The Alchemyst by Michael Scott  (Young Adult- fantasy)

Is this the next Harry Potter series? Some people are suggesting it, but I won’t hold my breath.  Scott writes a fun fantasy though with a set of twins in the lead roles, Sophie and Josh, who get embroiled in an all out battle between good and evil. Where Scott shines is his great use of mythology, with the goddess Hekate living in a tree house outside of San Francisco, golems working as goons, and vampires, werewolves, and what have you showing up at the most inopportune times.  Funny and action packed, this book is a sure winner! But back to that pesky question...Is this the next Harry Potter series?  I don't think so. We can debate the merits of Harry Potter until the muggles come home, but let's be honest, those books were an unpredictable sensation that probably won't be duplicated even by well-deserved books. Still, this is a good series for those suffering from withdraw from Harry-verse. Written for Age 12 and up.  By Staff ****1/2

Maximum Ride #3 (Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports) by James Patterson (Young Adult)

In this third, and possibly last installment in Patterson’s young adult series Maximum overdrive the endgame is just days away.  The evil forces that have created a superior race with DNA insertion, now hope to kill off half the population of the world—so that their creations may thrive. Max and her flock, winged teenagers created by the very cooperation they are fighting, are separated, hiding and scattered.  Her disagreement with Fang over his blog and hopes of banding together the children of the world, has split them apart to go their own ways.  With Max’s constant sarcastic commentary, and unending action with just a touch of romance, this third book will not disappoint fans. By Staff ****