The Black Book of Secrets

This is the first book written by F.E. Higgins. Ludlow Fitch is a boy with the misfortune to be born in The City, a harsh, filthy place from the times of horsedrawn carriages. His parents teach him to steal before he can walk, and he becomes an accomplished pickpocket. When they decide to sell his teeth in order to buy more gin, Ludlow flees for his life. His escape delivers him into the company of a strange man, a Secret Pawnbroker.

Ludlow and this stranger set up shop in an isolated mountain village, paying good money for the town's secrets. But what does this stranger want with them? More importantly, what will the town's most illustrious (and bullying) citizen, Jeremiah Ratchet, do now that all his debtors are able to pay up?

This is a great book, sprinkled with the confessions of the townspeople. At the end are several snippets about real activites of the time, including bodysnatching, being buried alive, and even Sweeny Todd. It's a quick read, but so satisfying!

Skulduggery Pleasant, a review by Linda

Skulduggery Pleasant, by Derek Landy (ages 10-12)

Stephanie is twelve years old when she meets Skulduggery Pleasant at her uncle's funeral. Dressed in a long coat and wide-brimmed hat, he is actually a skeleton- and a detective! He helps her escape from strange men who pursue her, and they become partners in a magical journey against ancient evil. There's lots of fun and humor, along with exploding bodies and mad car chases. There are three titles in the series so far- the next two are Playing With Fire (I just read and also recommend) and Faceless Ones.

Flyte, a review by Carson

I think that this book is even better than the first one. One and a half years after Septimus became an apprentice, another journey begins. There's something following Marcia, and to add to the thrill, there's more people in search of Jenna. And one's...interesting. Soon Jenna disappears, and Septimus knows how. The only person that belives him is Nicko. Nicko and Septimus head out on an exciting adventure while Jenna is held captive.....

Magyk, a review by Carson

Magyk, by Angie Sage.

This is by Carson.

I rate this book ten stars. (Yes, I know that's not in existence.) Even one of the reveiws on the book cover said,"Watch out, Harry.......". Its about a family, the Heaps. They are wizards. A boy named Septimus Heap is born. He is the seventh son of a seventh son. Sadly, he soon dies. Silas, (the dad) finds a baby girl the day Septimus dies. Seven years pass as Jenna (the girl) grows up. The family soon finds that Jenna is a princess and she is taken away. (In good hands.) Silas and Nicko (the brother) come and after an assassin comes to kill Jenna, they must embark on a journey to Aunt Zelda's cottage through the marshes.But, they have to do it while being tracked by The Hunter.

Catching Fire

Catching Fire, by Suzanne Collins, was a hotly anticipated book in our house. I read the first in this series, Hunger Games, after hearing so much about it online, and convinced my husband to give it a try after liking it so much. Hunger Games details the harsh lives of citizens living in a starvation-riddled post-apocalyptic nation that was previously North America. Panem, the new country, is divided into twelve districts, each of which must give two "tributes", a boy and a girl, for the annual Games. The Games are punishment by the Capitol for attempted uprisings in the past. Tributes are selected by lottery, and everyone under the age of 18 is in the pot. The Hunger Games are a fight to the death in a televised arena, with the winner receiving food and comfort for the rest of his or her life. This sequel takes up shortly after the first ends.

This was a good book, but clearly served as a bridge to set up future events. It didn't grab and hold my attention the way Hunger Games did. Granted, the danger is still real. Sudden death is still a very real possibility for the citizens of Panem. Even more striking than the Capitol's undiluted cruelty is the tributes' acceptance that the rest of their lives are most likely measured in hours. The last few pages, however, set the stage for an explosive third installment.

This is a young adult series, but don't be put off by that. It is gritty and realistic, brutal but starkly touching. Be warned, though: the fight scenes are bloody and quite graphic.

Foundling

Foundling, by D.M. Cornish, was such a nice surprise. Several of the books on my shelves were bought soley because their covers looked cool or interesting. I purchased this one for my husband with the vague thought that I might read it if he liked it. He powered through it, and handed it off to me.

Rossamund has grown up at Madam Opera's Estimable Marine Society for Foundling Boys and Girls. He is getting to the (quite young) age when he must go into a profession, and has been recruited as a lamplighter. (The story takes place during a time when there is no electricity, so lamps along the roads must be lit and extinguished by hand.) His journey to take up his position, though, covers land and sea, friend and enemy, adventure and danger. Cornish has imagined an entirely new world, the Half Continent, where monsters roam, the vinegar seas will erode your body like acid, and people will undergo multiple surgeries in order to harness the power of lightning. This world lives and breathes in the book, helped along by the many appendices, including an extensive glossary, a calendar, several illustrated examples of the uniforms worn by different professions, a conversion table, schematics of the many types of ships, etc. And speaking of the illustrations, they are by the author, and are incredible.

This is a story with weight, so nice to find in a book directed towards young adults. I really look forward to reading the sequel, Lamplighter.