The Song of the Lioness

Well first things first-we're back! We have both survived finals, and now we are looking forward to a nice, long break. We will back to reading and blogging with a vengeance, so watch out world. Without further ado, the post-finals post.

Nathan says 5 stars...

I'm reviewing this series as my post-finals choice because they are the ink and paper equivalent of a hug and hot chocolate. Tamora Pierce is the Santa Clause of YA literature-she brings joy and cheer wherever she chooses to fly.

The Song of the Lioness was Pierce's first quartet and in it we meet Alanna, the tough, young girl who wants to be a knight. So Alanna disguises herself and trades places with her twin brother and sets off to the kingdom's capitol to become a knight. There you have it. That's where the story begins. Sure, it sounds simple enough, but Pierce is a master of story. She takes that already intriguing plot and turns it into an imaginative, effortless, and engaging masterpiece.

The story goes far beyond Alanna's quest for knighthood and into her other adventures, but the story is always fascinating. Pierce uses her strong female protagonist in a non-preachy way, while still making a point.

Her prose is often times lyrical, but its strength lies in its dialogue. The give-and-take between characters is natural and lovely.

All I can say about these books is that they are an absolute must for any fan of fantasy or YA literature. If you've had a bad day, pick these up, they're sure to make you feel better. In fact, I'm going to work off the rest of my exams with Lioness Rampant right now.

Geektastic+Notes

I'm back, and I'm writing my first blog post from my first dorm room from my first university from my...I think you get the point. There have been a lot of first recently, but fortunately I have the comfort of in BetweeN the pages to go back to, so thank you. Beth is moving-in officially tomorrow, so she may also be hectic for the next few days, but don't worry, I'll take care of you. So, without further ado, the important part.

Acclaimed authors Holly Black (Ironside)and Cecil Castellucci (Boy Proof) have united in geekdom to edit short stories from some of the best selling and most promising geeks in young adult literature: M.T. Anderson, Libba Bray, Cassandra Clare, Tracy Lynn, Cynthia and Greg Leitich Smith, David Levithan, Kelly Link, Barry Lyga, Wendy Mass, Garth Nix, Scott Westerfield, Lisa Yee, and Sara Zarr.

With illustrated interstitials from comic book artists Hope Larson and Bryan Lee O'Malley, Geektastic covers all things geeky, from Klingons and Jedi Knights to fan fiction, theater geeks, and cosplayers. Whether you're a former, current, or future geek, or if you just want to get in touch with your inner geek, Geektastic will help you get your geek on!

from bn.com

Nathan says 5 stars...
This collection of stories is absolutely amazing. When I originally heard about this anthology, I seriously yelled. The contributors to this list are among the elite of the YA world. The shiny glowing stars of our inky galaxy. I'm not going to review all of the stories individually, but I will hit on major points. Holly Black and Cecil Castellucci's opener is brilliant and hilarious. The wittiness is astounding. Garth Nix was not up to his normal standard. I still really loved the story, it just lacked the depth that makes Nix so wonderful. Libba Bray's contribution was lovely and captured the sense of friendship many nerds share. My favorite story though is by David Levithan; it's called "Quiz Bowl Antichrist." The sense of realism and the style of the story are super-fantastically-amazing. On that made-up note, I'm going to leave you with the advice to enter into our contest to win the book, or pick it up in a store...now.

Beth says 5 Stars...
What's not to love about a story collection with the title of Geektastic? I absolutely adored this book. The only problem was that it made me feel not geeky enough. To remedy the situation I decided to start watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and will be eternally grateful for that. There were so many stories that touched so many different areas of geekdom. One of my favorites involved a cheerleader and her interactions with the school geeks. I also loved David Levithan's story. It was so funny and different. Libba Bray's story was fantastic, but it got The Time Warp stuck in my head for the next two hours. That was really the only downside to that one. I of course loved the story by Holly Black and Cecil Castellucci. The premise was simply brilliant. There were a few stories that I didn't particularly enjoy, but they really were few and far between. I was dissappionted in Jonh Green's story; I thought that it would rock my white tube socks off and it didn't. Overall this is something that all geeks should read, and make their non-geek friends read so that they can truly appreciate geekdom.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Orphaned as a baby, Harry Potter has spent 11 awful years living with his mean aunt, uncle, and cousin Dudley. But everything changes for Harry when an owl delivers a mysterious letter inviting him to attend a school for wizards. At this special school, Harry finds friends, aerial sports, and magic in everything from classes to meals, as well as a great destiny that's been waiting for him...if Harry can survive the encounter.

from bn.com

Nathan says 5 stars...
So, Beth and I are embarking on a journey to reread and review the Harry Potter novels before the premiere of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince in July. I realize I'm reviewing something that is viewed as sacred in many people's eyes, which is a little scary. Here I go though. Everyone knows about Harry, so I find it too obvious to elaborate on how lovable and wonderful the central characters in the novel are. Rowling does such a great job making her audience feel for her characters, and we certainly do hold a pity/hope for Harry. As we all know, Harry makes it to Hogwarts where we meet the rest of the crew whose stories we will learn over the next six volumes of an absolutely revolutionary series. The story in Sorcerer's Stone is fast-paced, but as a whole the book functions as an introduction to the rest of the series. It serves as a crash course in the world of wizardry, and it does very admirably. The book has a good plot, though not one that is revolutionary. Enjoyment is the aim here, and it works. This book burns through the reader's veins, leaving them gasping for more. There isn't much to say beyond the fact that this book started a movement in children's and YA literature. It made reading cool and accessible. This is the ember that lit millions of fires-fires that burn with a passion for reading. All I can really say is - get lit.

Pendragon-The Soldiers of Halla

It has all been leading to this. Every victory. Every loss. All the thrills and sadness; the hope and despair. Bobby Pendragon's heart-pounding journey through time and space has brought him to this epic moment. He and his fellow Travelers must join forces for one last desperate battle against Saint Dane. At stake is not only the tenth and final territory, but all that ever was or will be. Everywhere.This is the war for Halla.Every question is answered. Every truth is revealed.The final battle has begun.

from amazon.com

Nathan says 5 stars...
Once I read the preface of this book, I knew that D.J. MacHale had kicked it into overdrive. The Pendragon series has built its success on the ability to keep readers guessing and completely unsatisfied with the answers provided. MacHale lets you know from the preface onward that this book is all about answers. If you have made it this far in the Pendragon series, you probably know the merits (and downfalls) of the books. The characters are interesting, the plot is blazingly fast, and the writing is very nice. Occasionally, subplots are left untouched for entirely too long to seem relevant once they are continued, but as a reader, I always forgave these slips easily because I still loved the books. MacHale always employed the ominous "all will be revealed" approach, which lead to what seemed like frayed endings to a larger story. In this finale, the reader is able to step back to see exactly how each of this seemingly frayed pieces fits into the larger tapestry of Halla and the Pendragon series. This is absolutely on of the most satisfying conclusions I've ever read. The denouement is one amazing-I won't reveal why though, it really does need to be experienced. Soldiers of Halla is truly on a completely different level than its predecessors. This book is an epic and satisfying conclusion to a wonderful series.

Tithe

Sixteen-year-old Kaye is a modern nomad. Fierce and independent, she travels from city to city with her mother's rock band until an ominous attack forces Kaye back to her childhood home. There, amid the industrial, blue-collar New Jersey backdrop, Kaye soon finds herself an unwilling pawn in an ancient power struggle between two rival faerie kingdoms — a struggle that could very well mean her death.

from bn.com

Nathan says 5 stars...
This was the first dark faerie book I ever read. I wasn't sure what to expect, but it certainly wasn't the hardcore, fast-paced, edgy, and eerie world that Tithe opened me to. However unexpected it was, I loved it. Kaye is independent and fierce, and honestly, I didn't think I could relate to her at first, but as the tough act peeled away, I found a deep connection with the character. The world Black paints is bleak and sometimes even disturbing, so be warned that this isn't for the younger crowd. The writing is wrought with beautiful and elegant description. The story is magnetic and dramatic. All of the characters are fantastic, and many are morally ambiguous, which only adds to the intrigue. I flew through this book and wanted more once it was done. I can't say much more except that Tithe is dark, sensual, and enthralling. It was a pleasure to read, and it made me a lifelong reader of all things Holly Black.

If I Stay

In a single moment, everything changes. Seventeen-year- old Mia has no memory of the accident; she can only recall riding along the snow-wet Oregon road with her family. Then, in a blink, she finds herself watching as her own damaged body is taken from the wreck...A sophisticated, layered, and heartachingly beautiful story about the power of family and friends, the choices we all make - and the ultimate choice Mia commands.
from borders.com

Beth says 5 Stars...
I'm a crier. I always have been. I tend to sob constantly, and as I'm nearing graduation, it seems as though I'm about to burst into tears at any moment. This does have a point, because this book made me cry. A lot. Thankfully, I am of the belief that a good cry is beneficial, and therefore didn't mind the sobs that came with this book. The way the story is told is a bit strange, but works surprisingly well. Events in real time are mixed with flashbacks of Mia's life over the years. The flashbacks skip around her life, from the time of her brother's birth over seven years earlier to only a few months earlier. This makes the book sound as if it's fragmented, but somehow it remains connected. The stories flow into one another with an effortless grace. Mia is so easy to relate to, and so are all of the other characters. Her parents are so interesting and quirky, and Adam adds another dimension of realism to the story. The music also enriched the book and was a device to allow many different things to be revealed about the characters. I'm just attempting to convey how beautiful this book was. It was lovely and

poignant without crossing into the realm of sappy. This is a book that anyone can and should read.

The Borgia Bride

Against the backdrop of 15th-century Italian internecine feuds, debauchery and Vatican corruption, Kalogridis's latest historical novel chronicles with compelling sweep the story of the ravishing and iron-willed Sancha de Aragon, princess of Naples. Illegitimate daughter to the coldhearted duke of Calabria (briefly king of Naples), she is used to establish ties to the feared and influential House of Borgia when her father betroths her to the younger scion, Jofre. Much to the dismay of her beloved younger brother Alfonso, Sancha is sent from Naples to rule with Prince Jofre in remote Squillace. War with the French will later briefly return her to Naples, but rumors of her beauty reach her lecherous father-in-law, Pope Alexander VI, who recalls her and Jofre to opulent Rome. There, she avoids the pope's advances-and her jealous sister-in-law Lucrezia's animosity-but falls into a steamy affair with her brother-in-law, the dashing Cesare, cardinal of Valencia. Cesare becomes furious when she refuses to leave Jofre, and he sets out on a warpath that includes her brother Alfonso, who has also married into the Borgia clan-to Lucrezia. Kalogridis spins a dramatic tale from a heady mix of royal power plays and passion.

from bn.com

Nathan says 4.5 stars...
So this book is entirely different than my usual fare. It's technically adult fiction, there is no inkling of magic involved, and it's vastly historical, but I was surprised to find that I absolutely loved this book. I've long-harbored a fascination with the Borgia family, and this book only fanned the flames higher. The characters are quality, the dialog is expressive and well-written, but Kalogridis really excels at narrative. Each nuance reveals characters and weaves a sumptuous undercurrent throughout the novel. The writing is well and truly beautiful. This book is a peek into a decadently lavish and wholly immoral world. With that, I would not recommend this book to younger readers, but older YA readers should be fine. If you like historical fiction, then this book is a necessary part of your collection.

A Great and Terrible Beauty

It’s 1895, and after the suicide of her mother, 16-year-old Gemma Doyle is shipped off from the life she knows in India to Spence, a proper boarding school in England. Lonely, guilt-ridden, and prone to visions of the future that have an uncomfortable habit of coming true, Gemma’s reception there is a chilly one. To make things worse, she’s been followed by a mysterious young Indian man, a man sent to watch her. But why? What is her destiny? And what will her entanglement with Spence’s most powerful girls—and their foray into the spiritual world—lead to?

from bn.com

Nathan says 5 stars...
I know this is older, but I realized we hadn't even touched on the spectacular Libba Bray on the site. So, now we are. A Great and Terrible Beauty is utterly and totally fantastic. As a guy I was a little hesitant to pick it up, but the title was great as was the synopsis, so I gave in and read it-I am now one of the many Libba Bray acolytes. Let's dive in to what make this book so mind-shatteringly awesome. If you haven't figured it out by now, characters are normally the most important element for me in a novel. Bray's are personal and diverse. They deal with common issues without even bordering on the stereotypical. The main character, Gemma, has to deal with a massive pile of drama. She is dealing with the death of her mother, moving away, fitting in, and, oh yeah, figuring out her magical abilities, AND she does all of this in a corset. Umm, that's pretty bad...well, you get the point. The supporting characters are also great. Felicity is definitely a fave of mine by the end of the series. The plot is fast-paced particuarly for a story set in a boarding school during the Victorian era. The story is unique and touching. The dialogue is witty and fresh. The characters are well-formed and brilliant. Do I have to keep gushing? The point is read it immediately. Once you do, find Libba Bray on twitter and tell her what you think, because she is hilarious. We really, really love her here at in BetweeN the pages, and we're fairly certain you will too.

The Book of Dreams

Dana Faolan, the spunky half-faerie heroine of The Light-Bearer’s Daughter, the third book in The Chronicles, has been using her access to the land of Faerie to escape the troubles of being a teenager in a new town. But a dark, mysterious enemy is determined to sever the two worlds forever, thus dooming both. It will take all of Dana’s bravery and resourcefulness, plus the help of friends old and new, to save her two homes, especially when it becomes clear that the answer lies in an act of terrible sacrifice.

from amazon.com

Nathan says 5 stars...
If you like fairy folklore, then you must read this book. O.R. Melling is genius. The depth in this book speak of years and years of research. If it's been a while since you've read the other books in the The Chronicles of Faerie, it may take a few seconds to adjust, because all the characters are back for this epic finale. Melling's characters seem so utterly real, which is a spectacular feat considering the fantastical backdrop. Dana's struggle is so fascinating, and as a reader I really felt for her. Melling's prose is lush, yet fun. There is no want for drama or action. The ending may be a little sudden for some, but I thought it was appropriately bittersweet. This is a definite must-read, and it has a shiny cover. (Who doesn't love a shiny cover?)

Wicked Lovely

Rule #3: Don't stare at invisible faeries. Aislinn has always seen faeries. Powerful and dangerous, they walk hidden in mortal world. Aislinn fears their cruelty—especially if they learn of her Sight—and wishes she were as blind to their presence as other teens. Rule #2: Don't speak to invisible faeries. Now faeries are stalking her. One of them, Keenan, who is equal parts terrifying and alluring, is trying to talk to her, asking questions Aislinn is afraid to answer. Rule #1: Don't ever attract their attention. But it's too late. Keenan is the Summer King who has sought his queen for nine centuries. Without her, summer itself will perish. He is determined that Aislinn will become the Summer Queen at any cost—regardless of her plans or desires. Suddenly none of the rules that have kept Aislinn safe are working anymore, and everything is on the line: her freedom; her best friend, Seth; her life; everything.

from harperteen.com

Nathan says 5 stars...

In celebration of the imminent release of Fragile Eternity (fanboy yell) today I'm reviewing Wicked Lovely by the immensely lovely Melissa Marr. When I first read this book, I was flabbergasted. It was so raw, fresh, and vibrant that I knew that anything Marr ever wrote, I would read. She created a realm that perfectly melded the grit of life with the fantasy of faery. The mix of internal and external drama was superb, and her characters were some of the most original I've read in a long time. Marr defied not only the convention of traditional faery tales, but also traditional YA form. Aislinn isn't content to fall for the shiny prince who sweeps in from a magical realm; she wants her own life, and for that Marr deserves an immense amount of respect as a story teller. The story is filled with tension, and leads to a satisfiying conclusion. There really isn't much to say but READ IT, and do it quickly because Fragile Eternity is out soon.

City of Glass

To save her mother's life, Clary must travel to the City of Glass, the ancestral home of the Shadowhunters -- never mind that enter-ing the city without permission is against the Law, and breaking the Law could mean death. To make things worse, she learns that Jace does not want her there, and Simon has been thrown in prison by the Shadowhunters, who are deeply suspicious of a vampire who can withstand sunlight.As Clary uncovers more about her family's past, she finds an ally in mysterious Shadow-hunter Sebastian. With Valentine mustering the full force of his power to destroy all Shadow-hunters forever, their only chance to defeat him is to fight alongside their eternal enemies. But can Downworlders and Shadowhunters put aside their hatred to work together? While Jace realizes exactly how much he's willing to risk for Clary, can she harness her newfound powers to help save the Glass City -- whatever the cost?Love is a mortal sin and the secrets of the past prove deadly as Clary and Jace face down Valentine in the final installment of the New York Times bestselling trilogy The Mortal Instruments.

from Amazon.com

Beth says 5 stars...
This book was fantastic! It kept me reading past 1 o'clock in the morning while I knew all along that I should have been sleeping. This book was worth the lost sleep, though. Clare has an incredible and unique way of writing, fusing sarcastic humor with striking descriptions. City of Glass lost none of that, and it feels like Clare's writing is just getting better. It is the backbone and driving force of the stories, and what makes them so wonderful. All of the characters became more complex, and none more so than Jace. His development was so fascinating and one of the most engaging portions of the book. The existing relationships also deepened and some new ones were introduced. It was interesting to finally get a real look at the Shadowhunters' homeland. That in itself gave insight into why some of the characters behave the way they do. Some of the "plot twists" I was able to figure out fairly easily, however I was blindsided on more than one occasion. I love (most) of the characters and the stories, so it's very sad for me to have to part ways with them. I must admit that this book had the most satisfying epilogue that I've ever read. This was a fitting end to an amazing series and I can't wait to read more books from Cassandra Clare.


Nathan says 5 stars...
I'm entirely convinced that Cassandra Clare could write about the rate at which paint dries and I would read every word. Her writing is amazing. I would put her in the top three YA prose writers today. I loved every sentence. The crew is back again and they are remedying (and creating) more havoc, but this time in Idris, the capital of the Shadowhunters. The dialogue is as amazing as always with a lot of quirk and biting sarcasm. I have one issue with the book-predictability. Most of the plot points were easily guessed, though a few were unexpected. It's so well-written that I really didn't mind. Denouement is one of my favorite parts of a novel and this book had plenty of it. There is a truly massive epilogue; this thing is awe-inspiring. Every minor plot was addressed and we find all of our characters reach a conclusion. I love all of the couplings in this book. It helps that Clare makes her characters realistic, which is hard to do when dealing with demon-slaying Nephilim, warlocks, vampires, and other breeds of mystical beings. This book is truly well done. I love Clare's writing and all I can say I can't wait for her next series*.

*Her next series is about the Shadowhunters and is set in Victorian England-I love Victorian England.

Bloodhound

Beka Cooper is finally a Dog—a full-fledged member of the Provost’s Guard, dedicated to keeping peace in Corus’s streets. But there’s unrest in Tortall’s capital. Counterfeit coins are turning up in shops all over the city, and merchants are raising prices to cover their losses. The Dogs discover that gamblers are bringing the counterfeit money from Port Caynn. In Port Caynn, Beka delves deep into the gambling world, where she meets a charming banking clerk named Dale Rowan. Beka thinks she may be falling for Rowan, but she won’t let anything—or anyone—jeopardize her mission. As she heads north to an abandoned silver mine, it won’t be enough for Beka be her usual “terrier” self. She’ll have to learn from Achoo to sniff out the criminals—to be a Bloodhound. . . .

from bn.com

Beth says 5 stars...

I'm going to try and keep the gushing to a minimum. However, I LOVE Tamora Pierce's books. Bloodhound is no exception. It read even more like a detective novel than Terrier, but it worked. It's set about a year after Terrier ends and skips some major events (like when Beka is made a Dog). Pierce subtly shows how many of the characters have grown through brilliant dialogue and their actions. After a series of incidents, Beka finds herself in Port Caynn investigating some counterfeit coins that have made their way into circulation. The plot moved forward beautifully, its complexities neither getting lost nor hampering the flow of the story. Because most of the story took place outside of Corus, I missed some familiar characters (Rosto, Kora, Aniki, Lady Sabine, etc.). Pierce attempted to make up for this by introducing some new characters that were fantastic. This pulled me in and refused to let me go. Beka continued to grow and develop. It will be interesting to see what Pierce will do with her in the next book. This book reminded my of why I love Tamora Pierce's writing so much. Her versatility and ability to create a story are anstounding and distinguish her as an extraordinary talent. Simply put, this book was AMAZING!

Nathan says 5 stars...
My love affair with Tamora Pierce began long ago, and this latest tryst left little wanting. As I began Bloodhound, I was once again walking in the muck of the Lower City trolling for Rats next to our favorite Dog, Beka. The instant pull of her writing sucked me in totally. The partner storyline felt a bit ominous, and I guessed the outcome, but I love Pierce so much it didn't matter. I enjoyed the ride to the inevitable. The detailed and believable characters create the magnetism in Pierce's books which has made her a powerhouse in the YA world, this is true of Bloodhound also. The Port Caynn crew made a welcome addition to the series. Readers will be anxious for more of this well-conceived bunch. It was a fairly quick read, but that may be because my life was nearly paused until I finished. As I'm writing this I'm trying keep my book-self from gushing onto the keyboard. Pierce fans will be ecstatic and new readers will be hooked, though I would suggest reading Terrier first. Wait-why are you still reading this? You should be pre-ordering Bloodhound. Go! No really, now, I promise it won't dissapoint.

Teen Angst? Naaah...A Quasi-autobiography

The events in these stories are real. Some names have been changed so I don’t get yelled at.

Ned Vizzini writes about the weird, funny, and sometimes mortifying moments that made up his teen years. With wit, irony, and honesty, Teen Angst? Naaah . . . invites you into his world of school, parents, street people, rock bands, friends, fame, camp, sex (sort of), Cancun (almost), prom, beer, Nintendo, the cool (and almost cool), and more. A Holden Caulfield for Generation Y, Ned Vizzini is an original voice to be reckoned with, read, and enjoyed.

from bn.com

Nathan says 5 stars...
I opened this book to find the first chapter entitled "Nintendo Saved Me," and I instantly fell in love. Ned Vizzini captures the essence of the teenage years with a realism that seems achieved so easily. Vizzini recalls all the quirky details of junior high to senior year with a humor, wit, and depth that makes one look beyond his prose into the very soul of the author. Whether it be ranting about the evils of the Collegeboard or explaining how he tried illegal narcotics before sampling alcohol, Vizzini involves the reader in the story at a core level. Oh, I haven't mentioned yet, there are footnotes*. The book looks a little kid-ish, with its cartoons and large text, but I promise, it's not. I would suggest this for slightly older demographic, but most YA book audiences will be fine with it. Final verdict - this book is bold and refreshing. A must-read for YA fanatics, I mean the word quasi is in the title, what's not to love?


*I LOVE footnotes. They are delicious and quirky interjections that make a book all the more interesting.

Inagural Post-City of Bones

In celebration of the upcoming release City of Glass, we are doing our first review on Cassandra Clare's debut novel City of Bones.

Summary:
When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder — much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing — not even a smear of blood — to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know. . . .

From bn.com

Beth says 5 Stars...
This is one of the most exciting debut novels I have ever read. Claire creates a new hidden world wrapped within the New York City we all love. Clary is a fantastic new heroine, both vulnerable and strong. The Shadowhunters and other creatures lend an air of darkness and fantasy that meshes perfectly with the realism of Clary and the city. The plot is full of twists and turns. This book had me hooked from the first page; it's one of the rare books that is impossible to put down. I've given this as a gift to someone I liked, because it really is that good.

Nathan says 5 Stars...
Cassandra Clare is truly one of the most innovative and talented writers to reach the young adult section in many years. If this book (and its sequel) are any indication, then Clare has a long career ahead of her. The story centers around Clary, the fiery redhead who gets sucked into a rabbit hole that Lewis Carrol would be proud of. The Shadowhunters are incredibly well-conceived and the detail given to each of the characters lets the reader truly connect. This book is best described as fantasy with a layer of grit. I mean, Holly Black is quoted on the cover- it has to be good. A perfect novel for our generation.