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Insatiable and Overbite by Meg Cabot

Generally, Rachel and I agree on which books are duds and which are worthwhile; this time, however, she’s wrong. ;)

When I first learned Meg Cabot (one of the few YA authors whose books I still read) was going to dive into the “Vampire Romance” genre, I was skeptical, too. But good old Meg manages to twist the trope enough to make it interesting.

It’s true, in the first book, Insatiable, the heroine does fall for the dashing Vampire Prince. But our heroine is no Bella – Meena Harper has her doubts about whether she can trust her suave, undead lover, who repeatedly attempts to coerce Meena into allowing him to turn her. Meanwhile, a sect of the Catholic Church in the Vatican City that is secretly a vampire-hunting unit bent on destroy Lucien, Meena’s new boyfriend, tries to convince her that Lucien is Just No Good. The Ultimate Showdown takes place in NYC, when a rival vampire clan attempts to “dethrone” Lucien, hoping to devastate him by, of course, attacking Meena, a move which pleases no one.

Book two, Overbite, is definitely less cliche than Insatiable. It sees Meena trying to unravel the mystery of Lucien’s second birth while training to become more competent defending herself against other, more deadly vampires. She does so by teaming up with the Vatican’s resident BA and hottie, Alaric Wulf, Lucien’s main rival. Wulf, quite predictably, doesn’t agree with Meena’s theories about Lucien.

Cabot, in my opinion, does a good job of keeping a tired archetype alive. That isn’t to say the series isn’t rife with cliches; for example, Meena has the “gift” of seeing when people will die. But instead of seeming juvenile, the cliches just make the series feel like a classic, campy romcom. The plot may be predictable, it’s true. But Cabot keeps things interesting with her upbeat style and refreshing take on an old genre through smaller details, like Meena’s geeky brother and her Secretly Vampires!Neighbors (who are seriously my favorite characters).

If you’re looking for a quick, fun series about vampires and lovin’, this is it.

Caitlyn

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The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

It has been a very, very long time since I’ve last written a review. It’s been quite a long time since I’ve read a book that I felt the need to walk into a bookstore and shout to the world they needed to read it. As an avid reader, I have my particular favorites. And this book is definitely on the list. Top 10 at the least. I have not picked up a book for a good few months, not wanting to be disappointed by whatever lies within the covers. I continued to look for a well written novel, a good plot, great characters and the ability to make you fall headfirst into another time. And I did just that, even now avoided my finals in order to rave as only one who has just finished a book can do. When reality seems the dream, and the book reality.

The Night Circus draws you into it’s world. I felt like a circus goer, a reveur for life. Morgenstern recreates a world of midnight magic. A time where theaters were packed for performances of illusionists rather than musicals. A place in which you can escape to, wondering whether the illusions were real, but preferring not to know the true mechanics behind an act.

I do not want to spoil even one bit of the novel. Reading The Night Circus should be like stepping into a world of which you know nothing but have a peculiar interest. A world of magicians, midnight magic, complex, interwoven relationships, and the smell of caramel apples and popcorn lingering in the air.

Although the settings sometimes seems more detailed than some of the relationships, it truly is a wonderful book.

Morgenstern offers a timeless novel, a novel to be read, then re-read, and re-read again.

Immediately going to buy a lovely red scarf,

Deschy

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The Wedding Girl by Madeline Wickham

Note: I LOVE Sophie Kinsella. One of my favorite authors, hands down. So of course, when I found out she also wrote as Madeline Wickham, I had to get my hands on one of her books. There is a distinct difference between novels by Sophie Kinsella and Madeline Wickham. I would go so far as to say the Kinsella books are more mature? The Whickham books are more sporadic and pay less attention to the main female, preferring to include everyone in a conflict of their own. I prefer the Kinsella books.

However, The Wedding Girl still has bits of Kinsella’s charm, but again, it’s more of a cliche romance? I don’t really know how to describe it. Ah! Overplotted. Very overplotted. And with so much plot going on, you don’t really have time to insert funnies or develop characters. </sadness>.

You see, Milly is about to get married – to one of the wealthiest men in Britain. However, once her photographer, Alexander, shows up, she remembers she has a BIG secret to hide. You see, Alexander has already photographed her  in another wedding. And she’s not sure if she’s divorced. dun dun dun. With Alexander taunting Milly with her previous marriage, she’s forced to revisit her past. Only, her past doesn’t want to meet up with her. So, Milly must discover 10 years of forgotten history in 2 days and try to keep it a secret from everyone. And of course, she has doubts about her finance, her fiance hates his father, her sister’s pregnant, her parents have unsolved issues, her godmother’s in there too, her husband – a gay American who needed a way to stay in the country with his lover – is no where to be found, and her husband’s lover is married. Oh the drama.

Soap Operaed  out,

Rachel

PS: If you’re desiring a romcom, read a Kinsella book. They are PHENOMENAL.

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Insatiable by Meg Cabot

Insatiable: a mediocre novel about vampires. Honestly, I was expecting a lot more than I got. In this case, I truly believe Meg Cabot should have stuck to YA fiction. She tried coming from an angle of the protagonist not liking vampires, hating the world’s desire to read vampire material, and yet she falls for the head vampire. The plot was ridiculous. Ridiculous piled upon ridiculous. At one point, probably three quarters to the end of the novel, I lost the desire to continue reading. It just wasn’t even worth it. Even fiction has a point that you don’t cross. The main character was interesting enough. But she was the only character I enjoyed. Again, ridiculous just piled upon ridiculous. Honestly, there are better books to read. I don’t recommend it. I’ll read the second, but if it’s not promising, I’ll stop quickly and I urge you to do the same.

If you’re into “dark” fiction, I recommend The Night Watch by Sergei Lukyanenko (first in a trio – i think. he might have made more). It’s honestly the best “dark” fiction I’ve read. And even just to lovers of the supernatural or fantasy, it’s a great novel. I s’posse I should write a review on that soon as well.

Disappointed,

Rachel

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The Mediator Series by Meg Cabot

First up: YA REVIEW. Meg Cabot is a wonderful YA writer – something I’ll address in her recent adult book review, coming soon. This is another easy to read series, comprising of six books. Each book seems better than the previous, but wonderful in itself. Cabot gives you a feel for all the characters introduced and keeps them in the series. I feel as if I know all the major characters and would LOVE to see another book. Although, I realize that that isn’t going to happen. This is a series that knows when to wrap up and does an excellent job of doing so.

Now, quick summary: Suzie, like any teenage girl, is not exactly happy when she has to leave her home and move literally, across the country when her mom remarries. However, Suzie has more issues than living in a house with her three step-brothers, because, in her room, she finds a ghost. Which in itself is nothing new. Suzie has the ability to see, hear, touch, and talk to ghosts. She’s a mediator. She has to complete whatever task the ghost needs to get done before they can move on. But the ghost in her room, Jesse, doesn’t seem to have any unfinished business. And as Suzie gets to know Jesse, will she really want him gone?
And of course, Suzie finally meets another mediator, the principal of her new school: Father Dom. Together, the three of them – mediators and a ghost – must help the dead move on. -end basic summary-

Now, the series develops excellently. So it is a definite summer must read. And Suzie – the main character – is a witty and snarky NYC girl that you will love to follow. There are tons of small jokes and commentaries that will make you laugh out loud. So, if you’re in the mood for a good  mini series. Read it.

Mediator at heart,

Rachel

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Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

As an avid reader of 18th and 19th century fiction, I was bound to come across this novel sooner or later, and as an avid reader of Cassandra Clare, I came upon it sooner. At every twist, turn, and character you find Cassandra Clare, as in, if you’ve read her Mortal Instruments Series, you can distinctly see her style. Yet, where City of Bones followed Claire’s conflict and Jace’s was introduced later in the story, Clockwork Angel seems to follow Tessa’s, Will’s, and Jem’s conflicts relatively equally (though Tessa’s and Will’s could beat out the amount of pages devoted to their conflicts.)

Clockwork Angel was an extremely good book, providing more than I expected. It’s action packed and twisty as a pretzel. If you’re ready for an easy read with lots of adventure and plot and a tad bit of YA romance, I recommend it. To devoted classic’s readers, I don’t recommend. The dialect remains distinctly modern, not at all like a novel from Austen or Bronte, but for YA Readers, READ IT. You’ll enjoy. For those that have read The Mortal Instruments, you’re in for good read. I loved how certain characters made appearances and even last names connected the characters from both books. The world Clare has created is wonderful. An introduction of a character you know is like finding an old acquaintance in a new location, adding to his/her personal story as well as that of the book.

One thing I noticed was that there was a lot of open ends (which would be good for the following novels, but it leaves you with a lot of unanswered questions) And there is always mention of a dark secret, but what that secret constitutes is never addressed. The novel was a great YA read and it definitely set up the foundation for another series full of twists and turns. So while this novel was a great starter I cannot wait for the following books. (Clockwork Prince comes out December 6th!) So if you’re looking for another world to immerse yourself in, read the book.

Wishing I lived in another century,

Rachel

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Only the Good Spy Young by Ally Carter

Believe it or not, the Gallagher Girl series is one of my favorite reads. A perfect easy-to-read series to start off your summer reading.

Only the Good Spy Young is the fourth novel in the series of supposedly six -although the fifth is set to be released in early 2012.

Cammie Morgan’s life has definitely had it’s twists and turns, and what else can be expected of a student who attends a preparatory spy school for young women? This book continues down the winding path and does not disappoint. After several life threatening situations, Cammie thought she knew who to trust, but the book starts off with a bang and Cammie’s world begins to totter. Who is actually on her side? And who will Cammie believe?

The novel is action backed and Carter certainly delivers. Our favorite male makes an appearance, as does the mysterious male school. Cammie will look to the past to help her move forward.

Wishing I was a Gallagher Girl,

Rachel

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Revival

What? This blog still exists?

And I’m going to actually write reviews this summer?

Yuppers. As this immensely stressing school year comes to a close, I’ve gained a lot of free time. In fact, I had no idea what to do the first weekend I had no homework. I don’t have three chapters of reading logs due Monday? Then what do I do with myself?!

So, after a year of focus on homework, I come back to the books. I’ll be on another classic binge soon, but for the moment, I decided to reread some of my YA novels. Prepare yourselves for a summer of reviews.

glad to return,

Rachel

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Bel Canto – Ann Patchett

“Wow Caitlyn! A review? One we didn’t have to wait three months for?” Yes, yes. Summer is just around the corner, and my last “serious” project is printing as we speak, ready to be turned in and graded. What better way to settle into summer than a headstart on my summer reading list?

Rachel’s review of Bel Canto caught my eye, and the title stuck with me as I shopped for books. It seemed interesting enough, so I bought it. It didn’t disappoint. Ann Patchett has a knack for descriptions, which I can certainly appreciate. She was vivid and detailed, but not boring. The book certainly isn’t “action packed”, but it is an interesting insight to the human mind. And it can be a little, mature, so viewer discretion is advised?

     Bel Canto takes place in an unnamed, though poor, country in South America. In hopes of luring businss opportunities to their desperate domain, the government throws a large birthday party for 53 year old Mr. Hosokawa, a successful japanese businessman. Unbeknownst to them, Mr. Hosokawa can only be bothered to attend after he hears that his favorite opera singer, Roxane Coss, will be singing for him. After she takes a bow, the party is interrupted in the most unexpected of ways: a swarm of men with guns invading the room. The party crashers are members of a terrorist organization known as La Familia de Martin Suarez, who have come to kidnap the country’s president. Unfortunately, the president did not attend the birthday bash. Not knowing what else to do, the terrorists take control of the house, a situation that will span months. Terrorists and hostages will learn to cope with each other, live with each other, and eventually love each other. The end comes rather ubruptly, an event that will leave your head spinning.

     From page one, this book has worked it’s way high up on my list of favorites. It’s beautifully written, the characters engaging, and the plot is wonderful. It’s well worth your time, and certainly won’t be a disappointment.