Born Scared by Kevin Brooks

Born Scared by Kevin Brooks - 247 pages

Elliot's whole entire life has been governed by fear, or the "beast" as he calls it.  The beast can be kept at bay by pills but it has made Elliot view his bedroom as the only safe place in the world.  On Christmas Eve a mix up at the Pharmacy causes a delay in his mother being able to get his pills which leads to a nightmare series of events for all involved.  This sounds like a horrible book of darkness that no one would want to dive into but its not.  Brooks takes us into Elliot's psyche so we understand his view of the world and the demons he is fighting to just try and make it through the night.  At times poignant and at times horrifying, this teen book reads like the best adult suspense novels.  I highly recommend it. 

The Girl Behind the Red Rope by Ted Dekker and Rachelle Dekker

The Girl Behind the Red Rope by Ted Dekker and Rachelle Dekker-336 pages

Ted Dekker is one of my favorite authors, but this was not one of my favorite books of his. He wrote this novel with his eldest daughter. I liked this novel, but not as well as the many others I have read by Ted Dekker. "The Girl Behind the Red Rope" is about fear and how it can paralyze and blind people to reality. I like and agree with much of the message, but not the whole message. Overall, if one is a Ted Dekker fan, then I would give it a read. If not, I would recommend A.D. 30 or many other of his novels before this one.

Assassination Classroom, v. 5 by Yusei Matsui

Assassination Classroom, v. 5 by Yusei Matsui

In this volume, we conclude the baseball game with the varsity team and meet a new P.E. teacher.
I am continuing to love this series.  It is consistently funny while actually inserting some philosophical questions for deep thinking.

And I continue to love the Moment of Zen at the end of each book --
"He stole something quite precious to you.  Your tentacles."

Conspiracies by Mercedes Lackey & Rosemary Edghill

Conspiracies by Mercedes Lackey & Rosemary Edghill - 342 pages
A Shadow Grail Novel - book 2

Spirit and her friends have defeated the evil that was killing students at Oakhurst Academy so they should be safe.  However, the school is under attack.  Debilitating attacks of fear descend on the students.  For the students safety several alumnus come back to the school.  Supposedly they are there for their protection, but are the?
This is the second book in the series.  The cast of characters is slowly expanding although the focus is still on the five main friends.  Also, the Arthurian mythology is finally appearing in the story.  

Bleach, v.63: Hear, Fear, Here by Tite Kubo

Bleach, v.63: Hear, Fear, Here by Tite Kubo - 187 pages

Renji and Rukia enter the fight against the Quincies attacking the Soul Society.  Uryu learns the secret of the Quincy King.

This book revealed a major secret held by the Quincies.  It is why they are confident that there is absolutely no way they can be beat.  And I agree from the set-up that it seems that way.

The Sinner by Madeline Hunter

The Sinner by Madeline Hunter - 372 pages

Dante Duclairc is amazed when Fleur Monley offers him a "white marriage" -- a marriage in name only.  He would get the money  he needs to pay off his creditors and she would get the freedom from desires from her stepfather who is trying to get her committed.  He is even more amazed when he accepts her shocking offer and finds himself actually caring about what happens to her.  It was to be a marriage where they led completely separate lives.  But now he finds himself trying to keep her safe from the machinations of several men who want her property.
I enjoyed this book.  I find that enjoy about half of Madeline Hunter's books.  I'm not sure what the difference is in them - the writing seems the same.  However, this was one that I liked.