City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

#1 Mortal Instruments series
Copyright: 2007
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Genre: young adult
Pages: audio
Challenges: 101 fantasy, young adult, audio
Author's Website 
My rating: 2.75/5

Simple Description: 
Clary Fray's life changes forever when she goes to a night club called Pandemonium one night.  While there she witnesses a murder.  As if this wasn't bad enough, she soon realizes that nobody else can see the parties involved.  Within 24 hours her world is torn apart.  Her Mom is kidnapped, she realizes that vampires and demons do exist.   Oh, and demons are after her.   It appears her mom was a shadow hunter, a person who hunted down demons and other nasties in order to protect weak humans.  Something that happened that made her Mom run away from all that though.  Clary wasn't brought up in that world, although she has it in her blood.

Clary is determined to find and save her Mom.  With the help of Jace, Isabel, and Alec, three other teenagers, she embarks on an adventure of a lifetime.  She has run ins with vampires, worlocks, and werewolves.  She learns more about herself and her Mom, things she would have never guessed.

Don't think everything will be answered in this book though.  This is the first of 4, so while it does wrap up a bit in the end, the story is still left open in order to entice readers to continue the series.


Now what you really want to know....my thoughts: 
I enjoyed the book but not as much as I had hoped I would.  However, I'm not so sure that wasn't because I listened to it via audio.   I thought the story itself was interesting, there was enough going on that it would probably be a page turner (if I had read the book version).

I really do think part of my issue with the book is the audio part of it though.  There were times when the tone of voice and the infliction ( I think that's the right word) just wasn't right for me.  The narrator would say a sentence or two and I would think "I wouldn't read the line like that".  I also wonder if part of this is why I could Clary annoying at times, because she seemed to whine a lot.   At times it was hard for me to get past how it was being read and just enjoy the story for what it was.

I did read the last 15-20 pages and I enjoyed that a lot more than listening to it.  So I think I would have enjoyed this one a lot more if I had read it.    I'm definitely going to plan on reading the 2nd in the series to see if I enjoy it.  I do have my hopes up that I will.   This is one that I do think others will enjoy and like, but I caution you to stay away from the audio version.

This audio book was rented from my local library.

Dead in the Family by Charlaine Harris

Copyright: 2010
Publisher: Ace
Genre: Mystery
Pages: 320
Challenges: 101 Fantasy
Author's Website 


Simple Description: 
This book picks up almost right where the last one stopped.  Sookie is still getting over the fairy war, she's doing some physical therapy to try and get back to 100%.    She is dating Eric, he seems to constantly remind her that they are married, as far as vampires are concerned.   Things get a little tricky when she lets Alcide's pack hunt in the woods on her property on the night of the full moon.  The next morning she is told that there is one grave, although burried pretty far down and old, and the scent of fairies on her land.  The fairies bother her more than the dead body (she assumes it's the one Eric had to get rid of at one point).  She tells Eric about this and he sends over a vampire to scout the grounds a couple days later.  She finds another grave, this one close to the service and fresh.  No sooner did they move that body when the copes show up to search her grounds, thanks to an anonymous tip.

Sookie's cousin, Claude, also asks to move in with her.  He says he needs to be close to somebody with fairy blood and since most are locked in fairy land, Sookie is the closest he has.   However the fairy scent on her property isn't his, this does not sound good.



Now what you really want to know....my thoughts: 
Here's the thing with this book, it's not as action packed as the previous books where.  However, It was still really good.  You get more of just day to day stuff that Sookie has to deal with because of the vampires and were's and shifters.  I didn't include everything that happens in my review, I needed to leave something for you to f ind out on your own. lol!      I think the author put in a lot of filler info.  By this I mean information that she's probably going to use for another book, but this way you are introduced to things that are happening. She's basically setting up a couple more stories.  At least, that's how I see it.

If I did have one thing that bothered me, it was how Eric calls Sookie Lover.  That just annoys me. Lol!  I don't know why, it just does.

Overall I think this was a good addition to the series, just don't forget to start at the beginning if you haven't read any of the Sookie books yet, if you pick up with this one you'll be lost.



Thanks to Megan with Penguin for providing this book for review.

(psst - I back dated the review since technically I did finish it on the 30th.  Normally I just leave the date that I review it, but since today is a new month, I decided to change it so it wouldn't be confusing.  Also, hopefully my review comes across ok..I'm incredibly pissed at my co-worker today and not in the best of moods.)

Bone Crossed by Patricia Briggs

Copyright: 2010 (paperback version)
Publisher: Ace
Genre: Mystery
Pages: 287
Challenges: 101 Fantasy, Series Challenge
Author's Website


Simple Description:
This book starts exactly where the last one left off.  Mercy has agreed to be Adam's mate, however before they can really discuss it and be comfortable with it, Stefan shows up in Mercy's living room (as does her Mom).  Stefan has been tortured and is close to dying, well, as close to dying as a vampire can be.  Adam allows Stefan to feed on him because he doesn't want there to be a blood tie between Mercy and Stefan.

Soon Mercy realizes that the head of the local vampire seethe, Marsilia, knows the truth about what happened in the last book and is out to get Mercy and her friends.  To make matters worse, things happen that cause some issues with Adam's pack and Mercy but I'm not going to give details because I don't want to give anything away.

Mercy leaves town for a bit to try and take care of a ghost that is haunting an old college friend's house.  It's there that she has a run in with another vampire, one far worse than she has ever met, and some nasty ghosts.

It seems that Mercy can't stay out of trouble, even when she wants to.

Now what you really want to know....my thoughts:
This series has become one of my comfort reads.  I go to the books when I just need something that I don't have to concentrate on really hard and know that I'll like it.  I just adore Mercy.  She is such a wonderful character.  She doesn't always make the right decisions, but she does what she feels is best regardless of what those around her might think.  She's a strong female character and I like that.  This book did not disappoint, it's another great installment to the series.

There's always a bunch going on in these books, I mean what can you expect when you have werewolves, vampires, and the fae all in one book?

If you like urban fantasy and you haven't check out this series yet, I urge you to do so.

On a rating scale, I give it 4.5/5  (I have a hard time giving something a full 5/5).


This book is part of my collection and was either bought or given to me.

Iron Kissed by Patricia Briggs

Copyright: 2008
Publisher: Ace
Genre: Mystery
Pages: 304
Challenges: 101 Fantasy, Series Challenge
Author's Website


Simple Description:
Mercy has a tough decision to make in this book. She has to decide on either Samuel or Adam. Both are very dominate werewolves and she might possibly be in love with both of them.  While she has that to deal with, she also has to do a favor for the fae Uncle Mike.  This favor ends up getting her in more trouble than first anticipated.   She was spotted helping the fae and now some of the powerful fae want her dead.   She also sets out to get Zee released from jail, she knows he didn't commit the crime he is there for.  However this proves difficult because the fae are fine with him being in jail and being the scapegoat.  It also appears that magical fae items are missing, one of them just happens to keep showing up when Mercy least expects it.

Now what you really want to know....my thoughts:
I know I know..there are a ton of the vampire, shifter, werewolve books out there, but I can't help reading some of them.  I loved this one, it was so much fun.  I love Mercy.  She knows she shouldn't do some stuff because it gets her in trouble, but she just cant help herself.   I also like how she handles different situations with the werewolves.  I think I like this series just for the characters and not so much for the mystery.  yeah, the story is good, but I know I would read it even if it wasn't considered a mystery.   Definitely a book/series I recommend to others who like this kind of thing.


This book is part of my collection and was either bought or given to me.

Trickster's Choice by Tamora Pierce

Copyright: 2004
Publisher: Random House
Genre: Young Adult
Challenges: Audio Book, Young Adult, TBR, 101 Fantasy, New Author

(wow...I can't believe one book can help me in 5 challenges. haha!)
New-to-me Author: yes
Author's Website



Simple Description:
Ali isn't sure what she wants to do in life, well, kinda. Her mom is The Lioness, the best female fighter in her country. Her Dad is a spy. Ali wants to be a spy, a field agent, but her parents forbid it. If she can't be a spy, what else can she do? When her Mother comes home for a rest and makes Ali her project, Ali decides to take an unexpected trip to a city close by. She leaves a note for her parents and leaves early in the morning before anybody is awake to stop her.

Unfortunatly things don't go as planned. Ali is captured by pirates to be sold as a slave. Luckily she made herself seem like a "fighter" and when nobody wants her she is given to a family for free. Luck is with her because this is a very nice family who treats her well. They are royalty and forced into exile by the current king.

Ali has plans to escape but before she can the Trickster god comes to her with a deal. If she agrees to stay with this family through the summer and keep their daughters safe, the god

will deliver her safely to her home and make sure her parents let her become a spy. Ali takes the deal.

Now what you really want to know....my thoughts:
I thought this was a great young adult book. One thing I love is that Ali is such a strong female character. Not to bash the Twilight books (heck..I did love them) but Bella is so weak. I've read several blogs where that's a concern or a complaint rather. But Ali, she is so freaking strong! She's a great role model for young girls, in my opinion anyway. Ali is super smart and courageous.

The story itself kept my interest. I wanted to know what was going to happen to each of the characters and how the book was going to end.

This is definitely a book I recommend to others who like young adult and a bit of the paranormal. Well, do I call it paranormal? I suppose. Maybe Urban fantasy would be a better genre to put it in. Ali has some "gifts" that are passed down from parents to their children. One of the characters, Nowat, is a crow who becomes a Man so he can help Ali in her attempt to keep the royal family safe.

I did listen to this book. I thought the reader did a very good job. I admit to be confused at times but think that I probably would have been even if I read it, there were a lot of people mentioned in this book. Also, my mind kept drifting while I was driving. I don't think this had anything to do with the book though, rather just with things going on in my life right now.

This book is part of my collection and was either bought or given to me. (I did read the very end of the book last night at home. I knew I was close to the end and couldn't possible wait till the next day to finish the story. haha!)

This audio book was rented from my local library.

Blood Bound by Patricia Briggs

Copyright: 2007
Publisher: Ace
Genre: Mystery
Pages:304
Challenges: Reliquiae Challenge, 101 Fantasy, Series Challenge 4, TBR Challenge
Author's Website



Simple Description:
Mercy Thompson is asked to repay a favor to Stefan. Stefan just happens to be a vampire. There is something evil hunting in the Tri-cities and Stefan has found it and wants to approach it. He believes it is another vampire, who is also a sorcerer, and might have power over Stefan. If Mercy goes in her coyote form, the other vampire probably won't be able to control her.

This vampire does get away from Stefan and Mercy, and Stefan is sent to hunt it. Two of the local werewolves also join in. Things get worse when Stefan and one of the werewolfes disappears and when the other werewolve is found beaten and left for dead.

Mercy knows she's the only one who can find the sorcerer and put and end to the killings and increase in violence.

Now what you really want to know....my thoughts:

This is the 2nd book in the series. I really enjoyed it. I love Mercy's character, I think she is a very strong female. The story held my interest the entire time and whenever I had to put it down I couldn't wait to pick it up again. I haven't felt this drawn to a book in awhile.

I know these types of books aren't for everyone, but I personally find them a lot of fun. One of the things I like about this book over some others is that the vampires and werewolves and other creatures aren't made to be all cuddly and nice. Sure, they don't go around killing people, but there is a sense of fear that goes with them. You know that at any moment they could lose control and harm somebody. I like that because it's what I think we all expect these creatures to be like.

This is definitely a series I recommend to those who like a bit of paranormal are drawn to these types of stories.


This book is part of my collection and was either bought or given to me.

Eldest by Christopher Paolini

Publisher: Random House
Genre: YA
Pages: Audio
Challenges: 101 Fantasy Challenge
New-to-me Author: No
Author's Website



Simple Description:
Honestly..this time around I'm just being lazy with not writing my own description. I copied this from the RandomHouse website:

Darkness falls…despair abounds…evil reigns…

Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, have just saved the rebel state from destruction by the mighty forces of King Galbatorix, cruel ruler of the Empire. Now Eragon must travel to Ellesmera, land of the elves, for further training in the skills of the Dragon Rider: magic and swordsmanship. Soon he is on the journey of a lifetime, his eyes open to awe-inspring new places and people, his days filled with fresh adventure. But chaos and betrayal plague him at every turn, and nothing is what it seems. Before long, Eragon doesn’t know whom he can trust.

Meanwhile, his cousin Roran must fight a new battle–one that might put Eragon in even graver danger.

Will the king’s dark hand strangle all resistance? Eragon may not escape with even his life. . . .

Now what you really want to know....my thoughts:
I thought the story itself was very good. I thought parts were a bit slow, mostly when he was being trained, but overall I thought it moved well. I love the characters and the different things Eragon has to deal with. I also loved that Roran has a big part in this book and has his own story going on too. Definitely a series I recommend to others.

As for the audio version - juries out on that one. For the most part I think the author did well, but some of the voices I found annoying and didn't like. I didn't like Saphira's voice but I think that is because I like how in the movie version of Eragon she had a very feminine voice and that wasn't the case for the audio version of this book. I think I'll read, not listen to, the next book in the series.

This audio book was rented from my local library however I do own a copy of the book.

101 Fantasy Ready Challenge

Yup...found another challenge I'm too excited about to pass up. The 101 fantasy challenge is being hosted by The True Book Addict. Click HERE to be taken to the sign-up page if you wish to join after reading my post.

Challenge info and rules:

1. Pick the number of books you want to read. It can be a mixture of the top 101, and/or the whole list. For example, you might want to aim to read 5 from the top 101 and 5 from the rest of the list.
2. Create a list of the books you want to tackle. You can create a list now, or add them as you go. Completely up to you.
3. The challenge runs from 10/10/09 to 10/10/10.
4. Please post the direct link to your 101 Fantasy Reading Challenge post. (so that other participants can visit and see what you are reading)

I've decided not to make a tentative list. Since the rules say you can add as you go or create the list, I figured if I create a tentative list than I have liberties to make changes to it as I go. haha! I love that the challenge starts this year and ends a year from now. It looks like maybe that's a new trend...I've signed up for several like this. I'm hoping that I can get some read by doubling up on ones I already plan to read for challenges this year and could possible read for other challenges next year. Yup...that's me...planning ahead.

I am going to read 7 books for this challenge.

My tentative list is:

Eldest by Christopher Paoline

Trickster's Choice by Tamora Pierce

Night Huntress by Yasmine Galenorn

At Grave's End by Jeaniene Frost

Destined for an Early Grave by Jeaniene frost

Iron Kissed by Patricia Briggs

Blood Bound by Patricia Briggs

The coolest thing about this list and this challenge is that I already own 6 of the books I plan to read. woohoo! This is going to help me read some of my own books and get caught up on some of the series I started and enjoyed but haven't continued with for some reason.