Review: Bewitched in Oz

Bewitched in Oz by Laura J. Burns

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Zerie has been told to hide her magic. It is against the law for any of the common people to practice magic. If they are caught, the magic is taken from them and in the process some of their memories disappear also. Zerie and her two closest friends all have magic and are secretly practicing with each other. When a flying monkey takes away one of the girls, Zerie and two companions set out to find Glinda the Good. They have been told that she is the only one who can help them against the Princess Ozma.

Bewitched in Oz is the first book in what is clearly a new series. Some of the world will be familiar with readers of the original Oz series, yet the events in this book takes place many years after Dorothy’s adventures. The overall story is shallow, yet the twist at the end was unexpected and causes me to consider looking for the next book in the series. Bums does not create too many characters and the few main characters learn truths about themselves and those around them in a predictable sequence. This is being promoted as a children’s book and will probably be too simple for teens to get into. Middle school students looking for an escape read will find this a possibility.




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Review: Some Boys

Some Boys by Patty Blount

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



The only reason Grace went to the party that night was in the hopes of seeing Ian, but when too much drinking leads to her being raped by the school’s golden boy, she is called a liar and a slut. No one believes her, including her family. Through a series of unrelated events, Grace and Ian are given the punishment of cleaning the student lockers. Not only is Grace required to work side by side with her crush, Ian is also the best friend of the boy who raped her. Will Grace find friendship and healing?

Some Boys is told in alternating chapters between Grace and Ian. One of the interesting aspects of this book is when they both tell about events they both were present for. The reader discovers what happened to the first character and then when the next chapter is started, the reader has to back up in time to see it from a different point of view. I liked that we were able to know what each of these teens were thinking and feeling during these events. Blount’s writing style is easy to read and will be quickly devoured by teens and adults alike. Many deep and troubling truths are presented in this romance novel.




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Review: The Bridge from Me to You

The Bridge from Me to You by Lisa Schroeder

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Colby’s father wants him to have his best football season so that he can get a scholarship for college. Colby has no problem going to college, but doesn’t want to play football. He wants to study how to design bridges. Lauren has a secret. She has left her family and is now living with her aunt and uncle in this small town. When Colby and Lauren meet, there is an instant spark. They want to trust each other, yet they have a pull toward their own priorities.

The Bridge from Me to You is a romance novel with something for male and female readers. The story is told in alternating chapters between Colby and Lauren. Colby’s football practices and college sport issues are enough to make the story complete, but not so much that this would be considered a sports book. The small town atmosphere with a priority on high school football is something that many teens and adults will have never experienced, yet the reader will enjoy the tale and yearn for Lauren and Colby to find a path to their dreams. I recommend this quick read to anyone who enjoys a realistic fiction escape.




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Review: The Young World

The Young World by Chris Weitz

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



The youth in Washington Square are survivors. A mysterious illness has killed the very young and the adults and only those in the middle age group are alive. They have pulled their resources and expertise to adapt to a world without modern amenities, yet they hope for a cure before they also bite the dust. When one of their group believes he has discovered a clue to the Sickness, they head outside of their secure home and begin an adventure that they hope will save mankind. Unfortunately, not all survivors are friendly and they must cross other people’s territory in order to arrive at their destination.

The Young World is a post-apocalyptic adventure in a time that seems to be bubbling with post-apocalyptic YA stories. Even though this type of story is a current trend, Weitz is able to create a believable world with realistic characters. There was no point in my reading that I felt like saying, “Yeah, right!” What the boys and girls went through would be a possibility in a world gone wild and their responses are completely understandable. This is the first book in a trilogy, yet the main component of the story is wrapped up before the end with a new twist woven in to leave a cliff hanger for the reader. It is not a throw the book across the room cliffhanger, but it is enough of a tease to leave the reader with anticipation.




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Review: The Fortune Hunter

The Fortune Hunter by Daisy Goodwin

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Charlotte is a dream catch. She is due to inherit a fortune; she is smart and very accomplished. Her heart is quickly claimed by Captain Bay Middleton who is known to be a ladies man and they agree to a secret engagement. In rides the Empress Sisi of Austria. Even though she is a grandmother, she is desired by every man including the Captain. He wants to be faithful to Charlotte, yet the pull of Sisi is more than he anticipated. As duty and attraction fight in Bay’s mind he lets his heart lead him around and the choices he makes creates ripples through the countryside.

The Fortune Hunter is an historical fiction story based on a real nineteenth century Empress and a suspected affair with an English Captain. Readers who are looking for a romance with deep characters and not a lot of lusty details will be pleased with this story. Goodwin’s readers will be delighted with this latest novel and will quickly devour the pages. Charlotte is not a weak socialite willing to do what her elder’s say and she has no problem making choices about her own future. Since this is a standalone novel, readers can pick it up at any time and enjoy the richness of a time long gone by.




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Review: The Burnouts

The Burnouts by Lex Thomas

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



It has now been two years since the outbreak of the deadly virus and the quarantine of Will’s high school. He has reunited with his brother, David, and they believe everything is going great. They are outside of the school and helping create a better world. What they soon find out is that Lucy is all alone. She has no gang, no hope and she is pregnant. David and Will must make a crucial decision. Will they risk their lives for the girl that both of them fell in love with? Is there any hope of the quarantine ending?

The Burnouts is the third and final book in the Quarantine trilogy. Readers who enjoyed the fast pace and rolling action of the first two books will thoroughly devour this installment. It is hard to review this particular book without giving away any key points, but the ending will give the readers hope in the midst of despair and they will be left with some unanswered questions. All in all this is a great series and will pull in many male and female reluctant readers. Readers … please start with the first book before the second and third.




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Review: yolo

yolo by Lauren Myracle

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Maddie, Zoe and Angela have always been best friends, yet they have decided to go to three different colleges. Maddie is in California, Zoe is in Ohio, and Angela stayed in Georgia. All are having issues. Maddie’s suite-mates all went to high school together and she feels as if she is the eighth wheel, Zoe is worried that her boyfriend, Doug, wants to break up with her since he is also at a different school and Angela is questioning whether she really wants to pledge to be a Zeta.

YOLO is the fourth book in the Internet Girls series and readers who have enjoyed the previous books will completely devour this one. If you are new to this series, feel free to jump into this book. It is a story all its own and can be read by itself. All of the information is given to the reader in texts and instant messages. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Skype are all referenced throughout, but the reader only knows what the characters share in the texts and IMs. Myracle has created another quick read that explores issues relevant today and presents it in a fun format.




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