Book Review -- Beautiful Darkness

Title: Beautiful Darkness
Authors: Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
Genre: YA paranormal romance
Pages: Hardback, 503
Published: 2010
Opening Lines: "I used to think our town, buried in the South Carolina backwoods, stuck in the muddy buttom of the Santee River valley, was the middle of nowhere."

"A few months ago,
I believed nothing would
ever change in this town

"Now I knew better, and I
only wished it was true."

"Ethan Wate used to think of Gatlin, the small Southern town he had always called home, as a place where nothing ever changed. Then he met mysterious newcomer Lena Duchannes, who revealed a secret world that had been hidden in plain sight all along. A Gatlin that harbored ancient secrets beneath its moss-covered oaks and cracked sidewalks. A Gatlin where a curse has marked Lena's family of powerful Supernaturals for generations. A Gatlin where impossible, magical, life-altering events happen.

"Sometimes life-ending.

"Together Ethan and Lena can face anything Gatlin throws at them, but after suffering a tragic loss, Lena starts to pull away, keeping secrets that test their relationship. And now that Ethan's eyes have been opened to the darker side of Gatlin, there's no going back. Haunted by strange visions only he can see, Ethan is pulled deeper into his town's tangled history and finds himself caught up in the dangerous network of underground passageways endlessly crisscrossing the South, where nothing is as it seems."

~ Jacket copy

Thoughts: I really hesitated on whether I really wanted to read this book or not. Something about the way the first book ended, I was happy not continuing. However, seeing that the library had it, changed my mind ^_~ And, honestly, I was pleasantly surprised!

This book picks up after the aftermath of Lena's sixteenth birthday and the postponing of her Claiming. Feeling horrible guilt over what happened at her Claiming, Lena pulls away from Ethan. Believing that she belongs nowhere and is already Claimed, she follows her cousin Ridley and a beautiful Supernatural named John Breed. Together, they convince her to find the famed Great Barrier. Not willing to let her go, Ethan braves the Tunnels to try and bring her back. He is followed by his best friend Link and Keeper-in-training Liv.

Honestly, I hated Lena throughout the entire book. I found myself just hoping that Ethan would end up with Liv. She was an amazing character, delightful, and well-rounded. I also really liked that the authors brought Link to the forefront of the novel. Since the first book, I enjoyed his character and wanted to know more about him. However, I was disappointed by Link's ending. It seems as though the authors are dead set against Link and Ridley being together.

Aside from Lena, my biggest problem was with John Breed. I wanted to know more about him. Yes, they wanted him to be a mystery, but they risked a character with how vague they were. In addition, I also wasn't sure what I thought about the story involving Ethan's mother.

The ending of this book was well done. Of course, the authors had the stereotype cliffhanger, but I still enjoyed it! I admit, I'm kind of annoyed with the eighteen moons *shrug* All in all, I really enjoyed this book, especially Lucille ^_^


Rating: ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
Currently: Green Lantern Chronicles Vol. 1 and My Life as a White Trash Zombie by Diana Rowland
Current Pages: 14639
Current Progress:

40/50 books

Book Review -- Beautiful Creatures

Title: Beautiful Creatures
Author(s): Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
Genre: YA paranormal romance
Pages: Hardback, 563
Published: 2009
Opening Lines: "There are two kinds of people in our town. 'The stupid and thee stuck,' my father had affectionately classified our neighbors. 'The ones who are bound to stay or too dumb to go. Everyone else finds a way out.'"

"There are no surprises

in Gatlin County
At least, that's what I thought.
Turns out, I couldn't have
been more wrong.

"There was a curse.
There was a girl
And in the end,
there was a grave

"Lena Duchannes is unlike anyone the small Southern town of Gatlin has ever seen, and she's struggling to conceal her power and a curse that has haunted her family for generations. But even within the overgrown gardens, murky swamps, and crumbling graveyards of the forgotten South, a secret cannot stay hidden forever.

"Ethan Wate, who has been counting the months until he can escape from Gatlin, is haunted by dreams of a beautiful girl he has never met. When Lena moves into the town's oldest and most infamous plantation, Ethan is drawn to her inexplicably and determined to uncover the connection between them.

"In a town with no surprises, one secret count change everything."

~ Jacket copy

Thoughts: Honestly, after reading reviews on Goodreads, I wasn't sure what to think of this book. I was kind of expecting some poorly written book with an unbelievable male lead. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that to be very far from the truth.

The book follows Ethan Wate, who was born and raised in Gatlin, NC. After generations of Wates living in Gatlin, Ethan is considered one of the town's sons. However, even with this long standing connection to the town, he wants nothing more than to leave for college. Aside from traveling Civil War battlefields with his mother, he has known nothing outside of the small, close-knit community. However, his world is sent into an uproar when Lena Duchannes moves in with her uncle Macon Ravenwood, the town shut-in. Not only does her now live in the mysterious haunted house and drive around his hearse, she is completely different than anyone at the school. And Ethan is about to find out how different. These differences trace back to an old family connection and are bound to change his life forever.

I really loved the dark mystery offered by the deep South. The addition of the folk magic along side the very strict religious beliefs really added a lot of depth to the story. I felt that Ethan was a believable and likable character. The authors did a good job adding depth to the supporting characters without them taking over the story. However, my favorite character was Macon. When he stood up for Lena in front of the disciplinary hearing, I found myself cheering for him and laughing!

On the whole, I really enjoyed the story. It really held my attention, and I wanted to know what was going on. Aside from the curse, I wish there was more connection between Genvieve and Ethan. Since she was watching the grave, I felt she had a little more stake int he story than she was truly given. Also, I felt the whole winter formal scene was a little too Carry-esque for my taste. Granted, I understand that it is probably typical high school, but the authors could have been more original. In addition, during the hearing, I felt it was unbelievable that Mrs. Lincoln somehow got her hands on records that I thought would be sealed because Lena is a juvenile. Although, considering how the whole Mrs. Lincoln fiasco turns out, that might explain it.

Once the claiming was done, I really liked how the book closed. I get tired of the canned romantic ending, and this felt like more of an end to me. Looking on Amazon, I see the sequel is out and, frankly, it kind of scares me. For some reason, I felt the book didn't necessarily need more. However, I am kind of itching to get my hands on it ;) Maybe a trip to Barnes & Noble is in order!


Rating: ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
Currently: Feed by Mira Grant
Current Pages: 12521
Current Progress:

35/50 books

Book Review -- Nightshade

Title: Nightshade
Author: Andrea Cremer
Genre: YA urban fantasy, supernatural romance
Pages: Hardback, 452
Published: 2010
Opening Lines: "I'd always welcomed war, but in battle my passion rose unbidden."

"Calla Tor has always known her destiny: After graduating from the Mountain School, she'll be the mate of sexy alpha wolf Ren Laroche and fight with him, side by side, ruling their pack and guarding sacred sites for the Keepers. But when she violates her masters' laws by saving a beautiful human boy out for a hike, Calla begins to question her fate, her existence, and the very essence of the world she has known. By following her heart, she might lose everything -- including her own life. Is forbidden love worth the ultimate sacrifice?

~ Jacket copy

Thoughts: This book follows the story of 17-year-old Calla Tor. She is facing her upcoming union with Ren, which will join the Bane and Nightshade teenagers together as a third pack. While she has always known this, after saving Shay from a bear, she starts to question her duty. Even though these simple questions seem innocent enough, given her age and her first interest in a boy, they lead to much more dangerous questions and actions. Calla is forced to come face-to-face with a truth her never expected, and her actions will change her life and the rest of the Guardians'.

This book is not what I expected. From the description on the duster flap and from Goodreads, I was expecting a pseudo-Twilight with wolves. However, this book blew me out of the water! I found myself tearing through the book while forcing myself to slow down and savor it. This book was nothing like the insipid Twilight series, and Calla was an actual heroine that had brains she was willing to listen to.

Lately, I've been on a YA kick. The library has been pretty well stocked, so I've taken advantage of that However, aside from books like The Hunger Games, I keep coming across heroines who are stupid, lack common sense, have not sense of self preservation, and hold nothing dear. They easily fall for the asshole who is stalking them or terrifying them. There is nothing that endears a reader to these girls, and it honestly makes one wonder what we are trying to teach our teenagers. Nightshade was completely different. It had the elements which seem to appeal to YA girls: The romance, the sexy guys fighting for Calla, struggling to find identity, etc. However, Calla doesn't go along with things just for the sake of it. When confronted with Shay and the book, she is extremely hesitant. Also, she has a lot of internal struggle over her union with Ren. While she is going to go ahead with it, she doesn't just blindly follow. It was nice to have a strong girl as the center of the story.

As for Ren, I felt sorry for him! It was hard not to. I appreciated that Cremer didn't automatically vilify him. It was obvious how much her cared for Calla and that he wanted to make it work. Unfortunately, he was also put into a pretty awful circumstance.

My one pet peeve:
On page 205, Shay makes a comment about the style of Latin pointing to the fact that it must be in Medieval/Renaissance period. Okay, I can accept that; however, his ability to read it is very doubtful.

Classical Latin is taught in schools. He can barely remember how to fully read Latin, and an English-Latin dictionary will not help give a fully accurate translation. Looking into Medieval Latin, talking to various professors (both Latin and Medieval Lit.), and reading parts of a Medieval Latin text books, they are very, very different. In addition, there was no standard and many local words were added to the vocabulary during those time periods.

To me, this is unbelievable. Also, having a doctorate in history, I would have thought the author would know that.

Aside from my Latin issue, I found the book very enjoyable! I would recommend it! I can hardly wait for the second book to come out. Luckily my hubby just got a job, so I'll be able to snatch it up as soon as it comes out! w00t!

Rating: ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
Currently: The Kneebone Boy by Ellen Potter
Current Pages: 11676
Current Progress:

33/50 books

Book Review -- The Sight

Title: The Sight
Author: David Clement-Davies
Genre: YA fiction, beast fable
Pages: Paperback, 554'
Published: 2002
Opening lines: "In the beginning was a castle high on a craggy precipice. The air around it was so cold that it seemed the sky itself would crack like ice."

"In the shadow of an abandoned castle, a wolf pack seeks shelter. the she-wolf 's pups will not be able to survive the harsh Transylvanian winter. But something more threatening than the winter wind stalks the pack -- a long wolf, Morgra, possessed of a mysterious and terrifying power known as the Sight. And with her travels a raven, a bird that feeds on the dead.

"Morgra's arts show her that one of the pups born beneath the castle holds a key to the power even stronger than her own -- the power that could give her control of this world and the next. but the pack she hints is brave and loving. They will do anything to protect their own, even if it means setting in motion a battle that will involve all of nature, including the creature wolves fear the most -- Man."

~ Jacket copy

Thoughts: I picked up this book because I love wolves. It caught my attention several times, but I never bothered to buy it. However, when I found it at the library, I jumped at the opportunity! Even though I had an idea it dealt with wolves, I was not ready for a beast fable. It reminds me of Watership Down.

The storytelling in this book was intricate and simply beautiful. Clement-Davies has a way with words and is able to craft a beautiful world that is very three-dimensional and easy to get into. Even though it follows wolves as the central characters, I felt a kinship and closeness with them that is sometimes is hard to find in books following humans. He pulls Christian myth/themes very heavily into the book. But, even with that, it is a very, very dark story. It permeates the whole book and sets the mood. To me, it was effective.

That being said, I found this book rather hard to get into. At several points, I would force myself to read "just one more page." I found it interesting that the library shelves this book with adult sci-fi while it is actually geared toward the younger reader (12+). At that age, I would have had a hard time not putting this book down. It is extremely dense. Usually it takes me a week or less to read a book, and I found myself struggling through for 2 weeks! I enjoy reads that make you think and engage the reader, but this book just made me feel bogged down. While the majority of the book is a build up to the final conflict, I wondered if he could have done it in a less wordy/dense way. It wasn't until the last 20 pages that I felt the pace actually picked up. Yes, the final conflict will invariably bring action, there needs to be a little more interest in a book.

Aside from my feelings of being bogged down, my biggest issues is the author's lack of research into real wolves. The second breeding pair in the pack is an absolutely no-no. Also, the nearness of rival packs without the main pack knowing is unbelievable. And a whole pack will rear pups. It could have taken him a few minutes to skim a book and get this easily accessed information. Even though the story is beautifully crafted, this actually undermines it.

Rating: ☆ ☆
Currently: Nightshade by Andrea Cremer
Current Pages: 11224
Current Progress:

32/50 books

Book Review -- Soulstice

Title: Soulstice
Author: Simon Holt
Genre: YA suspense, horror
Pages: 266
Published: 2009
Opening Lines; "I kept my eyes closed, smelling the buttered popcorn and cotton candy, hearing the ding-dings of the Midway games, feeling the warm sun on my skin. I breathed in and opened my eyes, smiling in readiness for the fun day ahead."

"The Vours: Evil, demonic beings that in habit human bodies on Sorry Night, the darkest hours of the winter solstice.

"Six months . . .

"Since Reggie first discovered the existence of the Vours in a tattered journal. Since her little brother, Henry, began to mutilate animals and turn against her. Since she learned to overcome her fear and destroyed a Vour to save Henry.

"Now as the summer solstice approaches, the Vours still haunt Reggie, but only in dreams -- until one night, when an unexpected visitor turns her nightmares into reality."

~ Jacket copy

Thoughts: This book picks up six months after the episode on the pond with Eben, Henry, Reggie, Aaron, and Quinn. After the disappearance of Quinn, Reggie's high school is plagued by police trying to determine what happened to the boy. When a friend is arrested in connection to the disappearance and Henry accosts his bully, Reggie realizes that the Vours are not done with her. In fact, it seems as though they are just beginning.

It is hard to say anything about this book without giving anything away. The story is detailed, completely interwoven, and intense! To be honest, I enjoyed The Devouring much better. However, to be fair, the first one was the build up with a lot of horror and nail-biting scenarios.

In some ways, this series reminds me of a less mature Stephen King. There is building sense of horror, of something wrong. The audience knows the Vours are out there, but they are just out of reach. There is a tension in the book that continues to build with every page.

Rating: ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
Our Current Together Read: The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
Current Pages: 10670
Horror/Urban Fantasy Challenge: 16/24
Current Progress:

31/50 books

Book Review -- The Monstrumologist

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Title: The Monstrumologist
Author: Rick Yancey
Genre: YA, Victorian horror
Pages: Oversize paperback, 434
Published: 2009
Opening Lines: "The director of facilities was a small man with ruddy cheeks and dark, deep-set eyes, his prominent forehead framed by an explosion of cottony white hair, thinning as it marched toward the back of his head, cowlicks rising from the mass like waves moving toward the slightly pink island of his bald spot."

"Will Henry is the orphan apprentice of a doctor with an unusual specialty: monstrumology, the study of monsters. When a midnight visitor brings them the body of a young girl entwined with the corpse of an Anthropophagus, it is the start of the most mysterious case of Will Henry's life. Anthropophagi are headless monsters whose razor-sharp teeth are in their stomachs -- and they are supposed to be extinct in this part of the world. Now Will and the monstrumologist are in a race against time to put a stop to the plague of monsters before they kill again."

~ Jacket copy

Thoughts: Due to a misunderstanding, I read the sequel, Curse of the Wendigo, before this book. I felt that the author did a good job explaining things and, therefore, didn't feel lost without reading The Monstrumologist.

This book introduces the audience to the orphan, Will Henry. After years of services to the monstrumologist, his father dies with his mother in a fire. Whether out of some feelings of loyalty to his previous apprentice or care for the boy, the doctor takes Will into his home and makes him his new apprentice saying, "His services are indispensable to me." Because of his own issues with his father, his dedication to his trade, and extreme secretive nature, the doctor is very closed off from Will. The child is forced to grow up fast and face situations that are not deemed satisfactory for a child to encounter. Throughout the book, Will Henry struggles with these situations, his reactions to them, and the doctor's distance.

I felt that this book was a good introduction to the characters. In some ways, I understand Will Henry and the doctor better; however, I still feel as though I didn't lose anything reading the sequel first. In comparison, this book was much harder to get into. Knowing how much I enjoyed the sequel, I really pushed myself into the story. It was interesting and engaging, but it lacked something that the later book has. Some of this, of course, could be due to the fact that it is an introduction.

I would recommend this book. It was a good read. However, there is a lot of detail and it can be gruesome at many points. The descriptions of Verner in the sanitarium, the Anthropophagi encounters, etc. are very vivid and graphic. However, it makes everything feel real. Also, it makes the reader far more sympathetic to Will Henry and his unusual position.

Rating: ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
Currently: The Sight by David Clement-Davies
Current Pages: 10404
Current Progress:

30/50 books

Book Review -- Matched

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Title: Matched
Author: Ally Condie
Genre: YA, romance
Pages: Hardback, 366
Published: 2010
Opening Lines: "Now that that I've found the way to fly, which direction should I go into the night? My wings aren't white or feathered; they're green, made of green silk, which shudders in the wind and bends when I move -- first in a circle, then in a line, finally in a shade of my own invention."

"In the Society, Officials decide. Who you love. Where you work. When you die.

"Cassia has always trust their choices. It's hardly any price to pay to a long life, the perfect job, the ideal mate. So when her best friend appears on the Matching screen, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is the one . . . until she sees another face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black. Now Cassia is faced with impossible choices: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path no one else has ever dared follow -- between perfection and passion."

~ Jacket copy

Thoughts: I've read a lot of reviews that say this book is nothing but a poor copy of The Giver. Sadly, I have not read that book. However, that makes me already poor estimation of this book drop even more.

Cassia lives in a world where every decision is made for you. At the beginning of the book, she sees absolutely nothing wrong with this. It isn't until another picture shows up on her Match screen and then the death of her grandfather. This storyline has a lot of promise. I felt that Condie could have taken it a lot of different places and really fleshed it out. However, she just let the ball drop.

This book, in one word, was boring. The measly amount of action takes place within 10-20 pages from the end of the book. Granted, there are a few "tense" moments, but they are quickly overshadowed or glossed over. When Xander alludes to something BIG happening in their neighborhood, he just lets the ball drop and won't tell Cassia. There are many, many missed opportunities like this throughout the book. She never takes them, never fleshes them out. I feel that she really didn't care too much for the story.

I've read a lot of reviews that call this a dystopian novel. I have to disagree. This is purely romance. While it is set in a seemingly dystopian society, the book itself is not. Cassia laments the choices that are made for them, the threat of Infractions, the Aberration status, etc.; however, it lacks something to be truly dystopian.

I will read the next book, but I'm not holding my breath. This book got a lot of hype, but it just wasn't worth it. If people are looking for a dystopian novel that challenges societal constraints, try something like 1984 or The Giver. Those, at least, are well written.

Rating: ☆ ☆ ☆
Currently: Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey
Current Pages: 9970
Current Progress:

29/50 books

Book Review -- Hush, Hush

Title: Hush, Hush
Author: Becca Fitzpatrick
Genre: YA supernatural
Pages: Hardback, 391
Published: 2009
Opening Lines: "Chauncey was with a farmer's daughter on the grassy banks of the Loire River when the storm rolled in, and having let his gelding wander in the meadow, was left to his own two feet to carry him back to the chateau. He tore a silver buckle off his shoe, place it in the girl's palm, and watched her scurry away, mud slinging on her skirts."

"Romance was not part of Nora Grey's plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how hard her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch comes along. With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Patch draws Nora to him against her better judgment.

"But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure whom to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is and seems to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.

"For she is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those who have fallen -- and, when it some to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost Nora her life."

~ Jacket copy

Thoughts: When I first saw this book on the shelf, it caught my attention. In fact, I think it is sitting on my Amazon wishlist ^_~ The concept seemed like it could be interesting. Imagine my surprise when the library actually had it sitting on the shelves!! But, after all the hype, this book has really fallen short. In some ways, looking at a lot of the books coming out that are geared toward teenage girls, I'm not too surprised. And that saddens me.

First, lets address Nora. Does this girl have an ounce of self-preservation in her body? After her dad is shot in a dark alley, you would think she would be far more paranoid and careful about things. Not only does she not think, but she completely goes against any rational thought that might cross through her mind. Knowing full well what happened to her father, she decides it is a good idea to head into a bad neighborhood and then charge down a dark alley. Does this make sense? And then there is her attraction to Patch. Okay, I understand being drawn to the bad guy, but this goes above and beyond that. At several points, she is convinced he is stalking her, she is afraid for her life around him, he makes her feel very uncomfortable, etc. Yet, through all of this, she can't leave him alone! There is stupid and then there is Nora.

Now, I have to wonder about her mother. Okay, your husband gets shot in a dark alley one night. Yes, being a stay at home mom, you're going to need to secure an income to support your daughter. However, does it makes sense to get a job that has you out of town several weeks a month? I understand wanting to keep the family home, but I would be extremely reluctant to leave my teenage daughter home alone after an incident like that. It seems very out of character for a parent to behave that way.

What is it with girls in YA books being attracted to lecherous, creepy old men? I don't get it! What message are we trying to send to our teenage girls?

Fitzpatrick spent more time trying to be mysterious in the book and less time developing the story/plot. It took too long for you to finally know to some extent what was going on. Granted, if you payed attention, you could probably put all the pieces together. However, the build up was too big for the puny, anti-climatic ending. On top of that, the characters were not well developed and were unbelievable. And here's a note to the author: Becca, GET A DECENT EDITOR!! I'm not sure how many times "eying" was spelled differently! Also, it is a pool CUE!

*sigh* I'm a fast reader and it took awhile to get through this book. I felt the concept was really interesting and a lot could have been done with it. However, I feel that it has fallen into the Twilight-trap. Admittedly, I will end up reading Crescendo. But, yeah, this novel really did not impress me too much.

Rating: ☆ ☆
Currently: Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning
Current Pages: 9300
Current Progress:

27/50 books

In other news, Happy Easter!!!!

Book Review -- Mockingjay

Title: Mockingjay
Author: Suzanne Collins
Genre: YA
Pages: Hardback, 380
Published: 2010
Opening Lines: "I stare down at my shoes, watching as a fine layer of ash settles on the worn leather. This is where the bed I shared with my sister, Prim, stood. Over there was the kitchen table."

"Katniss Everdeen, girl on fire, has survived even though her home has been destroyed. Gale has escaped. Katniss's family is safe. Peeta has been captured by the Capitol. District 13 really does exist. There are rebels. There are new leaders. A revolution is unfolding.

"It is by design that Katniss was rescued from the arena in the cruel and haunting Quarter Quell, and it is by design that she has long been part of the revolution without knowing it. District 13 has come out of the shadows and is plotting to overthrow the Capitol. Everyone, it seems, has had a hand in the carefully laid plans -- except Katniss.

"The success of the rebellion hinges on Katniss's willingness to be a pawn, to accept responsibility for countless lives, and to change the course of the future of Panem. To do this, she must put aside her feelings of anger and distrust. She must become the rebels' Mockingjay -- no matter what the personal cost."

~ Jacket copy

Thoughts: With Katniss' rescue from the Quarter Quell and the uprising of the Districts, I really wondered how Collins was going to wrap this series up. The book starts sometime after Katniss is brought to District 13. She has been there long enough to get the lay of the land, find her hiding spots, etc. After being rescued, left out of the scheme, and leaving Peeta behind, she is completely broken and fractured; a mirror of her former self.

President Coin, the leader of District 13, and several other key members want Katniss to finally take up the role as Mockingjay and spearhead the rebellion. However, this doesn't mean being on front lines and fighting with the people. No, she has to become a TV star. Wearing Cinna's final costume, she must strut around with amazing engineered weapons and pretend.

Most of the book is spent following Katniss wander around District 13, struggle with her role of the Mockingjay, dealing wit her feelings towards Peeta, and just trying to hold it together. Unlike the other books, this is not a Katniss we are familiar with. In a lot of ways, her despondence feels very put on a self-involved. In Catching Fire, she kind of struggles with the idea of starting this revolution; however, she seems to run from it in the final installment.

I'm not sure what to say about this book. By far, it was not my favorite in the series. I felt how they handled Finnick's character was completely foreign to what we were shown in Catching Fire. I couldn't understand the willingness to follow President Coin when she seemed as corrupt as Snow. However, when faced with this rebellion, I feel that Collins is trying to broach the issue of war and what lengths people will go to. I find her commentary the strongest in the treatment of Katniss' prep team and the traps Beetee and Gale are creating. In an effort to overthrow the corruption of President Snow, the rebellion is no better. It is a slippery slope.

All in all, I did enjoy the book. Wanting to know exactly how it ended, I was driven through it. My problems reside with the treatment of some of the characters, Katniss' despondence, and the treatment of District 13. In addition, while it does wrap up the story, I felt as though something was missing. I felt that Collins could have dug into things a little more deeply. But, as it sits now, I feel that she barely scratched the surface.

Rating: ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
Currently: Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
Pages: 8578
Current Progress:

25/50 books

Book Review -- Catching Fire

Title: Catching Fire
Author: Suzanne Collins
Genre: YA
Pages: Hardback, 391
Published: 2009
Opening Lines: "I clasp my flask between my hands even though the warmth from the tea has long since leached into the frozen air. My muscles are clenched tight against the cold."

"Against all odds, Katniss has won the Hunger Game. She and fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mallark are miraculously still alive. Katniss should be relieved, happy even. After all, she has returned to her family and her longtime friend, Gale. Yet nothing is the way Katniss wishes it to be. Gale holds her at an icy distance. Peeta has turned his back on her completely. And there are whispers of a rebellion against the Capitol -- a rebellion that Katniss and Peeta may have helped create.

"Much to her shock, Katniss has fueled an unrest she's afraid she cannot stop. And what scares her even more is that she's not entirely convinced she should try. As time draws near for Katniss and Peeta to visit the districts on the Capitol's cruel Victory Tour, the stakes are higher than ever. If they can't prove, without a shadow of a doubt, that they are lost in their love for each other, the consequences will be horrifying."

~ Jacket copy

Thoughts: After The Hunger Games, I wasn't sure how Collins would be able to follow it up. The book was so intense and jammed packed with action, excitement, heartache, and political commentary that I wasn't sure how Catching Fire would compare. After finishing it, I'm speechless. Everything in this book is more.

Once again, I am struck by how Collins is able to pull the audience into the story with Katniss. While the story does not have the same action level as the first book, the political intrigue is greater and Collins sets you up to pull the audience deeper into the story.

It is really hard to talk about this book and dissect it. It is as the name suggests, a catching fire. Katniss learns more about herself, the depth of the corruption in the Capitol, the oppression of all the Districts around her, etc. Because of the lessons learned and the development in the characters, this book was much, much deeper and had more impact to me.

Needless to say, once I finished this book, there was no way I could wait for the library! My hubby and I went on a quest to find Mockingjay at Wal*Mart, K-Mart, and finally gave up and bought it at Hastings! Collins and her cliffhangers are something else entirely!


Rating: ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
Currently: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
Pages: 8188
Current Progress:

24/50 books

Book Review -- Malice

Title: Malice
Author: Chris Wooding
Genre: YA/urban fantasy/steampunk/horror/graphic novel
Pages: Paperback, 379
Published: 2009
Opening Line: "'I have to show you something.'"

'Tall Jake, take me away . . .'

"Everyone's heard the rumors. Call on Tall Jake and he'll take you to Malice, a world that exists inside a horrifying comic book. A place most kids never leave.

"Seth and Kady think it's all a silly myth. But then their friend disappears, and suddenly the rumors don't seem so silly after all . . ."

Thoughts: This book was a birthday present from a friend of mine. He loved The Haunting of Alaizabel Cray. I couldn't ge tinto that book, so I was a little hesitant about this one.

Malice follows Kady, a cute American girl living in England, and Seth. After their friend Luke disappears, they go on a scary and dangerous journey to find the truth behind the rumors of Malice -- the world and the comic book.

This book is really dark. From the cover art and the decription, it really didn't surprise me. However, I wasn't ready for some of the children in the book to die so casually. Granted, the characters in the book take it rather hard; however, Wodding writes it as though it is a normal occurance . . . Well, I suppose, in Malice it is.

I found it interesting that once inside Malice, the world takes on a steampunk type style. The automations are run on something other than steam; however, the concept of the creatures all being automations and made of cogs was very steampunk. It gave the world depth. Something about it also made it feel darker.

I love using the combination of graphic novel and regular novel! It defintiely gave it a unique reading experience. It also allowed the reader to share an experience with the characters in the book. Reading through the graphic novel/comic sections made me feel as though I was one of the unfortunate children to pick up a copy of the comic, Malice.

This was a good book! I really enjoyed it. Currently, I am trying to track down a copy of Havoc, but I'm having no luck!



Rating: 5/5
Currently: Storm Front by Jim Butcher
Pages: 3824
Horror/Urban Fantasy Challenge: 10/24
Current Progress:

11/50 books

Reviews - Feast of Fools

Title: Feast of Fools
Author: Rachel Caine
Genre: YA urban fantasy
Pages: Paperback, 242
Published: 2008
Opening Line: "It was hard to imagine how Claire's day -- even by Morganville standards -- could get any worse . . . and then the vampires holding her hostage wanted breakfast."
Favorite Line: "What the hell are you supposed to be?" He asked.
"Harlequin."
"Isn't that a Batman villain?" (Pg 239)

"In the college town of Morganville, vampires and humans have learned to live in relative peace. still, students like Claire Danvers know that after dark, studying can take a backseat to staying alive But the tenuous good-neighbor policy is really turned on its head with the arrival of Mr. Bishop.

"Bad to the bone, the ancient old-school vampire cares nothing about harmony. Staying at the top of the food chain is enough. What he wants from the town's living and dead is unthinkably sinister. It's only at a formal ball attended by vampires and their human dates that Claire realizes Bishop's plan -- and the elaborately evil trap he's set for the warmblooded souls of Morganville . . ."

-- Jacket copy

Thoughts: This is another return to Morganville where the vampires rule and the people only come out in daylight. However, this simple living arrangement is about to change. Three strong, scary vamps have come to town in order to take control from the Founder, Amelie. When family and friends become sucked into the power play, Claire must do something to stop the takeover.

While there are people out there that do not like these books, I really enjoy this series. Granted, it is a little annoying to dig through all the teenage angst. While Claire is the youngest, aside from the vampires, the oldest character might be Michael at around 19-20. Needless to say, they haven't completely outgrown it.

It is hard to fully talk about this book without giving anything away. The character development was good. Caine showed the readers a completely different side of Amelie. All the characters are put into situations where they must make some sacrifices. They are very hard decisions, and I feel as though Caine is really testing the depth of their character.

The problem that I consistently have with these books revolves around Monica and her friends. All three of the girls act as though they never left high school. They take the role of Claire's bullies. While I didn't go to a community college in a small town, this really seems out there for me. I can accept that some kids never grow up, but it still feels too campy. And, after antagonizing Claire and her friends throughout the whole book, Monica is quick to step up when needed. Granted, it usually serves her best interest.

On a side note, my favorite character is Myrnin ^__^

Rating: 3/5
Currently: Either Halfway to the Grave or Lord of Misrule
Pages: 2019
Horro/Urban Fantasy Challenge: 4/24
Current Progress:

6/50 books

Retelling Book Review

Title: Before Midnight a Retelling of "Cinderella"
Author: Cameron Dokey
Genre: YA fiction
Pages: Paperback, 193
Published: 2007
First Lines: "What do you know about yourself? What are your stories? The ones you tell yourself, and the ones told by others."

"Etienne de Brabant is brokenhearted. His wife has died in childbirth, leaving him alone with an infant daughter he cannot bear to name. But before he abandons her for king and court, he brings a second child to be raised alongside her, a boy whose identity he does no reveal.

"The girl, La Cendrillon, and the boy, Raoul, pass sixteen years in the servants' care until one day a very fine lady arrives with her two daughters. The lady has married La Cendrillon's father, and her arrival changes their lives.

"When an invitation to a great ball reaches the family, La Cendrillon's new stepmother will make a decision with far-reaching effects. Her choice will lead La Cendrillon and Raoul toward their destiny -- a choice that will challenge their understanding of family, test their loyalty and courage, and, ultimately, teach them who they are."

-Jacket copy

Thoughts: I got this book from my sister-in-law as a Christmas gift a few years back. While searching for clothes to put in the wash, I ended up uncovering this little treasure. I love retellings! In fact, this make me want to go back and read Robin McKinley's books!

While reading this, I was reminded of Ever After. By no means is it the same story, but they share some common elements. For example, Cenderillon's relationship with Raoul is similar to her relationship with the stable boy in the movie. When her shoe is returned by the prince, it is strikingly similar to the scene at the end of the film. This did not detract from the book. Being a retelling, it will have similarities, and Dokey made the story her own.

It was a new and refreshing version of Cinderella. I liked how Dokey chose to portray the stepmother and her daughters. It was definitely a new twist! This book was a delight to read, it went very fast, and it left you satisfied. My only problem was that the conflict was too short and too neat. I wished there was more intrigue at the end. The author mentioned that there was a whole political battle taking place amongst the royal family. I would have liked to see that played out a little more. Other than that, I really enjoyed the book. I'm looking forward to reading the others in the Once Upon a Time series.

Rating: 5/5
Currently: Ravena & the Resurrected
Pages: 1557
Current Progress:

4/50 books

Percy Jackson -- YA Series Review

Title: Percy Jackson and the Olympians
Author: Rick Riordan
Genre: YA fantasy

Summary: After finding out that he is the son of Poseidon, this series follows the adventures of Percy Jackson and his demigod friends.

Thoughts: My first experience with Percy Jackson was the movie. My husband and I decided to head over to the cheap seats and watch something fun. I knew that it was based off of a book, but I never bothered to pick it up. While spending Thanksgiving with my brother, he sent me home with the whole five book series. They sat on my shelf for awhile while I read other books. For some reason, I just kept avoiding them. However, last week, I finally started reading them. I couldn't put the series down!

After finding out that he is the son of Poseidon, Percy is taken to Camp Half-Blood where he meets and befriends several demigods -- the children of a union between a god and a human. However, Percy is different. He finds out that he is a child of the big 3 -- Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades. For various reasons, this is a very big deal. Without giving anything away, the series follows Percy and his friends on many adventures that lead them from places like Hades to the 600th floor of the Empire State's Building.

Riordan did an excellent job with this series. Using the Greek mythology as a basis for the series, I was a little apprehensive about his interpretation of the myths. However, he does an amazing job. I had to keep my BlackBerry next to me in order to look things up while I read. Not only does he have rather obscure figures from Greek mythology (i.e., Kampe and the Hundred-Handed Ones), he was able to imagine the gods' role in modern day culture. For example, Hermes created the internet. The world he creates is colourful, rich, and fun.

The author also spent a lot of time fleshing his characters out. I felt that, even though they may not have been the main characters, everyone in the books were given a lot thought. Furthermore, the characters matured over the course of the series. They start out with Percy being found at 12 and end when he is 16. Riordan was able to show this maturity in a believable way.

The only thing I can liken these books to is the Harry Potter series. However, unlike Harry, I felt that Percy was a likable character. While he was the main character, he did not dominate the books the way Harry did. During the off-season of Camp Half-Blood, each character was shaped by their own experiences and not by Percy. To put it another way, they all had a life outside of Percy. In addition, Percy accepted his fate and position as Poseidon's son.

Not only were these books and quick and entertaining read, I feel that young adults would be introduced to the rich history of Greek mythology in a very accessible and fun way. Putting the myths into modern day society, children would be able to relate at a different level.

Overall, the Percy Jackson series has become one of my favorites. I look forward to picking up The Heroes of Olympus.

Rating: 4/5

Complete 2010 book list

Currently: Ghost Story by Peter Straub