The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Shaffer & Barrows

Title: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
Author: Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
Reviewer: Karen
Genre: Adult Fiction
Rating: Fabulous
Alerts/Warnings: some retelling of violence associated with war
Premise: In 1946, as London emerges from the shadow of World War II, author Juliet Ashton is having a terrible time finding inspiration for her next book. Then she receives a letter from Guernsey Island, and learns of a unique book club formed on the spur of the moment as an alibi to protect its members from arrest by the occupying Germans during the war. Captivated, she sets sail for Guernsey, and what she finds there will change her life forever.
Opinions: I first heard about this book when I attended my local book club shortly after giving birth to my son (for some reason my husband thought I need a break - good husband). I hadn't read the book yet, but just listening to the discussion inspired me to get my hands on it as soon as the library made it available (long wait list - should give a clue of how good this book is). I got this book on Friday, started reading it yesterday, and just finished it now. I could not wait to tell all of you about it (though you might have already heard as it is a New York Times bestseller). Needless to say FABULOUS!!!

Told through letters, this story was written brilliantly and immediately gives you an idea of each character's personality. I found myself falling in love, not only with Juliet, but also with each member of the society just as Juliet did. Most of all I loved learning about Elizabeth, who was an amazing woman that you learn about from the other club members, and wished that I could have been friends with her as well. I also fell in love with the descriptions of Guernsey and its beauty, and how the its people survived the five years that it was occupied by the Germans during World War Two. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is a definite must read.

Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians by Brandon Sanderson

Title: Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Reviewer: Karen
Genre: MG Fantasy
Rating: Like (with a possibility of love on the horizon)
Alerts/Warnings: None
Premise: On his thirteenth birthday, foster child Alcatraz Smedry receives a bag of sand which is immediately stolen by the evil Librarians who are trying to take over the world, and Alcatraz is introduced to his grandfather and his own special talent, and told that he must use it to save civilization. (King County Library System)
Opinions: This has to be one of the most unusual books that I have ever read. The "voice" of the story is highly unique as the narrator, who is the main character, is also the author-in-cognito (just read the "About the Author" in the back and that will make some sense) and is written as a sort of memoirs, though it is published as fantasy.

In all honesty when I first began to read the story I was disoriented and confused and wasn't sure that I would end up liking the story. Then I found out that that was done on purpose. By the second third of the book I turned to my husband and said "This book is growing on me." By the end of the book I thought that it had to be the "coolest, strangest ending that I've ever read."

The characters are intriguing, the writing is off the wall, and the plot fascinating. So, as far as a review goes, all I can say is that if you are a teenage boy, a parent of a teenage boy, someone who is quirky, or a writer you will thoroughly enjoy this book and will have several laugh-out-loud moments, but only if you read the entire book. And guess what???? Apparently it is a series with several more interesting, laugh-out-loud moments ahead for me.

Finally by Wendy Mass

Title: Finally
Author: Wendy Mass
Reviewer: Stephanie
Genre: YA Fiction
Rating: Love
Alerts/Warnings: None
Premise: After her twelfth birthday, Rory checks off a list of things she is finally allowed to do, but unexpected consequences interfere with her involvement in the movie being shot at her school, while a weird prediction starts to make sense. (King County Library System)

Opinions: I love Wendy Mass. She is such a fantastic author. "Finally" is the story of Rory and her list of what she is finally old enough to do and what happens with each item on her list. A lot of unexpected twists occur and I was laughing out loud. I could totally relate with a lot of this book. Not that I experienced most of what Rory does, but I knew people that did or I had a similar occurance. Plus Wendy Mass writes to her audience so perfectly that I could forget the flawless writing and be completely emersed in the story. This is a fun and funny book that I completely loved.

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart

Here is a book review by one of our Fabulous Readers. If you would like to provide us with a review of a book that you love, then please email us at fabulousreads@yahoo.com.



Title: The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks
Author: E. Lockhart
Reviewer: Emily Marie
Genre: YA Fiction
Rating: Adore
Alerts/Warnings: Some references to teenage sex, nothing explicit
Premise: Sophomore Frankie starts dating senior Matthew Livingston, but when he refuses to talk about the all-male secret society that he and his friends belong to, Frankie infiltrates the society in order to enliven their mediocre pranks. (King County Library)
Opinions: This book was amazing. Frankie Landau-Banks enters her sophomore year at an exclusive private school having blossomed over the summer. She lands the hot senior boyfriend, but soon grows increasingly annoyed over everyone underestimating her because she’s so pretty. Frankie is an impressive female heroine – strong willed and determined while still managing to seem like your mostly-average teenage girl. I absolutely loved her, and some of the pranks in this book are completely laugh-out-loud hilarious. Read this book, you’ll love it too!

And the winner is....

The winner of the autographed copy of Fablehaven by Brandon Mull is....

Susan

Congratulations Susan!!! Please email us at fabulousreads@yahoo.com with your address by April 10th and I will get the book sent out to you as soon as possible.

We'd like to thank all of those who entered this week's giveaway. We hope that everyone has taken an opportunity to get to know Brandon Mull's works better. Please continue to visit us here at Fabulous Reads for great reviews of fabulous books and for future announcements regarding book giveaways.

Keep on reading!!!

Candy Shop War by Brandon Mull

As we are celebrating the works of Brandon Mull this week I want to make sure that you are aware of one of his books that we previously blogged about called The Candy Shop War. To read our review of this book please click on its name in the last sentence and it will lead you directly to the review we did last year.

Brandon has also written a book for children called Pingo about a boy whose imaginary friends become his enemy when he decides he no longer needs them. Unfortunately, my local library does not have this book as of yet so I am unable to write a review of it at this time. However, I do recommend that you check it out and if you read it before me, then please provide us with your review of it by emailing us at fabulousreads@yahoo.com.

In the meantime, do not forget that today is the last day to enter for the Fablehaven giveaway. The giveaway will end at midnight tonight and the winner will be announced tomorrow. We hope that everyone takes the opportunity to get to know the works of Brandon Mull better and then let us know what you think. We hope you have a wonderful weekend and a fabulous Easter.

Keys to the Demon Prison by Brandon Mull

Our contest ends tommorrow!! Have you entered? You should! Go here for all the ways to enter.


Title: Keys to the Demon Prison
Author: Brandon Mull
Reviewer: Stephanie
Genre: Mid Grade Fantasy
Rating: Worship
Alerts/Warnings: Violence
Premise: Since ancient times, the great demon prison Zzyzx has protected the world from the most dangerous servants of darkness, including Gorgrog, the Demon King. After centuries of plotting, the Sphinx is on the verge of recovering the five artifacts necessary to open the legendary prison. To thwart the Sphinx's designs and find a safe home for the five artifacts, Kendra, Seth, and the Knights of the Dawn must venture far beyond the walls of Fablehaven in a desperate struggle to control the keys to the demon prison. (King County Library System)
Opinions: WOW!! I can't even tell you how much WOW! This is a great ending to a great series. Very intense. I went back and remembered the previous books. Each book gets more intense. On a scale of 1-10 the level of intensity grows from a 4 to a 10 throughout the series. This book is the 10. I couldn't put it down. (Which drove my husband nuts.) I stayed up really late reading it, because I had to know what happened. It was unexpected and satisfying. I love how the characters develop in this last book. There is a lot of action and a lot of suprises. I don't want to give it away.......but WOW! The one thing I disliked was a cosmetic thing that I will warn you of. I was reading the last chapter and turned to the last page and the next page looked like another chapter. However, it wasn't. It was Brandon Mull talking about the end of the Fablehaven series. I was a little confused and it messed up the ending for me. So I went back and reread the last 30 pages or so and was much more satisfied with the ending. Overall, this is a Fabulous book and a Fabulous Series. I am looking forward to Brandon Mull's future work.