New books to look for! (and drool over)

The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan	The Light by D.J. MacHale	Hell's Heroes by Darren Shan
Living Hell by Catherine Jinks	The Gardener by S.A. Bodeen	Tender Morsels by Margo Lanagan
Destiny's Path by Frewin Jones	Illyria by Elizabeth Hand	For the Win by Cory Doctorow
The Cardturner by Louis Sachar	Little Vampire Women by Lynn Messina	Thirteen Days to Midnight by Patrick Carman
It's Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han	By Royal Command, a James Bond Adventure, book 5 by Charlie Higson	Boys, Bears, and a Serious Pair of Hiking Boots by Abby McDonald

The Ninja Reviews. . .Killer Pizza by Greg Taylor

Toby McGill is an average American teenager who has aspirations of becoming a world-renowned chef but he gets more than food service experience when he is hired by the new pizza parlor in town. Toby is shocked to discover that there is a monster population hiding in his peaceful suburban city and Killer Pizza is the last line of defense. Along with fellow employees, Annabel and Strobe, Toby is taught how to combat the monsters using state of the art weapons and old-fashioned brute force. They may be only teenagers but they are the only hope their town has of escaping the fate the monsters have in store.

This is Greg Taylor’s debut novel and is on the 2010 Lone Star Reading List. His writing style reminds me a bit of R.L. Stine and his Goosebumps series. I enjoyed the developing friendship between the three teens as they go from insecure pizza makers to paramilitary Monster Combat Officers. I also liked how the pizzas all have fun names: Monstrosity (extra large pizza with everything on it), Beasties (little bite sized pizzas), and Vampire Stakes (pointed garlic bread sticks with red dipping sauce). So if you like pizza AND monsters, you will enjoy this reading combo.


Review written by Angela J.

The Ninja Reviews. . .The Season by Sarah MacLean

It is 1815 and Napoleon has escaped from Elba Island and is rallying his troops, but not even the threat of war can dampen the beginning of the Spring Season for the elite English society known as the ton. Most young women look forward to and prepare for their entrance into society for years, but not Ella, Vivi, and Alex.

Eleanor Redburn, daughter of the Earl and Countess of Marlborough, wants only to write novels like the anonymous author of her favorite book, Pride and Prejudice. Vivian Markwell, daughter of the Marquess of Langford, believes that her one true love is waiting for her to find him but realizes that marrying for love is not socially acceptable. Alexandra Stafford, daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Worthington, is angered and confused by the unfair strictures society places on women and wants nothing more than to buck tradition.

These three intelligent and beautiful young women discover that there is more to the life of a debutant than attending balls and soirees when they accidentally discover a spy hiding in their midst. Will they be able to manage their suitors, catch a spy and avoid falling in love?

I have to confess that I LOVE Regency England and I LOVE Regency Romances even more. The glitter of the ballrooms. The one-of-a-kind gowns. The courtly manners. All make for a wonderful escape from the realities of the twenty first century. And since this book combines my two favorite things (Regency England AND Romance) I have to tell you I could NOT put it down. The friendship of Alex, Vivi, and Ella is endearing and vital to the storyline. The desire of the girls to become more than just wives and mothers in a time when that was all that was expected (and allowed) of them presents a dilemma that is not easily resolved. The discovery of a French spy in the heart of the ton creates an enjoyable mystery that will keep you guessing.

Oh, and did I mention there are MANY titled men of the Aristocracy running around in knee britches? I had to save the best part for last! Alex’s three older brothers create a nice comic relief through their teasing and tormenting of the girls. Then there is Gavin Sewell, the brooding Earl of Blackmoor, and all I have to say about him is “YUM”!

The Season is Sarah MacLean’s first YA novel and is a 2010 Texas Long Star book. It is thoroughly enjoyable and a perfect introduction to Regency Romance at its finest!

Waiting on your copy of The Season? Try these:

The Luxe by Anna Godbersen

Sorcery and Cecelia by Patricia C. Wrede

Bewitching Season by Marissa Doyle

Learn more about Regency England here.


Review written by Angela

Penguin Offers Online YA Author Episodes!

Hey there, everyone! :)

Penguin has announced the start of a brand new interactive feature on their website dubbed YA Central; they plan to feature interviews, Q & A sessions, and conversations with current YA authors. They're just getting started, so only three authors are accessible at the moment - Laurie Halse Anderson, John Green & Laura Myracle. Why not stop by and watch an episode or two? You just might learn some interesting new facts about these authors and their books.

Contests!!

If you don't normally read author blogs, you SHOULD because these people are super-fabulous and also crazy because they give away their books and other goodies! There are also a lot of YA Librarians, Booksellers, and Readers who keep blogs and have monthly contests.

Here are some authors and YA lovers currently hosting contests. Just click on the author/blog name to find out more about each contest:

Linda Gerber
Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, Linda will post sporadically about different YA books and their authors. Find an entry with a book you'd like to have, then comment on that entry about your most favorite pair of blue jeans.

Elizabeth Scott
This one involves taking a photo of one of the author's books.

Carrie's YA Bookshelf
May Contest! Leave a comment on the entry to win.

Reviewer X
Epic Contest: The Chosen One - 50 copies available! Leave a comment, email the blogger. There are a few ways to win.

Reverie Book Reviews
Summer Massive Contest!!! Leave a comment, names will be drawn and you can win more than one book.

My Favorite Author
May Contest: Write a 100 word Faerie story.

Free Book Friday
There's a new book to win every week!