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

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Dragons of Starlight: Liberator

"The Time Has Come"

Bookworm's Ranking - 4 Worms
 

Storyline - As the disease released from Exodus ravages the humans, Koren, Jason, Elyssa, Randall, Tibalt, Arxad, Alpha, and Magnar not only have to find a cure before it kills every human then spreads to the coming army, but must also find a way to over come Tashin and the released Benefile. It is time for the prophesy to come true. A Starlighter must make the ultimate sacrifice. But who will surrender themselves for freedom of the slaves?

Author - Bryan Davis

Publisher - Zondervan

Age Group - 15 and up

Content - *May Contain Spoilers* The characters were ready to die to save one another, human and dragon alike, to free the slaves. Lots of killing and deaths.

Personal Opinion - Selfless love and sacrifice, adventure and action, dragons. What more could a girl ask for? Jason, Elyssa, and Koren are fighting to free the slaves from bondage still, with the climax coming up, as they also learn to set themselves free from bandages that don't have physical chains. They also learned to turn to the Creator in their time of trials and to trust in him. There were only a couple of things in this series that I felt was strange and thought it could have been a little more climatic but this was a good ending to a series that I followed from the beginning. Love this cover too. I don't know why, but it keeps catching my eye, causing me to stair at it. I think it is my favorite cover at of the series.

Video - This is for book 1

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Links - Learn more about the books and author at this website and blog.
Special Notes - Book 1 and 2, Starlighter and Warrior, Review
                          Book 3, Divinor, Review
Other books by this Bryan Davis reviewed on Bookworm:
                          Dragons in Our Midst Series, Review
                          Tales of Starlight: Masters and Slayers, Book 1, Review

Disclaimer - In exchange for an honest review, I received this book for free from Zondervan through the Z Street Team.

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The Last Temple and GIVEAWAY

"The Beast is Dead,
Yet Lives On."

Bookworm's Ranking - 4 Worms

Storyline - Vitas is able to leave is slave disguise behind and continue his quest in conquer Nero, the man who threatened his wife and lead him to his current predicament. Unrest and rebellion is happening in Jerusalem, causing Roma to take up arms against the city. Can Vitas understand the Revelation the disciple John left him and come to the Christos who his wife serves so faithfully? Can he save the Temple from destruction by Roman hands?
Author - Hank Hanegraaff and Sigmund Brouwer
Publisher - Tyndale House Publishers
Age Group - 17 and up

Content - *May Contain Spoilers* Nero is a creep and gave me the shivers just mentioning some of the stuff he did. Something gross was mentioned almost every time he was (that is all I can say if I want to keep this blog post PG-13). Vitas had much hate for Nero because of what he tried to do to his wife so Vitas carries desires for revenge with him. Many spoke of God and the new Christians, giving advice when needed. Vitas yearns to have the faith of those people. Many are invited to comit suicide instead of being executed. Vitas tries to do the honorable thing in all situations and is faithful and loyal to those he loves.
Personal Opinion - Before reading this book, I had heard only two interpretations of the Book of Revelation. The dominate one I heard was the end of the world for us and it hadn't happened and the Left Behind movie (I also heard Catholics don't believe in the Rapture theory so I never thought about that one much). I had also heard that there was a theory that Revelation was about the 2nd fall of the Temple. I didn't know much about that event so I just listened and had no idea what I thought, founding Revelation confusing but willing to hear the theories. After this book, I might be more inclined to the Revelation prophesying the fall of Jerusalem but will still study the different ideas.

Now about the book. The story really pulled me in. Vitas was a sympathetic, honorable hero that I just connected to. He, as well as all the other characters, was well developed and realistic. The building of the story as also good, slowly working up to the exciting, action parts and mystery unfolding just enough to keep the reader wondering what was going to happen. There were times I got confused and didn't understand all the connections but the intricacy kept me involved. I was almost not happy with the ending. The action went really close to the final page and I thought there wouldn't be enough time for a wrap-up. But, it was done beautiful and left with some hope for the characters in the future.

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Special Notes - This is Book 3 in a series.
                          Book 1, The Last Disciple, Review - Coming Soon
                          Book 2, The Last Sacrifice, Review - Coming Soon

Disclaimer - In exchange for an honest review, I received this book for free from the Tyndale Blogger Network.
GIVEAWAY - Courtesy of the publisher, I receive a certificate to give to one blessed winner to receive a copy of The Last Temple by either go to their local Christian retailer with the certificate to redeem or sending to Tyndale where they will mail the book. This giveaway is only open for a week because the certificate expires on October 1, 2012 so I want to get this to the winner as soon as possible. The winner has 24 hours to respond to the email I send out announcing that they won before choosing a new winner if I don't hear back from them. Enter using the Raflecopter below and please read the Terms and Use before entering. Good luck to all who enter and make sure you chew on a good book today. :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Crystal Lies

"A Son's Addiction.
A Mother's Heartbreak.
A Family's Crisis."

Bookworm's Ranking - 3 Worms

Storyline - Glennis had the perfect life. An attorney husband, a daughter with a full ride through college, a loving son, a house in a nice neighbourhood, and an expensive car. Then her son, Jacob, starts using drugs. As she tries to help him, her marriage falls apart and she is blamed not only for her divorce but accused of enabling her son. As Glennis seeks help and adjusts to her new life in a crummy appartment, she wonders where God is in this, why it is happening, and how she can truly help her son.

Author - Melody Carson

Publisher - WaterBrook Press
Age Group - 16 and up

Content - *May Contain Spoilers* Glennis's son uses drugs. She fights to help Jacob but has a hard time doing what needs to be done. Jacob's dad yells at him and shakes him once, later threatens to have him arrested. Glennis sticks up for herself and finds a way to heal and continue on.

Personal Opinion - The storyline was good and interesting and the characters seemed true in my opinion but it was they way the story was told that made me not like it very much. The author gave the information straight forward which kept me from fully feeling the events and emotions in the story. It also dwelt a long time on the woman's divorce in the beginning and, when we got to see her interacting with her son, I wish there had been more to it in the end. It did pull at my heart strings during the marital stuff because I know people who have been through those tough divorces or those kind of people around them. I also have an appreciation for the ending. Despite the fact I pray, I still worry and try to control things on my own, like Glennis did, so that really taught me something in the end.

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Special Notes - Read my other reviews of Melody Carson's books:
                         On the Runway: CIAO Review
                         The Secret of Samantha McGregor: Bad Connection Review

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Wild Orchid

"Once Upon a Time" is Timeless

Bookworm's Ranking - 4 Worms

Storyline - Mulan has only ever wanted to please the father she never knew, the mother so doesn't even know the name of, and to be free to fallow her heart. When one of her wishes come true and finally meets her father, her world forever changes. But just when she is finally getting the chance to know him, the Huns have returned to China and her crippled father is called by the Emperor to fight. Mulan cannot risk loosing him, her only family, again, so she does the only thing she can do to save him. She goes in his place.

Author - Cameron Dokey

Publisher - Simon Pulse

Age Group - 14 and up
Content - *May Contain Spoilers* Mulan and her friends want to be themselves and do what they wish, but are willing to lay that aside to honor their families. Lies to get into the army. Loves her family and friends and wants to help them and take care of them. Prays once or twice to the gods of China.
Personal Opinion - Wild Orchid, a retelling of the Ballad of Mulan, had me hooked every page and couldn't wait to see what happened next. There was a poetic feel to the writing of the story, especially when Mulan was giving some wisdom she learned. It was a light read but the traditions of China were brought in nicely where I got to see the what was appropriate for girls and boys of the time and Mulan's struggle with what she wanted and honoring her family with doing what was expected of her. It did take a while for the story to get to Mulan pretending to be a boy in the emperor's army but the events leading up to it brought me into her struggles of her life. The bad thing about how long it took her going into the army was that the battle and romance happened a little fast. Some author's spend a long time in battle scenes which I don't always like, but this one felt too short because the emphasis of the story of Mulan is that she pretended to be a boy and saved China. Also, she fell in love quickly with her guy but I only got a short time to get to know him. Never read the Ballad of Mulan so I don't know if this is accurate to the original poem or not. The only other thing I had wanted was a pronunciation guide for the Chinese names because I'm sure I slaughtered many of them. But the romance, intrigue, characters, and emotions of the story were wonderful and I will be reading more books by this author.  

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Special Notes - The Storyteller's Daughter by Cameron Dokey Review

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