Reading Reflections: February 2010

Books Read:
Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs by Molly Harper (review)
Nice Girls Don't Date Dead Men by Molly Harper (review)
Nice Girls Don't Live Forever by Molly Harper (review)
The Puzzle Ring by Kate Forsyth (review to come)
Incarceron by Catherine Fisher (review)
Fallen by Lauren Kate (review)
My Soul to Lose by Rachel Vincent (review)
The Mark by Jen Nadol (review)

Total Number of Books Read: 8

Most Anticipated: Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs by Molly Harper

Biggest Let Down: The Mark by Jen Nadol

Favorite Read: Incarceron by Catherine Fisher

Highest rank: 5 butterflies

Lowest rank: 4 butterflies

Overall Reflection:

What an amazing month of reading. I devoured and loved everything I read this month. I think I enjoyed everything so much because I got all of these books, (save The Puzzle Ring,which I read for Kate Forsyth's Blog Tour), based on YOUR reviews. Most of my "recommended reading" comes from reviews I read on book blogs! So, thank you all for the wonderful titles and inspiration and enthusiasm to read them! The Nice Girls series was just as wonderful as I had anticipated. The Puzzle Ring was such a delight to read, Kate Forsyth is certainly an accomplished author. Incarceron was by far, my favorite book of the month. It was just so original, I haven't read anything else like it. Fallen was a beautiful and tragic love story. I was pleasantly surprised by it, as I have read several mixed reviews on it. My Soul to Lose gave me taste of what's to come in the Soul Screamers series. The Mark was thought-provoking, though the YA-genre was a bit of a stretch. It wasn't enough to stop me from enjoying the overall story! :P I'd have to say that overall, I enjoyed a fantastic month of reading. So Yay! :)

The Mark by Jen Nadol

Summery:
Cassandra Renfield has always seen the mark—a glow around certain people reminiscent of candlelight. But the one time she mentioned it, it was dismissed as a trick of the light. Until the day she watches a man awash in the mark die. After searching her memories, Cassie realizes she can see a person’s imminent death. Not how or where, only when: today.
Armed with a vague understanding of the light, Cassie begins to explore her “gift,” seeking those marked for death and probing the line between decision and destiny. Though she’s careful to hide her secret—even from her new philosophy-obsessed boyfriend—with each impending death comes the temptation to test fate. But so many questions remain. How does the mark work? Why is she the only one who sees it? And finally, the most important of all: If you know today is someone’s last, should you tell them? -Goodreads.com
Review:

*Warning! There are some minor spoilers ahead!*

Wow...my mind is still reeling from this book. The subject of death and weather or not to tell someone it's their last day on earth is not taken lightly between the covers of Jen Nadol's debut The Mark. Nadol deals with this topic very well, leaving the reader to decide how they actually feel and determine which choice they would make for themselves. I liked the voice of the main character Cass. She is smart, sassy and independent, all good qualities. :) There was one notable snag that kept me from rating The Mark 5/5. The book started out with a YA voice, but towards the middle the story it lost its YA feel. It felt like someone who was commissioned to write a YA book (which seems to be the hot thing right now) and attempting to fit an adult story into the YA genre. I could be wrong, but that was my gut feeling. 16 year-olds being served wine, sleeping over at their boyfriends apartment (on the first date, might I add), having major theological discussions in college at the age of 16...it just seemed a bit of a stretch for me. Nadol does make a good attempt to explain most of this, and those explanations might satisfy some...but it just seemed a bit over the top for me. Why not just make it an adult book and target the paranormal romance genre if that is the case? Overall, I enjoyed the story and will read the sequel Vision when it is released in 2011. You can visit Jen Nadol at her website here, which also links to her blog.

Cover Art Commentary:
This cover is just gorgeous. I love the color (of course)! It makes me think of Cass laying back in the park, mulling things over. :)

Overall Rating:

Book Bundle

Jellicoe Road by Melinda Marchetta

Abandoned by her mother on Jellicoe Road when she was eleven, Taylor Markham, now seventeen, is finally being confronted with her past. But as the reluctant leader of her boarding school dorm, there isn't a lot of time for introspection. And while Hannah, the closest adult Taylor has to family, has disappeared, Jonah Griggs is back in town, moody stares and all.

In this absorbing story by Melina Marchetta, nothing is as it seems and every clue leads to more questions as Taylor tries to work out the connection between her mother dumping her, Hannah finding her then and her sudden departure now, a mysterious stranger who once whispered something in her ear, a boy in her dreams, five kids who lived on Jellicoe Road eighteen years ago, and the maddening and magnetic Jonah Griggs, who knows her better than she thinks he does. If Taylor can put together the pieces of her past, she might just be able to change her future. -Goodreads.com

Original Sin by Allison Brennan

Haunted by chilling memories of demonic possession and murder, Moira O’Donnell has spent seven years hunting down her mother, Fiona, whose command of black magic has granted her unprecedented control of the underworld. Now Moira’s global search has led her to a small California town that’s about to become hell on earth.

Tormented by his own terrifying past and driven by powers he can’t explain, ex-seminarian Rafe Cooper joins Moira’s dangerous quest. But Fiona is one devilish step ahead. Hungry for greater power, eternal youth, and stunning beauty, the sorceress is unleashing upon the mortal world the living incarnations of the Seven Deadly Sins.

Together with a demonologist, a tough female sheriff, and a pair of star-crossed teenagers, Moira and Rafe are humanity’s last chance to snatch salvation from the howling jaws of damnation. -Goodreads.com

War for the Oaks by Emma Bull
Eddi McCandry has just left her boyfriend and their band when she finds herself running through the Minneapolis night, pursued by a sinister man and a huge, terrifying dog. The two creatures are one and the same: a phouka, a faerie being who has chosen Eddi to be a mortal pawn in the age-old war between the Seelie and Unseelie Courts. Eddi isn't interested--but she doesn't have a choice. Now she struggles to build a new life and new band when she might not even survive till the first rehearsal. -Goodreads.com


Source:All of these were purchased from my local indie bookstore.

Most Anticipated:Hmmm...well I really want to read all of these for different reasons. Jellicoe road got an excellent review from Pure Imagination. War for the Oaks came highly recommended by callico_reaction. Original Sin received a wonderful review from Fantasy Dreamer's Ramblings! Needless to day, I am highly anticipating all of these! :)

Fallen by Lauren Kate

Summery:
Unfortunate things seem to happen to seventeen year old Luce, such as her boyfriend burning to death in front of her, and the mysterious black shadows that follow her, foreshadowing eminent doom. After a lot of therapy, denial, and medication, Luce's parents send her off to finish her senior year at a southern reform school, Sword and Cross. It doesn't take long for Luce to discover that every student at Sword and Cross has a dark history...

The one bright spot among all the darkness is that Luce is making friends...the tenacious Arriana, the shy, but lovable Penn, the dark, unyielding Cam, and the beautiful, but incomprehensible Daniel. Cam is warm and inviting, and has heavily hinted at his feelings for Luce. However, Luce is completely dumbfounded and allured by David, who is nothing but dismissive of her. While Luce sorts out her romantic feelings, she must battle with the relentless shadows and the death of yet another person. Oh, and piecing together a prophecy that seems to endlessly effectuate her past, present, and future.

Book Trailer:


Review:
I will openly admit that I have a great love of angels, just as I do for vampires. I know that it's strange. Perhaps it's my minds' attempt to balance its twisted self out...A story of forbidden love and fallen angels?! I am 100% there! :) Lauren Kate had created a darkly magical world, where fallen angels must finished their long-waited battle. Of course there is a love triangle in the middle of it all to make things interesting. You can definitely tell that this is Kate's debut, as her writing isn't as polished as I hope it will eventually be. However, she is an amazing storyteller. I think her best attribute are the characters she creates. They are vivid, interesting and really, truly, are the heart of this story. I have a feeling that Fallen is just the tip of the iceberg and wholeheartedly anticipate the next installment in the series Torment.

Cover Art Commentary:
Just gorgeous. A very fitting cover for this book. I love the elegant picture of (an older version, perhaps?) Luce surrounded by the woods, which seem to whisper shadows and secrets. Absolutely perfect.

Overall Rating:

My Soul to Lose by Rachel Vincent

Summery:

It was supposed to be a fun day, shopping at the mall with her best friend. Then the panic attack started and Kaylee Cavanaugh finds herself screaming, unable to stop. Her secret fears are exposed and it's the worst day of her life. Until she wakes up in the psychiatric unit. She tries to convince everyone she's fine--despite the shadows she sees forming around another patient and the urge to scream which comes burbling up again and again. Everyone thinks she's crazy. Everyone except Lydia, that is. Another patient with some special abilities....-Goodreads.com

Review:
I have heard a lot of mixed hype in regards to Rachel Vincent's Soul Screamers series. So, I thought I would download the prequel novella, My Soul To Lose for free (you can do so here), and read it before purchasing the other two books in the series. I must say, I was pleasantly surprised. The psychiatric hospital setting reminded me of my psych rotation in nursing school, and made me wonder what kinds of things those patients were thinking, feeling, and living. However, I digress...Vincent portrayed a rather interesting story. That, coupled with Ink and Paper's interview of Vincent, I am compelled to read further and have ordered a copy of My Soul to Take and My Soul to Save.

Cover Art Commentary:
The color is rich and the font matches the rest of the series. Other than that, there isn't really a whole lot that grabs me. My Soul to Lose isn't available in book form, just downloads and ebook form, so the cover is more for show, so I don't mind its blandness too much. :P

Overall Rating:

Incarceron by Catherine Fisher

Summery:
Incarceron -- a futuristic prison, sealed from view, where the descendants of the original prisoners live in a dark world torn by rivalry and savagery. It is a terrifying mix of high technology -- a living building which pervades the novel as an ever-watchful, ever-vengeful character, and a typical medieval torture chamber -- chains, great halls, dungeons. A young prisoner, Finn, has haunting visions of an earlier life, and cannot believe he was born here and has always been here. In the outer world, Claudia, daughter of the Warden of Incarceron, is trapped in her own form of prison -- a futuristic world constructed beautifully to look like a past era, an imminent marriage she dreads. She knows nothing of Incarceron, except that it exists. But there comes a moment when Finn, inside Incarceron, and Claudia, outside, simultaneously find a device -- a crystal key, through which they can talk to each other. And so the plan for Finn's escape is born ...-Goodreads.com

Book Trailer:


Review:
Wow. This one really takes my breath away. Catherine Fisher has created a wonderful story that she should be extremely proud of! I dare not say too much, because I don't want to give anything away! However, I will tell you...The characters are beautifully written and intricately woven in this work of brutality, loyalty, deception, and revelation. I was sitting on the edge of my seat the entire time I read this. It was a very difficult book to set down. Fantasy as well as Science Fiction lovers will enjoy Fisher's dystopian tale. I highly recommend Incarceron, especially if you liked other works such as: The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman and The Hunger Games bu Suzanne Collins. I highly anticipate Sapphique, the next book in the series. :)

Cover Art Commentary:
Beautiful. The cover of this book is absolutely gorgeous! It also has several key meanings that you'll only discover if you read the book! ;)

Overall Rating:

Nice Girls Don't Live Forever by Molly Harper

Summery:
Nothing sucks the romance out of world travel like a boyfriend who may or may not have broken up with you in a hotel room in Brussels. Jane Jameson’s sexy sire, Gabriel, has always been unpredictable. But the seductive, anonymous notes that await him at each stop of their international vacation, coupled with his evasive behavior over the past few months, finally push Jane onto the next flight home to Half Moon Hollow — alone, upset, and unsure whether Gabriel just ended their relationship without actually telling her.
Now the children’s-librarian-turned-vampire is reviving with plenty of Faux Type O, some TLC from her colorful friends and family, and her plans for a Brave New Jane. Step One: Get her newly-renovated occult bookstore off the ground. Step Two: Support her best friend, Zeb, and his werewolf bride as they prepare for the impending birth of their baby . . . or litter. Step Three: Figure out who’s been sending her threatening letters, and how her hostile pen pal is tied to Gabriel. Because for this nice girl, surviving a broken heart is becoming a matter of life and undeath...-Goodreads.com

Review:
I can not say enough about how awesome this series is! This is my favorite book yet! The only thing that stopped me from plowing through this novel was work. :P I understand that this is the last book in the series, which is a downright shame. Molly Harper is a fantastic author! I hope she goes on to write another series (or perhaps continue this one??? Hey, I can dream!). If you are looking for a wonderful, romantic(-ish), witty adventure, with plenty of cheek, you should definitely check out this series! I will definitely be re-reading it in the future!

Cover Art Commentary:
I really like all of the covers. They are beautiful, colorful, and fitting to the story that lies in between. The book that Jane is holding on this cover is rather significant in the story, which makes it the perfect cover. :)

Overall Rating:

Nice Girls Don't Date Dead Men by Molly Harper

Summery:
Jane Jameson, once-children's-librarian-turned-vampire has a full plate, so to speak. ;P Her best friend Zeb is getting married to a were. Gabriel is more elusive, yet more charming, than ever. Her job at the occult shop is about to get more interesting. Her playful friend Dick has suddenly developed a serious crush on her only human girlfriend. Not to mention her sister Jenny is suing her for "rights" to Jane's house and all the family heirlooms it contains...annnd her mother is having a wee bit of difficulty adjusting to Jane's new nighttime hours and liquid diet. Just a typical day for our fiercely snarky heroine.

Review:
Can I just start off by saying HOW MUCH I LOVE this series?! I seriously can't get enough of it! The characters are well-developed, they're the kind of people/creatures you want to get to know. One thing I really like about this series is that Jane is closer to her friends than her actual family. This is something that I highly relate to. Jane is a sarcastic, lovable character that you can't help but cheer for. The story plot in this second installment of the series is phenomenal. There is a lot going on, so pay close attention. ;) I read this book in no less than 3 sittings and absolutely cannot wait to dive into the third (and currently last *insert sigh*) book in the series, Nice Girls Don't Live Forever.

Cover Art Commentary:
I absolutely adore this cover. Colorful and playful, with a touch of bite, just like the story itself! ;) It took me a while to realize that the jewelry Jane is wearing on the cover are little bats. :P

Overall Rating:

Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs by Molly Harper

Summery:
Jane Jameson is having a really bad day. First, she gets fired from her job as a librarian, given a gift certificate to the local bar in lieu of a severance check, and then is mistaken for a deer, is shot and left for dead. Three days later Jane wakes up as a new member of the undead. Jane is determined to live her former life...until she almost drains her best friend of life and blood. Now Jane must deal with breaking the news to her family, finding a job, dealing with the "undead welcome wagon," a budding romance, oh and yeah...becoming a vampire. Needless to say, Jane's bad day just got a little bit longer.

Review:
Words can not express how much I enjoyed this book. Molly Harper is a fantastic author. This story is heavily infused with humor, which is what makes it so great. Along with a wonderful host of characters and easily relatable narrator, this book is difficult to set down, even after the very first page. I highly recommend it to readers who enjoyed the Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris and The Morganville Vampire series by Rachel Caine.

Cover Art Commentary:
Love the cover of this book! It's light and playful, just like the story, with a hint of romance in the background. :)

Overall Rating:

Book Bundle

Incarceron by Catherine Fisher
Incarceron, a futuristic prison, sealed from view, where the descendants of the original prisoners live in a dark world torn by rivalry and savagery. It is a terrifying mix of high technology -- a living building which pervades the novel as an ever-watchful, ever-vengeful character, and a typical medieval torture chamber -- chains, great halls, dungeons. A young prisoner, Finn, has haunting visions of an earlier life, and cannot believe he was born here and has always been here. In the outer world, Claudia, daughter of the Warden of Incarceron, is trapped in her own form of prison -- a futuristic world constructed beautifully to look like a past era, an imminent marriage she dreads. She knows nothing of Incarceron, except that it exists. But there comes a moment when Finn, inside Incarceron, and Claudia, outside, simultaneously find a device -- a crystal key, through which they can talk to each other. And so the plan for Finn's escape is born ...-Goodreads.com

Liar by Justine Larbalestier
Micah will freely admit that she’s a compulsive liar, but that may be the one honest thing she’ll ever tell you. Over the years she’s duped her classmates, her teachers, and even her parents, and she’s always managed to stay one step ahead of her lies. That is, until her boyfriend dies under brutal circumstances and her dishonesty begins to catch up with her. But is it possible to tell the truth when lying comes as naturally as breathing? Taking readers deep into the psyche of a young woman who will say just about anything to convince them—and herself—that she’s finally come clean, Liar is a bone-chilling thriller that will have readers see-sawing between truths and lies right up to the end. Honestly. -Goodreads.com


All Unquiet Things by Anna Jarzab
Carly: She was sweet. Smart. Self-destructive. She knew the secrets of Brighton Day School’s most privileged students. Secrets that got her killed.

Neily: Dumped by Carly for a notorious bad boy, Neily didn’t answer the phone call she made before she died. If he had, maybe he could have helped her. Now he can’t get the image of her lifeless body out of his mind.

Audrey: She’s the reason Carly got tangled up with Brighton’s fast crowd in the first place, and now she regrets it—especially since she’s convinced the police have put the wrong person in jail. Audrey thinks the murderer is someone at Brighton, and she wants Neily to help her find out who it is.

As reluctant allies Neily and Audrey dig into their shared past with Carly, her involvement with Brighton’s dark goings-on comes to light. But figuring out how Carly and her killer fit into the twisted drama will force Audrey and Neily to face hard truths about themselves and the girl they couldn’t save. -Goodreads.com

Unknown by Rachel Caine
Living among mortals, the djinn Cassiel has developed a reluctant affection for them-especially for Warden Luis Rocha. As the mystery deepens around the kidnapping of innocent Warden children, Cassiel and Luis are the only ones who can investigate both the human and djinn realms. But the trail will lead them to a traitor who may be more powerful than they can handle...
-Goodreads.com


Source:All of these were purchased from my local indie bookstore.

Most Anticipated:It's actually a tie between Incarceron and All Unquiet Things. I have read stellar reviews for both and can not wait to dive into them! I have also heard good things about Liar from TJ (Book Love Affair). I am looking forward to the new series from Caine. However, after flying through two of her other series' (Morganville Vampires and Weather Warden) I will be taking a break from her and catching up on some other books. Thus giving me proper time to truly anticipate this newer series! :)