Good for young adult summer series
584111
The epilogue in this last of 3 books is a good example of the editing that should have happened all along. Potential for great storytelling but series reads like an early draft complete with spelling mistakes. Characters, storyline have promise; action and voice are lacking.
60782
I'm not much for the teen age main characters in general, but this series was well done. Kids are smart, but not experienced in life and make mistakes that kids make. If the main characters are kids, adults shouldn't be idiots and the author did very well with this.
1637433
Decent young adult novel if it's not already categorized as such. The romantic theme can be a bit tiresome for older readers but a target audience of adolescents will surely enjoy the book.
4210082
I enjoyed the first, which I got for free, enough to buy the second for $7, but I'm too cheap to buy any more.  I would definitely continue reading the series if I could get it for free, or only a couple of bucks each. The good guys are good, the bad are very bad, and there are some very normal people who have some good days and some problem times. The main characters are likable. The adventures fit the general mold of young people trying to save the world, or at least their part of it. Companions on a quest kind of thing. The series is oriented toward a teen audience, but that's about the level of complexity that  my mind has attained to in my sixty-eight years.
593853
I want to thank the author for sending me a free digital copy of this box set in return for an unbiased review.

This box set is a good example of how a series grows and develops, and I am glad I was able to read the first three books in this series one after the other. The first book seemed rather short (I'm not sure if that is true or is just a perception), and the mystery was not as intriguing to me, although I was interested in the people involved, particularly Jamie's autistic nephew. However, it was good enough I would have gone ahead to look for others in this series, so it's handy I had the other two right there. In the second I got fonder of the characters, and by the third I was thoroughly invested in their lives, which is what appeals to me in cozy mystery series. I won't synopsize the plots of the three books since others have and will do that, but will say that they were well written, and the characters were appealing. As I am married to a retired criminal defense lawyer who had a quick fling with family law and decided he'd rather deal with criminals than divorcing couples, I found the descriptions of Jamie's law practice spot on. I will continue to look for others in this series.
1983031
My 8 year old and I read this to start the summer. It is a good story, characters and writing and the start to a good series. Why there is only one 4-part series I don't know but we are enjoying it. I will say this book is a bit of a struggle for my almost 9 year old who is generally a great reader. Some large words and story telling here so I definitely have to sit with him to get through it.
2508502
Okay so I'm pretty sure that this series was intended for the "Young Adult" age group of readers...  However, the first book was so well written enough to hold my attention and had me ordering the rest of the series the same night!
1159796
This book series is written for young girls in middle school who are into mermaids, and for that it's a good series.  The writing is alright, not great, but it's easy enough to follow.  The author has her mermaids use ocean-specific language and slang throughout the whole book, which adds a cool element of world building but is at times over done (there's only so many times I want to read the phrase "you go, merl!" or "love you merl!" in the span of a few pages).  It is kind of fast paced though, considering the topic matter.  The whole series builds up to one main battle, which takes place in this book, but it is over in a flash at the very end.  At times the tweeny angsty mermaid emotions got so annoying I had to put the book down (ie when they fell in love with other people after knowing them for a few days tops) but the overarching story is good. I bought and read the entire series because the idea behind the books was interesting.  If you can get past the occasionally ridiculous words and actions of the main characters, it's a good series.
2363409
I wasn't sure if I would like these books, and it took me awhile to get into them. To be honest, this "boxed set" is really just a 3-part novel. Each of the three books were very short, which makes me reluctant to continue in the series at the cost per book continuing on. However, the story is well-written and edited. The climaxes almost feel contrived because there wasn't the foreshadowing that would make you nod your head when you found out who did the crime. Over all, this wasn't a bad read, and if you like teen drama, including all the woes of relationships and clothing, but with the typical supernatural flare of the genre, you'll probably like this series.
4586028
Another good Young Adult book.
I was left wondering enough and having enjoyed it enough that I will read the next in the series.
4205174
An interesting read, but it definitely falls in the Young Adult category.  Also, I'm not sure I want to plow through the 30+ books on this series based on my experience with this one, but I'm not sure I won't, either.

All in all, nice way to divert yourself for an afternoon, but don't expect to be a different person afterwards.
2810972
Barb Hendee - I really enjoy her Noble Dead Saga for a large variety of reasons. This series is a good read as well. Decent to pass time with. A little more simplistic versus the Noble Dead saga - but still interesting and suspenseful if you want something to pass time. The characters has some decent depth, plenty of plotting, a bit of romance, and a bit more plotting. Some aspects predictable while others are not. Some mystery.
Great teen book I would say; I probably would of enjoyed it more as a teen. As an adult who enjoys fantasy, sci-fi, a bit of mystery, a bit of romance - it's pretty good.
2094837
Rick Riordan, a young adult author, is quickly becoming a god figuratively speaking.  After the release of his novel The Lightning Thief in June of 2005, Riordan is quickly becoming well known because of his young adult series Percy Jackson and the Olympians.  This series is quickly becoming one of the newest young adult fads because of the interesting way the novels include facts about Greek mythology without being dull or unoriginal.
 One of the attention grabbers Riordan uses is his characters who allow the reader to quickly become absorbed in the book.  The first character introduced is Percy Jackson, a twelve year old boy diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia who seems to have extreme difficulty staying out of trouble and in a school district.  Riordan helps the reader to understand Jackson better by introducing his mom to the reader, as Jackson's father is mysteriously out of the picture.  Jackson's life is quickly turned upside down after a trip to the coast with his mother.  Some of the other characters readers quickly gain affection for are Annabeth, the lonely girl who lives at summer camp; Grover, Jackson's best friend who seems unnaturally nervous; Chiron, Jackson's teacher who has unnaturally high expectations for him; and Luke, the friendly camp counselor with a mysterious scar on his face.
 This series appeals to many readers, not just young adults.  The appeal for these novels is that it introduces Greek mythology in a way that is interesting and fun, putting their experiences in the present time while still being correct.  Also, the books allow for the reader to understand what the characters are going through by using dream sequences to show how they feel about situations.  The most important appeal that Riordan uses is the fact that the characters in his books are still going through the adolescent changes that every person went through in life.  The characters deal with everything from understanding their parents and teachers to trying to figure out what that girl over there is thinking.
 While the writing style of these novels may not be up to Dante's standards, it is simple enough for children to be comfortable reading while still allowing adults to be entertained as well.  One of the best parts of the novels is the fact that the series leads seamlessly from one book to the next.  All of the books have flawless transitions, allowing the reader to quickly move through the series without confusion.
 The most important part of this series is the fact that they are education without the reader knowing it.  The Greek facts are included in a way that does not allow the reader to realize they are learning something, while reading questions are found in the back of the book to provoke thought.  Also the novels help to promote morals for children and adults alike, teaching them to stand up for themselves and what is right and wrong.  Riordan has stumbled upon a creative way to teach children about the history intertwined in our present while enthralling adults as well.
3016844
this book was not quite as good as the others in the series. However it was a short story while the others were not. These well written books intended for young adult reads. I enjoy the characters and plots anyway and am completely in love with Flavia, the 11 year old girl who keeps finding dead bodies and then solves the murder in her laboratory before the police. Fun to read for children and adults.
28101
I have enjoyed reading this series.  The story line was good and kept my interest.  Positive role model for young girls.  The only slight criticism would be that it is written on maybe a junior high level.
2524991
I forgot how much I enjoyed the Sea Breeze series. While these books are listed as YA, I would not be comfortable with my teen daughter reading them.

The series starts off with Sadie and Jax. Sadie's mother is very pregnant and really not the best role model. At 17 Sadie is taking care of herself and her pregnant mother. Sadie has to fill in for her mother at her cleaning job. Sadie is hired on at The Stone's place as a maid.

Jax Stone is the hottest teen rock sensation. Isn't looking for commitment, but when he eyes Sadie he must have her. Sadie isn't looking for a summer fling.

While this book is full of cliche's and it's not a work of literary genius, it is entertaining. They are just the perfect book for spring or summer beach reads. A little racy, a little silly, and a whole lot of swoon worthiness.
4193267
This is definately a young adult book. I think my teen enjoyed it more than I did.  To me it was OK but young.  A great read for teens- clean and interesting. I didn't realize it was for teens when I bought it, but my teen has continued reading the entire series so far.