Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Holy cow!! I just looked online to see how many books were in this series thinking it was only three, yeah, we're talking about a good 6 books if not more and I've only read the first. Now I just have to mention that most books I've been reading are in a series and it's fun, but I am getting a little tired of series that last more than 3 books, especially if it's close to 7 or more like Artemis Fowl, Rangers Apprentice, Leven Thumps, etc... The only exception was Harry Potter since that was my first real series to read when I was in high school. Anyway. I've been trying to steer clear of Vampire books since it is almost embarrassing to read Vampire related books after the huge success and publicity of the Twilight series. I really liked that series until everyone got obsessed with it after I had read them already. Yeah, kinda ruined it along with the movies and my english major husband telling me that the writing is very plain and there are no details so of course I now notice whether a book is simple or complex. Sort of ruined the whole reading experience a bit for me, but I still like it.

I picked this book up since all my other books are on a long hold at the library and this one was ready to pick up. I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed reading this book and it had been a while since I've read a book I had a hard time putting down. If you noticed I'm posting this the same day as the Sorcerer's Apprentice. That's how quickly I read these two books. This isn't like Twilight in any way. You have the good Moroi who are one with the environment, vampire people who feed every day off of feeders who are humans that willingly let them drink their blood since they get a high when they get bit. Most feeders are people who were into other drugs and stuff and are recruited to be cared for in return for their blood. They get addicted to this high. Then you have Rose who is a guardian to the Moroi since the Moroi are hunted by the Stigoi (Moroi turned evil vampires). A little crazy, but it works. Rose and her Moroi friend Lissa attend the Academy where they learn to harness their unique gifts or powers for their role in life. Rose and Lissa share a unique bond that allows Rose to enter Lissa's mind and see and feel what she is feeling at the moment. Someone is threatening Lissa and Rose protects her and saves her during this book. I'm curious to see how they can get so many books from this first book, but hopefully the rest are good as well.

The Sorcerer's Apprentice by James Ponti

I hesitated to read this book, but the previews for the movie actually looked pretty cool so of course I had to read the book. It is an incredibly short read and I finished it in two days (that's with kids and a husband interupting me). It was fun to read, but not really in depth or incredibly entertaining. It's the classic story of a nerdy kid who finds out he's a sorcerer but tries to not believe it. You have the good sorcerer that has locked the bad sorcerer's in a doll that the kid accidentally lets out and now is forced to save the world and gets the pretty girl he has been crushing on since 5th grade. It's not a book to buy and read again, but if you just want something short and quick to read for fun it's a good pick. Unfortunatly, once you start getting into more in depth books, these short, basic books are hard to really enjoy.

A Bride Most Begrudging by Deanne Gist

While on a trip with my sister-in-laws this past weekend I finished the one book I had and had to borrow this book from my sister-in-law so I had something to read. I'm always a little hesitant to read romance looking books since some are decent and some are just annoying. I enjoy a romance novel now and then and am glad I got to read this book. Hopefully other Deanne Gist books are just as good as this book.

Constance is a noblemans daughter from England who finds herself kidnapped and sold as a bride-to-be in the Americas. Of course no one believes who she is since most bride-to-be's are prisoners from England sent to America to carry out their sentence. Drew is a hard w0rking farmer planning to make his place into a plantation and is in town to buy servants to help him and retreive the bride-to-be that his brother has brought for him. Drew wins Constance in a poker game and finds himself with two brides. Of course the counselman are not happy about this and forces Drew to marry on of them. Mary, the other bride, is actually married and so Constance and Drew find themselves married. Of course they find themselves falling in love as the story goes but each struggles with their own doubts about the others true happiness since Constance knows nothing about working and Drew doesn't believe a noblewoman would want to stay. It doesn't have just sappy romance the entire time, but has the settlers fighting Indians, overcoming sickness, and trying to not get too embarrassed at a Christmas dinner.

Rebel Island by Rick Riordan

I loved the Percy Jackson books and had to try some other of Rick Riordan's books. He started out writing books like Rebel Island before moving to some teen literature such as the Percy Jackson books.

Tres Navarre is a retired detective who has just gotten married to his pregnant wife. His brother convinces them to spend their honeymoon on Rebel Island for old times sake. His family used to take vacations to this island when he was younger. He agrees and runs into an another detective who is known for having his suspects conveniently die because they tried to run away. They arrive with a Hurricane coming in and that night the detective dies. Riordan writes from different perspectives instead of just Tres's point of view. This really helps keep you confused until the end who the real murderer is since each person has some sort of score to settle. All strangers on the island are somehow drawn together and trying to hurt someone or trying not to be hurt. It's a fun read especially if you like mystery books.

The Candy Shop War by Brandon Mull

We love Brandon Mull, author of Fablehaven. If you haven't read Fablehaven or any of Mr. Mull's book, you need to. His writing is entertaining and always fun to read. The Candy Shop War was not a disappointment like some authors who tend to have one good series, but fail to continue with other good books. You follow 4 young kids who become friends with a Candy maker who makes secret candy that makes you float in the air, become unbreakable, and breath fire to name a few. In order to have access to these mysterious candies, Nate, Summer, Trevor, and Pigeon have to do unusual requests such as break into museums and dig up graves. Each successful endevour is rewarded by Mrs. White, owner of the Sweet Tooth. Soon they realize they are in over their head when they are given the order to kill Mr. Stott, an ice cream truck driver that happens to also be a magician. Who can they trust since both are trying to find the treasure and then there's also a mysterious man that keeps showing up and coming after them. How can these 1o year olds stop this war and reclaim their friends and family who have eaten the white fudge that makes them oblivous to everything around them?

Princess Academy by Shannon Hale

Looks and titles can be deceiving. Seriously, look at the cover of this book and read the title. Who would really want to even consider reading this book. Obviously I did and I'm glad I took the chance. I kept seeing this book on reading lists and on 'customer's who read/bought this book also liked..." You have Miri, a young 14 year old who lives in a poor mountain village that mines linder (stone). No one in the kingdom thinks highly of this territory because they are not a province in the kingdom and therefore do not have any nobles or educated people. When it is time for the prince to marry, by tradition, the priests read the stars and determine which area of the kingdom the new princess will come from. Of course, Miri's area is chosen and since there are no ladies, the Princess Academy is formed and all girls 12-18 must attend. There are 20 in all and they are taken from their homes and forced to live in this academy with a very strict and mean teacher. You follow the girls throughout the year as they learn about all aspects of being a queen and competding against eachother to be the star academy princess and be the first to dance with the prince. There's love, fights, and kidnapping that keep the book interesting.