New Books!!

New Additions to Alien Star Books!

I was thinking about this the other day and decided that I needed to add a page where I could feature new additions for a month or so, then move them over to the appropriate page. Some of these are new authors, while others are classics, but they're all new to this website. Now you can easily find the latest and greatest books that I've selected for this adventure in reading!

Please note that throughout the website, titles marked in bright green are Accelerated Reading (AR) books. AR books are assigned to your children for their Language Arts (aka English) classes. While your child is either given a list of books or referred to a list on the school's website, I've been trying to make it easier for parents and teens to find books in my favorite genres -- Science Fiction and Fantasy. There aren't any brand new authors with debut novels on the AR list (that I know of). There are, however, a few books in Spanish and a couple in French. You can search my entire website for Spanish- or French-language books by using the Search page and just type in "Spanish" or "French".

In any case, I keep adding new books, from debut novels to the classics of sci-fi and fantasy, to this website. The target age range is from 10 to 25, so each book is labeled with a grade and/or age range and parental warnings about content. I've also labeled the Kindle, Nook and Smashwords editions. If there's no tag, it's a paperback or hardback edition of the book.

I hope this helps you find new books to interest your teen in the glorious world of speculative fiction -- Science Fiction and Fantasy -- in Color!

Click on the image to order your book online!

Steven Barnes and Tananarive Due
Devil's Wake (Ages 15+)
"What happens when an unprecedented infection sweeps the world, leaving the earth on the brink of the Apocalypse? But this infection goes far beyond disease. Beyond even the nightmare images of walking dead or flesh-eating ghouls. The infected are turning into creatures unlike anything ever dreamed of . . . more complex, more mysterious, and more deadly. Trapped in the northwestern United States as winter begins to fall, Terry and Kendra have only one choice: they and their friends must cross a thousand miles of no-man’s-land in a rickety school bus, battling ravenous hordes, human raiders, and their own fears. In the midst of apocalypse, they find something no one could have anticipated . . . love."

Domino Falls (Ages 15+)
"It began on Freak Day—that day no one could explain, when strangers and family members alike went crazy and started biting one another. Some thought the outbreak was caused by a flu shot, others that it was a diet drug gone terribly wrong. All anyone knew is that once you were bitten and went to sleep, you woke up a freak."

Added 3/2103 (Mixed cast of characters)

Kindle edition
Text-to-Speech enabled

Maya Kaathryn Bohnhoff
A Princess of Passyunk (Ages 13+)
From the author: "I grew up with tales of Old World magic. Fairy tales, ghost stories, legends of great Slavic heroes like Kralyevich Marko and his marvelous horse, Sharats. Living in the USA, I wondered where the magic went and if maybe just a little of it might have crossed the ocean from the Motherland.

"A PRINCESS OF PASSYUNK is my answer.

"Okay, so my hero doesn't ride a magical horse--but he has a magic baseball. And he's not a prince ... exactly--but he does fall in love with a Princess ... sort of. And he doesn't slay magical beasts--but he does battle an angry Sausage King and a scheming Witch in order to complete a magical quest ... in a manner of speaking.

"Well, I guess you'll just have to read it. Then I hope you'll believe that there's New World magic, too."

Added 11-10-2012 (Middle Eastern - Jewish)

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Taco Del and the Fabled Tree of Destiny (Ages 13+)
From the author: "Some wizards have staffs, wands, or mediums. Taco Del has a tree…

"The Kingdom of Embarcadero is under siege. King Elvis wants to steal its secrets, mysterious outsiders want to expel its citizens, an ancient and sinister Force threatens to devour their souls. Salvation rests on the slender shoulders of a young wizard named Taco Del and his unlikely allies — a red-haired Chinese girl, a ghosty tribe of Mission Indians and a small fir tree named Doug

"I first met Taco Del in a dream, sitting pretty much as you see him on the cover, in quiet company with the Fabled Tree of Destiny (aka, Doug). Just a boy and his tree. I first heard his very distinctive voice as I was driving home from work one day and he began telling me his story. 'Hello, I’m Taco Del and this is my story: You see, Lord E Lordy wanted the Wiz. That’s where the Last Little War got started.'

"No, I am not kidding. And I am not alone in this. Ask Ursula. She’ll tell you that some characters are quite assertive. I managed to keep Del talking until I got home and was able to write down everything he had to tell me. In a sense, I did not write this novel alone. My collaborator’s byline is in the title."

Added 11-10-2012 (Latino/Hispanic)

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Shaman (Ages 13+)
From the author: "The stories in this collection were first published in Analog science fiction magazine between 1990 and 2011. They feature the adventures of eccentric kilt-wearing anthropologist / archaeologist / xenologist Rhys Llewellyn and his able assistants, Yoshi Umeki and Roderick Halfax. Given my fascination with archaeology, first contact…and all things Scottish, I suppose these stories were inevitable."

Added 11-10-2012 (Everybody else - Scottish)

Kindle edition
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Joe Bonadonna
Mad Shadows: The Weird Tales of Dorgo the Dowser (Ages 13+)
"Valdar is a city of swordslingers and necromancers, witch cults and halfhuman races. It's a city in a world of darkness, black magic and creatures of the night . . . a city where demonic entities serve the needs of any witch or magicman who can open a doorway into their domain. This is my city. This is my world. With a special dowsing rod, I can detect the ectoplasmic residue of any supernatural presence or demonic entity and sense the vestiges of odylic power and vile sorcery used in the commission of crimes. I hunt anyone and anything that poses a threat to the people of my city. My name's Dorgo. Folks call me the Dowser.

"From infernal depths where lost souls mutate into hell-spawned devils, from the other side of the veil that separates the earthly from the unearthly, from an ancient land whose borders cross into other dimensions, Mad Shadows-The Weird Tales of Dorgo the Dowser, will transport you to a world where sentient shadows, vengeful vampires, malevolent puppets, and raging werewolves haunt the night . . . a world where life is cheap and souls are always up for sale."

Joe kindly provided me an electronic copy of Mad Shadows and I'll tell you, I'm pretty excited about his writing. I've only read the first two stories and I'm captivated by his mastery of the genre! The stories move right along, no dragging, no excess or overblown verbage and yet he paints a picture of this city filled with humans, magical creatures and plots within plots, while Dorgo tries to find the answers to questions that he's forced to answer. Written with a sense of humor and a bit of the "bad" boy without being filled with graphic images of sex and language, this is a fun romp through Joe's new version of sword and sorcery. Now, I know you're thinking of classic sword and sorcery like Robert E. Howard's Conan the Barbarian or John Norman's Gor series. Nope. Not even close! For one thing, Joe isn't disrespectful of women. His female characters are strong and intelligent; there's no dumb blondes here! Honestly, Joe's style of writing makes me think more of Roger Zelzany's Doorways in the Sand mixed with the best of Harry Harrison with a swirl of Clifford Simak for flavor and set into a world of magic. I'm really thrilled about this new voice in sci-fi and fantasy. Parents, I'd rate this story somewhere between G and PG-13. There's some mention of breasts and some descriptions of a lady's assets, a little bit about his desire-to-grope, a little groping and kissing, but when the sex scene comes, it's more like, they kiseed and the story continues in the morning. No graphic sex, only a little innuendo. (RDJ)

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Three Against the Stars (Ages 13+)
"On the distant alien planet of Rhajnara a conspiracy created by the facist Khandra Regime is set into motion to overthrow the rightful Rhajni Republic and instigate a policy of ethnic-cleansing. The conspirators are cunning and it seems nothing in the universe can derail their mad apocalyptic scheme. Nothing that is but three rambunctious Space Marines from the Third Regiment Company E of the United States Space Marines assigned to Rhajnara with the Terran Expeditionary Force. Sergeants Fernado Cortez, Seamus O’Hara and Claudia Akira are the most unlikely trio ever to don jarhead camouflage and become military heroes. To their superiors they are wild, reckless and incessant troublemakers always in the thick of things. Yet their courage, loyalty and devotion to duty prove them to be the toughest Devil Dogs in the Corp.

"Now, with the aid of a Medical Corpsman named Makki Doon, a young Felisian native proto-feline humanoid, these three futuristic musketeers are about to become the one factor capable of exposing the traitorous Khandra coup. But to do so they will have to put their lives on the line one more time and risk all to save the day facing off against incredible odds. To save an empire they will truly become…THREE AGAINST THE STARS. Joe Bonadonna delivers a fast paced, action packed space opera fans of Edmond Hamilton and E.E. “Doc” Smith will not soon forget."

Author Joe Bonadonna kindly provided a copy of Three Against the Stars for review. Let me tell you, this isn't just a nod to the classics of pulp novels, it's a rip-roaring, testosterone-laden, science fiction space opera suitable for any teen, boy or girl, who loves the genre! (And their parents too!) Space Marines, bad guys, traitors and aliens are all interconnected in a fast moving tale that features a terrible trio of Marines who are always down for a fight. Plus the good guy alien sidekick who's really, really a nice guy who wants to be a Marine too. The main characters are diverse, with flaws, ideocyncracies and just enough information to make them real, without delving into any mushy nonsense that'd slow the story down.

"There's plenty of fighting for military sci-fi fans and plot ins-and-outs for the rest of us. Even the love interests don't hold the story back, they have a place in the story and fulfill it nicely. The only reason I gave this four stars is because I would've handled the very, very end a little differently with the female character. But then again, I can't hold it against the story just because I think, well, if I tell you, I'll give it away, so I'll just leave it at -- I would've changed it slightly. All-in-all, I highly recommend this book to lovers of the classic era of pulp science fiction. (RDJ)

Added 1-11-2013 (Mixed)

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Eric Cooper
Knight Seeker (Grades 8+ / Ages 13+)
"Nygel Spinner lived a normal life as a college student, until one fateful night he became something more than human. With advanced technology and superhuman abilities he suddenly became the ultimate hunter. As Nygel tries to balance his normal life with the dangers of being Knight Seeker, evil forces are at work attempting to dominate the world of the living. Join Knight Seeker as he battles Warlord Sage, a demon bent on opening the Gates of Hell and unleashing doom for all mankind."

Knight Seeker II: Crimes of Passion (Grades 8+ / Ages 13+)
"Thrust into a violent situation, Knight Seeker becomes a wanted criminal in league with two powerful mutants. One of the mutants is an exiled Roman Catholic Priest trying to reconnect with his past; the other is a jewelry thief intent on stealing a mysterious and highly coveted religious artifact.

"Chased by United States Marshals and a high-tech enforcement group, they run throughout the city to avoid being captured dead or alive. As gang violence and the mutant threat tear the city apart, the New York Police Department tries to keep the peace while Knight desperately attempts to clear his name."

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Knight Seeker #1 Smoke and Mirrors - Comic Book
"Knight Seeker and Sting are in combat with a group of alien beings called Spycons. Both are captured and imprisoned on a star-ship while Special Agent F.A.D.E., who is a living shadow, sneaks aboard the vessel to initiate his own set of plans.

"Knight Seeker and the mutant jewelry thief Sting are captured by an alien race and taken aboard a star-ship to be experimented upon to create the Alpha Seeker. Little does anyone know that Special Agent F.A.D.E. is also aboard the vessel with his own motives."

(Added 4/17/2013 Black)

318 pages plus 50 illustrations!

435 pages plus 35 illustrations!

This is the comic book based on the Knight Seeker novels.

Quinton Douglass Crawford
Moochie the Soochie - Visits the Peace People (All ages)
"This is a two story Childrens book. Story-1: Moochie travels to visit children on every continent to learn a little of their languages. Story-2: Moochie travels through human history to find people in times of peace." I know Quinton personally so I really can't give an unbiased review of this wonderful, gentle story of Moochie the alien and how she travels the world in story 1 and through time in story 2. Safe for all ages.

Added 11-2-2012

Kindle edition
Text-to-Speech enabled

Milton Davis
The Possession (The Sivad Chronicles) (Ages 15+)
This 57-page story introduces the Sivad Chronicles, the Sword and Soul adventures of a magical alternate history of the Sivad clan of Africa (the Motherland) and their lives in North America. (RDJ)

"Samoht Sivad, sorcerer and warrior, goes missing after a garrison tour. Naheem, his cousin and acting patriarch of the Sivad clan, sets out to find him. His journey puts him on the path of a man who has found a way to seek revenge from beyond his grave.

"The Possession introduces the alternate world of the Sivads, a North America whose present is entirely unique from the world in which we live, a land of beauty, diversity...and magic." Author Milton Davis rates the Sivad Chronicles as PG-13 due to some suggestive but non-graphic sexual content.

A Debt to Pay: A Sivad Chronicle (Ages 15+)
The second Sivad Chronicles story is an estimated 195 pages of fast-paced Sword and Soul fantasy. (RDJ)

"In the second Sivad Chronicle adventure, brothers Samoht and Vel find themselves exiled from the Nations by their cousin Naheem for different reasons. They embark on a journey to the Motherland to seek the secrets of their clan and their mysterious power. Naheem sets out to right his cousins' wrongs while they are away and finds himself in his own adventure, one that will be as dangerous as it is enlightening." Author Milton Davis rates the Sivad Chronicles as PG-13 due to some suggestive but non-graphic sexual content.

Added 12-17-2012 (Black)

Kindle edition
Text-to-Speech enabled

Edward M. Erdelac
Merkabah Rider Tales of a High Planes Drifter (Ages 16+)
"The last of an ancient order of Jewish mystics capable of extraplanar travel, The Merkabah Rider roams the demon haunted American West of 1879 in search of the renegade teacher who betrayed his enclave. But as the trail grows fresher, shadows gather, and The Hour Of The Incursion draws near... Four novella episodes in one book.

"In a town hungry for blood, the Rider encounters a cult of Molech worshippers bent on human sacrifice ('The Blood Libel'). A murderous, possessed gunman descends upon a mountain town, and only the Rider stands in his way ('Hell's Hired Gun'). A powerful ju ju man with powers rivalling the Rider's own holds a fledgling Mexican boomtown in his sway ('The Dust Devils'). Finally the Rider faces the Queen of Demons and a bordello full of antedelluvian succubi ('The Nightjar Women')." The author rates this book at "R", with mature themes including non-graphic sex, violence and strong language.

Merkabah Rider: The Mensch With No Name (Ages 16+)
"The Merkabah Rider continues his journey across the American Southwest of 1880 in search of the renegade teacher who destroyed his mystic Jewish order in the second volume (containing novella episodes 5-8) of this acclaimed weird western series.

"In this installment the Rider unravels more of the mystery of Adon's Hour of the Incursion plot and quickly learns that demons are the least of his troubles. He defends a remote settlement against a gang of half-demon gunmen in 'The Infernal Napoleon,' joins forces with Doc Holliday to hunt down an invisible creature in 'The Damned Dingus,' aids a group of Indians against the mindbending horror of 'The Outlaw Gods,' and takes his hunt to hell itself in 'The Pandæmonium Ride.'" The author rates this book at "R", with mature themes including non-graphic sex, violence and strong language.

Merkabah Rider: Have Glyphs Will Travel (Ages 16+)
"The acclaimed weird western series continues. The Rider and Kabede must rally a US Cavalry troop against an army of the undead lead by three of Adon's renegade riders if they are to survive The Long Sabbath. The Rider infiltrates an Apache stronghold to convince the combined forces of Vittorio and Geronimo not to lend their might to the mysterious forces of The War Prophet. The Rider sets out to rescue the succubus Nehema from the wrath of The Mules of The Mazzikim, then confronts his greatest enemy, The Man Called Other. Seeking to learn the remaining secrets of The Hour of Incursion, the Rider and his companions arrive in Tombstone only to face the horror of The Fire King Triumphant." The author rates this book at "R", with mature themes including non-graphic sex, violence and strong language.

Merkabah Rider: Once Upon A Time In The Weird West (Volume 4) (Ages 16+)
"THE CONCLUSION OF THE ACCLAIMED WEIRD WESTERN SERIES. For years the Rider, one of the last of an ancient Jewish order of astral travelers, has sought his renegade teacher Adon across the demon haunted American west. Now it is 1882. The Hour Of Incursion is here. The Great Old Ones, beings of immeasurable power from the roiling chaos before the dawn of Creation, are stirring in their ancient slumber. It is high noon for the entire universe. Seeking to rouse the Old Ones, Adon has gathered together the Creed - an army of fallen Hasidic mystics - and a host of dark allies including skinwalkers, necromancers, an undead master gunslinger, Lilith the Queen of Demons, and the Angel of Death himself. The Rider and Kabede, in a last bid to stop Adon, recruit their own band, including an unstoppable preacher more steam engine than man, an alien entity from the dawn of time, a young witch, and the enigmatic Faustus Montague, an angelic being from another universe. But Lucifer the master of hell watches from his capitol city, ready to commit his legions to the winning side. And he has an agent among the Rider's companions...." The author rates this book at "R", with mature themes including non-graphic sex, violence and strong language.

Added 4/22/2013 - Jewish Weird West

Kindle edtion
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Margaret Fieland
Relocated (Ages 10+)
"When fourteen-year-old Keth's dad is transferred to planet Aleyne, he doesn't know what to expect. Certainly not to discover Dad grew up here, and studied with Ardaval, a noted Aleyni scholar. On Aleyne, Keth’s psi ability develops. However, psi is illegal in the Terran Federation. After a dangerous encounter with two Terran teenagers conflict erupts between Keth and his father. Keth seeks sanctuary with Ardaval. Studying with the Aleyne scholar Keth learns the truth about his own heritage. After Keth's friend's father, Mazos, is kidnapped, Keth ignores the risks and attempts to free him. Little does he realize who will pay the cost as he becomes involved with terrorists."

Added 10/12/2012 (Black)

Kindle edition
Text-to-Speech enabled

Constance Gillam
The 5th Realm (New Orleans Voodoo Chronicles) (Ages 15+)
"Lisette Beaulieu’s private school classmates have always made the 15-year-old Creole orphan feel like a freak. But Lisette never believed them until she accidentally raised the dead in a cemetery late one night. When she discovers that her mother’s family is alive and practicing Voodoo in the bayou, her world spins farther out of control. Her best friend Scooter is about to make his own deal with the devil to keep his brother out of jail; and her classmate, Eric, has a talent with swords and saving her life. That talent will be needed when Lisette learns that an ancestor promised her to a demon overlord in exchange for greater Voodoo power."

Added 10/12/2012 (Black - Creole)

Kindle edition
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Max Gladstone
Three Parts Dead (Ages 16+)
"A god has died, and it’s up to Tara, first-year associate in the international necromantic firm of Kelethres, Albrecht, and Ao, to bring Him back to life before His city falls apart.

"Her client is Kos, recently deceased fire god of the city of Alt Coulumb. Without Him, the metropolis’s steam generators will shut down, its trains will cease running, and its four million citizens will riot. Tara’s job: resurrect Kos before chaos sets in. Her only help: Abelard, a chain-smoking priest of the dead god, who’s having an understandable crisis of faith. When Tara and Abelard discover that Kos was murdered, they have to make a case in Alt Coulumb’s courts—and their quest for the truth endangers their partnership, their lives, and Alt Coulumb’s slim hope of survival. Set in a phenomenally built world in which justice is a collective force bestowed on a few, craftsmen fly on lightning bolts, and gargoyles can rule cities, Three Parts Dead introduces readers to an ethical landscape in which the line between right and wrong blurs."

(Added 4/16/2013)

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Alyssa Gurule
Chosen (Ages 16+)
"A paranormal romance that keeps you wanting more, Chosen is the first novel in a three part fallen angel trilogy. With the story line told from two points of view, no detail is left out. The scenery is based on the lush green state of Oregon, making the writing that much more picturesque. Set in the fictional towns of Brightwood and Everlast, Chosen weaves the lives of two young teenagers who enter a fantastic world they never knew existed.

"Karbon and her older brother, Liam, are your basic average teenagers. They have a close bond, more so after their Father’s death. One afternoon, while visiting their Father’s grave a very strange man appears. Sullen. He boasts that he knew their father very well and gives them an opportunity that he knows they cannot refuse -- to become Angels. Karbon and Liam are hesitant at first, then take the chance. In turn they grow massive colorful wings. They leave their previous lives behind and live at Soulstice, the massive twisted tree that the Angels call home. Karbon soon meets another Angel, Kolten, who has a disheveled past and tells Karbon that she made the wrong choice. They are now fallen angels collecting souls for the Devil. One of Devil’s main Angels, Krimson, heartless and cold, loves tearing people’s souls from their flesh. She has it out for Karbon and her brother. Stricken by this choice, Karbon and Liam refuse to do the Devil’s work. This ultimately leads to dire consequences for Karbon.

"Torn between the choice she has made and what her heart tells her she should do, Karbon has been chosen." This book is not recommended for younger teens due to language and two violent scenes.

(Added 4/18/2013 - Everybody else)

Smashwords edition
Select your preferred ebook or digital format (Kindle, Kobo, Nook, Sony Reader, etc.) on the order page

C.N. Howard
Blood Totems (Ages 16+)
"There are stories among the Cheyenne of brave warrior spirits, skinwalkers, who protect the world from evil. For two twenty-first century brothers, it’s not just a story. Ben Eagle Plume is a police detective on temporary assignment with Vancouver law enforcement. With his younger brother Zeke as his partner, they work together solving various crimes while Ben learns to control his newly acquired powers. But when Zeke disappears during a ritual murder case, the shapeshifting detective must use every resource to rescue his brother before he too is sacrificed to a bloodthirsty god." The author, C.N. Howard, rates this book as PG-13. Contains themes of violence, human sacrifice and murder as well as the ugliness of neo-Nazis and racism.

Added 10/1/2012 (Native American)

Kindle edition Text-to-Speech enabled

Katrina Jack
Land of Midnight Days (The Silver Flute Trilogy) (Ages 13+)
"What would you do if your life was filled with fear: hide, run away - or would you fight back?

"In a city at war with itself, Jeremiah Tully already knows how to survive, now he must learn how to live. Mute from birth, of mixed race heritage and his only possession a charmed flute, Jeremiah tries to discover where his remarkable talent as a musician will take him."

Added 2-28-2013 (Mixed elf/human)

Kindle edtion
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Valjeanne Jeffers
The Visitor (Ages 10+)
This approximately 20 page story is appropriate for all tweens, teens and young adults.
"Henry and Glenda are just two ordinary middle-schooler living with a hard working single mom. Financial times are tight and they have to fight their way through a tough school year. But things are not always what they seem..."

Added 2-28-2013 (Black)

Kindle edtion
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Neal F. Litherland
Summer People (Ages 16+)
"Bethany just wanted to get a job and get away from home for the last summer before college. Her aunt’s café seemed like the perfect place. Of course that was before she met Sean with his angel’s voice and devil’s eyes. And it was before Danny, who keeps paying mysterious calls, came into her life. It might be her last summer as a girl, but does she want to become a woman with a man that has secrets?" Recommended for mature teens and young adults. At 11,528 words (approximately) this paranormal romance is a quick read for a cold winter night.

Added 12-10-2012 (Everybody Else)

Kindle edition
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Smashwords edition

Justin Martin - R-Squared Comicz
Przemyslaw R. Dedelis - Artist/Letterer & Lya - Colorist
Light Weightz - The Anthology Part One - Graphic Novel (10+)
"Who are the Lightweightz?

"The Lightweightz are a group of teenagers who discover that they have unique abilities. A diverse group of individuals, they will each experience and deal with their abilities in different ways. Each of the abilities will be interpersonal in nature, and the comic will be based on Christian principles, principles that as people help us better relate to each other.

"The debut of R-Squared Comicz and the official launch of the Lightweightz universe has arrived! In the first part of this two-part anthology, meet Solomon, Grace, Abaddon, and Kayin. Coming from diverse backgrounds, each of these teens must come to terms with their newly-discovered abilities, and do so in a world that now looks different through the lense of those abilities. Featuring introductory stories for each of the Lightweightz plus additional artwork from a variety of talented artists, Lightweightz: The Anthology Part One has something for everyone!"

I like this. The art is very cool, well drawn and evocative of each character. The teens are all facing personal crisis and angst. The introductory sketch of each teen gives us just enough to know that they're going through it, but there's more going on than it appears to the outside world. There's a message of Faith, but the author doesn't beat you over the head with it, it's a natural part of their lives. I'm eager to see what happens in the next volumes.

I highly recommend this series, especially for teens and adults of Faith. Unlike most comics (even the ones I like), there are no inappropriate or disrespectful images or concepts. (RDJ)

*Purchasing note: Upon purchase, you will be sent an e-mail with the link to download the comic in PDF format.

Graphic Novel

Cerece Rennie Murphy
Order of the Seers (Ages 18+)
"Order of the Seers poses this question within a story that fuses action, mystery, romance, and adventure in a science fiction novel that keeps you at the edge of your seat.

"Order of the Seers begins with the journey of Liam and Lilith Knight, a brother and sister who are hunted by The Guild, a ruthless world organization that seeks to capture and exploit Lilith’s unique ability as a Seer to envision the future. Soon after they are forced to leave their home, Lilith and Liam discover that she is not alone. Other Seers like Lilith are routinely kidnapped and enslaved by the Guild for the purpose of consolidating wealth and power around the world.

"But from within the organization, Marcus Akida, a captured Seer with powerful visioning capabilities, quietly plots his daring escape with the help of a beautiful and tortured Seer named Alessandra. When the escaped Seers are drawn to the same remote commune in Iowa as Liam and Lilith, they each find a place where they can rebuild their lives and rediscover their passion for life and love. As the Guild’s efforts to find them intensifies, the Seers ban together with outlaws from the commune to fight back against the organization that threatens their lives – setting off a chain of events that will unleash the full power of the Seers and change everything we know about the true potential that lies dormant in each of us." Due to strong language and some sexual content, the author has recommended this book for readers 18 and older.

Added 11-2-2012 (Mixed cast of characters)

Kindle edition
Text-to-Speech enabled

Vera Nazarian
Mayhem at Grant-Williams High (Ages 13+)
"Think your high school experience was Hell? Vampires, werewolves, mummies, ghouls... and moron idiot students. Welcome to Grant-Williams High."

--- Includes Two Adventures in One Volume ---

HELL WEEK AT GRANT-WILLIAMS HIGH
(Grant-Williams High: 1st Adventure)
"If you love kickass high school monster mayhem, then Grant-Williams High is the place to be. In this hilarious original adventure that started it all, freshman Jimmy Ross and his senior sister Emily, together with all of their friends, fight to survive finals -- also known as Hell Week -- since all the faculty and staff turn into monsters that week, literally. Armed with their wits, Supernatural Protection kits, and plain dumb luck, the students battle vampires, werewolves, and various ghouls -- an army or evil under the command of the Principal who this year is none other than the Prince of Lies Himself. First in the 'Grant-Williams High' comic horror adventure series of connected works."

HALLOWEEN AT GRANT-WILLIAMS HIGH:
(Grant-Williams High: 2nd Adventure)
"It's Halloween, and kickass high school monster mayhem is once again unleashed at Grant-Williams High. In the second adventure, Jimmy Ross is now a sophomore and he is about to get a taste of the scariest and wildest Halloween of his life. Emily has graduated and gone to college, Jimmy's best friend Theo is hanging with the bad crowd, there's a new girl in school who's the butt of everyone's jokes, and something really stinks on the Grant-Williams school premises -- stinks literally. At midnight on Halloween, Jimmy and the gang will find out exactly what it is (not curry!), and that possibly it's an evil that's even greater than Satan. Second in the 'Grant-Williams High' comic horror adventure series of connected works, and sequel to 'Hell Week at Grant-Williams High'."

(Mixed cast of characters)
__________
Dreams of the Compass Rose (Ages 13+)
"The world is shaped by two things — stories told and the memories they leave behind.

"The Compass Rose universe -- an ancient milieu where places have no names, cities spring forth like bouquets in the desert, gods and dreams walk the scorching sands in the South, ice floats like mirror shards upon the Northern sea, islands that do not exist are found in the East, death chases a thief on the rooftops of a Western city, immortal love spans time, and directions are intertwined into one road we all travel....

"You come to this place when you wonder, and sometimes, only when you dream.

"What is the nature of evil?

"When a young warrior of a dark race finds himself bound in servitude to a beautiful cruel princess, his loyalty becomes entwined with something more horrifying and mysterious than endless night falling over the ancient desert.

"When a courageous young servant reveals her hidden wisdom to the madman conqueror of the world, her fate is joined to a nightmare suspended beyond death and outside the universe.

"Two souls from different times -- their destinies connected through hundreds of other lives and generations, through soft whispers of the wind, through ancient truths that lie buried in an island between worlds.

"Both souls enslaved through dream and desire in an endless conflict between truth and illusion. They can only be set free by the wonder of the Compass Rose."

Added 2/28/2013 (Mixed cast of characters)

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Andre Norton
Dragon Magic (Grades 4+ / Ages 10+)
"A Hidden Treasure
"Sig, Artie, Kim, and Ras live in the same neighborhood and go to the same school, but they have nothing in common…until each of them sneaks into the old abandoned house on the corner and discovers the strange puzzle box covered with pictures of four dragons. Drawn by powerful magic, the boys find themselves bound together by a mystery that will transform them all--and transport them into worlds that are populated by heroes and dragons of lore…." Note, for some reason the publisher decided that several Norton books with "Magic" in the title are part of a set. Except for Dragon Magic and Dragon Mage, these are stand-alone stories.

Dragon Mage Written with Jean Rabe (Grades 4+ / Ages 10+)
"Shy realizes that she is lucky to be taken in by her grandparents after her father dies–but life above an antique store in Slade’s Corners, Wisconsin is not exactly the place a teenage girl wants to be. One day while going through boxes of her father’s boyhood stuff, she comes upon a rare old set of dragon puzzles … all of which are missing pieces. Her grandmother recalls the fantastic tales Shy's father would tell about his travels to lands of dragons and adventure. She always thought that these fantasies were inspired by the puzzles Shy has found. Shy realizes that by mixing and matching the different sets she can complete a single dragon puzzle that combines all of the others. Upon doing so she is whisked away to ancient Babylon where she must continue the duties of her father’s legacy as a servant to the dragon and a savior of the world."

Added 10/2/2012 (Mixed)

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Fur Magic (Grades 4+ / Ages 10+)
"Enter a world of ancient magic

"When his father is called to active duty in Vietnam, Cory Alder is sent to spend the summer with his adopted Native American uncle, Jasper. Accustomed to life in the city, Cory finds the reality of the ranch scary--every shadow is full of menace. But when an encounter with a medicine man catapults Cory into a world of Native American legend, conquering his fears becomes a matter of survival. Transformed into a beaver called Yellow Shell, Cory is now part of a war between the People, animals whose intelligence equals that of humans. In order to return home, Cory must help Yellow Shell and his allies defeat the Changer, who is attempting to enslave the People in this world--and in Cory's world as well. With two worlds hanging in the balance, Cory will have to use every ounce of courage and animal instinct within him to defeat this enemy . . ."

Added 10/11/2012 (Native American)

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Lavendar-Green Magic (Grades 4+ / Ages 10+)
"A mysterious maze

"Eleven-year-old Holly Wade and her twin siblings, Judy and Crockett, are sent to live with their grandparents in the small town of Dimsdale, Massachusetts when their father is declared missing in action in Vietnam. Dimsdale is nothing like Boston; there are only two other African-American children in the entire school. Even worse, Grandpa and Grandma Wade live in an old junkyard! While exploring one day, Holly, Judy, and Crockett wander into an overgrown hedge maze--and find themselves transported back in time to Dimsdale's past. Can they right an ancient wrong and free the town of Dimsdale from a witch's curse?"

Added 10/2/2012 (Black)

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Star Ka'at (Grades 4+ / Ages 10+)
"Two intriguing stray cats communicate with Jim and Elly Mae, convincing them that the cats are aliens from another planet."

Star Ka'at World (Grades 4+ / Ages 10+)
"Two human orphans expand their relationship with a super race of cats and travel to their world where they soon feel more like prisoners than guests."

Star Ka'at and the Plant People Written with Dorothy Madlee (Grades 4+ / Ages 10+)
"Follows the adventures of two children and a super race of cats as they rescue a group of plant people."

Added 10/2/2012 (Black)

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Cindy Pon

Silver Phoenix (Grades 9+ / Ages 14+)
"No one wanted Ai Ling. And deep down she is relieved—despite the dishonor she has brought upon her family—to be unbetrothed and free, not some stranger's subservient bride banished to the inner quarters.

"But now, something is after her. Something terrifying—a force she cannot comprehend. And as pieces of the puzzle start to fit together, Ai Ling begins to understand that her journey to the Palace of Fragrant Dreams isn't only a quest to find her beloved father but a venture with stakes larger than she could have imagined.

"Bravery, intelligence, the will to fight and fight hard . . . she will need all of these things. Just as she will need the new and mysterious power growing within her. She will also need help.

"It is Chen Yong who finds her partly submerged and barely breathing at the edge of a deep lake. There is something of unspeakable evil trying to drag her under. On a quest of his own, Chen Yong offers that help . . . and perhaps more." Some sexual scenes and a near rape, integral to the plot, make this a book for more mature teens and young adults. Available in paperback and Kindle editions only.

I have a couple of problems with the new covers, versus the original cover shown above. Look at the beauty of the original, the delicacy of the colors and the Asian elements. Now, the new covers are nice, but that's all they are. The covers are "whitewashed", making this story of a young Asian woman look like it could be just another urban fantasy on the bookshelf. Why, oh why? (RDJ)

Fury of the Phoenix (Grades 9+ / Ages 14+)
"Her mysterious power haunts her day and night, and she leaves home—with just the moon as her guide—overwhelmed by her memories and visions and an unbearable sense of dread. For Ai Ling knows that Chen Yong is vulnerable to corrupt enchantments from the under-world. How can she do nothing when she has the skill and power to fight at his side? A dream has told her where he is, the name of the ship he is traveling on, his destination. So she steals off and stows away on board.

"The ocean voyage brings with it brutal danger, haunting revelations, and new friendships, but also the premonition of a very real and terrifying threat. Zhong Ye—the powerful sorcerer whom Ai Ling believed she had vanquished in the Palace of Fragrant Dreams—is trapped in Hell, neither alive nor dead. Can he reach from beyond the grave to reunite with Silver Phoenix and destroy Chen Yong? And destroy whatever chance Ai Ling has at happiness, at love?

"In this sequel to the acclaimed novel Silver Phoenix, four lives are woven together and four destinies become one, now and forever." Alas, at this time, Fury of the Phoenix is only availabe as a used hardcover book or in a Kindle edition.

Added 12/10/2012 (Asian)

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Michel Prince
Chrysalis (Ages 15+)
"In the annals of dysfunctional families, the Chisholms are working their way to the top. Drug abuse, an unwed mother with multiple fathers, and the questionable cash flow for the 'pretty one'. All this from a seemingly normal, two parent, middle class family. But were the choices truly made of their free will?

"Bad choices are a Chisholm family trait, one that confounds the youngest child, Ellie, who's trying to separate herself by making smart decisions. And falling for Oscar Jeffreys, the hottest guy at school, would be number one on the list of Chisholm family disasters. Yet the crazy part is it's not a one-sided attraction. Somehow, Ellie has caught Oscar's eye. Sure, she could see the barriers between them. Race, age, popularity. They were at the opposite ends of the spectrum. But a demon set to destroy her family? She can't see that.

"Oscar provides security and acceptance Ellie never imagined she deserved. As the passion of first love grows, Ellie honestly believes she has a chance to beat the odds and live a happy, normal life. Then her world collapses around her. With the help of a guardian angel, Ellie learns of a world that has unknowingly surrounded her for years. And she'll have to find strength buried deep inside to sae not only her future, but flush out and stop the demon in her midst.

"And Ellie will have to learn that sometimes the hardest lesson about growing up is accepting that you're worth more." Mature themes and passionate scenes (but no sex) make this paranormal romance inappropriate for young teens.

The Beam
The sequel to Crystalis, due in October 2012
"When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things.-Corinthians 13:11

"There comes a time in everyone’s life when they must put aside their childish ways. In the past year, Ellie Chisholm has fallen into the security of her relationship with Oscar Jeffreys, emerging with a stronger sense of self. For the first time, her mother has started to insert herself into Ellie’s life, treating her as if she were a child even though Ellie has begun to make very adult decisions for her future. Having finally consummated her relationship with Oscar she learns that the powers inside of her stretch further than vaporizing demons.

"Maria, the demon bent on revenge, has been reigned in by God. That doesn’t stop her from disrupting and threatening those around Ellie and Oscar. Ellie becomes off balance as Maria switches strategy to destroy Ellie from the outside. This causes the gauntlet to be thrown down. Ellie must now help her family achieve positive change and finally break the tie between her mother and Gaap or risk losing everyone she loves.

"Can Ellie maintain her sanity while walking the last steps as a child?"

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Jewell Parker Rhodes
Ninth Ward (Grades 5+ / Ages 11+)
"Twelve-year-old Lanesha lives in a tight-knit community in New Orleans' Ninth Ward. She doesn't have a fancy house like her uptown family or lots of friends like the other kids on her street. But what she does have is Mama Ya-Ya, her fiercely loving caretaker, wise in the ways of the world and able to predict the future. So when Mama Ya-Ya's visions show a powerful hurricane--Katrina--fast approaching, it's up to Lanesha to call upon the hope and strength Mama Ya-Ya has given her to help them both survive the storm.

"Ninth Ward is a deeply emotional story about transformation and a celebration of resilience, friendship, and family--as only love can define it." Note that Lanesha sees ghosts and Mama Ya-Ya sees into the future.

Added 10/11/2012 (Black)

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Rick Riordan
The Red Pyramid (The Kane Chronicles, Book 1) (Grades 5+ / Ages 10+)
"Since their mother’s death, Carter and Sadie have become near strangers. While Sadie has lived with her grandparents in London, her brother has traveled the world with their father, the brilliant Egyptologist, Dr. Julius Kane.

"One night, Dr. Kane brings the siblings together for a 'research experiment' at the British Museum, where he hopes to set things right for his family. Instead, he unleashes the Egyptian god Set, who banishes him to oblivion and forces the children to flee for their lives.

"Soon, Sadie and Carter discover that the gods of Egypt are waking, and the worst of them--Set–has his sights on the Kanes. To stop him, the siblings embark on a dangerous journey across the globe -- a quest that brings them ever closer to the truth about their family, and their links to a secret order that has existed since the time of the pharaohs."

The Throne of Fire (The Kane Chronicles, Book 2) (Grades 5+ / Ages 10+)
"In this exciting second installment of the three-book series, Carter and Sadie, offspring of the brilliant Egyptologist Dr. Julius Kane, embark on a worldwide search for the Book of Ra, but the House of Life and the gods of chaos are determined to stop them."

The Serpent of Shadows (The Kane Chronicles, Book 3) (Grades 5+ / Ages 10+)
"He's b-a-a-ack! Despite their best efforts, Carter and Sadie Kane can't seem to keep Apophis, the chaos snake, down. Now Apophis is threatening to plunge the world into eternal darkness, and the Kanes are faced with the impossible task of having to destroy him once and for all. Unfortunately, the magicians of the House of Life are on the brink of civil war, the gods are divided, and the young initiates of Brooklyn House stand almost alone against the forces of chaos. The Kanes' only hope is an ancient spell that might turn the serpent's own shadow into a weapon, but the magic has been lost for a millennia. To find the answer they need, the Kanes must rely on the murderous ghost of a powerful magician who might be able to lead them to the serpent's shadow . . . or might lead them to their deaths in the depths of the underworld.

"Nothing less than the mortal world is at stake when the Kane family fulfills its destiny in this thrilling conclusion to the Kane Chronicles."

Added 10/11/2012 (Black)

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The Kane Chronicles
All three hardcover books in a boxed set

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David C. Smith & Joe Bonadonna
Waters of Darkeness (Ages 15+)
"Bloody Red Buchanan and Crimson Kate O'Toole sail against the tides of Hell. 1640. The Age of Pirates. Bloody Red Buchanan and Crimson Kate O'Toole sail for eastern seas and the Isle of Shadow, looking for treasure. Their galleons take them into the tides of Hell. More of their crews die than stay alive as they fight the ancient sorcery of an undying priest of Dagon and the sorcerer with efreet who follow his commands. The seas will fill with blood, and Hell will scream with the freshly dead, before these pirates fight their way free of the evils they have loosed."

Authors David Smith and Joe Bonadonna provided a copy of Waters of Darkness for review. To be honest, I've never really been into pirate stories, so I probably would've passed this by. I would have been wrong. Dead wrong!

This multicultural adventure on the high seas was another riproaring homage to old style pulp with a huge swirl of classic Edgar Rice Burroughs mixed with a dollop of Robert Louis Stevenson. Pirates, magic, revenge, horror and a little love mixed by the creative genius of this dynamic duo of the New Pulp movement made this a fast and fun read. This tale of cursed treasure and ancient evil is tightly woven together, with twists and unexpected turns as Captain Bloody Red Buchanan, his first mate Mose Cooper, Captain Crimson Kate O'Toole and their crews face destruction, dismemberment and death while unraveling the mystery of the lead coins, alchemy, demons and unavenged betrayals.

With plenty of battles between "me hearties" and "my uglies" against monsters, the undead and other pirates, the action is non-stop. My only uncomfortable moments were when the pirates called the Arab pirates "dogs." That did give me some pause, as there are some pretty deep and ugly connotations with that term. I had to get a grip and remind myself that it was and still is a common term used in reference to sailors and pirates. So I set aside my 21st century mores and simply enjoyed the tale for what it is -- a great story.

I'd rate this tale at "PG-13". (RDJ)

Added 4/29/2013 - Mixed cast of characters

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Moses Soloman
The Santamobile
"The modern world of global warming and fierce storm systems is a risky one for Santa's annual flight. When he returns with his sleigh totaled from the battering, the elf community embarks on an ambitious plan to build a modern, high-tech sleigh able to withstand the worldwide dangers. For young Scooter, a young-at-heart mechanic with dreams of founding his own engineering firm, it's the opportunity of a lifetime. But for Haggen, the old chief herdsman, the new reindeer-less sleigh represents an end to a cherished role in Santa's mission. Will the elves be able to find a common solution and achieve their Christmas Eve deadline, or will Santa be stranded without a functional sleigh?"

(Added 4-16-2013 - Non-human? Elves!)

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Judith Tarr
A Wind in Cairo (Ages 16+)
"THE PRINCE: Spoiled, reckless, heedless of any wants or needs but his own, sentenced to a terrible fate for his sins against man, woman, and God.

"THE STALLION: Equally spoiled, equally reckless, bound until death to a bitter servitude.

"THE TURK'S HEIR: Fiercest of rivals, most devoted of enemies, whose armor hides a secret. Come into the world of the Arabian Nights, where magic and mystery meet; where justice lays a sinner low, and the magic of the heart turns hate to love." Due to the Prince's deeds, including gambling, theft, drunken escapades, rape, and the discussion of gelding (castration), I think this book is more suited to older teens and young adults.

Added 11-11-2012 (Middle East)

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Greg van Eekhout
Kid vs. Squid (Grades 4+ / Ages 10+)
"Thatcher Hill is bored stiff of his summer job dusting the fake mermaids and shrunken heads at his uncle's seaside Museum of Curiosities. But when a mysterious girl steals an artifact from the museum, Thatcher's summer becomes an adventure that takes him from the top of the ferris wheel to the depths of the sea. Following the thief, he learns that she is a princess of the lost Atlantis. Her people have been cursed by an evil witch to drift at sea all winter and wash up on shore each summer to an even more terrible fate—working the midway games and food stands on the boardwalk. Can Thatcher help save them before he, too, succumbs to the witch's curse?

"With sharp, witty writing that reads like a middle-grade Douglas Adams' Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Greg van Eekhout's first book for young readers is a wild ride packed with as many laughs as it has thrills."

(Everybody Else)

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The Boy at the End of the World (Grades 4+ / Ages 10+)
"In a future world, Fisher is the last boy on earth. But evidence suggests there may be a far-away survival bunk with other humans. In order to get there, he'll need to rely on a ragtag team he assembles, including a robot, a mammoth, and a prairie dog with basic English skills. Readers will be riveted as this unlikely team races toward survival."

(Mixed/Clone?)

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Norse Code (Ages 18+)
"Is this Ragnarok, or just California?

"The NorseCODE genome project was designed to identify descendants of Odin. What it found was Kathy Castillo, a murdered MBA student brought back from the dead to serve as a valkyrie in the Norse god’s army. Given a sword and a new name, Mist’s job is to recruit soldiers for the war between the gods at the end of the world—and to kill those who refuse to fight.

"But as the twilight of the gods descends, Mist makes other plans.

"Journeying across a chaotic American landscape already degenerating into violence and madness, Mist hopes to find her way to Helheim, the land of the dead, to rescue her murdered sister from death’s clutches. To do so, she’ll need the help of Hermod, a Norse god bumming around Los Angeles with troubles of his own. Together they find themselves drafted into a higher cause, trying to do what fate long ago deemed could not be done: save the world of man. For even if myths aren’t made to be broken, it can’t hurt to go down fighting…can it?" This book is von Eekhout's first foray into adult fiction. It is intended for mature teens, young adults and adults.

(Mixed)

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