The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy

*This Review May Contain SPOILERS*

This is a bit divergent from my usual type, but I loved it nonetheless. It's set during the French Revolution, the Reign of Terror specifically, and centers on the Blakeneys. Sir Percy Blakeney is an utter fop - shallow, vain, insipid etc. Lady Blakeney, previously Marguerite St. Just,  is gorgeous, charming, and hailed as the most intelligent woman in Europe. During this time, an Englishman known only as the Scarlet Pimpernel is rescuing French aristocrats and smuggling them from the country. He is pursued by an agent of the Revolutionary government, Chauvelin, and aided by nineteen others. Chauvelin captures Marguerite's brother Armand (who is a counterrevolutionary) and uses him to blackmail her into helping him discover the identity of the Scarlet Pimpernel....her husband!

My Thoughts:

1. The romance between Marguerite and Percy is just amazing. At first he worshiped her openly, but her contempt for his "idiocy" led her to spurn him. Once he heard that she denounced someone to the Committee of Public Safety, he couldn't trust her, so he withdrew his love (also because of his wounded pride) and now they ignore one another. However, as the novel progresses, and Marguerite realizes that Percy has been wearing a mask and is in fact this daring hero that everyone is enamored with and totally, passionately in love with her, she realizes that she loves him too and has to save him. When she comes to his aide, he realizes that she loves him and they reunite! Yay! Happy ending!
2. The overall plot of this was good. I read the Wikipedia summary before I purchased this book, so I knew who the Scarlet Pimpernel was, and I have to say, that only enhanced my experience of this book. There was still plenty of adventure/intrigue/suspense, and the book was not wanting for adrenaline. 
3. I was a little hesitant to pick this up, since it was written in 1905. I generally peruse either contemporary fiction, or stuff of the seventeen and eighteen hundreds, like Austen, the Brontes, Dickens etc. However, I found this book to be very readable. The style was very sincere and earnest in its manner, if that makes any sense. I did have to Google two words, but I hope that each book I read gives me at least one new word. 

Who Should Read It:

• Fans of well-rounded books. This has romance, adventure, intrigue, espionage etc. 
• People interested in the French Revolution. 

Overall Score: 9/10 

This was a really good book that had everything - likable characters, an intriguing plot, a good pace, and, of course, romance! I recommend you check it out! I also watched the 1982 made for TV movie of the same name, which I also recommend!

I'm currently reading A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin and I'll be starting something else as well, so stay tuned for more reviews!

North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell

This novel, written in 1855, is about Margaret Hale (from the South of England), who travels to the northern town of Milton after father splits from the church. There she meets John Thornton, who she finds uncouth, ill-mannered and ungentlemanly. Mr. Thornton thinks she is beautiful and charming, but also haughty, proud and standoffish. You can see where this is going :)

My Thoughts:

1. I ordered this book online, so I was reading the reviews on Barnes and Noble's website; I was shocked to discover that some people said this book ousted Pride and Prejudice as their favorite book of all time, and John Thornton, Mr. Darcy! Of course, I thought they were just being ridiculous. Then I read the book. I wouldn't go that far, but it certainly takes a close second. 
2. First off, Margaret is a wonderful heroine. She's sweet, charming, caring etc. but she is also strong-willed, conscientious and stubborn. She is flawed, but lovable - she's someone I would think I could be friends with.
3. Second, the way the book interweaves the love story of Margaret Hale and John Thornton with the class struggles of the industrial age is very well done and enjoyable to read. 
4. All the minor characters - Bessy, Mr. Higgins, Mrs. Hale, Edith, even Dixon - are well done. There are believable people, not just means to an end for the main characters.
5. The book is wonderfully written! Some might be put off by the elevated diction, complex syntax and genuinely different manner of writing, but if you read a lot of novels from the 18th and 19th century, you really will come to understand it all. 
6. Finally, Mr. Thornton. He is such an amazing character! I love him! He's romantic without being too unrealistic and he's self-deprecating without being pathetic and he's strong without being cocky and he's just wonderful! The way he cares for Margaret (even when she is awful to him) is the sweetest thing ever. I love him! Truly! And you will too if you read this book!

Who Should Read It:

• Romance fans!
• Fans of novels of this era!
• Fans of the 2004 BBC movie version with Richard Armitage and Daniela Denby-Ashe - which, by the way, was amazing! I recommend you watch it before you read the book, actually. Normally, I don't do that but I find that I am so far removed from the language of books this old that sometimes I miss things (I had to read Pride and Prejudice twice, then watch the movie, then read it again until I finally realized how amazing it is) and I don't understand that something is actually a passionate speech because the diction is so formal. So, watch the movie first if you don't normally peruse Victorian novels. 

Overall Score: Infinity and beyond/10 

I loved this book! It is going on The Shelf, I plan to re-read it and buy another copy for a friend and re-read and re-read and re-read it. This is an amazing book that is definitely worth checking out!

I have over two dozen unread books, so I have no idea what I'll be reviewing next.

A Kiss In Time by Alex Flinn

This, in true Alex Flinn style, is a reworking of a classic fairy tale. This time, it's of Sleeping Beauty.

My Thoughts:

1. First off, both Jack and Talia are lovely characters - believable, but not overly realistic. 
2. The romance is so cute! Something about the way Jack thinks of Talia as so sweet and trusting and the way Talia slowly realizes she truly does love Jack...it's just so great!
3. The way Alex Flinn does Sleeping Beauty is really wonderful. I only have very vague memories of the Sleeping Beauty, since I only watched the Disney movie once, but I think I didn't care for it because it seemed almost two-dimensional. Alex Flinn actually delved into what really might happen if an entire kingdom just popped up into the modern age - how the townspeople would react, how outsiders would react to them etc. Also, she actually gave motivation to the "witch" and a personality to Talia's family. Her meticulous concern for detail and crafting a believable world, make this adaptation better than the original fairy tale. 

Who Should Read It:

• Fans of Alex Flinn!

Final Score: 9.5/10

For more info on the author, check out her website here. I'm currently reading North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell, so look forward to a review on that next. 

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

This is the second book in the Infernal Devices trilogy, which is a prequel to the Mortal Instruments series.

My Thoughts

1. This is amazing! There are no words for this! Everything about it is amazing! 
2. Tessa and Will and Jem were phenomenal!
3. Henry and Charlotte were so sweet!
4. The whole book was just beautiful and lovely and shattering and magnificent and moving and the most amazing book ever!
5. I laughed, I cried, I squealed, I was shocked - this is the most engaging book I've read in a long time!

Who Should Read It

• Fans of Cassandra Clare!

Who Should be Fans of Cassandra Clare

• Everyone!

Overall Score: Infinity and Beyond to the power of infinity and beyond/10

Amazing! Read it! Seriously, if you have a heart at all, you will be truly in love with this book. For more info, check out the author's website here. I don't know what I'll be reviewing next!

Darker Still by Leanna Renee Hieber

So, Darker Still: A Novel of Magic Most Foul takes place in Victorian Era Manhattan, and centers on Natalie, a 17 year old mute girl, whose father works for the Met. She is shown a mysterious painting of Jonathon Whitby, Lord Denbury by her mentor, Mrs. Northe, a spiritualist. His soul is trapped in the painting, while the Devil wreaks havoc as he possesses Jonathon's body.

My Thoughts:

1. The book is very romantic. Sincerely romantic. There is swooning and falling into each other's arms involved here. If that doesn't convince you to read this book than you have no heart. 
2. The story is framed as a diary being held as evidence by the police department, which I find fascinating. It reminds me of classic novels like Bram Stoker's Dracula or something. 
3. Natalie is a great heroine! Identifiable, likable, strong but not arrogant, and, most importantly, headstrong in love.
4. Lord Denbury is a wonderful hero! Everything a love interest should be: accented, dashing, benevolent, blue-eyed, black-haired and so much more!
5. I read a fair amount of historical fiction and I love the Victorian Era, so I was really pleased to find this setting. It's done really well!
6. The supernatural element is very believable and engaging, even verging on the truly macabre. In my opinion, the more books you read, the less things affect you, but this one was definitely very real. 

Who Should Read It:

• Fans of the Victorian Era!
• Fans of romance! This one SO delivers!
• Leanna Renee Hieber fans! (I am so inspired to pick up her other works now!)

Overall Score: 9/10

For more info, check out the author's website here. 

*Drum roll please* And check back for a review of The Infernal Devices  Book Two: Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare. That's right, I am holding the latest Cassandra Clare novel in my hands RIGHT NOW! Aaaaaaaaaaah! 

Fateful by Claudia Gray

This book is about Tess, a maid for the wealthy Lisle family, who wants to start a new life after their transatlantic voyage on, wait for it, The Titanic! While on board, she meets handsome first-class passenger Alec Marlowe, who has a dark secret.

My Thoughts:

1. This book was fantastic! It was extremely well-written and very engaging! I was really able to get lost in this book!
2. Tess is a wonderful heroine! She's strong, but not to the point of being arrogant or stubborn. 
3. Alec is the perfect love interest! Handsome, with attractive hair, tortured with guilt he doesn't deserve, sweet, caring - oh, he's just perfect! 
4. The supernatural element was amazingly well done! You might think werewolves on the Titanic would come across as campy or silly, but it certainly did not!
5. The Titanic aspect was really amazing as well. There was a perfect balance of happy/sad endings for people, you know? It wasn't like all of the characters we know survived (which, statistically, they could've), but they didn't all drown either. But, even the minor characters' deaths made me cry. Irene, Ned, even Layton and Lady Regina - there were tears. And, of course, the historically accurate characters like John Jacob Astor (I think I'm just attached to him because of his role in James Cameron's  Titanic, but still.)
6. The romance was fabulous! There were so many tender, sweet moments and so many moments when I felt like the author was trying to rip my heart out, but, at the last second, didn't. Tess & Alec forever!

Who Should Read It:

• Romance fans, this is the book for you!
• Fans of James Cameron's Titanic, you should read this book. (Translation: everyone should read this book!)
• Titanic lovers in general, this is a great book! This is also a great era, in my opinion, very lush and romantic. 
• I haven't read any of Claudia Gray's other works (though I'm inspired to buy all of them now), but, if you like those, I recommend you read this! 

Final Score: infinity/10

This book is going on The Shelf. (The Shelf houses such greats as Anna and the French Kiss  by Stephanie Perkins, The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices series by Cassandra Clare, and, of course, J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series.)

For more info, and a list of Claudia Gray's other works (which I will shortly be purchasing), check out her website here. 

I have a stack of new books four feet high, so stay tuned for more reviews! 

Sweetly by Jackson Pearce

This book is about Gretchen, an 18-year-old girl who lost her twin sister when she was seven, her brother Ansel, and her love interest Samuel. She travels to Live Oaks, South Carolina, where she befriends and moves in with Sophia, the town pariah who has secrets of her own. It's got a very fairy tale vibe, a la Alex Flinn.

My Thoughts:

1. Usually, suspense gets on my nerves; I HATE not knowing, but in this book, I really liked the lead up to discovering who Sophia truly was. 
2. This was surprisingly heavy for a teen romance. I'd say it has the same level of death as Cassandra Clare's Clockwork Angel, though not nearly the emotional impact. 
3. Samuel and Gretchen are great! There's this one scene, page 235, that is just adorable! He's your typical bad-boy-with-a-sensitive-side that populates the young adult section, and call me unenlightened, but  I really love those types!

Who Should Read It:

1. Fans of Jackson Pearce. Though I did not fall in love with this book like I did with As You Wish, this is still a great book if you like her style.
2. Fans of modern day fairy tale retellings. I've been buying a lot of those lately, and I don't know if it's a trend or if I just happen to be picking them up, but this book definitely delivers on that front.
3. Romance fans! What is a book without romance? Not a book at all! 

Final Score: 8.5/10

I have tons of new books, so check back soon for more reviews! The next book I'll be reviewing Fateful by Claudia Gray (and it is AWESOME)!

The Mark of the Golden Dragon by L.A. Meyer

The full title is actually The Mark of the Golden Dragon, Being an Account of the Further Adventures of Jacky Faber, Jewel of the East, Vexation of the West, and Pearl of the South China Sea. It is the ninth book in the Jacky Faber series (see the full list here), which centers on Jacky Faber, an orphan from a poor area of England who ran away to sea in the first book (when she was like 10 or 12) and has been having exciting adventures one the high seas  and trying to live happily ever after with Jaimy Fletcher, love of her life, ever since (she's now 17 or 18). Before I jump into my review of the most recent one, I'll do a quick review of what we've had so far.

1. Bloody Jack
2. The Curse of the Blue Tattoo
3. Under the Jolly Roger
4. In the Belly of the Bloodhound
5. Mississippi Jack
6. My Bonny Light Horseman
7. Rapture of the Deep
8. In the Wake of the Lorelei Lee

So, Jacky pretended to be a boy, ran away to sea, became a pirate, escaped from a slave ship, came to America, fought in the Napoleonic War, searched for treasure and escaped from a convict ship (her own ship) bound for New South Wales, Australia. Currently, she is marooned on Burma with a small boy (Ravi) she picked up in India and everyone she knows thinks she's dead! 

On to the actual review!

My Thoughts:

1. This is a good installment, in my opinion. Adventure, romance, intrigue - it's all there. 
2. Some might think a series gets a little ridiculous by the 9th installment, and, in this case, they'd be partially right. This series isn't classic literature nor is it going for a realistic depiction of early nineteenth-century life. However, it is a fun, interesting, and entertaining read. 
3. Jacky is fun and likable, and her ongoing romance with Jaimy (and Randall and Jared and Arthur and Richard) is equal parts adorable, angsty, and amusing. 

Who Should Read It:

• People who have read the rest of the series. If you liked that, you'll like this.
• If you like historical fiction, you'll probably enjoy this one. 

Final Score:

• Entire series: 10/10
• Mark of the Golden Dragon: 9/10

For more information, check out the author's website here. 

Next, I'll probably reviewing Beautiful Chaos by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl, so stay tuned!

Silence by Becca Fitzpatrick

This is going to be a short one, since I didn't actually finish this book! This book is the love story between Nora and Patch, a fallen angel. It's the third one in the series; I absolutely loved Hush, Hush, the first one and Crescendo, the second one, had it's moments, but this one...well, I'll let you read on.

My Thoughts:

1. The premise of this one is that Nora has lost her memory of all the supernatural goings-on in her life, and I know that it's dramatic irony and all, but nothing annoys me more! Now, I'm okay with it if it doesn't go on for ever and/or the book is extremely well written/my favorite series ever (like in the case of The Son of Neptune). In this case it lasted at least to page 224, where I stopped. 
2. Maybe I would've liked it better had I re-read the first two installments in the Hush, Hush Saga and gotten back into it, however, I feel like I was getting out of it towards the end of the second book. 
3. I'm not sure why I suddenly no longer like this series, it's just that we're not seeing enough Nora/Patch. I loved their interactions, their love, their story and we've gotten so far away from that that I've lost interest. 

Who Should Read It:

• If you read the first two, I recommend you give this one a go. I never abandon a book series, so maybe that's just me, but I would advise you to check it out if you read/enjoyed either the first or second novel.

Final Score: 6.5/10

For more info, check out the author's website here. 

I'm 60 pages in to The Mark of the Golden Dragon by L.A. Meyer and I've also purchased Beautiful Chaos by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl, so look forward to reviews of those!

Cloaked by Alex Flinn

This book, in true Alex Flinn style, is a modern day take on fairy tales. I haven't been able to detect a specific one like with the first novel of hers I read, Beastly, so it seems to be a compilation of various elements from various fairy tales. A teenage boy, Johnny, who repairs shoes, is chosen by the beautiful princess Victoriana to rescue her brother, Prince Philippe, who has been turned into a frog, stop the evil witch, and save her from marrying the evil witch's son (by marrying her himself). However, throw Johnny's undefined feelings for his bet friend Meg into the mix, and you get a better idea of the plot.

My Thoughts:

1. Generally, I don't read romance novels from the guy's perspective, since I find it difficult to really believe a guy has the kind of sappy thoughts I want in a love story. However, Alex Flinn's Johnny is wonderful! Very cute, very romantic, but also very real. This was very well executed, in my opinion.
2. In that vein, I just loved the voice of the main character, Johnny. He was funny and adorable and a little dense about Meg and just a really great hero. 
3. I absolutely love books with magic/fairy tales in them and this novel certainly delivered! It was all very familiar because, as an avid reader, I covered the major fairy tale stuff at a young age, BUT it was also extremely new - Alex Flinn's comic touches and plot twists keep you guessing.
4. This book had some really funny moments, particularly in the relationship between Prince Philippe and Meg!
5. I really love how classic this book feels. It's hard to describe, it just feels like one of those grand sweeping fairy tale romances. 
6. I found this book to be very engaging, as well - It's one of those ones you can lose yourself in! 

Who Should Read It:

• If you love fairy tales, then this book is for you!
• If you like comedy, romance, and adventure this is for you!
• If you're a fan of Alex Flinn's other work, then you should check this one out!

Overall Score: 9.5/10

For more information on Alex Flinn, check out her website here. I have tons of new books, so I don't know what I'll be reviewing next! 

Epic Fail by Claire LaZebnik

Pride and Prejudice takes place in a modern, LA high school! Elise Benton is Elizabeth Bennet and Derek Edwards, son of the famous movie star Melinda Anton, is Mr. Darcy!

My Thoughts:

1. As an adaptation of Pride and Prejudice this book was excellent! All the good bits are here, and the unnecessary stuff (Mr. Collins, Lady Catherine de Bourgh etc. etc.) is not. The Elise/Derek relationship progressed exactly as it should and it was just wonderful! Layla/Lydia also got a happier ending, however, there was no Mary! Granted, she wasn't a very important Bennet sister, but I always identified with her bookish-ness and I would've like to have seen Claire LaZebnik's take on her character. 
2. Juliana/Jane and Chase/Charles were just so adorable! 
3. Humor throughout keeps it from being too sappy!
4. The romance between Elise and Derek was just wonderful! He was the perfect example of brooding and mysterious by secretly sweet and adorable! The scenes toward the end when Jackie, his nanny, was embarrassing him and when he was tentative to sit next to Elise on the couch were so cute!
5. It's one of the books that just makes you giddy and happy and lovestruck all at once!

Who Should Read It:

• Jane Austen fans! I believe that this is a well done modern adaptation that stays true to the spirit of Jane Austen's characters and intentions. (Don't get me started on the travesty that was Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.)
• Cute, fluffy romance fans! This is a nice light romance for all who long for happy endings!
• If you love the archetypal "bad"-brooding-guy-with-a-sensitive-side kind of hero (think Damon Salvatore or Lucius Vladescu or pretty much your standard issue love interest in a teen girl romance), Derek is a nice variation of that that goes in a different direction which I think you'll like (well, I liked it). 

Final Score: 9/10 

This book was wonderful, and I highly recommend you all check it out! For more info on Claire LaZebnik and her other works, check out her website here. I have tons of new books piled up, so I don't know what I'll be reviewing next!

Edit: It's going to be Cloaked by Alex Flinn (author of Beastly)! I'm about one third of the way in and I LOVE it, so stay tuned!

Ruined by Paula Morris

You'll remember I really enjoyed Dark Souls by Paula Morris, so I ordered another of her books for young adults from Barnes and Nobles a few weeks ago. This is about a girl, Rebecca, who has to spend her senior year in New Orleans where she finds oppressive class-based social structures, ghosts, and a guy named Anton.

My Thoughts:

1. I enjoyed that this was set in New Orleans - I've always wanted to visit, so that was a cool effect for me.
2. I really didn't enjoy Rebecca's thoughts on the whole "class system," which they set up like Rome, with Patricians and Plebeians and everything. I mean, she's a new girl who shows up and immediately starts bashing the way of life down there...of course no one is going to like her!
3. The curse on the Bowman family was well done - very creepy, very well-written.
4. The relationship with Anton was not well handled, in my opinion. He was AWESOME and Rebecca doesn't even take advantage of the wonderful opportunity presented her. He apologizes profusely and she refuses to forgive him even though she does stuff that is so much worse and is just all around awful! 
5. The third act shocker was priceless! You find out something about Rebecca and her father. 
6. *SPOILERS AHEAD!*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* When Helena died there was nothing! Nothing! She died and Rebecca might as well have killed her and there was NO remorse! AH! I was NOT happy!
7. I could not feel sympathy for Lisette and her mother. Okay, your daughter is killed, you're angry, I get that. The woman who killed her dies and then you curse the entire family so seven girls from their family die in their teens? For something there long dead relative did? Even though the entire book is about escaping your past? What. The. Heck?! Horrible, horrible, horrible! Loses the book five points in and of itself! *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*SPOILERS OVER* 

I wanted to like this book, I really did, but I just couldn't. 
Final Score: 3.5/10
The next book I'll be reviewing is Epic Fail by Claire LaZebnik

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

This is the companion novel to the absolutely amazing Anna and the French Kiss, also by Stephanie Perkins. It's about Lola, an aspiring costume designer, and Cricket, an inventor.

My Thoughts

1. This was set in San Francisco, not Paris, which detracted the book. 
2. I really didn't find that I could connect with Lola at all. I mean, she was dating this older guy who was clearly a total jerk and she wore all these completely outrageous outfits and I couldn't love her or identify with her like I did with Anna from the previous book. I didn't hate her, but I didn't like her either.
3. There was a moment of Lola getting on her soapbox that I didn't like. 
4. On the plus side, Cricket was a nice love interest, funny and sweet, so I kept reading for him.
5. On the MAJOR plus side - ANNA AND ST. CLAIRE WERE IN IT!!!!! That alone makes buying and reading this book so worth it! 

Who Should Read It

• Fans of Stephanie Perkins (see review of Anna and the French Kiss to see who that should be)

In short, Anna and the French Kiss was to DIE for, and this was an enjoyable read.

Overall score: 7.5/10

Dark Souls by Paula Morris

This is about a teenage girl named Miranda, who, after experiencing the death of a friend, realizes she can see ghosts. They take a family trip to York, England, which is one of the most haunted cities anywhere. She meets a guy, creepy ghost related plot ensues etc. etc.This is an excellent book!

My Thoughts:

1.  First, it takes place in York, England, and I LOVE books that are set in foreign countries (mainly England, France, and Italy)! 
2. I have not read Paula Morris' other book, Ruined, but I plan to - I love her writing style! Her descriptions are vivid and her dialogue is witty!
3. I love Miranda! She is a great main character! Not whiny or depressed, but a real, relatable character! 
4. And the guy, Nick, is wonderful! He's creepy in a good way, kinda dangerous/bad boy but kind of not...a little damaged, but cute as can be! I love him! (There's this one scene, at the end, and Morris' description of him just blew me away! 
5. The paranormal aspect is also really well done! It was believable without being mundane and totally awesome without being too far fetched!
6. There was some really great humor in this book, particularly from Miranda's brother Rob and their interactions together. 
7. It had some genuinely scary moments! I always read at night, downstairs, by myself, when the rest of the house/outside is dark, and when the ghost across the street did that thing with the blood on his hand...that thing where the back of your neck prickles like something's there TOTALLY happened to me! 
8. And the ending! Bittersweet and adorable!

Who Should Read It:

• If you love ghost stories, England, history etc. you will love this book!
• If you like guys like I described in #4, you will love this book!
• If you generally read young adult paranormal romance, I suggest you check this out!

For more info, you'll find a link to the author's website here. Stay tuned for my next review on Silence by Becca Fitzpatrick.

As You Wish by Jackson Pearce

This is a wonderful book! It's fairly short (298 pages, I read it in 3 hours or so), but is it ever awesome! It's about a teenage girl, Viola, who is about to be granted three wishes by Jinn, who is A jinn. BUT they fall in love!

My Thoughts

1. First, the narration switches perspectives between Viola and Jinn! I absolutely love love love that!
2. Jinn! Oh, he is awesome! He's witty and sarcastic but super sweet and romantic, too! Some of his lines are just so swoon-inducing! He practically restores my faith in guykind! (Yes, I know the author is a woman. He still gives me warm bubbly vibes towards the rest of (fictional) guys, in terms of romance). He's like an archetypal character! Jinn: the Perfect Man!
3. Just enough angst to not be too angsty but still make me tear up!
4. Happy ending!

Who Should Read It:

• Anybody who loves a good romance!

Love this book! For more info, check out Jackson Pearce's website here! Stay tuned for my next book review, most likely of Jean Kalogridis' The Borgia Bride or Stephanie Perkins's Lola and the Boy Next Door.




EDIT: Just finished a quick rereading of this book. I still love it, and I totally teared up again and I just cannot get over how much this book pulls at my very soul. I think it might be because, like Viola, I have always had an unrequited desire to belong...or guys like Jinn set my heart aflame. Whatever the case, great book, I highly suggest you get this book and read it along with everything else Jackson Pearce has ever written.

The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan

This book is the second one in the Heroes of Olympus series, which is the continuation of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. We're seriously diverging from format here, mainly because I am too excited about this book to do anything but gush!

This series is the most amazing ever and this installment did not disappoint! First, we're back in Percy's perspective (instead of Leo, Jason, and Piper's like in The Lost Hero)!!!! And there's some Nico (and you know I love him, too!) And at first I really didn't like the Romans (all this discipline and duty stuff...give me the Greeks and their arts, philosophy and poetry any day!) but they grew on me. Percy is so freaking amazing! I'm a little worried about what Rick Riordan is setting up with Annabeth and how Percy can't make a sacrifice (that Frank WILL make) because he's too loyal.....I am a die-hard Percabeth fanatic...so that better make it through this series!!!

In short, I love Percy and I love this book and I love this series and you should all read them all!

Here's a link to this series' site; check it out! And read it! Read them all!

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

Okay, this book is about a teenage boy, Jacob, who discovers a secret about his grandfather and himself and then goes to Wales to check out the abandoned orphanage where it all happened.

This is my first negative review, so the format will be slightly different.

What I Liked

1. The book itself is gorgeous! Red leather, gold lettering - it's very luxurious looking. 
2. The creepy photographs are super cool, that's what prompted me to purchase the book in the first place. They're very interesting and they really make you look and think. 
3. The premise was cool - I love time travel, and this has elements of that; I loved the little circus thing they had with all the children. 

What I Didn't Like

1. I expected the book to have a more Victorian era feel, possibly even Steampunk. Instead the book was more witchcraft/paranormal centered. 
2. I didn't feel connected to the characters at all. I just could not feel for Jacob. Or any of the characters.
3. The romance was terribly unbelievable. I didn't like the girl, feel for her, want her to end up with Jacob, anything like that.

Who Should Read It

• I can't in good conscience tell anyone "You will love this book!" but I suppose if you like the 40s, Wales, and a new mythology/paranormal universe, you might enjoy this book.

The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

In this book, Rory, a teenager form Louisiana. goes to boarding school in England. The day she arrives, a murder is committed by a copycat killer, in the style of the infamous Jack the Ripper. Rory is soon swept up into the case (and love).

My Thoughts

1. I loved Rory's love interest Jerome! He is super awesome! Curly hair, accent, general awesomeness - oh, yes! I am SO there! 
2. I didn't feel too strongly about Rory as a character, but I suppose I could say that I liked her - she was believable and not whiny, so she was a good heroine! She did have some really funny moments, particularly recounting takes of her neighbors back home in Louisiana.
3. Takes place in London - you know how I LOVE books that take place in far away places, particularly places I'd like to visit one day. (I don't want to visit London nearly as much as I want to visit Paris (for the awesome) or Rome (for the art), but it's definitely on the list of places to visit eventually.) 
4. The aspect of the paranormal was very well executed - not too cheesy, not too dark - just a very good paranormal novel. 

Who Should Read It:

• Maureen Johnson fans - if you like her other works, you'll probably like this one!
• According to this book, there is a group of people called Ripperologists, who devote their life to the study of Jack the Ripper...so, if you're one of those, you'd probably enjoy reading this novel. 
• If you love guys with accents. I do. I so do, and if you do too, then you'll love the English-accented love interest!
• If you've got an interest in the paranormal - like I said, very well done in this novel.

That's about it. For more information on the book (or more books by Maureen Johnson), please check out the author's website here

Stay tuned for my next review, which will be of Rick Riordan's Son of Neptune (Book #2 in his The Heroes of Olympus series)....God, it is SO good!

The Devil's Queen by Jeanne Kalogridis

I read this book a while ago, but I really loved it, so I thought I'd share. It's about Catherine de Medici, who was Queen of France and married to Henri II (King of France). It chronicles her life since childhood to the aftermath of  a very pivotal event.

My Thoughts:

1. She was very interested in astrology and magic and such, and this book takes a wonderful approach to that. They perform rituals and have horoscopes done and everything, and I'm super interested in stuff like that, so I loved this book all the more for Jeanne Kalogridis' approach to the magic of Catherine. 
2. The relationship between Catherine and Henri II was really well executed, in my opinion. I loved them together - just the right amount of adorable with a dash of angst and betrayal. There was this one great moment where Henri comes to Catherine's room after telling her he's over Diane de Poitiers and the Scottish maid of Mary, Queen of Scots that is just so great!
3. Also, Catherine is pretty bad ass, which made me love her. In dealing with the intrigue of the French monarchy, holding her own with Diane de Poitiers, handling the whole Catholic/Protestant thing - she may not always have been right, but she was definitely hard core.
4. There is a lot of history in this book, which I thought was totally awesome. I love France (and Italy), so this was very interesting for me.

Who Should Read It:

• People looking for interesting side of history. Does this ever deliver!
• If you love the whole intrigue/love/betrayal in a 16th century royal court thing (think Showtime's The Borgias) then you'll probably love this book.
• I wouldn't say this is an adult novel, but it certainly doesn't fit the common tropes of a young adult novel. So, if you're looking for something a little more "WOW!", then this is for you!

So, that The Devil's Queen by Jeanne Kalogridis, a totally awesome book which I recommend you all check out! For a list of her other works (which I hope to read eventually), check out her website here.

Soon, I'll be reviewing Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs.

Die for Me by Amy Plum

This is an amazing book about a 17 year old girl (Kate) who goes to Paris and ends up finding love with Vincent....but, wait! Vincent isn't exactly all he appears to be!

My Thoughts:

1. First, it's set in Paris! I love Paris! Who doesn't love Paris? Yay Paris!
2. Vincent!!! First, he's French (read: super hot!). Second, he's tall, dark and handsome in a dashing, dangerous and charming kind of way. Third, he's really sweet, too and the relationship he has with Kate is almost delicate in its tendernes and I just love it!
3. Originality! In this book, a paranormal romance, the guy is NOT a vampire! Amy Plum has taken a genre that has certainly had a lot of additions of late, and completely revitalized it! Not that I was ever  losing interest in the paranormal teen romance genre, but the stunningly fresh vibe of Amy Plum's debut novel really made it memorable for me!
4. The romance was addicting! This is one of those read-it-in-one-go, breathless-the-whole-time, swept away kind of novels!
5. This book is the first in a trilogy, yet it actually had a conclusion!!! I absolutely loathe books that leave off practically in mid-scene, and this book had the most adorable, wonderful, best-ever ending ever!

Who Should Read It:

• Girls who want a little old-fashioned charm in their literary love life. (Vincent = Amazing!)
• People who love an interesting turn of mythology! Honestly, I was completely surprised, and this is from someone who read a fair amount of paranormal/mythological/fantasy novels. I have never come across anything like this before!
• Just in general, girls looking for a romance novel. This is for you!

All in all, this is a really great book: romantic, engaging, fascinating, perfect. The next book is called Until I Die and is scheduled for May of 2012. For me info and general awesomeness, check out Amy Plum's website, here.

Be sure to stay tuned for my next review, which will be on Ms. Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs.

Chain Reaction by Simone Elkeles (and basically the whole Perfect Chemistry series)

This is the third book in Elkeles' bestselling Perfect Chemistry series, about the three Fuentes brothers (Alex, Carlos, Luis) and their love interests (Brittany, Kiara, and Nikki)

My Thoughts:

1. This series has always had its humorous moment, and the third installment was no exception! 
2. It's very engaging - I finished it in about six hours of solid reading!
3. The romantic interactions are always well-written. I loved Brittany/Alex most of all, but the descriptions of Nikki and Luis's feelings are very well executed. Simone Elkeles always has a knack for tastefully doing love scenes, and that continues in this book as well. (Though, if you're like 14 or easily offended, warning: they do it in this book. And they swear a lot too.)
4. I've read reviews that say these books are too formulaic, that they're all the same...I have to disagree. Okay, they're all forbidden love, but there is a reason Romeo and Juliet is the most enduring romance ever: people love forbidden love stories! And I am proudly one of those people!
5. The female characters are relatable. I really indentified with Brittany because she really tries to project this image of having it all, the perfect life, being put together and unflustered but really she's a bit of a mess, just like everybody else. I related to Kiara in that she was a bit of a nerd, without much experience with guys before Carlos. And, while I personally haven't experience this, I thought it was very realistic that Nikki had been hurt before and had difficulty trusting Luis - it made a great novel and I think lots of girls (and guys) can relate to that. Also, Nikki has the "I need to be needed" complex that I have...I'm pretty sure that's a psychological no-no, but I sure as heck enjoyed reading about someone who felt that way too!
6. The guys! I love love love Alex! He is so amazing! My number one out of the whole series! Luis, of course, has his charms and so does Carlos...but Alex is so...Alex. In short, well-written love interests!
7. Accordingly, this book has the other two Fuentes brothers, Alex and Carlos (and Brittany and Kiara, respectively), in it as well. This of course lent itself to some great family interaction as well as a chance to fantasize about Alex. (Oh, don't sanctimoniously act like you don't! If you've read the book, I know you do! )

Who Should Read It:

• Fans of Perfect Chemistry and Rules of Attraction! This is a worthy installment to the series!
• People who love the forbidden romance thing!
• Fans of West Side Story - It has gangs, this-side-of-town, that-side-of-town divisions, with a guy and a girl from two different sides getting together. (Well, technically not in Rules of Attraction, but there's still class differences.) Alas, there is not singing or dancing...but you can't have it all, can you?
• People who love guilty pleasure stuff! Like I mentioned, Nikki likes to be needed. And so do I. If you do too, you'll probably like this novel.
• People looking for something a little more down to Earth. There's no paranormal stuff - no vampires, witches, werewolves, zombies or other members of the undead. The characters have real world problems.... Well, theoretical real world problems, if that makes sense. (I.E. I live in a white bread neighborhood with no gangs.)

In short, a great book! I love love love Simone Elkeles so I really recommend Chain Reaction (and Rules of Attraction and Perfect Chemistry if you haven't read those). Stay tuned for a review of Die for Me by Amy Plum!

Tiger's Curse and Tiger's Quest by Colleen Houck

I read the first novel in this series (Tiger's Curse) in two days, and I'm currently halfway through the second one (Tiger's Quest). This series is to die for! It's about a girl, Kelsey, who ends up temping for a circus, then going to India with this mysterious white tiger...but...the tiger isn't a tiger! He's actually a guy (a prince to be specific), who has been cursed to remain a tiger until the curse is broken by a girl (Kelsey). Romance ensues (of course).

My Thoughts:

1. First off, I loved the idea of a character just up and flying thousands of miles around the world with basically no real deliberation about it. That's the spirit of adventure!
2. The whole thing takes place in India, which is pretty different, so that's cool. There's lots of mythology involved as well, and I really enjoy that.
3. The covers are truly gorgeous! Not only that, but the inside covers have maps of the world with dotted lines and airplanes on them to show where the characters travel! I absolutely love that! It's so classic looking, you know?
4. The romance is great! It's a love triangle between Kelsey and the two tiger brothers Ren and Kishan. And let me tell you, you will not be disappointed! I laughed, I cried, I squealed...it was breathtaking. Both of them are so awesome and you can't help but love them both!
5. The book was so engaging! I sat down to read the first one and maybe 8:00 and the next thing I know it's 12:01 AM and I'm 350 pages in, having not looked up once! I could've sworn it would be like twenty after ten or something, but the book was that engrossing! 
6. It has a really classic vibe to it. Something about it hearkens to epic romances and fairy tales. Perhaps it's the curse and the quests that give this series that vibe, or maybe it has to do with the fact that it's such a sweeping saga. Whatever the case, it's very intoxicating to find in a modern day novel.

Who Should Read It:

•  People interested in a romance that's more than just a romance - Kelsey has a really great adventure as well. 
• People who love mythology/folklore/other cultures - it's very fascinating in that respect, and I think Colleen Houck did a wonderful job of incorporating cultural notes about India into the text: it's the perfect balance of informative and interesting without verging on boring or dry.
• People who have a thing for love triangles (Don't pretend like you don't, everyone does!)

This is an excellent series which I really recommend! They still sell both in the bookstores and the third book in the series, Tiger's Voyage, is due to be released November 1st 2011 so check it out!

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

This is probably the greatest contemporary romance I've ever read! I first read it a while ago, but I just finished rereading it, so I thought I'd share my thoughts. It's about a 17/18 year old girl named Anna, and her father sends her to the School of America in Paris. Romance ensues!

My Thoughts:

1. First, it takes place in Paris...PARIS! I am a total Francophile, so this may just be me...but I doubt it! I have always wanted to go to France, so I really enjoyed the vicarious trip. Stephanie Perkins is very deft at describing things as they would appear to someone seeing them for the first time, so it was perfect in that respect.
2. Etienne St. Clair. What a name! What a love interest! One, he is technically American, but he was educated for a while in England, so he has a British accent! Two, he's so gorgeous! Three, he is without a doubt the best fictional love interest there has ever been - he's funny, smart, attractive, accented and he has the most endearing personality in the world!
3. The romance! It was the most genuine, sincere teen romance I have ever read! There's angst, but no melodrama, cuteness, but no sappyness...It is phenomenal! The second to last scene, on the roof of the Notre Dame, overlooking Paris, has the most beautiful, charming declaration of love I have ever read (and you know how much I read!)!

Who Should Read It:

• Everyone! It's funny and cute and sweet and cool and the author understands teenage romance and if you are a living, breathing human being you should be reading this book. Know that I am not sponsored by anyone in any way shape or form when I tell you: Go to the bookstore. Buy this book. Read this book. Laugh. Cry. Squeal. Sigh. Love it!

I am so giddy right now, that's how awesome this book is! And guess what? Stephanie Perkins next book, Lola and the Boy Next Door, a companion novel to Anna and the French Kiss, is due to be released in 12 days (September 29th)!!! For more info (and general awesomeness) check out Stephanie Perkins' website here. If you want to know what I'll next be reviewing, check out my original blog here, for a list of today's book haul! Au revoir!

Falling for Hamlet, a novel by Michelle Ray

I picked this up at Barnes and Noble over the summer, a few weeks after I'd read Shakespeare's Hamlet (yes, just for fun!). This book is a contemporary retelling of that story from Ophelia's perspective.

 My Thoughts:

1. I was very invested in this novel. It's told in flashbacks as Ophelia is being interviewed by the Danish version of the FBI about what happened to the royal family, so obviously the author decided to radically change Ophelia's fate. So, this lends itself to "Maybe Laertes doesn't stab Hamlet with the poisoned blade after all?" or "What if Polonius wasn't behind that curtain?" etc. etc. It's a good blend of the author's own plot line and the original so you're still engaged, wondering what exactly will happen.
2. If you suspend disbelief just a little bit, Hamlet translates surprisingly well to the modern day. I was expecting Hamlet's father and then Claudius to be heads of a corporation or law firm or something a little more commonplace modern day than a monarchy, but I was pleasantly surprised to see that the author stuck with that. First, because no one should mess with Shakespeare, second because it really made the vibes of the novel that much better and third because I have a little thing for royalty (What? Like you didn't get up at 3:00 AM and skip school to watch the royal wedding last April!)
3. The romance between Hamlet and Ophelia. I loved it! It was very angst-ridden, but, done well, I really love that stuff! I am a huge fan of brooding guys, and Michelle Ray's Hamlet was very brooding! Ophelia even says he's brooding when she says "Every girl wants to save a brooding guy, but he was my brooding guy to save." (That's probably indicative of some sort of personality disorder, but, be that as it may, it's sure fun to read about!) I loved, loved, LOVED their relationship! It was so well characterized, too (though a few times I wanted to ring Ophelia's neck!). I even had tears in my eyes during some parts.
4. As an adaptation of Shakespeare, it was no original, of course, but I did like it. I loved the angst-y, dark vibes from the romance and the tragedy of it all ( I am a HUGE fan of tragic endings!). I was not a fan of making  the duel at the end a lacrosse match...I would have preferred fencing, but that's just me!

Who Should Read It:

• People who love angst-y, dark, tragic teen romances! This is unparallelled in that department!
• People who love Hamlet! You just have to read this!
• Honestly, I do recommend this to everyone! One of my friends, Laura, borrowed this from me, and she hasn't read Hamlet, so I'll let you know how she likes it!

That concludes our review of the wonderful Falling for Hamlet, a novel by Michelle Ray; I recommend it to you all!

I'm currently re-reading Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins, so look forward to a review on that and then I'll be reading Withering Tights (contemporary adaptation of Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights) by Louise Rennison. I needed a little break from thwarted love and everyone dying, so I've placed Anna and the French Kiss, the best book ever, in there!

Juliet by Anne Fortier (Part Two)

I finished this book yesterday, but, as I was preoccupied with writing essays for my european history class, I didn't get to blog about it! So, I'll finish up now!

This book was AMAZING! The love story of the past resolved in epic tragedy (as well it should, being R & J, after all) and the modern day love story was so heartrending and sweet! Not to mention the whole thing takes place in Italy (read: sexy Italian love interest! ...if you're interested in my opinion of the various nationalities of guys, see here and here.)

Who Should Read It:

• Romance fans! Particularly romance fans with little romantic experience who like to live vicariously through novel characters - our heroine is completely new to romance when she gets swept off her feet by Alessandro :)
• Shakespeare fans! The premise that this book is based on the story of the families that Shakespeare based the Capulets and Montagues on is so freaking cool!
• Any who wants a little adventure in their literary lives!

And because we're talking R & J, I've compiled a list of the top 4 best movie adaptations of Romeo and Juliet, in my opinion. These are listed in no particular order.

1. Romeo and Juliet (1968 - Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting): This one is a classic! It's sweet and sad and beautifully rendered and everything it should be. Plus, the main love theme, composed by Nino Rota, is SO wonderful!
2. William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet (1996 - Claire Danes and Leonardo DiCaprio): This one is awesome too! It's got the original dialogue BUT it's set modern day...it is without a doubt the most original film I've ever seen - you have to see it to get it. But, while it has its funny moments, I cry more here than I did during the '68 version....also, I love Leo!
3. West Side Story (1961 - Natalie Wood and Richard Beymer): It's a musical! What more do you want!
4. Gnomeo & Juliet (2011 - Emily Blunt and James McAvoy): Okay, this is anthropomorphic lawn ornaments doing Shakespeare, now what more do you want? The cutest, sweetest, funniest animated film I have ever seen. AND *spoiler alert* it had a happy ending. I was even inspired to vow that, should I ever own a home, I will so put a bronze statue of the Bard in my yard, unashamedly at that. I don't care how old you are or whether you've ever read the play: watch this movie!

And that concludes me tangentially pontificating on my favorite adaptations of Shakespeare. In that vein, stay tuned for a review of Falling for Hamlet, a novel by Michelle Ray. And yes, it is what you think it is. Don't judge me - I know I'm a nerd, you know I'm a nerd, but you don't know me, thus I am not really "out" as a nerd (look at me, breaking the fourth wall!). 'Til then!

Juliet by Anne Fortier (Part One)

I haven't yet finished this book, but I really wanted to share it with you, so I'll review on the ending of it later.

It's about this woman (Julie/Guilietta) who travels to Italy after discovering that she is the descendant of the actual historical family upon which Shakespeare based the Capulets, there, she meets this man (Alessandro)who seems to hate her, but we shall see if that changes (read: I think he's the love interest), and tries to uncover the truth of the family legends.

Why I Love This Book:

1. It has an epigraph to each chapter from Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet at the beginning of each chapter. If you've been reading my original blog (here), you'll know how much I love R & J! So, that, and the fact that the whole story is basically a discussion of the facts behind that, makes me just love this book!
2. It's sort of like two books (and romances) in one: our main character is travelling about Italy, trying to figure out Alessandro etc. AND she is reading these ancient manuscripts that depict the tale that R & J is based on. So, whole chapters are about the romance of Romeo and Guilietta in the Middle Ages, which is awesome!
3. The style is just great. The diction is very elevated and the way in which things are phrased is very interesting. It's almost like Fortier is trying the give her contemporary novel a Shakespearean feel (which, considering the subject matter, is so cool). One of my friends thought that it sounded pompous, but this was the same friend who pronounced Guilietta as "Gwill-e-etta" and "Ghoul-e-etta". I really apprectiate the style, but I tend to genuinely love classic novels like those of Jane Austen, so I may be biased.

In short, so far, it's an awesome book and I highly recommend it if you love romance, Shakespeare, history, and wonderful diction!

The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare

This series includes City of Bones, City of Ashes, City of Glass, and City of Fallen Angels. City of Heavenly Fire and City of Lost Souls are upcoming additions to the pair of trilogies that make up this series.

I really loved this book series! It's no Harry Potter (of course, nothing is), but it is definitely my favorite book series in a long time. The plot centers around Clary, her relationship with Jace, and her entry into the world of Shadowhunters and Downworlders (warlocks, vampires, werewolves etc.)

Reasons why this book is excellent:

1. It has everything! It's definitely got romance, but it's not the only element of the book (which would make it so sappy); it has action, adventure, and mystery as well.
2. The writing style is wonderful! I love Cassandra Clare! The description are very vivid, which I believe contributes to the realism of this novel (which, for me, is very important in a fantasy novel). 
3. The main character is great. If I don't like the main character, I have difficultly enjoying a book at all., but I loved Clary! She's cool, but not tool cool as to be unrelatable.
4. The guys are great too! Jace is by far the best love interest I've read about in a long time. He's the perfect hero, really: attractive, snarky, brooding, just awesome. 
5. It's so angsty. I love angst in my teen paranormal romance, and I am unashamed of that. And you should be unashamed too. 
6. There were some pretty humorous moments, which is a rare delight in such a dark, angsty book. 

Who should read it:

• Everyone! It is an absolutely wonderful series and I laughed and cried and just fell in love with this book!
• It is a little dark and angsty, like I mentioned, so if you're not into that, you might not enjoy this book.

In short, I award ten stars to an absolutely epic book series! READ IT!

Look forward to my next review, which will be of the prequel series to this series, The Infernal Devices, also by Cassandra Clare.

If you enjoyed this post, please feel free to check out my original blog, which is a more general one, here