ISLE OF SWORDS by Wayne Thomas Batson

ISLE OF SWORDS by Wayne Thomas Batson

Review by Allana

Now, I'm a very big reader, and when I don't have much to do, I can read as many as three to four novels a week. So when I sat down to read the Isle of Swords by Wayne Thomas Batson, I was just expecting another book. Mediocre, and just a good read. But nothing that was really going to keep me turning the pages. By the end of this wonderful novels, my opinion had completely changed. It is truly one of the best I've ever had my big reading nose stuffed in. It's really fantastic. I completely engulfed it.

It is about a young girl named Anne. Her lifelong dream is to become a pirate. Her father will not let her formally join the crew, and Anne despises it. Sure, it has its occupational hazards, but she's just a strong as any of the men that work on her father's own pirate ship. But when Anne and her father's crew take a short stop on a small island, they find a wounded young man on the beach. Turns out that his name is Cat. He has amnesia. But what he doesn't know could come back to bite him.

At the same time, Bartholomew Throne is out to get Anne and her father's crew and ship. He is the self proclaimed "Most ruthless pirate sailing the seas" and he carries around a stick that he beats his crew members with. It always drips sap making it look like the stick itself is bleeding. Whether or not Anne escapes Bartholomew's wrath is for you to find out. I loved this book's element of surprise and would recommend it to any one of any age. It's great.

Recommended Age Group: Teen

A Series of Unfortunate Events: A Bad Beginning

A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket

Review by Allana

I know that there was a movie and all, but a Series of Unfortunate Events is my favorite series ever. When I was in fourth grade, I engulfed the books in three weeks. Since then I've had a passion for the books and now own all 13 in hardcover edition. The first book in the series, The Bad Beginning is just the start of wealthy children Violet, Klaus, and Sunny's misfortune. When a horrible fire destroys their home, it also leaves both their parents dead. Mr. Poe, the children's banker, informs them that they cannot collect the massive fortune that their parents left them until Violet is 16. Their parents wishes leave the children with their somehow related Count Olaf. He makes them do horrible work, and treats them like dogs. But not only is he evil, but he is scheming. He has a plan, but what it entails is for you, the reader to find out.

Recommended Age Group: Young Adult

THE BOOK OF TIME by Guillaume Prevost

THE BOOK OF TIME by Guillaume Prevost

Review by Allana, regular contributor.

The Book of Time: By Guillaume Prevost is a book that from the fifth page, will suck you in. I read it in one day, and couldn't put it down. From the detailed descriptions of the scenery, to the characters vibrant personalities, this book has more than one reason to dive in. It is the first book of a series, so even when you finish, you'll have more to look forward to after you are done.

This is the story of Sam, a young boy who is sent on a journey of epic proportions. When Sam's father disappears, Sam, who usually lives with his grandparents, goes over to his father's house. But what he finds is more than he is willing to take on. A stone statue in a secret area in his father's basement. The secret of the statue is what sends Sam off on a journey of a lifetime. He learns that with the power of the statue, he can travel through time. With some help from his cousin Lilly, a nagging Aunt, and a few newspaper articles, Sam might just be able to take on his worst fear; A bully named Monk. Whether or not Sam succeeds is for you to find out.

This book is full of suprises, and with throw you for many loops. I loved The Book of Time and I hope you do too!

TRUDY by Jessica Lee Anderson

TRUDY by Jessica Lee Anderson

Review by Allana, regular contributor.

Gertrude "Trudy" White is a sixth grade girl who was a miracle baby. Her mother or to Trudy "Ma" had her at 53. What originally was thought to be a cancer scare, turned out to be Trudy herself. Now in Trudy's sixth grade year, people are beginning to think that Trudy's parents are her grandparents instead. Even though Trudy is extremely gifted in Language Arts, she is struggling to keep her math grade up. Then she meet's Roshonda nicknamed "Tower" and they hit it off quickly. But at the same time that Trudy and Roshanda become friends, Trudy's father who is also known as "Pop" starts to act strangely. After several unusual instances occur, Pop is finally diagnosed with Alzheimer's.

This is the story of how one family is affected by the disease and how they deal with it. This book makes you think about what it would be like to be just moments away from losing a loved one. This book is a must read for all ages and I loved it! I hope you will too!

Recommended Age Group: Tween-Adult

The Awakening by Angela Hunt

THE AWAKENING by Angela Hunt

Review by Allana, regular contributor.

In The Awakening by Angela Hunt, Aurora Rose Norquest is a reclusive and incredibly naive 35 year old. After taking care of her mother for years, Aurora doesn't know what to do with her life after her mother's death. Fearing everything around her, horrifying nightmares plague her every night. They reenact startling memories from Aurora's past. This book is written beautifully. It is a fantastic read; and touches on many topics that in today's time, should be brought to light.

After her mother's death, Aurora is trying to branch out and become part of the world. She is taking small steps to change. Feeling like she has no purpose in life, Aurora must find a way to live again. With the help of a new neighbor, a woman named Clara, and a doorman; Aurora just may find her strength.

I loved The Awakening By: Angela Hunt, and I hope you will too!

Suggested Age Group: Adult

Green Angel by Alice Hoffman

In the book Green Angel, by Alice Hoffman, Green plays the quiet, shy shrinking violet of her family. Her sister Aurora is beautiful and untamed. At night Green could awake to find the moths circling around Aurora's head. Preferring her glow to that of the lamp outside. Green's mother is beautiful as well, and her talents in the garden are unmatched. Her long black hair is the only trait that her and Green share. Her mother's garden skills were what taught Green to talk to the plants until they would grow for her. She could sit by the garden for extended periods of time, just to watch the seedlings grow. Greens father is strong and compassionate. He could whistle like any bird, and it would reply. This story is one of self-discovery. Of how Green finds the strength to confront her fears and take control of her life. After a tragedy that strikes Green's life with such ferocity leaves her in emotional shambles, she must find a way to recover from the loss, and live again.

Slowly Green loses all sense of preservation. She begins to tattoo herself with the ink of a pen and a safety pin. Green meets a set of characters that as though by miracle help her change her life and the way she treats herself.

Green Angel by Alice Hoffman is a must read. I loved this book and hope you do to.

Recommended Age Group: Young Adult

Review by Allana, regular contributor.

Shadowmancer by G.P. Taylor

Shadowmancer is truly an amazing read. From the detailed descriptions of the scenery to the fast paced action speckled throughout; there is more than one reason to emerse yourself in this book. Just listen to this passage. "The sailing ship moved majestically through the rolling waves, cutting further and further to the north.

Then it began. First quietly, then louder and louder, from the depths of the sea a shrill and piercing singing was heard. At first it was faint like a whisper and then it grew stronger and stronger, heard not through the ears, but through the soul. From the deep black sea came a choir of Seloth. Graceful, flowing, feminine creatures that sang and swirled around the ship, woken from their sleep by the call of the priest." pg. 7 of Shadowmancer by G.P. Taylor.

I really loved that part of the book, what happens afterword you must find out for yourself!

This book is about a young man named Thomas and his companion Kate. They meet Raphah, a man on a journey of epic proportions. This book takes place on the Yorkshire coastline in a small village. Living there is Vicar Obadiah Demurral. He seeks to contain all the power in the world for himself. How and why is for you to find out. This is a great book with a good Christian message. Hope you enjoy.

Review by Allana, our newest regular contributor, age 12.