The Well of Lost Plots

The Well of Lost Plots by Jasper Fforde is the third book in the Thursday Next series. Thursday is on a character exchange program, living inside an unpublished book while she waits out the trouble waiting for her at home - Goliath and SpecOps searching for her, her husband eradicated from time. In addition, her encounter with Aornis Hades (in the previous book) has begun to rob her of her own memories. Her mind seems to be erasing all that she has lived through. Now working as a bookjumper in the Jurisfiction department, Thursday must work to get her memories back, help fix plotholes, and eventually, search for a murderer in fiction. Read this book if you like strange alternative worlds, if you read the first two book, or if you're interested in metafiction. I give it a 7 out of 10.

The Diamond of Darkhold

The Diamond of Darkhold by Jeanne DuPrau is the fourth, and final, book in the Series of Ember. It picks up where the second book left off, with the main characters, Lina and Doon, living in the village of Sparks. It has been a tough winter, and food is scarce. Some villagers are suffering from illnesses that can't be cured. The people of Ember are working on collecting materials to build new homes when the winter ends. When a roamer brings along a mostly destroyed book, Doon and Lina begin to question what happened to their old city. Is there something there waiting for them? Should they return? And what will the find when they get there? Read this book if you liked the first two, if you want to find out what happens to the people of Ember and Sparks, or if you like easy, quick reads. I give it a 7 out of 10.

Lost in a Good Book

Lost in a Good Book by Jasper Fforde is the second book in the Thursday Next series. It begins where The Eyre Affair left off, with Thursday now married to the love of her life, Landen. All seems to be going great now that Hades is dead and no longer a threat. However, someone still seems to be out to get Thursday. Is Hades actually dead? Is the mega-corporation, Goliath, involved? As Thursday tries to solve these mysteries, her husband suddenly disappears from time and space. Someone has been messing with history! Thursday fights to get her husband back while also learning to become a book jumper with Miss Havisham from Great Expectations as her teacher. So much to learn, so little time. Read this book if you liked the first one, if you enjoy alternate realities, or if you're interested in strange tales that keep you thinking. I give it an 8 out of 10.

Ender's Game

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card is a science fiction book set in an unknown future where an alien race known as Buggers has attempted to invade earth twice and seems to be prepared to invade once more. Children seem to be the only hope for survival as they are trained in the latest combat through games at Battle School. Six-year-old Ender Wiggin has been chosen to attend Battle School and seems to be the only hope for humanity. He must leave his family behind and learn quickly in order to lead the soldiers before the Buggers attack. Can Ender learn fast enough? Are the Buggers really coming? And why do the teachers seem to be messing with Ender's mind? Is it all just a game after all? Read this book if you like science fiction, if you like battle stories, or if you're interested in books about good and evil. I give it a 9 out of 10.

The Eyre Affair

The Eyre Affair: A Thursday Next Novel by Jasper Fforde is the first book in a series about Thursday Next, a special operative agent in an alternative version of 1985 England. Thursday works for the LiteraTec department that investigates mysterious happenings in the world of books and literature. In this first novel, Thursday must deal with a serial killer and general psycho, Hades, who seems to allude photographs, police, and reality. Thursday eventually follows Hades into Jane Eyre where she has to be careful to stay out of the story or change the novel forever. Will she survive Hades? Will she survive the book world? Read this book if you love Jane Eyre, if you like metafiction, or you're interested in suspense thrillers. I give it a 9 out of 10.

Inkheart

Inkheart by Cornelia Funke is a young adult fantasy novel about a father and daughter, Mo and Meggie, who find themselves in a mysterious adventure when strangers show up at their house one night. Meggie is thoroughly confused, but her father seems to know more than he lets on. Meggie later finds out that her father can read characters out of books and has found himself in a bitter battle against an evil character from a book. In addition, his book reading skills have caused his wife to disappear into a book and he's been desperately trying to get her out ever since. Meggie and Mo find themselves in desperate danger as they try to figure out the mysteries of Mo's gift. Read this book if you like fantasy, if you've seen the film, or if father-daughter stories touch your heart. I give it an 8 out of 10.

The Fourth Bear

The Fourth Bear by Jasper Fforde is the second book in his Nursery Crime series. It takes up where the first book left off, with Detective Jack Spratt on the case of Goldilocks, a news reporter for a local TV station. She has suddenly disappeared, and Jack suspects foul play, especially after meeting with the three bears in the woods. More difficulties are getting in his way as he has been suspended from duty, his wife is angry at him, and he is suspected of going insane. He must have his partner, Mary, work on the case while he tries to stay out of sight of his partner, Briggs. Read this book if you liked the first one, if you enjoy nursery rhymes, or if you like to laugh at books. I give this book an 8 out of 10.

The Big Over Easy

The Big Over Easy by Jasper Fforde is the first book in Fforde's Nursery Crime series. Nursery Crime detective, Jack Spratt, is on the case of the death of Humpty Dumpty who was found smashed to bits near the back wall of his apartment. Jack has a new partner, Mary Mary, who is reluctant to join the Nursery Crime division. The two of them have pressure put on them by their boss, Briggs, as well as the star of the police department, Chymes. While most question their theory of murder, Jack and Mary must act quick in order to find the killer and keep their jobs. Read this book is you like Jasper Fforde, if your interested in metafiction, or if you've always enjoyed nursery rhymes. I give it an 8 out of 10.

The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency

The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith is the first in a series about Precious Ramotswe, the first lady detective in all of Botswana, Africa. After Precious lost her father, she used her inheritance to buy a home and a business. She doubts whether or not she will be able to stay open and have enough business to pay her bills, but she somehow manages to keep a steady flow of clients who seek her advice and detective skills. Several cases are solved in this first book, and the reader gains several bits of knowledge about Precious' life. Precious is such an endearing and honest character, that I couldn't help but fall in love with her and root for her along the way. Read this book if you enjoy detective stories, if you like stories with great main characters, or if you have seen the HBO series and want to read the fun, easy, and fast inspiration. I give it a 9 out of 10.

Brisingr

Brisingr by Christopher Paolini is the third book in the Inheritance Cycle. It follows Eragon's and Saphira's journey after their success during Battle of The Burning Plains. Eragon is faced with several choices as he struggles to fulfill the several duties and oaths he has taken on in the last two books. First, he must help his cousin, Roran, save Katrina from the Ra'zac. Then, he must follow Nasuada's demands for what she feels is right for the Varden. Eragon must decide who he is faithful to and what he must do in order to help bring down the evil king Galbatorix. The book was very well written and leaves the reader wanting to find out how the cycle ends in the fourth book (yet to be titled or released). Read this book if you like fantasy, if you read the first two books, or if you're interested in young adult fiction. I give it a 9 out of 10.

A Lion Among Men

A Lion Among Men by Gregory Maguire is the third volume in the Wicked Years series.  The book takes a slightly different approach by following the life of the famous Cowardly Lion, Brrr. Now a Sir Brrr, he has been sent on assignment from the Emerald City to interview the mysterious Yackle, the old oracle that seems to have been around for much of the late Elphaba's life. As Yackle shares her story, Brrr recalls his own - a life that can only be classified as "always in the wrong place at the wrong time."  The most interesting parts of this book are the sections that cross over into Elphaba or Liir's story, because we were left wondering from the first two books. This story ends in a very disappointing way, and one can only hope that a fourth volume will pick up the pieces where this left off. Otherwise, the book seems pointless all together despite the themes of fate, chance, and family. The rating could go up depending on if a fourth book is written. Read this book if you want to keep up with the Wicked series, if you like retold fairy tales, or if you're interested in the world of Oz. I give it a 6 out of 10.

Son of a Witch

Son of a Witch by Gregory Maguire is the second book in The Wicked Years. After the Wicked Witch of the West was killed by Dorothy's accident at her castle, Liir is left behind wondering if Elphaba was truly his mother of if he is destined to never know who his parents were.  Several years later he is found alone, practically dead by a traveling party and is returned to the Mauntery where he was born. Unconscious and unaware of his surroundings, Liir is put into the care of a young novice who barely speaks but beautifully plays a strange instrument. As she plays for him, he relives the memories of his life from the day of the witch's fateful death to his injury that led him to this point. As more of Liir's life is revealed, the politics and religious tensions of Oz are brought forward. This wonderful second book in the series brings up more questions for the reader. Is fate a real force? Does our upbringing or our parentage matter in who we will become? What is identity and what decides it? Is there really a purpose in trying? This book was a fantastic follow up to Wicked and made me want to pick up the third, A Lion Among Men. Read this book if you read Wicked, if you love retold stories, or if you love a book that makes you think and leaves you wanting more. I give it a 9 out of 10.

Wicked

Wicked by Gregory Maguire is the story of The Wicked Witch of the West. The story begins on the day Elphaba is born to a Unionist minister and a once heiress to the seat of Eminent Thropp of Munchkinland. Elphaba was cursed from the beginning as she was born with green skin. The story follows Elphaba's life as her family grows, adding a sister and a brother, and then shrinks, losing a mother. Elphaba enters college an outcast, but soon develops a passion for the understanding and rights of Animals, animals that have the power of thought and speech. Once she begins to understand that the Wizard of Oz has some dark plans for Animals, and eventually all of Oz, she takes on a mission against the man and his absolute power. Looking into this life of a well-known literary character beyond the surface of what we've been told about her begins to bring about deep, perhaps unanswerable, questions. What is good? What is evil? Who should have power? Who is right? Who is wrong? Are there really only the good guys and the bad guys? This book has taken a beloved children's story and turned it's history into a thought-provoking adult literary jewel.  Read this book if you're interested in questions about good and evil, if you like retellings of classics, or if you enjoyed The Wizard of Oz and want to learn more. I give it a 9.5 out of 10.

The Looking Glass Wars: Seeing Redd

The Looking Glass Wars: Seeing Redd by Frank Beddor is the second book in his trilogy chronicling the true story of Alice in Wonderland.  In this book, Alyss has returned to power as the Queen of Wonderland after defeating her evil aunt, Redd Heart. Redd's whereabouts are unknown, but some suspect that she is somewhere on earth after travelling through the Heart Crystal.  When forces begin an attack on Wonderland, many believe Redd is back. However, could it be that forces within the Wondernations are conspiring against Alyss? What about the mysterious King Arch who rules over Boarderland who has always hated the way women rule Wonderland? Or is Redd really back, ready to regain the thrown that she thinks she deserves? As Alyss and her forces unite against an unknown enemy, relationships between family members and lovers are revealed and put to the test. This book was definitely slower than the first one. I had a very difficult time getting through the first half of the book where background stories of several characters are being laid out. Read this book if you read the first, if you're interested in fantasy, or if you enjoy fractured fairy tales. I give it a 7 out of 10.

Extras

Extras by Scott Westerfeld is the fourth book, and I believe final book, in his Uglies series. A new main character is introduced, Aya, who now lives in a world where your status in society depends on your popularity. One way to become very popular is to "kick" a new and interesting story on the city-wide feed. Aya thinks she has found her big story when she catches some mysterious girls doing dangerous tricks, but as she digs further, she realizes that there is a much larger story to tell that could potentially affect the future of the entire world. The book discusses several interesting issues, but the introduction of a new main character turns the series dull and pointless. He should have stopped at a trilogy. Read this book if you read the first three, if you like stories about an uncertain future, or if you want a quick read. I give it a 6.5 out of 10.

Twilight

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer is the first book in the popular series of vampire novels about Bella and Edward. Bella is a junior in high school who moves to Forks, Washington to live with her dad. She meets a mysterious boy named Edward who is very different from anyone she has ever met. She notices that him and his siblings never eat, their eyes change color, they are very pale skinned, and they stay away from other students. However, Bella instantly falls in love with Edward, and once Edward begins talking to her, he falls in love with her as well. When Bella learns that Edward is a vampire, she must decide if her love is worth the risk. This book is very popular among teenagers and is a fast romantic read if not a bit cliche and cheesy. Read this book if you like romance novels, if you like books about vampires, or if you want to read the book before you watch the film. I give it  7 out of 10.

The Looking Glass Wars

The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor is the first in a trilogy of the "true" story behind Alice in Wonderland. Alyss Heart is a princess in the land of Wonderland. When her evil Aunt Redd decided to take the thrown, Alyss' parents are murdered, and she must escape through a porthole to another world. Alyss ends up in Victorian Oxford, and must assimilate to her new life as an ordinary little girl. Alyss must forget the world that she came from to make her life easier in our world. As she continues to live her life, a royal guard from her land searches for her in order to bring her back to Wonderland to claim the thrown.  Meanwhile, in Wonderland, the citizens, thinking Alyss is dead, form an army to fight against Redd. The book is fast-paced and interesting as the readers learn what really happened to Alyss, not the horrible make-believe story written by Lewis Carroll. Read this book if you like fantasy, if you enjoy retold classic stories, or if you enjoy intense battles of good against evil. I give it an 8 out of 10.

The Prophet of Yonwood

The Prophet of Yonwood by Jeanne DuPrau is the prequel to The City of Ember. It follows a girl named Nickie who travels to Yonwood, North Carolina with her aunt in order to sell her great-grandfather's large house. This town has recently had interesting events occurring including the vision of a prophet about a fiery future. The town now follows the prophet's mumblings as it attempts to create good in a world seemingly headed for disaster. This book is not nearly as good as the other two. It rambles on about disconnected events and stories that don't really add up until a final, last minute chapter that summarizes many years and tries to connect this story with the other Ember books. Read this book if you are reading the series, if you are interested in stories about blind faith, or if you are planning on reading the other two books and want to get the crappiest one out of the way first. I give it a 6 out of 10.

The People of Sparks

The People of Sparks by Jeanne DuPrau is the sequel to The City of Ember. Lina and Doon await the arrival of the rest of the Emberites to the new place they have found. They then come upon a tiny town known as Sparks whose citizens are at first willing to help the Emberites at least until they are able to live on their own in a few months. However, as tensions rise between the two groups of people, war seems imminent, and it's possible that the horrors of humans that destroyed the world and the population years ago might rise again. Read this book if you want to know what happens after The City of Ember, if you're interested in questions about human relations, or if you just enjoy a good, short, easy-to-read book. I give it an 8 out of 10.

The City of Ember

The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau is a novel about Lina and Doon, twelve-year-olds living in a city called Ember, a place that is lit by large lights all over the city. Ember seems to have fallen on some hard times, however, and blackouts are becoming more and more frequent. When this happens, pure blackness swallows all of Ember. No one has ever left Ember as the unknown regions are also full of complete darkness. Doon suspects that he might be able to help the city of Ember, and begins to search the generator that runs all of Ember's electricity. As times seem to be getting worse, Lina discovers a clue that might help them escape. Lina and Doon must work together in order to figure out how to save Ember before it's too late. Read this book if you like mysteries, if you're interested in novels that take place in a strange future, or if you enjoy book series. I give it an 8 out of 10.