The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner an Eclipse novella by Stephenie Meyer

Genre: Young Adult
Sub Genre: Paranormal Romance; Urban Fantasy; Vampires, Werewolves, Shapeshifters
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Back Cover: Fans of the Twilight Saga will be enthralled by this riveting story of Bree Tanner. A character first introduced in Eclipse, and darker side of the Newborn Vampire world she inhabits. Bree Tanner can barely remember life before she had uncannily powerful senses, superhuman reflexes, and unstoppable physical strength. Life before she had a relentless thirst for blood. . . life before she became a vampire. All Bree knows is that living with her fellow newborns has few certainties and even fewer rules: watch your back, don’t draw attention to yourself, and above all, make it home by sunrise or die. What she doesn’t know: her time as an immortal is quickly running out. Then Bree finds an unexpected friend in Diego, a newborn just as curious as Bree about their mysterious creator, whom they know only as her. As they come to realize that the newborns are pawns in a game larger than anything they could have imagined, Bree and Diego must choose sides and decide whom to trust. But when everything you know about vampires is based on a lie, how do you find the truth?

As many of you know this is a novella that takes place in the book of Eclipse. It shows us what was going on with the newborn army before they attacked. Bree may be a newborn but she is very curious. She finds that Diego is just like her. As the two learn about their new life they learn that there is much more to it. Getting to read about what was going on just added more to the Eclipse book. I found that it was a nice quick read and really enjoyed it.

Publisher: Little, Brown
ISBN: 031612558X
Pages: 192
Series: Twilight SagaVolume: 3.5

Geektastic Stories from the Nerd Herd edited by Holly Black and Cecil Castellucci

Genre: Young Adult
Sub Genre: Fiction
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Back Cover: geek \gēk\ n: 1. A person often of an intellectual bent who is disapproved of. 2. A person who is so passionate about a given subject or subjects as to occasionally cause annoyance among others. geek∙tas∙tic \gēk-tas-tik\ adj:marked by fantastic geek qualities; a compliment of the highest regard. Acclaimed authors Holly Black (Ironside) and Cecil Castellucci (Boy Proof) have united in geekdom to bring together short stories from some of the best-selling and most promising players in young adult literature, including stories from the following geeks: M.T. Anderson, Libba Bray, Cassandra Clare, John Green, Cynthia and Greg Leitich Smith, David Levithan, Kelly Link, Barry Lyga, Tracy Lynn, Wendy Mass, Garth Nix, Scott Westerfeld, Lisa Yee, and Sara Zarr. With illustrated interstitials from comic book artists Hope Larson and Bryan Lee O’’Malley, Geektastic covers all things geeky, from Klingons and Jedi Knights to fan fiction, theater geeks, and cosplayers. Whether you’re a former, current, or future geek, or if you just want to get in touch with your inner geek, Geektastic will help you get your geek on!

This is a compilation of short stories that are for your inner geek. For the kid who loves to go to Comic book conventions or your avid Buffy fan. This is a great group of stories written by some of the bestselling authors in young adult fiction today. I found this to be a delightful book that I couldn’t put down. It reminded me of the first time I went to a convention and wasn’t sure of what I was getting into, to my group of friends when we get together to hang out and play games. There is a little something for everyone in this book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this.

Publisher: Little, Brown
ISBN: 0316008109
Pages: 432
Series:
Volume:

The Devouring by Simon Holt

Genre: Young Adult

Sub Genre: Urban Fantasy; Vours, Nightmares, Boogyman

Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars

Back Cover: The Vours: Evil, demonic beings that inhabit human bodies on Sorry Night, the darkest hours of the winter solstice. When dark creeps in and eats the light, Bury your fears on Sorry Night. For in the winter’s blackest hours Comes the feasting of the Vours. No one can see it, the life they stole, Your body’s her but not your soul.

This story is one that gave me Goosebumps. Reg is a lover of horror stories and finds a journal in the used bookstore that she works in. She reads to her little brother from it as well. Not paying mind to what she is reading thinking it is just a story, she learns first hand that some things are real weather you believe or not. With her friend, Aaron’s help she is able to save her brother. I found that it was a compelling story, one that makes you think twice about the bogeyman. Wondering where the series will go from here in, Soulstice.

Publisher: Little, Brown

ISBN: 031602712X

Pages: 256

Series: Devouring

Volume: 1

Ash by Malinda Lo

Genre: Young Adult

Sub Genre: Fantasy; Retelling of Cinderella

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Back Cover: Pushed into indentured servitude for her stepmother in the City to pay off her father’s debts, Ash is consumed with grief. She misses her family and her happy life at the edge of the Wood where old magic used to linger in the air like fairy breath. Her only joy comes from the brief, stolen walks in the woods with the dark and dangerous fairy Sidhean. Ash’s single, unspoken hope is that someday he might steal her away, as fairies are said to do. But on the day that Ash meets Kaisa, the King’s Huntress, her heart begins to change. Instead of chasing fairies, from Kaisa she learns the are to the hunt, how to ride and track. Their friendship is as delicate as a new bloom, but it grows and changes, and with it, Ash reawakens her capacity for love – and her desire to live. Entrancing and romantic, Ash is an empowering retelling of Cinderella about choosing life and love over solitude and death, where transformation can come from even the deepest grief.

This was unlike any retelling of a fairy tale I have ever read. One that I found to be inventive and new. Ash is almost a whisper of a person practically begging Sidhean to take her away from her life. Not even caring that she would be dead. But Kaisa changes everything, and she doesn’t even know why she is so drawn to Ash. I loved the hunting aspect that was added along with the talk of the old magic, making the world seem more real and mysterious. Now this book is not due out till September, but it is something that I know I will read again. I enjoyed this very much.

Publisher: Little, Brown

ISBN: 031604010X

Pages: 272

Series:

Volume: 

The Pearl of the Soul of the World by Meredith Ann Pierce

Genre: Young Adult

Sub Genre: Fantasy; Magic, Fantastical Animals, The Darkangel Trilogy

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Back Cover: All the world’s wisdom and magic reside within the iridescent depths of a small white pearl. “All my sorcery,” the Ancient Ravenna had said to Aeriel. “It is left to you to save the world.” But is the pearl powerful enough to enable Aeriel to defeat the White Witch? Aeriel’s people have assembled an army – led by the redeemed darkangel, Irrylath – and are soon to attack the White and her darkangel sons. But their cause is hopeless unless Aeriel can unravel the riddle of Ravenna and unlock the mysteries of the pearl – and of her own destiny.

This is the final book in the Darkangel Trilogy. Aeriel changes not knowing so much at the beginning of this. As Ravenna’s plans unravel, I felt bad for Aeriel’s destiny. At least she had Erin in the end. While Irrylath finally learns of what is to become of Aeriel and his own fate as well. The story is beautiful. This whole trilogy was very imaginative and visually dynamic. I loved every page of this story. Meredith created a brilliant world in this trilogy. One that I think everyone who reads will love.

Publisher: Little, Brown

ISBN: 0316067245

Pages: 256

Series: The Darkangel Trilogy

Volume: 3

A Gathering of Gargoyles by Meredith Ann Pierce

Genre: Young Adult

Sub Genre: Fantasy; Magic, Fantastical Animals, The Darkangel Trilogy

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Back Cover: Aeriel’s love has broken the curse on the Darkangel Irrylath, making him human again and freeing him from the control of his mother, the dreaded White Witch. But the Witch is far from defeated. Her wicked plans require all seven of her vampire sons, and she will not give one up so easily. There is but a single hope for the Witch’s defeat – solving an ancient, mysterious riddle. So Aeriel sets off to solve the riddle, sailing across a sea of dust and straight into the worst of the Witch’s terrors. But if Aeriel is to save Irrylath and their world, she will have to overcome his bloodthirsty darkangel brothers – and ultimately confront his terrifying mother face – to – face.

We see Aeriel now trying to still save Irrylath. I love the dynamic between Aeriel and Erin, and their growing friendship. Meeting Irrylath’s family was a sad reunion. And even though Aeriel and Irrylath are separated on their journeys to fight in their own way. Meredith world is beautiful. The story is so imaginative and am looking forward to reading the final in this trilogy, The Pearl of the Soul of the World.

Publisher: Little, Brown

ISBN: 0316067253

Pages: 304

Series: The Darkangel Trilogy

Volume: 2

Once Was Lost by Sara Zarr

Genre: Young Adult

Sub Genre: Fiction

Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars

Back Cover: Samara Taylor used to believe in miracles. She used to believe in a lot of things. As a pastor’s kid, it’s hard not to buy into the idea of the perfect family, a loving God, and amazing grace. But lately, Sam has a lot of reason to doubt. Her mother lands in rehab after a DUI, and her father seems more interested in his congregation than his family. When a young girl in her small town is kidnapped, the local tragedy overlaps with Sam’s personal one, and the already worn thread of holding her together begins to unravel.

This story is about a girl realizing that the world is not what she thought it was. Sam’s whole world seems to have one bad thing after another happen. An yet the world still goes on. She even has feeling for her friend Nick. But after everything she has her own realization and moves forward. It’s a good story. It shows that everyone is human even the pastor. That not everything is perfect anywhere even if it seems that way. I think that many teenagers would benefit from reading this book.

Publisher: Little, Brown

ISBN: 031603603X

Pages: 224

Series:

Volume: 

The Darkangel by Meredith Ann Pierce

Genre: Young Adult

Sub Genre: Fantasy; Magic, Fantastical Animals, The Darkangel Trilogy

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Back Cover: Aeriel is kidnapped by the Darkangel, swept up into his dozen black wings and carried to his distant keep. There she is to serve his brides – thirteen pitiful creatures who were once beautiful, before the Darkangel drained away their souls. Aeriel would free them, but now that she, too, is one of the Darkangel’s captives, she can do no other than obey – even while she knows she must destroy him. For when he has found his final bride, he will come fully into his sinister powers. Aeriel must kill him first, even though deep within him is a spark of goodness that makes her love him – a spark that could redeem even his evil

After Aeriel looses her dear friend to the Darkangel she finds a way to meet up with him and have him take her. The story is full of mystery, magic, and fantasy. Aeriel tries as she might not to like the Darkangel and yet over time she falls for him. Then she when she finds out how to save him before he truly becomes a Darkangel, floored me. This is one of those fantasy books that pulls you in and keeps you guessing. I loved reading this book and can't wait to read the next book in the series, A Gathering of Gargoyles.

Publisher: Little, Brown

ISBN: 0316067237

Pages: 238

Series: The Darkangel Trilogy

Volume: 1

Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink

Genre: Young Adult

Sub Genre: Historical Fantasy, Gothic Romance; Magic, Angels, Lost Souls

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Back Cover: Sixteen-year-old Lia Milthorpe has just recently lost her father, leaving her parentless. But when a strange mark appears on her wrist, she realizes she is being branded with much more than her newfound title of orphan. Lia and her twin sister, Alice, are part of an ancient prophecy that has turned generations of sisters against each other. Lia hides this discovery from Alice and even her beloved, James, but to escape from the burden this secret bestows she must end the prophecy – before her sister. Only then will she understand the mysterious circumstances of her parents’ deaths, the true meaning of the mark on her wrist, the lengths to which her sister will go to defeat her, and the downfall the prophecy could bring.

                                   

This story starts off with the death of Lia’s father. You can see how this is an older world but also slightly different from the one that we live in. The whole prophecy was quite well written, making it a puzzle for the characters to figure out. There is very few male characters in this story but it does not bring it down. Lia is a smart girl who is full of life and realizes that she has a very heavy burden. I thought this was very well written. I look forward to reading the next book in this series, Guardian of the Gate.

Publisher: Little, Brown

ISBN: 0316027413

Pages: 368

Series: Prophecy of the Sisters

Volume: 1

The Host by Stephenie Meyer

Genre: Science Fiction, Aliens

Sub Genre: Urban Fantasy

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Back Cover: Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away. The earth has been invaded by a species that take over the minds of their human hosts while leaving their bodies intact, and most of humanity has succumbed. Wanderer, the invading "soul" who has been given Melanie's body, knew about the challenges of living inside a human: the overwhelming emotions, the too vivid memories. But there was one difficulty Wanderer didn't expect: the former tenant of her body refusing to relinquish possession of her mind. Melanie fills Wanderer's thoughts with visions of the man Melanie loves-Jared, a human who still lives in hiding. Unable to separate herself from her body's desires, Wanderer yearns for a man she's never met. As outside forces make Wanderer and Melanie unwilling allies, they set off to search for the man they both love. Featuring what may be the first love triangle involving only two bodies, THE HOST is a riveting and unforgettable novel that will bring a vast new readership to one of the most compelling writers of our time.

This is Stephenie Meyer’s first adult book. I wasn’t sure if it was going to be any good as there have been some authors that once they write one outstanding series the rest of their books just can’t compete. This is not one of those times. The Host was well thought out with amazing character development. I thought the inner dialogue between Wanda and Melanie was great. The relationships that are created between all the characters made this a delightful to read. This is more than just a story about aliens or love. It's about the human condition. Our own inner strength. I loved reading this book, and I can’t wait to read the next book in this series. The movie that will be out 3/29/2013, which I'm looking forward to see.

Publisher: Little, Brown

ISBN: 0316068055

Pages: 656

Series: Host

Volume: 1

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Genre: Young Adult

Sub Genre: Paranormal Romance; Magic, Incubus, Witches, Small Towns, The South, Beautiful

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Back Cover: In a town with no surprises, one secret could change everything. Lena Duchannes is unlike anyone the small Southern town of Gatlin has ever seen, and she’s struggling to conceal her power and a curse that has haunted her family for generations. But even within the overgrown gardens, murky swamps, and crumbling graveyards of the forgotten South, a secret cannot stay hidden forever. Ethan Wate, who has been counting the months until he can escape from Gatlin, is haunted by dreams of a beautiful girl he has never met. When Lena moves into the town’s oldest and most infamous plantation, Ethan is inexplicably drawn to her and determined to uncover the connection between them.

This is a story of small towns, magic and the south. Ethan has been in Gatlin his whole life and he just can’t wait to leave. But when Lena comes he can’t help but be drawn to her. Wanting to first befriend her and then protect her. The story has many characters and taking glimpses of the past looking at both of the main characters ancestors. It is a well written story. The characters not only learn about themselves but their families as well. I really enjoyed this story, and am looking forward to watching the movie once it comes out Feb. 14, 2013. I can't wait to read the next book in this series, Beautiful Darkness.

Publisher: Little, Brown

ISBN: 0316077038

Pages: 592

Series: Caster Chronicles

Volume: 1