Catherine by April Lindner

SYNOPSIS:  This Wuthering Heights retelling follows Chelsea, who has believed her mother Catherine to be dead most of her life.  However, when she discovers that she is missing, she goes in search of her.  Her search takes her through her mother's past, and into dangerous territory.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  Although this story is a fun-to-read mystery, it is quite dark (as you might expect, given its inspiration.)  Also, there was some adult language, as well as some sensuality and sexual references.  For that reason, I would only recommend it to older readers.

AUDIENCE:  Young Adults

RATING:  PG13 for Violence, Sensuality, and Language

STARS:  3

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Life After Theft, The Girl Who Was Supposed to Die

Young Sherlock Holmes Series by Andrew Lane

SYNOPSIS:  Sherlock Holmes' life is turned upside down after he encounters a body beneath a mysterious cloud on his estate.  With the help of his tutor, Mr. Crowe, he begins to make deductions that will throw him into danger, and help him to solve the mystery.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  I thought this was a good mystery for teens and older kids.  There is some violence however, along with some adventure, so I would recommend readers be aware of those elements.

AUDIENCE:  Pre-teens and Teens

RATING:  PG for Violence and Suspense

STARS:  3

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Theodore Boone Series, I'd Tell You I Love You, but Then I'd Have to Kill You

SYNOPSIS:  Sherlock is back, this time to solve the mystery of why the once-thought-dead John Wilkes Booth is in England.  His adventure will lead to the capture of one of his friends, and a resultant journey to America to bring him home safely.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  Although I still thought the mystery was fun and adventurous, I thought this book was a bit gruesome for younger readers.  I will allow, however, that older boys may be interested in those aspects of the book.  I would reserve it for Teens and older, because of the violence and grotesque imagery.

AUDIENCE:  Teens

RATING:  PG with Gruesome Imagery and Violence

STARS: 2

Veronica Mars: The Thousand Dollar Tan Line

SYNOPSIS:  Taking up where the recent movie leaves off, this novel follows girl-sleuth Veronica Mars as she solves the mystery of a missing college girl.  When another goes missing, who turns out to be the stepdaughter of Veronica's absent mother, things get a lot more complicated.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  Although I love a good mystery, especially with a competent female protagonist, this novel left me a bit disappointed.  I felt there was a lot less ingenuity than just luck, and predictable moments of suspense.  In addition, there was very strong language, as well as sexual references and violence.  I'd recommend skipping this book.

AUDIENCE:  Adults

RATING:  PG13 for Strong Language, Violence and Sexual References

STARS:  2

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Loves Music, Loves to Dance, Life After Theft

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

SYNOPSIS:  Hazel knows how her life will end.  As a terminal cancer patient living on borrowed time, she realizes that she doesn't have long to live.  When Augustus Waters shows up at her cancer support group meeting, she finds that change can bring happiness, even in the darkest of times.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  Although the narration was quick-paced and entertaining, I had a hard time with this book.  It seemed a bit predictable to me.  In addition, it seemed a bit gimmicky, with two cancer patients, meeting with death hanging over their heads.  I felt like it wasn't that creative, honestly.  In addition, there was quite a bit of sensuality, as well as plenty of language and sexual references.  I wasn't very impressed with this book, and would recommend skipping it.

AUDIENCE:  Young Adults

RATING:  PG13 for Language and Sensuality/Sexual References

STARS:  2

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  A Walk to Remember, Girls Don't Fly

Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

SYNOPSIS:  Anna loves nothing more than her 8-year-old son.  When she goes to visit her brother, however, she meets a young man who instantly attracts her attention.  She tries to escape his hold on her by returning home, but their attraction builds into an affair, which wreaks havoc with her family life.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  Given my love for Jane Austen and happy endings, you can probably imagine how I felt about this book.  I was irritated with Anna and the way she snatched up everything she wanted, no matter the consequences.  I realize that this is partly Tolstoy's point, but it was still difficult for me as a reader to witness.  Also, there was quite a bit of political discussion which I found hard to get through.  On the other hand, it is a detailed and forthright depiction of life in Russia in the late 1800s.

AUDIENCE:  Young Adults and Adults

RATING:  PG13 for Sensuality, Adult Topics and Violence

STARS:  3

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Middlemarch, Wuthering Heights

Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden

SYNOPSIS:  As Nitta Sayuri looks back on her lifeas a geisha, she sees times of hardship and poverty, as well as times of luxury and happiness.  As a possessor of rare blue-gray eyes, she catches the notice of those around her, who place her in an apprenticeship to become a geisha.  Along the way, there are many hard lessons for her to learn.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  I was concerned with this book, mostly because of content, and my concerns were validated.  Although the book was entertaining, as well as historically detailed and accurate, it portrays the life of a geisha, employed to entertain businessmen.  Details I felt could have been left out are not spared, and there is some strong sensuality and sexual references.  I had a hard time getting through the book, and would certainly only recommend it to adults for its subject matter and explicit references.

AUDIENCE:  Adults

RATING:  R for Sexual references

STARS:  3

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Chains, Between Shades of Gray

Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25 and Michael Vey: Rise of the Elgen by Richard Paul Evans

SYNOPSIS:  Michael has always known he was different.  By "pulsing," he can cause electricity to flow from his body and into others.  However, he has always known he couldn't use this power.  When, for the first time, he meets someone else who can manipulate electricity, he questions his origin and the greater purpose of his abilities.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  I very much enjoyed reading this book.  Although it was at times dismal and a bit hopeless, it had plenty of adventure and excitement.  I'd recommend it to older readers who can handle the darkness and violence.

AUDIENCE:  Teens

RATING:  PG with frightening imagery and violence

STARS:  3 1/2

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Percy Jackson Series, Maximum Ride Series

SYNOPSIS:  This book picks up right where the first book leaves off, with Michael and his new friends traveling home after escaping their prison.  Michael 's first order of business is to find his mother, but he must first avoid recapture by the Elgen and their thugs.  Things only get worse when he realizes his mother is in the secure, heavily-guarded South American factory.  Michael won't give up, however impossible the odds.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  This was another page-turning adventure, with the same violence and dark imagery.  I would recommend it to anyone who enjoyed the first novel.

AUDIENCE:  Teens

RATING:  PG13 with strong violence and dark imagery

STARS:  3