Reviewed by Tara T for Readers' Favorite

The Dragonfly Prophecy by Jacquelyn Castle is a wonderful book for young adults that takes you on a journey to another universe! As we begin the book and meet Lexi we are taken on an adventure into another dimension. As we get to know Lexi, her friends and her loves, we are taken through the mystery of why and how to travel to this unknown place. Lexi is torn between two mystery men. Who really knows what is best for her? We are rooting for Lexi to make the right choice in boyfriends and to become a superhero with her "gifts." We get to know all sorts of "heroes" with special gifts.

Ms. Castle has written a very tasteful adventure for young adults. The main character is very likeable and realistic. I liked the fact that the reader is brought into Lexi's world and we learn as Lexi learns about her "gifts" and what this alternate universe is all about. I felt as though I were watching a movie. Ms. Castle did a great job of mixing mystery and adventure into her book. I appreciate that Ms. Castle kept the characters honorable. Teens and preteens need role models that can be respected and Ms. Castle does a fine job of making these characters respectable and likeable. I would have enjoyed this book as a young adult and would feel comfortable recommending it to the young adults I know. I can see it as part of a future series of books with Lexi being the star of many future adventures.

Reviewed by Brenda Casto for Readers' Favorite

Dustyn Jane Vermeer is in love with the perfect man. There's only one problem: he is dead!

Sixteen-year-old Dusty was was living in Florida with her dad and older sister, Sadie, when a family tragedy caused them to move back to their dad's childhood home, a 95-year-old farmhouse in Hull, Iowa.
Life in a new school is pretty normal, but at home in her bedroom, some weird things are taking place. Dusty begins having dreams about Jack, a handsome young soldier in the Korean War who begins haunting her. They assume he must have died in the war, but when a kiss between the two unlocks his memory, Jack realizes he made it home from the war but was murdered, and he knows who the killer is. When Dusty decides to confront the killer, suddenly her life is in danger!

I loved this story. It was interesting how Jack haunted Dusty, not only banging around in her room, but also showing up in her dreams. I must say, when the strange things started happening in her room, it was a bit creepy; but once introduced to Jack, I started seeing him not as a ghost, but instead as a young man who was cheated out of life. I could easily see why Dusty would fall for him, but she also had feelings for her boyfriend, Mike. It was nice that there was the secondary story of Dusty's school and family life. This is one of those stories that never has a down time because the author keeps the plot moving along and is always throwing in little twists.

This book gives the reader a bit of everything; there's tragedy, romance, boyfriend trouble, school drama, mystery and a bit of edge-of-your-seat suspense. Roll that together with the paranormal elements of the story, and you have a book that will easily appeal not only to young adults, but to anyone who enjoys a good story with a paranormal twist.

Reviewed by Alice DiNizo for Readers' Favorite

The Sellites from the planet Valhai have arrived on the distant planet Coriolis to take their new batch of fourteen-year-old apprentices back to Valhai. Among these teenagers are Diva, a daughter of a ruling Coriolan elder, and Six, a nameless, homeless teen from nearby planet Kwaide. Diva and Six team up with Grace, a Sellite who has not been modified and with Vion, a young Sellite doctor who will not buy into how Sellites have been using, and then killing off, young Coriolian apprentices. They work with Arcan, the true ruler of Valhai, to combat the Sellites. But can four teenagers and an inhuman force win?

Valhai is adolescent science fiction at its very best. Major and minor characters are well-drawn and act believably throughout the story, which is Book One in the Ammonite Galaxy series. Even the "bad guys" in this engrossing tale are believable and serve to draw the reader into the tale and its exciting conclusion.

The plot proceeds smoothly until story's end and will engross even those readers who don't normally read science fiction. The story itself is well-edited without typographical errors and misspellings. Typos and poor grammar would be disastrous for a story such as this where the reader will be spellbound as the storyline marches on to its conclusion.

Valhai is an appealing, interesting work of science fiction. Teachers and librarians everywhere will welcome its presence on their bookshelves. They can put it in a student's hands, knowing it will be well-received by even the most reluctant of readers.

Reviewed by Daylin M. for Readers' Favorite

In the novel Stay, by C.C. Jackson, Callie is shocked when she is ripped from her home in Louisiana in the middle of the night by a mysterious, muscular man. He takes her to a city named Petrona, of which she has no recollection, and is told that she is the queen. The man who took her from her home tells her that they are meant to be together, that he wishes she could remember their time together, and that he loves her deeply; but still Callie cannot remember. She learns that she isn't even human; in fact she is a fairy. Her journey throughout the book is one that requires strength, braveness, and curiosity.

Stay is a wonderful novel with an exceptional plot line. I loved the book dearly. However, there are a few editing mistakes, and it could have been much longer. In fact, I wish it had been developed by Jackson into perhaps a 300-400 page novel. More background information is definitely needed about Callie's parents and her normal, human life. But, Stay is still an amazing novel. This book is full of adventure and romance! The magical and sci-fi elements add a lot of fun and excitement, and the girl power makes me feel like I can take on the world. This is a book for teenagers and adults alike. C.C. Jackson is a genius, and I promise if you buy this book, you will not regret it! Take it to the beach, your couch, wherever, but read it!

Reviewed by Karen Pirnot for Readers' Favorite

Carol and son Adam Kunz have newly entered the publishing market with their novel The Childe. The book features Catherine "Cat" Colvin, a tall fifteen year old who is transferring from a private academy to the local high school. Cat is a teen with firey red hair and a sky blue right eye and a corresponding amber left eye. Those are not the only unusual characteristics about the child. She has a group of friends including practical Julie, socially-shy Elle, outgoing Amanda and responsible Matt. Together, the teens explore the occult world. According to the authors' vivid descriptions of vampires and werewolves, they are all terrified but fascinated.

As the story progresses, it becomes apparent that Cat is being watched by a coven who appears mysterious but elusive. Cat has multiple unusual experiences of inner "seeing," and she also becomes able to read the thoughts of certain people. And yet, her true identity remains a mystery to her and to most of those around her. Gradually, Cat's hidden characteristics begin to emerge as she struggles to remain "normal" amidst blackouts and nightmares.

Most teens into the current vampire rage will like The Childe. It puts a different spin on an old tale, and it does it well. Although parts of the story are a bit predictable, (assuming one has previously read such themed stories), the authors do a good job of setting the stage for the series yet to come. All in all, The Childe was a good read, and the authors are to be congratulated for capturing a potential portion of the teenage vampire market!

Reviewed by Anne Boiling for Readers' Favorite

Griffin Rising is the delightful story of a Tiro Angel -- a guardian angel.

"This we know of Terrae Angelus:
Being earthbound, their powers are limited.
Being earthbound, they mirror man in all ways, even unto free will.
Being earthbound, their appearances and powers align to the Four Elements:
Wind & Water, Earth & Fire.
Being earthbound, they can destroy and be destroyed.
Translation from the original Latin:
Professor Julian Fitzwilliam
Oxford
1898"

In this story we meet Griffin, an apprentice Terrae Angeli. His first mentor was Nicopolis, a cruel angel who believed in beating his charges. Griffi's spirit was broken. He had little self-confidence and cowered before his mentor. Griffin was reassigned to Basil, who was understanding, kind and patient. He worked hard to build Fin's self confidence. Soon the two developed a father and son relationship. Nicopolis hated both Griffin and Basil and waited for an opportunity to seek revenge.

I love this book. It is filled with humor and the author has left the door open for a sequel. The characters are wonderfully written and the plot is filled with adventure. The author has a winner!

Reviewed by Anne Boiling for Readers' Favorite

Lodestone Book Two continues the story of Shann and her companions, who are on a mission to save the Kelanni people. A mysterious Prophet is building an ultimate weapon from Lodestone, a substance with powerful properties, in order to destroy the Kelanni. Shann and the others of her party seek an instrument, hidden in the distant past on the other side of their world, During a perilous sea journey through the Great Barrier of Storms, Shann and the six-legged Chandara, Boxx, are swept overboard and washed up on a distant shore; one filled with strange new sights and experiences.

The land is occupied by Kelanni but their language is stilted and they have a strange accent.

Eventually, Shann befriends Rael, the young apprentice of a scientist named Hannath. Rael explains that the planet is divided into two halves by the Great Barrier of Storms; this side is known as Kelanni-Skell; the side that Shann and her companions are from is called Kelanni-Drann. The two halves of their planet were once united under a great civilisation, but following an unknown disaster known as the Goratha, the "dark time", they have been cut off from each other and their respective societies and languages have diverged. She discovers that the Chandara, who have not been seen on this side of the world for many years, were the first intelligent race on the planet. She also learns that the Kelanni fought a war with the hu-mans some years ago and that the hu-mans lost and were banished to the distant island of Helice in the Erigone Sea. Although they agreed never to leave the island, they have since travelled to Kelanni-Drann, co-opting the mythos of that society and forcing the people there to mine Lodestone in order to build the doomsday device. The Prophet is in fact a hu-man.

The reader travels with Shann as she and Boxx search for their comrades: Lyall, Alondo, Patris and Keris and for the instrument needed to neutralize the hu-man weapon and save their people. This is just the beginning of a great adventure.

I highly recommend reading these books in order. While this book can stand alone the true pleasure of this story comes from knowing the complete tale. The author Mark Whiteway is the master of description. The scenes unfold before the reader. Middle school age children will enjoy this tale and ask for more and so will adults.