Meg-A Readers: When Lightening Strikes Review

Meg-A Readers 2013

My FIRST Meg Cabot Book

I was about to start 5th grade in 2003 when I discovered the amazing author Meg Cabot. Our local library had a program where you earned prizes for reading a certain amount of pages/books depending on your grade. I remember that I was trying to find a book at the library because I was a few books away from whatever prize I wanted. Searching the shelves I picked up the first book of the 1-800-WHERE-R-YOU series and decided to read it. It was devoured in one night. I went back and borrowed the rest of the series from the library and read it all that summer. I eventually purchased them because I loved re-reading the story. The Princess Diaries series was the next series I started and now I own all of these as well. I continued to follow her book releases and have read almost all of her young adult series. Since this is the book that started my currently vast collection of Meg Cabot novels I wanted to review it. I'm quite sure my opinions have changed as a now college junior from a then elementary fifth grader. But this remains my favorite of all Meg Cabot's series because it was my first and I still love picking it up to read, though I read it much faster now because I tend to rush to the parts I love!

The Goodreads Blurb: Jess Mastriani has never been what you'd call a typical Midwestern teenager—her extracurricular activities, instead of cheerleading or 4-H, include fist-fights with the football team and month-long stints in detention. A part of Jess would like to be the prom queen her mother has always envisioned her being, but another part is secretly counting the days until she's saved up enough money to buy her own Harley. Then something happens that guarantees Jess will be one of the in-crowd...at least until her newfound talent ends up getting her dead.


Jess Mastriani was my role model then and ten years later I still love her. She has a fiery personality, is intensely loyal, and has an strong moral compass. I'm from the midwest and I strongly relate to her for that, as well as many other personal reasons. I feel she is character that many can make connections with. Jess also became an example that taught me many life lessons. She teaches never to back down from what you believe in, fix your mistakes, and put family first. All things that I still believe today! The first book strongly sets the premise that the rest of the books follow, which is to be expected. But it does it in a subtle way. In many series authors often make the first book an information dump, but Meg Cabot skillfully introduces us to the key characters, sets up the themes for the series, and tells an amazing story. When Lightning Strikes sets up relationships that the reader becomes very involved in, or at least I do! The book leaves you wanting to know whats next for Jess, as well as several other characters. I think that Jess's newfound talent was also a very unique thing. I had never read another book like this when I first read it, and even now I can't think of another book quite like it. If you haven't already go read the 1-800-WHERE-R-YOU series. They are quick reads that tell a compelling, unique, and memorable story. Check out When Lightning Strikes on Goodreads or Amazon!!!

Escape with Jack Templar and the Monster Hunter Academy

Jack Templar and the 
Monster Hunter Academy

By: Jeff Gunhus

The Goodreads Blurb: After barely surviving the onslaught of monsters that tried to kill him the day before his fourteenth birthday, Jack Templar leaves his hometown on a quest to rescue his father and discover the truth about his past. Joined by his friends Will and T-Rex, and led by Eva, the mysterious one-handed monster hunter, Jack sets out for the Monster Hunter Academy where he hopes to find answers to his questions. Little does he suspect that the Academy is filled with dangers of its own, many of them more terrifying than anything he’s faced so far.
To see my review of the first novel in the Jack Templar series look here!
The second book starts of with the warnings that filled the first book, but then jumps straight back into the action! As you read you see Jack Templar evolve and mature and I also felt that the author's writing evolved and matured. It got five stars because I felt that the second book outshines the first in many ways such as writing style and characterization. 
The book is filled with adventure and the unique premise that attracted me to the first book gets more interesting. While definitely still a middle grade book, the sequel more than the original is enjoyable for older audiences. Written for reluctant readers, this book keeps you interested and turning the pages.
The book ends with another hook to keep you wanting to continue the series. I will be interested to see if the third book in the series continues to make the series improve.
Also stay tuned for my Friday post. I got this book from the Blog Tour and will post the schedule and $25 Tour Giveaway!!
Check out Jack Templar on Goodreads and Amazon!

Escape with Cassie Scot: ParaNormal Detective

Cassie Scot: ParaNormal Detective

By: Christine Amsden

The Goodreads Blurb: Cassie Scot is the ungifted daughter of powerful sorcerers, born between worlds but belonging to neither. At 21, all she wants is to find a place for herself, but earning a living as a private investigator in the shadow of her family’s reputation isn’t easy. When she is pulled into a paranormal investigation, and tempted by a powerful and handsome sorcerer, she will have to decide where she truly belongs. Cassie Scot is a women of strength and power. She is confident with herself and very independent. While at times I found her to be a little difficult to get along with, I respected her for all she went through and who she was. She is a powerhouse and a brave person to tough out the hard situations. The mystery was very well-done (I didn't guess right at all till the end) and the book keeps you on your toes. It had solid friendships and intrigue. It was well written and created a unique world. I think the series has a lot of potential. It lived up to it in the first book.  Without giving spoilers there was one familial relationship that I felt to be unrealistic, stupid, and detracting. Maybe its setting up for the next book, but it diminished my enjoyment of this one. And I also found the romance poorly done in terms of balance. So while this book has a lot of highlights and is well worth the read, I took a star for these two annoyances that detracted from the overall positive aspects of the book.
Check out Cassie Scot on Goodreads and Amazon!

Escape with Undeadly

Undeadly

By: Michele Vail

The Goodreads Blurb: Molly Bartolucci wants to blend in, date hottie Rick and keep her zombie-raising abilities on the down-low. Then the god Anubis chooses her to become a reaper—and she accidentally undoes the work of another reaper, Rath. Within days, she's shipped off to the Nekyia Academy, an elite boarding school that trains the best necromancers in the world. And her personal reaping tutor? Rath.  Life at Nekyia has its plusses. Molly has her own personal ghoul, for one. Rick follows her there out of the blue, for another...except, there's something a little off about him. When students at the academy start to die and Rath disappears, Molly starts to wonder if anything is as it seems. Only one thing is certain—-Molly's got an undeadly knack for finding trouble...

Undeadly was a book I bought on a day I was feeling low. The premise seemed like it had so much promise. I love mythology and was excited by the idea of modernized Egyptian mythology. So I went into the book with a lot of excitement and found it to be a disappointment.
Undeadly had two major flaws. The first was the plot. The plot was confusing. The book throws you into a world of necromancy with explanations and new facts emerging in an order that had me stumbling to catch up. It also included sub-plots that were hard to follow or understand. I felt like the book included useless aspects as well as wandering plot lines.
The second major flaw was the characters. Molly Bartolucci was the most annoying character! I couldn't connect with her and often she just grated on my nerves. I often felt she behaved much younger and immaturely than any sixteen year olds I have been around. I 
I was excited by the idea of a necromancy boarding school, but was left frustrated and was let down. I know that some maybe can overlook these issues, or may disagree that they exist.While I'm not going to read Undeadly again I understand that some people really enjoyed it.
Check out Undeadly on Goodreads or Amazon.

Escape with Jack Templar

Jack Templar, Monster Hunter

By: Jeff Gunhus

The Goodreads Blurb: Orphan Jack Templar has no memory of his parents and only the smallest details from his Aunt Sophie about how they died. The day before Jack's fourteenth birthday, things start to change for him. At first it's great: A sudden new strength helps him defend his nose-picking friend "T-Rex" from the school bully, and even his crush, Cindy Adams, takes notice. But then a mysterious girl named Eva arrives and tells him two facts that will change his life forever. First, that he's the descendent of a long line of monster hunters and he's destined to be in the family business. Second, that there's a truce between man and monster that children are off-limits...until their fourteenth birthday! Jack has only one day before hundreds of monsters will descend on his little town of Sunnyvale and try to kill him. As if that weren't enough, things get even more complicated when Jack discovers that the Lord of the Creach (as the monsters are collectively known) holds a personal grudge against him and will do anything to see that Jack has a slow and painful death. To stay alive and save his friends, Jack will have to battle werewolves, vampires, harpies, trolls, zombies and more. But perhaps the most dangerous thing he must face is the truth about his past. Why do the other hunters call him the last Templar? Why do they whisper that he may be the "One?" Why do the monsters want him dead so badly? Even as these questions plague him, he quickly discovers survival is his new full-time job and that in the world of monster hunters, nothing is really what it seems.

I thought Jack Templar did a good job of keeping my interest and having a fairly unique premise, but the writing style got bothersome on occasion. I understand that this is probably because it is a middle grade book, but the repetition of this is real and this is not a joke and you need to be careful got both repetitive and a little grating. So it lost a star because I might read it again, but it has little annoyances like this. Still I know it will appeal to middle schoolers (mostly boys, but also for the girl who likes a good adventure).

But beyond my annoyance with Jack's continued warnings, I gave this four stars because I think that middle grade readers will definitely love it and I enjoyed the plot. The premise of monster hunters and Jack's involvement with them is intriguing. Jack's adventures keep your interest and the characters, both main and secondary, are well written. I think the fights were well described and that the book has a good message of believing in yourself.

I plan to get the sequel because it leaves you wanting to know what happens next and the kindle version had a preview for it that caught my attention.

Check out Jack Templar on Goodreads or Amazon.

Escape with the Accidental Hero

Accidental Hero

By: Matt Myklusch

Because I love Harry Potter and Percy Jackson I was recommended the Jack Blank Adventure series. This Middle Grade series of books had an interesting premise so I gave it a chance. 

The Goodreads blurb: All Jack Blank knows is his bleak, dreary life at St. Barnaby’s Home for the Hopeless, Abandoned, Forgotten, and Lost—an orphanage in the swampland of New Jersey. Covertly reading old comic books is Jack’s only solace. But his life changes forever when he meets an emissary from a secret country called the Imagine Nation, an astonishing place where all the fantastic and unbelievable things in the world originate. Including Jack. Jack soon discovers that he has an amazing ability—one that could make him the savior of Imagine Nation and the world beyond…or the biggest threat they’ve ever faced.

This book kept be guessing and had many twists and turns that you don't see coming. I loved the originality of Imagine Nation and all the things that went along with it. I also really felt for Jack Blank and rooted for him throughout the book. I think that while the originality made it appealing, it could have been more detailed. It leaves a lot to your imagination, but some readers may enjoy this. The reason it lost a star was because while it is a start to a series, it asked more questions then it answered. While this is one way to insure that people continue the series, for this book it made it feel more like a placeholder. So while I recommend it to others, be aware that your going to want to finish the series because it leaves you wanting to know a lot. Still its worth reading if you want an original tale of triumph and courage.

Check it Accidental Hero on Goodreads or Amazon 

Escape with Wild Magic

Wild Magic

By: Tamora Pierce

I wanted to post a review about a book that isn't new to me. This is a book that I read for the first time about six years ago when I was fourteen. I then went on to finish this series (and every other one) by Tamora Pierce. This is a very big repeat read for me because I loved Daine and her story. I have read this book probably five times now. While I recommend you start with Alanna: The First Adventure because it is the first book in the world of Tortall. Reading that one first will prevent you from getting spoilers that Wild Magic has as being a set in the same world with many overlapping characters.

The Goodreads blurb: Young Daine's knack with horses gets her a job helping the royal horsemistress drive a herd of ponies to Tortall. Soon it becomes clear that Daine's talent, as much as she struggles to hide it, is downright magical. Horses and other animals not only obey, but listen to her words. Daine, though, will have to learn to trust humans before she can come to terms with her powers, her past, and herself.

Tamora Pierce is amazing a several things. She creates series kick-butt characters, an immersive world, and amazing magic. Wild Magic is probably tied for my favorite series of hers (with Trickster's Choice which should be read after this and the Alanna Song of the Lioness series). The immersive world of Tortall is irresistible and compelling. If you read all her series in order you get beyond well-developed characters that grow and change. 

But speaking strictly about Wild Magic I enjoy the book because we get to see Daine grow and develop. We see relationships between characters progress and strengthen. I love the animals that we meet and the way we get to watch Daine's confidence with animals grow. And most of all I love the magic that brings the world and the book alive. If you want a great fantasy series with magic, adventure, and romance then stick with this book series and you won't be disappointed.

Check out Wild Magic on Goodreads or Amazon.

Escape with Michael Vey

Michael Vey: Prisoner of Cell 25

By: Richard Paul Evans

One of the few books I have gotten recently that was not on my Kindle. I went to the bookstore and asked for staff recommendations for a young adult fantasy adventure and this is what she gave me. 

The Goodreads blurb: My name is Michael Vey, and the story I’m about to tell you is strange. Very strange. It’s my story. To everyone at Meridian High School, Michael Vey is an ordinary fourteen-year-old. In fact, the only thing that seems to set him apart is the fact that he has Tourette’s syndrome. But Michael is anything but ordinary. Michael has special powers. Electric powers. Michael thinks he's unique until he discovers that a cheerleader named Taylor also has special powers. With the help of Michael’s friend, Ostin, the three of them set out to discover how Michael and Taylor ended up this way, but their investigation brings them to the attention of a powerful group who wants to control the electric children – and through them the world. Michael will have to rely on his wits, powers, and friends if he’s to survive.

It was the exact genre I was looking for and the characters were realistic and (despite being 6 years younger then me) I was able to connect with them. I loved Michael for many reasons, but most importantly  his conviction. Taylor Ridley was fierce and didn't compromise her values for anyone. And Ostin was the most loyal friend you could ask for. Beyond the compelling characters the plot was easy to follow and sucked you right in from the first chapter. It had suspense and intrigue. While I stick to my gut 5/5 rating and recommendation I will warn that the writing is very simplistic and may turn some readers off. But for me the plot and characters overcompensated for this.

Check out Michael Vey on Goodreads or Amazon.