"The Steel Queen"

“The Steel Queen”, by Karen Azinger, is the first book in a seven book series: The Silk and Steel Saga. I always get excited when I pick up the first book in a long series because if I like the story, then it doesn’t end for thousands of pages. However, you take the risk of only moderately liking the story. Then you are forced to decide between sticking with it to the end of those thousands of pages, or calling it quits after the first book and never having answers to the questions that drive every reader crazy; what happens to the characters, who does she end up with, do they end up discovering he is a back-stabbing traitor, how does it end??

I think I got myself into a little bit of a pickle with this series. The story piqued my interest enough that I know I will be bugged to just give up on it, but the writing drove me crazy and I don’t know if I can stand six more books. Here’s why:

This fantasy story really gripped me right from the start. I’ve heard it’s comparable to Game of Thrones, but I wouldn’t know since I’ve never seen that. The characters are three dimensional, and the plot is deep and thick right from the beginning. BUT the point of view switches between a handful of different characters and I found this to be a little too much. There is only a few pages, (really just like 2-3 pages), with limited information before it switches to a different person in a completely different part of the country. You feel like you are just barely getting to know the character, then it switches and you are left reeling. Once you catch on to who each character is and what is happening in their part of the story, then you see the bigger picture and understand how they all play out together. But this realization doesn’t hit for a few chapters, leaving the reader lost and more than a little confused at the beginning.

The story itself is rich and full of details that draw the reader in. However, the writing is repetitive and juvenile in some places.  You will read the phrase “good Castleguard steel” about 55 times. I think that there could have been more done with this book. A little more proofreading and attention to detail would have improved the quality by a mile. Also, one of the main characters, Katherine, is written as if life is so hard and she is so strong for overcoming her trials, but she really hasn’t had any trials. Every time an obstacle comes in her path, it works out perfectly in her favor in just a few paragraphs. This won’t stop me from reading the next book though. I’m hooked on the story and want to see how it ends.

WARNING: there are some sex scenes and analogies that I would not deem appropriate for younger readers, (or people who don’t like to read about rape).

Overall I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars. I am planning on continuing the series and will report back to let you know if it’s worth it or not. If you have already read these books, let me know what you thought!

I was given a free copy of this book from Reading Deals in exchange for an honest review.

The Infernal Devices Series

Shout out to my girl Kassidy for making me read these books. I had the misfortune of watching the TV Series and it disintegrated any desire I had to read Cassandra Clare's work. Kass told me to not judge a book by it's TV show (or movie for that matter) and I am eternally in her debt. She suggested I read the Infernal Devices Series before I read the Mortal Instruments series, so that is what I did.

The Infernal Devices Series, by Cassandra Clare, is a three book series set in the London's Downworld during the reign of Queen Victoria. The main character, Tessa Gray, has discovered that she is not human; but what she is, no one knows. She falls in with a group of Shadowhunters and learns that there is only one thing more dangerous than a demon - her own heart. She is torn between the calm and steady Jem Carstairs and the mysterious and un-readable Will Herondale. Each has is own unique attractiveness and both are hiding dark secrets. Tessa has to choose who has her heart while also overcoming one of the evilest and most powerful men of their time. 

I don't know that I have ever read a series that left me feeling so satisfied at the end. These books filled all of my literary needs. There was action, fighting, betrayal, loyalty, fantasy, friendship, and (most important of all) romance. There were a few times I thought the story was ruined but after I continued reading, the issue would be resolved beautifully. I laughed, I cried, I bit my nails, and I couldn't stop until the last page had been turned. If you enjoy fantasy books where the unimaginable becomes imaginable, then you have to put this series on your to-read list. The main characters are deep and all have strong back-stories that come to light one at a time. The supporting characters add to the richness of the story and each of their unique personalities helps create a more complex and intricate setting. I would suggest these to high-school age kids and older. There are a few swearwords dotted throughout the text and there is a hint of a bedroom scene in the third book but it is not detailed. I give it 5 out of 5 stars. Check them out and let me know what you think! 

"The Selection Series"

Can we all just agree right now that "young adult" books are not actually for young adults, but instead are for mature adults who just happen to have young hearts? I always feel a little bit judged when I am skulking around in the YA section of my library. And the fact that my little sister and I read the same books...simply means that she has good taste. Now that we have that cleared up, let me tell you about "The Selection Series" by Kiera Cass. 

In a dystopian America, everyone is split into numbered castes. The lower your number, the better your state of living is, with a royal family that leads them all. When the eldest child of the royal family is ready to wed, the country holds a Selection to help him find a suitor out of any of the ladies in any of the castes. For most girls, being picked to participate in the Selection would be a dream come true, but America Singer is content with her lot in life and doesn't want to move up in the caste system. However when she moves into the castle and meets Prince Maxon, she has to decide between her life of contentment, or a fairy tale that she never dreamed would be possible.

"The Selection Series" spans five books and is packed with twists and turns, big decisions and betrayals, and above all, love. It's like the Hunger Games, but replace the weapons and killing for words and backstabbing. 35 girls are selected to try to win the Prince and only one will win. During the selection process the country is under siege by two groups that want to be rid of the caste systems. Prince Maxon and America Singer's loyalties will be tested and each has to fight for what they want. The first 3 books are about the two main characters, the last two books contain the same characters as the first 3, but the focus is on the new princess and her selection process. So throughout the entire series the reader gets to go through two selection processes, one with a soft-hearted prince and 35 female suitors and one with a no-nonsense princess and 35 male suitors. 

I will forever be grateful that I had the forethought to buy the entire series together, because I gobbled these books up. The reader is swept up into a world where a poor girl is thrown into a castle where she is expected to dress and act a certain way. Through it all she is able to hold on to herself and come out of the trials better than she was before. It really did remind me of the Hunger Games, only I think I enjoyed these more because there is way less violence and nearly everyone gets their happy ending. These books will hold your attention from the beginning to the end. The characters are charming and will resonate with the reader, the story is fast-paced while remaining clear, and the writing is clean. There are a few minor swear words dotted throughout the text, but nothing too serious and no hot and heavy scenes. I still wouldn't recommend this to anyone younger than high-school, but overall I think that readers of all ages will enjoy this series. For their genre, I give them a 5 out of 5 stars. Check it out and let me know what you think!  

"Friday Barnes: Girl Detective"

There is something so satisfying about reading a book in just one day. Even when it isn't THAT big of an accomplishment because the book is meant for elementary aged kids. :) When I closed the back cover of "Friday Barnes: Girl Detective" I thought to myself, "Wow, I read that really fast". Then I had to remind myself that I am not a 10-year old and there were a handful of small illustrations placed throughout the book. However, that didn't stop me from smiling at my small accomplishment.

"Friday Barnes: Girl Detective," by R.A. Spratt, is an amusing tale of a young girl who is way too smart to handle. She solves a robbery case that stumped the cops and uses the reward money to send herself to one of the most expensive boarding schools in the country. Learning is the most important thing to her and all she wants is to melt into the background while the rest of the world goes on around her. Her hopes are dashed, however, when an accident on her very first day puts her at the center of attention. She stays in the spotlight as she helps her classmates find stolen assignments, vanishing desserts, and even a monster that is haunting the school swamp.

This is an engaging book for elementary aged children with a heroine that kids can look up to. Friday is a kind and intelligent young girl that doesn't fit in to any of the school 'clicks' which means she can be friends with just about anyone. Any child will enjoy following Friday as she helps her classmates and solves some of the biggest mysteries at her new school. The story is fun, with some unexpected twists, and is appropriately written for the intended audience. This book receives 5 out of 5 stars from me, in it's respective category. This would make a great present this holiday season! Plus, this is just the first to a five book series. Check it out and let me know what you think!

"Kiss and Spell"

If you haven't read the first three "Ever After High" books, you need to. They are so much fun. "Kiss and Spell", by Suzanne Selfors, is a continuation of those stories. You don't necessarily have to read the first three before this one, but it will definitely help you understand what is going on if you do.

"Kiss and Spell" takes you back to the world of Ever After High where the children of all of our beloved fairytale characters are going to school together. This story is about the best chef in all of the fairytale kingdom, Ginger Breadhouse (Daughter of the Candy Witch). She has her own cooking show that is about to be cancelled which will take all of her dreams of becoming a famous chef with it. In one last attempt to increase the number of viewers, Ginger decides to bake a wish cake. It will grant whomever eats it one small wish. Except the magic backfires and turns Hopper Croakington (son of the Frog Prince) into a permanent frog. The longer he stays in his amphibian form, the more froglike he becomes. Ginger has to figure out how to turn him back before the frog in him completely takes over.

"Kiss and Spell" is a fun continuation of the Ever After High stories. This one was written by a different author than the first three, but you have to pay really close attention to notice the difference in writing style. Since these books are meant for youth, I don't think any of the intended readers will see a difference. The story is so fun and describes what it was like for Ginger to grow up with the Candy Witch for a mom who always put something nasty in her recipes. Kids will definitely be able to relate to the characters and the story includes some old favorites like Raven Queen, Briar Beauty, Madeline Hatter, and Apple White. The text is clean and easy to get through. 5 out of 5 stars. I would highly recommend this for anyone with fantasy-loving kids. Check it out and let me know what you think!

"Pet Vet"

My awesome little sister loaned me her copies of the "Pet Vet" books, by Darrel and Sally Odgers, and kept badgering me until I read them. She is always encouraging me to read the same books that she reads. :) Even though I was able to finish two of these books within a couple of hours, they are still a fun read.

Trump is a Jack Russell terrier that acts as an Animal Liaison Officer to his owner and veterinarian,  Dr. Jeanie. Which means that he helps comfort the animals that need to go to the vet. Dr. Jeanie runs the pet vet clinic and these books are all about the different animals that she helps.There are 6 pet vet books, each one is about 90 pages. These books are fun while still being informational. There are little boxes off to the side of the text that will define big words that kids might not understand and it shares detailed information about the different animals in each book.

The Pet Vet series are good for kids in 3rd grade to 6th grade, depending on their reading level. They are completely appropriate and full of fun information. While the main characters are the same throughout the books, the stories are different, so you don't have to read the whole series if you don't want to. Pick this up for the kid in your life and even read it with them if you want. :)  4 out of 5 stars. As always, let me know what you think!

"Throne of Glass"

I was so excited to try something new this time around. I had so much to say about the "Throne of Glass" series, by Sarah J. Maas, that I decided to do a video to tell you all about it. So I got my room all set up, I had to set my laptop on a stack of books on a stool so I could get the lighting just right, and then....my video won't load. :( Turns out I had too much to say about this series and my video was longer than Blogger lets you post. SO, after almost a week of trying to get that video on here, I am going to just write my review instead. (Add pregnancy brain to the equation and it's no wonder it has been so long since my last post).

The "Throne of Glass" series is currently comprised of 4 books, with the fifth one being released this fall. The first book, "Throne of Glass", is about a young girl in one of the worst prisons imaginable. One day she gets an irresistible offer to be taken out of the prison and become a competitor in a tournament to become the kings champion. Because she also happens to be the most famous assassin around. Celaena, has to fight some of the most ruthless men in the kingdom to win her freedom. All while trying to figure out what evil is lurking in the castle and claiming lives of unsuspecting victims.

The next three books are as follows: "Crown of Midnight", "Heir of Fire", and "Queen of Shadows". Once Celaena gains her freedom she is thrown into situations that involve way more emotions than she has let herself feel in years. She finds friends in unlikely places and discovers new relationships. An irreversible tragedy occurs that turns Celaena's life upside down and suddenly friends become enemies and she has to travel to a different land. She meets someone (my favorite character) that helps her realize her true potential and guides her on her journey to fulfilling her destiny.

These books are full of rich characters, an interactive storyline, and twists and turns that will keep you guessing. There are assassins, princes, witches, demons, Fae warriors, and so much more. The setting of the story is unique as well. Sarah created an entire world where there is a mixture of old-fashioned, modern, and fairy-tale. You will live, eat, and breath these books. It satisfied my need for action, comedy, thrill, and of course, romance. This is on my top 3 favorite series list, and it will earn it's spot on your list too. High school age and older is who I would recommend reads this. 5 out of 5 stars. Check this out and please take the time to let me know what you think. I'm dying to know!

   

Disclaimer: I tried to keep this review as "spoiler proof" as possible. Each of the titles of the books will lead you to a more in depth description if you would like. :)

 

 

"The String Quartet"

I know that I had the "Throne of Glass" series posted as my 'coming up next' book, but I have so much that I want to say about that series and it's going to take me a while. So I am throwing this book in before those ones. "The String Quartet," by Dan Hupalo, is written for elementary to junior high age kids. The story follows four 8th grade students through their adventures traveling between worlds. A magic cello and the quartet's powerful music is what powers their adventures. The group of 13-year olds has to learn to harness the magic to save a friend, and ultimately a kingdom.

The story itself is pretty good. The author has good imagery and his writing flows, but someone desperately needs to do some editing. There are countless amounts of spelling and grammatical errors throughout the text. Which, in a book meant for children, is a big no-no. They are still learning proper grammar themselves, so throwing in a book that is incorrect would only be confusing. There are also a handful of swear words included, and I don't agree with 13-years olds swearing. That was a deal breaker for me. I give this book 2 out of 5 stars. If you are looking for an appropriate book for your child, don't pick this one.

If you have any books that you are thinking about letting your child read, but you aren't sure if it is really appropriate...let me know! I will check it out for you and tell you how it really is. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reading Deals in return for an honest review.

"In the Valley of the Mountains"

"In the Valley of the Mountains", by Anita Stansfield, is the last book to the "Shadows of Brierley Series." The first three books are about Ian and Wren and their journey, but this last book is focused on their oldest daughter, Gillian. Gillian's family has a nice home in Salt Lake City and she is trying her hardest to help out her parents in any way that she can, but even in a house full of people she feels lonely. Most of her friends are married and starting their own families and she longs for the day when she will have that. She goes from simply dreaming about it to suddenly being forced to choose between two amiable suitors overnight. Her head is telling her one choice, but her heart is leading her down a different path.

This book is my personal favorite of the series. Gillian's character is so full of life. She can be hard-headed one second, then blown away with her feelings the next. She has to choose between two very good choices and she doesn't come to a decision easily. There is laughter, heartache, and tears to be experienced with her story. You don't have to read the first three books to start this one, but I would recommend it. That way you won't miss out on some of the subtle references to events that occurred in the previous books. 5 out of 5 stars! This book is clean, witty, and a fairly easy read. I would recommend it to readers of all ages. Check it out and let me know what you think!

"Shadows of Brierley"

I love when my mom recommends books to me! She has such a talent for finding good books, especially series, and she always shares her books with me when she is done. Thanks Mom! :)  One of the more recent series that she shared with me is the "Shadows of Brierley" series by Anita Stansfield. There are four books in the series, but the last book (which is my favorite) is told from a different person's perspective. So, I am going to talk about the first three books in this post, then I'll go over the last book in my next post.

"The Wanderer" is the first book and starts off in 1838, with Ian Macbrier trying to find himself. He is wandering about through London, drinking his days away and spending most nights in an alley, when he stumbles upon two men preaching about a book. He is directed by something other than his own will to buy a copy of the book and this starts him on the path back home. He doesn't actually read the book, and ends up throwing it in the bottom of his closet, but it comes in to play later in the story. Ian makes his way back home and tries to win back the heart of the woman he left. There are a lot of trials that both of their families have to go through, but love and family keep them strong. The same force that told Ian to buy the Book of Mormon also inspires him to go to America.

Which leads to the next book, "A Far Horizon." Ian has decided to take his family to America to search out the religion associated with the Book of Mormon. Their journey to New York leads to new life long friendships as well as incomprehensible heartache. The sorrow that they endure is outweighed by the blessings they receive, but nothing comes easy. It is a long and hard journey, but eventually they make it to Nauvoo.

The third book, "A Distant Shore," picks up in Nauvoo with Ian and his family making a home for themselves and settling in with the other Mormons. Then quite unexpectedly, Ian and his best friend Ward, get called to go back to England to serve a mission. Both have a wife and children and neither one of them knows what to do. They know that this is a calling from God, but how can they leave their families not knowing when they would return? The blessings that come from their willingness to serve are beautiful and Anita Stansfield does a wonderful job of weaving spiritual experiences into the story.

Truth be told, I don't usually like to read fictional books with characters who find the gospel. In fact I almost put this book down once I realized that's where it was going. I'm glad that I didn't. Anita Stansfield writes a beautiful story that has so much raw emotion in it. The characters feel real and the story will speak to your heart. These books will definitely give you a greater appreciation for what the early members of the church went through. You will be laughing on one page, then crying on the next and you won't be able to put it down. 5 out of 5 stars. These books are appropriate for young adults and up, so check them out and then let me know what you think!

  

"The Kill Order"

The prequel to the Maze Runner series, "The Kill Order", by James Dashner, reveals how it all started. I thought that this book would be about the beginning of the Maze and how all of the "subjects" were picked, but it is before all of that happens. It is the story of the Scorch and how the Flare started.

Mark has had a crush on Tina forever, he just can't seem to get her to think of him as more than a friend. He never thought that sun flares destroying the earth would be the thing to open her eyes and bring them together. They have to escape New York City to get away from the scorching heat and smell of death. Groups of survivors have fled to the mountains to try to rebuild their lives and are doing a pretty good job of it. Mark and Trina have joined up with Alec and Lana (both former military), as well as other survivors, to start their own little community. They all think that the worst is over, until one day a Berg shows up and starts raining their little community with small darts.

The darts seem harmless enough, only killing if they hit someone fatally. The people that were just knicked by the darts, however, become sick and pass away within a couple of days. Mark and Alec realize that there is a disease spreading that started with the darts and it is mutating so that each person that gets it will manifest differently and will show symptoms at different times. Now no one knows if they are really sick or not and the only hope is to get to the nearby headquarters of their attackers and find a cure.

They encounter other people on their journey and start to see exactly what this disease is doing to people. They are full blown crazy and are saying nonsense and hurting eachother. They find a light in all the darkness though when they meet a 5-year-old girl who was hit by a dart but didn't become sick. Deedee is special because she is immune, and Mark makes it his lifes mission to get her to people who can use her to help others. They have to fight for their lives through a city full of Cranks to save Deedee and get her to safety.

This book will blow your mind. It is one of those books where it seems like there just isn't a way for the characters to win. The whole world is against them and they have to fight for their lives against Cranks and against themselves. This is the prequel to the Maze Runner series and I think you would be just fine reading it before the other books, or at the end like I did. If you do choose to read this before the other three, you will probably come back and read this one again becuase the author drops hints about the characters in the Maze Runner that you might not pick up on until you have read the series. There is a lot of sadness and death and crazy people in this book. I would not suggest it to anyone younger than high school. James Dasner's imagination continues to amaze me and I am sure that you will be amazed at what he comes up with when you read this book. 5 stars! Check it out and let me know what you think!

"The Death Cure"

Just like the first two books in the series, "The Death Cure", by James Dashner, ties seamlessly to the book before it - "The Scorch Trials." Thomas and his friends are saved from The Scorch and are being taken back to WICKED headquarters. They are told that all of the trials are over, but are they really? They know that anything said to them by WICKED could just be another way for them to collect data on how the 'subjects' react. So they know to take everything they are being told with a distrusting ear. Everyone is given the chance to get their memories back and all but Thomas, Newt, and Minho agree to do it. Even though they were told they had the choice to do it, and they chose not to, the Rat Man decides to force them to do the procedure anyways. In an act of defiance the three boys (with the help of Brenda) fight off the guards and make their escape. In the process of leaving they look for the other gladers but can't find them anywhere, so they have to leave alone.

With their successful escape they find that the outside world is in turmoil and the small group has to find a safe place to hide. Denver is the city they pick and it is nothing like they expected. People are trying to live a normal life but are in constant fear of getting the Flare. No one touches each other, most people where masks, and everyone is afraid of everyone else. Despite all of the government's testing, people with the Flare are still in the city and it is spreading. When Thomas and his friends get kidnapped by bounty hunters for being immune, they are reunited with Theresa and the other gladers who were also kidnapped.That is when they find out that WICKED is collecting more immunes to run another set of trials on and the group that kidnapped them, the Right Arm, are formulating a plan to take WICKED down. This plan starts by Thomas voluntarily going back to WICKED to finish part 3 of the trials. He is the final candidate. He can easily infiltrate WICKED to plant a device to help the Right Arm take over the building.

What no one anticipated, however, was that part 3 of the trials meant performing a brain surgery on Thomas that would ultimately claim his life. Now they are on a race against time to take down WICKED while saving all of the immunes inside. Their journey takes them on battles through the headquarters, back to the maze to fight the grievers one last time, and through a flat trans that will hopefully lead to safety. Everyone has to fight for their life, and not all of them win, in this epic ending to the Maze Runner series.

Gah! There is so much more that I want to tell you about this book, but I don't want to give anything away! You will enjoy it so much more when you really don't know what's coming or what to expect. I kept writing things and then going back and deleting them because it was a key part to the story. If you want a more detailed summary then click here. This really is the perfect ending to this series. The characters are finally taking their lives into their own hands while finding a way to payback WICKED for all of the "kindness" that they received. This book is a nail-bitter and will keep you up at night worrying about what will happen next. I actually cried at one point. Just like the other two, I would suggest this book to high school age or older. This one is a 5 out of 5 on my scale. Believe me, you want to read this book. Especially after reading "The Maze Runner" and "The Scorch Trials". Then you can pick up "The Kill Order", which is the prequel to this series and will be posted on here soon. And of course, let me know what you think!

Can't get enough of James Dashner? Then check out his books "The Eye of Minds" and "The Rule of Thoughts".

"The Scorch Trials"

The second book in "The Maze Runner" series - "The Scorch Trials", by James Dashner - picks up right where the first one left off. I actually started reading the second book within minutes of finishing the first one and they tie together so seamlessly that I had to go back and check to see where the first one actually ended and the second began.

Thomas and the other gladers have finally reached safety. They have been put in a safe bunkhouse and have been told that answers will be theirs in the morning. Morning comes, but instead of bringing answers it only brings more questions. Crazy people are trying to break into their room, all of the guards that rescued them are dead, and Theresa has been replaced by a boy who claims to have gone through the same maze experience as them. The safety they thought they had reached is jerked out from under them and replaced by another set of trials. More tests to go through and more people to get hurt or killed. The boys have no choice but to go on another race for their lives through a place called "The Scorch" and hope to make it to the other side alive.

This book is definitely just as heart-pounding as the first one - "The Maze Runner". James Dashner has an incredible imagination and he brings that imagination to life through his writing. You will be right there fighting for your life and getting chased by cranks along with the characters. Without the actual danger of course, which is why books are so magical. I would suggest reading the first book before picking this one up, but you should probably have this one on hand because you will want to start it right away. I would say high school age and older, it might scare younger kids. I rate this book as a 5 out of 5. Definitely worth your time and is coming out as a movie this fall! Let me know what you think!

"The Maze Runner"

I cannot believe that it took me so long to read these books. It only took me a week and a half to read through the entire series because I could not put it down. I will put them on here one at a time starting with the first one: "The Maze Runner", by James Dashner.  

"The Maze Runner" is about, well, a kid (Thomas) that runs through a maze. But first he wakes up in a box in the middle of the maze without any memory. There are a bunch of other kids in the maze, all boys, and none of them know why they are there or who put them there. Thomas, the last boy to arrive, is special because even though he doesn't remember anything he gets feelings about what seems right or familiar, and that helps guide him. The day after Thomas arrives the most unusual thing happens - a girl shows up in the maze.  Her arrival changes everything and is the beginning of the end for the boys in the maze. The grievers (horrible man-made monsters that live in the maze) start acting differently, the sun disappears, and then the doors stop closing at night which gives the grievers full access to attack the kids. After two years of unsuccessfully trying to get out of the maze, the rules have changed and one boy will die every night until they find a way to escape.

This book got my heart racing and it didn't slow down until the last page. My heart didn't get much of a break though because I started the second book, "The Scorch Trials", right away. This is the type of series that will leave you feeling empty when your done. It took me a couple of days before I could start another book because I was still living in this story. This is a whole other level of "dystopian". The world has crumbled and the "good" guys are only making things worse. This book is definitely a 4 out of 5. It's an amazing book, but there are some pieces of the story that don't have enough detail for the reader to really visualize. Which leaves some holes in the story. I'd say age appropriate for high school and older. Let me know what you think!

"Inferno"

The last book in the 'Robert Langdon' series! Dan Brown uses his book, "Inferno", to perfectly bring Robert Langdon's story to a close. Langdon wakes up in a hospital room, having no memory of why or how he got there, and he is being told that he was shot. The doctors, in trying to figure out where he came from, let it slip that he is in a hospital in Italy. Italy! The last thing Langdon remembers is being on the Harvard campus. Not only can he not remember the last two days of his life, but someone is trying to kill him and he has no idea why. All of the clues he has tie into one of history's most mysterious pieces, Dante's "Inferno". In a race against time, Langdon feels the weight of the world as he tries to piece the clues together. The stakes are higher than ever before and he HAS to solve these riddles. The entire population of the earth is at risk if Langdon fails.

Oh my goodness, this book will get your heart pounding. It is probably Dan Brown's most thrilling book yet. If Langdon slows down too much, someone will catch him and he will die. If he moves too fast and makes a mistake, he will die. If he doesn't figure this out, everyone else will die. Who can he trust though? Waking up in a different country with absolutely no memories is confusing enough, but now he has this huge task to undertake and doesn't know who is friend and who is foe.

Pick up this book and read it. I would suggest reading "Angels and Demons", "The Davinci Code", and "The Lost Symbol" before reading this one. Simply because it gives you the background and history that you need to truly appreciate Robert Langdon's character. However, if you are just looking for a good book to read and don't want to start a series then I would still highly suggest reading this one. The stories don't actually tie together, so you can read them in any order. This book will make you question things that you have probably never even thought of before. It is entertaining and very thought-provoking and well worth your time. Check it out and let me know what you think!

"The Lost Symbol"

So I go through these phases where I read a TON, and then I will stop reading and get into a TV series or something for a little while, and then I will pick up a book and start reading a TON again. Well, I just finished my non-reading phase, which is why it took me forever to get this book on here. My apologies for the delay. 

I love these books, (Angels and Demons; The Davinci Code; The Lost Symbol; Inferno), because they have the same main character, Robert Langdon, but each story is different. You don't necessarily need to read them in order because the stories are all so different, but I would recommend reading them in order because of the background that they give for Langdon. The third book in the series by Dan Brown is "The Lost Symbol". This one is especially unique out of the four, because the story is set in our very own Washington D.C. The other books are in other countries that have histories that go way farther back than the U.S. I think that I learned more about the founding of our country from this book than from any of my history classes. More that I will remember at least.

Robert Langdon thinks that he is coming to Washington D.C. as a speaker for a conference, but when he arrives at the location of the conference he is met by an unexpected and terrifying surprise. This surprise is just the start to a night filled with many horrific and terrifying discoveries. With the help of Katherine, a brilliant scientist and old friend, Langdon has to go on a frantic search through Washington to find an ancient Masonic secret in order to save the life of one of his closest friends.

I love this book because all of the places and organizations are completely real. I've even been to a few of the places mentioned. Although not to the secret tunnels and conveyer belts that Langdon gets to travel. This book is deep and thought-provoking, while still being easy to read and attention grabbing. Your subconscious is being totally satisfied because it's getting the education that it wants while your conscious is getting a heart-pounding suspense story. You definitely will not come away from this book feeling like you wasted your time. Some of the rituals and events described in this book are kind of eerie, and there are swear words laced throughout the content. I would rate it PG-13. It is a gripping story though, so make sure that your 'chores' are done before picking this one up. ;) I hope that you get as much fun out of this book as I did! Let me know what you think!

"The Da Vinci Code"

The second book in the Robert Langdon series, "The Da Vinci Code", by Dan Brown, is arguably better than the first. They are probably an exact tie in my book. This book takes you on another incredible adventure through Paris after the curator of the Louvre is murdered in his own museum. Although not before leaving a message for whoever found his body. Encoded in his message is a second message that only his granddaughter, Sophie, and Robert Langdon can decipher.

This particular curator just so happens to be the leader of a secret society that keeps the secret of the Holy Grail. He, along with three other men, are the only ones that know it's exact location. Right before he is shot, his killer reveals that the other three are already dead, which means that if he dies, the secret dies with him. So he leaves a code that leads to a trail of encrypted messages that take Langdon and Sophie across Paris and London.

This book is a very intelligent thriller, and the intensity goes from the very start and doesn't stop until the last page. Dan Brown adds so much detail to his books. It's obvious that he knows his stuff, which really makes you feel like you are living in the pages. While it's not exactly an 'easy read' because of the thickness of the book and the intelligence of the writing, I can think of no reason for you to not pick this book up right now. After you have read "Angels and Demons" of course. This is the type of book that you will want to pick up as soon as you get home from work, try to squeeze in a few pages before work, and maybe even pull it out at stop lights because you just have to find out what happens next. Let me know what you think!  

"Angels and Demons"

I had this book sitting on my desk at work and one of my coworkers saw it and said, "Geeze, that's an old book". I laughed and said, "Yea, but it's SO good!" With all of the new books coming out all the time, sometimes we forget that there are already a lot of really good books out there. So, even though "Angels and Demons", by Dan Brown, is 'old', I want to make sure you know about it because it's a good one.

This is actually the first book of a series that follows the character of Robert Langdon, who is a well known symbologist at Harvard. When it comes to symbolism, Langdon is one of the most knowledgeable people in the world. Which is why, when a man turns up dead with an ancient symbol branded into his chest, Langdon is the first person called to the scene. He gets whisked away on a private jet to a Swiss research facility where he discovers more than he could have ever dreamed of. Not only is the dead guy branded with an ancient symbol that is so secret that most people don't believe it exists, but he was also a scientist that had just made a discovery that would completely change the world.

This world-changing work was stolen from his lab however, so Langdon travels to Rome to track it down. He has the brilliant and beautiful Vittoria Vetra (the dead scientist's daughter) in tow. The two of them get thrown into a whirlwind of uncontrollable events as they try to locate the device while also catching the killer. To make matters worse, the killer has kidnapped 4 cardinals and has threatened to kill one of them every hour. Landon and Vittoria have to translate an old map written in code that will lead them to the next murder location. They break laws, visit forbidden libraries and crypts, and uncover one of the best kept secrets on earth: the Illuminati lair.

This book will keep you on your toes the entire time! Dan Brown has obviously done his research and the details he adds truly makes his books come to life. The coolest part is that while the story is fiction, all of the places and details are factual! This is a thriller at it's best, and you feel like you are right there running through the churches of Rome with the characters. It's a very educated book, so it might not hold the attention of young readers, plus the material is probably pg-13 so I would keep this one for older readers. It does describe some of the bodies, and there is a part where the killer visits a high-class whore house, but it doesn't give any details. Nothing that I would consider innappropriate, but you are the best judge of that. It is a thick one too, so don't plan on only giving this book a day or two. It will take a little longer than that to get through. It is time well spent in my opinion. Check it out!  Oh, and I will have the next books in the series on here soon!

"Ever After High"

My adorable 9-year old little sister, Emma, asked me to read these books and put them on here. She, like myself, is a very avid reader and we try to share books back and forth whenever we find something that will span the age gap between us. She lent me her "Ever After High" books, by Shannon Hale, and they are actually surprisingly good. It is a series consisting of three books that are written about the offspring of all our beloved fairy tale characters. Snow White's daughter, The Huntsman's son, the Evil Queen's daughter, Prince Charming's son...all of these characters that we grew up with have kids of their own who will one day take over for them and live their story. Meaning Snow White's daughter, Apple, will do exactly as she did and get locked up, then live with dwarves, then eat a poisoned apple and be brought back by her prince. Each child carries on the story by doing exactly as their parents did.

The first book, "The Storybook of Legends", gives an intro to all of the characters and then focuses on the relationship between Apple White and Raven Queen, the Evil Queen's daughter. Apple is so excited to live her mom's story and get her happily ever after, but Raven doesn't want to become evil like her mom. Raven rebels and decides to write her own destiny. The danger is that no one knows what will happen to Raven and the rest of the characters from her story, what kind of life will they have if it isn't already written out for them?

The second book, "The Unfairest of Them All", is about the rivalry between the royals - those who wish to follow their destinites, led by Apple White- and the rebels - those who wish to write their own stories, led by Raven Queen. The whole school is divided and friendships are tested as the students are forced to pick a side. The chaos reaches it's climax and the silly and loveable Madeline Hatter, the Mad Hatters daughter, is the one to face the consequences for the way everyone has been acting. With Headmaster Grimm threating to banish Madeline, the royals and rebels must learn to work together to save her.

In the process of saving Maddie, a beast from Wonderland is accidently let free into Ever After High which leads us to the third and final book, "A Wonderlandiful World". With a Jabberwock  on the loose spreading it's Wonderland magic everywhere, everything is going topsy-turvy. Chairs are amassing together for payback on the humans and windows are just up and leaving their walls, all will be lost in this madness unless the Wonderlandians (the characters from Wonderland) can brave their way through the ever changing school and kill the dangerous Jabberwock.

These books, though written for kids, are really good. The author has a beautiful way of writing that makes the characters come to life and practically fly off the pages. Each character is so detailed and so unique, you feel like you are right there at Ever After High with them. And they are not childish books, I'm 22 years old and I could hardly put them down. The way they are written is simple enough for someone in elementary school to read and understand, yet complex enough to catch and hold the attention of adults. Plus, I must say that it was fun to be swept away to a world where all of my favorite childhood stories existed together. No matter if you are 10 or 40, I recommend this series to you. Especially if you are looking for a book that you and your child can read together. Let me know how it goes!

Matched Trilogy

I read these books for the first (and only) time a couple of years ago when a friend of mine suggested them to me. I hadn't met anyone else who had heard about it, but it seems like recently I have seen these books being carried around everywhere. Which is what made me decide to put them on here. For those of you who haven't read them yet, this is the Matched Trilogy, by Ally Condie. This is a story similar to "The Hunger Games" and "The Divergent Series". Cassia, the leading lady, is happy with the life she has. The Officials make all the rules and choices and she is about to be assigned her mate. When Xander's face appears, her best friend, she knows that her life couldn't be more perfect. Right before the screen turns off though, the face changes to Ky, a boy that she has grown up with but doesn't know very well.

Now she wonders which one is her true match. The Officials want her to be with Xander, which would make her very happy. Yet there is something about Ky that she can't shake, and she feels like maybe The Officials made a mistake. When she finds out why she wasn't matched to Ky it only adds to her confusion and she can't help wondering if The Officials really know what's best. As Cassia finds more and more unsettling information about her Society, she is put in a position between choosing the predictable and safe, or choosing the dangerous and unknown.

The series follows Cassia in her journey to rebel against The Officials as she searches for Ky. She leaves her community to venture to the outskirts of society in an attempt to save Ky's life. She goes on a life altering journey and eventually reunites with Ky, only to be separated again once they decide to join the Rising. Cassia is assigned to work inside the Society, where she realizes that Xander still has claim on a large portion of her heart. Meanwhile, Ky is stuck on the outside of the borders, unable to make any contact with her. In the end all three of them are brought back together and Cassia has to make her final decision.

This trilogy is written very well, with characters that come to life. The first book was a page-turner and the romance was exciting and gripping. The next two books seemed to drag on. Yes, they continued the story. Yes, they had some suspense, action, and romance. I just couldn't really get in to them. Out of all the dystopian books that I've read, these ones are on the lower end of my favorites list. I wouldn't go so far as to not recommend it, because they are good books. They just aren't they type of books that I will read again and again. They are appropriate for readers of all ages and are written in a way that makes them easy to get through. If you have any other dystopian novels that you have enjoyed, I'd love to hear about them!