In the Hand of the Godess

Title: In the Hand of the Goddess

Author: Tamora Pierce

Rating: Four Guitars

Sizzilin’ Summary:

Now Alanna has to survive being a squire! It helps that her best friend, and one of the few who know her secret, is the knight in charge of her (Prince Jonathan). But things are going to get dangerous, since Duke Roger’s still around. The Goddess has come and given her a special amulet and a companion cat that gets named Faithful to help.

But it’s going to take a lot to save the kingdom…

Rockin’ Review:

Wow! I expected a lot more from this book. It wasn’t as wonderful as the first Alanna (Song of the Lioness) book was. There were some story glitches that were a little confusing… at least one ploy that became super-transparent for what it was for (though it shouldn’t be)…  but the major trouble was relearning many of the characters. It had been a while, so I had forgotten some of the characters, and the book didn’t do a great job re-introducing them. I’m not sure that I know all the characters now! That made things less enjoyable. It was still a pretty enjoyable book, but not the wonder I suspected.

So read this book if you’ve read the first one recently, or re-read the first one again before reading this one. If you do either of these things (or have a super memory), this book is worth getting anyway, but don’t expect a wonder like the first one.

The Cat Who Went Underground

Title: The Cat Who Went Underground
Author: Lilian Jackson Braun
Rating: Three and a Half Guitars

Sizzilin' Summary:
Qwill and his two cats head for Mooseville for a summer vacation. During that vacation, he decides to add on to the current cabin, and learns of underground builders (and an underground crawl space while dealing with the cabin's problems). But things are due to go awry, like it usually is with Qwill and Koko...

Rockin' Review:
This was not the Cat Who series's finest. It was mostly average throughout, with barely any excitement and/or mystery (there was some, however). Things picked up near the end, when Mrs. Braun actually started focusing on the mystery. She promised it, but never started focusing on the mystery until the last few chapters! Once we got there, however, the book went four-guitar. But most of it was average... it was well-written, but the enjoyment level was only average, however.
And I don't think I care for the change: Qwill now looking and making decisions on horoscopes! Part of it is honestly the fact that I'm a Christian, and believe that horoscopes are forbidden junk that tries to play God. It's mostly that, but you could usually rely on Qwilleran on being reasonable and not believing that junk. Koko is a different matter, however... his special abilities are part of the series, so Koko manages to get away with that. But at least Qwill still doesn't believe in UFOs... when are they going to come up with an explanation for the Moose Lake UFO stuff...?
So, all in all, this was only an average enjoyment-level, well-written book with a good ending. Not a book to get for a big banging mystery, but might be worth it if you're collecting the series or like books with really good endings. It's only a little better than average.

Switching Gears

Title: Switching Gears
Author: Ryder Windham with Jason Fry
Rating: One and a Half Guitars

Rockin' Review:
I'm just skipping to the review. In the "About the Author" sections, it said that both of these author had done stuff in the Star Wars universe. And that's where they should have stayed!
This is an unusual report from me, since I'm a Transformers nut, but I'm not so in love to not like something! This book was only decently written.
This book takes place between Revenge of the Fallen and Dark of the Moon (the second and third Transformers live-action movies). I feel like that story has been told. And I had feelings of dread during parts of the book, and that's not good! I honestly considered leaving the book, I was so full of dread. To be fair, it was about average enjoyment when I was actually reading the book (reason for half-Guitar). That's never good! I so did not care for this book!
So if you find the first book of the Transformers Classified series, my advice is... don't even bother!

The Mistmantle Chronicles: Book Four: Urchin and the Raven War

Title: The Mistmantle Chronicles: Book Four: Urchin and the Raven War
Author: M. I. McAllister
Rating: Four and a Half Guitars

Sizzilin' Summary:
Things have been peaceful on Mistmantle Island. But one day, the swans of Swan Isle come to ask for help. Terrible ravens have come and seriously messed things up. King Crispin helps the swans get rid of the ravens...
But the ravens turn their attention to Mistmantle. A terrible war's about to rage. Can Urchin of the Riding Stars and his friends, along with some new faces (and not-so-new, but older faces), win the day? Or will the ravens defeat them all?

Rockin' Review:
The Mistmantle Chronicles have always been one of my favorite series. And this installment in the series was wonderful! It grips you, and you hate it when life makes you put it down. The head-hopping was cleverly done--most of the time, you could tell who you were hopping to. There was some confusing--some was just that I haven't read the series in the long time, and blanked on some of what happened (though that wasn't a major problem). There were some unexplained and confusing things at the very end. But, all in all, this was a great book.
If you find this book, get it! It's totally rockin'!

Invid Invasion

Title: Invid Invasion
Author: Jack McKinney
Rating: Four Guitars

Sizzilin' Summary:
The Invid have invaded, and succeeded where others have failed... the Invid Queen Regis and her horde have taken over Earth and enslaved the population! Admiral Hunter has sent a rescue team to Earth to destroy the main hive--Reflex Point--and save the Earth!
But the Invid destroy the rescue team. Only Lieutenant Scott Bernard has survived, and he soon heads on a solo mission to Reflex Point to save the Earth. Soon, he has a small ragtag team of freedom fighters with him.
Will it be enough on this doomed and changed Earth...?

Rockin' Review:
Ah... back in the part of the Robotech series that I like! This was an enjoyable book, and answer a question or two that wasn't in the anime series. It didn't grip you totally (except for a scene or two in the end), but it was still a good book.
If you find this book, get it! It may not be rocking, but it's good!

The Cat Who Played Post Office

Title: The Cat Who Played Post Office
Author: Lilian Jackson Braun
Rating: Four Guitars

Sizzilin' Summary:
Qwill's now super-rich! As he settles into his new life, and his cats Koko and Yum Yum get used to being rich.
And, as usual, they stumble onto a mystery... that could turn deadly!

Rockin' Reviews:
Now this is the kind of Cat Who I like! It was more enjoyable, and it played with a new plot device. I think it took a little long to finish playing that card, however... but this was a good book.
If you find this Cat Who, get it!