CLOCKWORK ANGEL & CLOCKWORK PRINCE by Cassandra Clare-Young Adult

If you like young adult books, fantasy with a hint of romance, and set in Victorian England, check out Cassandra Clare's series, The Infernal Devices.

Starting with the second series, The Infernal Devices, before reading The Mortal Instruments series, had me thinking this could have been a mistake. In my defense, I saw a review of Clockwork Angel not knowing about the first series, and liked the premise. Needing something in audio, I was delighted to see it was read by the wonderful Jennifer Ehle. She may be best known as the actress who was Elizabeth in the 1995 mini-series of Pride and Prejudice with Colin Firth (which I may be just a tad bit obsessed with). She also played Myrtle Logue, the speech therapist's wife in The King's Speech. Ehle is spot on with the different character's voices and I loved the book. Now I am onto the second one, Clockwork Prince. To say that I was duly disappointed that Ehle was not the narrator quickly turned into delight when I heard the amazing male voice of Ed Westwick.  Heather Lind is also good as the female counterparts.

This introduction to the series is taken from Cassandra Clare's website:

"Magic is dangerous—but love is more dangerous still.

When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos.

Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What's more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own."

One of the things I love about this series, besides being set in England, is the author's obvious love of books, poetry, and reading. Each chapter starts with a quote from a book or a poem. Her main character, Tessa, constantly has a book in her hands. Will, the main male character, often spouts from books and poetry. It is this common interest that draws Tessa to Will, not to mention he's gorgeous and charming. But Will has a past and just when Tessa thinks he feels the same for her, he hurts her to the core. And then there is Jem, Will's best and closest friend. He's so unlike Will, but they are fiercely loyal to each other. These two Shadow Hunters' lives are fraught in mystery. Does Tessa dare get close enough to either of them to find out their secrets?  


The Mortal Instruments, Starting with City of Bones, takes place in modern time New York (and is being made into a movie). So that makes me feel a little bit better about reading them out of "order". Her newest series, The Dark Artifices, will come out in 2015. Los Angeles is the setting. I know I will be devouring the rest of these...will you?

FORGOTTEN by Cat Patrick

FORGOTTEN is Cat Patrick's debut young adult book about a 16 year old girl, London Lane, who at 4:33 every morning forgets her past. When she wakes up, she has notes, her cell phone is her life line, and her mom helps, too. But she cannot remember yesterday but she can see the future. Think about that. Would YOU want to know your future? Not seeing the past for me means I can read books and see movies for the first time over and over and over!

The pic at the right is a photo I took.  We were on vacation when it came out. In England. My hubby and I took a day to go to Oxford (because of Harry Potter and The Golden Compass) and we went to Blackwell's Book Shop.  Cool, right? I was so excited when I found it, I bought it on the spot!

Cat Patrick is the sister-in-law of Katie, a teacher at my school. So, I've been in on all of the excitement long before the book came out. 

How cool is it to have your first book get published? By Little and Brown, no less? They're the ones who published that vampire series. Yes, that one. No, I was NOT a fan. At all. Wanted to throw the second one across the room and did not (and will not) read the rest. No, you can't make me. Ever. But I do delight in making fun of the movies. HA!

Story is that Cat's husband was a little iffy about the idea of her quitting her day job to write full time. But she did it anyway and wrote Forgotten. Then it was published, big deal in of itself. Then she sold the movie rights. Hailee Stanfield will star. Yep, you know, the one who won an Oscar for TRUE GRIT?

I'd say hubby is happier.

But the really good part, is the book. The story. It's so much fun to read and try to figure out. I haven't predicted one thing in this book and to me that means it's top notch! Hubby is reading it right now and enjoying it!

Cat has more books in her bag, sorry, pun intended. We'll have to see what she comes up with next, can't wait!

Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy

So...have you been listening to me about just how GOOD young adult books can be? Have you gone out and TRIED some of these books? Because if you haven't, what the heck!? Go browse the YA section at your nearest library. Do I sound insistent, maybe a little worried? Well, of course! I don't want you to miss some of the best writing around. But, thankfully (notice the Thanksgiving segue?), my students are gobbling (#2) them up and that's what matters...to me, anyway. 

The current YA book that I am devouring is SKULDUGGERY PLEASANT by Derek Landy 12 year old Stephanie is dumbfounded when she inherits her author-Uncle's estate. At this point she has no idea that he was murdered. Suddenly, she is attacked but then saved by a detective known as Skulduggery Pleasant. Funny thing is, he's dead. And nothing but a skeleton. A well-dressed skeleton with a dry, sarcastic sense of humor. A skeleton who can throw fireballs. Now THAT was unexpected!

Derek Landy is a young author from Ireland who thankfully (#3) read WAY too many fantasy books and comics in his youth. And still does. This makes for one of the most action-packed, hilarious, page-turning, fantasy-lovers-dreams-come-true kind of book.

Don't be turkey (#4) and miss this book that kept me surprised, laughing, entertained, and wanting more! Gratefully (#5, last one, I promise) there are several sequels waiting for me and YOU!  YAY BOOKS!