Edison's Alley (Accelerati #2) by Neal Shusterman and Eric Elfman 5/5 stars

Hey, guys! So I finished Edison's Alley at two o'clock in the morning last night (because it was just so good) and just wanted to throw it across the room when I was done.  You know those endings that just make you want to scream in frustration because the next book isn't already out?  Yep.  This is one of those.  It's definitely really good though.  I'd recommend it!

Edison's Alley is the sequel to Tesla's Attic which was also really good.  This is definitely a series that you need to read in order though, so go ahead and pick up book one!

The Cover:

The Cover:
It shows Nick facing off against the Accelerati with his fan that is basically a freeze ray.  I love the title of the book though.  (Slight Spoiler Alert: The entrance to Edison's lair is through a bowling alley.  Thus the title.)  It's not the best cover, but I have nothing wrong with it.  B+ cover

Official Description:

Fourteen-year-old Nick has learned that the strange antiques in his attic bedroom were left there by the eccentric inventor Nikola Tesla. They are pieces of Tesla's Far Range Energy Emitter, capable of transmitting "free energy" to the globe. Some components of the contraption are still missing, but the objects themselves seem to be leading Nick and his friends to their current owners. 

However, members of the Accelerati, a menacing secret society of physicists, are on the hunt too, and their brazen leader, Dr. Alan Jorgenson, will stop at nothing to foil Nick and steal the objects. It takes a dangerous build-up of electromagnetic energy in the atmosphere to reverse everyone's fortunes--and lead Nick to his destiny.Readers who enjoyed the strange science, quirky humor, and out-of-this-world plot twists in Tesla's Attic will be captivated by this second book in the electrifying Accelerati Trilogy.

My Review:
I loved this book.  It had action, jokes, awkward romance, evil societies, and crazy science.  It was such a nice change of pace to read a book just completely full of adventure and silliness.  The writing style was hilarious, but the book still managed to be plot oriented.  The plot was compelling as well (remember that I stayed up until 2am to finish it).  I loved all of the quirks about this book from Vince's sudden deaths every few pages to Theo's blatant stupidity.  It's just a really great book that I would definitely recommend!
The characters were complex and there was so much development over the course of this book!  Even less important characters had pivitol character changes during Edison's Alley.
Then we have the ending (which was spectacular I might add).  All I have to say is why, Mr. Shusterman and Mr. Elfman.  Why would you do that to us?
Overall, I'd highly recommend it.  I had no issues at all with this book.  Keep in mind that the target age is younger than my usual post on here, but I still found it incredibly enjoyable and think you will too, no matter your age.

Phrase:
Catnato

Happy Reading!

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BookshelfSecret
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BookshelfSecret

Unwholly by Neal Shusterman (Awesome)

Okay, sorry that I am like a month late.  I just didn't get around to posting so I have a bunch of really good books to post on but not enough time.  I'll start with this one and move on if I have time before more books come out.

Unwholly was the sequel to Unwind.  I LOVED Unwind.  It really made me start loving Neal Shusterman's writing.  Anyway, it was an amazing book that you should go and read.  It will sound creepy without a doubt but it's worth it.

Without further ado, the cover.

 

I'll be the first to admit this cover is downright scary.  There's a sulking multicolored teenager on the cover and that's it.  I really hated his character, as you are supposed to.  Anyway, I think they could have done a different cover that wouldn't turn people away from the book because it's not that bad.

 

The plot starts soon after the last book ended.  Conner is taking control of the Graveyard, Risa is handicapped, and Lev is under the custody of his older brother, Marcus.  Things are standing to unravel at the seems, though.  The ADR is cutting resources from the Graveyard, Risa is not as safe as she believes she is, and a tragity in Lev's life might leave him as a prisoner.  We are also introduced to some other characters such as Cam and Starkley.  Let's just say that neither will help their cause much.  And the overlying question is: When will the Juvies finally take out the Graveyard?

 

The plot thickens in this amazing sequel to Unwind.  Neal Shusterman, as always, makes a compelling, action packed story, with some very lovable characters and same very dispisable characters.

 

II would really suggest reading this book along with the first book of the trilogy.  The last book will come out eventually and I will be looking forward to it, hopefully along with you.

 

Thanks for reading this!

The Dark Side of Nowhere by Neal Shusterman (Awesome)

I'm going to get right into it this week, so here's the cover:

The cover shows metal glove shooting lasers out of the fingers.  I really like the lettering on it; it really sets the mood.  And the title, surprisingly not actually depressing, and perfect once you've read the book.

To tell you the truth, I would feel guilty even writing a summary of this book.  The whole thing is revealed as it goes along and you can't summarize it without mention a main point, which would ruin a chunk of the beginning of the book.  I read it without having any idea what it was about (I love Neal Shusterman) and that worked out great, for the best even.  I'll put in a summary at the end of the post, just in case, and I'll make sure it won't ruin the surprise.

It was an amazing story with action, love, random funny bits, and a couple dramatic twists.  I thought I should put in the first sentence because, well, I don't really know.  Anyway: "Ethan died of a burst appendix."  (Random thought, why do Ethans never live long in TV shows and books?  My advice is to never get too attached to a character named Ethan; you'll regret it.) 

I would definitely suggest reading this book.  It wasn't long, maybe 200 pages, but it was definitely worth reading.  And the ending...  Well, if you've ever read a book by Neal Shusterman, you'll know the kind of ending he usually uses.  One that wraps everything up nicely except for one thing, which the reader is almost certain they know how will end up.  It leaves you hanging, not enough to make a sequel, but makes you think about it for a long, long time.  They should give him a prize for his amazing (if sometimes sad) endings.

Oh, random tid bit.  There's this character, Ralphy Sherman, who appears in a whole bunch of Neal's books.  He is a guy who "stretches the truth" a long ways.  Keep an eye out for him, makes it a bit more interesting.

And here's where I'll write my summary.  I'll try my hardest to make it spoiler free.

Jason lives in a nice little town where everything is normal and nice.  Nothing interesting ever happens.  That is, until his friend Ethan dies.  Then strange things start happening.  The janitor gives Jason something that, let's just say, is very unusual.  Jason and Paula start poking around the town and find somethings are not as they seem.  If fact, nothing at all is how it seems.  And it all seems to connect with a problem that happened in Old Town twenty years before and the fact that Grant (the janitor) has his satellite dish pointed in the wrong direction.

Once again, this is an amazing book and I would recommend it to every one.

P.S. I had a realization the other day that the Gone Series has a couple bits that I would feel guilty recommending to anyone under twelve years old, starting in the second or third book.  I mean, most would be okay with it, but I need to point it out just the same.  I think that currently it is my favorite series. (It's amazing, and I haven't gotten tired of it like Harry Potter, yet.)  So don't think I'm complaining.  It's just that, well, there is a little PG 13 content a little later in the series.  (I hope you know what I mean there.  If not, ask in the comments, but that's super uncomfortable, so please don't.)  I thought I'd throw that all out there and hope it doesn't deter you from the series because it is beyond amazing. I mean, seriously, go out and read it.