Genre: Young Adult Alternate Historical Contemporary Fantasy Told: First Person (Jessamin), Present Check out all my reviews at Skye's Scribblings!
Genre: Young Adult Alternate Historical Contemporary Fantasy Told: First Person (Jessamin), Present Tense Content Rating: Older Teen (some minor torture, violence, kissing, quick animal cruelty) Format Read: ARC
Illusions of Fate is an alternate historical fantasy with a little bit of everything: mystery, romance, suspense, magic. After a mysterious and alluring man insists on rescuing her from trouble, Jessamin finds herself violently entangled in power and politics and must find a way to save herself and everyone she holds dear from a sadistic villain.
At its heart, Illusions is a lord-and-commoner love story - although Finn is an unorthodox lord and Jessamin is anything but common. Capable and self-reliant, Jessamin wielded strength and wit against friend and foe and held her own against a terrifying antagonist. Even in the face of danger and torture she pushed through and saved herself when required, not waiting for a man to eventually rescue her. While her actions weren't always prudent she was true to herself and took responsibility for the consequences, and she was a fierce friend willing to sacrifice herself if need be to save others. Lord Finn, aptly described by the author as Howl meets Mr. Darcy, could be a bit vain, but ultimately he was charming and caring not only to Jessamin but to generally everyone. His and Jessamin's romance was odd but sweet and not overpowering, which I really enjoyed. I adored their dear friend and gossip Elanor for her cleverness, compassion, and secret skills, and although Jessamin got her into some deadly trouble Elanor remained a steadfast and reliable companion.
Despite the story's lighter romantic feel, the mystery elements involved gruesome murder, hidden magic, and a surprise twist in the last chapter that I did not anticipate in the slightest (bravo, Ms. White). The plot of power and politics got quite dark with a disturbing scene of torture, sadistic threats and actions, and a violent climax that almost ends on a bittersweet note, but ultimately love prevails for a happy and satisfying end.
Conclusion: Although the surprising bursts of violence were a little unsettling, Illusions of Fate is an enchanting standalone in the vein of Howl's Moving Castle with a sweet romance, intriguing magic, and a strong female character you can't help but root for. Highly recommend for alternate historical fantasy lovers.
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2019 Re-Read: Although the bursts of violence were a little surprising and unsettling, an enchanting standalone in the vein of Howl's Moving Castle with a sweet romance, intriguing magic, and a strong main character you can't help but root for. Review to come.
2014 Read: Howl's Moving Castle meets Beauty and the Beast, but without anyone being confined to a castle. Jessamin's strength was the highlight of the book - she did what she thought was best on her own and didn't wait around for a man to come and save her! It also had a swoon-worthy boy, awesome original magic, crows that were also books, a mystery that came out of the blue, and an end that seriously messed me up for a minute there....more
Rating: 4.5 Stars Genre: Young Adult Alternate Fantasy Told: Third Person (Jess), Past Tense Content Rating: Older Teen (violence, death, war, intense siRating: 4.5 Stars Genre: Young Adult Alternate Fantasy Told: Third Person (Jess), Past Tense Content Rating: Older Teen (violence, death, war, intense situations, kissing) Format Read: ARC (trade)
Ink and Bone was one of those books I really enjoyed but can't put my finger on exactly why. It was just a really good read as a whole: an engaging voice, a strong cast of characters I (mostly) kept straight, vivid settings and description, and an intriguing alternate history and story. If there was one thing that did stand out for me though, it was a lack of foreshadowing. I had little idea what would happen next at any given moment, but I enjoyed it that way as I shared in Jess's surprise, shock, and anguish. It wasn't a light story with its smugglers and book burners and countries at war, but I wouldn't call it a heavy story either. It had the comfortable weight of Harry Potter, an elite society with a full history and world power, and the boy who joins its ranks and discovers the light but also very dark sides of it. The book ended on a complete arc with no cliffhanger, although there is definitely more to Jess's story. Like what came before I have almost no idea what to expect from the next book or the rest of the five-book series, and very much look forward to finding out what happens to Jess and the Great Library in Book 2, Paper and Fire....more
2019 Re-read: I will always be a sucker for a reverse harem story, but while it began strong with an easy writing style, the complicated mystery with 2019 Re-read: I will always be a sucker for a reverse harem story, but while it began strong with an easy writing style, the complicated mystery with all its odd little clues was too unrealistic to fully engage me. I also did not ship Sam/Anna, and Nick's violent hostility grated on me. Sadly no longer the favorite it once was.
2013 REVIEW
Genre: Young Adult Romantic Suspense Rating: Older Teen (some strong language, violence, sensuality) Told: First Person Singular (Anna), Past Tense
Three Words: Hot, dangerous boys.
Writing: Easy and quick - just the way I like it.
Setting: The real world with the usual secret scientific advancements. They jump between several American states over the course of the story, and while I've never been to the locations, they felt realistic enough.
Story: We start out with four hot boys locked in a girl's basement - a very good place to start, in my opinion. Under her unassuming farmhouse, Anna assists her father as he tends to four "altered" amnesiac boys, part of a secret project she knows little about. But when she helps the boys escape, she gets caught up in a mess of danger and mystery as she discovers that even her own life is not what she thinks it to be. The story pulls back and forth between fighting for their lives and following the clues Sam left for them to figure out who they were and why they were made to forget. Some of the pieces of the mystery puzzle were a bit too far-fetched for me - the whole thing felt more like a very elaborate scavenger hunt - but the progression was easy to follow.
Characters: While Anna's single-minded obsession with Sam got on my nerves at times, she was a relatively strong and capable girl, and I liked her. For the boys, they were a nicely balanced bunch, both as a whole and for Anna - Sam: strong leader and romantic interest, Trev: loyal, dependable best friend, Cas: comic relief, and Nick: dark, hostile, and devil's advocate. I loved each one individually, but it was as a group that they really shone.
Romantic Relationship: Anna and Sam's "relationship" was complicated and wrought with uncertainty, and there was a question of exactly why they liked each other that had me just as confused as them. I'll be interested to see how it progresses in the next book.
Conclusion: In many ways, I would swear Jennifer wrote this book just for me. It was a total guilty pleasure, and I'm really looking forward to Book 2.
Rating: 2.5 Stars Genre: Young Adult Dark Fantasy Told: First Person (Alina), Past Tense Content RatinCheck out all my reviews at Skye's Scribblings!
Rating: 2.5 Stars Genre: Young Adult Dark Fantasy Told: First Person (Alina), Past Tense Content Rating: Older Teen (violence, sensuality, animal hunting and death) Format Read: Paperback
Series: This is the first book in The Shadow and Bone Trilogy, also known as the Grisha Trilogy, and the first series in the Grishaverse.
I originally read this when it released in 2012 and recall really enjoying it, but although I collected the original paperbacks I never got around to continuing the series (not uncommon with me). When I recently felt the need for a fantasy read I decided it was time to finally finish this now classic series, but to my disappointment that ambition is not meant to be.
Shadow and Bone began strong with eloquent writing, an exotic setting, and interesting magic, and I was thoroughly engaged by Alina's rise from ordinary orphan to powerful savior. But although her journey was relatable, it quickly became clear that she was too simple for such an epic story, her naivete and lack of ambition holding the story back from exploring its full potential.
And then came the trek. As soon as Alina started running the story took a long, dull turn, the eloquent writing I had originally enjoyed becoming paragraph after paragraph of unending flora and fauna and walking and eating and sleeping with little active distraction. Even Mal's addition did little to perk it up, and I had to read in short bursts since my mind tended to wander after too long. Finally the Darkling returned and revived some of the tension, but by then I'd lost almost all interest in the story's outcome and counted the pages until the end.
The climax was brief and, despite a lot of action, sadly anticlimactic as Alina's cowardly running continued with no sign of stopping when she hit the second book. After perusing reviews of the rest of the trilogy I've decided I have little interest in continuing what sounds like more of the same and will sadly not be reading Alina's story any further.
Conclusion: Although originally a favorite back in 2012, it seems my tastes have evolved over the years on a diet of much better reads as this time I had to force myself to finish. While it started strong with an engaging setting, writing, and magic, Alina was too simple for the epic story and once she started running she and the story lost all luster. If you enjoy your dark fantasies epic and don't mind your main characters on the cowardly side then you might want to give Shadow and Bone a try.
For Fans Of: Kingdom on Fire Series by Jessica Cluess
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2019: That was sadly not as good as I remembered from my 2012 read. It began strong with eloquent writing, an exotic setting, and engaging magic, but the long trek was dull and Alina was too simple a character for such an epic story. I re-read this with plans to finally finish the trilogy, but now I'm debating if I want to continue the series at all. Review to come.
3.5 Stars. Probably my least favorite - so much Paul - except for the exciting and happy ending. Review to come.
THIS IS A REVIEW OF THE ENTIRE 6-BO3.5 Stars. Probably my least favorite - so much Paul - except for the exciting and happy ending. Review to come.
THIS IS A REVIEW OF THE ENTIRE 6-BOOK SERIES
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal Suspense Content Rating: Older Teen (some language, violence, scary situations, sensuality, innuendo) Format Read: Mass Market Paperback
Series: This is a review of the first six books in the series, which comprise Suze's teen years and were originally the entire Mediator series. Meg has since released a seventh book, Remembrance, about Suze as an adult.*
The Mediator series was a favorite of my youth, discovered while browsing library shelves and delightfully devoured through my teens. It was such a favorite that I own an entire set and occasionally re-read them when I'm feeling nostalgic and in need of some classic snark.
The Voice: Mediator is essentially all about the voice. Meg does an amazing job of writing the mind of a teen, young but jaded after a lifetime of dealing with ghosts, who moves across the country to a life of "new"s: new coast, new family, new school, new friends, new loves, and naturally new people trying to kill her. Suze's first person point of view is chatty and telling and her naive yet bad girl flare really brings her story to realistic life despite the paranormal elements. Think Buffy the Vampire Slayer, or Veronica Mars (if Veronica took up ghost hunting).
The Characters: Still, despite Suze's snark and butt-kicking abilities, I must note that she is not a bright girl. Foolish at her best and suicidal at her worst, she's a hit and insult first, try to reason with later kind of gal, and she doesn't see how this is not the best mediation technique. Her communication skills, especially with the dead, are abominable, and only with luck (and typically a trip to the hospital) is she able to accomplish her job in some semblance of the word. But you don't read these books for her mad mediating skillz. You read them for her quick wit, her sweet romance with Jesse, and her ghostly albeit violent adventures. They aren't pretty, but they're entertaining.
As for Jesse, the hot ghost who shares Suze's bedroom, it must also be noted that he sadly has very little screen time. This is a grave disappointment since he is the highlight of the series, but you learn to look forward to his brief scenes and enjoy what time he graces the story. And if you make it to the final book, you are at least rewarded with a lively, Jesse-centric climax.
But then there's Paul. Conceited, creeper Paul is unfortunately as important to the last three books as Jesse (even more so, really) and therefore gets a lot of skin-crawling screen time. Meg did her job of making him unlikable way too well, and it's very easy to find the boy as repulsive as poor Suze does. If you care enough about Jesse's fate to finish the series then he's an antagonistic element you just have to accept and bear.
The Books: The first three books are classic mediator Suze, kicking butt and getting bloody. She takes on the suicidal and murderous ex-girlfriend of her first school crush in Shadowland (1), faces off with a vampire and psychotic businessman in Ninth Key (2), and the first two plots combine for a vengeful teen foursome and psychotic killer in Reunion (3). Spooky and violent, these are quick, thrilling reads that introduce Suze and her paranormal world as she struggles with her new life and confusing feelings for Jesse. (Just be ready to forgive an excess of commas.)
In the last three books, Suze's mediating world expands as she discovers there's more to her gift/curse than she ever knew. She faces deadly ghosts and a backyard body in Darkest Hour (4), meets a very different kind of mediator in Haunted (5), and exploits a newly discovered (if rather illogical) power in Twilight (6). While 4 had its moments, 5 & 6 weren't as enjoyable with their abundance of obnoxious Paul and questionable new powers. But Suze and Jesse's relationship finally reaches its romantic conclusion, and the series ends on a sweet and hopeful note for everyone's future.
Conclusion: Despite the violent undead and psychotic living out for her blood, as well as too little Jesse and way too much Paul, after nineteen years the six-book Mediator series still remains a quick and snarky teen classic for me. Suze can be a serious idiot most of the time, with the living and dead alike, but she and her life are certainly never boring. Definitely recommend for fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and/or Veronica Mars.
*A Note About Book 7: Book 7 sees the return of Paul in all his evil glory, so if you despise him in the teen years as much as I did, I recommend you skip Suze's adult stories as I am....more
Small Pro: More Jesse screentime, yay! All the Cons: So much arrogant creepy Paul, ugh. Least favorite of the series so far.
THIS IS A REVIEW OF THE ESmall Pro: More Jesse screentime, yay! All the Cons: So much arrogant creepy Paul, ugh. Least favorite of the series so far.
THIS IS A REVIEW OF THE ENTIRE 6-BOOK SERIES
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal Suspense Content Rating: Older Teen (some language, violence, scary situations, sensuality, innuendo) Format Read: Mass Market Paperback
Series: This is a review of the first six books in the series, which comprise Suze's teen years and were originally the entire Mediator series. Meg has since released a seventh book, Remembrance, about Suze as an adult.*
The Mediator series was a favorite of my youth, discovered while browsing library shelves and delightfully devoured through my teens. It was such a favorite that I own an entire set and occasionally re-read them when I'm feeling nostalgic and in need of some classic snark.
The Voice: Mediator is essentially all about the voice. Meg does an amazing job of writing the mind of a teen, young but jaded after a lifetime of dealing with ghosts, who moves across the country to a life of "new"s: new coast, new family, new school, new friends, new loves, and naturally new people trying to kill her. Suze's first person point of view is chatty and telling and her naive yet bad girl flare really brings her story to realistic life despite the paranormal elements. Think Buffy the Vampire Slayer, or Veronica Mars (if Veronica took up ghost hunting).
The Characters: Still, despite Suze's snark and butt-kicking abilities, I must note that she is not a bright girl. Foolish at her best and suicidal at her worst, she's a hit and insult first, try to reason with later kind of gal, and she doesn't see how this is not the best mediation technique. Her communication skills, especially with the dead, are abominable, and only with luck (and typically a trip to the hospital) is she able to accomplish her job in some semblance of the word. But you don't read these books for her mad mediating skillz. You read them for her quick wit, her sweet romance with Jesse, and her ghostly albeit violent adventures. They aren't pretty, but they're entertaining.
As for Jesse, the hot ghost who shares Suze's bedroom, it must also be noted that he sadly has very little screen time. This is a grave disappointment since he is the highlight of the series, but you learn to look forward to his brief scenes and enjoy what time he graces the story. And if you make it to the final book, you are at least rewarded with a lively, Jesse-centric climax.
But then there's Paul. Conceited, creeper Paul is unfortunately as important to the last three books as Jesse (even more so, really) and therefore gets a lot of skin-crawling screen time. Meg did her job of making him unlikable way too well, and it's very easy to find the boy as repulsive as poor Suze does. If you care enough about Jesse's fate to finish the series then he's an antagonistic element you just have to accept and bear.
The Books: The first three books are classic mediator Suze, kicking butt and getting bloody. She takes on the suicidal and murderous ex-girlfriend of her first school crush in Shadowland (1), faces off with a vampire and psychotic businessman in Ninth Key (2), and the first two plots combine for a vengeful teen foursome and psychotic killer in Reunion (3). Spooky and violent, these are quick, thrilling reads that introduce Suze and her paranormal world as she struggles with her new life and confusing feelings for Jesse. (Just be ready to forgive an excess of commas.)
In the last three books, Suze's mediating world expands as she discovers there's more to her gift/curse than she ever knew. She faces deadly ghosts and a backyard body in Darkest Hour (4), meets a very different kind of mediator in Haunted (5), and exploits a newly discovered (if rather illogical) power in Twilight (6). While 4 had its moments, 5 & 6 weren't as enjoyable with their abundance of obnoxious Paul and questionable new powers. But Suze and Jesse's relationship finally reaches its romantic conclusion, and the series ends on a sweet and hopeful note for everyone's future.
Conclusion: Despite the violent undead and psychotic living out for her blood, as well as too little Jesse and way too much Paul, after nineteen years the six-book Mediator series still remains a quick and snarky teen classic for me. Suze can be a serious idiot most of the time, with the living and dead alike, but she and her life are certainly never boring. Definitely recommend for fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and/or Veronica Mars.
*A Note About Book 7: Book 7 sees the return of Paul in all his evil glory, so if you despise him in the teen years as much as I did, I recommend you skip Suze's adult stories as I am....more
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal Suspense Content Rating: Older Teen (some language, violence, scary situaTHIS IS A REVIEW OF THE ENTIRE 6-BOOK SERIES
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal Suspense Content Rating: Older Teen (some language, violence, scary situations, sensuality, innuendo) Format Read: Mass Market Paperback
Series: This is a review of the first six books in the series, which comprise Suze's teen years and were originally the entire Mediator series. Meg has since released a seventh book, Remembrance, about Suze as an adult.*
The Mediator series was a favorite of my youth, discovered while browsing library shelves and delightfully devoured through my teens. It was such a favorite that I own an entire set and occasionally re-read them when I'm feeling nostalgic and in need of some classic snark.
The Voice: Mediator is essentially all about the voice. Meg does an amazing job of writing the mind of a teen, young but jaded after a lifetime of dealing with ghosts, who moves across the country to a life of "new"s: new coast, new family, new school, new friends, new loves, and naturally new people trying to kill her. Suze's first person point of view is chatty and telling and her naive yet bad girl flare really brings her story to realistic life despite the paranormal elements. Think Buffy the Vampire Slayer, or Veronica Mars (if Veronica took up ghost hunting).
The Characters: Still, despite Suze's snark and butt-kicking abilities, I must note that she is not a bright girl. Foolish at her best and suicidal at her worst, she's a hit and insult first, try to reason with later kind of gal, and she doesn't see how this is not the best mediation technique. Her communication skills, especially with the dead, are abominable, and only with luck (and typically a trip to the hospital) is she able to accomplish her job in some semblance of the word. But you don't read these books for her mad mediating skillz. You read them for her quick wit, her sweet romance with Jesse, and her ghostly albeit violent adventures. They aren't pretty, but they're entertaining.
As for Jesse, the hot ghost who shares Suze's bedroom, it must also be noted that he sadly has very little screen time. This is a grave disappointment since he is the highlight of the series, but you learn to look forward to his brief scenes and enjoy what time he graces the story. And if you make it to the final book, you are at least rewarded with a lively, Jesse-centric climax.
But then there's Paul. Conceited, creeper Paul is unfortunately as important to the last three books as Jesse (even more so, really) and therefore gets a lot of skin-crawling screen time. Meg did her job of making him unlikable way too well, and it's very easy to find the boy as repulsive as poor Suze does. If you care enough about Jesse's fate to finish the series then he's an antagonistic element you just have to accept and bear.
The Books: The first three books are classic mediator Suze, kicking butt and getting bloody. She takes on the suicidal and murderous ex-girlfriend of her first school crush in Shadowland (1), faces off with a vampire and psychotic businessman in Ninth Key (2), and the first two plots combine for a vengeful teen foursome and psychotic killer in Reunion (3). Spooky and violent, these are quick, thrilling reads that introduce Suze and her paranormal world as she struggles with her new life and confusing feelings for Jesse. (Just be ready to forgive an excess of commas.)
In the last three books, Suze's mediating world expands as she discovers there's more to her gift/curse than she ever knew. She faces deadly ghosts and a backyard body in Darkest Hour (4), meets a very different kind of mediator in Haunted (5), and exploits a newly discovered (if rather illogical) power in Twilight (6). While 4 had its moments, 5 & 6 weren't as enjoyable with their abundance of obnoxious Paul and questionable new powers. But Suze and Jesse's relationship finally reaches its romantic conclusion, and the series ends on a sweet and hopeful note for everyone's future.
Conclusion: Despite the violent undead and psychotic living out for her blood, as well as too little Jesse and way too much Paul, after nineteen years the six-book Mediator series still remains a quick and snarky teen classic for me. Suze can be a serious idiot most of the time, with the living and dead alike, but she and her life are certainly never boring. Definitely recommend for fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and/or Veronica Mars.
*A Note About Book 7: Book 7 sees the return of Paul in all his evil glory, so if you despise him in the teen years as much as I did, I recommend you skip Suze's adult stories as I am....more
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal Suspense Content Rating: Older Teen (some language, violence, scary situaTHIS IS A REVIEW OF THE ENTIRE 6-BOOK SERIES
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal Suspense Content Rating: Older Teen (some language, violence, scary situations, sensuality, innuendo) Format Read: Mass Market Paperback
Series: This is a review of the first six books in the series, which comprise Suze's teen years and were originally the entire Mediator series. Meg has since released a seventh book, Remembrance, about Suze as an adult.*
The Mediator series was a favorite of my youth, discovered while browsing library shelves and delightfully devoured through my teens. It was such a favorite that I own an entire set and occasionally re-read them when I'm feeling nostalgic and in need of some classic snark.
The Voice: Mediator is essentially all about the voice. Meg does an amazing job of writing the mind of a teen, young but jaded after a lifetime of dealing with ghosts, who moves across the country to a life of "new"s: new coast, new family, new school, new friends, new loves, and naturally new people trying to kill her. Suze's first person point of view is chatty and telling and her naive yet bad girl flare really brings her story to realistic life despite the paranormal elements. Think Buffy the Vampire Slayer, or Veronica Mars (if Veronica took up ghost hunting).
The Characters: Still, despite Suze's snark and butt-kicking abilities, I must note that she is not a bright girl. Foolish at her best and suicidal at her worst, she's a hit and insult first, try to reason with later kind of gal, and she doesn't see how this is not the best mediation technique. Her communication skills, especially with the dead, are abominable, and only with luck (and typically a trip to the hospital) is she able to accomplish her job in some semblance of the word. But you don't read these books for her mad mediating skillz. You read them for her quick wit, her sweet romance with Jesse, and her ghostly albeit violent adventures. They aren't pretty, but they're entertaining.
As for Jesse, the hot ghost who shares Suze's bedroom, it must also be noted that he sadly has very little screen time. This is a grave disappointment since he is the highlight of the series, but you learn to look forward to his brief scenes and enjoy what time he graces the story. And if you make it to the final book, you are at least rewarded with a lively, Jesse-centric climax.
But then there's Paul. Conceited, creeper Paul is unfortunately as important to the last three books as Jesse (even more so, really) and therefore gets a lot of skin-crawling screen time. Meg did her job of making him unlikable way too well, and it's very easy to find the boy as repulsive as poor Suze does. If you care enough about Jesse's fate to finish the series then he's an antagonistic element you just have to accept and bear.
The Books: The first three books are classic mediator Suze, kicking butt and getting bloody. She takes on the suicidal and murderous ex-girlfriend of her first school crush in Shadowland (1), faces off with a vampire and psychotic businessman in Ninth Key (2), and the first two plots combine for a vengeful teen foursome and psychotic killer in Reunion (3). Spooky and violent, these are quick, thrilling reads that introduce Suze and her paranormal world as she struggles with her new life and confusing feelings for Jesse. (Just be ready to forgive an excess of commas.)
In the last three books, Suze's mediating world expands as she discovers there's more to her gift/curse than she ever knew. She faces deadly ghosts and a backyard body in Darkest Hour (4), meets a very different kind of mediator in Haunted (5), and exploits a newly discovered (if rather illogical) power in Twilight (6). While 4 had its moments, 5 & 6 weren't as enjoyable with their abundance of obnoxious Paul and questionable new powers. But Suze and Jesse's relationship finally reaches its romantic conclusion, and the series ends on a sweet and hopeful note for everyone's future.
Conclusion: Despite the violent undead and psychotic living out for her blood, as well as too little Jesse and way too much Paul, after nineteen years the six-book Mediator series still remains a quick and snarky teen classic for me. Suze can be a serious idiot most of the time, with the living and dead alike, but she and her life are certainly never boring. Definitely recommend for fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and/or Veronica Mars.
*A Note About Book 7: Book 7 sees the return of Paul in all his evil glory, so if you despise him in the teen years as much as I did, I recommend you skip Suze's adult stories as I am....more
9/19 Re-read: Despite the violence and Suze's nonchalant attitude about almost being killed by a psycho, such a fun breezy read. Moving straight onto 9/19 Re-read: Despite the violence and Suze's nonchalant attitude about almost being killed by a psycho, such a fun breezy read. Moving straight onto the next one with plans to binge the entire series I'm so thoroughly enjoying them.
THIS IS A REVIEW OF THE ENTIRE 6-BOOK SERIES
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal Suspense Content Rating: Older Teen (some language, violence, scary situations, sensuality, innuendo) Format Read: Mass Market Paperback
Series: This is a review of the first six books in the series, which comprise Suze's teen years and were originally the entire Mediator series. Meg has since released a seventh book, Remembrance, about Suze as an adult.*
The Mediator series was a favorite of my youth, discovered while browsing library shelves and delightfully devoured through my teens. It was such a favorite that I own an entire set and occasionally re-read them when I'm feeling nostalgic and in need of some classic snark.
The Voice: Mediator is essentially all about the voice. Meg does an amazing job of writing the mind of a teen, young but jaded after a lifetime of dealing with ghosts, who moves across the country to a life of "new"s: new coast, new family, new school, new friends, new loves, and naturally new people trying to kill her. Suze's first person point of view is chatty and telling and her naive yet bad girl flare really brings her story to realistic life despite the paranormal elements. Think Buffy the Vampire Slayer, or Veronica Mars (if Veronica took up ghost hunting).
The Characters: Still, despite Suze's snark and butt-kicking abilities, I must note that she is not a bright girl. Foolish at her best and suicidal at her worst, she's a hit and insult first, try to reason with later kind of gal, and she doesn't see how this is not the best mediation technique. Her communication skills, especially with the dead, are abominable, and only with luck (and typically a trip to the hospital) is she able to accomplish her job in some semblance of the word. But you don't read these books for her mad mediating skillz. You read them for her quick wit, her sweet romance with Jesse, and her ghostly albeit violent adventures. They aren't pretty, but they're entertaining.
As for Jesse, the hot ghost who shares Suze's bedroom, it must also be noted that he sadly has very little screen time. This is a grave disappointment since he is the highlight of the series, but you learn to look forward to his brief scenes and enjoy what time he graces the story. And if you make it to the final book, you are at least rewarded with a lively, Jesse-centric climax.
But then there's Paul. Conceited, creeper Paul is unfortunately as important to the last three books as Jesse (even more so, really) and therefore gets a lot of skin-crawling screen time. Meg did her job of making him unlikable way too well, and it's very easy to find the boy as repulsive as poor Suze does. If you care enough about Jesse's fate to finish the series then he's an antagonistic element you just have to accept and bear.
The Books: The first three books are classic mediator Suze, kicking butt and getting bloody. She takes on the suicidal and murderous ex-girlfriend of her first school crush in Shadowland (1), faces off with a vampire and psychotic businessman in Ninth Key (2), and the first two plots combine for a vengeful teen foursome and psychotic killer in Reunion (3). Spooky and violent, these are quick, thrilling reads that introduce Suze and her paranormal world as she struggles with her new life and confusing feelings for Jesse. (Just be ready to forgive an excess of commas.)
In the last three books, Suze's mediating world expands as she discovers there's more to her gift/curse than she ever knew. She faces deadly ghosts and a backyard body in Darkest Hour (4), meets a very different kind of mediator in Haunted (5), and exploits a newly discovered (if rather illogical) power in Twilight (6). While 4 had its moments, 5 & 6 weren't as enjoyable with their abundance of obnoxious Paul and questionable new powers. But Suze and Jesse's relationship finally reaches its romantic conclusion, and the series ends on a sweet and hopeful note for everyone's future.
Conclusion: Despite the violent undead and psychotic living out for her blood, as well as too little Jesse and way too much Paul, after nineteen years the six-book Mediator series still remains a quick and snarky teen classic for me. Suze can be a serious idiot most of the time, with the living and dead alike, but she and her life are certainly never boring. Definitely recommend for fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and/or Veronica Mars.
*A Note About Book 7: Book 7 sees the return of Paul in all his evil glory, so if you despise him in the teen years as much as I did, I recommend you skip Suze's adult stories as I am....more
9/19 Re-read: Despite an excess of commas this still holds up as a fun and snarky breeze of a read for me. Going straight into the second book!
THIS9/19 Re-read: Despite an excess of commas this still holds up as a fun and snarky breeze of a read for me. Going straight into the second book!
THIS IS A REVIEW OF THE ENTIRE 6-BOOK SERIES
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal Suspense Content Rating: Older Teen (some language, violence, scary situations, sensuality, innuendo) Format Read: Mass Market Paperback
Series: This is a review of the first six books in the series, which comprise Suze's teen years and were originally the entire Mediator series. Meg has since released a seventh book, Remembrance, about Suze as an adult.*
The Mediator series was a favorite of my youth, discovered while browsing library shelves and delightfully devoured through my teens. It was such a favorite that I own an entire set and occasionally re-read them when I'm feeling nostalgic and in need of some classic snark.
The Voice: Mediator is essentially all about the voice. Meg does an amazing job of writing the mind of a teen, young but jaded after a lifetime of dealing with ghosts, who moves across the country to a life of "new"s: new coast, new family, new school, new friends, new loves, and naturally new people trying to kill her. Suze's first person point of view is chatty and telling and her naive yet bad girl flare really brings her story to realistic life despite the paranormal elements. Think Buffy the Vampire Slayer, or Veronica Mars (if Veronica took up ghost hunting).
The Characters: Still, despite Suze's snark and butt-kicking abilities, I must note that she is not a bright girl. Foolish at her best and suicidal at her worst, she's a hit and insult first, try to reason with later kind of gal, and she doesn't see how this is not the best mediation technique. Her communication skills, especially with the dead, are abominable, and only with luck (and typically a trip to the hospital) is she able to accomplish her job in some semblance of the word. But you don't read these books for her mad mediating skillz. You read them for her quick wit, her sweet romance with Jesse, and her ghostly albeit violent adventures. They aren't pretty, but they're entertaining.
As for Jesse, the hot ghost who shares Suze's bedroom, it must also be noted that he sadly has very little screen time. This is a grave disappointment since he is the highlight of the series, but you learn to look forward to his brief scenes and enjoy what time he graces the story. And if you make it to the final book, you are at least rewarded with a lively, Jesse-centric climax.
But then there's Paul. Conceited, creeper Paul is unfortunately as important to the last three books as Jesse (even more so, really) and therefore gets a lot of skin-crawling screen time. Meg did her job of making him unlikable way too well, and it's very easy to find the boy as repulsive as poor Suze does. If you care enough about Jesse's fate to finish the series then he's an antagonistic element you just have to accept and bear.
The Books: The first three books are classic mediator Suze, kicking butt and getting bloody. She takes on the suicidal and murderous ex-girlfriend of her first school crush in Shadowland (1), faces off with a vampire and psychotic businessman in Ninth Key (2), and the first two plots combine for a vengeful teen foursome and psychotic killer in Reunion (3). Spooky and violent, these are quick, thrilling reads that introduce Suze and her paranormal world as she struggles with her new life and confusing feelings for Jesse. (Just be ready to forgive an excess of commas.)
In the last three books, Suze's mediating world expands as she discovers there's more to her gift/curse than she ever knew. She faces deadly ghosts and a backyard body in Darkest Hour (4), meets a very different kind of mediator in Haunted (5), and exploits a newly discovered (if rather illogical) power in Twilight (6). While 4 had its moments, 5 & 6 weren't as enjoyable with their abundance of obnoxious Paul and questionable new powers. But Suze and Jesse's relationship finally reaches its romantic conclusion, and the series ends on a sweet and hopeful note for everyone's future.
Conclusion: Despite the violent undead and psychotic living out for her blood, as well as too little Jesse and way too much Paul, after nineteen years the six-book Mediator series still remains a quick and snarky teen classic for me. Suze can be a serious idiot most of the time, with the living and dead alike, but she and her life are certainly never boring. Definitely recommend for fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and/or Veronica Mars.
*A Note About Book 7: Book 7 sees the return of Paul in all his evil glory, so if you despise him in the teen years as much as I did, I recommend you skip Suze's adult stories as I am....more
Skye (Skye's Scribblings)
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