House of Hades by Rick Riordan

SYNOPSIS:  Percy Jackson's story continues where it left off in this latest installment.  Percy and Annabeth make their way to the Doors of Death, as their friends try to meet them on the other side.  Being demigods, however, nothing is as easy as it should be, and they must face multiple challenges on their way.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  From my synopsis, it may surprise you to know that this book is over 500 pages long.  However, it's true.  It does take Percy and his friends 500 pages to meet each other at the Doors of Death.  For this reason, I am losing patience with this series.  I have always thought that the writing in the Percy Jackson novels was a bit subpar, and now, as the stories drag on, I feel even more strongly that it's time for these novels to finish up for good.  That being said, I am sure there are plenty of Percy Jackson fans out there who would disagree with me.  I know the novels are wildly popular with teens, and I'm sure many feel the length of the novels is a good thing.  As for myself, I feel they are getting a bit monotonous.  As far as content goes, there is of course plenty of superhero violence in the novels, as well as some references to a homosexual character.  Personally, putting aside any personal opinions I have on homosexuality, I feel that a children and teen series is no place for discussions on sexual preference.  I feel like it detracts from the adventure of the story.

AUDIENCE:  Teens and Young Adults

RATING:  PG13 for Action Violence and brief Sexual Reference

STARS:  1 1/2

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Artemis Fowl, The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel Series

The Beekeeper's Apprentice or, On the Segregation of the Queen by Laurie R. King

SYNOPSIS:  Mary Russell literally stumbles upon an aging Sherlock Holmes while walking one day.  When he realizes that her intellect is worthy of his own, he makes an informal apprentice of her.  When she begins solving crimes with him, their lives are never the same again.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  I don't have much patience for books that reinvent and continue stories and characters that have already been written to a satisfying conclusion by another author.  I feel like trying to reinvent Sherlock Holmes is never a good idea.  The reinvention never quite comes across as authentic, and writing a new character (such as Flavia de Luce) is more original and satisfying, in my opinion.  That being said, however, I did enjoy reading this book.  The Sherlock Holmes of this book is not the same, of course.  He is kinder, gentler, and even sympathetic, which is highly unusual for his character.  However, Mary Russell is funny and smart, and I enjoyed reading this story from her point of view.  There was a bit of violence, as well as some mildly lewd comments by some characters in the story.  I think there might have been some language, as well, but for the most part, there was very little content in this book.  I would recommend it to mature readers who can wade through the somewhat dry and old-fashioned storytelling.

AUDIENCE:  Young Adults, Adults

RATING:  PG with some Mild Language and References, and Violence

STARS:  4

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Sherlock Holmes, The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie

Evil Genius by Catherine Jinks

SYNOPSIS:  Cadel Piggott has always been unusual.  At age 7, he has already gotten into legal trouble after hacking into secure computer systems.  His life changes forever, though, when he begins attending therapy, and is told that his father is the evil Phineas Darkkon, who is serving a life term after committing all kinds of crime.  Under his tutelage, Cadel learns to seek revenge on those who hurt him, and to lie, steal, and put himself first.  However, he begins to see that maybe that is not the best way to live his life, after his master plan begins to fall apart.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  I'm surprised I haven't heard more about this book, because it was quite well-written, detailed and imaginative.  I'll admit that it was a bit dry in places, but it was still a well thought-out story.  As far as content goes, there was some bad language, some crude jokes and sexual references, and quite a bit of action violence.  I would recommend it for older readers who like action and mystery.

AUDIENCE:  Young Adults

RATING:  PG13 for Language and References, and Violence

STARS:  2 1/2

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Artemis Fowl, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

Wake by Amanda Hocking

SYNOPSIS:  Sisters Gemma and Hadley find their lives turned upside down when the beautiful, fearsome girls from town take a sudden interest in Gemma.  When her behavior begins to be erratic, Hadley tries desperately to save her from their influence.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  I hate to be completely negative about a book.  I guess I can say that this book is dark.  Some people like that, I think.  As for myself, I was not a fan.  I thought the writing was subpar, the storyline was simplistic and a bit juvenile, the characters were moody and dramatic, and the content too graphic.  The book had language content, graphic and disturbing violence and imagery, and sensuality.  My recommendation is to skip the book altogether.

AUDIENCE:  Young Adults

RATING:  PG13 with Graphic, Disturbing Imagery, Violence, Language, and Sensuality

STARS:  0

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Fathomless, Beastly

Prodigy by Marie Lu

SYNOPSIS:  This sequel to Legend picks up where the first book left off.  As Day and June look for Tess and try to get help for Eden, they discover a new source of propaganda, and have to once again get to the source to find out what is really true.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  Although I liked Legend, I didn't like its sequel quite as much.  I just felt like the second book was a bit darker, and a bit more hopeless.  However, it did have page-turning action, and intelligent characters, so I'm sure fans of the first book will not feel they have wasted their time in continuing with the series.  As far as content goes, there is violence again, and language.  Also, there is a bit more sensuality in the sequel, including some references to a homosexual relationship.

AUDIENCE:  Young Adults

RATING:  PG13 for Violence, Sensuality, and Language

STARS:  1 1/2

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  The Hunger Games, Divergent

Legend by Marie Lu

SYNOPSIS:  This story is told from two points of view:  that of Day, a wanted criminal to the Republic, who plays Robin Hood by stealing from the rich to give to the poor; and that of June, a brilliant Republic official who wants nothing more than to find her brother's killer.When they find themselves on opposite sides, they must sort what is true from the propaganda they are being given.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  This was a fast-paced adventure story that kept me reading.  It did get a bit violent in places, and had some language content, but I would still recommend it to older readers.

AUDIENCE:  Young Adults

RATING:  PG13 for Violence

STARS:  3

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Matched, Divergent

Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy by Ally Carter

SYNOPSIS:  Cammie's story continues [click here to read about book 1], as she struggles to give up her past with Josh, and learns that Gallagher is not the only academy for spies.  When their school is overtaken by exchange students from Blackthorn (a school for boys), she tries to figure out who she can trust.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  Although there are some references to underwear, and other things of that nature, this book is pretty clean, and a fun read for teen girls.  I will say, however, that there isn't much substance to it, so I found it a bit boring, and I think older readers would be bored by it, also.  The characters are fun and endearing, though, so fans of the first book will probably want to read this sequel.

AUDIENCE:  Teens

RATING: PG with some mild sexual references

STARS:  2

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  The Agency, Princess Diaries