Evermore by Alyson Noel ( 60/81)

Since a horrible accident claimed the lives of her family, Ever can see auras, hear people's thoughts, and know a person's entire life story by touch. Going out of her way to avoid human contact and suppress her abilities has branded her as a freak at her new high school—but everything changes when she meets Damen.

Damen Auguste is gorgeous, exotic and wealthy. He's the only one who can silence the noise and random energy in her head—wielding a magic so intense, it's as though he can see straight into her soul. As Ever is drawn deeper into his enticing world of secrets and mystery, she's left with more questions than answers. She has no idea just who he really is—or what he is. The only thing she knows to be true is she's falling deeply and helplessly in love with him.


Ok ... what is with series at the moment .... Not that I am not lovin it ... But it does kind of suck if you find one you really like and you have to wait for the rest of the series .... Luckily for me the second installment is due this month 'Blue Moon' ........ Hurray not that long to wait ...

Well like I said this is the first book in the series of 'The Immortals' and I loved it ... It is an easy read and finished in a couple of days ..... Mainly because I spend most the night reading it ...... lol ...

The main Character of Ever is great ....... After the tragic accident of her parents and little sister dying ... Ever moves in with her Aunt and tries to fit into a school ....... The only difference is that after the accident Ever is not the same ........ She can see Dead people and read thoughts .... But then a drop dead gorgeous guy enters the scene who she cannot read .........

This book is a Teen book probably 14 upwards ...... There is maybe 1 swear word in the whole book ....

But I have to say I have been reading alot of fantasy books of late and this is a new twist to those !!!! ......... Reminded me abit of Highlander ........

I love this book and itching for the next one .......

I rate this book 41/2 ****

Hunted by P.C and Kristin Cast (52/81)

The good news: Zoey's friends have her back again and Stevie Rae and the red fledglings aren't Neferet's secrets any longer. The bad news: Ancient evil with the face of an angel has been let loose - that and various other nasties (whose faces aren't so angelic). Grandma Redbird is in trouble. Heath is in trouble. The House of Night is in trouble. Okay, let's face it - Zoey's whole world is in trouble! But when the trouble comes from a being who appears to be beauty personified, will the world believe it? Especially when only a teenager and a group of misfits are the only ones who really understand the danger he brings. Will Zoey have the strength and wisdom to reveal the truth?

This is book 5 of the House of Night Series and I thought it was OK ............ There was less of the rituals in this book and more story which I thought was good ........ But I have to say that the Character of Zoey is really easily swayed when it comes to Boys ......... Which to be honest frustrates me at times ......... First she is madly in love with her Vampire boyfriend and then two seconds later she is cuddling up to her human boyfriend .......

The character that I enjoy the most would have to be Aphrodite she is witty and tells it how it is ... The way that is left in the book there definitely could be more in this series .....

As Vampire books go it is an OK series but not one that I would rave about ...... I prefer Vampire Academy or the Sooky Stackhouse series ..... This is classed as a teen series but would definitely make sure that it was the older end of the market because of the language and some of the subject matter ......

I rate this book 3 ***

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman (49/81)

When a baby escapes a murderer intent on killing the entire family, who would have thought it would find safety and security in the local graveyard? Brought up by the resident ghosts, ghouls and spectres, Bod has an eccentric childhood learning about life from the dead. But for Bod there is also the danger of the murderer still looking for him - after all, he is the last remaining member of the family. A stunningly original novel deftly constructed over eight chapters, featuring every second year of Bod's life, from babyhood to adolescence. Will Bod survive to be a man?

Loved, Loved, Loved this book .......... And when I did some reading up on Neil Gaiman I found out that I had actually seen alot of his work .......... He worked on Babylon 5 one of my all time favourite shows ....... Wrote the script for Beowulf, had a hand in Princess Mononoke, wrote Stardust and also the up and coming movie Coraline .......... So I am officially calling myself a Neil Gaiman fan and going to seek out the rest of his books and comics to read ..........

Firstly let me say I loved the cover of this book ....... Not only is it Hardback but it is wonderfully Illustrated ..... It was a complete joy to read it ...... While reading it I did have a kind of Tim Burton image in my head which I loved ...... Neil said that he was inspired by The Jungle Book ( which is one of my favourite books ) So instead of animals raising the child it would be Ghosts !!!

The book is about a boy who's family has been murdered and as a baby is adopted by the people in the local graveyard ...... They protect and guide Bod ( Short for Nobody) ......... The characters are wonderful ..... And I can appreciate all the gravestone humour with having spend alot of my time as a child wandering around graveyards ( Not in a morbid way - just with my family doing family History - I have lost count how many childhood pictures of me are sitting by the gravestones ) So for me I got totally absorbed into this world ....... The characters are great .... And when you have a full graveyard of people you can really go anywhere .......

I am excited to hear that this is going to be made into a movie as well ...... So if you haven't read it yet ........ Go out and get a copy ......

This is a pretty cool site which you can listen to each chapter getting read to you by Neil himself ............. http://www.mousecircus.com/videotour.aspx Enjoy !!!!!!!!!

I rate this book 5 *****

The Wizard Heir, 53/81, 2nd Round

The Wizard Heir by Cinda Williams Chima, myth/fantasy category

Seph, short for Joseph, is used to being sent from school to school. Ever since his first guardian died, he has been having a hard time settling in. And he can't get any straight answers about his family either.

So after another tragedy, Seph is sent to a new boys' school in rural Maine. At first, he's hoping this will be the help he's been looking for, someone to train him in magic and teach him how to be a wizard. But it becomes clear very early that this school is more like a prison, and he's going to have to be very lucky to escape with his life.

This was a great followup to the exciting first book, The Warrior Heir. I liked Seph, even though he was a bit cocky, and loved his courage and resourcefulness. This is a darker type of magic, in some ways, and certainly violent. There's no question that these are some nasty folks Seph is facing. I still can't decide whether to trust some of the folks in here. Unlike most teen fantasies, I really can't tell what to expect next or how this will all turn out. I can't wait to read the next one in this series.

Betrayed by P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast (46/81)

Fledgling vampyre Zoey Redbird has managed to settle in at the House of Night. She’s come to terms with the vast powers the vampyre goddess, Nyx, has given her, and is getting a handle on being the new Leader of the Dark Daughters. Best of all, Zoey finally feels like she belongs--like she really fits in. She actually has a boyfriend…or two. Then the unthinkable happens: Human teenagers are being killed, and all the evidence points to the House of Night. While danger stalks the humans from Zoey’s old life, she begins to realize that the very powers that make her so unique might also threaten those she loves. Then, when she needs her new friends the most, death strikes the House of Night, and Zoey must find the courage to face a betrayal that could break her heart, her soul, and jeopardize the very fabric of her world.

This is book 2 of the A House Of Night Series and I feel that it is getting a little bit better ....... There is not that much bad language in this one as there was in the first ....... So that is a good sign ......... The characters are now starting to come together which is good ...... Even though the main character of Zoey sometimes I just want to slap her at times when it comes to the boys in her life ........ She just is all over the place .....

I love the Character of Stevie Rae she is warm, funny and bubbly ..... As the title of the novel suggests Betrayed - You know something is going to happen :)

It has took me a couple of books to get into this series but if you do like your Vampire Books you will enjoy this series as well ... But for the more adult Teen than the younger end because of some of the content .....

I rate this book 31/2 ***

The Wizard Heir, 53/81, 2nd Round

The Wizard Heir by Cinda Williams Chima, myth/fantasy category

Seph, short for Joseph, is used to being sent from school to school. Ever since his first guardian died, he has been having a hard time settling in. And he can't get any straight answers about his family either.

So after another tragedy, Seph is sent to a new boys' school in rural Maine. At first, he's hoping this will be the help he's been looking for, someone to train him in magic and teach him how to be a wizard. But it becomes clear very early that this school is more like a prison, and he's going to have to be very lucky to escape with his life.

This was a great followup to the exciting first book, The Warrior Heir. I liked Seph, even though he was a bit cocky, and loved his courage and resourcefulness. This is a darker type of magic, in some ways, and certainly violent. There's no question that these are some nasty folks Seph is facing. I still can't decide whether to trust some of the folks in here. Unlike most teen fantasies, I really can't tell what to expect next or how this will all turn out. I can't wait to read the next one in this series.

Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta

Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta
Category: Award Winners and Honors
2009 Printz Award Winner

Taylor Markham's mother left her at the 7-11 on the Jellicoe Road. Six years later, Taylor is the House leader at her school and the school leader in the "territory wars" against the Townies and the Cadets. It doesn't help that the leader of the Cadets, Jonah Griggs, is someone Taylor has something of a history with. On top of all this new responsibility, Taylor freaks when Hannah, the woman who found her at the 7-11 and took her in for a time, suddenly disappears.

This well-crafted story is told in two parts - Taylor's first-person, present tense narration and another story, interspersed here and there, about the survivors of a car crash on Jellicoe Road 22 years before Taylor's story. Though at first confusing, seeing the two narratives come together was a lot of fun, even after I'd figured out much of the connections. The story and characters will stay with me for a long time. 5 stars.

Cross-posted at Born Reader.

Good as Lily by Derek Kirk Kim (56/81)

Good as Lily by Derek Kirk Kim
Category: Graphic Novels

On Grace's eighteenth birthday, she is suddenly visited by...herself. At the ages of six, twenty-nine, and seventy-something, to be precise. These doppelgangers may just change her life, if she can keep them out of trouble in the meantime.

This is a story all about character, as we learn about Grace and exactly what she could teach herself at each of these ages, from love to friendship to sibling rivalry. There's humor (Grace has to keep her 29-year-old self from hitting on the hot young English teacher) and more serious elements. Directly after finishing it, I would have given it 3 stars - a quick, light story that I didn't love, didn't dislike. But the next day, I was still thinking about some of the connections between the title and the construction of the story and upon further reflection I give it 4 stars.

Cross-posted at Born Reader.

The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley (55/81)

The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley
Category: Award Winners and Honors

When Harry Crewe's (don't ask her real first name) parents die, she has to move closer to her brother Richard and become the ward of Lady Amelia and Sir Charles. She falls in love with this wild Hill country and becomes embroiled in the political climate when Corlath, king of the Damarians, comes to parley with Sir Charles. Corlath's magic won't let him forget her, so he kidnaps her knowing only that she has some sort of part to play in the coming war with the Northerners.

I have no real complaints about this story: the characters were interesting (I especially enjoyed reading when Corlath was on-scene), the story well told. But I never felt fully invested in the story, nor did I feel compelled to read if the book were not already in my hands. Really more a case of mood than of any failing of the book, I give it 4 stars.

Cross-posted at Born Reader.

The Sword of the Rightful King, 18/81, 2nd round

The Sword of the Rightful King, by Jane Yolen, found at the library category

I really like Jane Yolen and I love the Arthur stories, so this one seemed like a safe bet. However, I wasn't crazy about her Young Merlin trilogy. This one, happily, wasn't really connected with the Merlin stories. It revolved around Arthur, Merlin, Gawain and Morgause and a newcomer to court, the confusingly named Gawin.

Morgause is her normal rotten self, Gawain was a hero as always (he's my favorite, really), and there was much intrigue. I wound up only giving it 3.5 stars though, because the plot was just too complex to be believable. Arthur here was very easy to like. If you enjoy the Arthur stories, I think this one would be a fun one.

Wildwood Dancing, 15/81, 2nd Round

Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier, fantasy/myth category

Jena and her 4 sisters have a secret. Every full moon, they find a portal into the Other World and dance the night away. But things are changing. Their father must leave their home and spend the winter away for his health. He leaves the castle in the care of Jena and her older sister Tati, and reminds them to ask their uncle for any help they need. But after he leaves, their uncle is killed in a hunting accident and their cousin Cezar takes over. And wow, does he take over. Suddenly the girls have little control over anything, because Cezar knows best.

Add to this the twist that Tati falls in love with one of the other visitors to the Other World, one who hangs around with a suspicious crowd. Vampires, anyone? Jena's own companion, a frog, starts acting differently too. It seems like just when things can't get any worse for the family, they do.

I really enjoyed this book. It's a mix of vampire folklore (it's set in Romania), the 12 Dancing Princesses and The Frog Prince, but it works surprisingly well. I really liked Jena, despite her flaws, and I loved the ending. Then I found out there's a sequel, Cybele's Secret, which might not be out yet. This one was a lot of fun.

Enthusiasm, 5/81, 2nd round

Enthusiasm by Polly Shulman, found at the library category

This was a fun teen romance that was neat little twist on Jane Austen. Julie's friend Ashleigh is always having these phases, or 'enthusiasms.' Suddenly Ashleigh discovers Jane Austen, and decided to go all out. Julie finally persuades her not to wear long dresses to high school, but agrees to go along to a boys' school dance, where they can meet their Mr. Darcys.

Like I said, it was a fun book. Ashleigh reminds me of several people I know, but fortunately, not quite so obsessed. And just about every reader will spot where the story is going almost from the beginning. The fun is in seeing HOW we get there.

Julie is a good character, with a complicated family, complicated emotions, and I really wanted her to get what she deserved. Recommended for teens or adults.

The Bar Code Tattoo - 78/81

The Bar Code Tattoo, by Suzanne Weyn, teen category

The government knows everything about you. Where you live, where you work, your entire genetic code. And they keep track of you. But only for your own protection, of course. You have no reason to complain - unless you have something to hide. Right?

Kayla is a high school student with a talent for art, but when she refuses to get the bar code tattoo, her defiance starts making trouble for her in all kinds of unexpected ways. Who can she trust? Where can she hide?

This dystopian novel for teens is so close to reality on so many levels, that it makes for a slightly uncomfortable read. Could this really happen? I like to hope not, but I may of course be wrong.

I enjoyed the world in this one. The setting was very well done, and the ramifications well imagined in their chilling consequences. But the characters were not as well done, so I'm only giving it 4 stars. Still, a quick read that will still have me thinking for days to come.

Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson (44/81)

Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson
999 Challenge Category: Award Winners and Honors (National Book Award Finalist, 2008)

The year is 1776. Isabel's owner, Miss Finch, has died. She left a will freeing Isabel and her sister Ruth, but Miss Finch's nephew is in a hurry and the lawyer is in Boston -- unreachable given the current unrest. He sells the girls to a couple who live in New York. Upon arrival in her new home, Isabel meets Curzon, a fellow slave and Patriot who claims they can contact the lawyer if she'll spy for his side.

The narrative weaves a convincing tale in which even the side of liberty is not all that interested in the plight of slaves. Each chapter is titled by the dates it covers (which could be a day or nearly two months), followed by a quote from historical writing -- a letter, a journal entry -- that also highlights the exploration of liberty and justice in the Revolutionary War. I look forward to the sequel. 4.5 stars.

Cross-posted at Born Reader.

Once Upon a Marigold (38/81)

Once Upon a Marigold by Jean Ferris
Category: Young Adult/Children's

Christian ran away from home when he was six. Living with his foster father in the forest for eleven years, Chris doesn't regret it for a minute - he has a happy (if isolated) life with his two dogs and distantly watches Princess Marigold through a telescope from outside his house. But now it's time for him to leave the life he's known and seek his fortune.

Though I enjoyed several aspects of this story, Once Upon a Marigold was clearly written for readers younger than me. The seventeen-year-old protagonists often seemed a bit young in their thoughts and actions and the narrator had a habit of making pronouncements in a way that irritated me. The direction of the plot was clear early on, though it was entertaining to see how it all came together. Edric the troll was a great character, and I enjoyed his merged sayings that seem to almost make sense. A quick, fun read that I would've enjoyed more fifteen years ago. 4 stars.

Cross-posted at Born Reader.

In the Hand of the Goddess (37/81)

In the Hand of the Goddess by Tamora Pierce
Category: YA/Children's

*Spoiler warning* if you haven't read Alanna: the First Adventure.

The second in the Song of the Lioness quartet starts a few months after Alanna: The First Adventure ended. Alanna, now Prince Jonathan's squire, is traveling when a storm forces her to seek shelter. That night, she meets a new friend - a cat with eyes as violet as her own - and the Goddess herself, who gives her advice about what is to come.

I read the book in one evening. The plot seems meandering, but is really more of a journey, as Alanna prepares to become a knight. A couple of years go by very quickly, which sometimes makes events that were probably a bit slower to occur in the internal chronology happen very quickly. All my favorite characters - Alanna, Jonathan, George, and the rest - were back in this entertaining tale. 4.5 stars.

Cross-posted at Born Reader.

Dreamquake by Elizabeth Knox (36/81)

Dreamquake by Elizabeth Knox
Category: YA/Children's

*Spoiler warning* if you haven't read Dreamhunter.

The second book in the Dreamhunter Duet starts before the first ends - there's about 15-20 pages of overlap told from a slightly different perspective. From there, we learn where Laura went to hide after delivering a horrible nightmare that had been used to keep convicts in line to a large number of people in order to bring awareness to what Cas Doran and his Regulatory Body has been up to. Rose soon finds out that this isn't the only thing they're up to, so the fact that nobody seems to care that this nightmare is used on convicts quickly moves to the background.

Like Dreamhunter, Dreamquake starts a little slowly, but steadily builds momentum as the reader and characters discover just what is going on with dreams and the Place. I grew a little frustrated that I figured out a lot before the main characters did, but overall it was an enjoyable read. 4 stars.

Cross-posted at Born Reader.

Alfred Kropp and the Thirteenth Skull, 49/81

Alfred Kropp and the Thirteenth Skull, by Rick Yancey, teen category

After saving the world from complete destruction twice, you'd think Alfred could get a chance to sit back and relax for a bit. Nope. This book takes up just minutes after The Seal of Solomon ends, and it's back into the fray for Alfred.

If you haven't heard of this series (and it seems to be a well kept secret), you are missing out. Alfred is an unlikely hero. He's a pretty normal guy. But he finds him self over and over again in extraordinary situations.

I don't want to say too much here, in case you haven't read the first two, but I will say that several characters are back. The most frightening this time around, though, is Special Operative Nueve, a complete psychopath who is either Alfred's only hope or his worst nightmare.

I love this series! Alfred is such a great character. I think what makes him so appealing is that he has absolute certainty that he really is no one special. But he's the only one who can do what he does. He makes the right choice, again and again, even if that is a tough choice for himself. He never fails. That's what I love about him.

Highly recommended. This is a violent series, with lots of religious references, but it would be great for most teens. Plenty of action, no real language, and a great hero.

The Graveyard Book (35/81)

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
Category: Award Winners

Nobody ("Bod") Owens, orphaned by a man Jack who killed everyone in the family but failed to kill the toddler, lives in a graveyard. The many residents of the graveyard have a hand in raising him, particularly his foster parents, the Owenses, and his guardian, Silas. Somewhere out in the wider world, however, Jack still wants to finish his job.

This year's Newbery Award winner is pretty much as odd as you would expect if you've read any of Neil Gaiman's other books (I mean that as an observation, not a criticism). I liked the premise and the details of life in the graveyard, such as the lessons that teachers long dead taught Bod and the addition of dates and inscriptions after the mention of various inhabitants. Some readers may enjoy the nods to The Jungle Book, but you don't have to be familiar with Kipling's work to enjoy this one. 4 stars.

Cross-posted at Born Reader.

Alanna: The First Adventure (34/81)

Alanna: The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce
Category: Audiobooks

Alanna and her twin, Thom, are not happy with their father's plans for them - Alanna to be trained as a lady and Thom as a knight. So Alanna cooks up a plan to switch places (their scholar father will never notice) so they can follow their dreams: Alanna to become a knight and Thom, a sorcerer. But what will happen if she's discovered?

I'm having a hard time talking about the story without giving spoilers, especially since it's such a short story. I usually take a long time on audiobooks, but this had only 4 tracks and was such an interesting story that I had a hard time falling asleep to it. While I found the story mostly predictable, I liked Alanna and the friends she makes, and enjoyed the stories about her training. I look forward to continuing the series. 4.5 stars.

Cross posted at Born Reader.