The Ninja Reviews. . .Extraordinary by Nancy Werlin

Phoebe was born into the famous and influential Rothschild family but she feels like its most ordinary member. Always overshadowed by the wealth and power of her family, Phoebe feels powerless to be herself and make lasting friendships. Mallory Tolliver is the new girl at school who is in danger of becoming a laughingstock until Phoebe decides to claim the power her name gives her and befriend Mallory. Four years have passed and Phoebe and Mallory are inseparable.

Mallory was born a faerie princess and has been sent to the human realm on a mission. She must entice a female member of the Rothschild family into the faerie world or all of the faeries face extinction. What was thought to be an easy assignment turns difficult when Mallory becomes too influenced by her Earthly surroundings and Phoebe’s friendship.

Ryland is Mallory’s brother who is sent by the Faerie Queen to succeed where Mallory has failed. His mission is to seduce Phoebe with his glamour and manipulate her into cooperating with the Faerie Queen’s plans.

Is Phoebe destined to be ruled by the prophecy concerning her family? Will Mallory be able to stop her friend from making a terrible mistake? Will Ryland succeed in luring Phoebe and saving his race?

Nancy Werlin has once again created a brilliant story, which weaves together a mystical and human world. It was truly disturbing for me to read the psychological abuse and manipulation Ryland uses on Phoebe in his attempts to lure her. And I totally love the perspective Phoebe has concerning the demise of the faeries and how she relates it to her own Jewish heritage. So if you are looking for a little evil faerie mayhem for All Hallows Eve, give Extraordinary a read!

Review by Angela J.

Other books you might like:

Teen Review by Anaya. . .House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer

This book is very exciting. It will make you want to read the end before you read the reeeaaal good part. It will teach you a lesson, not to ever underestimate yourself. It is a good book for teens, it is also very funny! There are sad times and there are also happy times! One thing that is great about this book is that it leaves you wondering about whats going to happen.

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Thanks for the review, Anaya! Here are three books you might try if you read and enjoyed House of the Scorpion:

Unwind by Neal Shusterman

Star Split by Kathryn Lasky

The Double Helix by Nancy Werline

Book trailers

One of my favorite things when I go to the movies is getting there early so I can see the previews. I love the words COMING SOON. I even have my own system for deciding which movies I will see at the theater and which ones I will wait to see on DVD.

Now, I have a way to see what new books I want to read: book trailers. Book trailers are video previews for books and they are growing in popularity. Authors and publishers post book trailers on their websites. Youtube and GoodReads also post book trailers. There are even some websites devoted to book trailers (Book Screening and Book Trailers). Fans of books can create and post their own book trailers (hint hint- if you are looking for something to do this summer…). So, the next time you are trying to find a book to read, check out the book trailers on-line and “see it before you read it”!

Here are some of my personal favorites:








written by Angela J.

The Ninja Reviews. . ."Impossible" by Nancy Werlin

"Are you going to Scarborough Fair
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Remember me to the one who lives there
She once was a true love of mine…”

Begins the ancient rhyme and classic song that has become a curse to the women in the Scarborough family. At seventeen, Lucy Scarborough discovers that unless she can fulfill the three quests written in the song, she will fall into madness at the birth of her child. Lucy has seen the curse at work in her mother’s life but is unsure if it is mental illness or another darker evil that haunts her. Her loving foster parents and her lifelong friend, Zach, are determined that she will not face her fate alone. Thus begins the race to unravel the puzzle of the rhyme and save Lucy from a timeless evil.

Impossible is an awesome story of love, friendship, and forgiveness. The characters are believable and engaging and will completely suck you into their world. I found myself reading faster and faster as Lucy’s time ran out. A great summer read you won’t be able to put down!

Review by Angela

Here's a book trailer that'll make you want to read it even more!





This book is on YALSA's top 10 nominee 2009 books for teens. You can see the list of nominees here. During August 25 through September 18 you can vote on your favorite and help create YALSA's next top 10 list!