Venomous by Christopher Krovatin

Locke has problems controlling his anger. He calls it 'the venom' and when he loses control, people get hurt. He doesn't want the venom to be in control at all, but he can't always help it.

Then Locke meets Renee and she seems to have the power to keep the venom under lock and key. His best friend Randall introduces Locke to her and to a whole group of people, including Casey, who has his own dark side to struggle with.

The venom won't stay quiet for long, though, and things are far from over. Can Locke figure out how to conquer it once and for all?

Fascinating book. Locke is a complicated character, and even though I was thinking about Spiderman from almost the beginning...you do want him to figure everything out. The supporting characters for the most part are well-drawn and have their own voices. The venom's voice, when it comes out, is a little creepy.

Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

Calla Tor is the newest alpha in her family. As such, she's given her own pack--the other wolves her age--to rule over. She is promised to Ren Laroche--the alpha in another pack--also her age. Together they'll form a new pack to help protect the Keepers. On their eighteenth birthday they'll be mated and set up in their own territory as Guardians.

Before that can happen, Calla saves a young man attacked by a bear. Defying the rules she's followed her entire life, she saves him by sharing her blood. Now he's showing up everywhere--at school and with the Keepers. Somehow, Shay has an important role to play, and Calla is asked to keep him under her wing. Unfortunately, she also starts falling for him, placing herself and her pack in danger. Especially when she learns the real reason he's been honored by the Keepers.

Will saving him condemn her to death?

Not a lot happens in this book. There will be another one, so this one really sets the scene. Calla follows rules and orders without questioning why, while Shay questions everything. While some of the scenes could have been shorter or cut out completely, anyone who is a fan of books like Twilight, Shiver, or Vampire Academy will be interested in this new addition.

Boys, Bears, and a Serious Pair of Hiking Boots by Abby McDonald

To Jenna, environmentalism is everything. She spends her time organizing protests and writing senators. Her best friend, Olivia, or Livvy, is just as passionate.

After her parents throw a wrench into her summer plans, she heads off for Canada instead of Florida, to spend some time with her godmother.

Canada isn't quite what she expected. The town is tiny, the house her godmother lives in is being renovated, the stepdaughter is horrid, and Jenna's vegetarianism and conservation attitude doesn't fit with the locals. And just maybe, it doesn't really fit with Jenna.

The story is solid, a good chick-lit romance. A few inconsistencies that are distracting, but the story keeps you hooked. A light-hearted and fun read.

A Match Made in High School by Kristin Walker

Fiona can't wait for the beginning of her senior year--until the day arrives. The principal announces all seniors will participate in a class to prepare them for marriage--without which, they can't graduate.

It wouldn't have been so bad if Fiona hadn't been paired with jock and jerk Todd. And if his girlfriend, Fiona's archenemy, wasn't paired with Fiona's crush. Todd and Fiona can't stand each other and strive to embarrass the other as much as possible. Fiona's mother is on a crusade to get the marriage-preparedness class revoked from school curriculum. Fiona's best friend Marcie is keeping a big secret from her. And it appears that Marcie's "husband" may just have a crush on Fiona.

How long can one semester last?

Although predictable, there is a lot of humor in this chicklit romance. Many of the pranks Fiona and Todd play on each other are hillarious. Fiona is a humorous narrator, although a little selfish, naive, and self-absorbed. She doesn't notice many things going on around her until they're smacking her in the face. Despite that, it was entertaining and fun to read.