A Monstrous Regiment of Women by Laurie R. King

SYNOPSIS:  It's been two years since Mary's accident.  She has all but finished up at Oxford, and she will soon be in charge of her own affairs (and fortune).  When a friend asks her for help, however, she finds she can't turn her down.  While trying to get to the bottom of a mysterious church sect's popularity, she will be forced to question her religious beliefs, as well as define her relationship with Holmes.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  I really enjoyed the first book in this series, and the second was also quite entertaining.  However, there are more sexual references in this installment (including a discussion of homosexuality), as well as a bit of sensuality.  There is also some language and violence.  I didn't enjoy the book enough to recommend it, especially to younger readers.

AUDIENCE:  Adults

RATING:  PG13 for Sexual References, Sensuality, and Violence

STARS:  2

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

Abandon Series by Meg Cabot

SYNOPSIS:  Pierce Olivera has never been the same since the day she almost died.  Everyone thinks it is because of the stress of her brush with death.  Really, it is because she met someone in the afterlife who won't let her go.  When she moves to her mom's hometown to try to get a new start, she realizes she can't run away from her problems.  They follow her wherever she goes.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  I have read enough Meg Cabot to know what to expect.  The writing's not the best, and there's usually some crude jokes thrown in.  Sometimes, however, you take what is available.  This book was a little darker and more exciting that other Cabot books I've read.  There still were some sexual references and offensive language, however, as well as some strong sensuality in the second book.  There was also some dark imagery.  I would only recommend it to older readers, for those reasons.

AUDIENCE:  Young Adults

RATING:  PG13 for Sexual References

STARS:  2

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Kane Chronicles, Shiver