Larklight, by Phillip Reeve (Bloomsbury, 2006)

Posted on July 26, 2009 by Michael M. Jones

In an alternate Victorian era, the English have conquered the solar system, but something old and nasty is about to challenge that dominance. Caught right in the middle of a mysterious plot to conquer the universe are Myrtle and Art Mumby, who live with their father in Larklight, a house orbiting beyond the Moon. Now the siblings must contend with space pirates, evil spiders, alien races, and technology gone wrong in order to save the day. Larklight is a Victorian space adventure with a unique style and voice, evoking children’s’ books of old and infusing them with a steamtech science fiction energy. This is one of the most unusual books I’ve read lately, and one of the most enjoyable. I hope to see more in this series.

Journey Between Worlds, by Sylvia Louise Engdahl (G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2006)

Posted on July 26, 2009 by Michael M. Jones

In this reprint of a book originally published in 1970, a teenage girl is forced to leave behind everything she knows when her father takes her to Mars for an extended vacation which later turns into an indefinite stay. As she struggles with the many differences between Earth and Mars, and works through her feelings for an alien world, she also comes to terms with her feelings for a local boy. Both a pleasant (if slightly dated) romance and a thoughtful look at what the future might bring, Journey Between Worlds is a satisfying read.

Jennifer Scales and the Messenger of Light, by MaryJanice Davidson and Anthony Alongi (Berkeley Jam, 2006)

Posted on July 26, 2009 by Michael M. Jones

In the second book of the Jennifer Scales series, the titular heroine continues to cope with her dual legacies as weredragon and monsterslayer, and finds herself utterly entangled in several generations’ worth of mistrust, betrayal, and secrets. With enemies all around her and a social life in shambles, Jennifer’s troubles hit a high peak when a mysterious monster starts stalking her family. Now she has to unravel the mysteries of the past before she pays the price for someone else’s mistakes. A surprisingly sophisticated tale with a fresh voice, this is worth checking out.

Jennifer Scales and the Ancient Furnace, by MaryJanice Davidson and Anthony Alongi (Berkley Jam, 2005)

Posted on July 26, 2009 by Michael M. Jones

Teenage soccer sensation Jennifer Scales discovers her hidden heritage as a weredragon when puberty causes her dormant abilities to stir. Now she has to balance schoolwork with bizarre transformations, soccer practice with flying practice, and her love life with all sorts of people out to kill her. Best-known for her romantic comedies involving vampires and werewolves, MaryJanice Davidson turns her attention to YA with the help of her husband in this highly enjoyable start to a new series.

The Lucy Chronicles: High School Bites, by Liza Conrad (NAL JAM, 2006)

Posted on July 26, 2009 by Michael M. Jones

It’s Dracula all over again when Lucy Hellenberg discovers that she’s the descendant of a certain not-so-fictional heroine, and that the master vampire and his descendants have been stalking her family for generations. Luckily, Lucy’s family is very good at fighting vampires, and she’ll have some help from her friends, including the latest in the Van Helsing line, and a vampire expert descended from Bram Stoker. It’s an entertaining update on the Dracula mythos, with some revisionary work done on both Bram Stoker and Dracula, with a healthy dose of Buffyesque attitude thrown in for good measure.

Golden, by Cameron Dokey (Simon Pulse, 2006)

Posted on July 26, 2009 by Michael M. Jones

In this retelling of Rapunzel, a girl born without any hair whatsoever becomes the adopted daughter to a witch whose darkest secrets are about to come back to haunt her. Can Rapunzel figure out the secret of the witch’s tower before time runs out for her and the witch’s true daughter, Rue? This is a worthy spin on the popular fairytale, taking the familiar and turning it inside-out in the latest in Pulse’s “Once Upon A Time…” series.

Fly by Night, by Frances Hardinge (HarperCollins, 2006)

Posted on July 26, 2009 by Michael M. Jones

In a daring attempt to better her life, 12-year-old Mosca Mye joins up with a traveling storyteller/con man, and promptly gets caught up in multiple conspiracies involving the powerful guilds which rule her land, and the outlawed sect which once held the realm in a grip of terror. In a land where books are strictly controlled, words may be the deadliest weapons of all, though Mosca’s homicidal pet goose comes a close second. A superbly-written book of wry wit and sly humor, Fly by Night is a true joy to read, and a promising debut for a new author.

Flora Segunda, by Ysabeau S Wilce (Harcourt, 2007)

Posted on July 26, 2009 by Michael M. Jones

Flora Fyrdraaca lives with her family – the dwindled remnants of a once-mighty dynasty – in Crackpot Hall, a sprawling magical mansion of impossible size that has likewise fallen into disrepair. When a wrong turn in the house brings Flora into the heart of a dark family secret, she gets involved in a series of wild, unlikely, heart-pounding adventures that could spell doom for her and her family, or restore their fortunes. Only Flora has what it takes to defy everything she’s ever known, discern long-buried truths, and save the day. Flora Segunda is a strange new tale of magical mischief, mayhem and mystery that’s sure to entertain. Wilce has a lovely debut on her hands with this book.

Firebirds Rising, edited by Sharyn November (Firebird, 2006)

Posted on July 26, 2009 by Michael M. Jones

The second in an ongoing anthology series of YA SF/Fantasy edited by Firebird editor Sharyn November, this collection features sixteen of the very best authors working in the field today. Francesca Lia Block, Emma Bull, Charles de Lint, Nina Kiriki Hoffman, Kara Dalkey, Alan Dean Foster, Tanith Lee, Tamora Pierce, Ellen Klages, Diana Wynne Jones and others make this a truly irresistible book, with highly memorable stories (and at least a few future award-winners, I’d bet). Space forbids me from going into detail, but Klage’s story “In the House of the Seven Librarians” made me smile, while Bull’s story “What Used To Be Good Still Is” captures the poignancy of lost love and missed chances in a small mining town. Jones’ story “I’ll Give You My Word” is a literary feast for the word-lover, and Hoffman’s “Unwrapping” is short, but beautiful. This is an excellent book not just for YA fans, but for short fiction fans in general.

Fangs 4 Freaks, by Serena Robar (Berkley Jam, 2006)

Posted on July 26, 2009 by Michael M. Jones

As the newly-appointed Protector of vampire half-bloods, Colby Blanchard is raring to go, having engineered the creation of a sorority house where her kind can learn to exist in peace. Too bad many full-bloods just want Colby and her friends dead. Now Colby has to contend with vampiric royalty, a half-blood who wants to return to her vegan diet, a snarky Goth for a best friend, assorted vampire hunters, and oh yes, a potential traitor in the house. To add insult to injury, Colby’s vampire boyfriend won’t make the first move! What’s a girl to do? This sequel to Braced 2 Bite is just as wry, charming, and cheerfully twisted as the first in the series, and it makes for a nice change of pace from the more serious vampire dramas out there.