Book Review #19 [Cassidy Jones and the Secret Formula (Cassidy Jones Adventures, #1) by Elise Stokes]

Fourteen-year-old Cassidy Jones wakes up the morning after a minor accident in the laboratory of a world-renowned geneticist to discover that her body has undergone some bizarre physical changes. Her senses, strength, and speed have been radically enhanced.

After exploring her newfound abilities, Cassidy learns that the geneticist, Professor Serena Phillips, is missing and that foul play is suspected. Terrified that her physical changes and Professor Phillips' disappearance are somehow connected, Cassidy decides to keep her strange transformation a secret. That is, until she meets the professor's brilliant and mysterious fifteen-year-old son, Emery. An unlikely duo, they set out to find Emery's mother, who is key in explaining Cassidy's newly acquired superpowers.

Their lives are put at risk when they find themselves embroiled in a dangerous, action-packed adventure. Soon they are forced to confront a maniacal villain willing to do anything - including murder — to reach his own ambitious goals.

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 Besides Percy Jackson and another book series that I can't remember right now, Cassidy Jones Adventures is another middle-grade series that I really enjoy. It's a nice fluffy read when you want a break from the YA books drowning in a vampire/werewolf/witch, etc pool.

We join Cassidy Jones and Emery Phillips on a mission to save Emery's mother and to discover the secrets of Cass's newfound powers. Cass and Emery go through a lot together from breaking and entering to engaging in crazy fights with ninjas! I love the dynamic to Cass and Emery as their friendship starts to grow. Cass, even without her ablities, is sort of a person who runs on her emotions without exactly thinking first; which is exactly where Emery steps in. He helps Cass ride through this change talking her step by step on how to control it in her everyday life. And, of course how to have some fun with it.

There is a slight romantic interest in the story but nothing too important, which is something else I appreciated. Stokes focused more on Cass and Emery's friendship and adventures, than Cass using her new abilities to take advantage of her social life in school. Even so, there are some adorable moments between Cassidy and Emery as they learn about each other.

Besides, are two main leads we also get introduced to Cassidy's family. Her mother, television star dad, family friend Ben, her twin brother Nate and the adorable Chazz (her baby brother). Besides Casmery (lol my couple name for Cassidy and Emery. Lame, I know.) Chazz is my favorite. He's sooo adorable. He's completely immersed in the comic book/superhero world. One day's he's the Hulk, the next he comes downstairs dressed in black as a ninja. I can not wait until he finds out his own big sister is one of them.

The next book is Cassidy Jones and Vulcan's Gift. I will be reading that and I will be doing a review Look out for that!

Rating: 5/5

Book Review # 13 [Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan]

Hello all! I've brought a special book review 5 in 1 ! It's the popular middle grade novels Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan! Right away I can tell you that this is series is one of my favorites. 

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In this series we follow a young boy by the name of Perseus "Percy" Jackson. Percy is described and/or seen as a troubled child. He's been kicked out of school too many too count, has ADHD and not to mention dyslexia. You can imagine how hard Percy's life is already, but it gets even more difficult when he discovers his true nature that he's actually a "demi-god" or half human/half god. He also uncovers that his so-called absent father is actually Poseidon; God of the Sea! He gets sent to a camp that trains and protects kids like him - Camp Half-Blood.

Along with his best friends Annabeth [daughter of Athena' goddess of wisdom] and Grover; a satyr. Percy goes on wild adventures to save not only his world, but the mighty Olympians. Along the way, we see Percy grow into a weak skinny little 12 years old boy and into a 16 years old courageous, brave hero who can command an entire army to defeat their enemy. 

We get a look into the gods themselves and their relationship with Percy. For example --- Ares [god of war] he and Percy have a very wary and violent relationship each always read to take down the other.

And, then there's Mr. D or Dionysus [ god of wine] who happens to be Percy's camp director at Camp Half Blood. Although throughout the series, it may seem like he doesn't care about Percy readers can tell it's all an act.

Now for out villans. We meet up with Medusa, Cyclops, Furies, HellHounds, etc. But, the main goal is for Percy and company to defeat the mighty titan Kronos; father of Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades. (and in a way....Percy's grandpa. ha. how messed up is that?) Kronos uses a fellow camper and friend of Annabeth, Luke [son of Hermes] to get what he wants. We have several attempts of saving and/or stopping Luke throughout the books.

Overall, this a very enjoyable series. And, I highly recommend it. I know, it's targeted demographic is middle graders, but this can be enjoyed by ALL AGES.

Rating: 5/5

Quotes:

“You deal with mythological stuff for a few years, you learn that paradises are usually places where you get killed.” 

“Dreams like a podcast, 

Downloading truth in my ears. 
They tell me cool stuff." 
"Apollo?" I guess, because I figured nobody else could make a haiku that bad. 
He put his finger to his lips. "I'm incognito. Call me Fred." 
"A god named Fred?”