Book Review: Croc Capers (Bindi Wildlife Adventures #7) by Bindi Irwin and Chris Kunz

Reading Level: Ages 7 and up
Publication Date: August 2012
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Series: 7th in a series
Acquisition: I received a free copy for review from the publisher

Summary:

The next installment of this hit series features stories that are inspired and co-created by Bindi Irwin, daughter of the iconic wildlife expert, Steve Irwin.

Bindi, Robert and Terri Irwin are on their annual crocodile-tagging trip in the Cape York Peninsula, the home of the extraordinary Steve Irwin wildlife Reserve. When Bindi and Robert chance upon a camp site set up by a father and daughter behaving like two fish out of water, they soon discover the real reason behind their trip to the reserve. (from Goodreads)

My thoughts:
The 7th book in a series for young readers, Croc Capers takes us into the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve in Australia. Bindi Irwin and her younger brother Robert are looking forward to their annual estuarine crocodile research trip but their excitement is quickly replaced with worry when they stumble upon a land developer's campsite.

What follows can only be described as a lesson with heart. With a very cute set of characters, I was fully captivated by Bindi's story from page 1. A perfect read for young nature lovers.

Final verdict:
Easy to read and understand with very likable characters, I can't wait for my little one to be old enough to read this series. Croc Capers is book 7 but I'm already on the hunt for books 1-6 for my shelves.

Also, I absolutely loved the Animal Fact Files at the end of the book. I learned things about the saltwater crocodile, the palm cockatoo and the goanna that I never knew before. (ok, honestly, I had never even heard of a goanna before reading this book!)

Having grown up watching Steve Irwin, it warms my heart to see that his daughter's passion for nature and animals is just as great as his was.

A great book and what I can only assume is a great series for the young readers in your life.

Overall Rating:

5 / 5 Stars

Books in the Wildlife Adventures Series:
#1 Trouble at The Zoo
#2 Rescue!
#3 Bushfire!
#4 Camouflage
#5 A What of  a Time
#6 Roar!
#7 Croc Capers

Goodreads / IndieBound

Book Review: Reckless by Cornelia Funke

Publication Date: September 2010
Pages: 400

Series: 1st in a series
Acquisition: received an ARC at BEA10

Summary:

For years, Jacob Reckless has been secretly disappearing to another world, a world behind a mirror, a world for which his father abandoned his family. The mirror world is Jacob's escape from reality. It's a place for treasure hunts and magnificent quests. A world where witches haunt the forests and giants and dwarfs roam. A world locked in a deadly war.

Jacob's secret seems safe, until one day his younger brother Will follows him, with disastrous consequence. Faced with a curse that is quickly turning Will to stone, the Reckless brothers are thrust into a race against time to find a cure before Will is lost forever.

Inspired by the Brothers Grimm, master storyteller Cornelia Funke introduces a lush, enchanting world where fantasy meets reality. Reckless is a thrilling adventure, a tale of heroism and loyalty, filled with danger, mystery, and magic--with fairy tales and legends re-imagined as never before. (from Goodreads)

My thoughts:
Simply fantastic!  There were so many things I loved about Reckless. The fantasy, the mystery, the adventure. Such generic terms I know, but in the hands of Cornelia Funke, they become magic.

The world Cornelia has created is filled with incredible creatures. Some right out of myths and legends. Some from our very own world. But most seem to be beings of pure fantasy and I so envy her imagination.

So much happens in such a short amount of time but I never felt like the story was rushed.  With only the smallest background given for some characters, I still felt an incredible connection to them. I was in their world because the words brought me there. Completely involved with the story - ever page sucked me in harder. I love when that happens!

Reminded me of:
No surprise here - Reckless very much reminded me of Cornelia's Inkheart series. They take place in different fantasy worlds but the feel is the same. If you enjoyed Inkheart you'll love Reckless.

Final verdict:
Overall - a really big win! I love how seamlessly Cornelia blends reality and fantasy.

If you're a fan of fantasy, YA or otherwise,  I HIGHLY recommend Reckless. It's a book to get lost in, a book you'll find yourself missing after you turn the last page.

Overall Rating:

5 / 5 Stars

Linkage Love:
Little Brown and Company
Author's Website
Goodreads

Book Review: Virals by Kathy Reichs

Age: 12+
Publication Date: November 2, 2010

Pages: 464
Series: 1st in a series
Book Acquisition: received an ARC at BEA

Book Summary:

Tory Brennan, niece of acclaimed forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan (of the Bones novels and hit TV show), is the leader of a ragtag band of teenage "sci-philes" who live on a secluded island off the coast of South Carolina. When the group rescues a dog caged for medical testing on a nearby island, they are exposed to an experimental strain of canine parvovirus that changes their lives forever.

As the friends discover their heightened senses and animal-quick reflexes, they must combine their scientific curiosity with their newfound physical gifts to solve a cold-case murder that has suddenly become very hot if they can stay alive long enough to catch the killer's scent.Fortunately, they are now more than friends they're a pack. They are Virals. (from Goodreads)

Quick Thoughts:
Loved it! Kathy Reichs is one of my favorite authors and this book is a wonderful start to what I hope is a long lived YA series. Lots of action and mystery!

What I didn't like:
I didn't love how young Tory and her friends are. It's realistic to a point but I was worried that the hard science aspect, which I love, would be dumbed down. It wasn't but I'm really curious how future books will play out. Tory is an extremely intelligent girl but at the same time, she's just a kid. I guess this is more of a concern of mine rather then a dislike :)

What I liked:
This book was a fabulous read for me. All the style, mystery and flare that makes Kathy Reichs's Temperance Brennan series so wonderful, in a new young adult package.

A great story, great mystery with a slight paranormal / super powers thing going on. Supper fun to read and I really felt a connection to the characters. Tory is pretty amazing and I love how she interacts with her friends. I really liked the secluded setting and I'm hoping future books will take place on the island as well. It's the perfect setting for intrigue and mystery.

Reminded Me Of:
Kathy's adult Temperance Brennan series - no surprise there :) Also, take away the paranormal element and the island setting / teen mystery solving / animal focus elements really reminded me of Bonnie Doerr's Island Sting.

Who Would Enjoy It:
Fans of Kathy's, also fans of paranormal teen fiction who also like really good mysteries. Despite it's hefty size, I can see younger readers, both boys and girls, really gobbling this one up!

Overall Rating:

5 / 5 Stars

Books in the series: 
Virals (Nov 2010)
Virals 2 (Summer 2011)

Linkage Love:
Publisher's website
Author's Website
Goodreads

Book Review: Island Sting by Bonnie J. Doerr

Title: Island Sting
Author: Bonnie J. Doerr
Publication Date: March 2010
Tags: eco-mystery, green teens, friendship, environmental awareness
Age: 12+ maybe younger (my guesstimate)
Pages: approx 218
Series: 1st in a series?
Book Acquisition: ARC from Around the World Tours AND Other World Tours*

My Rating: 3.5 / 5 Stars

(from Goodreads)

Kenzie Ryan's New York know-how and private girls' academy education prove useless in the middle of an island wildlife refuge.
Upon arrival in the exotic Florida Keys, she is thrown into the midst of an ecological mystery involving the endangered Florida Key deer. How can she navigate this upside down world? A world deftly maneuvered by Angelo--island native and nerve-wracking hunk. The two team up to accomplish what perplexes law enforcement, but Angelo exposes Kenzie's insecurities, as well as her inexperience with nature and the opposite sex.
Danger and disagreement follow the pair wherever they go. Enamored with Angelo and his local savvy, Kenzie hopes to secure his loyal friendship. But how can she win Angelo's trust when what she must tell him will crush his ego?
Island Sting includes notes on the endangered Florida Key Deer and the National Key Deer Refuge.

My Review:
It took me a little while to warm up to this one but once I did I very much enjoyed the story. The plot was interesting - a mystery thrown together with a strong environmental message.

I really liked how passionate Kenzie was about saving and protecting the adorable Florida Key Deer. But
at times I felt disconnected to the characters and exactly what they were either talking about or doing. This could be due to the fact that I read the advanced review copy – we all know the importance of a well placed punctuation mark! I’m not sure though. The story itself was well told but it seemed to jump around a lot..

I really liked the environmental issues it brought up and I think Bonnie did a great job bringing them to the forefront. Also, there is a small amount of romance which I found to be very cute.

I haven't been able to find any real info on it but there was a excerpt in the back of Island Sting for what I assume is the next book in the series, called Stakeout. It looks pretty good and I hope I can find a copy to read!

I would recommend this book to fans of the environment who like cute, spunky mystery stories.

*totally my fault that I signed up for this book tour with two different tour blogs - they are both great, run by great people and you should get them both out!

Books in the Series:
Island Sting (January 2010)
Stakeout?

Linkage Love:
Leap Books
Author's Website
To learn more about the Florida Keys refuge
To help the Florida Key deer

Other Reviews:
Reviews by other bloggers from both tours can be found here and here.

*if you would like your review added please leave me a link in the comments*