The Last Star: Book Review

I’m not gonna lie, this has been one of my favorite trilogies. I know, you read the cover and think, “Aliens. Again? Why would I read this?” Because it’s about MORE than aliens. It’s about humanity. The beauty of the series is that you don’t really realize this at first. You get little hints here…

The Infinite Sea: Book Review

In the last book, we left our hero, Cassie, and her friends (aka: alien/human Evan, boy crush Ben, brother Sam, and socially awkward Marika) in the wilderness. She’d successfully infiltrated Vosch’s evil lair/military installation and retrieved her brother with the help of Evan Walker, meeting in the process a boy she knew from her school…

The Fifth Wave: Book Review

I received Fifth Wave (and The Infinite Sea) for Christmas with the proviso that I allow the giver to read them after I was done. I’ll pretty much to anything for a book, so of course I agreed — and then I apparently wasn’t reading the second book fast enough and got into trouble from said giver…

Fahrenheit 451: Book Review

I read Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury—again—as my classic for a month, and I don’t know what it was, but it hit me harder than ever, like a punch in the gut. Most of you, hopefully, know the basic plot line: firemen burn books. Because, you know, we wouldn’t want anybody to read anything that’s even slightly offensive…

In Defense of Food: Book Review

I’m not usually a fan of nonfiction books—I like to escape through literature—but this is truly a fascinating read. In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan does just that, defends food. But it defines food in its most natural form, meaning food that your great grandmother would recognize as food. That eliminates most things you find…

Princess Academy–Palace of Stone: Book Review

The Princess Academy‘s riveting sequel, Palace of Stone, didn’t immediately rivet me. Let me explain this strange and—to many of you—somewhat offensive statement. Shannon Hale has a very distinctive, lyrical writing style that seems to flow effortlessly. In reality, it’s probably not quite as effortless to write as it is to read. Regardless, this writing…

Boston & Books: Part 1 – William Blake

It’s been awhile. After May, I decided that I needed a break. Time to come back to myself. I’m starting out with a series called Boston and Books. Enjoy. Boston is a great city. For me, growing up in the country, the close quarters, the tall, narrow houses and crazy parking was overwhelming. People practically…

Clockwork Prince: Book Review

The Clockwork Prince picks up where the Clockwork Angel lets off, the second installment in The Infernal Devices prequel trilogy. Although the Shadowhunters continue to unravel the mystery of the Magister and the Pandemonium Club, they face a challenge of their own. Charlotte and Henry in charge of the London Institute are being undermined by…

Clockwork Angel: Book Review

I am an unapologetic fan of young adult urban fantasy. I’m an even bigger fan of Cassandra Clare, who’s books I adore. Besides being a witty writer with fantastic plots, she always adds a mystery, a thread of angst, into her books that you never solve until the end of the series. And it drives…

Finale (Hush Hush): Book Review

This book, as suggested by the title, is the last one of the Hush, Hush series by Becca Fitzpatrick. This is a YA novel, fairly typical in some ways of other YA urban fantasy novels: boy/girl love story, some supernatural element, and a nearly insurmountable obstacle between boy and girl. Yes, the formula has been done…

Victoria and the Rogue: Book Review

I think that I should just pick a theme for reading this year. And that theme is…(drumroll)…historical fiction! What a surprise. Today’s book is Victoria and the Rogue by Meg Cabot. Now I absolutely adore Meg Cabot. She has a spunky, quirky writing style. Unlike everybody else who reads her, I haven’t read the Princess Diaries…

The Amaranth Enchantment: Book Review

I really liked The Amaranth Enchantment, for the most part (and I’ll get to that later). This story was an interesting mix of elements, with pieces of fantasy, fairy tale and the otherwordly. It starts out focusing on Lucinda doing a drudge’s work and being degraded by the “master” of the establishment who also happens—surprise surprise—to…