The Last Little Blue Envelope ★★★

The Last Little Blue Envelope (Little Blue Envelopes, #2) - Maureen Johnson ★★★ 288 pgs

After having spent her summer traveling throughout Europe, following the instructions that her Aunt left her in letters, Ginny thinks her biggest adventure is behind her. Now, as she struggles to write her college entrance essay's, she gets a mysterious e-mail. She never thought she'd get to see the last letter her Aunt wrote her, but now a piece of it has appeared on her computer screen with instructions for her to retrieve her final instructions. Gin thinks she'll make a quick trip to London to get her letter back, but nothing is as easy as she expects.

I love these books. They're light YA reads, but kids get bits and pieces of different countries, and small lessons in art and life. I would love for someone to leave me letters and money to travel the world. Although, I would try and enjoy my travels more than Ginny does. It's understandable that she is still dealing with coming to terms with her Aunts death, but she spends a lot of time skulking. I enjoyed this one a bit more than the first one, since Oliver was much more interesting than Keith. Although, Keith and all his antics are back. Also, Ginny starts to come a bit more into her own and slowly starts to figure out what she wants. She's not there yet, but things look like they're heading in the right direction. I enjoyed the ending and I hope there's another book to come.

This one will release on April 26th.

City of Fallen Angels ★★★

City of Fallen Angels (The Mortal Instruments, #4) - Cassandra Clare ★★★ 424 pgs

Clary, Jace, Simon, and the gang are all back. Valentine has been defeated and life should be getting back to normal, but people keep chasing down Simon, Jace keeps having weird dreams, and the Fae keep popping up around Clary. Things seem to be coming from all different directions. Someone is killing Shadowhunters who use to be members of the Circle and leaving them lying around in different Downworlder territories in an attempt to cause strife and distrust in the Clave. Vampire politics are coming to a head, and Simon has found himself brought into the middle of it. Plus, a dead baby has been found, which brings forth even more concerns.

I really enjoyed the first three books in the series, but this one was really difficult for me to get into. I'm not sure if I would have enjoyed it more if I had re-read the previous books, or read these all in a row for the first time. The first three felt very much like a complete trilogy and I'm not sure if the series should have just picked up where it left off. It was hard to get back into the story, when I already felt like the story was over. I give it 2.5 stars myself, but I know it deserves at least 3.

That being said, it was interesting and I know a lot of you out there will really enjoy it. This book still has quote worth lines, Jace is still snarky (although he's incredibly insecure), and Simon continues to be lovable. Simon is finally starting to try and find out where he fits in and Clary has grown and become more confident in herself. There's also the introduction of some new characters that could prove to be entertaining in the next volumes to come.

The Vampire Dimitri ★★

The Vampire Dimitri (Regency Draculia, #2) - Colleen Gleason ★★


I hate to say it, but I didn't enjoy this one as much as the first one. If I had read it without having read The Vampire Voss, I would have given it 3 stars, but I found myself bored during the first half of the book. The Vampire Dimitri is written almost like Stephanie Meyer's Midnight Sun, where you get the same time period written from a different perspective. Most of the first half of the book is replaying scenes that you've read about in The Vampire Voss. Where this book went wrong was that during the Vampire Voss you got some scenes from Dimitri's point of view, thus it seemed redundant to have them replayed. It would have been okay if the scenes weren't repeated, but it took a lot of the mystery and excitement away. I would have been more entertained if the first book had cut out the scenes from Dmitri's perspective. I was more interested in the second half of the book, when the plot was new and unique.

I like the idea that Gleason is trying to pull off, but I feel like it could have been executed more effectively.

This book will be released at the end of the month.

The Vampire Voss ★★★

The Vampire Voss (Regency Draculia, #1) - Colleen Gleason ★★★

Angelica Woodmore's life is about to be turned upside down. Her brother is missing, but she's not worried since has the unique ability to foresee the death of others, and it isn't his time. However, this time he's done something that could endanger her and her sisters. He's left instructions that they're to be watched over by a friend of his, the Earl of Corvindale. Unbeknown to her, she's been thrust into the world of the Draculia. Her brother's enemies want to capture her to not only get revenge on her brother, but to take advantage of her abilities. The earl doesn't want anything to do with the girls, but an attractive stranger does. Voss, Viscount Dewhurst, keeps appearing in her life, and Angelica finds herself drawn to him despite being ignorant of his motives. She must determine whether she trusts him with her life, or if he intends to take hers.

This was a nice melding of a regency romance and the paranormal. Minus the blood, it reads almost like an early Lisa Kleypas novel with less snark: a bad man meets an innocent girl, and while protecting her from harm, he slowly becomes a better person.While it wasn't the greatest page turner I've ever read, there was something about The Vampire Voss that kept me interested. I didn't want to fall asleep because it meant I would have to put the book down. When I finished the book, I immediately started to next in the series. While the Draculia in this world equate very closely to vampires, they're creation story and their weaknesses differ. There are different aspects to their "curse" that make them different. It's like when an author can take a common thing, add a few twist to the world, and manage to make it feel like you're reading something new and unique.

Spirit Dances ★★★★

Spirit Dances (Walker Papers, #6) - C.E. Murphy ★★★★

This series continues to grow into itself. Each book is better than the last, and this one is no different. Joanne continues down the path of accepting herself and her new talents, while learning just how far she can push herself. In Spirit Dances, Joanne must stop another killer, but this time she doesn't know if it's paranormal or if she's just being paranoid. Homeless people are disappearing and she might just be the only person that cares enough to even look into the matter.

At the same time, Joanne has to stop a magical attack centered around a dance troupe that she witnesses while out on a date. Yes, I said date! I don't know what was more interesting, the date, or the events that unfolded as she attempted to discover her newest nemesis. You'll definitely be left with a smile on your face several times throughout the book.

The Walker Papers have always been great Urban Fantasy reads, with a wonderful strong, snarky female that keeps things interesting; but the series has come into it's own as Murphy has allowed just a small sliver of romance to seep into the pages.It's the relationships that make this book. Both Joannes friendships and love interests. Billy and Mel, Morrison, Coyote... They all keep things interesting.The only complaint is that Gary doesn't grace the pages of this book, but Murphy did a wonderful job of making up for his absence. I can't wait for the next book, since the end of this one promises a new adventure that could be even better.

Awakened ★★★

Awakened (House of Night, #8) - P.C. & Kristin Cast ★★★

House of Night is a series about a young girl who is marked to become a vampire. She must move into what is essentially a bording school for future vampires. Over the course of the books Zoey ends up in an epic battle of good verses evil. In this installment, Zoey is exahusted from the fight. She just wants to find stability in her life. Just when she thinks she might get a tiny reprieve, darkness strikes again. She's already lost her best friend in the fight and Stark is weakened from his trip to the Otherworld. Just when she doesn't think she can handle anymore, she'll lose others that are close to her. But Zoey isn't the only one with problems, Stevie Ray is drawn even closer to Rephaim, but she feels like she can't tell anyone about them, especially since Rephaim is still loyal to his father. His loyalty has him torn between protecting Stevie Ray and honoring his father. And of course, Kalona and Neferet are still a threat.

I really loved this series when I first read it, but since then I've read more YA and PNR. It was one of the first paranormal series that I read and I was enthralled. However, the more I read, the weaker these books began to seem. Although, that could also have to do with the fact that they weakened along the way. I was almost ready to give up the series, but this book might have saved it for me. It wasn't as action packed as the previous books, but it was an emotional ride. For those of us that have become attached to the characters and keep reading to see how their lives play out, this is a must read. There's one scene in the story that just has to read. However, unless you're collecting the books or a huge fan, I wouldn't buy it. Somewhere after book three I started checking them out at the library rather than spend money on them. They would be much better if the teenagers didn't speak like idiots. The diologue is what drives me crazy. The stories would be much more read worthy if she wrote them more like her adult books and less like they're full of ditzy idiots. I know that not all of her characters are morons, but their speech patterns tend to make the reader question that.

Pale Demon ★★★★★

Pale Demon (Rachel Morgan/The Hallows, #9) - Kim Harrison ★★★★★

Rachel has to get to California for her meeting with the witches council, but when she gets to the airport she finds herself grounded. The airlines won't let her on a plane. Now her only hope of getting to the west coast in time is via a road trip. Too bad the trip includes Trent. The two of them trapped in a car for a cross-country road trip... sparks will fly. Not only do they have to try and make the trip without killing one another, they have to survive assassination attempts. Someone is out to kill Trent and the council still believes Rachel is better off dead. Her future is on the line and she has to try and keep herself out of the demon realm. All Rachel ever wanted was to be left alone, but it's never going to happen.

Pale Demon was amazing. I loved it. I've always enjoyed Harrison's books, but there's always been something that has kept them from being AMAZING. I loved the third book in the series and it was my favorite, but this one has tied with it. I think that I enjoyed the action more in book three, but this was a book full of shockers. A lot of different elements came together: Rachel finally learns exactly what she is, we learn more about the demon realm, and more about Trent. It was the reveals, mixed with the intense action sequences, and banter between the characters that made the book. If you've read the series and have become attached to the characters then you'll love how they all interact with one another. Everyone is growing and coming into their own, but it has taken a whole lot of drama to get there. All I needed to hear was that Trent and Rachel would be stuck in a car together and I could tell you that Harrison had a hit. Luckily, she didn't disappoint. I look forward to the next installment since the end of the book provides Harrison with a chance to go in many, many different directions.

This book will be released on January 22nd. I recommend this book for purchase.

Shadowfever ★★★★

Shadowfever (Fever, #5) - Karen Marie Moning ★★★★ 594 pages

Book four of the Fever series ends with a huge a cliffhanger. The walls between the Fae and human worlds have come crashing down, Fae are loose in the streets killing humans, her parents were being ransomed and MacKayla has found herself thrust into a realm with little to no hope of escaping. While being rescued something happens that "shattered her world. " Something extreme, seeing the state her world is currently in. Now, in book five, Mac must deal with what she's done. She has to decide to allow herself to be broken, or to get up and fight to right her world in her most epic battle so far. Between prophecies from the past, struggling to find out who or what she is, and struggling with the lose of those she loved most, Mac has to figure out who to trust, or if she can even trust herself.

Okay, so the summary is vague at best. It's that way for a reason. Giving anything away will spoil this book for anyone looking to read it. (Be wary of reading reviews on this one. Part of the fun is that you really have no clue what's going on. Don't let someone spoil it for you.) I will say that you find Moning puts you out of your misery and lets you know who the beast is early on. Mac changes in the beginning of this book. She hardens and FINALLY quits whining. As the story progresses she softens a bit and her personality becomes more balanced.

After having read the other books, most people had a ton of predictions coming into this new one. Some of the questions we had were fairly obvious and easy to answer, but there were several things that I don't think anyone saw coming. As the events play out, predictions change frequently. Every time you think you've figured something out you'll be confronted with a contradictory fact that destroys your hypothesis. While everything in the book unfolds quickly, Moning paces the discoveries so that your questions get answered throughout the course of the book, but she saves the biggest ones for the end: Who killed Alina? Who or what is Mac? Why is she able to feel the book and why is it playing with her? Who set all these events rolling? Where have the Unseelie King and the Seelie Queen been since the Fae have begun to take over the human world? Will Mac pick a man?

This series was a surprise for me. After reading the first book I couldn't understand why everyone was in love with the series. Each book got better. It's not the best written series out there, but there's something about the epic way in which the world is being destroyed and the cliffhangers that keep you reading even when you're not sure if you should. I'm glad I stuck with the stories against my better judgement. The last three books in the series have been fun reads. Plus, male chauvinistic, conceited Barrons and V'laine are worth taking the time to read about. =)

Iron Queen ★★★★

Iron Queen - Julie Kagawa ★★★★ 368 pgs

After being exiled from Faery, Meghan just wants to go home. To bad she and Ash have to many enemies for her to risk drawing them to her family. Now homeless, with the Iron Fey out to get her, she has to stop the false king in order to not only ensure her safety, but that of the Summer and Winter Courts. In order to do so, Meghan must come to terms with who she is and the powers she carries within her. However, having both Iron and Summer powers are making it impossible for her to use glamour without hurting herself. She's not ready, but it doesn't matter. An oracle predicts a future of pain for Meghan and those closest to her. Can she change her path to get the happily ever after she longs for? Or will she and her friends suffer extreme losses?

First, I'd like to say that all the books in this series are beautiful. I love that the team responsible for putting this book, and the previous ones together added a design to give the series some personality. I've always enjoyed this series, but for some reason it took me a few pages before I would get interested in the earlier books. That's not the case here. I was able to pick up the story with Ash and Meghan right away. The fact that they have been exiled from Faery just made me want to know what they were going to do next and what enemies would come after them now that neither of them had the support of the Summer or Winter Courts.

In The Iron King I worried about Ash and Meghan's relationship. There was something artifical and forced about the way they got together. That doesn't hold true with this book. Meghan and Ash are settling into their relationship and their fears and emotions feel much more realistic. Kagawa has tapped into her inner teenager and done an excellent job of weaving rational and irrational issues together to create drama for the characters to either run from, or learn and build a stronger relationship. She definately managed to get me emotionally involved in the story.

Meghan's character has grown so much over the course of the series. She's finally confronting who she is, her strenghts and her weaknesses. Meghan's growth is what made this book special and took this series from a "library" read to something I will actually spend money on in the future. Her and her boys make sacrifices and risk their lives. Their ride is extremely emotional and managed to illicit some tears out of me.

Outside In ★★★★

Outside In - Maria V. Snyder ★★★★ 320 pgs

Snyder has another hit. Trella and the crew have overthrown their oppressors, leaving a power vacuum Inside. The new government isn't working, society is still segregated, and people are starting to give up hope that things will change for the better. Trella, the leader of the rebellion, has stepped back and allowed others to lead. She's still young and unsure of her ability to lead, but when someone starts sabotaging their home, Trella has to find out who it is before everyone is in danger. There is a new peril in every chapter. Someone is out to neutralize the new council's effectiveness and people are getting hurt. There's just one problem... Trella doesn't know who to trust. She can't figure out whether the danger is coming from Outside or Inside.

In Outside In, Snyder has upped her game. There's more drama and danger, making this installment of the series even better than the last. The mix of political, societal, and personal coming of age issues are what makes this a wonderful recommendation for teens, or YA readers. Unlike the weak, fluffy YA books that are flooding the market at the moment, readers of Outside In can take away lessons on human nature. Everyone needs to feel like there's an opportunity for things to get better, or that they're at least apart of something greater than themselves. When that's taken from someone, people can become desperate. While some may wallow in the lose of hope, others stand up and fight. That's what was makes Trella such a wonderful character. She may not want to step up and be a leader, but she's willing to put her life on the line to help those in needs when it counts. The problem is, in this book, Trella and the gang might not make it out alive.

This book will be available for purchase on March 1, 2011. It's worth purchasing.