The Undead Gatekeeper

     So recently I had a writing prompt in English and we had to write a story. The prompt was you were leaving the movies and you don't have enough time to make it home by your curfew. I really enjoyed writing this, and I hope you enjoy reading it!

Dragon of the Month Club

Also can be bought at Barnes & Noble

*I got this book from the author for free, this in no way affects my opinion of the book.*

Dragon of the Month Club

by Iain Reading

• First book in the Dragon of the Month Club series
• Age 8-12 interest level
• Independently published through Create-Space December 18, 2014
• 236 pages
• Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Adventure

Summary

     "The very unlikely friendship of Ayana Fall and Tyler Travers began on a Tuesday afternoon in the maze of bookshelves at the back of the old library."-First sentence of the Dragon of the Month Club

     Every month on the thirteenth there's a new dragon to conjure. This dragon ranges in difficulty and rarity of materials. Each dragon takes two people to "conjure" it through a step of precise steps. However, one mistake while conjuring a steam dragon leads to disaster. Ayana and Tyler find themselves fighting for their lives and they need all the help they can get. Along with five dragons, a few new friends, and even more enemies, will the diverse group survive their journey home?

Wonderland: Classic Fairytale with a Sci-Fi Spin

*I got this book from the author for free, this in no way affects my opinion of the book.*

  Wonderland

by Robert McKay

•  Book one of the Intergalactic Fairy Tales series
• Science Fiction, Coming of Age
• Includes violence and mild humor.
• Published by McKay Manor August 20, 2015
• 13-25 interest level

    All Alice wants to be in life is a pirate. She wants to do what she wants, when she wants with no one to tell her otherwise. One night after sneaking out, Alice finds the perfect opportunity, a talking space ship. She gets on, claiming it as her own, and rides to Wonderland. However, Wonderland isn't all smiles, it's mildly inappropriate people lose their head for disagreeing with the queen, and animals can talk, which isn't always a good thing. On her adventure, Alice makes new friends, some new enemies, and learns many valuable lessons. How far will Alice go for an adventure?



      "Robert McKay is a clever nerd, who feels uncomfortable being called such. He believes in the Oxford comma, puns, and true love. Stories that wrap all of these things together, along with some outer space adventure, make his heart go pitter-patter and his days a whole lot brighter. When he’s not writing, he’s probably reading, but if he’s not doing either of those things, he may be found bowling, playing tabletop games, or researching how much it costs to rent a space shuttle."-Robert McKay
     

      I believe that the story and all it's assets were very well written. My favorite part was Alice, as almost anyone can relate to her. Even if you haven't accidentally gone to another planet, you've probably gone against your parents just out of spite. Another thing I like is how everything seems realistic. The setting is well described, the characters are complete, and the story is unique. McKay provides a realistic story, including a main character with quirks and flaws.

     Wonderland also features a unique twist on a classic story. Ever since I read Cinder I've loved fairy-tale retellings, and this one didn't disappoint. I recommend Wonderland to any fans of Cinder ages 13-25. Also, if you like space adventures, then this is the book for you. In the end, I loved everything about Wonderland and can't wait for Beauty and the Fleet, the next book in the Intergalactic Fairy Tales series. 

*Unfortunately at the moment Amazon.com is the only place to purchase Wonderland.*

The Harvesting by Melanie Karsak

The Harvesting by Melanie Karsak (#1 in The Harvesting Series)  

Genre: Post-Apocalyptic  

Published: January 8, 2014 by Clockpunk Press  

First edition: September 13, 2012 by Steampunk Press 

Interest Level: 13+

     Layla Petrovitch hoped she would never see Hamletville again. However, when she gets a desperate call from her grandmother, she is forced to return home. With an epidemic sweeping the country making infected people turn cannibalistic and danger at every turn, can Layla survive? With the help of whats left of the town they finally escape, but is it worth the risk?

    
      "Melanie Karsak is the author of the Amazon best-selling steampunk series The Airship Racing Chronicles, the award-winning horror/dark fantasy Harvesting Series, and The Saga of Lady Macbeth. She grew up in rural northwestern Pennsylvania and earned a Master's degree in English from Gannon University. A steampunk connoisseur, white elephant collector, Shakespeare nerd, and zombie whisperer, the author currently lives in Florida with her husband and two children. She is an Instructor of English at Eastern Florida State College."-Melaniekarsak.com


     I give The Harvesting 5/5 stars for great writing and a unique plot. It had me gripping the edge of my seat. With a variety of paranormal creatures, from vampires to shadow creatures, and a unique twist on zombies, no stone was left unturned. Many people classify it as zombie story, but it's so much more. It's vampires, post-apocalyptic, and could even be considered a coming-of-age story. In the end, I got so much more than I expected. I can't wait to read The Shadow Aspect the second story in The Harvesting Trilogy. 

*Review for Midway coming soon.*
Melanie Karsak on Amazon!!

Win a $10 Amazon gift card!

    

 

Bridge to Teribithia

Bridge to Terabithia
by Katherine Paterson

As ten-year-old Jesse Aarons trains each morning to be the fastest boy in the fifth grade, Leslie Burke moves into the house next door in rural Virginia. The families are as different as night and day. While Jesse's dad works hard to make ends meet, Leslie's family is considered rich for the time and only moves to the area to give Leslie a calmer life. Alone, they are lonely and desperately strive to fit it. Together, they build a whole new world no one else can enter. In this process, they learn to appreciate themselves and everyone around them. Jesse even finds a new appreciation for the plethora of women living in his house. For close to eight wonderful months, the pair is nearly inseparable in a land called Terabithia.
Terabithia is a pretend kingdom Jesse and Leslie create in the forest across the river. A land free from ordinary life. In fact, a streak of horrid rainy weather becomes an evil curse from some evil being and becomes Leslie and Jess's task to free Terabithia from this awful curse. This may sound silly to the adult reader, but it is incredibly important that young readers see the value in make believe. Bill and Judy Burke believe television rots the mind. Once Leslie starts speaking of Narnia and other literary worlds, Jesse soon sees the importance of books as well. This is a lesson seldom taught in today's society and this short novel may be just the way to get the point across.

The climax is one I never expected. It is very difficult to discuss the literary merit of the storyline without spoiling the end. (continue reading at your own risk) While Jesse takes a trip to the city with the school music teacher, Leslie chooses to cross the creak to Terabithia on her own. The rope breaks and Leslie drowns. Though this might come as a shock to young readers, the situation gives children a glimpse into a life we, as parents, hope they never experience in reality. Readers are able to see Jesse transition through his grief and eventually come to terms with the incident.

Bridge to Terabithia will remain a timeless classic. Though a few simple references place the novel in 1977 when it was published, the simple storyline of bullies and coming of age will keep readers interested for years to come.




1978 Newbery Medal Winner
IL: MG - BL: 4.6 - AR Pts: 5.0