The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen

I added The Truth About Forever to my tbr list (and the The Original TBR Challenge) because I had picked up the ARC from a friend. I'd heard good things about Dessen and since I hadn't read her before, I figured I should check it out.
Macy's sixteen and trying to be perfect. She has the perfect boyfriend who will be leaving her for the summer. She's just has to make through the summer to get her perfect life going. At first I wasn't sure if I would like Macy til I realized that we shared that unattainable desire to be perfect. I could clearly could see her struggle against the ideal and the reality. The characters talk over and over again about how perfect just isn't realistic. How perfect shouldn't ever be the goal cause not perfect can be so wonderful. Even though it would have stressed me out I loved all the chaos that Delia brought into Macy's life. It really forced her out of her hemmed in little world.
I really got sucked into Macy's story. It was very real. Macy's family is grieving the loss of her father. People treat her differently so she keeps them away. Her mom's thrown herself into work. Macy thinks if she keeps her head down and works on being perfect, everything will be fine. Then she meet Delia, a pregnant, frazzled caterer. Macy starts working for Delia and meets Kristy, Wes, Monica, and Bert. Slowly she becomes friends with this new gang of people and finds out more about herself. And Wes is sa-woon worthy!
Overall I really liked The Truth About Forever. It was a very realistic and relatable story. One I would definitely recommend. Others who shared their thoughts on The Truth About Forever: Books From Bleh To Basically Amazing, Paranormal Indulgence, and Confessions of A Book Addict.
This was my twenty-ninth read for the YA Reading Challenge.

And this was my eleventh read for the TBR challenge.

The Summer Before by Ann M Martin

From Goodreads:
Before there was the Baby-Sitters Club, there were four girls named Kristy Thomas, Mary Anne Spier, Claudia Kishi, and Stacey McGill. As they start the summer before seventh grade (also before they start the BSC), each of them is on the cusp of a big change. Kristy is still hung up on hoping that her father will return to her family. Mary Anne has to prove to her father that she's no longer a little girl who needs hundreds of rules. Claudia is navigating her first major crush on a boy. And Stacey is leaving her entire New York City life behind...

...in order to find new friends in Stoneybrook, Connecticut.

The Summer Before . . . is a sweet, moving novel about four girls on the edge of something big - not just the Club that will change their lives, but also all the joys and tribulations of being twelve and thirteen.

I requested from the library The Summer Before because I was a huge Baby-Sitters Club fan back when I was a young girl. I remember rushing to the bookstore on the days the new books were released. I had a huge box that I kept all my BSC books in so I could haul them around with me in the summer. I spent my summers at my parents' work and rather than bring one or two I had to lug my whole collection with me everyday. Man, I loved those books. Especially the Super Special books where the girls took trips to the beach, New York or California. The Summer Before was a lovely trip down memory lane.
The Summer Before is the story of Kristy, Mary Anne, Claudia, and Stacy before they start seventh grade and start the Baby-Sitters Club. If you read the BSC, The Summer Before gives you more background to the girls' lives. If you're new to the BSC, then it's a great story about four girls leaving childhood and moving into their teens. Each chapter is told from a different girl's perspective. I was glad to hear from each of them. When I was first reading the books, I really identified with Mary Anne, with an overprotective father who treated her like young child. My mom struggled to let me do age appropriate things, always erring on the side of caution. Today, reading The Summer Before, I felt more connected to Claudia, who felt that she left childhood behind and was now firmly a teen. I've been feeling like I'm leaving certain friends and habits behind like I've outgrown them. I'm in the same awkward stage where I remember them with comfort but remember that's not really who I am anymore. Overall, I enjoyed The Summer Before. The twelve year old in me cheered about reading a BSC book again. Others who shared their thoughts on The Summer Before: The Serpentine Library, My Books. My Life, Brooke's Box Of Books, and Live Through Books.
This was my twenty-eight read for the YA Reading Challenge.

Texas Gothic by Rosemary Clement-Moore

Synopsis from Goodreads:
Amy Goodnight's family is far from normal. She comes from a line of witches, but tries her best to stay far outside the family business. Her summer gig? Ranch-sitting for her aunt with her wacky but beautiful sister. Only the Goodnight Ranch is even less normal than it normally is. Bodies are being discovered, a ghost is on the prowl, and everywhere she turns, the hot neighbor cowboy is in her face.


I picked up Texas Gothic because I had enjoyed The Splendor Falls so much. Sadly I wasn't as taken with Texas Gothic as I was by The Splendor Falls but it was a great ghost story.
Yes, a ghost story. Such a great book to read at this time of year. Amy and her sister Phin are staying at her aunt's house while their aunt is taking a well-deserved vacation. All the Goodnight's have some paranormal ability. Phin studies preternatural science and tries to collect evidence of ghosts. Their cousin Daisy is a clairvoyant. And Amy, well Amy is tired of being a Goodnight. She doesn't want to use spells and potions. She wants people to think she and her family are normal. Unfortunately all sorts of spooky things start happening after Amy and Phin show up and people are not convinced of their normalcy.
I felt like I was dropped in the middle of the story right from the beginning. It took me a while to get into the story. I don't think I was really engrossed in the story until towards the end. It seemed like every time I had a handle on what was going on, another character would show up or we'd learn another fact about the characters that changed everything. When things seem arbitrary, I had a hard time caring.
I wouldn't recommend rushing out and picking this one up. But it wasn't a terrible read. If this one finds its way to you, I would read it. Others who shared their thoughts on Texas Gothic: Resugo's Bookish Paradise, Ink Scratchers, Shooting Stars Mag, and The Crooked Shelf.
This was my twenty-seventh read for the YA Reading Challenge.

 

Underdogs by Markus Zusak

Underdogs is the complete trilogy of the Wolfe Brothers by Markus Zusak. I'm glad I read them in successive order. While reading The Underdog, I thought eh, the writings good but the story is so so. I started to enjoy it more during Fighting Ruben Wolfe, but fell in love with Cameron in Getting The Girl. I actually teared up at the end of Getting The Girl which is unusual for me. I don't get weepy while reading many books.

The Underdog is the story of Cameron and Ruben Wolfe. Cameron is the youngest brother. Ruben is his older brother. Steven is the oldest brother. Sarah is their only sister. The Wolfe family is lower middle class. Their mom tries to make them a decent meal each night but sometimes they have mushrooms as meat. Their dad is a plumber. I loved the language that Cam and Ruben used. It was hard for me to understand their Australian teen slang. A lot of words were similar to British slang so it was ok. In The Underdog you get to know Cam and Ruben and how they feel about their lives. They spend their time planning heists (and not carrying them out), playing One Punch (they share one set of boxing gloves), and walking their neighbors dog, Miffy.

In Fighting Ruben Wolfe, Cam and Ruben are starting to grow up. Cam's relationship with his family starts to change. His relationship with Ruben starts change too. Zusak's writing really pulls you in and you  makes you care about this struggling family, a family of fighters. I really started to fall in love with the whole family but Cameron especially.

Getting The Girl was the best one. Here everything comes to a head. Cam has to make choices and start to grow up. I cannot describe how much I loved how things wrapped up for Cam and Ruben. I was intensely proud of these characters. I don't really say that about a lot of characters but I was rooting for each of the Wolfes. I didn't want them to get everything their little heart's desired but I wanted them to have their own happy endings. 

I cannot express how much I loved this trilogy. While it's nothing like The Book Thief, the writing is amazing. The character development over the trilogy is some of the best I've read. Others who shared their thoughts on Underdogs: It's All About Books, Guys Lit Wire, and Read Love.

This is my twenty-sixth read for the YA Reading Challenge.

Getting The Girl was my seventh read for the Original TBR List.

Plus By Veronica Chambers

If you are looking for a fun young adult/chick lit romp, Plus is your book. I immediately liked Bee. She’s smart (premed) but really insecure. She snags an adorable boyfriend but things quickly fall apart with him. Out of the blue, Bee is offered a chance to model. At one point in the book, Bee compares modeling to a river. Instead of navigating that river (at least at the beginning) she gets pulled along. I wouldn’t even call it floating, more like towed by the undercurrent. Bee spends most of the book struggling to stay above water both in modeling and with her relationships. At one point, a guy asks her what her passion is. Is she truly passionate about being a doctor? But I think if you ask most 17 year olds what their passion is, you’ll get a blank stare. Ask me what my passion is and you’ll get a blank stare. That’s probably why I identified so much with Bee. Modeling was dumped in her lap. It wasn’t her dream. At the beginning Bee was pretty naïve.  She struggles with her narrow view of the world and the reality of the world. I felt the beginning of her story was very realistic except her parents. Bee is 17 and signs a modeling contract without her parent’s involvement. That struck me as odd. As well as her parents never getting involved with her new professional life. Bee grows up, learns to enjoy her newfound success and balance her modeling with her relationships. I was really happy for Bee at the end. 

I really enjoyed Plus and would recommend it especially for fans of Bridget Jones (less alcohol and ciggies in Plus), Jemima J (Big Girl gets her man) or Good In Bed (another Big Girl gets her man). Others who shared their thoughts on Plus: Smitten With Books, The Book Scout, Frenetic Reader, Electrifying Reviews, and Debbie's World Of Books.

This was my twenty-fifth read for the 2011 YA reading challenge.

Tithe By Holly Black

Ever since I first heard of Holly Black's Modern Faerie Tales, I'd wanted to read them. Sadly it took me this long to start the series. I love faeries and these are the kind of fey I like-dark, prone to destroy humans and wicked.
After her mother's band breaks up, Kaye returns to New Jersey, her childhood home. When Kaye was growing up she had "imaginary friends", three faeries that she played with. Kaye tries to find them when she returns to New Jersey but has trouble finding them until she meets the mysterious Roiben. The faeries need her help and warn her of Roiben's evil deeds. Kaye quickly finds herself trapped between her faery friends and Roiben.
At the beginning I had a hard time getting into Tithe. Partly because the hype was great. But more because (tiny spoiler) Kaye's a changeling. I'm so tired of the changeling angle. I imagine when this book came out, it was novel. Now it's so tired. But the story moved quickly enough from that and I quickly became engrossed. Black's writing is so enchanting that I forgave her for any faults. I can't wait to read more of Kaye and Roiben's story (and Corny too).
Highly recommended to those who like dark faery stories. Others who shared their thoughts on Tithe: Good Books & Good Wine, The Happy Booker, Books From Bleh to Basically Amazing, and The Book Nerd Club.
This was my twenty-fourth read for the 2011 YA Reading Challenge.

 

 This was the fifth book I read for the 2011 TBR challenge.  

Annie On My Mind by Nancy Garden

I put Annie On My Mind on my library queue after hearing about it on The Broke And The Bookish. I was looking forward to a sweet story about two teens falling in love. And I was not disappointed.
When reading Annie On My Mind, you have to keep in mind that this is the early 80's or possibly late 70's. While some people still share some of the ideas in the book, a great deal more people don't. Ok, I'm getting ahead of myself. Liza and Annie are seniors in high school, looking forward going to college. They meet at a museum and become fast friends. They come from different parts of New York, go to different schools but find common ground in their otherness. Neither feels like they fit in until they found each other. Their relationship goes from friends to something more. Then they are found out and have to go through the ramifications of everyone knowing they are gay. I found Liza and Annie to be sweet. I liked how their relationship progressed. It never felt rushed.
It was a great story for young adults about a relationship between two young women. I enjoyed the story. Others who shared their thoughts on Annie On My Mind: Youthadvocate, Revolutionary Lit, Dreaming In Books, and Troublingly Good Teen Lit.
This was my twenty-third read for the 2011 YA Reading Challenge.

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

I have finally read a Neil Gaiman book! Yay. I can finally feel like a book blogger!
I picked The Graveyard Book up one day after checking the shelves at my local library. I'd heard good things about The Graveyard book so I decided to check it out. I was not disappointed.
The Graveyard Book is a collection of adventures about Nobody "Bod" Owens. When Bod was a baby his folks were killed and he came to live at the graveyard. All the residents of the graveyard (ghosts and other paranormal folks) decided to keep him and raise him. The book does have an overarching story but most of the chapters are about Bod's adventures exploring the graveyard. I think my favorite adventure is when Bod goes to school. It showed how Bod cared about others despite living apart from living people for so long. And the illustrations are fantastic. It's been a long time since I read a book with illustrations. These added to the story in the most wonderful way.
Overall, I found The Graveyard Book to be a delightful story. I'll be looking for more of Gaiman's work in the future. Others who shared their thoughts about The Graveyard Book: The Book Snob, The Betty and Boo Chronicles, Debbie's World of Books, Fluttering Butterflies, This Miss Loves To Read, and Lucybird's Book Blog.
This was my twentieth read for the YA Reading Challenge.

Girl In Blue by Ann Rinaldi

I've been interested in reading about woman soldiers since I read The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest. This one was a little different than I thought it would be but good nonetheless.
Sarah lives with an abusive father. She longs to find a way to leave her home. Upon hearing that the Union army is seeking more soldiers she devises a plan. She will dress like a boy and join the army. Sarah's story was sad. I didn't expect to be so sad. Sarah's home life is miserable. So miserable that joining the army sounds like an escape. She endures so much and manages to keep pushing on even when things are at their worst.
I did enjoy the battle scenes more in this book than other Civil War books I've read. The descriptions were very realistic and since Sarah was in the middle of Bull Run, much more interesting. I enjoyed hearing about the spies who were trading information from the North to the South. I learned more about the Civil War!
Recommended. Others who shared their thoughts on Girl In Blue: Bunny Books Blog, The Bookworm and Summer Reading Journal.
This was my fifth read for the War Through The Generations Challenge.

 This the nineteenth book I read for the YA Reading Challenge.

Time Of The Witches By Anna Myers

I picked Time Of The Witches off the shelf because it sounded good. With that cover, I assumed it would be a little creepy. Overall it was ok but nothing I would tell anyone to rush out for.

Time of The Witches is the story of Drucilla, a young woman growing up in Salem Village. An orphan at birth, Dru has been sent to live/work for Mistress Putnam. While there Dru gets involved in the witch hunts as Mistress Putnam is actively searching out evil in the village. Dru and her friend Gabe are fictional characters set in a real story. The book is supposed to be Dru's retelling of what happened during the Salem Witch Trials. While I'm normally a fan of books set during this time frame, Time Of The Witches fell a little flat. Even though Dru was involved in the trials, I felt very removed as if the action were happening away from the reader. 

Time Of Witches was an ok read. Others who shared their thoughts on Time Of The Witches: My Life In Not So Many Words, Teen Book Review Blog and Rebecca's Book Blog.

This is the seventeenth book I read for the YA Reading Challenge.

The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

I was pretty excited to read The Goddess Test from the first time I heard about it. Greek gods? Sign me up. And I was not disappointed. This was a delightfully sweet book.
Kate is moving to her mom's hometown, Eden. Kate's mom is dying and her last wish is to come back to Eden. I really identified with Kate who's been caring for her dying mother for 4 years. She's given up friends and her senior year to be with her mom. But once they relocate to Eden, Kate goes back to high school to finish her senior year. But school only lasts til she meets Henry, a gorgeous brooding fellow.
The gods and goddess in The Goddess Test are mostly teenagers. There's a couple of adults but most of the main gods and goddess (Ava, Dylan, James, Henry) are teens/young adults. So there's very little violence. No lighting bolts. A lot of normal teen drama (I like him, he doesn't seem to like me bullshit). I look forward to seeing if we move past the angst and the characters get a little more personality. And since I'm mildly griping, the end happened way too fast in my opinion. Especially the resolution with Kate's mom. I wanted a little more there.
Overall, recommended. It's a good beach read. Others who shared their thoughts on The Goddess Test: The Broke And The Bookish, Paranormal Indulgence, My Overstuffed Bookshelf, Library Queue, Debbie's World Of Books and Read. Breathe. Relax.
This was my sixteenth read for the YA Reading Challenge.

Rage by Jackie Morse Kessler

After reading Hunger (see my thoughts here), I was anxious to read Rage. I'm really enjoy this series. Rage is about Missy, a young girl tapped to fill the role of War. This was a difficult book to read. Missy is a cutter. I've never intentionally cut myself but I can see how she gains a sense of control. And in becoming War she has to balance that within herself. I enjoyed getting to know Missy. She definitely felt like a real person. Her problems, her concerns are what a lot of people go through. Death had a larger part in this book than in Hunger. I enjoyed learning a little more about him and seeing him interact with Missy.
Highly recommended. I cannot wait for the next in the series. Others who shared their thoughts on Rage: The Book Scout, Feeding My Book Addiction, Reading Angel, Electrifying Reviews and Bookish Delights.
This was my fifteenth read for the YA Reading Challenge.

The Splendor Falls by Rosemary Clement-Moore

I choose to read The Splendor Falls after reading About Happy Books wonderful review. I'm so glad I did read it. In fact I read it almost all in one sitting. Yes, it's a 500 page book but I could not put it down!
The Splendor Falls should be made into a movie. It read like a movie. We have Sylvie, a dancer who broke her leg. Sylvie is dealing with the fact she can no longer dance as well as her mom remarrying. To avoid leaving Sylvie alone in her Manhattan apartment, she's shipped off to her cousin's house in Alabama. I loved Sylvie immediately. She's angry at the world. She meets Ryhs, a hunky Welshman in town with his dad, and Shawn, the town golden boy. She's torn between the two. She feels pulled to both of them. Which will win out? I have to admit I couldn't decide for the longest time. Both were attractive.
There's also an element of finding out your past and learning about where you came from. I loved how Clement-Moore weaved the past with Sylvie's present. The book did have a mystical charm to it especially toward the end.
I highly recommend The Splendor Falls. It was a charming escape. Other review can be found at About Happy Books, Curling Up The Fire, Forever Young Adult, Giraffe Days, Lisa's World Of Books and The Scattered Bookshelf.
This is the fourteenth book I read for the 2011 YA Reading Challenge.

Belle By Beverly Jenkins

I choose to read Belle for the War Through the Generations challenge. I'm glad I did. It was a sweet book about a young girl, fleeing slavery. I enjoyed all the details that Jenkins provided about the time period. I loved Belle, Daniel, Jojo, the Bests and the Morgans. All such rich vibrant characters. Most of the other books I've read for this challenge have had Caucasian main characters. Although Belle is set just before the start of the Civil War, it was wonderful to hear about the conflict from the other side. I've read other books about the Underground Railroad but I enjoyed hearing Belle's story as well as the stories of abolitionists that she stays with, the Bests.
I recommend this sweet tale of a lovely young lady as she gains her freedom. Others who shared their thoughts on Belle: Apoo Bookclub and Rebecca's Book Blog.

Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan

In a word, wow! I was blown away by Will Grayson, Will Grayson. I immediately fell into their world and loved my time there. Will Grayson, Will Grayson is told in alternating voice by the two Will Graysons. The first Will Grayson is best friends with the fabulous Tiny Cooper (probably one of the best characters ever). The second Will Grayson is depressed and sees his life as a bleak place.
The first Will Grayson pissed me off for most of the book. He was a douchy teen boy. This girl likes me. I don't like her. She doesn't like me anyone. I like her now. Sheesh. I'm glad I'm not a teen anymore.
I understood the second Will Grayson so much more. He's caught between what he wants and what he thinks he should be. I worried about second Will Grayson (I hoped the first Will Grayson would pull his head out of his ass).
Then there is Tiny Cooper. How can you describe Tiny Cooper? He's fabulous in the full sense of the world. But Tiny Cooper changes both Will Graysons. How could I not love a 300 lb gay line backer? Honestly Tiny Cooper made this book. Without him it wouldn't have been as wonderful.
I appreciated the honesty of this book. The angst, the doubt, the confusion was all honest. I highly recommend this book. Others who shared their thoughts on Will Grayson, Will Grayson: The Broke And The Bookish, Reading Rocks, Erin Reads, Lusty Reader, Fluttering Butterflies, Things Mean A Lot, Birdbrained Book blog and Pub Writes.

This is my thirteenth read for the 2011 YA Reading Challenge.

Nothing But Ghosts by Beth Kephart

I added Nothing But Ghosts to my tbr list after it was recommended to me by Serena. I'm really glad she did. I probably would have never read this quietly beautiful book.
Nothing But Ghosts is the story of Katie. Her mom has passed away and her and her father struggle to live without her. Katie discovers a mystery about her employer and, with the help of the town librarian, she delves into her town's past. Katie, herself, is lost in her own past. A lot of the book is told in flashbacks, helping the reader learn more about Katie's mom. Katie's dad also gets into the mystery after he receives a mysterious painting.
Kephart's writing is beautiful. I kept losing myself in the enchanting prose. I really felt like I was standing in Katie's house, watching the sun reflect off the glasses or in Miss Martine's garden, enjoying the flowers. I had to read passages again and again because they were so beautiful. And beautiful is exactly how I would describe this book!
Highly recommended. Others who shared their thoughts on Nothing But Ghosts: Violet Crush, My Friend Amy, The Hiding Spot and Presenting Lenore.
This was my twelfth read for the 2011 YA Reading Challenge.

Thoughts on The Hunger Games Trilogy

 I can't believe it took me so long to read these books. I don't know why I resisted. This series was so good. I now know why other people loved it so much. I was converted :)
If you have not read The Hunger Games Trilogy, go now and get the books. I rarely buy books but I bought the entire series so I wouldn't have to wait to get them from the library. These are worth purchasing so you won't be anxiously waiting to read what happens next.
The first book was by far my favorite. I read it in a few hours. Catching Fire was good and Mockingjay was a little slower in my opinion. Katniss is a fantastic heroine. I loved Peeta and tolerated Gale. Even if you don't like YA or dystopian fiction, the story will suck you and keep a hold of you.
I highly recommend the whole series. I've heard they are making a movie of the series so I'll be interested to see how that compares.
 The Hunger Games Trilogy was my ninth, tenth and eleventh books for the 2011 YA Reading Challenge.

Firelight by Sophie Jordan

Wow, I really enjoyed Firelight. I was pretty interested based on the premise (people who shapeshift into dragons or draki in this book). And while some of the story was a little forced, I found myself unable to put it down. By the way, how gorgeous is the cover. Probably half the reason I wanted to read it!
Firelight is the story of Jacinda, a draki. Jacinda, her mom, and her sister live in a community of other draki, a pride. Jacinda's pretty rare. She's the first firebreathing draki in over 400 years. Some stuff goes down forcing Jacinda, her mom and her sister to leave the pride. This forces them to integrate into normal human life. Something Jacinda hates and resents but necessary for their survival. This is where Jacinda became spoiled whiny brat. It was really hard to like Jacinda when she's ranting and raving at her mom for trying to protect her. But here's what made the book worthwhile for me: Will. Swoon! Jacinda meets Will and he makes her draki light up. He's perfect-smart, funny, caring, the complete package. Except for his family who hunt draki. All very Romeo and Juliet.
Highly recommended. Looking forward to the next book in the series. Others who shared their thoughts on Firelight: The Broke And The Bookish, That's Life, I Read Banned Books, Deb's World Of Books, Simply Nerdy Book Reviews, The Nerd's Wife, Books From Bleh to Basically Amazing, The Book Scout, Chick Lit Teen and A Fanatic's Book Blog.
This is my eighth book for the YA Reading Challenge.

And my third book from my TBR Challenge.

The Carrie Diaries by Candace Bushnell

I love Sex And The City. I'd love to say I'm a Carrie but I'm really more of a Miranda. I was on the fence about reading The Carrie Diaries. I'm a creature of comfort. I like staying with those things I'm familiar with. But did I want to know about Carrie as a teen? Part of the reason I liked Sex And The City was the girls. Carrie without Charlotte, Miranda and Samantha was a little strange. I finally decided to read it cause I heard there were going to be more pre-SATC books coming out.
At first I didn't like The Carrie Diaries. In the first 150 pages I kept thinking I'll finish this and not continue the series. As far as Young Adult books go this one seemed pretty bad. Carrie was nothing like I know her in her later years. She seems to let things happen to her. She doesn't seem fabulous. In fact she didn't feel real. And when you know how someone is going to turn out it ruins the mystery in their beginnings. But then something happened, she started acting like a normal person, not a character. She started to jump off the page for me. Then I couldn't put the book down.
I kept trying to figure out which of her teen friends were Miranda, Samantha and Charlotte. I think Mouse was the most Miranda like. Maggie was a little like Charlotte and Samantha put together. In the end I enjoyed learning more about her back story. I always wondered why they didn't talk about her family on the show. I will be reading the next one-Summer And the City.
Others who shared their thoughts on The Carrie Diaries: Dream In Dreamland, Viva La Fashion, Thoughts of A Mad Hatter and Confessions of A Book Addict.

This was my seventh read for the YA Reading Challenge

Darkest Mercy by Melissa Marr

I love the Wicked Lovely series. I get lost in this world so quickly. I'm so sad it's over! But what an ending! I think this was my favorite book of all. It combines the Dark Court with the Summer Court and the Winter Court. All my favorite character except Dev and Ani (boo!) are in this one. And that cover, gorgeous!
Darkest Mercy's got it all. Plenty of action, romance with happily ever afters! Huntsdale is in serious trouble. Bananach either wants everyone to bow to her or die. It's time to put aside grievances and mistrust in order to defeat her. I gasped several times (no spoilers) but found that I liked the way everything tied up at the end. I'm really sad for the series to be over. I hope Marr decides to write short stories in the Wicked Lovely world like Old Habits (which I still haven't read).
Others who shared their thoughts on Darkest Mercy: My Friend Amy, Book Infinity, Sarah's Random Musings, The Book Bind and Bookhounds.
This is the sixth book I've read for the YA Reading Challenge.