E.G. Foley

This is an adorable well written story about Jake and his friends in a very magical London trying to resolve problems caused by one of Santa’s elves, who’s decided he wants to be mean instead, using magic to make the gingerbread cookies go to war. The task of catching and delivering the elf back to Santa involves a trek through the land of the yetis, the Snow Princess, and finally the North Pole. Reading the series to understand the backstory would’ve helped but wasn’t necessary. show more I’ll bet this entire middle school age series is just adorable and fantastic. I’m so glad I read it. It was so much fun. show less

When Rusty turns 13, he is told the family secret. All males are werewolves. He is given the explanation about the Y chromosome but he is not buying into it. He does not want to be a werewolf. Could it have possibly missed him? When he discovers it has not, he decides to find a cure. But is there a cure? Can he bring one to his family? Do they want one?

I loved this book! I loved Rusty. He is so uncertain and he goes against everything for which his grandfather stands. It is a battle of David show more and Goliath. I loved Rusty's underdog position and watching him overcome it. When the climax of the story happens I could not put the book down. I wanted to know who would win. I can see it as a movie.

The secondary characters are eclectic. They include his cousins and uncles. Most of them I booed. His parents were interesting. In one way his father supported him but in another his father seemed to be afraid of Rusty's grandfather. His mother, while not a big part of the story, seemed less than supportive of Rusty. I enjoyed Rusty's scenes with Jade, a girl he meets on the ski lift. She is a very interesting character. The interactions between them make the story. They complement each other very well.

Leader of the Pack brings in a new element to the series. It is not about a myth where the hero helps or protects it but it is about being the myth. This is not a scary story but a story where the hero has to decide to follow the crowd or choose a different path. It is about doing the easy thing or the right thing. This is my favorite book of the series (so far.) I eagerly await more.

I was given this book by the author in exchange for a fair and honest review. show less

This book is too much fun! There is heroism, compassion, villainy, humor, sarcasm. badassery and wiseassery. Jake learns that he has more than one friend in the world, and that magic and magical beings are real. In some ways, this is Atticus O'Sullivan meets the Artful Dodger and Dani is a younger version of Cinderella. There is a Guardian, an angel, mythical monsters, a young genius, shapeshifters, a giant spider who sounds like Renfield, and more! If you've ever been 12, or know someone show more who is 12, you will enjoy this tale of good vs evil. The story is well-crafted, and the characters are even better.
Jamie performs this fine fantasy with a flair and adds depth and voice to the character interpretations in a fully engaged manner.
I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via AudiobookBlast dot com, but plan to continue with this series which ended on a hook. show less

Gabby is being kept a prisoner in her home by her mother because of riots occurring in San Francisco. When she gets the chance to go to Alaska with her father, she jumps at it. In Alaska Gabby hears a radio broadcast about the Northern Lights facility, a government installation supposedly studying the Aurora Borealis. It causes her to think about things she has seen in Alaska that do not seem to be right as well as the riots happening through the United States. Could the broadcaster be right show more about a government cover-up?

I liked Gabby. She is spunky, feisty, and independent. I loved her curiosity to find out what is behind things she has seen and know cannot be right. I liked her inventiveness when necessary. She a wonderful heroine. When she discovers who is behind these events, she is shocked but not afraid to do what she must to defeat the person. Once the action begins, it is a non-stop ride to the ending. I did not see this coming.

The secondary characters are fun and interesting. Her dad is not happy with her insistence that the radio announcer might be onto the truth but his risk-taking has him throwing his hand in with them. Dr. Mackowsky is a hiss-worthy villain as are his cronies. He only needs a mustache to twirl as he plots his takeover. He already has the evil laugh down pat. Gabby's interaction with him is enjoyable especially when she is ahead of him.

I am loving this series! I keep wondering how it will be kept fresh and exciting. So far I have not been disappointed. show less