Review of "Paranormalcy"

"Paranormalcy"
Kiersten White


5

Pub. Date: August 31, 2010
Pages: 335

Synopsis: Evie’s always thought of herself as a normal teenager, even though she works for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, her ex-boyfriend is a faerie, she’s falling for a shape-shifter, and she’s the only person who can see through paranormals’ glamours.

But Evie’s about to realize that she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures.

So much for normal.

I was really excited to read "Paranormalcy" when I first heard about it; I love paranormal books, so it was right up my ally. I got even more excited once I started hearing how amazing it was, but I also got a bit nervous that it wouldn't be able to live up to the hype. I am glad to report that I thought the book was as awesome as others have reported. I was so hooked on this book that I left the copy I borrowed from the library at work and I actually bought it on my nook because I had to keep reading.

What makes this book so awesome? Pretty much everything: characters, plot, narrative, and it is chalk full of paranormal creatures. Evie is fun, has a great sense of humor, a strong narrating voice, and is very relatable; I also love the fact that she is obsessed with pink. It is so funny how she yearns for normal so much that she is excited about ordinary things like lockers and is dying to be enrolled in high school. Lend's character intrigued me from the moment he appeared; I had to know more about him and I have to admit, I have a bit of a crush on him. Even some of the characters that only appeared for part of the book resonated strongly. Evie is a strong character, hunting all kinds of paranormals and all that jazz, but at the same time she can be insecure and has typical fears. A lot of teens struggle with finding their place and Kiersten White has made this a central theme in the book.

Kiersten White is able to balance the humorous with some darker themes as well. Evie likes working for the IPCA because she feels like she is making the world a better place, but she begins to question this later in the book. Is her job really helping the world? Is her power a gift or a curse? I will have to stop there so I don't give away any spoilers. Evie's faeries ex-boyfriend, Reth, is a good example of this balance. Reth can be saving Evie's life one minute and trying to manipulate her the next. There is this constant back and forth trying to figure out if he is good or if he is a villain.

"Paranormalcy" may not be one of my all time favorite books, but I absolutely loved it. This is a must read for anyone who is a fan of paranormal books. I stayed up far too late last night finishing this book, but it was totally worth it. I can't wait for the second book, “Supernaturally", to come out next fall.

On My Chair

Here are the books I am currently reading, books I have bought, borrowed or have been sent to me, and books I am planning on starting this week (this post was inspired by The Story Siren's In My Mailbox).
Another slow week for me, I am still reading "Paranormalcy", but I did borrow a couple of other books from the library as well.

"The Replacement"
Brenna Yovanoff
Pub. Date: September 21, 2010

Synopsis: Mackie Doyle is not one of us. Though he lives in the small town of Gentry, he comes from a world of tunnels and black murky water, a world of living dead girls ruled by a little tattooed princess. He is a Replacement left in the crib of a human baby sixteen years ago. Now, because of fatal allergies to iron, blood, and consecrated ground, Mackie is fighting to survive in the human world.

Mackie would give anything to live among us, to practice on his bass or spend time with his crush, Tate. But when Tate's baby sister goes missing, Mackie is drawn irrevocably into the underworld of Gentry, known as Mayhem. He must face the dark creatures of the Slag Heaps and find his rightful place, in our world, or theirs.

Edward Scissorhands meets The Catcher in the Rye in this wildly imaginative and frighteningly beautiful horror novel about an unusual boy and his search for a place to belong.

"Ink Exchange"
Melissa Marr
Pub. Date: April 29, 2008

Synopsis: Unbeknownst to mortals, a power struggle is unfolding in a world of shadows and danger. After centuries of stability, the balance among the Faery Courts has altered, and Irial, ruler of the Dark Court, is battling to hold his rebellious and newly vulnerable fey together. If he fails, bloodshed and brutality will follow.

Seventeen-year-old Leslie knows nothing of faeries or their intrigues. When she is attracted to an eerily beautiful tattoo of eyes and wings, all she knows is that she has to have it, convinced it is a tangible symbol of changes she desperately craves for her own life.

The tattoo does bring changes not the kind Leslie has dreamed of, but sinister, compelling changes that are more than symbolic. Those changes will bind Leslie and Irial together, drawing Leslie deeper and deeper into the faery world, unable to resist its allures, and helpless to withstand its perils...

So far, I am enjoying "Ink Exchange" and I am really excited to start "The Replacement" soon. What are you planning to read this week?

Review of "Wildthorn"

"Wildthorn"
Jane Eagland

5

Pub Date: September 6, 2010
Pages: 350

Synopsis: They strip her naked, of everything—undo her whalebone corset, hook by hook. Locked away in Wildthorn Hall—a madhouse—they take her identity. She is now called Lucy Childs. She has no one; she has nothing. But, she is still seventeen—still Louisa Cosgrove, isn't she? Who has done this unthinkable deed? Louisa must free herself, in more ways than one, and muster up the courage to be her true self, all the while solving her own twisted mystery and falling into an unconventional love...

Originally published in the UK, this well-paced, provocative romance pushes on boundaries—both literal and figurative—and, do beware: it will bind you, too.

When I started reading "Wildthorn", I was a bit confused as to what was going on. I was a little concerned that I was about to be hugely disappointed by this book, but then I realized that I was supposed to be confused. Jane Eagland is able to make the reader feel the confusion that Louisa experiences as she is stripped from her life and put into Wildthorn Hall. I was a little concerned about the switching from present day to Louisa's past, but it worked for me in this book. I felt like I was glimpsing into Louisa's thought process while she tried to figure out why she is in a mental hospital.

One of the best things about this book is that it always kind of leaves you guessing until the end. Things you thought you knew at the beginning of the book are turned on their heads at the end. Characters that you thought were the villains were only pawns and you realize that characters were not the people you thought they were at the beginning. I just felt like none of this book was wasted space.

I love books that are about women who don’t fit into the society they live in. I liked the conflicts between Louisa and her family; I also loved how her father was able to appreciate her passion for medicine. Part of me wonders if this makes me a bit bias, but who doesn’t have their biases? I don’t know if this book will be a hit with all readers. Parts of it were pretty disturbing, especially some of the moments in the asylum, and Louisa’s “unconventional love” may seem a bit shocking for some readers. I thought Eagland did a great job hinting towards this throughout the book, but if you didn’t connect these pieces you may feel it came from left field.

This book is for mature readers who enjoy historical fiction; those who aren’t a fan of historical fiction or books about women who push their roles in society probably won’t enjoy this book. It is a love story and does discuss family roles; it also focuses on finding your place and discovering ones identity, making it a book that teens can relate to.

*I was sent a review copy of "Wildthorn" from the publisher.

Contest

I meant to have this contest a while ago, but that obviously didn't happen! I guess that just means the prize will be bigger! Here is a list of all the wonderful ARCs you could win:

'The Ghost & The Goth"
"Hex Hall"
"Jekel Loves Hyde"
"A Love Story: Starring My Dead Best Friend"
"Linger"
"The Body Finder"
"The Eternal Ones"

All you have to do to enter is reply to this post with your e-mail by Thursday October 7th, 2010 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time.
You must be at least 13 years old to enter and live in the United States (sorry I don't have the money for international shipping). Check out my Contest Policies for more details, but I think everything is clear cut.

Review of "Wicked Lovely"

"Wicked Lovely"
Melissa Marr

4

Pub. Date: May 12, 2007
Pages: 352

Synopsis: Rule #3: Don't stare at invisible faeries.

Aislinn has always seen faeries. Powerful and dangerous, they walk hidden in mortal world. Aislinn fears their cruelty—especially if they learn of her Sight—and wishes she were as blind to their presence as other teens.

Rule #2: Don't speak to invisible faeries.

Now faeries are stalking her. One of them, Keenan, who is equal parts terrifying and alluring, is trying to talk to her, asking questions Aislinn is afraid to answer.

Rule #1: Don't ever attract their attention.

But it's too late. Keenan is the Summer King who has sought his queen for nine centuries. Without her, summer itself will perish. He is determined that Aislinn will become the Summer Queen at any cost—regardless of her plans or desires.

Suddenly none of the rules that have kept Aislinn safe are working anymore, and everything is on the line: her freedom; her best friend, Seth; her life; everything.

Faerie intrigue, mortal love, and the clash of ancient rules and modern expectations swirl together in Melissa Marr's stunning 21^st century faery tale.

I have wanted to read "Wicked Lovely" for a while now and I was so excited to borrow the audio book from the library. There are a lot of things that I loved about this book; the characters were my favorite part. Keenan's character was fantastic because I actually felt bad for him. He may be beautiful and powerful, but he destroys lives and has to live knowing he is hurting the women he cares for. It would be easy to hate him if he did this out of sport, but he doesn't have a choice in the matter. I actually felt if Keenan had any choice he would not be putting the women through the test of the Summer Queen. This was reflected in his feelings for Donia. I would love to explain why Donia is so wonderful, but I would end up giving things away. Aislinn (Ash) is strong and independent, but she is also caring at the same time. I love the fact that she has been trained not to flinch as faeries poke and prod her. Seth is also a great character, but I don't want to say too much about him either. I just like the fact that he's not the stereotypical leading man in most romantic fiction.

Another thing I love about the book was all the faery mythology; Marr adds a brief excerpt of faery lore at the beginning of each chapter. I enjoyed this because it just helped make the story feel more real. When you are seeing quotes from classic authors about faery mythology, you realize that these kinds of stories have deep routs in many cultures.

Something that bugged me about this book was that the end was a bit anti-climactic and I felt like it was a little too happy. We were warned about the wrath of the faeries so much throughout the entire story that I felt let down at the end. I also felt that certain parts of the book moved a little slow; there was almost a little bit too much planning done by the characters and not enough action.

Overall I really enjoyed the book, I loved the plot and wanted to know the fate of each character. I have no idea what to expect from the next book in the series, but I hope the faeries show their power a bit more. I want to see less of their sex appeal and more destruction. I swear that I am not blood thirsty, I just like when villains live up to the hype; Voldemort is a perfect example.

On My Chair

Here are the books I am currently reading, books I have bought, borrowed or have been sent to me, and books I am planning on starting this week (this post was inspired by The Story Siren's In My Mailbox). I am super behind on my reading this week, so I don't have much to report.

I borrowed:

Paranormalcy
Kiersten WhiteAugust 31, 2010
Evie’s always thought of herself as a normal teenager, even though she works for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, her ex-boyfriend is a faerie, she’s falling for a shape-shifter, and she’s the only person who can see through paranormals’ glamours.

But Evie’s about to realize that she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures.

So much for normal.

Being Nikki (Airhead Series book 2)
Meg CabotMay 01, 2009

Things aren't pretty for Emerson Watts.

Em was sure there couldn't be anything worse than being a brainiac the body of a teenaged supermodel.

But it turned out she was wrong. Because that supermodel could turn out to have a mother who's gone mysteriously missing, a brother who's shown up on her doorstep demanding answers, a former best friend who's intent on destroying Stark Enterprises to avenge the death of his lost love, and a British heartthrob who's written a song about her that's topping the charts.

How can Em balance all that with school, runway shows, and weekend jaunts to St. Johns - especially when she's got ex-boyfriends crawling out of the woodwork who want more than just a photo op; a sister who is headed to the high school cheerleading championships; a company she represents that seems to be turning to the dark side...

Not to mention trying to convince the love of her life that models aren't really airheads after all...especially one model in particular.

But then, nobody said it was going to be easy being Nikki.

What is in your to be read pile this week?

Review of "The Eternal Ones"

"The Eternal Ones"
Kirsten Miller

4

Pub. Date: August 31, 2010
Pages: 416

Synopsis: Haven Moore can't control her visions of a past with a boy called Ethan, and a life in New York that ended in fiery tragedy. In our present, she designs beautiful dresses for her classmates with her best friend Beau. Dressmaking keeps her sane, since she lives with her widowed and heartbroken mother in her tyrannical grandmother's house in Snope City, a tiny town in Tennessee. Then an impossible group of coincidences conspire to force her to flee to New York, to discover who she is, and who she was.

In New York, Haven meets Iain Morrow and is swept into an epic love affair that feels both deeply fated and terribly dangerous. Iain is suspected of murdering a rock star and Haven wonders, could he have murdered her in a past life? She visits the Ouroboros Society and discovers a murky world of reincarnation that stretches across millennia. Haven must discover the secrets hidden in her past lives, and loves¸ before all is lost and the cycle begins again.

When I first started reading "The Eternal Ones" I fell in love with Haven's character; she was strong and had a great sense of humor. She challenged her controlling grandmother and stood up for herself against the girls at school. I really felt like Beau and Haven were the closest of friends and I love the fact that they had their own dress business. I thought the book would only get better once Haven got to New York to try to solve the mysteries of her past life, but I ended up being a bit disappointed.

I felt like not a lot of time was spent in the Ouroboros Society and that it was just talked about by the characters. We did learn a lot about the society, but through character's word of mouth. I feel like if Haven had gone into the Ouroboros Society and discovered things for herself it would have had a stronger effect. The society was built up to be this grand organization, but in the end it just kind of felt like a sleazy club run by a couple of players. Another thing I didn't like was the fact that I felt like Haven spent too much time running away from things and hiding. Part of me understands this, but I kind of wish she had confronted some of her problems better.

Overall I did really like "The Eternal Ones". It moved at a quick pace and I liked the characters; even some of the less wholesome characters were pretty great. Miller has a unique writing style that I fell in love with. If the writing and characters hadn't been so awesome I would not have enjoyed this book nearly as much. I did find the book to be a bit predictable, but it didn't ruin the story for me. Part of me wonders if "The Eternal Ones" was just a little too hyped up, this can easily lead me to be let down by books.

Changed My Rating System

I have slightly changed my rating system because I just need something between liking a book and loving a book.

6- Favorite!
5- Loved It
4- Really Liked It
3- Liked it
2- Take it or leave it
1- Leave it

I am hoping this will reduce the amount of something.5 ratings and help clarify how much I loved a book. I will take me a little while to go back and re-rate my old reviews, but I have been thinking about this for a while and it must be done. I kind of wish I had sucked it up and done this a few months ago... oh well!

I Heart My Nook!

I have always loved my Nook, but I finally figured out how to put borrowed ebooks on it... I simply had to connect my Nook to my computer BEFORE I opened Adobe Digital Editions!
I feel silly that I was making such a simple mistake, this is why it is important to do a few seconds of research when dealing with technology.
Anyway, I am going to do read a bit of "Wildthorn" before passing out. Goodnight all!

Review of "Rampant"

"Rampant"
by Diana Peterfreund

5

Pub. Date: August 29, 2009
Pages: 416

Synopsis: Forget everything you ever knew about unicorns . . .

Real unicorns are venomous, man-eating monsters with huge fangs and razor-sharp horns. Fortunately, they've been extinct for a hundred and fifty years.

Or not.

Astrid had always scoffed at her eccentric mother's stories about killer unicorns. But when one of the monsters attacks her boyfriend—thereby ruining any chance of him taking her to the prom—Astrid finds herself headed to Rome to train as a unicorn hunter at the ancient cloisters the hunters have used for centuries.

However, at the cloisters all is not what it seems. Outside, the unicorns wait to attack. And within, Astrid faces other, unexpected threats: from the crumbling, bone-covered walls that vibrate with a terrible power to the hidden agendas of her fellow hunters to—perhaps most dangerously of all—her growing attraction to a handsome art student . . . an attraction that could jeopardize everything.

If you haven't read this book or even heard about it, you probably think that it sounds completely weird. I felt the same way when I first heard about the book, but after skimming reviews, I decided to give a chance. I am so glad I did because the book was pretty awesome. Yes it is about killer unicorns and the girls who hunt them, but Peterfreund is able to make it work. The characters' skepticism make it easier to believe that there are bloodthirsty unicorns. Astrid has trouble accepting the truth even after seeing a unicorn maim her boyfriend.

Another thing that makes this story easier to accept is the myths that the characters share. Astrid was raised with horror stories about unicorns, making her freaked out by how the rest of society viewed unicorns as cute and friendly creatures. All the characters have heard different myths about unicorns and where they came from, it kind of reminds me of all the different myths about vampires.

I love Astrid's sense of humor; from the beginning of the book I was hooked on her narrative. This book gets pretty violent, but at the same time there is a lot of humor. Part of this has to do with Astrid cracking jokes about how ridiculous the situations she keeps finding herself in. Astrid's narrative is also very conversational; she seems to be telling the story as if talking to a close friend.

Even though this book is paranormal and has romance, it also is able to discuss virginity in a way that is organic. I'm not sure if Peterfreund had always planned on making a statement about how casual sex has become among teenagers, but she was able to work it into her story without it feeling heavy handed. I like that this and the struggles Astrid has with her mother give more substance to the story.

I am so glad I finished "Rampant" when I did because the second book, "Ascendant", is coming out the 28th. Whether you are looking for a good paranormal book or just a fun read, I would definitely recommend this book. I know it sounds weird, but it is worth the risk!

On My Chair

Here are the books I am currently reading, books I have bought, borrowed or have been sent to me, and books I am planning on starting this week (this post was inspired by The Story Siren's In My Mailbox).

"Wildthorn"
Jane Eagland
September 6, 2010

They strip her naked, of everything—undo her whalebone corset, hook by hook. Locked away in Wildthorn Hall—a madhouse—they take her identity. She is now called Lucy Childs. She has no one; she has nothing. But, she is still seventeen—still Louisa Cosgrove, isn't she? Who has done this unthinkable deed? Louisa must free herself, in more ways than one, and muster up the courage to be her true self, all the while solving her own twisted mystery and falling into an unconventional love . . .

Originally published in the UK, this well-paced, provocative romance pushes on boundaries—both literal and figurative—and, do beware: it will bind you, too.

"Trickster's Girl"
Hilary Bell
January 3, 2011

In the year 2098 America isn't so different from the USA of today. But, in a post-9/11 security-obssessed world, "secured" doesn't just refer to borders between countries, it also refer to borders between states. Teenagers still think they know everything, but there is no cure for cancer, as Kelsa knows first-hand from watching her father die.

The night Kelsa buries her father, a boy appears. He claims magic is responsible for the health of Earth, but human damage disrupts its flow. The planet is dying.

Kelsa has the power to reverse the damage, but first she must accept that magic exists and see beyond her own pain in order to heal the planet.

I am also am still reading "The Eternal Ones" by Kristen Miller and the audio of "Wicked Lovely" by Melissa Marr. What about you?

Review "Before I Die"

"Before I Die"
by Jenny Downham


3

Pub. Date: September 25th, 2007
Pages: 420

Synopsis: It's really going to happen. They said it would, but this is quicker than anyone thought. Everyone has to die. We all know it. With only a few months of life left, sixteen-year-old Tessa knows it better than most. She's made a list, though ten things she wants to do before she dies. Number one is sex. Starting tonight. But getting what you want isn't easy. And getting what you want doesn't always give you what you need. And sometimes the most unexpected things become important. Uplifting, life-affirming, joyous this extraordinary novel celebrates what it is to be alive by confronting what it's really like to die.

I enjoyed this book, but the characters made it hard for me to enjoy the book as much as I would have liked. Tessa kind of bothered me at some points, I understand that she is dying and that isn't something you can just get over, but it seemed like she was taking out her frustrations on everyone around her. Tessa's best friend seemed like she didn't care half the time and her mother was an immature mess. I think my favorite characters were Tessa's dad, her brother, and Adam.

Something I did like about this book was how honest it was; this is not a romanticized story with a happy ending. It is heartbreaking and the end is not what most people probably expected. I am wondering if the characters were maybe a little too honest for me. They all just seemed riddled with flaws, which is a realistic portrayal of how people are. Best friends don't always get along, people who are dying struggle with the cards dealt to them, and mothers aren't always good caretakers. I do appreciate the honesty of this book, but I just wish I could have enjoyed the characters more.

I also really like how Tessa had a list of things she wanted to do before she died. I like the whole idea of her trying to make the most of her time left, even if she had days where she would rather stay in bed and just give up. I didn't agree with everything on Tessa's list, but it is her list and I liked that there were thing on it that other people may not understand.

"Before I Die" is a good book and Jenny Downham gives the reader an honest peak into the final months of a teenager with leukemia's life. Even though I didn't love this book, I still would recommend it; just because I struggled with accepting some of the characters, doesn't mean that everyone will. This is a book that would be great for book groups and I kind of wish I was in one so I could discuss this book

On My Chair

I realize that I haven't done one of these in a really long time, but I miss it and am bringing them back! I am also introducing my new reading chair, which is probably a little weird to most people, but I love it! Here I will post the books I am currently reading, books I have bought, borrowed or have been sent to me, and books I am planning on starting this week (this post was inspired by The Story Siren).


I am currently reading "Rampant" by Diane Peterfreund:

Synopsis: Forget everything you ever knew about unicorns . . .

Real unicorns are venomous, man-eating monsters with huge fangs and razor-sharp horns. Fortunately, they've been extinct for a hundred and fifty years.

Or not.

Astrid had always scoffed at her eccentric mother's stories about killer unicorns. But when one of the monsters attacks her boyfriend—thereby ruining any chance of him taking her to the prom—Astrid finds herself headed to Rome to train as a unicorn hunter at the ancient cloisters the hunters have used for centuries.

However, at the cloisters all is not what it seems. Outside, the unicorns wait to attack. And within, Astrid faces other, unexpected threats: from the crumbling, bone-covered walls that vibrate with a terrible power to the hidden agendas of her fellow hunters to—perhaps most dangerously of all—her growing attraction to a handsome art student . . . an attraction that could jeopardize everything.

I am a bit ashamed it took me so long to start reading this book... I have owned it on my Nook since Christmas and am just now getting to it

I will be starting "The Eternal Ones" by Kristen Miller:

Synopsis: Haven Moore can t control her visions of a past with a boy called Ethan, and a life in New York that ended in fiery tragedy. In our present, she designs beautiful dresses for her classmates with her best friend Beau. Dressmaking keeps her sane, since she lives with her widowed and heartbroken mother in her tyrannical grandmother s house in Snope City, a tiny town in Tennessee. Then an impossible group of coincidences conspire to force her to flee to New York, to discover who she is, and who she was.

In New York, Haven meets Iain Morrow and is swept into an epic love affair that feels both deeply fated and terribly dangerous. Iain is suspected of murdering a rock star and Haven wonders, could he have murdered her in a past life? She visits the Ouroboros Society and discovers a murky world of reincarnation that stretches across millennia. Haven must discover the secrets hidden in her past lives, and loves, before all is lost and the cycle begins again.

I am also listening to the audio for "Wicked Lovely" by Melissa Marr:

Synopsis: Rule #3: Don't stare at invisible faeries.

Aislinn has always seen faeries. Powerful and dangerous, they walk hidden in mortal world. Aislinn fears their cruelty—especially if they learn of her Sight—and wishes she were as blind to their presence as other teens.

Rule #2: Don't speak to invisible faeries.

Now faeries are stalking her. One of them, Keenan, who is equal parts terrifying and alluring, is trying to talk to her, asking questions Aislinn is afraid to answer.

Rule #1: Don't ever attract their attention.

But it's too late. Keenan is the Summer King who has sought his queen for nine centuries. Without her, summer itself will perish. He is determined that Aislinn will become the Summer Queen at any cost—regardless of her plans or desires.

Suddenly none of the rules that have kept Aislinn safe are working anymore, and everything is on the line: her freedom; her best friend, Seth; her life; everything.

Faerie intrigue, mortal love, and the clash of ancient rules and modern expectations swirl together in Melissa Marr's stunning 21^st century faery tale.

I am also listening to the audio for "Wicked Lovely" by Melissa Marr:

What about you?

Review of "Clockwork Angel"

"Clockwork Angel"
by Cassandra Clare


6

Pub. Date: August 31st, 2010
Pages: 479

Synopsis: Magic is dangerous—but love is more dangerous still.

When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos.

Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What’s more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own.

Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by—and torn between—two best friends: James, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm's length . . . everyone, that is, but Tessa. As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world. . . . and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.

Another hit for Cassandra Clare! I could not wait until this book came out; I LOVED "The Mortal Instruments Series". I was not disappointed and am glad I spent long nights reading this book. If not for the fact that I apparently need at least 7 hours of sleep every night, I would have read this book in 1 day if I could have! I had serious problems putting this book down and I hated going to work because I couldn't read it. Okay... that is probably enough gushing.

I really loved that this book was set in the past because I for some reason find it interesting reading about women struggling to find their role in a society where they are thought to be lesser beings. Women during this time period were just supposed to look pretty, be good wives, and bare children, but of course the women in "Clockwork Angel" did not follow society’s strict structure. I love how Charlotte was in charge of the institute and her husband Henry spent his time coming up with inventions. Even Tessa strayed from society's expectations by spending time in the company of men and risking her life to save her brother. How can you not fall for these strong female characters?

Oh yeah... the whole demon fighting and romance was pretty fantastic as well. This book had a lot of action and danger seemed everywhere. It was really interesting to see demon fighting back in the Victorian Age. This book fits nicely into the Steampunk genre through the robots that terrorize the characters (if you haven't read any Steampunk and you like historical and sci-fi then you MUST get into the Steampunk genre). There is also the whole mystery of what Tessa really is: human, demon, or warlock?! The end had a great twist that I did not see coming, in multiple layers too!

One thing that was killing me throughout "Clockwork Angel" was Will's attitude. Even after finishing the book I am on pins and needles for the next book because I want to know what his story is. I guess I am just a sucker for mysterious guys, but I can't help it and Clare does a fantastic job at creating these mysterious characters. At the same time, I think Jem is absolutely adorable and am curious about him as well. I like how he is a bit bashful and has honorable intentions. He and Will seem like such polar opposites, but they are able to be best friends. I can't help but wonder if they're friendship will stay as strong throughout the rest of the book.

I don't think I can say it enough; "Clockwork Angel" was amazing! I can't wait to see what the rest of the books in "The Infernal Devices" series have in store. Sorry if this review was a little all over the place and maybe a bit fan girlish, but the book was really that wonderful. Fans of paranormal, fantasy, action, and romance will love this series. I know the books are long, but they really worth it.

2010 Reading Challenges Update

I just realized that I am terrible at keeping up with this... I have been doing the challenges though! I have read 26 books for the Paranormal Book Challenge. I think that means I am super behind my goal of 50. If 24 of my 28 books remaining are paranormal, then technically I can do it, but I don't think that will happen. For the 100+ Reading Challenge I am at a good pace. If I read between 6-7 books a month then I will have accomplished that! This is definitely a doable. For the Debut Author Challenge, I have read 8 out of 12. It is safe to say that I will make that goal. Maybe I should try for 15... Here are the list of books I've read. Paranormal Book Challenge books are highlighted and Debut Author Challenge books say Debut next to them ( I know you probably figured that one out on your own). Good luck to everyone else with their book challenges. If you aren't doing anything then I suggest trying at least one next year, they are just a lot of fun! I am definitely going to do the Debut Author Challenge for 2011... assuming there is one.

01) Fallen- Lauren Kate

02) Ivy- Julia Hearn
03) Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey- Trenton Lee Stewart
04) The Secret Year- Jennifer Hubbard (Debut)
05) The Lovely Bones- Alice Sebold
06) Bleeding Violet- Dia Reeves (Debut)
07) Maid Sama! Volume 1- Fujiwara Hiro
08) Incarceron- Catherine Fisher
09) A Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame- Brenda Woods
10) The Cheat to Lose Diet- Joel Marion
11) The Iron King- Julie Kagawa (Debut)
12) NG Life Volume 1- Mizuho Kusanagi
13) NG Life Volume 2- Mizuho Kusanagi
14) NG Life Volume 3- Mizuho Kusanagi
15) My Sister's Keeper- Jodi Picoult
16) The Host Club- Bisco Hatori
17) Shutter Island- Dennis Lehane
18- Dirty Little Secrets- C.J. Omololu
19) The Tenth Circle- Jodi Picoult
20) Leviathan- Scott Westerfeld
21) Hex Hall- Rachel Hawkins (Debut)
22) The Looking Glass Wars- Frank Beddor
23) The Body Finder- Kimberly Derting (Debut)
24) The Mark- Jen Nadol (Debut)
25) The Dead-Tossed Waves- Carrie Ryan
26) Pirates Latitude- Michael Crichton
27) The Perks of Being a Wallflower- Stephen Chbosky
28) A Hopeless Romantic-Harriet Evans
29) Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side- Beth Fantaskey
30) My Soul To Save- Rachel Vincent
31) Seeing Red- Frank Beddor
32) Shinju- Laura Joh Rowland
33) Aria (Volume 1)- Kozue Amano
34) Push- Sapphire
35) Little Miss Red- Robin Palmer
36) The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner's Dilemma- Trenton Lee Stewart
37) Heist Society- Ally Carter
38) Marcelo in the Real World- Francisco X. Stork
39) Secret Vampire (Night World Book 1)- L.J. Smith
40) Daughters of Darkness (Night World Book 2)- L.J. Smith
41) Spellbinder (Night World Book 3)- L.J. Smith
42) Darkly Dreaming Dexter- Jeff Lindsay
43) Good In Bed- Jennifer Weiner
44) Jekel Loves Hyde- Beth Fantaskey
45) Dead in the Family- Charlaine Harris
46) Something Like Fate- Susane Colasanti
47) The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo- Stieg Larson
48) Looking For Alaska- John Green
49) Prom- Laurie Halse Anderson
50) The Red Pyramid- Rick Riordan
51) Size 12 is Not Fat- Meg Cabot
52) Anansi Boys- Neil Gaiman
53) A Measure of Disorder- Alan Tucker (Debut)
54) Perchance to Dream- Lisa Mantchev
55) Broken Birds; The Story of My Momila- Jeannette Katzir
56) Pretty Little Liars- Sara Shepard
57) Alice in the Country of Hearts Volume 1- Soumei Hoshino (Illustrator), QuinRose (Author)
58) Alice in the Country of Hearts Volume 2- Soumei Hoshino (Illustrator), QuinRose (Author)
59) The Girl Who Played With Fire- Stieg Larsson
60) A Love Story Starring My Dead Best Friend- Emily Horner (Debut)
61) Linger- Maggie Stiefvater
62) Airhead- Meg Cabot
63) Before I Die- Jenny Downham
64) Flawless- Sara Shepard
65) Shadowland: The Mediator- Meg Cabot
66) The Ghost and the Goth- Stacey Kade
67) Girls in Trucks- Katie Crouch
68) The Chosen One- Carol Lynch Williams
69) To Kill a Mockingbird- Harper Lee
70) Mockingjay- Suzanne Collins
71) The Girl Who Kicked The Hornets' Nest- Stieg Larsson
72) Clockwork Angel- Cassandra Clare

Review of "Shawdowland"

"The Mediator: Shadowland"
by Meg Cabot

5

Pub Date: December 28, 2004
Pages: 304

Synopsis: Suze is a mediator -- a liaison between the living and the dead. In other words, she sees dead people. And they won't leave her alone until she helps them resolve their unfinished business with the living. But Jesse, the hot ghost haunting her bedroom, doesn't seem to need her help. Which is a relief, because Suze has just moved to sunny California and plans to start fresh, with trips to the mall instead of the cemetery, and surfing instead of spectral visitations.

But the very first day at her new school, Suze realizes it's not that easy. There's a ghost with revenge on her mind ... and Suze happens to be in the way.

After reading "The Shadowland", I realized something, Meg Cabot is AWESOME! I know that most people are probably saying, "Um duh... where have you been?", but I hadn't read anything by her until recently and I am now hooked! Cabot has created another line up of great characters. Suze is strong and stubborn, but she also has a softer side. Even though she need to kick serious ghost butt in certain cases, she is still able to empathize with them. Jesse is mysterious and surprisingly sweet for a ghost haunting a bedroom. Even though Heather's character makes me want to rip my hair out, she brings a lot to the story and I have to admit, she is a great villain.

This book is paranormal, but it deals a lot with the drama of high school and family issues. Suze is moving to California with her mom to live with her stepfather and his sons, this is a big adjustment from New York, New York. Suze may not worry about fitting in, but she does have to find a way to balance her social life between the living and the dead. Not getting into too much trouble is also another priority. I think I would have spent a lot of time worrying about our heroine if the story hadn't been so funny.

Meg Cabot does a fantastic job at creating stories that suck you in with their plot and characters. All the books I have read have been fun reads, but they are able to address serious topics at the same time. Sometimes authors write one good series and the rest of their writing falls flat, but so far I haven't found this problem with the multiple sampling of Cabot's series that I've read.

Trailer of "Halo"

"Halo" came out yesterday and I was sent the book trailer, so I thought I would pass it along! Just in case you haven't heard about the book, I posted the synopsis below the trailer.

"Halo"
by Alexandra Adornetto

Synopsis: Three angels are sent down to bring good to the world: Gabriel, the warrior; Ivy, the healer; and Bethany, a teenage girl who is the least experienced of the trio. But she is the most human, and when she is romantically drawn to a mortal boy, the angels fear she will not be strong enough to save anyone—especially herself—from the Dark Forces.

Is love a great enough power against evil?