The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews
Oct 282010
 

The Witch of Blackbird Pond

Elizabeth George Speare
ISBN: 978-0-440-49596-3
Publisher: Yearling/Random House
Original Published Date: 1958
Paperback: 249 pages
FTC- borrowed from library
For October’s bookclub, we wanted to do something “witchy”, and since it had been MANY years since we are were in junior high, we decided to read this. I didn’t remember much about it when I read it in sixth grade, so I was really excited to read it again. Well, come to find out, I didn’t remember a thing about it, so it was like reading it for the first time. First of all, it’s an amazing story. Kit arrives from Barbados to her extended family in Connecticut in 1687. Her grandfather that she lived with has died and she is an orphan, so she took care of the estate in Barbados and went to Connecticut to live with her mother’s sister, Rachel. (Kit just never mentioned it to them that she was coming). On the Dolphin, she meets Nat, the captain’s son. And John Holbrook who is coming to Connecticut to be a preacher. Those on the ship took her as strange. During the boat transfer, a doll of Prudence Cruff’s fall into the water. Kit, tired of waiting for someone else to help, jumps in and swims to the doll. Goody Cruff, her mother, is not pleased and right away calls her a witch because she can swim. Not a good start for Kit.
After a long trudge up the river, she arrives in Wethersfield. Kit, who is a bit spoiled from her upbringing, finds the town very plain. She gets to her aunt’s house, meets her cousins, and uncle. Matthew Wood and his family live a very pure life. And Matthew isn’t happy with Kit’s seven trunks and all the flashy dresses inside. Right away Kit is put to work, and wonders where the slaves are to help, but she adjusts and starts to get suitors from town. After one hard day, Kit runs off and finds a beautiful meadow. There she meets the witch of Blackbird Pond, Hannah. A wonderful woman, who is very kind, sweet, and also misunderstood. Being friends with her could get Kit in a lot of trouble.
If it’s been awhile since you have read this, or even if you haven’t, it’s never too late. Wonderful story. There are some very funny, and sweet things that happen. And also some frustrating things. Crazy that the witch hunts really happened. I love the ending and the change in many of the characters. My favorite part is when a certain character comes back from war and what he does when he gets back…
4 stars of out five!
Happy Halloween…

The Limit by Kristen Landon

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews
Oct 212010
 

The Limit

Kristen Landon
Publisher – Aladdin
Published – September 2010
Hardcover – 291 pages
FTC FYI- borrowed from library
ISBN – 9781442402713
“The Limit” page 1– An eighth grade girl was taken today.
Whispers and text messages flew through Grover Middle School. They slipped handcuffs on her and shoved her into the back of a van. They shot her with a tranquilizer dart in the middle of the lunchroom. She escaped and she’s hiding in the library-right now-texting her friends.
The girl went to Lakeview Middle School. My cousin goes to Lakeview. He said they called her out of first period and she never came back. An eighth grader! Nobody could believe it. Up until now they’d only taken high school students.
Up until now we thought we were off-limits.”
Imagine a society where the government decides how much money your family can spend. And when you go over your limit, you are faced with consequences you might not be ready for. That is what happens to Matt and his family. Matthew Dunston’s family spent money without any care in the world. Or, without thinking of what could happen if they went over the limit. One day, all that changes. The limit is reached and Matt is taken to the FDRA (Federal Debt Rehabilitation Agency). Sharlene Smoot comes to pick him up. She is a pretty lady, with a voice like honey. Matt, in his mind, calls her “Honey Lady”. (She reminds me of the “mean lady” in the book “The Girl Who Could Fly”, very nice on the surface, but look out if you cross her.) Sharlene explains to him why he is there and what has to happen for him to get to leave. Right away, he is tested and put on the floor that needs his abilities the most. Matt is smart, especially when it comes to numbers. He uses his smarts as a weapon and also to his advantage. Later on something happens that test his patience, not only with the system, but with his own family. The FDRA has a secret, and Matt is determined to find out what it is.
What I enjoyed the most was the bit of humor within such a series subject. The thought of kids being taken away to work off their families debt, even with our current society really doesn’t seem too out there. Still scary though. However, Matt is a funny guy. Easy to like. I loved his pet name for people. Like: Honey Lady, Crab Woman, Gorilla Man… Clever. I really enjoyed the ending. It didn’t end with all the debt magically going away, I liked that responsibility needed to be taken.
I enjoyed this book and give it 3 1/2 stars out of 5. I have not read her other book, but it’s on my list!
Kristen Landon’s “Life in the Pit” is YA. You can buy both books here.

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews
Oct 142010
 


Clockwork Angel

Author: Cassandra Clare
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books/Simon & Schuster Books
Published: September 2010
Hardcover: 478 pages
ISBN: 978-1-4169-7586-1
FYC FYI: Borrowed from library, but will be purchasing own copy.
I read the first three books in this series last year. The series is “The Mortal Instruments” and the books are “City of Bones, City of Ashes, and City of Glass”. “Clockwork Angel” is the first of three prequels. The story is dark, and there is some violence, but that didn’t stop me from reading and loving these books.
“Clockwork Angel” is set in London in 1878. Will and Jem are Shadowhunters. They hunt and kill troublesome demons and help protect mundanes (humans) and downworlders (warlocks, vampires, etc). Shadowhunters have “Marks” on their bodies, that help them fight stronger, heal them, and can even open doors with certain tools. Will and Jem are tracking a troublesome demon, and find a dead girl in the street. She was killed by a demon, and Will wants to find out why… That takes us to Tessa Gray. She is an orphan who’s aunt has just died. Her brother, Nathaniel, sends her a ticket to London and right away, just off the stream boat, she is kidnapped by the Dark Sisters. Mrs. Dark and Mrs. Black promise her that if she behaves, they will take her to her brother. However, the Dark Sisters know Tessa is different. They know she is a shape-shifter. The sisters are training her to use her power and are preparing her for the Magister. Enter Will, who tracks down the pair and helps Tessa…
I’ve been thinking about this next thing a lot since I finished. I think in order to understand and appreciate the story, you should read “The Mortal Instruments” first. The author goes into more detail about the Shadowhunter world. Saying that, if you wanted to start with “Clockwork”, you could. There are just more explanations of this different world in the first three, and I think the characters and this cool world would be understood more with some extra background. What I like most are the Shadowhunters. They are very cool and mysterious.
Cassandra Clare is an amazing author. She truly brings these characters to life and each character is so unique. I will read all of the books in this series, and I’m quite bummed that I have to wait two years for this series to be finished. “Clockwork Prince” will be released in September 2011, and “Clockwork Princess” in November 2012. Some extra good news to Shadowhunter fans… the fourth book in the “Mortal Instruments” series, “City of Fallen Angels” will be released April 5, 2011. (Great birthday present for me :)
Four stars for this book and four for the first three released.
To purchase, click here.

Into The Gauntlet by Margaret Peterson Haddix

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews
Oct 072010
 

Into the Gauntlet
By: Margaret Peterson Haddix
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Published: August 31, 2010
Hardcover: 327 pages
ISBN 13- 9780545090681
FTC FYI: Borrowed from library
I thought since I reviewed 39 Clues #1, “The Maze of Bones”, it would be fitting to review the last in the series. First of all, I really enjoyed this series. It’s a great series for kids, and for anyone, adults included, who enjoy a fun, quick read.
Throughout this series, Amy and Dan Cahill have traveled all over the globe in search of the 39 Clues. In previous books, the kids find out what branch of the Cahill’s they belong to, and in book nine, “Storm Warning”, Amy and Dan learn what the true mission of the 39 clues is. The secret of the “Madrigals” is revealed in “Storm Warning” as well. The other clue hunting teams are still unsure of the Madrigals and what they could do them.
In the start of this book, Amy and Dan are discouraged and scared. They end up in London along with the Holts, Kabras, Alistair, Jonah, and a surprise team that we thought was taken care of earlier. And don’t forget about the evil Isabel Kabra… How are Amy and Dan going to accomplish all that they need to and still try to win?
A couple of the books in series, I gave three stars. However, the last four received four. I really enjoyed how different authors wrote each book. With that we are able to get a fresh voice on the clue hunt. Also, there is a surprise at the end of “Into the Gauntlet” that leads to a whole new set of books. I will read those as well.
Happy Reading Clue Hunters: Purchase the series here

Fallen by Lauren Kate

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews
Sep 232010
 

Fallen

Author – Lauren Kate
Publisher – Delacorte Press
Published – December 2009
IBSN13 – 9780385738934
Hardcover – 452 pages
ftc fyi – Borrowed from the library
This was one of those books that caught my eye with the cover. I’d seen it around for a few months and wondered what the story was about, and I was always thinking that I needed to read it. Then, a couple weeks ago, my friend called raving about this book she finished in one day, she knew I would like it too.
“Fallen” is a book about mystery, questions, and figuring out the past. Lucinda Price is sent to Sword and Cross because she is thought of as a menace, someone who is possibly dangerous. Something happened in her past that even she can’t remember all the details about. In Sword and Cross the reds (cameras) follow you everywhere and you can’t even have your cell phone. Luce meets some bizarre kids on her first day. Many she’s not sure she can trust, but hopes that she can. Yet, the first time she sees Daniel Grigori, there is a hint of recognition there she can not place and things about him she can’t ignore.
I liked most the mystery of it all. Not the mystery of crime solving :), just the figuring everyone out and their intentions toward Luce. Luce is pursued by Cam, a repeat at Sword and Cross. He brings her in and shows her the ropes. Arriane, and Penn are friendly too. They are always trying to get her away from Cam, but why? But, Cam wants her away from Daniel… What will she do and who will she choose? Luce does have some secrets of her own. As she is tries to figure out her surroundings, the past, what happened and why it happened on the night that changed her life forever, she could even be in danger.
I really enjoyed this book. It is a darker story, but I was fascinated by all the characters. Some were spookier then others, and a few have wild secrets of their own. I mostly enjoyed Daniel, figuring him out, and why he did what he did, and why all out avoids anything to do with Luce at first. As I was reading, I felt on edge, with butterflies in my stomach wondering what would happen next. (but all in a good way)
The sequel “Torment” comes out September 28, and I will read that.
4 stars

The Mark by M.R. Bunderson

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews
Sep 092010
 


The Mark

M.R. Bunderson
Published by: Cedar Fort/CFI
Published Date: 2010
Softcover: 278 pages
FTC – I borrowed from the library
“I’m not sure you understand the importance of this decision. The very existence of our people and our way of life stand in the balance.” Marco spoke quietly, but there was no mistaking the passion behind his words.” (page 1)
Tori is a senior in high school. She’s a good student, plays piano, never gets in trouble, and has great friends… she’s every parent’s dream. In class one day she is chatting with her best friend Shae, they are studying the birthmark on Tori’s hand. Tori realizes it’s not just an ordinary mark. But, Shae doesn’t see what she can. Tori dismisses it, and they start going over their double date plans for that evening. Tori is hesitant about the date, but Shae promises that Jon’s best friend, Eric, is worth it. Eric and Tori meet and are instantly connected, in more ways then one. Their connection is based their link to an ancient society. The rest of the book is about how they find and avoid some more of their “people”. Along the way they realize they have gifts that could be beneficial, but also harmful to each other.
Although, I enjoyed the idea of the story, I had a hard time with the dialogue at first. It was sometimes cheesy and a little corny. But, I over looked it because the story itself has promise.
3 stars
If there was a sequel I would read it.
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