Cirque du Freak by Darren Shane

Cirque du Freak by Darren Shane

Summary: Darren is about to fight Steve Leopard to the death. If Darren wins, he becomes the lord of shadows and will destroy the world. If Darren loses, then he will die and his soul will be cast into the lake of souls. The lake of souls is where souls linger between paradise and hell.

Genre: fantasy, horror
Rank: 4/5
Would you recommend this book to a friend? yes

Review: This is an amazing book full of twists and turns. The book is very fast-paced and I think anyone would like it. The reason I rated this book a four out of five is because the ending was a little confusing. Overall, this book is great and I shall continue to read the Demonata series!


Reviewed by Peter M. in grade 7

Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett

Genre: Mystery, Horror
Book Summary: Petra Andalec and Calder Pillay together, strange things start to happen. Seemingly, unrelated events connect. An eccentric old woman seeks their company. Before they know it, the two find themselves at the center of an international Vermeer Painting. They must draw on their powers of intuition.
Rank (0-5): 5
Would you recommend this book to a friend? Yes
My review of this book: I recommend this book to people who like horror and mystery stories/movies. In this book they have some horror and mystery parts. I would recommend it it for 8-12 year olds. It would be easy to read.
by Jennifer N in grade 7

Vampire Kisses-Blood Relatives by Ellen Schrieber

Genre: Horror, Fantasy, Graphic Novel/Manga
Book Summary: Vampire Kisses: Blood Relatives is a manga spinoff of Ellen Schriber's novel series Vampire Kisses. Told in the time between the 3rd and 4th book of the originals, Raven and her vampire boyfriend Alexander have to fight off his jealous cousin, Claude. Claude is "doomed" to walk the earth both day and night since he is half vampire, half human- unless he can drink some ancient vampire blood. Since Alexander's grandma kept a stash when she was alive, he and his group of half and half's are searching around for it. If they find them, Dullsville is as good as dead.
Rank (0-5): 4
Would you recommend this book to a friend? Yes
My review of this book: Most people wouldn't want to read this because it's a manga. The only reason i gave it a four was because it got two for the great drawing, and, although the plot's awesome, the book is so short and cut off to the next in the series, and can't be called much.
by Amanda J. in grade 8

Dance with a Vampire by Ellen Schreider

Genre: Fantasy, Horror, Romance
Book Summary: Dance with a Vampire is the fourth and final book in the Vampire Kisses series. It circles around Raven and Alexander, a gothic couple (and Alexander being a \"vegetarian\" vampire), who have been fighting of Vampires in their town. they think they are done when they drive out Luna and Jagger, only to meet their little brother. The little sibling means no harm, only trying to find his brother and sister, but ends up causing real trouble. Although the town, (and Raven\'s brother Billy), are safe, Raven ends up not knowing where her loyalyies lie, the trust that breaks an immortal tie.
Rank (0-5): 3
Would you recommend this book to a friend? Yes
My review of this book: It was an okay book, but not a great conclusion for the series. It\'s a cliffhanger- it should keep going!
By Amanda J. in grade 8

Vampireville by Ellen Schreider

Genre: Fantasy, Horror, Romance
Book Summary: Vampireville is the third book in the Vampire Kisses series. It is told from the point of view of Raven, a gothic female teen, who dates a \"vegetarian\" vampire, protects her \"dullsville\" town from vampires, and wishes to be a vampire herself. In this book, Raven and Alexander Sterling (her love), have to defeat Jagger and Luna, two sibling bent on revenge on the Sterlings. The main person they are protecting is actually Raven\'s long time nemesis, Trevor, who is seemingly infatuated with Luna. But both Trevor and Luna are really playing for someone else...
Rank (0-5): 3
Would you recommend this book to a friend? Yes
My review of this book: This book was good, and could be great, if not overshadowed. The series is so similar to the Twilight saga by Stephenie Meyer, so it can not be helped but for the two to be prepared. The Vampire Kisses has a similar plot, but can not measure up to Twilight, therefore not seeming as good.
By Amanda J. in grade 8

Rebel Angels by Libba Bray

Genre: historical fiction, horror
Book Summary: Gemma has to bind the magic to the temple. This task seems easy, but there are a few problems like an evil spirit who wants the magic for herself. Gemma must remember to trust no one inside and outside of the realms.
Rank (0-5): 5
Would you recommend this book to a friend? Yes
My review of this book: This book is the perfect sequel to A Great and Terrible Beauty. It is amazing how Libba Bray gives so many clues in the book that are not portrayed until the end, but make perfect sense. This is a great read, and all should read.
By Elizabeth in grade 8

Haunted by Meg Cabot

Genre: Horror, Historical fiction
Book Summary: Being a 16 year old is hard enough unless you can speak to the dead, which makes life even harder. The good thing is that a ghost hottie lives in my room. I'm Susannah Simon and that's my life.
Rank (0-5): 5
Would you recommend this book to a friend? Yes
My review of this book: This book is so interesting and keeps the book in your hands. It's suspenseful with a bit of drama. Things you expect will, won't happen in the way you thought. Meg Cabot has written many books, and this is one of her best.
By Elizabeth in grade 8