Mason by Thomas Pendleton

It suddenly dawned on me that I never put up my review for Mason by Thomas Pendleton. I adored that book, and I just can’t let it be left out.

Summary from Borders.com -

Some kids say Mason Avrett is slow. What they don't know is that he also has a terrifying power that he's just beginning to understand. But that's not his worst problem: Mason lives with a sadist. His older brother, Gene, doles out punishments so brutal that all Mason can do is cover his head for the beating and try to forget the horrific things he's seen.

Rene Denton, one of Mason's only friends, knows that Gene is evil, but she doesn't know how evil until the terrible night she becomes a victim of Gene's cruelty. Suddenly Mason's power--raging beyond his control--becomes the only thing that might just be as frightening as Gene.

Rhia’s Review – This is one of the greatest horror novels I’ve ever read. Finishing it at 4 o’clock in the morning with a flashlight during a thunderstorm which has knocked the power out really helped, too. But it wouldn’t have been possible without the writing.

Thomas Pendleton (pen name for Lee Thomas) gives us an inside look into the character’s thoughts, really giving a good sense of their motivation. The imagery he uses is amazing, I was able to perfectly visualize everything he wrote. And watching as Mason uses his newfound ability to try to fix things really gives a sense of grim satisfaction about what he does to the antagonists.

This will always be one of my favorite books. With the imagery, I think it’d make a great movie, all of the elements are there. But none of that is in the works, but that’s okay. Who needs a movie when you can see it in your head so perfectly?

 

The Recommendation – Love horror? READ THIS BOOK. The easily scared will probably get more fright out of it than someone who’s super into scary like me, but I think it’s just right in it’s elements to be appropriate for anyone, no matter what your scare level is.

The Other Books – There are no ‘other books’ where Mason is concerned, but I am interested in reading anything else Thomas Pendleton has to offer.

The Vitals* – Mason can be acquired in paperback for $8.99.

The Links – No links right now, as Thomas Pendleton/Dallas Reed/Lee Thomas or whoever he is today has so many names and his YA website doesn’t appear to be working right now.

*=All prices are from Borders.com and are subject to change without notice, and without this page reflecting those changes.

 

gives us an inside look into the character’s thoughts, really giving a good sense of their motivation.

City of Bones (Mortal Instruments, #1), by Cassandra Clare

Summary from Borders.com -

When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder -- much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Clary knows she should call the police, but it's hard to explain a murder when the body disappears into thin air and the murderers are invisible to everyone but Clary.

Equally startled by her ability to see them, the murderers explain themselves as Shadowhunters: a secret tribe of warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. Within twenty-four hours, Clary's mother disappears and Clary herself is almost killed by a grotesque demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know....

Rhia’s Review – One fateful day, daddy took Rhia to the mall and let her pick out a book. Rhia picked a dragon book, but while she was there spotted a book that looked interesting. She picked it up and read about it, and the more she read the more she liked, but still decided to get the dragon book she had already picked. When Rhia got home, she couldn’t remember the name or author of the book, and it started driving her crazy. So crazy the she got online and asked for help, describing what she remember about the book on a forum. They lead her to the book she had forgotten, and the next trip to Borders, Rhia got that book, called City of Bones.

In case you didn’t figure it out, I’m that Rhia. And I’ve always regretted not choosing City of Bones instead, because that dragon book kind of sucked, while City of Bones is awesomeness incarnate. I love it so much I’ve babbled about the series so much to a friend of mine that he knows more about it that someone who has never read it should.

Combining Angels, Demons, Warlocks, Werewolves and Vampires, some of my most favorite things to read about, without making any of them dull or overdone, Cassandra Clare has written a book that will always have a place in my heart. The characters and settings are vivid and real, really giving you a sense of being there. The writing is fantastic, and the story and plot really pull you in. Love the twists as well.

All in all, a simply wonderful book that I will never cease to love.

There’s also talk of a movie, which I think may be really official and underway. But I try not to get my hopes up too far when it comes to this sort of thing.

The Recommendation – This is a fantastic book, and a fantastic series, that all lovers of fantasy should try. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

The Other Books – City of Ashes  and City of Glass, the other two books in the series, have already been read and are sitting with their brother on the shelf. (Reviews coming soon.) So, obviously, I think it’s worth it. Clare has recently revealed that a surprise fourth book in the series, City of Fallen Angels will be released in early 2011. (I believe I’m right on the time. Just don’t sue if I’m wrong.) I can’t wait. There is also a prequel series in the works, called the Infernal Devices. The Clockwork Angel, first in the series, will be out later this year. Also can’t wait for that.

The Vitals* – City of Bones is available in both hardback ($17.99) and paperback ($9.99).

The Links – Official Mortal Instruments Page, Official Infernal Devices Page, Cassandra Clare's Official Website

*=All prices are from Borders.com and are subject to change without notice, and without this page reflecting those changes.

the Hollow, by Jessica Verday

 

Summary from Borders.com - When Abbey's best friend, Kristen, vanishes, everyone thinks Kristen is dead. Caspian, the mysterious boy who shows up at Kristen's funeral, helps Abbey through her grief. Soon, however, Abbey learns a secret that makes her question everything she thought she knew about her best friend.

Rhia’s Review -    I like books that have something to do with a classic novel or story. I just do. It’s cool. Jessica Verday’s The Hollow takes place in Sleepy Hollow, the small town made infamous by Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Every chapter begins with a short quote from Legend, usually one having some small relation to the contents of the chapter. Win.

Abbey is a character I can really relate to. I’ve never been in her position before, but I see a lot of myself in her. But that’s really only one small reason why I love this book so much. The romance is perfectly proportioned to the rest of the book, having just the right amount of fluff, and none of it made me nauseous, even if the romantic interest of the story does belong in the ‘doesn’t exist’ category. There’s plenty of emotion in this book, and I just feel so close to Abbey when I’m reading, I know Jessica’s done her job well.

This book was not tied up all nicely with a bow at the end, unlike most books today, especially romances. But this isn’t a bad thing. It left me craving more of the story, and looking forward to the sequel even more.

Also, you can buy perfumes based on the characters (Abbey makes perfume in the book), which is one of the coolest things ever. In my humble opinion, of course.

 

The Recommendation – Everybody needs to read this book. Seriously. If you like paranormal, YA, romance, or any combination of them, get this book.

The Other Books – According to Borders.com, The Haunted, sequel to The Hollow will be out August 31st, but I don’t know for sure how accurate that is. The only thing I know is that I can’t wait for it. Definitely high on the buy list.

The Vitals* – The Hollow is out in hardback for $17.99.

The Links – Official Website of the Hollow, Jessica's Blog

*=All prices are from Borders.com and are subject to change without notice, and without this page reflecting those changes.

Rebel Angels, by Libba Bray

I’m getting tired of writing summaries as well as the review, so I’m going to a cheat a little here and there.

Summary from Borders.com (Edited slightly for length)-

Gemma Doyle is looking forward to a holiday from Spence Academy -- spending time with her friends in the city, attending balls in fancy gowns with plunging necklines, and dallying with the handsome Lord Denby. Yet amid these distractions, her visions intensify -- visions of three girls dressed in white, to whom something horrific has happened that only the realms can explain.

But all is not well in the realms -- or out. Kartik is back, desperately insisting to Gemma that she must bind the magic, lest colossal disaster befall her. Gemma is willing to comply, for this would bring her face-to-face with her late mother's greatest friend, now Gemma's foe -- Circe. Until Circe is destroyed, Gemma cannot live out her destiny. But finding Circe proves a most perilous task. . . .

 

Rhia’s Review – Rebel Angels is a fantastic follow up to A Great and Terrible Beauty. This is one of those sequels where nothing is lost in between books; none of the characters have sudden differences that weren’t brought on by the plot of the previous book, etc.  Gemma’s voice is still as strong as it was in the first book, and Libba Bray really blends Gemma’s experiences in London society and her  abilities and experiences in the realms and together well. She does a great job of showing how Gemma’s sudden vision are a danger to her social standing, and how that affects her family. Very well written.

 

The Recommendation – I’d recommend this book to pretty much anyone, though I’d suggest you read A Great and Terrible Beauty first. If you have read said book, and enjoyed it, pick up a copy of Rebel Angels. You won’t be disappointed.

The Other Books – The Sweet Far Thing is the third and final book in the trilogy. I already have my copy, but I haven’t gotten very far yet. What I’ve read so far, though, is great. I knew as soon as I finished Rebel Angels that I wanted the third book.

The Vitals* – Rebel Angels is available in both hardback ($16.95) and paperback ($9.99).

The Links – The Official Website of the series ; Libba Bray's Official Website

*=All prices are from Borders.com and are subject to change without notice, and without this page reflecting those changes.

Need, by Carrie Jones

 

After Zara's stepfather died, Zara’s mother saw that she was having a hard time coping. So Zara's mother sends her to Coldwater, Maine to live with her grandmother, hoping the change will do her good. Once in Maine, however, Zara finds herself apparently stalked by a strange man, and learns that boys have been mysteriously disappearing. Whilst probing into the disappearances, and the strange man, she discovers that something inhuman plague streets of Coldwater, and even she herself isn't what she seems.

Need is individual in choice of supernatural being, the pixie, which is one of my Favorite things about this book. Instead of giving into many of the most popular trends in teen fiction, such as vampires, Carrie Jones gives us something completely different because, even though pixies can be compared to fairies, another rising trend in YA Lit, they are clearly their own, different species.

Also, instead of the usual werewolf, which Carrie does supply, she also gives us other were animals, such as tigers and eagles, which is a nice little change.

All in all, this was a great read, great characters. Zara’s voice was loud and clear; she’s very individual.

Carrie Jones will be visiting Book Divas February 22-March 22.

The Recommendation – This is a superb read for anyone into Paranormal YA.

The Other Books – Captivate, the sequel to Need hit shelves in January. I’ve already bought it, and am currently diving in. I’ll have the review definitely before the 22nd. Carrie has confirmed that there will be two more books in the series, but I don’t know much about them yet.

The Vitals* – Need is available in hardback ($16.99) and paperback ($9.99), while Captivate is in hardback for $16.99.

The Links – Carrie Jones Official Website, Official Website for Need and its sequels

*=All prices are from Borders.com and are subject to change without notice, and without this page reflecting those changes.

Bones of Faerie, by Janni Lee Simner

Bones of Faerie is a post-apocalypse type tale set after a war between the Human and Faerie worlds. The after affects of faerie magic leave a mark upon the human world, such as plants and crops that attack at will, and faerie children born to human parents. Liza was born after the war. Her baby sister was born with trademarks of faerie heritage, and her father leaves her out on a hillside to die, for any trace magic found within their town must be destroyed, including children.

Shortly after Liza’s mother disappears into the dangerous forest surrounding their town, Liza discovers she has the faerie ability to ‘see’, into the past, the future, and so she flees the safety of the town to seek out both her mother and refuge for herself. But what Liza finds is a journey into Faerie and back, and the possibility of healing both the Faerie world and the Human world.

 

This book was shorter than I thought it would be, which does slightly count against it for me. But the story, the characters, and the world make up for the short length.

 

The Recommendation – Those looking for a faerie story similar to other YA faerie stories on the market today probably won’t find it here. But it is a good read, and I think most people can enjoy it.

The Other Books – There will be a sequel to Bones of Faerie tentatively scheduled for sometime in 2011. I haven’t really decided how far up the buy list it will be, but we’ll see as the time gets closer. Factors such as it’s plot and our economic standing have a lot of affect here.

The Vitals* – Bones of Faerie is currently available in hardcover for $16.99, and releases on January 27th in paperback for $9.99.

The Links - Janni Lee Simner's Official Website

*=All prices are from Borders.com and are subject to change without notice, and without this page reflecting those changes.

Recent and upcoming reviews

I was recently sitting at my desk hammering away at the keyboard writing up reviews. I was hoping to schedule them all and have a nice little regular type update.

Somehow I got distracted and none of them got published. So I published one (I may to need to proofread it later) and this weekend I’ll finish what I started. I’ll read like Mr. Dickens (I assume he read a lot) and type like nobody’s business, and get a bunch of reviews done.

And then I’ll try to tame my stack so I’ll finish books quicker.

Then dad will have buy me more mwa ha ha ha ha ha.

Okay, just kidding about that last part.

Mostly.

Happy Reading!