Coraline

Coraline by Neil Gaiman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Mr. Gaiman himself says it's the strangest thing he's ever written, and I have to agree. Perfect for Halloween.

Unspoken

Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I was entertained, but not enough to keep going with the series.

The Girl With All the Gifts

The Girl with All the Gifts by M.R. Carey
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Very different from what I normally read, but pretty good, especially for this time of year. Parts of it really reminded me of Plants vs. Zombies.

Split Second

Split Second by Kasie West
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.5 stars. I thought the first 1/2 was slow, but the second 1/2 made it worth the read.

Shatter Me

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

I really like the premise and the characters, but there's a lot of filler here. I'm on the fence about whether or not to carry on with this series.

Daughter of Smoke & Bone

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

I've read a few books like this lately, but the intensity of this one made it worthy of the 5th star. Loved it.

The Girl of Fire and Thorns

The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I liked the protagonist, but I thought the plot was really uneven. Everyone says the second one is better, so I will give it a try.

Pivot Point

Pivot Point by Kasie West
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The structure of this was similar to the movie Sliding Doors, which I really liked. I also liked that although this is a series (and I plan to read more), I was happy enough with the ending that it could stand alone.

A Discovery of Witches

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

On the library stacks: Adult Fiction
AR Reading Level: 5.7
Series: Book 1 of 3 (All Souls Trilogy)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Diana Bishop is a modern-day witch, doing work in the Bodleian Library at Oxford. She usually tries to suppress her powers because she doesn't want them to influence her work as a historian of science. But one day she uses a little magic to reach a book and a vampire spots her.

Matthew Clairmont is a 1,500 year old vampire who thinks Diana may hold the key to a secret all witches, daemons, and vampires are trying to discover. Together they try to figure it all out while trying to stay safe from dark forces that wish them harm. And, of course, they fall in love along the way.

This book is a mix of Harry Potter and Twilight for grownups. It's a large book, but a quick read. I thought Diana was a pretty bland character and I didn't really like Matthew much better. But I really loved all the sides characters--the family and friends of the duo. While I really did enjoy my time reading, it was pretty easy for me to pick apart the book when I finished it, and my book club felt the same. As such, I won't be finishing the series.

Also reviewed by: Peeking Between the Pages ~ Axe for the frozen sea ~ Book Addiction ~ Beth Fish Reads ~ Book Nut ~ Booking Mama ~ Bermudaonion's Weblog ~ Linus's Blanket ~ Capricious Reader
Source: Library

Hallowed

Hallowed by Cynthia Hand

On the library stacks: YA Fiction
AR Reading Level: 4.1
Series: Unearthly #2 of 3
Recommended for: Age 13+

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I picked up this second book in the Unearthly series as soon as I could. Without giving too much away, I will say that this book does shed more light on Clara's angel world and how things work. There is more character development in this book and it is quite emotionally charged.

The love triangle between Clara, Christian and Tucker is alive and well in this book. But the main issue at hand is that Clara sees in a vision that someone close to her is going to die. She struggles as she tries figuring out who it is and, once she does know, realizing that there is nothing she can do to make things any different.

I am really enjoying how this trilogy is developing. It's actually kind of a sad book, but I think I might have even enjoyed it more than the first book. I am anxiously awaiting the conclusion in January!

Also reviewed by: Book Lover Stop ~ The Eclectic Reader ~ Emily's Reading Room ~ Your link here?
Source: Library

Unearthly

Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

On the library stacks: YA Fiction
AR Reading Level: 4.2
Series: Unearthly #1 of 3
Recommended for: Ages 12+

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Clara Gardner has recently learned she is part-angel. Her mother has explained that all angels are given a purpose which they catch glimpses of in visions. Clara's visions of a boy standing in trees needing to be rescued from a fire has brought her family to Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Now not only is Clara the new kid at a new high school, she's also trying to figure out what her vision means. She realizes that the stunning boy in her vision is a popular kid named Christian. But a cute cowboy named Tucker has her struggling to choose where to focus her attention.

This was my book club read for August. We all decided the summer is a great time to read something a little more frivolous, and most of us are pretty new to the angel scene. It turns out it was a great read. More people actually read the book this month than usual, and quite a few of us (including me!) had to check out the second book in the series right away.

Also reviewed by: The Book Nest ~ Ticket to Anywhere ~ I Am A Reader, Not A Writer ~ The Eclectic Reader ~ Emily's Reading Room ~ Book Lover Stop ~ Book Journal ~ Tales of Whimsy ~ Your link here?
Source: Kindle Purchase

Paranormalcy

Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

On the library stacks: YA Fiction
AR Reading Level: 4.1
Series: Book 1 of 3
Recommended for: Grades 7+

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Evie is a teenager who works for the International Paranormal Containment Agency. Using her special ability to see through glamours, her job is to make sure that all paranormals are registered, accounted for, and are behaving themselves. But things get a little weird when Evie meets a watery shape-shifter (also hot, of course) and the two of them realize there is an evil plot to destroy paranormals.

This book is cute, and it's a little cheesy too. It kind of bugged me that there were references to so many types of paranormals in this book. I guess the scope was a little much for me while also trying to create a sweet "normal" teenage romance. But it's a quick, clean, entertaining read that younger teens would probably enjoy. However, I doubt I'll continue reading more in the series.

Also reviewed by: The Bluestocking Society ~ It's All About Books ~ I Am A Reader, Not A Writer ~ Bloggin' 'bout Books ~ Tales of Whimsy ~ Book Lover Stop ~ Your link here?
Source: Purchased

City of Fallen Angels

City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

AR Reading Level: 5.2
On the library stacks: YA Fiction
Series: Mortal Instruments #4
Recommended for: Grades 9+

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Now that I have finally finished this book, I am caught up in this series! It has been difficult listening to others chat and avoid spoilers, but now I am also in the know. ;) I will try not to include any major spoilers in this review, however.

This book opens up about six weeks after City of Glass ended. Everyone is back in New York, settling into a routine. Jace seems more distant than he usually is, and everyone is worried about Simon as a fledgling vampire. There was an unresolved issue from the last book that ultimately rears its (very) ugly head, resulting in a major climax and cliffhanger at the end of this book.

I liked this book fine, but I think I'm just a little burned out on this series right now. Although the world creation is really incredible, the plot points seemed a little recycled. There were some new twists in here that I did appreciate, but I think I'm done with warlocks, faeries, vampires, werewolves, demons and Shadowhunters for a little while.

Also reviewed by: Book Thoughts ~ Fuzzy Cricket ~ Becky's Book Reviews ~ Your link here?

Source: Borrowed

City of Glass

City of Glass by Cassandra Clare

AR Reading Level: 5.3
On the library stacks: YA Fiction
Series: Mortal Instruments #3
Recommended for: Grades 9+

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This third book (of six) in the Mortal Instruments series picks up right where City of Ashes left off. Clary knows who she needs to find and where she needs to go in order to wake her mother up. She ultimately gets herself to Idris, the ancestral home of the Shadowhunters, where the bulk of this book takes place.

Jace doesn't want Clary in Idris at all. Simon is thrown in jail as an intended scapegoat by the Inquisitor. Sebastian, the dark prince of Clary's childhood drawings, expresses an interest in Clary that rankles Jace. And Aline makes a play for Jace that rankles Clary. Luke, as a werewolf, is in town illegally, but he holds the keys to uniting the Shadowhunters and Downworlders together in order to defeat Valentine.

I thought this book was written more fluidly than the first two, and the stylistic elements that bothered me earlier did not seem to surface here. However, this book was much more predictable than I would have liked, but I still enjoyed watching the story unfold. I think this page-turning series is a lot of fun and I'm looking forward to reading what else Cassandra Clare has in store.

Also reviewed by: eclectic/eccentric ~ Books & other thoughts ~ Becky's Book Reviews ~ Bloggin' 'bout Books ~ My Own Little Corner of the World ~ Capricious Reader ~ Your link here?

Source: Borrowed

Hereafter

Hereafter by Tara Hudson

Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication Date: June 7, 2011
Hardcover: 416 pages
Price: $17.99
Series: Hereafter #1
On the library stacks: YA Fiction 

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Amelia always has the same nightmare: She's drowning in the river and trying to fight her way out. But instead of waking up and realizing it was all just a dream, she regains consciousness in a sunny graveyard in Oklahoma where no one can see her and no one can hear her. Amelia died in that river years before and now she is a ghost, roaming alone and wondering what comes next in the Hereafter.

Things begin to change for Amelia the night Joshua's car falls in the river. After his near-death experience, he can see her and touch her. Together they must fight against the evil spirit Eli who wants to claim Amelia for his own and against the local coven who has been trying to exorcize the ghosts in the area for decades.

This is my first exposure to a paranormal ghost story. I liked the romance even though the descriptions of their fiery passion got a little over the top. I found this to be an engagingly quick read and I think I would have liked it to be even a little longer to flesh out more about the characters and the world Amelia is living in. I think this is a must-read for those who enjoy paranormal romance and I was impressed enough with this debut from Tara Hudson that I will probably read the next in the series.

Also reviewed by: I Am A Reader, Not A Writer ~ Your link here?

Source: e-copy provided by netGalley and HarperTeen for review purposes.

City of Ashes

City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare

AR Reading Level: 5.0
On the library stacks: YA Fiction
Award: VOYA Award/Honor
Series: Mortal Instruments #2
Recommended for: Grades 9+

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It's difficult to do a review of the second book in the series without alluding to events that happen in the first, so this will be a short one!

Basically, Clary is still trying to sort out her relationships and boundaries with Jace and Simon, all while trying to find Valentine and avoid the Inquisitor. Clary continues to learn about this new world of werewolves, demons, faeries and about her powers as a Shadowhunter.

The book is seriously entertaining and the pages race by. I thought this book was really strong for a second. I did think it was a little darker than the first one, but that's to be expected in this genre.  My husband has been re-reading this series at the same time I am experiencing them for the first time. It has been fun to have someone to chat with about everything that is going on. On to the next one!

Also reviewed by: eclectic/eccentric ~ Books & other thoughts ~ Bloggin' 'bout Books ~ Capricious Reader ~ Community Bookstop ~ There's a Book ~ My Own Little Corner of the World ~ Your link here?

Source: Purchased

City of Bones

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

AR Reading Level: 5.0
On the library stacks: YA Fiction
Award: YALSA Top Ten
Series: Mortal Instruments #1
Recommended for: Grades 9+

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Clary Fray is a 15-year old girl who lives in New York City with her mom. One night she goes out to the Pandemonium Club with her best friend Simon and witnesses a murder. What Clary comes to learn is that the victim was a demon, killed by three teenage Shadowhunters, a group of warriors charged with keeping humans safe. 

Soon after, Clary is once again pulled into this bizarre new world that also includes vampires, werewolves, faeries when she is attacked by another demon and her mother disappears. Together with Alec, Isabelle and Jace, Clary learns that her mother was not just the woman she knew her to be. Torn between Simon and Jace, her old life and her new life, Clary must accept who she truly is in order to find her mother.

This book is kind of like Twilight meets Harry Potter meets Star Wars. While I thought the beginning of the book was kind of slow, the second half had heart-pounding action that had me staying awake until the wee hours of the morning to finish it. I had issues with some stylistic elements of Clare's writing, but this book is entertaining and just plain fun. I've already started the next in the series.

Also reviewed by: It's All About Books ~  Lisa's Book Nook ~ eclectic/eccentric ~ The Bluestocking Society ~ Peeking Between the Pages ~ Book Addiction ~ Library Girl Reads ~ Royal Reviews ~ Bloggin' 'bout Books ~ Capricious Reader ~ Review From Here ~ There's a Book ~ My Own Little Corner of the World ~ Can I add your link here?

Source: Purchased

The Goddess Test

The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publication Date: April 19, 2011
Hardcover: 304 pages
Price: $9.99
On the library stacks: YA Fiction 

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Kate is a high school senior whose mother is dying from cancer. As part of her final wishes, she takes Kate to the small town of Eden, Michigan to live out her remaining days. Kate makes friends with a loner from school named James and seems to spark the ire of a beautiful, popular girl named Ava straight away. When Kate is forced to make the decision to save Ava's life, she unwittingly enters herself into agreement to live with Hades (named Henry) for the next six months, and possibly become his wife.

This was kind of like Hades & Persephone meets Beauty & The Beast. I wanted to read this book because I was intrigued by the premise, but something was just off. I think the story needed to be more true to the accepted myths and personalities of the Greek gods. There needed to be more substance to the characters and their relationships, and more effort put into the world-building. The writing style was very simple, which seemed incongruous with the huge things happening in Kate's life.

There were parts of this book that I found really entertaining and I was hopeful that things would take a different direction than they did. But in the end it was pretty predictable and the characters were more wooden than I would have liked. This is the first in a trilogy, but I don't think I'll be reading more.

Source: e-copy provided by netGalley and Harlequin Teen for review purposes.

Linger

Linger by Maggie Stiefvater

AR Reading Level: 5.4
On the library stacks: YA Fiction
Series: Book 2 of 3 (Wolves of Mercy Falls)
Recommended for: Grades 9+

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Because I'm too afraid of accidentally including spoilers, here's the product description:

In Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver, Grace and Sam found each other. Now, in Linger, they must fight to be together. For Grace, this means defying her parents and keeping a very dangerous secret about her own well-being. For Sam, this means grappling with his werewolf past . . . and figuring out a way to survive into the future. Add into the mix a new wolf named Cole, whose own past has the potential to destroy the whole pack. And Isabel, who already lost her brother to the wolves . . . and is nonetheless drawn to Cole.

This is a great second book to the series. It is well-written and entertaining. I enjoyed the four different voices of Grace, Sam, Cole and Isabel, and the story took a direction I wasn't anticipating. I wasn't 100% sold on the green font the book was published in though. I look forward to the finale next year!

Also reviewed by: Not enough bookshelves ~ Beth Fish Reads ~ My Friend Amy ~ Your link here?

Book 65 of 100 for the 100+ Reading Challenge
Book 31 of 50 for the YA Reading Challenge

Source: Borrowed

Captivate

Captivate by Carrie Jones

Series: Need #2

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book picks up right where Need left off. Zara and her friends think they have some control over the pixies. But it is short-lived. The pixies loss of power brings a power struggle of the fae world right to their small Maine town.

Likes/Dislikes
I like Zara's internal conflicts as she tries to reconcile her humanity with what seems to be her destiny. The love triangle kept the romance angle entertaining in this one. The cover is much better than Need's cover. We had a few new characters introduced in this book. Some I liked (Astley) and some I could have lived without (Cassidy). The book moved slow in the first half, but then the action picked up and the book seemed to end mid-chapter.

This series is a guaranteed winner for those who like paranormal YA romance. Overall I liked this one a little more than the first one. I'll read the next one if it is this series if just going to be a trilogy. But if it is going to drag on for books on end, this will probably be the end for me.

Also reviewed by:

• One Librarian's Book Reviews
• Under a Blood Red Sky
• So Many Books, So Little Time

Yours?

Book 29 of 100 for the 100+ Reading Challenge, Book 29 of 50 for the Countdown Challenge (2010), Book 2 for the Once Upon a Time Challenge, Book 16 of 50 for the YA Reading Challenge

Source: Publicist - Thank you Lauren from SpruceTV!