Revenge of the Witch: Last Apprentice Series Bk. 1

By Joseph Delaney 
Grades 5+
Thomas, seventh son of a seventh son, is apprenticed to the local Spook, whose job is to fight evil spirits and witches, he expects a life of danger. However, the boy doesn't realize just how soon he'll face a powerful enemy alone, as Mother Malkin escapes her confinement while the Spook is away. Thomas is forced to use his wits, and the help of his enigmatic new friend, Alice, to fight the evil witch. And defeating her is only the start of the boy's problems. 

Delaney's characters are clearly presented and have realistic depth, and Thomas's mother and Alice stand out for their strong words and actions. The protagonist's voice is clear, and his conflicts over his actions ring true.

I was not expecting to like this book but once I started reading it, I didn't want to put it down. I stayed up  to finish the book. This was a fantastic first person horror story that is scary and gory but not too scary and gory. 

A fantastic read.


1.  The Last Apprentice: Revenge of the Witch
2.  Curse of the Bane
3.  Night of the Soul Stealer
4.  Attack of the Fiend
5. Wrath of the Bloodeye
6. Clash of the Demons
7. The Spook's Nightmare (2010)
8. The Spook's Destiny (2011)

The Monstrumologist

By Rick Yancey
Ages 15+
If you like the TV show Supernatural and you don't mind being really grossed out, you will love this book.

Set in the late-1800s in New England, Will Henry is the 12-year-old apprentice to Pellinore Warthrop, a brilliant and self-absorbed monstrumologist (a scientist who studies (and when necessary, kills) monsters). The newest threat is the Anthropophagi, a pack of headless, shark-toothed bipeds. The great mystery is how they got to this continent as they are indigenous to Africa.

As the action moves from the dissecting table to the cemetery to an asylum to underground catacombs, Yancey keeps the shocks frequent and shrouded in a splatter miasma of blood, bone, pus, maggots, and great vocabulary. The prose style is The industrial-era setting is populated with leering, Dickensian characters, most notably the loathsome monster hunter hired by Warthrop to enact the highly effective “Maori Protocol” method of slaughter.

The story is great. The writing is fantastic. The sentiment feels real. It is a wonderful and scary book.

Haunted Waters

by Mary Osborne Pope

Grades 6+

 Lord Huldbrand meets and becomes enamored of a young woman named Undine. Undine, however, does not know that she is a fey marine maiden. After traveling home with his new bride, Lord Huldbrand notices that Undine has difficulties in adjusting to a terrestrial life. Huldbrand's response is to not trust his wife's magical origins which ultimately causes his downfall. 

Osborne's straightforward tale exhibits superb writing. The descriptions of Undines relationship with the sea are equally beautiful while short, declarative sentences and first-person narration reinforce its inescapable, tragic conclusion. It was a pleasure to read.

This is a sophisticated story and the tale's atmospheric chivalry adds depth. This is great for readers who like ghost stories, Arthurian lore, and other myths.

PLUS, the water theme ties in great with our Summer Reading Program that starts June 7th.
MAKE WAVES!

Cirque Du Freak Series by Darren Shan

Grades 6+

1. A Living Nightmare
2. The Vampire's Assistant
3. Tunnels of Blood
4. The Vampire Mountain
5. Trials of Death
6. The Vampire Prince
7. Hunters of the Dusk
8. Allies of the Night
9. Killers of the Dawn
10. The Lake of Souls
11. Lord of the Shadows
12. Sons of Destiny

I have only read the first 6, but what I have found has really surprised me. Looking at the cover of the book, I thought they would be wayyyyy to gross for me to even consider reading. But the sucker that I am, I went and saw the movie. While there are gross elements in the tales (a spider is kinda central...creepy!), it was an interesting storyline and the plight of the character Darren intrigued me. Thus, I was sucked into the underbelly of the vampire world.

The story follows Darren, a normal kid, who has an interest in horror. He and his friend Stephen sneek out one night to see a "freak show" and he is awed by what he sees, mainly, a strange red and blue spider who has top billing in the show. He manages to steal the spider and when the owner of said spider, a vampire, comes calling Darren realizes that his whole life is going to change.

Darren is a surprisingly sympathetic character and I find that what he is thinking is what I am thinking (apart from wanting to go to a freak show. ahhhH!)

Shiver (The Wolves of Mercy Falls, #1) by Maggie Stiefvater

For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One winter when Grace was young she was dragged of her tire swing and nearly killed her. Yet, one yellow-eyed wolf—her wolf—is a chilling presence she can't seem to live without. Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human ... until the cold makes him shift back again. In short, he is a werewolf. Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It's her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human--or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever.

This is a paranormal/supernatural romance for teens that reads (somewhat) like Twilight. In fact, liked it more than Twilight. The characters take turns narrating the chapters so you get to hear both sides of the story. I totally fell in love with Sam during those chapters he narrated. He is so much cuter and more considerate than Jacob OR Edward. He feels protective of Grace ever since he saved her life and feels a connection to her.

In addition to the romance, there is a sense of a mystery. The beginnings of the werewolf disease (is it a disease?) is completely unknown. Why Grace never changed is unknown. How much time Sam has left is unknown. Everything is on the edge. It all comes down to these few weeks that we, as readers, are privy to. It could go either way. Maggie creates a anxious tone as these two star crossed lovers are desperate for time together.

I also really enjoyed the werewolf-lore. It was interesting and not the traditional switch back and forth business. It was a really interesting take the traditional stories--somehow it made more sense to me than at every full moon there are all these half man/half beast creatures running around under the guise of fur. Why have we never seen some kind of half beast walking around, drinking a Pepsi, and howling at the moon? It just doesn't make sense. But the way Maggie has her characters change is brilliant!

I totally want to read the next book