Across the Universe

by Beth Revis, 398 pages

Amy is cryogenically frozen, along with her parents, so she can take part in a colonizing mission on a distant earth-like planet.  She expects to "sleep" for 300 years, and then wake up at her parents side.  However, when she does wake up, it's 50 years too early.  She's alone, on a ship ruled by a rigid tyrant, in a society where the only "normal" people are deemed crazy.  Furthermore, the future leader of the ship, Elder, has taken a special interest in her, one that she's not sure she can trust.

One review that I read described this books as claustrophobic, and I think that's the perfect word for a book set on a spaceship roughly the size of a small island that flies nearly a lifetime away from any outside human contact.  At times, I could feel the metal walls of the ship closing in on me, a feeling which was made worse for being trapped with an all-powerful evil leader and a society of mindless drones.  This books was very well done, and will be great for people who like their sci-fi seriously creepy.  A word of warning- this book is the first in a trilogy, and while the ending has more resolution that some YA books out there, it still leaves you room to wonder "what now?"

Law of Attraction

by Allison Leotta, 279 pages

Assistant U.S. Attorney, Anne Curtis, is a relatively new prosecutor, but she's had enough experience with domestic violence cases to know that the victims have a hard time breaking out of the cycle of abuse.  When Laprea Johnson, shows up in her office the day after Valentine's Day battered and bloody, Anne vows to do her best to see Laprea's abuser behind bars.  But when Laprea lies on the witness stand, there's nothing Anne can do to stop her abusive boyfriend from walking free.  Several months later, when Laprea turns up bludgeoned to death, Anne is drawn into the prosecution for Laprea's murder.  Despite fearing a conflict of interest, Anne's boyfriend is a lawyer for the defense, Anne promises Laprea's mother that she'll make sure Laprea's killer is brought to justice.

I found this on a list of promising debut thriller authors, and I'm glad I picked it up.  I haven't read many thrillers, sadly my experience with "thrillers" prior to this is limited to episodes of Law and Order  and the occasional summer blockbuster.  Leotta's book read a bit like both of these.  The plot kept me engaged and all law and police procedure seemed to be handled with expertise.  Leotta is a domestic violence prosecutor herself, and I think that translated well to the page.  This is another one I couldn't put down.

Scandal in Scotland

by Karen Hawkins, 333 pages

Captain William Hurst must deliver a mysterious artifact to the man holding his brother captive in order to ensure his release.  Just as he is about to set sail, a woman from his past, actress Marcail Beauchamp shows up in his cabin, drugs him, and steals the artifact for herself.  Marcail needs the artifact to pay off a blackmailer who threatens to destroy her sisters' future unless she delivers it.  When the artifact is stolen by a third party, Marcail and William must work together to retrieve the box and save both their families.

This was a fun treasure hunt of a book with misunderstood motives, theft, arson, and plenty of romance.  Hawkins does a wonderful job of injecting a bit of mystery and magic to her stories for a unique flair.  Great for anyone who loves a fast-paced romance.  This is the second book in the Hurst Amulet series.

The Sins of Viscount Sutherland

by Samantha James, 373 pages

Claire Ashcroft blames Viscount Sutherland for the death of her beloved brother.  Alone with nothing left to lose, she hatches a plot for revenge.  Grayson Sutherland has been in a downward spiral since the death of his wife.  He has a reputation for wild and reckless behavior with little regard for others.  Claire refuses to let fear of his reputation hold her back as she poses as a charming "widow" in and effort to capture and break his heart.

The appeal of romance, for me, has less to do with the revolutionary plot lines (can you think of a genre more open to recycled ideas?) and more to do with likable characters.  I wasn't sure I'd like this book based on the synopsis on the back, but I got hooked into the characters pretty quickly.  Both are strong-minded and set on their own purposes, but very desperate (even if they can't acknowledge it) for something more in their lives.  I couldn't wait for these two to find their happy ending!

Lock and Key

by Sarah Dessen, 422 pages

After Ruby Cooper is abandoned by her mother, she is sent to live with her older sister, Cora, who she hasn't seen in nearly ten years.  Cora is now married and living in a rich neighborhood which leads to a major culture shock for Ruby who was living in disorder and poverty long before her mother split.  All Ruby ever wanted was to be left alone long enough to make it to 18 when she could claim her independence.  Her new life changes more than just her circumstances- it changes her ideas about family, friendship, accepting help, and giving it in return.

This is an author who's been on my need to read list for a while now.  I'm glad I finally got around to one of her books.  I cared about Ruby from the beginning, and her rough edges only made me root for her more.  I appreciate the way the character was built up, piece by piece, with Ruby's background added in seamlessly as she adjusted to her new world.  The interaction between characters was well done, too.  There resolution took time with Ruby progressing then messing up in a way that seemed true to life.  It was a joy to watch her blossom and slowly overcome her painful past. 

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

by J.K. Rowling, 759 pages

Voldemort's power and presence is rising and all who stand against him are in mortal peril.  Harry knows that he can't return to school this year.  Instead, he must take on the challenge left to him by Dumbledore.  He must find and destroy Voldemort's remaining Horcruxes if he is ever going to have a chance at  defeating the Dark Lord himself.  Ron and Hermione accompany him as Harry sets out on a quest filled with dangers that can be met only with equal daring and bravery. 

This is the book where all all of Rowling's intricate plotting comes to a head.  The characters overcome challenges, both internal and external, and we can feel their triumph, uncertainty, and pain.  The big message that Rowling has been hinting at all along (especially through Dumbledore) becomes clear, and I think it's this that sets the book apart from the movie.  But I still think the movies were great!

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

by J.K. Rowling, 652 pages

Everyone in the wizarding world knows that Lord Voldemort is back.  Harry is once again a hero, and the Ministry of Magic would like to make him their poster boy in the fight against Voldemort.  Harry know's that the Ministry's efforts are hardly more effective under Scrimgeour than they were under Fudge.  He sides with Dumbledore and the Order of the Phoenix, and Dumbledore arranges for Harry to have extra lesson with him this year.  These lessons turn out to be a hunt into Voldemort's past.  Meanwhile, Harry has to deal with Quiddich tryouts (he's now captain), increasingly difficult classes, and sneaking suspicions that Draco Malfoy is up to something dangerous.

Much of this book is a look back into the past as Harry tries to find the clues that will help him defeat Voldemort.  He knows, even though most only suspect, that he is the Chosen one.  Rowling does an amazing job of balancing the weight of what Harry knows with everyday life at Hogwarts.  As always, I'm in awe of her fabulous mind and imagination!

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

by J. K. Rowling, 870 pages

Voldemort's back, but the Ministry of Magic is denying his return.  The Daily Prophet (with a little nudging from the Ministry) is saying that Dumbledore is going senile and Harry is an attention-seeking delinquent.  The Order of the Phoenix has vowed to fight Voldemort and his Death Eaters.  Harry has been trapped at the Dursley's all summer with no word of what's really going on in the wizarding world.  Harry's first contact is not with friends, but with a couple of dementors who show up and attack him and his cousin, Dudley.  Suddenly, Harry is facing expulsion from school and his arrival at Order headquarters isn't enough to squelch the anxious rage that's been building all summer.

I always dread the fifth book a bit when I hit this point in the series.  Rowling does almost too good a job of creating a series of dreadful occurrences that make this, in my opinion, the darkest book of the series.  Harry is angry and a little petulant as befits a fifteen-year-old.  Fudge is frustrating, and Umbridge is absolutely revolting.  I appreciate those moments of revolution and rebellious humor- the Weasley twins are my heroes in this one! 

 

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

by J.K. Rowling, 734 pages

Ron invites Harry to join his family for the summer and a trip to the Quidditch World Cup.  The excitement of the game is eclipsed by Muggle baiting and the appearance of the Dark Mark.  These are only portents of things to come.  When Harry arrives back at Hogwarts, the school is swept up in the excitement surrounding the Triwizard Tournament.  However, Harry suspects someone might be using the tournament to lure him into danger.

This is one of my favorite books in the series, because so much happens.  I love the rich details and all the new characters.  Rowling really expands her world, and Harry comes to a better understanding of his place and importance in it.

Breaking Dawn

by Stephenie Meyer, 756 pages

In the final installment of the Twilight Saga, Bella and Edward face their most dangerous challenge from the Volturi.  They must rely on family, friends and allies to escape death.

Okay, so dork that I am, I caught a Twilight marathon on Showtime last weekend and decided that I couldn't just end the story there.  I spent the rest of the weekend reading Breaking Dawn.  Even though I've read it before, I have a remarkable talent for forgetting most of the details of a story a couple of months after I've read it.  The great thing about this is I remember enough to not have to suffer the initial shock of some more astounding plot points, but don't remember the minutia so the story feels fresh.  I'm going to be one of those little old ladies who has to keep a notebook of everything she reads or else she'll bring home a stack of books from the library she's already read... oh wait, I'm already there!  Anyway, I enjoyed the story more this time around than the first.  The characters face more grown-up decisions which provides a little more food for thought than the previous "he loves me, he loves me not."  There's also no shortage of threats and tension which makes for a page turning read.  Finally, there are a lot of pages which may help in the beat Jenny challenge! :)

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

by J.K. Rowling, 435 pages

The muggle news is filled with stories about a dangerous criminal on the loose, but it isn't until his arrival at Diagon Alley that Harry learns Sirius Black is actually an escapee from the wizard prison Azkaban.  What's worse, it seems Black is after Harry.  Harry's friends and teachers are intent on keeping him safe in the school, which means he's the only student in his year not allowed to visit the magical village of Hogsmeade.  Added to that, Harry has to deal with dementors- the Azkaban guards, his divination teacher continually predicting his death, and sightings of the grim (the most ominous death omen).

It's been a while since I've read this one, so it's not too surprising that the movie version overrode a few of the finer points of Rowling's writing.  Once again, I'm impressed by the details, the humor, and the heart in this series.  Don't get me wrong- I love the movies, but rereading the books reminds me of how much more there is to writing than simply plot.  Something that I wish I could impress upon those poor souls who think they don't need to read the books because they've seen the movies!

Enchantment

by Orson Scott Card, 419 pages

This retelling of the classic fairy tale Sleeping Beauty starts with a young boy whose parents are making arrangements to flee the communist Soviet Union.  Prior to their escape, they stay with a cousin in the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains, where ten-year-old Ivan stumbles across a hidden chasm in the forest.  It is here that he sees (or thinks he sees) the image of a woman lying on a pedestal covered by leaves and guarded by a monster.  This image haunts him throughout his life, and eventually as a grad student working on his dissertation, draws him back to the chasm in the woods.

This was a wonderfully imaginative retelling blending classic lore with historical details.  The characters are beautifully drawn and the plot is fresh and flows seamlessly between modern and medieval times.  This is a great pick for anyone who loves a good story with a little magic.

Smokin' Seventeen

by Janet Evanovich, 308 pages

Dead bodies start showing up in the burned out lot where the bail bonds office used to be.  Stephanie and crew are working out of Mooner's mobile home. Morelli's Grandma Bella has put the eye on Stephanie, and Stephanie's own mother, fed up with her lack of commitment to the men in her life, has decided to fix her up with an old high school classmate. Add to that an FTA who thinks he's a vampire and a dancing bear, and Stephanie's life is just a little too interesting for comfort.

Smokin' Seventeen was an entertaining read with a few funny moments, but not the best Stephanie Plum book I've read.  For one thing, it was pretty obvious from the start who the killer was- obvious to the point that it seemed odd that it took Stephanie so long to figure things out.  Also, her relationships with Ranger and Morelli just seemed a bit off in this one.  I don't want to say too much and spoil things, but I'm not quite sure where Evanovich is heading with this one.  Maybe the next book will clear things up.

City of Fallen Angels

by Cassandra Clare, 424 pages

In the fourth book of the Mortal Instruments series, Clary is back in New York training to be a Shadowhunter with the help of Jace.  Jace is being haunted by dreams that cause him to pull away in an effort to protect those he loves.  Meanwhile, daylighter Simon is caught between dating Isabelle and Maia and learning to be a vampire.  When Shadowhunters start dying, the alliances between the Clan and the Downworlders are tested, and an ancient evil rises to challenge them all.

First, I have to say I love Clare's inventiveness and the unique way she uses Christian mythology to explain a world of supernatural creatures who struggle in that epic battle between good and evil.  In this book especially, the story flows quickly following several different story lines and building a dangerous puzzle piece by piece. 

That being said, the Clary-Jace romance is filled with enough teenage angst to give Bella and Edward a run for their money (and have we wishing- only momentarily- that one of them will finally put the other out of their misery!)  Clare also ends her story with an obvious set up for a sequel rather than just ending it.  I really enjoyed Clockwork Angel, Clare's last book and the first in a spin-off series set in nineteenth century London, and I had hoped that the City of Fallen Angels would be more like it.  Instead, Clare seems to be reviving old drama and plot elements from earlier books in the Mortal Instruments series.  Yes, I know I'll read the next book to find out what happens, but I hope Clare decides that it's okay to allow her characters to develop rather that regress.

Divergent

by Veronica Roth, 487 pages

In Beatrice Prior's world, everyone one is divided into five factions that represent different values. She is born in Abnegation, a faction that values selflessness above all else. Even though she appreciates the values she's grown up with, Beatrice feels stifled by the Abnegation restrictions. At sixteen, she is at the age to choose which faction will become the rest of her life. If she decides to choose a faction other than the one she was born into, she will be cut off from her family. The choice she makes will determine her entire future, but the choice may be more dangerous for Beatrice than she realizes.

Oh my gosh, I loved this book! I started it in the morning on my break and within the first 5 minutes knew that I wasn't going to be able to put it down. I read it on short increments during my breaks throughout the day and couldn't wait to go home so I could read. I stayed up late to finish it, because I couldn't possibly sleep without knowing how the story ends! Divergent is an adrenaline rush filled with challenges, fights, conspiracy, and just enough romance to make life worth living in dark times. Tris is a totally kick-butt character, I can't wait to see where Roth takes the rest of the series. This is one I'll be recommending to everyone I know, so if you haven't put yourself on the waiting list yet, now's the time!

Sizzling Sixteen

by Janet Evanovich, 309 pages

Vinnie owes money to his bookie who is now answering to Bobby Sunflower, a very bad man. Sunflower decides to make an example out of Vinnie, and kidnaps him, demanding that Vinnie's family and friends pay off the debt in one week or else. The problem is, Vinnie's father-in-law, Harry the Hammer, isn't too pleased with Vinnie and is more than happy to watch him rot. Stephanie, Connie, and Lula are the only people left willing to save Vinnie, after all, if Vinnie dies, they are out of a job. The ladies hatch a scheme to rescue Vinnie and pay off his debt. So what if stink bombs, fried chicken, and hobbits aren't exactly bounty hunter weapons of choice? When it works, it works.

Evanovich is great with character names, but she's outdone herself this time with the hobbits. I'm not saying anything else... if you want the scoop you'll have to read the book!

Finger Lickin' Fifteen

by Janet Evanovich, 308 pages

Lula witnesses the beheading of celebrity chef, Stanley Chipolte, and becomes a target for the murderers. Stephanie and Lula must find the murderers before they find Lula, and so a brilliant plan is hatched. The girls will enter a barbecue cook-off in an attempt to lure the bad guys out into the open, never mind the fact that neither of them can cook. Meanwhile, someone is stealing from Rangeman protected properties, and Ranger hires Stephanie to ferret out the culprit. Can Stephanie balance her jobs and deal with barbecue-happy Lula and Grandma Mazur at the same time?

Yep, we know Evanovich is funny. Usually she gets a couple of good laughs and plenty of smiles out of me, but this one had me laughing so hard that I had to put the book down because I couldn't see straight. Who knew a hot dog suit in Jersey could be so funny!

After the Golden Age

by Carrie Vaughn, 304 pages

Celia West has done her best to escape her upbringing as the only daughter of superhero parents.  Unfortunately, her high-profile past catches up to her when her accounting firm needs her help in prosecuting the Destructor, one of the worst villains Commerce City's ever known.  As tensions rise, secrets that Celia would prefer remain buried come out into the open and the quiet life she's built for herself will never be the same.

Carrie Vaughn has a knack for creating characters that I'm invested in by page 2.  The book starts off with Celia being kidnapped, an event that we're told happens pretty frequently.  The bad guys expect her famous parents to bust in and save the day, and Celia is the perfect tool for entrapment.  I expected Celia to turn around and kick some butt, because that's what heroines do when they're kidnapped... but Celia's not that kind of heroine and this isn't that kind of superhero story.  "After the Golden Age" is a compelling tale about a young woman who thinks she's found her place in the world, only to realize that she's done little more than run away from her past.  She doesn't have powers, but she's smart and has a strange type of courage which is all the more impressive for its subtlety.   

Fearless Fourteen

by Janet Evanovich, 352 pages

Dom Rizzi robbed a bank, but no one ever found the money.  Now he's out of jail and has a chip on his shoulder aimed at his distant cousin, Joe Morelli.  Stephanie is responsible for dragging Dom's sister Loretta back to jail and makes this happen by agreeing to babysit Loretta's teenage son while Loretta gets rebonded.  Only Loretta goes missing, and Stephanie's stuck with the self-named Zook, a fantasy gamer with a penchant for spray painting everything including the dog.  Meanwhile, a treasure hunt for the money starts in Joe's backyard.  Stephanie and Joe need to find Loretta and get their lives back to normal, if they ever want to have a full night's sleep again.

"Fearless Fourteen" is another great read filled with new characters, old favorites, and laugh-out-loud moments.

Lean Mean Thirteen

by Janet Evanovich, 352 pages

Stephanie agrees, against her better judgement, to help out Ranger and plant a bug in her ex-husband, Dickie Orr's office.  Now when Dickie goes missing, with only a trail of blood left as a clue, Stephanie is the number one suspect.  Even more irritating, Joyce Barnhart, Stephanie's archenemy, has been seeing Dickie again, and she holds Stephanie personally responsible for his disappearance.  Stephanie will have to track Dickie down, dead or alive, if she wants to stay out of jail.

Dickie is the perfect character that I love to hate.  It seems almost a shame that Stephanie has to invest the energy in tracking him down, but the mystery gets to be bigger than the goal of finding Dickie.  And that's why I keep reading!