The Saga of Larten Crepsley: Birth of a Killer by Darren Shan

Reviewed by Rhea

Find it in the library catalog.

Birth of a Killer is a prequel to the series Cirque Du Freak.  While Cirque Du Freak is centered around Darren and his adventures as a vampire, Birth of a Killer begins the story of Larten Crepsley, Darren’s master.  Larten Crepsley murders the owner of the factory where he works after his young cousin is killed in one of the owner’s rages.  Forced to run as he will be killed if he stays, Larten goes to the only place he thinks he can find shelter: the cemetery.  There he meets Seba Nile, a vampire, who takes him on as an apprentice.  Birth of a Killer chronicles the life and adventures of Larten as he grows up and becomes a vampire.

This is a great book that I absolutely loved.  It has lots of action, while at the same time not going overboard.  The ending is very suspenseful and leaves the reader hanging.  This book connects to Cirque Du Freak not only because it has many of the same characters, but also because a lot of what happens in it ties together loose ends in the previous series.  I would recommend that you read Cirque Du Freak before reading this because it makes the story a lot more interesting.  There are lots of “ah ha!” moments.  Definitely read this book!

Twilight

Twilight, by Stephenie Meyer [teen fiction]

Reviewed by Olga

17 year old Isabella Swan has been living with her mother in Phoenix, Arizona most of her life. Last year Bella’s mom Renee got married. Phil, her stepfather is a minor league baseball player so they started traveling and had to move. That’s when Bella decided to go to Forks, Washington, to move in with her father, Charlie. In the beginning she misses Phoenix terribly, but becomes very interested in the Cullens. Especially Edward. She makes new friends, Jessica, Angela, Mike, and Eric. Bella and Edward both fall in love, but since Edward is a vampire he must stay away from her. As Bella does some research she finds out what he is. The next day he takes her into the woods…Eric, Tyler, and Mike see that Bella likes Edward and they are jealous. Edward introduces Bella to his family: Carlisle, Esme, Alice, Jasper, Rosalie, and Emmett. When they go out to play baseball, they stumble into “the game”: James, Victoria, and Laurent, who are not like the Cullens. They don’t diet on animals, instead humans…there are several life-threatening situations. And then comes Jacob. Also in love with Bella…

Find it in the library catalog!

New Moon (the movie)

New Moon, the movie

Reviewed by Dai-Shawna, 10th grader

I recently saw the movie New Moon. I know that everyone has their own opinion, but mine is that both the book and the movie were amazing. The book is a little fast-paced for the movies, but I think that it’s for the best, because it gives you more suspense and things to think about. If I had to choose, the book would be a four out of five stars, because even though the book was great, with amazing details and an awesome plot, I loved the movie better and would give it a five out of five stars.

Eclipse

Eclipse, by Stephenie Meyer [Teen Fiction]

by Sierra, 7th grader

Eclipse is the third Twilight book. The main character in this book, Bella, is in love with a vampire. This is the reason why she is being stalked by a lethal vampire who wants revenge. Werewolves and vampires unite to destroy the vampire and her army. While this is going on, Bella also has to choose between Jacob Black and Edward. Read this book to find out what happens.

New Moon

New Moon, by Stephenie Meyer [Teen Fiction]

Reviewed by Sierra, 7th grader

New Moon by Stephenie Meyer is the second book in the Twilight series. This book continues the adventures in Bella Swan’s crazy life. After falling in love with a vampire, Edward Cullen, she soon realizes that she cannot live without him. On her 18th birthday party at the Cullens’ house, she gets a paper cut and Edward’s brother Jasper leaps at her. Edward thought it would be safest for Bella if him and his family left. (this was not the first time her life was in danger bacause of him) Bella could not live life normally without Edward, until she met Jacob Black. She spends all of her time with him to ease the pain she has. But Jacob soon becomes a werewolf, and Edward believes that Bella is dead. Bella ends up having to go save Edward before he tries to kill himself. This book is full of excitement, danger, and romance. I would suggest reading New Moon in the near future.

Vampirates: Blood Captain

Vampirates: Blood Captain, by Justin Somper

Reviewed by Tedi, 12th grader

This was a mad good book. It is the third in a series about vampire pirates: what could be better? It is full of adventure and amazingness!

Twilight

Twilight, by Stephenie Meyer [Teen Fiction]

Reviewed by Sierra, 7th grader

Twilight follows Isabella Swan on her crazy life. She moves from sunny, hot Arizona to cold, rainy Forks, Washington. There she meets mysterious Edward Cullen and his family. He is a vampire. He saves her from a car crash and she figures it out when long time family friend, Jacob Black, tells her a story about ‘the cold ones’. Since she figures that out, her life is constantly in danger, but she cannot leave Edward because she believes she loves and cannot live without him. Then they encounter James and his vampire coven. James gets a whiff of Bella’s sent and starts another one of his “tracking games”. This forces Bella out of forks and she ends up facing him in an old ballet studio. Read this book to find out what happens next, you won’t regret it.