Odd Is On Our Side by Dean Koontz

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Odd Thomas sees dead people. He lives in a small town and he tries to help the dead to find rest. Sometimes the dead aren’t just concerned with their own former lives and troubles, sometimes they are trying to tell him about something dark arriving in town. When Elvis (yes, The King) appears to Odd to warn him, Odd and his girlfriend take it seriously and try to save the town.


The story was interesting and I liked the art in this graphic novel. I liked the idea for the story and the characters, but the way it was told left me a little flat. I didn’t feel a real connection to the story and I was skipping stuff to get to the end. Not my favorite graphic novel, or supernatural mystery.

Infinity by Sherrilyn Kenyon

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Nick is a street wise teen, who goes to a a fancy private school his single mom can't afford.  When he gets involved in a mugging, and a mysterious stranger rescues him, Nick is caught up i a strange adventure.  He has to save himself, friends, his future, his mom, and all this while battling an angry swarm of zombies.

This is the first in a series called the Chronicles of Nick.  We find out about who he is and a little about his future.  I liked the story and the idea that future Nick is trying to help past Nick.  Percy Jackson fans will like the story because it features a greek goddess, and because it is a multilayered story featuring a regular kid forced into a series of unusual and dangerous events.  I would recommend this to teen guys who enjoy adventure and zombie stories.

Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick

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Did you read Hush, Hush?  If not read it now.  I can wait.  Ok, now read Crescendo.  This is the sequel to Hush, Hush.  Nora and Patch are back.  Will undying, inhuman love survival the wrath of Archangels and Nephilim?  Read it and find out.

I loved Hush, Hush because Nora was such a strong female character and she went with her gut when she thought things where not right with Patch.  The sequel has Nora acting a little crazy, and Patch is off doing things he should not be.  The amount of action in the story is great but some of the twists seemed a little soap opera-esk. The ending is amazing and had me squealing out loud.  Overall I liked the story and I want to know what happens next.  I hope the next book come out soon, and wraps up the story.  Now that we know Patch’s real name all we need to do is figure out who Nora really is and how she will be able to decide the fate of Heaven and Hell.  

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

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Move over Harry Potter... Hogwarts has nothing on Hex Hall.  Sophie is a witch.  Her dad is a warlock and her mom is a regular person.  When her magic gets out of control she is sentenced to an education at Hecate Hall; a school for magical creatures.  Now that she is living in the magical world she starts to realize how much she has missed out by living in the regular world.  Her new school has mean witchy girls, vampires, fairies, shapeshifters, and someone who is attacking girls in the school.  Sophie is intent on figuring out her magic and finding out who is really to blame for the attacks on the girls at school.  

I loved the book.  I read it in one night because it is such a fun and fast read.  None of the characters are one dimensional (even the villains have layers).  I was surprised by the end of the book because there is more than one twist.  This is a must read if you ever wondered what it would be like to have powers.

Fallen by Lauren Kate

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Luce is a good girl who has ended up in reform school because of the unexplained death of a boy she was last seen with.  When she enters this new school she is surprised to make new friends and meet Daniel.  He is a sexy and exciting guy who seems to hate her on sight.  Luce knows she should stay away from him, especially since he doesn’t seem to like her, but she is drawn to him.  Why can’t she just date Cam, the guy who gives her presents and is kind to her?  When the strange shadows she has been seeing all her life start to converge over her school and another boy dies, Luce starts to suspect that something beyond her control is happening.  Is there anything she can do? 

Twilight read alike alert. 

How is it like Twilight?

1. Pretty girl out of her element in a new school.  (check)
2. Mysterious, sexy guy that seems to despise aforementioned girl.  (check)
3. Mysterious attraction to guy to spite the fact he seems to loath girl. (check)
4. Epic romance that is never quite fulfilled. (check)

This book has everything you liked about Twilight, but does it better.  No vampires here, but there are fantastical creatures and an amazing romantic adventure.  The story is more realistic and at the same time full of religious mythology.  Don’t roll your eyes over the religious stuff.  (That’s what the main character does.)  The story won’t beat you over the head with it; there is just enough religious mythology to keep the story going.  This is a must read if you like Twilight, the House of Night Series, or Hush, Hush.  

 

Twilight by Stephanie Meyer

House of Night Series by P.C. Cast

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

The Prophecy by Dawn Miller

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          Five friends, who all live in different places come together to fight the evil forces threatening humans. Seven years earlier the friends where only twelve years old and they fought something that they can’t remember. Now they are all nineteen and whatever they faced all those years ago is after them once again. It seems these kids among everyone on earth can see the angels. They alone have the power to face what's coming.

         It sounds great. I was hooked from the minute I saw the cover. I opened the book and … was let down. The story is disjointed and pacing is off. It’s told in the alternating voice of the characters, but sometimes it’s told in their journals and sometimes in a first person narrative. Sometimes the story moves fast with quick action; other times it moves painfully slow. The characters don’t read true as teens, and the dialogue seems forced. Some may like this book, but I don’t recommend it. If you are looking for a story about a band of friends who fight an ancient evil when they are kids, and then regroup years later to finish the fight I recommend reading Stephen King’s IT instead.