Book Review: The Red Pyramid

Title: The Red Pyramid (The Kane Chronicles, Book One)
Author: Rick Riordan
Genre: MG Commercial Fiction (Action/Adventure, Fantasy)
Rating: A+

140-Character Summary: The Kane kids go on a wild ride through Egyptian mythology to save their dad from a god of chaos and uncover the truth of their mom's death.

First 140 Characters of the Book: "We only have a few hours, so listen carefully. If you're hearing this story, you're already in danger. Sadie and I might be your only chance..." (p. 1).

140-Character Review: Told in Riordan's formulaic manner (children of gods, unknown/untapped powers, cryptic adults), readers learn about a new world of mythology.

140-Character Recommendation/Market Placement/Entry Point: As with all Riordan series, you know what you're getting: an expanded knowledge of mythology told in an action-packed style for MG readers.

Book Review: Lucia, Lucia

Title: Lucia, Lucia
Author: Adriana Trigiani
Genre: Literary Fiction
Rating: A+

140-Character Summary: In 1950's NYC a large Italian-American family grapples with what it means to support each other through all of life's ups and downs.

First 140 Characters of the Book: "From her window Kit Zanetti can see absolutely everything that happens on Commerce Street. The name doesn't really suit the street; it should..." (p. 3).

140-Character Review: Told in flashback, this tale of family and friendship rings with an authenticity and pain that will make you cry. And yearn for the 1950's.

140-Character Recommendation/Market Placement/Entry Point: Fans of "Women's Fiction," like Belong to Me and Digging to America will enjoy this (not-always-happy) tale of strong bonds.

Book Review: Freedom

Title: Freedom (Daemon #2)
Author: Daniel Suarez
Genre: Commercial Fiction (Urban Science Fiction/Technological Thriller)
Rating: A+

140-Character Summary: The Daemon is a more powerful force than ever but the battle of good versus evil is happening both inside and outside of the darknet.

First 140 Characters of the Book: "An elderly man emerged from the crowd and aimed a revolver straight at Anthony Hollis's face. As the old worker's thick index finger squeezed..." (p. 3).

140-Character Review: It was Daemon on speed. Same great characters from Daemon (but worse or better than before) and some new characters. Over the top climax.

140-Character Recommendation/Market Placement/Entry Point: If you liked the first book in the series (and how could you not?) you owe it to yourself to read this.

Book Review: The Lost Hero

Title: The Lost Hero (The Heroes of Olympus Series, Book One)
Author: Rick Riordan
Genre: MG Commercial Fiction (Action, Fantasy)
Rating: A+

140-Character Summary: A whole new class of demigods is on the scene to finish what Percy and friends started. And they're more messed-up than the last lot.

First 140 Characters of the Book: "Even before he got electrocuted, Jason was having a rotten day. He woke in the backseat of a school bus, not sure where he was, holding..." (p.7/392, NOOK).

140-Character Review: I think Jason and his pals have better powers than the original series' heroes, and the Roman demigod angle freshens up and expands the story.

140-Character Recommendation/Market Placement/Entry Point: Fans of Rick Riordan, hop on board for another great series.

Book Review: Five Flavors of Dumb

Title: Five Flavors of Dumb
Author: Antony John
Genre: YA Literary Fiction
Rating: A+

140-Character Summary: Piper Vaughn is the least likely person to manage DUMB, an up-and-coming rock back from her high school because she's deaf. But she is.

First 140 Characters of the Book: "For the record, I wasn't around the day they decided to become Dumb. If I'd been their manager back then I'd have pointed out that the name..." (p.8/255, NOOK).

140-Character Review: Piper's deafness is a backdrop to all of the bigger issues in this book--that are bigger issues in all coming of age--and it made me cry.

140-Character Recommendation/Market Placement/Entry Point: If you enjoy books with musical misfits as a theme or deaf characters in lead, then read this. (But it was better than Read My Lips).

Book Review: Mostly Good Girls

Title: Mostly Good Girls
Author: Leila Sales
Genre: YA Literary/Commercial Fiction
Rating: A+

140-Character Summary: Straight-laced Violet is growing apart from her straight-laced friend, Katie, as they embark on a hilarious year of hits and misses.

First 140 Characters of the Book: "Poor Mr. Thompson. Mr. Thompson is my precalc teacher, and he is also the only male at the Westfield School. Unless you count Mr. Roebeck..." (p.3).

140-Character Review: Did I mention hilarious? A tale of navigating an elite high school without any elite tendencies and a lot of self doubt. And misconceptions.

140-Character Recommendation/Market Placement/Entry Point: People who enjoy other laugh-worthy books like Lost It and Carter Finally Gets It will enjoy Violet's tale. If you don't laugh, you're dead.

Book Review: The DUFF

Title: The DUFF
Author: Kody Keplinger
Genre: YA Literary/Commercial Fiction
Rating: A+

140-Character Summary: A messed-up high school girl meets an equally-messed-up guy who tells her she's the DUFF, which she sort of accepts. And sort of changes.

First 140 Characters of the Book: "This was getting old. Once again, Casey and Jessica were making complete fools of themselves, shaking their a**es like dancers in a rap..." (p.1, edited).

140-Character Review: Great book where all of the characters had a deeper motivation that was worth uncovering. I expect good things from youngster Keplinger.

140-Character Recommendation/Market Placement/Entry Point: Fans of realistic YA fiction with no "physical" punches pulled. A sexed-up version of Lauren Myracle's or Susane Colasanti's relationships.