Heist Society- Carter

Katarina (Kat) Bishop wants to leave the family business.  She is ready to start living the life of a "normal" teenager.  Just when she thinks she's made a clean break, she gets dragged back in and the stakes are higher than ever.  You see, Kat's family business is crime and her father has been accused of stealing several famous and very expensive paintings from an evil man.  If the paintings are not returned within two weeks her father's life is going to be in danger.  The problem is Kat's father claims he didn't do it.  How will Kat find the paintings, get them returned, and keep her father safe?  It is time to call for reinforcements.

This books is full of unexpected twists and turns.  It reminds me a little of the movies, "Ocean's Eleven" and "Casino Royale" because the characters don't fit our usual stereotypical criminals.  Oh and guys....don't let the cover fool you.  Just because there is a girl on the cover it doesn't mean it is a "girl" book.  Think Julia Roberts in "Ocean's Eleven" and who could forget all the fabulous Bond" girls. 

Skullduggery Pleasant-Landy

Stephanie Edgely was unaware of just how much her life was going to change as she sat in the lawyer's office that day. Her uncle had passed away and she was there to hear the reading of his will, not that she expected to gain anything, but because she had been requested to attend. Stephanie was curious about a stranger in the room who must of been a friend of her uncle's because he certainly wasn't family. As it turns out Stephanie inherits her uncle's house and that is where her troubles begin. On the first night she decides to stay there alone someone breaks in and threatens to harm her. During her struggle to get away she hears the front door explode open and the stranger from the lawyer's office comes in and sends the intruder running. The stranger, as she later finds out, is Skullduggery Pleasant, a well dressed, living-dead, wizard-detective who knows a little something about the intruder's reason for being at the house.

As it turns out there is a war brewing between to opposing forces and the evil "Faceless Ones" are gaining strength which would be very bad for Stephanie, Skullduggery, and the rest of the world. The intruder stated that he was after a key so now Stephanie and Skullduggery had a mystery to solve. They need to find the key and figure out how it was going to be used by the evil forces.

I enjoyed the humor in the story and was caught up in the adventure from the beginning. I like the pace of the story and look forward to the next book in this series. I can't wait to hear your opinions of this book!

Mrs. G

Airman-Colfer

If you are looking for a book that will take you on an adventure back in time this is it! The 1890's was a time of Queens and Kings, sword fighting, honor, dishonor, pirates and a time of discovery. Conor Broekhart is a young man who shares a dream of flying with his very knowledgeable tutor. Together, they are working on designs for an aircraft that will allow man to fly. Due to the untimely death of his tutor and the death of the king, both of which Conor is blamed, Conor spends some time in a very tough prison far from home. The story is well written and the pace keeps it interesting.

I took this book with me on vacation and could not put it down! The author, Eoin Colfer, is also known for his Artemis Fowl series.

39 Clues: One False Note-Korman

39 Clues: One False Note by Gordon Korman is the second book in the series. This story picks up with Dan, Amy and their au pair Nellie in Europe. The note reference in the title lets you know that music is the focus for their next clue, specifically the music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. It is another well written adventure that keeps you looking over your shoulder for the next bad guy (or relative) as you try to help Dan and Amy fit the clues together. I like that mini history lessons that are woven into the stories as well. Did you notice the new author on this book? Book 3 is due out soon and it is also written by a different author. Interesting concept.

39 Clues: Maze of Bones- Riordan

39 Clues: Maze of Bones- Riordan
Interesting concept of plotting greedy family members against one another in a scavenger hunt for the ultimate inheritance pay-off after a loved(?) one's death. Amy and Dan were especially close to their grandmother and therefore are considered favorites in the race. They are confronted by back-stabbing relatives, a mystery man, and an arsonist in the first book alone. The 39 Clues series is slated for 10 books. It will be one to read!

Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy- Carter

Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy
Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy by Ally Carter. Cammie Morgan attends school at the Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women which sounds like a boarding school for privileged girls, but really the girls are in training to become spies. Things change at the school when a class of boys from a boy's spy school are invited to take classes with the girls. The story is fast paced and Cammie is very interesting as a main character, even if she gets a little confused in the romance area.