Suite Scarlett

Suite Scarlett


By: Maureen Johnson
Reviewer: HorseCrazy101, 17
Rating: Loved it!


Scarlett Martin has grown up in the Hopewell Hotel, owned by her family for 75 years. As a tradition, when a Martin turns 15 they are expected to care for their own suite and any guest who might stay there. The summer Scarlett turns 15, not only does she receive the Empire Suite but also a flamboyant, C-list starlet named Mrs. Amberson as a long-term guest. Scarlett had hoped that over the summer she could get a job to earn some spending money, but the family's financial crisis forces Scarlett and her siblings to step up and help out around the hotel more often. So much for her brilliant summer plans...

Scarlett's brother, Spencer, is a brilliant actor trying to get his big break, but for a kid in New York City, where everyone is an actor, jobs are hard to find. When Spencer lands a role in a production of Hamlet, he believes he has finally found a way to avoid being shipped off to culinary school, but just when it seemed perfect, everything fell apart. Mrs. Amberson, back in New York after some 20-odd years, is determined to make something of herself and this small group of aspiring actors, so she steps in and helps arrange all the details of the production. Scarlett's role as Mrs. Amberson's right hand girl also allows Scarlett to get to know Eric, a gorgeous actor who just moved to the city and happens to be Spencer's play partner.

Between a summer romance, a series of unfortunate events in show business, and plotting a scheme against an apparent rival, Scarlett will be having a much more exciting summer than she originally thought she would. When the ultimate barrier stands in the way of her brother's future, Scarlett maybe the only on who can fix everything, and with some help from her friends, she may be able to pull it off.

I found myself laughing out loud several times throughout the story, and other times the emotions of a 15 year old brought a certain realness to the situation. Overall this really was a fun read, and I can't wait to read the sequel.

This Song Will Save Your Life

This Song Will Save Your Life 


By: Leila Sales
Reviewer: HorseCrazy101, 17
Rating:


Elise Dembowski is sixteen and invisible. She has always loved taking on new projects, so the summer before sophomore year she studies all the popular magazines for guidance in what to wear, how to act, and all the hot gossip of the teen world, all in an attempt to be cool. The first day of school, Elise strides onto campus, confident her plan has worked, only to realize that she is still plain, unpopular her. Disappointed and feeling hopeless, Elise returns home and and turns to her alternative: suicide.

The aftermath of Elise's attempt just makes things worse, and when someone begins cyber bullying her by taking on her persona in a fake blog, she doesn't know what to do. Elise finds solace in her music and copes by walking the streets at night. One night she comes across an underground dance club called Start. There she meets Vicky (an accepting girl in a band), Pippa (a spirited girl from England) Mel the doorman, and Char (the cute, mysterious disc jockey). Most importantly, Start introduces Elise to a whole world she never knew existed, one in which she could be herself and be happy.

Elise develops a passion for DJing and actually starts to feel normal again, but when her secret is discovered, all that is threatened to be taken away from her.

Everyone at some point in their lives feels a little bit outcast, and this book addresses the topic in a highly appropriate and satisfying way. Elise's story speaks to teens in a way that encourages them to be themselves and let go of what society deems "normal". This Song Will Save Your Life teaches readers about identity, friendship, and the power of music.

The DUFF

The DUFF  


By: Kody Keplinger
Reviewer: HorseCrazy101, 17
Rating: Really liked it


Being at the top of the social food chain in high school is something seventeen year old Bianca Piper cannot relate to. She is cynical, short, slightly pudgy, and plain. She knows she isn't the prettiest of her friends, and that's something she has always been okay with. So when the school hottie and resident manwhore, Wesley Rush, tells her she is the Designated Ugly Fat Friend (DUFF), her inner insecurities start seeping out and fill her head.

Between her mom walking out on the family and her ex-alcoholic father struggling not to relapse, Bianca is desperate for a distraction. It is because of this that Bianca, in a completely impulsive moment, kisses Wesley Rush. What's worse is that she liked it. It is exactly the distraction she was looking for, thus she develops a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with Wesley.

Bianca's plan to simply use Wesley works well...until it all falls apart. After spending so much time with him, Bianca learns that Wesley is actually a pretty good listener and has his own screwed up life. She begins to realize, with horror, that she is falling for the guy she thought she hated the most. Now, trying to put a stopper on emotions has never been so important.

More Happy Than Not

More Happy Than Not


By: Adam Silvera
Reviewer: HorseCrazy101, 17
Rating: Really liked it


Aaron Soto is a 16 year old black boy from the Bronx who lives in a one bedroom apartment with his mom and older brother. His father committed suicide, and the few months since then have not been easy. Aaron even tried to take his own life shortly after, but he survived the attempt. Now he is trying to get his life back on track with the help of his mother, friends, and girlfriend, Genevieve.

When Genevieve leaves for a few weeks, Aaron finds himself spending all his time with the new boy on the block, Thomas. Aaron's friends notice, and they aren't exactly happy about it. But Aaron can't ignore the way he feels around Thomas: the happiness that reverberates in his bones and the safety he finds through Thomas. These are the things he knows he should be feeling toward Genevieve.

Since Aaron can't seem to step away from Thomas or turn off his feelings for him, he decided to seek help from Leteo Institute, an organization that experiments with memory alteration. If Aaron can forget his feelings for Thomas and ease the pain of his father's death, everything will go back to normal, right? But Aaron must decide how far he's willing to go to be happy again. After all, his brain can only go so far before it snaps, and Aaron loses himself forever.

Skyscraping

Skyscraping


By: Cordelia Jensen
Reviewer: HorseCrazy101, 17
Rating: Loved it!


Mira is starting her senior year of high school, and everything is going great. She is the school yearbook editor, she's about to apply for early admission to Columbia, and she has signed up to be a freshman mentor on the leadership team. There isn't a dark cloud in Mira's life...until she walks in on her father and his male lover. This shocking discovery leads Mira to question everything she ever thought she knew about her family, and in time only more secrets will be revealed.

The newly uncovered family Mira is thrust into sends her into a downward spiral. She loses her passion for yearbook editing, rebels by lashing out at her family, and turns to pot and alcohol for solace. Her grades drop and she risks her chance at getting into college. No one seems to understand, and she is drowning in the chaos her life has become.

Through all the confusion and betrayal come new emotions: fear and heartache. When her father's illness threatens to destroy her family completely, Mira must learn to let go of the past and offer forgiveness...before it's too late. The novel is written in beautiful free verse that exposes the raw pain of loss and reminds readers of the importance of family. The intensity of this girl's story keeps readers turning the pages with excitement until the very end.

Over You

Over You



By: Amy Reed
Reviewer: HorseCrazy101, 17
Rating: Really Liked It


Max is the ideal best friend. She holds Sadie's hair back when she pukes after a night of too much drinking. She is always the designated driver. She is always cleaning up Sadie's messes. More importantly, she takes care of Sadie in a way no one else ever has.

Sadie is selfish. She seeks attention any way she can get it, usually through partying too much or going through boyfriends like they're fashion trends. She pouts when she's not the center of attention. Most importantly, she takes Max for granted.

Now, in one summer, everything will change. Max and Sadie travel to Nebraska to visit Sadie's mom, who lives in a commune on a farm. The girls are expected to help with the harvest, but a few days into the summer Sadie contracts mono and is told she must be quarantined. In Sadie's absence, Max is lost. She doesn't know who she is without Sadie, but as the summer goes on Max realizes that she has her own interests and dreams that don't include Sadie.

This is a compelling coming-of-age story that encourages readers to be their own person and get away from toxic friendships. It's about learning to take care of yourself and doing what makes you happy, not someone else. Excellent book.

Salt & Stone

Salt and Stone


By: Victoria Scott
Reviewer: HorseCrazy101, 17
Rating: Loved It!


In this thrilling sequal to Fire & Flood, Tella Holloway and her companions struggle to complete the last two segments of the Brimstone Bleed, a race across four different ecosystems that, if won, will earn one person the Cure to save their dying loved one back home. After completing the trek through the rain forest and the desert, the Contenders and their Pandora helpers are only halfway through the race. Now they must face the unseen dangers of the ocean and endure the blistering cold of the mountaintop in order to obtain the Cure. But what if that's not all there is to be afraid of?

Tella has made friends along the way, but with those relationships comes complications. What happens when they get close to the finish line, and they have to fend for themselves? After all, there is only one Cure. Everyone is keeping secrets, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to trust each other. The race is almost over and the pressure is heating up.

 Victoria Scott takes readers through a whirlwind of emotions as beloved characters die and new ones are introduced, along with adorable new Pandoras. The race started with 122 Contenders. Now there are 41 left in the final segment, and they all want the same thing. The question is: Who will cross the finish line first? The answer may surprise you.

Delirium

Delirium


By: Lauren Oliver
Reviewer: HorseCrazy101, 15
Rating: Loved It!



"Love: the deadliest of all deadly things. It kills you both when you have it and when you don't."

In this dystopian romance, love is considered a disease: deliria amor nervosa. Every citizen must undergo an operation when they turn 18 to "cure" them or the disease. Lena is 17 and is 95 days away from having her procedure, and she can't wait. She dreads the thought of being infected by the deliria, and she looks forward to a life of conformity and simplicity. However, this is not the life for Lena.

Right before Lena is scheduled to be cured, she meets Alex. He is new territory for Lena, and she knows it's wrong but she can't help but feel drawn to him. Soon she becomes scared she has contracted the deliria. However, after spending more time with Alex and after learning more about his world, she discovers everything she has been taught since birth was a lie. She realizes that love is a good thing, not a disease.

Alex and Lena plan to run away together, where they can be free from the rules and make decisions for themselves. They take their time planning, trying not to let anyone know their plot to escape the walls put up to keep them in. But something goes wrong, and they get caught. Alex comes to bust Lena out of her cell and they make a run for it, but then tragedy strikes and Lena finds herself running from her life, her love, and herself.

Tempest

Tempest


By: Julie Cross
Reviewer: HorseCrazy101, 15
Rating: Really liked it


It is 2009 and 19 year old Jackson Meyer is a normal guy. He's in college, has a girlfriend, and of course he can travel back through time. However, when he goes back, he can't change anything in the present so there's no harm done to the universe. It's just a teenage guy having fun...until strange men attack Jackson and his girlfriend Holly.

 During the struggle, Holly is fatally shot, and Jackson panics. He accidentally jumps back in time to 2007, but something is different. This time it seems he is stuck in 2007 and can't get back to 2009. Jackson wants to get back so he can save Holly but since he's stuck in the past he settles down and learns all he can about his abilities.

While he's 2 years in the past, Jackson finds Holly and tries to regain her affection. Soon, however, the same men that attacked him in 2009--the Enemies of Time--find him again. They are seeking to recruit the powerful time traveler. He soon discovers his father is a secret agent and Jackson must learn to trust his dad to help him get back to his own time and escape the Enemies of Time. He has to decide how far he's willing to go in order to save Holly, and possibly the entire world

Jekel Loves Hyde

Jekel Loves Hyde

By: Beth Fantaskey
Reviewer: HorseCrazy101, 15
Rating: Really liked it



They say love is all about great chemistry...

Jill Jekel is 17 and always does everything right, never gets into trouble. She is now attending her dad's funeral after he was found murdered in the parking lot of his chemistry lab. Having to deal with the stress of her senior year in high school plus paying the bills while her mom is recovering from her mental breakdown is bad enough. But now she discovers that before his death, her father stole all of her college funds, making it nearly impossible to attend college right after graduation. There is only one solution: she needs to enter the Science Fair to win a scholarship for thirty thousand dollars.

Tristen Hyde is a decendent of the original and supposedly fictional Mr. Hyde. All the men in his family have been cursed to become the beast with a need to kill. He teams up with Jill to recreate the solution used in the first Dr. Jekel and Mr. Hyde novel. In perfecting the serum it will hopefully cure Tristen of his family curse and earn Jill the money she needs for colllege.

When they finally get the formula right, Jill accidentally gets a taste of it, and it soon becomes her that is the one out of control. Tristin must get Jill back to normal whikle trying to protect her from the beast inside his father at the same time. Jill has gotten a taste of what it's like to be bad and now she craves more. She may be willing to risk Tristen's love all for the sake of being...bad.

The Alchemyst

The Alchemyst


By: Michael Scott
Reviewer: HorseCrazy101, 15
Rating: Really liked it


Nicholas Flamel is 670 years old. He has been many things in his long years, including a physician, a cook, a bookseller, a soldier, a chemistry and language tacher, an officer of the law, and a thief. But ecen before these he was an alchemyst. More than that, he was THE Alchemyst. He can change metal into gold and common stones into precious jewels. All of this knowledge has been found in an ancient book commonly referred to as the Codex. The greatest piece of knowledge in the book though, is the secret to eternal life.

Nicholas and his wife Perenelle don't age or get sick, yet they are running from something much worse. Dr. John Deehas been chasing them around the globe for the past 500 years trying to steal the Codex for his masters, the Dark Elders. If they ever got hold of the Book they would claim this earth again. All would be in chaos and the world would cease to exist as we know it. The Dark Elders would wipe humanity off the face of the planet.

When Dee finally catches up to Flamel and manages to steal the Codex, Sophie and Josh Newman are wrenched from their ordinary lives and pulled into the greatest legend of all time. What they don't know is that they have the potential to be very powerful magicians. If the prophecy in the Codex is correct, the Sophie and Josh are the only ones with the power to save or destroy the world.

This is a very interesting book with fantasy in every page and a sinister plot to keep your attention. A little slow in some areas, but over all a good story.

Fallen Angel

Fallen Angel


By: Heather Terrell
Reviewer: HorseCrazy101, 13
Rating: Really liked it


Ellie has never really fit in at school and has never been very good at talking to guys. She has the ability to see what someone is thinking by touching them. She tries to avoid it but sometimes she gets curious. Ruth is her one best friend, but other than that she's alone. Then she meets Michael. He's unlike any other guy. He's friendly, sweet, charming, cute...and totally into Ellie.

As Michael and Ellie get closer, they develop a relationship. Michael has a secret, but so does Ellie. They discover they have powers they never knew existed. powers that aren't normal. For instance, they can fly, they can get visions of people's lives by touch or blood, and they have razor-sharp teeth. As they try to figure out what they are, evil is coming to find them.

Ellie's parents explain that she is a fallen angel. There are good fallen angels that are seeking forgiveness from God, and then there are bad ones that hate God for casting them out of Heaven. The evil ones try to destroy all light on Earth. When ancient riddles and prophesies arise, Ellie and Michael must figure out what they were put on Earth for. With the evil to tempt them into darkness, their choices have to be chosen carefully. It is no longer clear if Michael and Ellie will choose the same path. One of their choices could save or end the world.

Reign Check

Reign Check


By: Michelle Rowen
Reviewer: HorseCrazy101, 13
Rating: Loved it!


Nikki is trying to accept the fact that she's a demon princess. Yes, a literal demon with leathery wings, horns, red eyes, and, of course, a tail. When the king of the faerie realm comes to her small-town high school she doesn't think anything can be worse. She's wrong. Besides the fact that her best friend has a major crush on him, He has a reason for being there.

Apparently, there's been a prophesy about her that says she's supposed to destroy the world. But Nikki knows she could never do that. Just to be on the safe side, she goes to another dragon oracle to see if the prophesy is correct. The dragon can't see if it's true or not because there is something blocking it. When Nikki discovers that her best friend is training to be a demon hunter, she has to be extra careful when they're together.

Nikki is summoned to the Underworld so the Demon Council can decide if she's dangerous. During the meeting things seem to go well. Afterwards, things get rough. The Prince's hell hound almost attacks Nikki and her Shadow servant (boyfriend) saves her by using his powers. However, that's not something that Shadows are allowed to do. He is put in the dungeon and Nikki has to save him. With the help of the princess, she escapes with Michael and her life. But not without learning a truth that could tear Nikki and Michael apart forever.

Evil Star

Evil Star


By: Anthony Horowitz
Reviewer: HorseCrazy101, 13
Rating: Loved it!


14 year old Matthew Freeman is one of 5 kids that are destined to save the world. He has just closed Raven's Gate, an evil portal, and is trying to go back to his normal life. When a secret organization called the Nexus tells him there's another gate, it seems nothing will ever be normal again. After Matt's aunt tries to blow him up with a petrol truck, he agrees to help the Nexus find the next gate. Matt must go to Peru to keep the second gate from opening.

While in Peru Matt is robbed, almost kidnapped, and running away from the police. When he meets Pedro, another one of the 5, he becomes a reluctant friend. Even though they dont speak the same language, fate is going to push them together. Matt and Pedro have to trust eachother to learn where the next gate is and who's trying to open it. The boys almost get caught by the police and are almost killed.

It seems they've hit a dead end until they discover the ancient civilization of the Incas. They are taken to their village and learn that the gate is somehow connected to the Nazca Lines. People will be betrayed, some will be wounded, and some will even die. But it is all to keep the Old Ones from returning to Earth and destroying all that is good. Matt and Pedro will fight to the end and discover truths about themselves along the way. Good vs. evil and friendship. This is a fantastic sequal to Raven's Gate.

Moonlight

Moonlight
 

By: Rachel Hawthorne
Reviewer: HorseCrazy101, 13
Rating: Loved it!


17 year old Kayla has been raised by adoptive parents beacause her birth parents died 12 years before in a hunting accident. She becomes a camp guide in the forest where they died and quickly becomes friends with the other sherpas, but feels a powerful attraction to Lucas, the sherpa leader. He is intense, brave, always alert, and incredibly cute. One of Kayla's first missions as a sherpa is to lead a group of college students to a campsite. On the way, Kayla loses her footing crossing a river. She is almost attacked by a bear when she comes ashore but a wolf saves her then runs off. Later she learns that the crossing had been sabotaged.

Mason is a student in the group and seems to like Kayla. When they arrive at the campsite, Mason takes Kayla on a candel lit dinner. Then Mason attacks her and the same wolf that saved her before attacks Mason. It turns out, Kayla's attack was all part of a plan to get the wolf. Mason knew that the wolf would protect Kayla. The whole group of students believes that werewolves exist and live in the forest, so they are trying to capture one to run tests on it.

When Kayla helps the wolf escape Bio-Chrome, she discovers her wolf friend is actually Lucas. He explains that he is a Shifter, a human with the ability to change to wolf form at will. He goes on to say that Kayla is also a Shifter and that her first transformation will take place on the next full moon. She doesn't want to believe it but deep down she feels like he's telling the truth. As Kayla and Lucas hide from Bio-Chrome, they develop a relationship and face many difficulties. Several times they face death, but somehow they survive.

This is a story of identity, facing your fears, and falling in love. I can't wait to read the next one.

Dark of the Moon

Dark of the Moon


By: Rachel Hawthorne
Reviewer: HorseCrazy101, 13
Rating: Loved it!


Brittany has been raised among a group of people who refer to themselves as Shifters. They have the ability to shift into a wolf at will. Soon Brittany will experience her first transformation, but as her time draws near, she doesn't feel any of the changes that everyone else begins to feel. The only thing she feels is her deep attraction to Connor, but alas, he has been promised to someone else.

All Brittany has ever wanted was to be accepted as a Dark Guardian, so when her full moon rises and she doesn't transform, she's devastated. Not only does this shatter her dream of being a Dark Guardian, it ruins her chance to be with Connor, who became single when his promised mate chose someone else. Brittany needs answers, but she doesn't want anyone to know she didn't shift. She learns that unlike her mother, her father was human. Unfortunatly, Brittany did not inherit her mother's wolf genes.

Bio-Chrome is a group of crazed scientists who know there are werewolves in the forest. They are trying create a serum that can turn someone into a wolf for limited time, or heal someone who is injured. Briitany and Connor develop a relationship when they are captured by Bio-Chrome. When offered the chance to be tested for the new serum, she must choose between what she's always dreamed of being (a Dark Guardian), or what she's always dreamed of having (Connor). This is a book of identity, romance, and destiny. Kudos to Rachel Hawthorne.

Demon Princess: Reign or Shine

Demon Princess: Reign or Shine


By: Michelle Rowen
Reviewer: HorseCrazy101, 13
Rating: Loved it!


This was one of those books that had me thinking aloud and my fingers were practically glued to the pages. I even ordered the sequal from Fresno! It's easy for some kids to relate to because of the high school act and doing things for popularity. I would definately recommmend this to a friend.

Nikki is used to moving around the country because of her mother. Ever since Nikki's father left her mother when she was pregnant, she has been remarrried 4 times. Nikki finds that her newest school might not be so bad. By saving a popualar girl from choking, Nikki finds herself part of the Royal Party. She also has the boyfriend of her dreams. Nikki thinks her life is finally coming together, but soon everything changes.

When a strange boy named Michael tells Nikki that her father is the demon king, she follows him into the Shadowlands. Nikki learns that her dad is dying and soon she will be queen of demons. She realizes if she became queen, her life would disappear. She is torn between living a normal life and doing her duty. The Nikki learns that her father is being poisoned and has to stop it. With Michael's help, she plans a way to save her father. Will she succeed?

Midnight Pearls

Midnight Pearls


By: Debbie Viguie
Reviewer: HorseCrazy101, 13
Rating: Really liked it


I liked this book because it made sense. I didn't have to guess the hidden meaning behind everything. Midnight Pearls was not what I expected. On the cover, it says it's a retelling of The Little Mermaid so I expected something along the lines of bright red hair, singing songs, and talking animals. I got something way different.

Pearl doesn't remember any of her life before living with the people she calls her parents. The only thing she knows about her past is that when she was 4 years old, she was found floating in the ocean with a dark blue pearl clutched in her hand. Since then she has always been very unusual in the fact that she has silver hair, skin she can almost see through, and dark blue eyes. No one in her village knows exactly where she came from but they can see enough to know she's not normal.

Now Pearl is 17 and still isn't married. She knows why, but it doesn't make her feel any better. The only person she has to console her is her secret friend, Prince James. Then disaster strikes in the kingdom. Along with a plot to take over the kingdom, there is an evil enchantment from deep within the ocean. When Pearl discovers the truth about her past, her friendship with James is put to the test. Can they stop the evil before it tears Pearl and James apart forever? he world.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone


By: J.K. Rowling
Reviewer: HorseCrazy101, 13
Rating: Loved it!


This book was so incredible and suspensful and wondeful. It felt like I was on a thrilling adventure in the world of magic. Rowling is an amazing author. I can't wait to read the rest of the series. I'm glad I decided to read it.

Harry Potter is not a normal boy, no matter what anyone has told him. his parents were killed by Lord Voldemort when Harry was one year old and he has lived with his horrible aunt and uncle for the past 10 years. Harry is delighted when he discovers that he is a wizard and is invited to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He befriends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger and enjoys most of his classes. Harry didn't think anything could go wrong.

He was mistaken. Soon Harry learns of a plot to steal a very valuable item: the sorcerer's stone. The stone has the powere to turn any metal to gold and create an elixir of life. With the help of Ron and Hermione, Harry must get through obstacles such as suffocating plants, a magic chessboard, and a puzzle of potions to prevent one giant disaster. Or possibly the end of the world.

Raven's Gate

Raven's Gate


By: Anthony Horowitz
Reviewer: HorseCrazy101, 13
Rating: Loved it!


I read this book in 5th grade and I forgot how good it is! This book contains secrets and lies, good vs. evil, and a plot to destroy the world as we know it. I read this all day, non-stop. My hands were glued to the pages! Seriously, kudos to Anthony Horowitz. One of my favorite books.

14 year old Matthew Freeman, better known as Matt, lost his parents to a car crash when he was 8 years old. Now, he is in a whole lot of trouble. He is being blamed for a crime that he didn't really do. Matt's options for punishment are jail or staying with a woman named Mrs. Deverill in a small town called Lesser Malling. He probably would've been better off in jail.

The longer Matt stays in Lesser Malling, he realizes something completly unnatural is going on. Everything is tied to him in a sinister plot to open Raven's Gate, an ancient place designed to hold evil spirits in captivity. Matt needs answers, but everyone who tries to help him ends up dead. With the help of his friend Richard Cole, Matt must discover who he is, what he can do, and save the world by sealing Raven's Gate. He has to fulfill his destiny.