takes place on New Earth, a place where there is no violence, at least not physically. There is a new way of resolving conflicts without resorting to violence. Epic. Epic is a computer/virtual reality game that allows for problems to be solved peacefully (albeit by virtual battles amongst players). This solution to violence, however, comes with its own set of problems. New Earth is governed by an elite group known as Central Allocations (CA). CA characters in Epic are so powerful that no one challenges them (or their corrupt practices), let alone defeats them! Until now.
While this book sounded a little too sci-fi for me, I was actually drawn into the action and adventure elements. It was not bogged down by scientific explanations and technical jargon, though my unfamiliarity with gaming was a slight drawback. I enjoyed the book, but I don't know that I learned anything from it.
RATINGS:
s-factor: !
Very little swearing (if any). (Favorite curse phrase: Blood and vengeance!)
mrg-factor: none.
v-factor: -> -> ->
Some violence (in a gaming context) but not graphic or gratuitous.
Overall rating: * * *
follows the stories of three young women in Manhattan during the early 1900s. Bella and Yetta are both immigrants, working in the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory. Jane is a wealthy American, trying to find meaning in her dull life. The three of them cross paths during the workers' strikes from 1909 to 1910. The climax, of course, occurs during the 
follows a group of upper class young adults living in turn of the century New York. It is filled with their intrigues, scandals, gossip, betrayals, backbiting, and generally improper behavior.
is a story of childhood love. Jennifer only had one friend when she was younger: Cameron. But when he suddenly and mysteriously disappears with his family after a frightening experience, she decides to change herself. Now she is Jenna, pretty, popular, and content. But, when Cameron shows up in her life, she begins to wonder if Jennifer is really gone and what Cameron might still mean to her.
is the third installment in the Inheritance Trilogy (Eragon and Eldest being the first and second). During this book, Eragon and Saphira recover from defeat in their last battle and try to discover how they can possibly defeat Galbatorix. Roran (Eragon's cousin) becomes more important to the story and the Varden go on the offensive.
, Marcus and his friends are tech-savvy teens, caught in the wrong place at the wrong time after a terrorist attack in San Fransisco. When he is finally released after torture and interrogation, he discovers the city has become ultra-monitored to "protect" the citizens from further attacks. He decides that, since he can't tell anyone he has been detained and interrogated illegally, he will take down "big brother" himself.
, the fourth in the books of Ember series, Lina and Doon find a ruined book that they believe points to something meant for the citizens of Ember. Both looking for some adventure, they decide to return to Ember and see if this
. While parts of it are interesting and entertaining, it really doesn't seem to have the same quality as the first one.
follows a priest in Mexico during a ban on the Catholic church. All the priests have been rounded up and shot or married off, except for this last whiskey priest. This man comes into contact with lots of individuals as he tries sometimes to stay alive, sometimes to just be caught by the police constantly following him. He tries to come to terms with his fallen lifestyle and the religious office he still feels obligated to fulfill. Increasingly, he sees the ridiculous in his performance of rites on the sly and his own personal sins.
follows the story of Emily, an imaginative child, who is just left an orphan after her beloved father dies. Her mother's family, who never approved of her father, take her in, but only for the reputation of their good name. Emily's aunts take her to New Moon and she begins her new life with trepidation. But, her irrepressible enthusiasm and love of writing keep her happy and also manage to win the hearts of her family.
is an intense tale of a teenage boy, consigned to the fate of unwinding. The world of the novel is futuristic where the war between pro-life and pro-choice led to the law that allows parents to "unwind" their teenagers between the ages of 13-18. Connor is a troubled teen who decides he doesn't want his life to end at the decision of his parents and so he runs. He meets up with others who are his unlikely partners on this road to escape.
is the story of a slave working for the famous artist 
is the story of an African American family living in Michigan in the 60s. Byron Watson has finally pushed his parents to make good on their threat to send him to live with his grandmother in the deep south. The family makes the trek down in the family car just in time for a historic event that summer.
is an interesting look inside the mind of a young boy suffering from cerebral palsy and unable to speak or communicate in any way. Shawn, despite what many people assume about him, does have thoughts and feelings and even managed to learn how to read. But, it is hard for his father to deal with Shawn's limitations, because he doesn't know how Shawn feels or what he knows and understands.
is the story of Hiram, returning to visit his grandfather in Mississippi. Things aren't quite the same as he remembered from his childhood days spent there. His sixteen-year-old self begins to see prejudices he never saw as a child. He eventually finds himself caught up in the Emmett Till's horrible murder and the ensuing historic trial.
is a mix of several different classic fairy tales, including Twelve Dancing Princesses. The story revolves around five sisters who escape to the Other Kingdom every full moon to dance the night away. Jena, the second oldest, seems the most sensible of the family and must try to take care of things while their father is away, along with her good friend who also happens to be an enchanted frog. When their cousin begins to interfere in the name of helping his poor female cousins, things begin to get more complicated, both at home and in the Other Kingdom.
throws a western twist into the well-known tale of Rapunzel. Told in graphic novel style, Rapunzel manages to escape from her tower using her extraordinary hair (and not a prince). But, the story doesn't end there.
recalls the events of that fateful year in America. It follows General Washington's actions as well as other famous and less-famous players in that early part of the war (the part where they weren't really winning).
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