Terra Nova by Shane Arbuthnott

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Terra Nova is the second book in The Molly Stout Adventures series. Despite that I still haven’t read the first book, Dominion, I was able to follow what the tale of Molly and her family in this second installment. The book is categorized under children’s fiction, but I reckon that it is more of a young adult fiction. I found that the narrative is quite long, thus I’ve started to lost interest while I was in the one-third of the story. I just continue reading the book and the story begun to pick-up near the mid-part.

Molly and her feisty personality will amaze and impressed readers; her audacity and dedication to what they believe is truly admirable and is a good image to be copied to. The bond of her family and Molly’s love for them was also an inspiration and commendable. For those who love to read about steampunk, fantasy and adventure type of stories, Terra Nova is highly recommended.

Dead Weight: Murder at Camp Bloom by Terry Blas

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Reading Dead Weight reminds me of Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys because of the mystery and sleuthing theme. The story of the four teenagers in the Camp Bloom, a camp for those who have weight issues, is quite interesting to read and the "accidental" bond between these teens will make readers happy.

I wasn't expecting anything before I read this because based on the cover, I thought the story could be childish or too juvenile. But the expression, "Don't judge the book by its cover," strongly represents this graphic novel. So if you enjoy reading mystery and detective type of stories, Dead Weight is a great addition to your list.



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The Scar by Pittacus Lore

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This short story is definitely the best among all the journals and the lost files bonus because aside from the fact that it was written on Six's point of view, it gave us some spoiler on what might happen (in the case that if you still haven't read the rest of the series). Well, I and every follower of this book series are hoping that spoiler that there could be another garde who died is not true. Or maybe there could be a chance that it will reverse.

Life Before Legend: Stories of the Criminal and the Prodigy by Marie Lu

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a short novella giving a glimpse on one of the memorable days of Day and June before the Legend. Day recounting the memory of his first kiss and of June at her first day at the University. The stories in this novella show us that Day misses the company of a family and of June's respect and love for her brother Metias. I love reading these short novellas because they give a glimpse of some important events in the lives of the characters in the books.

The Enchantress by Michael Scott

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Finally, I could move on after I finish reading this last installment of the book series. I was quite surprised that it was Josh and not Sophie who save the modern world and destroyed the Danu Talis. I was really rooting for Sophie to be the chosen one because I don't like Josh's attitude on the 4th and 5th book. But after contemplating on Josh's journey, I think it really suits him to make the biggest sacrifice and become a hero.

Josh experienced a lot of emotions such as anger, jealousy, uncertainty, and pride. But after all of these, Dee made him realized that whenever he was in doubt; he should always use his heart. The biggest revelation, I guess, is that Josh became Death or also called Marethyu and who gave the book of Codex to Nicholas.

I am curious about what happened to Sophie who isn't really related to him by blood, which was also revealed in this last book. If it's true that the author will be writing a sequel to this series, hopefully, there could be a chance that Sophie and Josh will meet again.

Glitches by Marissa Meyer

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read all of the books in the Lunar Chronicles Series and I was looking for a flashback of what happened to the moment when Cinder was adopted by her new family. I was happy that the author wrote this short novella so we could have a glimpse of what happened and this is really a perfect companion to the series.

The Little Android by Marissa Meyer

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Even Star is an Android, she made a huge sacrifice for the person she loves. Even if it makes her alone or miserable, she thought it would be better to see that the one she loves would be happy. I'm very contented with this short novella and it just shows that there could be chances for Androids, like the case of Star and Miko, to feel just like an ordinary human being.

Sarah's Journal by Pittacus Lore

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I never like Sarah's character because I find her too sweet, weak and easily smitten with John/Four. And this journal of hers proves my first impressions on her. Didn't like her then, and I still don't like her now either will on the ending of the series.

When We Were Shadows by Janet Wees

When We Were Shadows by Janet Wees
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When We Were Shadows is middle grade and a young adult novel that is based on the real-life experience of Walter and his family during the Holocaust period. This book recounts what happened to them and the constant fear the Jews have to deal with while trying to stay alive. Walter’s Oma, the grandmother, was able to keep the letters he has written to her throughout the time they were hiding; these written messages were included in this book as they were clearly describing their suffering.

Walter and his family left their home in Zwickau, Germany in 1937 when he and her sister, Hannah, were only five and nine years old. His family rode the train to Den Haag; their peaceful life in the Netherlands was cut short after three years because the country has succumbed to the hands of the Nazis. His father entrusted their home and his business to a butcher who had a shop beside his father’s.

Their family left Den Haag and stayed in a summer home in Nunspeet; however, their lives were still not safe hence their parents had followed the Underground’s advice to hide his sister in a hospital because of her osteomyelitis. Her illness will be a hindrance once they need to flee their home immediately because of the constant raids by the Nazi soldiers in towns. His Oma was the first member of their family that the Underground has taken in 1940 when they arrived in Den Haag and was kept until the country was free again. Walter and his parents were the only left in their family that was not safe so they have to continue on the move into some new hidden shelter.

The Underground is a group of people who helped the Jews by hiding them; providing them with food, clothing, and information; they also transported them from one place to their new hideaway, and they also helped them build their huts in the hidden village in the forest on 1943. Even though these people put their lives on a stake, they tried to do everything that they can so they can save these Jews from the Nazis.

When We Were Shadows is another novel that will intensely illustrate how it was to live during the Shoah. The story of Walter and his family show us courage, the willingness to live and hope amidst their situation. Also, even though there were times that they were indistinctly persuaded to change their religion from being a Jew to be a Christian, they didn’t falter and keep to their faith.

Nine's Legacy by Pittacus Lore

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A lot of readers would hate Nine because of him being obnoxious. But I don't know why I didn't have the slightest disapproval of his character. Or maybe I already guessed that there's something behind that pretense.