Jack’s father has always been a perfectionist, but lately, his need to control every aspect of the family’s life has stepped up a notch. Mr. Barrett, Jack’s dad, has been offered a wonderful opportunity with the company he works for, the Eden Corporation. Eden owns a gated village in Paradise, a nearby town, where only the most successful and devoted employees are invited to live. The village is all inclusive and there is no need to ever leave. The village even has a school for the children of the employees. 

Mr. Barrett’s family isn’t handling the news of the move very well. His wife has been drinking more and more since Mr. Barrett’s controlling nature has intensified. Troy, the youngest child, has used his rebellious attitude to spark conflict within the household. Gram, Mr. Barrett’s mother and the boys’ biggest protector, doesn’t mince words when it comes to how crazy she thinks moving the whole family to a strange community is, and Jack, the oldest son, tries to keep the peace by attempting to please his father and trying to keep Troy under control. 

Eventually, the day comes and the family packs up and moves to Paradise. Jack’s mother has gone ahead in order to get the house ready so it is just Mr. Barrett, Jack, Troy, and Gram following the moving van. Once they reach the entry gate, Jack sees a site that leaves him speechless. Jori is a beautiful girl that works at the entry gate of Paradise and a girl that he definitely wants to get to know better, but for some reason, Mr. Barrett doesn’t want him to have anything to do with her. His exact words are, “She doesn’t belong in Paradise.” This statement is just one of the things Jack, Troy, and Gram consider strange when they get settled in their new community. Everyone seems too happy, their mother hasn’t been seen since they’ve arrived, and Mr. Eden, the owner of the Eden Corporation, has been sneaking into the Barrett’s house at night and taking Troy somewhere after knocking him out so he won’t wake up. The boys, with a lot of help from Gram and Jori, attempt to get to the bottom of all the mysteries and find a way out of Paradise. 

THIS SIDE OF PARADISE is a science fiction thriller reminiscent of The Stepford Wives. It was awarded the Hal Clement Award for best science fiction novel for young adults in the United States. This is Steven Layne’s first novel and is far from perfect, but at the same time, has many characteristics that will appeal to young readers.

Emil’s life has been turned upside down in the last year. His mother has died of cancer and his brother, who he has always looked up to, has disappeared without a trace. Emil and his father don’t communicate about anything important and rarely see each other due to his father’s work schedule. The only friend he has is Soma, a rule-bending, line-crossing boy who is in the same grade as Emil. 

Nothing exciting happens to Emil. He is average in every way. His brother, Ethan, was the bright, shining star with all the friends, good grades, and a way with the ladies. Emil just lives in Ethan’s shadow. He attends Caramoor Academy, a private school with a hefty tuition. Since everything has happened in his family, Emil’s grades have started to slip and his father is riding him harder than ever to make the grade; especially since he is paying so much for him to go to school at Caramoor. 

Emil does have the key though — the key to notoriety, the key to exploration, the key to discovery. One day before Ethan left home, Emil was digging around in his bedroom and found an actual key. When he asked Ethan what the key unlocked he received a surprising answer: the key was a master key to the entire Caramoor Academy campus. Every door in every building was available to the person who held the key. Emil asked if he could have it and unbelievably, Ethan said yes. Normally the key was passed from one student to another each year. No one except the key holder was supposed to know who had it. The goal of the year was to pull off a monumental prank. 

Emil’s chance at greatness comes when his father has to go out of town for a long business trip and he has four days and nights home alone. He decides to use his time exploring Caramoor Academy. He sets up a makeshift bed in the attic of the main building and proceeds to unlock every door he can find. One evening during his exploration, Emil sees the art studio lit up and hears music blaring from the room. He finds a girl inside spinning a clay pot. He is shocked and doesn’t give her his real name because he doesn’t want to get caught, but he also wants to find out what she is doing there. After some conversation, he realizes she is the daughter of the art teacher at the Academy. 

Over the next several days Emil and Jade, the girl in the art studio, form a relationship that leads them to many discoveries about themselves, about the death of Emil’s mother and Ethan’s role in it, and the importance of friendship. Eireann Corrigan has written a complex novel with true-to-life young adult characters that grow throughout the course of the story. Definitely for older teens, this novel covers topics such as grief, loss, family, and discovery with compassion and humor.

The story starts out with the disappearance of a HUGELY famous rock star right at the beginning of his largest concert ever. His girlfriend is in the audience and witnesses the event and is shocked and is worried about him. Johnny Silver met Taj on TAP.com (eerily similar to Myspace.com), a social community for teens. Johnny and Taj first because friends and then fell in love. After posting some of his music on his profile, Johnny’s popularity sky rocketed. It was nothing but girls, parties, and music after that. Taj didn’t like what was happening to Johnny and didn’t even know if they were still technically going out, but she still didn’t want anything bad to happen to him.

Nick is a rich teenager with all the comforts that kind of life can afford him. He lives in a huge mansion, drives a cool car, and does basically whatever he wants because his parents are uninvolved because of their own busy lives. He does have a step-sister that he loves very much named Fish and when she disappears after a party sponsored by TAP.com, he begins to investigate the website.

Nick and Taj meet at a TAP.com party. He realized that Taj has more information about the organization than he does and as he enjoys her company, asks her for her help. TAP.com throws the best parties around. There is a drink called TAP that everyone drinks at the parties that provides an overwhelming sense of peace and fuzziness. Like a drug, but totally organic. No one seems to know what makes up the drink though, so technically no one knows what it does to the person who is drinking it. There is also a special back room at each party that requires a password to enter. Behind those doors is where the rituals take place where someone gets “tapped.”

Nick and Taj become close during their time together, but Nick learns of some disturbing information about Taj that leads him to worry for her safety. This story is definately one for older, more mature, readers; at least high school. There are several instances of sex and the use of the “f” word more than once. Even though the content is for older readers, this book can easily be read in one sitting. The large print and amount of white space on each page makes it a super fast read.

Angel of Death is the second book in the Forensic Mystery series written by Alane Ferguson.  This one picks up where The Christopher Killer left off.  Cameryn is back on the case of the latest mysterious death in Silverton, Colorado.  Deputy Justin Crowley is trying to get closer to her, but she continues to pull away, allowing the stress of seeing her mother for the first time in fourteen years or so to change her.  She basically pulls away from everyone in her life; even her father and best friend.

The mystery is a good one, but what turned me off of this book is Cameryn’s attitude through the whole book.  I know there are stresses she is facing, but she came off a whiny instead of stressed.  I enjoyed it, but not as much as the first.  The author did a good job of wrapping up the ending while still leaving it open enough for a definate sequel.    If you liked the first one (see previous blog entry) then give this one a try. 

All Nick wanted was a cell phone so he could talk to his girlfriend, Jen, in the evenings. What he got was a nightmare he would have never imagined. 

Nick’s mother, who works hard everyday, usually from daylight to sometime in the night, doesn’t earn enough money to keep much food in the house, much less afford to keep the phone turned on. Nick works almost everyday in the hospital cafeteria after school and has saved up money to buy a cell phone. 

After school one day, before he headed to work, Nick rode his bike to a store that was advertised used cell phones on a flyer he received in the mail. Once he walked in, Nick noticed that there weren’t many phones on display that looked like they’d be cheap enough for him to buy. He only had fifty dollars for the phone and the minutes. When he told the salesperson how much he had to spend, there was only one phone that he would sell at that price. It surprised Nick that it looked pretty cool and considered himself pretty lucky, even with the drawbacks. The drawbacks were that the Caller ID had been disabled and there were no returns or refunds. So, once he bought the phone he was stuck with it or just out the money. In the end, Nick decided to take the phone and paid for one-hundred and fifty minutes and left the store. 

When Nick arrived home after work, his mother still wasn’t home from her job so he used the time to make his first call to Jen. As soon as he turned it on, it rang with an annoying mewing sound. He answered it, thinking he’d just have to tell the caller that the previous owner didn’t own the phone anymore. Instead, what he hears on the other end of the line was a nasty, threatening voice asking who he was, what he was doing with the phone, and where he lived. Frightened, Nick hung up and quickly called Jen only to have Call Waiting constantly beep in on their conversation. Disappointed with the first use of the cell phone Nick turned it off for the night so it wouldn’t ring and wake up his mother once she got home from work. 

What follows is a nightmare for Nick. He is asked to gather supplies in order to help the persistent caller. The only way to get the supplies is to steal them, something he has never done before in his life. Having the cell phone leads him to lie to Jen, which is something else he has never done. He knows the phone isn’t good for him, but he feels compelled to keep it, thinking he can save someone involved in this horrible mystery. In the end, his life unravels completely, leaving him in jail, sentenced to be executed, and eventually landing in hell. However, with lessons he learned while he had the phone, Nick leads himself to a better place. 

William Sleator has written a faced paced horror novel that requires the reader to suspend disbelief and accept the story for what it is – a thrilling read, not to be picked up right before bed.

Four months have passed since Colby was given permission to exist as a half-blood vampire. Not only does she have her license, but she has been given the added responsibility of Protector of all the half-bloods. Colby takes this title in stride and sets about making preparations. 

The Vampire Tribunal, the governing board for the vampire community, makes it possible for Colby and the other half-bloods to blend in with society while still being together to train and learn about the vampire ways by securing land on the campus of a local university in order to create a sorority. Colby names it Psi Phi (Sci Fi, get it?) 

With the help of her boyfriend/Vampire Investigator Thomas, Colby expects no problems when it comes to dealing with the other half-bloods. In fact, she expects them to consider her a hero for “saving” them from execution. Instead, she gets a mix matched group of girls from extremely different backgrounds who don’t think much about her as a Protector. 

When one of her charges is murdered right in the sorority house, Colby begins to doubt her ability as well. With the help of familiar faces from the previous book, Carl and Piper, she begins to unravel the mystery and learns of a spy that is in their midst. 

One area of irritation is Colby’s attitude toward Thomas. While Braced 2 Bite, the first book in this series, was appropriate for middle school and above, Fangs for Freaks get a little closer to the edge. The sexual situations are increased and cause arguments between Colby and Thomas. Colby’s tendency to blow up in anger over his actions seem a little over the top and happen too often and take too long to resolve. These arguments usually stem from the fact that Colby is very frustrated that Thomas won’t take their physical relationship past the make out stage. 

Overall, even though the resolution to the story was rushed at the end, the story leading up to the conclusion was enjoyable. While not as good as the first, Fangs 4 Freaks is definitely worth the time to read.

ECHO is a tragic and heart-wrenching tale of loss and one brother’s experience of dealing with the post-traumatic stress following the incident that takes his younger brother’s life. 

It’s been a year since Justin’s younger brother, Mark, died from an accidental gun shot to the head. Both boys were watching TV in their parents’ bedroom and started rough housing over the control of the remote control. Justin was easily able to overpower Mark because of his increased size and strength. In retaliation, Mark reached into their parents’ bedside table and retrieved a handgun and jokingly pointed it at Justin, demanding him to hand over the remote. Justin, knowing Mark is kidding blows the demand off and continues watching TV. Mark decides to put the gun to his own head and say, “If you don’t change the channel, I’m gonna kill the kid,” in a gruff voice. Justin replies, “Be my guest.” The next thing he knows the gun goes off and blood is spattered all over him and his brother dies in front of him. 

The remainder of the story takes place while Justin goes through the motions of getting through the 1 year anniversary of Mark’s death. The reader goes through it with Justin as he relives it three days in a row. All the while, Justin is prompted by a voice in his head that offers encouragement and motivation to continue the heart-breaking day. The story is like the movie Groundhog Day without ANY of the comedy. Each day Justin sees things a little bit differently that allows him to have a clearer picture of what happened. Even with the small changes he makes during the day, the end result is always the same. Justin’s ex-best-friend, Billy, falls down the stairs at school. 

The reader will feel the pain Justin feels as he makes his way back from post-traumatic stress syndrome. ECHO is another wonderful story by Kate Morgenroth. If you haven’t become familiar with her as an author yet, this is the time.

Hold on to your fish-net stockings because the action in DEAD GIRL’S DANCE starts on the first page and never lets up. The story begins exactly where the first book in the Morganville series, GLASS HOUSES, leaves off. Claire, Eve, and Shane are in shock over what Shane’s father and his buddies have done to Michael. 

Shane’s father has returned to Morganville with one thing in mind. He wants to kill as many vampires as he can, even if he gets killed in the process. After the trauma Shane’s family went through with the loss of his sister, and subsequently, his mother, Shane and his father cooked up a plan for revenge. Shane’s phone call to his father set the plan in motion and once his father arrives, Shane realizes what a mistake he’s made. 

The protection Claire, Eve, Shane, and Michael have under the Founder is in jeopardy now that Shane’s dad is causing problems. If they are thought to be involved in any kind of plan to kill the vampires, their protection will be removed and it will be open season on the occupants of the Glass House – and believe me, there are plenty of vampires and people in Morganville that want to see them dead. When one of the most powerful vampires in town turns up dead, Shane is accused of the crime and sentenced to death and it is up to Claire and Eve to find a way to save him. 

Readers will enjoy it when Claire’s nemesis, Monica, gets a little of what’s coming to her when the tables are turned and she is put in the victim role. Also be looking for relationships to blossom over the course of DEAD GIRL’S DANCE, both in love and friendship. We also meet a new, likeable character named Sam. He offers aid to Claire and Eve when they are in desperate need of help. 

The only drawback with this book is that it isn’t a stand alone story. In order to understand the reason behind much of the action it would be better to read the first book in the series, GLASS HOUSES. However, in my opinion, this isn’t a major drawback at all since it leads you to another great book by Rachel Caine. DEAD GIRLS’ DANCE is one of the best books in the series and the shocking ending will leave you panting and begging for the next installment.

If only she had her driver’s license. If only she wasn’t afraid to drive. If only Jen hadn’t gotten too drunk to drive home. If only she hadn’t called Nick to come and get her. If only… If only… 

Kathleen’s life is altered on the night she goes to a party where her best friend gets too drunk to drive her home. Kathleen calls her brother, Nick, to pick her up and being the great brother he is, he doesn’t hesitate to get out on a cold and slippery night to rescue his little sister. 

When police knock on the door at the party everyone assumes their busted. Kathleen is given the job of stalling since she is sober. Instead, the police are there for her – to take her to the hospital where Nick was taken after he was hit on the way to get her. 

Kathleen’s life drastically changes after Nick’s death. Her father isolates himself in his office watching sports on television and her mother begins drinking a little more everyday. Kathleen is left feeling alone until she meets someone new at Nick’s memorial service. Luke offers kindness and concern when no one else is focusing on her needs. 

The night after the funeral Kathleen, full of sadness, falls asleep in Nick’s bed. When she wakes up she realizes she isn’t in the same “reality” as she was the day before. Little things aren’t right. Jen, who she’s been fighting with since the night of the party, so much so she didn’t even come to the funeral shows up to take her to school on this particular morning like nothing had ever happened. They are still amazingly close . Confusion plagues Kathleen’s mind all day. Finally, she realizes what is going on. 

Kathleen realizes there are certain moments everyday when she makes decisions and depending on what decision she makes, her life takes a different path. The problem for Kathleen is she retains the memories of the previous path while she also has to live in the new one. All these paths run parallel and go on at the same time with different consequences. Kathleen ends up splintering into several paths which she keeps track of by the different names she gives to herself. She becomes Kay, Kate, and Kathy in addition to her original self. Her major problem is, she doesn’t know who she’ll be when she wakes up in the morning. Her one constant is Luke. He manages to find her no matter who she is. 

Deborah Lynn Jacobs has created a thought provoking novel about the importance of life choices. Kathleen learns a lot about herself as she navigates her way through her many lives, attempting to reconcile with family, friends, and her own feelings about loss and love.

Victoria “Egg” Jurgen is a loner and she likes it that way. Dressed in her long white cloak, with a shaved head and drawn-in eyebrows, she doesn’t talk to people and doesn’t want people to talk to her. Her look and attitude cause her to be “boy proof,” according to her mother. Egg’s unique style is fashioned after her favorite character from the movie Terminal Earth, which she has seen multiple times and as many as four times in one day. Egg refers to herself as a cinephile. She loves the film industry, especially the Sci-Fi world. 

Egg considers herself the smartest person at her school and feels Valedictorian is pretty much in the bag. That is until Max shows up in her AP classes. Egg’s first impression of Max is that he stinks, literally. The only thing she likes about him at all is his t-shirt that has the name of one of her favorite comic books on it. Max seems to be everywhere. He is a wonderful artist and joins the school’s newspaper where Egg acts as a photo journalist. Getting to know Max turns out to be a life-changing experience for Egg. 

As senior year progresses, Egg becomes more involved in activities that put her in contact with people. She learns what it means to be a friend and how important it is to have them in your life. She realizes that people aren’t always as they seem and that being perfect isn’t necessary for happiness. Egg learns a lot in one year’s time; even how to leave Egg behind and become simply Victoria. 

Cecil Castellucci has written a thoughtful story about the sensitive time in every young adult’s life – self-discovery. Written in first person, this novel launches you into Egg’s world and leaves you feeling as though you are experiencing life through her eyes. The reader will sympathize with the ups and downs of the typical teenage angst that Victoria goes through in order to, once and for all, decide what it really takes for her to be happy.