Mind Games
I sat down in a book store and started reading this, and finished in one shot. Dark and fast paced, somewhat unhinged protagonist.
Goliath (Leviathan)
My favorite of the trilogy! Each book has been successively better in holding my interest, to the point where I nearly snuck this book into class to keep reading it.Alek has really come into his own in this book - while Deryn was much more the driver of the action in the first two books, Alek takes prominence in Goliath. But what I really love is Alek and Deryn's friendship/relationship, and we finally get a resolution to the secret Deryn's been keeping. And what a resolution! I loved the ending.
Behemoth (Leviathan)
With [b:Leviathan|6050678|Leviathan (Leviathan, #1)|Scott Westerfeld|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1275694232s/6050678.jpg|6226342], I only sort of leisurely flipped through. Behemoth was much more gripping and had me neglecting other things in order to keep reading.I loved the characters. Deryn is awesome and competent as always; Alek grew a lot and I loved seeing him taking charge of his own destiny! The new girl, Lilit, was also fairly kick-ass and I appreciate that we avoided a dreadful love triangle.
And Deryn and Alek's friendship is adorable. The part where Alek asks her to stay with him made me flail. Oh, oblivious Alek.
Leviathan
On the younger end of 'young adult', but fun. Alek took a little while to grow on me, but Deryn is competent, bold, and awesome from start to finish. I also loved Dr. Barlow's cleverness.ETA: After reading the rest of the trilogy, I have to say pushing through this one was utterly worth it.
Wick
(2.5 stars)My main issue with this anthology was the feeling that, with every single pov character in every story, there was a new self-pitying monologue about how they could never be loved. I usually enjoy Megan Derr's writing, but I did not enjoy this as much as some of her past work.
Warhorse
The book revolves around two characters: Roman, who wants peace with the Tampies, and Ferrol, who is very much against. Both are assigned to the same mission, which may be the last chance of averting war with the Tampies.What I like is that neither side is demonized and how Ferrol and Roman come to respect each other. A fairly good read that I got through in one sitting.
Saving Francesca
This one surprised me. There's a lot of stuff I liked about it: the friends she makes in unexpected places, her family pulling together, her fight to get more school things opened up for ladies. And I surprisingly liked the romance and found Will pretty sweet despite Will having a girlfriend, which is normally the point where I'd drop him.The particular cover depicted here does not really represent the book at all, imo - so if that puts you off, give the book a second chance.
Magic Rises (Kate Daniels)
3.5 stars.I love this series, but was frustrated at the relationship drama and didn't quite buy Curran's reasoning for not just talking to Kate about it.
The Pirate's Wish
[3.5 stars]There's a lot to like about this duology - it's an imaginative, creative world with a lesbian pirate captain! Ladies who kick ass! Sex positivity! And a cool magic system.
Regarding the ending though - I'm fine with the less traditional happily-ever-after, but I wish that it had been more of Ananna's decision. She spent so much of the book with her seemingly unrequited feelings for Naji that I think she should have been the one to realize that she needs to be independent and by the sea, even if Naji can't always be there with her.
Enemy Lines II: Rebel Stand (Star Wars: The New Jedi Order, Book 12)
My favorite two books of the New Jedi Order by far. To be honest, most of the NJ is too dark and too grim for me, but these books bring a bit of lightness and hope. The characters are actually effective at what they do and able to recover a bit from all of the setbacks they've faced. I really enjoyed what Allston did with the ensemble and enjoyed all of the plotlines.
Squire is my favorite of the series - I love Raoul, who is so much fun as Kel's mentor, and I love how Kel's skills have grown and seeing Wyldon respect her.
Trickster's Choice
I generally love Tamora Pierce, but this series just didn't work for me. I never felt as attached to Aly as I have to some of her other protagonists.
The Castle of Llyr (The Chronicles of Prydain)
[3.5 stars]This one is my favorite out of the whole series - I love Eilonwy and the little bit of romance.
Irregulars: Stories by Nicole Kimberling, Josh Lanyon, Ginn Hale and Astrid Amara
Quite dark but solid writing! I generally liked all four stories, but my favorite was No Life But This by Astrid Amara. I loved Deven's fumbling attempts to imitate normal humans.Letters from Camp
I loved this as a child. Very creative, amusing, funny, and I enjoyed the epistolary style.
The Dream-Maker's Magic
(3.5 stars)A gentle, sweet fantasy novel. And out of the whole trilogy, I think this one has my favorite relationship. I have a soft spot for best friends who develop into something more and I like how their relationship is built slowly throughout the whole novel.
The identity/birth twists are getting a bit predictable though by now.