Walk of the Spirits- Richie Tankersley Cusick

This is one of the best Young Adult books I've read in a very long time. And yes I know you're all shocked I'm posting a bout a book... In detail.

I've read Cusick's work before and always been fond of it one of my first Young Adult books (that I went out of my way to own) was her Fatal Secrets. Which I can get a new copy of for a penny through Amazon... (My copy is long since missing the last two pages, which are the best in the book, it's where main girl Ryan gets together with Jinx, her best friends younger brother). unfortuantely shipping is $4... Also the copy I have is the old library copy and the first one I read of it.

Any way. This is the story of a girl who moves with her mother to live in the appartment over her grandfather's garage. Her mom HATES her grandfather and as such won't allow her daughter to meet him.

The girl is assaigned to a study group where she is to come up with a project about the town's history. They decide to do a "Ghost Tour" places like New Orleans, Savannah and Gettysburg as well as many other cities have them, those are just the ones I've really looked into. I so want to go on a couple. But anyway, turns out the family has this little "gift" every other generation someone can talk to ghosts. And the screams the girl has been hearing for months are ghosts of Civil War soldiers and various others who want her to help them.

This is an incredible story and really well written. The end was a little hokey but Cusick's tend to be a little woozy towards the ends.

Loved it. Recommend it.


Posts coming soon:
Watchmen (seen movie read Graphic Novel, am now not just nerd also geek. Thank you)
Princess Ben, chubby Princess, Dragons, magic oooooh... GOOD BOOK
Ingo- haven't finished it yet but not liking so far so probably not a nice review. Apparently part of a series so someone must have liked it.

The Street Lawyer- Grisham

This starts with a group of lawyers being held hostage by a homeless man. One of the lawyers is singled out to be "Mister"s helper. He is also the one covered in goo, I think that's the best cleanest way to put it, when the man's head is blown off.
This lawyer is an up and comer at the firm. His marriage is on the rocks and he is burned out even though he's only in his early 30's. He's also only a few years away from making partner.
In the aftermath of the hostage situation, he eventually quits his job to become a street lawyer, a lawyer who helps the homeless and disadvataged make sure they keep thier rights.
It's another conspiracy/cover up type book. I loved it. Mom wasn't so very crazy about it but I thought it was amazing!!!

The Wizard of Earthsea Ursula LeGuin

This is the story of a young boy who discovers he has an extraordinary ability. He is a very powerful magic-y person. His aunt is the town witch and she tries to bind him to her. He laughs at her.
He later apprentices to one of the most powerful Mages in his world. Inadvertently, while flirting with a beautiful young girl he allows himself to be tempted to summon something he shouldn't. This lands him being sent away to a wizard academy type place.
While there he tames the cutest little critter. Who later dies, sadly. I'm sure hoping in book two he gets a second one.
He also causes the death of the Archmage. Accidentally after conjuring a shadow from another existence. The shadow of his death.
It follows him from the age of around seven to the age of 18 or 19. It's a very good story and there are two more that I cannot wait to get my hands on! And one is currently waiting for me at the library!

Dropping a Challenge...

I have decided against doing the Christian Readers Challenge. I think the others I'm kinda sorta working on are more than enough.
On the other hand I did begin the Read Your Own Books Challenge. Today I re-started Wilde's Dorian Gray.
Cheers!
Also tomorrow and the next few days posts will be scheduled posts on books I've read recently in regards to the Review All You Read Challenge.
Bottoms UP!!!

Book 1 in 2009. The Phoenix Endangered: Mercedes Lackey and James Mallory: SPOILERS!!!

I finished this yesterday. I got it in the mail sometime last week. This is the first book of the year that I've felt comfortable reviewing on here (everything else has been Romance novels which I just will not review).

It was really good for the most part. Harrier is working on his Knight Mage skills.

Etc etc.

But I was very disappointed by how typical it was. It was just like all Lackey's other plot lines. Complete with the annoying idiot girl! Whom I really cannot stand. Oh and they still haven't told us what Kellen did with the rest of his life. Disappointing.

And the ending? Come on!!! I really think I have a handle on what happened. We all know Lackey likes Anne McCaffrey and all these other authors right? Well McCaffrey had the same little plot twist in one of her books someone just suddenly disappearing. And I think I also know what the lake of fire that Teircel was dreaming about was. This is not hard to figure out!

But all in all a very good book. But not enough on Harrier's fighting training in a sort of ninja martial arts kind of way!

Challenges that Breathless mind found that found that I think I'll do as well

RYOB challenge Read your own books. Those books you have around that you haven't read yet but mean to. in 2009 I think I'll try to get through, like Jen at Breathless Mind I'll try for ten leaving the last 4 blank so that I can check my shelves and floor for more..
1) Scaramouche- Rafael Sabatini
2) The Crystal Cave- Mary Stewart
3) Picture of Dorian Grey- Wilde (Yes Jen I know I commented that it's boring but if you can I'll try)
4) Treasure Island- Robert Louis Stevenson
5) Robinson Crusoe- no idea
6) ....

Casual Classics.
Between Jan 1 and Dec 31, supposed to be four but... I want more!!!!
1) finish The Inferno
2) Purgatorio
3) Paradisio- AKA 1-3= Dante's Divine Comedy
4) Canterbury Tales- Chaucer
5) From the Earth to the Moon- Jules Verne
6) The Mysterious Island- Jules Verne
7) Trust me I'll think of more...



Also two more challenges (and I think this is all of them)
Christian Books and Review all books read between Jan 1 and Dec 31 of next year. I'm not going to do that but only because so many of the books I read are romances but I'll try to get it...

Christian books is between Jan 1st and April 30th.
1) Christians and Jews (Yes that's the title)
2) I've got a couple others and I'll check the libraries
3) retry Inferno!
4) Heavenly Discourse- all these Gods not just mine got from grandparent's bookstore last year for Christmas looked really funny
Probably got a couple others
Four should be enough don't you think?