Book Review: Nick & Tesla's Solar-Powered Showdown - Bob Pflugfelder & Steve Hockensmith

Nick & Tesla's Solar-Powered Showdown - Bob Pflugfelder & Steve Hockensmith

Super-smart kid inventors Nick and Tesla Hold have outsmarted crooks, spies, and kidnappers, but now it's time to crack their biggest mystery yet: where the heck are their parents?  With the help of their eccentric Uncle Newt, the twins trace the clues to their missing Mom and Dad, scientists working on solar-power research for a clandestine government project.  They'll need all their wits, along with an assortment of homemade gadgets, to outsmart the criminal mastermind who's trying to turn solar power into a secret weapon.  Featuring instructions for building and using five awesome solar-powered contraptions--a hot dog cooker, alarm bell, listening device, model car, and nighttime LED signal cannon--this sixth installment is sure to please budding scientists and sleuthers alike.

4/5 stars (really liked it)

I received this free copy to review on my blog.

My almost 12-year old son read this book before me.  We have read all the books in the series and both love them.  He said that he really liked this one and thought it was the last one since it kind of wraps things up.  He now wants to get some cans of Pringles and make the hot dog cooker.

I also liked this book and it did feel like it would be the last book in the series.  I wish there was an epilogue at the end to see where Nick & Tesla are maybe a few months later.  I loved that Uncle Newt was more involved in the adventure and not just a background character.  I kind of would love to see a series with just Uncle Newt and what he was like as a kid as well as his brother (Nick & Tesla's father).  Overall this is a really fun series to read for any age.

Book Review: Midnight Bites - Rachel Caine

Midnight Bites - Rachel Caine

WELCOME TO MORGANVILLE.

YOU'LL NEVER WANT TO LEAVE.

By day, Morganville, Texas, is just a typical college town.  By night, the vampires emerge and take control...

In a town where it's not safe to be out after dark, student Claire Danvers and her friends have had their fair share of thrills.  But Morganville still has a few secrets left to tell.

Now, in this collection, you can venture down the town's strange streets, revisit all the tales you've come to love, and experience six new stories featuring your favorite Morganville residents--both human and vampire...

4/5 stars (really liked it)

Wow, loved the stories.  Especially ones involving Myrnin, since he's my favorite and it was fun to see his past a little more.  Really enjoyed the story with Myrnin and Shane.  Eve is always a favorite.  I really liked that some of these stories took place after the series ended, which gave us a glimpse on where everyone is at after the series ended.

Book Review: Demigods & Magicians - Rick Riordan

Demigods & Magicians - Rick Riordan

Magic, monsters, and mayhem abound when Percy Jackson and Annabeth Chase meet Carter and Sadie Kane for the first time.  Weird creatures are appearing in unexpected places, and the demigods and magicians have to team up to take them down.  As they battle with Celestial Bronze and glowing hieroglyphs, the four heroes find that they have a lot in common--and more power than they ever thought possible.  But will their combined forces be enough to foil an ancient enemy who is mixing Greek and Egyptian incantations for an evil purpose?  

4/5 stars (really liked it)

This book consists of three short stories.  In the first story, Percy and Carter find themselves chasing the same monster.  They fight eachother and then work together.  Although they don't reveal much about eachother they decide to keep their eyes open.  In the second story, Annabeth and Sadie find themselves chasing the same monster.  Their encounter goes smoother than Percy's and Carter.  Especially since Percy told Annabeth about his encounter with an Egyptian Magician.  Annabeth and Sadie work well together.  In the third story all four heroes are chasing a bad guy and working well together, combining Greek and Egyptian magic to defeat a super foe.  Three great stories and I can't wait to read more crossover stories.

Book Review: The Beast - J.R. Ward

The Beast - J.R. Ward

Nothing is as it used to be for the Black Dagger Brotherhood.  After avoiding war with the Shadows, alliances have shifted and lines have been drawn.  The slayers of the Lessening Society are stronger than ever, preying on human weakness to acquire more money, more weapons, more power.  But as the Brotherhood readies for an all-out attack on them, one of their own fights a battle within himself...

For Rhage, the Brother with the biggest appetites, but also the biggest heart, life was supposed to be perfect--or at the very least, perfectly enjoyable.  Mary, his beloved shellan, is by his side and his King and his brothers are thriving.  But Rhage can't understand--or control--the panic and insecurity that plague him...

And that terrifies him--as well as distances him from his mate.  After suffering mortal injury in battle, Rhague must reassess his priorities--and the answer, when it comes to him, rocks his world...and Mary's.  But Mary is on a journey of her own, one that will either bring them closer together or cause a split that neither will recover from...

4/5 stars (really liked it)

This seemed more like earlier books in the series.  In this book we follow Rhage and Mary and their "happily ever after".  Also in this book is Layla and her pregnancy.  I figured out the ending from the beginning.  There are little tidbits we learn.  Such as a little bit about Xcor.  Also we are introduced to a human woman, Jo and we really don't learn her connection until the end.  Overall a good book.  I like how J.R. Ward ties the Brotherhood Books to the Black Dagger Legacy.