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!