Incarceron (Incarceron, Book 1) by Catherine Fisher

The description of Incarceron is much more interesting than the book itself. The characters are flat and uninteresting and plot is bland.

I expected a lot more from this particular book but the writing is awkward and I didn't really care what happened to the characters.

The story line has the potential to make for a really great story but it lacks that "umph" that makes a story worth reading.

Borrow this book or pass on it.


Grade: D




Synopsis

Incarceron is a prison unlike any other: Its inmates live not only in cells, but also in metal forests, dilapidated cities, and unbounded wilderness. The prison has been sealed for centuries, and only one man, legend says, has ever escaped.

Finn, a seventeen-year-old prisoner, can’t remember his childhood and believes he came from Outside Incarceron. He’s going to escape, even though most inmates don’t believe that Outside even exists. And then Finn finds a crystal key and through it, a girl named Claudia.

Claudia claims to live Outside—her father is the Warden of Incarceron and she’s doomed to an arranged marriage. If she helps Finn escape, she will need his help in return. But they don’t realize that there is more to Incarceron than meets the eye. Escape will take their greatest courage and cost far more than they know.

Because Incarceron is alive.

Ballad: A Gathering of Faerie by Maggie Stiefvater

One MUST read Lament before Ballard to avoid any confusion. This book is from James point of view, there is very little of Dee.

The pacing of this book is slower than Lament until halfway in which it picks up and keeps you turning the pages until you read the ending.

The storyline and characters are interesting and while this book isn't as good as Ballard, you will still find enjoyment in it.

Grade: B

Lament: The Faerie Queen's Deception by Maggie Stiefvater

Truth be told I have never been interested in reading books about faerie's but this book has changed my entire perspective on the subject matter.

The characters are appealing and realistic. The story line is enchanting and you will be captivated.

The blend with "reality" and fiction (faerie's) flows easily and you will devour this book. The story is a blend of Celtic mythology and folktales, some that you will be familiar with.

I never got the Faerie phenomenon until now and this particular book might change your mind too.


Grade: A


Synopsis [B&N]

Sixteen-year-old Deirdre Monaghan is a painfully shy but prodigiously gifted musician. She's about to find out she's also a cloverhand—one who can see faeries. Deirdre finds herself infatuated with a mysterious boy who enters her ordinary suburban life, seemingly out of thin air. Trouble is, the enigmatic and gorgeous Luke turns out to be a gallowglass—a soulless faerie assassin. An equally hunky—and equally dangerous—dark faerie soldier named Aodhan is also stalking Deirdre. Sworn enemies, Luke and Aodhan each have a deadly assignment from the Faerie Queen. Namely, kill Deirdre before her music captures the attention of the Fae and threatens the Queen's sovereignty. Caught in the crossfire with Deirdre is James, her wisecracking but loyal best friend. Deirdre had been wishing her life weren't so dull, but getting trapped in the middle of a centuries-old faerie war isn't exactly what she had in mind . . .

Lament is a dark faerie fantasy that features authentic Celtic faerie lore, plus cover art and interior illustrations by acclaimed faerie artist Julia Jeffrey.

Such A Pretty Face by Cathy Lamb

Lamb's character's stay with you long after you've put this book away. The characters and emotions are real to life.

The storyline covers a variety of topics such as eating disorders, gay marriage, abuse and mental illness.

Such A Pretty Face is a touching, poignant story but the ending does not measure to the rest of this story.

Don't let the poor ending keep you from reading this story.


Grade: B-


Synopsis [B&N]

In this warm, funny, thoroughly candid novel, acclaimed author Cathy Lamb introduces an unforgettable heroine who's half the woman she used to be, and about to find herself for the first time...

Two years and 170 pounds ago, Stevie Barrett was wheeled into an operating room for surgery that most likely saved her life. Since that day, a new Stevie has emerged, one who walks without wheezing, plants a garden for self-therapy, and builds and paints fantastical wooden chairs. At thirty-five, Stevie is the one thing she never thought she'd be: thin.

But for everything that's changed, some things remain the same. Stevie's shyness refuses to melt away. She still can't look her neighbors' gorgeous great-nephew in the eye. The Portland law office where she works remains utterly dysfunctional, as does her family—the aunt, uncle, and cousins who took her in when she was a child. To top it off, her once supportive best friend clearly resents her weight loss.

By far the biggest challenge in Stevie's new life lies in figuring out how to define her new self. Collaborating with her cousins to plan her aunt and uncle's problematic fortieth anniversary party, Stevie starts to find some surprising answers—about who she is, who she wants to be, and how the old Stevie evolved in the first place. And with each revelation, she realizes the most important part of her transformation may not be what she's lost, but the courage and confidence she's gathering, day by day.

The Society of S: A Novel by Susan Hubbard

This is my first encounter with the works of Hubbard and I was not disappointed.

Her character's are believable, empathetic and intriguing. The storyline is not typical of vampire lore but that doesn't meant it isn't riveting. It is exciting, interesting and well paced.

Don't expect to see a lot of fang action. This is more of a coming of age novel that will keep you craving more and looking forward to the next novel(s).

Expect a descriptive sensory overload. There are plot twists and great deal of emotional complexity from the characters.

Don't miss out on this delightful read.

Grade: A

The Vampire Diaries: The Fury and Dark Reunion by L. J. Smith

This is the second compilation from Smith. It includes the Fury and Dark Reunion.

The Fury is an exciting fun read but the same can't be said for Dark Reunion. Dark Reunion just isn't as intriguing. I found myself skimming a few times to get over the lackluster parts.

The Fury is worth the reading time and Dark Reunion is ok.

Grade: B-


Synopsis [B&N]

Elena: transformed, the golden girl has become what she once feared and desired.

Stefan: tormented by losing Elena, he's determined to end his feud with Damon once and for all—whatever the cost. But slowly he begins to realize that his brother is not his only enemy.

Damon: at last, he possesses Elena. But will his thirst for revenge against Stefan poison his triumph? Or can they come together to face one final battle?

Collected here in one edition are the third and fourth volumes of The Vampire Diaries, a riveting conclusion to the tale of two vampire brothers and the beautiful girl torn between them.

The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening and The Struggle by L. J.

The Awakening and the Struggle were first published in 1991. They are captivating, dark and beautiful.

This book, holds the first two books and The Struggle picks up exactly where The Awakening ends, which makes for a seamless and enjoyable read.

You will become addicted to this series from the moment you open the very first book.

The narration is smooth and captivating. The characters have depth and unique qualities to them. Minor characters are well rounded which make this series really work well.

Like any good book expect character flaws and things to happen that you don't want or expect.

Keep in mind that the books are vastly different from the television series. Don't expect many similarities because there aren't.

A series, I plan to add to my collection and recommend that you do so too.

Grade: A

Synopsis (B&N)
Elena: the golden girl, the leader, the one who can have any boy she wants.

Stefan: brooding and mysterious, he seems to be the only one who can resist Elena, even as he struggles to protect her from the horrors that haunt his past.

Damon: sexy, dangerous, and driven by an urge for revenge against Stefan, the brother who betrayed him. Determined to have Elena, he'd kill to possess her.

Collected here in one volume for the first time, volumes one and two of The Vampire Diaries, the tale of two vampire brothers and the beautiful girl torn between them.

Sharp Objects: A Novel by Gillian Flynn

Flynn delivers a psychological thriller in her debut novel, Sharp Objects.

This dark and intense page turner will keep you guessing. You will find it impossible to put this book down until you read the very last page.

The narration gives you an insiders look at what small town life is like. The character development is stunning and the book itself is dark, depressing and cleverly writing.

If you haven't read Sharp Objects, set some time to do so now.


Grade: A

Synopsis [B&N]

A striking debut literary thriller by Entertainment Weekly's chief TV critic. Camille Preaker, a young Chicago newspaper reporter and sardonic loner, is in a delicate state after a short stay at a psychiatric hospital. When a dark crime occurs in her hometown, she's forced back to Wind Gap, Missouri on assignment. Long haunted by a childhood tragedy, and estranged from her mother for years, Camille is forced to face her own demons as she tries to uncover the mystery of her assignment.