Insurgent

So, I know I said Jace was next, but I decided to read Veronica Roth's sequel to last summer's Divergent.  If you read it, you remember- Tris and Tobias and the 5 factions of society. Tris has found out she is divergent and in this society that is considered to be a mark of evil. Tris and Tobias are trying to regroup after the deaths of Tris's parents and best friend. They have to decide who to trust- even whether to trust each other. Tris is traumatized by having to kill her best friend Will and she can't seem to tell Tobias what happened. When they are captured by a rival faction and put under a truth serum it all comes out. Tris can't forgive herself and Tobias can't seem to get her to stop putting her life in danger. This was a great sequel- a definite bridge novel, as the end leaves you with more questions than answers. Tobias continues to be a top ten boy by saving Tris and believing in her even when everyone else thinks she is a traitor. Tris is a strong, fiesty teenager, who is just trying to think her way out of death defying situations. Tobias's parents make an appearance and they most definitely can't be trusted. Many great characters meet their end and new alliances are formed. I hope you had the chance to read Divergent already, but if a lot of time has passed, it may take a while to remember all you need to keep up with the plot. Looking forward to finding out what the revelation at the end of the book will meet to our intrepid heroes. Happy reading my friends!

Immortal City

Patch, Daniel and now Jacks. What is it about Angel boys? Their glorious wings, charming personalities, or the ability to fly you over cities while batting their Angel eyelashes at you? Jackson Godspeed is the most famous Angel in the Immortal City- the City of Angels- Los Angeles. He is about to become a  Guardian Angel- an angel that sells his services to those who can afford it. Society is obsessed with Angels, twenty-four hour news feeds, networks dedicated to the Angels, blogs, tweets, etc. Maddy is a waitress. She couldn't care less about the Angels and their doings. When Jacks needs to hide in her diner, Maddy feels an electric connection to him. She is disgusted with herself as she really can't stand the commercialism of the Angels. But the heart wants what the heart wants and she finds herself drawn to situations involving Jacks. He maybe isn't as shallow as she thinks he may be. Of course, Maddy isn't what she thinks she is either. I loved this book. It had a great commentary on our society and who we choose to worship. It also posed the question- why are only those who can afford it saved? Isn't everyone worthy of having a Guardian Angel? I loved Maddy- strong, smart, and stubborn. When a Dark Angel starts killing the Immortals, Maddy must find a way to save Jacks. Love me a good Angel book and this one is at the top of the pile. Couldn't put it down and didn't want it to end. Looking forward to more in a sequel? What do you think Scott Speer? Could you get a move on with that? I think I need to hook up with Jace now, he's been gone awhile. Happy Reading my friends.

Grave Mercy

It's kind of funny, I've been reading a trilogy about the Borgia poisoner- historical fiction. Then I pick up this book by Robin LaFevers and find some striking similarities. Ismae is a handmaiden of death. She has been saved from her brutal father and hideous husband by the nuns at the Convent of Saint Mortain. There she is taught how to be death's assassin to those who bear the marque of a traitor to the Duchess. Ismae is grateful for the chance to get back at men and carry out the will of death. As she is sent into court to help protect the duchess, she is forced to work with Gavriel Duval, who happens to be the bastard brother of the duchess. Ismae comes to realize that things are not always black and white and maybe she needs to follow her own heart in her service to death. When it becomes clear her orders from the convent may not always be right, she has to figure out a way to save the duchess and Duval. What happens when you find yourself falling in love and it goes against everything you thought you believed? Ismae must battle the conflict she feels when Duval wins her heart against all odds. This was a great read, filled with intrigue, romance, and lots of royal dilemmas. I love how strong Ismae is, she is no damsel in distress- she even joins a sword fight or two. Duval is noble, kind and strong and doesn't try to keep Ismae in the shadows. This will be a series and the next will be about a character from this book. I look forward to more adventures of the handmaidens of death. On the the Immortal City and some hot angels. (at least that's what the cover says. Happy reading my friends.

The False Prince

When I read the review of this book, it was billed as a young adult version of The Game of Thrones. I don't know if I agree with that, but I LOVED it all the same. Sage is an orphan on the streets of Carthya. He is crafty, intelligent and a bit of a trouble maker. (so of course I love him) When the royal family is murdered, he is taken by Conner to perpetrate a great sham. Conner is looking for an imposter to play the role of the lost at sea Prince Jaron, who would be next in line to the throne. He takes four boys and makes them compete to become the prince, with the fate of the other three not left to the imagination. Sage wants nothing to do with the plan and sabotages it every step of the way. He hates Conner and the lies he is planning to tell. But if he runs, Conner will hunt him down and kill him. The boys are trained in all the royal arts- swords, horses, history and dancing. A mute servant girl, Imogen, catches Sage's eye as she nurses him back from his many wounds. Conner's man Mott, is also a help to Sage as he navigates the treacherous road he finds himself on. Will he go along with Conner's plan or does he have a plan of his own? Twist alert!!! Such a great ending to the beginning of this trilogy. I couldn't put this book down- started yesterday, finished this morning! Sage is a great character and I look forward to spending several more books with him. Yes, top ten boy list. (I do believe I am over ten though, but who is counting.) Better get going so I can get to my textbook training later- just want to get on to the next book. Happy reading my friends.

Underworld

Ah... love. Such a great way to start summer vacation. Pierce and John. Young love. Of course, John is a couple hundred years old and king of the Underworld, but does that really matter? In the sequel to Abandon, Pierce is coming to terms that she must live in the Underworld with John for eternity and she is torn. On the one hand, she gets to live for eternity with John. On the other hand, she must live in the Underworld and give up her family forever. Oh the problems of teenagers. John and Pierce struggle to make their difficult relationship work, especially because Pierce keeps convincing him to take her back home for various reasons, which of course give the Furies a chance to get at her. This novel introduces some fun new characters who live in the Underworld with John, former shipmates of his. There is a fair amount of peril, smoldering looks and mystery surrounding the mysterious past of John, his father and the Rector family. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, especially since a student bought it for me because she knew how much I loved the first one. I look forward to Awaken,  the final? book in the trilogy. As always, John, for all his faults and shady ways, remains in that top ten list. Tall, dark and handsome get me every time. What to read next... so many sequels, do I start with Jace and Clary or Tris...? I'll let you know when I'm finished. Happy reading my friends.

Ripper

This novel by Stefan Petrucha brings Jack the Ripper to New York. To find his son. Interesting play on history. Carver Young is an orphan who is adopted by the head of the New Pinkerton Agency when the orphanage closes. Albert Hawking takes Carver under his wing to make him into a great detective. When Carver discovers that a letter his father wrote matches the handwriting of Jack the Ripper, the game is afoot. Carver is joined by gal pal Delia and former enemy Finn on a chase through New York to hunt down the Ripper. Along the way he meets Teddy Roosevelt, the commissioner of the police department an his daughter Alice, who just may wind up the next victim of the Ripper. Carver is a very clever young man and is able to take his father on in a daring train adventure. Of course, all is not as it seemed and his father is more cunning than anyone thought. I enjoyed this book, it was an old fashioned type story. The inventions described were so interesting and some were actually real and way before their time.The end left room for a sequel, will I be compelled to read another- jury is out on that one, but I don't regret the time spent with Carver and his gang. I love historical fiction. So, as Memorial Day comes to a close, I say Happy Reading my friends and thanks to all who serve to keep us safe and able to spend a weekend reading.

Bitterblue

Sigh. It's been a month since my last post. End of the school year is crazy. I started another book and was enjoying it and then I walked through the Target teen book section and my eyes fell on Bitterblue. I have been waiting... and waiting for this book. I put it in my cart, even though I don't usually pay full price for  books, and promptly went home and started. I LOVE THIS SERIES. If you haven't read Graceling or Fire by Kristen Cashore, start there. This is the story of Bitterblue, Queen of Monsea. She is the daughter of the BEYOND evil King Leck. He is gone when this book starts, you have to read the other books to find out how. Bitterblue is trying to figure out her kingdom which has suffered from 35 years of mind control and horror. Nothing is as it seems. Who can she trust? The amazing characters of Po and Katsa are key players in this book as they help Blue try and work out what has happened and how to fix it. Death (pronounced Deeth) the librarian is trying to recreate all the books Leck had destroyed. Her advisor Thiel is hiding horrible secrets. And as she is running around the city disguised as a boy ( as many queens seem to do) she meets Teddy and Saf. Saf.... yes, the newest addition to my favorite fictional boy list... who helps Sparks (her alias) roam the city looking for answers, until he finds out she is the Queen. Then... well you know the rest, he feels betrayed, they fight, etc. All the while Blue is intrigued by the wall hanging of a woman with the most fantastic red hair... yes- Fire makes an appearance in this book. She is old now and still married to sigh again... Brigan. She helps Blue realize her potential. Other great characters live in the pages of this book, Giddon, Helda, and all the others who are on Blue's side. I wish you would just pick up one of these books and start. You will love the characters and the genius way they are all intertwined. I now begin the long wait for a sequel or companion book. I know it must be coming... I need a happy ending. Four more days of work, then a summer of books begins again. The pile is high and will bring the return of Jace and Clary, John Haydon of Abandon, Luce and Daniel and Tris. For now, I return to Ripper. Happy reading my friends!