Review: Ali Cross

Ali Cross by James Patterson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ali Cross wants to be a detective. He has the best example to follow, his father, Alex Cross. Ali’s friend has disappeared and he wants to find him. It doesn’t help that his house is one of many that was burglarized during the Christmas season. His father would like to help Ali, but he has his own issues since he is on trial for a claim of police brutality. Will Ali be able to track down his friend? Is Abraham’s disappearance related to the burglaries? Will Ali’s investigation cause more problems for the Cross family?

Ali Cross is the first book in the Ali Cross series. As a reader and fan of the Alex Cross series, I had no problem becoming firmly invested in this story right from the start. Even though I know the many years of Cross family back story, those who are new to this world with Ali will still have an easy time enjoying this mystery. I can see many young adults picking up this book and then going to find the adult series. It doesn’t matter what type of reader you are, this is a mystery that is worth every page.


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Review: Call Down the Hawk

Call Down the Hawk by Maggie Stiefvater
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ronan Lynch is called a dreamer. He can take anything from his dreams and bring them into his reality. Jordan Hennessy is a good thief. As she gets closer to an object from a dream, she is pulled even closer. Carmen Farooq-Lane had a brother who was a dreamer and she knows what dreaming can do to a person and those around them. The damage of dreams doesn’t hold a candle to what is about to transpire.

Call Down the Hawk is the first book in the Dreamer Trilogy. Readers of the Raven Cycle will remember Ronan and his dark thoughts. I will admit that I was hoping this was more a new series than a companion series, but once I was able to get past those feelings I was able to enjoy this story. Stiefvater has found a way to bring more details to these characters and another story for readers to delve into. These three main characters are searching for answers and they must face many truths about themselves along the way. Call Down the Hawk will be enjoyed by those who liked the original series and anyone new to Ronan and his dreams.


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Review: Everafter Song

Everafter Song by Emily R. King
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Everley is on the run and has been accused of murder and sorcery. She would like nothing less than to prove her innocence, but in order to do that she must find Killian, the prince who has actually committed these crimes. Her pursuit of Killian leads her to the Silver-Clouded Plain where creatures long forgotten still exist. Everley continues to have dreams of fighting and carnage, but her waking time is filled with even more threats against her clock heart and those she loves. Will Everley be able to outsmart Killian before time runs out?

Everafter Song is the final book in The Evermore Chronicles. This third story was easy to fall back into and the characters are even more fantastic and intriguing. King has wrapped up this adventure with some satisfactory endings, yet there are hints at the end of more stories to come. Of course, that is what life is, more story day after day. I recommend Everafter Song to everyone who read the first two books and if you haven’t read this series yet, what are you waiting for?


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Review: Dark Age

Dark Age by Pierce Brown
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Darrow thought he was successful in taking down the color-coded Society that had developed, but now that he is an outlaw in his own Republic he is fighting in another war, this time on Mercury. Will Darrow be able to save the idea of Eo? Lysander au Lune has returned to the Core and would love nothing less than to have peace. He will have to face Darrow and the Gold families in order to end this war. This epic story continues with even more battles and more characters to follow. We have Luna, Lyria, Pax, Electra and Ephraim, each with their own story. How will Brown weave all these tales together?

Dark Age is the fifth book in the Red Rising Saga. My feelings about this series have always been mixed and this novel is no different. I felt that the story dragged in some places and was a page-turner in other sections. In the end, I loved it, but I still have a vague feeling that I missed some key parts. I hope the sixth book will leave me with a more satisfying read.


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Review: The Andromeda Evolution

The Andromeda Evolution by Daniel H. Wilson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It has been over 50 years since a microbe from space landed on Earth and nearly wiped out all humans. The Andromeda Strain was tracked down and put under control. In the years that followed, scientists continued to study this microbe. Everyone thinks they are safe, yet Project Eternal Vigilance is continuing to watch for the Andromeda Strain to return. There has been no sign of the microparticle and the program might be shut down. That is until a drone in the Brazilian wilderness detects something extraterrestrial in the jungle. Could this be the Andromeda Strain again? Whatever it is, it is evolving and the Wildfire team has a very short window to reach it and hopefully stop it before it kills all life on Earth.

The Andromeda Evolution is the second book in the Andromeda series. The events and release dates are 50 years apart and the increase in technology is represented in this new volume. Just like the first book, it is more science than thriller, but if readers like the first book they will enjoy this expansion of the story. Crichton has been dead for over ten years and Wilson did a wonderful job staying true to the original author’s style. This is not an easy read, but I still recommend it to Crichton fans.


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Review: Heart of the Moors: An Original Maleficent: Mistress of Evil Novel

Heart of the Moors: An Original Maleficent: Mistress of Evil Novel by Holly Black
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Queen Aurora is trying to learn how to be a great leader. Maleficent is no longer trying to take over everything and Aurora is learning how to be friends with Prince Phillip. She knows they aren’t in love, because his kiss did not wake her up, so she puts all of her energy into their friendship. But is their friendship becoming more?

Heart of the Moors is an original novel that takes place between the two Maleficent movies. Readers do not need to have watched either movie to enjoy this book. Just a little knowledge of the original fairy tale will let readers know some basic background about the characters. Black has definitely taken characters most young people know about and given them more depth and additional storylines. This is a quick read and I recommend it to fairy tale fans of all ages.


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Review: Blue Moon

Blue Moon by Lee Child
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Jack Reacher is riding a Greyhound bus when he notices an old man sleeping with a bank envelope sticking out of his pocket and another passenger has noticed that envelope too. Once they leave the bus, a mugger tries to attack this man, but Reacher steps in and saves him and his money. Jack offers to help him home, but the man doesn’t want any help. Of course, Reacher knows an underdog when he sees it and decides to stick his nose into the matter. Now Reacher finds himself inside a city with two gangs fighting over territory. The Albanian and Ukrainian gangs don’t know what they are up against when Jack decides to help someone in their city.

Blue Moon is the 24th book in the Jack Reacher series. It is still amazing the trouble that Jack finds as he travels the United States trying to mind his own business. Readers of the previous books know that there is no such thing as Reacher looking the other way. If there is trouble, he is usually knee-deep inside of the solution. Child has taken the idea of gangs and mafia and spun it into a new light. The adventure is high and the action is fast-paced (as usual). Blue Moon does not disappoint; whether you are reading them in order or this is your first one, you will enjoy the story until the very end.


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