Review: Tuesdays at the Castle

Title: Tuesdays at the Castle
Author: Jessica Day George
Publisher:  Bloomsbury USA Childrens (October 25, 2011) 
Source: library
Rating: 8/10


Tuesdays at Castle Glower are Princess Celie's favorite days. That's because on Tuesdays the castle adds a new room, a turret, or sometimes even an entire wing. No one ever knows what the castle will do next, and no one-other than Celie, that is-takes the time to map out the new additions. But when King and Queen Glower are ambushed and their fate is unknown, it's up to Celie, with her secret knowledge of the castle's never-ending twists and turns, to protect their home and save their kingdom. This delightful book from a fan- and bookseller-favorite kicks off a brand-new series sure to become a modern classic.

Review: Daughter of Smoke and Bone

Title: Daughter of Smoke and Bone
Author: Laini Taylor
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (September 27, 2011)
Rating: 8/10
Source: library

Review: The Demon's Surrender

Title: The Demon's Surrender
Author: Sarah Rees Brennan
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books (June 14, 2011)

Rating: 8/10

Source: library

The Goblin Market has always been the center of Sin’s world. But now the Market is at war with the magicians, and Sin’s place is in danger. Thrown out of the Market she loves, Sin is thrown together with brothers Nick and Alan—whom she’s always despised.

Alan has been marked by a magician and is being tortured so that the magicians can get to Nick. As Sin watches Alan struggle to protect the demon brother he loves, she begins to see him in a new light—but she and Mae are locked in a fierce rivalry over who will inherit the leadership of the Goblin Market, and a decisive battle with the Aventurine Circle is looming. Mae’s brother, Jamie, is holed up with the magicians, his loyalties in question. And Nick—well, who knows what a demon might do to save his brother? How far will Nick go to save Alan—and what will it cost them all? Find out in this gripping conclusion to the trilogy Scott Westerfeld says is “full of shimmery marvels and bountiful thunder.”

Review: Stork

Title: Stork
Author: Wendy Delsol
Publisher: Candlewick (October 12, 2010)
Rating: 8/10
Source: library

Family secrets. Lost memories. And the arrival of an ancient magical ability that will reveal everything.

Sixteen-year-old Katla LeBlanc has just moved from Los Angeles to Minnesota. As if it weren’t enough that her trendy fashion sense draws stares, Katla soon finds out that she’s a Stork, a member of a mysterious order of women tasked with a very unique duty. But Katla’s biggest challenge may be finding her flock at a new school. Between being ignored by Wade, the arrogant jock she stupidly fooled around with, and constantly arguing with gorgeous farm boy and editor-in-chief Jack, Katla is relieved when her assignment as the school paper’s fashion columnist brings with it some much-needed friendship. But as Homecoming approaches, Katla uncovers a shocking secret about her past — a secret that binds her fate to Jack’s in a way neither could have ever anticipated. With a nod to Hans Christian Andersen and inspired by Norse lore, Wendy Delsol’s debut novel introduces a hip and witty heroine who finds herself tail-feathers deep in small-town life. 

Review: The Grimm Legacy

Title: The Grimm Legacy
Author: Polly Shulman
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile (July 8, 2010)
Rating: 8.5/10
Source: library

Review: Into the Wild Nerd Yonder

Title: Into the Wild Nerd Yonder
Author: Julie Halpern
Publisher:Feiwel & Friends; (September 29, 2009)
Rating: 8/10
Source: library

Review: The Ruby Oliver Books

Upon my return to the land of the employed, I beheld the newest Ruby Oliver novel on our new book display. I had read and enjoyed The Boyfriend List, but somehow the rest of the series had drifted down the TBR list and I was way behind. Luckily, we had all the books in and I had some spare time, and I quickly powered my way through The Boy Book, The Treasure Map of Boys, and the newest, Real Live Boyfriends.  Adorable, very nearly perfection. Similar to Georgia Nichols, but more self-aware and less zany. 9/10, and an extra squeeze to Noel.