H.I.V.E.--The Higher Institute of Higher Education

Title: H.I.V.E.--The Higher Institute of Higher Education
Author: Mark Walden
Rating: Three Guitars

Sizzilin' Summary:
Otto Malpense is only a teen, but he has already done amazing things. He has taken over the orphanage that is his home, and put the Prime Minister in a bad position. He is also extremely smart for his age, seeming to almost absorb knowledge from books.
These talents are what gets him kidnapped, and taken to H.I.V.E., a school meant for raising super-villains! Soon, Otto and his new friend, Wing Fanchu, and two girls plan their escape from H.I.V.E., which is against the rules, and dubbed impossible.
But even if their escape attempt fails, a new threat arises the night of the escape attempt: a monster plant that will destroy H.I.V.E. unless stopped!

Rockin' Review:
This book was okay. The beginning was okay, but you have to get past the first few chapters. Then there was a crazy drop. We were all ready for the escape attempt, and then (SPOILER ALERT!) it fails! Just when we were all ready for it to succeed, and were prepped for it to succeed, KA-BLAM!!! That was not a wise move. (Spoiler Alert OVER). But then things get quickly better when the monster-plant attacks. That, at least was smart. Get things rollin' fast after a sudden sour note. Good call on Walden there.
Then the end isn't wasn't what we expected, either. But Walden made it understandable, and we end up still liking Otto for his final choice. I also like how we got to know the main characters... though we might have gotten to know Wing, Nigel, and the girls a little better. But, all in all, the main characters were pretty good.

Monster High

Title: Monster High
Author: Lisa Harrison
Rating: Four and a Half Guitars

Sizzilin' Summary:
Frankie Stein is the granddaughter of the original Frankenstein. She is only 15 days old, but she has a teen's body, and has born into a world that hates and fears monsters. She quickly learns this, and of the world of monsters. But when she crushes on a boy from Merston High, things get complicated. Frankie wants the world to change... and a school dance with a "Monster Mash" theme seems the perfect place to start! But things are going to get nasty first... for both her and her monster friends!
Melody is the daughter of famous parents. But she has always felt like the outsider, since she doesn't look pretty, and she has asthma attacks. But after a plastic surgery, and moving to Salem, Oregon, things seem to get better. She even falls in love with her next-door neighbor, Jackson. But then she finds out a monster of a secret in Jackson's family... and Jackson himself!
To add to both girls' trouble, people are now looking out for monsters after a "Frankie sighting". Things are going to get nasty, and quick...

Rockin' Review:
This book was well-written. This book was about the stories of two girls, and they even met time to time, and finally joining together in the end. This was a very good book. I think the author did a good job explaining things, like feelings, and making us feel things. And two stories at once... phew! Nice job, Harrison!
This is obviously going into a series. The last part was exciting, and it obviously was just starting a series. In fact, I wanted the story to go on. I didn't feel completely "full", like I had all my questions answered. But it was a good way to kick off a series.
This book was also unique in the Monster High world. It wasn't like the current Monster High line at all! It took place in the real world. But the change was well written about, and it only made the book more enjoyable. The only major monster teen we don't see is Ghoulia Yelps, but we got to see all the others! In fact, Clawdeen and Cleo are friends in this one, instead of big-time rivals! Nice change!
I really enjoyed this book, and suggest it! It's totally rockin'!!!

On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness

Title: On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness
Author: Andrew Peterson
Rating: Four Guitars

Sizzilin' Summary:
Janner, Tink, and Leeli are the three Igiby children. They have lived most of their lives at a cottage on the edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness in Skree. The and the rest of the Skreeans are ruled over by the Nameless Evil (called Gnag), and the lizard-men, called the Fangs of Dang. All live in fear of the Black Carriage, which comes and takes people away, never again to be seen.
It all starts on one of the best day of the year, the Dragon Festival. The Igiby trio quickly gets in trouble with one of the Fangs of Dang. But their rescue by their mother opens a ton of questions, when she rescues them with a secret stash of jewelry. The Fangs had taken all other jewelry. But now with an angry Fang after them, and secrets behind certain doors in their hometown of Glipwood, the Igiby three are getting curious, in a bad way, and also into big trouble...
But the trouble thickens when higher powers of evil learn that the Igiby family have a connection to the Jewels of Anniera, which Gnag believes hold great powers.
With a secret in their family, things are only getting more complicated for Janner, Tink, and Leeli...

Rockin' Review:
Basically, it wasn't what I expected. Nor was it like any other fantasy I've read in some parts. It was only closer to the end did we learn about the Igiby's connection to the Jewels of Anniera. Other than that, it was about Janner growing older, and basically, life in the town of Glipwood, and how it's starting to crash for the Igibys. It's a little relaxing. It was well-written, and a nice change.
It's a nice combo of comedy and fantasy. There are a couple of jokes, more than you usually see in a fantasy (like "the Nameless Evil called Gnag" was one of my favorites).
I do think something's a little messed up here. In the end, we find out that the Main Character is the son of the King of Anniera, but his younger brother is the heir to the throne! Janner is supposed to protect his brother. Tink is also one of the more main characters in the book, though Janner usually takes the role of the Main Character. In most fantasies, the Main Character is usually next in line to the throne! This change felt too out of whack for me. Once in the while, there is the changing of main characters we look through in the chapter, but it didn't happen as often as in the Ranger's Apprentice, and it was better marked out in the wording of the text.
Other than the action scenes, it was more of a relaxing read. If you want a change in fantasy, but want it a little different, I suggest this book. I felt it was pretty well-written story (and a bit funny), and I enjoyed it.

Ranger's Apprentice Book 1: The Ruins of Gorlan

Title: Ranger's Apprentice Book 1: The Ruins of Gorlan
Author: John Flanagan
Rating: Four Guitars

Sizzilin' Summary:
Will was the only orphan who didn't know who his family was. He had dreams of being a knight, but his small size prevented him from doing that. But all hope seemed lost, he was elected to be an apprentice to the Ranger Halt.
The Rangers are a mysterious bunch who are the kingdom's intelligence service. Will has the natural abilities to be a Ranger. But will these abilities be enough to help him in the future?
For he has a rivalry with a student from Battleschool, where knights are trained. This rival also is having a problem with bullies within the Battleschool.
But the real trouble is coming from the Kalkara, beastly monsters who can freeze someone with terror when they are looked in the eyes. They are killing people for the evil Morgarath, who had failed to take over the kingdom years ago. But now Morgarath is coming back, and with an evil plan to take over the kingdom.
But then the Kalkara target Will's own master, increasing the problems for young Will.

Rockin' Review:
This was a very good book. I can see where this book blossomed into a series, and a famous one at that! The story was well-done, and I highly enjoyed it. The only trouble I had with the book was when it became confusing to who's eyes we were seeing through in the chapter. In other words, it became confusing who was the main character of the chapter once in a while. But that didn't stop me from enjoying the book! This is a book I suggest for reading.

Auralia's Colors

Title: Auralia's Colors
Author: Jeffrey Overstreet
Rating: Three Guitars

Sizzilin' Summary:
No one knew who she was, or what she would mean when the Gatherers found her in a footprint by the river. All knew she was a mysterious child, with mysterious ways. She and the Gatherers lived outside House Abascar, a place where only the very honored could have colors. But Auralia could do amazing things with colors and objects. Those colors amazed many, as well as helped many.
But trouble is brewing inside House Abascar. The Housefolk are getting very upset that the king has taken their colors, and seems to be refusing to give them back. The prince Cal-raven seems to be on the side of the people, but even he is mysterious. Also, there is the threat of the beastmen. With so many dangers, can Auralia even hope to try and restore color to Abascar? Maybe with the help of the mysterious Keeper...

Rockin' Review:
This was one of those books where the story got better as time went by. It started out OK, but it had a great ending for a book starting off a series. It left me with unanswered questions, and a yearning for more. The last part of the book was great, but the rest of the book was so-so. Still, I'll be coming back... Just to find out the answers to the questions this book left me with! Overstreet did a great series ending, answering a few of our questions, but leaving us with a lot of questions still unanswered. My advice for this book: despite the OK start, hang with the book. It gets better as time goes on.

A Spell For Chameleon

Title: A Spell For Chameleon
Author: Piers Anthony
Rating: Three Guitars

Sizzilin' Summary:
This is the first book of the famous Xanth series.
Bink is a normal man... which is the problem. Everyone in the land of Xanth, as well as everything else, has magic, and those who don't by age 25 are exiled. Bink happens to be one of these unlucky folks. Before his 25th birthday, he travels to the Good Magician Humfrey's castle to see if he is really without magic, and if he isn't, what his magic is! He meets new friends and sees amazing things. And then Humfrey says he has magic!
But even then, even Humfrey can't tell what Bink's magic is. For some reason, it is hidden. But the King of Xanth doesn't believe this, and still exiles Bink!
But quickly, Bink is caught up with a plot of the Evil Magician Trent. He also meets the mysterious and amazing girl named Chameleon. But things will get dangerous quickly... even if they get past the wilderness of Xanth!

Rockin' Review:
This book was about average. It only really caught you in the final chapters, and a chapter here or there. I didn't hate it, or really love it. It's one of those books were I suggest reading it when you have time.
But I really enjoyed the characters. I believe Anthony has done a very good job molding them together. They are well-built, and even "felt" real, especially when compared to their backgrounds. They were good characters, and even their reactions to each other are pretty well done most of the times. Some of them could have been done better, but the characters are very well done.
Plus, something really cool: somewhere in the middle, one of the characters says the phrase that is the title of this book. I think that was very cool.

Ninth Grade Slays

Title:Ninth Grade Slays
Author:Heather Brewer
Rating:Four Guitars

Sizzilin' Summary:
Now the half-human Vlad has to go through high school! But while bullies are a problem, they aren't the big problem. A vampire slayer is after Vlad, and his uncle Otis is on the run from vampire law! Not to mention the fact that an old enemy is once again back, though it was believed he was killed! And there's a vampire thief on the loose, to boot... But not everything seems bad. Vlad enjoys a vacation to a vampire town in Russia with Otis, and meets an old friend of his dad's, as well gets vampire lessons. Plus, he finds a new friend in his best friend/drudge's cousin: Joss. But Vlad still has tons of trouble... especially when he learns of an old prophecy that relates to him!

Rockin' Review:
The second book of "The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod" series helps us see how the series is now really popular. It is a well-done book. Heather Brewer has done a good job doing what an author is supposed to do: make us have feelings that agree with the book. We feel surprised when the character is surprised, is hurt when he's hurt, and there was even a sad part where I almost cried! Brewer also did a good job hiding a secret of one of the major characters, giving me a shock as well as Vlad! But the story behind what this character knows and doesn't at times is confusing, even though it is "kind of" explained. All in all, I think this is a good book, and recommend it!