Betrayal by Lili St. Crow

Dru Anderson has found out the hard way that things that go bump in the night truly do exist and are trying to kill her. After her last minute escape at the end of "Strange Angels", the first book in the series, Christophe has her tucked away in a school where she will be "safe". Graves is becoming more and more wulfen while Dru, the only girl at the school, is isolated in her room away from everyone. Dru is slowly coming to terms with the fact she isn't totally human and the changes she is experiencing has her questioning who she really is. When the school is attacked and set on fire, Dru and her friends escape and make their way to what they hope is safety. Dru now knows there is a traitor and trusting anyone is the most difficult thing she has had to do lately.

Betrayal is just as good if not better than Strange Angels. It is full of twists and turns, life and death, and a traitor among those who are supposed to be protecting her. The next book in the series comes out in June and I can hardly wait to see what happens between Christophe, Dru, and Graves.

Birthmarked by Caragh M. O'Brien

Gaia Stone lives in a world of haves and have nots. The Enclave lives within the walls and want for nothing while the rest of the people live outside the Enclave and struggle to survive. Each month, the first three babies born are given to the Enclave, the child's name is changed, and their birth families have no more contact with the child. When Gaia's parents are arrested by the Enclave, Gaia sets enters the Enclave under threat of death to rescue her parents. Now everything Gaia has believed in under scrutiny - who are her two older brothers and why is Sgt. Grey so interested in helping her instead of turning her in?

I was really disappointed in the ending until I realized there will be a sequel. The story brings up questions of what is right, fair, and good for the whole population. Birthmarked moves slowly is a few places but picks up the pace as Gaia tries to come to peace with her decisions.

Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce

Once upon a time, Scarlett and Rosie lived with their Oma March in a little cottage at the edge of the woods. One day while playing in the Oma March's garden a stranger comes calling with an arrow tattoo on his wrist. Oma March ushers Rosie and Scarlett into the cottage and frantically calls her neighbor, the woodsman, for help. Scarlett and Rosie hurry to Oma March's room and lock themselves in as the door to the cottage bursts open and Oma March is attacked by a wolf leaving Scarlett and Rosie unprotected. Soon the wolf is at the Oma March's bedroom door and what happens next is a battle for survival. Several years later, Scarlett, scarred and without sight in one eye, and Rosie have become Fenris (werewolf) hunters. Scarlett believes the job defines her while Rosie secretly yearns for more than hunting. When Silas, the woodsman's son, returns from a year in San Francisco, things begin to go very wrong - there are too many werewolves in their small town. As the three research the situation, they come to the realization that the wolves are hunting for the Potential, the next human to be turned into a wolf. As the clues slowly fall into place the relationship between the three hunters begins to disintegrate, will Rosie, Scarlett, and Silas be able to prevent the Potential from being taken by the Fenris and still save their friendship?

Loved the book! Great mix of fairy tale and werewolves. This novel is not your usual werewolf story - lots of hunting, fighting, and surviving along with a personal story from each of the characters.

The 39 Clues - Into the Gauntlet by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Amy and Dan set out on the final leg of the hunt for the 39 clues and treachery still abounds. As each branch of the Cahills manage to arrive at the final destination all at once, Amy and Dan to realize what a big task has been set before them. When faced with a decision that could change everything, can Amy and Dan complete Grace's task and do what 500 years of Cahills could not?

Fantastic end to the series. Haddix ties up every loose end and answers every question readers have been asking. Fast-paced, action-packed, and beautifully constucted, this last installment in the series won't let fans down. I was sorry to see it end.

The Hunt for the Seventh by Christine Morton-Shaw

When Jim's dad gets the head gardner's postion at Minerva Hall, they are greeted by the owner, Lord Minerva himself. Lord Minerva has very strict rules about where the Jim and his sister, Sal can be on the grounds and what they can actually do. Soon after Jim and his family arrive at Minerva Hall, Jim begins to hear voices telling him to "find the seventh". As Jim investigates the history of Minerva Hall, he finds out there have been 6 deaths of Minerva children over the years and the ghosts of children are asking him to find "the seventh". With each step Jim takes towards locating the seventh child, the more trouble he gets into with Lord Minerva who threatens his father's job at the mansion. When the nearby village is threatened by flood water, Jim risks his life to save those he loves.

Great mystery with just enough creepiness and evil to keep you turning the pages. I am looking forward to more books by this author.

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

Sent to a school for paranormal misfits, Sophie finds herself among other witches, warlocks, fae, and shapeshifters. Sophie has never fit in and things are no different at Hex Hall. When she finds herself the rooming with Jenna, the only vampire at the school, and has crossed the popular crowd, fitting in still hasn't gotten any better for her. To make matters worse, Sophie falls for Archer Cross, the boyfriend of one of the popular girls. Then the murders start and her roommate is blamed. Sophie knows Jenna didn't kill those girls, sets out to clear Jenna, and find out who really did murder the girls.

I found this book to be a fast read. Sophie is a walking disaster - if she can mess something up, she does. The characters seem real and the story moves fast. Entertaining and funny with a touch of romance and mystery. What more could you ask for?

Finnikin of the Rock By Melina Marchetta

At nine years old, Finnikin (the son of the head of the King's Guard), Balthazar (heir to the Lumatere throne), and Lucian (Balthazar's cousin)make a blood oath to protect Lumatere but soon after, the royal family is murdered and a curse placed around Lumatere - no one gets in and no one gets out. Ten years later, Finnikin is still in exile with Sir Topher, a former advisor to the now dead King. As the two travel the countryside, they find small settlements of Lumatereans barely surviving, waiting until the day the curse is lifted and they can return to Lumatere. Finnikin has taken it on himself to record the names of the Lumatereans he meets in his travels carefully writing down the names of the living and the dead. While helping survivors of "the five days of the unspeakable", Finnikin meets Evanjalin, a novice who can "walk the sleep" of others and tells Finnikin it is he who will lead his people home and break the curse. As Finnikin gathers his people for the return home, he has to deal with betrayal, lies, intrigue, and death. Finnikin must find the courage and strength to complete the task set in motion ten years earlier when he made the blood oath with his best friends.

Marchetta has written a wonderful fantasy full of unique characters with flaws that make them seem real. The struggle facing the survivors of Lumatere and the murder of the royal family are heartbreaking at times and Finnikin feels it the strongest. It will take a while to get into the book but then needing answers to questions brought up in the story keeps the reader from putting this book down.

Rivals By Tim Green

Josh and his team, the Titans, have made it to the national tournament in Cooperstown where the Baseball Hall of Fame is located. Winning would mean everything to the team - endorsements for the Titans and the attention of baseball scouts. After an injury that could keep Josh from playing, he notices something suspicious at a game. Josh turns to Jaden, who has also made the trip as the school's newspaper reporter, to investigate what he has seen. The only problem is Jaden's now hanging around Mickey Mullen Jr., a player from an opposing team. Jaden says she is doing research but Josh isn't sure. All he knows is that he now has a rival. As the championship game approaches, Josh knows he has to do something to prove what he has seen and will risk anything to prove he is right.

I love reading Tim Green books because the story may be a sports-based but there is always an underlying storyline in every book. The way he writes each novel makes the books easy to read and grabs the reader's attention. The main characters are funny, loyal, and are truly the best of friends. This one is another great addition in the Baseball Great series.

Only the Good Spy Young By Ally Carter

Cammie, still under guard after the kidnapping attempt, is in London when Mr. Solomon grabs her. Only something isn't right - her guards are after Mr. Solomon. He leaves her with a cryptic messages "Follow the pigeons." and then jumps into the Thames river. When Cammie returns to the Gallagher Academy her mother isn't there to greet her and Mr. Solomon is accused of being a member of The Circle, the sinister group that tried to kidnap Cammie. If that isn't enough for Cammie and her best friends, Zach shows up to complicate matters even more. With the help of her roommates, Cammie and company unravel Mr. Solomon's message and get to the bottom of the mystery.

With each book in the series keeps getting better and better and this one won't let you down. It captured my attention from the first chapter and I definitely wanted to know what "Follow the pigeons." meant and if Mr. Solomon truly was a member of The Circle. The story is fast-paced, exciting, intriguing, and a test of loyalty for Cammie and her friends. If you liked the other Gallagher Girls books, you are going to love this one and will be anxiously awaiting the next one.