The Hunger Games: Mockingjay

"The Final Installment!"

Bookworm's Ranking - 4 Worms
 

Storyline - Katness Everdeen has escaped from the Quarter Quell and has been taken to the rebel's base. But she has no interest in helping their cause, especially with Peeta in the hands of the Capital. Yet they want her to be the symbol of their rebellion and motivate the fighting. As the rebellion escalates and the Capital become fiercer, she will have to make many choices on what she will do as the fighting rages around her, people she loves being threatened, and freedom on the line.

Author - Suzanne Collins

Publisher - Large Print Press, a part of Gale, Cengage Learning; Published in 2012 by arrangement with Scholastic, Inc (Info from Copyright page)

Age Group - 16 and up

Content - *May Contain Spoilers* Lots of killing. Katniss kills in cold blood once or twice and is unsettled by at least one. She wants to preserve life and doesn't like the idea of treating the Capital people the same way they treated her. Gale is ready to take down the Capital, no matter the cost or way he has to do it. Katniss begins to come to peace and leaves behind the hate and revenge she desperately wanted throughout the book.

Personal Opinion - The final book in the Hunger Games Trilogy and it is a doosy. A lot of killing, not terrible graphic but some of it got to me, and Katniss filled with hatred and revenge. Definitely darker than the first two. I get that people do really feel those things but I wish she had come around to peace for a long time (just within the last few pages) which is what redeemed it a bit for me. I was getting really frustrated with her and even came to a point of not liking her but Katniss seemed to come to a satisfactory conclusion in the end for me. But I did like how, even though they were at war, she believed in a limit to the killing and how where others were going far and willing to act how the Capital acted to over come them. Katniss's respect for life was something I really appreciated, not just for this book but for the whole series. The thing I disliked for the series was how Katniss turned to the idea of suicide as a good means to a problem on multiple occasions. Something about this book didn't grab me like the last two and I wish I had a chance to see Katniss a bit more healed before the book ended.

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Awards - Click here for a list of awards.

Links - Learn more about the series and author here.

Special Notes - Book 3 in The Hunger Games Series
                          The Hunger Games, Review
                          Catching Fire, Review
                          The Hunger Games, Movie Review

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Imagination Station: Peril in the Palace

"Danger Reaches New Heights!"

Bookworm's Ranking - 4 Worms

 

Storyline - Cousins Beth and Patrick are off on another adventure to help Mr. Whittaker save a family member in the middle ages. This time they must obtain a golden tablet from Kublai Kahn, emperor of China. As they face Mongols, a Chinese Emperor, Shamans, and meet Marco Polo, the must not be afraid to tell of their God and use their wit and knowledge to achieve their goal and get out of there. Before they are stuck for good.

Authors - Marianne Hering and Paul McCusker

Publisher - Tyndale Publishers

Age Group - 8 and up

Content - *May Contain Spoilers* The cousins are met with challenges of their faith and mission but they don't let it daunt them or keep them from what they need to do. They do not shy away from their faith but speak honestly.

Personal Opinion - Since this book isn't meant for my age group (which I was aware of before starting it), I was able to read it within 45 minutes - 1 hour, but it was a good hour. Well developed in all aspects, this book is great for elementary kids who want to have a little history, adventure, and Jesus in their books. My only complaint is that a couple of parts could have been developed a little more but considering the age range appropriate for this book it might have only confused or lost the reader. Still, I'm completely happy with this book and would love to share it with someone in the correct age group for the book.

Since this book isn't meant for my age group (which I was aware of before starting it), I was able to read it within 45 minutes - 1 hour, but it was a good hour. Well develped in all aspects, this book is great for elementary kids who want to have a little history, adventure, and Jesus in there books. My only complaint is that a couple of parts could have been developed a little more but considering the age range appropriate for this book it might have only confused or lost the re

Buy -Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Publisher, Focus on the Family,
Links - Learn more about the books and authors here. There are also so extra stuff on the site such as a devotional.

Special Notes - This is Book 3 in The Imagination Station books.

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Full Disclosure

 

Bookworm's Ranking - 3 Worms

 

Storyline - Paul Falcon has been hunting a lady shooter, now dormant, for years, waiting for a break in the case that could lead to her arrest. When Anne Silver, a homicide investigate and the MHI, enters his life and hands him the biggest lead to the case in years, not only is he wrapped up in the new lead but also in discovering more about the enigma of Anne. As Paul and Anne begin to get to know one another, mysteries to her past spring up, causing her to step back from considering a relationship with him, and the lady shoot case gets hot. As things climb with the case, politics, and Anne's pass, it will take strength and trust for Paul and Anne to find a life together.

Author - Dee Henerdson

Publisher - Bethany House Publishers, a division of Baker Publishing Group

Age Group - 17 and up

Content - *May Contain Spoilers*  Paul desperately wanted to protect Anne from anything he could, even her nightmares, and was willing to make big sacrifices for her. Anne helps others with no thought to herself or her own gain. Some intense cop cases that Anne deals with as the MHI are mentioned briefly. Paul was really pushy once to Anne.

Personal Opinion - I had trouble engaging this book until I was halfway through. In the beginning, I felt there was way to much little information in both the romance and mystery part. An example is when Paul was giving out orders to his team and I would have to read each order to all or most of the people I never got to know and the orders lasted at least a page. And it happened more than once. Both the romance and mystery were kept apart, almost never branching into each other for that first half so the abundance of little information was within both hemispheres. It didn't seem to tie into each other and bring it together as a whole. But, halfway through, Ann's past started taking a role in the book and I became engaged. I started to enjoy the mystery and romance more. The rest of the book developed well after that but I was disappointed in the ending. It had a nice twist but was too simple. I didn't think this book matched up to Dee Henderson's previous books but that wont keep me from recommending the O'Malley Series and the Uncommon Hero Series (this series was published by two different houses at two different times so it may go by a different name also) with a giddy heart.
 
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Links - Learn more about the book and author at the facebook page and webpage. Also, visit her author website.

Disclaimer - In exchange for an honest review, I received this book for free from Bethany House Publishers.

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Prove It! God

"Got God?"

Bookworm's Ranking - 5 Worms

About - Ever be in a conversation about God and your friend asks you if you believe in God and/or why? Had trouble answering that? Ever been asked that if there is such a loving God, why do innocent people suffer? Or be told that they don't need to be told how to live their life? This book covers those questions and more, each chapter containing a question and an answer using reason, quotes by those who have gone before us, and examples of good ways to approach the topic. Don't be afraid, share with your friend why you believe in God in a honest, kind, and loving way using reason and His word.

Author - Amy Welborn

Publisher - Our Sunday Visitor

Age Group - 15 and up

Personal Opinion - Excellent. Fantastic. Engaging. Well Reasoned. Brought me closer to God and understanding why I believe what I believe. Sometimes I fall into the trap that started this book, "Why do you believe in God." "I always have." Not a very good answer to someone who doesn't believe or has doubts about Him. But now, I understand more and have some useful advice on what to say and how to reason it. I have also fallen into the trap of having to prove it and becoming defensive and heated when discussing these kind of things. The book reminded me to stay calm and how to go about discussing things things farther without attacking anyone. The book did use the words 'absurd,' 'silly,' and other such phrases when stating unbelievers and doubters claim why they doubt God which might turn someone coming to faith off from reading this book. But I loved it and will be recommending it in the future and work on remembering its advice and arguments when discussing these things in the future.

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Links - Learn more about the books and author here.

Special Notes - There are 4 more books to the Prove It! Apologetics.
                          Prove It! Church, Review - Coming Soon
                          Prove It! Jesus, Review - Coming Soon
                          Prove It! Prayer, Review - Coming Soon
                          Prove It! You, Review - Coming Soon

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Swipe Series: Sneak

Bookworm's Ranking - 4 Worms
 

Storyline - Logan is on his own. But the government is cracking down on the Markless like never before. Determined to get to Beacon to find his lost sister, he receives help form fellow Markless as he travels halfway across the country as well as learn of a God no one speaks of since the Total War. Erin is also on a mission. What did Logan find to go crazy like he did at his Pledge? As she digs deeper, she discovers something she never imagined possible. Will Logan find his sister? And, if he does, what then?

Author - Evan Angler

Publisher - Thomas Nelson

Age Group - 12 and up

Content - *May Contain Spoilers* Ready to sacrifice themselves at any moment to help others who were in danger. One crazy couple who want to hurt some Markless. Both the Markless and the Marked stereotype each other with names and generalized ideas but some of them start to see things differently.

Personal Opinion - Wow. Book one was good. Intriguing and exciting situations. Book two is better. I entered the story on page one and every page after that. I got to know the characters even better, they really came alive, and their struggles and mission was something I latched onto. Believable in ever sense, characters, the future world, the government, everything. The Christian elements that also came out of this dystopia was perfectly done. I especially like how it was all underground and there was a Underground-Railroad with Christian symbols to it. The only thing that disrupted the story for me was something with the ending. It wasn't the content but it seemed at the end to give little snippets of events after the main action was over which didn't flow nicely for me. Still, a totally enjoyable book. If I was excited after book 1, I'm psyched now and am eagerly waiting for book 3.

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Links - Learn more about the books and author here.

Special Notes - Book 1, Swipe - Review

Disclaimer - In exchange for an honest review, I received this book for free from the publisher/author through Team Novel Teen.

Tour - 
Team Novel Teen is a group of bloggers dedicated to spreading the word about clean teen fiction. Check out other posts about Sneak by Evan Angler by clicking on the links above, and check out www.NovelTeen.com for more information about Team Novel Teen.

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Serpent of Moses

"Moses Built and Lifted Up the Brass Serpent,

Healing the Afflicted Israelites of Snakebites."

Bookworm's Ranking - 4 Worms

 

Storyline - Jack Hawthorne has traveled to Libya to procure a Biblical artifact long since hidden, and even believed to be destroyed. Unfortunately, he is not the only one looking for it and is captured. After not returning home three days after he said he would, everyone thinks Jack is just being Jack. Until Esperanza gets a feeling more is going on than meets the eye and starts to retrace Jack's steps with her brother and one of Jack's old friend's help. Jack is determined to make out with the artifact, but is it worth the price he might have to pay with his friend's lives at risk?

Author - Don Hoesel

Publisher - Bethany House Publisher, a division of Baker Publishing Group

Age Group - 16 and up

Content - *May Contain Spoilers* People come after and try to kill some of the main characters and others (some people do die but it is not graphic). Jake serious about keeping the staff but has to make a choice when the ones he loves are in danger.

Personal Opinion - The mystery, action, excitement, and protagonist (even the antagonists) were crafted excellently. I was transported into the story, believed every character, and was wondering how everything worked together and was pleased by the result. I was left with a couple of questions in the end but I'll live. Saw a few point-of-view and showing vs. telling errors but having trouble thinking of an example so they didn't make a huge impression. In fact, the only thing I wish was changed is kinda small. On the cover of the book, the Bronze Serpent is depicted and the description in the book says that it has green eyes. I would have loved it if it had the green eyes on the cover. It would have made the cover pop way more than it already does. Lastly, A previous book to this one was mentioned a few times but this can be read stand-alone and understood completely. This book will have a happy place on my bookshelf and I will be looking into Don Hoesel's other books.

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Links - Learn more about the book and author here.

Special Notes - Elisha's Bones, another book by Don Hoesel, has the same characters in it and came before Serpent of Moses but I was able to read and understand everything without reading Elisha's Bones first. They can be read separately in my own opinion.

Disclaimer - In exchange for an honest review, I received this book for free from Bethany House Publishers.

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First Date

"The Last Thing Addy Davidson Wants

is to be on a Reality TV Show

Where the Prize is a Prom Date

With the President's Son."

Bookworm's Ranking - 4.5 Worms

Storyline - Addy is selected to appear on a reality TV show to win a date with American hunk, the President's son. But she wants out. With no way of bailing on the show and her friends and family believing God wants her to do something there, spread His word she goes. All she has planned, though, is to get kicked off as soon as possible. Soon, she meets the presidents son. Who knew that he was so nice and cute. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad to win. But things begin to heat up on the show with the host hating her, the other girls believing she is trying to steal the spot light, and frightened to reveal her belief in God. Can Addy do what needs to be done before the show's finally and her chance is gone?

Author - Krista McGee

Publisher - Thomas Nelson

Age Group - 15 and up

Content - *May Contain Spoilers* Addy wants to share her faith in God but is afraid and tends to be angry with other people with her predicament of being on the show than showing his love. The host hates Addy for some reason as well as the other girls and they make that very clear to her. Addy prays for God to help her in what she is there to do.

Personal Opinion - So I started this book for something more light hearted and simple than my more intrigue, action, lots-of-little-details-that-you-have-to-remember books and found myself in a whirlpool of a charming, engaging, funny book that I couldn't put down. I found myself identifying with Addy in a number of ways; nervous about talking about my faith, shy, tend to think and not respond to the person I'm with. I also loved her friends and could identify with them as well. It was realistic and well put together. Something I didn't like was sometimes events, important events, would get jumped over and recapped latter. I would have preferred reading about them even if they made the book longer but this is definitely a book I have fallen for and will eagerly be searching out this author's next book.

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Links - Learn more about the books and author here.

Special Notes - USA Today Review.
                          Starring Me - Review
                          Anomally - Review

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