Meena by Sine van Mol
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This book was fine, but I have some reservations about just leaving this around for the kids to read. One of the illustrations (a cauldron with limbs hanging out) would have frightened me as a child. I also feel unsure that the children in the story learned their lesson. Vandalism isn't just wrong because the woman isn't really a witch. Throwing things over the fence seemed a little intense to me. Isn't that a hate crime?

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Dirty Little Angels

Dirty Little Angels by Chris Tusa

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This book is good, but disturbing. I wouldn't read it if you were depressed. It is not uplifting. Everything in this book seems dirty and potentially dangerous. This is one of those books I can't deny was good, but I didn't exactly like it.



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Dancing on the Day of the Kings (Caribbean Reference Shelf)

Dancing on the Day of the Kings by Jacqueline Grant Kent

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This was a pretty good book. I definitely learned some things I didn't know. However, it didn't seem to go very deep and it wasn't fabulously written. I realize its aimed at young readers, but it sort of felt like the writer said, "First this happened. Then this happened." It's definitely a good book and makes a good reference, but its not amazing.



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Ghosts of Coronado Bay

Ghosts of Coronado Bay by J.G. Faherty

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This book was fun. The characters weren't overly developed but I enjoyed myself. You can really tell this book is written by a guy. Maya's character is not unbelievable, but you can sort of tell that its how a guy expects a teenage girl to be. The story was more original than I thought it would be. It was a good summer read.



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The Eyes that See (The Balancer Chronicles)

The Eyes that See by Chris Adonn

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


First of all, let me say this book is very short, and may perhaps be meant as a teaser, which may negate what I am about to say. BUT...I thought it could have been so much better. Adonn's idea isn't all that unique, but could be very fun in a sort of high brow vampire-slayer sort of way. However, he just didn't make me feel it. The characters were undeveloped (see disclaimer) and one character (who Adonn admits is his favorite) is unlikeable. I believe he is supposed to be cocky and charming (just my type) but he doesn't quite let us see the charm. Instead, we simply are to assume he's likeable because Adonn keeps telling us so. I find myself curious to see if the next book might be better, but I won't go out of my way to read it.



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Murder in the Philosophy Department

Murder in the Philosophy Department by Julia March

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This book was well written ( I learned a lot of new words!) and highly entertaining, particularly if you have spent time in a college setting. The characters are quite colorful, and there are a few tributes to Agatha Christie. The only reason I don't give it 5 stars is because the ending, while exciting, seemed quite rushed. It seems possible March was on a deadline and needed to wrap things up quickly, which is so disappointing because the characters were so much fun to spend time with!



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