Paperback, 1, 360 pages
Published April 19th 2013 by Moonlight Publishing, Inc.
Rating:5/5
Description:
MYSTERY, MURDER, MANOLO BLAHNIKA devoted fashionata and practical New Yorker, Skylar Blackwell doesn’t believe in the supernatural—until she inherits Summerwind Mansion. . . .
When her uncle is brutally murdered, and the cops seem uninterested in following up the case, Skylar journeys to California to seek answers. Her search for clues is soon overshadowed by haunting nightmares of a young woman also murdered in the house.Now the inhabitants of Summerwind are mysteriously dying, leaving no evidence as to how or why, and Skylar finds herself in a deadly race against time to expose the killer—before they strike again.Armed with only with and Pradas, Skylar begins questioning the servants, but the growing list of suspects includes the sexy and brooding caretaker, Dorian Delacroix, a man desperately trying to forget his tragic past. And a major distraction for Skylar.Determined to play detective—instead of the fashion police—and unravel the dark history of the mansion, Skylar is plunged into an otherworldly mystery that not even she can explain away. As the boundaries between reality and dreams blur, Skylar’s greatest challenge is to stay alive long enough to learn the truth.
Review:
**ARC was provided by the Author for an honest review**
Upon reading the synopsis of this book, I didn’t know if this book would be humorous, action-packed, or mysterious. But as soon as i started reading the novel I was hooked! Immortal Eclipse is an action-packed, character driven novel that is guaranteed to give you goosebumps!
The main character is Skylar Blackwell. She was a fantastic protagonist, interesting to read about, she is kick ass, witty, and quite the fashonista! Her character in a sense made the book come alive, especially when she arrives at Summerwind Mansion. Her interactions with the mansion’s staff really make this novel shine. There is definitely something sinister going on at Summerwind and Skylar is determined to get to the bottom of things, no matter what. Underneath all that love of material things, she really was a compassionate person; her family meant the world to her.Dorian!!! 
A very intriguing character and Skylar’s love interest. But he kept pushing her away. However in the end I understand why he did the things he did.
I loved this book, it was really good, the story-line is captivating and you wont be able to put the book down! I really enjoyed this book, and highly recommend it to people in the mood for a paranormal mystery with a creepy haunted house feel and If you are looking for a gripping tale of action, romance, loss, and all things that go bump-in-the-night, then this is the book for you!!
-Ana @SoManyBooksSoLittleTime
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Tags: California, Mansion, Murder, Mystery, New Yorker, Skylar, Skylar Blackwell, Summerwind
Hardcover, 497 pages
Published April 5th 2011 by Katherine Tegen Books
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
Description:
It’s been eight months since all the adults disappeared. GONE.They’ve survived hunger. They’ve survived lies. But the stakes keep rising, and the dystopian horror keeps building. Yet despite the simmering unrest left behind by so many battles, power struggles, and angry divides, there is a momentary calm in Perdido Beach.But enemies in the FAYZ don’t just fade away, and in the quiet, deadly things are stirring, mutating, and finding their way free. The Darkness has found its way into the mind of its Nemesis at last and is controlling it through a haze of delirium and confusion. A highly contagious, fatal illness spreads at an alarming rate. Sinister, predatory insects terrorize Perdido Beach. And Sam, Astrid, Diana, and Caine are plagued by a growing doubt that they’ll escape – or even survive – life in the FAYZ. With so much turmoil surrounding them, what desperate choices will they make when it comes to saving themselves and those they love?
Plague, Michale Grant’s fourth book in the bestselling Gone series, will satisfy dystopian fans of all ages.
Review:
There’s never a moment of peace for the kids in the FAYZ. The major problem now is the plague. The kids find out that a flying snake that they called greenies are squirting (yucks) green stuff and the person who are hit by it will face an agonizing death. The green stuff will eat its way from inside you and burst its way out from your stomach. The miseries of all is that even Sam’s blazing light can’t kill it. Next, the kids are also catching flu. A flu that makes you cough so hard it would break your neck and cough your organs out.
Truthfully I am quite bored of reading this series as the plot us quite the same and there’s just too much blood. In Plague the plot change a little but there’s more blood everywhere than ever before. I was expecting Sam to be searching for cures or something to handle the plague but instead there’s other problem needed to be taken care of other than the plague. The water source in Perdido Beach is running out and so Albert sent Sam and other crew to search for water at Lake Tramanto. While he was there, Perdido Beach was facing other threats. Without Sam, Dekka and Jack they couldn’t do much to defend themselves. So they ask for help from someone and guess who it is? Caine! I am quite dissapointed because even Diana can’t control him. So of he goes to Perdido Beach and claim himself as the King. Lol much.
The story moves at a great speed and there’s so much things happening everywhere there’s no room for you to grieve. I can’t wait to read the next book, Fear.
-Cassandra @SoManyBooksSoLittleTime
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Hardcover, 280 pages
Published January 11th 2011 by Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Rating:5/5 Stars
Description:
When tragedy strikes Michele Windsor’s world, she is forced to uproot her life and move across the country to New York City, to live with the wealthy, aristocratic grandparents she’s never met. In their old Fifth Avenue mansion filled with a century’s worth of family secrets, Michele discovers a diary that hurtles her back in time to the year 1910. There, in the midst of the glamorous Gilded Age, Michele meets the young man with striking blue eyes who has haunted her dreams all her life – a man she always wished was real, but never imagined could actually exist. And she finds herself falling for him, into an otherworldly, time-crossed romance.
Michele is soon leading a double life, struggling to balance her contemporary high school world with her escapes into the past. But when she stumbles upon a terrible discovery, she is propelled on a race through history to save the boy she loves – a quest that will determine the fate of both of their lives.
Review:
I LOVED LOVED LOVED this book from the beginning to the very end. I could not put this book down. I fell in love with the characters and the theme of the story. When I was reading this book I felt like I was in the story along with the characters. I can’t explain it. If you want to read a really good book where you feel satisfied when the book is over with then this is the book.
Michele Windsor, the book’s main protagonist, sees herself as plain jane. Her life hasn’t been the most extraordinary and exciting, despite her last name. She lives with her single mother, who is her best friend and her crutch in life, in a Venice Beach bungaloo barely making ends meet. Michele and her mother live there, because her mother didn’t want to raise her daughter on the East Coast.
The most excitement and mystery she encounters is through her dreams. In her dreams, there is a mystery guy with the most gorgeous sapphire-blue eyes and she has a interesting skeleton key.
The Windsor family comes from a long line of old money. From the turn of the century, they have dominated their wealth in New York City. The Windsors also had some competition with their next door neighbors, the Walkers back in the day. Between all the wealth and pressures from society, Michele’s mother ran away with her husband, Henry Irving.
Michele never really knew her dad, but she recalls of the stories how her mother fell in love. You can tell, Michele wants a love like that for her own. But it’s just Michele and her mom and she’s happy with that.
Unfortunately, a tragedy changes Michele’s life forever. Her mother gets in an accident that causes her to go to New York City with her grandparents. She is not looking forward to leaving her friends and her whole life in California. She is not looking forward to living with her grandparents. They were the reason why Michele’s mother left and they never tried to make contact with Michele. Needless to say, they didn’t have open arms to her.
Michele however, found secrets and hidden treasures inside the Windsor mansion. She uncovers the past and time travels her way back to the early 1900s. She travels through time through her ancestor’s journal that she finds. She unlocked the past and falls back through time. She encounters a time where debutantes and changing your clothes is common when going out shopping. She helps Clara through her problems and is with her every step of the way. Only Clara can see her. Nobody else.
Then, she meets him.
The guy from her dreams. The one the only. She sees him; he sees her. It’s like a match made in heaven. Phillip, her mystery man, and Michele flow harmoniously together. Even though he’s perfect, he’s taken and he is a Walker. An enemy. However, that doesn’t matter. He’ll do anything for her.
Even when times get tough for them, Phillip always tries to find a way back and Michele too. True love cannot be broken and Monir shows that perfectly through Michele and Phillip’s relationship. It will always find it’s way back to you.
Ultimately, this book was an extreme hit for me. The setting in turn of the century NYC really brought this book alive. You can just imagine the bustling horse-drawn carriages on Fifth Ave. to the Art Deco-style
mansions. I love both the history and romance in the story. I am squealing for more Michele and Philip in the next book. I thought that science fiction element was believable ad there were a lot of unexpected twists and turns in this book.
I cannot wait to get my hands on the second novel in the series!
Check Out my TeaserTuesday Post for this novel
-Ana @SoManyBooksSoLittleTime
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Hardcover, 447 pages
Published May 4th 2010 by HarperCollins
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Description:
It’s been seven months since all the adults disappeared. Gone.
It happens in one night. A girl who died now walks among the living; Zil and the Human Crew set fire to Perdido Beach; and amid the flames and smoke, Sam sees the figure of the boy he fears the most: Drake. But Drake is dead. Sam and Caine defeated him along with the Darkness–or so they thought.
As Perdido Beach burns, battles rage: Astrid against the Town Council; the Human Crew versus the mutants; and Sam against Drake, who is back from the dead and ready to finish where he and Sam left off. And all the while deadly rumors are raging like the fire itself, spread by the prophetess Orsay and her companion, Nerezza. They say that death is a way to escape the FAYZ. Conditions are worse than ever and kids are desperate to get out. But are they desperate enough to believe that death will set them free?
Review:
It’s been months since they were trapped in the FAYZ, The Fallout Alley Youth Zone. In the previous book, Hunger, the kids are starving each day. In this book, though the food is scarce, they were not as starve as before. Albert, as always have been the one who still keep things running when everyone is out panicking. Though he have that trait that is quite important when in need, I still think he is selfish though. But at least he is better at the end, not quite but better.
As it has been in the two previous books, the plot is always interesting, fast and keeps making you turn the pages. It’s exciting and keeps me on the edge of my sit!
All the burdens and responsibility finally make Sam has his breakdown. He ran away and distance himself from everyone, especially Astrid. Though it sounds quite irresponsible and selfish, no one can really blames him. He is only 15 anyway. With all that burden and expectations, it’s a wonder he didn’t beak down earlier. I am quite relieve though that he went away. He finally has a break time and Astrid too, finally reflect on her mistakes. I like Astrid more in this book. She finally work out a system and though it’s not perfect but at least it’s going to hold them for a while longer. Who know what will happen next anyway? Seems like everytime they are holding it together, they will be thrown into something else and things broke down again.
I love the different point of view in this series. It’s rare that you got to read the POV of different characters. So it really makes this book unique.
Caine hadn’t done a lot in this book. Mostly he just manipulate people to do his work, as always. This time it’s Zil. Zil was furious because he was manipulated. Nothing he could do anyway with Caine’s power up his nose. I’m feeling quite sorry for Diana, Caine’s girlfriend. She is tired of it all. I actually admire her for her braveness though sometimes I think she’s a fool for following Caine at the first place. Caine, I think he is screwed up, like most of the people in this book. I really feel like going in there and knock them all up and stop them from all the stupidity and immatureness. But first, I will have to survive and don’t go crazy in there.
Overall, this book is my favourite from the first three. The plot are more aggressive and I can’t wait to read the next book. Hell, I actually can’t wait to read the last book to know where this story is going. Michael really sew up a great story. To you guys who haven’t read this book, you are missing a lot. Gone is that rare kind of book that can easily stand beside Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, Hunger Games and such.
With that, be Gone now.
-Cassandra @SoManyBooksSoLittleTime
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Hardcover, 590 pages
Published May 26th 2009 by Katherine Tegen Books
Rating: 5/5 Stats
Description:
It’s been three months since everyone under the age of fifteen became trapped in the bubble known as the FAYZ.
Three months since all the adults disappeared. GONE.
Food ran out weeks ago. Everyone is starving, but no one wants to figure out a solution. And each day, more and more kids are evolving, developing supernatural abilities that set them apart from the kids without powers. Tension rises and chaos is descending upon the town. It’s the normal kids against the mutants. Each kid is out for himself, and even the good ones turn murderous.
But a larger problem looms. The Darkness, a sinister creature that has lived buried deep in the hills, begins calling to some of the teens in the FAYZ. Calling to them, guiding them, manipulating them.
The Darkness has awakened. And it is hungry.
Review:
Yay! I absolutely love this series. What I love about this book is that it has many characters with their own POV and I enjoy that as I always want to know how they feel. I finish this book in just one day and I keep thinking about it even after long finish reading it.
In the first book we know that people over the age of 15 will vanish and we also know that Sam and Caine (fraternal twins) survive the “step-over”. No one for sure know where the “stop-over” will led to but no one dares to find out anyway. In this book they managed to survive by far but now they are facing another crisis-hunger. Food is running out and kids are developing power everytime. Kids are choosing sides between freaks and normal and at the other side of the town, Caine is forming a plan for a takeover after recovering from his own nightmare.
Sam on the other hand is handling many childish problems everyday. Though everyone respect and look up to him as a leader, but sometimes they do too don’t cooperate. Gangs broke out, more people got killed, food become rare and it doesn’t help that their food source is being guard by zeeks!
Though Sam is being so moody and irrational sometimes but who can blame him? It’s hard enough that he have to be a father over 300 plus kids, he also need to think about the threat from his brother, Caine.
It’s quite sad actually to see Sam and Caine fighting and nearly get killed when they never even meet and act like brothers before. They never got the chance to know each other. When they first met they are already fighting. There’s the part in this book that for a moment Sam and Caine are working together nd they are jut fine! I was really hoping they would become brother again but nah..that doesn’t happen.
Overall, I’m falling in love with this book! Not falling but already are in love with this series! There’s much more to know about the dissapearance of adult and more pot hole to be covered! I’m so gonna run to the next book after finishing this.
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Hardcover, 558 pages
Published June 24th 2008 by Katherine Tegen Books
Rating:5/5 Stars
Description:
In the blink of an eye. Everyone disappears. GONE.
Except for the young. Teens. Middle schoolers. Toddlers. But not one single adult. No teachers, no cops, no doctors, no parents. Just as suddenly, there are no phones, no internet, no television. No way to get help. And no way to figure out what’s happened.
Hunger threatens. Bullies rule. A sinister creature lurks. Animals are mutating. And the teens themselves are changing, developing new talents–unimaginable, dangerous, deadly powers–that grow stronger by the day.
It’s a terrifying new world. Sides are being chosen, a fight is shaping up. Townies against rich kids. Bullies against the weak. Powerful against powerless. And time is running out: On your birthday, you disappear just like everyone else…
Review:
From the beginning, my mind was full of questions about how this happened, how the kids would survive, what could prevent the same thing from happening again….So many questions.
Sam is the kind of boy you want to have around when the world goes crazy. He’s definitely the reluctant hero type, but usually they come through for you like no other. Because they do what needs to be done, simply because it needs to happen. Not for glory, not for recognition. Sam doesn’t want to be ‘the guy’, but he knows that no one else is going to do it. And when Caine and his posse come down from Coates Academy, taking over and making things mostly worse, someone has to step up to the plate to stop him.
This book is intense, violent, and sometimes sad. Some of these kids die. A lot of them get hurt pretty bad. I’m not a mother yet, but I love kids, and I hate to see them suffering. It was a bit painful to watch. Even harder was seeing the cruelty and potential for evil that some of these children showed. Drake, who is basically Caine’s bully boy, is a psychopath. He loves hurting people, and he feels no remorse about doing it. In my mind, I was weighing the options, even thinking that they needed to kill him, because he was like a rabid animal, bent on destruction. I felt horrible doing that, but he’s a loose cannon, and he’s only going to get worse. I don’t think saving this boy is an option.
One of the take home messages of this book is the consequences of a social structure that is pretty familiar to most of us. The dynamic that we see in a group of kids where there are bullies who find the ‘weakest’ people and torment then, doing everything they can to make life miserable for those kids. And this causes a lot of fallout, because people forget ethics and what’s morally right so that they can have peace from the bullies. In essence, they become part of the problem, contributing to a micro-society in which children get hurt because everyone is afraid to speak up and stand up against the bullies and the ones who are ‘running things’ for their own twisted, self-absorbed reasons. It made me shudder to see what these children did to each other, because they thought it was the easiest option to keep control of things. I’ll be honest. I was bullied and picked on big time. It made me hate seeing the so-called ‘weak’ or ‘different’ people get targeted and treated that way. I’m no fighter, but I made a promise that I’d stand up for someone who couldn’t do that for his or herself. I was glad that the kids like Sam and Edilio (what a sweetheart) were more than willing to do that.
It’s one of those rare stories where it’s not a clearly drawn love/hate line between the good guys and the bad guys, either. Through the entire book, instead of thinking “Man, I hope Sam kills Caine” I kept thinking “Man, I hope Sam and Caine team up.” Yes, I have this vision of them becoming bestie brothers and fighting the darkness together. I guess we’ll see.
I highly recommend this novel to all, and I hope you’ll read it.
-Cassandra @SoManyBooksSoLittleTime
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Tags: Bullying, Caine, Drake, Edilio, Sam, Thought, Violence and Abuse, Youth
Kindle Edition, 237 pages
Published January 17th 2013 by K. A. Last
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Description:
“Angels aren’t supposed to fall in love, especially with each other. But for the record, you were worth it.”
Grace Tate is a Protection Angel and Vampire Hunter, and she has always followed the rules. But some rules are made to be broken…
Until now the fight against evil has been simple, and falling in love was never part of the plan. So what happens when it’s beyond Grace’s control, and when she least expects it she falls for the wrong person?
All hell breaks loose, that’s what.
At Hopetown Valley High, not everything is as it seems, and the one person Grace thought was her enemy becomes her most important ally.
Blood will be shed, lives will be lost and friendships will be tested. It all comes down to one decision, and when Grace tries to save all those dear to her, she realises not everyone can be—or wants to be—saved.
Review:
Okay, WOW!!! I really really enjoyed this novel, more than I thought I would!
This book’s concept is a great mix of paranormal and romance and was a well-written story with many twists and turns that left me guessing until the end. It raises above all vampire/angel stereotype. The author wrote in an effortless manner, which allowed events in the novel unfold by themselves.
I enjoyed reading the POVs of Grace, Josh, Seth, and Archer; it will keep you enraptured as the pages turn. Each chapter follows the thoughts of the characters and the situations they are in. The characters are well described and are in the midst of a love triangle, which was probably one of my favourite elements in the novel..
Fall For Me is a great captivating story which was really hard to put down and finishing this novel has left me anticipating the sequel! It’s definitely a MUST READ!
Check Out the Teaser Tuesday Post for this novel!
-Ana @SoManyBooksSoLittleTime
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Tags: Angel, Arts, Australia, Fiction, Goodreads, Grace, Grace Tate, Hopetown Valley High, Seth, Tate Chronicles, Vampire Hunter
Paperback, 293 pages
Published May 14th 2009 by Razorbill
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Description:
In Strange Angels, Dru Anderson has what her grandmother called “the touch.” (Comes in handy when you’re traveling from town to town with your dad, hunting ghosts, suckers, wulfen, and the occasional zombie.) Then her dad turns up dead—but still walking—and Dru knows she’s next. Even worse, she’s got two guys hungry for her affections, and they’re not about to let the fiercely independent Dru go it alone. Will Dru discover just how special she really is before coming face-to-fang with whatever—or whoever— is hunting her?
Review:
This series is my favorite of all time. Yes, I have my reasons–if you’re not looking for a summary, and just want my pure, unfiltered opinion on it, go to the bottom of this review. I’ll try to give a short, un-spoilered summary of it here:Dru Anderson is a sixteen year old girl who just moved to the Middle of Nowhere, USA, with her dad. They move all over the country to kill the things in the Real World, the things that go bump in the night. Dru’s father has taught her how to defend herself, mostly with t’ai chi and firepower. She doesn’t have any friends to speak of, as she’s moved around too much to really keep in touch with anyone, but she worships her father and wants to help him in any way she can.
Dru has something her late grandmother calls “the touch.” It allows her to perceive things that normal people can’t, but the author down’t take this concept and run with it as many others do. The touch is not the focal point of this series at all; it’s more about just trying to stay alive.
When her dad goes off one day to hunt something (he doesn’t tell Dru what, but it seems kind of fishy to her) and comes back the next as a zombie, Dru has to commit patricide in order to save herself. Naturally, she doesn’t want to stay in the house with the rapidly-decaying body of her dad, so she, not thinking from shock, goes to the mall.
There, she meets a boy that she knows from school. Graves offers her a place to stay for the night, she accepts, and from then on, they’re best friends.
Then sh*t goes down.
I’m not going to go into any more details, as the rest of what happens IS the story, but I will say that it’s a pretty damn good book. Dru, while not being particularly likable, is utterly focused on keeping herself and Graves alive, and is rightfully suspicious of the other major character that appears in the book. Graves is wary, for the most part, and has a good head on his shoulders. Overall, the characters are well-rounded and thoroughly thought out.
My only complaint of this book (and it’s only this book, not the entire series) is the focus on Graves’ race–half white, half asian. Yes, we get that he’s “mixed.” Thanks. If you’re looking to buy this for someone else, or for sensitive readers, Strange Angels (and the rest of the series) is chock-full of swears, and Jesus Christs, and Dear Gods, and so on. However, if you/the person you’re buying for is mature, this shouldn’t be a problem.
I should mention that if you’re looking for romance, this book is not one you should read–Dru is kind of a jerk, and she’s unsure of herself and her companions, and most of all, she’s trying to survive. Throughout the book, she’s thinking not of who has the most beautiful smile, or how sexy they are, or how she imagines a kiss from one of them would be–she’s focusing completely on getting to a safe place so she can plan revenge on whatever killed her dad.
-Shannon @ SoManyBooksSoLittleTime
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Tags: Arts, Fiction, Jesus, Lili St. Crow, Razorbill, Strange Angels, United States, USA
Bed of Roses (Bride Quartet #2)
by Nora Roberts
Trade Paperback, 335 pages
Published October 27th 2009 by Berkley Trade
Rating:★★★
Description:
View our feature on The Bride Quartet by Nora RobertsLove blooms in the second novel in Nora Roberts’s celebrated Bride Quartet series.As little girls MacKensie, Emma, Laurel, and Parker spent hours acting out their perfect make believe “I do” moments. Years later their fantasies become reality when they start their own wedding planning company to make every woman’s dream day come true. With perfect flowers, delicious desserts, and joyful moments captured on film, Nora Roberts’s Bride Quartet shares each woman’s emotionally magical journey to romance.In Bed of Roses, florist Emma Grant is finding career success with her friends at Vows wedding planning company, and her love life appears to be thriving. Though men swarm around her, she still hasn’t found Mr. Right. And the last place she’s looking is right under her nose.But that’s just where Jack Cooke is. He’s so close to the women of Vows that he’s practically family, but the architect has begun to admit to himself that his feelings for Emma have developed into much more than friendship. When Emma returns his passion—kiss for blistering kiss—they must trust in their history…and in their hearts.
Review:
Classic love and formulaic romance is in the air, gardens and between friends in Bed of Roses, Nora Roberts’s follow up novel to
A Vision in White in the Bride Quartet series.The notion of romance is sweeter than romance itself for Vows florist, Emmaline Grant. A notion that is too sweet, unblemished and on the far end of the reality spectrum. Of all the ladies of Vows, she places the most faith in finding the sort of romance that most people only
dream about dreaming about. Substantiating her belief is her own parent’s love story, both picture-perfect and lasting, coupled with her work in the wedding business where she engineers the perfect day for couples everyday.Then there is Jack Cooke, the architect and such close friends of Emma and her friends, he is regarded as their brother. Though an attraction exist between Emma and Jack, as honorary brother, it is never acknowledged and acted on. That is until a series of events changes that. When run-ins lead to conversations, which turn into concrete plans, before they realize it, Emma and Jack are on the brink of a whirl-wind romance.As the undercurrents of their
as a friend with a potential for more love surface and their relationship begin to blossom, so do their characters. The formula for romance that has been tried, tested and stays true. Emma is the romance-struck girl meet Jack, the commitment-phobia, steer clear of romance type of man. As Emma and Jack discover new things about each other, they also find a middle ground in how they define, express, and solidify their relationship.No love is truer than one that has been tested. The thorn in their relationship is communication. There are a lot of needs, wants, and idealizations projected by Emma onto Jack, who is both clueless and consciously wary stemming from experience with his parents’ less than perfect marriage. Where Emma is clear on what she wants and very in the moment of showing on she feels, Jack is more cautious and reflective on these things.
Though formulaic, love and romance is still sweet and sweeter when it is shared with families and friends. Through it all they are there for Emma just like her work plays a dominant role in her life. Emma’s work and life of florist is mentioned in abundance that can at times overwhelm and take away from the story.
*Spoilers*
Of course, no cliche would remain true without the perfect ending, the too-soon marriage proposal complete with a dance in the moonlight. It may be true that a woman can never get enough of romance but this story is cutting it close. Then again where love is concerned, we can forgive a lack of originality (perhaps, that is where all those flowers descriptions attempt to cover), and preditability and just savour in the feel good moment that is love.
You Might Also Like:
Smooth Talking Stranger by Lisa Kleypas
Hot on Her Heels by Susan Mallery
Temptation Ridge by Robyn Carr
-Cassandra @SoManyBooksSoLittleTime
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Tags: Arts, Bed of Roses (novel), Bride Quartet, Emma, Jack Cooke, Lisa Kleypas, Nora Robert, Nora Roberts, Parker, Robyn Carr, Romance, Roses, Vision in White (The Bride Quartet Book 1)
Forbidden Fruit
Paperback, 227 pages
Published October 28th 2008 by Delta (first published October 22nd 2008)
ISBN 0553385119 (ISBN13: 9780553385113)
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Description:
If you loved Fifty Shades of Grey . . . get ready to tasteForbidden Fruit.
For university professor Mia Rose Curry, it was all academic: her course in alternative sexuality was a safe, socially acceptable way for her to talk about the things she desired most—but had never let herself experience. And while students crammed into her class to learn about fetishes, bondage, voyeurism, and much more, Mia kept her own raging desires, and her most private fantasies, carefully under wraps . . . until one man dared to make her secret passions a brazen reality.
Jagger James is everything Mia wants, and everything taboo: he’s gorgeous, daring—and a student. Yet Mia can’t help imagining his hands, his lips, his skin . . . all the while drawing closer and closer to this forbidden fruit. She soon discovers how much Jagger wants her, demanding that she abandon every inhibition with him. Now they are about to take a dangerous step, tempting each other’s flesh, savoring every touch and breaking every rule—knowing that this dazzling sensual feast is only a taste of something more to come. . .
Review:
Professor Mia Rose teaches an Alternative Sexuality course at a university. She instructs others about the many different ways of exploring sexual fetishes. Little do her students know, she has a fetish herself. Food. Food for Mia Rose is a sensual, erotic, aphrodisiac. She loves watching it be prepared. The tastes…the textures on her palate…she loves everything about it.
Jagger James is a 26 year old student in her class. Even though he is only 26, he is very wise for his age. Jagger charms Mia Rose from the very first day they meet. When she finds out he was once a chef, she goes weak in the knees.
I really really really loved Jagger. I was so moved by his love and feelings for Mia Rose. He didn’t hide them at all, but instead he accepted his feelings with open arms. He tried to be around her every moment he could. I think it’s uncommon to see the male in a romance/erotic novel embrace his feelings. Men usually run towards the opposite direction. But Jagger didn’t. He knew of her fetish because he had one as well. I knew from the beginning how he felt and I really enjoyed reading about his emotions and his thoughts. Mia Rose, on the other hand, fought the chemistry between them because of the no-teacher-student-relationship thing. It wasn’t easy for her, he made her blood simmer. And when she saw him cook (in a kitchen that I really want!) she nearly turned into a puddle of pudding on the floor.
This is a fascinating eye-opening book. I never knew fetishes were this complex until I read this book. It’s much more than you could imagine… more to the “how” and “why” it happens. Ms. Bradley was able to delve deep into the psychology of her fetish and really bring her sexual fantasy to the surface. She was able to really get inside my mind and allow me to relate to it, while keeping me entertained with an erotic story. I’ve never read a book where the heroine is older than the hero. This was another first for me. Hmm…I seem to have a lot of firsts with Eden’s books. Ms. Bradley made food sexy…very sexy….and stimulating to read. This is a great book. Truly a book that I loved. I recommend it to all as a “must-read” for anyone seeking an erotic romance with a slight change of pace.
-Cassandra @SoManyBooksSoLittleTime
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Tags: Eden Bradley, Forbidden Fruit, many different ways, private fantasies, secret passions, sensual feast, shades of grey
Paperback, 448 pages
Published April 5th 2011 by Sourcebooks Casablanca (first published April 1st 2011)
Rating:5/5 Stars
Description:
An ultimatum can break your heart….
Every night lead singer, Sed Lionheart whips thousands of women into a frenzy with his voice alone. But the stage is the only place Sed feels any passion since he lost Jessica…
If you’re not willing to break all the rules…
It shattered her heart, but law student Jessica broke off her engagement to Sed, determined to be successful on her own terms. But no other man can ever hold a candle to Sed…
Then a chance meeting and tortuously close quarters lead to uncontrollable flares of passion and rediscovery of their unique penchant for public encounters. Now, in addition to the risk of mutual heartbreak every time they get together, they’re in danger of truly scandalous public exposure…
Review:
I loved reading about their relationship and once Jessica was back in Sed’s life you could see his true nature and feelings. I was fascinated by his sweet side and by how deeply he felt for Jessica. Sed is a man who shows his love by taking care of others and that didn’t always fit to Jessica’s need to be independent. However once they understood these aspects of the other’s nature they had a chance for a lasting relationship.
The sex scenes between Sed and Jessica are amazingly hot and they worked perfectly for me. Both are very open-minded when it comes to having sex. They enjoy it in public places and are not shy about showing their bodies. The chemistry between Sed and Jessica was over the top and their sex scenes varied from kinky to sweet and were always super sexy. I also enjoyed that both were strong characters and I could understand why Jessica shied away from trusting Sed again. There were also some issues at Jessica’s university (she studies law) and I loved that in the end she decided to fight back against the injustices and I admired how she wouldn’t let a teacher destroy her future. A part of the book I enjoyed especially is the end because it was funny and sweet. And both Jessica and Sed did something to show the other their feelings and that made me happy.
I also loved reading about the interactions of the Sinners band members. To read about their fights, their respect and feelings for each other (platonic and not so platonic) was fantastic. How Sed was there for his band members, especially Trey, was awesome and after finishing “Rock Hard” I had a lot of respect for him and for what he did. And I enjoyed that Olivia Cunning gave the reader some more info on every band member and also on Brian and Myrna (the hero & heroine from Backstage Pass). I like that she cares about all of her characters and doesn’t forget them once their book is finished.
I’m already super excited to read the next book in the series and I’m sure that I will love Jace’s story because I have a soft spot for him (ok, I have a soft spot for all Sinners). In my opinion Olivia Cunning has written a perfect erotic romance and I can’t wait to read more by her.
-Ana @SoManyBooksSoLittleTime
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Tags: Brian Griffin, Erotic romance novels, Myrna, Olivia Cunning, Public space, Reading, Rock Hard, Sed
Paperback, 378 pages
Published October 1st 2010 by Sourcebooks Casablanca
Rating:5/5stars
Description:
Five stunning guys, one hot woman, and a feverish romance…
For him, life is all music and no play…
When Brian Sinclair, lead songwriter and guitarist of the hottest metal band on the scene, loses his creative spark, it will take nights of downright sinful passion to release his pent-up genius…
She’s the one to call the tune…
When sexy psychologist Myrna Evans goes on tour with the Sinners, every boy in the band tries to seduce her. But Brian is the only one she wants to get her hands on…
Then the two lovers’ wildly shocking behavior sparks the whole band to new heights of glory… and sin..
Review:
I recommend this hot sexy read to those of you who like reading novels with a Smutty Bad Boy Rock band, and have no problem with all the crazy sex that happens more often than it should. Hey, no complaints here I love it!
Myrna is speaking at a conference at a snoody hotel when she runs into men she would never have thought she’d see here in a million years — the guys from one of her favorite bands, the Sinners. They’re at the hotel bar drinking and in a moment of spontaneity she decides to approach them. Swallowing down all her fan-girl-esk comments, she gets to talking with the group like a halfway normal person. But the one she has her eye on is the one who just happens to be drunker than hell — Brian. He’s always been her favorite with his magical hands (he’s the lead guitarist). When she invites him up to her room, and he agrees, her life takes a drastic turn for the wild side.
This was fantastic! It is a seriously hot read. There’s a lot of sex in it, but I have to give kudos to Olivia Cunning for keeping it interesting because sometimes too much sex in an erotica novel can get to be boring. But she keeps us on our toes by keeping them kinky on the page! I mean, they try all sorts of things in this book and it keeps the heat factor at dangerous levels.
But let me also say that despite this being loaded with sex, I found myself actually caring about the characters as well. The relationships not only between the hero and heroine, but between the band members was really endearing. You could really feel the love between them as friends. There is also some really sentimental moments with Brian and his dad. And speaking of Brian…that man is one sweetie, I’ll tell you what! But yeah, she has an amazingly good way of mixing the sex with the romance with humor as well. I was surprised that I grew attached to the characters so much! I’m so excited to read about the next books and find out who my boys (yes my boys lol) end up with!
So if you’re into extremely sizzling novels with LOTS of yummy sex, super sexy men who manage to be cute and loveable at the same time, and a bit of humor here and there,then this book is for you. Let me warn you though, you might want to keep a lot of water handy to keep you cooled off during this one!
-Ana @SoManyBooksSoLittleTime
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Tags: Brian, Brian Sinclair, Canada, Music, Musical ensemble, Myrna, Myrna Evans, Olivia Cunning, Sex, Sin, Sinners
1. Best Book You Read In 2012?
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green is definitely the best book I’ve read this year. But I don’t think I can stop there:
Dystopian: Legend by Marie Lu, Insurgent by Veronica Roth, The Hunger Games Series by Susan Collins
Paranormal: The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa
Contemporary: Looking for Alaska by John Green, Speechless by Hannah Harrington
Fantasy: Graceling by Kristin Cashore
2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?
Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins
3. Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2012?
Speechless by Hannah Harrington. I wasn’t expecting to love this book as much as I did!.
4. Book you recommended to people most in 2012?
The entire Curse Workers series, One Faithful Night, The Hunger Games series…
5. Best series you discovered in 2012?
Probably Curse Workers by Holly Black,
6. Favorite new authors you discovered in 2012?
Holly Black, Marie Lu, John Green, and Laini Taylor
7. Best book that was out of your comfort zone or was a new genre for you?
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green because that book is amazing and I tend to stick to paranormal or dystopian or fantasy books.
8. Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2012?
Black Heart by Holly Black and The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater. I started Black Heart right after I finished Red Glove and finished it later that day. It was that good. The Raven Boys was also a book that I couldn’t put down.
9. Book You Read In 2012 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year:
Looking for Alaska by John Green, The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater, and The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa
10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2012?
Tie between Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor, The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater, Sweet Evil by Wendi Higgins, Everneath by Brodi Ashton.
11. Most memorable character in 2012?
Augustus from The Fault in Our Stars
12. Most beautifully written book read in 2012?
Another tie between The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater, Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor, and Delirium by Lauren Oliver, Easy bu Tammara Webber
13. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2012?
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2012 to finally read?
Looking for Alaska by John Green, Delirium by Lauren Oliver, Graceling by Kristin Cashore, and White Cat by Holly Black
15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2012?
Do I have to pick one?
“I am,” he said. He was staring at me, and I could see the corners of his eyes crinkling. “I’m in love with you, and I’m not in the business of denying myself the simple pleasure of saying true things. I’m in love with you, and I know that love is just a shout into the void, and that oblivion is inevitable, and that we’re all doomed and that there will come a day when all our labor has been returned to dust, and I know the sun will swallow the only earth we’ll ever have, and I am in love with you.”
-John Green, The Fault in Our Stars
“There are infinite numbers between 0 and 1. There’s .1 and .12 and .112 and an infinite collection of others. Of course, there is a bigger infinite set of numbers between 0 and 2, or between 0 and a million. Some infinities are bigger than other infinities. A writer we used to like taught us that. There are days, many of them, when I resent the size of my unbounded set. I want more numbers than I’m likely to get, and God, I want more numbers for Augustus Waters than he got. But, Gus, my love, I cannot tell you how thankful I am for our little infinity. I wouldn’t trade it for the world. You gave me a forever within the numbered days, and I’m grateful.”
-John Green, The Fault in Our Stars
“It turned out that my curiosity did not outweigh my courage after all. Sometimes love means not being able to bear seeing the one you love the way they are, when they’re not what you hoped for.”
-Jodi Lynn Anderson, Tiger Lily
“The easiest lies to tell are the ones you want to be true.”
-Holly Black, White Cat
16.Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2012?
Longest: Impulse by Ellen Hopkins (666 pages)
Shortest: Fences by August Wilson (128 pages)
17. Book That Had A Scene In It That Had You Reeling And Dying To Talk To Somebody About It? (a WTF moment, an epic revelation, a steamy kiss, etc. etc.) Be careful of spoilers!
Well I remember that while I was reading Rapture by Lauren Kate I felt the need to rant about Daniel leaving Luce underwater and how she almost drowned while he was talking to their enemies and how he kept talking over her. It was so annoying. Then I also couldn’t stop talking about City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare. But if I tell you what I couldn’t stop talking about then it will ruin it so I won’t.
18. Favorite Relationship From A Book You Read In 2012 (be it romantic, friendship, etc).
Peter and Tiger Lily from Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson
19. Favorite Book You Read in 2012 From An Author You Read Previously
The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa
20. Best Book You Read That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else:
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
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Friday is here! What are you reading this weekend? #weekendreads
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Paperback, 358 pages
Published January 25th 2011 by Harlequin Teen
Rating:5/5 Stars
Description:
My name is Meghan Chase.
I thought it was over. That my time with the fey, the impossible choices I had to make, the sacrifices of those I loved, was behind me. But a storm is approaching, an army of Iron fey that will drag me back, kicking and screaming. Drag me away from the banished prince who’s sworn to stand by my side. Drag me into the core of conflict so powerful, I’m not sure anyone can survive it.
This time, there will be no turning back.
Review:
So, this is it. Wow!I can’t even begin to explain how much I loved this book. I know, this has been said many times before but I have to repeat it. This was epic!The Iron Queen picks up right after Meghan and Ash were exiled and tells the story about Meghan’s last fight against the False Iron King and her attempt to save the Nevernever. This was an epic story about bravery, loyalty, friendship, true love as well as despair, loss and sacrifices.
All my beloved characters were back in this book. Grim was his usual mysterious self, providing “I am a cat” as an explanation for almost everything, and Puck was still the funny and loyal, though a little more bitter, best friend that I’ve grown to love. Then there were some new characters that added to the fun like Glitch and Razor. I fell in love with Razor right away. I want my very own little Gremlin! And, of course, there were Meghan and Ash. I adored Meghan in this third installment of the Iron Fey series. She’s grown up, she’s brave and loyal and displays the possession of some serious guts. But the best character of this entire series is Ash. He really gets to shine in this book. I enjoyed seeing his icy facade melt and getting a glimpse at the amazing person that lies behind it. Both Ash and Puck made my eyes well up several times with their declarations of love and dedication to Meghan.
There has rarely been a book that managed to suck me into the story as thoroughly as the books of the Iron Fey series did. You know how sometimes your thoughts drift off while reading? It doesn’t mean that the book is bad, it just happens? Well, this was definitely not the case here. I love Kagawa’s worldbuilding and the dark and brooding atmosphere her writing style creates. It’s like a mixture of Alice in Wonderland, Matrix and The Lord of the Rings and made me forget everything around me. Her writing was so vivid, I saw the world unfold before my inner eye like I was watching a movie. Truly amazing.
As for the romance…I have mentioned before that I’m not a big fan of that instant-love-at-first-sight-thing. It rarely works for me. Where it did work, for example, was Twilight. Yes, I am one of those people who thinks that Twilight is the ultimate paranormal love story. Don’t club me, please. And after having finished the Iron Queen I can say, here it worked again. Ash is just…he’s so…I am at loss for words. Nothing I can say would do him justice but let me tell you this: He nudged Edward off his throne. That’s how much I adore this character.
As for the ending? Oh.My.Freaking.God. To say that I cried like a baby would put it mildly. I’m talking heart wrenching, all-consuming sobs here. And now I am desperate, yes desperate to read the Iron Knight. Oh God…
Last but not least, thanks to Harlequin Enterprises for the opportunity to read this book now, instead of having to wait until February 2011. Thanks so much!
————————————————————
I know, this is getting old but I have to mention this. I LOVE these two quotes. They made me fall in love with Ash all over again:
“Hey,” I whispered, as Ash slipped his arms around my waist from behind, drawing me close. I could feel his glare aimed at Puck over my head, a silent, protective gesture that spoke louder than any words. “Mine. Back off.”
“One more thing” Ash said in his dangerous, soft voice as we turned away. “If you do not return with her” Ash continued staring him down, “I will turn this entire camp into a bloodbath. That is my promise.”
———————————————————-
Songs I listened to while reading:
“On the nature of daylight” by Max Richter
“All that is good” by Tyler Bates
“Evenstar” – Lord of the Rings sound track
“Violin Concerto II” by Philip Glass
Stef and Morgan, thanks for providing the right soundtrack for this book. It made the reading experience so much more intense. While I was reading the final chapters I listended to “on the nature of daylight” by Max Richter and it made my heart shatter into a million tiny pieces.
Kim, I really enjoyed our reading date. Thanks, hun. ^^
Alright, that’s it. I’m locking myself up in a closet now and I won’t come out before a certain dark faery knight as shown up and offered to take me away.
-Ana @ SoManyBooksSoLittleTime
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Tags: Ash, Gremlin, Harlequin Enterprises, Iron King, Iron Queen, Meghan, Meghan Chase, Persephone, Puck
The Future of Us
Hardcover, 356 pages
Published November 21st 2011 by Razorbill
Rating:
Description;
It’s 1996, and Josh and Emma have been neighbors their whole lives. They’ve been best friends almost as long – at least, up until last November, when Josh did something that changed everything. Things have been weird between them ever since, but when Josh’s family gets a free AOL CD in the mail,his mom makes him bring it over so that Emma can install it on her new computer. When they sign on, they’re automatically logged onto their Facebook pages. But Facebook hasn’t been invented yet. And they’re looking at themselves fifteen years in the future.By refreshing their pages, they learn that making different decisions now will affect the outcome of their lives later. And as they grapple with the ups and downs of what their futures hold, they’re forced to confront what they’re doing right – and wrong – in the present.
Review:
A very quick read that I didn’t want to put down. I don’t know what made this book so addictive but it was truly enjoyable. It’s May 1996 and Emma and Josh live next door to each other. Josh gets a CD-ROM in the mail for 100 free hours on AOL. (Oh, how I remember being excited to add another AOL account for 100 free hours.) He gives the disc to Emma who has recently received a new computer from her dad. She loads the AOL disc which takes several hours and they log on to AOL through the phone line. While they are exploring AOL they come upon a website called Facebook where they find themselves 15 years in the future. Future Facebook Emma is unhappily married and Josh is happily married to one of the hottest girls from high school.
As time goes on Emma realizes that she’s not happy with the future husband and does things to change her future but as she soon realizes what she does in the present won’t make her happy in the future. She must find a way to be happy in the present.
This brought back memories of spending a lot of time and money to be online back when you paid by the hour. And how I don’t miss dial-up service. I remember having to get separate phone line in 1995 when I was in college because I was tying up the phone line to our house with six girls living in it.
I loved this book but a few things that seemed to not sit well with me were the references to 1996. I graduated from college the same day that the book starts (May 19, 1996). I did some fact checking online and found a few problems with the references. AOL at that time was sending out tons of 3 1/2″ floppy discs free access, not CD-ROMs. AOL wasn’t released for Windows 95 until June 1996. A reference to DVDs also didn’t sit well as DVDs weren’t test marketed in the U.S. until March 1997, nearly a full year after this story takes place. And I don’t remember a lot of people in May 1996 having cell phones, especially ones that weren’t attached to their car.
-Cassandra @ SoManyBooksSoLittleTime
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Tags: AOL, Compact Disc, Emma, facebook, Jay Asher, Josh, November, Razorbill
Misfit
Hardcover, 384 pages
Published August 1st 2011 by Amulet Books
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Description:
Jael Thompson has never really fit in. She’s changed schools too many times to count. The only family she’s ever known is her father, a bitter ex-priest who never lets her date and insists she attend the strictest Catholic school in Seattle. And her mother—well, she was a five thousand year old demon. That doesn’t exactly help.But on her sixteenth birthday, her father gives her a present that brings about some unexpected changes. Some of the changes, like strange and wonderful powers and the cute skater boy with a knack for science, are awesome. But others, like the homicidal demon seeking revenge on her family? Not so much.Steeped in mythology, this is an epic tale of a heroine who balances the old world with new, science with magic, and the terrifying depths of the underworld with the ordinary halls of high school.
Review:
OK, I absolutely love Jon Skovron’s Misfit. It starts off a little slow, but 10-15% into the novel it really picks up. And doesn’t let go. The demon mythology is so well thought out, so clever, dark, humorous, and definitely one of the best plot devices I’ve read in YA for a while. The story switches from present to past as the heroine, Jael, delves into the memories of the people around her. These moments, these memories are utterly mesmerizing. From the first memory of her mother and father meeting, to their demon hunting, to the twisted tangles Jael finds in the souls of the supporting characters, I was enthralled. Skovron’s plot, weaved between the past and the present, is just as entertaining when we are in the present with Jael as she trains in her new-found abilities. Jael’s training and her abilities are vividly described and wonderfully imaginative. She is one cool paranormal. Moreover, just as intriguing as the past told through character memories, is the plot written in present tense, in which Jael ducks and dives and takes on one of the Grand Dukes of Hell, Belial. It’s thrilling, suspenseful and action-packed. All the best adjectives for a YA paranormal As for characterisation… wow. Jael herself grows so much over the course of the novel. She’s a very unassuming character, frustrated with her father and all the mystery, but otherwise pretty laid back. When she discovers her heritage and begins to train, the reader discovers how truly brave and loyal Jael is, and by the end of the novel she stands proudly among the ranks of YA’s kick-ass heroines.
Another refreshing element to Skovron’s novel was the romance between Jael and Rob. It was so authentic and by that I mean they acted like real teenagers. Rob is a charming character. He’s a laid-back, intelligent skater boy with a mind that’s wide open. The romance is just a sub-plot and doesn’t take over the storyline; in fact it’s just another layer to the wonderful subtlety that is Skovron’s writing. I’ll also add that the demons, the Grand Dukes of hell, are all amazingly colourful, twisted and violent. Jael’s mother is an amazingly intriguing character and I loved when we were sucked back into the past with her. Skovron moulds his mythology around existing history and religions in such a clever way that I found myself curling into my kindle with happiness – I’m a sucker for using real history/mythology and giving it a paranormal explanation, and the author does this exceptionally well.
Lastly my favourite character is Jael’s demon uncle, Dagon. He’s exactly how you imagine a demon to look. He’s old skool. And he’s hilarious, and I just loved every minute he was on the page.
Misfit is written in smooth, modern prose. The writing is stunningly vivid with smart dialogue and beautiful imagery.
Five Massive Stars!
-Ana @ SoManyBooksSoLittleTime
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Tags: Belial, books, Catholic school, character, Dagon, Demon, Jael, Paranormal, Seattle, Writing
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Review:
Spy Glass is an epic and addictive finale to the Opal Cowan series. From the first page I was hooked and I was reading it in every spare second I could find.
At the end of Sea Glass Opal makes a huge sacrifice for the greater good. So at the beginning of Spy Glass (which takes up where Sea Glass finishes) we see Opal trying to come to terms with her actions and the loss that she has endured. She also discovers an unexpected result of her sacrifice which is yet another thing she needs to decide whether to tell the council.
Opal is determined to be a master of her own destiny in this novel. She makes some distinctively tough choices and some of them would not find their way into a Young Adult novel in the UK. It is obvious to me after reading this why it is marketed as an adult novel here.
There are some interesting themes explored through the novel: freedom, power, corruption, love. There is also a huge emphasis on redemption and the difference between a character driven by an inner evil and one who is driven by a debilitating addiction. It is the first time I’ve seen this in a fantasy novel and it really intrigued me as a way to characterise the evil actions that one character does.
The plot of the series is meticulously crafted. I honestly cannot get my head around how a writer can foresee at the beginning of a series how all the subplots can tie into the main plot. It is incredible and Snyder really keeps the reader on her toes.
If you’ve had told me what would happen in the ending before I started reading the book, I wouldn’t have believed you. I wouldn’t have wanted it to happen the way it did. But then as I got more and more into Spy Glass everything I wanted at the beginning had changed and so that I did want the ending the was revealed to me.
Spy Glass is a surprising twist in the tale of Opal Cowan. I would actually love to read more from this character or at least from her world. I am going to have to go and read the Study series now because I am rather addicted to Snyder’s plotting. It is thriller meets fantasy. Gripping, mysterious and highly satisfying!
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Tags: Glass, Goodreads, Hubal, Maria V. Snyder, Mira Books, Opal, Sea Glass, Young-adult fiction
by Jessica Verday
Rating: 5/5
Description:
A love that knows no bounds. Abbey knows that
Caspian is her destiny. Theirs is a bond that transcends even death. But as Abbey finally learns the full truth about the dark fate that links her to Caspian and ties them both to the town of
Sleepy Hollow, she suddenly has some
very hard choices to make. Caspian may be the love of her life, but is that love worth dying for? Beautifully spun, emotionally gripping, and irresistibly romantic, The Hidden will leave you breathless.
Review:
Generally when someone is reading a series, like a trilogy or just a really long series, the first one is always chosen as the favorite out of the corresponding books. Except, for me, this is the COMPLETE opposite. Why? I don’t know why, truthfully. Wait, scratch that, I do know why. When an author writes an epic, amazing, perfect conclusion, I will choose that book as the best. I love conclusions. Conclusions are great. I love conclusion that make me feel completed. You know when you’re reading, and reading, and reading, and you suddenly turn the last page of the series and your like, “WTF? What kind of ending is that?” Yeah, those endings flipping suck!
So yeah, can you see why I generally enjoy concluding books best? I love that feeling of happiness and completeness. Don’t get me wrong, diving into a brand new series is always a head-rush feeling that I love. Just, I get happier when I end a book. I’ve finished it, accomplished it, and now its time to move on.
Any who (even though we’re not who’s in whoville… hehehe, get it?.. the Grinch… get it?.. never mind), onto the review. You can probably guess that this was my favorite out of all three. Again with this one we are stuck inside Abbey’s little head, living her days out as if we are actually there. It’s great and all, but it gets kind of dull, Jessica. If you decide to write a new book, think about this. Like the other two, nothing MAJOR happens until the last 100 pages. GAH, the last hundred pages! Wow, just wow. That ending was flipping amazing!
Characters: Abbey isn’t the needy type. I mean, she doesn’t want Caspian to leave her and gets upset when he goes for a walk, but that’s understandable. She loves him. I get sad when my boyfriend does that. For me, Abbey is a very likable character. She knows what she wants in life, thinks for her self. I really admired her for that. Caspian, well he’s a ghost, so how can you possibly relate to a ghost when you’re not one yourself. In the first book, truthfully, I didn’t like him. I did end up loving him in this one. He’s so protective and sweet, and he just makes me cry. I don’t know why, but he’s such a tortured soul to me. Overall I’d say the characters are likable… except Abbey’s mom. I don’t like her. She’s weird and makes me want to slap her.
Plot: Again, a little slow in the beginning but does pick up. The ending was amazing! I of course can not tell you why it is, but trust me, it is. You can tell the author really thought the plot through. Everything was tied in at the end. Things made sense and you felt COMPLETED! Thank you Jessica! Honestly, I ended up crying after this. I have the most sensitive nerves, just ask my boyfriend. I can’t believe I cried. I just really loved this series, and what Abbey did in the end… GAH, she’s amazing.
Setting: I must say, after reading The Hollow, I actually want to read The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving. It sounds interesting. The setting sounds so cute. Sleepy Hollow sounds like a really nice and quiet town I would most likely enjoy.
Writing: The writing is quite good, considering Jessica writes the entire story by hand and then transfers it to computer. I do this to and it shows how much work a writer puts into her writing when he/she does this. Jessica’s writing is unique and beautiful. Vivid descriptions and imagery really had me creating a film in my mind.
Overall, I give this deserving 2 curly pig tails
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Tags: Abbey, Arts, Caspian, Caspian Sea, Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Reading (process), Sleepy Hollow, Washington Irving
Athena “Stormy” Sterling is coming to
Dullsville, and Raven is both excited and panicked in anticipation of
Alexander‘s little sister’s visit. Alexander tells Raven that she and his sister have a lot in common, but can the mini-Raven be everything she hopes for? Alexander calls her Stormy for a reason.Stormy’s visit stirs up the perfect immortal whirlwind. Raven is forced to take a good look at what it would really mean to be a vampire in the Sterling family, aside from some of the things she already loves, like shunning the sun and sleeping in a coffin with Alexander. When Raven compares her life with Stormy’s, she can see that it’s not all starry skies and black roses. But Raven knows she’s always wanted to be a vampire.Alexander is as romantic and dreamy as ever, and though he keeps showing Raven how much he loves her, will she ultimately be able to convince him that it’s the right thing to turn her?
This final chapter of Vampire Kisses’ nocturnal romance will keep all mortal and immortal hearts racing.
Review:
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Tags: Alexander, books, Charles Paul Alexander, Ellen Schreiber, Placeholder name, Raven, Vampire, Vampire Kisses, Vampire Kisses: Blood Relatives Volume II
Sell your cleverness and buy bewilderment.
Rumi
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Tags: quotes
Gone (Dream Catcher #3)
by Lisa McMann
Rating: 5/5 stars
Description:
The conclusion of the paranormal teen series, Wake. Janie is spending her summer with Cabel, but deep down she’s panicking about how she’s going to survive her future when getting sucked into other people’s dreams starts to take its toll.
Review;
This was a great way to end the trilogy. The vibe is somewhat different than the Wake Dream Catcher 1 and Fade Dream Catcher 2 where it was more minor-character heavy with the dreamcatching. It’s more downplayed in this more intimate installment as it focuses on the people closest to Janie. I’m glad Lisa McMann delves more into Janie’s struggling relationship with her mom; her mom wasn’t just there as a background character. What’s revealed in GONE is subtly hinted in WAKE.
I found Janie’s mom a little endearing and more humanized here cuz we get her backstory. I’m also glad that Janie works enough courage to stand-up to her mom’s put-downs. I also found their relationship very real, esp. where they stand by the end of the book. You can tell they’re a bit closer, they’re still struggling but it’s nothing immediate. As for Janie and Cabe‘s relationship, it picks up where FADE left off. Lisa further explores Cabe’s insecurities about his future with Janie.
You can tell, even feel, how scared he is not matter how much he loves Janie. At the same time, Janie is struggling to not think she might become a burden to him, but his recent dreams are enough to convince her to disappear. But for them, it’s the unconditional love they have for one another that has gotten them through a lot of the bad stuff. I found Janie’s connection to the stranger, Henry Feingold, as endearing as her relationship with her mother. His story is sad, disturbing, interesting, and endearing all at once. Him and Janie’s interactions are just as intense. I can’t even tell you how overwhelming it was. Overwhelming, in a good way. I agree with what Lisa decided to do with his character, I think he served his purpose.
In the end, I think Janie’s decision was right in her circumstance/Morton’s Fork, which I think Lisa did a good job of explaining. It takes a while to understand but she gets her point across. It reminds us that it’s important to take the present one day at a time sometimes and try and prepare for whatever the future holds.
That’s where I feel Janie has the upperhand in comparison to Mrs. Stubin and Henry. Even I felt as conflicted as her throughout this one. I don’t think I would’ve had the courage to make a decision. Another thing I found awesome was how hard it can be to love someone unconditionally cuz you’re scared of how they might react. There’s Janie and her parents, Janie and Cabel, and Carrie (Janie’s BFF) and Stu. Each character chose their Morton’s Fork and it made for a bittersweet yet satisfying ending.
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Tags: Cabel, Chats and Forums, Fade, Fork, Goodreads, Hunger Games, Janie, Janis Joplin, Lisa McMann, Morton's fork, Paranormal, Wake
- Fade (Dream Catcher #2)
- by Lisa McMann
Rating: 5/5
Description:
SOME NIGHTMARES NEVER END.
For Janie and Cabel, life is getting tougher than the dreams. They’re just trying to carve out a little (secret) time together, but no such luck.
Disturbing things are happening at Fieldridge High, yet nobody’s talking. When Janie taps into a classmate’s violent nightmares, the case finally breaks open — but nothing goes as planned. Not even close. Janie’s in way over her head, and Cabe‘s shocking behavior has grave consequences for them both.
Worse yet, Janie learns the truth about herself and her ability — and it’s bleak. Seriously, brutally bleak. Not only is her fate as a dream catcher sealed, but what’s to come is way darker than she’d feared….
In Fade, Janie learns more about her dream catching abilities. She works with the cops, undercover, with her boyfriend Cabel. In the last book, they work together to bust a drug dealer, but in this novel, Captain wants their help in busting a sexual predator in their school. Using Janie as bait. Let’s just say that Cabel does not approve of Janie’s decision to act as the bait. In the end, they discover that her Chem 2, Psychology, and PE teachers are all sexual predators and Captain has them arrested. However, in the glory of the bust, Cabe and Janie go through a rough patch. In the end, though, they work it out and decide to go through their problems as they come.
Again, I loved Cabel’s character. I understood his apprehension about Janie’s situation, not only because it was a dangerous one, but because of all the loss he has faced in his life. He was, at times, overprotective of her, but that was, again, understandable. I didn’t appreciate him practically bolting after they busted the teachers, but I was glad when he finally talked to her about what was doing with him. Despite that, though, I couldn’t get over how much of a cutie he was and how much I loved him still.
Janie was an even more interesting character in this book. She has developed since her time in Wake. I was interested in learning more about her powers and was glad when she finally read that green notebook. It seemed like she was constantly yelling at Cabe in this book, though, and I didn’t really appreciate that. When they worked out their stuff, though, at the end, I was glad she stood up to him and demanded to know why he was pushing her away.
I hated when Janie had the GHB in here. That was the worst part for me because of everything that happened with the teachers when she was under the influence of the date-rape drug.
One thing that was particularly satisfying: Janie and Cabel finally had sex. I was glad they finally did The Deed because, both in Wake and Fade, there was allll kinds of pent up sexual tension that needed to be taken care of and let out.
Again, I lovelovelove this book and eagerly await the time when I get my hands on Gone, the third book in the trilogy, even though I’ll be very sad to see the trilogy end
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Tags: Cabel, Dream, Dream Catcher, Fade, Janie, Lisa McMann, Psychology, Social Sciences
Infinity (Chronicles of Nick #1)
by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Rating: 5/5 stars
Description:
At fourteen, Nick Gautier thinks he knows everything about the world around him. Streetwise, tough and savvy, his quick sarcasm is the stuff of legends. . .until the night when his best friends try to kill him. Saved by a mysterious warrior who has more fighting skills than Chuck Norris, Nick is sucked into the realm of the Dark-Hunters: immortal vampire slayers who risk everything to save humanity.
Nick quickly learns that the human world is only a veil for a much larger and more dangerous one: a world where the captain of the football team is a werewolf and the girl he has a crush on goes out at night to stake the undead.
But before he can even learn the rules of this new world, his fellow students are turning into flesh-eating zombies. And he’s next on the menu.
As if starting high school isn’t hard enough. . .now Nick has to hide his new friends from his mom, his chainsaw from the principal, and keep the zombies and the demon Simi from eating his brains, all without getting grounded or suspended. How in the world is he supposed to do that?
Review:
Nicholas Gautier (that’s Go-shay; don’t mispronounce it!) is fourteen, a poor scholarship kid at a prestigious private school, and it seems like he’s the punching bag of most of the jocks. His father is in prison on multiple counts of murder, and his mother works her butt off as a stripper just to keep a tiny roof over their heads and second-hand clothes on their backs. All of these things are strikes against him in high school–which is pretty much hell for him–and that’s before one of his classmates goes zombie and tries to eat another student.
Nick wears a smart mouth and an attitude as armor against those who mock him.
Kenyon has a gift for writing smart asses, and in a novel populated with teenagers, the snark really flies. I love it. Under immediate threat by zombies? Snark at your sibling, buddy, or classmate. Pop off at people who can, and probably will, kick your butt–it’s all good. In the midst of the insanity, Nick discovers that most of his high school’s football team is composed of shape shifters, and that soul sucking vampires, vampire hunters, secret societies, ancient gods–and oh yeah, demons–all exist. As it turns out, Bubba, New Orleans’ crazy zombie hunter, isn’t so crazy after all. Nick spends an awful lot of his time in Infinity trying to stay alive, protect his mother (who is blissfully unaware of the supernatural), and not get grounded–and not ticking his mother off is mighty important. There are times I think it trumps, for him, staying alive.
Nick learns that his heritage isn’t as straight forward as he thought it was, and takes the first steps toward exploring who he is, and can be. There are external forces at work actively trying to keep him on the straight and narrow path, just as there are others actively trying to turn him toward the dark. This skinny teenager is mighty important to a fair number of people for a variety of reasons.
Nonetheless, all he wants is to survive high school, not end up like his loathed father, and to make his beloved mother proud even though he finds himself strongly tempted to do things she’d never, ever, approve of. If you are familiar with the Dark-Hunter series, you already know much of this. If you’re new to the series, you’ll get to see the origins of a character that has been slowly developing–and getting into trouble–as an adult in the main series. I’d read nothing about Infinity before starting it, so I was nicely surprised by a bit of a twist that I won’t spoil here. I love it when books surprise me!
This is the first book in the Chronicles of Nick series, which is a spin-off of Kenyon’s Dark-Hunter paranormal romance series. Per Sherrilyn Kenyon’s website, the Chronicles of Nick will run until the story intersects with Nick’s first appearance in the Dark-Hunter books, and then he’ll get his own novel in that series. If you aren’t already familiar with the Dark-Hunters world that Sherrily Kenyon has created, I think Infinity is a good introductory novel. It is listed as young adult, so it doesn’t have the paranormal romance (well, the romance) trappings of the series that spawned it, but it is an excellent introduction to the mythos of Kenyon’s world. Like any prequel that’s written after a series has been established, if you move from Infinity to the Dark-Hunter books, you’ll have some knowledge of the characters you might not have otherwise, just as I, as an established reader, probably picked up on hints in Infinity that a reader new to the world might not get. There are trade-offs either way. I wouldn’t let worries about it being a spin-off series keep you from the story. Nick’s brand of Cajun smart-ass is entertaining and endearing, and you truly don’t need to be familiar with the other books to enjoy Nick Gautier’s story.
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Tags: Chronicles of Nick, Infinity, nick gautier, Sherrilyn Kenyon
Review:
Not long after the discovery of magical abilities and the Ixian execution order, former food tester Yelena flees to Sitia, a neighboring country. She hopes to find peace and refugee in her newly discouvered birthplace. However Sitia still seems foreign and Yelena has yet to regain her memories of the home she doesn’t know. She is unconfortably unfamiliar with the costoms of the various clans in Sitia, including her own, the Zaltana Clan. Even her own brother treats her like an intruder. However, she has little time to ponder her feelings of being an outsider or yearn for Valek, the only home she has ever known, because there is something terribly amiss in Sitia, deaths and dissapearances likely to be the work of a rogue magician. Once again Yelena finds herself a key player in a greedy ploy for power, a situation onlt she can remedy, if she can learn to control her magical gifts.
Fast paced and exciting, Magic Study is a terrific continuation of Yelena’s story from the fantastic Poison Study. Snyder beautifully weaves another unforgettable tale full of secrets and intrigue that is impossible to set down; she is a storyteller so powerful that the reader is drawn into the story as if they are actually there. There are many threads to this story, but they are quite easy to keep track of. And it’s not just the interesting and unique plot that captures the reader’s attention, but the vivid and realistic characters. Yelena is as strong willed and independent as ever, and I admire her resourcefulness and determination to help all those who need helping; she still steal the reader’s heart all over again as she confronts old demons and battles new ones. I think it’s very interesting how there’s not any real set of defined rules of right and wrong and how these gray areas and various interpretations are so integral to the story. Loyalty as well is a large influence from Yelena’s Ixian friends to surprising past relationships. I feel a sort of greater theme is at work developing here besides Yelena’s trilling tale, and I’m excited to see how it plays out in the conclusion to this trilogy, Fire Study.
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Assassin Study (Study #1.5)
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Tags: Maria V. Snyder
Review:
Once I started reading the first one I couldn’t put that one down and read through the night finishing at 5 am. But it was worth it.So then I couldn’t wait to read the second one and picked it up as soon as I can.
I have to say that L.J Smith tied this one up in the best way possible. I have read her other books (The Vampire Diaries seemed rather vague to me in the way it was written)and this one was, honestly, the best one.
This book picks up right where the other ones leave off, which is right after Cassie went with the twins to get pumpkins. I really love the subtle, hide-and-seek sort of romance between her and Adam. They really got me latched on to them and I often found myself shouting at Adam when he pretend loved Diana in front of Cassie.
I found out that I really loved all the 12 Secret Circle characters individually and found something to relate with to most of them.
Faye is still up to no good and the wants the skull’s power for herself. But when because of Cassie’s actions her own grandmother has an accident… Cassie stands up to Faye and refuses to be her “captive,” as Faye puts it.
Cassie’s character developed very maturely and she started standing up for herself to Faye and finally to Diana about Adam. I respected that.
Overall this was a wonderful series and I would definitely recommend it to everyone who enjoys reading about forbidden romance, loyalty and friendship, a love triangle and a happy ending.
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Tags: l j smith, new salem, vampire diaries
The Initiation (The Secret Circle #1)
Rating 5/5 Stars
Description:
Cassie must confront a shattering challenge: an ordeal that could cost her life or gain her more than she’s ever imagined…
Charmed by the Secret Circle, she’s initiated into the mysterious “in crowd,” a coven of young witches whose power has controlled New Salem for three hundred years.
Hopelessly in love with the coven leader’s boyfriend, Cassie risks falling prey to dark powers in order to have him. But if she does, her endless love could destroy the coven, New Salem, and her!
Review;
The Initiation is about a sixteen year old Cassie Blake who has moved to a new town called New Salem, New England. Cassie and her mother Alexandra move to New Salem to take care of her grandmother who is ill. Cassie’s mother left New Salem a long time ago because of a fire in New Salem that killed a lot of her friends. The parents of Cassie’s new friends.Cassie meets Diana who saves her from Faye and they become fast friends. Diana is a very good and forgiving person. Cassie also meets Adam and they have a very strong connection. Cassie finds out that Adam is Diana’s boyfriend. Adam and Cassie swear on a blood oath to each other that they will never tell Diana or anyone else how they feel because they do not want to hurt Diana. Faye finds out about their feelings for one another and she uses this knowledge against Cassie to get her to do her bidding. Cassie finds out that all of her new friends are witches and that she is a witch too. Cassie is the 13th witch. They are the descendants of the witches of Salem. Cassie and her new group of friends form The Secret Circle.Faye doesn’t like that they joined their circle because now they can’t use their powers individually anymore. To use their powers now they have to have at least one other person from their circle to help them cast spells. The circle believes that this is the best way because of an accident where someone almost died. Faye being the one who caused the accident, she is not a very nice person.
The Initiation is one of the best books about witches that I have read to date. L.J. Smithis one of the best writers ever. She did a fantastic job with The Vampire Diaries but The Secret Circle is way better. Well of course I like to read about witches and vampires so I would like them. But that does not mean that I like all books about witches and vampires though. L.J. Smith knows how to tell a story that will keep you on the edge of your seat and wanting more of her stories
Faye is still blackmailing Cassie to get her to do things for her. Faye knows about Cassie’s and Adam’s feelings for each other so she is always threatening to tell Diana. Faye wants to be the leader of their coven and she is using Cassie’s secret to get her vote.
They find this crystal skull and form a circle releasing darkness. Every time the skull is used someone is killed. Diana hides the skull in the sand on the beach. Faye wants the skull very bad. So she tells Cassie to get it for her or she will tell Diana about her and Adam. Cassie doesn’t know what to do about Faye. Does she keep doing what Faye wants or does she tell Diana everything? If she tells Diana she will hurt her and this is something she does not want to do but if she keeps doing what Faye ask of her Diana is still getting hurt.
When they vote for the leadership of their coven between Faye and Diana they have a tie. To everyones dismay Cassie votes for Faye breaking the tie and Faye becomes the leader. Cassie runs off down the beach and Adam follows her and tells her he knows that Faye made her do it some how. She kisses him and tells him to go back to the others, she is going back to congratulate their new leader. Faye tells Cassie to get the skull, everyone is surprised that she knows where it is, Diana is the only one that is suppose to know where it is. Faye plans on using the skull to get its power. They go to the cemetery and make a circle to get the skulls power. They only succeed in releasing a dark energy, which is Black John.
They follow Black John to Cassie’s house. They find Cassie’s mom in a daze like a doll and her grandmother laying on the floor with Black John leaning over her. Cassie uses her powers to make Black John leave. Her grandmother tells Cassie that she is a very powerful witch and she is the only one that can get rid of Black John.
Cassie goes outside and sees her circle their, she looks for Faye and tells her it is over. She will not do her biding anymore and that she can tell Diana everything. I think Cassie did this to have everything out in the open and no secrets because this is probably the only way to stop evil. You fight evil with good, I think that is want Cassie was thinking, what she knows. I hope that now Cassie is tired of being The Captive and in the next book The Power that she has woke up and she will becomes the leader that she is. L. J. Smith has a very good imagination which is a good requirement for a writer and can write some great books. I recommend The Captive to any one who loves to read a great book.
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Tags: The Secret circle
Ironside (The Modern Faerie Tales #3)
by Holly Black
Rating: 5/5 stars
Description:
In the realm of Faerie, the time has come for Roiben’s coronation. Uneasy in the midst of the malevolent Unseelie Court, pixie Kaye is sure of only one thing — her love for Roiben. But when Kaye, drunk on faerie wine, declares herself to Roiben, he sends her on a seemingly impossible quest. Now Kaye can’t see or speak to Roiben unless she can find the one thing she knows doesn’t exist: a faerie who can tell a lie.
Miserable and convinced she belongs nowhere, Kaye decides to tell her mother the truth — that she is a changeling left in place of the human daughter stolen long ago. Her mother’s shock and horror sends Kaye back to the world of Faerie to find her human counterpart and return her to Ironside. But once back in the faerie courts, Kaye finds herself a pawn in the games of Silarial, queen of the Seelie Court. Silarial wants Roiben’s throne, and she will use Kaye, and any means necessary, to get it. In this game of wits and weapons, can a pixie outplay a queen?
Holly Black spins a seductive tale at once achingly real and chillingly enchanted, set in a dangerous world where pleasure mingles with pain and nothing is exactly as it appears.
Review:
IRONSIDE picks up soon after the events in TITHE and VALIANT, and takes the reader on another breathless journey into the amazing and deadly world of Faerie.
Things have been uneasy ever since Roiben assumed the throne of the Unseelie Court, and with the threat of war in the air and Roiben’s coronation drawing near, everyone is on edge. Changeling Kaye Fierch knows that she loves Roiben, but she feels increasingly unwelcome and out of place in the Unseelie Court. So the night of the coronation, determined to prove herself to Roiben and the rest of the court, she makes a formal declaration and pledges herself to him as his consort. However, faerie custom demands that a quest be undertaken before anyone can sit as the Lord’s consort, and Roiben grants Kaye an impossible task: to find a fairy who can tell an untruth. Now she is forbidden from seeing or speaking to him until she completes something she knows cannot be done.
Kaye doesn’t know where to go, because she has felt uncomfortable at home as well, knowing that she stole a human child’s life. In a moment of desperation, she tells her mother the truth: that she is a changeling that was switched with Ellen’s real daughter, the real Kaye, and she vows to retrieve her from the Seelie Court and return her to Ellen. She feels that this, at least, is something she can do, even if there’s no way she can complete Roiben’s quest.
But with all the tension between the courts there is nowhere safe, and in venturing into the Seelie Court to find her human counterpart, Kaye puts herself within reach of Lady Silarial. Silarial wants Roiben’s throne, and she’s willing to do anything, including using Kaye, to get it. Once again Kaye finds herself in the middle of Faerie politics, but this time Roiben’s not there to save her, and she may not have a way out.
In my personal experience it is rare that a sequel ever lives up to the first book, but IRONSIDE does just that. Full of court rivalry, deception and betrayal, sword fights and murder, faerie curses, new romances, and even characters from VALIANT, IRONSIDE is another wonderful foray into the dark, gritty world of Faerie and will not leave readers disappointed. It will make you laugh, it will make you cry, it will make you pound your pillow in frustration and clap your hands in delight. My one and only complaint is that this is the last book set in this amazing world.
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Tags: Holly Black, The Modern Faerie Tales
Review:
Valiant, like
Tithe, is a gritty, visceral nose dive–this time into the streets of New York City from small town New Jersey where adults are messy, intrusive plot elements and skeezy boyfriends are even worse.After catching her boyfriend making out with her mother on their living room couch, Valerie runs away to New York City where she makes quick friends with Lolli (Lollipop), Dave, Luis, and a kitten–a ragtag bunch of teens who dumpster dive for their meals and live in the subway tunnels beneath the city. It isn’t long before Valerie begins to notice Lolli’s tendency to shoot up with a mysterious substance and the odd deliveries Dave makes for an unknown boss. Accompanying him on one delivery, Val is confronted with the world of Faeries and soon runs head first into Ravus, a troll living inside the Manhattan Bridge, and his mysterious glass sword. Bargaining for Lolli’s life, Val agrees to run errands for Ravus and finds herself delivering medicine to the iron-sensitive Faeries living in exile all around the city. Lolli, Dave, and Luis have found another use for the medicine: given to humans, the concoction has hallucinogenic effects and allows the teens to use glamour, fairy magic that has transformative, manipulative results. Affectionately calling the drug Never, the teens continue to steal from Ravus’ supplies as Faeries begin dying and accusations are pointed at Ravus and his potions.
Val finds herself in the center of the drama between the Seelie and Unseelie Court in this dark, runaway fantasy far separated from the tedium of high school and homework. Holly Black has a knack for quick, in your face openings and wicked Faerie characters that confront sweet and doting Disney incarnations. The fiendish, earthly creatures from Tithe are back in the murder mystery that is Valiant. As the narrative progresses, it became painfully obvious I was never going to get a point of view from a familiar character or something to ground what I was reading to the Tithe I read a few years ago. Valiant isn’t about re-appearances, it’s a different plot line parallel to the Faerie world and filled with the repercussion of Tithe of which I don’t really remember, but wish I had.
Given how different it is, I thought I’d be able to pick up bits and pieces to jog my memory into constructing a workable foundation for references to the Seelie and Unseelie Courts, and characters like Roiben and Silarial. What actually happened was a complete mental flop; I should have borrowed Tithe to reread before I started onValiant. There was no plot synopsis, no catching up inner dialogue; Val, Dave, Lolli, and Luis have no reason to reminisce about what happened to Kaye or Roiben–neither of whom they know exists.
To connect these two adventures, the reader’s window into the familiar world of Titheis through the Faerie folk themselves: Ravus, Mabry, and numerous other strange, beautiful, and sinister exiles from the Seelie court who find themselves entangled in the political machinations (whims, fancies, whatever) of the Courts. The only thing is, we get a very narrow window into this world after the events of Tithe (chronologically,Tithe is before Valiant, yes? Is my memory that bad?), so small in fact, that I would have had to remember some crucial narrative events from the first book to make sense of the meager scraps of no doubt highly revelatory information one can only assume is crystal clear and static-free to careful readers that arrive fresh from the pages of Titheto embark on the journey that is Valiant to make important connections.
I’m not complaining–I’m hitting myself over the head for being silly and lazy enough to think I could “fake it” and enjoy Valiant the way I think it was supposed to be enjoyed–read after a reread of Tithe just in case something came up that would lead to what’s been going on behind the scenes.
In any event, the book was good and fun! Holly Black tackles drug abuse and addiction, friendship, betrayal, love, and fear in brute force honesty surrounded by urban parks and wild, untamed nature. The prude in me was a little horrified that teens are reading these things, worrying that replacing “real” drugs with “fairy” drugs would make it sound excusable to participate in related behaviors, but I got over that pretty quickly. She handles it well, I think, for the short amount of pages she had to devote to everything else. Not only that, but she wrote a great book filled with powerful, unsuspected magical objects, and ordinary kids faced with extraordinarily odd circumstances.
The scariness of Black’s magic isn’t the bad stuff that could happen should you be on the wrong side of a bad spell, it’s the fine line between the worlds of humans and Faeries and the ease with which we could all fall prey to something as supernatural and dangerous as glamour, hidden in such alluring, mundane packages. The warning is loud and clear: not everything that glitters is gold. It could be rat poison or your future demise at metaphorical needlepoint when your willpower crumbles and you find yourself going down dark paths of destructive, selfish behavior. Unlike Faeries, humans only have so long to live. So don’t waste it getting a Never high and go pick up this book if you haven’t already, but have read Tithe and thought, “OMG yay! I want more!”
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Tags: Holly Black, The Modern Faerie Tales, Valiant
City of Fallen Angels (The Mortal Instruments #4)
Review:
So, I just finished this book about an hour ago and I’m at a loss of words to describe it. Was it brilliant? Yes! Was it fantastic? Yes! I was happy and satisfied when City of Glass ended, but learning that the author Cassandra Clare decided to write more books was just the icing on the cake. It’s been a while between books, but this was more or less everything I expected and more!It was different and yet completely the same. There’s no way to pretend that the characters haven’t changed–that they’re not different and that everything that went into the storyline and plot of the first 3 books hasn’t changed. That chapter of the series is over and a new dawn has emerged (yes, cheesy, I know, but sue me).
The characters were still the amazing, incredible people that stole my heart throughout the first 3 books and being with them again was a lot like coming home from a long trip. I must say—I thought Jordan was an awesome inclusion! I always thought Maia’s ex was a real jerk, but he’s nothing like I thought or expected and I love that.
I will admit that I did miss seeing more of Clary and Jace. They’re still my fave everything of this series, fave characters, fave couple, but I still loved the book regardless. It was so strange getting such an in-depth look into Simon and following him the most. Obviously the books have always changed POV’s, jumping back and forth, but it’s always been fixed mostly on Clary, whereas this time it was more Simon than anything else. And yet… I didn’t have a problem with that.
I love Simon–always have–and even though I never wanted him to be the one Clary ended up with, I still wanted the best for him. He’s still the same great Simon he’s always been, but he’s slightly different too. I think he’s got a long way to go and there’s a lot of growth that I think will happen to him. I can’t wait to see though…It’s odd, when the last book ended, if anyone had asked me, I’d have been one of the few people who actually said they wanted Maia to be with Simon, but after this book it’s plain to see that Izzy is the one that for him! Perhaps I’m late to the party, but it always seemed to me that she was a bit much for him and (even though I love her, heart and soul) I didn’t believe she was right for him. I honestly thought that Maia and he would have made a better couple, but after this book I’ll never think that way again. Perhaps it was Jordan coming into the storyline and seeing how he and Maia were/are, but I finally looked and realised that Simon and Isabelle really have something. There’s so much more to Izzy than we’ve seen and I think that Simon may actually break through her defences and worm his way into her heart if she lets him!
Oh, and it goes without saying that I want Maia and Jordan back together too. Hello? Weren’t they just perfect together? The issues they have and Maia wanting to rip him to shreds aside.I was sad to see so many issues for Clary and Jace in this book, but I can’t say I was surprised either. I knew Cassandra Clare wouldn’t just let them be. It seems like they’ve been through so much, but of course it’s not the end for them, no sir-ee. There are more problems facing them and new struggles, but I don’t doubt for a second that they can get through it…..somehow. That’s not to say that I didn’t love every single moment they were together, because I did. I absolutely did! The moments between Clary and Jace were electric. Every time they’re together, every kiss, every time they touch, things just sizzle. I’ve loved a lot of book couples over time, but none compared to them. They’re like no other. You can’t deny that they’re made for one another, you can’t miss the chemistry they have. It’s truly impossible not to see and feel. They just go together so well, they both make each other better. Jace makes Clary stronger, and she’s his whole world. She means he world to him and it makes me giggly inside (Yeah, yeah, yeah….I went there =D)This book was perfectly paced and the ending was a heart-stopping roller coaster ride. So much happened and I was on the edge of my seat, wanting to see how Simon, Jace and Clary would get out of things. I couldn’t believe that Lilith was trying to bring Sebastian back. There’s no one who deserves to stay dead more than him…well, perhaps expect Valentine.
The ending of this book was jaw dropping. I. Could. Not. Believe. It! Still can’t, if I’m honest here. I cannot believe that Sebastian is alive again and what he’s done to Jace. It’s shocking, it’s exciting, it’s heart-breaking, it’s everything I didn’t want, but at the same time I CANNOT wait to see what’s going to happen next.
The next book is going to be a showstopper–I can so tell—and I can’t wait to see what happens now. Can Clary and everyone else manage to free Jace from Sebastian? Can they defeat Sebastian? Just what does this mean now?God! I NEEEEEEEEEEEDDDD to buy the next book, like stat! Seriously, this series is just brilliant and I can’t wait for the next instalment!
Bring on the awesomeness!
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Tags: fallen angels, mortal instruments, shadowhunters
City of Ashes (The Mortal Instruments #2)
by Cassandra Clare
Rating; 5/5 stars
Description:
Clary Fray just wishes that her life would go back to normal. But what’s normal when you’re a demon-slaying Shadowhunter, your mother is in a magically induced coma, and you can suddenly see Downworlders like werewolves, vampires, and faeries? If Clary left the world of the Shadowhunters behind, it would mean more time with her best friend, Simon, who’s becoming more than a friend. But the Shadowhunting world isn’t ready to let her go — especially her handsome, infuriating, newfound brother, Jace. And Clary’s only chance to help her mother is to track down rogue Shadowhunter Valentine, who is probably insane, certainly evil — and also her father.
To complicate matters, someone in New York City is murdering Downworlder children. Is Valentine behind the killings — and if he is, what is he trying to do? When the second of the Mortal Instruments, the Soul-Sword, is stolen, the terrifying Inquisitor arrives to investigate and zooms right in on Jace. How can Clary stop Valentine if Jace is willing to betray everything he believes in to help their father?
In this breathtaking sequel to City of Bones, Cassandra Clare lures her readers back into the dark grip of New York City’s Downworld, where love is never safe and power becomes the deadliest temptation.
Review:
Another wonderful installment to a wonderful series.
In City of Ashes we are faced with the trials of affection between Jace and Clary. Valentine may have spilt the beans about Clary and Jace actually being brother and sister. Valentine continues his insane escapades, breaks into the City of Bones, kills the Silent Brothers and retrieves the third mortal instrument-the soul sword. The Inquisitor is quick to blame Jace thus making him a suspect .
New characters introduced in this installment:
Maia: A girl around the same age of Clary and Simon who happens to be a member of Luke’s pack.
Raphael:Second in command in the local vampire gang.
I absolutely loved the developments between Jace and Clary and the new relationship between Alec and Magnus. Simon’s finally a full fledged part of the story and not just the “best friend who happens to follow the lead character around”. The writing and story was intriguing as always and there was an overwhelming feeling of loyalty, love and understanding throughout the novel.
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City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments #1)
by Cassandra Clare
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Description:
When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder — much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It’s hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing — not even a smear of blood — to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?This is Clary’s first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It’s also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace’s world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know. . . .Exotic and gritty, exhilarating and utterly gripping, Cassandra Clare’s ferociously entertaining fantasy takes readers on a wild ride that they will never want to end
Review:
Rich, vivid, entrancing. City of Bones is all those things and more. I have to give it to Cassandra Clare for creating this book. It was a fantastic concept that kept me enthralled to the last page.City of Bones is a fantasy adventure. The characters are interesting, at times made me laugh, and had quirks and distinct personality traits that made them come to life for me. The setting is another character that I thoroughly enjoyed. This is a New York hidden behind the glamour. The mundanes (regular humans) have no idea what they are missing.
Clary Fray (main character) lived most of sixteen years having no idea about the world of the Shadowhunters and the Downworlders. If she saw something weird out the corner of her eye, it was easily dismissed. Until she encountered Jace and Isabelle at a club. Jace kills a demon, who looks like a boy, or does he? That’s just the beginning of Clary’s adventure.This book is a Young Adult book that I think most adults can enjoy just as much, especially those who have a serious love for fantasy and adventure. I thought that Cassandra Clare had just the right mix of sophistication to appeal to the youth of today, and the ageless wonder quotient like classic fantasy novels to make this book zing for both younger and older readers. The sense of risk is high, and there are no guarantees that the kids in this book will be safe. They might be youngsters, but their world is fraught with dangers. The action was intense and sometimes frightening. I never felt like there was a wall between me and the events playing out in this story. I felt like I was right there for every part.I met a whole cast of characters that I became involved with in this story: Clary, Jace, Simon, Isabelle, Alec, Magnus, Luke, Hodge, Jocelyn, Valentine, the Silent Brothers.
I truly love this book, I must admit that part of the resolution in this book has me baffled. Although this book doesn’t have a true cliffhanger, there are some threads left unraveled which lead into the next book in the series. Honestly, I didn’t want things to play out the way they did.
If you are looking for a fantasy series that will captivate you and take you back to the golden days of young adult fantasy literature, I’d humbly suggest The Mortal Instruments series. In my opinion, Cassandra Clare has written a book that will be a new classic in this genre.
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Tags: city of bones, mortal instruments
The Hollow (The Hollow #1)
by Jessica Verday
Rating: 5/5 stars
Description:
When Abbey’s best friend, Kristen, vanishes at the bridge near Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, everyone else is all too quick to accept that Kristen is dead and rumors fly that her death was no accident. Abbey goes through the motions of mourning her best friend, but privately, she refuses to believe that Kristen is really gone. It only makes things worse that everyone now treats Abbey like either a freak show or a charity case. Thank goodness for Caspian, the gorgeous and mysterious boy who shows up out of nowhere at Kristen’s funeral, and keeps reappearing in Abbey’s life. Caspian clearly has secrets of his own, but he’s the only person who makes Abbey feel normal again, but also special. Just when Abbey starts to feel that she might survive all this, she learns a secret that makes her question everything she thought she knew about her best friend. How could Kristen have kept silent about so much? And could this secret have led to her death? As Abbey struggles to understand Kristen’s betrayal, she uncovers a frightening truth about Caspian that will challenge her emerging love for Caspian, as well as her own sanity.
Review:
What an intriguing story!
The book kept me in suspense from early in the book and when it somewhat abruptly ended–too soon–I was immediately grateful that there was going to be more!Several special points should be highlighted immediately. At the beginning of each chapter, there is a quote by Irving.
The book is set in the town where the Legend of Sleepy Hollow was born and so there is a constant flow of information and discussion about the characters in that book. Additionally, the book itself has been beautifully covered and printed. This is a book you’ll want to keep as part of your home library! I’m hoping that this is a first in a series that just could be as popular as that set of books coming out of England, but this one featuring one of America’s most memorable legends.
The story opens with a sad event–Abbey’s best friend, Kristen, has disappeared and is presumed dead. In fact, they decide to proceed with a funeral for Kristen, burying an empty coffin. Abbey refuses to accept her death, and more, she can’t figure out why Kristen had been out alone, on the bridge where she apparently fell. Both girls had agreed that they would never go there alone!
Abbey and Kristen had been so close that they didn’t have many other friends, so it is hard for Abbey to go back to school, especially when some of the students feel she is “playing” her grief to get favor from the teachers. Abbey goes from deep heartache to anger and back to grief constantly so that her parents begin to worry about her. Abbey spends many hours wandering on her own, visiting the graveyard across the street and all the other places she and Kristen had once routinely visited. It was there she met Nikolas, an elderly “grandfather” taking care of Irving’s mausoleum and she offered to help him. Later she met this wife Katie in a beautiful little cabin just on the other side of the cemetery from where she lived.
She had met Caspian at Kristin’s home during the funeral. She had retreated to the basement where she and Kristan had often gone to be alone and there, in the shadows, Caspian spoke to her. Later they met under the bridge and once in the library. They had never gone on a date but Abbey’s feelings for him grew deeper.
Abby also suddenly got a part-time job with her Uncle Bob, who owned an ice-cream parlor where she could have all of the samples she wanted. With new friends, school, work, and trying to create new perfumes, she was little by little able to move on with her life. Until she found Kristen’s diaries and discovered she’d had a secret life she’d never shared with Abbey!
This is one of the most beautiful stories I’ve read. Touches of fantasy, the paranormal, true friendship, and family love are heartwarmingly shared in a story that truly compliments the work of Washington Irving and in some ways surpasses it… a MUST-READ!
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Little Women (Little Women #1)
by Louisa May Alcott
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Description:
Little Women is one of the best loved books of all time. Lovely Meg, talented Jo, frail Beth, spoiled Amy: these are hard lessons of poverty and of growing up in New England during the Civil War.
Through their dreams, plays, pranks, letters, illnesses, and courtships, women of all ages have become a part of this remarkable family and have felt the deep sadness when Meg leaves the circle of sisters to be married at the end of Part I. Part II, chronicles Meg’s joys and mishaps as a young wife and mother, Jo’s struggle to become a writer, Beth’s tragedy, and Amy’s artistic pursuits and unexpected romance.
Based on Louise May Alcott’s childhood, this lively portrait of nineteenth-century family life possesses a lasting vitality that has endeared it to generations of readers.
Review:
This book is a classic, and although it may not relate to current sociological issues, I think it is a beautiful coming of age story that tells the story of the March family. Through their mother, Marmee, they are taught about kindness, charity, good deeds and the importance of family and friends, as they grow older they enrich their lives with love and growth in lieu of wealth.
Now is the part where I insert my lazy plot summary of the novel…“Alcott prefaces Little Women with an excerpt from John Bunyan’s seventeenth-century work The Pilgrim’s Progress, an allegorical novel about leading a Christian life. Alcott’s story begins with the four March girls—Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy—sitting in their living room, lamenting their poverty. The girls decide that they will each buy themselves a present in order to brighten their Christmas. However, they change their minds and decide that instead of buying presents for themselves, they will buy presents for their mother, Marmee. Marmee comes home with a letter from Mr. March, the girls’ father, who is serving as a Union chaplain in the Civil War. The letter inspires the girls to bear their burdens more cheerfully and not to complain about their poverty.
On Christmas morning, the girls wake up to find books, probably copies of The Pilgrim’s Progress, under their pillows. Later that day, Marmee encourages them to give away their breakfast to a poor family. Their elderly neighbor, Mr. Laurence, whom the girls have never met, rewards their charitable activities by sending over a feast. Meg and Jo are invited to attend a New Year’s Party at the home of Meg’s wealthy friend, Sally Gardiner. At the party, Jo retreats to an alcove, and there meets Laurie, the boy who lives with Mr. Laurence. While dancing, Meg sprains her ankle. Laurie escorts the sisters home. The Marches regret having to return to their daily routine after the holiday festivities.
Jo visits Laurie when he is sick, and meets his grandfather, Mr. Laurence. She inadvertently insults a painting of Mr. Laurence in front of the man himself. Luckily, Laurie’s grandfather admires Jo’s spunk, and they become friends. Soon, Mr. Laurence meets all the sisters, and Beth becomes his special favorite. Mr. Laurence gives her his deceased granddaughter’s piano.
The girls have various adventures. Amy is caught trading limes at school, and the teacher hits her as punishment. As a result, Mrs. March withdraws her daughter from school. Jo refuses to let Amy go with her to the theater. In result, Amy burns Jo’s manuscript, and Jo, in her anger, nearly lets Amy drown while ice-s-kating. Pretty Meg attends her friend Annie Moffat’s party and, after allowing the other girls to dress her up in high style, learns that appearances are not everything. While at the party, she hears that people think she intends to marry Laurie for his money.
That year, the Marches form the Pickwick Club, in which they write a family newspaper. In the spring, Jo smuggles Laurie into one of the club meetings, and he becomes a member, presenting his new circle with a postbox. At the beginning of June, the Marches decide to neglect their housework. At the end of a lazy week, Marmee takes a day off too. The girls spoil a dinner, but everyone ends up laughing over it. One day, Laurie has English friends over, and the Marches go on a picnic with them. Later, Jo gets a story published for the first time.
One dark day, the family receives a telegram saying that Mr. March is sick in the hospital in Washington, D.C. Marmee goes to tend to him, and Jo sells her hair to help finance the trip. Chaos ensues in Marmee’s wake, for the girls neglect their chores again. Only Beth goes to visit the Hummels, and after one of her visits, she contracts scarlet fever from the Hummel baby. Beth teeters on the brink of death until Marmee returns. Amy spends time at Aunt March’s house in order to escape the disease. Beth recovers, though not completely, and Mr. Brooke, Laurie’s tutor, falls in love with Meg, much to Jo’s dismay. Mr. Brooke and Meg are engaged by the end of Part One.
Three years pass before Part Two begins. Mr. March is home from the war, and Laurie is nearly done with school. Meg marries and moves into a new home with Mr. Brooke. One day, Amy has a lunch for her art school classmates, but poor weather ruins the festivities. Jo gets a novel published, but she must cut it down in order to please her publishers. Meg struggles with the duties of keeping house, and gives birth to twins, Demi and Daisy. Amy goes to Paris.
Jo begins to think that Beth loves Laurie. In order to escape Laurie’s affections for her, Jo moves to New York so as to give Beth a chance to win his affections. There Jo meets Professor Bhaer, a poor German language instructor. Professor Bhaer discourages Jo from writing sensationalist stories, and she takes his advice and finds a simpler writing style. When Jo returns home, Laurie proposes, but she turns him down. Beth dies.
Amy and Laurie reunite in France, and they fall in love, marry and return home. Jo begins to hope that Professor Bhaer will come for her. He does, and they marry a year later. Amy and Laurie have a daughter named Beth. Jo inherits Plumfield, Aunt March’s house, and decides to turn it into a boarding school for boys. The novel ends with the family happily gathered together, each sister thankful for her blessings and for each other.”
No matter how many times I read this book, I take something away from it. It may remind me to be kind to others, involve myself with good deeds, even something simple as calling my sister (or other family members) to catch up and reminisce. Jo was my favorite character in the book, as she was bold, strong willed and opinionated. I loved how she challenged the society around her, loved her family, and had passion for her life and writing.
As always this book isn’t going to be for everyone, there is a lot of religious/faith based themes and ideology in the novel, and in modern times it could be considered sexist (women’s roles, genteel society etc) but considering when it was written, it is something you can either take or leave. If you are able to look past those things you will find a heart warming and timeless story that can be read over and over again.
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Fearscape (The devouring #3)
by Simon Holt
Rating; 4/5 stars
Description:
The final book in the Devouring trilogy. It’s been a year since Reggie first discovered the Vours, and the winter solstice is approaching once again. It will be a night of unspeakable horror, because the Vours have imprisoned Reggie in a psychiatric hospital, where she is subjected to a daily routine of sadistic experiments.
Review:
The second book in the trilogy Soulstice left us with Reggie being taken to a mental ward a cliffhanger extraordinaire that had me anxiously awaiting Fearscapes release.
The Devouring #3: Fearscape is a thrilling page turner that I could not put down!
Side Note:The Vours.
-The Vours are evil demons that have existed since time began
- They can only take possession of a human body on `Sorry Night’, the night of the winter solstice
- A person who is possessed by a Vour retains all the memories but the person is left in a place called a fearscape.
-”Fearscapes are unique, landscapes crafted from a victim’s deepest darkest fears. Here the victim would live in torment, while the Vour lived a human life in the human world, with no one the wiser”
-It turns out that they are highly organized and plan to take over the human race.
In this book, Reggie has moved to an unknown place and is being tortured by the sadistically evil, yet human Dr. Unger. She is forced to go into others fearscapes over again and again. He stay at the facility is a horrible experience and she is withheld food, water and all the basic necessities. She is also forced to endure horrific tests. But, Reggie doesn’t let us down; she endures and she discovers all the torture she’s endured has left her with her own power. A power that many fear and covet. This makes Reggie most wanted by many powerful organizations; alive or dead.
Aaron, her best friend, has been searching for her. He has become aligned with some ex-Tracers who left the rigid organization when they found out there was another way to save those that have been possessed by the Vours other than murder. He has learned to fight, to think like a warrior and is no longer the skinny nerd. His sole mission is to find and save Reggie and he’ll stop at nothing to carry out his plans.
What happens throughout the book is both heartbreaking particularly when Reggie encounters an important loved one from her past, horrifically chilling, and a spine chilling nail-biting page turner.
Reggie has enemies where she least expected; friends where she least expected and an inner strength that she never realized she had.
The character growth in the book is fantastic; I love how flawlessly the story flows, the vivid descriptions of fearscapes and the depth of the characters personalities.
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okay he’s Stephen Herondale’s but… hhmmm, I’m having headache with this one :s It’s like truth is so evasive of them, just like the elusiveness of air around us. As for my (feelingera! Hahaha) Daylighter friend, Simon. I’m so proud of you dear, you have proven yourself that you really are a smokin’ or rather a burnin’ HOT vampire lol. As for Luke and Jocelyn, Magnus and Alec, congratulations to you guys haha. Lastly, my words for Clary… I’m so envious of you! 
