The enemy fighter jets surged past Neil Andertol, soaring over desolate, sandy terrain.

- opening line

 

 

So, another 6-8 grade Sunshine State nominated book. I wasn't planning on reading this one because I didn't think I would like it. That's what I get for judging a book by its cover. Anyway, one of the 4th-grade students was really enjoying it and she asked me to read it with her. It's actually pretty good and I can't wait to talk to her about it tomorrow. Though I finished it and she is probably around halfway through.

Neil loves video games, like most 13-year old boys these days. He especially enjoys one called Chameleon. Chameleon, it turns out is a training tool used by the Air Force to teach pilots to fly an actual plane called the Chameleon that is capable of seeming invisible. Neil and a bunch of other kids get recruited by the Air Force to find a lost plane and save the day. I know, I know. Big suspension of disbelief here, but kids love that sort of thing.

Anyway, Neil ends up meeting a few people in real life that he only previously knew online. So, there are expected surprises there. And the kids make a couple of decisions that mess up something that Major Jones had planned, resulting in more unlikely situations. At least the kids don't make some half-assed decision based on their guts and end up being right over the Major who is an adult and should know better than them.

This is a fast-moving story that kids will devour. And now that there are 3 books in the series, it will keep the kids reading.

Good for 4th - 8th graders who enjoy video games, strong female characters, soldiers, edge of your seat adventures... it has something for everyone.

So I'm about 30 mins into the movie and really enjoying it so far. The book was brilliant, no doubt, but I had fears the movie wouldn't live up to my high expectations. So far it's not letting me down. (yay)

Anyways the whole point of this post is you know when your watching a movie and something happens and you swear a detail is off and it really bugs you. Especially because your not sure if your right or wrong because it's been so long since you've read the book?
Well I'm having that moment but with something a bit bigger than a minor detail..... I was totally under the impression that Augustus was well... of colour. (Which personally I would totally dig) Now I know this was a giant issue with Hunger Games and maybe that was reflected while I was reading The Fault In Our Stars? It has been quite a few years.... I don't know. :/

Did anyone else feel the same in relation to this book? or have a similar thing happen to them?

Free sucked at asking girls out and had not been on a date since Kim broke up with him.Samantha/ Sam was at the coffee shop Free went to. She couldn’t find her money and Free paid for her coffee as well as his own. Sam volunteered at a shelter and went to school. Her parents had money but not her. Sam felt her life was unsettled. Free wore costumes when he went to the gym with his brother Cary to take the attention off his brother so Cary would go to the gym in his overweight state. Free’s father wants Free to become an investment lawyer like he was. That is what Free is planning on doing with his life. But he also loves acting. Sam likes Free’s quirkiness and really thinks it’s sweet when she finds out he dresses up for his brother and why. But she is not too happy when she learns of his future plans. She wants to be a social worker. The center she volunteers at is for women and children of domestic abuse.

I liked this story , it was really sweet especially how Free cares for his family as does Sam. I think Free likes studying to become an investment banker and he is good at it. But he can still enjoy acting in his spare time. Anyway I liked the characters especially Free and Sam and all the ups and downs they go through. I recommend

I received an ARC of this story for an honest review.

Reread in January 2016.

I am working my way through a reread to get ready for the next books in the series, and I also just plain love the Prakenskii brothers (they're Russian, enough said!) and the Sisters of the Heart, the found family of women who buy a farm together and are united by personal tragedy and their gifts of power over the elements.

I can easily say this is still my favorite so far (out of the first 3 books), although I loved to the third power Water Bound and I really did enjoy Spirit Bound. I think that this has the best action and the romance between Airiana and Maxim is so natural in its progression. Although they seem to start as enemies, the mutual alliance they found becomes a bond of trust and love.

It hit me hard like for the first time how lethal Maxim is. He doesn't play around! Airiana is sweet, but she has the capability to dive into the fray and do what needs to be done. She's feisty too and she definitely tells Maxim what she thinks. They're such a great couple!

The children are integral to the story and adorable, but it's so awful and heartbreaking what they have experienced. The subject matter here is definitely not for the faint of heart.

I'm super jazzed to finally be able to start reading Earth Bound and excited about Fire Bound coming out in April! I've a feeling that Casmir is like Maxim on steroids.

1/10/2016 ** Beautifully poignant tale of love, loss, and appreciation for the person in our life every single day. Caldecott contender?