"Die For Me" by Amy Plum

Judge a book by its cover
Title definitely intrigued me, and the cover is quite beautiful.  So, judging by it's cover - it's gonna be a love story.  Obviously.  Since the tag line is "Would you risk your life for love?"

Synopsis

Kate and her sister Georgia move from Brooklyn to Paris to live with their grandparents after their parents died in a car accident.  Kate felt like her heart would never be whole again, until Vincent came along.

Vincent is a mysterious and sexy stranger who swept Kate off her feet, making her feel whole again.  But, of course, love is never easy.  In this case, Vincent isn't a normal human - he's an immortal.  Vincent and his "family" of other immortals live in Paris saving people's lives by dying in their place... and coming back to life three days later.  

But, where there is good, there is bad.  There is another sect of immortals who relish in the death and self destruction of humans, and are determined to destroy Vincent and his kind.

Not only does Kate need to deal with the death of her parents, but now she has to decide if she can handle having a boyfriend who "dies" on a regular basis while other immortals hope to kill him for good. 

Humble Opinion
Called it!  Love story!  (But aren't they all?) ;)

I actually really enjoyed it.  I felt like the author, Amy Plum, created believable characters, even though it's a supernatural story.  I really appreciated how Plum didn't have Kate automatically accept Vincent and be like, "Oh you're immortal/supernatural which I didn't know really existed until now?  Okay.  I'm fine with it!"  Instead, Kate actual DOES have an issue with it and thinks that she would rather not be a part of that world!  (Because, come on, let's be serious - no matter how swoon-y we females get over vampire/angel/werewolf/demon hunter characters we read about - if one were to ACTUALLY come into our lives, I think 99% of us would need to take a moment to really think about it and what being with a supernatural being means.  It's not like you can tell people because 1) they probably would think you're crazy and 2) there is always gonna be someone who will want it for the wrong reasons.  Always.)  So, I liked that Plum made Kate actually consider what being in a "supernatural world" would mean.  It made Kate feel more real.

While I like Kate and Vincent, I actually found the supporting characters, Charlotte and Jules, more interesting.  Maybe it's because we didn't get the full story on them, but I found myself wanting to know more about them.  So I hope future books dig in deeper to their background.

Final say

I liked it.  It wasn't the best love story I ever read, but it wasn't the worst either.  I liked the characters that Amy Plum created, and I am interested to see where this series goes.  It's not a series that I will feel the need to rush to the bookstore to grab the next book so I can find out what happens!  But it's one that I will follow up in the future.

"The Red Pyramid" (Kane Chronicles, Book 1) by Rick Riordan

Judge a book by its cover
I very much enjoyed Percy Jackson, and I really like Egyptian history/mythology, so I figured I would like this book.

Synopsis

Since their mother’s death, siblings Carter and Sadie have become near strangers, only seeing each other on Christmas. While Sadie has lived with her grandparents in London, her brother, Carter, has traveled the world with their father, the brilliant Egyptologist, Dr. Julius Kane.

During their annual family reunion, Dr. Kane takes Sadie and Carter to the British Museum, where he hopes to "set things right". Instead, he unleashes the Egyptian god Set, who banishes him to oblivion and forces the children to flee for their lives.

Soon, Sadie and Carter discover that the gods of Egypt are waking, and the worst of them, Set, has his sights on the Kanes and wants to destroy the world.  In order to stop him, the siblings embark on a dangerous journey across the globe.  But along the way, they discover the truth about their family, their links to a secret order that has existed since the time of the pharaohs, and that Set isn't the only God that made it out of the Rosetta Stone that night.

Humble Opinion
Rick Riordan doesn't disappoint.  His books are filled with so much action, they are hard to put down!  I love it!

Unlike with the Percy Jackson books and the Greek gods, I don't have much knowledge on Egyptian mythology.  I've always been fascinated by Egyptian gods, but all I knew was: Ra is the sun god, Anubis has something to do with the underworld, Osiris has something to do with the underworld, Isis is a female god, and Horus is a god with a falcon head.  That's about it.  LOL

I felt like after reading The Red Pyramid, I know a little more about Egyptian mythology, but there is still so much more I want to learn!  I feel like I would have gotten more out of the book had I known more about Egyptian mythology, but I still very much enjoyed the book and look forward to reading the next two!

I only had two qualms about the book: 1) Sadie's age and 2) the end.
1) Riordan is trying to establish a possible love interest between Anubis and Sadie, which is interesting, but she's only TWELVE!!  I can't... I know that twelve year olds have crushes and, now-a-days do a lot more... but she's twelve!!  I can't root for a twelve year old and "sixteen year old looking" god!  It feels gross!
2) *SPOILER ALERT*  Carter and Sadie spent the WHOLE BOOK trying to defeat Set, but then at the end they decide to make him an ally instead of banishing/killing him.  WHAT!?!?  I'm sure this had to be done for plot purposes for the next two books, but COME ON!  All the sudden the two protagonists "trust and befriend" the evil God?!  Seriously??

Final say

Totally enjoyed it.  I would re-read it again in heartbeat.  Super quick read because I didn't want to put it down!  I look forward to continuing the series!

"The Boogie Trapp" by Kerry Copeland Smith

Judge a book by its cover
The cover is kinda plain/boring.  I chose to read it because it was described as a "thriller" and it was getting positive reviews.

Synopsis

After Kerry Copeland Smith's childhood best friend, Trapper, dies of cancer at an old age, Kerry must keep his promise to "confess" and tell the world their story that they kept secret for fifty years.

Thirteen year olds Boogie (aka Kerry Smith) and Trapper planned on just killing time on Saturday, April 9, 1949 in Black Creek, Alabama before heading to Sarah's party later than evening and playing "kissing games" with their girlfriends.  But their day take an unexpected turn when Bill "Donkey" Brady pulls up and offers the boys five dollars and a carton of smokes, if they will help him get his truck out by Big Rock out of the mud.  Boogie and Trapper, having nothing better to do and wanting smokes and money, decide to hop in "Bill's friend's car" and help him.  After a few minutes inside the car, Boogie starts to second guess their decision to help Bill, and both Boogie and Trapper soon discover that all the "rumors" about Bill being a "homosexual pervert" aren't just rumors... 

Humble Opinion
The Boogie Trapp could have been half as long.  There was SO MUCH EXPOSITION!  I understand that Kerry Copeland Smith wanted to give the reader a feel for the time and the place that story took place, but Jesus!  For instance,  I didn't need to know on page 226, paragraph 3:

The first bend in the road is to the right towards the northeast, then after about 100 yards, the road snakes back to the general direction that it's now heading.  The slope of the creek valley off to the right is extremely steep and heavily covered with trees and large boulders.  The opposite side of the road is thinly covered with a growth of small pines and baby oaks along with heavy growth of bushes.  At some time in the past, it has been cleared and farmed...

That paragraph didn't add to the story in the SLIGHTEST, and there were plenty more just like it all throughout the book.  There was so much unnecessary description that it got in the way of the actual story.  I actually put the book down several times out of the frustration because I was so bored, I couldn't focus on what I was reading anymore because my mind started to wonder.  The story doesn't really get going until page 184, which is over halfway into the book!

Also, the author kept getting sidetracked with telling other stories, that didn't actually contribute to the main story he was telling.  This happened several times in the book.  If felt like filler - like a kid who has to write a paper and make it 10 pages long, so they tell a 4 page antidote that has a very thin connection to the real assignment, just to fluff it up.  But none of the stories were needed!

But my BIGGEST pet peeve - the person who was supposed to edit/proof read the manuscript.  They didn't do their fucking job!!  One of biggest annoyances, when reading, is when quotation marks are missing.  Like, you know the character is still speaking, but they forgot to put the quotation mark back in after "he said".  This book was FULL of them!  There were SO MANY missing quotation marks and correctly spaced speech patterns.  For instance, as I randomly flip through and pick page 253:

"He's up on the hill behind us!  I scream to Trapper, as I throw myself face down to the rock.

It drove me freaking NUTS!  Whoever was supposed to proof read The Boogie Trapp didn't do it and I want to send them back the book with all the corrections in red marker and tell them that they suck. 

Final say

There is so much potential for this story, but the first time writer needed someone to edit out the fluff and unnecessary detail and keep him on track.  If this book would have actually only be a short story, maybe 50-100 pages total, and stuck to the actual story that Kerry Copeland Smith was trying to tell, it would have been an amazing tale that I wouldn't have been able to put down!  Unfortunately, it runs 250 pages too long.

Divergent Series

7/27/14

I'm currently reading the Divergent series, but since everyone has read them, I'm not going to review them.  I just started the third book Allegiant, and my sister has warned me many a times that I will cry and hate the entire series by the time I finish this book... so I'm really weary of finishing it.

But so far, I liked Divergent  and Insurgent.  Tris gets on my nerves a little because I think she makes stupid decisions, and I'm a huge fan of Four/Tobias, which makes me feel like he's going to die in Allegiant because otherwise I don't know why I would get upset at the end of the series unless he dies.  Ultimately, the worst scenario that I can think of right now, would be Tris killing Tobias.  That would piss me off.

I like the premise of the books.  I haven't seen the movie yet, so I'm waiting for it to come out on Netflix or OnDemand so I can watch it.

We'll see what my reaction to the series is once I finish Allegiant...

8/1/14

I saw the movie Divergent.  It was pretty good.  The book was better, of course.  But I didn't hate the movie.  I wanted Tobias to be hotter than he was, but I slowly grew to find his attractive.

Now that I've finished Allegiant, I understand why my sister hated it.  I probably would have been more upset with the ending if I didn't know that "something horrible happens".  If my sister wouldn't have given away that she bawled and hated the book, therefore, cluing me in that someone dies, I probably would have cried like a bitch.  But since I had a heads up, I was more sad and disappointed, rather than traumatized, like my sister.  (She still refuses to talk about the series.  HA HA). 

**SPOILER BELOW**

I understand WHY Veronica Roth killed off Tris, but... dammit!!  After all she and Tobias went through, I just wanted there to be a happy ending!  I found that I was more upset with how Tobias reacted to the news, than the fact that Tris actually died.  When Tris died I was sad and a little in shock, but when I read about Tobias finding out and how he took it,  I actually teared up.  ;(  Veronica Roth will be one of those authors that readers hate, like George R.R. Martin (Game of Thrones) because she killed off a favorite character.  Though, in my opinion, no author will ever be as evil as George R.R. Martin...

"Dust & Decay" by Jonathan Maberry

Judge a book by its cover
Zombies.  Sequel to Rot & Ruin.  Done.

Synopsis

Tom Imura decides to leave Mountainside with his brother, Benny, Nix, and Lilah to go find the jet they saw while out in the Rot and Ruin the last time.  But now that Charlie and Motor City Hammer are gone, their territory in the Rot and Ruin is up for grabs.  All the bounty hunters want it, and with Tom leaving the area undefended, there's nothing to stop them from taking it.

Tom's journey across the Rot and Ruin with Benny, Nix, and Lilah doesn't go well right from the start, beginning with Benny's best friend, Chong, tagging along for just an overnight trip.  Chong accidentally causes chaos when the group encounters a wild rhino, so he decides to leave the group and head back to Mountainside alone.  But Tom is responsible for Chong, so he leaves Nix, Lilah, and Benny at the abandoned gas station to go after Chong.  Then, all hell breaks loose.  Chong gets taken by bounty hunters who are planning to take him to Gameland.  Nix and Benny end up causing a massive fire in their attempt to escape the zombie hoard coming at the gas station, and Lilah splits.

Ultimately, it's a never ending adrenaline ride that will leave you in tears.

Humble Opinion
I love the series.  I love the characters that Jonathan Maberry creates and I love/hate how attached I become to the characters.  Each character feels like a real person, not just a fictional character in a book, so when tragedy happens to them, I get emotional.  I was bawling from heartbreak by the end of the book yet I still couldn't put it down.

It's so well written that I'm able to see the story play out like a movie in my head.  That's when I know I'm reading something amazing, when I can visualize it.  When a book calls to the director in me, I know I'm reading something that will stick with me forever.  And this series is one of them.  (A few of the other series that I have felt this away about are: Vampire Academy, Arcana Chronicles, and Hush Hush)

Final say

Read this over the weekend, otherwise you're gonna have to call in sick because you won't be able to put it down.  Even though I feel like this book is probably geared more towards a male audience, females who love "The Walking Dead" will love this book too.  Just remember to grab some kleenex when you get to the end.

"The Princess Bride" abridged by William Goldman

Judge a book by its cover
The movie is a classic and one of my favorites, so I decided to give the book a go.

Synopsis

Do I even need to have this section? 

The Princess Bride is a timeless tale that pits good against evil, and love against all the odds.  It's a story about Buttercup and Wesley, who must fight for their love against Prince Humperdick, the Fire Swamp, Court Rugen, Vizzini, and even death...

Humble Opinion
I love the movie, so I had high hopes for the book.  And I really liked the book!  The version I read was the one that the 1987 movie was based off because the author, William Goldman, talked about how his dad used to read the book to him when he was sick, and all the interruptions that young Fred Savage had when Peter Falk was reading were all the ones that he had as a kid.  It was cute.  And the movie stayed pretty true to the book.

There were a few difference between the book and movie.  1) The Zoo of Death.  The movie didn't touch on that.  There is actually a heart pounding journey that Fezzik and Inigo go through to get to Wesley in the Zoo of Death.  2) The movie doesn't touch on the torture that Wesley goes through before he is subjected to The Machine, but it would have been difficult to show/explain what was going on internally with Wesley during all that, so I understand. 3) The Miracle Pill is only temporary in the book!  In the book the pill will only last for about 15 hours and then Wesley goes comatose or something?! (I didn't quite understand what was supposed to happen.)  Wha-- you can't-- I'm glad the movie changed that!

Final say

If you liked the movie, you'll like the book, and vice versa!  I appreciated how movie stayed close to the book, like the Harry Potter movies did.  Don't change something that works!  Good read!

"Girls That Growl" (Blood Coven Series, Book 3) by Mari Mancusi

I totally just realized I didn't write reviews for the first two books... Oops!

Judge a book by its cover

Third book in the "Blood Coven" series, so it's a no brainer - gotta continue!

Synopsis

Rayne, the goth/vampire/vampire slayer has been assigned one more assignment before her slayer replacement takes over - infiltrate her high school's cheerleading squad to find out if they're werewolves.  But being a cheerleader is the exact opposite of everything Rayne "Freak Girl" McDonald is!  Not only does she have to "become one of the pod people", but her mom's boyfriend/Rayne's slayer guardian, David is moving in, AND her once dark and broody vampire blood mate Jareth has turned into a beach bum since the vampire virus allowed him to walk in the sun again!  Junior year isn't starting off as great as Rayne hoped.

Humble Opinion

The "Blood Coven" books are quick and easy reads with the perfect mixture of wit, romance, and adventure.  Rayne's snarky attitude and her romantic turbulence with Jareth definitely will hit home to a teenage audience.  While most teenage girls feel like they've found their soulmate in their first boyfriend/love, the reality of choosing your eternal mate at sixteen?  Well... people change, so there's bound to be some issues, which Rayne comes to discover

Mari Mancusi writes Rayne in such a way that her quips are hilarious, yet it's still believable that it's a real teenage girl talking.  I enjoy how Rayne is the narrator and is conscious of the audience she is telling the story to.  In Stake That, it was written as if Rayne was writing a blog and the reader was one of her followers.  In Girls That Growl, she just addresses us as if she's actually siting down and telling us the story.  I like that we get to see inside her mind and listen to her inner monologue.  

Final say

Easy read.  Fun read.  Great book to take to the beach or read while you're traveling.  I chose it as my "commute to work" book since it's small enough to throw into my purse, and I wouldn't have a panic attack if I had to stop reading before I was done with the chapter.  It's a good balance of making you want to come back for more without making you feel like you have to call into work the next day because you can't put it down.

"Rot & Ruin" by Jonathan Maberry

Judge a book by its cover
A cool zombie cover?  Done.

Synopsis

In the zombie-infested world Benny Imura has grown up in, once a teenager turns fifteen, they much find work - or lose their food rations.  After expending all his options, Benny reluctantly agree to train a zombie killer with his lame big brother, Tom.  But the Rot and Ruin isn't want Benny thought it was going to be - and Tom isn't the lame big brother Benny original thought he was either.

Humble Opinion
I love me some zombies.  The general premise is the same - people trying to survive in a zombie infested world - but each zombie story makes the zombie world itself a little different.

In Rot & Ruin, the story takes place in the little town of Mountainside, somewhere in the former state of California.  Benny, having no other viable option left, agrees to train to be a zombie killer like his brother, Tom.  Benny thinks Tom is lame and a coward, compared to the other zombie killers (aka bounty hunters) in town, Charlie Pink-Eye and Motor City Hammer.  But once Tom takes Benny out into the Rot and Ruin, he discovers that everything he thought he knew about the world and his brother is wrong.

SO MUCH HAPPENS IN THIS BOOK!  I'm finding it hard to even summarize!

*You meet the Lost Girl, Lilah, who has grown up in the Rot & Ruin since she was a child.
*You find out there is place called Gameland, where people are taken against their will to participate in the Z-Games aka zombie fights
*People that you like DIE!!!  I almost started crying at one of the deaths because I was so pissed.  I LOVED that character and Maberry just... GAH!  Fuck you Maberry.  Fuck you.
*You follow the budding romance of Nix and Benny.
*There is an epic battle at the end of the book that makes you unable to put it down!
*Someone that you THOUGHT died comes back, which you don't expect to happen (except I just told you) and you have to re-read the sentence three times just to make sure you read it right and then you want to cry all over again from joy.

Final say

I REALLY liked this book!  It's a great story that appeals to both male and female audiences, because it has the action and suspense that guys want; and it has strong female characters (with some love interest thrown in there) that females like.  I had so much trouble putting this down.  I really, really, really enjoyed this book and would very much like to see it made into a film or television series.  Mainly because I want to swoon over Tom and his fighting skills.

"One Week Girlfriend" by Monica Murphy

Judge a book by its cover

Sexy.  My guess - a YA romance novel.  Or as I like to refer to them as "PG-13 romance novels".  And does anyone else think the guy kind looks like Robert Pattinson???

Synopsis

Drew Callahan, collage football legend, needs a pretend girlfriend for when he returns home for Thanksgiving, so he asks Fable, the local bar waitress, who has made a reputation for herself in his circle of friends, and not in a "ladylike" way.  Drew isn't looking for a serious relationship because he believes himself to be too damaged; and Fable isn't looking for a serious relationship because she has her brother to look out for since mom is a drunk.  Fable agrees to be Drew "girlfriend" for $3000, for one week, while he returns home to see his dad and step-mom.  Tension is high in the Callahan household.  Fable discovers Drew is keeping a big secret that is eating away at him, and the more time Drew and Fable spend together, the more the fake relationship begins to feel real.  Will Drew's secret push Fable away, or bring her closer?

Humble Opinion

Totally predictable story.  I guessed Drew's secret even before they got to his home.  And I guessed the step-mom's secret immediately.  The "hints" were pretty damn obvious.  I hope that's what Murphy was going for, but if it was supposed to be a "shocking twist"... it wasn't.  In the slightest.


Obviously I went into the book predicting that the fake relationship would blossom into a real relationship, because that's what always happens in stories, but something about it felt... lacking.  It was an incredibly easy read but I didn't feel like there were much depth to the characters or the story in general.  Everything was predictable and textbook "teen romance story".  It almost felt more like a detailed outline for how the story was going to go, and what certain points/secrets needed to be revealed, but then Murphy never added depth to it.  I felt like the story had more potential than the final published product.

Final say

If you want an easy read and a story that doesn't make you think too hard, then this is the book for you.  But there are much better stories about "people from two different worlds" falling in love with each other.  Plus it wasn't nearly as steamy and sexy as the book cover suggested.  Ultimately - pass.

"Ruined" by Paula Morris

Judge a book by its cover

The book looked cool.  That's why I picked it up.

Synopsis

Rebecca has to move to New Orleans for the school year to live with her aunt Claudia while her dad travels on business.  But as far as Rebecca is concerned, New Orleans might as well be a completely different planet with how different it is from her home New York.  Her aunt reads tarot cards for a living, she attends a snooty prep school were family names  and Mardi Gras mean everything, and her only friend is Lisette, who just so happens to be a ghost.  The ultimate question is - why can Rebecca see Lisette?

Humble Opinion

It was a fun ghost story.  New Orleans has always seemed like such a foreign and mystical place to me full of history and lore, so I was thrilled that this ghost story took place in New Orleans.  I feel like if ghosts do exist, then New Orleans is the ghost mecca!!

I enjoyed how cleverly Ruined was written.  I felt like I learned about New Orlean's past and culture, yet Paula Morris kept the story moving and didn't give everything a way in the beginning.  Morris wrote Ruined in such a way, that you had sudden "aha!" moments, yet you still didn't know everything.  She kept you guessing as to who was really good and bad up until the very end!  I really appreciated that.

Final say

Very interesting book!  If you like ghosts and mysteries, then you'll really like this book!

"Generation Dead" by Daniel Waters

Judge a book by its cover

I'm a YA fan AND a zombie fan (I LOVE "The Walking Dead"), so if you combine those two... of course I'm going to read it!  I mean, there's zombie cheerleader on the front cover, how could I not pick up this book?

Synopsis

In America, some teenagers who died, aren't staying dead.  But when they come back, they aren't the same people they were when they are alive - the first time.  The zombies, or the politically correct term "differently biotic", are trying their best to fit back in to a world that doesn't want them.

Phoebe finds herself falling for the cute boy in her algebra class - Tommy.  Only problem is, Tommy is a dead kid.  Not only will her best friend, Margi, and her neighbor, Adam, not approve, but society wouldn''t stand for it either.  Phoebe feels like there is more to the dead kids, especially Tommy, that people aren't willing to see.  So, she convinces Margi and Adam to join the Undead Studies group that their high school is offering, to learn more about the "differently biotic", from the dead kids themselves.  Adam, however, has feelings for Phoebe that run deeper than "just friendship".  He would do anything for her.  But does that include putting his own happiness aside to protect Tommy for Phoebe's sake?

Humble Opinion

Loved it.  It was funny, cute, and kept a great pace.  I didn't want to put it down, but I also didn't have "withdrawal" if I didn't read it as soon as I got home.  (Endless Knight anyone??)  It had a Twilight forbidden love feel to it (only much better written), yet it's easily able to stand on its own as not to be thought of as "another Twilight book".

Phoebe and Adam are very likable characters.  Their friendship seems a little odd since he's the football star and she's the "goth girl", but since they have been neighbors for years and Adam has a crush on Phoebe, I bought into it.  Tommy is... mysterious.  I wanted to like him, but at the same time he was a huge question mark for me because there is so much that you don't know about him.  Meanwhile, Margi is written as a realistically, annoying best friend that most people don't like, but for some reason you're friends with.  The other supporting characters - Karen (who I'm pretty sure is supposed to be the girl on the book cover), Pete, Thorny, Colette, etc - are nicely developed and definitely add welcomed layers to the story.

Final say

I really enjoyed the book!  So much so that I ordered the sequel, Kiss of Life (which I am reading right now), immediately after finishing the book.  I could see this as a Disney series (since Disney's Hyperion Books is the publisher), and I would totally watch it.  I think the book is able to appeal to tweens, Twilighters, zombie fans, and general YA fans.  It's a fun book for everyone!

"If You Could Be Mine" by Sara Farizan

Judge a book by its cover

My friend got me the book when he went to an industry book fair.  He told me, "It's not the usually 'vampire stuff' you like.  It's about lesbians in the Middle East, so I don't know if you'll like it".  The premise intrigued me, so I decided to give it a try.

Synopsis

Sahar and Nasrin are best friends and have been in love since they were six years old.  But Iran is a dangerous place for two girls to be in love.  The punishment could range from being beaten, imprisoned, or even death.  Sahar and Nasrin carry on in secret - until Nasrin's parents arrange a marriage for her.  Nasrin tries to convince Sahar that their secret affair with each other can continue on as before, but Sahar wants to love Nasrin exclusively, and openly.  In Iran, homosexuality is a crime, but if you're a man trapped in a woman's body - that's nature's mistake and a sex reassignment is legal and government approved.  As a man, Sahar wouldn't have to love Nasrin in secret anymore.  But Sahar must decide if this life altering change is worth the love of her life.

Humble Opinion

I am a huge gay rights supporter so this book really captivated me!  The thought of two people having to hide their love for one another because of their gender is sad enough, but the punishment for such love is government approved death?!  I found it fascinating that Iran is against homosexuality, but they are okay with sex changes...  That's so bizarre in my mind - that Iran believes God (or Allah) made a mistake by putting a man in a woman's body (or vice versa), and therefore allows such drastic changes to be made to something as holy as one of God's creations - the human body.  Woman can't show their hair or elbows in public because it's "sinful", but completely changing the physical appearance and gender of a body isn't??  Don't get me wrong, I'm all for people having a say about what happens to their bodies - if they want to have sex changes, or abortions, or full body tattoos, etc - that's totally their choice.  I just find the whole concept so weird and interesting.

If You Could Be Mine is so beautifully written.  The struggle that Sahar goes through with loving her best friend, Nasrin, even though it's forbidden; dealing with her best friend/love being betrothed to another and not fighting it, while she desperately tryies to find a way to be with Nasrin, even if it means being untrue to herself - it's all so heart wrenching.  Living in America, where arranged marriages don't really exist anymore, the thought of marrying someone you don't know or don't love, is so strange to me.  Even though the man that Nasrin is set up with seems like a great guy, the idea of two people who are in love, not being able to be together, is so depressing.  This book is like the anti-fairy tale.

Final say

It's a FABULOUS book!  I would recommend If You Could Be Mine to anyone - gay, straight, man, woman, black, white, etc.  It would be interesting to see a homophobic or ultra religious/Christian's view on this book.  I feel like it might open some eyes to the struggle of homosexuals.  I think it also gave me a little more insight to Muslim culture and the struggles that Muslim women face on a day to day basis.  Great book.  I loved it.

"Doing Harm" by Kelly Parsons

Judge a book by its cover

Plain and simple, but creative enough to catch my eye and the title is intriguing. 

Synopsis

Steve Mitchell is a talented resident surgeon.  As chief resident, he is in charge of making surgical medical students into doctors.  Currently under his wing are Luis, an ex-Marine, and Gigi, the best medical student the University has ever seen.  Steve has a promising future ahead of him at University Hospital, until his overconfidence in the operating room leads to a disastrous mistake.  But it seems one mistake occurs after another and it becomes clear that someone is playing a deadly game that Steve must stop before another patient dies needlessly.  Time is running out, and Steve doesn't find the killer's next victim, it's the end of his career, his marriage, and another patient's life.

Humble Opinion

I don't usually read "adult suspense" books, but I really enjoyed it!  Kelly Parsons is a doctor so when he writes about hospital life in "Doing Harm", you don't have to question the validity of the situations.  It was also helpful that Parsons puts things in layman terms for the reader as well.  There were a few times I felt a little confused about what was going on, but I don't feel like I missed anything important.

 

I found myself not being to decide if I liked Steve Mitchell or not.  Parsons wrote him in such a way that Steve felt like a real person, with flaws and a personality that not everyone would like.  Overall, I wanted Steve to win the game, but as person, I don't think I would have liked Steve if I were to actually meet him.

 

There were so many twists in the book that I didn't see coming!  I really enjoyed not being able to guess the ending!  

Final say

Great read!  Keeps you on the edge of your seat!  This isn't a book I would typically read, but I'm glad I did.  I could see it becoming a made-for-tv movie.

"Endless Knight" by Kresley Cole

I am in love with Kresley Cole! And I am obsessed with the Arcana Chronicles!!

Jack... I can't help it - I am madly in love with that Cajun.  His bad boy demeanor mixed with his vulnerable soft side that sneaks its way out... *melts*

*SPOILER ALERT:  Don't read the Humble Opinion if you don't want me to give away the book for you!*

Judge a book by its cover

The cover could have been covered in dog poop for all I cared!  I just wanted to read the sequel to Poison Princess!!!

Synopsis

It picks up right where Poison Princess ends.  Jack discovers that Evie isn't as innocent and sweet as he original thought, and he has some issues wrapping his head around that fact.

Matt, Finn, Selena, and Evie have decided to ally together (for now) to defeat Death, but other Arcana start making their appearances - Joules - the Tower; Gabriel - the Archangel; Tess - the World; Lark - the Mistress of Fauna; and Guthrie - the Hierophant - causing the ally to really question each other.  Meanwhile, Jack is left trying to figure out his feelings for Evie and if he handle being a part of a non-human group of kids who ultimately want to kill each other.

Jack and Evie finally admit their feelings for each other and just when everything seems to be going great for them - a betrayal causes Death to kidnap Evie.  At first, you hate Death; then you feel pity for him; then you kinda fall for him... In the end, Evie is left with a HUGE decision, one that won't end well for Jack, no matter which option she chooses.

Humble Opinion
I can't say this enough - OH MY GOD I LOVE THIS SERIES!!!  The emotional roller coaster that Cole takes the reader on is a perfect balance between frustration, swooning, and distrust.  I feel in love with Jack all over again in Endless Knight.  After every he sees, which causes his world to be thrown on its side, he still wants to love and protect Evie. 

And oh dear Lord does it get steamy!!  When Jack confronts Evie in the bathtub and they finally admit their feelings for each other and Jack can barely stop himself from pouncing on Evie... *growl*  And then when Evie and Jack FINALLY do it... Thank you Kresley Cole for actually staying with the sex instead of ending the chapter and letting me pretend how good/awkward/hot it was!!!  Cole touched perfectly on how uncomfortable it is for girls to lose their V-cards, but the way Jack handles it... I'm getting warm just thinking about that scene.

Then when Evie is ripped way from Jack, my heart breaks because they were finally happy and you know that Jack is going to go crazy trying to get to Evie.  But... once Evie is with Death, I found myself warming up to Death; especially after you find out about what Matt and Jack did to Evie.  Pretty soon,  I'm liking the idea of Death and Evie because Death isn't really that bad of guy.  But when you find out that the Empress and Death were married, and the Empress betrayed Death the night of their wedding...  you really want Death and Evie to be together!

I was SO TORN by the end of this book!  I love Jack.  I am OBSESSED with Jack.  I want to have Jack's babies.  However... I really began to like Death.  At first I felt sorry for him, but then... he grew on me, the same way he grew on Evie.  And everything seems to be going great for Death and Evie, and then... Jack gets kidnapped by the Lovers and Evie is now torn between sleeping with Death so he will help her save Jack (which is pretty much rape...) or to leave Jack to the Lovers - a fate worse than Death.

I NEED THE THIRD BOOK AND I NEED IT NOW!!

Final say

Endless Knight - I can't find the right adjective to describe how much I loved this book.  There is a lot of action and sexiness and emotional heartbreak.  It keeps you on your toes.  It does slow down, a little too much, when Evie is in Death's castle.  I understand what Cole was trying to show, but after ACTION-ACTION-ACTION-ACTION, you have a slight lull that is a little irritating.  Those few chapters of Evie trying to convince Death that she wasn't the old Empress and was different, felt like they dragged on a little, but I understand that Cole had to convey that Death wouldn't be convinced quickly or easily.  It just felt like the brakes were on, when I wanted the ride to continue at 90 miles an hour.  But Endless Knight finishes strong and makes me impatient for the third installment.  I'm sure I'll end up reading Endless Knight at least two more times before the next one comes out.

"Reached" by Ally Condie

Judge a book by its cover

I read the first two books of the Matched series, I had to read the conclusion.

Synopsis

Cassia finally reached the Rising with Ky, only to be sent back to Central to work for the Rising from the inside.  Meanwhile, Ky has to stay in the Outer Providences to train as a pilot for the Rising with Cassia's new friend, Indie.

Once the Plague breaks out, the Rising begins.  The Pilot makes himself known, and the Rising provides the cure for everyone in the Society.  The transition from Society control to the Rising seems to be going smoothly.  Cassia begins working with the Archivists so she can stay in touch with Ky.  While trading, Cassia discovers that there is a need for people to express themselves through art, poetry, and songs, so she starts the Gallery, where people can gather to show off their creations, something that was never allowed in the Society.

But things can't stay good for long, because the Plague mutates and the cure doesn't work anymore.  More and more people are being still, and without a cure, are beginning to die.  Indie goes "rogue" and picks up Cassia and Xander on her ship and brings them back to Camas where the Pilot and Ky are; however, she did it for the Pilot, not Ky.  

The Pilot takes Xander, Cassia, and Ky to the outer villages to find the cure for the mutation.  Xander because he's a physic and the Pilot believes he can find the cure; Cassia because he thinks she holds the secret to the cure; and Ky because he's the most recent victim on the mutation and they need fresh samples.

Of course, Cassia finds the missing clue that is needed to make the cure so Xander can make it and save Ky, and then the rest of Society.

Humble Opinion

I really enjoyed the first two books, Matched and Crossed, but Reached seemed to go really slow.  I think Crossed was the best because it kept you in suspense and you just wanted Ky and Cassia to get together and finally reach the Rising, but with Reached,  there isn't much that goes on.  There's a Plague, but it's taken care of rather quickly.  Ky wants to steal a ship and get Cassia, but he never does. A mutation happens, but not really exciting happens with it.  Even when Indie picks up Xander and Cassia and she takes them to Ky, it's not very eventful.  It doesn't get eventful until Xander is accused of destroying the cure and killing Oker that things become interesting, but even that doesn't very last long.

Final say

I felt like Reached was a disappointing conclusion to a great series.  The story had to be wrapped up, but it just seemed to drag out.  There is a lot of waiting and internal monologues in Reached, but no real action.  I really liked the series, but the last book was a snoozefest.

Read Matched and Crossed, but then just know that Ky and Cassia end up together, and Xander finds love with a new girl, Lei.  The end.

"Clockwork Princess (The Infernal Devices)" by Cassandra Clare

Judge a book by its cover

My sister and I read the Mortal Instruments series when it first came out, and we LOVED them; so of course we started reading the Infernal Devices series.  Cassandra Clare never disappoints.

Synopsis

There is so much that goes on and I can't possibly touch on everything!

Clockwork Princess picks up right were Clockwork Prince left off.  Tessa Grey is special, and Mortmain wants her as her bride, but the Shadowhunters can't figure out WHY Tessa is so important to Mortmain.  

Jem is engaged to Tessa, and while Tessa loves Jem, she also loves Will.  Will is in love with Tessa but hides his feelings because he doesn't want to hurt his parabatia Jem, because if Jem knew he loved Tessa, Jem would sacrifice his happiness for Will's.  Jem is slowing dying but when Mortmain cuts off the supply of yin fin to manipulate Tessa into giving herself in order to save Jem's life, you see just how complicated the love triangle between Jem-Tessa-Will actually is.

Tessa gets kidnapped during an attack on the Institute and is taken to Mortmain's hiding place in Cadar Idiris, in Wales.  Since Jem has fallen deathly ill during the attack on the Institute, only Will can save Tessa.

There is also a story line involving the Lightwood brothers, Charlotte, and the Consul Wayland.  But let's all admit - Tessa-Jem-Will is the main focus.

Humble Opinion

The best book that Cassandra Clare has written yet!  It's been a while since I've read the Mortal Instruments and the first two books of Infernal Devices, so I could have just forgotten how good the previous books were but... I loved this book.  Even through there were several story lines going on at once, I never got confused or felt like they were just "filling" as you grow to like the Lightwoods, and hate Consul Wayland.  

But the main story, between Jem-Tessa-Will is heartbreaking!!  My sister cried three times.  Maybe I'm not as sensitive as her, because I didn't cry until the end, but my heart did break several times through the book.  I actually said, "Oh my God my heart!!" twice, but it was the final scene/epilogue that brought me to tears.  Damn you Cassandra Clare!

There were a few moments that made me confused because of events that happen in the Mortal Instrument series that pertain to events in Infernal Devices.  My sister cleared them up for me, since she had googled the answered after she read the book, but I'm still left wondering...

Final say

Clockwork Princess is the perfect ending to the Infernal Devices series.  It wraps up everything I wanted wrapped up.  It breaks your heart, keeps you on your toes, then breaks your heart all over again.  If you want a heartbreaking, yet satisfying conclusion to the best love triangle of all time - this is the book for you.  JUST READ THE FIRST TWO INFERNAL DEVICES FIRST!!