Goliath

Back of the Book:
Alek and Deryn are on the last leg of their round-the-world quest to end World War I, reclaim Alek’s throne as prince of Austria, and finally fall in love. The first two objectives are complicated by the fact that their ship, the Leviathan, continues to detour farther away from the heart of the war (and crown). And the love thing would be a lot easier if Alek knew Deryn was a girl. (She has to pose as a boy in order to serve in the British Air Service.) And if they weren’t technically enemies.


Goliath is the final book in the Leviathan Trilogy. In the newest installment, Alek and Deryn continue to sail across Europe in hopes to end the war. What they find instead is a real-life mad scientist hoping to recruit Alek. A mad scientist who possesses a weapon, the Goliath, that could possibly end the war. But could the weapon be as good as it sounds? And what about Deryn, whose feelings for Alek can't help but surface, despite the fact he thinks she is a boy?  This book offers more action, energy, and (finally!) romance than the other two books. Bestselling author Scott Westerfeld weaves an alternative World War I full of action and adventure in his trilogy, and the final chapter does not disappoint.


The minute I finished the second book in the series, Behemoth, I hunted down the third one, only to learn that it wouldn't be released until another month. Well, it's a month later, and man, I could not wait for this book to come. Even though it's 500+ pages, I finished this book in under four hours. I couldn't put it down. It's addicting. Scott Westerfeld is one of my favorite authors, mostly because of the Leviathan series. The plot moves quickly without rushing, and keeps the reader constantly engaged. Unlike most girl-disguised-as-a-guy books, Deryn doesn't spend the whole novel yakking about how someone might find out her secret. That issue only begins to bubble as she discovers her feelings for Alek, and how her secret comes between them. And let me just say, I absolutely adore Deryn and Alek together. This is easily one of my favorite books. For any Leviathan lovers, book lovers, or just anyone in general, this book is perfect for you.

Lily of the Nile

Back of the Book:

With her parents dead, the daughter of Cleopatra and Mark Antony is left at the mercy of her Roman captors. Heir to one empire and prisoner of another, Princess Selene must save her brothers and reclaim what is rightfully hers...

In the aftermath of Alexandria's tragic fall, Princess Selene is taken from Egypt, the only home she's ever known. Along with her two surviving brothers, she's put on display as a war trophy in Rome. Selene's captors mock her royalty and drag her through the streets in chains, but on the brink of death, the children are spared as a favor to the emperor's sister, who takes them to live as hostages in the so-called lamentable embassy of royal orphans...

Trapped in a Roman court of intrigue that reviles her heritage and suspects her faith, Selene can't hide the hieroglyphics that carve themselves into her flesh. Nor can she stop the emperor from using her for his own political ends. Faced with a new and ruthless Caesar who is obsessed with having a Cleopatra of his very own, Selene is determined to honor her mother's lost legacy. The magic of Egypt and Isis remain within her. Can she succeed where her mother failed? And what will it cost her in a political game where the only rule is win or die?

Selene is the new Queen of Egypt while living as a prisoner in Rome. After her parents died, the Romans invaded Egypt and captured Selene, her twin Helios, and their younger brother Philadelphus are taken to Rome. Dragged through the streets in chains, Roman emperor Octavian shows them off as spoils of his latest war. Selene desperately wants to go home, but she’ll have to polish her manipulation skills to work her way back to Egypt. Unfortunately, the strange hieroglyphics appearing on her arms aren’t helping.

With the help of her brothers, Selene struggles to figure out the magic at work. But growing up in a Roman house isn’t helping. The more Selene tries to bury Egypt and her mother, the more her true self shines through. Selene has magic. And she knows it. But will she embrace it, so far away from home and surrounded by Romans who believe she should change?

Stephanie Dray paints Selene beautifully. Egypt and Rome spring off the pages and come to life. Dray has obviously researched this novel down to the last article of clothing, and that is apparent through Lily of the Nile. But unlike some historical fiction, this book isn’t weighed down by details. Instead it springs into action, enticing the reader from the beginning. Selene is a smart, headstrong character. But she is human in so many ways. She fears and worries and frets along with the rest of us. She pours over her future and struggles with whether to embrace it.

Lily of the Nile is a fantastic book, one of my favorites. It is astonishing that this is Dray’s first novel. I expect great things from this author! I am already anticipating Lily of the Nile’s sequel, Song of the Nile.

Leviathan

Back Cover: 

     Alek was a prince without a throne. On the run from his own people, he has only a fighting machine and a small band of men.

     Deryn is a girl disguised as a guy in the British Air Service. She must fight for her cause—and her secret—at all costs.

     Alek and Deryn are thrown together aboard the mighty airship Leviathan. Though fighting side by side, their worlds are far apart. British fabricated beasts versus German steam-powered war machines. They are enemies with everything to lose, yet somehow destined to be together.

Leviathan tells the story of two unlikely friends thrown together in an alternative World War I.  Alek is a young prince who, upon hearing of his parents’ death, must abandon all duties to hide, knowing his is the only hope for his country. He has only a machine and his trusted men for survival.

     Deryn—disguised as a boy to sneak aboard a ship—uses her brains and skills to keep the ship running. When a doctor of fabricated beasts boards the Leviathan, Deryn is desperate to know the doctor’s secret. But can Deryn keep her own?

     One simple act of kindness on Alek’s part throws the two young enemies together. They form a rocky friendship, but too many secrets stand between them. Alek and Deryn both struggle to conceal their identities—Alek as a prince, Deryn as a girl. But the constant threat of the looming war hangs heavily over their heads. Can the two manage to survive while risking their lives?

The Leviathan is one of those books that captivate you from the start. The two stories are narrated perfectly and blend beautifully. Scott Westerfeld is a veteran author who knows who to tell a story. Alek and Deryn are perfect heroes, with thoughts and feelings and fears as real as my own. Unlike most girl-disguised-as-a-guy novels, that isn’t really the main issue. Deryn is a smart, strong character who doesn’t think “woe is me, someone might discover my secret!” all the time. The action is in-depth and real. And the whole time, I rooted for Alek and Deryn to fall in love, despite their differences and the fact that Alek thought Deryn was a boy. Leviathan has you constantly engaged, whether over the constant action, suspense, or promise of romance.

Exile

(Warning: this book is a sequel to Aurelia and may contain some spoilers on the first book.)

The murderous plot is over. The villain is exposed. In most cases, the words “Happily Ever After” are expected to come. But not for Aurelia.

While she is no longer in immediate danger, the feeling of fear is still there. She is living in constant danger, on the run from her family with the only man she can trust, Robert. Nightmares and visions of what happened a few months ago still haunt her. Her family tried to kill her. She is no longer the crown princess. Everything she loved and cared for is gone, leaving a numb feeling. The only thing she has is Robert.

But soon a new issue arises. The land she travels is wild and unruly, much like Robert’s stallion, Horizon. Soon Aurelia gets a glimpse of life outside the palace, and it hits her hard and fast. You can be sure to expect plenty of action in this book.

And even though Aurelia may not be living at the palace, her duty rests of her heart, keeping her from unlocking her true feelings for Robert.

For Robert, the trip isn’t a picnic, either. Plagued with the memory of killing his cousin in order to protect Aurelia, he can’t shake the guilty feeling. Aurelia is numb to the world, and scaring him. He has to protect her, not only as his duty to her but as his duty to his heart.

Together they travel through uncharted territory, struggling to survive the natives and the threats of assassins. Assassins who will finish the job this time.

Exile is a fast-paced, thrilling novel that is just as demanding and addicting as the first. Aurelia and Robert spring off the page with life. Their emotions are so fresh and raw, truly electrifying to read. Literally. There were multiple times where I literally got chills. This book is a great read for anyone and everyone, from romance lovers to the greatest action adorers.

Honestly, I hadn’t planned on reading this book. After I finished Aurelia, I thought it was finished, just with a very bittersweet ending. I actually put the book on my shelf and forgot all about the possibility of a sequel.

Fast forward to a few weeks ago. I was in a bookstore (naturally), looking for a new book to read. My eyes scanned the bookshelves before they stumbled upon a beautiful cover. I was actually drawn to it because the girl on the cover looked familiar. Too familiar. I turned to the back, and of course, it was the sequel to Aurelia. Of course I got it, and devoured the novel in a few hours. I couldn’t put it down until I finished the last page. This book is addicting. It’s food for the soul. As much as I loved the first book, this one has to be my favorite.

In most stories, the author never talks about the aftermath. How does the hero feel after killing the villain? What about the penetrating numbness of remembering that last fight? In this novel, Anne Osterlund focuses on Aurelia’s emotional sense. She brings back the action and the romance, but what captures my attention the most is the heart and emotion. It’s very messy and blunt. It amazes me how real these characters and their feelings are.

I would recommend this book to anyone, though I would suggest reading the Aurelia first, another great novel. You don’t have to read it before Exile, but things might make more sense.

Just try reading this book. I dare you to try to put it down while reading. I doubt anyone could.

Chasing Lincoln's Killer

            April 14. The year is 1865. Thanks to President Lincoln, slaves are free, the civil war is over, and the country is once again whole. Who could blame the man for wanting to celebrate? Who would know that while the president convinced his wife to accompany him to a play, a killer lurked at the theater, waiting for the president of the United States to fall into his carefully plotted trap?

            The time is 10:00 p.m. The place is Ford’s Theater. The play is Our American Cousin, currently the most famous play in the nation. But soon it would be famous for a completely different reason. It would become famous for the play being preformed while the nation most beloved hero was killed.

            At exactly 10:15 p.m., a gunshot went off. No one heard. Thanks to knowledge of the play, the man who pulled the trigger knew that at 10:15, the crowd would be laughing too uproariously to hear anything. Even a gunshot.

            We all know what happens next. Lincoln’s murderer, renowned actor John Wilkes Booth, leapt from the balcony, catching his leg on the banner, but he managed to land on the stage and shout, “Sic semper tyrannis,” Latin for “Thus always to tyrants.” He dashed out the door and jumped on horseback in time to safely escape.

            But does anyone truly know what happened next? In Chasing Lincoln’s Killer, a distilled version of the bestseller Manhunt, author James L. Sawnson goes into riveting detail of the twelve-day manhunt following the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Not only is this book action-packed and exciting, but I think the best part is that it’s a true story. From every line to every detail of a uniform, the facts are straight and perfect. I usually don’t like nonfiction, but this book is absolutely perfect. After reading this book, one can not only truly say what happened at 10:15 on April 14, 1865. A reader can also relish in the adventure of the following twelve days the world seems to forget.

The Bad Beginning

            You will notice that this book is not entitled The Littlest Elf.

            There is a very good reason for that. First of all, nothing in this book even closely resembles an elf, or anything elf-like. Secondly, The Littlest Elf is a happy story filled with singing and dancing helpers of Santa who happen to be vertically-challenged, while The Bad Beginning is a terrible novel filled with terrible people who do terrible things to three smart and resourceful children.

            You will also notice that this book begins with a warning, which you’d better heed if you value anything in this life we are given. This book should not be called The Bad Beginning. The words “the” “bad” and “beginning” placed in that order infer that there is only a bad beginning. But no. There is a bad beginning, a bad middle, and a bad end.

It all began on a bad morning on Briny Beach, where three children receive word that their parents had died in a terrible fire, and their mansion melted into a pile of rubble. Newly orphaned Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire are shipped off to their relative at the request of their deceased parents, only to find a series of unfortunate events waiting to attack the orphans. Their sly and sneaky guardian, Count Olaf, plots to get his grubby, dirt-under-the-nails hands on the famous Baudelaire fortune Violet is to inherit when she is of age. The children are forced to perform ridiculous chores for their guardian and his terrifying theater troop, receive abuse at the hands of the villainous count, and try to remain optimistic while their life slowly dwindles down the drain.           

 But when things can’t get possibly any worse, they do. The children know Count Olaf is plotting something, but they can’t find out what it is. They must rely on their inventing, reading, and biting skills to uncover their vile guardian’s plot to seize their stack of cash in the bank. But heed my warning: the dreadful, addicting lives of the Baudelaire orphans will compel you to read for days without stop until you have completed every miserable volume.

(Readers looking for happy books...don't look here.)

Flipped

Back of the Book:

Bryce: My mom didn’t understand why it was so awful that “that cute little girl” had held my hand. She thought I should be friends with her. “You like soccer. Why don’t you go out there and kick the ball around?” Because I didn’t want to be kicked around, that’s why. And although I couldn’t say it like that at the time, I still had enough sense at age seven and a half to know that Julianna Baker was dangerous.

            Julianna: What did a kiss feel like anyway? Somehow I knew it wouldn’t be like the one I got from Mom or Dad at bedtime. The same species, maybe, but a radically different beast. Like a wolf and a whippet. Only science would put them on the same tree. Looking back, I like to think it was at least partly scientific curiosity that made me chase after that kiss, but it was probably more those blue eyes.

Bryce Loski’s impossible dream is for the girl next door to simply leave him alone. From the day he moved in, she’s been a thorn in his side. And he cannot shake her, no matter how hard he tries. He’s done every play in the book to try and shake her off his trail, but nothing seems to work. From pitching out her chicken’s eggs every day for a year (wouldn’t want to get salmonella) to dating the popular girl Juli hates, he frantically tries to escape her. But what happens when he realizes that maybe, just maybe, he likes her too?

The second Juli Baker saw Bryce Loski, she flipped. Ever since then, she’s desperate for his attention. But no matter how hard she tries, Bryce just can’t seem to notice. He shoots down every one of her attempts to reach out to him. But as the years pass, her eyes slowly begin to open until she realizes what a jerk he is. Bryce finally seems to take an interest in her, but could she only have flipped for those big blue eyes, not the person within?

Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen is a must-read for teens. This book is packed with laugh-out-loud humor, and the reader will sympathize with Juli’s desperate crush on Bryce, and his desperate need to escape her. Told from the perspective of both next-door-neighbors, the truth of life and love are conveyed through each chapter. The novel Flipped is the perfect fast, funny, romantic, comedic summer read.