Review: Mark of the Thief

Mark of the Thief by Jennifer A. Nielsen
Publication date: February 24, 2015
Publisher: Scholastic

The book, MARK OF THE THIEF, by Jennifer A. Nielsen, is a great adventure story about a boy named Nic who discovers Julius Caesar's bulla, which gives him great power. However, this great power comes with a great cost. When he hears of his enemies' plans to defeat Rome, he and his friends know they must stop it. This is a great, jaw-dropping book that has intense action, comedy, and a little romance. I would recommend this book to ages nine and up due to all the action. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would like to see some of the authors other books, and can not wait for the sequel!

Review: The Third Twin

The Third Twin by C.J. Omololu
Publication date: February 24, 2015
Publisher: Delacorte

As children, Lexi and her twin, Ava, made up a third twin sister, Alicia. Alicia was constantly blamed for the small mischievous wrongdoings that the girls would do. If something broke, if the cookies got eaten, Alicia was always to blame. Now the girls, as seniors, use Alicia in a completely different way. Alicia is their way to date boys that they would never date as themselves. But suddenly, one of Alicia's boyfriends has turned up dead. Lexi is ready to stop being Alicia altogether, but Ava insists on continuing the game and that nothing is wrong. Coincidences start piling up, and DNA evidence of the murder points to one suspect: Alicia; a girl who doesn't exist. Is Alicia real? Or could Ava be a killer?

This book is a total page-turner. The murder mystery and suspense constantly keeps you wondering and curious. The characters are all very interesting, and I like how the narrator is one of the twins. I think that it would have been even better if the book switched perspectives between the twins. I think that this could have increased the suspense and deepened the mystery of the story. Other than this, though, I think the plot and writing are great overall. I would recommend this book for people 14 and over, as there are sexual scenes and references throughout the book.

Review: Inherit Midnight

Inherit Midnight by Kate Kae Myers
Publication date: February 10, 2015
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA

INHERIT MIDNIGHT is about a girl named Avery who races around the world doing challenges based on her ancestor’s past, and competing to win the family inheritance. There is a lot of action in this book, but it is mixed in with a lot of details about her stuck-up family and her love interest, who by the way, seemed very realistic, which I normally find never happens. The bits to do with her family were very relatable to me, even though I don’t think anyone’s family is as full of secrets as Avery’s. Another reason I particularly liked this book is because the main character is such a strong and independent female, who doesn't let her love interest get in the way of her main goal; winning the family inheritance. I would definitely recommend this book for anyone who likes action fiction, but who doesn't necessarily want that to be the only thing they get from a novel. Ages 12 and up.

Review: I'll Meet You There

I'll Meet You There by Heather Demetrios
Publication date: February 3, 2015
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.

I couldn’t put this book down. Heather Demetrios’ vivid descriptions brought the characters and setting to life, and by the end of the story I felt as if I’d grown up alongside Skylar and knew the trailer park town of Creek View inside out. Told over the course of the summer before college, the story follows Skylar as she prepares to move away from all she has known, while trying not to leave behind the relationships and people she loves. Not only is her summer filled with goodbyes, but also with beginnings, such as her unlikely friendship with Josh, the boy she is only just getting to know after many years, who starts working alongside her at the Paradise Motel. Skylar is an extremely relatable character who struggles with trying to stay connected to her family and childhood friends, yet at the same time, desperately wants the independence of beginning her own life. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to enjoy a truly hopeful and uplifting story!