September 5, 2010

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 21st century faery tale.

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

What about you?

September 4, 2010

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

September 1, 2010

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?