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