Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

The Lunar Chronicles, Book 2

I liked the first book in this series, Cinder, enough to rate it 4 smiles and recommend it to a few people.  This sequel doesn't disappoint.

The plot revolves around Scarlet's kidnapped grandmother and the street fighter who offers to help find her.  Cinder, readers will recall, is trapped in a jail cell and must escape if she is to survive.  The story packs action at every turn.

I think I actually liked this book better than the first.  Scarlet is a character I can really get into.  She is headstrong and loving.  Despite all the things working against him, I even liked Wolf.  Okay, I really liked Wolf.  He's probably one of my all time favorite characters, and I have a lot.  Plus, Cinder is back and she's always entertaining.  The author even threw in a new guy to help us get more of that great sarcastic banter Cinder is so good at.

Overall, 5 smiles.  I can't find fault with it.

On the off chance that Marissa Meyer finds this review, I wanna add one message for her.  Kudos for breaking the "rules" of this business.  YA in third person?  Absolu-freaking-lutely.  Your first novel kicking off a series?  Heck yeah.  I love your guts and ambition Ms. Meyer and I wish you the best of luck!

The Blood of Olympus by Rick Riordan

Don't you hate when a series you've been fawning over ends?  I do.

Again, Mr. Riordan begins with an apology for the last cliffhanger (and apology).  It's cute. For the first time he lays out the prophecy right in the front of the book.  Cool change.  So I'm into it already and it's only the first chapter!  This guy is a master.

I don't want to say much about this book, since it's the EPIC conclusion to what is technically two book series (Percy Jackson and the Heroes of Olympus).  I'll say this much: it's a beautiful, fitting ending to an amazing ride.

5 smiles and if you're a fan of the series...it's a can't miss.

Unlucky 13 by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro

The 13th Woman's Murder Club Installment (no, you don't have to read them all to enjoy them)

I think I finally figured out what bugs me about this series.  I do not have friends like this.  I mean, I have friends.  I have drop-everything-and-run-to-you friends.  But my family gets my 90%.  Lindsay and her crew seem to give job and friends a much higher percentage than family.  Even this book, with Lindsay married with a baby, involves very little time with that family unit.  I find myself paranoid that her (absolutely amazing) hubby will be unhappy.  It irks me.

Anyway, you read these books for the mystery.  It had that.  This one revolves around a case involving the missing lady who fooled them all in a previous book, Yuki's wedding, and a disaster happening to one of the girls.  It's not the best book I've ever read, but it's nowhere near the worst either.

2 smiles (sorry James)

Gregor and the Marks of Secret by Suzanne Collins

Book 4 in the Underland Chronicles

This book starts off quite different than the rest of the series.  Gregor's mother remains below the Earth, Gregor is allowed to freely visit the Underland, and his amazing neighbor finally knows the secret.  The book continues to be vastly different than the previous three, but it is a difference that was needed.  This change makes you realize how similar and yet somehow free the previous tales were. This novel is heavy with future and pressure.  Gregor shoulders it well.

The book centers around the mice from book 3 bringing back the crown they were told to use in emergencies. The crew must travel to find what's been happening in the Underland. The biggest difference is that this all must happen in secret, and there's no prophecy they are chasing this time.

The book leaves you hanging, so you may want the 5th one ready to go.

4 smiles and highly recommended series for your kiddos in 3-5th grades (or higher).