Hourglass, the third installment in Claudia Gray’s Evernight series, certainly didn’t disappoint–not until the last few chapters, anyway.

As most people know, I am a huge fan of this captivating series, chronicling the love story of almost-vampire Bianca and vampire hunter, Lucas. With that being said, I was looking forward to the latest book in this series with hopes for an adrenaline-rushing page-turner that could be read in a single sitting. Well, in that department, it certainly met my expectations because I didn’t put it down from start until finish.

Stargazer ended with Bianca joining ranks with Lucas and his ranks of vampire hunters, following a fiery attack upon Evernight Academy. Leaving her parents and friends behind, Bianca chooses a new life with Lucas with the hopes that they will be with his vampire-hunting family and friends to make a life of their own. Happily, in Hourglass, that happens.

When Bianca finds herself exposed as an almost-vampire, she and Lucas must flee in order to escape eminent torture and probably death at the hands of Black Cross hunters. However, more danger awaits as Bianca and Lucas must devise a plan to survive on their own–avoiding rogue vampire, Charity, at the same time. Bianca, who has chosen a human life, rather than becoming a vampire, believes becoming a vampire is the worst fate she can possibly have. However, as extreme plot twists would have it, she’s dead wrong. …» more

If it’s a daring story of survival, self-knowledge, and human limitations you’re after, then The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins, will leave you hungry for more.  In a stomach-lurching combination of Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery,” William Golding’s Lord of the Flies, Gladiator, and even the recently released film, Death Race, The Hunger Games will leave you turning pages, your heart racing madly with hope and worry for the story’s unforgettable heroine, Katniss Everdeen.

When Katniss Everdeen’s little sister, Prim, is called forth from the lottery to participate in The Hunger Games–a televised fight to the death–Katniss willingly takes her place in an act of bravery rarely seen in any district in the conquered remains of North America. Now, Katniss, along with Peeta Mellark, will represent District 12 in The Hunger Games, where no one can be trusted and only one out of 24 contenders will return home alive. Cast out into a wilderness to survive on her own, Katniss is determined make it home; but perhaps the greatest challenge of all is to hold to her own values in the midst of a morally corrupt game of murder, pitting friend against friend and neighbor against neighbor. …» more

Less than one year after the debut of her paranormal romance, Need, Carrie Jones has left her readers captivated with it’s sequel.

Captivate, the second novel in Jones’ series, is the continuation of the story of Zara White, a human/pixie halfling caught in the middle of a supernatural battle she has yet to understand. Alongside her werewolf, pixie-hating boyfriend, Nick; her were-eagle friend Devyn; and her best friend, Issie, peace-loving Zara struggles to solve the pixie problem in her isolated Maine town. However, when  new pixie king comes to town, peace hangs by a thread, and Zara’s actions place those she loves in grave danger. …» more

As indicated by its title, Unconventional, by J.J. Hebert, is certainly not the average novel.  In fact, rather than merely being entertained by a good story, Hebert managed to locate every belief and vulnerability I possess and then challenge it. The result is a heart-stirring journey the reader takes right along with an unforgettable protagonist who eventually develops an indomitable spirit.

Unconventional is the story of James Frost, an aspiring novelist who earns his living as a school custodian. A product of a broken home and stuck in a job he hates, James is plagued by self-doubt and subject to the criticism of others as he works to follow his dream of becoming a published author–a feat that is much easier said than done.  In fact, the only thing going for him is Leigh, whose kind and gentle spirit provides a spark of light in his bleak world.  After suffering rejection after rejection, loss after loss, James is on the brink of giving up hope. However, after a near-death experience, James is  finally shaken by an epiphany–one that guides him through a spiritual journey that proves to be the most unconventional path of all. …» more

While I liked the film adaptation of Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight well enough, I must admit I was a bit squeamish to see New Moon after its debut last week. New Moon is my favorite book of the series, and I was afraid Director Chris Weitz would leave me disappointed. Thankfully, that didn’t happen.

From Bella’s dream of growing old in the beginning to the narrow escape from the Volturi in the end, the film version of New Moon rarely ventured far from Meyer’s book. To be perfectly honest, I, like many fans, am not thrilled about the actor selections for some of the characters, mainly Edward and Bella, which has the potential to ruin all the movies for me. Luckily, the constantly blinking, sputtering, and seemingly mentally challenged Bella from the first film has transformed into the intelligent, pretty, and wounded Bella capable of humor, laughter, and tears. Unfortunately, in my opinion, Robert Pattinson is still over-acting in his role as Edward. In the books, Edward is brooding and vocalizes his difficulty being close to Bella. In both the Twilight and New Moon movies, I wanted him to stop whining and felt the need to smooth the constant wrinkle in his forehead.  I was actually happy he was absent throughout most of New Moon. …» more

P.C. Cast and Kristen Cast have done it again, and Tempted is even better than than Hunted, the last House of Night novel. In Tempted, Zoey Redbird must become the decision-making High Priestess she is destined to become. However, with too many boys bickering for her attention, a manipulative Kalona haunting her dreams, and a secretive Stevie-Ray keeping important information from her, Zoey’s mission to defeat Neferet and Kalona becomes inceasingly difficult.

So…what makes this House of Night novel better than the rest? Zoey’s character. In Tempted, Zoey seems “all grown-up.” After defeating raven-mockers and driving away Kalona and Neferet in Hunted, the days of fighting against Aphrodite in Marked are long gone. Now, Zoey is almost fully marked by Nyx, and all of her friends and followers accept her as the goddess’ chosen High Priestess. With that position comes a lot of stress and a lot of responsibility. Zoey has grown from a boy-crazy teen to a mature young woman weighted with a destiny she never dreamed for herself. …» more

In recent weeks, Laurie Halse Anderson received notice of three attempts to ban two of her books, Twisted, and Speak.  Luckily, both Speak and Twisted survived these attempts and are still allowed to be taught in classrooms in Temecula, CA (Speak)  and Mt. Sterling, KY (Twisted).  However, these attempted bans never fail to remind us how valuable literature is to our nation’s teens.

As a high school teacher in rural Tennessee, I understand parental concerns regarding the appropriateness of language and other content in books. However, what parents sometimes fail to realize  is that life has changed since they were in school.  Rather than shelter their children from the evils of the world, in my opinion, it would be better to be blatantly honest with their children, in order to prepare them for the potential situations they might face–rape, suicide, eating disorders–situations like those found in Halse Anderson’s books.

Speak, one of my favorite books due to its literary quality and presentation of raw truth, is critical for teens to read in that it deals with sexual assault. Halse Anderson beautifully illustrates the physical, mental, and even verbal results of date rape–a very real and prominent issue in teens’ lives. What parents, teachers, and school administrators must realize is that Melinda Sordino’s story does not differ much from those of many girls  in their schools. …» more