Alex Rider #7: Snakehead by Anthony Horowitz

My name is Alex Rider, and I've once again been sucked into another life-threatening mission. This time, it's the Australian version of MI6, and they've given me the chance to find out about my parents. I'll be meeting my godfather for the first time, and we'll work together to bring down a human trafficking ring run by the Snakehead. All I have to do is pretend to be his son. Simple. My missions are never simple, and this one becomes more than expected, again. Things are not adding up, beginning with me fighting for my life in a caged fighting ring. It's like someone's always one step ahead of us, knowing exactly what we plan to do next. Even my secret gadgets aren't all working the way they're supposed to. How was I to know that Scorpia would reenter my life, determined to get revenge by killing me?

This book actually has Alex kind of working with a partner for the first time. I say kind of, because his godfather disappears for a good amount of time, leaving Alex to figure out how to escape the dire situations. The human trafficking takes up much of the plot, but the prologue lets you know the real conflict involves a giant bomb. The Snakehead, a powerful, worldwide criminal organization, plans to destroy an island where some influential personalities are going to meet. Alex stopped Scorpia in book five, and the Snakehead leaders have a personal vendetta against him. Just like stereotypical villain movies, the bad guys don't want to kill the protagonist right away which allows him to stop the evil plot. You will learn a little about Alex's parents, as the godfather slowly relates stories of their marriage and deaths. He's cryptic about some details, but that information will be revealed in the end. The timing and heroic feats are hard to believe, but Alex chalks those up to the luck of his bloodline. Overall, the story is entertaining and contains a lot of action. Alex spends less time sneaking around a more time actually fighting bad guys. You'll enjoy this book and the whole series if you can tolerate a teenager outthinking and outfighting mercenaries, professional assassins, and demented criminals.

Tales From the Chocolate Heart #3: The Princess Who Flew With Dragons by Stephanie Burgis

My name is Princess Sofia, and I wish my sister would leave me alone. I love reading my books on philosophy, but she expects me do more to help her rule the kingdom. I sometimes wish I wasn't a princess, especially when my sister sends me 400 miles away to meet with rulers from other kingdoms. Flying by dragon makes my stomach very queasy, and the king of Villene has forced me to stay far away from the palace. The good thing is I've disguised myself as a philosophy student and met some new friends. People from my kingdom never make friends with goblins and kobalds, but I love hanging out with them. Their tales of ice giants are unbelievable, especially when they say a giant can easily defeat a dragon. However, the stories became reality when the sleeping troll awoke with a warning.

This book was a nominee for a 2020 Cybils Award in middle grade speculative fiction. The main focus of the story was Sofia's struggle to live up to the expectations of a princess. She felt like she was constantly making mistakes that would harm the citizens of Drachenheim, and her older sister would trick her into political situations for which she was not prepared. Meeting the goblins and kobald allowed Sofia to live as a "normal" human, but it also created new issues. The kobald was clearly keeping a secret, and she didn't warm up to Sofia as much as the goblins. Omitting truths to deceive others was the same as telling a lie. This philosophical thinking continued throughout the book, especially when Sofia's dragon-friend entered the plot. He liked to quote philosophy while telling Sofia why she was wrong. Assumptions about what others were thinking led to problems, so a lesson on the value of communication could be learned. The characters could have learned about each other's feelings just by talking. The battle with ice giants was the tangible conflict, but the clashes between characters were the backbone of the story. Overall, this story felt much different than other books, and I enjoyed it very much. I recommend you give it a shot. 

Alex Rider #4: Eagle Strike by Anthony Horowitz

What were the odds I'd spot the assassin who killed my uncle while staying in the south of France? Alex, why couldn't you let it go? The vacation house was destroyed by a bomb, and Sabina's father was almost killed. I discovered the bombing had nothing to do with me, but I couldn't understand why had the assassin had been speaking to Sir Damian Cray hours earlier. Why would the world's most popular singer want to talk to a hired killer? The guy raises millions of dollars every year to help the needy and make the world a better place. MI6 didn't want to investigate him, but I wasn't willing to let it go. So, I now find myself facing another lunatic who wants to save the world. However, no one else knows what I'm doing, and no one will be coming the save me when things go wrong.

The facet of the stories that bugs me the most in the series is that Alex doesn't have any close relationships with other characters. I thought Sabina might fill that role, and she has a slightly bigger presence in this plot. However, she's still not as close of a friend as she could be, and Alex does most everything on his own. A scientist gives him the experimental gadgets we've come to expect that provide him unusual ways to protect himself. He faces more life-threatening situations, although this time they're more imaginative than in the past. They'd make exciting episodes on television or in a movie. The antagonist in this book is a bit different too. His heart is in the right place even though he plans to kill millions of people. His end-goal isn't to rule the world or to control different countries; he wants to force a change to save millions. A noble cause? Sacrifice millions to save millions? Overall, this book was entertaining with the spyish elements found in the rest of the series. It had a different feel to it, since Alex wasn't engaged in a sanctioned MI6 mission. If you've enjoyed the other books in the series, you'll like this one too. 

The Book of Uriel by Elyse Hoffman

My name is Uwe, and I hate my role as an interpreter for the German Order Police. I've witnessed the torture of prisoners and the murder of Jewish women and children at the direction of Major Brandt. I know the major is getting angry with me, since I've spoken against these atrocities right in front of his soldiers. I don't want to be a part of this war, but I'd like to help the Jews and Poles hiding in this area. It would help if the two groups could work together, but the Poles hate the Jews almost as much as the Germans do. I fear Major Brandt will discover the mute Jewish boy named Uriel hiding in his house, but I'll do all I can to protect him. Not that Uriel needs much help, since he's always sneaking into the woods in search of something. It's like he's invisible to the guards outside the house, but I still wonder what he's looking for. 

This book is due to be released in early 2021, and there was much more to it than I anticipated. It had the most religious focus that I've seen in a middle grade book, and many of the topics were pretty mature and intense. Uriel wrote a collection of stories that often sounded like they came from a holy book, and his main conflict was trying to free Michael, the Jewish guardian angel, from the Angel of Death. He could only accomplish this quest by completing five challenges put forth by the former Arch Angel, so these tasks took up most of his pages. Uwe's efforts seemed to be on a separate path, and he was totally unaware of what Uriel was up to. He questioned his own job with the German army and reinforced the notion that not all Germans totally supported Hitler's philosophies. However, people like Uwe were considered traitors if they spoke up. Uwe and Uriel's stories converged in the end, and Uriel had some divine assistance. The climax and resolution were unexpected but still brought the book to a satisfying conclusion. This book will appeal to lovers of historical fiction, the Jewish faith, and fantasy. I'm not used to reading a book so based in a real-life religion, so that's a primary reason for my three-star rating. It didn't grab me. The book was well-written and interesting, so I recommend you give it a shot.

Alex Rider #3: Skeleton Key by Anthony Horowitz

I miss the excitement of working with MI6, but I wish they'd leave me alone. They always say the missions will be safe, and all I need to do is keep my eyes open while visiting Point Blank in the Alps or attending Wimbledon. Ha! I always find myself fighting to save my life? So, when they told me all I needed to do was enjoy the Cuban beaches while pretending to be the son of CIA agents, let's say I was skeptical. I knew I wasn't being told the whole story when my "mom" got nervous as the customs officer examined the Game Boy she'd given me. The agents plan to sneak into the estate of a former Russian general to figure out what he plans to do with the uranium he bought. You don't need to be a genius to realize the general is building a nuclear bomb.

This book followed the same format as the previous books, and it's not necessary to read them in order. The adventure of Alex being thrown into another dangerous mission provided the greatest entertainment. He didn't do much that a "normal" teenage boy couldn't do, and being a kid often gave him an advantage. He also had a few spy gadgets in his pocket, so it was fun to anticipate when he might decide to use them. The thing I most disliked about the first three books was the fact that Alex didn't have any close friends, teammates, or colleagues. He flew solo. I enjoy the development of character relationships in books, and I missed that in the series. A glimmer of hope is that Alex met a girl early in this book, and she reappeared in the resolution of the story to spend some time with him. Having the girl's parents willing to fly her to find Alex, a boy she'd only known for a few days, seemed unusual to me, so I'll need to wait and see what develops in the book's sequel. Overall, you'll enjoy this book if you're looking for a spy adventure with a twist. Of course, the safety of the world is always at stake. I recommend you give this book a shot. 

The Trials of Apollo #5: The Tower or Nero by Rick Riordan

I am the god Apollo, although most people these past few months know me as Lester, a weak, acne-ravaged teenager. Meg and I are headed to New York City where we'll face Nero, Meg's evil, minor-god stepfather. He'll destroy the city if we don't show up, but it will also probably lead to my death and the return of Meg's abusive relationship with Nero. It would be nice if my godly powers came back (You hear me dad?), but Zeus isn't done punishing me. We need to find some way to weaken the immortal Nero, but he's gotten even stronger with the death of his partners in the Triumverate. Then there's Python lurking deep underground. He's slowly taking control of the oracles, so I'll need to sacrifice my life again after defeating Nero. I don't suppose I can actually die twice, right?

This book concluded the series and was also chosen 2020 Goodreads Book of the Year for middle grade readers. You should read all five books to fully appreciate Apollo's transformation toward humanity. His character is the highlight of the series. It took a couple of books for him to more or less accept the loss of his powers and stature as a god of Olympus. This book highlighted his compassion for others and his willingness to sacrifice himself for humanity. His relationship with Meg also evolved, as he came a long way from being her slave, forced to follow her orders. They developed a deep connection that still included some funny conversations. Riordan's writing style typically included humor, and Apollo's dialogue frequently made me smile. The humor popped up even when Apollo was struggling to stay alive or getting divine advice from the oracle arrow kept in his quiver. Overall, I recommend you give this book and the series a shot, especially if you enjoy mythology, adventure, and wit.

Dragon Keeper's Chronicles #5: Dragonlight by Donita K. Paul

My name is Kale, and I'm constantly worried about Bardon's health. I can't believe a children's disease can lead to such chronic pain in an adult. Our latest quest finds us accompanying Regidor and Gilda, as they search for a lost meech dragon colony. Gilda doesn't want her egg anywhere near the lower races! The female meech drives me crazy, but she's Regidor's wife. A bigger concern is a new group called the Followers. They claim to quote the words of Paladin, but their ideas conflict with Wulder's view of the world. However, they're very persuasive, and their numbers are growing daily. What are they hiding? I'll need all my strength to face these challenges, but I seem to be more tired and crankier every day. What's happening to me?

This book concludes the series. You should at least start reading at book three if you don't want to read the whole series. There's a big jump in time between the second and third books, and this fifth book finds Kale and Bardon very different from when the series began. The series is based in religion, and the new cult claiming to worship Wulder is an antagonist. They're similar to fringe religions in today's world that seem to promote God but may have hidden messages not readily accepted by the masses. The underlying conflict between Gilda and Kale adds a bit of tension to the plot, as Gilda is against anything that isn't meech. Kale frequently needs to bite her tongue, but she's also jealous that Gilda is going to have a child. Kale's minor dragons are entertaining as usual, as they flit around causing mischief. However, they serve specific purposes, like healing, direction, and knowledge, that come in very handy. A new protector dragon creates some confusion. Some readers are turned off by the religious focus of the series, so you'll need to be tolerant of that. It's very much spotlighted in this book. Overall, this has been an entertaining series, and I recommend you give it a shot. 

The Language of Ghosts by Heather Fawcett

My name is Noa, and my brother Julian should have been the one promoted to become the new king. He's able to speak all nine languages to create the most powerful dark magic in the kingdom, but Xavier was able to turn many other mages against him. Now, we find ourselves sailing across the seas, slowly retaking islands from Xavier's rule. I'm concerned about some of Julian's decisions, and I fear he'll become the evil mage Xavier's been talking about. I wish he'd listen to more of my ideas and think things through before acting. Maybe he would if I was also a mage. He prefers to attack his problems with magic without worrying about anyone he might hurt. Xavier has sent his mages and navy to find us on our floating island, and it's only a matter of time before we're found. I'm afraid for what will happen when that day comes. 

I kept waiting for the ghosts promised in the book's title, and they finally arrived toward the middle of the plot. I expected ghosts to be the main part of the story, but death might be a better word in the book's title. As expected, Noa had an unknown magical ability that opened up new ways for her to get into trouble. It really bugged her when she thought only her brother and little sister had abilities. Julian was the most interesting character, as it was never quite clear if he was an evil, heartless mage. He easily executed some characters, but Noa was doing her best to nurture some humanity in him. Julian said she gave good advice, but she was frustrated that he continued to make impulsive decisions. It was funny that she also made rash decisions, because she thought she knew what was best. Her little sister Mite, and a sea monster guarding the island were entertaining additions to the story. Mite was frustrated about being ignored or forgotten, and her magical powers were unpredictable. She could blow things up at any time. The sea monster was controlled by Julian, and she didn't like it one bit. She enjoyed attacking and eating invaders, but she would equally savor the taste of Julian or his followers. Overall, I recommend you give this book a shot, as it's also a nominee for a 2020 Cybils Award.

Ghost Squad by Claribel A. Ortega

My name is Lucely, and my dad needs to come up with more money or we'll lose our home and our ancestors. I enjoy visiting with their ghosts every day, although no one else can actually see them. My father and best friend Syd see them as fireflies, but something is happening to Mama. Her glow is dimming, and she seems to be losing her energy. The ghosts are very worried about an evil force invading St. Augustine on Halloween and that will destroy living and non-living being. I think Syd and I actually made a huge mistake when we tried to cast a spell to help Mama. Our only hope is to find the missing pages from the spell book, but it's hard sneaking around Syd's grandmother. I suspect she's a powerful witch and a whole lot scary, but we may still need to ask for her help.

This book shared an entertaining adventure based on the Spanish culture. Spanish vocabulary was mixed in, and I must admit that I didn't always understand the meanings. However, it didn't have a negative effect on the plot. The Latino culture respects the memories of its ancestors, but this book took it a step farther. Lucely's ancestors ate breakfast with her every morning, and she was able to actually touch them. Everyone else only saw fireflies that lived among the branches of the giant tree in her yard. Each ghost had a unique personality, and Lucely was able to use them to help her defend St. Augustine, the oldest European community in the country. Lucely's father owned a ghost tour business, and I found it ironic that he wouldn't use the family ghosts to help. Instead, he asked Lucely to fake ghostly sounds to enhance the tour. Lucely and Syd were typically impulsive kids and were reluctant to ask for adult help to correct their mistakes. It was clear all along that Syd's grandmother would eventually be called upon to help resolve a centuries-old conflict. Overall, this book will appeal to lovers of ghost characters, not necessarily ghost stories, and lovers of magic. It develops a strong sense of family and friendship. Give it a shot.

The Magician's Elephant by Kate DiCamillo

My name is Peter, and meeting with the fortuneteller changed my life. I knew my parents had died, but she told me an elephant could lead me to my little sister. Vilna Lutz said my sister died at childbirth, so how could this be true? There were no elephants anywhere near Baltese, but then I heard rumors about one magically falling through the ceiling of the opera house. Vilna Lutz cared for me since my parents died, but could he have been lying about my baby sister? I've got to find some way to see the elephant, because I feel deep down that it's the only way I'll discover the truth. However, the fortuneteller said the truth is forever changing. What if?

I wasn't expecting anything special when I opened this book, since it wasn't the kind I normally read. However, I was in for a pleasant surprise. The narration sounded like the sharing of a fairy tale and felt almost poetic. While Peter was the main character, the story touched on the lives of several seemingly unrelated characters. There was a policeman downstairs, the imprisoned magician, a countess, and a beggar on the streets, and it was clear from the beginning that something magically cosmic was happening. Their lives were slowly being led toward a memorable climax. There was not an antagonist in the plot, as Peter strove to reunite with a sister he hadn't seen in six years. There was a wonderful feeling of caring about others that remained constant throughout the story. The book is a pretty quick-read and moves along smoothly. Overall, I recommend you give this book a shot, especially if you're in the mood for a feel-good story. 

Here in the Real World by Sara Pennypacker

My name is Ware, and I wish Big Deal didn't fall, and I wish she didn't get new hips, and I wish she didn't go to a rehab center, and I wish I could still stay with her. I hate going to the Rec Center instead, but my parents think I'm strange, anti-social, and too spacy to stay home by myself. I guess I see the world differently from other people, and I sometimes wish I could be reborn and change myself into a normal kid. Then, maybe my parents wouldn't try to control my life. The abandoned church by the Rec Center may be the key, as Jolene and I are working together to transform it. However, as important as the church is to me, it seems to be even more important to Jolene. I've pledged that I'll protect it from harm, but things beyond my control may be happening. It's not fair. Welcome to the real world. 

This book was nominated for a 2020 Cybils Award in Speculative Fiction, but I'm not sure why it was placed in that category. Those kinds of books typically couldn't occur in today's world, and this story was realistic fiction. Sure, Ware had an active imagination and a unique view of the world, but nothing impossible or unlikely happened. Many young readers can appreciate Ware's anger at his parents' decisions to delay his independence while still trying to show them respect. He lives by the rules of Knighthood and does his best to look out for others. While the book is entertaining, the conflict lacks tension that might evoke emotional reactions. Jolene is a great character due to her determined, surly personality. For much of the story, it's unclear why her garden is so important, and the day of reckoning is vaguely sometime in the future. Conflicts with a specific deadline develop more suspense as the time ticks down. For me, this was missing from the book. Overall, I recommend you give it a shot if you're looking for characters who are working together against a seemingly overwhelming opponent. 

Alex Rider #2: Point Blank by Anthony Horowitz

My name is Alex Rider, and I missed the adventure and excitement of going on a mission for MI6. However, I didn't miss people trying to kill me. Blunt sent me to a private school for troubled kids in the Alps to see if it had any connection to a couple of assassinations from around the world. I pretended to be the son of a billionaire, like all of the other boys, but most of them were behaving very strangely. They moved and sounded like robots, even when they were just playing ping pong. I thought it was impossible for the director to miraculously change bad behavior in a few weeks, so I wondered how he did it. I did some snooping around and was shocked by what I found. The truth could affect the entire world. 

I've read random volumes from the Alex Rider series, so I decided I'd try to cover the ones I missed in a more orderly fashion. Season one of the NetFlix television series is based on this book, although the show was surprisingly more detailed. The plot is believingly unbelievable, as Alex investigates a doctor determined to redo the world. One of the doctor's heroes is Hitler, so that should give you a clue to his craziness. Alex doesn't do anything super-spylike, but he's given a couple of gadgets to use. The story moves along pretty quickly which is good and bad. You're never waiting for the next thing to happen, but it feels like some details are missing. There's no depth to the characters, especially the other boys at the school. It would have been nice if another character had meaningful interactions with Alex, so he didn't feel so alone. Even his support team from MI6 wasn't very supportive. Overall, the series is very popular among middle grade students and should appeal to lovers of spy stories and adventure. Give it a shot.