"The Hive" by Barry Lyga and Morgan Baden

The Hive by Barry Lyga and Morgan Baden tells the story of Cassie, a young teen girl who knows all about "The Hive."  It is social media that hands out punishment if need be on people who post what they consider to be "out of bounds."  One day Cassie makes a joke and is smack in the middle of Hive justice!

This book was pretty good.  I enjoyed Cassie, but the other characters were not brought out very well.  That being said, I still give this book a solid 4 because it had some good action.
(Gerard's review, 4 stars)

Teaser from page 39:  "But it's a joke," Sarah added.  "Only the popular people ever trend positive.  Each week, a certain crowd decides who will be the targets, and everyone just follows along.  It's not even real justice.

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"Outlaw" by Ted Dekker

Outlaw by Ted Dekker is a novel that takes place in the jungle of Irian Jaya. It is about how Julian Carter and her 2-yr.-old son Stephen left America because she felt called to go to New Guinea to be a missionary through a reoccurring dream. She found herself shipwrecked on the way and captured by an unknown tribe of cannibals, the Tulim people who lived in the jungle in 1963 and obviously had a very different culture than she was used to and did not know their language.

I was looking for a change of pace and this book gave it to me. I enjoyed learning about the culture of cannibals and jungle tribes. This book is packed with adventure and is written by a man who was born and raised by missionaries in the jungles of Irian Jaya. This is a pretty amazing story and although some parts didn’t quite make sense to me, I still enjoyed it. This is a wild book! (Karen’s review, 5 stars)

Teaser from page 5: I cried out and frantically searched the foaming water but there was no sign of the captain. The ocean had swallowed him whole and shoved the boat far from where he’d gone overboard.


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"Making a Play" by Abbi Glines

Making a Play by Abbi Glines teen fiction about the romance between 18-yr.-old Ryker, an outstanding high school football receiver who uses girls and the quarterback's twin sister, Aurora, who is deaf and just starting at the school.  Ryker is immediately attracted to her and she finds him attractive and nice.  Although her brother and her friend warn her about him, she is determined to get to know him and make up her own mind.  The fact that she is white he is black does not bother her at all, but her dad has a different opinion. 

I liked this book better as it went along.  As Ryker changes to become more worthy of Aurora, the language improves.  I would have enjoyed more football action but that was just a backdrop.  The main story was about Aurora adjusting to a new school and fitting in even though she was deaf and how Ryker changed and started really caring for her.  Her brother was sweet to in how he wanted to protect her and look out for her.  I liked that chapters alternated between Ryker's point of view and Aurora's.  It went fast.
(Karen's review, 4 stars)

Teaser from page 32:  She knew he wouldn't accept me when he found out about my being deaf.  I was disappointed, but it was an emotion I knew well.  I would survive.  

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"The Unwinding of the Miracle" by Julie Yip-Williams

The Unwinding of the Miracle by Julie Yip-Williams is the true story of how Julie overcame so much. She was born blind in Vietnam.  Her grandmother wanted her killed just two days after she was born. With 300 other people in a boat, she made it to Hong Kong and then America where she attended Harvard and became a very good lawyer. She married and had two daughters.  But unfortunately, she could not overcome colon Cancer.  She wrote this book for her daughters to remember her.

Julie tells her story and pulls no punches.  There is some humor also.  Rest in peace, Julie.  Job well done!  (Gerard's review, 5+ stars) 

Teaser from page 8:  But also as your mother, I want you to feel the pain, to live it, embrace it, and then learn from it.  Be stronger people because of it, for you will know that you carry my strength within you.

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"Shamed" by Linda Castillo

Shamed by Linda Castillo is a murder mystery centered around a kidnapping of a young, special needs child in an Amish community. The entire novel is about the murder/kidnapping investigation with no real character development at all.  It is all told from the Chief of Police's point of view.  I enjoyed other books by this author more than I did this one.
(Karen's review, 3 stars)

Teaser from page 32:  Again, I feel the minutes ticking by and I struggle for patience, with the need to be gentle, to not frighten this child who has already been so traumatized.  All of those things are in direct conflict with my need for facts.

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"Walking with Henry" by Rachel Anne Ridge

Walking With Henry--Big Lessons from a Little Donkey on Faith, Friendship, and Finding Your Path by Rachel Anne Ridge is a true story about Rachel and her donkey, Henry.  One day, Rachel decides her donkey, Flash, needs company in the pasture.  So, she rescues a small donkey and names it Henry.  Rachel has plans, but Henry will teach her lessons that she never expected!  I enjoyed this short book very much which is just about 200 pages.  Rachel tells the story very well and I loved Flash and Henry!  (Gerard's review, 5 stars)  

Teaser from page 5:  Then, when I least expect it, a small beam of light breaks through the darkness and offers a glimpse of goodness.  A reminder, perhaps, that I am never really alone.
Grace is present.
And if grace is present, then God is too.

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"Alone At Dawn" by Dan Schilling & Lori Chapman Longfritz

I always enjoy true stories that I am not up to speed on.  Alone at Dawn by Dan Schilling and Lori Chapman Longfritz is the story of a true hero--John Chapman and the untold story of the world's deadliest special operations force!  

The writing is so good that it made me feel I was in the battle!  This was a good read for the week of 9/11.  I want to thank all the men and women who have served and who are serving in our military forces.  I appreciate your sacrifice!  (Gerard's review, 5+ stars)

Teaser from page ix:  It's also the story of one man, John Chapman, who would earn the nation's highest honor for bravery when he saved the lives of twenty-three comrades at the willing cost of his own.  Finally, it is the history of John Chapman's fellow Combat Controllers during Operation Anaconda, America's first major operation in its ongoing Global War on Terror.

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"Hearts of Fire" by the voice of the martyrs--8 co-authors

Hearts of Fire is a compilation of the stories of the faith and persecution of eight women in the Underground Church. This is non-fiction and eye-opening, thought provoking and inspirational. I didn’t realize before I read this book the persecution of Christians is so prevalent around the world. The stories were heartbreaking but al showed how costly it is to be a Christian in some places and how we take so much for granted here in the USA. I would recommend this to any Christian.
(Karen’s review, 5 stars)

Teaser from page 21: Once more Adel realized she was the only hostage in sight. She didn’t dare imagine how many of the others had been killed. At that moment she didn’t know which was worse—to be dead or to be held captive by these vicious madmen.


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"Soul Dog-A Journey into the Spiritual Life of Animals" by Elena Mannes

Soul Dog by Elena Mannes tells a true story.  Elena lives life with order.  She knows what she is going to do at work and it carries over into her life away from the office.  Order rules!  Now, she wants a companion and decides to get a dog.  Her world of order is soon to change.

If you are dog owner, you will enjoy this book!  The part of this book I enjoyed most was the interaction between Elena and her dog.  There was also a spiritual aspect to this book that I found interesting.
(Gerard's review, 4 stars)

Teaser from page 9:  I stood there paralyzed, unsure what to do beyond grabbing the newspapers and soaking everything up.  My fight-or-flight response took over and I picked up the phone and dialed the breeder.

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"Life and Other Inconveniences" by Kristan Higgins is Heartwarming and Touching

Life and Other Inconveniences by Kristan Higgins is a heartwarming, touching novel about family, love, grief, marriage and personal relationships. This is not a book with action but about life issues such as brother rivalry, unwed mother, marriage, suicide, single parenting, death, wealth, self-esteem, illness and family relationships.

 It started out slow for me and I was a bit confused at first because of so many characters to keep straight. I even set it aside and almost gave up on it but am glad I finished it.  I liked the dogs though and Luigi, Miller's cat.  The ending was very touching and made me tear up. I chose to read this one because I saw a book club recommended it and I saw it also recommended other books I enjoyed. Discussions questions are included in the back for book clubs. (4 stars)

Teaser from page 5: A few years ago, I’d told Riley the facts: Genevieve London of the adorable purses was my grandmother, and I’d lived with her for ten years after my mother died because my father couldn’t take care of me. I explained that Genevieve wasn’t the nicest person, so we didn’t talk anymore.


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"Wicked Fox" by Kat Cho

Wicked Fox by Kat Cho centers on Miyoung who has a secret that is better kept. One day she saves a boy's life and the secret is revealed to only the boy.  Will he keep this secret?  Will they have a relationship?  I give this book a solid 4 stars.  it is inspired by Korean folklore.  Once I got the Korean down, I was able to follow it better.  Looks like a book 2 is on the way.
(Gerard's review, 4 stars)

Teaser from page 25:  The dokkaebi's legs flailed as if the girl were choking him instead of the other way around.  Her eyes were unblinking, dark, and depthless.

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!