Rose is back in this third Vampire Academy novel. Back at school after the events in Frostbite where Rose's good friend Mason was killed, Rose and her classmates are preparing for their field experience, where they protect their Moroi assignments from attack. To her surprise, Rose is assigned to Christian, Lissa's boyfriend, instead of Lissa herself.
But other things are going on at St. Vladmir's as well. For one, Rose is beginning to think she is going crazy as Mason periodically appears in front of her. Her temperament is even worse than it always has been. And Victor, the man who tortured Lissa and the reason Rose and Lissa ran away in the first place, may be let out of prison and be a free man once again.
And before you know it, Strigoi attack the school and Rose just may have to decide between the Moroi she has sworn with her life to protect, and the man she has come to love.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Vampire Diaries, volume 2 by L.J. Smith
The Fury
Elena has been changed in ways she will never be able to reverse. But that's not all that's changed. Something seems out to get her and her friends, as well as everyone in town. Stefan and Damon have no experience with this--in fact--they don't have any experience in helping each other out either, but Elena is determined to be their common ground and convinces them they need each other in order to save her family, friends, and town. But will they figure things out in time?
The Dark Reunion
Without giving away what happens in the previous book, this fourth book of the Vampire Diaries series begins with Bonnie and Meredith confused about recent events going on around them. Something is once again reeking havoc on the town, and no one is sure what's going on. It seems necessary to bring Stefan back, and with him, Damon, to once again save Fells Church.
Elena has been changed in ways she will never be able to reverse. But that's not all that's changed. Something seems out to get her and her friends, as well as everyone in town. Stefan and Damon have no experience with this--in fact--they don't have any experience in helping each other out either, but Elena is determined to be their common ground and convinces them they need each other in order to save her family, friends, and town. But will they figure things out in time?
The Dark Reunion
Without giving away what happens in the previous book, this fourth book of the Vampire Diaries series begins with Bonnie and Meredith confused about recent events going on around them. Something is once again reeking havoc on the town, and no one is sure what's going on. It seems necessary to bring Stefan back, and with him, Damon, to once again save Fells Church.
Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott
"Alice" was abducted from an aquarium when she was 10 and kept tightly controlled by Ray. Now, at the age of 15, she is getting too old for Ray, as he steadily controls how much she eats, puts her on birth control, and restricts when she can leave their apartment. Ray dreams of finding another young girl he can 'train' and keep. Alice's continual growing annoys him.
Alice can't wait for him to find a new girl as well--fully knowing the end is coming for her. Even though Ray promises they'll be a 'family' with a new young girl for him to focus on, Alice knows better. She knows Ray is going to kill her as soon as he gets his next victim, and she cannot wait for a way to escape this life. Which is why she offers to find his next young girl. But as events unfold and she is faced with the ultimate decision, what will she do?
Alice can't wait for him to find a new girl as well--fully knowing the end is coming for her. Even though Ray promises they'll be a 'family' with a new young girl for him to focus on, Alice knows better. She knows Ray is going to kill her as soon as he gets his next victim, and she cannot wait for a way to escape this life. Which is why she offers to find his next young girl. But as events unfold and she is faced with the ultimate decision, what will she do?
Ghostgirl by Tonya Hurley
Charlotte Usher has always been invisible. She has no friends, no fashion, and no social standing with anyone in her school.
But she begins her sophomore year thinking that will all change. Determined to get the boy she's been dreaming about for two years--Damen--she embarks on a complete makeover to become what she thinks he wants. And he seems to notice her on the first day--mostly because they are lab partners in Physics.
Then tragedy strikes. Charlotte, waiting to talk to Damen after class, chokes on a gummy bear while everyone else ignores her. Now Charlotte is truly invisible to everyone but Scarlet, Damen's girlfriend's little sister. Does she accept the inevitable and stop trying to get Damen to notice her, or just try harder as he starts to notice Scarlet as more than a pest?
But she begins her sophomore year thinking that will all change. Determined to get the boy she's been dreaming about for two years--Damen--she embarks on a complete makeover to become what she thinks he wants. And he seems to notice her on the first day--mostly because they are lab partners in Physics.
Then tragedy strikes. Charlotte, waiting to talk to Damen after class, chokes on a gummy bear while everyone else ignores her. Now Charlotte is truly invisible to everyone but Scarlet, Damen's girlfriend's little sister. Does she accept the inevitable and stop trying to get Damen to notice her, or just try harder as he starts to notice Scarlet as more than a pest?
Thursday, November 20, 2008
The Power of Nice: How to Conquer the Business World with Kindness by Linda Kaplan Thaler and Robin Koval (658.4 Kap)
I am not a huge fan of non-fiction, but this book reads easily. The authors head up their own advertising agency--The Kaplan Thaler Group--and so use their own experiences with their business and their clients to add detail and examples to this short book. The language is to the point and easy to follow.
The authors point out the ways and reasons to be nice in the business world, and back up their advice with tried and true examples from their own lives. Each chapter also comes with exercises to try to become a "nicer" person, and to practice being nice at home, work, and to strangers on the street. Each chapter is well organized into shorter sections, making it easy to read and find places to stop and absorb. A powerful book for something so small and simple to read.
The authors point out the ways and reasons to be nice in the business world, and back up their advice with tried and true examples from their own lives. Each chapter also comes with exercises to try to become a "nicer" person, and to practice being nice at home, work, and to strangers on the street. Each chapter is well organized into shorter sections, making it easy to read and find places to stop and absorb. A powerful book for something so small and simple to read.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Vampirates: Blood Captain by Justin Somper
Connor and Grace are back yet again in another chapter of their adventure. Grace is back on the Vampirates' ship, The Nocturne, while Connor is living a pirate's life aboard The Diablo. Grace is struggling to help Lorcan, the vampirate who rescued her from the sea and went blind while trying to brave the sunlight to save her in Vampirates: Demons of the Ocean. Now they are traveling to Sanctuary, a place where vampires tired of the evil they do come to join others who can control their bloodlust.
Connor is having problems of his own, as he struggles with having killed a man in cold blood. He never thought it would happen the way it has, and he doesn't know if he can continue in his life as a pirate. Broken, he runs away from the life he once enthusiastically embraced, and attempts to find his own path, knowing he cannot join his sister.
However, there is mutiny on the vampirate's ship, from Connor's own friend and ally. The Captain is in grave danger, and the vampires are revolting. What will happen to the world with renegade vampirates on the high seas?
Another fantastic novel. Well-written and action-packed, there is enough here for everyone. Yet another book will follow...
Connor is having problems of his own, as he struggles with having killed a man in cold blood. He never thought it would happen the way it has, and he doesn't know if he can continue in his life as a pirate. Broken, he runs away from the life he once enthusiastically embraced, and attempts to find his own path, knowing he cannot join his sister.
However, there is mutiny on the vampirate's ship, from Connor's own friend and ally. The Captain is in grave danger, and the vampires are revolting. What will happen to the world with renegade vampirates on the high seas?
Another fantastic novel. Well-written and action-packed, there is enough here for everyone. Yet another book will follow...
Lily Dale: Believing by Wendy Corsi Staub
Lily Dale: Believing is the sequel to Lily Dale: Awakening, and continues the story of Calla, a young woman who moved to Lily Dale to live with her grandmother after her mother's death and her father's move to California from their home in Florida.
Life for Calla has not changed much from the summer spent in Lily Dale. She convinced her father to let her stay there for at least the beginning of the year, and her skills as a medium are growing, despite her grandmother's concerns about using them. Calla is desperate to contact her mother beyond the grave. However, Kaitlyn, the young woman Calla "saw" in the first book is back, with another request: "Stop him". At a loss as to how to precede, Calla is caught between her father's visit, boys, and her problems at school (not to mention having a dead person talking to you while you're in math class...)
When Calla seems to become the target of the man who killed Kaitlyn and dumped yet another young woman, things start to become more dangerous, and Calla starts to realize how careful she needs to be with her gift...
This is an excellent second novel. The spirits Calla sees feel new and authentic, and Lily Dale comes alive once again. Keep an eye out for the third book in this series..
Life for Calla has not changed much from the summer spent in Lily Dale. She convinced her father to let her stay there for at least the beginning of the year, and her skills as a medium are growing, despite her grandmother's concerns about using them. Calla is desperate to contact her mother beyond the grave. However, Kaitlyn, the young woman Calla "saw" in the first book is back, with another request: "Stop him". At a loss as to how to precede, Calla is caught between her father's visit, boys, and her problems at school (not to mention having a dead person talking to you while you're in math class...)
When Calla seems to become the target of the man who killed Kaitlyn and dumped yet another young woman, things start to become more dangerous, and Calla starts to realize how careful she needs to be with her gift...
This is an excellent second novel. The spirits Calla sees feel new and authentic, and Lily Dale comes alive once again. Keep an eye out for the third book in this series..
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