Out of Eden by Peter Johnson: Book Review

Tweet

Book received at no charge to facilitate my review.


Since the divorce of his parents, seventeen-year-old Stony pulls away from his father and rarely talks to him. When his father and live in girlfriend, Sally, plan a vacation in New Hampshire for him and his sister Molly, Stony must counteract his father's hasty temper with his quiet strength in the face of evil as chilling as his grandmother's murder.

At the first rest stop on the way to their destination, Stony's dad gets into an argument with two frightening characters, Abraham and Leopold. Abraham's brutality does not compare to the religious fanaticism of Leopold who mark Stony and his family for extermination and hunt them down.

The hunt becomes more terrifying with brief glimpses into the mind of the psychotic killer, Leopold. Out of Eden offers a gripping look into the world of a psychopath with realistic violence too disturbing for a younger reader, but will keep the teen reader engrossed throughout the entire story.

Rating:  Recommended ****

Publishing Information:

Publisher: Namelos (February 1, 2014)
Ages: 14-18
ISBN: 9781608981618


This book can be purchased from the following retailers:

**FTC Disclosure:  I received the book at no charge to facilitate my review. No monetary compensation was received.

Book Review: Agent Colt Shore Domino 29 by Axel Avian

Tweet

I received an electronic copy of book at no charge from the publisher for review purposes. No monetary compensation was received. My opinions are not influenced by outside sources.

Fifteen year old Colt Shore doesn't feel like anything special. Especially when compared to his nearly perfect older brother, Dixon, who died when he was twenty-two. Yet, the fact the he attends attends a school for secret agents run by the F.A.L.C.O.N. organization, makes him special. 

Colt receives a startling revelation that his deceased brother is really his father and the mother he never knew is Amber Coltrane, a highly regarded agent at his academy. After the bombshell about his parents, his agent status is activated with what turns out to be a dangerous and exciting mission.

His mission involves protecting Thorne and Talya Ellis, a brother and sister team of a pop band, following a kidnapping threat. The group is to perform in Afghanistan as part of a USO tour and Cole must follow them across the world. Just like a row of dominoes, one nail biting event crashes into another culminating into an exciting conclusion. Colt and Talya discover a sinister plot to enslave young women. Colt must race across continents, into the mountains of Bavaria, and risk becoming a rogue agent in an attempt to rescue the girls. High tech gadgets combine with non-stop action make Agent Colt Shore Domino 29  delivers as a thrilling spy adventure comparable to James Bond but without the adult violence. Teen boys are sure to find a new action hero in Colt Shore.

Rating: Recommended ****

Publishing Information

Arundel Publishing (May 2013)

Ages 12 and up

370 pages

ISBN-13: 9781933608525

This book can be purchased from the following retailers.

BOOK REVIEW: Itch: The Explosive Adventures of an Element Hunter:

Tweet

**FTC Disclosure: I received the book at no charge from the publisher to facilitate my review. My opinions are my own and not influenced by outside sources**

Itchingham "Itch" Lofte didn't mean to burn off his eyebrows. He also didn't mean to send his whole science class to the hospital with arsenic poisoning. When you take up a dangerous hobby like collecting elements from the periodic table, those things are inevitable. 

When Itch acquires a super radioactive rock, not yet discovered by scientists, he ends up in a harrowing adventure that makes his previous mishaps seem minor. The head of the science department confirms the rock is actually element number 126, one not ever seen before. It turns out scientists, as well as terrorist groups from all over the world, want the rock and the unsavory ones will stop at nothing to get it. With the help of his sister Chloe, female cousin Jack and even a beloved science teach, Itch races against death to make sure the new element does not fall in the wrong hands. When Itch tries to track down Cake, the element dealer he acquired the first rock from, he discovers the rock is not the only one. Unfortunately, there are seven more.The realization of the just how dangerous the element really is, gives Itch an urgency to keep it from those who want it.

 Itch exhibits an amazing level of maturity and moral courage, instantly elevating his status from science geek to reluctant hero. 

Simon Mayo's debut novel is one of the best adventures for middle schoolers I have read in years with an original premise and non-stop action that will have the reader on the edge of his seat. Strong female characters will appeal to girls as well. For ages 10-14 but overlaps into the young adult group.

Who knew that the periodic table could be so exciting? 

 Highly Recommended

Publishing Information:

Publisher: Splinter (April 2013)

Pages: 432 (hardcover)

ISBN-13: 978-1-4549-0509-7

This book can be purchased from the following retailers:

Book Review & Giveaway: Rough Waters by S.L. Rottman

Tweet

After the death of their parents, Scott and his older brother, Gregg, are sent to live with an uncle they didn't know they had. Going from a bustling California suburb to a small town in Colorado proves to be difficult for both of them.

Their uncle puts them to work at his white-water rafting company to help make ends meet. Scott takes his job seriously and especially looks forward the days he gets to help on river trips. Though he revels in the thrill of the rapids, he also gains respect for the hazards the hidden in the white caps. Gregg, on the other hand, becomes rebellious. He experiments with drugs and alcohol and makes choices that not only endanger himself, but those around him as well.

Both boys struggle to learn how to survive on and off the water as they adjust to their new family dynamic. A budding romance brings welcome relief to the family tension. After getting past the cliche of having both parents die and discovering a long lost family member, the excitement picks up. Rottman's skill in describing the river adventures makes the reader feel as if they're part of the ride. The river becomes a thrilling place to learn that actions can have life changing consequences.  Recommended for the reluctant early young adult reader and will especially appeal to the outdoor adventure loving teen.


                                                             Publishing Information

Publisher: Peachtree Publishing (May, 2012)

ISBN 13: 978-1-56145-413-6

Ages: 13-17 (Grades 7-12)

Purchase from the following Retailers.

Giveaway Details: Winner will receive a paperback copy of Rough Waters. Use the Rafflecopter form to enter. By entering, you acknowledge you have read the terms on the form and agree to them. Contest ends 4/2/2013 at 11:59 EST

**I received a copy of this book at no charge to facilitate the review. No monetary compensation was received and my review was in no way influenced by receiving a copy of the book.

a Rafflecopter giveaway