TimeRiders

TimeRiders
by Alex Scarrow

From the publisher:
"Liam O’Connor should have died at sea in 1912.
Maddy Carter should have died on a plane in 2010.
Sal Vikram should have died in a fire in 2026.

Yet moments before death, someone mysteriously appeared and said, ‘Take my hand ...’

But Liam, Maddy and Sal aren’t rescued. They are recruited by an agency that no one knows exists, with only one purpose—to fix broken history. Because time travel is here, and there are those who would go back in time and change the past. That’s why the TimeRiders exist: to protect us. To stop time travel from destroying the world... "

Several of my students love this series, so I thought I should read it and see why. It starts out with a bang on the Titanic and then goes back and forth between time and decades throughout. I've read several time travel books, and I think this one is my favorite as far as making sense and explaining the "science" behind it. I thought the plot and the changes in history were well thought out and really interesting. What would have happened if Hitler had won? (Well, it wasn't really Hitler winning, but you'll have to read that for yourself.) And the notion of saving teens from death to have them become TimeRiders that live the same 2 days over and over again watching for changes was kind of brilliant. The characters were likeable and appealing (especially non-human Bob), but I would have liked more background on most of them. I'm going to assume things will eventually come out as the series progresses, though. I think it would have slowed things down to have it all dumped in this first book. All in all I enjoyed it, and I'm hoping it will help students become a little more interested in historical fiction because of the adventures the TimeRiders have. One little problem is that this series is published in the UK with 9 books in the series, but only 4 have managed to make it across the pond so far. I don't know why they don't publish the rest of the series in the US, but I went ahead and ordered the rest of the series (actually I don't have the ninth one yet) online from bookdepository.com. The kids who have discovered this series absolutely love it. I liked it.

Areas of concern:
The use of Jesus Christ, Christ, Jayzus as expletives.
Some cussing, but not over the top.
Violence is rampant, but not gratuitous. The TimeRiders are placed in many scary situations that they have to get out of.
Some scary Gollum-esque nuclear-mutated humans that are cannibalistic (I may have just made up a few words there).

Suggested Ages:

Kirkus Reviews - Ages 12+

School Library Journal - Grades 8+

Kat, Incorrigible

Kat, Incorrigible
by Stephanie Burgis

From the publisher:
"Katherine Ann Stephenson has just discovered that she's inherited her mother's magical talents, and despite Stepmama's stern objections, she's determined to learn how to use them.

But with her eldest sister Elissa's intended fiancé, the sinister Sir Neville, showing a dangerous interest in Kat's magical potential; her other sister, Angeline, wreaking romantic havoc with her own witchcraft; and a highwayman lurking in the forest, even Kat's reckless heroism will be tested to the upmost.

If she can learn to control her new powers, will Kat be able to rescue her family and win her sisters their true love? "

I enjoyed this book, but I was at all times aware that I was reading a book by an American author. I am just a little bit of a Brit Lit snob (okay, a lot of bits), and I can easily tell the difference between a Brit writing about the Regency period and a Yank writing about the Regency period. So while I liked the book, that American author feeling was a constant annoyance. However, I think the author and I could probably be best friends (except that I didn't love her book), and I'm very jealous she is now living the dream of living in Wales. While I didn't adore the book, the plot was fun, the characters were likable, and it held my attention. Do I think it will get checked out very often in the Blevins library? Probably not. The cover is very juvenile and will not attract the students, and the historical fiction aspect will probably also deter them. But all in all, it was a pretty fun little book.

Suggested Ages:
Booklist - Grades 6-10
School Library Journal - Grades 6-9

The Winner's Curse

The Winner's Curse
by Marie Rutkoski

From the publisher
"Winning what you want may cost you everything you love". 

As a general’s daughter in a vast empire that revels in war and enslaves those it conquers, seventeen-year-old Kestrel has two choices: she can join the military or get married. But Kestrel has other intentions.

One day, she is startled to find a kindred spirit in a young slave up for auction. Arin’s eyes seem to defy everything and everyone. Following her instinct, Kestrel buys him—with unexpected consequences. It’s not long before she has to hide her growing love for Arin.

But he, too, has a secret, and Kestrel quickly learns that the price she paid for a fellow human is much higher than she ever could have imagined.

Set in a richly imagined new world, The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski is a story of deadly games where everything is at stake, and the gamble is whether you will keep your head or lose your heart."

This is the last of my summer forgot-to-blog-at-the-time books.  I remember that it took me forever to read this one, and that is usually not a good sign, especially since I read several others at the same time. Maybe it would have been better if I had read it straight through, but I was pretty bored during most of it. I ended up enjoying it, but it definitely didn't bowl me over.   However, it was clean and it has a GoodReads rating of 4.07, so I'm obviously in the minority.  I think teenagers will really like it.    

Areas of concern:
The whole plot deals with conquering neighboring countries and enslaving them. 
I don't remember any bad language or sexual situations.

Suggested ages:
Kirkus Reviews - Ages 12-18
Publisher's Weekly - Ages 12+