Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Favorite Romances

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme brought to you by The Broke and the Bookish. Each week a new Top Ten list topic is posted and book bloggers fill in their own choices. I'm a list girl (as in, I don't function without them), so I thought this would be a good choice for me!  Now, it has been awhile since I've posted any memes because my time has been really stretched since I went back to work for the first time in 11 years, but I'm getting better at the time-management thing, and working back into a groove.  That said, I felt like this was a great week to pick 'Top Ten Tuesday' back up, because I just love this week's topic (which is funny because I'm really not the gushy, romantic type, and I absolutely DETEST Valentine's Day), so here goes...

YA Litwit's Top Ten Favorite Literary Romances

1.  Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler from Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell~ Gone With the Wind is my all-time favorite book.  I've read it at least a half dozen times, and will undoubtedly read it many more, and the biggest reason I love it so much is the relationship between Scarlett and Rhett.  He is also my #1 book boyfriend.

2.  Mia and Adam from If I Stay and Where She Went by Gayle Forman~ I have so much love for this couple!  The ups and downs, and the way things come full-circle.  It was amazing to me how intensely the emotions could be portrayed on paper, and between two people so young. I cried big, ugly tears during both books, for different reasons, but I was always rooting for them to end up together.  Read my review of Where She Went HERE.

3.  Wanderer (Wanda) and Ian from The Host by Stephenie Meyer~ I know there are a lot of Twilight haters out there, but believe me, The Host is a different book, and if you didn't know better, you would swear it was written by a different author.  I loved The Host, and one the main reasons I did was that the relationship between these two characters was built on so much more than the mutual attraction that is the foundation of most YA romances.  They really had to get to know one another intimately in order to fall in love, and it took time and patience, and the experience of reading their growth as a couple was that much more rich because of it.

4.  Avry and Kerrick from Touch of Power and Scent of Magic by Maria V. Snyder~ This is a relatively new series, and one that hasn't gotten tons of attention, but let me tell you, it is amazing (especially if you are a Fantasy fan).  That said, the romance between these two is great.  No insta-love here, and that makes me happy.  Plus, Kerrick is sexy as hell.  Read my review of Touch of Power HERE and Scent of Magic HERE.

5.  Karou and Akiva from Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor~ It pains me that I haven't gotten a chance to read the sequel to this book, Days of Blood and Starlight, because I loved this book, and Karou and Akiva had so much to do with that.  If ever there was a pair of starcrossed lovers!  Wow! Will they come back together after the terrible truths that the first book revealed at the end?  Some of you know, but please don't tell me....  Read my review of Daughter of Smoke and Bone HERE.

6.  Katsa and Po from Graceling and Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore~ Love these books so much (and I know Fire is part of the trilogy, but Katsa and Po aren't much more than mentioned).  I adore Katsa, and Po is just...  Katsa is one lucky lady, because it is so evident in all that he does, that Po absolutely adores her with all he has.  It is also quite clear, although in Katsa's rather cool way, that she feels the same.  It's so easy to overdo the romantic element in a story, and Kristin gets it just right.

7.  Anne Shirley and Gilbert Blythe from Anne of Green Gables, Anne of Avonlea, etc. by L.M. Montgomery~  Gilbert Blythe was my very first book boyfriend at the tender age of nine.  I thought he was the perfect boy.  He accepted Anne for who she was, and was just adorable in my imagination.  Add to that the innocence that is so lacking in today's world (and even in the world on nine-year-old me), and I was completely enamored.  Anne and Gilbert's relationship is one that created an almost impossible standard for any boy in my real life to live up to.  36 year old me still swoons a little for Gilbert.

8.  Lena and Ethan from The Caster Chronicles by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl~ Another starcrossed couple who I adore.  How anyone could even dare to compare them to Edward and Bella, I don't know.  I only pray that the Beautiful Creatures movie stacks up well to the book, and that the on-screen chemistry between the leads is even close to as electrifying as it was in my imagination.  I'm sad that this series is over, but I'm sure both authors have other great romances up their sleeves...  Read my reviews of Beautiful Creatures and Beautiful Darkness HERE.

9.  Tessa and Will and/or Tessa and Jem from The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare~  I have never been so conflicted over a love triangle.  Usually I LOATHE them, and in a way this one is no exception, but the difference here is that I also love this one.  I could see Tessa with either of them, so I guess it will come down to how Clockwork Princess pans out.  Read my review of Clockwork Prince HERE.

10.  Magnus and Alec from The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare~ I think most would feature Clary and Jace on this list, and don't get me wrong, I love them, but Magnus and Alec hold my heart for this series.  Cassie Clare can write romance, because I think she gets human emotion, whether it's hetero or not, love is love...  I adore this couple and I truly hope they end up together forever. Read my review of City of Fallen Angels HERE, and my review of City of Lost Souls HERE.

Runners-Up

(because I just could NOT leave these ones out)

Izzy and Simon from The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare

Jace and Clary from The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare
Ana and Sam from Incarnate by Jodi Meadows (REVIEW)
Anna and St. Clair from Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
Lola and Cricket from Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins (REVIEW)
Ron and Hermione from Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
Emerson and Michael from Hourglass (REVIEW) and Timepiece (REVIEW)by Myra McEntire

So... These are my Top Ten (err... 17) Favorite Literary Romances.  Are there ones that you believe should be on this list?  Do you agree with any (or all) of mine?  Do tell!

**Don't forget to enter my GIVEAWAY for a hardcover copy of NOBODY and a paperback copy of EVERY OTHER DAY, by Jennifer Lynn Barnes, by clicking HERE!! Ends Sunday, February 17th. USA/Canada**

ARC Review: The Archived by Victoria Schwab

Publisher:  Disney-Hyperion

Publication Date:  January 22nd, 2013

Imagine a place where the dead rest on shelves like books.

Each body has a story to tell, a life seen in pictures that only Librarians can read. The dead are called Histories, and the vast realm in which they rest is the Archive.

Da first brought Mackenzie Bishop here four years ago, when she was twelve years old, frightened but determined to prove herself. Now Da is dead, and Mac has grown into what he once was, a ruthless Keeper, tasked with stopping often—violent Histories from waking up and getting out. Because of her job, she lies to the people she loves, and she knows fear for what it is: a useful tool for staying alive.

Being a Keeper isn’t just dangerous—it’s a constant reminder of those Mac has lost. Da’s death was hard enough, but now her little brother is gone too. Mac starts to wonder about the boundary between living and dying, sleeping and waking. In the Archive, the dead must never be disturbed. And yet, someone is deliberately altering Histories, erasing essential chapters. Unless Mac can piece together what remains, the Archive itself might crumble and fall.

In this haunting, richly imagined novel, Victoria Schwab reveals the thin lines between past and present, love and pain, trust and deceit, unbearable loss and hard-won redemption.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

I read this book quite awhile ago, but just haven't been able to review it.  I've written several versions out longhand, but nothing ever seemed good enough.  That said, I am not going to promise a great review, because I honestly don't think I can properly do this amazing story justice.  Here is my attempt...

When I finished reading The Archived back in November, my brief Goodreads review read, "Absolute perfection!  I know it's only November of 2012, but I predict that this will make my 'Best of 2013' list!".  As of now, it is still in the number one spot and holding strong.  The Archived just had so much going for it.  The writing was superb, the story was fantastic, and the characters were amazing.  It was packed with so much emotion, yet still had enough action, adventure, mystery, and intrigue that it never felt heavy, and never, ever stalled.

The thing that I loved the most about this book was its originality.  Books, in general, fall into genres because they mostly draw off of the same themes.  This applies especially to YA; If something gets a lot of attention, it gets beaten to death (look at all the vampire books that came out in the wake of Twilight's success, dystopians on the heels of The Hunger Games).  Sure, authors build on these themes, and make them their own, and I'm not saying that there haven't been amazing books written because of this type of inspiration, because there HAVE been, but I absolutely love it when a TRULY original idea comes along to knock my socks off.  Victoria Schwab did this when she wrote The Archived.  I loved the idea that when a person dies, the details of who that person was and the life they lead- their history- is archived by Historian, to be read by Librarians.  I loved that there is a legacy left behind by each person, whether they knew it or not.  As you all know, I am a lover of books (duh).  That said, the idea of the history of every person being shelved and possibly read and learned from, like a book, sometime in the future, really appealed to me.  I knew from the moment I saw the synopsis that I needed to read it, and I don't think I've ever jumped for joy over receiving an ARC in the mail like I did when I received this one (Thanks SO much, Disney Publishing!).

So this book has a great idea behind it.  I read books that start with a great idea, and fail when it comes to execution, all the time.  Did this one?  No effing way!  Here's why...

• The Characters:  Every single character, no matter how big or small their role was, made a difference in this book.  There wasn't one who was inconsequential, and I think that had a tremendous amount to do with Victoria's characterization.  She made them count.  In fact, some of the characters I went through the book believing to be "minor" turned out to be anything but...  That said, I really formed attachments to the two main characters.  Mackenzie (Mac), our protagonist, was fabulously drawn.  Very human on a very emotional level, but quite kick-ass as well, in her determination to be the best at her job as a Keeper (someone who makes sure Histories who are awoken don't escape the Narrows- an in-between place- into the real world), and eventually make Crew, like her late grandfather.  Her job is incredibly dangerous, very lonely, and quite thankless to boot.  Add to that the fact that she and her parents are dealing with the sudden death of her younger brother, and she is especially fragile.  Then there was Wesley...  *swoon*  Another Keeper close to Mac's age, Wesley is the perfect person to bring her intensity down a level.  She meets him when her family moves to The Coronado, and old hotel with a lot of history, and apparently, a good number of Histories lurking in its Narrows as well.  Which brings me to the setting...
• The World Building:  The Archived is VERY character and plot driven, and honestly, I probably wouldn't have noticed much if Victoria had chosen to neglect the element of world building and setting.  That said, the fact that she spent the time to really give us a rich, descriptive world for this story... I love her for it.  The Coronado reminded me of a very old woman, who you can tell was once a great beauty, by her grace and the vestiges of charm and elegance that you see in her eyes and smile.  I love buildings with history and Victoria did an outstanding job bringing this place to life.  The same is true for the Archive itself.  The pictures I had in my imagination of this library where the Histories were stored, and the layout of it! I was astounded by the detail her words brought forth in my mind.  Finally, the Narrows.  A nightmare on paper...
• The Plot/Pacing/Story:  I will admit that the first couple chapters were slow for me, but after I got through them, it was abundantly clear how necessary those initial chapters and their slow build were.  Once the story did pick up, I felt a undeniable compulsion to keep reading.  The pacing was great, with just the right amount of information held back, to keep me turning pages, with reveals happening at the perfect times, to never leave me feeling frustrated.  As I said early in this review, the story had uniqueness in spades.  So brilliantly different from anything I've ever read.  It makes me want to take up residence in Victoria Schwab's imagination for a day or two (especially given The Archived's vast departure in genre from her debut, The Near Witch).
• The Relationships/Romance:  Although part of the story, which I addressed above, I felt like I had to address these elements separately   First off, can we say, "Yay!" for no love triangles?  Yes, there is a sort-of whisper of one, but it never felt like a true love triangle to me because I don't think it ever felt that way to Mac.  Secondly, I loved that there was no insta-love.  Mac actually questions her feelings about Wesley more than once, wondering if they weren't more to to with the fact that he could relate to her and what she does, and whether they were more out of loneliness than actual romantic inclinations.  I felt like that showed a level of maturity that I wish was present in more YA.  That aside, I really enjoyed the relationship between Mac and Wesley and I can't wait to see where it leads in book number two.  As for the other relationships, I felt intense emotions as it related to Mac's relationship with her grandfather, Da, from whom she took over her Keeper position.  He trained her and vouched for her, even when the powers that be felt she was too young.  He wasn't the warm and fuzzy type, but still made her feel loved, but also left her t figure a lot of what she does out on her own, which made things quite complicated.  Same was true for her connections to her parents and late brother.  Her feelings toward her brother were intense and heartbreaking, and while her feelings toward her parents were strained because of her brother's untimely death and their difficulty coping with it, they were very real.  I also wanted to touch on Mac's relationship with Roland, her sort-of mentor at the Archive.  Another rather complex one, full of secrets, but very rich for its intricacies.  There were some very key twists involving Roland, and I'm glad I paid attention to him from the beginning.  Finally, there was Owen.  I'm not going to say a whole lot about him, but he is a major player in this story, and the emotions he brings forth are puzzling, at best, which is why I found myself so drawn to his story, as it related to Mac's feelings toward him.

Well- that was exhausting, as I actually ended up writing an entirely different review than the any of the ones I had written out longhand.  It turned out to be a conglomerate of all of them... I guess if you get nothing else from this review, get this... YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK!  It is brilliant and it really is perfection.  Victoria Schwab experienced no "sophomore slump" with The Archived!  She will forevermore join the ranks of  likes of David Levithan, John Green, Cassandra Clare, Libba Bray, Ellen Hopkins, and Neal Shusterman, as an author whose books I will read without needing to know anything except that she wrote them.  (Pretty good for someone with two published books under her belt!)

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★++++ 

Grade Level Recommendation:  This book is perfectly fine for MS readers and up.  I would even give it to a lot of 5th graders, because content-wise, it is fine.  That said, I think the ideas behind it would be more intriguing to the more mature readers.  Ages 10 and up (5th grade+).

**Don't forget to enter my GIVEAWAY for a hardcover copy ofNOBODY and a paperback copy of EVERY OTHER DAY by clicking HERE!! Ends Sunday, February 17th. USA/Canada**

Review: The Diviners by Libba Bray

Publisher:  Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Publication Date:  September 18th, 2012

Evie O'Neill has been exiled from her boring old hometown and shipped off to the bustling streets of New York City--and she is pos-i-tute-ly thrilled. New York is the city of speakeasies, shopping, and movie palaces! Soon enough, Evie is running with glamorous Ziegfield girls and rakish pickpockets. The only catch is Evie has to live with her Uncle Will, curator of The Museum of American Folklore, Superstition, and the Occult--also known as "The Museum of the Creepy Crawlies."

When a rash of occult-based murders comes to light, Evie and her uncle are right in the thick of the investigation. And through it all, Evie has a secret: a mysterious power that could help catch the killer--if he doesn't catch her first.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

Libba Bray has done it again!  I cannot say enough good things about this book!  It's not a huge secret or anything- I adore her!  She has only written one book that I didn't LOVE, and even with that one, I liked it.  (In case you're wondering which book that is, it's Going Bovine, which funny-enough, is the one that won awards...)  I loved her Gemma Doyle trilogy (A Great and Terrible Beauty, Rebel Angels, and The Sweet Far Thing), and Beauty Queens was my 2nd favorite book of 2011.  When I heard Libba had a new Historical/Paranormal series coming out, I was thrilled, but also a bit nervous about whether or not she could top the Gemma Doyle books (they are also Historical/Paranormal).  Well, let me tell you, she has WELL outdone herself, because The Diviners was AMAZING!

First off, the timing of the release of this book was fantastic.  It is such a creepy, nail-biter of a story, that reading it around Halloween is just perfect!  I found myself reading late into the night, jumping at every little noise, and sleeping with the lights on.  I wasn't expecting the creep-factor to be as high as it was, but it did so much for the story.  And the story!  It was so well executed, and so expertly paced, that it never seemed like it was the 592 page monstrosity that it was.  It read as quickly as a book half its length.  The plot was amazing, very original, and one that kept me guessing the entire time.  I still have loads of questions, which ensures that I will be reading the second installment the moment I can get my hands on it.  Honestly, though, the plot wasn't even the best part of this book...

Libba Bray is a very, VERY gifted writer, and her two biggest strengths are world building and character development.  The Diviners was written from more than ten different points of view, and every single one was done extremely well.  Developing that many different characters is hard enough, but to actually manage to write their POVs, without confusing the reader?  Before I read this book, I would have said that it was impossible, but not only did Libba do it, she did it so that I really felt a connection to every one.  There were characters I loved (Evie, Theta, Sam, Memphis), and then here were characters I loved to hate (Naughty John, Bill, The House), but there was not a single character that I didn't have an opinion of, and that is rare for me.  The other thing Libba masterfully accomplished in this book was her depiction of the era and setting.  Just WOW!  She really did her research, capturing the essence of the Harlem Renaissance, the Prohibition Era, and NYC as a living, breathing thing.  I think one of the reasons I as able to read this book so quickly was that I felt like I was dropped into the story; I didn't feel like the reader of a story, but rather a participant, and that feeling had everything to do with Libba's world building.

Overall, I have to say that this is one of my favorite books this year; Libba takes the number two spot again! (Sorry, Libba, but nothing is going to touch David Levithan's beautiful, Every Day. Read my review HERE.)  If you haven't already decided that you need to read The Diviners, let me be the one to tell you that you must! It is pos-i-tute-ly amazing!

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★  

Grade Level Recommendation:  This book is pretty scary, and there are some intensely graphic murders.  Also, there is loads of drinking, as several scenes take place in speakeasies.  No sex to speak of, and really not much language.  I would say this is appropriate for 5th grade and up, as long as the reader isn't too easily spooked, and isn't intimidated by the length of the book. (ages 10+)

** Don't miss my GIVEAWAY of this book as part of the Spooktacular Giveaway Hop!  Click HERE for details!  International.  Ends 11/01/2012 **

ARC Review: Timepiece by Myra McEntire

Publisher: EgmontUSA
Publication Date: June 12th, 2012

A threat from the past could destroy the future. And the clock is ticking...

Kaleb Ballard's relentless flirting is interrupted when Jack Landers, the man who tried to murder his father, timeslips in and attacks before disappearing just as quickly. But Kaleb has never before been able to see time travelers, unlike many of his friends associated with the mysterious Hourglass organization. Are Kaleb's powers expanding, or is something very wrong?

Then the Hourglass is issued an ultimatum. Either they find Jack and the research he's stolen on the time gene, or time will be altered with devastating results. 

Now Kaleb, Emerson, Michael, and the other Hourglass recruits have no choice but to use their unusual powers to find Jack. But where do they even start? And when? And even if they succeed, it may not be enough...

The follow-up to Hourglass, Timepiece blends the paranormal, science fiction, mystery, and suspense genres into a nonstop thrill ride where every second counts.
(Courtesy of Goodreads)

Oh, how I've waited for the release of this book!  Its predecessor, Hourglass, was one of my favorite books of 2011 (read my review HERE), and I had such high, HIGH hopes for Timepiece.  Did it hold a candle?  Did Myra McEntire deliver?  Yes and YES!  I loved this book even MORE than my much loved Hourglass!  It was fan-freaking-tastic!!  

I have to start this review by admitting that I never even read the synopsis... I didn't need to.  I knew I wanted to find out how this fabulous story would progress... That said, I was a little thrown when Timepiece ended up being from Kaleb's perspective.   NOT that I am complaining.  When I read Hourglass, I knew Emerson and Kaleb weren't right for each other (I mean, come on, she and Michael blow up electronics because their connection is so fierce), but forgive me Jesus, this 35 year old woman was having some seriously naughty thoughts about the boy!  The fact that this book puts you in Kaleb's head is bonus point one for Myra and Timepiece!  Onward...

So, Kaleb...is he everything I thought he would be?  Yes and no.  He's better.  I thought he would be a bit of a douche, and in the beginning, I thought I was right, but...  Really getting inside his head, you begin to understand his tortured existence and you have to forgive him for the faults he showed in Hourglass, and then you want to help him to get better.  His life has definitely not been easy, and while it improves on some levels in Timepiece, there are also some really heartbreaking moments as well.  As for Emerson and Michael...they really play more of a supporting role in this book, which in part, made me sad, but this really isn't their story.  Jack and Lily, on the other hand, get lots of face-time.  Jack is so much worse than I could have imagined, and Lily surprised me in many ways.  I think I might like her as much as I like Emerson.  There are a few new characters, and of them, I found Poe most interesting.  Hopefully, we'll see more of him in Infinityglass...

Story?  Totally made of win!  The pacing and plot development were spot on.  I could not stop reading, and there were surprises around every corner.  There are still lots of questions, but I say that in a positive way... I'm just itching to get my hands on the next book.  I had a feeling that this series would be a favorite after I read Hourglass, and this book has solidified that statement!  If you have not read Hourglass, you're lame!  Go out and get it!  While you're at it, get Timepiece because you'll NEED to know what comes next (then shoot me an email and thank me for that awesome bit of advice)!  In a literary world where the same story seems to get told over and over, it is refreshing to come across something so original! Add to that the fact that it is told from a male POV (truly a rarity in the YA fiction world), and there are no faults in this book. Myra McEntire, you RULE!

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★++  

Grade Level Recommendation:  There is definitely some hot and heavy in this book, but nothing graphic or inappropriate for the intended audience.  It was more romantic than anything.  I said Hourglass was appropriate for 4th grade+ because it was pretty squeaky clean.  Timepiece is maybe a bit older.  Kaleb is a drunken, tattooed/pierced rebel and he is known to be a bit of a ladies man.  That said, I would put this one at 6th grade+ (ages 11 and up).

Review: Incarnate by Jodi Meadows

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Publication Date: January 31st, 2012

New soul

Ana is new. For thousands of years in Range, a million souls have been reincarnated over and over, keeping their memories and experiences from previous lifetimes. When Ana was born, another soul vanished, and no one knows why.

No soul

Even Ana's own mother thinks she's a nosoul, an omen of worse things to come, and has kept her away from society. To escape her seclusion and learn whether she'll be reincarnated, Ana travels to the city of Heart, but its citizens are afraid of what her presence means. When dragons and sylph attack the city, is Ana to blame?

Heart

Sam believes Ana's new soul is good and worthwhile. When he stands up for her, their relationship blooms. But can he love someone who may live only once, and will Ana's enemies--human and creature alike--let them be together? Ana needs to uncover the mistake that gave her someone else's life, but will her quest threaten the peace of Heart and destroy the promise of reincarnation for all?

Jodi Meadows expertly weaves soul-deep romance, fantasy, and danger into an extraordinary tale of new life.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

This book was such a surprise for me.  Several months ago, when people started buzzing about it (the cover, mostly), my interest was piqued, but this wasn't one of the 2012 debuts that I felt like I HAD to get my hands on without delay.  I thought, "Sure, the cover is really pretty, and the story sound interesting enough, but it's not CALLING to me."  Well, in this case, my instincts were way off.  This book was awesome, one of my favorites so far this year; and now that I know the story behind the cover, I think it is the most beautiful cover of the year.  Ya'll NEED to read this book!

I'll start my review by telling you what I loved best (and I say "loved" because "like" is not a strong enough word to properly express my feelings)... The characters in this book were so multi-dimensional, especially "nosoul" Ana.  I cannot even fathom being in her position- everyone she's ever met has the experience of thousands of years of living- they all intimately know each other, in one way or another, and they can never really die because they will just be reincarnated with all the knowledge and experience of their previous lives.  They don't really care if they die- they will come back soon enough- but Ana?  No one knows what her fate will be when she dies.  That has to be scary!  Add to all of that the fact that most people, her own parents included, hate her for being an aberration.  These feelings are so intense that her father left when she was an infant and her mother kept her hidden away from society as a whole, for her first 18 years of life; physically, mentally, and verbally abusing her the entire time.  Imagine what kind of person you become after that.  Ana has a strong spirit though, and she perseveres, teaching herself life skills that her mother couldn't be bothered with teaching her.  Now she's 18 and she wants answers.  Who is she?  Why was she born?  Is there anyone out there like her?  When she goes on her quest for them, she meets Sam, and I have to say, he is one of the most tender and worthy male characters I've come across in a YA novel.  I found myself rooting for them from the beginning, and one of the things that kept me reading was the need to find out if a romance ever developed between the two, of if their relationship would stay platonic.  Sam and Ana were the main characters, but Jodi Meadows spent a decent amount of time developing the supporting characters as well, and I was so glad for that...

Of course, you can't write a book with characters alone, and that brings me to the story.  It was equally good.  A well rendered world, with an interesting premise behind it.  The originality of this book was amazing.  Imagine the utopian existence that could be built if the people within it had thousands of years of personal experience on which to build it.  Imagine how that might be disrupted if suddenly a beloved friend, who everyone expected to be reborn, was suddenly replaced by a brand new soul who had no experience to draw upon.  Imagine if that person was raised away from society for 18 years, only to return under the protection of a valued member of society.  You would think it would divide the people, and it did.  

If you haven't ascertained this already, I will reiterate...  I LOVED this book.  It was beautifully written, with such a strong sense of humanity- both the good and bad aspects of it.  I couldn't put it down, and I am beyond excited for the release of book #2.  Anyone looking for something fresh and different,   should definitely give this book a try.  You won't be disappointed you did.

My Rating:  ★ ★ ★ ★ ★  

Grade Level Recommendation:  This book is pretty clean.  There is some romance, and sex is alluded to in one chapter, but never spoken about outright.  Anyone reading this that wouldn't be ready for that type of content, probably wouldn't understand what they were talking about anyway.  I was say this book is more than appropriate for 5th grade and up (ages 10+).

Audiobook Review: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Publisher: Dutton Juvenile/Brilliance Audio

Publication Date: January 10th, 2012

Diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer at 12, Hazel was prepared to die until, at 14, a medical miracle shrunk the tumours in her lungs... for now.

Two years post-miracle, sixteen-year-old Hazel is post-everything else, too; post-high school, post-friends and post-normalcy. And even though she could live for a long time (whatever that means), Hazel lives tethered to an oxygen tank, the tumours tenuously kept at bay with a constant chemical assault.

Enter Augustus Waters. A match made at cancer kid support group, Augustus is gorgeous, in remission, and shockingly to her, interested in Hazel. Being with Augustus is both an unexpected destination and a long-needed journey, pushing Hazel to re-examine how sickness and health, life and death, will define her and the legacy that everyone leaves behind.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

This book was one of my most anticipated releases of 2012.  John Green is an amazing writer, who knows the intricacies and simplicities of the teen mind better than anyone I can think of.  When I heard about The Fault in Our Stars, my first thought was, "How is John Green going to pull off making cancer funny?".  It's not that I wanted him to make cancer funny, but I've grown to expect a certain amount of his particular brand of humor from all his books, and cancer or not, I was expecting it here.  Well, I'm pleased to say that John Green did it; he wrote about about kids with cancer that was not only humorous, but tastefully so.  It was full of the one-liners and observations that John Green is known for, but it also had it's share of very poignant statements, which he is also known for.  An example of one of the one-liners that made me laugh out loud was early on when, after support group, the kids were talking about how the moderator said that they were literally living in Jesus's heart, and Hazel responded, "Someone should tell Jesus. It's gotta be dangerous storing children with cancer in your heart."  I laughed so hard at that comment, but then later on, we get one of those statements that makes you cry, when someone (I won't say who or why because I don't want to give spoilers) says, "Grief does not change you, it reveals you."  How true is that?  I loved the characters and the story was both gut-wrenching and uplifting, often in the same sentence.  This book is a book that everyone should read; not just fans of John Green, not just teens or adult YA fans like myself, EVERYONE!  I think anyone could benefit from reading this book, and I dare anyone to say that it sucks.

This book is by far, John Green's best book yet, and I think the audio experience made it even better.  The narrator, Kate Rudd, was the perfect voice for Hazel and she did a great job of adding emotion and life to the story and characters.  The best part of the audio version though, had to be the pretty lengthy interview with John Green at the end of it.  I always enjoy hearing him speak and this case was no different; for such a young guy, he is very wise.  If you can get your hands on a copy, do yourself a favor and give it a listen.

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ +++

Grade Level Recommendation:  Usually, with John Green's books, I say they are definite HS, minimum 8th grade+ reads because he so accurately portrays teens, and quite frankly, older tweens and young teens don't necessarily need exposure to the fact that a lot of behavior parents would never want to believe of their "good" kid would partake in is extremely typical of "good" kids.  They will find out soon enough... This book, though, is different.  First off, the characters, as much as they want to be, are NOT typical teens; they are teens with cancer and struggles that take away much of the joy of being a kid.  Also, this book is pretty tame content-wise, compared to his other books.  There is sex, but it is not at all graphic and is portrayed as a beautiful thing between two people who love each other and who know they don't have time to wait until they are married, or even "adults".  I think the benefits of a 6th or 7th grader reading this book well outweighs some content that some parents might find objectionable.  I would be more than willing to allow my 5th grader to read this, knowing that she would get a tremendous amount of the right kind of insight out of it.  Grades 6 and up (ages 11+). 

Review: The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

Publisher:  Poppy

Publication Date: January 2nd, 2012

Who would have guessed that four minutes could change everything?

Today should be one of the worst days of seventeen-year-old Hadley Sullivan's life. She's stuck at JFK, late to her father's second wedding, which is taking place in London and involves a soon to be step-mother that Hadley's never even met. Then she meets the perfect boy in the airport's cramped waiting area. His name is Oliver, he's British, and he's in seat 18C. Hadley's in 18A.

Twists of fate and quirks of timing play out in this thoughtful novel about family connections, second chances and first loves. Set over a 24-hour-period, Hadley and Oliver's story will make you believe that true love finds you when you're least expecting it.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

When I requested this book from the publisher, it was because I was drawn to the title and the cover.  I'm a nerd, and that is a nerdy title if ever there was one.  Add to that the cover- a black and white photo with just a splash of red- and I was in serious book lust, and I didn't even have a clue what the book was about really (other than the obvious)...  When I received it a couple of weeks ago, I was thrilled, and very eager to get started to reading it.  I'm not a huge Contemporary fan, but there are exceptions, and I had heard some good things about this book, so I was cautiously optimistic, but didn't have super-high expectations either.  Imagine my surprise and delight when the book turned out to be great!  I mean, really, really great.  Like, the best Contemporary YA novel since Anna and the French Kiss, great.  I loved this book!  Why?  

This book was so romantic without being sappy and unrealistic.  The characters, Hadley and Oliver were real to me.  They were both pretty well-adjusted teens who were slightly damaged through no fault of their own.  What teenager can't relate to that?  Hell, what adult can't relate to that?  Then they meet at an airport to travel to someplace either would rather not be going to, and they wouldn't have met if not for the fact that Hadley missed her flight by four minutes.  Fate intervening?  Perhaps?  But it isn't all unicorns and rainbows for their relationship... Despite the bond that developed during the flight, and the tugging feelings they were having, they went their separate ways after the flight landed, and it seemed it was a case of "that's that".  But, fate has a way...

I don't want to spoil this book for you, so I won't continue on.  The writing was great.  Hadley's voice was genuine and at times, really heartbreaking.  That said, she was a very strong character,  I found myself rooting for her from the get-go, and feeling a sense of satisfaction in the end.  This is a quick read, not just because of the length (a mere 236 pages), but because you will not want to put it down.  Yes, you kind of know how it's going to turn out in the end, but the fun is in reading how the characters get to that point.  This is a must-read for YA Contemporary fans, for sure, but keep in mind that this gushfest comes from a YA fan who doesn't typically like the genre, so don't pass it up just because Contemporary is usually not your thing; this one is special...

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★  

Grade Level Recommendation:  This book is squeaky clean.  The closest it gets to sexual content is hand holding and innocent kissing (not even heavy make-out sessions).  I'm going to suggest this book to my 5th grader because I think she'll love it.  Ages 10 and up (5th grade+).  I would probably even go out on a limb and say it would be okay for even 4th graders except for the fact that they would probably still consider the subject "icky".  :-)

Review: Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry

Publication Date: December 6th, 2011

In the magical underworld of Victorian London, Tessa Gray has at last found safety with the Shadowhunters. But that safety proves fleeting when rogue forces in the Clave plot to see her protector, Charlotte, replaced as head of the Institute. If Charlotte loses her position, Tessa will be out on the street and easy prey for the mysterious Magister, who wants to use Tessa's powers for his own dark ends.

With the help of the handsome, self-destructive Will and the fiercely devoted Jem, Tessa discovers that the Magister's war on the Shadowhunters is deeply personal. He blames them for a long-ago tragedy that shattered his life. To unravel the secrets of the past, the trio journeys from mist-shrouded Yorkshire to a manor house that holds untold horrors, from the slums of London to an enchanted ballroom where Tessa discovers that the truth of her parentage is more sinister than she had imagined. When they encounter a clockwork demon bearing a warning for Will, they realize that the Magister himself knows their every move and that one of their own has betrayed them.

Tessa finds her heart drawn more and more to Jem, though her longing for Will, despite his dark moods, continues to unsettle her. But something is changing in Will; the wall he has built around himself is crumbling. Could finding the Magister free Will from his secrets and give Tessa the answers about who she is and what she was born to do?

As their dangerous search for the Magister and the truth leads the friends into peril, Tessa learns that when love and lies are mixed, they can corrupt even the purest heart.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

THIS BOOK!  So awesome!  I'm not sure if I can properly articulate how much I loved this book, but I'm going to try...  

I love Cassandra Clare's writing.  After reading Clockwork Angel I was pretty sure I liked The Infernal Devices better than my beloved Mortal Instruments, but I wanted to reserve my final judgement until there were at least two books in the series; now I am absolutely convinced!  What a world!  I'm not typically a huge Steampunk fan, but these books are amazing, and if I thought Clockwork Angel was amazing, I had no idea what amazing was.  Clockwork Prince not only outshines Clockwork Angel, it blows every one of Cassie's books out of the water!  "Why was it so awesome?", you ask.  Well, if you have read Cassie's other books, you know that the girl has mad talent, but putting that aside...

There are three reasons I love this book- the characters, the world, and most importantly, the story!  The characters were great in Clockwork Angel, and we learn so much more about them in this book.  We find out what makes Will tick, we learn that Jem is every bit the great guy we suspect he is, and we further see what a kick-ass heroine Tessa is, but we get so much more from our other characters as well!  Charlotte and Henry become so much more real, we learn a lot about why The Magister holds such a grudge and why Nathaniel was willing to betray his only family for him, we see different side of Magnus Bane, we find out what lengths Jessamine is willing to go to not be a part of her Shadowhunter world, and we meet some great new characters like Sophie Collins and Gideon Lightwood.  I loved the good characters and truly loved to hate the bad ones!

As far as the world goes, Cassie Clare is an expert world builder.  Maybe it is the fact that she spent much of her childhood moving around the world with her family, maybe she has such superb research skills that it would be impossible for her to get it wrong, maybe she naturally has fantastic attention to detail, maybe it's all of the above... Whatever the explanation for Cassie's world building prowess, it's amazing.  It's no wonder there is such great fan art out there; Cassie's writing is a wonderful muse!

Best for last... The story!  I really don't like love triangles, as a rule, but the one in this series is one of the few exceptions.  I never had trouble choosing between Peeta and Gale, Jace and Simon, Edward and Jacob... I usually know which "team" I'm on pretty quickly.  After reading Clockwork Angel, I thought I was pretty much on "Team Will".  He seemed like an ass, but I knew he was this beautiful, tortured soul who had good reason to act the way he did.  Jem was wonderful, but dying, so really, what was the point?  THEN I saw the cover of Clockwork Prince, and DAMN if I couldn't decide anymore.  Jem certainly didn't look very sick... When I went to Cassie's signing at Little Shop of Stories a few weeks ago, she asked which team I was on.  When I told her I didn't know, she called me "Switzerland".  I can't even believe I'm writing these words, but I am STILL Switzerland.  I have never been this conflicted over a love triangle in my entire life!  I think Tessa needs to time-travel into the future, clone herself, and put me out of my misery!  Aside from the romantic element, this story had it all; action, suspense, mystery, betrayal, heartbreak, and laughs.  Perfect in every way!

Bottom line is that if you are already a fan, you probably don't need this review to know you want to read this book.  If you're not a fan, start with Clockwork Angel and then read this because I guarantee that you won't be disappointed!

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★++

Grade Level Recommendation:  I think this series is a bit more tame than The Mortal Instruments, but I would still place it in the Middle School and up range; there's a good bit of almost-sex as well as drug use and violence.  Mature 6th-7th grade and up (ages 12+).

Review: Crossed by Ally Condie

Publisher: Dutton Juvenile

Publication Date: November 1st, 2011

In search of a future that may not exist and faced with the decision of who to share it with, Cassia journeys to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky - taken by the Society to his certain death - only to find that he has escaped, leaving a series of clues in his wake.

Cassia's quest leads her to question much of what she holds dear, even as she finds glimmers of a different life across the border. But as Cassia nears resolve and certainty about her future with Ky, an invitation for rebellion, an unexpected betrayal, and a surprise visit from Xander - who may hold the key to the uprising and, still, to Cassia's heart - change the game once again. Nothing is as expected on the edge of Society, where crosses and double crosses make the path more twisted than ever.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

I will start this review by stating the fact that I loved this book's predecessor, Matched.  I've read it twice, and I liked it even more the 2nd time around.  If you haven't read it now, you really need to do so.  Matched was very reminiscent of The Giver by Lois Lowry; there were a lot of similarities.  In Crossed, this trilogy becomes its own.  I loved Matched, I am IN LOVE with Crossed.  We always hear about authors having sophomore slumps when writing series, especially when the first book is amazing, but worry not with Crossed.  If Matched was good, Crossed was GREAT.  Here's why...

• Cassia goes from Society Girl to independent, self-sufficient, kick-ass heroine.  Sure, she does a few things in Matched to buck the Society's rules, but she goes all out in Crossed. Question is, does she go too far?  I liked Cassia a lot better in this book.  She put her mind to something and she made it happen, against all odds.  Even if her choices weren't always the best, she followed her heart, and she has to be respected for that.
• The love triangle became a TRUE love triangle.  I don't usually like love triangles in books because I think they are usually overdone, but in this trilogy it's really working for me because it's not the center of the story; it's key, but it's not all there is to it.  In Matched I had my mind set on who I wanted Cassia to end up with.  Now I don't know.  I don't think Cassia does either...
• We found out more about Ky's story.  Ky was somewhat of an enigma in Matched and for that reason, I couldn't really wrap my mind around liking him.  I'm still not sure if I like him now, but at least I now understand and respect him.
• We learn the everyone in The Society is not who they pretend to be, and some of these people are very key players.  I was thrown for a loop when I found out certain things...
• Ally Condie does a much better job with world building in this book.  We learn so much about the Outer Provinces and world beyond Cassia's Society bubble.  I was transported into this world that was both beautiful and harsh.
• This book is non-stop action.  Forget about getting anything else done while reading it, because you won't want to stop reading.  It sinks its claws into you and does not let go until the very last page, and then you're still left wanting more.  November of 2012 is so far away...
• There are new characters who are really great in both good ways and bad ways.  That is to say, they aren't always likable, but as supporting characters go, they are well rendered and memorable.
• The Rebellion is still a mystery, but in a good way.  I have a feeling that, like The Society, it is not what it seems...
• The ending will floor you.  It did me.

It was really hard for me to write a review that didn't include spoilers for either Matched or Crossed, and I hope I succeeded.  If you've read Matched, I doubt I have to do any convincing to get you to read Crossed.  All I can do is maybe urge you to move it to the top of your TBR; I think you will be happy that you did!  If you haven't read Matched yet, you need to.  Now.

That's all.  Carry on.

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ +

Grade Level Recommendation:  As with Matched, I think this book is fine for well-read 5th graders and even mature 4th graders (ages 9+).  It has some romance, but nothing racy.  Some violence, but nothing extreme.  If the later Harry Potter books are okay for a kid to read, so are these.