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."

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.

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."

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."

The Dead Girls’ Dance, Rachel Caine, NAL Jam, 238 pages

Okay, book 2 in The Morganville Vampires series.

I liked this one just as much as the first. The characters were fleshed out a bit more. We got some backstory on Michael, Eve, and definantly Shane. Which was nice. The getting of the info, not necessarily the info gotten. :)

Also, I enjoyed the mystery and suspense of this book. There was much more, um, not adventure, but, oh, action.

Much more action than the first.

Quite a good follow up. Although without saying too much, I did miss Shane a bit.

I do recommend this series.

""This near enough? Whatcha gonna do, doll girl? Cry all over me?"

Claire hid her eyes as the biker reached out for Eve with one tattooed hand.

"No," Eve said breathlessly. "I'm going to let my boyfriend beat the crap out of you."

There was a dull thunk of wood meeting flesh, and a howl. Then another, much harder thunk, and a crash as a body hit the floor.

The biker was down. Claire stared at him in disbelief, then looked past him, to the figure standing there with the field hockey stick in both hands.

Michael Glass."

. . . just as the front door banged open, splintering around the lock, and the police charged in.

“Oh, man,” Shane whispered, “that sucks. We just fixed that door.”

She could have done a whole semester of kissing with Shane. Intense personal study. With lab classes.

Wings, Aprilynne Pike, HarperTeen, 290 pages

So unexpectedly brilliant. Seriously!

I thought this book would be good.

I did not expect it to be so, clever. NO, not clever, I mean, yes, but, more. SO much more.

I’m having such a hard time finding the words to express how much I loved this book.

It was so believable in a fantasy sort of way.

AM I EVEN MAKING ANY SENSE?!

Buy this book. Don’t get it from your library. Don’t borrow it from a friend. Get the money together and purchase it.

It is outstanding.

I loved the biology behind Laurel, and the fae, and how they are and what they are.

I loved David and how awesomely geeky, yet not, he was. What an awesome friend who wants more.

I loved Tamani and how charming and confident he was. And how open.

Aprilynne did an amazing, BLOODY BRILLIANT, job on the love triangle because honestly, I am Team nobody, or Team everybody. I want Laurel with both of them.

I love rooting for the “underdog”, which is kind of what David is. I want her with him.

But how can you deny a love like Tamani’s?

And, just for the record, I thought it was so cool about the different seasonal fairies. And how they get their coloring, and the pollenation. You’ll understand once you read it.

It was all just so stinkin’ cool.

I mean, really, have you ever seen me “yell” in my posts?

Go Get It.

"It's your call," he said softly, "but whatever you decide, I'll help you." He placed a soft, warm hand at the back of her neck and Laurel's breath caught in her chest. "Whatever you need, I'll be. If you need the science geek to give you answers from a textbook, I'm your guy; if you just want a friend to sit by you in bio and help you feel better when you're sad, I'm still your guy." His thumb slowly stroked across her earlobe and down her cheek. "And if you need someone to hold you and protect you from anyone in the world who might want to hurt you, then I am definitely your guy." His pale-blue eyes bore into hers, and for a second she couldn't breath. "But it's all up to you," he whispered."

“Doesn’t sound very romantic.”

“There’s nothng romantic about it at all.” Tamani replied, a confident smile spreading across his face. “That’s what sex is for.”

“You still...” she let the question hang.

Catching Fire, Suzanne Collins, Scholastic, 391 pages

Could this series get any better? Of course I know it can.

Catching Fire was just as good as The Hunger Games, if not better. The only thing I had a problem with was the lack of Peeta. Don’t get me wrong, he’s there, but for me it just wasn’t the same. And I really enjoyed him in HG. He was pretty awesome here too, but I am kind of tired of him being the “weak” one. Meaning he gets electrocuted and then with the apes/monkeys.

This book was clever, and intriguing and I couldn’t put it down. The Quarter Quell was such a good idea, and the addition of President Snow (I know he was in HG, just not as vocal) and his blood and roses smell. It was just all so...GOOD...

There were so many emotions in this book, I felt despair and anger and humor and love, etc.

I am so anticipating book 3, I cannot wait for August! And yet I’m a little sad as well because then it will be over.

Of course if you haven’t noticed I am Team Peeta, not that I don’t like Gale cause I do, but Peeta just seems right.

I hope he has a bigger role in the next book, as well as Gale.

Go buy it and devour it if you haven’t already.

and now for the quotes.

“Maybe if the whole country puts its mind to it, we can get you married before you’re thirty.”

“You’ll probably have to pass a new law,” I say with a giggle.

“If that’s what it takes,” says the president with conspiratorial good humor.

Oh, the fun we two have together.

“They’re playing with you because you’re so...you know.”

“No, I don’t know,” I say. And I really have no idea what he’s talking about.

“It’s like when you wouldn’t look at me naked in the arena even though I was half dead. You’re so...pure,” he says finally.

“I am not!” I say. “I’ve been practically ripping your clothes off every time there’s been a camera for the last year!”

“Yeah, but...I mean, for the Capitol, you’re pure,” he says, clearly trying to mollify me. “For me, you’re perfect. They’re just teasing you.”

Really, the combination of the scabs and the ointment looks hideous. I can’t help enjoying his distress.

“Poor Finnick. Is this the first time in your life you haven’t looked pretty?” I say.

“It must be. The sensation’s completely new. How have you managed it all these years?” he asks.

“Just avoid mirrors. You’ll forget about it,” I say.

“Not if I keep looking at you,” he says.

City of Bones, Cassandra Clare, Simon Pulse, 485 pages

(Dec. 4) So when I first read this book back in 2007, I thought it was good but because of the twist between the two main characters I put it back. I mean, ugh, and how could I continue with the series? It was just too upsetting. I like a good love story, I like happy endings.

And so for the next two years I ignored the really amazing covers of the next two books. Kept telling myself to stay away.

Then Kristi, The Story Siren, convinced me to pick them up again.

And boy did I ever.

I couldn’t put them down. Seriously. I’ve finished all three books in like a week. And now I can’t wait for the “prequel” series, The Infernal Devices, to start coming out. Or the fourth “surprise” book in The Mortal Instruments series, City of Fallen Angels.

City of Bones has so much going for it, intrigue, monsters, warriors, normal people, the warriors call Mundanes. And of course that bit of romance I was talking about earlier, plus unsettling twists, adventure, and magic.

The main character of Clary, pulls you in and makes you feel like you are apart of the story. Each and every character is well fleshed out, relateable, and even funny in their own ways. That’s something I actually really enjoyed about the characters, the main ones and even a few of the secondary ones, they each had their moments of humour. Most of the time that’s focused in on one character. You know, he’s the funny one, usually the best friend of the girl (mc) and while Simon did have quite a few funnies, so did Clary, Jace, Alec, Magnus, Luke, and even Isabelle.

In fact, for my quotes section, it was so hard to leave some of them out, but for the sake of time and space I did.

So here they are, and if you haven’t read the series, I suggest you do so.

Right now.

Why are you still here?

Oh yea, the quotes. That’s why...

"How did you know I had Shadowhunter blood? Was there some way you could tell?"

"It seemed the most likely explanation."

"You guessed? You must have been pretty sure, considering you could have killed me."

"I was ninety percent sure."

"I see," Clary said. Her hand cracked across his face, a slap that rocked him back on his heels.

He put his hand to his cheek, more in surprise than pain. "What the hell was that for?"

"The other ten percent," she said. -Clary and Jace pg. 84-85

"You hate the Silent Brothers," protested Isabelle.

"I don't hate them," said Jace candidly. "I'm afraid of them. It's not the same thing."

"I thought you said they were librarians,"said Clary.

"They are librarians."

Simon whistled. "Those must be some killer late fees." -Isabelle, Jace, Clary and Simon pg. 158

Jace's grin was a white flash in the darkness. "It means 'Shadowhunters: Looking Better in Black Than the Widows of our Enemies since 1234.'"

"Jace--"

It means, said Brother Jeremiah, The descent into Hell is easy. Jace, Clary, and Brother Jeremiah pg. 179

"The other ten percent," she said. -Clary and Jace pg. 84-85

Betrayals, Lili St. Crow, RazorBill, 296 pages

(Dec. 2) I do so enjoy this series and where Betrayals was a little slower in moving forward I felt like it was worth it.

Dru is now stuck in a school, out in the middle of nowhere, full of vampire and werewolf boys.

This book is pretty much all about Dru trying to come to grips with how her life has changed since Strange Angels, why she is where she is, and why, despite what Christophe told her when he sent her to the school, no one at the school is trying to help train her.

She distances herself from everyone, not really wanting to be there. Even a little from her best friend Graves, because he seems to be fitting in better.

Dru did bug me a little bit with her moping.

She wasn’t as talkative to Graves as she usually is and he had to drag a lot out of her. Do I understand why? Sure. But it still bugged me to read it chapter after chapter.

The ending of the story, say the last 10-12 chapters were pretty action packed and ended the story well.

I thought the twist in there about Ash and the Broken was intriguing.

And am curious when we will learn Graves’ first name. Does it matter? Not really, just curious. (I tweeted Ms. St. Crow and she said we find out in book 3!)

Also, just so you know, in case you are wanting to purchase this book for someone younger, or if you are a parent, there was more cussing in this book than the last. And not just hell’s and damn’s. I personally didn’t think a lot of it was necessary to further the story or show how “bad*ss” a person was supposed to be.

Mind you, this was set in a school for the “delinquents” so some of it did lend to the overall feel of the story.

I will absolutely be waiting for Jealousy, in June of 2010.

Now for some quotes

“You wanted to be a physics professor.” My throat closed up; I could only whisper.

“Yeah, well, things change. Now I want to be here.” Another long, seconds-ticking pause. Dust danced in one fading gleam of gold coming through a low window, following long lazy swirls down to the ground. “With you.”

“Doesn’t it bother you? That I...well, that I wanted to...suck his blood?”

His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed. The silver earring winked mischievously at me, catching a stray gleam of sun. “Nah. You wouldn’t, you’d have stopped yourself.”- “Besides,” he said, flipping open the first huge leather-bound book with a thump, “it’s kind of hot.” A smile hovered around the corners of his mouth, fighting to stay hidden.

Intertwined, Gena Showalter, HarlequinTeen, 440 pages

(Nov. 2) For me this book was a little difficult to get in to. It took me longer than most. Not because it opened up boring. I’m not sure why actually. I put it down and picked up another book, but once I picked it up again, and got a little further in, I had to finish it.

I needed to know what the connection really was between Aden and Mary Ann. Honestly I thought maybe they were twins seperated at birth even though they looked nothing alike. I thought maybe Mary Ann looked like her mom and Aden like Morris Gray, Mary Ann’s dad. Because it mentions Aden has blond roots and Mr. Gray was blond, etc.

There were a few twists I didn’t see coming so that was nice. The storyline was very intricate and executed well.

I did feel a connection with these characters, even the body-less ones.

I’m not sure I liked how it ended, and have looked around but not found any info on if there is going to be a sequel. Does anyone know?

Update-Unraveled will be coming out Sept. 2010!! I will be buying this one.

The Hourglass Door, Lisa Mangum, Shadow Mountain, 398 pages

(Oct. 23) I have to say I’m surprised that I haven’t seen more about this book.

I know that I read it a little later than most but it is amazing!

The concept of the story is mind-boggling. I read somewhere that a reviewer didn’t think this story was unique (I’m paraphrasing) and I could not disagree more. I think that once the story starts to fall into place and you start understanding what exactly is happening that you will be blown away as well.

The prologue is what hooked me. I wish I could share it with you here but it’s 6 pages long, but here is a snippet because I’m sure it will intrigue you...

He counts the days he lived before coming to this place-how many days in seventeen years? How many years in a lifetime?

It’s hardest to keep track of the time. Without light, without variation, all the days blend into one seamless stretch of now. He longs for teh uncertainty of the future.

The light hurts his eyes. The unexpected bustling of activity beyond the bars rattles through his ears like chains. He dares a glance, wills his eyes to focus.

Two guards run past his cell. One more trails behind them, a blanket clutched in his fist.

He knows he shouldn’t be interested, shouldn’t be curious. It will only make things worse, distract him from his counting. But he can’t help himself. He stands on his toes, pressing his face to the cold bars.

And then he sees her. All the numbers run out of his head like sand through a sieve. All the images in his eyes fade until he can see only her. His heart beats in uncountable rhythms.

Now tell me honestly that you are uninterested...didn’t think so...

I thought the story was well told, it was mysterious and romantic, kind of like Dante, the Italian exchange student that Abby, the main character, is struggling not to fall for.

There were many twists and turns and I loved, Loved, LOVED what you find out about The Door, later in the book. To me that was just so stinking clever of Lisa. Really truly imaginative.

I thought the characters, even secondary ones, were well written, the story kept me guessing all the way through to the end and I am usually able to pick up on the foreshadowing in most stories I read. But not this one. I went back and skimmed through it to find some quotes and fell upon some hints that I totally didn’t catch.

All in all I think this is an amazing story, I think you should run out and buy a copy, now, run.

I am really excited about The Golden Spiral, which is the second book in the series. It’s set to be released early May of 2010. So read this before then, I promise you’ll want to continue with these characters.

One more thing that I really liked about this book, the prologue wasn’t even touched upon in this book. I’m assuming it will be explored in the next two, (I’m pretty sure it’s a trilogy) but as mentioned in a previous post I’m annoyed with prologues that tell you everything about the story before you even open to page 1.

Well done Lisa! Kudo’s to you. I am waiting with baited breath.

And now, since I gave you that snippet of the prologue, I’m not going to add any quotes down here.

Lament, Maggie Stiefvater, Flux, 325 pages

(Oct. 18) Such a good book!

This is the book that introduced me to Maggie. And I was not disappointed. Maggie has a way with words. I think it might have something to do with her music background but she sucks you in and doesn’t let go.

I really enjoyed Maggie’s take on faery’s and cloverhands, and how everything between our worlds really is. The “land” that she created was believeable to me. Totally and utterly.

Of course I thought James was hilarious, actually he was more than hilarious, he was awesome. I liked Dee and Luke together. Really anytime there was conversation between the two of them I was riveted.

The storyline wasn’t confusing but I did find myself trying to figure things out, like the information I had wasn’t quite enough. Left me guessing. I believe that quite a lot of research and thinking went into every aspect of this story. It just flowed so beautifully and and it surprised me how intricate the stories wove together. Lovely.

I’m super excited about Ballad, because even though I was broken-hearted at the end of Lament for reasons I will not share here, I really want to get to know these characters better. And besides, Maggie is one of my favourite authors this year.

This was such a great book and if you haven’t read this or any other book by Stiefvater you should run, RUN to your local bookstore or library and pick up a copy. You will not be disappointed.

And now for some quotes I enjoyed...

Delia surveyed his kilt, his unkempt hair, and his hands scrawled with various messages to himself.

“You’re the piper, aren’t you?” she asked coldly.

James smiled firmly. He had already identified her as a piper-hater. “Yes, but I do it against my will. The aliens won’t let me stop.”

Delia’s smile was iron. Not amused.

I said, “This is James, Delia. He’s the number two piper in the state of Virginia this year.”

“Soon to be number one,” James said with a charming smile. “I hired a hit man.”

James’ attire was a bit strange-he had accessorized a T-shirt that read You: Off My Planet with an iron fireplace ash scoop, which he held over his shoulder like a rifle. The combination was oddly appropriate.

Hush, Hush, Becca Fitzpatrick, Simon & Schuster, 391 pages

(Oct. 17) I’m not even exactly sure how to begin this one...words seem a bit inadequate. To say that I loved it would be an understatement. Maybe not the understatement of the year...but maybe close third.

Let’s start with the cover...in Becca’s acknowledgment section she thanks James Porto for “a cover that blew away my expectations.” I’d have to second that. What an awesome cover. It tells you enough without giving too much away. Just like the Prologue. I have recently read some books (I’m sure you’ll know em when you see the reviews) that were very enjoyable but the whole story (slight exaggeration) was right there in the prologue. Why would I want to read the book? I did. And still enjoyed them, but it was a bit annoying.

Speaking of annoying, did anyone else find Vee that way? I mean I liked her alright, but there was just something about her that bugged me. I think it may have been the fact that she seemed like a true friend sometimes and like someone who was friends with Nora just because, other times. Am I making sense? Maybe not. Now that could just be me and the way I took some of the conversations between the two of them. Like the camping trip. But I haven’t seen much if any complaints about Vee in other reviews I’ve read.

The story was a pretty awesome one. I liked the fact that Becca brought in The Book of Enoch and some other information about the fallen angels, like Nephilim. I’m glad she did her research because it was more believable that way. The one thing that I thought was a little...underdone...I guess that’s the word I’m looking for...and this might be a bit spoiler-ish so skip to the next paragraph if you don’t want to know...is the whole save a life/guardian angel thing. It just seemed too simple for me. But then when I think about it...I guess because the fallen angels are no longer good, saving a life wouldn’t be in their thoughts? Maybe that’s why none of the fallen’s knew about it. I guess that makes sense, but like I said it still seemed too easy.

I’ve read that some people think Patch was too mean to Nora, after reading the story I really wonder why? He didn’t seem mean to me at all, not, I guess, how I was assuming with all the comments about it. He just seemed like he was taunting her to get her attention, to get her to think about him when he wasn’t around. I mean, that’s what guys do when they like a girl, right? Revert back to 5th grade. And where he didn’t pull her hair or anything he was that mysterious guy who smolders when he looks at you. Makes you hot and blush because you can just imagine what he’s thinking. Or can you?

Overall I thought it was awesome. I’m really excited for Crescendo which I’ll have to wait a full year for. *sigh* Oh well. I’ll reread Hush, Hush to tide me over.

Great job Becca! Really glad you got the writing class and not the Japanese cooking class.

Tell your hubby we all appreciate his listening skills and forthought. :)

Now one of my favourite things, if you are new to the site I always try and give you a couple quotes from the book that I enjoyed...

I had my eyes pinned forward, but I heard the soft glide of his pen. He was writing, and I wanted to know what. Ten minutes of sitting together didn’t qualify him to make any assumptions about me. Flitting a look sideways, I saw that his paper was several lines deep and growing.

“What are you writing?” I asked.

“And she speaks English,” he said while scrawling it down, each stroke of his hand both smooth and lazy at once.

“Religion?” I asked more firmly.

Patch dragged a hand thoughtfully along the line of his jaw. “Not religion...cult.”

“You belong to a cult?” I realized too late that while I sounded surprised, I shouldn’t have.

“As it turns out, I’m in need of a healthy female sacrifice. I’d planned on luring her into trusting me first, but if you’re ready now...”

and I’ll stop there because if I give any more I’ll be giving too much away. I loved each and every interaction between Patch and Nora. Literally. Great chemistry Becca, amazing book.

My Soul To Take, Rachel Vincent, Harlequin Teen, 279 Pages

(Oct 9) Okay, wow. This was totally not what I was expecting. Not sure what I was expecting but this story was above them. My expectations, I mean.

I thought the set up for the story was great. Without giving too much away, hopefully, I liked the...what’s the word...it’s not a twist, but it’s...how she does what she does. I guess that’s the best way I can say it. Sorry if it doesn’t make sense. I just don’t want to ruin it for you.

I like Kaylee alright as far as main characters go. I liked Nash as well, but I think I enjoyed Tod and Nash’s banter the most out of all the characters and interactions.

This is going to be short because I want to say too much.

The story was great, the plot was awesome. I didn’t see the ending coming the way it did. So in my estimation this is an awesome story and I can’t wait till the next one, My Soul To Save, comes out in 2010. I’ll definitely be picking it up.

My one, problem, I guess, with the book is I don’t feel like the cover does the story justice. It doesn’t really give you a proper idea of what the book is about. It’s cool! But just to me it doesn’t do it justice. I do like the fact that if you look close enough the swirls around her are actually the word “take” over and over and overlapping. Pretty cool.

Quote time...

“What’s wrong?” Nash demanded, stepping closer to me now, heedless of the glass and the wet floor. “Do you have seizures?”

“No. I...Have you seen the news this morning?”

He chuckled hoarsely. “I haven’t even seen the floor yet this morning.” Nash yawned, and springs creaked over the line. He was still in bed.