Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

Abraham Portman always told his grandson of the adventures he lived before he became and father and grandfather. His life in an orphanage after surviving being snuck out of Germany during the Nazi invasion. The stories of fighting in the war. Knowing all there was to know about guns, how to camp and survive the wilds. Being able to speak three languages other then English. To his grandson Jacob his life was a legend, the thing that made him want to discover the unknown. But one day Jacob's mother sits him down and explains that everywhere has been discovered and that there is no where left to discovered. Grandpa Portman still always stuck to his story that he could never return to his place of birth, because of the monsters that were after him. And when Jacob asked about the monster his grandfather would explain ones with rotting skin and black eyes. Ones with tentacles in their mouths and strong jaws. Jacob struggled to sleep knowing these tells as any child would. But his favorite stories for his grandpa to tell were of the kids in the children's home that he grew up in. A place to be safe, kept warm where no one ever got sick or died. A place that a bird who smoked a pipe was in charge. A place where peculiar children were kept safe. A girl who flies, a boy with bees inside him and an invisible kid. Jacob struggled to believe the stories until he was shown pictures. Jacob decides on day when his grandpa picks him up that all these stories are made up, and that he no longer believes in them. Life goes on without stories and without nightmares for Jacob that is until he is fifteen. Then there is life only it is now the Before and After. With the strange death of his Grandpa and the strange words he utters as he dies to Jacob, there is no turning back. What Jacob will find is the after...


I LOVED this book.

It has a creepy quality that I loved but didn't scare me to death. I loved the idea and concepts, the pictures that helped tell the story and the idea that there are time travel loops. Days that never end and a chance to do it all over.

Due to the creepy idea behind this book I suggest 14 and up.

Hallowed by Cynthia Hand

Hallowed is book 2 in the Unearthly series for author Cynthia Hand. Seeing Tucker's burnt truck, it is hard for Clara to believe everything that happened was only a few weeks ago. Losing Tuckers truck and horse and Clara saving Tucker. Clara and Tucker  go to the mountain, trying to get some closure. This year is different for Clara as senior she is not a red head, the color will no longer take. She has stunning wavy, gold hair with beautiful red tints in it. She must apply to colleges and hope that she can figure out her purpose. Angela decides that herself, Christian, Clara and Jeffrey are all going to be the Angel Club. And in Angel Club there are no secrets. That way they can learn from each other. But all too soon the dreams begin. The black dress, walking up the stairs holding hands with.... Christian and where on earth is Tucker? Then she puts together that all the friends and family are there for a funeral but who is going to die? And how and why? What does this have to do with Clara? Can she fulfill her purpose?  And in the end, everyone, everyone has there secrets.

This book left me desperately wanting book 3. And saddened to the core. I love the characters, and feel bonded. This is such an amazing book, with just enough twists and turns to leave you continually wanting more.

Recommended for 12 and up. Such a Great read!!!

Angel Star by Jennifer Murgia

Teagan and her best friend Claire have a friendship like many teens. They are close and really only have each other. But Teagan is ruthlessly teased by the class bully Brynn. Brynn even will email Teagan just to torment her. But Teagan just keeps telling herself wait until Brynn gets a taste of her own medicine. But when Teagan decides to skip gym and not go to the nurses office, she heads to the outdoor courtyard. She sits down to clear her head when she is asked if she is ok. Teagan is suprised she hadn't heard a sound  but she looks up to see an unfamiliar face. A tall guy with curly sandy hair, chisled features. No one that goes to her school, could he possibly be new?  He introduces himself as Garreth. He opens his schedule and asks Teagan where Mythology is, just her luck, it's her next class. Teagan and Garreth walk to class together discussing that he is a transfer from Saint Andrew's . Teagan is surprised that she didn't recognize him from football games in the past, especially since they do not live in a very big town. Garreth sits by Teagan in class, avoiding the elites. Claire at lunch teases Teagan that she's acting funny and needs to get a boyfriend like she has, someone like Ryan her boyfriend. At the end of the school day Claire invites Teagan to ride home with her and Ryan in her car but Teagan declines, three's a crowd. As she heads to the bus Teagan suddenly feels like she can't breath, and then hears flapping like wings above her. She starts to loose her footing when she is caught and pulled to her feet, by none other then Garreth. Teagan is puzzled, did the fall really happen or was it just a dream? He asks if they can have lunch together the next day. Teagan accepts and leaves Garreth to ride the bus.Teagan takes time the next morning to get ready for school even attempting to put on make up. Claire teases Teagan as she climbs in her car the next morning, makeup, who is the lucky guy. She also ask Claire if she is crazy because she has been having strange dreams, wings, and she felt a draft. Claire explains Teagan reads way too many vampire books. Teagan is so excited to meet Garreth for lunch but doesn't see him all day, although his car in the the school parking lot. At the end of the day Garreth finds Teagan and explains that the guidance counselor kept him most of the day and he was extremely sorry for missing their lunch date. He asks if he can make it up to her by spending the afternoon together. Although leery Teagan agrees, and off they go. They end up in at a small playground  and swing on the swings. Teagan explains that it is just her and her mom. He asks Teagan if she believes that everything happens for a reason.  That there is heaven. And does she believe in Angels....

Yes....

What does Teagan learn, can she save the day, and what did Garreth give up for love?

This is an interesting story, with it's own unique twists and turns. I didn't fall in love with the characters or the story and I love angels.  I would recommend this as a beginner angel book, but once you've read a few you might be bored.

Appropriate for 13 and up. Young Adult Novel.

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

Gatlin, South Carolina. Where the re-enactment of the Civil War is played out every year. Where everyone knows everyone, whether you wanted them to know your business not they do. Where movies become available to watch on the big screen at the same time the DVD is available to watch at home. That is the place that Ethan Wate lives. Ethan is named after family but doesn't find out until he meets the mysterious girl from his dreams. He doesn't know her name, he has never seen her face, what he does know is she smells like Rosemary and Lemons. In  his dreams he can't seem to save her, every night is the same, she slips out of his fingers and he is awake exhausted wondering how and why this dreams happens over and over again. That is until the day of the storm, everything seems different. And by the time Ethan gets to school he realizes that the hearse he thought he saw was real, the myth of a new girl attending school is true. And most of all, she smells like Lemons and Rosemary. Can this be the girl from these dreams? Why is she here in Gatlin, no one moves here,  this is the kind of town you run from if you are brave enough to leave. Who is this girl and why would she come to this place? And what does she she have to do with Ethan?

I enjoyed this story and the way it was written from Ethan's point of view. I loved the explanation of the south, the history wrapped up in this story for me it helps make a fictional story feel more real. I liked the "caster" idea, and the twists that it creates. When I get a chance, hopefully soon, I will be reading books 2 & 3. I liked that book 1 didn't leave me hanging in desperation, but that I want to know what will happen between Lena and Ethan.

I feel that this book is appropriate for ages 14 and up, due to the history and story. It is quite and intricate story and could be confusing to younger readers.  No sex, or sexual connotation.

Starfire Angels by Melanie Nilles

Raea lives with her aunt, uncle and cousin. Her mother died in a tragic accident years ago, and Raea doesn't remember much other then what she has been told. But what Raea doesn't know is she isn't from this world. She finds out one day that she is different, wings and special powers she never knew she had she also learns that the boy next door is different too. And he was sent here to earth to teach her how to use her unique abilities to protect the starfire, an amulet she wears around her neck. The only thing she has left of her mother. Can Raea use the memories that are being sent to her to avoid her mothers fate? And can Elis the boy next door do his part to teach and protect her?

I really struggled with this book, the story was slow paced. I didn't feel like it had enough substance for the books I like to read. It was interesting, I liked the twist that angels were from another place, I didn't fall in love with the characters so that I wanted to read all the time. I do not plan on reading book 2, even though this is a series. It ended enough for me, especially for how long it took to read and how little I actually enjoyed it.

It is appropriate for 10 and up.

Exiled by RaShelle Workman

On another planet, Venus, escapes her party and takes her cake to her room. But struggles to walk in the door, doors are not something she likes because of what she found as a child. Her best friend was murdered. Once in her room she is so excited as she thinks of the boots she will receive for her quest to become immortal. Something she had been living for, for as long as she could remember. It was the first step in getting ready to become the queen of the kingdom. Amberlee bursts in and gives Venus a necklace as a birthday present. Venus is overtaken with surprise that she gladly accepts. Although this is out of her sisters nature. She asks Amberlee to put it on her, as she does Venus notices that her sister has a strange tattoo. Venus and Amberlee joke about not telling mom about it and they agree. After Amberlee leaves Venus starts to pack in preparation for her quest.  As Venus is packing she notices that she in bleeding by her neck , suddenly she isn't feeling well and it struggling to make it to her bed so that it can warn her protectors that there is a problem. 

Far away, In Colorado Michael has prepared a picnic lunch to tell his girlfriend Cheverly that he loves her, but is saddened when she does not arrive and he sees something that upsets him. He heads home and when he gets there realizes that his drunk of a mother is on one of her rampages, and he will receive the brunt of it, yet again. When Venus awakes she is far from home, she and Zaren her guard have landed on earth. And that is just the start of shocks that Venus will receive, her family is missing, they have been charged with treason and her beloved pet has been murdered and she is being held accountable for his murder. Zaren also informs her that to be able to return to their home she must complete her task of making Michael fall into true love or suffer the consequences. Can she complete this task?

I am not a science fiction girl, actually I HATE science fiction. But I have to say at page 220ish I fell in love with the characters. The heartache, the drama and knowing if she could complete her task. I knew I would be left hanging knowing that it was the first book in a series but this had me wanting more. I am waiting for book 2 NOT so patiently! Great Book a must read for all.

Young adult, I suggest 14 and up due to the graphic murders that occur in this story.

Inner Demons book 2 ... by Sarra Cannon

Harper still can't believe that is now a cheerleader for Peachville High, she is awoke with someone throwing a rock at her window. When she peeks outside she realizes that it is just three of her cheer leading friends. They coax Harper to sneak outside for a secret tradition that all Peachville cheerleaders do. They walk through the forest outside of Harper's home and arrive at a clearing. In the distance is a statue that is so similar to the one at the school Harper is surprised. As Harper walks into the circle of the clearing she can feel the hum of the power, it is so strong she can feel it all throughout her whole body. Remember back at the slumber party the tattoo you saw they ask. Of course Harper can remember, how could she ever forget that. The girls each take turns showing Harper their tattoo's. They explain that getting the tattoo is part of the initiation ritual to be a part of the team. Knowing she has to get a tattoo to be part of the cheer leading team really creeps out Harper. Something just doesn't seem right. She lays on the ground and the girls begin to chant as vile is poked into her skin releasing the fluid that would become her tattoo. When she wakes up she is in her bed surprised by this she climbs out to see what her tattoo is when sees her tattoo she is so upset she can't wait for an explanation. Mrs. King explains at cheer practice that her tattoo is very special an to not worry about it. Then they take her to training, where she will learn to use her magic. Harper seems to quickly catch on. They also explain to her how they are able to learn all the cheers without practicing. Before Harper knows it the pep rally for the first game has arrived. Harper is so nervous, but seeing a boy arguing with a girl catches her attention. She isn't sure why this makes her uneasy but she knows something just isn't right. After the football game they load the bus to head home and Drake asks Harper to go to Homecoming. Knowing that Harper can't afford a dress Lark teaches Harper how to use glamour. She explains that she can't use this but sparingly and no one can ever find out. Harper uses glamour to makeover a dress that she buys at a thrift store to go to prom. Drake arrives in a limo, they go to dinner, then arrive at the prom. During prom a girl is murdered, Harper is so upset, but the part that upsets her the most is the feeling she gets as she watches the boy that seems oddly familiar. It seems like he is speaking to her with his eyes. And that is when she realizes it is the boy who was arguing with the girl that day in the bleachers. So,why on earth would he be looking at her? And what is he trying to say?

I loved this book even more then the first, the more questions that are asked the more twists and turns it takes. It leaves you wondering what is going to happen next and who is the good guy and who is the bad guy... and does Harper really have any idea what she has gotten herself into.

This is appropriate for 12 and up just like book 1!
Happy Reading.