Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVE NOT READ CLOCKWORK ANGEL!!!!!


Here it is!  And I absolutely ADORED it!!!!!  I'm going to read it again too:)  This was perhaps the best sequel I've read, besides Catching Fire.  Most series hit a "sophomore slump" like with musical artists, but this was a winner.
We find Tessa and the rest of the Enclave reeling from the altercation with The Magister and Charlotte's leadership of the Institute being called into question.  Consul Wayland gives them 2 weeks to catch Mortmain or Benedict Lightwood will likely become the new Institute Head.  The Magister seems to hold everyone in his iron (get it, it's a pun, albeit a bad one.) grip.  Those of you who doubted Charlotte, or even Henry for that matter, are in for a surprise, and oh my, my, my, so many twists and turns!
I so badly want to tell you everything, however, I just cannot because it's truly amazing and beautiful and once again elegantly and eloquently written.  Once again, Clare does an unmatched justice to fantasy and historical fantasy that I cannot believe I haven't reread her books for a while.  Luckily, I have a 3-hour drive to make tomorrow, and I'll be holed up with my books.  Until then, dear readers, I bid you adieu and happy reading!

This Teaser Quote is more of a Teaser Scene, and is a special treat for the faithful readers out there! :
“They’re not hideous,” said Tessa.
Will blinked at her. “What?”
“Gideon and Gabriel,” said Tessa. “They’re really quite good-looking, not hideous at all.”
“I spoke,” said Will, in sepulchral tones, “of the pitch-black inner depths of their souls.”
Tessa snorted. “And what color do you suppose the inner depths of your soul are, Will Herondale?”
“Mauve,” said Will.”

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

So, this is the first book in a series that's turning out to be incredibly lovely.  The only reason I had the foresight to review this book is because I just finished the second book, and fell in love with Jem once again (If you don't know who Jem is now, you will soon).
The story is set in Victorian London and is a prequel to Clare's The Mortal Instruments series, which is also incredible.  Like amazing.  I shall commence reviews of those books promptly.  Anway...set in Victorian London and is about 16-year-old Tessa Gray.  Tessa has an incredible ability yet has no idea how to use it or where she got it.  After being tortured into learning her ability, she escapes with gorgeous William Herondale and from there meets the rest of the Institute's inhabitants, including the lovely James "Jem" Carstairs.  The residents of the institute are shadowhunters with a divine mission to rid the world of demons.  They embark on an adventure to solve the mystery of The Magister and his notorious Pandemonium Club.  A world of demons and vampires, love and mystery, it's a book you'll pick up and won't soon put down.  Just sayin'.
I seriously recommend this one if you're a fan of fantasy.  Especially if you liked Twilight back in the day, or if you're a Harry Potter fan (although nothing will ever live up to HP in any of our minds) but with an elegant twist of history, Clare outdoes herself with the world she's created.  I can't wait to hear feedback!

Teaser Quote: "She looked up at him with a smile. The smile broke what was left of his resistance--shattered it. He had let the walls down when he'd thought she was gone, and there was no time to build them back up."~Narration about Will Herondale

Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks

Okay, so I promise this is the last Sparks book for a looooong time.  This one was reallll good too.  So Katie is new in Southport and has absolutely no backstory...weird in a small town.  She slowly but surely falls for Alex, a widower with 2 sweet and adorable children.  She reveals her actual backstory, which comes back to haunt her, as well as comes to know Alex's late wife, one of the sweetest people ever.
Nicholas Sparks has a real gift for capturing, not only romance, but the turmoil of unhealthy relationships.  In this story, Katie has left a very violent and abusive husband, and when they meet again, Sparks captures the essence of their confrontation and the confusion well by switching viewpoints often and portraying the plot elements in a way that only a truly gifted author can.  It's like...you know what's happening, but you're confused at the same time!  It was awesome!  I finished it in like 5 hours, something I can only say about the 2nd and 3rd Hunger Games books.  I was riveted by this different type of love story.  I despised Kevin, and I totally fell in love with Alex (favorite boy's name, by the way, so I had to pick it up!).  Josh and Kristin captured my heart with their childlike faith that everything works out, and I can honestly say that it ranks up there with my favorite books.  It was this book that made me realized why I sit down with my laptop every day and decide which books I'm going to impress upon the masses.  I know I say this at the end of every review, but I seriously encourage you to pick it up and read it.  The prose is delicate and lovely, while broaching some intensely difficult issues in society.  I loved every minute of it and I guarantee, I'll read it again (to my best friend out there reading...that sarcastic remark you're making?  I hear it.).
Looking forward to comments you have about it!

Teaser Quote:  "Deep in her heart, she wasn't exactly sure she deserved to be happy, nor she believed that she was worthy of someone like him"~Narrator about Katie

For my 10th book review...a special surprise!!!!

So, not only do I read a lot, but I also write a ton, so as a surprise, here's an excerpt from the story I'm working on now, but beware, there is some...questionable language.  Just a warning!

Breaking Pieces of a Real Heart

No one ever touches my dad's old Weber grill.  It sits on our back patio, front and center, in the way, gathering dust.  I bet if someone did open it up, there would still be fragile bits of burnt charcoal laying at the bottom.  That's how I considered myself, once upon a time, the fragile pieces of a marriage gone south.  A constant reminder to my mother of a man who had broken her heart, then took everything except this piece-of-crap grill that stared me in the face now.
"El." My mother said shortly.  I sat staring at the grill, wondering why we couldn't just leave the damn thing here.
"Eliya.  Pack up the grill, let's go."  her tone was final, cold, and unapproachable.  We were moving, that was that.
"Mom, why are we even taking it?  You don't use it."
"Eliya, do it now."
There it was.  The ice queen act I had spent my last three teenage years trying to perfect.  I shot her my best icy glare and grabbed the handle of the all-forsaken grill.  She gets her way, I get two more cuts in my leg from the grill and a new chance to be the new girl.

There it is!  Hope you like it, and I'll be posting more excerpts every 10 reviews, so stay tuned!

The Choice by Nicholas Sparks

Okay, I know that I said that the last book I read was my favorite Nicholas Sparks book, but now it's my second favorite.  The Choice is absolutely the best romance I've ever read (except that I am reading Their Eyes Were Watching God in my modern fiction class...).  The relationship between Travis and Gabby was so beautifully crafted that I felt like those two fictional characters really truly cared about eachother, which is something that I'm sure every author dreams to achieve but so far only Sparks and Collins (The Hunger Games) have achieved for me.  Oh yeah, and Hurston (Their Eyes Were Watching God).  Anyway, I love their relationship, and I think it's fairly realistic.  Spending uninterrupted time with someone over the course of 3 days can make you fall in love with them.  It's a wonderful thing.
So...the book is good too!  I started Safe Haven so we'll see how that one goes!  I encourage reading over this wonderful winter break, and I also encourage picking up any of the 10 books I've reviewed so far!  Have a wonderful break, ya'll!

Teaser Quote: "Stephanie I'm...I'm scared."~Travis Parker

The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks

This book is actually really touching.  I didn't think it would be, because the guy is kinda crazy, and Nicholas Sparks is notorious for sappy romances, which is never a problem if you're like me, but is a problem for others.  This time though, there's a kid involved, and a somewhat abusive ex, and a really hotttt marine (played by Zac Efron in the movie coming out...soon.  I've always had a soft spot for that guy since he quit doing HSM).  Anyway, I was engaged pretty much the whole time, and even though I was super confused at the beginning, I really enjoyed the whole thing, even though Keith Clayton may be the most detestable man on the face of the Earth.
I really enjoyed it because it ended well.  Most Sparks books go the same direction as this one (which may be a dead giveaway...SORRY!) this one ends really well.  This one may be my favorite Sparks book so far, even though I haven't read all of them, I plan to.
I really encourage this one, because it's very good.

Teaser Quote:  "She had been proud of his decision to serve his country, her heart bursting with love and admiration the first time she saw him outfitted in his dress blues. "~Beth

Sorry guys!

So, Anna Karenina is like 9000 pages (actually only 900...) and the school librarians already hate me for stockpiling their books in my bedroom...so we'll see if I can finish it up some other time.  I asked for a Nook for Christmas, so maybe then!

The Chosen by Chaim Potok

So, I read this book for my Modern Fiction class, and because Anna Karenina is taking me a very, very long time (that's 19th century Russian authors for you, folks), I decided that ya'll needed a review from me.
The story consists of a Jewish boy coming of age in WWII New York.  It's a super interesting story and easy to follow.  The characters and developement is rich, and I hear there's a sequel, so maybe I'll read it!  Those who read Hemingway, look for some references to A Farewell to Arms, because they're in there!
It's a great story, and unfortunately, I'm on the run, otherwise I'd totally write more!

Teaser Quote: "Crazy world.  Cockeyed."~Mr. Savo

The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks

So, this is a book that I recommend somewhat hesitantly.  It's not an easy book to read, especially if you've lost someone close to you.  It was extremely hard for me to read this the first time, much less a second in order to review it for you guys, especially because it was incredibly and powerfully written, and the use of childlike insight in the end is beautifully captured and displayed in a heartwrenching way.  Anyhoo, it's a very, very good book.
The story starts with Ronnie, short for Veronica, Miller, a rebellious teen forced to spend the summer with her dad in North Carolina.  She falls in with the "wrong" crowd.  She then meets Will Blakelee, a rich, handsome boy her age who gives her the summer of her life.  I promise, If you love a quality love story, you'll love this one.
Again, you've been fairly warned.  It's sad, but it's also beautiful.

Teaser Quote: "The next time you're mad at me, talk to me.  Don't shut me out.  I don't like playing games."~Will Blakelee

A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks

So, Nicholas Sparks.  Many think that his books (and the movies made from them) are very patterned, however, this steps off the beaten path of Sparks.
This is primarily the story of Landon Carter, who starts the story at age 57, telling us readers how his life changed at 17.  At 17, he met Jamie Sullivan and they had a fairly interesting relationship.  I can't tell you the details without giving it away, but it's really a great book.
I totally recommend it, even though this is a short review.  I'm kinda on the run!!!!!

Here's your Teaser Quote: "I told you not to fall in love with me..."~Jamie Sullivan

Just Listen by Sarah Dessen

So, because I said that any other book by Sarah Dessen is equally as good, if not better than What Happened to Goodbye, I'm going to review another one.

This book is my favorite Dessen novel and is so powerful and great.  It's about a girl, the youngest of 3 girls, named Annabel Greene.  Annabel enters into a new year of high school with no friends and a considerable amount of enemies.  She's a model, but she wants to quit, she's alone, but she doesn't want to be, and through her endeavors she meets the rather frightening (sometimes) Owen Armstrong.  He's intense and in to music, but is also very kind and straightforward.  It's a great story with some elements that are very interesting to read and get into.  I guarantee you'll love it!
The reason I love it is because of the musical element, yes, but also, I love the flashbacks that Dessen inserts as elements of the story and vessels of plot development.  I love them, and the developement of those flashbacks beforehand just adds to the building of them before they appear.  Truly wonderful author:)
So, pick it up, you won't regret it!  I promise, scout's honor.  (Just letting you know, I was never a girl scout, so that means virtually nothing.  How about...blogger's honor.)

Teaser Quote: "All I'd ever wanted was to forget. but even when I thought I had, pieces had kept emerging, like bits of wood floating up to the surface that only hint at the shipwreck below."~Annabel Greene

What Happened to Goodbye? by Sarah Dessen

In What Happened to Goodbye?, the classic Sarah Dessen story plays out.  Mclean (odd name right?) has moved more times than anyone cares to count.  Cue partying, grounding, cops, love, the like.  It may sound like I didn't enjoy the book, but I did.  I read it this summer and really truly enjoyed it as a summer romance read...and yes, I read it beachside.  The story was cute and it's fun to imagine yourself with a smart, kind boyfriend (if you don't have one already). 
Dessen is a great author, all her books being in the 1st person omniscient, she brings the characters to life.  This is a great book if you're looking for a romance that doesn't require any outside thought.  Everyone needs a book like that, and even though it's hard for me to convey how much I actually did love the book and convey how much of a summer romance it is, trust me on this one, it's a keeper.  Any other Dessen book is also a great read, however this one has that summery feel to it.  Pick it up, it's a great read!

Teaser Quote: “You want to take me to a movie?” I asked.
“Well, not really,” he said. “What I really want is for you to be my girlfriend. But I though saying that might scare you off.”
(This was wayyy to good to pass up, so it's an extra long Teaser Quote between Mclean and Dave)

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

SPOILER ALERT:  DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THE 1ST 2 BOOKS

And finally...Mockingjay.  This action packed (albeit in the latter half of the book) conclusion of Collins' Hunger Games Trilogy didn't disappoint.  I was on edge the whole time, sometimes frustrated, sometimes sad, and sometimes downright angry, as well as happy.  I tracked with the various subplots the whole time and was enchanted with the developement of Finnick and Gale's characters.  Finnick has always held a special place in my heart, right next to the bigger one designated for Peeta, whose absence in the first half of the book held the vast majority of my sadness.
One of the relationships that I think that Collins did really well in all three books was the relationship, the love/hate, that Katniss and Buttercup shared.  I loved that even though there was a mutual hate for eachother, their mutual love of Prim brought them together after...everything(it's killing me not to give a detailed summary).  Even if one party in the relationship couldn't talk, the communication between the two is hilarious, rich, and so charming, I just love it.
Kay, so pick up the book.  I'm telling you people, read the series, you won't regret it!!!!!

Teaser Quote: "Oh, no. It costs a lot more than your life. To murder innocent people? It costs everything you are."~Peeta Mellark

P.S. If you have a suggestion for a book I should read and write a review on, comment please!!!

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

SPOILER ALERT:  DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THE HUNGER GAMES.

The second book in Collins' Hunger Games series, Catching Fire is by far my favorite, if only because I'm a huge Peeta fan and he features prominently in this book.  Nevertheless, it's fantabulous and everyone should read it(in my humble opinion(: ).
In this book, Peeta and Katniss are back in District 12 following their historic victory in the seventy-fourth Hunger Games.  Haymitch is drunk as ever, and Katniss is stir-crazy on the victory tour, but one thing's for sure, following her fallout with Peeta in book 1, Katniss has to portray the lovesick teen with poise and grace if she wants to survive.  What will happen as the 3rd Quarter Quell approaches?  Only the Capitol knows...Go pick it up and find out!

Teaser Quote:  "Then he turns and my heart skips a beat. I’m staring into the snakelike eyes of President Snow."~Katniss Everdeen

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games (a good first review, seeing as it's the first book in my favorite series) is a captivating novel about a girl named Katniss Everdeen, who steps up to take the place of her younger sister Primrose in the vicious competition called the Hunger Games.  Each year, 24 tributes fight to the death until one is crowned the victor.  Through this novel of loss, struggle, and love, we come to love Katniss and root for her until the very end.
The book is set in an apocalyptic North America, which has now been divided into 13 districts and the capitol.  While District 13 may have been obliterated in a series of uprisings, called "The Dark Days", that began the Hunger Games, it is still a big source of discussion.
As a big fan of the entire series, I can say that this is a fantastic book (objectively of course(: ) It's a great one to carry around, mostly because the vast majority of people have read it/have something to say about it.  Go pick it up!  (paperbacks cost $5.39 + s&h on Amazon.com!!) and I guarantee you won't regret it!

Quote Teaser: "The more likeable he is, the more deadly he is."~Katniss Everdeen