Kissing Coffins

Kissing Coffins is by Ellen Schreiber. The second novel in the Vampire Kisses fantasy series. Raven is out to find Alexander. She tracks him to a city several hundred miles away. She uses a visit to her Aunt as an excuse to hunt for Alexander; but before she finds him Jagger (an evil vampire, who is also looking for Alexander) finds her. Can Alexander and Raven be together? Can they survive Jagger's evil plot? Another good entry in this fun series.

Ratings: 7th grade - 9 out of 10.

Vampire Kisses

Vampire Kisses is by Ellen Schreiber. This is the first book in the Vampire Kisses fantasy series. If you liked Twilight you will like this series. Raven is a goth, the only goth in town. She is surrounded by yuppies and is a total outsider. Then on her 16th birthday the Sterling's move into an old abandoned mansion near the cemetery You guessed it, they happen to have a 17-year-old son named Alexander - and they also happen to be vampires. This is a very cute story of first love. It doesn't have the magic of Twilight, but it's a very good tale.

Ratings: 7th grade - 9 out of 10.

Fool Moon

Fool Moon is by Jim Butcher. This is the second book in the Dresden Files Series. Another fantastically gripping tale of fantasy and the supernatural. Harry, the wizard, is back and is now up against werewolves - lots of them! Which are friendly and which aren't? And what in the world is he going to do about Murphy who is trying to arrest him? How does he keep her alive and himself out of jail. This one is gorier than the last and there is still profanity, but this is a great story. It's a scary thrill ride, a great story.

Ratings: 9th grade - 10 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content) - V (violence).

Storm Front

Storm Front is by Jim Butcher. This is the first book in the fantasy Dresden Files Series. Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden is a wizard; think Philip Marlowe combined with Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The only wizard listed in the Chicago Yellow Pages; Harry is more of a paranormal detective than a wild wizard. He lives in a basement apartment with a thirty-pound cat with half a tail and an oversexed talking skull who loves romance novels. In the first book there have been two grisly murders; Harry is called in by Karrin Murphy, head of the Special Investigations Unit that handles "unusual" crimes. Add to the mix a woman with a missing husband, a crime lord, and an evil wizard and you've got a great tale. This is a wonderful read. It's supernatural fantasy mixed with a hero straight from a Dashiell Hammett novel. There is some violence and profanity, but the story is gripping.

Ratings: 9th grade - 10 out of 10 - P (profanity) - MC (mature thematic content) - V (Violence).

Two for the Dough

Two for the Dough is by Janet Evanovich. This is the second book in the Stephanie Plum mystery series. Stephanie is still working for cousin Vinnie as a bounty hunter. This time she's after one of Morelli's relatives, and as "everyone knows the Morelli and Mancuso men are jerks". Stephanie also decided to take a side job for Spiro Stiva, of Stiva's Mortuary fame, to locate 24 stolen caskets. A wild thrill ride of action and humor; watch out folks Grandma Mazur is "packing" in this one. Evanovich's blend of crime drama and Jersey humor combine in a tale that makes you think you're in New Jersey. Again, this series is for older readers. There is heavy profanity, violence, and non-graphic sexuality. But if you're old enough, this book is a winner!

Ratings: 11th grade - 10 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content) - S (non-graphic sexuality).

Timothy of the Cay

Timothy of the Cay is by Theodore Taylor. If you have read The Cay this is a must read. This book is a prequel/sequel to The Cay. Some chapters are dedicated to Timothy's past and some to Phillip's efforts to regain his sight with a very risky operation. It is a good historical fiction book with a very satisfying ending.

Ratings: 6th grade - 8 out of 10.

Marked

Marked is by P.C Cast and Kristen Cast. It is the first in the House of Night fantasy series. This novel is set in a world much like ours – except in Zoey Redbird’s world vampyres have always existed. Sixteen year old Zoey steps into this mystical society after being Marked to begin the change from human to vampyre – a change that takes about four years to complete. But not everyone who is Marked will change – many fledglings cannot survive the physiological adaptations and will die. As if that’s not stress enough, Zoey has been Marked as special by Nyx and given powers never before seen in a fledgling. When all she really wants is to fit in to her new life, Zoey comes to understand that she must assume the leadership of the school’s most elite club, the Dark Daughters. Will Zoey have the strength to do what Nyx asks of her? Will Zoey even survive the Change?

Ratings: 10th grade - 10 out of 10 - P (profanity) - S (Sexual Content).