The Purple Emperor, by Herbie Brennan

For those of you who have read Faerie Wars, this sequel is sure to please. My only grievance is the lack of narration about Henry, but other than that, it was wonderful. This book is filled with more action and adventure in the magical Realm, as well as back home in the Analogue World! I once again recommend this book to all teens, even if you're not into reading fantasy books.

Faerie Wars, by Herbie Brennan

Henry is just your normal kid, minding his own business. He cleans Mr.Fogarty's house for some extra money, but soon something miraculous happens. He finds a fairy, and a real one at that. Turns out, the fairy is from another realm, one where war is imminent. We also here the story of Pyrgus, a normal kid from this other realm. Except of course for the fact that he's the Crown Prince. Things can only get interesting from there, and it makes for a great book. I recommend this book to all teens.

Imogene used to hang with a pretty tough crowd, but now that she's moved to Newford, she's leaving that all behind. But it seems that trouble follows her everywhere, and it takes many forms. Whether it be a football player bully or soul-sucking monster, she has to deal with it.
You will love this book, I did. It deals with the darker side of Faerie, so if you like Holly Black's books, this book is for you. I would also recommend Charles de Lint's Waifs and Strays, an amazing compilation of short stories set in Newford.

When most people die, they go to another place, heaven or hell, depending on what you believe. But sometimes, kids get stuck in between, in a place called Everlost. Allie and Nick died in a car crash, and didn't quite make it to the light at the end of the tunnel. Instead, they are stuck in a world where nothing is as it seems, the 'live world' is like quicksand, and there are rumors of a ferocious monster known as the McGill. This book makes you question what lies beyond, and pulls you into its tale. I recommend this book to all teens.

The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer

Matt is six-years old, people call him a "filthy clone", but he doesn't know why, or what it means.
It is common for wealthy men of this time to have clones, whom they use to extend their lives with organ transplants. Most clones have their intelligence stunted at birth, but Matt, the clone of Matteo Alacran, does not. He lives the early years of his life on Alacran's (El Patron's) opium farm, where he faces prejudice and opposition. He has the courage to fight against his assigned fate, and shows that he is the same as any boy born of a human mother. This book chronicles the life of Matt and the struggles he faces being a clone.
This is a splendid book, with very likable characters. I recommend it to all teens.

Speak, by Laurie Anderson

Melanie is an outcast at her high school. It wasn't always this way, but after she called the police at a party, she was rejected by everyone. There is no way she will let anyone know the truth about what happened during the party, and because of that, everything had gone downhill. Her grades went from straight A's to straight D's and she lost all of her friends. No one can get her to talk about it until her Art teacher assigns her a project, where she finds her ability to speak out, and tell the truth to everyone she knows.

Set in the forests of Northern Ireland, this is truly the most exquisite book I have ever read. Sorcha is the seventh child and only daughter of Lord Colum of Sevenwaters. Her mother died giving birth to her, and consequently she became 'one of the boys'. When a mysterious prisoner arrives at her home, and a new evil is seen at Sevenwaters, Sorcha is the only one who can save her family and her home.
Rich in Celtic folklore and history, Daughter of the Forest is captivating, you won't be able to put this book down. This book is mainly an adult book, but is appropriate for teens 14+. This is the first book of a trilogy.
Juliet Marillier resides in Australia, and has written many books of historical fantasy. Some of these include the Picts, the Norse vikings and Transylvanian folklore.

10 years ago, a law was passed allowing girls to train to become knights. Kel plans to take up this offer, but is instead granted a one-year probationary period. During this time, she must prove herself as a fighter among the boys. She is faced with great opposition, by those who believe girls should never become knights.
This is a very good book, the first of a quartet. If you loved The Song of the Lioness Quartet, you will definitely love these!

When Lightning Strikes by Meg Cabot

When Jessica Mastriani agrees to walk home two miles just because her friend is self conscious about her weight, something very strange happens. A lightning storm occurs and Jess gets struck by a bolt of lighting when the two girls are hiding under metal bleachers. When she wakes up the next morning, she has a new power that she never had before. She knows where the kids are on milk cartons. Jess is confused about how she knows this, but then it comes back to her that it was probably the lightning that hit her. The future of these missing kids is now in Jess's hands. Thinking she is doing the right thing, she calls the 1-800 where are you association telling them that she knows where the missing kids are. Some of them are safely returned back home, but one child is being forced to go home to a father who has been charged for child abuse against him. Now Jess has to fix her huge mistake and help the boy be reunited with his mother. I thought this book was really good. I zoomed right through it, and I recommend it to all teens.

This is the sequel to Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment, previously reviewed on this blog. If you loved the original, you will definitely love the sequel! Max and her flock are back, taking them cross-country in another journey that is sure to thrill and surprise you.
For those of you who do not know Max, she lives and travels with her 'flock', Fang, Iggy, Nudge, Gazzy and Angel. Raised in labs and scientifically engineered to have wings, they are on the run from their scientist creators, whom they refer to as 'whitecoats'. The first two books of this series are witty, hilarious, and packed with action and adventure. I urge all teens to read these books, you'll love them!
The third book in this trilogy Maximum Ride: Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports, is due to be released in May. It is an amazing book, that ties in all of the loose ends but still leaves an opening for another book. It is sure to please!

Nobody's Princess, Esther Friesner

Helen of Sparta, a beatiful young woman, was soon to become Queen. But not before she had a few adventures first. Helen hadn't ever liked needle point, or weaving, but she did like using a sword. And after recieving news that her sister is going to get married, Helen and her brothers, Castor and Polydeuces, accompanied their her on her way to get married to the Prince of Mykanae. After nearly escaping their host's request for Helen to get married, they are soon caught up in a wild boar hunt, where Helen meets someone just like her. They continue on going everywhere ranging from The Temple of Delphi, to an island to find a Golden Fleece. I would reccomend this book to grades 7 and up, it deserves 5 stars! ( This book will be published April 24, 2007)

Alanna: The First Adventure, by Tamora Pierce

Alanna is not like most girls living in Tortall, she wants to be a warrior, not spend her days learning to be a lady in some dreary convent. Through a stroke of genius, she manages to become a page at the royal palace, training to be a knight. Disguised as a boy, here she will make good friends, and deadly enemies, as she tries to prove that a girl can do everything a boy can.
This book is the first installment in a thrilling quartet, that any fantasy-lover is sure to love!

Landon, a teenage boy living in the 1950s had his life changed by one girl. That girl was Jamie. She was a reverends daughter who always carried a bible with her. She had a good heart, always wanting to help those less fortunate than her. She did not have many friends at all, and often spent her free time with her father or reading the bible. Ever since the night she and Landon went to the homecoming dance as partners, they had become friends and eventually lovers. Both of their lives had a taken sharp turns. The two of them were awkward at first, but then warmed up to each other and their friendship grew stronger. Now Jamie had someone else to help her play with the children at the orphanage she always went to. Landon thought his life was great with Jamie. He loved her, but when he told her that, things when downhill from there. Jamie had been very sick and she was not going to get any better. It is before Jamie and Landon have to say goodbye that they have their "walk to remember". I recommend this book to all teens looking for a good read.