Place Hacking: Venturing Off Limits by Michael J Rosen

This book is an interesting introduction to "place hacking" which is defined as "recreational activities that explore an adventure in off-limits spaces". With lovely photos, the book explains and gives examples of three different types of place hacking; urban exploration where the hacker simply investigates and documents and enjoys ruined or restricted places like bridges, tunnels and buildings, urban adventure where the hacker performs some sort of activity, and infiltration where the hacker goes into a "live" site that is still in use. There is a glossary and timeline and a list of the dangers of place hacking. The book would be good for middle and high school ages and above. I received this book free to review from Netgalley.

The Raven, the Elf, and Rachel by L. Jagi Lamplighter

I think this book could have had more action and less introspection. Rachel and her friends learn that they are correct in their assumption that some people are from other worlds, or as Siggy calls them - metaplutons. More background information is introduced and Rachel spends a lot of time thinking about how all the pieces fit together in order to save the world. We learn that the Raven has another identity and saints and demons are one of the topics that has been erased from their history. Rachel's amazing memory and incredible broom riding skills help her to help others in this second book in the series. I look forward to reading the next book! I received this book free to review from Netgalley.

The Unexpected Enlightenment of Rachel Griffin by L. Jagi Lamplighter

This fun "Harry Potter" knockoff features 13 year old Rachel Griffen, who is Wise, or magical,not mundane, as she begins her freshman year at Roanoke Academy - a Hogwarts like high school and college for the Wise. Due to her eidetic memory, Rachel is beginning school a year early. She soon makes a few friends and some enemies as well. In this world, where everyone is polytheistic and monotheism has almost been written out of history, Rachel is determined to learn all of the secrets. Why does one of the teachers hate her father? What is up with the red-eyed raven? This humorous book includes references to many other fictional characters and stories including Peter Pan and a mysterious weeping angel statue. In her first five days at school Rachel has a host of adventures, a little romance and she and her friends must save the school from evil. The book ends with a cliffhanger and I look forward to reading the next book. I received this book free to review from Netgalley.

How I Stopped Being a Jew by Shlomo Sand, David Fernbach

I am not impressed with this book. The writing is highly academic, and seems to attempt to use big words to try to make the author's opinions seem like they are more important and factual than they actually are. The author posits that there is no such thing as a secular Jew and no such thing as a Jewish culture. He, an Israeli, bashes Israel and it's politics while still claiming to love his country. I found the writing to be verbose and boring and the author's opinions, no matter how they are worded, are simply his own opinions. I received this book free to review from Netgalley.

The Wicked Awakening of Anne Merchant (The V Trilogy, #2) by Joanna Wiebe

Well, THAT was certainly a surprise!  I liked this book even better than the first one.  It is full of plot twists.  Anne has been brought back to Cania Christy and is thrust into the midst of things.  She will do anything to help Ben, but does he want her help?  This book is definitely darker than the first one and a bit gross and gory in parts, but the plot twists and mystery make the book worth reading.  I look forward to the last book!  I received this book free to review from Netgalley.

Eyewitness to Titanic by Terri Dougherty, Sean Price, Sean McCollum

Wow. This book is beautifully formatted with photos, drawings and diagrams and interesting facts about the Titanic and how it was built, how it sank, the passengers and the survivors. There is also a chapter about how the wreckage was found along with more photos. I learned many interesting things about the Titanic from this book that I did not know before. I think the book is great for school libraries, and I think that adults as well as children will find the book to be interesting and informative. I received this book free to review from Netgalley.

Ignite (Defy #2) by Sara B. Larson

This second book in the series continues the action and romance and brings in new bad guys. Damian is now king and has declared his love to Alexa but she feels that she is not qualified to be queen so she rejects him. Rylan still is in love with Alexa as well and now they have new enemies to fight. The book ends on a cliffhanger so I have to wait for the next book to see how it will all pan out.