Zombies Don't Cry by Rusty Fischer

Maddy's Home Ec class has had some...problems. In the past three months, three girls have died. They weren't well known, but after the third death, people start to wonder.

Then Maddy runs into the new boy Stamp, literally. He asks her to meet him at a party one night, so she sneaks out. On the way, she's struck by lightning and dies.

She's not dead though, just undead. A zombie. And as such, she needs to follow the rules or be put down for good. But Bones and Dehilia--no surprise they're Zerkers--can't wait to take Maddy down. Going through everyone she cares about to do it. And Maddy must join Dane and Chloe to fight.

Too bad none of them know what to expect.

I enjoyed this zombie romance. Maddy's a fun character, but she isn't the only fully-fleshed one. The setting is well-done and even though almost everyone dies, highly entertaining.

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

Meghan thought her only worries would be getting the most popular guy in school to notice her. And he notices her all right, enough to publicly humiliate her. But that's the least of her worries--her brother Ethan begins acting strange and even attacks her. Her friend Robbie explains Ethan's been kidnapped and replaced with a changeling.

Meghan can't believe it at first, but Robbie proves his story and the two head off into Nevernever to rescue Ethan. Robbie's real name is Puck, like in Midsummer Night's Dream, and he acts as Meghan's guide. Much more is going on than meets the eye, as Meghan learns of her heritage and the danger facing all the fey.

An interesting first in a series. A lot of character development and action, but the story kind of drags in the middle. Meghan falls for Ash, one of the fey princes, without much of a back story or interaction, and there is some forced dialogue as the author struggles with her themes. A mix between Midsummer Night's Dream and Alice in Wonderland. Despite all of this, I'm still going to be waiting for the next one in the series!

Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

Alek is a prince to the Austrian-Hungarian throne and on the run for his life. His parents were murdered by their government, to start a war. Alek flees across Austria with two loyal masters and two commoners devoted to saving his life.

Deryn is a British commoner determined to join the air force and fly. Problem--she's a girl. So she disguises herself as a boy and manages board the airship Leviathan, a hybrid animal controlled by hydrogen and some machines.

Alek and Deryn have common enemies and when forced together, they become allies and friends. But neither knows where that will take them. Or the dangers they'll face.

A steampunk novel with a lot of action and suspense. The first in a series--and the action starts off the story and never quits. Notes at the end explain where Westerfeld got his ideas. I can't wait for the next in the series!

Soulstice by Simon Holt

Soulstice picks up six months after The DeVouring ends. It's summer now, and Reggie, Adam, and Henry are all trying to get back to normal after their harrowing adventure the winter before. That is, until Quinn shows up, back from the "dead" and Adam is attacked by other Vours.

Reggie now fears the Vours will come after Henry once again, but their new target is her. Now that she can enter fearscapes, they believe she can break all the rules for them. It's a contest to see will succeed. And as the Summer Solstice approaches, all bets are off.

Just as good as the first book, this story packs a punch. Creepy and strangely fascinating all at the same time. Don't miss the first book The DeVouring and stay tuned for the third!

The Moon Riders by Theresa Tomlinson

Myrina has always wanted to be a Moon Rider, what the Achaeons call Amazons. This isn't the traditional story of Amazons, however, as the Moon Riders marry and move out of the tribe after seven years.

Myrina gets her chance to train with the Moon Riders but she is not alone. Along with the other trainees, Cassandra--princess of Troy--joins the group. She can't stay for the whole seven years, but is looking for something new. The events in Troy, though, change the future of the Moon Riders forever.

This is a great retelling of the beginning of the Trojan War. Even if you know what's coming!