11/30: Just One Day by Gayle Forman

Just One Day by Gayle Forman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Read from April 24 to May 03, 2013
Format: Hardcover

From Goodreads: When sheltered American good girl Allyson "LuLu" Healey first meets laid-back Dutch actor Willem De Ruiter at an underground performance of Twelfth Night in England, there’s an undeniable spark. After just one day together, that spark bursts into a flame, or so it seems to Allyson, until the following morning, when she wakes up after a whirlwind day in Paris to discover that Willem has left. Over the next year, Allyson embarks on a journey to come to terms with the narrow confines of her life, and through Shakespeare, travel, and a quest for her almost-true-love, to break free of those confines.

I wanted to gush about this book. I loved Forman's other books. I just can't. It was good, but not gush-worthy.

I love Gayle Forman's writing. She has a way with words that really sucks you into the story. The descriptions of Paris and Amsterdam made me want to be there... RIGHT NOW. Getting lost in Paris sounds like the perfect way to fall in love with the city.

I didn't love Allyson. She seemed like a smart, strong girl that completely cracked, which threw me off. I've seen incredibly gifted, smart women crack under pressure, so I get that it happens. I know that the point of the book was to show that "one day" can make all the difference, it just seemed unrealistic for me. I didn't get to the point of feeling what Allyson felt, and I think that is what was missing for me. Perhaps it had more to do with her first time, than "being in love" but I didn't see the part where it ruined her life.

I also didn't fall in love with Willem. He just wasn't that guy that would sweep me off my feet like he did Allyson. He wasn't overly romantic to me and he didn't strike me as the guy you'd lose grades over. He was a fling. Love comes and goes and I really didn't feel like he was in love with Allyson at all.

I'm torn on this book. I liked it, but not enough to say "Read this one, it's awesome". I would definitely recommend it for those that love Forman's other books because she is an amazing writer.
I likely won't read the next one. I didn't care enough about Willem to want to find out what happened to him in the next book Just One Year

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9/30: Artemis Fowl (#1) by Eoin Colfer

Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Read from March 28 to 30, 2013
Format: Ebook

My book club was in need of a quick, easy read to kick start spring. Artemis Fowl was a good choice.

Cute story but I'm still not sure who the bad/good guys were.
I liked how both the human world and the faerie world had their own set of problems with each other and within them selves.
Artemis was not a character I liked. He was arragont, annoying and full of himself. It strikes me as the same as most geniuses written in books. Is that how they are always written? For being a middle-grade book, I don't think I would recommend this one as a book to teach any sort of value to a child. It did provide a good amount of entertainment, however.

I won't continue the series but it was a good quick read.

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8/30: City of Ashes (MI #2) by Cassandra Clare

City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Read from February 21 to March 14, 2013
Format: Ebook
**THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS**

From Goodreads: Clary Fray just wishes that her life would go back to normal. But what's normal when you're a demon-slaying Shadowhunter, your mother is in a magically induced coma, and you can suddenly see Downworlders like werewolves, vampires, and faeries? If Clary left the world of the Shadowhunters behind, it would mean more time with her best friend, Simon, who's becoming more than a friend. But the Shadowhunting world isn't ready to let her go -- especially her handsome, infuriating, newfound brother, Jace. And Clary's only chance to help her mother is to track down rogue Shadowhunter Valentine, who is probably insane, certainly evil -- and also her father.

To complicate matters, someone in New York City is murdering Downworlder children. Is Valentine behind the killings -- and if he is, what is he trying to do? When the second of the Mortal Instruments, the Soul-Sword, is stolen, the terrifying Inquisitor arrives to investigate and zooms right in on Jace. How can Clary stop Valentine if Jace is willing to betray everything he believes in to help their father
I started this one immediately after finishing the first. This series is one that sucks you into a new world and you don't want to come back to reality. The newly added characters added more depth and insight to the favourites from City of Bones. Cassandra Clare wrote The Inquisitor in this book to infuriate you, put you in a rage and yell at this book. If you read Harry Potter, remember Delores Umbridge? She was a character that I truly hated, and knew it was because of how well she was written. (I can't emphasize how much I hated her, even my husband remembers her name and he's never read the books) Cassandra Clare made me feel that way about The Inquisitor, but on a smaller scale. I was seething every time I saw her name, but she was still a thorn in my side.

Valentine... why are you so evil?! I like you even though I'm not supposed to. (Could it be because I know Jonathan Rhys Meyers plays him in the movie? yum!)

Jace is still arrogant, frustrating and kick ass. Clary is less whiny than most female characters which is refreshing. She has some kick butt powers that I hope she develops more in the books to come. I can't wait for her and Jace to discover what else they can do and what makes them both "special". But they really need to stop and just be brother and sister. It's weird.

Magnus is awesome. He's got to be one of my favourite characters just based on sass alone. If you've watched an episode of Banshee, Job  (Hoon Lee) would be my choice for Magnus. He has sass!!

I'm also loving Luke. He seems like such a great "father" the Clary and genuinely cares about her and her friends. He gives her the space she needs a teenager, but at the same time will always be there for her.

Simon, poor Simon. I was annoyed with him in the first book and really starting to like him now. He's the best friend, the guy that wants more, gets it and then realizes what they had as best friends is better. I love that! I had a friend like that and being besties was by far greater than anything else.

I'm excited for the next instalment! Queued up and ready on my eReader already.

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6/30: City of Bones By Cassandra Clare

City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments #1) by Cassandra Clare
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Read from February 01 to 06, 2013
Format: Ebook

From Goodreads: 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

Fantastic book! I devoured it and started the second one the next day. I couldn't put it down. The characters were well written and you really started to care for them all. I loved that even though this book is about good and evil, it wasn't based in one religion. It was a broad scope and didn't focus on a single one. I was riveted while reading the entire book from start to finish.

The world that Cassandra Clare built was beautiful. I could picture it very clearly. she provided just enough detail to not drag the story down but create this wonderful setting.

Clary was a great female character. She wasn't super whiny or annoying. She was thrown into a world she didn't know about and dealt with it well. She was focused on her mother and protecting those she loved. To find out her beloved city was hiding an entirely different world in plain sight was a lot to deal with.

Jace was a great character to balance. Sarcastic, protective and dangerous to himself and others. I liked that he was strong but knowing it was all a show to hide his pain. He had a lot revealed about and to him in the book and even though he is a Shadowhunter, a warrior, he is still a teenager with a lot to deal with.

The surrounding characters were rich as well. The descriptions were great, you really cared for them even if they were supporting roles. With a large cast as this book has, that's rare.

I realize that Valentine is the bad guy, but there is something about him I want to know more about. I have no idea what will happen in the rest of the series, but I want more of him in it. He seems like his heart was in the right place, but a turn of events led him down a dark path.

I will be reading the rest of this series and losing sleep staying up to finish them. Cassandra Clare is a fabulous writer and I'm sad it took me so long to get to her.

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5/30: Across the Universe by Beth Revis

Across the Universe by Beth Revis
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Read from December 07, 2012 to February 04, 2013
Format: Ebook

From Goodreads: Amy is a cryogenically frozen passenger aboard the vast spaceship "Godspeed." She expects to awaken on a new planet, 300 years in the future. But fifty years before "Godspeed"'s scheduled landing, Amy's cryo chamber is unplugged, and she is nearly killed. 
Now, Amy is caught inside an enclosed world where nothing makes sense. "Godspeed"'s passengers have forfeited all control to Eldest, a tyrannical and frightening leader, and Elder, his rebellious and brilliant teenage heir. 
Amy desperately wants to trust Elder. But should she? All she knows is that she must race to unlock "Godspeed"'s hidden secrets before whoever woke her tries to kill again. 

I heard good things about this book. My sister raved about it so I picked it up in December and started it. It's taken me until now to finish reading it. It wasn't a bad book, it just didn't capture me like others do. It was well written, and I really enjoyed the alternating point of view of the characters Elder and Amy. It just wasn't for me. It wasn't the genre, or the content, it just wasn't that great in my opinion. I don't have plans to continue to the next book at all.

Elder is conflicted about what he believes, what he's told and what he sees. As the next in line ruler he has to decide how he wants to run the ship. Every day he finds out more and more lies and secrets and has to decide what to do with the knowledge. Is it better to keep the secrets? Tell the half-truth?

Amy is woken up before her time and struggles with her parents still being frozen and living on this ship. She isn't like the rest of the inhabitants and struggles to find peace. Stuggles to agree with what is happening to the people and what could happen to her.

I'm glad I read it. I liked the story line of deceit and lies and how no matter what, everything comes out in the end.

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4/30: The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Format: Hardcover
Read from January 21 to 31, 2013

From Goodreads: Mara Dyer once believed she could run from her past.
She can’t.
She used to think her problems were all in her head.
They aren’t.
She couldn’t imagine that after everything she’s been through, the boy she loves would still be keeping secrets.
She’s wrong.
In this gripping sequel to The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, the truth evolves and choices prove deadly. What will become of Mara Dyer next?

Great second book for the series. I was excited to get back to seeing what was going to happen with Mara and Noah. After reading the first one, I believed she was not crazy, and there was definitely something going on supernaturally. At the beginning of The Evolution I wasn't so sure.

I was so frustrated! I wanted people to believe her, to stop making her out to be this insane teenager who was suicidal. Expertly written. As a reader, from Mara's perspective everything sort of makes sense for a while and then BAM you're not sure anymore. Real or not real? Expertly written.

I was begging for Hodkin to just tell me already!! The ending was actually a complete surprise to me. I definitely did not see the answer to my questions coming like they did. Threw me for a loop. Halfway through the book I wasn't sure if I was going to read the third book when it is released. After that ending, I'm waiting (impatiently) for the rest of the story.

Michelle Hodkin is definitely a writer to pay attention to.

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3/30: Shadows (Dark Touch #1) by Amy Meredith

Shadows by Amy Meredith
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Format: Paperback
Read from January 16 to 20, 2013

From Goodreads: Fifteen-year-old Eve Evergold is cute, sassy and enjoying a busy social life. What she doesn't know yet is that someone close to her is an evil demon that only she has the supernatural power to defeat. She needs to work out who it is - and fast! Because although there's something very attractive about the dark side...dating a demon? Pure hell!

I won this book on Twitter about a year ago and never got around to reading it until this year. I won it and ordered the second one at the same time because I thought it would be a great series. I'm a little underwhelmed. thankful that the font was fairly big and the read was quick. I may read the second one just for a quick in-between books read. A follow up to a heavy read later this year perhaps.

It was ok. Nothing I haven't read before, and not as well done as others. The characters were shallow, but that is expected given the setting of the Hamptons and reference to brand names and celebrities. They were meant to be that way. Gucci, MK, and Jimmy Choo really didn't need to be name-dropped as often as they were, but it did get the point across that these girls had money to burn and not much else going on.

There was little depth to the story, and was great for a YA age story, very innocent. I did find that the characters were very accepting of the supernatural and didn't question it. This strikes me as odd that there was no freaking out or disbelief. You find out there are soul-sucking demons taking over the town and just accept it? I guess.

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1/30: Days of Blood & Starlight by Laini Taylor

Days of Blood & Starlight by Laini Taylor
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Read from December 11, 2012 to January 02, 2013
Format: Hardcover

From Goodreads: Once upon a time, an angel and a devil fell in love and dared to imagine a world free of bloodshed and war.

This is not that world.

Art student and monster's apprentice Karou finally has the answers she has always sought. She knows who she is—and what she is. But with this knowledge comes another truth she would give anything to undo: She loved the enemy and he betrayed her, and a world suffered for it.

In this stunning sequel to the highly acclaimed Daughter of Smoke & Bone, Karou must decide how far she'll go to avenge her people. Filled with heartbreak and beauty, secrets and impossible choices, Days of Blood & Starlight finds Karou and Akiva on opposing sides as an age-old war stirs back to life.

While Karou and her allies build a monstrous army in a land of dust and starlight, Akiva wages a different sort of battle: a battle for redemption. For hope.

But can any hope be salvaged from the ashes of their broken dream?

I hate writing bad reviews. Especially for books in a series where I loved the first book. Daughter of Smoke and Bone was fabulous and I couldn't wait to read this one. There was something unique about the series.

I got bored with the second one. It didn't move fast enough and I found that I skimmed dialogue for the last half of it. Karou also became incredibly annoying in this one. Perhaps there was too much time between the two books for me to really remember her pain and betrayal, but it seemed like she was holding onto something that was so far in the past that it made little difference in the here and now.

The gore and torture and descriptions were a little over the top for a YA book. As an adult, I found a lot of it disturbing, and I usually have no problem with that sort of thing. There was several scenes in the book where I had to put it down and say "gross, I didn't need to picture that".  I'm not a mom, but I am an aunt and I would never let me my niece or nephew read this one just based on the gore alone.

I did appreciate the theme that good and evil does not necessarily mean good and bad. It showed a side to both the Seraphim and the Chimera that blurred the lines of who was good or bad. It showed greed and what it can do to a complete race.

I don't plan to read the next one when it comes out.

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37/40: The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I wanted to wait to review this book and the movie together, but I'm not sure when I'll get a chance to see the movie before Christmas holidays begin. I imagine the movie will be awesome. Peter Jackson is a fabulous director and I can't wait to see how all these scenes play out. I read a lot of the key parts thinking "This is going to look unreal on screen". Don't disappoint me Jackson!

The story was a wonderful adventure. This is definitely one of those books that you have to just sit and read and enjoy the ride. For every situation they got into, they got out and into another one right away. It was never ending trouble and relief throughout this entire book. I loved how Bilbo figured out how to help in every situation. Reluctantly. He showed that friendship, wit and settling things with words was the best option and when words wouldn't do, he stepped up and was a brave hobbit. He showed that courage comes in many forms and is not always about being the hero.
The story was heartwarming and fun, illustrated that sometimes enemies can be friends and grudges can be set aside to fight for the common good. Loved it.

All around it was wonderful and I can't wait to see the movie now that I've read the book. J.R.R. Tolkien was an amazing story teller.

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36/40: Easy by Tammara Webber

Easy by Tammara Webber
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


From Goodreads: When Jacqueline follows her longtime boyfriend to the college of his choice, the last thing she expects is a breakup two months into sophomore year. After two weeks in shock, she wakes up to her new reality: she's single, attending a state university instead of a music conservatory, ignored by her former circle of friends, and failing a class for the first time in her life.

Leaving a party alone, Jacqueline is assaulted by her ex's frat brother. Rescued by a stranger who seems to be in the right place at the right time, she wants nothing more than to forget the attack and that night--but her savior, Lucas, sits on the back row of her econ class, sketching in a notebook and staring at her. Her friends nominate him to be the perfect rebound.

When her attacker turns stalker, Jacqueline has a choice: crumple in defeat or learn to fight back. Lucas remains protective, but he's hiding secrets of his own. Suddenly appearances are everything, and knowing who to trust is anything but easy.


Lucas... Oh that boy is almost perfect. I definitely did a few big sighs with dreamy thoughts.

I picked up this book on recommendation from my sister who wouldn't stop gushing over Lucas. I procrastinated reading it until my other sister also started gushing. Ok ok! I'll read it! Glad I did. I had no idea what it was about other than the main male character was yummy. (isn't that enough sometimes?)

Quick read, very enjoyable. I was actually surprised by the content on the assault. Webber does a great job portraying just how quick and horrific that situation could be and the consequences after. Not physically, but the mental toll it can take on the victim. She didn't sugarcoat anything, got to the point and had a strong female character triumph. I loved it. Not knowing that the story was about that topic, I was a little shocked when the scene took place.

I love this sort of romance book because they don't go into massive detail during the sex scenes. It's all about  the love, burning looks, fingers brushing lightly on skin and hands smoothing out hair lovingly. It's romantic and leaves the rest to the imagination.

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33/40: The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Maggie Stiefvater is an incredible author. Raven Boys is unique and well written. It took me a while to get into the characters and see how they all played out together. I've been thinking about the book for the past week so that definitely shows it was a good one. I should know better than to start a book when the series isn't complete. It's so painful to wait!

Gansey is an interesting character. He's flawed and naive and incredibly focused. The amount of care he has for his friends isn't misplaced and in a very, very sweet. He has no idea that his money and offering to take care of people isn't taken well. His eloquent words are daggers to those that did not grow up in his world. I love that he has a little Indiana Jones in him. Treasure hunting has become an interesting obsession for him. A safe place to use his money where it doesn’t offend anyone. He was able to be himself and not the character he had to play because of who he is on the outside. There’s another side to Gansey that we only see when he’s in his element.

Blue, to me, is not the main character of this book like I expected her to be. She is a side character that works well with the boys. I also enjoyed this book because there was very little teen love in it. She wasn’t the kind of girl that went gaga over a boy and lost her head. Refreshing!

The shifting perspectives of each chapter were refreshing and gave me a chance to get to know every character individually. Each character was completely unique and had a different background. I liked that Stiefvater let us see into each characters background and life the other characters may not have seen.

I’ve never read a book that had to do with time-space or psychics so this was a great one. I'm excited for the next book in the series!

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31/40: Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake

Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

From Goodreads: Cas Lowood has inherited an unusual vocation: He kills the dead. 

So did his father before him, until his gruesome murder by a ghost he sought to kill. Now, armed with his father’s mysterious and deadly athame, Cas travels the country with his kitchen-witch mother and their spirit-sniffing cat. Together they follow legends and local lore, trying to keep up with the murderous dead—keeping pesky things like the future and friends at bay.

When they arrive in a new town in search of a ghost the locals call Anna Dressed in Blood, Cas doesn’t expect anything outside of the ordinary: move, hunt, kill. What he finds instead is a girl entangled in curses and rage, a ghost like he’s never faced before. She still wears the dress she wore on the day of her brutal murder in 1958: once white, but now stained red and dripping blood. Since her death, Anna has killed any and every person who has dared to step into the deserted Victorian she used to call home.

And she, for whatever reason, spares his life.

From the first page I was hooked. I felt like I was reading an episode of Supernatural which is definitely my favorite TV show. Cas sounded exactly like Dean Winchester, only 18. He was witty, sarcastic, had a way with getting information from girls. Saw people as a means to killing a ghost, getting the job done and then leaving. No ties. No friends.
I liked the candid monologue he would have in his head. I liked the idea of him wanting to avenge his father, but knowing that to do so he must hunt and gain his experience before he knew he was ready. The fact that he was training himself in preparation for killing the thing that took his father showed a lot of restraint and smarts for an 18 year old.

Anna was a creepy ghost. I liked her story as hard as her past was to read about. Her inner struggle was interesting. What would it be like to know you're dead? She went through hell and was more powerful than anything Cas had ever come up against in the past. She was something more than a ghost.

The rest of the characters were good. Fitting perfect stereotypes that made the story feel like a teen horror movie. Carmel, Chase, Mike and Will were your typical popular girl in school and jocks. Thomas was the awkward, yet comes into his own and is a force to reckon with. I actually had to put the book down near the end knowing I wouldn't be able to sleep. Had to save the end to read during the day. Not many books freak me out and make me love it.


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29/40: Fathomless by Jackson Pearce

Fathomless by Jackson Pearce
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

From Goodreads: Celia Reynolds is the youngest in a set of triplets and the one with the least valuable power. Anne can see the future, and Jane can see the present, but all Celia can see is the past. And the past seems so insignificant -- until Celia meets Lo.

Lo doesn't know who she is. Or who she was. Once a human, she is now almost entirely a creature of the sea -- a nymph, an ocean girl, a mermaid -- all terms too pretty for the soulless monster she knows she's becoming. Lo clings to shreds of her former self, fighting to remember her past, even as she's tempted to embrace her dark immortality.

When a handsome boy named Jude falls off a pier and into the ocean, Celia and Lo work together to rescue him from the waves. The two form a friendship, but soon they find themselves competing for Jude's affection. Lo wants more than that, though. According to the ocean girls, there's only one way for Lo to earn back her humanity. She must persuade a mortal to love her . . . and steal his soul

Basically I just didn't get this book. Sisters Red made sense to me. Sweetly, sort of.  This one was not what I expected out of the Little Mermaid.

While I love the writing style Pearce gives, the story line for this one was not something I could get on board with. I hate giving spoilers in reviews on my blog, so please go to Goodreads to see why. I just didn't see the connection between what Lo was and what the man was. There was no connection for me throughout the story that explained it. Yes it's fantasy, or paranormal or whatever genre, but it should make a little sense as to why there is one "monster" and then a different kind. With absolutely no explanation the story lost it's meaning to me. I really wanted to love this one. I love The Little Mermaid and thought this was an awesome idea to retell it. Sadly, it just didn't live up to my expectations. Going off the synopsis I really expected more about Lo trying to steal back her soul and there being a struggle between Celia and her for Jude's affection.

I also felt nothing for the characters. There didn't seem to be enough for me to feel that each character really loved who they loved. They all seemed pretty flat. The best character by far was Lo and her inner struggle. That part I totally understood. And Molly was great as a supporting character.

I really wanted to love it. Writing style was great as always. I still plan to read more of Jackson Pearce in the future because I think she's a wonderful writer. Just didn't love this particular book. The other Fairy Tale retellings were far better.

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26/40: The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

From Goodreads: After the grisly murder of his entire family, a toddler wanders into a graveyard where the ghosts and other supernatural residents agree to raise him as one of their own.

Nobody Owens, known to his friends as Bod, is a normal boy. He would be completely normal if he didn't live in a sprawling graveyard, being raised and educated by ghosts, with a solitary guardian who belongs to neither the world of the living nor of the dead. There are dangers and adventures in the graveyard for a boy. But if Bod leaves the graveyard, then he will come under attack from the man Jack—who has already killed Bod's family . . . 
I've never read a Neil Gaiman and heard a lot of friends love him. This was one that popped up a lot in recommendations. It was ok. Probably more like 2.5 stars than 3.

The writing was good, so I can understand why people love Gaiman. He has a great way with words and creating this interesting setting. He's creative. Who would have thought to create a story of a human boy who grows up in a graveyard, raised by ghosts? As interesting as the story sounds, it was so-so. I'm not sure if this was just the wrong Gaiman book for me or what, but it wasn't enough to sell me on him being an amazing author. I will likely read another one by him in the future if it was a book club book, but after all the gushing, I just don't see it.


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25/40: Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

From Goodreads: Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.

In a dark and dusty shop, a devil’s supply of human teeth grown dangerously low.
And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherwordly war.
Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she’s prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she’s about to find out.
When one of the strangers—beautiful, haunted Akiva—fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?

NOOOO! I have to wait 3 months for the next one??!!? Don't worry, doesn't end with a massive cliffhanger, just a lot of questions and a new storyline I can't wait to read about.

I really enjoyed Daughter of Smoke and Bone. Laini Taylor has a way of pulling you in to this world of magic, art and love that makes you not want to stop reading. I felt like I read 2 books back to back the way she had the stories laid out. I kept looking at my page count and thinking that there must be a lot that happens still, I'm only halfway!

For the longest time I could not figure out who Karou was. She has amazing skills, raised by the Chimera and there is always something off about her. Aside from the mystery that surrounds her from the point of view of her friends, as a reader there was something about her I couldn't figure out. I loved the mystery around her and how everything is revealed in due time.

The story to me is split into two chunks. Karou in the present and the past historical story around Akiva. I liked that the last half of the book is all history of the worlds and what happened between the Seraphim and Chimera. How everything tied together was a surprise up to a point where everything aligned.

I can't wait for the next one. Thankful it didn't leave on a complete cliffhanger, but I have so many questions and need to know what happens next!

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21/40: The Espressologist by Kristina Springer

The Espressologist by Kristina Springer
My rating: 3 of 5 stars


From Goodreads: What’s your drink of choice? Is it a small pumpkin spice latte? Then you’re lots of fun and a bit sassy. Or a medium americano? You prefer simplicity in life. Or perhaps it’s a small decaf soy sugar-free hazelnut caffe latte? Some might call you a yuppie. Seventeen-year-old barista Jane Turner has this theory that you can tell a lot about a person by their regular coffee drink. She scribbles it all down in a notebook and calls it Espressology. So it’s not a totally crazy idea when Jane starts hooking up some of her friends based on their coffee orders. Like her best friend, Em, a medium hot chocolate, and Cam, a toffee nut latte. But when her boss, Derek, gets wind of Jane’s Espressology, he makes it an in-store holiday promotion, promising customers their perfect matches for the price of their favorite coffee. Things are going better than Derek could ever have hoped, so why is Jane so freaked out? Does it have anything to do with Em dating Cam? She’s the one who set them up! She should be happy for them, right? With overtones of Jane Austen’s Emma and brimming with humor and heart, this sweet, frothy debut will be savored by readers


Cute, fun and likable characters. Completely craved Starbucks after reading this one. Also left me wondering what Jane would say about me and my favorite drinks of choice: Tall Caramel Macchiato or a Tall Java Chip with no whip.

The characters were stereotypical. Nice Girl Jane, best friend, mean girls, jealous coworkers, angry boss and multiple hot guys to choose from. It was a quick, fun read. I started Saturday morning and finished it that afternoon.
The idea that you can tell a little about a person by their regular coffee drink is probably pretty accurate.

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17/40: Insurgent (Divergent #2) by Veronica Roth

Insurgent by Veronica Roth
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

***I will try and not spoil Divergent in this review, but this is a sequel, so you may find out things about the first book. ***

While I gave Divergent 5 stars, this one only got 4. Still an amazing book and impressively written.

Tris, being as brave as she was in Divergent, seemed very weak in this book. One particular event basically crippled her from doing what she had to. She cried a lot and it was irritating. I had to continually remind myself that she is only a 16 year old girl, who did not grow up in Dauntless. She grew up Abnegation and has selflessness rooted in her core.
She took a lot of risks that I think were stupid and unnecessary. They were however very calculated and made sense. I just wish she wouldn't lie about her plans so much.

The angst between Tobias and Tris irritated me as well. The secrets and lies! That is young love I suppose. Blind, stupid and can conquer nearly anything. I still love Tobias.

Even though I've negative things, the good outweighs them. The story and build up to the end was intense. I read the last 3rd in one sitting because I couldn't stop. There is a point in the book where you had better stop and save it for when you can just read the rest. You'll want to.
I wish I had waited to read these until the next one is out. I'm going to be buying the next one IMMEDIATELY when it is released.
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15.5/40: Free Four (Divergent #1.1) by Veronica Roth

Free Four: Tobias Tells the Story by Veronica Roth
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I have this book as 15.5 / 40 read this year because it's not a book, it's a chapter. A short chapter of a particular scene from Divergent told from Four's perspective.

I liked it. It added a little to his character that helped me understand him more. It was good to see that he had his own inner struggle going on at the same time Tris did.

Worth a read. I read it between Divergent and Insurgent, but you wouldn't need to. There is one portion that gives you some insight into a scene in Insurgent, but it wouldn't ruin anything for you, it just wouldn't come as a big surprise if you already knew. I doubt that makes any sense.

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15/40: Divergent by Veronica Roth

Divergent by Veronica Roth
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

From Goodreads:
In a future Chicago, 16-year-old Beatrice Prior must choose among five predetermined factions to define her identity for the rest of her life, a decision made more difficult when she discovers that she is an anomaly who does not fit into any one group, and that the society she lives in is not perfect after all.

I feel like I need to catch my breath. I held my breath through the entire ending of this book.

Tris is amazing.
Four is amazing.
This book... is AMAZING. I devoured it and picked up the second installment almost immediately.

Veronica Roth did such a great job explaining the world. I had a clear vision of what it looked like and didn't question it. She pulls you into this world, tears you apart and builds you back up again repeatedly.  The idea of factions is a new one. Based on your personality you are grouped with like minded people. You follow their rules, whatever they may be. It was a new take on putting people in boxes and what happens to those that don't fit into a box.

The depth of the characters was great. Each one made me feel for where they were coming from. You either liked them, hated them or felt sympathy for them. Beatrice is very complex and while some things annoyed me about her, she was a reluctant hero. She acted when she had to and thought things through. Four was complex in a different way. He had something to hide and something to prove. He wears emotional armor that we get to peak through.

I appreciated that the love story is a subplot. (THANK YOU VERONICA ROTH!!) There was no love triangle (HOORAY!!!) I loved how she weaved in a relationship while making it believable and not overly obsessive on either side of the equation. There are bigger things happening in this book than love between a boy and a girl and Roth does a great job making sure it stays that way.

I have to give huge kudos to Veronica Roth for writing such an amazing book (and it's sequel) at the age of 23. You are truly gifted.

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14/40: The Giver by Lois Lowry

The Giver by Lois Lowry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

From Goodreads: Jonas's world is perfect. Everything is under control. There is no war or fear or pain. There are no choices. Every person is assigned a role in the Community. When Jonas turns twelve, he is singled out to receive special training from The Giver. The Giver alone holds the memories of the true pain and pleasure of life. Now, it is time for Jonas to receive the truth. There is no turning back.

This has got to be one of the more powerful books I've read in a long time. I can't describe the heart-ache, the joy that this book gave me. The overwhelming sense human kind is missing something is profound. I gave this one to my husband to read and he felt the same.

I know a lot of people who read this in grade school and hated it. I can see how they would. You're young and haven't seen much of the world. I think this is a book that can be appreciated when you are older. I'm not saying I'm old and wise, far from it, but I believe I have a better appreciation of what the message is than I would have if I read it as a teen.
There was a lot of back and forth reading for me with this one. I kept having to go back and made sure I read something right and for things to click. Like I wasn't really sure I was reading it correctly. Amazing. The way it was written was simple enough to fly through, but gave enough of a picture that you really got it.

Jonas was a great character. He was young, eager and once The Giver starting showing him memories he wanted more. Not just the good, but the bad as well. He wanted understanding.

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