The Healer's Apprentice by Melanie Dickerson (reviewed by Amethyst Collins)

Oh, where to start. I LOVED this book. Absolutely adored it. I figured out the ending about halfway through, but then for the rest of the story the author had me second-guessing myself. The words “historical fiction” usually have me running and often screaming as I go, but I’m beginning to learn that the fiction is usually more prominent in the story. (History is not my favorite subject.) I recently read another “historical fiction” novel that I really enjoyed, though, and I think I’m discovering a love for a new genre.

The author did a lot of research for this book, and it was very realistic. Apparently she loosely based the story on Sleeping Beauty, but there was only one moment where I was reminded of that fairytale. In my opinion, that’s a good thing, because it means she brought a lot of her own ideas to it. The romance in this story made me extremely happy. I kept exclaiming out loud so much about events that were happening, my mom actually came into my room to see what was up - I think she thought I was talking with a friend, and it was getting to be late at night.

This is one of those books that I never want to end because the world I’m in is so interesting and the characters are so lovable and the writing is so real. I envy you who are going to read it for the first time, because it will all be a surprise. Do I recommend? With all of my heart.

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YAY, Amethyst, is there anything better than finding a new genre and a new book to love!? Want to see if you could fall in love with this book too? Click here to check our catalog to see if The Healer's Apprentice is on our shelves.

Family by Micol Ostow (reviewed by Alanna Cover)

“when i was six years old, i drowned”

After Melinda Jensen runs away from a sexually abusive stepfather, Uncle Jack, and the empty shell of a mother at the age of 17, she's lost. She's given up. She gave up on mirror-mel who taunts her. She will become new. And she does, with the help of a man named Henry.

Henry is everything amazing. The stars, the sunset, Jesus Christ, messiah, beautiful music, and infinity all rolled up into one. She wants and he has.

Henry has infinity.

And Henry has a message. A message of love. He takes her home, to a ranch, to a family she always dreamed of. Or not. Either way, it's a family. An open, loving family. People Uncle Jack would call, “dirty hippies.” She is accepted, loved. She is chosen. Henry enjoys her. Drinks her up. She loves. They're full of love. Something she's never seen before. Something she has never experienced before. Love.

Henry is their god. Their father. Their husband. Their family. Their everything.

And Mel will do anything for him. Die. Kill. Anything. Anything to spread his message. Their family. Their love. Their open-armed, free love. Happiness.

But will she truly kill for the sake of a message? Will she give herself away?

When a man doesn't come to hear their music, hell breaks open. Henry is upset. And his family will do anything to help him, to make him happy again. He has told them to kill the man. He has chosen four of his “children” to do his bidding. Junior. Leila. Shelly. Mel. Will Mel help her family, or save herself?

This book was written amazingly. The language is so alluring, entrancing, beautiful. I could not put it down. Written in episodic-verse, the words flow easily, in a dream-like, thought-like environment, where you're so captivated, you forget where you are. Who you are. It made me wanna read a little more about the Manson Family.

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Wow, Alanna - what a beautiful review of a book that truly sounds stunning. Click here to check our catalog to see if Family is on our shelves.

The Warlock by Michael Scott (reviewed by Carolyn Adkins)

The Warlock, The Secret of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel, is the 5^th book in the 6 book series by mythological writer Michael Scott. Do you know what’s better than seeing William Shakespeare battle non-human creatures on space ships? Nothing. Which is exactly what happened in this book, nothing. It was boring! The battles were lame and the story only advanced what, a couple of hours? Going back and forth to four or five different locations with different characters, being introduced to characters that have nothing to do with the plot, and being told one thing then told another all amounted to one thing. Yes, you must go through the entire boring and drab book, where nothing happens, to read the last sentence. The last sentence, not even the last paragraph, the last sentence is probably the biggest twist in the entire series! I highly recommend this book, just as long as you read the first four, just so you can read that last sentence. And to watch William Shakespeare battle non-human creatures on space ships.

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Oh, Carolyn - this was hilarious! I love an honest review, but is anything more frustrating than when a series doesn't turn out the way you want? Click here check our catalog to see if The Warlock is on our shelves so you can see if you agree with Carolyn.