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

Tandem by Anna Jarzab

SYNOPSIS:  Sasha's life was forever changed the day her parents were killed in an accident.  By the time she is in high school, however, she has moved on and learned to live without them.  When she is kidnapped and taken to parallel universe, however, her world is changed once again.  She must decide whether to go along with her kidnappers, and return to her home, or fight against them, and say goodbye to the world she loves forever.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  I didn't expect to like this book much, since I wasn't interested in the parallel-universe/theoretical physics discussion.  However, I was pleasantly surprised.  The novel focused more on Sasha's story, and kept the science fiction to a minimum.  I really enjoyed this book.  As far as content goes, there was some language and violence, so I would recommend the book to older readers.

AUDIENCE:  Teens

RATING:  PG with Adult Language

STARS:  3

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  The Selection, Dark Star

Rules by Cynthia Lord

SYNOPSIS:  Catherine has always wished her autistic brother was different.  Especially when a new girl moves in next door, who Catherine would like to impress.  When she meets Jason, who can't walk or speak, her views change completely.  She learns things about her brother and others like him that she will never forget.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  This book was poetic and thought-provoking.  I think it would make an touching and eye-opening read for pre-teens and teens.

AUDIENCE:  Children, Pre-Teens, and Teens

RATING:  G

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  The Mighty Miss Malone, A Corner of the Universe

Out of Sight, Out of Time by Ally Carter

SYNOPSIS:  Cammie left her school, on a quest to stop endangering the lives of those she loved, and to get more answers.  Months later, that is the last thing she remembers.  She wakes up in a monastery, not sure what has happened to her, or if it is even worth remembering.  As she retraces her steps, she will be put in the path of even more danger.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  This book kept with the series' trend of getting more and more mature with each book.  It was both more complex and interesting, and also more violent and dark.  I would recommend it for mature readers, since there is more violence and frightening imagery.  However, it is an exciting continuation of the series, and I think older teens would still enjoy it.

AUDIENCE:  Teens (older) and Young Adults

RATING:  PG13 for Violence

STARS:  2 1/2

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  The Agency, Cahills vs. Vespers

Champion by Marie Lu

SYNOPSIS:  The Legend Trilogy concludes as June and Day find themselves thrown together after eight months spent on opposite sides of the Republic.  Their goal is still the same:  to save the Republic and the people who live in it.  However, with their troubled history, and the almost insurmountable odds, they are unsure if they can find a way to be happy together.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  I was not a fan of the first half of this book for many reasons.  It was dark, hopeless, and depressing.  There was stronger sensuality in this book than the others in the trilogy, including both a bedroom scene, and a homosexual kissing scene.  By the time I was halfway through it, I was looking forward to being rid of it.  For those reasons alone, I wouldn't recommend the book.  However, the last half of the book was exciting, and the ending was satisfying.  Since I don't believe it's possible to read just the last half of the book, I'd recommend skipping it and looking up the ending on Wikipedia.

AUDIENCE: Young Adult

RATING:  PG13 for Violence, and Strong Sensuality

STARS:  1

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  I Am Number Four, Divergent

Dark Star by Bethany Frenette

SYNOPSIS:  Audrey has always know her mom is different.  After all, she is a superhero.  However, she wasn't completely informed on whom (or what) her mother was fighting every night.  When girls in her town begin to disappear, and Audrey herself has a frightening run-in in an alley, she is thrown into a world she never knew existed.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  I had a different mental image of what this book was going to be, and just like the title says, it was quite a bit darker than I imagined.  Also, there was a bit of theoretical imagery, which I personally am not a fan of.  However, I think it would be an entertaining read for mature readers who enjoy dark fantasy thrillers.

AUDIENCE:  Young Adult

RATING:  PG13 for Violence, Language, and Disturbing Imagery

STARS:  2

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, I Am Number Four