CITY of BONES by Cassandra Clare

From Goodreads: 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. . . .

This book is the first in a series and set to be released on the big screen in August of 2013.


Rachel's Thoughts: This book sucked me in like a Dyson vacuum cleaner. I was turning those pages, wondering what's next, anticipating how the story will unfold, waiting for the character depth to...deepen. And the story DID unfold. But the character depth...yeah, that left me wanting until ultimately, I found myself reading just to finish the book. I felt as though I learned more about Clary's circumstances as the story progressed, but not so much about who she was and what made her tick. Basically, I didn't connect with her. Unfortunately  I didn't love this book to place the second on my "to be read" list. I still plan on seeing the movie, though, because I really DO like the premise. I gave this book THREE bookmarks. 

Lakela's Thoughts: I LOVED this book! It was great! It kept me at the edge of my seat the whole time. There was some creepy creatures but nothing that scared me too much. There was an amazing twist at the end that made me want more. I did enjoy the love "square" but it was a bit confusing. The shadowhunters were very interesting and I liked the action.  I read this book in a total of three days (I don't have much time to read so this is pretty fast for me.) I'm very excited for the movie to come out, I hope they don't disappoint me. :) I really didn't fully understand Clary and wish it talked more about what she liked besides her artsy side. I gave this book FIVE bookmarks.

PARANORMALCY by Kiersten White

Evie’s always thought of herself as a normal teenager, even though she works for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, her ex-boyfriend is a faerie, she’s falling for a shape-shifter, and she’s the only person who can see through paranormals’ glamours.

But Evie’s about to realize that she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures.

So much for normal. 

This book is said to be for grades 7 and up and is the first in a series.  

Rachel's Thoughts: I really liked this book! I had a hard time putting it down! It was such a unique idea. We have fairies, hags, vampires, werewolves, water spirits, gremlins, trolls and more. Unlike popular stories lately, she puts a bad spin on vampires as well as fairies. Not only did I thoroughly enjoy this book, I can't wait to get my hands on the next one in the series.I gave this book 4 bookmarks.

Lakela's Thoughts: I gave this book 5 bookmarks. 

MONSTER HIGH by Lisi Harrison

They prefer to call themselves RAD (Regular Attribute Dodgers), but some call them monsters. So far, the "monster" community has kept a low profile in Salem, but this year two new girls enroll at Master High School, and the town will never be the same.

Created just fifteen days ago, Frankie Stein is psyched to trade her father's formaldehyde-smelling basement lab for parties and cheerleading. But with a student body totally freaked out by rumors of monsters who might be stalking the halls, Frankie finds that life in the "normi" world can be rough for a chic freak like her.

She thinks she finds a friend in fellow new student Melody Carver--but can a normi be trusted with her big secret?

This book is said to be for middle grade plus. This book is the first in a series.


Rachel's Thoughts: This would be a fun read for a tween or teen. But as an adult reading it, the teeny-bop lingo kind of grated on my nerves as well as the need to explain the brand name of every piece of clothing and shoes. Otherwise, it was a fun read. I gave this book 3 bookmarks.

Lakela's Thoughts: I really liked this book. The story moved quickly and the characters were fun to read about. And I liked all the fashion and art references. I gave this book 5 bookmarks. 

MARKED by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast

From Goodreads: In 16-year-old Zoey Redbird's world, vampyres not only exist but are also tolerated by humans. Those whom the creatures "mark" as special enter the House of Night school where they will either become vampyres themselves, or, if their body rejects the change, die. To Zoey, being marked is truly a blessing, though she's scared at first. She has never fit into the human world and has always felt she is destined for something else. Her grandmother, a descendant of the Cherokee, has always supported her emotionally, and it is she who takes the girl to her new school. But even there the teen stands apart from the others. Her mark from the Goddess Nyx is a special one, showing that her powers are very strong for one so young. At the House of Night, Zoey finds true friendship, loyalty, and romance as well as mistrust and deception. She realizes that all is not right in the vampyre world and that the problems she thought she left behind exist there as well.

This book is said to be for grades 9 and up and is the first in a series.

Rachel's Thoughts: This book is full of 'teen talk', which I didn't mind at all seeing as it's a young adult novel. It was a page turner at times, but the problem I had was that the chanting during ceremonies grew until they were on page after page, causing me to skip those sections all together. I did enjoy this book for the story it told, but the too-much-chanting got in the way, so I don't think I'll read the next book in the series. I gave this book 3 stars.     

Vampire Diaries; The Awakening by L.J. Smith

From Goodreads: A deadly love triangle
Elena: beautiful and popular, the girl who can have any guy she wants.
Stefan: brooding and mysterious, desperately trying to resist his desire for Elena . . . for her own good.
Damon: sexy, dangerous, and driven by an urge for revenge against Stefan, the brother who betrayed him.
Elena finds herself drawn to both brothers . . .
who will she choose?

This book is said to be for teenagers/ young adult. This book is the first in a series.

Rachel's Thoughts: I hadn't heard of this book series until the show Vampire Diaries aired on a popular TV network. It seems to be trailing the popularity of the infamous Twilight series. I've seen the show and must say that the book and the show are incredibly different. First of all, the book was written 20 years ago. The romance between Elena and Stefan seems sweet. I thought it was a quick read and included many trials that most teenage girls can relate to. I gave this book 4 bookmarks.