The Killer Angels

Title: The Killer Angels
Author: Michael Shaara
Ages: 14 and up

Books as good as this are extremely hard to find.  I'm partial to a historical novel, but this is the historical novel of all historical novels.  I'm not sure what makes it so amazing.  I think two things that contribute to awesomeness (yes, that is a word) of this book are the amazing story of Gettysburg and the way Shaara brought the characters of the army leaders to life.  The dramatic historical significance of Gettysburg makes for a fantastic story in and of itself, but the way in which Shaara writes it makes it feel is if it just happened.  Shaara also has a knack for bringing characters to life.  Few writers have that knack.  (I think Charles Dickens is the undisputed king in this area.)  It was interesting to see that Lee should have relied on Longstreet for his strategic advice a little bit more.  You always read in textbooks about these great generals who gloriously led their armies into battle, but you rarely hear of the failings and mistakes that these great men.  I loved (and hated) a lot of the characters in this book, but I think my overall favorite was Col. Chamberlain.  Without the 22nd Maine, we would not have won Little Round Top, which may have caused us to lose the whole war.  I never grasped the concept "brother fighting brother" until I realized that all of these Generals, Colonels, and Sergeants all went to West Point together.  They may not have been blood brothers, but in a sense they were fighting their brothers.  I can't recommend this book more.  You'll have a hard time putting it down. 

Content Advisory: Cursing, violence, and some agnostic overtones to one character's conversations.

The Red Badge of Courage

Title: The Red Badge of Courage
Author: Stephen Crane
Ages: 15 and up

I know this book is considered a "classic," but I had a hard time settling into it.  To put it simply, it was very slow.  Putting that fact aside, the characters and the setting were amazing.  I couldn't believe that Stephen Crane hadn't lived during the civil war.  The way he wrote about Henry's experiences on the battlefield were surreal.  You could smell the acrid gunpowder and feel the stifling heat along with Henry.  I definitely experienced Henry's fear of battle.  I could see myself in his shoes any day.  It accurately depicts a horrific era in our nation's history.  Yes, it is a classic, and yes, you should read it.  I can't guarantee that you will "enjoy" this book or find it "riveting," but I can guarantee you that you will greater appreciate the sacrifice that many teenagers like Henry made in order for our country to become the United States of America, an America free from the horrors of slavery.  If you want something just as informative and way more exciting, read The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara.

Content Advisory:  Minor cursing and violence.

Terrapin

Title: Terrapin
Author: T. M. Doran
Ages: 15 and up

I am very conflicted in my opinions of this book.  On the surface Terrapin was a mediocre mystery story with (mostly) dislikable characters.  However, after I read it I felt like there must have been something about the book that I was missing.  After all anyone could see that the mystery part of the story was nothing remarkable and there was nothing special about the plot.  I started to reflect on what the author might have been trying to convey behind the pretense of a murder mystery.  I came to the conclusion that Doran was trying to provoke the reader to think about where their actions and decisions can lead them and that some choices are unrepeatable.  I'm sure there is way more significant philosophical meanings to this book that I didn't get.  (Why is the book called Terrapin anyway?)  The main character, Dennis Cole, is an interesting character only because I never liked him.  He is boring and apathetic about mostly everything.  You do see the change in character in the end.  I wished that the author would let the reader have more of a glimpse of the new and improved Dennis Cole before closing the book.  There was so much darkness in the book and so little light that I felt like I deserved it.  Dennis Cole's father was a better character because it's what he says and does that leads Dennis to choose to do the right thing in the end.  I'm planning to re-read this book as soon as I have more time (which might be never).  I didn't enjoy this book as I would any other mystery book, but it did get me thinking.  I'm reading another of T. M. Doran's books called Toward the Gleam and so far I like it a lot better than this Terrapin.  Look for an upcoming review on it.

Content Advisory: A lot of cursing.  Pretty much anything except the f-word.  Some of the characters undergo marital strife and one of the characters is hinted at to have had an affair.  Lots of violence (it's a murder mystery after all).  Some of the ways in which people die are pretty gruesome and the explanations of them are a sometimes in-depth. 

Murder On the Orient Express

Title: Murder on the Orient Express
Author: Agatha Christie
Ages: 13 and up

The mystery genre has always been one of my favorites and Agatha Christie has always been one of my favorite authors in that genre.  This was my first experience of Poirot the Belgian detective and I was less than impressed.  I love Christie's Tommy and Tuppence books for a lot of reasons, one being because their characters are extremely believable and often very funny.  After Tommy and Tuppence, Poirot seemed monotonous and unexciting.  I know that a lot of mystery fans are reading this with their mouths agape with shock, but I didn't see the brilliance of Poirot, nor do I ever think I will.  Besides the character of  Poirot, the story was fine.  There was little action, but the story seemed to fair well without it.  The other characters on the train were captivating, somewhat realistic, and sometimes scandalous.  In short, they were everything Christie intended them to be.  The one part of the book that I will give Christie praise for was her fantastic ending.  Christie had me guessing up to the climatic ending (she usually always does).   However, I was disappointed at the Poirot's reaction and decision at the end.  That incident at the end was exactly why I think, to put it nicely, Poirot is a spineless sap.  I know I'm a loner in my Poirot bashing views, but I have reasons and I hope Poirot isn't as dull and boring in his other books as he was in this one.  It was an interesting and entertaining book, but not a must read. 

Content Advisory:  Mild cursing such as d**m and h**l.  Some comments made by passengers on the train are mildly inappropriate.  One incident with Dr. Constantine is also inappropriate.

David Copperfield

Title: David Copperfield
Author: Charles Dickens
Ages: 15 and up

There's not much I can say in the face of such a novel.  In the first place, it's huge; a monstrous 721 pages.  Secondly, it is a classic, so anything I'm going to say will back that up.  Dickens proves himself time and time again to be one of the most brilliant and prolific writers of the 18th century.  (On my list, he ranks up top with Jane Austen.)  One of my favorite things about his writings are the numerous and unforgettable characters.  Even though Dickens wrote many books with many characters in them, he still produces characters that are as similar to each other as hot is to cold.  Both Mr. Micawber and Uriah Heep are so unforgettable, but yet so different.  Dickens' characters are always complex and believable.  His side plots are enthralling as twist and wind throughout the book completing the thoughts and ideas he is trying to convey as an author.  Another asset of the book is the staunch moral overtone.  Dickens may have had a mistress during his life, but you will never find him insinuating that adultery is acceptable.  Thievery, deception, and malevolence all play parts in his writings, but all by the antagonists.  When such vices are used by good characters, they are used with devastating results both to themselves and to everyone around them.  A very good book that I will recommend to anyone.

Content Advisory: Minor curses such as d**n.  An adulterous affair is hinted at, but it comes to nothing.  One of the female characters in the book is seduced and runs away with a man.   

The Time Pirate

Title: The Time Pirate
Author: Ted Bell
Ages: 11 and up

The Time Pirate is the sequel to Nick of Time.  I enjoyed both of these books immensely.  The Time Pirate is not as good as Nick of Time, but only slightly.  I like the WWII setting of Nick of Time better than the Revolutionary War setting of The Time Pirate.  It's only my opinion, because my friend who read both these books liked The Time Pirate better.  It was interesting to see the characters of George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette bought to life.  This book sort of stretches the imagination with some highly unusual and impossible situations.  It's still a fun action book with some interesting scenes.  I liked the way Nick was written about in Nick of Time better.  It's been a long time since I read The Time Pirate, so I can't tell you why that is.  I think it's because Nick seemed to value human life more in Nick of Time.  Maybe it's just my memory, but I definitely liked Nick better in the first book.  I do hope that both these books are made into movies, just for the fun of it.

Content Advisory: Some violence and some people get killed.  Some cursing such as d**n.  

Chains

Title: Chains
Author: Laurie Halse Anderson
Ages: 12 and up

My only regret reading this book was that it hasn't been made into a movie yet.  The characters, especially Isabel and Curzon, were so real that they practically walked off the pages.  I rarely get angry at characters in books, but Madame Lockton is absolutely despicable.  The books starts off sort of slow, but by the fifth or sixth chapter, you are very attached to Isabel and Ruth.  The situation of the Patriot soldiers in New York City was amazing, and I realized how hard Washington fought against the odds to free America from England's "chains".  Isabel, like a real person, struggles and makes some bad choices and decisions.  She makes the right choice at the end, and ultimately becomes a better person because of it.  One of the interesting aspects of the book was the fact that both the British and the Patriots supported slavery, and even though Curzon knew this he still joined the side that he thought was right.  I liked Laurie Halse Anderson's way of comparing two things that you think have nothing in common and making them alike.  Cast Two Shadows was a similar book, but I still thought Chains was a much better book and more interesting.  I can't wait to read the sequel Forge.

Content Advisory: Isabel has thoughts of violence towards her masters, however she never acts on them.  There's one use of the word "wench".    

Cast Two Shadows

Title: Cast Two Shadows 
Author: Ann Rinaldi

Ages: 14 and up

As I said in my review of Ann Rinaldi's book The Fifth of March, she is a phenomenal historical fiction writer for teens.  Sometimes her subject material is for older teens, but the book is always worth reading.  Cast Two Shadows is no exception.  Caroline, (in my opinion) is a more likable character than Rachel from The Fifth of March.  My only criticism of the characters, were the relationship between Caroline and sister Georgia Ann.  Their hatred for each other was a little over the top.  I can relate to getting really annoyed with my sisters, but I don't think I've ever met someone who hated their sibling.  The plot about Caroline's mother and grandmother helped develop the story and definitely added to it.  Even though you don't get to know Kit very well, that back story helped develop the brutality of the British soldiers.  Having the story set in the South during the Revolutionary War was interesting and insightful. 

Content Advisory: One of the characters was born out of wedlock.

The Scarlet Pimpernel

Title: The Scarlet Pimpernel
Author: Baroness Emmuska Orczy
Ages: 13 and up

I read this book because it was on my school book list.  I was pleasantly surprised with this book.  It has lots of action, and although I knew who the "Scarlet Pimpernel" was before it was revealed, there are some shockers throughout.  The character growth of Lady Blakeney was very well thought out and extremely believable.  I was disappointed when I realized that she was the main character, however, by the end of the book she becomes one of the best characters.  I related to her dilemma in whether to betray the scarlet pimpernel or have her brother's life in danger.  Although the identity of the scarlet pimpernel wasn't a shocker, he's still a great character and the action scene at the end is very well thought out.  This is one of my favorite books and I highly recommend it.

Content Advisory: Nothing.

The Fifth of March

Title: The Fifth of March
Author: Ann Rinaldi
Ages: 14 and up

I really liked Ann Rinaldi's style of writing.  Her topic material is always riveting and there's usually a theme or moral that she has her character discover.  In these ways, she's a very good historical fiction writer.  The historical time period comes alive when you read anything she writes, especially the actual 5th of March.  However, I was kind of baffled that Rachel would think about allowing Matthew to treat her like he tries to.  (In this case the material is for teens.)  In the end, she does the right thing, which is a good moral lesson.  Rachel's character seemed a little bit superficial, but sometimes very relatable.  Knowing that the British were technically the "bad guys", and knowing that Matthew is British definitely prejudiced me against his character.  It was very interesting to find that many people in Boston were very conflicted about who's side to be on, including Rachel.  This aspect of the book was fascinating and helped me to realize that not all the Brits were awful people.  In the end, I'm glad I read the book.  I liked "Cast Two Shadows" by Ann Rinaldi a little bit better.  Both are worth checking out.

Content Advisory:  Older material about courting between guys and girls.  Matthew pressures Rachel to court him and wants to kiss her at one point.  Nothing seriously wrong. 

To Kill A Mockingbird

Title: To Kill A Mockingbird
Author: Harper Lee
Ages: 15 and up (Even though the reading level is more for ages 12 and up, the thematic material is more geared towards older teens.  In my opinion, the younger you read this book, the less you will enjoy it.)

I read this book and immediately added it to my favorites list.  The characters all seem so real; almost like they really did exist.  Scout was the perfect adventurer, with Jem as her loyal sidekick.  I loved how there were so many little plots that all wound together at the end.  It's hard to convey the happiness with which I read about Scout and Jem's childhood.  It was a simpler time and a better one.  I used to think that childhoods like Scout's and Jem's were only fake.  However, To Kill A Mockingbird is a true story about Harper Lee's actual childhood.  Her father defended two black men accused of murdering a white store owner.  Also, Scout's childhood friend, Dill is based on the person of Truman Capote, who Lee was best friends with all through her childhood.  This is one a will read again and again.

Content Advisory:  Intense thematic and sexually themed plots, including the trial of a man who is accused of rape.  Some language and profanities.

Nick of Time

Title: Nick of Time
Author: Ted Bell
Ages: 10 and up

Nick of Time is the ideal action adventure book for reading-under-the-cover-summer nights.  I spied for Nazis in World War II and sailed with Nick in 14th century Caribbean Seas.  All of the characters became alarmingly real and I related to them immediately.  One problem I had with the book was that Nick idolizes and seems to worship his hero Lord Nelson.  I'm all for having a great role model, but Nick seems to think Nelson is a god and actually prays to him when he's in danger!  Another problem is that there is some minor language, such as d**n.  However, it is a really fun action adventure story.  If you like Nick of Time, you might want to read its sequel The Time Pirate or even better, Treasure Island.

Content Advisory:  Nothing except for the few things mentioned above.

Fairest

Title: Fairest
Author: Gail Carson Levine
Ages: 12 and up

Fairest is the author's re-creation of the fairy tale story Snow White.  Some of the similarities between the two stories are very clever.  The re-write of the dwarves and hunter is very funny.  I've read some of her other books, and this one in particular lacked her usual wit and humor.  Overall, I thought this was a good book, though I have criticisms about Aza's relationship with the prince.  Aza (Snow White) is a transparent character and the reader, rarely feels sympathetic toward her or her pleas.  Ijori, (the prince) is one of the better written characters in the book, but still, something is lacking about him.  One of the up-sides of the book is Aza's realization that even though she is ugly, people (Ijori in particular) still love her for who she is on the inside rather then on the outside.  In a culture that is so obsessed with appearances, this book may help girls realize that their true worth doesn't lie in their appearance.

Content Advisory: Nothing