Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a five star book for me. I am in love with this story and Laini Taylor has captured my heart. Karou is a unique human with blue hair. No it is not dyed, but she was born this way. She is a young artist in Prague with hilarious friends who finds a mysterious man following her. No, it is not her strange acting vampire ex-boyfriend, but an angel. Who is he and what does he want?

Karou also has a strange second life where she had family that are beasts. These beasts are wonderful and caring to Karou and many times she is asked to adventure into the world to collect teeth for them. She never questions the reasons for these requests because she loves them unconditionally. This is the only family she knows. Until a catastrophic event changes Karou's life and her family is lost. She cannot find them or enter their world. She is all alone and the only one who can help her is the mysterious angel, Akiva, who shows up on her doorstep. This is the beginning of their love affair.

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Days of Blood & Starlight by Laini Taylor
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This middle book kept me enthused and interested. I am loving the story of Karou and Akiva. Their love is epic and strong, but she feels betrayed by him. Did he kill her family? As the story unfolds, Karou learns of her other life and how her family saved her from the evils of Akiva's father. She grapples with the fact that she needs to save the people she only just found about about; her true people. The journey she and her friends embark is full suspense and adventure with a bit of humor. Laini Taylor has continued to capture my attention and crave for more. Bring on the next one!

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Is it another Hunger Games?

The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Is it another Hunger Games?

The Testing, at first glance, could be considered a Hunger Games wanna-be, but I believe the message is quite different. Cia Vale is chosen along with three other candidates of the Five Lakes Region to participate in the testing. Once the candidate successfully complete the four parts of the test, they are chosen to study at the University and become a United Commonwealth Leader. Similar to Katniss and Peeta, these candidates must perform to survive the test, but that is as far as the similarities go. The first three parts of the test symbolizes what any student would encounter for an entrance to a prestigious school with written exams, hands on applications, and group collaboration. However, these tests are a step above, because if they are not careful, someone may die. The fourth test is based on survival where the candidates are placed many miles from the Tosu City, and with limited supplies, they must transverse the scarred nuclear-destroyed terrain and hollowed cities back to the original testing site.

Cia is a intelligent empathetic person who values family, friends and life. Trust in herself and others is challenged and brings doubt to her abilities and values engrained in her being by her loving parents and four brothers. She begins to doubt the leadership of the Commonwealth. She states "...I may not want to be a Leader if my country values murder over compassion." Trust is the overlying theme of this story. She questions love, friendship and leadership; eventually herself.

The story is a quick read with excitement around every corner. As Cia and friends move though the test, I found myself holding my breath in anticipation of what may happen. The writing is simple and clearly describes the setting. I especially enjoyed the secondary characters with questionable motives who may be brought to the surface in the next book. Luckily we only have to wait until the fall! If you enjoy action and adventure dystopian novels, than I would recommend this one. It will definitely go on my library shelf.

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Independent Study by Joelle Charbonneau
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

And the suspense continues. I actually enjoyed this book over the first. Although it was the typical middle book, I found the suspense nail-biting and a touch more romance. This is a good mixture for me. I am looking forward to reading Graduation which comes out in June 2014. Thanks Edelweiss.

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Mafia and Suspense

Sempre by J.M. Darhower
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I must say this was a great book! Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read it.

Haven was brought into this world under circumstances that are beyond many of our understandings. Carmine has many advantages in life, but due horrible events he can only feel anger and resentment. Sempre is a story of forgiveness and love where these two destined soles learn to overcome their fears and fight their demons to find love. It is also a story where lost love can be found and forgiven. As these teenager's find comfort, love and compassion in each other, the Mafia world Carmine's family is involved in comes crashing down around them. Each character is enslaved by the code of honor which binds the Mafia brotherhood as events lead to secrets exposed and lives are threatened.

As a librarian, I would love to recommend this book to my students, but with reservations. Although I know vulgar language is part of my student's lives, but there are times where I want their book choices to rise above this form of disrespect. This being said, Carmine's choice words throughout the book are at times needed and reflect his emotions or expressions bordering on humorous.

My other concern is for the sexual content. The author uses these scenes to express the emotions and raw desires Haven and Carmine have for each other and I believe these scenes are well written. However, I do need to explain to my students that a certain level of maturity comes with choosing this book and to respect the message rather than treating it inappropriately.

As I have done with other books which border on the New Adult versus the Young Adult genres, I will carefully recommend this title to students who may be interested as well as explain my reservations.

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Update: The second book int the series was published in December 2013. It' scaled Sempre: Redemption and the review will be soon to follow May 26, 2014 at 4:11 PM

Paladin part 2

Alliance by Mark Frost
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Alliance is the second installment in the Paladin Prophecy series. I have to say I loved the first one, but I struggled through reading this one. The author continued with the development of the same characters and we learned more behind their secrets, but the adventure was minimal. I actually had to purchase the audio version to get through the remaining two thirds because the reader's voices added charm and humor to the story. Once I could hear the witty comments and accents which make each character unique, I found to enjoy the story more. My understanding that the intense dialogue and complex storyline was needed to prepare us for the finale, but could there have been a little more suspense to break up all the conversations? You may be asking then why did I give it a four? Basically because of the surprise ending, the audio version character interruptions and my desire to learn all their secrets brought me to the conclusion that it was almost as good as the first book. Thanks NetGalley for letting me read this in advance.

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The Paladin Prophecy by Mark Frost
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is. A good read with a potential for being in my top 20. The story is unique with a fun group of mixed matched kids brought together to solve the mysteries surrounding their friend, Will West. I am looking forward to reading Alliance, the next story in the series.



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