The Enchantress

by Michael Scott

The sixth and final book in the series, The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel, is amazing!  I assumed Sophie would be the focus, but as the culminating book, each character gets a little time and the entire series truly comes together.  I enjoyed all six books, but this one is by far my favorite!

****

The Warlock

by Michael Scott

Book five in The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel, the character we follow closely is Josh Newman.  At fifteen, he is still trying to figure out who to trust, who will deceive him, why his is needed in this adventure, and why Sophie sees things so differently from him.  Loved it!!

****

The Necromancer

by Michael Scott

This is the fourth installation in The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series.  In this book, we learn more about Dr. John Dee; his history, his purpose, his power.  I enjoyed it!!

****

City of Glass

by Cassandra Clare

Book 3 in The Mortal Instruments series.  I keep thinking the next book will be a little disappointing, but each one is captivating, interesting, and hard to put down.  Clary, Simon, Jace, and the rest are still battling Valentine and his minions.  They are faced with difficult choices, family crises, and of course, young love, awww.  Definitely worth reading and sharing with others!

****

My Abandonment

by Peter Rock

I had no idea what this book was about, but was intrigued by this comment on the back cover: "This beautiful, strange novel takes us into the foreign country where those called homeless are at home, the city is wilderness, and the greater wilderness lies beyond. Fascinating and moving, it tells with great tenderness how human love goes wrong." - Ursula K. LeGuin

I didn't know what that meant, but after reading the book there's no better way to describe this story. 2-3 "F" words (in context, but still...).

I am still pondering different parts of this story, even after putting it down.

***

Kiss of Death (Morganville Vampires)

by Rachel Caine

Phew. Finally. Claire, Shane, Eve, and Michael have the chance to leave Morganville. What happens is crazy! This is the final book in the series. While I hate to see it end, it was a great read!!

****

Fade Out (Morganville Vampires)

by Rachel Caine

Claire and her friends are still in Morganville trying to survive and get through from day to day. Love this series!!

****

Anna and the French Kiss

by Stephanie Perkins

What a breath of fresh air! A high schooler is sent to Europe for boarding school. Her parents are divorced and she leaves behind her mom, little brother, dad, and friends. She makes new friends, does well in her classes, but most importantly, she discovers so many things about herself. She finds out what is important to her and what things truly matter in life. AND. She kisses a boy (or two?). It's a clean story from the view of a high school senior. It was great!

****

Hunted

by P.C. & Kristin Cast

The House of Night Series is one of vampires of all sorts. It is set in Tulsa, Oklahoma at a high school of sorts for young vampires-in-the-making. I love the characters. I love the story. I don't love the foul language, but can deal with it (most of the time). Great book for high school-age, if language is not an issue. If it is, don't bother starting the series, it will just grate at you.


***

Untamed

by P.C. & Kristin Cast

Part of the House of Night series, I recentlt pick this one up. I had forgotten just how terrible the language of teenagers can be when they think no adults are around (or how terrible language is percieved by authors of young adult fiction). I can handle farm language, but OMG and F... are a little much for me. Language aside, the story is great! I love the characters and how they mingle. The Casts' are excellent story tellers.

***

Fablehaven: Rise of the Evening Star

by Brandon Mull

After reading book one, book two made the series even more addicting. Plots twists and exciting adventure made it hard to put the book down...the end made it impossible to NOT want to read the next book! Loved it. Loved it. Loved it.

****

A Great and Terrible Beauty

by Libba Bray

I have had this book on the pile of "to-reads" since early summer. I finally got a chance to begin. It was completely different from what I was expecting. I found it a little slow to start, but by midway through the book I was enveloped. The characters are young adult girls who are still discovering love, boys, and hormones, so I would definitely read it before letting someone under 16 read it. But it IS clean. I really liked the setting of Victorian England and the idea of magic always makes it more interesting!

***

Fablehaven

by Brandon Mull

GREAT!! Adventure in our world with other-world creatures. Might be a little scary for younger children - could read aloud and edit. Can't wait to read the next one...!

****
p.s. Local author

Catching Fire

By Suzanne Collins

Seriously, couldn't put this down. 2nd book in Hunger Games Series. I'm dying to have to wait until August to find out what happens next! If you haven't read Hunger Games, you must. Then you absolutely HAVE to read Catching Fire. Then we can both be frustrated and anxious together until August!

Love the setting...could be near future (within a lifetime)?
Science fiction is believable, but still fiction.
Romance for your heart, Drama for your head, Intrigue to keep your fingers turning the pages.

****

Reincarnation

By Suzanne Weyn

Interesting story of two people meeting, knowing each other throughout different periods of history. They never quite get together, but always feel a distinct connection. Not a good read if you are questioning your testimony of who you are and where did you come from. Excellent read if you don't need reaffirmation of your own pre-existence and purpose in this life.
The connection between these two people is what kept me reading!!
Dramatic, Romantic, Interesting, CLEAN.