Review of 'Summer Secrets'

Yesterday, I finished reading 'Summer Secrets' written by Sarah Webb, which is the second book in the series of Ask Amy Green.

    It is a book on a family holiday gone wrong.Constant two weeks of screaming, competitive games, heavy rain, secrets makes Amy Green go mad. So, when a surprise invite to the US of A comes to her, Amy goes out of her way to receive it. But when Amy reaches USA she finds that a super-famous star needs her problem-solving skills to get him out of trouble. Amy tries her best to solve his problem but this time can the problem-solving supremo succeed?

   The best part about this book is that it can stand as an individual book in itself, and you don't have to read the first or latter books to read this one.

   This book is a fabulously funny read and captures the feelings and concerns of preteens girls perfectly. I would recommend this book to all my friends and readers from 11 to 14. Of course if you love the book too much there is always the third book- Bridesmaid Blitz- to look forward to!

Review of 'Jason and the Argonauts'

'Jason and the Argonauts' is a Greek legend and I am going to review this legend as retold by Felicity Brooks. It is a 144 paged novel and is quite adventurous. 

Jason is a young man who struggles onwards through enemy territory, battles a merciless sea god and commits feats that some people can only dream of. Jason is a hero, not to mention his fearless crew - the Argonauts. Together they can do anything.
Brooks thrillingly retells this heroic tale of myths and monsters in her own way.

I think everybody would like this book because everyone loves an adventure tale.Of course, if it is retold this fantastically, no one can refuse it. Hats off to Felicity for retelling this book so magnificently. Jason's story itself is so overwhelming that I can even go to the Ancient Greeks and thank them for believing in such terrific legends. :)

This book is really good and I would recommend it to all from 9 to 99.

Review of 'Pretty Bad Things'

I read the book 'Pretty Bad Things' yesterday. The young adult novel is written by C.J. Skuse and is an interesting read.

There were these six-year old 'Wonder Twins'. Ten years later they hit the headlines again, but this time because they are tearaway teens.This book revolves around Beau and Paisley, twins who are searching for their dad since ten years. This time their search has taken them to Las Vegas. One day it so happens that they see their dad on the streets but before they can reach him he goes away. On an idea they decide to make news by going on a crime spree in order to make their dad notice them.

This book is a thriller and is quite interesting. Some parts are a little stretchy but that is my point of view. It has no sequel/prequel, and is a single book. All ages 12+ can read it.

Review of 'The Fire Thief'

Today my pick is...'The Fire Thief' written by Terry Deary. Its the first book in The Fire Thief Trilogy and is 250 pages long. It is a mix of mythology-history-fantasy, so I would call it a thriller/fantasy.

This book revolves around the Greek Titan Prometheus who, in search of a hero, time travels into another Time Period-1858 Eden City. Unknown to him, a Fury is chasing him for his life. In Eden, he meets an orphan who agrees to help him. Will Prometheus find a hero and survive?

The book follows two story lines which crisscross each other on many occasions. One shows us Olympus, back at The Dawn Of Time. The other follows the adventures and labors of Prometheus.

It is a short book but Trilogies usually are.This book has Greek mythology, humorous footnotes, goriness, sarcastic comments, adventure and is a pack of fun for anybody to read. This book is simply enjoyable, I would recommend it to all children 10 above.

Review of 'Endymion Spring'

Today I'm going to write about a book written by Matthew Skelton titled 'Endymion Spring'. This 448 paged novel was published in 2006 and is a fantasy-thriller.

Imagine a book about a mystery of a book. That's exactly what Endymion Spring was. It was about a young boy Blake who finds an old dusty book in a library. As soon as he touches it, he realizes there is is a mystery behind the book. In  his quest to free the book, return it to its rightful place, he overcomes many problems and obstacles. However when he embarks on the quest he finds out he has to battle the Person in the Shadow, a person whose heart is totally black and full of evil. There is also another storyline in which another boy-the original Endymion Spring- is on the run to save something, whose value he does not understand then.

This book has a totally different plot from other usual books, and is a very interesting read. It is a must read for all children who are bored of the usual books and long for something different to read.

 All people 11+ can read this book and enjoy till its last page.

Review of 'Magyk'

A week ago I started (and finished!!) reading the big 564 paged novel 'Magyk'.It is the first book in the series of Septimus Heap written by Angie Sage, illustrated by Mark Zug.

Now I know, the first thing that comes into your mind when you see the book is that the title is spelled incorrectly. That is where you are wrong. Magyk and Magic are two very different things. For one, Magic is the art while Magyk is a type of Magic. Nevertheless, I'll leave the explaining to Sage.

Magyk is a fantasy book, and is about numerous things. It is not focusing one one story but dealing with three-four things at once, and can be confusing at times. Who is Septimus Heap? What is he? Is he alive? Who is the Princess? Will she survive? How come the Princess is a secret?...are few of the questions you deal with.

To tell you the truth, I didn't like the book too much, it was all too pulling on for me. It could have its bit of shortening. Another thing was that it was quite predictable...but I think inexperienced readers would have a little trouble foretelling the end.

All in all, the book was interesting but lengthy, suitable for all children above 12  years of age.I hope you like Magyk good enough to read the next book in the series, which is 'Flyte'.

Review of 'The Prophecy of the Stones'

               Today, I finished reading 'The Prophecy of the Stones' by Flavia Bujor. It was an exciting read and a complete change from the last book I read ( 'Alphas').

               It is about three young women who are tied to stones. Its like Amber is tied to the stone amber,and if she dies the stone would also be destroyed. Amber,Opal and Jade.They are the ones who have to complete an ancient prophecy. They embark on the quest to destroy The Army of Darkness and bring peace to the land of Fairytale. Its not an easy quest. A practically impossible one at that. Untold evil lies ahead of them, where anything or anybody could kill them on sight. At the same time, in a parallel world, Joa fights for her life where her survival depends on Amber,Opal and Jades quest.

             It is quite an exciting novel where surprise and thrill is frequent. Girls and boys 10+ can read this book.

Review of 'Alphas'

      Two days hence,I finished reading the 261 paged novel 'Alphas' by Lisi Harrison. It is published by Little,Brown and Company and is a fun and casual read.

      This book revolves around five girls who get a chance at The Alpha Academy, which is an institution reserved for the most talented hundred girls in the world.

      The girls are very excited to get in the academy but they all have their own share of problems.While Skye is neck deep in false accusations,Allie has committed identity theft.Charlie has been offered a last minute position too,but is asked to dump her boyfriend in exchange. Triple finds her out of this world, and is criticized for it. Reenee has trouble appreciating others and can't resist flirting with boys,which is considered illegal in the school. While the girls juggle with their problems, they also have to adjust in their all new classes. Who will last? Out of hundred exuberant but mean girls, who will survive? Who will  become the alpha?

     This book is an interesting and fun read for girls (strictly girls!!) and is very gripping. All girls 12 and up can curl up with this in hand and enjoy a nice day at home!!
     Don't forget to catch up with the second book in the series!

Review of 'The Amulet of Samarkand'

'The Amulet of Samarkand' is the first book in the series of Bartimaeus. It is an adventurous 480 pages written by Jonathan Stroud.

     It is about a young magician's apprentice,Nathaniel,who secretly summons a very powerful djinni to do his bidding.To the djinni's surprise the boy does not charge him to do any minor thing but to bring the Amulet of Samarkand.It all is meant as a prank but when things start to get serious they understand that the amulet is a dangerous thing,which has them caught in a web of lies,rebellion and murder.Can they get out of this major trouble?

     This book is an awesome book full of adventure and killing.I would recommend this book to all boys and girls aged 10+.I loved this book and I hope you do too.

Review of 'Summers Dream'

Recently, I was reading the book 'Summers Dream' by Cathy Cassidy.It is the third book in the series of  The Chocolate Box Girls.

   It is about a girl Summer who loves dancing. When finally she gets a chance at a hi-fi ballet school,she just practices and practices.She is the person who likes things in order, but when things start spinning out of control will Summer realize that the hard work is just too much?That she is turning her dream into an obsession?

   It is really a book teens can associate to as it highlights the regular pressures for all of us..like reaching for our dreams,wanting perfection,wanting to be thin and much more.

   This book is a great book and I would recommend this book to all preteen  and teen girls.All I have to say is...WOW Cathy!

Review of 'Maze Of Bones'

   Just last week, I was reading the first book in the series of 39 clues.It is called 'The Maze Of Bones' and is written by Rick Riordan.


   The book revolves around a brother-sister duo who end up orphans.The book begins when their grandma dies.At her funeral,at the reading of the will they find out that either they can opt for a million dollars each,or a clue which will lead them to the biggest treasure in the world.Can you guess what they picked?

   This book is a mystery / thriller.It is quite exciting and keeps you on your toes to know what happens next.There are lot of life-threatning experiences and has many spine-chilling episodes.

 I would recommend this book to people who like action-packed novels.According to me,this book is meant for people aged 10 to 12.But of course, anyone can read this book.

Review of 'Charmed Life'

'Charmed life' is a delightful 200 pages written by Diana Wynne Jones. 

The book is a little old fashioned but very likable. If you look beyond the 'old-fashioness' , the book is quite interesting. it is a story of a brother-sister duo, their adventures and encounters in Chrestomanci castle.

The thrilling parts of the book make it edgy compared to other magic books. So lovers of magical stories, here is something just right for you. And people who do not like magical stuff, can enjoy it too.

Review of 'Abbey Girls'

I read this book 'Abbey Girls' recently. It is a fun, quirky 248-pages published by Collin. It is written by Elsie J Oxenham.

It is about 2 girls who can't afford to go to school; but finally one of their friends puts them on scholarship and they can attend school. Mainly, it is about their school life - how they cope and how they get into trouble. The fun begins when the sisters become queens of their school. I think this book is for girls because it has too much of 'queens' and 'maids of honour'. This book is not a thriller and the story just keeps ambling along. I mean, its not surprizing what happens next; it's not an adventure/ mystery.

I didn't like the book much, not because it's boring but because I am used to books with adventure, mystery and murder and the book also should be thrilling.

Even so, for people who like a simple read, the book is perfect. For those who are like me, you may find it boring.