Gone

Did you ever wish that your parents would suddenly just disappear? If suddenly there was a mysterious catastrophe, would you prefer to take charge or just follow along? Could you handle the stress of suddenly developing new powers? Gone by Michael Grant is an inspirational novel full of fear, romance, and the fight to stay alive.

Sam Temple was going through just another school day when suddenly the teacher disappeared. Not only the teacher, it turns out, but everyone who's fifteen or older. Now in the FAYZ, or the Fallout Alley Youth Zone, bullies terrorize everyone, food is becoming short, there's no TV, internet, or phone, everything's in chaos, and suddenly some kids are developing new powers. Sure beats puberty as the worst thing happening to you when you're a teen. To make matters worse, the Coates private school kids decide that now's the great time to come in and take charge. Caine becomes the leader, attempting to bring order to the chaos in the town. But a new mystery starts to bring more trouble to the FAYZ, because Sam finds a wall slick, grey, hot to the touch, surrounding the town in a perfect sphere, with no breaks. On top of that, when your fifteenth birthday comes around, you disappear the exact moment you were born, and Caine may just be hiding something that could cause the present panic to erupt into the destruction of the new world. On a minor note, Sam has now got himself a girlfriend to worry about. Will everyone be able to survive their fear, or will they just end up killing themselves?

This book is a great one for this list of favorites because it shows that no matter how big they are, some people can face their fears. It's fast paced and contains many aspects of adventure, throwing quite a bit of danger into the mix of the story. Grant does an excellent job of portraying each character, and describing every fear, joy, danger aspect of the story in perfect detail, making you feel the tense atmosphere of the book right where you read it.

So, can Sam find a way out of the FAYZ? Will the preschoolers be able to find a way without their parents? Are the new powers kids are gaining more deadly than they believe them to be? Read Gone by Michael Grant and you'll be gripping the edges of the book before you even finish the first chapter.

The Singer of all Songs

Do you ever feel like there's more to your life than just where you've been? Have you ever given into your sense of adventure and followed your curiosity? Would the possibility that magic could come from singing ever have occurred in your mind? All of these questions come together to tell the story The Singer of all Songs by Kate Constable. Containing endless adventure, magic, and the escape from an evil hunter, this book has plenty for everyone.

Ever since she was a little babe, Calwyn has never left the protective ice walls surrounding her home of Antaris. In less than a year, she would be recognized as a full priestess, and her power would increase so that she can serve her Goddess. But when she finds an Outlander lying on the inside the sheer ice walls, she cannot help but stop her strengthening of the walls and take him to he infirmary. Soon she learns his name is Darrow and is trying to run from a restless attacker, who wants nothing more that to master all of the ancient magics, along with the life of Darrow. When he intrudes Antaris, Calwyn helps Darrow to escape through the river that flows under the barrier walls, then follows her panic and ends up in the river- even though she can't swim. Suddenly she is swept along with the current, not to mention an entirely new adventure, and will face more that just an unusual Outsider. Soon she is making new friends, learning new chantments,or spells, and even battling pirates, not to mention all while running for her life. Can she outlive her pursuer?

This is a great book worth checking out, because if you're anything like me, then you know how great it is to read about other worlds full of magic and mystery. Constable sure knows how to keep you reading, and I guarantee that you'll be rushing to the nearest store or library just so you can get the next book in the trilogy.

So, can Calwyn overcome her fear of the water and learn to swim? Or will she never get the chance because of the evil sorcerer following her? Is she even more unique than her fellow sisters at Antaris thought she was? Read The Singer of all Songs by Kate Constable and you just may learn a few other things along the way.

Dragon's Milk

Do you ever feel like you don't belong in your family? Would you do anything to save a loved one if they were almost fatally sick? Could you take care of yourself along with three younger dragons? If so, Dragon's Milk by Susan Fletcher is a book worth reading. Filled with terrifying secrets, daring escapes, and green-eyed dragonsayers, this book has it all.

Sixteen-year-old Kaeldra has never found a way to fit in with her foster family. She's just too different, and to make matters worse, she has green eyes, which means she can talk to dragons. When her younger sister Lyf becomes ill with vermillion fever, which is usually fatal, Kaeldra knows she must travel to find the last known female dragon Fiona and take some of her milk back to her beloved sister. When one drink is not enough, however, Kaeldra must keep journeying back to watch over Fiona's draclings, or children, in return for another jar of milk. Suddenly, when Kaeldra is watching the draclings, something terrible happens to Fiona, and the draclings instantly sense it. They know their mother will not return again. Now Kaeldra must take the dangerous journey to help bring Synge, Pyro, and Embyr to their kin, the lost Ancient Ones, or dragons. Pursued by others who wish her draclings harm, Kaeldra must stay hidden in the shadows while being disguised as a boy. Can she bring the draclings to the Ancient Ones before it is too late, or will she be caught by those who seek her?

This book is on my top list because it never seems to get boring. At the end of every chapter there's a new problem that has you rushing to finish the next, which just leads you to another. Fletcher does such an incredible job of portraying Embyr, Pyro, and Synge that you just can't help but fall in love with them, and Kaeldra shows such fierce determination to protect them that you have to admire her. Plus, if you love dragons, well this book is positively perfect.

Will Kaeldra bring the draclings to the Ancient Ones safely? Will her disguise be enough to keep her hidden? Will she ever return to her foster family and fit in? Or will she be just as much as an outcast as before? Is there even a follower who doesn't wish Kaeldra or her draclings any harm? Read Dragon's Milk by Susan Fletcher. Then you may find your answers if you read hard enough.