Buy The Raven Boys on Amazon

“There are only two reasons a non-seer would see a spirit on St. Mark’s Eve,” Neeve said. “Either you’re his true love . . . or you killed him.”

It is freezing in the churchyard, even before the dead arrive.

Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue herself never sees them—not until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks directly to her.

His name is Gansey, and Blue soon discovers that he is a rich student at Aglionby, the local private school. Blue has a policy of staying away from Aglionby boys. Known as Raven Boys, they can only mean trouble.

But Blue is drawn to Gansey, in a way she can’t entirely explain. He has it all—family money, good looks, devoted friends—but he’s looking for much more than that. He is on a quest that has encompassed three other Raven Boys: Adam, the scholarship student who resents all the privilege around him; Ronan, the fierce soul who ranges from anger to despair; and Noah, the taciturn watcher of the four, who notices many things but says very little.

For as long as she can remember, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love to die. She never thought this would be a problem. But now, as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she’s not so sure anymore.

From Maggie Stiefvater, the bestselling and acclaimed author of theShiver trilogy and The Scorpio Races, comes a spellbinding new series where the inevitability of death and the nature of love lead us to a place we’ve never been before.

I’m going to be horribly honest with you: I didn’t like Shiver, Stiefvater’s most popular series. Sure, it had its high points, but… it just wasn’t my cup of tea. Also, how many books do we have to read wherein the male lead’s name is Sam? We get it, it’s an attractive name. But there are other attractive names out there.

My current favourite attractive name: Richard Gansey III. Or, shortened, Gansey. That is definitely the name to suit the dreamboat that is The Raven Boys‘ doomed love interest. ‘Doomed?’ you ask, ‘why?’ The answer is simple: if Blue kisses him, he’ll die. Not that Blue wants to kiss him. No, Blue likes Adam. Honorable, honest, master-of-his-will Adam. I don’t pretend to understand.

On that note, I might as well introduce you to our other two featured Raven boys. Ronan’s sharp personality matches the edges of the tattoo creeping down his back. He’s feisty, he’s hurt, and he’s quite possibly my favourite Raven boy– second to Gansey, of course. Noah is best described as ‘smudgy’. Barely there and incredibly faint of heart, no one pays enough attention to him know that he’s harboring a deep, dark secret…

So there you have it: four best friends. And a girl. Blue’s always disliked the rich, stylish and prissy Raven boys. Furthermore, she’s always disliked the idea of love. But you can’t run from fate. Blue would know; her mother’s a psychic. Although Maura’s, Blue’s mother’s, predictions are never specific, they’re always accurate. So you never know when they’ll creep on you…

Complete with magical forests, holy ruins, and very made-over, very cluttered manufacturing warehouses, The Raven Boys‘ world building is so obviously top-notch. I believe that we are even introduced to a pack of unicorns at some point the novel. Yes, you heard me, unicorns. There just aren’t enough of those to go around these days.

Speaking of shortages in current YA novels, I love how respectable these Raven boys are. I know that I’ve mentioned this a thousand times before, but bad boys? They’re great once in a while. 24/7, though? I’m sorry, but that doesn’t work for me. Passionate for the supernatural, well-intentioned and downright genteel, you don’t need to be a clairvoyant to know that Gansey is so clearly my soulmate. But even Ronan, the most malicious of our main characters, is good at heart. I appreciate that.

It’s these complex layers in every character that really have me hooked, though. Take Adam, for example. Adam is in a constant battle with himself and his friends, fighting for his free will. Because he’s scholarship student at Aglionby Academy, he works way too many jobs; he also has quite a few problems at home. Being a friend to three rich boys, he could have it so easy. But he won’t take their charity. Ronan, on the other hand, has a murdered father, a suddenly mute mother, and a hateful brother. His resulting personality is prickly and bitter. Moreover, he’s failing out of school. But there’s so much more to any of them than that.

Maggie Stiefvater somehow manages to incorporate a hauntingly beautiful tone to her writing, noticeable through these subtle nuances in her characters. Every page, every line of The Raven Boys is stained by her dry wit and equipped with the ability to make you pause, wondering what is just below the surface.

Long-time fans of Stiefvater will tell you that the author comes through once again with sleepy folklore, a cast of characters developed to leave an impression, and an unforgettable conclusion deemed worthy of the rest of the novel. And I will back them up. 4.99/5 stars.

I’ll keep you posted,

Happy Tuesday! Every week at around this time, I participate in The Broke and the Bookish‘s Top 1o Tuesday weekly meme. This week’s theme is Top 10 Books to Get in the Halloween Spirit, and I’m counting down from number 10.

I’ll keep you posted,

Standing on the fringes of life… offers a unique perspective. But there comes a time to see what it looks like from the dance floor.

This haunting novel about the dilemma of passivity vs. passion marks the stunning debut of a provocative new voice in contemporary fiction: The Perks of Being a Wallflower.

This is the story of what it’s like to grow up in high school. More intimate than a diary, Charlie’s letters are singular and unique, hilarious and devastating. We may not know where he lives. We may not know to whom he is writing. All we know is the world he shares. Caught between trying to live his life and trying to run from it puts him on a strange course through uncharted territory. The world of first dates and mixed tapes, family dramas and new friends. The world of sex, drugs, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show, when all one requires is that perfect song on that perfect drive to feel infinite.

Through Charlie, Stephen Chbosky has created a deeply affecting coming-of-age story, a powerful novel that will spirit you back to those wild and poignant roller coaster days known as growing up.

I cannot tell you how happy I am to have picked up this book. I chose it originally because it was on sale at Walmart, and it’s relatively short and I was in the mood for that kind of thing, and the movie’s out and it’s starring Logan Lerman, so I have to see it,  obviously, but who wants to see a movie before reading the book? That ruins everything. So I bought it. And I read it. And oh my God, my mind is blown.

I’ll be terribly straightforward with you: I love this book. Many have critiqued it based on the characters’ emotional sensitivity, and the writing — it’s true, the writing isn’t that great– and Charlie’s apparent naivety. And although I’m not denying the fact that The Perks of Being a Wallflower does contain these elements, I’m being completely honest with you when I say that these so-called ‘low points’ only add to this novel’s charm.

Because The Perks of Being a Wallflower isn’t perfect. It doesn’t claim to be. This book is about being a teenager; it’s about growing up; it’s about life. And if you think that anyone could portray any of these things through rose glasses, then you’re in for a serious letdown. However, I can guarantee you that you that you’ll be able to relate to one scene or another of this novel. Be it the exploration of drugs and alcohol, of sexuality, of the selfish parts of love, of one’s capacity for forgiveness or of observing life versus “participating” in it, you are in for a journey that you will never forget.

As for Charlie, I agree that he’s rather innocent, given his age. I agree that he’s socially awkward and has a hard time putting two and two together. But he’s a self-proclaimed wallflower– what more do you want? He’s such a good kid, too. All he wants in the world is for his friends and family to be happy. He’s earnest, and honest, and sweet. He always means well. I think that it’s safe to say that I have a fictional crush.

Patrick and Sam are other favourites of mine. The thing that I love the most about them is that they’re always completely authentic about their emotions; they say what they mean, and they mean what they say. In a novel filled to the brim with all sorts of drama, you really learn to appreciate that.

I can’t believe that this book takes place in 1991. I can understand why, although originally published in 1999, it’s only now a bestseller; Hollywood tends to do that. What shocks me is how applicable everything about Charlie and his journey remain. There is no doubt in my mind that this novel will be a classic among teens for a long time to come.

When I said that this book blew my mind, the ending is the scene to which I was referring. Although I was sad to see it end, this book definitely finished on the right note. It’s bound to make an impression on all those who read it.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower made me feel infinite. Thank you, Stephen Chbosky. 5/5 stars.

I’ll keep you posted,

Buy Penthouse Man on Amazon

Stephanie loves the world of fantasy. Trix loves the real world.
The sisters battle for control of a lingerie company . . . for pajamas and lingerie . . . and for the Penthouse Man.

Reality catches up when Trix reads a letter that destroys Stephanie’s power. Trix is in love with her sister’s husband–the Penthouse Man.

The Penthouse Man is nowhere to be seen but his presence is felt everywhere.

A few months ago, I participated in a blog tour featuring Kea Noli’s first book, Pearl Lover. Although my review was far from complimentary, it sparked a friendship between me and Kea. And so despite the fact that Penthouse Man, in all if its adult-centered target audience, is way out of my comfort zone, I agreed to make an exception to my strict YA policy and read it. I’m glad that I did.

In this novel, Kea perfectly captures the intricacies of a family tied together by nepotism, cruelty and a unique and plainly hateful loyalty. Sure, there’s love, too, but the relationships based on ridicule and the sadism masked in polite humour are overbearing.

These ladies make up such an interesting cast of characters, too. All riddled with flaws, repulsive racism among them, they are malicious in their need to outdo each other. Leave it to Kea to present us with hopelessly disgusting people, force us to like them, and entertain us with their family dynamics. Because, the truth is, I love how deliciously unlikable the two sisters are– one an infantile drama queen who lives in an imaginary world, the other a conniving business woman whose family values are barely existant. At least the latter is a strong woman: a drastic improvement considering the nature of Nixie, Pearl Lover‘s protagonist.

I agree with many reviewers out there when I say that Penthouse Man is fast-paced, action-packed, and short enough to read in one sitting: the perfect recipe for a sizzling-hot play. This book is for you if you enjoy this kind of drama, or just nasty women in general. I do.4/5 stars.

I’ll keep you posted,

Every week at around this time, I participate in The Broke and the Bookish‘s Top 1o Tuesday weekly meme. This week’s theme is Top 10 “Older” Books I Don’t Want People to Forget about, and I’m counting down from number 10.

10. The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff

First of all, look at that cover. I think that’s all I really need to say.

9. Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

One word: love.

8. Unwind by Neal Shusterman

Here is a dystopian that teens from any place– and at any time– will be able to relate with. If nothing else, Unwind is a classic.

7. Just Listen by Sarah Dessen

When I say Just Listen, I really mean all of Sarah Dessen’s books. They’re all amazingly profound and highly unforgettable.

6. Nancy Drew by Carolyn Keene

Okay, I’ll admit it; Nancy and I are childhood sweethearts.  She is basically the unique responsible for my love of reading, and her books still take up more than a few of the shelves in my basement bookcase. Nancy will forever be YA’s golden girl (to me, at least).

5. Graceling by Kristen Cashore

Graceling is actually the first fantasy that I read and loved. No, my friends, I kid you not. Haven’t checked it out yet? What are you doing?

4. Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Full of feisty heroines, nasty vamps and tall, dark and handsome’s, this series is definitely here to stay.

3. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

The last time I was at the book store, no short of three people bought this book. Three. And I wasn’t there for hours on end. If that’s not proof enough that Thirteen Reasons Why (published in 2007) is worth remembering, then I don’t know what is.

2. Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan

Although the fame of these books has been immortalized through that movie they made back in 2009… well, I’ll put it this way: it wasn’t all that true to the series. I’ve heard that they may be making a sequel, though. Let’s hope that it’s better.

1. A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray (published in 2003)

A Great and Terrible Beauty is Gothic, riveting and absolutely lovely. I am seriously going to have to reread it one of these days.

I’ll keep you posted,