The Sorceress by Michael Scott

Book 3 in the Secrets of The Immortal Nicholas Flamel Series
Young Adult Fantasy

The more I read this series the more I like it. In this book the Dark Elders, two evil immortals, and other more ancient beings are all still after Nicholas Flamel, his wife-Perenelle, and the twins of legend-Josh and Sophie. Sophie is reluctantly taking on her powers and duty, has been trained in two of the five elemental magics, and now has all of the witch of Endor's memories. Josh's powers have finally been awakened, but by an evil God of War who gave him his war knowledge in the awakening. They hope to be trained in water magic in this book, are still running from evil. Nicholas desperately wants to get to Perenelle, who is imprisoned, by the Dark Elders.

The book really pulls you in. It has just the right amount of action. Some books have so much action after a while it is tiring to read. This book balances the action with intrigue and leaves you wanting to know more. Will the twins save the world from the evil immortals, will Josh resist the powers of evil that seem to be pulling him, will Nicholas and Perenelle die before they get the formula back, and what will happen with the swords? So much still to learn, but enough to keep you interested. My only negative comment is that there are so many gods, creatures, immortals, etc. that it is hard to keep them all straight.

Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead

Book 5 in the Vampire Academy Series
This series is marketed to young adult readers

Rose is a Dhampir born to a race of people who live their lives guarding the weaker and frail Morai. Morai are the good, born vampires that do not kill. As Rose is preparing to graduate high school with her best friend, Lissa, a Morai princess, she is determined to find a way to save her formed boyfriend, Dimitri. Dimitri is now an evil, turned, vampire, a Strigoi, and is out to kill Rose.

The book resolves very little in the overall story and doesn't quite give the type of emotional pay off I wanted. Rose's live seems to be on hold. Interesting, but not very satisfying. I hope the story doesn't get drawn out forever. The Morai, Dhampir race relationships are interesting. As are the Dhampir lives and the choices they make, especially the woman. I'll be waiting for book 6.

Currently reading

No I do not only read young adult, vampire, and romance books. I am also working my way through:

Wilderness Warrior, Theodore Roosevelt and the Crusade for America
The Jesus I Never Knew
Jane Eyre

These books just take me a while to get through. When I get tired of them I grab a quick, fun read. Wilderness Warrior is over 800 pages. Check back for review of these books.

Night Huntress Series, Halfway to the Grave

This is the first book in the Night Huntress Series by Jeaniene Frost. It is a vampire romance. I have always loved romance and vampire books (I've read all the Anne Rice books). So, of course, I loved the Twilight books. This series has less of the destiny-type romance and more action. The main character, Cat, is a tough half-human half-vampire. She was raised to hate vampires and has been out killing them since she was 16. That is until she meet Bones, a Vampire who hunts bad vampires. She finds out a lot about herself and killing vampires and along the way discovers that all Vampires aren't that bad. A good, fun read. It is romance so definitely for adults only. It's interesting enough that I want to know more about Cat and Bones' adventures so I've ordered the second book in the series, One Foot in the Grave, from the Library.

The Magician by Michael Scott

Book 2 in the Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel Series

This is a "young adult" book, but it has so much depth it probably could be an adult book. I certainly loved it as much as the first book in the series, The Alchemyst. In this book Sophie's powers have been Awakened, but her twin brother, Josh's have not. Sophie has begun her training in elemental magic and Josh feels left out and jealous. Meanwhile the two, along with Nicholas Flamel and the Vampire Warrior are being pursued by other's serving Dark Masters out to harm them. A thrilling, exciting, escape into a world of immortals, magic, and Elders.

Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

This in another Lincoln book for 2011. The Story is about Brittany, a popular, rich, white girl and Alex a poor, Hispanic, gang member. I liked the way the author discusses the way the classes did or did not interact. It is a good message for teen to read about. The story is interesting. Brittany's home life is not as perfect as she makes it out to be and Alex has his own secrets. The two getting together and discovering their similarities despite their different backgrounds is great. I do have a problem with the fact that Brittany dates Alex knowing he is a gang member, knowing that he carries illegal guns, and possibly is involved in other illegal activities. Lots of girls and women all ready date boys and men thinking they will change. In the book Alex does change, but in real life that thinking usually leads to heartbreak. Brittany puts herself in danger dating Alex. In addition, they have sex while they are still in high school. Yes, I know that kind of thing goes on, but do we have to put it out their in front of kids so often it seems like the normal thing to do; instead of waiting until they are older. They did practice safe sex, but it still disturbed me.

In all, I think it sends the wrong message. I would not recommend kids in middle school/teens read this book.

You Suck, A Love Story by Christopher Moore

This is the follow-up to his book, Bloodsucking Fiends. Vampire Jody, tired of being a vampire alone, turned her boyfriend, who decides he wants to be called Vampire Flood, into a vampire too. Vampire Flood finds a new minion, Abby Normal, a Goth 16 year old, to help with the day stuff. The vampires are still dealing with being vampires and worrying about the elder vampire, who is still out to get them. Tommy's (Vampire Flood) co-workers are still up to no good in this book as well.

The plot seems to be a little weaker in this book, but there are a lot more laughs. At one point I was laughing so hard I thought I might wake up the kids. Abby Normal's journal entries are are so funny. A very entertaining book.