Review of CROSSED by Ally Condie

I just finished CROSSED by Ally Condie, sequel to MATCHED, and although I was looking forward to this sequel, I didn't love it. Maybe part of the problem was the setting in the canyons; I missed the atmosphere of the Society, even though it was oppressive. The canyons had a sameness to them in spite of the wildness of the frontier. Also, there was a lack of action and tension in this book. On the plus side, some new intriguing characters were introduced (but many are killed off rather quickly). The relationship between Cassia, Ky and Xander is still evolving, and the ending strongly hints at another book. Worth reading, but disappointing - 2 Elves

USA "Best Books 2011" award

Very exciting: my book, MARIGOLD: Book One of the Elven Chronicles, is an award-winning finalist in the Children's Fiction category of the USA "Best Books 2011" awards, sponsored by USA Book News.

Review of the TRYLLE Trilogy

The TRYLLE trilogy (SWITCHED, TORN, ASCEND) by Amanda Hocking is only available as eBooks at this time, but due to the series' success, they will be published in book form in the near future.

Wendy is a high school girl who never quite fit in. When she is nearly kidnapped, she discovers that she was swapped by Trylles, or Trolls, to live as a human in place of a baby that they took back to their secret kingdom. Her human mother never believed that she was the right child, and her Trylle mother is cold & distant. When Wendy is forced to live in the Trylle kingdom, she finds out that she is a Trylle princess, destined to be the queen. Adapting to this strange life is difficult, but eventually she finds her powers and a new strength. Recommended - 3 Elves

Review of THE MAGICIANS

This is a very compelling book of fantasy - a coming-of-age story set in the world of magic. While the "Harry Potter" series got pretty dark by the last few books, THE MAGICIANS by Lev Grossman is grim but also more adult. A high school boy is obsessed with a series of fantasy novels set in a land similar to "Narnia", but called Fillory. His journey to Fillory takes him to a school of magic, but the skills learned at this school don't make him happy. When he finally arrives in Fillory, a dangerous secret threatens his friends and the fantasies of his childhood. HIghly recommended - 4 Elves

Review of THE UNWANTEDS

In a grim militaristic society, any child that shows a spark of creativity is labeled an Unwanted and is taken away to be put to death.

Called "The Hunger Games meets Harry Potter" by Kirkus Reviews, author Lisa McMann (The WAKE series) writes her first middle-grade fantasy, and it is a winner.

Separated from his twin during the purge, Alex (an Unwanted) discovers an enchanted land where creativity equals magic. This hidden land must eventually go to battle with the military of his former world, and both worlds must change to survive.
4 Elves - highly recommended

Reviews: Divergent & Secret Zoo

DIVERGENT by Veronica Roth
Beatrice lives in a society divided into factions. One day a year, all sixteen-year-olds must choose a faction and stay in that faction for the rest of their lives.
But Beatrice doesn't feel she belongs in the faction of her family and when she selects another, she must leave them behind. During a brutal initiation, she is drawn to a leader and together they uncover a plot that threatens all of the factions and their whole world. This is the first of a series of dystopian thrillers. 4 Elves-highly recommended.

THE SECRET ZOO by Bryan Chick
When you were a kid visiting the zoo, did you ever fantasize about being with the animals on the other side of the glass? This middle-grade fantasy takes you not only to the other side of the glass, but to a secret world hidden inside the zoo. When Noah's sister, Megan, disappears and animals leave cryptic notes, he and his friends, Ella & Richie, set off in the middle of the night to find Megan. With help from a polar bear, penguins and a rhino, these friends set off on a wild and dangerous adventure. 3 Elves - Recommended

The MAZE RUNNER review

Finally got around to reading THE MAZE RUNNER by James Dashner and enjoyed it more than I expected. The bulk of the action takes place in an enclosed space called the Glade, which is surrounded by the Maze. Our hero, Thomas, wakes up in the lift and is deposited in the Glade. Filled with boys, Thomas must learn how to survive and yearns to explore the Maze. Things get really interesting when the first girl arrives in the Glade, as she seems to be the key to escaping the Maze so they can all go home. The ending leaves you wishing for a sequel. 3 Elves - Recommended