Rise of the Huntress by Joseph Delaney

When Tom, Alice, and Mr. Gregory return from their battles in Greece, they find the county overrun by enemy soldiers, his house is destroyed along with his precious library, and Bony Lizzie has escaped. The trio escapes to the island, Mona, only to find themselves being hunted by Lord Barrule's troops. Tom and Alice are survived being captured as witches only to be locked in a dungeon to be devoured by the Buggane. Bony Lizzie has become very powerful and wants Mr. Gregory dead. Through many twists and turns, Alice, Tom, and Mr. Gregory struggle to rid the island of evil and with each step death follows them.

I am not sure the title fits the book unless the Huntress is supposed to be Bony Lizzie. Mr. Gregory is showing his age and Tom is becoming stronger in the ways of Spooks. With this entry in The Last Apprentice series, I see the end of the series coming soon. The story is still fast paced, entertaining, and a very good read.

The Ghost of Crutchfield Hall by Mary Downing Hahn

Florence, orphaned since she was five, has suddenly been contacted by her Great Uncle Thomas to come live with him and his sister, Eugenie. A year ago, Sophia died and Great Aunt Eugenie can't get over the death of her "sweet, darling" Sophia. Only Sophia wasn't so sweet. Also living in the house is Sophia's brother, James, who is sickly and stays in his room so he may recover from what ails him. As Florence settles into the routine at Crutchfield Hall, she hears a young girls taunting voice. Florence knows it is Sophia and Sophia has her ways of getting Florence in trouble with Great Aunt Eugenie. Now both Sophia's and James' lives are in danger. "Uncle said the dead did not return. He was wrong."

It was an okay ghost story. Nothing really fantastic. Hahn's "Closed for the Season" is better. The book had all the makings of a great ghost story but fell short.

The Dead and Gone by Susan Beth Pfeffer

After being hit by an asteroid, the moon has been pushed closer to the earth causing destruction and chaos in its wake. Since the moon is now closer to earth the tides are higher, submerging coastal areas, setting off a string of earthquakes and volcanoes, and creating conditions unfavorable for growing crops. The air quality is worse, food is in short supply, and families are torn apart. This is the world Alex Morales, 17 years old, and his two younger sisters now live in. Both parents are dead and it is up to Alex to keep his sisters alive and safe. Down to one meal a day, usually one can of vegetables split three ways, Alex is running out of options and his Catholic faith is being put to the ultimate test. Where will Alex and sisters do when there is no place else to turn?

Gruesome, horrifying, and very realistic. "The Dead and Gone" is an excellent survival novel but be prepared for brutal nature of the book. This book is alot darker than "Life As We Knew It", the first book in the Last Survivors series. The good thing about the first two books in the series is it doesn't matter which one you read first because the books are set in two different locations with different problems to overcome. I had to take a break and read something light and funny after finishing this book.

Skeleton Creek: The Crossbones - Patrick Carman

Sarah has moved away and Ryan is left in Skeleton Creek working for his Dad in the Flyfishing Shop. Their parents ban Sarah and Ryan from communicating with each other because of events at the Dredge. At the conclusion of the last book, Ghost in the Machine, Ryan told no one about the envelope he picked up on the floor when Old Jeb Bush fell. Summer seems to drag by for Ryan and the envelope is a huge temptation Ryan cannot pass up. What he finds in the envelope throws Ryan, Sarah and the ghost of Old Jeb Bush into a dangerous crosscountry mystery.

I really like the format of the book - read several diary entries and then watch the video. Once again, the videos really need to be viewed as you read the book because the videoclips add to the creepiness of the story and nothing is creepier than the glimpses of Old Jeb Bush's ghost. If you like spooky stories, ghosts, and haunted places, read this book.