Legend

What a way to end 2011- Legend  by Marie Lu ! This is the story of a criminal- Day and a soldier- June, whose paths cross in a tragic event. One becomes hunter the other the prey when a set of nefarious circumstances lead June to believe that Day has killed her brother. The story is set in post apocalyptic America where the United States had divided into two warring countries. The Republic and the Colonies are at war and these two teenagers are caught up in the evil that war brings. Day is a criminal who spends his days trying to thwart the Republic- but never killing anyone. He is trying to protect his family, his mom, and two brothers, John and Eden. When Eden contracts the Plague, Day is determined to steal the cure from a hospital. It is there that he runs into June's brother Metias who is a soldier trying to stop Day. At the end of the evening, Metias is dead, and Day is the prime suspect. June sets out to find Day and bring him to justice for her brother's murder. The catch- Day didn't kill  Metias. As June comes to this realization, she uncovers just how evil the Republic is and works to save Day from execution. This was a super great book that had me at hello! It is told in alternating chapters from June and Day's perspectives. June is a lot like Katniss- strong, brilliant, independent. Day is the underdog hero of his community. Sparks fly when they meet- I mean what is the apocalypse without a little romance. Lu used Les Miserables as a format and threw in a little Tale of Two Cities in at the end. The book left room for a sequel and I'm sure we will see June and Day sometime in 2012 fighting the good fight. I for one look forward to a new year of books. Happy New Year and happy reading my friends!

Crew up- It's Shipbreaker

     Nailer is a teenage boy with one task and one task only- to make quota on copper by shipbreaking. If he doesn't do this, his father will beat him, he'll be thrown off his crew and he will have no way to survive in a  post climate changed America. He is small and wiry and great at fitting in the tight spaces of the wrecked ships he breaks. His friend Pima is his crew leader and only ally. After having a near death experience, he survives a city killer of a storm and finds a clipper ship washed up on an island. The ship contains more gold and silver then he has ever seen- enough to get him out of the business. Until they find a near dead swanky girl on board. After convincing Pima to let her live, Nailer must find a way to benefit from his actions. When his father finds them hiding on the island, Nailer must decide if he stays with his abusive, drug addicted father or tries to rescue Nita in hopes of some kind of reward. Because if he goes against his father, there will be no turning back. As he and Nita try and escape, they are joined by a half man named Tool- genetically bred with animal dna. Nita leads them to Orleans to find her father's ships and make their escape. Unfortunately, Nailer's father has the same idea and manages to get to Nita first. Nailer must decide if he will risk his life to save her or leave with Tool. I'm not usually a fan of this type of book. It's grungy and slimy and a constant fight for survival. But I really enjoyed this one. Nita is not a damsel in distress, she gets her hands dirty and is in the fight as much as Nailer. Nailer is an interesting character who must fight his upbringing in order to lead a better life. There was not a moment of down time, this is a fast paced novel that was hard to put down. So if you're looking for a supernatural free book- give this one a try. Crew up and happy reading my friends!

A Clockwork Prince

Oh, Will Herondale, if only you were a real boy. Will and Jace- can't wait to find out how they are related, but I digress. I love Cassandra Clare's books. They drive me crazy, but I can't stop reading them. This is the second book in the Infernal Devices series, which takes place before the Mortal Instruments series. This is the story of parabatai Will and Jem and the girl they both love- Tessa. Will and Jem are Shadowhunters out to find the evil Mortmain who is trying to raise a clockwork army to destroy the Nephilim. There is the usual intrigue, double crossing, snarky comments and unrequited love commonly found in these books. Some new characters are introduced- brothers Gideon and Gabriel Lightwood. Some old characters play a pivotal role-- Magnus Bane. And there is a lot of Will trying to keep people from loving him. The reasons for that are explained and just when you think you are going to finally have the satisfaction of Will and Tessa confessing their love for each other-= disaster strikes. Tessa's evil brother Nate makes an appearance and one of the Shadowhunter family turns traitor in this sequel. Does it leave you hanging- duh- when doesn't she leave you hanging? Will gets to retain his position as one of my favorite fictional boys, top 5 actually, he is heartbreaking- and I'm a sucker for tall, dark and handsome, who can wield a sword. This series has its own fan base, so I don't need to convince you to dive in, you are probably already in the Shadowhunter pool, so all I will say is Happy Reading my friends!

Dark Inside

I have found myself reading an absurd amount of dystopian YA lately. The Apocalypse, zombies, earthquakes, all the adults turned into killers. Dark Inside by Jeyn Roberts is one of the darker versions. It tells the story of four teenagers, Michael, Clementine, Mason and Aries who each survive the initial event that leaves millions dead and has turned the rest into indiscriminate killers. They each have a survival story and face many horrific choices. Some act bravely, some act cowardly, but all of them try and make their way to Vancouver, where there may be a safe place to stay. The Baggers (the crazed killers) are not like the mindless zombies you may find in other books. They are smart and almost human, but possess such an evil streak you wouldn't want to run into one. There is a fifth narrator in this story, one that is an evil voice who has become part of the group. You are never told who it may be that will turn traitor. Every character has the potential to be that person. The body count in this book is high and it is not for the weak of stomach or heart. Don't get too attached to any of the characters because they may not be around by the next chapter. I liked this book, but it isn't for everyone. Definitely not a feel good story. It can't compare to Blood Red Road as far as dystopia goes. This book is set in modern times and I'm sure it is poised for a sequel, things are certainly not resolved by the end. Will I read the sequel ?- time will tell. I have 25 books on a shelf waiting to be read and another box on its way. Counting the days to Christmas break so I can make a dent in that pile. What's next you ask? Well Will Herondale is back in A Clockwork Prince and I cannot wait to see what he is up to . (He is a top ten fictional boy, you know) Well, Will awaits so I will say farewell for now. Happy Reading my friends!

Beautiful Chaos

Oh, Ethan Wate, southern gentlemen have nothing on you! Would you give up your life to save all those you love? Ethan has to make that choice in this, the third novel in the Beautiful Creatures series by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl. I have really enjoyed the love story between Lena and Ethan. She is a Caster from a family of mystical people. He is a mortal, surrounded by extraordinary people. They meet and fall in love. In this book, the repercussions of Amma and Lena bringing Ethan back to life in book two, come to play. The order of the world has been destroyed, and only "The One who is Two" can save it. But who is that? Lena- who is dark AND light, John Breed- who is evil and good- Macon- who is Incubus and Caster or could it be Link- who used to be human? As everyone tries to figure out who it is that can save the world, Ethan finds the answer. And his family isn't going to like it. These books are filled with interesting, funny, loyal and heartbreaking characters. Every one of them is important to the development of the story. It makes me want to go visit the south and experience the small town connection. If I thought this was the last book, I would be crushed by it's ending, but thankfully on the last page those magical words appeared..."Nineteen moons"... I eagerly await its arrival. If you love a supernatural romance filled with suspense and mystery I suggest you check out this series. You won't be disappointed. Happy reading my friends! May your December be filled with books galore.