Mogadishu Diaries 1992-1993: Bloodlines by Eddie Clay Thompkins III-4.5 stars

Thompkins, III, Eddie Clay, Mogadishu 1992-1993: Bloodlines. Eddie Thompkins, 2012. pgs. 149.

Eddie Clay III’s Mogadishu Diaries 1992-1993:Bloodlines is a well-done example of military fiction. This book will be a treat to any fans of television shows like MASH or who like to read military fiction.  When a request for augmentees (members sent to another unit to provide support) to deploy with an MAF unit to Somalia, Gunnery Sergeant “Gunny T” Thompson and his friend, Corporal Ramirez volunteer. Constantly butting heads with the commander, Captain Shaffner, who sees augmentees as thorns in his side.  Gunny T tries to get his friend Corporal Ramirez noticed.  If he can get his friend noticed or granted awards for service, the corporal will get promoted. Unfortunately, things aren’t starting to look in their favor. To make matters worse, things are getting more violent and dangerous in Somalia and Shaffner’s opinion of the two augmentees seems to be affecting the man’s judgment. Can the duo survive Somalia and get the recognition they deserve or will Shaffner ruin their careers?
One great aspect of Clay’s novel is the camaraderie the main character and his friend have with not only the natives, but the other staff members as well. Their likable, flawed, personalities only increases the book’s natural way of grabbing the reader’s interest. The mix of seriousness and humor is masterfully done and adds fun, entertainment value to the story while still keeping true to the events that occur in the book. I also enjoyed the inclusion of real photos from the author’s time in Somalia and appreciated the appropriate tribute to the fallen in the book.

The one problem with this novel is it would have been nice to get to see more of the conflict going on in Somalia. Although the reader was shown glimpses of through some of the natives’ point of views , the only war conflict we saw was at the end of his deployment.  This probably was true to the author’s memoirs and may have disrupted the integrity of the story if it was included. Regardless, I was engrossed in the story from page one and can’t wait to read more about the author’s experiences. I would definitely recommend this book for someone who wants a military memoir or novel that is funny and serious that is accurate in its portrayal of historical events.

4.5 stars, HS and Adult

Magic Everthing: Lightning Pen by John Buckley-3.5 stars

Buckley, John, Magic Everything: Lightning Pen. Amazon Digital Services, 2012. Pgs. 267.

When their little sister, Darcy, is kidnapped by an enemy of their bedridden father, Thirsty and Thomas set out on an adventure filled with magic, danger, bat people bent on killing them, and ice cream. Can Thirsty and Thomas save their sister, Darcy before it’s too late?

A funny, action-filled adventure for fantasy fans. The text could use a good edit. There’s a lot of typos and grammar errors that detract from the novel. The story is a little confusing in parts and could use some more chapter breaks, but is entertaining and is fairly well-written. The characters are likable and enjoyable to follow in their adventures. Readers who like magic, witches, flying creatures, and a whole new world to imagine will enjoy reading this book.  

Grades 4 to 8, 3.5 stars,

Keepers by W. J.Madsen-5 stars

Madsen, W.J, Arkeeper #1: Keepers. Little M Books, 2012. Pgs. 128.

On the day of her birth, Alexa’s grandfather disappeared. Years later, when Alexa and her older brother, Jake go to their grandparents’ attic to find Rex, the family cat, they discover a magnifying glass. Not just any magnifying glass, however. A glass that can take you to different misadventures to solve crimes. In this episode, Jake and Alexa are called upon by the Keeper of Time, Delbert to find the stolen Bell of Time. Without, time will cease to exist. The clues lie within Delbert’s home, the  Museum of Time, and are somehow linked to 5 knight ghosts who know what has happened, but can’t talk. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to the two detectives and their cat, Baron von Snodgrass is hot on their trail and wants their magnifying glass for his own evil purposes. Someone within the castle is working for him and will stop at nothing to  keep time stopped. Will the two siblings and their cat find the bell and restore time or will the Baron win?

  
The characters are well-developed and entertaining. My favorite was the cat and his humorous comments about everything. The plot moves at a good pace, is well-developed, and keeps the reader’s interest with some fun plot twists. Readers who like fantasy, dimensions, science fiction, and adventure mixed with a mystery to solve will enjoy reading this book.

5 stars, Grades 5 to 9

Firecracker by Charles R. Verhey-5 stars

Verhey, Charles R., Firecracker. CreateSpace, 2003. Pgs. 340.

Aideen “Cass” Cassidy is a pyrokinetic who can’t hold a job. As a last ditch effort at finding a way to pay rent, Cass tries to get a job with PsychTeam, a team of eccentric psychics who solve cases the police can’t solve. Shortly after starting, Cass starts dreaming about a young girl who needs her help and a weird shadow starts coming after her and her PsychTeam mentor, Li Hung, wanting them dead. If the shadow succeeds, many will die and the world could very well end. Can Cass and Li save themselves as well as the world?

This book is humorous and action-packed. The characters are well-developed and likable. The chapters are short and the plot is fairly complex, fast-moving,and suspenseful. My favorite part was when Cass’ new personal trainer shows up and her face and Cass ends up setting his sleeve on fire when she gets mad at him. Readers who like saving the world, psychics, assassins, and adventure will enjoy reading this book.

5 stars, MS, HS

Child Pirate by Susan Troutt

Troutt, Susan, The Child Pirate. Author House, 2006. Pgs. 275. 3.5 stars

After being abandoned by his mother, Briney MacDougal was raised aboard his father’s pirate ship. After his father raided a ship, the treasure was brought on board to be divided up. Attracted a certain pouch, Briney snatches it from the pile before anyone else can take it. Unfortunately, one person, Henry Williams, did notice and he wants the pouch. When his father stops off at an island in the Carribbean Island, Briney discovers the secret map to finding a hidden treasure and the pouch is linked to it. Henry Williams is willing to kill to get the map. Can Briney outsmart Henry and get the treasure before it’s too late?

The characters are a little one-dimensional, but are likable have unique qualities. The plot is filled with mystery and has a lot of action. Readers who like pirates, treasure, and high stakes novels will enjoy reading this book.

Grades 5 to 9, 3.5 stars

Cinderella: Ninja Warrior by Maureen McGowan-4 stars

McGowan, Maureen, Cinderella: Ninja Warrior. Baker and Taylor, 2011.

With her father dead, Cinderella is forced to be captive to her evil stepmother and do the woman's bidding. The only way she can get out is if she finds her father's wand, learns to use the magic within her to escape, or dies. When the prince of the kingdom announces he is throwing a festival/ball to find the woman he wants to marry, Cinderella works hard to convince her stepmother to let her go. If she can win one of the contests at the festival, she'll not only earn a dance with the prince, but also a free year of lessons from the court's magician. But, if she shows her stepmother she has any magical initiative, the woman will assume she has found her father's magical wand and will stop at nothing to destroy her. Will she succeed and get out from her evil stepmother?


A fun twist on this traditional story told through the choose your own adventure type format. The main character and the prince are fun and likable. The evil stepmother is a hateful woman just like readers will want her to be. Readers who like fantasy, ninjas, choose your own adventure style books, and magic will enjoy reading this book.

Grades 7 to 12, 4 stars.

Lucretia and the Kroons by Victor LaValle-3 stars

LaValle, Victor, Lucretia and the Kroons. Random House, 2012. Ebook.

When Lucretia's cancer-ridden friend, Sonny goes missing, Lucretia heads up into the dangerous 6-D apartment to bring her back. There, she is goes through a portal to the Shadowlands where she meets mutants, lost children, haunted playgrounds, winged rodents, and more. Can she face the dangers and save her friend or is her friend lost to her already?


Confusing in many parts, but the action keeps the reader going. The characters are a little one-dimensional, but likable nonetheless. Readers who like fantasy, adventure, and books about friendship and loss will enjoy reading this book.

Grades 9 to 12, 3 stars.