Review: The Witch's Guide to Cooking with Children by Keith McGowan

In this modern retelling of Hansel and Gretel Sol and Connie Blink move to the town of Schoneberg with their Dad and step-mom. Sol is an 11-year-old whiz kid who looks after his trouble making eight-year-old sister and together they set out to explore the neighborhood.

Little do they know that their Dad and step-mom have an ulterior motive behind moving to Schoneberg and when Sol meets neighbor Fay Holaderry, he has his suspicions about the kind of bone her dog is gnawing on.

Determined to get to the bottom of the situation they discover Fay’s journal and it soon becomes clear what their Dad has planned but will they make it out alive before it’s too late?

The Witch’s Guide to Cooking with Children reminds me of the Goosebumps books that my son and I used to read. It was a very light scary story toned way down for kids. Spaced throughout the book we get to read little bits of the witch’s journal and I really enjoyed those sections since they were whimsical enough to get a chuckle.

I did think the story was a little bit choppy and it didn’t flow well in some parts but I don’t think younger readers would notice or mind that at all. The illustrations by Yoko Tanaka were very well done. The kids faces were a little bit creepy looking but it matched the tone of the story well. Overall this is a recommended read for kids aged 10 and up.

Review: The Witch's Guide to Cooking with Children by Keith McGowan

https://www.readingwithmonie.com/2009/09/review-witchs-guide-to-cooking-with.html

Complete: My 2009 eBook Reading Challenge

I've completed one more challenge by reading at least 12 e-books this year. I'll continue the list here and have the sidebar link to this post since I know I'll be reading a couple more e-books before the year is up. By completing this challenge I have just one more to finish this year.

1. Invisible - Kimber Chin


2. Dirty Little Angels - Chris Tusa


3. Pleasure Unbound - Larissa Ione


4. The Blue Pen - Lisa Rusczyk


5. Host - Stephenie Meyer


6. The Elf and The Princess - Anna del C. Dye


7. Trouble in Elf City - Anna del C. Dye


8. Elfs in a Conquered Realm - Anna del C. Dye


9. Str8te Boys - Evangeline Anderson


10. Man of Her Dreams - Robie Madison


11. Selling Forever - Kimber Chin


12. My Soul to Lose - Rachel Vincent


13. Romeos Dead but Juliet Faked It - Christine McKay


14. Raising Atlantis - Thomas Greanias

Complete: My 2009 eBook Reading Challenge

https://www.readingwithmonie.com/2009/09/ive-completed-one-more-challenge-by.html

Review: Raising Atlantis by Thomas Greanias

When an earthquake in Antarctica reveals a mysterious monument, the US Military sends a team to investigate. Having a military presence in Antarctica is strictly forbidden by NATO so the operation is highly secret.

The man in charge of this operation, General Yeats sends for his adopted son, archaeologist Dr. Conrad Yeats to assist in the discovery. Meanwhile the Vatican gets wind of the activity in Antarctica and sends in the former nun and current environmental activist, Dr. Serena Serghetti who just so happens to have a past with Conrad.

Together they discover that the monument is the top of pyramid larger than any found in Egypt. After gaining access inside it becomes clear that they just may have found the lost city of Atlantis. But unearthing the city will cause catastrophic changes to the environment and leave those in the lost city in a position of power and they’re not the only ones aware of this fact.

I loved the premise and the storyline but some parts of the book just didn’t work for me. A lot of what Conrad did to discover the lost city and while inside it was very technical and dealt with astrology and the information wasn’t explained properly. One minute we’re getting just bare bones about what’s going on and the next moment Conrad is spinning obelisks and opening walls. The explanations just didn’t fit with the action. Those parts of the story just didn’t mesh for me. Other than that it was a great action story and I’ll definitely be reading the next two books in the series, The Atlantis Prophecy and The Atlantis Revelation.

Review: Raising Atlantis by Thomas Greanias

https://www.readingwithmonie.com/2009/09/review-raising-atlantis-by-thomas.html

Review: The Rasner Effect by Mark Rosendorf

Author's Website

After a failed attempt to capture and disband a group of hired killers called The Duke Organization, Jake Scarberry is forced into the Witness Protection Program. Now all Jake has to look forward to is cleaning up after frat boys who party 24/7.

In the showdown between Jake and The Duke Organization a New York City bridge was blown up and many innocent people were killed. Luckily Rick Rasner survived the explosion but he has no memory of his former life.

After seven years have passed Rick has worked hard to remember his past but only has occasional blurry flashbacks that don't tell him anything about who he was. Now working as a therapist at Brookhill Children's Psychiatric Residence he has a chance to help others and he's drawn to fifteen-year-old Clara Blue.

The facilities director, Katherine Miller, seemingly has it in for Clara but Rick sees potential in her and sets about trying to make her life bearable while in the home but the remaining few members of The Duke Organization have finally tracked Rick down and they're coming for him sooner rather than later.

WOW! This book was a total shock. Nothing I imagined the story to be was what I expected. There are curve balls galore inside the pages but I can't reveal any of them without giving away any spoilers. There was a fast action-packed second half with a first half that gets you totally immersed in the characters. This is a must read for all suspense & thriller lovers.

Review: The Rasner Effect by Mark Rosendorf

https://www.readingwithmonie.com/2009/09/review-rasner-effect-by-mark-rosendorf.html

Review: Ginger High by Melissa Burmester

This gently used book available for only $5.50 in my Glyde.com inventory. Check out all the low prices on other great books, too!

After her high school was burned down by a student named Fredrick, freshman Daisy Fisher is sent to attend Ginger High. She soon learns Ginger High is not an ordinary school. Only kids with special powers are allowed to attend. These kids are descended from parents who long ago came to earth from the parallel universe of Animist. Ginger High is where they will learn what their powers are and train how to use them and it turns out Fredrick is a new student there too.

When unexplained murders start taking place at the school four men, Amanta, Matthias, Brian and Taeru are sent to the school from Animist to investigate. Amanta is a healer keeping a secret from his brother, Taeru. Brian is a Tribe king in Animist and Matthias is Amanta’s best friend who has sworn to protect him.

Soon Daisy and her new friends are working with Amanta, Matthias to get to the bottom of the mysterious deaths while learning the truth about someone isn’t who he claims to be.

What really amazes me about this book is that Melissa Burmester wrote it when she was only fourteen years old. When I was fourteen all I was worried about was not wearing the same outfit to school twice in one week.

The storyline is mystery with a hint of fantasy and paranormal. A little bit of it was confusing because there is no build up or back story on the parallel world and the characters but once you get to know who is who it all falls into place. The ending is tied up nicely but it seems like it was also left open for a series or sequel. I’m hoping there is because if Burmester writes this good as a teen I can only imagine what’s next. This is a recommended read for teens and adults who like their books with just a hint of sci-fi & fantasy.

Review: Ginger High by Melissa Burmester

https://www.readingwithmonie.com/2009/09/review-ginger-high-by-melissa-burmester.html