Braderwood #1: Stanley Finnigan and the Race Around the Universe by

My name is Stan, and I was living an unremarkable life in Braderwood when my life suddenly changed. A little man in a huge spaceship informed me that I'd won a lottery on some planet across the universe. Luckily, my science group agreed to come with me, but the lottery wasn't what we expected. The king said we needed to travel across the universe within a week to collect four relics on four different planets. We'd get something if we succeeded, and we'd be killed if we failed. Wow, we won the lottery?! We didn't have much choice, and it ended up being the most memorable experience of my life.

You must have a tolerance for silliness to enjoy this book. It opens as a story about a bullied, average seventh grader and quickly becomes a space adventure. Stan is joined by his best friend Richey, who is always taking risks and looking for a fight. This is more amusing since Richey is shorter than average. Betsy is Stan's smart friend, but she goes along reluctantly. Bryan is the geeky fourth person in the group, but the other kids don't know him very well. The plot itself is pretty far-fetched. The kids are specifically summoned from a distant planet (it's unclear how they were chosen), and creatures in the various worlds already know their names. The "relics" are unusual for a quest (a blue headband?), but luckily the different tasks are completed relatively quickly. The most interesting task involves a planet with amazing technological advancements, but one of its creations goes wrong. Overall, the book is interesting, but I can't highly recommend it to you. It requires a love for science fiction and a patience to deal with goofiness. If this sounds like you, give it a shot.

Going Wild #3: Clash of Beasts by Lisa McMann

My name is Kelly, and I've finally found someone who appreciates my talents. Dr. Gray sometimes seems crazy and scary, but I'm proud to work on his secret project for the government. I'm not sure how the government plans to use the hybrid chimeras, maybe new super soldiers, but Gray must have something fantastic in mind. I'm proving my value by collecting DNA from different animals, although I feel sorry for scaring and hurting them. I guess that's the price to pay for advancements in science. It's hard to remember the times before Charlie came to Arizona; her arrival started all of my problems. Maybe not all of them. I don't miss my parents, and I was surprised how easy it was to hypnotize and make them forget me. That hurts a little, but I can't wait for the day when everyone will be amazed by my new abilities. 

You should read the previous books to understand the relationships between characters. Kelly joined the "bad guys", but her defection was due to insecurities and hurt feelings. Her parents were going through a divorce, and they were ignoring her when they weren't yelling at her. Her friends understood the danger of the bracelets and wanted to keep one from Kelly, but she interpreted that as an insult and a lack of trust. The bracelets were the backbone of the series, as they gave the wearers abilities associated with different animals. Charlie, the main character, had five abilities and had the least number of complications from the bracelet. Much of the plot dealt with Charlie and her friends researching possible new animals to add to their bracelets. Conversely, Maria's bracelet made her turn into a howler monkey, although other scientists fixed that problem. The plot stretched science fiction, as Dr. Gray was experimenting with hybrid human/animals. His goal was to change everyone on earth into hybrids, although Kelly and the team didn't know. They were starting to question Gray's sanity, so there was anticipation as to what they would do. Overall, this series has been a fun read, and I recommend you give it a shot. Lovers of science fiction, adventure, and animals should be entertained.

Hazy Fables #2: Zombie, or Not to Be by Kyle Sullivan

My name is Edda, and my mom has been changed into a human! I don't know how this terrible thing happened, but my Aunt Agonista is behind it. She's replaced my mom as Lead Scientist, and all she cares about is making money. She's trying to get rid of the renewable resources in Deadmark, and she wants to go back to using fossil fuels. I don't know how she's convinced the elected council to go along with her ideas, but craving human brains can make them lose their focus. Most of the zombies in Deadmark seem to support Agonista, but I know I can count on my vampire friend Bram to help me. However, how can I get anyone to believe the truth about my aunt? And how did she change my mom into a human? 

I found this book randomly in my library's catalog. It flip-flops the world between zombies and humans. Okay, the zombies still eat human brains, but pollution, wasted resources, and global warming are destroying the earth. Most of the zombies believe in science, but Edda is experiencing a lapse in faith. She's doesn't trust following the scientific method anymore. The fun aspects of the plot are how it mirrors real-life concerns for saving the planet, and how the solution to all problems is based in science. Saving the environment is at the center of the conflict. There's also a movement promoting the humane treatment of humans, despite the zombies' natural, uncontrollable thirst for brains. The contrast between "serious" efforts to save Deadmark from Agonista with zany, zombie-life make the book entertaining. Now, if you don't have a tolerance for grossness and silly humor, you won't enjoy the book. Overall, the book amused me, although I can't say I highly recommend you read it. It will appeal to the right audience, so give it a shot if you think that applies to you.

Children of the Periapt: Escape From Elmsmere by Cimone O'Byrne

My name is Vinnie, and I knew I needed to escape from Elmsmere Academy. I was stolen from my parents, dumped in that prison, and I could see it sucking the life out of the other gifted kids. My invisibility came in handy when I wanted to be alone, but it wouldn't help me get past the field of flowers. Liliana said they wouldn't kill me, but I wasn't so sure. I needed to help Kitty get out of there too, as Seekers took gifted kids away when they turned twelve; she'd be twelve in a month. No one knew where they'd be taken, and Kitty's older sister recently disappeared. I knew I had to get back home, but I promised to help Liliana find her sister. I never imagined where that adventure would take us, but the bigger surprise concerned Kitty. Who was she?

This book is the first in a series that follows the trio of gifted kids. Vinnie can turn invisible, and Liliana is able to speak to, and control, plants. Kitty is the most mysterious character, as her past is unknown. No one knows her gifted talent, and she carries a rare emerald periapt. The periapt is a crystal charm worn by gifted children on their bracelets. Kitty's past story is revealed near the book's climax, but the author saves other secrets for the sequel. I'm sure she'll become the center of the next conflict. Liliana's character is dynamic, since she begins the story as a timid, loner character. In the end, she learns to assert herself and discovers more power than she imagined. A message learned is that people who see injustice and do nothing are just as bad as those performing the injustice. People should act when they see something wrong. While I enjoyed the plot and characters, there were elements of the book that could have been improved. The transitions in time could have been better, as some of them were pretty abrupt. Also, characters sometimes stated things that should have been easily inferred by readers. It was redundant. Overall, the story was entertaining and interesting, and it should appeal to lovers of shortish speculative fiction novels. Give it a shot if it sounds like it's up your alley. 

Potion Masters #3: The Seeking Serum by Frank L. Cole

My name is Gordy, and my grandfather is crazy. He has a manifesto that will rock the world of the Elixirists and all the people unaware of magic potions. My mother has been kicked out of B.R.E.W., the organization controlling the use of potions, so now everyone in the world seems to be out to arrest us, capture us, or take away our abilities. However, my ability differs from everyone else, since I can brew potions without having all the necessary ingredients. At this point, I don't know if B.R.E.W. or my grandfather is worse, but something needs to be done. Even though my mother wants to keep me safe, I'm the only one who can stop my grandfather. 

I wish this conclusion to the trilogy had been written two years ago when I finished the previous book. The potions were used frequently, but I didn't know the purpose for most of them. A glossary of spells was located at the back of the book, but who wants to keep referencing that when reading? The plot also included different groups of people, but it was unclear how they all differed. Again, things would probably have been clearer if I'd read the previous books more recently. Read the first two books first! Gordy was the main character, and his grandfather was the main antagonist. Pitting a child and grandparent against each other was an unusual conflict. However, Gordy was conflicted, as B.R.E.W. had done questionable things to Elixirists, so he wasn't sure if they weren't actually worse than his grandfather. This added to the suspense, since the resolution of the conflict was less clear. What would the world look like in the end? Gordy was aided by two non-Elixirist friends who added nice twists to the plot. Max contributed humor to the events, as he was looking for excitement and adventure. Adilene created a subplot, as she really wanted to be an Elixirist, but she was too old to manifest the skills. Or was she? Overall, I enjoyed the series and recommend you read the books straight through. Unlike me.

Jinxed #2: Unleashed by Amy McCulloch

My name is Lacey, and I can't believe I spent the past month in a coma. I remember rescuing Jinx from Carter, but I don't remember anything after chasing my cat through some locked doors. Jinx. I now remember my baku is gone, but I'm still determined to find out what's happening at Moncha Corp. Luckily, my friends are talking to me again and are willing to help, but shockingly, I've been expelled from the Profectus elite academy. They say it's because I only have a level one beetle now instead of a required level three baku. I wish I could remember what happened after I saved Jinx, but I'm sure something else important happened behind those locked doors. It has something to do with Monica, the founder of Moncha, and her partner, Eric Smith, is up to something. He's planning to roll out a new update for bakus, but it can't be anything good. 

You must read the first book in the series. This book develops into more of a mystery, as Lacey tries to figure out what's going on at Moncha Corp. Some of the things I mentioned above were actually shared in more detail in book one, but Charlie has forgotten them now. Her memory returns, with the help of Jinx, but Eric Smith's update is the major conflict in this book. His deviousness and technical capabilities create uncertainty about which characters and bakus might have been corrupted. Lacey's relationship with Tobias is rekindled, but Lacey's best friend wonders if he can be trusted. The author includes phrases here and there that spread doubt around to various characters. However, I was surprised by a secret revealed by Lacey's main school nemesis. The fun part of the series is the bakus, as they're the robotic pets people have come to rely on. They're like personal computers/cellphones wrapped up in cute packages. (Except for Lacey's new beetle named Slick) Slick has a history with Lacey that began back in the first book, so their relationship is complicated. The two Jinx books are a fresh spin on science fiction and take technology to the "what if?" stage. Overall, I highly recommend these books for your reading pleasure. I don't know if there's going to be a third book, but the resolution of this one leaves the door open. 

Spy School #8: Spy School Revolution by Stuart Gibbs

My name is Ben, and everyone thinks Erica, the best spy in school, tried to blow me up at the CIA. Of course, I know that isn't true, since I'm still alive. I managed to meet with her, and she said some secret, evil organization forced her to attack me. I'm about the only one who believes she's not a traitor, and I'm going to help her in thwarting this organization's plans. That will be a challenge seeing as this group's been behind many of our country's most well-known conspiracies, including assassination attempts and the stock market crash. I thought telling my parents about my secret life as a teenage spy would complicate things, but my dad actually thinks it's pretty cool and exciting. My mom and he are looking forward to going into witness protection. Hopefully, I won't get myself killed or arrested for helping Erica.

I somehow skipped reading the previous book, but it didn't affect appreciating this one. The author blended adventure with humor to create an entertaining spy story. The book opened with Ben's parents discovering he hadn't been attending a private science school for the past couple of years and then jumped to everyone surviving a missile attack. Ben was the brains of the series, as he always managed to solve the various problems. This was balanced with his very average abilities in all other areas of spying. In addition to stopping the evil plans of a secret organization, the characters are informed of double agents lurking within the CIA. Consequently, all new characters should be treated with suspicion, since any of them could be working with the bad guys. Erica does all of her super spy things again, but she reveals a surprising secret, considering this is the eighth book in the series. It will be interesting to see how this twist develops in the future. The format of all the books is the same, so you need to enjoy young CIA spies going on unusual missions. The plot includes light-hearted moments that you'll find amusing. Give it a shot if this sounds like it's up your alley.