I love you, so I drew these tides of men into my hands and wrote my will across the sky in stars. T.E. Lawrence ~ Weeks 19 and 20

Please forgive me for my absence the past few weeks... I've been completely absorbed by the City of Bones trilogy by Cassandra Clare. This update will serve for all three books because they all blend into one glorious, couldn't-put-me-down, fabulous book!

Before we get started, let me introduce you to my new friend Jace. Jace is a Shadowhunter. Basically, he is part of a special race of "superhumans" tasked by the heavens to protect humankind from the lurking threat of demons. Jace is a badass. His hobbies include music, weapons, and killing demons. Oh and he's extremely good looking, cocky as hell, and looks really good without a shirt on (see above book cover). And he's funny. Gotta love a man with a sense of humor:

"Is this the part where you start tearing off strips of your shirt to bind my wounds? If you wanted me to rip my clothes off, you should have just asked."

I'm not gonna lie - I loved these books from the beginning and part of the reason was JACE!

Now to the rest of the book... Our main character, Clary, is unexpectedly thrown into a fantasy world after her mother is attacked by a demon that enters her apartment one summer night. Clary and her best friend Simon are thrown into a side of her hometown of New York City that she never knew existed - a world where werewolves, faeries, and vampires are a reality. Clary soon finds out that there's more to her seemingly normal upbringing with her mother Jocelyn and their close friend Luke, who raised Clary as if he was her own daughter.

On her journey to rescue her mother, Clary meets the Lightwoods - a family of Shadowhunters and old acquaintances of her mother. She also becomes acquainted with their adopted son, Jace Wayland. The attraction is almost instant. They become thrown together in a frightening and exciting world that Clary didn't even know existed. When Clary discovers that she's related to a notorious and diabolical Shadowhunter who is plotting ruin towards their race - she finds herself thrown into a ruthless battle between good and evil.

The good: A new take on some mythical creatures - vampires, faeries, and werewolves. No sparkly vampires here kids! The faeries were especially creepy... not your glittery, cute and friendly types. Another good thing - awesome characters. And YAY for a book with a strong female lead. I absolutely loved Clary's character. It was refreshing to read a book where the lead had a good head on her shoulders. I also loved Simon; Clary's wise-cracking best friend (who of course is secretly in love with her).

The bad: You won't find any bad here!

The verdict: As hesitant as I was to start reading another YA trilogy... after the first book I couldn't resist. Despite being three books long, you will not tire of this series. You'll probably decide to read it straight through like I did!

By plucking her petals you do not gather the beauty of the flower. ~ Week 18

So begins the much awaited finale to the Uglies trilogy. I had mixed feelings about beginning this book. To be honest, I was kinda let down by Pretties, the second book in the series. I approached Specials with a little bit of trepidation, but I figured that since I was already "committed" to the series I might as well finish it off. Pretties left me with a lot of unanswered questions: Will Zane and Tally be reunited? Will Tally step up and do the right thing? Tally becomes a Special?

The bad: Annoyed by Tally's flakiness in the first two installements of the trilogy? Hoping that she'll grow up and mature a bit? Well, don't hold your breath. Tally is back in all her flighty glory! Starting out in Uglies, I had a lot of respect for Tally. She was strong and determined. As the series went on, I found her becoming a little bit annoying. Throughout the series, you can see how she goes from being a free-thinker and possibly someone that could lead in a revolution against the "pretties" society, but as it progresses I feel like she lost some of her strength. I was especially disappointed when I picked up Specials in the bookstore and realized by reading the back that Tally ends up becoming a Special. I thought this was kinda strange... seeing as in the first two books she fears and despises Specials. When she finally joins their ranks, I find it unbelievable that she would switch her perspective that easily. See- that's why I think she's flighty.

The good: Everything gets tied up in a pretty little bow for you at the end of Specials. I can respect a book that gives you some semblance of closure. I also have a peeve for books that keep dragging on and on, all for the sake of pumping out another installment in a series. Three seems to max it out for me - after that point you're just trying to get some more book sales (ala Twilight) if you ask me. Westerfield has another book (Extras) that pertains to the world of the Uglies/Pretties, but it centers around a newly introduced character and has a different storyline. Another good thing: action, action, and more action. Westerfield's books rarely leaving you craving some action. They are descriptive, colorful, and would make for an exciting movie. I kept imagining what those hoverboard chases would look like on the big screen.

The verdict: You have to admit- the idea of stunningly gorgeous, fast-as-the-wind, super-humans is kinda fun. Westerfield's Uglies trilogy is definitely catchy and interesting. As far as YA literature goes, I'd recommend it. If you're looking for something with loads action and a little bit of suspense- you won't be disappointed.

WICKED is good. ~ Week 17

This month, my book club decided to delve into a little Young Adult fiction. As you can imagine, I was thrilled! The Maze Runner centers around Thomas, a teenager who awakens to find himself inside a grassy expanse known as the Glade. He seems to have no memories of who he is and why he's there. The Glade is filled with teenage boys, all of whom have been mysteriously transported there as well. As if things weren't sounding bad enough, Thomas discovers that the Glade is surrounded by a maze filled with treacherous obstacles and seemingly without a solution.

A cross between Lord of the Flies and a Stephen King novel, you will find yourself intrigued by The Maze Runner by the time you finish the first page.

The good: This book keeps you guessing. I found myself just itching to know what was going on. I love a book with a good conspiracy theory too. This one made me think of LOST - mystery upon mystery - layered with a thick plot. The author was very imaginative with his characters and "creatures."

The bad: I had a hard time getting into the Gladers slang. One word they used was "shuck." Basically it was a replacement word for any profanity that the boys felt like spewing. For example, "Shut up shuckface!" I thought it was kind of ridiculous because while it was better than saying the real thing... it was pretty obvious what the author was trying to get across.

Another slight problem I had was that I felt like the story was crawling along. There was mystery build upon mystery and I was aching for some resolution. Finally, in the last couple of chapters an enormous lot of information was thrown at me. I was able to answer some of those questions I had rolling around in my head, but I felt like it was all piled into too

Also, why do YA authors feel like they need to make EVERY book they write into a trilogy? What ever happened to wrapping it up in one novel? I guess I can answer this myself because I am that weirdo that counts the days until the next book in a series comes out (Read: HUNGER GAMES #3!)

The verdict: Why is YA fiction so damn addicting? Maybe we all wish that our high school/adolescent years had been that interesting? Also, ladies, it doesn't matter how old we get - we still want to remember what it feels like to fall in love for the first time. That's why these coming-of-age stories are so attractive to us. They appeal to the girl in us.

There is no life without death. This is the true meaning of yin and yang. ~ Week 16

One of the main reasons that I love books is their ability to transport me to another time and place. Snow Flower and the Secret Fan is one of those books. This is the second book I've read by Lisa See and the second time I've been impressed by her ability to take her reader into the world of 19th century China; a difficult era for women that many of us know nothing about. Lily and Snow Flower become laotongs, or sworn sisters, when they are just seven years old. They grow up together, communicating using a secret women's language called nu shu. They stay connected throughout all the joys and pains of life; footbinding, childbirth, and loneliness.

The good: Beautiful writing and emotionally-stirring story. If you a a woman, you need to read this. It was an eye-opening glimpse into the challenges and often agonies that women experienced in that time period. Want to read something that'll make you appreciate your freedom as a woman in the 21st century Western world? Pick this book up. A few pages into reading about the horrors of footbinding, you'll be thanking your lucky starts that you weren't born in 19th century China.

I also love books that make me yearn to find out more about a certain subject. Both of Lisa See's books compelled me to do some investigating on the internet. I learned about footbinding, marriage rituals, and nu shu writing. I found myself watching videos on Youtube and just completely engrossed in learning more.

The bad: I have nothing bad to say about this book! If I had to pick one thing it would be that it took me a little to "get into it." But after about 30 pages, I was pretty much hooked.

The verdict: Snow Flower and the Secret Fan is a great book. It shows how female friendships and companionship transcend time and place. It made me think of another book that I've reviewed recently, Firefly Lane. While set in completely different times and places, both centered around the strength and beauty of female relationships.

For now these memories are all I have left. ~ Week 15

For Week 15, I read Dear John - the latest Nicholas Sparks novel to be turned into a movie. I picked this one up after seeing a preview for the upcoming flick starring Amanda Seyfried and Channing Tatum. It looked horribly romantic and I like both of them, so I'd follow my usual routine of reading the book before watching the movie. Let me start out by saying that I am not (and have never been) much of a Nicholas Sparks fan. Back in college, I read The Wedding and I couldn't get through the saccharine-sweet sappiness of it. I must say that I really like some of the movies though. I mean, let's face it... the man comes up with novels that translate into the perfect "chick-flick." Admit it, you cried like a baby when you realized that the elderly couple were Noah and Allie at the end of The Notebook.

In Dear John, Savannah Lynn Curtis and John Tyree fall in love. One summer they come into each other's lives like a hurricane blowing off the coast of South Carolina. They fall in love. You know that crazy, young love. The kind that makes your stomach do flip-flops and makes you completely irrational. We've all been there and we can all remember how it encompases everything in your being. Unfortunately, young love is never simple and Savannah and John have the weather a slew of challenges that are thrown their way. Will they make it? Does true love overcome lifes ups and downs?

The good: This book made me remember what it was like to be 21 and in love. It made me think of a relationship that I had when I was younger. I enjoyed thinking back on those days and it made me a little nostalgic. I also think that he portrayed the difficulties of a long distance relationship realistically. I've been there and trust me it's a true challenge.

The bad: Sparks' writing. At times it becomes downright monotonous and silly. There was one chapter in the book where he describes John having a meal with his father. Sparks thought that it was necessary to describe the minutae of this meal. Right down to the way John's father cuts his potato and steak. It bordered on the ridiculous.

Another problem I have with Sparks' books is that his writing is very cliche and cheesy. He takes all those romantic stereotype situations and totally plays them up. It's nothing new and nothing original.

The verdict: This book is meant to be a summer "beach read." If you're looking for something special and unique... you won't find it here. If you're looking for a book to read while you're sun bathing on the beach, this might be a good pick. All in all, I hope I enjoy the movie more than the book!

Week 13 Gap

I read Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum for my Week 13 pick. I lent out the book to my mother-in-law and will be completing my review once I have the book on hand. :)

Is it not good to make society full of beautiful people? ~ Week 14

Oh young-adult fiction, how I love thee. Uglies is book number one in a four-part series by Scott Westerfield. It centers on Tally Youngblood, a 16-year old living in a futuristic and superficial society. In this society, on your 16th birthday you are subjected to a complete body overhaul which makes you into a Pretty. Cities are segregated into sections; where you live depends on whether or not you've had the surgery and how old you are. The story begins with Tally just a few months from her 16th birthday and anxiously awaiting the surgery that will rejoin her with her best friend Peris. Peris is a couple of months older than Tally, and has already been living with the other new Pretties in New Pretty Town. Tally is just biding her time until she'll be with her friend again when she meets Shay. Shay is unlike anyone that Tally has ever met before. Shay actually believes that there's nothing wrong with being who she is. She challenges everything that Tally has grown up believing about becoming pretty. Tally ends up having to make a choice that will ultimately change the course of her life.

The good: Really cool concept. What will life be like in the future? I love books that approach this subject creatively. With our society so superficial already, what's to say that once the technology exists people won't have a whole-body overhaul done to make themselves into the perceived image of perfection?

The bad: I really have nothing bad to say about this book. I'm anxious to read the next two books, Pretties and Specials.

The verdict: Uglies introduces you to a whole new futuristic world that's completely intriguing. It has it's own language - bogus, bubbly, Specials, SpagBol... I could go on and on. In a word, this book was fun. Go ahead and get yourself a copy and ENJOY!