Got You Covered: The Turning (by Francine Prose)

This cover, it does things to me. Why? Do you see that glorious building? That’s why. And the way the title takes its shape according to the lines and angles of the roof? That’s why, too. The fog rising off the water? The lights burning in the windows? The desaturated sky? Why, why, and why. When I saw it yesterday my immediate reaction was WANT.

I’ve never read Prose before, but this book, based on the cover and the summary (below), is a must have. Hopefully it will live up to the potential of both.

“Jack is babysitting for the summer on an isolated island with no Wi-Fi, no cell service, and no one else around but a housekeeper and two very peculiar children. He immediately senses something sinister-and it’s not just the creepy black house he’s living in. Soon he is feeling terribly isolated and alone, but then he discovers there are others. The problem is, he’s the only who can see them. As secrets are revealed and darker truths surface, Jack desperately struggles to maintain a grip on reality. He knows what he sees, and he isn’t crazy…Or is he?

Where does reality end and insanity begin? The Turn of the Screw reinvented for modern-day teens, by National Book Award finalist Francine Prose”

The Turning is due out on September 25th.

Black Dawn – Rachel Caine

Publisher’s Summary:
“Ever since the draug – mysterious creatures that prey on vampires – took over Morganville, the lives of Claire Danvers and her friends have been thrown into turmoil. Most of the residents have evacuated, but Claire, Shane, Eve, and Michael have chosen to stay and fight.

By using the town’s water system to spread, the draug have rapidly multiplied. Things in Morganville look grim, especially since vampire Amelie – the town founder – has been infected by the master draug’s bite.

If Claire and her friends don’t figure out how to cure Amelie and defeat the draug, it looks as though Morganville will become little more than a ghost town…”

Twelve books into the Morganville Vampires series and I still love Claire and Shane, Myrnin, and Rachel Caine’s ability to up the ante at nearly every turn. While those appeals (along with lightning quick pacing) are holding strong, the series has, regrettably, begun to fray. (For me, I should add; other readers, going by their reviews, are not experiencing a decline in enjoyment.)

It is nearly impossible – or so I’ve found – to include salient plot points in any written discussion of the individual books because the series is rather like a house: each book is a brick that supports the one set on top of it. Stripping away the metaphor, while you may not be spoiling the book you’re actually recording your thoughts on, the likelihood of ruining a minor or key event from a previous one is highly probable. So, that’s my long-winded way of saying that I’m going to skip talking about the story itself. Though, really, I could sum it up by saying that nothing is ever going to go right or easy in Morganville for anyone.

Why is the series beginning to fray for me? It’s highly subjective, but…One reason is the recent inclusion of multiple points of view. While experiencing things through the eyes of other characters is nice and all, I find it…discombobulating? Because why these additional POV’s are written in first person while Claire is still being told through third is just…odd to me.* Not jarring, per se, because the transition is smooth. And then there’s whose voice gets added to the mix and the regularity with which they’re given the stage. Shane, Eve, Michael, Oliver (very briefl), Naomi (very briefly) – and if there’s anyone else, I can’t recall – get a chapter or two, but not, for instance, Myrnin. Naomi is relatively new to the scene, and, honestly, I’m not invested enough in her character to revel in having her first person perspective. Basically? I’m not sure why they’re necessary now. Why not have done it from the beginning? Annnnd I’m just rambling on here, so I’m going to be quiet, but I’d be happy to discuss in the comments!

Additionally, while plausability was never a factor with these books, recent events – or non-events, actually – have begun to really strain credibility. Other readers have expressed frustration with the fact that the core four refuse to leave Morganville no matter what awful things befall them. Which leaves one to wonder why. Is it some odd form of Stockholm Syndrome? Blind, likely-to-get-them-killed-violently stubbornness? It’s not out-and-out stupidity because Claire, at least, is a very smart girl who knows what it’s like to live outside Morganville, and therefore has tasted a life devoid of vampires who would as soon betray her as pat her on the back for helping them out in a pinch. There was once a point in the series when the characters addressed this more directly, but it’s become something of a moot point recently, and…if there’s been an explanation, it wasn’t one that stuck with me.

So. After all that, I will continue with the next book and see how it goes. I might even, if Caine throws us a bone and gives Myrnin** a chapter or two, end up loving it.

_______

*I’ve admittedly not visited Caine’s web site to search for an explanation – if there’s one to be found – behind the who and why. Even if I did, it wouldn’t change the fact that the inclusion of these new POVs only works marginally well for me.

**Myrnin, next to Shane, is the only character I would be interested in reading a first person POV from. Myrnin makes everything okay – even the inclusion of new POVs after nine or so books. (And I’m going to stop writing ‘POVs’ now because, wow, is it getting annoying.)

View From a Week (1)

Several blogs I follow use Instagram pics to create posts that document a day, a weekend or week in the life of; What I Wore and Keiko Lynn come immediately to mind. So this idea isn’t new or exactly my own, but those posts are among the ones I love looking at/reading the most. I wanted to try my hand at doing something similar on a semi-regular basis, and since Instagram is now Android friendly, well…There’s no reason not to.

So. A view from my week:

1. (top left) Through my home library’s window; 2. (top right) A brief coffee break; 3. (Mostly) new-to-me music and tea; 4. Roasted cashews (can you smell them?); 5. Fowle’s (was once a retro drugstore with a food counter); 6. Adding to the collection

If you’re using Webstagram, I’m @temptingpersephone. (It feels like there should be a ‘duh’ after that, no?)

The books of the week are pictured at left (the top two are done and done; I’m working my way through the bottom two). Hopefully – fingers crossed on this, folks – I’ll rouse up enough motivation to review them. It might be a brief one for Black Dawn – how much can you say about a series after twelve books? – but it’ll be something at least.

And because I did say music was going to play a larger role on the blog, a band I’ve been listening to a ton this week for writing inspiration (this time for one of my original stories): Comas. Not easy to settle on just one song from the album, but…Get ready to tap your toes.

“Causeway” is the only song on Comas… that has lyrics; it’s lovely and absolutely worth a listen.

Songs on Repeat While Writing

One of several reasons for the decline in my reading is a renewed commitment to writing. The motivating factors behind this newfound discipline are many, but I’ll spare you that and cut straight to the music. Or I will in just a minute. First, what have I been writing? Poetry. Fanfiction. An original piece (or two) intended to be novel length. Whatever idea won’t let me go. It goes without saying that the music used to help set the tone for each varies, and so, to make what is already likely to be a lengthy post a bit shorter, this one will feature the music that informed some of my recent fanfic efforts.

Dead Iron – Devon Monk

Publisher’s Summary:
“Welcome to a new America that is built on blood, sweat, and gears…

In steam age America, men, monsters, machines, and magic battle for the same scrap of earth and sky. In this chaos, bounty hunter Cedar Hunt rides, cursed by lycanthropy and carrying the guilt of his brother’s death. Then he’s offered hope that his brother may yet survive. All he has to do is find the Holder: a powerful device created by mad devisers-and now in the hands of an ancient Strange who was banished to walk this Earth.

In a land shaped by magic, steam, and iron, where the only things a man can count on are his guns, gears, and grit, Cedar will have to depend on all three if he’s going to save his brother and reclaim his soul once and for all…”

On occasion, you have to determine whether or not the positive aspects of a novel outweigh the (entirely subjective) drawbacks that dogged the story, which proved to be my experience once Dead Iron was done, the last page turned. Considering how completely I embraced the cover and premise, my expectation was flat-out love. In actuality, I liked the book, certain bits and bobs that comprised the whole very much, and will most definitely meet up with Cedar Hunt once more when the sequel, Tin Swift, is released this July. Love, though? That’s a mighty strong word; one I can’t throw around with sincerity, despite the fact that I would, in the end, recommend this title (with caveats).

My enjoyment of the story stems, first and foremost, from Monk’s language. One key piece of writing advice handed out at nearly every turn in a writer’s life is ‘show, don’t tell’; this book, composed of strong, evocative language, illustrates why that advice is not only valid, but how it elevates storytelling, allowing the reader to not only see what’s happening, but to smell and feel it alongside the characters. That was most certainly the case here – for me. It should be said, however, that if copious use of metaphors and similes sets your eye to twitching, well, you may not find the writing as lovely as I did. (It should also be said, just to clarify, that the language isn’t flowery or saccharine. At times it’s quite simple in the comparison it draws: “Sound was lost inside this cavern like a scream behind a gag.” The writing has an abundance of shades and tones.) Additionally – and this is a personal preference – the western setting allowed Monk the opportunity to inject a wonderful, leisurely drawl that seeped into the atmosphere as well as the dialogue. A skillfully inserted – and judiciously used – reckon gets me every time. As does the manners of the time period, which are as often employed to veil threats and cautions as to be polite.

Next up on the list of things that rang my bell: the characters. Going in, you should know that there are a lot of them, and that the chapters alternate between Cedar Hunt, Jeb and Mae Lindson, Rose Small, and the villain of the piece, Shard Lefel, whose paths are twined from the beginning. And while the narrative doesn’t rely on them to the same degree, there are others: the Madder brothers and Mr. Shunt, for instance. While their lives aren’t laid bare – meaning there are hints of backstory that remain unexplored throughout the entirety of the novel – there’s enough there, or there was for me, to become invested in the majority of them; Cedar, Rose, and the Madder brothers most notably. From the start, I knew Cedar was going to appeal to me. He’s a man struggling under the weight of grief; cursed by the gods with a dual nature that would turn an educated, rational man into a ravenous, destructive force; and, in true gentleman cowboy fashion, his word is his bond, he’s kind to women and children, and can handle himself in a fight. Rose is this lovely mix of quirk and grit; a woman ostracized for being thought different, erroneously judged and considered to be touched in the head. And the Madders? Well, they’re brothers – one of my biggest weaknesses – and they’re not at all what they seem. I ricocheted like a steel ball in a pinball machine between irritation, exasperation, and delight when it came to those three. In the end? Maybe I really can throw the word love around, because they managed to wrest it from me.

As for the drawbacks…

One was simple enough: a tendency toward repetition. Of thoughts, action, and concepts or motivation. Knowing I would struggle to explain this, I marked down an example. The following two snippets are taken from consecutive paragraphs:

“They circled the boy, brushing against him to smell, to record, to savor the blood of the child who helped bind metal to a dead man’s flesh.”

“…tears streaming his face, as the free matics touched and stroked and sniffed and plucked, scenting, tasting, recording him.”

This is an extreme case; the word record is used twice, for instance, and essentially both paragraphs are describing the same situation with very little variation. One would have served the story’s purpose just fine. There were other times when something similar occurred, but maybe it was a character having the same thought or expressing the same motive within too short a span of words. Repetition is something I struggle to tolerate in books and encountering it has been a deal breaker more than once. Here, though? While I observed it happening – even shook my head a bit at how unnecessary and avoidable it was – the repetition didn’t dim my appreciation of the writing. Still, it seemed worth pointing out.

Also, and this is just picking up on something I stated above, the alternating points of view didn’t allow the reader the time to get to know any of the characters deeply. Pasts are hinted at, possibilities introduced, and the threads that are left dangling from the spool might prove to be frustrating or disappointing to some. It didn’t have either effect on me. I enjoyed the mystery – the Madders are a prime example, and I’m still not certain what they’re all about – and look forward to learning more about each of them turn as the series continues. The biggest problem with this angle might be that the villain is not as effective for not fully understanding what led him to the course he chose to set out on.

Finally, the story’s focus is rather limited despite several things going on around the crux of it. Each character seems to have one fairly clear goal and they are determined in their pursuit. To that end, and, again, despite events whirling like a dervish around the main conflict, you may think that the story doesn’t have much momentum. Does that make sense? It wasn’t that it was slow – I read it in a matter of hours – or boring, or without action, but…it may feel superficial. That sounds awful, and perhaps it’s not even accurate, but I’m having a hard time putting my finger on a way to explain it. And that may be due in part to the fact that it just didn’t bother me beyond realizing that others might be put off by it.

When all is said and done, I think the book will stand on whether or not you enjoy the writing and are invested enough in the characters as they are presented in the here and now of what’s happening to them. It worked for me for both of those reasons.

Before I wrap this up, a favorite bit of dialogue that packs a whole lot of insight into Cedar’s character, but is also just remarkably well-done. Set-up: Cedar has gone to the Madder’s to acquire a tool to assist in his hunt for a missing boy. This is what one of the brothers says to him after agreeing to give him what he wants…at a cost:

“You’re a cautious man for someone who uses a gun to end his sentences…”

The Latest in Nerdy Chic – Avengers Style

Like I said in my earlier tweet: I may not be Iron Man, but I’m wearing his bracelet.
AW YEAH.

Brody’s Ghost (Books 1 & 2) – Mark Crilley

Publisher’s Summary: (Book 1)
“Brody hoped it was just a hallucination. But no, the teenaged ghostly girl who’d come face to face with him in the middle of a busy city street was all too real. And now she was back, telling him she needed his help in hunting down a dangerous killer, and that he must undergo training from the spirit of a centuries-old samurai to unlock his hidden supernatural powers.”

Publisher’s Summary: (Book 2)
“Brody knew that being mixed up with Talia, a dead girl turned ghost, was going to change his life forever. He just didn’t realize it would involve going head to head with one of the most vicious gangs in the whole city. But here he is, giving himself over to the bizarre training methods of Kagemura, an ancient samurai ghost, to transform himself from a flabby slacker to a peak-condition fighter capable of brining the city’s most dangerous criminals to their knees.”

Typically, I might tack this bit of advice onto the end of my thoughts, but seeing as how it will handily set-up what follows, let’s cut straight to it: If your interest in this graphic novel series has been piqued – either by the summaries or covers – have at least the first two volumes at hand before you begin reading. (To date only three have been published.) Now, that insistence is likely deceiving; it might suggest that each volume was so good, so promising that devouring the next wasn’t a question but a necessity. While the series got off to an okay start, that’s…not it.

That paragraph was flashing a barrage of mixed signals, I realize, so here’s my attempt at clarification:

Each volume is small – in both stature and length. Book one, for instance, is eighty-nine pages; the first several of which are devoid of text. The illustrations depict a slovenly guy (Brody) whose appearance reflects the state of the world beyond his door: run down and falling into disrepair, maintenance forgone in favor of willful neglect. They succeed in provoking several questions you can’t help but want answers for. And the initial textual hook, when it comes, delivers well enough to serve its purpose:

“Some days you’re better off staying in bed. That day was one of them. For sure. I look back now and marvel at how much trouble I’d have saved myself—Trouble? Make that flat-out physical pain—if I’d just rolled over and gone back to sleep that day.”

Book one is all about the set-up and it unfolds at a leisurely pace. The reader learns a bit more about Brody’s past, the reason behind his slacker lifestyle; and you meet Talia, the ghost who would rouse him from his lassitude (if only to help her own agenda along). It’s all well and good, but by the end of the volume I wasn’t satisfied. That initial hook didn’t dig deeper as the pages turned. Brody was kind of cute in his shocked state; Talia’s shallow personality and healthy ego was something of an annoyance; and the most interesting character was an old ghost introduced too late in the story to make much of an impact.

But.

The second volume was sitting right there. I thought, Why not? – and picked it up. Within a matter of pages my investment in the story materialized. Brody began to train in earnest with that old ghost; Talia wasn’t a constant in the volume, and her character, when she did appear, began to show another, more sympathetic side; and in general, the plot began to gain traction and speed. The ending was predictable – honestly, it could be seen coming a mile out – but that didn’t prove to be a detracting factor because I wanted to read beyond that last page.

And that’s just what I meant: Had the second volume not been nearby, I probably wouldn’t have continued with the series. There just wasn’t enough substance in that first book to make it worth my while or time. Reading the two books as a pair made a world of difference, and I was actually disappointed that the third wasn’t available in my library system for immediate request. Now I’m more willing to track a copy down; to see the story out through its six-volume run.

Regarding the art, it’s black and white throughout, and simple but endearing. Initial sketches are included in the back of one volume and a tutorial on how to draw Talia at the end of the other; I appreciate when the publisher makes the decision to print extra, behind the scenes type material. Additionally, the author/illustrator discusses in brief some of the story’s development, which puts the environment and characters in perspective somewhat.

Overall, there are enough familiar themes and situations to make these quick reads oddly comforting ones, and worth a look when taken together.

Tempting Titles: A YA Hodge Podge

Gravity – Melissa West (Oct)

Publisher’s Summary:“In the future, only one rule will matter: Don’t. Ever. Peek.

Seventeen-year-old Ari Alexander just broke that rule and saw the last person she expected hovering above her bed — arrogant Jackson Locke, the most popular boy in her school. She expects instant execution or some kind of freak alien punishment, but instead, Jackson issues a challenge: help him, or everyone on Earth will die.

Ari knows she should report him, but everything about Jackson makes her question what she’s been taught about his kind. And against her instincts, she’s falling for him. But Ari isn’t just any girl, and Jackson wants more than her attention. She’s a military legacy who’s been trained by her father and exposed to war strategies and societal information no one can know — especially an alien spy, like Jackson. Giving Jackson the information he needs will betray her father and her country, but keeping silent will start a war.”

The first of several sci-fi-ish titles that caught my eye while looking at forthcoming YA books. Honestly? I’m not entirely sure I understand the summary’s opening gambit. (Don’t ever peak. Check. But, er, does that mean, like, they can’t ever open their eyes? What do these people do all day then? Or are they in a perpetual sleep state? Maybe that’s it. You know, considering the hovering over the bed bit.) Regardless. Something about this one is pulling me in. (I swear I didn’t do that on purpose. Pulling me in. Gravity. Groan.)

Glitch – Heather Anastasiu (Aug)

Publisher’s Summary: “In the Community, there is no more pain or war. Implanted computer chips have wiped humanity clean of destructive emotions, and thoughts are replaced by a feed from the Link network.

When Zoe starts to malfunction (or “glitch”), she suddenly begins having her own thoughts, feelings, and identity. Any anomalies must be immediately reported and repaired, but Zoe has a secret so dark it will mean certain deactivation if she is caught: her glitches have given her uncontrollable telekinetic powers.

As Zoe struggles to control her abilities and stay hidden, she meets other glitchers including Max, who can disguise his appearance, and Adrien, who has visions of the future. Together, this growing band of glitchers must find a way to free themselves from the controlling hands of the Community before they’re caught and deactivated, or worse. “

It’s all Max’s fault. The kid who can change – excuse me, disguise – his appearance? I don’t even know him. (Six words isn’t exactly a thorough introduction.) And that doesn’t matter at all because I’m intrigued. Plus, I do so love a growing band, be they merry or…glitchers.

The Hallowed Ones – Laura Bickle (Sept)

Publisher’s Summary: “Katie is on the verge of her Rumspringa, the time in Amish life when teenagers can get a taste of the real world. But the real world comes to her in this dystopian tale with a philosophical bent. Rumors of massive unrest on the “Outside” abound. Something murderous is out there. Amish elders make a rule: No one goes outside, and no outsiders come in. But when Katie finds a gravely injured young man, she can’t leave him to die. She smuggles him into her family’s barn—at what cost to her community? The suspense of this vividly told, truly horrific thriller will keep the pages turning.”

I can’t recall ever having read anything with an Amish backdrop before; if and when I get to this, it’ll be the first of its kind for me. What really got me was the note about it being a “truly horrific thriller” – it’s been a long time since I’ve picked up one of those, and I do enjoy them (when done well). The fact that this author is also responsible for Embers and Sparks also had a hand in piquing my curiosity.

Lovely, Dark and Deep – Amy McNamara (Nov)

Publisher’s Summary: “Since the night of the crash, Wren Wells has been running away. Though she lived through the accident that killed her boyfriend Patrick, the girl she used to be didn’t survive. Instead of heading off to college as planned, Wren retreats to her father’s studio in the far-north woods of Maine. Somehwere she can be alone.

Then she meets Cal Owen. Dealing with his own troubles, Cal’s hiding out too. When the chemistry between them threatens to pull Wren from her hard-won isolation, Wren has to choose: risk opening her broken heart to the world again, or join the ghosts who haunt her.”

The cover had a lot to do with me taking a closer look at this title. To my eye, it has this forlorn quality to it that remains constant despite the bright hues. Additionally, I like the sound of it, and can well understand that urge to retreat, to be alone.

Eve and Adam – Katherine Applegate & Michael Grant (Oct)

Publisher’s Summary: “In the beginning, there was an apple –

And then there was a car crash, a horrible injury, and a hospital. But before Evening Spiker’s head clears a strange boy named Solo is rushing her to her mother’s research facility. There, under the best care available, Eve is left alone to heal.Just when Eve thinks she will die – not from her injuries, but from boredom—her mother gives her a special project: Create the perfect boy. Using an amazingly detailed simulation, Eve starts building a boy from the ground up. Eve is creating Adam. And he will be just perfect . . . won’t he?”

It was the “…won’t he?” that cemented my desire to read this one. I kind of like retellings of the Adam/Eve story (though I can’t say there are all that many under my belt), so maybe it’s more that the idea of these types of stories appeal to me. Whatever the case may be, the summary left several questions in its wake (as did the cover: love the puzzle piece, but does it represent a thematic idea, or are puzzles a part of the story…?), and I’m looking forward to discovering the answers.

Bonus: Adult Steampunk

Incarnation – Emma Cornwall (Sept)

Publisher’s Summary: “Lucy Weston tracks down the novelist Bram Stroker in her search to reveal the dark force who made her a vampire—and regain her humanity in the process.

In the steampunk world of Victorian London, Lucy Weston, a character in Dracula, seeks out Bram Stoker to discover why he deliberately lied about her in his popular novel. With Stoker’s reluctant help, she tracks the creature who transformed her from the sensual underworld where humans vie to become vampires to a hidden cell beneath a temple to madness and finally into the glittering Crystal Palace where death reigns supreme. Haunted by fragmentary memories of her lost life and love, Lucy battles her thirst for blood as she struggles to stop a catastrophic war that will doom vampires and humans alike. Ultimately, she makes a choice that illuminates for her—and for us—the true nature of what it means to be human.”

Perhaps I’ve just missed all of the novels featuring Lucy Weston – it’s entirely possible – but this seemed like a newish take on the Dracula legacy, and if it truly is steampunk, well, I want in. Also? That cover is gorgeous.

Gone Assembling

Tyler Stout [source]

7 Recent Book Purchases

[I know what I said in my last post. Just consider this a Wow, She's Experiencing a Lucid Moment In The Midst Of Her Avengers Induced Haze post.]

Playing blog catch-up, I came across a meme at Charlotte’s Library that seemed entirely doable (and, if jumped on with enthusiasm, would begin to wind this blog back into the bookish fold). I’m going to have to agree with Charlotte in that, like her, I have no need for new books (between my ongoing reading slump and the avalanche-ready pile of library books currently waiting on a strong breeze, someone should really take my wallet away from me when I walk into a bookstore), but who can resist the lure? So, here are my seven most recent book purchases:

Fire and Hemlock, A Tale of Time City, Dogsbody – Diana Wynne Jones
I adore Wynne Jones’ writing. Her characters – the ones I’ve met, at least – are imperfect, generally in possession of thriving self-will, don’t always learn their lesson the hard way (or, you know, the easy way – if there is such a thing), and I love them. And her world-building? Immersive. I get lost in her books from the moment I begin them straight through till the end. When I discovered that three of her backlist titles were being republished, well, suffice it to say, I hounded the local bookstore until they were mine.

Shadows Before the Sun – Kelly Gay
Pre-orders count, right? Oh, good. (Because this one – and the three that are a mere scroll away – are just that.) This is the, er…fourth? yes, fourth book in Gay’s Charlie Madigan series. Did I scoop up the first book with eager hands just after its release? Yes. Did I then drop the ball, watch it roll down the hill, and forget about it only to come back to the series after two additional books had come out? Why, yes. But when I once again noticed that ball, let me tell you, I raced full tilt with it. And in both of the resulting reviews I made a promise to jump on the ball when it – the next book (why did I start with this metaphor again?) – was released. And look at me! Making good on my promise with a preorder. (Now, I do realize that reading it right away is another matter altogether, but there’s hope, my thinking-she’s-out-of-her-mind-friends, because even in my current state of slumpiness series books have managed to break through. And, yup, I’m owning up to the laziness this implies – no, I don’t have to work as hard to get into the story; yes, I already know and, presumably, love the characters – but as I’ve said before, reading-slumpers can’t be choosers. If that’s what works, WAHOO!)

Chasing Magic – Stacia Kane
Lordy, I do love Chess and Terrible. Their insane chemistry. And the fact that this series works so remarkably well for its unabashed portrayal of a drug addicted witch and a brutal gang-enforcer. Upon receiving it, I immediately read – but have to cop to not having the motivation to review it yet – the just released Sacrificial Magic, and can’t wait to find out what’s next for one of my favorite couples.

Once Burned – Jeaniene Frost
Vlad. No. Seriously. VLAD.

Ashes of Honor – Seanan McGuire
Tybalt. No. Seriou–Okay, I probably can’t pull that off twice. Fine. My reviews of the first five books in the series can probably be seen from space (or, at the very least, from down the street), what with the way they glow and all, and this series is, without a doubt, in my top five. Probably top three. If the series continues in the same vein – getting better and better with each new release – it just might manage to be in my top one. After all: TYBALT. (And Toby. And Quentin. And Raj. And May. And…Every single other character to ever live in one of these books.) Have you read these yet? If not, please do. This series is all it’s cracked up to be and then some.

So. What books have you recently found yourself unable to resist owning?