Clary witnesses a murder at a club one night by mysterious teens her age who are covered in tattoos and who are stunningly beautiful. She soon learns Clary witnesses a murder at a club one night by mysterious teens her age who are covered in tattoos and who are stunningly beautiful. She soon learns that she is the only one that can see them and that apparently there were killing a demon. Jace, one of the boys, becomes very interested in Clary's ability to see the shadow world and he follows her to try to get her to come visit the other Shadowhunters. Clary tries to ignore what her own senses are telling her to be true, but then her mother is kidnapped and demons go after Clary. Now she must find her mother before something terrible happens while also finding the time to discover who she really is and how she fits in with the shadow world.
Holy cupcakes! This book was amazing. I haven't been this excited about a teen series since the _Hunger Games_ and that's saying something. The book is very plot/action heavy, so I read this book in record time and I just couldn't put it down. I loved all of the appearances of the different races/beings in the fantasy world and the author does an excellent job creating the shadow world for us. The characters are honest and highly entertaining: Clary is intuitive and gutsy; Jace is cocky and brutally honest; Simon is witty and sarcastic; Isabelle is a fierce and beautiful warrior woman; and Alec is confused and trying to prove himself to the rest of the Shadowhunters. This mix of characters--simply the main group of teens--feed off of each other nicely to make the book brilliant. I look forward to seeing how the overall plot will develop past this installment and how the revelations at the end of the book will be worked out for all of the characters that I love. Go read this ASAP!...more
Seuss gives several silly rhymes and stories in his classic style. Another excellent book from Seuss which fits in consistently with his other works. Seuss gives several silly rhymes and stories in his classic style. Another excellent book from Seuss which fits in consistently with his other works. It has some colorful characters that get into adventures like in _Green Eggs and Ham_, while also having tongue-twisters like in _Fox in Socks_. Highly recommended. ...more
Nora has been missing for the past three months and when she is suddenly found in a graveyard we learn that she has no memory of the past five months.Nora has been missing for the past three months and when she is suddenly found in a graveyard we learn that she has no memory of the past five months. Nora must piece together things that have happened and she must learn who to trust when she starts getting conflicting stories. On top of it all, her mother is dating a new guy who Nora gets creepy vibes about and Nora feels like she's missing someone important in her life. Why won't people just tell her the truth?
Oh, these books. I love them so! I think that the main reason I love them is because there's always something that happens toward the end of the book that I don't expect. Ultimately, these books are paranormal romances and while I know many people wouldn't find that exciting in any way, this series has a pretty intricate plot too. I loved knowing who some of the characters were when she didn't and remembering how they fit in with the story. I also appreciated that Nora's memory loss wasn't just an instant magical fix and that she had to really work to get everything together. My only complaint would be that the major action doesn't really happen until about 150-200 pages to the end so there's a lot of slower development that some readers won't like. Either way, the ending still made me super happy in terms of both romance and plot development. I can't wait to read the fourth one ASAP....more
Bumble-Ardy isn't used to having birthday parties, so when he decides to celebrate his ninth, he goes a little overboard. This book was a little stranBumble-Ardy isn't used to having birthday parties, so when he decides to celebrate his ninth, he goes a little overboard. This book was a little strange, mainly because Sendak wrote in a very rhyme-heavy hand that bordered on the ridiculous. The book was enjoyable, though I don't know if I would read it over and over again....more
David and George are sitting out there first hurricane and they're feeling a mixture of things about the storm. When the storm is over, the boys find David and George are sitting out there first hurricane and they're feeling a mixture of things about the storm. When the storm is over, the boys find that there is a felled tree that can easily help them through many adventures.
The illustrations are just as wonderful as any of his other works, but there are too many words here and the book moves slowly. This book is in a completely different age group than the rest of his works and it felt strange more often than not in terms of execution. ...more
Holly conducts an experiment where she lets loose vegetables into the atmosphere and she's met with strange results. Suddenly, giant vegetables begin Holly conducts an experiment where she lets loose vegetables into the atmosphere and she's met with strange results. Suddenly, giant vegetables begin to rain down from the sky and America is covered in fresh food. The only problem is that some of the vegetables aren't ones that Holly used in her experiment.
The illustrations are on par with all of Wiesner's work, meaning that it's absolutely brilliant. However, this book does have a lot of words present, and while this is an excellent source for vocabulary, readers who are used to his wordless/near-wordless picture books should be aware that there are many words here....more
Max wants to be able to paint like Arthur but Max is still learning the basics of painting. When Max makes the mistake of literally painting Art, thinMax wants to be able to paint like Arthur but Max is still learning the basics of painting. When Max makes the mistake of literally painting Art, things get a little complicated and a little meta. Now Max must learn about colors and lines the difficult way.
This book was so much fun and it was such a beautiful book, too. I loved reading it and it's definitely one that will be reread. ...more
Aimee, her brother Shane, and their father have just moved to Sleepy Hollow to make a fresh start. However, as soon as they cross the town line, weirdAimee, her brother Shane, and their father have just moved to Sleepy Hollow to make a fresh start. However, as soon as they cross the town line, weird things start happening and many of them are violent and horrific. Suddenly people are losing their heads and being terrorized by giant black dogs. Pets are turning on their owners and a magical tree is telling cruel truths. Aimee and Shane must learn what they can about the town's secrets and discover how they fit into the history.
I wasn't expecting this book to be as good as it was. It reminded me a lot of how I loved Lois Duncan books when I was a teen. It's the right amount of grit scary and actual teen problems that makes this such an enjoyable read. It got a little predictable toward the end, but that could have just been because I was paying attention. Also, the need for a series felt forced at the end of the book but that idea may change after I read the rest of them....more
Alyss Heart is set to be the future queen of Wonderland when her evil aunt viciously takes over the kingdom. Alyss escapes along with the royal familyAlyss Heart is set to be the future queen of Wonderland when her evil aunt viciously takes over the kingdom. Alyss escapes along with the royal family's trusted bodyguard Hatter Madigan, but the two get separated in our world and Alyss becomes a street orphan. She is eventually adopted by the Liddell family but no one believes her story about where she came from and people think her mad. She then meets Charles Dodgson and tells her tale, but he turns it into a book of nonsense. Alyss must learn to trust herself and her history or she will truly loose herself to our world. Meanwhile, Hatter must find her so that she can be returned to Wonderland and take her rightful place as queen.
I loved this book oh so much. I'm actually surprised that so many people didn't. The changes made to the original characters were delightful and exciting and I found their characterization to be quite realistic given the experiences that they all went through. I think the part that I liked best was the integration of the real world element to the entire thing. Dodgson's character was spot on, especially the fact that he had a stutter and was shy around adults. We even briefly addressed the photography hobby as well as the unknown event that caused the Liddell's distance with Dodgson. There were also fun mentions of the entire Alice/Leopold almost marriage and the reasoning for their attachment later in life. So much of this book delved into what we know to be true of these relationships while giving some interpretation as well. It took a risk in doing so, and I give Beddor respect for addressing these hot topics.
I had a little bit of a hard time with the switching narrative and timelines at first mainly because the story wasn't always linear. However, by about the first fourth of the book, I got over it and was able to move on. I found the entire book highly compelling, and I think that I rushed to finish the book once I hit the final part of the book (there are 3 parts). There is indeed a constant theme of good and evil but it's discussing in a way where there is still some gray. I am intrigued to see where Dodge's character goes in the next ones because I can very easily see him going to a dark place. I also look forward to finding out more about Hatter and the other Alyssians.
If you're a fantasy fan, this book will definitely call to you. A lot of common epic fantasy tropes were present and I loved watching the execution. If you're a huge Carroll fan who enjoys adaptation, this book is excellent. I haven't been this giddy about an _Alice_ adaptation since Syfy's _Alice_ can out in 2009. Fans of Syfy's _Alice_ should check this series out as well. Highly recommended....more
Rose Red has gone missing, her apartment is trashed with her blood, and there's a nasty message on the wall warning the other Fables about their possiRose Red has gone missing, her apartment is trashed with her blood, and there's a nasty message on the wall warning the other Fables about their possible fate. Bigby and Snow White begin investigating the crime while also dealing with the upcoming Remembrance Day Celebration. Is Rose Red really dead? And if so, who could have done it?
This is the first novel in the _Fables_ series and it really makes a point to show bits of the world and as many of the characters as possible. I loved it. It had a strong pace and the clear issues/chapters were wrapped up nicely. There were mentions of a greater evil which will surely come up later, but this initial installment was a strong introduction nonetheless. I can't wait to read the rest of them!...more
Kendra and her brother Seth are sent to stay a while at their grandparents' house for a few weeks and they both don't really want to go. Neither of thKendra and her brother Seth are sent to stay a while at their grandparents' house for a few weeks and they both don't really want to go. Neither of them have ever been to this house and their grandparents are very secretive about their lives, so the children are apprehensive about their extended stay. Eventually they learn that the house and the grounds have much more to offer than they originally thought possible, including both horrors and wonders.
The book was a true example of okay. The fantasy elements were fun, but I've read several other books that have done much better. The pacing felt a little strange and I didn't totally enjoy any of the characters. Some passages were extremely hard to get through based on these points and I don't know if I will be rushing to read the rest of the series. ...more
I don't know how I forgot to write a review for this earlier, or I thought that I had but I guess not. I'll try to make this as spot on as possible thI don't know how I forgot to write a review for this earlier, or I thought that I had but I guess not. I'll try to make this as spot on as possible then...
Aura is getting more comfortable with Zachary but since Logan is around still, things become more tricky between all of them. Zachary is getting impatient and Logan is getting pushy, and Aura just wants to continue to uncover the mysteries of the shift. With both of their help, she learns more than she could imagine possible, such as the truths of her and Zachary's births and some of the secrets that both of their parents have been hiding.
This book definitely ups all of the romance, tension, and mystery from the first installment. I liked a great deal of it, but it did tend to follow a similar pattern as the first one for a large chunk of the book. The ending got me hooked again and I can't wait to read the third one to find out what happens next. ...more
Elephant Joe and his trusty sidekick Zebra Pete are given the task of finding the king's crown and the evil Dark Knight who stole it. Thus, the story Elephant Joe and his trusty sidekick Zebra Pete are given the task of finding the king's crown and the evil Dark Knight who stole it. Thus, the story is filled with shenanigans and colorful characters that will make you laugh out loud. My roommate and I read this together and we were epically entertained by both the story and the illustrations. A definite recommended read. ...more
Percy struggles with fitting in and dealing with his newest school. He seems to have found a friend in Grover but he still has difficulty with his ADHPercy struggles with fitting in and dealing with his newest school. He seems to have found a friend in Grover but he still has difficulty with his ADHD, his dyslexia, and his great ability to get into fights. When one of his teachers appears to be a mythical creature who attacks him, Percy's life tilts and he finds that his destiny is much greater than whatever he could have imagined.
THIS BOOK WAS SO MUCH BETTER THAN THE MOVIE!!! I suppose that's always the case, but this one was just amazing. I plot was intense and complicated, to the point of keeping me guessing even though I had seen the movie first. (I suppose that's a mark of how off the film version was, but it also kept the book entertaining.) I love how disabilities are marks of greatness here and I love the environmental message that runs throughout the book. I wasn't expecting some of the themes and points given in the book and they just made everything better. Beyond highly recommended. ...more
Ferdie doesn't want to go to school at all and he dreads his sister Viola telling him to go. He vows to stay put and never move and Viola has to tell Ferdie doesn't want to go to school at all and he dreads his sister Viola telling him to go. He vows to stay put and never move and Viola has to tell him that he must do extravagant things like save a princess and search for buried treasure to get him to move. There's only a few blocks to get to school and the two siblings will have to use their imaginations to get through it.
The illustrations are amazing. The real world is in blacks and gray blues while those in their imaginations are in vibrant color. It's fabulous. The characters are entirely too fun as they remind me of several kids I know. A very fun read. ...more
Aura and everyone born after her can all see ghosts due to a mystical event called the Shift. Everyone her age and younger have learned to live with tAura and everyone born after her can all see ghosts due to a mystical event called the Shift. Everyone her age and younger have learned to live with this ability and everyone older has worked to get control over ghosts everywhere, be it through blackboxing areas to prevent ghosts entering or be it through putting a tracker on them and summoning them. Aura knows she is somehow tied to the Shift and she makes it her goal to learn all that she can about the mystery behind it. In addition to this, Aura finds herself conflicted in terms of her love life. Her longterm boyfriend and lifelong friend *SPOILERS* has suddenly died but his ghost still visits her, and a new boy has shown up that she is drawn to more than anyone she's ever known and he is supportive as she deals with her loss. Aura finds that both of the boys work together to give her more answers about the Shift while also creating several more conflicts.
The storyline is just wonderfully original in terms of the Shift and the way that ghosts are presented. I loved it in that way. Smith-Ready shows several different kinds of ghosts throughout the book and each type gives clues to the reality behind the event. I found the love triangle drama a little taxing and over the top, mainly because one boy was alive and one was not. Myabe I missed something vital that the target audience would have latched on it, but I couldn't help but think that I would have wanted a loved one to move on instead of keeping them somewhere potentially threatening. Either way, the romantic scenes were fun and steamy and the characters had distinct enough personalities that I could let most issues slide. I'm very interested in learning more from the other books in the series....more
Even though Patch and Nora thought that they had beaten Circumstance when Patch got his wings back and Nora's life was saved, now Patch is under constEven though Patch and Nora thought that they had beaten Circumstance when Patch got his wings back and Nora's life was saved, now Patch is under constant watch from the archangels who want to send him to Hell for outsmarting them all; Nora starts to have some questions about her father's murder; and Nora's childhood friend Scott reappears in town and he seems to have some secrets of his own. How is everything connected and who could be after Nora now?
*SPOILER ALERT* The second installment involved Nora and Patch breaking up and having A LOT of communication problems, which basically resulted in several fights and Nora being unbearable to read about as she whined. I honestly didn't know if her character could be redeemable until about the last third of the book where she started to think instead of mope. We find out more about the fallen angel/Nephilim struggle and some developments on that front and we learn more about the rivalry between Nora and Marcie Millar. These new plot points kept the pace up even through Nora's teenage angst and kept the reader guessing, much like with the first installment. Again, the ending surpassed any cynicism that arose from reading through the first portions where I had begun to worry about this novel possibly turning ordinary. The antagonist was well played and creative, and while some readers will give a resounding "WTF" to the last page, I wholeheartedly agree that it will urge the majority of readers to rush for the third installment. I wouldn't say that it's as well done as _Hush, Hush_ since the multiple running plots can get a little messy, but this book is still highly worth reading....more
Phoebe is a teen goth girl who is trying to become more aware of the political and social movements around here. THe biggest issues gripping American Phoebe is a teen goth girl who is trying to become more aware of the political and social movements around here. THe biggest issues gripping American is the sudden rise of teen zombies--creatures that aren't appearing in other nations and who aren't adult. The zombies have started rising for no apparent reason and there isn't a huge amount of similarities between the zombies that Phoebe knows. She becomes interested in Tommy, a highly intelligent "living impaired" boy who starts questioning his rights and his roles in society. Her fascination becomes problematic with her relationship with Adam, her best friend and next door neighbor who's finally admitting to himself that he's in love with a goth girl. All of the characters must face hatred and discrimination from others simply from having their beliefs and this can easily be something that readers will identify with.
I found the pacing a little weird and it was sometimes abrupt to shift between so many different narrative voices, sometimes even within the same section of writing. I find the premise extremely captivating and relevant to many readers. Readers can definitely draw parallels in several places in the book and it's interesting to be in the head of Pete, one of the characters that is filled with hate. This book can definitely open up a world of discussion with readers and it can easily be appealing for both genders. This first installment wasn't as heavy on the romance as I originally thought, which can also be helpful. I also didn't know that this was part of a series when I finished it, so the ending was a little off in terms of not resolving things. However, I definitely plan to go out and read the other books in the series. ...more
Sookie and Bill have been drifting apart lately and the only reason that she can think of is him mysterious work. He's been untruthful about the detaiSookie and Bill have been drifting apart lately and the only reason that she can think of is him mysterious work. He's been untruthful about the details of his work and he's been avoiding telling her things about himself more than ever. Sookie thinks that it's just the death of their honeymoon phase until Bill disappears. No one knows for sure where he's gone and his work has disappeared with him. Even when Sookie hears of Bill's betrayals, she decides that she is the one to find him and she puts herself in more danger through doing so than she has before. I loved the pace of this book and the new characters that we meet along the way. However, I felt like the ending was a little too clean and it felt a little rushed to me. Overall, probably my favorite so far....more
Now that Sam and Grace have found each other, what else could possibly go wrong? The new wolves are starting to change back which gives the readers soNow that Sam and Grace have found each other, what else could possibly go wrong? The new wolves are starting to change back which gives the readers some fun new characters. Something is wrong with Grace though. She's sick in a way that they are sure is connected to the wolves and no doctors have any idea what's wrong with her. We get to see a little more of Isabel here and she continues to be excellent entertainment value. The problem with this book came with the switching narratives and points of view. In the first book, it only switched between Sam and Grace and it did so from chapter to chapter. In this book, the point of view changes between about four characters and sometimes it switches multiple times throughout the chapter. It made the book feel less professional and it bothered me as a reader. Plot-wise, the story is entertaining and makes for a good cotton candy read. ...more
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