Forbidden Flats by Peggy Eddleman-4 stars

Eddleman, Peggy, Forbidden Flats. 5.22 hrs. (unabr.) Audible, Inc., 2014. 

After an earthquake hits White Rock, the town is hit with another possibly devastating blow. The gases from the Bomb’s Breath are lowering due to crack in the Earth’s wall. There is one possibility of saving the town, however. If Hope, a guide from outside White Rock, and her friends can bring back Seforium, they can close up the cracks. The only place the compound can be found is in Heaven’s Reach, a town across the Forbidden Flat and in the Rocky Mountains. To get it, they’ll try and trade some of their Ameiphus, a cure for infection and Shidell’s Sickness, to get it. But, they only have 21 days to bring it back before it’s too late. With dangers along the way, like bandits and more Bomb’s Breath, will the group be able to save White Rock?

Hope is a loveable, endearing main character whose optimism is infectious. The other characters are likable and the dynamic between them is heartwarming and engaging. The use of wits and bravery to save the day instead of braun is refreshing and helps draw the reader into Hope’s world. Narrator, Abigail Ravasch has a unique voice she brings to the characters’ personalities. Although her voice pitch changes in a few unexpected places, her fun narrative style complements this moderate-paced adventure. Despite not having quite as much action and peril as the first book, fans of the first Sky Jumpers will be delighted with this sequel and new readers to the series will be eager to go back and read the first. Recommended for most library collections.

Grades 5 to 9, 4 stars

Bane Chronicles by Cassandra Clare and Sarah Rees Brennan-5 stars

Clare, Cassandra and Brennan, Sarah Rees, Bane Chronicles. 11 CDs. 13.08 hrs. (unbar.) Simon and Schuster Audio, 2014. $39.99. Audible.

Magnus Bane is many things; a warlock, a conniver, a gambler, a lover, and charismatic are but a few. Centuries old, Magnus longs to find true love and a purpose in life. Over the year, he’s made a few close friends, but a few powerful enemies as well.  His scandalous parties, monetary hijinks, fashionable lifestyle, and unique, semi-neutral position between downworlders and Shadowhunters often puts him in dangerous situations, some by choice. Somehow, however, he always manages to get out of them, but will there be one in which he doesn’t succeed?

A beloved character of Cassandra Clare’s novels, Bane is entertaining, likable, and a classic anti-hero. The stories about him are well-developed and engaging. The cast of narrators are befitting of a many-faceted character and easily bring Bane’s personality and world to life. Although readers who are fans of this series will not be disappointed, new readers to the series should be able to easily jump in. Their unique narrative styles easily navigate between romance, paranormal, mystery, and adventure and the necessary scene transitions. Recommended for any library collection. 

 
Grades 7 to 12,  5 stars.

Once Upon a Grind by Cleo Coyle-4 stars

Coyle, Cleo, Once Upon a Grind. 11.32 hrs. (unabr.) 1 mp3 CD. Blackstone Audion, 2014. $34.95

Manhattan, New York has fairy tale fever. During a fairy tale festival, a young girl named Anya goes missing during the festival. Clare Cosi finds her while looking for her boyfriend’s kids’ dog, but medical personnel have been unlucky waking her from her coma. With a drug-related past and being the prince charming assigned to protect Anya during the festival, Clare’s ex-husband and partner, Matteo Allegro is the police’s only suspect.  Following the breadcrumbs to an underground matchmaking club, Clare bites off more than she can chew. With time running out and all the clues pointing in her boyfriend’s ex-wife, can Clare sift through the clues before the killer comes for her?

Narrator, Rebecca Gibel has a knack for drawing readers into the story. Her excellent accents and unique voices make the characters unique personalities pop off the page. Although the dreams were a bit confusing at times, the author handled the transitions very well without losing a beat. Her narrative style was befitting of the pace of the novel and brings a feeling of authenticity to the characters and their story. Her reflections and tones conveyed the prose, emotions, and energy of the story with ease and were consistent. The audio sound was crisp, clear, and helped readers to fully immerse themselves in the tale. Although parts of the plot make it hard to suspend disbelief, the plot is well-developed and engaging.  The author’s unique insertion and twist on a bit of Cold War history to fit into the story was ingenious and showed a bit of the author’s flare and unique writing style.  Although recommended, it is not necessary to have read the other books in the series. Readers who enjoy mystery with a bit of magical realism, humor, and romance will enjoy reading this book and the others in the series.

4 stars, ADULT

The Job by Janet Evanovich-4 stars

Evanovich, Janet and Goldberg, Lee, The Job. Random House, 2014.

When Nic Fox gets accused of pulling off a sloppy art heists around the world, Kate O'Hare of the FBI is called in to investigate. All the evidence points to Nic. Serena Blake, the person who really committed the crimes, is willing to take the heat and a plea bargain, but Nic and Kate must do something for her first: avenge her brother's violent death. After doing plastic surgery on a known criminal, Serena's brother was tortured and killed. Now, Kate and Nic are sure the criminal know as Dimitrio Violante is the one who killed Serena's brother. To get even, the two must outheist and outwit this violent criminal and his cohorts before they kill Kate and Nic, too. Will Kate and NIc succeed in pulling their most risky endeavor yet?

Kate and Nic are fun, well-developed characters to read about and readers will enjoy the dynamic between the two of them. The plot is well-developed and written, but part of the story, such as pulling off heists for the FBI, might seem a little out there for some people. Fans of Janet Evanovich, Lee Goldberg, mysteries, and supense/adventure, however, will enjoy reading this book.

4 stars, ADULT

The Clockwork Scarab by Colleen Gleason-5 stars

Gleason, Colleen, The Clockwork Scarab. 8:25 hrs. (unbar. ) Audible, 2013.

When Mina Holmes and Evaline Stoker get called to the British Museum at midnight, they never could’ve imagined the mystery they would be asked to solve. With the help of Irene Adler, the ones person ever to outsmart Mina’s uncle, the two have been called to solve a case for Princess Alixandra, sister-in-law of Queen Victoria. Young girls across London are showing up dead, reportedly from suicides, but have really been murdered. All the murders can be linked to a secret society known as the Society of Sekhmet. Whoever is in charge of the society is sacrificing young women to bring back the goddess Sekhmet to life for unknown reasons. His/her only barrier is finding four objects that are supposedly linked to the legendary goddess. Things appear hopeless until Dylan Ekhart, a time traveler from 2016, arrives with answers, or at least clues, to where the objects may be hiding. Time is running out, however, and the mysterious head of the society is elusive to say the least. Can Mina, Dylan, and Evaline figure out who the murderer is before they, too, are his/her victims?

This engaging historical mystery is well-written and easily draws the reader into the imaginary world of Mina an Evaline. The characters were likable and easy to relate to. Their well-rounded personalities are complemented and brought to life by the unique narrative style of Jayne Entwistle. Her fun accent is befitting of the London setting and she easily navigates the many plot twists and turns smoothly. 

5 stars. MS, HS.