Seven teens are sent to a remote "camp," an institution equipped to cure them of their profound fears.  Fort Eden, however, is no summer camp.  It is an isolated bunker, run by a prickly caretaker and the elusive program leader, Rainsford.  One teen, Will Besting, knows there is more going on here than traditional treatment.  Will must face his own demons and survive if he is to help the others.  But can any of them truly overcome their fears? 

Dark Eden, as the title implies, is a dark, disturbing book.  The reader, along with Will, acquires snippets of information about what is really going on.  The story is richly woven and hauntingly intriguing.  You will want to know what is going on in that basement, even as you realize that knowing comes at a great cost.  As with many horror movies, you will want to yell at Will and tell him, "Don't open that door!"  But, of course, he does.  And therein lies the thrill.  Dark Eden is a must read title for fans of the psychological thriller.

If you are pining for more stories from the world of Vladimir Tod, the wait is over. Do you remember Vladimir's friend and Henry's cousin, Joss - the vampire slayer? Did you ever wonder what made him become a slayer? Heather Brewer takes us back to Joss' childhood, soon after his sister is killed by a vampire. Joss is wracked with guilt for not being able to save her and no one believes what he saw except his uncle Abraham.

When Joss is 13, he joins his uncle to learn to be a slayer. He is the youngest boy to ever undergo the training and his uncle is very, very hard on him. Worse, it turns out that the local vampires are killing the slayers, one by one. Is there a traitor in their camp? Can they really suspect Joss?

Chock-full of action and tales of survival, this has a different feel from the Vladimir Tod books. Joss is alone and friendless at school, invisible to his parents, and so much younger than the other slayers. Who can he trust? Is this really the right path for him? I look forward to seeing him back in Bathory with the old cast of characters in future books.

Not just any old story about werewolves, this is the epic journey of one boy, an ordinary shepherd's son in the kingdom of Lyssia, who must learn to embrace the power of his transformation in order to save the kingdom. After witnessing the savage murder of his mother, Drew's anger and hurt boil up within him and he transforms. But he is terrified by this power and flees the only home he has ever known and the father who thinks he is the murderer. Numerous adventures unfold as this page-turning novel tracks Drew from his escape into the Dyrewood to his captivity by the Werelords. Why is he of such interest to them? Why can't he just live his life in peace? The answers to these questions lie in his blood, for he is the last of the werewolves and the only hope against the tyranny of an evil king.

You won't want to put this book down. Action-packed and brimming with horrifying were-creatures, this is truly a test of good versus evil. Does Drew have what it takes to become the hero good needs to prevail? This first book in a series will have you panting for more. 

It's true the Henley Museum heist by Kat and her crew was gutsy and brilliant, earning them serious attention by the world's best criminals. Now Katarina Bishop's back from a quick trip to Russia. The job: steal a small Cezanne and return it to its rightful owners. As she deplanes an elderly woman calls after her, insisting they talk. She looks like a kind elderly grandmother, the woman has heard about the Henley theft and isn't she Katarina Bishop? Kat shrugs her off until the elderly woman mentions a name. THE legendary Visily Romani who recommends Katarina Bishop for this job. Kat is quite interested now, as is her crew. The job: get back Constance Miller's rightful property, a rare gemstone that happens to be the Cleopatra Emerald. The renowned emerald, flawless and rarely seen, it carries a curse to all who touch it. Kat's crew work up a bold plan to steal it from the auction house where it is to be examined and shown to the world. They need someone "on the inside" to pull this off -jobs assigned and completed, the switch seems perfectly executed, the fabulous fake switched for the real Cleopatra Emerald until they discover they've been conned by none other than elderly Constance Miller! Now the fun really starts for Katarina and her crew. The master con con's Kat and crew, to be conned by the most legendary con ever played. This is twisted, convoluted storytelling at its best!

Reviewed by Marilyn

Imagine a future where we have run out of drinkable water. Where the ice caps have melted, counties dam their rivers and suck clouds from the sky, where the rich control what is left of the drinkable water, and countries are at war over water rights. Stracher imagines a bleak, stark world, so real you can feel the ever-present threat of dehydration. Who and what would you sacrifice? And how far would you go to protect your last shred of hope?
Meet Vera, a girl whose mother is sick, whose father can barely provide enough food and water for the family, who meets Kai, a boy who has water to spare, who travels with a guard, who talks of a secret untapped river that he will one day show her. Kai disappears as suddenly as he appeared in their lives, leaving behind his medicine and a dead bodyguard, and Vera persuades her brother Will to help her try to find him - with no idea how dangerous or difficult this will be. And thus starts a non-stop action thrill ride as Vera and Will traverse the country, looking for clues, running into water pirates, the people's environmental liberation army, and the evil desalination corporation, Bluewater. All to save a boy who could be the world's last hope.
This is a compulsive, utterly gripping read with a strong environmental message that will appeal to Hunger Games, Maze Runner, and Life as We Knew It fans.

Reviewed by Angela M

Jamie Carpenter wouldn’t dream of telling a soul what he saw on the night his father was killed. Who in hell would believe him? Because that’s where Jamie is right now - in Hell. At least figuratively, though maybe this is hell on earth. His mum has been taken captive by vampires. And now they’re coming after him, unless Frankenstein rescues him (yes, ladies and gentlemen, that Frankenstein, not the man himself, but the monster.). Frankenstein is under orders to bring Jamie in. It’s time for Jamie to join Department 19. He’s old enough, the vamps are after him, and he is a descendant of one of the founders. Unfortunately for Jamie, his great-grandfather was merely a servant to the great man himself, Van Helsing. Never mind that the older carpenter saved the old man’s life on many occasions. Jamie realizes there is a lot more to his place in Department 19, especially when he discovers that his beloved father may have been a traitor. But right now, all Jamie wants is to rescue his mother.

Reviewed by Antonia

The Atlantis Complex (Artemis Fowl, Book 7) By Eoin Colfer Over the years we have watched young Artemis evolve from an egocentric, preteen criminal genius who cares only for himself and his closest family to seeing his definition of family grow to encompass almost the entire fairy world. Now Artemis is facing his greatest nemesis yet, worse even than his 10 year old self - now Artemis' own mind is turning against him. He is paranoid, superstitious, and terrified - turning against Holly and Butler as he tries to save himself. In the worst moment possible, Holly has to shock him to save his mind from leading him to certain death. What happens next, nobody could foresee - as Artemis' alterego, Orion, takes control of their shared mind and body. Orion is everything that Artemis is not - he is chivalrous, honorable, and rather taken with Captain Holly Short. He is not, however, what Holly and Foaly really need in times of crisis though - what they need is a calculating genius! Holly, Foaly, Butler and Artemis/Orion have to overcome a foe who puts Opal Koboi to shame. And Artemis has just promised his mother that he will wear the jeans she has bought him. Oh, the horror!

Reviewed by Antonia

The Gallagher Girls are back and better than ever in their fourth adventure. They are older and a little battle-worn, but every bit as much fun. While on vacation in London, one of them is chased by members of an ancient terrorist organization. So even though there are operatives everywhere she looks, even though her friend's parents are two of the best spies she knows, she is pulled onto a bridge by someone she once trusted, told to follow the pigeons, and sees her world begin to unravel. This is Ally Carter's best adventure to date, full of suspected double agents, back story, daring exploits, covert ops, and a little romance. You learn more about Cammie's background, and much about the strength and tenacity of the Gallagher Girls. If you can't tell, I adore Ally Carter. She can't write quickly enough for me - especially after an ending like that!

Reviewed by Angela