Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead

#6 in the Vampire Academy Series
Published December 7, 2010 by Razorbill
5 Stars

Goodreads Review
The astonishing final novel in Richelle Mead's epic series!

Murder. Love. Jealousy. And the ultimate sacrifice. Now, with Rose on trial for her life and Lissa first in line for the Royal Throne, nothing will ever be the same between them.

Review:  I really enjoyed the end to the series, and I would say that this is one of the best paranormal romance YA series out there, and way better than certain other vampire series. I loved all of the twists and turns, there were a lot of things that took me totally by surprise. 

For the first time ever I can say that I really loved what happened to Lissa and the transformation she went through. I had always thought that once the girls left school Lissa became a rather unimportant character to the main storyline, but I really enjoyed what she had to go through in this book.  I don't want to give away spoilers, but I think that her ending was perfect for her character.  I will be reading Bloodlines soon, and of all of the vampire academy characters, she is the one I am most anxious to continue reading about.  I want to know what she will do and who will she become. 

Sure I was kind of sad about Adrian, but seriously, did we really ever doubt Rose and Dimitri? I know I didn't.  I did feel like this aspect of the story was rushed and that Adrian didn't get a very good resolution.  He basically just threw up his hands and stormed out.  That is the one aspect of the story that didn't give me a sense of completion.  However, I do know that Adrian is a big part of the Bloodlines series, so I know we aren't done with him yet.  

Overall the entire Vampire Academy series is just excellent.  It has a well thought out society and history that really supported the main story line.  The main characters Rose is awesome.  She is spunky and sexy and loyal to the people she loves.  She isn't perfect and makes mistakes, but in the end she will do whatever she has to in order to protect her family and friends.  I highly recommend this series to everyone who wants to read a compelling paranormal romance.  It's one of the best in the genre.

Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead

#5 in the Vampire Academy Series
Published May 18, 2010 by Razorbill
5 Stars

Goodreads Review
After a long and heartbreaking journey to Dimitri's birthplace in Siberia, Rose Hathaway has finally returned to St. Vladimir’s—and to her best friend, Lissa Dragomir. It's graduation, and the girls can’t wait for their real lives outside of the Academy’s cold iron gates to finally begin. But even with the intrigue and excitement of court life looming, Rose’s heart still aches for Dimitri. He's out there, somewhere.

She failed to kill him when she had the chance, and now her worst fears are about to come true. Dimitri has tasted her blood, and she knows in her heart that he is hunting her. And if Rose won't join him, he won't rest until he's silenced her...forever.

But Rose can't forget what she learned on her journey—whispers of a magic too impossible and terrifying to comprehend. A magic inextricably tied to Lissa that could hold the answer to all of Rose's prayers, but not without devastating consequences. Now Rose will have to decide what—and who—matters most to her. In the end, is true love really worth the price?

Fall in love with Rose and Dimitri all over again in Spirit Bound, the eagerly awaited fifth novel in Richelle Mead's enthralling Vampire Academy series.

Review:   After reading this book I had to breath a huge sigh of relief.  I'm glad to see the series back on track. For anyone who is like me and hated Blood Promise, trust me when I say that was a hiccup in an otherwise excellent series. Spirit Bound is as full of awesome as the first three books. This is a difficult review to write because I don't want to spoil any of the crazy things that happen.  Let's just say that I really like what happened to Dimitri.  It's a really cool idea, even if it was presented in a rather convenient way.  I also really liked Abe and I'm very curious to see what he will do in the next book (turns out he's awesome lol). 

On the whole romance thing, I'm very anxious to see what will happen with the Rose-Dimitri-Adrian love triangle, but I have a few ideas.  I'll write this part like I haven't read the series and say that I never was team Adrian, and I don't really get the people who are on his team.  I mean, if you had the choice between a 6'7" awesome ninja fighter with respect and morals AND a super sexy Russian accent or a scrawny chain smoking alcoholic who is mentally unstable and makes thinly veiled sexual innuendos, who would you pick? 

Blood Promise by Richelle Mead

#4 in the Vampire Academy Series
Published August 25, 2009 by Razorbill
3 Stars

Goodreads Review
The recent Strigoi attack at St. Vladimir's Academy was the deadliest ever in the school's history, claiming the lives of Moroi students, teachers, and guardians alike. Even worse, the Strigoi took some of their victims with them . . . including Dimitri.

He'd rather die than be one of them, and now Rose must abandon her best friend, Lissa the one she has sworn to protect no matter what and keep the promise Dimitri begged her to make long ago. But with everything at stake, how can she possibly destroy the person she loves most?

Review:   I have to admit that after the awesomeness that was Shadow Kiss my expectations where VERY high for Blood Promise.  Sadly, I was disappointed.  Blood Promise was the only weak point in the entire series and it was very weak for 75% of the book.  With that said, there are still some really great parts of the book (mostly the ending, very awesome) and the introduction of some cool new characters (Sydney is super great as is Abe), but the book as a whole is far below the bar the rest of the series sets.

So, let's review the positives first.  Sydney is introduced in this book, and she becomes a pretty cool character in the rest of the series and in the spin off series Bloodlines.  However, in this book she's not that awesome, it's mostly just a way to put her in Rose's life.  I also really enjoyed the ending.  The final "battle" is exciting and really made me interested in the next book.  I don't want to give any spoilers, but trust me that the last 100ish pages are totally awesome.

However, there are 300 pages of BORING before you get to the awesome.  This book really takes a hit with the separation of Lissa and Rose.  Mead tries to have both their story lines run congruently, but neither are very interesting.  I found myself not really caring about Lissa when Rose wasn't around.  I didn't think the information revealed about spirit was that great, and most of Lissa's plot was just filler to give her something to do while Rose was away.  Also while Rose is in Siberia, we meet a lot of character that (with the exception of Sydney and Abe) serve no purpose to the main storyline and are basically just filler.  Which is very obvious.  Not to mention the way over use of flashbacks.  There was just TMI.  I don't care about the conversations that Rose had with Dimitri a couple months ago, I want to know what they're doing now.  This entire book (with the exception of the last 100ish pages) is just filler that doesn't do anything to push the main story along.

OK, even with all of that said, this is still an enjoyable read, just not as TOTALLY FREAKING AWESOME OMG! as the rest of the series.  Don't let this book stop you from the final two books.  They are super excellent, especially Last Sacrifice.  Overall Blood Promise is a bit of a hiccup in an otherwise enthralling series.

Friday Face Off Cover Reveal: A Midsummer's Nightmare

Friday Face Off is a meme hosted by one of my favorite book bloggers Misty over at The Book Rat.  Usually this meme focuses on different cover designs for the same book and decides which is better for the story.  I wanted to take this meme and add a little twist to it today by discussing a cover reveal!  

I haven't read any of Kody Keplinger's books, but I am really interested in them largely due to their covers.  A Midsummer's Nightmare is coming out June 5th, and it sounds really good.  I also really like this cover!

I love how the model is wearing a floppy sun hat and bathing suit - happy fun time vacation wear - but looks supremely pissed off.  I think it fits the tone of the book really well and also goes with the cover themes of her other books.  Looks like a great read!

These are Kody's other books.  I think they fit the themes of the books well.  I really love the colors used on the DUFF and even though you can't see it, the spine is totally eye catching.  I also love Shut Out's cover.  It fits the book perfectly, and I love the varsity font used in the title.  (and is it just me or does this model look a hella lot like Liv Tyler??)

73 Lessons Every Goddess Must Know by Goddess Leonie Dawson

Published August 17, 2011 by CreateSpace
5 stars


Goodreads Review
How would your world be different if you knew you were a Goddess? Join Goddess Leonie for the spiritual adventure of your life, as you discover just what it takes to become your very own goddess.


Review:  I discovered Leonie's Goddess Guidebook about a year ago and instantly fell in love with the turquoise mermaid magic that is her site.  There is so much wisdom in just her blog, let alone her amazing lessons and classes.  After a few months I decided to purchase a membership to the circle, and it was the best $99 I ever spent.  Hands down.  I have learned so much about my own spirituality and how to be a creative goddess, and I owe so much of that to Goddess Leonie.  Her classes, meditation, artwork, and writing are all beautiful and inspirational.  I am in total love.


73 Lessons Every Goddess Must Know is a lovely collection of some of Leonie's best work.  There are sections on creativity, motherhood, self confidence, and spirituality all peppered with beautiful photography and artwork.  My only wish is that this book was in full color.  I would have paid double for that :)


If you guys are interested in checking out her stuff, here are some links to some of my favorite stuff.  AND if you decide to buy something, please use the links below and I'll get a commission!  How totally awesome is that!  Please check it out! 

The 2012 Creating Your Goddess Year Workbook


The 2012 Creating your Goddess Year workbook, planner & calendar is an incredibly popular & useful tool to help you plan out & make happen your most incredible year yet. Over the last three years, thousands of women have used this workbook with the most amazing results. It’s the best planning tool available to help you make your year more inspiring than ever.

It’s filled with over 100 pages of worksheets & a printable calendar to help you dream, manifest, set your intentions, plan & cultivate your amazing new year. The workbook has been lovingly handwritten & rainbow illustrated… perfect for you to print out, soak up the rainbow colours of & get thoroughly inspired by!

You’ll get clarity on what you need 2012 to be. What you want to create during it. And most importantly, how to make it happen.  


This is one of the best things ever, if you only get one thing, make it this.  It's only $9.99!

Click here to buy your own copy!

Get it all.  Join the Goddess Circle!

The Goddess Circle is an online sacred space with e-courses, meditations & kits to help you discover the creative, wise, joyful Goddess in you! There are three e-courses you can enrol in to be a part of this amazing experience.

• The Radiant Goddess e-course: a 21 day journey to discovering the radiant goddess in you. This e-course comes with nutrition and movement plans, meditations, a recipe plan & soulful goddess projects to help you shine all over: mind, body and spirit!
• The Creative Goddess e-course: a six week path to discover the creative goddess inside you with sacred creativity, meditations & projects.
• The Creating your Goddess Haven e-course: six weeks to create a home that inspires you with spirited interior design, divine decluttering & magical space-clearing.

With each e-course, you’ll receive meditations, videos, guidance and projects. You also get access to a private online message board for you to share your journey with other Goddesses on the journey!

Over the last five years, Goddess Leonie has helped over a thousand women over the last five years discover the Goddess inside them.

Click here to buy your own membership!


Here's a video of my own 2012 workbook.  Definitely check it out, I love it!

The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa

#4 in the Iron Fey series
Published October 26, 2011 by Harlequin Teen
egalley for review from netgalley
5 stars

Goodread Review
Ash, former prince of the Winter Court, gave up everything. His title, his home, even his vow of loyalty. All for a girl… and all for nothing.

Unless he can earn a soul. 

To cold, emotionless faery prince Ash, love was a weakness for mortals and fools. His own love had died a horrible death, killing any gentler feelings the Winter prince might have had. Or so he thought. 

Then Meghan Chase—a half human, half fey slip of a girl— smashed through his barricades, binding him to her irrevocably with his oath to be her knight. And when all of Faery nearly fell to the Iron fey, she severed their bond to save his life. Meghan is now the Iron Queen, ruler of a realm where no Winter or Summer fey can survive. 

With the (unwelcome) company of his archrival, Summer Court prankster Puck, and the infuriating cait sith Grimalkin, Ash begins a journey he is bound to see through to its end— a quest to find a way to honor his solemn vow to stand by Meghan’s side. 

To survive in the Iron realm, Ash must have a soul and a mortal body. But the tests he must face to earn these things are impossible. At least, no one has ever passed to tell the tale. 

And then Ash learns something that changes everything. A truth that turns reality upside down, challenges his darkest beliefs and shows him that, sometimes, it takes more than courage to make the ultimate sacrifice.


Review:  I have to admit that I was very skeptical going into this book, but I am so glad I read it!  I think this may be my favorite of the series.  The setting in this book is just fantastic.  It is so interesting and vivid, I wish it were a movie because I think I could sit and watch just the scenery for days.  I also really loved the overall story of the book (no spoilers!).  The quest that Ash goes on is really interesting and looks at the moral implications of being fey as well as what the future holds for the fey as humans move into a more technology driven society.


One aspect of the story that I really liked was how it addressed where fairies go when people forget their names and stories.  What happens when you stop believing in them.  I've been a huge fan of Peter Pan ever since I was a little kid, so I know that if you want fairies to be healthy and strong, you have to clap your hands and believe!  


The characters were as fantastic as they always are.  I absolutely LOVED Ash as the narrator.  He has this sense of introspection that Meghan never had.  Meghan was basically just trying to stay alive, but Ash really contemplates stuff.  He's a deep guy, ya know?  He also goes through some MAJOR trials in this book, and I really enjoyed (even though it tore my heart up) reading about the different tests he had to face in order to reach his goal.  And of course the side cast of Puck, Grim, and the Big Bad Wolf (who we met in Winter's Passage, one of the short stories) are as hilarious as usual.  Grim really is just one of the coolest characters ever.  

This cat is Grim lol

Overall The Iron Knight is the satisfying ending that fans of the series craved.  I am completely in love with Ash as a narrator and I really wish there was more to the series.  (Though, there was some stuff with Puck at the very end that just has my praying there will be a 5th Puck book.  I WOULD DIE OF HAPPINESS.  Seriously, I liked Ash but I'm Team Ginger all the way!).

The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa

#3 in the Iron Fey series
Published January 25, 2011 by Harlequin Teen
5 Stars

Goodreads Review
My name is Meghan Chase.

I thought it was over. That my time with the fey, the impossible choices I had to make, the sacrifices of those I loved, was behind me. But a storm is approaching, an army of Iron fey that will drag me back, kicking and screaming. Drag me away from the banished prince who's sworn to stand by my side. Drag me into the core of conflict so powerful, I'm not sure anyone can survive it.

This time, there will be no turning back.

Review:  The Iron Queen is a gripping conclusion to the main trilogy of The Iron Fey series.  It's the final show down between fey, with the summer and winter courts teaming up to stand up against the full onslaught of the Iron Fey forces, and Meghan may be their only hope of winning.  

The best part of this book is what I've been saying is the best part for the entire series, the fey lore.  We learn even more about the iron fey and Meghan and the magic revealed in this book is awesome.   Kagawa is just an excellent world builder, as I have said before.  I kept thinking that there was no way that the setting could get any better or that the world could be more enriched with thoughtful detail, but man was I wrong.  I also have to commend Kagawa on her choices she made with the ending.  I won't post any spoilers, but I'm really glad she went in the direction she did, and I loved how the ending wasn't picture perfect, but realistic.  It fit the mythology she spent three books building and left me tearing up with a broken heart.  

I also have to say that after three books Meghan FINALLY because the awesome bad ass I knew she could be.  The growth from The Iron King to this book is just awesome.  I love it when characters find their inner  Chuck Norris and just start kicking ass.  I loved all of the characters in this book though, not just Meghan.  Puck and Grim are as awesome as ever, and we also got to meet more really funny and interesting iron fey.  I really liked the rebels, it showed that the iron fey aren't just heartless machines.  They're fey too with feelings and fears. I actually found myself liking Ash a lot in this book, unlike The Iron Daughter.  I found Meghan and Ash's relationship to be a lot more believable which was a total relief.  The character development for the entire cast was very well done.


Overall The Iron Queen is a fantastic finale to Meghan Chase's story.  We've seen her grow from a timid school girl to a kick ass faery queen, ready to fight for the people she has come to love.  The mythology set up in this series is superb.  It is a rich and detailed world that will stay in your imagination long after you've put the book down.  I cannot recommend this series enough. 

Friday Face Off Cover Reveal: Rebel Heart

Friday Face Off is a meme hosted by one of my favorite book bloggers Misty over at The Book Rat.  Usually this meme focuses on different cover designs for the same book and decides which is better for the story.  I wanted to take this meme and add a little twist to it today by discussing a cover reveal!  

This is actually a double Friday Face Off because I'll be talking about a cover reveal and series cover change AND a series title change!  You guys may remember I reviewed Blood Red Road back in August, and one of the best parts of the book was the beautiful cover.

Excellent cover, no?  Well, with the release of Rebel Heart, the second in the series, the series has not only gotten a face life, they've also renamed the book to Dust Lands: Blood Red Road.  Here are the new covers.

I know I rarely think this, but I really like the new covers more.  I love the colors, and I think they look like totally awesome action movie posters!  I really love the re-do for Blood Red Road, I think it puts off a way more "this girl is bad ass" feel than the original, which has a more desolate and sad feeling.   So what do you think?  Let me know in the comments!

The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa

#2 in The Iron Fey series
Published August 1, 2010 by Harlequin Teen
4 Stars

Goodreads Review
Half Summer faery princess, half human, Meghan has never fit in anywhere. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, she is prisoner to the Winter faery queen. As war looms between Summer and Winter, Meghan knows that the real danger comes from the Iron fey—ironbound faeries that only she and her absent prince have seen. But no one believes her.

Worse, Meghan's own fey powers have been cut off. She's stuck in Faery with only her wits for help. Trusting anyone would be foolish. Trusting a seeming traitor could be deadly. But even as she grows a backbone of iron, Meghan can't help but hear the whispers of longing in her all-too-human heart.

Review:  The first 100 pages of this book are pretty rough, not gonna lie. I was expecting a lot more with the winter court, like what we experienced with the summer court in The Iron King. It felt choppy and rushed, like we were trying to get to the "good stuff" as quickly as possible.  Also, I was not a fan of Meghan crying and moping about Ash during this part of the book.  I wanted her to become less damsel in distress than in The Iron King, not more!  I am not a big fan of that aspect of the series.  I know Meghan has that awesome kick ass-ness in her, I want her to realize it already!

Once we got to Leanansidhe's house though, the book really took off. The story got super interesting, the romance spiced up, and I found the magic I fell in love with in the first book of the series. Ironhorse and Grim were awesome (as usual), Puck really stepped up his sexy, and Ash was his usual brooding (and hothothot) self. Leanansidhe was an excellent character, I really hope to see more of her. There were also some very interesting things foreshadowed about Meghan and her magical abilities, and I think I might know who the "Iron Queen" is, and if I'm guessing right I'm SUPER excited for the next book. 

Overall The Iron Daughter is a very good second book in a trilogy that doesn't feel like a "transition" book.  It has it's own unique story that gets better and better.  I really enjoyed learning more about the iron fey, and while I would have liked more from the winter court, the set up for The Iron Queen is excellent and really shows the author's strong world building abilities.  

Top Ten Tuesday 1/17/2012: Top Ten Books I'd Recommend To Someone Who Doesn't Read X

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish.  This meme was created because we are particularly fond of lists here at The Broke and the Bookish.  We'd love to share our lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

Each week we will post a new top ten list complete with one of our bloggers' answers.  Everyone is welcome to join.  All we ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND post a comment on our post with a link to your Top Ten Tuesday post to share with us and all those who are participating.  If you don't have a blog, just post your answers in the comments.

TOP TEN BOOKS I'D RECOMMEND TO SOMEONE WHO DOESN'T READ X

1.  Science Fiction/Dystopia - The Road by Cormac McCarthy or The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins  If you're looking for an adult book I would look no further than The Road.   It is a true post-apocalyptic book.  There really is no hope, society hasn't bounced back, it's just  barely hanging on, and the writing style is excellent in portraying this bleak feeling (for a similar YA book I'd recommend Blood Red Road by Moira Young.  It's like The Road meets Mad Max).  For a YA book I would recommend The Hunger Games trilogy.  Not only is is super popular, but it's an exciting sci-fi with a really interesting premise (For an adult book I'd recommend Battle Royale and the movie). 

2.  Romance - Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins  I'm not a big romance person, I tend to roll my eyes as sappy chick-flick type books.  But, I really liked Lola.  Yes there are many times where I want to just punch the stupid out of her, but I could really related to her at the same time because I'VE TOTALLY BEEN THERE.  Also, Cricket (despite his horrible name) is a total hottie geek.  

3.  Fantasy - The Redwall Series by Brian Jacques or The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis   These are two series from my childhood that I love.  They're excellent fantasy series that I recommend all the time for kids.  The Redwall books are just adorable, I love the badgers, they're my favorite.  The Chronicles of Narnia are classic children's literature and I would recommend that every kid read them.  (For an adult series it has to be A Game of Thrones).

4.  Paranormal Romance - The Vampire Academy Series by Richelle Mead  I really love this series (even though Blood Promise was a bit of a miss).  The vampire society is really well set up, and the main relationship is totally believable.  Lots of awesome magic, action, and yes, sexy times.

5.  Classics - The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett  This is one of my favorite children's classics.  I was given this when I was a little kid and I've probably read it over 10 times.  I was so enchanted with this book I would play secret garden every spring in my grandmother's garden.  Combine that with the absolutely GENIUS musical written in 1991 and I am totally hooked for life.  (seriously people, check out the musical.  It is one of the best musicals ever written).

6.  Fairy Tale Re-Telling - Cinder by Marissa Meyer  I'm very critical of re-tellings.  There has to be a fine balance between the well known fairy tale core and a new twist that makes it entertaining and new.  Cinder walks that line perfectly.  I love this book, the science fiction is excellent and the character are absolutely wonderful. 

7.  Horror - Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton  Jurassic Park has been one of my favorite movies since I was 5 years old.  I read the book when I was 10, and I fell even more in love.  It's scary and science-y, which is the perfect mix for me.  It is definitely an adult book with lots of scary scenes and adult themes (like man becoming like god-creators for example), but damn do I love this book. 

8.  Mystery - And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie  I would go so far as to say Agatha Christie is the #1 mystery writer of all time, and And Then There Were None is her #1 book.  It is perfect.  The pacing of the plot is perfect, I was kept wondering who was the killer the entire time.  And the ending?  All I can say is WOW.

9.  Tough Stuff - The Asylum for Wayward Victorian Girls by Emilie Autumn  Self Harm.  Mental Illness.  Objectifying Women.  Depression.  Rape.  Suicide.  TAfWVG is an excellent book that is half memoir half historical fantasy that takes a very stark and open look at mental illness and how it is dealt with, or in many cases not dealt with and just pushed under a rug.  Emilie Autumn is a genius, both on stage and in writing.  This book is beautiful, with over 200 glossy full color pages, and is well worth the money.

10.  GLBT - Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan  I think a lot of heterosexual people are a little wary about reading a GLBT book because they're worried about how they will relate to a romantic relationship between two people to which they're not attracted.  I can totally understand this, but Will Grayson, Will Grayson is a story that can relate to anyone.  It's not so much about a gay relationship (though that is a big factor), it's more about being who you are and being comfortable with that person.   

Off the Shelf #12

  Hello everyone and welcome to Off the Shelf!  This is my way of sharing any new books I receive or buy as well as let you all know what my reading plans are for the week and what I hope to get off my TBR shelf.

Finished Reading:

 

The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

 

The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

Currently Reading:

 

Across the Universe by Beth Revis

Up Next:

 

Why We Broke UP by Daniel Handler

 

 

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

#1 in The Mortal Instrument series
Published in 2007 by Margaret K. McElderry Books
3 Stars

Goodreads Review
When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder - much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing - not even a smear of blood - to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy? 

This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know. 

Exotic and gritty, exhilarating and utterly gripping, Cassandra Clare's ferociously entertaining fantasy takes readers on a wild ride that they will never want to end.

Review:  City of Bones has some really awesome things going for it, and some not so awesome things as well.  This review is going to be a little different because I'm going to make a pros and cons list.  Because I feel like it.  And I can do what I want.


Pros

• The Setting - I almost always love books set in New York City.  It's one of my most favorite places in the world, and I loved the whole paranormal underground club scene. 
• Snark and Sarcasm - I can be a pretty cynical beyotch when I want to be, so I found myself giggle-snorting at a lot of the one liners and quips that the characters toss at each other.
• HOTHOTHOTHOT - Jace may be an a-hole, but he's a sexy a-hole.
• Clary is a red head - She's a pretty good heroine.  She deals with all of the bad stuff that happens to her and doesn't take shit.  She's not afraid to stand up for herself and that is awesome.
• Shadowhunter Mythology - I really enjoyed the overall mythology and I think there's a lot of cool stuff to develop in future books. 

Cons

• Repeating the same stuff over and over - There were just too many repeated jokes, references, and phrases for me to really enjoy the writing.  I HATE it when the same adjective gets used twice on a page, and I kept noticing that happening (Brindle.  All the time.  Everyone and everything is brindle colored).  It's called a thesaurus.  Get one.
• Every character is the same - All of the characters have the same sarcastic sense of humor and after a while they all blended together into one giant ball of snark.
• Random plot tangents - There were a lot of sub-plots that didn't really support the main story arc.  I would read a hundred pages and then go "why did we just do that?"  They serve absolutely no purpose for the main story.
• GROSS - I'm not going to spoil anything, but ew.  People who've read it know what it is.  One of the plot points takes a really icky turn that I just do not like to read about.  I was not please that that's the way the story went.

Overall City of Bones has a lot of potential, but I think it was failed by its editors.  I am excited to read the next book in the series because even though I was not in love with this book there were a lot of great moments.  I'm hoping that as the series continues some of the technical kinks will be worked out so the awesome story idea can shine through.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Published January 10, 2012 by Dutton Juvenile
5 Stars


Goodreads Review
Diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer at 12, Hazel was prepared to die until, at 14, a medical miracle shrunk the tumours in her lungs... for now. 

Two years post-miracle, sixteen-year-old Hazel is post-everything else, too; post-high school, post-friends and post-normalcy. And even though she could live for a long time (whatever that means), Hazel lives tethered to an oxygen tank, the tumours tenuously kept at bay with a constant chemical assault. 

Enter Augustus Waters. A match made at cancer kid support group, Augustus is gorgeous, in remission, and shockingly to her, interested in Hazel. Being with Augustus is both an unexpected destination and a long-needed journey, pushing Hazel to re-examine how sickness and health, life and death, will define her and the legacy that everyone leaves behind.


Review:  I need to put a disclaimer on this review that I highly doubt this review will adequately describe just how much this book means to me.  I've always been a fan of John Green's work, but The Fault in Our Stars takes him to a new category.  There are definitely still the elements that make it a John Green book, such as teens that have a better vocabulary than most dictionaries, references to obscure books, music, and lots of poetry, and in-depth analyses of the meaning of life.  But with The Fault in Our Stars, he does this better than any book he's written before.  Yes these teens are maybe too smart, and yes I had to look up a word more than once, but never the less this book looks at death, love, and illness in a way that is so REAL.  


First I want to give you a little background on where I'm coming from, and why Hazel in particular touched me on a very personal level.  When I was 14 (just about to enter high school), I had to go to the doctor for a routine checkup.  I had some basic bloodwork done, then went home to await the results.  I got a call at 1:00 AM that night saying I had to go to the hospital right then and there.  It turns out my platelet count (they're in your blood and cause it to clot) was so low I was considered a "medical emergency" (An average count is 150,000 - 500,000.  I was at 7,000).  On top of that my red blood cell count was HALF of what it should have been.  I spent that first of what would be many weekends in the hospital with doctors trying to figure out what was wrong with me.  

They eventually diagnosed me with ITP (Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura) which is basically where my immune system attacks my platelets for no reason.  But I went through months before the diagnosis where they thought I could have anything from ITP to a bone marrow disorder to leukemia.  Yes, I went around for about three months thinking I had blood cancer.  Not very pleasant for a girl just starting high school.  Luckily for me I didn't have luekemia, but I was still in the hospital 1-3 times a week for two years.  I was on a very aggressive steroid treatment as well as periodic IVIg treatments that not only didn't really fix my blood problem, also caused me to gain 80 lbs, have severe mood swings, and lead me to some pretty hard core self image and depression issues.

After 2 years my doctors decided I had to go to a more drastic from of treatment by way of splenectomy.  Word to the wise, if you can avoid having abdominal surgery, I suggest you do it because it hurts like a bitch.  If that didn't work we would have had to resort to forms of chemotherapy, which totally scared the shit out of me.  Luckily the splenectomy worked and after a couple weeks my counts leveled to a perfectly healthy 300,000 which was way better than expected.  I'm basically cured and I don't have to take any medication or do anything special now.  I just have to be aware of my immune system because I am missing a spleen, so I can get sick more easily than other people.  But compared to having blood cancer?  I'll give the spleen freely, again and again.

Ok, I'm telling you all way too much information so you can understand where I'm coming from when I say this book hit me on a very personal level.  John Green does an excellent job capturing the feeling of being sick.  From puffy steroid face to midnight hospital runs to being afraid that your death will ruin the ones you love, John Green covers the realities of illness with sensitivity and honesty.  He really gets what it's like to be sick, and to be so sick that you could die.  It doesn't fall into that sappy lifetime movie-esque melodrama of so many other cancer books.  

I also just LOVE Hazel and Gus.  So much.  And I won't spoil the plot, but I totally did not expect what happened to them in this book, and I am so glad it didn't go the way I was expecting it to.  I loved how their relationship forms and how they understand each other.  What's really great is these characters are people, not just their disease.  Plus the banter back and forth is adorable while their serious conversations made me think about my life and what I really valued.  I particularly loved the lesson Gus learns about wanting to leave a mark on the world, a legacy, something to be remembered by after he has died.  I think we all feel like that, but is the whole world knowing who we are really what's important?  Isn't having people who love you and loving them back enough?  I also loved their "infinity".  I don't want to say more than that, because I don't want to spoil, just tell you a little bit about why I love this book so much.  

While I'm not happy with the cover nor the blurb (I get why Jodi Picoult is on it, I just hate the fact that she is) I hope people outside the YA and nerdfighter community will pick this book up.  The Fault in Our Stars should be read by everyone who has ever felt like their life was less valuable due to something they cannot control, anyone who has ever wanted to be seen as more than "that cancer girl", and anyone who has ever had to come to terms with the finality of a human life.

Friday Face Off Cover Reveal: Sweet Shadows

Friday Face Off is a meme hosted by one of my favorite book bloggers Misty over at The Book Rat.  Usually this meme focuses on different cover designs for the same book and decides which is better for the story.  I wanted to take this meme and add a little twist to it today by discussing a cover reveal!

You all may remember that I did a review and giveaway of Sweet Venom by Tera Lynn Childs.  Well, here we have the second book in the series, Sweet Shadows, due to be published sometime in 2012. Here is the cover art.

I have to admit I'm not that impressed.  I LOVED the cover of Sweet Venom, it's what drew me initially to the story.  I think they're trying to continue the snake/hair theme, but without the braid it losses the effect.  I still want to read the series though because the first book was highly enjoyable.  What do you think?

Booking Through Thursday 1/12/12

This is a weekly meme hosted by Booking Through Thursday in which every week a different question is posted that generally involved books and reading.

This week is interview week!  Here are some really great bookish questions that I'm going to enjoy answering :)

1. What’s your favorite time of day to read?

I really like to read at night.  I'm a bit of a night owl, so I just love snuggling up at the end of the day with a cup of hot tea and a good book.

2. Do you read during breakfast? (Assuming you eat breakfast.)

In the morning I like to read new posts on the blogs I follow and maybe some news updates.  I don't really read a newspaper or book or anything.

3. What’s your favorite breakfast food? (Noting that breakfast foods can be eaten any time of day.)

 I'm really not a big on breakfast food, I usually just like fruit (bananas!).

4. How many hours a day would you say you read?

I try and read at least an hour, I'd say 0.5-3 hours a day.

5. Do you read more or less now than you did, say, 10 years ago?

No, I've always been a big reader.  I took a bit of a break when I was in college, but not I read just as much as I did in high school.

6. Do you consider yourself a speed reader?

No, I think I'm medium.  I hear of some people who read a book a day and I just cannot do that.  I'd say I read a book every 3-5 days.

7. If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

Oh wow, this is hard!  I think I'd like teleportation.  I absolutely HATE driving to work every day (45 minutes one way!) so being able to teleport to work would be freaking cool.  Not to mention I could teleport to Italy for a weekend, if I wanted.

8. Do you carry a book with you everywhere you go?

Yes, I almost always have some sort of book in my purse.

9. What KIND of book?

I always carry around my journal so I can make lists of groceries or whatever.  I may also be carrying whatever fiction book I'm reading at the time.

10. How old were you when you got your first library card?

Gosh, I don't even remember.  I was in elementary school, maybe first grade?  I've always had one (now I have three, because I'm cool like that).

11. What’s the oldest book you have in your collection? (Oldest physical copy? Longest in the collection? Oldest copyright?)

I have an original print of Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz, which is 1908.  It was my grandfathers, and I love it.  

12. Do you read in bed?

Yes!  It's one of my favorite places to read because I just love being all cozy.  I find reading a great way to wind-down from a long day.

13. Do you write in your books?

HELL NO.  I absolutely HATE writing in books of any kind.  I just don't understand why someone would write in a book, especially something that can't be erased like pen or hi-lighter.  If I need to take notes on a book I'll jot down the page number in a notebook.  That's what they're for, notes.

14. If you had one piece of advice to a new reader, what would it be?

I would say to read what you want to read.  Don't force yourself to read something just because it's "popular" or a "classic".  Read what interests you, and you'll find what you love.