Texas Gothic by Rosemary Clement-Moore

Amy Goodnight's family is far from normal. She comes from a line of witches, but tries her best to stay far outside the family business. Her summer gig? Ranch-sitting for her aunt with her wacky but beautiful sister. Only the Goodnight Ranch is even less normal than it normally is. Bodies are being discovered, a ghost is on the prowl, and everywhere she turns, the hot neighbor cowboy is in her face.

Thoughts...

I had a constant thought while reading this book....this sort of, kind of reminds me of Scooby Doo and the Monster in Mexico. lol  That might sound mean, but I say it in the best way.  In Texas Gothic, we are presented with an ecclectic group of people that band to group together to solve the mystery (the teacher even refers to them as the gang at one point, I mean come on!).  Only in Texas Gothic, you get the actual bad guy dressed up in the mask making people think he is a ghost AND you get several actual ghosts.  Overall, this was a good story. I like the characters well enough.  I really liked Amy and her sister Phin.  They come from a STRANGE family, the Goodnights, but turned out well enough.  I did want the relationship with Amy and Ben to develop faster than it did. The physical attraction and sexual tension was dripping off the pages and it didn't seem to get us anywhere for quite a while. Rosemary Clement-Moore wrote a unique Texan mystery novel that will keep you guessing. This is worth a read. 

I would rate this at about 3 1/2 stars probably higher if the story line would have moved just a bit faster...

Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

Good Reads Description:

The new Abby Abernathy is a good girl. She doesn’t drink or swear, and she has the appropriate percentage of cardigans in her wardrobe. Abby believes she has enough distance between her and the darkness of her past, but when she arrives at college with her best friend America, her path to a new beginning is quickly challenged by Eastern University’s Walking One-Night Stand.

Travis Maddox, lean, cut, and covered in tattoos, is exactly what Abby needs—and wants—to avoid. He spends his nights winning money in a floating fight ring, and his days as the charming college co-ed. Intrigued by Abby’s resistance to his charms, Travis tricks her into his daily life with a simple bet. If he loses, he must remain abstinent for a month. If Abby loses, she must live in Travis’ apartment for the same amount of time. Either way, Travis has no idea that he has met his match.

Thoughts...

Wow, I am not sure what to say about this book. The cover and description don't accurately portray what you are getting yourself into.  This book was fantastic!  I spend the first three hours straight smiling like a fool.  Seriously, my cheeks hurt! And when I literally was laughing out loud, I thought my husband was going to think I was a loon.

There are very few times that I can recall that I liked all of the main characters in a story. I really liked Abby's personality. She doesn't put up with anyone's crap.  She is smart, beautiful, and fiesty.  For some reason, lately a lot of books I have read have horrible best friends.  Finally, here is a book with a great supportive true best friend.  America truly has Abby's back at every turn.  Everyone would wish for a friend like America.  Now, Travis, Travis, Travis.  I like the bad boy image. (Hell, I think I even married the bad boy IMAGE.) Please note that Image is the whole point. Travis puts up a front and I guess he is a bad boy in a lot of ways, but not when it comes to "Pidgeon". (The nickname grew on me - but it still is an odd choice.) He might be agressive and wild, but when it comes to Abby, she is his world. They are perfect for each other even if at times, they are indeed a beautiful disaster.

I was surprised by the depth that each character brought to the story, I was expecting a light read with a little bit of drama, but this was so much more. It still was an easy read and I blew through this book in a matter of hours, but it wasn't just a frivalous teen novel.  I want to include that the characters are in college so the book does include sex, vulgar language, and violence. All great to me, but it might not be appropriate for some younger readers.  I came extremely close to rating this with 5 stars, but alas I am giving it 4.5 stars. My only one draw back is that once the "real drama" started to unfod, I felt like it might have lasted a bit too long.  I was ready for Abby and Travis to get there shit together and live happily ever after. I feel bad even for saying that the drama was drawn out too long because even then the book was interesting. I kept waiting to find out what Travis was going to pull next. :)  It is a long book at 454 pages, but I breezed through it wishing for more.

I absolutely adored this book. It was just what I needed to read this weekend. I finished the book 30 minutes ago and I am already nostalgic for the beginning of Abby and Travis' relationship. This really was a great book. I feel like I can never say enough good things about books I love. If I had to compare this book to any others, the first that comes to mind is Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles.  I might say I even enjoyed this one even more! I am torn, but I just might.  Go out and pick this book up now!

Later-

Purpose by Kristie Cook

Thoughts…

I don’t know about anyone else, but the beginning of this book was hard to handle.  I won’t go into detail in case you haven’t read the first book, Promise, in this series, but Alexis is very depressed. The depression is what makes about a large portion at the beginning of the book. The author takes us where Stephenie Meyer did not take us in New Moon. In New Moon, most of the depression is skipped over and shown with simple pages marked with a month.  In Purpose, the author explains the emotions that Alexis is dealing with down to the “alternate” personalities that she has (evil, swirly, foggy, and almost Alexis).  It was tough reading about. While I appreciate the vivid descriptions, I wanted Alexis to get over herself and just do something. Good or bad, just act!

I’m not sure why, but I didn’t love this book as much as the first one.  Maybe it is because I felt like the plot didn’t develop fast enough. I normally never ever say this, but I found a lot of similarities between this book and Twilight.  Seriously, I try to never compare things to Twilight because it is too cliché.  Young adult paranormal books are always going to have similarities to Twilight.  But, this one had A LOT.  I don’t feel like I can go into too much detail without giving away any spoilers.

Here is how I break it down, the first book, Promise, was wonderful. I considered it a must read. Before beginning the next book, Purpose, I felt that it was a must read since you were left with such a cliff hanger from the first book. However, after reading the second book, I am not loving this series as much. The third book in the series comes out next year and I am sure that I will read it just to find out where everything is going with Tristen and Alexis.

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Good Reads Description:

Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris - until she meets Etienne St. Clair: perfect, Parisian (and English and American, which makes for a swoon-worthy accent), and utterly irresistible. The only problem is that he's taken, and Anna might be, too, if anything comes of her almost-relationship back home.

As winter melts into spring, will a year of romantic near - misses end with the French kiss Anna - and readers - have long awaited?

Thoughts...

Awww! I loved this book. Do you ever feel like you just need to read something light and easy? I do. And this would be one of those books.  It was so cute and so sweet. I literally laughed out loud during some parts of the book.  There are a great set of characters in Anna and the French Kiss. Anna seems like a cool chick. She doesn't care too much what other kids think (for the most part). She is film junkie, aspring to me a film critic that wears a bleached stripe in her otherwise dark brown hair. Her father forces her to boarding school in France as it is the new cultural experience for children. Anna goes kicking and screaming the whole way. She doesn't want to leave her best friends in Atlanta behind. And she leaves just when things are getting good between her and her co-worker, Toph. On her first day, Anna meets her new neighbor, Meridith.  Life is lookin up for Anna after Meridith takers her under her wing and introduces her to her friends. Anna's new click. Life gets interesting when Anna literally runs into Etienne St. Clair.

I might have a little teen girl crush on St. Clair.  I love me an accent especialy an English accent.  St. Clair is from England, fluent in French as he spends much time in Franch due to it being his fathers home, and lives in the United States. Anna says it best when she calls him a mutt. That he is, but an oh, so sweet one.  Anna and St. Clair have wonderful chemistry.  They are honestly great friends. He is wonderful to her. I'm not sure what girl wouldn't want a St. Clair in her life.  As all guys in novels are never perfect, St. Clair's downfall (to me) was his weakness.  If you have already read the book, please don't think I am referring to his mother, father, or any other thing that happens to him. Those are justifiable reasons for holing yourself up in your room. No, St. Clair was weak and just plain stupid when it came to Ellie.  That bothered me several times throughout the book. 

Paris sounds so romantic and wonderful. After reading this, I want to go there immediately. (Hah, maybe in my dreams...) I loved every page of this book. It is a sweet and wonderful coming of age story.  Like I said, this a light and easy read, but I still couldn't put the book down. My cheeks actually hurt when I finished this book at 1:00 am this morning.

Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini

Good Reads Description:

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How do you defy destiny?
Helen Hamilton has spent her entire sixteen years trying to hide how different she is—no easy task on an island as small and sheltered as Nantucket. And it's getting harder. Nightmares of a desperate desert journey have Helen waking parched, only to find her sheets damaged by dirt and dust. At school she's haunted by hallucinations of three women w

...moreHow do you defy destiny?
Helen Hamilton has spent her entire sixteen years trying to hide how different she is—no easy task on an island as small and sheltered as Nantucket. And it's getting harder. Nightmares of a desperate desert journey have Helen waking parched, only to find her sheets damaged by dirt and dust. At school she's haunted by hallucinations of three women weeping tears of blood . . . and when Helen first crosses paths with Lucas Delos, she has no way of knowing they're destined to play the leading roles in a tragedy the Fates insist on repeating throughout history.
As Helen unlocks the secrets of her ancestry, she realizes that some myths are more than just legend. But even demigod powers might not be enough to defy the forces that are both drawing her and Lucas together—and trying to tear them apart.

Thoughts...

Once and while, you stumble upon a great book that sticks with you even after you turned the last page. Starcrossed is one of those books. I sat for while after finishing and just pondered some of the characters motives and wondered what would happen next in the sequel. This is definitely a must read.  Starcrossed was incredible!  This part of the review will be short and sweet, but beware below, there will be spoilers because I need to vent!  I always loved mythology in high school and this book makes me wish that I had paid more attention.  The book is full of mythology lessons that are very interesting as they become intertwined into every day life.  There are so many twists, turns, and gasps in this book that some parts just left me reeling.  Nothing turned out as I expected...NOTHING.  It was so so good!

SPOILERS BELOW.....



OK, So I hope you have read this if you are reading here...one more chance to scroll back up because I DO NOT want to spoil any gasp worthy moments!


So, I am not going in order to here, but just what comes to mind.  The thing that I can't get over right now is the whole "Hi Lucas, by the way Lucas, were first cousins and now I need to throw up." Um what? I never saw that shit coming.  NEVER, I say. How many times did they mention that Ajax was killed 19 (yes, 19) years ago?  More than a few if I remembered it as soon as I read the bit about being cousins.  Now, people, mere mortals as ourselves can do the math to figure this one out, so surely Demigods wouldn't have to much trouble thinking about the fact that it just don't add up!  Again, Ajax died 19 years ago, Helen had literally just turned 17 days before the news broke out, and finally her mother would have only been pregnant for 9 months.  Hmmmm.....We have a little over a year gap here people! Why would no one have thought this through?!

Which leads me to my next though, I DO NOT trust Helen's mother. She is definitely up to something. She definitely has alterior motives when it comes to the Delos family and her own daughter.  She has plans for her daughter Helen that do not include Lucas. I haven't figured out why yet. I do think that she wanted Pandora to be killed for at least two reasons, she would reveal her secret that Helen and Lucas were not actually cousins and also to create chaos in the Delos home.  It wasn't just about stalling for time. With everyone mourning the death of Pandora and the fact that Hector was deemed an outcast, she will be able to get away with much much more than she would have. The spot light is lifted from her. I feel like she might also try to manipulate Hector into doing her bidding since she has befriended him at such a low time in his life.

I need these answers. I need the next book. PLEASE!!!!

Nevermore by Kelly Creagh

Good Reads Description

Cheerleader Isobel Lanley is horrified when she is paired with Varen Nethers for an English project, which is due—so unfair—on the day of the rival game. Cold and aloof, sardonic and sharp-tongued, Varen makes it clear he’d rather not have anything to do with her either. But when Isobel discovers strange writing in his journal, she can’t help but give this enigmatic boy with the piercing eyes another look.

Soon, Isobel finds herself making excuses to be with Varen. Steadily pulled away from her friends and her possessive boyfriend, Isobel ventures deeper and deeper into the dream world Varen has created through the pages of his notebook, a realm where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life.

As her world begins to unravel around her, Isobel discovers that dreams, like words, hold more power than she ever imagined, and that the most frightening realities are those of the mind. Now she must find a way to reach Varen before he is consumed by the shadows of his own nightmares.

His life depends on it.

Thoughts..

Before I say anything negative about this book, I just don't think it was my cup of tea.  I love supernatural and paranormal stories, but this was something different altogether. It held paranormal characteristics, but was overly dark and angsty. So others may love this book while it just wasn't mean't for me. I would rate this at 2.5 stars. Suprisingly, this book did not leave me with too many thoughts to discuss. I am kind of indifferent to it.  It wasn't a horrible book, but it isn't on my "to be recommended" list.

I felt like I never fully "got" what was even happening throughout the book. I was constantly confused, just waiting for an epiphany so everything would click.  It never clicked. I didn't feel like the love story was ever developed.  It was constantly switching from cold to luke warm. It never got to "hot".  Just out of the blue for no apparent reason, Isobel decides she loves Varen more than life itself and will sacrifice everything for him. I just didn't feel it was justified. Isobel might have been in denial about the depth of the attraction to Varen, but love? Maybe. Maybe not.  And Varen never really did anything to make me fall head over heels for him. I definitely did not have a literary crush on him.  He was just constantly cold to her.

The book was just too full of questions that were never answered. Like I said, this book might be more aimed at someone who enjoys angst, dark themes, and mystery.  End of rant.... :o)

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Good Reads Description:

Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn’t understand that once love -- the deliria -- blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the governments demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holoway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy.
But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love.

Thoughts...

This book was brilliant. I have caught onto the hype that is the dystopian novel. I have read two wonderful dystopian series to date (Hunger Games and Divergent). That caused me to be a bit skeptical about this book. When you have read what you thought is the best out there, how is something else even going to compare? While this wasn’t as good as Hunger Games or Divergent, this book was still great. I would rate it at 4 stars which I am stingy with my stars (lol).

Seriously, the whole idea of this book is mind blowing. First off, I think this book appeals to a reader who enjoys analyzing things. The idea that a government would “cure” love is blasphemous. But yet, if you really think about it, it would solve so much. Love and Hate are two sides of the same coin. As much as they are two radical extremes, they are also only a shred of difference between the two. You have to love something so much to end up hating anything else in return. Without love (and in return hate), there would be no violence because you can’t contain the emotion to care enough about anything to act out. You would constantly have a feeling of contentment because there is no other way. Now, do not think I am in any way in favor of eradicating the disease that is love (even if it were possible). I am just saying that I can see the reasoning behind a government wanting to eradicate the emotion.

I often put the book down to just sit and think about what I actually just read. The government gave many reasons as to why love was a horrible disease, but yet you can figure out the meaning behind it. Once you have the procedure and are cured, you are a drone. You are just a robot that follows the governments plan for you. They tell you who to marry, what job you will have, and even how many children you must have. You are always just content. Content is good, but imagine never experiencing any heightened emotion; Never being euphoric with excitement or depressed with grieving. Nothing.

I could go on and on about the meaning behind this book, but I will stop here. I found this plot original in the sense that I have never heard of a dystopian novel controlling emotions to get the result that they want. I have heard of many ways to control the population, but this was new to me. It contains great characters that are easy to like. The love story is sweet and almost sappy at times. You are fighting right along with Lena and Alex, just hoping that there is a way for them to be together. But, let me just say, the ENDING. OMG. I NEED THE NEXT BOOK LIKE RIGHT AWAY. I can’t believe that Lauren Oliver would do this to us. I will admit to shedding a few tears and having chills at the end.

"I run for I don't know how long. Hours, maybe, or days. Alex told me to run. So I run. You have to understand. I am no one special. I am just a single girl. I am five feet two inches tall and I am in-between in every way. But I have a secret. You can build walls all the way to the sky and I will find a way to fly above them. You can try to pin me down with a hundred thousand arms, but I will find a way to resist. And there are many of us out there, more than you think. People who refuse to stop believing. People who refuse to come to earth. People who love in a world without walls, people who love into hate, into refusal, against hope,and without fear. I love you. Remember. They cannot take it."

Blue Blood Series by Melissa De La Cruz

Good Reads Description:

When the Mayflower set sail in 1620, it carried on board the men and women who would shape America: Miles Standish; John Alden; Constance Hopkins. But some among the Pilgrims were not pure of heart; they were not escaping religious persecution. Indeed, they were not even human. They were vampires.The vampires assimilated quickly into the New World. Rising to levels of enormous power, wealth, and influence, they were the celebrated blue bloods of American society.

The Blue Bloods vowed that their immortal status would remain a closely guarded secret. And they kept that secret for centuries. But now, in New York City, the secret is seeping out. Schuyler Van Alen is a sophomore at a prestigious private school. She prefers baggy, vintage clothes instead of the Prada and pearls worn by her classmates, and she lives with her reclusive grandmother in a dilapated mansion. Schuyler is a loner...and happy that way. Suddenly, when she turns fifteen, there is a visible mosaic of blue veins on her arm. She starts to crave raw food and she is having flashbacks to ancient times. Then a popular girl from her school is found dead... drained of all her blood. Schuyler doesn't know what to think, but she wants to find out the secrets the Blue Bloods are keeping. But is she herself in danger?

Could those vampire legends really be true? Steeped in vampire lore and set against the glittery backdrop of New York City, Blue Bloods will be devoured by Melissa de la Cruz's legion fans.

Thoughts...

These books are quick, easy, and entertaining reads.  They are definitely not your run of the mill, oridinary vampire novels.  There are a few new vampire ideas introduced throughout this series which was refreshing. The best way I can describe this series would be vampires meet Gossip Girl.  The novels surrounds a coven of vampires living in the upper east side (hence the Gossip Girl reference). Just for fun, please see my Gossip Girl character cross reference below...

Schuyler - Jenny  (Different fasion sense, unique)
Oliver - Dan    (Loyal, Oh so Loyal...just forget the fact that Jenny and Dan are brother and sister in Gossip Girl)
Jack - Nate   (Handsome, sometimes mysterious, every girls crush)
Mimi - Blair (Bitch, Queen Bee)
Bliss - Serena (Beautiful, Somtimes follows the in crowd, sometimes can lead her own way)
Kingsley - Chuck  (ARROGANT)

Now of course, each cross reference doesn't match up to the Gossip Girls characters perfectly, but surprising I found quite a few similarities to the characters in the Blue Blood novels and the Gossip Girl characters.

As I said, these books were entertaining and easy reads. I think I read like one book a day. There is a great cast of characters, entertaining dialogue, and a intriguing plot. That being said, I do wish that the plot developed a little quicker throughout the series.  Each book in the series is more like an installment that a stand alone book. Just because you are  getting to the end of the books does NOT mean that you will get any form of closure.  There are at least three minor stories going on throughout each book so the book flips points of view frequently which can be a cause of frustration.  Sometimes I though to myself, No, No, just get on with this.  That being said, it does keep you on your toes and you do get tired of any story line too quickly.

Overall, I recommend these books to anyone who enjoys young adult paranormal romance.  You get a little bit of everything rolled up together with this series...

Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

Good Reads Description:

When Brittany Ellis walks into chemistry class on the first day of senior year, she has no clue that her carefully created “perfect” life is about to unravel before her eyes. She’s forced to be lab partners with Alex Fuentes, a gang member from the other side of town, and he is about to threaten everything she's worked so hard for—her flawless reputation, her relationship with her boyfriend, and the secret that her home life is anything but perfect. Alex is a bad boy and he knows it. So when he makes a bet with his friends to lure Brittany into his life, he thinks nothing of it. But soon Alex realizes Brittany is a real person with real problems, and suddenly the bet he made in arrogance turns into something much more. In a passionate story about looking beneath the surface, Simone Elkeles breaks through the stereotypes and barriers that threaten to keep Brittany and Alex apart.

A Favorite Quote (Of Many):
"You are the one girl that made me risk everything for a future worth having."

Thoughts...

Wow, just wow! I absolutely love it when I am surprised by how good a book actually is.  It really makes my day.  I didn't have super high expectations for this book even though I read a lot of reviews that said it was wonderful.  I figured that it would be a good, but ordinary teen romance novel. If you have read any of my previous reviews then you know that I tend to stick toward the supernatural side of things so this was stretching for me. Hah. I was totally immersed in this book. Sure, on the outside it might seem like any other teen book but it is so MUCH more. That leads to my next topic...

My absolute favorite thing about this book is the fact that the author does not shy away from sensitive subjects. She plows straight through the good, bad, and ugly. I do not claim to have any knowledge of gang life, cerebral palsy, or many of the topics that are discussed in this book, but I can appreciate that the author seems to provide a very realistic experience throughout the book and at times that can be disturbing.  Gang life in general seems pretty hard core and dangerous. We get to experience that first hand from Alex's point of view. And you get a first hand lesson that everything is not always as it appears. Especially for Brittany...her mother is the picture perfect mother to the outside. But within their four walls, she is a mess. Brittany tries to put on the front that she a perfect princess to hide the fact that her life is unraveling at home.

Ekleles didn't give the characters, Alex and Brittany, the easy way out either. They are faced with so many difficulties throughout the series and they have to work for their relationship. I like that in a book. Everyone loves a happily ever after, but I like mine realistic.  I don't want it to just magically fall into place because life isn't normally like that.

So....go and buy this book. It is a great story.  Definitely worth the time and money!!!

**While this is a teen book, I do want to point out that this is for a more mature teen (and of course older since I am 20 something). I don't want to pin point an age, but it does discuss mature things such as sex and violence; also includes foul language.  I don't want anyone to think this takes away from the book because it is all absolutely necessary to provide a realistic story line.

Legacy by Cayla Kluver

Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publish Date: June 21st, 2011

Favorite Quote:
"An I can no more stop worrying about you than I can stop myself from breathing."
-Cayla Kluver (Legacy)

Good Reads Description:

I noticed his eyes. They were blue, sharp and intense. Despite the youthful glows of his suntanned face, his eyes were cold and unfriendly, suggesting he had great experience in the world and was now expecting the worst.

In her seventeenth year, Princess Alera of Hytanica faces one duty: to marry the man who will be king. But her father's choice of suitor fills her with despair.

When the palace guard captures and intruder—a boy her age with steel-blue eyes, hailing from her kingdom's greatest enemy—Alera is alarmed…and intrigued. But she could not have guessed that their clandestine meetings would unveil the dark legacy shadowing both their lands.

In this mystical world of court conspiracies and blood magic, loyalties will be tested. Courage won't be enough. And as the battle begins for everything Alera holds dear, love may be the downfall of a kingdom.

Thoughts:

I received this book through Net Galley via Harlequin Teen. I had no prior knowledge of the author or the story so I was definitely suprised...

I feel like no matter what, a book should be reviewed based on its content. Did you enjoy the author’s writing style? Did the plot keep you guessing? Did you connect with the characters? Those are the questions that most people consider when writing a review on a book. However, I feel like this must be said.  The author was only 14 years old when she wrote this book! Yes, you read that right me.  I still think that a book must stand on its own without the knowledge that the author was a very young adult. But, gosh, 14? That’s nuts. I kept thinking to myself the entire time reading that it amazes me that someone so young could write such a great story.

Legacy is for anyone how enjoys young adult historical fiction. The story includes very descriptive details. Kluver creates a brand new world with Hytanica. She describes the scenery in lush detail. The author’s aim is young adult so there is a longer than necessary (to me) focus on clothing and hair styles. Alera’s thoughts get caught up in other’s beautiful dresses and fancy up-dos just as many 17 year olds would. Kluver creates a story full of love, politics, and war all in the fictional kingdom of Hytanica.  If you are a fan of young adult books, princesses, and historical fiction, this might be the book for you.  This book is no small feat at 496 pages.  :o)

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Good Reads Description:
For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her...until Patch comes along.
With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment, but after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure whom to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is far more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.
For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life.

**I feel like I should include a disclaimer for this post...just had my wisdom teeth out when writing this review...so this review has been written under the use of the lovely percocet and the just tad bit of pain. lol **
Thoughts...

Normally, I try to exclude any kind of spoilers in my reviews. However, that will NOT be the case with this review.  There are too many thoughts swimming around in my head and none of them will make sense if I do not delve into this twisted plot.

So before I spoil away, the bottom line is...this is a mediocre read.  It is not a must read, but the story line was intriguing enough to keep me reading.  If you reseach other ratings of this book, you will find that either people LOVE it or HATE it. However, I am kind of in the middle (which will be explained below). Beware though, this book caused me to ramble and shout! lol

**Spoilers**

Where to start?  There were so many things wrong with this book!  First of all, the thing that sticks out the most after reading this book, Vee is a HORRIBLE, TERRIBLE best friend. I could not stand her.  She never had Nora's best interest at heart and only thought about herself. The first time I thought Vee was a horrible friend was when she wouldn't drive Nora home because it was too foggy.  What? That's just dumb! Now I get it that Nora wouldn't have had that first strange experience if Vee had been with her, but how can you expect me to like this chick when she acts this way. She constantly teases Nora about her lack of experience and how she dresses.  Then Nora plainly states that she doesn't trust Elliot and does not want to go camping with him and Jules and Vee doesn't care. She tries to persuade her into going anyway. She always thinks about what she wants...no one else.

So we have covered Nora's shitty best friend, now lets discuss Patch.  Sometimes I think that his character was just unredeemable.  I knew all along that he was going to be the one that Nora falls for, but his character was made out to be so horrible in so many ways that I don't know that you can get past it.  He stalks her (Strike One). He is rude to her and then in a flip of a switch tries to kiss her, in other words bi-polar (Stike 2). He admits that he wants to kill her (Definitely Stike 3). Then he admits that he just needs to sacrifice her so he can be a human instead of a fallen agen (Stike 4). The list could go on.  I really wanted to like Patch, but I never felt like anything happened to redeem his character. I sure as hell wouldn't trust him.  Oh and lets not forget that he puts ideas in Nora's head to sometimes scare her. For example, he makes her think she is falling to her death while on a roller coaster ride. That is just unacceptable and crossing a line.  He decides he will just scare her instead of kill her? Hmm...

Then we have all the times that stuff just wouldn't go down that way in real life...like the biology class.  No way, would a biology class / sex-ed class happen like that.  Nora is pretty much harrassed in class by Patch and the teacher does nothing about it. He pretty much encourages the behavior. And the way Vee speaks so candidly during class about sex, just wouldn't happen either. And then, Vee calls in the fake bomb threat from a pay phone so Nora can look in the student records. First off, calling in a bomb threat would be a much bigger deal and the cops wouldn't just let someone get away with it like that. Second, the room to the students records would not just be open and the drawer to the actual filing cabinets would definitely not be unlocked. I could go on with this topic, but then my review would be ten thousand words long!

The last topic I will bring up...Nora just all of a sudden decided that she loved Patch.  It was a flip of a switch. She is constantly hot and cold throughout the book. Hating him one minute and getting into a compromising postion with him the next. But, all of a sudden she decides that she is in love with him...before he did anything to justify all of the horrible behavior throughout the book. I just didn't get it.

Patch did however, redeem himself in the very end by not accepting Nora's sacrifice.  So, everything worked out TOO perfectly by Nora getting to live even though she sacrificed herself by jumping from a very high ladder and Patch is no longer a fallen angel because he choose to save Nora's life rather than choose to be a human. Even better, Patch gets assigned to be Nora's guardian angel...I guess this is the set up to book two now...Confused? Yeah, me too.

Overall, there was something intriguing about this book that did make me finish it.  I think I just assumed that something major would happen that would redeem the characters so I kept plowing through.  After my rambling, I would probably rate this with 2 1/2 or 3 stars.  I did get sucked into the story as it was unique and suspenseful, but in the end I was left unsatisfied and confused...

City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

Good Reads Description:

City of Fallen Angels takes place two months after the events of City of Glass. In it, a mysterious someone’s killing the Shadowhunters who used to be in Valentine’s Circle and displaying their bodies around New York City in a manner designed to provoke hostility between Downworlders and Shadowhunters, leaving tensions running high in the city and disrupting Clary’s plan to lead as normal a life as she can — training to be a Shadowhunter, and pursuing her relationship with Jace. As Jace and Clary delve into the issue of the murdered Shadowhunters, they discover a mystery that has deeply personal consequences for them — consequences that may strengthen their relationship, or rip it apart forever.

Meanwhile, internecine warfare among vampires is tearing the Downworld community apart, and only Simon — the Daylighter who everyone wants on their side — can decide the outcome; too bad he wants nothing to do with Downworld politics. Love, blood, betrayal and revenge: the stakes are higher than ever in City of Fallen Angels.

Thoughts...

OMG. I just finished City of Fallen Angels about 35 seconds ago.  It was fantastic! I mentioned in my review of the last book in the series, City of Glass, that I was a bit skeptical about continuing the series after the first trilogy.  My worries were NOT warranted.  Wonderful!

At first, I wasn't too sure if I was going to enjoy this book. Simon has a much bigger role in the book than in the previous three. And I like Simon and all, but I didn't have a huge attachment to him and wasn't interested...AT FIRST.  After probably the first chapter, I was hooked again. Oh Simon, the trouble that you find.... I couldn't have expected any of it. Very entertaining.  Come on, Maia and Isabelle? Lillith and Camille? The list goes on....

This book did take a different turn that was expected though. I think I was naive enough to think it would hearts and roses for Clary and Jace. Hah, WRONG!  Easy must be boring...and this book is NEVER boring.  Their drama kept me on the edge of my seat.  I wanted to SLAP Jace several times.  Has he never heard of the word communication? Some things would be resolved so much easier if he would just talk to Clary and let her in on what he is dealing with. And then when it finally does come, ah, sweet relief...except NO...chaos ensues.

Oh, the ending, WTF! I didn't see that coming (this is becoming a trend in these books!). "We are one now." ????  Please tell me that it isn't true. PLEASE! This could be bad or this could be horrible! I need to know which like now, but I have to wait until we are gifted with the fifth book to the series, City of Lost Souls. Which by the way, has a somewhat foreboding title considering the ending of this book. Oh No, I can't wait until May 2012!

So, what do you think? Have you read it yet? If not, definitely add this to you to-read shelf over at Good Reads.

City of Glass by Cassandra Clare

Good Reads Description:

To save her mother's life, Clary must travel to the City of Glass, the ancestral home of the Shadowhunters -- never mind that entering the city without permission is against the Law, and breaking the Law could mean death. To make things worse, she learns that Jace does not want her there, and Simon has been thrown in prison by the Shadowhunters, who are deeply suspicious of a vampire who can withstand sunlight.

As Clary uncovers more about her family's past, she finds an ally in mysterious Shadow-hunter Sebastian. With Valentine mustering the full force of his power to destroy all Shadow-hunters forever, their only chance to defeat him is to fight alongside their eternal enemies. But can Downworlders and Shadowhunters put aside their hatred to work together? While Jace realizes exactly how much he's willing to risk for Clary, can she harness her new found powers to help save the Glass City -- whatever the cost?

Love is a mortal sin and the secrets of the past prove deadly as Clary and Jace face down Valentine in the final installment of the New York Times bestselling trilogy The Mortal Instruments

Thoughts...

So, I just finished City of Glass…this one only took me a little longer than the others because of real life. I do have a normal full time job (booo). However, this one was just as good as the first two books were.  LOVE IT. 

All of the loose ends were tied up and I feel like we got our happily ever after in this book. This book kept me on my toes!  I had an idea of what would happen, but I had NO idea on how it was going to happen. There were some great plot twists (Sebastian!!!). I found myself crying, laughing, and gasping in several parts of the books. It honestly made me laugh at myself when I realized I had a huge tear running down my check.  I was totally immersed in this book.  I can’t say enough wonderful things about it.  Just go out and pick up this series, it is definitely worth it!

Now, I am a little bit concerned with the fact that there is a fourth book (and soon to be fifth and sixth). Don’t get me wrong, I am starting the fourth book, City of Fallen Angels, this afternoon. But, the ending to this trilogy was perfect. Just perfect! I can’t think of anything that I would have liked to happen any differently. So now we are continuing the story and I just don’t want to ruin a good thing.  But, I must have faith in the author, Cassandra Clare. She wrote a wonderful series so far so I will keep on going. Can’t wait to read the next one….

City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare

Good Reads Description

As readers of series starter City of Bones already know, teenager Clary Fray is a Shadowhunter, a demon slayer who has the gift (?) of spotting Downworlder werewolves, vampires, and faeries. She is also an adolescent in an abnormally dysfunctional family: Her mom is in a magically induced coma and her father is probably insane and undoubtedly evil. All of which places Clary in situations that would challenge even the most talented average American girl.

Thoughts...

Well. I am writing this review less than 12 hours after I finished the first book in the series. SO...that should tell you something. No headaches after this one. For some reason, this one was easier for me to follow. I didn't feel like there was just too much being thrown at me as much; maybe I am just used to the writing style now. Whatever the case, I loved this book as well. 

As with the last, this book is packed with suspense. I never knew what was going to happen next. Many times, I was gasping because I never imagined that what happened, actually happened!  Another thing that adds to the suspense is the points of view. You are constantly bounced around. It actually pissed me off several times (lol). We get to an angsty part with Clary and dot dot dot. We are now following Jace and then dot dot dot. You get the picture.. We were left hanging constantly.

This is so hard for me to review without giving any spoilers because the second book is just building off of the first. There is still a love story present even if it isn't the love story that you wish it could be.  There is tons of action and suspense. I definitely recommend this book as well. I do dare say that I liked this one better than the first. Like I said, it seemed SO much EASIER for me to get into this one because the foundation was already provided.  I am definitley hooked...I can't write any more now. I am starting the 3rd book NOW! :o)

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Good Reads Description:

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.

Thoughts?

OK, I have not planned this review out or even really had time to let everything sink in as I have literally finished this book 4 minutes ago. I just felt that I needed to review this book RIGHT NOW because I have so many things swirling around in my head.

This book honestly gave me a headache! No kidding, as I sit hear typing I have a massive headache! I really did like this book though. It felt like it took a bit for me to really get it to it, but once I did, I didn't put it down. The beginning was a bit slow for me and at times, I thought "this it it, this is where it is going to get good", but then the plot would slow down again. It definitely kept me guessing, but it did finally pick up, hence the headache.

So much happens that when I look back on the book it seems like ages ago that the beginning events even occurred to Clary. Sometimes, things felt a little too rushed. We were introduced to SO many creatures that I still can't wrap my head around it.  This book is filled with angst.  Towards the end of the book, I couldn't put the book down and could NOT believe what I was reading. I won't go into detail on that because it is a major spoiler, but I still don't want to believe it.  I am hoping that it will be proven otherwise in the next book because it is just plain wrong! (If you have read this book, you know exactly what I am referring to right now. And if that is the case, let's talk because I have all sorts of feelings on this subject! It's just wrong, I say!)

All in all, I recommend this book. It has a fresh plot, great characters, and an interesting love story (?). Put it this way, I just finished it and I already have the 2nd book in the series loading onto my reader!

Enjoy!

**To those who have read, seriously, what did you think about the CRAZY plot twist she through in at the end?**