Magic can be Murder

     Nola has spent her life on the run with her mother. Nola and her mom are witches who wander from place to place, searching for work and a meal, then to leave again before peole grow suspicious of them. When they get to another town on their ongoing  journey, they end up working for a silversmith and his son. That night Nola casts a spell in a bucket of water that allows her to see what a surtain person is doing. When they leave again the next moring, Nola doesn’t realize until they’re at the next town over that she had accidentally left the spell in the water going. She sets the same spell to see whats happening at the house and notices that the bucket hasn’t yet been touched. But she witnesses a murder. The silversmith’s son, Kirwyn, had murdered his father. Nola goes back to the town without her mother and ends up in trouble. Now she must try not to be found out a witch and she must try to get around everyone to show them the real murderer. Its a story that leaves you suspensful, yet its heart-warming.

Frozen Fire

       Frozen Fire is a gripping, mysterious novel that keeps you on your toes. Its about a girl named Dusty who lives in a small town. One day she gets a phone call with a strange, almost creepy boy. He scares her and she ends up going out to look for him. Dusty gets into some trouble. Apparently the boy was charged with rape of a girl and her father and brothers believe it was the mysterious new boy in town. With them looking for the boy and Dusty trying to discover who he is and how he even got her number, Dusty crosses paths with the family on the hunt. The dad and boys believe that Dusty had befriended the boy and they try to kill her. Wild dogs chase her and she runs for her life. Horrible things happen to Dusty because of her involvement with the boy-her house and family become effected. When she finally sees the boy, she notices some strange things about him. His skin is pale white and his hair the same. His eyes are almost transparent. But theres a feminine quality to him that she’s never seen before in a boy. Events occur and Dusty finds out an almost disterbing twist she never expected, though she still thinks she should help him at least escape from the town after him. Dusty says how she met someone like no other and he seems to never die. He doesn’t know what he is or why he’s like the way he is. He doesn’t remember where he came from…….But the most surprising things is when she finds which sex he really is. Its a shocking part in the story that just adds to the suspence of this book. Personally, it is one of my absolute favorite that I have ever read! 

          ”I’m dying,”said the voice. Dusty clutched the phone. She had no idea who this was. A boy about her age, by the sound of him-fifteen, sixteen, maybe a bit older.
          “Is amyone there?” he muttered.
           His voice was slurred and angry. She glanced at the clock. Twenty minutes to midnight. She’d answered the phone at once, thinking it would be Dad ringing to say he’d been held up by the snow but was on his way back. The lst thing she needed was this boy.
          ”Is anyone there?” he said
       “Who are you?”
       The only answer was a cough.
       “And how did you get this number?” she said. “We’re unlisted.”
       Another cough but this time the boy answered.
       “I just made up and number and dialed it.”
       She frowned. This had to be a prank. Friday night, New Year’s Day. Some boy messing around with his mates. If she listened hard enough, she’d probably catch the sound of them sniggering in the background. But all she heard was the labored breathing of the boy at the other end of the line.
       She thought of Dad out in Beckdale on his date. She’d been enjoying having the house to herself for the first time in weeks, especially after all the trouble it had taken her to get him to go, but now she wished he’d hurry back.
       “Didn’t you hear me?” mumbled the boy. “I said I’m dying.”
        She knew that wasn’t truel If the boy was really in danger, he’d hardly make up a number and ring it. He’d dial 911.
        “You need to ring the police,” she said.
        “I don’t want the police.”
         “An ambulance, then.”
        “I don’t want an ambulance.”
        “But you said you’re dying.”
       “I am dying.”
        “Then you need to ring-”
        “I don’t need to ring anyone. I said I’m dying. I didn’t say I wanted to live.”
      

Graceling

This first novel by Kristin Cashore was chosen by both Publisher’s Weekly and School Library Journal as a Best Book of the Year. Graceling is the first in what will be a series, the next is due out in the Fall of 2009.

Kasta lives in a world where some people are born with an extreme skill called a Grace. The publisher describes the book –

“Katsa has been able to kill a man with her bare hands since she was eight—she’s a Graceling, one of the rare people in her land born with an extreme skill. As niece of the king, she should be able to live a life of privilege, but Graced as she is with killing, she is forced to work as the king’s thug.

She never expects to learn the truth behind her Grace—or the terrible secret that lies hidden far away . . . a secret that could destroy all seven kingdoms with words alone.“

Fantasy is not my first choice in pleasure reading, but this one is really good. I was drawn in by the cover. If you like fantasy, adventure, and romance, then try this book. I know at least one of the library helpers would not agree with me! LOL

Excerpt

Hunger Games

I have to be honest, I really didn’t think I would like this book – I was wrong! Once I started the book, I didn’t want to quit reading.

In the future world of North America that the author, Suzanne Collins, has created there are no longer 50 states, but rather 12 districts. The main characters, Katniss and Peeta, are from District 12, Panem – the poorest one – we call this area the Appalachian Mountains. Katniss is not what one would describe as a typical girl. She has learned to illegally hunt to keep her mother and sister from starving since her father was killed in a mining accident. Peeta is a baker’s son who has loved Katniss silently since he was very young.

The Capital keeps control by limiting food and all other supplies. Each year they sponsor the Hunger Games, which are kind of a reality show gone completely wrong. There are makeovers, coaching, and great food for the 24 contestants, but in the end all but one will die. The survivor will be set for life. Katniss and Peeta are the contestants from District 12. They have to outsmart others who have been trained for this reality show that is broadcast all over the country. How will they fare? Will they survive? What will each do to keep from being killed?

This novel is fast paced and I think will appeal to both guys and gals.
The second book in this series, Catching Fire, is due out September 1, 2009.