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.