An Empty Swing
by N.J. Hanson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Reviewed For +Readers' Favorite
Luis is the target of the school bully Butch, and Serena is the gothic chic everyone avoids. When Luis spends some time in the old playground to avoid Butch he encounters Alice, a ghost, which completely freaks him out. He runs into Serena in the library in the section he needs to learn about ghosts and she ends up telling him what he needs to know, only to freak out on him. An Empty Swing is this amazing story that gives us teenage characters, coming into their own, the paranormal aspect of the ghosts. Then we have the mystery and crime element of why the ghosts are here and how they died. Author N. J. Hanson does a wonderful job of blending so many different layers of story together into one cohesive story.
An Empty Swing is such a complex story. For most of the ghosts, which happen to be innocent young kids that just happened to be in the wrong place and the wrong time, their existence as a ghost is no big deal, but to one kid, it turns him into a vengeful spirit. Luis has a backstory and history that plays into Serena's backstory and history, in ways that they never knew. There is some spiritualism, some crime and mystery, some detective work, some coming of age and teenage romance and some happily ever after. Author N. J. Hanson gives us characters to love, ones to hate, and ones we aren't sure about. Although this is marketed as a young adult book, it can easily be read by adults. There is one retelling of one victims account, but exact events are not described only alluded to, so I would advise parents to be available for teens should they want to discuss it after reading.
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Cain's Coven (Begotten Bloods, #1)
by Kristin King
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Reviewed for +Readers' Favorite
Claryn hates crowds, and is not in the mood for this bachelorette party, but there is no way Kelley is letting her get out of it. It gets even worse when Kelley invites Justice, the guy from the burger joint to join them, and then makes him Claryn's date for the wedding. The thing is, he seems to understand Claryn's fears and issues with men and even more he is willing to work around them, of course Justice has his own secrets.
Cain's Coven is the story of brothers Justice and Chess as the fight and survive in the world. Claryn is drawn into their world, although Justice tries hard to keep her at a distance, he just can't. Outside of them, in the world at large lurks an evil that threatens young woman in the area, even Claryn. Author Kristin King molds dynamic characters in Chess, Justice and Claryn that you come to like and feel for easily and quickly in the story.
Cain's Coven is not your typical vampire novel, in fact there is not much of it that is typical. There are even times when you forget that there are vampires because that is really not the main focus, it is more the whole nature of the relationships and what is going on in the world in general. You've got an online computer game people are playing with the promise of immortality if they win, which has created some disgruntled few who won and found out there wasn't immortality at the end. They are not bent on slaying vampires. Then Author Kristin King decides to throw in a serial killer lurking in the community to mix things up a bit. There is no lack of action or down time in the story, it really keeps you turning the pages and engrossed in the story all the way through. This is a great read for all ages, teens, young adults and up. There is no sex, mild violence - and I do mean mild especially for a vampire story, this is very mild. I feel comfortable letting my middle schooler reading this one. Enjoy!
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No Tears For My Father
by Viga Boland
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Reviewed for +Readers' Favorite .
No Tears For My Father is a non-ficton book, and that being said there are some readers that can not handle the subject matter of the book. Viga Boland recounts her life with an abusive father, not only physically but sexually as well. She does not sugar coat the truth, but she does not get graphic just to sell books either. She walks a very fine line between the truth and reality, and she does so very well. This book follows her from her earliest memories until she writes this book, with most of the coverage being during the time she lived with her parents and underwent the abuse.
No Tears For My Father is a wonderful book for the healing of those that have experienced abuse at the hands of a parent. By writing this book, Viga Boland has set the record straight on her own history and freed herself from her father's grasp. By reading her words, other survivors can heal and realize that they are not alone, that others have went through the same things and survived. It is even good for those going through it currently, in that it gives them the hope to get out. For those readers who have never experienced the abuse, reading this book can help to give them insight into what goes on and how difficult it is for someone to get out. This is a courageous book and one that, as a reader I am thankful the author took the time to write.
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Hope For Garbage
by Alex Tully
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Reviewed for +Readers' Favorite .
To say that Trevor has had a rough life is putting it mildly. He currently lives with his Uncle, who really wants nothing to do with him, and he is seeing a therapist only to appease his best friend and next door neighbor, who just happens to be a seventy year old man. He's never had a girlfriend and he rides his bike everywhere he wants to go. One day he meets Bea, a privileged girl from the rich part of town, and they seem to like each other. They start to develop a relationship, but it is plagued by problems, one of which is her mother. Hope for Garbage is the story of a short period in Trevor's life, from the time he meets Bea until a few months later. Things seem to go from bad to worse, then better. Alex Tully gives the reader insight into the world of this lonely and scared young man.
Hope for Garbage is not only the coming of age story about Trevor, but it is the healing of Trevor. He has scars from his life with his mother, before her death, scars from living with his Uncle, and then scars from the events that occur during the story after he mets Bea. He doesn't trust the therapist he is talking to, but there comes a breaking point, and he finally opens up to her, and the healing is able to begin. Alex Tully gives the reader a story about resilience, about overcoming the bad in life and finding a new purpose and new meaning. Trevor is the embodiment of that concept. This is a great book for young adults and adults alike. It truly will make you think about your own life and what you are doing with your own life.
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Rise of the Dunamy
by James R. Landrum
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Reviewed for +Readers' Favorite .
Move over Lestat and Edward, there is a whole new breed in town!
Sofia came from Columbia with her parents and has always wanted to make a difference. She saw the corruption where she came from and wanted to be there for the people, so she became a cop, and she is a really good cop, but she is rigid in her definition of right and wrong. Now she is working what seems to be an unsolvable set of case, all linked by vigilante justice. All the victim were well known criminals that had gotten off, escaped charges or beat the system somehow. Bishop, her much older partner isn't sure they need to work too hard to solve this case, he's doing their job for them. This really ticks Sofia off. At the same time as she is messed up in this case, Sofia starts up a whirlwind relationship with the medical examiner, Lucian. Rise of the Dunamy introduces us to a new hero, not your typical strong man, or vampire or werewolf but something a little different and maybe just a little more sexy in a genuis kind of way. James R. Landrum puts together a story with multiple layers so perfectly that you are left wanting more.
Rise of the Dunamy brings a new hero, a breed called the Dunamy, and you are just going to have to read the book to find out about them, but they are genius sexy. So you take this new breed of hero, and toss him with a super straight-laced cop and what do you get? Well to begin with you get a super quick and exciting romance, then you get the ethical questions. There are a couple of layers of ethical questions that goes back and forth, and there is really sound backing for each point. James R. Landrum is a master at taking the conversations of the characters and developing them to much deeper levels, to really get the characters talking about ethics and right vs. wrong. This is an amazingly well written book that I just could not put down, and when I finished I wanted more! All readers will enjoy this book from young adult to mature adult.
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The World of Karov (Children of Demilee, #1)
by Elyse Salpeter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Reviewed for +Readers' Favorite
Adam and Alec are identical twins, in looks only. In their minds they are complete opposites. Alec is deeply disturbed, and takes after their father. Adam longs for a normal life, and he risks it all to runaway and try to find that life. Just as he thinks he has found the answers and is about to marry, his twin Alec kidnaps the bride and disappears. Adam searches with no luck, only to come upon someone who offers him a chance to start over in a new life on a new world. The World of Karov needs Adam, and he finds a place of respect. Adam may have left his past behind, but it will forever color his feelings and what he does? Can he make a new life or will his past continue to haunt him forever? +Elyse Salpeter weaves a wonderful tell of two worlds, two lives and two twins completely different yet always interconnected.
The World of Karov is a wonderful place for Adam to be. He is respected and not pitied because of his brother and father. He has a talent that is useful and he finally begins to feel that he has a place, even if it is on a different world than that of his birth. Somehow though, family can not be forgotten or left behind, and one day Adam will have to face his again. +Elyse Salpeter has written a tale that is so bold and different, you just have to keep reading. While the main character starts the book at age eight, this book is directed towards Young Adults and Adults alike. There is meaning in everything for both generations to glean.
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The Concealing
by D.E.L. Connor
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Five teens, the best of friends, find that they are not only friends, but they have a mission in life. They are Spirit Warriors, they can move their own spirit to share the body of an animal, then back to their own body. What a trick to learn when you are 15! Spirit Warriors follows these five friends as they are brought to a time when they are needed to use their powers to defeat an evil. They have trained and looked for the evil for awhile now, but when they are finally confronted with it, they are surprised. It came in a disguise that no one would have expected and almost lead them into trouble.
The Spirit Warriors is well written and entertaining, and with the main characters all being in the middle teens, they bring in a world of issues from that same teen life. This makes the story good for the teen and young adult market, while keeping the topics of abuse and homosexuality, which are mentioned in a brighter light. As the discussion progresses one night, one of the guys admits his true leanings to the friends, and the discussion is nothing short of heart-warming. Nothing of the actually abuse is described but more alluded to, and so I find that they way the kids work through finding out these things to be beneficial to readers. The abuse is never talked about, but only realized after the fact and then the fight to make sure people know what really happened is encouraging.
Some will say this is the perfect book for girls, and while there are three girl teens in the main cast, there are also three boys throughout the book, two in the original circle of five, and a newcomer that will end up playing a large role in the end. I find that it has a mix that although girls will get it and enjoy it, there is still enough action and adventure to interest the boys as well. It is a coming-of-age novel that has to deal with the harsh realities of life, and at the same time, it entertains you with the spirits.
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