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Charlie St. Cloud:

Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore:

The Osiris Ritual, by George Mann

Sir Maurice Newbury is an investigator for the Queen. While attending the unveiling of a newly discovered mummy, Newbury is baffled by its condition and strange markings. And while he (with the help of Miss Veronica Hobbes) investigates a stage magician whose female volunteers often go missing, Newbury turns most of his attention to news of his predecessor’s return. Knox is a mentally unhinged former agent with an obsession for immortality.

The Osiris Ritual is a sequel to The Affinity Bridge, which I haven’t read. But I didn’t feel lost or behind in the slightest. Though, I certainly want to go back and read the first in the series now. In a fantastic blend of mystery and steampunk, the story had my engaged from the start. I felt completely absorbed in Mann’s Victorian world that happens to have mastered advanced mechanics. Newbury and Hobbes have a refreshing chemistry. The multiple mysteries and complex storylines were intriguing. And the suspense was thrilling, making it impossible to put down. This is one steampunk I highly recommend.

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The Osiris Ritual releases from Tor Books on August 3, 2010.

TRON: Legacy will release in theaters on December 17th, 2010.
For more information visit the official website at http://www.Disney.com/TRON.

If embedded trailer doesn’t show up for you, click here to view:

http://wdmp-wdsmp.rd.llnw.net/wdsmp/Grid/Trlr2/User_Tlr2_V3_High.mov

Falcon Quinn and the Black Mirror, by Jennifer Finney Boylan

When 13 year-old Falcon Quinn and his classmates Max and Megan board their school bus, they are taken to a strange land. Instead of their regular school, they are taken to the Academy of Monsters. There, the children are told that Max is told that he is a Sasquatch and Megan an elemental. But no one can figure out what Falcon is. At this school for monsters, the new students are told they will leave their monstrous nature behind and learn to live as normal humans in order to hide from the Guardians, the ruthless monster hunters.

Falcon is a relatable boy with a good nature, befriending the friendless and ridiculed. And despite their so-called monstrous natures, most of Falcon’s friends are loyal and kind-hearted as well. In a truly unique and fascinating world, the monsters are those whom the reader identifies and feels sympathy.

Readers will also notice many similarities to the Harry Potter series; but Falcon Quinn has a stronger message of self-acceptance and friendship. This fantasy is a fast-paced, action-filled adventure. With a climactic, fantastic final showdown, I was more than impressed with this over-sized story with well-developed characters. Middle readers will love this fun and exciting new series.

As a stop along the way on Jon & Pamela Voelkel’s Blog Tour, I was able to ask the authors several questions about themselves and their recent Egmont release – The Jaguar Stones Book One: Middleworld.

Of all the ancient cultures, how did you choose the Mayan culture to research and develop your story?

Jon grew up in Latin America, so the book was always going to be set in that region. When he produced his first draft, it was like a James-Bond-type adventure in the jungle – with lots of cool pyramids for background color. As we started to research the people who built the pyramids, we got sucked deeper and deeper into this fascinating culture until the Maya took over the book. What’s particularly exciting about studying the Maya right now is that there’s still so much the experts don’t know. There are thousands of pyramids still to be excavated, and the archaeologists are making new discoveries all the time. It’s thrilling to be a part of that, even in a small way.

What inspires you and your writing?

We’re both inspired by memories of our childhood, but in different ways. Jon had all sorts of wild escapades in the jungle, which he gets to relive through Max Murphy, the hero of Middleworld. But I remember sitting alone in my suburban bedroom, never traveling, never having any adventures, and reading/writing were my only ways of escape. I think back to that little girl and want her to know that things will work out – one day she’ll become a writer and travel all over the world. Of course, we’re also inspired by our research trips to Central America. We’ve visited around 30 Maya sites so far, and every single one has a different vibe. Along the way, we’ve met so many interesting people, and they all have inspiring stories to share.

Max is a typical smart, video-game-loving American kid. And Lola loves to pick on him. Did you base the characters off anyone in particular?

Max, to a certain extent, is Jon as a boy. But he also represents today’s headphone wearing, facebooking, videogaming kids whose connection with the world is mostly through electronics. Lola shows him that the real world is more exciting than any videogame. She’s the voice of many contemporary Maya we’ve met. She’s proud of her heritage and the incredible achievements of the ancient Maya, but she also wants people to recognize that the Maya are still around and fighting for their place in today’s world.

What are some books (and authors) that you love?

Jon: 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, the Earthsea Trilogy by Ursula LeGuin, A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway.
Pamela: To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte, Peter Pan in Scarlet by Geraldine McCaughrean, Black Swan Green by David Mitchell, A Short History of Tractors in Ukranian by Marina Lewycka, anything by Martin Prechtel, anything by Nick Hornby … I could go on all day.

Can you tell us anything about the next book in the series? How many are planned?

There are three books planned in The Jaguar Stones series. Book 2, The End of The World Club will be released on December 28, 2010. It takes Max and Lola to Spain on the trail of the Yellow Jaguar – and we think it’s even faster, with more unexpected twists and turns, and more thrilling than Book 1!

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Be sure to check out this exciting fantasy novel for middle readers!
Here’s a link to my review of Middleworld:
http://scifichick.com/2010/05/18/book-review-the-jaguar-stones-middleworld/

BEING HUMAN – FIRST SEVEN MINUTE SNEAK PEEK:
Being Human: A BBC America Video Exclusive
Watch a sneak peek of the first 7 minutes of the season premiere. It’s time to face your demons. Being Human premieres Saturday, July 24th at 10/9c.

BEING HUMAN – INSIDE LOOK:
An inside look at the new season of BBC America’s Being Human.