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."

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.

Girl in the Arena, Lise Haines, Bloomsbury, 324 pages

(Nov. 19)I so very much wanted to love this book.

Really I did.

And it’s not that I didn’t like it.

It’s that I didn’t love it.

It was kind of lackluster for me.

There was sooooo much explaining. I mean the main character, Lyn, did so much explaining, about who people were, what the Gladiator Association was and who started it and how it evolved.

For me none of the characters stood out. I didn’t feel a deep connection with any of them. It seemed too fast paced in relation to the characters. Like I caught snippets of them but they were always out of my reach. Two dimensional.

I loved the fact that Ms. Haines introduced a special needs character (being that I worked with kids like this for four wonderful, rewarding, hard years ) and had him as such an integral part of the story and also a pretty cool one. I loved his Oracle-ness. Thought it was a nice touch.

The other character that I liked most was Uber. The Neo-gladiator hero that Lyn is supposed to marry.

I loved his clumsy-ness around her, I loved his openness, I loved his thick glasses. I don’t know, it’s like he was a dork but everyone adored him and wanted him.

Overall it was a good story, just not enough dialogue for me, not enough character building. Not sure if there’s going to be another in this series, but if so, we have the foundation laid out for us nicely.

If I did this I’d give it 3 out of 5 stars.

Crazy Beautiful, Lauren Baratz-Logsted, Houghton Mifflin, 193 pages

(Nov. 15)What to say.

I liked it.

But it wasn’t spectacular for me.

I swear it’s got to be the shorter books that I never feel satisfied with.

I think my overall feeling is one of being let down. It was a really great premise. Really. I mean a boy with hooks for arms and a girl that falls in love with him. Great potential and I think Lauren did a good job with the first 166 pages.

It’s from 167 till the end that just seemed rushed. And frankly, for me, unbelievable.

Seriously I’m just sick to death of characters that don’t try to talk to each other when things start unraveling. Just try!

So, that’s it.

I really did like it and I’m sure there are other blogs out there that give glowing reviews.

I just couldn’t.

If I rated books, which I may start doing I’d give it a three out of five. So not bad, but not great.