The Final Hour (Homelanders, book 4) by Andrew Klavan

Review by Jill Williamson

Charlie West is in prison, and not just some juvenile detentions center. He’s in Abingdon State Prison, a high security prison for the vilest offenders. And between the prisoners and the brutal guards, it looks like Charlie might be someone’s next victim.

But his memories are slowly coming back, and Charlie learns that a terrorist strike is coming soon. He has to do something, but what? No one will listen to a convict, all his allys are gone, and time is ticking away. But Charlie can’t give up. Not when lives are at stake.

Loved it! And I closed this book with a smile on my face, because these four novels really felt like one big story, and it was tough to wait for each next one. I loved the way Andrew Klavan told this tale, how he weaved it backwards and forwards with action and memories and mystery. It was very cleverly done. This is a GREAT series for boy readers. So if you love action and adventure novels, or if you’re looking for some books for a young man, look no further. This is the series. I highly recommend all four Homelander books.

Age Range: 12 and up
Genre: suspense/action adventure
Part of a Series: The Homelanders, book 4
Pages: 352
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Released: 2011

Replication [The Jason Experiment] by Jill Williamson

Review by J.R. Parker

Martyr, or Jason 3:3, is one of fifty-five clones living in an underground lab in Alaska. The clones are closely supervised and forbidden from entering the outside world because of the “toxic air.” And, well, the guards and locks and cameras. Expiration on their eighteenth birthday is something the Jasons have come to accept. But Martyr wants to see the sky before he dies. And when he steals a card key and makes it past security, the adventure begins.

Abby Goyer, one of the lab scientist’s daughters, is Martyr’s first contact and fiercest defender. Together, she and Martyr attempt to elude those so desperate to get him back, facing down not only their pursuers, but the uncertain allegiance of her father. And the shear outlandishness of Martyr’s story makes finding allies difficult. In their flight, they piece together a trail of clues that could explain more of the secrets buried in Jason Farms and in Martyr’s genetic code. Slowly, Martyr drifts from the embrace of his expiration, toward a new purpose . . .

The mesmerizing depth of character Williamson’s readers have come to expect is woven deftly into Replication, with extra layers of gripping suspense and twisting mystery. I did not intend to stay up reading this book until the early morning hours, but that was the result. And on a computer screen, no less, making this the first time I’ve ever convinced my eyes to read a novel in its entirety on a backlit surface. They did not complain.

Age Range: 12 and up
Genre: science fiction/suspense
Part of a Series: No
Pages: 304 pages
Publisher: Zondervan
Released: 2011

Listen to the first chapter of Replication: The Jason Experiment on YouTube

As I prepare for the release of my next book, and since I have been podcasting my novel By Darkness Hid for free through my website, I thought it might be fun to podcast the first chapter of Replication, to give readers a sneak peek at my new book.

So I recorded it last week. But I don’t want to post the podcasted version until I finish reading By Darkness Hid, which won’t happen until mid-November. So I put together a YouTube video of the audio so readers could listen to the chapter that way.

Here is the first chapter of Replication: The Jason Experiment, which is now on pre-order sale in ebook and hardcover forms.

Enjoy!

 

The Monster in the Hollows by Andrew Peterson

Click on the cover to read more reviews on Amazon.

Review by Jill Williamson

Janner and his family settle into life in the Green Hollows, but people don’t really accept them, especially the furry Kalmar, whom they think is a Fang. Janner must step up into his role as a Throne Warden to keep Kalmar from getting into a fight that could destroy their entire family. But there are mysteries, betrayals, and dangers lurking. Janner does all he can to watch over and defend his brother, but what he can’t manage to do is convince himself that Kalmar is innocent.

I love Andrew Peterson’s stories. He is a genius. His characters and dialogue are delightful. I cannot wait to see how this series will end. The only thing that felt off about this book was that—through most of it—it felt like its own story, like a standalone novel, separate from the first two books in the series. I enjoyed the book a great deal, and it all tied together nicely in the end, but I missed the overall plot of the series through most of this volume. If you haven’t read Andrew Peterson’s work, start with book one, On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness. They are fabulous.

Age Range: 12 and up
Genre: fantasy
Part of a Series: Book three in the Wingfeather saga
Pages: 348
Publisher: Rabbit Room Press

Released: 2011

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Jill Williamson is the author of the medieval fantasy novel By Darkness Hid. An avid reader, she started Novel Teen Book Reviews to help teens find clean and entertaining books to read and is excited with the new direction the site has taken. Jill also runs an online website for teen writers at www.teenageauthor.com where she enjoys helping new writers develop their skill. She and her husband have worked with teens in the youth pastor role for the past eleven years. You can learn more about Jill on her website at www.jillwilliamson.com.

Tomorrow We Die by Shawn Grady

Click on the cover to read more reviews on Amazon.

Review by Jill Williamson

Paramedic Jonathan Trestle has been getting in trouble lately for how long it takes his ambulance to reach the scene. But it’s not his fault that there are so few ambulances to cover the whole city of Reno at once. When a patient gives him a note before dying, Jonathan is pulled into a mystery that will force him to risk all he holds dear.

I like Shawn Grady’s books. They always have a strong main character, a suspenseful pace, and a mystery that hooks me to the last page. This one was no different. And what a clever story too! I really enjoyed all of his characters, especially Bones, the non Trekie-Trekie. And I loved how I really wasn’t sure who the bad guy was. I knew who I didn’t want it to be, but I wasn’t sure. A great read. I look forward to more of his novels.

Age Range: 16 and up
Genre: contemporary
Part of a Series: No
Pages: 326
Publisher: Bethany House
Released: 2010

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Jill Williamson is the author of the medieval fantasy novel By Darkness Hid. An avid reader, she started Novel Teen Book Reviews to help teens find clean and entertaining books to read and is excited with the new direction the site has taken. Jill also runs an online website for teen writers at www.teenageauthor.com where she enjoys helping new writers develop their skill. She and her husband have worked with teens in the youth pastor role for the past eleven years. You can learn more about Jill on her website at www.jillwilliamson.com.
 

The Last Martin by Jonathan Friesen

First I (Jill) must say, that I bought this book strictly because of the book trailer. I thought it was awesome. And I showed it to my son, Luke. After he watched it, he nodded at me, and I ordered the book. So, here is the trailer, for your viewing pleasure:

Martin Boyle lives a crazy life. His mother is a germaphobe and his father is never home—always off reenacting Civil War battles, his best friend is trying to steal the girl he likes, and on top of all that… Martin is cursed. In a graveyard of his ancestors, he discovers this horrible truth. When one Martin is born, the previous Martin dies. And Martin’s aunt is about to give birth to a boy, who, according to family tradition, will be named Martin.

Click on the cover to read more reviews on Amazon

I read this book aloud to my son, and we had a really hard time understanding what was going on at first. There were several places where Luke stopped my reading to asked a question. He was confused as to what had happened. So I read back to see what we had misunderstood. It was mostly the mom’s character that had us puzzled. Once we realized that she was a germaphobe—and a beyond crazy one—things made a lot more sense. It would have been wise to have Martin think about her crazy, germaphobic tendencies in the first few pages, but maybe it was just us.

About halfway through the book, it took off and we were hooked. We loved Poole. Once that guy came into the story, it was hysterical. Lani was also a fun character. And the idea of living each day as if it were the last, being yourself, and looking for joy in every moment made this a really powerful story. It turned out to be a lot of laugh-out-loud fun for both of us.

Age Range: 11 and up
Genre: contemporary
Part of a Series: No
Pages: 266
Publisher: Zonderkidz
Released: 2011

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Jill Williamson is the author of the medieval fantasy novel By Darkness Hid. An avid reader, she started Novel Teen Book Reviews to help teens find clean and entertaining books to read and is excited with the new direction the site has taken. Jill also runs an online website for teen writers at www.teenageauthor.comwhere she enjoys helping new writers develop their skill. She and her husband have worked with teens in the youth pastor role for the past eleven years. You can learn more about Jill on her website at www.jillwilliamson.com.

Review: Gravestone by Travis Thrasher

Click on the cover to read more reviews on Amazon.com.

Review by Jill Williamson

A recent tragedy has left Chris Buckley numb. He goes to school, gets a job, and tries to make heads or tails of the insane town of Solitary, North Carolina. His investigations in to what happened only leave him with more questions—and more warnings to stay out of it. His mom is convinced a man haunts her in her dreams, and now she is drinking more than ever.

Chris befriends a girl in art class, but he’s afraid that any new friends he makes may end up getting hurt. He searches for sparks of light in his dismal hometown, but everything only seems to lead to more darkness.

Okay. I’m officially hooked now. I wasn’t too sure after Solitary (book one). I loved the writing, but the story was borderline too scary for me. And since it was borderline, I went and bought book two. I’m glad I did, though I wish I’d have waited a few years so that I could go and read books three and four in the series. Alas, now I have to wait, wait, wait.

This is the first Christian young adult horror series I’ve ever read. David C. Cook is calling this “young adult mystery/suspense,” but it’s horror if I’ve ever read horror. But it’s cool and creepy and entertaining—and you can’t possibly guess what’s going to happen. That’s what I like most, second to Chris Buckley’s voice. If you like your creepy horror stories, pick up this series. But keep in mind: there will be four books. So you’ll have to wait, wait, wait with the rest of us.

Age Range: 16 and up
Genre: horror/mystery/suspense
Part of a Series: book two in the Solitary Tales
Pages: 421
Publisher: David C. Cook
Released: 2011

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Jill Williamson is the author of the medieval fantasy novel By Darkness Hid. An avid reader, she started Novel Teen Book Reviews to help teens find clean and entertaining books to read and is excited with the new direction the site has taken. Jill also runs an online website for teen writers at www.teenageauthor.comwhere she enjoys helping new writers develop their skill. She and her husband have worked with teens in the youth pastor role for the past eleven years. You can learn more about Jill on her website at www.jillwilliamson.com.

Review: König’s Fire by Marc Schooley

Click to read more reviews on Amazon.com.

Review by Jill Williamson

Sascha König, a man once called Nebuchadnezzar, is being held for questioning about his involvement during WW2 in the Nachthaus, a Nazi prison in the heart of a Romanian forest. Years have passed since then, but people are still looking for answers to the mysteries that went on there. So Sascha tells his story, a frightening tale of fire, demons, and a gypsy girl Sascha did not save.

My mind is still reeling! What a clever and strange story. Very well written. Creepy. Ingenious. And a quite bizarre. This story sucked me in with a strange curiosity that just kept growing and growing. It’s scary at times, borderline horror. But this book raises lots of questions in the readers mind. And not all my questions were answered in the end. This is a book that will make you think long after you’ve finished it.

Age Range: 16 and up
Genre: fantasy/horror
Part of a Series: No
Pages: 316
Publisher: Marcher Lord Press
Released: 2010

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Jill Williamson is the author of the medieval fantasy novel By Darkness Hid. An avid reader, she started Novel Teen Book Reviews to help teens find clean and entertaining books to read and is excited with the new direction the site has taken. Jill also runs an online website for teen writers at www.teenageauthor.comwhere she enjoys helping new writers develop their skill. She and her husband have worked with teens in the youth pastor role for the past eleven years. You can learn more about Jill on her website at www.jillwilliamson.com.

Seeing the Cover for the First Time…

It’s the most amazing feeling to look down and see in your hands a book cover with your name at the top. The last several weeks have been a whirlwind and the book doesn’t even hit the shelves until January!

Here’s an update on what’s happening with the Halflings.

1. A film producer in L.A. is still considering it for a movie, but also looking at its T.V. series potential. (Hello, Nine Lives of Chloe King.)

2. I’m working on book two and it’s coming along swimmingly. (Does anyone know where the term “coming along swimmingly” comes from???)

3. I’ll be attending the ACFW conference this year and I’m so looking forward to it! 

This is a really fun roller coaster ride and I’m glad to have you all in it with me! As far as the cover, I love love love it. Nikki looks exactly the way I picture her and the whole thing has an eerie feel to it. Good color too. I would call it haunting and memorable (but I might be prejudice.) 

Well, gotta get back to work. Hugs to all and thanks! Let me know what you think of the cover. I know of authors who have been unhappy with their covers with other publishers. Zondervan does a brilliant job. If you scroll down to June 28, you’ll see three Zondervan covers all great representations of the Zondervan books.

Until next time,

Heather Burch

Review: The Superlative Stream by Kerry Nietz

Review by Jill Williamson

The story begins where book one left off. Sandfly and HardCandy are traveling in the spacecraft called DarkTrench, following the mysterious stream they picked up on at the end of book one. But instead of a stream, they find a planet. One with life on it. Life that raises many questions in both Sandfly and HardCandy’s minds.

I liked this story as much as the first—maybe more so. The whole premise is wonderfully creative. And now that Sandfly is free from the former restraints on his mind, it is interesting how he sees life in a different way. I particularly enjoyed the backflashes in which we learned how HardCandy became a debugger. Nietz has weaved an incredible tale and is sharing bits of data with us just when we need it. Fabulous science fiction! I can’t wait to read the next book.

Age Range: 16 and up
Genre: science fiction
Part of a Series: The DarkTrench Saga, book 2
Pages: 382
Publisher: Marcher Lord Press
Released: 2010

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Jill Williamson is the author of the medieval fantasy novel By Darkness Hid. An avid reader, she started Novel Teen Book Reviews to help teens find clean and entertaining books to read and is excited with the new direction the site has taken. Jill also runs an online website for teen writers at www.teenageauthor.comwhere she enjoys helping new writers develop their skill. She and her husband have worked with teens in the youth pastor role for the past eleven years. You can learn more about Jill on her website at www.jillwilliamson.com.