Skybreaker, by Kenneth Oppel (Eos, 2006)

Posted on July 26, 2009 by Michael M. Jones

This sequel to Airborn finds our hero, Matt Cruse, teaming up with an arrogant airship captain, an intriguing gypsy girl, and an scholarly heiress as they search for the legendary lost Hyperion, a ghost ship rumored to contain great treasures and lost artifacts. Hot on their heels, though, is a rival ship crewed by ruthless pirates and evil entrepreneurs. It’ll be a toss-up between the extremely high altitudes, the weather, the bizarre creatures living at 20,000 feet and the bad guys to see which threatens Matt and his friends the most. Once again, Oppel gives us an exciting tale set in an alternate world where dirigibles rule, mad science lives on, and adventure can be found at every turn.

The Sisters Grimm: The Fairy-Tale Detectives & The Unusual Suspects, by Michael Buckley (Amulet Books, 2005)

Posted on July 26, 2009 by Michael M. Jones

When orphaned sisters Sabrina and Daphne Grimm are sent to live with their newly-discovered grandmother, Grenny Relda, in the small town of Ferryport Landing, they’re introduced to a bizarre family heritage involving immortal fairytale characters. In a town where Snow White teaches school, Prince Charming is the mayor, the Three Pigs (in human form) are cops, and the so-called Everafters dwell in secret alongside regular mortals, it takes a very special kind of person to investigate when things go wrong. Now the Grimm sisters must contend with angry giants, monsters stalking the school, and secrets galore, all the while trying to find their missing parents. A wonderfully twisted take on old stories, and a great start to a new series, though rather reminiscent of Bill Willingham’s excellent Fables comic book series. Fans of The Spiderwick Chronicles and A Series of Unfortunate Events should check these books out.

River Secrets, by Shannon Hale (Bloomsbury, 2006)

Posted on July 26, 2009 by Michael M. Jones

In this sequel to Enna Burning, the spotlight shines upon Razo, a clever young soldier selected to be part of an elite diplomatic mission sent into the dangerous land of Tira. There, Razo will discover his true skills as a spy, diplomat, and hero, delving deep into the heart of a conspiracy that could destroy all hope of peace for the two countries. Along the way, he’ll also deal with his growing feelings for a girl who might be an enemy, or an ally. Though this series started as a reimagining of a fairy tale, it’s grown into an intriguing, complex, highly enjoyable world in its own right, full of magic, emotion, and adventure.

Rebel Angels, by Libba Bray (Delacorte Press, 2005)

Posted on July 26, 2009 by Michael M. Jones

Gemma Doyle continues to explore the limits of her magical powers and the depths of the mysterious Realms, all the while dodging the manipulations of two separate secret societies out to either kill or co-opt her and the control over the Realms she represents. This is the second book in a fascinating series set in Victorian England, which can best be described as Harry Potter meets A Little Princess. Bray really knows how to invoke the self-contradictory, atmospheric feel of the period, and her characters reflect the mood quite nicely, straddling the line between child and adult, respectable and rebellious.

The Bartimaeus Trilogy Book 3: Ptolemy’s Gate, by Jonathan Stroud (Miramax Books, 2006)

Posted on July 26, 2009 by Michael M. Jones

Three years have passed since we last saw the demon Bartimaeus and his magician master Nathaniel (AKA John Mandrake, now Information Minister for the magician-run British government.) The British Empire is beset on all sides by enemies, both foreign and domestic, and even as Mandrake struggles to uncover a deadly conspiracy against the government, other events threaten to destroy all of civilization. It’s up to Mandrake, an ever-weakening Bartimaeus, and the rebel-in-hiding once known as Kitty Jones to create an uneasy alliance and pull off the impossible if they want humanity to survive. The concluding volume in the Bartimaeus trilogy, this book raises the stakes once and for all in a roller-coaster ride to the finish. Full of twists and turns, complex characterization and a fascinating setting, Ptolemy’s Gate lives up to the promise set forth in the first two books. Harry Potter fans, don’t miss this one.

Peter and the Shadow Thieves, by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson (Hyperion, 2006)

Posted on July 26, 2009 by Michael M. Jones

When Peter learns that his friend Molly may be in danger from evil people seeking control of the fabled starstuff (a mysterious dust which grants amazing powers to the user), he leaves the relative safety of Mollusk Island and returns to the urban jungle of London. There, he and his tiny sidekick Tink risk everything to protect Molly and her father, while keeping the starstuff from the shadowy Lord Ombra. Barry and Pearson have once again conjured up a roller-coaster tale set in the early days of the boy who will become Pan, a thrilling adventure full of magic and mystery.

Now You See It, by Vivian Vande Velde (Harcourt, 2006)

Posted on July 26, 2009 by Michael M. Jones

The accidental discovery of a magical pair of sunglasses plunges Wendy into an adventure unlike any she’s ever imagined, culminating in surprise trips into another dimension, and into the past. Elves, witches, dragons, and other magical creatures abound as Wendy tries to make sense of the whole thing, while coping with family history and evil plots. An oddly charming story that makes for a fun read.

No Place For Magic, by E.D. Baker (Bloomsbury, 2006)

Posted on July 26, 2009 by Michael M. Jones

Though princess/sorceress Emma has fought monsters, outwitted witches and even flew with dragons, she’s about to face her greatest challenge yet: winning the approval of her future in-laws. Emma and her fiancé Eadric return to his home country so his parents can bless their intended marriage. Unfortunately, theirs is a land which distrusts magic. Can Emma stay on her best behavior, or will her tendency to use magic for the greater good land her in hot water? Once trolls kidnap Eadric’s younger brother, however, all bets are off. Will Emma and Eadric live happily ever after? The latest in the Tales of the Frog Princess series once again follows a feisty, independent heroine as she forges her own destiny.

Life As We Knew It, by Susan Beth Pfeffer (Harcourt, 2006)

Posted on July 26, 2009 by Michael M. Jones

A teenage girl chronicles the end of civilization as she knows it, after a meteor strike changes the moon’s orbit, causing massive destruction around the globe. She alternately copes with, and complains her way through the worst year in recorded history, coming to terms with her own mortality and maturity in the process. This is far better than the usual post-apocalyptic fare, with a highly-engaging style and a fast-moving plot. Once I started, I couldn’t stop reading. In some ways, this was realistic enough to make me want to plan for civilization’s possible collapse.

Leven Thumps and the Gateway To Foo, by Obert Skye (Simon and Schuster, 2006)

Posted on July 26, 2009 by Michael M. Jones

Raised by abusive guardians and possessing powers beyond his imagining, Leven Thumps discovers his true potential in the company of a strange girl, a mischievous furry sidekick, and a magical tree from another dimension. Now the unlikely group have to travel halfway across the world to find a mystic portal before a terrible villain takes control of it. The start of a new fantasy series, this book has many similiarities to Harry Potter, but manages to maintain a unique charm all its own. Level Thumps is sure to appeal to those in need of a quick fantasy fix.