The Crossroads by Chris Grabenstein

HAUNTED MYSTERY SERIES BOOK 01

The Crossroads by Chris Grabenstein

Random House

Published in 2008

ISBN 9780375846977

325 Pages

PLACES TO BUY FROM:

Amazon (Hardcover)
Barnes & Noble (Hardcover)

CHECKED OUT THE BOOK FROM MY PUBLIC LIBRARY.

Review/Rating:

4 out of 5



Zack Jennings is a normal eleven-year-old boy, except for the fact that he can see ghosts. Him, his father, and his new stepmother move from New York to Connecticut, but when they arrive there things are not what they appear to be. You see, there is the huge tree in their backyard, and Zack knows there is something evil about it. His new stepmother, Judy, has also seen ghosts near the house. Are the ghosts all connected in some way? And why does the evil spirit in the tree want to kill him?

Another supernatural book, but it is one about ghosts. Also, it's a junior fiction book. Yeah, I know, way off my level, but I like to read around. :)

Like almost all mystery books, it starts off kind of slow and boring, which is always annoying in books. Though, it starts to pick up the action, suspense, and mysteriousness after they move to Connecticut, where the haunted tree is at. And the mystery part is kind of annoying since the author doesn't leave that many clues for you to figure out what happened, instead the author lets the characters figure it out on their own. So if you want a mystery, where you can solve it from the clues, this isn't a book you want.

Another thing that is slow-moving are the characters, though they do eventually have some growth, errr... most of them anyways. I especially like how the relationship between Zack and Judy, his stepmother, grows. Why? Because you mostly only see books mention how mean the stepmothers are or how they mostly ignore the kid, but with this book, they actually get along towards the end.

Another thing that I like about this book is that it tells the story using mostly descriptions and details, instead of mostly dialogue. I tend to be more harsh on books that have more dialogue than ones that tell the story in paragraphs summarizing what most others use dialogue for. I like books like this one a lot. :)

Anyways, it is a good ghost novel, despite the slow-moving parts, so go read it. :D

Another thing, this book has a series. This book is the first one in that series. The second one is called The Hanging Hill, and the third one, which isn't released yet, is called The Smoky Corridor. I'll try to read them, if my library orders them. >.<

Other Reviews/Author Site:

Chris Grabenstein
Goodreads: The Crossroads by Chris Grabenstein
Library Thing: The Crossroads by Chris Grabenstein
BC Book Reviews: The Crossroads by Chris Grabenstein
Bookhound: The Crossroads by Chris Grabenstein
Mrs. McGriff's Reading Blog: The Crossroads by Chris Grabenstein

The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong

EDISON GROUP EXPERIMENTS SERIES BOOK 03
DARKEST POWERS BOOK 03
[LAST ONE IN DARKEST POWERS TRILOGY]

The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong

Harper Collins Publishers

Published in 2010

ISBN 9780061662836

391 Pages

PLACES TO BUY FROM:

Amazon (Hardcover)
Barnes & Noble (E-book)

CHECKED OUT THE BOOK FROM MY PUBLIC LIBRARY.

Review/Rating:

4 out of 5



The gang think they have finally found someone who can help them remain hidden from the Edison Group, Andrew and his group. However, is everyone in the group really trustworthy? And will Chloe finally be able to show her true feelings toward Derek?

Okay, yet another supernatural book. I have one non-supernatural book, and I'm reading that one next, so be patient for it. ;)

This series, so far, has been every interesting in all the books, including this one --- even though the novels are similar to everything else I have read in the Young Adult Supernatural genre. The one thing that gets better in this book than in the other two books in the Darkest Powers Chloe's Story is that Chloe becomes a little less annoying. Why? She's not as wimpy and whinny in this book, and she actually learns something without being too annoying.

This book goes into a little bit more detail about the Lyle House, Edison Group, and the other characters' past, which makes it a little bit more interesting than the other two books. Also, it finally has something that the other two books didn't, which made it a little bit sweeter than the other two books. What made it more sweet? It was the romantic parts between Derek and Chloe at the end of the book.

Another thing I like about this book is that it ties in her other series, which is called Otherworld. However, I wish some of the characters in Otherworld would appear and has a some-what active part in this series, but the author said she won't do that. Oh, well. It would be nice if she did, but it's fine if she mentions it.

All in all, it is a great ending to Chloe's story for this series, but I wish there was a little bit more to it. Go ahead and read it.

Here is some more information about this series. There are a couple of short stories for this series, go to the author's website for more information and to read them. For the book order, I suggest looking on the author's website as well.

Also, this series, The Darkest Powers, is apparently separated by character. This is the last book in Chloe's story, but it is not the last book in The Darkest Powers series. The next book in The Darkest Powers series is The Gathering, which begins Maya's story.

I'll read the short stories and create a review on them later on. I have other books to read right now, which are due in a week. :(

Other Reviews/Author Site:

Kelley Armstrong
Goodreads: The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong
Library Thing: The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong
Lavender Lies: Review: The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong
Nebula: The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong

Hourglass by Claudia Gray

EVERNIGHT (ACADEMY) SERIES BOOK 03

Hourglass by Claudia Gray
Harper Teen (Imprint of Harper Collins Publishers)
Published in 2010
ISBN 9780061284410
339 Pages

PLACES TO BUY FROM:

Amazon (Hardcover)
Barnes & Noble (Hardcover)

CHECKED OUT THE BOOK FROM MY PUBLIC LIBRARY.

Review/Rating:

4 out of 5



Bianca has successfully escape from Evernight, and she is now hiding with the Black Cross, a group of vampire hunters. Now she must hide her vampire heritage since if the fanatical members of this organization find out about her and Lucas' secret, it will mean certain death for them both. After a raid on the Black Cross HQ in New York, they are able to imprison a vampire. However, it is a vampire that Bianca and Lucas knows very well. They help him escape, but later Raquel and Dana found out about Bianca's secret. Although they were once friends, Raquel rats Lucas and Bianca out and they are now on the run. Not only is the Black Cross after them, but the leaders of Evernight Academy wants them as well. Not only are they on the run, but Bianca's destiny is catching up with her. Will Lucas' and her love be able to make it through what is about to happen?

Another supernatural/vampire book. :D

This book is the third book in the Evernight Academy series by Claudia Gray. And like the first two books, Hourglass starts out with what happens towards the middle or end of the book. It pretty interesting when the authors do something like that, but in this book, it's kind of pointless. I liked it in other two books, but for some reason, I don't like it in this book.

Hourglass continues to where Stargazer left off: Raquel and Bianca are now new members of the Black Cross, and they are now starting to train. The parts of when they are training for the Black Cross is a little (okay, a lot) boring, but after they to New York's HQ, it starts getting a little interesting.

Unlike the first two books, this book is kind of not interesting, or it has very few interesting parts. It's only really interesting towards the end of the book. Oh, another interesting part is where you start to learn more about Vic, Ranulf, and a relationship between Dana and Raquel. Though, like the other books in this series, it leaves you with a cliffhanger.

*Looks over the review*

It's short, I know, but there are not really that many interesting parts. I hope it gets more interesting in the next book. :(

Other Reviews/Author Site:

Claudia Gray
Goodreads: Hourglass by Claudia Gray
Library Thing: Hourglass by Claudia Gray
Karissa's Reading Review: Hourglass by Claudia Gray
RhiReading: Hourglass by Claudia Gray

The Awakening by Kelley Armstrong

EDISON GROUP EXPERIMENTS SERIES BOOK 02
DARKEST POWERS BOOK 02

The Awakening by Kelley Armstrong
Harper Collins Publishers
Published in 2009
ISBN 9780061662768
360 Pages

PLACES TO BUY FROM:

Amazon (Paperback)
Barnes & Noble (Hardcover)

CHECKED OUT THE BOOK FROM MY PUBLIC LIBRARY.

Review/Rating:

3 out of 5



After seeing ghosts at school, Chloe Saunders was sent to the Lyle House, run by an evil organization called the Edison Group, as a living science experiment. However she soon escapes the Edison Group, but how long will Chloe, Derek, Tori, and Simon be able to escape the clutches of this evil organization?

Supernatural book. Again. :P Okay, it's been over a month since I've read this, so short to no review. :S

Like the first book in this series, the second book was pretty interesting, but Chloe still kind of pisses me off with her personality.

Also, the book goes into more detail than the first book did about the past of the Lyle House, but not much. I guess the author is still waiting until the next book to give more information of what happened in the past.

It's a good book to pass time, but as a series it's kind of like other supernatural books I have read in the young adult section. It's better than the first book, but not by much. :S

Other Reviews/Author Site:

Kelley Armstrong
Goodreads: The Awakening by Kelley Armstrong
Library Thing: The Awakening by Kelley Armstrong
Tez Says: [REVIEW] The Awakening by Kelley Armstrong
Creating Discussions: The Awakening by Kelley Armstrong
After Twilight: The Awakening by Kelley Armstrong

The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong

EDISON GROUP EXPERIMENTS SERIES BOOK 01
DARKEST POWERS BOOK 01

The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong

Harper Teen Collins Publishers

Published in 2008

ISBN 9780061662690

390 Pages

PLACES TO BUY FROM:

Amazon (Paperback)
Barnes & Noble (E-book)

CHECKED OUT THE BOOK FROM MY PUBLIC LIBRARY.

Review/Rating:

3 out of 5



Chloe Saunders was a normal teenager until she starts seeing and communicating with the dead. Now the dead are everywhere and won't leave her alone. After freaking out at school about seeing a ghost, she is sent to the Lyle House, a home where troubled teens are sent. However, is there more to the Lyle House than what meets the eye?

Supernatural book. Again. :P Okay, it's been over a month since I've read this, so short to no review. :S

The book was pretty interesting, but Chloe kind of pisses me off with her personality. The book could have more details put into it, but I guess the author is waiting until the later books to extend what happened in the pass.

It's a good book to pass time, but as a series it's kind of like other supernatural books I have read in the young adult section --- the ones that I kind of didn't like.

Other Reviews/Author Site:

Kelley Armstrong
Goodreads: The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong
Library Thing: The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong
After Twilight: The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong
Creating Discussions: The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong
My Search for Addictive Books: The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong

Stargazer by Claudia Gray

EVERNIGHT (ACADEMY) SERIES BOOK 02

Stargazer by Claudia Gray

Harper Teen (Imprint of Harper Collins Publishers)

Published in 2009

ISBN 9780061284403

329 Pages

PLACES TO BUY FROM:

Amazon (Paperback)
Barnes & Noble (Ebook)

CHECKED OUT THE BOOK FROM MY PUBLIC LIBRARY.

Review/Rating:

5 out of 5



In book two of the Evernight series, Bianca goes through another challenge --- surviving two forces that both want her on their side. On both sides, it means giving up Lucas, a vampire hunter she fell in love with, and sacrificing her morals or life to be with one of the two forces. Will she give in to the destiny that one of the two groups want for her --- or will she pick her own destiny to follow...?

Like the last review, I love books about vampires, too. So this review is going to be a good one, unless I name anything that may have bugged me. Also, there might be a lot of spoilers.

Like the first book of the series, Stargazer starts out with what happens towards the middle or end of the book. It pretty interesting when the authors do something like that, but only if they write it to a point where it is summarizing the past or future events or it is similar to what happens later on in the book.

Stargazer continues to where Evernight left off: Lucas leaving and them trying to figure out how to see each other again. They do see each other again, but their relationship gets kind of rocky when Balthazar gets to be a tag along person on Lucas' and Bianca's dates (Poor Bathazar :(), because he wants to find his little sister.

Also in book 2 of the series, Bianca continues fighting to pick her own destiny, instead of following what others want for her, and to stay with the person she loves, Lucas. Although, personally, I wish Bianca would end up with someone that has some of Lucas and Balthazar's personality traits. I'm tied between the two of them for which one I rally want her to end up with. :(

This book also a lot of fun information about things like how similar ghosts and vampires are, how Bianca actually was conceived, and why her parents actually want her to become a full vampire. Anyways, the ending of the book is another cliffhanger. :( I guess we have to wait until the series finally finish until the cliffhangers stop. :P

Other Reviews/Author Site:

Claudia Gray
Goodreads: Stargazer by Claudia Gray
Library Thing: Stargazer by Claudia Gray
Karissa's Reading Review: Stargazer by Claudia Gray

Evernight by Claudia Gray

EVERNIGHT (ACADEMY) SERIES BOOK 01

Evernight by Claudia Gray

Harper Teen

Published in 2008

ISBN 9780061284397

327 Pages

PLACES TO BUY FROM:

Amazon (Paperback)
Barnes & Noble (Ebook)

CHECKED OUT THE BOOK FROM MY PUBLIC LIBRARY.

5 out of 5



In the first book of a 4 book series, Bianca transfers to a new school, Evernight Academy, and she doesn't fit in this overachieving, old, and eerie school. When she tries to run away from the school and her parents, she meets a boy, Lucas, in the dark forest surrounding the school. They both come to love each other, and despite their differences, they decide to try to make it work. However, it is doomed to fail when the sides they are on clash --- to finish a long battle that had started long before they were even born. As this upcoming battle makes Bianca question everything she's ever believed in, will their love for each other stay or will it crash and burn?

Like the last review, I love books about vampires, too. So this review is going to be a good one, unless I name anything that may have bugged me.

It first starts out with what is most likely going to happen towards the end of the book, so it's a set-up to get you reading the entire book. The Twilight Saga also did this. However, the way it was worded, I went, "What was the prologue for? It doesn't make sense, even though I read all of the book." Yes, I know people like the Twilight Saga and they may be able to get it the prologue better than I did, but let's face it, it's my review, not yours, and I will delete comments that have no intelligence to it. :)

Throughout the book, Lucas and Bianca are very touchy and kiss a lot --- yes, I like that part, since it made them seem more like teenagers than the constant dodging that Edward and Bella seem to do, when they were "trying" to be "romantic". Okay, anyways, the ending leaves you hanging and it kind of makes you want to read the second book even faster. I'll see if my library has it, and make a review about it, but if they don't, oh well then.

Short review because I can't really say I like this series until all the books come out. Though, this book is a very good way to set up for a book series. :P So, basically, the first book is really good, but I don't like the cliffhanger at the end. :( I guess it's a good thing that the author made it into a series. :) :P

Other Reviews/Author Site:

Claudia Gray
Goodreads: Evernight by Claudia Gray
Library Thing: Evernight by Claudia Gray
Karissa's Reading Review: Evernight by Claudia Gray
Chaotic Book Obsession: Evernight by Claudia Gray