City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

Publish Date: April 2007

ISBN: 1416914285

Page #: 496pp

Reading Level: Young Adult

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Supernatural/Paranormal

Series: The Mortal Instruments Series
City of Bones (2008)
City of Ashes (2008)
City of Glass (2009)

Subjects: Demons, Faerie, Mortal, Romance, Vampires, Werewolf

Annotation:

Fifteen-year-old Clary Fray discovers the world of magic when she was just looking to unwind at the club one night and happens to witnesses the murder of a demon by three teenagers who are invisible to everyone else.

Summary:

Fifteen-year-old Clary Fray is not like everyone else, though she discovers this new world of magic when she happens to witnesses the murder of a demon by three teenagers who are invisible to everyone else. When her house is invaded by demons and her mother is kidnapped, she is brought to the home of the same teenagers who she saw kill the demon that night at the club. The three teens, Isabelle, Alec and Jace, are members of a secret group called the Shadowhunters, charged with slaying the invisible-to-everyone demons that threaten the world. Clary learns about this other world that lives right beside her, as well as uncovering her past and ultimately uncovering herself.

Megan says:

City of Bones is the first book in The Mortal Instruments trilogy. I found this story to be a whirlwind with intricate and complex characters. A must-read for teens who love the urban paranormal/fantasy genre and who like to read series.

Stars: ★ ★ ★ ★

Cassandra Clare Website
The Mortal Instruments Website
Classandra Clare Live Journal
Cassandra Clare MySpace

Frostbite by Richelle Mead

Frostbite by Richelle Mead

Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)
Publish Date: April 2008
ISBN: 1595141758
Page #: 336pp
Reading Level: Young Adult
Classification: Fiction
Genre: Paranormal/Supernatural

Series: The Vampire Academy Series
Vampire Academy (2007)
Frostbite (2008)
Shadow Kiss (2008)

Subjects: High School, Guardian, Magic, Massacre, Mothers and Daughters, Paranormal, Relationships, Romance, Teenager, Urban Fantasy, Vampires.

Annotation:

Rose and Lissa are back with all new looming problems. Rose keeps getting sucked into Lissa's mind when her friend is with her boyfriend, Christian. However, Rose has her own boy troubles as she can’t get Dimitri, her mentor who is too old for her, out of her heart.

Summary:

Rose and Lissa are back with all new looming problems. Rose, a dhampir and guardian, and Lissa, her Moroi best friend are attempting to get through high school with the added pressure that comes with being a vampire in a world that doesn’t know they exist. Rose is taken away for her Qualifier exam and what she and her mentor, Dimitri, discover is horrifying. Thrown into a state of panic, the Moroi society tries to deal with a new deadly threat. Rose knows that when dealing with Strigori the odds are stacked against her but that doesn't stop her from wanting to do anything she can to eradicate the threat against all those that she holds dear.

Megan says:

The Vampire Academy series is great fun. Especially if you are vampire jonesing. Frostbite continues the story revolving around Rose and all of her unpredictable endeavors. Her complicated relationship with Dimitri provides romantic tension throughout the story, as does her relationship with Mason. I felt Frostbite to be a little darker in storytelling when compared to the first of the series, Vampire Academy.

Stars: ★ ★ ★ ★

Richelle Mead Website
Even Redheads Get the Blues (Richelle Mead's Live Journal)
Interview with Richelle Mead
Frostbite Book Trailer

Hunted by P.C.Cast

Hunted by P.C.Cast

Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Publish Date: Pub. Date:
ISBN: 031237982X
Reading Level: Young Adult
Classification: Fiction
Genre: Paranormal

Series: The House of Night Series
Marked (2007)
Betrayed (2007)
Chosen (2008)
Untamed (2008)
Hunted (2009)

Subjects: Friendship, Relationships, Romance, Vampires

Annotation:

Hunted is the fifth book to the House of Night series. Thankfully Zoey is now back with her friends but all is not well as ancient evil has been set loose and Zoey's whole world is in trouble.

Summary:

Set in an alternative universe of Tulsa, Oklahoma where humans and vampyres coexist. The fifth installment of the House of Night series has Zoey back with her friends. Though, all is not good as ancient evil has been set loose and Zoey’s whole world is in trouble. Especially when the trouble is coming from a being that appears to be Beauty personified. Zoey’s strength is tested to unlock the truth in the House of Night, deeming a hard and adventurous task. The next title to the series is Tempted, there is no release date yet.

Megan says:

I have really enjoyed this vampire series thus far. Hunted provided just the right amount of suspense and like the rest, left me wanting more. I really liked the sense of strength Zoey, the main character seemed to inhabit. It was a refreshing change after reading the first four novels of the series. Teens who have already read the first four books of the House of Night series will undoubtedly need to read Hunted. The next installment, Tempted is set to release October 27, 2009. With that said, I recommend Hunted to all teens chasing the vampire genre.

Stars: ★ ★ ★ ★

House of Night Series
Zoey, Hunted You Tube
Neferet, Hunted YouTube
Erik, Hunted YouTube

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Publish Date: April 2008
ISBN: 0061214671
Page #: 352pp
Reading Level: Young Adult
Classification: Fiction
Genre: Urban Fantasy

Series Title: The Wicked Lovely Series
Wicked Lovely (2008)
Fragile Eternity (2009)

Subjects: Faerie, High School, Magic, Marriage, Romance, Teenager.

Annotation:

All Aislinn wants is to be a normal mortal girl who does not see faeries, but her destiny may lie elsewhere as the title of Queen may be her future role in life.

Summary:

Aislinn has a problem-she can see faeries. She has always been able to see them, though has grown accustomed to her ignoring them at best. That is until she begins to notice the increase in faeries. This takes a toll on Aislinn as she discovers two of the faeries stocking her as they believe her to be their rightful Queen. All Aislinn wants is a normal mortal life, but it appears she has no say in the matter. If she truly is the Summer Queen then she will rule beside Keenan, the Summer King, and work to overthrow Beira, the Winter Queen and Keenan's mother. Keenan believes her to be the Summer Queen, but if she fails the test for Queen, she will become a Winter Girl, doomed to cold and fear until another girl comes along to her place.

Megan says:

I really enjoyed Wicked Lovely. Melissa Marr carefully orchestrates the characters relationships and the faeries weave seamlessly into the story making Wicked Lovely an enjoyable read for all teens. I especially liked the heroine Aislinn as she is balanced with slight vulnerability and strength. This is an enticing story with minor sexual content (mainly just references). Holly Black fans will love this series.

Stars: ★ ★ ★ ★

Melissa Marr Website
Melissa Marr Live-Journal
Melissa Marr MySpace Page