Princess For Hire, by Lindsey Leavitt (Hyperion, 2010)

Posted on September 4, 2010 by Michael M. Jones

Desi Bascomb is rescued from an ordinary everyday existence when a woman in a magic bubble appears, tells her she has Magic Potential, and introduces her to a very special temp agency specializing in short-term princess impersonations. Thrilled at the chance to lead a life of glamour and elegance, Desi throws herself into the job, subbing for a variety of unusual princesses. But when her willful ways and talent for improvisation go against the company rules, she’ll have to prove she’s worth keeping. Light, fluffy, and humorous, this pretty-in-pink tale is enjoyable, but hard to take seriously.

Fever Crumb, by Philip Reeve (Scholastic, 2010)

Posted on September 4, 2010 by Michael M. Jones

Orphaned as a baby, raised by the Order of Engineers as their only female apprentice, Fever Crumb has been trained to think in a rational, scientific manner. However, her new assignment – to aid the archaeologist Kit Solvent on his attempt to uncover the secrets of Auric Godshawk, infamous former overlord and unspeakable genius – challenges the way she sees the world, and reveals long-hidden truths regarding her own origins. As the mysteries unfold and a city erupts in flames and chaos, Fever will be forced to set forth to claim her destiny. This post-apocalyptic steam punk adventure serves as a prequel to Reeve’s Mortal Engines setting, and sets the stage for no-holds-barred action and nifty concepts.

Other, by Karen Kincy (Flux, 2010)

Posted on September 4, 2010 by Michael M. Jones

It’s not easy being a part-pooka shapeshifter in a society where supernatural Others are tolerated at best, hunted at worst, but by keeping her true nature secret, Gwen has managed just fine. However, when a serial killer starts targeting Others around her, Gwen may not be able to hide for long, especially when she becomes a target. Now, with the help of a cute kitsune, she has to track down a murderer before he strikes again. The skillful use of myth and folklore and a strong emotional component keep this from being your standard murder mystery.

The Shadow Hunt, by Katherine Langrish (Harper, 2010)

Posted on September 4, 2010 by Michael M. Jones

When Wolf runs away from the monastery he’s called home for years in search of a more fulfilling life, he finds more than he bargained for in the forms of a feral elf-child and a local lord driven by heartbreak, loss and ambition. Taken into service by Lord Hugo of the Red Mound, Wolf befriends his stubborn, spirited daughter, Nest, and takes on the task of civilizing the elf. But what does Hugo want with the elf, and what sort of trouble will arise as a result of his quest? Set in a long-ago Wales where magic and superstition still hold power, this book draws on traditional fairy tales and religious beliefs to tell a creepy, intriguing story where anything is possible.

The Dead-Tossed Waves, by Carrie Ryan (Delacorte, 2010)

Posted on September 4, 2010 by Michael M. Jones

Ever since the Return, the dead have hunted the living, swelling their ranks with their victims. When Gabry and her friends break the rules and leave the safety of their home, tragedy strikes, and Gabry’s life is torn apart. Now, to atone for her mistakes and save her friends, Gabry must defy the authorities and journey into a forest where she’ll either find death, or the long-hidden truth about her family and her own origins. Either way, there’s no turning back. This dark fantasy, set in a zombie-infested future, is atmospheric, compelling, and unforgettable. While acting as a sequel to The Forest of Hands and Teeth, it stands alone without a problem.

Hex Hall, by Rachel Hawkins (Hyperion, 2010)

Posted on September 4, 2010 by Michael M. Jones

When disgraced witch Sophie Mercer screws up once too often, she’s sent to Hecate Hall, a reform school for troublemaking witches, faeries, and shapeshifters. Even as she befriends her roommate, the lone vampire student, she runs afoul of a would be coven of ambitious witches, acquires a ghostly mentor, flirts with a handsome warlock, and struggles to master her abilities. Something deadly is lurking in the shadows, and Sophie may be the key to stopping it before the body count gets out of hand. With a solid story, believable characters, and a fast-paced plot, this is a thoroughly enjoyable read from a promising new author, and the start of a fun series.

A Wizard of Mars, by Diane Duane (Harcourt, 2010)

Posted on September 4, 2010 by Michael M. Jones

Teen wizards Kit and Nita have been tasked with uncovering the buried secrets of Mars, but when Kit accidentally activates an ancient artifact, the planet comes to life in unexpectedly mysterious ways, challenging everything they ever believed about the red planet. With the fate of two planets at stake, our heroes and their allies will be stretched to their limits to find a suitable solution. Straddling the fence between science fiction and fantasy, beautifully-written and morally complex, featuring a rich cast of engaging characters and some thought-provoking twists, this installment proves that even after nine books, this series is still going strong.

Guardian of the Dead, by Karen Healey (Little, Brown and Co, 2010)

Posted on September 4, 2010 by Michael M. Jones

When Ellie Spencer agrees to teach stage combat for a local university production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, she’s inadvertently drawn into a bizarre series of events involving a secretive race of deadly mythological beings out to reclaim their full power and immortality. To thwart their apocalyptic schemes, she’ll have to embrace her own hidden powers, place her trust in some unlikely allies, and delve into a world she never knew existed. Set in New Zealand and drawing heavily from Maori myth for inspiration, this is a brilliantly-executed story, full of powerful imagery, fascinating characters, and memorable moments. Easily one of the best YA’s I’ve read this so far this year.

White Cat, by Holly Black (McElderry Books, 2010)

Posted on September 4, 2010 by Michael M. Jones

The only member of his family unable to work curse magic with a touch, Cassel’s honed his skills as a con man to a sharp edge as compensation. When his bizarre sleepwalking episodes disrupt the stability of his life, he soon uncovers a history of inexplicable discrepancies involving his brothers and his own memories. The weirdest? His dreams are being invaded by a mysterious white cat, who may be connected to the girl he once killed. Cassel will have to pull off the con of a lifetime if he wants to fully understand what’s going on, and free himself from a lifetime of manipulation. While drawing elements from a classic fairy tale, White Cat quickly establishes its own identity, where mobsters and magic go hand in hand with mystery and misdirection.

Thief Eyes, by Janni Lee Simner (Random House, 2010)

Posted on September 4, 2010 by Michael M. Jones

When Haley joins her father on a trip to Iceland, she not-so-secretly hopes she’ll finally discover how and why her mother vanished in the same spot a year before. She’s promptly caught up in a curse that’s wound through her family for generations, originating with the sorceress Hallgerd, a distant ancestor. To break the curse, she embarks on a series of adventures, accompanied by Ari, a local boy with an alarming habit of turning into a bear. She’ll brave ancient magic and forgotten myths as she tries to save herself from the past, but the cost may be more than she can handle. Clever, fast-paced, and steeped in the myth and lore of traditional Icelandic sagas, Thief Eyes is fascinating and different.