Whatcha Thinking Thursday

It's time for Whatcha Thinking Thursday, hosted by me! Here's how it works. Each Thursday I'll simply blog about something book related that's weighing on my mind. Feel free to comment away if you agree or disagree (just keep it clean, okay?), or if you want to post to your site either on the same topic or about whatever it is you're thinking about go right ahead. I just ask that you link back to here. Also, make sure you add your blog to the list so we can find you!

This week is banned book week, and while it would make sense to post something along those lines, I have to admit that with almost every other post on my site pertaining to BBW I felt like it was a little overkill- plus I'm thinking about something else.

The names of female leads in book...why can't I remember them.

This stuck me the other night as I was raving about Jeri Smith Ready's Shade. I was telling someone about it and cou;dn't for the life of me remember the lead charecters name. The boys are Logan and Zachary, Zachary's dad is Ian, then there's Mickey, Connor, Dylan, Siobhan, Eowyn, Aunt Gina and.... what is her name and why can't I remember it. It's not the first time I've noticed thsi phenomenan. I have to think really hard about who it is that's in love with Sam in Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver series, and niether of the names from Cassie Clare's books stick with me even though I can name almost every one else from both the Mortal Instruments series and Clockwork Angel.

Then it me- I can't remember the names of female leads because I completely internalize these charecters. Especially when they are written from that charecters perspective. I read it as if I am them, and when I think back on the books I'm thinking about it like I was in it. Strange deal that one is. I only realized it when I woke up this morning after having a dream about Shade in which every charecter was speaking to Kate, aka me. This means that the books are written so well that not only do I really like reading them, but I have a genuine attachment to them. I love that, even if it means when I need to do a 5 star review I have to go look up who exactly it is that I'm writing about!

For the record- The lovely ladies are: Aura (Shade), Tessa and Clary (Clockwork Angel and Mortal Instruments) and Grace (Shiver)- all excellent and memorable names!

How about you, do you have any quirks when you read?

Banned Book Week: Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott

Summary:
Once upon a time I was a little girl who disappeared.
Once upon a time my name was not Alice.
Once upon a time I didn't know how lucky I was.

When Alice was ten, Ray took her away from her family, her friends -- her life. She learned to give up all power, to endure all pain. She waited for the nightmare to be over.

Now Alice is fifteen and Ray still has her, but he speaks more and more of her death. He does not know it is what she longs for. She does not know he has something more terrifying than death in mind for her.

This is Alice's story. It is one you have never heard, and one you will never, ever forget.

Why it was banned: Living Dead Girl is listed on this years ALA Most Frequently Challenged Books of 2009-2010 Here's what they said: Challenged, but retained at the Effi ngham, Ill. Helen Matthes Library (2009) despite concerns about its graphic content and the unsatisfactory ending. The book is about a fi fteen-year-old’s perspective of living with her captor after being forcibly kidnapped and imprisoned at the age of ten. The book has received several accolades from book critics.

From the author: While preparing for Banned Book Week I had the good fortune to email with Elizabeth about her thoughts on the challenge. She had the following to say about Living Dead Girl being banned/challenged.

"I think it’s easy to get outraged over a child’s abduction, and what happens to him/her, but it’s also equally easy for us to see something—someone—that makes us uncomfortable, a moment or an expression that give us pause, and to do nothing.

And that moment where we see and turn away is the heart of Living Dead Girl. Alice’s story isn’t just about what she endures with Ray. It’s what she endures at the hands of the world. How it doesn’t see her.

How the world turns away.

How we turn away.

As far as banning/censoring Living Dead Girl, it has happened, and I suspect it will keep happening. I can’t tell people what to think or how to feel about the book, and if what I’ve written upsets them, I believe they’re entitled to their opinion, just as I was free to write a story I felt needed to be told.

And while I don’t believe any book should be banned, I know there are those who feel differently, and though I hope that Living Dead Girl will be read and discussed, if there are those who want the book banned, then--well, we do all make choices when it comes to what we want to see, don’t we?"

What did I think: I recently discovered Scott when I came across her book Something, Maybe. So when I saw her book Living Dead Girl on this years challenged book list I knew that I wanted to read it. I have very mixed feeling about this book. On the one hand it's horrifying and heartbreaking. It was hard for me to read, because it is a hard topic to think about. That is the power in Scott's writing. The book makes you squirm because you know it's right. That this happens to some people, that you might have seen them on the street, that you might have looked away. Not only was Alice taken and kept, but she encounters people everyday who should have stepped in, but didn't. Like I said, horrifying. That being said, it's a book that should absolutely be read. It reminds us to keep our eyes open to those around us. To really look and to give ourselves permission to help if we think something is wrong. If you don't, for whatever reason, there could be an Alice who is suffering. I think this book is magnificent and if you haven't read it, head to the library, this one is on the must-read list.

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Check out Scott's website for more information about all of her books. Of course, don't forget to enter the Banned Book Week Giveaway, which contains a SIGNED copy of Living Dead Girl.

Banned Book Week: House of Night Series by PC and Kristin Cast

Summary: House of Night is a thrillingly engaging book series that follows 16-year-old Zoey Redbird, who gets “Marked” by a vampyre tracker and begins to undergo the “Change” into an actual vampyre. She has to leave her family in Tulsa and move into the House of Night, a boarding school for other fledglings like her.

It’s within the school’s walls that the heart of the action takes place as Zoey meets new friends, finds love, comes to terms with how her life will be different now and begins to realize her awesome new powers.

Here’s the deal though: Yes, Zoey’s a vampyre now. But she’s still a teenager – with all the humor, angst and confusing feelings any other teenager has. (from houseofnightseries.com)


Why it was banned: This series has been banned all over the place, and according to P.C. Cast's blog post of last year, it is actually the most banned series in the state of Texas! The ALA's Banned and Challenged book list for 2009 includes the following listing: the entire teen vampire series was banned for sexual content and nudity. Since the series has not been completed, “Stephenville ISD actually banned books that have not yet been published and perhaps even books that have yet to be written. There is no way the district could know the content of these books, and yet they have been banned"

From the author: P.C. Cast wrote a blog post about the challenge last fall entitled Free People Read Freely- it's worth reading the entire post, but this paragraph really stuck out for me:
"The case for writing realistically for teens is many faceted. First, there is the credibility issue. As I've said before, kids know whether you get them or not, and that's regardless of if we're talking about standing before hundreds of them in the classroom or writing for them. Also, I always write what I'd like to read, and I know teenagers too well to want to read/write Pollyanna stuff about them. And then it comes down to the fact that ignorance is not bliss. Avoiding subjects that are uncomfortable doesn't work for me on lots of different levels: I believe in sex ed. I believe in talking to my daughter honestly about life's unpleasantness. I believe in facing issues head-on with teens, even if it means I write the most banned series of books in Texas. Let's just be honest about what our kids are dealing with on a daily basis and open communication lines with them so that they don't have to face those things alone!"

My thoughts: First- to be honest I have not yet finished this series. I've read the first two books and have the next on reserve at the library- I'm 2nd in line (finally!) and I can't wait to keep reading. I have to say that I find these book really entertaining to read. Yes there are references to sex and nudity, but if we are being honest with ourselves, these are things that teens deal with. Do we sometimes wish they didn't? Of course. Should we turn the other way and pretend it doesn't exist? No. There is nothing to gain from that sort of attitude.

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More about P.C. Cast you can hit up her website or blog and the House of Night Series has it's own webpage with all sorts of fun stuff as well. As always- don't forget to enter my Banned Book Giveaway contest which inclused a copy of the first book in the House of Night series, Marked!

Banned Book Week: The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline B. Cooney

Summary: No one ever really paid close attention to the faces of the missing children on the milk cartons. But as Janie Johnson glanced at the face of the ordinary little girl with her hair in tight pigtails, wearing a dress with a narrow white collar--a three-year-old who had been kidnapped twelve years before from a shopping mall in New Jersey--she felt overcome with shock. She recognized that little girl--it was she. How could it possibly be true?

Janie can't believe that her loving parents kidnapped her, but as she begins to piece things together, nothing makes sense. Something is terribly wrong. Are Mr. and Mrs. Johnson really Janie's parents? And if not, who is Janie Johnson, and what really happened? (from goodreads.com)

Why it was banned: The Face on the Milk Carton is listed at #80 on the most frequently challenged books for 1990-1999 and #29 on the same list for 2000-2009. This book has been challenged any times and the reasons listed range from sexual content, challenge to authority and inappropriate for age group.

Thoughts from Caroline: "Here’s my view on challenges: they are simply free speech. Of course at any time, any reader may state disapproval of a book. I am respectful of parents who keep up with what their children read and have the guts to announce publicly that they don’t like the title assigned and wish it removed. The fact that I might disagree is irrelevant. We protect free speech..." (via email)

What did I think?: I think I was shocked that this book was challenged. LOL. It's another one that I loved as a kid, I can even remember seeing the after school special that was based on it. I was surprised that the seemingly innocent reference to sex (sex, by the way, which didn't happen) was enough to have it challenged. I do agree with Caroline though, that parents have the right to decide what is appropriate for their kids. It's only when they start trying to dictate what other children should be allowed to read that it crosses the line.

In poking around for more information about this book, I was pretty stoked to see that it's actually a series. After the first book there is Whatever Happened to Janie, The Voice on the Radio and What Janie Found. I'm pretty excited to go get these from the library and see what happened to Janie.

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If you'd like more information about Caroline B. Cooney and her books, head on over to her website! Also, don't forget to enter my Banned Book Giveaway, which includes a copy of The Face on the Milk Carton.

Cover reveal: Forever by Maggie Stiefvater

Maggie Stiefvater's books, Shiver and Linger, are some of my favorite books out there. This morning Maggie revealed the cover of the third book, Forever, on her blog. Seriously, how beautiful are the covers of these books?

Unfortunately the wait for the release of Forever seems like forever to wait- July 2011 (which, on her blog, Maggie describes as "ominously close"). Lucky for us, you can pre-order now to get a SIGNED COPY OF FOREVER! Just head over to Fountain Bookstore to order yours.

Also- Maggie is giving away some insanely awesome prizes on her blog, so head over there to check it out!

Banned Book Week: Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George

Summary: Miyax, like many adolescents, is torn. But unlike most, her choices may determine whether she lives or dies. At 13, an orphan, and unhappily married, Miyax runs away from her husband's parents' home, hoping to reach San Francisco and her pen pal. But she becomes lost in the vast Alaskan tundra, with no food, no shelter, and no idea which is the way to safety. Now, more than ever, she must look hard at who she really is. Is she Miyax, Eskimo girl of the old ways? Or is she Julie (her "gussak"-white people-name), the modernized teenager who must mock the traditional customs? And when a pack of wolves begins to accept her into their community, Miyax must learn to think like a wolf as well. If she trusts her Eskimo instincts, will she stand a chance of surviving? (from goodreads.com)

Why was it challenged?: This book is listed at #32 on the ALA's most frequently challenged books 1990-1999 and #91 on the 2000-2009 list. It was challenged for sexual content, offensive language, violence and being unsuited to age group.

From the author: I had the good fortune of emailing back and forth with Jean Craighead George as I was preparing for Banned Book Week this year. Here is what she had to say about Julie of the Wolves making the Most Frequently Challenged Books list:

"I'm delighted to be on the list of Banned Books. To think that I am in the company of Mark Twain, the Bible, and other giants of literature is mind blowing. What an esteemed group.
I don't know why "Julie of the Wolves" was banned, but the critics seem to be fussing about Daniel's pushing his wife, Julie, to the floor and tearing her dress. They call it "rape" because they didn't read it correctly. Daniel ran outdoors saying, "I can,"(surprise) -- that is, he is able another day to claim Julie as his wife -- so Julie, who is afraid of him, leaves. I had to have an urgent reason to have an Eskimo girl run away, as the Eskimos are very home and family oriented. Since "My Side of the Mountain" was criticized for not motivating Sam, I motivated Julie.
And thereafter lies her tale of revealing the intelligence and behavioral traits of wolves."

My Thoughts: This was one of my favorite books when I was a kid. I can't remember what age I was when I first read it, but I do know that I read enough times that the book looks like it was run over by a truck. Never once did I think to myself that the book was over my head or innapropriate (kids never do). I admit that when I thought back on the book I only remembered the very basic points of the book. "Young girl runs away and lives with wolves". In reading it again recently I remembered why I liked it- the wolves. I love wolves. I still do- I travel to Yellowstone as often as I can and I find myself completely enthralled when watching packs of wolves. I thought the way Julie lived with them was magical, the way they communicated and built relationships was what really held my attention as a kid.

As an adult I appreciate the rest of the story more. There is the scene between Julie and Daniel, which has been construed as rape, but which I still don't read that way. Bordering on abuse? Sure. It's enough to propel Julie out that door and into the unknown. These things happen every day. People get into fights, women (and men) are abused at the hand of their significant other, and people are raped. Just because it makes some people uncomfortable to read about it, doesn't mean it should be written about. Someone might need to read to find comfort in their own lives. However, that's not what this book is about (in my opinion). The fear she feels when she looks at Daniel is what prompts her to begin her journey on the tundra, where she really figures out who she is and what she wants. That's what the story is about, and it's a shame that some people will miss out because of one scene that has somehow managed to overshadow the rest of the story.

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About the author: Please go check out Jean Craighead George's website. She has written some phenomenal books (My side of the Mountain being my favorite) and her website is an absolute wealth of knowledge.

Contest: don't forget to enter my Banned Book Week Giveaway, which includes a copy of Julie of the Wolves :)

I read banned books!

I read banned books. Lots of them. And when I was a kid, even thought they weren't neccessarily banned, I read a whole lot of books that were way above my maturity level. I loved to read when I was a kid, I always had a book with me, and I was that kid with the flashlight under the covers trying to read all night without getting caught. I remember being so excited when I found a bed that had a bookshelf as a headboard- books at my fingertips 24/7!

I can't remember my parents ever telling me no when I wanted a book and because of that the whole idea that a book could be banned was alien to me for a very long time. I thought it was just something that Annie Kinsella raged about in Field of Dreams, but not something that really happened. To me it was a piece of history or a plot line in a movie. It didn't exist, because it wasn't my reality, and I think that's how alot of kids are. Of course now, I see it everywhere, and for the most part it makes me roll my eyes. You can a ban a book, but you can't ban the idea's and lessons contained therein. By telling people, especially kids, that there might be something scandelous enclosed within those pages isn't going to stip them from learning about those things. I'm 100% behind a parent being able to choose what their child is ready for, even better, let the kids decide what they are ready for and be there to guide them and answer their questions.

Every book that is banned has the potential to change someone's world. To teach a lesson, open someones eyes to something they never imagines, to help someone heal. Books are a powerful thing. Maybe that's why some people want to ban them, out of fear for what is contained within those pages. Within those pages is magic. That's what I love about books, it's why I read. Every book is a new adventure. That's why I don't think any book should be banned. If you take a book away from everyone, you might be taking away something that to one person, might be everything, and that would be a shame.

So I'm celebrating Banned Book week by featuring some of my favorite banned books (some that I never would have guessed were banned!) and with a contest. I hope everyone has an awesome Banned Book Week!!

Banned Book Week Preview

It's just about time for ALA's Banned Book Week, this year it's September 25th- October 2nd, and all around the blogosphere there is some great stuff going on! Here at A Reader's Ramblings I've got some stuff planned. During Bannd Book week I will be featuring several books that I love from the Banned/Challenged book lists (which you can find here) and I'm also having a contest! Here's what I have planned and what books I am featuring:

9/25: My thoughts on Banned Books in general

9/26: It's football Sunday at this house, as much as I loved Banned Books, I'll be watching football and eating all day ;)

9/27: Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George- including thoughts from the author.

9/28: The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline B. Cooney- including thoughts from the author.

9/29: The House of Night novels by P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast

9/30: Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott

10/1: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

10/2: Banned Book Week wrap-up and Speak Loudly book drop

Now for the contest! I'll be giving away, to one lucky winner, all 5 books I'm featuring- so you could win Julie of The Wolves, The Face on the Milk Carton, Markes (from The house of Night Series), The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian and Living Dead Girl (Direct from the lovely Elizabeth Scott!). Click here to enter!

I want to here all about what everyone else has planned, so feel free to link to your Banned Book Week posts and events below!

Banned Book Week Contest

It's time for a Banned Book Week Giveaway! Here's what I have up for grabs. There will be one winner and this person will get the following books (a few of my favorite banned and challenged books!)

• Marked by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast
• Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George
• The Face on The Milk Carton by Caroline B. Cooney
• The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sheman Alexie
• Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott (signed)

The rules are easy- simply fill out the form below. This contest will run until October 2nd at 11:59pm at which point I'll draw a winner (using random.org). This contest is open to US residents only (sorry guys, I'm poor and can't afford international postage!).

Also- head on over to my Banned Book Week preview to mr. linky it up with your BBW posts and contests. Good luck everyone! and Happy Banned Book Week!!!

Whatcha Thinking Thursday

It's time for Whatcha Thinking Thursday, hosted by me! Here's how it works. Each Thursday I'll simply blog about something book related that's weighing on my mind. Feel free to comment away if you agree or disagree (just keep it clean, okay?), or if you want to post to your site either on the same topic or about whatever it is you're thinking about go right ahead. I just ask that you link back to here. Also, make sure you add your blog to the list so we can find you!

Sooo... this week I'm thinking about book that surprised me.

I have a few in mind that I've read recently. In both cases there was one reason or another that I looked at the book, read the synopsis and scoffed a bit. In both cases I got the book from someone else, and I doubt that if it hadn't been a freebie I would have ever picked up either book. In both cases I really enjoyed the book!

First off was Stork by Wendy Delsol- heres the synopsis (from goodreads):

Sixteen-year-old Katla has just moved from Los Angeles to the sticks of Minnesota. As if it weren’t enough that her trendy fashion sense draws stares, she learns to her horror that she’s a member of an ancient order of women who decide to whom certain babies will be born. Add to that Wade, the arrogant football star whom Katla regrettably fooled around with, and Jack, a gorgeous farm boy who initially seems to hate her. Soon Katla is having freaky dreams about a crying infant and learns that, as children, she and Jack shared a near-fatal, possibly mystical experience. Can Katla survive this major life makeover and find a dress for the homecoming dance? Drawing from Norse mythology and inspired by The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen, debut author Wendy Delsol conceives an irreverent, highly entertaining novel about embracing change and the (baby) bumps along the way.

I can honestly say I thought it was going to be totally cheesy, but I really, really enjoyed it (review here). I'm so glad I won this book, because it definitly surprised me in a good way!

The next book I haven't finished yet, it's called Elixir by Hilary Duff (yes Lizzie MacGuire writes books)- here's the synopsis:

As the daughter of a renowned surgeon and a prominent Washington D.C. politician, Clea Raymond has felt the glare of the spotlight her entire life. And though she dreads the paparazzi who track her every move, she herself is a talented photojournalist who takes refuge in a career that allows her to travel to the most exotic parts of the world. But after Clea’s father disappears while on a humanitarian mission, eerie, shadowy images of a strange and beautiful young man begin to appear in Clea’s photos—a man she has never seen in her life. When Clea suddenly encounters this man in person she is stunned—and feels an immediate and powerful connection. As they grow closer, they are drawn deep into the mystery behind her father’s disappearance and discover the centuries-old truth behind their intense bond. Torn by a dangerous love triangle and haunted by a powerful secret that holds their fate, together they race against time to unravel their past in order to save their future—and their lives.

Again, I thought it seemed a little cheeseball, and to be honest the fact that it's by Hilary Duff was really not winning it any points in my book. Still, pleasently surprised with this one so far. It's a pretty good read and I was genuinely excited to see that this will be a series of books. I hope she can keep the good writing up!

So how about you- have you ever picked up a book that you thought was going to be blah only to find you really enjoyed it? How about the opposite- was there ever a book that you knew was going to rock, but it totally sucked instead?

Review: Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare

Summaries:

City of Bones: When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder - much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing - not even a smear of blood - to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know....

City of Ashes: Clary Fray just wishes that her life would go back to normal. But what's normal when you're a demon-slaying Shadowhunter, your mother is in a magically induced coma, and you can suddenly see Downworlders like werewolves, vampires, and faeries? If Clary left the world of the Shadowhunters behind, it would mean more time with her best friend, Simon, who's becoming more than a friend. But the Shadowhunting world isn't ready to let her go -- especially her handsome, infuriating, newfound brother, Jace. And Clary's only chance to help her mother is to track down rogue Shadowhunter Valentine, who is probably insane, certainly evil -- and also her father.

To complicate matters, someone in New York City is murdering Downworlder children. Is Valentine behind the killings -- and if he is, what is he trying to do? When the second of the Mortal Instruments, the Soul-Sword, is stolen, the terrifying Inquisitor arrives to investigate and zooms right in on Jace. How can Clary stop Valentine if Jace is willing to betray everything he believes in to help their father?

City of Glass: To save her mother's life, Clary must travel to the City of Glass, the ancestral home of the Shadowhunters -- never mind that entering the city without permission is against the Law, and breaking the Law could mean death. To make things worse, she learns that Jace does not want her there, and Simon has been thrown in prison by the Shadowhunters, who are deeply suspicious of a vampire who can withstand sunlight.
As Clary uncovers more about her family's past, she finds an ally in mysterious Shadow-hunter Sebastian. With Valentine mustering the full force of his power to destroy all Shadow-hunters forever, their only chance to defeat him is to fight alongside their eternal enemies. But can Downworlders and Shadowhunters put aside their hatred to work together? While Jace realizes exactly how much he's willing to risk for Clary, can she harness her new found powers to help save the Glass City -- whatever the cost?

Review: I haven't posted much in the last week. I had a good reason. I was in a book reading bubble- once I finished Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare I knew I had to go get the Mortal Instruments series ASAP. As soon as they came in at the library I was reading. I decided to review them all at once because I read them all at once, and to be honest they kind of run together for me a bit. 3 books in 4 days will do that!

I really loved these books. Having had my introduction into the Shadowhunter world in CA, this was a great continuation. Some of the same charecters and moments of connection made me feel like I was visiting an old friend. Clary is fabulous. I loved how quickly she stepped to the plate to save her Mom, wading chest deep into a world that was totally out of the box for her. Jace is, of course, perfect. Throughout the three books my heart broke for him as he tried to piece it all together and figure out where he fit in and what he really is. The other charecters were equally great. Simon is the best as the best friend, and I loved seeing him become a vampire and really coming into his own! I really loved seeing Magnus again as well- he was such a minor charecter in CA, and I really didn't him a second thought, so it was great to see so much more Magnus here, especially between him and Alec.

I thought the main thread of the relationship between Jace, Clary and Valentine was so well done. I thought the way that Valentine played everyone against eachother was masterful. Beyond the power he aquired, I thought was really made him the perfect villian was the way he toyed with the emotions of everyone, including his family. If it was just about gaining the Mortal Instruments through force, the book would have been good, but having Valentine be ruthless enough to tear his own children apart emotionally was what made the book magnificent.

I was sad to close the last page of the book, but I'm excited to see where the story goes from here, both in the Mortal Instruments series and in the Infernal Devices series!

About Cassandra Clare:
Website

Facebook

Twitter

Goodreads

Rating:

Speak Loudly

With Banned Book Week fast approaching a movement has begun, a movement to remind us to Speak Loudly. I stumbled upon it first thing this morning on twitter, where the hashtag #speakloudly was showing up on nearly every tweet that popped up on my screen. It appears that a Wesley Scroggins, in an oped piece for his local paper, has decided that Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson is soft-core porn because it depicts the rape of a high school girl. He then goes on the lambast other books including Slaughterhouse Five and Twenty Boy Summer. He believes that these books should be removed from not only the curriculum, but from the school library. He is calling for the banning of this book. Laurie Halse Anderson responded on her website, and from there it has spread. Perhaps Scroggins didn't realize the bee's nest he was kicking.

I admit to hesitating on this post. There are so many other bloggers who have posted elequent and brave stories of how Speak helped them, let them know they were not alone, and gave them an outlet. They talk about things that, as someone who has not had first hand experience with these horrible issues, can not possibly relate to. It's for those people that Speak is a lifesaver. To remove Speak from the shelves only reinforces the false idea that the victim is somehow to blame, that there is a shame attached to rape and that it should be kept a secret. That is unexceptable. For me, Speak was merely a book. One, I'll admit that I didn't really like, for reasons that are not at all relevant to the controversy currently swirling. Even so, I appreciate the message that it sends, and I think that it's a book that needs to be out there, so that those who need it can find it and to serve as a reminder that for some people life is full of bad things, and that it's not their fault.

Scroggins has every right to his opinion, whether I agree with it or not. He even has the right to send in those opinion peices to the paper and share his view with the world. So does Anderson, so do you, and so do I. If he doesn't want to read Speak, or if he doesn't want his children to read it, that is absolutly his choice. Let's just remember that for every Scroggin's who wants to keep the book from everyone, there are those of us who are willing to Speak Loudly and keep those books available to those who need them.

Sunday Confessions

I'm about 2 hours early on this one, but that's okay! To Read or not to Read has a new weekly meme that I wanted to jump on! Sunday Confessions- each week she'll ask a new questions, sometimes book related, sometimes not. This weeks question is a great one!

What is your favorite quote from a movie, tv show, song, etc.?

This is a hard one- I have so many favorite quotes, so to narrow it down is hard. Quotes from some of my favorite movies came to mind- Legends of the Fall, Gladiator, Star Wars, Harry Potter and Hope Floats, but in the end I had to go with the one that I could find on youtube.

"Get off my plane" (Harrison Ford in Air Force One) possibly the cheesiest line from a decent movie. Love it!

And the winner is....

The contest is over and the winner has been drawn! Congrats to....

Annette!

Thank you so much to everyone who participated and thank you for following this little blog of mine! Stay tuned for my upcoming Banned Book Week contest- featuring an autographed copy of Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott (and much more).

The winner was drawn using Random.org and has been contacted via email. If she has not claimed her prize within 48 hours a new winner will be drawn.

And the winner is....

The winner of The Emerald Talisman contest has been drawn! Congrats to...

Katelyn (The Bookshelf Sophisticate)!!!

Congrats Katelyn!

I have sent an email to the winner. She has 48 hours to respond to claim her prize before I draw a new winner. Random.org was used to determine the winner. Thank you everyone who participated!

Review: Stork by Wendy Delsol

Summary: Sixteen-year-old Katla has just moved from Los Angeles to the sticks of Minnesota. As if it weren’t enough that her trendy fashion sense draws stares, she learns to her horror that she’s a member of an ancient order of women who decide to whom certain babies will be born. Add to that Wade, the arrogant football star whom Katla regrettably fooled around with, and Jack, a gorgeous farm boy who initially seems to hate her. Soon Katla is having freaky dreams about a crying infant and learns that, as children, she and Jack shared a near-fatal, possibly mystical experience. Can Katla survive this major life makeover and find a dress for the homecoming dance? Drawing from Norse mythology and inspired by The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen, debut author Wendy Delsol conceives an irreverent, highly entertaining novel about embracing change and the (baby) bumps along the way.

Review: I will be honest here- I was expecting this book to be totally cheesy. For whatever reason I wasn't sure that the premise of real life, human storks, who decide who should be pregnant and when would work for me. Especially when you add in the whole fish-out-of-water stroyline that was backing it up. I was totally wrong! This book got me. I think that Delsol took a story that was light and funny (LA teenage fashion plate dropped in MN) and was able to pair it with some really serious plot-points (Katla and Jack's near death experience as children) as well as some really interesting myth's and legends (Human storks, Ravens, etc.) to make a really well rounded book. It was a quick and easy read and I found myself thinking about it for a few days after I finished reading it.

Katla is a fun charecter. She's confident in herself and even when she finds herself totally out of place she doesn't become a "poor-me" type of girl. It's fun to watch as she finds out she is the newest member of the Storks, a group of mostly Grandma aged ladies who, through things like dreams, are able to pair babies with mothers. It's an interesting power to have, to be able to grant someone's wish, and it's not something that you see everyday in a book, so it was a welcome thing to read about. In addition to all that Katla is also dealing with the normal awesomeness that comes with high school, like boys and homecoming. Then on top of that add a childhood incident that everyone but Katla remembers, one where she almost died, but was saved by Jack. Without giving anything away, I thought it was great that Delsol didn't shy away from looking at repressed memories and the choices that parents make in order to protect their children, even if they don't always turn out to be for the best. I thought Katla's story was well balanced out between the normal and the supernatural.

I also loved the secondary players. Jack was fabulous as the guy who remembers Katla the way she was before the accident, remembers saving her and so desperately wants her to remember him as well. He's dealing with own supernatural issues and is trying to keep it all together (and play in the homecoming football game). Katla's parents are great- although divorced, both are involved and available to Katla, which is something I feel we don't see enough of. Wade and Monique are perfect in their king and queen of the school roles and Wade becomes the perfect enemy as he inches into the supernatural world as well. Penny and Tina are the right kinds of friends for newcomer Katla- showing her the best parts of MN and letting her show them a little bit of LA fashion.

I also can't say enough about the Storks- they are creepy and somehow totally endearing at the same time. Hulda is the head of the Storks and she helps Katla figure it all out, while talking in clipped sentences and riddles. I love when she shows Katla's father her warehouse is for sale and tells him that it is all about karma, and asks him to relay a saying back to his investors overseas. The vision of a serious business man repeating Hulda's confusing sayings to important investors was funny to me.

Overall, this was a really well rounded book. It was gorunded in reality, but allowed for us and the charecters to look into myths and legends and see the truth there as well. I'm really looking forward to Frost, the second book in this series, even though I am not at all looking forward to the wait (it's not out until next fall).


About Wendy Delsol:
Website
Twitter
Facebook
Goodreads

Rating:

Teaser Tuesday & Top Ten Tuesday (3)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

* Grab your current read
* Open to a random page
* Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
* BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
* Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

"I stood betweem, looking from one to the other: the one who was dressed and coiffed in a way that showed she had every advantage in the world- my beautiful, georgeus mother- and her mirror image, but dressed and coiffed far differently. I can say with near certainty that I am the only child in the world who can claim she was there the first time her mother met her twin."

The Twin's Daughter by Lauren Baratz-Logsted pg. 7

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Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted at Broke and Bookish Here is what they have to say: Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created here at The Broke and the Bookish. This meme was created because we are particularly fond of lists here at The Broke and the Bookish. We'd love to share our lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

This week List:

TOP TEN BOOKS I’M DYING TO READ

My list on goodreads is 61 books long- and that's just the books I've managed to keep track of. I now there are many, many more that are just waiting to be read, but I forgot to add to my list! So here are my top ten...

1. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare: Having now read Clockwork Angel I realize that I've totally missed out on some great books so I'm going back and reading City of Bones and it's sequels. I picked them up from the library today and I can't wait to get started.

2. Iron King by Julie Kagawa: I won Iron Daughter in a contest, so now I'm playing catch up and reading the first book, well, first. I've heard nothing but great stuff about these books.

3. Grace by Elizabeth Scott: I love Scott's books, so I'm really looking forward to reading her latest release!

4. Losing Faith by Denise Jaden: " terrible secret. A terrible fate." is the tagline and I can't wait to get into this book by Jaden.

5. Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick: I loved Hush, Hush by Fitzpatrick and I'm dying for the sequel to be in my hands. More Nora and especially more Patch!

6. The Passage by Justin Cronin: This is one of those books I fell like I have to read, unfortunately I'm 47th on the list at the library, so if everyone keeps the book for approx 2 weeks, I'm in for a long wait!

7. The Thirteenth Chime by Emma Michaels: this book looks like a great adventure with just enough of the supernatural to make it interesting.

8. Beautiful Darkness by Margeret Stohl and Kai Garcia: Beautiful Creature was a great book, so I'm looking forward to picking up the sequel.

9. My Big Nose and other Natural Disasters by Sydney Salter: I loved Salter's Swoon at Your Own Risk, so I'm eager to read more of her books.

10. Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles: I'm a huge fan of Elkeles books and this is the only one I haven't read yet, so it's high on the TBR list!

Contest: Blogiversary AND 100 Followers!

September is shaping up to be a great month here at A Reader's Rambling. For one- I've been up and reviewing for one year. My very first post was up Septeber 27th last year- it's amazing how much this page has changed, how many great books I've read, authors I've met and other blogs I've discovered! It's been so great! On top of the awesome year here at the blog- I've also hit 100 followers, so THANK YOU followers!

To commemorate this awesomeness I'm having a giveaway. This will be my second giveaway of the month (The Emerald Talisman contest is here) AND there will be an awesome third giveaway for Banned Books Week...so stick around and see what else we have in store!

Here is what's up for grabs for my 100 Followers/Blogiversary Giveaway!

* Faithful by Janet Fox
* Autographed bookmarks from Denise Jaden (Losing Faith), Lisa Schroeder (I Heart You, You Haunt Me), Maria V. Snyder (Inside Out) and Jennifer hubbard (The Secret Year)
* Bookmarks from Heidi R. Kling (Sea), Mindi Scott (Freefall) and Lily Sanderson (Forgive my Fins).

The Rules: Since this contest is a big thank you to all my followers, it will be open to followers only. This contest is open in the US only and will run from today until Friday 9/17 at 11:59pm. Winners will be picked using Random.org and contacteed via email. You have 48 hours to claim your prize before I choose another winner! See my full contest policy for more information.

How to enter: Super simple- fill out the form below!

Thanks to all my wonderful followers and friends who have really made this year one of the best. GOOD LUCK!

Review, Interview & Contest! The Emerald Talisman by Brenda Pandos

**This post will stray from my normal format because instead of just a review it will have a little bot of everything! After the review, check out my interview with the author, and then enter for a chance to win an autographed copy of the book! **

Summary: To be normal, sixteen-year-old Julia Parker would shed her empathic gift in a second. Life has been difficult since her mother's mysterious disappearance ten years earlier - an event she witnessed, but can't remember. Julia's situation becomes more complicated after a near death experience from a blood thirsty stalker. As high school students go missing it is clear there is a connection to her own experience--past and present. Someone has to stop the madness and a chance encounter with a creepy psychic foretells that only Julia is the key to stopping the madness, but it may require the life of the one she loves

Review: I enjoyed this book. Admittedly it took me a fair bit to get into. I thought that at the start it seemed a bit contrived, with the main charecter, Julia, being able to sense other people's emotions and the brooding, mysterious vampire coming to her rescue and changing her life. However, once I got into the book, I saw the similarities to other vampire books fade away, and a good read emerged.

Julia is trying to find her place. She has the gift, to feel emotions, and this enables her to sense danger before it gets to her. There were moments that I wanted to scream at Julia, at her stupidity (heading into the woods, at night, alone...not smart) or the way she was pursuaded my the bad guys so easily. Still, I thought that the charecter was written in a way that made it realistic to how a 16 year old might react if the world she had always thought existed, was really so much more. She also grew alot during the book, and I have high hopes that she will emerge stronger and smarter in the next book in the series. Nicholas, our badboy vamp isn't quite all that he seems. He holds the key to the night that Julia's mother dissapeared, and he is turns out to be a stand up guy. Plus, not only is he half-vamp, he is also a vampire slayer, a combination that really intrigued me!

One thing I always like to mention is the parents. So often we see absentee parents, who leave the children to fend for themselves, making stupid mistakes. Here, while the mother has dissapeared, we do get some great parental involvment from Julia's father, and also her brother. While their not all clued in to who and what Nicholas is, they are present and concerned about Julia and her welfare, and I really enjoyed that.

I'm looking forward to continuing the story when The Sapphire Talisman comes out this winter, and I think that fans of vampire stories would enjoy this addition to the genre.

Rating:

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Instead of my normal "about Brenda Pandos" section of my review, I was lucky enough to interview Brenda. So we can hear all about her and The Emerald Talisman straight from her!

That was the inspiration for The Emerald Talisman?

The inspiration came from making lemon-aid out of my lemons. When our oldest son was diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, my life came to a screeching halt. Two months later, his little brother was born. My routine became 24hrs of caring for a newborn, and having therapists come into our home 35 hrs a week to tutor our oldest. So, to keep my mind busy and have something fun to think about, I decided to write my own vampire story, never planning for it to see the light of day. I’d gotten the idea after I’d begun to read Twilight and Stephenie’s bio, and thought I’d try writing myself. I put down her book, and started my own.

Your book delves into the world of vampire’s. With all the other vampire books on the market, were you worried about making your book stand out?

You’re right. It’s hard to stand out when there’s a lot of vampire books to choose from that all touch the same types of elements. I haven’t even read many vampire books to know but I only hoped to compliment what’s out there, giving readers hungry for more vampires stories a new one to feast upon.

Nicholas is not only half-vampire, but a vampire slayer as well. What was your inspiration for Nicholas?

Nicholas is all encompassing good bad-boy. He’s attractive, fearless, there when you need him, but mysterious, haunted and not around when you want him. I thought I was being super creative with the ½ vampire thing, until I realized it’s pretty common. The slayer part came around somewhere in the creation of his character. He’s just the kind of guy I’d like to rescue me.

Your main character Julia has some powers of her own. Did you know right away what “super-power” she would have?

I wanted her to feel the blood-lust of the vampires, and be confused, but not know why they felt that way. But the power fed into other areas of her life, creating unique parts of her character and I liked how that ended up playing out. I’d like to say “Yeah, I had it all figured out from the beginning” but I didn’t. Her past and interactions with people developed into deeper things as the story progressed.

One thing I liked about The Emerald Talisman was the mix of action and romance. Which was your favorite to write (or was there something else that you like best)?

I enjoy both. The mixture is like a dance during an earthquake. You don’t know what’s about to happen, so you hang onto each other and prepare to roll with it. I have a short attention span, so for me, books or movies must have the element of suspense and the carrot of romance, or I might put it down and never pick it up again.

Is this book the first in a series? If so, do you know how long the series will be?

The Emerald Talisman is the first book of a potential trilogy. The Sapphire Talisman is scheduled to release this December 2010 which I’m super excited about it. The third, yet to be named, should be out sometime in 2011, I’m not sure the date yet.

Did you always want to be a writer?

No. Actually, The Emerald Talisman is my first attempt at writing anything. Its crazy I’d discover in my 30’s that I love to write as much as I do but I’m happy it happened the way that it did. I enjoy keeping busy and get bored easily, so this fits perfectly into my life with my boys and being a SAHM.

What are some of your favorite books and authors?

Chantain’s Guardian by Robin Hardy, The Harry Potter Series, Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton and John Grisham’s books are some of my all time favorites. Since becoming a writer, I’m reading more YA these days and recently read and enjoyed The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and Knight Angels by Abra Ebner.

Do you have any upcoming projects you can tell us about?

I do plan to write more fantasy for my next series but not about vampires and I’ve been mulling over a more serious story involving Autism, but I need to write book 3 first. We’ll see.

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And now- How about a contest!! This contest will open now and run through Thursday (9/16) at around 11:00. This contest is open in the US only and the book will be mailed directly from the author, so any information shared with me, will be shared with Brenda. Please see my complete Contest Policy for more information.

Fill out the form below for your chance to win!

In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren. The idea is to share what books you got your hands on in the last week. This week was pretty good to me, with a few books from the library, a few that I won in contests and one on review!

Contest Wins:
The Twin's Daughter by Lauren Baratz- Logsted (ARC)

Lucy Sexton is stunned when a disheveled woman appears at the door one day... a woman who bears an uncanny resemblance to Lucy's own beautiful mother. It turns out the two women are identical twins, separated at birth, and raised in dramatically different circumstances. Lucy's mother quickly resolves to give her less fortunate sister the kind of life she has never known. And the transformation in Aunt Helen is indeed remarkable. But when Helen begins to imitate her sister in every way, even Lucy isn't sure at times which twin is which. Can Helen really be trusted, or does her sweet face mask a chilling agenda?

Filled with shocking twists and turns, The Twin's Daughter is an engrossing gothic novel of betrayal, jealousy, and treacherous secrets that will keep you guessing to the very end.

The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa

Half Summer faery princess, half human, Meghan has never fit in anywhere. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, she is prisoner to the Winter faery queen. As war looms between Summer and Winter, Meghan knows that the real danger comes from the Iron Fey, iron-bound faeries that only she and her absent prince have seen. But no one believes her. Worse, Meghan's own fey powers have been cut off. She's alone in Faery with only her wits for help. Trusting anyone would be foolish. Trusting a seeming traitor could be deadly. But even as she grows a backbone of iron, Meghan can't help but hear the whispers of longing in her all-too-human heart.

Stork by Wendy Delsol

Sixteen-year-old Katla has just moved from Los Angeles to the sticks of Minnesota. As if it weren’t enough that her trendy fashion sense draws stares, she learns to her horror that she’s a member of an ancient order of women who decide to whom certain babies will be born. Add to that Wade, the arrogant football star whom Katla regrettably fooled around with, and Jack, a gorgeous farm boy who initially seems to hate her. Soon Katla is having freaky dreams about a crying infant and learns that, as children, she and Jack shared a near-fatal, possibly mystical experience. Can Katla survive this major life makeover and find a dress for the homecoming dance? Drawing from Norse mythology and inspired by The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen, debut author Wendy Delsol conceives an irreverent, highly entertaining novel about embracing change and the (baby) bumps along the way.

For Review:

She Smells the Dead by EJ Stevens
It's the beginning of senior year and Yuki's psychic awareness of ghostly spirits is threatening to ruin her life. Her ability to sense spirits of the dead isn't glamorous like the ghost hunting on television.

SHE SMELLS THE DEAD.

The smell impressions are becoming stronger. Yuki is being visited in her dreams, and she suspects that her friend Calvin is involved in something strange. To make matters worse her crush on Garrett is going unrequited, Yuki's friend Emma is on a rampage against bee oppression, and annoying Calvin Miller mysteriously disappears.

Will Yuki be able to focus her powers in time to save the lost soul who is haunting her? Meanwhile, who will save Yuki from following the spirits into the light?

From the Library:

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder - much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing - not even a smear of blood - to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know....

Exotic and gritty, exhilarating and utterly gripping, Cassandra Clare's ferociously entertaining fantasy takes readers on a wild ride that they will never want to end.

*All descriptions from goodreads.com*

Review: Spy Glass by Maria V. Snyder

Summary:An undercover mission leads to danger, adventure and an impossible choice. After siphoning her own blood magic in the showdown at Hubal, Opal Cowan has lost her powers. She can no longer create glass magic. More, she's immune to the effects of magic. Opal is now an outsider looking in, spying through the glass on those with the powers she once had, powers that make a difference in the world. Until spying through the glass becomes her new power. Suddenly, the beautiful pieces she makes flash in the presence of magic. And then she discovers that someone has stolen some of her blood - and that finding it might let her regain her powers. Or know it could be they are lost forever.

Review: I'm a huge Maria V. Snyder fan, so I was really looking forward to this book. I certainly wasn't dissapointed. It was another winner. This is the third and final book in the Glass trilogy and it follows Opal as she tried to earn back her magic, while at the same time trying to stop a power hungry adversary who may be the key in getting her blood and her magic back.

Opal is a pretty good lead charecter, she's no Yelena (from the Study Series), but I feel like this final book really saw her coming into her own. I felt like in the first two books Opal was merely surviving, but here we see Opal (with the help of everyone's favorite assasin, Valek) finally take the reins and go on the offensive. Even though there are points in the book where Opal is unsure of herself and questions who she is, I feel like by and large she has decided to at least try to make decisions for herself, instead of just reacting to the decisions of others. It was really a great look at how she has grown.

My one complaint about the book was that I had trouble recalling some of the plot points that got Opal to this point. There were references back to the Study Series and of course to the first two books int his series. It took me a minute to get back into the world that Snyder has so wonderfully created. That being said, it certainly didn't take away from the experience, but I would suggest a re-read of at least the first two Glass Series books before reading Spy Glass.

Lastly, I have to say I loved all the old friends that turned up in this book. It was great to not only see the players from the Glass series come to Opal's aid (or emerge as enemies), but it was doubly great to see Valek and Yelena and Lief. These are charecters that I loved in the Study Series, so it was awesome to see them somewhat removed from the central drama, but still very much involved.

Overall, this was a great book. I'm a little sad to say goodbye to Sitia and Ixia, and especially sad to say goodbye to Yelena and Valek, Opal and Delvan, and of course Ari and Janco. I'm looking forward to Snyder's next book (Outside In, sequel to Inside Out), but I'll be holding out hope for another adventure into this world as well!

About Maria V. Snyder:
Website

Goodreads

Facebook

Rating:

Book Blogger Hop

This meme is hosted by Crazy for Books, so hop on over her way to see what she is up to!

Here's this weeks question- which is really more of a challenge:
Post a link to a favorite post or book review that you have written in the past three months.

I had to think about this one- I have alot of books that I've loved recently, Mockingjay for one, Sisters Red as well, but what review did I want to share? I decided to go with Sea by Heidi Kling- I really enjoyed this book and I think it's one that hasn't had quite as much exposure as the others. Enjoy!

Whatcha Thinking Thursday (3)

It's week two of Whatcha Thinking Thursday, hosted by me! Here's how it works. Each Thursday I'll simply blog about something book related that's weighing on my mind. Feel free to comment away if you agree or disagree (just keep it clean, okay?), or if you want to post to your site either on the same topic or about whatever it is you're thinking about go right ahead. I just ask that you link back to here. Also, make sure you add your blog to the list so we can find you!

This week I'm thinking about Sequels and Series.

It seems like lately I've been reading alot of books that are part of a series and it got me thinking about the besst way to read a series. Some people read them right away and then wait (and wait and wait) for the sequel or next book in the set to come out. Other people wait until all the books are out that way they don't have to wait at all, they can just zip through the whole series with no delays.

I've done it both ways, although, to be fair, I've never waiting for an entire series intentionally. There are some books, like the Twilight Saga and Maria V. Snyder's Poison Series that I didn't discover until all the books were out. I have to admit, compared to the months (and sometimes years) of waiting, the ability to read them all at once is pretty awesome. Still the same thing that makes me want to read them all at once, also makes me want to read the book as soon as it comes out. I'm impatient and I want to read it now! I flew through Clockwork Angel (Cassandra Clare) and now face a year long wait until the sequel. I read an ARC of Linger (Maggie Steifvater) and will now have to wait for what seems like forever for Forever. Still, I can't imagine waiting for the last book to come out to read all the books. With an author I know I like, or one that comes highly recommended, I can't wait to pick it up!

How about you? Read it right away or wait for the entire series and read it all at once?

Review: Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Summary: Magic is dangerous—but love is more dangerous still.

When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos.

Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What's more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own.

Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by—and torn between—two best friends: Jem, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm's length...everyone, that is, but Tessa.

As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world...and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.

Review: This is the first Cassanda Clare book I've read, and I can't believe I haven't found her until now! This was a great book that had a little bit of everything. While I liked Tessa as a leading lady, I especially liked that the secondary players were fleshed out enough so they didn't seem like throw-aways. We got enough background on everyone so that it kept me interested and wanting to really know more about everyone and not just Tessa and Will.

I loved the world that Clare created and really aprreciated that at the close of her book she included an explanation about the London that the book was set in, including any changes that were made in order to fit the story. This is one of those things I really love, because I think that the author acknowledging the fact that everything in their book isn't 100% accurate (in terms of location, etc) is great and helps me to learn something beyond the books.

I'm eagerly waiting for the next book in this series (do we really have to wait a whole year!?!) and in the mean time I've reserved all of Clare's other books at the library to keep me busy!

About Cassandra Clare:

Website
Blog

Infernal Devices site

Twitter

Facebook

Etsy Store

Rating: