Please enable JavaScript
eBook | Page 152 | LitPick Book Reviews
eBook
The Iron in Blood (The Iron Trilogy Book 1)
The Iron in Blood
Jenny Doe
Top Choice
Rebecca Harding is an ordinary teenager whose DNA hides an extraordinary secret. A routine blood test after an accident turns her peaceful and rather mundane life upside-down, as she becomes the focus of three powerful brothers with exceptional skills and an age-old secret. As she begins to come to terms with her life as the world’s newest and most reluctant vampire, she is abducted, and must embrace her new powers if she has any hope of escape.

Book Details

Leaf & the Long Ice (Twig Stories Book 3)
Leaf & the Long Ice
D.W. Murray, Jo Marshall
Leaf is an impish, stick creature called a Twig. He lives in an old forest at the foot of an ancient volcano capped by a vast glacier ~ the Long Ice. Leaf entertains his mischievous, younger, twin brothers with stories about the rare beasts that still survive on the Long Ice even though it shrinks more and more as the seasons grow hotter. One afternoon, the twins run away to play in the vanishing ice and snow. They hitch a ride on a giant moth, befriend a snowshoe bunny, and stumble upon a hermit's creepy cave. Mistaking the hermit's odd pets for a cave beast's meal, the twins rescue them all. When a bold mountain goat kid leaps into the expedition, a mighty eagle called Slayer attacks! Panicked, the Twig twins and their terrified companions rush into the glacier's icy tunnels, and are soon bewildered by a maze of melting blue tubes. Yet all is not lost, for with the help of a courageous pika, Leaf and the grumpy hermit join forces to find the twins. But in a dreadful turn of events, it is the snow beasts of the Long Ice that will decide their fate. In the Twig Stories adventure novels young Twigs are thrust upon dangerous paths. Still, they discover their world has unexpected help. In the midst of disappearing habitats, beavers build mighty dams to control floods and quench wildfires. Bark beetles are fought. Rare trees are saved from extinction. Glaciers may shrink, but their precious water is not lost. Now Twigs must learn a lesson from the eruption of a volcano ~ incredible adaption is possible, so Leaf and his loyal Twig friends stick together and battle to survive. Royalties are shared with nature conservancy nonprofits protecting wildlife and forests. Twig Stories are illustrated by D.W. Murray, a Disney artist. His credits include Mulan, Tarzan, Lilo & Stitch, Brother Bear, and Curious George. He is a recipient of the New York Society of Illustrators Gallery and the 2004 Gold Aurora Award.Praise for Leaf & the Long Ice ~"Excellent storytelling combined with accurate science make this book a must-read for children interested in nature and stories of adventure."Sarah Boon, PhD, Alberta Water and Environmental ScienceUniversity of Lethbridge"The theme of environmental change is woven into the narrative as a backdrop to a story of adventure, danger, camaraderie, and kindness. Readers of all ages will relate to the magic that draws Buddy and Burba to the snow in the first place, and will be reminded of our connection to Earth's changing cryosphere."Dr. Gwenn Flowers, Canada Research Chair in GlaciologySimon Fraser University"Leaf & the Long Ice is a must-have in your library. Rich fictional characters, vivid word imagery, evocative sensorial language, and layered science content... Jo Marshall gives us a great age-appropriate teaching tool that helps lay a foundation for students in fostering a nature care-taker's ethic."Clay Heilman, Environmental EducatorNature Vision

Book Details

Emospherica: The Destiny of Jasmine Blade Part I (Volume 1)
Emospherica (The Destiny of Jasmine Blade, #1)
K J Madsen
Jasmine Blade has tightly bottled her emotions for 18 years, but when one chance encounter with a wanna-be rock star ends up in a whirlwind journey across the globe, everything changes. With the invention of 'Emosphere's', Jasmine now has the power to control the emotions of others. Her destiny is to prove to the Council of Carriers, Framers and Readers that Emospherica is a phenomenon capable of controlling the masses - but at what cost? Her unfolding destiny is both dangerous and risky, especially when she has to put absolute trust in others. But Jasmine is determined to remain tenacious and tough until the end - whether it is in jubilant victory or gut wrenching defeat. She is fast learning why emotional warfare is a dangerous game, and that sometimes love doesn't conquer all, no matter what rock star you fall for.

Book Details

The Vampire Gene (The Iron Trilogy Book 2)
The Vampire Gene (The Iron Trilogy)
Jenny Doe
Book 2 in The Iron Trilogy. Rebecca Harding discovers that there is much more to being a vampire than she had originally suspected. Meanwhile, she continues to be pursued by Jack, a brutal and relentless vampire who wants Rebecca for himself, and Angus must do all he can to protect her.

Book Details

Contagion (Toxic City)
Contagion
Jack and his friends are in a race against time to save the remaining inhabitants of a postapocalyptic London from a nuclear bomb.  Two years after London is struck by a devastating terrorist attack, it is cut off from the rest of the world, protected by a large force of soldiers (known as Choppers) while the rest of Britain believe that their ex-capital is a toxic, uninhabited wasteland. But that's not true. Jack and his friends know that the truth is very different--and incredible: the few remaining survivors in London are changing; developing strange, fantastic powers; evolving. And the Chopper force guarding London is treating the ruined city as its own experimental ground. Now, Jack's powers are growing. His friend Lucy-Anne's powers are developing too, and Nomad--that mysterious woman who started it all--is close by. But the Choppers have initiated their final safeguard--a huge nuclear bomb that will wipe out London, and everyone still within its boundaries. Jack and his friends must spread the news of the bomb and save everyone they can. Before that can happen, Jack must face his father, the deadly Reaper, in their final showdown.

Book Details

The Crystal Ordeal (Legends of Leone Book 1)
The Crystal Ordeal (Legends of Leone)
M.G. Dekle
At a young age, Leone Verrat learned that her ability to cast simple magical enchantments was limited by a peculiar handicap. Unlike other sorcerers, her spells would not permanently consume the components necessary for magic, resulting in much weaker and shorter effects but returning the ingredients unscathed. Even though she earned barely passable grades in order to graduate from Blueroot Academy, a school specializing in magical studies, an unknown benefactor still saw fit to recommend her for Morgan's Ordeal, a test necessary for any respectable career.She is soon inextricably linked to her theatrical Ordeal partner, Falchion, as they must brave the dangers of the test together. They both quickly discover that the Ordeal is the least of their concerns when they find themselves in the middle of an ancient power struggle.The Crystal Ordeal follows Leone from her graduation day through a catastrophic magical mishap and its immediate consequences.This thrilling full-length novel begins the "Legends of Leone" Young Adult Fantasy series.

Book Details

Finding King Onomatopoeia and Other Stories
Finding King Onomatopoeia and Other Stories
Lee Woods
When I began these stories, I set out to be a kindhearted Pied Piper, choosing storytelling as a way of inviting students down a path toward the art and craft of writing. I also wanted to help them realize how important good writing will be when they enter the workplace—especially if they choose a white-collar world where they will have to write appraisals, proposals, analyses, descriptions, recommendations, letters, reports and, of course, the inevitable emails. Students-turned-adults will not be expected to write like professionals, of course, but they will be expected to write with clarity and purpose. In Part 1, The Big Issues, students will meet our adventurous duo, James and Jessica Davis, as they learn the key elements of planning. Too often we don't think planning is necessary; we just start writing without thinking and end up in a cloud of confusion. Although a lot of people think planning is a waste of time, it actually helps them find the words they want—and more quickly. Once students have a plan, they can start to write. That's what Part 2, The Tools Issue, is all about. To write well, we need to learn the tools, the mechanics. Students will get plenty of practice creating examples and answers the way our lead characters do, but I doubt they will have the help of Dr. Sidney Slicer or a hip-hop robot. Yes, students will meet these oddballs inside, along with a bunch of other kooky characters like Ludwig von Mayonaze, the world's greatest guru. Please keep in mind that I did not write this book to compete with textbooks. I wrote it for students—no matter whether they're in the fifth, sixth, seventh, or eighth grade. I also wrote it for teachers who are looking for new and creative ways to help students learn to write. I realize students have to meet standards of one kind or another; that's where textbooks can help. But I also believe teachers first want to help students learn to write using the kind of universal techniques in this book--and have fun doing it. One energetic student, Makayla, suggested that most of the stories could be adapted to short plays or skits that students can act out in the classroom. After all, this book is all about characters, dialogue, plots, suspense, humor, and drama. Oh, and writing, too.

Book Details

Four Small Stones (A humorous action, adventure, survival series for children, middle grade, teen and young adult) (Urban Hunters Book 1)
Four Small Stones
Did you know New York Book Review’s, WD La Rue, recommends Four Small Stones, The #2 Kindle Bestseller in Teen and Young Adult Action Adventure Series?***Warning*** Before you purchase this book please be aware that Four Small Stones could make your head fall off. Heads have been seen rolling down suburban streets without their bodies. Please do NOT purchase this book if you do not want people to see you chasing your own head. It will be embarrassing. However, if you don’t mind being completely grossed out one minute and laughing your head off the next, please read on ...Praise for Four Small Stones“I would read ANYTHING this man wrote.” That’s what Mr La Rue said. Plus he didn’t just read Four Small Stones, he had a little nap and then read all the way through to book 8, Final Straw! Pretty impressive.Other 5 out of 5 star reviews for the Urban Hunters series ...“Mad writing skills you’ve got.” Jessica B, Publisher, BooksATrueStory“From the first page to last, you'll be hooked. This story is probably one of the best new young adult books out there. It's a great start to a great series!”JB Cacdac, Singapore Review of BooksOverview of Four Small Stones ...Billy’s gotta find some girls. The problem is he’s an Aborigine from the Australian bush and all he’s got to wear is a loincloth. Not a good look in the city. And what’s worse, he’s never even seen a girl before. Could life get anymore difficult? Why yes it could. Billy could fall in love ...But first he has to survive two devious older brothers and a couple of initiations to prove his manhood. Great.More praise ...“Taaffe's series is a wonderful action series for boys and girls who don't mind a little grit in their stories.” Tammy and Alex Dewhurst, Canada“I have just finished reading the first three in this series and they were the funniest books I have ever read in my entire life! By the time I had finished Four Small Stones I had tears rolling down my cheeks I was laughing so hard. I couldn't wait to read Tribal Scarring and Walkabout and they were both just as good if not better. Can't wait for number 4.” Wendy and Andres, UK“While written for a younger age bracket, adult humour has been included. However it has been written in such a way that what seems like a funny incident to a younger audience, holds an underlying meaning for the adults. I highly recommend this series to everybody who is interested in reading a beautifully written story.” Pinky Pollock, Australian Book ReviewURBAN HUNTERS is laugh-out-loud, gut-churning, heart-wrenching storytelling at its best. Unlike anything you’ve ever read, in typical Taaffe fashion. Hilarious as usual. Always surprising. Wonderful!#2 Teen and Young Adult Action Adventure Series#2 Free Teen and Young Adult Humorous eBooksBest selling Children’s eBooksBest selling Middle Grade eBooksBest selling Teen eBooksBest selling Young Adult eBooksSurvival is climbing up the charts- fingers crossed :)Scroll up and grab a copy today.

Book Details

An Unexpected Adventure (The Distania Chronicles Book 1)
An Unexpected Adventure
D. X. Dunn
When ten-year old Christopher Knight gets an email from his best friend, now living two hundred miles away, he has no idea that it holds the key to another world. The two friends unexpectedly find themselves in the magical kingdom of Distania. There they must face a raging river, dragons, a mysterious prince and an angry king; and they need to get home in time for dinner!

Book Details

Knowing Jack
Knowing Jack
Julie Elizabeth Powell
Twelve-year-old Jack knows they shouldn’t go, but is unable to persuade his parents not to take the planned trip to the Lake District, England. Something was going to happen, but what? The weird feelings he had were always so fuzzy and they didn’t always make sense. Maybe it was just because he’d have to spend time with his pampered cousin, Rosie? Anyway, it was nearly Christmas and what could go wrong with just staying in some cabin in the woods? He was being stupid…all he had to do was ignore the way his belly churned and his head pounded. He might be wrong after all.This mystery adventure tale will drag you into the depths of an icy landscape where you may be afraid to breathe.The setting is the Lake District in the UK; an exquisite location which almost becomes a character in itself... Rosie MorganWhat a gripping read! I was engaged from the opening pages. The characters were well-built and believable, the pace quick, and there were a few surprises... Marianne SciuccoThe author's descriptive skills are excellent. She wove a tale that drew you in and held you right the end... Yvonne LeeIt's a great adventure story that keeps you wanting more and cheering on the good guys. I loved it so much I read it again... LuzmariaThe pacing is non-stop thriller. I highly recommend it...Mallory Heart ReviewsExciting, a few tugs at the heart-strings, interspersed with humor that can make you laugh out loud - who could ask for more? L. GardnerBecause of Powell's well-told, vivid, engaging scenes, I felt the emotions of the characters and was immersed in the action... On The ProwlCover Design: Julie Elizabeth PowellSource photo: WinterFree Digital PhotosSource photo: Free Photos

Book Details

Pages



RECENT BOOK REVIEWS