Need
by Carrie Jones

Summary from amazon.com:
Zara collects phobias the way other high school girls collect lipsticks. Little wonder, since life’s been pretty rough so far. Her father left, her stepfather just died, and her mother’s pretty much checked out. Now Zara’s living with her grandmother in sleepy, cold Maine so that she stays “safe.” Zara doesn’t think she’s in danger; she thinks her mother can’t deal. Wrong. Turns out that guy she sees everywhere, the one leaving trails of gold glitter, isn’t a figment of her imagination. He’s a pixie—and not the cute, lovable kind with wings. He’s the kind who has dreadful, uncontrollable needs. And he’s trailing Zara.

I've read alot of the fantasy-faerie genre, and this book was a solid addition. But as this genre goes, Need could have introduced its supernatural aspects a little more smoothly. I found myself rereading pages, wondering how a straight-edge pacificist came up with pixies. But nonetheless, it was an interesting story with several interesting characters. I also wish the climax had been a bit more grande, but hey, pixies don't care.
I recommend for teen girls 12+. 3 1/2 out of 5 stars.

Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side
Beth Fantaskey

Summary from amazon.com:
The undead can really screw up your senior year . . . Marrying a vampire definitely doesn't fit into Jessica Packwood's senior year "get-a-life" plan. But then a bizarre (and incredibly hot) new exchange student named Lucius Vladescu shows up, claiming that Jessica is a Romanian vampire princess by birth—and he's her long-lost fiancé. Armed with newfound confidence and a copy of Growing Up Undead: A Teen Vampire's Guide to Dating, Health, and Emotions, Jessica makes a dramatic transition from average American teenager to glam European vampire princess. But when a devious cheerleader sets her sights on Lucius, Jess finds herself fighting to win back her wayward prince, stop a global vampire war—and save Lucius's soul from eternal destruction.

This book was a little bit rough in the beginning, but it got better. I mean, who's parents are willing to hand their adopted daughter over to a vampire? But though the characters were a bit weak at times, it was an overall good novel. The story was interesting, and was not too predictable. I can't stand the title though, it completely belies the plot.
I recommend it to teen girls 13+. 3 1/2 out of 5 stars.

Sweep #1: Book of Shadows
by Cate Tiernan

Morgan is a normal high school girl, and she has grown used to living in the shadow of her gorgeous, talented best friend Bree. But then Cal Blaire comes to Widow's Vale High. Cal finds instant popularity, and Morgan begins to fall for him, as does her best friend Bree.
Then Cal invites a bunch of kids to a party, which turns out to be a celebration of the Wiccan holiday Sabbat. Morgan is completely taken in by this new religion, and finds that strange things are happening to her, magykal things.
This was a great book. Very short, but with good characters and a more realistic view of adolescence than you often find. It also offers a realistic and non-discriminatory view of Wicca. I finished it wanting to know what happens next.
Four out of five stars. Recommended for teenage girls 12+.

The Telling Pool
by David Clement-Davies

Rhodri Falcon is the son of a falconer and dreams to some day follow in his father's footsteps and become master falconer. But then destiny intervenes when a fortune teller tells him of strange things to come, and his father goes off to war. And when Owen, Rhodri's father, returns from the war broken and bitter, it is up to Rhodri to set things right. Can he find the answers he seeks in the mysterious Telling Pool?
This was a very good book. I'm a big fan of the author, who also wrote Firebringer and The Sight(highly recommend those!). The only downside of this book was its slight predictability, and it was a little juvenile for my taste. But it was a very good story with good, well developed characters. It kept me interested and I had to know what happened.
Recommended for guys and girls 12+. 4 out of 5 stars.

Skinned

by Robin Wasserman

Lia Kahn has the perfect life. But the day of the car crash, everything changes. Due to the extent of her injuries, Lia undergoes a controversial new "treatment." Her mind is downloaded into a robotic body, known to the public as "skinners." Lia must face this new reality of being a machine in a world where her kind is hated. And how can she resume her old life in a body that is not her own?

This book is about birth, death and rebirth. A thought-provoking science fiction novel. I recommend it to all teens 12+.

4/5 stars.

Heir to Sevenwaters
Juliet Marillier

I wasn't expecting another book about Sevenwaters from my favorite author, but I was definitely thrilled when I heard about it. Coming after Marillier's Sevenwater's Trilogy, Heir to Sevenwaters is a worthy addition. It follows the story of Clodagh, a daughter of the House of Sevenwaters, whose mother is expected to give birth soon. But she is far past the safe age for childbearing, and the household is on edge. And then her newborn son disappears from his chamber, leaving something else in his stead. It is up to Clodagh to right the wrong done to her family.
Romance, adventure, magic, even if you have not read the preceding books, you can enjoy this book.
5/5 stars, recommended for teens 13+

Body of Work: Meditations on Mortality from the Human Anatomy Lab
Christine Montross

In her book, Body of Work, Montross tells of a first-year med student's struggle with human dissection. She describes the process, the philosophy and the history of the practice. If you are interested in the medical field, I highly recommend this book. Montross offers a glimpse into the process of becoming a doctor as well as the philosophical questions it entails. Definitely not for the squeamish!
I found this book very interesting and it really made me think. Recommended for teens 14+, 4 out of 5 stars.

Hawksong

by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes

All Danica has known is war. She has lost countless loved ones to the war that has raged between her people and the serpiente. Able to take the form of a majestic hawk, Danica is heir to the throne. But she will do anything for peace. So when Zane Cobriana, the unpredictable cobra and heir to the serpiente throne, makes an offer, how much will she sacrifice?

I absolutely adore this book. The story is simple but beautifully orchestrated. The characters are vivid and their world entirely believable. Highly recommended for all teens. 4 1/2 out of 5 stars.

Like Hawksong? Read Snakecharm, the sequel.

Old Magic

Marianne Curley

Jarrod is the new kid at school, and Kate is sure there is something different about him. Especially when he causes a huge thunderstorm, indoors. But Kate has never been "cool," so how can she get Jarrod to realize his powers before he hurts someone?

I really enjoyed this book. The story was interesting and wasn't too predictable. Recommended for teen girls, 4 out of 5 stars.