I know my review on Cassandra Clare’s fourth book in her young adult fantasy series The Moral Instruments, is very late, especially since City of Lost Souls is already out. Don’t worry, I will post that review right after this one. I am very sad that now I have to wait another 2 full years for the last book. At least we have the last in the Infernal Devices series to keep us satisfied, in-between now and then. Enough about that, now to this book.

I was so excited to hear that Cassandra was going to continue this story, and have it be more from Simon’s centric. I really enjoy his story, how I think he is the most normal of all of the characters. To be honest, I feel like other books glorify the opportunity of becoming a vampire. This story focuses one what it would really feel like, staring down eternity, by yourself. 

So, I have read Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick twice since it came out. It’s the second book in the Hush Hush young adult fantasy series. I read it right when it came out and again when Silence, the third book came out. I like rereading books, and was glad I waited so long to reread this one. Had I remembered this book so clearly, I might not have bought the third. Don’t worry, I liked this book, and the next. I just didn’t LOVE this book.

I was sure exactly where Becca Fitzpatrick was going to go with this book, since the first one ended so cleanly. SPOILERS Nora got the guy (actually an angel), and her angel got his wings back.

The first of a three book series, the other two of which are soon to be released, Divergent is the best book I’ve read since the Hunger Games Series. To put into perspective for you, I haven’t read a collection of books that I have enjoyed so much since I was in grade school and obsessed with Nancy Drew. I know everyone remembers Nancy Drew! Oh, and Goosebumb, let’s not forget Goosebumps!

Divergent is an awesome read. I would classify it in the same genre as the Hunger Games and I would say that the feelings of suspense, anxiety, and emotional connection to the characters are very similar. Veronica Roth did an amazing job with this book. I’m having trouble waiting for the next book. At this point, now having read it, I’d like to see what inspired the book and how she came up with the idea. That’s one of the most intriguing pieces of the Hunger Games novels is that is was inspired by reality TV. I love the twist that gives the book because it literally makes you say, “oh wow, ya I can completely see that!”

Well the first thing I want to say, is that I adore Richelle Mead and the Vampire Academy novels were my favorite. I’m sorry, I meant “are” my favorite! I couldn’t have been happier when she told us while she was on tour that she would be creating a spin-off of the Vampire Academy novels through other characters besides Rose. The second thing I want to say, is I can’t believe it took me so long to post this!!!

This new series follows Sydney, the alchemist that helped Rose and the other Moroi during the last books. It has potential, and when I read the summary of what it was going to be about, I was super excited. The problem came, when the climax, was really… anti-climatic. This might be a bit of a spoiler, but since Jill (the princess’s sister) was being attacked and sought out by both Strigoi and Moroi, I thought there would be a huge battle or fight that would be attacking her. There never was. The actual plot didn’t catch me off guard though, it was pretty easy to see coming.

I finished reading The Witches of East End by Melissa de la Cruz a couple of months ago. I read it because I really wanted to read it, knowing full well that it probably wasn’t going to be something that was really for the blog. However, since the purpose of the site is to allow readers to see content of what they themselves, or their children, will be reading I decided to include it. Normally, Melissa is a young adult fantasy novel author and so those who read the other books may transition easily over to any of her other works. By no means am I saying this novel is graphic, but it’s not your typical book for the average 14 year old girl. I’ll get to the rankings at the end… first let me tell you about it!

I WANT TO BUY WITCHES OF EAST END

A couple of months ago, I received a request from Vered Ehsani, the author of the new young adult fantasy series Ghost and Shadows. We tend to get quite a few requests, and although Bethia and I would love to read all of the books-we have been pressed to find the opportunity. However, this month I read Diary of a Part-Time Ghost. It was entertaining and great for young readers. It appeals to the part of me that likes historical fiction and blends that in with the fantasy pieces of the book.

I WANT TO BUY DIARY OF A PART-TIME GHOST

Ever since I started reading almost exclusively on my e-reader, Amazon has been suggesting books for me. Of course they are all among the same class: young adult fantasy and scifi. Well, this is one of those books, and I found it extremely funny. I actually picked the first book in this series up at the bookstore almost 2 years ago. At the time, I didn’t find it super compelling, and left without buying it. So when I saw Amazon recommended it to me, I decided it might be a sign.

The whole series is out now, and I’ve read all three, so this review is actually on the entire series, not just the first book. The three books are called The Summoning, The Awakening, and The Reckoning.

The last couple weeks I have read more books then I have in the last couple months due to the NBA finals. This gives me the time to go to the bookstore and browse, as always, to the young adult fantasy section. During my last trip I picked up Abandon by Meg Cabot. I read the back, and was intrigued by the fact that this story is a retelling of the greek myth about Persephone. I didn’t buy it on that trip, but the next time I was on my computer, I pulled the book up and read the first couple pages. I was hooked. So, I bought it a few days later, and read it in one night.

Recently I have been reading all of my books on an electronic device. When I log on to buy a bew book, Amazon tells me they have recommendations for me. This was one of the first ones. So, I bought the book for $.99, and enjoyed every moment of it.

This story is one we have all enjoyed before; in movies like X-Men, and books like I Am Number 4. There are people around us that have special powers, or in this story Talents. This is worriesome to the government because of how the Talented could use their powers against what they view as good. Students at the local high school go ‘missing’, taken from their families by the government because it has been found out they have a Talent.

I read the first few books of the Blue Bloods vampire series over the summer. While I really enjoyed them, I couldn’t just pick up this book and read it cover to cover in one day. I had forgotten the storyline, plot, and characters. I found that I needed to reread the all of the previous books in the series before I could finish this Misguided Angel.

BUY MISGUIDED ANGEL FROM AMAZON HERE

I have a suspicion that most people who have read these novels will have, or have had, the same issue. It is a great series, and I really enjoyed this novel, but I think this series has been overshadowed by some of the other vampire books that have come out. I think that is unfortunate because of how much I enjoyed this book.

Last Sacrifice was my most highly anticipated book if the year. I desperately wanted to know what happened to Rose after she was accused of murdering the queen. I wanted to know who the murderer was, and why. I felt like the queen was liked by most, tough, but she tried to be somewhat fair. I wanted Demetri to come to terms with his past. I mostly wanted to know what would happen between Adrian, Rose, and Demetri.

Well, all of my questions were answered, and the answers were more than I could ever expect. There is action from the first chapter. Then my favorite part of Richelle Mead’s writing style is that she carries the plot to the very last page. There are important things revealed all the way to the end.

While I love this story, there are things about it I didn’t love. There is a resolution to the love triangle between Rose and Adrian/Demetri. I wont tell you what that resolution was, just that I felt like there were avoidable mistakes made.

I WANT TO BUY LAST SACRIFICE

So this book doesn’t really fit into our genres of science fiction or fantasy. I assumed that the wolves were werewolves, which they aren’t. This story is more of a coming of age story of a girl who lives in Yellowstone Park. Regardless of the genre of book, it was a great read.

I truly dislike recapping the book in my review, but I feel like I need to give you a little bit of the premise to be able to honestly review the story.

KJ is a young girl who lives with her outdoorsy guide father. Her month died when she was young, and her father seems to wish he had a girl. Within then last few years the government decided to reintroduce wolves into Yellowstone Park. At first this doesn’t affect her, but she is asked to write about wolves in her school paper.

I WANT TO BUY WOLVES, BOYS, & OTHER THINGS THAT MIGHT KILL ME

This book is much more science fiction than most we review, and I was happy for the change. I was first pulled towards it because of the bright yellow and red cover.

Then once I started reading I was hooked. The basis of the plot is one I think most of us have seen in a favorite superhero movie, Superman. Thought, once you get past that part in the plot the story becomes it’s own, and some. The main character has to deal with the fact that not only is he going through the hardest part of his young adulthood, he has to do it with developing powers.

I WANT TO BUY I AM NUMBER FOUR

I am doing a review on a total of nine books in this post. Each book is around 200 pages, yet each feels almost like a short story. I purchased these books in 3 book sets. Each only took me about 2 to 3 days.

Each book has a similar theme; the two main characters consist of a human and a mythological character. Whether it be a shape shifter, vampire, werewolf, or witch, each has its spot in this series. Each pairing is breaking the law by being in love.

I WANT TO BUY THE NIGHT WORLD SERIES

This is the first book that Aprilynne Pike has published. I have never heard of her before, or read anything by her, obviously. I saw it where I see most of the books I read, on display at the book store. The cover is watery and dark with a vivid blue flower and then the title.

It didn’t seem much, but I was intrigued. I acquired the book, and got to reading. The story isn’t long or complicated, but it is very original. It is a faerie story, but these are unlike any faeries I have previously read.

I WAN T TO BUY WINGS