Books I read in July

My newest goal:  Review each book in three sentences or less.  I decided this after realizing that I spend waaaaay too much time writing these monthly posts

Ready?  Set.....GO!

1.  Bloodhound: The Legend of Beka Cooper #2 by Tamora Pierce

 

 

Sequel to teenager fantasy novel.  Good but not great.  Plot: Beka the policewoman aka "Dog" investigates counterfeiting. 

 

2.  The Lightning Thief (Movie Tie-in Edition) (Percy Jackson and the Olympians) by Rick Riordan

 

 Enjoyable kid's book, gets young 'ins interested in Greek mythology.  I heard the movie was crap though.  Plot: Percy is child of a greek God who goes on a quest to prevent war between the deities.

3. Revenge of the Spellmans: A Novel by Lisa Lutz

  

Great series (see other months blog entries for the two previous Spellman books).  But sad about the ending. But it's not really sad, like a puppy or person died kind of sad, but rather didn't work out quite the way you wanted sad.

4. Conrad's Fate (A Chrestomanci Book) by Diana Wynne Jones

 

 I love the Chrestomanci books.  Not my favorite of them, but still quite fun.  Plot:  Wouldn't make sense if I tried to explain, it's a juvenile fantasy novel with a rather intricate back story of magic and different worlds.

5. Cart and Cwidder (Dalemark Quartet) by Diana Wynne Jones

  

 Again, juvenile fantasy novel.  Interesting but without ever really going anywhere (yes, I know this is the first of a series, but the next one doesn't quite fill in the gaps for me either).  Plot:  Singer's son finds magic and helps a revolution. 

 
6.  The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder: A Novel by Rebecca Welles

  

 Same author as the "Divine Secrets of the Ya-ya Sisterhood", but this book had no depth, no true character development, and occasional cringe-worthy scenes (i.e. throwing herself at a gay guy).  Had potential in the plot but never quite got there.  Plot:  Calla Lily grows up in the South and cuts hair and has a perfect life despite random disasters.  The End.   

7.  Hello Kitty Must Die by Angela S. Choi

  

I was expecting a more edgy and sexy Amy Tan, but instead got a wannabe-Dexter-Asian-woman-serial killer.  It felt like the second draft of a very excellent novel that needed two more revisions.  The repetition was a bit too much at times and it needed a bit more consistent character development (example:  main character says how much she hates being in pain but likes heels because of the pain...huh?), but still was a quick and thrilling read.  

8. Best Friends Forever: A Novel by Jennifer Weiner

 

I love love love this author, especially Little Earthquakes, but this novel just wasn't as good.  Better than the average piece of chick-lit but not up to par with her other amazing works.  Plot:  Best friend who betrayed main character in high school is back and needs help.  

9. The Ex-Debutante by Linda Francis Lee

 

Trashy but fun brain-fluff.  The plot:  Divorce lawyer comes home to rich southern family to help salvage a debutante ball.

10.  Nation by Terry Pratchett

 

 Not the norm for Pratchett (less silly but still funny at times), this juvenile fiction book tackles themes like imperialism, death, and religion without shoving it down your throat.  Plot: two teenage survivors with very different cultures (one from a shipwreck and one who didn't perish in a tsunami) band together with others to form a new nation.