Mortal Heart

When Rylee tells me that a book is the "best one of the series", I have to believe her. She hasn't steered me wrong yet. Mortal Heart is the third book of the The Fair Assassin series. It is the story of the daughters of the god Mortain, the god of Death. They are sent on missions to exact his justice and follow his orders. Annith has been waiting her whole life to be sent on her first mission. She has been obedient, loyal and true, and can't figure out why others have been sent out before her. When the Abbess decides she will never leave and become the Seer for the order, Annith must take matters into her own hands. She leaves the convent and is immediately ensnared by the hellequin, the riders of  Death. Their leader, Balthazaar, attempts to protect her from the dangers she faces on the road. He is mysterious, broody and strangely familiar to Annith. She soon finds she is in love with him, but can see no future with someone who is chained to the Underworld. She reunites with her sisters, Ismae and Sybella, to help the Duchess find a way to come to some kind of peace with France. But her path is fraught with peril, betrayals and a love that becomes more than she had ever hoped it could. So Rylee was right, this one was the best so far, especially because all the fair assassins are together in one place, doing their thing, Love can conquer all, even Death. You don't have to read the books in order, but it helps to know all the stories before this one, so start with Grave Mercy, then hit Dark Triumph. You will want to join the daughters of Mortain and learn some assassin skills of your own. So take Rylee's advice and join the assassins. Happy reading my friends!

Blue Lily, Lily Blue

I have yet to meet a Maggie Stiefvater book I didn't like and this one is not the exception. Blue Lily is the third part of the Raven Cycle. This is the magical, mystical quest of four friends. Gansey, the prince, Ronan, the rebel, Adam, the outsider and Blue, the girl who holds sway over all of them. They are on a quest to wake a mythical king named Glendower so he can grant them a wish. Gansey has been on this quest for much of his life and has drawn his gifted friends into the quest with him. They all have reasons to need a favor from the sleeping king- but the most important one is to save Gansey's life. See Blue has foreseen his death and time is running out. She loves Gansey but she knows she will kill her true love with a kiss, so that kinda puts a monkey wrench into their love story. In this third book, Blue's mother disappears, Adam comes into his power over the ley line and Gansey gets closer and closer to finding his king, also getting closer and closer to his end. Blue must navigate all this while trying to remain neutral among the boys. I don't know which Raven Boy I love the most, so I won't pick... right now I'm still leaning toward Ronan- I mean who doesn't love a snarly bad boy who can pull things from his dreams and speaks (?) fluent Latin??? This is a series about friends, a quest and the desire to fit in while standing out. Start at the beginning and join the team on their quest to wake the sleeping king. You won't be disappointed! Happy reading my friends.

Idols

Oh, it's my favorite time of year- vacation. Which is a good thing since my stack of books is taller than my television right now. One season to go on Sons of Anarchy so that distraction- Jax Teller- will be over and I can resume my book obsession. This book is the sequel to Margaret Stohl's Icons. This is the the story of four teenagers who each have great powers. They are on a mission to save the world from the Icons. Machines who have killed millions of humans already. These four, Dol, Ro, Tima and Lucas are the world's only hope for survival. But they are just teenagers and don't really know what they are doing. Fortis- a mercenary- is helping them. Or is he? Dol keeps seeing a fifth Icon child in her dreams and believes she is the key to saving them all. They set out on a quest to find the Jade girl. Along the way the love triangle between Dol, Ro and Lucas intensifies as Dol seemingly decides who she wants to be with. But the mission is the most important thing and when Dol loses trust in the one guiding them, all bets are off. The conclusion is heartbreaking, but as we all know in science fiction, anything can happen. (Even though I know it won't) Dol has to find a way to go on even in the face of devastating secrets and sacrifice. So, onward to book three, with hopes for resurrection. (a Christmas miracle perhaps?) Hope the holidays find you happy and healthy my friends and happy reading!

Monument 14 Savage Drift

What a satisfying conclusion to a great series! Dean and his rag tag group of survivors are safely away in Canada. They have survived a chemical disaster and are safely encamped and looking to find their parents. All but one. Josie, who sacrificed herself to save the group, is being held in Missouri at an interment camp for O victims. These are the people with O blood types who react in viciously violently ways when exposed to the chemical.  When the group finds out she is alive, they plan a way to free her.  Niko, Jake and a very pregnant Astrid set out to reach Josie. This is easier said than done. The government wants to get their hands on Astrid to do testing on her unborn baby and the kids don't know who they can trust. Josie is having problems of her own in the camp. She has gotten on the bad side of the thugs running the camp and has to do all she can to keep her little group together and safe. All the groups converge in one place as they each face great peril in getting back to each other. This series is face paced, adventurous and heart breaking. What would you do if you were trapped with strangers who become family? Would you risk your life to save them even if it took you farther away from reuniting your own family? I hear they are making a movie of this series- can't wait to see how that turns out. But for now my readers, pick up this series and put on your seatbelts- it's a wild ride. Happy reading my friends!

Darkangel

There is a story of a Darkangel who swoops into a village and takes a maiden for his bride. Once he reaches fourteen maidens, he will be a full vampire and he and his brothers will inherit the earth. Aeriel is just a servant girl. When her master's daughter is taken by the Darkangel, Aeriel is the only one who seeks to find her. She goes looking for the Darkangel to get her friend back, only to be taken by him to be the servant to his 13 wives. These wives have been drained of all life and live like wraiths. Along with the wraiths, there live some gargoyles and a magical dwarf. Aeriel must go on a quest to find a way to kill the Darkangel before his next wife is claimed. It will be a treacherous journey filled with magical creatures. When the time comes to kill the Darkangel, will Aeriel be able to go through with it? Does the creature have any good left in him? If I was truthful, I didn't really care for this story. I felt no connection to the villain, so I couldn't see what Aeriel sees in him. It was not the vampire/angel tale I was expecting. So, read if you will, but I can't muster much enthusiasm for this one. Happy reading my friends and happy December!

Unmade

The Lynburn Legacy is one of my favorite recent series. It is the story of a sleepy little town in England called Sorry-in-the-Vale. It is the home to the magical sorcerer family the Lynburns. But more importantly, the home of Kami Glass, source to the sorcerers. Think of Nancy Drew and put her in modern times with a more sarcastic wit and you have an idea of what Kami is like. In book three of the series Kami is learning to deal with her new link to Ash, the younger brother to her long time link Jared. Ash and Kami are mourning the loss of Jared when he saved Kami's younger brother from the evil Rob Lynburn. Lo and behold, Jared proves to be alive and Kami makes it her mission to rescue him. If you know anything about Kami, you know that she usually gets what she wants. Except for Jared's heart. As Rob plans total destruction for the town he rules over, Kami and the gang must find a way to stop him. She is backed up by Angela, Rusty and Holly, her intrepid friends, as well as Ash and Jared. Her father must also step in when his sons Ten and Tomo are threatened yet again by the sorcerers. Loved ones are lost, new friends are made and a love triangle comes to it's fitting conclusion as this story takes us to the end. It is filled with hilarious wit, terrifying evil, unselfish sacrifice and most of all the power of what a group of friends can do in love rather than in hate. Start at the beginning with Unspoken. You can thank me with your mind later. Enjoy and Happy reading my friends.

Found

So I have mentioned before that I LOVE Harlan Coben. My favorite adult author writing YA is a dream come true. Especially since lately it is the only place I can get my Myron Bolitar fix (come on Coben, write me a Myron/Win book!!) This is the third book in the Mickey Bolitar series that focuses on Myron's nephew Mickey. Mickey is a 6 foot 4 inch basketball star who is searching for his father who everyone believes is dead. The book picks up with Spoon paralyzed in the hospital after taking a bullet in the groups last adventure. Mickey is feeling great amounts of guilt and is trying to come to terms with Spoon's condition. Along with Ema, Mickey must figure out if his father is alive, what Troy (the villain of the tale) is up to, what the Bat Lady knows, how to get along with his teammates and find a way to live in his uncle's house peacefully. (get over it Mickey, Myron is the greatest!) Mickey finds himself in one predicament after the next and has to use his detective skills to solve many problems in this story. Where did Buck go? Is Troy telling the truth about steriod use? Is he really falling for Ema? Can he make the team like him? Where is Luther and why does he want to hurt Mickey's dad? Will Spoon get better? Will he and Rachel hook up? Yikes, that's a lot for a teen to handle, but Mickey does it with (mostly) style and a sarcastic wit. Much like his uncle. (again Myron rules) So if you love a quick paced, adventurous tale laced with history, this may be the series for you. From one New Jersey native to another- love you Harlan Coben! Thanksgiving is upon us so have a great one! And happy reading my friends.

The Young Elites

I was so looking forward to Marie Lu's next venture after the Legend series. This series is about a group of malfettos, children who have changed in supernatural ways after a fever sweeps through their land. These children are shunned and despised, often hunted down by the King's Inquisitors and killed. Adelina is one of these Young Elites. She has extreme darkness inside of her that she can unleash at will. She takes great pleasure in doing such things. Her family has mistreated her and their is no one she can trust. That is until the Elites find and save her from being burned at the stake. Enzo is their leader and he can command fire. Raffaele can sense the emotions of people and bend them to his will. Windwalker can control the wind. And so on. They take Adelina in, against their better judgement as they can tell her darkness will be hard to control. They have a plan to overthrow the King and take command of the city. Teren, the lead Inquisitor is the only thing standing in their way. He, of course, has a secret of his own. Adelina is not a likeable character as of yet. She is too drawn to the dark and does not trust anyone. Her lack of trust leads to the death of several Elites. She wants power and respect, but does not know how to go about doing that without causing terrible damage. So, like I said, I'm not sure if I'm on her side yet. I will say the epilogue was the most intriguing part of the book. It definitely made me interested in continuing to read. And maybe all who have died are not dead for good. That's what I love about books, you never know what is going to happen next and they don't  have to follow the rules of our world. Happy reading my friends! And Happy Thanksgiving.

Shadow and Bone

I must admit, I have seen this book on bookstore shelves for a while and ignored it. Why? Who can remember. Then there comes the chance that Leigh Bardugo may come and speak at our school due to a strange set of circumstances-( one of my all time favorite days at work) so I thought I best read her book to be prepared to fawn at her feet. And fawn I will. This story of two orphans who only have each other who grow up to be the only hope of their country was wonderful. It has everything I love in a book. A dashing hero. A clever heroine who doesn't know her own strength. A dastardly villain who you may like in the beginning until he does something- well- dastardly. An alternate time period and setting with natural perils everywhere. Oh, and a little romance. Alina and Mal have grown up thinking they are nothing- just two orphans making their way through a tricky world. When they find themselves traveling through the Fold, Alina finds herself saving Mal from the Volcra by unleashing some crazy power she doesn't know she has. This sets her on a path to the Darkling- the most powerful man in the land and away from Mal, her only friend. Alina feels like Mal has deserted her and she can't understand why. As she is drawn to the Darkling's charm, she finds herself wondering if she could see a life without Mal by the Darkling's side. Then it all goes awry as all good adventures do. Alina runs for her life and lo and behold, who finds her but- you guessed it- Mal. What will become of them when the Darkling tracks them down? Will Alina be powerful enough to stand up to him? Stay tuned for the sequel, Siege and Storm, which unfortunately, I don't own yet. Don't worry, I will soon. But until then it's November and the weather is finally turned bearable, so it's warm drinks and cozy blankets on chilly weekends. Happy reading my friends!

All Our Yesterdays

First, I can't believe how little time I have had to read this month. I suppose work and binge watching Sons of Anarchy has taken up most of my time. But enough of that. The lovely book fair ladies let me pick out a book at the book fair and I was drawn to this gem. This is the story of Em and Marina and Finn and Finn and James and James. What the heck you say? Well, this is a book of best friends, young love and a machine that will change everything. When James invents time travel to bring his parents back, the world goes a little mad. James becomes unrecognizable to his friends and they must commit to a plan that will stop the machine from ever being invented. Em has tried 15 times to stop what happens, and this trip to the past may be her last chance. Will she and Finn have the strength to do what must be done in order to stop the disaster waiting in their future? Will they even have a future? This is filled with twists and turns and an ending that will have you at the edge of the couch- or wherever you choose to read it. I loved the characters and how they change from their past selves into their future selves. And I almost love that there isn't a perfect ending. But not quite... You never know what is coming next and the idea of time travel is somehow less appealing than it may have been. So my adventure seeking readers- this one won't let you down. Onward to the next adventure. Happy reading my friends!

I'll Give You the Sun

This. Book. Is. Everything. Brilliantly told. Beautifully written. Life Changing. Noah and Jude. Jude and Oscar. Dianna and Guillermo. Brian and Noah. Dianna and NoahJude. Dad. Guillermo and Oscar. Art, love, family, soulmates, forgiveness, regret, redemption. Creative expression. Fate and Destiny. I couldn't do this book justice by trying to explain what it's about. So do yourself a favor my friends and read it. You can thank me later. Happy reading my friends.

Mortal Danger

I haven't been scared by a YA book in awhile, but this one had me putting it down after dark! So reader be warned. This is not for a younger or scaredy cat reader. Edith has been brutally bullied by her prep school classmates. So much so, that she has decided to end it all. She makes her way to a bridge where she plans to leave this mortal coil. Suddenly she is stopped by a hand on her shoulder. That hand belongs to Kian- breathtakingly beautiful Kian. He has an offer for her. She can step off the ledge and he will give her three wishes. The catch? She has to repay the wishes when the powers that be say it's time. She can't believe any of this is true, but Kian makes her believe. She signs on the dotted tattoo- and makes her first wish- to take out the Teflon crew at the school who had tormented her. She gets a makeover beyond makeovers and returns to school to exact her revenge. Do problems occur?- of course. Does she fall for Kian?- of course. Are there consequences to the wishes?- of course. Do people die?- of course. Do creepy things follow her around and do awful thing?  Oh my- of course. But Edith is smart and is determined to find away to save what is left of her family, friends and Kian. Will she be able to outsmart the evil and save the day- not sure. But man, what a tale she has to tell. I enjoyed this book, but it was very creepy and sort of gory in places. Revenge may seem sweet, but in actuality it is just as ugly as the original crime. Edie definitely has a conscience, so it makes her situation even more nerve wracking. If you are up for a great thrill ride and aren't afraid of what goes bump in the night (or in the mirror) than here's a book for you. Happy reading my friends and keep the lights on!!

Of Monsters and Madness

I am a sucker for a good Poe tale. This one caught my eye because the main character's name is Annabel Lee. You know "I was a child and she was a child in this kingdom by the sea"? Well Annabel has just lost her mother and is coming to live in Philadelphia with a father she doesn't know. Annabel is interested in becoming a doctor- scandalous for the times so she is excited to find out her father was once a doctor too. That is where the happy tale ends. Her father is cold and distant. Her Grand Pere is the only one she connects with besides her lovely maid Maddy. Then there is the mysterious assistant to her father named Allan Poe. Allan immediately catches Annabel's heart, unlike his surly and disturbing cousin Edgar Poe. Hmmm you say- Edgar and Allan are cousins? I'm not going to give away the twist, but thing Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde if you will. Annabel faces one tragedy after another in her quest to fit in with her father and the strange surroundings in Philadelphia- where disturbing murders are taking place. Will the truth be stranger than fiction? This is a quick read filled with references to Poe! If you love the dark and strange, enter their world if you dare. Once upon a midnight dreary... Happy reading my friends!

Deep Blue

As my stack of books grows, my day job continues to cut into my reading. *Sigh*. Onwards, friends into the Deep Blue by Jennifer Donnelly, author of one of my all time favorites A Northern Light. In this tail, get it- tail- Serafina is about to complete her Dokimi ceremony and commit to a life with Prince Mahdi. She is the heir to the throne of Miromara an undersea kingdom. Oh, did I forget to mention, she is a mermaid? Sera isn't sure she is ready to rule, let alone get married to a boy she hasn't talked to in years. And the rumors about him are disturbing. He has an earring! He goes out shoaling! He hangs out in the Lagoon in Venice! All this will soon be irrelevant as her kingdom is attacked. Her mother is mortally wounded, her father is killed and she has to flee with her best friend Neela. As they escape the death riders, she and Neela realize they have been having the same dream and are being called by the mythical witches to come and help kill the evil Abbadon. If Abbadon is allowed to escape, all the seas and the creatures in it will be destroyed. Along they way they meet up with the other four mermaids who were in the dreams and they find their way to Baba Vraja, who knows the truth of the six girls' identities. Whew. Don't worry, there is a cute merman named Blu who helps Sera along the way, his identity is a mystery- but I have my suspicions. But this isn't a romance novel. It is about girl power- or in this case, mermaid power. The girls find that they are stronger together and only through teamwork will they be able to defeat the big bad. This one took a few pages to connect to. There is a whole new vocabulary to being under the sea. Once you get used to that, this is a roller coaster! Non- stop action with a cliffhanger ending. I predict many more tails - get it again? to come. So dive in to the Water Fire Saga with both fins and hang on to a passing Mako- it's a wild ride. Happy reading my friends!

Superhuman

If you love comic books, if you loved Steelheart or if you just love a fast paced action book where teens save the world, this one if for you! Humans have morphed and some have superhuman powers. Some are good and some are evil. And then there is Lance, who has no superhuman power but has a whip quick mind and can talk his way out of all the situations he gets himself into. Lance meets up with Abby, Roz and Thunder who have to figure out a way to stop the Helotry from resurrecting the Fifth King, an evil so great he will take over the world. A plague has been unleashed on all the adults and it takes down even the older superhumans. This leave the teenagers to try and stop the destruction that is about to happen. The teen superhumans use all they have in their arsenals to take down the group before the King is brought back, but they are too late. Now they must figure out how to save the world from the plague as well as stop an unstoppable force. Villains may change sides and the good guys may not always be purely good. This is one non-stop ride, there is no break in the action. The characters are interesting, their powers developing. The big bad is really big and really bad, but you kinda feel a little sorry for him, he may just need a hug. The lines are not cut and dried, much like in real life. I can't wit to read the next book in the series and see how our teen superhumans develop and what kind of trouble Lance gets himself into and out of next. Happy reading my friends! And Happy Derek Jeter Day! #farewellcaptain

Raging Star

It's been a long time my friends- back to work, things to plan, papers to grade, new students to meet. That is no reflection on this wonderful conclusion to one of my favorite trilogys. Raging Star is the final novel in the Dustlands Trilogy by Moira Young. It the story of Saba and Jack and their dream of living free in an post apocalyptic world. Saba has been through it all, and she is one tough cookie. The rebellion relies on her for its guidance. And she isn't sure if she knows what she's doing. Then there's the problem of her heartstone, it doesn't only heat up for Jack, but for the leader of the oppressors, DeMalo. Will Saba be willing to sacrifice herself to DeMalo if it means saving all those she loves. Will Jack be able to understand her betrayal? What of her family, her twin Lugh and little sister Emmi? This book is filled with betrayal, heartbreak and yes, death. Choices have consequences. Even in books. Especially in books. Not every story can have a happy ending- as much as I would like them to. But I will say this one leaves you with hope for the future for the characters who are left standing. If you loved Hunger Games and you are now older and wiser, this series may hit the spot. It is for a more advanced reader as there is no punctuation- it's stream of consciousness. The author told me it was so you could really be in Saba's head. You don't even notice it after a while as the story picks you up and carries you to New Eden. When you get there, say hi to Jack for me- he's definitely on that top ten fictional boy list I keep in my head. But don't mess with Saba- she isn't to be trifled with. Happy reading my friends!

We Were Liars

Holy cow. Started this book a couple of hours ago and couldn't stop reading. Cadence Sinclair lives a charmed life. She is from a wealthy family that summers on their own island. She spends these summers with her cousins Mirren and Johnny and an Indian boy named Gat whose uncle is the boyfriend of Johnny's mother. Something happens to Cadence during her fifteenth summer and it has made her ill. A traumatic brain injury that she can't figure out. When she returns to the island in her seventeenth year, no one will tell her what happened. She reunites with the Liars, her best friends and Gat, the boy she loves. She is angry with them, they haven't returned her letters and emails. They try and pick up where they have left off two years ago. But everything is different. Grandfather is losing his mind, the Aunts are finally getting along and no one will tell Cady what she wants to know. I can't say anything else because this is one TWIST of an ending, and a heartbreaking one. You will see the signs and hope you are wrong as you read. This book shows just how different things can be from what they appear to be from the outside. A charmed life to outsiders- but not in reality. Don't pick up this book unless you have nothing else to do for a couple of hours, along with a box of tissues. Happy reading my friends!

Monsters

I am so glad to be done with this book. I don't know why it took so long to finish (all 671 pages of it). I loved the first book in this Ashes Trilogy. I love the characters of Tom and Ellie. And even Alex, who is no damsel in distress. But it was a tough one to get through. It was very violent and disturbing in places. But let me back up. This book is set in a post apocalyptic society, where children have 'changed' into flesh eating cannibals. But not every kid, some are immune to the disease. There are evil adults manipulating them and groups of kids who haven't changed trying to survive. The main characters are Alex, Tom and Ellie who have found each other after the event that caused the disease. They have been separated for most of the second and third books. Each experience their own adventures and troubles, only to finally meet up at the end of the trilogy. Alex is experiencing some interesting side effects of her own personal 'monster', a cancerous tumor, that seems to allow her to communicate with some of the changed. She isn't sure if this connection will put her friends in danger or if she can use it to her advantage. Tom is trying to find his way back to Alex. He is willing to sacrifice everything for her. Ellie is just trying to get back to some semblance of family, as the youngest member of the group, she longs for some stability. I don't know if I would recommend this series to everyone. It is definitely for a more mature reader who doesn't mind a little gore. Okay, a lot of gore. So read at your own risk. Summer has come to an end for me, only three days left before I go back to work. Might be time for one more read before reality sets in. Hope your summer was filled with books my friends and happy reading.

Graduation Day

This series started with The Testing and ends with Graduation Day. I think... It wraps up the story of Cia's fight against the people who have created the testing. This is how students are selected to attend university and lead the country. Only one problem, if you fail the testing you disappear. In this book, we find out what happens to those who have failed. And it isn't pretty. Cia must round up a team to help her take out those who support the testing. Tomas, as always is by her side and her brother Zeen. But who else can she trust when she can trust no one? The President calls on her to carry out a mission. If Cia can complete the mission the testing will be ended forever. Only one problem, the mission includes Cia killing 12 people. She isn't sure she can do it, even though she has killed in the past. She figures out a way to form her team, but is unsure of their loyalty even at the end. Those she didn't trust may just turn out to be the most loyal. This is a good series for someone who loves political strategy, fast paced action and an uncertain ending. It is similar to the Hunger Games series, but not quite as captivating. Onward to finish another series next- Ashes. Hope you are all having a summer filled with books. Happy reading my friends!

Love Letters to the Dead

First I will say, I don't usually willingly read sad books. Sometimes they sneak up on you. This beautifully told story is of Laurel, sister of May. May has died, possibly suicide, possibly accident. Laurel feels responsible. She told May something and then May (jumped?fell?). Now Laurel must cope with what happened to her and what was really going on with her troubled big sister. Laurel changes schools so no on in high school will know about her sister. She meets Hannah, Natalie, Kristen and Tristan who become her support group without knowing it. They bring her back to life. She meets Sky, the mystery boy with an unknown past. Laurel tells her story in letters to the dead- Kurt Cobain, Judy Garland, Amelia Earhart, River Phoenix and others. In these letters, the truth of what has happened to Laurel comes out and chronicles the devastation of a broken home, an absent mother and a dead sister who may not have been as perfect as Laurel thought. Sky helps Laurel realize she has to face her past and stop disappearing. She must come to terms with what has been done to her and find a way to forgive not only herself, but her sister and all those who have let her down. This book was heartbreaking in it's language and story. I enjoyed the smattering of facts about these troubled people she writes to. It makes you realize that being famous isn't always about money and adoration. Laurel ends up in a healthier place by the end and I have hope she will have a happier future. I think I need a break from serious and have to head back into the supernatural or apocalyptic world for a while. I do, however, recommend you spend some time with Laurel and her letters. You won't be sorry. Happy reading my friends!

Conversion

Have you ever gone to the bookstore for one thing and come out with many more? True story of my life. There was this book with a beautiful yellow bird sitting on a thorny branch. Intriguing. I had just read about this novel on BN's website. I opened the cover to discover it was about the Salem Witch Trials and the town that now sits on the site of Salem- Danvers, Massachusetts. More intriguing. I love the witch trial history. How can people get so sucked into hysteria? It could never happen again-right? Well it did. This story is loosely based on the happenings in Le Roy, New York in 2012, when 16 girls were afflicted with various illnesses. The novel follows Colleen, an overachieving high school senior and her friends. A Mystery Illness starts to sweep through her exclusive private all girls school. It is college acceptance time, every quiz matters, valedictorians are being picked and every girl feels the pressure. When several girls start experiencing strange symptoms, the school quickly tries to sweep it under the rug. That never works. Colleen starts to try and figure out what is happening and she comes to a scary conclusion that it might be her best friend Emma causing the illnesses. But how can that be? There's no such thing as witches- right?? Interspersed between the current chapters is the story of Ann Putnam, one of the girls involved in the Salem witch conspiracy. It uses the actual testimony of the time to tell Ann's role in the dreadful events. The most interesting thing to me is the similarities of the two stories. The pressure on girls is immense, no matter what century you are living in. They want to be noticed, feel important and most of all, they want a place in society. They want a voice. And if no one is going to give it to them, they will find a way to take if for themselves. A teenager scorned... Anyway, I couldn't put this down and if you have any interest in that time period of our history, this one is for you. Happy reading my friends!

Noggin

Travis is dying of Leukemia. As he nears the end he is given an option. The cryogenic lab will cut off his head and store it for a time when he can be brought back. He decides to take them up on his offer, never really believing this will happen. Or that it will happen so far in the future all those he loves will have died. He leaves behind his parents, best friend and love of his life Cate. Five year later, he wakes up. Yup, only five years. Just enough time for everyone to be done grieving for him and to have  moved on with their lives. His best friend Kyle is in college with  a girlfriend- only problem, he confessed on Travis's death bed he was gay. His father is working odd hours. And Cate, seems to be engaged to a nice guy and living happily. But for Travis, he is still 17, has to go back to high school and figure out his place in this new world. He KNOWS Cate will take him back if he can only get her to remember their promises to each other. And what about the boy whose body he now has? How is his family coping with the fact that their son is never coming home. Travis becomes quite the news story, everyone wants to see the scar on his neck. But why does he feel so out of place, so lost? After all, shouldn't he be ecstatic to be alive again? Shouldn't everything be the same? This was an interesting book, not like any I have read before. Travis really has to learn a new order and fast, but for him, it was like only yesterday he was alive. For everyone else, life had moved on. There are humorous parts, touching parts, and heartbreaking moments in this coming of age novel. I really enjoyed it. Happy ending? I guess you will have to decide that for yourselves. Happy reading my friends!

Onyx

Oh dear kittens, book two was just as fraught with danger, tension and witty banter as the first book in this series. Daemon and Kat have come to an uneasy peace. They are now connected because of the healing Daemon did to save her. But Kat can't trust the feelings she has for him, are they attracted to each other just because of the connection or do they really have something special. Daemon isn't easy to read, his moods change like the weather. On top of all that, a new boy has come to town. His name is Blake and he has an unhealthy interest in Kat. Kat is flattered, after all he is a human boy and would be uncomplicated. Ha. Daemon doesn't take kindly to the interference and warns Kat not to trust him. Of course he is right and Blake turns out to be just what Daemon suspects- trouble. Amidst all this love triangle tension, Kat sees Bethany in town with the DOD. This can mean only one thing- Dawson may be alive. As Kat and Daemon search for his brother, other factions make their presence known in town and their motives are nefarious. Kat is put in massive danger as her new powers come to light and she is surrounded on all sides by those who want to use her. Luckily, Daemon is having none of that. This is a great book for lovers of the supernatural genre. Daemon is becoming more likable as his real feelings are starting to show and his motives are becoming more clear. Kat is fighting hard to be independent and self reliant. The cliffhanger ending leaves the reader wanting more, and luckily for all of us, there is more. On to the next gemstone... happy reading my friends!

The Inventor's Secret

As a fan of Andrea Cremer's Nightshade series, I was interested to see what her new book had in store. I am not usually a big fan of Steampunk, but this one had me from the get-go. Imagine if we had lost the Revolutionary War and the English were still in charge. The signers have all been hung as traitors and families of the rebellion are forced into indentured servitude for twenty years. A small group of rebel children are hiding in the Catacombs finding ways to help the Rebellion on the outside. Charlotte and her brother Ash live there. Ash is the leader. They are surrounded by interesting characters. Meg, the caretaker, Jack the lovable rogue, Pip, the outspoken rascal. When Charlotte finds a strange boy running from the Empire, she decides to save him and risk her brother's wrath. He turns out to have no memory of who he is or where he comes from. They name him Grave, which may turn out to be more apt than you would think. As they try to find out who he is, the boys- Jack and Ash, are up to their ears in a scheme to help the rebellion, but they will have to venture into the hear of the city to implement their plan. How is it possible, well, Jack has secrets of his own and they will devastate Charlotte who finds herself falling in love with him against her better judgement. Do things go wrong in the city- what do you think? Charlotte is going to have to grow up fast and decide which is more important, personal happiness or fighting for a cause. Especially if that cause is as important as freedom. This is book one, so there is the beginning of a love triangle that will pit brother against brother, lost love, adventure, humor and some pretty nifty inventions. If you haven't given Steampunk a try, this is a great way into the genre. Happy reading my friends!

Obsidian

Oh my kittens! I always thought my favorite Damon would be from Vampire Diaries- I mean come on, who doesn't think Ian Somerhalder is dreamy? Well, there's a new Daemon in town, and he could also be played by Ian Somerhalder, lol. Katy moves to Virginia after the death of her father. When she innocently goes over to the neighbors house to ask for directions, she is met at the door by a shirtless Daemon. And he isn't nice, or friendly or anyone she wants to hang out with. But he is breathtaking with amazing green eyes. His twin sister Dee becomes Katy's friend against Daemon's wishes and she finds herself stuck in situations that involve him. One problem, he isn't from this planet and interacting with humans if reeeeeeeeeallllly frowned upon. They are Luxen, and can manipulate light. Daemon is one  of the most powerful of his kind and another evil group, the Arum are looking for them to steal their powers. Katy becomes an unwilling participant in this battle even as she and Daemon find ways to make each other miserable. Just when he seems to be getting nicer, he does something so rude that Katy questions every moment she spends with him. I would have finished this book in a day if I wasn't on a mission to finish A Dance With Dragons at the same time. There is a lot of action, no damsels in distress and many funny, obnoxious moments between Daemon and Katy. He is the typical supernatural boy- beautiful, heroic, and down right frustrating to the non-supernatural heroine, who is highly likable as well. She doesn't let him get away with any of his rudeness. Feisty! At the end of the book there are several chapters told from his point of view and they make you love him even more! Word on the street is that there are going to be five books in the series and number 2 is sitting on my shelf. But it will have to wait while I get back to Jon Snow and the watchers on the wall. For all my girls who love Patch, Jace, Akiva and Daniel, you will fall for Daemon in no time. Enjoy the ride and happy reading my friends!

Three

In this dystopian world created by Kristen Simmons, people are governed by the Statutes. They are rules of morality. If you don't follow the articles, you will be dealt with by the government. Imprisoned, beaten, broken and ultimately killed. Chase and Ember have been fighting with the resistance ever since she was taken in for rehabilitation for being the daughter of a single mother. They are headed for a safe house on the coast trying to find Three- the resistance group planning on overthrowing the government, Along the way, they are looking for Chase's uncle Jesse, who knows more about Three than he is letting on. Each of the fighters are risking their lives trying to find some way to be free of the government. Around every turn, traitors sell them out to get what they need. Chase and Ember find that no place is really safe and the fight they once were an integral part of is not what they want for their future. Their love is put to the ultimate test when Ember must break into a prison to same him before the resistance blows it up. People she trusted will betray her and those who have betrayed her in the past may turn out to be her greatest allies. This is a fitting conclusion to the trilogy. Is there a happy ending? I guess it's up to you to decide. I find myself hopeful for the future of these characters as they go off on their own in fictionland- a place I would someday like to visit (Will Herondale, I'm coming for you!) Happy reading my friends!

Order of Darkness- Stormbringers

Luca is an inquisitor for the church. He is tasked with riding through towns and finding signs of the apocalypse and report to Rome. He is accompanied by his childhood friend, Frieze, Brother Peter and two young women- Isolde- on a mission to find her godfather and get his help and her servant Ishraq- a muslim girl of great learning. Feelings between the two couples are heating up. Luca, tied by his vows to the church is reluctant to give Isolde any hope for a future together. Frieze, who wears his heart on his sleeve, will promise the world to Ishraq. As the travels come upon a group of children making their way to Jerusalem, they are stunned by the leader of the children Johann, who seems to be talking to God. When a tidal wave hits the town, all their faith is tested. And when a mysterious Ottoman slave ship appears in town, captained by the glamorous and handsome Radu Bey, the travelers are drawn even further into the web of mysteries. Philippa Gregory writes amazing historical fiction for adults and she has taken her love of history and created a fascinating young adult series. This is book two with more to follow as our group of young adults heads to Venice to find the source of some interesting gold. The story is infused with questions of learning- mainly if girls should be educated and the vast knowledge the Ottomans had that the others didn't. It also has great moments of humor thanks to the character of Frieze. I look forward to their time in Venice, one of my favorite settings for stories. Happy reading my friends!

After Daybreak

Dawn and Victor are trying to create a new world order. A world where vampire and human can live in peace together. Victor's brother Sin has other plans. He wants to take over the world and rule it like a god. So Victor, Dawn and their loyal friends- Faith, Richard, Ian, Michael and Tegan- must create a plan to take out Sin and make the two sides live together in peace. There are, of course, monkey wrenches thrown along the way. Dawn learns a deep family secret. Victor must decide if he can let Dawn truly into his life. And Faith really has to figure out that even vampires can fall in love.This is the third book in the Darkness Before Dawn trilogy and a fitting conclusion filled with hope. It gives a message that even those who are natural enemies can learn to work together to create a better world. That is a statement that goes well beyond the supernatural world of vampires. It is a message that we all should embrace. So if you like a good vampire/human love story filled with action and adventure, you should try this series. Happy reading my friends!

The Winner's Curse

At what cost does the price of winning become counterproductive? That is the question in this book by Marie Rutkoski. Kestral is the daughter of the great General Trajan. She is coming to the age when she must decide if she will join him in the military or marry. She isn't keen on either. While out in the market one day, she is trapped at a slave auction. Before she knows it, the defiant slave for sale has caught her interest, mainly because of the claim he could sing Without thinking, she buys him and brings him back to the General's home. Arin is this slave. He is angry, strong and far more clever than his new owner gives him credit for. And he has a plan. As the two of them forge an uneasy friendship, Arin's people are planning to take back their lands. But Arin isn't as sure of his enemy's evil as he once did. Kestral finds herself falling for the boy, against her better judgement. When things come to a head, Kestral must use all her military prowess to find a way to save the boy who betrayed her. And he isn't going to like the cost. This is a great book that examines the meaning of freedom and the sometime cost of being free. This is book one in a soon to be trilogy and I, for one, hope Kestral comes up with a better plan for her future than the one the book ends with.  You never know what you're going to get in a book you pick up at Costco, but this one certainly didn't disappoint. My girl Rylee will enjoy this one, (but not the ending). So happy reading my friends.

Ignite Me

The third book in the Shatter Me Trilogy is a wild ride. Juliette has been kidnapped by Warner- who she has mixed feelings about. Her group from Omega Point is presumed dead. Oh, and she still can kill people if she touches their skin. But all is not lost. Warner is turning out to be different than she thought. Her friends may be alive and she may soon learn to control her massive power. All of which, she hopes, will lead to her end game- to kill the Supreme Commander- Anderson who happens to be her ex-boyfriend Adam's dad- and Warner's too. What a tangled web we weave, Tahereh Mafi! When Warner and Juliette decide to team up with Kenji and her friends, they have to resolve the problems between the love triangle of Adam and Warner so everyone can get along and get on with saving the world. Warner is the kind of boyfriend everyone wants- strong, handsome and with a complete belief in all Juliette is capable of becoming. Juliette can't believe this boy she once hated has turned into someone she doesn't want to live without. But the wreckage this relationship leaves behind with Adam is heartbreaking. Sometimes first loves aren't true loves. The team pulls together to start to take back their world and lead it into a more promising future. I've loved this series from the beginning and though it is over, I don't feel like the story is done. I guess we'll have to wait and see loves! Happy reading my friends!

The Geography of You and Me

Last summer, one of my favorite books was This is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer Smith. This morning I read her new book. It is the story of Lucy and Owen who meet on a stuck elevator during a blackout in New York City. They spend the rest of the night together wandering the city and getting to know each other. For some reason, they are instantly connected. But the next day Owen is gone and Lucy isn't sure what to do. Her parents are taking her abroad and his dad is moving them west, so they don't get to connect again except through postcards. Over the next nine months, they find themselves in many different places, both foreign and domestic. They meet other people and go on with their lives, but both know something is missing and that something is each other. After a disastrous meeting in San Francisco, they lose touch for a while. They do some soul searching. They connect with their parents. They get some good advice. And they both decide to take the advice and take a chance. You can't know the answer until you ask the question. This is a lovely story that takes you around the world and back again. I love Jennifer Smith's storytelling, it is hopeful and light and way better than a postcard. Happy reading my friends!

City of Heavenly Fire

If you haven't read the first five books of the Mortal Instruments series, this review isn't for you. If you haven't read the Infernal Devices Trilogy, this book isn't for you. If you fall into one of these categories- WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR??? This is the perfect conclusion for these amazing characters. Jace and Clary, Isabelle and Simon, Magnus and Alec, Jocelyn and Luke. Wow. The group must find a way to get rid of Clary's brother Sebastian who has been consumed with evil. I could talk about the plot, the characters that don't make it out alive, those that do, but I'm not going to. If you are already a fan of this series, you'll love this. If you are not, you need to start at the beginning. These characters are forever in my top list of fictional people I want to hang out with. Will Herondale has always been number one, but he now must share that throne with his great great... whatever, Jace Herondale. And Jem... oh Jem. I am hopeful that he will be spun off into the new series that was previewed throughout this book There were amazing twists and turns, forgiveness, acceptance and redemption all rolled up into this 700 and something page tome. So many loose ends were tied up, myths explained and new adventures await. Thanks for the ride Ms. Clare. I, for one, await the call to take up arms as a Shadowhunter, maybe I can train with Simon?? Happy reading my friends!

The Ring and the Crown

What an interesting twist Melissa De La Cruz put on this classic tale of Avalon, Eleanor of Aquitane and King Leopold of Prussia. She has taken an age old story and added magic and mayhem. Oh and throw in the Astors and you have yourself quite an adventure. Marie is set to marry Leopold of Prussia. She is not interested. She finds him unappealing. She is really in love with her guard Gill. Then there is Wolf, the brother of Leopold and all he wants to do is fight. Until he meets Ronan Astor and falls in love. Don't forget Isabelle, who was supposed to marry Leopold until he was matched with Marie. Finally there is Aelwyn, the daughter of Merlin and lifelong friend of Marie. She has the power of Avalon behind her. All these stories intertwine as each character searches for their purpose in the world.  No one is happy. No one is getting their hearts desire. But sometimes duty supersedes happiness when the fates of two countries is at hand. What must you give up to meet your fate? I couldn't put this down. I love stories of royals and stories of magic. So this was a perfect mixture of the two. It wasn't a fairy tale however, as I don't think anyone lives happily ever after. Some may live contentedly ever after, possibly. I hope you enjoy this one my friends and if you do, this amazing author has many other books to tempt you! Off to find out the fate of Jace and Clary- so happy reading my friends!

The Diviners

When I picked up this book, I wondered how I had missed it. Today I figured out that the cover has been changed and is probably on my bookshelf already. That being said, this is a supernatural romp through a fascinating time in history. Evie is a flapper and good time gal. She is living in Ohio and can't seem to stay out of trouble. When her parents get tired of her antics, they send her to her uncle in New York, much to her excitement. See, Evie has a gift, she can hold an object in her hands and tell you about the person who it belonged too. When she meets her Uncle Will, he is the curator of a supernatural museum. His assistant Jericho helps him out and Evie is determined to set him up with her friend Mabel. She also meets Sam, who picks her pocket and steals a kiss. As she settles into life in NYC, she meets Ziegfield girl, Theta and her roommate Henry. Then there is Memphis, who used to be able to heal with his touch. Each of these characters are Diviners, people with certain gifts. These gifts will come in handy as some form of evil is on it's way. When people start getting murdered, Evie helps her uncle in trying to solve the crime. But Evie seems to get herself into situations that are not conducive to staying alive. She must find a way to dispatch an evil ghost set on bringing about the apocalypse, and along the way, may find love in an unlikely place. I really liked this book, it wove the atmosphere of flapper NY with a great supernatural twist. The characters are all still holding secrets that I can't wait to uncover. Looking forward to the sequel due at the end of the summer. As for now- happy reading my friends! See you at the beach.

Defy

Alex is the best swordsman of the Prince of Antion's guard. He and his twin brother fight side by side to protect the arrogant prince. Antion is a place in perpetual war where women are used to breed new soldiers. Alex hates the cruel king and his son. Oh, wait, Alex is really Alexa, who has been hiding that she is a girl so she is not sent to the breeding house after her parent's murder. But Prince Damian is starting to look at her funny. And he starts having cryptic conversations with her. Alexa doesn't know what to make of the this change, but finds herself changing her opinion of Damian. When they are kidnapped by a Blevonese sorcerer, Alexa must figure out what is really going on and how involved Damian is with their supposed enemies. Along for the ride is Rylan, who has always known Alexa is a girl and has feelings of his own for her. Alexa has to decide if she wants to trust Damian even as she finds herself falling in love with him. He is one big secret after the next AND the future king of Antion. What could become of a King and his guard- certainly not a royal marriage. And what of Rylan and his feelings? Meanwhile, this rag tag group must complete a near impossible plan to overthrow the evil King and his sorcerer. Many will lost their lives in this endeavor, but will it work? Will there be a happily ever after for anyone? This is a great adventure filled with romance and lots of sword fighting. Alexa is a strong. powerful warrior who doesn't rely on anyone. Damian is a dashing prince, determined to save his people. And the story of course, leaves us waiting for the next one. 2 days until summer vacation. Can't wait! Happy reading my friends!

The Scar Boys

Harbinger Jones is picked on a lot. So much, that one day a group of boys tie him to a tree. When a storm hits, they leave him there and run home. The tree is hit by lightning and Harry is badly burned. He becomes a loner with no friends and is set to muddle through school until one day a kid named Johnny decides to befriend him. Johnny makes him do things he normally wouldn't consider. And one day Johnny decides they should start a band. Thus, the Scar Boys is formed and Harry's life is changed forever. The band actually gets good, Harry is reborn through the healing power of music and they hit the road for a tour. But Harry isn't as wiling to be Johnny's sidekick as he once was and begins to see Johnny for what he is. When events lead to Johnny leaving, Harry becomes a new man. One who may have a place in the world regardless of his scars. This is a music lovers book. Each chapter is named after a song from the 80's. (the story takes place in the 80's) And it shows how a band can become family and how family can save you. The events that Harry puts in motion have quite an impact on the other band members and leads to a tragic conclusion. But through tragedy comes courage and understanding. This was a great story. There was no magic fairy tale ending, Harry's scars don't disappear, at least not the superficial ones. He doesn't get the girl and the band doesn't become famous. However, this shows that life is about the journey and not necessarily the destination. So get out your lighters and wave them in the air as Scar Boys take the stage! Happy reading my friends!

Midwinterblood

I'm at a loss as to how to explain this one to you my friends. But I'll try. This is the story of Eric and Merle. They have lived many lives together, each time in a different relationship. It is told from the future to the past in seven small stories. In each one, the main characters somehow find a way to be together. It may be as brother and sister, mother and son, etc. But each time, they effect each other in some profound way. As you get to the final story, you realize how it all began and what it all meant. It is a love story on it's deepest level. It shows that love does not have to be romantic to be powerful. Once I started reading, I couldn't put it down, because I was intrigued with how it was going to start (end). Each story had something to do with the next and you didn't realize that until you were in the past and saw how it would effect the future. Merle is always a joyous spirit and Eric is always looking for something.By the end you realize what he has been looking for. It is a well told story, but won't be for everyone. It is not typical YA with the characters ranging from old age to children. It won the Printz Award and deservedly so. If you are looking for something out of the ordinary, this little gem may be just what the doctor ordered. Happy reading my friends! (and you can look up the painting that plays a role in many of the stories and see it for yourself)

Half Bad

What if your mother was a White Witch and your father was a Black Witch? What if he was the most evil and wanted Black Witch in all of England? What if you weren't sure if you were going to be good or bad? And what if all you wanted to do was meet your father to see for yourself what all the hype was about? Well, then you would be Nathan. The black sheep of the family. The punching bag for all the pure bloods at school. The son who gets captured and kept in a cage for two years. Then, after all that, you would be the boy who uses his wiles to escape and find what he is looking for. On the way, he must find someone to give him three gifts and the family blood when he turns 17 or he will die. But who will do that for him? His mother and grandmother is dead. His half sister Jessica wants to kill him. And he brother Arran and sister Deborah must be kept away from him or they could be killed. Nathan sets out to find a witch who can help him, but everyone wants something from him. Most of all, they want him to kill his father Marcus. He refuses to do this deed. But sometimes other people's lives are put in danger and unless Nathan can find a way to get them to safety, he may not have a choice. This is a fast read, filled with action and adventure. It has all the typical themes, good vs. evil, father as an absent figure, the love story with a girl from the opposite side of the tracks and the typical, who can you trust when you can trust no one. Nathan is a great character, fighting within himself to see if he will become bad, even though he is fighting against it. Because quite honestly, the 'good' witches are the ones perpetrating the most trouble. If you like Harry Potter, or Luke Skywalker for that matter, give this new series a try. You won't be sorry. Happy reading my friends... 8 school days left... and yes, I'm counting!

Dreams of Gods and Monsters

Students ask me all the time what my favorite book is. I laugh. That would be like asking who my favorite students are. No, actually it is harder. I have some that are precious to me- The Scorpio Races, Eleanor and Park to name a couple. But I now have a definitive favorite series. This trilogy by Laini Taylor is exquisite. And this final piece of the puzzle, pure perfection. It has taken me a month to read. I don't know if it's because it's the end of the school year and things get crazy busy or because I needed absolute quiet to enjoy the writing in this book. Or perhaps it's because I knew it was the end  and I was savoring it. Whatever the reason, know that I enjoyed every one of the 613 pages. "Once upon a time an angel and a devil pressed their hands to their hearts and started the apocalypse" Karou and Akiva, who have literally been to hell and back with each other have reached a shaky peace. Both have done things they regret. Their people- the angels and the chimaera are enemies. But they are in love. Not sappy vampire love, but true, deep, soul crushing love. Their worlds are falling apart and only a crazy plan by Karou can bind the two sides into an alliance that could either save the world or end it. As this is the concluding book, I won't go into the whole story, you must start at the beginning with Daughter of Smoke and Bone, but know that the storyline is long and complex. But the payoff is amazing. The supporting cast of characters is back in full force. The cold, deadly Liraz, who may just fall in love. Ziri, who has given up his body to become the White Wolf to help Karou's plan. Zuz and Mik, the humans who venture into the world of the monsters to help their friend Karou and who have a few tricks up their sleeves. Strange Eliza, who may just save them all and lovely Issa, resurrected to help Karou remember who she is and where she came from. They must fight Jael, leader and EVIL father of Akiva, who has come to earth to gain weapons. But when that fight is over, they learn of another one even more dire that just may tear them apart before they even have a chance to get back together. I could go on and on, but I will just say in closing, the kids also ask me who my favorite angel character is- Patch, Daniel, Rafe, Jackson?? My new and final answer will always be Akiva. This one actually brought tears to my eyes as I sat at my desk finishing it today. I look forward to whatever Laini Taylor brings us next and to the summer of reading that is only a few weeks away. Please don't miss out on this smart, beautifully written series! I would never steer you wrong! Happy reading my friends!

Dorothy Must Die

Remove the Tin Woodman's heart. Steal the Scarecrow's brain. Take the Lion's courage and then Dorothy must die. This is Amy Gumm's mission. She's the other girl from Kansas who winds up in Oz. But Oz had been corrupted. Dorothy has become a tyrant who is out to steal all the magic from Oz. The citizen's are terrorized. Her loyal companions are evil monstrosities. She must be stopped. And only Amy Gumm can kill Dorothy. She is forced to join the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked. She is trained by Nox, the warlock, who may also be someone she wants to kiss. Or punch in the face. Amy has to find a way to get close enough to kill Dorothy before she is discovered. She needs help from her rat Star, the mysterious gardener Pete and Ollie, the wingless monkey. She doesn't know who she can trust and if she can even kill someone when it comes down to it. All she knows is that she is trapped in Oz with no one she can really believe. This was an interesting twist on that 'somewhere over the rainbow' tale. The brutality of the Scarecrow, Lion and Dorothy is not for the faint of heart. Dorothy's rule is violent and vengeful. Amy really has to fend for herself and her actions often have unexpected consequences. This is the first book in the series and leaves you on a cliff, overlooking the yellow brick road, wondering if there really is 'no place like home'. If you love the Wizard of Oz, you will enjoy this updated twist on the age old story. See you over the rainbow, and happy reading my friends.

illusion

Man, I love Nick Gautier. I could end my review right there. Enough said. If you've read Sherrilyn Kenyon's Chronicles of Nick series you already know why I love him. If you haven't, I almost envy you because you can start at the beginning of this series and experience Nick for the first time. Because right now, I am sad that I finished this book in a day and have to wait for the next installment. That being said, Nick has woken up and found himself in another dimension in another incarnation of himself. It is all wrong, his friends are normal, his mother is married to Bubba and is rich, and worst of all, he is now short. His powers are gone and he doesn't know who to turn to help get him back to his realm. And all the evil things in the world are coming to get him. He is the Malachai, the most powerful being in the universe who is set to destroy the world. His girlfriend Kody, who was sent to kill him, has to do everything in her power to try and get him back, all the while knowing that he is the one who will destroy her and all she loves in the future. But Nick is not what he is supposed to be, because he has know love all his life. His mother has shielded him from the anger and hatred that should be second nature to him. Nick is the most sarcastic, annoying and hilarious character. He loves fiercely and loyally. He would do anything for his friends, which number both human and demon. He doesn't want to become his father. But none of that may be under his control. His band of compadres help him out. Caleb, Ash, Simi, Kody, Bubba and the rest try and find a way to put Nick back in his body and stop the end of days. But Nick's kindness may be his undoing as he seems to bring someone back who may counteract all the good he is trying to do. The only thing I missed in this episode was Kyrian, he's one of my faves. But I 'm sure he will be back in the next book- fingers crossed. So ma chere's, I hope you jump into Nick's world and enjoy it as much as I do, and if you're already enjoying some jambalaya with Cherise, you won't be disappointed in his latest adventure. Happy reading my friends!

Bloodrose

It's been a long journey with this series. From Rift to Bloodrose, Andrea Cremer's wolf series has held me hostage for months. Is it wrong that I want to be a wolf sometimes? Anyway, this is the end of the Nightshade series, sort of, and finds Calla, Shay and Ren trying to end Bosque Mar and his evil keepers. It is going to take all the pack and all the Searchers to close the Rift and restore balance to the earth. Friends will fall, tears will be shed and in the end, the pack stands strong. Shay must find the pieces of the Elemental Cross so he can close the Rift. As the Scion, he is the only one who can wield the sword. Calla loves Shay but is still drawn to her alpha mate Ren. The boys decide to put their rivalry on hold until the war is over. Calla knows in her heart who she loves, but is unwilling to make that decision for fear of what it will do to the other boy. The team faces challenge after challenge while gathering the pieces they need and some will die in the process. Calla must convince her father to come over to her side so they have enough force to defeat the Keepers. Along with Ethan, Adne and Connor, the pack puts it all on the line to end the war. All I can say is I am both happy and sad about this book. I feel the loss of one of my favorite characters. Tears were shed. But I don't regret the ride one bit. After all, I hear in the next book, he may be back in some form. If you love a good wolf story, a love triangle to end all love triangles, a ragtag group of warriors, and a story of true loyalty, start at the beginning and allow yourself some time, because you won't be able to put these books down. And if you hear some howling at the moon, say hi to the pack for me. Happy reading my friends!

Cress

Marissa Meyer came to our school a couple of years ago. We loved her. But even more, I love her books. This is the third volume of the Lunar Chronicles. Here's the premise. Each book takes on a fairy tale and completely reinvents it. So we have done Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood and now in this fantastic third tome, Rapunzel. Cress has been trapped on a satellite circling the earth for seven years. Yes, her hair is ridiculously long and gets in the way. She is the pawn of the evil Lunar Queen Levana and is tasked with hacking the earth's security. But she is fascinated with earth culture and follows all the news feeds. She is in love with the mysterious and heroic Carswell Thorne. She is certain he will one day save her damsel in distress- after all- it's what heroes do. When she reaches out to Cinder, lo and behold, Thorne is the one who enters her satellite to save her. In the impending rescue, things go wrong and Thorne and Cress are left to die in a quickly crashing satellite. Thorne gets knocked in the head and goes blind as they crash in the African desert. Whew. This books finds Cinder trying to stop the wedding between her love Emperor Kai and Queen Levana, Scarlett and Wolf deciding what their relationship is going to be and the ultimate fight for the people of both Lunar and Earth. What a fabulous story she has created. She seems to bring in characters to each new book that you can't help but love. Thorne really comes to life in this book with his humor and fortitude. Cinder takes on the role she was born to play and Wolf must find a way to save his Scarlett. You have to start at the beginning of this series and work your way through. You won't be disappointed!! So once upon a time, there was this series that has it all, romance (yes, Rylee, lots of it), adventure, intrigue, evil and a band of misfits set to save the worlds. I can't wait for the happily ever after. Happy reading my friends!

Juliet Immortal

Romeo, Romeo, why for art thou such a jerk? This is the question that Stacey Jay poses in Juliet Immortal. The tale of the Montagues and the Capulets remade into a modern tale of betrayal, redemption and love. Juliet and Romeo- after their fateful day- are now working on opposite sides in the battle between love and hate. She is an Ambassador, whose mission is to make sure soul mates get together. Romeo is a Mercenary, whose mission is to make sure soul mates betray each other, as he had done to Juliet. They take over bodies and work to complete their missions. Should they fail, they may be fated to a lifetime in the mist. When Juliet winds up in Ariel's body, she finds a damaged girl caught up with a bad boy- Dylan. Dylan, of course, becomes inhabited by Romeo. Juliet has no contact from her mentor-Nurse and this time the mission seems wrong. Enter Ben. She thinks Ben is supposed to be the soulmate of Gemma, Ariel's best friend. But she finds herself connected to Ben in a way she has never experienced, even with Romeo. Juliet can't figure out what she is supposed to do. Ben loves her just as much, but this can't be the mission. And Romeo needs to figure things out before he starts decaying completely. This is a great twist in the Romeo and Juliet saga. It definitely sends the message to love yourself, or you can't really love anyone else. The ending leads to the next book, where Romeo is given the chance to redeem himself. Looking forward to reading that in the near future. After all, "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet". Juliet Immortal is the perfect supernatural romance filled with action, adventure and a myriad of twists and turns. So until the morrow- parting is such sweet sorrow. Happy reading my friends!

Dance of the Red Death

When last we left Araby, she had found out her father caused the deadly plague devastating their city. The love of her life had turned her over to the enemy to save his siblings. And she had thrown her lot in with Elliot, the prince, who is trying to overthrow his evil uncle for control of the city. In this sequel, Araby and Elliot, along with April, Kent and Will, are on the hunt to find Araby's father to see if he can reverse the plague he has created and save April's life. But being around Will creates tension with Araby. She is so hurt by his betrayal, but still longs for what they have lost. And Elliot. He is no longer pretending to love her. He may actually have feelings for her, but can she trust someone so untrustworthy. Araby uses Elliot to get back into the city to find her father. Will insists on going along. Talk about a love triangle. In the meantime, Prospero, the evil ruler, is planning a party for one thousand of the citizens. Araby's mother is one of the "guests" i.e. prisoners, at the manor. In order to save the city and those she loves, Araby must enter the heart of the manor and play Prospero's game. In the balance are the boys she may love, her parents and best friend, along with the fate of her city. All the while avoiding catching the two diseases that are wiping out the citizens. Bethany Griffin has used Poe's story to weave an entirely new one. It is filled with action, intrigue and romance. Can Araby forgive Will and give in to her feelings? Can she save April? Can she keep the children save? And can she make peace with the evil things her father and mother have done? This was a great conclusion to the series (of two). It is an interesting story of destruction and redemption. Happy reading my friends!

Red Rising

I must be honest, I didn't think I was going to like this book after the first few pages. It is gritty, dark and dirty (meaning it takes place underground). But it got such great reviews I decided to plod along. Am I glad I did. This is the story of Darrow. He is a Helldiver of Mars. He is a Red. The lowest class of society. They are kept underground to mine the earth in order to make Mars inhabitable for future generations. They find it a noble undertaking. Well, not everyone. Darrow's wife Eo thinks they are slaves. She wants Darrow to strive for more than being a Red. As a matter of fact, she is willing to die to prove her point. Darrow comes to find that his entire existence has been a lie and begins an undertaking to infiltrate the Gold society. The Gold's are bigger, stronger, prettier and more ruthless than any other color. This is their right. This is their place. Darrow must transform himself into a Gold so he can take them down. He finds himself at the academy, thrust into a competition that will test who will become a member of the power class. The game is brutal, deadly and without morals. Darrow will have to find a way to fit in but stand out. He is drawn into the game and will do anything to succeed. Many will die, many will be betrayed and Darrow himself may have to go against everything he believes in to accomplish his goal. This book is the Hunger Games for an older crowd. It is filled with strategy, mind games and the test of friendship, when no one is your real friend because you are a Red in a Gold world and one false move means your death. Darrow is a great hero (?) filled with righteous indignation. He will be a symbol of his people if he doesn't get in his own way. Boys will love this book, not enough romance for my girls, but the strategizing more than makes up for it. It reads like a movie, and I'm sure it will be one. So pick up this great first book in the series, but make sure you have a free afternoon because you won't want to put it down. Happy reading my friends!

Smoke

Ellen Hopkins is a master storyteller. Not only can she weave a tale like you wouldn't believe, she does it in poetry. Not just in form, but in the way she puts words together. In this sequel to Burned, she continues the story of Mormon girl Pattyn Von Stratten. Pattyn is recovering from the loss of her love Ethan and her unborn child. She is also on the run for killing her abusive father in defense of her sister. She finds a new life in California, but even that life is tinged with violence. The daughter of the family she winds up working for is dangerous and out to get Pattyn and her new friend Angel. Back at home Jackie, the sister Pattyn was defending, is recovering from being raped. Everyone has brushed that under the rug. Even worse, the rapist's father is now helping out her widowed mother so she is forced to be in Caleb's company often. Her mother tells her she is partly responsible and should let it go. Her tutor Gavin steps in to protect her and they fall in love. But no one is telling the whole truth. Not Pattyn, not Jackie and not their mother. They all move towards a place of truthfulness as events collide and force each of them to face their guilt and make amends. Can you find love more than once in a lifetime? And do you deserve it if you do? The scenery in these books is beautiful and created such a peaceful backdrop to the horrific things these girls must face. I love her books even though they are filled with tragedy and consequences because they also offer hope. Hope that even in the worst of times, things can get better. Happy reading my friends.

Every You, Every Me

I love David Levithan's books. He always seems to find a new story to tell. This one is no different. Evan has lost Ariel. You don't know what has happened to her, but you do know it is destroying Evan. Then he starts finding pictures around town and Ariel is in some of them. They start to haunt Evan and he shares them with Jack, who had been Ariel's boyfriend. Evan and Jack are feeling extreme guilt for whatever has happened to Ariel on that day. As the photographs keep coming, Evan feels himself unraveling day by day. Even his friends are starting to doubt him. Who is sending them the pictures? Could it be Evan himself? This is an interesting storytelling method. Evan's thoughts are crossed out, he has a constant stream of consciousness thing going on. There are mysterious pictures, kind of hard to see to add to the confusion Evan is feeling. As the story is told, you get glimpses into how disturbed Ariel was and how much it changed her friends. It wasn't my favorite book of Levithan's- that honor goes to Dash and Lily's Book of Dares, but I'm glad to have read it. I love how the concept came to be, he had a friend send him pictures and he wrote the story around them. The friend didn't know what he was writing until the book was done. I really like knowing how authors come up with story ideas. I'm hoping for one of my own one day. lol. Anyway, if you are looking for something different, this may be the story for you. Happy reading my friends.

Venom

Ah Venice. City of canals, gondolas and streets filled with mysteries. Cass is living with her aunt after her parents have been killed. She feels like she is in a cage. She is expected to marry the boorish Luca and take her place in society, doing what is expected of her. Until a chance encounter with an artist (scandal!) leads her on an adventure that could lead to her death. Falco is everything Luca is not. He is wild, passionate and lives life in the moment. She is fascinated by him. He makes her feel alive and in love for the first time in her life. She knows it won't lead to anything, I mean, how can it? He isn't of her station. He certainly wouldn't have the approval of her family or society. But Cass can't seem to stay away from him. He is the promise of freedom and adventure and living her life on her own terms. As girls start turning up dead, Cass and Falco race to figure out who is committing these crimes because Cass is next on the murderers list and time is running out. Just when things start to heat up, Luca reappears after three years in France and he isn't the same boorish boy who Cass remembers. As a matter of fact, he is handsome, kind and seems to really love her. What's a girl to do? With Venice as a back drop, this book rolls along at a fast pace, with the possibility that anyone could be the murderer. I love Italy, Venice is a beautiful city and I could picture places in this book from my travels there. It makes me long to go back and walk the streets where Falco and his artist friends are prowling. Who knows, maybe we might meet up in a cemetery in the dark of night and wind up having drinks in the taverna. One can only hope. This is the first book in the series, so of course, cliffhangers ensue. Who will Cass choose- Falco or Luca? Will the murderer be caught? Will the truth about the Secrets of the Eternal Rose be revealed? Stay tuned my friends and happy reading.

The Shadow Throne

"I would not fall. Never again. Gritting my teeth, I replayed Mott's voice in my mind, telling me that I was the Ascendant King. Meant to rise. And so I would" This, in a nutshell, describes Jaron, King of Carthya. Let me start by saying he is one of my all time favorite YA characters. He is brave, loyal, hilarious and reckless. He seems to get himself into as may situations as he gets himself out of.  He antagonizes everyone he crosses paths with. He is ready to be the king he was born to be, against everyone's predictions. This is the third book in the Ascendance Trilogy by Jennifer Nielsen. It is the story of the thief Sage, who turns out to be the long lost heir to the throne. As Jaron, he finds himself in one near death situation after the next. He is being attacked by the evil King Vargan and doesn't have the manpower to withstand the armies wrath. But the beauty of Jaron is that he never gives up and doesn't believe in the odds. With his loyal companions, Roden, Mott, Tobias, Amarinda, Fink and the pirates, Jaron devises a scheme that just may save his kingdom and win him the girl of his dreams. The series if filled with action and adventure, romance, and most importantly, humor. It is one of my all time favorite series- ever and Jaron is one of my two favorite thieves turned kings- tied with Eugenides from The Thief  series. If I had my way, those two would meet up somewhere and plan some shenanigans- can you ladies make that happen somehow- Jennifer and Megan? Well, if not, I have enjoyed the ride and will forever chuckle when I think of Jaron. Long live the Ascendant King! And happy reading my friends!