Cinder Series by Marissa Meyer

SYNOPSIS:  Cinder has been a cyborg since her accident as a child.  It is all she knows.  However, she doesn't appreciate the way she is treated by those around her, especially her stepmother.  However, when she meets Emporer Kai, her life is changed forever.  And when she is enrolled against her will in a study to find a cure for the plague, she discovers an unsettling secret about her heritage.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  I wasn't expecting to like this series very much, but I actually really enjoyed it.  Although the concepts were firmly in the realm of science fiction, the story was told in such a way as to make it believable.  The characters were realistic and endearing, and I enjoyed the retelling of the fairy tales.  There was exactly the right amount of romance and adventure to keep the story moving quickly.  However, there was quite a bit of graphic violence, especially in the second book of the series, so I would recommend it only to older readers.

AUDIENCE:  Teens, Young Adults

RATING:  PG13 for Violence

STARS:  4

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Towering, Legend

Bleak House by Charles Dickens

SYNOPSIS:  Esther Summerson spent the first years of her life being told it would have been better if she had never been born.  However, through this adversity, she develops qualities of humility and kindness that endear her to others.  When John Jarndice takes her on as a companion for his cousin, she quickly becomes an indispensable member of the household.  However, there are secrets to Esther's parentage that would be devastating if they were to become public, and which come into play as she grows into womanhood.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  This was not my favorite Dickens novel.  There were so many characters, introduced with such rapidity that I had a hard time keeping them straight.  However, it had a good message of the value of humility and resiliency that I did like.  I would recommend it to older readers, especially those who enjoy dark stories, because of the allusions to murder and illegitimacy, and because of the advanced reading level.

AUDIENCE:  Young Adults and Adults

RATING:  PG

STARS:  3

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Wuthering Heights, North and South

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

SYNOPSIS:  Aria has led a sheltered life--literally--in the Pod.  She can live a life of fantasy in the Realms any time she wants.  When her mother disappears, her search for her mother leads to her own expulsion from the safety of the Pod.  She is left at the mercy of Perry, a wild outsider who shows her life in the real world.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  I had a hard time getting into this book.  Not only was the writing slow and the characters superficial and shallow to the point of annoyance, but there were some content that I felt was  a bit mature for the intended audience.  There was quite a bit of sensuality, as well as some reference to physical maturation, and some graphic violence.  I'd definitely recommend skipping this book.

AUDIENCE:  Young Adult

RATING:  PG13 for Sensuality and Violence

STARS:  1/2

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Alanna, Eon

The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkein

SYNOPSIS:  After Frodo Baggins inherits a ring from his uncle, and learns what it can do, he embarks on a quest to destroy it.  Along the way, he encounters many monsters, along with quite a bit of peril.  He will need the help of all who are willing to destroy the ring.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  This book is a classic fairy tale adventure that I think readers of any age could enjoy.  However, there is quite a bit of verse in it, and some of the description and phrasing may be a bit hard for very young readers to get through.  Also, there was some violence and frightening imagery that might be too mature for very young readers.  I would recommend it for older readers for these reasons.

AUDIENCE:  Teens, Young Adults, and Adults

RATING:  PG with Frightening Imagery and Violence

STARS:  3

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Howl's Moving Castle, Inkheart

Ever After High Series by Shannon Hale

SYNOPSIS:  Apple White (daughter of Snow White) has always been at peace with her destiny.  She is more than happy to endure a poisoned apple because she knows it will lead to her Happily Ever After.  However, Raven Queen (daughter of the Evil Queen) is not content to follow her mother's footsteps.  She would rather choose for herself.  Unfortunately, there are others affected by her choices, and they are not happy with the changes she would like to make.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  I have been a big fan of Shannon Hale's books, but these two were a little disappointing to me.  When compared with Princess Academy, which is intended for readers of the same age, it is clear that Ever After High is inferior.  While anyone, child or adult, can enjoy Princess Academy, these books seem simplistic and shallow.  However, I will admit that younger readers would likely enjoy them.  I just didn't feel the writing quality was equal to that of Hale's other novels.  Because the books are written for young readers, there was no mature content.  They were very mild.

AUDIENCE:  Children and Pre-teens

RATING:  G

STARS:  1 1/2

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Percy Jackson, Small Persons With Wings