Scrambled Eggs at Midnight Brad Barkley & Heather Hepler Dutton Books 262 pages

Most amazing book ever...Thank you Stephanie Perkins! I love you for this recommendation.

I was/am blown away by HOW amazing this book is! I want to read it over and over and over, and I know I WILL never get tired of reading it. So, SO incredible. I would have to put this book in like my 5 All Time Favourites. Probably at #1 or 2.

It’s a book so full of different things, I can’t believe they packed it all into such a short book. As most of you are aware I am not the biggest fan of books under 300 pages because I just really feel like the story is unfinished or rushed. And I am left feeling completely unsatisfied. Not so with this story. It was full of feeling, full of love and longing and sadness and laughter. It was just full. And the ending didn’t feel rushed. It just felt right.

Now for my favourite part...sharing the quotes with you, there are too many to put them all down, and they are mostly paragraphs. So enjoy, I will try to limit myself.

BUY THIS BOOK TODAY!!!!

“When you grow up the way I do, and the biggest thing in your life so far has been getting dunked in a glass tank by a man who acts like he’s mugging you but says instead he’s saving your soul, then celebrating your soul mugging at Sizzler with your parents (get the buffet by itself, not added on to a steak dinner, because the buffet already has sirloin tips), you need rules. And not their rules, not God’s rules, but mine. My own. Here’s on of Eliot’s Rules for Dating:

When you first meet a girl, make sure you are accidentally conducting a chemistry experiment on your lips.

OK. I didn’t say they were all good rules.

She looked like she believed in something, or wanted to, and I hoped to hell it wasn’t God, not in the way The Dad believes, because all that does is make him forced and desperate. No, it was something else, not just that I saw a pretty girl and just got all excited. I mean, yeah, that part is true, and she really was gorgeous, and the freckles covering her, the freckles on top of freckles all spread out and folding into one another made her skin look like it had grain and texture, like polished wood, like it would feel smooth to the touch, and so soft. I knew that. But it wasn’t how she looked.

"Eliot, huh?" she says. The thin fabric of her long T-shirt brushes my arm. "Is everyone in your family named for a famous symbolist poet?"

"No, I'm named for someone who was supposed to be in the Bible but isn't."

"No? What happened to him?"

I glance over at her, the way the corner of her mouth turns up, half-smirk, half-smile. Her hair moves as she walks.

"He was called to be a disciple, but he had, you know, stuff to do."

"Stuff, like...polishing his sandals? Making lunch?"

We keep walking, over the bridge across the lake, past the swings and the playground equipment, just walking.

"Exactly. And what about you, Calliope...is everyone in your family named after a...what is it? A keyboard? An organ?"

"It's a steam-powered piano. It's also the name of the Greek goddess of poetry. You should read stuff other than chemistry; you'd know these things." Her smirky smile again, her sleeve touching my arm.

I feel like my skin has been removed, every nerve exposed. I open my mouth, and this comes out: "I think you are more goddess than piano." Stupid, stupid.

But she laughs. "You know, that's the nicest thing anyone's said to me today."

"You don't see too many calliopes," I tell her.

"I'm Cal, actually. I mean, that's what I prefer."

"I meant the steam pianos...you don't see too many." She stops and looks at me, full-on, and right away I put it on the list of the best moments in my life.

"Until you said that, Eliot, I wasn't fully aware of the demise of the steam piano, so thank you. Really."

I smirk at her and we both fight not to smile. "Okay, smart-ass," I say.

“I want to show you something,” I say.

“What?” He dabs at his lips with the napkin, and for a moment I’m wishing so hard that I am that napkin that I can almost feel myself changing, becoming thin and papery and white. “Cal?” I sit back and feel myself blushing, feel it from the tips of my toes all the way to the heat at the backs of my ears.

City of Glass, Cassandra Clare, Simon and Schuster, 541 pages

What can I say except I <3 <3 <3 this series. Am I heartbroken that the series is over? I was for about a nano-second until I heard there was going to be a fourth! City of Fallen Angels comes out March 31, 2011. I am assuming that’s Simon on the cover since it alternates between characters. BUT that is for another review. We are talking about CoG!
And what really IS there to say? Except that it was awesome. As always. The characters have grown and come into themselves. The plot thickened. The unraveling of major points was done masterfully. And yeah, just loved it.

I really wanted to give you more of a variety, more snarky, sarcastic comments from the characters that I’ve grown to love. But...have I mentioned before that I’m a sap? Yeah...

"There is no pretending," Jace said with absolute clarity. "I love you, and I will love you until I die, and if there is life after that, I'll love you then."

"And I'm suppose to sit by while you date boys and fall in love with someone else, get married...?" His voice tightened. "And meanwhile, I'll die a little bit more every day, watching."

"I was thinking about the first time I ever saw you," he said, "and how after that I couldn't forget you. I wanted to, but I couldn't stop myself. I forced Hodge to let me be the one who came to find you and bring you back to the Institue. And even back then, in that stupid coffee shop, when I saw you sitting on that couch with Simon, even then that felt wrong to me-- I should have been the one sitting with you. The one who made you laugh like that. I couldn't get rid of that feeling. That it should have been me. And the more I knew you, the more I felt it--it had never been like that for me before. I'd always wanted a girl and then gotten to know her and not wanted her anymore, but with you the feeling just got stronger and stronger until that night when you showed up at Renwick's and I knew."

""You said you were going for a walk!? What kind of walk takes six hours?"
""A long one?"

"And now I’m looking at you,” he said, “and you’re asking me if I still want you, as if I could stop loving you. As if I would want to give up the thing that makes me stronger than anything else ever has. I never dared give much of myself to anyone before – bits of myself to the Lightwoods, to Isabelle and Alec, but it took years to do it – but, Clary, since the first time I saw you, I have belonged to you completely. I still do. If you want me.

"I wouldn't change it," Simon said. "I wouldn't give up loving you. Not for anything. You know what Raphael told me? That I didn't know how to be a good vampire, that vampires accept that they're dead. But as long as I remember what it was like to love you, I'll always feel like I'm alive."

"...there was an electric anger in his gaze, and a sort of challenge that made Simon long to hit him with something heavy. Like a pickup truck.”

Fade Out, Rachel Caine, Signet, 237 pages

I wasn’t too worried about this book being a good one. I wasn’t worried that one plot kind of ended and where would Rachel go with this one. But I loved it! I thought it was nice that things “sort of” slowed down for our four main characters. I will say that the one thing that disappointed me was the lack of Michael/Eve and Shane/Claire. They were there but it was rocky and I would have liked for it to have been more, what’s the word...not happy, but with the danger for them slowing it would have been nice for their relationships to not have hit rough patches. Am I just a sap? Maybe...and I’m okay with that.

“I heard this girl worked for Bishop,” said one of the guys, who had a tire iron resting on his shoulder. “Carrying around his death warrants. Like one of those Nazi collaborators.”

“You heard wrong,” Shane said. “She’s my girl. Now back off.”

“Let’s hear from her,” said the leader of the pack, and locked stares with Claire. “So? You working for the vamps?”

Shane sent her a quick, warning glance.

Claire took in a deep breath and said, “Absolutely.”

“Ah hell,” Shane breathed. “Okay, then. Run.”"

"Anybody else think that was weird?” Shane asked as they got into the car. Eve sent him an exasperated glance; the three of them were, of course, in the backseat. Amelie had the front, with Michael.

“Ya think? In general, or in particular?”

“Weird that we got through the entire thing, and I didn’t have to hit anybody.”

There was a moment of silence. Michael said, as he started the car, “You’re right, Shane. That is strange."

Audrey, Wait! Robin Benway, RazorBill, 313 pages

I had passed by this book so many times, and each one I wanted to reach out and grab it. But I didn’t. Now I want to know what took me so long! If I’d had an inkling of how enjoyable this book was to read I would have grabbed it the first time.

That being said, if you haven’t read it, but have thought about it, DO! NOW!

It was snarky and fun and I enjoyed the dialogue between all of the characters equally. I didn’t think I’d enjoy the main character as much as I did.

There were too many quotes that I liked so I’ve really scaled it down.

"It's funny how bed and pillows and covers can change a conversation. Words turn quiet and you mean more and say less. It's like you can build your own little world, Population: 2."

"If our school ever performed a play about the French Revolution, she could play the guillotine."

Need, Carrie Jones, Bloomsbury, 306 pages

I am on a roll with the reviews today. I’ve been trying to get to some of these books since I started the blog. This is one of them. I bought it right after it was released. I think it was the cover that got my attention.

The gold.

Added bonus, the phobias.

"There is no easy off button for your brain.It would be really really nice if there were."

"I start to grab it so I can it pass it to him. He reaches for it at the same time. Our fingers touch, and the moment they do the fluorescent lights overhead flicker and then fizzle out.

Everyone moans, even though we can all still see. THere's enough light from outside filtering in, just not enough for us to really focus on the finer details.

Nick's fingers stroke mine lightly, so lightly that I'm almost not sure the touch is real. My insides flicker like the art room lights. They do not, however, fizzle. I turn my head to look him in the eye.

He leans over and whispers, "It will be hard to be just your friend.”

He tries to hand them to me, but then remembers the cast. "I'll put them in water."

Betty swoops in the room ridiculously fast and she grabs the flowers out of Nick's hands. "I'll take care of them. You lovebirds just sit on the couch and think swooning things at each other."

The Tear Collector, Patrick Jones, Walker Books, 272 pages

First let me say that I find it strange that a book who’s main character is a girl, has a boy on the cover. At least I’m almost positive it’s a boy. (and I do think I know why, but still)

Weird.

I thought it was a nice, refreshing twist on “vampires”, some race of people who need to feed off of your tears and sorrow to survive.

I was at odds with Cass though, the main character, where I enjoyed her and could empathize with the demands on her life, I felt like she didn’t come across completely teen-ish. It felt like maybe she was more of an adult. Which if you think about it, I suppose makes sense because she’s been “feeding” her family for years, taking in everyone’s sorrow, listening to their stories.

I really liked the fact that Scott, the love interest, was just a normal guy. He wasn’t bad boy, in this world of bad boys, he believes in God, doesn’t care that people know, is sensitive to the feelings of others, and yet still a teen boy.

I thought the developement of the friendship between Cass and Samantha was pretty awesome. And really liked the turn the story took once Cass thought about stepping into the life she wants.

The part I felt fell flat and was very quick was the whole thing with Cass’ cousin.

Overall I enjoyed it.

I had to return this book to the library so there are no quotes today.

Frozen Fire, Tim Bowler, Philomel, 272 pages

A paranormal thriller from Carnegie Medal–winner Tim Bowler!

It starts with a phone call. “I’m dying,” a voice tells Dusty. Who is he and how has he gotten her cell number? Dusty wants no part of this strange boy . . . until he begins saying things that only someone who knows her intimately could say—things that lead her to think he knows the whereabouts of her brother, who disappeared over a year ago. Suddenly drawn in, Dusty very much wants to save this boy. Trouble is, she cannot find him. Part human, part spirit, he won’t let himself be found. He is too dangerous, he says. There are mobs of people who agree and who want to see this boy dead . . . and who will hurt anyone who stands in their way.

A gripping, hair-raising mystery about a boy not of this world, and a girl determined to protect him.

The cover captivated me, the blurb pulled me in further.

Then I opened it up, got about 5 chapters in and was so bored I haven’t picked it back up.

I wanted to love this book. It sounded cool and mysterious and like something I’d really enjoy, but there was SOOOOO much description. Sooo much explaining. Sooo boring.

Maybe I’ll pick it up again at a later date and try to love it. I just couldn’t right now. We were in two completely different places, incompatible.

Wondrous Strange, Lesley Livingston, HarperTeen, 327 pages

It has been about 7 months since I read this book so it’s taking me a little bit to remember what all I loved about it. And I did love it.

I’ve read quite a few faerie books lately, enjoyed most of them, but this one stood out. It’s a unique twist on the faerie world. Even though, yes, there are a few theme’s that pop up in several other books, faerie royalty, changlings, character that had no clue they were faerie, you get the idea, it still stood out.

Lesley has created this world where within ours “theirs” exists. And it makes me want to believe.

The main characters were awesome, I really liked Kelley because she seemed to have real emotions. It wasn’t easy for her to except the strange like a lot of books today. She balked at the mention of faerie’s or at least laughed. And she has doubts and questions things. Yet, she’s strong, or tries to be.

Sonny, of course is, slightly irresistable as a love interest. I love that The Story Siren, asks her mom for one in her review, found here. That cracked me up when I read it. And stayed with me long enough, apparently, to remember it for my review.

I thought the secondary characters were amazing as well. Which is sometimes very rare. And it wasn’t just a third character, it was like 5 or 6. They stood out among the crowd. They had their own very distinct voices and that was wondrous.

The plot laid out twists and turns and although I saw some coming others stayed hidden quite well until they were revealed.

Great story, go buy it.

Oh, you know what’s coming...

Sonny turned to her, his gray eyes dark. He pointed very deliberately to the west. “The sun is going down.”

Kelley crossed her arms. “It does that, I’ve noticed.”

She was thrilled and simultaneously horrified. She hadn’t been expecting visitors and was wearing yoga pants and a gaded hoodie. She was also covered in reddish strands of horsehair and Lucky Charms sugar dust. Yelping, she jumped behind the door.

“Sonny! What are you doing here?”

“I came to see you.”

“You can’t.”

“You’ve learned the art of invisibility?”

“What? No!” She blinked, and stayed behind the door. “Wait. Can I do that?”

In My Mailbox 5

In My Mailbox was created by Kristi, The Story Siren, (This post was inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie)

What was left in my mailbox this week...from my library...

Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson

The Pricker Boy by Reade Scott Winnem

Deadly Little Lies by

Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway

That’s it, didn’t buy anything. Didn’t get anything for review. For the last couple weeks my reading has slowed down, so funny enough, this is good that there are only four books.

City of Ashes, Cassandra Clare, Margaret K. McElderry Books, 453 pages

Of course I loved this book. I mean what’s not to love after City of Bones? It just built right on top of that brilliantly. Jace has to deal with finding out who he really is, Clary’s dealing with Simon’s growing affections. Simon is now a Vampire. Jace and Clary have to figure out how to be around each other, and all while trying to guess Valentine’s next move.

Full of Vamps, Werewolves, Warlocks and demons I think this series will definitly appeal to both sexes. I can’t say much more or I’ll give to much away. Looking forward to City of Glass.

"You Might want to lie down," Magnus advised. "I find that it helps when the crushing sense of horrible realization sets in."

Isabelle drifted over, Jace a pace behind her. She was wearing a long black dress with boots and an even longer cutaway coat of soft green velvet, the color of moss. "I can't believe you did it!" she exclaimed. "How did you get Magnus to let Jace leave?"

"Traded him for Alec," Clary said.

Isabelle looked mildly alarmed. "Not permanently?"

"No," said Jace. "Just for a few hours. Unless I don't come back," he added thoughtfully. "In which case, maybe he does get to keep Alec. Think of it as a lease with an option to buy."

Isabelle looked dubious. "Mom and Dad won't be pleased if they find out."

"That you freed a possible criminal by trading away your brother to a warlock who looks like a gay Sonic the Hedgehog and dresses like the Child Catcher from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang?" Simon inquired. "No, probably not."

Jace put his head in his hands. "Tell Isabelle no."

"But she thinks it's a good idea," Alec protested.

"Then tell her no twice."

Magnus got to his feet. "I do believe that's my cue to leave as well," he said. Clary noticed he was avoiding looking at Alec. "I'd say it's been nice meeting you all, but, in fact, it hasn't. It's been quite awkward, and frankly, the next time I see a single one of you will be far too soon."

"Every time you almost die, I almost die myself."

When It Happens, Susane Colasanti, Speak, 310 pages

Susane Colasanti has this amazing talent, of taking you right back to high school. Granted it’s been some years for me but I completely related to Sara’s character. She wants something real. And I have this distinct memory from Senior year of knowing how fake everything around me was.

And wanting out.

I loved the scenes between Tobey and Sara, they were sweet and fun, and I wanted more.

Susane added so many real elements to the story and the characters lives outside of high school. And one thing that bugs me about a lot of stories is that once the girl gets the guy or vice versa, that’s it, you don’t usually get more story on them.

This book there’s quite a bit about them afterwards. It was a very nice change.

It’s a great story, you should buy it.

It takes all my strength to push open the door. I go around to Tobey’s side and stand there. The world spins around me. For the first time I can remember, I’m not freezing outside in November. It actually feels warm.

I stare at Tobey. He looks back at me with such an intensity I expect the glass to shatter.

I press my hand against his window. He presses his hand on the other side of mine.

For a while, we stay like that. With our hands pressed together, seperated by glass.

"Tobey puts the CD on. Then he comes over and hugs me. I lean my head on his chest.

'I want to know everything about you,' he whispers."

"I'm sorry.'

'Congratulations.'

'Can you tell me why you're so upset?'

The thing is, Tobey should get this. I mean, he's gotten everything else about me. And I don't want to explain it all. So much of it has to do with jealousy, and I know it's stupid to be mad at him because he had a life before me. But I am anyway. "

The Maze Runner, James Dashner, Delacourte Press, 374 pages

I have finally finished it! Not that it was bad and I had to put it down and didn’t want to pick it up again. Nothing like that. I started this book, then was swamped with books coming in from the library. So of course, you have to read the ones with return dates before you can read the ones you own.

I’ve “heard” that this book has been likened to The Hunger Games, and whereas I’m not balking at this suggestion I just don’t really see it. I mean, I suppose I can a little bit, but to me it’s a book all on it’s own.

The premise was pretty cool and although I disliked being thrown into their world with the different slang, I caught on pretty quickly and got over it. Plus, I liked the fact that it put us in the box right along with Thomas.

I thought the characters were all pretty unique in this setting. Considering how many individual voices he had to write.

Some of the plot points were easy for me to figure out, but I was surprised by the whole Chuck thing. Really, James!? Did you have to do that?

I suppose there’s a reason, but still. I also didn’t expect the ending, but it set it up pretty nicely for the second book, The Scorch Trials, that is going to be released in October this year.

Shiver, Maggie Stiefvater, Scholastic, 390 pages

Yes, I am finally posting this review. I picked this book up the day it was released without knowing what it as about really, and without having read anything else by Maggie, or having people around me to say, “Oh, Maggie Stiefvater wrote that, you should totally get it.” Pretty much I saw the cover and went, “Huh, that’s cool.” read the sleeve, and said, “Oh a wolf, cool. Okay.” Then bought it.

This book sealed the deal for me and I have been a fan ever since, reading both Lament and Ballad as quickly as I could get my hands on them.

I think this was probably the first book that really flipped back and forth between the main characters. I’ve read books since Shiver that did this and were released before Shiver, but this one introduced me to that style and I was happy to have Sam’s perspective.

The way Sam shifted was unique and I thought the backstory on how young he was, and what happened with his parents helped me to “feel closer” to him. He wasn’t just some boy that was a wolf, he was a boy with demons and that made him more real.

Grace was alright.

No, I’m kidding. I thought the fact that Grace’s parent’s neglection was there set it apart from most stories like this. Usually parents are non-existent, or dead, or abusive. But I liked how there scatteredness was actually a reason why Grace was how she was, was clever. Was that cryptic enough?

I thought that bit of info was clever. Very clever Mrs. Stiefvater.

I do have questions, of course, since this is a trilogy, I suppose that’s the point. Give me a little now so I’ll want more.

And I do.

Linger comes out July 20th, so we have to wait another 5 months, *sigh*

and now for the beautiful quotes I loved...

"You're beautiful and sad," I said finally, not looking at him when I did. "Just like your eyes. You're like a song that I heard when I was a little kid but forgot I knew until I heard it again." For a long moment there was only the whirring sound of the tires on the road, and then Sam said softly, "Thank you."

"Sam,' the girl said. “Sam.”

She was the past present and future. I wanted to answer , but I was broken.

"So, Grace, how's school?" I asked myself.

Dad nodded, eyes on the baby koala now struggling in the guest's arms.

"Oh, it's fine," I continued, and Dad made a mumbling noise of agreement. I added, "Nothing special, aside from the load of pandas they brought in, and the teachers abandoning us to cannibalistic savages-" I paused to see if I'd caught his attention yet, then pressed on. "The whole building caught fire, then I failed drama, and then sex, sex, sex."

Dad's eyes abruptly focused, and he turned to me and frowned. "What did you say they were teaching you in school?"

“You two are too cute,” the counter girl said, setting two cups piled with whipped cream on the counter. She had a sort of lopsided, open smile that made me think she laughed a lot. “Seriously. How long have you been going out?”

Sam let go of my hands to get his wallet and took out some bills. “Six years.”

I wrinkled my nose to cover a laugh. Of course he would count the time that we’d been two entirely different species.

“Whoa.” Counter girl nodded appreciatively. “That’s pretty amazing for a couple your age.

Sam handed me my hot chocolate and didn’t answer. But his yellow eyes gazed at me possessively—I wondered if he realized that the way he looked at me was far more intimate than copping a feel could ever be.

I crouched to look at the almond bark on the bottom shelf in the counter. I wasn’t quite bold enough to look at either of them when I admitted, “Well, it was love at first sight.”

The girl sighed. “That is just so romantic. Do me a favor, and don’t you two ever change. The world needs more love at first sight.”

I said uselessly, "Sam, don't go."

Sam cupped my face in his hands and looked me in the eyes. His eyes were yellow, sad, wolf, mine. "These stay the same. Remember that when you look at me. Remember it's me. Please."

“Please don't go."

Jellicoe Road, Melina Marchetta, Penguin (Oz), 300 pages

Freakin’ PHENOMENAL!!! I am in love with this writer. I read Jellicoe Road a while back so I’m having to skim over it to remember what specifically I loved about it. Cause I can’t just say it was phenomenal and I loved it and leave it at that, can I?

Wait! CAN I? ;) Of course I could it’s my site. But I won’t.

I can honestly say that I was a bit confused in the beginning of reading this book, only because it goes back and forth between a story about 5 teens 17 years ago, and some teens in present day and how their lives are connected.

I did not want to put it down though. It had me at hello.

And once you start figuring things out and following along, you truly don’t want to put it down. I can understand why this book has received the awards it has. They are well deserved.

The author has 3 other books, I have read her first two, hopefully I’ll get reviews up this year, Finding Alibrandi is actually a bit older but still a really great read, and then Saving Francesca was superb as well.

Finnikin of the Rock comes out in the US in February, and I’m so there. Her newest book is called The Piper’s Son and revisits one of the secondary characters from Saving Francesca. Since I have family in Oz, I’ve already asked if they could send it to me when it’s released so I don’t have to wait another year. :)

She’s agreed, so we’ll see.

If you have not read this book, or any of Melina’s for that matter, I suggest you high-tail it to your local bookstore and pick it up. It’s very much worth the money.

"When I turn around, he cups my face in his hands and he kisses me so deeply that I don't know who is breathing for who, but his mouth and tongue taste like warm honey. I don't know how long it lasts, but when I let go of him, I miss it already."

"'Guess what?' Fitz said.

'I don't know,' Jude said. 'What? Narnie smiled?' He glanced at her for the first time.

'When you guys see a Narnie smile, it's like a revalation,' Webb said, gathering her towards him.

Jude stopped in front of her and, with both hands cupping her face, tried to make a smile. Narnie flinched.

'Leave her alone,' Tate said.

'I need a revelation,' Jude said. 'And you're the only one that can give me one, Narns.' "

"It's funny how you can forget everything except people loving you. Maybe that's why humans find it so hard getting over love affairs. It's not the pain they're getting over, it's the love."

"Sometimes Webb believed that he would never experience a better feeling than when he was looking at her, would never see anything or anybody bursting with more life and spirit. Sometimes he felt he needed to inhale it and place it in a storage area in his soul. Just in case. "

"I'm very disturbed to find out that the leader of the Townies has a soul and I'm beginning to develop a bit of a crush on him."

"Hold my hand because I might disappear."

"How can you just forget a person completely until the moment you see his face again?"

"Santangelo is irritated. 'We're not suppose to be collaborating. It's supposed to be a war and you're supposed to stick to the boundaries.'

'We've seen you in your jocks,' she reminds him. 'Taylor and Griggs have pashed. You've broken into your father's police station for us. Don't you think the war has lost a bit of its tension?'"

""This is the best night of my life," Raffy says, crying.

"Raffy, half our House has burnt down," I say wearily. "We don't have a kitchen."

"Why do you always have to be so pessimistic?" she asks. "We can double up in our rooms and have a barbecue every night like the Cadets."

Silently I vow to keep Raffy around for the rest of my life."

Immortal, Gillian Shields, HarperTeen, 368 pages

This book was just okay for me. Not spectacular, but not horrible either.

I think I was expecting more. More romance, more mystery, more supernatural elements. I suppose it felt a bit rushed. Not just the romance part. I didn’t mind that, it was more how strangely everything fell together.

I think that was it.

Nothing more to say.

The Demon’s Lexicon, Sarah Rees Brennan, Simon and Schuster, 322 pages

This book was. . . I’m not really quite sure. I loved it, against all odds. I say that I suppose because I am a romantic sap at heart, I love anything Jane Austen and when a couple I want doesn’t get together it saddens me so much. Sometimes for days I can’t think about anything else. Case in point, Peter Pan (seriously? um yea) You know the movie with Jeremy Sumpter and Rachel Hurd Wood. I have no idea why, except maybe how well they acted together, but at the end when Wendy didn’t stay with Peter, IT stayed with me for days. I was sad for days. How ridiculous is that? Especially when you take into consideration the fact that they were like 12 or 13.

That being said, I really loved this book despite the fact *SPOILER* that Nick and Mae didn’t get together. Not really. There was such a lack of romance in this book and that is the only reason why I’m not sure how to explain succinctly how I feel about it.

The characters were well written, and despite not getting to know Mae that well, I really liked her, Jamie I thought had some of the best lines. And Alan and Nick were pretty awesome.

The supernatural aspect was well thought out and the twist at the end, well I actually guessed it pretty early on, but it was still clever. The details surrounding it were the surprise for me. And although I was pretty satisfied with the ending, there were still parts of it that saddened me.

Now for my quote section.

Jamie was staring at Alan. “You helped me find Catcher in the Rye today and now you shoot people?”

“He only shot one person,” Nick remarked. “But the night is young.”

(a paragraph down) “Forgive him, he has no manners.”

“I get by on good looks,” Nick said.

“It’s the safest and easiest way to get more power, but there’re also rituals with the dead, and-”

“Rituals with the dead,” Jamie repeated in a faint, stunned voice. Nick turned and looked at him coldly. “I mean,” Jamie said, and swallowed, “how interesting and not at all creepy! Please go on!”

They stopped on a dirt road a few fields away from Cranmore Castle, which was now nothing but a mound, gray in the night but green under a daytime sky, a lump in the ground where people had once lived, and lived no longer.

“I expected something a little more castle-shaped,” said Jamie.

“Nothing lasts forever,” Nick said. “Except demons, of course.”
“Has anyone ever told you that you’re a charming conversationalist?” Jamie asked.

“No,” Nick replied honestly.

“I cannot tell you how much that surprises me,” Jamie told him, and Nick gave him a half smile.

On the morning of the fourth day, Jamie tipped a switchblade out of his box of cornflakes.

“I think these promotional campaigns have really got out of hand,” he said, freezing with his hand on the milk carton.

Huh?!

I liked it. It was different. Interesting.

There were parts of it that I’m still confused about. Not huge plot parts just smaller things like why it was such a big deal for Samantha to see where Robyn died. And the whole thing with Alexei just happened way too fast. Some parts were a little unbelievable, but as a whole I did like it.

I thought the ending, like the very very end was pretty cool, and yet I feel horrible for saying so.

“You there?” Scott asks. He’s not used to my awkward pauses and mind ramblings. Our edges are still rough, no matter how much we rub our mostly clothed bodies together.

“Sorry, I got lost,” I confess.

“Then it’s a good thing I found you,” he says and I feel my body sway.

Faery Rebels: Spell Hunter, J. Anderson, Harper Collins, 327 pages

I picked this one up because I’d heard really amazing things about it. I started reading it and was disappointed. It was sooo slow and nothing was really happening. I mean obviously stuff was happening but. . .you know what I mean.

Well, then something happened.

And I couldn’t put it down. And then I realized that the author was just laying the foundation for all the stuff that was going to happen.

And I was sucked in until the last page.

I loved this book despite it’s slow beginning.

I loved the twists, and the characters were all really amazing, full of character (ha) and deeper than I first thought.

I was impressed with Paul and all his conflicting feelings and damage.

I think that may have been when I started enjoying the book, when Knife met him for the second time. Actually I’m pretty positive that’s when.

I’d say a quarter of the way through, maybe a little more.

I am anticipating Wayfarer, coming out this year. It is not about the same characters but a continuation of the story.

Wake, Lisa McMann, Simon Pulse, 210 pages

Pleasantly surprised. Not that I thought it would stink of anything. It was just better than I expected I guess.

Interesting premise, kind of reminds me of Nightmare on Elm Street. Kind of.

I suppose if there is something for me to complain about I’d say that the way it is written doesn’t allow for much attatchment to the characters.

I feel like I know Janie, but not well. And that I’d like to get to know her better. And by her I mean not just her ability.

I liked Cabel, although I did just do a small rant on Facebook about his name. I mean Cabel, like cable. Really? I know we may be trying to go with a unique name but it was just weird to me. I do like his character though. Wounded, deeply wounded, really sweet.

There are a few other things that annoyed me, like the constant use of a certain word. I’m not naive, or anything, it just seemed overused. Said in some of the weirdest moments. And then also, the constant misunderstandings between Janie and Cabe. Some seemed like they were thrown in for good measure.

Other than that, great story, great book. Picking up Fade right now.

“When,” he demands. “I promise, all my heart, I’ll be your house elf for the rest of my life if I fail to meet you at the appointed date and time.” He leans forward. “Promise,” he says again. He holds up two fingers.

The bell rings.

They stand up.

She’s not answering.

He comes around the table toward her and pushes her gently against the wall. Sinks his lips into hers.

He tastes like spearmint.

She can’t stop the flipping in her stomach.

He pulls back and touches her cheek, her hair. “When,” he whispers. Urgently.

"That was the goth stage, where I decided I'd never get the girl of my dreams because of my scars. Not to mention my hairstyle. (pause)But then she slammed a door handle into my gut. And when a girl does that to a boy,it means she likes him."

2010 Debut Author Challenge List

Magic Under Glass by Jaclyn Dolamore

Restoring Harmony by Joëlle Anthony

The Unladylike Adventures of Kat Stephenson: A Most Improper Magick by Stephanie Burgis

The False Princess by Eilis O'Neal

Anna and the Boy Masterpiece by Stephanie Perkins

The Prophecy of Days by Christy Raedeke

Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves

Voices of Dragons by Carrie Vaughn

Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken

Forget-Her-Nots by Amy Brecount White

Nevermore by Kelly Creagh

Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting

Wish by Alexandra Bullen

The Rise of Renegade X by Chelsea Campbell

Wolves, Boys and Other Things That Might Kill Me by Kristen Chandler

Iron King by Julie Kagawa

Harmonic Feedback by Tara Kelly

The DUFF by Kody Keplinger

Whisper by Phoebe Kitanidis

Princess for Hire by Lindsey Leavitt

Firespell by Chloe Neill

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

Faithful by Janet Fox

Everlasting by Angie Frazier

Guardian of the Dead by Karen Healey

Shadow Hills by Anastasia Hopcus

This is it for now. I’m sure I will continue to add to the list though.

Carpe Corpus, Rachel Caine, NAL Jam, 241 pages

This book for me was a little different from the others. Some bigger things, I felt, I got closure on. It was nice, but there are still new plot lines that have been introduced and so I asked Ms. Caine how many books there would be in this series. I’m happy to report that after this one there will be another six. Maybe more, she said.

I loved the fact that there was so much more Myrnin. He’s a pretty awesome character.

And I was saddened by the death of a secondary character near the end, really saddened.

I’m always pleasantly surprised with the plot lines, and the twists that get thrown my way with this series. It’s a refreshing change.

As Myrnin opened the portal in the wall, Claire grabbed up Shane’s sweatshirt and pulled it on over her clothes. It was huge on her. She rolled up the sleeves, and couldn’t resist lifting the neck to smell it one more time.

Myrnin smirked. “There is no drama so great as that of a teenage girl,” he said.

“Except yours.”

Myrnin leaned in and smiled at her. “Fair lady, may I ride with you in your carriage?”

“God-get in!”

Myrnin sighed. “Please, allow me.”

“Do you have the faintest idea of how to drive a car?”

“I am a very fast learner.”

In fact, he wasn’t.

“What?” She felt a blush start to burn along her jawline, then spill over her cheeks. “No! Of course not! I just . . . I don’t know if-”

“Stop stammering.”

“You make me stammer. You always have, when you look at me like that.”

“Like what?”

“Like I’m dessert.”

He licked her on the nose.

His sigh seemed to come all the way from his toes. “God, I needed you,” he murmured. “I can’t even tell you how many times I thought about this. The funny thing is, I don’t need you any less now. I think I need you more.”

That, Claire thought, was a pretty good definition of love: needing someone even after you got what you thought you wanted.