave of a small child. While the police don't suspect her of murder (As she recently moved to town) they do suspect her of knowing more that she shares. Thorn believes her mission is to uncover the truth behind the baby's death - even if she has to join Singing Star competition to get answers.


My Thoughts: I loved this spin-off series (and I'm REALLY hoping this is the start of a new series).  I love Thorn and her psychometry abilities. I like Thorn for her sense of self and her determination not to change and succumb to peer pressure.   I really liked the conversations with Manny and Sabine from the Seer series.  I loved the Grin Reaper - the idea behind him and the potential romance. I really liked K.C. I loved Cotton Candy Cowgirls and how Thorn must join their band. I love their completely different take on life, but also how they come together. A great mystery full of pranks, music, friendship, and staying true to yourself.


Cover Thoughts: I like it - I like all the clues in the cover, which I only saw after I read the book.


Source: My library


Fun Fact: This book is dedicated to several librarians and teachers, including myself! What a fabulous surprise! I've never met Linda, but I adore her books!

Fun Fact #2: Buried is a spin-off series from The Seer series - which starts with Don't Die Dragonfly.

Review: Magician's Muse

Sabine’s life seems too good to be true. She has an amazing boyfriend, her grandmother is feeling better, and she loves her friends. Then her ex-boyfriend’s mother calls.

Josh is missing. Sabine goes over to Josh’s house hoping to uncover a clue. Unfortunately, while searching for clues, she sees her half-sister, Jade, making out with Josh’s best friend and her arch-nemesis. Angry, Sabine confronts Jade.

Later, when Jade calls her, Sabine refuses her calls and deletes the messages without listening to them. When her father calls with news of Jade’s disappearance, she feels a little guilty. Sabine believes the two disappearances might be connected.

Furthermore, when a P.I. shows up looking for Dominic, her boyfriend’s past comes back to haunt him. He’s given his word he’ll help find Josh, but he also doesn’t want to go to jail. When Sabine finally worms the truth from his mysterious past out of him, she’s devastated to hear him talk about leaving and starting over again.

When she finally hears from Jade, Jade has a plan to swap places. Will Jade’s plan put Sabine into life-threatening danger?

My Thoughts: Sabine’s powers have grown since DON’T DIE, DRAGONFLY. She’s more comfortable in her own skin and confident in herself. The last book in the THE SEER series wraps up the storyline with excitement, danger, murder, paranormal powers, and romance.

The Cover: It's ok, but it doesn't capture my attention

Source: read for www.teensreadtoo.com where I gave it 5 stars!

Dead Girl Series

Dead Girl Walking:
Directly after eavesdropping, learning how the populars view her, and finding out that she's received a collegiate scholarship, an out-of-control mail truck hits Amber. Despite her severe injuries, she doesn't die. Exactly. Instead, her soul ends up in the body of a fellow classmate: Queen B Leah. Leah just attempted suicide and Amber's desperately trying to adapt to this new life. She's dying to know why the most popular girl in school hates life. Slowly, Amber uncovers layers of Leah's life and realizes that things aren't always wonderful for the school's golden girl. When Amber realizes that she might never escape Leah's body, she attempts to make some major adjustments.

Dead Girl Dancing:
When Amber mentioned that she might be body swapping again, she had no idea that her grandmother meant straight away. Now, instead of returning to her own life and her own family, she wakes up in the body of her boyfriend's sister. She's just received a stalker like text and now she's being hustled out of her room by her roommate and her friend to get to Mexico for Spring Break. On the way they meet up with some boys. Amber finds herself out of her league. Sharayah's older and more wild than Amber. She's just hoping she can keep herself out of danger with a potential stalker and a Dark Lifer after her.


Dead Girl in Love
While Amber's been body surfing, she's missed out on her own life - including the life of her best friend. Amber just wants to get back to her own life, but when she hears that Alyce needs to break -she doesn't hesitate in rescuing her best friend. Amber comes to realize that she's not a very good friend. There's so much about Alyce that she doesn't know. While trying to help her best friend uncover a deep dark secret, she realizes that a familiar Dark Lifer is following her. He offers to teach her ways to harness her powers. She's so tempted to take him up on these offers, but should she trust him?



Linda Joy Singleton starts up a new series with DEAD GIRL WALKING, where she perfectly combines the hardship of teen life with a paranormal aspect, immediately hooking readers. Each book grows a little darker and a little more suspenseful. I love her novels!