Hollow Earth by John Barrowman & Carole E. Barrowman

Hollow Earth by John Barrowman & Carole E. Barrowman - 382 pages

Twins Em and Matt are able to animate their drawings -- bringing them to life.  While this is a great trick, it also brings them to the attention of two different groups that want to either harm them or use them.  The Guardians want to bind their powers as they are too powerful.  The Hollow Earth Society wants them to open the doors to Hollow Earth where all the monsters exist. 

I'll be honest.  I picked up this book to read simply because it is written by John Barrowman, the actor that plays Capt. Jack on Doctor Who and Torchwood.  I was surprised to find that I really enjoyed the book.  While it wasn't the best written fantasy story I've read, it was very enjoyable.  I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan

Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan - 373 pages
(Book One - The Lynburn Legacy)

Cami has had the voice of "Jared" in her head her entire life.  They've always talked about everything together.  Then one day, the Lynburns return to her small town.  With them comes Jared - the voice who previously had only been in Cami's head.  They're both shocked to discover the voices are real people.  They're not sure how to handle it.  Jared is convinced it means that they are soul mates even though he can't stand the thought of actually physically touching Cami.  Cami finds it distressing to know that she can't tell what thoughts and emotions are really hers and which are Jared's.  Then someone attacks Cami and they have to work together to solve the mystery of the killings in town.

When I picked this book up I thought it was going to be a Beautiful Creatures knock-off.  In a way it is with the hearing voices in your head and the magic that is hidden in town.  However, there are a few differences with the reactions of the characters being a big one.  I thought the book got better as it went along.  At first I just kept reading it to finish the book to add to this blog.  However, now I'm curious to see how the series will go and want to read the rest of it.