30.13: The Edge of Nowhere, by Elizabeth George (2012 hardcover)

This is George's first book for a teen audience, and it's clear from the start that she has a good grasp on the milieu. The protagonist, Becca King, finds herself on the run, separated from her mother, and living in remote Whidby Island in British Columbia, providing both the independence and challenging circumance needed in teen novels featuring females. Throw in the fact that Becca can hear people's thoughts--the cause of her flight in the first place--a cast of interesting characters, and a handsome love interest, and you have a winner. For adult readers, there is also a strong plot, good character development, and a beautiful setting to capture interest. I'll look forward to reading George's next teen novel--likelt the sequel to this one.

29:13: The Enchantress (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel, Book 6), by Michael Scott (2012 hardcover)

This is (I'm pretty sure) the sixth book in this teen series, and it continues to interest me. I'm not usually a fan of fantasy involving magic and sorcery, but the historical thread here--featuring immortal humans like Gilgamesh, Joan of Arc, Machiavelli, Shakespeare, Virginia Dare, and Billy the Kid; and Elder gods like Quetzocoatl, Prometheus, and Bastet--make this a fascinating read. Scott is apparently an Irish "authority" on mythology and folklore, and he weaves stories told across centuries and geography together adeptly. I highly recommend the series, which begins with The Alchemyst for those interested in getting started.

28:13: The Rise of Nine (LOrien Legacies, Book 3), by Pittacus Lore (2012 hardcover)

This is a relatively good continuation of a teen series involving humanoid aliens on earth who must save the earth--and ultimately return to their own planet--by destroying other aliens intent on destroying them and the earth. Check out my earlier Lore entries for further details about the beginning of the series.

27:13: To the Power Against, by Carrie Smith and Stephanie Lantry (2012 trade paperback)

Catalina Jones--a probabilistic risk assessor--finds herself in improbable situations after an unlikely accident involving a microwavable burrito and a graviton missile. To combat the chaos she creates everywhere she goes, she develops an intervention system using complex mathematic equations. It's a great indie comic, where the female protagonist depends on brains rather than beauty, with amusing plot twists, fun science, and threatening men in black suits thrown in.

26:13: Jennifer Blood: A Woman's Work is Never Done (issues 1-6), by Gart Ennis (2012 Trade paperback)

A satirical, violent comic about a woman who is a wholesome suburban housewife by day and a sexy assassin avenging her parents by night--after drugging her husband and children and getting them in bed. Ennis's dark humor and some good artwork, shared by three artists across 6 issues, pull it off in a way that few could. I'll be curious to see what happens with the art in future volumes, hoping they will settle on a consistent look.